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In soil, iron (Fe) solubility depends on complex interactions between Fe minerals and organic matter, but very little is known about plant availability of Fe present in Fe oxides associated with humic substances. For this purpose, this study investigates the effect of Fe mineral crystallinity in the presence of humic acids (HA) on Fe availability to plants. Four Fe–HA mineral coprecipitates were prepared, either in the presence or absence of oxygen, i.e., two goethite (G)‐HA samples containing large amounts of Fe as nanocrystalline goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases, and two magnetite (M)‐HA samples containing crystalline magnetite. Bioavailability studies were conducted in hydroponic systems on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under Fe deficient conditions and supplied with the Fe–HA coprecipitates containing goethite or magnetite. Results showed that plants grown in the presence of Fe–HA coprecipitates exhibited a complete recovery from Fe deficiency, albeit less efficiently than plants resupplied with Fe‐chelate fertilizer used as control (Fe‐diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, Fe‐DTPA). However, the supply with either G‐ or M–HA coprecipitates produced different effects on plants: G–HA‐treated plants showed a higher Fe content in leaves, while M–HA‐treated plants displayed a higher leaf biomass and SPAD (Soil–Plant Analysis Development) index recovery, as compared to Fe‐DTPA. The distribution of macronutrients in the leaves, as imaged by micro X‐ray fluorescence (µXRF) spectroscopy, was different in G–HA and M–HA‐treated plants. In particular, plants supplied with the poorly crystalline G–HA coprecipitate with a lower Fe/HA ratio showed features more similar to those of fully recovered plants (supplied with Fe‐DTPA). These results highlight the importance of mineral crystallinity of Fe–HA coprecipitates on Fe bioavailability and Fe uptake in hydroponic experiments. In addition, the present data demonstrate that cucumber plants can efficiently mobilize Fe, even from goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases and magnetite, which are usually considered unavailable for plant nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective. Nasal tip projection and position in relation to dorsum and superior lip frequently suffers variations during rhinoplasty post operatory time. Depending on the technique and on individual factors those changes can be more or less severe. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate that autologous caudal septal extensión graft predicts with more precision definitive nasal tip position and projection. Methods. We prospectively studied 40 open rhinoplasty patients using a caudal septal extension autologus graft and we measured pre and post operatory lateral view photographs during 1 year follow-up. Results. Nasal proportions measured using Goode Index (normal value: 0.55-0.6) get from 0.54 to 0.56 measured at 1 month (p=0.005) and in nasal disproportion patients we observed an increment from 0.51 to 0.54 (p=0.001) and after it stabilized at 0.53 (p=0.021).Tip projection increased 4.8% (1.2 mm), and in the group with nasal disproportion it increased 5.75% (1.4 mm) and maintained those values along 1 year (p=0.039). In patients with a <100° angle it increased from 95.6 to 105.6° at 1 month measurements and it maintained its stability along 1 year with measurements approximating 104.4° (statistically significant). Patients with normal naso-labial angle (100°-115°) maintained normal parameters at 1 month (111.4°) and 1 year (112.6°). In patients with an angle greater than 115° the naso-labial angle diminished from 120.1° to 112.3° at 1 month and 111.1° at 1 year (p=0.008). There was an improvement of obstructive symptoms in 37.6% of patients evaluated through NOSE scale (p=0.001). Patients satisfaction with esthetic results evaluated through ROE scale revealed an improvement of self-perception in a 63.5% (p=0.001). Conclusions. The caudal septal extension graft significantly increased tip projection and corrected naso-labial angle. All studied parameters maintained its stability along 1 year follow-up. In our opinion, the use of caudal septal extension autologus graft as a part of structural rhinoplasty increases significantly the nasal function and brings a high level of satisfaction with esthetic results in rhinoplasty patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is focused on the incorporation of inorganic compounds into an organic framework. More precisely, noble metals are being incorporated in-situ in polyacrylonitrile colloidal particles (CPs) using, scalable and reproducible synthesis routes. For this purpose, oil-soluble platinum- and palladium-based precursors are used for physical entrapment based on mini-emulsion polymerization, while water soluble precursors of the same metals are used for the incorporation via chemical entrapment based on conventional emulsion polymerization. For the latter, it is shown that one can well alter the spatial distribution of the metal within the CPs by tuning the feeding strategy of the precursor. In addition, chemical entrapment requires the complexation of the metal with acrylonitrile, thus resulting in the incorporation of single atoms and dimers, as suggested by both X-ray absorption spectroscopy and indirectly by NMR-titration. The visualization of the extent of incorporation was performed by STEM-EDX on all synthesized CPs, while ICP-OES was applied for a quantitative evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to enrich our knowledge of an important paleosol succession located in Bojano basin of the southern Apennines (Italy), with new pedological, geochemical and magnetic data. The studied area consists of alluvial and fluvial-lacustrine sequences (>160 m) dating from the Middle Pleistocene (0.5 Ma). The study area shows the presence of recent soil consisting of well-developed Andosols (RS), and several clastic sedimentary levels alternating with four layers (Solum I, II, III and IV) of paleosols. Soil and paleosols were analyzed by laser grain size distribution (GSD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), trace elements, and magnetic properties in order to evaluate the relative contributions of pedogenic and detrital components. Results showed that the finest pedogenic ferrimagnetic grains exhibit two trends with respect to the degree of pedogenesis indicate two different pedoclimate formations. The paleosol sequence consists of highly-weathered Vertisols (Solum I and IV) and of less weathered Entisols (Solum II, III). The recent soil (Andosol) has a strong bimodal distribution formed mostly by coarse silt-size particles related to the volcanic parent material. Solum I showed a sharp unimodal clay GSD while Solum III and IV were composed of bimodal GSD with high percentages of fine silt-size particles. On the basis of the trace element content and Gt/χ fd ratio, all Solum (I, II, III, IV) exhibited low weathering pedogenesis compared with RS and negligible contribution to the magnetic properties of the coarse fractions. This occurs in Vertisols which developed under humid temperate climates (Solum I and SIV) and formed below the layer of Neapolitan Yellow Tuff, developed after 12–15 ka BP. In Solum, II, III the finest sedimentary levels, the low rate of pedogenesis could have developed under more cold climatic conditions after the last eruption (Campanian Ignimbrite, 39 ka) in the Late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemometric analysis applied to diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is increasingly proposed as an effective and accurate methodology to predict soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Its effectiveness, however, largely varies in relation to the calibration techniques and the specific soil properties. In addition, the calibration of UV-Vis-NIR spectra usually requires large datasets, and the identification of techniques suitable to deal with small sample sizes and high dimensionality problems is a primary challenge. In order to investigate the predictability