Commercial Products Research Articles

Reducing Commercial Tobacco Sales to Youth On and Around California Tribal Reservations with a Reward and Reminder Retail Intervention.

High prevalence of commercial tobacco product (CTP) use among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth is a public health crisis. A multi-level Tribal-community-based participatory research project under Tribal public health authority implemented a retailer-focused intervention to reduce AI/AN youth CTP use. We sought resolutions in support of a retailer-focused CTP intervention from Tribal Nations organized by a tribally-directed research program. We identified tobacco retail outlets operating on and within 5 miles of 9 Tribal reservations, and CTP products sold at these outlets. We conducted a four-wave Reward and Reminder intervention with apparent minor buyers. Clerks who complied with the law received a modest reward and commendation in social media posts to the local Tribal communities, while clerks who sold without age verification were reminded of the laws. Of 18 retail outlets selling CTP, 8 sold e-cigarettes, and all sold combustible cigarettes. The Reward and Reminder intervention showed an approximate 25% reduction in sales of CTP to apparent minors, with a 33% baseline CTP sales rate without age verification and an 8% intervention CTP sales rate without age verification. The intervention increased awareness of laws prohibiting CTP sales to minors and mandating age verification for young adults seeking to buy CTP. The intervention, which had support from all governing Tribal Nations, builds the evidence base of effective practices which Tribal public health authorities may utilize to reduce youth access to CTP on and around Tribal reservations. Sovereign Tribes have authority over commercial businesses operating on their lands. Tobacco 21 laws aiming to restrict commercial tobacco availability to youth are supported by Tribes. A retailer intervention in which apparent minors attempt commercial tobacco purchases can offer accountability feedback to retailers both on and near Tribal reservations. Obtaining Tribal support and publicizing the interventions helps mobilize Tribal communities to support commercial tobacco prevention and promote healthy youth.

Development of molecular markers based on real-time PCR to detect flax and sesame in commercial amaranth products

Development of molecular markers based on real-time PCR to detect flax and sesame in commercial amaranth products

Genetic diversity and stability analysis of the improved cultivars of guava and their related species

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important fruit crop in the tropical and sub-tropical world. The morphological, biochemical, and molecular (using 56 microsatellite markers) characterization was carried out on 18 guava genotypes and related species (P. guineense) during 2018–2022. The present study exhibited a wider range of variability: fruit weight (61.5–68.4 g); fruit diameter (4.20–7.91 cm); total soluble solids (8.50–13.40 °Brix); titrable acidity (0.20–0.64%); reducing sugar (2.55–7.00 mg glucose /g); ascorbic acid (76.4–196.3 mg/100 g); total phenol (125.9–305.4 mg GAE/100 g pulp); and total flavonoid content (172.30–948.5 mg QE/100 g pulp). The antioxidant activities (FRAP and DPPH) showed a favorable relationship with ascorbic acid, total phenol, total flavonoid, and total flavonol content. Red-fleshed genotypes were found superior for all the quality parameters over white-fleshed genotypes. The molecular analysis generated 213 alleles from 56 markers, with 2–9 alleles per locus (mean = 3.80). Apart from the genetic diversity, the improved cultivars were also distinguished by a set of markers: RCGH-4 (mPGCIR-184 and mPGCIR-194); RCGH-1 (mPGCIR-108 and mPGCIR-243); RCG-11 (mPGCIR-206 and mPGCIR-325); and RCGH-7 (mPGCIR-16 and mPGCIR-19). The cluster analysis indicated that P. guineense was the most diverse of the cultivated species, and all the red flesh genotypes were close to each other. Furthermore, RCG-11 had a lower seed content (58.89 per 100 g pulp), while RCGH-1 and RCGH-4 were stable for fruit weight and seed number, which can be promoted for commercial production and future crop improvement programs.

