Current distribution and spreading of Euphorbia davidii (E. dentata agg.) in Europe

Of the Euphorbia dentata aggregate, both E. dentata and E. davidii have been reported from Europe. A revision of herbarium and published materials, however, indicates that only E. davidii can be confirmed in Europe. Although known in Europe since 1968, most records are from the 1990s. There are 46 known populations scattered throughout the continent, in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and France. Most populations are small and restricted to railway areas; however, the species can also invade agricultural fields. Due to its wide distribution, the growing number of recently established populations, and its invasive ability, special attention should be paid to changes in distribution and population sizes in Europe.     

Element distribution is altered in a zone surrounding human glioblastoma multiforme

Recent data indicate that A₁ adenosine receptor (A₁AR) density is increased in a zone surrounding human and experimental gliomas. On the contrary, tumor tissue and adjacent brain tissue show low to intermediate A₁AR densities. In order to assess whether changes in A₁AR expression are indicating further processes of a chemical reorganization of the peritumoral zone, we investigated element concentrations and distribution patterns of copper and zinc in six human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) specimens by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Uranium and lead were used as external standards.

Copper and zinc levels were increased in a peritumoral zone corresponding to the region of elevated A₁AR density. They showed a lower density in the solid tumor in comparison to surrounding brain tissue, although the cellular density was higher within GBM.

Our findings suggest that the immediate vicinity of GBM is characterized by increased levels of copper and zinc supporting the view that higher A₁AR density surrounding GBM is not an isolated alteration of peritumoral tissue but an indicator of complex changes in the vicinity of infiltrative tumors. Further research is needed to explore the pathophysiological consequences of altered peritumoral element distribution.     

The Adsorption Properties of Agricultural and Forest Soils Towards Heavy Metal Ions (Ni,Cu, Zn,and Cd)

Adsorption of Cu, Cd, Ni, and Zn in single and multi-metal solutions by agricultural and forest soils was investigated in batch sorption experiments. The results showed significant differences in sorption capacities of the studied soils. The selectivity order was as follows: agricultural soil? top forest soil > bottom forest soil. The adsorption sequence Cu > Zn > Ni > Cd was established for the agricultural and bottom forest soil, while the order for the top forest soil was Cu > Ni > Zn > Cd. The experimental isotherms for the metal sorption were described satisfactorily by the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The competitive adsorption experiment indicated a reduction in the amount of metals adsorbed by the soils from the multi-metal solution compared to the single metal solution. Properties of the soils, such as pH, content of clay and organic matter, exchangeable bases and hydrolytic acidity, showed a significant influence on adsorption capacities of the studied soils.     

Molecular studies did not support the distinctiveness of Malva alcea and M. excisa (Malvaceae) in Central and Eastern Europe

Relics of Malva alcea are found in Central and Western Europe. A similar taxon, M. excisa, is native to the eastern parts of Europe. According to selected sources, the geographical range boundary of the above taxa intersects Poland. Taxonomic research relying on key morphological features (the depth of corolla petal incisions and the type of hairs covering the stem) did not clearly validate the distinctness of those species. Genetic variation between Malva alcea and M. excisa was analyzed using ISSR and ISJ markers. The performed analysis did not reveal statistically significant differences at the level of genetic diversity between M. alcea and M. excisa populations. The obtained genetic identity values (I = 0.985) do not support the identification of eastern populations as a distinct biological species of M. excisa. The applied DNA markers did not reveal species-specific bands supporting molecular identification of those taxa. The obtained genetic identity values were verified by neighbor-joining grouping which showed that M. alcea and M. excisa did not form corresponding clusters, thus pointing to an absence of significant differences between the analyzed taxa. Differences between the above species were not revealed by an analysis of the sequences of chloroplast regions trnHpsbA and rpoC1, either.