Assessment of acute, subacute genetic toxicities and immunomodulatory activity of palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) buds.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Palm buds are a natural green resource of the forest, which are not only rich in nutrients but contain a large number of phenolic acids and flavonoids, among other components. It has a variety of biological activities such as antioxidant and uterine smooth muscle stimulation. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the safety of palm buds for use as a nutraceutical product and food by evaluating the toxicity, subacute toxicity and genotoxicity of the young palm buds. Also studied for its immune-enhancing activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity tests were performed in mice using the maximum tolerance method, and the manifestations of toxicity and deaths were recorded after administration of 10,000 mg/mL for 14 consecutive d (days) of observations. To assess subacute toxicity, mice were treated with palm buds (750, 1500, or 3000 mg/mL) daily for 28 days. The teratogenicity of palm buds was assessed by the Ames test, the mouse bone marrow cell micronucleus test, and the mouse spermatozoa malformation test. In addition, we evaluated the immune-enhancing ability of palm buds by the mouse carbon profile test, delayed-type metamorphosis reaction, and serum hemolysin assay. RESULTS: In the acute toxicity study, the Median Lethal Dose (LD50) was greater than 10,000 mg/kg bw in both male and female rats. There were also no deaths or serious toxicities in the subacute study. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was 3000 mg/kg bw. However, the mice's food intake decreased after one week. The medium and high dose groups had a reducing effect on body weight in mice of both sexes. In addition, the changes in organ coefficients of the liver, kidney and stomach in male mice were significantly higher in the high-dose group (3.23 ± 0.35, 0.75 ± 0.05, 0.57 ± 0.05 g) than in the control group (2.94 ± 0.18, 0.58 ± 0.05, 0.50 ± 0.02 g). Hematological analyses showed that all the indices of the rats in each palm sprout dose group were within the normal range. The results of blood biochemical indicators showed that there was a significant reduction in TP in the blood of male mice in the high-dose group (44.6 ± 7.8 g/L) compared to the control group (58.3 ± 15.1 g/L). In histopathological analysis, none of the significant histopathological changes were observed. The results of the immunological experiment in mice showed that the liver coefficient and thymus coefficient of the high-dose group (8400 mg/kg) were significantly lower than the control group. There was no remarkable difference in auricle swelling between each dose palm bud group (1400, 2800, or 8400 mg/kg) and the control group. The anti-volume number of the high-dose group was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Palm buds have non-toxic effects in vivo and have little effect on non-specific and cellular immunity in the test mice within the dose range of this experiment. The immunoenhancement in mice is mainly achieved through humoral immunity. In conclusion, our results suggest that palm buds are safe for use as healthcare products and food.

Evaluation, optimization study, and life cycle assessment of novel eco-friendly PVA-based nanocomposite hydrogel adsorbents for methylene blue and paracetamol removal.

In this study, an eco-friendly and novel hydrogel based on a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), iota carrageenan (IC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) scaffold, containing a large amount (10-50 wt%) of nanoscale palm fronds (NPF) as additives, for water purification was demonstrated. A life cycle assessment (LCA) findings on NPF as biomass waste incorporated into PVA_PVP_IC polymer matrix was presented, and the results highlight the necessity of focused actions to reduce environmental impact and support the palm waste utilization in a sustainable manner. The multicomponent nanocomposite hydrogels were examined as adsorbents in a system work in batches for methylene blue (MB) and paracetamol (PCT) removal. The results show that, the presence of NPF, which dispersed in the hydrogel PVA_PVP_IC scaffolds containing both covalent and non-covalent cross-linking bonds, greatly enhanced the MB and PCT adsorption efficiency. A response surface methodology (RSM) model was used to find the best operating parameters of contaminant adsorption, including time, adsorbent dose, and starting concentration of pollutants. By using this statistical model, it was found that the optimal conditions for the adsorption reaction to achieve the complete removal of MB are 66.7 h adsorption time duration, 98.5 mg L-1 starting concentration, and an adsorbent dose of 5.9 mg, while for the complete removal of PCT, it is 57.6 h adsorption time duration, 80 mg L-1 starting concentration, and an adsorbent dose of 6 mg. The reusability of the nanocomposite hydrogels were tested for 5 cycles, all showed high adsorption capacity, indicating the potential for practical application of this nanocomposite hydrogel system. This study indicates that the prepared nanocomposite hydrogel raises the standard used for treatment of wastewater and also gives a solution to protect the environment and mitigate global warming.

