Phytoremediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Insights on plant uptake, omics analysis, contaminant detection and biomass disposal.

The unique properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have driven their pervasive use in different industrial applications, leading to substantial environmental pollution and raising critical concerns about the long-term impacts on ecosystem and human health. To tackle the global challenge of PFAS contamination, there is an urgent need for sustainable and efficient remediation strategies. Phytoremediation has emerged as a promising eco-friendly approach with the potential to mitigate the spread of these persistent contaminants.

New evidence of the timing of arsenic accumulation and expression of arsenic-response genes in field-grown Pteris vittata plants under different arsenic concentrations.

The timing and efficiency of arsenic (As) accumulation is crucial for using the hyperaccumulator P. vittata in remediation of As-contaminated soils. In this study, through an innovative microXRF-based approach, using a new "pinna powder" sampling method, we monitored As accumulation over time in fronds of individual P.

Enhanced Growth and Contrasting Effects on Arsenic Phytoextraction in through Rhizosphere Bacterial Inoculations.

This greenhouse study evaluated the effects of soil enrichment with rhizosphere bacteria on the growth and accumulation of arsenic in grown on a naturally As-rich soil. Inoculations were performed with a consortium of six bacteria resistant to 100 mM arsenate and effects were compared to those obtained on the sterilized soil. Selected bacteria from the consortium were also utilized individually: PVr_9 homologous to that produces IAA and siderophores and shows ACC deaminase activity, PVr_15 homologous to that contains the arsenate reductase gene, and PVr_5 homologous to that possesses all traits from both PVr_9 and PVr_15.

Urban Air Pollution and Plant Tolerance: Omics Responses to Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides, and Particulate Matter.

Urban air pollution is a crucial global challenge, mainly originating from urbanization and industrial activities, which are continuously increasing. Vegetation serves as a natural air filter for air pollution, but adverse effects on plant health, photosynthesis, and metabolism can occur. Recent omics technologies have revolutionized the study of molecular plant responses to air pollution, overcoming previous limitations.

Role of transcriptional regulation in auxin-mediated response to abiotic stresses.

Global climate change (GCC) is posing a serious threat to organisms, particularly plants, which are sessile. Drought, salinity, and the accumulation of heavy metals alter soil composition and have detrimental effects on crops and wild plants. The hormone auxin plays a pivotal role in the response to stress conditions through the fine regulation of plant growth.

The full-length Auxin Response Factor 8 isoform ARF8.1 controls pollen cell wall formation and directly regulates TDF1, AMS and MS188 expression.

Auxin Response Factor 8 plays a key role in late stamen development: its splice variants ARF8.4 and ARF8.2 control stamen elongation and anther dehiscence.

Human phase-I metabolism and prevalence of two synthetic cannabinoids bearing an ethyl ester moiety: 5F-EDMB-PICA and EDMB-PINACA.

Around 2017, with the appearance of 5F-EDMB-PINACA, synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) carrying an ethyl ester moiety at the linked group started spreading on the market of new psychoactive substances (NPS). In 2020 and 2021, the indole analog of 5F-EDMB-PINACA (5F-EDMB-PICA) and the non-fluorinated analog of this compound (EDMB-PINACA) were analytically characterized. Here, we present suitable urinary markers to prove the consumption of these two ethyl analogs.

From publications to every day clinical practice: tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19.

Introduction: there is evidence on the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab (TZC) used in combination with systemic corticosteroids for severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treatment. The purpose of this study was to describe epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features as well as clinical outcome of patients receiving this combination therapy compared with those receiving only corticosteroids.

Methods: a retrospective cohort study, which included adults with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, was conducted between March and August 2021.

β'-Phenylfentanyl Metabolism in Primary Human Hepatocyte Incubations: Identification of Potential Biomarkers of Exposure in Clinical and Forensic Toxicology.

From 2014 onwards, illicit fentanyl and analogues have caused numerous intoxications and fatalities worldwide, impacting the demographics of opioid-related overdoses. The identification of cases involving fentanyl analogues is crucial in clinical and forensic settings to treat patients, elucidate intoxications, address drug use disorders and tackle drug trends. However, in analytical toxicology, the concentration of fentanyl analogues in biological matrices is low, making their detection challenging.

Detection of AP-237 and synthetic cannabinoids on an infused letter sent to a German prisoner.

In the past years, new psychoactive substances (NPS) started circulating in prisons, leading to health risks and challenges for the criminal justice system. Seizures of papers and cards impregnated with synthetic cannabinoid (SCs) have been reported. In November 2021, a letter suspected to be drug-infused was sent from a German prison to this laboratory.

Arsenic accumulation in Pteris vittata: Time course, distribution, and arsenic-related gene expression in fronds and whole plantlets.

In this work, arsenic (As) accumulation and distribution over time in Pteris vittata young fronds from adult plants and in whole plantlets, grown on a highly contaminated As-soil, was determined by μ-XRF. A linear increase in As content up to 60 days was found in young fronds at different times, and a progressive distribution from the apex to the base of the fronds was observed. In whole plantlets, As signal was detectable from 9 to 20 days in the apex of a few fronds and fiddleheads.

