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[Display omitted] • Synergistic effect in the co-culture of Lactobacillus and algae. • Algal extracts do not affect the growth of L. plantarum and L. reuteri. • Co-culture's bioactive properties (antioxidant and antimicrobial) increase. • A. nodosum and L. calcareum can be considered valid prebiotics for Lactobacilli. Functional ingredients became essential for sustainable development to improve health status, prevent disease, and reduce the use of medication. This study aimed to determine the potential prebiotic role of Ascophyllum nodosum and Lithothamnium calcareum using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Limosilactobacillus reuteri as microorganism models. Key bioactive compounds of algae were identified using LC-QTOF-MS/MS. The influence of algae inclusion on the growth of Lactobacilli strains was evaluated. Functional activities of the co-culture were evaluated after 24, 48, 72, and 96 incubation hours. Antioxidant capacity (by ABTS assay) increased for both Lactobacilli cultures, with a PI% increase of 30 % for L. plantarum (p < 0.01) and a PI% increase of 25 % for L. reuteri (p < 0.01). Algal extracts significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) E. coli growth after 48 hrs for L. plantarum and after 72 hrs for L. reuteri. The results suggested that A. nodosum and L. calcareum can be considered valid prebiotics for both strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study a multi-analytical approach has been performed to characterise the constitutive materials of an ancient painted barkcloth or Tapa. Originating from Wallis Island, Polynesia, this cloth likely served utilitarian or ceremonial purposes and is part of the Felice Junck collection at the Pigorini, Muciv museum of Rome. During a recent conservation project, some micro-samples were taken from the support, brown and black painted areas and were investigated using the complementarity of SEM-EDX, FT-IR, Raman/SERS and solid-state 13C NMR and 1H HR-MAS spectroscopy. The combination of these techniques allowed the chemical characterization of the constitutive materials, from distinguishing the lignin and cellulose content of the support to the use of organic materials including condensed tannins (catechin, anthocyanidins, alkaloids), phlobaphene and vegetal anthraquinone based Morinda genus dyes for the decorations. A primary focus was placed on an understanding of its state of conservation where data of alteration products collected, namely metal carboxylates and oxalates can serve to formulate apt restoration efforts for this specific artefact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has certain characteristics that enable it to play an important role in atherosclerosis. Some studies report its association with an increased risk of carotid artery plaque. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HCV genomic sequences and replicative intermediates in plaque tissues. Study Design: A cohort of consecutive, prospectively recruited patients with HCV infection and chronic ischemic heart disease from the Cardiology, Vascular Surgery and Hepatology Units of a University Hospital in Florence, Italy, were studied. Results: Positive-strand HCV RNA was detected in seven carotid plaque tissues from anti-HCV-positive patients and was not detected in the nine carotid plaque tissues obtained from anti-HCV-negative patients. In three patients, HCV RNA was found in carotid plaque and not in serum. HCV replicative intermediates were detected in three plaque samples. Direct sequencing of HCV RNA from the plaque and serum showed HCV genotypes 2 (five cases) and 1 (two cases). Conclusions: The novel finding of HCV RNA sequences in plaque tissue strongly suggests an active local infection. This in turn makes it conceivable that the virus may exert local action in carotid atherosclerosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Leonardite supplementation increased growth performance of weaned piglets. • Leonardite modulated the serum lipid profile by increasing HDL. • 0.25% of leonardite can be a valuable functional feed additive for weaned piglets. We evaluated the effects of leonardite supplementation, mainly composed of humic acids (HAs), as a functional feed additive in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty piglets (Large Withe × Landrace) were weaned at 28 ± 2 days, and randomly divided into two groups (6 pens per group, 10 piglets per pen). After one week of adaptation, for 40 days groups were fed a control diet (CTRL) and an HA enriched diet (0.25% of leonardite; HAG). Body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured throughout the experimental period. On the last day of the trial four piglets per pen were randomly selected and the blood was collected to evaluate the serum metabolic profile and diamine oxidase content. Chemical analyses showed that