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Dermatomycosis or superficial mycosis is considered one of the chronic fungal infections and a global challenge for the public health system. The severity of dermatomycosis is proportionately increasing with the emerging population of immunocompromised individuals, and it is becoming more prevalent, even life‐threatening, in several tropical countries. In this context, improper long‐term treatment with synthetic antifungal drugs and their related side effects imposes additional challenges in treating dermatomycosis. Thus, the present scenario highlights the need for a novel and accurate treatment with minimal or no side effects. The multifaceted therapeutic properties of various natural products have garnered the interest of scientific communities in recent years. Generally, plant‐based products have low toxicity levels and offer diverse formulations and unique biomolecules for clinical applicability against dermatomycosis. Thus, this study presents an overview of the pathogenesis and different treatment strategies for dermatomycosis. In addition, we highlight the implementation of natural products of plant origin for treating dermatomycosis infections and reducing adverse events. Further, their mode of action and role in the development of pharmaceutical drugs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing a good vehicle for functional ingredients is the major focus of this study. Small molecular weight peptides (< 1 kDa) extracted from amaranth leaf protein (ALP), eggplant leaf protein (ELP) and fluted pumpkin leaf protein (FLP) were incorporated into freshly prepared orange juice at an effective and inhibitory concentrations of the peptides. The rate of degradation of ascorbic acid was more in the control juice (140.06 to 18.43 mg/mL) when compared with juice containing peptides at both storage conditions (140.08 to 32.32 mg/mL). However, the rate of ascorbic acid reduction during storage (refrigerated and ambient) was least in the juice containing peptide, isolated from ELP when compared with the juice samples that contained peptides isolated from ALP and FLP. After the eighth week of storage, juice that contained FLP peptide had greater amounts of residual total phenolic content (370.53 & 432.33 µg GAE/100 mL), juice that contained ALP peptide retained better ability to scavenge DPPH radicals (52.32 & 66.84%) while juice sample that contained ELP retained more metal chelating activities (44.82 and 51.03%). The results of antidiabetic property showed that juice containing peptide isolated from ALP contained greater amounts of α-amylase inhibitory activity (41.50 and 46.89%) while greater amounts of α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were retained in juice that contained peptide isolated from FLP. The results concluded that orange juice may be considered a veritable vehicle for functional ingredients for improved health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical plant protection takes an essential role in the production of quality food. However, the use of plant protection products is currently under critical discussion due to possible negative influences on the environment caused by unintentional inputs. In this research article, a new innovation in crop protection equipment is presented, which makes it possible to save crop protection agents by recessing the tramlines. The nozzle types and the nozzle constellation in the tramline area were modified on the spray boom. In laboratory and field tests, two suitable variants were investigated that enabled the tramline to be recessed and then compared with the whole area application that is customary in practice. In these tests, only the qualitative and quantitative effects of the spray liquid distribution, which could arise due to the change in nozzle types and nozzle constellation, were examined. The results show that through the appropriate choice of nozzles and the correct nozzle constellation, a recess in the tramline is possible with the aim of saving crop protection agents, and that the quality and quantity of the spray liquid distribution is almost as good as with a conventional whole area application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Under current European Union regulation, the risks to aquatic organisms must be assessed for uses of plant protection products (PPPs) that may result in exposure to the environment. For herbicidal PPPs, aquatic macrophytes are often the most sensitive taxa. For some herbicidal modes of action, macrophytes may be affected only while they are actively growing. For the risk assessment, it is therefore useful to know whether application timings would result in surface water exposure during periods when aquatic macrophytes are actively growing (therefore potentially resulting in effects). Toxicity endpoints, which are based on studies with active growth, may be overconservative in cases where exposure of PPPs will not co‐occur with active macrophyte growth. A comprehensive literature search was performed, using systematic and manual approaches, with the aim of identifying the main active growth period for macrophytes in natural freshwater bodies in climates relevant to the Central and Northern zones of the European Union. The results of the searches were screened initially to identify all potentially relevant references, for which a full evaluation was then performed. Reliability was assessed using the principles of the Klimisch scoring system. As part of the full evaluation, growth periods were identified for each macrophyte species studied. Finally, the extracted growth periods were considered together to determine an overall active growth period for aquatic macrophytes representative of the Central and Northern EU zones. Based on this literature review, the active growth period identified for most aquatic macrophyte species representative of the Central and Northern EU zones is April to September. Relating to the regulatory implication of these results, it may be possible to conclude a low risk for aquatic macrophytes if the predicted surface water exposure period for certain PPPs is demonstrated to be outside the periods of active growth. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1125–1139. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: A literature search was performed with the aim of identifying aquatic macrophyte growth periods relevant to the Central zone (CZ) and the Northern zone (NZ) of the European Union.Following a data mining exercise using peer‐reviewed journals, 25 publications were reviewed and considered relevant to the aims of this report, from which 43 collated growth periods were extracted.The extracted data were concluded to support a growth period for aquatic macrophytes in CZ and NZ EU beginning in April and ending in September.This has implications for the authorization of plant protection products with herbicidal modes of action, which act on macrophytes when they are actively growing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is home to some of the world's greatest biodiversity, providing an immeasurable number of new opportunities and unexplored sources of native plants for the development of products, extracts, foods, and compounds of social and economic interest. Among these, plants of the genus Eugenia stand out because of the large number of species found in Brazilian territory, many of which are endemic and exclusive to Brazil. These plants have emerged as potential sources for obtaining essential oils with relevant biological activities. In this context, the present review provides an overview of essential oils derived from the main native plants of Brazilian socio-biodiversity from the genus Eugenia with food value (Eugenia stipitata, Eugenia dysenterica, Eugenia involucrata, Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia klotzschiana, Eugenia uniflora, and Eugenia pyriformis) and their phytochemical profile and health beneficial effects. The compiled data showed that the essential oils of these plants are composed mainly of sesquiterpenes and, in smaller quantities, monoterpenes and other compounds. These compounds contribute to different biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiparasitic effects. These findings demonstrate that the essential oils of Brazilian native plants of the genus Eugenia can be a promising raw material for active ingredients to develop innovative and sustainable food products, drugs, and cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination by trace elements is a worldwide concern that can