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New-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have brought the opportunity for genomic monitoring of several microorganisms potentially relevant to public health. The establishment of different methods with different mechanisms provides a wide choice, taking into account several aspects. With that in mind, the present aim of the study was to compare basic genomic sequencing metrics that could potentially impact genotyping by nanopores from Oxford Nanopore Technologies and by synthesis from Illumina in clinical samples positive for Chikungunya (CHIKV). Among the metrics studied, running time, read production, and Q score were better represented in Illumina sequencing, while the MinIOn platform showed better response time and greater diversity of generated files. That said, it was possible to establish differences between the studied metrics in addition to verifying that the distinctions in the methods did not impact the identification of the CHIKV virus genotype., (© 2023. Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.)

Stink bug egg parasitoids (Scelionidae) use several host and non-host chemical and physical cues to find suitable hosts. These cues can interact in the field producing multimodal stimuli, which can be manipulated to increase parasitoid attraction and biological control of stink bugs in conservation biological control strategies. We aimed to investigate how multimodal chemical and physical stimuli affect stink bug egg parasitoid recruitment and parasitism in soybean crops. We performed a field experiment where semiochemicals and visual stimuli were presented alone or in combination during three soybean growing seasons. We evaluated the occurrence of stink bug parasitoids and parasitism rates using sentinel eggs, and stink bug species abundance. Long-distance semiochemicals (herbivore-induced plant volatiles and sex pheromone) did not interfere on Scelionidae parasitoid recruitment. Visual stimuli and stimuli combinations negatively interfered on parasitoid recruitment or had no effect. The parasitism of sentinel eggs varied among seasons, and long-distance semiochemicals increased parasitism on one season. In the other seasons there was a significant effect of predation on the sentinel stink bugs eggs. Predation, mostly by ants, was the main egg mortality factor, which could have masked parasitism effects. The stink bug Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was always the most abundant species occurring with other seven species. Our results indicate the relevance of different biological control agents on stink bug egg mortality. We discuss the applications and major flaws for conservation biological control of stink bugs and its compatibility with augmentative releases of egg parasitoids, especially for Telenomus podisi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg parasitoids of the family Scelionidae are important biological control agents in many agricultural systems, including rice. Several species attack Pentatomidae. Some are used in applied biological control programs. We studied the richness, abundance, and population fluctuations of scelionids through gradients of distance from the forest near the cultivated areas and in two stages of plant development under different rice managements. The work took place in two irrigated rice crops, one with organic management (O.M.) and another with conventional management (C.M.), in the municipality of Nova Santa Rita, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons. The parasitoids were collected with Malaise traps placed at different distances in relation to the riparian forest surrounding the rice crop. Specimens were collected twice a month from seeding until the rice harvest. The most abundant genera were Idris, Telenomus, and Baeus. Telenomus podisi, Telenomus sp. 3, Telenomus sp. 2, and Telenomus sp. 1, were the most abundant morphospecies, and their abundance changed over the plant stages and seasons. The rice phenological stage influenced the diversity over the two seasons and, in the second one, the kind of pesticide used possibly had a negative influence on the parasitoid assemblage in conventional management. Close to the forest, there was a greater abundance of Scelionidae in the C.M. area in the first season. This was not found in the O.M. area at any crop season. The high abundance of scelionids indicates that natural biological control may be important in the rice crop, particularly in areas under organic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is one of the common endocrine disorders generally characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar. It can originate either from the inability of the pancreas to synthesize insulin, which is considered as an autoimmune disorder, or the reduced production of insulin, considered as insulin resistivity. A wound can be defined as a condition of damage to living tissues including skin, mucous membrane and other organs as well. Wounds get complicated with respect to time based on specific processes like diabetes mellitus, obesity and immunocompromised conditions. Proper growth and functionality of the epidermis gets sustained due to impaired diabetic wound healing which shows a sign of dysregulated wound healing process. In comparison with synthetic medications, phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and glycosides have gained enormous importance relying on their distinct potential to heal diabetic wounds. Flavonoids are one of the most promising and important groups of natural compounds which can be used to treat acute as well as chronic wounds. Flavonoids show excellent properties due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in their chemical structure, which makes this class of compounds different from others. Based on the novel principles of nanotechnology via utilizing suitable drug delivery systems, the delivery of bioactive constituents from plant source amplifies the wound-healing mechanism, minimizes complexities and enhances bioavailability. Hence, the encapsulation and applicability of flavonoids with an emphasis on mechanistic route and wound-healing therapeutics have been highlighted in the subsequent study with focus on multiple drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As electronic waste poses environmental challenges, exploring eco-friendly alternatives becomes imperative. In this review, the introduction reveals the disposal problem of existing printed circuit boards (PCBs) and the potential impacts of implementing biodegradable PCBs towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Various biodegradable materials, including polylactic acid, cellulose/cellulose acetate, silk proteins, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, mycelium, and wood, were evaluated for their properties and suitability in PCB manufacturing. Each material is scrutinised for its suitability in creating environmentally friendly circuit boards. The study meticulously analyses these biodegradable PCBs' electrical, mechanical, thermal and decomposition properties, providing insights into their performance under various conditions. The article also explores different fabrication methods and their advantages and limitations for manufacturing biodegradable PCBs. Solvent and non-solvent based decomposition of the biodegradable PCBs were revealed. The research outcome on a balance between hygroscopic property and degradability of biodegradable PCBs is revealed. The narrative extends to encompass the challenges and issues associated with the Design-for-Manufacturing processes and life cycle assessment of biodegradable PCBs, shedding light on potential hurdles and areas for improvement. The article concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of biodegradable printed circuit boards, environmentally friendly