Morphological Characterization Research Articles

Targeted PHA Microsphere-Loaded Triple-Drug System with Sustained Drug Release for Synergistic Chemotherapy and Gene Therapy.

The combination of paclitaxel (PTX) with other chemotherapy drugs (e.g., gemcitabine, GEM) or genetic drugs (e.g., siRNA) has been shown to enhance therapeutic efficacy against tumors, reduce individual drug dosages, and prevent drug resistance associated with single-drug treatments. However, the varying solubility of chemotherapy drugs and genetic drugs presents a challenge in co-delivering these agents. In this study, nanoparticles loaded with PTX were prepared using the biodegradable polymer material poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx). These nanoparticles were surface-modified with target proteins (Affibody molecules) and RALA cationic peptides to create core-shell structured microspheres with targeted and cationic functionalization. A three-drug co-delivery system (PTX@PHBHHx-ARP/siRNAGEM) were developed by electrostatically adsorbing siRNA chains containing GEM onto the microsphere surface. The encapsulation efficiency of PTX in the nanodrug was found to be 81.02%, with a drug loading of 5.09%. The chemogene adsorption capacity of siRNAGEM was determined to be 97.3%. Morphological and size characterization of the nanodrug revealed that PTX@PHBHHx-ARP/siRNAGEM is a rough-surfaced microsphere with a particle size of approximately 150 nm. This nanodrug exhibited targeting capabilities toward BT474 cells with HER2 overexpression while showing limited targeting ability toward MCF-7 cells with low HER2 expression. Results from the MTT assay demonstrated that PTX@PHBHHx-ARP/siRNAGEM exhibits high cytotoxicity and excellent combination therapy efficacy compared to physically mixed PTX/GEM/siRNA. Additionally, Western blot analysis confirmed that siRNA-mediated reduction of Bcl-2 expression significantly enhanced cell apoptosis mediated by PTX or GEM in tumor cells, thereby increasing cell sensitivity to PTX and GEM. This study presents a novel targeted nanosystem for the co-delivery of chemotherapy drugs and genetic drugs.

Fusarium species associated with Bakanae Disease of Rice in Bangladesh.

Bakanae disease has become a serious threat for sustainable rice production in Asian countries including Bangladesh. Fusarium species are important seedborne pathogens that cause bakanae disease of rice. Typical bakanae symptomatic samples were collected through a series of sampling conducted in several districts of Bangladesh for 4 consecutive years from 2019 - 2022. The pathogens were confirmed using morphological characteristics, DNA sequences, and phylogenetic analyses of two genes, namely, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α), and RNA polymerase subunit II (RPB2). A total of 121 Fusarium isolates were recovered from diseased rice samples at different geographical locations. From the phylogenetics analyses of TEF1-α and RPB2 gene sequences coupled with morphological characterization revealed that the collected isolates belonged to five species viz. F. fujikuroi (75.2% isolation frequency), F. incarnatum (17.35%), F. commune (4.95%), F. verticillioides (1.65%), and F. proliferatum (0.82%). Phylogenetic analysis also showed that 28 representative strains were attributed to five species. Finally, four Fusarium spp. F. fujikuroi, F. commune, F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum were found to be pathogenic under virulence assays of the isolates. The pathogenicity test results demonstrated that F. fujikuroi caused typical symptoms of bakanae, leaf elongation and chlorosis, whereas F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides only caused stunting of seedlings and F. commune caused wilt and root rot. F. incarnatum was found to be associated with bakanae disease of rice, however their pathogenicity could not be established. This study provides insight into the diversity and pathogenicity of Fusarium populations associated with bakanae disease in Bangladesh, which will help in formulating effective strategies and policies for better control of the bakanae disease.

Morphological Characterization of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Grown in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Morphological Characterization of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Grown in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

In Vitro Functional Properties of Rosehips from 'Aurora' Edible Garden Rose's Collection.

