Search Results (331)

Titanium alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V are widely used in biomedical implants due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but their bioinert nature limits osseointegration and antibacterial performance. This study proposes a multifunctional surface coating system integrating a thermally oxidized TiO₂ interlayer with a hydroxyapatite (HAp) top layer synthesized via a green route using Hylocereus undatus extract. The HAp was deposited by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), enabling continuous coverage and strong adhesion to the pre-treated Ti-6Al-4V substrate. Structural, morphological, chemical, and electrical characterizations were performed using XRD, SEM, EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. Bioactivity was assessed through apatite formation in simulated body fluid (SBF), while antibacterial properties were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus. The results demonstrated successful formation of crystalline TiO₂ (rutile phase) and calcium-rich HAp with good surface coverage. The HAp-coated surfaces exhibited significantly enhanced bioactivity and strong antibacterial performance, likely due to the combined effects of surface roughness and the bioactive compounds present in the plant extract. This study highlights the potential of eco-friendly, bio-inspired surface engineering to improve the biological performance of titanium-based implants. Full article

The most prevalent growth of Candida cells is based on biofilm development, which causes the intensification of antifungal resistance against a large range of chemicals. Nanoparticles can be synthesized using green methods via various biological extracts and reducing agents to control Candida biofilms. This study aims to compare copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) synthesized through chemical methods and those synthesized using Cinnamomum verum-based green methods against Candida infections and their biofilms isolated from Iraqi patients, with the potential to improve treatment outcomes. The physical and chemical properties of these nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR,) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Four strains of Candida were isolated and characterized from Iraqi patients in Tikrit Hospital and selected based on their ability to form biofilm on polystyrene microplates. The activity of green-synthesized CuONPs using cinnamon extract was compared with both undoped and doped (Fe, Sn) chemically synthesized CuONPs. Four pathogenic Candida strains (Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis) were isolated from Iraqi patients, demonstrating high biofilm formation capabilities. Chemically and green-synthesized CuONPs from Cinnamomum verum showed comparable significant antiplanktonic and antibiofilm activities against all strains. Doped CuONPs with iron or tin demonstrated lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, indicating stronger antibacterial activity, but exhibited weaker anti-adhesive properties compared to other nanoparticles. The antiadhesive activity revealed that C. albicans strain seems to produce the most resistant biofilms while C. glabrata strain seems to be more resistant towards the doped CuONPs. Moreover, C. tropicalis was the most sensitive to all the CuONPs. Remarkably, at a concentration of 100 µg/mL, all CuONPs were effective in eradicating preformed biofilms by 47–66%. The findings suggest that CuONPs could be effective in controlling biofilm formation by Candida species resistant to treatment in healthcare settings. Full article

Developing multifunctional wound dressings with excellent mechanical properties, strong tissue adhesion, and efficient antibacterial activity is crucial for promoting wound healing. This study prepared a novel nanocomposite hydrogel dressing based on sodium alginate-polyacrylic acid dual crosslinking networks, incorporating tannic acid-coated cellulose nanocrystals (TA@CNC) and in-situ reduced silver nanoparticles for multifunctional enhancement. The rigid CNC framework significantly improved mechanical properties (elastic modulus of 146 kPa at 1 wt%), while TA catechol groups provided excellent adhesion (36.4 kPa to pigskin, 122% improvement over pure system) through dynamic hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions. TA served as a green reducing agent for uniform AgNPs loading, with CNC negative charges preventing particle aggregation. Antibacterial studies revealed synergistic effects between TA-induced membrane disruption and Ag⁺-triggered reactive oxygen species generation, achieving >99.5% inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The TA@CNC-regulated porous structure balanced swelling performance and water vapor transmission, facilitating wound exudate management and moist healing. This composite hydrogel successfully integrates mechanical toughness, tissue adhesion, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility, providing a novel strategy for advanced wound dressing development. Full article

