Fermented tea leave extract against oxidative stress and ageing of skin in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to develop a natural and stable anti-oxidative stress and anti-ageing ingredient. In this study, we evaluated the changes in white tea leaves fermented with Eurotium cristatum PLT-PE and Saccharomyces boulardii PLT-HZ and their efficacy against skin oxidative stress. METHODS: We employed untargeted metabolomics technology to analyse the differential metabolites between tea extract (TE) and fermented tea extract (FTE). In vitro, using H2O2-induced HaCaT cells, we evaluated cell vitality, ROS, and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6). Additionally, we verified the effects on the extracellular matrix and nuclear DNA using fibroblasts or reconstructed skin models. We measured skin hydration, elasticity, wrinkle area, wrinkle area ratio, erythema area, and erythema area ratio in volunteers after using an emulsion containing 3% FTE for 28 and 56 days. RESULTS: Targeted metabolomics analysis of white tea leaves yielded more than 20 differential metabolites with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, including amino acids, polypeptides, quercetin, and liquiritin post-fermentation. FTE, compared to TE, can significantly reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protect against oxidative stress-induced skin damage in H2O2-induced HaCaT cells. FTE can inhibit H2O2-induced collagen degradation by suppressing the MAPK/c-Jun signalling pathway and can also mitigate the reactive oxygen species damage to nuclear DNA. Clinical studies showed that the volunteers' stratum corneum water content, skin elasticity, wrinkle area, wrinkle area ratio, erythema area, and erythema area ratio significantly improved from the baseline after 28 and 56 days of FTE use. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the growing body of literature supporting the protective effects against skin oxidative stress and ageing from fermented plant extracts. Moreover, our findings might inspire multidisciplinary efforts to investigate new fermentation techniques that could produce even more potent anti-ageing solutions.

OBJECTIF: L'objectif est de développer un ingrédient naturel et stable contre le stress oxydatif et anti­âge. Dans cette étude, nous avons évalué les modifications dans les feuilles de thé blanc fermentées avec la PLT­PE Eurotium cristatum et la PLT­HZ Saccharomyces boulardii et leur efficacité contre le stress oxydatif cutané. MÉTHODES: Nous avons utilisé une technologie de métabolomique non ciblée pour analyser les métabolites différentiels entre l'extrait de thé (ET) et l'extrait de thé fermenté (ETF). In vitro, à l'aide de cellules HaCaT induites par l'H2O2, nous avons évalué la vitalité cellulaire, les ERO et les facteurs inflammatoires (TNF­α, IL­1ß, and IL­6). Nous avons également vérifié les effets sur la matrice extracellulaire et l'ADN nucléaire à l'aide de fibroblastes ou de modèles cutanés reconstruits. Nous avons mesuré l'hydratation de la peau, l'élasticité, la surface de rides, le rapport des surfaces de rides, la surface d'érythème, et le rapport des surfaces d'érythème chez des volontaires ayant utilisé une émulsion contenant 3% d'ETF pendant 28 et 56 jours. RÉSULTATS: L'analyse métabolomique ciblée des feuilles de thé blanc a révélé plus de 20 métabolites différentiels ayant des activités antioxydantes et anti­inflammatoires, notamment des acides aminés, des polypeptides, de la quercétine et de la liquiritine après fermentation. Par rapport à l'ET, l'ETF peut réduire significativement les espèces réactives de l'oxygène (ERO) et protéger contre les lésions cutanées induites par le stress oxydatif dans les cellules HaCaT induites par l'H2O2. L'ETF peut inhiber la dégradation du collagène induite par l'H2O2 en supprimant la voie de signalization MAPK/c­Jun et peut également atténuer les dommages causés par les espèces réactives de l'oxygène à l'ADN nucléaire. Les études cliniques ont montré que la teneur en eau de la couche cornée des volontaires, l'élasticité de la peau, la surface de rides, le rapport des surfaces de rides, la surface d'érythème et le rapport des surfaces d'érythème se sont significativement améliorés par rapport à la référence après 28 et 56 jours d'utilisation d'ETF. CONCLUSION: Cette étude contribue au corpus croissant de littérature soutenant les effets protecteurs des extraits de plantes fermentées contre le stress oxydatif cutané et le vieillissement. En outre, nos résultats pourraient inspirer des efforts pluridisciplinaires pour étudier de nouvelles techniques de fermentation susceptibles de produire des solutions anti­âge encore plus puissantes.

What defines dry skin? Correlating a range of skin hydration parameters with In Vivo Confocal Raman Spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: While there are a wide range of approaches for the assessment of skin hydration, it is not always clear how data from them relate to one another or to the skin itself. With the development of in vivo Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (ICRS), it has become possible to measure water concentration as a function of protein/depth within the stratum corneum (SC). This article reports a comparison between electrical skin hydration measures/visual/optical grading and water concentration profiles measured using ICRS, to better understand the relationship between these approaches. METHODS: SC hydration of lower-leg skin with varying degrees of dryness was assessed using visual grading (live and from digital images), Corneometer®, Visioscan and ICRS. In addition, a custom fingerprint sensor was used to image surface capacitance (as a surrogate of SC hydration), and SC barrier function was assessed using evaporimetry (to measure trans-epidermal water loss; TEWL). RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between a number of different skin grading/measurement approaches and ICRS data. ICRS hydration profiles also revealed a region near the SC surface with a relatively flat water profile in dry skin subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The advent of quantitative in vivo analytical techniques such as ICRS, which can be used in a clinical setting, has enabled greater insight into more conventional approaches for assessing skin dryness. While traditional skin grading and biophysical methods for measuring skin hydration have varying degrees of correlation with one another, they also provide comparatively unique information about different regions within the SC. This should enable a more informed approach to product development in the future.

