Search Results (5,718)

The performance of shampoo is determined by complex interactions between surface active agents (SAAs), polymers, and formulation modifiers, which directly influence consumer-relevant properties. However, the formulation principles governing these interactions and their impact on product quality remain insufficiently characterized. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the formulation principles underlying the interaction between thickeners and surfactant systems in shampoo formulations and to assess how these interactions influence the overall performance and quality of the final product. For this purpose, two groups of shampoo formulations containing identical surfactant systems but different thickeners (acrylate copolymer and guar gum) were prepared and evaluated in terms of pH, cleansing power (wool thread method), foam volume and stability, and texture profile. The results demonstrated that pH values ranged from 6.52 to 7.23 in acrylate copolymer-based formulations and from 4.71 to 6.09 in guar gum-based formulations. Cleansing power reached up to approximately 35%, depending on surfactant composition and thickener type. Foam volume was higher in acrylate copolymer systems, with a maximum value of 161 mL, whereas guar gum-based formulations exhibited lower but more variable foam characteristics. Texture analysis revealed that guar gum formulations were more sensitive to changes in surfactant composition, whereas acrylate copolymer provided more consistent and controllable texture characteristics. Full article

Muco-obstructive lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), and bronchiectasis, are characterized by the accumulation of highly viscoelastic mucus that compromises mucociliary clearance and fosters infection and inflammation. Mucoactive therapy, encompassing both true mucolytics and non-cleaving agents, seeks to restore airway patency by altering mucus structure, hydration, and transport properties, yet its clinical impact remains variable. This narrative review provides a critical reappraisal of the pharmacological actions and therapeutic outcomes of the main mucolytic agents: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), erdosteine, carbocisteine, bromhexine, ambroxol, and dornase alfa. Beyond their classical role in reducing mucus viscosity, these drugs exhibit pleiotropic effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Specifically, for thiol-based compounds, the action consists of breaking the disulfide bonds that stabilize the mucin network; for carbocisteine, it lies in modulating mucin glycosylation and chloride transport. Ambroxol and bromhexine act by stimulating surfactant secretion and enhancing mucociliary clearance. Finally, dornase alfa exerts an enzymatic effect on extracellular DNA, a key contributor to the tenacity of mucus in cystic fibrosis. Clinical evidence indicates that NAC and erdosteine can reduce exacerbation rates in COPD, carbocisteine shows benefit with prolonged administration, and dornase alfa remains a cornerstone in CF management. However, therapeutic efficacy is constrained by heterogeneous mucus composition, pharmacokinetic limitations, and disease-specific variability. A key interpretative message is that clinical benefit appears greatest when the dominant biophysical determinant of mucus pathology is specifically targeted, supporting a transition from broad disease-label prescribing to mechanism-informed, phenotype-aware mucolytic therapy. Emerging strategies, such as agents targeting mucin–DNA interactions and advanced inhalation delivery systems, promise improved specificity and durability. By integrating mechanistic insights with clinical data, this review underscores the need for personalized mucolytic therapy and innovative approaches to overcome current challenges in managing muco-obstructive lung diseases. Full article

Crude oil spill incidents have emerged as a prominent source of environmental contamination, adversely affecting marine ecosystems. This paper undertakes a comprehensive examination of the efficiency of utilizing green surfactants followed by a solid biofoam material as a viable remedy to remove crude oil contamination from a simulated mangrove environment within the Bodo region of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. During the study, four distinct soil samples encompassing sand, mud, peat, and peat–mud were meticulously collected to simulate the prevailing conditions in Bodo. Subsequently, surfactants were introduced into contaminated matrices at similar concentration levels over a specific time frame under the same conditions as in Bodo. Afterwards, a lignin-based biofoam material was then created with the goal of advanced remediation improvement. The outcomes show positive potential, presenting an innovative path for researchers to explore further environmentally sustainable solutions for contaminated muddy soils. The findings from the investigation include the following: (1) the interfacial tension caused by the best-performing surfactants was reduced to a level of 10⁻¹ mN/m, demonstrating that the mobilization of contaminants and extraction are efficient using the studied formulations, especially for sand and muddy samples, and (2) advanced biofoam remediation showed an oil absorption level of 40%, with only brine water existing in the contaminated oil. Full article

