Search Results (1,211)

Background/Objectives: Excipients play a key role in the manufacturability and performance of solid oral dosage forms, particularly for drug candidates with diverse solubility, permeability, and mechanical properties. Understanding excipient behavior during tablet compression is essential for robust formulation design. Starch-rich natural-source material have emerged as promising candidates due to their availability and favorable deformation behavior. However, there is limited understanding of their tablet compression performance and interactions with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This study aimed to evaluate the tablet compression behavior and functional performance of a starch-rich natural-source excipient prepared from whole Artocarpus altilis fruit material when formulated with APIs representing all four classes of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. Methods: Tablets were prepared using a hydraulic press at compression pressures ranging between 296 and 591 MPa. Model APIs included acetaminophen, clarithromycin, vitamin C, and berberine hydrochloride. Tablet compression behavior was characterized using tabletability, compressibility, and compactability profiles, while tablet performance was evaluated through friability, disintegration, and dissolution testing. Results: Densification behavior was controlled primarily by the Artocarpus altilis excipient, whereas tensile strength development and compactability were strongly influenced by API properties. Formulations containing clarithromycin and berberine HCl exhibited enhanced tabletability and compactability, achieving higher tensile strengths at comparable solid fractions. Acetaminophen and vitamin C formulations showed limited strength gains despite similar densification. Formulations containing clarithromycin and berberine HCl maintained low friability, while enabling rapid disintegration and dissolution in acetaminophen and vitamin C formulations. Conclusions: Tabletability and compactability trends varied among formulations, likely reflecting differences in API physical properties and formulation-dependent interparticle interactions, whereas compressibility primarily reflected excipient-controlled densification. Distinct trends were observed across BCS classes, with low-solubility APIs producing stronger tablets and highly soluble APIs showing lower mechanical strength and faster disintegration. Overall, Artocarpus altilis functions as a mechanically robust yet performance-adaptive excipient suitable for tablet formulations across diverse biopharmaceutical contexts. Full article

Background: Kai-Bi-Bu-Fei Decoction (KBD) is derived from the canonical Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas Xuan-Bai-Cheng-Qi and Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan. It has been employed for decades in the treatment of severe pneumonia with significant clinical efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of KBD against influenza virus-induced severe pneumonia in a murine model and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: The chemical profile of KBD was characterized using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. A severe pneumonia model was established in C57BL/6J mice via intranasal infection with influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1, PR8). Multiple parameters, including 14-day survival rate, body weight, lung index, histopathological changes, viral load, and pulmonary cytokine/chemokine levels, were assessed. Furthermore, multi-omics analyses were integrated to characterize the gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was subsequently performed to validate the functional role of the gut microbiota and its metabolites. Results: KBD treatment significantly improved the survival rate by 40%, reduced the lung index by 27.85%, and alleviated lung injury. It also markedly lowered the viral load by 80.88%, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and restored intestinal barrier integrity. Mechanistically, KBD restored gut microbiota diversity by increasing the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, enriching beneficial genera such as Bifidobacterium and Faecalibaculum, and reducing Verrucomicrobiota. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that KBD enhanced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism and up-regulated pyruvate metabolism. Finally, FMT confirmed that the therapeutic benefits of KBD were transferable via the microbiota to microbiota-depleted mice. Conclusions: KBD exerts robust protection against severe influenza pneumonia, a process primarily mediated by the gut microbiota–SCFA axis. The enhancement of mitochondrial energy metabolism also appears to play a critical role in its therapeutic mechanism. Full article

Background. Hispanic populations in the United States experienced disproportionate health and economic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed relationships between social determinants of health (SDOH) and COVID-19-related health and economic outcomes among Hispanic and non-Hispanic participants in the All of Us Research Program. Methods. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models explored associations between all variables. Iterative proportional fitting (raking) was used to align survey samples with known population margins. Results. Hispanics reported worse outcomes across all COVID-19-related variables: lower vaccination rates and higher rates of COVID-19 symptoms and experiencing hardships due to COVID-19. Final post-raking models found Hispanics had greater odds of experiencing hardships (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.55, 2.11) especially among those reporting COVID-19 symptoms (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.51, 3.97). The final model identified increased rates of COVID-19 vaccination among Hispanics when controlling for gender, age, and SDOH (OR = 1.22, CI = 1.09, 1.37) than have been reported nationally during the examined time period for Hispanics. Conclusions. Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination and disproportionate negative health, economic, and social impacts of COVID-19 experienced by Hispanic communities were driven by SDOH. Findings underscore the need for targeted efforts to address SDOH to achieve the best health outcomes for all. Full article

