A biostimulant based on seaweed (Ascophyllum Nodosum and Laminaria digitata) and yeast extracts mitigateswater stress effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum l.)

Water deficit is one of the most problematic stressors worldwide. In this context, the use of biostimulants represents an increasingly ecological practice aimed to improve crop tolerance and mitigate the negative effects on the productivity. Here, the effect derived from the foliar application of ERANTHIS®®, a biostimulant based on seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria digitata) and yeast extracts, was tested on tomato plants grown under mild water-stress conditions. The potential stress mitigation action was evaluated by monitoring morphometric (fresh weight and dry matter content), physiological (stem water potential) and biochemical (ROS scavenger enzymes activity, proline, abscisic acid, hydrogen peroxide and photosynthetic pigment content) parameters closely related to the occurrence and response to stress at both flowering and fruit-set timing. In general, we observed that plants grown under drought conditions and treated with the biostimulant had a lower amount of ABA, and MDA and proline correlated to a lower activity of ROS scavenger enzymes compared to untreated plants. These data, together with the higher stem water potential and photosynthetic pigment levels recorded for the treated plants, suggest that ERANTHIS®® may mitigate water stress effects on tomato

Changes in the Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Prunus persica Fruits after the Application of a Commercial Biostimulant Based on Seaweed and Yeast Extract

Plant biostimulants are formulations that are experiencing great success from the perspective of sustainable agriculture. In this work, we evaluated the effect derived from the application of a biostimulant based on algae and yeast extracts (Expando (R)) on the agronomic yield and nutraceutical profile of two different cultivars ("Sugar Time" and "West Rose") of Prunus persica (peach). Although, at the agronomic level, significant effects on production yields were not recorded, the biostimulant was able to reduce the ripening time, increase the fruit size, and make the number of harvestable fruits homogeneous. From a nutraceutical point of view, our determinations via spectrophotometric (UV/Vis) and chromatographic (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS) analysis showed that the biostimulant was able to boost the content of bioactive compounds in both the pulp (5.0 L/ha: +17%; 4.0 L/ha: +12%; 2.5 L/ha: +11%) and skin (4.0 L/ha: +38%; 2.5 L/ha: +15%). These changes seem to follow a dose-dependent effect, also producing attractive effects on the antioxidant properties of the fruits harvested from the treated trees. In conclusion, the biostimulant investigated in this work proved to be able to produce more marketable fruit in a shorter time, both from a pomological and a functional point of view

Design and characterization of a minimally invasive bipolar electrode for electroporation

Objective: To test a new bipolar electrode for electroporation consisting of a single minimally invasive needle. Methods: A theoretical study was performed by using Comsol Multiphysics® software. The prototypes of electrode have been tested on potatoes and pigs, adopting an irreversible electroporation protocol. Different applied voltages and different geometries of bipolar electrode prototype have been evaluated. Results: Simulations and pre-clinical tests have shown that the volume of ablated area is mainly influenced by applied voltage, while the diameter of the electrode had a lesser impact, making the goal of minimal-invasiveness possible. The conductive pole’s length determined an increase of electroporated volume, while the insulated pole length inversely affects the electroporated volume size and shape; when the insulated pole length decreases, a more regular shape of the electric field is obtained. Moreover, the geometry of the electrode determined a different shape of the electroporated volume. A parenchymal damage in the liver of pigs due to irreversible electroporation protocol was observed. Conclusion: The minimally invasive bipolar electrode is able to treat an electroporated volume of about 10 mm in diameter by using a single-needle electrode. Moreover, the geometry and the electric characteristics can be selected to produce ellipsoidal ablation volumes

Clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and potential contributing and prognostic factors in patients with bone metastases from gynecological cancers: A systematic review

The purpose of this study is to review the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and potential contributing and prognostic factors of bone metastases from gynecological cancers (GCs). A systematic literature search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was conducted. Thirty-one studies, all retrospective, were included in this review, for a total of 2880 patients with GC bone metastases. Primary tumors leading to bone metastases included endometrial cancer (EC), cervical cancer (CC), ovarian cancer (OC), uterine sarcoma (US) and vulvar cancer (VuC), mainly with an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage of III and IV. The main bone metastatic lesion site was the vertebral column, followed by the pelvic bone and lower extremity bones. The median survival rate after bone metastases diagnosis ranged from 3.0 to 45 months. The most frequent treatments were palliative and included radiotherapy and chemotherapy, followed by surgery. The findings of this review give a first dataset for a greater understanding of GC bone metastases that could help clinicians move toward a more “personalized” and thus more effective patient management

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

The clinical strategies for tendon repair with biomaterials: A review on rotator cuff and Achilles tendons

Tendon repair is a complex process due to the low tenocyte density, metabolism, and vascularization. Tears of rotator cuff (RCT) and Achilles tendons ruptures have a major impact on healthcare costs and quality of life of patients. Scaffolds are used to improve the healing rate after surgery and long-term results. A systematic search was carried out to identify the different types of scaffolds used during RCT and Achilles tendon repair surgery in the last 10 years. A higher number of clinical studies were reported on RCT ruptures. Biological scaffolds were used more than synthetic ones, for both rotator cuff and Achilles tendons. Moreover, platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-based scaffolds were the most widely used in RCT. A different type of synthetic scaffold was used in each of the five studies found. Biological scaffolds either provide variable results, in particular PRP-based ones, or poor results, such as bovine equine pericardium. All the synthetic scaffolds demonstrated a significant increase in clinical and functional scores in biomechanics, and a significant decrease in pain and re-tear rate in comparison to conventional surgery. Despite the limited number of studies, further investigation in the clinical use of synthetic scaffolds should be carried out

Wstępne badania dotyczące wpływu kompleksu nanogąbki Fe w ogrodnictwie

Iron deficiency is a major nutritional disorder in crops. Inorganic Fe-compounds and synthetic Fe-chelates are commonly used to control chlorosis but their use arise environmental concerns. We recently developed a new iron fertilizer using a β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponge complex (Fe-NS). In this study, a pilot trial was performed on hydroponically cultivated horticultural plants in order to evaluate the effect of Fe-NS. Sweet corn and tomato were used as model plants analyzing chlorophyll, dry matter and Fe content. Fe-NS effect was compared to FeSO4 and Fe-DTPA. Fe-NS had a positive effect on re-greening and growth in sweet corn and tomato plants.Niedobór żelaza jest głównym zaburzeniem odżywczym roślin uprawnych. Nieorganiczne związki Fe oraz syntetyczne chelaty Fe są powszechnie używane do walki z chlorozą, co niepokoi jednak ekologów. Opracowano więc nowy nawóz żelazowy przy użyciu kompleksu nanogąbki w oparciu o β-cyklodekstrynę (Fe-NS). W niniejszym badaniu przeprowadzono test pilotażowy na roślinach ogrodniczych w celu oceny wpływu FeNS. Modelowymi roślinami były słodka kukurydza i pomidor, w których przeanalizowano zawartość chlorofilu, suchej masy oraz Fe. Wpływ Fe-SN porównano z FeSO4 i FeDTPA. Fe-NS miał pozytywny wpływ na nowe zazielenienie oraz wzrost roślin słodkiej kukurydzy i pomidora