Search Results (23,241)

Objectives: Seawater-immersed burn wounds are highly susceptible to contamination, persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and delayed healing, while current irrigation solutions remain suboptimal for such acute injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a novel irrigation strategy for these complex wounds. Methods: The antibacterial efficacy of PAW against marine pathogens was first evaluated in vitro. Subsequently, a rat model of seawater-immersed burn injury was established in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to assess the therapeutic effects of PAW irrigation on wound healing, infection control, and underlying biological mechanisms. Results: In vitro, PAW significantly eradicated two major marine pathogens, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (p < 0.001). In vivo, PAW markedly accelerated wound closure, achieving complete healing in 23.60 ± 6.50 days vs. 38.67 ± 2.08 days (Normal saline group) and 58.33 ± 10.97 days (Model group) (p < 0.05). PAW significantly reduced bacterial burden, modulated inflammation by decreasing interleukin-6 and increasing interleukin-10, and alleviated oxidative stress, as evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde levels and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity. Histological evaluation demonstrated enhanced re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1. No adverse effects on serum biochemistry or major organ histopathology were observed. Conclusions: PAW may be a safe, promising, and multifunctional irrigation strategy that promotes seawater-immersed burn healing through coordinated antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pro-angiogenic effects, highlighting its strong potential for clinical translation. Full article

This bibliometric study examined 179 Scopus-indexed publications on the physical and mechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) published between 2016 and 2025. BiblioMagika^® was used for performance analysis, and Biblioshiny was used for keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, and thematic evolution. The papers identified as the cohort for analysis had received 2830 citations in total, with an average of 15.81 citations per paper, and an average h-index of 30. The European Journal of Wood and Wood Products and BioResources were the most productive sources. Three distinct categories were identified through keyword mapping among the studies reviewed: (1) advanced composites and reinforcement, (2) adhesive and emission-related studies, and (3) circular-material strategies. Thematic evolution showed a trend away from traditional resin-performance topics toward broader sustainability-related themes, particularly bio-based adhesives and recycling-related topics. Overall, this review provides a quantitative overview of publication patterns, influential sources, and thematic development in MDF research. It also provides direction for future MDF research, focusing on durability, large-scale feasibility, life-cycle assessments, and practical implementation. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is an important zoonotic foodborne pathogen that causes severe rhombencephalitis in ruminants. The trigeminal ganglion is a critical node for Lm invasion of the central nervous system via neural pathways. However, the roles of key virulence factors InlA, InlB, and LLO from ovine-derived Lm in trigeminal ganglion neuron infection remain unclear. In this study, LM90SB2, an ovine-derived Lm strain isolated from a sheep with encephalitis in Xinjiang, China, was used as the wild type, and its ΔInlAB double-gene deletion and ΔInlABO triple-gene deletion mutants were constructed. Primary mouse trigeminal ganglion cells (TGCs) were infected with these strains, and cell-association and invasion assays, bacterial colonization analysis, cell scratch tests, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR were performed to explore the effects of InlA, InlB, and LLO on Lm infection of TGCs and their regulatory roles in host adhesion molecules N-cadherin and NCAM1. The results showed that the wild-type LM90SB2 had significantly stronger cell-association, invasion, and colonization abilities in TGCs than the ΔInlAB and ΔInlABO mutants (p < 0.01 or p < 0.0001). LM90SB2 infection significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of N-cadherin and NCAM1 in TGCs and enhanced TGC migration, while these effects were gradually attenuated with the sequential deletion of InlA, InlB and LLO. This study clarifies the synergistic roles of InlA, InlB, and LLO in mediating the infection of trigeminal ganglion neurons by ovine-derived Lm and reveals the molecular mechanism by which Lm promotes neural invasion by regulating the expression of host cell adhesion molecules. Our findings provide important experimental data for elucidating the neural invasion pathway of Lm in ruminants and lay a theoretical foundation for the development of targeted prevention and control strategies for ruminant listeriosis in veterinary clinical practices. Full article

