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We conducted a phytosociological study into hay meadows on former fields on original sites of beech forests form the alliance Aremonio-Fagion in the lower montane belt of the northwestern and western Slovenia (southern Julian Alps, northern part of the Dinaric Alps) and compared them to similar, previously described meadows in Slovenia and northwestern Italy. Based on this comparison they are classified into the new association Rhinantho freynii-Trisetetum flavescentis and new habitat type, southeastern-Alpine-northern-Illyrian lower montane hay meadows – 38.239-S1.

Complete genome sequences of two Yellow oatgrass mosaic virus (YOgMV) isolates have been determined to be 9,292 nucleotides excluding the 3′ polyadenylated tail. The viral RNA encodes a large putative open reading frame (ORF) of a single polyprotein consisting of 3,002 amino acids with typical genome organization of monopartite potyvirids. A small overlapping ORF encoding a pretty interesting Potyviridae ORF of 122 amino acids is found in the P3 cistron of both YOgMV isolates. The nucleotide and amino acid identities between the two YOgMV isolates are 90 and 97 %, respectively. Pairwise comparison of YOgMV putative mature proteins and proteinase cleavage sites with those of representative members of the family Potyviridae indicated that YOgMV is more closely related to members of the genus Tritimovirus. In phylogenetic trees constructed with sequences of putative polyprotein, YOgMV consistently groups with members of the genus Tritimovirus. These results suggest that YOgMV should be classified as a distinct species in the genus Tritimovirus in the family Potyviridae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adequate supply of vitamin D3 is not sufficient for the prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis, because of a tightly regulated critical step in formation of the most active vitamin D metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Direct application of 1,25(OH)2D3, however, was effective in reducing fracture rate and increasing bone mineral density as has been shown in large clinical studies. Extracts from Solanum glaucophyllum and Trisetum flavescens plants containing 1,25(OH)2D3-glycosides were characterized by their vitamin D-activity in a quail eggshell bioassay and applied in an osteoporosis model in ovariectomized rats. An extract from the grass T. flavescens and a purified extract from S. glaucophyllum were characterized by the absence of alkaloids and the analytically determined content of 1,25(OH)2D3. In the ovariectomized rat model after 6 months duration, the bone metabolism relevant markers serum calcium, 1,25(OH)2D3, urinary crosslinks and calcium were measured. At termination tibial mineral content was determined and as imaging procedure micro-computerized tomography was applied. The bisphosphonate alendronate was used as a positive standard. While alendronate reduced bone resorption, as seen in a reduced urinary crosslink excretion, both vitamin D metabolite-containing extracts were able to improve bone mineral density by an enhanced calcium turnover. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The calcinogenic plants are among the most noxious plants to animals in the world. The pathological and biochemical effects of calcinogenic plants in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, buffalo and laboratory animals have been determined. The chemical nature of the toxic agents and the precise mechanism by with the calcinogenic plants induces calcinosis have been defined. Most of the active principle present as steroidal glycoside is hydrolyzed in intestine, rumen and other tissues or by the bacterial flora releasing the steroidal fragment, in most cases 1,25(OH)2D3. The excess of vitamin D stimulates CaBP synthesis and calcium and phosphate absorption, producing hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. The excessively absorbed mineral cannot be physiologically accommodated, and the deposition in soft tissues results in calcinosis. The different means of treatment of calcinosis and control of calcinogenic plants are discussed with regards to their effectiveness. A number of potential uses of calcinogenic plants have been suggested but none has been exploited on a large scale. The understanding of the mechanisms involved with calcinosis contributed enormously to the compression of vitamin D mechanism. Research methods were developed and improved but a lot is to be done in this fascinating subject. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]