The European Union Publications Office has recently presented a report on the European Union\'s coordinated action with the Joint Research Centre to determine certain fraudulent practices in the honey sector, in which it has been indicated that 74% of the samples analyzed, imported from China, and 93% of the samples analyzed, imported from Turkey, the two largest honey producers worldwide, presented at least one indicator of exogenous sugar or suspicion of being adulterated. This situation has revealed the critical state of the problem of honey adulteration worldwide and the need to develop analytical techniques for its detection. Even though the adulteration of honey is carried out in a general way with sweetened syrups derived from C4 plants, recent studies have indicated the emerging use of syrups derived from C3 plants for the adulteration of honey. This kind of adulteration makes it impossible to analyze its detection using official analysis techniques. In this work, we have developed a fast, simple, and economical method based on the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique, with attenuated total reflectance, for the qualitative, quantitative, and simultaneous determination of beetroot, date, and carob syrups, derived from of C3 plants; whose available bibliography is very scarce and analytically not very conclusive for its use by the authorities. The proposed method has been based on the establishment of the spectral differences between honey and the mentioned syrups at eight different points in the spectral region between 1200 and 900 cm-1 of the mid-infrared, characteristic of the vibrational modes of carbohydrates in honey, which allows the pre-discrimination of the presence or absence of the syrups studied, and their subsequent quantification, with precision levels lower than 2.0% of the relative standard deviation and relative errors lower than 2.0% (m/m).

Environmental contamination by micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is well documented with potential for their increased accumulation globally. Growing public concern over environmental, ecological, and human exposure to MNPs has led to exponential increase in publications, news articles, and reports (Casillas et al., 2023). Significant knowledge gap exists in standardized analytical methods for the identification and quantification of MNPs from real world environmental samples. Here, we report comprehensive datasets utilizing thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) coupled to a Fourier transformed infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and a gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) with corresponding Raman spectral data for the most common polymers documented to be present in the environment (35 plastics of 12 polymer types), to serve as a base line reference for the identification and quantitation of MNPs. Various parameters for TGA-FTIR-GC/MS data acquisition were optimized. Commercial consumer plastic product compositions were identified using this analytical database. Case studies to showcase the utility of the method for polymer mixtures analysis is included. This dataset would serve towards the development of a collaborative, global, comprehensive, and curated public database for the identification of various MNPs and mixtures.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the remineralizing ability of three glass ionomers on demineralized dentin with different thicknesses and time periods. Fifty third molars were obtained and were sectioned into 1-, 2-, and 3-mm thick slices (n = 36 for each thickness). The specimens were demineralized with 18% EDTA for 2 h. From the glass ionomer cements (GICs) under study (Ketac Molar Aplicap, Equia Forte, or Riva Light Cure), 1 mm was placed over each slice, set, and preserved in PBS until observation after 1, 7, 14, and 28 days after placement. For each material, thickness, and time, three samples were prepared. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), apatite formation was determined on the side opposite to that on which the material had been placed. By means of Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), the changes in the Calcium/Phosphate (Ca/P) ratio were evaluated. These changes were compared between the different materials by means of a two-way ANOVA test, considering time and dentin thickness, for a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: FTIR showed a peak at 1420 cm-1, evidencing the presence of carbonated hydroxyapatite in all the materials after 14 days, which indicates that a remineralization process occurred. Riva Light Cure showed the most homogeneous results at all depths at 28 days. The Ca/P ratio was maximum at 7 days in 2 mm of dentin for Riva Light Cure and Equia Forte HT (3.16 and 3.07; respectively) and for Ketac Molar at 14 days in 1 mm (3.67). All materials induced remineralization. Equia Forte achieved the greatest effect at 2 mm and Ketac Molar at 1 mm, whereas Riva Light Cure showed similar results at all depths. In terms of Ca/P ratio, Equia Forte and Riva Light Cure remineralized best at 2 mm, whereas for Ketac Molar, it was 1 mm. Carbonate apatite formation was higher at 24 h and 7 days for Ketac Molar, whereas it decreased at 14 days for Ketac Molar and peaked in Riva Light Cure and Equia Forte.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stands out for its aggressive, fast spread, and highly metastatic behavior and for being unresponsive to the classical hormonal therapy. It is considered a disease with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Among the mechanisms that contribute to TNBC spreading, attention has been recently paid to small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), nano-sized vesicles that by transferring bioactive molecules to recipient cells play a crucial role in the intercellular communication among cancer, healthy cells, and tumor microenvironment. In particular, TNBC-derived sEVs have been shown to alter proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, and biomechanical properties of target cells. To shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in sEVs mediation of cell biomechanics, we investigated the effects of sEVs on the main subcellular players, i.e., cell membrane, cytoskeleton, and nuclear chromatin organization. Our results unveiled that TNBC-derived sEVs are able to promote the formation and elongation of cellular protrusions, soften the cell body, and induce chromatin decondensation in recipient cells. In particular, our data suggest that chromatin decondensation is the main cause of the global cell softening. The present study added new details and unveiled a novel mechanism of activity of the TNBC-derived sEVs, providing information for the efficient translation of sEVs to cancer theranostics.

