Nonylphenol (NP) is a chemical compound belonging to the class of alkylphenols (APs), known for its widespread environmental distribution and endocrine-disrupting properties. It is commonly used in the production of detergents, pesticides, and plastic materials and, owing to these properties, it can accumulate in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. As a xenoestrogenic compound, NP can bind steroid receptors, including estrogen receptors (ERs), thereby activating ER-dependent pathways. In this work, we investigated the effects of NP alone and in combination with the endogenous hormones 17β-oestradiol (E2) and/or testosterone (T) on a human non-tumoral prostate cell line (PNT1A). Cell viability and migration assays, together with analysis of ER expression and localization, were carried out to assess the xenoestrogenic activity of NP, particularly in the presence of E2 and T. Our results showed that NP retained its endocrine-disrupting features in the mixtures, positively affecting cell viability, except for the NP+E2 mixture, in which cell viability did not significantly differ from control, suggesting an antagonistic interaction between NP and E2. The mixtures also interfered with steroid receptor dynamics, affecting receptor expression and delaying receptor localization and activation kinetics. Moreover, all mixtures negatively affected cell migration compared with treatment with endogenous hormones alone. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that NP retains its xenoestrogenic behavior in mixture, inducing a significant alteration in prostate cell homeostasis.

The adrenergic system is known for its ability to influence various physiological and metabolic processes; however, its involvement in thyroid function in non-mammalian vertebrates remains poorly explored. Adult male lizards were treated with β-adrenergic agonists (isoproterenol, terbutaline, and L-isopropylamino-3-(2-thiazoloxy)-2-propanol) and the α-adrenergic antagonist (phentolamine). The effects of β-adrenergic agonists and the α-adrenergic antagonist administered as single and repeated injections were evaluated on plasma TSH, thyroid hormones, hepatic 5′-T4 ORD (type II monodeiodinase) activity, hepatic thyroid hormone contents, blood glucose levels, and thyroid gland histology. β-adrenergic stimulation produced a dose-dependent decrease in plasma TSH, accompanied by significant increases in circulating T3 and T4 levels. These changes were associated with enhanced hepatic monodeiodinase activity, increased hepatic T3 content, reduced hepatic T4 levels, and histological features indicative of thyroid activation. Repeated administrations amplified these effects. In contrast, phentolamine treatment increased plasma TSH levels but reduced circulating and hepatic T3, increased hepatic T4, and tended to decrease deiodinase activity, indicating impaired peripheral thyroid hormone activation. Histological analysis showed reduced follicular synthetic activity, although colloid resorption vacuoles were still present. IPT treatment produced no significant effects. All treatments induced hyperglycaemia, with stronger responses after repeated administrations, suggesting coordinated regulation of thyroid function and energy metabolism by adrenergic pathways. The results demonstrate that β-adrenergic signaling promotes thyroid activation and peripheral hormone conversion, whereas α-adrenergic blockade disrupts thyroid hormone homeostasis. These findings highlight a key role of adrenergic mechanisms in the neuroendocrine and metabolic regulation of reptiles, supporting their importance in physiological adaptation to environmental variability.

Pollution and the resulting decline in water quality pose a serious issue for aquatic biodiversity. Therefore, biomonitoring strategies to assess water quality need to be improved. In this study, we evaluated the possible use of fish skin histology as biomarker to monitor the water quality. Five fish species (Salmo trutta, Anguilla anguilla, Leuciscus cephalus, Barbus barbus and Rutilus rubilio) were collected from 32 river sites in the Campania region (Southern Italy), located within/outside Natura 2000 network. Body Condition Factor (BCF), Epidermis Morphological Index (EMI), Mucous Cell Index (MCI), epidermis thickness, and mucous cell size were analyzed in relation to the river site Ecological Quality Class (EQC). Negative correlation between BCF and EQC was found for S. trutta and A. anguilla, while a positive correlation was observed for L. cephalus and B. barbus. Skin histological results highlighted positive correlation between EMI and EQC in S. trutta, A. anguilla, and R. rubilio, while positive correlation between MCI and EQC was observed in S. trutta, L. cephalus, B. barbus, and R. rubilio. Epidermis thickness was negatively correlated with EQC in S. trutta, L. cephalus, and B. barbus, and positively correlated in A. anguilla. Mucous cells size appeared negatively correlated with EQC in L. cephalus and R. rubilio and positively correlated in A. anguilla. The findings of this study indicate that skin histology could be a sensitive and useful biomarker to assess water quality, suggesting its integration in biomonitoring programs. Species-specific responses need to be considered to obtain a more reliable water quality assessment.

