These instruments allow for the detection of secondary and tertiary metabolites, especially those found in water, biota and food products, which are critical vectors of OCPs to human and animal bodies. Training of farmers and other domestic users on the handling of pesticides is proposed. © 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) scale inhibition by Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) on copper and aluminium metal surfaces was studied at 60 and 100 °C. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed a novel pot like morphology for calcite which was resulted from the transformation of dumbbell morphology. The pot like morphology exposed the possibility of hollow structures for other polymorphs and is resulted from the breaking apart of the dumbbell structures at the middle, followed by fluffing of the separated parts. © 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Identification and development of newer and better antimicrobials from natural products represent ongoing research efforts by many investigators. Curcumin is a polyphenol commonly found in the plant Curcuma longa (better known as turmeric). It has been reported to possess several bioactivities including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-fibrotic, and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the antimicrobial mode of action of curcumin, thus undermining its prospects as an alternative antimicrobial agent. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of antimicrobial action by curcumin. The mechanism of inhibition was evaluated in representatives of Gram negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria isolates, treated with either curcumin singly or in combination with ascorbic acid (1000 μg/mL). Results showed that curcumin has broad antimicrobial capacity. In addition, curcumin only and/or co-treatment with ascorbic acid caused lipid peroxidation in S. aureus and E. coli, and by extension led to DNA damage, indicative of oxidative stress. It is plausible that the oxidative might be related to the activation of the kynurenine pathway in S. aureus but not in E. coli. Furthermore, curcumin exposure led to elevated total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and level of total thiol, but decreased nitric oxide level in the bacteria isolates. Together, the findings suggest that oxidative stress and DNA damage might be partly responsible for the antimicrobial action of curcumin. © 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Endothelial cells (ECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play crucial roles in maintaining vascular health and homeostasis. Both cell types have been used in regenerative therapy as well as in various in vitro models; however, the properties of primary human ECs and EPCs are dissimilar owing to differences in genetic backgrounds and sampling techniques. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are an alternative cell source of ECs and EPCs. However, owing to the low purity of differentiated cells from hiPSCs, purification via an antigen-antibody reaction, which damages the cells, is indispensable. Besides, owing to limited expandability, it is difficult to produce these cells in large numbers. Here we report the development of relatively simple differentiation and purification methods for hiPSC-derived EPCs (iEPCs). Furthermore, we discovered that a combination of three small molecules, that is, Y-27632 (a selective inhibitor of Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase [ROCK]), A 83-01 (a receptor-like kinase inhibitor of transforming growth factor beta [TGF-β]), and CHIR-99021 (a selective inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β [GSK3β] that also activates Wnt), dramatically stimulated protein synthesis-related pathways and enhanced the proliferative capacity of iEPCs. These findings will help to establish a supply system of EPCs at an industrial scale. © 2020 The Authors.Aims Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for cognitive function. It is also found in non-neuronal tissues with various regulatory actions, including metabolic. Physical fitness (PF) is associated with improved synthesis and secretion of BDNF and reduced obesity. However, the importance of PF for the relationship of BDNF with obesity has not been investigated. This study aims at examining the relationship of PF with BDNF and obesity in 174 young (age = 25.30 ± 9.2 years) healthy adults. Main methods Serum BDNF was evaluated using ELISA while obesity was determined using body weight (BW), BMI, and waist circumference (WC). Six minute walk distance (6MWD) test was used to estimate PF. Key findings Serum BDNF was greater (p = 0.000) in the participants with high (Hi6MWD) versus low (Lw6MWD) PF group. Additionally, 6MWD explained 6.8% of serum BDNF. Obesity measures were greater (p 0.05) groups. Significance The finding confirms the relationship of BDNF with obesity. Additionally, it further suggests the importance of PF level to this relationship among young adults. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings. © 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Orchard grass is an important soil management method that improves pest resistance in fruit trees and it reduces the usage of chemical fertilizer to protect the environment. In this study, we investigated the bacterial and fungi communities in the rhizosphere of Ziziphus jujuba Mill cv. 'lingwuchangzao' by high-throughput sequencing to test the effects of different sward types. The soil organic matter, available phosphorus, available potassium, and total nitrogen contents were higher with cleared tillage compared with the other planting grass treatments.  https://www.selleckchem.com/  Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota were the dominant fungal groups. Most of the soil nutrient levels were lower in the treatments with grass (except for planting with ryegrass and pea grass) than cleared tillage, but there were no significant differences in the bacterial and fungi diversity. pH and total phosphorus were the main contributors to variations in the bacterial communities. The variations in the fungal communities were mainly attributed to the soil nutrient levels.