Search Results (1,098)

Diabetes management depends on regular glucose monitoring, yet conventional blood-based methods are invasive and can reduce user comfort. This review presents an overview of wearable glucose monitoring technologies, with emphasis on non-invasive approaches. It first distinguishes invasive, minimally invasive, and non-invasive monitoring and discusses the use of interstitial fluid, sweat, saliva, tears, urine, and breath as alternative sensing media. The review then summarizes optical, electrochemical, electrical/electromagnetic, and nanotechnology-enabled sensing methods, together with representative wearable and commercially reported devices. At the end, textile-based systems are compared with non-textile platforms in terms of comfort, flexibility, signal reliability, durability, and practical integration. Across these approaches, major limitations include variable relationships between alternative biofluids and blood glucose, interference from physiological and environmental factors, calibration requirements, motion artifacts, limited durability, and insufficient clinical validation. Future development requires more reliable sensing, improved wearable integration, standardized testing, and validation under real-world conditions. Full article

Nano-priming has emerged as a novel technology for improving seed germination, vigour, and stress tolerance, and enhancing nutrient uptake in cereal grains, especially rice and wheat. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of 6302 publications obtained by a Boolean search query from the Scopus database, executed in November 2025. The dataset was further refined by using strict inclusion–exclusion criteria and mapped for the intellectual, geographic, and collaborative structure of the research on the topic under study at the global level. Country-level research productivity, subject-area distribution, annual publication trajectories, source-level publication patterns, and co-authorship networks are part of this study. The analysis revealed a highly skewed global publication distribution dominated by China, India, and Pakistan, which are major global hubs for nanotechnology-assisted seed treatment research, on the nano-priming of seeds. Agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, materials science, and nanotechnology emerged as dominant interdisciplinary contributors to nano-priming research. Annual publication trends continue to show an exponential rise since 2013, driven by growing interests in nanotechnology-enabled crop improvement. Co-authorship analysis revealed dense collaborative clusters centred in South and East Asia, interconnected through key bridging authors. The bibliometric evaluation, together with evidence-based synthesis of experimental studies, highlighted zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, silver, iron oxide, chitosan, and carbon-based nanomaterials as the main hotspots driving physiological enhancement in rice and wheat through enzymatic activation, nutrient uptake, and stress-resilience pathways. Nanotechnology-based seed treatments in rice and wheat offer a promising and sustainable approach to enhance crop productivity, stress tolerance, nutrient-use efficiency, and global food security under changing environmental conditions. Full article

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women worldwide and continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Patients may present with either localized or advanced disease, with clinical outcomes increasingly influenced by molecular subtype and genetic profile. This review highlights the key genetic factors involved in breast cancer, current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and promising emerging approaches that may shape future clinical management. Breast cancer diagnosis typically involves clinical breast examination, imaging techniques such as mammography and ultrasound, and confirmatory biopsies. Genetic mutations in specific genes are strongly linked to the development, progression, and metastasis of the disease. Treatment options for localized breast cancer continue to include surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) and radiotherapy, combined with systemic therapies tailored to tumor biology, such as endocrine therapy, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy, and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitors. For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, recent therapeutic advances include the use of immunotherapy (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitors), Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for Breast Cancer gene (BRCA)-mutated cancers, antibody–drug conjugates, and novel targeted agents, which have significantly improved patient outcomes in selected populations. Recent findings in breast cancer genetics have highlighted the critical role of germline and somatic mutations, particularly in genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), and TP53, in driving tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. Molecular profiling and next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled more precise tumor classification and facilitated the development of personalized treatment strategies. Despite these advances, treatment resistance and disease recurrence remain major challenges, particularly in aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative breast cancer. Consequently, ongoing research is exploring alternative and complementary approaches, including nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, gene editing techniques such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) (CRISPR-Cas9), cancer vaccines, and the integration of traditional and plant-derived compounds. These strategies aim to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce systemic toxicity, and overcome resistance mechanisms. Full article

