Alternative Crops for the European Tobacco Industry: A Systematic Review

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a major industrial crop that has being cultivated for centuries for the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, and other smoking products. Due to its negative effects on both human health and the environment, the European Union has adopted strict policies that aspire to reduce the consumption of tobacco. Herbal cigarettes are alternative smoking products that are often advertised as healthier than conventional tobacco cigarettes and are especially popular in Asian markets. Even though the available literature suggests that they are equally detrimental to human health, the introduction of tobacco-alternative crops (TACs) to the European tobacco industry could smoothen the abandonment of tobacco, and eventually smoking products altogether, in the EU. The aim of the present systematic review was to compile a list of possible TACs that could be incorporated in the European smoking industry, and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. The most dominant crops in the literature (and in the existing market products) were calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.), ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.), tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), and mentha (Mentha spp.). Even though these crops are promising, further research is required for their incorporation in the European tobacco industry.

Molecular and Genetic Biomarkers in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Where Are We Now?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) represents a chronic progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease of unknown cause with an ominous prognosis. It remains an unprecedent clinical challenge due to its delayed diagnosis and unpredictable clinical course. The need for accurate diagnostic, prognostic and predisposition biomarkers in everyday clinical practice becomes more necessary than ever to ensure prompt diagnoses and early treatment. The identification of such blood biomarkers may also unravel novel drug targets against IPF development and progression. So far, the role of diverse blood biomarkers, implicated in various pathogenetic pathways, such as in fibrogenesis (S100A4), extracellular matrix remodelling (YKL-40, MMP-7, ICAM-1, LOXL2, periostin), chemotaxis (CCL-18, IL-8), epithelial cell injury (KL-6, SP-A, SP-D), autophagy and unfolded protein response has been investigated in IPF with various results. Moreover, the recent progress in genetics in IPF allows for a better understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. So far, the causative mutations in pulmonary fibrosis include mutations in telomere-related genes and in surfactant-related genes, markers that could act as predisposition biomarkers in IPF. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview from the bench to bedside of current knowledge and recent insights on biomarkers in IPF, and to suggest future directions for research. Large-scale studies are still needed to confirm the exact role of these biomarkers.

A 68-Year-Old Patient With Dyspnea and Hypoxemia After Total Hip Arthroplasty

CASE PRESENTATION

A 68-year-old patient with obesity (BMI, 4 7 kg/m2) was transferred to the ED of our hospital because of dyspnea and pronounced hypoxemia. The patient underwent total right hip arthroplasty in an outside hospital because of osteoarthritis; there was no history of trauma. After 48 h, she experienced dyspnea with severe hypoxemia. The next day she was transferred to our hospital. Her history was notable for arterial hypertension and depression, but not heart failure. Her medications included candesartan (16 mg once daily) and sertraline (100 mg once daily). Perioperatively, she received enoxaparin 4.000 International Units subcutaneously once daily. There was no family history of respiratory diseases. The patient currently smokes (50 pack-years) with no recent increase in her habit and denied vaping, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, and any home or occupational exposures. Prior to surgery, the family of the patient reported that she maintained modest mobility despite her osteoarthritis and was able to fulfill her daily activities. Interestingly, she reported a similar event of severe dyspnea and hypoxemia after total knee arthroplasty 3 years earlier; however, no further details were available.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake Efficiency and Crop Productivity of Two-Rowed Barley under Different Crop Production Systems

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) constitute a ubiquitous group of soil microorganisms, affecting plant and soil microorganism growth. Various crop management practices can have a significant impact on the AM association. This study investigated the AMF inoculation contribution on growth and productivity of two-rowed barley crop by identifying the underlying mechanisms both in conventional and organic cropping systems. A two-year field trial was set up as a split-plot design with 2 main plots [AMF inoculation: with (AMF+) and without (AMF-)] and five sub-plots (fertilization regimes: untreated, 100% recommended dose of fertilizer in organic and inorganic form, and 60% recommended dose of fertilizer in organic and inorganic form) in three replications. According to the results, AMF+ plants presented higher plant height and leaf area index (LAI), resulting in increased biomass and, as a result, higher seed yield. With regard to the quality traits, including the nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and their utilization indices, the AMF inoculated plants showed higher values. Furthermore, the level of fertilization, particularly in an inorganic form, adversely affected AMF root colonization. Consequently, it was concluded that substitution of inorganic inputs by organic, as well as inputs reduction, when combined with AMF inoculation, can produce excellent results, thus making barley crop cultivation sustainable in Mediterranean climates.

On the Path towards a "Greener" EU: A Mini Review on Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as a Case Study

Due to the pressures imposed by climate change, the European Union (EU) has been forced to design several initiatives (the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork) to tackle the climate crisis and ensure food security. Through these initiatives, the EU aspires to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate crisis and achieve collective prosperity for humans, animals, and the environment. The adoption or promotion of crops that would facilitate the attaining of these objectives is naturally of high importance. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multipurpose crop with many applications in the industrial, health, and agri-food sectors. This crop is mainly grown for its fibers or its seed and has recently gained increasing attention. The literature suggests that flax can be grown in several parts of the EU, and potentially has a relatively low environmental impact. The aim of the present review is to: (i) briefly present the uses, needs, and utility of this crop and, (ii) assess its potential within the EU by taking into account the sustainability goals the EU has set via its current policies.

