Search Results (10,290)

Fish processing by-products represent a valuable and sustainable source of collagen for biomedical and functional applications. In the present study, collagen was extracted from the scales of red mullet (Mullus barbatus), gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using a green extraction approach based on a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) system composed of citric acid, xylitol, and water. The extracted collagens were comprehensively characterized by SDS-PAGE, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The results confirmed the presence of Type I collagen and demonstrated that the characteristic triple-helical structure and molecular organization were preserved throughout the extraction process. To preliminarily evaluate their potential as matrices for incorporating bioactive compounds, collagen matrices were combined with Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract at different ratios. The resulting combinations were evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytocompatibility properties. Antioxidant activity increased significantly with increasing ginger concentration, with the highest radical scavenging activity observed in combinations containing the greatest proportion of ginger extract. Similarly, antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was enhanced by ginger incorporation, with stronger inhibition observed against the Gram-positive bacterium. Cytocompatibility studies performed on human dermal fibroblast (HDFa) cells revealed that selected collagen–ginger combinations maintained high cell viability and did not induce substantial membrane damage, nuclear abnormalities, apoptosis, or necrosis at appropriate concentrations. Overall, the findings demonstrate that fish scale-derived collagen obtained through a sustainable NADES-based extraction process possesses favorable structural and biological properties and may serve as a potential carrier matrix for plant-derived bioactive compounds. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the future development of environmentally friendly functional biomaterials with prospective applications in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and tissue engineering fields. Full article

Olive leaves, a major byproduct of olive processing, are generated in large quantities annually yet suffer from inefficient utilization and low added value. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the extraction conditions of oleuropein from olive leaves. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of purified oleuropein and its protective effect against tret-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced oxidative damage in the human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cell line were investigated. The optimal extraction conditions for oleuropein were determined as follows: extraction temperature of 71 °C, extraction time of 72 min, ethanol concentration of 58%, and solid–liquid ratio of 1:27 (mg/mL), yielding an oleuropein recovery of 44.5%. The extract was purified and identified as oleuropein via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Oleuropein exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity and mitigated TBHP-induced oxidative damage in HEK-293 cells by inhibiting apoptosis. TBHP treatment reduced cell viability by approximately 70%, while treatment with 100 and 200 μg/mL oleuropein restored the decreased cell viability to 100%. Morphological observations and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining revealed that TBHP induced apoptotic cell death characterized by nuclear condensation and fragmentation, and this effect was reversed by oleuropein treatment. Flow cytometry analysis showed that TBHP caused approximately 90% cell death, whereas co-treatment with oleuropein reduced cell death to only about 10%. TBHP downregulated the expression of p53, and oleuropein reactivated its expression, highlighting the role of oleuropein in the recovery of the cellular antioxidant system. This study possibly indicated the protective mechanism of oleuropein against oxidative damage-related diseases and provides a theoretical basis for the development of olive leaves as a potential ingredient in functional foods. Full article

Background: Biotrauma from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) drives systemic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and organ dysfunction in critically ill patients. Therefore, this study aimed to identify clinical and metabolomic features associated with ICU mortality in patients receiving IMV or ECMO, as these remain incompletely characterized. Methods: The retrospective analysis included 30 ICU patients on IMV and 22 on ECMO. Metabolomic and proteomic profiling were performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS), and serum spectral analysis by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). Significant variables were incorporated into multivariate logistic regression models, ranked by AIC, AUC, and statistical significance. Model performance was evaluated using stratified 5-fold cross-validation. Final models were adjusted for relevant demographic and clinical covariates. Results: The IMV cohort showed discriminatory FTIRS wavenumbers across all preprocessings, and 155 metabolites plus 14 proteins were significantly altered, with unadjusted models achieving mean AUCs above 0.9. The ECMO cohort showed discriminatory FTIRS wavenumbers in one preprocessing, and 15 metabolites plus 3 proteins were highlighted. FTIRS, metabolomic, and proteomic models reached mean AUCs of 0.967, 0.867, and 0.783, respectively, with lower stability during cross-validation. Adjustment for demographic and clinical covariates reduced model robustness. Conclusions: Stronger and more reproducible molecular signatures related to ICU mortality were observed in the IMV cohort, whereas the ECMO cohort showed reduced model stability, likely reflecting increased biological heterogeneity and small sample size. These findings support the utility of integrated omics for characterizing critical illness and outcome stratification, while reinforcing the need for validation in larger and independent cohorts. Full article