OBJECTIF: Bien qu'il existe un large éventail d'approches pour évaluer l'hydratation de la peau, la façon dont les données qui en résultent sont liées les unes aux autres ou à la peau elle­même n'est pas toujours claire. Avec le développement de la spectroscopie Raman confocale in vivo (ICRS), il est devenu possible de mesurer la concentration en eau en fonction du rapport protéine/profondeur au sein de la couche cornée (stratum corneum, SC). Cet article rapporte une comparaison entre les mesures électriques ou la classification visuelle/optique de l'hydratation de la peau et les profils de concentration en eau mesurés à l'aide de l'ICRS, afin de mieux comprendre la relation entre ces approches. MÉTHODES: L'hydratation du SC de la peau de la partie inférieure de la jambe avec différents degrés de sécheresse a été évaluée à l'aide d'une classification visuelle (en direct et à partir d'images numériques), du Corneometer®, du Visioscan et de l'ICRS. En outre, un capteur d'empreintes digitales personnalisé a été utilisé pour visualiser la capacité de surface (en tant que substitut de l'hydratation du SC) et la fonction de barrière du SC a été évaluée par évaporimétrie (pour mesurer la perte d'eau transépidermique ; trans­epidermal water loss, TEWL). RÉSULTATS: Des corrélations significatives ont été observées entre un certain nombre d'approches différentes de classification/mesure de la peau et les données ICRS. Les profils d'hydratation de l'ICRS ont également révélé une région près de la surface du SC ayant un profil d'eau relativement plat chez les sujets atteints de sécheresse cutanée. CONCLUSIONS: L'avènement de techniques d'analyse in vivo quantitatives telles que l'ICRS, qui peut être utilisée dans un contexte clinique, a permis de mieux comprendre les approches plus conventionnelles d'évaluation de la sécheresse cutanée. Bien que les méthodes traditionnelles de classification de la peau et les méthodes biophysiques de mesure de l'hydratation de la peau présentent des degrés de corrélation variables entre elles, elles fournissent également des informations comparativement uniques sur différentes régions au sein du SC. Cela devrait permettre une approche plus éclairée du développement de produits à l'avenir.

Chemical and toxicological characterization of food contact recycled paperboard extracts.

Food contact paperboard poses a potential risk of food contamination due to the possible release of chemicals (intentionally added or not), particularly in recycled paperboard. Water extractions were performed, according to wet food procedures, of paperboard samples collected from a manufacturer at the beginning and the end of a recycling production chain. Chemical analysis and hormonal activities in vitro of water extracts were studied. ICP-MS analysis confirmed the presence of 15 trace elements with lower concentrations after the recycling process, with the exception of chlorine. The chromatographic analyses demonstrated that the identified substances in the starting paperboard, before the recycling process, were approximately twice as high as in the end paperboard, after the recycling process. These substances included also natural wood products, chemical additives, and undesirable substances such as phthalates. Two major products (3,5-di-tert-butylphenol and methyl-2-pyrrolidone) were found in the starting and the end paperboard extracts, respectively. Two common substances were identified in both extracts: 2,4-di-tert-buthylphenol and dehydroabietic acid. Evaluation of potential endocrine disruption showed that the starting paperboard extract exhibited oestrogenic and antiandrogenic effects, while these effects nearly disappeared in the end paperboard extract. These results confirmed that the recycling process was effective in removing most of the contaminant substances.

Rapid Screening of Emergent Febuxostat Adulteration in Functional Foods Based on a Simulation-Inspired High-Quality Antibody.

Due to the potential health risks of adulterated febuxostat in uric-acid-lowering foods, it is urgent to develop rapid detection methods. However, there are no fast analytical techniques for febuxostat yet. Herein, an efficient hapten simulation strategy was proposed to successfully produce a highly sensitive and selective monoclonal antibody toward febuxostat. Based on such a robust recognition element, easy colorimetric and ultrasensitive fluorescent lateral flow immunochromatographic immunoassays were first established, which can detect febuxostat as low as 60 µg/kg by the naked eye or 1.01 µg/kg by a commercial test strip reader with acceptable stability. Furthermore, in the recovery test and blind sample analysis, consistent results between our methods and the authorized liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method suggested the high accuracy and practicality of this work. The present work not only proposes a rational hapten design idea but also provides favorable tools for the rapid screening of febuxostat in functional foods.

LVI and DI-SPME Combined with GC/MS and GC/MS for Volatile Chemical Profile Investigation and Cytotoxic Power Evaluation of Essential Oil and Hydrolate from Cannabis sativa L. cv. Carmagnola.

