Search Results (1,789)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained significant attention due to their widespread distribution in the environment and potential adverse health effects. While ingestion, especially through contaminated drinking water, is considered the primary route of human exposure, recent research suggests that other pathways, such as inhalation and dermal absorption, also play a significant role. This review provides a concise overview of the toxicological impacts of both legacy and emerging PFASs, such as GenX and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), with a particular focus on their effects on the liver, kidneys, and immune and nervous systems, based on findings from recent in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological studies. Despite the transition to PFAS alternatives, much of the existing toxicity data focus on a few legacy compounds, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which have been linked to adverse immune outcomes, particularly in children. However, evidence for carcinogenic risk remains limited to populations with extremely high exposure levels, and data on neurodevelopmental effects remain underexplored. While epidemiological and experimental animal studies supported these findings, significant knowledge gaps persist, especially regarding emerging PFASs. Therefore, this review examines the visceral, neural, and immunotoxicity data for emerging PFASs and mixtures from recent studies. Given the known risks from well-studied PFASs, a precautionary principle should be adopted to mitigate human health risks posed by this large and diverse group of chemicals. Full article

Endometriosis significantly impacts fertility through complex mechanisms. These include chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and anatomical distortion. These mechanisms impair oocyte quality, embryo development, and implantation. While in vivo challenges persist, in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a controlled environment to overcome some barriers. A systematic review of evidence is presented for (1) endometriosis-associated oocyte dysfunction, (2) conflicting IVF outcomes, and (3) innovative strategies. Significant medical advancements have been made. However, gaps remain in personalized prognosis and targeted therapies. Emerging tools, specifically AI-driven embryo selection, single-cell omics, and immunomodulation, are promising for improving outcomes. Hence, a patient-centered approach, balancing science with personalized care, is essential to navigate endometriosis-related infertility. Full article

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a range of severe infections and nosocomial outbreaks. Phage-based therapy and biocontrol represent effective strategies to combat the prevalence of A. baumannii. This study reports a novel phage, BUCT775, capable of specifically lysing A. baumannii, and investigates its physiological properties, genomic characteristics, in vivo therapeutic efficacy, and environmental disinfection performance. Phage BUCT775 is a podovirus that forms clear, well-defined plaques with an average diameter of 2.5 ± 0.52 mm. It exhibits a broad range of temperature stability (4–55 °C) and pH stability (pH 3–12). The optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) for phage BUCT775 is 0.01. At an MOI of 0.01, it demonstrates a latent period of approximately 10 min and exhibits a high burst size. Genomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that phage BUCT775 belongs to the order Caudoviricetes and the family Autographiviridae. Its genome has a G + C content of 39.3% and is not known to contain virulence genes or antibiotic resistance genes. Phage BUCT775 exhibited significant therapeutic effects on A. baumannii-infected G. mellonella larvae, increasing the 120 h survival rate of the larvae by 20%. Additionally, phage BUCT775 efficiently eliminated A. baumannii in the environment, with an average clearance rate exceeding 98% within 3 h. These studies suggest that phage BUCT775 holds significant potential for application in phage therapy and environmental disinfection. Full article

Euphorbia hirta L. is traditionally used to treat tumors and has demonstrated anticancer effects. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, toxicity, and antitumor activity of saline extract (SE) from E. hirta leaves in mice. Phytochemical analysis included thin layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and quantification of phenols, flavonoids, and proteins. Acute toxicity (2000 mg/kg) assessed mortality, hematological, biochemical, histological parameters, water/feed intake, and body weight. Genotoxicity was evaluated via comet and micronucleus assays. Antitumor activity was tested in vitro and in vivo on sarcoma 180. SE contained 107.3 mg GAE/g phenolics and 22.9 mg QE/g flavonoids; the presence of gallic and ellagic acids was detected. Protein concentration was 12.16 mg/mL with lectin activity present. No mortality, organ damage, or genotoxic effects occurred in toxicity tests. SE demonstrated in vitro cytotoxicity against sarcoma cells (IC₅₀: 10 µg/mL). In vivo, SE (50–200 mg/kg) reduced tumor weight by 70.2–72.3%. SE modulated IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in tumor environment. Tumors showed inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, and fibrosis after treatment. These findings position the extract as a promising candidate for further development as a safe, plant-based antitumor agent. Full article

