Molecular basis of camphor repellency in Hyphantria cunea.

The plant-derived camphor has been used as a natural insect repellent against various insects for >500 years. However, the repellency mechanism behind camphor remains less understood. In this study, we aimed to identify the camphor receptor in Hyphantria cunea by deorphanizing 7 odorant receptors (ORs). The results showed that HcunOR46 is narrowly tuned to Camphor and is only conserved within the family Noctuidae. Further analysis through behavioral and electroantennograms (EAG) assays indicated that H. cunea adults are more sensitive to camphor than larvae, both behaviorally and electrophysiologically. This difference may be due to the lower expression of HcunOR46 at the larval stage. Additionally, a feeding assay indicated that camphor repellency could be related to camphor toxicity to larvae, with the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) value of 69.713 µg/µL. These results suggest that H. cunea may detect camphor through a distinct olfactory pathway from Culicinae mosquitos, providing a novel camphor-based pest management strategy for H. cunea.

A Novel High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Camphor Determination and Application in Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Development and Validation.

A novel high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with 4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde as an internal standard was developed for the determination of Camphor with the main goal of facilitating the analysis of different cosmetic and pharmaceutical products that contain Camphor in analytical laboratories. The method can be applied to cosmetic and pharmaceutical samples such as gels, ointments, and creams containing Camphor. Chromatographic separation was carried out on the Symmetry® C18, 5 µm column (Waters), 250 × 4.6 equipped with guard column E, InertSustain C18, 5 µm, while using the flow of 1.4 mL/min, with a column temperature of 25 °C. The mobile phase consisted of 600 mL of acetonitrile, 400 mL of purified water, and 6 mL of glacial acetic acid. The method was evaluated in accordance with ICH Q2 (R2) guidelines for validation parameters: selectivity, linearity (range 0.10-3.00 mg/mL), the limit of detection (LOD = 0.028 mg/mL), the limit of quantification (LOQ = 0.085 mg/mL), accuracy (confidence intervals < 0.05%), repeatability (peak area ratio = 0.39-1.97), and intermediate precision (peak area ratio = 0.40-1.98). The method is applicable for detecting and quantifying Camphor in a variety of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products from different parts of the world, thus covering the concentrations required by different law legislations.

Camphor poisoning in an adult: Seizures manifesting as 'mis-purposed' drug effect.

Camphor, a common aromatic hydrocarbon, is known to be potentially hazardous due to its acute harmful effects primarily on the central nervous system. Contrastingly, camphor is an integral component of various indigenous medicinal potions owing to its medicinal value. Camphor neurotoxicity has been reported in children. However, accidental or voluntary ingestion in adults is rare. We report a patient with voluntary ingestion of camphor, in a relatively large dose for alleviation of a medical condition.

Novel lignin α-O-4 derived hydrogen donors in CQ-based photoinitiating systems for dental resins.

The purpose of this work is to explore the properties of the lignin-derived amine-free photoinitiating systems (PISs) during the curing process. Four novel hydrogen donors (HD1, HD2, HD3, and HD4) derived from lignin α-O-4 structural were designed and synthesized by simple methods, and their low C-H bond dissociation energies on methylene were determined by molecular orbitals theory. Four experimental groups using CQ (camphorquinone)/HD PIs formulated with Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (70 w%/30 w%) were compared to CQ/EDB (ethyl 4-dimethylamino benzoate) system. The photopolymerization profiles and double bond conversion rate was tracked by FTIR experiments; the color bleaching ability of the samples and color aging test assay were performed using color indexes measurements; The cytotoxicity of the samples was also compared to EDB related systems. All of the experimental groups with new HDs were compared to the control group with EDB by statistical analysis. Compared to CQ/EDB system, new lignin-derived hydrogen donors combined with CQ showed comparable or even better performances in polymerization initiation to form resin samples, under a blue dental LED in air. Excellent color bleaching property was observed with the new HDs. Aging tests and cytotoxicity examination of the resin were performed, indicating the new lignin compounds to be efficient hydrogen donors for amine-free CQ-based photo-initiating system. Novel lignin α-O-4 derived hydrogen donors are promising for further usage in light-curing materials.

