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The effect of excess Ni (1 mM Ni) on wheat plants as well as the role of Ca (1 mM Ni+5000 microM Ca) for amelioration of toxicity and recovery of growth and photosynthesis in Ni-stressed wheat was evaluated. Growth, nutrient status (Ca, Mg, Fe, K, Na), and photosynthesis showed a distinct decrease strictly related to the period of treatment. Calcium ameliorated to a certain extent toxic symptoms of Ni, due to antagonistic action between Ni and Ca ions. Since chlorophyll content and variable fluorescence (Fv) decreased significantly, but Fo did not particularly change, the decrease of t1/2 with increasing duration of Ni exposure indicates negative changes on the acceptor side of PSII, which also may result from diminution of Calvin cycle. The maximum quantum yield for energy trapping was also suppressed. Plant transfer to Hoagland solution+5000 microM Ca caused recovery to plant morphology and physiology. Even in control plants, during recovery period an increased Ca concentration in plant tissues with concomitant increased rates of growth and morphology was observed. Ni concentration in plants exposed to 1 mM Ni+5000 microM Ca was lower than in plants exposed to 1 mM Ni. In all treatments a certain increase of plant nutrients was observed during recovery.

The effects of elevation (200, 950 and 1760 m) and season (April–October) on leaf morphological, anatomical, ultrastructural, morphometrical and photosynthetic parameters were studied in Origanum vulgare plants. Observations aimed at the determination of the alterations in leaf structure and function associated with differential growth and adaptation of plants. Raising elevation results in a progressive decrease of plant height. During the growing period, summer plants are taller than spring and autumn plants at all elevations examined. In high‐altitude populations (O. vulgare ssp. vulgare), the blade size becomes reduced in June leaves as compared with October leaves, while it does not change remarkably in low‐altitude populations (O. vulgare ssp. hirtum). Leaf thickness remains more or less stable during the growing period. Expanded leaves in June and October at 200 m elevation contain dark phenolics only in their epidermis, whereas leaves of August are densely filled with phenolics in all of their tissues. In June at 1760 m elevation, leaves are devoid of phenolics, which, however, occur in the epidermis of the leaves in August and October. At higher altitudes, larger mesophyll chloroplasts with more starch grains are present in June leaves, whereas in August and October leaves chloroplasts are smaller with fewer starch grains. Leaf stomata and non‐glandular hairs increase in number from the lowland to the upland habitats, whereas glandular hairs decrease in number. During the growing season, the density of stomata and of glandular and non‐glandular hairs progressively increases. In the low‐ and mid‐altitude oregano populations, leaf chlorophyll a content and PSII activity significantly increase in October, whereas they simultaneously decrease in the high‐altitude population, suggesting a phenomenon of chilling‐induced photoinhibition. The highest photochemical efficiency of PSII appears in the mid‐altitude population (having characteristics intermediate between those of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum and ssp. vulgare) where environmental conditions are more favourable. This conclusion is also confirmed by the observation that the 950 m O. vulgare population has larger and thicker leaves with highly developed palisade and spongy parenchymas.

The effects of a 7-day exposure of 3-day-old wheat plantsto increasing Cd concentrations are described, with special attention beinggiven to chloroplast ultrastructural changes, chlorophyll fluorescenceresponses, chlorophyll and nutrient concentration changes as well as growthchanges of the whole plant. The plants treated with 1 mM Cd showed symptomsof heavy metal toxicity. The root, shoot-leaf length and the root, shoot-leafbiomass progressively decreased with increasing Cd in nutrient solution andin 1 mM of Cd an almost complete inhibition of growth was found. Shoot-leafCd accumulation increased under Cd-treatments, while a Fe, Mg, Ca, and Kdecline in the above ground parts was observed. The growth reduction and theinhibition of chlorophyll content and photosynthesis observed in the upperplant parts seemed principally due to indirect Cd effects on the content ofessential nutrients. Cadmium treatment was shown to damage the structure ofchloroplasts, as manifested by the disturbed shape and the dilation of thethylakoid membranes. These ultrastructural changes suggest that Cd probablyinduced premature senescence.

