Molecular Weight Distribution of Humic Acids Isolated from Calcic Cryosol in Central Yakutia, Russia.

The transition of soils into fallow state has a significant impact on the accumulation and transformation of soil organic matter (SOM). However, the issue of SOM transformation as a result of soil transition to fallow state in cryolithozone conditions is insufficiently studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular weight (MW) distribution of humic acids (HAs) isolated from soils of central Yakutia. Native, fallow and agricultural soils in the vicinity of Yakutsk city were studied. MW distributions of HA preparations were obtained on an AKTAbasic 10 UPS chromatographic system (Amersam Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden) using a SuperdexTM 200 10/300 GL column (with cross-linked dextran gel, fractionation range for globular proteins 10-600 kDa). The data on the molecular-mass distribution of HAs of fallow and agricultural soils of Central Yakutia were obtained for the first time. According to the obtained data, it was found that the highest carbon content in the structure of HAs was observed in agricultural soils (52.56%), and is associated with soil cultivation and fertilizer application. Among the HAs of fallow soils, we note that those soils that are in the process of self-vegetation have a relatively high carbon content in the HAs (45.84%), but the highest content was observed in fallow soils used as hayfields (49.98%), indicating that the reinvolvement of agriculture in fallow soils leads to an increase in the carbon content of HAs. According to the data of the MW distribution of HAs, it was found that the highest content of a high MW fraction of HAs was recorded in native soil (18.8%); this is due to the early stages of humification and the low maturity of organic matter. The highest content of a low MW fraction of HAs was recorded in agricultural soil (73.3%); this is due to the formation of molecular complexes of a "secondary" nature, which are more stable in the environment than the primary transformation products of humification precursors. The molecular composition of the HAs of fallow soils in the process of self-overgrowing is characterized by values closer to the HAs of native soils, which indicates their transformation towards HAs of native soils. The obtained results indicate that the reinvolvement of fallow soils leads to the transformation of the molecular composition of HAs towards HAs of agricultural soils, and to an increase in the resistance of SOM to biodegradation.

Assessing climate niche similarity between persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica) areas in Iran.

The Persian fallow deer or Mesopotamian fallow Deer (Dama mesopotamica, Brook 1875), a species of significant ecological importance, had faced the threat of extinction in Iran. One conservation strategy involved the translocation of Persian deer to enclosed areas across Iran, where they were afforded protection from external threats and provided with essential care by human caretakers. While human caretakers diligently attend to their needs and mitigate external threats, climate variables may now become critical factors affecting population dynamics in enclosed areas. This study aims to assess the similarity in climate niches between the original area (Dez and Karkheh) of the Persian deer species and 11 newly enclosed areas. To achieve this, we employed climate data and ecological niche modeling (ENM) techniques to assess the variations in climate among 12 areas. We utilized the environmental equivalency test to determine whether the environmental spaces of area pairs exhibit significant differences and whether these spaces are interchangeable. Extrapolation analyses were also constructed in the next steps to explore climatic conditions in original fallow deer habitats that are non-analogous to those in other parts of Iran. Our results reveal significant disparities in climate conditions between the original and all translocated areas. Based on observations of population growth in specific enclosed areas where translocated deer populations have thrived, we hypothesize that the species may demonstrate a non-equilibrium distribution in Iran. Consequently, these new areas could potentially be regarded as part of the species' potential climate niche. Extrapolation analysis showed that for a significant portion of Iran, extrapolation predictions are highly uncertain and potentially unreliable for the translocation of Persian fallow deer. However, the primary objective of translocation efforts remains the establishment of self-sustaining populations of Persian deer capable of thriving in natural areas beyond enclosed areas, thus ensuring their long-term survival and contributing to preservation efforts. Evaluating the success of newly translocated species requires additional time, with varying levels of success observed. In cases where the growth rate of the species in certain enclosed areas falls below expectations, it is prudent to consider climate variables that may contribute to population declines. Furthermore, for future translocations, we recommend selecting areas with climate similarities to regions where the species has demonstrated growth rates.

Mitochondrial Control Region Database of Hungarian Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Populations for Forensic Use.