result from several sources, such as mining, smelting, car traffic exhaust, agriculture plant protection products such as fungicides, and fertilizers. Among the metals involved, copper can cause alterations in the photosynthetic, respiratory, and enzymatic processes of plants, leading to reduced growth of roots and shoots. An alternative to dealing with metals present in the soil is phytoremediation, which consists of using plants to extract or stabilize these elements. The leguminous Crotalaria juncea is widely used as a green manure and may be advantageous due to its capacity for biological nitrogen fixation and biomass accumulation. This research aimed to evaluate the growth and physiological behaviour of C. juncea in copper-contaminated soil and its potential use as a phytoremediation plant. For the fresh and dry mass of shoots and roots, compared with 30 mg.dm−3 of Cu, there was a decrease in values with the increase in concentrations up to a dose of 480 mg.dm−3. The roots were less sensitive to increased Cu concentrations than the shoots. The tolerance index decreased as copper concentrations in the soil increased. From 60 mg.dm−3, its vegetative growth decreased, but C. Juncea was able to tolerate and accumulate copper in the root system, presenting high potential as a phytostabilizing species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Between 2019–2021, facing public concern, a scientific expert committee (SEC) reanalysed suspected clusters of transverse upper limb reduction defects (TULRD) in three administrative areas in France, where initial investigations had not identified any risk exposure. We share here the national approach we developed for managing suspicious clusters of the same group of congenital anomalies occurring in several areas. Methods: The SEC analysed the medical records of TURLD suspected cases and performed spatiotemporal analyses on confirmed cases. If the cluster was statistically significant and included at least three cases, the SEC reviewed exposures obtained from questionnaires, environmental databases, and a survey among farmers living near to cases' homes concerning their plant product use. Results: After case re-ascertainment, no statistically significant cluster was observed in the first administrative areas. In the second area, a cluster of four children born in two nearby towns over two years was confirmed, but as with the initial investigations, no exposure to a known risk factor explaining the number of cases in excess was identified. In the third area, a cluster including just two cases born the same year in the same town was confirmed. Discussion: Our experience highlights that in the event of suspicious clusters occurring in different areas of a country, a coordinated and standardised approach should be preferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of herbicides on crops often results in unintentional, low-dose exposure of non-target organisms, such as insects. While these exposures are increasingly known to alter the survival and physiology of insects, it remains unclear whether these effects can vary between populations and modify other fitness-related traits, such as behaviour and immunity. Here, we addressed these questions by testing the effects of sublethal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) on the behaviour and immunity of European earwig males from six natural populations. We exposed each male to a dose of a common GBH (Roundup©) that was either recommended for crops, five times lower than that recommended for crops, or to a control solution. Twenty-four hours later, we measured the activity, boldness, and aggregation of each male. We then exposed them to an entomopathogenic fungus, monitored their survival for 6 weeks, and measured the immune response of the survivors. We found a condition-dependent effect of GBH exposure on male activity. Exposure to low doses induced a positive association between activity and weight, which was not observed in the high-dose and control groups. However, GBH had no effect on any of the other measured traits. All these results were consistent across the six populations tested, although we did find population-specific differences in almost all measurements on males. Further research is now needed to better understand the dose–response to GBH on male activity and its biological impact, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of detoxification processes in this species. Overall, these results emphasise the importance of investigating the effects of herbicides on insects to expand our general understanding of the use and potential risks of plant protection products in integrated pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spray droplet diameters play a key role in the field of liquid plant protection product (PPP) application technology. However, the availability of various measurement techniques, each with its unique operating principles for evaluating droplet size spectra, can lead to different interpretations of spray characteristics. Therefore, in this study, four measurement techniques—Liquid Immersion (LI), Laser Diffraction (LD), Phase Doppler Particle Analysis (PDPA), and Shadowgraphy (SG)—were utilized to evaluate the droplet size distribution of agricultural spray nozzles. Additionally, PDPA and SG were used to assess the average velocity of spray droplets. Experiments were conducted in three different laboratories with the main aim of comparing results obtained with various types of equipment utilized under ordinary practical conditions. Spraying tests were carried out using three flat fan nozzles and an air-induction flat fan nozzle. As a general trend, the lowest values for droplet diameters were measured using the Laser Diffraction technique, followed by Shadowgraphy. The PDPA technique provided the highest values for mean diameters (D10, D20, and D30) and the numeric median diameter (Dn0.5), whereas the Liquid Immersion method yielded the highest values for the Sauter mean diameter (D32) and volumetric diameters (Dv0.1, Dv0.5, and Dv0.9). Importantly, all measurement techniques were able to discriminate the four nozzles based on their Dv0.5 diameter. Average droplet velocities showed a similar pattern across the four nozzles with the PDPA and the SG measurement techniques. The differences in diameter values observed with the four measurement techniques underline the necessity of always including reference nozzles in spray quality assessments to base classifications on relative rather than absolute values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is affecting all regions of the world, and the Mediterranean region is one of the most affected. Plants accumulate secondary metabolites as an adaptive response to stress circumstances. The present study investigated the effect of different abiotic factor conditions (drought, moderate heat, severe heat, salinity, and UV-B radiation) on the essential oil (EO) yield, composition (volatile profile), and biological activity (enzyme inhibition and antioxidant activity) of Lavandula viridis L'Hér. In general, the environmental conditions increased the extraction yield of EO. Eighty-two compounds were identified in the EO and environmental factors induced some quantitative changes in EO composition. Severe heat and salinity conditions increased the concentration of the two most abundant compounds, 1,8-cineole and camphor. Severe heat also increased the potential of EO to inhibit the enzymes butyrylcholinesterase and tyrosinase. Drought, salinity, and UV-B radiation promoted the ability of EO to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. In addition, heat and drought enhanced the antioxidant activity of EO. These results are relevant for exploring the potential of this EO for industrial applications, although future studies combining the factors studied are important to understand the influence of synergistic effects on the composition and bioactivity of the plant products obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals, affects freshwater communities at broad spatial scales. This risk is commonly managed in a prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA). Relying on generic methods, a few standard test organisms, and safety factors to account for uncertainty, ERA determines concentrations that are assumed to pose low risks to ecosystems. Currently, this procedure neglects potential variation in assemblage sensitivity among ecosystem types and recommends a single low-risk concentration for each compound. Whether systematic differences in assemblage sensitivity