Search Results (10,431)

Accurate detection of blood cells in microscopic images plays a crucial role in automated hematological analysis and clinical diagnosis. Herein, we proposed an improved YOLOv8n-based model for efficient and precise detection of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets in the BCCD dataset. The baseline YOLOv8n framework was enhanced by integrating GhostConv and C3Ghost modules to reduce model complexity while maintaining high detection performance. A series of ablation experiments were conducted to evaluate the individual and combined effects of these modules on model accuracy and computational efficiency. Experimental results demonstrated that the baseline model achieved an mAP@0.5 of 0.9043 with 3.01 M parameters. After incorporating GhostConv, the model maintained comparable accuracy (mAP@0.5 = 0.9040) with a reduction in parameters to 2.73 M. The C3Ghost integration further decreased parameters to 1.99 M with an mAP@0.5 of 0.8973. The combined model achieved an optimal balance between accuracy (mAP@0.5 = 0.9001) and compactness (1.71 M parameters). Results indicate that the improved YOLOv8n can effectively enhance detection efficiency without sacrificing precision. The proposed lightweight detection framework provides a promising solution for real-time blood cell analysis. Its high accuracy, reduced computational load, and strong generalization ability make it suitable for integration into automated laboratory systems, facilitating rapid and intelligent medical diagnostics in hematology and related biomedical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Magnetite nanoparticles represent promising candidates for a broad spectrum of biomedical applications, ranging from in vitro diagnostic assays to in vivo imaging, hyperthermia, and targeted drug and gene delivery, with some nanoagents already approved for clinical use. A critical determinant of their functionality is the nanoparticle coating, which facilitates beneficial interactions within biological systems. In the context of tumor-targeted therapeutic delivery, key design parameters—particularly surface coatings—can be optimized to enhance treatment efficacy by modulating blood circulation kinetics, biodistribution, and other critical properties. However, current preclinical screening methods primarily rely on cell culture models to identify potential nanocarriers, yet these systems often poorly correlate with actual in vivo performance. This discrepancy highlights the necessity of incorporating more biologically relevant testing platforms, such as high-throughput in vivo assays. Methods: In this work, we employed an original magnetic particle quantification (MPQ) technology to systematically evaluate the blood circulation kinetics and biodistribution patterns for magnetite nanoparticles with 17 different coatings across multiple organs and tissues, including the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, heart, tumor, brain, peripheral blood, muscle, and bone. This methodology offers high sensitivity, user-friendly operation, and provides quantitative measurements across a broad dynamic range of nanoparticle concentrations. These advantages enabled high-throughput acquisition of precise blood circulation and biodistribution data. In addition, histological analysis was conducted to evaluate nanoparticle penetration depth within tumor tissue. Results: Here we conducted a comprehensive study of the effect of 17 different polymer-, lectin-, and small molecule-based coatings on the behavior of magnetite nanoparticles in vivo. For each type of obtained nanoparticles, we implemented passive targeting as well as magnetic targeting, the latter using an external magnetic field localized in the tumor area. Conclusions: The collected dataset provides critical insights into how surface modifications influence nanoparticle performance in complex biological systems, offering valuable guidance for optimizing therapeutic nanocarrier design. Full article

Marine algae, microalgae, and Cyanophyceae emerge as sustainable and versatile sources of biomacromolecules for the fabrication of hydrogels with broad biomedical potential. Their phycocolloids, such as alginate, agar, carrageenan, ulvan, and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), exhibit intrinsic biocompatibility, tunable gelation behavior, and bioactive sulfated structures that support cell viability, tissue regeneration, and therapeutic delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of hydrogel fabrication strategies, including physical, chemical, and hybrid crosslinking approaches, and highlights recent advances in composite systems incorporating proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and functional nanomaterials. Applications in skin repair, cartilage and bone regeneration, neural and cardiovascular engineering, and controlled drug delivery are examined, alongside the expanding role of marine-derived hydrogels as bioinks for 3D and 4D bioprinting. Despite their promise, challenges remain related to extract variability, purification complexity, mechanical limitations, and the need for standardized characterization. Future perspectives emphasize genetic engineering of algae and cyanobacteria, development of multifunctional hybrid hydrogels, sustainable large-scale production, and pathways toward clinical translation. Together, these insights position marine-derived hydrogels as next-generation biomaterials with significant potential for regenerative medicine and therapeutic innovation. Full article

