Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
E. Meziu, M. Koch, J. Fleddermann, K. Schwarzkopf, M. Schneider, A. Kraegeloh
Summary: Dehydration affects the structure of mucus, transforming it from a non-porous to porous network. Various microscopy techniques revealed the structural organization of mucus components and successfully visualized the major gel forming mucin in its hydrated state.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yachao Tian, Chao Yuan, Bo Cui, Lu Lu, Meng Zhao, Pengfei Liu, Zhengzong Wu, Jianpeng Li
Summary: A cinnamaldehyde essential oil (CEO)/beta-Cyclodextrin (p-CD) composite with a high embedding rate was prepared and its properties were investigated. The CEO/beta-CD emulsions showed better storage stability and exhibited different rheological properties compared to beta-CD emulsions.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zongyuan Han, Xingxia Li, Yubo Liu, Xiqing Yue, Zhaoxia Wu, Jun-Hua Shao
Summary: The study found that pork myosin formed three different aggregation modes, including fibril, amorphous, and hydrogel aggregation, with characteristics such as morphology, size, and charge all influenced by pH levels.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Katsushi Kuroda, Kenichi Yamane, Yuko Itoh
Summary: Experimental evidence shows that minerals in tree trunks can rapidly move from the inner sapwood or intermediate wood to the outer sapwood via xylem parenchyma cells and diffusion through cell walls. However, minerals accumulated in the heartwood may not be readily supplied to living cells within the tree trunk.
Article
Plant Sciences
Haydee E. Laza, Harsimran Kaur-Kapoor, Zhuanguo Xin, Paxton R. Payton, Junping Chen
Summary: The characteristics of sorghum anthers at 18 classified developmental stages serve as an important reference for future studies on sorghum reproduction biology and pollen response to abiotic stress. Understanding the vulnerabilities of different developmental stages and the genes involved in stress responses is crucial for enhancing sorghum resilience to environmental changes and for targeted genetic modification strategies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuqing Ye, Keni Cota-Ruiz, Jesus M. Cantu, Carolina Valdes, Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey
Summary: Engineered nanomaterials interact dynamically with matrices such as soil, water, and biological tissues throughout their lifecycle. Electron microscopy plays a crucial role in assessing these interactions, providing high-resolution imaging capabilities for real-time visualization of nanomaterials in biological matrices. Recent progress in evaluating nanobio interactions using EM has led to advancements in nanoresearch, shedding light on nanocorona formation, lipid nanoparticle analysis, and real-time observation of cellular uptake of nanoparticles.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Saloua Biyada, Mohammed Merzouki, Hamada Imtara, Mohamed F. Alajmi, Karima Elkarrach, Hamza Mechchate, Raffaele Conte, Mohamed Benlemlih
Summary: Spectroscopy techniques were used to monitor compost maturity, with X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy confirming the presence of cellulose and organic matter degradation. A PLS-R model was employed to predict compost quality based on composting time, showing accurate predictions for all parameters analyzed. The study concluded that spectral techniques are more reliable, fast, and promising for assessing compost maturity compared to physical-chemical analyses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Kerelsky, Carmen Rubio-Verdu, Lede Xian, Dante M. Kennes, Dorri Halbertal, Nathan Finney, Larry Song, Simon Turkel, Lei Wang, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, James Hone, Cory Dean, Dmitri N. Basov, Angel Rubio, Abhay N. Pasupathy
Summary: This study demonstrates the formation of emergent correlated phases in multilayer rhombohedral graphene without the need for twisted van der Waals layers. The study shows that two layers of bilayer graphene twisted by a tiny angle can host large regions of uniform rhombohedral four-layer graphene with a sharp van Hove singularity. Furthermore, the study suggests that the broken symmetry state in ABCA graphene could be attributed to a charge-transfer excitonic insulator or a ferrimagnet.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Si-Qian Chen, Patricia Lopez-Sanchez, Deirdre Mikkelsen, Marta Martinez-Sanz, Zhaofeng Li, Shuyan Zhang, Elliot P. Gilbert, Lin Li, Michael J. Gidley
Summary: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hemicellulose-cellulose interactions on the anisotropic structure of the bacterial cellulose (BC) ribbon network. BC-arabinoxylan (BC-AX) and BC-mixed linkage glucan (BC-MLG) composites were prepared and their mechanical/rheological behavior was evaluated. The results showed that hemicelluloses had limited influence on the crystallinity of BC, but significantly affected the anisotropic behavior of BC hydrogels in compression and stress-relaxation tests.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miguel Ricardo Leung, Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