Effects of substitution of crude palm oil with palm-pressed fibre oil on the laying hen's performance, egg production and egg quality traits.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of substituting a crude palm oil (CPO) diet with palm-pressed fibre oil (PPFO) on laying hens' performance, egg production, carcass characteristic and egg quality. A total of 150 Hisex Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to five treatments: a basal diet containing 4% CPO (T1-control) and basal diets in which CPO was substituted by 25% (T2), 50% (T3), 75% (T4) or 100% (T5) PPFO. These diets were fed to laying hens ad libitum for 16 weeks. Compared to the T1 diet, dietary treatments T2, T3 and T4 had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, egg number, egg production, egg weight and egg mass of the laying hens during the entire experimental period. Nonetheless, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in feed intake, egg number, egg production and egg mass were observed in hens fed T5 compared to those fed the T1 (control) diet. Except for heart and spleen weights, other carcass characteristics were not affected by treatment (P < 0.05). Skin yellowness and breast meat redness increased significantly (linearly, P < 0.05) with increasing proportions of PPFO. Likewise, yolk colour scores increased in proportion to the dietary level of PPFO (linearly, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that PPFO can be used as a novel, cost-effective lipid source at a level of 3% in layer diets as a substitute for CPO to improve eggs' quality parameters without any harmful effects on laying performance.

Electrochemical, surface, and theoretical investigations of palm kernel shell extract as an effective inhibitor for carbon-steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solution.

Herein, we employed palm kernel shell extract (PKSE) as an eco-friendly inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic-induced corrosion. The corrosion inhibition of PKSE on carbon steel in 1 M HCI solution was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, weight loss, and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Moreover, the elastic modulus and hardness tests were conducted. Weight loss measurements revealed that the optimum concentration of inhibitors is 500 ppm with 95.3% inhibition efficiency in 1 M HCl solution. Electrochemical results showed that the inhibitor could exhibit excellent corrosion inhibition performance and displayed mixed-type inhibition. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis shows that the inhibition performance increases by increasing the concentration of PKSE. The surface studies ensure the PKSE effectiveness in carbon steel surface damage reduction. Also, the adsorption of PKSE molecules on the carbon steel surface occurs according to the Langmuir isotherm model. The primary goal of this investigation was the utilization of palm kernel shell extract as corrosion inhibitor for 1018 low carbon steel in 1 M HCl solution, which highlights its novelty. The present results will be helpful to uncover the versatile importance of palm kernel shell compounds in the corrosion inhibition process.

Efficient elimination of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol fatty acid ester from palm oil via using activated carbon grafted with Tween80.

In the current study, we attempt to remove 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol fatty acid ester (3-MCPD ester) from palm oil with developed composite adsorbent (Tween80 modified activated carbon [AC]), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen content adsorption-desorption and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the modifications. We further examined the adsorption capability of the composite adsorbent for 3-MCPD ester and found that the highest removal efficiency was 87.36% (5.3% of adsorbent dose at 104°C for 29 min). This is approximately three times higher than that of pristine AC, implying that the composite can be employed as a novel adsorbent for 3-MCPD ester reduction. Along with the adsorption mechanism of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin models were also tested. It has been suggested that Freundlich model could best describe the adsorption process. Adsorption was found to be well-fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetics according to the kinetic study. An endothermic and spontaneous adsorption mechanism was demonstrated by the thermodynamic studies.

Optimized pyrolytic synthesis and physicochemical characterization of date palm seed biochar: unveiling a sustainable adsorbent for environmental remediation applications.

This study focuses on the optimization and comprehensive characterization of biochar synthesized from date palm seeds (DPS), a prevalent agricultural waste in arid regions. Using response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD), we optimized the pyrolysis process by investigating the effects of time (1-3 h) and temperature (600-900 °C) on critical properties such as specific surface area, pore volume, and yield. The optimized biochar, produced at 828 °C for 1.7 h, demonstrated a high specific surface area of 654.8 m2/g and well-developed microporosity. Characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS, and BET analyses, revealed an amorphous carbon structure with graphitic domains, diverse surface functionalities, and a heterogeneous porous microstructure. The biochar's point of zero charge at pH 7.58 indicates its potential for selective adsorption of charged contaminants. The close agreement between RSM-predicted and experimental values for specific surface area (652.1 m2/g vs. 654.8 m2/g) and micropore volume (0.191 cm3/g vs. 0.190 cm3/g) validates the effectiveness of the model in optimizing biochar properties. This research highlights the potential of DPS-derived biochar as a sustainable adsorbent for environmental remediation, opening avenues for valorizing agricultural wastes and contributing to circular economy principles.

