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Brassicaceae Isothiocyanate-Mediated Alleviation of Soil-Borne Diseases
No full textSoil-borne diseases lead to high risk in crop production by diminishing the productivity and general health of the affected plants. Brassica plants are known to produce glucosinolates, which, upon decomposition, release bioactive isothiocyanates (ITCs). ITCs have attracted attention because of their biofumigation properties, effectively suppressing soil-borne pathogens and pests, promising natural solutions for managing soil-borne diseases. ITCs produced by Brassica plants or seed meal additives to soil have the ability to reduce soil-borne pests and diseases while increasing beneficial soil microbiota. Several researchers have indicated that ITCs can interfere with the life cycles of soil-borne pathogens and, at the same time, strengthen plant defense systems, which makes them a more environmentally friendly option than chemical pesticides. The breakdown of Brassica biomass has also been shown to stimulate beneficial microbial communities, which play a key role in nutrient availability and pathogen suppression. Studies indicate that this process enhances the availability of essential nutrients like sulfur and nitrogen in the soil, both of which are critical for plant growth and development. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the role of Brassica ITCs in mitigating soil-borne diseases. We aim to consolidate current knowledge on ITC-mediated biofumigation, recommend strategies for enhancing its efficiency in practical applications, and highlight the need for future research to optimize its long-term effectiveness in sustainable agriculture
Targeting the CXCR4/CXCL12 Axis in Cancer Therapy: Analysis of Recent Advances in the Development of Potential Anticancer Agents
Get PDFCancer is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide and certainly
represents a significant challenge for the world of scientific research [1]. The development
of the tumor state is linked to the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic mutations that
cause normal cells to acquire the ability to proliferate uncontrollably, resist cell death, and
induce angiogenesis [2]. The formation of metastases is the primary problem in cancer
treatment and is the leading cause of death in cancer patients. It is characterized by a
series of stages that represent a ‘metastatic cascade’: during the process of metastatization,
cancer cells leave the primary site, circulate in the blood stream, adapt to the new cellular
environment at a secondary site, and escape the deadly fight with immune cells [3]. Tumor
recurrence and the lack of effective treatment options contribute to high mortality rates;
therefore, comprehending the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and progression is
crucial for unraveling the intricate biology of cance
Synthesis, electronic properties, and catalytic activity of peripherally metalated beta-eta1-Pd(II)-thioalkyl porphyrazine
No full textHydrochemical characteristics and geochemical modelling of groundwater in the Pollino national park
No full textTest of lepton flavor universality in semileptonic Bc+ meson decays in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 13 TeV
No full textA measurement of the ratio of branching fractions R(J/ψ) =B(B+c →J/ψτ+ντ)/B(B+c →J/ψμ+νμ) in the J/ψ →μ+μ−, τ+→μ+νμ ̄ντ decay channel is presented. This measurement uses a sample of proton-proton collision data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the CMS experiment in 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 59.7 fb−1. The measured ratio, R(J/ψ) = 0.17+0.18−0.17(stat)+0.21−0.22(syst)+0.19−0.18(theo) = 0.17 ±0.33, agrees with the value of 0.2582 ±0.0038 predicted by the standard model, which assumes lepton flavor universality. By testing lepton flavor universality, this measurement is a probe of new physics using B+c mesons, which are currently only produced at the LHC
Introduction of a 3D global non-linear full-f particle-in-cell model for runaway electrons in JOREK
No full textBioconversion of Meat and Fish-Based Former Foodstuffs by Black Soldier Fly Larvae: A Sustainable Pathway for Reducing Food Waste, Enhancing Nutrient Recovery, with a Circular Economy Approach
Get PDF: Food waste containing meat and fish presents a considerable environmental challenge due to regulatory constraints preventing its use in industrial insect farming. Although substrates derived from meat and fish are not currently approved for industrial insect feed production due to regulatory constraints, this study explores their potential in bioconversion through Hermetia illucens larvae. In this study, five different former foodstuffs containing meat and/or fish were tested to evaluate their suitability for BSFL rearing. The substrates included pizza with salami (PIZZA), cheeseburger (CHB), pasta Bolognese with meat (PASTA), chicken salad (CHISA), and fish salad (FISA). Results showed that BSFL successfully developed on all tested substrates. The highest performance was observed for FISA, with a total larval weight of 35.21 ± 3.91 g, dry matter yield of 11.21 ± 0.45 g, survival rate of 96.63 ± 0.40%, and the most efficient feed conversion ratio (FCR, 4.11 ± 0.59). Heavy metal analysis revealed substantial bioaccumulation of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in larvae. In particular, larvae reared on PIZZA showed a Pb concentration of 4.68 μg/100 g, with a corresponding bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of approximately 1.5. Cadmium accumulation was most notable in larvae fed CHB, with a Cd concentration of 0.41 ± 0.33 μg/100 g and a BAF of about 2.1. Despite this bioaccumulation, all detected concentrations remained well below the regulatory limits set by the European Union for animal feed, indicating not only the feasibility of H. illucens larvae in sustainable waste management but also its use as a safe protein source in animal feed. This research highlights the viability of integrating such food waste into insect bioconversion systems. With appropriate risk management, this practice could significantly improve nutrient recycling, waste management, and the circular economy, urging a regulatory review to allow broader substrate utilization. These positive outcomes underscore the potential of integrating currently restricted animal-derived food waste streams into H. illucens-based bioconversion systems, unlocking additional value for the circular economy and contributing to more efficient waste management practices
