Pale Color Research Articles

Facial appearance associates with longitudinal multi-organ failure: an ICU cohort study

BackgroundFacial appearance, whether consciously or subconsciously assessed, may affect clinical assessment and treatment strategies in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Nevertheless, the association between objective clinical measurement of facial appearance and multi-organ failure is currently unknown. The objective of this study was to examine whether facial appearance at admission is associated with longitudinal evaluation of multi-organ failure.MethodsThis was a sub-study of the Simple Intensive Care Studies-II, a prospective observational cohort study. All adult patients acutely admitted to the ICU between March 26, 2019, and July 10, 2019, were included. Facial appearance was assessed within three hours of ICU admission using predefined pictograms. The SOFA score was serially measured each day for the first seven days after ICU admission. The association between the extent of eye-opening and facial skin colour with longitudinal Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores was investigated using generalized estimation equations.ResultsSOFA scores were measured in 228 patients. Facial appearance scored by the extent of eye-opening was associated with a higher SOFA score at admission and follow-up (unadjusted 0.7 points per step (95%CI 0.5 to 0.9)). There was no association between facial skin colour and a worse SOFA score over time. However, patients with half-open or closed eyes along with flushed skin had a lower SOFA score than patients with a pale or normal facial skin colour (P-interaction < 0.1).ConclusionsThe scoring of patients’ facial cues, primarily the extent of eye-opening and facial colour, provided valuable insights into the disease state and progression of the disease of critically ill patients. The utilization of advanced monitoring techniques that incorporate facial appearance holds promise for enhancing future intensive care support.

Development of Intelligent Indicators Based on Cellulose and Prunus domestica Extracted Anthocyanins for Monitoring the Freshness of Packaged Chicken.

Meat is a widely consumed food globally; however, variations in storage conditions along its supply chain can pose a potential food safety risk for consumers. Addressing this concern, we have developed freshness indicators designed to monitor the condition of packaged chicken. In this study, anthocyanins were infused with cellulose paper measuring 2 × 2 cm, and subsequent analysis focused on examining color changes concerning deteriorating chicken stored at 30°C for 48 h, with varying sample sizes being considered. The rise in total volatile nitrogen (TVB-N) compounds from an initial value of 3.64 ± 0.39 mg/100 g to 28.17 ± 1.46 mg/100 g acted as the stimulus for the color change in the indicator, simultaneously influencing the pH from the initial 7.03 ± 0.16 to 8.12 ± 0.39. The microbial load (aerobic plate count) of the chicken samples was also significantly increased. This collective shift in various parameters strongly suggests the occurrence of spoilage in chicken meat. The pH indicators exhibited a dark pink to red color for fresh chicken. As the chicken meat turned towards spoilage, the indicators changed to a dark blue and then a pale green color. FTIR spectroscopy results confirmed the presence of cellulose and anthocyanins. The FTIR analysis also validated the immobilization of plum anthocyanins within the cellulose paper and assessed their stability after 8 months of storage. Notably, the indicators demonstrated rapid sensitivity, showing a 20.5% response within one minute of ammonia exposure, which further increased to 29.5% after 3 min of exposure. The total color difference (ΔE) steadily rose in all the examined samples and also under various storage conditions. Overall, the indicators developed in this study exhibited a highly pronounced color transition, capable of distinguishing between fresh and spoiled chicken samples depending on the extent of spoilage and the specific day of observation.

Toxicity Assessment of Various Insecticides on Oxycarenus Hyalinipennis Costa (Lygaeidae: Hemiptera) in Laboratory Settings across Various Districts of Punjab, Pakistan

