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Quality assessment in seven different apple varieties commercialized in Portugal
No full textSeven commercially available apples varieties in Portugal (Jongold, Pink Lady, Reineta, Fuji, Gala, Golden and Granny) were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. In this context, mineral content, height, weight, diameter, firmness, total solids soluble content, color, total lipids content and total protein content were carried out. Mineral content was assessed using X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometry in apples with and without peel, revealing significant differences between each variety. Moreover, there were significant differences between height, dry weight content, density, total soluble solids content, firmness, size, colorimetric parameter. Furthermore, significant differences were also observed in Fe, Ca, K, Cl and S content as well as protein and total lipid content. Additionally, Reineta variety emerged as the sweetest variety among the studied varieties and the study also revealed that the mineral content was higher in apples with peel compared to those without peel, highlighting the nutritional importance of apple skin
Incidence of infectious diseases in Bulgaria and Pleven region for a 20-year period (2004-2023)
No full textIntroduction: The incidence of infectious diseases directly reflects the realities in all spheres of public life. Objective: to describe and analyse the dynamics of infectious morbidity in the country and the Pleven region against the background of fundamental changes in the general socio-economic plan and specific changes in the health sector over 20 years (2004–2023). Material and methods: A retrospective study on the incidence of infectious diseases in Bulgaria and the Pleven region for a 20-year period (2004–2023) was conducted. We used the following sources of information: official population statistics from the National Statistical Institute; official statistics from the National Center for Public Health and Analysis (NCPHA); analysis of the incidence of infectious diseases in the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCCPD), annual reports of Regional Health Inspectorate – Pleven. Results: Significant changes were found in the incidence of specific infectious diseases related to changes in the immunisation strategy, the entry into force of the health reform at the beginning of the 21st century, and the admission of Bulgaria to the European Union. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the actual reporting of infectious (and not only) morbidity is also evident. Conclusion: There is a permanent trend of decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases in the country and the Pleven region, most pronounced in diseases with mass vaccine prophylaxis. Follow-up in the dynamics of infectious diseases is a sensitive indicator of public health at the national and regional levels
Europe’s lost landscape sculptors: Today’s potential range of the extinct elephant Palaeoloxodon antiquus
No full textThe straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus) was amongst the largest herbivores once engineering the European landscape on a continental scale. In combination with the glacial-interglacial cycles of the Pleistocene, the species was an integral part of the control regimes that shaped European flora and fauna. With the human-facilitated extinction of the straight-tusked elephant, these landscape-forming processes were lost during the last Glacial-Interglacial cycle. Given today’s climate, could straight-tusked elephants still be part of modern ecosystems in Europe? And if yes, where? Answers to these questions can support nature conservation in preserving species and ecosystems historically adapted to these lost control regimes. We reconstructed the realised niche of the straight-tusked elephant by allocating a novel compilation of fossil occurrences to either cold or warm stages, based on their assignment to Marine Isotope Stages. Further, we quantified the past potential distribution of the straight-tusked elephant since its extinction and its current potential distribution given the modern climate. Results show that the elephant could have persisted in the Mediterranean Basin until today and that modern climate across Central and Western Europe, excluding the Alps, as well as in the Mediterranean, is highly suitable for its occurrence. Our results show that, without human-induced extinctions, European fauna would comprise extinct megafauna, acting as ecosystem engineers on a continental scale. Local rewilding initiatives aim at restoring these lost processes, but potentially cannot achieve lasting ecological effects on comparable scales. Highlights The current European climate would still be suitable for the extinct straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus). The straight-tusked elephant could have persisted during the last Glacial-Interglacial cycle, considering past climate. Conserving the ecosystems shaped by the top-down ecosystem functions executed by the straight-tusked elephant in Europe may be especially promising in regions where the elephant could still exist today. Using reference cold and warm stages, based on Marine Isotope Stages in a Species Distribution Modelling framework, is a promising attempt to overcome dating uncertainties inhibiting more specific niche reconstructions of extinct species
KELVEG – Roadside Vegetation of Lithuania
No full textKELVEG – Roadside Vegetation of Lithuania (GIVD EU-LT-002) is a database that documents the diversity of roadside vegetation, tracks and monitors changes of non-native species’ impact on the roadsides, and adjacent habitats. The initiative was started in spring 2023. As of March 2025, 628 vegetation plots from randomly selected sites across the country have been included in the database. Vegetation plots were sampled along transects, starting at the edge of the roadside (road shoulder) and ending in an adjacent habitat. In each roadside part (road shoulder, first slope, second slope or flat part and adjacent habitat), 1 m2 square-shaped vegetation plots were taken. Additionally, 100 m2 square-shaped vegetation plots were sampled in adjacent habitats. In each vegetation plot, the cover of vascular plants and bryophytes was estimated using a percentage scale, and the cover and height of vegetation layers were measured. The aspect and inclination of slopes were measured using electronic compass and clinometer mobile applications, respectively. In each vegetation plot, soil samples were collected, and agrochemical analysis was performed to evaluate soil/substrate pH, the concentration of total nitrogen, humus, phosphate and potassium oxide, and microbiological activity. The data are available to potential users upon request from the corresponding author
Two new species of larval Erythraeidae (Parasitengona) ectoparasites of leafhoppers from Southwestern China
No full textIn this study, three species were examined. Among them, two new species, Caeculisoma taianensis sp. nov. and Iguatonia barboproxima sp. nov. from Southwestern China, were described and illustrated based on larvae. The two new species can be distinguished from the known species by the following characteristics: the anterior sensilla are nude, and the gnathosoma has two pairs of nude hypostomalae in C. taianensis sp. nov.; the anterior sensilla and posterolateral scutalae are located in the posterior half of the scutum, and the posterior hypostomalae with barbs on the proximal half in I. barboproxima sp. nov. In addition, a new host and distribution range of Abrolophus quadrapexicis Xu & Jin, 2022 is reported
