Ambrosia: a new impending disaster for the israeli allergic population.

The pollen of Ambrosia (ragweed) is one of the major causes of pollen-induced allergy worldwide. This genus of plants has apparently evolved in North America but later spread into Europe and Asia. Flowering of the Ambrosias starts in mid-July and continues throughout the autumn and is a cause of major morbidity to allergic sensitized patients.

Impact of specific allergen sensitization on the prevalence of asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis from adjacent distinct geographic areas.

Background: Patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and perennial allergen sensitization are at increased risk for asthma.

Objectives: To determine the allergic profile of patients with clinical AR in regions of the coastal Mediterranean compared with the inland southern desert area of Israel and the impact of specific allergen sensitization on the prevalence of asthma in these patients.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of medical records from patients referred for evaluation during 2002 and 2003 to the allergy clinics of 3 medical centers located in different geoclimatic areas.

Occurrence and stress response of N-methylproline compounds in Tamarix species.

A number of N-methylproline analogues have been found to accumulate in different species of Tamarix. These include N-methyl-L-proline (MP), trans-4-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-proline (M4HP) and trans-3-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-proline (M3HP). The three compounds appeared in all species but their relative and absolute levels depend upon species, ecotype and level of applied salt stress.

The role of mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in distribution and germination of seeds of the submerged hydrophyteNajas marina L.

The effect of passage ofNajas marina L. seeds through the digestive system of the common mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) on their germinability was investigated. Most of the seeds (∼70%), which were consumed by the birds were digested.

The role of soil Phosphorus in differentiation of edaphic ecotypes in Aegilops peregrina.

The role of soil Phosphorus (P) availability on the ecotypic differentiation of plants was investigated. Populations of Aegilops peregrina (Hack.) were collected from four habitats which differed in their soil P.

Photosynthetic pathways and the ecological distribution of the chenopodiaceae in Isreal.

Fifty-four species of the Chenopodiaceae in Israel were examined for their anatomical features, δC values, habitat and phytogeographical distribution. 17 species have δC values between -20‰ and -30‰and non-Kranz anatomy (NK) and are therefore considered as C plants. 37 species have δC values between -10‰ and -18‰ and Kranz or C-Suaeda type anatomy and are therefore considered as C plants.