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The twig edge states in graphene‐like structures are viewed as the fourth states complementary to their zigzag, bearded, and armchair counterparts. In this work, a rod‐in‐plasma system in a honeycomb lattice with twig edge truncation under external magnetic fields and lattice scaling is studied and it is shown that twig edge states can exist in different phases of the system, such as quantum Hall (QH) phase, quantum spin Hall (QSH) phase, and insulating phase. The twig edge states in the negative permittivity background exhibit robust one‐way transmission properties immune to backscattering and thus provide a novel avenue for solving the plasma communication blackout problem. Moreover, it is demonstrated that corner and edge states can exist within the shrunken structure by modulating the on‐site potential of the twig edges. Especially, helical edge states with the unique feature of pseudospin‐momentum locking that can be excited by chiral sources are demonstrated at the twig edges. These results show that the twig edges and interface engineering can bring new opportunities for more flexible manipulation of electromagnetic waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils isolated from leaves, twigs, fruit bark and seeds of Michelia tonkinensis collected in Muong Nhe Nature Reserve, Dien Bien province were obtained by hydrodistillation with yields of 1.5, 0.42, 0.16 and 4.6% respectively (v/w on dry weight basis). After analysis through GC, GC-MS and 13C NMR, 30, 34, 31 and 13 compounds (representing 96.4%, 96.8%, 97.1% and 99.9% of the whole composition, respectively) were identified in the leave, twig, fruit bark and seed essential oils. The main components were limonene (43.2%) and germacrene D (32.7%) in the leaf oil; limonene (67.1%) and germacrene D (10.4%) in the twig oil; limonene (66%) in the fruit bark oil; and safrole (90%) in the seed oil. Essential oils from the leaves and twigs showed strong inhibition against Staphyloccocus aureus. The fruit bark essential oil exhibited greater antibacterial potential against all 3 tested microorganisms (S. aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans). The essential oil from seed displayed weak antibacterial activity against the three tested microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to 32 Colletotrichum species have been reported to be associated with pre‐ or postharvest diseases of citrus globally, while in Australia, six species have been reported to cause citrus leaf and fruit disease. Twig or shoot dieback has recently been observed as an emerging disease in citrus orchards in Western Australia. Colletotrichum species were isolated from diseased twigs showing dieback (withertip) or lesions, with or without gummosis, collected from 12 varieties of orange, mandarin and lemon. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu stricto, Colletotrichum karstii and Colletotrichum novae‐zelandiae were identified using a polyphasic approach that included multigene phylogenetic analysis using sequences of internal transcribed spacer and intervening 5.8S nrDNA (ITS), glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), β‐tubulin (tub2), actin (act) and histone (his3) for isolates in the boninense species complex, and Apn2–Mat1–2 intergenic spacer and partial mating type (Mat1–2) (ApMat) and glutamine synthetase (gs) for isolates in the gloeosporioides species complex, as well as morphological characteristics. C. gloeosporioides was the most prevalent species associated with twig dieback in Western Australia, while C. novae‐zelandiae was reported for the first time in Australia. Pathogenicity tests on shoot twigs from lemon and orange trees confirmed C. gloeosporioides, C. karstii and C. novae‐zelandiae as the cause of twig dieback, with C. gloeosporioides being the most aggressive species. Knowledge of the species causing twig dieback and their lifestyle will assist the development of integrated control methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the leaves and twigs of Knema tonkinensis. The essential oil was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer, and a total of eighty-six compounds were identified. The major constituents of the oils were β-pinene, α-pinene, bicyclogermacrene, caryophyllene, and copaene. The essential oil from the leaves showed strong antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and yeast, while the essential oil from the twigs also exhibited antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria. This research was supported by the Ph.D. Scholarship Programme of Vingroup Innovation. [Extracted from the article]

A new 1,6-seco-norisoprenoid, named croyanhuin G (1), together with ten known norisoprenoids (2–11), was isolated from the leaves and twigs of Croton yanhuii Y. T. Chang (Euphorbiaceae). The structure of this new compound was characterized and identified by HR-ESI-MS, IR, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. Compound 1 was evaluated for its cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keteleeria davidiana (C.E.Bertrand) Beissn. is a species of conifer native to southern China, Laos and Vietnam. The species has been listed as vulnerable in Vietnam. Essential oil samples have been isolated from leaves, twigs and wood, and their compositions investigated for the first time by combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques [GC-FID, GC-MS and13C NMR]. The composition of leaf essential oil was dominated by α-pinene (28.1%), β-pinene (15.8%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (13.8%). Twig essential oil contained mainly α-pinene (37.9%) and β-pinene (24.7%) accompanied by (E)-β-caryophyllene (8.3%) and β-phellandrene (7.5%). Lastly, α-pinene (27.9%), α-terpineol (20.3%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (20.8%) were predominant in wood essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passalora sequoiae is a foliar pathogen to conifer tree species. In this study, we conducted whole-genome and transcriptome analyses on isolates of P. sequoiae collected from symptomatic Leyland cypress leaves from a Christmas tree farm in Mississippi. The objectives for this research were to elucidate the pathogenicity mechanisms of P. sequoiae by characterizing the genome and transcriptome and possibly identify unique and shared predicted genes in comparison with non-conifer/canker and foliar pathogens in the family Mycosphaerellaceae. P. sequoiae was found to be similar to other foliar Mycosphaerellaceae pathogens and likely represents a hemibiotrophic lifestyle based on comparisons across pathogens. The genome and in planta transcriptome highlighted some unique features of P. sequoiae: the significant presence of chitin synthases and fructose-degrading carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, trans-AT PKS genes, and antibiotic gene clusters that were unique to P. sequoiae compared with the other Mycosphaerellaceae species genomes. Several transcripts that were highly expressed in planta were identified as effectors, yet the functions were not characterized. These targets provide ample resources to continue to characterize pathogen−conifer host interactions in conifer foliar pathogens. Furthermore, this research helps build genomic resources for an important plant pathogen on Leyland cypress that will further our ability to develop novel management practices that could begin with breeding for resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

