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Eggplant, or brinjal, is one of the most consumed and important tropical solanaceous vegetable crops grown worldwide. Little leaf is a disease associated with the presence of phytoplasmas especially widespread in brinjal in India. To clarify the epidemiology of this disease, a verification of its transmission through seeds to seedlings and their progeny derived from symptomatic mother plants was performed. Brinjal seeds field-collected in the Dharwad district of Karnataka State, India, were sowed in a greenhouse under insect-proof conditions. DNA was extracted from seedlings and their progeny and from symptomatic plant samples collected in the field. The first- and second-generation seedlings obtained *under these conditions were tested at various time points after germination by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene of phytoplasmas. The amplicons obtained were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and sequencing for the identification of detected phytoplasmas. Ribosomal groups 16SrI, 16SrII, 16SrIII, 16SrV, 16SrVI, and 16SrXII were identified. Moreover, a number of fruits produced from the first-generation seedlings showed precocious seed germination, and the young seedlings resulted as phytoplasma-positive. The seed transmission of phytoplasmas in eggplants for two subsequent generations highlights the risk of additional sources of infection of the disease represented by asymptomatic and infected seedlings in the presence of insect vectors. The seed transmission could explain the continuous presence of epidemic outbreaks of phytoplasmas in brinjal cultivations in several cultivation areas.

The evaluation of direct energy inputs and the assessment of the carbon footprint of an agricultural tractor during the execution of an agricultural operation is a complex task. Methodological approaches such as field surveys and life cycle assessments can provide unreliable and non-repeatable results. This study exploits the use of numerical simulation to assess the fuel consumption of two agricultural tractors and their CO2 emissions during the execution of pesticide treatment and milling. The digital models of the Landini REX 4-120 GB and the Fendt 942 Vario were developed, starting from experimental data acquired during field tests in which the power required at the power take-off (PTO) by the respective operating machine was measured. Two custom working cycles, simulating the two agricultural operations, have been defined and simulated. The estimated fuel consumption was 7.8 L∙ha−1 and 23.2 L∙ha−1, respectively, for the Landini REX 4-120 GB during pesticide treatment and for the Fendt 942 Vario during milling. The corresponding direct energy inputs required for the two agricultural operations were equal to 300.3 MJ∙ha−1 and 893.2 MJ∙ha−1, respectively. The estimated carbon footprint was 26.5 kgCO2∙ha−1 and 68.4 kgCO2∙ha−1 for pesticide treatment and for milling, respectively. Moreover, considering the operational efficiency of the systems, an analysis of the available mechanical work supplied by the fuel was conducted.

One of the solutions contributing to the development of energy independence is the utilization of biogas as an alternative fuel for agricultural tractors. Biogas is recognized as a renewable energy source, and its usage aids in the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. The reuse of this material/waste exemplifies the concept of a circular economy. Several models of agricultural tractors designed explicitly for biogas utilization or adaptable for its use are available in the market. This study aimed to evaluate the energy-ecological parameters of the MP tractor (T6.180 Methane Power) powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in comparison to its structurally identical counterpart fueled by Diesel (T6.180 Electro Command). Based on the Air–Fuel Ratio (AFR) coefficients for diesel and methane, as well as values of air excess ratios (λ) and the proportions of CO and CO2 emissions determined for various engine load states, the mass emission of selected exhaust components for the examined tractors was estimated. This research highlights that biogas-powered tractors hold the potential to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture through the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, improvement in farm energy autonomy, and optimal resource utilization, closely aligned with the principles of a circular economy.

One of the most delicate operations in the sugar beet harvesting process is removing the tops from the heads of the root crops without any mechanical damages. The aim of this study is to improve the design of the conveying and unloading system of the sugar beet topper machine. In this paper, a mathematical model of the motion of a cut beet tops particle M, along the conveying and unloading system, has been developed to support the evaluation of kinematic and design parameters, depending on the rotational speed of the thrower blade, the air flow speed, the required ejection speed of particle M, and the position of the trailer that moves alongside the harvester. It has been established that increasing the speed Va of the top particle M, which has left the end of the blade of the thrower, leads to an increase in the arc coordinate S(t) of its movement along the cylindrical section of the casing. Within the range of the speed change from 4 m·s–1 to 8 m·s–1, the value of the arc coordinate S(t) increases by 1.4 times during time t = 0.006 s. Moreover, a rapid decrease in speed V is observed with an increase in the length x of the discharge chute.

