Search

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is one of the most commonly used nutraceuticals as it has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of PV and its in vivo antioxidant properties. A phytochemical analysis measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), the identification of phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI, and the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay of the extract were performed. The antioxidant effects on inflammation induced by turpentine oil were experimentally tested in rats. Seven groups with six animals each were used: a control group, the experimental inflammation treatment group, the experimental inflammation and diclofenac sodium (DS) treatment group, and four groups with their inflammation treated using different dilutions of the extract. Serum redox balance was assessed based on total oxidative status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiols, and an oxidative stress index (OSI) contents. The TPC was 0.28 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL extract, while specific representatives were represented by caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid, rosmarinic acid, vanillic acid, apigenin–glucuronide, hesperidin, kaempferol–glucuronide. The highest amount (370.45 μg/mL) was reported for hesperidin, which is a phenolic compound belonging to the flavanone subclass. The antioxidant activity of the extracts, determined using the DPPH assay, was 27.52 mmol Trolox/mL extract. The PV treatment reduced the oxidative stress by lowering the TOS, OSI, NO, and MDA and by increasing the TAC and thiols. In acute inflammation, treatment with the PV extract reduced oxidative stress, with lower concentrations being more efficient and having a better effect than DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the largest and most diverse classes of specialized metabolites in plants, terpenoids (oprenoid compounds, a type of bio-based material) are widely used in the fields of medicine and light chemical products. They are the most important secondary metabolites in coniferous species and play an important role in the defense system of conifers. Terpene synthesis can be promoted by regulating the expressions of terpene synthase genes, and the terpene biosynthesis pathway has basically been clarified in Pinus massoniana, in which there are multiple rate-limiting enzymes and the rate-limiting steps are difficult to determine, so the terpene synthase gene regulation mechanism has become a hot spot in research. Herein, we amplified a PmDXR gene (GenBank accession no. MK969119.1) of the MEP pathway (methyl-erythritol 4-phosphate) from Pinus massoniana. The DXR enzyme activity and chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents of overexpressed Arabidopsis showed positive regulation. The PmDXR gene promoter was a tissue-specific promoter and can respond to ABA, MeJA and GA stresses to drive the expression of the GUS reporter gene in N. benthamiana. The DXR enzyme was identified as a key rate-limiting enzyme in the MEP pathway and an effective target for terpene synthesis regulation in coniferous species, which can further lay the theoretical foundation for the molecularly assisted selection of high-yielding lipid germplasm of P. massoniana, as well as provide help in the pathogenesis of pine wood nematode disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to avoid the food vs. fuel debate, other than food-based products, agricultural products are effective sources for fuel development. Various parts of plants and trees are used to produce sustainable, low-viscous biofuels, which are gaining much attraction due to their superior burning abilities. The turpentine biofuel produced from pine tree oil has been used for gasoline engines because of its better calorific value and other notable benefits. An attempt has been made to investigate the suitability of turpentine biofuel as a 50% replacement for gasoline in automotive applications to identify the optimum blend ratio. In this study, the experiments are conducted in the port-fuel-injected gasoline engine at different loading conditions of 0 kg to 15 kg at 1800 rpm. Using turpentine blends in a port-fuel-injected SI engine, performance characteristics have been observed with up to a 3–5% improvement in brake thermal efficiency and fuel economy for all concentrations of turpentine biofuel due to their higher calorific value. However, the implementation of turpentine biofuel has shown remarkable reductions in unburnt hydrocarbons by 50% and carbon monoxide emissions by 90% due to its superior burning ability. However, this reduction is not witnessed in oxides of nitrogen and carbon dioxide emissions due to the lower octane number and higher viscosity, which result in a 30% and 5% increase, respectively. Interestingly, the combustion characteristics are observed to be better at part load operations for lower concentrations (30%) of turpentine biofuel in the blends, and this trend has not been noticed at higher concentrations of turpentine biofuel. Finally, it has been concluded that turpentine biofuel would be a better option for the partial replacement of gasoline by up to 30%. However, for further investigation, the anti-knocking characteristics of the turpentine biofuel need to be improved, especially in 40% and 50% turpentine biofuel blends using suitable anti-knocking agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides a summary of various research articles related to biodiesel production, engine performance, and emissions. The articles cover topics such as the synthesis of biodiesel from turpentine tree oil, the effects of acetone as a fuel additive in diesel engines, and the impact of different biodiesel blends on combustion and emissions. The studies highlight the complex interactions between biodiesel, diesel fuel, and additives, and emphasize the need for further research to improve fuel and engine efficiencies. The articles also discuss the potential of biodiesel technology in reducing environmental impact. [Extracted from the article]

Carveol is a rare fine chemical with specific biological activities and functions in nature. The artificial synthesis of carveol from plentiful and cheap turpentine is expected to further improve development of pharmaceutical and industrial applications. A new green catalytic system for the preparation of high-value carveol from α-epoxypinane is presented. A novel ammonium salt solid acid (AC-COIMI-NH4PW) was obtained from phosphotungstic acid bonded with imidazole basic site on nitrogen-doped activated carbon which, after ammonia fumigation, presented an excellent catalytic performance for the selective rearrangement of α-epoxypinane to carveol in DMF as solvent under mild reaction conditions. At 90 °C for 2 h, the conversion of α-epoxypinane could reach 98.9% and the selectivity of carveol was 50.6%. The acidic catalytic sites exhibited superior durability and the catalytic performance can be restored by supplementing the lost catalyst. Based on the investigation of catalytic processes, a parallel catalytic mechanism for the main product was proposed from the rearrangement of α-epoxypinane on AC-COIMI-NH4PW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phloeosinus aubei is invasive in Central Europe, spreading northward from the Mediterranean region because of climate change. P. aubei has the potential to become a pest of mature, naturally occurring juniper trees (Juniperus communis) in protected areas, as well as junipers, thujas and cypresses in nurseries and urban environments. In 2020 and 2021, we conducted two experiments to compare various lures for trapping P. aubei. In the first experiment, we compared four lures: α‐pinene; turpentine; a mixture of cade oil, juniper berry oil and ethanol; and a juniper branch (8–10 cm long, 3–5 cm wide) deployed with ethanol. In the second experiment, we compared Hostowit® with a juniper branch (8–10 cm long, 3–5 cm wide) deployed with ethanol. In both experiments, juniper branches deployed with ethanol attracted a greater number of P. aubei beetles compared to the other lures. In total, we captured 1056 individuals belonging to 36 species of Scolytinae. Among the most abundant species, Xyleborinus saxesenii, Xyleborus monographus and Anisandrus dispar were lured by ethanol in combination with other substances or deployed with juniper branches. Xyleborus dryographus showed a positive association with turpentine. Ips typographus was positively associated with α‐pinene, while Orthotomicus laricis, Hylastes attenuatus and Gnathotrichus materiarius were positively associated