VIRUSES OF SOME GARLIC ECOTYPES IN CROATIA

Recent, there is increasing demand for autochthonous ecotypes of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Croatia. Many local ecotypes of garlic are developed due to specific environmental conditions and producer's selection. However, the average yield of garlic is not in the European average range, since the classical vegetative propagation from cloves usually results with virus infections that cause significant yield reduction. Viruses are considered significant garlic’s pathogens. The research was set up to determine infection rate in plant material of different garlic ecotypes grown from cloves in different regions. Plants were collected from commercial fields in Zadar County (coastal part of Croatia) and Vukovar-Srijem County (eastern Croatia) and were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on the presence of three viruses: Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV), Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV) and Garlic common latent virus (GCLV). As a potential source ofantigen leaf tissue was used and tests were conducted according to manufacturer’s instructions (Bioreba AG, Switzerland). In plants from Zadar County dominant was OYDV, followed by GCLV and LYSV. All tested plants originating from Vukovar-Srijem County were infected with three tested viruses. Out of 316 analyzed plants only 4 (1.3%) showed to be free from viruses included in survey. Plants infected with OYDV showed symptoms of leaf yellowing and reduced growth, while those infected with LYSV expressed yellow stripes. Symptoms were most evident at the beginning of vegetation. Due to high infection rate, deteriorated sanitary status, and increased interest in use and production of local garlic ecotypes, work on sanitary selection will be important part of revitalization program

Determination of End-Points in Hydrolytic Potentiometric Titrations in the Ca2+ - F- System

Mathematical modelling of a multi-component titration system of hydrolytic titrations of metal ions is described. A comparison of the calculated and experimental titration curves and end volumes in the Ca2+ -F_ system at different pH values of titrated solutions is presented. The determination of the end-point of titrations by several approximation and mathematical methods is described

Cryopreservation and cryotherapy of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

This study aimed at testing the efficiency of a droplet-vitrification cryopreservation protocol in eliminating selected grapevine viruses. The cryopreservation protocol led to approximately 50 % recovery with cultivar 'Portan' and five international cultivars tested, but very low recovery was noted with Croatian cultivars. GFLV and GLRaV-3, two (economically important grapevine) viruses were eliminated in a high percentage (up to 100 %) of plants regenerated from cryopreserved shoot tips. Virus sanitation was observed as well in samples before liquid nitrogen exposure. Genetic stability of plants regenerated after cryopreservation was studied using AFLP markers. Polymorphic fragments were observed in non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved samples treated with PVS2 solution, the number of which increased with increasing durations of exposure to PVS2 solution

Diversity for olive oil composition in a collection of varieties from the region of Valencia (Spain)

Olive (Olea europaea) has a long history of cultivation in the Mediterranean region of Valencia (Spain) and many local varieties exist in the area. According to their economic importance, varieties are classified as National, Principal, Secondary, Local, Disseminate, and Minor. We have evaluated during four seasons the olive paste moisture content, fat content, and olive yield, and the olive oil acidity, peroxide index, K232 and K270 parameters, total phenolics, K225 parameter, and fatty acids content in 45 varieties from the Collection of Olive Varieties from the Region of Valencia. Considerable diversity existed among varieties for all traits studied, and the variety effect was much greater than the season effect. Wide ranges of variation have been found for most traits, with differences among varieties being of more than 10-fold for total phenolics. The coefficient of genetic variation and heritability values have been generally high, in particular for fatty acids content. A few varieties were found to present values outside the ranges established in the regulations for several olive oil composition traits, although in some cases, like a variety with above the limit content of oleic acid, they are of interest for breeding. Several correlations were found to be significant between the K232 index and fatty acids profile, in particular with oleic acid. The values obtained for variety averages as well as the principal components analysis show that economically relevant varieties present a lower diversity for composition than varieties with low economic importance. In this respect, selection among traditional materials can be of interest to recover neglected varieties with specific composition profiles, as well as to identify sources of variation for breeding programmes. Discriminant analysis allowed a correct classification of 99.4% of samples, showing that composition profiles, in particular fatty acids content, is a powerful tool for chemometry and fingerprinting of olive oil. Overall, the results show that the wide diversity found in the collection studied, in particular in the less economically important varieties, is of interest for the selection and breeding of olive varieties with improved quality.Authors are grateful to Sergio Paz (Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Moncada, Spain) for his technical help, and also to the Laboratorio Agroalimentario de la Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca, Alimentacion y Agua of the Generalitat Valenciana for the providing the facilities and funds for this research.Ruiz Dominguez, ML.; Raigón Jiménez, MD.; Prohens Tomás, J. (2013). Diversity for olive oil composition in a collection of varieties from the region of Valencia (Spain). Food Research International. 54(2):1941-1949. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2013.06.023S1941194954

Discrimination of n-3 Rich Oils by Gas Chromatography

Exploring the capabilities of instrumental techniques for discriminating n-3 rich oils derived from animals is a very important though much neglected area that was emphasized more than 100 years ago. In this study the potential of gas chromatography (GC) for discriminating full fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles from fish (cod liver and salmon) and marine mammal (seal and whale) oils is evaluated by means of principal component analysis (PCA). The FAME profiles from plant oils such as rapeseed, linseed and soy oils and seven different brands of n-3 supplements are also used in the discrimination process. The results from the PCA plots can reliably distinguish between plant, n-3 supplements, fish and marine mammal oils. By removing the contribution of the n-3 supplements and plant oils it is possible to discriminate between types of fish and marine animal oils. GC offers a rapid, simple and convenient means of discriminating oils from different species, brands and grades