Electrochemical machining (ECM) offers precise shaping by material dissolution with negligible mechanical or thermal impact on the workpiece. Metal parts with three-dimensional shapes, such as freeform surfaces or additively manufactured parts, can be addressed by robots with up to six degrees of freedom without significant mechanical impacts on the end-effectors and robots. This study summarizes the state-of-the-art of the use of robots in ECM by assessing the relevant literature. Several investigations were found that implemented or conceptualized the use of robotic arms in ECM sinking, jet-ECM or wire ECM, mainly for effective utilization of the processes. This study includes results of pure ECM, as well as hybrid ECM processes and the use of robots considering their accuracy, degrees of freedom and their application potential. Special emphasis is given to the role of robots in improving machining accessibility and their usability for valuable components in the aerospace, biomedical, and tooling industries. Furthermore, the review provides insights into electrolyte delivery mechanisms and pump configurations that facilitate efficient process performance. Overall, the utilization of robots in ECM not only enhances the process flexibility and surface quality but also aligns well with the aim of intelligent, automated, and high-precision manufacturing. Full article

Lipid-based delivery systems (LDS), including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and liposomes, have become indispensable tools in modern biomedicine owing to their biocompatibility, capacity to encapsulate diverse therapeutic agents, and potential for targeted delivery. Despite their clinical success, conventional batch-based manufacturing methods are hindered by variability, limited scalability, and complex processing steps, slowing their broader translation. Microfluidic technologies offer a transformative solution by enabling precise fluid handling, rapid mixing, and reproducible production of LDS with tunable physicochemical attributes such as particle size, lamellarity, and drug-loading efficiency. This review highlights advances in microfluidic design strategies, including hydrodynamic flow focusing, staggered herringbone mixers, and toroidal micromixers, and evaluates how critical parameters such as flow rate, solvent composition, and lipid concentration influence LDS performance. Furthermore, we discuss the application of microfluidics in drug delivery, nucleic acid therapeutics, and vaccine platforms, underscoring its role in improving scalability, quality control, and clinical translation. Finally, we examine current challenges, including throughput limitations and solvent handling, while outlining future directions for integrating emerging materials and additive manufacturing to optimize LDS fabrication. Collectively, microfluidic platforms provide a promising pathway for next-generation lipid nanomedicines with enhanced precision, reproducibility, and therapeutic efficacy. Full article

This paper proposes a small size meander-line patch antenna which is designed to have biomedical telemetry applications using the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band from 2.40 to 2.48 GHz supported by the equivalent circuit model (ECM). Antenna miniaturization is realized by the effective use of several slot structures placed in the rectangular microstrip patch structure, in order to realize electrical length extension and reduce the physical size. The antenna has overall dimensions of 12 × 22 × 0.787 mm³ and is made on a low-loss Arlon AD 450 (ε_r = 4.50 and tanδ = 0.0035) dielectric substrate, which has the desired stable electrical behavior and, importantly, can be used in implantable environments. Experimental validation is done by implanting the fabricated prototype into a laboratory-manufactured tissue-mimicking phantom, and it showed good agreement with simulated results. The designed antenna has a peak gain of 1.29 dBi in free space and −24.99 dBi at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and a fractional impedance bandwidth of about 250 MHz, which will guarantee reliable operation in the face of diversity and fluctuation in the surrounding environment (biological tissues). Furthermore, specific absorption rate (SAR) analysis is carried out in order to comply with international safety standards with peak SAR values kept within the permissible level of 2 W/kg for 10 g averaging tissue. The results show that the proposed antenna provides a good trade-off between the reduction in size, radiation performance and safety to the patient, making it a good candidate for short-range in-body wireless communication, implantable medical devices, and biomedical monitoring systems. Full article

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic with potential applications in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical components, owing to its exceptional specific strength, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. However, its moderate hardness and limited wear resistance in dry sliding severely constrain its use in highly loaded tribological contacts. In this study, PEEK-based reinforced hybrid composites were produced utilizing a powder metallurgy technique, with reinforcement fractions of 10 wt.% graphite (Gr), boron (B), hydroxyapatite (HAp), and zirconium (Zr). The processing sequence included homogeneous wet-mixing, uniaxial cold compaction at pressures of 10–30 MPa, and sintering at 250–300 °C. The composition and microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Mechanical and tribological performances were assessed by Vickers microhardness, uniaxial compression and dry sliding wear tests. The best-performing Gr-B hybrid composite increased hardness by 240% and compressive strength by 175% compared with unreinforced PEEK. Tribologically, boron-containing PEEK demonstrated up to a 34.7% reduction in the coefficient of friction and approximately a 90% drop in wear-induced mass loss compared with unreinforced PEEK. The resulting Gr-B-reinforced PEEK hybrids are excellent choices for demanding load-bearing and tribological components like aerospace bushings, automotive sliding elements, spinal cages, and orthopedic fixation devices in biomedical applications because of their balanced combination of high hardness, superior wear resistance, and high compressive strength. Full article