Randomized placebo controlled trial of phytoterpenes in DMSO for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults with an overall prevalence of 0.85% in the adult population of the US, affecting over 2 million adults annually. Most current treatment modalities are not supported by sufficient evidence to recommend one particular strategy over another. Topical application of analgesics for soft tissue pain is well established, however the plantar fascia presents challenges in this regard due to thick skin, fibrotic tissue, and an often thickened fat pad. Sixty-two patients with plantar fasciitis were randomized to a placebo controlled trial testing the efficacy of a topical solution of plant terpenes containing camphor, menthol, eugenol, eucalyptol, and vanillin. Skin permeation of the mixture was enhanced with 15% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 1% limonene, and rosemary oil. One ml of solution was applied topically twice daily, and pain scores evaluated on Day 0, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 10. Using the validated foot function index 78.1% of patients reported an 85% or greater decrease in their total pain score by day 10 while placebo treatment was without effect (One Way ANOVA, P < 0.01). This study adapts the treatment modality of topical analgesia for soft tissue pain to a problematic area of the body and shows therapeutic promise.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05467631.

Metabolic profiles and biomarkers of Auricularia cornea based on de-oiled camphor leaf substrate.

This study investigates the metabolic responses of Auricularia cornea when cultured on de-oiled leaves of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum (DeCL), an underutilized waste product. The metabolic profiles of A. cornea cultured with four different quality ratios of DeCL substrate (0 %, 14 %, 28 % and 42 %) were analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics. A total of 516 metabolites were identified and classified into 78 categories, with phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids accounting for 26.7 % of the total. In addition, 32 metabolite biomarkers associated with eight major metabolic pathways were identified. This pioneering research provides valuable insights into the utilization of DeCL, and expands our knowledge of the metabolic dynamics underlying the growth of A. cornea on alternative substrates.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities of Powders, Methanol Extracts, and Essential Oils from Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Thymus ciliatus Desf. Benth.

Chemical residues in food pose health risks such as cancer and liver issues. This has driven the search for safer natural alternatives to synthetic fungicides and preservatives. The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of the essential oils (EO), determine the polyphenolic contents, and evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and antifungal activities of methanol extracts (ME), essential oils (EO), and powders from Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) and Thymus ciliatus (Desf) Benth. (thyme) from the M'sila region, Algeria. The chemical composition of the EOs was determined by GC-MS. R. officinalis EO was composed of 31 components, mainly camphor (41.22%), camphene (18.14%), and α-pinene (17.49%); T. ciliatus EO was composed of 58 components, mainly, in percentage, α-pinene (22.18), myrcene (13.13), ß-pinene (7.73), ß-caryophyllene (10.21), and germacrene D (9.90). The total phenols and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically, and the rosemary ME was found to possess the highest polyphenolic content (127.1 ± 2.40 µg GAE/mg), while the thyme ME had the highest flavonoid content (48.01 ± 0.99 µg QE/mg). The antioxidant activity was assessed using three methods: rosemary ME was the most potent, followed by DPPH (IC50 = 13.43 ± 0.14 µg/mL), ß-carotene/linoleic acid (IC50 = 39.01 ± 2.16 µg/mL), and reducing power (EC50 = 15.03 ± 1.43 µg/mL). Antifungal activity was assessed for 32 pathogenic and foodborne fungi. Four methods were applied to the solid medium. Incorporating the powdered plant into the culture medium (at 10%) reduced the fungal growth to greater than 50% in 21.88% and 6.25% of all fungal isolates, for R. officinalis and T. ciliatus, respectively. The ME, applied by the well diffusion method (0.1 g/mL), was less effective. Different concentrations of EO were tested. Incorporating the EO into the culture medium (1500 µL/L) inhibited 50% of the molds to levels of 50 and 75% for R. officinalis and T. ciliatus, respectively, with the complete inhibition of four fungi. Fumigated EO (15 µL) inhibited 65% of the molds to levels of 65 and 81.25% for R. officinalis and T. ciliatus, respectively, with the complete inhibition of five fungi. There was little to no sporulation in conjunction with the inhibition. Our results revealed some of the potential of the studied plants to fight foodborne molds and presented their promising characteristics as a source of alternatives to chemical pesticides and synthetic preservatives. Further studies are needed to find adequate application techniques in the food safety area.

