Biodegradable microplastics induce profound changes in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) defense mechanisms and to some extent deteriorate growth traits.

The development of agricultural technologies has intensified the use of plastic in this sector. Products of plastic degradation, such as microplastics (MPs), potentially threaten living organisms, biodiversity and agricultural ecosystem functioning. Thus, biodegradable plastic materials have been introduced to agriculture.

Comparing the impact of microplastics derived from a biodegradable and a conventional plastic mulch on plant performance.

Agricultural lands have been identified as plastic sinks. One source is plastic mulches, which are a source of micro- and nano-sized plastics in agricultural soils. Because of their persistence, there is now a push towards developing biodegradable plastics, which are designed to undergo (partial) breakdown after entering the environment.

Conjugated Polymer/Recombinant Biohybrid Systems for Photobiocatalytic Hydrogen Production.

Biohybrid photocatalysts are composite materials that combine the efficient light-absorbing properties of synthetic materials with the highly evolved metabolic pathways and self-repair mechanisms of biological systems. Here, we show the potential of conjugated polymers as photosensitizers in biohybrid systems by combining a series of polymer nanoparticles with engineered cells. Under simulated solar light irradiation, the biohybrid system consisting of fluorene/dibenzo []thiophene sulfone copolymer (LP41) and recombinant (i.

First Monte Carlo beam model for ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy with a compact electron LINAC.

Background: FLASH radiotherapy based on ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) is actively being studied by the radiotherapy community. Dedicated UHDR electron devices are currently a mainstay for FLASH studies.

Purpose: To present the first Monte Carlo (MC) electron beam model for the UHDR capable Mobetron (FLASH-IQ) as a dose calculation and treatment planning platform for preclinical research and FLASH-radiotherapy (RT) clinical trials.

Polystyrene nanoparticles induce concerted response of plant defense mechanisms in plant cells.

Recent advances in knowledge suggest that micro- and nanoplastics pose a threat to plant health, however, the responses of plants to this stressor are not well-known. Here we examined the response of plant cell defence mechanisms to nanoparticles of commonly used plastic, polystyrene. We used plant cell cultures of widely cultivated plants, the monocots wheat and barley (Triticum aestivum L.

Diterpenes and triterpenes show potential as biocides against pathogenic fungi and oomycetes: a screening study.

The aim was to screen di- and triterpenes as potential biocides against fungal pathogens (Alternaria sp., Fusarium avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Botrytis cinerea, Botryotina fuckeliana, Mycocentrospora acerina, Cylindrocarpon sp.

Fast and reliable method to estimate global DNA methylation in plants and fungi with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ultraviolet detection and even more sensitive one with HPLC-mass spectrometry.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) methylation is one of the epigenetic modifications of DNA, acting as a bridge between genotype and phenotype. Thus, disruption of DNA methylation pattern has tremendous consequences for organism development. Current methods to determine DNA methylation suffer from methodological drawbacks like high requirement of DNA and poor reproducibility of chromatograms.

Species-dependent responses of crop plants to polystyrene microplastics.

Only recently there has been a strong focus on the impacts of microplastics on terrestrial crop plants. This study aims to examine and compare the effects of microplastics on two monocotyledonous (barley, Hordeum vulgare and wheat, Triticum aestivum), and two dicotyledonous (carrot, Daucus carota and lettuce, Lactuca sativa) plant species through two complimentary experiments. First, we investigated the effects of low, medium, and high (10, 10, 10 particles per mL) concentrations of 500 nm polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on seed germination and early development.

Living, dead, and absent trees-How do moth outbreaks shape small-scale patterns of soil organic matter stocks and dynamics at the Subarctic mountain birch treeline?

Mountain birch forests (Betula pubescens Ehrh. ssp. czerepanovii) at the subarctic treeline not only benefit from global warming, but are also increasingly affected by caterpillar outbreaks from foliage-feeding geometrid moths.

Site fertility and soil water-table level affect fungal biomass production and community composition in boreal peatland forests.

A substantial amount of below-ground carbon (C) is suggested to be associated with fungi, which may significantly affect the soil C balance in forested ecosystems. Ergosterol from in-growth mesh bags and litterbags was used to estimate fungal biomass production and community composition in drained peatland forests with differing fertility. Extramatrical mycelia (EMM) biomass production was generally higher in the nutrient-poor site, increased with deeper water table level and decreased along the length of the recovery time.

Restriction of plant roots in boreal forest organic soils affects the microbial community but does not change the dominance from ectomycorrhizal to saprotrophic fungi.

Boreal forest soils store significant amounts of carbon and are cohabited by saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM). The 'Gadgil effect' implies antagonistic interactions between saprotrophic fungi and ECM. Plant photosynthates support the competitive fitness of the ECM, and may also shape the soil bacterial communities.

Presence of trophoblast in the uterine lumen affects VEGF-C expression in porcine endometrium.

Early pregnancy is associated with morphological and functional changes within the uterus, accompanied by angiogenesis, increased vascular permeability and activation of immune tolerance. Intensive angiogenesis leads to accelerated vascular leakage and accumulation of interstitial fluid in endometrium. To protect the trophoblast from the harmful effect of extracellular fluid, process known as lymphangiogenesis is crucial.