The evidential value of an mtDNA match between biological remains and their potential donor is determined by the random match probability of the haplotype. This probability is based on the haplotype's population frequency estimate. Consequently, implementing a population study representative of the population relevant to a forensic case is vital to correctly evaluating the evidence. The emerging number of poaching cases and the limited availability of such data emphasizes the need for an improved fallow deer mtDNA population databank for forensic purposes, including targeting the entire mitochondrial control region. By sequencing a 945-base-pair-long segment of the mitochondrial control region in 138 animals from five populations in Hungary, we found four different haplotypes, including one which had not yet been described. Our results, supplemented with data already available from previous research, do not support the possibility of determining the population of origin, although some patterns of geographical separation can be distinguished. Estimates of molecular diversity indicate similarly low mtDNA diversity (Hd = 0.565 and π = 0.002) compared to data from other countries. The calculated random match probability of 0.547 shows a high probability of coincidence and, therefore, a limited capacity for exclusion. Our results indicate that despite the overall low genetic diversity of mtDNA within the Hungarian fallow deer samples, a pattern of differentiation among the regions is present, which can have relevance from a forensic point of view.

Combined subsoiling and ridge-furrow rainfall harvesting during the summer fallow season improves wheat yield, water and nutrient use efficiency, and quality and reduces soil nitrate-N residue in the dryland summer fallow-winter wheat rotation.

Both subsoiling tillage (ST) and ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting (RF) are widely implemented and play an important role in boosting wheat productivity. However, information about the effects of ST coupled with RF during the summer fallow season on wheat productivity and environmental issues remains limited. This study aims to explore the effects of ST coupled with RF on water harvesting, wheat productivity-yield traits, water and nutrient use efficiency and quality, and soil nitrate-N residue in dryland winter wheat-summer fallow rotation at the intersection of southern Loess Plateau and western Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in China in 2018-2022. Three tillage practices-deep plowing with straw turnover (PTST), subsoiling with straw mulching (STSM), and STSM coupled with RF (SRFSM)-are conducted during the summer fallow season. The results indicated that tillage practices during the summer fallow season significantly impacted wheat productivity and soil nitrate-N residue. Compared to PTST, STSM significantly enhanced rainfall fallow efficiency and water use efficiency by 7.0% and 14.2%, respectively, as well as N, P, and K uptake efficiency by 16.9%, 16.2%, and 15.3%, and thus increased grain yield by 14.3% and improved most parameters of protein components and processing quality, albeit with an increase in nitrate-N residue in the 0- to 300-cm soil depth by 12.5%. SRFSM, in turn, led to a further increase in water storage at sowing, resulting in an increase of water use efficiency by 6.8%, as well as N, P, and K uptake efficiency and K internal efficiency by 11.8%, 10.4%, 8.8%, and 4.7%, thereby significantly promoting grain yield by 10.2%, and improving the contents of all the protein components and enhancing the processing quality in grain, and simultaneously reducing the nitrate-N residue in the 0- to 300-cm soil layer by 16.1%, compared to STSM. In essence, this study posits that employing subsoiling coupled with ridge-furrow rainfall harvesting (SRFSM) during the summer fallow season is a promising strategy for enhancing wheat yield, efficiency, and quality, and simultaneously reducing soil nitrate-N residue within the dryland summer fallow-winter wheat rotation system.

Hunting Dynamics and Identification of Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in European Fallow Deer (Dama dama) across Three Hunting Reserves in Western Romania.

The study focused on the hunting practices and potentially pathogenic bacterial species among European fallow deer (Dama dama). Within a five-year period, three hunting grounds from Western Romania were examined. During this period, a total of 1881 deer were hunted, and 240 samples were collected by rectal and nasal swabbing from 120 carcasses. Bacterial strains were identified utilizing bacteriological assays and the Vitek® 2 Compact system. Notably, the Socodor hunting ground exhibited a significant difference in harvesting quotas between the bucks (Group M) and does/yearlings (Group F), favoring the latter. In the Chișineu Criș-Salișteanca hunting ground, a likely correlation in harvesting quotas between the two groups was observed. The identified potentially pathogenic bacteria were Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus faecium. These results highlight the importance of effectively managing the deer population and recognize the potential for Dama dama to spread zoonotic pathogens, emphasizing the necessity of adopting a One Health approach and maintaining ongoing surveillance of this game species' population dynamics.