Low-Migration Compounds with Amine Functionality as Coinitiators of Radical Polymerization.

The utilization of two-component systems comprising camphorquinone (CQ) and aromatic amines has become prevalent in the photopolymerization. However, there are still concerns about the safety of this CQ/amine system, mainly because of the toxicity associated with the leaching of aromatic amines. In light of these concerns, this study aims to develop novel coinitiator combinations featuring CQ and amines which cannot be leached out of materials, enabling free radical polymerization of representative dentalmethacrylate resins under blue light irradiation. This approach involves the initial design and analysis of hydrogen donors with low C─H bond dissociation energy through molecular modeling. Subsequently, copolymerizable methacrylate functional groups are incorporated via chemical modification, allowing it to act as both coinitiator and copolymerization monomer to achieve low migrationand leachability properties. This work presents, for the first time, the synthesis of the innovative coinitiator and compares its performance with the benchmark CQ/ethyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDB)-based photoinitiation system (PIS). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the newly proposed PIS. Finally, an in-depth investigation is conducted into the reaction mechanism associated with this PIS through molecular orbital calculations and electron spin resonance studies.

Achieving property enhancements in dental resin composites via reduced concentrations of camphorquinone within a ternary initiator system.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the impact of diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate (DPI) on the physicochemical properties of experimental resin composites (ECRs) featuring reduced concentrations of camphorquinone (CQ)/amine. METHODS: Five concentrations of CQ (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mol%) with dimethylaminoethyl amine benzoate (EDAB) in a 1:2 mol% ratio (CQ:EDAB) were incorporated into a 50:50 mass% monomer blend of bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate (BisGMA) and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). An additional 5 groups with the same CQ:EDAB concentrations had 0.5 mol% DPI added. Each resin group contained 60 wt% of 0.7 µm barium-alumino-silicate glass. Light transmission (n = 3), real-time degree of polymerization (n = 3), temperature change during polymerization (n = 5), polymerization shrinkage strain (n = 3), flexural strength, and modulus (n = 12), as well as water sorption and solubility (n = 5), were evaluated. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Light transmission was reduced in groups containing 0.125 and 0.25 mol% of CQ without DPI. DPI increased temperature, degree and rate of polymerization, despite the reduction in CQ/amine concentration. Additionally, there was an increase in polymerization shrinkage strain, flexural strength and modulus, and a reduction in water sorption and solubility in ECRs with DPI, even with lower concentrations of CQ/EDAB. SIGNIFICANCE: DPI improved the assessed properties of composites across various concentrations of CQ/EDAB, showing the benefit of reducing the quantity of CQ used without compromising the properties and curing of the resin composites.

