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This report describes new possibilities for intravital and post mortem diagnosis of avian mycobacteriosis in horses using the quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) method. Using this method, Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis was diagnosed in two sibling Fjord horses. In the first horse, M. a. hominissuis was detected by qPCR in numbers of 2.89 × 10⁵ and 1.47 × 10⁴ cells per 1 g of intestinal content and mesenteric lymph nodes, respectively; in the second horse, faeces and mesenteric lymph node samples showed numbers of 6.31 × 10⁵ and 3.36 × 10⁶ cells per 1 g of tissue, respectively. Another aim of this study was to comprehensively describe clinical and pathological findings in both animals.

An 8-year-old Italian saddle-horse gelding with a history of left guttural pouch empyema was referred to the clinic. Endoscopic examination showed a stenosis of the left pharingeal ostium that was treated with an endoscopic assisted electro-cauterization. Endoscopic follow-ups were performed before discharge and at six months after stenosis removal. No recurrence was observed, confirming the patency of the pharyngeal orifice.

The brachial plexus in adult red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) was found to be formed by the rami ventralis of C5, C6, C7, C8. A thin branch of C5 and C6 constituted the cranial trunk, and the caudal trunk was formed completely by the rami ventralis of C7 and C8. Thus, in squirrels, the spinal nerves which form the brachial plexus and the joining of these spinal nerves to each other differ from other rodents and mammals.

Lung lobe torsion (LLT) is an uncommon pathology in small animal practice. In large breed dogs LLT effects are localized mainly to the middle lobe of the right lung. This report describes a case of left cranial lung torsion in a Bernese Mountain dog: the patient was referred with a two-day history of asthenia, anorexia, dyspnea and haemoptysis. No trauma was reported. Physical examination showed the presence of bilateral pleural effusion confirmed by radiography and ultrasonography. Broncoscopy revealed that the left cranial lobe appeared to be compressed laterally with complete occlusion of the lumen. Thoracoscopy was performed to exclude other pathologies of the pleural space. The pathological lobe was removed. Histological examination revealed aspects consistent with lung lobe torsion. Clinical follow up carried out after three months showed a normal clinical course.

Clinical examination and emergency care in newborn puppies is difficult, due to their different physiological characteristics and needs from those of adult dogs. This paper reviews the physiological events during parturition and the influence of parturition on puppy health.

Reptiles have recently become a popular group of pet animals. A relatively large number of studies on the morphology of the oral cavity and method of feeding in adult individuals have been published. Nevertheless, embryological descriptions of reptile body parts or structures are rare. In this study, we describe the morphology of the developing tongue, in particular its dorsal surface, in pre-hatched green iguanas. Microscopic examination of the oral cavity of early embryos revealed that the tongue was divided into three different areas: apex, corpus and radix. The dorsal lingual surface was smooth and covered by nonkeratinised stratified squamous epithelium with slight prominences in some cases. In the underlying mesenchyme of the tongue, striated muscular tissue was formed. The epithelium thickness was reduced during formation of the lingual papillae and in later stages remained simple cuboidal. No developing taste buds could be recognised in the lingual epithelium.

This article describes osteomyelitis of the sphenoid skull bone in a maltanese dog due to Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans infection. The affected dog was subjected to physical and neurological examinations. Complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, lymph node biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were also performed. This case report describes abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination as well as the histhopathologic lesions of the skull bones and neurological symptoms of the dog.

The paper deals with the issue of knowledge transfer from several angles (context, benefits, and channels) in order to specify roles the universities should play in order to enhance the competitiveness of the EU economy. Knowledge transfer encompasses a wide variety of activities that range from appearances in the media and at public forums to participation in bilateral projects, the commercial development of research, the application of expertise through partnerships and internships, and the inclusion of broader community influences in the curriculum to enhance the capabilities of graduates. The broader context to facilitate knowledge transfer activities is assessed, suitable channels identified and some hints to select the appropriate channels provided. As the benefits of knowledge transfer go beyond the simple financial return, factors supporting effective deployment of knowledge transfer function at universities include not only financial incentives, but also a combination of measures ranging from training knowledge transfer personnel, setting appropriate metrics to assess the performance of knowledge transfer processes, quality assurance schemes as well as barriers-removing policies to enhance mobility of staff and free exchange of knowledge.

