Search Results (1,076)

Background: Plain-language summaries (PLSs) improve accessibility of medical research for patients but remain predominantly text-based. Large language models (LLMs) can now generate images from text. We carried out the present exploratory study to evaluate whether LLMs can generate images that demonstrate technical accuracy and theoretical visual usability when derived from PLS content. Methods: In this cross-sectional pilot study, two PLS were randomly selected from each of 37 Cochrane Library themes. Three LLMs, ChatGPT-5.2, Google Gemini 3 Pro, and Google Notebook, generated one image per PLS, yielding 222 images. Two blinded assessors evaluated images using a preliminary, internally expert-validated tool that measured technical accuracy and completeness, visual usability, and hallucination presence. Inter-LLM comparisons were assessed using linear mixed effects model. Results: Gemini outperformed ChatGPT and Notebook across all domains (p < 0.001). Hallucinations occurred exclusively in ChatGPT-generated images (29.73%). Gemini demonstrated the least intra-thematic variability, whereas ChatGPT showed the highest. No significant interaction was found between LLM type and Cochrane theme. Sensitivity analyses, including alternative weighting schemes and leave-one-theme-out analyses, confirmed robust model rankings. Conclusions: In this single-prompt expert-rated pilot study, Google Gemini 3 Pro reliably generated accurate, hallucination-free visual summaries from PLS. These exploratory findings support further patient-centered validation of LLM-generated images as complements to text-based patient education materials. Full article

Background: Low back pain (LBP) remains the leading global cause of years lived with disability, and image-guided nerve blocks occupy a central position in its diagnostic and therapeutic pathway. Two paraspinal targets separated by only a few centimetres of tissue address entirely different neural territories: the medial branch of the lumbar dorsal ramus, addressed by the medial branch block (MBB), and the ventral rami of L1–L4 that form the lumbar plexus within psoas major, addressed by the psoas compartment block (PCB). Despite this anatomical proximity, the two techniques have matured within largely separate literatures—interventional pain medicine for the MBB and regional anaesthesia for the PCB—and have never been compared head-to-head in a randomised trial. Methods: This narrative review searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to 1 August 2026 and synthesises evidence on the anatomical rationale, technical performance, effectiveness, and safety of both blocks as they apply to patients presenting with LBP. Results: The MBB is supported by extensive diagnostic-accuracy data and guideline endorsement for facet-mediated axial pain, but requires controlled blocks to constrain false-positive rates and confers only short-lived therapeutic benefit. The PCB reliably produces dense lumbar plexus analgesia and has a well-defined perioperative role, yet direct evidence in chronic LBP is confined to small series, and its complication profile—including epidural spread and retroperitoneal haematoma—is materially more demanding. Conclusions: We propose a phenotype-driven selection framework in which the MBB serves posterior-element axial pain while the PCB is reserved for plexus-mediated, hip–spine overlap, and perioperative indications, and we outline the comparative studies required to test it. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of the periodontal supporting tissues. Regenerative responses may vary according to patient-related biological characteristics, periodontal defect morphology, the local inflammatory microenvironment, cellular source, biomaterial selection, and delivery strategy. Cell-based regenerative therapies may therefore provide a biological foundation for the future development of personalized periodontal regenerative approaches. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of cell-based therapies for periodontal regeneration and considered how the current evidence may inform future personalized regenerative strategies. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, with additional searches performed in SciELO and Latindex, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating cell-based regenerative therapies for periodontal defects were included. The primary outcomes were clinical attachment level (CAL) gain and probing depth (PD) reduction, while radiographic bone regeneration was considered a secondary outcome. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the stability of the pooled estimates. Results: Six clinical trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, and five contributed to the quantitative analysis. Cell-based regenerative therapies showed a small, non-significant effect for CAL gain (SMD = 0.17; 95% CI: −0.12 to 0.45; I² = 0%) and PD reduction (SMD = 0.13; 95% CI: −0.22 to 0.48; I² = 33.0%). Radiographic bone regeneration showed a larger favorable effect, although statistical significance was not reached and substantial heterogeneity was present (SMD = 1.25; 95% CI: −0.08 to 2.58; I² = 88.2%). Leave-one-out analyses did not materially alter the non-significant interpretation for CAL or PD, although some variation in effect magnitude and direction was observed. Radiographic bone regeneration was more sensitive to the exclusion of individual studies. Overall, superiority of cell-based regenerative therapies over control interventions was not demonstrated. Risk-of-bias assessment indicated a low overall risk for most randomized trials, with some concerns in one trial and moderate risk in the quasi-randomized study. Conclusions: Cell-based regenerative therapies showed preliminary but inconclusive signals of benefit for periodontal regeneration. However, no statistically significant superiority over control interventions was demonstrated for CAL gain, PD reduction, or radiographic bone regeneration. Further well-designed clinical trials are required before these approaches can be considered for routine or personalized periodontal regenerative strategies. Full article