[Effect of Fallow on Nitrogen Accumulation in Soil Profile and Shallow Groundwater in Cropland Around Fuxian Lake].

Soil nitrogen accumulation in cropland and groundwater nitrogen pollution can be effectively alleviated by reducing exogenous nitrogen input, and fallow is an important measure for reducing exogenous nitrogen input. To explore the effects of fallow on nitrogen accumulation in the soil profile and shallow groundwater, the soil profile and shallow groundwater in cropland around Fuxian Lake were selected as research objects. The changes in nitrogen accumulation in the 0-100 cm soil profile and nitrogen concentration in shallow groundwater before (December 2017) and after (August 2020 and April 2021) fallow and their relationships were analyzed. The results showed that the content and storage of nitrogen in soil profiles were significantly reduced by fallow, and the contents of TN, ON, DTN, NO3--N, and NH4+-N in 0-30, 30-60, and 60-100 cm soil profiles after fallow decreased by 18.4 %-36.5 %, 16.1 %-26.8 %, 54.0 %-130.2 %, 59.5 %-90.8 %, and 60.1 %-110.6 %, respectively. The storages of TN, ON, DTN, NO3--N, and NH4+-N in 0-100 cm soil profiles before fallow were (17.20 ±0.97) t·hm-2, (15.50 ±1.23) t·hm-2, (0.68 ±0.06) t·hm-2, (266.8 ±31.17) kg·hm-2, and (18.7 ±3.04) kg·hm-2, respectively. However, their storages after fallow decreased by 25.5 %, 23.3 %, 44.7 %, 80.1 %, and 59.9 %, respectively. Fallow also changed the concentration and composition of different forms of nitrogen in shallow groundwater. The concentrations of TN, ON, NO3--N, and NH4+-N in groundwater after fallow decreased by 88.4 %, 82.7 %, 92.1 %, and 65.8 %, respectively, and ON/TN and NH4+-N/TN increased from 26 % and 6 % before fallow to 39 % and 17 % after fallow, respectively, whereas NO3--N/TN decreased from 61 % before fallow to 41 % after fallow. Changes in nitrogen concentrations and their forms in groundwater were closely related to DTN, NO3--N, and NH4+-N in the soil profile and pH, ORP, and DO in groundwater before and after fallow. Our study highlights that fallow effectively reduced nitrogen accumulation in cropland soil profiles, further alleviating nitrogen pollution in shallow groundwater, and was conducive to preventing the deterioration of water quality in plateau lakes.

First Results on the Presence of Mycotoxins in the Liver of Pregnant Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Hinds and Fetuses.

Reproductive abnormalities have been observed in fallow deer populations in Hungary. We supposed mycotoxin contamination to be one of the possible causes because multi-mycotoxin contamination is known to be dangerous even at low toxin levels, especially for young animals. We investigated the spatial pattern of mycotoxin occurrences and the relationship between maternal and fetal mycotoxin levels. A total of 72 fallow deer embryos and their mothers were sampled in seven forested regions in Hungary in the 2020/2021 hunting season. We analyzed Aflatoxin (AF), Zearalenone (ZEA), Fumonizin B1 (FB1), DON, and T2-toxin concentrations in maternal and fetal livers by ELISA. AF was present in 70% and 82%, ZEA in 41% and 96%, DON in 90% and 98%, T2-toxin in 96% and 85%, and FB1 in 84% and 3% of hind and fetus livers, respectively. All mycotoxins passed into the fetus, but only Fumonizin B1 rarely passed. The individual variability of mycotoxin levels was extremely high, but the spatial differences were moderate. We could not prove a relation between the maternal and fetal mycotoxin concentrations, but we found an accumulation of ZEA and DON in the fetuses. These results reflect the possible threats of mycotoxins to the population dynamics and reproduction of wild fallow deer.

[Effects of Continuous Annual Crop Rotation and Fallow on Soil Aggregate Stability and Organic Carbon].