Background: Surfactant Protein D (SP-D) is a critical immunomodulatory collectin maintaining alveolar homeostasis. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related intermittent hypoxia (IH) disrupts pulmonary surfactant integrity; however, severity-dependent SP-D dynamics remain incompletely characterized. This study explores SP-D as a potential indicator of IH-induced alveolar stress and evaluates whether Galectin-3 (Gal-3) inhibition modulates surfactant homeostasis. Methods: Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 per group) were randomized to Control (normoxia), Moderate IH (MIH; 15–30 events/hour), Severe IH (SIH; 30–60 events/hour), MIH + Gal-3 inhibitor (Modified Citrus Pectin, 800 mg/kg/day), or SIH + Gal-3 inhibitor. IH exposure lasted 8 h/day for 10 days. Outcomes included circulating SP-D, Surfactant Protein B (SP-B), inflammatory markers, physiological parameters, and histopathological lung injury scores assessed via American Thoracic Society guidelines. Results: SP-D levels showed numerical reductions with increasing IH severity (Control: 1969.07 pg/mL [IQR: 262.15]; SIH: 1404.30 pg/mL [IQR: 351.88]), representing a 28.6% decrease. However, between-group variability resulted in non-significant omnibus testing (Kruskal–Wallis p = 0.187). Gal-3 inhibition elevated SP-D levels, particularly in severe IH (2133.95 pg/mL [IQR: 1240.70]), though high inter-individual variability was observed (CV = 58.1%). SP-B showed significant suppression under moderate IH (p = 0.019) with restoration by treatment. Exploratory correlation analysis revealed moderate positive associations between SP-D and heart rate (r = 0.587) and respiratory rate (r = 0.419) in severe IH, though these did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.126 and p = 0.301, respectively). Histologically, severe IH induced diffuse alveolar damage (total lung score: 19.67 ± 0.82). Gal-3 inhibition produced context-dependent effects: protective in severe IH but paradoxically exacerbating inflammation under moderate IH (29.20 ± 4.64 vs. 20.00 ± 4.34; p < 0.05). Gal-3 inhibition significantly attenuated cardiac injury (injury score: 0.00 ± 0.00 vs. 7.17 ± 0.75 in severe IH; p < 0.001, η² = 0.859). Conclusions: SP-D demonstrates severity-associated alterations consistent with alveolar epithelial stress during IH, though high variability limits definitive biomarker validation in this sample. Gal-3 inhibition modulates surfactant homeostasis and attenuates cardiopulmonary injury in a context-dependent manner. These findings support further investigation into SP-D as a component of multimodal severity stratification in OSA and highlight Gal-3 inhibition as a context-dependent anti-inflammatory strategy, pending validation in larger cohorts with tissue-level confirmation. Full article

Developing an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection platform remains challenging due to the limited enrichment efficiency of ECL emitters and co-reactants at the electrode interface, as well as the insufficient catalytic enhancement of co-reactant conversion. Moreover, simultaneous in situ analyte enrichment and efficient anti-interference capability are often difficult to achieve in a single sensing interface. Herein, a new ECL platform was developed based on nanocatalyst-supported nanochannel-confined surfactant micelle (SM) system, which integrates an enhanced luminol-dissolved oxygen (DO) ECL response for the ultrasensitive detection of antibiotic rifampicin (RIF). A nanocomposite comprising nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots and a molybdenum disulfide nanosheet (NGQDs@MoS₂) was modified on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. This nanocomposite layer catalyzed the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), boosting the co-reactant efficiency of DO. Vertically ordered mesoporous silica film filled with surfactant micelles (SM@VMSF) was subsequently grown in situ on the NGQDs@MoS₂ surface. The hydrophobic micelles enable the simultaneous enrichment of luminol, DO, and RIF. Integrating the triple-enrichment effect of surfactant micelles with the high electrocatalytic effect of NGQDs@MoS₂ nanocomposite results in significant ECL enhancement of the luminol–DO. SM@VMSF also provides an excellent molecular sieving effect, endowing the sensor with high anti-interference capability and stability. RIF quenches the ECL signal by consuming superoxide anion radicals, enabling sensitive detection. Detection of RIF was established with a high sensitivity (2927 a.u. per nM) wide linear range (10 pM to 10 μM) and a low limit of detection (LOD, 2.5 pM). The fabricated sensor exhibits good selectivity and high fabrication reproducibility (relative standard deviation, RSD, of 1.9%). Additionally, the determination of RIF in eye drops and seawater samples was realized. This work offers new insights for the design of high-performance ECL sensing interfaces and sensitive detection of RIF. Full article

