The influence of surface-treated nano-TiO2 (rutile) incorporation in water-based acrylic coatings on wood protection

The aim of this research was to synthesize surface-treated nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles and incorporate them into water-based acrylic systems, which could offer long-term protection for UV-sensible wood substrates. To suppress the photocatalytic activity, the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles in rutile crystal structure was coated with amorphous silica (SiO₂) layer. The amounts of SiO₂ were 5 and 10 wt%, respectively. Formation of SiO₂ layer on TiO₂ surface was analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. SiO₂ layer thickness increases as a function of precursor loading. In addition, the influence of SiO₂ loading on rutile UV-protective properties was determined. Transparent UV-protective coatings were developed by incorporating surface-treated nano-TiO₂ into water-based acrylic stain. The particle size distribution was determined using dynamic light-scattering measurements, which indicate that the suspension of surface-treated rutile is stable against agglomeration. Furthermore, the color change and ability of protection against UV light of coatings after nanoparticles incorporation were determined. TiO₂, surface treated with 10 wt% of SiO_2, yielded coatings of higher transparency; however, TiO_2, surface treated with 5 wt% of SiO_2, improved UV protection.     

Influence of Colletotrichum simmondsii R. G. Shives & Y. P. Tan infection on selected primary and secondary metabolites in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) fruit and runners

The effect of Colletotrichum simmondsii infection on the contents of sugars, organic acids, and individual phenolic compounds was investigated in strawberry cultivar ‘Clery’. Primary metabolites were determined with the use of HPLC and secondary metabolites further confirmed with HPLC-MS. Colletotrichum simmondsii caused a decrease in sucrose and an increase in fructose and glucose in strawberry fruit. A significant decrease in the content of malic and citric acids was recorded in infected fruit. 12 forms of ellagic acid, nine flavanols and eight flavonols were identified in strawberry runners and nine forms of ellagic acid, six flavanols, seven flavonols and four anthocyanins in strawberry fruit. Significant differences in individual phenolic compounds in strawberry fruit were detected at the beginning of the infection compared to non-infected fruit. Specifically, ellagic acids significantly increased, flavonols generally decreased, and flavanols and anthocyanins increased with the progression of infection. Similarly, some forms of ellagic acid increased and others decreased in infected runners, procyanidins generally decreased and flavonols, increased but the differences were much less prominent.     

The effect of reflective foil and hail nets on the lighting,color and anthocyanins of ‘Fuji’ apple

We studied the influence of covering the orchard floor with reflective foil on photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) both under and outside hail nets, and the possibility that the reflective foil under the hail net compensates for light reduction in last month before harvest time. On the lower side of fruit in the canopy, the reflective foil increased PAR. The chromaticity value a^* showed a difference in the intensity of red coloration in the reflective foil and hail net treatments. Amounts of individual cyanidins were detected by using HPLC–MS. The accumulation of five individual anthocyanins (cyanidin-galactoside, three cyanidin-pentoses and cyanidin) was investigated during last month before harvest time. Concentrations of the main, cyanidin-galactoside in ‘Fuji’ apple increased before harvest time, and at harvest time the reflective foil caused an increase in all identified anthocyanins.     

Biological Activities of Ethanolic Extracts from Deep-Sea Antarctic Marine Sponges

We report on the screening of ethanolic extracts from 33 deep-sea Antarctic marine sponges for different biological activities. We monitored hemolysis, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, cytotoxicity towards normal and transformed cells and growth inhibition of laboratory, commensal and clinically and ecologically relevant bacteria. The most prominent activities were associated with the extracts from sponges belonging to the genus Latrunculia, which show all of these activities. While most of these activities are associated to already known secondary metabolites, the extremely strong acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential appears to be related to a compound unknown to date. Extracts from Tetilla leptoderma, Bathydorus cf. spinosus, Xestospongia sp., Rossella sp., Rossella cf. racovitzae and Halichondria osculum were hemolytic, with the last two also showing moderate cytotoxic potential. The antibacterial tests showed significantly greater activities of the extracts of these Antarctic sponges towards ecologically relevant bacteria from sea water and from Arctic ice. This indicates their ecological relevance for inhibition of bacterial microfouling.     

Comparison of high definition oscillometric and Doppler ultrasound devices with invasive blood pressure in anaesthetized dogs

Objective To use the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) validation criteria to evaluate the performance of high definition oscillometric (HDO) and Doppler blood pressure measurement techniques against invasive blood pressure measurements in anaesthetized dogs. Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals Twenty client‐owned dogs. Materials and Methods Invasive blood pressure was measured using a catheter inserted into a pedal artery and an electronic transducer. The sites of cuff placement for the HDO measurements were the mid antebrachium or the proximal tail and, for the Doppler technique, the distal tibia. Agreement between invasive and non‐invasive blood pressure measurements was estimated by the Bland–Altman method. Results Only 10% and 34% of Doppler measurements were within 10 and 20 mmHg of invasive blood pressure values, respectively. The Doppler device failed to meet the ACVIM validation criteria for blood pressure measurement devices. The best agreement between HDO and invasive blood pressure measurement technique was observed for mean arterial blood pressure (MAP); 67% and 95% of readings were within 10 and 20 mmHg of invasive blood pressure values respectively. In addition, 52% and 87% of diastolic arterial blood pressure (DAP) measurements were within 10 and 20 mmHg of invasive readings. High definition oscillometric readings did not meet ACVIM recommended limits for SAP. Conclusion and clinical relevance The Doppler technique overestimated and the HDO device showed limited agreement with invasive blood pressure measurement in anaesthetized dogs. High definition oscillometry met most of the ACVIM requirements for MAP and DAP while the Doppler technique did not.     

The influence of exposure to light on the phenolic content of ‘Fuji’ apple

In this study, the influence of changes in fruit lighting on individual and total phenols in ‘Fuji’ apple, as well as color development was studied. Content levels of eight quercetin glycosides, five anthocyanins, two catechins and a hydroxycinnamic acid in the skin of apples were analyzed, using high-performance liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Total phenol, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were determined by spectrometry. The purpose of this study was to compare content levels of those compounds in apple skin of fruit grown in different parts of the tree canopy, under and outside of the hail net. Lighting of fruit was measured during the last month before harvest. The lowest values were measured in the inner fruit and higher ones in the outer parts of the canopy, while the highest values were measured in fruit growing at the top of the tree. The hail net had no influence on the decrease of lighting in comparison to the control. Light conditions in the tree canopy influenced lower content levels of quercetin glycosides and most anthocyanins in the fruit skin in the inner part of the tree canopy, whereas fruit from the canopy top contained the highest levels of quercetin glycosides and cyanidin glycosides. Catechin, epicatechin and chlorogenic acid content levels in apple skin were independent of fruit position in the canopy or hail net usage, except for chlorogenic acid, where the content level was higher in cases when the orchard was covered with a hail net. Fruit from the top and outer parts of the canopy had a darker and redder coloration than inner fruit, while no influence of canopy position on chlorophyll and carotenoids was detected. Since quercetin glycosides and cyanidin glycosides are influential in red skin color development, better coloration of fruit from the outer and top canopy was observed. More intensive lighting stimulated a higher content level of flavonoids and, consequently, better coloration, which is an important factor in fruit quality.