Search Results (2,344)

Urban afforestation is increasingly regarded as a key strategy for fostering biodiversity to restore and enhance the ecosystem services needed to counteract the effects of climate change in built-up areas. In Italy, several experimental afforestation projects have been launched as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), focusing on cities or metropolitan areas such as Milan, Rome, Pistoia and Campobasso. These projects follow a multidisciplinary approach, integrating botanists, foresters, urban planners, landscape architects and remote sensing specialists. The goal is to address the challenging complexity of urban forest restoration through reforestation and afforestation actions. Key innovations include the integration of transdisciplinary methodologies (landscape analysis, landscape design, forest and plant ecology) with the application of advanced remote sensing technologies and participatory community engagement frameworks to address ecological and social challenges. Experimental plots have been set up across various urban areas, testing a range of planting schemes to maximise climate change resilience and ensure long-term ecological sustainability. Emphasis has been placed on selecting drought-tolerant and thermophilic species that are better adapted to widespread warming and local urban heat islands. Biodiversity strips with perennial flowers for insects, shrubs with berries for birds and nests for wild bees and vertebrates have been set up to enhance biodiversity in new afforestation areas. Advanced monitoring tools, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and multi-sensor drones, have been employed alongside field observations to assess forest growth, species survival, structural complexity and biodiversity enhancement over time. Historical analyses of landscape patterns and ecological connectivity over the past 200 years, along with evaluations of afforestation projects from the last 70 years, have provided critical insights into the successes and challenges of previous interventions, serving as a guide for future efforts. By focusing on ecological connectivity, the integration of afforested areas into the urban matrix, and citizen engagement, the current project aims to align urban forestry efforts with sustainable development goals. This comprehensive project framework addresses environmental restoration and the social and aesthetic impacts on local communities, contributing to the overall resilience and well-being of urban and peri-urban ecosystems. Full article

The application of marker-assisted selection in coffee breeding programs accelerates the identification and concentration of target alleles, being essential for developing cultivars resistant to multiple diseases. In this study, a population was developed from artificial crossings between Timor Hybrid and Tupi Amarelo, with the aim of promoting the pyramiding of resistance genes to the main diseases and pests of Coffea arabica: coffee leaf rust (CLR), coffee berry disease (CBD), cercospora, and leaf miner. Resistance was confirmed by nine molecular markers at loci associated with CLR (genes SH3, CC-NBS-LRR, RLK, QTL-GL2, and GL5) and with CBD (gene Ck-1). The resistance to CLR, cercospora, and leaf miner was evaluated using phenotypic diagrammatic scales. Mixed models estimated population superiority in 16 morphoagronomic traits over four agricultural years. The introgression of resistance alleles to CLR and CBD was identified in 98.6% of the population, with 29% showing pyramiding of five resistance genes. These pyramiding genotypes showed 100% resistance to the leaf miner and 90% to cercospora. The traits were grouped into univariate, bivariate, and trivariate repeatability models, with 11 significant ones. These results are indicative of genetic variability to be explored in the development of cultivars with multiple resistances and high agronomic potential. Full article

The West Coast rock lobster, Jasus lalandii, is a key ecological species and provides an important fishery resource in South Africa and Namibia. It is found along the west coast of southern Africa in the dynamic Benguela Current upwelling system. The low seawater pH of this system is expected to decline further due to ocean acidification and increase in upwelling in terms of frequency and severity. The lobster has therefore to respond to frequent and rapid changes in pH and other environmental impacts that are predicted to become more adverse in future. Although responses to such conditions are known for mature male and juvenile lobsters, there is a lack of information on mature females and later embryonic development. We addressed this by analysing the sensitivity of ovigerous (“berried”) female WCRLs and their eggs/embryos to hypercapnia (high pCO₂, low pH) and formulated the following research questions: (1) Can berried female WCRLs respond swiftly to large changes in pH? (2) What physiological mechanisms facilitate a potential response to a rapidly declining pH, i.e., acute hypercapnia? (3) Does a potential response persist during prolonged hypercapnia? (4) Are eggs/embryos impacted by hypercapnia? To investigate this, we exposed berried WCRLs to acute (pH 7.5) and chronic (up to 60 days at pH 7.5 and 7.8) hypercapnia. We applied extracellular acid–base analysis, microscopic examination of egg growth and development, and SEM of female exoskeleton structure and egg membranes. The results revealed that berried females efficiently respond to acute and chronic hypercapnia by means of increasing bicarbonate concentrations in the haemolymph. Moreover, embryo growth and development are not impacted by chronic hypercapnia, but growth shows geographical area-specific differences. We conclude that females and embryos of J. lalandii are as resilient to hypercapnia as previously shown for males and juveniles. Full article

