Search Results (2,771)

Background/Objectives. Electronic cigarettes allow smokers to consume nicotine, a highly addictive substance, without burning tobacco. Since their commercialization in early 2004, electronic cigarettes have become popular in the Asian market and then worldwide. Initially conceived as an alternative to combustible smoking, they have gradually established themselves as a mass consumption product, raising both hopes for the reduction of the risks caused by burned cigarettes and concerns about their use among non-smokers, especially young people. Currently, because of their availability, accessibility to non-smokers, including young people, and their manageability, electronic cigarettes are causing more concern than hope among health professionals. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the different chemical components generated by electronic cigarette devices and their effects on oral health. We specifically sought to (i) compile and discuss the available evidence regarding the effects of each chemical component in the e-cigarette aerosols on oral health outcomes, and (ii) feature the risks associated with e-cigarette use and how to ovoid/prevent them. Methods: We reviewed relevant English-language literature on electronic cigarette design, use, chemical generation, and adverse effects on oral health through targeted searches of PubMed, Elsevier, Oxford Academic, BioMed Central, MDPI, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2008 to 2026. Evidence was narratively synthesized to shed light on different oral health concerns reported following electronic cigarette use. Results: This narrative review highlights several adverse effects of electronic cigarettes on oral health, including functional deregulation of the soft (tongue, gums, salivary glands) tissues, hard tissues (teeth, dental restorative materials), and the oral microbiota. These effects were attributed to the different chemicals generated when electronic cigarettes heat-vape e-liquids. These chemicals damage oral tissues/cells, leading to apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA damage that may lead to oral cancer. These effects may reduce oral cell growth and increase tissue inflammation, which may delay wound healing. The reviewed studies identified several limitations, including the need for additional investigations involving electronic cigarette use and long-term follow-up. Conclusions: The available in vitro and in vivo studies clearly show the potential harm of vaping on oral health. This review offers a good overview to electronic cigarette users, oral health professionals, and scientists about the potential oral harm effects of electronic cigarettes. The available studies suggest the need for oral health professionals’ support in providing information and awareness about the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes. Thus, the health system and professional orders should develop information and awareness tools to help oral health professionals in their interventions with e-cigarette users. Full article

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) bone by-products represent an underutilized, sustainable source of marine collagen for cosmetic applications. This study developed a gel-based facial wash combining tuna bone-derived marine collagen peptide (MCP) with light fraction patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) and evaluated its physicochemical properties, stability, and safety. Acid-soluble collagen (85.2% protein) was extracted and hydrolyzed with pepsin, yielding a low-molecular-weight MCP (<30 kDa) with a degree of hydrolysis of 27.4 ± 1.8%; FTIR confirmed the preservation of characteristic type I collagen amide bands. Four formulations containing xanthan or guar gum were evaluated under freeze–thaw cycling and three-month storage at 30 and 40 °C. The formulation containing 1% guar gum (F4) showed the most favorable profile, maintaining pH 5.60–5.87, viscosity 8884–9223 mPa·s, spreadability 5.36–6.41 cm, and homogeneity across all conditions. F4 met Indonesian regulatory requirements, with microbial counts below 10 CFU/g, absence of pathogens, and trace levels of arsenic (0.0051 mg/kg) and lead (0.0171 mg/kg). Skin testing in 20 volunteers yielded a Primary Skin Irritation Index of 0.1 (negligible irritant). These findings establish tuna bone collagen peptide as a viable rinse-off cosmetic ingredient and demonstrate a practical route for valorizing fisheries by-products. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pediatric oral health during primary school years is linked to systemic and psychosocial development, influenced by parental health habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate parent-reported oral health status, oral hygiene habits, and dietary patterns in primary schoolchildren, as well as parental awareness regarding the impact of oral health on children’s overall wellbeing. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, administering an online questionnaire to 1870 parents of primary schoolchildren, which evaluated the parent’s knowledge, behaviors and attitudes regarding the oral health and diet of their children. Results: Parent-reported child oral and gum health was overall favorable, with daughters (p < 0.01 for gum health) and children of parents with higher educational background (p < 0.001) receiving higher ratings. While toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste was widely reported, fluoride usage and dental flossing remained heavily stratified socio-demographically (p < 0.001). The consumption of fruits and cariogenic snacks was frequent and soft drink intake demonstrated an age-dependent increase (p = 0.001). In total, 42.4% of parents reported that their children rarely experienced dental pain; increased pain frequency was associated with poorer parent-reported oral health ratings and cariogenic diets (p < 0.001). Child dental service utilization was predominantly low and remained symptom- or treatment-driven, with non-attendance and pain-triggered dental visits significantly linked to rural residence, lower parental academic attainment, poor brushing frequency and cariogenic diets (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite favorable parent-reported oral health of primary schoolchildren, dental pain, alongside functional and psychosocial impacts of oral diseases were reported, and dental visits were predominantly symptom- or treatment-driven. Full article