Summary: The different oligomeric forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) have defined cellular and subcellular distributions. While crystal structures of AChE and BChE have been available for many years, structures of the physiologically relevant cholinesterase tetramer were only recently solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The next frontier in cholinesterase structural biology is to image membrane-anchored ChE oligomers directly in their native environment - the cell.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Hao Cheng, Jie Cao, Wenru Liu, Jun Mei, Jing Xie
Summary: This study characterized an active film made of sodium alginate (SA)-locust bean gum (LBG) containing daphnetin-based film. The addition of daphnetin improved the flexibility and antibacterial activity of the cling film. The results suggest that daphnetin in SA-LBG film could be used to develop food-grade packaging material with antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
James C. Hower, Dali Qian, Nicolas J. Briot, Steven A. Benson, Alexander S. Benson
Summary: The contribution by Mokoena et al. in characterizing the fly ash is flawed due to the inappropriate tool used and the flawed selection of rare earth peaks in the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Julia Auernhammer, Tom Keil, Binbin Lin, Jan-Lukas Schaefer, Bai-Xiang Xu, Markus Biesalski, Robert W. Stark
Summary: The study presents a method based on atomic force microscopy to map properties along the fibre and provide a detailed picture of the mechanical properties of single fibres. By using a combination of different microscopy techniques, including AFM and confocal laser scanning microscopy, local variations in fibre properties can be identified.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tong Xin, Yanan Lv, Haoran Chen, Linlin Li, Lijun Shen, Guangcun Shan, Xi Chen, Hua Han
Summary: This article proposes a new method for serial section registration using an unsupervised optical flow network to measure feature similarity and eliminate nonlinear deformation. The optical flow network is also used to estimate and compensate for cumulative registration error, enabling the reconstruction of biological tissue structures. Experimental results demonstrate that this method effectively improves the spatial continuity of serial sections and enhances the accuracy of registration and reconstruction for biological tissue structures.
Article
Neurosciences
Vladan Lucic
Summary: This article reviews the importance of electron microscopy in the study of neuronal synapse structures and discusses the use of image processing software methods. Special attention is given to the application of recent cryo-electron microscopy and tomography methods in molecular level analysis.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Solange Magalhaes, Luis Alves, Anabela Romano, Bruno Medronho, Maria da Graca Rasteiro
Summary: This study evaluates the contribution of different industrial sectors in Portugal to the release of microplastics (MPs) and their potential contamination of aquifers. The paint and pharmaceutical industries were found to have the highest impact, while the textile industry's contribution was not particularly significant. The study suggests the need for awareness campaigns to mitigate the negative impact of MPs on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ines Mansinhos, Sandra Goncalves, Raquel Rodriguez-Solana, Hugo Duarte, Jose Luis Ordonez-Diaz, Jose Manuel Moreno-Rojas, Anabela Romano
Summary: The study examined the effects of drought stress induced by PEG on Thymus lotocephalus shoot cultures. It was found that PEG caused oxidative stress and reduced growth, photosynthetic pigment contents, and phenolic compounds production. Iron oxide nanoparticles, salicylic acid, and MeJA were identified as effective agents in alleviating drought stress. MeJA showed the most significant potential in protecting cells from oxidative damage and improving antioxidant activity.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Berta Baca-Bocanegra, Sandra Goncalves, Julio Nogales-Bueno, Ines Mansinhos, Francisco Jose Heredia, Jose Miguel Hernandez-Hierro, Anabela Romano
Summary: Wine color and limpidity are crucial factors for consumers, as they can affect both appearance and mouthfeel characteristics. This study examined the impact of wine pH and ethanol content on the effectiveness of grape seed protein fining. Experimental wines with lower pH and ethanol content displayed the most significant clarifying effects. Controlling these factors allows for the modulation of organoleptic properties without the need for excessive fining agents, enhancing wineries' flexibility during winemaking. Additionally, grape seed protein demonstrated comparable and superior clarifying and color quality effects when compared to potato and pea proteins, making it a potential alternative in winemaking.