among ecosystem types exist or their size, are currently unknown. Elucidating spatial patterns in sensitivity to chemicals could therefore enhance ERA precision and narrow a fundamental knowledge gap in ecology, the Hutchinsonian shortfall. We analyzed whether taxonomic turnover between field-sampled macroinvertebrate assemblages of different broad river types across Europe results in systematic differences in assemblage sensitivity to copper and imidacloprid. We used an extensive database of macroinvertebrate assemblage compositions throughout Europe and employed a hierarchical species sensitivity distribution model to predict the concentration that would be harmful to 5% of taxa (HC5) in each assemblage. Predicted H C 5 values varied over several orders of magnitude. However, variation within the 95% highest density intervals remained within one order of magnitude. Differences between the river types were minor for imidacloprid and only slightly higher for copper. The largest difference between river-type-specific median H C 5 values was a factor of 3.1. This level of variation is below the assessment factors recommended by the European Food Safety Authority and therefore would be captured in the current ERA for plant protection products. We conclude that the differences in taxonomic composition between broad river types translate into relatively small differences in macroinvertebrate assemblage sensitivity toward the evaluated chemicals at the European scale. However, systematic differences in bioavailability and multi-stressor context were not evaluated and might exacerbate the differences in the ecological effects of chemicals among broad river types in real-world ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement. Although there is some considerable evidence with conventional drugs for PD, treating patients becomes increasingly difficult due to their short- and long-term adverse effects and other restrictions. This dire circumstance emphasizes the need for an innovative, strong alternative treatment for PD. Plants and natural products are considered one of the most important sources of bioactive molecules against a wide range of health disorders. With mechanistic insights, this systematic review explains the efficacy of clinically proven natural products in managing PD. This review is based on comprehensive literature searches from PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords- "plants or natural products in Parkinson's", "plants or herbs used in Parkinson's treatment", or keywords that are similar to those. Natural products that have been clinically proven for their anti-Parkinson effect have only been selected for this study, and the products are- Mucuna pruriens, Caffeine, Camellia sinensis or green tea leaves, and a traditional Chinese herbal called Jiawei-Liujunzi Tang. In comparison to currently available medications, we firmly feel that the mentioned clinically proven natural products would be more effective at treating PD while having fewer adverse effects. However, further study is required to confirm their exact mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessment (RA) of microbial secondary metabolites (SM) is part of the EU approval process for microbial active substances (AS) used in plant protection products (PPP). As the number of potentially produced microbial SM may be high for a certain microbial strain and existing information on the metabolites often are low, data gaps are frequently identified during the RA. Often, RA cannot conclusively clarify the toxicological relevance of the individual substances. This work presents data and RA conclusions on four metabolites, Beauvericin, 2,3-deepoxy-2,3-didehydro-rhizoxin (DDR), Leucinostatin A and Swainsonin in detail as examples for the challenging process of RA. To overcome the problem of incomplete assessment reports, RA of microbial AS for PPP is in need of new approaches. In view of the Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA), the combination of literature data, omic-methods, in vitro and in silico methods combined in adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) can be used for an efficient and targeted identification and assessment of metabolites of concern (MoC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nopal (Opuntia) is a resource that is discarded after pruning complete cladodes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined use of organic matter (nopal) and goat manure on changes in soil characteristics and on the growth and yield performance of carrot and tomato plants. Physicochemical analysis of the soil and goat manure was carried out, and germination tests and physical characterization of the plants and the products obtained were performed on tomato and carrot plants after adding the components of the cladodes alone and the cladodes with goat manure. The results showed that the application of the nopal cladode components increased the cation exchange capacity of the soil. The highest germination rate was obtained by the application of liquid nopal, with a 1.7-fold increase in the germination rate of carrot seeds, while that for tomato seeds was only 14%. Similar results were obtained for the germination percentage. An increase in resistance to water stress of approximately 15 days was observed in both tomato and carrot plants. Plant development and production were achieved in tomato, with a 100% increase in carrot plant length and a threefold increase in production. The addition of nopal to the soil improved the soil characteristics and the production yield of carrots and tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plant protection products (PPPs) has become fundamental to guarantee excellent field productivity. Nevertheless, their usage presents critical issues, such as the quantity of substances used, the relative toxicity, and the contamination of nearby fields caused by atmospheric drift. This study focuses on the characterization of aerosol droplets of PPPs produced by spraying a chemical marker, fluorescein, with an orchard airblast sprayer equipped with conventional hollow cone (HC) and anti-drift air inclusion (AI) nozzles, using a wind tunnel as a controlled environment. A particle/droplet image analysis was employed to study the droplet production of the nozzles, while a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis allowed us to evaluate samples collected using a cascade impactor located at 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m from the emission point. Overall, HC nozzles are very accurate at producing specific drop size distributions (DSDs), while AI nozzles produce a much wider DSD, concentrating the largest part of the distributed volume into droplets of a larger size. The marker concentration was much lower for the AI nozzles compared to the HC nozzles; moreover, the two nozzles show a similar trend in the coarse droplet range, while significantly differing in the fine droplet spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'high risk plants, plant products and other objects'. Taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the applicant country, this Scientific Opinion covers the plant health risks posed by the following commodities: Sorbus aucuparia bare‐root plants and rooted plants in pots up to 7 years old and specimen trees in pots up to 15 years old imported into the EU from the UK. A list of pests potentially associated with the commodities was compiled. The relevance of any pest was assessed based on evidence following defined criteria. Three EU quarantine pests (Entoleuca mammata and Phytophthora ramorum (non‐EU isolates), Erwinia amylovora), were selected for further evaluation. For two of the selected pests (E. mammata and P. ramorum), the risk mitigation measures implemented in the UK and specified in the technical dossier were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The degree of pest freedom varies between the pests evaluated, with P. ramorum being the pest most frequently expected on the imported S. aucuparia plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9812 and 10,000 bare‐root S. aucuparia plants per 10,000 will be free from P. ramorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Management of ever growing multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria becomes one of the biggest threats to public health worldwide. The situation is worsening due to lack of new generation antimicrobials in the arsenal of the clinicians. Development of new alternatives to the conventional antimicrobial agents is the need of the hour