Functional Attributes Research Articles

Unravelling the Digestibility and Structure–Function Relationship of Lentil Protein Through Germination and Molecular Weight Fractionation

This study explores for the first time the impact of a 6-day germination process on the structure (FTIR), antioxidant activity, nutritional/safety attributes (ACE-I inhibitory activity, digestibility, and cytotoxicity), and functional properties of fractions of variable molecular weight (W > 5 kDa; 3 kDa < MW < 5 kDa; and MW < 3 kDa) isolated from proteins extracted from lentils. FTIR results indicated a substantial increase in β-sheet contents during germination. The digestibility of proteins increased from day 0 (16.32–17.04%) to day 6 of germination (24.92–26.05%) with variable levels of digestibility depending on their MW. ACE-I inhibitory activity improved during germination in all fractions, reaching IC50 values of 0.95, 0.83, and 0.69 mg/mL after 6 days of germination. All antioxidant activities analyzed notably increased, particularly in low-MW fractions (MW < 3 kDa). The functional properties of low-MW fractions were also the most promising, displaying the highest water and fat binding capacities and emulsifying and foaming capacities but lower foaming and emulsifying stability compared to high-MW fractions. Cytotoxicity tests on L929 cells revealed the slight adverse effects of low-MW fractions during germination. This study provides insights into the enhanced nutritional and functional attributes of lentil proteins following germination, emphasizing their potential application in functional foods.

Technologies for enhancing tactile perception in prosthetic devices

Tactile perception is a vital sensory function, and its role has been widely researched in the development of sensor technologies. The role of tactile feedback in augmenting the functional attributes of prosthetic devices is well-documented, as it facilitates a more seamless and natural engagement between the user and the surrounding environment. This paper explores advancements in tactile sensor technologies used to enhance sensory feedback in prosthetics, focusing on piezoresistive, piezoelectric, and capacitive sensors. The integration of these sensors allows for precise control, improving object manipulation and overall user experience. By reviewing recent innovations such as multimodal sensors, artificial skin technologies, and nerve interfacing systems, this research highlights how these advancements have contributed to enhanced motor control and real-time feedback mechanisms in prosthetics. Despite significant progress, challenges such as high costs and limited accessibility remain. However, potentially leading to the widespread adoption of more effective and equitable prosthetic solutions.

Directed Evolution of Microbial Communities in Fermented Foods: Strategies, Mechanisms, and Challenges

Directed Evolution of Microbial Communities (DEMC) offers a promising approach to enhance the functional attributes of microbial consortia in fermented foods by mimicking natural selection processes. This review details the application of DEMC in fermented foods, focusing on optimizing community traits to improve both fermentation efficiency and the sensory quality of the final products. We outline the core techniques used in DEMC, including the strategic construction of initial microbial communities, the systematic introduction of stress factors to induce desirable traits, and the use of artificial selection to cultivate superior communities. Additionally, we explore the integration of genomic tools and dynamic community analysis to understand and guide the evolutionary trajectories of these communities. While DEMC shows substantial potential for refining fermented food products, it faces challenges such as maintaining genetic diversity and functional stability of the communities. Looking ahead, the integration of advanced omics technologies and computational modeling is anticipated to significantly enhance the predictability and control of microbial community evolution in food fermentation processes. By systematically improving the selection and management of microbial traits, DEMC serves as a crucial tool for enhancing the quality and consistency of fermented foods, directly contributing to more robust and efficient food production systems.