Background Chitosan is a biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic natural polymer that can be fabricated by different methods for use in dental and biomedical fields. Electrospinning can produce polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds and membranes with desirable properties for use in tissue engineering. The objectives of this study were to investigate several morphological, physical, and biological characteristics of these nanofibrous scaffolds and evaluate their potential use in tissue engineering. Methodology Chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous scaffolds (CS/PVA NFS) in a ratio of 70/30 were fabricated by conventional electrospinning. The scaffolds were evaluated chemically by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and morphologically by the atomic force microscope (AFM) and the field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). These scaffolds were also evaluated mechanically by a tensile strength test and several investigations, including water contact angle, swelling ratio, and degradation ratio. Biological evaluations included protein adsorption, cell culture, and cell viability assay. Results The morphological evaluation revealed a homogenous, bead-free mat with an average fiber diameter of 172.7 ± 56.8 nm, an average pore size of 0.54 ± 0.17 µm, and porosity of 74.8% ± 3.3%; the scaffolds showed a tensile strength of 6.67 ± 0.7 Mpa. Scaffolds showed a desired hydrophilic property, as shown by the water contact angle test with a mean angle of 29.5°, while the swelling ratio was 229%, and degradability in phosphate buffer solution after 30 days was 26.9 ± 2.9%. In-vitro cell culture study with adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells and cell viability and cytotoxicity tests by MTT assay demonstrated well-attached cells with increasing proliferation rate with no signs of cytotoxicity. Conclusions Assessment of the CS/PVA NFS revealed randomly oriented bead-free and porous mats. The scaffolds were stable at aqueous solutions following thermal treatment. They were hydrophilic, biodegradable, and biocompatible, as shown by the cell culture and MTT assay, which suggest that the fabricated scaffolds have the potential to be used in tissue engineering applications either as scaffolds, bio-grafts, or barrier membranes.

This study analyzed the impact of adhesive primer and light-curing on the polymerization kinetics of urethane dimethacrylate-based self-adhesive resin cement combined with free radical reaction. Specimens were prepared by mixing the cement paste with or without adhesive primer. Subsequently, specimens were light-cured or set without light-curing. The degree of conversion (DC), Vickers hardness (Hv), and free radical concentrations were repeatedly measured up to 168 h after the curing initiation. Irrespective of the curing procedures, DC, Hv, and free radical concentration rapidly increased during the initial 30 min of curing. The specimens cured with adhesive primer and/or light-curing generally showed higher values of DC, Hv, and radical concentration than those set by chemical curing alone, especially during the initial polymerization phase. Kinetic analysis using a linear mixed model revealed that the adhesive primer had a higher coefficient estimate than light-curing, indicating that the former had a higher impact on the polymerization. Additionally, the adhesive primer alleviated the Hv reduction caused by water and air during the initial polymerization phase, although light-curing hardly prevented the polymerization inhibition. Therefore, we suggest that application of adhesive primer is beneficial to achieve higher degree of conversion and better mechanical properties of self-adhesive resin cements by enhancing free radical reactions.

