A synthesis of results on wastes as potting media substitutes for the production of native plant species

The three major functions of a potting medium for plant production is to provide support, to retain water and nutrients, and to allow oxygen diffusion to the roots. A potting medium should meet the requirements of practical plant production such as: to be available and ready at all times, easy to handle, lightweight and to produce uniform plant growth. Constituents such as natural soil, peat, sand, perlite and vermiculite are commonly used as substrates for container plant production. Nevertheless, these materials might be fully or partially replaced by various organic or inorganic wastes, thus achieving environmental and economic benefits. This study presents a synthesis of results extracted from many trials on waste materials as potting media substitutes for the seedlings production of the following native plant species: Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus macropleis and Ceratonia siliqua. The studied waste materials were either organic or inorganic components including: spoils of peridotite, raw rice hulls, coconut fiber and kenaf (the ground stem of the plant H. cannabinus L). The experimental potting media tested were: peat:perlite (3:1), a common medium used for seedling production, peat:spoils of peridotite (3:1), peat:rice hulls (3:1), peat:rice hulls (1:1), peat:coconut fiber (1:1), kenaf (100%) and kenaf:peat:rice hulls (3:1:1). The main physical (water retention characteristics, bulk density, particle density, total porosity) and chemical (N, K, Ca, Mg, soluble P, exchangeable cations, pH and loss on ignition) properties of each potting medium were measured. For each plant species the following seedling quality parameters were assessed: morphological characteristics (shoot height, root collar diameter), shoot and root biomass, Dickson’s quality index and shoot and root nutrient concentrations. Then seedlings were planted in the field and their survival and growth was monitored. The feasibility of replacing peat or perlite with various waste materials as well as their effect on seedling quality and field performance are discussed

Soil Nutrient, Woody Understory and Shoot and Root Growth Responses of Pinus brutia Ten. Saplings to Fire

Nine years after a wildfire, above- and below-ground morphology of Pinus brutia Ten. saplings and the microsite factors prevailing in understorey (unburned area) and postfire conditions (burned area) of the Forest Park of Thessaloniki were studied. Major stand characteristics (density, tree canopy cover, tree height, crown height, and diameter) were measured in the unburned area. Light and soil conditions as well as plant cover of woody species were recorded in both areas (burned and unburned). A random sample of pine saplings, of uniform age, was taken from both burned and unburned areas, and their above-ground (height, diameter, number and total length of branches, needle biomass) and below-ground morphological characteristics (taproot length, total length of coarse and fine roots, and number of coarse roots) were measured. Data analysis showed that above- and below-ground morphology of pine saplings was adversely affected in saplings grown in understorey conditions, compared to those grown in postfire conditions. P. brutia is a shade-intolerant tree species and thus the light conditions seem to be the critical factor affecting the growth of pine saplings. Light is not a limiting factor in the burned area compared to the understorey, where density of the tree canopy limits available light

Modelling the spatio-temporal pattern of primary dispersal in stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) stands in the Northern Plateau (Spain)

Natural regeneration in stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) managed forests in the Spanish Northern Plateau is not achieved successfully under current silviculture practices, constituting a main concern for forest managers. We modelled spatio-temporal features of primary dispersal to test whether (a) present low stand densities constrain natural regeneration success and (b) seed release is a climate-controlled process. The present study is based on data collected from a 6 years seed trap experiment considering different regeneration felling intensities. From a spatial perspective, we attempted alternate established kernels under different data distribution assumptions to fit a spatial model able to predict P. pinea seed rain. Due to P. pinea umbrella-like crown, models were adapted to account for crown effect through correction of distances between potential seed arrival locations and seed sources. In addition, individual tree fecundity was assessed independently from existing models, improving parameter estimation stability. Seed rain simulation enabled to calculate seed dispersal indexes for diverse silvicultural regeneration treatments. The selected spatial model of best fit (Weibull, Poisson assumption) predicted a highly clumped dispersal pattern that resulted in a proportion of gaps where no seed arrival is expected (dispersal limitation) between 0.25 and 0.30 for intermediate intensity regeneration fellings and over 0.50 for intense fellings. To describe the temporal pattern, the proportion of seeds released during monthly intervals was modelled as a function of climate variables – rainfall events – through a linear model that considered temporal autocorrelation, whereas cone opening took place over a temperature threshold. Our findings suggest the application of less intensive regeneration fellings, to be carried out after years of successful seedling establishment and, seasonally, subsequent to the main rainfall period (late fall). This schedule would avoid dispersal limitation and would allow for a complete seed release. These modifications in present silviculture practices would produce a more efficient seed shadow in managed stands