New national and regional bryophyte records, 52

Marchantia paleacea is a new species for the Umbria Region and is rare in central and southern Italy. This record is in a Site of Community Importance (SCI) IT5220017 and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of the Natura 2000 EU-wide network due to the presence of the 7220* ‘Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion)’ Annexe I priority habitat. The particular environment, with a gorge and waterfall, created a very special microclimate that allowed the establishment of interesting liverworts and mosses

Viral Diversity in Autochthonous Croatian Grapevine Cultivars

A survey was conducted on nine autochthonous grapevine cultivars grown along the Croatian coastal region. In total, 48 vines (44 from germplasm collection, 4 from vineyards) originating from 23 sites were tested for 26 viruses using molecular methods. Results revealed high infection rates with Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3); Grapevine virus A (GVA, both 91.7%); Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV, 87.5%); and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV, 83.3%). Other detected viruses were: Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV); Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses 1, 2, and strains of 4 (GLRaV-1, GLRaV-2, GLRaV-4); Grapevine viruses B, D, F (GVB, GVD, GVF); Grapevine red globe virus (GRGV); Grapevine vein feathering virus (GVFV); Grapevine Syrah virus 1 (GSyV-1); and Grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV). No virus-free vine was found. Mixed infections were determined in all vines, the number of viruses in a single vine ranged from three to nine. GLRaV-3 variant typing confirmed presence of group I, II, and III. Four vines with leaf deformation and mottling were positive for GPGV. Seven viruses (GLRaV-4-like group, GVD, GVE, GVF, GRGV, GSyV-1, and GVFV) were detected for the first time in Croatia. This survey confirmed the deteriorated sanitary status of autochthonous Croatian grapevine cultivars

Can authorities appreciably enhance the prescribing of oral generic risperidone to conserve resources? : findings from across Europe and their implications

Generic atypical antipsychotic drugs offer health authorities opportunities for considerable savings. However, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders are complex diseases that require tailored treatments. Consequently, generally there have been limited demand-side measures by health authorities to encourage the preferential prescribing of generics. This is unlike the situation with hypertension, hypercholaesterolaemia or acid-related stomach disorders.The objectives of this study were to compare the effect of the limited demand-side measures in Western European countries and regions on the subsequent prescribing of risperidone following generics; to utilise the findings to provide future guidance to health authorities; and where possible, to investigate the utilisation of generic versus originator risperidone and the prices for generic risperidone. Principally, this was a segmented regression analysis of retrospective time-series data of the effect of the various initiatives in Belgium, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden following the introduction of generic risperidone. The study included patients prescribed at least one atypical antipsychotic drug up to 20 months before and up to 20 months after generic risperidone. In addition, retrospective observational studies were carried out in Austria and Spain (Catalonia) from 2005 to 2011 as well as one English primary care organisation (Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT)). There was a consistent steady reduction in risperidone as a percentage of total selected atypical antipsychotic utilisation following generics. A similar pattern was seen in Austria and Spain, with stable utilisation in one English PCT. However, there was considerable variation in the utilisation of generic risperidone, ranging from 98% of total risperidone in Scotland to only 14% in Ireland. Similarly, the price of generic risperidone varied considerably. In Scotland, generic risperidone was only 16% of pre-patent loss prices versus 72% in Ireland. Consistent findings of no increased prescribing of risperidone post generics with limited specific demand-side measures suggests no 'spillover' effect from one class to another encouraging the preferential prescribing of generic atypical antipsychotic drugs. This is exacerbated by the complexity of the disease area and differences in the side-effects between treatments. There appeared to be no clinical issues with generic risperidone, and prices inversely reflected measures to enhance their utilisation

Changes in the Lower Drava River Water Quality Parameters Over 24 Years

The goal of this study was to analyse 13 physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the Drava River water at three sampling sites in the lower Drava region (eastern Croatia) over two distinct periods: the pre-war period between 1985 and 1992 and the post-war period between 1993 and 2008. Over both periods, most parameters kept within the tolerable water quality limits, while NO3-N, NH4-N and BOD5 were higher. The lower Drava showed slight organic pollution with high concentrations of dissolved oxygen. High levels of total coliforms and heterotrophic bacteria in the post-war period were only found downstream of the town of Osijek. Upstream of Osijek, the river showed a tendency for improvement.prostornih i vremenskih promjena tijekom perioda od 24 godine. Analizirali smo 13 fi zikalno-kemijskih i mikrobioloških parametara vode rijeke Drave na tri mjerne postaje smještene na području donjeg toka Drave (istočna Hrvatska) tijekom dvaju različitih razdoblja: 1985.-1992. (period prije rata) i 1993.-2008. (period poslije rata). Iako su vrijednosti većine podataka prikupljenih tijekom dvaju promatranih razdoblja oscilirale, vrijednosti su im se još uvijek nalazile u granicama za I. i II. vrstu voda. Vrijednosti nekih fi zikalno-kemijskih varijabla, kao što su NO3-N, NH4-N i BPK5 još su uvijek iznad granice za II. vrstu. Rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazali su blago organsko onečišćenje vode rijeke Drave s visokim koncentracijama otopljenog kisika. Povećanje broja ukupnih koliformnih i heterotrofnih bakterija u poslijeratnom razdoblju veliki je problem u području nizvodno od Osijeka pri čemu njihov broj katkad dostiže i vrijednosti za V. skupinu površinskih voda. Rezultati analize kvalitete vode rijeke Drave u dva različita razdoblja na dva mjerna mjesta uzvodno od Osijeka upućuju na tendenciju poboljšanja, iako neki od promatranih parametara pokazuju vrijednosti više od onih za II. skupinu riječnih voda. Različitosti, odnosno sličnosti među mjernim postajama istražene su metodom klasterske analize