Leaf production and quality of sea beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima) grown with saline drainage water from recirculating hydroponic or aquaculture systems

The application of greenhouse soilless culture (or hydroponics) and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is rapidly growing worldwide as these technologies provide controlled growing conditions for crop plants and aquatic organisms, thus enhancing productivity. The wastewater from RAS and hydroponics is generally rich in many essential plant nutrients and could be reused for crop irrigation, thus reducing the costs for both wastewater treatment and fertilizers. Many wild edible plant species are salt-tolerant glycophytes or halophytes and hence are suitable for cultivation with saline wastewater in cascade cropping systems or decoupled aquaponic systems. The goal of this work was to investigate the effects of drainage water from semi-closed substrate plant culture or saltwater RAS on leaf production and quality of sea beet plants (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima) grown hydroponically in a greenhouse. Two experiments were conducted in autumn with plants cultivated in a floating raft system to compare five different nutrient solutions: standard nutrient solution (CNS, control; EC 2.80 dS m−1, Na 0.7 mM); the effluent from a semi-closed substrate culture of tomato used as such (tomato effluent 100%, TE100; EC 6.49 dS m−1, Na 34.9 mM) or diluted (50:50) with CNS (tomato effluent 50%, TE50; EC 4.50 dS m−1, Na 17.8 mM); the effluent from a saltwater RAS with gilthead sea bream, used as such (aquaculture effluent 100%, AE100; EC 42.00 dS m−1, Na 408.6 mM) or diluted (50:50) with CNS (aquaculture effluent 50%, AE50; EC 25.40 dS m−1, Na 204.6 mM). In both experiments, leaf production was significantly reduced in plants grown with AE50 (−46.8%, on average) and AE100 (−70.4%, on average) compared to CNS; on the contrary, no or minor differences were found between CNS, TE50 and TE100 plants. The reduction of crop yield was due to the higher salinity and not to abnormal concentration of some mineral nutrients in AE. In the first experiment, the use of TE and AE also resulted in higher leaf antioxidant capacity and concentration (both expressed on a fresh weight basis) of total chlorophylls, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenols. In both experiments, leaf concentration of Na and oxalate (both total and soluble) significantly increased with the salinity of the nutrient solution. Due to the less favourable light conditions, leaf nitrate concentration was much higher in the second experiment than in the first one, regardless of the nutrient solution. In conclusion, sea beet could be grown using hydroponic wastewater with moderate salinity with no or minor effect on leaf production and quality. In contrast, the use of highly saline aquaculture effluents markedly reduced crop yield and negatively affected leaf quality due to increased concentration of sodium, oxalate, and nitrate. In general, sea beet leaves were high in oxalate and their consumption should be limited

Effects of Nonthermal Plasma (NTP) on the Growth and Quality of Baby Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. acephala Alef.) Cultivated in an Indoor Hydroponic Growing System

The aim of this research was to develop an effective protocol for the application of nonther-mal plasma (NTP) technology to the hydroponic nutrient solution, and to investigate its effects on the growth and quality of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. acephala Alef.) grown in a hydroponic growing system (HGS) specifically designed for indoor home cultivation. Four HGSs were placed in separate growth chambers with temperature of 24 ± 1◦ C and relative humidity of 70 ± 5%). Lettuce plants were grown for nine days in nutrient solutions treated with NTP for 0 (control) to 120 s every hour. Results of the first experiments showed that the optimal operating time of NTP was 120 s h−1 . Fresh leaf biomass was increased by the 60 and 120 s NTP treatments compared to the control. Treating the nutrient solution with NTP also resulted in greater leaf content of total chloro-phylls, carotenoids, total phenols, and total antioxidant capacity. NTP also positively influenced chlorophyll a fluorescence in Photosystem I (PSI) and photosynthetic electron transport. These results revealed that the NTP treatment of the nutrient solution could improve the production and quality of hydroponically grown baby leaf lettuce

Tele-Psychiatry Assessment of Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms in 100 Patients With Bipolar Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic Social-Distancing Measures in Italy