Deep hard-rock and geothermal drilling expose polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter chamfers to coupled thermal shock, abrasive wear, and intermittent impact, which accelerates edge spalling and degrades the quality of on-bit monitoring signals. This bench-scale proof-of-concept study evaluates a surface-gradient architecture that combines shallow cobalt leaching in the chamfer region with a thin silicon carbide (SiC) interlayer and a nanocrystalline diamond topcoat. Commercial 13 mm PDC cutters were treated within a surface-gradient design window of $t_{\mathrm{SiC}}=0$–1.0 $\mathsf{\mu }$m and $L_{\mathrm{deCo}}=0$–200 $\mathsf{\mu }$m, and were examined by cross-sectional microscopy, XPS/ToF-SIMS, Raman stress mapping, scratch adhesion, apparent fracture toughness, laser-flash thermal transport, thermal-shock cycling, 400 ${}^{\circ }$C pin-on-disc wear, instrumented impact loading, bench granite-drilling signal acquisition, and finite-element correlation. The optimized configuration ($t_{\mathrm{SiC}}\approx 0.7\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$, $t_{\mathrm{D}}\approx 5\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$, and $L_{\mathrm{deCo}}\approx 100\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$) reduced the 95th-percentile tensile residual stress at the chamfer from about 0.48 to 0.26 GPa, reached a scratch critical load of about 28 N, compared with about 16 N for the topcoat-only condition and about 25 N for the SiC-plus-topcoat condition, cut high-temperature wear volume by about 40%, and shifted the characteristic spalling energy from about 0.8 to 1.3 J. In bench-scale granite drilling, the same design stabilized frictional response and improved simple pre-spall discrimination metrics, raising ROC-AUC from about 0.65 to 0.87. These bench-scale results provide proof-of-concept evidence that surface-gradient design can improve PDC chamfer durability and signal discriminability, while the proposed signal metrics have yet to be validated under field-scale downhole conditions. Full article

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity and results from compression of the median nerve within the fibro-osseous carpal tunnel. Anatomical variants such as a bifid median nerve (BMN) and a persistent median artery (PMA) may increase tunnel occupancy and complicate both diagnosis and treatment. High-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound enables detailed evaluation of these anatomical variations and facilitates image-guided interventions. Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection has emerged as a minimally invasive technique capable of mechanically releasing perineural adhesions and restoring nerve mobility. Alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M), an autologous plasma protease inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and cytokine-binding properties, has recently been explored as a biologic adjunct in musculoskeletal conditions. We report the case of a 60-year-old right-handed woman who presented with a one-year history of numbness, paresthesia, and pain within the median nerve distribution of her dominant hand. Ultrasound examination demonstrated a bifid median nerve accompanied by a persistent median artery and perineural edema within the proximal carpal tunnel. The patient underwent three weekly sessions of ultrasound-guided hydrodissection using autologous A2M prepared through the APEX filtration system. The patient reported progressive clinical improvement following treatment. Grip strength increased from 12 kg at baseline to 22 kg at week twelve. Follow-up ultrasound performed ten months after treatment showed restoration of median nerve fascicular architecture and normalization of nerve morphology, findings consistent with interval structural improvement. This case highlights the role of ultrasound in the integrated evaluation and management of CTS with anatomical variants, including diagnosis, procedural guidance, and longitudinal assessment. Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection with A2M may represent a feasible minimally invasive approach in selected patients; however, further prospective studies are required to determine its safety and therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Latrophilin 1 (LPHN1/ADGRL1), an adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is the principal receptor for α-latrotoxin (αLTX), a toxin that triggers massive neurotransmitter release. However, its endogenous signaling mechanism remains elusive. Here, we dissect the LPHN1 signaling pathway at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction, using the pore-deficient αLTX mutant LTX^N4C as a selective agonist. Combining electrophysiological recordings from LPHN1 knockout mice with pharmacological inhibitors, calcium imaging, and biochemical assays, we delineate the cascade from receptor activation to spontaneous quantal acetylcholine release. We demonstrate that LPHN1 is specifically localized to the presynaptic membrane and mediates LTX^N4C-evoked release. Upon activation, LPHN1 engages the G_αq–phospholipase C pathway to generate inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃), triggering Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores via IP₃ receptors. This store depletion activates store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE), providing sustained Ca²⁺ required for LTX^N4C-induced burst-like exocytosis. We uncover distinct roles for Ca_V2.1 and Ca_V1 channels in initiating and sustaining this response. These findings establish LPHN1 as a GPCR that harnesses intracellular stores and SOCE to drive spontaneous neurotransmission, revealing a novel signaling paradigm for adhesion GPCRs in presynaptic function. Full article

