Waxy

To explore the feasibility of substituting waxy rice with waxy or sweet-waxy corn, eight varieties of waxy and sweet-waxy corns were selected, including three self-cultivated varieties (Feng nuo 168, Feng nuo 211, and Feng nuo 10). Their starches were isolated and used as research objects, and commercially available waxy rice starch (CAWR) and waxy corn starch (CAWC) were used as controls. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, rapid viscosity analyzer, and rotational rheometer were used to analyze their physicochemical and structural characteristics...

The surfaces of lotus leaves with micro- and nano-waxy cuticle structures are superhydrophobic and possess a self-healing ability to regain hydrophobicity after damage. Inspired by this phenomenon, the problem of water-repellent coatings used in natural environments failing to perform after damage can be solved if these coatings are endowed with rapid self-repair and self-growth functions. However, there has been almost no exploration into the hydrophobicity self-repair process in lotus leaves. The changes in surface morphology during the hydrophobicity recovery process are not understood...

The Male Annihilation Technique (also termed the Male Attraction Technique; "MAT") is often used to eradicate pestiferous tephritid fruit flies, such as Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). MAT involves the application of male-specific attractants combined with an insecticide in spots or stations across an area to reduce the male population to such a low level that suppression or eradication is achieved. Currently, implementations of MAT in California and Florida targeting B. dorsalis utilize the male attractant methyl eugenol (ME) accompanied with a toxicant, such as spinosad, mixed into a waxy, inert emulsion STATIC ME (termed here "SPLAT-MAT-ME")...

A 38-year-old male presented with waxy papules, plaques over the neck and extremities, and ichthyotic scales over the lower limbs. Skin biopsy revealed a dense medium-sized lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis, with perifollicular accentuation and focal exocytosis into the follicular epithelium with strong positivity for CD 3, 4, and 5. Considering the clinicopathological correlation, a diagnosis of follicular mycosis fungoides (FMF) was made. It is a variant of classic mycosis fungoides (MF) where atypical cells invade the follicular epithelium...

The paper industry has long been a crucial part of our lives, providing printing materials, tissue paper, and packaging products. However, the low wet strength of commercially available paper limits its application in packaging, particularly when it comes into contact with liquids. To address this issue, researchers have explored various strategies, including the use of wet strength agents. The most widely used agent, polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin (PAE), has limitations, such as poor dimensional stability and limited recyclability...

This paper investigated the effect of catalytic infrared blanching combined with ultrasound pretreatment on quality and waxy structure of blueberries. Different blueberry samples were prepared, including control (untreated) and samples treated by hot water blanching (HB), catalytic infrared blanching (CIB), ultrasound-catalytic infrared blanching (US-CIB), and catalytic infrared blanching-ultrasound (CIB-US). The effect of different pretreatments on the microstructure of blueberry epidermis was studied. The drying time of blueberries after HB, US-CIB, and CIB-US was decreased by 11...

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most dreadful diseases, killing more than 3 million humans annually. M. tuberculosis (MTb) is the causative agent for TB and has a thick and waxy cell wall, making it an attractive target for immunological studies. In this study, a heptamannopyranoside containing 1 → 2 and 1 → 6 α-mannopyranosidic linkages has been explored for the immunological evaluations. The conjugation-ready heptamannopyranoside was synthesized by exploiting the salient features of recently discovered [Au]/[Ag]-glycosidation of ethynylcyclohexyl glycosyl carbonate donors...

Cutin, one of the main structural components of tomato peels, is a waxy biopolymer rich in hydroxylated fatty acids. In this study, 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (10,16-diHHDA) was extracted and isolated from tomato peels and exploited to develop fully crosslinked polyesters as potential candidates for replacing fossil-based metal protective coatings. A preliminary screening was conducted to select the base formulation, and then a design of experiments (DoE) was used as a methodology to identify the optimal composition to develop a suitable coating material...

The impact of recrystallization conditions and drying temperatures on the crystallization and digestibility of native waxy maize (Zea mays L.) starch (NWMS) was explored. This study involved subjecting NWMS to concurrent debranching and crystallization at 50 °C for up to 7 days. Samples were collected by oven-drying at 40, 60, and 80 °C for 24 h. This simultaneous debranching and crystallization process increased the resistant starch (RS) content by approximately 48 % compared to the native starch...

Volatile Binding Media (VBM) are waxy solids that can be used for temporary consolidation of heritage artifacts and architectural surfaces thanks to their spontaneous sublimation at room temperature. They are used to temporary shelter, consolidate or protect materials during high-risk operation, such as excavation, transportation, water-based treatments, etc. Although they are employed since the 1990s, research focused almost entirely on one of them, cyclododecane (CDD), which is by far the most used in onsite applications...