Wax deposition, driven by the crystallization of long-chain n-alkanes, poses severe challenges across industries such as petroleum, oil and natural gas, food processing, and chemical manufacturing. This phenomenon compromises flow efficiency, increases energy demands, and necessitates costly maintenance interventions. Wax inhibitors, designed to mitigate these issues, operate by altering wax crystallization, aggregation, and adhesion over the pipelines. Classic wax inhibitors, comprising synthetic polymers and natural compounds, have been widely utilized due to their established efficiency and scalability. However, synthetic inhibitors face environmental concerns, while natural inhibitors exhibit reduced performance under extreme conditions. The advent of nano-based wax inhibitors has revolutionized wax management strategies. These advanced materials, including nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and nanocomposites, leverage their high surface area and tunable interfacial properties to enhance efficiency, particularly in harsh environments. While offering superior performance, nano-based inhibitors are constrained by high production costs, scalability challenges, and potential environmental risks. In parallel, the development of “green” wax inhibitors derived from renewable resources such as vegetable oils addresses sustainability demands. These eco-friendly formulations introduce functionalities that reinforce inhibitory interactions with wax crystals, enabling effective deposition control while reducing reliance on synthetic components. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms, applications, and comparative performance of classic and nano-based wax inhibitors. It highlights the growing integration of sustainable and hybrid approaches that combine the reliability of classic inhibitors with the advanced capabilities of nano-based systems. Future directions emphasize the need for cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions through innovations in material science, computational modeling, and biotechnology. Full article

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections in women, with high recurrence rates and growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance. The need for alternative or adjunctive therapies has spurred interest in plant-based treatments, which offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulatory benefits. This review summarizes the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and therapeutic potential of various medicinal plants and natural compounds for preventing and treating UTIs in women. Notable candidates include cranberry, bearberry, pomegranate, green tea, and other phytochemicals with proven anti-adhesive and biofilm-disrupting properties. Evidence from clinical trials and meta-analyses supports the role of cranberry natural products and traditional herbal medicines (THMs) in reducing UTI recurrence, especially when combined with antibiotics. Notably, A-type proanthocyanidins in cranberry and arbutin in bearberry are key bioactive compounds that exhibit potent anti-adhesive and biofilm-disrupting properties, offering promising adjunctive strategies for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections. Additionally, emerging therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), show promise in restoring bladder function and reducing infection in women with lower urinary tract dysfunction. Overall, plant-based strategies represent a valuable and well-tolerated complement to conventional therapies and warrant further investigation through high-quality clinical trials to validate their efficacy, safety, and role in personalized UTI management. Full article

This study investigates the effect of the surface functionalization of tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanoparticles with aminoacetic acid (glycine) on the structure, curing behavior, and mechanical performance of epoxy nanocomposites. Aminoacetic acid, as a non-toxic, bio-based modifier, enables a sustainable approach to producing more efficient nanofillers. Functionalization, as confirmed by FTIR, EDS, and XRD analyses, led to elevated surface polarity and greater chemical affinity between WS₂ and the epoxy matrix, thereby promoting uniform nanoparticle dispersion. The strengthened interfacial bonding resulted in a notable decrease in the curing onset temperature—from 51 °C (for pristine WS₂) to 43 °C—accompanied by an increase in polymerization enthalpy from 566 J/g to 639 J/g, which reflects more extensive crosslinking. The SEM examination of fracture surfaces revealed tortuous crack paths and localized plastic deformation zones, indicating superior fracture resistance. Mechanical testing showed marked improvements in flexural and tensile strength, modulus, and impact toughness at the optimal WS₂ loading of 0.5 phr and a 7.5 wt% aminoacetic acid concentration. The surface-modified WS₂ nanoparticles, which perform dual functions, not only reinforce interfacial adhesion and structural uniformity but also accelerate the curing process through chemical interaction with epoxy groups. These findings support the development of high-performance, environmentally sustainable epoxy nanocomposites utilizing amino acid-modified 2D nanofillers. Full article