Review
Polymer Science
Catarina Fernandes, Bruno Medronho, Luis Alves, Maria Graca Rasteiro
Summary: Hair is exposed to various external factors that damage its appearance, but hair conditioners can repair and restore its smooth effect. However, some current conditioning agents are harmful to the environment. This paper explores the use of natural-based derivatives as alternative conditioning agents in hair care products.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elodie Melro, Alexander Riddell, Diana Bernin, Ana M. Rosa da Costa, Artur J. M. Valente, Filipe E. E. Antunes, Anabela Romano, Magnus Norgren, Bruno Medronho
Summary: Levulinic acid was used as a green solvent to selectively extract high-quality lignin from pine wood sawdust. The addition of catalytic concentrations of inorganic acids significantly reduced the extraction temperature and time without compromising the purity of the lignin. This environmentally friendly procedure shows promise in replacing traditional less sustainable methodologies.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
B. Medronho, A. Pereira, H. Duarte, L. Gentile, A. M. Rosa da Costa, A. Romano, U. Olsson
Summary: The molecular self-diffusion coefficients of microcrystalline cellulose in different solvent systems were measured using pulsed field gradient stimulated echo NMR. The results showed that TBA+ ions can bind to cellulose within a certain range and the binding of DMSO, TBAH, and water to cellulose increases with cellulose concentration. This interaction between TBAH and cellulose leads to steric hindrance between cellulose chains.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magnus Norgren, Carolina Costa, Luis Alves, Alireza Eivazi, Christina Dahlstrom, Ida Svanedal, Hakan Edlund, Bruno Medronho
Summary: This paper addresses the question of intermolecular interactions in cellulose and challenges the prevailing notion that hydrogen bonding is the predominant factor. The Lindman hypothesis, proposed by Professor Bjorn Lindman, emphasizes the importance of hydrophobic interactions and suggests that cellulose is an amphiphilic polymer. This theory has sparked a reevaluation of cellulose in the scientific community.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Amelia Delgado, Sandra Goncalves, Anabela Romano
Summary: Today's global food system fails to meet SDG2 and exacerbates climate change. However, the Mediterranean Diet (MD) offers a sustainable food culture rooted in biodiversity that is safe and healthy. The MD's wide variety of fruits, herbs, and vegetables contain bioactive compounds, predominantly phenolic compounds, which provide various health benefits. This study investigates the role of polyphenols in the MD for human and planetary health, emphasizing the need for a strategy to sustainably exploit Mediterranean plants and preserve endangered species.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ouarda Djaoudene, Anabela Romano, Yasmine Djedjiga Bradai, Feriel Zebiri, Amina Ouchene, Yasmine Yousfi, Meriem Amrane-Abider, Yasmine Sahraoui-Remini, Khodir Madani
Summary: The use of dietary supplements (DS) has been increasing globally in recent years. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in interest for DS as an alternative means of protection and treatment, and to boost the immune system. However, there is a lack of evidence to support their efficacy. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the impact of dietary supplements on the incidence of COVID-19, as well as their regulation and market trends.