The effect of photoinitiator type and filler load on physicochemical and mechanical properties of experimental light-cured resin cements through lithium disilicate ceramics of different shades and thicknesses.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the influence of photoinitiator types on degree of conversion (DC), rate of polymerization (RP), flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), and light transmittance (LT) of filled and unfilled light-curable resin cements through different thicknesses and shades of lithium disilicate ceramics. METHODS: Lithium disilicate ceramic discs (IPS Emax Press, background [0.0], 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mm, shades A1 and BL3) were prepared. Experimental resin-based cements [TEGDMA/BisGMA (50/50 mass%)] were prepared using either camphorquinone (CQ)/amine (0.44/1.85 mol%) or TPO (0.44 mol%)], and a micro and nanofiller loads of nil (unfilled); 40/10 mass%; and 50/10 mass%). Resin cements (0.2 mm thick) were placed on the lower surface of the ceramic specimens and light-activated for 30 s from the upper surface using a Bluephase Style curing light (exitance at tip: 1236 mW/cm2 ± 1.20). LT and distribution of irradiance through the ceramics were measured using a UV-vis spectrometer and a beam profile camera, respectively (n = 3). The DC and RP were measured in real-time using mid infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode (n = 3). FS and FM were measured using a universal testing machine (n = 5). Statistical analyses were performed on LT, DC, RP, FS, and FM data using a general linear model, and supplementary ANOVA and post hoc Tukey multiple comparison test were also performed (α = .05). RESULTS: Thicknesses, shades, photoinitiator type, and fillers load significantly influenced the optical and mechanical characteristics of the resin-based materials (p < 0.05). The BL3 shade ceramic provided higher values of DC, RP, FS, FM, and LT compared with the A1 shade (p < 0.05). Increasing ceramic thickness decreased the properties of the resin-based materials (p < 0.05). Generally, TPO improved mechanical properties of the resin cement compared with CQ (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: The luting process of indirect restorations may be improved by using high molar absorptivity, more reactive, and more efficient photoinitiators such as TPO, as opposed to conventional CQ. The use of such initiator may allow the placement of thicker and more opaque indirect restorations.

A Comparison between Bulgarian Tanacetum parthenium Essential Oil from Two Different Locations.

Tanacetum parthenium L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant with a long-standing historical use in traditional medicine. Recently Tanacetum parthenium L. essential oil has been associated with a promising potential for future applications in the pharmaceutical industry, in the cosmetics industry, and in agriculture. Investigations on the essential oil (EO) have indicated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and repellent activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of Bulgarian T. parthenium essential oil from two different regions, to compare the results to those reported previously in the literature, and to point out some of its future applications. The essential oils of the air-dried flowering aerial parts were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition was evaluated using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was established that the oxygenated monoterpenes were the predominant terpene class, followed by the monoterpene hydrocarbons. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences between both samples were revealed. Camphor (50.90%), camphene (16.12%), and bornyl acetate (6.05%) were the major constituents in the feverfew EO from the western Rhodope Mountains, while in the EO from the central Balkan mountains camphor (45.54%), trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (13.87%), and camphene (13.03%) were the most abundant components.

Antifungal Activity and Mechanism of Camphor Derivatives against Rhizoctonia solani: A Promising Alternative Antifungal Agent for Rice Sheath Blight.

Rice sheath blight, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, poses a significant threat to rice cultivation globally. This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of action of camphor derivatives against R. solani. Compound 4o exhibited superior fungicidal activities in vitro (EC50 = 6.16 mg/L), and in vivo curative effects (77.5%) at 500 mg/L were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the positive control validamycin·bacillus (66.1%). Additionally, compound 4o exhibited low cytotoxicity and acute oral toxicity for adult worker honeybees of Apis mellifera L. Mechanistically, compound 4o disrupted mycelial morphology and microstructure, increased cell membrane permeability, and inhibited both PDH and SDH enzyme activities. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses indicated a tight interaction of compound 4o with PDH and SDH active sites. In summary, compound 4o exhibited substantial antifungal efficacy against R. solani, serving as a promising lead compound for further optimization of antifungal agents.

Medical Applications and Distribution of Borneol during the Joseon Period.

