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The crystallization behavior of 1,2,3-tripalmitoyl glycerol or PPP using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-optical polarized light microscopy and in situ synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD) techniques was precisely examined under static isothermal and dynamic thermal treatments, and the results were compared with preceding studies. PPP was rapidly (15 °C min−1) cooled to target temperatures (from 40 to 59 °C) to determine the precise moment at which crystallization was initiated. Once crystallization ceased, polymorphic transformation and melting were analyzed during subsequent heating. α form was crystallized during isotherms from 40 to 46 °C, temperature at which it coexisted with β′ phase. The latter was solely formed from 47 to 53 °C, and polymorphic crystallization was directed to obtain exclusively most stable β at 54 °C and higher temperatures. Nucleation time values for the α, β′ and β polymorphs exhibited exponential growth type, and a good correlation was found between data obtained by DSC and SR-XRD. Dynamic experiments were based on the use of high (15 °C min−1), intermediate (2 °C min−1) and low (0.5 and 0.1 °C min−1) cooling and heating rates. Thermo-optical polarized light microscopy experiments also provided valuable information on microstructural changes occurring during polymorphic modifications. Less stable forms predominated at high cooling rates, whereas lower velocities leaded the polymorphic crystallization to obtain more stable forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract There is an increasing imperative to explore safer alternatives for pesticides due to their indiscriminate use and consequential health impacts on the environment and humans. Nanoformulations of pesticides are being developed as potential alternatives due to their beneficial properties, including enhanced solubility, targeted delivery to the site of action, improved stability and efficacy and reduced non-target effects. Nevertheless, a comprehensive assessment is necessary for these emerging nanopesticides compared to existing formulations, aiming to ascertain whether their "nano" characteristics exacerbate toxicity for non-target organisms. This study investigated the toxicity of tebuconazole (TBZ) in different formulations, including nanoformulations (poly-ε-caprolactone [PCL] and nanostructured lipid carrier [NLC] loaded with TBZ), as well as a commercial formulation, on the reproduction of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in both aqueous and soil matrices. Additionally, the impact of the correspondent nanocarriers without TBZ on C. elegans was examined. In water, TBZ in the form of nano and commercial formulations exhibited higher toxicity on the nematodes' reproduction than the TBZ (a.s.) attributable to higher freely dissolved concentrations of TBZ, which resulted in a toxicity order, ranging from the most to the least toxic as follows: NLC-TBZ > PCL-TBZ > commercial formulation > TBZ (a.s.). For NLC-TBZ, the excess toxicity could be clearly explained by combined toxicity of TBZ (a.s.) and nanocarriers, with the effect addition of the separate single compounds matching the observed effects of the nanoformulation. For PCL-TBZ, effects were stronger than expected from the effect addition of TBZ (a.s.) and PCL nanocarriers, potentially due to enhanced bioavailability of encapsulated TBZ in the gut of the nematodes. In soil, NLC with and without loaded TBZ showed higher toxicity than other tested compounds, while PCL nanocarriers without TBZ did not exhibit negative effects on the reproduction of C. elegans. Microcosm experiment, where long-term effects on native soil nematode fauna were tested, confirmed that TBZ-nanoformulations act via combined toxic effects of TBZ and nanocarriers. These findings contribute valuable insights to understanding nanopesticides' ecotoxicity and underscore the need for harmonized regulatory assessments to evaluate these novel formulations adequately.

Abstract Donepezil-HCl is a member of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and has many side effects. In this study, to reduce the side effects of Donepezil-HCl and increase the penetration of the drug through the blood-brain barrier, we aimed to design a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation. The effects of the different formulation parameters, such as homogenization speed, sonication time, lipid and drug concentration, surfactant type and concentration, and volume of the aqueous phase, were assessed for optimization. The particle size and PDI increased with increasing lipid concentration but decreased with increasing amounts of surfactant (Tween 80) and co-surfactant (lecithin). When the homogenization rate and sonication time increased, the particle size decreased and the encapsulation efficiency increased. The optimized formulation exhibited particle size, PDI, encapsulation efficiency, and zeta potential of 87.2±0.11 nm; 0.22±0.02; 93.84±0.01 %; -17.0±0.12 mV respectively. The in vitro release investigation revealed that approximately 70% of Donepezil-HCl was cumulatively released after 24 hours. TEM analysis proved that spherical and smooth particles were obtained and formulations had no toxic effect on cells. The final optimized formulation could be a candidate for Donepezil-HCl application in Alzheimer’s treatment with reduced side effects and doses for patients.