Plant Adaptation and Soil Shear Strength: Unraveling the Drought Legacy in Amorpha fruticosa

Climate change has led to an increasing frequency of droughts, potentially undermining soil stability. In such a changing environment, the shallow reinforcement effect of plant roots often fails to meet expectations. This study aims to explore whether this is associated with the alteration of plant traits as a response to environmental change. Focusing on Amorpha fruticosa, a species known for its robust root system that plays a crucial role in soil consolidation and slope stabilization, thereby reducing soil and water erosion, we simulated a drought-rewetting event to assess the legacy effects of drought on the soil shear strength and the mechanical and hydrological traits associated with the reinforcement provided by A. fruticosa. The results show that the legacy effect of drought significantly diminishes the soil shear strength. Pretreated with drought, plant roots undergo morphological alterations such as deeper growth, yet the underground root biomass and diameter decline, thereby influencing mechanical reinforcement. Chemical composition analysis indicates that the plant’s adaptation to drought modifies the intrinsic properties of the roots, with varying impacts on different root types and overall reinforcement. Concurrently, the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of leaves decrease, weakening the capacity to augment soil matric suction through transpiration and potentially reducing hydrological reinforcement. Although rewetting treatments aid in recovery, drought legacy effects persist and impact plant functional attributes. This study emphasizes that, beyond soil matric suction, plant adaptive mechanisms in response to environmental changes may also contribute significantly to reduced soil shear strength. Consequently, ecological restoration strategies should consider plant trait adaptations to drought, enhancing root systems for soil conservation and climate resilience.

Can international buyer-supplier relational attributes influence the intention to source from local suppliers? A case study of International Oil Companies in Tanzania

This study explores whether International Oil Companies (IOC) intending to source their non-consultancy services from local providers are affected by their respective strategic relationships with international service providers. International Oil Companies (IOC) exploring oil and gas in Tanzania were used as a case study to represent the group of buyers. This study adopted Industrial Marketing and Purchasing perspectives (IMP) on buyer-supplier relationships, where the structural and functional attributes of buyer-supplier relationships were examined. Structural Attributes include continuity, complexity, interdependence, and trust, while Process Attributes include adaptation, conflict, cooperation, socialisation, and formalisation. Buyers’ intention to source from local suppliers was measured by four dimensions: presence of sourcing policy from local suppliers, presence of activities for creating awareness among local suppliers about supply opportunities, presence of relaxed evaluation criteria, and payment scheme that favours local suppliers and establishes a central unit for coordinating all activities intended to facilitate sourcing from local suppliers. A survey design was used, whereby primary data were collected from 189 employees working at middle- and top-level positions in oil and gas companies. Data analysis involved examining descriptive statistics for respondents’ attributes and inferential statistical analysis, where relationships between the study variables were examined. The findings show that, given the new market constraints and without any forceful inducement, OICs will consider sourcing from local suppliers despite the ongoing strategic relationship with international suppliers. Therefore, host countries should focus on developing the competence of local suppliers to meet IOCs’ expectations.

Ultrasonic assisted enzymolysis based modification of native banana starch - A comprehensive analyses of the structural, morphological, rheological and textural properties.

Native banana starch (NS) has few limitations, such as poor solubility, low resistance to shear, temperature, and inconsistent retrogradation. This study investigates the effects of mono (α-amylase, pullulunase) and sequential enzymatic modifications of NS along with the application of ultrasound to enhance its functional attributes. Starch modified with α-amylase alone and along with ultrasound resulted the lowest amylose (20.23 %), resistant starch (28.22 %), higher rapidly digestible starch (48.92 %). Whereas pullulanase modification resulted in higher amylose (38.14 %), resistant starch (52.72 %) and therefore the better swelling power and water holding capacity. The retrogradation negatively associated with the solubility of these modified starches is outlined through the static viscosity measurements. Ultrasound enhanced the efficiency of enzymes by altering the structure of starch granules, confirmed through SEM analysis and provided differentiated thermal stability as observed through viscosity and enthalpy values from DSC. The dual sequential enzymatic treatment with ultrasound also significantly improved the starch solubility by altering the structure as evidenced through XRD and FTIR analysis. NMR 1H spectra revealed distinct variations in the anomeric peaks and hydroxyl regions of modified starches. Cluster analysis highlighted the unique characteristics of ultrasound-assisted starches.

Role of follicular homing natural killer cells in HIV infection.