With the deepening of the green and low-carbon concept in the field of road engineering, the cold construction asphalt pavement technology has developed rapidly due to its advantages such as low energy consumption, low pollution, and convenient construction. The adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates, as a core factor affecting the performance of cold-mixed mixtures and the lifespan of the pavement, has attracted much attention in terms of its mechanism of action and evaluation methods. However, at present, there are still many issues that need to be addressed in terms of the stability control of adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates, the explanation of the microscopic mechanism, and the standardization of testing methods in complex environments. These problems restrict the further promotion and application of the cold construction technology. Based on this, this paper systematically analyzes the current development status, application scenarios, and future trends of the theory and testing methods of the adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates by reviewing a large number of relevant studies. The research aims to provide theoretical support and practical references for the improvement of adhesion in the cold construction asphalt pavement technology. Research shows that in terms of the adhesion mechanism, the existing results have deeply analyzed the infiltration and demulsification adhesion process of emulsified asphalt on the surface of aggregates and clarified the key links of physical and chemical interactions, but the understanding of the microscopic interface behavior and molecular-scale mechanism is still insufficient. In terms of testing methods, although objective and subjective evaluation methods such as mechanical tensile tests, surface energy evaluation, and adhesion fatigue tests have been developed, the standardization of testing, data comparability, and practical engineering applicability still need to be optimized. Comprehensive analysis shows that the research on the adhesion between emulsified asphalt and aggregates is showing a trend from macroscopic to microscopic, from static to dynamic. There are challenges in predicting and controlling the adhesion performance under complex environments, as well as important opportunities for developing advanced characterization techniques and multiscale simulation methods. Full article

In this study, two color morphs (red and green) of Asian swimming crab (Charybdis japonica) commonly distributed in the China Sea area were analyzed for their L*a*b* values, carapace and inner membrane histology, morphological characteristics, mitochondrial DNA sequences, muscle texture, and amino acid composition. The results showed that compared with the green morph group, the red morph group exhibits higher aggregation of melanocytes and fewer pigment cells in the inner membrane. In addition, L* and b* of the carapace, and L* values of the inner membrane were lower in red morph group. Both populations of C. japonica also exhibit significant differences in their morphological parameters, including carapace length, body weight, and pincer width. However, the coefficient of variation for these morphological parameters did not correspond to the subspecies level. The mitochondrial DNA analysis also revealed sequence identity of COI (98.96%) and ITS-1 (99.71%) genes in both groups, supporting them to belong to the same species. Both groups also presented significant differences in their muscle texture characteristics, including adhesiveness, springiness, and gumminess, but no significant differences were observed in the muscle amino acid composition. Overall, red and green morphs of C. japonica show differences in their body color, morphological characteristics, and muscle quality, but still belong to the same species. Full article

This study utilizes waste wheat straw fibers and discarded tea bags as novel raw materials for developing new thermal insulation and sound absorption composites. Wood adhesive (WA) is used to bind the polymer raw materials. Loose polymers and different composites are experimentally developed in different concentrations. Sound absorption and thermal conductivity coefficients are obtained for the developed boards. Bending moment analysis and the moisture content of the boards are reported in addition to a microstructure analysis of the straw fibers from wheat. The results indicate that as the wheat straw fiber’s percentage increases in the composite, the thermal conductivity coefficient decreases, the flexure modulus decreases, the sound absorption coefficient increases at some frequencies, and the moisture content increases. The range of thermal conductivity and the noise reduction coefficient are 0.042–0.073 W/m K and 0.35–0.6 at 24 °C for the polymer raw materials, respectively. The corresponding values for the composites are 0.054 and 0.0575 W/m K and 0.45–0.5, respectively. The maximum moisture content percentages for the polymers and composites are 6.5 and 1.15, respectively. The composite flexure modulus reaches maximum and minimum values of 4.59 MPa and 2.22 MPa, respectively. These promising results promote these polymer and composite sample boards as more convenient insulation materials for green buildings and could replace the conventional petrochemical thermal insulation ones. Full article