In order to explore the effects of continuous annual crop rotation and fallow on aggregate stability and organic carbon content in red soil, the red soil in sloping farmland was taken as the research object, and the water-stable aggregates and organic carbon content were determined using the wet sieve method and potassium dichromate-concentrated sulfuric acid external heating method, respectively. The changes in soil aggregate stability and organic carbon content under the four treatments of maize-vetch-maize rotation (M-V-M), maize-pea-maize rotation (M-P-M), maize-fallow-maize (M-F-M), and annual fallow (F-F-F) from 2020 to 2022 and the relationships between them were analyzed. The results showed that in 2021 and 2022, the contents of > 2 mm aggregates treated with F-F-F, M-V-M, and M-P-M were significantly increased by 67.01%-100.92%, 29.71%-33.67%, and 29.68%-38.07%, respectively, compared with that treated with M-F-M. In 2021 and 2022, the stability parameters of F-F-F and M-V-M were significantly higher than those of M-F-M (P < 0.05). The content of > 2 mm aggregates, geometric mean diameter (GMD), and mean weight diameter (MWD) under the M-V-M treatment and R0.25 (> 0.25 mm aggregate contents), MWD and > 2 mm aggregate contents under the F-F-F treatment increased with the increase in fallow years, whereas the content of 1-2 mm and < 0.25 mm under the F-F-F treatment decreased with the increase in fallow years. Both green manure rotation and fallow treatment could increase the SOC content, and the SOC content of F-F-F and M-V-M treatment increased with the extension in age. Correlation analysis showed that SOC content was significantly positively correlated with R0.25 and GMD under all treatments. R0.25 and GMD under the F-F-F treatment and GMD and MWD under M-V-M were significantly positively correlated with SOC content. The results showed that continuous annual crop rotation and fallow was beneficial to improve the content of soil macro-aggregates, aggregate stability, and SOC content, which could provide theoretical basis for the implementation of reasonable continuous annual crop rotation and fallow patterns and soil erosion control in red soil areas of sloping farmland in southern China.

The 10,000-year biocultural history of fallow deer and its implications for conservation policy.

Over the last 10,000 y, humans have manipulated fallow deer populations with varying outcomes. Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica) are now endangered. European fallow deer (Dama dama) are globally widespread and are simultaneously considered wild, domestic, endangered, invasive and are even the national animal of Barbuda and Antigua. Despite their close association with people, there is no consensus regarding their natural ranges or the timing and circumstances of their human-mediated translocations and extirpations. Our mitochondrial analyses of modern and archaeological specimens revealed two distinct clades of European fallow deer present in Anatolia and the Balkans. Zooarchaeological evidence suggests these regions were their sole glacial refugia. By combining biomolecular analyses with archaeological and textual evidence, we chart the declining distribution of Persian fallow deer and demonstrate that humans repeatedly translocated European fallow deer, sourced from the most geographically distant populations. Deer taken to Neolithic Chios and Rhodes derived not from nearby Anatolia, but from the Balkans. Though fallow deer were translocated throughout the Mediterranean as part of their association with the Greco-Roman goddesses Artemis and Diana, deer taken to Roman Mallorca were not locally available Dama dama, but Dama mesopotamica. Romans also initially introduced fallow deer to Northern Europe but the species became extinct and was reintroduced in the medieval period, this time from Anatolia. European colonial powers then transported deer populations across the globe. The biocultural histories of fallow deer challenge preconceptions about the divisions between wild and domestic species and provide information that should underpin modern management strategies.

Ionomic Variation Among Tissues in Fallow Deer (Dama dama) by Sex and Age.

(1) In mammals, the mineral nutrient and trace elemental composition of the body - the ionome - differs among individuals. It has been hypothesized that these differences may be related to age and sex, both for ecotoxic and essential elements. (2) We investigated whether and how intraspecific ionomic variation is related to age and sex in Fallow deer (Dama dama). We tested the predictions that concentrations of ecotoxic elements increase with age, that ionomic variation is lower among young individuals than among older individuals, and that reproductive females (does) have the lowest concentrations of essential elements. (3) Culled animals of different sex and age were obtained from a single protected area. The animals were dissected to collect 13 tissues, and concentrations of 22 different elements were measured in a sample of each tissue. (4) We described substantial ionomic variation between individuals. Some of this variation was related to age and sex, as predicted. Based on the limited existing knowledge on chemical element allocation and metabolism in the body, sex-related differences were more difficult to interpret than age-related differences. Since reference values are absent, we could not judge about the consequences of the elemental values that we found. (5) More extensive ionomic surveys, based on a wide range of elements and tissues, are needed to enlarge the understanding of within-species ionomic variation and potential biological, ecological, and metabolic consequences.

