Search Results (29)

As a core structure within the Qing Changling Mausoleum, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, Long’en Hall preserves a relatively complete set of Qing dynasty imperial lacquered furniture. These furnishings provide critical physical evidence for studying Qing dynasty sacrificial rituals and the craftsmanship of court lacquerware. However, limited research has been conducted on the surface finishing techniques of such furnishings, posing challenges to their conservation and accurate restoration. This study focuses on representative furnishings from Long’en Hall—including an offering table, an incense pavilion, a throne, and a poke lamp—and employed a multi-method analytical approach comprising fluorescence microscopy (FM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The analysis was conducted on the following two levels: the lacquer layer structure and material composition. The results show that the furnishings in the Long’en Hall adopt the typical structure of “lacquer ash layer–color lacquer layer”, and the color lacquer layer is composed of raw lacquer, tung oil, animal glue, and other natural organic ingredients as film-forming materials, supplemented with inorganic mineral pigments such as red lead (Pb₃O₄) and Au metal, which constitutes a stable organic–inorganic composite structure with the lacquer ash layer. The multi-analysis results show a good complementary and cross-corroboration relationship, providing the necessary technical support and a theoretical reference for Qing dynasty palace lacquer wood furniture as cultural relics worthy of scientific protection and imitation. Full article

This article provides an overview of the possibilities of using a modern Wood’s lamp in dermatological diagnostics. In the experimental part, this study examined the possibilities of the light source in photodiagnostics combined with the photodynamic method (PDT) and determined the lower detection limit of the basic photosensitizer in dermatology—protoporphyrin IX (PPIX). The absorption parameters and fluorescence quantum efficiency of PPIX were investigated, and case studies of patients in clinical conditions were presented. A new application may be the use of a Wood’s lamp in dental diagnostics to detect the early stage of caries and to monitor bacterial plaque. Fluorescence area studies were conducted on 21 extracted teeth with different levels of caries. The results showed that changes in enamel demineralization can be detected at a level as low as a 5–10% decrease in fluorescence. Full article

Melasma is an incredibly common dyschromic disorder, mostly impacting women with skin of color. There are three variants of melasma based on the depth of pathologic involvement: epidermal, mixed, and dermal. While there are many treatments for melasma, there is a paucity of research on melasma treatments and their dermatopathological correlates. A scoping review was conducted of all human trials on melasma with histopathologic analysis, including 37 trials in the final analysis. Most studies were conducted on women with a Fitzpatrick skin type of III or greater. Strong histologic evidence supports the utilization of retinols/retinoids for epidermal melasma and microneedling for dermal melasma. There is a paucity of trials conducted on melasma utilizing histologic correlates, and fewer still that are comprehensive to include analyses on quality of life. Full article

Movements of plant pathogenic microorganisms in uncontaminated areas occur today at an alarming rate, driven mainly by global trade and climate change. These invaders can trigger new disease outbreaks able to impact the biodiversity and economies of vast territories and affect a variety of ecosystem services. National and supranational regulatory deficiencies, such as inadequate quarantine measures and ineffective early pathogen detection at ports of entry, exacerbate the issue. Thus, there is an urgent need for accurate and rapid diagnostic tools to intercept invasive and nonindigenous plant pathogens. The LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification) technique is a robust, flexible tool representing a significant advance in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. Its user-friendliness and sensitivity offer a breakthrough in phytosanitary checks at points of entry (harbors and airports), for disease and pest surveillance at vulnerable sites (e.g., nurseries and wood-processing and storage facilities), and for territorial monitoring of new disease outbreaks. This review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of LAMP, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize modern plant disease diagnostics. Full article