Impacts of conservation agriculture on soil C and N stocks and organic matter fractions: comparing commercial producer fields with a long-term small-plot experiment in Brown Chernozems of Saskatchewan

Conservation agriculture (CA) is increasingly promoted to build soil organic matter (SOM) based on findings from predominantly small-plot long-term agroecosystem experiments (LTAEs), with minimal on-farm data. Using commercial producer fields (n = 20) in the Brown Chernozemic soil zones of Saskatchewan, Canada, which were sampled before (1996) and after (2018) adopting direct-seeding and continuous cropping (1997), we examined changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (STN) stocks, along with C and N stocks in particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM), and compared them to a LTAE in the same soil zone. After 21 years, SOC and STN stocks (0-30 cm depth) increased by 13% and 21%, respectively, in commercial producer fields, and were more pronounced in finer- than coarser-textured soils. Conversely, there were no significant changes (0-30 cm depth) after 18 years (1998-2016) with CA [continuous wheat (CW-NT) and pulse-wheat under no-tillage (PW-NT)] in the LTAE, except that STN stock for PW-NT decreased by 7.7%. The estimated rate of change to 30 cm depth was similar between the commercial fields and LTAE for SOC (0.28 and 0.16 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, respectively), but not STN (0.04 and -0.03 Mg N ha-1 yr-1, respectively). Changes were more evident in the MAOM than POM fraction in both cases. Although the impact of CA may be similar, as observed for SOC, actual on-farm changes will depend on site-specific factors, and specific CA practice. Therefore, on-farm monitoring studies are needed for more accurate assessments of SOM changes and C sequestration potentials.

A comparative study of electric current-assisted and conventional sintering of Inconel 718 superalloy

AbstractIn this study, In718 powder mixtures prepared from elemental powders following stoichiometric composition and supplied as a commercial product were produced by conventional powder metallurgy (1300 °C/4 h) and electric current-assisted sintering (ECAS)(1700-2300A/10 min) methods and followed by a double-aging heat treatment. The characterization studies determined that the best results were the sample produced by the ECAS method using the elemental powder mixture. The targeted precipitate γ′, γ″, and δ phases were obtained after the heat treatment, and a hardness value of 344 ± 41 HV0.5 and a relative density of 98.96% were achieved. The sample preserved its surface integrity by exhibiting high corrosion resistance from hot corrosion studies in the temperature range of 650–850 °C and NaSO4 + 60%V2O5 environment. The corrosion rate of the sample, which was subjected to electrochemical corrosion tests in 3.5% NaCl and 10% NaNO3 solutions, was determined as 45.59 mpy and 10.56 mpy, respectively.

Atrial arrhythmias following CAR-chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: Incidence, risk factors and biomarker profile.

Recent reports have raised concerns about the association of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) with non-negligible cardiotoxicity, particularly atrial arrhythmias. First, we conducted a pharmacovigilance study to assess the reporting of atrial arrhythmias following CD19-directed CAR-T. Subsequently, to determine the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of atrial arrhythmias post-CAR-T, we compiled a retrospective single-centre cohort of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Only commercial CAR-T products were considered. Atrial arrhythmias were nearly fourfold more likely to be reported after CAR-T therapy compared to all other cancer patients in the FAERS (adjusted ROR = 3.76 [95% CI 2.67-5.29]). Of the 236 patients in our institutional cohort, 23 (10%) developed atrial arrhythmias post-CAR-T, including 12 de novo arrhythmias, with most (83%) requiring medical intervention. Atrial arrhythmias frequently co-occurred with cytokine release syndrome and were associated with higher post-CAR-T infusion peak levels of IL-10, TNF-alpha and LDH, and lower trough levels of fibrinogen. In a multivariable analysis, risk factors for atrial arrhythmia were history of atrial arrhythmia (OR = 6.80 [2.39-19.6]) and using CAR-T product with a CD28-costimulatory domain (OR = 5.17 [1.72-18.6]). Atrial arrhythmias following CD19-CAR-T therapy are prevalent and associated with elevated inflammatory biomarkers, a history of atrial arrhythmia and the use of a CAR-T product with a CD28 costimulatory domain.

