Infection of In Vivo and In Vitro Pines with the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Isolation of Induced Volatiles.

The pinewood nematode (PWN) is a phytoparasite that causes pine wilt disease (PWD) in conifer species. This plant parasitic nematode has heavily contributed to pine deforestation in Asian countries, e.g.

First Report on the Synergistic Interaction between Essential Oils against the Pinewood Nematode .

Control of the pinewood nematode (PWN), the causal agent of pine wilt disease, can be achieved through the trunk injection of nematicides; however, many pesticides have been linked to environmental and human health concerns. Essential oils (EOs) are suitable alternatives due to their biodegradability and low toxicity to mammals. These complex mixtures of plant volatiles often display multiple biological activities and synergistic interactions between their compounds.

Mycorrhizal Colonization of Wheat by Intact Extraradical Mycelium of Mn-Tolerant Native Plants Induces Different Biochemical Mechanisms of Protection.

Soil with excess Mn induces toxicity and impairs crop growth. However, with the development in the soil of an intact extraradical mycelia (ERM) from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiotic to native Mn-tolerant plants, wheat growth is promoted due to a stronger AMF colonization and subsequent increased protection against Mn toxicity. To determine the biochemical mechanisms of protection induced by this native ERM under Mn toxicity, wheat grown in soil from previously developed (LOL) or (ORN), both strongly mycotrophic plants, was compared to wheat grown in soil from previously developed (SIL), a non-mycotrophic plant.

Diversity of Native Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Extraradical Mycelium Influences Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Wheat Grown Under Mn Toxicity.

Sustainable agricultural practices based on the development of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve crop growth and stress tolerance in acidic soils with manganese toxicity. The beneficial effects are stronger when crops are colonized early in development by an intact extraradical mycelium (ERM), but are dependent on AMF assemblage. In wheat colonized by AMF associated to Lolium rigidum L.

Non-exudative macular neovascularization in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Purpose: To characterize morphological changes in the retina and to report the frequency and natural history of non-exudative macular neovascularization (MNV) in a cohort of pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was complemented by a cross-sectional examination. Consecutive patients with a definitive genetic and/or clinical diagnosis of PXE, visiting our department between January 2019 and December 2019, and with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were recruited.

Toxic levels of manganese in an acidic Cambisol alters antioxidant enzymes activity, element uptake and subcellular distribution in Triticum aestivum.

In the Montado system, in Portuguese Alentejo region, some Eutric Cambisols are known to promote manganese (Mn) toxicity in wheat. Variation on bioavailable Mn concentration depends on soil acidity, which can be increased by natural events (e.g.

Structural and Functional Characterization of the Retinal Effects of Hydroxychloroquine Treatment in Healthy Eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of hydroxychloroquine in visual field and retinal layer thickness.

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients taking hydroxychloroquine without signs of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy were included.

Antioxidant activity and cholinesterase inhibition studies of four flavouring herbs from Alentejo.

Essential oils (EOs) and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of four aromatic species, Calamintha nepeta, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha spicata and Thymus mastichina, from southwest of Portugal were characterised chemically and analysed in order to evaluate their antioxidant potential and cholinesterase inhibitory activities. The main components of EOs were oxygenated monoterpenes, and aqueous extracts were rich in phenol and flavonoid compounds. EOs and aqueous extracts presented a high antioxidant potential, with ability to protect the lipid substrate, free radical scavenging and iron reducing power.

Green mitigation strategy for cultural heritage: bacterial potential for biocide production.

Several biosurfactants with antagonistic activity are produced by a variety of microorganisms. Lipopeptides (LPPs) produced by some Bacillus strains, including surfactin, fengycin and iturin are synthesized nonribosomally by mega-peptide synthetase (NRPS) units and they are particularly relevant as antifungal agents. Characterisation, identification and evaluation of the potentials of several bacterial isolates were undertaken in order to establish the production of active lipopeptides against biodeteriogenic fungi from heritage assets.

On the Chemical Signature and Origin of Dicoppertrihydroxyformate (Cu2(OH)3HCOO) Formed on Copper Miniatures of 17th and 18th centuries.

A corrosion product rarely reported in the literature has been found on the copper support of three miniature paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries. This product, which has been identified as dicoppertrihydroxyformate (Cu2(OH)3HCOO), is an unusual basic copper formate found on copper artifacts. The identification and characterization of dicoppertrihydroxyformate was carried out directly over the corroded surface of the objects, using a nondestructive approach, which combines the integrated use of various microanalytical techniques.

Ultra-sensitive voltammetric sensor for trace analysis of carbamazepine.

A multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was used for the voltammetric determination of carbamazepine (CBZ). The results showed that this simple modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of CBZ. The voltammetric response of CBZ at this film-modified electrode increased significantly when compared with that at a bare glassy carbon electrode and the sensor response was reproducible.

Removal of pharmaceuticals in microcosm constructed wetlands using Typha spp. and LECA.

Microcosm constructed wetlands systems established with a matrix of light expanded clay aggregates (LECA) and planted with Typha spp. were used to evaluate their ability to remove pharmaceuticals ibuprofen, carbamazepine and clofibric acid from wastewaters. Seasonal variability of these systems' performances was also evaluated.

Application of sample disruption methods in the extraction of anthocyanins from solid or semi-solid vegetable samples.

Cassis, a commercial powder obtained from blackcurrant juice (Ribes nigrum L.), was used to optimize the anthocyanin extraction by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and by sea sand disruption method (SSDM). The optimum eluent conditions were 5.