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The extent and rate of release of active substances from topical products must be sufficient to ensure their effectiveness, which depends on selecting the most appropriate formulation. This study examined allantoin emulsions and gel formulations. In water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, the main emulsifier was varied, while the same gelling agent was used in all formulations to test the effects of oil phase presence and emulsifier type on allantoin release, as well as the formulations' rheological and textural characteristics. O/W emulsions exhibited similar release rates and the overall amount released over six hours (11–14.8%), while the highest amount of allantoin (20.9%) was released from the gel formulation. Conversely, the amount of allantoin released from the W/O emulsion (0.77%) was insufficient. Experimental data generally fit best with the Higuchi model kinetics. The formulations demonstrated shear-thinning thixotropic behavior. The greatest deviation from the Newtonian type of flow, with the smallest value of constant n (0.106-0.13) and the largest thixotropic loop area (6602.67-8140 Pas-1) were shown by O/W emulsions. The W/O emulsion exhibited the highest constant n (0.70) and smaller hysteresis area (991.23 Pas-1). Firmness and consistency values increased in the order: gel < W/O emulsion < O/W emulsions. The O/W emulsions showed similarity in microstructure and textural characteristics, likely explaining their similar release behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study on volatile semiochemicals, we employed two headspace sampling methods: static and dynamic. Static headspace analysis utilized Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME), while dynamic headspace sampling involved techniques such as push–pull and closed loop stripping. Both methods are crucial for accurately detecting and characterizing the volatile profile of bloodsucking arthropods in situ or in vitro. This study examines differences in the chemical composition of volatiles extracted from the feces of two Chagasic bug species, Triatoma phyllosoma and Rhodnius prolixus, employing SPME and dynamic aeration techniques. Additionally, a standard synthetic blend of compounds (heptanal, octanal, nonanal, and decanal) mimicking a natural combination was utilized, with the evaporation of the blend monitored through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Volatiles were captured using seven distinct SPME fiber types and adsorbents: Tenax®, Super Q®, and activated charcoal. Comparative analysis was conducted between the amount and ratios of evaporated and those captured using dynamic and static headspace sampling methods. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique were thoroughly examined. Results indicate that activated charcoal, Tenax®, and the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/divinylbenzene (DVB) fiber demonstrate superior accuracy in capturing short-chain aldehydes. Furthermore, the significance of employing multiple headspace sampling techniques within a chemical ecology framework is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofumigation was proposed as an alternative to synthetic pesticides for the disinfection of agricultural soils, in view of the biocidal effect of isothiocyanates (ITCs) released by some vegetal species, like Brassicaceae. However, biofumigation also presents limitations; thus, a novel and viable alternative could be the direct introduction of ITCs into agricultural soils as components loaded into biodegradable hydrogels. Thus, in this work, ITCs-based microemulsions were developed, which can be loaded into porous polymer-based hydrogel beads based on sodium alginate (ALG) or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Three ITCs (ethyl, phenyl, and allyl isothiocyanate) and three different surfactants (sodium dodecylsulfate, Brij 35, and Tween 80) were considered. The optimal system was characterized with attenuated ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry to study how the microemulsion/gels interaction affects the gel properties, such as the equilibrium water content or free water index. Finally, loading and release profiles were studied by means of UV–Vis spectrophotometry. It was found that CMC hydrogel beads showed a slightly more efficient profile of micelles' release in water with respect to ALG beads. For this reason, and due to the enhanced contribution of Fe(III) to their biocidal properties, CMC-based hydrogels are the most promising in view of the application on real agricultural soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry comprises technologies that transform synthetic or natural fibers into yarn, cloth, and felt for manufacturing clothing, upholstery, and household linens. The major public health threat in tropical and subtropical countries is mosquito‐borne malaria. Nowadays, the demand for insect repellent‐based textiles is continuously rising, as they are used for protection against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. The present work reviews studies on the fabrication of insect repellent containing electrospun polymeric nanofibers as principal tools for protecting people against mosquito bites. Electrospinning technology is a remarkably facile technique for fabricating polymeric nanofiber devices. The technique is outlined and elucidated. The performance of insect repellent‐based polymeric nanofibers against mosquitoes is carefully reported and comprehensively reviewed in‐depth. Furthermore, the progress made on the mathematical modeling of the release rate of repellents through polymeric nanofiber devices is reviewed. The reviewed studies demonstrate that repellents can be released slowly from electrospun nanofibers, increasing the product's protection period against insects. The reviewed works suggest that electrospinning technology has led to an effective and facile methodology for fabricating functional nanofiber textiles with insect repellent. The reviewed studies showed that product‐based repellents can be effective not only against malaria but also against other mosquito‐borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season had a devastating impact on native fauna. It was estimated that 3 billion animals were affected by the fires, but there are few accounts of the species or numbers of animals rescued and rehabilitated post-fire. We reviewed rescue, triage, rehabilitation and release reports for marsupials from two regions: the state of New South Wales (NSW) and Kangaroo Island, South Australia. In NSW, only 889 marsupial rescues were reported, despite estimates of 46.8 million marsupials inhabiting the fire zones. Three marsupial groups dominated the rescue statistics: kangaroos and wallabies (n = 458), koalas (n = 204), and possums (n = 162), with smaller numbers of other marsupial species. The probability of survival and release was lowest for kangaroos and wallabies (15% ± 4%) compared with koalas (47% ± 4%) and possums (55% ± 10%). Injury type was a significant predictor of survival for all groups, with malnourished/moribund animals or those with traumatic injuries less likely to survive. In both jurisdictions, koalas were over-represented, and possums under-represented, in rescue statistics relative to baseline population densities and pre-fire wildlife rescue trends. Triage decisions also varied by species, with koalas more likely to enter care, whereas other species were more likely to be euthanised at triage. Koalas were more likely to die during rehabilitation, with 73% dying or being euthanised between day 1 and 30 post-rescue, representing a potential welfare concern. These species differences in presentation post-fire warrant further investigation, as do the differences in triage, survival and release outcomes. These data highlight the need for detailed record keeping and data sharing, and the development of consistent and evidence-based triage, treatment and euthanasia guidelines for all species. The 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season had a devastating impact on native wildlife. It was estimated that 3 billion native animals were impacted by the fires, yet there are few estimates of the number of animals that were rescued and rehabilitated post-fire. Focusing on the state of New South Wales (NSW) and Kangaroo Island, South Australia, we used a case study approach to determine the number of marsupials that were reported rescued due to the 2019–2020 bushfires in these areas and analysed species-specific trends in rescue and release success. In NSW, we found 889 reports of fire-affected marsupials in 2019–2020, mostly comprising kangaroos and wallabies (macropods; n = 458), koalas (n = 204), and possums (n = 162), with a smaller number of wombats (n = 43) and other marsupial species. Most reports of fire-affected marsupials occurred 6–8 weeks after fire ignition, and there was no difference in temporal frequency of rescues between marsupial groups. For the three main groups, the probability of survival and subsequent release differed, with macropods having the lowest probability of release after rescue (0.15 ± 0.04) compared to koalas (0.47 ± 0.04) and possums (0.55 ± 0.10). The type of injury was the main predictor of survival during rehabilitation for all three marsupial groups, with those malnourished/moribund or with traumatic injuries less likely to survive rehabilitation. Death or euthanasia occurred on the day of rescue for 77% of macropods, 48% of possums and 15% of koalas. Koalas most often died during rehabilitation rather than on the day of rescue, with 73% either dying or being euthanised between day 1 and 30 post-rescue, representing a potential welfare concern. On Kangaroo Island, koalas were the most frequently rescued marsupial species; most euthanasia cases and deaths occurred in a hospital, whereas other marsupials were mostly euthanised at triage. In both jurisdictions, koalas were over-represented while possums were under-represented relative to baseline population densities and wildlife rescue trends in the years before the 2019–2020 bushfires. These species differences in presentation post-fire warrant further investigation, as do the differences in triage, survival and release outcomes. It is hypothesised that the high intensity and large scale of the 2019–2020 fires impeded marsupial fire evasion tactics, as evidenced by the small number of animals found for rescue, and the differing rates of presentation relative to underlying population densities for the main marsupial groups. Based on our findings, there is a need for detailed record keeping and data sharing, development of consistent and evidence-based triage, treatment and euthanasia guidelines and deployment of trained wildlife emergency rescue teams with advanced search techniques to minimise animal suffering where safe to do so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is an antioxidant that can effectively eliminate free radicals. However, as its oral bioavailability is low, an effective delivery method is required. Phospholipid-based liposomes can encapsulate lipophilic drugs, such as curcumin, while liposome, cholesterol, and gum Arabic (GA) can enhance the internal and external stability of drug membranes. This present study used concentrations of cholesterol (Cchol) and GA (CGA), ranging from 0 to 10, 20, 30, and 40% as well as 0 to 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40%, respectively, to encapsulate curcumin in a GA–cocoliposome (CCL/GA) matrix and test its efficacy in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) and simulated gastric fluid (SGF). The absence of new characteristic peaks in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra results indicate the presence of non-covalent interactions in the CCL/GA encapsulation. Furthermore, increasing the Cchol decreased the encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading capacity (LC), and antioxidant activity (IR) of the CCL/GA encapsulation but increased its release rate (RR). Conversely, increasing CGA increased its EE and IR but decreased its LC and RR. The two conditions applied confirmed this. Liposomal curcumin had the highest IR in SIF (84.081%) and the highest RR in SGF (0.657 ppm/day). Furthermore, liposomes loaded with 10% Cchol and 20% CGA performed best in SIF, while those loaded with 10% Cchol and 30% CGA performed best in SGF. Lastly, the CCL/GA performed better in SIF than SGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The textile industry comprises technologies that transform synthetic or natural fibers into yarn, cloth, and felt for manufacturing clothing, upholstery, and household linens. The major public health threat in tropical and subtropical countries is mosquito‐borne malaria. Nowadays, the demand for insect repellent‐based textiles is continuously rising, as they are used for protection against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. The present work reviews studies on the fabrication of insect repellent containing electrospun polymeric nanofibers as principal tools for protecting people against mosquito bites. Electrospinning technology is a remarkably facile technique for fabricating polymeric nanofiber devices. The technique is outlined and elucidated. The performance of insect repellent‐based polymeric nanofibers against mosquitoes is carefully reported and comprehensively reviewed in‐depth. Furthermore, the progress made on the mathematical modeling of the release rate of repellents through polymeric nanofiber devices is reviewed. The reviewed studies demonstrate that repellents can be released slowly from electrospun nanofibers, increasing the product's protection period against insects. The reviewed works suggest that electrospinning technology has led to an effective and facile methodology for fabricating functional nanofiber textiles with insect repellent. The reviewed studies showed that product‐based repellents can be effective not only against malaria but also against other mosquito‐borne diseases.

To reveal the changes on the stock of the litter layer and its nutrient storage capacity during Moso bamboo expansion in subtropical coniferous and broad-leaved forests, permanent plots were set up in the transitional zone in Wuxie National Park, Zhuji, Zhejiang, China. The plots contained conifer and broad-leaved forests (CFs), transition forests (TFs), and Moso bamboo forests (MFs), which represented three stages of the expansion of Moso bamboo to the surrounding forests. Litter samples were collected and analyzed by un-decomposed, semi-decomposed, and decomposed layers. The stock of the litter layer, the content and storage of the main nutrient elements, and their release rate were measured. It was revealed that the stock of the litter layer and each decomposition layer decreased as the bamboo expands. However, the litter decomposition rate exhibited a positive correlation with the expansion of Moso bamboo, which might be due to the change in the physical properties of the litter. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences in the un-decomposed and semi-decomposed layers of the litter contents of C, N, and P between the three forests, but the contents of C, N, and P in the decomposed layer gradually decreased with the expansion of Moso bamboo. There were no remarkable differences in the N content, C/N, C/P, and lignin/N values of the un-decomposed layer of the three forests, indicating that the litter quality was not the principal reason affecting the decomposition rate. The total nutrient storage in the litter layer decreased significantly with the bamboo expansion, and the release rate of nutrient elements increased, which was adverse to the accumulation and storage of the nutrients. The material cycle of the original forest ecosystem is likely to deteriorate gradually with the bamboo expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of their high protein content, easy access and low cost, pumpkin seeds are a valuable raw material for the preparation of antioxidant protein hydrolysates. Micro-coating is an effective method to protect bioactive compounds against destruction. In order to strengthen the alginate hydrogel network loaded with pumpkin seed protein hydrolysate (PSPH), CMC was added as part of its formulation in the first step, and chitosan coating was used in the second step. Then, swelling amount, release in the simulated gastrointestinal environment (SGI), antioxidant activity after SGI, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), polydispersity index (PDI) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the samples were evaluated. The results showed that, the swelling amount of the chitosan-alginate hydrogel was lower than the chitosan-alginate-CMC sample, and with the increase in chitosan concentration, the swelling amount decreased. The release amount in the chitosan-alginate sample was higher than that in the chitosan-alginate-CMC sample, and with the increase in chitosan concentration, the release rate decreased. Also, the amount of release increased with the passage of time. The highest antioxidant activity belonged to the chitosan-alginate sample in SGI, and it increased with increasing the chitosan concentration. All findings demonstrated that the use of multi-component hybrid systems is a useful method for the protection of bioactive compounds against destruction, their antioxidant activities and their release behavior.