The acute phase of the COrona VIrus Disease-19 (COVID-19) emergency determined relevant stressful burdens in psychiatric patients, particularly those with chronic mental disorders such as bipolar disorder (BD), not only for the threat of being infected but also for the strict lock-down and social-distancing measures adopted, the economic uncertainty, and the limited possibilities to access psychiatric services. In this regard, telepsychiatry services represented a new important instrument that clinicians could adopt to monitor and support their patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate acute post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) reported by patients with BD followed in the framework of a telepsychiatry service, set up in the acute phase of the COVID-19 outbreak at the psychiatric clinic of the University of Pisa (Italy). A sample of 100 patients were consecutively enrolled and assessed by the IES-r, GAD-7, HAM-D, and YMRS. Patients reported a mean (±SD) IES-r total score of 18.15 ± 13.67. Further, 17% of the sample reported PTSS (IES-r > 32), 17% depressive symptoms (HAM-D > 17), and 26% anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 > 10). Work and financial difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and anxiety symptoms appeared to be positively associated with the development of acute PTSS. Acute manic symptoms appeared to be protective. The data of the present study suggest the relevance of monitoring patients with BD exposed to the burden related to the COVID-19 outbreak for prompt assessment and treatment of PTSS

Is There a Major Role for Undetected Autism Spectrum Disorder with Childhood Trauma in a Patient with a Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, Self-Injuring, and Multiple Comorbidities?

This case report highlights the relevance of the consequences of trauma in a female patient with an undetected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affected by bipolar disorder (BD) with multiple comorbidities. A 35-year-old woman with BD type II, binge eating disorder and panic disorder was admitted in the Inpatient Unit of the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa because of a recrudescence of depressive symptomatology, associated with increase of anxiety, noticeable ruminations, significant alteration in neurovegetative pattern, and serious suicide ideation. During the hospitalization, a diagnosis of ASD emerged besides a history of childhood trauma and affective dysregulation, marked impulsivity, feeling of emptiness, and self-harm behavior. The patient was assessed by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS-R), the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), Trauma and Loss Spectrum (TALS-SR), and Ruminative Response Scale (RRS). Total scores of 38/50 in the AQ, 146/240 in the RAADS-R, 99/160 in the AdAS Spectrum emerged, compatible with ASD, 47/116 in the TALS-SR, and 64/88 in the RRS. We discuss the implications of the trauma she underwent during her childhood, in the sense that caused a complex posttraumatic disorder, a lifelong disease favored and boosted by the rumination tendency of high functioning ASD

Chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of waste wheat bran to sugars and their simultaneous biocatalytic conversion to valuable carotenoids and lipids

Defatted wheat bran, an industrial waste of the food chain, represents a strategic renewable material for modern biorefinery schemes. Through a combination of chemical and biological catalysis, a cascade process was developed to produce high-value fine chemicals, such as carotenoids and lipids, from polysaccharide fraction. Due to the low lignin content and suitable particle size of defatted wheat bran, pretreatment steps are unnecessary, allowing the direct enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of polysaccharide components (glucan, xylan, and arabinan) to give fermentable sugars. Regarding the biocatalytic approach, the optimisation of the main reaction parameters, such as enzyme dosage (15, 30, 45, 60 FPU Cellic (R) CTec 3 HS/g glucan) and biomass loading (5, 10, 15, 20 wt%), was performed to improve the monosaccharide yield. Regarding the chemical route, a microwaveassisted FeCl3-catalysed approach was optimised in terms of catalyst amount (1.0, 1.3, 1.6 wt%) and reaction time (2.5, 5, 10 min) to maximise the sugar yield, minimizing the formation of furanic derivatives which are strong inhibitors for the subsequent fermentation step. The biological conversion of sugars obtained by both enzymatic and chemical routes into carotenoids and lipids was then performed by adopting the commercial yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides DSM 4444. The simultaneous production of carotenoids and lipids was optimised by investigating the effect of the C/N ratio in the fermentation medium. Under the optimised process conditions (C/ N 60), by fermenting hydrolysate obtained by chemical and enzymatic routes, carotenoid productions of 120 and 180 mg/L and lipids productions of 5.2 and 3.5 g/L were achieved, respectively. The highest carotenoids cell content achieved in this study (14.8 mg/g) is about 5 times higher than the maximum value reported in the literature to date for this yeast. Moreover, Rhodosporidium toruloides achieved the complete conversion of sugars into desired bioproducts for both the biomass hydrolysates demonstrating the effectiveness of the two different catalytic approaches adopted for biomass hydrolysis

Reduction of nutrient run-off by the use of coated slow-release fertilizers on two container-grown nursery crops

The agricultural district of Pistoia (Tuscany, Italy) is one of the most important sites in Europe for the production of Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock (HONS). One of the main problems of this sector is the environmental impact of the pot cultivation, mainly due to an incorrect irrigation scheduling that leads to high nitrogen and phosphorus losses. The aim of this research has been to compare the effects of the traditional fertigation versus new fertilization strategies, based on the use of controlled slow-release fertilizers (CRFs), on plant growth and on nitrogen and phosphorus run-off in two container HONS species (Photinia × fraseri and Prunus laurocerasus). Every week, plant height, cumulate irrigation and drainage volume were measured on four replicates for each treatment and species. Every four weeks two average samples of drainage water and irrigation water for each treatment and species were analysed, determining total nitrogen and phosphorus content, in order to draft a water and nutrient balance. The three different fertilization strategies did not produce any relevant effect on the final plant height and all plants were ranked in the top quality market category. The data confirmed that the use of CRFs could contribute to a huge reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus run-off in the environment and could be a winning strategy for the fertilization of HONS in nitrate vulnerable zones