Blackberries are seasonal berries that are processed into various products leaving a large amount of residues after processing, and therefore the most effective ways of utilising the residues need to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different extraction methods on the chemical content of blackberry pomace extracts from different cultivars and their effect on the viability of the Caco-2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line and CCD-18Co normal colon fibroblast cancer cells. Blackberry pomace from berries of the cultivars ‘Polar’, ‘Orkan’, and ‘Brzezina’ was extracted by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and a combination of these two extraction methods (MAE+UAE). The phenolic profile and the amount of organic acids and sugars were detected by HPLC. The spectrophotometric method was used to determine the amount of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and total anthocyanins. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was measured by the MTT assay. The chemical content of the extracts depends on the blackberry cultivar, the extraction method, and its interaction. Only the DPPH antioxidant activity did not depend on these factors and had no statistically significant differences between the different extracts. The extracts at a concentration of 5.0% increased the growth of both cancer cells, while the extracts at 1% and 2.5%, depending on the cultivar, reduced the growth of these cells. The MAE and UAE extracts of the ‘Orkan’ cultivar at concentrations of 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% best inhibited the viability of Caco-2 cells. The extracts inhibited the growth of the Caco-2 cell line better than CCD-18Co normal colon fibroblasts. Full article

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in foods like grapes, berries, and peanuts. It has attracted substantial interest for its potential human health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Research indicates that resveratrol may contribute to cardiovascular health, protect cognitive function, and exhibit anticancer properties. However, various factors such as pH levels, exposure to light, specific enzymes, and metal ions can alter its chemical structure, affecting its biological activities. These reactions can lead to the formation of different metabolites and polymers, which may affect the stability and bioactivity of resveratrol. This review examines the transformation of resveratrol from its natural sources to its consumption by humans. Additionally, we explore the biological activities of the resulting compounds of resveratrol transformations. Full article

Object segmentation algorithms have heavily relied on deep learning techniques to estimate the count of grapes which is a strong indicator for the yield success of grapes. The issue with using object segmentation algorithms for grape analytics is that they are limited to counting only the visible grapes, thus omitting hidden grapes, which affect the true estimate of grape yield. Many grapes are occluded because of either the compactness of the grape bunch cluster or due to canopy interference. This introduces the need for models to be able to estimate the unseen berries to give a more accurate estimate of the grape yield by improving grape cluster segmentation. We propose the Grape Counting Network (GCNet), a novel framework for grape cluster segmentation, integrating deep learning techniques with correction factors to address challenges in indoor yield estimation. GCNet incorporates occlusion adjustments, enhancing segmentation accuracy even under conditions of foliage and cluster compactness, and setting new standards in agricultural indoor imaging analysis. This approach improves yield estimation accuracy, achieving a R² of 0.96 and reducing mean absolute error (MAE) by 10% compared to previous methods. We also propose a new dataset called GrapeSet which contains visible imagery of grape clusters imaged indoors, along with their ground truth mask, total grape count, and weight in grams. The proposed framework aims to encourage future research in determining which features of grapes can be leveraged to estimate the correct grape yield count, equip grape harvesters with the knowledge of early yield estimation, and produce accurate results in object segmentation algorithms for grape analytics. Full article

Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.) is a dioecious vine belonging to the Schisandraceae family. Its berries show beneficial activities, including cardioprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. We examined the chemical content of S. chinensis berry extract and its antiplatelet potential in vitro. The antiplatelet activity assays included measurements of thrombus formation in full blood (with Total Thrombus-formation Analysis System) and platelet activation and adhesion. We also assessed the extract’s effect on coagulation times in human plasma and its cytotoxicity toward blood platelets based on extracellular lactate dehydrogenase activity. The most important constituents of the extract were dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans; schisandrin was the dominant compound. S. chinensis berry extract at the concentration of 50 μg/mL inhibited thrombus formation by approximately 15%. The adhesion of unstimulated and thrombin-activated blood platelets to collagen was inhibited by all used concentrations of the extract (0.5–50 μg/mL), while the adhesion of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-activated platelets to fibrinogen was inhibited only by the concentrations of 10 and 50 μg/mL. The extract also inhibited the exposition of the active form of GPIIb/IIIa on the surface of platelets stimulated with 10 μM ADP (at 0.5–50 μg/mL) and 20 μM ADP (at 50 μg/mL). The exposition of P-selectin was inhibited only by the extract at the concentrations of 5–50 μg/mL in platelets stimulated with 10 μg/mL collagen. Moreover, the extract was not cytotoxic toward blood platelets. This indicates that S. chinensis berries hold promise as new antiplatelet agents, but more studies are needed to determine their mechanisms of action and in vivo efficiency. Full article

This article focuses on analysing the properties of six varieties of haskap berry (honeyberry) as a valuable raw material for producing health-promoting juices. Significant differences in the content of bioactive compounds were observed between juices derived from fruits of the same species. This study demonstrated that controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (20% CO₂ and 5% O₂) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in Xtend bags affected juice quality by minimising nutritional losses. The analysis of polyphenol content in the juices revealed significant differences between varieties and years (2021 and 2022), primarily due to varying weather conditions. In 2022, the polyphenol content of the varieties ‘Usłada’, ‘Candy Blue’, ‘Boreal Beauty’, and ‘Boreal Beast’ was from 69% to twice as high compared to values recorded in 2021. CA and MAP storage conditions were found to be more effective than normal atmosphere (NA) in preserving bioactive components, and thus the antioxidant activity of the fruits, as measured by the DPPH method. The variety ‘Sinij Utes’ had the highest total polyphenol contents and their lowest loss during storage. Conversely, the variety ‘Boreal Beauty’ contained the lowest polyphenol levels both after harvest and storage. This study confirmed the importance of proper storage conditions for maintaining the antioxidant properties of haskap berries. Full article

Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis, with a median survival of only 14.6 months despite aggressive treatments. Resistance to chemotherapy, particularly temozolomide (TMZ), is a significant challenge. The DNA repair enzyme MGMT and glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) often mediate this resistance. Recent studies highlight the therapeutic potential of natural compounds, particularly delphinidins, found in deep purple berries. Delphinidins are known for their ability to inhibit NF-κB signaling, a critical pathway for GB progression, chemoresistance, and MGMT expression. Our research demonstrates that glycosylated delphinidins have potential adjuvant use in the treatment of GB, offering a promising natural strategy to combat TMZ resistance. Specifically, we observed that delphinidin 3,5 di-glucoside has potent anticancer effects when used alone. Meanwhile, delphinidin 3 glucoside acted in synergy with temozolomide to decrease cell viability, highlighting its potential as an adjuvant. It also exerted a faster and more sustained inhibition of NF-κB, highlighting its potential for long-lasting therapeutic effects. These findings open new avenues for targeted therapies against glioblastoma, particularly to overcome treatment resistance. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive characterization of Physalis peruviana L., covering the nutritional composition of the fruit and the phytochemical profiles and in vitro bioactive properties of berry and calyx extracts. The fresh fruit stood out as a source of dietary fiber (5.16 g/100 g) and is low in fat (0.49 g/100 g). A 100-g serving also contained notable amounts of ascorbic acid (32.0 mg), tocopherols (2.34 mg), potassium (253 mg), phosphorus (45 mg), and magnesium (20 mg). HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis tentatively identified five physalin derivatives and one withanolide in the fruit extract, which showed significant antiproliferative activity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H460) cells. The calyx extracts contained three phenolic acids and four flavonoids, demonstrating high antioxidant activity through physiologically relevant cell-based assays, the ability to inhibit advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation and nitric oxide production, and also antiproliferative properties. These findings highlight goldenberry as a nutrient-dense fruit rich in vitamins and functional compounds with potential health benefits, supporting its recognition as a “superfruit”. Furthermore, the fruit calyx emerged as a valuable source of bioactive secondary metabolites with potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries and related sectors. Full article