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a key indicator of overall health, yet its assessment still largely depends on structured protocols such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), which require specialized equipment, trained personnel, and controlled laboratory conditions that limit accessibility. Wearable sensing technologies offer a practical alternative by continuously capturing physiological and biomechanical signals during daily life. However, most wearable-based approaches remain constrained by activity-specific modeling, structured exercise protocols, or prolonged monitoring periods, limiting generalization across real-world behaviors. This work presents an activity-independent machine learning framework for estimating VO₂max from short-duration multimodal wearable signals acquired during semi-structured real-world daily activities. The proposed two-stage framework first estimates the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) as a continuous representation of activity intensity, then integrates this estimate with physiological, biomechanical, and demographic features to predict subject-level VO₂max. By decoupling physiological demand from explicit activity labels, the framework improves robustness to unseen activities while preserving physiological interpretability. Evaluation under the Leave-One-Subject-Out validation protocol demonstrates that short-duration wearable-derived signals encode meaningful information related to inter-subject differences in cardiorespiratory fitness. These findings support the feasibility of activity-independent, wearable-based fitness estimation and provide a practical foundation for scalable preventive health monitoring in everyday life. Full article

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are semiconductor nanomaterials widely used in biomedical, environmental, and catalytic applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, their increasing environmental release has raised concerns regarding potential toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, pure ZnO, 1% Au-modified ZnO, and 5% Au-modified ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via a reflux-assisted method to evaluate the effects of Au incorporation on morphology, crystallinity, optical behavior, surface chemistry, and ecotoxicological responses, using Artemia salina as a marine bioindicator. Structural characterization was performed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron diffraction, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and energy-dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping, while optical and surface analyses were conducted using UV–Vis and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Although Au-rich domains were identified, the available data do not allow definitive determination of whether Au is incorporated into the ZnO lattice or present as surface-associated metallic Au. Increasing Au content promoted greater nanoparticle agglomeration and broader particle size distributions while preserving the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO crystalline structure. UV-Vis and FT-IR analyses demonstrated that Au modification altered the optical response and surface chemical environment of the nanoparticles. Toxicological evaluations revealed concentration- and time-dependent toxicity. Pure ZnO nanoparticles exhibited LC₅₀ values of 531.25 ppm after 24 h and 65.15 ppm after 48 h exposure. In contrast, 1% Au-modified ZnO nanoparticles showed reduced toxicity, whereas 5% Au-modified ZnO nanoparticles exhibited increased toxicity after prolonged exposure. These findings demonstrate that Au modification significantly influences the physicochemical properties and biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles. Full article

Since 2011, massive strandings of pelagic Sargassum have become a recurrent environmental hazard across the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean archipelago, creating an urgent need for reliable short-term drift forecasts to support coastal risk management. This study evaluates key sources of uncertainty in operational Sargassum drift forecasting by analyzing the sensitivity of Lagrangian simulations to the representation of floating material and to environmental forcing fields. The analysis uses two complementary observational datasets: trajectories of four GPS-tracked Sargassum mats deployed near Puerto Rico and thirteen 24 h displacement vectors derived from sequential Sentinel-3 satellite detections across the tropical North Atlantic. Drift simulations were performed with the MOTHY model under multiple configurations, testing two material parameterizations, different atmospheric forcings, and several ocean circulation products and vertical current integration strategies. The results indicate that the best agreement with observed trajectories is obtained for partially immersed structures, highlighting the importance of balancing wind exposure and hydrodynamic drag. Sensitivity experiments further show that ocean circulation forcing dominates trajectory skill, while higher-resolution atmospheric forcing provides limited improvement under offshore conditions. Overall, the study confirms the importance of accurately representing upper-ocean transport processes and provides observational support for several operational choices implemented in the Météo-France Sargassum forecasting system. Full article