Background and Objectives: Severe chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) affects 2–5% of patients after hernia repair, yet most published explanations remain neuropathic. The pubic periosteum, including the tubercle and adjacent symphyseal zone, lies within the operative field and may be engaged by medial mesh fixation. Its contribution to CPIP has not been tested. This narrative review brings together anatomical, imaging and clinical evidence and defines a hypothesis that can be examined prospectively. Materials and Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched without date restriction, with the final search run in April 2026. Thirty-three publications met the eligibility criteria. Evidence was classified using the 2011 OCEBM Levels of Evidence, with indirectness recorded when the population, exposure or outcome did not match the review question. The review was narrative, so no PRISMA flow diagram or formal risk-of-bias assessment was undertaken. Results: Direct evidence is limited. Among 1633 patients in one retrospective study, six underwent reoperation for severe late pain, and two had a staple placed in the periosteum. Pain resolved after staple removal. Two further cases of MRI-confirmed osteitis pubis followed laparoscopic repair with a titanium tacker. CT found pubic spurs in 17 of 20 patients, although their clinical meaning was uncertain. Fixation trials, CPIP reviews and groin-pain imaging studies repeatedly examined adjacent outcomes but did not define a periosteal endpoint. Conclusions: Pubic periosteal pathology is a plausible and testable pain generator, not an established cause of CPIP. Prospective studies should pair preoperative MRI and standardised pain mapping with explicit recording of fixation at the pubic tubercle. This design would show whether periosteal findings identify a distinct pain phenotype and whether penetrating fixation modifies its course. Full article

Background and Objectives: Neonatal sepsis is time-sensitive, yet the role of interhospital transport in its early care pathway is poorly characterised. This scoping review systematically identified and classified contemporary neonatal transport variables, interventions, and organisational practices potentially relevant to early sepsis care, examined the evidentiary proximity of the available literature to neonatal sepsis, and identified priorities for direct investigation. Materials and Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for English-language, peer-reviewed reports published from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2026. Google Scholar, an academic search engine, and backward citation searching supplemented the database search. Two reviewers independently screened records; a third author charted data using a predefined matrix. Findings were reported according to PRISMA-ScR and synthesised descriptively because the mapping question and non-comparable concepts and outcomes did not support a pooled estimate. Results: Thirty-nine sources of evidence were included. They covered system organisation; respiratory and procedural stabilisation; haemodynamic, metabolic, and thermal management; medication and fluid use; adverse events; environmental exposures; and communication. Evidence was predominantly indirect: 24 sources were classified as indirect clinical, seven as indirect organisational, four as indirect technical, one as indirect experiential, and three as direct transport-process/indirect sepsis-outcome evidence. Few reports addressed infection-related processes, and none established that a transport intervention independently improved sepsis-specific outcomes. Antimicrobial timing, culture status, perfusion trajectories, and structured sepsis handover were rarely reported. Conclusions: Contemporary neonatal transport research identifies measurable care processes that may matter when sepsis is suspected, but the sepsis-specific effect of transport remains unproven. Prospective multicentre studies should directly link transport-phase processes with infection-defined populations and outcomes. Full article