of many soil chemical and biological properties from a small dataset and to identify the most suitable techniques to deal with this type of problems, we analysed 20 top soil samples of three different forests (Fagus sylvatica, Quercus cerris and Quercus ilex) in southern Apennines (Italy). Diffuse reflectance spectra were recorded in the UV-Vis-NIR range (200-2500 nm) and 22 chemical and biological properties were analysed. Three different calibration techniques were tested, namely the Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR), the combinations wavelet transformation/Elastic net and wavelet transformation/Supervised Principal Component (SPC) regression/ Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), a kind of preconditioned LASSO. Calibration techniques were applied to both raw spectra and spectra subjected to wavelet shrinkage filtering, in order to evaluate the influence on predictions of spectra denoising. Overall, SPC/LASSO outperformed the other techniques with both raw and denoised spectra. Elastic net produced heterogeneous results, but outperformed SPC/LASSO for total organic carbon, whereas PLSR produced the worst results. Spectra denoising improved the prediction accuracy of many parameters, but worsen the predictions in some cases. Our approach highlighted that: (i) SPC/LASSO (and Elastic net in the case of total organic carbon) is especially suitable to calibrate spectra in the case of small, high dimensional datasets; and (ii) spectra denoising could be an effective technique to improve calibration results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic force microscopy in contact (AFM-C) mode was used to investigate the molecular dynamics of leonardite humic acid (HA) aggregate formed at different pH values. HA nanoparticles dispersed at pH values ranging from 2 to 12 were observed on a mica surface under dry conditions. The most clearly resolved and well-resulted AFM images of single particle were obtained at pH 5, where HA appeared as supramolecular particles with a conic shape and a hole in the centre. Those observations suggested that HA formed under these conditions exhibited a pseudo-amphiphilic nature, with secluded hydrophobic domains and polar subunits in direct contact with hydrophilic mica surface. Based on molecular simulation methods, a lignin–carbohydrate complex (LCC) model was proposed to explain the HA ring-like morphology. The LCC model optimized the parameters of β-O-4 linkages between 14 units of 1–4 phenyl propanoid, and resulted in an optimized structure comprising 45–50 linear helical molecules looped spirally around a central cavity. Those results added new insights on the adsorption mechanism of HA on polar surfaces as a function of pH, which was relevant from the point of view of natural aggregation in soil environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goethite and lepidocrocite are considered the stable species of Fe oxyhydroxides formed from Fe 2 + oxidation in mildly acidic soil environments, while maghemite is formed in mildly alkaline conditions. Complexing ligands, especially humic acid (HA), can change the pathway formation of these iron oxyhydroxides from Fe 2 + oxidation. This research aimed to assess the influence of HA on Fe 2 + oxidation and its effect on crystalline Fe mineral products. Ferrous iron was added to HA at increasing initial COOH/Fe(II) charge ratios (R) at pHs of 5.0 and 8.0 and aged at 70 °C for 1 month and up to 8 years at room temperature. The precipitated products after aging were analysed using XRD, FT-IR, TEM and AFM. The results indicate that oxidation of Fe 2 + at pH 5.0, in the presence of large amounts of HA (R = 0.1) promoted the formation of goethite together with ferrihydrite. Oxidation of Fe 2 + in slightly alkaline conditions (pH 8.0) yielded maghemite with small amounts of goethite. Further, long-term aging of HA coprecipitated with Fe 2 + perturbed the stacking of the Fe hydroxyl sheets at pH 5.0, favouring the formation of ferrihydrite. At pH 8.0 the presence of humic acid does not influence the crystallinity of the precipitation products and maghemite was still stable after 8 years of aging. This research confirms that the oxidation of Fe 2 + in soil and its subsequent hydrolysis is a very common process of Fe hydroxides/oxide formation in acidic soil environments. The type of Fe oxide formed depends strictly on the pH and secondly on the rate of oxidation, especially on the presence and amount of organic compounds that inhibit crystal growth. Humic acid are the main organic molecules in soils, particularly in cool, humid weathering environments where they lead to a decrease in crystalline perfection and promote the formation of ferrihydrite instead of goethite or lepidocrocite. These results provide significant insights into the effect of the mobility of HA in association with Fe minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to verify the significance of land use on nitrate availability (NO 3 –N) at landscape scale in two different sites by using multivariate geostatistical methods. NO 3 –N and several other soil properties of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) monitoring network of 71 and 63 top-soils, respectively were measured in Venafro and Campomarino areas of Southern Italy (Molise region). Data analysis was performed firstly with classical descriptive statistics assuming spatial independence of samples; secondly, geostatistical analysis was performed in order to investigate spatial dependence and estimate map soil indices. The result of the distribution of NO 3 –N contents indicates the existence of many hot spots (high kurtosis) with high NO 3 –N concentration in both the study areas. Higher NO 3 –N levels in Venafro were distributed in the central zone that appeared to be correlated with animal manure applied to the fields in the summer strongly associated to high values of soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (Ntot). In Campomarino, the highest NO 3 –N concentrations occurred in random spots that appeared lesser correlated with high SOM content and low C/N ratio. Factor co-kriging analysis was applied separately to the two data sets to synthesize the complex multivariate variation of the two areas in a restricted number of zones so they could be ranked as at different risks of NO 3 –N leaching. The loading values of the factors indicate that Venafro SOM and clay and, to a lesser extent, Ntot and C/N are the variables that mainly affect the first factor at shorter range. On the other hand, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC) and, to a less extent, silt, SOM, C/N and fine sand content weighed more, but negatively, on the first factor at longer range. For Campomarino, clay content and available water capacity (AWC) and, to a lesser extent, NO 3 –N, weighed more and positively on the first factor at shorter range. The first factor at longer range was quite exclusively dominated by elevation and partially and negatively by pH and CaCO 3 . Soil factor map appears more variable in both the NVZ areas, characterized by many spots indicative of intensive land use and management. The highest NO 3 –N levels were found in intensive land use and in dairy farming located for the most part in Venafro catchment. The maps of the two factors at small scale for Campomarino appear to be quite erratic owing to the small size of the farms with different cropping systems differently managed. The results, of the present research, provide data useful to support land use planning and soil management, to mitigate soil nitrate leaching. Reduction in soil NO 3 –N could be achieved by enhancing useful recommendations in N fertilization and animal manure application to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work PEGylated polyester-basednanoparticles (NPs) fordrug delivery applications were synthetized through emulsion freeradical polymerization. These NPs are produced starting from functionalizedmacromonomers whose average chain length can be tuned in a controlledway. Since the degradation of these NPs occurs through the hydrolysisof side chains, by tuning their length it is possible to obtain