Fluorescent Light Research Articles

Tocochromanols in the Leaves of Plants in the Hypericum and Clusia Genera

Now under Clusiaceae and Hypericaceae, Clusia and Hypericum were previously categorized under one family until they were divided in 2003 by the APG III system. The Clusia genus is characterized by the presence of tocotrienol derivatives with antiangiogenic properties, and only Hypericum perforatum tocochromanol content has been studied in the Hypericum genus. Twelve species were analyzed: H. aegypticum, H. calycinum, H. empetrifolium, H. lancasteri, H. olympicum f. minus ‘Sulphureum’, H. perforatum, H. xylosteifolium, C. fluminensis, C. minor, C. odorata, C. palmicida, and C. tocuchensis. Plant leaves were analyzed for their tocochromanol (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienol and tocopherol) contents using a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent light detector (RP-HPLC-FLD) method. While α-tocopherol (α-T) was present in the highest proportion, the leaves had significant tocotrienol (T3) contents. Following α-T, δ-T3 was present in most Clusia samples, and γ-T3 in most Hypericum samples, except H. olympicum, in which α-T3 followed. C. minor had the highest α-T (112.72 mg 100 g−1) and total tocochromanol (141.43 mg 100 g−1) content, followed by C. palmicida (65.97 and 82.96 mg 100 g−1, respectively) and H. olympicum (α-T 32.08, α-T3 30.68, and total tocochromanols 89.06 mg 100 g−1). The Hypericum genus is a valuable source of tocotrienols, with potential use after purification.

Imaging Flow Cytometry in HIV Infection Research: Advantages and Opportunities

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of retrovirus that infects humans and belongs to the Lentivirus group. Despite the availability of effective treatments, HIV infections are still increasing in some parts of the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Another major challenge is the growing problem of HIV becoming resistant to drugs. This highlights the importance of ongoing research to better understand HIV and find new ways to stop the virus from spreading in the body. Scientists use a variety of methods to study HIV, including techniques from molecular and cellular biology. Many of these methods rely on fluorescent dyes to help visualize specific parts of the virus or infected cells. This article focuses on a technique called imaging flow cytometry, which is particularly useful for studying HIV. Imaging flow cytometry is unique because it not only measures fluorescence (light emitted by the dyes) but also captures images of each cell being analyzed. This allows researchers to see where the fluorescence is located within the cell and to study the cell’s shape and structure in detail. Additionally, this method can be combined with machine learning to analyze large amounts of data more efficiently.

Conjugated linoleic acid in cheese: A review of the factors affecting its presence.

Several health benefits of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) have been documented. The present work is aimed to review data on the various factors affecting the CLA content in cheese of studies accomplished in the last decade and also indicating the factors that increase the CLA levels. The CLA content in cheese depends on CLA levels present in milk, since the lipids with the CLA are transferred from milk into the cheese. Feed types rich in α-linolenic and linoleic acids such as pasture grass, plant oils, cereals rich in oil, or fish oils can affect the CLA level in milk. In contrast to findings of previous reviews made in previous decade, which stated that the CLA levels in cheese were stable during ripening time, the present review reveals that certain lactic acid bacteria, that is, probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, or Lacticaseibacillus casei, as well as Bifidobacterium lactis can increase the CLA levels in cheese by converting linoleic acid during ripening time. These bacteria starters increased the CLA levels by 1.19, 1.6, and 6.6 times as much as the control in Ovine model, Miniature, and Cheddar cheese, respectively. Lipid oxidation due to factors like fluorescent light or aerobic conditions can decrease the CLA levels during storage.

Investigating the encapsulation of lead bromide perovskite with poly(3-bromothiophene) for improved aqua stability and enhanced fluorescence memory.

Formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr₃) perovskites are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications owing to their exceptional semiconducting and photoluminescent properties. However, their high sensitivity to environmental factors like moisture and polar solvents limits their long-term stability, posing a barrier to commercial applications. This study addresses this stability challenge by encapsulating FAPbBr₃ in poly(3-bromothiophene) (PTBr), a high molecular-weight-conducting polymer, to enhance resistance to aqueous and solvent-based degradation. The PTBr encapsulation was found to significantly improve the thermal and environmental stability of FAPbBr₃, as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis, which revealed a reduced and delayed mass loss and an increased residual mass (up to 28.17% in composites with 70% PTBr content). Photoluminescence studies demonstrated that the encapsulated composites exhibited a mean fluorescence lifetime of 87.4 ns, compared with 12.56% fluorescence retention in unencapsulated FAPbBr₃ after exposure to moisture for 45 days. Moreover, encapsulated FAPbBr₃ retained over 80% of its green light fluorescence intensity even after 1 year, whereas the unencapsulated sample degraded to less than 5%. Notably, the composites displayed fluorescence recovery upon exposure to polar solvents, further highlighting PTBr's protective role. These findings provide a practical, non-interacting encapsulation strategy that enhances both the environmental and thermal stability of FAPbBr₃ while preserving its emission characteristics, offering potential to support the further development of perovskite-based optoelectronic devices for practical applications.

Nano-Titania Photocatalysis and Metal Doping to Deter Fungal Growth on Outdoor and Indoor Paint Surfaces Using UV and Fluorescent Light

This work determined the resistance of paint formulations containing TiO2 particles to fungal growth. Siloxane, acrylic and silicone paints were placed outdoors, and the fungal species growing thereon were recorded after 3, 6 and 9 months. In addition, three paint types containing TiO2 with/without biocide were inoculated with fungal spores and irradiated using UV. Acrylic paints were also doped with different metals and were inoculated and incubated under fluorescent light. Following outdoor incubation, the silicone paint was the least colonised by different fungal species. The species most recovered from the surfaces were Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. Following UV irradiation on different paints containing biocide and/or a photocatalyst, no fungal growth was demonstrated on some of the paint combinations. When the paint samples were doped with different metals and incubated using light, the sample most efficient at preventing fungal growth contained lanthanum (0.004%). The paint samples containing praseodymium (light:1.72) facilitated the densest fungal colonies. Most of the surfaces demonstrated heterogeneous coverage by the fungi. The most clustered fungal colonisation was on surfaces incubated in the light. This work demonstrated that fungal colonisation on paints changed over time and that the antimicrobial efficacy of TiO2 was affected by the chemical composition, biocide and doping of the paint.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Position 204 Threonine to Isoleucine Failed to Generate Acid-Tolerant EGFP

Protonation of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in acidic conditions prevents the emission of fluorescent light and limits the ability to visualize, localize, and study acidic organelles. Therefore, it is critical to introduce mutations into enhanced GFP (EGFP) to generate acid-tolerant fluorescent proteins. This experiment aimed to replicate a threonine to isoleucine mutation at position 204 in EGFP and identify if acid-stable fluorescent proteins would be produced in the BL21(DE3) Escherichia coli system. Site-directed mutagenesis was utilized to generate T204I mutant EGFP. SDS-PAGE and fluorescence microscopy were employed to analyze induction success and fluorescence. Spectrofluorophotometry was used to determine the excitation and emission spectra of T204I mutant EGFP and whether acid-tolerant proteins were generated. Results illustrated that the mutation of threonine to isoleucine at position 204 produced fluorescent proteins at pH 7. However, at pH 6 and 5, proteins failed to fluoresce. The replication of the T204I mutation failed to generate acid-stable EGFP proteins in the BL21(DE3) E. coli system. There is significance in generating acid-stable cellular markers, as currently, no cellular markers thrive in acidic conditions. This limits the ability to study acidic organelles and acidic cellular processes. Creating acid-tolerant markers will permit a greater range of biological research.