The recovery of soil health in multi-contaminated sites remains a critical environmental challenge due to the simultaneous presence of organic and inorganic pollutants. While laboratory-scale experiments provide promising insights, in-field long-term validation is essential to assess soil health recovery under real conditions. In this study, a previously optimized phytoremediation approach was applied in a multi-contaminated site to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing pollutant loads and restoring microbial communities. The design included three treated pilot areas and an untreated control. Metaproteomics analyzed microbial functional activity and taxonomic shifts, supported by a protein extraction protocol for complex matrix. Results showed a marked reduction of contaminants: the sum of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) decreased from 8.35 to 7.68 mg/kg in the control after 5 years, while in treated pilots areas it dropped to 0.68 mg/kg. Among heavy metals, significant declines were observed when comparing the untreated bulk control (B1) with the pilot areas treated through the biotechnological phytoremediation approach, with average reductions of about 92 % for mercury, 70 % for cadmium, 56 % for zinc, and 61 % for lead. Metaproteomic analysis revealed a restored microbial metabolic profile in treated soils, with increased abundance of metabolic enzymes (e.g., GAPDH, isocitrate dehydrogenase), stress proteins (GroEL, HSP70), and biosynthetic enzymes for amino acid and nucleotide production. Microbial taxa enriched in treated areas included Pseudomonas knackmussii and Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans. Conversely, control soils showed stress-dominated proteomes with limited metabolic capacity. These findings support the efficacy of phytoremediation and demonstrate the power of metaproteomics in monitoring ecological recovery.

The catecolaminergic system, which uses dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline as neurotransmitters, originates in the brainstem nuclei and spreads widely throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Although there are data indicating that interactions between the catecolaminergic systems of the nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis do indeed take place and may be of physiological and clinical relevance, such interactions are far from being clarified. In this paper, we studied the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis responses in lizards treated with adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine respectively. Adrenaline raised plasma TRH and TSH levels and induced a stimulatory effect on the thyroid gland activity with an increase of T3 and T4 levels. On the contrary, noradrenaline treatment induced a reduction in TRH secretion, accompanied by a normal circulating TSH level and increased plasma T4 levels but with a reduction of circulating T3 levels. Dopamine stimulated TRH secretion centrally but induced TSH deficiency followed by reduction of circulating T3 and T4 levels. Furthermore, the effects of the catecolaminergic system on the TRH-TSH-thyroid hormone axis has been also manifested through mechanisms in peripheral organs such as the liver. The dynamic interplay between TRH and TSH and the feedback effects on circulating thyroid hormones after treatment with adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine is a very sophisticated and complicated mechanism that responds via afferent inputs from neurons originating in the paraventricular nucleus and can influence the secretion of TRH and TSH-secreting hypophysiotropic neurons with consequent feedback on thyroid hormones.

Previous studies performed on the European eel Anguilla anguilla showed changes in the morphology and physiology of several tissues after exposure to environmental cocaine concentrations. To better understand the model through which cocaine produced its effects on these tissues, we investigated whether there were alterations in the expression of cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R). Indeed, the endocannabinoid system, and CB1R, regulate neurotransmission, neurodevelopment, embryonic development, reproduction, and the activity of the gastrointestinal system. CB1R has been detected in nervous and peripheral tissues in mammals, and orthologues of the mammalian CB1R are found throughout vertebrates including chicken, turtle, frog, and fish. Therefore, samples of gut, kidney, ovary, muscle, liver, skin, and gills from cocaine-exposed and non-exposed eels were processed for routine histology. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out to evaluate the immunolocalization of the CB1R. Our results showed for the first time (1) the presence of CB1R in the peripheral tissues of the eel, and (2) statistically significant differences in the localization of CB1R in the gut, kidney, ovary, muscle, and liver of the eels exposed to cocaine, compared to controls. These results demonstrate the involvement of CB1R in cocaine effects and suggest its potential role as a biomarker of tissue alteration.

