Stearic acid-capped mesoporous silica microparticles as novel needle-like-structured drug delivery carriers.

Mesoporous silica are widely utilised as drug carriers due to their large pore volume and surface area, which facilitate effective loading. Additionally, they can be used to enhance drugs stability and protect against enzymatic degradation due to their silica framework. However, without the addition of a capping material, the loaded cargo may be prematurely released before reaching the target site.

Unraveling the Impact of Stabilizers on Nanocrystal Preparation and Oral Absorption: A Case Study of Poorly Soluble Andrographolide.

Drug nanocrystal engineering is an attractive pharmaceutical approach to enhancing the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. The mechanism of drug nanocrystal stabilization, however, is unclear. Here we developed andrographolide nanocrystals (AG-NCs) with various nonionic surfactants (Pluronic-F127, TPGS, or Brij-S20).

Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D Printing Fabrication of Hydrophobic Meshes Incorporating Fluorinated and Silicone-Based Acrylates Combined with Surface Engineering: Comparison of Their Oil-Water Separation Efficiency.

Hydrophobic materials have been fabricated by DLP vat photopolymerization of isobornyl acrylate-based resins with chemical modification and/or surface geometry engineering. Fluorinated and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based acrylic monomers are used for chemical modification and are incorporated into the printed materials. The water wettability was significantly reduced and plateaued with as low as 5% (w/w) of the auxillary hydrophobic monomer.

Wound healing potential of mouth gel containing isopimarane diterpene from rhizomes for treatment of oral stomatitis.

Background: Oral ulcers have an impact on 25% of the global population including patients who are suffering from chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. L. has been traditionally used for treatment of mouth sores and tongue blisters.

Minipatellar Tunnels for Transosseous Fixation of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Graft Using High-strength Suture.

Patellar dislocation is a common knee injury, with concomitant pathoanatomical risk factors that synergistically interact and predispose to patellofemoral instability. Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has demonstrated significant potential in the re-establishment of MPFL anatomic and biological function, with low patellar redislocation rates. Although many techniques for MPFL reconstruction have been developed, challenges such as patella fractures and high costs persist.

High concentrations of polyethylene microplastics restrain the growth of Cinnamomum camphora seedling by reducing soil water holding capacity.

The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soils due to anthropogenic activities affects the growth and development of plants and thereby endangering the diversity and function of ecosystems. Although there is an increasing number of studies exploring the effects of MPs on plants in recent days, most of them focus on crops only. However, few studies have been conducted on woody plants that play a prominent role in ecosystems, while crucial edaphic factors which potentially restrain plant growth in MP-contaminated soils are yet to be revealed.

Upgrading skin barrier Protection: Addition of active ingredients to a Gelatin/Tannic Acid-Based hydrogel patch for treating skin lesions related to Personal protective Equipment.

Prolonged use of Personal Protective Equipment, like surgical masks, can cause skin issues such as acne ("maskne") and rosacea flare-ups due to pressure and moisture. While dressings can protect the skin, they often reduce mask effectiveness and lack pharmaceuticals to treat common skin lesions. This study introduces an innovative dual-function gelatin/tannic acid-based hydrogel patch incorporating metronidazole (1% w/w) or salicylic acid (2% w/w) to offer both skin protection and treatment.

Orange peel essential oil in rice starch encapsulating material for antimicrobial application against Escherichia coli.

This study investigated the formation of fibers and capsules using rice starch as a wall material to encapsulate orange peel essential oil (OPEO) by electrospinning for antimicrobial applications. Rice starch at a concentration of 20 % (w/v) and varying OPEO concentrations (30 %, 40 %, and 50 %, w/w) were used to produce materials. Free OPEO was analyzed for its chemical profile and antimicrobial activity.

Development of axitinib-loaded polymeric ocular implants for the treatment of posterior ocular diseases.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are the primary causes of vision impairment and blindness worldwide. The current treatment for these diseases is an intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents, which are costly and require frequent injections. Implants can be used to sustain the release of drugs and minimize side effects.