The Formation and Features of Massive Vacuole Induced by Nutrient Deficiency in Human Embryonic Kidney Cells.

Cellular vacuolization is a commonly observed phenomenon under physiological and pathological conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying vacuole formation remain largely unresolved. LysoTracker Deep Red probes and Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein-tagged light chain 3B (LC3B) plasmids were employed to differentiate the types of massive vacuoles. By confocal microscopy, lysosome-like massive vacuoles (LysoTracker Deep Red+), autophagosome-like massive vacuoles (LC3B-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP+)), and autolysosome-like massive vacuoles (LC3B-EGFP+ LysoTracker Deep Red+) in starved HEK293T cells were observed. In this study, we demonstrated that nutrient deficiency can induce the formation of massive vacuoles that appear highly electron-lucent in HEK293T cells. Additionally, these massive vacuoles, resulting from nutrient depletion, can originate from various organelles, including small vacuoles, autophagosomes, lysosomes, and autolysosomes. We found that massive vacuoles could form through two primary mechanisms: the accumulation of small vacuoles into larger vacuoles or the fusion of homogeneous or heterogeneous vacuoles. Further analysis revealed that the membranes of massive vacuoles, regardless of origin, were composed of a bilayer membrane structure. As the volume of the massive vacuoles increased, the cytoplasm and nucleus were displaced toward the periphery of the cells, leading to the formation of signet ring-like cells. Interestingly, we provided evidence that complete massive vacuoles or autophagosome-like massive vacuoles can be released and exist independently outside HEK293T cells. Nutrient deprivation induces the formation of heterogeneous, massive vacuoles in human embryonic kidney cells, some of which contribute to the development of signet ring cells, while others lead to extracellular vacuole formation.

Estimating Indoor Tile Friction Coefficient Using Visual Information

Abstract Slip and fall accidents are common both indoors and outdoors, posing and risks from minor to serious injuries. An effective way to prevent these accidents is for pedestrians to know the friction properties of their path beforehand. Developing a network that can discern the frictional properties of surfaces from camera-captured images and convey this information to pedestrians could significantly reduce the incidence of slips. However, predicting the indoor friction coefficient of tiles accurately is challenging due to reflections from multiple fluorescent lights and the tiles themselves. Additionally, water accumulation on tiles due to cleaning or leakage greatly contributes to slip accidents. This paper presents an algorithm that accurately predicts floor friction coefficients in real indoor environments, accounting for image distortions caused by light reflections and water on the floor. Experimental results validate that the proposed system reliably predicts indoor floor friction coefficients despite factors such as lighting angles and water presence. Moreover, to demonstrate its practical applicability, a user-application has been developed to predict the friction coefficient for specific areas as required. This system can be integrated into various devices, including walkers, canes, and smartphones, to assist pedestrians in navigating safely.

Use of Light-Emitting Diodes on the In Vitro Rooting of Apple Tree Rootstocks

This study presents a pioneering investigation into the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for in vitro rooting of ‘Marubakaido’ apple tree rootstocks, marking the first report of this approach in the literature. The research evaluates the effects of four distinct light sources: blue LED (450 nm), red LED (660 nm), a combination of red and blue LEDs, and traditional fluorescent lamps as a control. Mini-cuttings were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with reduced nutrient concentrations, supplemented with indoleacetic acid (IAA) and sucrose. The explants were incubated under controlled conditions for 30 days, enabling a comprehensive assessment of the impact of different light sources on various growth metrics. The results revealed that blue LEDs significantly enhanced dry mass accumulation in seedlings compared to both red LEDs and fluorescent lamps, demonstrating their superior effectiveness in promoting plant growth. The use of LEDs not only improves seedling development but also offers economic advantages over fluorescent lamps. LEDs are characterized by high luminous efficiency, low energy consumption, and a long operational lifespan, which collectively reduce costs in plant production systems. This research advances the understanding of light-mediated effects on plant tissue culture and highlights the potential of combining blue and red LEDs as a viable alternative to fluorescent lighting. These findings could revolutionize practices in horticulture and plant propagation, providing a more efficient and sustainable approach to in vitro cultivation.