for the manuscript for the manuscript JCIS-24–2223 "Biochar from olive tree twigs and spent malt rootlets as electrodes in Zn-air batteries", by Kottis et al. [Display omitted] Biochars, i.e. porous carbons obtained by pyrolysis of biomass, can act as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction reaction. In the present work, two biochars have been prepared by using materials of completely different biomass origin: olive-tree twigs and spent malt rootlets (brewery wastes). Both biomass species were subjected to pyrolysis under limited oxygen supply and then they were activated by mixing with KOH and pyrolysis again. The obtained biochars were characterized by several techniques in order to determine their structural characteristics and the composition of their active components. Despite their different origin, the two biochars demonstrated similar structural and compositional characteristics thus highlighting the importance of the pyrolysis and activation procedure. Both biochars were used as electrocatalysts in the operation of rechargeable Zn-air batteries, where they also demonstrated similar electrocatalytic capacities with only a small advantage gained by olive-tree-twigs biochar. Compared to bare nanoparticulate carbon (carbon black), both biochars demonstrated a marked advantage towards oxygen evolution reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a detailed phytochemical investigation of compounds in the twigs of the mistletoe Loranthus europaeus Jacq., which belongs to the Loranthaceae family, is presented. Specimens were collected from the mistletoe L. europaeus growing on oak trees in the mainland of Greece. The alliance of oaks and mistletoes became a symbol of knowledge and strength for many centuries. Although numerous compounds of aerial tissues of other mistletoes, e.g., Viscum album, have been published, few studies have been conducted to investigate the metabolic and physiological traits of the hemiparasitic, deciduous Loranthus europaeus. LC-HRMS-based analysis led to a detailed characterization of ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts of the twigs of L. europaeus, which, to the best of our knowledge, exhibit enhanced antioxidant potential. Hence, twenty-four and twenty-six compounds were tentatively identified from the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane twigs' extracts, respectively; these compounds belong to fatty acids, flavonoids, and flavonoid glycosides. Also, chlorophyll, soluble sugar, starch, and lipid contents in the twigs of L. europaeus, which have not hitherto been published, were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of chemical constituents found in the EtOAc extract of Uvaria hamiltonii twigs. The Uvaria genus has been traditionally used in medicine to treat malaria symptoms, fever, and stomach disorders. The study isolated 15 known compounds from the twig extract and tested their cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity. Some of the compounds showed potential in inhibiting cancer cell growth and exhibited antibacterial activity against certain strains. The article provides detailed information about the isolated compounds, including their physical properties and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The research was supported by the Thailand Science Research and Innovation and conducted at Mae Fah Luang University. [Extracted from the article]

Although Thymbra spicata is not a native Egyptian plant, a freshly picked twig was discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Such a plant could have been cultivated in Egypt by "the state," or by a foreigner sojourning in Egypt. The twig is an example of plant acclimatization, such as plants brought by Hatshepsut's mission to Punt and those collected during Thutmose III's expedition in Retjenu depicted on the walls of Amun's temple in Karnak. The maximal span of elapsed time between the Battle of Megiddo and the death of Tutankhamun is less than 150 years (at most four or five generations). A study of a family of royal gardeners suggests that T. spicata was cultivated in Egypt during the Eighteenth Dynasty and the twig found in Tutankhamun's tomb was a progeny of such an introduction. Eventually its cultivation failed, and the plant vanished from Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa, is an important disease of citrus, an economically important fruit crop worldwide and particularly in Tunisia. CBS was recently detected in Tunisia and this study revealed that it is widespread in the governorates of Nabeul and Sousse. The highest incidence of CBS was found in the Bouargoub region (73.7%), while the lowest was observed in Soliman (25.0%) in the Nabeul governorate. The surveys revealed that CBS affected mainly lemon (Citrus limon). The symptoms of CBS observed were hard spots on fruits, twigs, and leaves, as well as false melanose on fruits. Symptoms were observed in both mature and immature citrus fruits, but disease incidence was higher in mature (97.0%) than that in immature fruits (2.95%). In this study, morphological and molecular identifications confirmed the presence of P. citricarpa. This is the first time that the extent of CBS has been documented in a Mediterranean citrus area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study the mechanism of the intervention of total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng (sarcandra[twig and leaf]) on immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) using metabolomics techniques. Methods Using Excel random function, 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, and the prednisolone acetate group, with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group, rats in other groups were injected intraperitoneally with rabbit anti-rat platelet serum (5 mL/kg) on days 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 to replicate an ITP rat model. Rats in the normal control group were injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of physiological saline. Drug intervention was given on the modeling day once a day. The total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were gavaged with 31.5, 63.0, and 94.5 mg/kg of total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng, respectively. The prednisolone acetate group was injected intraperitoneally with 10.0 mg/kg of prednisolone acetate. On days 0, 3, 6, and 9, the number of peripheral platelets in each group of rats was dynamically detected. On day 10, the spleen mass was measured and the spleen index was calculated. Screening and identification of differential metabolites in the spleen of rats in each group were carried out using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with four-stage rod time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology and multivariate statistical analysis, and pathway enrichment analysis was conducted. Results Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed a decrease in peripheral blood platelets on days 6 and 9, an increase in spleen mass, and an increase in spleen index(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the number of peripheral platelets on day 6 and 9 of the total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were increased, the spleen mass of the total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng high-dose group was decreased, and the spleen indexes of the total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng medium- and high-dose groups were decreased (P<0.05). Through metabolomics analysis of the spleen, 24 biomarkers related to ITP were identified. Of these, 21 were reduced in the total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng high-dose group, which were mainly involved in linoleic acid metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and glycerol phospholipid metabolism. Conclusion The total flavonoids from Zhongjiefeng may restore the normal regulatory ability of the immune system by regulating spleen linoleic acid metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and glycerol phospholipid metabolism, in order to inhibit excessive platelet destruction and exert a therapeutic effect on ITP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, popularly known as "Pink pepper", is a plant native to Brazil. The objective of this work was to analyze the chemical composition and the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of essential oils (EOs) from the leaves, fruits and twigs of S. terebinthifolius, aiming for their application in food safety. EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Phenolic compounds were quantified and antioxidant activity was evaluated using three different methods. The antibacterial activity was determined by the broth microdilution method against foodborne bacteria. In the chemical analysis, 22 compounds were identified in the leaves, 13 compounds in the fruits and 37 compounds in the twigs, revealing the presence of the main compounds germacrene D (12.04%, 15.78%, 20,41%), caryophyllene (15.97%, 3.12%, 11.73%), α-pinene (11.6%, 17.16%, 2.99%), β-pinene (5.68%, 43.34%, 5.60%) and γ-gurjunene (16,85%, 3,15%) respectively. EOs showed better antioxidant potential using the β-carotene/linoleic acid method with 40.74, 61.52 and 63.65% oxidation inhibition for leaves, fruits and twigs, respectively. The EO from the leaves showed greater antibacterial potential against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.62 mg mL−1, a value lower than the MIC of sodium nitrite (5.00 mg mL−1), the antimicrobial standard synthetic. The activities of pink pepper EOs suggest their potential as a biopreservative in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the secondary metabolites found in the leaves and twigs of Acer pseudosieboldianum, also known as the Korean maple. The study identifies and characterizes several compounds, such as gallic acid and chlorogenic acid, that have not been previously reported in the Aceraceae family. The research contributes to our understanding of the plant's chemical composition and potential medicinal properties. The document provides detailed information on the molecular formula, physical properties, and NMR data for each compound. The research was supported by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and received English language editing assistance. [Extracted from the article]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) twigs, remaining after harvesting and pruning, are an underutilized and little-explored biomass resource. This study investigated the content of serotonin in 10 sea buckthorn cultivars ('Maria Bruvele', 'Botanicheskaya Lubitelskaya', 'Tatiana', 'Otto', 'Leikora', 'Duet', 'Clara', 'Lord', 'Eva', 'Tarmo') for the first time, and for further adjustment of the extraction conditions, cultivar 'Maria Bruvele' was extracted by water and water/ethanol solution with 20-25, 50, 70, and 96% ethanol at different temperatures. The results showed that 50% water/ethanol solutions are the most suitable for extraction, which makes it possible to increase the yield of serotonin. The 2-year-old twigs and bark from 'Maria Bruvele' collected in autumn contained higher serotonin content compared to spring-collected biomass. Serotonin sequential purification allowed the serotonin content in the fraction to increase to 26%/DM. The serotonin-rich fraction showed antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In tests with salivary amylase, a serotonin-rich fraction at the amount of 0.1-0.4 mg/mL of saliva, under normal physiological conditions, tended to increase amylase activity, resulting in acceleration of starch degradation to glucose. Thus, the results support further study of the serotonin fraction for the treatment of people having underweight, malnutrition, and malabsorption conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Picea × darwyniana Björk & Goward was recently proposed to replace Picea albertiana S. Brown as the representative taxon for the hybrid offspring of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm., but should be considered invalid for three reasons. First, the proponents failed to document in any way that the P. albertiana isotypes were Picea glauca × mariana Little & Pauley hybrids, as they claimed. Secondly, the P. albertiana isotypes lacked pubescent twigs, purple markings on their seed cones, and denticulate cone-scale margins, which are characteristics of P. glauca × mariana. This indicates a misinterpretation of the P. albertiana parentage. Lastly, P. × darwyniana appears to be an example of P. albertiana ssp. ogilviei Strong & Hills. As the latter is an earlier and validly published name, P. × darwyniana is an illegitimate replacement for plants within the P. glauca × engelmannii (=P.a. ssp. albertiana) and P. engelmannii × glauca (=P.a. ssp. ogilviei) circumscriptions based on naming priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twig blight disease has the characteristics of strong infectivity and rapid onset, which has brought great losses to the production of bayberry fruit. Lignin-based materials are widely used in the field of nanomedicine delivery due to their wide source, low price, and more active functional groups. In order to seek agents with slow-release function for better control of twig blight disease, Di@BLS nanoparticles were prepared by hydrophobically modifying sodium lignosulfonate (LS) and loading difenoconazole (hereafter referred to as Di) as a test agent, which was characterized by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering laser particle sizing (DLS), and the stability of the samples was analyzed by turbiscan stability analyzer (TSI); Di in leaves was extracted by QuEChERs method, and the uptake and translocation of Di@BLS in bayberry were investigated, and finally, diseased branches of bayberry collected for the isolation and identification of pathogenic fungi were carried out. The inhibitory effect of Di@BLS on the bayberry twig blight disease was investigated using the mycelial growth rate method and the pot experiment, respectively. The results showed that the average particle size of Di@BLS was 135.2 nm at a BLS carrier concentration of 1%, a feed/drug ratio of 5 : 1 and a SDS dosage of 0.2% by mass. The optimized formulation could maintain stability similar to that of Di ME while reducing the amount of surfactant. Both absorption transfer and field experiments confirmed that Di@BLS could delay drug degradation and persist longer in bayberry than Di ME. The results of the mycelial growth rate method showed that the EC50 value of Di@BLS against Lasiodiplodia was 0.643 μg/mL, which is close to that of Di ME. In the pot experiment, at the mass concentration of 200 μg/mL, Di@BLS could reduce the incidence of blight of bayberry by 2.3% compared with Di ME. The results showed that the prepared nanoparticles Di@BLS had a long duration and good antifungal effect in