Effects of biochar on soil contaminated by metals and metalloids from slag disposal of an old environmental liability in Ribeira Valley, Brazil.

Contamination with potentially toxic metals and metalloids (PTMs) in mining areas poses significant environment and human health risks. Using biochar as an amendment can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly method to reduce PTM bioavailability in contaminated soils, thus lowering plant uptake. This study investigated biochar derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) at three pyrolysis temperatures (300, 500, and 700 °C) and two application rates (1% and 5%, w/w) for the remediation of slag-contaminated soils from an old environmental liability in the Ribeira Valley (Brazil).

Neurostatus-SMARTCARE clinical trial: Enabling health care professionals to assess EDSS for decentralized trials in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Neurostatus-Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the standard measure used to assess impairment and disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) trials but requires trained expert neurologists.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the concordance of Neurostatus-EDSS assessments from specially trained health care professionals (HCPs) and standardized trained neurologists.

Methods: A Swiss multicenter, randomized, cross-over study with 100 people with MS.

Methacrylated poly(glycerol sebacate) as a photocurable, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer with tunable degradation and drug release kinetics.

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a biodegradable, elastomeric polymer that has been explored for applications including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound repair. Despite its promise, its biomedical utility is limited by its rapid, and largely fixed, degradation rate. Additionally, its preparation requires prolonged curing at high temperatures, rendering it incompatible with heat-sensitive molecules, complex device geometries, and high-throughput production.

Survival and reproduction effects of microplastics from three agricultural mulching films on Folsomia candida, Sinella curviseta, Heteromurus nitidus and Ceratophysella denticulata (Collembola).

An estimated 467 kt of plastic used in agriculture annually end up in European soils, potentially breaking down into secondary microplastics (MPs). Not much is known about the possible effects of these MPs on organisms residing in the soil. To properly assess their environmental risk, experimental data is needed on the toxicity of MPs to the survival and reproduction of model organisms.

Selective acceleration and inhibition of crystal growth of glass carbamazepine by low-concentration poly(ethylene oxide):effects of drug polymorph.

Drug polymorphism attracts considerable interest within the pharmaceutical field. Herein, we investigate the impact of low-concentration poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) on the crystal growth of carbamazepine (CBZ) polymorphs in the glassy state. The addition of 3%(w/w) PEO increases 5.

The ability of virtual noncontrast images to remove intrinsic and external iodine from the thyroid via dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography.

Background: Virtual noncontrast (VNC) images generated by dual-layer spectral computed tomography (DLCT) remove iodine influence from enhanced images to simulate true noncontrast (TNC) images. Previous research has demonstrated the high comparability of abdominal VNC images with TNC images, suggesting their potential as substitutes. Given the thyroid's significant iodine content, this study evaluated the efficacy of VNC images for removing both intrinsic and extrinsic iodine through an analysis of computed tomography (CT) attenuation and iodine density in TNC and enhanced VNC thyroid images.

Combination of Biogas Residues and Interactions Stimulates Crop Production and Salinity Tolerance in .

Stress tolerance in cereal crops like Sorghum is important to address food security and land development for saline agriculture. Salinity is considered one of the most devastating abiotic stresses affecting plant growth and yield, specifically in water-scared areas of the world. Biogas residue is a good source of plant nutrients with enriched fertilizer for crop yield and productivity.

Long-term weight loss and cardiorenal outcomes by baseline BMI in the VERTIS CV trial.

Aim: To assess weight loss and cardiorenal outcomes by baseline body mass index (BMI) in VERTIS CV.

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease were randomized to ertugliflozin or placebo. These post hoc analyses evaluated cardiometabolic and cardiorenal outcomes (a composite of death from CV causes or hospitalization for heart failure [HHF], CV death, HHF and an exploratory composite kidney outcome including ≥40% estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decrease) by baseline BMI, using conventional clinical categories and Cox proportional hazards models.

Pushing the boundaries of radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations: highlights from the 7 immunorad conference.