fire-retardants, a proposal for alternative standards for biodegradable PCBs, and their increasing role in sustainable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aquaculture industry, tilapia farming stands out as one of the most lucrative and rapidly expanding trades. The farming of tilapia has witnessed significant growth due to its high protein content, large size, fast growth, and culinary appeal. However, as aquaculture becomes more intensive, tilapia are increasingly susceptible to emerging infections. Epidemics of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) disease during the summer months have been observed to cause significant mortality in tilapia across various life stages. Seaweed-derived bioactive substances have been extensively studied for their broad antiviral properties. These compounds can enhance the host's immune responses or directly target and inhibit virus replication before it infects host cells. Highlighting the serious concerns of emerging disease in farmed tilapia, and possibility of exploring novel compounds for disease remediation, the present review explores seaweeds as a valuable source of antiviral agents for the development of innovative vaccines and medications against TiLV. The review highlights future research directions to expedite the development of new disease treatments in tilapia farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioemulsifier production by Aureobasidium pullulans LB83 from pretreated sugarcane bagasse was evaluated in solid-state fermentation. Alkaline (0.2 mol.L−1 NaOH; 12 min) and hydrodynamic cavitation (0.5 mol.L−1 NaOH, 25 min) pretreatments showed a maximum lignin removal of 55.1 % and 44.7 %, respectively. Pretreatment biomass effectivity was assessed by X-ray diffraction, FT-MIR, FTIR-NIR, and RAMAN techniques. Maximum kerosene emulsification indexes of 65.8 % and 41.3 % were obtained in solid-state fermentation, respectively, for alkaline and hydrodynamic cavitation pretreated sugarcane bagasse. Synthesis of cellulases was observed in fermentation, showing maximum values of endoglucanase and exoglucanase, respectively, of 2.25 U.g−1 and 1.39 U.g−1, for alkaline pretreated sugarcane bagasse, and 2.43 U.g−1 and 1.45 U.g−1, for hydrodynamic cavitation-pretreated sugarcane bagasse. The biomolecule was characterized as a mixture of mannitol and arabitol-type liamocin. Microorganism was able to produce bioemulsifier using sugarcane bagasse as support and carbon source in solid-state fermentation, thus showing the potential of this system to obtain value-added products from this biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are a significant predator group that plays a role in agricultural contexts. They serve as important biocontrol agents against several agricultural pests. However, there is limited information available about how ladybirds' populations are regulated by their natural enemies and habitat perturbation. In this study, we evaluated ladybird communities associated with natural and managed areas during the agricultural cycle of 2018 (June–September). We identified seven ladybird species; the most abundant species were Hippodamia convergens (70% individuals) and Cycloneda sanguinea (20% individuals), followed by the exotic species Harmonia axyridis (3.33% individuals), while Paranaemia vittigera, Coleomegilla maculata, Brachiacantha sp., and Olla v-nigrum represented less than 3% each. Ladybirds were more abundant in agricultural fields than in natural habitats. We identified several natural enemies associated with the collected ladybirds, including parasitoids (Dinocampus coccinellae, Hymenoptera: Braconidae), ectoparasitic Acari (Coccipolipus sp., Podapolipidae), and nematodes (Mermithidae). However, none of the natural enemies affected more than 10% of the ladybirds, so natural enemies do not appear to be exerting substantial control over their populations. Our results corroborated that ladybirds can efficiently thrive in anthropogenic habitats in Mexico and therefore may represent good biocontrol agents for agriculture. It is important to consider the ecology of agriculturally important ladybirds in programs for integrated pest management. This includes factors contributing to the mortality of ladybirds, including their natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), a hardy deciduous shrub of the family Elaeagnaceae, is known for its economic and ecological importance due to its wide use in medicine, food, windbreaks, and sand fixation. In this study, the first genetic linkage map of H. rhamnoides was constructed based on an F1 population (H. rhamnoides subsp. mongolica 'wulangemu' × H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis 'wucixiong') by using start codon targeted (SCoT), sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The linkage map contained 1143 markers with a total length of 1889.46 centimorgans (cM), including 12 linkage groups (LG) and covering 97.17% of the estimated genome, with an average marker density of 1.67 cM. According to the phenotypic variation analysis, 61 QTLs were identified. Among these QTLs, there were 18 QTLs for seedling height, 27 QTLs for ground diameter, two QTLs for primary branching angle, 11 QTLs for leaf width, and 3 QTLs for leaf shape index. The range of phenotypic variation explained by these QTLs was 10.7 ~ 21.9%. The QTLs identified by high-density linkage mapping reported in this study will be useful for the molecular breeding of sea buckthorn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of joint dysfunction and disability in the elderly, posing serious social problems and a huge socio-economic burden. Existing pharmacological treatments have significant drawbacks, and searching for an effective pharmacological intervention is an urgent priority. Recent studies have demonstrated the chondroprotective, anabolic, and anti-catabolic properties of avocado–soybean unsaponifiable (ASU), a natural plant extract made from avocado and soybean oils, consisting of the remainder of the saponified portion of the product that cannot be made into soap. The main components of ASU are phytosterols, beta-sitosterol, canola stanols, and soya stanols, which are rapidly incorporated into cells. Studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties of phytosterols. ASU slows down the progression of OA primarily by inhibiting pathways involved in the development of OA disease. ASU prevents cartilage degradation by inhibiting the release and activity of matrix metalloproteinases and by increasing the tissue inhibition of these catabolic enzymes; ASU is also involved in the inhibition of the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) which is a transcriptional inhibitor that regulates the inflammatory response of chondrocytes. NF-κB is a transcription factor that regulates the inflammatory response of chondrocytes, and inhibition of the transfer of the transcription factor NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus regulates the transcription of many pro-inflammatory factors. By appealing to the mechanism of action and thus achieving anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic, and pro-synthetic effects on cartilage tissues, AUS is clinically responsive to the reduction of acute pain and OA symptom progression. This paper aims to summarize the studies on the use of avocado–soybean unsaponifiable in the pharmacological treatment of osteoarticular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rehabilitation exercise is a crucial non-pharmacological intervention for the secondary prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, effectively ameliorating cardiac remodeling in patients. Exercise training can mitigate cardiomyocyte apoptosis, reduce extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis, promote angiogenesis, and regulate inflammatory response to improve cardiac