Smooth Appearance Research Articles

First Report of Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians as the Causal Agent of Bacterial Leaf Spot on Lettuce in China.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a leafy vegetable that belongs to the family Asteraceae. This cool-season crop grows well during Spring and Fall in China (Qi et al., 2021). In October 2023, a leaf disease with dark brown to black lesions was observed on lettuce (var. iceberg) in Yongning Town, Yanqing District, Beijing, China (40°53'N, 116°16'E). The disease incidence ranged from 10 to 40% in the surveyed greenhouse and field. Translucent and water-soaked brown spots were observed on the margins of leaf, then coalesced into large necrotic lesions surrounded by a chlorotic halo. Infected sections were soaked with 75% ethyl alcohol for 7 second, rinsed with sterile water for 15 second twice, and cut into pieces in the sterile water. The sample extracts were streaked on Nutrient agar medium. After incubation for 48 hours, 12 colonies were obtained and all the colonies were Gram-negative and aerobic with yellow, round-shape, smooth and glistening appearance. Four isolates SCZX1-SCZX4 with typical characteristics were selected for further identification tests. Pathogenicity test of SCZX1-SCZX4 was performed on the three-week-old lettuce (var. butterhead) by spraying with the bacterial suspension (108 CFU·ml-1). Inoculated lettuce were incubated at 26℃ and 70% relative humidity in the growth chamber. Another set of lettuce plants were mock inoculated with sterile distilled water. Three trials were carried out per isolate, and each treatment included fifteen lettuce plants. Symptoms appeared within 7-10 days after inoculation and are identical to those naturally infected lettuces. Negative control plants had no symptoms. The 16S rRNA region and two housekeeping genes (gyrB and atpD) of each isolate were amplified with universal primers F27/R1492 (Monciardini et al., 2006) and specific primers (Roach et al., 2018), respectively. According to BLAST analysis of each isolate (Genbank accession number PP027925, PP140779, PP140781 to PP140783, PP137422 to PP137428), BLAST searches of the obtained sequences revealed 100.0% of 16S rRNA region(1400/1400 nucleotides), 100.0% of gyrB(774/774 nucleotides), and 100.0% of atpD(768/768 nucleotides) identity and query coverage to Xhv CFBP 498 (Genbank accession number LR828257.1). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SCZX1-SCZX4 clustered with the neopathotype strain Xhv LMG 938PT, which was isolated from a diseased L. sativa in Zimbabwe (Timilsina, S et al., 2015). Physiological and biochemical tests of SCZX1-SCZX4 were conducted by the BIOLOG GENIII microplate system (Biolog, Hayward, CA, USA), and the test results are consistent with the Xhv LMG 938PT (Morinière, L et al., 2020) and L1-L7 (Pernezny, K et al., 1995). Strains were re-isolated from re-inoculated lettuce, then re-identified as Xhv by the same method, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) is a worldwide-spread lettuce disease caused by numerous bacterial pathogens, including Xhv (Dia, N.C et al., 2022), Pseudomonas cichorii (Patel, N et al., 2021) and P. viridiflava (Alippi, A. M et al., 1999) etc. Xhv had been widely reported as the causal pathogen of BLS in Turkey (Sahin, F et al., 2000), United States (Bull, C.T et al., 2007), Saudi Arabia (Al-Saleh, M et al., 2008), and France (Morinière et al., 2020). However, the first report of Xhv causing BLS on lettuce in China is significant to provide pathogen information for growers in making effective measures to manage this disease.

Impact of precursor content on microstructure and properties of in-situ synthesized Ni60A-xTiC ceramic composite coating

To improve the surface properties of copper components, Ni60A-xTiC composite coatings with different precursor (TiFe and Cr3C2) contents were fabricated on copper surface by plasma cladding in this paper. The surface of all composite coatings forms a ceramic film composed of a dense layer (TiO2 and Ti2O3) and a loose layer (Fe2O3 and FeO). As the precursor content increases, the number and size of TiC particles in the composite coating have a tendency to increase, resulting in a gradual increase in microhardness. The wear resistance of the composite coating increases first and then decreases. Too high precursor content (20 wt. %) can lead to poor interface connection and wear resistance deterioration of the coating. Furthermore, the melting loss resistance of the composite coating is significantly better than that of the Ni60A coating due to the barrier effect of the ceramic film, and it becomes better with the increase of precursor content. To sum up, the composite coating with 15 wt. % precursor content is more suitable because of its smooth appearance, good interface connection and excellent comprehensive performance.

