Search Results (2,178)

Background/Objectives: Coronary bifurcation lesions (CBLs) are common, and the treatments remain nuanced. Side branch (SB) patency is a key determinant of clinical success in CBL intervention. In this paper, data exploring the routine use of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in the SB is presented as an alternative to standard plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA). Methods: A meta-analysis was performed comparing DCBs in the SB to POBA after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in the main vessel (MV) of a true CBL. Outcomes including myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularisation (TLR), cardiac death, and late lumen loss (LLL) up to 1 year post-procedure are reported. Results: Six studies comprising of 1982 patients were included in the analyses. Patients were predominantly male, and the mean age was >60 years. Four studies included patients with acute coronary syndrome. The primary outcomes were a statistically significant reduction in MI rate (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19–0.76, p = 0.006), and in the TLR rate (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23–0.87, p = 0.02) in the DCB group compared to the control. There was no significant difference in cardiac death. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in SB LLL in the DCB group (Mean difference −0.22mm, 95% CI −0.33–−0.11mm, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Following DES implantation in the MV of a true CBL, this analysis demonstrated that DCBs in the SB is superior to POBA in reducing MI, TLR, and LLL of the SB. Large, randomized trials are required to consolidate the role of DCB in the treatment of CBL. Full article

Low extraction efficiency limits the availability and application of aescins, which exhibit various pharmacological activities. Here, we optimized parameters for ultrasound-assisted extraction of aescins from Aesculus chinensis seeds using deep eutectic solvent (DES)-water mixtures. Seven DES formulations were screened, and one providing the highest yield was selected for optimizing the molar ratio. The effects of four parameters were investigated using single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology. The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: DES, a 1:1 mixture of 1,3-butanediol and lactic acid, with 42.5% water, used at a liquid-solid ratio of 25 mL/g; ultrasonic frequency, 40 kHz; extraction temperature, 70 °C; and extraction time, 27.5 min. The extraction yield under these conditions was significantly higher than that obtained via traditional methods. Aescin was purified from the DES extract using macroporous resin. AB-8 resin was most efficient in adsorbing aescin in static adsorption tests. Based on dynamic adsorption experiments, optimal separation, with a 100% recovery rate, was achieved by passing four bed volume (BV) of extract through AB-8 column, removing impurities with two BV of deionized water and four BV of 30% ethanol, and eluting with four BV of 60% ethanol at 5–10 mL/min. This green method should be suitable for large-scale applications. Full article

Macroporous adsorption resins (MARs) are widely used for preparative-scale flavonoid purification, yet rational resin selection remains difficult because flavonoids differ substantially in hydrophobicity, hydrogen-bonding capacity, molecular size, and planarity. This review reorganizes the available literature into a structure-guided and data-supported selection aid rather than a fully predictive model. A systematic search of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and CNKI (January 2000 to February 2026) identified 55 studies for qualitative synthesis. Because many reports describe total flavonoids or mixed extracts rather than explicit single-compound adsorption data, only the subset with sufficiently clear compound-level or narrowly interpretable adsorption information was used for cautious comparative interpretation. Across the compiled evidence, non-polar resins generally favored less polar aglycones and methoxylated flavonoids, whereas medium-polar and polar resins more often performed well for glycosylated or more hydrophilic targets. On this basis, flavonoids were organized into four operational classes linked to recommended resin polarity, indicative adsorption capacity ranges, and typical ethanol-elution windows. A retrospective comparison with independent literature cases suggests practical value for initial resin prioritization, but the framework should be interpreted primarily as a heuristic, trend-based guide rather than as a strictly predictive model, because mixed-matrix effects, pore accessibility, and competitive adsorption can override simple polarity matching. A generalized operating window for adsorption and desorption is also summarized. Overall, this review provides a mechanism-informed starting point for resin screening while making explicit the conditions under which case-specific experiments remain necessary. Full article

The Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel (CCSK) shows great promise as a natural source of bioactive alkaloids. However, there is little data about recovering alkaloids from CCSK by-products after oil extraction using an aqueous method. This study aimed to establish an efficient technology for enriching CCSK alkaloids (including magnoflorine, lindoldhamine and N,N-methyldomesticinium) using macroporous resin technology. The results showed that XR918C resin was the most suitable adsorbent due to its high adsorption/desorption capacity for CCSK alkaloids. The adsorption process was best described by Langmuir isotherm models and pseudo-second-order kinetics; it was spontaneous and physical in nature. The optimum procedure for CCSK alkaloids enrichment using XR918C resin was as follows: for adsorption, the injection flow rate and sample volume were 2.0 BV/h and 7.0 BV, respectively; for desorption, the eluent type, elution flow rate and volume were 80% ethanol, 2.0 BV/h and 6.0 BV, respectively. Furthermore, the scale-up of the CCSK alkaloid enrichment process was performed under optimal conditions. Following the 10-fold scale-up enrichment, the content of CCSK alkaloids was raised 4.41-fold, with a recovery rate of 89.19 ± 0.01%. After nine regeneration cycles, the efficiency of the XR918C resin remained stable, indicating its good reusability. In addition, CCSK alkaloids exhibited strong in vitro antioxidant activity. This study provides a useful reference for the industrial-scale enrichment of CCSK alkaloids. Full article

To establish a reliable and accurate solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment method for multi-class antibiotics in water and achieve simultaneous determination of 20 antibiotics, including tetracyclines, quinolones, and sulfonamides, key pretreatment parameters were optimized via single-factor experiments in this study. The optimized parameters included pH of acidified water samples, Na₂EDTA dosage, SPE cartridge type, operational conditions, and the type and volume of elution solvent. The validated method was further applied to analyze surface water samples collected from 16 sampling sites in Poyang Lake and its three typical tributaries (Ganjiang River, Jinjiang River, and Yuanhe River) to verify its practicability, reliability, and applicability. Results showed that the optimal pretreatment conditions were as follows: water samples were acidified to pH 3.0, added with 0.2 g Na₂EDTA for metal ion chelation, enriched using Oasis^® HLB cartridges at a loading flow rate of 8–10 mL/min, and dried for 5–30 min until no obvious liquid dripped from the cartridge tip, followed by elution with 12 mL of 0.1% (V:V) formic acid in methanol. Under these conditions, the spiked recoveries of 20 antibiotics in ultrapure water were generally above 80%, and most antibiotics exhibited recoveries exceeding 90%. In addition, the spatial distribution of antibiotic concentrations in the Poyang Lake watershed followed the following order: Jinjiang River > Yuanhe River > Ganjiang River > Poyang Lake. Sulfonamides, especially sulfamethoxazole with a maximum concentration of 250.08 ng·L⁻¹, were identified as the predominant pollutants in this basin. Full article

Fungicide contamination is an increasing global environmental concern, due to the harm they may pose to non-target organisms, their contribution to antimicrobial resistance, and the potential risks to human health when drinking water (DW) sources are impacted. Many fungicides used in agriculture are chiral and may exist as racemates, or a combination of diastereoisomers and/or enantiomers. Since enantiomers can differ in environmental fate, distribution, and toxicity, enantioselective analysis of chiral fungicides is crucial. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an analytical method for the determination of azole chiral and achiral fungicides in DW using solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). Chromatographic separation of one achiral fungicide and five chiral fungicides was achieved using a polysaccharide chromatographic column under reverse elution mode. The validated method demonstrated high sensitivity with method detection limits (MDL) below 0.86 ng L⁻¹ and was successfully applied to 13 DW samples collected from various supply networks across Portugal. Seven out of the 15 targeted analytes were found at trace concentrations (>MDL). Fluconazole was the most frequently detected (~87% of the samples). The hazard quotients (HQs) for individual compounds for each individual fungicide (sum of the enantiomers for those chiral) and the hazard index (HI, sum of the individual HQ values) were calculated in each DW sample, indicating no significant health risks to consumers, since it is well below 0.1 for all compounds. Full article

