Vegetation of European springs: High-rank syntaxa of the Montio-Cardaminetea

Abstract. A survey of high-rank syntaxa of vegetation of European springs (class Montio-Cardaminetea) is presented. It shows the complexity of the class and the relations between the units. More than 1200 relevés were arranged into six phytosociological tables, each representing an alliance. A synoptic table comprising all alliances is presented. Bryo-phytes are the most important group in most of the communities, both regarding biomass and cover. The Adiantetea and the Montio-Cardaminetea are combined into one class. As to floristics and ecology, there are no obvious reasons to distinguish more than one order in this class. The vegetation of European springs is divided into six alliances: (1) Adiantion, split into two new suballiances, Adiantenion and Lycopodo-Cratoneurenion; (2) Cratoneurion commutati; (3) Cardamino-Montion - incl. three new suballiances: Mniobryo-Epilobienion hornemannii, Swertio-Anisothecienion and Cardamino-Montenion; (4) Dermatocarpion; (5) Epilobio nutantis-Montion; (6) Caricion remotae - incl. two new suballiances: Caricenion remotae and Cratoneuro filicini-Calthenion laetae. The alliances are floristically and ecologically characterized and their distributions in Europe shown on maps.     

Constituents of the basidiomycete Scleroderma aurantium

The following compounds were isolated from the extract of the fresh peridium of Scleroderma aurantium: palmitic acid, linoleic acid, a mixture of triglycerides, an ester of a steroidal diol, ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, 9(11)-dehydroergosterol peroxide, lanosta-8,23- dien-3β,25-diol, lanosta-8,24-diene-3β,23-diol, and mannitol.     

A randomized, double blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effects of Candesartan on the insulin sensitivity on non diabetic, non hypertense subjects with dysglyce mia and abdominal obesity. "ARAMIA"

In ageing men testosterone levels decline, while cognitive function, muscle and bone mass, sexual hair growth, libido and sexual activity decline and the risk of cardiovascular diseases increase. We set up a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effects of testosterone supplementation on functional mobility, quality of life, body composition, cognitive function, vascular function and risk factors, and bone mineral density in older hypogonadal men. We recruited 237 men with serum testosterone levels below 13.7 nmol/L and ages 60–80 years. They were randomized to either four capsules of 40 mg testosterone undecanoate (TU) or placebo daily for 26 weeks. Primary endpoints are functional mobility and quality of life. Secondary endpoints are body composition, cognitive function, aortic stiffness and cardiovascular risk factors and bone mineral density. Effects on prostate, liver and hematological parameters will be studied with respect to safety. Measure of effect will be the difference in change from baseline visit to final visit between TU and placebo. We will study whether the effect of TU differs across subgroups of baseline waist girth (< 100 cm vs. ≥ 100 cm; testosterone level (<12 versus ≥ 12 nmol/L), age (< median versus ≥ median), and level of outcome under study (< median versus ≥ median). At baseline, mean age, BMI and testosterone levels were 67 years, 27 kg/m² and 10.72 nmol/L, respectively.     

Increase in liver acid lipase of thyroidectomized rats by thyroid hormones and its inhibition by actinomycin D

Acid lipase activity in the livers of thyroidectomized rats is increased by administration of L-thyroxine. The response is dose-dependent and can be demonstrated within 12 h after treatment. L-Triiodothyronine also evokes a rapid increase in acid lipase activity, and this increase can be inhibited by co-administration of actinomycin D.     

Polypodoaurein,a new phytoecdysone from Polypodium aureum L.

A new phytoecdysone was isolated from Polypodium aureum L. and its structure determined as 25-O-methylecdysterone.     

Characterization of a reverse gyrase from the extremely thermophilic hydrogen-oxidizing eubacterium Calderobacterium hydrogenophilum

Abstract Non-acid and acid glycolipids were isolated from the small intestine of a newborn calf and tested for the ability to bind Escherichia coli carrying K99 fimbriae. The bacteria did not bind to any of the non-acid glycolipids, whereas in the acid glycolipid fraction several gangliosides were detected which bind to K99 fimbriae. Gangliosides capable of binding K99 fimbriated E. coli were characterized as NeuGc-GM3, NeuGc-GM2, NeuGc-GD1a NeuAc-SPG and NeuAc-SPG. No binding was detected to NeuAc-GM3 and NeuGc-GM1.     

Influence of tourism on dwarf pine (Pinus mugo) communities in the Vysoké Tatry Mountains

The attention was focussed on the evaluation of the impact of trampling on autochtonous dwarf pine communities in the Tatra National Park (Vysoké Tatry Mts.). Use was made of combined phytocoenological and production-ecological methods. Results are described and discussed according to floristic-phytocoenological analyses, production-ecological analyses and the basic parameters of total organic matter supply.     

Sex-linked,androgen-dependent differences in renal retention of trimethylselenonium ions

The metabolism of trimethylselenonium ions (TMSe) was studied in male and female rats during maturation. Selenium (Se) retention in the whole body as well as in organs was found to be significantly higher in male rats than in female a few hours after parenteral administration of TMSe. The pronounced Se accumulation was observed in male kidneys. This sex-linked difference was dependent on the presence of gonades and started to be manifested with sexual maturation during the third decade of postnatal life. The effects of steroid hormones on the retention of Se from TMSe were examined in female and castrated male rats. The results indicate that TMSe metabolism in rat kidneys may be influenced by androgen steroids.