Cotton contributes 0.6% to the value added in GDP and 3.1% to the value added in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. The dusky cotton bug (DCB), Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), is among the insect pest species of highest economic significance in cotton production in the country. Adults and nymphs feed on seeds and cotton bolls, affecting seed germination. The dusky cotton bug is a polyphagous insect that feeds on a variety of host plants. Its adults and nymphs typically feed on squares of the cotton plant, resulting in a pale yellow color of squares and subsequent shedding of infested squares. Insecticide resistance in cotton insect pests is an emerging threat to sustainable cotton production in Pakistan. A thorough understanding of resistance might be a valuable tool for implementing pest control approaches. In the present study, Clothianidin, Fipronil, Bifenthrin, Triazhophos, Deltamethrin, and Clothianidin + Imidacloprid insecticides were used in different cotton-growing districts of Punjab. Among all the insecticides used for controlling the DCB population, Clothianidin + Imidacloprid was found to be the most effective in all districts, while Deltamethrin was the least effective in District Khanewal, Bifenthrin in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, and Vehari, and Clothainidin in Multan. Therefore, we recommend the use of a pesticide mixture (Clothianidin + Imidacloprid) as a beneficial strategy against the dusky cotton bug in various cotton-growing districts of Punjab.

Identification of potato varieties suitable for cold storage and reconditioning: A safer alternative to anti-sprouting chemicals for potato sprouting control

Low temperature storage as an alternative to anti-sprouting chemicals in potato storage may induce reducing sugars (RS) accumulation (i.e. glucose and fructose) in potato tubers. This phenomenon is called “cold induced sweetening” (CIS) and occurs in certain varieties. CIS leads to a decrease in the organoleptic qualities and darkening of processed potato and the accumulation of toxic molecules such as acrylamide. To identify potato varieties suitable for storage at low temperatures, we screened six commercial processing varieties: Lady Claire (LC), Verdi, Kiebitz (KB), Pirol, Agria and Markies for their CIS characteristics and sprout-forming potential after storage at 4 °C and 8 °C. Our findings reveal that 4 °C storage allows for efficient sprout reduction in all six tested varieties for up to 4.5 months of storage. Three CIS-resistant varieties, namely Verdi, Lady Claire and Kiebitz, were identified as able to be stored for up to four months at 4 °C with limited increase in glucose content. Conversely, Pirol, Agria and Markies showed an increase in glucose content with a decrease in storage temperature and can be considered as CIS-susceptible varieties. After processing into crisps, the CIS-susceptible varieties displayed poor crisp color quality (brown to black color crisps) after storage for two months at 4 °C compared to the storage at 8 °C, whereas the CIS-resistant varieties had good crisp color quality (pale yellow color crisps) after storage at both 4 and 8 °C. Interestingly, the trends of total RS and/or glucose content in the CIS-resistant and in the CIS-susceptible varieties were correlated with the trends in Vacuolar Invertase (VInv) gene expression for most varieties, as well as with the trends in acrylamide content after processing. In addition, reconditioning of Markies variety after storage at 4 °C by gradually increasing the temperature to 15 °C resulted in a significant decrease of VInv transcript levels (reduction of 80 %), acrylamide content (reduction of 75 %) and glucose content when compared to a storage at 4 °C without reconditioning. Those results demonstrate that the reconditioning technique is a key factor for a sustainable potato storage and for improving the quality of processed potatoes.

Identification Test of Medicinal Chemicals (BKO) in Uric Acid Herbal Preparations Circulating in Bantaeng District Using the Densitometric KLT Method

Medicinal Chemicals (BKO) in herbal medicine will be bad for health. Some of the BKOs commonly added to uric acid herbs such as piroxicam, piroxicam is a drug used for the treatment of gout. But the reality is that in the market there are still many that contain BKO. Added medicinal chemicals can have harmful side effects for consumers. In this study, the identification of piroxicam in uric acid herbal medicine has been carried out. Identification was carried out by preliminary tests in the form of organoleptic / macroscopic and microscopic tests. Qualitative test in the form of thin layer chromatography (KLT), and quantitative test in the form of densitometry. The organoleptic test results showed that the samples had powder and capsule dosage forms with dark ash, white, yellow and pale yellow colors. It has a bitter taste and aromatic odor. Microscopic test results showed plant fragments from each ingredient contained in the composition of slimming herbs. In the KLT test with the mobile phase acetone: chlorophom: n-hexan (7: 2: 1) obtained the Rf value of piroxicam comparator which is 0.8. Analysis of the five samples showed the same Rf value as the piroxicam comparator. Densitometry test on the samples showed that samples 1, 2 and 4 were positive for piroxicam.

