Characterization and photocatalytic performance of cement mortars with incorporation of TiO2 and mineral admixtures.

As the main components of the building envelope, construction materials have a straight relation with air contaminants from anthropogenic origins. Titanium dioxide has been recently applied in construction industry products since its photocatalytic properties can be used for pollutant degradation purposes. This study evaluated the performance of cement-based mortars with the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles and mineral admixtures. Six mortar compositions were defined by considering two reference mixes (with and without TiO2 incorporation), two mineral admixtures (bentonite and metakaolin) as partial cement replacement and one waste from ornamental stone processing in two levels of partial substitution of natural sand. Consistency index, density, and entrained air content of mixtures were investigated at fresh state. Compressive strength, water absorption, sorptivity, and micrographs from scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize mortars at hardened state. It was observed that incorporation of TiO2 does not considerably change mortar's properties at fresh and hardened state, despite a denser microstructure and improved interfacial transition zone. In general, the relation between the water-to-cement ratio and porosity on the performances of TiO2-added mortars was shown, which is strongly related to their photocatalytic efficiency. Metakaolin mixtures were more efficient to NO conversion, and high selectivity was observed for the bentonite mortars.

Effect of surfactant and fat on chapati making quality and control of its staling.

Chapati is an unleavened flat baked product and it is prepared using whole wheat flour. One of the problems with chapatis is that they stale rapidly during storage and therefore, they have to be consumed immediately after their preparation. With changing socio-economic conditions and lifestyles, there is an increasing demand for ready to eat chapatis. In the present study, to control staling, chapatis were prepared using whole wheat flours of four different varieties by incorporating additives such as surfactant and fat. The chapatis stored at room temperature for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h were evaluated for their quality parameters such as moisture content, chemical properties, sensory attributes, microstructure and amylograph characteristics. The moisture, soluble starch and soluble amylose contents in control chapatis decreased steadily with storage time and at the end of 96 h, the decrease in moisture, soluble starch and soluble amylose contents in chapatis prepared from different varieties were 3-8%, 80-82% and 78-85%, respectively. However, these changes were found to be at a very lesser rate in chapatis prepared from doughs treated with glycerol monostearate (GMS) and fat compared to that of control. Decrease in amylograph paste viscosity was more in control chapatis during storage compared to that of treated chapatis. Scanning electron microscopic studies of chapatis stored up to 96 h revealed that starch granules were uniform in both GMS and fat treated chapatis, when compared to control chapatis. Sensory studies showed that overall quality scores for chapatis prepared from GMS and fat treated doughs did not show any significant differences on storage. Thus, the results suggested that incorporation of surfactant and fat in dough not only improved the overall quality attributes of chapatis but also controlled their staling, during their storage.

Effect of different cooking methods of rabbit meat on topographical changes, physicochemical characteristics, fatty acids profile, microbial quality and sensory attributes.

This study investigated the effect of five different cooking methods (boiling, oven-roasting, grilling, pan-frying and microwave) on the topographical changes, fatty acids (FAs) profile, fat oxidation, physicochemical characteristics, microbial quality, and sensory attributes of rabbit meat. Among the cooking methods, boiling and pan-frying exhibited significant higher protein, fat and total volatile base nitrogen contents. Additionally, boiling induced the lowest fat oxidation and FAs saturation values, while microwave cooking induced the highest values. Boiling and microwave cooking received the lowest appearance, color and flavor scores, while grilling- and microwave-cooking obtained the highest tenderness and juiciness scores, along with the lowest shear force values. This study is the first concerning the topographical structure of cooked rabbit meat using the scanning electron micrographs, which revealed minimal destructive changes in muscle fibers and connective tissue in pan-fried cooked samples and greatest destructive effect in grilling-cooked samples. Oven-roasting is the best cooking method since it achieved both the health benefits and consumer acceptability.

Research progress on the methods of observation and analysis of dental bonding interfaces / 口腔疾病防治

@#Dental bonding technology and materials have been used widely in dentistry because of their excellent properties. The development of novel bonding technology and materials is constantly being performed to improve the effect of dental bonding restorations. Observation and analysis of the dental bonding interface is one of the most important methods for laboratory evaluation of bonding efficiency. This paper aims to review the methods of observation and analysis of dental bonding interfaces to provide a reference for the selection of evaluation methods in dental bonding research. The features of 6 methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), Raman spectroscopy (RS), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), were described and summarized. Among these methods, SEM and TEM are used most often in the analysis of fine structures; CLSM and OCT are used for the acquisition of characteristic image signals, such as microleakage and exogenous and endogenous fluorescence; and RS and AFM can test chemical composition and mechanical properties.

New morphological and molecular data for Xystretrum solidum (Gorgoderidae, Gorgoderinae) from Sphoeroides testudineus (Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae) in Mexican waters.