Increasing freshwater scarcity alongside growing irrigation demand poses a major challenge for agricultural production. One potential response is the use of drought adaptation amendments: materials of natural or synthetic origin that, when applied to soil or crops, either increase water availability or improve plant performance under water stress. Because these amendments range from minerals and microorganisms to polymers and plant-derived compounds, they are often studied in separate disciplinary literatures rather than as a single category of inputs. Here, we review drought adaptation amendments for agricultural use and evaluate them along three dimensions: effectiveness in mitigating drought stress, economic feasibility, and environmental and human-health implications. Across amendment classes, effectiveness is achieved through several recurring pathways, including reduced soil evaporation, altered canopy energy balance, improved infiltration and soil water retention, improved rhizosphere and root access to retained water, and enhanced physiological tolerance to water deficit. No single amendment consistently performs best across all three criteria. Materials that strongly modify soil water dynamics can be effective but may be costly or environmentally risky, while lower-risk options often have smaller or more context-dependent effects. Among the most promising lower-risk options identified in this review are microbial inoculants, certain mineral amendments, and water-based plant extracts, though their effectiveness remains context-dependent. Future research should prioritize amendments that combine drought-mitigating effects with economic feasibility and minimal environmental or health risks. Full article

In the present paper, In₂O₃ NPs were synthesized by a wet-chemical method, in the absence and presence of the surfactant, and deposited as thin films on silicon substrates. After deposition, the films were subjected to rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 550 °C, 750 °C, and 900 °C, for 300 s, under an inert atmosphere. The correlation between the morphological, structural, and optical characteristics, the wetting capacity of In₂O₃ films synthesized under different synthesis conditions, and the influence of the RTA treatment are presented. The vibrations of In-O bonds for In₂O₃ samples were confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. Structural analysis shows that In₂O₃ NPs have a cubic crystalline structure, but with the increase in temperature at 900 °C, diffraction peaks characteristic of the tetragonal phase of indium appear, correlated with a decrease in lattice parameters, as a result of the crystallinity. The morphology of the In₂O₃ samples was studied by SEM, revealing predominantly spherical and uniformly distributed particles with nanometric sizes. The absorption spectra of the In₂O₃ NPs showed peaks in the ultraviolet region, and the high energy bandgap value of the In₂O₃ films varied between 3.28 and 4.33 eV, depending on the samples and RTA treatment. The contact angle measurements of In₂O₃ films determined the wetting capacity of the surface, reflecting changes in surface morphology and structure induced by the RTA process. The results suggest that In₂O₃ thin films with spherical nanoparticles, good wettability, and percolation can be used for the development of sensors with increased selectivity and sensitivity. Full article