β-Galactosidase is an important industrial enzyme in the hydrolysis of milk and whey lactose. The enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose allows to avoid health and environmental problems posed by this disaccharide. In addition, this enzyme catalyses the formation of galacto-oligosaccharides, which are prebiotic additives for the so-called "healthy foods". β-Galactosidase is one of the relatively few enzymes that have been used in large-scale processes in both free and immobilised forms. This article presents a review of recent trends in immobilisation of β-galactosidase and their application in food industry.

A method to obtain an oligopeptide with high Fischer ratio is described. Corn gluten meal (CGM) was hydrolysed with Alcalase 2.4L using a two-step hydrolysis. In the first-step hydrolysis, the enzyme reaction conditions for hydrolysing CGM were optimised by using the orthogonal experimental design, while pH = 8.0, temperature = 55°C, enzyme to substrate ratio (3:97, w/w), and the substrate concentration = 5% were identified as the optimum conditions, under which up to 11.62% degree of hydrolysis (DH) could be obtained. The hydrolysate was then fractionated by ultrafiltration using a membrane with the molecular cutoff of over 10 kD at 20 kPa. For the second-step hydrolysis, the filtrate was adjusted to pH 6.0, then papain was added at 50°C and the mixture was maintained for 3 hours. The hydrolysate was obtained after inactivating papain and centrifuging. Then the salt (mainly NaCl) in the hydrolysate was removed with an ion exchange resin at the speed of 8 times bed volume per hour, and aromatic amino acids were removed through absorption by active carbon. By using Sephadex G-25 gel filtration chromatography, a peptide mixture with low molecular weights between 1000 and 1300 was obtained. Finally, tests on amino acid composition and free amino acid concentration of oligopeptide solution showed that the oligopeptide had a high Fischer ratio of 34.71 and the yield of 11.59%.

The formation of low molecular carboxylic and hydroxycarboxylic acids as well as sugar and deoxysugar acids from monosaccharides (D-glucose, D-fructose, D-arabinose, DL-glyceraldehyde, and 1,3-dihydroxyacetone) was studied in three different model systems: aqueous and alkaline solutions of potassium peroxodisulfate (K₂S₂O₈), and sodium hydroxide solution. In total, 3 low molecular carboxylic acids (formic, acetic and propionic), 24 hydroxycarboxylic acids, and 12 corresponding lactones were identified and quantified by GC/MS. Formic, acetic, and propionic acids were isolated by extraction with diethyl ether and directly analysed by GC/MS; hydroxycarboxylic acids and their lactones were monitored as their trimethylsilylated derivatives using the same method. Formic, acetic, L-lactic, glycollic, DL-2,4-dihydroxybutanoic acids and aldonic acids derived from the parent sugars were the most abundant compounds in all model systems. Within the models investigated, the yield of carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids (together with their lactones) ranged between 9.3-22.2% (n/n) and between 3.6-116.9% (n/n), respectively. The amount of acids was significantly lower in aqueous solutions of K₂S₂O₈ than in the alkaline solutions. The data obtained indicate that lower carboxylic acids are formed by both subsequent reactions (oxidation and/or intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction) of the sugar fragmentation products and direct decomposition of some intermediates such as uloses or hydroperoxides derived from the parent sugars. The acids possessing the original sugar skeleton are formed as a result of sugar oxidation or benzilic acid type rearrangement of deoxyuloses. Lower acids may also be formed by a recombination of free radicals.

Calculations of transient temperatures of food products after they are transferred from a warm environment into a display cabinet, require data on the surface heat transfer coefficient (SHTC). There is no forced air flow in an ordinary display cabinet, so the energy transfer is achieved mainly by free convection, conduction to a supporting plate, and radiation. Theoretical analysis of the heat transfer to a cylindrical sample demonstrates the relative influences of these mechanisms. This work investigates the apparent surface transfer coefficients with metal models. Heated models were placed individually (bare) in containers with and without lids. Each model was surrounded by identical containers filled with water. These were initially at the same temperature as the model or at the mean cabinet temperature. There were one, two, or three layers of these water containers. From the measured time-temperature histories of the model and the air surrounding the model, the SHTCs were calculated as functions of time and transformed into the dependencies between SHTC and temperature difference. The highest SHTCs were observed when the model was placed directly on the metal shelf of the display cabinet. The models surrounded by cool water containers showed lower SHTC values. The lowest SHTC values were found with the models placed in the middle of three layers of warm water containers. Placing the model on an insulating base leads to a lower SHTC. This effect confirms that the heat conduction through the substrate increases the heat transfer from the model and thus increases the average value of the apparent SHTC.