to control the menace of AMR. Plants based products are attractive alternatives with proven efficacy but needs scientific investigation to explore their potential antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiquorum sensing activities against major bacterial pathogens of human and animals. The present study was conducted to explore the antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiquorum sensing activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of leaf, flower, fruit and stem of the Himalayan yellow raspberry (Rubus ellipticus) against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Methods: E. coli and S. aureus were isolated and identified from diarrhoeic pigs and poultry and mastitic milk of cattle of Mizoram, respectively. Leaf, flower, fruit and stem/bark of R. ellipticus were collected from Mizoram and extracted by methanol and aqueous solvents. The antimicrobial activity and MIC was determined by well diffusion method and 96 wells microtiter plate method, respectively. Antibiofilm activity of plant extracts was determined in 96 well tissue culture plate. Antiquorum sensing activity was determined by disc diffusion method. Result: Methanol leaf extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with 19 mm and 7 mm zone of inhibition at 200 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively. Methanol fruit extract also showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus only. Highest and lowest activities were observed at 200 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL concentrations with 15 mm and 7 mm zone of inhibition, respectively. No antimicrobial activities by either of the extracts were observed against E. coli isolates. The MIC of R. ellipticus methanol leaf and fruit extracts against S. aureus was 0.203125 mg/mL and 0.8125 mg/mL, respectively. The methanol leaf (86.60%) and stem (85.60%) extracts of R. ellipticus showed significant antibiofilm activity against S. aureus isolates, whereas methanol fruit (89.20%) extracts exhibited antibiofilm activity against E. coli isolates at the concentration of 0.05 mg/mL. Significant antiquorum sensing (QS) activities was exhibited by the methanol leaf extract of R. ellipticus at 200 mg/mL concentration against E. coli. This is the first ever report on antibiofilm and anti QS activities of the R. ellipticus plant extracts against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clavibacter michiganensis causes plant diseases and is included in the list of microorganisms subject to export control. Janthinobacterium lividum is capable of synthesizing a pigment with antagonistic potential. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the activity of J. lividum VKM B-3705D and the pigment fraction against C. michiganensis VKM Ac-1402. The results of spectrophotometric and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the pigment synthesized by the J. lividum VKM B-3705D corresponds to violacein. The J. lividum strain demonstrated potential bacteriostatic activity against C. michiganensis VKM Ac-1402 when both strains were co-cultured. Compared to the control (DMSO), the violacein solution suppressed the specific growth of Clavibacter by 57.7%. The mechanism of suppression of the growth of Clavibacter is discussed. One of the ways to suppress the growth of C. michiganensis may be the inhibition of key enzymes. Violacein inhibited the activity of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase, EC 3.6.1.3) compared to the control (DMSO) by 23.2%. Thus, the current study of the bacteriostatic effect may be a decisive step towards the development of a plant protection product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When approving plant protection products, exposure data are required for risk analysis. Exposure data can be collected for various exposure pathways, such as dermal, inhalation or ground sediment. For measuring exposures, pyranine, a fluorescent dye, and a collector can be used. However, the choice of collector material depends on the specific exposure pathway. This study aims to determine the most suitable collector, in combination with the tracer pyranine, for recording exposure through different pathways in practical trials. Seven different collectors (Tyvek®, labels, plastic patches, paper patches, nylon filters, fibreglass filters, petri dishes) were subjected to laboratory and field tests to assess various quality parameters. Blank values, recovery rates, storability, and fluorescence degradation under UV-radiation were measured. Based on the results, a matrix was created summarizing which collector might be best suited to capture each exposure pathway. Almost all collectors demonstrated high recovery rates (Tyvek® 100%; labels 100%; plastic patches 100%; paper patches 100%; nylon filters 95%; fiberglass filters 60.9%) as well as good storability. Furthermore, all plastic-based collectors (labels, Tyvek®, plastic patches, petri dishes) showed a very good recovery rate above 95% when exposed to UV-radiation. However, nylon filters were not suitable for utilization under field conditions due to the rapid degradation of fluorescence under UV-radiation (recovery rate: 20–56%). Nevertheless, nylon filters showed stable recoveries under protected conditions and can be used to assess inhalation exposures under these conditions. Fibreglass filters, with recovery rates of 84–86%, were well-suited for testing inhalative exposures outdoors when a correction factor was applied. Tyvek® was the most suitable material for detecting total dermal exposure under field conditions. This is due to its quality characteristics and availability in a variety of sizes. Finally, petri dishes were ideal for collecting ground sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three Closed Transfer Systems (CTS) were evaluated for their reduction of operator exposure to plant protection products during mixing and loading: the inverted extraction systems, easyFlow M and easyconnect, and the probe extraction system, GoatThroat®. Exposure data were generated for gloves, hands, head, inner and outer body dosimeters generated in 4 European countries for high rate (Sorbitol) and low rate (Xylitol) surrogate products used by 12 operators. Exposure values were compared with predicted data using the Agricultural Operator Exposure Model as a benchmark for open pour loading (used in the EFSA Guidance). The CTS types conformed with the ISO 21191 standard for CTS performance, and their potential to significantly reduce operator exposure was confirmed in this study. There was no statistical difference in potential (naked) or actual (one layer of clothing) operator exposure using both inverted CTS types; allowing these data to be pooled. The inverted CTS types resulted in higher mean protection (> 98% potential exposure and > 95% actual exposure) than GoatThroat® (> 80% potential exposure and > 95% actual exposure). These data can be used to derive reduction factors that could be used in the AOEM model for calculations involving mitigation e.g., 0.05 for inverted CTS since they reduced exposure by > 95% and 0.3 for probe extraction CTS types. All 3 CTS significantly reduced operator exposure to products during M&L. These and future CTS types which comply with ISO 21191 standards could be considered as mitigation devices. These findings will help to build confidence of farmers to use CTS routinely, resulting in safer pesticide handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to pesticide spray drift during the application of plant protection products (PPP) in orchards poses potential health risks to bystanders and residents. To address this concern, this study aimed to gather novel field data on exposure to spray drift in orchards. The research was conducted by the Julius Kuehn-Institute (JKI), the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). From 2018 to 2021, the method for conducting the field trials and analysis was implemented. The data from multiple series of performed field trials conducted between 2021 and 2022 allowed for collecting data on potential dermal exposure (PDE), inhalation exposure, and ground sediment. The trials considered various distances from the treatment area and drift-reducing techniques. Adult and child mannequins were used to simulate bystanders' exposure, and petri dishes were used to measure ground sediment. The results showed that drift reduction settings (75% drift reduction) considerably reduced exposure levels on the mannequins. Furthermore, a strong correlation between PDE values for adults and children located next to