Although the relationship between thyroid and heart has been extensively studied, especially in cases of heart disease, the hypothesis of a relationship between heart and thyroid is still far from being fully understood. The possible involvement of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in thyroid regulation is supported by the immunohistochemical identification of the peptide in thyroid follicular cells of the lizard Podarcis siculus. The aim of this work was to study the action of ANP on the metabolism of thyroid hormones and to analyze the mechanism of ANF action in lizard thyroid follicles. Intraperitoneally administration of ANP (1-4 μg/100 g body weight) to Podarcis siculus lizards both after 2 h and after 24 h inhibited circulating plasma levels of T3 and T4 resulting in stimulation of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) and decrease of TRH (Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone). The inhibitory effect of ANP on the thyroid cells could be mediated by cGMP, which is one of the main mediators of ANP action. A stimulation of the level of 5-T4 ORD (type II) Monodeiodinase activity at the hepatic level by ANP increased hepatic T3 levels and decreased hepatic T4 levels, revealing an alternative mode of signalling by ANP on peripheral biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. In conclusion, our results indicate the ANP role in the regulation of thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion, supported by the immunohistochemical presence of the peptide in the apical region of thyroid follicular cells and in the fibres surrounding lizard follicles, which could underlie an ANP-mediated autocrine and paracrine regulatory pathway.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a small signalling molecule produced by neurons through the cleavage of a precursor protein. It generally binds to and activates G protein-coupled receptors to modulate complex homeostatic processes and behaviours in animals. Mammals provide definitive proof of the role of NPY in the thyroid axis, but in reptiles, this link is unclear. We demonstrate that the thyroid axis responds to NPY administration in a dose-dependent manner, with a reduction in plasma TRH and TSH concentrations, and an increase in plasma T3 and T4 levels 2 and 24 h after administration, suggesting that NPY may activate the thyroid axis. This increase in thyroid hormones is supported by morphological findings in the thyroid gland, which show clear signs of stimulation demonstrated by a dose-dependent increase in the height of the follicular epithelium and the presence of numerous resorption vacuoles. Moreover, we investigated the 5-T4 ORD (type II) Monodeiodinase activity at the hepatic level, showing that NPY increased hepatic T3 levels and decreased hepatic T4 levels, and suggesting an alternative mode of signalling by NPY on peripheral biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. Our study helps to address the current lack of research in the field of endocrinology concerning the effects of NPY on metabolism and thyroid function.

Microplastics (MPs) are a widespread contaminant in the terrestrial environment, with potential impacts on the soil-plant system not yet well understood. This study explores the effects of oxidised low-density polyethylene-MPs (LDPE-MPs) on the rhizosphere ecology and plant fitness of Fragaria x ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier. The rhizospheric microbial community was investigated under the influence of 0,5% LDPE-MPs by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 16 S rRNA metagenomic analysis; photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and nutrient accumulation were assessed to evaluate plant physiological and biochemical status. Genes related to jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene biosynthesis, and nitrate signalling pathways were analysed to define the plant molecular response. Our results showed a shift in the rhizosphere microbial community. We identified MPs molecular biomarkers in the contaminated rhizosphere (Fusarium, Thanatephorus and Pseudallescheria) with potential pathogenic functions and two novel molecular biomarkers (Ohtaekwangia and Ascobolus). MPs pollution negatively impacts plant fitness, which showed decreased chlorophyll a and b (40 and 48%, respectively), a change in nutrient content (fluctuations between 14,42 and 26,7%) at the leaf level and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. Gene expression related to JA, ethylene biosynthesis, and nitrogen signalling pathways is enhanced in plants grown in contaminated soil, as well as the root endophytic and epiphytic microorganism interactions. Our results demonstrate that MPs pollution influences the rhizosphere microbial community and functions, and consequently, negatively impacts plant health.

