Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizae on plant growth, essential oil production and phosphorus uptake of Salvia officinalis L

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) contribute to the secondary metabolism and production of active ingredients in aromatic and medicinal plants. This symbiotic association is particularly affected by the availability of phosphorus (P) in the soil. This study was conducted on Salvia officinalis L. using two inocula, commercial Symbivit and Septoglomus viscosum (syn. Glomus viscosum), alone or supplemented with two doses of actual P (0.03, 0.06 g kg−1). The effects of these fungi and their combinations with P were determined in relation to the growth of sage plants (Regula variety), to the concentration of P in leaf tissues, and to the quantity and quality of essential oils (EOs). S. viscosum treated plants showed better growth with or without P-supply compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The plants inoculated with S. viscosum presented the highest dry weight regardless of addition of P. Both AM fungi increased the leaf P content as more P was applied to the soil, whereas the EO content did not change with any of the treatments. Although the EO yield slightly increased with the Symbivit treatment, the chemical composition of the oil was drastically altered by S. viscosum in which the manool was the main component (28.13%), while -thujone decreased (13.09%). These results suggest that AM symbiosis is a good candidate for promoting plant growth and essential oil composition and for improving P uptake in low fertility soils. Thus, mycorrhiza can be considered as a sustainable strategy based on natural resources in order to influence the manool and -thujone content in sage EO composition. These compositions are very important to develop new classes of biocides and contribute to reducing risks to both human health and the environment

Strategies to improve Critical Infrastructures Robustness against the IEMI threat : a Review of relevant Standards and Guidelines on the topic

This paper aims to provide a brief overview of relevant standards, procedures and guidelines to standard bodies to manage the impact of the Intentional ElectroMagnetic Interference (IEMI) threat. It also provides guidelines for CI operators on how to reduce their exposure on IEMI hazards

Yield and Quality of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L. var. major) Genotypes as a Vegetable for Fresh Consumption: A Comparison between Italian Landraces and Commercial Varieties

Legumes crops play significant roles both in human diets and agriculture, and contribute to sustainable farming. In this study, we evaluated both some quality traits and yield of four landraces (Cegliese, Iambola, San Francesco, and FV5) of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. major Harz) for fresh consumption in order to assess and distinguish the landraces also in comparison with two commercial varieties (Aguadulce supersimonia and Extra-early purple) by using a crop system without irrigation. Independently of the genotype, we obtained the same pods yield (1794 g/m2) without affecting the seed size. All genotypes can be considered a good source of vitamin C, although Extra-early purple and San Francesco reveal the highest content (703 and 646 mg /100 g fresh weight—FW, respectively). Cegliese showed the highest L-dopa content (10.14 mg /00 g FW), suggesting its use as a natural rich source of L-dopa (dopamine precursor used for Parkinson’s disease treatment) instead of using synthesized L-dopa. In conclusion, this study highlight interesting quality traits of faba bean when consumed as fresh vegetables, suggesting its positive role on human health and the possibility of its production by using local horticultural systems that are skilled in optimizing resource utilization

Lactic acid bacteria fermentation to exploit the nutritional potential of Mediterranean faba bean local biotypes

Aiming at evaluating their nutritional profile and pro-technological aptitude, the flour obtained from thirteen Mediterranean faba bean accessions was fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum DPPMAB24W, a lactic acid bacteria strain previously selected for the high β-glucosidase activity. Before fermentation the flours were characterized for the chemical profile, showing wide variability in protein content (that ranged from 24.83% to 30.03%) and α-galactosides concentration. Slight differences were found among the accessions for trypsin inhibitory activity and for the presence of the antinutritional factors condensed tannins and vicine. The heterogeneity observed for the raw flours was flattened after fermentation, although the different composition of the raw matrix affected the starter performances, especially the production of organic acids. Compared to controls, fermented doughs were characterized by higher free amino acids content and higher in vitro protein digestibility, while antinutritional factors concentrations drastically decreased and in some cases they resulted completely degraded. The results obtained in this study confirmed that fermentation can be considered as a major key-factor in valorizing faba bean employment as food ingredient

Incidence of severe critical events in paediatric anaesthesia (APRICOT): a prospective multicentre observational study in 261 hospitals in Europe