Introduction. Wet granulation technology is a process of directed particle aggregation of powder materials to obtain required properties of tablet masses and, as a consequence, to achieve satisfactory characteristics of tablets. In this addition, as a result of wet granulation technology, if special excipients are used, it becomes possible to control the rate and kinetics of release of active pharmaceutical substances from tablets to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.Aim. To study the effect of matrix-forming components included in the composition of mixtures for granulation on the rate of release of sodium 4,4'-(propanediamido)dibenzoate from tablets.Materials and methods. The original substance sodium 4,4'-(propanediamido)dibenzoate, as well as a number of excipients, which included polymers used for prolonged-release dosage forms, lubricant – sodium stearyl fumarate, as well as pore-forming agents – PVP and MCC, were the objects of the study. The key parameters of tablets and dissolution kinetics were studied in accordance with the requirements of State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV edition and Pharmacopeia of the Eurasian Economic Union.Result and discussion. Prolonged release was achieved for all tablets, but more than 90 % of the substance was released after 12 hours in tablets containing ethylcellulose as a matrix-forming polymer. The release of APS from tablets of this formulation was the most prolonged.Сonclusion. The effect of matrix-forming components included in the composition of mixtures for granulation on the rate of release of 4,4'-(propanediamido)sodium dibenzoate from tablets has been studied. The most uniform and complete release of ASF from tablets in which the matrix-forming polymer is ethylcellulose in the amount of 27.7 %.

Biofumigation was proposed as an alternative to synthetic pesticides for the disinfection of agricultural soils, in view of the biocidal effect of isothiocyanates (ITCs) released by some vegetal species, like Brassicaceae. However, biofumigation also presents limitations; thus, a novel and viable alternative could be the direct introduction of ITCs into agricultural soils as components loaded into biodegradable hydrogels. Thus, in this work, ITCs-based microemulsions were developed, which can be loaded into porous polymer-based hydrogel beads based on sodium alginate (ALG) or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Three ITCs (ethyl, phenyl, and allyl isothiocyanate) and three different surfactants (sodium dodecylsulfate, Brij 35, and Tween 80) were considered. The optimal system was characterized with attenuated ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry to study how the microemulsion/gels interaction affects the gel properties, such as the equilibrium water content or free water index. Finally, loading and release profiles were studied by means of UV–Vis spectrophotometry. It was found that CMC hydrogel beads showed a slightly more efficient profile of micelles’ release in water with respect to ALG beads. For this reason, and due to the enhanced contribution of Fe(III) to their biocidal properties, CMC-based hydrogels are the most promising in view of the application on real agricultural soils.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in protein (24–36.5%). Some of them are consumed as nuts, while others are regarded as waste and used for feeding animals. Protein hydrolysates from pumpkin seeds possess some bioactive properties, such as anti-oxidant activity. In this work, various composite alginate hydrogels contain Aloe vera, CMC, and tragacanth have been employed to protect PSPH against degradation in simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGI) and regulate its release rate. The encapsulation efficiency of PSPH in plain alginate and beads with Aloe vera, CMC, and tragacanth combinations was 71.63, 75.63, 85.07, and 80.4%, respectively. The release rate of the plain alginate beads was %30.23 in the SGF and %52.26 in the SIF, and decreased in the composite-based beads. The highest decreasing rate in the antioxidant activity during SGI was observed in free PSPH, and the decreasing rate slowed down in the alginate-based composites. The swelling rate in plain alginate was %-23.43 and %25.43 in the SGF and SIF, respectively, and increased in the composite-based beads. The FTIR spectra of hydrogels before and after loading with PSPH showed identical absorption patterns and were similar to each other. Based on the data for SEM, it was revealed that substituting other polymers in polymer combinations with alginates resulted in a porosity reduction of the beads and smoother and more uniform surfaces. Based on the results, the combination of polysacchared with alginate could protect and increase the applicability of PSPH as a functional component in the food industry.

Simvastatin, a lipid-lowering drug from the statins group, is used in various dyslipidemias. It appears like a very useful medication to decrease the level of total cholesterol, of the low-density-lipids and triglycerides from blood, but it is well-known that the administration of statins have serious side effects, like muscle pain and weakness that can lead to kidney damage, rash on the skin and inflammation of the joints and of the blood vessels, shortness of breath, inflammation of the liver, dark urine, anemia, memory and sleep disorders, and problems in performing the sexual act. The main aims of this research were to obtain and to characterize a polymer carrier used for the transmembrane transfer of simvastatin. Hepatic arterial variations are common knowledge and it has been studied that these types of arteries have a narrower endoluminal diameter, therefore the patients may be prone to develop atherosclerosis more rapid that the ones with standard hepatic arterial patterns. The samples based on polyurethane structures with and respectively without the active agent were synthesized and characterized by measurements of pH, encapsulation efficacy, cumulative drug release in a simulated body fluid, scanning electron microscopy, Zetasizer measurements, thermal stability, cytotoxicity assay, and noninvasive skin irritation assessment. The results indicate the obtaining of heterogenous polyurethane structures with mean sizes between 80-440 nm and neutral pH, that have a good stability against the agglomeration tendency and a prolonged release rate. The results on structures cytotoxicity and their non-irritative potential are important clues that can be used in further clinical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the medication requirements of different populations, efforts have been made to develop sustained-release formulations of andrographolide. In this study, andrographolide tablets (3D-AGT) and encapsulating agents (3D-AGE) were created using a semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printer with varying release rates. Sodium alginate and chitosan were utilized as excipients to produce a hexagonal 3D-AGT with a diameter of 10.00 mm and a height of 3.00 mm. The 3D-AGE was then assembled by combining the upper layer and the ground floor loaded with andrographolide. Both formulations exhibited smooth surfaces and uniform internal composition. FT-IR analysis confirmed that the chemical structures of andrographolide and the excipients remained intact throughout the printing process. The drug loading capacity of 3D-AGT preparations, formulated with four different excipient ratios, exceeded 85%. Additionally, two 3D-AGE preparations (10 and 20 mg) were successfully loaded with the drug. In vitro drug release tests demonstrated that both 3D-AGT and 3D-AGE preparations exhibited satisfactory drug release performance. However, the proportions of excipients and drug loading had minimal impact on the cumulative drug dissolution effect. In terms of antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, both preparations displayed antibacterial rates of nearly 85% or higher in vitro. Furthermore, the average results from nine volunteers indicated that 3D-AGE effectively masked the bitter taste of andrographolide. This study suggested that the release rate of andrographolide could be regulated using SSE 3D printing through careful structural design and adjustment of printing parameters, thus providing a novel approach for personalized traditional Chinese medicine preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Vanillic acid (VA) is a phenolic compound with potential antioxidant activity, which improves ischemia-induced myocardial degeneration, by reducing oxidative stress; however, it suffers poor bioavailability owing to its poor solubility. VA-loaded pharmacosomes were optimized using a central composite design, where the effect of phosphatidylcholine:VA molar ratio and the precursor concentration were studied. An optimized formulation (O1) was prepared and tested for the release rate of VA, in vivo bioavailability, and cardioprotective potential on myocardial infarction-induced rats. The optimized