Agaricus chionodermus Pilát, a species new to Bulgaria

The article presents the first record of Agaricus chionoderma Pilát in Bulgaria. Basidiomata of the species were found on June 2004, September 2010, and September 2011 in the Thracian Lowland floristic region. The article brings closer taxonomic profile, ecological requirements and distribution pattern of the species. Differences from similar species are discussed. It also describes macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the discovered specimens and presents the specification of habitat the fungus concerned. The species are described and illustrated by photographs of macroscopic and microscopic features on the basis of Bulgarian specimens

Agaricus chionodermus Pilát, a species new to Bulgaria

The article presents the first record of Agaricus chionoderma Pilát in Bulgaria. Basidiomata of the species were found on June 2004, September 2010, and September 2011 in the Thracian Lowland floristic region. The article brings closer taxonomic profile, ecological requirements and distribution pattern of the species. Differences from similar species are discussed. It also describes macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the discovered specimens and presents the specification of habitat the fungus concerned. The species are described and illustrated by photographs of macroscopic and microscopic features on the basis of Bulgarian specimens

Hydroalcoholic extract of Tagetes minuta L. inhibits inflammatory bowel disease through the activity of pheophytins on the NF-κB signalling pathway

Ethno-pharmacological relevance: Species of the genus Tagetes are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Tagetes minuta “Huacatay” is an endemic species of South America that has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times as a remedy for stomach and intestinal discomfort. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of the Huacatay, identifying the compounds responsible for this activity. Materials and methods: Anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds, fractions and extracts was evaluated in Hs 746T (stomach), HIEC-6 (intestine) and THP-1 (monocytes peripheral blood) cells by measuring their inhibitory capacity against the NF-κB production. Results: Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Tagetes minuta displayed anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, the hydroalcoholic extract being the most active (IC50 between 59.72 and 66.42 μg/mL) in all cell lines. Bio-guided hydroalcoholic extract fractionation led to the isolation and characterisation of two pheophytins, pheophytin a (1) and 132-hydroxy pheophytin a (2). Both compounds inhibited the production of NF-κB with IC50 values in the low micromolar range, with an IC50 between 12.32 and 16.01 μM for compound 1 and 7.91–9.87 μM for compound 2. Conclusions: The two pheophytins isolated in this study inhibit the production of NF-κB, thus showing that the traditional anti-inflammatory use of Tagetes minuta can be proved through pharmacological assays. This contributes to understanding the anti-inflammatory activity of the Huacatay extracts and their use in the treatment of stomach and intestinal discomfortThis work was supported by the National Herbarium of Bolivia and the Fundación de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (FUAM

GC-MS studies of the chemical composition of two inedible mushrooms of the genus Agaricus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mushrooms in the genus <it>Agaricus </it>have worldwide distribution and include the economically important species <it>A. bisporus</it>. Some <it>Agaricus </it>species are inedible, including <it>A. placomyces </it>and <it>A. pseudopratensis</it>, which are similar in appearance to certain edible species, yet are known to possess unpleasant odours and induce gastrointestinal problems if consumed. We have studied the chemical composition of these mushrooms using GC-MS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our GC-MS studies on the volatile fractions and butanol extracts resulted in the identification of 44 and 34 compounds for <it>A. placomyces </it>and <it>A. pseudopratensis</it>, respectively, including fatty acids and their esters, amino acids, and sugar alcohols. The most abundant constituent in the volatiles and butanol were phenol and urea respectively. We also identified the presence of ergosterol and two Δ⁷-sterols. In addition, 5α,8α-Epidioxi-24(ξ)-methylcholesta-6,22-diene-3β-ol was isolated for the first time from both mushrooms. Our study is therefore the first report on the chemical composition of these two species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results obtained contribute to the knowledge of the chemical composition of mushrooms belonging to the <it>Agaricus </it>genus, and provide some explanation for the reported mild toxicity of <it>A. placomyces </it>and <it>A. pseudopratensis</it>, a phenonomenon that can be explained by a high phenol content, similar to that found in other <it>Xanthodermatei </it>species.</p

Ecological analysis of the flora in the 'Chinarite' protected area - Rodopi municipality, Bulgaria

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to make an ecological analysis of the floristic composition in the protected area 'Chinarite' Rodopi municipality, Bulgaria in terms of its biological spectrum, biological types and phytogeographic elements and an assessment of the anthropogenic effect on it. In studied protected area were identified 147 species of vascular plants, of them 8 species included in the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 73 medicinal species, 55 nectariferous plants and 10 tertiary relicts were recorded. The anthropogenic impact on the protected area is obvious and it has affected to the greatest degree the species composition of vascular plants, which encompasses a large number of weeds - 28 species, ruderals - 29 species, alien - 5 species and invasive - 6 species

Floristic diversity of 'Chinarite' protected area – Rodopi municipality, Bulgaria

Abstract. Study on the species composition of vascular plants in 'Chinarite' protected area in Belashtitsa village, Rodopi Municipality, Bulgaria was conducted using the floristic analysis method. A total of 147 species of vascular plants were identified, belonging to 124 genera and 51 families. The families Poaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae and Fabaceae are the most highly represented. The comparative analysis shows that the angiosperm taxa are dominating in the studied area. Dicotyledonous plants are prevailing among them, while monocotyledonous are significantly less in number. Molinia caerulea species, identified in the present study, has not been reported to have been found so far in the Thracian lowland floristic region

2018-10-31 Matthew Barrett Huff, Graduate Bassoon Recital

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Music degree. Matthew is from the Studio of Prof. Darrel Hale

2018-09-26 Yuh-Jiun Wan, DMA Solo Flute Recital

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Yuh-Jiun (Melody) is from the Studio of Dr. Katherine Kemler

A case study on wood-decaying macrofungi in the Southwestern slopes of Vasilyovska Mountain, Forebalkan, Bulgaria

<p>This study was performed based on specimens of macrofungi collected on field trips to the region<br>between 2007 and 2011. The aim of this study was to determinate the wood-decaying macrofungi of<br>Vasilyovska mountain, to enrich the information about fungal diversity in the Forebalkan floristic<br>region, and make contribution to Bulgarian mycota. The information upon species composition and<br>distribution of wood-decaying macrofungi in the Vasilyovska mountain were published for the first time including the second records of Armillaria ostoyae, Pholiota lucifera and Xeromphalina cauticinalis in the country. A list of 110 species belonging to Pezizomycota and Agaricomycota has been compiled which 75 species were reported for the first time from Forebalkan. Four species includes in the Red List of fungi in Bulgaria: Fomitopsis rosea (Alb. & Schwein. : Fr.) P. Karst., Hericium coralloides (Scop. : Fr.) Pers., H. erinaceus (Bull. : Fr.) Pers., and Lenzites warnieri Durieu & Mont.</p

2018-10-26 Mahakit Lerdcheewanan, DMA Solo Violin Recital

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Mahakit is from the Studio of Espen Lilleslåtte