Rapid detection of heavy metals is vital for monitoring surface water contamination and preventing environmental and health risks. Traditional detection methods for metals such as lead and copper often require sophisticated, costly instrumentation, limiting their use in routine analyses. To address this challenge, we developed a cost-effective fluorescence-based approach using semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) as nanosensors for metal ion detection. The QDs were synthesized directly in aqueous medium through a reflux-assisted process employing cadmium precursors, selenium, thioglycolic acid (TGA), and branched polyethyleneimine (PEI, Mw ~25,000) as stabilizing agents. Structural analysis revealed nanoparticles with diameters below 5 nm, spherical morphology, and a zinc blende (face-centered cubic) crystalline structure. Optical characterization by UV–Vis, photoluminescence (PL), and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed effective surface functionalization and strong quantum confinement. PEI-capped QDs exhibited enhanced colloidal stability and showed pronounced fluorescence quenching in the presence of Pb²⁺ ions, indicating high sensitivity and selectivity toward lead. Both TGA- and PEI-capped QDs also demonstrated moderate responses to Co²⁺ but negligible interaction with Sn²⁺, confirming ion-specific detection. Overall, this study demonstrates that surface-engineered QDs constitute a simple, accessible platform for selective detection of toxic metals, with promising applications in environmental monitoring and water quality assessment. Full article

Transferosomes are liposome-derived ultradeformable vesicles designed to improve drug delivery across restrictive biological barriers, particularly in non-invasive administration routes. Their structure is based on phospholipid bilayers modified with edge activators, usually surfactants or bile salts, which increase membrane flexibility while preserving vesicular organization. This balance between deformability and stability distinguishes transferosomes from conventional liposomes and has supported their use in dermal, transdermal, ocular, nasal, buccal, and other mucosal delivery systems. However, despite extensive experimental interest, the field remains limited by inconsistent terminology, heterogeneous formulation strategies, non-harmonized deformability assays, and incomplete translation from laboratory formulations to clinically relevant products. This review critically examines transferosomes from a formulation-development perspective, focusing on the relationship between lipid composition, edge-activator selection, vesicle properties, deformability, drug release, and biological performance. Particular attention is given to critical quality attributes, analytical characterization, mechanistic interpretations of barrier interaction, and the unresolved debate between intact vesicle penetration, drug-release-dominated delivery, and barrier perturbation. Transferosomes are also positioned in comparison with conventional liposomes, ethosomes, and transethosomes. Finally, the review identifies key unmet needs related to standardization, reproducibility, scalability, storage stability, and regulatory uncertainty. By integrating formulation design with mechanistic and translational analysis, this review aims to clarify when transferosomes offer a genuine delivery advantage and which parameters must be controlled to support their further pharmaceutical development. Full article

Background: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of 3D-printed partial veneers with finish lines at three different locations and conventional full veneers with finish lines at the gingival level. All restorations were digitally designed and 3D printed using a nanoceramic filled resin specifically developed for veneer restorations. Methods: Four maxillary right central incisor typodont teeth were prepared for labial veneers with finish lines at different locations: incisal third (InT), middle portion of the middle third (MmT), lower portion of the middle third (LmT), and conventional veneer with the finish line at the gingival level (CoV). Each preparation was scanned, and 15 casts were 3D printed from each scan. A total of 60 3D-printed veneers were fabricated (n = 15 per group) using a nanoceramic-filled resin designed for veneer restorations. The restorations were cemented to the 3D-printed dies using the manufacturer’s adhesive and resin cement. The specimens were artificially aged with 10,000 thermal cycles between 5 °C and 55 °C, with a dwell time of 30 s, and then loaded to failure using a universal testing machine. Fracture load values were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Tukey honestly significant difference post hoc test (α = 0.05). In addition, fracture patterns were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy images for descriptive purposes. Results: The mean fracture resistance of the 3D-printed partial and conventional labial veneers differed significantly depending on restoration design (p < 0.05). Among the partial veneers, the LmT group showed the highest fracture resistance (279.86 N), followed by the MmT group (266.92 N), while the InT group showed the lowest value (179.22 N). The conventional veneer group (CoV) demonstrated higher fracture resistance (404.07 N) than all partial veneer groups. Conclusions: The fracture resistance of 3D-printed partial and conventional labial veneers fabricated with nanoceramic-filled resins differed according to finish line location. Conventional veneers demonstrated higher fracture resistance than all partial veneer designs. The smallest partial veneer, with the margin located in the incisal third, showed lower fracture resistance than the partial veneer designs with finish lines in the middle third. Full article

