Search Results (945)

Although tremendous progress has been made over the past decades in elucidating the mechanisms of keloid formation and developing therapeutic interventions, keloid remains challenging to cure and prone to recurrence. Historically, keloid has been regarded as a benign skin tumor, with mechanistic investigations and therapeutic efforts focused primarily on keloid tissue and cells themselves. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that skin diseases manifest from internal bodily dysfunction or dysregulation. Inspired by the holistic principles of TCM, together with the literature reports and clinical evidence of keloid constitution (a systemic condition characterized by an individual’s predisposition to keloid formation), we propose that keloid is likely a pseudo-skin tumor profoundly influenced by its pathological microenvironment. Accordingly, we propose keloid as a persistent inflammation-driven proliferative skin disorder, and elimination of the inflammatory microenvironment may be essential for curing keloid and preventing relapse. Based on this concept, we developed a holistic therapeutic approach that combines systemic treatment targeting keloid constitution with local therapies, including surgery, chemo/radiotherapy, and compression therapy, for the keloid lesion itself. The systemic component encompasses lifestyle and dietary modifications, stress management, physical exercise, as well as the oral administration of TCM herbal medicines and small chemical compounds to suppress systemic inflammatory and fibrotic status, thereby improving keloid constitution. This article introduces this novel holistic approach along with supportive case studies. Full article

Ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) is commonly used as a gas-tight sealing material in electrical equipment. Factors such as media exposure, thermal oxidative stress, and abrasion frequently cause deterioration of EPDM’s mechanical properties, significantly compromising the reliability of electrical equipment. Traditional activator ZnO provides limited enhancement to the properties of EPDM. The reaction between Zn²⁺ on the surface of zinc oxide interacts with the accelerator during curing of rubber, forming zinc chelates, which interact with sulfur to form zinc polysulfide complexes. But the release of zinc complexes has adverse effects on humans and ecosystems. To reduce ZnO usage and further improve the performance of EPDM in terms of mechanical properties and aging resistance, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is developed as a multifunctional additive in this work. Mechanical testing demonstrates that the incorporation of ZIF-8 enhances the mechanical performance and resistance to thermal oxidative aging of EPDM. Crosslink density testing, FTIR, and XPS show that ZIF-8 promotes the crosslinking reaction during rubber curing, resulting in improved mechanical performance for EPDM. Analysis of crosslinking density testing and SEM images shows that EPDM-ZIF-8 composite exhibits a slower increase in crosslinking density during thermal oxidative aging. TGA results indicate that ZIF-8 enhances the thermal stability of EPDM, which leads to improved aging resistance properties. This study provides new insights for the design and development of rubber composite materials, offering a reliable solution to the challenge of seal failure in electrical equipment. Full article

India, home to 4 biodiversity hotspots, hosts 675 wild species used for nutritional and therapeutic purposes. Wild edible fruits are highly valuable for their rich content of health-beneficial compounds, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamins. The shift in modern lifestyles has increasingly impacted human health. Several factors contribute to heightened oxidative stress, which underpins the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Endometriosis, one of these conditions influenced by oxidative stress, currently lacks a definitive cure, leaving patients reliant on hormonal and surgical treatments. According to the WHO, 10% of girls and women worldwide are affected by endometriosis, often experiencing severe symptoms. This review explores the role of oxidative stress in the progression of endometriosis, its pathophysiology, and the effects of polyphenols found in wild Himalayan fruits, including various phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans. It also examines their synergistic effects with other non-polyphenolic compounds in reducing these biomarkers, such as inflammatory enzymes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and estrogen receptors, and in modulating pathways like NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, among others, based on preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, the review highlights key wild fruit species native to the Indian Himalayas, details their nutritional and phytochemical profiles, and assesses their potential, individually and synergistically, as functional foods or nutraceuticals for non-invasive treatment options for endometriosis. Full article

