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Plant-based proteins are often associated with a range of health benefits. Most research primarily investigates pea and soy proteins, while lentil proteins received minimal attention. This study evaluates the effect of protein complexation (using the pH-shifting technique) coupled with trehalose conjugation on lentil and whey proteins. The protein structures after the modification were analysed using spectroscopic methods: Fourier-transform infrared, ultraviolet spectra, and fluorescence spectra. The amide group I, conformation protein, and tertiary structure of the trehalose-conjugated lentil-whey protein complexes (T-LWPs) showed significant changes ( P < 0.05). Moreover, the surface properties (surface hydrophobicity and charges) of T-LWPs were significantly modified ( P < 0.05), from 457 to 324 a.u and from 36 to -40 mV, respectively. Due to these modifications on the protein structures, the protein digestibility (80-86%) and water solubility (90-94.5%) of T-LWPs increased significantly ( P  < 0.05) with the increase in the trehalose concentration, from 0 (control) to 5% (w/w), respectively. This study suggested that coupling protein complexation and trehalose conjugation can enhance the overall properties of lentil-based protein complexes. With this enhancement, more opportunities in the utilisation of lentils are to be expected., Competing Interests: We confirm that there is no found conflict of interest in association with the following study, along with that there no also no financial support for this publication in order to influence any outcome with this source. We assure that this study has been read and approved by the authors being named in this publication and no other person/s (Except named in this study) satisfies the criteria for claiming the authorship for this study. Along with that the order of names of authors has been approved by all the authors of this study. It is also confirmed that for the protection of intellectual property association, the required consideration has been given including the publication timing. For that purpose, we assure that the regulations have been followed as set by the institution for intellectual property. All the authors understand that the corresponding author is the sole contact person for editing procedure which includes direct communication with the office and editorial management. We provide the consent over that corresponding author bears the responsibility of communicating all the upgradation, progress, revisions and final approval of proofs to all the authors of this publication. It is confirmed that the provided information (email address) has been verified and is accessible to the corresponding authors and has been configured to accept email from mohammad.alrosan@hotmail.com and m.alrosan@qu.edu.qa., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Context: Many congenital malformations are seen increasingly, due to diabetic mothers causing a burden on health systems. Corn silk (CS) extract has been used as a natural hypoglycemic treatment. However, its teratogenic safety was not studied., Aims: Therefore, in this study, we examine the effect of CS aqueous extract on fetuses, offspring of normal and diabetic female mice treated with CS aqueous extract., Settings and Design: Pregnant female mice were divided into two groups diabetic and nondiabetic. Then, each of these groups was divided into control and treated., Subjects and Methods: A daily dose of 4 g/kg of CS aqueous extract was given orally to the treated groups, control groups were given distilled water. The collection of samples was at day 16.5 of pregnancy, and neonates. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) in the sections of the preserved sample was examined., Statistical Analysis Used: BAT areas were measured from 10 samples of each treatment age group in 2 sections. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA, then, two-independent sample test (Mann-Whitney) was done to test the significance of differences between groups., Results: The BAT areas were negatively affected by diabetes and the extract. Both the extract and diabetes caused an increase in fat accumulation in the adipocytes with varying degrees., Conclusions: This study showed for the first time to our knowledge that the use of CS aqueous extract during pregnancy affected BAT organization and area, and that the used dose did not decrease the malformations caused by diabetes. More studies with different doses should be investigated., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure.)

The fine structures of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) grown as colonies and differentiated in three-dimensional (3D) culture as embryoid bodies (EBs) were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Undifferentiated mESCs expressed markers that proved their pluripotency. Differentiated EBs expressed different differentiation marker proteins from the three germ layers. The ultrastructure of mESCs revealed the presence of microvilli on the cell surfaces, large and deep infolded nuclei, low cytoplasm-to-nuclear ratios, frequent lipid droplets, nonprominent Golgi apparatus, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, we found prominent juvenile mitochondria and free ribosomes-rich cytoplasm in mESCs. Ultrastructure of the differentiated mESCs as EBs showed different cell arrangements, which indicate the different stages of EB development and differentiation. The morphologies of BALB/c and 129 W9.5 EBs were very similar at day 4, whereas C57BL/6 EBs were distinct from the others at day 4. This finding suggested that differentiation of EBs from different cell lines occurs in the same pattern but not at the same rate. Conversely, the ultrastructure results of BALB/c and 129 W9.5 ESCs revealed differentiating features, such as the dilated profile of a rough endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, we found low expression levels of undifferentiated markers on the outer cells of BALB/c and 129 W9.5 mESC colonies, which suggests a faster differentiation potential.