Serious Failure Modes After EVAR Are Device Specific.

Type I and III endoleaks following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) can lead to catastrophic events that require major re-interventions. We reviewed our experience with aortic endograft re-interventions for type I and III endoleaks and other serious failures among different devices. We retrospectively reviewed patients with a prior EVAR who underwent open conversion (OC) or major endovascular intervention (MEI) (re-lining, cuff/limb extension, parallel graft) for type I/III endoleaks at our institution from 2002 to 2019. Baseline characteristics, procedural details, re-interventions, and outcomes were collected. A total of 229 patients (194 men) underwent re-interventions for type I and III endoleaks after EVAR (90 OC, 139 MEI) for devices implanted between 1997 and 2019. Average age at re-intervention was 78±8.5 years. A total of 135 (59%) were implanted at our institution, whereas 93 (41%) were referred. Median time to re-intervention was 4 years with 25% to 75% interquartile range (IQR) of 2.2-6.6 years. There was no significant difference in baseline demographics or type of re-interventions (OC/MEI) between device types. 42/229 (18%) presented with ruptured aneurysms, 20/229 (9%) were symptomatic, whereas the rest presented with asymptomatic radiographic findings. Type 1A endoleak was present in 146/229 (63.8%-72 with proximal migration), type IB in 46/229 (20.1%), type IIIA in 37/229 (16.6%), type IIIB in 15/229 (6.5%), and persistent aneurysm sac growth with no radiographic evidence of an endoleak in 6/229 (2.6%). Devices included most commercial products: AFX, Excluder, AneuRx, Ancure, Endurant, and Zenith. A smaller number of investigational devices accounted for the rest. Type 1A endoleak was the most common indication for re-intervention among all devices except for AFX and ancure devices, proximal migration was a frequent presentation with AneuRx. AFX devices more frequently presented with a type III and ancure devices more frequently presented with a type IB endoleak. Serious failure modes after EVAR differ between endografts and occur throughout the follow-up period. This is important to guide targeted interrogation of surveillance studies and follow-up schedules, even for discontinued devices, as well as comparisons between various series and estimation of EVAR failure rates. Surveillance after EVAR is critical for long term success of the repair, understanding of the differential modes of failure of every graft available is important in the longitudinal evaluation of these endografts. Equally important is the understanding of the modes of failure of legacy endografts that are no longer on the market but still being followed, in order to be able to tailor a surveillance regiemn and the evntual repair if needed.

Zinc Oxide:Gold Nanoparticles (ZnO:Au NPs) Exhibited Antifungal Efficacy Against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus candidus

AbstractFungal pathogens are a major health issue that threatens the era of antifungal drugs commonly used in the treatment of infections. An effective approach of biosynthetic nanoparticles can be used as antifungal agents owing to their intrinsic features such as their simplicity, non-toxic, and physicochemical properties. Therefore, this study was aimed to molecularly ascertain Aspergillus species known to cause aspergillosis and investigate the potency of zinc oxide:gold nanoparticles (ZnO:Au NPs) against the fungal pathogens. Two Aspergillus strains retrieved with potato dextrose agar (PDA) culture media from commercial food products in South Africa were molecularly identified using calmodulin (CaM) gene region. DNA sequence phylogeny of the gene showed that the strains were A. niger and A. candidus. ZnO:Au (1%) NPs were synthesised and characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Two distinct peak plasmon bands for ZnO and ZnO:Au NPs were 390 nm and 565 nm, respectively. FE-SEM images demonstrated the presence of Au on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles in the ZnO:Au nanocomposites. The ZnO:Au NPs antifungal activity of 10 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL concentrations were evaluated against the two Aspergillus spp. ZnO:Au NPs at 50 µg/mL exhibited a maximum antifungal activity against A. candidus and A. niger, with zones of inhibition (ZoI) of 31.2 ± 0.15 mm and 25.0 ± 0.06, respectively. When the ZoI was observed by SEM, major morphological damages on the conidia were observed for both strains, indicating that the antifungal activity may have been enhanced by the ZnO:Au NPs. Therefore, due to these outstanding properties, ZnO:Au NPs can be utilised as potential antifungal agents to inhibit the proliferation of fungal pathogens.