The use of additive manufacturing in structural applications has increased in industry; however, reliable material selection criteria remain limited when printed components must withstand real service loads. The following study provides a comprehensive evaluation of polymeric materials (PLA filament, ABS filament, and ABS-like resin) used in additive manufacturing technologies for the production of footwear heels. Consequently, five heel models were designed using reverse engineering based on real industry references and analyzed within a decision framework based on the Input–Transformation–Output (ITO) model. Within this framework, each material was subjected to static mechanical tests (tensile, compression, flexural and hardness), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and numerical simulations. In addition, functional tests were carried out by mounting the printed heels on real sandals, allowing for evaluation of their performance under service conditions. Significant differences in surface morphology were observed, attributable to the physical state and consolidation mechanism of each material. Uncontrolled environmental conditions during printing and testing were identified as a limitation affecting reproducibility. The ABS-like resin showed the highest compressive load capacity (10.8 kN), together with a tensile strength of 14.99 MPa and a deformation at break of 0.076 mm/mm. SEM analysis revealed a more homogeneous surface morphology and greater structural continuity after curing, consistent with the numerical simulations, which predicted stresses between 19.98 and 196.23 MPa, displacements up to 8.917 mm and unit strains up to 0.1378. The integrated interpretation of the experimental, microstructural and functional results provides technical criteria for material selection in reverse-engineered footwear components and structural elements manufactured by additive manufacturing. Full article

Fiber-reinforced concrete has proved to be viable in improving the mechanical characteristics of structural elements to the flexural and shear stresses. The concrete cubes, prisms, and cylinders were standardized, cast and cured after 28 days to assess the baseline mechanical characteristics. Beam specimens were made of different types of fibers, lengths, and different volumetric contents and then subjected to controlled shear tests in which the crack initiation, propagation, and deformation were accurately measured. The experimental data proved that the addition of fibers was highly beneficial in terms of the mechanical performance of concrete. Basalt fibers enhanced compressive strength by up to 20.8 percent and tensile strength by 30.8 percent, whereas steel fibers had the best flexural strength with a maximum compressive and bending strength of 47.2 MPa and 6.56 MPa, respectively, at optimum dosage. Polypropylene fibers also improved performance, but in a lesser manner. The fiber addition served well to reduce the width of cracks and retard crack propagation, thus enhancing load-bearing capacity. These results show that dispersed fiber reinforcement that uses steel and basalt fibers is a practical solution to improving the dispersion of concrete in terms of durability and load-bearing capacity. The research will help guide the selection of fiber and the content in the reinforced concrete work to offer more robust and sustainable solutions to building. Full article

To address the engineering problems of high cement content, high brittleness, and weak frost resistance of cement-improved loess in the seasonal frozen soil area of Northwest China, F1 ion curing agent (F1) and cement composite improved loess (FCIL) were used in this paper. Through unconfined compressive (UC) strength tests, consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial shear tests, and microscopic pore characteristics analysis, the mechanical properties, freeze–thaw cycle deterioration law, and microscopic pore structure of FCIL were studied. The effects of cement content (C_c), F1 dosage (C_F), number of freeze–thaw cycles (N_F-T), and confining pressure (σ₃) on the strength, deformation behavior, and pore characteristics of FCIL were analyzed. The synergistic improvement mechanism of FCIL, as well as the freeze–thaw damage mechanism, was elucidated. The results show that C_c is the primary factor controlling the strength of improved loess. The incorporation of F1 can further increase UCS and markedly enhance the failure strain (ε_f), thereby achieving simultaneous improvements in strength and ductility. An appropriate mix proportion was identified as C_F = 0.2 L/m³ and C_c = 6%. After 7 d curing, FCIL exhibited a UCS of 1.35 MPa, a cohesion (c) of 205 kPa, an internal friction angle (φ) of 36.2°, and ε_f 1.8 times that of loess improved with C_c = 6% cement alone. CU triaxial shear tests indicate that, under all tested conditions, the stress–strain responses of FCIL exhibit σ3-sensitive strain-softening behavior. As C_c and σ₃ increase, triaxial peak strength (q_max) and secant modulus (E₅₀) increase significantly. Compared with natural loess (NL), FCIL shows a markedly lower porosity (n), a substantial increase in the proportion of micropores, and reductions in medium and small pores. After multiple freeze–thaw cycles, the evolution of the pore structure is effectively restrained. This indicates that the combined use of F1 and cement promotes the formation of a dense layered stacking structure, significantly improves the microscopic pore-size distribution, and enhances the mechanical performance of loess under freeze–thaw environments. Full article

