Cotton cellulose nanofiber/chitosan scaffolds for skin tissue engineering and wound healing applications.

Chitosan (CS) is a promising polymeric biomaterial for use in scaffolds forskin models and wound dressings, owing to its non-antigenic and antimicrobial properties. However, CS often exhibits insufficient physicochemical properties, mechanical strength, and bioactivity, limiting its efficacy in demanding applications. To address these challenges, cotton cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) represent a promising nanomaterial for enhancing CS-based scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Exploring the antifungal potential of Annona muricata leaf extract-loaded hydrogel in treating vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis, mostly caused by Candida albicans, remains a prevalent concern in women's health. Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), a plant native from Brazil, is well-known for its therapeutic potential, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Ripening process in exocarps of scarlet eggplant () and banana ( spp.) investigated by Raman spectroscopy.

In this work, we used Raman spectroscopy to identify compounds present at different maturation stages of the exocarp of scarlet eggplant and two banana cultivars, 'prata' and 'nanica'. Raman spectral analyses of both fruits showed bands attributed to phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and fatty acids. During the scarlet eggplant's maturation process, Raman spectral profile changes are mainly observed in the carotenoid content rather than flavonoids.

Combining Polymer and Cyclodextrin Strategy for Drug Release of Sulfadiazine from Electrospun Fibers.

This study reports the fabrication of polymeric matrices through electrospinning using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), biocompatible polymers commonly used in medical systems. These polymers were combined with an antibacterial drug, sulfadiazine sodium salt (SDS) or its supramolecular system formed with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβ/CD) at 1:1 molar ratio, aiming to assemble a transdermal drug delivery system. The formation of fibers was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the fibers' surface properties were analyzed using contact angle and water vapor permeability techniques.

Cytocompatible and osteoinductive cotton cellulose nanofiber/chitosan nanobiocomposite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Natural polymeric nanobiocomposites hold promise in repairing damaged bone tissue in tissue engineering. These materials create an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like microenvironment that induces stem cell differentiation. In this study, we investigated a new cytocompatible nanobiocomposite made from cotton cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) combined with chitosan polymer to induce osteogenic stem cell differentiation.

Influence of sucrose reduction on fouling during the production of dulce de leche.

In this Research Communication we focus the food industry´s broad tendency to decrease sugar content in food products onto dulce de leche (DL) and examine the influence of sucrose reduction on the detrimental deposits formed during the production process. The method used to identify the impact produced directly on the heat exchanger during the production of this product with low sucrose content required varying the quantity of sucrose in the milk. Different percentages of sucrose (20, 15, 10, 5 and 0% w/w) were submitted to the DL concentration process in a process simulator.

Cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth with cotton cellulose nanofibers for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are natural polymers with physical-chemical properties that make them very attractive for modulating stem cell differentiation, a crucial step in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Although cellulose is cytocompatible, when materials are in nanoscale, they become more reactive, needing to evaluate its potential toxic effect to ensure safe application. This study aimed to investigate the cytocompatibility of cotton CNF and its differentiation capacity induction on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.

Cytocompatibility of carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.

Carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT-COOH) presents unique properties due to nanoscale dimensions and permits a broad range of applications in different fields, such as bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, the cytocompatibility of MWCNT-COOH with human stem cells is poorly understood. Thus, studies elucidating how MWCNT-COOH affects human stem cell viability are essential to a safer application of nanotechnologies.

The distinct effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in primary and immortalized cell lines.

The titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been applied to biomedical, pharmaceutical, and food additive fields. However, the effect on health and the environment are conflicting; thus, it has been reviewing several times. In this context, establishing standard robust protocols for detecting cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of nanomaterials became essential for nanotechnology development.

Corrigendum to: The distinct effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in primary and immortalized cell lines.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfab040.].

The Diversity of Linear Conjugated Polyenes and Colours in Nature: Raman Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic Tool.

This review is centered on the linear conjugated polyenes, which encompasses chromatic biomolecules, such as carotenoids, polyunsaturated aldehydes and polyolefinic fatty acids. The linear extension of the conjugated double bonds in these molecules is the main feature that determines the spectroscopic properties as light-absorbing. These classes of compounds are responsible for the yellow, orange, red and purple colors which are observed in their parent flora and fauna in nature.

Synthesis, vibrational spectroscopy and X-ray structural characterization of novel NIR emitter squaramides.

Two new 2-naphthyl squaramides, 3-methoxy -4-(2-naphtalenylamino)-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione (SQ-NPh1) and bis-3,4-(2-naphtalenylamino)-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione (SQ-NPh2) were synthesized via condensation reaction between the dimethylsquarate and 2-naphthylamine. The spectrometric characterization by C NMR confirmed the obtaining of the squaramide derivative and nor the squaraine analog. This hypothesis was corroborated by Raman and Infrared spectroscopy since the characteristic vibrational bands related to the oxocarbon portion of both structures have been assigned, such as the ones for SQ-NPh1 and SQ-NPh2.

Cotton cellulose nanofiber/chitosan nanocomposite: characterization and evaluation of cytocompatibility.

Cellulose is a renewable polymer quite abundant on the Earth and very attractive for applications in the construction of eco-friendly biomedical products. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical-physical characteristics of cotton cellulose nanofiber (CCN)/chitosan nanocomposite and its cytocompatibility with human embryonic kidney cells. First, the chemical composition, swelling ratio and surface topography of the nanocomposite were evaluated.

Raman spectroscopy and electronic microscopy structural studies of Caucasian and Afro human hair.