Nanotechnology currently offers two approaches to tumor therapy. The first involves coating the surface of nanoparticles with high-affinity molecules for targeted delivery. The second involves directing the nanoparticles to the desired area of the body using an external magnetic field. Such nanoparticles are often made of magnetic metals (iron, nickel, cobalt, etc.), but in living systems, the main problem with such nanoparticles is their toxicity. To address the toxicity issue, various barriers and coatings are primarily used. In this work, a laser technology for producing multifunctional nanocomposites based on graphene-coated iron nanoparticles decorated with gold nanoparticles was developed. Graphene-coated iron nanoparticles (200 nm) were synthesized using laser ablation in isopropanol. The presence of a graphene coating on the surface of the iron nanoparticles was confirmed by TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and luminescence analysis. A technology for depositing gold nanoparticles approximately 10 nm in size onto the graphene shell of the resulting iron nanoparticles was invented. The essence of the technology lies in creating critical conditions in a nanoparticle colloid, leading to intense aggregation with each other. Multifunctional nanocomposites based on graphene-coated iron nanoparticles decorated with gold nanoparticles did not exhibit acute toxicity to cell cultures under normal conditions. Moreover, under the combined influence of an alternating magnetic field and laser radiation, nanocomposites damaged 96% of neuroblastoma cells in culture. Full article

Sustainable development in wood technology demands eco-friendly alternatives to conventional preservatives, positioning nanotechnology as a promising frontier for green wood protection. The antifungal potential of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against the brown-rot agent Fomitopsis pinicola was investigated in vitro, alongside an assessment of their protective performance on Scots pine wood. AgNPs were tested at 5, 25, 50, and 100 ppm in vitro, with an additional 200 ppm concentration included in the wood-decay test. In the in vitro assays, lower concentrations (5 and 25 ppm) stimulated radial mycelial growth, 50 ppm showed no effect, and 100 ppm caused growth inhibition. In contrast, all tested concentrations enhanced the decay resistance of pine wood. Average wood mass loss ranged from 4.9% to 8.1% after 2 months and from 10.9% to 18.6% after 4 months, with the maximum protective effect observed at 50 ppm. While AgNPs did not entirely prevent F. pinicola-induced decay, they significantly mitigated mass loss. These findings highlight the potential of AgNPs for the short-term preservation of freshly harvested timber, particularly storm- or disaster-damaged wood stored in forests or log yards prior to processing. Full article

Food safety systems are increasingly challenged by globalized supply chains, emerging contaminants, and the need for rapid decision-making before contaminated products reach consumers. Although conventional methods remain essential for confirmatory analysis, their dependence on centralized facilities, specialized personnel, and time-intensive workflows limits their suitability for real-time monitoring. Sustainable nanotechnology offers a promising approach to address these limitations by enabling rapid, sensitive, portable, and resource-efficient contaminant detection. This review critically examines recent advances in nano-enabled platforms for detecting foodborne pathogens, toxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals, allergens, and other food-related contaminants. Emphasis is placed on colorimetric, fluorescent, electrochemical, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and biosensor-based systems employing sustainable nanomaterials, including biopolymer nanoparticles, carbon-based nanostructures, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, and hybrid nanocomposites. The roles of green synthesis, low-toxicity materials, reduced solvent use, and safe-by-design strategies are evaluated in relation to environmental sustainability and practical implementation. The integration of nanosensors with smart packaging, portable devices, Internet of Things platforms, artificial intelligence, and data-driven risk assessment is also discussed. Key challenges include matrix interference, reproducibility, sensor stability, scalability, regulatory approval, environmental fate, and consumer acceptance. Continued progress will require validated, scalable, and environmentally responsible technologies capable of reliable operation under real-world food system conditions. Full article

Genome editing is one of the key technologies in contemporary plant biotechnology, which has been revolutionized using CRISPR/Cas systems that offer rapid, flexible, and precise options to improve agricultural characteristics, enhance stress tolerance, and accelerate breeding of crops and trees. Despite the significant benefits of CRISPR/Cas systems, their use is restricted by difficulties in genome-editing materials into plant cells. The conventional approaches include Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, particle bombardment and PEG-mediated transfection; these have contributed significantly to advancements in the field; however, dependent on specific plants and requiring tissue cultures, these methods lead to random transgene insertion and poor transformation efficiency. In addition, nanotechnology represents a novel method of delivering CRISPR cargos into plant cells using minimal invasiveness and potentially without DNA. This review provides a synopsis of the most employed CRISPR/Cas systems within plants, comparing the traditional delivery mechanisms and the various nanotechnological delivery vehicles, such as lipid nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, DNA nanostructures, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, magnetically responsive nanoparticles and green nanomaterials. This review discusses the present challenges of delivery efficacy, biocompatibility, cargo integrity, and regulatory issues, and provides suggestions for future research directions regarding nanotechnology-assisted genome editing for precision breeding, sustainable agriculture, production of crops tolerant to climate conditions, and forest biotechnology. Full article