Adults of trematodes in the genus Xystretrum Linton, 1910 (Gorgoderidae, Gorgoderinae) are parasites found exclusively in the urinary bladders of tetraodontiform fishes. However, limited and unclear morphological data were used to describe the type species, X. solidum Linton, 1910. Here, we present the first detailed morphological information for a member of Xystretrum. Morphological characters were described using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of Xystretrum specimens from Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus) (Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae), collected at six localities off the northern Yucatan Peninsula coast of the Gulf of Mexico. We also compared sequence fragments of the 28S (region D1-D3) ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene with those available for other gorgoderine taxa. We assigned these Xystretrum specimens to X. solidum, despite the incompleteness of published descriptions. The data provide a foundation for future work to validate the identities of X. solidum, X. papillosum Linton, 1910 and X. pulchrum (Travassos, 1920) with new collections from the type localities and hosts. Comparisons of 28S and COI regions described here also provide an opportunity to evaluate the monophyletic status of Xystretrum.

Sources, structure, properties and health benefits of plant gums: A review.

This article has been developed with the aim of reviewing the different sources, structure, extraction, composition, properties and health benefits of plant gums. Gums are known for their multifarious uses in food industries like bakery, meat, fruit and vegetable. Those obtained from different sources exhibit differences in their chemistry. All have a rich nutritional profile and require different methods for extraction/purification. Most studies reveal fair flow characteristics of plant gums. The X-ray diffraction studies and scanning electron micrographs confer their amorphous nature. General appearance of plant gums varies from yellow-cream to whitish in color. Water absorption and swelling are two essential physicochemical properties of the plant gums owing to their hydrophilic nature. In spite of hydrophilicity, plant gums exhibit significant interfacial properties like emulsifying and foaming. Aqueous plant gum dispersions are acidic in nature and show great variations in their rheological behaviour. Thermal properties (DSC) of the plant gums reveal endothermic as well as exothermic transitions. Many gums obtained from botanical sources have proven health promoting benefits.

In Vitro Assay of Paecilomyces lilacinus Biocontrol Effects on Fasciola hepatica Eggs Illustrated in Scanning Electron Micrographs.

BACKGROUND: Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. Drug resistance, high costs of treatment and economic losses in meat production have emerged the need of alternative control measures into consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro ovicidal activity of Paecilomyces lilacinus fungus on F. hepatica eggs. METHODS: P. lilacinus isolated from the soil of natural environment was challenged on F. hepatica eggs to observe the bio control effect of nematophagous fungi on trematode helminth eggs. The study was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in 2015. Within 21 d of experiment, destructive effects exhibited on the eggshells were investigated using optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy. RESULTS: The effective role of P. lilacinus on damaging the eggs of F. hepatica was noticed. CONCLUSION: This finding is promising for advantageous use of nematophagus fungi as a natural constituent in hyper endemic areas for certain helminthic infections like fascioliasis with diverse kinds of herbivores as egg passer hosts.

Effect of fungicide on Fusarium verticillioides mycelial morphology and fumonisin B1 production.

The effect of fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M on the mycelial morphology, sporulation and fumonisin B 1 production by Fusarium verticillioides 103 F was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the fungicide caused inhibition of hyphal growth and defects on hyphae morphology such as cell wall disruption, withered hyphae, and excessive septation. In addition, extracellular material around the hyphae was rarely observed in the presence of fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M. While promoting the reduction of mycelial growth, the fungicide increased sporulation of F. verticillioides compared to the control, and the highest production occurred on the 14 (th) day in the treatments and on the 10 (th) day in the control cultures. Fumonisin B 1 production in the culture media containing the fungicide (treatment) was detected from the 7 (th) day incubation, whereas in cultures without fungicide (control) it was detected on the 10 (th) day. The highest fumonisin B 1 production occurred on the 14 (th) day, both for the control and for the treatment. Fludioxonil + metalaxyl - M can interfere in F. verticillioides mycelial morphology and sporulation and increase fumonisin B 1 levels. These data indicate the importance of understanding the effects of fungicide to minimize the occurrence of toxigenic fungi and fumonisins.

Effect of fungicide on Fusarium verticillioides mycelial morphology and fumonisin B1 production

The effect of fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M on the mycelial morphology, sporulation and fumonisin B1 production by Fusarium verticillioides 103 F was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the fungicide caused inhibition of hyphal growth and defects on hyphae morphology such as cell wall disruption, withered hyphae, and excessive septation. In addition, extracellular material around the hyphae was rarely observed in the presence of fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M. While promoting the reduction of mycelial growth, the fungicide increased sporulation of F. verticillioides compared to the control, and the highest production occurred on the 14th day in the treatments and on the 10th day in the control cultures. Fumonisin B1 production in the culture media containing the fungicide (treatment) was detected from the 7th day incubation, whereas in cultures without fungicide (control) it was detected on the 10th day. The highest fumonisin B1 production occurred on the 14th day, both for the control and for the treatment. Fludioxonil + metalaxyl - M can interfere in F. verticillioides mycelial morphology and sporulation and increase fumonisin B1 levels. These data indicate the importance of understanding the effects of fungicide to minimize the occurrence of toxigenic fungi and fumonisins.