with Hostowit® lure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid advancement of Terahertz (THz) science and technology has led to a growing interest in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in the THz frequency region. There is an urgent need for broadband and tunable devices capable of absorbing terahertz (THz) waves to effectively eliminate undesired THz interference. In this regard, this work demonstrates the facile synthesis of graphitic carbon microspheres from turpentine oil (a natural carbon source) and its broadband absorption and shielding properties in the THz frequency region from 0.2 THz to 1.6 THz. Advanced characterization techniques like XRD, FESEM, RAMAN, and XPS have been employed to explore the structural, microstructural, and elemental properties of graphitic carbon microspheres (GCMs). Herein, an effort has been made to discuss the underlying mechanism for THz absorption by GCMs. The minimum shielding efficacy reaches −27.5 dB covering the broad frequency region from 0.2 to 1.6 THz with a matching thickness of ∼3.75 μ m , signifying that more than 99% of the THz radiations can be shielded. Also, GCMs are exhibiting exceptional terahertz absorption (∼86%) spanning from 0.2 to 1.6 THz for the same sample thickness. Our findings reveal valuable insights into the THz shielding properties of graphitic carbon thin films without any complex element doping or functionalization, shedding light on their suitability for future THz-based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of highly efficient methods for the synthesis of chemical products by using renewable raw materials is one of the topical areas of medicinal chemistry. The paper presents the synthesis of (2aR,2a1S,5aR,9bR)-4-isopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-2a1-methyl-2,2a,2a1,3,5a,9b-hexahydrofluoreno[9,1-bc]furan. The title compound was obtained through Prins–Friedel–Crafts cascade reactions of trans-4-hydroxymethyl-2-carene, which was synthesized from 3-carene, one of the main components of gum turpentine. The product yield after purification was 48%. The compound's structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a intermingle of refractive index ( R I) sensing and spectroscopy for household oil monitoring. A spectroscopy sensing setup is shown to investigate transmission (%) and absorbance ( AU ) from household oil samples. Five different oil samples, olive oil, kerosene oil, red palm oil, turpentine oil, and mineral oil, are analyzed from the developed setup. The transmission (%) obtained for olive, kerosene, red palm, turpentine, and mineral oil is 75.65 , 72.10 , 69.68 , 67.12 , and 66.41 , respectively. The absorbance ( AU ) for olive oil, kerosene oil, red palm oil, turpentine oil, and mineral oil is 1.21 A U , 1.42 A U , 1.58 A U , 1.64 A U , and 1.77 A U respectively. Later a plasmonic refractive index ( RI ) sensor is designed and presented for household monitoring based on a RI variation. The RI range of household oils is 1.44 - 1.48 R I U and investigated at an interval of 0.005. The wavelength sensitivity ( WS ) obtained from the sensor model for X - p o l. and Y - p o l. are 24000 n m / R I U and 20000 n m / R I U , respectively. The amplitude sensitivity (A S) of the sensor is 21580 RIU - 1 and 18470 RIU - 1 corresponding to X - p o l . and Y - p o l. respectively. The sensor resolution ( SR ) of order 10 - 6 is obtained concerning both polarization modes. The figure of merit ( FOM ) of the sensor model is 187.50 RIU - 1 and 216.21 RIU - 1 corresponding to X - p o l. and Y - p o l. respectively. Finally, the novel link between the spectroscopy and RI sensing parameters is explored and presented in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted from August, 2021 to March, 2022 at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India to develop shoe polish based on Karanj oil and the impact of shellac and gum arabic in its formulation. The standardized composition of shoe polish was obtained as 3 part oil and onepart bee wax containing other elements like colour pigment, shellac, gum arabic and turpentine oil. To overcome the problem of colour, sixteen various combinations of shellac and gum arabic were carried out for improvement of colour in each case of black and brown polish. The developed shoe polish was tested for texture, applicability, spreadability, and ease in taking out the material. Colour was recorded with a gloss meter. The highest gloss meter reading i.e. 10.62 GU was recorded in the case of a black shoe polish containing shellac and gum arabic each weighing 0.75 g whereas a sample containing 1.25 g shellac and gum arabic each showed the lowest gloss reading of 3.88 GU. In the case of brown polish, the highest gloss meter reading i.e. 5.24 GU was recorded in the case of a sample containing shellac and gum arabic weighing 1.25 g each, and the lowest was observed in the case of the sample containing shellac weighing 0.5g and gum arabic weighing 0.75 g. Based on gloss value and sensory evaluation, the developed sample was found very near to standard brand shoe polish (Cherry) except that it gave an oily appearance initially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), previously responded more strongly to (−)‐β‐pinene + ethanol than (+)‐3‐carene + ethanol lures at sites burned the prior year by wildfire in Oregon and northeastern California, whereas at a thinned‐unburned Arizona site (+)‐3‐carene + ethanol was the stronger attractant. This discrepancy was further examined to tease apart whether D. valens attraction varies by region or previous forest disturbance types.Here, (−)‐β‐pinene + ethanol and (+)‐3‐carene + ethanol lures were tested in pine stands at two Oregon sites disturbed the previous year by a prescribed burn or thinning only. Both lures were tested also with or without trace amounts of the pheromone frontalin, as its presence enhanced attractions in China but had not been tested in North America.At both sites, regardless of prior forest disturbance, (−)‐β‐pinene + ethanol lures attracted the most beetles. Lures releasing trace frontalin attracted more beetles than their corresponding lures without it at both sites, except in one case.Overall, previous year disturbances from disparate management treatments had minimal influence on lure attraction to D. valens. For detection, monitoring or management (−)‐β‐pinene + ethanol + frontalin in trace amounts attracts the most beetles of lures tested to date in Pacific Northwest pine forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to growing concerns about environmental issues and the decline of petroleum-based resources, the synthesis of new biobased compounds for the polymer industry has become a prominent and timely topic. P-menthane-1,8-diamine (PMDA) is a readily available compound synthesized from turpentine, a cheap mixture of natural compounds isolated from pine trees. PMDA has been extensively used for its biological activities, but it can also serve as a source of valuable monomers for the polymer industry. In this work, commercial PMDA (ca. 85% pure) was purified by salinization, crystallization, and alkali treatment and then converted into p-menthane-1,8-diisocyanate (PMDI) through a phosgene-free synthesis at room temperature. A thorough analytical study using NMR techniques (1H, 13C, 13C-1H HSQC, 13C-1H HMBC, and 1H-1H NOESY) enables the characterization of the cis-trans isomeric mixtures of both PMDA and PMDI. These structural studies allowed for a better understanding of the spatial configuration of both isomers. Then, the reactivity of PMDI with a primary alcohol (benzyl alcohol) was studied in the presence of nine different catalysts exhibiting different activation modes. Finally, the use of PMDI in the synthesis of polyurethanes was explored to demonstrate that PMDI can be employed as a new biobased alternative to petrochemical-based isocyanates such as isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of aseptic inflammation and heavy metal exposure on immune responses, as well as the potential immunomodulatory properties of the newly synthesized 1-[1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-(naphthalene-1-yloxy)but-2-ynyl]-4-methylpiperazine complexed with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Aseptic inflammation was induced by a subcutaneous injection of turpentine in rats, while heavy metal exposure was achieved through a daily administration of cadmium chloride and lead acetate. The levels of immune cell populations, including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), monocytes, and granulocytes, were assessed in the spleen. The results showed