ENHANCING THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SHELF LIFE OF RICE WATER (ORYZA SATIVA L.) GEL SHAMPOO: THE ROLE OF PROPYLENE GLYCOL CONCENTRATION

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of variations in propylene glycol concentration on the physical properties and physical stability of rice water shampoo gel and the physical strength of rice water shampoo gel preparation. Methods: The active ingredient was rice water, which was prepared by washing rice with water at the proportion of 1:1. The rice water then was applied to HPMC K4M-based gel preparations and further designed to prepare shampoo gel with varying concentrations of propylene glycol 8%, 10%, and 12%. The rice water shampoo gel was evaluated for its organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, spreadability, flowability test, softness test, and physical stability test. Results: The results of the physical properties test on the three formulas produced an organoleptic clear pale yellow color, lemon odor, and semi-solid shape. The pH test results obtained by F1 was 7.24±0.08, F2 was 5.89±0.01, and F3 was 6.02±0.01. The viscosity test results obtained by F1 amounted to 2082±80.07 cP, F2 amounted to 4987±883.88 cP, and F3 amounted to 6531±232.79 cP. The foam height test results obtained by F1 amounted to 4.6±2.11 cm, F2 amounted to 1.46±0.05 cm, and F3 amounted to 1.7±0.17 cm. Variations in propylene glycol levels affect the physical properties of shampoo gel preparations at pH, viscosity, and foam height but do not affect the organoleptic practice. The stability test that was conducted at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 with varying levels of propylene glycol showed significant changes on viscosity and foam height stability. Conclusion: Variations in the concentrations of propylene glycol in the three formulations affect the physical but have no effects on the pH stability of the rice water shampoo gel preparation.

Green synthesis of silane-assisted fluorescent carbon dots based on sanding dusts and its application in flame-retardant and anti-leaching wood materials

Novel silane-assisted flame-retardant carbon dots (FR-CDs) were synthesized via the hydrothermal carbonization strategy using recycled wood sanding dusts, tris(hydroxymethyl) phosphine oxide (THPO), phosphoric acid (PA), and amino-silane as precursors. The highly transparent FR-CDs suspension appears pale yellow color under daylight and exhibits a strong fluorescence response to light excitations, which helps to keep the original color of the wood and also has broad application prospects for monitoring the leaching behavior of FR-wood. The as-prepared FR-CDs can be applied in FR-wood materials using the facile dipping process owing to their tiny nanoparticles, uniform dispersion, and numerous nitrogen–phosphorus groups. In the flame test, the FR-CDs treated wood composites emitted little smoke initially and maintained primary carbon layer that did not catch fire for over 180 s. The flame-retardancy of the FR-wood materials was confirmed by the thermo-analysis, limiting oxygen index, exposure to a high heat flux (50 kW/cm2), and the propane blowtorch tests (∼600 °C). Moreover, the formation mechanism of the silane-assisted FR-CDs during hydrothermal process and the FR-wood materials with dipping method was proposed. This study provides a facile and efficient strategy for developing highly transparent and cheap flame retardants for the wood materials, which could expand the application of the wood sanding dusts and the silane-assisted carbon-based nanomaterials in the design of anti-leaching flame-retardant materials.

Sensitivity of commercial rapid test kit to pork contamination in processed foods

Guaranteeing halal products has now become a necessity, especially for food products. This is intended to ensure that the food produced is not contaminated with non-halal ingredients, including pork. Pork contamination in processed meat foods such as meatballs is still often found. Various tests can be done to detect the presence of pork in processed foods. One of them is a rapid test using the LFIA method. This test is widely used because it is more efficient, economical, and easy to prepare samples. A rapid pork contamination test kit (XEMA) has been circulating in Indonesia. In the research, the sensitivity of this rapid test kit was tested on processed meat foods with various concentrations of pork and variations in the main ingredients. The color test shows that the simulated samples of beef meatballs without added pork are dark greyish white, as are the simulated samples with concentrations of 1% and 10%. Meanwhile, samples with concentrations of 20% and 40% have a paler color. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in the variation in pork concentration in meatballs with the main ingredients of chicken and fish. For smell and texture, there were no significant differences in the simulated samples, both the control and samples with varying concentrations. From testing, it is known that the test kit can detect the presence of pork up to a concentration of 10% in samples, with the main ingredients being beef, chicken, or fish. These results indicate that this rapid test kit can well detect pork contamination in processed food samples.

