Development of Buckwheat Starch‐Capric Acid Complex‐Based Film: Process Optimization and Film Characterization

ABSTRACT To overcome the limitations of starch usage alone, the film formation ability of the buckwheat starch‐capric acid complex (BS‐CA) was optimized, and the films were characterized. Significant models were obtained for tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus (YM) of BS‐CA film ( p < 0.0001). The glycerol/starch ratio, temperature, and their interactions were significant in the YM model ( R 2 is 0.9851). The BS‐CA film had a better water vapor barrier (0.463 ± 0.02 g mm/m 2 h kPa), with lower water solubility (WS) (34.18 ± 1.70%) and moisture content (MC) (16.87 ± 0.09%) than the buckwheat starch (BS) film ( p < 0.05). It had lower thickness (0.073 ± 0.00 mm) and TS (0.624 ± 0.04 MPa) but higher elasticity (114.60 ± 3.12%). The non‐covalent interactions were determined between BS and CA, since new peaks were not observed in the film's FTIR spectrum. BS‐CA film had a typical V‐type crystalline structure and had slightly lower decomposition temperatures than the BS film. Contact angle measurements (55.19° ± 1.7), and images of AFM topography and SEM showed that the BS‐CA film surface was hydrophilic; height and average roughness values were 1014 and 276 nm, respectively, which were quite higher than those of BS film. The results reveal that starch modification with fatty acid is a promising way to develop starch‐based films to be used in practical applications.

Alterations in vaginal microbiome in women with short cervix: longitudinal study of microbial diversity and impact of vaginal progesterone treatment

ABSTRACT Objectives A short cervix is a known risk factor for preterm birth, and imbalances in the vaginal microbiome, such as low relative abundance of Lactobacillus , may be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the vaginal microbiome between women with a short cervix and those with normal cervical length in the second trimester. Additionally, we aimed to assess longitudinal changes in microbial diversity during pregnancy, as well as the impact of vaginal progesterone treatment on vaginal microenvironment in women with a short cervix. Methods This was a prospective, longitudinal study conducted at Koc University Hospital between January 2020 and May 2023, in women with a singleton pregnancy with a short cervical length (≤ 25 mm) in the second trimester (20 + 0 to 24 + 6 weeks' gestation). After diagnosis of short cervix, administration of 200 mg vaginal progesterone daily was initiated. The control group comprised women with a normal cervical length (> 25 mm) in the second trimester, matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Cervicovaginal swabs were collected from the posterior fornix at three gestational‐age ranges: in the first trimester (11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks), the second trimester (20 + 0 to 24 + 6 weeks) and the third trimester (28 + 0 to 34 + 6 weeks), and cervical length was measured following sample collection. DNA was extracted and the 16S rRNA bacterial gene was sequenced to analyze and compare the vaginal microbiome between women with a short cervix and controls. We also assessed the microbiome longitudinally in each group, across the first, second and third trimesters. In the short‐cervix group, we also compared the microbiome before initiation of progesterone treatment in the second trimester and 4 weeks after its initiation. Results Among 490 pregnant women who underwent first‐trimester screening during the study period and had vaginal swabs collected, short cervical length was detected in 31 at the second‐trimester scan. These women formed the study group. A further 27 women, with a normal cervical length, were matched for BMI and age and assigned to the control group. During the second trimester, women with a short cervix exhibited greater species diversity compared with the control group; this was suggested by the higher Shannon index (0.45 vs 0.33; P  = 0.135), which reflects species richness and evenness, and further demonstrated by the higher Chao index (20.2 vs 13.8; P  = 0.018), which estimates species richness. In the second trimester, Lactobacillus was less abundant in women with a short cervix than in the control group, although the difference did not reach significance (86.8% vs 95.5%; P  = 0.091). At the phylum level, in women with a short cervix compared to those with normal cervical length, the relative abundance of Firmicutes, to which the genus Lactobacillus belongs, was significantly lower (90.7% vs 97.6%; P  = 0.041), while the relative abundances of both Bacteroidota (1.73% vs 0.4%; P  = 0.004) and Proteobacteria (0.2% vs 0.01%; P  = 0.007) were higher. In the second trimester, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus gasseri was significantly lower in women with a short cervix compared to controls (4.7% vs 13.8%; P  = 0.023). In the longitudinal analysis of the vaginal microbiome, there were no significant differences among the trimesters in the control group. In contrast, in those with a short cervix, there was a notable decrease in the amount of Lactobacillus crispatus , from 55.0% in the first trimester to 36.1% in the second trimester ( P  = 0.052). In women with a short cervix, there was no significant difference in bacterial diversity after vs before progesterone treatment (Chao index, 22.6 vs 20.5; P  = 0.609). Conclusion These findings highlight the significant alterations in the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women with a short cervix in comparison to those with normal cervical length, particularly in terms of higher species diversity and distinct community composition. The study also shows that vaginal progesterone treatment in women with a short cervix does not alter the vaginal microbiome, suggesting that it is a safe and effective intervention without disrupting the vaginal microbial balance. Understanding the relationship between cervical length and the vaginal microbiome is essential for developing strategies to reduce the risk of preterm birth in high‐risk populations. © 2025 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Novel Photodynamic Inactivation Strategy for Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 on Eggshells: Exploiting the Antimicrobial Potential of Curcumin and Carvacrol