The compositions and concentrations of lipid classes, fatty acids, tocopherols were determined in the lipids from blue-green microalga Spirulina platensis. Total lipids (TL) recovered using chloroform: methanol (2:1, v/v) were found to be 163.5 g/kg (on dry weight basis). The level of neutral lipids was the highest, followed by glycolipids and phospholipids, respectively. Among TL and lipid classes, palmitic, γ-linolenic and linoleic acids were the dominating fatty acids. Compared to the neutral lipids, the polar fractions were generally characterised by higher percentages of saturated fatty acids. The recovered lipids were characterised by high percentage of tocopherols, wherein γ-tocopherol constitutes about 73% of total tocopherols present, the rest being γ-tocopherol. Spirulina platensis lipids exhibited a strong radical scavenging activity towards stable DPPH free radicals, whereas 27% of DPPH radicals were quenched after 2 h incubation. TL and lipid classes inhibited the growth of different microorganisms except gram-negative bacteria. At high concentrations, the tested lipids appeared more effective against A. niger (28.3 ± 1.53 mm). The information obtained in the present investigation is useful for lipid characterisation and further chemical and nutritional investigations of Spirulina platensis.

Coenzyme Q₁₀ is an important mitochondrial redox component and endogenously produced lipid-soluble antioxidant of the human organism. It plays a crucial role in the generation of cellular energy, enhances the immune system, and acts as a free radical scavenger. Ageing, poor eating habits, stress, and infection - they all affect the organism's ability to provide adequate amounts of CoQ₁₀. After the age of about 35, the organism begins to lose the ability to synthesise CoQ₁₀ from food and its deficiency develops. Many researches suggest that using CoQ₁₀ supplements alone or in combination with other nutritional supplements may help maintain health of elderly people or treat some of the health problems or diseases. Due to these functions, CoQ₁₀ finds its application in different commercial branches such as food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical industries. This review article gives a survey of the history, chemical and physical properties, biochemistry and antioxidant activity of CoQ₁₀ in the human organism. It discusses levels of CoQ₁₀ in the organisms of healthy people, stressed people, and patients with various diseases. This paper shows the distribution and contents of two ubiquinones in foods, especially in several kinds of grapes, the benefits of CoQ₁₀ as nutritional and topical supplements and its therapeutic applications in various diseases.

Differentiation of forest technologies according to ecosystem properties is a necessary step to achieve sustainable forestry. A forest typological system is considered to be the basic unit of ecosystem differentiation in the Czech Republic. Terrain characteristics, potential water erosion and applicable harvest technology were examined for 44 forest sites in a landscape segment of the Jizerské hory Mts. Forest site was found homogeneous in terms of terrain and technological properties. Edaphic category and groups of forest types as higher classification units and management sets as units of alternative classification showed lower homogeneity insufficient for operational planning.

The uniqueness of limestone soil-forming substrate was assessed with respect to the classification of forest ecosystems. 50 soil profiles from the Bohemian Karst were studied and the results were confronted with previously published works from other karst areas. The evaluation of soil profiles was based on a macroscopic description, on the results of chemical and physicochemical analyses, and on a micromorphological study. The carbonate bedrock was a cause of specific genesis of soils in these sites - both recent and relict ones (terrae calcis). However, it does not always condition the unique characteristics of these sites whose differentiation would call for an a priori special edaphic category. Unique geochemical characteristics of the substrate are modified on the gradient of advanced pedogenesis (Holocene up to mid-Pleistocene soils were assessed) by a very intensive soil-forming process connected with the impact of allochthonous, mostly aeolian material. Two possible approaches were designed for the classification of these sites: (i) wider conception - distinction of the basic edaphic category with small limitations for the quality of soil-forming substrate, (ii) narrower conception - limestone edaphic category with a number of limitations to distinguish this edaphic category.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth potential of Carpathian birch (Betula carpatica W. et K.) at an environmentally harsh mountain site and a response of this species to altered soil chemistry after dolomitic limestone and basalt grit applications. The Carpathian birch proved to be a suitable species for the replanting of extreme acidic mountain sites. This birch shows a low mortality rate, grows well in the clear-felled patches and soon forms a cover which is necessary for the reintroducing of more sensitive tree species. The application of dolomitic limestone and basalt grit resulted in the slower growth of Carpathian birch plantations. Liming raised soil reaction, sum of exchangeable bases, base saturation, cation exchange capacity and reduced exchangeable Al content. On the other hand, liming decreased an amount of oxidizable soil organic matter and negatively affected soil N, exchangeable P and K. Basalt grit increased exchangeable P and K contents and raised soil reaction, however only slightly. The influence of basalt grit on the sum of exchangeable bases, base saturation and cation exchange capacity was also less pronounced compared to liming. Basalt grit elevated the proportion of exchangeable aluminium and reduced the content of soil N.