One of the drivers of life's diversification has been the emergence of "evolutionary innovations": The evolution of traits that grant access to underused ecological niches. Since ecological interactions can occur separately from mating, mating-related traits have not traditionally been considered factors in niche evolution. However, in order to persist in their environment, animals need to successfully mate just as much as they need to survive. Innovations that facilitate mating activity may therefore be an overlooked determinant of species' ecological limits...

Potato starch with mutations in starch branching enzyme genes (SBEI, SBEII) and granule-bound starch synthase gene (GBSS) was characterized for molecular and thermal properties. Mutations in GBSS were here stacked to a previously developed SBEI and SBEII mutation line. Additionally, mutations in the GBSS gene alone were induced in the wild-type variety for comparison. The parental line with mutations in the SBE genes showed a ∼ 40 % increase in amylose content compared with the wild-type...

Hierarchically porous structures combine microporosity, mesoporosity, and microporosity to enhance pore accessibility and transport, which are crucial to develop high performance materials for biofabrication, food, and pharmaceutical applications. This work aimed to develop a 4D-printed smart hierarchical macroporous structure through 3D printing of Pickering-type high internal phase emulsions (Pickering-HIPEs). The key was the utilization of surface-active (hydroxybutylated) starch nanomaterials, including starch nanocrystals (SNCs) (from waxy maize starch through acid hydrolysis) or starch nanoparticles (SNPs) (obtained through an ultrasound treatment)...

A magnetic field and pour point depressant, as a new avenue for improving the submarine pipeline flow of waxy oils, has attracted increasing attention along with the development of efficient wax mitigation techniques. Although advances have been made recently in understanding the rheological behavior and crystallization properties of waxy oils, the effect of magnetic field and pour point depressants on wax deposition remains an open question. In this work, a ferromagnetic nanocomposite pour point depressant (FNPPD) was prepared...

Scleromyxedema or generalized diffuse lichen myxoedematosus is a rare mucinosis that is associated with monoclonal gammopathy and which frequently affects multiple extracutaneous organ systems. The pathogenesis of scleromyxedema has not been fully elucidated, but includes stimulation of glycosaminoglycan synthesis. The clinical course of scleromyxedema is chronic and often progressive, leading to severe morbidity and even death. The characteristic skin findings encompass multiple waxy papules often on indurated plaques, while thickening of skin leads to conspicuous folds on glabella and dorsal aspects of finger joints...

Headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) detected 206 and 186 samples of fresh and stored sorghums respectively with three major types in Baijiu industry. The fingerprints showed the differences of volatile compounds among fresh sorghum types by qualitative analysis and artificial recognition. Organic waxy sorghums had more contents of nonanal and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol but fewer ketones. The contents of acetoin in non-glutinous sorghums and organic non-glutinous sorghums were high. On the other hand, genetic algorithm-partial least squares (GA-PLS) selected 19 and 32 characteristic volatile compounds in fresh and stored sorghums...

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: The gain-of-function AKT2 c.49G>A variant causes hypoketotic hypoglycemia with variable associated features. Due to lack of effective medications, treatment is primarily supportive. This report suggests waxy maize heat is a viable treatment option. ABSTRACT: The serine-threonine kinase AKT2 is a critical mediator of insulin's anabolic effects, particularly cellular glucose uptake. The gain-of-function c.49G>A, p.(Glu17Lys) AKT2 variant results in hypoketotic hypoglycemia with suppressed insulin and free fatty acid levels due to constitutive activation of the insulin signaling cascade...

Lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis, which is characterized by the deposition of amorphous hyaline material in various tissues, including the mucosa, visceral organs, and skin. We report a case of a 11-year-old girl born to consanguineous parents presented with multisystemic manifestations of the disorder. The patient presented with progressive skin lesions evolving from blisters to papules, distinctive beaded papules along eyelid margins, hoarseness of voice, impaired speech, hair loss, and a painful jaw swelling...

Three cultivars of waxy rice starch with different multi-scale structures were subjected to α-amylase hydrolysis to determine amylopectin fine structure, production of oligosaccharides, morphology, and crystallinity of the partially hydrolyzed starch granules. α-amylases hydrolyzed the amylopectin B2 chain during the initial stage of hydrolysis, suggesting that it is primarily located in the outer shell of the granules. For waxy rice starch with loose structure, α-amylases attacked the crystalline and amorphous regions simultaneously in the initial stage, while for starch granules with compact structure, the outer shell blocklet (crystalline structure) can be a hurdle for α-amylases to proceed to hydrolysis of the internal granule structure...

The utilization of a non-destructive SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter, which enables the measurement of nitrogen status in plant leaves, has gained popularity in agronomic crops. Its application to horticultural crops like coffee remains relatively uncommon. The device provides quick and real-time measurements, helping to provide on-time nitrogen fertilizer to coffee plants before deficiency signs occur. Coffee leaves are characterized by thick and waxy leaves, together with many layers of tree crown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a method for measuring nitrogen levels in coffee plants using the SPAD-502 Chlorophyll meter for an appropriate nitrogen fertilizer application rate in Arabica coffee plants...