Effect of foliar treatment with chitosan on phenolic composition of ῾Fetească neagră’ grapes and wines

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of chitosan treatments, applied in vineyard for plan protection, on the phenolic quality of grapes. The study was conducted for two consecutive years (2020-2021) in the wine center of Murfatlar, Romania, on ‘Fetească neagră’, an ancient but well-known indigenous Romanian grape variety for red wines. Chitosan is meant to offer an alternative for the classic treatment with Bordeaux mixture (BM), which represented the control variant. A combination treatment with half dose of chitosan and half dose of BM was also applied and evaluated.  Chemical composition at harvest time was evaluated by measuring the content of sugar, total acidity, pH, total anthocyanin potential (ApH1), anthocyanins extractable at wine pH (ApH3.2), total polyphenol index, skin tannins, seed tannins and seeds maturity. In wines the colour parameters were determined by spectrophotometry and individual phenolic compounds by UHPLC-HRMS. In grapes, accumulation of anthocyanins increased with the total dose of chitosan applied in the vineyard, with higher values in 2020 when temperatures were higher and the rainfall values were typical for the region. Accumulation of tannins in grape skins followed a similar trend. In wine, chitosan determined a significant 72% increase in colour intensity in 2020. Among the individual phenols gallic acid was predominant, with higher values in the rainier year (2021) and significant increases determined by chitosan treatment (especially in 2021 when it increased by 97% as compared to BM treatment). Catechin and epicatechin recorded important increases in the less favourable year (2021), with confirmed increases in both years elicited by the chitosan. Quercetin and myricetin were not influenced by the chitosan treatment, but their increase was correlated with higher temperatures and inversely correlated to the amount of rainfall. Trans-resveratrol ranged between 4.3-8.0 mg L-1 in 2020 and 5.0-6.5 mg L-1 in 2021, with an important increase determined by the chitosan treatment in 2020 (89% increase compared to BM treatment)

Određivanje trans-resveratrola u pokožici grožđa tijekom sazrijevanja i u vinu pomoću metode HPLC

Trans-resveratrol (3,5,4’-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is naturally present in the skin of grapes and therefore is expected to occur in grape products. Recently, there has been a renewal of interest in wine as medical treatment for various disorders. In this study, berry skins of five red grape varieties were analysed at weekly intervals for trans-resveratrol production, during 2012 and 2013 harvest. The obtained wines were also evaluated. Quantification of trans resveratrol in grape skin extracts and wines was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography. Favourable viticultural climate during harvest in 2012 resulted in a higher content of trans-resveratrol. The highest trans-resveratrol content was in Pinot Noir and Feteasca Neagra grape varieties, both in berry skins and wines, while the lowest amounts were identified in Cabernet Sauvignon variety. We can conclude that there was a significant correlation between the content of trans-resveratrol in grape skins and that in the respective wine.Trans-resveratrol (3,5,4\u27-trihidroksi-trans-stilben) je prirodni fenol, koji se nalazi u pokožici grožđa i iz nje dospijeva u proizvode od grožđa. U novije se vrijeme ponovno javlja interes za primjenu vina u liječenju različitih zdravstvenih poremećaja. U ovom je radu tjedno praćen udjel trans-resveratrola u pokožici pet sorata crnog grožđa tijekom uzgoja 2012. i 2013. godine. Nakon toga su analizirana i vina proizvedena iz tih sorata. Za određivanje količine trans-resveratrola u ekstraktu pokožice i vinu upotrijebljena je viskodjelotvorna tekućinska kromatografija. Veći je udjel trans-resveratrola pronađen u grožđu i vinu iz 2012. godine, i to zbog povoljnijih klimatskih uvjeta. Najviše je trans-resveratrola bilo u grožđu i vinu sorata Pinot Noir i Feteasca Neagra, a najmanje u onima sorte Cabernet Sauvignon. Zaključeno je da postoji značajna korelacija između količine trans-resveratrola u pokožici grožđa i u vinu, i to kod svih sorata