The emergence of membrane boundaries represents a decisive transition in the origin of life, yet the molecular nature of the earliest abiotic membranes remains uncertain. Existing models based on simple fatty acids, while experimentally tractable, often lack the environmental robustness required under fluctuating prebiotic conditions. Furthermore, the absence of clear pathways linking primitive amphiphiles to later phospholipid systems highlights the need for chemically continuous intermediate frameworks. Here, we explore borate-bridged amphiphile–carbohydrate conjugates as plausible intermediates between simple prebiotic surfactants and modern lipid bilayers. These conjugates arise from low-molecular-weight polyols—including glycerol, butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol, pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentaol, and hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexitol—reacting with long-chain alkyl ethers and borate species under alkaline conditions, enabling reversible coupling to ribose and other vicinal diol-containing sugars. This chemistry integrates three essential properties for early compartmentalization: hydrolytically robust ether-linked hydrophobic domains, multivalent and highly hydrated headgroups, and environmentally responsive borate coordination. Comparative physicochemical analysis suggests that single-tail alkylglycerol derivatives preferentially form micelles and interfacial films, while di- and tri-tail tetritol and pentitol conjugates favor lamellar assemblies and vesicle formation across realistic prebiotic pH and salinity ranges. Hexitol-based systems, particularly those bearing three hydrophobic chains, may act as membrane-stabilizing components that enhance rigidity and reduce permeability under extreme conditions. We propose that heterogeneous mixtures dominated by two-tail polyol diethers, supplemented by tri-tail stabilizers and surface-active alkylglycerols, could provide mechanically robust, pH-tunable, and sugar-decorated abiotic membranes. Such borate-mediated amphiphiles offer a chemically coherent framework linking carbohydrate stabilization, ether lipid persistence, and dynamic self-assembly, potentially representing a transitional stage in the evolutionary pathway from primitive amphiphilic films to biologically encoded membranes. Full article

Background: Short-term morbidities and mortality decreased significantly in the past decade at preterm born < 25 weeks of gestation. Severe lifelong morbidities affect an important part of these patients. Objective: to investigate the in-hospital morbidity, mortality, and short-term complications of preterm neonates born ≤25 weeks of gestation. Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted in children born 2021–2024, ≤25 weeks of gestation, admitted to a 3rd-level unit, and care till discharge. Pregnancy complications’ effect on neonatal evolution was analyzed, six main in-hospital morbidities specific for preterm birth and other aggravating circumstances, with a possible effect on the evolution were analyzed, as follows: inflammatory syndrome, early pulmonary or digestive hemorrhages, and early inotropic support. The neurological development in the first year of life was analyzed through theparticipation of premature infants in the follow-up program after discharge. Results: Forty-nine premature infants were enrolled, with a mean gestational age of 24.37 ± 0.76 weeks and an average weight of 665 ± 143 g. Most newborns required intubation at birth (42/49), and 33/49 received 2-dose surfactant therapy postnatally. NEC was present in 26.5% of the group, being more common in patients with inflammatory syndrome—increase in procalcitonin (PCT), and those who received a higher number of blood transfusions. The BPD and ROP, as well as the severity of the latter, correlated with the oxygen requirement on the 28th day of life. BPD was more common in infants associated with PDA requiring combination treatment. ROP increased with the number of transfusions required by patients. At the follow-up at the first timepoint evaluation, were 51% of the study group, and 30.6% of them had normal neurological development. At 12 months of age, however, the neurological examination was normal in only three patients (23.08%) but only 36.5% of the study group attended the follow-up. Neurodevelopmental disorders were present in 10 of the patients, one with spastic diplegia. Conclusions: In the hospital, the morbidity and survival rate of the group was like other studies. The small number of follow-up participants does not allow the generalization of the data, but as far as neurological development is concerned, it is like that of other studies. Full article