Fluorescent Polymers via Coordination of bis-Terpyridine Ligands with Transition Metals and Their pH Response Properties.

Stimulus-responsive luminescent materials are pivotal in the field of sensing. Fluorescent transition metal complexes with a charge transfer excited state, especially terpyridine-coordinated polymers, are of particular interest due to their tunable emission. In this paper, a novel bis-terpyridine ligand was synthesized and assembled into a coordination polymer, which showed intense visible light absorption and fluorescence emission in the solid state that could be regulated by an acidic or basic pH. After being protonated by acid, the fluorescence of the polymer P2 was quenched. The emission of the polymer split from 635 nm to two peaks of 674 and 440 nm, and then stabilized at 728 nm for 7 days, which showed a significant red-shift and good protonation stability. The fluorescence emission wavelength of the protonated polymers recovered after alkalization, and the fluorescence intensity of the polymer was greatly improved after alkalization, showing interesting acid-base-response luminescence characteristics. The sensitive response of the synthesized coordination polymers to acids and bases will contribute to expanding the application of linear coordination polymers in sensing and other fields.

Innovative Themed Slide Design in Water Parks: Savanna

Inspired by the unique ecosystem of the African savannas, the Savanna slide combines the rich textures of nature with modern water park technologies, offering a groundbreaking design in both visual and functional terms. Suitable for both individual and group activities, this water slide allows eight people to use four different and equivalent slide paths at the same time, allowing visitors to share a safari-themed adventure. The structural elements used in the Savanna slide reflect the natural beauties of Africa and add a strong connection to the theme of the park. The load-bearing columns are inspired by the Baobab tree, the symbol of strength and durability in Africa. These columns both add aesthetic richness and strengthen the thematic depth of the project by offering functionality. One of the most innovative features of the project is that it has been implemented with fluoride-containing production technology. Thanks to this technology, the slides absorb sunlight and glow in the dark, offering users a unique “night safari” experience during the night. This feature makes the project a center of attraction even in the dark and contributes to energy efficiency. Sustainability is one of the fundamental principles of the Savanna Project. The slides are produced with the environmentally friendly RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) technology and have a long-lasting and energy-efficient structure. Special pigments resistant to UV rays ensure that the slides remain vibrant and bright at all hours of the day, while integrated natural light effects provide dynamic lighting on the inner surface. The fluorescent lighting technology used for the first time in the project absorbs sunlight on the slide surfaces during the day and reflects this light back at night, providing an impressive visual feast. This innovation makes the project a sustainable attraction center, rather than just an entertainment element. The Savana Project is not just a water slide, but an innovative experience area that combines the aesthetics of nature and cultural richness with modern engineering. Bringing together aesthetics and functionality, this project brings a new perspective to the water park industry, highlights sustainability awareness and aims to make a difference in the sector.

LED light improves shoot multiplication, steviol glycosides and phenolic compounds biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in vitro culture

Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps are efficient elicitors of secondary metabolites. To investigate the influence of LED light on steviol glycosides (SGs) and phenolic compounds biosynthesis, stevia shoots were cultured under the following LED lights: white–WL, blue–B, red–R, 70% red and 30% blue–RB, 50% UV, 35% red and 15% blue–RBUV, 50% green, 35% red and 15% blue–RBG, 50% yellow, 35% red and 15% blue–RBY, 50% far-red, 35% red and 15% blue–RBFR and white fluorescent light (WFl, control). RBG light stimulated shoots’ biomass production. RBFR had a beneficial impact on stevioside biosynthesis (1.62 mg/g dry weight, DW), while RBUV favoured the production of rebaudioside A (3.15 mg/g DW). Neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, caffeic, 4-feruloylquinic, isochlorogenic A, rosmarinic acids and the flavonoid quercitrin were identified in the obtained material. A stimulatory effect of RBFR and RBUV on the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds was noted. LED light also influenced stomata appearance, stomata density, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugar content and antioxidant enzyme activities in stevia shoots. This is the first report to provide evidence of the stimulating effect of LED light on biomass yield, SGs production and phenolic compounds in stevia shoot cultures.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Wheat Under Multi LED Light Conditions.