An important element of the oil spill emergency response is the ability to rapidly identify the properties of oil spilled. Chemometrics provides large numbers of multivariate analysis tools that allow for more extensive use of data. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy coupled with classification and prediction models such as partial least square (PLS) and PLS-DA (discriminant analysis) allows the rapid identification of oil type and characteristics. By searching for the maximum covariance with the variables of interest, PLS allows the visualization of relations between samples and variables. The framework of this study is based on two main steps: The first is classification of oil and the second is prediction of physicochemical properties. Separated into four main categories: crude, light fuel, heavy fuel, and lubricant, spectrums of 92 oils were calibrated to predict the oil type and physicochemical properties of 26 oils. The predictability and robustness of the model was further validated using weathered oil. The classification and prediction models have accuracy of >95%. Most of the PLS models have root mean square error of calibration and prediction ranging from 0.10-3.07 and 0.3-2.8, respectively. External cross validations using weathered oils showed high prediction accuracy (relative standard deviations <5%). By increasing the number of oil type and samples, this approach is a promising method and can be included as part of the oil spill fingerprinting protocols.

Over the past decades, graphene has attracted much attention from the scientific community due to its broad applications in the optoelectronics industries [1]. Owing to graphene\'s high transmission and high electrical conductivity, diverse functional materials/graphene hybridized heterostructures and interfaces are under extensive investigation to satisfy the increasing interest in the need for bendable, flexible and high performance optoelectronic devices [2]. Due to the good atomic lattice structure of graphene, varying heterostructures have been formed by depositing different functional materials directly on graphene [3], [4], [5]. We fabricated a vertical photovoltaic type G/PbS/Ti device by making use of the Ti/PbS Schottky junction and discussed the photocurrent transient characteristics. Lead sulfide (PbS) was deposited directly on large area CVD (Chemical vapor deposition) graphene by CBD (Chemical bath deposition). Temperature dependent photocurrent spectra of our G/PbS/Ti photovoltaic devices were measured by a Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) set-up. In this paper, we present the experimental procedures and the raw experimental data for the direct chemical deposition of PbS on CVD-graphene for high performance photovoltaic infrared photo-detectors. The manuscript is already available [6].

Rifaximin (RFX) exhibit polymorphism and commercial formulation contains the α form. The polymorphic transformation of the RFX in the drug product have significant effect on the clinical outcome. The focus of present work was to understand effect of formulation component and manufacturing method, and exposure to stability condition on polymorphic stability and dissolution of RFX tablets. The RFX tablets containing 2.5, 5 and 10% glyceryl palmitostearate (GPS) were manufactured by direct-compression and wet-granulation followed by compression. Ethanol was used as a granulating solvent. The tablets were packed in pharmacy vials and exposed to 40 °C/75% RH for four weeks. The tablets were characterized for polymorphic form by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), assay and dissolution. Before exposure to stability condition, dissolution ranged from 78.0 ± 2.3 to 81.9 ± 3.5%, and 72.7 ± 2.0 and 75.9 ± 5.8% in directly compressed and ethanol-granulated formulations, respectively. GPS amount of 10% caused a decrease in dissolution albeit insignificant (p > 0.05). The polymorphic forms of RFX were α and γ in directly compressed and ethanol-granulated formulations, respectively. There was a decrease in dissolution rate and extent after exposure to 40 °C/75% RH in directly compressed formulations. On the other hand, only dissolution rate was affected in ethanol-granulated formulations. The dissolution ranged from 52.8 ± 2.0 to 70.0 ± 3.0% in directly compressed formulations after four weeks exposure to 40 °C/75% RH exposure. A decrease in dissolution was linked to polymorphic transformation of the drug and GPS in the formulations after exposure to stability condition. XRPD and FTIR data indicated α to β transformation in directly compressed formulations while no polymorphic change was observed in ethanol-granulated formulations. In conclusion, this study clearly showed effect of formulation and manufacturing variables, and stability exposure on the polymorphic stability and dissolution of RFX, which may have clinical ramification.

The current study describes novel and quick methods for the quantification of K+ and Na+ in banana leaves using Horiba Laqua twin ion meters. Foliar K+ and Na+ content measured by ion meter significantly correlated with standard test values by coefficients of 0.83 and 0.46, respectively. About 48 absorbance values associated with potassium concentrations at wave numbers (1581 to 1583 and 3194 to 3410 cm-1) and 15 sodium associated wave numbers (3773 to 3996 cm-1) predicted potassium and sodium content with regression coefficients of 0.999 and 0.588, respectively. K+ and Na+ cations of fresh leaves in seven banana varieties were quantified using ion meters and new information of differences in the foliar potassium and sodium contents was found between banana varieties within the AAB group. The Rasbali (Silk subgroup) variety possessed greater potassium (5413 mg/L) and sodium (188 mg/L) ions than Amti (Mysore subgroup).