Elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2) will reshape crop physiology, yet genotypic differences in responsiveness remain poorly resolved. We compared nine Raphanus sativus cultivars grown at 400, 800 and 1200 ppm CO2 to quantify coordinated changes in leaf gas exchange, pigment composition and stomatal traits. Across cultivars, CO2 enrichment significantly increased net assimilation (P < 0.05) while stomatal conductance declined and intercellular CO2 rose. Chlorophyll a and b increased with CO2, and zeaxanthin generally accumulated, whereas β-carotene changed only slightly, revealing cultivar-dependent reallocation within the photosynthetic pigment system. Stomatal density responded in a genotype-specific manner, increasing in several cultivars but remaining stable or decreasing in others, highlighting plasticity in epidermal patterning under CO2 enrichment. Parallel-analysis PCA identified a single dominant axis integrating assimilation (Ci), pigments, and stomatal traits, with elevated CO2 shifting cultivars toward higher PC1 scores. Several traits showed significant CO2 x cultivar interactions, confirming differential responsiveness among genotypes. Together, these results identify cultivars differing in CO2-driven physiological responsiveness and trait coordination under elevated CO2.

The carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments in plant tissues are valuable because they help protect the photosynthetic apparatus. Spectrophotometric chemical analysis of extracts from species of the genus Helichrysum (H. arenarium and H. italicum) shows the highest carotenoid levels in the flowers, followed by the aerial parts, leaves and stems: H. arenarii flores - 10.74 mg /% and H. italici flores - 4.41 mg /% in 96% ethanol. Regarding chlorophyll pigments, a higher content of chlorophyll b was determined in leaves (H. arenarium - 10.7 mg /ml and H. italicum - 4.41 mg /ml in 96% ethanol). At the same time, the acetone extraction method revealed a higher chlorophyll a content in the leaves of both species (H. arenarii folia -98,92 mg/ml and H. italici folia - 51,61 mg/ml). These results indicate that both the choice of solvent and the nature of the plant material strongly influence the carotenoid and chlorophyll content.

This study investigates the physiological and biochemical interactions between Eurydema ventralis infestation and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) plants grown under different atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The primary research goal was to examine the impact of high CO2 levels on cauliflower susceptibility and physiological responses to infestation by E. ventralis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).Cauliflower plants were grown under three CO2 levels (400 ppm control, 800 ppm, 1200 ppm) and infested by E. ventralis for four days. Physiological responses were evaluated by measuring photosynthetic assimilation, stomatal conductance, and volatile organic compound emissions (GC–MS), while biochemical responses were assessed through chlorophyll, carotenoid, flavonoid, and phenolic analyses.Elevated CO2 increased photosynthesis but reduced stomatal conductance. Infestation significantly decreased photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, especially at higher CO2 levels, and triggered increased emissions of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and 2-hexenyl acetate. The levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and flavonoids decreased, indicating trade-offs between growth and defense under elevated CO2 conditions.The increase in carbon dioxide affects cauliflower’s physiological and biochemical responses, as well as its vulnerability to E. ventralis infestation. Current results on the physiological trade-offs between growth and defense reveal the complexity of plant-insect interactions under climate change scenarios. These insights are crucial for designing sustainable agriculture techniques to preserve production in future climates.

The genus Ziziphus includes numerous species, both cultivated and wild, offering significant genetic variability and economic potential that are often overlooked. Due to their high variability and ecological plasticity, jujube species and genotypes can be utilized in marginal areas and on land where few plants could be efficiently exploited. This study investigated variations in morphological characteristics (qualitative and quantitative), bioactive content (e.g., DPPH radicals), and antioxidant capacity in fruits, leaves, and stones of cultivated Z. jujuba genotypes (‘Hu Ping Zao’ and ‘Jun Zao’) and wild genotypes (Z. acido-jujuba and ‘Jurilovca’), using different solvents (water, ethanol, and methanol). The mass and dimensions of the fruits as well as their parameters (fresh and dry weight, length, width, and pulp-to-stone ratio) and the antioxidant potential of different plant organ types (leaves, fruit pulps, and stones) were determined. The results showed that the cultivated genotypes produced larger and heavier fruits with a higher pulp percentage than the wild forms of the same species. However, the wild forms exhibited higher antioxidant capacities than the cultivated genotypes, depending on the type of plant organ analyzed and the solvent used for extraction.

