Beeswax-poly(vinyl alcohol) composite films for bread packaging.

The study aimed to improve the barrier characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film by adding beeswax (BW) and glycerin and by heat treatment in order to become a potential suitable material for bread packaging. XRD, FTIR and XPS showed new cross-links between PVA and beeswax demonstrating the composite nature of the film. TGA-DTA showed that glycerin reduced the dehydration and that the beeswax improved theirs thermal stability.

The impact of visible light component bands on polyphenols from red grape seed extract powder encapsulated in alginate-whey protein matrix.

Beads made of sodium alginate, whey protein concentrate, and red grape seed extract powder were exposed to white light and its red-orange, yellow-green-cyan, and cyan-blue-violet bands. The chemical analysis showed that encapsulation in the alginate-whey protein matrix protected polyphenols, flavonoids and cyanidin-3--glucoside when exposed to red-orange light. The reflectance spectra acquired from grape seed extract powder and grape seed extract beads were deconvoluted and anthocyanins-based moieties which contribute to the expression of bathochromic or hypsochromic effects were identified.

Cellular respiration in dendritic cells: Exploring oxygen-dependent pathways for potential therapeutic interventions.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells crucial for initiating and regulating adaptive immune responses, making them promising candidates for therapeutic interventions in various immune-mediated diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that the microenvironment in which cells are cultured, as well as the milieu in which they perform their functions, significantly impact their immunomodulatory properties. Among these environmental factors, the role of oxygen in DC biology and its significance for both their in vitro generation and in vivo therapeutic application require investigation.

The State of Academic Bullying Among Medical Students in Tanzania: Prevalence, Forms and Associated Factors. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Academic bullying is prevalent in medical schools due to their unique study settings. Globally, the prevalence of academic bullying is increasing markedly; it ranges from 27% to 99.1%.

Carrageenan and insulin resistance in humans: a randomised double-blind cross-over trial.

Background: The potential impact of specific food additives, common in Western diets, on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is not well understood. This study focuses on carrageenan, a widely used food additive known to induce insulin resistance and gut inflammation in animal models, and its effects on human health.

Methods: In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial conducted at a university hospital metabolic study centre, 20 males (age 27.