Zein protein nanoparticles are fabricated in two anionic polysaccharides, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum (XG), using the anti-solvent method. The rheological behavior and surface-active properties of dispersions of zein nanoparticles in polysaccharides are investigated. Two sets of experiments are carried out. In one set, the zein concentration is fixed at 1 wt% and the concentrations of the polysaccharides varied from 0 to 1 wt% in increments of 0.2 wt%. In the second set of experiments, the zein concentration varies from 1 to 5 wt% at a fixed polysaccharide concentration of 0.5 wt%. The SEM images clearly show the formation of zein nanoparticles in polysaccharides. Polysaccharide solutions and zein nanoparticle-polysaccharide dispersions exhibit shear-thinning rheological behavior and follow the power-law model adequately. With the addition of zein, the consistency of zein nanoparticle–CMC dispersions increases, and they become more shear-thinning in comparison to pure CMC solutions. With the increase in zein concentration at a fixed CMC concentration, the consistency rises sharply up to 4 wt% zein concentration and then drops substantially, with a further increase in zein concentration. The addition of zein to XG solutions exhibits a more complex rheological behavior. The consistency index decreases with the addition of zein to XG solutions when XG concentration is less than 0.7 wt%. At higher XG concentrations, the consistency index increases with the addition of zein to XG solutions. With the increase in zein concentration at a fixed XG concentration, the consistency decreases substantially over the full range of zein concentration investigated. The surface tension of CMC solutions is strongly affected by the addition of zein nanoparticles. It decreases substantially with the addition of zein to CMC solutions. The surface tension behavior of zein nanoparticle-XG dispersions is like that of zein nanoparticle–CMC dispersions. The transitions in rheological and surface-active properties of zein nanoparticle-polysaccharide dispersions are explained in terms of microstructure of the dispersions. Full article

Office workers often experience gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, which can reduce labor productivity and quality of life. This study investigated the effects of continuous partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) intake on the gut microbiome, health status, and labor productivity of Japanese office workers. In this open-label, single-arm trial, 136 employees of Yoshinoya Holdings Co., Ltd. consumed 6 g of PHGG daily for two months. Outcome measures included gut microbiome composition (16S rRNA sequencing), body composition (InBody 380N), gastrointestinal symptoms (Izumo scale), sleep quality (OSA-MA), and labor productivity (WHO-HPQ). PHGG intervention was accompanied by specific genus-level alterations in the gut microbiome characterized by the enrichment of beneficial taxa including Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella, despite no significant overall shift in beta-diversity. Notably, exploratory subgroup analysis indicated shifts in enterotypes from profiles previously associated with disease risks toward those more prevalent in healthy populations. Physiologically, whole-body phase angle, an indirect parameter associated with cellular status and fluid distribution, slightly increased during the study period. Furthermore, favorable changes were observed in absolute presenteeism, gastrointestinal symptoms and subjective sleep quality. Although verification with a more robust study design is necessary, these findings suggest that PHGG may be associated with positive shifts in the well-being and labor productivity of office workers. Full article

Reliable determination of trace elements in human serum is essential for clinical assessment, toxicological investigations and human biomonitoring. This study describes the development and analytical validation of a multielement inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) method for the simultaneous determination of essential and potentially toxic trace elements in human serum (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Ba, Bi) using a simple direct-dilution procedure with 1% (v/v) nitric acid. Method validation included assessment of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, carry-over, precision, trueness, measurement uncertainty and analyte stability. Calibration curves showed excellent linearity, with coefficients of determination (R²) ranging from 0.9993 to 1.0000 across analyte-specific calibration ranges of 0–10, 0–50, and 0–500 µg L⁻¹. Repeatability ranged from 0.69% (Cu) to 14.5% (Ba), while intermediate precision ranged from 1.32% (Zn) to 81.1% (Cd and Bi at low concentrations). Recoveries obtained using certified serum reference materials ranged from 55% (V) to 206% (Bi) across the evaluated conditions. Meanwhile, limits of detection ranged from 0.01 (V) to 0.16 (Cu) µg L⁻¹. Measurement uncertainty was estimated following the EURACHEM/CITAC and GUM recommendations, identifying repeatability as the principal contributor to the overall uncertainty budget. The method was successfully applied to serum samples from healthy individuals and patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The proposed methodology combines simple sample preparation with comprehensive metrological characterisation, providing practical approach multielement serum analysis and its application to trace-element biomonitoring investigations. Full article