Seven decades of Atlantic rainforest conversion to slash-and-burn agriculture: Effects on soil's physical properties.

Slash-and-burn agriculture is a millennia-old no-till farming technique that is still widely practiced in developing tropical countries. This practice is currently employed in Brazil by subsistence family farms, Indigenous groups, and maroons, in a primitive manner, using only cutting, fire, and fallow as soil preparation techniques for food production. In recent years, this practice has been drastically reduced. However, the fallow periods have become even shorter. Therefore, there is a need to understand how the recurrence of fire with the reduction of fallow time affects the soil. This study aims to evaluate the cumulative effects of fire recurrence in slash-and-burn agriculture for seven decades on the physical properties of the soil and the minimum fallow times for post-burn resilience. Using a chronosequence approach, different fallow periods: a) native forest (control); b) recently burned (30 days after fire); c) 2-year fallow; d) 5-year fallow; e) 7-year fallow; f) 12-year fallow were considered. In each area, six disturbed and six undisturbed samples were randomly collected at 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm depths each to estimate: soil bulk density, soil total porosity, penetration resistance, aggregate stability, mean weight diameter, and soil water retention capacity. The results show that the seven decades of slash-and-burn agriculture affected the topsoil (0-5 cm deep) more prominently. Curiously, soil bulk density and total porosity were not affected at any time between the areas. The fire increased penetration resistance immediately after burning in the 0-5 cm layer by 162.5%, showing resilience after five years of fallow. Soil aggregate stability showed a delayed effect, with a significant increase in two years after the fire by 64.2%, remaining high after 12 years of fallow, indicating the influence of other mechanisms and reactions in the soil after the fire. The mean weight diameter did not change at any time while soil water retention increased immediately after burning by 25.2% with resilience after a two-year fallow. Most physical properties were not directly affected by fire heating but by post-fire environmental conditions and the interaction of various mechanisms during the fallow period. In general, most physical parameters showed good resilience over an average of five years of fallow, with cumulative effects only for aggregate stability.

An alien parasite in a changing world - Ashworthius sidemi has lost its traditional seasonal dynamics.

A non-native nematode Ashworthius sidemi has emerged in captive fallow deer in Central and Eastern Europe over the last decade. Although this parasite has been spreading in the wild outside it's native distributional range and colonising local European host species since the middle of the last century, limited information has been published on the seasonality of A. sidemi and its susceptibility to anthelmintics. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study to investigate seasonal dynamics of the non-native parasite in the current Central European climate conditions. We collected freshly voided faecal pellets at four-week intervals from February 2018 to February 2020 at a fallow deer reserve with a known history of A. sidemi presence. The faecal pellets obtained were pooled after each site visit (n = 25) and coprocultured to obtain the third stage larvae of trichostrongylid nematodes at monthly intervals. Total genomic DNA was extracted from the recovered larvae. Using real-time multiplex PCR, A. sidemi DNA was detected in 17 out of 25 larval samples (68% prevalence). During the monitoring period, the annual administration of ivermectin based premix (Cermix) took place in January 2018, 2019, and 2020, and additionally a mixture of rafoxanide and mebendazole (Rafendazol) was administered once in spring 2019. The probability of parasite presence was significantly influenced by the time since the drug administration (p = 0.048) and the mean temperature at the location (p = 0.013). Larval samples negative for A. sidemi were always identified shortly after the drug administration. However, rapid pasture contamination by the parasite eggs from two to three months after Cermix administration and within one month after Rafendazol administration suggest only a short-lived efficacy of both administered drugs. The abundance of A. sidemi DNA was positively affected by mean temperature (p = 0.044) and remained relatively stable throughout the monitoring period, with the highest peak in August 2018 and 2019. Pasture contamination with A. sidemi eggs occurred almost all year round, with the exception of the beginning of 2018, 2019, and 2020. These findings indicate adaptation of a non-native parasite to the current climatic conditions of the Czech Republic resulted in negligible seasonal patterns of parasite egg shedding.

[Effects of Long-term Tillage on Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Dryland Wheat Fields in Northern China].