formulation showed a particle size of 229.7 nm, polydispersity index of 0.29, and zeta potential of − 30 mV. O1 showed a sustained drug release for 48 h. The HPLC–UV method was developed for the determination of VA in plasma samples using protein precipitation. The optimized formulation showed a great improvement in the bioavailability as compared to VA. The residence time of the optimized formula was 3 times longer than VA. The optimized formulation showed a more potent cardioprotective effect as compared to VA, via inhibition of the MAPK pathway with subsequent inhibition of PI3k/NF-κB signaling, in addition to its antioxidant effect. The optimized formulation showed normalization of many oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Thus, a VA-loaded pharmacosome formulation with promising bioavailability and cardioprotective activity potential was prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is still a large amount of ferulic acid (FA), an outstanding antioxidant, present in agricultural residues. Enzymatic hydrolysis has been regarded as the most effective way to release FA. This present study therefore selected feruloyl esterase (FAE) and xylanase (XYN) from the metagenomes of a cow rumen and a camel rumen, respectively, for their recombinant expression in Escherichia coli BL21 and further application in releasing FA. After screening the candidate signal peptides, the optimal one for each enzyme, which were selected as SP1 and SP4, respectively, was integrated into the vectors pET22b(+) and pETDuet-1. Among the generated E. coli strains SP1-F, SP4-X, and SP1-F-SP4-X that could express extracellular enzymes either separately or simultaneously, the latter one performed the best in relation to degrading the biomass and releasing FA. Under the optimized culture and induction conditions, the strain SP1-F-SP4-X released 90% of FA from 10% of de-starched wheat bran and produced 314.1 mg/L FA, which was deemed to be the highest obtained value to the best of our knowledge. This result could pave a way for the re-utilization of agricultural residues and enhancing their add-value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: In order to optimize the process parameters of tobacco sheet of heated cigarette. Methods: 12 gradient grades of tobacco sheets with glycerol addition ratio of 5%~30% were prepared under laboratory conditions. The mass of moisture, nicotine and glycerol in heated cigarette smoke, filter condensation section and tobacco core section were detected by GC-TCD method. And the mass distribution characteristics of main components, release rate, filtration rate and transfer rate were analyzed. Results: When 5%~30% glycerol was applied to the heated cigarette tobacco sheets, the water release rate was 88.6%~92.3%, which was mainly distributed in the smoke and filter condensation section; The nicotine release rate was 25.5%~34.2%, which was mainly distributed in the filter condensing section and tobacco core section; The glycerol release rate was 13.9%~21.3%, which was mainly distributed in the tobacco core section. Conclusion: When 10%~18% glycerol was added to tobacco sheets, nicotine and glycerol in heated cigarettes had higher transfer rate and lower filtration rate.

Antimicrobial packaging films are of interest to the fresh produce industry due to the high number of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with these products. This study evaluated the antimicrobial effectiveness of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films with embedded zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) nanoparticles carrying trans‐cinnamaldehyde (TC) against Escherichia coli MG1655 in spinach leaves. PVA films were synthesized using distilled water and mixed at 90°C for 1 h. The synthesized nanoparticles were introduced at various mass ratio concentrations (0%–5% weight of ZIF‐8@TC nanoparticles to PVA), namely PVA‐Z8‐0 (control) through PVA‐Z8‐5. The PVA and ZIF‐8@TC solution was mixed for 24 h until it seemed homogenous, cast, and dried in a ventilated oven at 35°C for 24 h. The release rate of TC from the PVA/ZIF‐8@TC into both ethanol and methanol was characterized using HPLC methods. Disk diffusion and growth studies were performed to quantify the films antimicrobial effectiveness. Disk diffusion test showed that antimicrobial activity against E. coli MG1655 increased (p < 0.05) with increased nanoparticles concentration. Growth characteristics were described by the Baranyi model with some variations. About 0.26, 0.73, and 1.65 log reductions were achieved with the PVA‐Z8‐1 to PVA‐Z8‐3 films, respectively, while total inactivation was achieved with both the PVA‐Z8‐4 and PVA‐Z8‐5 films (p < 0.05). Similarly, the Baranyi model described the inhibitory profiles of the different films. This study contributes to the overall food safety body of knowledge regarding fresh produce and other packaged foods through the development of biopolymeric films with embedded nanoparticles to entrap natural antimicrobials. Practical Application: This study paves the way for further research on the development of active polymeric films for food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, is a major pest in eastern Canada strawberry fields. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of two omnivorous predators of the pest: the damsel bug, Nabis americoferus, and the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus. The results in the laboratory showed that N. americoferus attacked all stages of the tarnished plant bug and, in the field, reduced its population for several weeks. Additionally, the impact was significant for every tested release period. Conversely, O. insidiosus only attacked smaller nymphs, and its effect was marginal. These results lead the way for an effective biological control strategy based on the use of N. americoferus against the tarnished plant bug. The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, is a major strawberry pest. Only marginally effective control methods exist to manage this pest. Various predators attack L. lineolaris, but their potential is overlooked. In this study, we explore the potential of two omnivorous predators of the tarnished plant bug: the damsel bug, Nabis americoferus, and the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus. Firstly, the predation rate of these predators was measured in laboratory tests. Secondly, their potential release rates and release periods were determined in the field using strawberry plants. The results show that N. americoferus feeds on all nymphal stages and adults of the tarnished plant bug, while O. insidiosus attacks only smaller nymphs (up to the N2 stage). In the field, all tested densities of N. americoferus (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 individual/plant) reduced the population of the tarnished plant bug for several weeks compared with the control treatment, but the effect of O. insidiosus alone was marginal. Additionally, for all the release periods tested, Nabis americoferus was efficient in reducing the pest population. These results demonstrate the potential of N. americoferus to control the tarnished plant bug in strawberry fields. We discuss the possible application of these results for establishing an effective and economically viable biological control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of predators in suppressing prey populations is known to be influenced by the predator-prey release ratio. The efficacy of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) against Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergand) in the presence or absence of Tetranychus urticae Koch and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot on rose plants was evaluated in the present study. The decrease of F. occidentalis populations was compared at the six predator:prey ratios of 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, and 1:100 in the laboratory, and at the three release rates of 20, 40, and 100 predators per m2 in microcosm conditions. The plants without predators were considered as controls. All treatments with the release of N. cucumeris resulted in a significant decrease in F. occidentalis larval population compared to the control. The most suppression (84.5%) of F. occidentalis larvae was observed in the release rate of 100 adults of N. cucumeris per m2 in 30 days after the release of the predator. Predator ratios of 1:2 and 1:5 of N. cucumeris: F. occidentalis resulted in a 94.6 and 93.4% decrease in F. occidentalis larvae after 24 hours, respectively. The presence of T. urticae (as a competitor herbivore) and P. persimilis had no effect on the efficiency of N. cucumeris in the suppression of F. occidentalis. The dense webs of T. urticae decreased the efficiency of N. cucumeris at predator:prey ratios of 1:5 and 1:10 more than1:2. This study showed that the release of 100 adults of N. cucumeris per m2 would be sufficient to control F. occidentalis larvae on rose plants. Moreover, we demonstrated that higher