Agro-industrial by-products from beetroot, raspberry, sea buckthorn, and shadbush are valuable sources of natural pigments and renewable filler materials, but their hydrophilic surfaces limit compatibility with hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrices. This study evaluated the effect of catalyst-free vapor-phase hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) treatment of pigment-rich powders and their incorporation into PDMS composites at 5 and 20 wt.% filler loadings. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements were used to characterize surface modifications. Mechanical behavior under puncture loading was evaluated using texture analysis. FTIR confirmed successful silylation through the reduction in hydroxyl groups and the emergence of silicon-containing functionalities. Treated fillers exhibited rougher, more irregular surfaces, which suggested improved filler dispersion and interfacial compatibility within the PDMS matrix. Modified composites showed enhanced hydrophobicity, with contact angles up to 102.84°. Composites containing 5 wt.% HMDS-treated raspberry filler demonstrated the highest puncture resistance and elasticity, indicating improved interfacial interactions. In contrast, 20 wt.% filler loading generally reduced puncture resistance and elasticity, possibly due to increased particle agglomeration and reduced matrix continuity, as suggested by the SEM observations, whereas shadbush-filled composites showed decreased performance after treatment. Overall, HMDS surface modification effectively improves the compatibility of pigment-rich agro-waste fillers with PDMS and supports their use as functional fillers and natural colorant sources in silicone-based composites, providing a value-added route for the utilization of agro-industrial by-products. Full article

Drilling fluids are essential in oil and gas operations for wellbore stability, cuttings transport, pressure control, and fluid-loss reduction. Water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs) are widely used because of their cost-effectiveness and lower environmental impact compared with oil-based systems; however, they often suffer from fluid loss into the formation and lower rheological performance. This laboratory-scale study investigates the feasibility of using rice and bread waste powders as bio-based additives for WBDFs to mitigate fluid loss. The collected food wastes were dried, milled, and sieved into three particle sizes of fine (150 µm), very fine (75 µm), and ultrafine (45 µm). The prepared powders were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). A total of 18 drilling-fluid formulations were prepared using rice and bread powders at concentrations of 1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 3 wt%. Filtration tests were conducted under low-pressure low-temperature (LPLT) conditions of 100 psi and 25 °C and high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) conditions of 1500 psi and 70 °C, while rheological properties were measured using a rotational viscometer. The results showed that additive type, particle size, and concentration strongly influenced WBDF performance. The best-performing formulation was WBDF with added rice powder at 45 µm and 3 wt% (RC45-3), which reduced fluid loss from 19.5 mL to 6.1 mL, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 68.7% at LPLT. Under HPHT conditions, the same formulation reduced fluid loss from 36.5 mL to 11.4 mL, corresponding to a reduction of approximately 68.8%. RC45-3 also produced the thinnest measured filter cake, reducing filter-cake thickness from 5.0 mm for the base mud to 0.52 mm. The formulation maintained shear-thinning behavior and produced suitable gel strength values, indicating improved suspension capacity. The improved performance of rice powder is attributed to its fine particle size, favorable morphology, and ability to form a compact, low-permeability filter cake. Overall, the findings indicate that processed rice waste powder has potential as a low-cost, bio-based fluid-loss-control agent for WBDFs, although further testing in field-representative mud systems is required before practical application. Full article