Natural killer (NK) cells are integral components of the innate immune system, serving a vital function in eliminating virally infected cells. This review highlights the significance of CXCR5+ NK cells in the context of chronic HIV/SIV infection and viral control. Controlled HIV/SHIV infection results in a substantial increase in the population of CXCR5+ NK cells within the B-cell follicles of secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). These CXCR5+ NK cells display enhanced functional characteristics, including elevated expression of activation markers and increased cytokine production, which are essential for effective viral control. These follicular NK cells are shown to be enriched in IL-15 signaling, and CXCR5 NK cells are negatively associated with viral burden during chronic HIV and SHIV infection. The distinct phenotypic and functional attributes of CXCR5+ NK cells, particularly in the lymphoid tissues of individuals living with HIV, emphasize their critical contribution to the anti-HIV-1 immune response. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and roles of CXCR5+ NK cells may present novel therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing NK-mediated viral control.

Vector substrate design for grain boundary engineering: boosting oxygen evolution reaction performance in LaNiO3.

The realization and subsequent control of emerging structural and electronic phases in solid materials has significantly enhanced their functionalities, thereby benefiting both fundamental research and practical applications. The grain boundary (GB), as a transitional region within the crystal lattice, exhibits atomic shifts and distinct energy profiles. These unique characteristics offer a promising avenue for the discovery of advanced active catalytic phases for carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen evolution/reduction reactions. However, the challenge lies in isolating and controlling the quantity of grain boundaries in conventional catalysts, which hinders the identification of their functional attributes. In this study, we successfully engineered the (001)/(110), (001)/(111), and (110)/(111) GBs in LaNiO3 (LNO) using a vector substrate design approach. Subsequent evaluation of these GBs in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) revealed that LNO (110)/(111) exhibited the fastest surface reconstruction into Ni oxyhydroxide and the most superior OER performance, achieving 2.36 mA cm-2 at η = 400 mV. This outstanding performance is attributed to its strongest Ni-O covalency and the proximity of the O 2p-band center to the Fermi level. This research aims to address the challenges associated with isolating and controlling GBs for optimized OER performance, while also providing comprehensive insights into the relationship between GBs and surface reconstruction behaviors.

Rapid automated production of tubular 3D intestine-on-a-chip with diverse cell types using coaxial bioprinting.

Despite considerable animal sacrifices and investments, drug development often falters in clinical trials due to species differences. To address this issue, specific in vitro models, such as organ-on-a-chip technology using human cells in microfluidic devices, are recognized as promising alternatives. Among the various organs, the human small intestine plays a pivotal role in drug development, particularly in the assessment of digestion and nutrient absorption. However, current intestine-on-a-chip devices struggle to accurately replicate the complex 3D tubular structures of the human small intestine, particularly when it comes to integrating a variety of cell types effectively. This limitation is primarily due to conventional fabrication methods, such as soft lithography and replica molding. In this research, we introduce a novel coaxial bioprinting method to construct 3D tubular structures that closely emulate the organization and functionality of the small intestine with multiple cell types. To ensure stable production of these small intestine-like tubular structures, we analyzed the rheological properties of bioinks to select the most suitable materials for coaxial bioprinting technology. Additionally, we conducted biological assessments to validate the gene expression patterns and functional attributes of the 3D intestine-on-a-chip. Our 3D intestine-on-a-chip, which faithfully replicates intestinal functions and organization, demonstrates clear superiority in both structure and biological function compared to the conventional 2D model. This innovative approach holds significant promise for a wide range of future applications.