A mesocosm experiment was set-up to investigate the effects of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) fragments deriving from plastic film on soil ecology, rhizosphere and plant (Salvia officinalis L.) fitness. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 16S metagenomic analysis was adopted to evaluate taxonomic and functional shifts of both soil and rhizosphere under the influence of microplastics (MPs). Photosynthetic parameters and enzymes involved in oxidative stress were assessed to unveil the plant physiological state. MP fragments were analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and metagenomics to investigate the plastisphere. Microbial biomarkers of MPs pollution were identified in soil and rhizosphere, reinforcing the concept of molecular biomonitoring. Overall, Bacillus, Nocardioides and Streptomyces genera are bacterial biomarkers of MPs pollution in soil whereas Aspergillus, Fusarium and Trichoderma genera, and Nectriaceae family are fungal biomarkers of MPs polluted soil. The data show that the presence of MPs promotes the abundance of taxa involved in the soil N cycle, but simultaneously reduces the endophytic interaction capability and enhances pathogen related functions at the rhizosphere level. A significant decrease in chlorophyll levels and increase of oxidative stress enzymes was observed in plants grown in MPs-polluted soil. The SEM observations of MPs fragments revealed a complex colonisation, where bacteria (Bacillus in MPSo and Microvirga in MPRz) and fungi (Aspergillus in MPSo and Trichoderma in MPRz) represent the main colonisers. The results demonstrate that the presence of MPs causes changes in the soil and rhizosphere microbial community and functions leading to negative effects on plant fitness.

AbstractNowadays, secondary raw materials (SRM) obtained from plant matrices are of great interest for circular economy, suitable for sustainable measures to reduce environmental impact. This work focused on the extraction, characterization and quantification of compounds obtained from leaves and fruits of the Sicilian sumac, Rhus coriaria L. and their application as natural dyes on textile fibres. Extractions were performed with Extractor Naviglio®, maceration and ultrasound assisted methods and food-grade solvents (aqueous and hydroalcoholic) to evaluate the yields for dye compounds. The presence of colouring molecules was evaluated by UV–Vis spectrophotometer, and the extracts selected for colouring were quantified and characterized by LC–MS. The results showed that Extractor Naviglio® achieved the best extraction yield, and the ethanol–water mixture extracts had a higher amount of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and a higher content of total colouring compounds (TCC). These extracts were selected for subsequent applications as dyes for linen, cotton and wool. The chemical profile of selected extracts was rich in compounds such as gallotannin and anthocyanin class. Fibre dyeing was verified by recording CIELAB colouring coordinates. The results suggest that the dyes obtained from R. coriaria can be of great interest for artisanal and industrial processes, in accordance with environmental sustainability.

Vitis vinifera L. is a natural source of bioactive compounds that is already used for cosmeceutical and nutraceutical approaches. However, their phytochemical and antioxidant properties, although studied, have not been fully explored. We aimed to characterize V. vinifera L. cv. Falanghina seed extracts in different polarity solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and a mixture of acetone–water) for their phytochemical contents, including the total phenolic compound content (TPC), free radical scavenging capacities, and antioxidant ability on HepG2 cells. We directly profiled the functional quality of V. vinifera seed extracts against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells, focusing on mitochondrial functions. The content of bioactive compounds was characterized by LC-MS. To assess the cytocompatibility of the extracts, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted. Results showed that extraction with ethyl acetate (18.12 mg GAE·g−1) and ethanol solvents (18.07 mg GAE·g−1), through Soxhlet, and with an acetone–water mixture (14.17 mg GAE·g−1), through maceration, yielded extracts rich in (poly)phenols, with good scavenging and antioxidant activity (98.32 I% for ethanol solvents and 96.31 I% for acetone–water mixture). The antioxidant effect of polyphenols is at least partially due to their capacity to maintain mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, which elevates mitochondrial efficiency, resulting in diminished ROS production, hence re-establishing the mitochondrial quality control. These findings highlight the valorization of Vitis by-products to improve food functional characteristics.

The endocrine system and particularly thyroid hormones regulate almost all physiological processes in a timely manner in all vertebrates, from fish to reptiles to mammals, so risk assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is extremely important given their persistent presence in all environmental matrices. Resorcinol, as well as nonylphenol, octylphenol, and bisphenol A, F, S, are non-Halogenated Phenolic (non-HPCs) Chemicals known as EDCs. Resorcinol is a particular example in that most studies are based exclusively on humans while animal studies are few and often inadequate. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of exposure to different doses of resorcinol on the thyroid gland of the lizard Podarcis siculus during different periods of the thyroid gland activity cycle. Our results showed histopathologic changes in thyroid (follicular cell height increase and colloid area decrease), a thyroid weight increase in combination with serum T4 and T3 decrease, serum TSH, TRH increase in male lizards treated with 0.8,3.9,13.1, and 36.9 mg/kg/d of resorcinol. Besides, we also investigated the impacts of resorcinol treatments on hepatic 5′ORD (type II) deiodinase and hepatic content of T3 and T4. Our findings showed that they are in agreement with in vivo in humans and in rodents data and therefore, resorcinol in reptiles may meet the WHO definition of ECDs.