release rates of N.cucumeris are needed when T. urticae's dense webs are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Dalian University of Technology / Dalian Ligong Daxue Xuebao is the property of Journal of Dalian University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Objectives] To study the effects of different slow-release carriers on the release rate of plant volatiles, in order to provide technical support for the selection of appropriate release carriers for the research of related insect attractants, so as to achieve the best trapping effect and longer duration. [Methods] The release rate and duration of α-pinene and cis-3-hexenol in LDPE bottles and LDPE bags with different specifications were measured by weighing method under outdoor conditions. [Results] The release rate test of LDPE bottles showed that there were significant differences in the release rates of plant volatiles between different sizes of LDPE bottles and different doses. The average daily release rate of 15 mL LDPE bottle +15 mL α-pinene within 16 days was the lowest, which was (268.3±70.3) mg⋅d-1, significantly lower than (580.0±119.5) mg⋅d-1 of 100 mL LDPE bottle +15 mL α-pinene and (913.3±133.8) mg⋅d-1 of 100 mL LDPE bottle +50 mL α-pinene. The duration of 100 mL LDPE bottle +15 mL α-pinene combination is about 16 days, while the duration of 15 mL LDPE bottle +15 mL α-pinene combination and 100 mL LDPE bottle+50 mL α-pinene combination can reach more than 50 days. The release rate test of LDPE bag showed that, The average daily release rate of 2 mL cis-3-hexenol in 0.02 mm LDPE bag within 12 days was the highest, which was (110.7±28.0) mg⋅d-1, significantly higher than that of other thickness LDPE bags; The daily average release rate of 2 mL cis-3-hexenol in 0.06, 0.08, 0.10 and 0.16 mm LDPE bags were (48.3±14.4), (42.0±11.5), (36.3±14.4) and (31.0±7.9) mg⋅d-1, with no significant difference; The duration of 2 mL cis-3-hexenol in 0.02 mm LDPE bag is about 16 days, while the release rate on 0.06-0.16 mm LDPE bags is relatively stable, and the duration can reach 50-60 days. [Conclusion] The test results show that the release rate can be accurately controlled by using different volumes, different thicknesses of slow-release carriers and different doses of plant volatiles to meet the needs of different insect attractants. The conclusion of this study can provide some reference for the selection of slow-release carriers of insect attractants in production, and provide technical support for insect pest monitoring and pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromelain, a natural substance sourced from pineapples, was found effective in various colds, in preventing heart attack and respectively in excess weight. On the other hand, it is well-known that pineapples juice increases the gastric acidity and respectively the people with hemophilia, internal bleeding must also be very careful in consuming this fruit. The objectives of this study were to obtain and to characterize a drug delivery system used for the transmembrane transfer of bromelain. The samples based on polyurethane matrices with and respectively without bromelain were synthesized and characterized by measurements of pH, encapsulation efficacy, cumulative drug release in a degradative media and in simulated gastric acid, electron microscopy and by modern techniques such as Zetasizer, cytotoxicity assay, and various non-invasive skin irritation assessment. The results indicate the obtaining of polyurethane matrices with mean sizes between 322-342 nm and neutral pH, that have a medium stability against the clusters formation tendency and a medium drug release rate. The nonirritative potential and the results on their cytotoxicity are important evidences that can be used for the further clinical trials of the polyurethane carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In order to further promote the resource utilization of oil-based rock debris deoiling residue, the feasibility of preparing asphalt pavement from deoiling residue is studied by using deoiling residue, mineral powder and gravel as raw materials. Methods JTG/T F40-2004 Technical specification for construction of highway asphalt pavement, GB/T 30810-2014 Method for determination of leachable heavy metals in cement mortar and EA NEN 7375-2004 Standard for leaching characteristics of molded or integral block materials were used to investigate the product quality of asphalt surface test blocks prepared by replacing mineral powder with residual solid phase, and the effective releasable amount and releasing characteristics of heavy metals in asphalt surface were analyzed. Results The performance of the prepared asphalt pavement surface test block could meet the requirements of JTG/T F40 — 2004 when the content of residual solid phase is not higher than 4. 8% (mass fraction). The releasing rates of 11 heavy metals (arsenic, barium, cobalt, copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, vanadium and zinc) in the leaching solution of asphalt surface test block were less than 1 %. The releasing mechanism of each heavy metal in the asphalt surface test block is different. The releasing mechanism of arsenic and chromium is mainly due to dissolution and the release mechanism of barium, cobalt, manganese, nickel and lead is mainly ascribed to surface scouring while the remaining heavy metals are controlled by diffusion. The releasing rate of each heavy metal was in the following order: barium

Anisandrus maiche (Stark) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a non‐native ambrosia beetle recently detected in northwestern Indiana. There is a critical need for advanced methods to detect and manage this potentially destructive beetle. Identifying semiochemicals that function as attractants or repellents can inform management practices to protect high‐value plantings of hardwood trees.We evaluated the extent to which (S)‐(−)‐verbenone, (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin and ethanol influence trap capture of A. maiche using two trap types and heights. We also investigated the effect of ethanol release rate on trap capture.Traps baited with ethanol alone captured the most beetles, while traps baited with (S)‐(−)‐verbenone or (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin alone captured few A. maiche, and each compound decreased capture when paired with ethanol lures.There was no difference in mean capture of A. maiche between trap types across treatments, and the height of ethanol‐baited traps did not influence the capture rate suggesting this species is widely distributed throughout the canopy.Our results suggest that (S)‐(−)‐verbenone and (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin are effective repellents for A. maiche and a release rate of at least 3 g/day of ethanol enhances trap to capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife rehabilitation is a large and internationally known field with thousands of wildlife rehabilitators around the world. Resources, such as time and money, are extremely limited in rehabilitation facilities, and not all animals are candidates for release due to injuries or illnesses that make them unlikely to survive in the wild. Understanding what factors predict release would be useful in focusing limited resources, but there has been little investigation previously. The purpose of this study is to determine what factors affect the survival of mammals and birds at an American Midwest wildlife rehabilitation center. It was found that animals admitted with trauma and fracture or injuries to the skull, hindlimb/pelvis, spine/tail, or nervous system had low rates of release. Weight was also a determining factor for the release of young mammals; animals that were below the average weight for their life stage were less likely to be released. This data may be of use in improving triage techniques in the American Midwest and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Typhlodromus setubali Dosse (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an indigenous predatory mite in Morocco. This study aimed to evaluate its efficacy, through 3 release rates on 2 apple varieties, namely Skarlet and Golden delicious, with different initial densities of the European red spider mite, Panonychus ulmi Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Results The efficacy of the predator was significantly influenced by the initial P. ulmi density. Furthermore, the release rate of 50 individuals/tree did not provide effective control of P. ulmi. When it was released at 100 and 200 individuals per tree, T. setubali maintained the P. ulmi population below the economic threshold of 5 motile stages per leaf. Conclusions When the initial P. ulmi density is above the economic threshold, the lower release rate of T. setubali must be applied with high frequency or conciliated with a selective miticide treatment at a suitable dose for a successful biological control program. Further field-based studies are needed for perfect conclusions.