Innovative biorefinery process for the fractionation and conversion of giant reed to carotenoids and triglycerides

Innovative biorefinery process for the fractionation and conversion of giant reed to carotenoids and triglyceride

Chronotype is differentially associated with lifetime mood and panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls.

Objective. Although the association between chronotype and mood disorders has been con- sistently reported, conversely, attempts to measure the association between chronotype and anxiety symptoms have generated inconsistent results. We aimed at evaluating whether chron- otype (assessed through subjective and objective measures) is associated with lifetime mood and panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms in healthy controls (HCs) and in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Methods. Overall, 173 subjects, patients with BD in euthymic phase (n = 76) and HC (n = 97), were evaluated through the reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), acti- graphy monitoring and mood and panic-agoraphobic spectrum self-report (MOODS-SR and PAS-SR). The discrepancy between objective (actigraphic-based) versus subjective (rMEQ- based) circadian typology was estimated through the Circadian Classification Discrepancy Index (CCDI). Results. rMEQ-based evening chronotype (ET) was associated with higher scores in MOODS- SR depressive and rhythmicity and vegetative functions domains in HC and BD.Both ET and morning chronotypes (MT) were associated with higher PAS-SR scores in BD only. Actigraphic-based MT was associated with higher MOODS-SR depressive scores in HC. Likewise, the discrepancy between actigraphic-based and rMEQ-based circadian typology was associated with depressive symptoms in HC only. Conclusion. Self-reported ET was consistently associated with mood symptoms, while associ- ations with panic-agoraphobic symptoms only emerged in BD and involved both extreme chronotypes. The discrepancy between the preferred circadian typology (rMEQ-based) and the actual one (actigraphic-based) could contribute to depressive symptoms in HC. These results pave the way for interventional studies targeting circadian typology in an attempt to prevent or treat mental health disorders

Novel Pharmacological Targets of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychopathological condition with a heteroge- neous clinical picture that is complex and challenging to treat. Its multifaceted pathophysiology still remains an unresolved question and certainly contributes to this issue. The pharmacological treatment of PTSD is mainly empirical and centered on the serotonergic system. Since the therapeutic response to prescribed drugs targeting single symptoms is generally inconsistent, there is an urgent need for novel pathogenetic hypotheses, including different mediators and pathways. This paper was conceived as a narrative review with the aim of debating the current pharmacological treatment of PTSD and further highlighting prospective targets for future drugs. The authors accessed some of the main databases of scientific literature available and selected all the papers that fulfilled the purpose of the present work. The results showed that most of the current pharmacological treatments for PTSD are symptom-based and show only partial benefits; this largely reflects the limited knowledge of its neurobiology. Growing, albeit limited, data suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, opioids, glutamate, cannabinoids, oxytocin, neuropeptide Y, and microRNA may play a role in the development of PTSD and could be targeted for novel treatments. Indeed, recent research indicates that examining different pathways might result in the development of novel and more efficient drugs

Risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in 111 survivors the 2009 Viareggio (Italy) Rail Crash: The role of mood spectrum comorbidity

Objectives: To explore the presence of PTSD and the potential correlations between the risk of developing PTSD and the lifetime mood spectrum signs and symptoms, as assessed with the Mood Spectrum Questionnaire Lifetime Version (MOODS-SR), in a sample of survivors of a liquid gas train crash in Italy, in 2009. Methods: One hundred eleven subjects were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I Disorder (SCID-I), the Mood Spectrum Questionnaire (MOODS-SR) Lifetime version, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Trauma and Loss Spectrum Questionnaire (TALS-SR). Results: Sixty-six subjects, of the 111 who completed the SCID-I (59.5%), met criteria for PTSD. PTSD patients showed higher comorbidity rates for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (p < 0.001), and lifetime and current Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (p < 0.001) than subjects who did not develop PTSD. Lifetime MOODS-SR 'Sociability/Extraversion' factor and the prevalence of lifetime MDD differentiated subjects with from those without PTSD, when a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Conclusions: Although further research is needed, our results show a significant correlation between the risk of developing PTSD and the mood spectrum comorbidity