Background Little is known about the incidence of severe critical events in children undergoing general anaesthesia in Europe. We aimed to identify the incidence, nature, and outcome of severe critical events in children undergoing anaesthesia, and the associated potential risk factors. Methods The APRICOT study was a prospective observational multicentre cohort study of children from birth to 15 years of age undergoing elective or urgent anaesthesia for diagnostic or surgical procedures. Children were eligible for inclusion during a 2-week period determined prospectively by each centre. There were 261 participating centres across 33 European countries. The primary endpoint was the occurence of perioperative severe critical events requiring immediate intervention. A severe critical event was defined as the occurrence of respiratory, cardiac, allergic, or neurological complications requiring immediate intervention and that led (or could have led) to major disability or death. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01878760. Findings Between April 1, 2014, and Jan 31, 2015, 31â127 anaesthetic procedures in 30â874 children with a mean age of 6·35 years (SD 4·50) were included. The incidence of perioperative severe critical events was 5·2% (95% CI 5·0â5·5) with an incidence of respiratory critical events of 3·1% (2·9â3·3). Cardiovascular instability occurred in 1·9% (1·7â2·1), with an immediate poor outcome in 5·4% (3·7â7·5) of these cases. The all-cause 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 10 in 10â000. This was independent of type of anaesthesia. Age (relative risk 0·88, 95% CI 0·86â0·90; p<0·0001), medical history, and physical condition (1·60, 1·40â1·82; p<0·0001) were the major risk factors for a serious critical event. Multivariate analysis revealed evidence for the beneficial effect of years of experience of the most senior anaesthesia team member (0·99, 0·981â0·997; p<0·0048 for respiratory critical events, and 0·98, 0·97â0·99; p=0·0039 for cardiovascular critical events), rather than the type of health institution or providers. Interpretation This study highlights a relatively high rate of severe critical events during the anaesthesia management of children for surgical or diagnostic procedures in Europe, and a large variability in the practice of paediatric anaesthesia. These findings are substantial enough to warrant attention from national, regional, and specialist societies to target education of anaesthesiologists and their teams and implement strategies for quality improvement in paediatric anaesthesia. Funding European Society of Anaesthesiology

Incidence of severe critical events in paediatric anaesthesia (APRICOT): a prospective multicentre observational study in 261 hospitals in Europe

Background Little is known about the incidence of severe critical events in children undergoing general anaesthesia in Europe. We aimed to identify the incidence, nature, and outcome of severe critical events in children undergoing anaesthesia, and the associated potential risk factors. Methods The APRICOT study was a prospective observational multicentre cohort study of children from birth to 15 years of age undergoing elective or urgent anaesthesia for diagnostic or surgical procedures. Children were eligible for inclusion during a 2-week period determined prospectively by each centre. There were 261 participating centres across 33 European countries. The primary endpoint was the occurence of perioperative severe critical events requiring immediate intervention. A severe critical event was defined as the occurrence of respiratory, cardiac, allergic, or neurological complications requiring immediate intervention and that led (or could have led) to major disability or death. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01878760. Findings Between April 1, 2014, and Jan 31, 2015, 31 127 anaesthetic procedures in 30 874 children with a mean age of 6.35 years (SD 4.50) were included. The incidence of perioperative severe critical events was 5.2% (95% CI 5.0-5.5) with an incidence of respiratory critical events of 3.1% (2.9-3.3). Cardiovascular instability occurred in 1.9% (1.7-2.1), with an immediate poor outcome in 5.4% (3.7-7.5) of these cases. The all-cause 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 10 in 10 000. This was independent of type of anaesthesia. Age (relative risk 0.88, 95% CI 0.86-0.90; p<0.0001), medical history, and physical condition (1.60, 1.40-1.82; p<0.0001) were the major risk factors for a serious critical event. Multivariate analysis revealed evidence for the beneficial effect of years of experience of the most senior anaesthesia team member (0.99, 0.981-0.997; p<0.0048 for respiratory critical events, and 0.98, 0.97-0.99; p=0.0039 for cardiovascular critical events), rather than the type of health institution or providers. Interpretation This study highlights a relatively high rate of severe critical events during the anaesthesia management of children for surgical or diagnostic procedures in Europe, and a large variability in the practice of paediatric anaesthesia. These findings are substantial enough to warrant attention from national, regional, and specialist societies to target education of anaesthesiologists and their teams and implement strategies for quality improvement in paediatric anaesthesia