Search Results (18,827)

Background/Objectives: Ginger has a long history as both a culinary and medicinal plant and is widely recognized in traditional medicine for its ability to promote health and well-being. The principal bioactive compounds of ginger are present in fresh and dried forms and have been largely studied for their therapeutic potential. These compounds exhibit a wide range of biological activities mediated through various mechanisms. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of innovative delivery systems, thereby enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of ginger-derived compounds in modern medical applications. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of ginger and its potential role in disease prevention. Relevant studies were identified through the main research databases, publication screening, manual reference checks, and author consensus was conducted. Results: This narrative review provides an overview of the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds in ginger for the management and prevention of cardiovascular, arthritis, neurodegenerative, and gastrointestinal diseases, with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms. In addition, their potential anti-aging properties are extensively discussed. The evidence reported is predominantly preclinical (in vitro and in vivo models), with more limited and heterogeneous clinical data. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in accelerating the discovery and evaluation of bioactive agents with therapeutic relevance across diverse biological systems. Conclusions: This review highlights the emerging applications of ginger extracts in human health and suggests their applications in both traditional medicine and contemporary drug discovery. Full article

A rare clinical condition associated with numerous diagnostic and treatment challenges, pregnancy-associated melanoma (PAM), is defined as melanoma diagnosed either during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum. The physiological changes in pregnancy (hormonal changes and immune modulation), along with the normal changes in the pregnant woman’s skin (skin color changes, etc.), may all hinder early detection of this disease and create concerns regarding the advancement of melanoma and the well-being of both the mother and her fetus. The purpose of this review article was to summarize the current literature on the incidence, biology, diagnostic methods and treatments of PAM, with an emphasis on comparison between the two forms of melanoma. More recent research indicates that pregnancy itself is not typically associated with decreased melanoma-specific survival rates. However, when worse results are reported, it appears that this may be more due to delays in initial diagnoses (diagnosis of cancer after delivery) or detection of cancer postpartum, as well as the increased number of stages of melanoma at which women were diagnosed at the time of their first evaluation compared to non-pregnant controls, rather than being a result of enhanced biologic aggressiveness in melanoma driven by pregnancy itself. The preclinical and translational models have suggested that pregnancy may influence melanoma biology through the mechanisms of hormonal signaling, immune system modulation and vascular remodeling; however, these mechanisms remain hypothesis-generating, and current clinical evidence does not indicate that changes in hormone levels during pregnancy negatively affect melanoma survival. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and can be performed safely during pregnancy. In select patients, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may also be performed. Due to the risk of fetal harm, systemic therapy (targeted agents and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors) cannot be used for the treatment of PAM during pregnancy. Post-pregnancy treatment of PAM will follow standard melanoma treatment guidelines; however, the treatment options will need to take into consideration whether or not the patient is breastfeeding and if she desires to become pregnant again in the future. In summary, PAM will require a multidisciplinary, individualized approach to maximize oncologic outcomes while protecting the health of both the mother and her fetus. Awareness of this disease and timely diagnosis are critical to maximizing the prognosis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nerolidol (NER) is a sesquiterpene alcohol with recognized antimicrobial potential, whose applications as a pure substance are limited by hydrophobicity, instability, and cytotoxicity. Invasomes, i.e., liposomes with terpene ingredients, offer a strategy to improve their delivery; however, the NER loading limits compatible with vesicle integrity are still unclear. Here, Nerolidol-loaded invasomes were produced using a controlled simil-microfluidic coaxial injection process. Methods and Results: As a preliminary step, unloaded liposomes were fabricated to consolidate operating conditions and ensure their reproducible colloidal properties. Thereafter, formulations with progressively decreasing nominal NER loads were investigated to evaluate vesicle size, polydispersity, ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency, effective loading, and stability. High nominal loads promoted turbidity, size increase (by agglomeration coalescence phenomena), and structural instability, whereas formulations containing approximately 1–2% NER achieved nearly complete encapsulation, Z-average ≈ 300 nm, |ζ| > 30 mV, and satisfactory physical stability. Antimicrobial and cytotoxic profiles of representative formulations, previously evaluated in an independent study are here reported only to contextualize the practical relevance of the optimized systems, while the present work primarily focuses on process–formulation aspects and loading/stability limitations. Conclusions: Overall, the present work identifies a realistic loading window for Nerolidol invasomes and highlights the suitability of the simil-microfluidic approach to obtain scalable, well-controlled formulations, providing a rational basis for their future biological assessment. Nerolidol invasome systems indeed can be considered a promising, versatile platform for antimicrobial applications, including prospective use in animal feed. Full article