Review
Polymer Science
Solange Magalhaes, Catarina Fernandes, Jorge F. S. Pedrosa, Luis Alves, Bruno Medronho, Paulo J. T. Ferreira, Maria da Graca Rasteiro
Summary: Cellulose, the most abundant renewable polymer on Earth, can be obtained from various sources. Traditional fractionation methods involve harsh chemicals, but new sustainable processes have been developed. Cellulose and its derivatives have wide applications, particularly in textiles and packaging, as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic materials. This review discusses cellulose's properties, green extraction methods, chemical modification, and applications of cellulose derivatives.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hugo Duarte, Ceferino Carrera, Maria Jose Aliano-Gonzalez, Rocio Gutierrez-Escobar, Maria Jesus Jimenez-Hierro, Miguel Palma, Ludovina Galego, Anabela Romano, Bruno Medronho
Summary: This study explored two effective strategies for the valorisation of Arbutus unedo pomace: optimizing the extraction of polyphenols using ultrasound-assisted method and developing functional cookies with pomace. The results showed that the optimized extraction conditions yielded polyphenol-rich extracts with high antioxidant activity, and the incorporation of pomace in cookies was well-received by consumers.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hugo Duarte, Maria Jose Aliano-Gonzalez, Emma Cantos-Villar, Leonor Faleiro, Anabela Romano, Bruno Medronho
Summary: In this study, deep eutectic solvents were used to extract phyto-chemicals from grapevine shoots. Levulinic acid-based deep eutectic solvents showed favorable eco-friendly properties and remarkable extraction performance of poly-phenols compared to traditional chemical solvents. Ultrasound-assisted extraction technique significantly increased the extraction rate, and genetic factors influenced the content of extracted polyphenols. The polyphenol-enriched extracts demonstrated antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects. This is the first time deep eutectic solvents have been used for extracting bioactive compounds from vine shoot residues.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Xingran Kou, Dongdong Su, Fei Pan, Xiwei Xu, Qingran Meng, Qinfei Ke
Summary: This review provides a systematic discussion of the application of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in aroma compounds (ACs)/cyclodextrins (CDs) inclusion complexes (ICs). It covers the establishment of the simulation process, parameter selection, model evaluation, and various application cases, summarizing the major achievements and challenges of this method.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Haoyu Yu, Quanbin Zhang, Ammad Ahmad Farooqi, Jing Wang, Yang Yue, Lihua Geng, Ning Wu
Summary: Brown algae are rich in fucoidan, which has been found to have anti-cancer and anti-metastasis effects. Fucoidan inhibits tumor cell growth, proliferation, and metastasis, and also promotes immune responses in the tumor microenvironment.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Liang Dong, Yanan Li, Hailin Cong, Bing Yu, Youqing Shen
Summary: Gene therapy is a revolutionary treatment that requires suitable vectors for protecting and releasing exogenous nucleic acids in target cells. Chitosan, as a non-viral vector, has gained attention due to its good biocompatibility and ability to load large amounts of nucleic acids. This paper summarizes the potential of chitosan and its derivatives as gene delivery vector materials, discusses factors influencing transfection efficiency, performance evaluation, ways to optimize infectious efficiency, and current research development directions. It also provides an outlook on the future prospects of chitosan.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ana Iglesias-Mejuto, Beatriz Magarinos, Tania Ferreira-Goncalves, Ricardo Starbird-Perez, Carmen Alvarez-Lorenzo, Catarina Pinto Reis, Ines Ardao, Carlos A. Garcia-Gonzalez
Summary: This study developed a novel processing strategy to manufacture drug-loaded and personalized aerogels with nanostructures. The aerogels demonstrated bioactivity and antimicrobial effects, promoting bone regeneration and preventing infections in bone tissue engineering.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhenxu Shi, Dimei Yang, Yan Zhou, Xinyu Chen, Lin Gan, Jin Huang
Summary: This study proposes a micro-assembly method to improve the photoluminescent properties of crystalline cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by organizing them within a sub-micrometer-sized metal-organic framework and coating with TiO2. The TiO2 coating prevents CNC assembly breakdown and allows information to be revealed using screenprinted labels for anti-counterfeiting purposes.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xuejiao Liu, Bin Fu, Jierong Chen, Zhenyu Sun, Dongdong Zheng, Zhonghua Li, Bing Gu, Ying Zhang, Haojie Lu
