An autecological study on the Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae) distributed in West Anatolia

This study covers the investigation of the soil-plant relations of Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae), a typical element of Mediteranean macchia vegetation. Soils collected from 38 different localitis in West Anatolia were analysed together with the V. agnus-castus plants from the same localities. This plant was observed to generally prefer loamy-textured, neutral and slightly alkaline soils, poor in calcium carbonate, containing varying amounts of organic matter, being rich or very rich in nitrogen, rich in phosphorus and deficient in potassium. They grow on nonsaline soils. The relations between the results of soil and plant analysis were tested statistically, and correlation coefficient and regression curves determined

A study on the soil-plant interactions of some Cistus L. species distributed in West Anatolia Batι Anadolu'da Yayιlιş Gösteren Bazι Cistus L. türlerinin toprak-bitki i̇lişkileri Üzerine bir Çalιşma

This study was undertaken with the aim of examining the soil-plant interactions of Cistus creticus L. and Cistus salviifolius L. in West Anatolia. The soil analysis data showed that these plants grow in different kinds of soils with sandy-clayey-loam, clayey-loam and loamy texture. The soils in general are not saline but are moderately and slightly alkaline, being rich in nitrogen and having a low level of phosphorus and potassium. They are unaffected by the calcium carbonate content in soils. A negative relation was observed in C. creticus after regression analysis between plant calcium and soil phosphorus, plant calcium and soil salts, but a positive relation between plant calcium and soil calcium carbonate. In C. salviifolius, there was a positive relation between plant calcium and soil pH

Determination of some ecological characteristics and economical importance of Vitex agnus-castus

This study was conducted in order to exhibit some of the ecological and economical attributes of Vitex agnus-castus, a typical Mediterranean plant. The study was conducted in two different stages. At first, soil samples of V. agnus-castus were collected from 38 different localities in the Western Anatolian part of Turkey during flowering to investigate the soil properties. It was observed that this plant generally prefers loamy-textured, neutral, and slightly alkaline soils poor in calcium carbonate, containing varying amounts of organic matter, moderate and rich in nitrogen, rich in phosphorus and deficient in potassium. In addition, the economical and ethnobotanical importance of V. agnus-castus was investigated. It was observed that the species is widely used as a pharmaceutical drug, as a dye plant, as a source of honey, as a material in basket weaving, and for ornamental use. It is used in landscape architecture because it is a shrub with beautiful flowers and aroma

The prevalence and topographic distribution of penile calcification in a large cohort: a retrospective cross-sectional study

The prevalence of penile calcification in the population remains uncertain. This retrospective multicenter study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of penile calcification in a large cohort of male patients undergoing non-contrast pelvic tomography. A total of 14 545 scans obtained from 19 participating centers between 2016 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed within a 3-months period. Eligible scans (n = 12 709) were included in the analysis. Patient age, penile imaging status, presence of calcified plaque, and plaque measurements were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationships between calcified plaque, patient age, plaque characteristics, and plaque location. Among the analyzed scans, 767 (6.04%) patients were found to have at least one calcified plaque. Patients with calcified plaque had a significantly higher median age (64 years (IQR 56–72)) compared to those with normal penile evaluation (49 years (IQR 36-60) (p < 0.001). Of the patients with calcified plaque, 46.4% had only one plaque, while 53.6% had multiple plaques. There was a positive correlation between age and the number of plaques (r = 0.31, p < 0.001). The average dimensions of the calcified plaques were as follows: width: 3.9 ± 5 mm, length: 5.3 ± 5.2 mm, height: 3.5 ± 3.2 mm, with an average plaque area of 29 ± 165 mm² and mean plaque volume of 269 ± 3187 mm³. Plaques were predominantly located in the proximal and mid-penile regions (44.1% and 40.5%, respectively), with 77.7% located on the dorsal side of the penis. The hardness level of plaques, assessed by Hounsfield units, median of 362 (IQR 250–487) (range: 100–1400). Patients with multiple plaques had significantly higher Hounsfield unit values compared to those with a single plaque (p = 0.003). Our study revealed that patients with calcified plaques are older and have multiple plaques predominantly located on the dorsal and proximal side of the penis