This study investigates the early-age bond behavior between steel reinforcement and lightweight alkali-activated concrete (LWA-AAC) using pull-out tests and modeling. Deformed and plain steel bars with different diameters were embedded in two LWA-AAC matrices to examine the effects of curing age, matrix strength, confinement, and bar surface geometry. The bond of plain bars is governed primarily by adhesion and friction and shows weak dependence on matrix strength or confinement. In contrast, the bond strength of deformed bars increases with curing age and matrix strength, while reduced confinement promotes a transition from ductile pull-out to brittle splitting failure. This confinement-sensitive transition highlights the dominant role of matrix tensile capacity in controlling bond stability in LWA-AAC. Compared with lightweight ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, LWA-AAC exhibits more brittle bond behavior, characterized by smaller peak slip, steeper post-peak softening, and lower residual bond stress. Existing OPC-based bond models show limited applicability to LWA-AAC due to differences in failure mechanisms and confinement sensitivity. New empirical models incorporating matrix tensile strength and geometric confinement are proposed to predict bond parameters and bond–slip responses, providing a mechanism-informed basis for the design of reinforced LWA-AAC structures. Full article

Curing deformation of curved pultruded composites is mainly induced by asymmetric temperature fields and accumulated residual stress during the molding process. To tackle this problem, a finite element simulation framework incorporating a curvature-corrected thermochemical model and path-dependent constitutive relationship was established in this study. Taguchi orthogonal experiments combined with analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of process parameters on residual stress. Among these parameters, the bending height was identified as a statistically significant factor (F = 8.827, p < 0.05). The optimal process parameters were determined to be a bending height of 20 mm, a heating rate of 10 °C/min, a holding time of 16 s, and a pultrusion speed of 70 cm/min. Under these conditions, the residual stress was minimized to 1205.6 Pa, representing a 2.79% reduction compared with the optimal group in the orthogonal experiments. The proposed simulation framework and optimized process parameters provide a solid theoretical foundation and practical technical guidance for the precise control of curing deformation in curved pultruded composite components. Full article

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no cure. Dominant mutations in the TARDBP gene are causative of ALS. In particular, the p. G376D substitution in TDP-43 causes familial ALS and it is associated with TDP-43 mislocalization in the cytosol, increased presence of cytoplasmic aggregates, and lysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction. We previously designed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) that specifically targets and silences the mutant allele and we demonstrated that, in patient-derived fibroblasts, it can reduce TDP-43 aggregation, decrease oxidative stress, and improve cell viability. Here, we investigated the ability of this siRNA to revert some ALS-associated pathological phenotypes in motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), as motor neurons are the primary cells affected in ALS. siRNA treatment reduced TDP-43 mislocalization, enhanced lysosomal function and cell viability, and decreased oxidative stress. These findings indicate that this allele-specific siRNA effectively reverses key ALS-related cellular deficits in motor neurons, representing a promising candidate for targeted therapy in patients carrying the TDP-43 G376D mutation. Full article