Borneol(yongnoe) was a fragrance and medicinal ingredient with unique efficacy. However, it could be produced only in tropical Southeast Asia and obtained only through international trade. In addition, camphor(jangnoe) with similar material properties was developed and distributed as an inexpensive replacement for borneol, although the processing method is different from that of borneol. Even in Joseon Korea, borneol and camphor were recognized as separate medicines, and efforts were made to obtain a high-quality borneol. Borneol and camphor have a unique effect of relieving inflammation, pain and heavy feeling, so it could be widely applied to symptoms in various diseases. During the Joseon period, borneol was a rare item that could only be obtained through foreign trade, and it was also used for perfumes and insect repellents, but most widely used as medicine. There are many records of actually prescribing borneol to the royal family, and many medicines containing borneol and its effective symptoms were also recorded in the medical books. Borneol was able to spread widely in Joseon society thanks to the practice of distributing 'nabyak' to court officials every year in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. Since nabyak was used as a household medicine that was stored and used when necessary, pills containing borneol that could be applied to various symptoms were suitable for this purpose. Despite considerable medical demand, borneol was one of the important 'dangyakjae', the Chinese medicines imported to Joseon. During the Joseon period, borneol was imported through China and Japan, but genuine borneol was difficult to obtain, so it was often presented to Joseon as gifts of envoy trade. It is thought that camphor was also imported, but it is not well mentioned in official records or medical books reflecting national demand. Perhaps this is thought to be because the government prioritized securing better quality borneol rather than campher. In the early 17th century, due to the instability of the envoy's route to the Ming Dynasty, Joseon had to import borneol only through the sea. As a result, there were problems with the supply and quality of borneol, and national interest in Japanese borneol temporarily increased. However, as the relationship with the Qing Dynasty stabilized, a system was established to import national borneol demand through the annual envoy trade. Naeuiwon, the medical center for the royal family is in charge of securing and prescribing Chinese medicines, but the cost was covered by the silver paid by Hojo, the ministry of finance of Joseon Dynasty. Since the amount of Chinese medicines used in the preparation of nabyak was not small, the financial burden of importing enough medicines including borneol increased. The purveyors for government played a role in supplying Chinese medicines to the government. Their appearance shows that private merchants were actively involved in the trade of Chinese medicines including borneol. The formation of the medicinal market by private merchants' activities greatly contributed to the widespread expansion of the applications and distribution of borneol.

Nanoformulated herbal compounds: enhanced antibacterial efficacy of camphor and thymol-loaded nanogels.

Herbal components are highly useful assets for the advancement of novel antibacterial drugs. Nanotechnology holds great promise as an approach to enhance the effectiveness and develop the composition of these substances. The study developed nanogels incorporating camphor, thymol, and a combination derived from the initial nanoemulsions with particle sizes of 103, 85, and 135 nm, respectively. The viscosity of nanogels and the successful loading of compounds in them were examined by viscometery and ATR-FTIR studies. The bactericidal properties of the nanogels were examined against four bacterial strains. The nanogel containing camphor and thymol at 1250 µg/mL concentration exhibited complete growth suppression against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The thymol nanogel at 1250 µg/mL and the camphor nanogel at 2500 µg/mL exhibited complete inhibition of growth on Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli, respectively. Both nanogels showed favorable effectiveness as antibacterial agents and could potentially examine a wide range of pathogens and in vivo studies.

Ecological and oral toxicity assessment of urea and camphor oil against Rattus norvegicus rats.

Background: One of the most challenging pests to control is the wild rat (Rattus norvegicus), which poses serious risks to both human health and the economy. Fertilizers are a more recent method of pest management with various action modes and are considered safe control agents when applied at low doses. Aim: The present study aimed to examine the toxicological impacts of the contaminated water with urea and camphor oil individually, post-treatment of rats with camphor oil after the pre-treatment with urea and post-treatment of rats with urea mixed with camphor oil after urea pre-treatment against the wild rats (R. norvegicus). Methods: The study extends to explore the influence of these treatments on the physicochemical parameters of the water administered by rats. Moreover, the effect of the most three toxic treatments was studied on the blood and renal functional parameters and the kidney tissue of rats after 21 days of treatment. Results: The study showed that urea was more potent than camphor oil when applied individually and increasing the concentration of urea in the pre-treatment or when combined with camphor oil in the post-treatment caused a significant increase in the mortality of rats. The post-treatment of rats with camphor oil only or camphor oil mixed with urea after the pre-treatment with urea induced a synergistic activity against rats. In addition, the exposed water to urea and camphor oil has been modified in physicochemical parameters and formed ulcers and harm to the kidneys of the exposed wild rats. Conclusion: This study significantly contributes to the ecological and toxicological potential risk indexes of urea and camphor oil together, which are restricted on the perceptible value relevance in the literature of water quality and renal pathology. Therefore, urea and camphor oil represent successful agents for the wild rat's control.