This study examines the influence of photobioreactor (PBR) configuration on the cultivation performance of Chlorococcum sp. using aquaculture wastewater as the growth medium. Four systems were compared: horizontal without aeration (H-Plain), horizontal with aeration (H-Aerated), vertical with aeration (V-Aerated), and vertical with aeration and red LED illumination (V-LED). Over 14 days, the V-LED system achieved the highest biomass concentration (0.50 g L⁻¹) and volumetric productivity (0.063 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹), accompanied by nitrate and phosphate removals of 94% and 55.6%, respectively. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, p < 0.05) confirmed significant differences among configurations, demonstrating that light quality and aeration act synergistically to enhance growth and nutrient assimilation. While aeration improved CO₂ transfer and mixing, it was insufficient without adequate photon delivery. Conversely, red LED illumination mitigated photolimitation in vertical systems, promoting efficient photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. Energy assessment revealed that V-LED offered the highest productivity in expense of power input (1.08 kWh day⁻¹). These findings highlight the critical role of integrated PBR design, emphasizing that optimal combinations of geometry, aeration, and spectral lighting as keys to achieving high biomass yields and efficient nutrient removal in sustainable microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems. Full article

Nanomaterials (NMs) are increasingly utilized in drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic applications. However, their widespread use raises concerns regarding potential neurotoxicity, particularly for metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. Accumulating evidence indicates that these nanoparticles induce neurotoxicity through interconnected mechanisms, including excessive reactive oxygen species generation, activation of neuroinflammatory pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruption of blood–brain barrier integrity. These molecular events collectively lead to synaptic impairment, neuronal apoptosis, and progressive cognitive and behavioral deficits, with toxicity severity influenced by dose, exposure duration, and age. Given that in vitro models often fail to capture complex systemic interactions such as nanoparticle biodistribution, blood–brain barrier dynamics, and neuroimmune responses, this review places particular emphasis on in vivo studies to provide a more physiologically relevant understanding of nanoparticle-induced neurotoxicity. Importantly, a growing body of in vivo evidence demonstrates that natural bioactive compounds can mitigate these effects by targeting key pathogenic pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, while preserving neuronal integrity. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of natural bioactives as protective agents against nanoparticle-induced neurotoxicity and as candidates for broader neuroprotective strategies. This review summarizes the mechanistic basis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticle neurotoxicity and critically evaluates the protective role of natural bioactive compounds, with a focus on evidence derived from animal models. Full article

When using traditional approaches, such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the entire cellular or molecular response to drugs in the body cannot be fully ascertained or established. The oral medication process involves pharmacokinetics, followed by oral microbiomics and then gut microbiomics and pharmacodynamics. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the role of genetics (pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics) in both humans and microbiomes, as well as omics alterations (e.g., epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic alterations as a consequence of drug exposure), which can help to ascertain the cellular responses to medications. Both the efficacy and toxicity of a drug are influenced by these factors. To assess these at an individual level, an integrative Personalized Medicine Model may be needed to help with medication management. Two example application cases for SSRIs and statins demonstrate the clinical usefulness of such a model, which can guide clinicians during drug selection and dosing to reduce reliance on trial-and-error, thus potentially improving patient outcomes and safety. Integrating this framework into practical clinical workflows requires the capture, analysis, and translation of multi-omics data in order to realize decision support protocols and actionable drug recommendations. This review also discusses IT requirements and different stakeholder roles. Although the proposed model can guide the treatment of diseases at the individual patient level, further research is still needed before it can be implemented as part of drug development research, clinical care, and healthcare delivery systems. Full article

This study aimed to prepare and characterize nanoemulsions containing eugenol and 1,8-cineole using the emulsification method and to investigate their anesthetic effects on guppy fish. The optimized formulation comprised a 5–10% mixture of eugenol and 1,8-cineole in a 1:2 ratio, stabilized with 15–20% Tween 80. The selected formulations displayed mean particle sizes below 15 nm, a low polydispersity index (PDI) (<0.5), and a zeta potential that was more negative than −40 millivolts (mV), indicating stable emulsions. Their pH ranged from 6.50 to 6.63, indicating slight acidity. The formulations exhibited non-Newtonian rheology, as well as thinning under shear stress. Three formulations (F2, F6, and F12) remained stable after both accelerated and long-term stability testing. All nanoemulsions were able to induce guppy fish to the third stage of anesthesia. The nanoemulsions with concentrations of 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L eugenol effectively induced sedation and anesthesia in both sexes and reduced the induction and recovery times compared with the ethanol solution. In conclusion, this study highlights nanoemulsions as a promising drug delivery system for alternative anesthetics in aquaculture. Full article