Although they have been extensively studied in many species of the genus Rosa L., garden roses' hips have largely been overlooked. To investigate their potential use in the food industry, this study evaluated five cultivars from 'Aurora' collection: 'Purple Aurora', 'Berry Bush Aurora', 'Aromatic Aurora', 'Butterfly Aurora', and 'Rugose White Aurora'. Morphological characterization, along with the assessment of the phenolic profile, vitamin C levels, and biological activities-including antioxidant and neuroprotective effects-was conducted. The fruit mass reached 5.15 g, while the mesocarp mass ranged from 3 to 4 g, resulting in a mesocarp-to-fruit ratio of over 75%. The total phenolic content ranged from 37.1 to 63.9 mg GAE/g de, while total flavonoids were present in amounts from 0.85 to 2.14 mg QE/g de. Rosehip extracts from four out of five cultivars exhibited a very high vitamin C content, reaching 2384 µg/g fw. Quinic acid and 31 phenolic compounds were found in the rosehip extract of at least one cultivar. Results indicated 'Aurora' rosehips have potent antioxidant properties and a moderate inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase, highlighting their potential as a source of functional food. Additional research is needed to fully leverage these benefits and establish garden rosehips as a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidants.

The Value of Sysmex White Precursor Cell Channel in Distinguishing Circulating Large Blastoid Lymphoma Cells from Blasts

Abstract Background There are rare cases of lymphoma presenting with circulating large blastoid cells mimicking blasts. These abnormal cells usually are medium to large in size with high nucleus-to-cytoplasmic ratio, fine to slightly condensed chromatin, prominent nucleoli, and scant to moderate amount of cytoplasm. Distinguishing them from real blasts is challenging, and although flow cytometry provides a definitive answer, pathologists may feel compelled to offer a quick preliminary assessment to the clinical team, particularly during weekends when flow cytometry is not accessible. We have recently replaced the old CBC instrument with Sysmex XN-9100 which incorporates a new white precursor cell channel (WPC). WPC channel is triggered only when Sysmex differential channels (WDF+WNR) produce a combined flag of “blasts/abnormal lymphocytes?”. The WPC will then separate this into a specific flag for either cell type or remove the flag if it is normal. Our study aims to explore the effectiveness of the WPC Channel in distinguishing blastoid lymphoma cells from true blasts. Method Between October 2023 and January 2024, we identified four lymphoma cases exhibiting circulating large blastoid cells. For comparative analysis, we included the most recent seven cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and one case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), all featuring medium to large-sized blasts. We collected results from initial testing (WDF+WNR) and WPC reflex testing. The reference for our analysis included manual differentials assisted by CellaVision, pathologist reviews, and immunophenotyping results. Results Within four blastoid lymphoma cases, two were diagnosed as blastoid high-grade B-cell lymphomas, one as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and another as chronic lymphocytic leukemia with many blast-like cells observed on the cytospin slide (no smear available). Pathologists reviewed the smears and slides of all four cases, categorizing them as blasts or blast-like cells before flow was run. All cases were initially flagged with “Blasts/Abnormal Lymphocyte?” on Sysmex differential channels but were subsequently flagged only with abnormal lymphocytes after the WPC reflex. For comparison, in 7 AML and 1 ALL cases, the WPC channel flagged blasts in 7 out of the 8 cases following the reflex of initial “Blasts/Abnormal Lymphocyte?” flag. The only case flagged with abnormal lymphocytes but not blasts was a case of AML with monocytic differentiation, characterized by many promonocytes and rare blasts. Conclusion The WPC channel accurately characterized the challenging large blastoid lymphoma cells as abnormal lymphocytes in all four cases, where morphology characterization was difficult. The study’s limitation lies in its small sample size. We are actively accumulating additional cases with circulating blastoid lymphoma cells, alongside control leukemia cases, to further assess the efficacy of the WPC channel.