Light is a vital environmental cue that profoundly influences the development of plants. LED lighting offers significant advantages in controlled growth environments over fluorescent lighting. Under monochromatic blue LED light, wheat plants exhibited reduced stature, accelerated spike development, and a shortened flowering period with increased blue light intensity promoting an earlier heading date. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying wheat plants' response to varying light conditions. We identified 34 types of transcription factors (TFs) and highlighted the dynamic changes of key families such as WRKY, AP2/ERF, MYB, bHLH, and NAC, which play crucial roles in light-induced gene regulation. Additionally, this study revealed differential effects of blue and red light on the expression levels of genes related to hormones such as cytokinin (CK) and salicylic acid (SA) synthesis as well as significant changes in pathways such as flavonoid biosynthesis, circadian rhythms, chlorophyll synthesis, and flowering. Particularly, blue light upregulated genes involved in chlorophyll synthesis, contrasting with the downregulation observed under red light. Furthermore, blue light enhanced the expression of anthocyanin synthesis-related genes, such as CHS, underscoring its role in promoting anthocyanin accumulation. These findings provide valuable insights into how light quality impacts crop growth and development.

Using Recombinase-Aid Amplification Combined with Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute for Rapid Sex Identification in Flamingo (Phoenicopteridae)

Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae) are among the oldest birds worldwide and are loved by people for their bright red feathers. In addition, flamingos are sexually monomorphic birds, and distinguishing between males and females is difficult. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used for sex identification. However, the PCR method requires a precise thermal cycler in the laboratory and is time-consuming. Therefore, developing a rapid, sensitive, and accurate method to identify the sex of flamingos is crucial. In this study, we established a sex identification system using a recombinase-aided amplification-Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute (RAA-PfAgo) technique for greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus). The greater flamingo-RAA-PfAgo system can identify unknown-sex greater flamingos in less than 1 h and can be visualized using a fluorescent detector or blue light. The results showed that optimal RAA-PfAgo conditions could detect 0.6 ng of genomic DNA and effectively differentiate between males and females. Random sample evaluations revealed that the system had a 100% coincidence rate compared with conventional PCR. In conclusion, this study provides a sensitive, specific, and accurate reference method for greater flamingo sexing.

MINFLUX fluorescence nanoscopy in biological tissue

Optical imaging access to nanometer-level protein distributions in intact tissue is a highly sought-after goal, as it would provide visualization in physiologically relevant contexts. Under the unfavorable signal-to-background conditions of increased absorption and scattering of the excitation and fluorescence light in the complex tissue sample, superresolution fluorescence microscopy methods are severely challenged in attaining precise localization of molecules. We reasoned that the typical use of a confocal detection pinhole in MINFLUX nanoscopy, suppressing background and providing optical sectioning, should facilitate the detection and resolution of single fluorophores even amid scattering and optically challenging tissue environments. Here, we investigated the performance of MINFLUX imaging for different synaptic targets and fluorescent labels in tissue sections of the mouse brain. Single fluorophores were localized with a precision of <5 nm at up to 80 µm sample depth. MINFLUX imaging in two color channels allowed to probe PSD95 localization relative to the spine head morphology, while also visualizing presynaptic vesicular glutamate transporter (VGlut) 1 clustering and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) clustering at the postsynapse. Our two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) two-color MINFLUX results in tissue, with <10 nm 3D fluorophore localization, open up broad avenues to investigate protein distributions on the single-synapse level in fixed and living brain slices.