This study examines the dynamics of indoor air quality in an office environment within a metropolis, with a specific focus on particulate matter (PM), formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). The levels of PM concentrations stay constant at a value of 13.9 +/- 2.9 mu g/m3 for PM2.5 throughout working hours, with a significant impact on human activities. The formaldehyde concentration inside increases thrice during 8 hours, from 9 +/- 5 mu g/m3 to 27 +/- 14 mu g/m3, primarily from furniture and electronics. The total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) levels significantly increase from 0.050 +/- 0.044 mu g/m3 at 8.00 to 0.14 +/- 0.11 mu g/m3 at 15.00, which can be attributed to indoor contaminants such as plastics and consumer items. PM concentrations exhibit seasonal fluctuations, with higher levels observed during colder months (37 +/- 5 mu g/m3 for PM2.5 in December and 8 +/- 1 mu g/m3 for PM2.5 in August in the office, mainly due to outdoor contribution. Analysis of settled dust indicates a varied composition, suggesting the presence of both building materials and human activity. Employees exhibit symptoms consistent with Sick Building Syndrome, with a higher prevalence among females. The results emphasize the significance of dealing with variations in indoor air quality and identifying the causes that affect the health of occupants and the well-being of the workplace.

Tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) is a valuable agricultural crop worldwide due to its nutritional value and culinary applications, making it one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the human diet. However, excessive solar UV-B radiation represents a significant factor in decreasing productivity, marketable yields, and fruit quality in tomato crops by causing damage to both DNA and the photosynthetic system, as well as chlorophyll degradation. The application of silicon nanoparticles has been shown to increase tolerance to abiotic stressors, including enhanced UV-B radiation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the protective effects of foliar silicon nanoparticle (SiNP) application on photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and secondary metabolites under enhanced UV-B stress in tomato plants. Photosynthetic parameters (stomatal conductance to water vapor, net CO2 assimilation rate, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO2 molar fraction), biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), chlorophylls, and carotenoids were evaluated. The application of SiNPs showed beneficial effects on plants grown under ambient UV-B conditions, increasing photosynthetic parameters while also enhancing chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. In plants exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation, SiNP treatment helped to maintain and even improve photosynthetic parameters and stomatal function in leaves while also promoting the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, the application of SiNPs also resulted in a slightly higher content of lycopene and total carotenoids in tomato fruits.

Urban pollution significantly influences historic building preservation via chemical, physical, and biological processes. To plan heritage structure restoration, we must study fired brick mineralogy and its correlation with firing temperature. We must also examine how atmospheric pollutants have affected surface composition over time. This study analyzes medieval bricks from seven medieval buildings in Brasov, Romania. We used physicochemical methods (XRD, SEM-EDS, and FTIR-ATR) to identify brick minerals, estimate firing temperatures, and investigate weathering compounds due to pollutants. Samples show quartz, clay minerals (muscovite, illite, palygorskite/ smectite anh., kaolinite anh.), feldspars (microcline, orthoclase, albite, andesine), and carbonates (calcite) (for the bricks estimated to be fired at -800 degrees C); sanidine, gelhenite (for the bricks estimated to be fired at -950 degrees C); anorthite, wollastonite, diopside, spinel, mullite (for the bricks estimated to be fired at -1100 degrees C). Weathering varies by mineralogy, firing temperature, location, and pollutants, including efflorescence (CaCO3), black crust (gypsum, calcite), and organic/ bio-organic compounds. Mitigation strategies based on physicochemical studies aim to protect cultural heritage from pollution's adverse effects for future generations. This study is vital globally for preserving cultural heritage, offering insights into mitigating the impact of pollution on historic buildings. It aids in developing universal conservation strategies, ensuring our shared past's longevity and aesthetic value.

This review explores the application of graphene-based materials (GBMs) in biomedicine, focusing on graphene oxide (GO) and its interactions with peptides and proteins. GO, a versatile nanomaterial with oxygen-containing functional groups, holds significant potential for biomedical applications but faces challenges related to toxicity and environmental impact. Peptides and proteins can be functionalized on GO surfaces through various methods, including non-covalent interactions such as π–π stacking, electrostatic forces, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces, as well as covalent bonding through reactions involving amide bond formation, esterification, thiol chemistry, and click chemistry. These approaches enhance GO’s functionality in several key areas: biosensing for sensitive biomarker detection, theranostic imaging that integrates diagnostics and therapy for real-time treatment monitoring, and targeted cancer therapy where GO can deliver drugs directly to tumor sites while being tracked by imaging techniques like MRI and photoacoustic imaging. Additionally, GO-based scaffolds are advancing tissue engineering and aiding tissues’ bone, muscle, and nerve tissue regeneration, while their antimicrobial properties are improving infection-resistant medical devices. Despite its potential, addressing challenges related to stability and scalability is essential to fully harness the benefits of GBMs in healthcare.