Anti-dengue potential and mosquitocidal effect of marine green algae-stabilized Mn-doped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Mn-SPIONs): an eco-friendly approach.

Vector-borne diseases pose a significant public health challenge in economically disadvantaged nations. Malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and lymphatic filariasis are spread by mosquitoes. Consequently, the most effective method of preventing these diseases is to eliminate the mosquito population. Historically, the majority of control programs have depended on chemical pesticides, including organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. Synthetic insecticides used to eradicate pests have the potential to contaminate groundwater, surface water, beneficial soil organisms, and non-target species. Nanotechnology is an innovative technology that has the potential to be used in insect control with great precision. The goal of this study was to test the in vitro anti-dengue potential and mosquitocidal activity of Chaetomorpha aerea and C. aerea-synthesized Mn-doped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (CA-Mn-SPIONs). The synthesis of CA-Mn-SPIONs using C. aerea extract was verified by the observable alteration in the colour of the reaction mixture, transitioning from a pale green colour to a brown. The study of UV-Vis spectra revealed absorbance peaks at approximately 290nm, which can be attributed to the surface Plasmon resonance of the CA-Mn-SPIONs. The SEM, TEM, EDX, FTIR, vibrating sample magnetometry, and XRD analyses provided evidence that confirmed the presence of CA-Mn-SPIONs. In the present study, results revealed that C. aerea aqueous extract LC50 values against Ae. aegypti ranged from 222.942 (first instar larvae) to 349.877ppm in bioassays (pupae). CA-Mn-SPIONs had LC50 ranging from 20.199 (first instar larvae) to 26.918ppm (pupae). After treatment with 40ppm CA-Mn-SPIONs and 500ppm C. aerea extract in ovicidal tests, egg hatchability was lowered by 100%. Oviposition deterrence experiments showed that in Ae. aegypti, oviposition rates were lowered by more than 66% by 100ppm of green algal extract and by more than 71% by 10ppm of CA-Mn-SPIONs (oviposition activity index values were 0.50 and 0.55, respectively). Moreover, in vitro anti-dengue activity of CA-Mn-SPIONs has good anti-viral property against dengue viral cell lines. In addition, GC-MS analysis showed that 21 intriguing chemicals were discovered. Two significant phytoconstituents in the methanol extract of C. aerea include butanoic acid and palmitic acid. These two substances were examined using an in silico methodology against the NS5 methyltransferase protein and demonstrated good glide scores and binding affinities. Finally, we looked into the morphological damage and fluorescent emission of third instar Ae. aegypti larvae treated with CA-Mn-SPIONs. Fluorescent emission is consistent with ROS formation of CA-Mn-SPIONs against Ae. aegypti larvae. The present study determines that the key variables for the successful development of new insecticidal agents are rooted in the eco-compatibility and the provision of alternative tool for the pesticide manufacturing sector.

A new genus and species of a submarine cave crab of the family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Grapsoidea) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan.

Caligoplagusia okinawa n. gen. & n. sp., assigned to the brachyuran family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 is described on the basis of a male and a female specimens collected from a semi-submerged marine cave on the limestone shore of Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. The new monotypic genus is most similar to Euchirograpsus H. Milne Edwards, 1853 and Miersiograpsus Trkay, 1978 in that the frontal margin lacks a deep sublateral cleft adjacent to the orbit, but differs significantly by its subhexagonal carapace shape, the anterolateral margin of the carapace with three teeth including the external orbital tooth, the anterior margin of ambulatory meri each armed with a row of large teeth, and the greatly reduced eyes. The pale body colour, reduced eyes, the very elongate antennal flagellum, and long ambulatory legs are all typical brachyuran adaptations to living in cave environments. This is the first cave-dwelling species of the family Plagusiidae.