Ammonia is one of the most important and widely produced basic chemicals worldwide. However, this highly toxic gas is also produced in livestock farming and a variety of industrial processes, posing a potential threat to humans, animals and the environment and also significantly contributing to the formation of persistent particulate matter. The aim of this project was to develop a textile-based adsorber material and to demonstrate a suitable test system for purifying ammonia-contaminated air from production-related sources using the example of pig fattening and PCB production. This aim was achieved through the wash-resistant immobilization of polyacrylic acid on a polyester needle felt at laboratory, pilot plant and industrial scales. In addition, various system concepts have been developed in which air or phosphoric acid can flow through the adsorber textile, whereby in the latter case, the phosphoric acid is both actively involved in ammonia adsorption and also serves to elute the bound ammonia, enabling continuous and low-maintenance operation. Concurrently, the high-quality inorganic fertilizer ammonium phosphate is produced. In summary, an efficient alternative to existing solutions for ammonia minimization has been developed, which is fundamentally characterized by its universal applicability in different load scenarios, including small mobile systems in production facilities with local ammonia pollution, in addition to scenarios for large-scale agricultural operations. Full article

The orthodontic landscape is currently witnessing a significant technological evolution with the emergence of direct 3D-printed aligners (DPAs), which promise to close the digital workflow loop by eliminating the geometric limitations and solid model waste inherent to traditional thermoformed clear aligners (TCAs). This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the material science governing this transition from inert thermoplastic sheets to reactive photocurable resins. We explore the fundamental chemistry of DPA materials, and the pivotal role of post-processing in ensuring mechanical integrity and biocompatibility. Beyond passive mechanics, this review highlights preclinical research in functional material engineering, detailing how experimental DPAs are being investigated for the integration of antibacterial agents, remineralization fillers, and drug delivery systems. Furthermore, we evaluate the limited but emerging clinical data on DPAs, contrasting their shape-memory properties and force delivery profiles with conventional appliances, while critically addressing emerging safety concerns regarding monomer elution and microplastic generation. We conclude that while DPA technology offers superior dimensional control, comprehensive life cycle assessments and long-term in vivo trials are essential to fully substantiate their clinical efficacy, overall sustainability, and potential as advanced orthodontic appliances. Full article

One of the major current societal challenges concerns the reuse of waste materials and valuable substances to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities, which has led to the increasing release of pollutants, from plastics to pharmaceuticals. In this study, we report a simple recycling strategy for surgical masks to obtain an activated carbon-like material, suitable for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of Phthalic acid esters (PAEss) from plastic bottled water. The sorbent was produced by high-temperature calcination after sulfuric acid treatment to enhance the thermal stability of polypropylene. The sorbent was characterized by thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. SPE was used to preconcentrate the analytes, and the main parameters affecting the extraction, such as pH, sorbent amount, organic modifier percentage, ionic strength and elution volume, were optimized. PAEs were determined by UHPLC-PDA under gradient elution. The developed method was linear in the range 0.25–1000 ng/mL, with LOQs between 0.25 and 0.10 ng/mL and LODs between 0.008 and 0.003 ng/mL. Recovery ranged from 95.9 to 104.7%, the precision expressed as RSD% was below 7.32, and the accuracy expressed as BIAS% ranged from −5.75 to 5.93. The proposed approach provides a simple and low-cost valorization route for PPE waste, while enabling reliable PAEs analysis in drinking water. Full article

This study investigated a feasible recycling and detoxification process for waste tire ash containing hazardous Zn and Al using acid leaching, followed by layered double hydroxide (LDH) synthesis. The novelty of this work is the direct conversion of a Zn/Al/Fe/Ca-rich real waste system into a phosphorus removal material, in which LDH-related uptake and secondary hydroxyapatite formation cooperatively immobilize phosphorus. Waste tire ash mainly consists of Zn, Al, Fe, Ca, and Si, most of which can be effectively leached with hydrochloric acid (HCl). The optimum leaching conditions for high extraction efficiency involved treatment with 10 M HCl for 10 min at 20 °C (solid–liquid ratio: 50 g/L). Under these conditions, the elution concentrations of Zn and Al from the residue decreased to 0.3 and 0.17 mg/L, respectively, meeting the Japanese leaching standards, whereas the raw ash showed significantly higher values. From the leached solution, LDH-containing products with high phosphorus removal capacity were synthesized at 40 °C for 2 h by adjusting the pH to 11.5. A phosphorus removal performance of 2.0 mmol/g was obtained owing to the formation of hydroxyapatite. The combined process of HCl leaching and LDH synthesis enables the detoxification of waste tire ash and the production of an environmental purification material. Full article