[Display omitted] • Identification of measurable structural hierarchy levels of crystalline lipids. • Mechanistic understanding of lipid crystallization from molecule to bulk material. • Shear rate dependent lamellar height distribution of lipids. • Morphology-rheology correlation using polarized light microscopy and laser diffraction spectroscopy. • Topography of crystal clusters and crystallites using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. The crystallization behavior of lipids is relevant in many fields such as adipose tissue formation and regeneration, forensic investigations and food production. Using a lipid model system composed of triacylglycerols, we study the formation of crystalline structures under laminar shear flows across various length scales by polarized light-, scanning electron-, and atomic force microscopy, as well as laser diffraction spectroscopy. The shear rate during crystallization γ ̇ cryst influences the acyl-chain length structure and promotes domain growth into the flow direction thereby transforming the crystallites from oblate into prolate particles. Concentration dependent aggregation of crystallites into clusters is the rate limiting step for floc and floc network formation. At high γ ̇ cryst , fast crystallite cluster formation at smaller equilibrium diameters is promoted. The high crystallite cluster concentration induces their aggregation into flocs which form weak networks. At low γ ̇ cryst , floc generation is limited by the low amount of crystallite clusters leading to slow growth of larger flocs and forming of strong networks. The findings in this work have potential implications ranging from the design of injectable soft tissue fillers for adipose tissue regeneration, to the crystalline network formation in microorganism derived lipids, up to a more energy-efficient production of chocolate confectionery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zidovudine (Azidothymidine, AZT) is widely used in the treatment of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and related conditions, either alone or in combination with other antiviral agents to combat HIV. AZT is a Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) class III drug and has various disadvantages. Thus, AZT is a potential candidate for delivery via lipid-based drug delivery system. Materials and Methods: In the present work, solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) of Zidovudine were developed for sustaining the drug release, to overcome or to reduce the hepatic metabolism and to ensure optimal bioavailability. A total of sixteen formulations of Zidovudine loaded solid lipid microparticles in two groups viz., one with tripalmitin and another with trimyristin were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Results: The average particle size and entrapment efficiency of the prepared SLM varied between 5.48 µm-10.64 µm and 46.92 % and 58.39% respectively. The release of zidovudine from the SLM varied between 70.47% and 100% at the end of 24 hrs. 80% of the drug release which is required for obtaining the optimal therapeutic concentration was achieved by SLM 8. Conclusion: Formulation SLM 8 was considered best with maximum sustainability in the drug release along with maintaining therapeutic optimum. The formulation was found stable under stressed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research work, we hypothesized to predict the nanoparticulate system, best suited for targeted delivery of filgrastim. Significance: Targeted delivery of filgrastim to bone marrow is required to decrease the incidence of neutropenia/febrile neutropenia. This is achieved by nanoparticulate systems, duly designed by bioinformatics approach. The targeted delivery of filgrastim in nanoparticulate system was achieved by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. Two matrices comprising PLGA and SLN (tripalmitin, core component of SLN system) were modeled separately with proposed drug filgrastim. Energy minimization of all systems was done using the steepest descent method. PLGA and tripalmitin systems were equalized at 310 °C, at 1 bar pressure with Berendsen barostat for 200 ps using a v-rescale thermostat for 100 ps. Atomistic MD simulations of four model system and mass density of interacting systems were calculated. The mass density maps of each nanoparticle system, that is, PLGA and tripalmitin showed an increase in density toward the end of the simulation. The contact numbers attained equilibria with the average number of approx.. 