NPswith a controllable degradation time, comparable to data obtainedwith NPs internalized into cells. The long-term colloidal stabilityof these NPs in isotonic environment has been assessed through dynamiclight scattering measurements and their degradation rate in cell mediumhas been proved to be fast and controllable. The NP behavior in gastricand intestinal solution was also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of soil organic C (SOC) distribution in mountain soils is important for quantifying C emissions-removals involved in land use change processes, such as afforestation, reforestation, and deforestation activities. The highest part of Valchiavenna, a Northern Italy alpine area, is characterized by a great variety of landscapes owing to the different parent material, climatic conditions, topography, vegetation, and geomorphology. The interaction of these features has produced many soil types, such as Leptosols, Regosols, Cambisols, Umbrisols, Podzols, and Histosols, with large differences in total organic C (TOC) content. To predict TOC content, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in the visible and near-infrared (VIS-NIR) range was applied. Nine soil profiles were sampled to represent a range of pedologic profiles and were analyzed with DRS in the wavelength interval of 350 to 2500 nm and for some chemical and physical parameters. Spectral data were transformed and then analyzed through partial least square regression (PLSR) and multiple linear regression. Soil parameters were also considered as covariates. The results indicate that the DRS technique linked with PLSR and applied to smoothed spectra was able to predict TOC and highlight the relationships between TOC and Al and Fe amorphous minerals. The wavelength in the visible range, with particular regard to the 520- to 560-nm interval, were the most influential in explaining TOC variation compared with NIR (700-1400 nm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) bands (1400-2500 nm). This may suggest that changes in reflectance in the visible range can be caused by a significant variation in TOC in the alpine soil profiles. This calls for a closer examination of pedologic processes in mountain environments owing to advanced chemometric models to predict SOC content in mountain soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A delivery system based on polymer nanoparticles (NPs) is developed and tested in relevant biological conditions for breast cancer treatment. ɛ-Caprolactone (CL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) copolymers have been used for the one pot synthesis of surfactant free PEGylated NPs which are monodispersed, stable in physiological conditions and have size in the range 90–250nm. The degradation behavior of these NPs has been investigated in cell medium and a relation between degradation time and molecular weight of the starting CL-based material has been established. This allows producing NPs with controlled degradation kinetics. Finally, selected NPs have been tested in 4T1 breast cancer cells to check their toxicity and to investigate the uptake process, in order to validate their use as targeted vectors for breast cancer treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new class of PLGA-based materials suitable for the production of biodegradable NPs via free-radical polymerization is proposed. ROP of lactide and glycolide using HEMA is carried out; macromonomers (HEMA-L xG yA) with short PLGA chain ends are successfully produced. Afterwards, monomer-starved semi-batch emulsion polymerization of these HEMA-L xG yA macromonomers is performed to obtain NPs with a low polydispersity index and a controlled size. The stability and degradability of NPs is confirmed from degradation studies that verify the possibility of tuning the degradation time by changing macromonomer characteristics such as chain length and composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: in this work the cytotoxicity of PMMA-based nanoparticles against mouse mammary cancer cells (4T1) has been investigated. NPs have been synthesized using either monomer starved semi-batch emulsion polymerization (MSSEP) or standard batch emulsion polymerization (BEP) processes adopting potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator and two different emulsifiers: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Tween 80. The toxicity of NPs produced using SDS has been confirmed in in vitro experiments while it has been found that NPs stabilized with Tween 80 show a good biocompatibility. Moreover, the absence of toxicity of NPs in which the SDS is substituted with Tween 80 adopting ion exchange resins (IER) has been proved. Finally the biocompatibility of the sulfate chain end groups coming from the adopted initiator has been assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, five insoluble Fe-humic substance (HS) complexes (Fe-IHS) extracted from Leonardite were synthesized and characterized by Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The efficiency of Fe-IHS complexes in curing Fe chlorosis was compared with two soluble Fe sources (Fe complexed by a water-extractable humic fraction [Fe--WEHS] and the synthetic Fe-chelate, Fe-o,o-EDDHA]) and a poorly soluble mineral form (Ferrihydrite). The IR spectra revealed coordination of the Fe ions with the carboxylic and phenolic groups of the oxygen-rich humic substances. The SEM and DLS data suggest that the Fe-IHS complexes were large aggregated particles with diameter of about 500 to 1500 nm formed by different nanoparticles with very small size ranging from 50 to 200 nm. Chemical extractions show that the Fe pool is dominated by poorly ordered Fe phases strongly associated with IHS. The efficiency of Fe-IHS complexes in curing Fe chlorosis symptoms in Fe-deficient plants has been demonstrated, being, when used in high concentration, comparable to those of Fe-WEHS and Fe-o,oEDDHA. The capability of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants to acquire Fe from poorly soluble Fe forms was also confirmed when a poorly crystalline radiolabeled Fe-oxide (59 Ferrihydrite) source, used to represent a short-range order Fe phases associated with Fe-IHS complexes, has been used. The results of this work point out the possible use of environmental-friendly Fe insoluble high- molecular weight complexes (Fe-IHS) as an effective product to correct the Fe nutritional disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the surface structure of aqueous hematite dispersions characterized by a large variability of morphology and particle size combining structural investigations obtained from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques with in vitro particle size distributions and zeta potential measurements from Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique, and we achieved a self-consistent and detailed characterization of hematite particles whose sizes and morphologies could be correlated to the synthesis conditions (type of added anion, Al substitution and pH). Surface AFM characterization provided an accurate analysis of particle microstructure and also indicated that the growth of microcrystals followed different surface roughness. DLS, AFM, and TEM techniques furnished complementary information on the average particle dimensions, whose variation could be attributed to the morphological difference of hematites, ranging from platy to regular or irregular hexagonal or ellipsoidal shape. Finally, a correlation between the average particle dimensions and the measured zeta potential was also been found in aqueous dilute suspensions characterized by neither pH nor-ionic-strength-control, for which a drop of zeta potential from positive to negative values was detected for hematite particle dimensions larger than a threshold size of ∼150nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Several studies have shown that the fatty acid composition of circulating lipids reflects dietary fat intake, in turn being related to health status. The fatty acid composition of plasma lipids is therefore an important parameter in studies on dietary interventions. The aim of