that aseptic inflammation led to decreased levels of CTL, monocytes, and granulocytes on the 14th day, indicating an inflammatory response accompanied by a migration of effector cells to the inflamed tissues. The exposure to cadmium chloride and lead acetate resulted in systemic immunotoxic effects, with reduced levels of B cells, CD4+ Th cells, monocytes, and granulocytes in the spleen. Notably, piperazine complexed with β-CD (the complex) exhibited significant stimulatory effects on CD4+, CD8+, and myeloid cell populations during aseptic inflammation, even in the presence of heavy metal exposure. These findings suggest the potential immunomodulatory properties of the complex in the context of aseptic inflammation and heavy metal exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Folliculitis is a painful infection and inflammation of the hair follicles, mostly caused by bacterial, fungal, or, more rarely, viral infections. Turpentine derivatives have been used traditionally to treat various skin infections and could thus also be effective in treating folliculitis. We carried out an open, prospective, randomized, placebo- and comparator-controlled multicenter trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an ointment containing pine turpentine oil, larch turpentine, and eucalyptus oil in the treatment of acute folliculitis. Methods: Seventy outpatients with acute folliculitis were treated with the turpentine ointment, a comparator (povidone iodine solution), or a placebo (Vaseline) for 7 days. Photographs of the affected skin areas were taken by the physicians at four visits and by the patients on a daily basis. Photographs were evaluated by blinded observers. Primary efficacy endpoint was the change in total hair follicle lesion counts. Secondary endpoints included the evolution of the lesion counts in the course of the study, responder rate (improvement of follicle lesions by at least one count), and the patient's global assessment. Safety endpoints were the tolerability of the treatments and adverse event recording. Results: A decrease of follicle lesions counts was detected for both active treatments but not for placebo, but the differences among groups were not statistically significant. As for the secondary endpoints, the ointment showed statistically significant superiority over placebo for the evolution of the lesions during the course of the study (p = 0.017), the responder rate (p = 0.032), and the subjective efficacy assessment by patients (p = 0.029). All treatments were equally well tolerated, with a similar number of treatment-emergent adverse events. Conclusion: The turpentine ointment is an effective and safe option for the treatment of folliculitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pistacia species containing turpentine which has protective effects and used as a medicine against diabetes, and infections for a long time. To interpret the antioxidant capacities of turpentine from Pistacia vera L. cv. Siirt, 2,2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical (ABTS•+) and 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH∙), Fe3+ -2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-S-triazine (TPTZ) and Cu2+ reducing ability were studied and compared to reference antioxidants of BHT, BHA, α-Tocopherol, and Trolox. The IC50 of turpentine for ABTS•+ and DPPH∙ scavenging capacities were determined to be lower than reference antioxidant standards as 231.1 μg/mL and 346.6 μg/mL, consequently. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents in turpentine were measured as 12.5 mg GAE/g and 38.852 mg QE/g, respectively. For determination of antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer, and antiglaucoma effects of turpentine, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-glycosidase and carbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) enzymes inhibition abilities of turpentine were performed. The IC50 values of turpentine extract against α-glycosidase, hCA II, and AChE enzymes were found as 2.04, 3.59 and 14.6 µg/mL, respectively. The quantity of protocatechuic acid and naringenin were determined using LC-MS/MS against 53 standards. The results clearly demonstrated polyphenolicsin P. vera L. cv. Siirt turpentine is a natural product has potential usage in amelioration of glaucoma, AD, diabetes, and epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turpentine oil, owing to the presence of 7–50 terpenes, has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and antitumor properties, which are important for medical emulsion preparation. The addition of turpentine oil to squalene emulsions can increase their effectiveness, thereby reducing the concentration of expensive and possibly deficient squalene, and increasing its stability and shelf life. In this study, squalene emulsions were obtained by adding various concentrations of turpentine oil via high-pressure homogenization, and the safety and effectiveness of the obtained emulsions were studied in vitro and in vivo. All emulsions showed high safety profiles, regardless of the concentration of turpentine oil used. However, these emulsions exhibited dose-dependent effects in terms of both efficiency and storage stability, and the squalene emulsion with 1.0% turpentine oil had the most pronounced adjuvant and cytokine-stimulating activity as well as the most pronounced stability indicators when stored at room temperature. Thus, it can be concluded that the squalene emulsion with 1% turpentine oil is a stable, monomodal, and reliably safe ultradispersed emulsion and may have pleiotropic effects with pronounced immunopotentiating properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in internal combustion engines has raised the opportunity for the use of renewable energy sources. For the progressive replacement of fossil fuels like diesel, those derived from the sustainable management of forest resources may be a good option. In Portugal, pine trees (pinus pinaster) are among the most widely cultivated tree species. Turpentine can be extracted from their sap without harming the tree. Turpentine is known to be a good fuel with a lower viscosity than regular diesel but with a comparable caloric value, boiling point and ignition characteristics, although it is not widely used as a compression ignition fuel. Moreover, recent research has highlighted the possibility of substantially increasing the turpentine yield through biotechnology, bringing it closer to economic viability. The present study investigates the performance, pollutant emissions and fuel consumption of a 1.6 L four-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine operating with several blends of commercial diesel fuel and turpentine obtained from pine trees. The aim of this study was to assess whether it would be possible to maintain or even improve the performance, fuel consumption and GHG and pollutant emissions (HC, NOx, CO and PM) of the engine with the partial incorporation of this biofuel. Turpentine blends of up to 30% in substitution of regular diesel fuel were tested. The main novelties of the present work are related to (i) the careful testing of a still-insufficiently studied fuel that could gain economical attractiveness with the recent developments in yield improvement through biotechnology and (ii) the tests conducted under fixed engine load positions typical of road and highway conditions. The addition of this biofuel only slightly impacted the engine performance parameters. However, a slightly positive effect was observed in terms of torque, with an increase of up to 7.9% at low load for the 15T85D mixture and 6.8% at high load being observed. Power registered an increase of 9% for the 15T85D mixture at low speed and an increase of 5% for the 30T70D mixture at high speed when compared to the reference fuel (commercial diesel fuel). While the efficiency and fossil GHG emissions were improved with the incorporation of turpentine, it had a mixed effect on polluting emissions such as unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and smoke (PM) and a negative effect on nitrogen oxides (NOx). NOx emissions increased by 30% for high loads and 20% for low loads, mainly as an indirect effect of the improvement in the engine performance and not so much as a consequence of the marginally higher oxygen content of turpentine relative to commercial diesel fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, an incidence of sweating sickness-like symptoms in a crossbred Holstein Friesian cow was diagnosed. The cow was suffering from vaporization of the skin, dehydration, wet hair coat, and matting of hair due to excessive sweating. There