This study describes the parameterization of biomass functions applicable to oak (Quercus robur, Quercus petraea) trees grown in the conditions of Central-European forestry. It is based on destructive measurements of 51 grown trees sampled from 6 sites in different regions of the Czech Republic important for oak forest management. The samples covered trees of breast height diameter (D) ranging from 6 to 59 cm, tree height (H) from 6 to 32 m and age between 12 and 152 years. The parameterization was performed for total aboveground biomass and its individual components. The two basic levels of biomass functions utilized D either as a single independent variable or in combination with H. The functions of the third level represented the best function for each biomass component with the optimal combination of available independent variables, which included D, H, crown length (CL), crown width (CW), crown ratio (CR = CL/H), tree age and site altitude. D was found to be a particularly strong predictor for total tree aboveground biomass. H was found to always improve the fit, particularly for the individual components of aboveground biomass. The contribution of CW was minor, but significant for all biomass components, whereas CL and CR were found useful for the components of stem and living branches, respectively. Finally, the remaining variables tree age and altitude were each justified only for one component function, namely living branch biomass and stem bark, respectively. The study also compares the fitted functions with other available references applicable to oak trees.

Environmental conditions in sites with service tree and wild service tree are assessed and some ecological differences between them are also identified. Both species are regarded as prospective woody plants with a possibility of wider utilization in forestry and landscape arrangements. They are tolerant to direct sunlight and short-time water deficit in the soils, therefore they are suitable for the afforestation of arid and warm sites (even clear unstocked areas). They prefer soils with favourable physical characteristics and adsorbing complex with acid to neutral soil reaction. Both the mentioned taxa have valuable timber, so the potential of their utilization in forestry is also in conditions of oak and beech-oak forests. They should be used as valuable admixture in oak forests or substitute the sensitive beech in drier sites of oak-beech forests.

The present paper describes the reclamation of dumpsites of coal ash - coal combustion by-products (CCB) generated by the burning of brown coal in thermal power plants. It evaluates the soil properties of formed Anthroposols and growth vitality of the forest tree species Quercus robur L., Quercus rubra L., Pinus sylvestris L., Betula verrucosa Ehrh., Populus tremula L., Populus nigra L., Salix fragilis L., Salix alba L., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. The best growth vitality at these sites was reached in tree species of seed origin from the vegetation series of primary succession. Deformations of the taproot (taproot laterals) in trees under 10 years of age were observed on Anthroposol from coal ash in Salix alba L., Salix fragilis L., Populus tremula L., Populus nigra L. and Populus alba L. and in the overlaying of the compacted stabilizate with a layer of reclaimable soil up to 0.5 m in Pinus sylvestris L., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. and Quercus rubra L.

Since the mid-1970's, the landscape around the confluence of the Morava and Dyje rivers has undergone substantial changes related to the drop of water table caused by water management measures undertaken on both ri-vers. Periodical spring floods are among the phenomena lost due to ameliorations. In this study, the reaction of forest ecosystems to the decrease in soil moisture is assessed on the basis of changes in species composition of the herb layer as well as of the known requirements of individual recorded taxa and the entire herb synusiae for the water content of soils. The results confirm that the species with the greatest demand for water disappear over time. The tendency of decreasing Ellenberg indicator values of the herb layers within the phytocoenological relevés is obvious also with the consideration of the influence of different numbers of species recorded on the same plots in different years of the survey. The changes are most visible in the dampest habitats, while elevated sites, so-called "hrudy", tend to be most stable. The intensity of vegetation changes increases in direct proportion to the altitude of the sites. The process of changes in some habitats caused by the alteration of the water regime has to be separated from the changes in the vegetation structure, which are easier to observe optically. The limiting factor of their development in the given conditions is the forest wildlife. After the elimination of wildlife's influence, the woody species synusia differentiates in height. A qualitative shift is represented by the recession of the formerly dominant Quercus robur on the main level, and its gradual replacement by other species. The impact of changes going on in the woody synusia on selected characteristics of the herb layer are included in the analyses.