Cannabis sativa L. is a plant that has been cultivated since ancient times thanks to its various uses. Even its extraction products, such as essential oil and hydrolate, having a varied chemical composition and rich in bioactive components, find wide use in different sectors, gathering ever-increasing interest over time. In this work, the essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. cv. Carmagnola was characterized by using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and, for the first time, the chemical profile of the hydrolate was also described through different analytical techniques such as Large-Volume Injection Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LVI-GC/MS) and Direct Immersion-Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (DI-SPME-GC/MS), in order to provide a more complete compositional profile. The results of the analyses conducted on the hydrolate highlighted a high content of α-terpineol; on the other side, in the essential oil, a prevalence of monoterpenes, with α-pinene and limonene as the characterizing components, was detected. Both matrices were also investigated to evaluate their cytotoxic activity by using a panel of cancer cell lines derived from different histotypes such as melanoma (A375, LOX IMVI), non-small cell lung cancer (H1299, A549), colon (HT29) and pancreatic (L3.6) cancer cell lines. The obtained data demonstrated that essential oil was more effective than hydrolate in terms of reduction in cell viability.

Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic properties of Marrubium vulgare aqueous extract in an animal model.

This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous extract of Marrubium vulgare (AEMV) using various animal models. Several inflammatory models including xylene-induced ear edoema, carrageenan-induced paw edoema, and Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis were employed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of AEMV. LC-MS/MS of AEMV revealed that the major component was Marrubiin, a diterpenoid lactone. AEMV demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in all animal models tested. It effectively reduced ear and paw edoema induced by xylene and carrageenan, respectively. Furthermore, AEMV attenuated arthritis symptoms and hyperalgesia in rats with Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis. Biochemical analyzes revealed normalisation of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, in treated animals. The findings suggest that AEMV possesses promising anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its potential therapeutic application in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Further investigations are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and optimise dosing regimens for clinical use.

Spectral histology of hair and hair follicle using infrared microspectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Today, there is only limited knowledge of the spatial organization of hair chemistry. Infrared microspectroscopy is a well-established tool to provide such information and has significantly contributed to this field. In this study, we present new results combining multiple infrared microspectroscopy methods at different length scales to create a better chemical histology of human hair, including the hair follicle, hair shaft, hair medulla and hair cuticle. METHODS: We used hyperspectral IR imaging & spectroscopy (HIRIS) and synchrotron-radiation FTIR microspectroscopy (SR-µFTIR) to measure transversal hair sections and SR-µFTIR to obtain high-resolution maps of longitudinal sections from the hair shaft and from the hair follicle. We used optical photothermal IR microspectroscopy (OPTIR) to analyse the cuticle surface of intact hairs. RESULTS: By mapping longitudinal sections of the human hair follicle with confocal SR-µFTIR, we report the first demonstration of glycogen presence in the outer root sheath of the hair follicle by spectroscopy, and its quantification at the micron scale. Spectral maps, combined with machine learning-based analysis, enabled us to differentiate the various layers of the hair follicle and provided insights into the chemical changes that occur during hair formation in the follicle. Using HIRIS and SR-µFTIR to analyse the hair medulla in transversal sections of human hairs, we report here, for the first time by vibrational spectroscopy methods, the detection of unsaturated lipids at very low concentrations in the medulla. By analysing longitudinal sections of the hair shaft with SR-µFTIR, we found that calcium carboxylates are present in large regions of the hair cuticle, and not just in small focal areas as previously thought. We then use OPTIR to analyse the hair cuticle of intact hairs at submicron resolution without sectioning and report the distribution of calcium carboxylates at the surface of intact hair for the first time. CONCLUSION: These new findings illustrate the potential of infrared microspectroscopy for imaging the chemical composition of human hair and may have implications for biomedical research or cosmetology.

OBJECTIF: Aujourd'hui, les connaissances sur l'organisation spatiale de la chimie capillaire sont limitées. La microspectroscopie infrarouge est un outil bien établi pour fournir de telles informations et a largement contribué à ce domaine. Dans cette étude, nous présentons de nouveaux résultats combinant plusieurs méthodes de microspectroscopie infrarouge à différentes échelles de longueur pour créer une meilleure histologie chimique des cheveux humains, y compris le follicule pileux, la tige pilaire, la moelle pilaire et la cuticule pilaire. MÉTHODES: Nous avons utilisé l'imagerie et la spectroscopie hyperspectrales infrarouges (Hyperspectral IR Imaging & Spectroscopy, HIRIS) et la microspectroscopie IRTF par rayonnement synchrotron (synchrotron­radiation FTIR microspectroscopy, SR­µFTIR) pour mesurer des coupes transversales de cheveux, et la SR­µFTIR pour obtenir des cartes à haute résolution des coupes longitudinales de la tige pilaire et du follicule pileux. Nous avons utilisé la microspectroscopie photothermique infrarouge optique (Optical Photothermal IR microspectroscopy, OPTIR) pour analyser la surface des cuticules de cheveux intacts. RÉSULTATS: En cartographiant les coupes longitudinales du follicule pileux humain avec la SR­µFTIR confocale, nous rapportons la première démonstration par spectroscopie de la présence de glycogène dans la gaine de la racine externe du follicule pileux, et sa quantification à l'échelle du micron. Les cartes spectrales, combinées à une analyse basée sur l'apprentissage automatisé, nous ont permis de différencier les différentes couches du follicule pileux et de mieux comprendre les changements chimiques qui surviennent pendant la formation des cheveux dans le follicule. En utilisant la méthode HIRIS et la SR­µFTIR pour analyser la moelle pilaire dans les coupes transversales des cheveux humains, nous rapportons ici, pour la première fois par des méthodes de spectroscopie vibrationnelle, la détection de lipides insaturés à de très faibles concentrations dans la moelle. En analysant les coupes longitudinales de la tige pilaire par SR­µFTIR, nous avons constaté que les carboxylates de calcium sont présents dans de vastes régions de la cuticule pilaire, et pas seulement dans de petites zones focales comme on le pensait auparavant. Nous utilisons ensuite la méthode OPTIR pour analyser la cuticule pilaire de cheveux intacts à une résolution inférieure au micron sans sectionner les cheveux et rapportons pour la première fois la distribution des carboxylates de calcium à la surface des cheveux intacts. CONCLUSION: Ces nouveaux résultats illustrent le potentiel de la microspectroscopie infrarouge pour l'imagerie de la composition chimique des cheveux humains et peuvent avoir des implications pour la recherche biomédicale ou la cosmétologie.