were several ticks, flies, and mosquitoes in tail switch and other parts of the body. Blood and urine parameters were tested. We treated the patient successfully with ivermectin as ectoparasite control, ceftiofur sodium antibiotic to treat bacterial infections, ketoprofen as analgesics and antipyretics, chlorpheniramine maleate as H2-blocker, and trichlorfon and povidone-iodine skin spray to prevent fly invasion and prevent opportunistic bacterial infection, respectively. Acyclovir and oil of turpentine were suggested to be sprayed on the floor and wall of the shed for viral and ectoparasitic control. Our treatment regime successfully recovered the cow with no recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste terpenes from paper industry, pine resin tapping or citric industry are abundant feedstocks that can be used as components in diesel blends. However, terpenes such as turpentine or orange oil are highly reactive, tend to form deposits and show high sooting tendency. These drawbacks can be solved with hydrogenation, which reduces the degree of unsaturation of the molecule and thus, the formation of soot. In this work, blends at 20 vol % of hydrogenated turpentine and hydrogenated orange oil in diesel fuel were tested in a Euro 6 diesel engine following Worldwide harmonized Light-duty Test Cycle (WLTC). Engine performance, gaseous and particle matter emissions and combustion analysis from these blends were compared with those from diesel fuel. Engine performance was similar for all fuels, with slight differences in equivalence ratio and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate. CO and HC emissions were increased whereas NOx emissions remained constant when blends were tested, with respect to diesel. Sooting tendency was improved since particle mass emissions were reduced despite the particle number emissions were similar to those from diesel. Combustion was quite similar between all fuels and only ignition delay was longer and combustion velocity higher for blends in comparison with diesel. • Blends with 20% hydrogenated terpenes can be used without penalty in emissions. • HC and CO emissions were higher due to high volatility of blends. • Nitrogen oxides emissions were similar to diesel. • Particle mass emissions were reduced despite increasing in number. • Molecular cycles greatly affect particle nucleation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have been actively conducted to ensure that gadolinium-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are accompanied by various biological functions. A new example is the anti-inflammatory theragnostic MRI agent to target inflammatory mediators for imaging diagnosis and to treat inflammatory diseases simultaneously. We designed, synthesized, and characterized a Gd complex of 1,4,7-tris(carboxymethylaza) cyclododecane-10-azaacetylamide (DO3A) conjugated with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that exerts the innate therapeutic effect of NSAIDs and is also applicable in MRI diagnostics. Gd-DO3A-fen (0.1 mmol/kg) was intravenously injected into the turpentine oil-induced mouse model, with Gd-DO3A-BT as a control group. In the in vivo MRI experiment, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was higher and persisted longer than that with Gd-DO3A-BT; specifically, the CNR difference was almost five times at 2 h after injection. Gd-DO3A-fen had a binding affinity (Ka) of 6.68 × 106 M−1 for the COX-2 enzyme, which was 2.1-fold higher than that of fenbufen, the original NSAID. In vivo evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity was performed in two animal models. In the turpentine oil-induced model, the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory parameters such as COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were reduced, and in the carrageenan-induced edema model, swelling was suppressed by 72% and there was a 2.88-fold inhibition compared with the saline group. Correlation analysis between in vitro, in silico, and in vivo studies revealed that Gd-DO3A-fen acts as an anti-inflammatory theragnostic agent by directly binding to COX-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), due to their biological properties, have great potential for radiopharmaceutical development. In this research, a new antimicrobial peptide, derived from a 21-residue antimicrobial peptide microcinJ25 (MccJ25), was utilized to diagnose inflamed sites in mice bodies after labeling with [99mTc]Tc. An antimicrobial peptide derivative was connected with an efficient chelator, hydrazinonicotinamide, and then labeled with [99mTc]Tc. The binding of labeled microcinJ25 conjugate to lymphocyte was investigated in vitro. Turpentine oil-induced inflammation uptake and tissue distribution were assessed through the animal pattern. Detector scanning was done through scintigraphy post injection of [99mTc]Tc-radiopeptide within different time points. High radiochemical purity (>98%) was obtained for [99mTc]Tc-radiopeptide. Lymphocyte binding assessment showed specific cell binding. Binding Inhibition was observed when additional unlabeled conjugate was used. In in vivo biological distribution studies, the uptake for inflamed tissue was 1.52 ± 0.12%ID/g. The inflammation site was visualized by scintigraphy imaging at 1 up to 2 hours. Based on our results this new designed [99mTc]Tc-radiopeptide was able to detect inflammation sites early and with high resolution, and could be considered a promising diagnostic candidate in inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an example of principally different type of catalytic support in the paper by Suboch and Podyacheva [[11]], bamboo-like nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were used to synthesize supported palladium catalysts (0.2-2 wt.%) for hydrogen production via gas phase formic acid decomposition. Similarly, high activity and stability were demonstrated in the formic acid decomposition by a single-atom Ni catalyst supported on N-doped porous carbon with active Ni-N SB 4 sb sites [[2]]. To solve problems related to global warming, environmental pollution, and green energy fields, a lot of research is now devoted to the catalysis of biofuels and biogas transformation into syngas and hydrogen. [Extracted from the article]

Rubbing against various objects or self‐anointing with pungent substances are behaviours observed in many mammal species. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a non‐territorial species that rubs against trees with the main purpose being intraspecific communication. In addition, some odorous substances are known for eliciting rubbing behaviour and hence are used to lure bears to trees in studies relying on non‐invasive hair collection. Tree‐rubbing is often accompanied by clawing and debarking which release tree resin that impregnates the fur and can potentially deter ectoparasites. Here, we present a study aiming to determine whether ticks, being widely spread and an important vector of pathogens, are repelled by resin products known to attract bears and elicit rubbing behaviour, namely turpentine and beech tar. Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were offered a binary microhabitat choice by placing them in the middle of individual horizontal tubes with tested substances placed on filter paper at one end, and distilled water as a control (neutral) substance at the other. Their behaviour was recorded for three minutes. Ticks consistently touched the neutral end of the tube while avoiding treated ones. Overall, ticks remained at greater distances from treatments than from water. A fitted logarithmic regression showed ticks did not spend more than seconds at a treated side, supporting our prediction that ticks are repelled by turpentine and beech tar. Parasite repellency may bring a further advantage in rubbing behaviour trade‐offs, compensating some energetical costs, and adds a trait to the behaviour important in seemingly divergent contexts of intraspecific communication and defense against ectoparasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production and use of terpene-based fuels represents a renewable source of energy in the transportation sector, especially in the aviation sector. The literature on the conversion of terpenes into valuable compounds is not new but has been based on the production of products for cosmetics and pharmaceutics. Several established chemical routes are also a way to develop drop-in fuels. The present work explores all the main chemical processes that can transform terpenes into more valuable fuels or additives, focusing on the use of heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst type, operating conditions, and reaction performance. α-pinene is the most studied catalyst, since it is the main component of turpentine. Isomerization is the most frequently applied chemical pathway used to enhance fuel properties, and a wide group of heterogeneous catalysts have been reported, with sulphonic acid resin catalysts, transition metals, alumina, and silicates being the most used. This work also explores the current production and commercialization of terpenes, as well as the challenges for their use as fuels at a commercial scale. The future challenge is to discover new catalysts or to improve the performance of the current products and reduce production costs. The feasibility of the production and commercialization of terpene-derived fuels is also linked to oil prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turpentine is a fluid used mainly as a solvent for thinning oil-based paints, obtained by distilling the resin of coniferous trees. Fine art painters use turpentine on a daily basis. The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic effect of turpentine and to determine the lymphocyte proliferation index in the peripheral blood of individuals occupationally exposed to turpentine. For this purpose, the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) was used to determine the total number of micronuclei (MNi), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB), and nuclear buds (NBUD), as well as the cell proliferation index (CBPI) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the subjects. Twenty-two subjects exposed to turpentine daily through their work participated in the study and were compared to twenty subjects in the control group. The results showed a significant increase in the number of micronuclei and other genotoxicity parameters, as well as significant cytotoxicity based on CBPI values. In addition, the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of turpentine were found to be time-dependent, i.e., the deleterious effects of turpentine on genetic material increase with prolonged exposure. These results strongly suggest that exposure to turpentine vapors may affect genome stability and that occupational safety measures should be taken when using turpentine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lure attraction strength for red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) observed previously in US Pacific Northwest ponderosa pine forests is (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol > (+)‐3‐carene+ethanol, but untested elsewhere in its western US range. Thus, both were tested with (−)‐β‐pinene, (+)‐3‐carene, ethanol, and a blank in Oregon and California sites burned by wildfire, whereas in Arizona the first four lures were tested in a thinned‐unburned site.The D. valens responses in burned Oregon and California sites were similar, (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol > (−)‐β‐pinene > 3‐carene = 3‐carene+ethanol > ethanol > blank, whereas in the cut‐unburned Arizona site it was 3‐carene+ethanol > 3‐carene = (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol > (−)‐β‐pinene. Whether this variation was influenced by beetle genetic differences, or chemical and physical parameters in the different environments and remaining stressed host resources 1‐year post disturbance warrants additional study.Responses to (−)‐β‐pinene varied, from a stronger attractant than (+)‐3‐carene in Oregon and California, to a weaker lure than (+)‐3‐carene in Arizona. This (−)‐β‐pinene variability was minimized when released in combination with ethanol, making (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol the most consistent attractant of those tested across the three states, and a reliable lure for detection, monitoring, and management projects for D. valens in western US pine forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: rheumatoid arthritis characterized by joint inflammation and pain, affecting millions of peoples around the world. Traditional system of medicine had proven to be preventive and treating physical and mental illness. Objective: the objective of the study is to assess anti-arthritic potential of the plant Rosa alba L by considering CFA, formaldehyde and turpentine oil induced arthritic model. Material and Method: ethanolic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction were considered for the study and quercetin was quantitatively estimated by high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method. Moreover, hematological and biochemical studies (IL-6) were performed in blood and serum of wistar albino rat. Then histopathological studies had also been performed on rat hind paw joint. Result: phytochemical screening estimated the presence of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, phytosterols, amino acids and fixed oil in ethanolic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of the plant. Amount of quercetin in the flowers of the plant was found to be 0.26% w/w by quantitative HPTLC method. The level of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL-6) was considerably decreased (p<0.001) in the fraction treated group of rats at 400 mg/kg b. w by considering complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritic model. Conclusion: Ameliorated hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters confirmed the antiarthritic potential of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present investigation, the effect of Turpentine oil as an additive for Diesel fuel was investigated in terms of combustion, performance, exergy and emission parameter of a constant speed compression ignition (CI) engine. The functional groups of the Turpentine oil were identified by means of a spectroscopic analysis. Four Diesel–Turpentine oil blends were tested, where Turpentine oil percentage was varied from 5 to 20% by volume. The results showed that Turpentine percentage up to 10% in Diesel improved the combustion and performance of the engine. The hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and soot emissions were also lower with slightly elevated oxides of nitrogen (NOX) emissions as compared to baseline Diesel operation. The exergy analysis revealed that D90T10 produces higher exergetic efficiency, lower exhaust exergy, lower entropy generation rate and slightly higher sustainability. The trade-off study concluded that 10% Turpentine oil is optimum for effective CI engine utilization in terms of engine performance, combustion and emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biological invasions are responsible for substantial environmental and economic losses. The red turpentine beetle (RTB), Dendroctonus valens LeConte, is an important invasive bark beetle from North America that has caused substantial tree mortality in China. The lack of a high-quality reference genome seriously limits deciphering the extent to which genetic adaptions resulted in a secondary pest becoming so destructive in its invaded area. Results: Here, we present a 322.41 Mb chromosome-scale reference genome of RTB, of which 98% of assembled sequences are anchored onto fourteen linkage groups including the X chromosome with a N50 size of 24.36 Mb, which is significantly greater than other Coleoptera species. Repetitive sequences make up 45.22% of the genome, which is higher than four other Coleoptera species, i.e., Mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae, red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, blister beetle Hycleus cichorii, and Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. We identify rapidly expanded gene families and positively selected genes in RTB, which may be responsible for its rapid environmental adaptation. Population genetic structure of RTB was revealed by genome resequencing of geographic populations in native and invaded regions, suggesting substantial divergence of the North American population and illustrates the possible invasion and spread route in China. Selective sweep analysis highlighted the enhanced ability of Chinese populations in environmental adaptation. Conclusions: Overall, our high-quality reference genome represents an important resource for genomics study of invasive bark beetles, which will facilitate the functional study and decipher mechanism underlying invasion success of RTB by integrating the Pinus tabuliformis genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This piece problematises Daniel Headrick's 1981 work on 19th-century telegraphy: Tools of Empire. Instead of viewing the telegraph as a neat Imperial tool, this piece deconstructs the cables into its messy constituent