Essential oils – a review of the regulatory framework in the European Union
No full textThe current trend in consumers’ preferences for healthy lifestyles resulted in an increased demand for natural products. Many companies replaced synthetic compounds, used as preservatives, flavourings, or active ingredients, with natural ones. Nowadays, essential oils (EOs) and compounds isolated from EOs are regarded as promising and safe alternatives for many synthetic substances used as food additives, food preservatives, repellents, antimicrobial agents, etc. A great dynamic regarding the studies on EOs and in the global market of EOs was also reported. Moreover, the European market of EOs represents a significant share of the global EOs market. According to some recent reports, the European EOs market generated a revenue of more than 11 billion USD per year recently and is expected to reach well over 20 billion USD per year in 2030. The article provides an overview concerning EOs regulation in the European Union (EU). In the EU, the different product categories containing EOs are controlled under specific regulations to enhance product quality and safety. The manuscript highlights the key points of the EU legislation on EOs intended for food purposes, cosmetics, and health care
Representing competitiveness of Bulgarian dairy production
No full textBulgarian dairy production makes up a significant portion of the overall agricultural sector's production (12% in 2021). The study reveals its development and quantifies sectoral competitive performance. The period under review began after Bulgaria acceded to the EU in 2007. Canada's Task Force for Competitiveness in the Agri-Food Sector developed a theoretical framework, defined as "the sustained ability to profitably gain and maintain market share" (Martin et al. 1991), which forms the basis of the method's concept. The study aims to investigate the development of the Bulgarian milk sector's competitiveness (including dairy, sheep, goat, and buffalo milk and products). An index of competitiveness was developed and applied, comprising of two components: market performance and value generated. The results synthesize competitive performance on internal and external markets, showing a sustainable competitiveness decline through the examined period.
A new species of Pristiphora Latreille (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), a defoliator of Picea meyeri in China
No full textIn this paper, a new species of Pristiphora is described and illustrated, P. brevitheca sp. nov. collected in Hebei Province from China. Based on the morphological characteristics of females and males and the maximum likelihood tree analysis based on COI, it is determined that this new species belongs to the P. abietina group. Partial mitochondrial genome and 21 tRNA secondary structures of the new species are described. The partial mitochondrial genome (16,187 bp) contains 36 genes: 13 protein-coding genes, 21 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. Notably, trnQ and the control region (CR) are missing from the assembly. The A+T content of P. brevitheca mitochondrial genome is 80.9%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that P. brevitheca belongs to the P. abietina group, and this also supports the monophyly of the group. The consumption of Picea meyeri (Pinaceae) needles by the new species results in the complete defoliation of some trees. Some biological characteristics of the new species are also provided
Morphometric and bio-acoustic profiling of Myotis aurascens (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in east Asia: documenting range extension in China and elevational distribution
No full textDuring a Chiroptera resource survey conducted in 2023 on the Pamir Plateau of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, two male bat specimens were captured. External morphology examination revealed small-sized individuals characterized by long, narrow ears with straight tragus structures tapering to sharp tips—features diagnostic of the genus Myotis. Echolocation call parameters were as follow: omitted signals exhibited a start frequency of 65.12 ± 2.12 kHz, end frequency of 42.78 ± 1.27 kHz, peak energy frequency of 47.41 ± 1.46 kHz, pulse duration of 2.52 ± 0.26 ms, and inter-pulse interval of 94.01 ± 31.41 ms. Integrated analyses incorporating mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene sequencing, (skull) morphological traits, and bio-acoustic data conclusively identified the specimens as the steppe whiskered bat, Myotis aurascens. This discovery constitutes the first documented occurrence of M. aurascens in Xinjiang, thereby expanding the confirmed distribution range of this species in China. Notably, these specimens represent the highest-altitude record for the species at 3,200 m above sea level. Our study provides the inaugural comprehensive description of cranial morphology and echolocation signatures for this species in high-altitude habitats. These findings significantly enhance regional biodiversity inventories and contribute critical baseline data for plateau ecosystem research
High genetic diversity and lack of structure underly the invasion history of the non-indigenous oyster Dendostrea aff. crenulifera (Mollusca, Ostreidae) spreading in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
No full textSince the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, hundreds of Indo-Pacific species have rapidly colonized the Mediterranean. Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of this invasion is crucial for assessing its ecological impact. A notable example is the Lessepsian oyster Dendostrea sp., first discovered in Turkey in 1998 and later found throughout the easternmost Mediterranean, though its identity remained uncertain. This study clarifies the taxonomic identity and the introduction pathways of Dendostrea sp. using molecular analyses. Over 100 specimens from 25 sites in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as Mauritius and Rodrigues (the native range), were sequenced for mitochondrial DNA (COI) and compared to 422 sequences from GenBank. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses identified the Mediterranean oysters as D. aff. crenulifera, conspecific with oysters from Rodrigues. The Mediterranean populations exhibited high genetic diversity, lack of phylogeographic structure, and showed no evidence of a founder effect. These findings suggest that D. aff. crenulifera entered the Mediterranean over two decades ago through multiple shipping-mediated introductions from its native range and successfully established, likely aided by the decline of native biodiversity. The observed genetic diversity pattern across the Mediterranean indicates high propagule pressure driving the species' invasion history, which likely underpins its establishment success by reducing the deleterious consequences of population bottlenecks and overcoming the so-called genetic paradox. This study underscores the value of molecular surveys in identifying taxonomically challenging non-indigenous species and uncovering their invasion histories