Prevalence of Licit and Illicit Drugs Use during Pregnancy in Mexican Women.

For the first time, the present study employed hair testing to investigate the prevalence of classical drugs of abuse and new psychoactive substances use during gestation in a cohort of 300 Mexican pregnant women. An interview was conducted to collect data on sociodemographic aspects of the patients, and a 9 cm-long hair strand was taken from the back of the head of each mother one month after delivery. A validated ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography−high-resolution mass spectrometry method was used for the screening of classic drugs, new psychoactive substances, and medications in maternal hair.

Does the EU COVID Digital Certificate Strike a Reasonable Balance between Mobility Needs and Public Health?

The need to fight a highly aggressive virus such as SARS-CoV-2 has compelled governments to put in place measures, which, in the name of health protection, have constrained many freedoms we all enjoy, including freedom of movement, both nationally and within the European Union. In order to encourage and facilitate the return to free movement, the European Parliament has launched a "COVID-19 digital certificate". A spirited debate centered around the use of this certificate is still ongoing among scholars, many of whom have pointed out the uncertainties relative to COVID-19 immunity, privacy issues and the risk of discriminatory effects.

Recreational use of GHB and prescribed drugs: the challenge in forensic and clinical toxicology.

The dual nature and the double use of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) are the fundamentals of its spread as recreational drug. Endo-genously, GHB acts as inhibitory neurotransmitter while exogenously it is administered in the form of sodium oxybate to treat cataplexy and to menage alcohol withdrawal. Illicit GHB is extensively used along with prescribed drugs and drugs of abuse for its euphoric and anabolic effects.

In silico prediction, LC-HRMS/MS analysis, and targeted/untargeted data-mining workflow for the profiling of phenylfentanyl in vitro metabolites.

Illicit fentanyl and analogues have been involved in many fatalities and cases of intoxication across the United States over the last decade, and are becoming a health concern in Europe. New potent analogues emerge onto the drug market every year to circumvent analytical detection and legislation, and little pharmacological/toxicological data are available when the substances first appear. However, pharmacokinetic data are crucial to determine specific biomarkers of consumption in clinical and forensic settings, considering the low active doses and the rapid metabolism of fentanyl analogues.

Designer Benzodiazepines: A Review of Toxicology and Public Health Risks.

The rising use of designer benzodiazepines (DBZD) is a cat-and-mouse game between organized crime and law enforcement. Non-prohibited benzodiazepines are introduced onto the global drug market and scheduled as rapidly as possible by international authorities. In response, DBZD are continuously modified to avoid legal sanctions and drug seizures and generally to increase the abuse potential of the DBZD.

Prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and diabetes risk in Italy in 2017-2018: results from the first National screening campaign in community pharmacies.

Background: Effective policies for diabetes prevention remain urgent. We conducted a mass screening campaign in Italy to identify subjects potentially having undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes or at diabetes risk.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted in community pharmacies joining the unitary National federation of pharmacy holders (Federfarma) and participating in the 7-day screening campaign 'DiaDay' in 2017-2018.

Incidence of Cutaneous Melanoma of Eyelid Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to report the annual incidence, incidence trend, histological types, and cause-specific survival of cutaneous melanoma of the eyelid from 1975 through to 2017.

Methods: Cases were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database using the ICD-0-3 standard codes for diagnosis and anatomic location. Cutaneous melanomas of the face and scalp/neck were studied as comparison groups.

Phytoextraction efficiency of Pteris vittata grown on a naturally As-rich soil and characterization of As-resistant rhizosphere bacteria.

This study evaluated the phytoextraction capacity of the fern Pteris vittata grown on a natural arsenic-rich soil of volcanic-origin from the Viterbo area in central Italy. This calcareous soil is characterized by an average arsenic concentration of 750 mg kg, of which 28% is bioavailable. By means of micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF) we detected As in P.

The Landscape of Membrane-Associated Proteins.

Background: cell envelope-associated proteins play a relevant role in infection mechanisms. They can contribute to the antibiotic resistance of the bacterial cells and be involved in the interaction with host cells. Thus, studies contributing to elucidating these key molecular elements are of great importance to find alternative therapeutics.

Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects.

Sexual enhancers increase sexual potency, sexual pleasure, or libido. Substances increasing libido alter the concentrations of specific neurotransmitters or sex hormones in the central nervous system. Interestingly, the same pathways are involved in the mechanisms underlying many psychiatric and neurological disorders, and adverse reactions associated with the use of aphrodisiacs are strongly expected.

Pharmacology and legal status of cannabidiol.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most abundant cannabinoid present in Cannabis sativa L. It is not associated with psychotropic activity and is capable to mitigate the psychotomimetic effects produced by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The latest cannabis decriminalization policies and the high applicability in therapeutic and technologic-industrial fields, have determined an exponential marketing growth of foods, cosmetics and in particularly medicinal products containing CBD, which are easily available for consumers.