The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal therapies necessitates novel topical formulations. This study developed biocomposite hydrogels based on hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), keratin, and oregano essential oil (OEO) from Origanum syriacum var. bevanii. Eight hydrogels (H1-H8) with varying HEC (3-3.5%), keratin (0-1.6%), and OEO (0-0.06%) were prepared. GC-MS identified thymol (24.44%), gamma-terpinene (20.54%), p-cymene (15.45%), and carvacrol (12.65%). Rheological data were quantified using the Ostwald-de Waele model. The consistency index was strongly influenced by composition and temperature. A medium concentration of keratin and OEO represents the optimal formulation ratio, offering rheological behavior suitable for the intended therapeutic purpose. Antifungal activity evaluated against Aspergillus brasiliensis, Fusarium oxysporum, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium showed low OEO concentrations (0.003-0.006%) were ineffective. Hydrogels with 0.06% OEO (H7, H8) achieved complete suppression of A. brasiliensis and P. chrysosporium (score 0); H7 also fully inhibited F. oxysporum. A clear OEO concentration threshold above 0.006% is required for efficacy, with keratin acting as a functional encapsulant. These biocomposite hydrogels offer promising rheological and antifungal properties for further development.
Amphibian chytridiomycoses are emerging fungal diseases caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). They pose a significant threat to amphibians worldwide, driving catastrophic species declines and extinctions with knock-on impacts on the ecosystem and human health. This review examines the expanding distribution of Bd and Bsal, with a focus on Eastern Europe. Advances in diagnostics including histopathology, PCR, and environmental DNA detection -, including their strengths and limitations, are discussed. This review considers morphological characteristics, pathogen life cycles, mechanisms of pathogenesis, and clinical signs useful for guiding infection and disease detection. Innate and acquired host immune responses in response to Bd and Bsal infection are discussed within the context of host resistance and tolerance. Finally, potential transmission routes are explored, with a focus on the role the pet trade plays in pathogen spread, and current treatment and mitigation approaches for both wild and captive amphibians are summarised. Insights into the epidemiology of Bd and Bsal and environmental factors influencing pathogen spread and resistance can inform proactive conservation and disease management strategies essential for protecting at-risk amphibian populations.
This paper analyzes the dynamics of land use and land cover in the South-West Oltenia region ofRomania over the period 1990-2023, using official statistical data concerning agricultural and non-agricultural areas, as well as their respective land use categories. While the total land area has remained constant throughout the analyzed interval, the distribution among land use categories has undergone significant changes. At the regional level, agricultural lands-particularly arable land and pastures-have shown relatively stable trends, whereas areas cultivated with vineyards and orchards have experienced a marked decline. Forested areas have slightly increased, reflecting efforts toward reforestation and environmental conservation. Built-up areas, including construction and infrastructure, have expanded noticeably, highlighting socio-economic development and the growing demand for built spaces. Conversely, the surface area of unproductive lands has increased substantially, underscoring the urgent need for land rehabilitation measures and interventions to combat land degradation. The study emphasizes the challenges posed by land degradation and the necessity of implementing sustainable land management policies that balance agricultural productivity, environmental protection, and urban expansion. The findings provide a robust foundation for decision-makers and regional planners in promoting sustainable territorial development in the South-West Oltenia region.
Soil degradation due to erosion is one of the most pressing environmental issues in the mountainous regions of Central Asia. This study presents the results of a comprehensive investigation of mountain brown soils distributed in the Chatkal and Turkestan ranges of Uzbekistan, focusing on their morphological changes under the influence of water erosion. The research methods included field descriptions of soil profiles, geobotanical analysis, and laboratory studies of agrochemical properties (humus, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content). The analysis of the soil cover allowed us to identify three subtypes of mountain brown soils: carbonate, typical, and leached, differing in carbonate depth and humus content. The results showed that erosion leads to the removal of the humus horizon, a decrease in organic matter content, and the deterioration of soil physicochemical properties. In the Chatkal Range, with its moderately humid climate, deeper carbonate accumulation and higher humus content were observed, but intense spring precipitation accelerates soil profile washout. In the Turkestan Range, where the climate is drier and steep slopes prevail, erosion is exacerbated by sparse vegetation and high seismic activity. Future research will focus on developing erosion prediction models considering climate change, as well as implementing effective soil conservation practices, including contour farming, terracing, and vegetation restoration.
The horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimic) is a major pest affecting Aesculus hippocastanum L. in urban areas across Europe. To design effective management strategies, it is essential to accurately assess the level of infestation. However, current observations rely on visual assessments which are subjective, timeconsuming, and not suitable for large-scale monitoring. The research explores the use of AI and UAVs for assessing infestation levels of horse chestnut trees with C. ohridella in urban environments. The infestation severity is classified using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) which are trained with a standardized scale of damage assessment on leaf images, scanned leaf images, and RGB and thermal images from UAVs. The leaf-based assessment and crown thermal indices are compared sufficiently that the approach can assist in early detection of infestation and scalable monitoring. The findings indicate that there exists a significant correlation between the AI predictions and those made by the expert assessments. The thermal anomalies used in the predictive model also show a good relationship with infestation levels. For monitoring C. ohridella infestations, the approach offers a scalable, reproducible, and cost-effective solution. There is a strong possibility of this synergy being included in pest control in urban green infrastructure management and early warning systems and assessment of ecosystem services provided by urban horse chestnut trees.