The influence of non-starch polysaccharides on the formation mechanism of wheat dough

The study examined the effects of oat β-glucan (OβG), chitosan (CTS), araboxylan (AX), and fructosan (FOS) on wheat dough formation. Adding 0–7 % OβG, AX, and FOS increased SS content, enhancing gluten stability. D-AX and D-FOS showed higher β-sheet structures, higher air retention and gluten network, smaller pores and denser structures, higher elastic and viscosity moduli. Excessive OβG and CTS could reduce the dough stability, and β-turn and β-sheet ratios, respectively. Therefore, B-7AX and B-7FOS exhibited lower hardness indices during storage, leading to a smoother appearance and more orderly gas chamber distribution. The study provides a theoretical foundation for using non-starch polysaccharides in flour-based products.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON CHINESE RED GLAZE

Glazes obtained by the reduction method, also called Chinese red or copper red in the literature, were first seen on porcelains of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126) periods in China. These glazes, which require a very difficult process to produce, are obtained by reducing the copper compounds in the recipe in the kiln. From its historical process to the present day, the surface of Chinese red glazes has been desired to be shiny and smooth, and their production has been carried out according to this principle. Within the scope of this study, a new artistic perspective was wanted to be brought to Chinese red glazes and instead of a smooth surface appearance, a pin hole image, known as a glaze defect, was desired. For this purpose, silicon carbide (SiC) was used to achieve the desired effect. Under normal conditions, the reduction process is carried out when the kiln cools down after neutral firing. However, a different perspective was tried to be provided by developing an alternative firing method to the traditional Chinese red glazes obtained by reduction. In order to contribute to the language of discourse in art ceramics, a new proposal is presented with the interpretation of Chinese red glazes.

Efficacy and Tolerance of a Polymeric Surfactant Technology-Based Cleanser for Clinically Diagnosed Sensitive Skin.

Cleansing is an important hygiene activity, necessary to prevent bacterial, fungal, yeast, and viral infection. However, in the presence of skin disease, cleansing can take on a new challenge: removing the sebum, sweat, externally applied substances, environmental debris, and organisms from the face without damaging the skin barrier. Since cleansers cannot easily distinguish between sebum and the intercellular lipids required to maintain skin integrity, unique cleansing technologies are necessary to provide mild cleansing for the many manifestations of sensitive skin. This 4-week clinical study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of a cosmetic facial foaming gel cleanser with a polymeric surfactant technology in a diverse sensitive skin population. 85 subjects with sensitive skin due to eczema/atopic dermatitis, rosacea, acne, or cosmetic intolerance syndrome were evaluated via investigator grading, self-assessment questionnaire, noninvasive measurements, and digital photography. The foaming gel cleanser was well tolerated showing no significant increases in investigator-graded irritation endpoints. Sensitive skin subjects saw considerable reduction (P<0.05) in stinging, itching, burning, tightness, and overall sensitivity at 2 and 4 weeks. Improvements in smoothness, softness, clarity, radiance, and overall skin appearance, were observed by both the investigator and patients (P<0.05) at 2 and 4 weeks. The polymeric surfactant technology-based foaming gel cleanser provided a rich, foaming lather that felt gentle and left skin feeling comfortable. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(10):889-893. doi:10.36849/JDD.8510.

Isolation and Characterization of Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacterial Isolates

Isolation from 20 soil samples collected from rhizosphere of watermelon was done on Ashby's medium and Pikovskaya's agar media.8 Azotobacter and 6 Phosphate solubilizing bacteria PSB isolates were obtained from all samples. All the obtained isolates of Azotobacter sp and PSB were gram negative. On morphological study it was observed that, all Azotobacter isolates were motile and positive for KOH test. In case of PSB, the colony shapes of 4 obtained isolates were circular and irregular in 2. All the isolates showed smooth appearance on the media with white colony colour. The biochemical results for both Azotobacter spp and PSB revealed that, most of them were positive for methyl red test, catalase test, starch hydrolysis, gelatine hydrolase test, oxidase test and indol test. Out of eight Azotobacter isolates, Isolate 4 (Azob-1) showed highest (14.25 mg/ml) N fixing ability whereas, from of six PSB isolates, Isolate1 (PSB-1) showed highest solubilising index (4.13) therefore these two isolates were found most efficient in their roles and therefore recommended for use for field experiments.