Historical paper collections held in archives and libraries represent an irreplaceable component of cultural heritage; yet, their systematic chemical assessment is often constrained by limited measurement datasets, heterogeneous material composition, and restricted access for sampling. This paper presents an extended version of the ARTEMISA framework (Intelligent Surface Assessment), a web-based decision-support application designed to assist conservators and archivists in assessing the chemical condition and degradation dynamics of paper-based materials under real-world constraints. The framework characterises the chemical state of paper through surface pH measurement—a non-destructive, practically accessible proxy for acidity-driven cellulose degradation. Rather than aiming at deterministic lifetime prediction, ARTEMISA emphasises chemically consistent segmentation of samples into homogeneous pH regimes, followed by regime-specific statistical modelling. For long-term trend exploration, the system integrates three regression approaches: log-transformed linear, polynomial, and exponential models. For short-term time-series analysis within restricted chemical regimes, an ARIMA model is applied. Model performance was evaluated using standard statistical metrics: Mean squared error (MSE), Root mean squared error (RMSE), Mean absolute error (MAE) and the coefficient of determination (R²). The framework was applied to a case study comprising twelve book titles from the Public Library in Trenčín (Slovak Republic), published between 1959 and 2016. Results indicate that log-transformed linear and exponential regression models provide physically consistent representations of long-term pH trends, while ARIMA modelling captures short-term dynamics directly actionable for conservation planning. Exponential regression achieved R² = 0.783, linear 0.826, polynomial 0.911; however, the polynomial model produced physically implausible extrapolations and is retained for comparative purposes only. The Arrhenius principle is incorporated as an interpretative component, contextualising pH-derived degradation trends within temperature-dependent reaction kinetics. ARTEMISA offers an accessible, open-architecture tool for the prioritisation of conversation interventions under conditions of data scarity. This is applicable to broader material degradation studies with limited measurements. Full article

Background and Objectives: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of sickle cell disease (SCD)-related mortality (~25% of deaths). A subset of patients develops severe respiratory compromise requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission or mechanical ventilation (MV), a high-risk group with widely variable reported mortality. This review aimed to determine the mortality rates, ICU/hospital length of stay, and reported complications among adult SCD patients with ACS admitted to the ICU or placed on MV. Materials and Methods: This PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD420261295111). Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, and Scopus were searched without date restriction. Due to substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity, the pre-specified meta-analysis was replaced by a narrative synthesis. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Eight studies were included (one multicenter prospective cohort, two national database studies, three single-center cohorts, and one before–after antimicrobial stewardship study). In-hospital mortality ranged from 0.95% to 3.8%; overall mortality including follow-up reached 12.9% in a dedicated ICU cohort, a distinct endpoint from in-hospital death. Mechanical ventilation was the strongest indicator of mortality, with odds ratios of 67.53 (MV < 96 h) and 8.73 (MV ≥ 96 h) in the largest national cohort. Tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity ≥3 m/second was associated with cor pulmonale, invasive ventilation, and all immediate hospital deaths in one severe cohort. Documented bacterial infection was uncommon (10–20% of episodes), despite frequent antibiotic use, and procalcitonin-guided discontinuation safely reduced antibiotic exposure. All eight included studies were rated high quality on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (score ≥ 7/9). Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation, pulmonary hypertension/cor pulmonale, and comorbidity burden are the most consistent markers of poor outcome in ACS. The findings support early recognition, severity-based respiratory support, and antimicrobial stewardship, but should be interpreted cautiously given the substitution of narrative synthesis for meta-analysis, heterogeneous populations, and the geographic concentration of the included studies. Full article

Root perforations represent a pathological communication between the root canal system and the external root surface and are among the most serious complications in endodontics. Their occurrence leads to bacterial contamination and inflammatory tissue destruction, resulting in resorption of dentin, cementum, and alveolar bone, thereby compromising the tooth’s long-term prognosis. Objective: The aim of this review is to summarize current data regarding the etiology, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and contemporary materials used in the management of root perforations, with particular emphasis on recent advances in non-surgical treatment. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using sources from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. After applying a predefined search strategy of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 scientific sources published between 2003 and 2026 were included. Results: Current evidence indicates that the treatment outcome depends primarily on the location and size, prompt perforation sealing, bacterial contamination, and selection of restorative material. Cone-beam computed tomography has improved diagnostic accuracy, while a non-surgical approach remains the preferred approach in most clinical situations. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) continues to be the reference standard material due to its biocompatibility, bioactivity and sealing ability. New-generation calcium-silicate bioceramics offer improved physicochemical properties, while maintaining favorable biological properties. Regenerative materials have shown promising potential to enhance healing processes, but available evidence remains limited. Conclusions: Successful treatment of root perforations requires early diagnosis, timely repair of the defect, effective bacterial control, and use of bioactive materials with reliable sealing and regenerative properties. Modern calcium-silicate bioceramics have improved non-surgical treatment predictability, whereas regenerative approaches appear to be a promising alternative that requires further clinical studies to develop standardized therapeutic protocols. Full article