The present review explores the underlying mechanisms of phytophotodermatitis, a non-immunologic skin reaction triggered by certain plants followed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation emitted by sunlight. Recent research has advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of phytophotodermatitis, highlighting the interaction between plant-derived photosensitizing compounds (e.g., furanocoumarins and psoralens) and ultraviolet light leading to skin damage (e.g., erythema, fluid blisters, edema, and hyperpigmentation), identifying these compounds as key contributors to the phototoxic reactions causing phytophotodermatitis. Progress in understanding the molecular pathways involved in the skin’s response to these compounds has opened avenues for identifying potential therapeutic targets suitable for the management and prevention of this condition. The review emphasizes the importance of identifying the most common phototoxic plant families (e.g., Apiaceae, Rutaceae, and Moraceae) and plant species (e.g., Heracleum mantegazzianum, Ruta graveolens, Ficus carica, and Pastinaca sativa), as well as the specific phytochemical compounds responsible for inducing phytophototoxicity (e.g., limes containing furocoumarin have been linked to lime-induced photodermatitis), underscoring the significance of recognizing the dangerous plant sources. Moreover, the most used approaches and tests for accurate diagnosis such as patch testing, Wood’s lamp examination, or skin biopsy are presented. Additionally, preventive measures such as adequate clothing (e.g., long-sleeved garments and gloves) and treatment strategies based on the current knowledge of phytophotodermatitis including topical and systemic therapies are discussed. Overall, the review consolidates recent findings in the field, covering a diverse array of phototoxic compounds in plants, the mechanisms by which they trigger skin reactions, and the implications for clinical management. By synthesizing these insights, we provide a comprehensive understanding of phytophotodermatitis, providing valuable information for both healthcare professionals and researchers working to address this condition. Full article

Two Legionella-like isolates, 8cVS16^T and 9fVS26, were isolated from a water distribution system (WDS) in a healthcare facility. Cells were Gram- and Ziehl Neelsen-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile, and exhibited a blue-white fluorescence under Wood’s lamp at 365 nm. The strains grew in a range of 32–37 °C on BCYE with L-cysteine (Cys+), GVPC, and MWY agar medium, with a positive reaction for oxidase, catalase, and gelatinase. The dominant fatty acids were summed features 3 (C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c) (27.7%), C_16:0 iso (17.5%), and C_16:0 (16.3%), and Q13 as the major ubiquinone. The mip and rpoB gene sequences showed a similarity of 96.7% and 92.4%, with L. anisa (ATCC 35292^T). The whole genomes sequencing (WGS) performed displayed a GC content of 38.21 mol% for both. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) analysis demonstrated the separation of the two strains from the phylogenetically most related L. anisa (ATCC 35292^T), with ≤43% DNA-DNA relatedness. The Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) between the two strains and L. anisa (ATCC 35292^T) was 90.74%, confirming that the two isolates represent a novel species of the genus Legionella. The name proposed for this species is Legionella resiliens sp. nov., with 8cVS16^T (=DSM 114356^T = CCUG 76627^T) as the type strain. Full article

This publication describes the influence of residue monomers in synthesized pressure-sensitive adhesives based on acrylics on their main properties—tack, peel adhesion, shear strength and shrinkage—in the form of transfer tapes used for joining wooden elements in the furniture industry. The discussed carrier-free adhesive tapes are synthesized via photo-crosslinking and photopolymerization with UV radiation of the photoreactive prepolymers sandwiched between two adhesive siliconized polyester films. The simultaneous crosslinking and polymerization processes carried out under UV lamps placed simultaneously above and below the crosslinked photoreactive polymer layer lead to the production of a carrier-free adhesive film. The preliminary target of these studies was to investigate how the intensity of UV radiation and the time of its exposure affect the viscosity of the photoreactive compositions and the content of unreacted monomers in them. Next, the influence of the crosslinking agent concentration and UV irradiation time on the content of unreacted monomers after the crosslinking process was tested. The last step of the studies was the investigation of the influence of the residue monomer concentration on the application properties of the obtained pressure-sensitive adhesive layers. The typical PSA application properties were tested on the wood samples: tack, peel adhesion, shear strength (cohesion) and shrinkage. Full article

The furniture industry constantly strives to search for ecological and cost-effective solutions in the production of wood-based composites. It is anticipated that furniture with a honeycomb core and HDF-facing will gain market share. Understanding how specific technical and procedural factors on the finishing line affect the resistance of coatings on furniture elements made of honeycomb boards was the main goal of the study. With the use of a digital microscope, the roughness of two different types of HDF was tested. On the industrial UV LED+Hg finishing line, 198 different surface coating variations were produced by applying five or six layers of varnish applied, ranging from 3 to 30 g/m² and hardening them with various surface power densities. On the basis of statistical tests, the influence of individual factors on abrasion, impact, and scratch resistance was determined. The nanointendence test of the coatings was used to measure the hardness and elasticity modulus. The coloring caused by coffee traces was checked using a colorimeter. The findings confirm the conception that LED+Hg lamp modules can replace mercury and gallium-doped mercury lamps. Full article