parts, teasing out the international landscapes of people and materials linked by them. We move from the colonial copper-smelters in Chile to the indigenous gutta-percha collectors of Sarawak; from the peasant tar-burners of rural Sweden to the turpentine workers trapped in camps in the postbellum American south; from the partying jute-growers of Bangladesh to the roaming cable engineers on the Indian Ocean. This piece uncovers the people, the struggles, the indigenous knowledge and the hidden work that went into a key piece of 19th-century technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-ash low-grade coals of Indian origin are relatively more challenging to demineralize due to their unfavorable hydrophilic surface chemistry. Herein, we report castor oil as a potential bridging liquid, which efficiently agglomerated high-ash low-grade coals by 55–60% at lower concentration (10 wt%) compared to literature (20–25 wt%), without inclusion of surfactants. A blend of castor oil and turpentine oil proved further beneficial. Wet milling of coal was a crucial prerequisite for efficient agglomeration. Three low-grade coals, Bhubaneshwari (35.8% ash), Kaniha (35% ash), and Hingula (26% ash), were beneficiated in the present study. A detailed analysis of process parameters validated with structural characterization using FTIR, Petrography, zeta potential, and SEM analysis was performed. The chemistry between ricinoleic acid in castor oil with that of surface functionality of coal is speculated to be the reason behind the obtained agglomeration results. Castor oil, being non-edible, bio-based, non-toxic, and non-polluting in nature, provides a greener alternative to mineral oils toward the production of clean fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carica papaya L has been traditionally claimed for curing inflammation hence the present work exemplifies the anti-arthritic potential of crude leaves extract and its fractions in arthritic models. Screening on this plant has established presence of kaempferol which might possess antiarthritic properties. Kaempferol was quantitatively estimated by high performance thin layer chromatographic method in chloroform fraction and was found to be 0.08% w/w. Arthritis was induced by intraplantar administration considering formaldehyde (2%v/v), turpentine oil emulsion (10%v/v) and complete Freund's adjuvant (1%v/v) in left hind paw of rats. Paw oedema, body weight, haematological parameters, level of serum enzyme markers, biochemical parameters, interleukin-6 and histopathological analysis were observed in all groups. Present experimental work justifies that in chronic arthritis, iinvolvement of interleukin-6 is associated with non-articular manifestations considering joint inflammation including anaemia. The plant extract and chloroform fraction possess dose dependent antiarthritic effect in acute and complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic model by ameliorating the level of serum enzyme biomarkers, haematological and biochemical parameters, body weight abnormalities, interleukin-6. The experimental explanation established that extract and its fraction of Carica papaya L. revealed anti-arthritic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carica papaya L has been traditionally claimed for curing inflammation hence the present work exemplifies the anti-arthritic potential of crude leaves extract and its fractions in arthritic models. Screening on this plant has established presence of kaempferol which might possess antiarthritic properties. Kaempferol was quantitatively estimated by high performance thin layer chromatographic method in chloroform fraction and was found to be 0.08% w/w. Arthritis was induced by intraplantar administration considering formaldehyde (2%v/v), turpentine oil emulsion (10%v/v) and complete Freund's adjuvant (1%v/v) in left hind paw of rats. Paw oedema, body weight, haematological parameters, level of serum enzyme markers, biochemical parameters, interleukin-6 and histopathological analysis were observed in all groups. Present experimental work justifies that in chronic arthritis, iinvolvement of interleukin-6 is associated with non-articular manifestations considering joint inflammation including anaemia. The plant extract and chloroform fraction possess dose dependent antiarthritic effect in acute and complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic model by ameliorating the level of serum enzyme biomarkers, haematological and biochemical parameters, body weight abnormalities, interleukin-6. The experimental explanation established that extract and its fraction of Carica papaya L. revealed anti-arthritic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verbenone and carvone are allylic monoterpenoid ketones with many applications in the fine chemicals industry that can be obtained, respectively, from the allylic oxidation of α-pinene and limonene over a silica-supported iron hexadecachlorinated phthalocyanine (FePcCl16-NH2-SiO2) catalyst and with t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. As there are no reported analyses of the environmental impacts associated with catalytic transformation of terpenes into value-added products that include the steps associated with synthesis of the catalyst and several options of raw materials in the process, this contribution reports the evaluation of the environmental impacts in the conceptual process to produce verbenone and carvone considering two scenarios (SI-raw-oils and SII-purified-oils). The impact categories were evaluated using ReCiPe and IPCC methods implemented in SimaPro 9.3 software. The environmental impacts in the synthesis of the heterogeneous catalyst FePcCl16-NH2-SiO2 showed that the highest burdens in terms of environmental impact come from the use of fossil fuel energy sources and solvents, which primarily affect human health. The most significant environmental impacts associated with carvone and verbenone production are global warming and fine particulate matter formation, with fewer environmental impacts associated with the process that starts directly from turpentine and orange oils (SI-raw-oils) instead of the previously extracted α-pinene and limonene (SII-purified-oils). As TBHP was identified as a hotspot in the production process of verbenone and carvone, it is necessary to choose a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient oxidizing agent for the oxidation of turpentine and orange oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three different Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) gas sensors are designed to detect five different gases for a wide range of wavelengths. The three unique configurations are designed based on four outer Elliptical cores PCF (4E-PCF), four outer Circular cores (4C-PCF) PCF, and different Eight Elliptical cores PCF (8E-PCF) to analyze and sense the light interface with applied gases. For three proposed gas sensors, the sensing parameters for five different hazardous gases, such as relative sensitivity, effective area, birefringence and dispersion, are acquired. The five different gases considered in the sensor investigation are Sulfur trioxide [SO3] (20 °C), Tetracholorosilane [SiCl4], Tetracholoromethane [CCl4], Turpentine [C10H16], Tin Terra chloride [SnCl4]. Among the three designs, 8E-PCF yields a maximum sensitivity of 75.75%, an effective area of 2.45μm2, and a birefringence of 0.0421 for SnCl4 gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biological invasions are responsible for substantial environmental and economic losses. The red turpentine beetle (RTB), Dendroctonus valens LeConte, is an important invasive bark beetle from North America that has caused substantial tree mortality in China. The lack of a high-quality reference genome seriously limits deciphering the extent to which genetic adaptions resulted in a secondary pest becoming so destructive in its invaded area. Results: Here, we present a 322.41 Mb chromosome-scale reference genome of RTB, of which 98% of assembled sequences are anchored onto fourteen linkage groups including the X chromosome with a N50 size of 24.36 Mb, which is significantly greater than other Coleoptera species. Repetitive sequences make up 45.22% of the genome, which is higher than four other Coleoptera species, i.e., Mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae, red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, blister beetle Hycleus cichorii, and Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. We identify rapidly expanded gene families and positively selected genes in RTB, which may be responsible for its rapid environmental