1500 contacts in case of tripalmitin–filgrastim system. While PLGA–filgrastim system shows lesser contacts as compared to tripalmitin with average contacts of approx. 1000.The binding free energy was predicted to be −1104 kJ/mol in tripalmitin–filgrastim complex and −421 kJ/mol in PLGA–filgrastim system. Findings of study revealed that both nanoparticle systems assumed to be good model for drug-carrier systems. Though SLN systems were thought to be more appropriate than PLGA, still the in vivo findings could ascertain this hypothesis in futuristic work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polymorphic structures adopted by deuterated tripalmitin on cooling have been characterised using neutron diffraction. • For shear studies, simultaneous rheological data from a Couette cell was collected with neutron diffraction data. • Tripalmitin was observed to directly transform from a liquid phase to a β polymorph under the influence of shear. • Temperature at which β transition occurs is independent of shear rate, but shear forces influence crystalline order. This neutron diffraction study of deuterated tripalmitin has provided further insight into a forensic observation of the crystallisation of lipids under high-shear conditions. To achieve this, an experimental set up was designed to enable simultaneous rheological data from a Couette cell to be recorded with neutron powder diffraction, enabling the influence of shear on the polymorph transformation on cooling to be monitored in real time. Tripalmitin was observed to directly transform from a liquid phase to a β polymorph under the influence of shear. Although the liquid to β transition was not observed to be influenced by shear rate, the degree of crystallinity, qualitatively denoted by an increase in the sharpness of the diffraction peaks, was observed at higher shear rates. Evidence is also presented that the rate of cooling influences the ordering in the β-polymorph produced in zero shear conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is widely used in combination with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) for separating and detecting lipids in various food samples. ELSD responses of different lipids were evaluated to elucidate the possibilities and challenges associated with quantification by means of HPLC-ELSD. Not only the number and type of polar functional groups but also the chain length and degree of unsaturation of (free or esterified) fatty acids (FAs) had a significant effect on ELSD responses. Tripalmitin and trilinolein yielded notably different ELSD responses, even if their constituting free FAs produced identical responses. How FA structure impacts ELSD responses of free FAs is thus not predictive for those of triacylglycerols and presumably other lipids containing esterified FAs. Because ELSD responses of lipids depend on the identity of the (esterified) FA(s) which they contain, fully accurate lipid quantification with HPLC-ELSD is challenging and time-consuming. Nonetheless, HPLC-ELSD is a good and fast technique to semi-quantitatively compare the levels of different lipid classes between samples of comparable FA composition. In this way, lipid profiles of different flours from near-isogenic wheat lines could be compared.

This work investigates the molecular interactions within the main triacylglycerols constitutive of palm oil, all having a key role in the multi-step dry fractionation process. Identification of these interactions is possible thanks to the establishment of binary and ternary phase diagrams, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) at variable temperature. The following systems were selected: PPP-POP, PPP-OPP, PPP-POO, POP-OPP, POP-POO, OPP-POO, PPP-POP-POO and PPP-OPP-POO (P: palmitic acid and O: oleic acid), and analyzed in direct mode (heating at 5 °C/min., after melting and quenching at −60 °C), and after tempering for three months at 20 °C (tempered mode). DSC makes it possible to bring out crystallization and melting phenomena associated to polymorphic transitions, which are further characterized (crystalline forms) by XRD. The results show that unsaturated are poorly soluble in fully saturated triacylglycerols, that the intersolubility decreases in proportion to the number of unsaturated fatty acids, that positional isomerism (POP/OPP) has a major impact, that OPP may induce formation of molecular compounds and that co-crystallization properties are highly modified by tempering depending on the polymorphic properties of the systems. This provides a better understanding and allows for effective control of the palm oil dry fractionation process.

