Florica Morariu

The case of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) stands as a prime example of an invasive plant that links global change, biological invasion, aeroallergen exposure, and allergic airway disease. However, evidence remains fragmented across invasion biology, aerobiology, molecular allergology, and respiratory medicine. By separating plant occurrence, pollen abundance, molecular allergen dose, sensitisation, and airway disease, this review develops an integrated invasion–exposure–disease logic for interpreting ragweed-related health risk. We examine how climate change, land-use disturbance, repeated introductions, rapid adaptation, and air pollution influence plant distribution, flowering phenology, pollen production, airborne allergen load, and respiratory outcomes. Attention is given to Amb a 1 as the principal marker of genuine ragweed sensitisation, cross-reactivity with Artemisia and other weed pollens, allergen-bearing respirable particles, and the diagnostic limitations of extract-based immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing. The literature indicates that ragweed sensitisation follows a pronounced hotspot–gradient pattern in Europe, whereas patterns in other invaded regions remain more heterogeneous and incompletely characterised. Clinically relevant exposure depends not only on pollen concentration but also on airborne allergen load, pollen allergen potency, atmospheric transport, respirable particle fractions, meteorological conditions, and pollution. Ragweed-related airway disease is mediated by IgE-dependent type 2 immunity and amplified by epithelial danger signals, oxidative stress, protease activity, and innate immune pathways. Based on current evidence, we propose that an integrated surveillance framework linking plant distribution, pollen and airborne-allergen exposure, molecular sensitisation, symptoms, lung function, and asthma outcomes could strengthen risk forecasting, source attribution, prevention, and invasion control of the common ragweed.

Optimization of fenchone technology and terpene pathways for enhanced synthesis and industrial production

Despite developing a broad spectrum of antibiotics, pathogenic bacteria remain the primary health concern. The emergence of drug-resistant strains increased therapeutic failure and mortality. The researchers are currently focusing on developing nanotechnology-based medicines to combat resistance. Our study focuses on the antimicrobial characteristics of plant-mediated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The AgNPs were green synthesized (using thermal treatment) to reduce silver nitrate solution (AgNO₃) using Sempervivum (S.) tectorum L. plant ethanolic aqueous extract. They were found to be broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents against two Staphylococcus (S.) pseudintermedius strains. We investigated AgNPs’ antibacterial activity with time-kill curves, MIC, MBC, and well diffusion. The tests also showed a high activity of the particles against S pseudintermedius, with the minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 18.6 and 90.13 µg/ml. The prepared AgNPs were then characterized using scanning UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) to study their morphology and crystallinity. Two distinctive absorption peaks of AgNP samples were observed at 474 nm and 487 nm for leaf extract samples, with a spherical shape with face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure and diameter range between 10 and 60 nm, respectively. The impact was significantly more significant when the NPs were less than 30 nm in size. The study revealed that an ethanolic aqueous extract of S. tectorum L. may effectively reduce and stabilize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of various sizes, depending on the solvent concentration. The AgNPs have shown efficacy in both suppressing and eradicating microorganisms. The activity of AgNPs may be facilitated by a dual approach involving several processes of nanoparticles, such as the formation of reactive oxygen species and the presence of phytocompounds such as phenolics and proanthocyanidins bound to the nanoparticle surface. Nanotechnology-based therapies play a crucial role in treating microbial illnesses in veterinary medicine. Significant areas of research on nanoparticles (NPs) could include studying the synergistic interactions between Ag NPs and antibiotics, doing toxicity profiling, examining stability, and investigating bioavailability.

Background: Salmonella enterica remains a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide despite decades of advances in surveillance and control. Traditional interventions have targeted specific points in the food chain, yet recurrent outbreaks show that Salmonella exploits system-wide gaps and inconsistencies. Methods: This review synthesises recent evidence from epidemiology, experimental microbiology, and regulatory practice to evaluate how management decisions, from farm through processing, influence Salmonella risk in livestock-derived foods. Results: Poultry, pig, and cattle farms employ targeted measures, including rodent control, litter management, batch rearing, and secure feed storage, to reduce contamination. The greatest reductions in Salmonella prevalence occur when these measures are embedded in coherent farm-to-fork programmes. Future gains are likely to come less from novel interventions and more from rigorous implementation, integration, and the validation of existing tools, supported by high-resolution surveillance (including whole-genome sequencing) and prevention-focused management systems. Artificial intelligence can enhance control through real-time surveillance, predictive risk modelling, and targeted interventions informed by diverse farm data. Conclusions: Sustained progress in Salmonella control will depend on rigorously applying existing interventions, supported by high-resolution surveillance and prevention-focused management. Carefully governed AI can enhance real-time monitoring and risk prediction, but its value hinges on addressing data, cost, and regulatory challenges.

Laboratory experiments tested the ability of certain plants (beans and peas) to stimulate the degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in soil. It was demonstrated that the presence of LDPE strips in the soil did not have toxic effects on either plant species used. In the case of bean cultivation, it even stimulated plant growth. It was established that beans and peas can stimulate LDPE degradation depending on soil characteristics and the presence of growth-stimulating factors. Pea plants were more effective in stimulating LDPE degradation in unpolluted forest soil. Beans were more effective in polluted soil and resulted in the highest LDPE degradation (2.3% in 39 days) when seeds were bacterized. The ability to ensure significant LDPE degradation under actual toxic conditions of polluted soil highlighted a significant advantage of bean plants - important in developing phytoremediation methods for lands contaminated with non-recyclable plastic and other pollutants.

The antimicrobial activity of honey is well documented and results from a complex interplay of physicochemical and biological factors such as low pH, high sugar content, enzymatic antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and microbial metabolites. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of 14 honey varieties from Alba County, Romania, against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from wound secretions. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution, while biofilm inhibition (PI%) was assessed using the crystal violet microplate assay. MIC values ranged from 8% to 30% (v/v), depending on honey type and bacterial strain. The most effective samples (MIC ≤ 15%) included mountain, forest, raspberry, fir, and polyfloral honeys, while acacia, linden, rape, heather, and dandelion honeys showed lower efficacy (MIC ≥ 25%). Biofilm inhibition rates varied between 55% and 92%, with the highest activity observed in mountains, forest, and polyfloral honeys (PI% ≥ 85%). Statistical analysis revealed significant positive correlations between polyphenol content and antibiofilm activity (r=0.73 for E. coli; r=0.65 for S. aureus, p 0.01). These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of selected honey varieties as natural complementary agents in the prevention and management of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.