The zinc–copper (Zn-Cu) voltaic battery is the first battery made in human history, but the Cu²⁺ dissolution issue leads to the reaction’s irreversibility. To tackle this challenge, solid-state electrolytes, ion exchange membranes, and functional electrolytes have been proposed to mitigate the Cu²⁺ dissolution; however, these approaches incur limitations like cell complexity, high cost, and anode corrosion. Herein, we develop a simple yet effective strategy to mitigate Cu²⁺ dissolution and build a rechargeable voltaic battery from cost-effective materials, including commercially available micro-copper powders and non-corrosive zinc acetate electrolyte. Importantly, the near-neutral Zn(Ac)₂ electrolyte provides some amounts of hydroxide and facilitates the Cu₂O/Cu solid–solid conversion reaction, thereby inhibiting the generation of soluble Cu²⁺ ions. As a result, the Zn-Cu battery exhibits a reversible capacity of ~130 mAh g⁻¹, a feasible voltage of 0.87 V, and a stable cycling life over 100 cycles. Our work provides a feasible strategy for developing rechargeable and cost-effective Zn-Cu batteries. Full article

Background: Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), with persistent infections progressing to low- (LGSIL) and high-grade (HGSIL) lesions. Emerging evidence indicates that the cervicovaginal microbiota influences HPV persistence and disease progression, although the underlying metabolic mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between the cervicovaginal microbiota and the metabolic milieu in women with cervical dysplasia and HPV infections. Methods: We recruited 36 non-menopausal, non-pregnant women who were classified as negative, LGSIL, or HGSIL based on pathology and HPV results. Cervical swabs were collected for genomic DNA extraction to characterize bacterial communities using 16S rRNA sequencing and to perform HPV genotyping. Cervical lavages were collected for untargeted metabolomic profiling using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Integrative multiomic analysis was performed using the MIMOSA2 pipeline. Results: Although bacterial community structure was not different between groups, women with HGSIL had higher richness and exhibited a higher abundance of Prevotella bivia, Prevotella buccalis, and Lachnospiraceae G-9 oral taxon 924. Lesion-positive samples had shifts in tyramine and putrescine, biogenic amines linked to cancer development. Specifically, Pseudomonas was identified as a potential contributor to tyramine oxidation. Conclusions: Cervical lesions and HPV risk are associated with shifts in the cervicovaginal microbial metabolic milieu, highlighting the role of low-abundant anaerobic bacteria. Despite the small sample size, biogenic amines were associated with anaerobic taxa and microbial dysbiosis. These findings warrant further assessment of microbial-derived metabolites and their potential to promote tumor progression by driving a pro-inflammatory, metabolically altered microenvironment. Full article

Background: Pulpitis is a common cause of dental pain in children and is primarily an inflammatory condition that can be effectively managed with local operative treatment. Although antibiotics are indicated only in cases of systemic involvement or infection spread, they are frequently overprescribed in dental practice. This misuse contributes to antimicrobial resistance and adverse health outcomes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate antibiotic prescribing practices for pulpitis in pediatric patients and to assess adherence to current clinical guidelines. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261342269). A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase up to March 2026. Observational studies assessing antibiotic prescribing practices among pediatric dentists were included. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted using a random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Results: Five cross-sectional studies were included. Antibiotic prescribing rates for pulpitis ranged from 0.6% to 50.0%. The pooled prevalence of antibiotic prescribing was 14.0% (95% CI: 5.0–33.5%), with high heterogeneity across studies (I² = 95%). Amoxicillin and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid were the most commonly prescribed first-line antibiotics, while clindamycin was the most frequently reported alternative in patients with penicillin allergy. Treatment duration was generally consistent, ranging from 5 to 7 days. Conclusions: Although pediatric dentists tend to prescribe antibiotics more conservatively than general practitioners, inappropriate use remains prevalent, particularly in conditions such as pulpitis where antibiotic therapy is not indicated. These findings highlight a persistent gap between evidence-based recommendations and clinical practice and underscore the need for targeted antimicrobial stewardship strategies to optimize antibiotic use in pediatric dentistry. Full article