our study was to develop a rapid and inexpensive method for the analysis of circulating fatty acids applicable to large population groups. Drops of blood collected from fingertips have been directly subjected to transmethylation for gas chromatography analysis. This new method, validated for reproducibility, has been compared with the conventional method, based on withdrawal of blood from the antecubital vein followed by lipid extraction, and identical data have been obtained with the two techniques. Observed and predicted differences between blood and plasma fatty acids are related to the contribution of circulating cell membranes in blood. Finally the application of the methods to samples from 100 healthy subjects and the assessed correlation between dietary habits and blood fatty acid profiles demonstrate the validity of the new method and its applicability to nutritional and epidemiological studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In vivo studies of LDL oxidation following consumption of natural phenolic compounds have yielded mixed results. It is reported that the amphiphilic hydroxytyrosol, after addition to human plasma, does not accumulate in LDL but protects plasma lipids, which are extracted together with hydroxytyrosol, from chemically-induced oxidation. Thus, a novel methodology was proposed, which does not rely on LDL separation and subsequent oxidation but is based on the oxidation of total lipids – simultaneously extracted from plasma with antioxidants – to evaluate the effects of micronutrients that do not partition into LDL, after in vivo supplementation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of traction therapy in reducing pain by performing a systematic review with meta-analysis. We also explore the best modality for administering traction to patients with cervical radicular syndrome (CRS). Methods: We searched the Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) electronic databases. Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared traction in addition to other treatments versus the effectiveness of other treatments alone for pain outcome. We calculated the mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used Cochrane's tool to assess risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate the quality of evidence and summarize the study conclusions. Results: A total of seven studies (589 patients), one with low risk of bias, were evaluated. An overall estimate of treatment modalities showed low evidence that adding traction to other treatments is statistically significant (MD −5.93 [95% CI, −11.81 to −0.04] P = 0.05 and I2 = 57%) compared to other treatments alone. The subgroup analyses were still statistically significant only for mechanical and continuous modalities. Conclusions: Overall analysis showed that, compared to controls, reduction in pain intensity after traction therapy was achieved in patients with cervical radiculopathy. However, the quality of evidence was generally low and none of these effects were clinically meaningful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some regions of Italy, low-intensity farming systems, together with variable climate conditions, have lowered soil organic carbon (SOC) content and soil quality attributes. This work aims to investigate on some aspects of (1) total organic carbon (TOC) prediction using Vis-NIR reflectance spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares regression (PLSR); (2) the most appropriate pre-processing techniques of Vis-NIR absorbance spectra; (3) the composition of organic carbon using variable importance of prediction (VIP). The study area was an olive grove, located at Montecorvino Rovella (Salerno, southwestern Italy), characterized by a calcaric soil (Leptic Calcisols) and (Luvic Phaeozem), with a low content of TOC (mean 2.03 g kg−1), caused by a low-intensity farming. Results of univariate PLSR analyses showed a good agreement between measured and predicted values both for TOC (R2: 0.66) and total carbonate content (R2: 0.93), when pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and absorbance spectra were used as predictors. The best results were obtained using as pre-treatments of the spectral data: 1) standard normal variate (SNV); 2) Savitzky-Golay algorithm; 3) first derivative. Variable Importance for Prediction (VIP) statistics showed to be a good tool to gain insights in TOC composition also when its content is low and influenced by carbonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil spectroscopy can provide low-cost and high-density data for predicting various soil properties. However, a relatively weak correlation between the spectra and the measurements of salinized soil makes spectroscopy difficult to use in predicting areas at risk of salinization, especially for low and moderately saline soils. The main objective of the study was to propose an effective approach based on Vis-NIR spectroscopy and geostatistics for mapping soil salinity in the Neretva River valley (Croatia). A spectral index (SI), which synthesizes most of salt affected soil properties, was defined and used as covariate in ordinary cokriging (COK) for improving electrical conductivity (EC e ) prediction. The proposed approach was compared with a univariate predictor (ordinary kriging, OK), which uses only EC e data and a multivariate predictor (ordinary cokriging, COK) using more covariates such as some chemical properties of primary importance in salt affected soils (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , SO 4 2− , Cl − concentrations and pH). The study was carried out in an agricultural area (5068 ha) located in the Neretva River valley (Croatia). Topsoil (0–30 cm) samples were collected at 246 locations with a grid (500 m × 500 m) sampling scheme and analyzed for some chemical and physical properties. Moreover, soil samples were used for visible and near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectra measurements with a range of wavelength between 350 and 2500 nm. The spectral data were pre-processed and EC e was predicted with partial least squares regression (PLSR). The first significant latent variable, which accounted for 85% of the total variance, was selected and used as a SI to quantify and map spatial variation of soil salinity. The univariate and multivariate geostatistical approaches provided results and performances quite similar. Regarding the two multivariate approaches, the one using only the spectral index as covariate has provided better results in terms of unbiasedness and accuracy. Moreover, the spectral index SI is also very cost-effective and it could then be used in possible broad-scale surveys for preventing soil salinity at landscape scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of the current research were to assess the immediate impact of invasive wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) in olive orchards of southern Italy. Over a one-year study, in grubbed and ungrubbed areas, we measured the seasonal changes on the fast soil biological and chemical responses at depths of 0–15 cm and 15–40 cm, and several leaf and fruit characteristics. The impact factor, IFG, was used to quantify the effects of wild boar on individual soil parameters. Grubbing induced an increase in the soil moisture at both depths. Soil pH, organic matter, and C/N ratio were higher in grubbed soils at 0–15 cm and lower at 15–40 cm compared to ungrubbed soils. These trends were reflected in the higher microbial community biomass and the inhibition of fungal fraction in grubbed topsoil, while an opposite tendency at 15–40 cm was found. Microbial biomass had the highest IFG in topsoil (94%) and metabolic quotient (85%) at a 15–40 cm depth. Microbial stress condition and C loss were found in grubbed soil at both depths. Furthermore, these soils were also shown to be of lower quality than ungrubbed soils, especially at 0–15 cm (SQI = 0.40 vs. 0.50, respectively). A stronger negative impact of wild boar grubbing was observed in the Autumn/Winter and for fruit polyphenol content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work a large number of polymer nanoparticles (NPs) with different features have been synthesized through emulsion polymerization-based methods. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based NPs with different size, hydrophobicity, surface charge, PEGylation degree, type of emulsifier and ζ potential have been produced and characterized. All the different NPs have been adopted for cellular uptake studies, leading to a precise quantification of the number of internalized NPs into a selected tumor cell line. The experiments summarize, emphasize and improve the comprehension of the influence of NPs features on the uptake efficiency. In detail, a linear relationship between uptake and both size and NP concentration independently upon other NP characteristics was found. Moreover, it was confirmed that cells are able to internalize and retain for a long time preferentially positively charged NPs. Finally, by coupling results of uptake studies with cell viability measurements, an easy and fast check to control the effectiveness of a selected polymer as drug carrier has been proposed. In particular, we observed that biodegradable PLA-based NPs with high molecular weight, non-PEGylated and positively charged PCL NPs are the better choice to maximize the uptake and minimize side effect against cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most abundant iron oxides in soils, the presence and nature of goethite is controlled by the soil conditions and burial history. The visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a useful tool for quantifying goethite. However, aluminium (Al) substitution for goethite is very common in soils and the effects of Al content on the DRS properties of goethite have not been fully resolved. In this study, two series of Al substituted goethites (Al-goethite) and 20 Chinese loess/palaeosol samples were investigated using both DRS and magnetic methods to test the feasibility of quantifying Al-goethite with the DRS method. Results show that the peak positions and amplitudes of the goethite DRS band are significantly influenced by Al substitution. Specifically, the goethite concentration proxy, the amplitude of the DRS band, is relatively stable only when Al substitution ranged between about 4 and 16 mol per cent. Practically, in order to resolve the difficulty in measuring Al content in natural samples, the unblocking temperature (Tb) is proposed as the proxy for Al substitution of goethite. When Tb of Al-goethite was above 250 K, the amplitude of DRS can be used to reliably trace the goethite concentration variation in natural samples. For example, the DRS spectra for the Chinese loess–palaeosol samples support the idea that only haematite is enhanced via pedogenesis. In contrast, the origin of goethite seems to be mostly related to the aeolian inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive agriculture (IA) is widespread in South Italy, although it requires frequent tillage, large amounts of fertilizers and irrigation water. We have assessed the efficacy of reversing IA to sustainable agriculture (SA) in recovering quality of a typical South Italy soil (Lithic Haploxeralf). This reversion, lasting from 2000 to 2007, replaced 75% of nutrients formerly supplied inorganically by farmyard manuring and reduced the tillage frequency. Several chemical and biochemical properties, functionally related to C and N mineralisation–immobilisation processes and to P and S nutrient cycles, were monitored annually from 2005 to 2007 in the spring. Reversing IA to SA decreased soil bulk density, almost doubled the soil organic matter (SOM) as favoured the immobilisation of C and N, increased most soil microbial indicators but decreased contents of nitrate, mineral N and K2SO4-extractable C. The K2SO4-extractable C/K2SO4-extractable organic N ratio suggested that substrate quality rather than the mass of readily available C and N affected biomass and activity of soil microflora. Also, the largely higher 10-day-evolved CO2–C-to-inorganic N ratio under SA than IA indicated that higher C mineralisation, associated with higher microbial biomass N immobilisation, occurred under SA than IA. Decreases in most soil enzyme activities under IA, compared to SA, were much higher than concomitant decreases in SOM content. Soil salinity and sodicity were always higher in IA than SA soil, although not critically high, likely due to the intensive inorganic fertilisation as irrigation waters were qualitatively and quantitatively the same between the two soils. Thus, we suggest that the cumulative small but long-term saline (osmotic) and sodic (dispersing) effects in IA soil decreased the microbial variables more than total organic C and increased soil bulk density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To assess fatty acid (FA) profiles in whole blood of 90 cystic fibrosis patients (CF) and 30 control subjects (C) and to correlate FA changes to the severity of respiratory disease. Methods: Whole blood FA were assessed by GC with a micromethod-based analysis. Results: Saturated and monounsaturated FA are higher, whereas polyunsaturated FA are lower in CF versus C with reduction of total n-6 FA, 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 (DHA). The product of linoleic acid (LA) × DHA, proposed as a marker for the disease, is 30% lower in CF than in C. Correlations with the severity of the respiratory disease are present for different FA and for the LA × DHA product. There is a reduction of Δ5 desaturase activity in CF, greater in severe disease, suggesting a basic metabolic alteration. Conclusions: The micromethod-based analysis of blood FA facilitates the assessment of the FA status while confirming alterations of FA profiles already reported in specific blood compartments of CF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An integrated characterization of physical, chemical, biochemical and microbiological properties of litter fractions (litter, fragmented and humified), corresponding at three decomposition phases, has been conducted in a degraded pine forest. Litter fractions were characterized in terms of C and N content, microbial communities' structure, enzyme activities and optical properties. The objective of this approach was to give an insight of actors and mechanisms operating during decomposition process, evaluating the relationships between litter pools (organic matter and microbial communities) and activities (respiration and enzymes). The effect of different thinning treatments (traditional and selective) on litter biomass and respiration was also investigated for 2 years, to identify forest management practices aiming at increase C storage and mitigate climate change. The litter fractions showed well-distinct chemical composition, with a decrease in carbon and an increase in nitrogen as decomposition advanced. Parallelly, an increase in fungal richness and diversity, and related enzyme activities, was observed. Bacteria were similar in the three fractions but seemed to have a role in the early phase of cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition. Thinning induced a short-term increase in litter input to soil, which disappeared after the first year until determining a general decrease in litter biomass, stronger with selective thinning. Further, in the warmer months of the second year after thinning litter respiration showed an increasing trend. Overall, positive effects of thinning on C storage were evident in the short term, followed by a decrease in litter pool driven by higher litter respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lenticular, ellipsoidal and flat tubular hematite particles were precipitated from ferric nitrate solutions in presence of minor amounts of Al, Si, Mg and organic acids (oxalic, citric and tartaric). Particle shape identification was performed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Arsenate adsorption onto hematite with different morphologies was studied in batch experiments and through vibrational spectroscopy. Three bands assigned to As(V)–O–Fe at, respectively, 920, 895 and 820 cm −1 were in agreement with sorption data indicating inner-sphere complexes. As(V) adsorption kinetics was well described