Streptococcus iniae in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata, L.) and red porgy (Pagrus pagrus, L.): ultrastructural analysis.

Streptococcosis caused by Streptococcus iniae has become one of the most serious marine and freshwater aquatic diseases in the past decade, causing large losses in farmed and wild fish worldwide. In this study, we performed an ultrastructural study of major lesions in gilthead seabream Sparus aurata and red porgy Pagrus pagrus experimentally infected with the S. iniae IUSA-1 strain, isolated in a natural outbreak in Spain in the mentioned species. The transmission electron micrographs revealed the resistance of this pathogen inside the phagosome, indicating that the macrophage may provide a significant bacterial reservoir for continuing infection, disease dissemination, and tissue injury by crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Growth Factor Independence-1 (Gfi1) Is Required for Pancreatic Acinar Unit Formation and Centroacinar Cell Differentiation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The genetic specification of the compartmentalized pancreatic acinar/centroacinar unit is poorly understood. Growth factor independence-1 (Gfi1) is a zinc finger transcriptional repressor that regulates hematopoietic stem cell maintenance, pre-T-cell differentiation, formation of granulocytes, inner ear hair cells, and the development of secretory cell types in the intestine. As GFI1/Gfi1 is expressed in human and rodent pancreas, we characterized the potential function of Gfi1 in mouse pancreatic development. METHODS: Gfi1 knockout mice were analyzed at histological and molecular levels, including qRT-PCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Loss of Gfi1 impacted formation and structure of the pancreatic acinar/centroacinar unit. Histologic and ultrastructural analysis of Gfi1-null pancreas revealed specific defects at the level of pancreatic acinar cells as well as the centroacinar cells (CACs) in Gfi1-/- mice when compared with wild-type littermates. Pancreatic endocrine differentiation, islet architecture, and function were unaffected. Organ domain patterning and the formation of ductal cells occurred normally during the murine secondary transition (E13.5-E14.5) in the Gfi1-/- pancreas. However, at later gestational time points (E18.5), expression of cellular markers for CACs was substantially reduced in Gfi1-/- mice, corroborated by electron microscopy imaging of the acinar/centroacinar unit. The reduction in CACs was correlated with an exocrine organ defect. Postnatally, Gfi1 deficiency resulted in severe pancreatic acinar dysplasia, including loss of granulation, autolytic vacuolation, and a proliferative and apoptotic response. CONCLUSIONS: Gfi1 plays an important role in regulating the development of pancreatic CACs and the function of pancreatic acinar cells.

Fragility of pulmonary capillaries.

Although the pulmonary capillaries were discovered in 1661, the ultrastructure of the wall was not elucidated until 60 years ago. Electron micrographs then showed that only 0.2 µm of tissue separated the capillary endothelium from the alveolar space over much of the area. In retrospect this vanishingly small protective layer should have alerted physiologists to the potential fragility of the capillaries, but this was not appreciated until almost 40 years later. This predicament is unique to pulmonary capillaries. No other capillaries in the body are shielded from the outside environment by such a minute amount of tissue. Reasons why the fragility of the capillaries was not recognized earlier include an inappropriate comparison with the properties of systemic capillaries, the mistaken view that the pulmonary capillary pressure is always low, and a misleading use of the Laplace equation. Evidence for the fragility comes from physiological, pathological, and laboratory observations. As expected from evolutionary considerations, the fragility only becomes evident in the normal lung under exceptional conditions. These include elite human athletes at maximal exercise and animals that have developed the capacity for extreme aerobic activity. However, lung and heart diseases frequently cause capillary disruption. Remodeling of pulmonary capillaries occurs in humans in whom the capillary pressure rises over a long period. Neonatal capillaries are extremely fragile, presumably because they have never been exposed to increased transmural pressures. The capillaries conform to the general biological rule that tissue adapts its structure to carry out its required function.

Macroposthonia sicula n. sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae), a Parasite of Olive Trees in Sicily.

Macroposthonia sicula n.sp. collected from rhizosphere and roots of olive (Olea europaea L.) at Kamarina, Sicily, Italy, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from the related species (M. sphaerocephala and M. maskaka) by the longer styler and the characteristic narrowing postvulval portion of the body.

Ontogeny and Identification of Life-Cycle Stages of Criconema octangulare (Cobb, 1914) Taylor, 1936.

The ontogeny of Criconema octangulare (Cobb, 1914) Taylor, 1936, is examined and shows ovary development and body length to be of primary importance in differentiating its life-cycle stages. Second-stage juveniles can be identified by body length and ovary length. The third stage can be distinguished from the second by longer body and ovary length, and from the fourth by a shorter ovary. The fourth stage can be identified by stylet length and ovary length. Included is a key to the life stages of C. octangulare, a description of the life-cycle stages, and light and scanning-electron microscopy illustrations.