Rice bran nanofibers (RBNFs), derived from rice bran (RB), were investigated as sustainable, food-grade stabilizers for Pickering emulsions (PEs). RBNFs were extracted via sequential chemical treatments followed by high-pressure homogenization (HPH), designed to enhance their surface activity and interfacial performance. After 5 HPH passes at 150bars, the nanofibers exhibited an average diameter of 32nm and significantly improved rearrangement kinetics at air-water, and oil-water interfaces (-43.67x10-4s-1 and -20.6x10-4s-1, respectively), indicating a higher affinity for interfacial rearrangement. RBNFs treated at varying HPH intensities were employed to stabilise oil-in-water emulsions. Physicochemical characterisations, including particle size distribution, zeta potential, rheological properties, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and creaming index measurements, demonstrated that emulsions prepared at 150 bars with five HPH passes exhibited the highest colloidal stability. CLSM further revealed that RBNFs effectively adsorbed at the oil-water interface and formed a continuous network structure, inhibiting droplet coalescence. Oxidative stability was assessed at storage temperatures of 4°C, 30°C, and 60°C. Emulsions stored at 4°C displayed the greatest oxidative resistance, as determined by thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays. Kinetic modelling and Q10 values provided insights into the temperature dependence of lipid oxidation, with estimated shelf-life of 110, 64 and 36days at 4°C, 30°C and 60°C respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of RBNFs as effective Pickering stabilisers, offering a value-added approach for rice bran valorisation while supporting United Nation's SDG 7goal by sustainable energy use across food and bioproduct systems.

Low-shrinkage-stress fluorinated methacrylate-thiol-ene resin composite: Bacterial anti-adhesion activity, physical properties, and biocompatibility.

Necrotizing stromal keratitis caused by Cladorrhinum bulbillosum is challenging to diagnose. We report in vivo confocal microscopic and histological studies that can facilitate the diagnosis of this rare fungal infection. Confocal microscopy imaging and histopathological analysis of the patient's infected cornea were performed in addition to standard clinical and microbiologic methods. The diameters of chlamydoconidium (bulbilli) were measured using a calibrated micrometer. C. bulbillosum was identified based on morphology observed in culture and molecular methods from a patient with a pigmented corneal infiltrate. Confocal microscopy revealed hyphal and cystic structures that have previously been mistaken for acanthamoeba. Histopathological analysis of the fungus in tissue sections showed clusters of oval structures (bulbilli) and characteristic reddish-brown septate hyphae with thin and segmented interseptal nuclei. Bulbilli measured 10 to 40 μm in diameter, whereas hyphae measured approximately 5 μm in cross section. The presence of pigment in a feathery corneal infiltrate should raise the possibility of a diagnosis of Cladorrhinum sp. and prompt a search for bulbilli by confocal microscopy. In the analysis of smears or biopsies, the finding of chlamydospores greater than 10 μm in diameter associated with nuclei and pigmented hyphae should alert the pathologist that sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer sequence of ribosomal RNA may be needed to confirm the genus and species of the fungus.

Pea protein isolate-quercetin covalent complexes: Structure, functionality, and molecular mechanisms underlying emulsion stability.

A biophysical imaging strategy based on linear unmixing Förster resonance energy transfer (lux-FRET) for investigating protein-protein interactions and receptor-mediated signaling in live cells is presented. This method utilizes spectral unmixing of FRET signals acquired via confocal laser scanning microscopy (LSM), enabling high-resolution quantification of molecular interactions with both spatial and temporal precision. Applying lux-FRET, receptor-receptor interactions and downstream signaling events, including agonist specificity for 5-HT receptors were examined. Ratiometric Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements with a genetically encoded cAMP biosensor allowed us to assess biosensor sensitivity to cyclic nucleotides and receptor efficacy. Additionally, physiological interactions between CD44 and 5-HT receptors and the oligomerization state of the 5-HT1A receptor through apparent FRET efficiency analysis was explored. The findings demonstrate the utility of lux-FRET combined with quantitative fluorescence microscopy as a powerful tool for dissecting dynamic signaling mechanisms in live cells. This approach offers broad applicability for researchers studying receptor pharmacology, cellular signaling, and protein interaction dynamics.

Mechanism of formation and transformation of rust layer on weather-resistant steel through spheroidization treatment of inclusions in industrial polluted atmospheric environment

Boosting biohydrogen production from pretreated sugarcane bagasse dust via coupled dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cell.

Influence of pulsed electric field on rheological and structural properties of frozen non-fermented dough by controlling ice crystal formation.

Multitarget mechanisms of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil against clinically isolated carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Targeting the lipid membrane to prevent viral entry: the case of a C18-alkylated EGCG compound.

Nanoplastics induce SH-SY5Y cell damage through oxidative stress and disruption of amino acid metabolism.