by a general model for diffusion into microporous surface sites showing large difference among the studied hematite samples. The maximum As(V) adsorption occurred near pH 4.0 while at alkaline pH there was a significant decrease of adsorption as confirmed by the shift of infrared As–O stretching bands of arsenate group. A change from tetrahedral T d symmetry to more stable symmetric groups such as C 3v (monodentate complex), C 2v (bidentate binuclear) or C 1v (edge-sharing, bidentate binuclear) was deduced for As(V) sorbed on hematite. Fast arsenate adsorption was higher on ellipsoidal hematite particle with a dominant non basal (1 1 0) face. On the contrary, electrostatic attraction interaction could explain the fast As(V) adsorption on platy morphology characterized by basal face (0 0 1). Despite the discrepancy between theoretical considerations and experimental observations, the present contribution could lead to better understanding of the role played by hematite morphology on surface complexation model to describe arsenic adsorption behavior. Diffusional mass transport models applied to As sorption systems can explain such divergence due to: (i) external mass transport across the boundary layer surrounding the particle; (ii) diffusional mass transfer within the internal structure of the adsorbent particle by a nanopore, (iii) heterogeneity of the surface site. These findings are relevant to understanding the rates of interfacial processes involving arsenate sorption that can be take into account in mass transport models used for the removal of arsenic from contaminated water or wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to highlight the impact of urbanization and agriculture on soil quality, mainly by focusing on heavy metal accumulation (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the fragile riparian ecosystems of the Medjerda river (Souk-Ahras, Algeria). This study was performed in three cultivated soils (0–10, 10–20, 20–60 cm depth) along an increasing gradient of anthropogenic pressure in non-urban (NU), peri-urban (PU) and urban areas (U). Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), Enrichment factor (EF), Pollution load index (PLI) and Potential ecological risk index (RI) were calculated, as well as the potential non-carcinogenic risk for humans (HI). Additionally, to corroborate the role of Bufo spinosus D. as biosentinel , a skin biopsy was performed to quantify the concentration of heavy metals in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The results showed that when compared to NU, U and PU areas were richer in heavy metals. In particular, Igeo-Cd displayed strongly contaminated soil in U (>3), EF showed high enrichment of heavy metals (>2) for all the soils except for Ni, PLI presented no contamination for all (<1) while RI was significantly higher in U (>300), denoting a strong impact of heavy metals on soil quality. However, HI was below 1 for all the studied areas, although the highest values were related to U and PU. The skin biopsy showed the highest values for Cu, Fe and Pb in PU (0.328, 0.713 and 0.524 mg kg−1, respectively) similarly to trends observed in the soil of that area. This study shed light on the rising pollution of heavy metals due to urbanization and agricultural input in these fragile ecosystems where Bufo spinosus D. plays the role of potential bio-indicator for environmental pollution. [Display omitted] • Urbanization and agriculture exert a combined effect on the soil heavy metal content. • Soils showed a high Cd and Zn content related to both fertilizer use and urban origin. • In the peri-urban area the content of Cu, Fe and Pb was higher in both soil and skin. • The toad skin showed a particular sensitivity for Cu, Fe and Pb contamination. • The ecological risk index reported high risk in urban, non-urban and peri-urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated platform to assess the interaction between nanocarriers and biological matrices has been developed by our group using poly methyl-methacrylate nanoparticles. In this study, we exploited this platform to evaluate the behavior of two biodegradable formulations, poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL3) and poly lactic-acid (PLA8), respectively, in cellular and animal models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Both NPs shared the main physicochemical parameters (size, shape, ζ-potential) and exclusively differentiated on the material on which they are composed. Our results showed that (1) PLA8 NPs, systemically injected in mice, underwent rapid degradation without penetration into tumors; (2) PLA8 NPs were not internalized in the human TNBC cell line (MDA-MB-231); (3) PCL3 NPs had a longer bioavailability, reached the tumor parenchyma, and efficiently penetrated in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our data highlight the relevance of the material selection to both improve bioavailability and target tropism, and make PCL3 NPs an interesting tool for the development of nanodrugs against TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Black locust spread affects soil properties regardless fire and native plant cover. • The growth of soil bacterial community is promoted by the black locust trees. • Black locust invasion and fire occurrence improves soil element availability. • Fire promotes the changes due to the spread of black locust in soils. • Black locust invasion reduces the efficiency of carbon utilisation in shrublands soil. The combined action of alien plants invasion and fire occurrence can strongly alter local biodiversity and soil functions especially in the Mediterranean area. In this context, the goal of the study was to assess the effects of the invasive black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) spread on soil characteristics, especially soil microbial community responses, in some Mediterranean shrublands and pine forests subjected to both a slow natural invasion and a fast fire-induced invasion. The soil sampled in all stands, regardless type of black locust invasion, showed increasing values of pH, water holding capacity and bulk density as compared to soil of pure shrublands and pine forests. Soil organic matter content approximately doubled in stands invaded by black locust trees (from 4.3 and 9.0 % in shrublands and from 5.3 and 14.5 % in pine forests after fire respectively). A similar trend was observed for the soil nitrogen content with values of 2.9 and 8.2 mg g−1 in pure and invaded shrublands after fire respectively and values of 3.8 and 5.4 mg g−1 in pure and invaded pine after fire. Moreover, the combined effect of black locust invasion and fire occurrence improved soil content and availability of the investigated elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na). In addition, the invasion seemed to stimulate microbial growth, by promoting especially the bacterial component regardless of the plant cover and fire occurrence. A significant decrease of microbial respiration was observed only in invaded pine forests (0.18 mg CO 2 g−1 d-1) as compared to pure forests (0.32 mg CO 2 g−1 d-1). On the other hand, in all invaded shrublands a reduced efficiency of carbon resource utilisation and a high stress condition of the microbial community were evident. However, the combined impact of black locust invasion and fire occurrence does not show specific changes in the investigated stands. Fire confirms and, sometimes, promotes the changes due to the spread of black locust in both shrublands and pine forests soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many efforts have been performed in order to understand the role of recruited macrophages in the progression of spinal cord injury (SCI). Different studies revealed a pleiotropic effect played by these cells associated to distinct phenotypes (M1 and M2), showing a predictable spatial and temporal distribution in the injured site after SCI. Differently, the role of activated microglia in injury progression has been poorly investigated, mainly because of the challenges to target and selectively modulate them in situ . A delivery nanovector tool (poly-ε-caprolactone-based