Tamarisk witches’ broom, yellowing, and little leaf symptoms were observed during 2018–2023 surveys of rural deserts in central regions of Iran with the highest disease incidence up to 72% in Chah Afzal (Yazd province). A verification of the presence and identity of phytoplasmas associated with these symptoms was then performed. Tamarisk tree branch cuttings obtained from symptomatic plants sprouted up to 90.3% but with 15–25 days’ delay compared to the asymptomatic ones and showed internode shortening and witches’ broom, while the branch cuttings from asymptomatic plants had normal growth and sprouted up to 97.8%. Phytoplasma transmission by dodder bridges to periwinkle did not succeed, while nested polymerase chain reaction on the phytoplasma ribosomal gene followed by RFLP and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’, ‘Ca. P. australasiae=australasiaticum’, and ‘Ca. P. trifolii’ (ribosomal subgroups 16SrI-B, 16SrII-D, and 16SrVI-A, respectively) in the samples from symptomatic plants only. Further amplifications were performed on selected phytoplasma-positive samples on tuf and secA genes, and the produced sequences indicated the presence of mixed phytoplasma infection in some of the samples. In particular, in the tuf gene, a mixed infection of ‘Ca. P. australasiae=australasiaticum’ and ‘Ca. P. trifolii’ was detected, while in the secA gene, the presence of ‘Ca. P. asteris’ or ‘Ca. P. tritici’ strains was identified. The first-time detection of diverse phytoplasma strains in symptomatic T. aphylla suggests that this species represent a relevant source of infection for the agricultural crops and for landscape plants especially when temperature allows insect vector transmission, and therefore, it represents a risk in every environment especially in the frame of climatic changes.

A quartz‐enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor architecture capable of detecting eight different air pollutants (CH4, NO2, CO2, N2O, CO, NO, SO2, and NH3) is reported. Each analyte is targeted using the same sensor components (acoustic detection module, quartz‐tuning fork, etc.) and a dedicated laser source. Both interband cascade lasers and quantum cascade lasers are employed to target a well‐resolved and isolated absorption feature from each investigated gas, in a wavelength ranging from 3.35 to 9.06 μm. The sensor is calibrated with certified concentrations of each gas species, in a wet nitrogen matrix. For each analyte, the optimal pressure is determined. Minimum detection limits of 40, 13, 800, 230, 450, 78, 18, and 5.8 ppb are obtained for CH4, NO2, CO2, N2O, CO, NO, SO2, and NH3, respectively, at 100 ms of integration time.

Iron participates in a number of biological processes and plays a crucial role in cellular homeostasis. Alterations in iron metabolism are considered hallmarks of cancer and drivers of aggressive behaviors, such as uncontrolled proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, enhanced metastatic ability, increased cell plasticity and stemness. Furthermore, a dysregulated iron metabolism has been associated with the development of an adverse tumor microenvironment. Alterations in iron metabolism have been described in cellular senescence and in aging. For instance, iron has been shown to accumulate in aged tissues and in age-related diseases. Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrate increases in iron content in both replicative and stress-induced senescent cells. However, the role, the mechanisms of regulation and dysregulation and the effects of iron metabolism on senescence remain significantly less characterized. In this review, we first provide an overview of iron metabolism and iron regulatory proteins. Then, we summarize alterations in iron homeostasis in cancer and senescence from a cellular point of view.

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIA) is the most common cause of occult gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring often hospitalization and transfusions, especially in patients with hemorrhagic disorders. Thalidomide, impairing neo-angiogenesis, has been successfully used in the management of bleeding in patients with GIA and in particular in patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Only one case of short-term treatment with thalidomide in a patient with Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and recurrent GIB due to GIA has been reported so far. We report the case of a woman with GT developing high frequency recurrent GIB due to GIA requiring repeated blood and platelet transfusions, who was treated with thalidomide obtaining a striking and stable reduction of GIB and of the requirement of platelet and blood transfusions for over 5 years. Moreover, we raise the suspicion that the association between GT and GIA may not be fortuitous.

Background Increased lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been associated with enhanced risk of cardiovascular events and more recently with venous thromboembolism. However, there is inconclusive data on the association between enhanced Lp(a) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). We aimed to assess the role of Lp(a) in RVO. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies addressing the role of Lp(a) in RVO. A systematic literature search was performed to identify all published papers reporting Lp(a) levels. Main outcome measures consisted of Lp(a) levels in patients with (cases) or without (controls) RVO. Results We included 13 studies for a total of 1,040 cases and 16,648 controls. Lp(a) levels above normal limits were associated with RVO (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.7–3.34) and patients with RVO had higher Lp(a) levels than controls (weighted mean difference: 13.4 mg/dL, 95% CI 8.2–18.6). Conclusion Increased Lp(a) levels associate with RVO and should be included among diagnostic and prognostic indexes for this unusual-site vein thrombosis. Therapeutic interventions aimed to lower Lp(a) should be tested in RVO patients.