Incorporating date palm fibers for sustainable friction composites in vehicle brakes.

The demand for eco-friendly materials in automotive components has spurred research into natural fibers as sustainable alternatives for brake pads. This study examines the potential of date palm fibers, particularly the palm frond midrib (PFM), in brake pad composites. The effects of epoxy, PFM, and calcium carbonate on the composites' mechanical and tribological properties were analyzed. The optimal formulation (25% epoxy, 30% PFM, 35% calcium carbonate) exhibited superior properties, including a hardness of 87 HRB, wear rate of 1.5E-03 mg/mm, and COF of 0.73, surpassing commercial pads. Additionally, an inverse relationship between PFM/calcium carbonate content and compressibility was observed, with increased calcium carbonate enhancing wear resistance. This research underscores the potential of utilizing date palm resources in eco-friendly brake manufacturing, reducing the environmental and health impacts of traditional materials.

From the discovery of a novel arepavirus in diseased arecanut palms (Areca catechu L.) in India to the identification of known and novel arepaviruses in bee and plant transcriptomes through data-mining.

Arecanut palm is a commercially important plantation crop valued for its nut. In this investigation, we report the discovery of a putative novel arepavirus, named areca palm necrotic ringspot virus 2 (ANRSV2), in necrotic ringspot diseased areca palms in Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India through RNA-sequencing and transmission electron microscopy. Further, the presence of ANRSV2 in the diseased samples was confirmed through reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays. In addition, by mining public domain transcriptome data for arepaviral sequences, we identified a putative novel arepavirus in Psychotria rubra, a non-palm host. We recovered the genome sequences of the areca palm necrotic ringspot virus in honey bees, tomato, Onobrychis viciifolia, and Rhamnus heterophylla. These findings broaden our comprehension of arepaviral diversity and host range, and suggest an intriguing possibility of pollen-mediated arepaviral transmission that necessitates empirical validation. Further studies are needed to understand the biology of identified putative novel arepaviruses.

Clinical outcomes of retrograde intramedullary multiple pinning for proximal humeral fractures using a modified palm tree technique.

BACKGROUND: Retrograde intramedullary multiple pinning using a modified palm tree technique for proximal humeral fractures has attracted interest from surgeons because of its minimal invasiveness into the soft tissue around the shoulder joints. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of this procedure. METHODS: This retrospective study included 21 patients who underwent surgery using a modified palm tree technique for proximal humeral fractures between March 2010 and March 2022. Patients with two- and three-part proximal humeral fractures that could be reduced by closed manipulation under general anesthesia were included in this study. All patients were clinically evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scores. Postoperative radiographic findings, including fracture healing and signs of pinning-related complications, were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-one shoulders in 21 patients (9 men and 12 women) with mean age at surgery of 66.3 ± 19.3 years were evaluated. The mean period until bone union was 2.6 ± 0.7 months. The mean JOA and UCLA shoulder scores at the final follow-up were 84.8 ± 12.1 and 27.5 ± 5.4, respectively. Perforation of the humeral head by Kirschner (K) wires was observed in 9 of the 21 (42.9 %) shoulders. The JOA and UCLA shoulder scores at the final follow-up were not significantly different between the groups with and without perforations (p = 0.41 and 0.27, respectively). The oblique or Y-view detected significantly more wires with perforation of the humeral head than did the anteroposterior view (6 vs. 15 wires, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The modified palm tree technique for proximal humeral fractures demonstrated good postoperative clinical outcomes and early fracture healing. However, modifications in postoperative management and surgical techniques should be considered to reduce the high rate of perforation of the humeral head by K-wires.

Influence of Emulsion Lipid Droplet Crystallinity on Postprandial Endotoxin Transporters and Atherogenic And Inflammatory Profiles in Healthy Men - A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Acute Meal Study.