nanoparticles) able to selectively treat/target microglia has been developed and used here to clarify the temporal and spatial involvement of the pro-inflammatory response associated to microglial cells in SCI. We show that a treatment with nanoparticles loaded with minocycline, the latter a well-known anti-inflammatory drug, when administered acutely in a SCI mouse model is able to efficiently modulate the resident microglial cells reducing the pro-inflammatory response, maintaining a pro-regenerative milieu and ameliorating the behavioral outcome up to 63 days post injury. Furthermore, by using this selective delivery tool we demonstrate a mechanistic link between early microglia activation and M1 macrophages recruitment to the injured site via CCL2 chemokine, revealing a detrimental contribution of pro-inflammatory macrophages to injury progression after SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goethite, hematite, ferrihydrite, and other iron oxides bind through various sorption reactions with humic substances (HS) in soils creating nano-, micro-, and macro-aggregates with a specific nature and stability. Long residence times of soil organic matter (SOM) have been attributed to iron-humic substance (Fe-HS) complexes due to physical protection and chemical stabilization at the organic–mineral interface. Humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) contain many acidic functional groups that interact with Fe oxides through different mechanisms. Due to the numerous interactions between mineral Fe and natural SOM, much research has led into a better identification and definition of HS. In this review, we first focus on the surface colloidal properties of Fe oxides and their reactivity toward HS. These minerals can be efficiently identified by usual techniques, such as XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, XAS, Mössbauer, diffuse reflectance spectroscopies (DRS), HRTEM, ATM, NanoSIMS. Second, we present the recent state of art regarding the adsorption/precipitation of HS onto iron mineral surfaces and their effects on binding metalloid and trace elements. Finally, we consider future research directions based on recent scientific literature, with particular focus on the ability of Fe nano-particles to increase Fe bioavailability, improve carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the impact of persistent organic and inorganic pollutants. The methodology in this field has rapidly developed over the last decade. However, new procedures to estimate the nature of Fe-HA bonds will be important contributions in clarifying the role of natural iron oxides in soil for carbon stabilization. [Display omitted] • Surface properties of Fe oxides, and their reactivity toward HS are examined. • A metal binding mechanism between Fe and HS is resumed. • HS impacts on chemical and oxidative/reductive reactivity of iron oxide is reviewed. • Stabilization mechanism of HA with Fe oxides is related with longer turnover of SOM. • Fe-HS is associated with transport and bioavailability of persistent organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Technosols in a short time show an important C accumulation in urban area. • Soil spectroscopy can provide a quick estimate of anthropogenic influence. • Vis–NIR spectra can be used to predict the content of microbial biomass and activity. Soil biological properties and carbon storage of three young Technosols deriving from volcanic soil of Campi Flegrei, Italy, were compared with two natural volcanic soils, sampled from two forest ecosystem sites (chestnut and Mediterranean maquis). The soil properties were examined with Vis-NIR spectroscopy and portable XRF, along the soil profile. The results showed that the average soil organic matter (SOM) amount in Technosols profiles were lower than in natural volcanic soils. The differences in SOM content between the two investigated natural volcanic soils probably resulted from their land-use histories and different plant cover. Indeed, the chestnut soil profile, which has a higher SOM content, was covered by an old chestnut grove, while the second soil profile, after a severe burning, showed a change in natural Oak forest vegetation towards the typical Mediterranean maquis. The microbial biomass can be predicted with Vis-NIR spectroscopy coupled with PLS Regression. Our results showed that 6-year natural incorporation of organic residue in Technosols significantly increased the C storage on the top soils due to the increase in C input with rhizodeposition. The forest soils show higher TOC content also with the depth that indicate a greater capacity of C storage in response to litter incorporation, whereas the Technosols accumulated about half the amount of TOC, compared to the chestnut grove. Indeed, after six years of natural vegetation, the Technosols showed a large potential to sequester C and to sustain biological activity. Overall, the emerging knowledge on Technosols make them highly promising for the regeneration of urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Colloidal properties of Ferrihydrite humic acid coprecipitated are investigated. [•] Fe–HA coprecipitate increase in the size and negative charge compare with HA. [•] ξ-Potential measurements revealed a increment of negative charge for Fe–HA at pH 4–8. [•] At neutral alkaline pH the Fe–HA negative charge enhancing colloidal stability. [•] Ferrihydrite–HA coprecipitate could play an important role in the carbon stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The possibility to control the fate of the cells responsible for secondary mechanisms following spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most relevant challenges to reduce the post traumatic degeneration of the spinal cord. In particular, microglia/macrophages associated inflammation appears to be a self-propelling mechanism which leads to progressive neurodegeneration and development of persisting pain state. In this study we analyzed the interactions between poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles (PMMA-NPs) and microglia/macrophages in vitro and in vivo, characterizing the features that influence their internalization and ability to deliver drugs. The uptake mechanisms of PMMA-NPs were in-depth investigated, together with their possible toxic effects on microglia/macrophages. In addition, the possibility to deliver a mimetic drug within microglia/macrophages was characterized in vitro and in vivo. Drug-loaded polymeric NPs resulted to be a promising tool for the selective administration of pharmacological compounds in activated microglia/macrophages and thus potentially able to counteract relevant secondary inflammatory events in SCI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to compare blood fatty acid profiles of two population groups: Italian and Tibetan, differing with regard to ethnic, life style and environmental aspects. Additionally the collection of two staple foods provided the opportunity to analyze typical Tibetan dishes. A new, simple, rapid, and substantially non invasive method for fatty acid (FA) analysis of blood lipids was applied to healthy Italian (n=14) and Tibetan (n=13) subjects. Blood drops obtained from the ear lobe of Tibetans or the fingertip of Italians were adsorbed by a special strip of paper and processed for fatty acid analysis. The fatty acid profiles of the two groups are different, and environmental factors, such as dietary fats and altitudes of Milan, Italy (a low altitude site), and Lhasa, Tibet (a high altitude site) appear to contribute to these differences. More specifically, in Ti-betans higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, including the 22 and 24 carbon molecules, were found. This appears to be derived mainly from locally consumed fats (mustard seed oil), and are associated with lower levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and higher levels of selected omega 3 fatty acids, when compared to the Italians. These relatively higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids may also indicate means of adaptation to local prooxidant conditions. The observed differences in blood fatty acid profiles in