Guillain-Barré syndrome as the initial clinical manifestation of Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Background: There are a considerable number of published cases reporting the clinical development of neurological symptoms in people diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). However, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as the initial clinical manifestation of HL is extremely rare. We describe a complex case of GBS with the subsequent diagnosis approach leading to the diagnosis of HL. Case report: A 32-year-old male presented to the emergency department due to paraesthesia of the upper and lower extremities and muscle weakness of the lower extremities that began 1 week earlier, and diplopia observed during last 24 hours. The neurological examination revealed paresis of the left abductor nerve, moderate paraparesis, stocking-glove hypoesthesia, absence of tendon reflexes in the lower extremities, disturbance of deep sensory, sensory ataxia, dysesthesias and neuropathic pain of extremities. The lumbar puncture revealed albuminocytologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid. In the electrophysiological examination mainly motor demyelinating polyradiculoneuritis was reported. These findings supported the diagnosis of GBS and intravenous immunoglobulin (2 g/kg) was administered over 5 days. However, the patient deteriorated and developed more severe neurological symptoms including paresis of left peripheral facial nerve, right abductor nerve, oculomotor nerve bilaterally and severe tetraparesis. The patient had seven sessions of plasmapheresis with partial resolution of the neurological symptoms. A full body computed tomography scan was performed revealing enlarged mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes and multiple lesions in the splenic and hepatic parenchyma indicative of HL. Although a bone marrow biopsy was negative, a liver biopsy was performed, and the diagnosis of HL was confirmed. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and the neurological symptoms resolved completely Conclusion: This case report highlights the need to include HL in the differential diagnosis in cases of GBS, although it is a rare phenomenon with a possible immunological basis. Early diagnosis and initiation of the appropriate treatment are vital in order to achieve the remission of neurological symptoms and signs

A Global Review on Innovative, Sustainable, and Effective Materials Composing Growing Media for Forest Seedling Production

Purpose of Review: The demand for forest tree seedlings is increasing globally, and Sphagnum peat moss is widely used as a component of growing media for container plant production. However, peat extraction is environmentally unsustainable. The forest nursery sector needs to switch to more sustainable alternatives to peat. This review aims to identify potential substitutes for peat by reviewing the worldwide literature on alternative materials for growing media in forest nurseries. Recent Findings: Most studies on alternative growing media focused on single plant species growing under local conditions, thereby limiting generalizations about the effectiveness of alternative materials for plant production. To our knowledge, no systematic reviews of scientific literature on the effectiveness of new, alternative-to-peat materials for enhancing plant growth and the associated growing media characteristics for the forest nursery sector are currently available. Summary: Most of the analyzed case studies focused on angiosperms (73.1%), with the majority of studies coming from tropical seasonal forests/savannas (36.5%), followed by woodlands/shrublands (31.6%), and temperate forests (15.0%) biomes. Compost was the most studied material (19.5%), followed by bark, other organic materials, and manure (9.8, 9.7, and 8.0%, respectively). Green and municipal wastes were the principal sources of compost (> 60%), while agriculture and green wastes were the first sources of other materials (> 90%). Tested materials were dependent on the geographic region. Thus, manure was the most tested material in Africa and South America, tree bark in North America, and compost in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Alternative materials effectively provided optimal physicochemical characteristics of growing media and enhanced seedling nursery growth when compared with peat-based growing media in more than 60% of the case studies. This review helps to identify research gaps and, most importantly, provides the basis for the future application of alternative growing media materials in forest nursery management worldwide

Die-hard seedlings. A global meta-analysis on the factors determining the effectiveness of drought hardening on growth and survival of forest plantations

