Multi-substituted hydroxyapatites (ms-HAPs) are currently gaining more consideration owing to their multifunctional properties and biomimetic structure, owning thus an enhanced biological potential in orthopaedic and dental applications. In this study, nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) substituted with multiple cations (Sr 2+ , Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ ) for Ca 2+ and anion ( Si O 4 4 − ) for P O 4 3 − and OH − , specifically HAPc-5%Sr and HAPc-10%Sr (where HAPc is HAP-1.5%Mg–0.2%Zn–0.2%Si), both lyophilized non-calcined and lyophilized calcined, were evaluated for their in vitro ions release. These nanomaterials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray, as well as by atomic force microscope images and by surface specific areas and porosity. Further, the release of cations and of phosphate anions were assessed from nano-HAP and ms-HAPs, both in water and in simulated body fluid, in static and simulated dynamic conditions, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The release profiles were analysed and the influence of experimental conditions was determined for each of the six nanomaterials and for various periods of time. The pH of the samples soaked in the immersion liquids was also measured. The ion release mechanism was theoretically investigated using the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. The results indicated a mechanism principally based on diffusion and dissolution, with possible contribution of ion exchange. The surface of ms-HAP nanoparticles is more susceptible to dissolution into immersion liquids owing to the lattice strain provoked by simultaneous multi-substitution in HAP structure. According to the findings, it is rational to suggest that both materials HAPc-5%Sr and HAPc-10%Sr are bioactive and can be potential candidates in bone tissue regeneration.

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Aflatoxins (AFs) are harmful secondary metabolites produced by various moulds, among which Aspergillus flavus is the major AF-producer fungus. These mycotoxins have carcinogenic or acute toxigenic effects on both humans and food producing animals and, therefore, the health risks and also the potential economic damages mounted by them have led to legal restrictions, and several countries have set maximum allowable limits for AF contaminations in food and feed. While colonization of food and feed and AF production by A. flavus are highly supported by the climatic conditions in tropical and subtropical geographic regions, countries in the temperate climate zones are also increasingly exposed to AF-derived health risks due to climate change. In the present study, we have reviewed the available mathematical models as risk assessment tools to predict the possibility of A. flavus infection and levels of AF contaminations in maize in a changing climatic environment. After highlighting the benefits and possible future improvements of these models, we summarize the current agricultural practices used to prevent or, at least, mitigate the deleterious consequences of AF contaminations

The knowledge of the evapotranspiration of natural ecosystems and plant populations is of fundamental importance in several branches of science, research and practical uses. Nevertheless, the harmonisation of the large number of methods and user needs often causes problems. The objective of the analyses was to explore the output range and sensitivity of models of different physical approaches under local conditions. We performed descriptive statistical and sensitivity analysis of 10 commonly used estimation models - one of them with two variants. Correlation between modelled and measured evapotranspiration data series was assessed. The magnitude of the model outputs, their variability and responses to the changes of selected atmospheric parameters were evaluated. Priestley-Taylor, Penman-Monteith-FAO-56, Shuttleworth-Wallace (parameterized with alternative radiation balance), Szász and Makkink proved to be the most sensitive methods. As regards the systematic error, Makkink and Shuttleworth-Wallace showed the best agreement with pan evaporation, while Shuttleworth-Wallace, Blaney-Criddle and Makkink models were found to be the closest to the Penman-Monteith-FAO-56 method as a reference value.

Curcumin (CCM) is one of the most frequently explored plant compounds with various biological actions such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antineoplastic, and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties. The laboratory data and clinical trials have demonstrated that the bioavailability and bioactivity of curcumin are influenced by the feature of the curcumin molecular complex types. Curcumin has a high capacity to form molecular complexes with proteins (such as whey proteins, bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin), carbohydrates, lipids, and natural compounds (e.g., resveratrol, piperine, quercetin). These complexes increase the bioactivity and bioavailability of curcumin. The current review provides these derivatization strategies for curcumin in terms of biological and physico-chemical aspects with a strong focus on different type of proteins, characterization methods, and thermodynamic features of protein–curcumin complexes, and with the aim of evaluating the best performances. The current literature review offers, taking into consideration various biological effects of the CCM, a whole approach for CCM-biomolecules interactions such as CCM-proteins, CCM-nanomaterials, and CCM-natural compounds regarding molecular strategies to improve the bioactivity as well as the bioavailability of curcumin in biological systems.

Three super-sweet corn hybrids (Zea mays L. convar. saccharata) with different ripening characteristics were grown in three water supplies (regularly irrigated, deficit-irrigated, and unirrigated) to examine the spectral reflectance at leaf and canopy levels, leaf area index (LAI) during the stage of development and their relationship with the yield and nutritional quality. Under unirrigated conditions, the plant’s height, diameter, and weight of ears per plants, as well as total carotenoid content of kernels, decreased, SPAD values of leaves, normalized vegetation differential index (NDVI) and LAI were low. The difference in SPAD and LAI was higher between the hybrids during the silking than the tasseling period under water deficiency. Under unirrigated dry conditions, no correlation was found between SPAD, NDVI, and yield. Using deficit irrigation, SPAD measured during tasseling correlated closely with the individual husked ear and the final yields as well as the sugar and carotene contents of kernels. Under this condition, NDVI did not correlate with the yield, but LAI was correlated with the yield and its carotene content. Under deficit irrigated conditions, the 46 to 49 range of SPAD measured during tasseling predicted 23.5 to 26.7 t ha−1 depending on the hybrid, but this range predicted a yield lower by 6.4 to 10.1% during silking.

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in icariin (ICA) and its derivates, icariside II (ICS) and icaritin (ICT), due to their wide range of potential applications in preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, delaying the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, treating erectile dysfunction, etc. However, their poor water solubility and membrane permeability, resulting in low bioavailability, dampens their potential beneficial effects. In this regard, several strategies have been developed, such as pharmaceutical technologies, structural transformations, and absorption enhancers. All these strategies manage to improve the bioavailability of the above-mentioned flavonoids, thus increasing their concentration in the desired places. This paper focuses on gathering the latest knowledge on strategies to improve bioavailability for enhancing the efficacy of icariin, icariside II, and icaritin. We conclude that there is an opportunity for many further improvements in this field. To the best of our knowledge, no such review articles scoping the bioavailability improvement of icariin and its derivates have been published to date. Therefore, this paper can be a good starting point for all those who want to deepen their understanding of the field.

An increasing market demand concerning lavender essential oil is reported. Identification and characterization of the main compounds of this oil is needed, in order to identify chemotypes. This information is useful for further uses of the produced oil. Essential oil extracted from two Lavandula angustifolia L. varieties, cultivated in different areas of Transylvania, Romania, was analysed from the point of view of qualitative and quantitative composition, using gas-chromatography. Basic statistics was used for calculation of essential oil compounds means and dispersion parameters, while the profile of the essential oil composition was emphasized using Box-Plot diagrams and cluster analysis. Nine compounds, in different amounts were quantified, and two chemotypes, corresponding to ‘Mailette’ and ‘Vera’ varieties were established (linalool, and linalyl acetate, respectively). Differences in essential oil composition are recorded in ‘Vera’ variety corresponding to ‘Vera’ linalyl acetate chemotype, function of specific condition of lavender cultivation area.