As a large class of natural organic compounds, vegetable oil is generally composed of 95% fatty acid triglycerides and very few complex non-triglycerides. It has many advantages, such as sufficient yield, low price, distinct structural characteristics, and biodegradability. UV curing technology is known as a new method for the green industry in the 21st century due to its high efficiency, economy, energy conservation, high adaptability, and environmental friendliness. Therefore, UV-curable resins based on UV-curing technology has attracted widespread attention, converting epoxy soybean oil, castor oil, tung oil and other vegetable oils into high-performance plant oil-based UV-curable resins with higher molecular weight, multi-rigid ring and high reactivity, and the curing performance has been greatly improved, and the technology has been widely used in the field of polymer materials such as coatings, inks and adhesives. In this article, the recent research progress on this topic was summarized, and emphasis was put on the research on the resins from soybean oil and castor oil. Full article

Microorganisms take an active part in the processes of microbiologically influenced corrosion, which is protected against by using bactericides—often toxic compounds—with inhibitory properties. There are many studies of eco-friendly “green” biocides/inhibitors, in particular those based on microbial metabolites. Indicators for the processes of microbial corrosion of steel 3 induced by the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio oryzae NUChC SRB2 under the influence of the strains Bacillus velezensis NUChC C2b and Streptomyces gardneri ChNPU F3 have not been investigated, which was the aim of this study. The agar well diffusion method (to determine the antibacterial properties of the supernatants) was used, along with the crystal violet (to determine the biomass of the biofilm on the steel) and gravimetric methods (to determine the corrosion rate). A moderate adhesiveness to steel 3 was established for D. oryzae due to its biofilm-forming ability. The presence of a supernatant on cultures of S. gardneri, B. velezensis and their mixture (2:1) did not reduce the biofilm-forming properties of D. oryzae. Compared to the control, a decrease in the corrosion rate was recorded for the variant of the mixture of the studied bacterial culture supernatants. This indicates the potential of this mixture for use in corrosion protection in environments with sulfate-reducing bacteria, which requires further research. Full article

Over recent decades, widespread declines of kelp forests have been reported along the European coast, prompting the need for effective and scalable restoration strategies. The green gravel technique, in which kelp gametophytes are seeded onto small rocks and cultivated in the lab before being outplanted, has shown promising results. In this study, we tested the effects of four commonly available substrates—granite, limestone, quartz, and schist—on the early development of Laminaria ochroleuca recruits under optimal laboratory conditions. All substrates supported gametophyte adhesion and sporophyte development. By week 6, quartz promoted the greatest recruit length (1.25 ± 0.16 mm), with quartz and limestone (1.54 ± 0.17 and 1.58 ± 0.14 mm, respectively) showing the best overall performance by week 7. Final recruit densities were similar across substrates, indicating multiple materials can support early development. Quartz and limestone showed both biological effectiveness and practical advantages, with limestone emerging as the most cost-effective option. Substrate selection should consider not only biological performance but also economic and logistical factors. These findings contribute to refining green gravel protocols and improving the feasibility of large-scale kelp forest restoration, although field validation is necessary to assess long-term outcomes under natural conditions. Full article