Enhanced functionalities in flexible poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/cerium oxide doped sodium bismuth titanate [P(VDF-TrFE)/NBT-CeO2] ceramic polymer composite films: A comprehensive investigation of piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and ferroelectric properties

In the pursuit of innovative smart polymer piezoelectric ceramic composites, we present a thorough examination of the physical, structural, and polarization characteristics of a novel flexible polymer ceramic composite comprising sodium-bismuth titanate (NBT) doped with 0.6 mass % CeO2 as ceramic fillers embedded in a poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) polymer matrix. The incorporation of these fillers serves to increase both the mechanical strength and functional attributes of the resulting polymer-ceramic composites. Various volume percentages of ceramic fillers were employed, and the experimental effective dielectric permittivity results were systematically fitted to established theoretical models, including Maxwell, Clausius−Mossotti, Furukawa, and effective medium theory (EMT). Our findings reveal that the composite films exhibit exceptional piezo-, pyro-, and ferroelectric properties when compared to the pristine P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer. The optimum concentration of NBT-0.6 CeO2 filler was determined to be 0.2 vol fraction resulting in a remarkable enhancement of the key parameters. Specifically, the pyroelectric coefficient increased from 32 μC/m2K to 43 μC/m2K (a ∼35 % increment), remnant polarization surged from 80 mC/m2 to 166 mC/m2 (an impressive ∼110 % increment), and the piezoelectric constant (d33) elevated from −38 pC/N to 49 pC/N (a substantial ∼30 % increment). These findings signify the potential of these optimized samples for applications in high energy density capacitors and/or highly integrated and intelligent piezoelectric devices. This comprehensive investigation not only advances our understanding of the synergistic effects within polymer-ceramic composites but also underscores the potential of the proposed material system for practical applications, providing valuable insights for the development of advanced multifunctional materials.

Surface Molecular Markers for the Isolation of Viable Fibroblast Subpopulations in the Female Reproductive Tract: A Comprehensive Review.

Advancements in single-cell analyzis technologies, particularly single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), have enabled the analyzis of cellular diversity by providing resolutions that were not available previously. These methods enable the simultaneous analyzis of thousands of individual transcriptomes, facilitating the classification of cells into distinct subpopulations, based on transcriptomic differences, adding a new level of complexity to biomolecular and medical research. Fibroblasts, despite being one of the most abundant cell types in the human body and forming the structural backbone of tissues and organs, remained poorly characterized for a long time. This is largely due to the high morphological similarity between different types of fibroblasts and the lack of specific markers to identify distinct subpopulations. Once thought to be cells responsible solely for the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, fibroblasts are now recognized as active participants in diverse physiological processes, including inflammation and antimicrobial responses. However, defining the molecular profile of fibroblast subpopulations remains a significant challenge. In this comprehensive review, which is based on over two thousand research articles, we focus on the identification and characterization of fibroblast subpopulations and their specific surface markers, with an emphasis on their potential as molecular targets for selective cell isolation. By analyzing surface markers, alongside intra- and extracellular protein profiles, we identified multiple fibroblast subtypes within the female reproductive system. These subtypes exhibit distinct molecular signatures and functional attributes, shaped by their anatomical localization and the surrounding physiological or pathological conditions. Our findings underscore the heterogeneity of fibroblasts and their diverse roles in various biological contexts. This improved understanding of fibroblast subpopulations paves the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, offering the potential for precision targeting of specific fibroblast subsets in clinical applications.

Functional group properties and quantification of mineral nutrients in traditional paddy cultivars

The functional properties and mineral nutrients of eleven rice cultivars were investigated. Among the cultivars, Mapillai samba, Arupadham kuruvai, and Karuppu kavuni recorded the presence of higher levels of carbohydrate (67.88mg/100g, 67.47mg/100g and 62.30mg/100g, respectively). Higher levels of fibre of 3.27mg/100g, 2.61 mg/100g and 2.36mg/100g were recorded in Kalabath, Poonkar and Sigappu kavuni, respectively. Higher level of protein content of 15.39mg/100g, 10.80mg/100g and 9.61mg/100g, were recorded in Illupaipoo samba, Thooyamalli and Poonkar, respectively. Interestingly, Kalabath recorded more nitrogen (2.52mg/100g), Mappillai samba recorded more iron (301.70ppm) and manganese (23.02ppm), Arupadahm kuruvai recorded more phosphorus (0.37%) and magnesium (0.98%), Sugappu kavuni recorded more copper (20.26ppm), Karunguruvai recorded more potassium (0.41%) and zinc (40.98ppm). The findings suggested that conventional rice varieties with enhanced functional attributes could support the agricultural community by improving the farming economy while also increasing the health advantages for consumers. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(4): 931-937, 2024 (December)