Degradable polymers, such as poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), are widely investigated for biomedical applications, including drug delivery systems and temporary implants. Their functionality can be expanded by incorporating degradable metal microparticles that may influence degradation behaviour and enable additional surface modification strategies. In this study, the feasibility of composites consisting of PLLA and biodegradable iron microparticles was investigated. Composites were fabricated by solvent casting, providing a gentle alternative to thermal processing methods, which often compromise polymer integrity. Composites were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Incorporation of iron altered thermal behaviour and crystallinity of PLLA, indicating interactions between polymer matrix and dispersed metal phase that may affect degradation kinetics and material stability. While iron addition reduced Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break, composites maintained sufficient structural integrity for potential biomedical applications. XPS and SEM confirmed the embedding of particles within the polymer matrix, enabling potential post-processing approaches. In vitro direct contact and eluate tests demonstrated good cell viability, whereas exposure to free iron particles resulted in dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects. Overall, the results demonstrate the feasibility of solvent-cast PLLA–iron composites for resorbable biomedical applications. Full article

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a heterogeneous and disabling chronic pain condition characterized by maladaptive neuroplasticity involving persistent peripheral nociceptive input, autonomic dysregulation, and central sensitization. Despite increasing clinical use, the role of botulinum toxin in CRPS remains controversial, with inconsistent outcomes reported across studies. This review synthesizes mechanistic, translational, and clinical evidence suggesting that these apparent inconsistencies may be partly explained by heterogeneity in anatomical targeting and route of administration rather than absence of biological efficacy. Available evidence suggests that botulinum toxin may exhibit its most consistent therapeutic signal when delivered to neural structures directly implicated in dominant CRPS pathophysiology, particularly the sympathetic nervous system and proximal somatic afferents, whereas superficial or non-specific delivery strategies appear to yield more variable responses. Importantly, differences across anatomical targets should not be interpreted as evidence of comparative effectiveness, as observed variation may reflect phenotype selection, procedural heterogeneity, confounding, and differences in outcome reporting. By integrating experimental data, randomized trials, and case-based clinical evidence, an anatomy-informed, route-specific neuromodulation framework is proposed to reconcile existing findings and inform future research. This mechanism-informed perspective is intended to guide rational trial design and phenotype-aligned clinical application of botulinum toxin in CRPS, rather than to provide a definitive evidence-closing synthesis. Full article

Many advances in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) take advantage of the unique properties of nanomaterials to improve characterization of formation properties, achieve conformance control during flood operations, and extend the controlled release time of polymers. Magnetite nanoparticles (nMag) have been employed in these processes due to their low cost, low toxicity, and ability to be engineered to meet desired needs, especially with the application of a magnetic field. Similarly, silica dioxide (SiO₂) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles have been evaluated for the delivery of scale and asphaltene inhibitors. However, the injection of nanoparticles into porous media comes with the risk of formation damage due to particle deposition, which can lead to increased injection pressures and reductions in permeability. The goal of this study was to develop a method to evaluate and assess nanoparticle formulations for their potential to cause formation damage. A screening apparatus was constructed to hold small sandstone discs (~2 mm) or cores (~2.5 cm) for rapid testing with minimal material use and the capability to be used with either aqueous brine solutions or non-polar solvents as the mobile phase. Image analysis of the disc and pressure measurements demonstrated increasing deposition of nMag and face-caking when the salinity was increased from 500 mg/L NaCl (8.56 mM) to API brine (2.0 M). Similarly, when the injected concentration of silica nanoparticles in 500 mg/L NaCl was increased from 1 to 10 wt%, the back pressure increased by 55 psi, and face-caking was observed. The screening test results were consistent with traditional core-flood tests and was able to be modified to accommodate organic liquid mobile phases. The screening test results closely matched nanoparticle transport and retention measured in sandstone cores, confirming the ability of the system to rapidly screen nanoparticle formulations for potential formation damage. Full article

The interface between biomaterials and biological systems is crucial for medical implants and tissue engineering. Surface modifications are a key strategy for controlling interactions. Synthetic glycopolymers offer a versatile toolbox, mimicking the structure and function of natural glycoconjugates like mucins. This review highlights the significance of glycopolymers for targeted surface modifications of established biomaterials, such as silicones and poly(meth)acrylates. Controlled polymerization techniques, like the reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization, enable the synthesis of well-defined glycopolymer architectures. Glycopolymeric surface functionalization creates tailored interfaces for different biological responses, from preventing protein and cell adhesion to promoting specific cell-type binding. The focus lies on using single, well-characterized polymeric base materials and tuning their surface properties through glycopolymer coatings to achieve various and specific functions. This approach opens new dimensions in the development of advanced biomaterials for applications like contact lenses, drug delivery systems, and biosensors and also possesses potential regulatory advantages by leveraging the safety profiles of existing materials. Full article