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) relies on bamboo as its principal food source, exposing its enamel to sustained indentation, shearing, and abrasive loading. Mature enamel is highly mineralized but retains a small residual organic phase, whose contribution to wear resistance remains insufficiently defined. A gradient deproteinization model of mature giant panda enamel was established using KOH treatment. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to verify organic-phase removal and mineral-framework preservation. Nanoindentation, indentation creep, nanoscratch testing, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and SEM were then used to evaluate mechanical response, scratch resistance, and surface morphological evolution. The mass loss within 200–450 °C decreased with increasing KOH exposure and reached a plateau after 9 days. FTIR showed reduced organic-related or surface-sensitive bands, whereas phosphate bands were retained. XPS revealed decreased C and N contents; increased O, Ca, and P contents; and a higher Ca/P ratio. Deproteinization decreased the elastic modulus, shifted load–displacement curves toward greater indentation depth, and reduced the relative creep index. The critical load in nanoscratch testing decreased from 12.53 ± 0.35 mN to 6.07 ± 0.77 mN, while scratch depth, width, and residual depth increased. AFM showed a rightward shift in aggregate-size distribution and increased roughness. SEM revealed a transition from shallow plowing grooves to complex damage involving cracks, debris accumulation, and local spallation. Therefore, KOH treatment for 9 days provided an effective deproteinization endpoint for mature giant panda enamel. These findings suggest that the residual organic phase may contribute to surface interfacial continuity, local deformation accommodation, scratch-damage resistance, and reduced permanent damage accumulation. This material role may contribute to the adaptation of giant panda enamel to the mechanical demands of a bamboo-based, high-wear diet. Full article

Developing durable multifunctional clothing with enhanced mechanical and comfort properties utilizing eco-friendly, cost-effective hybrid nano finishes is highly challenging. The reason behind the nondurable functionality is the lack of bonding ability of nanoparticles (NPs) with cotton fabric, and this additional coating has a great impact on the mechanical, thermo-physiological, and sensorial comfort properties of cotton fabric. Focusing on these issues, this paper attempts to develop biogenic chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO₂ hybrid nano finishes with three distinct formulations, namely Chi-CuO-SiO_2(5g/L), Chi-CuO-SiO_2(10g/L), and Chi-CuO-SiO_2(20g/L) hybrid nanofluids, to incorporate on cotton fabric by pad-dry-cure method. These hybrid nanofluids from biogenic Chi-CuO and rice husk SiO₂ NPs have been newly introduced for textile application. The NPs CuO and SiO₂ are synthesized from lemon peel zest extract and rice husk, respectively. Characterization of CuO NPs by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffractometers (XRD) evidences that spherical-shaped, amorphous, and 60–80 nm sized NPs are synthesized. The hydrodynamic performance of hybrid nanofluids measured by Zeta Sizer shows that the chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO_2(5g/L) hybrid nanofluid is the most stable among the three, and the value is +29.4 mV. The presence of CuO NPs, SiO₂ NPs, and chitosan on cotton fabric was confirmed by FTIR, FESEM, and EDX spectra of the hybrid nanofluid-deposited fabric. The cotton fabric coated with chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO₂ hybrid nanofluids exhibits better durable antimicrobial efficacy, UV-protective properties, and thermo-physiological comfort properties than that of the uncoated fabric. More specifically, CuO-SiO_2(20g/L)-coated fabric demonstrates approximately 99.99% bacterial efficacy against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria even after 15 washing cycles, and excellent UV-protective properties. In addition, CuO-SiO_2(5g/L)-coated fabric displays around 75% enhancement of overall moisture management properties and 1.22% and 0.53% enhancement of tensile strength in warp and weft directions with excellent elongation compared to the pristine one. Moreover, assessment of the mechanical sensorial comfort properties of this fabric depicts that it is smoother, and has better thermal conductivity than that of the control one. In addition, CuO-SiO_2(5g/L) hybrid nanofluid-treated cotton fabric exhibited cell viability above 95%, which confirms its non-cytotoxicity. The outcomes of this study suggest that chitosan-loaded CuO-SiO_2(5g/L) hybrid nanofluid-treated cotton fabric can be considered as optimum and employed as biomedical textiles with better mechanical and comfort properties. Full article