A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe of hypochlorous acid and its bio-imaging application.

A new ratiometric and colorimetric fluorescent probe HTD was synthesized based on the reaction of 4-aminophenyl boronic acid pinacol ester and 4-(3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) benzonitrile. The probe exhibited a unique fluorescence response to hypochlorous acid and had good anti-interference performance in the presence of other interference. When HTD met the NaClO, the light orange fluorescence was changed to green with the blue-shifted emission wavelength from 550 to 500nm. Moreover, the absorbance of HTD's UV-vis at 300nm and 375nm decreased in the presence of NaClO. The limit of detection was 1.83 × 10-7M and 2.96 × 10-6M based on the fluorescence and UV-vis titration data. NMR, HRMS, and IR spectra suggested that the possible sensing mechanism of HTD to NaClO was the formation of initial compound 4-(3-formyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) benzonitrile due to the oxidation of hypochlorous acid in aqueous solution. The portable test strips were obtained, and the real water sample test reached good results with spiking recoveries among 92.00% ~ 103.25%. Finally, endogenous hypochlorous acid produced by LPS and PMA was successfully detected by HTD in living mice using in situ fluorescence bioimaging.

DIGITAL IMAGE COLORIMETRY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL EARTHENWARE UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHTING SOURCES

This study investigated the effect of lighting sources on the smartphone colorimetry of 23 ar-chaeological earthenware samples. Comparable RGB and L*a*b* colors were obtained using both fluorescent room lighting and smartphone flashlight in a closed box for most samples, although some showed substantial differences likely due to variations in measurement points. Averaging readings from different areas of each sample could reduce this uncertainty. Using the color values to classify the earthenware, five coarse-paste wares averagely exhibited higher R, G, and L* values than 18 fine-paste wares made of fine-grained clay regardless of the lighting used. The L* is recommended as the parameter of choice, as RGB values substantially varied from one sample to another. In addition to the color parameters, the effect of lighting depends on the samples measured as the variations in average L*a*b* values were smaller for the fine-paste ware.

First report of Phytopythium helicoides causing root and crown rot on Rhododendron in Ohio and the United States.

Rhododendron is a diverse genus of evergreen and deciduous species grown in gardens worldwide for their attractive flowers and foliage. In summer 2023, nine of 12 potted Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla' plants purchased from a wholesale nursery in Ohio exhibited wilting, leaf and stem discoloration, and severely darkened and softened roots, which eventually progressed into dieback and plant death. Roots tested positive with a Phytophthora Immunostrip® (Agdia, Inc.), a common serological test for oomycete root rots. Roots were surface disinfested by soaking in 10% bleach for 30 s, rinsed three rinses in sterile water, then sectioned into small pieces and plated on oomycete-selective PARP-CMA medium (Ivors, 2015). Pure cultures were obtained by transferring hyphal tips onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubating at 23 ± 2 °C under fluorescent light (12 h) for one week. Colonies on PDA displayed radiate to petaloid radial growth with minimal aerial aseptate mycelia. Sporangia production was induced by flooding mycelial plugs with sterile 10% V8 broth and incubating in the dark for 48 h at 23 ± 2 °C. The resulting mycelial mat was rinsed three times with sterile water then mounted on glass slides. Sporangia were terminal, globose and rarely obovoid, papillate or non-papillate, and measured 22.24-46.38 µm in length and 19.80-33.70 µm in width (n=35). Oospores were not observed in culture after 1 week of incubation at room temperature. DNA was extracted using the QIAGEN DNEasy Plant Mini Kit from mycelial mats grown in potato dextrose broth for 7 days at 26°C with 70 rpm shaking followed by straining. PCR and bidirectional sequencing were conducted with primers OomCOILevup/FM85mod (mtDNA COX1 region; Robideau 2011), and NL1/NL4 (rDNA D1-D2 large subunit; O'Donnell 1993). NCBI BLAST searches of the LSU and COX1 consensus sequences had 100% (637/637 bp; PQ381277) and 98.33% (708/720 bp; PQ383368) match, respectively, to the type strain of Phytopythium helicoides PF-he2 (OM337587.1, GCA_024867545.1). Five of the nine plants yielded isolates identified as P. helicoides by sequencing. Isolate FPH2023-33 was selected for in-depth characterization. Pathogenicity tests were conducted once using young (<6" height and diameter) Rhododendron 'PJM Elite Star' (n=6), and once using 'Cherries and Merlot' (n=6) plants. Plants were inoculated by placing five, 5-mm agar plugs taken from 3-day old V8 agar cultures or sterile V8 agar plates (control) into the root area of each plant. Plants were maintained in flood trays under saturated soil conditions for 30 days in the greenhouse at an average of 24°C and 70% RH. Uninoculated plants were kept in separate trays to prevent cross-contamination. At 30 DPI, 75% of inoculated 'PJM Elite Star' plants showed severe leaf curl and wilting, and 100% had darkened and weakened root systems, while 50% of inoculated 'Cherries & Merlot' plants showed stunting, and 75% showed mild discoloration of the roots and crown. Control plants of both cultivars remained asymptomatic. Phytopythium helicoides was re-isolated from all inoculated plants and confirmed to be identical to the original isolate using the same methods described above. No Phytopythium was recovered from the control plants. This is the first report of this pathogen causing root rot on Rhododendron in the United States. As chemical and cultural control practices for this recently described pathogen are not yet well-studied, its presence may have a significant impact in both nursery production and landscape settings.

