Search Results (1,700)

Introduction: Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a common precancerous condition affecting the lips, primarily caused by prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure. Various treatment options are available. However, the optimal treatment approach remains a subject of debate. Objective: To summarize and compare practice-relevant interventions for AC. Materials and Methods: A pre-defined protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021225182). Systematic searches in Medline, Embase, and Central, along with manual trial register searches, identified studies reporting participant clearance rates (PCR) or recurrence rates (PRR). Quality assessment for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2. Uncontrolled studies were evaluated using the tool developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The generalized linear mixed model was used to pool proportions for uncontrolled studies. A pairwise meta-analysis for RCTs was applied, using the odds ratio (OR) as the effect estimate and the GRADE approach to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Adverse events were analyzed qualitatively. Results: A comprehensive inclusion of 36 studies facilitated an evaluation of 614 participants for PCR, and 430 patients for PRR. Diclofenac showed the lowest PCR (0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.41; 0.66]), while CO₂ laser showed the highest PCR (0.97, 95% CI [0.90; 0.99]). For PRR, Er:YAG laser showed the highest rates (0.14, 95% CI [0.08; 0.21]), and imiquimod the lowest (0.00, 95% CI [0.00; 0.06]). In a pairwise meta-analysis, the OR indicated a lower recurrence rate for Er:YAG ablative fractional laser (AFL)-primed methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) (Er:YAG AFL-PDT) compared to methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) alone (OR = 0.22, 95% CI [0.06; 0.82]). The CO₂ laser showed fewer local side effects than the Er:YAG laser, while PDTs caused more skin reactions. Due to qualitative data, comparability was limited, highlighting the need for individualized treatment. Conclusions: This study provides a complete and up-to-date evidence synthesis of practice-relevant interventions for AC, identifying the CO₂ laser as the most effective treatment and regarding PCR and imiquimod as most effective concerning PRR. Full article

The synthesis of “green ammonia” from “green hydrogen” represents a critical pathway for renewable energy integration and industrial decarbonization. This study investigates the green ammonia synthesis process using an axial–radial fixed-bed reactor equipped with three catalyst layers. A simplified two-dimensional physical model was developed, and a multiscale simulation approach combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) employed. The simulation results demonstrate that the majority of fluid flows axially through the catalyst beds, leading to significantly higher temperatures in the upper bed regions. The reactor exhibits excellent heat exchange performance, ensuring effective preheating of the feed gas. High-pressure zones are concentrated near the top and bottom gas outlets, while the ammonia mole fraction approaches 100% near the bottom outlet, confirming superior conversion efficiency. By integrating PINNs, the prediction accuracy was substantially improved, with flow field errors in the catalyst beds below 4.5% and ammonia concentration prediction accuracy above 97.2%. Key reaction kinetic parameters (pre-exponential factor k₀ and activation energy Ea) were successfully inverted with errors within 7%, while computational efficiency increased by 200 times compared to traditional CFD. The proposed CFD–PINN integrated framework provides a high-fidelity and computationally efficient simulation tool for green ammonia reactor design, particularly suitable for scenarios with fluctuating hydrogen supply. The reactor design reduces energy per unit ammonia and improves conversion efficiency. Its radial flow configuration enhances operational stability by damping feed fluctuations, thereby accelerating green hydrogen adoption. By reducing fossil fuel dependence, it promotes industrial decarbonization. Full article

This study aimed to compare the performance of three hydroxyapatite–β-tricalcium phosphate (HA–β-TCP) collagen composite grafts in a canine model for extraction socket preservation. Eight mongrel dogs underwent atraumatic bilateral mandibular premolar extraction, and sockets were randomly grafted with HBC28 (20% high-crystalline HA, 80% β-TCP bovine collagen), HBC37 (30% HA, 70% β-TCP, bovine collagen), or HPC64 (60% HA, 40% β-TCP, porcine collagen). Grafts differed in their HA–β-TCP ratio and collagen origin and content. Animals were sacrificed at 4 and 12 weeks, and the healing sites were evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological analysis. At 12 weeks, all groups showed good socket maintenance with comparable new bone formation. However, histological analysis revealed that HBC28 had significantly higher residual graft volume, while HPC64 demonstrated more extensive graft resorption. Histomorphometric analysis confirmed these findings, with statistically significant differences in residual graft area and bone volume fraction. No inflammatory response or adverse tissue reactions were observed in any group. These results suggest that all three HA–β-TCP collagen composites are biocompatible and suitable for socket preservation, with varying resorption kinetics influenced by graft composition. Selection of graft material may thus be guided by the desired rate of replacement by new bone. Full article