Wildfire smoke contains complex mixtures of inorganic and organic species, yet metals in experimental smoke preparations are rarely quantified in a manner directly useful for toxicology. Here, an inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) workflow for multi-element analysis of bushfire smoke preparations was explored for use in future cell-based studies. The novel contribution is the integration of matrix-matched blank correction, near-LOD handling, micromolar unit conversion and multivariate visualisation into a reproducible workflow for preparation-specific smoke exposure characterisation. This study is an analytical-methods contribution that provides composition-based exposure-characterisation inputs for future toxicological and risk-assessment studies, rather than a direct assessment of biological toxicity or health risk. Eight case-study preparations were analysed: two laboratory-generated bushfire smoke stock solutions (BF#1, BF#2); four laboratory bushfire smoke filter extracts with dominant vegetation types of Eucalyptus, Pine, Banksia, and Mallee; and paired blue gum smoke chamber T- and G-phase samples, each with matched blanks. The workflow combined blank mapping and subtraction, handling of values near the limit of detection, and conversion of concentrations to blank-corrected micromolar units in analytical extracts. Major ions (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, S) dominated the metal burden, redox-active metals (Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) were present at sub- to low-micromolar levels, and toxic metals (Pb, Cd) were generally low, with Pb elevated in one filter extract. Silicon was negligible in stock and chamber samples but high in filter extracts, consistent with quartz filter contributions. Heatmaps, burden indices and principal component analysis provided illustrative views of between-sample differences. This workflow enables high-quality single-sample metal characterization and supports more transparent interpretation of wildfire smoke toxicology studies. Full article

The increasing interest in environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and edible packaging materials today has brought the use of agricultural-derived functional biopolymers to the forefront. The carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pod, with its rich biopolymer components such as carob gum (LBG) in its seeds and pectin and cellulose in its pulp, has high potential in the development of edible packaging matrices. Although these biopolymers exhibit limited water vapor barrier capacity due to their hydrophilic nature, they provide moderate to high barrier properties against oxygen and carbon dioxide. Synergistic effects obtained with different polymer combinations in packaging production can strengthen barrier and durability properties, and the inclusion of plasticizers such as polyethylene glycol and sorbitol in the packaging matrix can improve flexibility, homogeneity, and processability. Furthermore, the inclusion of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and nutritional components in the matrix can impart active functions to the packaging. Carob is of strategic importance in agriculture due to its adaptation to arid climates, its efficient use of water resources thanks to its deep root system, and its erosion-preventing properties. Consequently, the utilization of carob pod and its by-products in edible packaging applications has the potential to significantly contribute to reducing the use of synthetic plastics and promoting ecological and agricultural sustainability. Full article

Frankincense is an aromatic oleo-gum resin obtained from Boswellia species and is widely used in traditional medicine, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, perfumery, and incense products. Its expanding trade has intensified concerns over species substitution, geographical mislabeling, adulteration, compositional variability, and inconsistent product quality. Authentication is complicated by an extensive overlap in volatile and non-volatile metabolites among commercially important species and by variation arising from provenance, environment, harvesting, storage, processing, and extraction. This review examines chemical profiling and authentication strategies for Boswellia resins and frankincense-derived products, focusing on volatile terpenes, diterpenoids, boswellic acids, methoxyalkanes, stereochemical signatures, and multivariate quality markers. The available evidence shows that single markers and nonspecific total-acid assays are insufficient for robust authentication, whereas orthogonal workflows integrating targeted quantification, chemical fingerprints, stereochemical information, and validated multivariate models provide substantially greater confidence. Future progress depends on authenticated reference collections, standardized sampling and analytical protocols, certified reference materials, expanded spectral libraries, interlaboratory validation, explainable machine learning, and traceable supply-chain metadata. Full article