SCOPE: Consumption of high-fat meals is associated with increased endotoxemia, inflammation, and atherogenic profiles, with repeated postprandial responses suggested as contributors to chronically elevated risk factors. However, effects of lipid solid versus liquid state specifically have not been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: This exploratory randomized crossover study tests the impact of lipid crystallinity on plasma levels of endotoxin transporters (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] binding protein [LBP] and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 [sCD14]) and select proinflammatory and atherogenic markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-1-beta [IL-1ß], interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], interleukin-6 [IL-6], soluble intercellular adhesion molecule [sICAM], soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule [sVCAM], monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1/CCL2], plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1], and fibrinogen). Fasted healthy men (n = 14, 28 ± 5.5 years, 24.1 ± 2.6 kg m-2) consumed two 50 g palm stearin oil-in-water emulsions tempered to contain either liquid or crystalline lipid droplets at 37 °C on separate occasions with blood sampling at 0, 2-, 4-, and 6-h post-meal. Timepoint data, area under the curve, and peak concentration values are compared. Overall, no treatment effects are seen (p > 0.05). There are significant effects of time, with values decreasing from baseline, for TNF-α, MCP-1/CCL2, PAI-1, and fibrinogen (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Responder analysis pointed to differential treatment effects associated with some participant baseline characteristics but, overall, palm-stearin emulsion droplet crystallinity does not acutely affect plasma endotoxin transporters nor select inflammatory and atherogenic markers.

Histopathological manifestations of liver tissue affected by heated and unheated palm oil in male Wistar rats.

Palm oil is the most widely used type of oil in the world, which is oxidized by exposure to heat and leads to damage to body tissues and the creation of free fatty acids. This study aimed to show the harm of palm oil in both heated and non-heated states on liver tissue. For this purpose, twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups and treated for 90days as follows: control (rats treated with their normal chew), palm oil (rats treated with 7.5% w/w of palm oil added to their normal chew), and heated palm oil (rats treated with 7.5% w/w of palm oil into their normal chew, which had been heated repeatedly 10 times at 180°C for 10min). After experimental treatments, the animals were euthanized. Liver samples were collected for histopathological assessment by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. In the groups treated with heated and unheated palm oil, In the groups that were treated with heated and unheated palm oil, the accumulation of fat droplets in hepatocytes, their ballooning and the infiltration of inflammatory cells around the hepatocytes were observed in different proportions. Histological evidence is an indication that heated and unheated palm oils can cause various degrees of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, palm oil consumption, especially when heated, may not be completely safe.

Dataset of infected date palm leaves for palm tree disease detection and classification.

This article presents an image dataset of palm leaf diseases to aid the early identification and classification of date palm infections. The dataset contains images of 8 main types of disorders affecting date palm leaves, three of which are physiological, four are fungal, and one is caused by pests. Specifically, the collected samples exhibit symptoms and signs of potassium deficiency, manganese deficiency, magnesium deficiency, black scorch, leaf spots, fusarium wilt, rachis blight, and parlatoria blanchardi. Moreover, the dataset includes a baseline of healthy palm leaves. In total, 608 raw images were captured over a period of three months, coinciding with the autumn and spring seasons, from 10 real date farms in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. The images were captured using smartphones and an SLR camera, focusing mainly on inflected leaves and leaflets. Date palm fruits, trunks, and roots are beyond the focus of this dataset. The infected leaf images were filtered, cropped, augmented, and categorized into their disease classes. The resulting processed dataset comprises 3089 images. Our proposed dataset can be used to train classification deep learning models of infected date palm leaves, thus enabling the early prevention of palm tree-related diseases.

Perception, Knowledge, and Consumption Potential of Crude and Refined Palm Oil in Brazilian Regions.

Crude palm oil (CPO) is the most produced vegetable oil globally, with Brazil contributing only 0.74% of global production. Pará and Bahia account for more than 82% of Brazil's output. Despite its widespread use in the food industry after refining, there is little research on CPO consumption and perception in Brazil, particularly regarding its nutritional aspects. This study, conducted between March and July 2022, explored Brazilians' perceptions and the potential for CPO consumption. The results show that most participants are unfamiliar with CPO but view its nutrients favorably. Less than half regularly purchase CPO. Refined palm oil (RPO) is even less known, with many unaware that refining CPO can produce carcinogenic substances. The respondents showed little concern about RPO in their foods, rarely noticing its presence on labels. Despite limited knowledge, participants understand that refining reduces CPO's health benefits, leading to a greater preference for crude oil over refined oil. This study highlights the need for better dissemination of information about CPO in Brazil, emphasizing its nutritional benefits and the importance of adhering to daily lipid intake limits. Adding CPO at the end of cooking or consuming it raw to preserve thermosensitive compounds is also recommended.

