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Background: Ten years ago the main Genome Size (GS) database contained records for 830 insects; although this number has now nearly doubled, 1645 (Gregory 2011 vs Gregory 2021 databases), the paucity of records highlights both the difficulty of animal field trapping and the time-consuming laboratory techniques to evaluate them. Thus, new entries are necessary to reach a satisfactory GS panorama for cockroaches. Results: We report GS values for nine cockroaches (order Blattodea, families Blattidae, Blaberidae and Ectobiidae, ex Blattelidae,), three of which are original additions to the ten already present in the GS database: the death’s head roach (Blaberus craniifer), the Surinam cockroach (Pycnoscelus surinamensis) and the Madeira cockroach (Leucophaea maderae). Three of our values confirm the existing data for the German (Blattella germanica), the oriental (Blatta orientalis) and the giant Mexican (Blabera fusca) cockroaches. Regarding the GS of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) the GS database contains two contrasting values (2.72 vs 3.41 pg). We suggest that the 2.72 pg value is likely to be the correct GS as it strikingly similar to our sperm DNA content evaluation (2.80 ± 0.11 pg). Finally, we suggest halving the published GS of the Argentine cockroach Blaptica dubia and the spotted cockroach (the gray cockroach) Nauphoeta cinerea as our estimates come from the evaluation of the sperm DNA content. The data already reported in the literature are based on DNA contents of neural cells (likely polyploid) obtained by grinding entire heads of animals.Conclusions: Although the paucity of the GS data does not allow firm considerations on the possible evolutionary role played by the GS in diversifying cockroach species, we offer two speculative hypotheses that need to be validated by increasing the available GS records: (i) the occurrence of a correlation between increasing 2N chromosome number and GS within the order Blattodea; and (ii) the possible occurrence of a polyploidization phenomenon doubling a basic GS of 0.58 pg of some termite families (superfamily Blattoidea, epifamily Termitoidae) up to the maximum GS value of 3.24 for the Blaberidae family within the order Blattodea (super-order Dictyoptera).

Multidimensional challenges arise in the field of forensic chemistry and toxicology from the ongoing emergence of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) as well as the increasing legalization and medicalization of Cannabis sativa (C. sativa). This work addresses these challenges from different angles under the application of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. “Phase I In vitro Metabolic Profiling of the Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists CUMYL-THPINACA and ADAMANTYL-THPINACA” (study I) investigated the in vitro metabolic fate of two SCs. As data on the metabolism of newly emerging SCs is typically scarce, in vitro metabolism studies are required for the identification of suitable screening targets. The implementation of an in silico assisted workflow aided identification and structure elucidation of metabolites. It was observed that both SCs are vastly metabolized. Suitable screening targets were proposed. Additionally, investigation of the involved cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes gave valuable information on potential metabolic drug-drug adverse reactions and the potential influence of CYP polymorphisms. “Adulteration of low-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol products with synthetic cannabinoids: Results from drug checking services” (study II) presents data gained on the phenomenon of low THC cannabis products adulterated with SCs. Since 2020, such products have been increasingly detected in Switzerland and various European countries. The drug user’s unawareness about the presence of SCs combined with the typically higher potencies of SCs when compared to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) raised public health concerns. Cannabis samples and data on the drugs’ effects obtained from three drug checking services were investigated. A comprehensive screening method for SCs applying high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was developed and validated. The carrier material was characterized regarding its THC and cannabidiol (CBD) contents. Data obtained from drug checking services included user self-reports on adverse effects after consumption of the respective adulterated and non-adulterated cannabis products. Increased risks for adverse effects, in particular cardiovascular and psychologic adverse effects, were found for products containing SCs when compared to regular cannabis products. The role of drug checking services as market monitoring tool and as source on effects of newly emerging new psychoactive substances (NPS) was highlighted. “Beyond Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol: Chemical differentiation of cannabis varieties applying targeted and untargeted analysis” (study III) presents the development and validation of a comprehensive analytical method for the determination of major and minor cannabinoids in cannabis inflorescences. Minor cannabinoids are gaining interest for various applications, ranging from improved product characterization and differentiation of cannabis varieties to bioanalytical questions in the medico-legal field. Samples derived from 18 cannabis varieties grown and stored under standardized conditions were characterized, applying the targeted and untargeted analyses using HRMS. Multivariate statistics, e.g., principal component analysis, were conducted to investigate similarities and differences between varieties. The presented methods allowed for a refined representation of chemical differences, i.e., chemical fingerprints, between varieties, expanding traditionally applied classification systems based on THC and CBD alone.

L���origine della pandemia da COVID-19 �� da attribuire alla devastazione e distruzione del pianeta causata dai nostri esasperati consumi e stili di vita. Infatti �� dalla rivoluzione industriale in poi che noi, sapiens sapiens, abbiamo devastato pi�� dei 2/3 della superfice terrestre per processi di industrializzazione, urbanizzazione e produzione agricola. Non solo, abbiamo deforestato l���equivalente della superficie del continente africano per l���allevamento intensivo di bovini e la produzione di carne rossa.Tutto ci�� ha ampliato a dismisura disuguaglianze ed ingiustizie sociali ed ambientali. Il rapporto di Sir Partha Dasgupta (l���economia della biodiversit��) e lo studio dell���opera di Gilbert Simodon, che qui commentiamo, sono un prezioso aiuto per responsabilizzarci sulla gravit�� della ���questione ecologica���. Ci stiamo comportando da buoni antenati? E, soprattutto, che tipo di pianeta lasceremo alle generazioni a venire?, N��ema, N. 12 (2021): Filosofia dell'ecologia: eco-poietica ed eco-paidetica

Additional file 1.

Stem cell (SC) biology is a pervasive transdisciplinary research field encompassing any level of life organization (from molecular to morphological), combining different types of techniques (spanning from cellular to molecular).....

The ten chapters of this volume exploit the potentials of stem cells biology in translational medicine in a very clear way also thanks to nice color illustrations together with tricks and suggestions useful to get reproducible results...