Mycotoxins are the most frequently occurring natural contaminant in food and feed products. Through the deployment of diverse agricultural strategies or biological, chemical, or physical treatments of crop products, mycotoxin contamination remains a persistent issue for the agricultural sector and food/feed industry. We previously suggested that halophytes, thanks to their high antioxidant activity, could protect animal cell lines from mycotoxin contamination. Here, a hydroalcoholic extract of Calystegia soldanella L. leaves was evaluated for in vitro total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-quenching bioassays, as well as anti-inflammatory (ELISA measurement of IL-8 secretion), ROS-inhibiting production (CellROX Green assay), and calcium influx restoration (fluorescent probe Fura2-QBT assay) activities in two animal cells upon mycotoxin intoxication. C. soldanella extract displayed high antioxidant activities (DPPH IC₅₀ < 80 μg·mL⁻¹ and TAC of 90 mg AAE·g⁻¹ DW. Moreover, it exhibited a significant protective action on renal (MDBK) and intestinal (IPEC-J2) cells against zearalenone (ZEA) or T2-toxin contamination, restoring about 75% of cell viability (MTS bioassay) at 1 μg·mL⁻¹. This effect was accompanied by strong anti-inflammatory, ROS-inhibition, and membrane integrity restoration activities. A bio-guided study revealed that the fraction of C. soldanella extract eluted from C18-bound silica with 60% methanol was the most active one. Upon HPLC and 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses, major compounds identified in this fraction were flavonol-type flavonoids, including quercetin-3-O-glucose (X1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (X2), and quercetin-3-O-glucose-6″-acetate (X3). Enriched sub-fractions containing these compounds largely contributed to the cytoprotective effects of C. soldanella, supporting its potential use as a food/feed ingredient. Full article

Synthetic biomaterials used as bone graft extenders (BGE) in spinal fusion surgery can supplement but do not replace autologous bone. This pilot study evaluated a calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite (CaS/HA) material as an antibiotic-eluting BGE and a carrier for bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in a rabbit posterolateral lumbar (L4–L5) spinal fusion model (PLF). Pre-set CaS/HA beads were loaded with tobramycin (TOB) and tested for in vitro antibiotic release and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. For the in vivo PLF study, CaS/HA beads were used in two treatment strategies: (1) CaS/HA + TOB + autograft (left side) and (2) CaS/HA + BMP-2 (right side). Serum levels of TOB were quantified and spinal fusion was evaluated after 12 weeks. TOB exhibited a rapid initial release, followed by a decline below detectable levels after 6 h in vitro and 48 h in vivo. TOB-loaded CaS/HA beads demonstrated in vitro antibacterial activity for 19 days. In the PLF study, 5/6 and 6/6 specimens were fused radiologically in the TOB and BMP groups, respectively, and 100% using mechanical testing. Micro-CT analysis showed no significant difference in bone volume between the TOB and BMP-2 groups (364 ± 84 vs. 479 ± 95 mm³). Histology verified continuous bone bridging in both groups. Our in vitro findings indicate that locally added TOB could protect the CaS/HA material from bacterial colonization and did not adversely impact the CaS/HA material negatively to act as BGE. The addition of low-dose BMP-2 to the CaS/HA material proved effective in building bone without the need to harvest autologous bone. In summary, this pilot PLF study demonstrates that the tested CaS/HA material combined with BMP-2 could replace autologous bone harvesting in spinal fusion surgery. Addition of TOB could potentially protect the material from bacterial colonization during the early post-operative period but further studies in infection models are warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Revascularization of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery can be achieved by either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Minimally invasive direct CABG (MIDCAB) enables LAD revascularization via a small thoracotomy without sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass. To compare long-term survival following LAD revascularization by MIDCAB or following PCI using drug-eluting stents (DES), of the historic cohort we reported in 2006. Methods: Data were assessed of 272 patients who underwent LAD PCI with DES, and 104 patients who underwent MIDCAB using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to LAD, in two major centers, between May 2002 and December 2003. Matching for age, sex, and extent of coronary disease yielded two balanced groups of 83 patients each. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar with a mean age ± standardized difference (SD) of 64.70 ± 12.52 of the MIDCAB group vs. 63.59 ± 12.06 of the Cypher group and an identical male to female ratio of 66 to 83 (79.5%), except for a higher prevalence of EF < 35% in the MIDCAB group and prior PCI in the DES group. Thirty-day mortality was 1.1% after MIDCAB and 0% after DES-PCI (p = 0.11). At 2 years, the proportion of recurrent angina was lower after MIDCAB (8.4% vs. 35%; p < 0.001), as was the proportion of re-interventions (3.6% vs. 16.8%; p = 0.005). Over a mean follow-up of 16 years, 10-year survival was 77.1 ± 4.6% for the MIDCAB and 81.0 ± 4.3% for the DES group (p = 0.48). The rates of 20-year survival were 60.2 ± 5.4% and 56.1 ± 5.5%, respectively (p = 0.73). In multivariable analysis, advanced age and prior myocardial infarction independently predicted mortality while treatment with MIDCAB showed a trend toward improved survival (p = 0.053). Conclusions: Long-term survival rates after LAD revascularization with MIDCAB and after DES-PCI were comparable. MIDCAB demonstrated a non-significant trend toward lower mortality. Limitations include the retrospective design and lack of detailed late event adjudication. Full article