This study investigates the development of silver (Ag)-doped zirconia (ZrO₂) coatings deposited on 316LVM stainless steel via the unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique. The oxygen content in the Ar/O₂ gas mixture was systematically varied (12.5%, 25%, 37.5%, and 50%) to assess its influence on the resulting coating properties. In response to the growing demand for biomedical implants with improved durability and biocompatibility, the objective was to develop coatings that enhance both wear and corrosion resistance in physiological environments. The effects of silver incorporation and oxygen concentration on the structural, tribological, and electrochemical behavior of the coatings were systematically analyzed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to identify crystalline phases, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to characterize surface topography prior to wear testing. Wear resistance was evaluated using a ball-on-plane tribometer under simulated prosthetic motion, applying a 5 N load with a bone pin as the counter body. Corrosion resistance was assessed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a physiological solution. Additionally, tribocorrosive performance was investigated by coupling tribological and electrochemical tests in Ringer’s lactate solution, simulating dynamic in vivo contact conditions. The results demonstrate that Ag doping, combined with increased oxygen content in the sputtering atmosphere, significantly improves both wear and corrosion resistance. Notably, the ZrO₂-Ag coating deposited with 50% O₂ exhibited the lowest wear volume (0.086 mm³) and a minimum coefficient of friction (0.0043) under a 5 N load. This same coating also displayed superior electrochemical performance, with the highest charge transfer resistance (38.83 kΩ·cm²) and the lowest corrosion current density (3.32 × 10⁻⁸ A/cm²). These findings confirm the high structural integrity and outstanding tribocorrosive behavior of the coating, highlighting its potential for application in biomedical implant technology. Full article

Magnesium (Mg) alloys have demonstrated tremendous potential in biomedical applications, emerging as promising metallic biomaterials due to their biocompatibility, degradability, and favorable mechanical properties. However, their practical implementation faces significant limitations stemming from mechanical performance degradation and premature fracture failure caused by complex physiological interactions, including flow erosion, corrosion fatigue, stress coupling effects, and dynamic wear under bodily conditions. Surface coating technology has been recognized as an effective strategy to prevent direct contact between magnesium substrates and corrosive media. This review systematically examines the fundamental degradation mechanisms of magnesium alloys in both vivo and vitro environments, presents recent advances in surface modification coatings for magnesium alloys, and critically analyses the interaction mechanisms between modified layers and electrolyte solutions. Special emphasis is placed on revealing the formation mechanisms, structural characteristics, and fracture behaviors of conversion coatings. Furthermore, the study discusses the current challenges in biomedical surface modification of magnesium alloys, proposes potential solutions to enhance their clinical applicability, and outlines future research directions to fully exploit the development potential of these advanced biomaterials. Full article

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) released in the environment reportedly affect the reproduction of various organisms, induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, resulting in altered sperm parameters. In this in vitro study, we tested the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of PS-MPs by exposing human semen samples to PS-MPs levels (105 and 210 μg/mL) for 30–60–90 min. Semen parameters, genome stability, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were analyzed before and after exposure. Moreover, we also evaluated the expression level of spermatozoa-specific expressed genes essential for the fusion with oocyte (DCST1, DCST2, IZUMO1, SPACA6, SOF1, and TMEM95). After PS-MP exposure, semen concentration and morphology did not differ, while sperm vitality and motility decreased in a time-dependent manner. In addition, sperm agglutination was observed in the groups exposed to both PS-MPs concentrations tested. A time- and concentration-dependent reduction in genomic stability, as well as increased SDF and ROS production, was also observed. Moreover, all investigated transcripts were down-regulated after PS-MP exposure. Our results confirm the oxidative stress-mediated genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of PS-MPs on human spermatozoa. The sperm agglutination observed after treatment could be due to the aggregation of PS-MPs already adhered to the sperm membranes, hindering sperm movement and fertilizing capability. Interestingly, the downregulation of genes required for sperm–oocyte fusion, resulting from data on the in vitro experimental system, suggests that PS-MP exposure may have implications for sperm functionality. While these findings highlight potential mechanisms of sperm dysfunction, further investigations using in vivo models are needed to determine their broader biological implications. Possible environmental and working exposure to pollutants should be considered during the counselling for male infertility. Full article