Sustainable architectural heritage conservation focuses on preserving historical buildings while promoting environmental sustainability. It involves using eco-friendly materials and methods to ensure that the cultural value of these structures is maintained while minimizing their ecological impact. In this paper, the use of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) in various combinations on masonry samples is presented, with the aim of identifying the ideal solution to be applied to an entire historical building in Banloc monument. The new solution has various advantages: compatibility with historical lime mortars (chemical and physical), increased durability under aggressive environmental conditions, non-invasive and reversible, aligning with conservation ethics, bioinspired material that avoids harmful synthetic additives, preservation of esthetics—minimal visual change to treated surfaces, and nanostructural (determined via SEM and AFM) reinforcement to improve cohesion without altering the porosity. An innovative approach involving hydroxiapatite addition to commercial mortars is developed and presented within this paper. Physico-chemical, mechanical studies, and architectural and economic trends will be addressed in this paper. Some specific tests (reduced water absorption, increased adhesion, high mechanical strength, unchanged chromatic aspect, high contact angle, not dangerous freeze–thaw test, reduced carbonation test), will be presented to evidence the capability of hydroxyapatite to be incorporated into green renovation efforts, strengthen the consolidation layer, and focus on its potential uses as an eco-material in building construction and renovation. The methodology employed in evaluating the comparative performance of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-modified mortar versus standard Baumit MPI25 mortar includes a standard error (SE) analysis computed column-wise across performance indicators. To further substantiate the claim of “optimal performance” at 20% HAp addition, independent samples t-tests were performed. The results of the independent samples t-tests were applied to three performance and cost indicators: Application Cost, Annualized Cost, and Efficiency-Cost-Performance (ECP) Index. This validates the claim that HAp-modified mortar offers superior overall performance when considering efficiency, cost, and durability combined. Full article

Marine biofouling, the process of marine microorganisms, algae, and invertebrates attaching to and forming biofilms on ship hulls, underwater infrastructure, and marine equipment in ocean environments, severely impacts shipping and underwater operations by increasing fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and corrosion risks, and by threatening marine ecosystem stability via invasive species transport. This study reports the development of a hydrogel-metal-organic framework (MOF)-quorum sensing inhibitor (QSI) antifouling coating on 304 stainless steel (SS) substrates. Inspired by mussel adhesion, a hydrophilic bionic hydrogel was first constructed via metal ion coordination. The traditional metal ion source was replaced with a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) loaded with 2-(5H)-furanone (HF, a QSI) without altering coating formation. Physicochemical characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, and the diffraction of x-rays (XRD) confirmed successful HF loading into ZIF-8 with intact crystal structures. Antifouling tests showed HF@ZIF-8 enhanced antibacterial inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (97.28%) and Escherichia coli (>97%) and suppressed Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 pigment synthesis at 0.25 mg/mL (sub-growth concentration). The reconstructed PG/PVP/PEI/HF@ZIF-8 coating achieved 72.47% corrosion inhibition via synergistic anodic protection and physical shielding. This work provides a novel green approach for surface antifouling and drag reduction, highlighting MOF-loaded QSIs as promising additives to enhance the antifouling performance of hydrogel coatings, anti-corrosion performance, and QSI performance for sustainable marine engineering applications. Full article

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, a Mediterranean seagrass, is rich in bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory potential. While marine-derived molecules are increasingly studied, their direct effects on blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity under inflammatory conditions remain largely unexplored. This study evaluated the ability of aqueous extracts from its green leaves (GLEs) and rhizomes (REs) to protect the BBB using a human in vitro model consisting of brain-like endothelial cells co-cultured with brain pericytes. The model was exposed to TNFα, with or without GLEs or REs. We assessed NO production, endothelial permeability, expression of IL-6, NLRP3, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CLAUDIN-5, and VE-CADHERIN, and the localization of junctional proteins. TNFα increased NO and IL-6 release, upregulated ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and NLRP3, and impaired BBB integrity by altering junctional protein levels and distribution. Co-treatment with GLEs or REs reduced the production of NO, the expression of NLRP3 and adhesion molecules and restored tight and adherens junction integrity. IL-6 levels remained unaffected. These findings suggest that P. oceanica’s extracts may help preserve BBB function and mitigate inflammation-induced damage. While further studies are needed to assess their bioavailability and in vivo efficacy, these natural compounds represent promising candidates for developing preventive strategies against neuroinflammatory disorders. Full article