Confocal Scanning Microscopy Research Articles

Influence of Chloride Concentration on Fretting Wear Behavior of Inconel 600 Alloy.

The nickel-based alloy Inconel 600, strengthened by solution treatment, finds extensive application as a heat exchange pipe material in steam generators within nuclear power plants, owing to its exceptional resistance to high-temperature corrosion. However, fretting corrosion occurs at the contact points between the pipe and support frame due to gas-liquid flow, leading to wear damage. This study investigates the fretting wear behavior and damage mechanism of the nickel-based alloy Inconel 600 and 304 stainless steel friction pairs under point contact conditions in a water environment. Characterization was performed using laser confocal scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Results indicate that the friction coefficient remains consistent across different chloride ion concentrations, while the wear volume increases with increasing chloride concentrations. Notably, friction coefficient oscillations are observed in the gross slip regime (GSR). Moreover, the stability of the oxide layer formed in water is compromised, diminishing its protective effect against wear. In the partial slip regime (PSR), friction coefficient oscillations are absent. An oxide layer forms within the wear scar, with significantly fewer cracks compared to those within the oxide layer in the GSR. It is worth noting that in GSR, the friction coefficient oscillates.

Postmodification with Polycations Enhances Key Properties of Alginate-Based Multicomponent Microcapsules.

Postmodification of alginate-based microspheres with polyelectrolytes (PEs) is commonly used in the cell encapsulation field to control microsphere stability and permeability. However, little is known about how different applied PEs shape the microsphere morphology and properties, particularly in vivo. Here, we addressed this question using model multicomponent alginate-based microcapsules postmodified with PEs of different charge and structure. We found that the postmodification can enhance or impair the mechanical resistance and biocompatibility of microcapsules implanted into a mouse model, with polycations surprisingly providing the best results. Confocal Raman microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analyses revealed stable interpolyelectrolyte complex layers within the parent microcapsule, hindering the access of higher molar weight PEs into the microcapsule core. All microcapsules showed negative surface zeta potential, indicating that the postmodification PEs get hidden within the microcapsule membrane, which agrees with CLSM data. Human whole blood assay revealed complex behavior of microcapsules regarding their inflammatory and coagulation potential. Importantly, most of the postmodification PEs, including polycations, were found to be benign toward the encapsulated model cells.

Aging decreases osteocyte peri-lacunar-canalicular system turnover in female C57BL/6JN mice

Osteocytes engage in bone resorption and mineralization surrounding their expansive lacunar-canalicular system (LCS) through peri-LCS turnover. However, fundamental questions persist about where, when, and how often osteocytes engage in peri-LCS turnover and how these processes change with aging. Furthermore, whether peri-LCS turnover is associated with natural variation in cortical tissue strain remains unexplored. To address these questions, we utilized confocal scanning microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy to characterize osteocyte peri-LCS turnover in the cortical (mid-diaphysis) and cancellous (metaphysis) regions of femurs from young adult (5 mo) and early-old-age (22 mo) female C57BL/6JN mice. LCS bone mineralization was measured by the presence of perilacunar fluorochrome labels. LCS bone resorption was measured by immunohistochemical marker of bone resorption. The dynamics of peri-LCS turnover were estimated from serial fluorochrome labeling, where each mouse was administered two labels between 2 and 16 days before euthanasia. Osteocyte participation in mineralizing their surroundings is highly abundant in both cortical and cancellous bone of young adult mice but significantly decreases with aging. LCS bone resorption also decreases with aging. Aging has a greater impact on peri-LCS turnover dynamics in cancellous bone than in cortical bone. Lacunae with recent peri-LCS turnover are larger in both age groups. While peri-LCS turnover is associated with variation in tissue strain between cortical quadrants and intracortical location for 22 mo mice, these associations were not seen for 5 mo mice. The impact of aging on decreasing peri-LCS turnover may have significant implications for bone quality and mechanosensation.