Tibetans vs. Italians appear to result both from dietary factors and adaptation to local environmental conditions such as the high altitude of the Tibetan location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare blood fatty acid profiles of two population groups: Italian and Tibetan, differing with regard to ethnic, life style and environmental aspects. Additionally the collection of two staple foods provided the opportunity to analyze typical Tibetan dishes. A new, simple, rapid, and substantially non invasive method for fatty acid (FA) analysis of blood lipids was applied to healthy Italian (n= 14) and Tibetan (n= 13) subjects. Blood drops obtained from the ear lobe of Tibetans or the fingertip of Italians were adsorbed by a special strip of paper and processed for fatty acid analysis. The fatty acid profiles of the two groups are different, and environmental factors, such as dietary fats and altitudes of Milan, Italy (a low altitude site), and Lhasa, Tibet (a high altitude site) appear to contribute to these differences. More specifically, in Tibetans higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, including the 22 and 24 carbon molecules, were found. This appears to be derived mainly from locally consumed fats (mustard seed oil), and are associated with lower levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and higher levels of selected omega 3 fatty acids, when compared to the Italians. These relatively higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids may also indicate means of adaptation to local prooxidant conditions. The observed differences in blood fatty acid profiles in Tibetans vs Italians appear to result both from dietary factors and adaptation to local environmental conditions such as the high altitude of the Tibetan location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equilibrium adsorption and binding of DNA from Bacillus subtilis on complexes of montmorillonite-humic adds Al or Fe hydroxypolymers (Al-M-HA or Fe-M-HA) at different M/HA ratios, the desorption of DNA, the capacity of bound DNA to transform competent cells of B. subtilis in vitro, and the protection of bound DNA from degradation by free and organomineral-bound DNase I are reported. Adsorption was rapid (maximal after 2 h), occurred from pH 3 to 10, and was higher on AI-M-HA than on Fe-M-HA. Saturation of the sites on the surface or between the layers of AI- or Fe-M-HA occurred with only some complexes, depending on how the complexes were prepared. Essentially no desorption under stringent conditions was observed. Bound DNA transformed anxotrophic competent cells of B. subtilis, although at a lower frequency than free DNA. Bound DNA was protected more than free DNA against degradation by DNase I, and differences in resistance to degradation between free and bound DNA were more evident when DNase was also bound on the organomineral complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The activity of a range of enzymes related to the cycling of the main biologically important nutrients C, N, P and S was investigated in cultivated and non-cultivated soils from various parts of Europe. Two agricultural sites from North Italy under continuous corn (Zea mays L.) with and without organic fertilization were compared. Two other agricultural sites from South Italy under hazel (Corylus avellana L.) never flooded or repeatedly flooded over by uncontrolled urban and industrial wastes were investigated. The non-cultivated soils were from Middle and South Europe with different pollution history such as no-pollution and pollution with organic contaminants, which is phenanthrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Agricultural soils showed significant differences in some of physical–chemical properties (i.e. organic C, total and labile phosphate contents, available Ca and Mg) between the two sites studied. Enzyme activities of hazel sites periodically flooded by wastes were mainly higher than in the hazel sites never flooded. Sites under many years of continuous corn showed dehydrogenase, invertase, arylsulphatase and β-glucosidase activities generally lower than the soils under hazel either flooded or not by wastes. As compared to agricultural soils, non-cultivated soils heavily or moderately polluted by organic contaminants displayed much lower values or complete absence of enzymatic activities. Dissimilar, contradictory correlations between soil enzyme activities and the majority of soil properties were observed separately in the two groups of soils. When the whole set of enzyme activities and soil properties were considered, all significant correlations found separately for the groups of soils were lost. The overall results seem to confirm that no direct cause–effect relationships can be derived between the changes of a soil in response to a given factor and both the variations of the activity and the behaviour of the enzymes in soil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Volcanic soils show peculiar characteristics related to the presence of poorly ordered crystalline minerals. These minerals are highly sensitive to specific spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) regions and could be used to establish important relationships between andic properties and soil classification. In order to overcome the expense of traditional soil laboratory analysis and the limitations of pedotransfer functions, this research was designed to test i) the possibility of using diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) for a supervised chemometric classification of soils with different degrees of andicity, ii) the possibility of using diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) to estimate the andic properties needed for soil classification (iron and aluminum forms, allophane, phosphate retention, vitric content etc.), and iii) the different multivariate statistical approaches for the analysis of spectra. Diffuse reflectance spectra were measured between 200 and 2500 nm in the laboratory with a Jasco spectrophotometer equipped with an integrated sphere. Chemometric analysis was carried out by discriminant analysis that correctly divided 86% of the horizon samples in 5 classes, representing different levels of expression of the andic properties. Chemometric calibration was obtained by pre-processing Vis-NIR spectra with the application of partial least-squares regression (PLSR). Andic soil attributes were then predicted using calibrated models through PLSR methods and compared with the findings from the Supported Vector Machine (SVM). SVM generally outperformed PLSR on predicting andic properties by Vis-NIR. The most accurate predictive models were obtained for Al and Fe dithionite extracted, both with PLSR (ratio of performance to deviation, RPD 1.9) and SVM (1.7 < RPD < 1.9). The total amount of i) non-crystalline Al and Fe forms (oxalate extractable, Al o , Fe o), ii) Al o + 1/2Fe o (1.7 < RPD < 1.8), iii) non-crystalline Si (Si o) (RPD 1.5), and iv) Al associated with organic matter (sodium pyrophosphate extractable, Al p ; RPD 1.5), Al o -Al p (RPD 1.5), allowed a first soil Andosol qualification, when obtained through SVM. Therefore, the results of this research highlight that Vis-NIR can be used as a preliminary analysis to estimate diagnostic parameters of Andosols. Results indicate that Vis-NIR is a promising technique for volcanic soil classification according to soil properties (especially Fe and Al forms) and horizons, which can be used in lieu of complex chemical and physical analyses involved in routine soil profile classification. Further studies should confirm Vis-NIR ability to discriminate Andosols at more detailed classification levels. Unlabelled Image • Vis-NIR spectroscopy estimates andic parameters with a good predictability. • Vis-NIR information allows you to distinguish Andosols from other soils. • SVM is stronger than PLSR to predict the poorly crystalline forms of Al, Fe and Si. • Good prediction models were obtained for dithionite extracted Al and Fe. • Poorly prediction models were observed for oxalate extracted Si, TOC and allophane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]