Symmetries and synchronization from whole-neural activity in connectome: Integration of functional and structural networks.

Understanding the dynamical behavior of complex systems from their underlying network architectures is a long-standing question in complexity theory. Therefore, many metrics have been devised to extract network features like motifs, centrality, and modularity measures. It has previously been proposed that network symmetries are of particular importance since they are expected to underly the synchronization of a system's units, which is ubiquitously observed in nervous system activity patterns.

Effect of ohmic heating on the structure and properties of flexible multilayer packaging.

Food-packaging-processing interactions define packaging materials' performance properties and product quality. This study evaluated the effect of ohmic heating (OH) processing and different food simulants on the properties of four multilayer flexible packaging materials (PET/PE, PET/PP, PET/Al/PE, and PET/Al/PA/PP). OH treatment was applied to the sealed packages containing the food simulants using a voltage gradient of 3.

Fibration symmetries and cluster synchronization in the Caenorhabditis elegans connectome.

Capturing how the Caenorhabditis elegans connectome structure gives rise to its neuron functionality remains unclear. It is through fiber symmetries found in its neuronal connectivity that synchronization of a group of neurons can be determined. To understand these we investigate graph symmetries and search for such in the symmetrized versions of the forward and backward locomotive sub-networks of the Caenorhabditi elegans worm neuron network.

Consumer Acceptance Studies of Margarine to Guide Product Development in the Food Industry.

Margarine exhibits significant variations in composition, allowing it to cater to diverse consumer segments. This study aimed to characterize the physical and sensory attributes of margarine samples available in the Brazilian market. Twelve commercial samples from six different brands, encompassing 30% to 80% of lipid contents, were subjected to instrumental texture analysis and affective assessment.

Fibration symmetries and cluster synchronization in the connectome.

Capturing how the connectome structure gives rise to its neuron functionality remains unclear. It is through fiber symmetries found in its neuronal connectivity that synchronization of a group of neurons can be determined. To understand these we investigate graph symmetries and search for such in the symmetrized versions of the forward and backward locomotive sub-networks of the worm neuron network.

The influence of conching time on the sensory profile and consumer acceptance of milk chocolates enriched with freeze-dried blueberry ().

Conching is a processing stage of industrial chocolate manufacture that is essential to the development of the sensory and rheological properties of the finished product. It promotes the physicochemical changes leading to flavor, aroma, and flowability refinement by continuously heating, aerating, shearing, and homogenizing chocolate mass during an extended time length. Conching duration is a key processing parameter that depends on the type of chocolate, the quality of primary ingredients, the conche's configuration, and the desired sensory outcome in the chocolate.

Corrigendum: Ionic-liquid-based approaches to improve biopharmaceuticals downstream processing and formulation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.

Ionic-liquid-based approaches to improve biopharmaceuticals downstream processing and formulation.

The emergence of biopharmaceuticals, including proteins, nucleic acids, peptides, and vaccines, revolutionized the medical field, contributing to significant advances in the prophylaxis and treatment of chronic and life-threatening diseases. However, biopharmaceuticals manufacturing involves a set of complex upstream and downstream processes, which considerably impact their cost. In particular, despite the efforts made in the last decades to improve the existing technologies, downstream processing still accounts for more than 80% of the total biopharmaceutical production cost.

Food-Package-Processing relationships in emerging technologies: Ultrasound effects on polyamide multilayer packaging in contact with different food simulants.

In this study, the effect of ultrasound processing on the properties of two packages widely used in food products was evaluated: polyamide (PA) and polyethylene (PE) multilayer packaging. Packages composed of PE/PA/PE (Film A) and PE/PA/PE/PA/PE (Film B) were filled with aqueous and fatty food simulants and treated in an ultrasound water bath (frequency 25 kHz, volumetric power of 9.74 W/L, temperature of 25 °C, and time of 30 and 60 min).

Thermofluor-Based Optimization Strategy for the Stabilization of Recombinant Human Soluble Catechol--Methyltransferase.

Catechol--methyltransferase (COMT) has been involved in a number of medical conditions including catechol-estrogen-induced cancers and a great range of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Currently, Parkinson's disease treatment relies on a triple prophylaxis, involving dopamine replacement by levodopa, the use of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitors, and the use of COMT inhibitors. Typically, COMT is highly thermolabile, and its soluble isoform (SCOMT) loses biological activity within a short time span preventing further structural and functional trials.

Advances in Membrane-Bound Catechol--Methyltransferase Stability Achieved Using a New Ionic Liquid-Based Storage Formulation.

Membrane-bound catechol--methyltransferase (MBCOMT), present in the brain and involved in the main pathway of the catechol neurotransmitter deactivation, is linked to several types of human dementia, which are relevant pharmacological targets for new potent and nontoxic inhibitors that have been developed, particularly for Parkinson's disease treatment. However, the inexistence of an MBCOMT 3D-structure presents a blockage in new drugs' design and clinical studies due to its instability. The enzyme has a clear tendency to lose its biological activity in a short period of time.

Use of physical processes to maximize goat milk cream hydrolysis: Impact on structure and enzymatic hydrolysis.

This study evaluated the use of ultrasound (US), high-shear dispersion (HSD), stirring (ST), and low or high pressure homogenization (LPH or HPH) technologies to modify the goat milk cream (GMC) structure, focusing on improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of its lipids. The GMC structure was evaluated, as well as its creaming and emulsion stability index (ESI). The processed GMC was hydrolyzed by lipase at 50 °C for 300 min, and the fatty acids concentration (FAC) was evaluated over the reaction.

The role of conching in chocolate flavor development: A review.

Chocolate is an indulgent product whose consumption is mostly motivated by its alluring sensory properties. Among them, flavor stands as the key driver for consumer preference and purchase intention. Flavor is a complex multimodal perception whose discrimination depends mostly on the retronasal aromas associated with the presence of odor-active compounds in the matrix.