From cradle to grave: Deciphering sex-specific disruptions of the nervous and reproductive systems through interactions of 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and nanoplastics in adult zebrafish.

4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) and micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) are common in personal care and cosmetic products (PCCPs) and consumer goods; however, they have become pervasive environmental contaminants. MNPs serve as carriers of 4-MBC in both PCCPs and the environment. Our previous study demonstrated that 4-MBC induces estrogenic effects in zebrafish larvae. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding the sex- and tissue-specific accumulation and potential toxicities of chronic coexposure to 4-MBC and MNPs. Herein, adult zebrafish were exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations of 4-MBC (0, 0.4832, and 4832 µg/L), with or without polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs; 50 nm, 1.0 mg/L) for 21 days. Sex-specific accumulation was observed, with higher concentrations in female brains, while males exhibited comparable accumulation in the liver, testes, and brain. Coexposure to PS-NPs intensified the 4-MBC burden in all tested tissues. Dual-omics analysis (transcriptomics and proteomics) revealed dysfunctions in neuronal differentiation, death, and reproduction. 4-MBC-co-PS-NP exposure disrupted the brain histopathology more severely than exposure to 4-MBC alone, inducing sex-specific neurotoxicity and reproductive disruptions. Female zebrafish exhibited autism spectrum disorder-like behavior and disruption of vitellogenesis and oocyte maturation, while male zebrafish showed Parkinson's-like behavior and spermatogenesis disruption. Our findings highlight that PS-NPs enhance tissue accumulation of 4-MBC, leading to sex-specific impairments in the nervous and reproductive systems of zebrafish.

Genetic characterization of a locus responsible for low pungency using EMS-induced mutants in Capsicum annuum L.

KEY MESSAGE: The pepper mutants ('221-2-1a' and '1559-1-2h') with very low pungency were genetically characterized. The Pun4 locus, responsible for the reduced pungency of the mutant fruits, was localized to a 208 Mb region on chromosome 6. DEMF06G16460, encoding 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase, was proposed as a strong candidate gene based on the genetic analyses of bulked segregants, DEG, and expression analyses. Capsaicinoids are unique alkaloids present in pepper (Capsicum spp.), synthesized through the condensation of by-products from the phenylpropanoid and branched-chain fatty acid pathways, and accumulating in the placenta. In this study, we characterized two allelic ethyl methanesulfonate-induced mutant lines with extremely low pungency ('221-2-1a' and '1559-1-2h'). These mutants, derived from the pungent Korean landrace 'Yuwolcho,' exhibited lower capsaicinoid content than Yuwolcho but still contained a small amount of capsaicinoid with functional capsaicinoid biosynthetic genes. Genetic crosses between the mutants and Yuwolcho or pungent lines indicated that a single recessive mutation was responsible for the low-pungency phenotype of mutant 221-2-1a; we named the causal locus Pungency 4 (Pun4). To identify Pun4, we combined genome-wide polymorphism analysis and transcriptome analysis with bulked-segregant analysis. We narrowed down the location of Pun4 to a 208-Mb region on chromosome 6 containing five candidate genes, of which DEMF06G16460, encoding a 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase associated with branched-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, is the most likely candidate for Pun4. The expression of capsaicinoid biosynthetic genes in placental tissues in Yuwolcho and the mutant was consistent with the branched-chain fatty acid pathway playing a pivotal role in the lower pungency observed in the mutant. We also obtained a list of differentially expressed genes in placental tissues between the mutant and Yuwolcho, from which we selected candidate genes using gene co-expression analysis. In summary, we characterized the capsaicinoid biosynthesis-related locus Pun4 through integrated of genetic, genomic, and transcriptome analyses. These findings will contribute to our understanding of capsaicinoid biosynthesis in pepper.

Effects of capsaicin loads on the properties of capsicum leaf protein-based nanocellulose composite films.