To explore the effects of long-term tillage on bacterial community structure in different soil layers of dryland wheat fields and its relationship with soil physicochemical properties, a long-term field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2021 in Wenxi Experimental Demonstration Base of Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Province. We studied the effects of no-tillage (NT), subsoiling-tillage (ST), and deep plowing (DP) on soil physicochemical properties; α and ß diversity of the bacterial community; and dominant and different species of phyla and genera in different soil layers. Additionally, PICRUSt2 was used to predict the metabolic function of soil bacterial community. The results revealed that subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the soil water content in the 20-40 cm soil layer and significantly decreased the soil organic carbon content in the 0-20 cm soil layer compared with that under no-tillage for five consecutive years. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased soil water content, soil organic carbon content, dissolved organic carbon content, and dissolved organic nitrogen content in the 0-20 cm soil layer. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing increased the α diversity of the soil bacterial community in the 0-40 cm soil layer, and subsoiling-tillage was higher than deep plowing. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundances of Acidobacteria and Nitrospirae in the 0-20 cm soil layer and Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Rokubacteria, GAL15, and Nitrospirae in the 20-40 cm soil layer. Compared with that under no-tillage, subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundance of Nitrospira in the 0-20 cm soil layer and Rubrobacter and Streptomyces in the 20-40 cm soil layer. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased the relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes in the 0-40 cm soil layer. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that the contents of soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and dissolved organic nitrogen in the 0-20 cm soil layer exerted positive effects on Actinobacteria and Blastococcus, and the soil water content in the 0-40 cm soil layer exerted positive effects on Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Gemmatimonadetes under subsoiling-tillage. The results of PICRUSt2 prediction showed that subsoiling-tillage and deep plowing significantly increased the relative abundance of amino acid metabolism and the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins but decreased the relative abundance of lipid metabolism of bacterial communities in the 20-40 cm soil layer compared with that under no-tillage. Compared with that under deep plowing, subsoiling-tillage significantly increased the relative abundances of amino acid metabolism in the 0-40 cm soil layer and other amino acid metabolism in the 0-20 cm soil layer. In conclusion, subsoiling-tillage or deep plowing could increase the soil water content, α diversity of the soil bacterial community, and their metabolic capacity in the dryland wheat fields during the summer fallow period. The relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes and the ability of amino acid metabolism of the bacterial community were increased by subsoiling-tillage, and thus the contents of soil dissolved organic carbon and dissolved nitrogen can be increased.

[Effects of Annual Crop Rotation and Fallow on Soil AMF Community and Aggregate Stability].

To investigate the effects of crop rotation and fallow on the community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the stability of soil aggregates, AMF community and aggregates were measured using Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing and wet screening methods in red soil of sloping farmland. The AMF community and its relationship with soil factors and aggregate stability were studied under the four treatments of vetch rotation corn (V-C), pea rotation corn (P-C), winter fallow corn (F-C), and annual fallow (F-F). The results showed that the aggregate content of >2 mm, R0.25, and MWD in the F-F, V-C, and P-C treatments were significantly higher than those in F-C (P<0.05), and the aggregate content of <0.25 mm was significantly lower than that of F-C (P<0.05). The ACE, Chao1, and Shannon indexes of the F-F treatment were 29.56%, 35.78%, and 45.55% higher than those of the F-C treatment, respectively. Glomus was the dominant genus of AMF communities under all treatments, whereas Scutellospora showed a significant difference among the treatments (P<0.05). PCoA analysis showed that PC1 and PC2 together explained 29.99% and 22.40% of the difference in the AMF community composition, respectively. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between Scutellospora and alkaline nitrogen (AN) and organic matter (SOM) (P<0.05), a significant positive correlation between Scutellospora and available potassium (AK) (P<0.05), and a significant positive correlation between Glomus and alkaline nitrogen (P<0.05). RDA analysis showed that AMF diversity (Shannon index) and Scutellospora were significantly and positively correlated with aggregate content >2 mm and 2-1 mm, respectively (P<0.05). Therefore, annual fallow and vetch rotation corn were conducive to improving the stability of soil aggregates and changing the composition of the AMF community. The research results provide a theoretical basis and reference for the annual rotation system to improve soil quality and implement a reasonable crop rotation and fallow pattern in southern China.