An Orbital Comparison of a Late Mantling Unit on Aeolis Mons With Other Erosion‐Resistant Strata Explored by MSL in Gale Crater, Mars

AbstractPrevious investigations along Curiosity's traverse in Gale crater have explored the relationship between orbital and in situ observations. This work aims to better understand the geologic environment of units only observable from orbit and compare them to the properties of units examined by Curiosity. Here, we map an erosion‐resistant dark‐toned mantling unit that overlies the modern topography of Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mt. Sharp) and compare this unit to two other previously mapped dark‐toned resistant units, the marker band and the mound skirting unit (MSU), that have been inferred to represent different geologic environments (lacustrine and aeolian, respectively). Visible to short wave infrared spectra from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars and visual images from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment and Context Cameras aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter are used for this comparison. Spectral data suggest a mafic composition with minor alteration, although the composition varies more with location around Mt. Sharp rather than between units. Morphologically, the mantling unit has strong similarities to the marker band based on their consistent low‐albedo, erosion‐resistance, and smooth appearance, contrasting with the highly variable surface texture of the MSU. We hypothesize that all three units had a similar sediment source but experienced aqueous alteration at different times: early ubiquitous cementation in a surface aqueous environment in the mantling unit and marker band versus patchy late diagenesis in the MSU. If true, these results suggest that water activity continued within the Gale crater long after the erosion of Mt. Sharp.

A study on the Process of Containing Tablets from the Rind of Small-Grain Coffee in Yunnan, China

An innovative Yunnan small-grain coffee pericarp tablet was developed by using high-speed grinding technology to convert Yunnan small-grain coffee pericarp into dry powder, and then combining other main and auxiliary ingredients. The quality of the product was evaluated by sensory scores, and a one-way test was applied to select the appropriate ratio of ingredients and formulation, and an orthogonal test was used to optimize the formulation of the tablets. The results showed that the optimal formulation for the production of Yunnan small-grain coffee pericarp tablets included 45.69% of Yunnan small-grain coffee pericarp powder, 19.58% of dextrin, 15.66% of mannitol, 15.66% of microcrystalline cellulose, 2.61% of magnesium stearate, 0.52% of calcium sulphate and 0.26% of sodium saccharin. Under this formula, the tablets had a unique taste, consistent color, smooth appearance, delicate texture and sensory score of 95. Its physical and chemical indexes and microbiological indexes meet the corresponding food safety standards, and it is a new product, which is of great significance to promote the food development of Yunnan small-grain coffee peel resources.

Analysis of Active Components and Transcriptome of Freesia refracta Callus Extract and Its Effects against Oxidative Stress and Wrinkles in Skin.

Freesia refracta (FR), a perennial flower of the Iris family (Iridaceae), is widely used in cosmetics despite limited scientific evidence of its skin benefits and chemical composition, particularly of FR callus extract (FCE). This study identified biologically active compounds in FCE and assessed their skin benefits, focusing on anti-aging. FR calli were cultured, extracted with water at 40 °C, and analyzed using Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and HCA, revealing key compounds, namely nicotinamide and pyroglutamic acid. FCE significantly increased collagen I production by 52% in normal and aged fibroblasts and enhanced fibroblast-collagen interaction by 37%. An in vivo study of 43 female volunteers demonstrated an 11.1% reduction in skin roughness and a 2.3-fold increase in collagen density after 28 days of cream application containing 3% FCE. Additionally, the preservation tests of cosmetics containing FCE confirmed their stability over 12 weeks. These results suggest that FCE offers substantial anti-aging benefits by enhancing collagen production and fibroblast-collagen interactions. These findings highlighted the potential of FCE in cosmetic applications, providing significant improvements in skin smoothness and overall appearance. This study fills a gap in the scientific literature regarding the skin benefits and chemical composition of FR callus extract, supporting its use in the development of effective cosmeceuticals.