Synthesis of Stable and Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution: Hierarchical NiMo-Based Hollow Nanotubes

Large-scale development of low-cost, efficient, and stable powder electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solutions is a key step toward commercial hydrogen production. Herein, a hierarchical NiMo-MoO3-x hollow nanotube (NiMo-MoO3-x-HNT) with bifunctional groups as an efficient HER electrocatalyst was strategically invented using an MoO3 nanorod (MoO3−NR) as the precursor. The synthesis mechanism of the NiMo-MoO3-x-HNT is established based on in-depth investigations using diffraction, spectral, and microscopy results. Experimental results suggest that the NiMo-MoO3-x-HNT exhibits excellent electrocatalytic HER performance in 1 M KOH, with a low overpotential of 26.5 mV@10.0 mA cm-2 and a small Tafel slope of 32.6 mV dec–1. These values are comparable to those of cutting-edge electrocatalysts based on platinum-group metals. Moreover, it exhibits an almost unaffected cyclic stability over 50,000 cycles and robust durability over 98 h. This remarkable performance is attributed to its bifunctional groups and the porous hierarchical hollow nanotubular morphology. In summary, this study proposes a novel, efficient, and cost-effective strategy for the development of noble metal-free, high-performance HER electrocatalysts.

The role of membrane transporters in the absorption of atrazine following nasal exposure

Objective The purpose of these studies was to investigate the uptake of atrazine across the nasal mucosa to determine whether direct transport to the brain through the olfactory epithelium is likely to occur. These studies were undertaken to provide important new information about the potential for the enhanced neurotoxicity of herbicides following nasal inhalation. Materials and Methods Transport of atrazine from aqueous solution and from commercial atrazine-containing herbicide products was assessed using excised nasal mucosal tissues. The permeation rate and the role of membrane transporters in the uptake of atrazine across the nasal mucosa were also investigated. Histological examination of the nasal tissues was conducted to assess the effects of commercial atrazine-containing products on nasal tissue morphology. Results Atrazine showed high flux across both nasal respiratory and olfactory tissues, and efflux transporters were found to play an essential role in limiting its uptake at low exposure concentrations. Commercial atrazine-containing herbicide products showed remarkably high transfer across the nasal tissues, and histological evaluation showed significant changes in the morphology of the nasal epithelium following exposure to the herbicide products. Discussion Lipophilic herbicides such as atrazine can freely permeate across the nasal mucosa despite the activity of efflux transporters. The adjuvant compounds in commercial herbicide products disrupt the nasal mucosa’s epithelial barrier, resulting in even greater atrazine permeation across the tissues. The properties of the herbicide itself and those of the formulated products play crucial roles in the potential for the enhanced neurotoxicity of herbicides following nasal inhalation.

Proposal of Simplified Standardization of the Cell-Growth-Promoting Activity of Human Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Culture Supernatants