One-pot synthesis of polysaccharide/gelatin amorphous hydrogels impregnated with a bioflavonoid derived from Elaeis guineensis leaf: wound healing and drug release properties.

BACKGROUND: Amorphous hydrogel is a strategic wound healing dressings that comprised of water, polymers and excipients with no shape. The dense cross-linked network of polymer is interspersed by the immobilized water component could rehydrate and promote healing in wound tissue. OBJECTIVE: In this work, various polysaccharide/gelatin amorphous hydrogels with the impregnation of oil palm leaf derived total flavonoid enriched extract (OPL-TFEE) were fabricated via one-pot synthesis method to provide multiple crosslinking networks. METHOD: The bioflavonoids (OPL-TFEE) were derived from Elaeis guineensis leaf using an integrated green extraction and enrichment process. Amorphous hydrogels with good wound healing properties were developed by incorporating 0.3% antioxidant agent into the hybrid polymeric gelling system. RESULT: The formulations appeared as a semi-solid dark yellow translucent hydrogel with good spreading and consistency characteristics and satisfying aesthetic properties. The FTIR analysis indicated that the bioflavonoid was compatible with the matrix, and the hydrogels showed porous morphological structures when observed under SEM. Furthermore, the hydrogels possessed shear thinning, pseudoplastic, and elastic properties. Bioflavonoids-impregnated polysaccharide/gelatin hydrogel release 95-98% bioflavonoids within 24 h, while the drug release profile followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. The hydrogels showed antioxidant and wound healing properties with no sign of cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results revealed bioflavonoid-loaded hydrogels exhibited good physicochemical and biological properties, thus could serve as new innovative formulation in the sustainable advancement of wound care product for promoting wound healing.

Tropical peat soil changes across successive oil palm generations in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Oil palm is commonly replanted once reaching the end of its productive lifespan. This cyclical planting practice in oil palm plantations could have long-term implications for the humification and properties of tropical peat soil. This study aimed to investigate the changes observed across successive generations of oil palm plantations in Sarawak, Malaysia. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was applied to examine the quality of the Soil Organic Matter (SOM), specifically the functional groups, humification index, Hydrophobicity Index (HI), and Degree of Degradation (DDI). Overall, the peat humification trend was in the order of 2nd Gen > Forest >1st Gen. The higher presence of recalcitrant compounds of lignin in the soil was attributed to the higher HI and lower DDI in the 2nd Gen. The relationship between the Pyrophosphate Solubility Index (PSI) and the humification index further revealed a significant increase in the relative abundance of humic substances with the maturity of degraded organic matter. These findings suggest a notable transition, implicating a shift towards a more stable form of SOM over the long-term utilization of tropical peatland for oil palm plantations. This is characterised by a significant increase in the relative abundance of aromatic, phenolic, and carboxylic functional groups. The study also highlights the need for further research on the linkage between these changes and greenhouse gas emissions to enhance our understanding of the long-term biogeochemical cycle of oil palm on tropical peatlands.

Assessment of the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion Using Palm Width and Finger Length.

Background and Objectives: The vertical dimension of occlusion's (VDO) assessment is a highly important issue in the everyday dentist's practice. Patients with unstable occlusion, lost occlusal stops, extensive tooth loss in the lateral area, or complete edentulism need a proper assessment of the VDO before the prosthetic restoration is carried out. Subjective and objective methods were used over time for the restoration of VDO. The study aimed to investigate the possible correlation between finger length, palm width and the vertical dimension of occlusion. Materials and Methods: Assessment of the VDO for 236 subjects, Romanian and French dental students, was performed using the Willis Bite Gauge. The left hand of the subjects was scanned using a flat-bed scanner, and then measurements of palm width and finger length were carried out for each subject. Comparison between VDO values and finger length/palm width was conducted using one-way ANOVA and Student t-Test. Results: Higher VDO average values were found in French subjects compared with Romanian students. The same results were found according to gender; in both female and male subjects, lower values of VDO were found in the Romanian group. Higher values were obtained for women within each group when comparing to men. Statistically significant correlations of the analyzed parameters and VDO values were found. Higher statistical correlations of the studied variables were found for men compared to women in both groups. The highest statistical correlation was obtained between the VDO and the palm width measured at the fingerbase, followed by the middle finger length. Conclusions: The results showed the highest statistical correlation between the vertical dimension of occlusion and the palm width measured at the fingers' base. Statistical correlations were also found between the VDO and the middle finger length. Simple formulas using finger length/palm width can be used for a rapid VDO determination.