Metamorphosis of the central nervous system of Megaphragma viggianii (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

Biomimetic lipid nanoparticles for RNA delivery to breast cancer microenvironment cells by enhanced homotypic and heterotypic adhesion.

Biofilms represent a persistent challenge on food contact surfaces, compromising hygiene, safety, and product quality. This study aimed to fabricate and characterize biomimetic wax surfaces inspired by the micro- and nanostructured topographies of Cauliflower, White Cabbage, and Leek leaves, to assess their efficacy in mitigating Escherichia coli biofilm formation, and to determine the effect of conditioning films composed of amphiphilic casein on the surfaces' antibiofilm properties. Surface characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Optical Profilometry (OP), and water contact angle measurements confirmed the successful replication of plant topographies and revealed that casein conditioning (5% w/v) altered surface morphology and increased wettability. Despite partial coverage by casein, biomimetic surfaces retained distinct topographical features and higher roughness compared to Flat controls. Microbiological assays demonstrated the antibiofilm effects of the biomimetic surfaces, with topography emerging as the primary factor. Cauliflower and Leek surfaces reduced the number of E. coli cells, measured as colony-forming units (CFU), by up to 89% relative to Flat controls. Casein conditioning alone contributed to a smaller, yet notable, decrease in all biofilm parameters, with cell counts, thickness measured by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and biovolume determined by confocal microscopy, showing reductions of 67%, 29%, and 25%, respectively. When topography and conditioning were considered together, a combined effect was observed, with White Cabbage and Leek surfaces achieving the greatest overall reductions. These findings showed that surface topography can effectively enhance biofilm inhibition, even in protein-conditioned environments. • Biomimetic wax surfaces mimicked Cauliflower, White Cabbage, and Leek topographies • Casein conditioning altered surface morphology and increased wettability • Topography was the main factor reducing E. coli cell numbers, up to 89% • Casein further enhanced inhibition, with combined effects on WC and L surfaces • Biomimetic surfaces retained antibiofilm efficacy when protein-conditioned

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition causing histopathological alterations in the ovarian stroma. Telocytes (TCs) are specialized interstitial/stromal cells present in the connective tissue of various organs. In this study, we investigated the presence and spatial organization of TCs in the ovaries of a rat model of PCOS induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The ovarian tissues from both PCOS and control groups were stained using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Bielschowsky's silver stain, methylene blue, and toluidine blue for light microscopy analysis, and scanned digitally. Ovaries were marked with double-labeled immunofluorescence with CD34/estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) and vimentin/progesterone receptor-A (PR-A) and evaluated with a confocal microscope. The ultrastructure and telopodes (TPs) of TCs were also examined by transmission electron microscopy. TCs were identified in both groups, localized within follicular walls, adjacent to follicles, in stromal regions distant from the follicles, and perivascular areas. CD34/ER-α and vimentin/PR-A cells were significantly increased in PCOS. In conclusion, TCs were preserved in the DHEA-induced PCOS model, and according to our quantitative analysis, their ultrastructural features were unaffected by the PCOS microenvironment. Our findings suggest a potential association between TCs and the pathophysiology of PCOS. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the functional relationship of TCs in the development and progression of PCOS.

Understanding the spatiotemporal dependencies between different protein species, as observed through fluorescent confocal laser microscopy, is crucial for gaining insight into their biological functions. We introduce an estimator of their bulk movement patterns between time points on a space, Ψ, using the earth mover's distance. We propose a test statistic that combines these bulk movement patterns over a partition, Ψw, of Ψ into w subregions and compares them between two samples. At the core of our approach lies a novel null hypothesis framework, consisting of statements regarding between- and within-sample independence of bulk movement patterns, alongside a statement of distributional invariance under the operation of a geometrically defined subgroup of permutations acting on Ψw. This framework yields a geometrically informed permutation (GIP) test designed to quantify the significance of dependencies between bulk movement patterns. We validate the approach using synthetic data spanning a range of independent and dependent scenarios with varying geometrical properties. Finally, we apply the GIP test to experiments involving the microtubule-associated proteins EB3 and TACC3, obtaining evidence that reinforces previous biological findings on the colocalisation of these proteins. More broadly, our proposed methodology is applicable to a wide range of spatiotemporal molecular data problems in which geometric structure is fundamental, particularly when the surrounding cellular or tissue environment informs the dynamics.

Preparation of nanoparticles from atmospheric pressure plasma jet-activated gas modified pectin for oral insulin delivery.

Deciphering the differential response of bamboo cell types to benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride/formic acid system for selective separation.

Annexin A5 ameliorates immune-mediated liver injury by regulating ferritinophagy-ferroptosis in M2 macrophages via the NRF2/ERK pathway.

Software for semi-automatic analysis of microscopic images of adhesion structures and protein colocalization in cells.