Dynamic fracture of hen’s eggshell under impact loading: A combined experimental, theoretical and numerical study

As a typical biological material from nature, the eggshell possesses a smooth macroscale appearance with various curvatures and hierarchical microscale morphology, which contribute to the superior mechanical properties of this lightweight brittle material. The research on the biomimicry of the eggshell has attracted much attention. For both biological reproduction and the poultry industry, the dynamic fracture of the eggshell is a key issue and quite complex due to the thin-walled structure of the eggshell and the strong fluid-solid interaction between the eggshell and its content. In our work, the dynamic fracture of hen’s eggshells under the impact and the influence of the content are thoroughly investigated experimentally, numerically, and theoretically. The responses of eggshells are similar no matter what the content is and exhibit four stages under the same input kinetic energy. It is found that there are two self-protection mechanisms of an egg when subjected to impact, which serves as significant inspiration for the design of novel structures. Under the influence of curvatures, the non-simultaneous propagation of cracks in the thickness direction induces the hinge pattern and the spider-web-like crack network. In addition to its role in biology, the viscosity of the albumen can provide resistance to damage and protect the eggshell during the impact. It is suggested that exterior curvature and interior content can be optimized to absorb dynamic impact energy when designing a thin-walled structure.

P-164 The impact of oocyte morphological abnormalities on fertilization rate and blastocyst quality

Abstract Study question Do distinct morphological abnormalities in oocytes have an adverse effect on both fertilization rates and the quality of resulting blastocyst? Summary answer While most oocyte morphological abnormalities did not significantly affect outcomes, dark cytoplasmic color correlated with lower fertilization rates and the absence of good quality blastocysts What is known already Variability exists in the fertilization and developmental potential of mature (metaphase II - MII) human oocytes. A high-quality MII oocyte is characterized by a spherical shape, homogeneous cytoplasm, smooth appearance, a uniform zona pellucida (ZP), a normal-sized perivitelline space (PVS), and a single unfragmented polar body (PB). Dysmorphisms, such as variations in cytoplasmic features and anomalies in PVS size and PB regularity may occur. There are conflicting reports on the relationship between oocyte morphology and IVF outcomes. A recent meta-analysis highlighted associations between poor fertilization potential and specific dysmorphisms, including large/irregular PB, a large PVS, refractile bodies, and vacuoles. Study design, size, duration This study analyzed 367 MII oocytes obtained from 40 young patients. The fertilization rate (FR) and blastocyst quality (BQ) were compared among 132 dysmorphic and 235 normal MII oocytes (from October 2023 to January 2024). Dysmorphic oocytes were categorized as having a non-spherical shape, large PVS, PVS debris, abnormal ZP, fragmented PB, excess cytoplasmic granules, vacuoles, and dark cytoplasmic color. Participants/materials, setting, methods All MII oocyte denuded were examined under the microscope at x-400 magnification. Dysmorphic and normal oocytes were separated, injected, and cultured individually until day 5 under conditions of 37oC and 6% CO2. Fertilization was assessed 14 to 18 hours post-injection, and subsequent embryonic development was evaluated on day 2 and day 5. Blastocysts graded 4AA to 4BC are considered good quality, while those graded 4CC to 3CC are classified as fair quality. Main results and the role of chance The mean age of patients was 24.14 ± 3.77. In total, 36% of all oocytes exhibit at least one dysmorphism (n = 132). From the overall dataset analyzed, there was no significant difference (p > 0.9999) in FR between the normal 77.87% (183/235) and dysmorphic group of oocytes 78.03 (103/132). The odd ratio and 95% confidence interval are 0.9909 and 0.5957 to 1.633 respectively. However, this was not the same for oocytes with dark color cytoplasm. The presence of this dysmorphism significantly lowered FR (p = 0.0176) with an odd ratio of 5.544 (95% CI: 1.419 to 21.67). Similarly, the result showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.1073) in the likelihood of obtaining a fair quality blastocyst between the normal oocytes 23.40% (55/235) and dysmorphic group of oocytes 15.79 (21/133). This was also the same for the likelihood of obtaining good quality blastocyst. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.1536) between the normal group 20.00% (47/235) and the dysmorphic group 26.52 (35/132). Oocyte with dark color cytoplasm gave no good quality blastocyst. Limitations, reasons for caution The exclusive use of oocytes from young patients may limit the generalizability of findings to a broader population of IVF patients. Also, the sample size may limit the study’s ability to detect subtle associations. A reason for caution when interpreting this study is its focus on morphological assessments alone. Wider implications of the findings The knowledge from our findings may contribute to optimizing oocyte selection strategies for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Also, the knowledge could potentially be integrated into AI modules for oocyte morphological assessment. However, more studies would be required to develop a robust and scalable system Trial registration number Not applicable