This article presents a Cyber-Physical System Interface (CPSI) for a patented implantable esophageal prosthesis. Designed for in vivo use, the CPSI has been implemented in a MATLAB (version R2021b) simulation environment integrated with real-time data from sensors relevant for monitoring the prosthesis’s physical positioning and environmental interactions, aggregated through an Arduino external system. This setup enables the modeling and analysis of system behaviors in a controlled setting. The paper discusses the sensors, hardware and software components supporting a wide range of applications, and the method chosen for sensor-to-display flow. The case study demonstrates two monitoring system applications: one analyzes the influence of variations in the prosthesis geometry, while the other evaluates the tissue response to the implant. The proposed framework and implementation are highly relevant for a wide range of in vivo implants and related systems. Full article

Two-dimensional culture systems have been used for a long time in the research field but their disadvantages make it difficult to reproduce the in vivo environment. Three-dimensional culture systems overcome these limitations, simulating the physiological context of an organism, from the molecular level to the cellular, tissue, and organ complexity levels. This review focuses on 3D cellular models, such as spheroids and tumoroids, which reproduce tumor heterogeneity and microenvironments. It also includes 3D cultures of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), particularly those derived from teeth. In conclusion, 3D models are profoundly impacting the biomedical field by offering more accurate in vitro platforms for drug development and disease modeling, thereby significantly reducing the reliance on animal testing and leading to the advancement of personalized and regenerative medicine. Full article

Eccrine sweat glands play a vital role in human thermoregulation; however, their self-repair function is minimal. Therefore, developing methods to regenerate and improve sweat gland function that use cultured sweat gland cells presents an urgent issue. The tissue microenvironment, especially hypoxic niches, essentially maintain cell stemness, highlighting the importance of oxygen concentration in the culture environment. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of different oxygen environments on human sweat glands and their regulatory mechanisms. Human eccrine sweat glands express HIF-1α and HIF-2α, suggesting that they respond to hypoxia in vivo. Primary human-derived eccrine sweat gland cells were cultured for two weeks using the spheroid culture method at 0.5%, 2%, 10%, and 21% O₂ concentration. HIF-1, Wnt/β-Catenin, and TGFβ1 signaling increased in sweat gland cells cultured in 0.5% O₂ conditions, along with increased undifferentiated cell marker expression. The results of this study will contribute to in vitro research models of sweat glands and treatment development for damage to sweat glands, including burns. Full article

In this study, we designed an injectable skin-rejuvenating formulation based on polyethylene glycol–polycaprolactone–polyethylene glycol (PEG-PCL-PEG) copolymers to provide a synergistic combination of biocompatibility, antioxidative capacity, and regenerative potential. Through the systematic optimization of the precursor molar ratio and molecular weight, well-defined PEG-PCL-PEG copolymers were synthesized and structurally characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. An optimized precipitation and drying protocol effectively reduced residual solvents, as confirmed by gas chromatography (GC). Idebenone was incorporated as an antioxidant to prevent skin aging, while hyaluronic acid (HA), L-arginine, and glycerin were included to promote collagen regeneration. In vitro assays demonstrated that idebenone-loaded samples exhibited prolonged intracellular antioxidant activity with low cytotoxicity. The collagen-promoting formulation, containing HA, glycerin, and L-arginine, enhanced the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and type III collagen (COL3) while suppressing inflammatory genes, suggesting a favorable environment for extracellular matrix remodeling. In vivo evaluation corroborated these outcomes, showing angiogenesis, collagen reorganization, and progressive dermal thickness. Histological analysis further confirmed sustained matrix regeneration and tissue integration. These results highlight the potential of PEG-PCL-PEG-based injectables as a multifunctional platform for collagen regeneration, offering a promising strategy for both cosmetic and clinical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Drugs for human use require several studies for the assessment of their efficacy and safety. An important property is cytotoxicity, which should be tested in different environments and models in closer proximity to the final use of the drug, with greater reliability. Thus, we proposed to evaluate the toxicity of rifampicin, the only bactericidal drug in the anti-leprosy multidrug therapy, using skin cells and skin explant cultures. Methods: Cell viability was tested by the MTT method using primary keratinocytes and fibroblasts and immortalized skin cells (HaCaT and 3T3) at 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment. For the skin explant, we used the TTC assay to determine viability (24, 48, 72, and 96 h), hematoxylin and eosin staining to analyze the structure and architecture of the tissue, and TUNEL to assess apoptotic cells at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Results: Regarding the toxicity of primary and immortalized cells, viability was above 70% up to a concentration of 50 μg/mL at 24, 48, and 72 h, and at the concentration of 200 μg/mL, all cells showed greater sensitivity, especially at 72 h. Tissue viability analysis revealed a high percentage (above 96%) of viable tissue at the concentrations of 100, 150, and 200 μg/mL at the time points studied. Histological analysis showed that tissue architecture was maintained, with no apoptotic cells being observed. Conclusions: Thus, our results showed the importance of evaluating drug toxicity using different cell types, with the ex vivo skin model proving to be an alternative to animal use. Full article