The energetic valorization of digestate obtained from anaerobic digestion (AD) of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was investigated via pyrolysis in a bench-scale rotary kiln. The mass rate of dried digestate to the rotary kiln pyrolyzer was fixed at 500 gr/h. The effect of the pyrolysis temperature was investigated at 600, 700, and 800 °C. The pyrolysis products, char, oil, and gas, were quantified and chemically analyzed. It was observed that with the increase in the temperature from 600 to 800 °C, the char decreased from 60.3% to 52.2% and the gas increased from 26.5% to 35.3%. With the aim of increasing the methane production and methane concentration in syngas, the effect of CaO addition to the pyrolysis process was investigated at the same temperature, too. The mass ratio CaO/dried digestate was set at 0.2. The addition of CaO sorbent has a clear effect on the yield and composition of pyrolysis products. Under the experimental conditions, CaO was observed to act both as a CO₂ sorbent and as a catalyst, promoting cracking and reforming reactions of volatile compounds. In more detail, at the investigated temperatures, a net reduction in CO₂ concentration was observed in syngas, accompanied by an increase in CH₄ concentration. The gas yield decreased with the CaO addition because of CO₂ chemisorption. The oil yield decreased as well, probably because of the cracking and reforming effect of the CaO on the volatiles. A very promising performance of the CaO sorbent was observed at 600 °C; at this temperature, the CO₂ concentration decreased from 32.2 to 13.9 mol %, and the methane concentration increased from 16.1 to 29.4 mol %. At the same temperature, the methane production increased from 34 to 63 g/kg_digestate. Full article

The combined application of fibers and lightweight aggregates (LWAs) represents an effective approach to achieving high-strength, lightweight concrete. To enhance the predictability of the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC), this study conducts an in-depth investigation into its hydration characteristics. In this study, high-strength LWAC was developed by incorporating low water absorption LWAs, various volume fractions of basalt fiber (BF) (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%), and a ternary cementitious system consisting of 70% cement, 20% fly ash, and 10% silica fume. The hydration-related properties were evaluated through isothermal calorimetry test and high-temperature calcination test. The results indicate that incorporating 0.1–0.3% fibers into the cementitious system delays the early hydration process, with a reduced peak heat release rate and a delayed peak heat release time compared to the control group. However, fitting the cumulative heat release over a 72-h period using the Knudsen equation suggests that BF has a minor impact on the final degree of hydration, with the difference in maximum heat release not exceeding 3%. Additionally, the calculation model for the final degree of hydration in the ternary binding system was also revised based on the maximum heat release at different water-to-binder ratios. The results for chemically bound water content show that compared with the pre-wetted LWA group, under identical net water content conditions, the non-pre-wetted LWA group exhibits a significant reduction at three days, with a decrease of 28.8%; while under identical total water content conditions it shows maximum reduction at ninety days with a decrease of 5%. This indicates that pre-wetted LWAs help maintain an effective water-to-binder ratio and facilitate continuous advancement in long-term hydration reactions. Based on these results, influence coefficients related to LWAs for both final degree of hydration and hydration rate were integrated into calculation models for degrees of hydration. Ultimately, this study verified reliability of strength prediction models based on degrees of hydration. Full article

In this work, we consider a generalized form of the classical $(2+1)$-dimensional sine-Gordon system. The mathematical model considers a generalized reaction term, and the two-dimensional Laplacian includes the presence of space-fractional derivatives of the Riesz type with two different differentiation orders in general. The system is equipped with a conserved quantity that resembles the energy functional in the integer-order scenario. We propose a numerical model to approximate the solutions of the fractional sine-Gordon equation. A discretized form of the energy-like quantity is proposed, and we prove that it is conserved throughout the discrete time. Moreover, the analysis of consistency, stability, and convergence is rigorously carried out. The numerical model is implemented computationally, and some computer simulations are presented in this work. As a consequence of our simulations, we show that the discrete energy is approximately conserved throughout time, which coincides with the theoretical results. Full article