Metabolomics-Assisted Breeding in Oil Palm: Potential and Current Perspectives.

Oil palm is presently the most important oil-producing crop worldwide in terms of oil production and consumption. However, oil palm cultivation faces important challenges such as adverse climatic conditions, expensive fertilization requirements, and fungal pathogens, including Ganoderma. Intense efforts in oil palm breeding are devoted to improving both oil production yield and resistance to environmental cues. Metabolomics can be of interest because it provides many quantitative traits and metabolic signatures that can be selected for to optimize oil palm performance. Here, we briefly review how metabolomics can help oil palm breeding, and to do so, we give examples of recent metabolomics analyses and provide a roadmap to use metabolomics-assisted breeding.

Endophytic Bacteria Induce Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Production in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis).

Thiamine or vitamin B1 is a micronutrient that has a crucial function in all living organisms and involved in several biochemical reactions. Concerning the capability of thiamine in inducing plant health, a study was carried out by applying bacterial endophytes (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia cultures) in four-month-old oil palm seedlings (Elaeis guineensis) via soil drenching technique to evaluate the effect towards thiamine. Spear leaves were sampled day 0 to 14 to analyse the expression of gene coding for the first two enzymes thiamine biosynthesis pathway, THI4 and THIC via qPCR analysis. The gene expression by qPCR showed a significant increase of up to 3-fold while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for quantification of thiamine and its derivatives accumulated ~ 20-fold in total thiamine when compared to control seedlings. However, concentration of thiamine metabolites was negatively correlated with the expression of THIC and THI4 gene transcripts suggesting post-transcriptional regulation mediated by an RNA regulatory element, a thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) riboswitch. Our findings demonstrated that the application of bacterial endophytes affected thiamine biosynthesis and enhanced overall thiamine content. This might increase the plant's resistance towards stress and would be useful in oil palm maintenance for maximum yield production.

Aqueous phase adsorption of phenothiazine derivative onto zinc oxide doped activated carbon.

Plant-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles is a sustainable approach that has gained widespread scientific acceptance due to its numerous benefits and applications. In this study, a zinc oxide-doped activated carbon (ZAC) derived from palm kernel shells (PKS) was synthesized via a bioreduction route using a water-based extract of Nymphaea lotus leaves as a reducing agent. The synthesized ZAC nanocomposites were characterized using microscopic (TEM, SEM) and spectroscopic (FTIR, EDS, XRD, and UV-Vis) analyses. The adsorptive properties of ZAC and efficiency in scavenging a phenothiazine derivative (methylene blue) from an aqueous solution were investigated. Results reveal that nano-scale ZAC particles were crystalline, exhibited irregular shapes, with an average size of 45 nm, and were highly dispersed. The optimum quantity adsorbed was 248 mg/g at a methylene blue concentration of 140 mg/L for 60 min using 0.02 g/100 mL of ZAC. Adsorption and kinetics data closely aligned with the Freundlich isotherm and the pseudo-second-order model, respectively indicating heterogeneous surface adsorption and chemisorption as the dominant mechanisms. The regeneration study of ZAC shows that over five cycles, thermal regeneration maintained high adsorption capacity with minimal decline and chemical regeneration significantly led to reduction in the adsorption capacity but solvent washing offered a balance between efficacy and structural preservation.

Decoupling visual and identity features for adversarial palm-vein image attack.

Palm-vein has been widely used for biometric recognition due to its resistance to theft and forgery. However, with the emergence of adversarial attacks, most existing palm-vein recognition methods are vulnerable to adversarial image attacks, and to the best of our knowledge, there is still no study specifically focusing on palm-vein image attacks. In this paper, we propose an adversarial palm-vein image attack network that generates highly similar adversarial palm-vein images to the original samples, but with altered palm-identities. Unlike most existing generator-oriented methods that directly learn image features via concatenated convolutional layers, our proposed network first maps palm-vein images into multi-scale high-dimensional shallow representation, and then develops attention-based dual-path feature learning modules to extensively exploit diverse palm-vein-specific features. After that, we design visual-consistency and identity-aware loss functions to specially decouple the visual and identity features to reconstruct the adversarial palm-vein images. By doing this, the visual characteristics of palm-vein images can be largely preserved while the identity information is removed in the adversarial palm-vein images, such that high-aggressive adversarial palm-vein samples can be obtained. Extensive white-box and black-box attack experiments conducted on three widely used databases clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed network.