This study investigates P. ostreatus and A. bisporus biodegradation capacity of low density polyethylene (LDPE) oxidised to simulate environmental weathering. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyse the degradation of LDPE treated with fungal cultures. Molecular implications of LDPE degradation by P. ostreatus and A. bisporus were evaluated by Reverse transcription followed by quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) of lac, mnp and lip genes expression. After 90 days of incubation, FT-IR analysis showed, for both fungal treatments, an increasing in the intensity of peaks related to the asymmetric C-C-O stretching (1160 to 1000 cm-1) and the -OH stretching (3700 to 3200 cm-1) due to the formation of alcohols and carboxylic acid, indicating depolymerisation of LDPE. This was confirmed by the SEM analysis, where a widespread alteration of the surface morphology was observed for treated LDPE fragments. Results revealed that the exposure of P. ostreatus to oxidised LDPE treatment led to a significant increase in the expression of the lac6, lac7, lac9, lac10 and mnp2 genes, while A. bisporus showed an over-expression in lac2 and lac12 genes. The obtained results offer new perspectives for a biotechnological use of P. ostreatus and A. bisporus for plastic bioremediation.

The rhizosphere effect occurring at the root-soil interface has increasingly been shown to play a key role in plant fitness and soil functionality, influencing plants resilience. Here, for the first time, we investigated whether the rootstock genotype on which Vitis vinifera L. cultivar Falanghina is grafted can influence the rhizosphere microbiome. Specifically, we evaluated to which extent the 5BB and 1103P rootstocks are able to shape microbial diversity of rhizosphere environment. Moreover, we explored the potential function of microbial community and its shift under plant genotype influence. We investigated seven vineyards subjected to the same pedo-climatic conditions, similar age, training system and management and collected twelve rhizosphere soil samples for metagenomic analyses and composite soil samples for physical-chemical properties. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis to investigate the rhizosphere bacterial diversity and composition. Liner discriminant analysis effect size (LEFSe) was conducted for metagenomic biomarker discovery. The functional composition of sampled communities was determined using PICRUSt, which is based on marker gene sequencing profiles. Soil analyses involved the determination of texture, pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CSC), Organic Carbon (OC), electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) content, Phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N). The latter revealed that soil features were quite homogenous. The metagenomic data showed that the bacterial alpha-diversity (Observed OTUs) significantly increased in 1103P rhizosphere microbiota. Irrespective of cultivar, Pseudomonadota was the dominant phylum, followed by Actinomycetota > Bacteroidota > Thermoproteota. However, Actinomycetota was the major marker phyla differentiating the rhizosphere microbial communities associated with the different rootstock types. At the genus level, several taxa belonging to Actinomycetota and Alphaproteobacteria classes were enriched in 1103P genotype rhizosphere. Investigating the potential functional profile, we found that most key enzyme-encoding genes involved in N cycling were significantly more abundant in 5BB rootstock rhizosphere soil. However, we found that 1103P rhizosphere was enriched in genes involved in C cycle and Plant Growth Promotion (PGP) functionality. Our results suggest that the different rootstocks not only recruit specific bacterial communities, but also specific functional traits within the same environment.

Rhizosphere interactions represent a new and relevant perspective in the study of drought resistance mechanisms in agricultural and livestock forage production, considering the reduced water availability exacerbated by climate change. In this mesocosm study, drought-induced stress was evaluated in three Poaceae species (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh., Oloptum miliaceum (L.), Röser & Hamasha, Dactylis glomerata L.). Stress marker activities (Lipid Peroxidation, Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase, Proline content and Glutathione S-Transferase), antioxidant enzyme activities (Guaiacol Peroxidase, Ascorbate Peroxidase, Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase), photosynthetic pigment content were tested on plant samples. The results showed an increased stress and a decline in photosynthetic efficiency following the drought stress. The rhizosphere metatranscriptome analysis revealed taxonomic and functional expression shift. Proteobacteria and Bacteroides abundance increased under stress (from 36% to 4%–48% and 7%, respectively). Contrariwise, Actinobacteria decreased from 6% to 2%. Most of the up-regulated transcripts in the stressed samples fall into GO biological classes such as response to stress (GO:0006950), oxidative stress (GO:0006979), response to heat (GO: 0009408), and osmotic stress (GO:0071,470) and were mainly expressed by Burkholderiales and Rhodospirillales. In line with the proline increase in stressed plants, an up-expression of all transcripts involved in proline biosynthesis was also found at the rhizospheric level, confirming the rhizospheric metaorganism synergic action.