Mutations induced in some Egyptian cowpea varieties with yield characteristics and high nutritional value using gamma rays and evaluation by microsatellite markers.

PURPOSE: In order to achieve mutations with enhanced economic, productive, and nutritional characteristics in the two Egyptian cowpea varieties, Dokki 331 and Kaha 1, the application of gamma irradiation at different doses is employed. Additionally, this method aids in distinguishing between these mutations using simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different cowpea cultivars were subjected to varying doses of gamma radiation ranging from 50 to 300 Gy. In order to analyze the effects of radiation, both unirradiated and irradiated seeds from both cultivars were planted using a randomized complete block design. This experiment was conducted over a span of six generations, namely M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, and M6, starting from April 2017 and continuing until 2022. Among the various radiation doses, the cultivar Kaha 1 produced promising traits when exposed to a dose of 150 Gy, while the cultivar Dokki 331 showed favorable traits when exposed to a dose of 300 Gy. These traits were further cultivated and studied until the M6 generation. RESULTS: Induced mutations in two Egyptian cowpea varieties, Kaha 1 and Dokki 331, are subjected to varying doses of gamma radiation (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 Gy). Morphological and genetic variations were observed, with mutations being induced at doses of 150 Gy for Kaha 1 and 300 Gy for Dokki 331. The mutation in Kaha 1 (beam 1) resulted in dwarfism, altered leaf shape, early flowering, increased peduncles, pods, and pod seed numbers, ultimately leading to enhanced seed production and acreage productivity. In Dokki 331, the mutations primarily affected pod color, resulting in greenish-brown pods with mosaic seeds, segregating black and gray seeds from the mosaic ones. These mutations led to an increase in the nutritional value of the seeds, including higher nitrogen content, total free amino acids, crude protein, total carbohydrates, and total sugars. The genetic diversity of the seven cowpea mutations was assessed using 20 microsatellite markers. The analysis revealed a total of 60 alleles, with an average of three alleles per locus. The allele frequency ranged from 0.2857 to 1.0, with an average of 0.6036. Gene diversity varied from 0.0 to 0.8163, while the heterozygosity was mostly zero, except for one primer (VM 37) with an average of 0.0071. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.7913 to 0.0, with an average of 0.4323. The Marker Index value ranged from 0.36 to 0.0, with an average of 0.152. Overall, our findings demonstrate the successful induction of mutations in Egyptian cowpea varieties using gamma rays, resulting in improved yield characteristics and nutritional value. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation as a physical mutagen is highly regarded for its effectiveness, affordability, speed, and safety in inducing mutations. Utilizing gamma rays, we successfully derived a novel cowpea variety called beam 1 mutation, which has gained approval from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.

Prolonged Dark Chemical Processes in Secondary Organic Aerosols on Filters and in Aqueous Solution.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) represents a large fraction of atmospheric aerosol particles that significantly affect both the Earth's climate and human health. Laboratory-generated SOA or ambient particles are routinely collected on filters for a detailed chemical analysis. Such filter sampling is prone to artifactual changes in composition during collection, storage, sample workup, and analysis. In this study, we investigate the chemical composition differences in SOA generated in the laboratory, kept at room temperature as aqueous extracts or on filters, and analyzed in detail after a storage time of a day and up to 4 weeks using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. We observe significantly different temporal concentration changes for monomers and oligomers in both extracts and on filters. In SOA aqueous extracts, many monomers increase in concentration over time, while many dimers decay at the same time. In contrast, on filters, we observe a strong and persistent concentration increase of many dimers and a decrease of many monomers. This study highlights artifacts arising from SOA chemistry occurring during storage, which should be considered when detailed organic aerosol compositions are studied. The particle-phase reactions on filters can also serve as a model system for atmospheric particle aging processes.

Assessing residual fragrances on skin after body washing: Optimization of an analytical method using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop and optimize a method for evaluating the persistence of residual fragrance after body washing, addressing a significant requirement in the development of personal care products. The main objective is to establish a reliable, sensitive and reproducible analytical technique to assess fragrance longevity on skin post-use of body wash products. METHODS: Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to analyse residual fragrances. We investigate the extraction efficiencies of various SPME fibres and compare different methods for sampling skin-emitted fragrances, including tape stripping and sealed glass funnels. A controlled body-washing procedure is implemented to standardize the cleansing process. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that the relative standard deviation for measuring five distinct fragrances is within the range of 3%-14%, highlighting the precision of the method. A notable variance exists in the extraction efficiency of fragrances using different types of SPME fibres, with some exhibiting over a threefold difference. Furthermore, the glass funnel method for fragrance collection demonstrates an 11.7 times greater sensitivity to galaxolide than that of the tape-stripping method. Residual fragrances with base notes as the main components can be detected on the skin up to 24 h after body washing. CONCLUSION: The optimized method for residual fragrance evaluation developed in this study offers a robust tool for analysing fragrance components persisting on the skin for up to 24 h post-wash. This advancement facilitates a deeper understanding of fragrance longevity in personal care products, enabling comparative analyses between different products.