Background: α-Cyclodextrin (α-CD), a soluble dietary fiber, may improve abnormal plasma lipids and promote weight loss. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may exert these effects by binding dietary fat and reducing absorption; this has not been tested in humans.Objective: The primary objective was to test whether supplemental α-CD increases fecal content of dietary lipid in humans.Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study completed at the Mayo Clinic. Eight healthy volunteers, 5 premenopausal women and 3 men ages 23-54 y with body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) 18-27, underwent 2 separate study visits with a ≥2-wk washout period. The first morning of each visit volunteers consumed a standardized breakfast (14.5% protein, 27.5% fat, 60% carbohydrate, and 1.5 kcal/mL) containing [14C]tripalmitin and [3H]triolein with 2 g of α-CD or placebo, followed by 2 g of α-CD or placebo per meal for 2 more days. Volunteers consumed 100 g/d of dietary fat. Feces were collected for 72 h after the labeled breakfast to measure radiotracer content and total fecal fat. Radiotracer appearance in plasma TGs was measured at intervals after the labeled meal as a secondary outcome.Results: Virtually no 3H radiotracer, but an average of ∼20% of the 14C radiotracer was recovered in fecal lipids, with no difference between α-CD and placebo. Total fecal fat content and radiotracer appearance in postprandial plasma TGs did not differ between the α-CD and placebo treatments. Plasma appearance of 14C-TG was 37% ± 14% less (P < 0.0001) than 3H-TG.Conclusions: α-CD supplementation did not increase loss of dietary lipid in stool or total fecal fat compared with placebo in healthy adults. Greater stool loss and lesser appearance in plasma TGs of tripalmitin-derived [14C] compared with triolein-derived [3H] TGs imply different metabolic handling of these 2 dietary fat tracers. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03002168. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is still ambiguity surrounding the application of the Avrami model to estimate kinetic parameters and growth dimension of crystallizing fats. In order to overcome this ambiguity, adjustments to the Avrami model are proposed. This research shows that isothermal palm oil (PO) crystallization is a stepwise process characterized by different consecutive kinetic segments, when dividing the Avrami equation into sub-domains following the study by Narine, Humphrey, and Bouzidi (2006) for an extended Avrami model. Thus, the Avrami model needs to be applied to each step separately. These sub-domains were merged to derive an average global rate constant that demonstrates the crystallization rates of fats follow bell-shaped curves depending on temperature, corroborating the fundamental crystallization literature. Applying this extended Avrami model to three different geographic origins of PO (Ghana, Colombia and Ecuador), the progression and maximum of these bell-shaped curves were found to be highly correlated with the tripalmitin to triolein (PPP/OOO) ratio of PO. Thus, we were able to advance the findings of Narine et al. (2006) and show the applicability of the Avrami model to describe the crystallization process of POs of different geographic origins and its blends with palm stearin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High lipid heterotrophic microalgae (HM) Schizochytrium limacinum is a good dietary source of long‐chained polyunsaturated fatty acids. HM biomass has successfully been used in aquafeeds. However, the high saturated fatty acid content of the triacylglycerol (TAG) could limit the applications of HM as a main feed lipid source. Enzymatic interesterification of HM oil with unsaturated oils may increase the utilization efficiency and remove the technical challenges in using such oils. In the present study, extracted oil from HM biomass (Alltech Inc.) with rapeseed oil are mixed, and interesterified enzymatically with either Lipozyme RM IM or Lipozyme 435 in reactions with no, addition or 5% addition, of distilled water. The experimental oil mixes are formulated to target a total fatty acid profile similar to fish oil. No addition of water to the reaction mixture leads to more efficient TAG recovery after interesterification. Overall, enzymatic interesterification of HM and rapeseed oils with Lipozyme RM IM produces oils with lower levels of tri‐saturated TAG isomers, higher content of TAG isomers with unsaturated fatty acids and a lower slip melting point. Animal studies need to be performed to evaluate the biological effects of interesterified against unprocessed highly unsaturated oils. Practical Applications: Heterotrophic microalgal oil as a pure product could have limited application in feeds and foods due to its structural content of triacylglycerol (TAG) with saturated fatty acids in all three positions, due to both nutritional and practical reasons. Enzymatic interesterification of HM oil with rapeseed oil is in the present study shown to be an efficient technology to produce oils with more desirable TAG composition and reduced melting point for feed and food applications compared to the original raw material. Content of selected triacylglycerol (TAG) isomers in rapeseed oil (RO), extracted heterotrophic microalgae (HM) oil, and oil mixtures following enzymatic interesterification in reaction with no addition of water (Trial 2) by the use of Lipozyme 435 or Lipozyme RM IM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of adding monoacylglycerols (MAGs) to triacylglycerols (TAGs) on the crystallisation properties in a fat system. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised light microscopy (PLM) methods were used for the analysis. Different MAGs (monoolein--O, monopalmitin--P, and monolaurin--L) were added at 1, 3, and 5% (w/w) to TAG samples, namely (triolein--OOO, tripalmitin--PPP, and tristearin--SSS). DSC results showed that the addition of MAGs changed the crystallisation of the TAGs (PPP, SSS, and OOO). The same MAG may exhibit different behaviours (induction or retardation of crystallisation) depending on the proportion added. The addition of 5% (w/w) of MAG to TAG (PPP and SSS) delayed the crystallisation process, while the best proportion of added MAGs to promote crystallisation was 3% (w/w). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to formulate and characterize properties of solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) dispersion containing quercetin. SLN was prepared by ultrasonication method using tripalmitin and lecithin as lipid core and then the surface was coated with chitosan. Entrapment efficiency was greater than 99%, and mean particle size of SLN was 110.7 ± 1.97 nm with significant increase in the coated SLN (c-SLN). Zeta potential was proportionally increased and reached plateau at 5% of chitosan coating with respect to tripalmitin. Differential scanning calorimetry showed disappearance of endothermic peak of quercetin in SLNs, indicating conversion of crystalline state to amorphous state. FTIR study of SLNs showed no change in the spectrum of quercetin, which indicates that the lipid and chitosan were not incompatible with quercetin. When coating amount was greater than 2.5% of tripalmitin, particle size and zeta potential were very stable even at 40°C up to 90 days. All SLN dispersions showed significantly faster release profile compared to pure quercetin powder. At pH 7.0, the release rate was increased in proportion to the coating amount. Interestingly, at pH 3.0, chitosan coating of 5.0% or greater decreased the rate. Cellular uptake of quercetin was performed using Caco-2 cells and showed that all SLN dispersions were significantly better than quercetin dispersed in distilled water. However, cellular uptake of quercetin from c-SLN was significantly lower than that from uncoated SLN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvent systems are not readily available for the separation of very nonpolar compounds by countercurrent chromatography (CCC). In this study we therefore evaluated the suitability of room temperature ionic liquids (IL) in organic solvents for the CCC separation of the extremely nonpolar lipid compounds tripalmitin (PPP) and cholesteryl stearate (CS). The four IL tested were [C 10 mim][OTf], [C 2 mim][NTf 2 ], [P66614][NTf 2 ], and [P66614][Cl]. Search for a CCC-suited solvent system started with solubility studies with fourteen organic solvents. Following this, combinations were made with one organic solvent miscible and one organic solvent immiscible with IL (147 combinations). Twenty-four initially monophasic mixtures of two organic solvents became biphasic by adding IL. Several unexpected results could be observed. For instance, n- hexane and n- heptane became biphasic with [P66614][Cl]. Further nine systems became biphasic although the IL was not miscible in any of the two components. These 33 solvent systems were investigated with regard to phase ratio, settling time, share of IL in the upper phase and last not least the K U/L values of PPP and CS, which were 8.1 and 7.7 respectively. The most promising system, n- heptane/chloroform/[C 10 mim][OTf] (3:3:1, v/v/v ) allowed a partial separation of PPP and CS by CCC which was not achieved beforehand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of their day, sample environment professionals can be confronted by numerous technical challenges applicable to a range of scientific questions. This paper presents three successful outcomes from user-posed sample environment challenges for in situ neutron scattering experiments undertaken at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (formerly the Bragg Institute). The sample environments presented here have nothing in common other than their novelty. They may not be the best solution but have been constrained by time, resources and ability. The questions the users posed were: Can we mount a cylinder in cylinder (CIC) rheometer, more regularly used on a small angle scattering instrument, on a diffraction instrument and obtain usable data? Can we supply high-voltage (up to 10 kV) across a sample within the Paris-Edinburgh press while mounted on a powder diffraction instrument? And finally can a Lakeshore 340 and an in-house built liquid conductivity cell do the job of a commercial liquid conductivity meter? This paper presents the engineering and equipment solutions that were used to answer these questions, and in each case the scientific users left with useful, intriguing and, hopefully, publishable data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context:Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNPs) are polymeric nanoparticles enveloped by lipid layers, which have emerged as a potent therapeutic nanocarrier alternative to liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles. Objective:The aim of this work was to develop, characterize and evaluate LPNPs to deliver a model protein, lysozyme. Materials and methods:Lysozyme-loaded