Publications by authors named "Antonio Ferrante"

Foliar spraying is a simple and efficient technique that enables targeted delivery of biostimulants directly onto plant surfaces, minimizing losses and environmental dispersion. Among biostimulant categories, microalgae-based formulations represent an eco-friendly solution to improve crop productivity, thanks to their richness in bioactive compounds and rapid growth in low-input systems. In this study, the crude extract of three green microalgae with high commercial value and broad biotechnological potential-Auxenochlorella protothecoides, Tetradesmus obliquus and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii-along with their consortium, was tested as foliar biostimulants for the first time on wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.

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Background: Leaf senescence is a high regulated and complex process that can be trigged by dark conditions, as demonstrated in various studies. Dark-induced leaf senescence resembles natural senescence by triggering typical symptoms such as protein degradation and chlorophyll loss. Transcription factors have been recognized as key modulators of dark-induced senescence and are associated with plant hormones such as cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins, and jasmonic acid.

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Storing 'Rocha' pear treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in controlled atmosphere is a common commercial strategy to extend pear storage time and prevent postharvest disorders. However, this strategy represents a challenge to the fruit industry because 1-MCP treatment obstructs the normal fruit ripening, potentially affecting the quality to consumers. To explore possible mechanisms to reactivate ripening, 'Rocha' pears treated with 1-MCP were exposed to 2 and 4 mM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (1-NAA) and stored at 20 ± 2 °C for 15 days.

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Background: Plant senescence is a genetically controlled process that results in the programmed death of plant cells, organs, or the entire plant. This process is essential for nutrient recycling and supports the production of plant offspring. Environmental stresses such as drought and heat can hasten senescence, reducing photosynthetic efficiency and significantly affecting crop quality and yield.

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Low temperature is the main strategy to preserve fruit quality post-harvest, in the supply chain. Low temperatures reduce the respiration, ethylene emission, and enzymatic activities associated with senescence. Unfortunately, peaches are sensitive to low temperatures if exposed for long periods, resulting in physiological disorders that can compromise commercial quality.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effects of a plant-derived biostimulant from borage flowers on two types of lettuce, assessing its impact on crop yield, quality, and stress tolerance.
  • The biostimulant was applied as a foliar spray over three weeks, with a focus on measuring various growth parameters and conducting both non-destructive and destructive analyses.
  • Results showed that while the biostimulant negatively impacted head weight in the red lettuce cultivar, it improved nitrogen nutrition in the green cultivar and influenced factors like chlorophyll efficiency and anthocyanin levels differently between the two lettuce types.
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  • Reduced levels of Protein Kinase C (PKC)ζ in cord blood T cells are linked to the development of allergies in children and a tendency to favor an immature T-helper (Th)2 cytokine response.* -
  • Cord blood monocytes and neutrophils also exhibit low levels of various PKC isozymes compared to adult blood, indicating a broader deficiency in these immune cells.* -
  • While PKCζ levels in cord blood T cells correlate with those in monocytes, this does not influence the differentiation of the T cells towards Th1 or Th2 cytokine profiles, unlike in T cells.*
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Liver fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition, is driven by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Due to the limited availability of anti-fibrotic drugs, the research on therapeutic agents continues. Here we have investigated Lam.

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  • Liver fibrosis results from chronic liver damage, leading to excess extracellular matrix buildup and increasing the risk of severe conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
  • This study focuses on the anti-fibrotic effects of a crude extract from KL and its compound β-citronellol (β-CIT), tested in human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) to evaluate their impact on fibrogenesis.
  • Results indicate that both KL extract and β-CIT can reduce activation of liver cells associated with fibrosis and thus show potential for developing new therapies against liver fibrosis.
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  • Sword lily is a valuable cut flower, and understanding how it responds to salt stress is important for its production.
  • Melatonin (MT) has shown promise in helping plants cope with stress, suggesting it could be a viable alternative to chemical treatments.
  • MT application improved growth, photosynthetic pigments, and stress resistance in sword lily under salt stress, making it a potentially effective strategy for maintaining flower quality and reducing reliance on harmful agrochemicals.
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Medical diagnostic laboratories have come under further scrutiny to ensure quality standards of their service and external quality assurance (EQA) programs involving multiple laboratories have been used to gauge this quality based on a consensus. However, because of the geographical distances within a country or internationally, cell surface marker expressions may change due to time delays and transport temperatures. Attention was given to this issue some decades ago and hence requires a re-evaluation in consideration of updated methods, reagents and instruments for flow cytometry and phenotyping.

