Assessing the reinforcement effect by response surface methodology of holocellulose from spent coffee grounds on biopolymeric films as food packaging materials.

The pollution caused by petroleum-derived plastic materials has become a major environmental problem that has encouraged the development of new compostable and environmentally friendly materials for food packaging based on biomodified polymers with household residues. This study aims to design, synthesize, and characterize a biobased polymeric microstructure film from polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan reinforced with holocellulose from spent coffee grounds for food-sustainable packaging. Chemical isolation with a chlorite-based solution was performed to obtain the reinforced holocellulose from the spent coffee ground, and the solvent casting method was used to obtain the films to study.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of chitosan biopolymer films particles in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): A comparative study with polystyrene microplastics.

To mitigate the environmental impact of microplastics (MPs), the scientific community has innovated sustainable and biodegradable polymers as viable alternatives to traditional plastics. Chitosan, the deacetylated form of chitin, stands as one of the most thoroughly investigated biopolymers and has garnered significant interest due to its versatile applications in both medical and cosmetic fields. Nevertheless, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the impact that chitosan biopolymer films (CBPF) may generate in aquatic organisms.

The Role of ZO-2 in Modulating JAM-A and γ-Actin Junctional Recruitment, Apical Membrane and Tight Junction Tension, and Cell Response to Substrate Stiffness and Topography.

This work analyzes the role of the tight junction (TJ) protein ZO-2 on mechanosensation. We found that the lack of ZO-2 reduced apical membrane rigidity measured with atomic force microscopy, inhibited the association of γ-actin and JAM-A to the cell border, and instead facilitated p114RhoGEF and afadin accumulation at the junction, leading to an enhanced mechanical tension at the TJ measured by FRET, with a ZO-1 tension probe, and increased tricellular TJ tension. Simultaneously, adherens junction tension measured with an E-cadherin probe was unaltered.

Comparison of the SMLM technique and the MSSR algorithm in confocal microscopy for super-resolved imaging of cellulose fibres.

Nowadays, the use of super-resolution microscopy (SRM) is increasing globally due to its potential application in several fields of life sciences. However, a detailed and comprehensive guide is necessary for understanding a single-frame image's resolution limit. This study was performed to provide information about the structural organisation of isolated cellulose fibres from garlic and agave wastes through fluorophore-based techniques and image analysis algorithms.

Development of a low-cost photocatalytic aerogel based on cellulose, carbon nanotubes, and TiO nanoparticles for the degradation of organic dyes.

A hybrid ultra-light and porous cellulose aerogel was prepared by extracting cellulose fibers from white paper, alkali/urea as a crosslinker agent, and functionalized with CNTs and pure anatase TiO nanoparticles. Since CNTs work as mechanical reinforcement for aerogels, physical and mechanical properties were measured. Besides, since TiO acts as a photocatalyst for degrading dyes (rhodamine B and methylene blue), UV-Vis spectroscopy under UV light, visible light, and darkroom was used to evaluate the degradation process.

Polystyrene microplastics mitigate the embryotoxic damage of metformin and guanylurea in Danio rerio.

Microplastics (MPs) alone may endanger the health and fitness of aquatic species through different mechanisms. However, the harmful effects of these when mixed with other emerging contaminants require additional research. Herein, we aimed to determine whether a mixture of MPs with metformin (MET) or guanylurea (GUA) might induce embryotoxicity and oxidative stress in Danio rerio.

Characterization of Structural Changes of Casein Micelles at Different PH Using Microscopy and Spectroscopy Techniques.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of pH changes on morphometric parameters of casein micelles and a general overview of their conformational structure through microscopy techniques, Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis. It was found that casein micelles morphology and protein secondary structure depend strongly upon pH. The changes of arithmetic average roughness (Ra), size, and shape of casein micelles at different pH are properly characterized by atomic force and cryo-transmission electron microscopy.

Electrospun Mats Based on PVA/NaDDBS/CNx Nanocomposite for Electrochemical Sensing.