10 p.Drought hardening is a nursery technique aimed to enhance early forest plantation establishment under dry conditions, which is a main limiting factors for plantation success. However, the quantitative effectiveness of drought hardening remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the influence of different factors in the effectiveness of drought hardening on seedling post-planting survival and growth. Overall, drought hardening did not significantly affect survival or growth, as several factors induced great heterogeneity, but analyses of those factors explained its effectiveness, especially on survival. A longer time between hardening and transplanting strongly reduced survival. Indoor-grown seedlings did not benefit more from hardening than outdoor-grown seedlings. Evaluations of drought hardening effectiveness in pots showed positive effects on survival but negative effects on growth, while no effects were found in large bed experiments. In field experiments, hardening significantly increased survival and growth with site aridity. Survival benefits were independent of species drought tolerance, measured by osmotic potential at the turgor loss point (?tlp), in moderate to high aridity sites. However, in low aridity sites, hardening increased survival in drought-tolerant species but decreased it in drought-intolerant species. Field results showed that hardening benefited shrubs more than trees in angiosperms. In conclusion, drought hardening at the end of nursery cultivation tend to increase post-planting seedling performance particularly in scenarios limiting post-planting root growth such as in arid climates and pot experiments. Our findings highlight the importance of future research on modelling the interaction between these technical features and species water use strategies.Generalitat ValencianaEuropean Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST

Monitoring and control of forest seedling quality in Europe

10 p.The relationship between the quality of forest seedlings and their outplanting survival and growth has long been recognized. Various attributes have been proposed to measure the quality of planted seedlings in forest regeneration projects, ranging from simple morphological traits to more complex physiological and performance attributes, or a combination thereof. However, the utility and meaning of seedling quality attributes can differ significantly among regions, nursery practices, site planting conditions, species and the establishment purpose. Here, forest scientists compiled information using a common agreed questionnaire to provide a review of current practices, experiences, legislation and standards for seedling quality across 23 European countries. Large differences exist in measuring seedling quality across countries. The control of the origin of seed and vegetative material (genetic component of plant quality), and control of pests and diseases are common practices in all countries. Morphological attributes are widely used and mandatory in most cases. However, physiological attributes are hardly used at the operative level and mainly concentrated to Fennoscandia. Quality control legislation and seedling quality standards are less strict in northern European countries where seedling production is high, and quality control relies more on the agreements between producers and local plant material users. In contrast, quality standards are stricter in Southern Europe, especially in the Mediterranean countries. The control of seedling quality based on plantation and reforestation success is uncommon and depends on the conditions of the planting site, the traditional practices and the financial support provided by each country. Overall, European countries do not apply the ?target seedling concept? for seedling production except for seed origin. Seedling production in many countries is still driven by traditional ?know-how? and much less by scientific knowledge progress, which is not adequately disseminated and transferred to the end-users. Our review highlights the need for greater harmonization of seedling quality practices across Europe and the increased dissemination of scientific knowledge to improve seedling quality in forest regeneration activities.COS