Oral candidiasis (OC) is the most frequent fungal infection among users of dental prosthetic devices, immunocompromised patients, and those who underwent chemotherapy treatment and had a complication of long-term antibiotic therapy. About 150 species of Candida fungi have been described, whereas over 80% of oral fungal infections are attributed to the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. Pain, dryness of oral mucosa, pathological lesions, and intermittent mucosal bleeding are the main symptoms that worsen the daily functioning of the abovementioned fungal-infected patients. A promising adjunctive strategy may involve the use of probiotic bacteria to attenuate fungal colonization in the oral cavity in order to reduce the need for conventional treatment, which carries a risk of antifungal drug resistance—a significant problem worldwide. Probiotic formulations mostly incorporate commensal bacteria that naturally inhabit oral ecosystems such as Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Bacillus spp., and others. Probiotic organisms may contribute to the restoration of oral microbiome homeostasis through numerous mechanisms, such as competitive control of Candida species numbers, better adhesion to oral mucosa and production of bioactive compounds and antimicrobial metabolites. Despite many studies, the current evidence base remains heterogeneous. Well-designed studies across diverse populations are required to determine whether probiotic-based interventions can be an effective and clinically useful alternative or adjunct to standard antifungal therapy of OC. Full article

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has emerged as one of the most extensively studied tumor-associated opportunistic pathogens in colorectal cancer (CRC). The central question in Fn–CRC research has shifted from species-level detection or enrichment toward identifying specific lineages with enhanced persistence and tumor-promoting potential under defined host and ecological contexts. Accumulating evidence suggests substantial heterogeneity within Fn at the subspecies and clade levels. Among these, the F. nucleatum subsp. animalis C2 (Fna C2) lineage has been proposed as a candidate high-risk clade with potentially greater adaptability to the gastrointestinal tract and tumor microenvironment. However, current support for Fna C2 is derived mainly from ecological enrichment, comparative genomics, inferred metabolic features, and limited functional observations, while direct clinical and mechanistic validation at the clade level remains limited. Fn has been implicated in CRC progression through multiple interconnected processes, including adhesion and colonization, host signaling activation, inflammatory amplification, immune suppression, and metabolic adaptation. Notably, these pathogenic outputs are unlikely to be uniformly distributed across all Fn lineages, but instead appear to be shaped by the combined influence of bacterial lineage, host molecular context, microbial community structure, and spatial organization within the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the lineage heterogeneity of Fn, its association with CRC, and the underlying host–pathogen interaction mechanisms. We further discuss implications for high-resolution stratification, risk classification, and clinical translation, emphasizing the need to move from species-level associations toward lineage-resolved and context-aware frameworks. Full article

Given its highly aggressive nature and poor clinical outcome, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) requires physiologically relevant in vitro models that more accurately reflect tumor biology and drug response. In this study, adhesive and non-adhesive hydrogel microenvironments were comparatively evaluated for pancreatic cancer spheroid modeling using PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels were synthesized, photocrosslinked, and optimized in terms of stability, swelling, degradation, and cytocompatibility, while 3% agarose was used as a non-adhesive counterpart. Although the optimized GelMA formulation showed adequate structural stability and no cytotoxicity, it did not support spheroid formation. In contrast, agarose enabled the formation of compact, viable, and proliferative spheroids in both cell lines. Agarose-derived spheroids exhibited time-dependent growth, positive Ki-67 staining, and increased HIF-1α expression under 3D conditions, indicating the establishment of hypoxia-associated tumor-like microenvironments. Gemcitabine treatment induced a time-dependent reduction in spheroid viability, while viable cell populations persisted throughout exposure, reflecting the heterogeneous therapeutic response typical of 3D tumor models. Overall, these findings provide a comparative, microenvironment-based assessment of pancreatic cancer spheroid modeling, indicating that hydrogel-dependent differences in adhesivity and structural dynamics are important determinants of spheroid assembly, hypoxia-associated molecular adaptation, and chemotherapeutic response. Overall, these findings provide a comparative, microenvironment-based assessment of pancreatic cancer spheroid modeling, indicating that hydrogel-dependent differences in adhesivity and structural dynamics are important determinants of spheroid assembly, hypoxia-associated molecular adaptation, and chemotherapeutic response. Overall, these findings provide a comparative, microenvironment-based assessment of pancreatic cancer spheroid modeling, indicating that hydrogel-dependent differences in adhesivity and structural dynamics are important determinants of spheroid assembly, hypoxia-associated molecular adaptation, and chemotherapeutic response. Full article