Moisture in building materials, particularly in masonry structures, can negatively affect the durability, serviceability, and safety of buildings. Therefore, it is important to develop non-destructive diagnostic methods that enable reliable assessment of moisture content. Microwave techniques provide a method for determining a material’s moisture content indirectly from changes in its electromagnetic properties, particularly the apparent permittivity. The aim of this article is to present the application of machine learning methods for estimating the moisture content of masonry materials based on laboratory microwave measurements. The study uses a measurement setup with a single antenna operating simultaneously as both transmitting and receiving antenna, which increases the practical applicability of the method in in-situ diagnostics but also makes the interpretation of the measured signal more challenging. Predictive models were developed using the scikit-learn library and dedicated software designed to automatically select the best-performing model and its parameters. The obtained results make it possible to assess the potential of machine learning as a tool supporting the interpretation of microwave data and improving the accuracy of non-destructive moisture diagnostics in masonry structures. Full article

Introduction: Caffeine is a widely consumed psychoactive compound whose central pharmacological effects are mediated primarily through antagonism of adenosine receptors. Wakeful EEG provides a temporally sensitive method for examining caffeine-related changes in oscillatory activity and vigilance-related brain states. This systematic review synthesized evidence concerning the effects of acute and habitual caffeine exposure on non-ERP EEG measures during wakefulness. Materials and Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to 30 May 2026. Eligible studies included human participants exposed to caffeine, coffee, or caffeine-containing interventions and reported EEG outcomes during wakeful resting-state or task-related conditions. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 for randomized trials and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies. Findings were synthesized narratively because of substantial methodological heterogeneity. Results: Forty-eight studies were included. Resting-state spectral EEG was the dominant paradigm, although studies also examined task-related activity, prolonged wakefulness, sleep deprivation, withdrawal, driving-related drowsiness, coherence, nonlinear complexity, EEG microstates, and multimodal EEG–fMRI measures. Reductions in alpha power or amplitude were among the more frequently reported findings following acute caffeine administration, while attenuation of theta, delta, or other slow-frequency activity was particularly evident under conditions of sleep pressure, prolonged wakefulness, withdrawal, fatigue, or reduced vigilance. However, neither effect was universal. Beta findings were heterogeneous, and changes in alpha frequency, total EEG power, coherence, asymmetry, complexity, and microstates were less consistently examined. The direction and magnitude of EEG responses varied according to caffeine dose, habitual intake and withdrawal status, baseline vigilance, eye condition, task demands, participant characteristics, scalp region, frequency-band definition, and EEG methodology. Evidence concerning coherence, asymmetry, nonlinear complexity, microstates, and multimodal EEG–fMRI outcomes was preliminary. Conclusions: The available evidence does not establish a single reproducible EEG signature or validated electrophysiological biomarker of caffeine response. Reductions in alpha power and attenuation of slow-frequency activity during states of elevated sleep pressure or caffeine withdrawal were among the more frequently reported findings, but substantial methodological and state-dependent heterogeneity limits their specificity and generalizability. EEG changes should also not be interpreted as direct indicators of improved cognitive performance, because electrophysiological and behavioral effects were not consistently concordant across studies. Full article