Recently, epoxy resin concrete (ERC) has shown significant potential in rapid repair applications, such as bridge expansion joints, owing to its early strength gain, rapid hardening, excellent adhesion, and durability. Based on the background of rapid repair scenarios for small- and medium-span bridges, this study designed a mix proportion of ERC. A systematic investigation was conducted on its mechanical properties and constitutive model under various curing temperatures (5 °C, 20 °C, and 35 °C) and ages. Experimental results indicate that the designed ERC cures within 2 to 6 h and achieves a compressive strength of 15 MPa at 1 day, meeting the requirement for early traffic reopening. Both material strength and elastic modulus increase significantly with age, reaching a compressive elastic modulus of 16 GPa at 90 days. Based on the measured uniaxial compressive and tensile stress–strain data, a temperature-dependent constitutive model was established. The fitting parameters exhibit a quadratic functional relationship with curing temperature. The model demonstrates high fitting accuracy under all tested conditions (R² ≥ 0.9293). This study provides a theoretical basis and data support for the application and numerical simulation of ERC in bridge engineering. Full article

To enhance the rheological properties and engineering applicability of fully solid waste filling slurry, this study uses iron tailings sand as aggregate and slag, steel slag, and desulfurization ash as cementing materials. Through a central composite design experiment, the synergistic regulatory effects of steel slag (10~30%) and desulfurization ash (10~30%) on the slurry’s rheological and strength properties were systematically investigated. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of the slurry were quantified based on the Bingham fluid model, using expansion tests and L-tube models, while isothermal calorimetry analysis and microscopic image processing revealed the underlying micro-mechanisms. The results show that when both steel slag and desulfurization ash contents are 20%, the cured specimen prepared from the slurry achieves an optimal 28-day uniaxial compressive strength of 5.90 MPa at 28 days, with yield stress and plastic viscosity of 146.71 Pa and 3.04 Pa·s, respectively. Micro-mechanistic analysis revealed that desulfurization ash effectively reduced the yield stress by up to 38% (from 196.04 Pa to 90.01 Pa) and increased the fractal dimension of flocculated structures to 1.906, thereby optimizing initial flowability. Conversely, steel slag increased the yield stress but decreased plastic viscosity, enhancing structural stability, and regulating the later hydration process. The loop tests confirmed the good transport performance and engineering adaptability of the optimized mix, achieving a cost reduction of up to 65% compared to cement-based systems. Full article

This work investigates the reciprocal adhesion of Polybenzoxazole (PBO) and silicon nitride (SiN) with a focus on the combined effects of surface chemistry and environmental conditions, i.e., temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). A set of six samples, including standard and silicon-rich SiN substrates treated with oxygen (O₂) or carbon tetrafluoride (CF₄) plasma, was fabricated and characterized by AFM, XPS, and TEM/EDX to quantify surface roughness and interfacial chemical modifications. Adhesion with PBO was then assessed through nanoindentation both in situ, during ambient control, and ex situ, after aging in a climatic chamber. Compared to PBO adhesion with as-deposited standard and silicon-rich SiN, O₂ plasma treatment was shown to improve adhesion by 13% and 24%, respectively, whereas CF₄ plasma treatment was still beneficial but more limited, improving adhesion by 8% for both substrates. The different effects were ascribed to the formation of a surface oxide layer after O₂ plasma, enhancing chemical affinity and substantially equalizing the adhesion on the two SiN substrates, while CF₄ plasma was impacting adhesion by reducing the substrates’ activity and, thus, increasing the efficiency of the PBO curing procedure. Notably, the adhesion loss with increasing dew point of the ambient (dependent on temperature and relative humidity) was observed across all samples regardless of surface treatment, reinforcing the critical role of absorbed moisture on polymeric film adhesion. However, this trend was observed for all samples only for in situ testing, with a loss of 25% in the critical load of delamination for the most critical environment, while ex situ tests showed a marked recovery of adhesion properties, leading to measurements no longer reflecting the actual state of the samples inside the altered environment. The results presented in this paper highlight the effect of substrate preparation on the adhesion of an organic compound and a substantial difference in environmental control methods for adhesion testing, providing an alternative approach to classical aging treatments and subsequent characterization for qualifying polymer/inorganic interfaces exposed to stressful operational conditions. Full article