Despite its undeniable advantages, the operation of a CT scanner also carries risks to human health. The CT scanner is a source of ionizing radiation, which also affects people in its surroundings. The aim of this paper is to quantify the radiation exposure of workers at a 3D CT wood scanning workplace and to determine a monitoring program based on measurements of ionizing radiation levels during the operation of a CT log scanner. The workplace is located in the Biotechnology Park of the National Forestry Centre. The ionizing radiation source is located in a protective cabin as a MICROTEC 3D CT machine with an X-ray lamp as X-ray source. The CT scanner is part of the 3D CT scanning line and its function is continuous quality scanning or detection of internal defects of the examined wood. The measurement of leakage radiation during scanning is performed with a metrologically verified meter. The measured quantity is the ambient dose equivalent rate ${\dot{H}}^{*}\left(10\right)$. The results of the measurements at the selected measurement sites have shown that, after installation of additional safety barriers, the CT scanner for the logs complies with the most strict criteria in terms of radiation protection. Workers present at the workplace during the operation of the CT scanner are not exposed to radiation higher than the background radiation level. Full article

The development of smart color-changing wood could facilitate its functional application. Herein, photochromic wood films (PWFs) were synthesized by grafting 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,3-dimethylindolino-6’-nitrobenzopyrylospiran onto the cellulosic skeleton structure of delignified wood using hexamethylene diisocyanate as a bridging linker, followed by the densification process. The microstructural morphology, chemical composition, photochromic properties, and mechanical properties of the prepared PWFs were characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, colorimeter, and universal mechanical testing machine. The photochromic capability of the wood film was positively correlated with the grafting amount of spiropyran; the color change is evident when the grafting amount is high. Furthermore, the photochromic and recovery capability of the wood film weakened after sequentially irradiating 40 times using a UV lamp and daylight lamp, which could be partially recovered after a period of rest. However, the wood film strength was negatively correlated with the grafting amount of spiropyran. The grafted spiropyran affected the hydrogen bonding between cellulose nanofibers of the wood film during densification, which caused a reduction in the film strength. However, the strength was still >120 MPa. Meanwhile, temperature and humidity affected the photochromic capability of the wood film. Thus, the developed high-strength PWF has potential applications in various fields, such as intelligent sensing, personalized design, indoor and outdoor architecture, and optoelectronics. Full article

Matte coatings have found wide-ranging applications across diverse industries. In this study, self-matting films with surface wrinkles were produced by exposing UV-curable polyurethane acrylate (UV-WPUA) resin to 172 nm Xe₂* excimer and medium-pressure mercury lamps. The gloss values, micromorphologies, water contact angles (WCAs), roughness values, and friction behaviors of UV-WPUA films with different photoinitiator (PI) concentrations and thickness were investigated for the first time. The results indicate that the gloss values of the films at the same thickness enhance with the increase of PI concentration, while the amplitude of wrinkles, roughness, and WCAs decrease; however, the friction coefficient shows insignificant variations. While the PI concentration is unchanged, an increase in film thickness results in a decrease in gloss value and an increase in roughness and friction coefficient. Nevertheless, the WCA is relatively constant. The PI concentration of 0.5 wt% (lowest gloss value of cured film) was utilized to prepare the UV-WPUA wood coating. The cured coating film exhibited low gloss (4.9 GU at 60° and 5.2 GU at 85°) and outstanding mechanical properties, including 3H pencil hardness, grade 0 adhesion, excellent wear resistance, and tensile property. These findings can be utilized to guide the development of self-matting wood coatings and the production of wood-based panels used in industrial finishing. Full article

