Identity of Microfilariae Circulating in Dogs from Western and South-Western Romania in the Last Decade

Dirofilaria infections in dogs are recognized as widespread mosquito-borne diseases with zoonotic potential, that are caused by the filarioid nematode (Onchocercidae) species Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. The long-term survey conducted in western and south-western Romania was undertaken in order to provide valuable data on the occurrence of Dirofilaria infections in dogs. Blood samples from 1088 dogs, originating from 73 localities of 11 western and south-western counties in Romania, were collected and examined using the modified Knott test. Subsequently, all of the microscopically positive samples were subjected to molecular analysis for confirmation. Altogether, the data obtained showed the percentage of dogs with circulating microfilariae to be 21.42% (233/1088) of dogs tested in the investigated region. The identified species, in cases of monoinfections, were D. immitis, D. repens, and Acanthocheilonema reconditum in 106 (9.74%) samples, 102 (9.38%) samples, and 1 (0.09%) sample, respectively. Twenty-four (2.21%) samples were simultaneously positive for D. immitis and D. repens. There was no association (p > 0.05) between infection status and breed; however, sex and lifestyle were positively associated (p < 0.05) with the percentage of dogs with circulating microfilariae and might be regarded as risk factors for infection. The results of the present investigation indicate potential zoonotic risks for humans living in the screened area and support the imperative to increase awareness among both veterinarians and physicians, regarding the continuous spread of these zoonotic filariae.

The impact of the intensity of selective sanitary cutting in oak forests on the defeat of the pedunculated oak (Quercus Robur L.) trees by powdery mildew

The article assesses the impact of the intensity of selective sanitary cutting in oak forests on the defeat of oak trees by powdery mildew. The research methodology included visual estimation and detailed inspection of oak plantations. On their basis, the species composition of pathogens was identified, the degree of crown desiccation from a complex of factors and leaf infestation with powdery mildew and necrotic spots was assessed. The dispersive analysis was applied for data processing. The analysis of the long-term survey of the plots passed by selective sanitary cutting shows that the degree of damage to oak trees by powdery mildew on permanent test areas practically does not depend directly from selective sanitary cutting, in general, and from their intensity, in particular. The dynamics of the damage degree of the oak trees by powdery mildew changed almost synchronously in all test areas and in the control area. The results can be used in the practice of the Voronezh region forestry enterprises when carrying out forest pathology surveys.

Invasive and indigenous armoured scales (Sternorrhyncha: diaspididae) in urban lanscapes of Ukraine

The results of long-term survey of аrumored scales (Sternorrhyncha: Diaspididae) that was provided in urban landscapes in Forest- Steppe and Steppeе zones of Ukraine are presented. The species composition of alien armored scales consists of 24 species from 19 genera. 10 species were found in open field whereas 14 species were registered in green house. The most distributed were A. nerii, D. boisduvalii та D. bromeliae. The vast majority of species found in survey belong to polyphagous and represent alien species. Due to climate change, in summer there has been a shift of sub tropically originated armor scales( Aspidiotus nerii, Diaspis boisduvalii and D. bromeliae) from greenhouses to open field host plants. The coconut scale Pinnaspis buxi Bouch was recorder for the first time in this study. The features of the invasive armored scales adaptation in light of the of their development is discussed. Analysis of some important aspects of the development of morphological features of armored scales and other soft scales species of under the influence of abiotic factors indicated that the evolution of this group of insects occurred not only by adaptation but also by avoiding environmental influences. The evolution of environmental avoidance has taken place in all families of Coccoidea. The formation of the shield is seen not only as a way to avoid the influence of the environment, but as the transition of these insects to another level of evolution − the transformation of the environment to their needs.

Distribution and Diversity of Beauveria in Boreal Forests of Northern European Russia

The distribution and genetic diversity of 91 of Beauveria isolates collected during a long-term survey in boreal forests of northern European Russia was studied. Based on morphological and sequence analysis of TEF and Bloc loci, three Beauveria spp. were identified: B. pseudobassiana, B. bassiana, and B. caledonica, with abundance of 81, 11, and 8%, respectively. Through multilocus sequencing, four haplotypes of B. bassiana and two haplotypes of B. caledonica were detected. Twelve haplotypes of B. pseudobassiana with non-random distribution were identified. Two haplotypes of B. pseudobassiana were the most abundant and widespread occurring across the whole study area, whereas others tended to be more specific to either the north or south of the study area, indicating the presence of different subpopulations. For further analysis of these putative subpopulations, southern and northern areas were separated along the boundary of the Köppen–Geiger climate zones (dfb and dfc), and the genetic structure was examined by analysis of molecular variance and spatial autocorrelation. Molecular evidence of intraspecific recombination of B. pseudobassiana and B. bassiana across northern European Russia area was indicated.

On the general relationship between plant height and aboveground biomass of vegetation stands in contrasted ecosystems

Ecological communities are unique assemblages of species that coexist in consequence of multi-causal processes that have proven hard to generalize. One possible exception are processes that control the biomass packing of vegetation stands; the amount of aboveground standing biomass expressed per unit volume. In this paper, I investigated the empirical and geometric underpinnings of biomass packing in terrestrial plant communities. I support that biomass packing in nature peaks around 1 kg m-3 across contrasted contexts, ranging from grasslands to forest ecosystems. Using published experimental and long-term survey data, I show that expressing biomass per unit volume cancels the effects of air temperature, species richness and soil fertility on aboveground stocks, thus providing a general comparative measure of storage efficiency in plant communities.

Sleep Problems among Disaster Victims: A Long-Term Survey on the Life Changes of Disaster Victims in Korea

This study aimed to assess sleep problems and their underlying factors in victims of disasters such as typhoons, heavy rains, fires, and earthquakes. Data from the long-term survey on life changes among disaster victims in 2019 obtained by the National Disaster Management Research Institute were used. The study included 1358 victims of natural and social disasters in Korea between 2012 and 2018. Sleep problems were assessed using a survey on subjective sleep quality and the use of sleeping medication. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, t-test, and binominal logistic regression. The results showed that the factors affecting subjective sleep quality included disaster type, time elapsed after disaster, subjective health status, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The factors affecting sleep medication use included age, time elapsed after disaster, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Therefore, interventions and support systems should be provided to prevent the prolongation of sleep problems.

The Struggle of Ash—Insights from Long-Term Survey in Latvia

The dieback of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) has dramatically decreased the abundance of the species in Europe; however, tolerance of trees varies regionally. The tolerance of trees is considered to be a result of synergy of genetic and environmental factors, suggesting an uneven future potential of populations. This also implies that wide extrapolations would be biased and local information is needed. Survival of ash during 2005–2020, as well as stand- and tree-level variables affecting them was assessed based on four surveys of 15 permanent sampling plots from an eastern Baltic region (Latvia) using an additive model. Although at the beginning of dieback a relatively low mortality rate was observed, it increased during the 2015–2020 period, which was caused by dying of the most tolerant trees, though single trees have survived. In the studied stands, ash has been gradually replaced by other local tree species, though some recruitment of ash was locally observed, implying formation of mixed broadleaved stands with slight ash admixture. The survival of trees was related to tree height and position within a stand (relative height and local density), though the relationships were nonlinear, indicating presence of critical conditions. Regarding temporal changes, survival rapidly dropped during the first 16 years, stabilizing at a relatively low level. Although low recruitment of ash still implies plummeting economic importance of the species, the observed responses of survival, as well as the recruitment, imply potential to locally improve the survival of ash via management (tending), hopefully providing time for natural resistance to develop.