OBJECTIF: l'objectif de cette étude est de développer et d'optimiser une méthode d'évaluation de la persistance du parfum résiduel après la toilette du corps, répondant à une exigence significative dans le développement de produits de soins personnels. L'objectif principal est d'établir une technique analytique fiable, sensible et reproductible pour évaluer la longévité des parfums sur la peau après utilisation de produits de toilette pour le corps. METHODES: la microextraction en phase solide de l'espace de tête (HS­SPME) couplée à la chromatographie en phase gazeuse­spectrométrie de masse (GC­MS) est utilisée pour analyser les parfums résiduels. Nous étudions l'efficacité de l'extraction de diverses fibres SPME et nous comparons différentes méthodes d'échantillonnage des senteurs émises par la peau, y compris le stripping sur ruban adhésif et les entonnoirs en verre scellés. Une procédure contrôlée de lavage du corps est mise en place pour standardiser le processus de nettoyage. RÉSULTATS: nos résultats indiquent que l'écart­type relatif pour mesurer cinq parfums distincts se situe dans la plage de 3% à 14%, ce qui souligne la précision de la méthode. Une variance notable existe dans l'efficacité d'extraction des parfums utilisant différents types de fibres de SPME, certaines présentant plus d'un triplement de différence. En outre, la méthode de l'entonnoir en verre pour la collecte des parfums démontre une sensibilité au galaxolide 11,7 fois supérieure à celle de la méthode de stripping sur ruban adhésif. Les parfums résiduels avec des notes de fond comme principaux composants peuvent être détectés sur la peau jusqu'à 24 h après le lavage du corps. CONCLUSION: la méthode optimisée pour l'évaluation du parfum résiduel développée dans cette étude offre un outil fiable pour analyser les composants du parfum persistant sur la peau jusqu'à 24 heures après le lavage. Cette avancée offre une meilleure compréhension de la longévité des parfums dans les produits de soins personnels, permettant des analyses comparatives entre les différents produits.

Sensitivity-Enhancing Modified Holographic Photopolymer of PQ/PMMA.

Phenanthrenequinone-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PQ/PMMA) photopolymers are potential holographic storage media owing to their high-density storage capacities, low costs, high stability, and negligible shrinkage in volume holographic permanent memory. However, because of the limitations of the substrate, conventional Plexiglas materials do not exhibit a good performance in terms of photosensitivity and molding. In this study, the crosslinked structure of PMMA was modified by introducing a dendrimer monomer, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETA), which increases the photosensitivity of the material 2 times (from ~0.58 cm/J to ~1.18 cm/J), and the diffraction efficiency is increased 1.6 times (from ~50% to ~80%). In addition, the modified material has a superior ability to mold compared to conventional materials. Moreover, the holographic performance enhancement was evaluated in conjunction with a quantum chemical analysis. The doping of PETA resulted in an overall decrease in the energy required for the reaction system of the material, and the activation energy decreased by ~0.5 KJ/mol in the photoreaction stage.

Control de Calidad de las Plantas Medicinales de la Farmacia Natural del CAMEC

Objectives. To evaluate the quality of twenty medicinal plants that are dispensed in the Natural Pharmacy of the CAMEC of the Hospital III Chimbote - Red Asistencial Ancash - EsSalud. Materials and methods. Analytical-descriptive research. Twenty medicinal plants were analyzed: Berberis vulgaris, Bixa orellana, Chuquiraga rotundifolia, Culcitium canescens, Desmodium mollicum, Equisetum arvense, Eupatorium triplinerve, Gentianella alborosea, Geranium ayavacense, Maytenus laevis, Melissa officinalis, Minthostachys setosa, Muehlenbeckia volcanica, Peumus boldus, Phyllanthus niruri, Senecio tephrosioides, Smallanthus sonchifolius, Tiquilia paranychioides, Uncaria tomentosa, Valeriana officinalis. The samples were selected at random (1 bag of 100 g) to which organoleptic analyses such as smell, taste, color, surface characteristics, and texture were carried out, as well as the physical-chemical analysis (phytochemical test). Likewise, it was carried out the aqueous extraction of each plant (infuse or decoct), according to the dose indicated to the patients. Mayer, Wagner, Dragendorff, Fehling, ferric trichloride, Shinoda, and foam tests were also carried out. Finally, total ashes, moisture content, and the determination of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrometry method. Results. Each of the twenty plants analyzed has the organoleptic characteristics of its species. In the qualitative phytochemical analysis, the highest presence of phenols was found. In the total ashes, two plants were found to exceed the limits allowed by the WHO (14%), Eupatorium triplinerve "asmachilca" with 22.027%, and Berberis vulgaris "agracejo" with 15.2843%. In humidity, the values obtained are within the limits allowed by the WHO (12%). In heavy metals, none of the samples showed concentrations higher than the limit value: lead (10 mg/kg), cadmium (0.3 mg/kg), proposed for medicinal herbs by the WHO. Conclusions. The medicinal plants dispensed in the Natural Pharmacy of CAMEC Chimbote comply with the quality parameters established by the WHO.