To enhance the molten salt corrosion resistance of Ni200 alloy plasma arc welds, the welds were subjected to tensile deformation followed by heat treatment. The grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) was analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in conjunction with orientation imaging microscopy (OIM). A constant-temperature corrosion test at 900 °C was conducted to evaluate the impact of GBCD on the corrosion resistance of the welds. Results demonstrated that after processing with 6% tensile deformation, and annealing at 950 °C for 30 min, the fraction of low-ΣCSL grain boundaries increased from 1.2% in the as-welded condition to 57.3%, and large grain clusters exhibiting Σ3ⁿ orientation relationships were formed. During the heat treatment, an increased number of recrystallization nucleation sites led to a reduction in average grain size from 323.35 μm to 171.38 μm. When exposed to a high-temperature environment of 75% Na₂SO₄-25% NaCl mixed molten salt, the corrosion behavior was characterized by intergranular attack, with oxidation and sulfidation reactions resulting in the formation of NiO and Ni₃S₂. The corrosion resistance of Grain boundary engineering (GBE)-treated samples was significantly superior to that of Non-GBE samples, with respective corrosion rates of 0.3397 mg/cm²·h and 0.8484 mg/cm²·h. These findings indicate that grain boundary engineering can effectively modulate the grain boundary character distribution in Ni200 alloy welds, thereby enhancing their resistance to molten salt corrosion. Full article

The quantification of the short-range order (SRO) of glassy materials has remained an open challenge over the years. In particular, in borate glasses, this task is further complicated by the change in the B coordination number from 3 to 4 and by the formation of superstructural units. Nevertheless, in two recent articles from our group, the SRO structure of bismuth (xBi₂O₃-(1-x)B₂O₃) and zinc (xZnO-(1-x)B₂O₃) borate glasses was completely resolved by two independent methods. The first one, for Bi-borates, involved the analysis of infrared absorption coefficient spectra into Gaussian component bands, whereas the second one, for Zn-borates, involved the application of the short-range order configuration model (SROC), an extension of the well-known lever rule. In this article, we extend the application of the SROC model in bismuth borate glasses into the range where Bi cations were found to act predominantly as modifiers, i.e., 0.20 ≤ x ≤ 0.40. Our extension results in a modification of the originally proposed SROC model by adding an additional node and by defining the prerequisites for any augmented version of the model. The molar fractions of the borate units for the calculated SRO structure, in a continuous way throughout the range investigated, are in excellent agreement with the existing literature data. Moreover, the research highlights how the onset of disproportionation reactions between borate units can be handled in the framework of the introduced augmented short-range order configuration model, ASROC. Full article