each other at the same distance was observed. This finding suggests a possibility to convert exposure results from adult to child mannequins. The study produced realistic exposure data for bystanders and residents next to a treated area. It contributes to a better understanding of exposure risks from PPP application and includes data for different distances and spray drift reducing technique. If taken into account for further development of the current risk assessment models, new risk management options for the safe application of PPP, including buffer strips or application of drift reducing systems, might be available in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document titled "PP 1/335 (1) Seed wasps in almonds, pistachios and plums" outlines the standards for conducting trials to evaluate the efficacy of products in controlling seed wasps in almond, pistachio, and plum trees. It specifies the test organisms, trial conditions, design, application of treatments, assessment methods, and recording of results. The document emphasizes the importance of following good experimental practices and complying with local agricultural practices. It provides detailed guidelines for conducting trials and evaluating the effectiveness of products in controlling seed wasps in these specific crops. [Extracted from the article]

The document titled "PP 1/131 (4) Diaspididae scales on pome and stone fruits" outlines the standards for conducting trials to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides against Diaspididae scales on pome and stone fruit trees. It specifies the test organisms, trial conditions, application of treatments, mode of assessment, and recording of results. The document emphasizes the importance of uniform trial conditions, proper application of products, and systematic reporting of results. Additionally, it provides guidelines for assessing direct effects on crops, effects on other organisms, and the recording of yield. [Extracted from the article]

The document discusses the synthesis of bioactive natural products using engineered plants and microorganisms, highlighting the potential pharmaceutical and health benefits of compounds like artemisinin, ginsenosides, and Ganoderic triterpenes. Various research articles explore the biosynthesis pathways, extraction methods, and industrial-scale production of these natural products, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary tools like synthetic biology for further advancements. While significant progress has been made, there is still untapped potential in developing bioactive natural products through engineered plants and microorganisms, calling for continued collaboration between academia and industry to drive technological innovation and market expansion in related industries. [Extracted from the article]

Because they hold information about cultural identity, foodways have been the focus of a variety of disciplines in archaeology. However, each approach documents different stages of culinary preparation and is constrained by the preservation specificities of each type of artefact and ecofact. Difficulties in achieving an interdisciplinary approach may explain the scarcity of such studies. In this paper, we propose a methodology that combines archaeozoological, carpological and microbotanical analysis of ecofacts retrieved in the sediment, with use-alteration, organic residue and microbotanical analysis carried out on pottery vessels, recovered during the excavation of a XXth century archaeological dump site in Lower Casamance (Senegal). The results demonstrate the strength of this multiproxy approach in reconstructing past foodways by characterising the importance of aquatic, terrestrial animals and plant products in the Diola Kassa diet. In addition, this study questions the modalities of food transformation by assessing the preparation techniques of animal and vegetal products (cutting marks, heating processes etc.) and the function of pottery vessels (transport, storage, cooking etc.). Aquatic products and rice were a significant part of the diet of the users of the dump (from archaeozoology, carpology, phytoliths and organic residue analysis) and wet cooking (boiling?), salty and acidic foods seem to have been particularly prevalent (from use-alteration). The absence of specific animal and plant parts in the archaeological record, as well as some pottery function, is also questioned. Beyond gathering the results of each approach, this study focuses on the interweaving of different research methods to depict past foodscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus strains cause the majority of pneumonia cases and are resistant to various antibiotics. Given this background, it is very important to discover novel host-targeted therapies. Licochalcone A (LAA), a natural plant product, has various biological activities, but its primary targets in S. aureus pneumonia remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify its molecular target against S. aureus pneumonia. Network pharmacology analysis, histological assessment, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and Western blotting were used to confirm the pharmacological effects. Network pharmacology revealed 33 potential targets of LAA and S. aureus pneumonia. Enrichment analysis revealed that these potential genes were enriched in the Toll-like receptor and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. The results were further verified by experiments in which LAA alleviated histopathological changes, inflammatory infiltrating cells and inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6, and IL-1b) in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in vivo. Moreover, LAA treatment effectively reduced the expression levels of NF-kB, p-JNK, p-p38, NLRP3, ASC, caspase 1, IL-1b, and IL-18 in lung tissue. The in vitro experimental results were consistent with the in vivo results. Thus, our findings demonstrated that LAA exerts anti-infective effects on S. aureus-induced lung injury via suppression of the Toll-like receptor and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways, which provides a theoretical basis for understanding the function of LAA against S. aureus pneumonia and implies its potential clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The placing of plant protection products (PPPs) on the market in the European Union is governed by numerous regulations. These regulations are among the most stringent in the world, however they have been the subject of criticisms especially because of the decline in biodiversity. The objectives of this work were to review (1) the functioning and actors involved in the PPP framework processes, (2) the construction of the environmental risk assessment focused on biodiversity, and (3) the suggested ways to respond to the identified limits. Both literature from social sciences and ecotoxicology were examined. Despite the protective nature of the European regulation on PPPs, the very imperfect consideration of biodiversity in the evaluation process was underlined. The main limits are the multiplicity of applicable rules, the routinization of the evaluation procedures, the lack of consideration of social data, and the lack of independence of the evaluation. Strengths of the regulation are the decision to integrate a systemic approach in the evaluation of PPPs, the development of modeling tools, and the phytopharmacovigilance systems. The avenues for improvement concern the realism of the risk assessment (species used, cocktail effects...), a greater transparency and independence in the conduct of evaluations, and the opening of the evaluation and decision-making processes to actors such as beekeepers or NGOs. Truly interdisciplinary reflections crossing the functioning of the living world, its alteration by PPPs, and how these elements question the users of PPPs would allow to specify social actions, public policies, and their regulation to better protect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin, a natural plant product, was investigated as a mitigation tool against Karenia brevis, the toxic dinoflagellate responsible for Florida red tides. A series of laboratory bench-top studies were conducted with additions of 0.1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L curcumin to K. brevis at an average of 1.0 × 106 cells/L to determine the efficacy of curcumin against K. brevis cells and brevetoxins and to optimize treatment dosage. Treatment with 5 mg/L of curcumin reduced K. brevis cell abundance by 89% and total brevetoxins by 60% within 24 h. Lower