bayberry, which provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of twig blight disease of bayberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruit crops are important in many countries. Anthracnose, post bloom fruit drop, fruit stem-end rot, twig and branch dieback and gummosis, caused by Colletotrichum spp., are diseases that seriously threaten citrus production. Surveys of kumquat (Fortunella margarita) orchards were conducted in Eastern Sicily, Southern Italy, during 2022-23. Fungi isolated from twig and branch dieback of F. margarita were identified as Colletotrichum karsti through multi-locus (gapdh, tub2 and act) phylogeny. Pathogenicity and aggressiveness on detached apple fruit and kumquat plants were confirmed for a selection of representative isolates, although with different levels of disease incidence observed. This is the most comprehensive study on identification of C. karsti as the causal agent of twig and branch dieback of kumquat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the antileishmanial activity of biomolecules obtained from Oleaeuropaea L. leaves and twigs recovered from eight Tunisian cultivars. The extraction was first carried out with 80% methanol, and then the obtained extract was fractionated using three solvents of increasing polarity: cyclohexane (CHX), dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The antileishmanial activity was determined against leishmanial strains responsible for cutaneous, visceral, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The cyclohexane fraction of the leaves of cv. Chemlali from the region of Sidi-Bouzid exhibited the strongest leishmanicidal activity against all the tested leishmanial strains. The inhibition concentrations (IC50) were 16.5, 14.5, and 7.4 μg mL−1 for Leishmaniamexicana (cutaneous), Leishmaniabraziliensis (mucocutaneous), and Leishmaniadonovani (visceral), respectively. Interestingly, low cytotoxicity was observed on THP-1 cells with selective indexes (SI) ranging from 22.8 to 50.5. HPLC-HRMS and full-house NMR analysis allowed the identification of three triterpenic compounds, oleanolic acid (IC50 = 64.1 μg mL−1), erythrodiol (IC50 = 52.0 µg mL−1), and uvaol (IC50 = 53.8 μg mL−1). Antileishmanial activity of uvaol and oleanolic acid has been previously reported. However, this work constitutes the first report of the antileishmanial activity of erythrodiol which showed combinatorial interaction with uvaol (IC50 = 26.1 μg mL−1) against Leishmaniatropica. The mixture of the three compounds, as major ones, exhibited an enhanced activity against Leishmaniatropica (IC50 = 16.3 µg mL−1) compared to erythrodiol alone or the combination of uvaol and erythrodiol. This finding is of great importance and needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new C-20 and one new C-19 quassinoids, named perforalactones F-L (1–7), were isolated from twigs of Harrisonia perforata. Spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic experiments were conducted to identify their structures. Through oxidative degradation of perforalactone B to perforaqussin A, the biogenetic process from C-25 quassinoid to C-20 via Baeyer–Villiger oxidation was proposed. Furthermore, the study evaluated the anti-Parkinson's disease potential of these C-20 quassinoids for the first time on 6-OHDA-induced PC12 cells and a Drosophila Parkinson's disease model of PINK1B9. Perforalactones G and I (2 and 4) showed a 10–15% increase in cell viability of the model cells at 50 μM, while compounds 2 and 4 (100 μM) significantly improved the climbing ability of PINK1B9 flies and increased the dopamine level in the brains and ATP content in the thoraces of the flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the antileishmanial activity of biomolecules obtained from Oleaeuropaea L. leaves and twigs recovered from eight Tunisian cultivars. The extraction was first carried out with 80% methanol, and then the obtained extract was fractionated using three solvents of increasing polarity: cyclohexane (CHX), dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The antileishmanial activity was determined against leishmanial strains responsible for cutaneous, visceral, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The cyclohexane fraction of the leaves of cv. Chemlali from the region of Sidi-Bouzid exhibited the strongest leishmanicidal activity against all the tested leishmanial strains. The inhibition concentrations (IC50) were 16.5, 14.5, and 7.4 μg mL−1 for Leishmaniamexicana (cutaneous), Leishmaniabraziliensis (mucocutaneous), and Leishmaniadonovani (visceral), respectively. Interestingly, low cytotoxicity was observed on THP-1 cells with selective indexes (SI) ranging from 22.8 to 50.5. HPLC-HRMS and full-house NMR analysis allowed the identification of three triterpenic compounds, oleanolic acid (IC50 = 64.1 μg mL−1), erythrodiol (IC50 = 52.0 µg mL−1), and uvaol (IC50 = 53.8 μg mL−1). Antileishmanial activity of uvaol and oleanolic acid has been previously reported. However, this work constitutes the first report of the antileishmanial activity of erythrodiol which showed combinatorial interaction with uvaol (IC50 = 26.1 μg mL−1) against Leishmaniatropica. The mixture of the three compounds, as major ones, exhibited an enhanced activity against Leishmaniatropica (IC50 = 16.3 µg mL−1) compared to erythrodiol alone or the combination of uvaol and erythrodiol. This finding is of great importance and needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the issue of bark beetles and ambrosia beetles in Israel, focusing on the black twig borer (BTB), Xylosandrus compactus, which has become an invasive species in the Galilee region. The article highlights the challenges posed by invasive woodborers and presents research and development plans to find solutions. It also mentions other native and invasive woodborers in Israel and the need for monitoring, early detection, and environmentally friendly preparations to manage these pests. The article discusses the impact of the black twig borer on carob trees and the potential economic consequences for the carob industry. It also mentions the use of trunk injections and entomopathogenic agents for controlling wood borers, as well as the challenges posed by invasive insects to urban trees in Israel. [Extracted from the article]

Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) of walnut trees is caused by the pathogenic fungus Geosmithia morbida vectored by the walnut twig beetle (WTB) Pityophthorus juglandis. Monitoring efforts for WTB rely on pheromone‐baited traps, but lures are likely effective at attracting beetles only over short distances. Fungal‐derived kairomones may increase the efficacy of current lures, while additional volatiles may repel beetles from valuable trees.The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which fungal, host and non‐host volatiles modify the attraction of WTB to pheromone‐baited traps. A trapping study that combined fungal, host‐associated and non‐host compounds with WTB‐pheromone lures was conducted over three years in black walnut plantations experiencing a TCD outbreak in Walla Walla, WA.Traps baited with pheromone and G. morbida volatiles (i.e., isoamyl and isobutyl alcohol) consistently attracted more WTB, while other fungal volatiles inconsistently increased attraction compared to those baited with pheromone lure alone. This is the first field study that demonstrates fungal volatiles can increase the attraction of a bark beetle to its pheromone in a hardwood system.One fungal (benzyl alcohol) and two additional volatiles (limonene, piperitone) repelled WTB from pheromone‐baited traps. Although limonene is known to repel WTB, this is the first demonstration that benzyl alcohol and piperitone repel a bark beetle.Fungal volatiles may increase the efficacy of monitoring efforts and may play an important role in management tactics for WTB, especially in detecting the introduction and establishment of nascent populations and protecting trees from colonizing beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new isoprenylated flavone, 8,4′-dimethoxy-6-(4′′-methylfuran-2-yl)-flavone (1), together with five known isoprenylated flavones (2–6) were isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus chama. Interestingly, compound 1 is a rare flavone bearing an unusual 4-methylfuran-2-yl moiety. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities assay revealed that compound 1 showed obvious anti-TMV activity with an inhibition rate of 40.2% ± 2.8, and this rate is obviously higher than that of the positive control (with an inhibition rate of 35.1 ± 2.6). Compounds 2–6 also showed potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates in the range of 23.5–30.2%, respectively. In addition, to evaluate whether the isoprenylated flavones have more broad antiviral activity, compounds 1–6 were also tested for their anti-rotavirus activities. The results revealed that compounds 1–6 exhibited potential anti-rotavirus activities with therapeutic index (TI) values in the range of 13.0–19.9. These values are lower than that of positive control (with TI valve of 22.7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2021, from 1 March to 31 August, we used camera-traps to monitor two short-toed eagle pairs in the Tolfa hills (Latium, central Italy) with the intention of observing differences in behaviour between the two sexes and between different pairs during the entire breeding cycle. Males carried mainly dry twigs during the pre-laying period; females carried mostly leafy twigs usually after laying. Brooding is carried out almost entirely by the females (83 vs 17%), and females alone were observed to brood during the night. The adults' behaviour differed even further during the fledging period: the male went hunting and limited himself almost exclusively to delivering the prey, while the female continued to remain at the nest until the chick was 22 days old, after which her absences increased constantly up to the 45th day, which is more than half of the fledging period. Female-chick interactions can be frequent and lasts up to the middle of the fledging period. Significant behavioural differences emerged from the comparison between the two pairs during the pre-laying period: in particular the average daily presence at the nest (72 vs 31 min) and the number of prey items offered at the nest by the male (29 vs 4). We also observed evident differences between pairs in the nest courtship displays. In one nest we observed an unmistakable and frequent behaviour, that we propose to call "neck display", and which was never observed in the other nest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decline phenomena of shrub species such as Quercus coccifera and Retama raetam have occurred throughout Tunisian forests since 2012. These evergreen shrubs have long been regarded for their medicinal and ecological interests. Therefore, their preservation as valuable forest resources is of great interest. However, information regarding aetiology of this disease is still scarce. Hence, the aim of this study was to identify and characterize the causal agents associated with disease symptoms in two Tunisian forests. Thirty‐eight isolates were obtained from symptomatic Q. coccifera and R. raetam twigs. Morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene cluster and partial sequence of the translation elongation factor 1‐alpha gene (tef1‐α) allowed the identification of three Diplodia species namely Diplodia africana, D. seriata and D. pseudoseriata. Our findings revealed that the incidence of Diplodia species was significantly correlated to the altitude, the temperature and the rainfall. Pathogenicity test showed that all Diplodia isolates are pathogenic. However, D. africana revealed to be the most aggressive species toward R. raetam. These findings were the first record of D. seriata as fungal pathogen associated with Q. coccifera dieback and D. pseudoseriata and D. africana on R. raetam in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three twig-growing lichen species belonging to the family Teloschistaceae from southern Patagonia are described as new to science: Marchantiana pyramus sp. nov., with minute apothecia, orange due to dominant content of emodin, M. ramulicola sp. nov., with minute olive apothecia with dominant parietin and Austroplaca thisbe sp. nov., with clear yellow apothecia also with dominant parietin. Marchantiana subpyracea , M. epibrya and M. queenslandica are new combinations for species which, so far, are known only from New Zealand and Australia. Blastenia circumpolaris is shown to be very common in Patagonia and Marchantiana asserigena is documented for the first time from the Southern Hemisphere, viz. the Falkland Islands. The genus Marchantiana is analyzed here using three genes and is shown to be closely related to Yoshimuria ; although appearing as paraphyletic, a monophyletic origin cannot be ruled out. Morphology, ecology and distribution support a monophyletic treatment and Marchantiana is therefore treated as such. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a subarctic forest at Kvaløya, northern Norway, willow grouse Lagopus lagopus fed at snow level by clipping bits of twigs from mountain birch Betula pubescens during winter. Birch has two types of twigs ending in a terminal bud: long twigs with a smooth bark, and short twigs with rings of thicker bark. The grouse selected ringed twigs above smooth twigs despite a surplus of smooth twigs in the forest. Ringed twigs had more bark cm−1 of twig length and a higher relative bark/wood ratio than smooth twigs. Smooth twigs had growth nodes that increased in diameter inwards from the tip. Because of the non‐linear relation between the area and the circumference of a circle, the bark/wood ratio decreased for each node. Although being able to clip much thicker twigs, 90% of smooth twigs clipped by grouse were ≤ 2 mm in diameter. It is concluded that willow grouse fed optimally on birch in winter by selecting twigs to minimize fibrous wood intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 464 Teloschistes chrysophthalmus (L.) Th. Fr. populations were collected, along with winter twigs from their woody substrates, in 56 of Iowa's 99 counties. This lichen is more abundant in western Iowa than in eastern Iowa and is least abundant in the northeast most portion of Iowa. T. chrysophthalmus was found on the bark of 31 distinct woody taxa, but was most frequently found on Gleditsia triacanthos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2015–2018 outbreak of spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) in southern New England initiated a severe oak decline and mortality event. While defoliation was a primary driver, increased secondary pest and pathogen activity contributed to decline and death. Following this large defoliation event, Diplodia was frequently recovered from northern red oaks (Quercus rubra) with