Soil adhesion and abrasive wear severely degrade the performance and service life of soil-covering rollers in no-tillage seeders, particularly in the heavy clay black soil regions of Northeast China. To address the critical issues of soil adhesion and wear on soil-covering rollers used in no-tillage seeders within black soil regions, this study presents a surface engineering strategy that integrates a bionic micro-texture with a functional composite coating. Inspired by the crescent-shaped pits on the body surface of Procambarus clarkii, a bionic texture was designed and combined with a PTFE/PDMS/TiO₂ composite coating. Key parameters were optimized using response surface methodology, yielding a TiO₂ mass fraction of 6%, coating thickness of 40 μm, remaining texture depth of 50 μm, and texture spacing of 250 μm. A prototype was fabricated and evaluated through orthogonal field experiments in two distinct soil environments. In clay soil (15–25% moisture content), soil moisture and vertical load significantly influenced anti-adhesion performance, with recommended operating parameters of 600 N vertical load and a speed range of 10.8–14.4 km·h⁻¹. In sandy soil (8–18% moisture content), vertical load and operating speed had significant effects on wear resistance, with optimal parameters identified as 600 N vertical load and 10.8 km·h⁻¹. Verification tests confirmed stable low-adhesion and low-wear performance under varying moisture conditions. Compared to conventional and PTFE-coated rollers, the bionic roller reduced soil adhesion by 82.62% and 74.02%, respectively, in high-moisture clay soil, and reduced wear loss by 36.81% and 28.97%, respectively, in dry sandy soil. These results demonstrate that the synergistic “structure–material” design, which leverages stress dispersion and storage from the bionic texture alongside low surface energy and enhanced wear resistance from the composite coating, offers a promising approach for improving the durability and performance of soil-engaging agricultural components. Full article

Background/Objectives: A disadvantage of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in eyes with prior glaucoma filtration surgery is the difficulty in maintaining air tamponade during the procedure. Herein, we report the use of bleb compressive sutures in managing air tamponade in the anterior chamber during DSAEK in eyes with blebs following trabeculectomy. Methods: This retrospective case series included 34 eyes of 33 patients that developed bullous keratopathy following trabeculectomy. Bleb compression suturing was performed using a 10-0 nylon suture in eyes with an intraocular pressure (IOP) < 10 mmHg or a fragile ischemic bleb. Postoperative IOP, air ingress into the bleb, rebubbling, bleb leakage, and bleb damage were evaluated. Results: Of the 34 eyes, 13 underwent bleb compression suturing before DSAEK (suture group), whereas 21 eyes did not (non-suture group). The mean preoperative IOP was 7.5 ± 2.5 mmHg and 11.2 ± 4.2 mmHg in the suture and the non-suture groups, respectively. The IOP was measured 2 h postoperatively in 14 eyes, increasing by 18 ± 9.3 and 11.7 ± 3.1 mmHg in the suture and non-suture groups, respectively, compared to the preoperative IOP, with no significant differences. At 2 h postoperatively, two eyes in the suture group and one eye in the non-suture group exhibited an IOP spike (≥30 mmHg). One eye in the non-suture group required rebubbling owing to air ingress into the bleb. The mean IOP was 7.1 ± 3.2 and 9.4 ± 4.6 mmHg in the suture and non-suture groups, respectively, 1–2 weeks postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative IOPs did not significantly differ in either group, and no suture-related complications were observed. Conclusions: For eyes with blebs, bleb compression suturing in DSAEK provides effective air tamponade during graft adhesion. Full article

Tree bark, an abundant by-product of the timber industry, represents a promising feedstock for sustainable construction. This study investigates the thickness swelling, water absorption, hygroscopicity and mechanical (compressive strength) properties of insulation panels produced from hardwood bark (Tilia spp. and Robinia pseudoacacia) via hydromechanical treatment and a wet-forming process. The panels were produced without added adhesives, relying on the formation of hydrogen bonds during the drying phase to ensure structural integrity. Both bark-based insulation boards (thermal conductivity coefficient 0.055–0.057 W/m·K) showed similar hygroscopic behavior, reaching equilibrium moisture contents of max. 25% at 93.9% RH. Water absorption after 24 h immersion was highly material-dependent; Tilia-based panels showed 57.11 ± 5.81%, and Robinia-based panels 320.61 ± 11.34%. Thickness swelling remained low (max. 6% for Robinia), showing significant orthotropic anisotropy. At 10% compressive strain, the Tilia and Robinia bark-based panels showed compressive strengths of 188 ± 14.6 kPa and 298 ± 18.1 kPa, accordingly. These findings demonstrate that hardwood bark can be successfully valorized into high-performance, binderless insulation, supporting circular economic strategies. Full article