Bricks and tiles crafted from fired red clay are extensively utilized in everyday construction activities. However, red clay inherently contains radon gas, a radioactive substance that could potentially endanger human health. Hence, investigating the radon emission patterns of red clay post high-temperature treatment holds significant importance. This study examines the pore structure of red clay following high-temperature treatment through nitrogen adsorption and analyzes the radon release patterns. Findings reveal that the radon release rate from red clay initially rises, then declines with increasing temperature, peaking at 200 °C, registering at 0.0127 Bq/(m2 s). The pore structure significantly influences radon exhalation, with connectivity and micropore volume demonstrating linear correlations with radon exhalation rate, with correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.78, respectively. This research offers valuable insights into radon radiation in structures made of red clay. • The radon release rate of red clay reaches its maximum value at 200 °C. • Radon release rates from red clay show an increasing and then decreasing trend with increasing temperature. • The radon release rate of red clay is closely related to its micropore volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, injectability and self-setting properties, calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) have been the most economical and effective biomaterials of choice for use as bone void fillers. They have also been extensively used as drug delivery carriers owing to their ability to provide for a steady release of various organic molecules aiding the regeneration of defective bone, including primarily antibiotics and growth factors. This review provides a systematic compilation of studies that reported on the controlled release of drugs from CPCs in the last 25 years. The chemical, compositional and microstructural characteristics of these systems through which the control of the release rates and mechanisms could be achieved have been discussed. In doing so, the effects of (i) the chemistry of the matrix, (ii) porosity, (iii) additives, (iv) drug types, (v) drug concentrations, (vi) drug loading methods and (vii) release media have been distinguished and discussed individually. Kinetic specificities of in vivo release of drugs from CPCs have been reviewed, too. Understanding the kinetic and mechanistic correlations between the CPC properties and the drug release is a prerequisite for the design of bone void fillers with drug release profiles precisely tailored to the application area and the clinical picture. The goal of this review has been to shed light on these fundamental correlations.

Carvone and spearmint essential oil vapours are suitable candidates for the control of citrus postharvest pathogens due to their strong antifungal activity. However, the high volatility of essential oils remains a hurdle that needs to be overcome before it can be applied as an alternative fungicide. This work investigates the antifungal activity of 20 and 30 wt-% spearmint essential oil or carvone, incorporated into ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) strands postharvest pathogens affecting kumquats. Following the melt-extrusion process, an average yield of 16–29 % and 15–28 % of the total carvone and spearmint essential oil, respectively, was determined in the polymer strands. Morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of microporous structures in the internal structure of the strands. The membrane-like skin that covers the polymer strand was also confirmed by SEM. Variations in the release rates were observed between carvone and spearmint essential oils, which was attributed to the difference in the vapour pressure of the neat essential oils. Furthermore, in this study, the results demonstrated that the diffusion exponent ‘n’ of the Korsmeyer–Peppas, Weibull and Log-logistic models exceeded 1.0. In most cases, the Super Case II mechanism was observed. In the case of the Mapossa model, as k2 was ˃> 1, it implies that the outer skin-like membrane covering the polymer strand fully controlled the carvone release. The application of the essential oil-loaded polymer strands resulted in a significant reduction in deterioration, caused by citrus postharvest pathogens, of kumquats kept at room temperature for 21 days. This study indicates that the incorporation of spearmint essential oil or carvone into LLDPE or EVA polymer strands promoted the preservation of kumquat over a 21-day period.

