Physiological Effect of Thallium in the Facultative Hyperaccumulator Silene latifolia.

The metallicolous populations of the facultative Tl hyperaccumulator Silene latifolia are extraordinarily tolerant and capable of accumulating up to 80,000 μg Tl g in nature. A growth stimulatory effect of Tl was observed, and this study set out to determine possible mechanisms. Plants from non-metallicolous and metallicolous populations were subjected to hydroponics dosing experiments at 2.

Rapamycin-Reactivated Lipid Catabolism in Mill. Exposed to Salt Stress.

Salt stress is one of the most common factors reducing the productivity of crops. We tested the effect of Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor and autophagy inducer, for the possible amelioration of high-salinity stress in . We analyzed the germination rate, the macro- and micro-morphology of seedlings, and the ultrastructure of cotyledons with a Transmission Electron Microscope.

Secondary Metabolites Composition and Their Histochemical Localization in the Fruit of Piper malgassicum Papini, Palchetti, Gori and Rota Nodari (Piperaceae).

The anatomy, histochemistry, and secondary metabolite composition were investigated on the drupes of Piper malgassicum, one of the components of the spice voatsiperifery pepper. The high amount of piperine recorded with high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection analysis was localized with histochemistry mainly along the fruit mesocarp in idioblasts, since they were positive to alkaloids (Wagner reaction). The fruit was analyzed at different stages of maturation.

Impact of PET micro/nanoplastics on the symbiotic system Azolla filiculoides-Trichormus azollae.

The symbiotic system Azolla filiculoides-Trichormus azollae was exposed for ten days to environmentally relevant concentrations (i.e. 0.

Ants avoid food contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) have recently received particular attention in freshwater and marine ecosystems, but less is known about their impact on terrestrial species. Ants can be used as biological indicators for many types of pollutants and are therefore a good candidate to explore the effects of MNP pollution. In the present study, we investigated the ability of workers from seven colonies of the acrobat ant Crematogaster scutellaris to detect MNP in their food.

Salt-Affected Rocket Plants as a Possible Source of Glucosinolates.

Soil salinity can have various negative consequences on agricultural products, from their quality and production to their aesthetic traits. In this work, the possibility to use salt-affected vegetables, that otherwise would be discarded, as a source of nutraceuticals was explored. To this aim, rocket plants, a vegetable featuring bioactive compounds such as glucosinolates, were exposed to increasing NaCl concentrations in hydroponics and analysed for their content in bioactive compounds.

Saline Stress Impairs Lipid Storage Mobilization during Germination in .

Soil salinization become worse in the last decades, leading to reduced crop yields, especially in the Mediterranean basin. Eruca sativa is a common species cultivated in this area with remarkable economic importance. This study aimed at investigating the effect of salinity on this plant, focusing on (i) seedling development in terms of variations in germination and growth parameters and (ii) anatomical and ultra-structural changes in the morphology of cotyledons.

Fluorescent Labeling of Lignin Nanocapsules with Fluorol Yellow 088.

The microscopic visualization of nanoparticles in plants is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms of their uptake through the cell wall and plasma membrane and to localize the possible sites of their extracellular or intracellular accumulation. Lignin nanocarriers are polymeric hollow nanocapsules able to contain and transport several bioactive substances inside plant tissues. We describe here a method for the preparation of Fluorol Yellow 088-labeled lignin nanocapsules that allow their localization in plant organs and tissues by fluorescence microscopy.

Inverse relationship between scores on the quality of life questionnaire SF-12 and on the Aging Males' Symptoms scale in Italian men.

Objectives: To analyse the relation between results of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire for aging males, and of quality of life (QOL) questionnaire SF-12 and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: 1,927 men aged 55-85 years were interviewed by 56 general practitioners. During the interview the men were asked to fill in the AMS scale and the QOL questionnaire SF-12.