Buprestids are an emerging threat to broadleaf forests across the world. Species such as emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis) seriously threaten ash (Fraxinus spp.) in North America and Europe. As it continues spreading west from European Russia, native European ash populations will suffer dramatic losses. Due to their cryptic lifestyle of the egg and larval stages on developing bark and vascular tissue, buprestids and other wood borers can be difficult to detect. Early detection tools are vital to implement fast eradication measures, and prevent the establishment of invasive species populations. Detection methods using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to target specific taxa can be extremely timely to obtain results especially since samples need to be transported to the laboratory first. However, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) eDNA assays are highly specific and sensitive providing results within 30 min after sample extraction. In this study, we investigated the specificity and sensitivity of an EAB LAMP assay as an early detection tool in Europe. The assay was specific to EAB when tested against 12 European Agrilus spp., five buprestids, two Scolytinae, and five cerambycids (n = 24). The LAMP assay sensitivity amplified DNA from a concentration as low as 0.02 pg/µL. These results demonstrate that the LAMP assay is a highly specific, sensitive tool that can be used to detect and monitor EAB in European forests and urban settings. Full article

In recent years, with the development of the coating industry and the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the modification of waterborne wood coatings has become the focus of research. Generally, the system composed of silica sol modification and UV curing can make up for the defects of poor mechanical properties, low hardness, and slow curing speeds of waterborne wood coatings. Herein, we used silica sol-reinforced UV-curable waterborne acrylic wood coatings and tested the related physical properties of the coatings. FT-IR analysis showed that the Si-O-Si bond appeared, indicating that the silica sol was successfully grafted onto the waterborne acrylic molecular chain. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the UV-curable waterborne acrylic wood coating film reached their optimum when the content of silica sol was 1 wt%, the number of UV lamps was 3, and the drying time was 20 min. The corresponding values for wear resistance, hardness, adhesion, and impact strength were 0.106 g (high level), grade 3, and 90 kg·cm, respectively. However, when the content of silica sol is greater than 1 wt%, the related physical properties of the coatings will decrease. The results showed that the gloss of the coating decreased with increasing silica sol content. When the silica sol content was 2 wt%–6 wt%, the coating showed a matte gloss. This present work shows that the modification process is simple, controlled, inexpensive, and meets the demand for UV-curable waterborne acrylic wood coatings in daily life. Full article

Oily, acne-prone skin is a common skin type which may be monitored in vivo using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of RCM in evaluating the effectiveness of a topical combination of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial molecules, and Herculane thermal water on acne-prone skin. Thirty-five subjects with oily, acne-prone skin were prescribed topical combination products and were evaluated by clinical, Wood’s lamp, and RCM imaging at baseline and after 28 days. At 28 days, the RCM-evaluated number of dilated infundibula, infundibula filled with keratotic material, and infundibula with thickened bright borders, as well as the density of the inflammatory infiltrate, were significantly decreased. Wood’s light images at 28 days showed a significantly reduced number of C. acnes-colonized infundibula, and both the median area and the intensity of the red-orange fluorescence were decreased. The reduction in the clinical score was concurrent with the improvement in the RCM parameters, suggesting that this non-invasive imaging technique is appropriate for efficiency evaluations of topical acne treatments. Full article

Background and Objectives: The HH (hand hygiene) technique is relatively simple. Even so, in practice there are still non-conformities regarding this aspect. Lack of knowledge or lack of compliance can be reasons for non-adherence with HH techniques. In this context, the purpose of this study was to follow the realization of the hand-washing technique with hydroalcoholic solution, applied before and after receiving the HH recommendations. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2022 to June 2022. Students from a second year dental medicine class teaching in French 2021/22 “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi were included in the study. The approval of the ethics commission was received: No. 184/05.05.2022. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, HH was performed without any recommendation. In the second stage, the antiseptic hand rubbing technique was presented following the WHO recommendations. The fluorescent Fluo-Add solution, Wood lamp for dermatology (4 × 5.5 W ultraviolet tubes with a wavelength of 360 nm), and photo camera were used. Subjects performed their HH movement before and after receiving instructions according to WHO. Images were initially taken from the backhand and palm and were finally analyzed with Image Color Summarizer. The data were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U Test, t-test paired samples using IBM-SPSS version 26 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA), and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After analyzing the images, there were 70 subjects, 45.7% (32) female and 54.33% (38) male. Final average covered area of backhand was 60.89% (±17.17), 28.84:86.11, compared to 52.07% (±17.04), 9:85.23. Final average covered area for palm was 69.91% (±13.5), 31.61:93.41 compared to 59.74% (±16.64), 26.13:92.72. No statistical significance was obtained by gender. Conclusions: The study showed an improvement in hand hygiene technique without highlighting gender differences. Full article