adaptation. Population genetic structure of RTB was revealed by genome resequencing of geographic populations in native and invaded regions, suggesting substantial divergence of the North American population and illustrates the possible invasion and spread route in China. Selective sweep analysis highlighted the enhanced ability of Chinese populations in environmental adaptation. Conclusions: Overall, our high-quality reference genome represents an important resource for genomics study of invasive bark beetles, which will facilitate the functional study and decipher mechanism underlying invasion success of RTB by integrating the Pinus tabuliformis genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus terebrans, is an economically important pest of pines in the Southeastern U.S., with a high potential for invasion to other pine-rich regions. Dendroctonus terebrans attraction to an injured host tree lessens over time as the host material degrades. Likewise, kairomonal volatiles emitted from the host change as constituents of the defensive resin oxidize. Therefore we hypothesized that volatiles associated with a fresh host would be more attractive to D. terebrans than those associated with a dead or dying host. We replicated the natural oxidation process of turpentine, fractionated the distilled products to isolate the oxidized products, and deployed the complex mixtures to measure field attraction based on the amount of oxidation performed. Contrasting with previous studies, our results suggest that D. terebrans attraction is not primarily based on host tree degradation. In a second experiment incorporating Dendroctonus pheromones, we demonstrate D. terebrans has a displacement-dependent response to endo-brevicomin, a pheromone associated with the sympatric southern pine beetle, D. frontalis. This has implications not only for possible interspecific signaling, but also for the role of endo-brevicomin in D. terebrans colonization behavior. The results from this study broaden the understanding of D. terebrans chemical ecology and directly contribute to the development of an effective lure-based monitoring system that will benefit future research and management efforts. This may become important if the species is established outside its native range, as in the closely related red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens, which caused mass pine tree mortality following its introduction to Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is a major pine tree killer in North and Central America. In the southeastern USA, responses by D. frontalis to its aggregation pheromone can be substantially increased by at least three host odours: the monoterpenes alpha‐ and beta‐pinene, and the phenylpropanoid 4‐allylanisole. We executed three trapping experiments to assess the influence of 4‐allylanisole release rate on aggregation behaviour of D. frontalis and to evaluate the compound as an adjuvant for the operational monitoring lure for D. frontalis. Addition of devices releasing 4‐allylanisole at any of three rates (4.8, 48, and 500 mg/day measured at mean 21°C) increased D. frontalis attraction to a pheromone lure, both in the presence and in the absence of an alpha‐pinene lure. The increase was 5‐ to 50‐fold with a positive dose response up to the highest tested release rate of 4‐allylanisole. Attraction of an associate, the black turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier), and a major D. frontalis predator, Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), was also significantly increased by 4‐allylanisole. A device releasing 4‐allylanisole at 0.05 g/day (at mean 23°C) increased attraction of D. frontalis to the current operational monitoring lure (which uses alpha‐ and beta‐pinene as the host odour component) approximately 4‐fold, but it did not increase attraction to a lure with turpentine as the host odour component (used in a former operational monitoring lure). Additionally, we observed none of the attraction‐inhibiting effects that were previously reported for 4‐allylanisole with D. frontalis. It is possible that the addition of 4‐allylanisole to the D. frontalis lure might allow detection of beetles at lower population densities and, if so, aid in earlier detection of populations invading the northeastern USA in response to climate change. This possibility should receive further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant Euryale ferox salisb family (Nymphaeaceae) commonly known as prickly water lily have been traditionally used in the treatment of rheumatism hence in the present study, investigation of anti-arthritic activity was accomplished using 50% v/v unproccessed ethanolic extract of leaves & chloroform fraction in arthritic models. The 50% ethanolic extract (EFEE) was separated into four fractions including n-hexane (EFHF), chloroform (EFCF), ethyl acetate (EFEA) and methanol (EFMF). Preliminary phytochemical screening and TLC were carried out on extract and all four fractions. The induction was accomplished by intraplantar injection of formaldehyde (2%v/v), turpentine (10%v/v) and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in left hind paw of wistar albino rats. Evaluation of anti-arthritic potential was been done by considering paw volume, body weight, joint diameter, arthritic score, serum enzymes, blood parameters and histopathological examination of rats blood and tissues. Extract and fraction were tested by phytochemical screening which signifies the existence of steroids, flavonoids, amino acid, alkaloid and phenolic compounds. In acute and chronic arthritic models, the plant had a dose-dependent anti-arthritic effect. The chloroform fraction (200mg/kg b.w) had a more significant effect than the 50% ethanolic extract. Hence, Euryale ferox ameliorates hematological indices, body weight, and histopathological alterations in a significant way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil agglomeration is an effective way to demineralize high ash coals as compared to froth flotation and density gradient separation. In this process, the choice of bridging liquid is critical with respect to economics and efficiency. Herein, we report turpentine oil as a potential bridging liquid which is demonstrably efficient in coal demineralization at lower concentration (10 vol.%) compared to literature (20–25 vol.%) without inclusion of surfactants, which enhances economic viability. We chose two high ash coals of Indian origin, with 26% and 34% ash. A varied range of particle sizes were examined along with pH, type of electrolytes, agitation conditions and oil dosages. Both coals (200 mesh) demonstrated approximately 50% reduction in ash content at pH 7, which is an improvement over previously known reports on Indian coals. Chemical structural resemblance between primary components of turpentine oil and predominant π-delocalized aromatic structure of high rank coals could be the reason behind improved adsorption of oil. Our work thus demonstrated the utilization of a natural oil which can be dried easily, readily available and cheap in a significantly demanding commercial process like coal beneficiation. This is expected to deliver a substantial performance and cost improvement over incumbent known bridging liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpenyl acetate, which is used for the production of flavors and fragrances, is industrially prepared from turpentine oil in a two‐step process including hydration and catalytic esterification. Such processes have several shortcomings like too‐large amounts of catalysts, non‐recyclability of catalysts, long reaction times, and serious environmental pollution. Here, a direct one‐step synthesis of terpenyl acetate from a feed mixture of turpentine oil and acetic acid with fluoroantimonic acid as superacid catalyst is described. Only 0.2 mol % of catalyst is necessary for up to 96 % conversion of starting material at room temperature. The desired product was obtained with a selectivity of up to 60 %. Thus, a clean and environmentally friendly strategy for synthesizing α‐terpenyl acetate is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a series of turpentine‐derived secondary amines (4 a–4 y) were synthesized and their structures were characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and HRMS. The post‐emergence herbicidal activities against barnyard grass and rape were evaluated by the Petri dish method. The preliminary results showed that most of the amines exhibited higher herbicidal activities than that of glyphosate. Compound 4 n was the most potential compound whose IC50 values against root and shoot growth of barnyard