Efficient Isolation of Bacterial RNAs Using Silica-Based Materials Modified with Ionic Liquids.

High quality nucleic acids (with high integrity, purity, and biological activity) have become indispensable products of modern society, both in molecular diagnosis and to be used as biopharmaceuticals. As the current methods available for the extraction and purification of nucleic acids are laborious, time-consuming, and usually rely on the use of hazardous chemicals, there is an unmet need towards the development of more sustainable and cost-effective technologies for nucleic acids purification. Accordingly, this study addresses the preparation and evaluation of silica-based materials chemically modified with chloride-based ionic liquids (supported ionic liquids, SILs) as potential materials to effectively isolate RNAs.

Combining ultrasound, vacuum and/or ethanol as pretreatments to the convective drying of celery slices.

This work studied three emerging approaches to improve the convective drying (50 °C, 0.8 m/s) of celery. Celery slices of 2 mm thick were pretreated for 5 min using ultrasound (32 W/L, 40 kHz), vacuum (75 kPa vacuum pressure) and ethanol (99.

Knowledge and perception of different plastic bags and packages: A case study in Brazil.

The growing demand for plastics, for packaging and consumption, is a current environmental issue. Although there are many scientific developments concerning material science, knowledge about the public's perception is low, which can delay society's efforts to face this challenge. This study aimed to understand if Brazilians who practice different sustainable actions perceive differently biodegradable, recycled, and common plastics and have different purchase intentions for each specific type of packaging.

Bio-based multilayer films: A review of the principal methods of production and challenges.

The development of biodegradable packaging materials has been drawing attention worldwide to minimize the environmental impact of traditional petroleum-based plastics. Nevertheless, it is challenging to obtain bio-based materials with suitable properties for packaging applications. Films produced from a single biopolymer often lack some important properties.

Ozonation of agri-food products for reducing mycotoxin contamination: challenges in grains and particulates processing.

This study evaluated differences in the efficiency of ozonation process to reduce the natural contamination of two mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), in wheat grains and particulate products. Three different products were used, each one representing a different structure and mycotoxin distribution: (1) wheat grains, with natural mycotoxin distribution inside and among the grains; (2) homemade pellets, with homogenous mycotoxin distribution; (3) ground homemade pellets, with homogeneous mycotoxin distribution, and smaller particles. The ozonation of naturally contaminated wheat grains did not reduce the concentrations of DON and ZEN.

Starch modification through environmentally friendly alternatives: a review.

Starch is a versatile and a widely used ingredient, with applications in many industries including adhesive and binding, paper making, corrugating, construction, paints and coatings, chemical, pharmaceutical, textiles, oilfield, food and feed. However, native starches present limited applications, which impairs their industrial use. Consequently, starch is commonly modified to achieve desired properties.

Interferon-Based Biopharmaceuticals: Overview on the Production, Purification, and Formulation.

The advent of biopharmaceuticals in modern medicine brought enormous benefits to the treatment of numerous human diseases and improved the well-being of many people worldwide. First introduced in the market in the early 1980s, the number of approved biopharmaceutical products has been steadily increasing, with therapeutic proteins, antibodies, and their derivatives accounting for most of the generated revenues. The success of pharmaceutical biotechnology is closely linked with remarkable developments in DNA recombinant technology, which has enabled the production of proteins with high specificity.

Evaluation of ozone technology as an alternative for degradation of free gossypol in cottonseed meal: a prospective study.

Free gossypol is a toxic compound which naturally occurs in cottonseed and its derivates, affecting animal and possibly human health. Consequently, alternatives for gossypol destruction must be evaluated. This work evaluated the emerging technology of ozone processing for free gossypol destruction in cottonseed meal.

Dry heating treatment: A potential tool to improve the wheat starch properties for 3D food printing application.

The futuristic technology of three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive manufacturing that allows obtaining creative and personalized food products. In this context, the study of food formulations (named as "inks") to be processed through 3D printing is necessary. This work investigated the use of dry heating treatment (DHT), a simple and safe method, to improve the wheat starch properties aiming to produce hydrogels to be used as "inks" for 3D printing.

Dual-process of starch modification: Combining ozone and dry heating treatments to modify cassava starch structure and functionality.

This work evaluated for the first time the effect of dual modification of cassava starch by using ozone (O) and dry heating treatment (DHT). The dual modification was capable to promote fissures on the surface of the starch granule (DHT + O), affected the starch amorphous domains, presented greater degree of starch oxidation (DHT + O) and different profiles of starch molecular size distribution. These modifications resulted in starches with different properties.

Nucleolin as a potential biomarker for canine malignant neoplasia.

Human nucleolin (NCL) is a multifunctional protein that is involved in diverse pathological processes. Recent evidences have shown that NCL is markedly overexpressed on the surface of most human cancer cells when compared to normal cells, being overexpressed in several malignant cells. Based on the exposed, the purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the expression pattern of NCL in canine malignant neoplasia and control groups.

Brain-Targeted Delivery of Pre-miR-29b Using Lactoferrin-Stearic Acid-Modified-Chitosan/Polyethyleneimine Polyplexes.

The efficacy of brain therapeutics is largely hampered by the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), mainly due to the failure of most (bio) pharmaceuticals to cross it. Accordingly, this study aims to develop nanocarriers for targeted delivery of recombinant precursor microRNA (pre-miR-29b), foreseeing a decrease in the expression of the BACE1 protein, with potential implications in Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. Stearic acid (SA) and lactoferrin (Lf) were successfully exploited as brain-targeting ligands to modify cationic polymers (chitosan (CS) or polyethyleneimine (PEI)), and its BBB penetration behavior was evaluated.