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The ability of soybean (Glycine max) and vetch plants (Vicia) to stimulate the degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in soil was tested in the vegetative experiments under laboratory conditions. It was shown that the presence of LDPE strips in soil had no toxic effects on either of the plants, and that, in the case of soybeans (Glycine max), it stimulated plant growth. It has been shown that soybeans (Glycine max) and vetch (Vicia) can stimulate the degradation of LDPE depending on the particularities of the soil and the presence of plant growth stimulating factors. The vetch plants (Vicia) were relatively more effective in stimulating the LDPE degradation in case of unpolluted soil, collected from the forest. Soybean plants (Glycine max) were relatively more efficient under polluted soil conditions and lead to the highest rate of LDPE degradation (2.3% in 39 days) -- in the variant with seed bacterization by Rhizobium japonicum RB-06. The ability to ensure a significant degradation of LDPE, under the real toxic conditions of polluted soil, highlighted the perspectivity of soybean plants (Glycine max) for the development of phyto-remediation procedures of lands polluted by non-recyclable plastic and other contaminants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union has been very slow to embrace GMOs in comparison with most other countries, requiring extensive authorizations for use and especially crop cultivation, where only one Maize variety is currently approved. However, with more testing recent advances in Genetic Bioengineering and the current concerns regarding the global and European food supply, it is important to question whether the European scepticism surrounding GM crops is justified. Hence, the aim of this paper is to review the studies regarding GMO safety for use in food and feed and discuss the benefits of their large scale use in the European Union. Our results conclude that the extensive use and cultivation of GM crops in the European Union would be both beneficial and safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholesterol is essential for humans and animals, but high serum cholesterol levels can lead to severe heart diseases, which already have a high incidence - especially in humans. This is why cholesterol and other biochemical substances with the same action are the subjects of various research, named "unproven risk factors for atherosclerosis". One of the biochemical with heart disease risk is considered homocysteine - an amino acid also known as "the new cholesterol", which, if accumulated in high concentrations may contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis plaque. Different factors relating the homocysteine serum concentration, such as genetics, gender, age, body weight, associated diseases, and medications are discussed and studied to understand better the role of "new cholesterol" and its health implications. Also, studies are focused on different cofactors of biochemical reactions that are involved in homocysteine homeostasis, like vitamins and minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, Calicophoron daubneyi parasites have been found in animals in many European countries. Its development and spread are predicated on the presence of numerous intermediate hosts, but mainly on the presence of the aquatic snail Galba truncatula. Natural infestations of three freshwater snail species with Calicophoron daubneyi were studied from April to June 2020 in western Romania. Were collected 235 snails belonging to the species Galba truncatula (115 snails (48.94%)), Stagnicola palustris (48 snails (20.43%)), Planorbis corneus (72 snails (30.64%)). Out of a total of 235 snails harvested, 165 were positive for the presence of cercariae, but of these only 93 (39.57%) had Calicophoron daubneyi cercariae. These results indicate that Calicophoron daubneyi may be able to infect and grow in aquatic snail populations in western Romania. Calicophoron daubneyi has demonstrated its ability to adapt to an intermediate host in a new environment. The aim of this study was to identify aquatic snail species in grassland areas on the basis of shell morphological characteristics and to identify juvenile life cycle forms of the trematode Calicophoron daubneyi from aquatic snails, intermediate hosts, by PCR method in order to determine areas where infestation with this parasite causes economic losses to livestock farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]