Background: The os trigonum (OT)—the most common accessory bone of the foot—although usually asymptomatic, may cause posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS), which may be a severely debilitating problem for recreational or competitive athletes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effectiveness of posterior ankle arthroscopy and to assess the outcome in the treatment of PAIS secondary to OT impingement or OT fractures within a group of young athletes and their return to previous sports level. Methods: From 2011 to 2018, a retrospective review of 81 recreational athletes of mean age 27.8 years was performed. All patients were diagnosed with PAIS due to OT pathology and were operated on endoscopically with resection of the OT. Pre- and postoperative clinical evaluation were performed at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years based on visual analog scale (VAS), ankle range of motion (ROM), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, and the Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI) scores, in a follow-up of at least 2 years. Results: VAS score was significantly improved from an average of 7.5 (5-9) preoperatively to 1.9 (1-3) at 3 months postoperatively and to 0.6 (0-2) and 0.3 (0 -1) at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Ankle ROM was significantly improved from an average of 24.8 (10-35) preoperatively to 58.0 (50-65) at 3 months postoperatively and to 64.0 (50-65) at 1 year and 64.7 (60-65) at 2 years postoperatively. AOFAS and FADI scores were significantly improved from 39.4 (18-55) and 49.7 (42.3-62.5) preoperatively to 85.2 (74-89) and 87.3 (81.7-88.5) postoperatively at 3 months to 97.7 (85-100) and 97.9 (93.3-100) postoperatively at 1 year, respectively (P < .001). Only 5 patients dropped to a lower activity level. There were 5 complications (4 transient). Conclusion: Endoscopic treatment of PAIS due to OT pathology demonstrated excellent results. Posterior ankle arthroscopy was an effective treatment and allowed for a prompt return to a high activity level of their athletic performance. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study / retrospective case series.

Background: The treatment of large osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) is challenging due to the poor intrinsic reparative capability of the damaged articular cartilage. Autologous transfer of bone and periosteum has been used successfully in the treatment of large defects in animals, and therefore it was believed that this technique might show similar results in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of an innovative technique for autologous transplantation of cancellous tibial graft with periosteal transfer in large OLTs. Methods: Forty-one patients (22 females, 19 males), with a mean age of 34.9 years (range, 18-72 years), with a large OLT (>200 mm2) were treated with autologous bone graft and periosteum transfer. OLTs averaging 310 mm2 were identified on a preoperative computed tomography scan. The procedure consisted of malleolar osteotomy, curettage of sclerotic bone, autologous bone graft from the proximal tibia, and transfixion of periosteum over the graft. Outcome measures, including the pain visual analog scale (VAS), ankle range of motion (ROM), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Foot & Ankle Disability Index (FADI), were compared between preoperative and 1 and 2 years following surgery. Results: There were significant improvements in VAS pain score from 7.7 before surgery to 1.1 at 1 year after surgery and 0.4 at 2 years or more after surgery. The AOFAS and FADI scores were also significantly improved from 40.3 and 53.3 preoperatively to 95 and 93.2 postoperatively at 1 year and 95 and 93.2 at 2 or more years postoperatively, respectively. Postoperative complications included 2 patients who required removal of medial malleolar osteotomy tension bands due to symptomatic hardware. There were no nonunions or malunions of the osteotomies and no donor site complications. Conclusion: Autologous bone graft and periosteum transfer was an effective treatment for large OLTs leading to significant decreases in pain and improvement in functional scores at more than 2 years after surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Agropyron striatulum (Elymus striatulus Run.) 2n = 14, A. rechingeri Run. 2n = 28, A. junceum (L.) P.B. subsp. boreoatlanticum simonet et Guinochet (A. junceiforme Löve and Löve) 2n = 28, A. junceum (L.) P.B. subsp. mediterraneum Simonet (A. junceum (L.) P.B.) 2n = 42 and A. diae (Elymus diae Run.) 2n = 56 were studied by isoelectric focusing of seed soluble proteins. The electrophoretic phenotypes obtained from the five materials showed a striking degree of similarity. The typical protein profile was recognized to consist of 40 bands. No qualitative protein phenotypic differences were found and all observed variation concerned the intensities of some particular bands. The data of the present study combined with cytological information provided by other workers indicate that in the composition of the polyploid taxa another genome besides that of the diploid A. striatulum is not likely to participate. Consequently the polyploid taxa of A. junceum (L.) P.B. complex can be characterized as segmental allopolyploids with the same basic genome more or less modified at different ploidy levels.

Agropyron bessarabicum (2n=14), A. rechingeri (2n=28), A. junceiforme (2n=28), A. elongatum (2n=14), A. flaccidifolium (2n=28) and A. scirpeum (2n=28) were studied by isoelectric focusing of seed soluble proteins. — The protein profiles obtained from the six taxa showed a striking degree of similarity; typically they consist of 40 bands. No qualitative but only quantitative differences (in the intensity of some bands) were found. — Combined with the cytological information available these protein data indicate that the two polyploid complexes must be placed in the recently erected genus Thinopyrum with the genome designations: T. bessarabicum Jj1 Jj1, T. sartorii (= A. rechingeri) Jj1 Jj1 Jj3 Jj3, T. junceiforme Jj1 Jj1 Jj2 Jj2, T. elongatum Je1 Je1, T. flaccidifolium Je1 Je1 Je1 Je1 and T. scirpeum Je1 Je1 Je2 Je2.

Agropyron strigosum found in a serpentine area on Mount Voras is reported for the first time for Greece and for the whole Balkan peninsula; so far this species has been known to exist only on the Crimea. A description accompanied by a karyotype analysis is given and data on the distribution of the species are provided.