Characterization of the microstructure, interfacial properties and crystallization behaviours of milk fat globule and membrane isolated from acidified bovine milk and sweet whey

Milk fat globule and membrane (MFGs/MFGM) ingredients are the main source of the phospholipid supplementation in the dairy industry. Their physicochemical properties and functionalities play important roles in their application. This study investigated the effect of acidification (pH 6.30 and pH 5.30) on the microstructure, interfacial and thermal properties of MFGs/MFGM sourced from bovine milk (control pH 6.70). Meanwhile, sweet whey was prepared to mimic the raw material used in the industrial production of MFGs/MFGM (MFGM-C). The study revealed a broad particle size distribution of MFGs/MFGM at pH 5.30, while smaller particles were found in MFGM-C. This was confirmed by confocal scanning microscopy (CLSM) images, which showed that few intact MFGs existed in the MFGM-C. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated more peaks belonging to protein-lipids associations presented at pH 6.30. Additionally, the interfacial tension of MFGs/MFGM at pH 6.30 was significantly lower than at pH 6.70 and 5.30. X-ray Diffraction Spectra (XRD) showed that the fat in MFGM-C exhibited no detectable crystalline structures, and fewer α and β′ crystals appeared at pH 6.30. All MFGs/MFGM from bovine milk or whey exhibited both exothermic and endothermal events. The smallest heat enthalpy of crystallization (ΔHC) and melting (ΔHM) was observed in MFGM-C, followed by those at pH 6.30. Compared to MFGs/MFGM at pH 6.70, pH 6.30 induced more profound effects on the interfacial and thermal properties of MFGs/MFGM than pH 5.30. Acidification and the use of different raw materials lead to differentiation in the physicochemical and techno-functionalities of MFGs/MFGM.

A novel methodology to assess optical profilometer stability to discriminate surface roughness

A new method is proposed to investigate the measurement variation of instruments and their ability to discriminate two TA6V surfaces obtained by grinding with SiC grit papers (80 and 120). Three optical measurement technologies included into a single apparatus, namely Confocal Microscopy (CM), Focus Variation (FV) and Coherence Scanning Interferometry (CSI), were used to measure both ground surfaces according to a specific experimental protocol (MorphoMeca Monitoring) based on measurement iterations and repetitions. From the measurements, four indices were built from the Sa roughness parameter to assess the Quality (ratio of the topographical variability over the measurement noise), the Drift (related to surface fluctuations) and the Stability (estimation of the temporal drift using a second order autoregressive model) of the three measurement technologies (modes), as well as their Relevance (computed from an analysis of variance) to discriminate ground surfaces with close roughness. For these investigated surfaces, it was especially highlighted that the Quality Index is four times higher for the CSI mode than for the FV and CM modes. All the used measurement modes experienced small drifting (Drift Index) during the measurements. The CSI mode was slightly more sensitive to drift than the FV and CM modes. The Stability Index indicated that there was no memory effect between two acquisitions for each measurement mode, i.e., the temporal drift did not depend on the measurement mode. Moreover, the three measurement modes are able to discriminate the two ground surfaces with the same accuracy through the Sa parameter. However, the Sa values may vary depending on the measurement modes, and it was finally shown that the Sa parameter is minimized by 0.03 μm for the FV mode compared with the CSI mode, due to its smoothing effect.

Impact of niobium addition and non-metallic inclusions’ characteristics on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low-carbon CrNiMnMoB ultrahigh-strength steel: A comprehensive investigation

The effect of cooling rate and Nb addition on the phase transformation, microstructures, and mechanical properties of thermomechanically controlled hot-rolled low-carbon CrNiMnMoB ultrahigh-strength steel were studied. The aspects impeding Nb's benefits on hardenability, phase transformation, and mechanical properties were investigated. The hot rolling process was simulated, and a continuous cooling transformation diagram was constructed for the studied steels. Microstructures were analysed using laser scanning confocal microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, with the latter also used for in-depth investigations of the non-metallic inclusions. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate the precipitate characteristics. The concentrations of Nb in the solution and precipitates were quantified for the martensitic and granular bainitic structures. The effect of Nb in solution on phase transformation and strengthening is diminished, and the hardness is reduced by Nb precipitation at an early processing stage. Decreasing the cooling rate promotes the formation of granular bainitic structures rather than martensite. After being subjected to hot rolling followed by water quenching and air cooling, the microstructures are autotempered martensite and fully granular bainite, respectively. Various non-metallic inclusions, including Al2O3, MnS, and Al2O3–MnS, MnS·BN, Al2O3·BN and MnS·Al2O3·BN were observed. The number density and area fraction of non-metallic inclusions in the Nb-containing steel and the air-cooled samples are higher than those observed in the Nb-free and water-quenched samples. Adding 0.04 wt% of Nb slightly increased the strength, but the toughness properties dropped, mainly due to the higher number density and area fraction of non-metallic inclusions and primary large precipitates.