Salvia macilenta Boiss extract: phytochemical analysis, nanoformulation in Eudragit-coated liposomes and evaluation of antioxidant/inflammatory response in vitro
Get PDFThis study presents the development and biological evaluation of an Eudragit-coated liposomal oral delivery system for an extract from Salvia macilenta Boiss. The phytochemical analysis of an extract from S. macilenta aerial parts, based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, led to the isolation of a new rearranged nor-abietane diterpenoid, along with 31 known metabolites encompassing various classes, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and terpenes with known antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties. The S. macilenta extract was incorporated into Eudragit-coated liposomes with a two-step process involving sonication and enteric polymer-coating. The Eudragit-coated liposomes exhibited an average diameter of 118 nm and a high entrapment efficiency of the extract's bioactive marker compounds: rosmarinic acid at 83.24 % and carnosol at 51.19 %. The Eudragit-coated liposomes showed excellent storage stability over three months and remained unaltered in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. In vitro studies in LPS-stimulated HepG2 cells demonstrated that the Eudragit-coated liposomes significantly enhanced the extract's protective effect against oxidative stress and inflammation, as indicated by the upregulation of antioxidant proteins (SOD-2, NQO1, NRF-2) and the reduction of pro-inflammatory markers (NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, IL-6). Moreover, the Eu-liposomes achieved a 20-fold enhancement of the intracellular uptake of the extract's marker compounds (rosmarinic acid and carnosol), compared to the non-formulated extract. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that Eudragit-coated liposomes are a promising oral delivery system for boosting the bioavailability and bioactivity of S. macilenta extract, which could be exploited for nutraceutical purposes to restore oxInflammation balance
Identification of low-momentum muons in the CMS detector using multivariate techniques in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 13.6 TeV
No full text"Soft" muons with a transverse momentum below 10 GeV are featured in many processes studied by the CMS experiment, such as decays of heavy-flavor hadrons or rare tau lepton decays. Maximizing the selection efficiency for these muons, while simultaneously suppressing backgrounds from long-lived light-flavor hadron decays, is therefore important for the success of the CMS physics program. Multivariate techniques have been shown to deliver better muon identification performance than traditional selection techniques. To take full advantage of the large data set currently being collected during Run 3 of the CERN LHC, a new multivariate classifier based on a gradient-boosted decision tree has been developed. It offers a significantly improved separation of signal and background muons compared to a similar classifier used for the analysis of the Run 2 data. The performance of the new classifier is evaluated on a data set collected with the CMS detector in 2022 and 2023, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 62 fb-
Biochar in Agriculture: A Review on Sources, Production, and Composites Related to Soil Fertility, Crop Productivity, and Environmental Sustainability
Get PDFDue to soil nutrient depletion and rising food demand from an increasing global population, it is essential to find sustainable ways to boost crop yields, improve soil health, and address the environmental issues induced by agriculture. The most appropriate approach is to consider sustainable amendments, such as biochar and its derivatives, which are vital constituents of soil health due to their affordability, low reactivity, large surface area, and reduced carbon footprint. In this context, biochar and its derivatives in farming systems focus on improving soil structure, nutrient holding capacity, microbial activities, and the perpetuation of soil fertility. Despite its benefits, biochar, if it is used in high concentration, can sometimes become highly toxic, causing soil erosion due to reducing surface area, increasing pH levels, and altering soil properties. This review highlights the production methods and sources of feedstocks, emphasizing their important contribution to the soil’s physicochemical and biological properties. Furthermore, it critically evaluates the environmental applications and their impacts, providing data built upon the literature on contaminant removal from soil, economic factors, heavy metal immobilization, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. This review emphasizes the main challenges and future prospects for biochar use in comparison to modified biochar (MB) to propose the best practices for sustainable farming systems