In the present study, for the first time, a biodegradable and non-toxic polyphosphoramidate glycohydrogel (PPAGHGel) was prepared by crosslinking a polyphosphoramidate glycoconjugate (PPAG) with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) under mild conditions. Poly(oxyethylene H-phosphonate) (POEHP) was used as a precursor and was converted into PPAG via the Staudinger reaction with glucose-containing azide (2-p-azidobenzamide-2-deoxy-1,3,4,6-tetra-O-trimethylsilyl-α-D-glucopyranose). Then, crosslinking of PPAG was performed to yield PPAGHGel, which was thoroughly characterized. The gel showed a gel fraction of 83%, a swelling degree of 1426 ± 98%, and G″ = 1560 ± 65 Pa. The gel was fully degraded by alkaline phosphatase (400 U/L, pH 9) in 19 days, while hydrolytically, up to 52% degradation was observed under similar conditions. Multivalent studies of the obtained hydrogel with lectin–Concanavalin A were performed. PPAGHGel binds 92% of Concanavalin A within 24 h and the complex remains stable until the amount of glucose reaches 0.3 mM. PPAGHGel acts as a stabilizer for silver nanoparticles (12 nm). SEM shows pores measuring 10 µm (surface) and 0.1 mm (interior) with capillary channels, confirming the gel’s suitability for biosensors, drug delivery, or wound dressings. The cytotoxic (IC50) and cell-adhesive properties of the obtained hydrogel were investigated on human cell lines (HeLa). Antibacterial activity tests were also performed with gel containing silver nanoparticles against skin-associated pathogenic bacteria. The results show that PPAGHGel possesses excellent biocompatibility, non-adhesive properties and antibacterial activity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. [Asteraceae] (ALR)-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ALR-ELNs) exhibit anti-neuroinflammatory effects in microglial cells. However, the associated mechanisms and pathways are unknown. We aimed to characterize the effects of ALR-ELNs on inflammatory responses of BV-2 microglial cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using RNA sequencing. Methods: ALR-ELNs were fractionated from ALR. BV-2 microglial murine cells were stimulated with LPS after treatment with ALR-ELNs. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze variations in mRNA levels. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was performed to investigate the mechanism of action of ALR-ELNs. mRNA expression was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: The expression of 651 genes was downregulated, whereas that of 1204 genes was upregulated in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells pretreated with ALR-ELNs. The IPA showed that the effects of ALR-ELNs on inflammation took place through pathogen-influenced signaling. Network analysis via IPA showed that the Toll-like receptor (TLR) is involved in the suppression of inflammation by ALR-ELNs. The qPCR analysis showed that pretreatment with ALR-ELNs significantly reduced TLR4 mRNA expression. Conclusions: ALR-ELNs suppress the release of inflammatory mediators by downregulating TLR4 expression, which is a novel mechanism by which ALR-ELNs act on microglia. Identifying active ingredients in ALR-ELNs that downregulate TLR4 expression can advance the development of therapeutic drugs for neuroinflammatory diseases. Full article

The olive oil-production sector engages with the environment on multiple levels, and the valorization of olive pomace (OP) has emerged as a key strategy to improve the entire system’s sustainability. Numerous studies have investigated the biological effects of OP phenolic fraction for nutraceutical applications, highlighting its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the effect of an OP extract (OPE) and its phenolic content on ferroptosis induced by RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3), an inhibitor of glutathione peroxidase 4. After characterization of OPE phenolic composition, its antioxidant properties were confirmed through the Fenton reaction assay. Subsequently, we examined the effect of OPE on ter-butyl hydroperoxide-induced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in TPH-1 and HIECs cells and found that OPE reduced ROS and lipid peroxidation. RSL3 decreased the number of vital cells, which was associated with an elevation in ROS and lipid peroxidation, and a reduction in GSH. Interestingly, all these detrimental effects were reversed by OPE. Furthermore, OPE was also found to significantly increase GSH and the GSH/GSSG ratio per se. In conclusion, the fact that OPE decreases ROS and lipid peroxidation induced by RSL3 and augments GSH and cell viability suggests that OPE has potential as a ferroptosis inhibitor. Full article

In this paper, a linearized mixed finite volume element (MFVE) scheme is proposed to solve the nonlinear time fractional fourth-order reaction–diffusion models with the Riemann–Liouville time fractional derivative. By introducing an auxiliary variable $\sigma =\Delta u$, the original fourth-order model is reformulated into a lower-order coupled system. The first-order time derivative and the time fractional derivative are discretized by using the BDF2 formula and the weighted and shifted Grünwald difference (WSGD) formula, respectively. Then, a fully discrete MFVE scheme is constructed by using the primal and dual grids. The existence and uniqueness of a solution for the MFVE scheme are proven based on the matrix theories. The scheme’s unconditional stability is rigorously derived by using the Gronwall inequality in detail. Moreover, the optimal error estimates for u in the discrete $L^{\infty }\left(L^2(\Omega )\right)$ and $L^2\left(H^1(\Omega )\right)$ norms and for $\sigma$ in the discrete $L^2\left(L^2(\Omega )\right)$ norm are obtained. Finally, three numerical examples are given to confirm its feasibility and effectiveness. Full article