remodeling. This article presents a comprehensive review of recent research progress, summarizing the pivotal role and underlying mechanism of rehabilitation exercise in improving cardiac remodeling and providing valuable insights for devising effective rehabilitation treatment programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Pachyneuron Walker are most often reported as hyperparasitoids of aphids, coccids and psyllids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha). On the other hand, quite many reports concern hyperparasitism in the predators of Sternorrhyncha, mainly ladybird beetles. In this paper we report on the association of Pachyneuron muscarum (L.) with a ladybird Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) that was detected during a survey of parasitoids of ladybird larvae in Kermanshah (Iran). We bred P. muscarum wasps from two field collected H. variegata larvae. A single male P. muscarum emerged from one larva, parasitized by a primary parasitoid of the genus Homalotylus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and a female P. muscarum emerged from the other larva, parasitized by a parasitoid other than Homalotylus. Previously, P. muscarum was reported from Iran in association with several species of coccids and psyllids, as well as predatory lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and ladybird larvae. A worldwide literature review indicates that at least eight species of Pachyneuron have been reported as hyperparasitoids of ladybird larvae. It may be thus concluded that some Pachyneuron species, being principally hyperparasitoids of Sternorrhyncha, can also hyperparasitize Sternorrhyncha-preying ladybird larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acmella oleracea L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as the toothache plant, is a tropical herb with significant therapeutic potential. Traditionally, it has been used for its analgesic and sialagogue properties, and it is known for its distinctive yellow flower crest. This review addresses current gaps in the understanding of its pharmacological properties and aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of its therapeutic potential. A thorough literature review was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed/MedLine. The findings indicate that A. oleracea contains a variety of phytochemicals, including spilanthol, which exhibit diverse pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antinociceptive, pronociceptive, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, diuretic, and vasorelaxant effects. The results highlight the significant medicinal potential of A. oleracea while also identifying areas for further research, particularly regarding its toxicological impacts on humans and animals. This review aims to guide future studies on the health benefits and safety of this plant.Article Highlights: Acmella oleracea exhibits significant pain-relieving properties, interacting with pain receptors effectively. The plant's extracts show strong antimicrobial effects, useful against various bacterial infections. Acmella oleracea demonstrates potent antioxidant and antifungal activities, promoting health and disease prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferrochrome slag (FS) having favourable mechanical properties) may be gainfully utilised as concrete aggregate. The concrete specimens with FS, natural stones (NS) and NS concrete mixed with 2% chromium nitrate salt (CR) as coarse aggregate were prepared. The samples were cured in aggressive curing solution like sulphuric acid solution at pH 2 and 10% magnesium sulphate in order to examine its degradation aspects in terms of possible loss of strength, reduction of mass and the surface damage. The deterioration effects are assessed after 28, 56, and 90 days of curing. The results indicate that FS concrete has the minimum reduction of strength, least reduction of mass and less surface deterioration in comparison to concrete with NS and CR. FS has appreciable amount of environmentally deleterious residual chromium but almost all of these chromium contents are inherently immobilized in the slag matrix as evidenced in microstructure study. The concrete specimens using FS as coarse aggregate with its immobile chromium acting as passivation agent may provide better corrosion resistance and along with the usage of slag-based cement as binder furnish some protection measures against the corrosion effect under aggressive acid and sulphate action. This is the principal research significance of this work and it will provide a suitable platform for global research to explore the further work on the corrosion resistance of concrete bound FS exposed to different aggressive curing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout history, vector-borne diseases have consistently posed significant challenges to human health. Among the strategies for vector control, chemical insecticides have seen widespread use since their inception. Nevertheless, their effectiveness is continually undermined by the steady growth of insecticide resistance within these vector populations. As such, the demand for more robust, efficient, and cost-effective natural insecticides has become increasingly pressing. One promising avenue of research focuses on chitin, a crucial structural component of mosquitoes' exoskeletons and other insects. Chitin not only provides protection and rigidity but also lends flexibility to the insect body. It undergoes substantial transformations during insect molting, a process known as ecdysis. Crucially, the production of chitin is facilitated by an enzyme known as chitin synthase, making it an attractive target for potential novel insecticides. Our recent study delved into the impacts of curcumin, a natural derivative of turmeric, on chitin synthesis and larval development in Aedes aegypti, a mosquito species known to transmit dengue and yellow fever. Our findings demonstrate that even sub-lethal amounts of curcumin can significantly reduce overall chitin content and disrupt the cuticle development in the 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. Further to this, we utilized computational analyses to investigate how curcumin interacts with chitin synthase. Techniques such as molecular docking, pharmacophore feature mapping, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations helped to illustrate that curcumin binds to the same site as polyoxin D, a recognized inhibitor of chitin synthase. These findings point to curcumin's potential as a natural, bioactive larvicide that targets chitin synthase in mosquitoes and potentially other insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium has many beneficial bioactive properties yet has a narrow therapeutic window. This problem can be addressed by selenium in nanoform or selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). There are several chemical and physical approaches that can be employed for the synthesis of SeNPs. However, the biological route for SeNP synthesis is known to be more eco-friendly, economical, and biocompatible when assessing bioactivities. The present study demonstrates a biological approach that effectively facilitates the synthesis and stabilization of SeNPs with the help of secondary metabolites derived from endophytic fungi N. guilinensis i.e., NL(C)-SeNPs. The nanoparticles formed were characterized via various techniques i.e., UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, DLS, and TEM. The synthesized NL(C)-SeNPs were spherical with a size of 55 ± 7.0 nm. These capped SeNPs (NL(C)-SeNPs) show prominent bioactivity in terms of in-vitro anti-oxidant properties and anti-microbial activity on Escherichia coli, Enterobacter faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity on Aspergillus niger and Fusarium laterium. The results indicated NL(C)-SeNPs