concentrations of curcumin (0.1–3 mg/L) exhibited between a 2 and 45% reduction in K. brevis and a reduction in brevetoxins of between 2 and 44% within 24 h. At the highest curcumin doses, 30 and 40 mg/L, a 100% reduction in cell abundance was observed by 6 h, with reduction in total brevetoxins by at least 64% in 48 h. These results suggest that curcumin, used alone or potentially in combination with other technologies, is a promising K. brevis bloom mitigation option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorogenic acid (CA) is an effective ingredient that can strengthen immunity during following the COVID-19 era. The current cost of CA is high owing to its complex purification process and low yield (approximately 2%). In this study, a one-step path orthogonal experiment was designed based on the results from Gauss calculation, which consisted of acidity, coordination, and hydrolysis in molecules. The optimized extraction conditions were 60 ℃, 60 min, 1:20 liquid ratio, and 40% ethanol in a nitrogen atmosphere controlled using a device of our own design, which led to CA yields of up to 6.35% from potato leaves. The purified CA was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and molecular fluorescence. This accurate and reproducible method can not only be used to obtain high yields of CA but can also be used for the quality control of active plant products and their isomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases. The current understanding of acne primarily revolves around inflammatory responses, sebum metabolism disorders, aberrant hormone and receptor expression, colonization by Cutibacterium acnes, and abnormal keratinization of follicular sebaceous glands. Although the precise mechanism of action remains incompletely understood, it is plausible that macrophages exert an influence on these pathological features. Macrophages, as a constituent of the human innate immune system, typically manifest distinct phenotypes across various diseases. It has been observed that the polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acne. In recent years, extensive research on acne has revealed an increasing number of natural remedies exhibiting therapeutic efficacy through the modulation of macrophage polarization. This review investigates the role of cutaneous macrophages, elucidates their potential significance in the pathogenesis of acne, a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder, and explores the therapeutic mechanisms of natural plant products targeting macrophages. Despite these insights, the precise role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of acne remains poorly elucidated. Subsequent investigations in this domain will further illuminate the pathogenesis of acne and potentially offer guidance for identifying novel therapeutic targets for this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aronia melanocarpa is one of the many fruit types rich in polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, we used this fruit in our research as a possible natural antioxidant, which was added to pork sausages. Four groups were prepared: control group, a group with ascorbic acid, and groups with 3 and 5 mL·kg–1 of chokeberry extract. During storage, we monitored changes in pH, colour, texture and oxidative stability of pork sausages and sensory evaluation. We did not observe any negative effects of the extract on the quality of pork sausages during storage. Regarding oxidative stability, the lowest increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in the group with 5 mL·kg–1 of chokeberry extract, which was comparable to the group with ascorbic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is based on the interest in defining the content of Spanish amphorae used for centuries as containers for agricultural products that were exported from Spain to its American colonies. To do this, we have analyzed a series of fragments of botijas that were found in the colonial stratigraphic levels of the Historic Downtown area of Mexico City. These are 10 samples recovered within the framework of the archaeological excavations of the Templo Mayor Project of the National Institute of Anthropology and History. The results obtained have allowed us to establish that the content of these botijas was not always the same. We identified the presence, often combined, of plant origin products (probably mainly oils and wines), although in certain cases there were also products of animal origin. At the moment, we have not been able to define what the preferred content of each of these containers was and what the sequence was in the bottled products. However, we were able to confirm that it is possible to analyze glazed pottery, obtaining from them key information that will allow us to define the use of most of the vessels from the New Spain colonial period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid chromatography plays a pivotal role in evaluating pesticide formulations as it enables the determination of multiple active substances in plant protection products. An adaptable separation technique has been developed, enabling the qualitative and quantitative analysis of clopyralid, picloram, and aminopyralid within pesticide formulations in line with SANCO/3030/99 rev. 5 guidelines. This article offers an insight into the validation procedure encompassing key aspects such as selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and recovery. It places emphasis on critical stages, including sample preparation, chromatographic separation, detection, quantification, and data analysis. The active ingredients are separated using chromatography with isocratic elution, utilizing a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of water, acetonitrile, and acetic acid in a specific ratio (83:15:2 v/v/v). This separation is carried out on a YMC-Pack ODS-AQ column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The method's validation parameters have produced satisfactory outcomes. The recovery rates for each individual compound were found to be in the range of 98.6% to 101.0%. Precision, as indicated by the relative standard deviation (%RSD), was lower than the values predicted by the modified Horwitz equation. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients assessing the linearity of the response exceeded 0.99. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant Protection Products (PPPs) are widely used to maintain high productivity and protect crops, but can have unintended toxic effects on beneficial non‐target soil organisms. To avoid unacceptable adverse effects of PPPs on soil organisms, a prospective risk assessment is carried out, which focuses on individual substances and their effects on a few individual species or groups. However, the reality of agricultural soils consists of complex networks of organisms exposed to mixtures of several PPP active substances. It is therefore essential to monitor PPP residues in soils. This paper describes the ConSoil project and its proposed framework for monitoring PPP residues in Swiss Agricultural soils which includes and integrates (1) risk‐based reference values for PPP residues in soil and (2) indicators of their effects on long‐term soil fertility. For risk‐based reference values, a proposal has been developed to derive Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) for PPP residues and a mixture risk assessment concept is being developed. Regarding indicators, a toolbox of ecological and ecotoxicological indicators will be proposed to reflect the protection goal of long‐term soil fertility in agricultural soils. For this objective, standardised and/or well‐established bioindicator methods will be selected for the key soil organisms that support soil fertility. To integrate SGVs and the biomonitoring toolbox, an adapted TRIAD approach is proposed, where generic SGVs are used as a screening tool to identify monitoring sites potentially at risk and to trigger more detailed monitoring. Detailed monitoring will refine the SGVs based on site‐specific characteristics and implement the bioindicator toolbox to measure the effects of PPP residues and their risk to long‐term soil fertility. As a novel integrated framework, it is essential to use the data generated in detailed assessments to calibrate and refine the SGVs and bioindicator tools and improve the monitoring over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional therapy is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, but undesirable effects, such as erythema, dryness, skin thinning, and