Gingival inflammation compromises the integrity of the gingival epithelium and the underlying tissues, highlighting the need for adjuvant therapies with immunomodulatory and healing properties. Casearia sylvestris, a medicinal plant known as guaçatonga, is traditionally used to treat inflammatory lesions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of C. sylvestris on the synthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory, proteolytic, and antioxidant molecules and on wound healing in epithelial cells. A human telomerase-immortalized gingival keratinocyte cell line (TIGKs) was used, and cells were exposed to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence and absence of C. sylvestris extract, its diterpene-concentrated fraction, and its clerodane diterpene casearin J for 24 h and 48 h. Gene expression and protein synthesis were analyzed by RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Nitric oxide (NO) and NF-κB activation were analyzed by Griess reaction and immunofluorescence, respectively. Additionally, cell viability was evaluated by alamarBlue^® assay, and an automated scratch assay was used for wound healing. LPS significantly increased the expression of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17), proteases (MMP-1 and MMP-13), iNOS as well as NO synthesis, and triggered NF-κB nuclear translocation. It also reduced IL-4 expression, cell viability, and cellular wound repopulation. Treatment with C. sylvestris derivatives significantly abrogated all aforementioned LPS-induced effects by 80–100%. Furthermore, even at higher concentrations, C. sylvestris did not affect cell viability, thus proving the safety of its derivatives. C. sylvestris exerts anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, and antioxidant effects on gingival keratinocytes, highlighting its potential as a valuable adjunct in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: The emergence of cathinone-based psychostimulants necessitates ongoing research and analysis of the characteristics and properties of novel derivatives. The metabolic fate of five novel cathinone-derived substances (ASProp, MASProp, MASPent, PySProp, and PySPent) containing a selenophene moiety was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Methods: All compounds were incubated individually with pooled human liver S9 fraction. A monooxygenase activity screening investigating the metabolic contribution of eleven recombinant phase I isoenzymes was conducted. Rat urine after oral administration was prepared by urine precipitation. Liquid chromatography–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of all samples. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) were used to evaluate and compare the metabolites’ chromatographic resolution. Results: Phase I reactions of ASProp, MASProp, MASPent, PySProp, and PySPent included N-dealkylation, hydroxylation, reduction, and combinations thereof. The monooxygenase activity screening revealed the contribution of various isozymes. Phase II reactions detected in vivo included N-acetylation and glucuronidation. Both chromatographic columns complemented each other. Conclusions: All substances revealed metabolic reactions comparable to those observed for other synthetic cathinones. Contributions from isozymes to their metabolism minimized the risk of drug–drug interactions. The identified metabolites should be considered as targets in human biosamples, especially in urine screening procedures. RPLC and HILIC can both be recommended for this purpose. Full article

Polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) is an important part of improving the overall performance of concrete. However, its synthetic raw materials are overly dependent on petrochemical products, and it also causes problems such as environmental pollution. With the development of the building material industry, the demand for petrochemical resources required for synthetic water-reducing agents will increase rapidly. Therefore, there is an urgent need to transition the synthetic raw materials of PCE from petrochemicals to biomass materials to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources as well as the burden on the environment. Biomass materials are inexpensive, readily available and renewable. Utilizing biomass resources to develop good-performing water-reducing agents can reduce the consumption of fossil resources. This is conducive to carbon emission reduction in the concrete material industry. In addition, it promotes the high-value utilization of biomass resources. Therefore, in this study, a biomass polyether monomer, acryloyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (AHEC), was synthesized from cellulose via the reaction route of ethylene oxide (EO) etherification and acrylic acid (AA) esterification. Biomass polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCE-Cs) were synthesized through free radical polymerization by substituting AHEC for a portion of the frequently utilized polyether monomer isopentenyl polyoxyethylene ether (TPEG). This study primarily focused on the properties of PCE-Cs in relation to cement. The findings of this study indicated that the synthesized PCE-C5 at a dosing of 0.4% (expressed as mass fraction of cement) when the AHEC substitution ratio was 5% achieved good water reduction properties and significant delays. With the same fluidity, PCE-C5 could enhance the mechanical strength of cement mortar by 30% to 40%. This study utilized green and low-carbon biomass resources to develop synthetic raw materials for water-reducing agents, which exhibited effective water-reducing performance and enhanced the utilization rate of biomass resources, demonstrating significant application value. Full article