portray increased potential anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, their anti-cancer activity on the HepG2 cell line was also observed in a dose-dependent manner. However, additional studies related to the toxicity and synergistic effects of SeNPs, are required before their therapeutic applications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an in vitro multiplication protocol for Prunus campanulata was evaluated. The effects of 15.0, 30.0, and 45.0 g L−1 sucrose and three flask sealing methods (PVC film, rigid polypropylene lid, and rigid lid with membrane) were analyzed at the multiplication, rooting, and acclimatization stages. For in vitro multiplication, shoot tips of approximately 1 cm in length containing two pairs of leaves from seedlings germinated in vitro in Woody Plant Medium (WPM) were used. Evaluations considered the multiplication of shoot apexes in three subcultures (at 40, 80, and 120 d) for survival, number of shoots, shoot length, number of leaves, and multiplication rate. In the rooting phase, the rooting percentage, number of roots, and root length were assessed. In the acclimatization phase under shaded and full sun conditions, seedling survival and biometric characteristics were evaluated, including stem diameter, height, and number of leaves. The addition of sucrose to the medium, at a concentration of 45.0 g L−1, associated with sealing using PVC plastic film, showed inadequate results for in vitro multiplication of P. campanulata. The addition of sucrose to the culture medium in concentrations ranging from 15.0 to 30.0 g L−1 favored in vitro rooting. The use of a permeable membrane for sealing enabled the growth of more vigorous shoots in terms of percentage of rooting and root length, and these seedlings stood out in the acclimatization phases with greater rates of survival and improved biometric characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of rock powders in soil has emerged as a nature-based technology to improve soil properties relevant to crop development and for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR) via enhanced rock weathering (ERW). Although modeling this process is crucial, the soil microbiome has been identified as the main reason why several experimental and field results do not fit the geochemical and kinetic theoretical models. Here, the hypothesis that the bacterial community structure is modulated by the application of different silicate rock powders was tested. One phonolite, three basalt variations and one granite, as well as KCl treatments, were applied to a Ferralsol cultivated with Brachiaria in short-term pedogeochemical experiments and assessed after 1 (1M), 4 (4M) and 8 (8M) months. Results: The main changes in soil bacterial structure were observed at 8M and found to be modulated according to rock type, with petrochemistry and mineralogy acting as the main drivers. The content of microbial biomass carbon tended to decrease over time in the Control and KCl treatments, especially at 4M, while the rock treatments showed constant behavior. The sampling time and treatment affected the richness and diversity indices. The Si, Ca and Fe from mafic minerals were the main chemical elements related to the soil bacterial changes at 8M. Conclusions: The type (acidity) of silicate rock powder modulated the soil bacterial community (SBC) in a pot experiment with tropical soil. The specificity of the SBC for each rock type increased with time until the end of the experiment at 8 months (8M). The carbon content in the microbial biomass was lower in the rock powder treatments in the first month (1 M) than in the control and KCl treatments and was equal to or higher than that in the 8 M treatment. This result illustrates the challenge of modeling rock powder dissolution in soil since the soil medium is not inert but changes concurrently with the dissolution of the rock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the growing landscape of interest in natural surfactants, selecting the appropriate one for specific applications remains challenging. The extensive, yet often unsystematized, knowledge of microbial surfactants, predominantly represented by rhamnolipids (RLs), typically does not translate beyond the conditions presented in scientific publications. This limitation stems from the numerous variables and their interdependencies that characterize microbial surfactant production. We hypothesized that a computational recipe for biosynthesizing RLs with targeted applicational properties could be developed from existing literature and experimental data. We amassed literature data on RL biosynthesis and micellar solubilization and augmented it with our experimental results on the solubilization of triglycerides (TGs), a topic underrepresented in current literature. Utilizing this data, we constructed mathematical models that can predict RL characteristics and solubilization efficiency, represented as logPRL = f(carbon and nitrogen source, parameters of biosynthesis) and logMSR = f(solubilizate, rhamnolipid (e.g. logPRL), parameters of solubilization), respectively. The models, characterized by robust R2 values of respectively 0.581–0.997 and 0.804, enabled the ranking of descriptors based on their significance and impact—positive or negative—on the predicted values. These models have been translated into ready-to-use calculators, tools designed to streamline the selection process for identifying a biosurfactant optimally suited for intended applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work is to biosynthesize Chitosan nanoparticles (CTNp) using tea (Camellia sinensis) extract, with potent antimicrobial properties towards phytopathogens of rice. Preliminary chemical analysis of the extract showed that they contain carbohydrate as major compound and uronic acid indicating the nature of acidic polysaccharide. The structure of the isolated polysaccharide was analyzed through FTIR and 1H NMR. The CTNp was prepared by the addition of isolated tea polysaccharides to chitosan solution. The structure and size of the CTNp was determined through FTIR and DLS analyses. The surface morphology and size of the CTNp was analysed by SEM and HRTEM. The crystalinity nature of the synthesized nanoparticle was identified by XRD analysis. The CTNp exhibited the antimicrobial properties against the most devastating pathogens of rice viz., Pyricularia grisea, Xanthomonas oryzae under in vitro condition. CTNp also suppressed the blast and blight disease of rice under the detached leaf assay. These results suggest that the biosynthesized CTNp can be used to control the most devastating pathogens of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape fragmentation caused by agricultural expansion directly influences the spatial distribution of habitats and resources, favoring populations of pest insects such as the polyphagous whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Therefore, pest insects may constantly be dispersing between large- and small-scale crops that vary in quality and size at the landscape level. We aimed to understand how habitat use, dispersal movement and population dynamics of B. tabaci occur between large-scale and small-scale crops. We conducted a field experiment in large-scale soybean farms and small-scale farms cropping tomato plants in Brazil for two years. We collected soybean and tomato plant samples and adult whiteflies on these plants at different times of the phenological cycle of the crops. We determined the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of the plants and the whiteflies collected on these plants. We also estimated the population densities of whiteflies over time on these crops. We found that whitefly populations behave as metapopulations connected by dispersal. The isotopic ratios of B. tabaci revealed that large-scale soybean crops are source habitats of