In seeking alternative cancer treatments, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), sourced from various life forms, emerge as promising contenders. These endogenous peptides, also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), play crucial roles in immune defenses against infections and exhibit potential in combating cancers. With their diverse defensive functions, plant-derived AMPs, such as thionins and defensins, offer a rich repertoire of antimicrobial properties. Insects, amphibians, and animals contribute unique AMPs like cecropins, temporins, and cathelicidins, showcasing broad-spectrum activities against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Understanding these natural peptides holds significant potential for developing effective and targeted therapies against cancer and infectious diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit diverse structural characteristics, including α-helical, β-sheet, extended, and loop peptides. Environmental conditions influence their structure, connecting to changes in cell membrane hydrophobicity. AMPs’ actions involve direct killing and immune regulation, with additional activities like membrane depolarization. In this review, we focus on antimicrobial peptides that act as anticancer agents and AMPs that exhibit mechanisms akin to antimicrobial activity. Buforin AMPs, particularly Buforin I and II, derived from histone H2A, demonstrate antibacterial and anticancer potential. Buforin IIb and its analogs show promise, with selectivity for cancer cells. Despite the challenges, AMPs offer a unique approach to combat microbial resistance and potential cancer treatment. In various cancer types, including HeLa, breast, lung, ovarian, prostate, and liver cancers, buforins demonstrate inhibitory effects and apoptosis induction. To address limitations like stability and bioavailability, researchers explore buforin-containing bioconjugates, covalently linked with nanoparticles or liposomes. Bioconjugation enhances specificity-controlled release and combats drug resistance, presenting a promising avenue for targeted cancer treatment. Clinical translation awaits further evaluation through in vivo studies and future clinical trials.

Environmental concerns have consistently been a focal point for the scientific community. Pollution is a critical ecological issue that poses significant threats to human health and agricultural production. Contamination with heavy metals and pesticides is a considerable concern, a threat to the environment, and warrants special attention. In this study, we investigated the significant issues arising from sub-chronic exposure to imidacloprid (IMI), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd), either alone or in combination, using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal model. Additionally, we assessed the potential protective effects of polyfloral honey enriched with natural ingredients, also called honey formulation (HF), against the combined sub-chronic toxic effects of the three contaminants. The effects of IMI (0.5 mg·L−1), Hg (15 μg·L−1), and Cd (5 μg·L−1), both individually and in combination with HF (500 mg·L−1), on zebrafish were evaluated by quantifying acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, lipid peroxidation (MDA), various antioxidant enzyme activities like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (SOD and GPx), 2D locomotor activity, social behavior, histological and immunohistochemical factors, and changes in body element concentrations. Our findings revealed that all concentrations of pollutants may disrupt social behavior, diminish swimming performances (measured by total distance traveled, inactivity, and swimming speed), and elevate oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers of SOD, GPx, and MDA in zebrafish over the 21-day administration period. Fish exposed to IMI and Hg + Cd + IMI displayed severe lesions and increased GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) and S100B (S100 calcium-binding protein B) protein expression in the optic tectum and cerebellum, conclusively indicating astrocyte activation and neurotoxic effects. Furthermore, PCNA (Proliferating cell nuclear antigen) staining revealed reduced cell proliferation in the IMI-exposed group, contrasting with intensified proliferation in the Hg + Cd group. The nervous system exhibited significant damage across all studied concentrations, confirming the observed behavioral changes. Moreover, HF supplementation significantly mitigated the toxicity induced by contaminants and reduced OS. Therefore, the exposure to chemical mixtures offers a more complete picture of adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems and the supplementation with bioactive compounds can help to reduce the toxicity induced by exposure to environmental pollutants.

Elevated carbon dioxide and drought are significant stressors in light of climate change. This study explores the interplay between elevated atmospheric CO2, drought stress, and plant physiological responses. Two Brassica oleracea varieties (cauliflowers and cabbage) were utilized as model plants. Our findings indicate that elevated CO2 accelerates assimilation rate decline during drought. The integrity of photosynthetic components influenced electron transport, potentially due to drought-induced nitrate reductase activation changes. While CO2 positively influenced photosynthesis and water-use efficiency during drought, recovery saw decreased stomatal conductance in high-CO2-grown plants. Drought-induced monoterpene emissions varied, influenced by CO2 concentration and species-specific responses. Drought generally increased polyphenols, with an opposing effect under elevated CO2. Flavonoid concentrations fluctuated with drought and CO2 levels, while chlorophyll responses were complex, with high CO2 amplifying drought’s effects on chlorophyll content. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of CO2–drought interactions and their intricate effects on plant physiology.