The pollution of aquatic environments by synthetic dyes, especially those from the textile industry, represents a significant environmental challenge. In this work, nanocomposite aerogels based on cashew gum (CG) and pure and aminosilane-modified hydroxyapatite (HAp) were synthesized and characterized for their application in the adsorption of the methylene blue dye. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), CHN elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the materials. Characterization results confirmed the incorporation of HAp into the polymer matrix and its modification, as well as changes in the morphological and thermal properties of the aerogels. The materials exhibited swelling capacity, with a higher degree of swelling observed in basic media. Regarding methylene blue adsorption, equilibrium was reached after 180 min, with varying adsorption capacities among the aerogels. The highest adsorption capacity was observed at pH 12, and kinetic data was best described by the pseudo-first-order model. Equilibrium data showed the best fit to the Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich models, depending on the material. The temperature had no significant effect on the amount of dye adsorbed by the aerogels in the 25 to 55 °C range. The results demonstrate that combining cashew gum with hydroxyapatite, alongside modification of the mineral phase, enables the production of aerogels with tunable structural and adsorptive properties, highlighting their potential for removing cationic dyes from aqueous media. Full article

The objective of this study was to develop chia oil oleogel microcapsules by spray-drying Pickering emulsions (OLG/W–E) stabilized with lupin protein aggregates (LPA), optimize spray-drying conditions, and evaluate the effect of wall composition on encapsulation efficiency (EE) and in vitro lipid digestion. Oleogels structured with beeswax (BW) and shellac wax (SW) at 2.5 and 5.0% (w/w) were characterized for oil-binding capacity (OBC) and firmness. OLG/W–E were formulated, and spray drying was optimized using a Taguchi design considering inlet air temperature (120 and 160 °C), emulsion type (OLG_SW/W–E and OLG_BW/W–E), and wall material (maltodextrin, MD, and gum arabic, GA). Increasing wax concentration to 5% enhanced OBC and firmness, while 3% LPA provided adequate stability. The optimal condition was achieved at 160 °C using a BW-structured oleogel and GA, yielding an EE of 71.3 ± 1.25%. Under optimized conditions, replacing GA with up to 1% (w/w) sodium alginate (SA) did not significantly affect moisture content, solubility, process yield, or EE (p > 0.05). However, SA significantly increased lipid digestion (p < 0.05), with FFA release increasing from 26.4 ± 3.23% for GA microcapsules to 44.8 ± 6.33% and 43.4 ± 0.30% for GA/SA–0.5% and GA/SA–1.0%, respectively. These results indicate that SA can modulate lipid digestion during gastrointestinal digestion while maintaining comparable physicochemical properties. Full article

Açaí oil (AO) is extracted from the pulp of the açaí fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a species native to the Brazilian Amazon region. The oil is recognized for its bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties, making it promising for functional foods. In this study, a commercial lipid blend containing 40% açaí oil and 60% sunflower oil (SO) was emulsified using modified dextrin (Capsul^®), maltodextrin, and xanthan gum. The selected formulation, containing 8% of the oil blend, exhibited satisfactory physical stability over 30 days of refrigerated storage, with a mean droplet diameter of 7.3 µm on day 1, remaining within 7–8 µm throughout storage. The peroxide value increased from 2.09 to 3.95 mEq/L emulsion, whereas TBARS decreased from 1.86 to 1.51 mmol MDA/L emulsion. DPPH and ABTS apparent antioxidant activities remained relatively stable over the storage time. Yogurts containing 8%, 10%, and 12% of the oil-blend emulsion and 5% inulin were evaluated for physicochemical, antioxidant, rheological, microbiological, and sensory acceptance. Emulsion incorporation modified yogurt structure and rheological behavior while maintaining microbiological safety. Sensory acceptance scores ranged from approximately 6.0 to 7.4 on the nine-point hedonic scale. Overall, the emulsions effectively incorporated the blended oil into yogurt, providing desirable technological, antioxidant, and sensory properties. Full article