Understanding the Factors Driving Indian Youth Engagement with Online grocery shopping motivations: An Empirical Study

In the digital marketing environment, the concepts of consumer shopping have undergone remarkable transformations. Online grocery buying is the newest trend among young people in India. The contemporary market-oriented lifestyle has changed as a result of the culture of internet purchasing. Online marketers now have an even greater task in trying to understand how the new generation of customers is changing their lifestyles. In order to ensure customer retention, this helps internet marketers provide higher customer value together with enhanced service. With the use of a suggested model, this study investigates the relationship between functional attributes, emotional bonds, and economic values in the development of brand engagement in the online retail marketplace. Three Indian cities, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, and Hyderabad were the sites of a sample survey of young online shoppers. The present study's findings will clarify the possibility of developing an efficient online grocery retail platform for young Indian consumers, one that would improve consumer value and increase their inclination to purchase online.

Consumer preference study for the interface design of traditional Chinese medicine applications using conjoint analysis method

The widespread use of mobile applications (apps) offers a new platform for sustaining traditional culture, yet insufficient focus on interface design has hindered user experience. This paper focuses on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) apps, examining user preferences for interface design elements and their combinations across four dimensions: visual effects, functional attributes, layout, and interaction modes. Utilizing Conjoint Analysis Method (CAM), this study quantitatively explores user preferences for the combination schemes of 18 orthogonal designs. The study collected 464 users’ data through questionnaires and processed the data using CAM and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The findings indicate that users have a high demand for theme colors (35.09%), text styles (27.32%), and icon styles (14.78%) in medical consultation apps. For health education apps, users exhibit preferences for text styles (24.95%), theme colors (24.58%), and functional architecture (16.30%). In professional learning apps, the preferred elements are theme colors (24.07%), text styles (18.54%), and icon styles (18.03%). Based on these results, the paper proposes corresponding design strategies for each type of TCM app. This study reveals the characteristics of user preferences for different categories of TCM apps, enriching the theories and methods of interaction design for similar mobile applications. Ultimately, this facilitates the integration of traditional Chinese medicine culture with modern digital technology, promoting the digital and sustainable transmission of traditional culture.

Predicting lncRNA-protein interactions using a hybrid deep learning model with dinucleotide-codon fusion feature encoding

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in numerous biological processes and are involved in complex human diseases through interactions with proteins. Accurate identification of lncRNA-protein interactions (LPI) can help elucidate the functional mechanisms of lncRNAs and provide scientific insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying related diseases. While many sequence-based methods have been developed to predict LPIs, efficiently extracting and effectively integrating potential feature information that reflects functional attributes from lncRNA and protein sequences remains a significant challenge. This paper proposes a Dinucleotide-Codon Fusion Feature encoding (DNCFF) and constructs an LPI prediction model based on deep learning, termed LPI-DNCFF. The Dual Nucleotide Visual Fusion Feature encoding (DNVFF) incorporates positional information of single nucleotides with subsequent nucleotide connections, while Codon Fusion Feature encoding (CFF) considers the specificity, molecular weight, and physicochemical properties of each amino acid. These encoding methods encapsulate rich and intuitive sequence information in limited encoding dimensions. The model comprehensively predicts LPIs by integrating global, local, and structural features, and inputs them into BiLSTM and attention layers to form a hybrid deep learning model. Experimental results demonstrate that LPI-DNCFF effectively predicts LPIs. The BiLSTM layer and attention mechanism can learn long-term dependencies and identify weighted key features, enhancing model performance. Compared to one-hot encoding, DNCFF more efficiently and thoroughly extracts potential sequence features. Compared to other existing methods, LPI-DNCFF achieved the best performance on the RPI1847 and ATH948 datasets, with MCC values of approximately 97.84% and 84.58%, respectively, outperforming the state-of-the-art method by about 1.44% and 3.48%.Graphical