Effective management of acne fulminans: Two case reports highlighting fluorescent light energy therapy.

Acne vulgaris stands as a prevailing skin condition among adolescents worldwide. The primary aim in addressing acne is to manage it effectively, preventing the occurrence of permanent scarring. This case report outlines the experiences of two adolescent boys grappling with acne fulminans. Initial treatments encompassed isotretinoin, corticosteroids, and doxycycline, until they were discontinued due to their ineffectiveness and the emergence of adverse side effects such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Subsequently, fluorescent light energy (FLE) therapy was introduced to tackle these severe cases. After 4 months of FLE therapy, the patients exhibited significant improvements in their condition. Six months post treatment initiation, both patients have sustained a symptom free state, marked by the absence of active lesions. FLE therapy effectively treated the acne fulminans cases reported and could be considered as a valid treatment option.

COMPARISON OF NITROGEN-DOPED PHOTOCATALYTIC SURFACES SYNTHESIZED BY PVD AND SOL-GEL METHODS

The aim of this study was to produce photocatalytic TiO2–xNx coatings that can be active in visible light using different methods. Physical vapour deposition (PVD) and sol-gel methods were preferred for these coatings. Thin films were synthesized by dip coating on a glass substrate using the sol-gel method. In addition, thin glass film coatings were obtained by applying an arc for one minute to the glass films using the PVD method. Since the coating phase is important in terms of photoactivity, a phase analysis was performed using XRD. The obtained surfaces will be used in antibacterial applications. Therefore, the thickness of the coatings was determined with the X-Ray refraction method, and their optical band gap was measured. Based on these values, it was observed that nitrogen has a reducing effect on the optical band gap in titanium oxide-based coatings. The aim of nitrogen doping was to enhance photoactivity by adding an additional band between the valence band and conduction band of a photocatalytic surface. After these experiments using rhodamine-B and methylene blue solutions, specimens’ photocatalytic effects under fluorescent, sun and UV light were tested. It was determined that nitrogen’s decreasing effect on the optical band gap results in increased photoactivity with both PVD and sol-gel techniques. In addition, it was found that the coatings made with PVD exhibited a more controlled structure in a shorter time, while the production of sol-gel coatings was a much cheaper method, with low investment costs.