Morphological and Corrosion Characterization of Electroless Ni-P Coatings Deposited on Ductile Iron

Morphological and Corrosion Characterization of Electroless Ni-P Coatings Deposited on Ductile Iron

Evaluating Native Bacillus Strains as Potential Biocontrol Agents against Tea Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum fructicola

Anthracnose of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), caused by Colletotrichum spp., poses a significant threat to both the yield and quality of tea production. To address this challenge, researchers have looked to the application of endophytic bacteria as a natural alternative to the use chemical pesticides, offering potential for enhancing disease resistance and abiotic stress tolerance in tea plants. This study focused on identifying effective microbial agents to combat tea anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum fructicola. A total of 38 Bacillus-like strains were isolated from the tea rhizosphere, with 8 isolates showing substantial inhibitory effects against the mycelial growth of C. fructicola, achieving an average inhibition rate of 60.68%. Among these, strain T3 was particularly effective, with a 69.86% inhibition rate. Through morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization, along with 16S rRNA gene phylogenetics analysis, these strains were identified as B. inaquosorum (T1 and T2), B. tequilensis (T3, T5, T7, T8, and T19), and B. spizizenii (T6). Biological and molecular assays confirmed that these strains could induce the expression of genes associated with antimicrobial compounds like iturin, fengycin, subtilosin, and alkaline protease, which effectively reduced the disease index of tea anthracnose and enhanced tea plant growth. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that B. inaquosorum, B. tequilensis, and B. spizizenii strains are promising biocontrol agents for managing tea anthracnose.

Morphological characterization of spermatozoa in Apis mellifera and the effect of processing and semen storage

The aim of this study was to establish a standardized approach for evaluating sperm morphology in the honey bee and to investigate the impact of processing techniques and semen storage on the incidence of sperm morphoanomalies. The first experiment was designed to characterize the sperm morphoanomalies in unaltered honey bee semen, examining if they are compatible with sperm motility and viability and determining their occurrence in the ejaculates of mature and healthy honey bee drones. The different forms of sperm morphoanomalies were described in detail. In the morphological analysis of fresh drone ejaculates, 7.77% of spermatozoa showed abnormal morphology on average, with 2.20%, 4.75% and 0.81% of head, tail and multiple defects, respectively. The method also allowed us to determine the status of acrosome integrity. The second experiment was designed to assess the impact of smearing and air-drying on the occurrence of sperm morphoanomalies, showing a significant increase in the incidence of both head and tail sperm defects when comparing to wet samples. In the third and fourth experiments, the effect of semen storage at room temperature and semen cryopreservation, respectively, on the occurrence of sperm morphoanomalies were investigated. The preservation of semen at 22 °C led to a significant increase in spermatozoa with coiled tails after day 1, whereas the remaining anomalies did not exhibit significant variations over time. The freezing-thawing process showed a more pronounced effect on the incidence of morphological defects, with an increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with deformed heads and coiled tails.

Morphologic Characterization of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma following Post-neoadjuvant Pancreatectomy and Clinical value of Intratumor Heterogeneity.

To evaluate the morphologic landscape of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), intratumor spatial heterogeneity, and the resulting clinical impact following post-neoadjuvant pancreatectomy. The clinical value of PDAC morphologic subtypes and intratumor spatial heterogeneity post-treatment remains an open issue. The study cohort included patients who underwent post-neoadjuvant pancreatectomy for PDAC at the University of Verona Hospital Trust between 2013 and 2019. All hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were reviewed to assess PDAC histomorphology and intratumor heterogeneity. The relationship with other clinicopathological variables, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free (RFS) survival was evaluated using standard statistics. The study cohort included 400 patients. Histological revision identified ten different morphologic subtypes. Gland-forming PDAC with a conventional pattern was the most frequently identified subtype (41.8%). Overall, 247 tumors (61.7%) showed only one histological pattern and were classified as homogeneous, whereas 153 (38.3%) showed different morphologies and were classified as heterogeneous tumors. The median post-resection survival was 30.1 months (95%CI 26.6-33.5). There was a substantial survival variability according to the morphologic subtype, ranging from 19.1 months in the gyriform subtype to 47.0 months in the papillary subtype. Tumors with a heterogeneous morphology displayed a higher rate of nodal metastases, worse tumor regression metrics, and worse oncologic outcomes relative to spatially homogeneous tumors. This paper provided a morphological taxonomy of residual tumors following post-neoadjuvant pancreatectomy for PDAC. The morphologic subtype and intratumor spatial heterogeneity have relevant prognostic implications and could be included in the pathology report to complement regression metrics.