This pilot study investigates the chemical profiling and antioxidant potential of six blueberry genotypes: three tetraploids from the highbush blueberry species and three hexaploids from the rabbiteye blueberry species. The goal was to characterise the biochemical composition of these genotypes, grown under identical pedoclimatic conditions, and to evaluate the variation in bioactive compounds associated with antioxidant activity. Metabolomic and ionomic analyses were employed to identify and relatively quantify these compounds. Multivariate analyses clustered the genotypes based on phytochemical profiles, pinpointing key genotype-clustering metabolites. Significant variations among genotypes were observed. Ochlockonee and Overtime had the highest anthocyanins, phenols, ascorbates, and antioxidant activity levels. Over thirty metabolites (organic acids, sugars, and flavonoid glycosides) drove the genotype clustering. Although Last Call and Legacy had more metabolites, their antioxidant properties were lower, suggesting that phenolic quality influences antioxidant activity more than quantity. Overtime had the highest phenolic content, followed by Last Call in anthocyanins. Liberty and Legacy showed the lowest anthocyanin and ascorbate levels, while Overtime and Ochlockonee were characterised by an increase in ascorbate content. Rabbiteye blueberries showed higher antioxidant potential than highbush, indicating that antioxidant efficacy depends more on the composition and quality of the bioactive compounds than on their total concentration. Full article

Rising temperatures due to climate change pose a significant threat to viticulture, intensifying summer heat stress and accelerating berry ripening. Additionally, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as hailstorms, further jeopardizes the sustainability of the viticultural sector. In recent years, mitigating these impacts has become crucial for grape production, particularly in Mediterranean regions. This study compares two mitigation strategies—using an anti-hail shading net (S) and kaolin spraying (K)—with untreated control vines (C) over three growing seasons. Vine physiology, berry ripening, grape production and pruning weight were evaluated. The S treatment significantly reduced light interception in the fruiting zone and, while limiting gas exchange, improved vine performance during extreme heat. The K treatment alleviated heat stress and enhanced the photosynthetic activity. Both S and K treatments improved grape quality by maintaining higher acidity levels and lower sugar concentrations and pH. Additionally, both treatments reduced the incidence of fungal diseases, with the net providing added protection against hailstorms. No significant changes in pruning weight were observed, and the treated vines showed a better balance between vegetative growth and production. In conclusion, both kaolin and shading nets are effective techniques for addressing the challenges of climate change, enhancing vine resilience and ensuring high-quality grape production. Full article