Urinary cancers present a severe clinical challenge due to high recurrence rates. Standard intravesical therapies suffer from limited efficacy because of the urinary tract’s robust physiological defenses, namely, the dynamic washout effect during voiding and highly restrictive urothelial barriers, such as the anti-adhesive glycosaminoglycan layer and intercellular tight junctions. This review aims to explore how biomimetic engineering can overcome these obstacles by transitioning drug delivery from passive carriers to active, nature-inspired systems. We conducted a comprehensive review of the recent literature focusing on biomimetic strategies for intravesical drug delivery and urinary cancer theranostics. The analyzed approaches are categorized into chemical biomimicry (such as adhesion and camouflage) and structural/functional biomimicry (including adaptive devices and microrobots). Biomimetic strategies significantly enhance targeted drug retention and tissue penetration. Chemical biomimicry, utilizing mussel-inspired catechol chemistry and cell membrane camouflage, effectively bypasses the urothelial anti-adhesive defenses and reduces the immune clearance. Structural and functional biomimicry, such as naturally derived carriers and actively propelled magnetic or biohybrid microrobots, enables the precise spatial localization and controlled payload release in dynamic fluid environments. Furthermore, lab-on-a-chip technologies and patient-derived organoids (PDOs) offer scalable platforms for screening cargo-specific efficacies and tailoring treatments, providing a crucial bridge to personalized precision medicine. Integrating nature-inspired designs with advanced nanotechnologies provides a highly promising pathway with which to overcome the mechanical and biological barriers of the urinary tract. These biomimetic innovations hold the potential to shift the therapeutic paradigm for urinary oncology, paving the way for more efficient, targeted, and personalized precision medicine. Full article

Developing membranes with superior antifouling properties is crucial for efficient and sustainable water treatment. In this study, polysulfone (PSM) composite membranes were fabricated by incorporating hydroxylated titanium nanotubes (TNT@OH) via the non-solvent-induced phase separation method. The hydroxylation of TNTs enhanced their dispersion in the polymer matrix and promoted strong polymer–nanoparticle interactions. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, XRD, TGA, FESEM, and AFM confirmed the successful integration of TNT@OH, resulting in membranes with improved hydrophilicity, porosity, and thermal stability. The contact angle decreased from ~88° for neat PSM to ~50° at 7 wt% TNT@OH, while surface free energy increased significantly. Mechanical strength and flexibility were also enhanced at optimal TNT@OH loadings (3–5 wt%), owing to uniform dispersion and strong interfacial bonding. Filtration experiments using humic acid (HA) and natural organic matter (NOM) demonstrated remarkable improvements in water flux, rejection efficiency, and fouling resistance. The composite membranes achieved HA rejection rates of up to 98%, with reduced irreversible fouling and higher flux recovery ratios across multiple filtration–cleaning cycles. The proposed antifouling mechanism is attributed to the formation of a stable hydration layer by surface hydroxyl groups, which prevents foulant adhesion and facilitates cleaning. These findings suggest that incorporating TNT@OH into polysulfone membranes is a promising approach for developing high-performance ultrafiltration membranes with enhanced permeability, mechanical robustness, and long-term antifouling stability, thereby making them suitable for advanced water purification applications. Full article

Polyurethanes (PUs) are widely used in biomedical applications; however, their surface properties critically determine bacterial colonization and cell response. In this study, medical-grade PU films were modified using low-pressure C₃H₂F₄ plasma (50 W, 300 s, 0.2 mbar), and the resulting changes in surface chemistry, wettability, topography, bacterial adhesion, and cell compatibility were evaluated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the incorporation of fluorine-containing groups (CF₂, CF₃) and the appearance of an F 1s signal at ~688.3 eV. Plasma treatment increased the water contact angle from 92.6° ± 5.6° to 97.9° ± 3.1° and elevated the root mean square (RMS) surface roughness (Sq) from 39.0 nm to 77.3 nm. Surface free energy slightly decreased after plasma treatment due to reductions in both polar and dispersive components. Quantitative adhesion assays revealed strain-dependent effects. For S. aureus DSM 4910, S. epidermidis DSM 28319, and P. aeruginosa DSM 22644, no consistent reduction in adhesion was observed on plasma-treated surfaces. In contrast, E. coli DSM 18039 demonstrated significantly higher adhesion on modified PU at all incubation times, reaching 5.96 ± 0.44 logCFU/mL after 240 min compared to 5.05 ± 0.27 log colony-forming units per milliliter (logCFU/mL) on unmodified PU. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed increased surface coverage by E. coli on fluorinated samples. Biocompatibility studies using A549 cells showed no cytotoxic effects. Cell spreading area remained comparable between surfaces (1188.6 vs. 1185.1 µm²; p = 0.958). However, cells on plasma-treated PU exhibited reduced major axis length (38.6 vs. 46.7 µm; p < 0.001) and decreased focal adhesion area (8.88 vs. 10.94 µm²; p = 0.002), indicating moderate alterations in cell morphology without compromised viability. These results demonstrate that C₃H₂F₄ plasma fluorination moderately increases PU hydrophobicity and nanoscale roughness, induces strain-dependent changes in bacterial adhesion—particularly enhancing E. coli colonization—while fully preserving mammalian cell viability and showing no cytotoxic effects of the modified surface. Full article