LPNPs were prepared by using the modified w/o/w double-emulsion-solvent-evaporation method. Poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) was used as polymeric core material and tripalmitin:lechitin mixture was used to form a lipid shell around the LPNPs. LPNPs were evaluated for particle size distribution, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency,in vitrodrug release, stability and cytotoxicity. Results:The DLS measurement results showed that the particle size of LPNPs ranged from 58.04 ± 1.95 nm to 2009.00 ± 0.52 nm. The AFM and TEM images of LPNPs demonstrate that LPNPs are spherical in shape. The protein-loading capacity of LPNPs ranged from 5.81% to 60.32%, depending on the formulation parameters. LPNPs displayed a biphasic drug release pattern with a burst release within 1 h, followed by sustained release afterward. Colloidal stability results of LPNPs in different media showed that particle size and zeta potential values of particles did not change significantly in all media except of FBS 100% for 120 h. Finally, the results of a cellular uptake study showed that LPNPs were significantly taken up by 83.3% in L929 cells. Conclusion:We concluded that the LPNPs prepared with PCL as polymeric core material and tripalmitin:lechitin mixture as lipid shell should be a promising choice for protein delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystallization behavior of lipids has important implications in industrial processing of food products, whose physical characteristics depend largely on crystallized fats. The study of the crystallization behavior and polymorphism of a pure lipid system is of great scientific importance as a means of gaining an understanding of the phenomena involved, serving as basic knowledge to help guide the addition or removal of these compounds in different raw materials. The crystallization behavior and polymorphism of pure tripalmitin (PPP) and tristearin (SSS) were investigated by Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) under different crystallization conditions. The polymorphic forms (β′ and β) of PPP and SSS exhibited different morphologies depending on how they were obtained, either from α form recrystallization or from isotropic melt. Crystallization in the β form was faster in SSS than in PPP, indicating that the process occurs faster in TAGs composed of longer fatty acid chains. Both β′ and β polymorphic forms were obtained from α form recrystallization, albeit with predominance of the β form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetic study of crystallization in purification process has not been well, because the models has not adjusted the experimental data. In the system, tripalmitin - triolein with higher molar fractions at upper 40º C. Only crystallized tripalmitin. It uses two models, called Avrami and D. The model D adjusted very well the experimental data, the Avrami was not. At molar fraction 1, were not differences between two models, thus at this point, the nuclei formation was simultaneous, and in molar fractions lower than 1, the nuclei formation was continuous.

Abstract: In the brain, astrocytes play an essential role with their multiple functions and sophisticated structure, as surrounded by a fractal environment which has not been available in our traditional cell culture. Water-repellent fractal tripalmitin (PPP) surfaces can imitate the fractal environment in vivo, so the morphology and biochemical characterization of astrocytes on these surfaces are examined. Water-repellent fractal PPP surface can induce astrocytes to display sophisticated morphology with smaller size of cell area, longer and finer filopodium-like processes, and higher morphological complexity. The super water-repellent fractal PPP surface with water contact angle of 150°∼160° produces the maximal effects compared with other surfaces at lower water contact angles. The trends of characteristic protein expression, including that of nestin, vimentin, GFAP and glutamine synthetase, for astrocytes cultured on super water-repellent fractal PPP surfaces approximate more to in vivo pattern. The super water-repellent PPP surface also render astrocytes to perform more pronounced promotion of neurogenesis by increasing the release of nerve growth factor in a co-culture system. Altogether, our results suggest that the super water-repellent fractal PPP surface facilitates the astrocytes to mimic their in vivo performance, thus provides a closer-to-natural culture environment for experimental assessment of glial structure and functions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of blending triacylglycerols (TAGs) and diacylglycerols (DAGs) on the melting and crystallization properties in a fat system. To this end, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and polarized light microscopy (PLM) methods were used. Different DAGs (diolein—OO, dipalmitin—PP and distearin—SS) were added at 5% to each TAG (triolein—OOO, tripalmitin—PPP and tristearin—SSS). DSC results showed that the addition of DAGs delayed the onset of crystallization of saturated TAGs (PPP and SSS). By contrast, the addition of DAGs to unsaturated TAG (OOO) accelerated the onset of crystallization, with the appearance of an extra crystallization peak upon the addition of SS and PP. PLM results revealed that the addition of OO affected the polymorphic transition of the TAGs studied findings were consistent with DSC melting curves and XRD results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]