The relationship between vegetation and modern pollen assemblages on Mount Paggeo (NE Greece)

In this study, we investigated the relationship between vegetation and modern-pollen rain along the elevational gradient of Mount Paggeo. We apply multivariate data analysis to assess the relationship between vegetation and modern-pollen rain and quantify the representativeness of forest zones. This study represents the first statistical analysis of pollen-vegetation relationship along an elevational gradient in Greece. Hence, this paper improves confidence in interpretation of palynological records from north-eastern Greece and may refine past climate reconstructions for a more accurate comparison of data and modelling. Numerical classification and ordination were performed on pollen data to assess differences among plant communities that beech (Fagus sylvatica) dominates or co-dominates. The results show a strong relationship between altitude, arboreal cover, human impact and variations in pollen and nonpollen palynomorph taxa percentages.

Parasites of endemic and introduced fishes of Zaianderud River of the Esfahan

In this research, 9 species of local and introduced fishes of the Zayandehroud River in Esfahan province (in the Sarmatian region belonging to the large paleoarctic fauna) in 6 seasons (winter 2003, spring, summer, autumn and winter 2004 and summer 2005) were parasitologically studied. The local fishes included alburnoides bipunctatus, Alburnus maculatus, Aphanius vladykovi, Capoeta aculeata & Capoeta damascina & the introduced fishes included Aristichthys nobilis, Carassius auratus, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus carpio. Upon being hunted, the fishes were transferred alive to Esfahan Aquatics Breeding Center and physiologically studied after the determination of their species and genus by identification keys Berg (30), Coad (31), Saadati (51), Abdoli (20) and Holchic (38). 32 species of parasites were totally identified as follows: 6 Protozoan species including Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, 5 Trichodina species, 2 Myxobolus species including Myxobolus cristatus & Myxobolus saidovi, 16 monogenea species including Dactylogyrus alatus. D. anchorutus, D. baueri, D. chalcalburni, D. chramuli, D. extensus, D. gracilis, D. lamellatus, D. lenkorani and D. pukher, 4 Dactylogyrus spp. 2 Gyrodactylus species, 1 species of Digenea, Diplostomum spthaceum, 4 species of Cestoda including Bothriocephallus gowkongensis, khawia armeniaca, Ligulaintestinalis. Caryophyllaeus sp. 1 Acanthocephala: Acanthocephalo rhynchoides cholodkowsky, 2 species of the crustaceans including the mature & copepodian stages of Lernaea cyprinacea & 1 sp of the genus Lamproglena. Out of all the 166 pcs of the fishes hunted in this research, 127 fishes (76.5%) were infected, and 39 fishes (23.50%) were not infected. In the fishes studied, having 14 of 32 species of the parasites identified, Capoeta aculeata displayed the most variety of infection, and having only 1 sp of the parasites. Aristichthys nobilis displayed the least variety of infection. The new findings of the research will follow: Myxobolus saidovi sp is reported for the 1st time from Iran's fresh water fishes, Alburnus maculatus and Capoeta aculeata are new hosts for M. saidovi and M. cristatus, respectively. Regarding monogenea Capoeta damascina & C. aculeata were reported as the new hosts for parasite D. pukher. The presence of D. pukher the infection of Capoeta aculeata with D. chramuli, D. lenkorani and D. gracilis in the Zayandehroud river were the 1st report. Regarding the Cestodea, Bothriocephalus gowkongensis was reported to be hosted by Aphanius Vladykovi for the 1St time in Iran.

Study of parasites native and introduced species of fish in Caspian Sea

Seven native and introduced species of fish in south east Caspian Sea coast examined for parasite infestation during 2004-2006. Native fishes include Barbus capito, Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Rutilus frisii kutum, Rutilus rutilus, Stizostidion lucioperca, Alosa caspia persica, 24 ecto and endo parasites were found in different organs of 7 species of fishes of them 2 of the metazoan 12 species of crustacean Lernaea cyprinacea , Lamproglena pukhella nematodea and cestodea parasite were found and identified to species and genus including: Asymphylodora kubanicums, Caryophylaeus fimbericep, Rhabdochona hellichii, Contracecum sp. (larvae), Pronoprymna, Aspidogaster limacoides, Raphidascaris acus, Caryophylaeus laticeps, Rhabdochona hellichi, Clinostomum complanatum, Hysterothylacium sp., Rhipidocotyle illense of the metzoan 9 monogen species were found and identified to species and genus level including Dactylogyrus frisii, Dactylogyrus nybelini, Dactylogyrus extensus, Gyrodactylus sp, Dactylogyrus baueri, D. formosus, Gyrodactylus sprostonae, Gyrodactylus sp, Mazaocraes alosae. One psecies of digenea parasites belonging to Diplostomatidea family comprised Diplostomum Spathaceum. In comprise infestation parasite of fish species Cyprinus carpio, Rutilus frisii kutum with 25 precent and Stizostidion lucioperca with 5 percent showed the highest and lowest in infection between fishes in comprise ecological region rivers with 45 percent and Estuary 16 percent showed the highest and lowest percent of parasite Infection.