Faced with the challenges posed by climate change, Serbian viticulture is looking for sustainable solutions for adaptable production. This study shows that grass is a multifunctional tool for overcoming the challenges of intensive viticulture while maintaining the quality of the grapes. In a three-year research experiment (2020–2022), the maintenance of an inter-row sward in a vineyard with four certified high-quality French Cabernet Sauvignon clones was investigated, and its effects on the ampelographic composition of the grapes and the quality of the grape juice (must) were studied as a function of wine quality. A grass sward was established between the rows as a biological soil management system and as a climate change adaptation measure in a high-intensity viticultural system. A grass–legume mixture was used as an inter-row cover crop, with nitrogen applied in two doses (50 and 100 kg ha⁻¹) in spring. The growth of the grasses responded to the nitrogen fertilisation, which was reflected in the biomass production, surface cover and nitrogen content in the biomass. At the end of the study, the biomass of the grass increased threefold when a high dose of nitrogen was applied compared to the non-fertilised grass. In contrast to the effects of nitrogen on the sward, N has no effect on the quantitative or qualitative parameters of the grapes. Clone 169 was separated for most grape mechanical parameters such as the bunch mass, all berries and the bunch stem; clone 15 showed the best grape juice quality parameters such as the sugar content and glycoacidometric index. The results show an option for climate change adaptation in viticulture that can mitigate the effects of rising temperatures, contribute to soil conservation and carbon storage in biomass and enable timely interventions in vineyards after heavy rainfall by creating accessible paths within the vineyards. The three-year effect of the different nutrient management of the sward in the inter-rows of Cabernet Sauvignon showed that the interaction between the two systems, sward and vine, is low and has no negative impact on the ampelographic and qualitative grape parameters. Full article

Background: Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC., commonly known as Japanese pepper, is a deciduous shrub native to East Asia. Its berries are widely used as a spice, known for imparting a distinctive, tingly numbing sensation. Biologically, Z. piperitum has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is studied for its potential benefits in pain relief and digestive health. This study proposed a novel biotechnological Z. piperitum phytocomplex (ZPP) obtained by plant cell culture for skin health, specifically targeting collagen synthesis, extracellular matrix stability, and resilience against cellular stress. Given the bioactivity of Z. piperitum, we aimed to analyze its efficacy as a sustainable alternative for skin-supportive applications in cosmetics and supplements. Methods: ZPP was produced through stable plant cell cultures, yielding a lignan-rich (3.02% w/w) phytocomplex. Human fibroblasts (HFFs) were treated with varying ZPP concentrations to assess cellular viability, collagen metabolism, and ECM-related enzyme activities, both under normal and cell stress conditions. The in vivo assessment was performed by measuring biophysical skin parameters such as hydration, elasticity, and roughness in female volunteers for a period of six weeks. Results: In vitro, ZPP exhibited non-cytotoxicity at all concentrations tested. Under hyperosmotic stress, ZPP reduced cellular damage, suggesting enhanced resilience. ZPP upregulated lysyl oxidase (LOX) protein levels, critical for collagen cross-linking and ECM stability, with protective effects observed under oxidative/inflammatory conditions. Additionally, ZPP selectively inhibited collagenase, attenuating collagen breakdown, though antioxidant activity was modest. In vivo evaluation highlighted improved skin hydration, elasticity, and roughness. Conclusions: ZPP shows promise as a biotechnological agent for skin health, particularly in supporting collagen integrity, ECM stabilization, and cellular resilience under stress. While further studies are needed to explore its full efficacy, especially for aging and environmentally stressed skin, these findings highlight ZPP’s potential as a new ingredient for cosmetic formulations aimed at skin care and the treatment of alterations caused by aging or environmental conditions. Full article

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune pigmentation disorder shaped by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers. While conventional therapies—phototherapy, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants—can be effective, their benefits are often partial and temporary, with recurrence common once treatment stops. As such, there is increasing interest in exploring complementary approaches that may offer a more sustainable impact. Emerging evidence suggests that macronutrient and micronutrient-level changes could be beneficial for managing progression and, in some cases, facilitating repigmentation. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as apples, green tea, Indian gooseberry, onions, and peppers, may help mitigate oxidative stress, while inflammatory foods, such as gluten and high-phenol nuts and berries, may exacerbate the condition. Certain supplements, including high-dose vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, may enhance phototherapy outcomes. Omega-3 and other unsaturated fatty acids, in addition to prebiotics and probiotics, are under active investigation for their roles in gut health and immune regulation. Notably, plant-derived compounds, i.e., Ginkgo biloba, have demonstrated promise in promoting repigmentation and managing disease progression. However, it must be emphasized that these nutritional interventions remain exploratory, and more research is needed to establish their efficacy, safety, and optimal usage before they can be recommended as part of a standard treatment regimen. Full article