Η χρησιμότητα του ΗΕΓ με στέρηση ύπνου στη διάγνωση της επιληψίας

Εισαγωγή: Η επιληπτική κρίση είναι μια παροδική εμφάνιση σημείων ή και συμπτωμάτων λόγω υπερβολικής ή σύγχρονης νευρωνικής δραστηριότητας στον εγκέφαλο. Η επιληψία είναι μια ασθένεια που χαρακτηρίζεται από μια διαρκή προδιάθεση για τη δημιουργία επιληπτικών κρίσεων και από τις νευροβιολογικές, γνωστικές, ψυχολογικές και κοινωνικές συνέπειες αυτής της κατάστασης. Η διάγνωση είναι κυρίως κλινική και στηρίζεται στο ιστορικό του ασθενούς, στο ηλεκτροεγκεφαλογράφημα και στις απεικονιστικές εξετάσεις του κεντρικού νευρικού συστήματος. Η επιληπτική κρίση είναι ένα επεισόδιο με νευρολογική ή ψυχιατρική σημειολογία που προκαλείται από αιφνίδια υπέρμετρη και σύγχρονη εκφόρτωση (εκφόρτιση) ομάδας νευρώνων ή όλων των νευρώνων του φλοιού. Το ηλεκτροεγκεφαλογράφημα (ΗΕΓ) είναι η καταγραφή της ηλεκτρικής δραστηριότητας του εγκεφαλικού φλοιού. Πραγματοποιείται με την ενίσχυση των διαφορών του δυναμικού που μετρώνται ανάμεσα σε ηλεκτρόδια που τοποθετούνται στο τριχωτό της κεφαλής. Στο εγκεφαλογράφημα παρατηρούνται συνδυασμοί μονήρων και ρυθμικών επαναλαμβανόμενων κυμάτων με διαφορετικό ύψος δυναμικού, διάρκεια, συχνότητα και τοπογραφική εντόπιση. Ο ύπνος είναι μια φυσιολογική, επαναλαμβανόμενη, αναστρέψιμη κατάσταση αποσύνδεσης από το περιβάλλον, με μειωμένη ικανότητα αντίληψης και αντίδρασης σε εξωτερικά ερεθίσματα. Η μελέτη του ύπνου είναι συνυφασμένη με το εγκεφαλογράφημα, καθώς για πρώτη φορά κατέστη δυνατή η καταγραφή και η αντικειμενική συνεχής παρακολούθηση του φαινομένου (Dement 2011). Η σχέση του ύπνου και της επιληψίας είναι γνωστή από την εποχή του Ιπποκράτη και του Αριστοτέλη ενώ στη συνέχεια αναφέρθηκε και από τον Γκάλεν (Giorgi et al., 2014). Οι επιληπτικές κρίσεις και τα επιληπτικά σύνδρομα επηρεάζουν τον ύπνο και επηρεάζονται από αυτόν. Επίσης τα μεσοκρισικά φαινόμενα παρουσιάζουν ανάλογη αλληλεπίδραση με τον ύπνο. Η στέρηση του ύπνου αποτελεί εκλυτικό παράγοντα εμφάνισης επιληπτικής κρίσης ενώ στο εγκεφαλογράφημα η καταγραφή του ύπνου φυσιολογικά ή μετά από στέρηση συμβάλει στην ανάδειξη επιληπτικών στοιχείων. Η στέρηση του ύπνου ως μέθοδος ενεργοποίησης του εγκεφαλογραφήματος επιτείνει ή αναδεικνύει την επιληπτόμορφη δραστηριότητα σε ένα ποσοστό περίπου 30% των ατόμων με επιληψία (Marcuse et al., 2015). Σκοπός: Στην παρούσα εργασία γίνεται μια προσπάθεια ανάδειξης της συμβολής του ηλεκτροεγκεφαλογραφήματος με στέρηση ύπνου στη διάγνωση της επιληψίας μέσω μιας βιβλιογραφικής ανασκόπησης του θέματος. Υλικό και μέθοδος: Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ιατρικά συγγράμματα ελληνικά και ξενόγλωσσα καθώς και άρθρα από επιστημονικά ιατρικά περιοδικά. Για το σκοπό αυτό έγινε αναζήτηση σε σχετικές επιστημονικές βάσεις δεδομένων χρησιμοποιώντας λέξεις-κλειδιά. Συμπεράσματα: 1. Το εγκεφαλογράφημα διαδραματίζει σημαντικό ρόλο στη διάγνωση της επιληψίας και την ταξινόμηση των επιληψιών. 2. Το εγκεφαλογράφημα με στέρηση ύπνου είναι ένα εύκολος και οικονομικός τρόπος αύξησης της ευαισθησίας του ΗΕΓ. Χρησιμοποιώντας αυτό ως το προτιμώμενο πρωτόκολλο μπορεί να συμβάλλει στη μείωση του αριθμού των ηλεκτροεγκεφαλογραφικών καταγραφών που εκτελούνται σε νεαρούς ασθενείς οι οποίοι παρουσιάζουν επιληψία. 3. Η στέρηση του ύπνου επιβάλλει μια προφανή ενεργοποίηση στην αποκάλυψη επιληπτικών κρίσεων στα παιδιά. Η διαδικασία παρουσιάζει ένα βαθμό δυσκολίας για τα ίδια τα παιδιά και τους γονείς αλλά είναι χρήσιμη όταν οι επαναλαμβανόμενες καταγραφές δεν επιβεβαιώνουν τις εμφανείς κλινικά κρίσεις. 4. Η χρήση της μελατονίνης δεν επηρεάζει ιδιαίτερα την καταγραφή σε σχέση με άλλες φαρμακευτικές ουσίες. 5. Η μελατονίνη και η στέρηση του ύπνου είναι εξίσου αποτελεσματικές στην πρόκληση ύπνου (70% και στις δύο ομάδες). 6. Η ευαισθησία του εγκεφαλογραφήματος μετά τη στέρηση του ύπνου είναι ανώτερη στους ασθενείς με πρωτοπαθώς γενικευμένες επιληψίες σε σύγκριση με ασθενείς με εστιακή επιληψία (Roland R, et al., 2015). 