Background: Pemphigus is a rare group of autoimmune blistering diseases characterized by autoantibody-mediated loss of keratinocyte adhesion, resulting in intraepithelial blister formation involving the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is the most common type of pemphigus, which usually presents in adulthood and has a prevalence rate of about 2.83 cases per million person years worldwide. The prevalence rate in children and adolescents is relatively uncommon; however, it accounts for about 1.4 to 3.7 percent of all cases of pemphigus vulgaris reported worldwide. The involvement of oral cavity is clinically significant since it can present prior to the disease or as its predominant feature. Hence, this narrative review seeks to review literature on pemphigus with involvement of oral cavity in children and adolescents. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the current literature regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, histopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of pemphigus with oral involvement in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies published between 2015 and 2026. The search strategy included terms related to pemphigus, pediatric patients, and oral manifestations. Articles involving patients younger than 18 years of age with oral involvement were screened according to predefined inclusion criteria. Following database screening, duplicate removal, and full-text assessment, 25 studies comprising a total of 51 patients with documented oral or orofacial involvement were included in the final review. Results: Pemphigus vulgaris was the predominant subtype, with oral lesions representing the initial or sole manifestation in the majority of patients. The gingiva, mucosa, tongue, lip, and palate were the most common affected areas in the mouth. The lesions in these areas usually appeared as painful erosion, ulcers, and desquamative gingivitis. Histopathology with the presence of acantholysis in the suprabasal area and direct immunofluorescence was the most definitive test for diagnosis. Systemic corticosteroids were the mainstay of treatment in conjunction with steroid sparing agents in some cases, with good results in difficult cases using rituximab. Overall, most patients achieved partial or complete clinical remission following appropriate treatment, although relapses were occasionally reported. Conclusions: Pemphigus in children and adolescents is rarely encountered; however, it should be included as a differential diagnosis of erosive/ulcerative lesions. Early identification, diagnosis, and treatment through a collaborative approach from dental practitioners are critical. Further research is required at multiple centers to gain a better understanding of the disease and to develop evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients. Full article

Background and Objectives: Functional sequelae following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment frequently impair swallowing, mouth opening, speech, cervical and shoulder mobility, and overall quality of life. Although rehabilitation is increasingly recognized as an essential component of multidisciplinary care, evidence has largely focused on isolated functional impairments rather than providing a comprehensive evaluation across rehabilitation domains. To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation and physiotherapy interventions for preventing and treating functional sequelae in adults with head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PEDro were searched from inception to June 2026. Studies involving adult patients with head and neck cancer receiving conservative rehabilitation interventions were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed for clinically homogeneous intervention contrasts within the mouth-opening and trismus domains. Distinct comparisons involving intervention timing, additional therapeutic components, or delivery strategies were analysed separately. Results: Twenty-seven publications representing 21 independent randomized trials were included. Quantitative synthesis was restricted to clinically homogeneous intervention contrasts. Compared with usual care, preventive jaw rehabilitation favoured greater mouth opening across three independent trials (mean difference = 2.85 mm; conventional 95% CI: 0.38–5.32), although the modified Hartung–Knapp sensitivity interval included no effect (95% CI: −2.58–8.27). The pooled estimate for trismus across three independent trials also favoured rehabilitation, although both conventional and small-sample-adjusted confidence intervals included no effect (RR = 0.87; conventional 95% CI: 0.53–1.42; modified Hartung–Knapp 95% CI: 0.25–2.98). Postoperative swallowing rehabilitation after oral-cancer surgery and free-flap reconstruction favoured rehabilitation in both sequential cohorts (adjusted difference in change = 10.06 points; 95% CI: 7.68–12.44; GEE group-by-time β = 7.29 points; 95% CI: 4.11–10.47). Additional timing, support, enhancement, and delivery comparisons were analysed separately. Conclusions: Targeted rehabilitation interventions produced favourable estimates for mandibular mobility and postoperative swallowing function in adults with head and neck cancer. Preventive jaw rehabilitation favoured greater mouth opening, although the result was inconclusive after small-sample adjustment; the trismus estimate also favoured rehabilitation but remained imprecise. Full article