Objetivos. Evaluar la calidad de veinte plantas medicinales que se dispensan en la Farmacia Natural del CAMEC del Hospital III Chimbote - Red Asistencial Ancash - EsSalud. Materiales y métodos. Investigación analítica-descriptiva. Se analizaron veinte plantas medicinales: Berberis vulgaris, Bixa orellana, Chuquiraga rotundifolia, Culcitium canescens, Desmodium mollicum, Equisetum arvense, Eupatorium triplinerve, Gentianella alborosea, Geranium ayavacense, Maytenus laevis, Melissa officinalis, Minthostachys setosa, Muehlenbeckia volcanica, Peumus boldus, Phyllanthus niruri, Senecio tephrosioides, Smallanthus sonchifolius, Tiquilia paranychioides, Uncaria tomentosa, Valeriana officinalis. Las muestras fueron seleccionadas al azar (1 bolsa de 100 g) a las cuales se les realizaron los análisis organolépticos como olor, sabor, color, características superficiales y textura, así como el análisis físico-químico (ensayo fitoquímico). Asimismo, se realizó la extracción acuosa de cada planta (infuso o decocto), según la dosis indicada a los pacientes. También se llevaron a cabo las pruebas de Mayer, Wagner, Dragendorff, Fehling, tricloruro férrico, Shinoda y espuma. Finalmente se analizaron las cenizas totales, el contenido de humedad y la determinación de metales pesados (plomo y cadmio) por el método de espectrometría de absorción atómica. Resultados. Cada una de las veinte plantas analizadas tiene las características organolépticas propias de su especie. En el análisis fitoquímico cualitativo se encontró la mayor presencia de fenoles. En las cenizas totales se encontraron dos plantas que sobrepasan los límites permitidos por la OMS (14%), Eupatorium triplinerve «asmachilca¼ con 22,027 % y Berberis vulgaris «agracejo¼ con 15,2843 %. En humedad, los valores obtenidos están dentro de los límites permitidos por la OMS (12%). En metales pesados, ninguna de las muestras evidenció concentraciones superiores al valor límite: plomo (10 mg/kg), cadmio (0,3 mg/kg), propuesto para hierbas medicinales por la OMS. Conclusiones. Las plantas medicinales que se dispensan en la Farmacia Natural del CAMEC Chimbote cumplen con los parámetros de calidad establecidos por la OMS.

Metas. Avaliar a qualidade de vinte plantas medicinais que são dispensadas na Farmácia Natural CAMEC do Hospital III Chimbote - Red Asistencial Ancash - EsSalud. Materiais e métodos. Pesquisa analítico-descritiva. Foram analisadas vinte plantas medicinais: Berberis vulgaris, Bixa orellana, Chuquiraga rotundifolia, Culcitium canescens, Desmodium mollicum, Equisetum arvense, Eupatorium triplinerve, Gentianella alborosea, Geranium ayavacense, Maytenus laevis, Melissa officinalis, Minthostachys setosa, Muehlenbeckia volcanica, Peumus boldus, Phyllanthus niruri , Senecio tephrosioides, Smallanthus sonchifolius, Tiquilia paranychioides, Uncaria tomentosa, Valeriana officinalis. As amostras foram selecionadas aleatoriamente (1 saco de 100 g) às quais foram realizadas análises organolépticas como odor, sabor, cor, características de superfície e textura, além de análises físico-químicas (teste fitoquímico). Da mesma forma, foi realizada a extração aquosa de cada planta (infusão ou decocção), de acordo com a dose indicada aos pacientes. Também foram realizados testes de Mayer, Wagner, Dragendorff, Fehling, tricloreto férrico, Shinoda e espuma. Por fim, as cinzas totais, o teor de umidade e a determinação de metais pesados ​​(chumbo e cádmio) foram analisados ​​pelo método de espectrometria de absorção atômica. Resultados. Cada uma das vinte plantas analisadas possui as características organolépticas de sua espécie. Na análise fitoquímica qualitativa foi encontrada maior presença de fenóis. Nas cinzas totais foram encontradas duas plantas que ultrapassam os limites permitidos pela OMS (14%), Eupatorium triplinerve "asmachilca" com 22,027% e Berberis vulgaris "barberry" com 15,2843 %. Na umidade, os valores obtidos estão dentro dos limites permitidos pela OMS (12%). Nos metais pesados, nenhuma das amostras apresentou concentrações superiores ao valor limite: chumbo (10 mg/kg), cádmio (0,3 mg/kg), proposto para ervas medicinais pela OMS. Conclusões. As plantas medicinais dispensadas na Farmácia Natural CAMEC Chimbote cumprem os parâmetros de qualidade estabelecidos pela OMS.

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.): A potential small mighty giant in the field of cosmeceuticals.

Background and Aims: Natural products are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries due to their high-value bioactive compounds, which make for "greener" and more environmentally friendly ingredients. These natural compounds are also considered a safer alternative to antibiotics, which may result in antibiotic resistance as well as unfavorable side effects. The development of cosmeceuticals, which combine the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields to create skincare products with therapeutic value, has increased the demand for unique natural resources. The objective of this review is to discuss the biological properties of extracts derived from larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens), the appropriate extraction methods, and the potential of this insect as a novel active ingredient in the formulation of new cosmeceutical products. This review also addresses the biological actions of compounds originating from the BSF, and the possible association between the diets of BSF larvae and their subsequent bioactive composition. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify and evaluate the various biological properties of the BSF. Results: One such natural resource that may be useful in the cosmeceutical field is the BSF, a versatile insect with numerous potential applications due to its nutrient content and scavenging behavior. Previous research has also shown that the BSF has several biological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects. Conclusion: Given the range of biological activities and metabolites possessed by the BSF, this insect may have the cosmeceutical potential to treat a number of skin pathologies.