Russulaceae of the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana 5. Two newly described diminutive species in a novel lineage of the crown clade of Russula (Russulaceae)

Much of our previous work documenting fungal biodiversity in Guyana has been centered in forests of Dicymbe corymbosa Spruce ex Benth., which forms monodominant stands in the white sands region of Guyana. In order to begin to assess fungal biodiversity associated with other ectomycorrhizal host trees found in Guyana, expeditions were conducted to areas containing Dicymbe altsonii and Pakaraimaea dipterocarpacea. In this paper, we describe two new species of Russula from Guyana with diminutive basidiomata: R. lilliputia and R. pakaraimaeae, found in association with these tree hosts, using a combined approach of morphological characterization and molecular analyses. Together with R. gelatinivelata, which we previously described from Guyana, R. lilliputia and R. pakaraimaeae form what appears to be a new lineage within the crown clade of Russula, sister to the subsect. Auratinae. Synapomorphies for the lineage include a pruinose to subtomentose pileus in dry conditions, suprapellis comprised of inflated cells that give rise to long cylindrical or digitate, and sinuous, thin or thick-walled pileocystidia that are strongly emergent, easily disarticulate in microscopic preparations, and have contents that are acid resistant in Basic Fuchsin, pruinose to subomentose patches on the stipe, suprahilar plage on the basidiospores, spore ornamentation of mostly isolated verrucae, and geographic distribution restricted to the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana. Full descriptions, photos, line drawings of microscopic features, and comparisons with related species are provided.

Cd2+ Sequestration by Ureolytic Bacteria Isolated from Goat Faeces and Nursery Wastewater

As modern industrial production makes extensive use of heavy metals, a significant amount of sewage and solid wastes containing heavy metals are released into the environment. There is significant potential for bioremediation of multiple heavy metal contamination using biomineralization to immobilise the toxic metal. In this study, microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology was used to treat Cd2+ contamination on plants, humans, and the environment. Ureolytic bacteria that collected from goat faeces and nursery wastewater were stimulated using enrichment technique. Next, physicochemical properties of the bacteria including urea agar base test, biomineralization test, conductivity & pH measurement test and optical density test were examined through enrichment subculturing of the bacteria. The morphological characterization of precipitate formed from both samples were analayzed by using scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive x-ray diffraction method. Ureolytic bacteria of the goat faeces sample demonstrated greater tolerance to Cd2+ concentration compared to the nursery wastewater sample by obtaining a higher optical density values and larger amounts of precipitate produced by the goat faeces sample across all tested Cd2+ concentrations. As a result, from the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) analysis, the goat faeces sample showed higher efficiency in removing Cd2+ compared to the nursery wastewater sample, with a removal efficiency of 89.06% for the goat faeces sample and 77.75% for the nursery wastewater sample. Hence, this study confirmed that the interaction between ureolytic bacteria isolated from waste sources and heavy metal ions is vital for the overall effectiveness of heavy metal removal.

The evolution and dissolution mechanism of θ-Al2Cu phase and the analysis of precipitation of a novel AlCu phase during elevated aging

The evolution and dissolution mechanism of the θ-Al2Cu precipitates were investigated in this study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) during the re-aging at high temperatures for a long time. The results advance the current knowledge of dissolution and its associated mechanisms of the θ-Al2Cu phase in AlCu alloys. In this study, the coarsening and dissolution of θ-Al2Cu phase in T6 heat-treated Al4Cu alloy during various times (0−1000h) of re-aging temperature 420 °C were studied experimentally and theoretically. The morphological characterization revealed that the θ-Al2Cu phases gradually increase in size and decrease in volume density during the aging process, which can be attributed to coarsening and dissolution phenomena occurring during re-aging. Additionally, a body-centered tetragonal AlCu phase is precipitated within the θ-Al2Cu phase during the high temperature re-aging process, which is a characteristic of this phase prior to dissolution. Moreover, the primary mechanisms responsible for the high temperature melting of the θ-Al2Cu phase are the formation of the AlCu phase and the initial melting of the Cu-poor region in the θ-Al2Cu phase. The Cu atoms in θ-Al2Cu phase dissolve and diffuse into the Al matrix, forming L12 ordered AlCu solute clusters through long-range diffusion.

Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Detection of Salmonella typhimurium in Food Matrices Using Surface-Modified Bacterial Cellulose with Immobilized Phage Particles.

The rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium in food matrices is crucial for ensuring food safety. This study presents the development of an ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor using surface-modified bacterial cellulose (BC) integrated with polypyrrole (Ppy) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), further functionalized with immobilized S. typhimurium-specific phage particles. The BC substrate, with its ultra-fibrous and porous structure, was modified through in situ oxidative polymerization of Ppy and RGO, resulting in a highly conductive and flexible biointerface. The immobilization of phages onto this composite was facilitated by electrostatic interactions between the polycationic Ppy and the negatively charged phage capsid heads, optimizing phage orientation and enhancing bacterial capture efficiency. Morphological and chemical characterization confirmed the successful fabrication and phage immobilization. The biosensor demonstrated a detection limit of 1 CFU/mL for S. typhimurium in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), with a linear detection range spanning 100 to 107 CFU/mL. In real samples, the sensor achieved detection limits of 5 CFU/mL in milk and 3 CFU/mL in chicken, with a linear detection range spanning 100 to 106 CFU/mL, maintaining high accuracy and reproducibility. The biosensor also effectively discriminated between live and dead bacterial cells, demonstrating its potential in real-world food safety applications. The biosensor performed excellently over a wide pH range (4-10) and remained stable for up to six weeks. Overall, the developed BC/Ppy/RGO-phage biosensor offers a promising tool for the rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of S. typhimurium, with robust performance across different food matrices.

Caracterización morfológica de pelos de guardia de seis especies mamíferos pequeños no voladores del occidente de Ecuador

This study presents the morphological characterization of guard hairs from six species of small non-flying mammals. Guard hair samples were obtained from both live individuals and museum specimens, with cuticular and medullary impressions made from the middle portions of the shafts and shields, respectively. A total of 112 samples were collected from the following species: Marmosa simonsi, Metachirus myosorus, Sigmodon peruanus, Aegialomys xanthaeolus, Rattus sp., and Mus musculus. This information can be used for taxonomic identification and, for instance, in the identification of prey items in carnivore and nocturnal raptor diet studies, which are areas lacking information in western Ecuador.

Electrochemical characterization of TiO2 nanotubes formed on Ti6Al4V manufactured by PBF-EB or forging

AbstractThis study introduces the anisotropy effect of Ti6Al4V substrate obtained by electron beam melting (PBF-EB) on the anodizing process, revealing its capacity to induce anisotropic TiO2 nanotubes. Highly organized TiO2 nanotubes are formed on Ti6Al4V substrates produced through PBF-EB or forging, with the PBF-EB cross-orientation displaying superior nanotube growth due to enhanced catalytic activity. Morphological and electrochemical characterizations underscore the significant influence of substrate orientation and anodizing voltage on nanotube growth and corrosion resistance. PBF-EB-cross orientation at 30 V exhibits a thicker and more homogeneous nanotube layer, resulting in improved film resistance and substantially lower corrosion rates compared to forged substrates. The electrochemically calculated nanotube film thickness aligns with microscopic analyses, emphasizing the importance of a homogenous and resistive nanotube coating for effective corrosion control.