Background: Polysaccharide–iron complexes (PICs) are widely used oral iron supplements, but their gastrointestinal tolerability varies and remains incompletely understood. As typical non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs), PICs exhibit structural heterogeneity, and their functional performance may be linked to higher-order structural attributes. Methods: In this study, two commercial PIC preparations (test samples A and B) were comparatively investigated to explore their structure–function relationship using a multi-dimensional approach. Structural properties were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, along with monosaccharide composition analysis. Functional behaviors and physiological relevance were further evaluated through in vitro acid-stress release studies and in vivo rat gastrointestinal tolerability assessments. Results: The results revealed that test sample A exhibited a glucose-only detectable monosaccharide profile but a higher and broader apparent molecular-weight distribution, indicating monosaccharide compositional uniformity together with macromolecular heterogeneity. In contrast, test sample B showed detectable glucose and mannose, a lower and narrower apparent molecular-weight distribution, higher measured free iron, and greater iron release under the tested acidic conditions. An exploratory 7-day rat gastrointestinal tolerability study (n = 4 per group) indicated that these distinct profiles may impact mucosal tolerability. Structurally stable test sample A allowed intestinal iron accumulation while maintaining mucosal integrity. Conversely, the rapid dissociation of test sample B induced observable mucosal injury, despite lower local iron retention. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the gastrointestinal tolerability of PICs may be associated with their structural attributes and release behavior, rather than total iron content alone. Overall, this exploratory study highlights a potential relationship between multi-dimensional PIC structure and functional performance, emphasizing the need for broader, structure-informed frameworks in the quality evaluation of complex iron therapies. Full article

Aging of asphalt pavements is a complex, multi-scale degradative process driven by the synergistic effects of various environmental stressors. Traditional laboratory-accelerated aging protocols often employ static parameters that fail to accurately replicate dynamic, region-specific climatic conditions. To bridge the gap between laboratory simulations and actual field performance, this study investigates the aging behaviors of base binder and SBS-modified binder under multi-factor coupled environmental conditions. Field observations were conducted across six distinct climatic regions in Gansu Province, alongside an indoor second-order orthogonal regression composite design that evaluated the interactive effects of temperature, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, humidity, and aging time. Rheological evaluations revealed that for the base binder, the synergistic coupling of UV radiation, elevated temperatures, and high humidity significantly accelerates oxidative hardening and embrittlement far beyond the impact of any single factor. Conversely, SBS-modified binder demonstrated a non-linear, U-shaped rheological response governed by a competitive mechanism between UV/thermal-induced polymer scission and moisture/time-driven matrix oxidation. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy corroborated these macroscopic findings at the molecular level, tracking the simultaneous evolution of carbonyl and sulfoxide indices alongside the degradation of the polybutadiene segments in the modified binder. Ultimately, a quadratic polynomial regression model was established to precisely correlate natural field aging with equivalent indoor accelerated aging times based on specific regional climatic data. Full article

The objective of this research is the development of a copper-based optical sensor for the detection of ovarian cancer marker CA 125 synthesized using low-temperature plasma. Optical materials produced with metals show unique advantages due to their ability to interact with light. There are different methods currently used for the synthesis of optical materials that can be associated with longer processing times and low material yield. The novelty of this study is the development of copper-based optical material (CuPy) using low-temperature plasma and subsequent modification for the detection of CA 125. Introduction: Plasma consists of a mixture of fully and partially ionized gas. It comprises diverse, highly energized species of atoms, ions, electrons, excited molecules, and charged species. These energized species are used to create new materials, for surface modifications, and in medical applications. Plasma can create a controlled environment for the creation of novel materials. Using low-temperature plasma, it will be possible to have precise control of the chemical composition and structure due to the creation of excited molecules, ions, and free radicals. Method: The CuPy material was synthesized using radio-frequency-assisted low-temperature plasma. Prior to synthesis, the plasma chamber was cleaned using radio frequency (RF) plasma without any reagents or gases. RF plasma was used for the synthesis of CuPy for 10 min and subsequent hydrogen plasma (50 sccm) for another 10 min. Two types of products were extracted from the chamber (one in water and another in methanol). These two products were analyzed using UV–visible absorbance spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The methanol extracted samples were further modified with CA 125 antibody. Zeta potential measurements were performed to confirm the binding of the CA 125 antibody to the sensor. The sensing efficacy of the sensor towards CA 125 antigen was monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy. Results: The absorbance spectrum of methanol extracted CuPy shows absorbances around 251 nm, 282 nm, and 339 nm. The extracted product exhibited a red edge excitation emission in the visible region. The elemental composition and oxidation state of the sample were evaluated using XPS. CA 125 antibody conjugation with CuPy was confirmed using UV–visible absorbance spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. The antibody binding resulted in the fluorescence shifts towards higher wavelengths with an increase in the emission intensity compared with CuPy. Zeta potential measurements also confirmed the binding of the CA 125 antibody to the sensor. Different concentrations of CA 125 antigen resulted in the quenching of fluorescence. This change in the fluorescence intensity was used for the detection of CA 125. Conclusions: A copper-based optical material was developed using low-temperature plasma, and it was found to be effective for the detection of CA 125 ovarian cancer marker. Full article

