The efficacy of the essential oil (1000 and 2000 mu L L(-1)) incorporated into the commercial coating was confirmed on fruit inoculated with two of the pathogens. A simulated export trial was done using Lippia essential oil, in addition to Mentha spicata (spearmint) essential oil, as supplements for fruit coatings. Results indicate that essential oils rich in R-(-)-carvone could be valuable alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the postharvest management of avocado fruit. The combination of essential oils with a commercial coating, acceptable to the organic market, offers additional protection to this vulnerable commodity. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights

reserved.”
“Background: Melatonin was proposed for use in periodontitis and Ruboxistaurin peri-implantitis therapy Epigenetics inhibitor due to its bonesupportive effects. This issue is of interest because standard adjuvant antiseptics, namely chlorhexidine (CHX), prove damaging for osteoblasts. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate if melatonin is suitable as an auxiliary agent for protecting osteoblasts from CHX damage. Methods: MC3T3 osteoblast response was determined following administration of various CHX concentrations in the

absence or presence of melatonin. Osteoblast morphology was evaluated, total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide levels were quantified, ratios of apoptotic and necrotic cells were identified by flow cytometry, metabolic activity of remaining cells was assessed, and effects were calculated with repeated measures analysis and post hoc P value adjustment. Results: CHX led to poor morphology, increased total ROS and superoxide levels, and rigorously diminished the number of vital and metabolic active osteoblasts in a concentration-dependent selleckchem manner. However, simultaneous melatonin supply supported cell morphogenesis and growth, reduced

ROS and superoxide generation, shifted the percentage of CHX-damaged cells from necrotic/late to early apoptotic events, and modulated metabolic activity in osteoblasts. Conclusion: These data reveal that melatonin protects osteoblasts in the CHX context, thereby implicating melatonin as a promising drug in periodontitis and peri-implantitis treatment.”
“The aim of the present study was to subject the post-consumer waste, namely paper cups for vermicomposting along with cow dung in three different ratios for a period of 90140 days employing Eisenia fetida. The post-consumer wastes are a menace in many developing countries including India. This waste was provided as feed for earthworms and was converted to vermicompost. Vermicompost prepared with paper cup waste was analyzed for their physicochemical properties. Based on the physicochemical properties, it was evident that the best manure is obtained from type A (paper cup/cow dung in the ratio 1:1) than type B (paper cup/cow dung in the ratio 1.5:0.5) and type C (paper cup/cow dung in the ratio 0.5: 1.5).