Personalized oncology is transforming cancer care by tailoring therapeutic strategies to the molecular and clinical characteristics of individual patients. However, increasing treatment complexity, interpatient variability, and the growing use of advanced therapeutics challenge the limitations of standardized medicines. This review examines pharmaceutical compounding as a fundamental component enabling the delivery of individualized oncology treatments. A literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, using a predefined search strategy detailed in the manuscript. This narrative review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the application of pharmaceutical compounding in modern oncology practice. The analysis includes immunotherapy, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, genomic-guided therapy, and combination treatment strategies. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, three-dimensional printing, and robotic compounding, were also assessed, alongside regulatory frameworks, safety challenges, and quality considerations. The main findings of this study show that compounded medications support individualized care through dose adjustment, modification of dosage forms, and exclusion of unsuitable excipients, particularly in pediatric oncology, rare cancers, and patients with specific needs. The magistral and officinal preparations help maintain continuity of care when commercial formulations are unavailable. In addition, technological advances are improving the precision, reproducibility, and safety of compounding processes, and pharmacists are centrally involved in the design, preparation, quality assurance, and regulatory oversight of these therapies. In conclusion, pharmaceutical compounding remains an essential component of personalized oncology, enabling patient-centered and adaptable treatment strategies. The expanding engagement of pharmacists, together with advances in technology and evolving regulatory frameworks, is essential to ensuring the safe and effective implementation of individualized therapies in oncology care. Full article

Cancers still remain one of the most significant challenges in medicine or pharmacy, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths annually and imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden worldwide. Although chemotherapy continues to play a central role in the treatment of many tumors, conventional anticancer therapies are frequently associated with poor selectivity, systemic toxicity, multidrug resistance, and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles. Paclitaxel (PTX), one of the most widely used antineoplastic agents, demonstrates remarkable clinical efficacy against breast, ovarian, lung, pancreatic, and several other malignancies. Nevertheless, its clinical application remains limited by poor aqueous solubility, non-specific biodistribution, dose-limiting toxicities, and the development of resistance mechanisms. Nanotechnology-based anticancer drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy to address these limitations. Among them, polymeric nanosystems have attracted particular attention owing to their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, controlled drug-release capabilities, and potential for tumor-targeted delivery. Natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic polymers are extensively investigated as carriers for PTX, leading to the development of nanoparticles, micelles, nanogels, nanofibers, dendritic systems, and hybrid nanoplatforms. Nanosystems demonstrate enhanced therapeutic efficacy, reduced systemic toxicity, prolonged circulation times, and improved tumor accumulation in preclinical models. Despite encouraging laboratory results, the clinical translation of polymeric PTX nanocarriers (NCs) remains limited. Numerous barriers, including tumor heterogeneity, variability of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, manufacturing complexity, regulatory challenges, scale-up difficulties, and discrepancies between animal models and human cancers, continue to hinder successful commercialization and widespread clinical adoption. This review critically discusses the current state of polymeric drug delivery systems (DDSs) that contain PTX, as well as the advantages and limitations of synthetic, natural, and semi-synthetic polymers used in DDS technologies. Furthermore, translational challenges and future perspectives of PTX-based DDSs were analyzed. Full article

