Analysis of microplastics in drinking water and other clean water samples with micro-Raman and micro-infrared spectroscopy: minimum requirements and best practice guidelines.

Microplastics are a widespread contaminant found not only in various natural habitats but also in drinking waters. With spectroscopic methods, the polymer type, number, size, and size distribution as well as the shape of microplastic particles in waters can be determined, which is of great relevance to toxicological studies. Methods used in studies so far show a huge diversity regarding experimental setups and often a lack of certain quality assurance aspects.

Which particles to select, and if yes, how many? : Subsampling methods for Raman microspectroscopic analysis of very small microplastic.

Micro- and nanoplastic contamination is becoming a growing concern for environmental protection and food safety. Therefore, analytical techniques need to produce reliable quantification to ensure proper risk assessment. Raman microspectroscopy (RM) offers identification of single particles, but to ensure that the results are reliable, a certain number of particles has to be analyzed.

The Salt Sensitivity Induced by Disruption of Cell Wall-Associated Kinase 1 () Tomato Gene Is Linked to Altered Osmotic and Metabolic Homeostasis.

Tomato cell wall-associated kinase 1 () has only been studied in biotic stress response and hence its function in abiotic stress remains unknown. In a screening under salinity of an insertional mutant collection of tomato ( L.), a mutant exhibiting lower degree of leaf chlorosis than wild type (WT) together with reduced leaf Na accumulation was selected.

TUM-ParticleTyper: A detection and quantification tool for automated analysis of (Microplastic) particles and fibers.

TUM-ParticleTyper is a novel program for the automated detection, quantification and morphological characterization of fragments, including particles and fibers, in images from optical, fluorescence and electron microscopy (SEM). It can be used to automatically select targets for subsequent chemical analysis, e.g.

Simple Generation of Suspensible Secondary Microplastic Reference Particles via Ultrasound Treatment.

In the environment the weathering of plastic debris is one of the main sources of secondary microplastic (MP). It is distinct from primary MP, as it is not intentionally engineered, and presents a highly heterogeneous analyte composed of plastic fragments in the size range of 1 μm-1 mm. To detect secondary MP, methods must be developed with appropriate reference materials.

The SlCBL10 Calcineurin B-Like Protein Ensures Plant Growth under Salt Stress by Regulating Na and Ca Homeostasis.

Characterization of a new tomato () T-DNA mutant allowed for the isolation of the () gene whose lack of function was responsible for the severe alterations observed in the shoot apex and reproductive organs under salinity conditions. Physiological studies proved that gene is required to maintain a proper low Na/Ca ratio in growing tissues allowing tomato growth under salt stress. Expression analysis of the main responsible genes for Na compartmentalization (i.

In vitro and in vivo anti-allergic effects of Arctium lappa L.

The discovery of drugs that can be used for the treatment of allergic disease is important in human health. Arctium lappa Linne (Compositae) (AL) has been used as a traditional medicine in Brazil and throughout Asia and is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, the inhibitory effects of AL on degranulation and the release of mediators as well as on inhibition of cys-leukotriene biosynthesis by basophils were investigated.

Using crossover breakpoints in recombinant inbred lines to identify quantitative trait loci controlling the global recombination frequency.

Recombination is a crucial component of evolution and breeding, producing new genetic combinations on which selection can act. Rates of recombination vary tremendously, not only between species but also within species and for specific chromosomal segments. In this study, by examining recombination events captured in recombinant inbred mapping populations previously created for maize, wheat, Arabidopsis, and mouse, we demonstrate that substantial variation exists for genomewide crossover rates in both outcrossed and inbred plant and animal species.

Genetic variation among different populations of Aster tripolium grown on naturally and anthropogenic salt-contaminated habitats: implications for conservation strategies.

The sea aster, Aster tripolium L., grows naturally in temperate regions, mainly in the salt meadows close to the coast. The species is also found in naturally and anthropogenically salt-contaminated inland habitats, such as potash mine dumps.