Comparative Clinical Trial of Dermapen Microneedling and Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Dermapen Microneedling Alone in the Treatment of Stretch Marks in Egyptian Adults

Abstract Background Striae distensae are common skin lesions affecting up to 90% of pregnant women, and many adolescents and men. They pose a psychological burden to many people and no known treatment is completely effective for them. The current treatment options are limited by significant side effects, operator skill, cost, prolonged treatment period, or a combination thereof. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), along with microneedling (MN), are promising dermatologic procedures with a wide range of applications, excellent safety profiles, yet only partially understood mechanisms of action. Aim of the Work to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of MN with PRP versus MN alone in the treatment of striae distensae. This work included 40 patients who were divided into left-side lesions (MN alone) versus right-side lesions (PRP + MN). PRP was prepared using single-spin technique, and applied topically just before MN on right-side lesions. An automated MN pen device was used on both sides. Patients and Methods This was a prospective case control study with a split-body design which included 40 adult patients with striae distensae. The patients were recruited from the outpatient dermatology clinic in Ain Shams University hospitals, Cairo. Miravex Antera TM 3D Camera system measured the efficacy by indentation and roughness indices, and patients’ subjective improvement and reported side effects were recorded and analysed. Results A significant improvement was illustrated in both MN and MN + PRP sides in both the indentation and roughness indices measured by the Antera 3D camera system, and most patients reported subjective improvement in color (62.5%), smoothness (97.5%), size (82.5% vs 85%), and general appearance (92.5% vs 90%). Side effects including pain and erythema affected virtually all cases, while pruritis, edema, bleeding, and tram-tracking were less common and short-lasting. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation affected about 20% of patients and lasted more than one month in about half of those affected. No significant difference was found between MN and MN + PRP in efficacy or side effects. Conclusion Microneedling offers an effective, cheap, and relatively safe treatment option for striae distensae. Miravex Antera TM 3D Camera system is a powerful objective method of documenting lesions and following up the treatment process. Platelet-rich plasma did not offer additional benefit over microneedling alone.

Microstructure development of Ti scaffold by laser powder bed fusion with chemical polishing and its mechanical properties, biocompatibility

AbstractTitanium (Ti) dental scaffolds are widely used in dental prosthetics due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, conventional Ti scaffolds manufactured through machining often do not fit perfectly with the bone defect site. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology enables the personalised manufacturing of custom‐made Ti scaffolds. A custom‐made Ti scaffold was prepared using LPBF and its surface roughness was improved through chemical polishing. To enhance the surface roughness, a nitric acid mixed solution with a specific composition of HF: HNO3:C3H6O3 = 2:2:3 was used. The polishing mechanism was investigated by adjusting the F/Ti ratio to control the formation and dissolution of the oxide film. As a result, the surface of the Ti scaffold after polishing exhibited a smooth and flat appearance compared to the LPBF part, with a reduced surface roughness (Ra) of 1.23 ± 0.19 μm. The custom‐made Ti scaffold also demonstrated favourable mechanical properties, with a bending strength of 335.18 ± 33.62 MPa and stiffness of 2.13 ± 0.21 GPa. Furthermore, in vitro cell tests confirmed the excellent biocompatibility of the custom‐made Ti scaffold. The authors present a feasible strategy for the further clinical application of custom‐made Ti scaffolds, offering enhanced surface properties and addressing the limitations of conventional machining methods.

An automated technique for global noise level measurement in CT image with a conjunction of image gradient.