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) dendrimers have emerged as highly versatile macromolecular platforms with significant potential in biomedical applications, owing to their well-defined architecture, tunable surface chemistry, and capacity for multivalent functionalization. Their ability to carry substantial molecular payloads and to be engineered for selective interactions with biological systems has positioned them as attractive candidates for targeted drug delivery, including the transport of boron-rich compounds. Recent advances in dendrimer chemistry have enabled the incorporation of boron clusters into PAMAM and PLL structures, creating hybrid systems designed to enhance cellular uptake, improve tumor selectivity, and increase boron accumulation within malignant tissues. Given the growing interest in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), the integration of boron clusters into dendrimer structures represents a particularly promising direction for enhancing boron delivery to tumors. This manuscript reviews current knowledge on PAMAM and PLL dendrimers and their boron-functionalized derivatives, summarizing findings from cell culture studies, in vivo models, and clinical or preclinical investigations. Particular attention is given to both the advantageous properties of these dendrimers—such as improved delivery efficiency and biocompatibility—and their potential undesirable biological effects. As such, PAMAM and PLL dendrimers represent an important and evolving class of carriers that may significantly advance the effectiveness of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in cancer treatment. Full article

Protein misfolding and aggregation represent key pathological mechanisms in neurodegenerative and systemic amyloid disorders, yet disease-modifying therapeutic strategies remain limited. In recent years, plant-derived nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention as multifunctional platforms capable of interacting with misfolded proteins and modulating aggregation-related pathways. This review examines the evolution of research between 2015 and 2025 on plant-derived nanomaterials—including green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles, plant extracellular vesicles, and phytochemical-based nano-delivery systems—in the context of protein misfolding disorders. The available literature was analyzed to identify principal mechanisms of action, experimental models, and emerging therapeutic perspectives. Current evidence suggests that these nanomaterials may influence protein aggregation through direct molecular interactions, modulation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses, and enhancement of cellular protein clearance processes. However, the field remains characterized by methodological heterogeneity, limited standardization, and insufficient translational validation. By synthesizing recent developments, this review highlights key research trends, mechanistic gaps, and future directions necessary for advancing plant-derived nanomaterials toward biomedical applications targeting protein misfolding diseases. Full article

Bimetallic nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in scientific literature due to their diverse applications and unique properties. Concurrently, green synthesis methodologies have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing the ecological footprint of nanoparticle production. In this study, the efficient synthesis of Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles is presented, utilizing Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren, commonly known as green rooibos (GR), and its pure bioactive compound, Aspalathin (ASP). Integrating ASP as a pure compound into the green synthesis process offers precise control over nanoparticle characteristics, including size, morphology, and composition. Interestingly, the total extract forms an Au-Pd nanoparticle alloy, while aspalathin forms core–shell nanoparticles. Furthermore, cytotoxicity testing was carried out on selected cell lines to assess their impact on cell viability. The cytotoxicity test on cell lines and cellular uptake analysis demonstrated that none of the tested samples exhibited significant cytotoxic effects. ASP-conjugated bimetallic increased the uptake of the NPs by the cells more than the total extract. The results demonstrated that the Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles hold promise for biomedical applications, owing to their enhanced biocompatibility and tailored properties. Full article

Green-synthesis routes for producing CuO nanoparticles offer a simplified, sustainable, and low-cost replacement for conventional chemical methods, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals and providing an easily scalable process for industrial-level production. Although numerous studies have investigated synthesizing CuO nanoparticles from single plant extracts, comparative assessments of multi-plant-mediated CuO nanoparticles alongside synthetic CuO remain limited. In this work, CuO nanoparticles were green-synthesized from three different plant sources, namely ginger, red onion peels, and garlic, and their physicochemical and biological properties were tested against the synthetic CuO. All plant extracts produced pure-phased monoclinic CuO nanoparticles as confirmed by UV–Vis, XRD, FTIR, and SEM/EDX analyses. SEM showed distinct nanoparticle morphologies, with CuO from ginger extract exhibiting uniform nanocubes, while nanoparticles from red onion and garlic extracts exhibited more aggregated and irregular structures. Their crystallite sizes were 8–9 nm lower than the ~11 nm observed for the synthetic CuO, highlighting the phytochemical role in shaping the nanoparticles’ morphology. The antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli showed that ginger-derived and synthetic CuO had the strongest bacterial inhibition and bactericidal potency compared to onion- and garlic-derived CuO samples. However, synthetic CuO had the highest cytotoxicity risk, hindering its suitability for biological uses, while CuO-ginger maintained good cell viability at moderate concentrations. CuO-onion and CuO-garlic gave lower antibacterial cytocompatibility performance due to their thicker capping layers, which led to decreased Cu²⁺ release and ROS production. Ginger-derived CuO achieved an optimal trade-off between antibacterial and cytotoxic efficiency, highlighting its prospects as a candidate for biomedical applications. Full article