The textile and clothing industry exerts a significant environmental impact in the EU, contributing heavily to water, land, and resource depletion, with waste generation expected to rise sharply due to fast fashion trends. Accelerating circularity and closed-loop production is critical to reduce the sector’s ecological footprint. This study investigates newer approaches for the removal of indigo prints from cotton (CO) and polyester (PES) textiles using aqueous-based solutions and/or ozone treatment. Aqueous alkaline solutions containing reducing agents and surfactants were evaluated, as well as dry and wet ozone treatments. The efficacy of colour removal was assessed via spectrophotometric analysis [colour strength (K/S) and colour difference (ΔE)] and the fabrics were tested for dimensional stability and tensile strength before and after treatment. Results reveal that surfactant-assisted aqueous treatments enable effective pigment removal and maintain textile properties, supporting subsequent reprinting for textile upcycling. Wet ozone treatment also promoted substantial decolourisation, particularly in cellulosic substrates. Although PES samples exhibited better mechanical resistance, they revealed limited pigment extraction upon ozone treatment. These findings demonstrate the potential of chemical treatments using aqueous-based solutions and surfactants for circular textile applications, facilitating pigment removal without compromising substrate integrity, and boosting the upcycling. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for respiratory disorders, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, its clinical translation via pulmonary delivery is limited by poor aqueous solubility, chemical instability, and low local bioavailability. This study aimed to develop and optimize a sodium stearate (NaSt)-based spray-dried dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation to enhance the aerosol performance, dissolution, and storage stability of CBD. Methods: CBD microparticles were prepared by spray drying using NaSt as the primary excipient. The feed preparation method, spray-drying parameters, and CBD:NaSt ratios were systematically optimized. The resulting powders were evaluated for aerodynamic properties using cascade impaction, dissolution behavior in simulated lung fluid, solid-state characteristics, and accelerated stability under stress conditions. Results: The optimized formulation, SD-4, a spray-dried CBD:NaSt formulation prepared at a 20:80 weight ratio using Process B, demonstrated excellent aerosolization performance, with a fine particle fraction (FPF) exceeding 50% and a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 5.08 ± 0.1 μm. Dissolution testing revealed more than a three-fold increase in drug release compared with raw CBD, attributed to amorphous dispersion within the NaSt matrix and surfactant-induced micellization. Accelerated stability studies confirmed improved retention of the amorphous state and drug content, while antioxidant incorporation further reduced oxidative degradation. Conclusions: The NaSt-based spray-dried formulation significantly improved aerosol deposition efficiency, dissolution rate, and physicochemical stability of CBD. This formulation strategy may provide a promising platform for pulmonary delivery of poorly water-soluble compounds. Full article

Low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) have attracted growing attention as versatile alternatives to conventional polymeric thickeners and gelators, owing to their ability to form three-dimensional fibrillar networks through non-covalent self-assembly and to undergo reversible sol–gel transitions in response to external stimuli. Among the various stimuli that can be exploited, pH represents a particularly attractive trigger given its direct relevance to biological and physiological environments. This review focuses on three categories of pH-responsive LMWGs that have shown notable progress over the past decade yet remain relatively underexplored in the literature. First, N-oxide-type hydrogelators are discussed, with emphasis on amide amine oxide-based surfactants and pyridine-N-oxide frameworks. The pH-dependent protonation of the N-oxide moiety modulates intermolecular hydrogen bonding, thereby governing self-assembly and gel formation. The structural versatility of these gelators enables rational tuning of aggregate morphology and confers clear pH and temperature responsiveness. Second, recent advances in phenylboronic acid-based LMWGs are highlighted. Although boronic acid derivatives have long been studied as dynamic crosslinking units in polymeric hydrogels, 3-isobutoxyphenylboronic acid was recently identified as the first example of phenylboronic acid functioning as an LMWG, in which gelation is driven primarily by hydrogen bonding and pH responsiveness is exploited for stimuli-triggered gel disruption rather than gel formation. Third, pH-responsive orthogonal self-assembly systems are reviewed. Representative examples include multicomponent hybrid hydrogels combining pH-activated LMWGs with polymer gelators for controlled drug release, pH-triggered self-sorting of two LMWGs without any polymeric component, and bio-based orthogonal hydrogels composed of a glucolipid LMWG and cellulose nanocrystals. For each system, both advantages and remaining limitations are critically assessed. Collectively, this review aims to provide a timely overview of emerging trends in pH-responsive LMWG research and to offer perspectives on the rational design of next-generation stimuli-responsive soft materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Surfactant has been delivered via less-invasive surfactant administration (LISA) in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) since 2020. Data have been monitored and the literature regularly reviewed to improve our LISA practice. The purpose of this project is to share the clinical practice changes made to help other NICU providers fine-tune their LISA practice. Methods: The original LISA criteria included babies with GA 27–36 6/7 w, on > 21% O₂, on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), pCO₂ < 70 if a blood gas was obtained, and radiographic and/or clinical evidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Current criteria include GA 25–35 6/7 w and minimum CPAP + 6. This manuscript highlights the changes made since 2023. To monitor these changes, targeted data from the entire cohort were examined before and after each change. Results: LISA was attempted on 399 babies (average (SD) GA 31.7 (2.7), birth weight 1752 (590), with a procedural success rate of 97%. Overall, 18% required intubation within 7 days after LISA. The median (IQR) for FiO₂ was 32 (28, 40) prior to LISA and 23 (21, 30) post-LISA and the hour of age of LISA was 4 (2.5, 9.9). LISA procedure success rate was increased by the use of video laryngoscopy as well as reinforcement of the use of sucrose sedation and swaddling; our first attempt success increased overall from 39% to 52%. After the introduction of a clinical RDS score (Downes), there was an expected and logical increase in the number of infants requiring intubation within 7 days of LISA indicating likely over-treatment prior to this change. After implementation of a clearly described plan for babies <28 w gestation there was a decrease in the hour of age of LISA from 3 (2.5, 4.5) to 2 (0.8, 3) h. Conclusions: It is critical to continually evaluate a new practice and identify strategic changes. We offer our changes to assist others starting or using LISA. Full article