Herbicide Use in the Era of Farm to Fork: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Future Implications

Climate change mitigation is a major concern of the European Union (EU). In 2019, the EU presented the European Green Deal (EGD), a new environmental strategy that aimed to neutralize climate change by 2050. Within its policy areas, the EGD included the Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy that aims to reduce pesticide use by 50%, by 2030. This reduction was proposed due to the supposed negative effects of pesticides on the environment and its biota. Among the different pesticide groups (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc.) though, herbicides are perhaps the hardest to reduce. This review aimed to shed light to any factors that might hinder the reduction of herbicide use; thus, the implementation of the Farm to Fork Strategy underlines some of its weaknesses and highlights key points of a viable herbicide reduction-related policy framework. The literature suggests that integrated weed management (IWM) consists perhaps the most suitable approach for the reduction of herbicides in the EU. Even though it is too soon to conclusively assess F2F, its success is not impossible.

The Influence of Fertilization and Plant Density on the Dry Matter Yield and Quality of Black Mustard [Brassica nigra (L.) Koch]: An Alternative Forage Crop

Black mustard [Brassica nigra (L.) Koch] is mainly cultivated as a seed crop, and there is a lack of information on biomass quality and its potential for animal feeding. A 2-year field experiment was set up in a split-plot design with 2 main plots (plant densities: 46 and 76 plants m^-2), 4 sub-plots (fertilization levels: control, compost, urea with and without urease and nitrification inhibitors) and 3 replications for each treatment. The highest dry matter yield (17.55-18.34 tn ha^-1) was observed in high-density plots fertilized with urea fertilizer coated with double (nitrification and urease) inhibitors. In terms of the qualitive parameters of total above-ground biomass, the highest crude protein (CP) content was achieved in plots with low density and urea with double inhibitors. Moreover, the highest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of above-ground biomass were found under compost and urea with double inhibitors. The high ADF, NDF and relatively high CP content characterized that black mustard aerial biomass can meet the requirements of lactating animals, and therefore the production of black mustard biomass as a forage crop could be of great importance. As a conclusion, black mustard cultivated at plant densities higher than 46 plants m^-2 and under inorganic fertilization, especially with urea coated with double inhibitors, could be successfully used as a novel forage crop in ruminants' diets.

Reintroducing Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) to the Mediterranean Basin: The Importance of Nitrogen Fertilization

An increasing interest has been reported regarding the reintroduction of flax in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization on the performance of flax cv. Everest, under Mediterranean climate conditions. A two-year study was carried out in 2018–2019, in Western Greece. The experiment was set-up in a randomized complete block design with four replications and six treatments of different N fertilization rates (0, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 kg N ha−1). Measurements included plant biomass, the leaf area index (LAI), the yield, and the Growth Degree Days (GDDs) required for full seed maturity. The N uptake of flax was also evaluated utilizing the Nitrogen Harvesting (NHI) and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency (NUtE) indices. Although the highest fertilization rate (60N) increased the yield by 35.4% (2018) and 23.1% (2019), a GDDs and N indices assessment revealed that it noted the lowest efficiency and may lead to significant yield losses, as it significantly prolonged the crop cycle. On the contrary, even though fertilization rates of 20 and 30 kg N ha−1 increased the yield only by 7% and 15% (on average), they were more efficient, and prolonged the crop cycle less (compared to 60N).

Effect of Rhizophagus irregularis on Growth and Quality of Cannabis sativa Seedlings

Rhizophagus irregularis is an arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus that can enhance plant nutrition and reduce transplant shock on seedlings. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of this fungus on the quality of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) seedlings.A greenhouse float system experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three treatments. The treatments included the application of 40, 80 and 120 fungus spores per L of nutrient solution (AMF1, AMF2 and AMF3, respectively). The evaluation was performed based on the agronomic characteristics of the seedlings (root and stem length and weight, stem diameter), N and P content, survival rate, and the Dickson's quality index (DQI). Results indicated that root length and stem dry weight were significantly increased (by 34.14% and 21.4%, respectively) in the AMF3 treatment. The biomass of the seedlings' roots, the fresh weight and the N content were not affected by the AMF. On the contrary, survival rate, P content and DQI were significantly increased in AMF3 (by 5%, 24.3% and 12.4% respectively). Overall, our findings suggest that the application of high doses of Rhizophagus irregularis (AMF3) on float system-produced cannabis seedlings results in a considerable increment of their quality.

Immunological versatility and carbon regulation of Cellulomonas fimi endo-1,4-beta-glucanases

More than 10 protein molecules with endo-1,4-beta-glucanase activity were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and zymogram in Cellulomonas fimi culture supernatants, grown in CMC as carbon source. These molecules are shown to belong to at least four immunologically different groups, against three of which polyclonal antibodies were raised. The protein species used as antigens showed significant differences in cross reactivity, carbon regulation, and affinity to crystalline cellulose. Three intracellular precursors of the first group were detected, two of which were under carbon catabolite control with the third apparently being synthesized constitutively. In the extracellular environment this group showed the largest versatility in protein molecules. The second group appeared to originate from two intracellular precursors both synthesized constitutively and subject to minor extracellular modifications as compared to the first group. The main extracellular protein of this group showed high affinity toward crystalline cellulose. One intracellular precursor was identified for the third group, which was subject to carbon catabolite control. Only one extracellular molecule without binding ability to crystalline cellulose corresponded to this precursor, indicating that the latter was resistant to proteolytic modifications after excretion. It appears that the C. fimi cellulases are more complex than expected and reconstitution of the whole system will be difficult.