The conditioned medium (CM) obtained from mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) culture has excellent cell growth-promoting activity and is used for cosmetics and healthcare products. Unlike pharmaceuticals, strict efficacy verification is not legally required for these products. However, their efficacy must be substantiated as commercial products. We attempted to simplify CM production and to standardize the evaluation of the growth-promoting activity of CM. CM was obtained through the culturing of two lines of commercially available human adipose tissue-derived MSCs using MEMα with or without 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 24 h. Non-CM control media were produced by the same protocol without MSCs. Growth-promoting activities of the CM were estimated by [3H]-thymidine pulse. CM were subjected to molecular weight fractionation with ultrafiltration using 10 k-, 30 k-, 50 k-, and 100 k-membranes. The FBS-free CMs showed 1.34- to 1.85-fold increases and FBS-containing CMs showed 1.45- to 1.67-fold increases in proliferation-promoting activity compared with non-CM controls, regardless of the source of the cell. The thymidine incorporation levels were approximately three times higher in FBS-containing CMs. Aged cells also showed 1.67- to 2.48-fold increases in the activity due to FBS-containing CM, but not to FBS-free CM. The CM activities were sustained even after 1 year at 4 °C. Molecular weight fractionation showed that the activity was recovered in the fraction above 100 k. Clear and stable cell-growth-promoting activity was confirmed with CMs of commercially available adipose tissue MSCs. The activity was detected in the fraction over 100 k. We propose here the importance of standardizing the production and evaluation of CMs to indicate their specific action.

Predictive genome-wide association and economic analyses of pooled DNA in a commercial feedlot setting

Understanding the genetic profile of cattle allows producers to make predictions of performance and disease. However, it is often fiscally and logistically unfeasible for commercial cattle producers to individually genotype animals. As such, our objec­tive was to utilize prospectively-pooled DNA from commercial feedlot cattle for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of ec­onomically-important carcass traits and measure the economic efficiency of this technique.

Mpact of pasteurisationand storage conditions on the physicochemical properties of acerola jelly

Acerola, a fruit rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and vitamin C, is highly susceptible to degradation under temperature influences. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pasteurisationand storage conditions on the stability of these compounds in acerola jelly. Analytical findings revealed that thermal treatment at 80°C for 5 minutes effectively eradicated total aerobic bacteria and mould yeast content. Furthermore, this treatment preserved the vitamin C and phenolic content, as well as the sensory quality of the jelly, better than other samples. The study also discovered that during storage, the degradation of vitamin C and polyphenols in acerola jelly adhered to the first-order model and the Arrhenius model. In contrast, attributes such as total soluble solids (TSS), pH, and titratable acidity (TA) remained constant during pasteurisationand storage. Kinetic parameters, including D-value, k-value, z-value, and activation energy (Ea), indicated high stability of the product when stored at a low temperature of 4-6oC. These findings suggest that acerola jelly has considerable potential for commercial production.

Mammalian and avian species quantification in homogenized foods: real time PCR and digital PCR as tools for label compliance controls

Currently food fraud and authenticity of products composition are topics of great concern; ingredients quantification could allow to identify small amounts of contaminats or voluntary addition of improper components. Many molecular methods are available for species identification in foodstuffs but, for a better application, they should not be affected by the interference of other ingredients. The main purpose of this work was to verify the Real Time PCR and the Digital PCR (dPCR) quantification performances on baby food samples, specifically selected for their high miscibility to limit variability; chicken was selected as target to verify the performance of quantification of methods after having spiked the same quantity in different baby foods. The other aims were: (1) to verify a constant genome copies ratio existence between mammalian and avian species (2) to verify the dPCR performance, set up on housekeeping, to quantify mammalian and avian species in commercial products. Digital PCR showed fewer differences respect to Real Time PCR, at the same 15% w/w chicken spiking level. Despite the constant difference between mammalian and avian genome copies, in samples with the same spiking weight, the confidence intervals increasing towards the extreme values, made impossible to use genome copies ratio as a sort of correction factor between species. Finally, the dPCR system using the myostatin housekeeping gene to determine the chicken content seemed reliable to verify the labelling compliance in meat-based commercial products.