Chemical Profiling and Industrial Viability of Neem Seed Oil: A Comprehensive Study for Sustainable Biodiesel Production

The study explores the chemical composition of neem seed oil, highlighting its potential for commercial biodiesel production and various industrial applications. The oil, with a liquid state, pale greenish-yellow color, and pleasant odor, yielded 32.1%, surpassing industrially extracted oils like soybean and cottonseed. Factors influencing its composition include seasonal variations, geographical origin, genetic disparities, growth stages, plant segments, and postharvest processing. Despite these, neem seeds meet the required oil content percentage for large-scale industrial biodiesel production. However, challenges like high free fatty acid content and elevated acid values necessitate acid esterification before alkaline transesterification, potentially increasing production costs. The study also highlights the importance of appropriate seed processing practices to optimize oil yield and quality.

First report of root rot in Trichosanthes kirilowii (Chinese cucumber) caused by Fusarium sulawesiense in China.

Trichosanthes kirilowii (Chinese cucumber) is one of the important perennial herbaceous vines in China, with putative pharmacological activities including anti-tumor and lowering blood lipids. In July 2022, T. kirilowii plants with brownish roots and chlorotic leaves were observed in several orchards in Qianshan, Anhui province, China (30°34'N, 116° 30'E). The disease incidence reached approximately 10% within an area spanning 20 ha, and was higher in poorly drained orchards. To investigate this root rot disease, five symptomatic plants were collected from the diseased orchards in Qianshan. Subsequently, small sections of the diseased roots were surface sterilized using 1% sodium hypochlorite and 75% ethanol for 45 seconds each. Then, sterilized roots were placed onto PDA (20% diced potato, 2% glucose, and 1.5% agar, and distilled water) and incubated at 28℃ in the dark for 6 days. A total of eight isolates with similar morphology were obtained and purified by single spore culturing. Two representative isolates (QSJ4 and QSJ5) were chosen for further analysis. When grown on PDA, the surface of each colony was white with dense aerial mycelium and pale orange color in the center with a white edge on the reverse side. Macroconidia produced on carnation leaf agar plates were falcate, slightly curved, and 3 to 5 septate, with papillate apical cells and indistinct basal cells. Macroconidia were 17.4-42.3 × 2.4-5.8 μm (n = 100). Microconidia were ellipsoidal in shape, slightly curved or not curved, and most were 1-septate, 9.6-16.7 × 1.5-3.8 μm (n = 40). The identity was determined by sequencing four loci (i. e., ITS, CAL, EF1-α and RPB2) from two representative isolates (Liu et al. 1999; O'Donnell et al. 1998, 2000; Reeb et al. 2004; White et al. 1990). Sequences were deposited in GenBank [ITS (OR267397, OR267398), CAL (OR296634, OR296635), EF1-α (OR296637, OR296638) and RPB2 (OR296640, OR296641)]. A phylogenetic analysis was performed with three loci (CAL, EF1-α, RPB2) comprising a concatenated dataset of 68 strains in the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (Han et al., 2023). The results showed that isolates QSJ4 and QSJ5 clustered closely together with reference strains of F. sulawesiense. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating three-week-old healthy T. kirilowii seedings (cv. Wanlou No. 9) cultivated in substrate soil in pots with a diameter of 17 cm and a height of 10.5 cm. A 20 mL aliquot of spore suspension (106 conidia/mL) of F. sulawesiense was inoculated to the roots of potted seedlings by irrigation. Each strain was inoculated onto three seedlings. The potted seedlings were inoculated with sterile water as the negative control. Inoculated seedlings were incubated in a growth chamber at 25℃ and 75% relative humidity. After one week, typical symptoms of root necrosis and leaf chlorosis were observed on the inoculated seedlings. Disease symptoms were not observed on the control seedlings. All seedlings showing root necrosis and leaf chlorosis caused by the inoculations were subjected to fungal isolation, and the results showed that the reisolated colonies matched the inoculated ones for morphologies and ITS sequences. Fusarium sulawesiense has been previously reported to cause disease on Cucumis melo L. in Brazil (Medeiros Araujo et al. 2021), Musa acuminata Colla in south Sulawesi (Maryani et al. 2019), Luffa aegyptiaca Miller and Musa nana Lour. in China (Wang et al. 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. sulawesiense causing Fusarium root rot of T. kirilowii in China.