ABSTRACT Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a new and promising strategy for eliminating foodborne pathogenic bacteria in food preservation, reducing associated health risks for consumers. This study aimed to develop an innovative PDI‐based system to inactivate Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 on eggshells. The system includes 405 nm light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) and the application of curcumin or carvacrol as photosensitizers. The antibacterial activity of the system was investigated in eggshells inoculated with S . Enteritidis PT4 at different temperatures (4, 25, and 37°C) and exposure times (15, 30, and 45 min). Carvacrol + LEDs application was completely inhibited S . Enteritdis PT4 at 4 (after 30 min), 25, and 37°C at the 45th min. Curcumin + LED completely inhibited bacterial growth after 45 min at 4 and 25°C. The results showed that simultaneous use of carvacrol or curcumin with LEDs at various temperatures exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the bacteria depending on the exposure time. The application of curcumin or carvacrol sourced via PDI in the originally developed system resulted in any significant changes in egg quality parameters and sensory properties. This study demonstrated that PDI‐based system using curcumin or carvacrol as photosensitizers could be a potential tool for decontamination of eggs contaminated with S . Enteritidis PT4.

Perturbing a quantum black hole

We analyze the analytic structure of correlators in the field theory dual tothe quantum Ba\~{n}ados-Teitelboim-Zanelli (qBTZ) black hole, a braneworldmodel incorporating exact backreaction from quantum conformal matter. We firstcompute the quasi-normal mode (QNM) spectrum of operators with dimension$\Delta$ and spin $s=0,\pm 1/2$. The leading QNMs and their overtones displayqualitatively different behavior depending on the branch of qBTZ solution,which corresponds to distinct CFT states: branch 1 is a conical singularitydressed with a horizon while branch 2 is a quantum-corrected BTZ black hole.Consequently, the relaxation of probe matter effectively differentiates the CFTstates and identifies the corresponding bulk descriptions. We then turn topole-skipping locations where Green's functions are not unique. At thesepoints, frequency is proportional to temperature, but momentum exhibits complextemperature dependence due to quantum effects. Under the assumption that thepole-skipping point closest to the origin reflects quantum chaos, we infer thelikely behavior of the quantum Lyapunov exponent and butterfly velocity in thedual theory. Finally, we examine pole collisions in complex momentum space,showing that quantum corrections imprint a unique signature on the analyticstructure of the poles in retarded Green's functions, resulting inlevel-crossing phenomena that differ notably from the level-touching phenomenain the uncorrected BTZ geometry.

A novel approach for improving formation of soft zone in 22MnB5 and DP600 materials by resistance spot welding

The role of resveratrol in delivering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic defense against nephrotoxicity generated by titanium dioxide

Thiamine pyrophosphate may protect indomethacin-induced small intestinal enteropathy in rats by inhibiting intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress

Association of lysyl oxidase expression with clinicopathological features in colorectal adenocarcinomas

No superior method for analgesia after total knee arthroplasty: randomised controlled comparison of adductor canal block combined with iPACK block versus posterior capsule block

‘Disc degeneration in distal unfused segments: cause or consequence of adding-on after posterior fusion of lenke 3c, 5c, 6c adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?’