This research investigates different facets of indoor air quality and the corresponding health symptoms within a retail environment. Formaldehyde, classified as a Group B carcinogenic substance, was found within safe limits indoors, primarily originating from surface coatings, flooring products, textiles, and furniture. Monoterpenes, lactic acid, and particulate matter levels were also assessed, with varying indoor–outdoor ratios. Notably, we identified a relatively low concentration of PM2.5, possibly influenced by enhanced cleaning practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Symptom assessment revealed that many young workers experienced work-related symptoms, notably fatigue, nose-, throat-, and skin-related issues, aligning with previous findings. Although we could not conclusively link these symptoms to sick building syndrome (SBS) or formaldehyde exposure, it underscores the importance of further investigation. Notably, we observed no gender-based differences in symptom prevalence, but this study’s limited size requires caution in generalization. This study contributes to understanding indoor air quality and associated symptoms in an economically significant sector, emphasizing the need for continued research, especially considering the potential impact on workforce health in the broader context.

Consumption of plant-based milk replacers has increased in recent years due to health benefits, benefits attributed mainly to the content of phenolic compounds, fatty acids, or bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. In this context, we proposed to obtain two types of less studied plant-based beverages, namely lupine and chickpea beverages, as well as the possibility of getting these beverages using germinated seeds and even obtaining probiotic drinks through fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v. To evaluate the quality of the obtained products, we determined their content of proteins, fatty acids, organic acids, volatile compounds, and phenolic compounds. We evaluated the antioxidant activity of the obtained herbal drinks, and a load of probiotic microorganisms present after the fermentation process. Both lupine and chickpeas are legumes with high protein content and a range of health benefits. Fermentation with L. plantarum introduces probiotic properties and enhances the nutritional profile of these beverages. Plant-based beverages inoculated with L. plantarum can offer a convenient way to incorporate probiotics into plant-based diets, providing consumers with the benefits of both plant-based nutrition and probiotic supplementation.

Membrane-active peptides (MAPs) possess unique properties that make them valuable tools for studying membrane structure and function and promising candidates for therapeutic applications. This review paper provides an overview of the fundamental aspects of MAPs, focusing on their membrane interaction mechanisms and potential applications. MAPs exhibit various structural features, including amphipathic structures and specific amino acid residues, enabling selective interaction with multiple membranes. Their mechanisms of action involve disrupting lipid bilayers through different pathways, depending on peptide properties and membrane composition. The therapeutic potential of MAPs is significant. They have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi, making them promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. MAPs can selectively target cancer cells and induce apoptosis, opening new avenues in cancer therapeutics. Additionally, MAPs serve as drug delivery vectors, facilitating the transport of therapeutic cargoes across cell membranes. They represent a fascinating class of biomolecules with significant potential in basic research and clinical applications. Understanding their mechanisms of action and designing peptides with enhanced selectivity and efficacy will further expand their utility in diverse fields. Exploring MAPs holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies against infections, cancer, and drug delivery challenges.

Climate change will determine a sharp increase in carbon dioxide in the following years. To study the influence of elevated carbon dioxide on plants, we grew 13 different species and varieties from the Brassicaceae family at three carbon dioxide concentrations: 400, 800, and 1200 ppmv. The photosynthetic parameters (assimilation rate and stomatal conductance to water vapor) increase for all species. The emission of monoterpenes increases for plants grown at elevated carbon dioxide while the total polyphenols and flavonoids content decrease. The chlorophyll content is affected only for some species (such as Lipidium sativum), while the β-carotene concentrations in the leaves were not affected by carbon dioxide.

This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of the literature on the definition and development of the concepts of heritage and sustainability. The harmful effects of various pollutants on the materials widely used in the construction of monuments/buildings, which are part of the national and international cultural heritage, are also highlighted. In addition, the paper draws attention to modern techniques for investigating the composition and diagnosis of the alteration of buildings materials with the focus on stone, limestone, and mortars/concrete. The present research also emphasizes that in the case of heritage buildings, different skills are needed not only related to heritage conservation and rehabilitation, but also skills related to heritage planning processes, and to sustainable constructions. For exemplification, the manuscript proposes specific conservation principles based on the case of Brasov city, located in the heart of Romania and being par excellence a medieval town with representative buildings for that period.

Introduction: Current environmental problems demand an eco-friendlier approach to the chemical synthesis of metal nanoparticles (NPs) [...]