Clinical characteristics of intradermal nevus in the external auditory canal.

Melanocytic nevus occurring in the external auditory canal (EAC) is uncommon. Therefore, in the absence of sufficient clinical experience, this disease may be challenging to be suspected even with a physical examination. Herein, clinical and demographic features of intradermal nevus in the EAC were investigated. Patients with an intradermal nevus on histopathological examination (n = 15; 2 men and 13 women; P = .005) were included from a pool of patients who underwent surgical resection for EAC tumors between November 2011 and March 2022. Data were retrospectively collected on their sex, appearance of the lesions, surgical method, and outcomes. Nine patients had a dome shape and 6 patients had a papillomatous shape. Ten patients had dark colors and 5 patients had pale colors. All pale colors appeared only in the dome-shaped nevus, and only dark colored papillomatous nevi were observed. A significant difference was noted in terms of the frequency of occurrence by colors (dark or pale) according to shape (dome or papillomatous) (P = .044). No patient showed recurrence or EAC stenosis after circumferential excision. In women, a dome-shaped or papillomatous mass with dark color in the EAC may likely be predicted as the nevus. However, it can also occur in men, and even if it is a pale color, in the case of a dome shape, taking the nevus into account is important. Moreover, successful treatment outcomes were achieved through circumferential excision.

Product Development and Market Acceptability of Lemon Grass Bottled Tea (Cymbopogon citratus)

Lemongrass grows abundantly in Compostela, Davao de Oro, thriving with proper drainage and adequate sunlight. Traditionally used as an herbal tea, its pale light-yellow color may not be appealing, locally produced packaging is unavailable, and its commercialization in the province of Davao de Oro is limited. This study aimed to increase the market competitiveness of lemongrass bottled tea by adding calamansi and honey flavors from locally available agricultural produce and packaging them in polyethylene plastic bottles. The research determined the most acceptable honey and calamansi-flavored lemongrass bottled tea in terms of (a) sensory qualities and (b) formulation or percentage of honey and calamansi. Sensory evaluation involving two hundred consumer-type panelists assessed the sensory qualities and acceptability of the lemongrass bottled tea formulations. Modes and means were used to interpret the results of the sensory evaluation. ANOVA with repeated measures determined if significant differences existed among samples. The most acceptable product formulation was compared with similar products currently offered in the marketplace. Results showed no significant difference with similar products and revealed the potential marketability of honey and calamansi-flavored lemongrass bottled tea.

Colorimetric differentiation of arsenite and arsenate anions using a bithiophene sensor with two binding sites: DFT studies and application in food and water samples.

Chemosensor N7R1 with two acidic binding sites was synthesized, and the ability of the sensor to differentiate arsenite and arsenate in the organo-aqueous medium was evaluated using colorimetric sensing methods. N7R1 distinguished arsenite with a peacock blue color and arsenate with a pale green color in a DMSO/H2O (9 : 1, v/v) solvent mixture. The specific selectivity for arsenite was achieved in DMSO/H2O (7 : 3, v/v). The sensor demonstrated stability over a pH range of 5 to 12. The computed high binding constant of 9.3176 × 1011 M-2 and a lower detection limit of 11.48 ppb for arsenite exposed the chemosensor's higher potential for arsenite detection. The binding mechanism with a 1 : 2 binding process is confirmed using UV-Vis and 1H NMR titrations, electrochemical studies, mass spectral analysis and DFT calculations. Practical applications were demonstrated by utilizing test strips and molecular logic gates. Chemosensor N7R1 successfully detected arsenite in real water samples, as well as honey and milk samples.

First report of Fusarium solani causing Fusarium wilt of Bletilla striata (hyacinth orchid) in Zhejiang province of China.