resistance to treatment, may cause poor patient compliance. Therefore, patients may seek complementary treatment with herbal plant products including essential oils (EOs). This scoping review aims to generate a broad overview of the EOs used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, namely, acne vulgaris, dermatitis and eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, in a clinical setting. The quality, efficacy, and safety of various EOs, as well as the way in which they are prepared, are reviewed, and the potential, as well as the limitations, of EOs for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions are discussed. Twenty-nine eligible studies (case studies, uncontrolled clinical studies, and randomized clinical studies) on the applications of EOs for inflammatory skin conditions were retrieved from scientific electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library). As an initial result, tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil emerged as the most studied EO. The clinical studies with tea tree oil gel for acne treatment showed an efficacy with fewer adverse reactions compared to conventional treatments. The uncontrolled studies indicated the potential efficacy of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) oil, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) oil, and cedarwood (Cedrus libani) oil in the treatment of acne, but further research is required to reach conclusive evidence. The placebo-controlled studies revealed the positive effects of kānuka (Kunzea ericoides) oil and frankincense (Boswellia spp.) oil in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema. The quality verification of the EO products was inconsistent, with some studies lacking analyses and transparency. The quality limitations of some studies included a small sample size, a short duration, and the absence of a control group. This present review underscores the need for extended, well-designed clinical studies to further assess the efficacy and safety of EOs for treating inflammatory skin conditions with products of assured quality and to further elucidate the mechanisms of action involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of five protein supplements of plant origin. The content and profile of phenolics were determined using the UHPLC-DAD-MS method, while antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assays) and total phenolic content (TPC) were evaluated using spectrophotometric tests. In the analyzed proteins, twenty-five polyphenols were detected, including eleven phenolic acids, thirteen flavonoids, and one ellagitannin. Hemp protein revealed the highest individual phenolics content and TPC value (1620 μg/g and 1.79 mg GAE/g, respectively). Also, hemp protein showed the highest antioxidant activity determined via ABTS (9.37 μmol TE/g) and DPPH (9.01 μmol TE/g) assays. The contents of p-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid, kaempferol, rutin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and TPC value were significantly correlated with antioxidant activity assays. Our findings indicate that plant-based protein supplements are a valuable source of phenols and can also be used in research related to precision medicine, nutrigenetics, and nutrigenomics. This will benefit future health promotion and personalized nutrition in the prevention of chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main approach to protect grapes against diseases involves the use of plant protection products. Understanding the quantitative amount and the distribution of these products on the vines is essential to assess the effectiveness of spray equipment and to evaluate the relationship between dosage and response when targeting pathogens. Improving the targeting of sprayers is an important lever to reduce the quantities of phytosanitary inputs applied, taking into account various cropping systems and training. For this purpose, a regularly distributed artificial canopy, adjustable in height and width was designed to mimic three grapevine growth stages for two of the most common trellised training systems encountered in France for 'wide row vineyards' (Royat cordon and Guyot, inter-row width 2.5 m). This artificial canopy was evaluated with the perspective of using it as a testing facility for classifying sprayers. Using a dye tracer, spray deposits were directly recovered after the rinsing of artificial leaves. A first series of experiments defined the most adapted sampling strategy in the canopy according to the crop stage, with the comparison of two contrasted sprayers. A second series of experiments compared the quantities of deposits obtained from both the artificial and a real vine, for several sprayers at a full growth stage and for one sprayer at three growth stages. Deposition patterns and mean deposits on both targets were found comparable, allowing a realistic perspective for the classification of spray application modalities using the artificial vine. A third series of experiments compared deposition at three crop stages on artificial and real vines for one type of sprayer. A fourth series of experiments on the artificial vineyard discriminated between three behaviour classes within 65 spraying modalities that combined sprayer types and sprayer settings (such as nozzle types). The discrimination was achieved using a PCA analysis that confirmed the soundness of the sampling strategy used. Overall, these results highlight the ability of the EvaSprayViti test facility to assess and rank the performance of vineyard sprayers. • A regularly organized 3D test facility emulates vineyards canopy deposition properties. • Spray deposition patterns were similar in vineyards and on EvaSprayViti test facility. • The test facility allows clear discrimination of sprayer configurations. • The test facility can be parametrised to emulate different growth stages. • EvaSprayViti test facility helps rank vineyard sprayer performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many businesses conducted business. Notably, regulations imposed by states impacted how green-industry firms sold their plants and landscape products. However, not all states implemented the same stringency of regulations. Using an online consumer survey implemented in Jan 2021, we examine the impact of varying regulation stringencies across five treatment groups (Michigan, and New York, and low, medium, and high stringency). We estimate the difference between 2020 and 2019 self-reported expenditures, in conjunction with propensity score matching to compare each treatment with the other treatments. Results indicate that, for the most part, states with greater stringency associated with their COVID regulations did not impact plant and landscape expenditures negatively between 2019 and 2020. However, Michigan consumers did spend significantly less than medium- and highstringency states for landscape products. Michigan was one of only two states that put qualifications on green-industry firms, and it was the only state to list green-industry firms as nonessential. Also, New York consumers spent more than low-stringency states, and low-stringency states spent less than high-stringency states for plants. Furthermore, there were no differences in online expenditures between state treatment groups. From a policy perspective, regulation type (i.e., shutting down green-industry sectors as Michigan did) had varying impacts across product categories within the green industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of Tilia cordata and T. platyphyllos imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) bundles of budwood/graftwood; (b) 1‐ to 2‐year‐old whips, seedlings or transplants; (c) bundles of 1‐ to 2‐year‐old cell grown plants; (d) 1‐ to 7‐year‐old bare root single plants; and (e) up to 25‐year‐old single plants in pots, taking into account the available scientific information provided by the UK. A list of pests potentially associated with the commodities was compiled. The relevance of any pest was assessed based on evidence following defined criteria. None of the pests on the list fulfilled all relevant criteria and therefore none were selected for further evaluation. As a result, risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from the UK were listed, but not further evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetamiprid is a pesticide active substance with insecticidal action whose approval was renewed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/113. In January 2022, the EFSA PPR Panel published a statement