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  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is a standard test in clinical settings, while cytokine testing, like IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, is primarily used for research purposes.
  • A study analyzed 307 samples and found a strong correlation between CRP levels and IL-6, but no correlation with IL-1β and TNF-α.
  • Patients with bacterial infections showed elevated levels of both CRP and IL-6, while CRP was notably high in those with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, suggesting that CRP could serve as a practical indicator of IL-6 levels in diagnostics.
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Ornamental plants are used to decorate urban and peri-urban areas, and during their cultivation or utilisation, they can be exposed to abiotic stress. Salinity is an abiotic stress factor that limits plant growth and reduces the ornamental value of sensitive species. In this study, transcriptomic analysis was conducted to identify genes associated with tolerance or sensitivity to salinity in two hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.

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SMAX/SMXL family genes were successfully identified and characterized in the chickpea and lentil and gene expression data revealed several genes associated with the modulation of plant branching and powerful targets for use in transgenesis and genome editing. Strigolactones (SL) play essential roles in plant growth, rooting, development, and branching, and are associated with plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Likewise, karrikins (KAR) are "plant smoke-derived molecules" that act in a hormonal signaling pathway similar to SL playing an important role in seed germination and hairy root elongation.

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Storage or transportation temperature is very important for preserving the quality of fruit. However, low temperature in sensitive fruit such as peach can induce loss of quality. Fruit exposed to a specific range of temperatures and for a longer period can show chilling injury (CI) symptoms.

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In urban areas, ornamental plants face different constraints, such as the shading of buildings and trees. Therefore, the selection of suitable species and their integration or combination with pre-existing plants is very important. Trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plant species must be distributed according to plant light requirements and shading intensity.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Light is crucial for plants because it fuels photosynthesis and influences various growth processes, and using LED lights in indoor farming can enhance plant quality and growth efficiency.
  • - Different wavelengths of light, especially blue and red, significantly impact how plants absorb nutrients and produce secondary metabolites, affecting their overall quality.
  • - The review suggests a need for further research to create customized lighting strategies that improve both the nutritional value and characteristics of horticultural products.
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  • The native shrubs of Mediterranean countries, known for their ornamental value, are crucial in forming the 'Macchia', a unique type of vegetation in the region.
  • Recent studies focus on their ability to withstand abiotic stresses, particularly in urban areas, which can hinder plant growth.
  • Strategies like genetic modifications, agronomic techniques, and using native species can enhance the resilience of these plants, ensuring they thrive and maintain aesthetic appeal in cities.
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Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD) gene family is organized in two subfamilies: (i) 9-cis epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) genes and (ii) CCD genes. NCED genes are essential for catalyzing the first step of the abscisic-acid (ABA) biosynthesis, while CCD genes produce precursors of the strigolactones hormone. The functional characterization of these gene subfamilies has not been yet performed in chickpea and lentil.

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  • Many babies show low levels of a protein called PKCζ in their cord blood T cells, which is linked to a higher risk of developing allergies due to difficulty transitioning from a Th2 (allergy-prone) to a Th1 (immune response) cytokine profile.
  • Researchers created a model to study how PKCζ affects this transition, comparing cells with normal PKCζ levels to those treated with PMA, a substance that does not activate PKCζ.
  • The results indicated that the treated cells maintained a Th2 bias (producing lots of IL-4 and little IFN-γ), while introducing an active PKCζ led to a shift towards a Th1 profile (high in IFN-γ
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  • LED technology is energy-efficient, compact, and long-lasting, providing advantages to the ornamental industry over traditional lighting methods.
  • Light plays a crucial role in plant growth through photosynthesis and influences various traits like flowering and pigmentation, allowing for precise management of plant environments.
  • Using LEDs offers growers benefits like predictable yields, improved plant quality, and reduced reliance on agrochemicals and energy, making it a sustainable choice for the floriculture industry.
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Background: Biofortification of vegetables is an important innovation technique in the horticultural sector. Vegetables can be a vector of different minor elements that have beneficial effects on human health. Selenium (Se) is an important element for human nutrition and plays a significant role in defence mechanisms.

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