Revolutionizing food science with mass spectrometry imaging: A comprehensive review of applications and challenges.

Food science encounters increasing complexity and challenges, necessitating more efficient, accurate, and sensitive analytical techniques. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) emerges as a revolutionary tool, offering more molecular-level insights. This review delves into MSI's applications and challenges in food science. It introduces MSI principles and instruments such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, desorption electrospray ionization, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, highlighting their application in chemical composition analysis, variety identification, authenticity assessment, endogenous substance, exogenous contaminant and residue analysis, quality control, and process monitoring in food processing and food storage. Despite its potential, MSI faces hurdles such as the complexity and cost of instrumentation, complexity in sample preparation, limited analytical capabilities, and lack of standardization of MSI for food samples. While MSI has a wide range of applications in food analysis and can provide more comprehensive and accurate analytical results, challenges persist, demanding further research and solutions. The future development directions include miniaturization of imaging devices, high-resolution and high-speed MSI, multiomics and multimodal data fusion, as well as the application of data analysis and artificial intelligence. These findings and conclusions provide valuable references and insights for the field of food science and offer theoretical and methodological support for further research and practice in food science.

From Green Synthesis to Diverse Applications: Exploring the Environmentally Viable Potential of Silver Nanocomposites with Biodegradable Polymers.

In the realm of environmentally conscious materials science, the integration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with biodegradable polymers to form innovative nanocomposites has sparked notable discourse and research. This review delves comprehensively into the synthesis, properties, and environmental implications of said AgNPs/biodegradable polymer nanocomposites. Leveraging the unique physicochemical attributes of silver nanoparticles, these nanocomposites are portrayed as promising platforms for delivery, sensing, and antimicrobial applications. The nanocomposites made of AgNPs with biodegradable polymers, however, extend beyond utility, demonstrating a commitment to minimizing ecological impact. Contrary to traditional non-degradable polymers that litter our environments and oceans, these green alternatives yield lesser waste, reduce energy use, and limit the emission of volatile organic compounds, thereby aligning with global efforts towards sustainability. Our review strives to substantiate the environmental viability of these nanocomposites, whilst elaborating on their diverse commercial potential.

Chemical composition from photos: Dried solution drops reveal a morphogenetic tree.

Under nonequilibrium conditions, inorganic systems can produce a wealth of life-like shapes and patterns which, compared to well-formed crystalline materials, remain widely unexplored. A seemingly simple example is the formation of salt deposits during the evaporation of sessile droplets. These evaporites show great variations in their specific patterns including single rings, creep, small crystals, fractals, and featureless disks. We have explored the patterns of 42 different salts at otherwise constant conditions. Based on 7,500 images, we show that distinct pattern families can be identified and that some salts (e.g., Na2SO4 and NH4NO3) are bifurcated creating two distinct motifs. Family affiliations cannot be predicted a priori from composition alone but rather emerge from the complex interplay of evaporation, crystallization, thermodynamics, capillarity, and fluid flow. Nonetheless, chemical composition can be predicted from the deposit pattern with surprisingly high accuracy even if the set of reference images is small. These findings suggest possible applications including smartphone-based analyses and lightweight tools for space missions.

The Potential of Using Bisr Date Powder as a Novel Ingredient in Biscuits Made of Wheat Flour Only or Mixed with Barley.

An overproducing date fruit with limited industrial utilization leads to significant waste and losses, especially in the early stage of date maturity known as bisr. This study aimed to investigate the potential use of bisr date powder (BDP) at different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%) as a natural sweetener instead of sugar and barley flour as a source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals instead of wheat flour (50%) in biscuit production over storage periods of 7, 14, and 21 days. The analysis revealed that the bisr Al-Khalas powder sample had a moisture content of 11.84%, ash content of 2.30%, and crude fiber content of 10.20%. Additionally, it had a low protein (2.50%) and fat (0.77%) content, with total carbohydrates at 82.59%. The gradual substitution of bisr Al-Khalas in biscuit production resulted in an increased moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, and iron content, as well as a decrease in total carbohydrate percentage. A chemical analysis of bisr Al-Khalas powder demonstrated high levels of antioxidants, with 248.49 mg gallic acid/g of phenolic compounds, 31.03 mg quercetin/g of flavonoids, and an antioxidant activity ranging from 42.30%, as shown by the DPPH test. The peroxide content was 0.009 mg equivalent/kg. Biscuit samples with different proportions of bisr Al-Khalas showed an improved resistance to oxidation compared to samples without bisr Al-Khalas, with increased resistance as the percentage of replacement increased during storage. Physical properties such as the diameter, height, and spread percentage, as well as organoleptic properties like color, flavor, aroma, and taste, were significantly enhanced with higher levels of bisr Al-Khalas in the mixture. Biscuit samples fortified with 100% pure bisr Al-Khalas powder were found to be less acceptable, while samples with a 25% substitution did not negatively impact sensory properties. In addition, acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were not detected in bisr powder and biscuit samples prepared at different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%). In conclusion, the study suggests that bisr Al-Khalas powder, an underutilized waste product, has the potential to add value to commercial biscuit production due to its high nutritional value and extended storage period resulting from its potent antioxidant activity.