Automated assessment of noise level in clinical computed tomography (CT) images is a crucial technique for evaluating and ensuring the quality of these images. There are various factors that can impact CT image noise, such as statistical noise, electronic noise, structure noise, texture noise, artifact noise, etc. In this study, a method was developed to measure the global noise index (GNI) in clinical CT scans due to the fluctuation of x-ray quanta. Initially, a noise map is generated by sliding a 10 × 10 pixel for calculating Hounsfield unit (HU) standard deviation and the noise map is further combined with the gradient magnitude map. By employing Boolean operation, pixels with high gradients are excluded from the noise histogram generated with the noise map. By comparing the shape of the noise histogram from this method with Christianson's tissue-type global noise measurement algorithm, it was observed that the noise histogram computed in anthropomorphic phantoms had a similar shape with a close GNI value. In patient CT images, excluding the HU deviation due the structure change demonstrated to have consistent GNI values across the entire CT scan range with high heterogeneous tissue compared to the GNI values using Christianson's tissue-type method. The proposed GNI was evaluated in phantom scans and was found to be capable of comparing scan protocols between different scanners. The variation of GNI when using different reconstruction kernels in clinical CT images demonstrated a similar relationship between noise level and kernel sharpness as observed in uniform phantom: sharper kernel resulted in noisier images. This indicated that GNI was a suitable index for estimating the noise level in clinical CT images with either a smooth or grainy appearance. The study's results suggested that the algorithm can be effectively utilized to screen the noise level for a better CT image quality control.

Acidic deep eutectic solvent as a novel catalyst for urea–formaldehyde resin curing

ABSTRACT The effect of a novel catalyst, acidic deep eutectic solvent, on the characteristics of urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins-bonded particleboard was studied in this research work. Methyltriphenyl-phosphonium bromide–protocatechuic acid (MTPPBr–PCAT) as a DES was added to the UF resin at different percentages (1%, 2%, and 3% by weight). Then, the prepared resin was used for manufacturing particleboards. Based on this research finding, DES appears to be an effective UF resin catalyst. Increasing the MTPPBr–PCAT–DES level from 0 to 3 wt% caused a decrease in pH but still within the limits acceptable to international standards requirements, and also it caused a shorter gel time and acceleration of resin curing. Wood particleboard prepared with only 1 wt% DES had higher mechanical strength and dimensional stability and lower formaldehyde emission compared to the controls bonded with UF resins catalyzed with 2 wt% NH4Cl. Under scanning electron microscopy, acidic deep eutectic solvent catalyzed UF resins-bonded panels presented a smooth and monotonous appearance. DESs as UF acidic catalysts present advantages, such as being non-toxic, being able to catalyze resin cure similarly or more effectively than the acid itself, and being recyclable as well.

Effects of fat unsaturation degree on whipping performance and foam stability of fat‐reduced aerated emulsions

SummaryAerated emulsions formulated with vegetable oils have been widely consumed with health demands of tea‐based drinks and coffee. In comparison with its traditional counterparts consisting of 30%–40% of fats, that is, whipping creams, the aerated emulsions containing less than 20% vegetable oils are classified as low fat‐cream‐like products and popular with consumers preferring fat‐reduced foods. However, unstable whipping capabilities are the typical quality defects of these low fat‐emulsions, which is highly related with partial coalescence of fat globules. In the present study, effects of unsaturation degree and fatty acid species of fat matrix on whipping capabilities of the aerated emulsions were evaluated by analysing crystal networks, partial coalescence behaviours, whipping performance, and foam structure and stabilities. Increase of fat unsaturation from 10% to 30% improved fat crystal structure and partial coalescence significantly. In particular, 10%–15% of medium chain‐fatty acids present in the emulsions with 30% unsaturated fats tended to crystallise into well‐packed thicker crystals, and to exhibit the highest partial coalescence rate with nearly 60% of solid fat content at whipping temperature. Both the fat species and unsaturation contributed to forming smooth appearance and desirable foam networks after whipping. In contrast, further increase in unsaturation resulted in significant reduction of adsorbed proteins, contributing to excessive aggregation of fat globules. Therefore, it presented negative effects on partial coalescence as well as foam firmness and stabilities. The results figured out characteristics of fat matrix for the manufacture of low fat‐aerated creams with improved whipping capabilities.

Optimization and preparation of a compound cod liver oil film former agent: an orthogonal design.