Phosphorus scarcity and inefficient fertilizer utilization highlight the need for sustainable phosphorus recovery and reuse strategies. In this study, a Zn/Fe-layered double hydroxide (Zn/Fe-LDH)-kelp-derived biochar (KBC) composite (Zn/Fe-LDH@0.5KBC) was synthesized via co-precipitation for phosphate capture and subsequent reutilization as a slow-release fertilizer. The incorporation of KBC improved the dispersion of LDH nanosheets and generated a hierarchical porous structure with a specific surface area of 122.13 m²/g. As a result, Zn/Fe-LDH@0.5KBC exhibited a high phosphate adsorption capacity of 132.52 mg P/g and reached adsorption equilibrium within 240 min. Kinetic and isotherm analyses indicated that phosphate adsorption was dominated by chemisorption and was best described by the Sips model. Comprehensive scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses revealed that phosphate removal occurred through synergistic mechanisms, including electrostatic attraction, interlayer anion exchange, surface complexation, and metal phosphate precipitation. The P-loaded composite exhibited diffusion-dominated phosphorus release in soil and significantly enhanced pak choi growth. Compared with the control, labile phosphorus increased from 2.8% to 6.8%, while moderately labile phosphorus increased from 6.3% to 14.1%, indicating improved phosphorus availability. These findings demonstrate an effective strategy for integrating phosphate recovery from wastewater with agricultural reuse and provide insights into the development of multifunctional adsorbent-fertilizer systems for circular phosphorus management. Full article

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation leads to lung deterioration and poor prognosis in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). Early and aggressive therapies can achieve P. aeruginosa eradication, which may recur later. Therefore, determining whether it has resisted therapy or has been newly acquired may guide subsequent treatment(s). This information is crucial also for patients treated with CFTR modulators representing P. aeruginosa after prolonged negativity and to confirm chronic infections. We evaluated the ability of Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy to determine intra-patient isoclonality for 103 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from 36 pwCF. Two were chronically and two intermittently colonised; twelve were on modulators with a past P. aeruginosa colonisation; and twenty received eradication therapy, ten of whom were also treated with modulators. FT-IR data were validated by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) identification of Sequence Type. FT-IR identified persistence of P. aeruginosa in 24 patients, with a WGS-confirmed positive predictive value of 100% and diagnostic accuracy of 94%. The eradication therapy success rate was 45%, and the time to P. aeruginosa reappearance was similar in both patients with failed eradication treatment and those who initially cleared the infection but later acquired a new strain. Nine patients in modulators showed persistent infections. FT-IR can rapidly determine the clonality of P. aeruginosa isolates, allowing discrimination of recurring versus new infections both in patients with established colonisations and those subjected to eradication therapy representing P. aeruginosa. By overcoming the time-based criteria used to define new infections and by providing the actual success rate of eradication therapies, FT-IR can effectively contribute to the development of efficient therapeutic strategies. Full article

