Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most threatening neurodegenerative diseases, is characterized by the loss of memory and language function, an unbalanced perception of space and other cognitive and physical manifestations. Pathology of the AD is characterized by neuronal loss, and the extensive distribution of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The role of environment and the diet in the AD is being studied actively, and nutrition is certainly one of the main factors playing a prominent role in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, the relationship between dementia and wine use/abuse has received increased research interest in recent times, with varying and often conflicting results. Scope and approach: This review aims to critically summarize the most recent studies conducted to clarify the relationship between wine drinking and AD, as well as whether effects are influenced by quantity and/or frequency of drinking. Key findings and Conclusion: Overall, based on the interpretation of various studies, it can be concluded that there is no indication that light to moderate alcohol drinking is detrimental to cognition and dementia, and it is not possible to define whether alcohol could be used as a means to reduce risk of developing AD.

Phytoalexins are naturally-occurring molecules with antimicrobial activity deriving from the secondary metabolism of plants, which are synthesized in response to physical agents or stresses, phytopathogenic agents (fungi, bacteria and viruses) as well as numerous chemical compounds and biological control agents. Among these, grapevine phytoalexins, which belong to the chem-ical group of stilbenes, exhibit biocidal activity against a large number and a variety of plant pathogens. An important issue in research on these compounds is to be able to stimulate their synthesis in planta and to determine whether the induction of their production can serve as a basis for protecting that plant against its pathogens. Quite a few chemical compounds, derivatives of phytohormones bio-elicitors as well as biocontrol agents have been used to induce the synthesis of stilbene phytoalexins with the aim of conferring protection to grapevine against its main dis-eases (gray mold, downy mildew, powdery mildew and esca). This article reviews the experi-ments that have been carried out in this direction during the last thirty years and shows that the observed protective effects towards pathogens are generally linked to induction and priming of the grapevine phytoalexin response, confirming the interest of using, in a more general way, stimulation of the production of phytoalexins in plants as a basis for crop protection.

Field crops such as wheat, alfalfa, ryegrass, and corn play a vital role in agriculture and livestock production, particularly in the Kahramanmaras plain, irrigated by the Aksu River and the Sır Dam. Given the critical importance of irrigation water quality for optimal crop production, this study aimed to assess the impact of Karasu, Erkenez, and Oklu creeks on the water quality of the Aksu River and Sır Dam, and its subsequent effects on the germination and seedling growth of key field crop species grown in the region. The experiment was conducted in 2017 at the Field Crops Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Turkey, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Seeds were germinated using water samples collected from various locations within the dam basin, with tap water serving as the control. Before germination, the water samples were analyzed for concentrations of heavy metals, including copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd). Seeds exposed to different water treatments were germinated in a climate chamber at 20 ± 1°C. Over two weeks, daily germination counts were recorded, and at the end of the experiment, total germination and seedling growth were measured. The results demonstrated that irrigation water contaminated with heavy metals significantly affected seed germination and seedling growth. Notably, water from Karasu Creek exhibited the most pronounced negative impact on all germination and growth parameters in the tested crops.