Microplastic pollution has become a global concern due to its widespread impacts on organisms and ecosystems. While there have been a few studies quantifying microplastics in inland areas of Puerto Rico, none, to our knowledge, have studied nearshore coastal surface waters. This study, therefore, presents the first assessment of microplastic concentrations and descriptions in the surface waters of La Parguera Natural Reserve, southwestern Puerto Rico. Using 333-micron plankton net trawls, we found low mean ± standard deviation microplastic concentrations of 0.02 ± 0.07 microplastic particles m⁻³ (95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.04 microplastic particles m⁻³). The most prevalent polymers were high-density polyethylene (48%) and polyethylene (32%), followed by polypropylene (11%) and polystyrene (7%). The most common colors were white (50%), blue (34%), black (8%), red (5%), and colorless (3%). Subsequently, the common structures found were fragments (78%), filaments (12%), films (8%), and fibers (2%). No clear coastal gradient or seasonal patterns were detected (p < 0.05), and mean concentrations were similar to previously surveyed oceanic waters from the Caribbean, suggesting coastal sources of marine microplastics were minimal compared to oceanic sources. This study provides a foundational understanding of microplastics in the coastal waters of La Parguera Natural Reserve and provides critical baseline data for detecting potential future changes in microplastic concentrations. Full article

In 2020, evaluators within the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMIs) program proposed a conceptual framework identifying four primary evaluation targets: scientific productivity, scientific collaboration, professional growth, and research resources. This study extends prior work by capturing the contextual and process-oriented dimensions of program impact. This reflective practice-based project examines how non-quantitative approaches complement traditional metrics to better characterize RCMI outcomes. Evaluators representing ten RCMI sites participated in a multi-site case study guided by three questions addressing: (1) qualitative evidence of impact beyond metrics; (2) challenges and successes in implementation of non-quantitative methods; and (3) potential expansion of evaluation targets. Evaluators provided descriptive responses, generating a 22-page dataset that was analyzed thematically. Thirteen non-quantitative evaluation domains emerged: investigator consultations, investigator productivity, investigator success, community partnerships, intra-RCMI collaborations, implementation of team science, career progression, programmatic support, mentoring support, impact on RCMI affiliates, intellectual resources, physical resources, and faculty hires. Key challenges included inconsistent data capture and limited evaluation resources, while successes highlighted improved cross-site learning and visibility of program impact. Findings support retaining the original evaluation targets while expanding the framework to include institutional transformation, equitable research environments, and longitudinal societal impact. A conceptual map was developed to depict how mixed methods that include non-quantitative approaches can yield RCMI evaluations that expand upon the current approach, which relies primarily on quantitative data. The authors recommend quantitative targets and non-quantitative strategies to provide context, communicate evidence of success, and inform programmatic changes to deepen the findings and strengthen the rigor of RCMI evaluation practices. Full article

This study investigates the fabrication of laser-scribed graphene (LSG) electrodes on polyimide substrates using a CO₂ laser cutter for label-free L-Histidine detection in artificial sweat. Two-level full factorial and central composite designs were employed to optimize critical manufacturing parameters, including laser speed, power, and electrode width. Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry with K₃Fe[CN]₆ demonstrated superior LSG electrode performance compared to standard glassy carbon electrodes, exhibiting a 702 ± 62% higher oxidation current peak at 0.56 mM K₃Fe[CN]₆ in 0.1 M KCl. We successfully demonstrated the label-free electrochemical detection of L-Histidine in artificial sweat using these LSG electrodes. The results show a linear relationship (R² = 0.987) between current peak and L-Histidine concentration within the 8.3 mM to 50 mM range, demonstrating high sensitivity towards L-Histidine. These findings highlight the potential of this optimized LSG electrode fabrication approach for developing high-performance, user-friendly, and disposable wearable biosensors for real-time and non-invasive health monitoring applications in sweat analysis. Full article