This study presents a nanocomposite developed with PVA, multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) doped with nitrogen, and NaDDBS, which change the electrical properties of the polymer and its viscosity to be used in electrospinning process for obtaining mats of nano/macro fibers. The proposed nanocomposite was characterized using Fourier transform-infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques, confirming the presence of the CNxs immersed in the polymer. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to obtain the micrographs that showed the characteristic interplanar distances of the multiwall CNT in the polymeric matrix, with values of 3.

Bioaccumulation and oxidative stress caused by aluminium nanoparticles and the integrated biomarker responses in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in various industries has experienced significant growth due to the advantages they offer, so the increase in their use has generated the continuous discharge of these products in numerous water bodies, which can affect the organisms that inhabit them. Previous studies have shown that Al is capable of producing oxidative stress in aquatic organisms; however, so far the impact of AlNP on hydrobionts is limited. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine the oxidative stress produced by AlNP in liver, gill and blood of Cyprinus carpio, as well as their bioconcentration factor (BCF) in various tissues.

Effects of TiO Nanoparticles Incorporation into Cells of Tomato Roots.

In this study, tomato plants were grown in vitro with and without incorporation of TiO nanoparticles in Murashige and Skoog (MS) growth medium. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological (area and roundness cell) and mechanical (Young's Modulus) change in the different tissue of tomato root, epidermis (Ep), parenchyma (Pa), and vascular bundles (Vb), when the whole plant was exposed to TiO nanoparticles (TiO NPs). light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) techniques were used to identify changes into the root cells when TiO NPs were incorporated.

Effect of ball milling on cellulose nanoparticles structure obtained from garlic and agave waste.

The aim of this study was to obtain cellulose and cellulose nanoparticles (CNP) from garlic and agave wastes, as well as elucidating its structure at different scales using microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. Cellulose is isolated by using a sequential extractive process and monitored by CLSM and SEM, while CNP are produced in a high-energy planetary mill. FTIR and XRD confirmed the presence of cellulose type I and CI and D was used to evaluate the size of CNP.

Study of cellular architecture and micromechanical properties of cuajilote fruits (Parmentiera edulis D.C.) using different microscopy techniques.

The cuajilote (Parmentiera edulis D.C.) tree produces fibrous fruits with a high content of lignocellulosic compounds.

Design of Nano-Structured Micro-Thermoelectric Generator: Load Resistance and Inflections in the Efficiency.

In recent years the interest for the harvest of energy with micro thermoelectric generators ( μ TEG) has increased, due to its advantages compared to technologies that use fossil fuels. There are three ways to improve the performance of the device, by modifying its structure, type of material and operation control. In this study, the role of the load resistance R L on the performance of a μ TEG with nanostructured materials is investigated.

Detection of Brucella abortus by a platform functionalized with protein A and specific antibodies IgG.

Oriented immobilization of antibodies on a sensor surface is critical for enhancing both the antigen-binding capacity and the sensitivity of immunosensors. In this study, we describe a strategy to adsorb immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-Brucella antibodies onto a silicon surface, oriented by protein A obtained from Staphylococcus aureus (SpA). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize topographically, morphologically, and chemical changes of the sensor functionalization.

Morphometric study of adipocytes on breast cancer by means of photonic microscopy and image analysis.

Worldwide, breast cancer (BrCa) is currently the leading cause of deaths associated to malignant lesions in adult women. Given that some studies have mentioned that peritumoral adipocytes may contribute to breast carcinogenesis, present work sought to quantitative evaluate the morphometry of these cells in a group of adult women. Three thousand six hundred sixty four breast adipocytes, that came from biopsies of a group of adult females with different types of breast carcinomas (ductal, lobular, and mixed) and one with normal tissues, were evaluated through an image analysis (IA) process regarding six morphometric descriptors: area (A), perimeter (P), Feret diameter (F ), aspect ratio (AR), roundness factor (RF), and fractal dimension of cellular contour (FD ).

Microstructural characterization of chitosan and alginate films by microscopy techniques and texture image analysis.

The aim of this work is to characterize the microstructure of chitosan and alginate edible films by microscopy techniques and texture image analysis. Edible films were obtained by solution casting and solvent evaporation. The microscopy techniques used in this work were: light, environmental scanning electron and atomic force microscopy.