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) allows for early surveillance of viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. Simplified low-cost approaches are needed to deploy WBE surveillance in resource-limited small-island settings, where high sensitivity must be maintained. In this study, we optimized key upstream steps in an electronegative membrane virus adsorption–elution (VIRADEL) workflow, including sample acidification, composite sampling duration, and RT-qPCR inhibition mitigation. Wastewater influent was sampled at a pump station in Grenada using 12 h and 24 h time-weighted composite samples, concentrated using electronegative membrane VIRADEL with and without sample acidification (pH 3.5), and used Phi 6 (enveloped virus) and MS2 (non-enveloped virus) bacteriophages as process controls and PMMoV as a fecal-derived normalization target. Targets for SARS-CoV-2 N1 and a non-enveloped virus surrogate were measured by RT-qPCR. Quantitative wastewater data were compared to reported clinical cases in the community. Sample acidification significantly increased recovery of the enveloped process control, Phi 6 (p < 0.01) indicating improved efficiency in capturing enveloped viral targets during filtration. Twelve-hour composite samples had a false-negative percentage of 88%, while 24 h samples had only 6% false negatives and were able to mirror clinical case trends. Wastewater viral signals were detected 3–5 days prior to an increase in clinical cases. Hydraulic travel time within the contributing sewer network was not directly measured; therefore, the reported 3–5 day lead time reflects the combined effect of shedding dynamics, sampling integration, and sewer transport. This optimized workflow was deployed for nine months showing sustained analytical performance and operational feasibility. Full article

Background: Fetuin (Ft) is the most abundant protein in fetal bovine serum (FBS) and is considered one of its essential components. This acidic glycoprotein plays a key role in cell adhesion and proliferation and is vital for maintaining in vitro cultures of animal and human cells, tissues, and organs. FBS is a natural source for Ft purification. However, the high demand for FBS as a standard reagent in cell culture severely limits its availability for use as a raw material for protein purification. Furthermore, the industrial production of FBS results in a significant amount of contaminated FBS. This contaminated fraction can thus be utilized for Ft recovery. Methods: In this work, we present a novel method for Ft recovery from FBS using a single chromatographic step based on anion exchange chromatography under acidic conditions. Results: Optimal adsorption conditions for Ft were studied using response surface methodology (RSM), which suggested a buffer pH of 4.2 and an FBS dilution of 40%. However, increasing the pH to 5 resulted in a 28% increase in Ft recovery, although with a slight reduction in Ft purity to 88%. A scale-up to half a liter of FBS was performed using a 400 mL column. A single-step elution with 0.3 M NaCl was employed, yielding an Ft recovery of 90% with a purity greater than 82%. Conclusions: The purified Ft demonstrated biological activity as a growth promoter in MDBK cell culture when utilized in a serum-free culture medium. Full article