Canid alphaherpesvirus 1 infection alters the gene expression and secretome profile of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

BackgroundCanine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cAD-MSCs) demonstrate promising tissue repair and regeneration capabilities. However, the procurement and preservation of these cells or their secreted factors for therapeutic applications pose a risk of viral contamination, and the consequences for cAD-MSCs remain unexplored. Consequently, this research sought to assess the impact of canid alphaherpesvirus 1 (CHV) on the functional attributes of cAD-MSCs, including gene expression profiles and secretome composition.MethodsTo this end, abdominal adipose tissue from 12 healthy dogs was harvested to isolate cAD-MSCs. These samples were tested for CHV contamination before introducing a wild-type CHV strain via serial passages. Following CHV infection, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction array and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry assessments enabled analyses of gene expression and secretome’s proteomic profile, respectively.ResultsThis study showed that the initial cAD-MSC populations were devoid of CHV. cAD-MSCs showed susceptibility to infection with wild-type CHV, leading to notable modifications in gene expression and secretome profile. The observed genomic variations in gene expression indicate potential impacts on the stemness, migration, and other functional properties of cAD-MSCs, highlighting the need for further studies to evaluate their functional capacity post-infection. Moreover, gene expression and secretome analyses suggest a shift in stem cell differentiation toward an adipogenic phenotype.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the effects of virus infection on gene expression and secretome composition in cAD-MSCs. The outcomes of our study underscore the imperative of routine viral screening prior to the therapeutic use of cAD-MSCs. Moreover, these findings provide novel insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of CHV and pave the way for future canine stem cell and virus research.

Selection Signal in C-Kit Ligand Gene Linked to Glucocorticoid-Regulated Neuroplasticity: a New Angle on Domestication Mechanisms

Domestication profoundly shapes the evolutionary trajectories of both humans and animals. Despite significant scientific interest, the genetic underpinnings of domestication, particularly those related to behavior, remain elusive. This paradox may be reconciled by considering that behavior-associated genes have already been identified but categorized exclusively to other functional groups. Our investigation into this hypothesis utilized goat genome and human brain transcriptome data, focusing on the pigmentation gene KITLG due to its frequent association with domestication. Through analysis of interpopulation covariation between KITLG and candidate genes in the domestic goat genome (Capra hircus), we identified eight genes evolutionarily linked with KITLG. These genes were divided into three functional categories: (i) regulation of the glucocorticoid (GC) signal, (ii) initiation, and (iii) control of structural neuroplasticity. In the human brain, the regional expression patterns of the corresponding transcripts were complementary and most pronounced in areas associated with social interaction. We propose that a mutation in KITLG may decrease the activation threshold for GC-mediated neuroplasticity in these regions, enhancing the processing of social stimuli. The association of this allele with spotted coat patterns likely facilitated its selection, with the uniqueness of the pattern promoting selective social contacts. Consequently, the genomes of domesticated animals is probably more profoundly influenced by behavioral functions than previously believed. Further research could unveil novel functional attributes of the nervous systems in both animals and humans.

Investigating consumers’ slow fashion purchase decision: role of lack of information and confusion

Purpose This study aims to investigate consumers’ slow fashion purchase decision. Specifically, the research empirically examines the relationship between the attributes of slow fashion products, perceived value, lack of information, confusion and consumer decision (intention, deferral and abandonment of the purchase) about slow fashion products. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative study was carried out on a sample of 323 customers. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the collected data. Findings Purchase intention was enhanced by perceived value. However, only three attributes of slow fashion products (localism, equity and functionality) had a significant influence on perceived value. Lack of information had a significant negative influence on perceived value, as well as on consumer confusion, which can lead to purchase abandonment or deferral of the purchase of slow fashion products. Practical implications Slow fashion product managers should pay particular attention to the attributes of localism, equity and functionality, which have proven to be significant for creating a favorable perceived value. Getting customers more involved in the production process and using slow communication would be among the practices to be encouraged by professionals. Furthermore, such actions are likely to reduce confusion arising from the lack of information about slow fashion products, and thus, avoid the inhibition of customers’ purchase process. Originality/value Existing literature has focused on consumers’ intentions to purchase slow fashion products. These intentions are mainly related to the attributes of slow fashion products and perceived value. Nevertheless, the prediction of sustainable product consumption, such as slow fashion products, is also influenced by typical external barriers such as lack of information and consumer confusion, which are considered in this study.