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and acts as a major protective barrier against external agents. However, the highly organized stratum corneum limits the effective delivery of many therapeutic compounds, especially hydrophilic and high-molecular-weight drugs. Conventional topical formulations often exhibit poor permeability, low bioavailability, and limited targeting efficiency. This review discusses recent advances in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, including bio-based, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymeric nanocarriers for dermal and transdermal applications, with particular emphasis on vesicular, polymeric, and hybrid nanosystems. Nanocarriers such as liposomes, ethosomes, transfersomes, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, nanogels, and lipid–polymer hybrid systems have demonstrated improved drug solubility, stability, controlled release, and skin permeation for localized (dermal) delivery compared with conventional formulations. In addition, biodegradable polymeric materials enhance dermal deposition and prolong drug retention, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy. These nanosystems can facilitate enhanced transdermal drug transport under optimized conditions; however, the extent of systemic delivery varies widely depending on drug physicochemical properties, formulation characteristics, and application conditions. Drug transport may occur through intercellular, transcellular, and follicular pathways, resulting in enhanced bioavailability and site-specific delivery. Claims regarding transdermal (systemic) absorption are restricted to cases supported by in vivo or clinical evidence. Furthermore, combining nanocarriers with microneedles and stimuli-responsive platforms has expanded the potential for controlled and on-demand transdermal delivery. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have reported that nanocarrier-based methotrexate gels reduced PASI-like scores by over 70% in psoriatic models, while oleic acid vesicle formulations achieved more than 95% cure rates in rodent models of tinea corporis. Despite these advances, challenges related to large-scale production, stability, regulatory approval, and clinical translation remain significant. Future developments integrating smart nanocarriers, bio-based polymeric biomaterials, wearable technologies, and AI-assisted design may improve personalized dermatological therapies. These innovations in nanocarrier drug delivery are accelerating the translation of advanced therapies to the clinic, promising safer, more effective and personalized dermatological treatments. Full article

Polystyrene (PS), particularly expanded polystyrene (EPS), is an environmentally significant commodity polymer that contributes substantially to secondary microplastic and nanoplastic pollution through environmental weathering and fragmentation. During aging, PS undergoes nano-scale physicochemical transformations, including chain scission, surface oxidation, and the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups, which profoundly influence its environmental fate, microbial colonization, and biodegradation behavior. Conventional remediation technologies remain energy-intensive and often fail to achieve complete mineralization, highlighting the need for sustainable and integrated remediation strategies. Recent studies have demonstrated that diverse microorganisms, including Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Bacillus, and Exiguobacterium, can colonize PS surfaces and initiate oxidative depolymerization through extracellular biofilm formation and oxidative enzymes such as styrene monooxygenase, laccases, and peroxidases. In parallel, insect-based systems, particularly Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio, provide unique biological platforms in which gut microbiota facilitate partial PS degradation and mineralization through synergistic host–microbe interactions. This review critically integrates recent advances in nano-scale PS transformation, microbial colonization, oxidative enzymatic pathways, insect gut-mediated biodegradation, and advanced analytical techniques used to characterize degradation processes. Emphasis is placed on nano–bio interactions and emerging nanotechnology-enabled remediation strategies, including engineered microbial consortia, biofilm-based bioreactors, and nanomaterial-assisted treatment systems. Finally, current limitations and future research priorities are discussed, including degradation kinetics, byproduct toxicity, standardized evaluation methods, and the integration of biological and nanomaterial-based approaches for scalable PS microplastic remediation. Full article

Due to large-scale macroalgal blooms, nutrient enrichment, and changes in ocean circulation brought on by climate change, beach-accumulated seaweed (BAS) has quickly become a global environmental and waste-governance concern. Despite degradation and contamination during beach stranding, BAS retains valuable bioactive compounds, including sulfated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, pigments, proteins, peptides, and lipids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and metabolic regulatory activities. This review critically evaluates BAS as a sustainable bioresource by integrating current knowledge on biomass composition, degradation-associated challenges, bioactive properties, valorization pathways, advanced extraction technologies, safety validation, regulatory considerations, and emerging commercialization opportunities. Attention is given to sustainable valorization pathways, ranging from composting and bioenergy production to the recovery of high-value bioactives through enzyme-assisted, green, and advanced extraction technologies. The review further discusses policy and regulatory gaps, contamination challenges, safety validation requirements, and life-cycle sustainability considerations that currently limit industrial adoption. Finally, emerging opportunities involving metabolomics, microbial bioprocessing, artificial intelligence, automation, and nanotechnology are explored as future directions for transforming BAS into a standardized and economically viable feedstock within the circular blue bioeconomy. Establishing harmonized regulatory frameworks and integrating BAS management with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 and 14 will be critical for enabling sustainable resource recovery and long-term coastal resilience. Full article