Effects of removing superficial layer of cartilage on the surface morphology and mechanical behavior of cartilage

Superficial cartilage defect is an important factor that causes osteoarthritis. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the influence of superficial cartilage defects on its surface morphology and mechanical properties. In this study, the knee joint cartilage samples of adult pig were prepared, which were treated by enzymolysis with chymotrypsin and physical removal with electric friction pen, respectively. Normal cartilage and surface treated cartilage were divided into five groups: control group (normal cartilage group), chymotrypsin immersion group, chymotrypsin wiping group, removal 10% group with electric friction pen, and removal 20% group with electric friction pen. The surface morphology and structure of five groups of samples were characterized by laser spectrum confocal microscopy and environmental field scanning electron microscopy, and the mechanical properties of each group of samples were evaluated by tensile tests. The results show that the surface arithmetic mean height and fracture strength of the control group were the smallest, and the fracture strain was the largest. The surface arithmetic mean height and fracture strength of the removal 20% group with electric friction pen were the largest, and the fracture strain was the smallest. The surface arithmetic mean height, fracture strength and fracture strain values of the other three groups were all between the above two groups, but the surface arithmetic mean height and fracture strength of the removal 10% group with electric friction pen, the chymotrypsin wiping group and the chymotrypsin soaking group decreased successively, and the fracture strain increased successively. In addition, we carried out a study on the elastic modulus of different groups, and the results showed that the elastic modulus of the control group was the smallest, and the elastic modulus of the removal 20% group with electric friction pen was the largest. The above study revealed that the defect of the superficial area of cartilage changed its surface morphology and structure, and reduced its mechanical properties. The research results are of great significance for the prevention and repair of cartilage injury.

Lipid matrix-specific pretreatment method for enhancing the extractability and allergenicity maintenance of bovine milk allergens in ELISA detection

The presence of various components in the food matrix makes allergen detection difficult and inaccurate, and pretreatment is an innovative breakthrough point. Food matrices were categorised based on their composition. Subsequently, a pretreatment method was established using a combination of ultrasound-assisted n-hexane degreasing and weakly alkaline extraction systems to enhance the detection accuracy of bovine milk allergens. Results showed that more allergens were obtained with less structural destruction, as demonstrated using immunological quantification and spectral analysis. Concurrently, allergenicity preservation was confirmed through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, a KU812 cell degranulation model, and western blotting. The method exhibited good accuracy (bias, 8.47%), repeatability (RSDr, 1.52%), and stability (RSDR, 5.65%). In foods with high lipid content, such as chocolate, the allergen content was 2.29-fold higher than that of commercial kits. Laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed a significant decrease in fat content after post-pretreatment using our method. In addition, colloidal stability surpassed that achieved using commercial kits, as indicated through the PSA and zeta potential results. The results demonstrated the superiority of the extractability and allergenicity maintenance of lipid matrix-specific pretreatment methods for improving the accuracy of ELISA based allergen detection in real food.

Statistical Analysis of Measurement Processes Using Multi-Physic Instruments: Insights from Stitched Maps

Stitching methods allow one to measure a wider surface without the loss of resolution. The observation of small details with a better topographical representation is thus possible. However, it is not excluded that stitching methods generate some errors or aberrations on topography reconstruction. A device including confocal microscopy (CM), focus variation (FV), and coherence scanning interferometry (CSI) instrument modes was used to chronologically follow the drifts and the repositioning errors on stitching topographies. According to a complex measurement plan, a wide measurement campaign was performed on TA6V specimens that were ground with two neighboring SiC FEPA grit papers (P#80 and P#120). Thanks to four indicators (quality, drift, stability, and relevance indexes), no measurement drift in the system was found, indicating controlled stitching and repositioning processes for interferometry, confocal microscopy, and focus variation. Measurements show commendable stability, with interferometric microscopy being the most robust, followed by confocal microscopy, and then focus variation. Despite variations, robustness remains constant for each grinding grit, minimizing interpretation biases. A bootstrap analysis reveals time-dependent robustness for confocal microscopy, which is potentially linked to human presence. Despite Sa value discrepancies, all three metrologies consistently discriminate between grinding grits, highlighting the reliability of the proposed methodology.