Acetylation-Dependent Recruitment of the FACT Complex and Its Role in Regulating Pol II Occupancy Genome-Wide in .

Histone chaperones, chromatin remodelers, and histone modifying complexes play a critical role in alleviating the nucleosomal barrier for DNA-dependent processes. Here, we have examined the role of two highly conserved yeast () histone chaperones, facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) and Spt6, in regulating transcription. We show that the H3 tail contributes to the recruitment of FACT to coding sequences in a manner dependent on acetylation.

Tannins and Their Complex Interaction with Different Organic Nitrogen Compounds and Enzymes: Old Paradigms versus Recent Advances.

Tannins, an abundant group of plant secondary compounds, raise interest in different fields of science, owing to their unique chemical characteristics. In chemical ecology, tannins play a crucial role in plant defense against pathogens, herbivores, and changing environmental conditions. In the food industry and in medicine, tannins are important because of their proven positive effect on human health and disease treatment.

Low dose out-of-field radiotherapy, part 2: Calculating the mean photon energy values for the out-of-field photon energy spectrum from scattered radiation using Monte Carlo methods.

Purpose: During radiotherapy, leakage from the machine head and collimator expose patients to out-of-field irradiation doses, which may cause secondary cancers. To quantify the risks of secondary cancers due to out-of-field doses, it is first necessary to measure these doses. Since most dosimeters are energy-dependent, it is essential to first determine the type of photon energy spectrum in the out-of-field area.

The semiconductor diode detector response as a function of field size and beam angle of high-energy photons.

Aim: The measurements of semiconductor diode detector response as a function of field size and beam angle of high-energy photons.

Background: In vivo dosimetry plays an important role in the therapeutic process of the patient. Because of the different orientation of the beam relative to the patient and different sizes of irradiation fields, it is extremely important to take into account the response of the detector depending on the angle and the size of the beam.

Low dose out-of-field radiotherapy, part 1: Measurement of scattered doses.

Purpose: To measure out-of-field doses in a phantom model to better quantify this radiation.

Material And Methods: The individual contribution of photons and neutrons to the total out-of-field dose for 6 MV and 20 MV photons at open beam were measured in a purpose-designed water phantom. Radiation doses were measured at seven separate points (P1-P7) in the phantom with thermoluminescent detectors (TLD 100, 600, and 700) and GAFchromic™ EBT films.

High resolution ion chamber array delivery quality assurance for robotic radiosurgery: Commissioning and validation.

Purpose: High precision radiosurgery demands comprehensive delivery-quality-assurance techniques. The use of a liquid-filled ion-chamber-array for robotic-radiosurgery delivery-quality-assurance was investigated and validated using several test scenarios and routine patient plans.

Methods And Material: Preliminary evaluation consisted of beam profile validation and analysis of source-detector-distance and beam-incidence-angle response dependence.

Effects of Designer Hyper-Interleukin 11 (H11) on Hematopoiesis in Myelosuppressed Mice.

The incidence of cancer is constantly increasing. Chemo/radiotherapy is one of major methods of treating cancer. Although adverse chemo/radiotherapy events, such as anemia and neutropenia, can be successfully cured, thrombocytopenia is still problematic.

Polyanionic, alkylthiosulfate-based thiol precursors for conjugated polymer self-assembly onto gold and silver.

Anionic, conjugated thiophene- and fluorene-based polyelectrolytes with alkylthiosulfate side chains undergo hydrolysis under formation of alkylthiol and dialkyldisulfide functions. The hydrolysis products can be deposited onto gold or silver surfaces by self-assembly from solutions of the anionic conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) precursors in polar solvents such as methanol. This procedure allows solution-based surface modifications of gold and silver electrodes using environmentally friendly solvents and enables the formation of conjugated polymer bilayers.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is associated with vascular dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) show a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease with arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) exhibits proinflammatory and proatherogenic functions and has recently emerged as a major regulator of atherogenesis. Studies examining the relationship between circulating MIF levels and vascular dysfunction in this high-risk population do not exist.

Open innovation in health care: analysis of an open health platform.

Today, integration of the public in research and development in health care is seen as essential for the advancement of innovation. This is a paradigmatic shift away from the traditional assumption that solely health care professionals are able to devise, develop, and disseminate novel concepts and solutions in health care. The present study builds on research in the field of open innovation to investigate the adoption of an open health platform by patients, care givers, physicians, family members, and the interested public.

Postconditioning in focal cerebral ischemia: role of the mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channel.

Introduction: Ischemic postconditioning (IpostC) has been described in both heart and brain. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IpostC on brain infarct size and neurological function in the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. The second aim was to determine the involvement of the mitochondrial potassium ATP-dependent channel (mitoK(ATP)) opening and its capacity to improve mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion.

Sevoflurane pre- and post-conditioning protect the brain via the mitochondrial K ATP channel.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether exposure to sevoflurane at the onset of reperfusion provides protection similar to sevoflurane preconditioning and whether the effect depends on mitochondrial potassium ATP-dependent channel (mitoK(ATP)) in a rat model of focal cerebral ischaemia.

Methods: Adult Wistar male rats were subjected to focal cerebral ischaemia for 1 h followed by 24 h or 7 days of reperfusion. Preconditioning consisted of 15 min exposure to sevoflurane at 1 minimum alveolar concentration (2.