Bletilla striata, a member of the family Orchidaceae, is a perennial herbaceous plant used in Chinese medicine. It is a commonly cultivated economic crop in the Yangtze River Basin provinces of China, as its roots are used to treat bleeding and inflammation. In Zhejiang province, Bletilla striata has a planting area of 1400 hectares with a total production of approximately 2.6×106 kg. In October 2021, over 40% of B. striata plants showed severe wilt in a traditional Chinese medicine plantation (ca. 10 ha) in Xianju City, Zhejiang Province, China. In July, leaf curling, crinkling, and leaf-edge browning of the diseased plants were first noticed in the field. Then, necrotic streaks gradually spread to the roots. Stems displayed chlorosis and withering and when they were cut vertically, symptoms such as vascular bundle discoloration, appeared. After October, the individual plants slowly wilted and died, their aboveground parts became filamentous, and the epidermis detached from the corm's fibrous roots. Diseased plants were easily removed as the corm root had fractured. White mycelia were clearly seen in the stem. Three symptomatic leaves and three stems were cut, their surfaces disinfected, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Six strains were subsequently isolated from all samples. Fungal colonies with white to cream-colored mycelia from all tissues appeared after 3 d of incubation at 26 °C. Pure cultures obtained after monospore isolation were examined for their morphological characteristics. The colonies grew rapidly, were fluffy and appressed, and had cottony white to pale cream coloration. Microconidia were hyaline, oval to reniform, with zero or one-septate (4.0-12.0 × 1.0-5.5 µm), and usually formed on elongated monophialidic conidiogenous cells. Macroconidia were wide, fusiform, or slightly curved with one or three septa (23.0-36.0 × 4.5-7.0 μm). Chlamydospores were spherical and were abundant on carrot agar (CA) medium within 2 wk. Fresh mycelia and conidia that grew at 26 ℃ for 7 d were collected from PDA plates. Next, DNA was extracted using the Ezup Column Fungi Genomic DNA Purification kit (Sangon Biotech, Shanghai, China). We amplified a portion of RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (RPB2) using primers 5f2/7cr (O'Donnell et al. 2010), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using primers ITS1F/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), and the partial translation elongation factor-1α gene using primers EF1/ EF2 (O'Donnell et al. 1998) from the genomic DNA and sent the PCR amplicons for sequencing at Tsingke Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China. A BLAST search of the obtained sequences (GenBank accessions OP743920, OP913183, and OP913180) showed 99-100% homology with the respective sequences of the Fusarium solani reference isolate NRRL46702 (O'Donnell et al. 2008). Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics and BLAST search, the fungus was identified as F. solani (Leslie and Summerell 2006). Pathogenicity of the purified F. solani isolate was assessed by inoculateing a F. solani spore suspension of 1×106 conidia/mL (20 mL per seedling) on corm wounds made with a toothpick. Four inoculated and three non-inoculated seedlings (sterilized water as a negative control) were grown in a greenhouse at 26 °C under natural sunlight and covered with plastic bags to maintain humidity for 72 h. After 15 d, leaf browning on leaf edges, new leaf bases, and corm epidermis was observed. Symptoms, similar to those detected in the original sample, developed on the inoculated leaves, whereas the controls remained asymptomatic. Fusarium solani was successfully re-isolated from all four inoculated seedlings, and their identity confirmed by generating partial Tef1 and RPB2 sequences, thereby fulfilling the Koch's postulate. To our knowledge, F. solani has not been previously reported as a pathogen of B. striata.

Biofabrication of Nanosilver From Punica granatum Peel Extract and Their Anticoagulant Applications.