whitefly populations that, after harvest, disperse and redistribute among small-scale tomato farms causing a cascading effect on population growth on the latter. Therefore, understanding the spatial dynamics and management of pests such as whiteflies requires regional strategies, including large-scale and adjacent small-scale crops. C and N stable isotopes used here were able to track pest populations at the landscape level and, therefore, could be helpful to subsidize area-wide pest management strategies of whiteflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the potential gastrointestinal fate of a plant-based chicken analog prepared using a soft matter physics approach was compared to that of real chicken breast. The chicken analog was created from potato protein and gellan gum using a complex coacervation-shearing-gelling approach. The INFOGEST static in vitro gastrointestinal model was then used to compare the digestion of the chicken analog to real chicken breast. Changes in the appearance, physiochemical properties, microstructure, protein digestion, and lipid digestion of the chicken samples were recorded after being subjected to simulated oral, gastric, and small intestine conditions. The protein digestibility of the plant-based chicken was higher than the real chicken after exposure to simulated stomach conditions, but it was lower after exposure to simulated small intestine conditions. The digestibility of the fat in the plant-based chicken was lower in the intestinal phase than that for the real chicken. This reduced digestibility of the fat and protein in the small intestine for the chicken analogs may have been because of the gellan gum they contained. This hydrocolloid increased the viscosity of the intestinal fluids and may have inhibited interactions between digestive enzymes and macronutrients. Our results have important implications for assessing the potential impacts of adopting a more plant-based diet on human health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, bio-synthesized Se nanocomposite has been studied for the impact on the metabolic pathway in Okra leaf and soil in comparison with bio-fertilizer. Se nanocomposite was synthesized by Pseudomonas libanesis and characterized using FT-IR, XRD, AFM, and SEM + EDS. The average diameter of Se nanocomposite was 220–330 nm. Metagenomic sequencing was used to reveal the dynamic variations in the microbial community and metabolic functions in Okra. The final results revealed changes in microbiota, which led to major changes in metabolic functions. Metabolism increased significantly in the case of Se treated Okra root (SeLFR) compared to biofertilizer treated Okra root (BLFR). There are exclusive effects found in SeLFR when compared to biofertilizer-treated Okra leaves (BLFL) and BLFR. In the case of SeLFR, we found that ammonia oxidizer (58.9%), atrazine metabolism (5%), chitin degradation (35.5%), chlorophenol degradation (5.2%), aromatic hydrocarbons degradation (10.6%), dehalogenation (58%), nitrite reducer (44.9%), nitrogen fixation (8.8%), streptomycin producer (20.4%), sulfate reducer (60.4%), sulphide oxidizer (44.5%), and xylan (37.2%) were abundant. Overall, the findings lead to a better understanding of Se nanocomposite and 'biofertilizer's impact on Okra. Article Highlights: Biogenic Selenium nanocomposite enhances the bacterial community of Okra Biogenic Selenium nanocomposite formation is confirmed in XRD, FTIR, AFM and SEM-EDS Metabolism increased in abundance in case of SeLFR compared to BLFR. The Metagenomic analysis represents the various bacterial population present in Okra's rhizosphere and phyllosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of mycology has grown from an underappreciated subset of botany, to a valuable, modern scientific discipline. As this field of study has grown, there have been significant contributions to science, technology, and industry, highlighting the value of fungi in the modern era. This paper looks at the current research, along with the existing limitations, and suggests future areas where scientists can focus their efforts, in the field mycology. We show how fungi have become important emerging diseases in medical mycology. We discuss current trends and the potential of fungi in drug and novel compound discovery. We explore the current trends in phylogenomics, its potential, and outcomes and address the question of how phylogenomics can be applied in fungal ecology. In addition, the trends in functional genomics studies of fungi are discussed with their importance in unravelling the intricate mechanisms underlying fungal behaviour, interactions, and adaptations, paving the way for a comprehensive understanding of fungal biology. We look at the current research in building materials, how they can be used as carbon sinks, and how fungi can be used in biocircular economies. The numbers of fungi have always been of great interest and have often been written about and estimates have varied greatly. Thus, we discuss current trends and future research needs in order to obtain more reliable estimates. We address the aspects of machine learning (AI) and how it can be used in mycological research. Plant pathogens are affecting food production systems on a global scale, and as such, we look at the current trends and future research needed in this area, particularly in disease detection. We look at the latest data from High Throughput Sequencing studies and question if we are still gaining new knowledge at the same rate as before. A review of current trends in nanotechnology is provided and its future potential is addressed. The importance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi is addressed and future trends are acknowledged. Fungal databases are becoming more and more important, and we therefore provide a review of the current major databases. Edible and medicinal fungi have a huge potential as food and medicines, especially in Asia and their prospects are discussed. Lifestyle changes in fungi (e.g., from endophytes, to pathogens, and/or saprobes) are also extremely important and a current research trend and are therefore addressed in this special issue of Fungal Diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was to investigate the association between albumin-corrected anion gap (AG) (ACAG) levels and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods: The ICU patients of this retrospective cohort study were collected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database between 2008 and 2019. ACAG = AG + {4.4 − [albumin (g/dl)]} × 2.5. The incidence of AKI was determined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definition. The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between ACAG levels and the risk of AKI. Subgroup analyses were applied based on age, gender, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II). Results: Totally, 5586 patients were enrolled, of which 1929 patients (34.53%) occurred AKI. The higher levels of ACAG were associated with the risk of AKI in ICU patients, with the odds ratio (OR) value being 1.23 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–1.24, P = 0.005] in ACAG level between 16.5 and 19.5, and OR value being 1.20 (95% CI 1.16–1.24, P = 0.016) in ACAG level > 19.5. A higher ACAG level was associated with a higher risk of AKI in ICU patients aged < 65 years, in ICU patients of female gender, in ICU patients who used mechanical ventilation, in ICU patients who did not use vasopressors, in patients without cardiogenic shock, and in ICU patients with CCI ≥ 2, and SAPS II > 31 (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is an association between ACAG level and the risk of AKI in ICU patients. A higher ACAG value in ICU patients should therefore receive more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Myocardial infarction (MI) frequently leads to cardiac remodeling and failure with impaired life quality, playing an important role in cardiovascular deaths. Although physical exercise is a well-recognized effective non-pharmacological therapy for cardiovascular diseases, the effects of strength training (ST) on the structural and functional aspects of cardiac remodeling need to be further documented. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of a linear block ST protocol in the rat model of MI. Methods and results: After 6 weeks of MI induction or sham surgery, male adult rats performed ST for the following 12 weeks. The ladder-based ST program was organized in three mesocycles of 4 weeks, with one load increment for each block according to the maximal carrying load test. After 12 weeks, the infarcted-trained rats exhibited an increase in performance, associated with reduced cardiac hypertrophy and pulmonary congestion compared with the untrained group. Despite not changing MI size, the ST program partially prevented cardiac dilatation and ventricular dysfunction assessed by echocardiography and hemodynamics, and interstitial fibrosis evaluated by histology. In addition, isolated cardiac muscles from infarcted-trained rats had improved contractility parameters in a steady state, and in response to calcium or stimuli pauses. Conclusions: The ST in infarcted rats increased the capacity to carry mass, associated with attenuation of cardiac remodeling and pulmonary congestion with improving cardiac function that could be attributed, at least in part, to the improvement of myocardial contractility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the biological activity of plant polysaccharides has received increasing attention. Polysaccharides, as one of the main components of lilies, have pharmacological effects in regulating immunity, anti-tumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, and hypoglycemic effects. To systematically analyze the structural characteristics of the polysaccharide, the polysaccharide LP-1 was prepared from Lilium lancifolium bulbs by water extraction and ethanol precipitation, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Structural characterizations show that the weight-average relative molecular weight of LP-1 is 5.3 kDa. LP-1 consists of mannose and glucose at a molar ratio of 1.4:1. Its primary structure is Glcp-α-D-(1 → {4)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-β-D-2-O-acetyl-Manp-(1 → [4)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → 4)-β-D-Manp-(1]2}2 → 4)-α-D-Glcp. Acetylation occurs at the O-2 site of mannose. Acetyl substitution degree is 8.21%. The results of structure elucidation showed that LP-1 was a low-molecular weight linear O-acetylated glucomannan. The results of oxidative stress experiments indicate that LP-1 exerts antioxidant effects on HUVEC by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby improving endothelial cell damage induced by H2O2, and has the potential to be developed as an antioxidant drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts is pointed out as one of the main factors altering biogeochemical cycles in the Amazon basin. An eco-nutritional approach using X-ray fluorescence micro-analysis (µXRF) is proposed to verify the long- and short-term effects of droughts on the growth and xylem nutrient concentrations of Cedrela fissilis Vell. Methods: Fourteen radii were selected from a tree-ring width chronology and X-rayed by Itrax Multiscanner. Profiles of ring width, wood density, and concentrations of aluminum (Al), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and strontium (Sr) together with Al/Ca, Ca/Mn, K/Ca, Sr/Ca and Mn/S ratios were constructed and correlated with precipitation, temperature, the difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (P-PET) and standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index (SPEI). Results: During dry years, C. fissilis showed narrower, less dense rings, lower Al, P, S and Ca, and higher K and Fe concentrations (the opposite was found in wet years). Ring width decreased (together with Al, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Sr, Al/Ca, K/Ca and Sr/Ca) and wood density increased (together with Ca/Mn and Mn/S), which was associated with an increase in evapotranspiration and temperature over time, mainly since 1990. Cedrela fissilis showed a tendency to increase its capacity for resistance, and a recovery and resilience in growth over time associated with responses in Al, Ca, P and S. However, it showed a risk in the capacity for recovery of the pre-drought density values, associated with unsatisfactory responses in Al, Ca, K, Fe and P. Conclusions: This study is the first attempt to analyze tree-ring nutritional evidences of C. fissilis trees to climate sensitivity and resilience to drought, based on long-term data from seasonal moist tropical forests of the Amazon. Our data suggested that C. fissilis is undergoing alterations in the concentration, use and redistribution of nutrients associated with increasing wood density and decreasing growth over time, due to the increase of drought frequency in the southern Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and increasing environmental pollution have become global concerns that, coupled with the scarcity of traditional forms of energy, have motivated the implementation of more sustainable production systems, such as biorefineries. This is because biorefineries are capable of integrating technologies and processes in a single facility, generating biofuels, value-added chemicals, and energy. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the bioproducts and emergent technologies surrounding the processing of corn into bioethanol and refined oil. A bibliometric analysis he was carried out in order to construct and evaluate prospective scenarios related to corn biorefineries. An analysis of the proposed layouts highlighted flexibility in the production process, given that one raw material could be transformed into various bioproducts. Thus, the results presented provide a bibliographic foundation for future studies on integrating residues-processes-products in corn processing. The reason for this is that the technological routes presented could be considered incremental innovations to develop a biorefinery, which takes place gradually, given that highly integrated biorefineries are highly complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethics review of qualitative health research poses various challenges that are due to a mismatch between the current practice of ethics review and the nature of qualitative methodology. The process of obtaining ethics approval for a study by a research ethics committee before the start of a research study has been described as "procedural ethics" and the identification and handling of ethical issues by researchers during the research process as "ethics in practice." While some authors dispute and other authors defend the use of procedural ethics in relation to qualitative health research, there is general agreement that it needs to be supplemented with ethics in practice. This article aims to provide an illustration of research ethics in practice by reflecting on the ways in which we identified and addressed ethical and methodological issues that arose in the context of an interview study with mental health service users and relatives. We describe the challenges we faced and the solutions we found in relation to the potential vulnerability of research participants, the voluntariness of consent, the increase of participant access and the heterogeneity of the sample, the protection of privacy and internal confidentiality, and the consideration of personal and contextual factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main components of Caesalpinia sappan L. (CS) are brazilin and brazilein, which show high potential in pharmacologic