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) chlorine analyzers are widely used for chlorine determination in crude oil and petroleum products. Although analytical test procedures are standardized, a calibration-oriented uncertainty framework for the analyzer itself remains insufficiently developed. This study establishes a metrological framework for relative indication error and limit of detection (LOD), supported by repeatability and linearity evaluations, and compares uncertainty propagation using the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and the Monte Carlo method (MCM). For relative indication error, residual matrix mismatch was quantified using paired isooctane-based light-oil and 75 cSt mineral-oil reference materials and incorporated with measurement repeatability and certified-value uncertainty. At 100, 300 and 500 mg/L, GUM and MCM produced closely agreeing standard uncertainties of approximately 0.0115, 0.0103 and 0.0081, respectively. For LOD, both methods used the same dual-axis error-weighted regression, accounting for uncertainties in certified concentrations and mean instrumental responses; in the MCM, the regression was repeated for every simulated calibration data set. The resulting standard uncertainties were 0.0048 mg/L (GUM) and 0.0047 mg/L (MCM), and the MCM equal-tailed 95% coverage interval was 0.0122–0.0307 mg/L. The framework’s distinctive value is the consistent treatment of calibration measurands, matrix transfer and dual-axis error-weighted regression across both propagation methods. It provides an auditable GUM budget for routine calibration and certificate reporting, while MCM offers a verification route when repeated regression, finite-sample blank dispersion or asymmetric output intervals are important. Full article

Background and Objectives: In this investigation, the mineral profile, antioxidant properties, and phenolic composition of tree gum exudates harvested from sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb), and cherry (Prunus avium) were assessed, together with their in vivo diuretic efficacy in a Wistar albino rat model. Materials and Methods: Spectrophotometric quantification of total flavonoids and phenolics relied on aluminum nitrate and Folin–Ciocalteu reagents, respectively. Antioxidant potential was evaluated through radical scavenging tests, copper reduction capacity, and ferric reducing power, whereas ICP-MS was employed for elemental profiling. Rats were assigned to five groups: Control (distilled water), Furosemide (standard drug), PCRWE (group treated with P. cerasus tree gum exudate), PMRWE (group treated with P. mahaleb tree gum exudate), and PARWE (group treated with P. avium tree gum exudate). Urine samples collected at 5 and 24 h post administration were assessed for volume and Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ electrolyte concentrations to evaluate natriuretic and carbonic anhydrase activities. Results: Tree gum exudates contained rich mineral profiles, high phenolic and flavonoid levels, and strong antioxidant capacities. Cherry and mahaleb tree gum exudates showed low short-term and moderate long-term diuretic activity. In contrast, sour cherry tree gum exudate exhibited moderate short-term and high long-term diuretic activity. Furthermore, tree gum exudates significantly enhanced sodium, and potassium ion excretion compared to furosemide, demonstrating notable natriuretic and carbonic anhydrase activities. Conclusions: Tree gum exudates represent promising bioactive ingredients, antioxidants, or natural preservatives for food products. Specifically, sour cherry tree gum exudate displays significant diuretic and natriuretic potential, positioning it as a promising natural therapeutic agent for fluid balance management. Further research is required to isolate the active compounds and elucidate their specific mechanism on renal function. Full article

Coastal saline soils are vulnerable to degradation under repeated wetting–drying (W–D) exposure, while conventional inorganic stabilizers are associated with high energy consumption and environmental burdens. To address this issue, an environmentally friendly ternary stabilization system consisting of local sandy silt, low-dose cement, and xanthan gum (XG) at different dosages was developed, with emphasis on the particle-scale coating effect of hydrated XG. Accelerated laboratory W–D cycling (0–20 cycles), direct shear tests, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, binary-image crack analysis, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to evaluate the effects of W–D cycling and XG dosage (0%–2.0%) on mechanical properties, interfacial bonding, surface deterioration, and microstructural evolution. An optimum XG dosage of 1.5% was identified. Before W–D cycling, the UCS of the 1.5% XG group reached 1005.4 kPa, 94.9% higher than that of the 0% XG control. After 20 W–D cycles, the 1.5% XG group exhibited a mass loss rate of 3.7%, a crack ratio below 4.3%, and a compressive strength retention of 83.8%, whereas the 0% XG control showed more pronounced mass loss and strength degradation. The XG coating limited water and salt migration and provided flexible interparticle bridging that mitigated shrinkage-induced stress concentration. FE-SEM observations further indicated that XG and cement hydration products formed a relatively continuous organic–inorganic interfacial network, which helped preserve particle contacts and restrain microcrack propagation during cyclic exposure. These results demonstrate the potential of particle-scale XG coating for improving the W–D durability of modified saline soil. Full article