Comparative Evaluation of Penetrability of Various Bioceramic Sealers into the Tubules of Radicular Dentin

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the penetration depth and persistence of sealer residues in obturated canals with three different bioceramic sealers using confocal microscopy. Materials and Methods: In total, 60 single-rooted human premolars were selected and decoronated to maintain the working length of 14 mm. The samples were biomechanically prepared and obturated with Protaper Universal GP coated with three different bioceramic sealers, that is, CeraSeal RC, Bio-C and MTA Fillapex. The specimens were divided into three groups ( n = 20) depending on the sealer used. Rhodamine B fluorescent dye was added to the sealers before using them for obturation. The obturated samples were sealed and placed in 100% humidity at 37oC for 7 days. Gutta-percha was removed from all the samples using retreatment files. Each sample was horizontally sectioned into 2 mm thick slices at 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex, which were analysed under a confocal scanning microscope to detect the depth of penetration of sealer into the dentinal tubules. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests. Results: Intergroup comparison of penetration depth at 3 mm showed that the mean depth of penetration among CeraSeal samples was found to be significantly more as compared to the other two materials, while, no statistically significant difference was found among Bio-C and MTA Fillapex with the significance level established at 5% ( P < .05). Similarly, an intergroup comparison of penetration depth at 5 mm showed that the mean depth of penetration among CeraSeal samples was found to be significantly more as compared to the other two materials, while, no statistically significant difference was found among Bio-C and MTA Fillapex. CeraSeal RC sealer showed significantly higher depth of penetration than Bio-C and MTA Fillapex. Conclusion: All bioceramic sealers show a significant penetration into the dentinal tubules. However, none of the sealers was completely removed from the tubules following retreatment.

A Biophysics Toolbox for Reliable Data Acquisition and Processing in Integrated Force-Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy.

Integrated single-molecule force-fluorescence spectroscopy setups allow for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and mechanical force manipulation and measurements on individual molecules, providing comprehensive dynamic and spatiotemporal information. Dual-beam optical tweezers (OT) combined with a confocal scanning microscope form a force-fluorescence spectroscopy apparatus broadly used to investigate various biological processes, in particular, protein:DNA interactions. Such experiments typically involve imaging of fluorescently labeled proteins bound to DNA and force spectroscopy measurements of trapped individual DNA molecules. Here, we present a versatile state-of-the-art toolbox including the preparation of protein:DNA complex samples, design of a microfluidic flow cell incorporated with OT, automation of OT-confocal scanning measurements, and the development and implementation of a streamlined data analysis package for force and fluorescence spectroscopy data processing. Its components can be adapted to any commercialized or home-built dual-beam OT setup equipped with a confocal scanning microscope, which will facilitate single-molecule force-fluorescence spectroscopy studies on a large variety of biological systems.

Inclusions and microstructures in coarse-grained heat-affected zone of Al–Ti–Ca deoxidized shipbuilding steels with different Al contents after high-heat input welding

The inclusions, microstructure evolution and impact toughness of the coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of Al–Ti–Ca deoxidized shipbuilding steel plates with different Al contents after high-heat input welding of 400 kJ cm−1 are investigated. The characteristics of inclusions and their influence on the refinement of microstructure and impact toughness in CGHAZ was elucidated. Increasing the Al content from 0.016 wt% to 0.022 wt% and 0.043 wt% results in an increase in the average size of prior austenite grain and the brittle phase fractions, while decreasing the content of intragranular acicular ferrites (IAFs). The results of the thermodynamic calculations, high-temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry all show that increasing the Al content can diminish the austenitic stable region, elevate the transition temperature from austenite to ferrite and suppress the nucleation of IAF. In the present steels, the IAF formation is successfully induced by the specific inclusions, namely Al2O3–CaO–Ti2O3–MnS(-CaS), in which the calcium aluminate inclusions are embedded with Ti-oxides and CaS–MnS precipitates. The effective inclusions have the number density of 93 mm−2 in 16Al steel and 27 mm−2 in 22Al steel, but they are rarely found in 43Al steel. On average, an effective inclusion can induce 3.4 IAFs in 16Al steel and 2.8 IAFs in 22Al steel. Thus, as the Al content increases from 0.016 wt% to 0.22 wt% and 0.043 wt%, the impact toughness of CGHAZ at −40 °C decreases from 134 J to 78 J and 24 J with the welding heat input of 400 kJ cm−1.