following a request from the European Commission to advise on human health or the environment based on new scientific evidence presented by France during the decision‐making phase. In July 2022, by means of a further mandate received from the European Commission, EFSA was requested to provide advice if new information and any other scientific evidence that has become available since the assessment conducted for the renewal in 2018 warrant re‐evaluation of (i) toxicological parameters used for the risk assessment of acetamiprid during the renewal process, including toxicological endpoints; (ii) the residue definition for acetamiprid in products of plant origin; and (iii) the safety of existing maximum residue levels (MRLs). Meanwhile, the applicant of acetamiprid in the EU submitted new toxicology studies regarding the toxicological profile of the metabolite IM‐2‐1. Furthermore, the European Commission was made aware that several recent publications in scientific literature were made available after the literature searches conducted by EFSA. As the new data could affect the advice that EFSA was expected to deliver through the 2022 mandate, EFSA was further requested to consider this information by means of a revised mandate received in September 2023. As regards re‐evaluation of point (i) in this statement, this was addressed by an EFSA Working Group integrating all the available evidence. The results of the weight of evidence indicated that there are major uncertainties in the body of evidence for the developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) properties of acetamiprid and further data are therefore needed to come to a more robust mechanistic understanding to enable appropriate hazard and risk assessment. In view of these uncertainties, the EFSA WG proposed to lower the acceptable daily intake (ADI) and acute reference dose (ARfD) from 0.025 to 0.005 mg/kg body weight (per day). A revised residue definition for risk assessment was proposed for leafy and fruit crops as sum of acetamiprid and N‐desmethyl‐acetamiprid (IM‐2‐1), expressed as acetamiprid. Regarding pulses/oilseeds, root crops and cereals, the new data received did not indicate a need to modify the existing residue definition for risk assessment, which therefore remains as parent acetamiprid. Regarding the residue definition for enforcement, the available data did not indicate a need to modify the existing definition because acetamiprid is still a sufficient marker of the residues in all crop groups. Considering the new health‐based guidance values derived in the present statement, a risk for consumer has been identified for 38 MRLs currently in place in the EU Regulation. Consequently, EFSA recommended to lower the existing MRLs for 38 commodities based on the assessment of fall‐back Good Agricultural Practices received within an ad hoc data call. Some fall‐back MRLs proposals require further risk management considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbendazim (CBZ) is an active substance in plant protection products that is no longer authorised within the European Union. CBZ is classified according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 as mutagenic, category 1B and toxic for reproduction, category 1B. In 2010, EFSA established consumers' health‐based guidance values (HBGVs) for CBZ (ADI and ARfD). In compliance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the European Commission asked EFSA on 1 March 2024 to carry out a follow‐up qualitative assessment of the data gaps that were identified in the studies used in the framework of the assessment of the HBGVs for CBZ, in order to confirm the reliability of the existing toxicological studies and their impact for the setting of the HBGVs. By considering missing information in the extensive database and the reliability of the available toxicological studies, EFSA concluded that missing information does not prevent setting of HBGVs and that the critical effects of CBZ were investigated in studies of sufficient reliability and acceptability. Therefore, the HBGVs derived in 2010 are protective for the consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that presents with recurring and spontaneous seizures. It is prevalent worldwide, affecting up to 65 million people, with 80% of cases found in lower-income countries. Medicinal plants are commonly employed for managing and treating epilepsy and convulsions due to their unique therapeutic properties. With increasing research and clinical application, medicinal plants are gaining attention globally due to their potent therapeutic effects and fewer side effects. The development of new plant-based antiepileptic/anticonvulsant agents has become a major focus in the pharmaceutical industry. This article summarizes recent research on medicinal plants with reported antiepileptic/anticonvulsant effects. It provides pharmacological and molecular mechanism of action information for the crude extracts and related active constituents evaluated in preclinical research for the treatment of epilepsy and convulsions, and offers a reference for the development of future related studies in this area. Articles related to ethnopharmacological and antiepileptic studies on plants or natural products from recent and most recent were collected from PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, etc. using keywords related to epilepsy, medicinal plants, and natural products, etc. Different plant species are commonly used to treat epilepsy and convulsions in African and Asian countries. Also, natural products showing potential for antiepileptic/anticonvulsant effects have been identified from these medicinal plants. These products can be broadly classified as alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and other compounds. The antiepileptic action of plant extracts and their active ingredients can be classified according to their abilities to modulate the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, act as antioxidants, exhibit antineuroinflammatory effects, and provide neuroprotection. In addition, we highlight that some medicinal plants capable of pharmacologically relieving epilepsy and cognition may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. The review highlights the fact that herbal medicinal products used in traditional medicine are a valuable source of potential candidates for antiepileptic drugs. This confirms and encourages the antiepileptic/anticonvulsant activity of certain medicinal plants, which could serve as inspiration for further development. However, the aspects of structural modification and optimization, metabolism, toxicology, mechanisms, and clinical trials are not fully understood and need to be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous saprotroph and human-pathogenic fungus that is life-threatening to the immunocompromised. Triazole-resistant A. fumigatus was found in patients without prior treatment with azoles, leading researchers to conclude that resistance had developed in agricultural environments where azoles are used against plant pathogens. Previous studies have documented azole-resistant A. fumigatus across agricultural environments, but few have looked at retail plant products. Our objectives were to determine if azole-resistant A. fumigatus is prevalent in retail plant products produced in the United States (U.S.), as well as to identify the resistance mechanism(s) and population genetic structure of these isolates. Five hundred twentyfive isolates were collected from retail plant products and screened for azole resistance. Twenty-four isolates collected from compost, soil, flower bulbs, and raw peanuts were pan-azole resistant. These isolates had the TR34/L98H, TR46/Y121F/T289A, G448S, and H147Y cyp51A alleles, all known to underly pan-azole resistance, as well as WT alleles, suggesting that non-cyp51A mechanisms contribute to pan-azole resistance in these isolates. Minimum spanning networks showed two lineages containing isolates with TR alleles or the F46Y/M172V/E427K allele, and discriminant analysis of principle components identified three primary clusters. This is consistent with previous studies detecting three clades of A. fumigatus and identifying pan-azole-resistant isolates with TR alleles in a single clade. We found pan-azole resistance in U.S. retail plant products, particularly compost and flower bulbs, which indicates a risk of exposure to these products for susceptible populations and that highly resistant isolates are likely distributed worldwide on these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]