Background: Recently, loss-of-function variants in TLR7 were identified in two families in which COVID-19 segregates like an X-linked recessive disorder environmentally conditioned by SARS-CoV-2. We investigated whether the two families represent the tip of the iceberg of a subset of COVID-19 male patients. Methods: This is a nested case-control study in which we compared male participants with extreme phenotype selected from the Italian GEN-COVID cohort of SARS-CoV-2-infected participants (

Major surgery is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), thus the application of mechanical or pharmacologic prophylaxis is recommended. The incidence of VTE in patients with inherited platelet disorders (IPD) undergoing surgical procedures is unknown and no information on the current use and safety of thromboprophylaxis, particularly of low-molecular-weight-heparin in these patients is available. Here we explored the approach to thromboprophylaxis and thrombotic outcomes in IPD patients undergoing surgery at VTE-risk participating in the multicenter SPATA study. We evaluated 210 surgical procedures carried out in 155 patients with well-defined forms of IPD (VTE-risk: 31% high, 28.6% intermediate, 25.2% low, 15.2% very low). The use of thromboprophylaxis was low (23.3% of procedures), with higher prevalence in orthopedic and gynecological surgeries, and was related to VTE-risk. The most frequently employed thromboprophylaxis was mechanical and appeared to be effective, as no patients developed thrombosis, including patients belonging to the highest VTE-risk classes. Low-molecular-weight-heparin use was low (10.5%) and it did not influence the incidence of post-surgical bleeding or of antihemorrhagic prohemostatic interventions use. Two thromboembolic events were registered, both occurring after high VTE-risk procedures in patients who did not receive thromboprophylaxis (4.7%). Our findings suggest that VTE incidence is low in patients with IPD undergoing surgery at VTE-risk and that it is predicted by the Caprini score. Mechanical thromboprophylaxis may be of benefit in patients with IPD undergoing invasive procedures at VTE-risk and low-molecular-weight-heparin should be considered for major surgery.

The knowledge of phytoplasma genetic variability is a tool to study their epidemiology and to implement an effective monitoring and management of their associated diseases. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ is associated with “bois noir” disease in grapevines, and yellowing and decline symptoms in many plant species, causing serious damages during the epidemic outbreaks. The epidemiology of the diseases associated with this phytoplasma is complex and related to numerous factors, such as interactions of the host plant and insect vectors and spreading through infected plant propagation material. The genetic variability of ‘Ca. P. solani’ strains in different host species and in different geographic areas during the last two decades was studied by RFLP analyses coupled with sequencing on vmp1, stamp, and tuf genes. A total of 119 strains were examined, 25 molecular variants were identified, and the variability of the studied genes was linked to both geographic distribution and year of infection. The crucial question in ‘Ca. P. solani’ epidemiology is to trace back the epidemic cycle of the infections. This study presents some relevant features about differential strain distribution useful for disease monitoring and forecasting, illustrating and comparing the phytoplasma molecular variants identified in various regions, host species, and time periods.

Hypothermia, a potentially fatal condition, is defined as a drop of the body temperature below 35°C. The most common cause of severe hypothermia is the environmental exposure to low-temperatures. Other causes include septicemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, trauma, acute spinal cord injury, prolonged cardiac arrest and hypothyroidism. The hypothermia is an infrequent, but previously documented, adverse effect of antipsychotic medications. A 83-year-old Italian woman was transported to the Emergency Room with a reduced level of consciousness, Glasgow coma scale 7. She was bradycardic (heart rate 42 bpm), 80/150 mmHg blood pressure and respiratory rate 26/min. Her physical examination was significant for an anal temperature of 31°C. Blood exam and chest X-ray were unremarkable. In her clinical history, she was suffering from generalized anxiety disorder for the last 2 years and was prescribed olanzapine 7.5 mg daily. In recent days, the patient experienced a cognitive impairment with heat intolerance and had been reduced the dose of olanzapine 5 mg daily. On the basis of the clinical findings, the patient’s body temperature and blood exam, the diagnosis of olanzapine-associated hypothermia was made. The patient was gradually rewarmed with blankets and warm saline infusion and the olanzapine therapy was discontinued. She gradually regained consciousness after 18 h and, after 1 day, the patient’s body temperature increased up to 37.8°C with an improvement of the neurological conditions. We reported about the case of a patient treated with stable doses of olanzapine for a long period of time that developed hypothermia, a potentially fatal complication. This case shows that it is important to consider every change in the patient behavior, e.g., the poor resistance to heat present in our patient, that should exhibit warning sign of hypothermia.

Plant antioxidants are important compounds involved in plant defense, signaling, growth, and development. The quantity and quality of such compounds is genetically driven; nonetheless, light is one of the factors that strongly influence their synthesis and accumulation in plant tissues. Indeed, light quality affects the fitness of the plant, modulating its antioxidative profile, a key element to counteract the biotic and abiotic stresses. With this regard, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are emerging as a powerful technology which allows the selection of specific wavelengths and intensities, and therefore the targeted accumulation of plant antioxidant compounds. Despite the unique advantages of such technology, LED application in the horticultural field is still at its early days and several aspects still need to be investigated. This review focused on the most recent outcomes of LED application to modulate the antioxidant compounds of plants, with particular regard to vitamin C, phenols, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and glucosinolates. Additionally, future challenges and opportunities in the use of LED technology in the growth and postharvest storage of fruits and vegetables were also addressed to give a comprehensive overview of the future applications and trends of research.