SLC25A17 inhibits autophagy to promote triple-negative breast cancer tumorigenesis by ROS-mediated JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

BackgroundSLC25A17, a peroxisomal solute carrier, has been implicated in various physiological and pathological processes. However, its precise roles and underlying mechanisms in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remain incompletely understood.MethodsThe expression and survival data of breast cancer were derived from TCGA and GEO databases. A variety of in vitro assays were conducted, including proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The levels of autophagy were assessed by mRFP-GFP-LC3 confocal microscopy scanning, western blotting, and electron microscopy.ResultsSLC25A17 was highly expressed in breast cancer tissues, which was found to be associated with unfavorable prognosis. Functional assays demonstrated that SLC25A17 knockdown suppressed proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion. Moreover, it prompted apoptosis and autophagy. On the other hand, SLC25A17 knockdown promoted autophagy through triggering ROS accumulation, which was counteracted by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). Furthermore, the pro-apoptotic effect of SLC25A17 knockdown was reversed when treated with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA in TNBC cells, suggesting that SLC25A17 knockdown-induced autophagic cell death. Mechanistically, SLC25A17 performed its function through regulation JAK2/STAT3 signaling in TNBC. In a nude mice xenograft study, SLC25A17 knockdown markedly decreased breast tumor growth and metastasis.ConclusionSLC25A17 up-regulation may be a critical factor driving TNBC progression by modulating ROS production and autophagy. Consequently, targeting SLC25A17 could be an effective therapeutic strategy against TNBC.

Cryogenic assisted femtosecond laser ablation of polycrystalline diamond

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools have gained popularity in machining industry ascribed to superior surface quality and durability at elevated temperature and abrasive forces. A major obstacle for high-speed PCD machining is the excessive heat production that transcend the heat dissipation capacity, resulting in reduced tool life and performance. Surface microstructures on PCD tools can improve thermal performance by increasing the heat transfer area and reducing the thermal contact resistance, therefore enhancement in durability and operation. Femtosecond laser processing is a non-contact, high precision and low thermal effect technique for creating superior quality microstructures. This study investigates the effects of cryogenic-assisted femtosecond laser processing in improvement of diamond microstructures quality. Initially the effects of different laser settings on the performance of the process were investigated by conducting single-factor experiments at ambient conditions. Later, the effects of cryogenic assistance on diamond irradiation, surface quality and chemical changes were investigated utilizing laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Cryogenic laser ablation had no effect on the diamond removal rate, on contrary improved the surface quality by reducing the surface roughness and graphite disorderliness. This study reports superior surface quality finish for cryogenic assisted laser ablation than ambient conditions therefore it is recommended to irradiate PCD at low temperatures.

Thermal Transport and Mechanical Stress Mapping of a Compression Bonded GaN/Diamond Interface for Vertical Power Devices.

Bonding diamond to the back side of gallium nitride (GaN) electronics has been shown to improve thermal management in lateral devices; however, engineering challenges remain with the bonding process and characterizing the bond quality for vertical device architectures. Here, integration of these two materials is achieved by room-temperature compression bonding centimeter-scale GaN and a diamond die via an intermetallic bonding layer of Ti/Au. Recent attempts at GaN/diamond bonding have utilized a modified surface activation bonding (SAB) method, which requires Ar fast atom bombardment immediately followed by bonding within the same tool under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The method presented here does not require a dedicated SAB tool yet still achieves bonding via a room-temperature metal-metal compression process. Imaging of the buried interface and the total bonding area is achieved via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal acoustic scanning microscopy (C-SAM), respectively. The thermal transport quality of the bond is extracted from spatially resolved frequency-domain thermoreflectance (FDTR) with the bonded areas boasting a thermal boundary conductance of >100 MW/m2·K. Additionally, Raman maps of GaN near the GaN-diamond interface reveal a low level of compressive stress, <80 MPa, in well-bonded regions. FDTR and Raman were coutilized to map these buried interfaces and revealed some poor thermally bonded areas bordered by high-stress regions, highlighting the importance of spatial sampling for a complete picture of bond quality. Overall, this work demonstrates a novel method for thermal management in vertical GaN devices that maintains low intrinsic stresses while boasting high thermal boundary conductances.

Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica F.) Effectively Absorbs and Accumulates Microplastics at the Micron Level—A Study of the Co-Exposure to Microplastics with Varying Particle Sizes

The absorption of microplastics (MPs; size &lt; 5 mm) by plants has garnered increasing global attention owing to its potential implications for food safety. However, the extent to which leafy vegetables can absorb large amounts of MPs, particularly those &gt; 1 μm, remains insufficiently demonstrated. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted water culture experiments using water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica F.) as a model plant. The roots of water spinach were exposed to a mixed solution that contained fluorescently labeled polystyrene (PS) beads with particle sizes of 200 nm and 1 μm for 10 d. We utilized laser confocal scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to record the absorption, migration, and patterns of accumulation of these large particle sizes of MPs within water spinach. Our findings revealed that micron-sized PS beads were absorbed by the roots in the presence of submicron PS beads and subsequently transported through the exosomes to accumulate to significant levels in the leaves. Short-term hydroponic experiments further indicated that high concentrations of PS bead solutions significantly inhibited the growth of water spinach owing to their large specific surface area that hindered the uptake of water and nutrients by the roots. In conclusion, both sizes of PS beads were found to be absorbed by water spinach, thereby increasing the risk associated with direct human consumption of microplastics in fruits and vegetables. This study provides valuable scientific insights to assess the pollution risks related to fruits and vegetables, as well as ensuring vegetable safety.