Microbial degumming offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical methods for ramie fiber production, but industrial application is constrained by low efficiency stemming from limited mechanistic insight. This study systematically investigates the process using Pectobacterium carotovorum HG-49. Strain HG-49 showed a lag phase of 0–4 h, a logarithmic phase of 6–10 h, and peak biomass at 12 h. Pectin (97.05%) and water-soluble substances (98.45%) were nearly fully removed, whereas hemicellulose removal was only 73.54%, rendering it the primary residual gum component. Pectinase activity peaked at 120.75 U/mL, while mannanase (35.85 U/mL) and xylanase (30.20 U/mL) reached roughly one-quarter of that level; cellulase activity remained minimal. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that 6–12 h constituted the main gum degradation phase. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and micro-FTIR showed progressive decreases in pectin, hemicellulose, and lignin absorption peaks with degumming. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed increased crystallinity from 72.07% to 80.02%, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed elevated degradation temperature from 417 °C to 435 °C. Collectively, these data confirm progressive removal of gummy substances and enhanced cellulose purity. Transcriptomic profiling further revealed that low abundance and reduced expression of hemicellulases significantly limited degumming performance. Therefore, enhancing efficiency should focus on: supplementing pectin-rich substrates to accelerate bacterial proliferation and enzyme production, broadening the hemicellulase spectrum and enhancing catalytic activities and establishing effective pretreatment protocols for ramie bast. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for improving microbial degumming efficiency and advancing industrial feasibility. Full article

This study aimed to verify the morphology, biochemical composition, and thermal characterization of hydrated human amniotic membrane (HAM) processed in an ozonated water hydrodynamic system. This is an in vitro experimental study in which HAM samples were divided into two groups: in natura (IN) and ozonated (O₃). Analyses were performed using histology, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC/dDSC). Ozonation for 40 min preserved the biochemical integrity of HAM, maintaining the characteristic vibrational bands of Amides I, II, and III. Histological analysis showed morphological changes in epithelial cells, with partial removal in some regions, while the basement membrane and the scaffold remained preserved. Thermal analysis revealed that the in natura sample presented a bimodal dehydration profile, with a first event occurring between 60 and 65 °C associated with the evaporation of free or weakly bound water, and a second event peaking around 80 °C related to the removal of structural water. In contrast, the ozonated HAM exhibited a unimodal profile, with the mass loss peak shifted to approximately 70 °C. These findings were corroborated by DSC analysis, which showed a reduction in denaturation temperature from approximately 85 °C in the in natura sample to around 75 °C in the ozonated sample. The dDSC analysis confirmed the transition from a bimodal to a unimodal behavior after treatment, indicating a reduced energy barrier for protein denaturation and lower thermal stability of the collagen matrix. These results suggest that ozonation promotes alterations in the epithelial layer, which may favor the loss of both free and bound water. It is concluded that processing with ozonated water induces structural modifications, especially in the epithelial layer, and reduces the thermal stability of hydrated HAM without significantly altering the biochemical signature of collagen. This approach shows potential as an alternative method for membrane processing; however, functional evaluations are required to confirm its clinical applicability. Full article

Spatially separated dual-bioactive delivery platform from electrospun polyhydroxybutyrate/poly(ethylene oxide) fibers loaded with rutin (PHB/PEO/RUT) and decorated with zein/Melissa officinalis particles (zein/MO) were obtained by simultaneous electrospinning/electrospraying. The morphology of the materials, their thermal properties and chemical composition were systematically studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR). The incorporation of PEO into the fabricated fibrous materials enhanced their wettability. It was demonstrated that the newly developed materials had high encapsulation efficiency (99.8 ± 0.1%) of RUT and/or MO. The architecture of the materials affected the in vitro release profile of the bioactive agents. RUT exerted its DPPH^• scavenging capacity upon incorporation into the fibers. An increase in antioxidant activity was observed in the fibrous mats loaded with both RUT and MO. Moreover, the developed materials decreased the viability of SH-4 melanoma cells to a greater extent than that of non-cancerous HaCaT keratinocytes. The combined rapid release and sustained release of bioactive agents and the antioxidant and anticancer activity of the newly developed materials render them promising candidates as platforms for local drug delivery. Full article