Distribution of large lungworms (Nematoda: Dictyocaulidae) in free-roaming populations of red deer Cervus elaphus (L.) with the description of Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp.

Lungworms of the genus Dictyocaulus are causative agents of parasitic bronchitis in domestic and wild ungulates. This study investigates the distribution, morphology and genetic diversity of D. cervi and a new lungworm species, Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. infecting red deer Cervus elaphus, fallow deer Dama dama and moose Alces alces in Poland and Sweden. The study was conducted on 167 red deer from Poland and on the DNA of lungworms derived from 7 fallow deer, 4 red deer and 2 moose collected in Sweden. The prevalence of D. cervi and D. skrjabini n. sp. in dissected red deer in Poland was 31.1% and 7.2%, respectively. Moreover, D. skrjabini n. sp. was confirmed molecularly in 7 isolates of fallow deer lungworms and 1 isolate of red deer lungworms from Sweden. Dictyocaulus skrjabini n. sp. was established based on combination of their distinct molecular and morphological features; these included the length of cephalic vesicle, buccal capsule (BC), buccal capsule wall (BCW), distance from anterior extremity to the nerve ring, the width of head, oesophagus, cephalic vesicle, BC and BCW, as well as the dimensions of reproductive organs of male and female. Additionally, molecular analyses revealed 0.9% nucleotide sequence divergence for 1,605 bp SSU rDNA, and 16.5­17.3% nucleotide sequence divergence for 642 bp mitochondrial cytB between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. cervi, respectively, and 18.7­19% between D. skrjabini n. sp. and D. eckerti, which translates into 18.2­18.7% amino acid sequence divergence between D. skrjabini n. sp. and both lungworms.

Documentation of Genetic Diversity by Insulin-Like Growth Factor1 Receptor (Exon2) Gene for Fallow Deer (Dama dama) in Iraq.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor1 Receptor (Exon2) (IGF1R) gene plays a vital role in physiological impacts, such as growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism. A significant difference was noted between the IGR1R (exon 2) gene and the body weight of Dama dama. In addition, the heterozygosity pattern (AB) was significantly higher than the other pattern (AA). There are three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; 144G>C, 147A>G, and 210A>C) within the IGF-1R (exon 2) locus. The statistical analyses indicated the presence of three different haplotypes (GAA, CAA, and GGC). The analysis of relative frequencies indicated that the most frequent haplotype in the studied Dama dama population was Hap3 (GGC) (43.4782%) out of the three observed haplotypes. The results of SSCP-PCR revealed the variability of the target gene between the genotype frequencies in Fallow deer (Dama dama) with a high level of significance (P≤0.01) with two patterns (AA and AB) and an absence of BB pattern. The allele frequency of AA record a high level (71.74%) than the other genotype (AB) (28.26%), with a high-frequency level of the A allele (0.86) than the B allele (0.14). In current findings, SSCP genotyped in the Dama dama DNA observed an estimated 72% monomorphic loci and 28% polymorphic loci approximately. Hardy Weinberg equilibrium test (HW) was applied to the SSCP-PCR data matrix, and the statistical test was based on a chi-square (χ2) test. Chi-square was (55.928%) with a highly significant level (P≤0.01) recorded in the present study. As related to AA and AB genotypes mean, a significant difference (P≤0.05) was noted between IGF1R (exon 2) gene with a body weight of Dama dama, as well as the heterozygosity pattern (AB), was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than the other pattern (AA) (30.34±3.01kg versus 24.85±1.94kg), respectively. A significant impact (P≤0.05) between IGF1R (exon2) polymorphism and heart girth was founded to be related to the AB pattern (heterozygous) (76.92 ± 3.20 cm), whereas the lower value was related to the AA pattern (71.33 ± 2.49 cm). No significant differences in effects were shown in relation to body length and height at the shoulder. The present study is also interested in genetic characterization by calculating (Ne) as a tool for genetic diversity. Therefore, the number of alleles detected (Na) indicates that two alleles only were unique in the population of the study, with (1.3204) being the number of efficient alleles (Ne). Moreover, Shannon's Information index was recorded at 0.4073. The observed homozygosity (O.Hom.) and heterozygosity (HO) were (0.7174 and 0.2826), respectively. The values of expected homozygosity (E.Hom.) and heterozygosity (HE) were 0.7547 and 0.2453, respectively. The genetic diversity of Nei was 0.2427. The results showed an unexpected influx of IGF1R diversity measured by Fis and recorded the value (- 0.1646). In this sense, the results of the current study may be considered an approximation to the total genetic diversity of the population of Dama dama in Iraq, but the information obtained is relevant to proposing the strategies of conservation for the genetic diversity observed.