Preparation and Evaluation of Liposomes Containing Ethanol and Propylene Glycol as Carriers for Nicotine.

Nicotine is a fat-soluble substance that is easily absorbed through the skin and mucosal tissues of the human body. However, its properties, such as light exposure, heat decomposition, and volatilization, restrict its development and application in external preparations. This study focused on the preparation of stable nicotine-encapsulated ethosomes. During their preparation, two water-phase miscible osmotic promoters, ethanol and propylene glycol (PG), were added to obtain a stable transdermal delivery system. Skin nicotine delivery was enhanced through the synergistic action of osmotic promoters and phosphatidylcholine in binary ethosomes. Various characteristics of the binary ethosomes were measured, including the vesicle size, particle size distribution, and zeta potential. In order to optimize the ratio of ethanol and PG, the skin permeability test was performed on mice in vitro in a Franz diffusion cell to compare cumulative skin permeabilities. The penetration depth and fluorescence intensity of rhodamine-B-entrapped vesicles in isolated mouse skin samples were observed using laser confocal scanning microscopy. When ethanol:PG was used in a ratio of 5:5 (w/w), binary ethosomes were found to be the most stable, had the highest encapsulation rate (86.13 ± 1.40), smallest particle size (106.0 ± 11.0) nm, maximum transdermal depth (180 μm), and maximum fluorescence intensity (160 AU). Nicotineencapsulated ethosomes (ethanol: PG = 5:5, w/w) were an efficient and stable transdermal delivery system. The nicotine-encapsulated ethosomes containing ethanol and PG are considered to be safe and reliable as a transdermal administration agent, which does not irritate the skin.

Programmable high-speed confocal reflectance microscopy enabled by a digital micromirror device.

The digital micromirror device (DMD) has been used to achieve parallel scanning in confocal microscopy significantly increasing acquisition speed. However, for confocal reflectance imaging, such an approach is limited to mostly surface imaging due to strong backreflections coming from the DMD that can dominate the signal recorded on a camera. Here, we report on an optical configuration that uses separate areas of DMD to generate multiple spots and pinholes and thereby prevents backreflections from the DMD from reaching the camera. We thus demonstrate confocal imaging of weakly reflecting objects, such as a pollen grain sample.

Trans-Cinnamaldehyde-Fighting Streptococcus mutans Using Nature.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the main cariogenic bacterium with acidophilic properties, in part due to its acid-producing and -resistant properties. As a result of this activity, hard tooth structures may demineralize and form caries. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) is a phytochemical from the cinnamon plant that has established antibacterial properties for Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. This research sought to assess the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of trans-cinnamaldehyde on S. mutans. TC was diluted to a concentration range of 156.25-5000 μg/mL in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 0.03-1%, an organic solvent. Antibacterial activity was monitored by testing the range of TC concentrations on 24 h planktonic growth compared with untreated S. mutans. The subminimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were used to evaluate the bacterial distribution and morphology in the biofilms. Our in vitro data established a TC MBC of 2500 μg/mL against planktonic S. mutans using a microplate spectrophotometer. Furthermore, the DMSO-only controls showed no antibacterial effect against planktonic S. mutans. Next, the sub-MBC doses exhibited antibiofilm action at TC doses of ≥625 μg/mL on hydroxyapatite discs, as demonstrated through biofilm analysis using spinning-disk confocal microscopy (SDCM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Our findings show that TC possesses potent antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against S. mutans. Our data insinuate that the most effective sub-MBC of TC to bestow these activities is 625 μg/mL.

Withdrawal: Observation of the Initial Interfacial Reaction between High Aluminum Molten Steel and CaO‐Al2O3 Inclusion at 1873 K Using Laser Confocal Scanning Microscopy and Micro‐CT

steel research int. 2024, 2300084 https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202300084 The above article, published online as accepted article, prior to the version of record, on 13 April 2023 in Wiley Online Library (https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202300084) has been withdrawn by agreement between the authors, the journal's Editor in Chief, Sandra Kalveram, and Wiley‐VCH GmbH.