Oxysterols Protect Epithelial Cells Against Pore-Forming Toxins.

Many species of bacteria produce toxins such as cholesterol-dependent cytolysins that form pores in cell membranes. Membrane pores facilitate infection by releasing nutrients, delivering virulence factors, and causing lytic cell damage - cytolysis. Oxysterols are oxidized forms of cholesterol that regulate cellular cholesterol and alter immune responses to bacteria.

Corrigendum to design data for the 3D printer modification to print gels and pastes and the corresponding firmware.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.

Dual stimuli-sensitive carrageenan-based formulation for additive manufacturing.

The design and development of controlled release systems of molecules of interest (nutrients, flavors, and drugs) have attracted significant attention over several years. Herein, we report a formulation of dual temperature and electro responsive κ- and ι-carrageenan based hydrogel for efficient food material and drug delivery. The microstructure and the thermal behavior of the hydrogel were characterized.

Design data for the 3D printer modification to print gels and pastes and the corresponding firmware.

In order to deposit gel and paste-like materials, a commercially available HICTOP Prusa i3 plastic 3D printer was modified. The modification included replacing the existing plastic microextruder with a customised 3D printed syringe pump which could hold a syringe containing the printing material. The arrangement also allowed the temperature in the syringe to be controlled.

How to Formulate for Structure and Texture via Medium of Additive Manufacturing-A Review.

Additive manufacturing, which is also known as 3D printing, is an emerging and growing technology. It is providing significant innovations and improvements in many areas such as engineering, production, medicine, and more. 3D food printing is an area of great promise to provide an indulgence or entertaining experience, personalized food product, or specific nutritional needs.

The Neuronal Encoding of Oral Fat by the Coefficient of Sliding Friction in the Cerebral Cortex and Amygdala.

Fat in the diet contributes to the pleasant mouthfeel of many foods, but overconsumption may contribute to obesity. Here we analyze what properties of fat in the mouth are sensed, by analyzing the responses of neurons in the macaque insular taste cortex, and two areas to which it projects the orbitofrontal cortex where the pleasantness of fat is represented, and the amygdala. We discovered that the firing rate responses of these fat-responsive neurons are correlated with the coefficient of sliding friction (CSF) and not with viscosity which reflects food thickness.

Interaction of Mannitol and Sucrose with Gellan Gum in Freeze-Dried Gel Systems.

The effect of sucrose and mannitol addition to low-acyl (LA) gellan gum gels at both the molecular and macroscopic levels prior to, and after freeze-drying has been investigated. It has been shown that the gel network order as well as the mechanical properties are changed with the solute content, especially in the case of sucrose. The freeze-dried gel structure, containing either mannitol or sucrose, was studied, reporting for the first time the interaction of mannitol with the gellan gum gel.

What has become of critique? Reassembling sociology after Latour.

This paper offers a defence of sociology through an engagement with Actor Network Theory (ANT) and particularly the critique of 'critical' and politically engaged social science developed by Bruno Latour. It argues that ANT identifies some weaknesses in more conventional sociology and social theory, and suggests that 'critical' and 'public' orientated sociologists can learn from the analytical precision and ethnographic sensibilities that characterize ANT as a framework of analysis and a research programme. It argues, however, that Latour et al.

Lipid Based Nanosystems for Curcumin: Past, Present and Future.

Curcumin is one of the principle bioactive compounds used in the ayurvedic medicine system that has the history of over 5000 years for human use. Curcumin an "Indian Gold" is used to treat simple ailments like the common cold to severe life threatening diseases like cancer, and HIV. Though its contribution is immense for the health protection and disease prevention, its clinical use is limited due to its susceptible nature to alkaline pH, high temperature, presence of oxygen and light.

The application of tribology in assessing texture perception of oral liquid medicines.

The palatability of medicines is likely to have a significant impact on patient adherence and consequently, on the safety and efficacy of a medicinal product. Palatability encompasses properties of medicines not limited to taste including swallowability (e.g.

Size dependence of shape and stiffness of single sessile oil nanodroplets as measured by atomic force microscopy.

This article presents results and guidelines on the quantitative analysis of size, shape, and stiffness of single sessile oil droplets in air and in water. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) facilitates the analysis of micro- and nanoscale droplets which are of growing importance for agrochemicals, cosmetics, or foodstuffs containing emulsions with nanoscale compartments or droplets. Measurement of droplet shape and stiffness provides information on the contact angle with the support surface as well as the interfacial tension of the liquid-liquid interface.