It has been demonstrated that endophyte-infected (EI) ryegrass performed better in response to N deficiency than its endophyte-free (EF) counterpart. When P is considered, there is a lack of related information. In this study, Lolium perenne L. infected with Neotyphodium lolii was employed to establish EI and EF populations. Soil-grown EI and EF ryegrass were tested for their responses to P deficiency. The results showed that the endophyte infection improved the adaptability of ryegrass to P deficiency. When P was limited, EI roots were significantly longer (EI, 398.8; EF, 323.4 m/pot) and heavier (EI, 30.58; EF, 23.20 g/pot) than EF roots; the root: shoot ratio of EI plants was greater than that of EF plants (P < 0.05). The content of total phenolics and organic acids was significantly greater for EI roots than for EF roots at low P supply; the concentration of both, however, was not improved by the endophyte infection. This suggested that it was the higher root dry weight (DW) that contributed to the higher content of total phenolics and organic acids for EI plants, and the endophyte infection might have negligible effects on chemical modification of perennial ryegrass. Endophyte infection did not increase P uptake rate but did significantly improve P use efficiency of ryegrass in response to P deficiency (EI, 0.734; EF, 0.622 g DW/mg P).

The effect of 24-epibrassinolide and 28-homobrassinolide on seed germination and seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was studied under cadmium toxicity. The impact of brassinosteroids (BRs) on free proline levels and the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7), superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), ascorbic peroxidase (APOX; EC 1.11.1.11) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX; EC 1.11.1.7) in radish seedlings under Cd toxicity was evaluated. The effect of BRs on the activity of ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO; EC 1.10.3.3) and lipid peroxidation in radish seedlings challenged with Cd stress was also investigated. BRs supplementation alleviated the toxic effect of the heavy metal and increased the percentage of seed germination and seedling growth. Out of the two substances, HBL was found to be more effective than EBL in stress alleviation. HBL (3µM) alleviated the toxic effect of the heavy metal and increased the percentage of seed germination by 57% over Cd and 20% over unstressed control. Similarly supplementation of HBL (3µM) caused an increase of 156%, 78% and 91% in length, fresh weight and dry weight of seedling, respectively, over Cd treatment alone. The amelioration of seedling growth by BRs under metal toxicity was associated with enhanced levels of free proline. The activities of antioxidant enzymes CAT, SOD, APOX and GPX were increased in the seedlings from treatments with Cd along with BRs. Brassinosteroid treatment reduced the activity of POD and AAO in heavy metal stressed seedlings. Lipid peroxidation induced by Cd was found reduced with the supplementation of BRs. The results obtained in the study clearly indicated the ameliorative influence of brassinosteroids on the inhibitory effect of Cd toxicity.

Investigations were carried out under laboratory conditions in a nutrient solution according to Knop to observe the influence of increasing concentrations of Pb (5, 25, 50, 75 μmol/l) on its uptake and accumulation in chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), diploid cv. Novbona. The essential part of Pb taken up by chamomile plants accumulated in roots; only minor portion of the metal was translocated to the above-ground part of the plant. Addition of Pb to the growth medium reduced significantly the root biomass (-46.3% at the highest supply of Pb); reduction in the above-ground dry matter (-18.3%) was insignificant. Pb treatment also reduced chlorophyll content in leaves (P < 0.01). The highest level of Pb resulted in a decrease of Chl a by 52% and of Chl b by 48%. Lead in the nutrient medium induced accumulation of free proline (Pro) in leaf rosette tissues (P < 0.01). Distribution of Pb in chamomile plants (cv. Novbona) and accumulation of Pb with focus on accumulation in inflorescences (drug Flos chamomillae) was investigated in a pot experiment with soil (Orthic Luvisol) supplemented with 50 mg Pb/kg dry soil. At this treatment, the content of Pb in chamomile inflorescences was 3-fold higher in comparison with the control (P < 0.05) but the level of accumulated Pb (2.08 mg Pb/kg dm flowers) was far below the limit (10 mg/kg) set by the WHO as the highest acceptable level of Pb in the chamomile drug.

