Ecotoxicological evaluation of an aqueous phytoextract of Melia azedarach L.

Melia azedarach L. is a Meliaceae that has shown important insecticidal activities. However, few researchers have extensively studied the toxicology of aqueous extracts of M.

A collection of isolates from natural environments in Sardinia reveals a complex virome that includes negative-sense fungal viruses with unprecedented genome organizations.

genus includes soil-inhabiting fungi that provide important ecosystem services in their interaction with plants and other fungi, as well as biocontrol of fungal plant diseases. A collection of isolates from Sardinia has been previously characterized, but here we selected 113 isolates, representatives of the collection, and characterized their viral components. We carried out high-throughput sequencing of ribosome-depleted total RNA following a bioinformatics pipeline that detects virus-derived RNA-directed RNA polymerases (RdRps) and other conserved viral protein sequences.

Hybrids of RNA viruses and viroid-like elements replicate in fungi.

Earth's life may have originated as self-replicating RNA, and it has been argued that RNA viruses and viroid-like elements are remnants of such pre-cellular RNA world. RNA viruses are defined by linear RNA genomes encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), whereas viroid-like elements consist of small, single-stranded, circular RNA genomes that, in some cases, encode paired self-cleaving ribozymes. Here we show that the number of candidate viroid-like elements occurring in geographically and ecologically diverse niches is much higher than previously thought.

Solid-State Fermentation of spp.: A New Way to Valorize the Agricultural Digestate and Produce Value-Added Bioproducts.

In this study, the agricultural digestate from anaerobic biogas production mixed with food wastes was used as a substrate to grow RUT-C30 and Ta13 in solid-state fermentation (SSF) and produce high-value bioproducts, such as bioactive molecules to be used as ingredients for biostimulants. The spp. reached their maximum growth after 6 and 3 SSF days, respectively.

Post-COVID-19 Ongoing Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life: Does Rehabilitation Matter?: Preliminary Evidence.

Objective: Individuals with persisting symptoms after coronavirus disease 2019 have reported a decrease in health-related quality of life. This study explores the outcome of 50 subjects with post-coronavirus disease 2019 ongoing symptoms including "long COVID"(symptoms lasting over 3 mos), after a rehabilitation program focused on three symptoms: fatigue, breathlessness, and pain. The aims were as follows: to assess the feasibility of the program, to observe a possible change in symptoms and quality of life (null hypothesis: no differences in variables before and after treatment), and to investigate a possible relationship between symptoms and quality of life.

Monitoring Fish Freshness in Real Time under Realistic Conditions through a Single Metal Oxide Gas Sensor.

The realization of an unobtrusive and effective technology able to track fish freshness in real time and inform on its edibility is highly demanded, but still unachieved. In the present paper, we address this issue through a single metal oxide gas sensor working in temperature modulation mode. The system can work without an external reference air source, which is an appealing feature for its possible integration in domestic refrigerators.

Pathogenic potential of bacteria isolated from commercial biostimulants.

Microbial-based products are a promising alternative to agrochemicals in sustainable agriculture. However, little is known about their impact on human health even if some of them, i.e.

It Works! Organic-Waste-Assisted spp. Solid-State Fermentation on Agricultural Digestate.

This study aimed at valorizing digestate through spp. solid-state fermentation (SSF) to produce a potentially ameliorated fertilizer combined with fungal biomass as a value-added bioproduct. Plant-growth-promoting Ta13, RUT-C30, R, and T-22 were tested on different SSF substrates: whole digestate (WD), digestate dried up with wood sawdust (SSF1), and digestate enriched with food waste and dried up with wood sawdust (SSF2).

The Structural Characterization and Antipathogenic Activities of Quinoin, a Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from Quinoa Seeds.

Quinoin is a type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) we previously isolated from the seeds of pseudocereal quinoa () and is known as a functional food for its beneficial effects on human health. As the presence of RIPs in edible plants could be potentially risky, here we further characterised biochemically the protein (complete amino acid sequence, homologies/differences with other RIPs and three-dimensional homology modeling) and explored its possible defensive role against pathogens. Quinoin consists of 254 amino acid residues, without cysteinyl residues.

Food Waste-Assisted Metal Extraction from Printed Circuit Boards: The Route.

A low-energy paradigm was adopted for sustainable, affordable, and effective urban waste valorization. Here a new, eco-designed, solid-state fermentation process is presented to obtain some useful bio-products by recycling of different wastes. Urban food waste and scraps from trimmings were used as a substrate for the production of citric acid (CA) by solid state fermentation of NRRL 334, with a yield of 20.

Antibacterial activity of new hydrophilic sealants: study.