siRNA, as a precise, specific, and highly effective gene-silencing therapy, has been extensively studied. Before reaching tumor cell targets, siRNA formulations must overcome multiple extracellular barriers, including clearance from the bloodstream, membrane impermeability, capture by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), rapid renal excretion, endosomal escape, and precise recognition of target cells. These challenges limit siRNA’s clinical application. Consequently, various modifications have been applied to siRNA to enhance transfection efficiency, while researchers continue to pursue improved siRNA-targeting delivery systems. Nanotechnology offers a rational technical approach to address siRNA delivery. Nanoparticles can increase transfection efficiency while exhibiting lower cytotoxicity and reduced off-target effects. Various matrices have been employed to construct nanoparticles for targeted therapeutic delivery. This review briefly discusses siRNA nanoparticle delivery strategies, illustrates examples of various siRNA nanodelivery systems, such as lipid nanoparticles, polymeric siRNA nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, hybrid nanoparticles, and conjugate-siRNA delivery systems, and introduces clinical trials of siRNA-loaded nanoparticles for cancer treatment, which can provide valuable references for further research and clinical application of siRNA nanoparticle delivery systems. Full article

This work presents the development of a wrist-worn wireless sensor system for high-accuracy indoor human zone tracking. The proposed system employs machine learning techniques to combine data from multiple sources, including a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) from wireless signals, three-axis acceleration, and three-axis angular velocity. A prototype wearable wireless sensor device was implemented using a SparkFun Thing Plus-XBee3 microcontroller supporting the Zigbee/IEEE 802.15.4 standard at 2.4 GHz, integrated with a six-degree-of-freedom IMU sensor (MPU-6050). Experiments using one wrist-worn sensor as a transmitter and one base station as a receiver were conducted in a two-story residential building environment covering three zones (i.e., staircase area, living room, and dining room) under static and dynamic test scenarios. Classification performances of 33 machine learning classifiers with different data feature groups and window sizes were evaluated. The results demonstrate the achievement of wrist-worn wireless sensor system development. The system exhibits high communication reliability with a packet delivery ratio (PDR) of 99.99% and can efficiently track data signals in real time. Results indicate that using only raw RSSI data achieves 75.0% accuracy in classifying human zones. However, when statistical RSSI features and accelerometer data fusion are applied, accuracies significantly increase to 98.7% (static scenario, wide neural network with a window size of 25) and 99.6% (dynamic scenario, Fine k-NN). These results demonstrate the system’s potential for indoor human tracking applications. Full article

The rapid expansion of e-commerce and on-demand logistics has intensified the need for cost-effective and reliable urban distribution systems. This paper investigates an energy-aware routing problem for electric vehicle fleets operating from multiple depots under time-varying traffic conditions. We propose a novel multi-depot vehicle routing model that jointly incorporates time-dependent travel speeds, simultaneous pickup and delivery operations, and time window constraints. The model explicitly captures key operational realities, including battery capacity limitations, load- and speed-dependent energy consumption, synchronized pickup-delivery requirements, and soft time windows. The objective is to minimize total operational cost by simultaneously optimizing depot assignments, vehicle routes, and service schedules. Given the NP-hard nature of the problem, we develop a two-stage heuristic solution framework. In the first stage, a spatio-temporal clustering strategy is employed to assign customers to depots efficiently. In the second stage, route construction and improvement are performed using an enhanced Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search (ALNS) algorithm equipped with problem-specific destroy and repair operators. Computational experiments on adapted benchmark instances demonstrate that the proposed approach consistently produces high-quality solutions and exhibits robust convergence behavior. In addition, sensitivity analyses provide managerial insights, revealing an optimal range of vehicle energy capacity and an economically efficient speed band that balances travel time and energy consumption. Full article

The leishmaniases are a group of neglected tropical diseases caused by kinetoplastid protozoa of the genus Leishmania, transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. In the absence of a human vaccine, current chemotherapeutic options remain suboptimal due to limited target selectivity, high cost, restricted availability in endemic low-resource regions, and escalating parasite resistance. This review highlights recent advances in rational drug design directed at the kinetoplast—a distinctive mitochondrial organelle critical for parasite viability. Different targets (e.g., kDNA, G-quadruplex, topoisomerases) and innovative approaches employing mitochondrion-targeted small molecules are discussed, as well as ligand-functionalized nanoparticle delivery systems that can transport bioactive agents to the parasite’s mitochondrial microenvironment. These strategies highlight the kinetoplast’s strong translational relevance as a selective antileishmanial target. By exploiting its unique molecular machinery, these strategies may offer improved parasite selectivity, although potential mitochondrial liabilities in host cells must be carefully evaluated. Full article