Over the last decade, the annual Immunorad Conference, held under the joint auspicies of Gustave Roussy (Villejuif, France) and the Weill Cornell Medical College (New-York, USA) has aimed at exploring the latest advancements in the fields of tumor immunology and radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations for the treatment of cancer. Gathering medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, physicians and researchers with esteemed expertise in these fields, the Immunorad Conference bridges the gap between preclinical outcomes and clinical opportunities. Thus, it paves a promising way toward optimizing radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations and, from a broader perspective, improving therapeutic strategies for patients with cancer.

Saccharification and co-fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass by a cockroach-gut bacterial symbiont and yeast cocktail for bioethanol production.

Background: The eco-friendly transformation of agro-industrial wastes through microbial bioconversion could address sustainability challenges in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The bulk of agro-industrial waste consists of lignocellulosic materials with fermentable sugars, predominantly cellulose and hemicellulose. A number of pretreatment options have been employed for material saccharification toward successful fermentation into second-generation bioethanol.

Mathematical modeling of biohydrogen production via dark fermentation of fruit peel wastes by Clostridium butyricum NE95.

Background: Biohydrogen production from agro-industrial wastes through dark fermentation offers several advantages including eco-friendliness, sustainability, and the simplicity of the process. This study aimed to produce biohydrogen from fruit and vegetable peel wastes (FVPWs) by anaerobic fermentative bacteria isolated from domestic wastewater. Kinetic analysis of the produced biohydrogen by five isolates on a glucose medium was analyzed using a modified Gompertz model (MGM).

Effect of lecithin on the antioxidant mechanism of action of fucoidan in stripped bulk sunflower oil and respective oil in water emulsion.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant mechanism of action of fucoidan in sunflower oil and its oil-in-water emulsion. In addition, the effect of lecithin on the antioxidant mechanism of action of fucoidan in sunflower oil was investigated. In sunflower oil, fucoidan at 0.

Sodium caseinate/cellulose nanofiber-stabilized Pickering emulsions: A study on lipid absorption regulation.

This study aimed to develop a sustainable and bio-based nano-additive (sodium caseinate/cellulose nanofibers (SC/CNF) complex) to modulate liquid-based oil-in-water (O/W) colloid interfaces, which function as a fat control agent to slow lipid digestion. Edible protein (SC) was grafted onto CNF through facile electrostatic attraction, which reduces solvent and chemical usage for greener process. The physicochemical properties of SC/CNF showed that adding SC increased the interfacial bonding between CNF particles, resulting in higher interfacial pressure by forming dense and compact layers of SC/CNF.

Biodiesel Production from Soybean Oil Using a Free-Enzyme and Whole-Cell Dual Lipase System as a Biocatalyst.

A dual lipase system has been developed to convert soybean oil into biodiesel through synergistic catalysis of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLL) and Yarrowia lipolytica lipase 2 (YLL) in this study. Pichia pastoris recombinant strains expressing lipases were successfully constructed, and the activities of TLL and YLL in the fermentation supernatant reached 23,142.71 ± 280.

Patient-reported outcomes of rezvilutamide versus bicalutamide in combination with androgen deprivation therapy in high-volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients (CHART): a randomized, phase 3 study.

The randomized phase 3 CHART trial (NCT03520478) revealed that rezvilutamide (REZ) plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in high-volume, metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) significantly enhanced radiographic progression-free and overall survival than bicalutamide (BIC)-ADT. Accordingly, we examined patient-reported outcomes (PROs) results, which were exploratory endpoints in the CHART trial. The patients were randomly allocated to receive REZ-ADT or BIC-ADT in a 1:1 ratio.

Safety assessment of the substance 2,2'-oxydiethylamine for use in plastic food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials assessed the safety of 2,2'-oxydiethylamine, which is intended to be used at up to 14% w/w as a monomer along with adipic acid and caprolactam to make polyamide thin films intended for single use, in contact with all types of food under all conditions of time and temperature. Specific migration of 2,2'-oxydiethylamine was tested from a polyamide film in water and was below the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.015 mg/kg.