Estimating growout production costs of commercial‐scale marine finfish production in southern tier US states

AbstractIncreased interest in marine fish farming in the United States has led to a need for fundamental economic information on production of candidate species for commercialization in various production systems. Funding for the project targeted those species with potential for production in southern tier states in the United States. Sufficient technical data were found to develop comprehensive budget analyses to estimate growout production costs for four scales of production for each of 10 species with potential for production in ponds, 13 in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and five in net pens. The choice of species/production system scenarios was based on evidence of successful production on farms or in research. Estimation of production costs with enterprise budgets can provide useful guidance to identify the types of improved efficiencies that have the greatest effect on economic viability even when commercial farm data are not available. Commercial farm data were used where available, but for most species, data were available only from studies conducted under research conditions. Per‐kg costs of production were lowest for net pen production, followed by ponds, with production costs in RAS two to five times greater than in ponds or net pens. Ponds and net pens generally exhibited greater efficiency of use of capital assets across species than did RAS that resulted in lower percentages of fixed costs and lower annual costs per kg of fish produced. All five species evaluated for net pen production were estimated to be profitable, including redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus (also known as red drum), striped bass, Morone saxatilis, cobia, Rachycentron canadum, red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, and seriolids (generic budget for almaco jack, Seriola rivoliana, California yellowtail, Seriola lalandi, and greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili), four in ponds (redfish, hybrid drum, ♀Pogonias cromis × ♂Sciaenops ocellatus, black sea bass, Centropristis striata, and cobia), but none of the RAS scenarios showed profitability at average yields (kg/cubic meter) reported in the literature. Comprehensive data on growout production of marine finfish species in the United States is generally lacking, and there is a strong need for production trials conducted under near‐commercial conditions with an endpoint of market‐sized fish. Production trials should be conducted in ponds (≥0.1 ha), net pens, and RAS tanks of a size that simulate commercial production conditions. Adequate production trial databases would provide opportunities to develop economic optimization models that would provide useful guidance for prospective producers. Average yields (kg/cubic meter) in RAS will need to be much greater than currently reported in the research literature for RAS production to be economically sustainable. Net pen production appears to be profitable in the United States, but effective permitting procedures are not in place. Providing research support for the US redfish sector that has developed effective production and marketing models could serve as a foundation for developing additional species and offer opportunities for diversification on marine finfish farms.

Bioprospecting of serratiopeptidase-producing bacteria from different sources

Anti-inflammatory enzymes have wide applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this study was to find new and efficient strains for the commercial production of serratiopeptidase enzyme. Vast number of samples were processed for the isolation of potent strains. The experimental treatment includes processing of twenty soil samples, silkworm gut, and sugarcane stem. The total protein and protease activity was estimated by Lowry’s method and casein hydrolysis. The HRBC stabilization assay was performed for finding the anti-inflammatory potential of all strains. The serratiopeptidase production was confirmed by HPLC with the standard. Molecular characterization of selected potent strains was done by 16S rDNA and confirmed the taxonomy. The one step rapid purification of serratiopeptidase was performed by Ultra three phase partitioning method. The clot lysis potential of the Serratia marcescens VS56 was observed by modified Holmstorm method. The results of the study revealed that among the 60 strains, 12 strains were protease-positive on skim milk agar plates and showed significant protease activity. All 12 strains were screened for serratiopeptidase using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and VS56, VS10, VS12 and VS18 showed a similar retention time (4.66 ± 0.10 min) with standard. The selected potent strain, Serratia marcescens VS56 showed a proteolytic activity of 21.30 units/mL and produced a total protein of 102 mg/mL. The HRBC suspension results also showed a percentage of 94.6 ± 1.00 protection, which was compared to the standard diclofenac. The clot lysis potential of Serratia marcescens VS56 was 53% in 4 h. Furthermore, the molecular weight of the protein was identified to confirm the presence of serratiopeptidase. The study hence contributed successfully to isolating, screening, and identifying a potent producer for serratiopeptidase from an environmental source. This inherent advantage of the strain will undoubtedly contribute much to the coco comm commercial production of serratiopeptidase in the near future.