applications. However, these have been drastically limited by the poor water solubility and stability. The present study investigates the formation of inclusion complexes F1, F2, and F3 between CS and β-cyclodextrin (βCD), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), respectively. These complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed that the highest encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of CS extract were 44.24% and 9.67%, respectively. The solubility and stability of CS extract were significantly increased through complexation in phase solubility and stability studies. The complexes F1–F3 showed mainly significant antibacterial activities on gram-positive bacteria pathogens causing mastitis. Moreover, the expression levels of COX-2 and iNOS were significantly decreased in LPS-induced inflammatory cells at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/mL. In addition, treatment of complex F3 (CS/MβCD) in bovine endothelial cells remarkably increased the chemokine gene expression of CXCL3 and CXCL8, which were responsible for immune cell recruitment (9.92 to 11.17 and 8.23 to 9.51–fold relative to that of the LPS-treated group, respectively). This study provides a complete characterization of inclusion complexes between CS extract and βCD, HPβCD, and MβCD for the first time, highlighting the impact of complex formation on the pharmacologic activities of bovine mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken in order to determine the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil of Mentha piperita (Lamiaceae) cultivated in Tebessa (Algeria) and to assess their potential larvicidal and pupicidal activities against two most abundant and investigated mosquito species, Culex pipiens and Culiseta longiareolata (Diptera, Culicidae). GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of the plant revealed 65 compounds, which the major compounds were carvone (52.58%) and DL-limonene (17.40%). The toxicity results showed a strong larvicidal and pupicidal activities for both species with LC50 values of 38.81µL/L; 93.78µL/L and 49.01 µL/L; 115µL/L for larvae and pupae of Cs longiareolata and Cx pipiens respectively. This essential oil affects significantly the biomarkers; it reveals a neurotoxic effect by a decrease in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and activation of detoxification system as showed by an increase in Glutathione S-transferases (GST) activity. The biochemical composition showed that the essential oil affected the energy reserves with a marked effect on proteins and lipids. A delay in developmental time when larvae were exposed to sublethal concentrations of M. piperita EO was observed, followed by significant changes in sex ratio (sex-ratio was skewed towards males).This essential oil would be useful for the development of a new mosquito control agent based on bioactive chemical constituents from plant sources as an alternative to chemical larvicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ants are key ecosystem service providers and can serve as important biological control agents in pest management. However, the effects of insecticides on common farmland ant species are poorly understood. We tested the effects of three commonly used insecticides on ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). The tested insecticides were acetamiprid (neonicotinoid; formulated as Mospilan 20 SP), deltamethrin (pyrethroid; formulated as Sanium Ultra), and sulfoxaflor (sulfilimine; formulated as Gondola). We tested two ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species with different colony founding strategies, Lasius niger (Linnaeus, 1758) and Myrmica rubra (Linnaeus, 1758). We sprayed their queens with insecticides at concentrations recommended for use in foliar applications in agriculture, i.e., at 1.25 g L−1 (acetamiprid), 0.6 g L−1 (sulfoxaflor), and 0.875 g L−1 (deltamethrin). Further, we diluted the compounds in distilled water and tested them at 10%, 1%, and 0.1% of the field-recommended concentrations, and used distilled water as a control. We monitored the survival of the queens and the number of eggs laid. All three tested insecticides caused severe lethal and sublethal concentration-dependent effects. Even at concentrations three orders of magnitudes lower than recommended for field applications, significantly lower numbers of eggs were found in the queens' nests. The extent of the sublethal effects of acetamiprid and sulfoxaflor was concentration-dependent and differed between the two ant species. Besides bees and bumblebees, ants represent an important group of hymenopterans that are severely affected even by low concentrations of the tested compounds and therefore should be included in risk assessment schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango is a tropical fruit of significant economic, social, and nutritional importance. However, the low diversity of commercial mango orchards in Brazil highlights the need to broaden the genetic base of this crop. From this perspective, this study aimed to select mango genotypes for cultivation under semi-arid conditions using the mixed model methodology: restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction (REML/BLUP). Two hundred and ninty-two genotypes originated from the crossing of seven cultivars used as female parent ('Coquinho', 'Espada', 'Haden', 'Keitt', 'Winter', 'Palmer', and 'Van Dyke') and 'Tommy Atkins' as male parent were evaluated over two crop seasons using fifteen traits related to fruit quality. The statistical analyses were performed with the software Selegen. The repeatability coefficient estimates (r) ranged from 0.06 to 0.97, and were considered high for most variables. The selective accuracy predicted by REML for the evaluated parameters ranged from 0.25 to 0.98, revealing a good degree of confidence in the inferences. With the application of a selection intensity of 30% it was possible to obtain genetic gain (%) for all evaluated traits. Twelve genotypes were selected as the most promising using the minimum selection indices proposed in this study, showing higher mean values for all evaluated traits. These genotypes can be selected for new stages of the mango breeding program in the Brazilian semi-arid region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skeletal muscle contraction is determined by cross-bridge formation between the myosin heads and the actin active sites. When the muscle contracts, it shortens, increasing its longitudinal shear elastic modulus ( μ L ). Structurally, skeletal muscle can be considered analogous to the molecular receptors that form receptor–ligand complexes and exhibit specific ligand-binding dynamics. In this context, this work aims to apply elastography and the ligand-binding framework to approach the possible intrinsic mechanisms behind muscle synergism. Based on the short-range stiffness principle and the acoustic–elasticity theory, we define the coefficient C , which is directly related to the fraction saturation of molecular receptors and links the relative longitudinal deformation of the muscle to its μ L . We show that such a coefficient can be obtained directly from μ L estimates, thus calculating it for the biceps brachii, brachioradialis, and brachialis muscles during isometric elbow flexion torque (τ) ramps. The resulting C τ curves were analyzed by conventional characterization methods of receptor–ligand systems to study the dynamical behavior of each muscle. The results showed that, depending on muscle, C τ exhibits typical ligand-binding dynamics during joint torque production. Therefore, the above indicates that these different behaviors describe the longitudinal shortening pattern of each muscle during load sharing. As a plausible interpretation, we suggested that this could be related to the binding kinetics of the cross-bridges during their synergistic