The effect of two different nitrogen sources: ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate, applied at increased rates, on the content of the total nitrogen, protein and non-protein nitrogen, and the content and composition of amino acids in head cabbage leaves was studied. The higher nitrogen accumulation was established at the ammonium nitrate fertilization compared to the calcium nitrate, but the application of Ca(NO₃)₂ resulted in a higher content of nitrate nitrogen. More protein nitrogen was also observed in plants with Ca(NO₃)₂ fertilization. The highest applied fertilizer rate of ammonium nitrate resulted in a significant reduction of the protein nitrogen compared to increased free amino acids. The total content of amino acids increased gradually with the increase of nitrogen rates in plants fertilized with NH₄NO₃. When Ca(NO₃)₂ was applied, nitrogen rates higher than 500 mg/kg soil suppressed the synthesis of amino acids. A greater increase was observed as regards the levels of arginine, proline and some essential amino acids as lysine, phenylalanine and histidine. The increase of proline and alanine could serve as an indicator for unbalanced nitrogen nutrition.

The ability of plants to tolerate salts is determined by multiple biochemical pathways that facilitate retention and/or acquisition of water, protect chloroplast functions and maintain ion homeostasis. Essential pathways include those that lead to synthesis of osmotically active metabolites, specific proteins and certain free radical enzymes to control ion and water flux and support scavenging of oxygen radicals. No well-defined indicators are available to facilitate the improvement in salinity tolerance of agricultural crops through breeding. If the crop shows distinctive indicators of salt tolerance at the whole plant, tissue or cellular level, selection is the most convenient and practical method. There is therefore a need to determine the underlying biochemical mechanisms of salinity tolerance so as to provide plant breeders with appropriate indicators. In this review, the possibility of using these biochemical characteristics as selection criteria for salt tolerance is discussed.

Residues of khat (Catha edulis Forskal) leaves in the soil showed an inhibitory effect on the dry mass, pectin and cellulose of wheat shoots and roots and cell wall-associated proteins of roots. The dry mass of shoots and roots significantly reduced and the reduction in roots was greater than in shoots. On the other hand, the contents of hemicellulose and lignin in both shoots and roots and cell wall-associated proteins of shoots were stimulated by the amount of khat leaves added to the soil. Soaking wheat caryopses in salicylic acid (SA) counteracted partially or completely the adverse effect of khat leaves residues on pectin and cellulose composition. The dry mass of wheat shoots and roots increased by SA to about 1.5-3 folds of SA-untreated plants. The content of hemicellulose and lignin of shoots and roots was antagonistically lowered by the application of SA. The application of SA was generally associated with a marked increase in the biosynthesis of cell wall-associated proteins of shoots and roots of wheat plants. Soluble proteins, proline and free amino acids increased significantly in plants growing in soil amended with khat leaves residues; however, SA inhibited this stimulatory effect. Soaking of wheat caryopses in SA had a favorable effect on the accumulation of nutritive cations; it also ameliorated the effect of more distressing ions, especially Na, accumulated in wheat plants due to mixing khat leaves residues with the soil.

In order to elucidate the distribution of soil nematodes in coastal wetlands and the effect of different distance from the sea line on soil nematode communities, we investigated the community structure of soil nematodes in one wetland perpendicularly oriented from Bohai sea coastline. In June 2006, soil samples were collected from the Yellow River Delta wetlands, in Dongying city of Shandong Province, China. Soil nematode communities were analyzed at the depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. The results showed that plant parasite nematodes were the most abundant trophic groups in both depths and at four sites. The average relative abundance was 91.33% of the nematode community. Several ecological indices which reflected soil nematode community structure, diversity, maturity and plant parasitism were compared in these four sites. The results indicated that the maturity index (MI) and plant parasitism index (PPI) were more sensitive than the other indices for assessing the response of soil nematode communities to soil of coastal wetland.

Since 1999, nitrous oxide (N₂O) soil emissions from sites cultivated with energy plants have been measured by gas chromatography and gas flux chambers in experimental fields. The main aim of this study was the nitrogen conversion factor and its variability for sandy soils under climatic conditions of Central Europe. Annual plants (hemp, rape, rye, sorghum, triticale) and perennial plants (grass, perennial rye, poplar, willow) were fertilised with three different levels of nitrogen (150 kg N/ha/year, 75 kg N/ha/year, and none). The annual nitrogen conversion factors were derived from the annual mean differences between the fertilised sites and non-fertilised control sites. The mean nitrogen conversion factor for the non-cultivated soils was lower (perennial crops: 0.4%) than that for the regularly cultivated soils (annual crops: 0.9%). Few times, enhanced N₂O emission spots with maxima above 1000 μ₂O/m²/h, lasting for several weeks, were observed in the course of measurements. The influence of these local peak emissions on the nitrogen conversion factor is discussed.