Survey of food network in Ovan Lake

Lake Ovan with about 9 hectares is regarded a semi-shallow lake with an average depth 5.2 meter. It is situated in Ghazvin Province, with a 1910 m high in mountainous regime. A monthly sampling was done at 3 stations studying the physicochemical and biological parameters in water and sediment at the Lake for a year. The temperature annual was measured 12.3°C and other parameters are pH as 8.8, oxygen 10, with total mean phosphate and nitrate as 0.14 & 0.8 mg/lit respectively. The chl.a mean was also measured 1.94 mg/lit. The ratio of N to P was calculated as 1:59, indicating a limiting factor for growth. Considering the trophic statues of the lake taking into account as above parameters, it is a mesotrophic lake with medium trophy. Altogether, 53 phytoplankton species were identified mostly diatoms, green algae and cyanobacteria. Although, 14 zooplankton species were identified with daphnia dominating the group. Macrobenthoses were also surveyed and 11 families were identified comprising mainly by Annelids, Gastropod, Bivalves and Insect Larvae. Other organisms were 2 dominate water plant including Phragmites australis covering at the edge of the lake and potamogeton sp in the inner parts, and also 2 fish species, common carp and Pike Perch. The diversity Shannon—Wiener index was calculated for main taxa groups with all figures lower than 3. Regarding the fish potential production of the lake based on Bramic & Lemke and morphoedophic index, it was calculated to be 20.4 kg/ha fish and a total of about 150 kg for the entire lake.

Role of Aeromonas hydrophila in bacterial septicemia of cultured carps in Khouzestan Province and investigation on protectivity of bacterin (s) prepared from acute isolate(s) of it

Motile Aeromonas are the most common bacteria of freshwater in the world that cause disease in fish and other cold-blooded and warm-blooded hosts. Among this group of bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila is important in causing complications such as fin rot, skin ulcers and lethal hemorrhagic septicemia in fish. Several virulence factors involved in the pathogenesis of Aeromonas hydrophila, including extracellular enzymes (protease, lipase, elastase, gelatinase and nuclease) and toxins. From the exotoxins, hemolysin, aerolysin and cytolytic enterotoxin play an important role in pathogenesis. Detection of virulence markers by PCR as a key component of determining the pathogenesis of the bacteria and using indigenous vaccines for better immunization against this disease is important. In this study, a total of 200 fanned carps (126 common carp. 39 silver carp and 35 of grass carp) with symptoms suspected aeromonas septicemia were isolated from Khouzestan province farms. 125 bacteria belong to Aeromonas genus detected by biochemical and PCR methods. 31 of all isolates recognized as Aeromonas hydrophila with biochemical methods, I6srRNA detection and Lipase genes. Results showed that the role of Aeromonas sp. and Aeromonas hydrophila in fish with disease symptoms were 62.5% and 15.5% respectively. By using specific primers, three virulence genes including hemolysin, aerolysine and cytolytic enterotoxin were detected in these confirmed isolates, that 18 isolates (58/06%) hemolysin positive (hlyA +), 16 isolates (51/61%) aerolysine positive (aerA+) and 23 isolates (74/19%) for cytolytic enterotoxin gene (act+) were positive. The result of present study showed that most of the confirmed isolates genotype was hlyA+ act- with frequency equal to 51/61%. For investigating the protection effect of acut strain of bacteria, UV inactivated bacterin was used.

Aluminium tolerance in bean traditional cultivars from Madeira

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume crop in the world, providing low-cost, high quality protein, minerals and dietary fiber for human nutrition. The crop was originated from diversity centers in America and exhibits adaptation abilities to different environmental conditions, including soil with low pH. Acid soils occupy 30% of the agro ecosystem areas in the world. In Madeira, acid Andosols and unsatured Cambisols are the dominant groups of soils. Generally, under acidic and infertile conditions, besides of H+ toxicity, soluble aluminium (Al) is the most important abiotic factor limiting plant development and crop productivity. In the field, the hidden roots are also affected and the reduction of root growth under Al stress can be clearly observed in early stages. Seedlings of fifty bean accessions from the Archipelago of Madeira were tested under controlled conditions in the presence of 50 mM Al at pH 4.4. In general, the tested germplasm appeared to be sensitive or very sensitive to Al toxicity. However, fifteen traditional cultivars clearly exhibited elevated Al-tolerance, with an average root relative elongation (RRE) exceeding 50%, while top six accessions surpassed the 60% RRE mark. The Madeira bean germplasm is a valuable resource for sustainable crop production in acid soils and it could be used as parental lines in breeding programs aimed for Al tolerance in common beans.