Organoids are three-dimensional tissue culture models derived from stem cells, and they have become one of the most valuable tools in biomedical research. These self-organizing miniature organs mimic the structure−function properties of their in vivo counterparts and offer an exceptional prospective for disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. By replicating the complexity of human tissue, organoids enable the study of disease pathophysiology, tissue development, and cellular interactions in a highly controlled and manipulable environment. Recent developments in organoid technology have enabled the production of functional organoids of various tissues. These systems have proven to be highly promising tools for personalized medicine. In addition, organoids have also raised hopes for the development of functional transplantable organs, transforming the study of regenerative medicine. This review provides an overview of the current state of organoid technology and its application and prospects and focuses on the transformative impact of organoid technology on biomedical research and its contribution to human health. Full article

Metabolic labeling with deuterated water is used in combination with liquid-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to study the turnover rates of individual proteins in vivo. This technique and bioinformatics tools for data analysis quantify the turnover rates of thousands of proteins. Turnover rates change during organismal growth and respond to alterations in the environment and diet. The accurate and statistically significant determination of the turnover rate changes of a protein depend on the variations in the turnover rates of the peptides of the protein. One of the systematic factors contributing to this variability is the dependence of the turnover rates on the number of exchangeable hydrogens of the peptides. This variability (by reducing the statistical power) reduces biological interpretability. Here, we propose a computational approach to eliminate the dependence of the turnover rates on the number of exchangeable hydrogens. This approach enhances the accuracy of turnover rate estimation and may help to support more accurate assessments of biological dynamics and disease mechanisms. Full article

Vibrio species are among the primary pathogenic bacteria affecting abalone aquaculture, posing significant threats to farming practices. Current clinical control predominantly relies on antibiotics, which can result in antibiotic residues in both abalone and the surrounding marine environments. Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) has been shown to release bioactive antagonistic substances and exhibits potent inhibitory effects against marine pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to screen and characterize the probiotic properties of LP strains isolated from rice wine lees to develop a novel biocontrol strategy against Vibriosis in abalone. The methods employed included selective media cultivation, streak plate isolation, and single-colony purification for strain screening, followed by Gram staining, 16S rDNA sequencing, and phylogenetic tree construction using MEGA11 for identification. The resilience, antimicrobial activity, and in vivo antagonistic efficacy of the strains were evaluated through stress tolerance assays, agar diffusion tests, and animal experiments. The results demonstrated the successful isolation and purification of four LP strains (NDMJ-1 to NDMJ-4). Phylogenetic analysis revealed closer genetic relationships between NDMJ-3 and NDMJ-4, while NDMJ-1 and NDMJ-2 were found to be more distantly related. All strains exhibited γ-hemolytic activity, bile salt tolerance (0.3–3.0%), and resistance to both acid (pH 2.5) and alkali (pH 8.5), although they were temperature sensitive (inactivated above 45 °C). The strains showed susceptibility to most of the 20 tested antibiotics, with marked variations in hydrophobicity (1.91–93.15%) and auto-aggregation (13.29–60.63%). In vitro antibacterial assays revealed that cell-free supernatants of the strains significantly inhibited Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, and V. natriegens, with NDMJ-4 displaying the strongest inhibitory activity. In vivo experiments confirmed that NDMJ-4 significantly reduced mortality in abalone infected with V. parahaemolyticus. In conclusion, the LP strains isolated from rice wine lees (NDMJ-1 to NDMJ-4) possess robust stress resistance, adhesion capabilities, and broad antibiotic susceptibility. Their metabolites exhibit significant inhibition against abalone-pathogenic Vibrios, particularly NDMJ-4, which demonstrates exceptional potential as a candidate strain for developing eco-friendly biocontrol agents against Vibriosis in abalone aquaculture. Full article