MiR-210 is essential to retinal homeostasis in fruit flies and mice

BackgroundmiR-210 is one of the most evolutionarily conserved microRNAs. It is known to be involved in several physiological and pathological processes, including response to hypoxia, angiogenesis, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Recently, new roles of this microRNA are emerging in the context of eye and visual system homeostasis. Recent studies in Drosophila melanogaster unveiled that the absence of miR-210 leads to a progressive retinal degeneration characterized by the accumulation of lipid droplets and disruptions in lipid metabolism. However, the possible conservation of miR-210 knock-out effect in the mammalian retina has yet to be explored.ResultsWe further investigated lipid anabolism and catabolism in miR-210 knock-out (KO) flies, uncovering significant alterations in gene expression within these pathways. Additionally, we characterized the retinal morphology of flies overexpressing (OE) miR-210, which was not affected by the increased levels of the microRNA. For the first time, we also characterized the retinal morphology of miR-210 KO and OE mice. Similar to flies, miR-210 OE did not affect retinal homeostasis, whereas miR-210 KO mice exhibited photoreceptor degeneration. To explore other potential parallels between miR-210 KO models in flies and mice, we examined lipid metabolism, circadian behaviour, and retinal transcriptome in mice, but found no similarities. Specifically, RNA-seq confirmed the lack of involvement of lipid metabolism in the mice’s pathological phenotype, revealing that the differentially expressed genes were predominantly associated with chloride channel activity and extracellular matrix homeostasis. Simultaneously, transcriptome analysis of miR-210 KO fly brains indicated that the observed alterations extend beyond the eye and may be linked to neuronal deficiencies in signal detection and transduction.ConclusionsWe provide the first morphological characterization of the retina of miR-210 KO and OE mice, investigating the role of this microRNA in mammalian retinal physiology and exploring potential parallels with phenotypes observed in fly models. Although the lack of similarities in lipid metabolism, circadian behaviour, and retinal transcriptome in mice suggests divergent mechanisms of retinal degeneration between the two species, transcriptome analysis of miR-210 KO fly brains indicates the potential existence of a shared upstream mechanism contributing to retinal degeneration in both flies and mammals.

First Report of Colletotrichum fructicola Causing Anthracnose on Canna indica L. in Guangxi, China.

Canna indica L., a well-known wetland plant (Lei et al. 2023), was found with leaf spots in a planting area (∼667 m2) in Tiandong, Guangxi, China, in June 2022. 5500 plants were affected by this disease. Symptoms began as yellow lesions, and then developed brown sub-ellipsoid spots with yellow borders, then gradually expanded and encompassed the entire leaves until leaves wilted. 18 diseased leaves were collected and cut into small pieces (3 ×3 mm) from the brown margins. The pieces were moistened with 75% ethanol for 10 seconds, disinfected with 2% NaClO for two minutes and rinsed with sterile water three times. Pieces were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 28°C for four days. 15 isolates with similar morphological characterizations were isolated and purified (about 68% isolation frequency) from 18 diseased leaves. Three isolates (CI1-1, CI1-2 and CI1-3) were selected for further morphological and molecular identification. Fungi mycelia on PDA were grayish white initially, and became dark gray after seven days. Conidia were hyaline, guttulate, unicellular, cylindrical, and averaged 15.09 × 5.72 μm. To confirm the identification, genomic DNA was extracted from mycelium of the three isolates, and the partial internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, intergenic region of apn2 and MAT1-2-1 (ApMAT), fragments of actin (ACT), glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase (CHS-1), and β-tubulin (TUB2) genes were amplified, sequenced and submitted to GenBank (ITS: OR501461 to OR501463; ApMat: OR684455-OR684457; ACT: OR765956-OR765958; GAPDH: OR779527-OR779529; CHS-1: OR797622-OR797624; TUB2: OR820537-OR820539). The sequences of the three isolates were 99%-100% identical (ApMat, 882/882 bp; ACT, 228/230 bp; GAPDH, 278/280 bp; CHS-1, 298/299 bp and TUB2, 298/299 bp) with those of Colletotrichum fructicola isolate ICMP18581 (JQ807838, FJ907426, JX010033, JX009866 and JX010405) (Liu et al. 2015). Compared with C. fructicola isolate ICMP18581 (JX010165), the ITS sequence identities were 94% (556/594 bp). A Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed by using MEGA v. 10.1.5 based on the concatenation of multiple sequences. Based on these results, the three isolates were identified as C. fructicola. Pathogenicity tests of three isolates were conducted on nine one-year-old seedlings. Three leaves per plant (six sites per leaf) were inoculated with the adjusted conidial suspension of each isolate. Ten μl suspension (106 conidia/ml) was dripped on each inoculation site without wounding. Three additional plants were inoculated with sterile water as negative controls. All plants were covered with plastic bags sprayed with sterile water, and cultured in a light incubator at 28°C, with 14:10 h light/dark cycle. After five days, dark-brown spots (0.1-1.4cm×0.2-1.6cm) appeared on the leaves of experimental groups, while no lesions were found in the controls. The pathogen was reisolated from the symptomatic leaves and confirmed as C. fructicola based on molecular and morphological methods, fulfilling Koch's hypothesis. C. fructicola has been reported in various ornamental plants (Silva-Cabral et al. 2019, Guarnaccia et al. 2021, Sun et al. 2020). This is the first report of C. fructicola causing anthracnose on C. indica in China, according to literature analysis. The findings will help growers to prevent and control this pathogen, and improve the landscape effect.