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OHPs) deliver certified single-junction power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of up to 27.3% and National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)-certified perovskite–silicon tandem values of 34.85%, yet a substantial gap with the Shockley–Queisser (S–Q) limit persists. Grain-boundary (GB) defects are one principal contributor to this gap, driving non-radiative recombination, ion migration, and degradation alongside bulk, interfacial, contact-related, phase-related, and environmental loss channels. Rational passivation demands a non-contact tool capable of identifying and quantifying specific defect species in device-relevant thin films, a capability that conventional probes deliver only in part. This overview assesses the extent to which terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS, 0.2–2.5 THz) fulfills this role. Across five OHP compositions—MAPbI₃, MAPbBr₃, FAPbI₃, and FAPb(Br,I)₃ fabricated by sequential vacuum evaporation (SVE), together with solution-processed γ-CsPbI₃—the THz spectral window captures both intrinsic phonon modes and GB-localized molecular defect vibrations, enabling species-resolved characterization at room temperature. Notably, the oscillator strength of the SVE-specific 1.58 THz absorption in MAPbI₃ scales linearly with XPS-quantified CH₃NH₂ defect concentration, establishing a calibrated, contact-free proxy for defect concentration rather than an absolute defect count; the observable is the defect-induced perturbation of the Pb–X lattice, not the defect population itself. Building on these findings, we propose a three-pillar framework for THz-guided defect engineering: (I) quantitative defect measurement via oscillator-strength analysis, (II) material-specific fingerprint identification from a systematically constructed THz library, and (III) fingerprint-guided defect elimination with real-time feedback—together defining a closed-loop quality-control cycle that connects spectroscopic diagnosis to passivation strategy and, ultimately, to enhanced solar cell efficiency. Throughout, we distinguish capabilities demonstrated to date from extensions that remain proposals, and we define the measurement requirements needed before the framework can be transferred to inline manufacturing control. Full article

Biofilm accumulation on orthodontic appliances is a recognized risk factor for white spot lesion formation and caries during treatment. Antibacterial surface modifications and coating strategies have been proposed as appliance-level preventive approaches. Studied interventions in the literature span true thin-film surface coatings, plasma-based and ion-implantation surface modifications, and bulk-incorporated antibacterial agents in appliance matrix materials. Yet the extent to which in vitro efficacy translates to clinically meaningful protection remains unresolved. This PRISMA-ScR-compliant scoping review searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, identifying 109 eligible studies: 96 in vitro, 8 in vivo animal studies and 5 clinical trials, covering brackets, archwires, clear aligners, bands, miniscrews, elastomeric ligatures, and removable appliances, some articles studied multiple types of appliances. In vitro studies consistently demonstrated significant reductions in bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation across all appliance types, with silver-based coatings and nitrogen-doped TiO₂ showing the broadest evidence base; combination systems (Ag/ZnO, CuO-ZnO) outperformed individual agents. The 13 in vivo and clinical studies provided limited but directionally supportive evidence: silver nanoparticle-incorporated acrylic retainers reduced S. mutans counts in a double-blind RCT, and silver-infiltrated tungsten material-maintained biofilm reduction after simulated two-year abrasion. Coating durability emerged as an important determinant of potential clinical translation. Surface-deposited thin-film coatings degraded substantially within one month of intraoral use, whereas substrate-integrated approaches showed greater longevity. This scoping review maps the current evidence landscape, identifies coating durability and clinical endpoint validation as critical gaps, and prioritizes silver-based and nitrogen-doped TiO₂ coatings for future randomized clinical trials. Full article

The increasing complexity of automotive production systems, driven by mass customization, the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, competitive markets, and cost pressure, has intensified the need for advanced optimization across production and intralogistics planning. Optimization refers to the process of determining the best feasible solution to a decision problem according to a defined objective function, subject to given constraints. Whereas most reviews focus on individual problem classes, this systematic literature review adopts an integrated production and intralogistics perspective. Following the PRISMA statement, four research questions on problem types, their classification, solution methods, and trends are addressed by searching four databases (Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Science Direct), yielding 194 publications from 1983 to 2025. The analysis shows that production planning, scheduling, resource management, and uncertainty and robustness are the dominant problem types, while metaheuristics, exact methods, and simulation are the most common, frequently hybridized solution methods. Publication activity has risen sharply, with 73.7% of studies appearing since 2019 and material feeding, sustainability, human–robot collaboration, and machine learning showing increased recent publication activity. A taxonomy classifying optimization problems among five dimensions, problem type, decision level, objectives, solution methodology, and real-data usage is proposed to guide researchers and practitioners towards an integrated, industrially deployed optimization. Full article