leonardite was characterized by a high content of ash 23.27% (as-fed basis), polyphenolic content of 35.18 ± 3.91 mg TAEq/g, and an antioxidant capacity of 73.31 ± 8.22 μmol TroloxEq/g. The HAG group showed an increase in BW, ADG and ADFI (P < 0.01) compared to the CTRL group during the experimental period. In terms of the serum metabolic profile, the HAG group showed a significant increase in total protein content (P < 0.001), albumin (P < 0.001), albumin/globulin ratio (P < 0.01), phosphatase alkaline (P < 0.01), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (P < 0.05) compared to the CTRL group. A modulation in the serum lipid profile was recorded. The HAG group showed a decrease in total triglycerides (P < 0.05) with higher total cholesterol (P < 0.05), however only high-density lipoprotein showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) compared to the CTRL group. No significant differences in the amount of diamine oxidase were found between groups. In conclusion, leonardite inclusion in the diet at 0.25% was shown to have a positive effect on the serum lipid profile and animal growth. This thus suggests that leonardite can be considered as a new feed additive, which improves the health and performance of weaned piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal production is a source of heavy metals in livestock wastewater and also a key link in the food chain, with negative impacts on human and animal health. In intensive animal production systems, the most critical elements are zinc and copper. In order to development of innovative non-invasive strategies to reduce the environmental impact of livestock, this study assessed the ability of two plants, Typha latifolia and Thelypteris palustris , to bioaccumulate the heavy metals used in animal nutrition, from wastewater. Four mesocosms (width 2.0 m, length 2.0 m, 695 L of water, 210 kg of soil) were assembled outdoors at the Botanical Garden. Two of them were planted with T. latifolia (TL treated, n = 30; TL control, n = 30) and two with T. palustris (TP treated, n = 60; TP control, n = 60). In T0 a solution of a mineral additive premix (Zn 44.02 mg/L; Cu 8.63 mg/L) was dissolved in the treated mesocosms. At T0, d 15 (T1) and d 45 (T2) samples of roots, leaves, stems, soil and water were collected, dried, mineralized and analyzed using ICP-MS in order to obtain HMs content. We found that T. latifolia and T. palustris accumulate and translocate Zn, Cu from contaminated wastewater into plant tissues in a way that is directly related to the exposure time (T2 for Zn: 271.64 ± 17.70, 409.26 ± 17.70 for Cu: 47.54 ± 3.56, 105.58 ± 3.56 mg/kg of DM, respectively). No visual toxicity signs were observed during the experimental period. This phytoremediation approach could be used as an eco-sustainable approach to counteract the output of heavy metals. • The increasing biomass showed that T. latifolia and T. palustris grew normally. • The increase of Zn and Cu in plants was related by a decrease of metals in water. • Both plants are able to phytoremediate Zn and Cu from contaminated wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In animal livestock heavy metals are widely used as feed additives to control enteric bacterial infections as well as to enhance the integrity of the immune system. As these metals are only partially adsorbed by animals, the content of heavy metals in manure and wastewaters causes soil and ground water contamination, with Zn2+ and Cu2+ being the most critical output from pig livestock. Phytoremediation is considered a valid strategy to improve the purity of wastewaters. This work studied the effect of Zn2+ and Cu2+ on the morphology and protein expression in Thelypteris palustris and Typha latifolia plants, cultured in a wetland pilot system. Despite the absence of macroscopic alterations, remodeling of cell walls and changes in carbohydrate metabolism were observed in the rhizomes of both plants and in leaves of Thelypteris palustris. However, similar modifications seemed to be determined by the alterations of different mechanisms in these plants. These data also suggested that marsh ferns are more sensitive to metals than monocots. Whereas toleration mechanisms seemed to be activated in Typha latifolia , in Thelypteris palustris the observed modifications appeared as slight toxic effects due to metal exposure. This study clearly indicates that both plants could be successfully employed in in situ phytoremediation systems, to remove Cu2+ and Zn2+ at concentrations that are ten times higher than the legal limits, without affecting plant growth. • Thelypteris palustris was more affected by metals than Typha latifolia. • Salts of Zn and Cu induced cell wall remodeling and carbohydrate metabolism changes in both plants. • Similar morphological alterations were induced by different mechanisms in both plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]