Background: Pits and fissures sealing and modulation of oral microbiota through probiotics are important preventive measures against dental decays. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of the Embrace™ WetBond™ Pit and Fissure Sealant (Pulpdent, USA) and UltraSeal XT® Hydro™ (Ultradent, USA) against selected oral bacteria and probiotics.

Methods: The antibacterial effect of both sealants was tested both through planktonic growth inhibition test - 96-well microtiter plates and agar disk diffusion assay containing light-cured Embrace™ and UltraSeal XT against Streptococcus mutans and two oral probiotics (Streptococcus salivarius and Lactobacillus reuteri).

Enlightening Gliotoxin Biological System in Agriculturally Relevant spp.

Gliotoxin (GT) is a dual fungal secondary metabolite (SM). It displays pleiotropic activities and possesses medicinal properties and biocontrol abilities but, unfortunately, has toxic properties in humans. Various species are used as fungal biological control agents (BCAs), as a sustainable alternative for crop protection worldwide.

Does Streptococcus Salivarius Strain M18 Assumption Make Black Stains Disappear in Children?

Purpose: This randomised controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of an oral probiotic, Streptococcus salivarius M18 (SsM18), in children with black stains (BSs) in order to counteract their reformation.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-eight children (aged 4-10 years) presenting with BSs were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n = 29) included children who were given the test product containing SsM18 once a day for 3 months; group B (n = 29) included children who did not receive any treatment.

Green Technology: Bacteria-Based Approach Could Lead to Unsuspected Microbe⁻Plant⁻Animal Interactions.

The recent and massive revival of green strategies to control plant diseases, mainly as a consequence of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) rules issued in 2009 by the European Community and the increased consumer awareness of organic products, poses new challenges for human health and food security that need to be addressed in the near future. One of the most important green technologies is biocontrol. This approach is based on living organisms and how these biocontrol agents (BCAs) directly or indirectly interact as a community to control plant pathogens and pest.

Nanostructured metal oxide gas sensors, a survey of applications carried out at SENSOR lab, Brescia (Italy) in the security and food quality fields.

In this work we report on metal oxide (MOX) based gas sensors, presenting the work done at the SENSOR laboratory of the CNR-IDASC and University of Brescia, Italy since the 80s up to the latest results achieved in recent times. In particular we report the strategies followed at SENSOR during these 30 years to increase the performance of MOX sensors through the development of different preparation techniques, from Rheotaxial Growth Thermal Oxidation (RGTO) to nanowire technology to address sensitivity and stability, and the development of electronic nose systems and pattern recognition techniques to address selectivity. We will show the obtained achievement in the context of selected applications such as safety and security and food quality control.

Air analysis in the assessment of fumonisin contamination risk in maize.

Background: In maize-growing areas where fumonisin contamination is endemic, there is an urgent need for novel methods to assess the quality of grain lots before their delivery to common drying and storage collection centres. Aerobiological samples of fungal spores released during harvest were analysed to establish a relationship between fumonisin contamination and the abundance of pathogen propagules collected in the combine harvester using a cyclone and membrane filters. Filter-captured propagules were analysed by direct plating, immunoenzymatic assay of specific Fusarium extracellular polysaccharides and real time polymerase chain reaction of the extracted DNA using fum1, a gene involved in the biosynthesis of fumonisin, as a target.

Ochratoxin A-producing strains of Penicillium spp. isolated from grapes used for the production of "passito" wines.

The post-harvest mycobiota of dried grapes, used in Friuli Venezia Giulia (Northern-East Italy) for the production of "passito" dessert wines, was investigated in order to detect potential ochratoxin A (OTA)-producers. Five grape cultivars were analysed and only isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium were evaluated. No Aspergillus spp.

Plasmid distribution in European Diaporthe helianthi isolates.

Diaporthe helianthi is the causal agent of sunflower stem canker, a serious pathogen of sunflower in Europe, which has been sporadically recorded in Italy. A collection of 26 Diaporthe helianthi isolates deriving from different geographic origins was analysed in order to determine the presence of extra-chromosomal genetic determinants and their molecular diversity. Extra-chromosomal bands in total genomic DNAs were identified in every French and the Yugoslavian isolate and in only one Italian isolate, while no Romanian and Argentinean isolates resulted to host any plasmids.

Mapping and characterization of polymorphism in mtDNA of Cryphonectria parasitica: evidence of the presence of an optional intron.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the filamentous ascomycete Cryphonectria parasitica is large and polymorphic so, to better understand the nature of the polymorphisms within populations, a small collection of Italian strains of the fungus was examined. Known mtDNA polymorphisms were mapped and found to cluster in four regions of the mtDNA molecule, particularly in the RFLP region 2 where five different mtDNA haplotypes out of 13 strains were identified. This region included an area of 8.