The anticancer efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents can be enhanced by the loading of DNA nanostructures, which is closely related to their interactions. This study achieved pH-responsive and targeted anthracycline delivery using i-motif and MUC1 aptamer co-modified DNA tetrahedron (MUC1-TD). The thermodynamic parameters for the binding of doxorubicin (DOX) and epirubicin (EPI) to MUC1-TD at pHs 7.4 and 5.0 were obtained. The smaller binding constant and the number of binding sites at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.4 indicated that acidic conditions favored the release of DOX and EPI loaded by MUC1-TD. The binding affinity of DOX was stronger than that of EPI at the same pH value due to their different chemical stereostructures. The intercalative binding mechanism was verified. In vitro release experiments revealed that acid pH and deoxyribonuclease I accelerated the release of DOX and EPI. The faster release rate of EPI than DOX was related to their binding affinity. In vitro cytotoxicity and cell uptake experiments revealed that the cytotoxicity of DOX and EPI loaded by MUC1-TD to MCF-7 cells was significantly higher than that to L02 cells. This work will provide theoretical guidance for the application of pH-responsive MUC1-TD nanocarriers in the field of pharmaceutics. • A pH-sensitive DNA tetrahedron (MUC1-TD) for targeted drug release was constructed. • The binding of DOX and EPI to MUC1-TD at different pHs were investigated. • The binding properties of DOX and EPI affected their loading and release. • Acid pH and DNase I accelerated the release of DOX and EPI loaded by MUC1-TD. • DOX and EPI loaded by MUC1-TD exhibited targeting and enhanced cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinomenine (SIN), a natural product, has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China for thousands of years. SIN has been developed for the treatment of RA by way of tablets and injections, but both dosage forms have been associated with severe adverse reactions. Making SIN into liposomes-in-hydrogel biomaterials for external use has a good slow-release effect and can play an important role in avoiding the first-pass effect, gastrointestinal reaction, and increasing the local action time of drugs. SIN-loaded liposomes were formed by the thin-film dispersion method, then SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels were prepared by combining the SIN-L with hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels. In this paper, the basic characteristics, In vitro and Ex vivo release, and antioxidant activity of SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels were studied. The results showed that SIN-loaded liposomes-in-hydrogels have good sustained-release and antioxidant effects, and the preparation is expected to be a good biomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Machinery is the property of Food & Machinery Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is still a large amount of ferulic acid (FA), an outstanding antioxidant, present in agricultural residues. Enzymatic hydrolysis has been regarded as the most effective way to release FA. This present study therefore selected feruloyl esterase (FAE) and xylanase (XYN) from the metagenomes of a cow rumen and a camel rumen, respectively, for their recombinant expression in Escherichia coli BL21 and further application in releasing FA. After screening the candidate signal peptides, the optimal one for each enzyme, which were selected as SP1 and SP4, respectively, was integrated into the vectors pET22b(+) and pETDuet-1. Among the generated E. coli strains SP1-F, SP4-X, and SP1-F-SP4-X that could express extracellular enzymes either separately or simultaneously, the latter one performed the best in relation to degrading the biomass and releasing FA. Under the optimized culture and induction conditions, the strain SP1-F-SP4-X released 90% of FA from 10% of de-starched wheat bran and produced 314.1 mg/L FA, which was deemed to be the highest obtained value to the best of our knowledge. This result could pave a way for the re-utilization of agricultural residues and enhancing their add-value.

Introduction. The presence of biologically active substances in the extract from the roots of turmeric extract (Curcuma longa L.) makes it reasonable and makes it possible to predict their effectiveness in pathological conditions caused by oxidative stress and immune disorders arising against its background. Based on data obtained, a pattern was revealed in improving the solubility of the combination of methionine and turmeric extract, which includes auxiliary substances. Dosage form – granules with methionine and liquid turmeric extract, with enteric coat can be used to eliminate the consequences of oxidative and immune disorders, treatment and prevention of systemic diseases caused by oxidative stress.Aim. Biopharmaceutical and in-process tests of the pharmaceutical composition of granules with methionine and liquid turmeric extract.Materials and methods. The object of the trials was the multicomponent drug containing methionine and a liquid turmeric extract of the roots. The proposed composition of plant compositions is original, had no analogues and protected by a patent for an invention (RU 268 4111). To assess the pharmaceutical properties, biopharmaceutical trials carried out by the UV-spectrophotometric method using biorelevant medium. The research results statistically processed using Statistica for Windows, version 10.Results and discussion. Based on the data obtained, a pattern revealed in improving the solubility of the combination of methionine and turmeric extract, in contrast to the multicomponent composition containing only turmeric extract.Conclusion. The developed multicomponent pharmaceutical composition will expand the register of herbal medicines of domestic production for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by oxidative stress.

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, is a major strawberry pest. Only marginally effective control methods exist to manage this pest. Various predators attack L. lineolaris, but their potential is overlooked. In this study, we explore the potential of two omnivorous predators of the tarnished plant bug: the damsel bug, Nabis americoferus, and the minute pirate bug, Orius insidiosus. Firstly, the predation rate of these predators was measured in laboratory tests. Secondly, their potential release rates and release periods were determined in the field using strawberry plants. The results show that N. americoferus feeds on all nymphal stages and adults of the tarnished plant bug, while O. insidiosus attacks only smaller nymphs (up to the N2 stage). In the field, all tested densities of N. americoferus (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 individual/plant) reduced the population of the tarnished plant bug for several weeks compared with the control treatment, but the effect of O. insidiosus alone was marginal. Additionally, for all the release periods tested, Nabis americoferus was efficient in reducing the pest population. These results demonstrate the potential of N. americoferus to control the tarnished plant bug in strawberry fields. We discuss the possible application of these results for establishing an effective and economically viable biological control strategy.

Biopolymers, especially polysaccharides (e.g., gum Arabic), are widely applied as drug carriers in drug delivery systems due to their advantages. Curcumin, with high antioxidant ability but limited solubility and bioavailability in the body, can be encapsulated in gum Arabic to improve its solubility and bioavailability. When curcumin is encapsulated in gum Arabic, it is essential to understand how it works in various conditions. As a result, in Simulated Intestinal Fluid and Simulated Gastric Fluid conditions, we investigated the potential of gum Arabic as the drug carrier of curcumin. This study was conducted by varying the gum Arabic concentrations, i.e., 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40%, to encapsulate 0.1 mg/mL of curcumin. Under both conditions, the greater the gum Arabic concentration, the greater the encapsulation efficiency and antioxidant activity of curcumin, but the worse the gum Arabic loading capacity. To achieve excellent encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and antioxidant activity, the data advises that 10% is the best feasible gum Arabic concentration. Regarding the antioxidant activity of curcumin, the findings imply that a high concentration of gum Arabic was effective, and the Simulated Intestinal Fluid brought an excellent surrounding compared to the Simulated Gastric Fluid solution. Moreover, the gum Arabic releases curcumin faster in the Simulated Gastric Fluid condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the absorption and release rate of the essential oil, Amomum krervanh, by seven different materials were evaluated. Cardboard showed the highest EO absorption capacity (0.93 ± 0.0052 μL of oil/mg of dry cardboard) followed by balsa wood and drawing board with the EO absorption of 0.77 ± 0.043 and 0.62 ± 0.010 μL of oil/mg of dry material, respectively. The results also demonstrated that cardboard had the highest EO retention (52.84 ± 0.687% after 20 min of analysis). Additionally, the essential oil was released from the drawing board and cardboard at the same rate during the observation period. Surface modification of drawing