This study aims to enhance the functionality of conventional protein-based nanocellulose composite films (PNCF) to meet the high demand for natural antimicrobial packaging films. Capsicum leaf protein (CLP) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from capsicum leaves were used as raw materials. Capsaicin, an essential antibacterial active ingredient in the capsicum plant, was used as an additive. The influence of different capsaicin loads on PNCF physicochemical and material properties was investigated under alkaline conditions. The results show that all film-forming liquids (FFLs) are non-Newtonian fluids with shear thinning behavior. When the capsaicin loading exceeds 20 %, the surface microstructure of PNCF changes from dense lamellar to rod-like. Capsaicin did not alter the PNCF crystal structure, thermal stability or chemical bonding. Capsaicin can be loaded onto the PNCF surface by intermolecular hydrogen bonding reactions with CLP and CNC, preserving capsaicin's biological activity. With increasing capsaicin loads from 0 % to 50 %, the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of PNCF decreased, whereas the diameter of the inhibition zone increased. All PNCFs have UV-blocking properties with potential applications in developing biodegradable food packaging materials. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of capsicum cultivation waste and the preparation of novel PNCF.

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Artemisia monosperma L. leaf essential oils and methanolic extracts from plants grown in normal and saline habitats in Egypt.

The present work aimed to investigate the effect of salinity in natural habitats in Egypt on the main secondary metabolites of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Artemisia monosperma L. plants compared to plants grown at normal conditions. Plants grown under salinity were collected from Egyptian Western Coastal region habitats irrigated with underground water. Results showed that salinity increased the essential oil percentage of R. officinalis L. by 52.7% and A. monosperma L by 0.29% in addition to the total phenolics and flavonoids content in dry leaves compared to control plants. GC/MS analysis of rosemary essential oils revealed that salinity decreased the amount of some major oil monoterpenes component as verbenone, with a slight effect on 1,8 cineole and increased Camphor, endo- Boreneol, and linalool in addition to the appearance of new specific components such as Chrysanthenone monoterpene ketone and Caryophyllene sesquiterpene, while, in the case of Artemisia, the GC/MS showed that Artemisia ketone, Camphor, ß -phellandrene monoterpenes andα-Bisabolol sesquiterpenewere the major oil components; salinity decreased Camphor and ß -phellandrene content and increased artemisia ketone and α-Bisabolol oil content. About 11 new oil constituents were detected such as ( +)-2-Bornanone and Sesquisabinene hydrate. Mineral ions (N, K+, Ca+2, P, and Mg+2) uptake by R. officinalis and A. monosperma decreased in plants grown under salinity, while Na content increased compared to corresponding controls. Results demonstrated that both plants could tolerate the high salinity level in natural Western Coastal region soil which promoted more production of valuable secondary metabolites. The antimicrobial effect of R. officinalis L. and A. monosperma L. leaf methanolic extracts, results showed that R. officinalis extracts had an inhibitory response against all tested gram-positive and negative bacteria, in addition to the yeast (Candida albicans), whereas there was no any inhibitory effect concerning A. monosperma L extract on the tested species.

A Study on the Efficacy of the Tabletop Roleplaying Game Dungeons & Dragons for Improving Mental Health and Self-Concepts in a Community Sample.

Purpose: Tabletop gaming has seen a rise in popularity over the past 10 years, with an influx of interest following the Coronavirus pandemic. Limited research has explored the impact of tabletop roleplaying games on mental health and self-concepts such as self-esteem and self-efficacy. This study used a repeated-measures design with four measurement points to quantitatively evaluate the effect of playing Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) on mental health and self-concepts in a community sample. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five community participants took part in 8 weeks of D&D gameplay (one 1 hour session per week), completing pre-, mid-, and postintervention surveys. Eighteen of these participants also completed a 1-month follow-up measure. Results: Participants demonstrated significant decreases in depression, stress, and anxiety and significant increases in self-esteem and self-efficacy over the study period. Conclusion: As such, D&D may have potential utility as a wellbeing intervention or prevention program.