Postoperative wound complications remain a major cause of morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, increased healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life. While traditional wound dressings functioned primarily as passive barriers against contamination and exudate, advances in wound biology have transformed surgical wound management. Tissue repair is now recognized as a dynamic immunometabolic process involving coordinated interactions among immune cells, stromal populations, extracellular matrix remodeling, mechanotransduction, mitochondrial function, redox balance, microbial ecology, and bioelectrical signaling. Consequently, modern wound dressings are increasingly designed as bioactive systems capable of actively modulating the wound microenvironment. Recent developments in biomaterials science, immunoengineering, nanotechnology, extracellular vesicle biology, bioelectronics, and artificial intelligence have enabled the creation of advanced wound platforms, including stimuli-responsive hydrogels, immunomodulatory biomaterials, nanozyme-based dressings, conductive scaffolds, oxygen-generating matrices, extracellular vesicle-loaded systems, and biosensor-integrated interfaces. Therapeutic strategies are progressively shifting from antimicrobial-focused approaches toward immune-regenerative modulation targeting chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, ferroptosis, cellular senescence, and impaired mechanobiological signaling. This review examines emerging surgical wound dressings from mechanistic, translational, and biomaterial perspectives, highlighting current innovations, translational challenges, and future directions. Collectively, these technologies may enable intelligent therapeutic systems capable of sensing and directing tissue regeneration in real time. Full article

Global demand for sustainability drives interest in bioenergy from sustainable feedstock. Agro-industrial waste such as brewer’s spent grains (BSG) is an important by-product of brewing. This study provides a comprehensive review of the current technologies of BSG for energy recovery and BSG-based materials for energy storage applications. The latest scientific progress, not only from conventional processes on anaerobic digestion, combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, torrefaction, and hydrothermal liquefaction but also from several integrated technologies, pretreatment methods, and additives/catalysts regarding the improvement of energy efficiency and process sustainability, was reviewed. In addition, the co-feedstock practices (co-combustion, anaerobic co-digestion, hydrothermal co-liquefaction, anaerobic co-fermentation) and co-production were examined. AD of BSG yields about 302 NL CH₄/kg COD, generating roughly 0.39 kWh of electricity/kg BSG and 1.71 MJ of thermal energy/kg BSG. Ultrasonic pretreatment enhances methane production up to four times (107 L CH₄/kg TVS) and reduces CO₂ emissions by 0.083 t CO₂eq/t BSG. Anaerobic co-digestion of BSG with other brewery waste increased the yield up to 88 mL CH₄/g TVS, generated approx. 0.348 kWh/kg TVS electricity, and reduced emissions by 0.114 kg CO₂eq/kg TVS. Bioethanol yields can reach 72%, while biohydrogen generation was up to 5154 mL H₂/g glucose. BSG pyrolysis provides up to 71.8% bio-oil, and its calorific value is 18–25 MJ/kg. BSG-derived activated biocarbon has a notable surface area (1792 m²/g) for lithium–sulfur batteries. The assessment showed that BSG’s transformation into bioenergy and energy storage materials aligns with waste reduction and sustainable development goals. However, future research on combined alternative wastes, integrated technologies, green nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence technology could lead to optimal performance and facilitate their industrial application. Full article

Driven by advances in multifunctional materials design, silver halides—both natural (AgCl, AgBr, AgI, and mixed phases such as embolite) and synthetic—have emerged as versatile functional materials characterized by tunable crystallography, phase stability, and compositional variability. This study investigates global research trends, interdisciplinary development, and emerging application areas of silver halides through a bibliometric analysis of 23,841 publications indexed in the Web of Science (1975–2025). CDPI, TELM, VOSviewer, and Excel were employed to evaluate publication growth, disciplinary integration, and thematic evolution. Research output increased markedly after 2005, reaching approximately 700–1000 publications annually during 2020–2025. China (18.3%) and the United States (17.5%) were the leading contributors, while the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences, and CNRS showed the highest scientific impact. Materials Science Multidisciplinary (CDPI = 0.72), Chemistry Multidisciplinary (0.70), and Physical Chemistry (0.67) exhibited the strongest interdisciplinary integration, whereas Nanoscience and Nanotechnology demonstrated the fastest growth. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified six major research domains focused on functional materials engineering, including environmental remediation, catalysis, crystal growth, antibacterial materials, interfacial processes, and electroanalytical systems. Recent studies increasingly emphasize structure–property relationships and synthetic control of crystal size, morphology, and surface characteristics to enhance performance in photocatalysis, sensing, antimicrobial coatings, and advanced optical applications. Overall, the results highlight the growing importance of silver halides as strategic functional materials and provide a quantitative framework for future research and technological development. A limitation of this study is its exclusive reliance on the Web of Science database, which may underrepresent relevant publications indexed elsewhere. Full article