Background: Cod liver oil has anti-inflammatory properties and could help regulate recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). An orthogonal experiment was used to evaluate and improve the dosage form of compound cod liver oil, which has replaced the previously used liniment preparation based on film method. Methods: An orthogonal experiment was adopted, and the appearance and film-forming time of the film coating agents were used as indicators. The optimal ratio in the preparation process for the compound cod liver oil film agent was then optimized. A method for determination of compound cod liver oil film was established using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results: The results indicate that the blank films prepared using 55mg polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (PVA low), 45mg of PVA (PVA medium), and 10mg glycerol had the optimal performance, which was defined as PVAa. The drug-carrying film prepared from 3mL PVAa (i.e., film-forming material with the optimal proportion), 30mg dexamethasone acetate, and 30mg metronidazole had the optimal performance. The verified sample has a complete and smooth appearance, uniform thickness and color, and no evident bubbles, which meets the requirements for a film agent defined in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020 edition. HPLC was used to determine the major components: dexamethasone acetate, metronidazole, and dyclonine hydrochloride, and the optimal separation effect was obtained. The method has advantages of good specificity, good linear results, high recovery rate, and good repeatability. Conclusion: This study proposes an optimized compound cod liver oil film former agent and preparation method. The results indicate that the compound cod liver oil film former agent had good performance, reflecting the high feasibility of this research method. The detection method of compound cod liver oil film was established by HPLC. The method was feasible, and the validity and stability of the formulation and preparation technology were guaranteed. The role of the newly developed agent in patients with RAS should be investigated further.

Double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical investigation of peptide OS-01 for skin rejuvenation.

Senescent cells contribute to age-related tissue deterioration, including the skin, which plays important roles in overall health and social interactions. This study aimed to assess the effects of the senotherapeutic peptide, OS-01 (a.k.a. Pep 14), on skin. A 12-week split-face, double-blinded, vehicle-controlled study involving 22 participants was conducted. The OS-01-containing formulation was applied to one side of the face, while the other side received an identical control formulation lacking the peptide. Skin characteristics were assessed using instrumental measurements, expert clinical grading, and subjective questionnaires. Results showed that the OS-01 formulation significantly improved one aspect of skin barrier function, as evidenced by reduced trans-epidermal water loss compared to both baseline and vehicle control. Expert grading and Antera 3D image analysis revealed a reduction in wrinkle appearance and indentation in the periorbital area, and improved skin texture and radiance on both sides of the face, with the OS-01-containing formulation demonstrating superior results. Participants also perceived improvements in skin hydration, smoothness, radiance, and overall appearance. The findings suggest that the OS-01 formulation promotes skin health by strengthening the skin barrier, protecting against dehydration, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and improving skin texture and radiance. These effects are likely attributed to the senotherapeutic properties of OS-01 in reducing cellular senescence and its associated detrimental effects.

Preparation and Properties of Graphene Flexible Membrane

Graphene material has excellent electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, and the flexible film prepared by it can be widely used in intelligent wearables, industrial temperature control, biomedicine, home heating and other fields. In this paper, graphene paste was used to prepare textile substrate and non-substrate graphene flexible film, and its tensile strength, elongation at break, resistivity, hardness, modulus and other parameters were tested. The results show that the graphene flexible film has smooth appearance, good electrical conductivity and good mechanical strength, and is a good choice for smart wear and industrial parts gasket applications.

Polymeric nanomaterials encapsulating fluorescent polyindole-nido- carborane: design, synthesis and biological evaluation.

The water-soluble nido-carborane was prepared by alkali treatment of o-carborane. A polymer PInd containing a polyindole structure was synthesized and employed to label the modified o-carborane. Subsequently, four polymeric nanomaterials were synthesized with the objective of encapsulating them in order to enhance its bioavailability. The experimental results showed that the fluorescent complex encapsulated by the pH-sensitive polymer A had the best UV absorption and fluorescence intensity, and thus A-PInd-C was chosen for subsequent experiments. The Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the compounds exhibited a rounded internal morphology, with the layers exhibiting a tightly stacked arrangement. The AFM imaging revealed that the surface of the sample exhibited a relatively uniform and smooth appearance. In vitro release experiments conducted under acidic conditions demonstrated that A-PInd-C was released in a predominantly linear manner, with a maximum release rate of 80% observed within 48h. Cellular imaging experiments showed that the compound could enter HeLa and HCT-116 cells and was mainly distributed around the nucleus, especially in the acidic environment. The results of the cell proliferation toxicity experiments demonstrated that A-PInd-C exhibited inhibitory effects on HeLa, PC-3 and L02 cells. Among these, the inhibitory effect on PC-3 cells was the most pronounced, reaching up to 70%. In conclusion, this paper solves the problem of poor bioavailability of carborane by improving the boron containing compounds and also makes the system have potential for Boron neutron capture therapy.