The colloidal particles present in natural soil and groundwater systems possess distinctive properties that enable them to migrate across solid surfaces, thereby exerting a significant influence on the distribution of pollutants. While the attachment of colloidal particles to solid surfaces has been extensively investigated, the mechanisms governing their detachment under varying hydrochemical conditions remain largely unexplored. The common interaction between montmorillonite colloids and solid medium (Al₂O₃) in soil affects the fate of pollutants such as heavy metals. In our study, Al₂O₃ was used as solid medium to observe the adsorption and desorption behavior of montmorillonite colloids. It was found that the adsorption capacity of Al₂O₃ to montmorillonite colloids could reach 4.71 mg g⁻¹ (pH 5.0 and 10 mM NaCl concentration). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows that montmorillonite colloids react with the Al₂O₃ surface mainly through chemical groups with –O–Si bonds. Desorption experiments show that SDS drives desorption by neutralizing and reversing the surface charge of Al₂O₃, while CTAB directly modifies montmorillonite colloids and introduces steric hindrance to achieve desorption. These research data contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the migration behavior of montmorillonite colloids on solid phases. Full article

In this paper, to remove the water lock effect in tight gas reservoirs, amphipathic polymer-modified titanium quantum dots (PTQs) were synthesized via in situ polymerization, showing a hyper-branched structure and an excellent synergistic effect with the nonionic fluorocarbon surfactant to break the water lock. The molecular structure, fluorescent property, and micromorphology of the PTQs were obtained. The surface activity and wettability alteration of rock are discussed. Results show that PTQs have zwitterionic hydrophilic groups and the hydrophobic structure of long-chain groups on their molecular structure. PTQ fluid, with a median particle size of 3.6 nm, showed strong green fluorescence and had excellent dispersibility in 50,000 mg/L of standard saline fluid at 120 °C. Additionally, the surface tension decreased to 18.6 mN/m at a PTQ concentration of 0.08%. At a 0.1% concentration, PTQ fluid altered the water wettability of tight sandstone to 67.2°, which resulted in lower capillary resistance. Furthermore, the surfactant (PHPE) had a good synergistic effect with the PTQs to decrease surface tension and alter the wettability of the sandstone surface, leading to lower surface tension and significant amphiphobicity. The strong surface activity of PTQs results from their specific molecular structure, which enables electrostatic attraction, quantum size effects, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces between the inter-polar molecules of PTQs and the surface of sandstone to forcefully eliminate the water lock effect. This study offers key guidance for the development of a high-performance water-lock-breaking agent and application of titanium quantum dots in tight gas reservoirs. Full article