board and cardboard was performed using atmospheric-pressure plasma for enhancing the material properties for Tropilaelaps control. The absorption capacity of cardboard was decreased after plasma treatment at an argon flow rate of 0.25 and 0.5 Lpm for 60 s/cm2. However, the atmospheric-pressure plasma did not change the EO release property of these materials. Scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated a fractured and scaly surface after plasma treatment of gas flow rate at 0.5 Lpm and 1.0 Lpm for 30 s/cm2. The surface chemical composition of materials was not altered following plasma treatment. Although the number of mite-infested brood cells did not differ significantly between treatment groups at the end of the field experiment, Tropilaelaps spp. populations in the plasma-treated cardboard impregnated with EO 5% (v/v) treatment were lower on days 7–14 of the experiment. Thus, parameters related to the atmospheric-pressure plasma should be further optimized to improve the material surfaces for use with essential oils to control honeybee mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Typhlodromus setubali Dosse (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an indigenous predatory mite in Morocco. This study aimed to evaluate its efficacy, through 3 release rates on 2 apple varieties, namely Skarlet and Golden delicious, with different initial densities of the European red spider mite, Panonychus ulmi Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Results: The efficacy of the predator was significantly influenced by the initial P. ulmi density. Furthermore, the release rate of 50 individuals/tree did not provide effective control of P. ulmi. When it was released at 100 and 200 individuals per tree, T. setubali maintained the P. ulmi population below the economic threshold of 5 motile stages per leaf. Conclusions: When the initial P. ulmi density is above the economic threshold, the lower release rate of T. setubali must be applied with high frequency or conciliated with a selective miticide treatment at a suitable dose for a successful biological control program. Further field-based studies are needed for perfect conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halloysite nanotubes were used as nanocontainers to hold corrosion inhibitors such as Ce3+-Zr4+, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and 8-hydroxyquinoline in their lumen. An acid assisted etching of the nanotubes was carried out with a view to increase the lumen diameter and thereby, increase the amount of loading of the corrosion inhibitor. The morphology of as-received and etched halloysite nanotubes was observed using TEM analysis. The loading of corrosion inhibitors was confirmed using SEM-EDS and BET analysis. Polymeric microcapsules were used as capping agents for the ends of the loaded HNTs following which, they were dispersed into a hybrid sol-gel silica matrix. Dip coating method was used to generate coatings on AZ91D substrates followed by heat treatment at 130 °C for 1 h. The release rate kinetics of corrosion inhibitors from as-received and etched nanotubes was investigated in buffer solutions of 3.5 wt% NaCl at different pH. The release mechanism of corrosion inhibitors from the HNT lumen was validated using various semi-empirical models. Coatings were also evaluated for their corrosion protection ability using electrochemical techniques after exposure to 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 120 h. Coatings generated using Ce3+-Zr4+ loaded into as-received halloysite nanotubes have shown more effective corrosion protection when compared to other corrosion inhibitors after 120 h exposure to the corrosive medium.

ObjectiveTo understand the potential duration of action for Liletta®, we conducted this study to estimate levonorgestrel (LNG) release rates over approximately 5½years of product use.MethodsClinical sites in the U.S. Phase 3 study of Liletta collected the LNG intrauterine systems (IUSs) from women who discontinued the study. We randomly selected samples within 90-day intervals after discontinuation of IUS use through 900days (approximately 2.5years) and 180-day intervals for the remaining duration through 5.4years (1980days) to evaluate residual LNG content. We also performed an initial LNG content analysis using 10 randomly selected samples from a single lot. We calculated the average ex vivo release rate using the residual LNG content over the duration of the analysis.ResultsWe analyzed 64 samples within 90-day intervals (range 6-10 samples per interval) through 900days and 36 samples within 180-day intervals (6 samples per interval) for the remaining duration. The initial content analysis averaged 52.0±1.8mg. We calculated an average initial release rate of 19.5mcg/day that decreased to 17.0, 14.8, 12.9, 11.3 and 9.8mcg/day after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5years, respectively. The 5-year average release rate is 14.7mcg/day.ConclusionThe estimated initial LNG release rate and gradual decay of the estimated release rate are consistent with the target design and function of the product. The calculated LNG content and release rate curves support the continued evaluation of Liletta as a contraceptive for 5 or more years of use.Implications statementLiletta LNG content and release rates are comparable to published data for another LNG 52-mg IUS. The release rate at 5years is more than double the published release rate at 3years with an LNG 13.5-mg IUS, suggesting continued efficacy of Liletta beyond 5years.

In the framework of integrated pest management, biological control through the use of living organisms plays important roles in suppressing pest populations. In this paper, the complex interaction between plants and pest insects is examined under the intervention of natural enemies releases coupled with sterile insects technique. A set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations is developed in terms of optimal control model considering characteristics of populations involved. Optimal control measures are sought in such a way they minimize the pest density simultaneously with the control efforts. Three different strategies relating to the release rate of sterile insects and predators as natural enemies, namely, constant, proportional, and saturating proportional release rates, are examined for the attainability of control objective. The necessary optimality conditions of the control problem are derived by using Pontryagin maximum principle, and the forward–backward sweep method is then implemented to numerically calculate the optimal solution. It is shown that, in an environment consisting of rice plants and brown planthoppers as pests, the releases of sterile planthoppers and ladybeetles as natural enemies can deteriorate the pest density and thus increase the plant biomass. The release of sterile insects with proportional rate and the release of natural enemies with constant rate are found to be the most cost-effective strategy in controlling pest insects. This strategy successfully decreases the pest population about 35 percent, and thus increases the plant density by 13 percent during control implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology, Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Display omitted] Microplastics (MPs), polymer particles capable of accumulating heavy metals from ambient medias, have been widely found in agriculture and pasture soils. Through the consumption of MPs in soils, heavy metals adsorbed on MPs can be transported into ruminant digestive guts. To explore the behavior of Cd loaded MPs in ruminant digestive system, we initially established a ruminant digestive in-vitro method (RDM) that simulates the rumination cycle between mouth and rumen to evaluate the release rates of Cd on 4 most commonly used undegradable MPs (PE, PP, PVC, and PS) and a biodegradable MP (PLA). After 120 h of adsorption, the Cd adsorption capabilities by 5 MPs ranged from 0.23 μg/g to 2.45 μg/g. Through RDM, all tested Cd loaded MPs released high proportions of Cd with release rates from 21.5% to 41.8%, where PLA showed the highest Cd release rate. Cadmium was mainly released in rumen and abomasum phases, and the rumination cycle between mouth and rumen can affect the Cd release from MPs. The present study provides a new view on the environmental hazard of heavy metal and MP pollution that their co-exposure to ruminants should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Films for buccal application are a slowly emerging new platform for drug delivery. There remains a lack of analytical techniques for the determination of in vitro active pharmaceutical ingredient release. The aim here was to develop an alternative method to the commonly used United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) 2 method, based on the flow-through cell. This system extends the release time and enables more detailed sample discrimination according to formulation. It could be used as a tool for in vivo prediction of drug release rates from buccal film formulations. The flow cell contains two chambers separated by a membrane through which the released active pharmaceutical ingredient is measured. Vital system variables and their effects on the release rate of the model active pharmaceutical ingredient are presented for formulations based on sodium alginate polymer. The method reflects the differences between films and is shown to be discriminatory for evaluation of buccal formulations.