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and lung cancer (LC) are major causes of global respiratory morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence suggests that tuberculosis may induce persistent pulmonary alterations that extend beyond microbiological cure, potentially facilitating lung carcinogenesis. This review synthesizes current epidemiological and mechanistic evidence linking PTB to subsequent LC development. Methods: A structured narrative appraisal of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, MDPI Journals, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies published between 2020 and 2025. Eligible publications included cohort studies, meta-analyses, observational reports, and mechanistic investigations addressing the TB–LC association. Studies were thematically categorized into epidemiological evidence, pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic implications. Results: Population-based studies consistently demonstrate a two- to threefold increased risk of LC among individuals with prior PTB, independent of smoking and other major confounders. Mechanistically, the post-tuberculous lung is characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrotic remodeling, immune checkpoint activation (including PD-1/PD-L1 signaling), dysregulated microRNA expression, and metabolic reprogramming. Clinically, overlapping radiological and histopathological features may delay cancer diagnosis. A history of TB may also influence therapeutic decisions, particularly regarding immune checkpoint inhibitors due to potential infection reactivation. Conclusions: PTB may represent an independent risk factor for LC through sustained structural and immunological remodeling. Structured post-TB surveillance and risk-adapted screening strategies may be warranted in selected high-risk populations. Full article

Delamination is a critical failure mode in composite laminates that degrades the structural performance and load-carrying capacity. This study investigates the improvement of Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates through the interleaving of electrospun thermoplastic nanofiber mats. Nanofiber veils were inserted between carbon fiber plies to enhance resistance to delamination under tensile opening (Mode I) and in-plane shear (Mode II) loading. The effects of nanofiber interleaving were evaluated using double cantilever beam (DCB) tests for Mode I and end notch flexure (ENF) tests for Mode II. Both tests were conducted on a symmetric quasi-isotropic laminate [-45/45/90/0₅]_s containing a thick unidirectional 0° ply at the mid-plane. Thermally induced residual stresses resulting from mismatches in ply coefficients of thermal expansion and unsymmetric arm lay-ups were accounted for in the experimental determination of fracture toughness. These stresses, generated during cooling from the cure temperature, influence the effective strain energy release rate and were included in the fracture toughness calculations to ensure accurate toughness evaluation and consistency with numerical predictions. The results demonstrate improved delamination fracture toughness, highlighting the potential of nanofiber interleaving for aerospace and wind energy applications. Full article

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) is widely adopted in underground mines, where the shear resistance of the CPB–rock interface critically governs the integrity of backfill–rock systems. This study investigates the effects of polypropylene fiber reinforcement, surface roughness (Joint Roughness Coefficient, JRC = 0 and 1.76), and curing time (1, 3, and 7 days) on the shear strength and deformation characteristics of CPB–rock interfaces. Direct shear tests were performed under normal stresses of 50, 100, and 150 kPa, with synchronous measurements of shear and vertical displacements. Results show that increasing roughness markedly strengthens the interface, with the peak shear stress rising by up to 45% due to enhanced mechanical interlocking and dilation. In contrast, adding 0.5 vol.% PP fibers slightly reduces peak shear capacity but consistently improves post-peak deformability, indicating a transition from brittle interfacial fracture to a more ductile, progressive failure mode. A three-stage mechanical model was established to describe the shear stress–displacement relationship, incorporating elastic, bond degradation, and frictional sliding phases. The model parameters, including the shear stiffness ($K_s$), bond degradation coefficient ($\eta$), and residual strength (${\tau }_r$), were calibrated using the experimental data. Mohr–Coulomb analysis further quantifies the curing-dependent evolution of interfacial strength parameters, highlighting a marked increase in cohesion from 1 to 7 days alongside roughness-governed peak strengthening. This research provides insights into the optimization of the CPB–rock interface design for enhanced geomechanical performance in underground applications. Full article