Nutrients (N, P, K, Na) and warming affect heterotrophic respiration in temperate forest litter

At present, ecosystems are facing changes caused by global warming and anthropogenic impacts on geochemical cycles. Both temperature and nutrient availability affect litter decomposition; however, little is known about their simultaneous effect on litter decomposition in temperate forests, especially for nutrients such as Na and K. To address this perspective, we investigated how changes in N, P, Na and K supply and increased temperature affect litter decomposition measured as respiration. Moreover, the study determines what changes can be expected in the functioning of two forest types of different fertility (deciduous and coniferous). The respiration measurements were conducted in the laboratory in mesocosms filled with litter from deciduous (oak-hornbeam) and coniferous (mixed pine-oak) forests fertilized by N, P, K, and Na. The experiment was conducted at ambient (14 $^{\circ}C$; oak-hornbeam and mixed pine-oak litter) and increased temperatures (22 $^{\circ}C$; oak-hornbeam litter). The respiration of oak-hornbeam litter increased with increasing temperature, with $Q_{10}$ values ranging from 1.49 to 2.14. Our results showed different responses of respiration to nutrient addition between temperatures and litter types. In oak-hornbeam, at 14 $^{\circ}C$, the addition of N, P and K decreased respiration, whereas at 22 $^{\circ}C$, such an effect was noted only under N application, and P and Na addition increased respiration. In mixed pine-oak litter at 14 $^{\circ}C$, respiration decreased after Na addition, and other nutrients had no effect. Together, our results suggest that forecasting the impact of nutrient deposition on ecosystem functioning should consider temperature rise as a factor altering ecosystem responses to fertilization in future research

The effect of pre-analytical treatment on the results of stoichiometric measurements in invertebrates

Growing interest in the application of stoichiometric approaches to community ecology has resulted in an increasing number of studies examining invertebrate body composition. Our experiments demonstrate various sources of possible error related to the use of pre-analytical procedures. We examined the effects of different preservatives (ethanol and formaldehyde) used in pitfall traps, time of preservation (2 weeks or 3 days) and drying method (vacuum drying at 50 °C and freeze-drying) on the determination of body composition in invertebrates representing taxa often used in such studies: earthworms and five species of insects (adults or larvae). The contents of C, N, S, P, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg and K in each animal were measured. The use of solvents (ethanol or formaldehyde) in pitfall traps and for preservation significantly affects the body composition and stoichiometry of earthworms, even during short exposure times. Insects (both adults and larvae) were affected only during a 2-week exposure; 3 days of exposure did not significantly change their chemical composition. Vacuum-oven drying of animals at 50 °C does not affect their body composition relative to freeze-drying

Zmiany szkieletowe klasy III powstałe na skutek nieleczonego zgryzu wymuszonego : opis przypadku

Istnieje wiele czynników mających wpływ na powstanie wady szkieletowej klasy III. Z jednej strony może ona występować rodzinnie, z drugiej strony może być spowodowana czynnikami środowiskowymi. Nieprawidłowy, dopodniebienny tor wyrzynania zębów siecznych górnych może doprowadzić do powstania przedwczesnych kontaktów zębowych powodujących doprzednie czynnościowe przemieszczenie żuchwy. Stan taki utrzymujący się w wieku rozwojowym może doprowadzić do powstania wtórnych zaburzeń szkieletowych i utrwalenia wady klasy III. Kluczem do sukcesu terapeutycznego jest wczesne wykrywanie zaburzeń czynnościowych narządu żucia wynikających z nieprawidłowego ustawienia pojedynczych zębów i szybka interwencja ortodontyczna, polegająca na wdrożeniu leczenia interceptywnego. Poniższy artykuł opisuje skutki przeoczenia nieprawidłowości zębowych w wieku rozwojowym, które doprowadziły do powstania zmian kostnych. Dodatkową trudność w leczeniu sprawiała początkowo słaba kooperacja z pacjentem wynikająca z silnej dentofobii. Leczenie kompensacyjne z zastosowaniem aparatów stałych i mechaniki ślizgowej może stanowić w takich sytuacjach skuteczną terapię. Dzięki uwolnieniu szczęki możliwe było wykorzystanie resztkowego potencjału wzrostu pacjentki celem poprawy strzałkowych relacji szkieletowych podstaw kostnych, co wtórnie przyczyniło się do poprawy estetyki tkanek miękkich twarzy.There are many factors that contribute to the development of a skeletal Class III malocclusion. On the one hand, it can be inherited, on the other hand it can be caused by environmental factors. An abnormal, palatal course of the upper incisors eruption can lead to premature tooth contacts resulting in anterior functional displacement of the mandible. Such a condition at the developmental age can lead to the secondary skeletal malformations and can strengthen skeletal Class III. The key to therapeutic success is the early detection of functional abnormalities of the masticatory system which result from incorrect position of individual teeth, and quick orthodontic intervention involving an interceptive treatment. This paper describes the effects of overlooked developmental age-related dental anomalies that led to skeletal changes. Initially, an additional difficulty in treatment was poor co-operation with the patient resulting from strong dentophobia. Compensatory treatment using fixed appliances and arch-sliding mechanisms can provide effective therapy in such conditions. Thanks to the release of the maxilla, it was possible to use the residual growth potential of the patient to improve the sagittal skeletal relationship of bone bases, which in turn contributed to the improvement in the aesthetics of soft facial tissues