7. Οι νευρολογικές παθήσεις, ιδιαίτερα οι επιληπτικές κρίσεις, μπορεί συχνά να προκαλέσουν συμπτώματα ψυχικών διαταραχών όπως κατάθλιψη, ψύχωση ή άγχος. Το εγκεφαλογράφημα ρουτίνας σε συνδυασμό με τη νευροαπεικόνηση μπορούν να βοηθήσουν στη διάγνωση. Επιπλέον το ΗΕΓ με στέρηση ύπνου συμβάλει στη διάγνωση αδιευκρίνιστων περιστατικών. Λέξεις κλειδιά : Επιληψία, Ηλεκτροεγκεφαλογράφημα, Ύπνος, Ηλεκτροεγκεφαλογράφημα με στέρηση ύπνου, Παιδική επιληψία, Γενικευμένη και εστιακή επιληψία.Introduction : An epileptic seizure is a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Epilepsy is a disease characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition. The diagnosis is mainly clinical and is based on the patient's history, electroencephalogram and imaging examinations of the central nervous system. The epileptic seizure is an episode of neurological or psychiatric symptoms caused by sudden and excessive discharge of a group of neurons or all the neurons of the cortex. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is the recording of electrical activity of the cerebral cortex. It is done by reinforcing its differences potentials measured between electrodes placed on the scalp head. The encephalogram shows combinations of solitary and rhythmic repetitive waves with different potential height, duration, and frequency topographic location. Sleep is a normal, repetitive, reversible state detachment from the environment, with reduced ability to perceive and react to external ations. The study of sleep is intertwined with the encephalogram, for the first time it was possible to record and objectively monitor the phenomenon (Dement 2011). The relationship between sleep and epilepsy has been known since the time of Hippocrates and Aristotle and later reported by Galen (Giorgi et al., 2014). Epileptic seizures and epilepsy syndromes affect and are influenced by sleep. Mesocritical phenomena also interact with sleep. Sleep deprivation is a major contributor to epileptic seizures, whereas sleep recording normally or after deprivation contributes to the development of seizures. Sleep deprivation as a method of activating encephalography intensifies or enhances epileptiform activity in approximately 30% of people with epilepsy (Marcuse et al., 2015). The present study attempts to illustrate the contribution of sleep deprivation electroencephalography to the diagnosis of epilepsy through a bibliographic review of the subject. Purpose: In the present work an attempt is made to illustrate the contribution of sleep deprivation electroencephalography in the diagnosis of epilepsy through a literature review of the subject. Material and Method: Medical literature in Greek and foreign languages as well as articles from scientific medical journals were used. For this purpose, relevant scientific databases were searched using keywords. Conclusions: 1. The encephalogram plays an important role in the diagnosis of epilepsy and the classification of epilepsy. 2. Sleep deprivation encephalography is an easy and economical way to increase the efficiency of EEG disorders. Using this as the preferred protocol may help to reduce the number of electroencephalographic recordings performed in young patients with epilepsy. The procedure presents a degree of difficulty for the children and parents themselves but is useful when repeated registrations do not confirm the apparent clinical judgment. 3. Sleep deprivation results in an obvious increase of the detection of seizures in children. The procedure presents a degree of difficulty for the children and parents themselves but is useful when repeated recordings do not confirm the apparent clinical judgment. 4. The use of melatonin does not particularly affect registrations in relation to other medicinal products. 5. Melatonin and sleep deprivation are equally effective in inducing sleep (70% in both groups). 6. The sensitivity of encephalogram after sleep deprivation is superior in patients with primary generalized epilepsy compared to patients with partial epilepsy (Roland R, et al., 2015). 7. Neurological diseases, particularly seizures, may often cause symptoms of mental disorders such as depression, psychosis or anxiety. Routine encephalogram in combination with neuroimaging can help in the diagnosis. In addition EEG with sleep deprivation contributes to diagnosing undetermine incidents. Keywords: Electroencephalography (EEG), Sleep, Sleep-deprived EEG, Seizures Childhood, Generalized seizures Focal seizures.