Human hair fibre is subjected to various structural modifications due to the application of chemicals such as dyes, shampoos and bleaches and/or physical procedures such as heating, and often more than one procedure is performed on the same hair. The present work aims to analyze the changes incurred in hair samples of two ethnic groups, namely Caucasian and Afro, before and after different treatments such as thermal, bleaching and straightening. In addition to observing the damage caused by each treatment separately, the study of samples that received all three treatments was carried out.

Electronic properties and vibrational spectra of (NH)M″(SO)·6HO (M = Ni, Cu) Tutton's salt: DFT and experimental study.

The complex crystals of the family of the Tutton's salt have been investigated through the numerous experimental and theoretical studies to understand their physical properties and their potential technological applications. In spite of the more than 60 years of research, there are very few studies about the electronic properties of Tutton's salt. In our present work, we have calculated the stability, electronic properties and the first theoretical study of band structure of the three different crystals of the Tutton's salt, ammonium nickel sulfate hexahydrate ((NH)Ni(SO)·6HO), ammonium nickel-copper sulfate hexahydrate ((NH)NiCu(SO)·6HO) and ammonium copper sulfate hexahydrate ((NH)Ni(SO)·6HO) with the help of periodic ab-initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT).

Technological aspects of lactose-hydrolyzed milk powder.

Few reports describe the effect of lactose hydrolysis on the properties of milk powder during production and storage. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of five different levels of enzymatic lactose hydrolysis during the production and storage of milk powder. As the lactose hydrolysis rate increased, adhesion to the drying chamber also increased, due to higher levels of particle agglomeration.

Influence of Inert and Oxidizing Atmospheres on the Physical and Optical Properties of Luminescent Carbon Dots Prepared through Pyrolysis of a Model Molecule.

This work used L-tartaric acid as a model molecule to evaluate how the use of inert and oxidizing atmospheres during pyrolysis affected the physical and optical properties of the resulting carbon dots (CDs). Pyrolysis revealed to be a simple procedure that afforded CDs in a single step, dismissed the addition of organic solvents, and involved only one extraction stage that employed water. By X-ray diffraction a dependency between the structure of the CDs and the atmosphere (oxidizing or inert) used during the pyrolysis was found.

Lipid Characterization of White, Dark, and Milk Chocolates by FT-Raman Spectroscopy and Capillary Zone Electrophoresis.

There are few studies about different types of chocolate and their chemical characterization by Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile of different types of Brazilian chocolate through characterization by FT-Raman spectroscopy and identification and quantification of major fatty acids (FAs) by CZE to confirm FT-Raman spectrometry results. It was found that the main spectroscopic profile difference of the chocolate samples analyzed was related to the presence of saturated or unsaturated FAs.

FT-Raman and chemometric tools for rapid determination of quality parameters in milk powder: Classification of samples for the presence of lactose and fraud detection by addition of maltodextrin.

FT-Raman spectroscopy has been explored as a quick screening method to evaluate the presence of lactose and identify milk powder samples adulterated with maltodextrin (2.5-50% w/w). Raman measurements can easily differentiate samples of milk powder, without the need for sample preparation, while traditional quality control methods, including high performance liquid chromatography, are cumbersome and slow.

The Effect of Water or Wax-based Binders on the Chemical and Morphological Characteristics of the Margin Ceramic-Framework Interface.

This study evaluated the effect of binder choice in mixing ceramic powder on the chemical and morphological features between the margin ceramic-framework interfaces. Titanium and zirconia frameworks (15 x 5 x 0.5 mm3) were veneered with margin ceramics prepared with two different binders, namely a) water/conventional or b) wax-based.

Analysis of spreadable cheese by Raman spectroscopy and chemometric tools.

In this work, FT-Raman spectroscopy was explored to evaluate spreadable cheese samples. A partial least squares discriminant analysis was employed to identify the spreadable cheese samples containing starch. To build the models, two types of samples were used: commercial samples and samples manufactured in local industries.

Pharmaceutical grade chondroitin sulfate: Structural analysis and identification of contaminants in different commercial preparations.

The aim of the present study was to characterize 16 pharmaceutical grade chondroitin sulfate (CS) samples, concerning the structure and presence of contaminants, in comparison to USP and analytical grade CS. Agarose gel electrophoresis has shown that only 5 samples were >90% CS, while 11 contained less than 15% CS. FACE (fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis) revealed that maltodextrin was the main contaminant in nine of them, and lactose in two.

Study of carotenoids in cyanobacteria by Raman spectroscopy.

Cyanobacteria have established dominant aquatic populations around the world, generally in aggressive environments and under severe stress conditions, e.g., intense solar radiation.

Squaraines: crystal structures and spectroscopic analysis of hydrated and anhydrous forms of squaric acid-isoniazid species.

The crystal structures, synthesis procedure, thermal behavior, and spectroscopic properties of a new squaraine SqINH·H2O and its anhydrous arrangement are described. This squaraine is obtained through an acid-base reaction using squaric acid (H2Sq) and isoniazid (INH) as precursors. Both squaraines crystallize in the monoclinic system, but in different space groups: the hydrated and anhydrous arrangement crystallizes in the P2₁ and P2₁/c space group, respectively.

Classification of frankfurters by FT-Raman spectroscopy and chemometric methods.

Frankfurters are widely consumed all over the world, and the production requires a wide range of meat and non-meat ingredients. Due to these characteristics, frankfurters are products that can be easily adulterated with lower value meats, and the presence of undeclared species. Adulterations are often still difficult to detect, due the fact that the adulterant components are usually very similar to the authentic product.