grass were 1.75 mg L−1, and 9.33 mg L−1, against shoot growth of rape was 13.12 mg L−1, which were 6.9‐folds, 4.5‐folds, and 13.5‐folds, higher than that of glyphosate, respectively. In addition, compounds 4 e, 4 c, and 4 n were found to be selective to monocotyledons such as Lolium perenne, Setaria viridis, Digitaria sanguinalis and Echinochloa crus‐galli, and they were safe to wheat, sorghum, maize, and peanut at 100 mg L−1. Furthermore, a 3D‐QSAR model was built by the CoMFA method to study the relationship between herbicidal activities with structures, and its coefficient were r2=0.85, q2=0.58, indicating the 3D‐QSAR model was reasonable and predictable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a widely used biomarker of sepsis in human medicine and can have potential applications in the veterinary field. This study aimed to explore whether PCT could be measured in the saliva of pigs and whether its concentration changes in sepsis. Therefore, a specific assay was developed and analytically validated, and changes in PCT concentration were evaluated in two conditions: a) in an experimental model of sepsis produced by the administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to pigs (n = 5), that was compared with a model of non-septic inflammation induced by turpentine oil (n = 4), and b) in healthy piglets (n = 11) compared to piglets with meningitis (n = 20), a disease that usually involves sepsis and whose treatment often requires large amounts of antibiotics in farms. Results: The assay showed coefficients of variation within the recommended limits and adequate linearity after serial sample dilutions. The method's detection limit was set at 68 μg/L, and the lower limit of quantification was 414 μg/L. In the LPS experiment, higher concentrations of PCT were found after 24 h in the animals injected with LPS (mean = 5790 μg/L) compared to those treated with turpentine oil (mean = 2127 μg/L, P = 0.045). Also, animals with meningitis had higher concentrations of PCT (mean = 21515 μg/L) than healthy pigs (mean = 6096 μg/L, P value < 0.0001). Conclusions: According to these results, this assay could be potentially used as a tool for the non-invasive detection of sepsis in pigs, which is currently a topic of high importance due to antibiotic use restriction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Brown (Common name: Chongan), belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae is distributed widely in hilly areas of Dir, Swat, Kohat and in plain lands of Punjab, Pakistan. The plant has been used as a source of vegetable as well as home remedy for headache, muscle spasms and rheumatism. The present study was proposed to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential of the aqueous methanolic extract of C. tuberculata (ICE). The dried shoots of plant were used to prepare aqueous methanolic extract (30:70) by 3 days thrice maceration and filtration followed by evaporation under reduced pressure. ICE was screened for the presence of phytochemicals using preliminary phytochemical analysis and HPLC. The antioxidant potential was evaluated through DPPH assay. Analgesic potential of ICE was studied using hot plate and tail immersion methods, and anti-inflammatory activity was performed using turpentine oil and carrageenan-induced inflammation models, in wistar albino rats. Formaldehyde-induced and Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis models were used for the assessment of anti-arthritic activity of ICE and its effects on serum levels of PGE-2 as well as gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were studied. ICE displayed a dose-dependent (300–1000 mg/Kg p.o.) analgesic effect in hot plate (maximum retention time of 10.87 and 13 s) and tail immersion (response time of 11 and 13.64 s) tests at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/Kg, respectively. The extract exhibited a significant decrease in paw inflammation of rats at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/Kg as compared to the disease control group. ICE also exhibited a remarkable decline in arthritic score and a dose-dependent drop in serum levels of prostaglandin E2. There was a significant suppression in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB and cyclooxygenase enzyme in treatment groups. This study concludes that Caralluma tuberculata exhibits strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities thus upholding the vernacular use of the plant for pain and rheumatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The release of acute-phase proteins and cytokine storms are considered critical parameters for the progression of COVID-19 disease. The increase in the serum levels of cytokines such as IL6 and IL8 observed in patients primarily infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been used to determine the severity of clinical conditions resulting from infection and for prognostic purposes. Animal models have been used to understand the mechanisms of the changes in homeostasis observed under pathological conditions. In the present study, we therefore report the changes in serum levels and hepatic gene expression of cytokines and chemokines in two different animal models of acute-phase responses. The acute-phase response is a transient emergency response aimed at preserving life and bringing about the changes necessary to reduce and repair tissue damage after the removal of damaging noxious agents. Our data suggest that the liver may be responsible for the increase in the serum levels of cytokines and chemokines as part of the body's defense response to tissue damage. It is therefore doubtful that inhibiting this response at any stage after infection could improve the prognosis of patients. These results may help to interpret the laboratory changes observed in critically ill patients, as may be the case following SARS-CoV-2 infection. A mild to moderate increase in acute-phase proteins (APPs) and a decrease in serum albumin levels are detected in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A similar trend is also observed for acute-phase cytokines (APC), mainly IL6, besides chemokines (e.g., CXCL8 and CCL2). However, the source of the chemokines in these patients at different stages of disease remains to be elucidated. We investigated hepatic gene expression of CXC- and CC-chemokines in a model of a localized extrahepatic aseptic abscess and in a model of septicemia produced by the intramuscular injection of turpentine oil (TO) into each hindlimb or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally (i.p.) in rats and mice (wild-type (WT) and IL6-KO). Together with a striking increase in the serum IL6 level, strong serum CXCL2 and CXCL8 concentrations were detected. Correspondingly, rapid (2 h) upregulation of CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL5, and CXCL8 was observed in rat liver after intramuscular TO injection. The induction of the gene expression of CXCL1 and CXCL8 was the fastest and strongest. The hepatic CXC-chemokines behaved like positive APPs that depend on IL6 production by activated macrophages recruited to extrahepatic damaged tissue. Chemokine upregulation was greatly reduced in IL6-KO mice. However, IL6 was dispensable in the LPS–APR model, as massive induction of hepatic chemokines studied was measured in IL6-KO mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lure efficacy for primary attraction of red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) observed previously in US Pacific Northwest ponderosa pine forests is (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol > (+)‐3‐carene+ethanol > (+)‐α‐pinene+ethanol.Influence of (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol release rates was tested with nine lures representing all combinations of three release levels for each compound in a 3 × 3 factorial design field test in Oregon. Beetle catch had a positive, linear relationship with the combined (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol total release (or dose), resulting from higher release of either one or both compounds. Reversing component ratios, that is, 1 : 2 versus 2 : 1 with similar total doses, produced minimal changes in beetle response.Females produce frontalin with dual aggregation and sex‐pheromone functions. In another test, high‐release frontalin, defined as >1.0 mg/day release, was tested at 1.4 to 1.5 mg/day in combination with each monoterpene+ethanol lure above and their trap catch compared with (−)‐β‐pinene+ethanol lures. Presence of high‐release frontalin produced minimal changes in beetle responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]