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Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian parasite, as one of the stressors that contribute to honey bee decline, has a significant negative impact on the longevity, productivity, and reproductive capacity of honey bee colonies. There are several different strategies for Nosema infection control, including natural-based and antibiotic-based products. In this study, we tested wormwood and oak bark-based supplement “Medenko forte” on survival, Nosema infection, oxidative stress, and expression of immune-related genes in artificially N. ceranae-infected bees. The results revealed a positive influence on the survival of Nosema-infected bees, irrespectively of the moment of supplement application (day 1, day 3, or day 6 after bee emergence), as well as reduction of Nosema loads and, consequently, Nosema-induced oxidative stress. Supplementation had no negative effects on bee immunity, but better anti-Nosema than immune-stimulating effects were affirmed based on expression levels of abaecin, defensin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin, and vitellogenin genes. In conclusion, the tested supplement „Medenko forte” has great potential in the health protection of Nosema-infected bees. However, further investigations need to be performed to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

Airborne Cs-137 originated from the nuclear tests in the atmosphere and from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was retained by the trees biomass and nowadays it can still be found in various concentrations in tree barks from Romania and other European countries. This study brings the first results of Cs-137 presence in tree bark from Romania on different considerations: (i) data dispersion in spruce and oak bark from NW, SW and central Romania, and the spatial variability of Cs-137 within oak and spruce bark from a natural protected forest area from Balvanyos area (Covasna County), known to be highly affected by the Chernobyl nuclear release; (ii) comparison of Cs-137 content in different tree bark species (oak, spruce, poplar and cherry); (iii) differences in Cs-137 concentrations with the bark depth layers and around the tree trunk; and (iv) comparison of mean Cs-137 values in spruce/oak bark from Romania with data from other European countries. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Airborne Cs-137 originated from the nuclear tests in the atmosphere and from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was retained by the trees biomass and nowadays it can still be found in various concentrations in tree barks from Romania and other European countries. This study brings the first results of Cs-137 presence in tree bark from Romania on different considerations: (i) data dispersion in spruce and oak bark from NW, SW and central Romania, and the spatial variability of Cs-137 within oak and spruce bark from a natural protected forest area from Balvanyos area (Covasna County), known to be highly affected by the Chernobyl nuclear release; (ii) comparison of Cs-137 content in different tree bark species (oak, spruce, poplar and cherry); (iii) differences in Cs-137 concentrations with the bark depth layers and around the tree trunk; and (iv) comparison of mean Cs-137 values in spruce/oak bark from Romania with data from other European countries. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.