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Silicon supplementation may lead to positive changes in plant quality, including their appearance. The two-factorial experiment with three ornamental plant taxa Gazania rigens ‘Kiss Yellow’, Salvia farinacea ‘Fairy Queen’ and Verbena ‘Obsession Lilac’ was conducted in the years 2012-2013. The first factor was foliar application of Si in form of ortho-silicic acid stabilized with choline (YaraVita Actisil) at the concentrations of 60, 120 and 180 mg·dm-3, while the second was soil application of multinutrient fertilizer (Insol U) at the concentrations of 0.25% and 0.50%. Biometric measurements of plants were carried out at the beginning of flowering. The laboratory analyses included the determination of the content of P, K, Ca, Mg and Si as well as chlorophyll content in the leaves. Silicon had a beneficial influence on a majority of the analysed morphological features. Plants reacted best to high silicon doses (120 and 180 mg·dm-3). Particularly beneficial effects were noted with respect to improved flowering of all analysed plant taxa and to the vegetative development of Salvia and Gazania. Insol U supplementation noticeably improved the flowering of Verbena.

Introduction: Foetal Alcohol Disorder Spectrum (FASD) is an incurable, non-genetic disorder that can occur in children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Patients with FASD are characterised by extensive damage to the central nervous system, neurological disorders, delays in physical and mental development, as well as difficulties in emotional regulation and behavioural disturbances. Neurosensory Integration of Reflexes by S. Masgutova is a holistic rehabilitation and therapeutic programme focused on the diagnosis and integration of primary reflex mechanisms. Intrauterine exposure of the foetus to alcohol affects the lack of proper reflex mechanism integration, which constitutes the foundation of harmonious psychomotor, cognitive, emotional and social development. The aim: The aim of this study is to present the role of primary reflex integration disorders according to MNRI in children with the Spectrum of Foetal Alcohol Disorders (FASD), as well as to discuss the impact of integrating primary reflex disorders according to MNRI on the functioning of FASD in children. Methods: The therapy comprised 103 patients (44 girls and 59 boys) aged 1-13 years with FASD, diagnosed according to the criteria of ICD-10 (Q 86.0). The mean age of the patients was 7.13 years (SD 3.26). Each participant took active participation in 2 rehabilitation interventions according to MNRI, the average interval between the stays was 4 months and 1 week (17 weeks). Results: In patients with FASD, the biomechanics of reflex patterns, such as: Babkin’s, ATOS, hand support, paralyzing fear, Galant, grasping hands and Babinski, improved after MNRI therapy. Conclusions: Our research allows to indicate that the rehabilitated FASD patients following MNRI therapy could hug their caregivers more easily, thumb-sucking activity decreased, coordination improved, sleep quality significantly improved while psychomotor hyperactivity decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portulaca umbraticola Kunth stem cuttings were treated with BA or BA and NAA in different concentrations. BA was applied by spraying or by the quick-dip method. Independent of application type, in almost all of the treatments BA and BA applied with NAA increased the percentage of rooted cuttings, but had no effect on the number of roots, apart from BA in the 0.5 g dm-3 concentration, which doubled the root number. Treatment with BA alone resulted in more intensive axillary shoot development, although only in one concentration (0.2 g dm-3) did BA significantly influence the number and length of lateral shoots. BA applied together with NAA had no effect or inhibited lateral shoot development.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the geocomposite (GC) on macronutrient uptake of container- grown Brunnera macrophylla and substrate properties. The GC consists of superabsorbent polymer (SAP), internal skeleton and non-woven geotextile. It was designed to retain water in the soil in a form available for plants, by roots overgrowing the geotextile to access water. The GC was soaked in a multi-compound fertilizer (Insol® U) and compared with soluble fertilizer (SF) and controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). The fertilizer rates were calculated to cover the equal N supply: 0.36 and 0.72 g N plant-1. Nitrogen uptake of Brunnera cultivated with the geocomposite was approximately twice and three times as high as that of plants fertilized with SF and CRF, respectively. Exceptionally high N content was observed in plants cultivated with the GC-0.72 g N plant-1. The use of the GC also enhanced the accumulation of K and P, while CRF strongly reduced their content in plants. Distinct relations could be observed in the case of Ca accumulation. GC-0.72 g N plant-1 increased EC and water content in the medium without direct contact between SAP and substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choline salicylate (CS) as a derivative of acetylsalicylic acid is commonly used in different drug forms. In medicine, it is applied topically to inflammation of the oral cavity mucosa and in laryngology. However, this substance in the form of an ionic liquid has not been investigated enough. There are no literature studies on stability tests constituting a stage of pre-formulation research. HPLC (Nucleosil C18, 4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm; methanol-water-acetic acid 60:40:1, 230 nm or 270 nm) and UV (276 nm) methods for the determination of CS in 2% (g/mL) aqueous solutions were developed. Under stress conditions, CS susceptibility to hydrolytic degradation in aqueous medium, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide, and the effect of light on the stability of CS solutions were studied with HPLC analysis. The degradation degree of CS and the purity of the solutions were also tested. Choline salicylate has been qualified as practically stable in neutral and acid media, stable in an alkaline medium, very stable in an oxidizing environment, and photolabile in solution. The HPLC-MS/MS method was used to identify 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids as degradation products of CS under the tested conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]