Summary: Liver disease is a major cause of global mortality, and identifying biomarkers for diagnosing its progression is crucial for improving outcomes. Targeted mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for verifying biomarker candidates and clinical applications, particularly for glycoproteins translation. However, the limitation of analyzing only one sample per run has become apparent. In this study, a high-throughput intact N-glycopeptides quantification strategy was developed, allowing the validation of 20 samples per run with an average analysis time of 3 minutes per sample. The strategy was applied in a cohort of 461 serum samples and identified a panel of 10 IgG N-glycopeptides that have strong clinical utility in evaluating the severity of liver disease.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Qian Wang, Hao Jiang, Hongli Zhang, Weiqiao Lu, Xiao Wang, Wenfeng Xu, Jia Li, Youjing Lv, Guoyun Li, Chao Cai, Guangli Yu
Summary: This study proposes a novel strategy of antibody-beta-glucan conjugates (AGC) to enhance the antitumor immune response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. AGC demonstrated powerful tumor suppression and promoted interaction between tumor cells and dendritic cells (DCs), thereby enhancing immunotherapeutic benefits.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chaeyeon Lee, Sojeong Lee, Sang Wook Kang
Summary: The study aims to enhance the properties of porous membranes by addressing the limitations associated with phase separation. By using cellulose acetate and citric acid, the researchers were able to fabricate membranes with improved mechanical strength and thermal stability. The cross-linking effect of citric acid resulted in a more uniform pore structure and higher porosity.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Tejaswini Kolipaka, Giriraj Pandey, Noella Abraham, Dadi A. Srinivasarao, Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, P. S. Rajinikanth, Vidya Tickoo, Saurabh Srivastava
Summary: This review focuses on the design and application of polysaccharide-based hydrogel wound dressings, highlighting aspects such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, drug entrapment, moisturizing ability, swelling, and mechanical properties. Additionally, various crosslinking methods and recent developments in stimuli-responsive hydrogels are discussed.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Anqi Xu, Nan Zhang, Shixing Su, Hongyu Shi, Daoqiang Lu, Xifeng Li, Xin Zhang, Xin Feng, Zhuohua Wen, Gengwu Ma, Mengshi Huang, Chi Huang, Yuqi Hu, Hao Yuan, Qinwen Liu, Daogang Guan, Jun Wang, Chuanzhi Duan
Summary: The study presents a one-pot radical polymerization method to fabricate a hydrogel with adhesive properties, which can effectively treat bacterial-infected diabetic wounds and accelerate wound healing.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Montarop Yamabhai, Munthipha Khamphio, Thae Thae Min, Chai Noy Soem, Nguyen Cao Cuong, Waheni Rizki Aprilia, Krisanai Luesukprasert, Karsidete Teeranitayatarn, Atthaphon Maneedaeng, Tina R. Tuveng, Silje B. Lorentzen, Simen Antonsen, Paiboon Jitprasertwong, Vincent G. H. Eijsink
Summary: The study investigates the bioconversion of chitosan into soluble anti-inflammatory chitosan oligosaccharides (CHOS) using an enzyme. The results show that the generated CHOS have anti-inflammatory activity, but the magnitude of the activity depends on the substrate and production process. Different methods of dissolving chitosan also affect the properties of CHOS. The study highlights the importance of quality assurance in CHOS preparations.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wen Cao, Jiangping Wu, Xinya Zhao, Zixu Li, Jie Yu, Taili Shao, Xuefeng Hou, Lutan Zhou, Chunfei Wang, Guodong Wang, Jun Han
Summary: In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide (PLP1) was successfully isolated and purified from Pueraria lobata. It was found that PLP1 was composed of specific glycosidic units and exhibited a better free radical-scavenging ability. Moreover, PLP1 effectively protected the liver against acute alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in mice.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ya Su, Yaqian Liu, Xueyan Hu, Yueqi Lu, Jinyuan Zhang, Wenbo Jin, Wang Liu, Yan Shu, Yuen Yee Cheng, Wenfang Li, Yi Nie, Bo Pan, Kedong Song
Summary: A 3D printed scaffold based on carbon dots-curcumin nano-drug release has been developed for drug delivery after breast cancer surgery. The scaffold showed effective inhibition of tumor growth, antibacterial activity, and promotion of wound healing, making it a promising approach for preventing tumor recurrence.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ekaterina Sokolova, Diane Jouanneau, Antonin Chevenier, Murielle Jam, Nathalie Desban, Pierre Colas, Elizabeth Ficko-Blean, Gurvan Michel
Summary: Carrageenans, a compound synthesized in red algae, have various biological properties and are valuable in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Their fine structure affects wound healing, oxidative processes, hemostasis, and inflammation. Enzymatic modification of carrageenans produces oligosaccharides that bind to natural human serum antibodies and specific antibodies, showing potential for therapeutic applications.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yan Shi, Miao Yu, Kaijin Qiu, Tiantian Kong, Chunjing Guo, Wenxue Zhang, Daquan Chen, Ming Kong
Summary: In this study, functionalized transfersomes were developed to co-deliver doxorubicin and 1MT towards primary tumors and tumor draining lymph nodes via transdermal administration using microneedles. The results showed that the nano-complexed microneedles exhibited a stronger suppression in tumor growth compared to the intravenous group.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2024)