action as torque increases. Likewise, it shows that elastography could be useful to assess contractile processes at different scales related to the change in the mechanical properties of skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy toxemia is one of the most common metabolic disorders in ewes. Widely appearing during the late stage of gestation when there is an increase in energy demand due to rapid fetal udder development and colostrum production, this disease can have a high impact on economic losses such as fetal loss and maternal mortality. A 6-year-old ewe of the Rembi breed was brought for treatment at the Tiaret Institute of Veterinary Sciences. She was at the last 7 days of pregnancy, fed with barley and bran, and presented with anorexia, weakness, staggering gait, dyspnea, and a loss of reflex. Biochemical analyses showed an increase in the values of beta-hydroxybutyrate and cholesterol with a decrease in the values of glucose, total proteins, calcium, and phosphorus. On the other hand, hematological analyses recorded a decrease in red blood cell count and hematocrit value and an increase in the value of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Interestingly, and contrary to our expectations, we observed hemoglobin crystallization in the peripheral blood smear of the case under study, which can be due to the increase in ketone bodies. The end of gestation in small ruminants is the most critical period because, during this period, several metabolic diseases can take place, such as pregnancy toxemia and hypocalcemia. Therefore, this case is aimed at presenting the clinical signs, causes, diagnosis, and prognosis of this disease in the Rembi breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel Ni3Si/Fe3O4@polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite, which is fabricated using a lamellar Ni3Si template under pulsed magnetic fields. The results reveal that increasing the content of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) enhances the densification of Fe3O4@PVDF slurries within the Ni3Si template. Interestingly, the ferromagnetic behavior of the Ni3Si/Fe3O4@PVDF composites shows an opposite trend to that of the Fe3O4@PVDF slurry as the magnetic flux density peak (MP) increases. Specifically, the maximum magnetization (Mmax) values achieved are 2.99 × 10–2, 2.79 × 10–2, 2.36 × 10–2, and 2.02 × 10–2 emu/g at MP values of 0, 4.5, 5.7, and 8.9 T, respectively. The influence of magnetic fields becomes more pronounced with higher Fe3O4 NPs content. However, when the Fe3O4 NPs content reaches 9.1% and the MP is 8.9 T, the uncertainty regarding the actual content of Fe3O4 NPs filled into the Ni3Si template poses challenges for the regulation of magnetic properties. Therefore, a lower Fe3O4 NPs content is more advantageous for controlling the magnetic properties of Ni3Si/Fe3O4@PVDF composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple studies have focused on the effect of long-term weathering processes on oils after spill events, without considering the chemical compositional changes occurring shortly after the release of oil into the environment. Therefore, the present study provides a broad chemical characterization for understanding of the changes occurring in the chemical compositions of intermediate (°API = 27.0) and heavy (°API = 20.9) oils from the Sergipe-Alagoas basin submitted to two simulated situations, one under marine conditions and the other in a riverine environment. Samples of the oils were collected during the first 72 h of contact with the simulated environments, followed by evaluation of their chemical compositions. SARA fractionation was used to isolate the resins, which were characterized at the molecular level by UHRMS. The evaporation process was highlighted, with the GC-FID chromatographic profiles showing the disappearance of compounds from n-C10 until n-C16, as well as changes in the weathering indexes and pristane + n-C17/phytane + n-C18 ratios for the crude oils submitted to the riverine conditions. Analysis of the resins fraction showed that basic polar compounds underwent little or no alterations during the early stages of weathering. The marine environment was shown to be much less oxidative than the riverine environment. For both environments, a feature highlighted was an increase of acidic oxygenated compounds with the increase of weathering, especially for the crude oil with °API = 27.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elicitation is a valuable tool to improve essential oil production. In order to evaluate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic acid (SA) as elicitors in the morphophysiological attributes and in the content and profile of essential oil (EO) of lemon balm (Lippia alba). In a greenhouse, L. alba plants were cultivated and subjected to foliar spraying with solutions of Methyl Jasmonate (0, 1, 2 and 4 mM) and Salicylic acid (0, 1, 2 and 4 mM). The results indicated that the concentrations used did not increase plant growth, however, it stimulated the increase in the number of inflorescences per plant. The EO contents were favored with the elicitation, with productivity varying between 0.57 and 0.89%, higher than the control treatment with distilled water (0.45%). Application of MJ and SA affected chloroplast pigments, gas exchange parameters and trichomes density. Chemical analysis of essential oils identified the presence of 78 compounds. The MJ induced the presence of 71 compounds, being 16 exclusive, while the plants treated with SA presented 35 compounds, having only as exclusive. The major compounds varied according to the treatments, however, the main substances were Geranial, Geraniol, β-caryophyllene, Caryophyllene oxide, Germacrene D, Myrcene and Eugenol. Therefore, the application of elicitors in L. alba plants, especially at concentrations of 2 mM of MJ and 4 mM of SA, has the potential to modulate physiological responses and stimulate secondary metabolism, as well as the production of certain molecules, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenylpropanoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dinocampus coccinellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) can parasitize over 50 species of ladybeetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), including the invasive Harmonia axyridis. The biological invasion success of H. axyridis has been in part attributed to weak control by natural enemies (Enemy Release Hypothesis). The main aim of this study was to examine (i) the intraspecific variation in field parasitism of D. coccinellae attacking H. axyridis populations in its native (Asia) and invasive ranges (North and South America and Europe), and (ii) the interspecific variation in field parasitism of D. coccinellae attacking the invasive H. axyridis and native hosts in the US (Coleomegilla maculata), Chile (Eriopis chilensis), and Italy (Coccinella septempunctata). We also characterized the genetic differentiation of D. coccinellae populations (from different host species and geographical areas) to infer its putative origin. Parasitism of D. coccinellae on invasive H. axyridis and native hosts were remarkably similar at 4–7%, suggesting a low level of resistance, not supporting the enemy release hypothesis. However, parasitism of H. axyridis was much lower in its native than in the invaded areas studied, indicating that under certain field conditions, it may contribute to the control of invasive populations of H. axyridis. Genetic relationships showed widespread D. coccinellae haplotypes with no host-associated genetic structure, consistent with a generalist parasitoid. Genetic relationships of the haplotypes also suggest a complex introduction scenario, with multiple introductions into America and an inferred European origin for D. coccinellae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]