serious outbreaks of twig cankering. Given the many recent reports of Diplodia corticola on oak in eastern North America, it was presumed to be the causal agent. To confirm, a limited survey was conducted from five states in the region (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont). Based on ITS, tef1 and tub2 sequences generated from 28 isolates collected primarily from northern red oak, Diplodia gallae, two potentially novel Diplodia species and Diplodia sapinea were identified. Surprisingly, D. corticola was not found in this study. ITS sequences alone failed to discriminate among isolates of D. gallae and D. corticola, creating uncertainty over previous reports of D. corticola in eastern North America. Only a combined ITS + tef1 dataset successfully distinguished D. gallae and D. corticola along with two other closely related species that also occur on oak (Diplodia quercicola and Diplodia quercivora). Additional cankering and endophytic fungi (Coryneum, Dendrostoma, Gnomoniopsis, Pestalotiopsis and Tubakia) were also found on symptomatic oaks in the region. Identification of Diplodia isolates from non‐Quercus hosts also detected Diplodia neojuniperi on Juniperus chinensis and Microbiota decussata, which has not been reported previously in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ursane triterpenoid caffeic acid ester, cratoresbate A, together with seven known ursane triterpenoids (3-O-trans-p-coumaroyltormentic acid, 3-O-cis-p-coumaroyltormentic acid, α-amyrin, ursolic acid, pomolic acid, euscaphic acid, and tormentic acid) were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Crataegus oresbia W. W. Sm. Cratoresbate A showed significant cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells with IC50 value of 1.9 µmol L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squirrels of temperate zones commonly store nuts or seeds under leaf litter, in hollow logs, or even in holes in the ground; however, in the humid rainforests of Jianfengling in Hainan, South China, we show that some flying squirrels cache elliptical or oblate nuts by hanging them securely in vegetation. These small flying squirrels were identified as Hylopetes phayrei electilis (G. M. Allen, 1925) and Hylopetes alboniger (Hodgson, 1870), in video clips captured of their behavior around focal nuts. Squirrels chewed grooves encircling ellipsoid nuts or distributed on the bottoms of oblate nuts, and then used these grooves to fix nuts tightly between small twigs 0.1-0.6 cm in diameter that were connected at angles of 25-40°. The grooves carved on the nuts (concave structure) connected with Y-shaped twigs (convex structure) and thus firmly affixed the nuts to the plant in a way similar to a mortise-tenon joint used in architecture and carpentry. Cache sites were on small plants located 10-25 m away from the closest potentially nut-producing tree, a behavior that likely reduces the discovery and consumption of the nuts by other animals. The adaptive squirrel behavior that shapes and fits nuts between twigs seems to be directed at providing more secure storage that increases food supply during dry periods in a humid tropical rainforest. In addition to providing such benefits for the squirrels, we suggest that this behavior also impacts the distribution of tree species in the forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyme contains phytochemicals that exhibit cytotoxic and cytogenic activities. Differ solvents have different abilities in dissolving plant bioactive compounds. This study aims to determine the anti-cancer properties of thyme leaves and twigs, including a profile of bioactive compounds, cytotoxicity, the ability of apoptosis induction, and caspase-3 activation of different solvent extracts on the T47D breast cancer cell line. An experimental study was conducted in eight groups: the T47D breast cancer cell line was treated with thyme extracts as the treatment group and doxorubicin as a positive control. In contrast, untreated T47D cells were used as a negative control. Thyme was extracted by maceration using six different solvents: methanol, ethanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. Bioactive compounds of all extracts were analyzed using GC-MS. Cytotoxicity was investigated through an MTT assay on the T47D breast cancer cell line. The percentage of apoptosis and caspase-3 were detected by flow cytometry using Annexin V-PI and BD Cytofix/Cytoperm, respectively. Thymol, the main bioactive compound in thyme, was found in all extracts. MTT results revealed that six solvent extracts had moderate to weak cytotoxicity, with dichloromethane having the lowest IC50 values at 120.23 µg/ml. All thyme extracts promoted apoptosis in T47D cells with apoptosis percentages of methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, dichloromethane, n-Hexane, and doxorubicin were 82.67; 80.98; 73.13; 72.28; 60.62; 27.74 and 98.43%, respectively. Among all extracts, methanol extract showed the highest apoptosis and caspase-3 activation percentage. We conclude that all thyme extracts had anti-cancer properties in the T47D breast cancer cell line, although the efficacy of each solvent extract has differed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bayberry twig blight caused by the ascomycete fungus Pestalotiopsis versicolor is a devastating disease threatening worldwide bayberry production. However, the molecular basis underlying the pathogenesis of P. versicolor is largely unknown. Here, we identified and functionally characterized the MAP kinase PvMk1 in P. versicolor through genetic and cellular biochemical approaches. Our analysis reveals a central role of PvMk1 in regulating P. versicolor virulence on bayberry. We demonstrate that PvMk1 is involved in hyphal development, conidiation, melanin biosynthesis, and cell wall stress responses. Notably, PvMk1 regulates P. versicolor autophagy and is essential for hyphal growth under nitrogen-depleting conditions. These findings suggest the multifaceted role of PvMk1 in regulating P. versicolor development and virulence. More remarkably, this evidence of virulence-involved cellular processes regulated by PvMk1 has paved a fundamental way for further understanding the impact of P. versicolor pathogenesis on bayberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizens with higher levels of education are consistently found to be more open to immigration and European integration than those with less education. However, the literature has neglected the issue of whether educational divides in anti-globalisation sentiment result from people's own educational attainment or whether they are a consequence of deep-rooted positions of disadvantage across generations. In this article, we address the question to what extent the attitudes towards globalisation of intergenerationally mobile citizens, that is, those who obtain a different educational outcome than one's parents, adapt to the newly acquired social position or remain attached to the parental milieu. We apply diagonal reference models to study the influence of one's own and parental education level on attitudes to globalisation in 26 European countries using the European Social Survey between 2008 and 2018. Our results indicate that while mobile citizens adjust their attitudes to the achieved education level, there remains an enduring influence of the education level of origin. In addition, we find that the importance of parental educational attainment does not depend