Zein-based nanostructured coatings: A green approach to enhance virucidal efficacy of protective face masks.

Face masks represent a valuable tool to prevent the spreading of airborne viruses; however, they show poor comfort and scarce antiviral efficacy. Zein-based coatings are herein exploited to enhance antiviral performance. Zein functionalization is done through acidifying agents (lactic acid, LA).

Black phosphorus-based nanoplatforms for cancer therapy: chemistry, design, biological and therapeutic behaviors.

Cancer, a significant threat to human lives, has been the target of research for several decades. Although conventional therapies have drawbacks, such as side effects, low efficacy, and weak targeting, they have been applied extensively due to a lack of effective alternatives. The emergence of nanotechnology in medicine has opened up new possibilities and offered promising solutions for cancer therapy.

The care pathway experienced by cutaneous melanoma survivors: A qualitative longitudinal study.

Background: The optimal management of cutaneous melanoma is based on implementing a multidisciplinary tumour board. No studies report cutaneous melanoma patients' perspective along the whole care pathway, taking us through their care experience longitudinally.

Aims: To explore the patients' perspective on the cutaneous melanoma care journey in a skin cancers' tertiary referral centre.

Synthesis and characterization of modified chitosan as a promising material for enterosorption of heavy metal ions.

Currently, an important ecological problem is environmental pollution and its negative impact on living organisms, the consequences of which are deterioration in general health and the manifestation of various diseases, poisoning, endo- and exotoxicosis. Enterosorption method was proposed as a promising method for removing toxic substances from the living organisms using enterosorbents which can absorb various toxic substances of endogenous and exogenous nature in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been proposed to use polymer-containing enterosorbents for eliminating of heavy metals from the organism.

Barley β-glucan bioactive films: Promising eco-friendly materials for wound healing.

Mixtures containing β-glucans were extracted from barley, under both mild and high alkaline conditions, to prepare biodegradable films (MA and HA, respectively), as natural dressings with intrinsic therapeutic properties. An in-depth characterization was performed to evaluate the impact of mild and high alkaline conditions on chemical, physicochemical, and biological features for potential use in wound treatments. Both MA and HA films exhibited a good ability to absorb water and simulate wound fluid, which helps maintain optimal tissue hydration.