In this study, the sources, abundance, and ecological implications of microplastic (MP) pollution in Volturno, one of the main rivers in southern Italy, were explored by investigating the MP concentration levels in sediments collected along the watercourse. The samples were sieved through 5- and 2-mm sieves and treated with selective organic solvents. The polymer classes polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), nylon 6 (PA6), and nylon 6,6 (PA66) were quantified using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, a 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis was performed using next-generation sequencing in Ion Torrent™ to explore the bacterial taxonomy and ecological dynamics of sediment samples. The MPs were detected in all samples collected from the study area. PP and PET were the most abundant and frequently detected polymer types in the analysed samples. The total MP concentration ranged from 1.05 to 14.55 ppm (parts per million), identifying two distinct data populations: high- and low-MP-contaminated sediments. According to the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), MP pollution was categorised as hazard levels III and IV (corresponding to the danger category). Metagenomic data revealed that the presence of MPs significantly affected the abundance of bacterial taxa; Flavobacteraceae and Nocardiaceae, which are known to degrade polymeric substances, were present in high-MP-contaminated sediments. This study provides new insights into the ecological relevance of MP pollution and suggests that microorganisms may serve as biomarkers of MP pollution.

In this work the leaf surface functional traits, potentially useful for air phytoremediation of particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), of 28 woody species have been characterized, and the role of these stomata, trichomes and cuticle traits in phytoremediation have been assessed looking at existing correlations with species-specific ability to sequester and retain airborne pollutants. Leaves were sampled in urban area in August and September and functional traits were measured using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Pollutants were extracted by leaves and their concentrations and daily uptake rates were measured using gas chromatography. Significant differences were found between species in the arrangement of functional traits, concentrations and daily uptake of pollutants. Correlations between variables were studied by means of principal component analysis. The trichomes-related traits scaled positively with PM concentration daily uptake, whereas for PAH air phytoremediation, the cuticle physical and chemical features are relevant. Trichomes increase the leaf area several fold providing extra surfaces for PM retention, while cuticle thickness and esterification regulate the PAH retention and translocation in subcuticular tissues. Results provide novelty on the relationships between leaf surface functional traits and plant species phytoremediation potential, outlining an innovative way of measuring leaf surface functional traits. In addition to broadening the economic spectrum of functional traits, it is emphasized how important leaf surface functional traits are in the nature-based solutions definition and planning.

We report the case of an endovascular repair of an aortic arch aneurysm by a surgeon-modified fenestrated endograft with a single fenestration in a high-risk patient unfit for open surgery. A patient of 84 years, chronic ischemic cardiopathic, suffering from prostate adenocarcinoma in chemotherapy treatment, came to our hospital for post-traumatic fracture of the right femur. During the hospitalization, the patient exhibited dysphonia and respiratory disorders for several days, therefore, the patient performed Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) that found the presence of voluminous aneurysm of the aortic arch with a maximum diameter of about 74 mm. The patient was treated with a hybrid-staged procedure; in the first instance, with a carotid-carotid-succlavium bypass to preserve the cerebral and upper limb vascularization and then, the procedure was completed by implanting the surgeon-modified fenestrated endograft with stent delivery to the patient with a fenestration on the anonymous trunk. This surgeon-modified fenestrated endograft was created by modifying a standard endograft by a single fenestration following the three-dimensional reconstructions of the CTA images. The procedure was successfully completed and postoperative course was uneventful. Computed Tomography Angiography demonstrated the exclusion of the aneurysm, patency of the implanted endograft modules, and absence of signs of endoleaks and / or cerebral or medullary ischemic complications.