Engaging diverse underserved communities to bridge the mammography divide

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breast cancer screening continues to be underutilized by the population in general, but is particularly underutilized by traditionally underserved minority populations. Two of the most at risk female minority groups are American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and Latinas. American Indian women have the poorest recorded 5-year cancer survival rates of any ethnic group while breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer mortality among Latina women. Breast cancer screening rates for both minority groups are near or at the lowest among all racial/ethnic groups. As with other health screening behaviors, women may intend to get a mammogram but their intentions may not result in initiation or follow through of the examination process. An accumulating body of research, however, demonstrates the efficacy of developing 'implementation intentions' that define when, where, and how a specific behavior will be performed. The formulation of intended steps in addition to addressing potential barriers to test completion can increase a person's self-efficacy, operationalize and strengthen their intention to act, and close gaps between behavioral intention and completion. To date, an evaluation of the formulation of implementation intentions for breast cancer screening has not been conducted with minority populations.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>In the proposed program, community health workers will meet with rural-dwelling Latina and American Indian women one-on-one to educate them about breast cancer and screening and guide them through a computerized and culturally tailored "implementation intentions" program, called <it>Healthy Living Kansas - Breast Health</it>, to promote breast cancer screening utilization. We will target Latina and AI/AN women from two distinct rural Kansas communities. Women attending community events will be invited by CHWs to participate and be randomized to either a mammography "implementation intentions" (<b>MI</b>^<b>2</b>) intervention or a comparison general breast cancer prevention informational intervention (<b>C</b>). CHWs will be armed with notebook computers loaded with our Healthy Living Kansas - Breast Health program and guide their peers through the program. Women in the <b>MI</b>^{<b>2 </b>}condition will receive assistance with operationalizing their screening intentions and identifying and addressing their stated screening barriers with the goal of guiding them toward accessing screening services near their community. Outcomes will be evaluated at 120-days post randomization via self-report and will include mammography utilization status, barriers, and movement along a behavioral stages of readiness to screen model.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This highly innovative project will be guided and initiated by AI/AN and Latina community members and will test the practical application of emerging behavioral theory among minority persons living in rural communities.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials (NCT): <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01267110">NCT01267110</a></p

Synthesis of Homodrimane Sesquiterpenoids Bearing 1,3-Benzothiazole Unit and Their Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation

Based on some homodrimane carboxylic acids and their acyl chlorides, a series of fourteen 2-homodrimenyl-1,3-benzothiazoles, N-homodrimenoyl-2-amino-1,3-benzothiazoles, 4&prime;-methyl-homodrimenoyl anilides and 4&prime;-methyl-homodrimenthioyl anilides were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated on five species of fungi (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. frequentans, and Alternaria alternata) and two strains of bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The synthesis involved the decarboxylative cyclization, condensation and thionation of the said acids, anhydrides or their derivatives with 2-aminothiophenol, 2-aminobenzothiazole, p-toluidine and Lawesson&rsquo;s reagent. As a result, together with the desired compounds, some unexpected products 8, 25, and 27 were obtained, and the structures and mechanisms for their formation have been proposed. Compounds 4, 9, and 25 showed higher antifungal and antibacterial activity compared to the standards caspofungin (MIC = 1.5 &mu;g/mL) and kanamycin (MIC = 3.0 &mu;g/mL), while compound 8 had comparable activities. In addition, compounds 6, 17, and 27 showed selective antifungal activity at MIC = 2.0, 0.25, and 1.0 &mu;g/mL, respectively

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation of Homodrimane Sesquiterpenoids with a Benzimidazole Unit

Herein we report a feasible study concerning the synthesis and the in vitro antimicrobial activity of some new homodrimane sesquiterpenoids with a benzimidazole unit. Based on some homodrimane carboxylic acids, on their acyl chlorides and intermediate monoamides, a series of seven N-homodrimenoyl-2-amino-1,3-benzimidazoles and 2-homodrimenyl-1,3-benzimidazoles was synthesized. The syntheses involved the decarboxylative cyclization and condensation of the said acids or acyl chlorides with o-phenylendiamine and 2-aminobenzimidazole, as well as the p-TsOH-mediated cyclodehydration of the said monoacylamides. The structures of the synthesized compounds have been fully confirmed, including by the X-ray diffraction. Their biological activities were evaluated on five species of fungi (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. frequentans, and Alternaria alternata) and two strains of bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Compounds 7 and 20 showed higher antifungal (MIC = 0.064 and 0.05 μg/mL) and antibacterial (MIC = 0.05 and 0.032 μg/mL) activities compared to those of the standards: caspofungin (MIC = 0.32 μg/mL) and kanamycin (MIC = 2.0 μg/mL), and compounds 4, 10, 14, and 19 had moderate activities

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation of Homodrimane Sesquiterpenoids with a Benzimidazole Unit

Herein we report a feasible study concerning the synthesis and the in vitro antimicrobial activity of some new homodrimane sesquiterpenoids with a benzimidazole unit. Based on some homodrimane carboxylic acids, on their acyl chlorides and intermediate monoamides, a series of seven N-homodrimenoyl-2-amino-1,3-benzimidazoles and 2-homodrimenyl-1,3-benzimidazoles was synthesized. The syntheses involved the decarboxylative cyclization and condensation of the said acids or acyl chlorides with o-phenylendiamine and 2-aminobenzimidazole, as well as the p-TsOH-mediated cyclodehydration of the said monoacylamides. The structures of the synthesized compounds have been fully confirmed, including by the X-ray diffraction. Their biological activities were evaluated on five species of fungi (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. frequentans, and Alternaria alternata) and two strains of bacteria (Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Compounds 7 and 20 showed higher antifungal (MIC = 0.064 and 0.05 &mu;g/mL) and antibacterial (MIC = 0.05 and 0.032 &mu;g/mL) activities compared to those of the standards: caspofungin (MIC = 0.32 &mu;g/mL) and kanamycin (MIC = 2.0 &mu;g/mL), and compounds 4, 10, 14, and 19 had moderate activities