Morphological Characterization, Polyphenolic Profile, and Bioactive Properties of Limoncella, an Ancient Mediterranean Variety of Sweet Citrus.

Limoncella of Mattinata, a rare and ancient Mediterranean citrus fruit, was investigated by sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions, which assigns it as a variety of Citrus medica L. Morphological, chemical, and biomolecular approaches, including light and electron microscopy, HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays, were used to characterize the flavedo and albedo parts, usually rich in bioactive compounds. The morphological findings showed albedo and flavedo cellular structures as "reservoirs" of nutritional components. Both albedo and flavedo hydroalcoholic extracts were rich in polyphenols, but they were different in compounds and quantity. The flavedo is rich in p-coumaric acid and rutin, whereas the albedo contains high levels of hesperidin and quercitrin. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and genoprotective effects for albedo and flavedo were found. The results confirmed the health properties of flavedo and highlighted that albedo is also a rich source of antioxidants. Moreover, this study valorizes Limoncella of Mattinata's nutritional properties, cueing its crops' repopulation.

Structural and morphological studies of g-C3N4-functionalized MWCNTs nanocomposite for sunlight-responsive photocatalytic activity

Photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants has been proven to be one of the greatest economical and efficient techniques to address environmental pollution problems. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/g-C3N4 (GCN) nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal process aided by ultrasound to produce active photocatalysts. The effective synthesis of GCN, MWCNTs, and MWCNTs/GCN NCs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The fabrication of GCN nanosheets (NSs), the nanotubular structure of MWCNTs, and a network of neuron-like structures for MWCNTs/GCN NCs were all revealed by structural and morphological characterization. The elemental mapping of NCs containing the suitable quantity of MWCNTs revealed a uniform distribution of the sample's component elements. When the optical properties of the fabricated nanomaterials were examined by employing UV–visible spectroscopy, the results revealed a blue shift (a shift of maximum absorption to the UV region), which suggests that the addition of MWCNTs increased the band-gap energy. The behaviour of e––h+ pair recombination was revealed by measuring the charge carrier movement and trapping efficiency using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Crystal violet (CV) dye was photocatalytically degraded using prepared NCs in the presence of sunlight, and the synergistic effects of GCN and MWCNTs were examined. With a degradation efficiency of 99.32 %, MWCNTs/GCN NCs demonstrated the best sunlight-irradiated photocatalytic activity for CV degradation. The degradation of CV was discovered to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. Throughout five consecutive studies, the NCs demonstrated the highest levels of catalytic efficiency and recyclability, with 5 % reduced degrading activities. The trapping tests showed that the primary reactive species involved in the breakdown of CV were the •O2– and •OH radicals.

Twisted Structure Induced Solid-State Fluorescence and Room-Temperature Phosphorescence from Furan-Based Carbon Dots.

Boron doping can effectively induce solid-state fluorescence (SSF) in carbon dots (CDs); however, research on the intrinsic mechanism underlying this phenomenon is lacking. Herein, a design strategy for boron-doped furan-based CDs is proposed, CDs with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties are synthesized, and the mechanism by which boron atom dopants induces SSF and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is elucidated. The morphology and structural characterization of the CDs indicate that boron doping leads to structural twisting of the CDs. The AIE phenomenon of CDs arises from the inhibition of the twisted structure motions and a reduction in the nonradiative relaxation rate during the aggregation process. In addition, CDs with twisted structures exhibit a smaller overlap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), effectively reducing the singlet-triplet splitting energy (ΔEST). CDs embedded in microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) exhibit green RTP because the nonradiative transitions are suppressed, and the excited triplet species remain stable. For the first time, this study reveals the structure-activity relationship between the twisted structure and optical properties of CDs, providing a new approach for the preparation of solid-state light-emitting CDs.