Ambrox through the Looking Glass: Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and GC‐Olfactometric Analysis of 15 Ambrox Stereoisomers

All eight theoretical stereoisomers of 10S‐Ambrox have been synthesized by enzymatic polycyclization of the four geometric isomers of homofarnesol with selected squalene hopene cyclases. This includes the highly strained (+)‐(8S,9S)‐Ambrox, an isomer historically considered unlikely to exist. The enantiomeric 10R‐series has been prepared by a combination of diastereoselective synthesis and preparative chiral HPLC. Thus, for the first time, the synthesis and sensory properties of all but one stereoisomers of Ambrox are presented. The results solve a long standing peradventure: the commercial product (–)‐Ambrox exhibits by far the strongest odour, the previously described 9‐epi‐Ambrox is 26 times weaker. The enantiomer difference between (–)‐and (+)‐Ambrox was also found much higher than in previous reports (1000 vs. 8 times). The (8R)‐configuration was identified as the single most important structural feature for high odour strength.

Comparative Assessments of Dental Resin Composites: A Focus on Dense Microhybrid Materials.

The performance of dental resin composites is crucially influenced by the sizes and distributions of inorganic fillers. Despite the investigation of a variety of functional particles, glass fillers and nanoscale silica are still the predominant types in dental materials. However, achieving an overall improvement in the performance of resin composites through the optimization of their formulations remains a challenge. This work introduced a "dense" microhybrid filler system with 85 wt % filler loading, leading to the preparation of self-developed resin composites (SRCs). Comparative evaluations of these five SRCs against four commercial products were performed, including mechanical property, polymerization conversion, and shrinkage, along with water sorption and solubility and wear resistance. The results showed that among all SRC groups, SRC3 demonstrated superior mechanical performance, high polymerization conversion, reduced shrinkage, low water absorption and solubility, and acceptable wear resistance. In contrast to commercial products, this optimal SRC3 material was comparable to Z350 XT in flexural and diametral tensile strength and better in flexural modulus and surface hardness. The use of a "dense" microhybrid filler system in the development of resin composites provides a balance between physicochemical property and wear resistance, which may be a promising strategy for the development of composite products.

A Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Bremia lactucae in the field.

A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Bremia lactucae, the causal pathogen of Lettuce Downy Mildew (LDM), was developed and validated to aid in-field detection of airborne inoculum. Assay specificity was confirmed against a range of other pathogenic oomycete and fungal spp and sensitivity of the assay for the detection of DNA extracted from sporangia was evaluated. The B. lactucae LAMP assay reliably detected DNA equivalent to 1 spore/reaction (16.7 pg DNA/reaction). Following extraction of DNA from rotorod air-samplers to which sporangial suspensions were added, the assay reliably detected 25 sporangia/rotorod. Detection of airborne inoculum of B. lactucae collected through the season from air-samplers deployed in field plots infected with B. lactucae and also in commercial lettuce fields in Scotland over two growing seasons was assessed. The method can be deployed on samples collected from commercial lettuce production to inform disease management strategies and limit the use of unecessary prophylactic pesticide applications.

Discoloration of textile dyes by spent mushroom substrate of Agaricus bisporus

The textile industry discharges up to 5 % of their dyes in aqueous effluents. Here, use of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) of commercial white button mushroom production and its aqueous extract, SMS tea, was assessed to remove textile dyes from water. A total of 30–90 % and 5–85 % of the dyes was removed after a 24 h incubation in SMS and SMS tea, respectively. Removal of malachite green and remazol brilliant blue R was similar in SMS and its tea. In contrast, removal of crystal violet, orange G, and rose bengal was higher in SMS, explained by sorption to SMS and by the role of non-water-extractable SMS components in discoloration. Heat-treating SMS and its tea, thereby inactivating enzymes, reduced dye removal to 8–58 % and 0–31 %, respectively, indicating that dyes are removed by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities. Together, SMS of white button mushroom production has high potential to treat textile-dye-polluted aqueous effluents.