For utilizing biodegradable waste as a natural source for nanofabrication, this study was designed to highlight a simple, sustainable, safe, environmentally friendly, and energy consumption reduction waste management approach using hot aqueous extract of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel waste (PPE) to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (PPE-AgNPs). The fabrication of biosynthesized nanosilver was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscope (AFM). The initial pale brown color change upon adding silver nitrate to PPE confirmed bioreduction. For PPE, the absorption spectrum for UV-vis spectroscopy in the visible light region was 230-290 nm, while for PPE-AgNPs, the graph shows that surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrum for nanosilver at 360-460 nm. The XRD analysis proved that the PPE-AgNPs were crystalline in nature. The SEM micrograph revealed that silver nanoparticles were sphere-shaped, homogenous accumulations with particle size in the range of 21.63-30.97 ± 0.4 nm. The EDX data analysis also proved the presence of a sharp peak of silver element with 8.83% weight at 3 keV. The 3D AFM images of Ag nanoparticles illustrated that the diameter is around 7.20-14.80 nm with a median of 7.16 ± 1.3 nm and the root mean square (RMS) value corresponds to 1.40 ± 0.4 nm. The PPE-AgNPs efficiently exhibited a potent antioxidant and dose-dependent DPPH inhibition action. Visual and microscopic observations of fresh human blood when treated with 25, 50, 75, and 100 μg/mL of PPE-AgNPs were proven to be biocompatible with no morphological changes and no coagulation. This study predicts that PPE can be utilized to synthesize biocompatible nanosilver.

Formaldehyde Adulteration in Meatball is Still Prevalent, and it is Hard to Identify Only from its Physical Properties

Human carcinogenic compound formaldehyde (alternative name, formalin) adulteration in food is inappropriate and illegal. However, its simple and cheap procedure in giving desired food preservation effect becomes the factor of its prevalence in Indonesian community. Our current study focuses on the usage of formaldehyde in meatball products which are sold in bulk without refrigeration in traditional market set up. Eighty different packages of meatballs were collected following accidental sampling method from small groceries in Tembalang, Semarang, Central Java in 2019. Samples were characterized for their formaldehyde content (AOAC 931.08), total plate count, moisture and organoleptic properties. Formaldehyde was found in 1 sample at the level of 176.2 ppm. Whereby, it was among only 4 % of samples that met the maximum microbial limit of 5 log CFU/g. The particular sample was characterized by pale color, rather slimy surface, chewy and weak meatball aroma. Note, this characteristic is not unique and is shared by several other samples. Therefore, this study brings an update that formaldehyde adulteration is still prevalent. The adulterated product has hardly distinctive sensorial properties which make self-evaluation difficult, thus exposing consumers to potential food safety risks.

Thalloidima squamatum comb. nov. - a distinct and common but overlooked lichen in Europe

The new combination Thalloidima squamatum is proposed for a morphologically and phylogenetically distinct species, until now included within the variation of T. sedifolium. Compared to T. sedifolium, the species is characterized by its larger squamules and apothecia, shorter ascospores, the pale color of the excipulum, and its habitat growing on moss cushions over calcareous rock or directly on rock rather than on soil. Most of the material studied originates from Norway and Sweden, but specimens are also reported from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greenland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Scotland and Switzerland.

Improvement of the process of dying of wool with natural dyes

This article describes the process of dyeing bleached wool fibers with natural dyes using aluminum, iron and copper salts as a mordant (the coloristic features of the cinnabar dyeing process are studied). The staining process was carried out in three different sequences: pre-treatment with mordants, then staining in a natural dye solution (I); one-bath dyeing in a solution of dye and mordant (II); dyeing in a solution of natural dye, followed by treatment with mordants (III). The influence of the staining sequence on the quality of staining was evaluated by data determined under standard illumination D65 on a laboratory colorimeter. The article shows the dependence of the processes of dyeing wool with natural dyes Madder (Rubia tinctorum L.), Turmeric (Cúrcuma lónga) and Carmine (Minium - cinnabar) on the presence and place of pickling salts in the technological wiring. Madder dye itself gives a golden color, and in the presence of copper sulfate and iron gives a pale brown color, and potassium dichromate gives a bright saturated red color. When dyeing wool with Carmine dye in the presence of iron and copper salts as mordants, carmine wool gives 1.5-2.5 times more intense dark red colors, depending on the dyeing method, than when dyed without salts. The dependence of the color intensity on the pH of the medium has been studied, taking into account the fact that the pH of the dyeing process affects the strength and color parameters of the colors obtained on wool fiber with natural dyes. An IR spectral analysis of samples dyed with the studied dyes was carried out in comparison with undyed wool fiber to identify the nature of the occurrence of bonds between wool fiber and natural dyes.