on the social fluidity between education levels within countries. Consequently, this study has important implications for studying political socialisation and the future of the educational divide over globalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In May 2019, a two‐year‐old pomegranate orchard cultivar "Wonderful", located in Central Italy, showed extensive black pitting and longitudinal cankers on twigs as well as apical leaf wilting. Bacterial isolates were identified by applying biochemical, molecular and pathogenicity assays. All isolates showed identical biochemical characteristics typical of Pseudomonas syringae. In addition, upon artificial inoculations, the isolates caused symptoms in pomegranate twigs and leaves similar to those observed in the field, and in lemon fruit and pear leaves. The isolates possess the syrB gene. An ERIC‐PCR fingerprinting analysis revealed an identical pattern for the strains isolated from pomegranate and other strains previously obtained from lemon and chickpea, in Tunisia and Italy, respectively, as well as a similarity with other strains obtained from different host plants. The 16S rRNA gene analysis showed a very high similarity with other P. s. pv. syringae strains. The study allowed to conclude that the disease was caused by P. s. pv. syringae, reported for the first time as a pathogen for pomegranate. Frost and high humidity could have favoured the outbreak. The year after the outbreak, a formulate that contains zinc, copper, manganese, chitosan and garlic powder, effectively reduced the severity of the disease in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassia twig, a Chinese herbal drug, is widely prescribed in Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases, and it is found in more than 60 clauses and more than 40 prescriptions. It treats covers all of the diseases of the six meridians, namely, three yin and three yang. Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica described cassia twig as: (i) mainly used to relieve cough with dyspnea due to counterflow of qi, stagnation of qi, throat impediment, and breathing with the mouth due to severe impediment of the throat, to promote movement of joints, tonify the middle energizer, and replenish qi; and (ii) useful for ushering other traditional Chinese drugs to treat all the disease, and able to invigorate the spirit and mind, relax the body, and prevent aging. This article begins from the thought of "image," referred to in the text of Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica, by analyzing the natural attributes of cassia twigs, such as shape, position, color, taste, smell, texture, habits, and growth environment. This is combined with the Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases and the experience of physicians in previous dynasties, and it summarizes and analyzes the "image" mechanism of its efficacy to broaden its application in modern clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wild apple (Malus sieversii) is under second-class national protection in China and one of the lineal ancestors of cultivated apples worldwide. In recent decades, the natural habitation area of wild apple trees has been seriously declining, resulting in a lack of saplings and difficulty in population regeneration. Artificial near-natural breeding is crucial for protecting and restoring wild apple populations, and adding nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) is one of the important measures to improve the growth performance of saplings. In this study, field experiments using N (CK, N1, N2, and N3: 0, 10, 20, and 40 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively), P (CK, P1, P2, and P3: 0, 2, 4, and 8 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively), N20Px (CK, N2P1, N2P2, and N2P3: N20P2, N20P4 and N20P8 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively), and NxP4 (CK, N1P2, N2P2, and N3P2: N10P4, N20P4, and N40P4 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively) treatments (totaling 12 levels, including one CK) were conducted in four consecutive years. The twig traits (including four current-year stem, 10 leaf, and three ratio traits) and comprehensive growth performance of wild apple saplings were analyzed under different nutrient treatments. Results: N addition had a significantly positive effect on stem length, basal diameter, leaf area, and leaf dry mass, whereas P addition had a significantly positive effect on stem length and basal diameter only. The combination of N and P (NxP4 and N20Px) treatments evidently promoted stem growth at moderate concentrations; however, the N20Px treatment showed a markedly negative effect at low concentrations and a positive effect at moderate and high concentrations. The ratio traits (leaf intensity, leaf area ratio, and leaf to stem mass ratio) decreased with the increase in nutrient concentration under each treatment. In the plant trait network, basal diameter, stem mass, and twig mass were tightly connected to other traits after nutrient treatments, indicating that stem traits play an important role in twig growth. The membership function revealed that the greatest comprehensive growth performance of saplings was achieved after N addition alone, followed by that under the NxP4 treatment (except for N40P4). Conclusions: Consequently, artificial nutrient treatments for four years significantly but differentially altered the growth status of wild apple saplings, and the use of appropriate N fertilizer promoted sapling growth. These results can provide scientific basis for the conservation and management of wild apple populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a subarctic forest at Kvaløya, northern Norway, willow grouse Lagopus lagopus fed at snow level by clipping bits of twigs from mountain birch Betula pubescens during winter. Birch has two types of twigs ending in a terminal bud: long twigs with a smooth bark, and short twigs with rings of thicker bark. The grouse selected ringed twigs above smooth twigs despite a surplus of smooth twigs in the forest. Ringed twigs had more bark cm−1 of twig length and a higher relative bark/wood ratio than smooth twigs. Smooth twigs had growth nodes that increased in diameter inwards from the tip. Because of the non‐linear relation between the area and the circumference of a circle, the bark/wood ratio decreased for each node. Although being able to clip much thicker twigs, 90% of smooth twigs clipped by grouse were ≤ 2 mm in diameter. It is concluded that willow grouse fed optimally on birch in winter by selecting twigs to minimize fibrous wood intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blossom and twig blight, caused by Monilinia spp., is the main disease in apricot trees. In this study, we installed transparent rain shelters in apricot orchards to study their influence on the modification of the microclimate at the level of the tree canopy and on the reduction in moniliosis damage in twigs. Rain shelters significantly reduced the leaf wetness time measured within the foliage compared to the unsheltered trees (a reduction of between 43% and 67%). However, very few differences were observed in the daily averaged air temperature (up to 6%) and daily averaged air relative humidity (up to 1%). In the first experiment, on the apricot variety Bergarouge® (CEP Innovation, Lyon, France), moniliosis damage on twigs in the absence of phytosanitary protection was reduced by up to 62% for the