Tough and Functional Hydrogel Coating by Electrostatic Spraying.

Hydrogel coatings impart superior surface properties to materials, but their application on large and complicated substrates is hindered by two challenges: limited wetting conditions and intricate curing processes. To overcome the challenges, lyophilized adhesive hydrogel powders (LAHPs) are developed, which consist of poly(acrylic acid-co-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate) crosslinked with chitosan. These powders are electrostatic sprayed onto substrates to address wetting issues and rehydrated to form bulk hydrogel coatings to circumvent curing challenges. This approach enables the application of hydrogel coatings with a smooth surface and adjustable thickness on various materials, irrespective of category, geometry, or size. The coatings exhibit remarkable mechanical properties (strength of 2.62MPa, elastic modulus of 6.84MPa, and stretchability exceeding 3 folds) and robust adhesion (adhesion energy ≈900Jm-2) through a three-step bonding process involving electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and covalent bonding. Notably, these coatings confer multiple functional attributes to the substrate, including lubricity, hydrophilicity, nucleation inhibition, and pH-responsive actuation. Moreover, incorporating LAHPs with functional agents or rehydrating with functional solutions opens possibilities for diverse functional hydrogel coatings, such as thermal responsiveness and NH3 indication. Leveraging the virtues of simplicity, flexibility, convenience, and broad applicability, this strategy presents an enticing pathway for the widespread applications of hydrogel coatings.

Research note: Harnessing the potential of chicken blastodermal cells as a new frontier in poultry science and biotechnology - Establishment of embryonic stem cells and their differentiability towards Schwann cell-like cell lineages.

The nervous system's regenerative potential has sparked interest in exploring novel approaches to generate Schwann cell-like cells (SC-LCs) from chicken blastoderm (B)-derived embryonic stem cells (B-ESCs). This study investigates the hypothesis that specific growth factors, when used during ex-ovo culture, can induce the differentiation of chicken B-ESCs into cells resembling Schwann cells (SCs). Blastodermal cells (BCs) were isolated from in vivo-fertilized eggs at stage X followed by 14-d proliferative culture (PRC) of B-ESCs and subsequent 14-d glial/neurolemmogenic differentiation culture (DFC). Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were applied to identify ESC-related markers and SC-specific proteins. Ultimately, slender or triangular cells resembling early SCs, designated as SC-LCs, were generated. Pluripotency-related markers OCT4, SOX2, SSEA-4 and TRA-1-60 were detected in B-ESCs, while SC-specific markers such as GFAP and S-100β were identified in neurolemmogenically differentiated B-ESC derivatives (SC-LCs). The current study demonstrates, for the first time, the successful differentiation of chicken B-ESCs into SC-LCs through ex-ovo sequential culture. After PRC termination, B-ESCs exhibited pluripotent characteristics as shown by the presence of OCT4, SOX2, SSEA-4 and TRA-1-60 markers. Subsequent DFC led to the acquisition of SC-like morphology by B-ESCs, confirmed by the expression of SC-specific markers GFAP and S-100β in the resulting SC-LCs. These findings highlight the potential of B-ESCs as a valuable source for propagating SC-LCs, with implications for regenerative medicine and neural/glial tissue engineering applications. Further research exploring the functional attributes of B-ESC-derived SC-LCs is required to elucidate their therapeutic potential in nerve reconstruction/repair.