Comparison of pre- and post-implantation of Indonesian-made plates in fracture patients: Functional, radiological, biomechanical and chemical analyses.

Bone implants are important in the recovery of fractures and degenerative diseases. Although many implants have been marketed, study on Indonesian-made plates is still limited. The aim of this study was to assess the patients' functional and radiological improvements and biomechanical and chemical changes of Indonesian-made plates used in long bone fractures. retrospective study was conducted at Semen Gresik Hospital, Gresik, Indonesia. This study included adult patients with long bone fractures who had surgeries with Indonesian plates. Functional improvement (assessed using disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) or lower extremity functional scale (LEFS)) and radiological data (assessed using radiographic union score (RUS)) were assessed in week 4 and month 6, 12, and 15 after surgery. Biomechanical changes (hardness and roughness test) and chemical analysis were assessed after 15 months of use. The normality of the data was tested with Shapiro-Wilk while data analysis was conducted using paired Student t-test or Friedman test as appropriate with type of data. Our data indicated that the DASH and LEFS functional scores had significant improvement over the follow-ups indicating functional recovery. RUS scores also improved over time, indicating a good healing process. Hardness tests on post-surgery implants showed a decrease in hardness of 7.3% and an increase of 3.3% in roughness. Chemical analysis showed a reduction in chemical levels in the implant of 7.8%, indicating durability and minimal toxicity. This study highlights that Indonesian implants have been proven safe to use in fractures. Further examinations with a larger sample and a longer duration of monitoring are recommended for stronger validity.

Allergens grouping names on packaging: Are the substances similar enough to ensure safety? The worst case scenarios question this.

OBJECTIVE: European Commission Regulation (EU) n°2023/1545 introduced the concept of grouping names in the cosmetics sector in July 2023. These groups bring together allergenic substances with the same level of skin sensitization. Their purpose is to lighten the list of ingredients on cosmetic packaging, by grouping together substances deemed to be similar under the same name. As this classification is based on a single toxic effect - skin sensitization - the present study aims to analyse the relevance of these groupings with regard to other toxic effects of substances in the same group. METHODS: This study was carried out by consulting an available database, various reports from 5 committees, 2 books and 5 articles in order to complete the toxicological profile of each substance. Then, in order to highlight any discrepancies within the classification, the worst cases were identified. For this purpose, the data for each substance in a group were compared, and in the event of greater criticality for a toxic effect, this was qualified as a worst case. In addition, similar toxic effects between several substances within the same group were also recorded. The aim of this additional research was to validate the definition of the grouping name and the similarities between substances in the same group. RESULTS: From the 17 grouping names, 5 presented worst cases. Two groups had 2 worst cases and the others only one. In total, from the 7 worst cases detected, 3 were due to the toxic effect "skin irritation". In most cases, the substances in the groupings shared the presence or absence of risk. Only the degree of risk criticality varied. CONCLUSION: Classification by grouping names appears justified regarding the similarities between substances, particularly in terms of skin sensitization. However, the presence of worst cases qualifies it and highlights the importance of being vigilant when assessing the risk of cosmetic products including these grouping names in their list of ingredients.

OBJECTIF: Le règlement (UE) n°2023/1545 de la Commission européenne a introduit la notion de « grouping names ¼ dans le domaine des cosmétiques en juillet 2023. Ces groupes rassemblent des substances allergènes ayant le même niveau de sensibilisation cutanée. Ils ont pour objectif d'alléger la liste des ingrédients figurant sur les emballages des produits cosmétiques, en regroupant sous un même nom des substances jugées similaires. Cette classification étant fondée sur un seul effet toxique ­ la sensibilisation cutanée ­ la présente étude vise à analyser la pertinence de ces regroupements au regard des autres effets toxiques des substances d'un même groupe. MÉTHODES: Cette étude a été réalisée en consultant une base de données disponible, différents rapports de 5 comités, 2 livres et 5 articles afin de compléter le profil toxicologique de chaque substance. Ensuite, afin de mettre en évidence les divergences au sein de la classification, les cas de criticité plus importante ont été identifiés. Pour ce faire, les données de chaque substance d'un groupe ont été comparées, et en cas de criticité supérieure d'un effet toxique, celui­ci a été qualifié de « worst case ¼. En outre, les effets toxiques similaires entre plusieurs substances d'un même groupe ont également été enregistrés. L'objectif de cette recherche complémentaire était de valider la définition du « grouping name ¼ et les similitudes entre les substances d'un même groupe. RÉSULTATS: Sur les 17 « grouping names ¼, 5 présentaient des « worst cases ¼. Deux groupes présentaient deux « worst cases ¼ et les autres un seul. Au total, sur les 7 « worst cases ¼ détectés, 3 étaient dus à l'effet toxique "irritation cutanée". Dans la plupart des cas, les substances des groupes partagent la présence ou l'absence de risque. Seul le degré de criticité du risque variait. CONCLUSION: La classification par « grouping names ¼ semble justifiée au regard des similitudes entre les substances, notamment en termes de sensibilisation cutanée. Cependant, la présence de « worst cases ¼ la nuance et souligne l'importance d'être vigilant lors de l'évaluation du risque des produits cosmétiques incluant ces « grouping names ¼ dans leur liste d'ingrédients.