trees provided with rain protection compared to the trees that did not receive rain shelters. A second experiment, involving five apricot tree varieties, made it possible to verify that fungicide protection could be reduced for the trees protected by rain covers, reducing moniliosis damage on twigs compared to full fungicide protection combined without rain protection. Finally, a third experiment comprising two apricot tree varieties has shown that in organic orchards, rain protection provides protection against moniliosis (twig blight) that is equivalent to an organic farming fungicide protection programme based on the use of copper sulphate and calcium polysulphide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paederia foetida is a climber that has been traditionally used to treat various diseases, including diabetes. This study aims to investigate the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitory activity of P. foetida twig extracts and identification of the bioactive compounds by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and in silico docking study. P. foetida twigs were extracted using organic solvents, namely hexane, chloroform, and methanol and submitted to DPP-4 inhibition assay. Ten milligram of each sample extract was diluted in 700 µL CDCl3 with 0.03% TMS and 1H-NMR spectra were recorded at 25°C on a JEOL FT-NMR spectrometer. The multivariate data analysis, similarity coefficients, and molecular docking study were performed in the study. In vitro assay revealed that the chloroform extract exhibited the highest DPP-4 inhibition (67.40%). The orthogonal partial least square model and LC-MS profiling revealed the presence of 13 metabolites including ß-sitosterol, stigmasterol, a-terpineol, scopoletin, rutin, geniposide, apigenin, linarin, lupeol, campesterol, embelin, epifriedelanol, and ursolic acid. In silico molecular docking using the DPP-4 (PDB ID: 1 × 70) crystal structure showed linarin, epifriedelanol, stigmasterol, and ursolic acid (-10.5, -9.3, -9.1, and -8.8 kcal/mol) which were comparable to sitagliptin (-8.8 kcal/mol). This research provided valuable data on the potential biomarker's antidiabetic inhibitors in P. foetida twigs, suggesting the potential of this plant for the management of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previously undescribed phenolic glycoside (manglycoside A, 1), as well as 16 identified compounds (2-17), were isolated from the leaves and twigs of the 'vulnerable' plant Magnolia decidua (Magnoliaceae). Comprehensive spectroscopic investigation and chemical transformations revealed the structure of the previously unknown compound 1. Among the isolates, honokiol (6) and liriodenine (14) were discovered to exhibit antiinflammatory activities in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells via reducing nitric oxide (NO) formation, with IC50 values of 4.3 and 17.3 µM, correspondingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new geranyl phenylacetate glycoside, 14,15-dehydroxy-16-hydroxy-Δ14-cinnacasside E (1) was isolated from the twigs of Aphanamixis polystachya. The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated by various spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artabotrys sumatranus is one of the Artabotrys species, which lives in Sumatera, Java, and Borneo in Indonesia. No research has been found related to its activity. The objective of this study was to explore the potential of A. sumatranus leaf and twig extracts as the source of an anti-diabetic agent through the α-glucosidase inhibition mechanism, as well as the relationship between the antioxidant and the α-glucosidase inhibition activities in these extracts. Ethanol extracts from leaf and twig A. sumatranus were subjected to several assays: total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), radical scavenging activity, and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) analysis, as well as α-glucosidase inhibition. Later, GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometer) and LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer/mass spectrometer) analysis were conducted to identify the compounds inside the extracts. The identified compounds were tested for potential α-glucosidase inhibition activity using a molecular docking simulation. As a result, the A. sumatranus leaf extract showed more potential than the twig extract as α-glucosidase inhibitor and antioxidant agent. In addition, from the comparison between the measured quantities, it can be deduced that most of the α-glucosidase active compounds in the A. sumatranus are also antioxidant agents. Several active compounds with a high affinity to α-glucosidase inhibition were identified using the molecular docking simulation. It was concluded that A. sumatranus twig and leaf extracts seem to be potential sources of α-glucosidase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For about a decade, olive groves in Apulia (Southern Italy) have been progressively destroyed by Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), a disease caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp). Recently, we described an additional wilting syndrome affecting olive trees in that area. The botryosphaeriaceous fungus Neofusicoccum mediterraneum was found associated with the diseased trees, and its high virulence toward olive trees was demonstrated. Given the common features with Branch and Twig Dieback (BTD) of olive tree, occurring in Spain and California, we suggested that the observed syndrome was BTD. During our first survey, we also found a botryosphaeriaceous species other than N. mediterraneum. In the present article, we report the morphological and molecular characterization of this fungal species which we identified as Neofusicoccum stellenboschiana. In the study, we also included for comparison additional N. stellenboschiana isolates obtained from olive trees in Latium and Tuscany region (Central Italy). The occurrence of N. stellenboschiana in olive trees is reported here for the first time in the northern hemisphere. The pathogenicity and virulence were tested in nine inoculation trials, where the Apulian N. stellenboschiana isolate was compared with the isolate from Latium and with the Apulian isolate of N. mediterraneum. Both isolates of N. stellenboschiana proved pathogenic to olive trees. They caused evident bark canker and wood discolouration when inoculated at the base of the stem of two/three-year-old trees and on one-year-old twigs. However, virulence of N. stellenboschiana was significantly lower, though still remarkable, compared with N. mediterraneum in term of necrosis progression in the bark and the wood and capacity of wilting the twigs. Virulence of N. stellenboschiana and N. mediterraneum did not substantially change when inoculations were performed in spring/summer and in autumn, suggesting that these fungal species have the potential to infect and damage olive trees in all seasons. The high thermotolerance of N. stellenboschiana was also revealed with in vitro growth and survival tests. The high virulence of these Botryosphaeriaceae species highlights their contribution in BTD aetiology and the necessity to investigate right away their diffusion and, possibly, the role of additional factors other than Xfp in the general decline of olive groves in Apulia. Hence the importance of assessing the degree of overlap of BTD/Botryosphariaceae with OQDS/Xfp is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]