A Selection of 14 Tetrameric Microsatellite Markers for Genetic Investigations in Fallow Deer (Dama dama).

The fallow deer (Dama dama) represents significant game management value globally, and human activities are significantly impacting the species. Besides the positive effects, these activities can threaten its existence, health, and value. The aim of the authors was to develop a tetranucleotide microsatellite panel that could be clearly interpreted and used for genetic testing of fallow deer. Such a panel did not exist until now and could be particularly useful in the field of conservation genetics and forensics. A total of 99 tetrameric microsatellites, originally designed for related deer species, were tested on 20 fallow deer individuals from five Hungarian sampling areas. Original and newly designed primers were used to amplify the microsatellite regions using previously published or optimized PCR protocols. The lengths and sequences of specific amplicons were detected using capillary electrophoresis, and the rate of polymorphism was determined. Altogether, 80 markers provided PCR products of adequate quality and quantity. Among them, 15 markers proved to be polymorphic (2-5 alleles/locus), and 14 tetrameric markers were selected for further analysis. Statistical calculations showed that the selected polymorphic microsatellites can potentially enable key individualization in many areas of wildlife and population genetics, thus protecting the species.

Quantitative assessment of aerosol contamination generated during tooth grinding with a speed-increasing handpiece.

OBJECTIVES: Tooth grinding produces a significant amount of aerosol particles. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess particle contamination produced from tooth grinding with a speed-increasing handpiece across a real-world clinical setting. METHODS: All molar crowns were pretreated into cylinders with a uniform size. A novel computer-assisted numerical control system was used to parametrically study the bur speed: from 20,000 (20 K) to 200 K rpm at 20 K rpm intervals. 5-minute tooth grinding was performed in triplicate at each speed setting. Three online real-time particle counters (ORPC; TR-8301, TongrenCo.) were placed at 3 positions (0.5, 1, and 1.5 m) to evaluate particle production. All experimental instruments were controlled remotely. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (Scheirer-Ray-Hare and Kruskal-Wallis/ Dunn-Bonferroni tests, p < 0.05). RESULTS: The concentration level of aerosol particles production during the grinding experiment was elevated above the control group for all conditions, and increased with bur speed at any location (the maximum peak, reaching 5.59 × 107 particles/m3, at 200 K and 1 m), with differences between conditions. The effect of speed on the increment of particles across different channels compared to the control group was statistically significant among locations (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant particle contamination was produced using a speed-increasing handpiece, but the contamination level for each experimental condition was reduced to baseline within 30 min, and most particles with a diameter greater than 1üm produced at low speeds (80 K or lower) tended to settle within 1 m. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our study suggested that the use of a speed-increasing handpiece below 80 K and 30 min of fallow time may lead to an adequate reduction in the health effects of particle contamination.

Complementary ecosystem services from multiple land uses highlight the importance of tropical mosaic landscapes.

Tropical agricultural landscapes often consist of a mosaic of different land uses, yet little is known about the spectrum of ecosystem service bundles and materials they provide to rural households. We interviewed 320 households on the different benefits received from prevalent land-use types in north-eastern Madagascar (old-growth forests, forest fragments, vanilla agroforests, woody fallows, herbaceous fallows, and rice paddies) in terms of ecosystem services and plant uses. Old-growth forests and forest fragments were reported as important for regulating services (e.g. water regulation), whilst fallow lands and vanilla agroforests as important for provisioning services (food, medicine, fodder). Households reported the usage of 285 plant species (56% non-endemics) and collected plants from woody fallows for varying purposes, whilst plants from forest fragments, predominantly endemics, were used for construction and weaving. Multiple land-use types are thus complementary for providing ecosystem services, with fallow lands being particularly important. Hence, balancing societal needs and conservation goals should be based on diversified and comprehensive land management.