Aluminium tolerance in bean traditional cultivars from Madeira

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume crop in the world, providing low-cost, high quality protein, minerals and dietary fiber for human nutrition. The crop was originated from diversity centers in America and exhibits adaptation abilities to different environmental conditions, including soil with low pH. Acid soils occupy 30% of the agro ecosystem areas in the world. In Madeira, acid Andosols and unsatured Cambisols are the dominant groups of soils. Generally, under acidic and infertile conditions, besides of H+ toxicity, soluble aluminium (Al) is the most important abiotic factor limiting plant development and crop productivity. In the field, the hidden roots are also affected and the reduction of root growth under Al stress can be clearly observed in early stages. Seedlings of fifty bean accessions from the Archipelago of Madeira were tested under controlled conditions in the presence of 50 mM Al at pH 4.4. In general, the tested germplasm appeared to be sensitive or very sensitive to Al toxicity. However, fifteen traditional cultivars clearly exhibited elevated Al-tolerance, with an average root relative elongation (RRE) exceeding 50%, while top six accessions surpassed the 60% RRE mark. The Madeira bean germplasm is a valuable resource for sustainable crop production in acid soils and it could be used as parental lines in breeding programs aimed for Al tolerance in common beans.

Occurrence Of Isoflavonoids In Brazilian Common Bean Germplasm (phaseolus Vulgaris L.).

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is present in the daily diet of various countries and, as for other legumes, has been investigated for its nutraceutical potential. Thus, 16 genotypes from different gene pools, representing seven types of seed coats and different responses to pathogens and pests, were selected to verify their isoflavone contents. The isoflavonoids daidzein and genistein and the flavonols kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin were found. Grains of the black type showed the highest concentrations of isoflavonoids and were the only ones to exhibit daidzein. IAC Formoso, with high protein content and source of resistance to anthracnose, showed the greatest concentration of genistein, representing around 11% of the content present in soybean, as well as high levels of kaempferol. Arc 1, Raz 55, and IAC Una genotypes showed high content of coumestrol. The results suggest the use of IAC Formoso to increase the nutraceutical characteristics in common bean.

Pneumopathie interstitielle granulomato-lymphocytaire dans l'immunodéficience commune variable [Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease in common variable immunodeficiency].

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent primary immune deficiency. Recurrent infections are classical consequences of CVID, but their impact has been largely reduced by immunoglobulin replacement. CVID is also associated with various inflammatory and autoimmune manifestations resulting from abnormal cellular immunity. The lungs are especially affected by a recently described entity called granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD). GLILD currently constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. It is distinct from bronchiectasis secondary to recurrent infections, and presents similarities but also striking differences with sarcoidosis.

Dénervation rénale pour le traitement de l'hypertension artérielle résistante: proposition pour une attitude multidisciplinaire commune [Renal denervation in resistant hypertension: proposal for a common multidisciplinary attitude].

The prevalence of resistant hypertension ranges between 5-30%. Patients with resistant hypertension are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. Radiofrequency renal denervation is a recent and promising technique that can be used in the setting of resistant hypertension. However, long-term safety and efficacy data are lacking and evidence to use this procedure outside the strict setting of resistant hypertension is missing. The aim of the article is to propose a common work-up for nephrologists, hypertensiologists, cardiologists and interventional radiologists in order to avoid inappropriate selection of patients and a possible misuse of this procedure.

In vitro somatic embryogenesis and adventitious root initiation have a common origin in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Somatic embryogenesis was induced from cotyledon explants of eggplant cultured on MS medium supplemented with 54 µM NAA. Anatomical analysis of somatic embryo initiation and development was performed during the first four weeks. Proembryo formation was observed after the second day of culture, directly from perivascular cells or via pro-embryogenic masses derived from indeterminate meristematic masses (IMMs) originated in the vascular tissue. Those IMMs also gave rise to root primordia after 10 days of culture. The origin of embryos is discussed as well as the similarities between somatic embryogenesis and adventitious root formation.