Multi-material structures based on titanium alloys represent a promising approach for the fabrication of functionally graded orthopedic implants capable of combining high mechanical strength with reduced stiffness to minimize the stress-shielding effect. In the present work, multi-material Ti15Ta/Ti6Al4V specimens were fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) for the first time, and the processing parameters of the transition zone were systematically optimized. Three regimes were investigated: baseline (93 J/mm³), double scanning (186 J/mm³), and reduced speed (116 J/mm³). The microstructure and elemental distribution were examined by SEM and EDS; mechanical properties were evaluated through tensile testing and microhardness measurements; biocompatibility was assessed using osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts. The double scanning regime provided the highest density of the transition zone (99.49%). Tensile failure of the specimens occurred in the Ti15Ta region, confirming the quality of the metallurgical bond. The ultimate tensile strength ranged from 534 to 543 MPa with an elongation at break of 15.7–16.4%. Heat treatment at 875 °C led to the formation of an equilibrium lamellar microstructure and smoothing of the interface. Cell viability on both alloys exceeded 88% as confirmed by flow cytometry and remained above the 70% non-cytotoxicity threshold defined by ISO 10993-5. The obtained results demonstrate the technological feasibility of fabricating multi-material Ti15Ta/Ti6Al4V structures and achieving high-quality metallurgical bonding, which constitutes a necessary first step toward the development of functionally graded orthopedic implants. Full article

Copper-based nanoparticles, especially metallic copper (Cu NPs) and copper oxide (CuO NPs), have attracted increasing attention due to their redox activity, biological efficacy, and technological applications. However, conventional chemical synthesis often involves toxic reagents, limiting their biomedical applicability. In this context, plant-mediated green synthesis has evolved and has become a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the biosynthesis of Cu and CuO nanoparticles using plant extracts. The main synthesis pathways are examined, with emphasis on the role of phytochemicals as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents, as well as the influence of reaction parameters on nanoparticle yield. The review highlights the diversity of plant species and extract types used and clarifies their effects on nanoparticle size, morphology, oxidation state, and surface chemistry. Key physicochemical characterization techniques (ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, and zeta potential analysis) are systematically discussed. Moreover, a summary of in vitro and in vivo biological activities is provided, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, anticancer, wound-healing, and plant-growth-promoting effects. Overall, plant-mediated copper-based nanoparticles demonstrate significant potential as biofunctional nanomaterials. Nevertheless, challenges concerning reproducibility, mechanistic understanding, standardization and toxicological evaluation must be addressed to facilitate reliable translation into biomedical applications. Full article

The replacement of petroleum-based plastics with sustainable and biodegradable materials remains a critical challenge for food packaging and biomedical applications. Gelatin is an attractive natural biopolymer for film fabrication; however, its inherent brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and limited structural stability restrict practical use. In this work, for the first time, low-power direct-probe ultrasonication is introduced as a green and additive-free strategy to regulate molecular organization and enhance the performance of gelatin–glycerol composite films. Systematic variation in ultrasonic power and treatment duration revealed a strong dependence of film structure and properties on processing conditions. Low-power ultrasonication (20 W) promoted gelatin–glycerol interactions, induced a transition from loosely organized molecular arrangements to helix-like molecular packing at the nanometer scale, and produced smooth, compact microscale surface morphologies. As a result, these films exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity, reduced surface defects, and improved thermal stability. In contrast, high-power ultrasonication generated excessive cavitation, leading to large-scale porous structures and diminished thermal and surface performance. Therefore, this work identifies a distinct low-power ultrasonic window that enables controlled molecular reorganization and hierarchical structure formation in gelatin–glycerol systems. Structural and physicochemical analyses using SEM, FTIR, XRD, water contact angle measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis collectively elucidate the ultrasound-driven structure–property relationships within the gelatin–glycerol matrix. Overall, this study demonstrates that controlled ultrasonication enables precise tuning of gelatin-based film architecture and properties, offering a scalable and environmentally friendly route to high-performance biodegradable materials for sustainable packaging and biomedical applications. Full article

Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) is emerging as a fully non-contact sensing modality in biomedical applications. ACU applications can be broadly classified into two main domains: (i) contactless monitoring of physiological parameters and (ii) assistive aids, robotic perception in unstructured real-world environments, enabling tracking and geometric reconstruction. Advances in electronic materials and sensor design have enhanced ultrasonic sensor characteristics (e.g., bandwidth, directivity, and intensity). In parallel, progress in front-end electronics and signal processing, including artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted analysis, has enhanced ACU performance under low signal-to-noise (SNR) conditions. This review focuses on low-frequency ACU systems, with emphasis on sensor technologies, electronic interfaces, and system architectures that enable non-contact biomedical and robotic applications. Full article