Search Results (1,339)

Pulsed electric field (PEF) and high-pressure processing (HPP) are non-thermal treatments, developed to ensure preservation of food products whilst maintaining taste and valuable nutrients. In this study, we investigated their potential for the inactivation of 3 commercial exogenous pectinases (polygalacturonase, pectin transeliminase, pectin esterase) commonly used in juice processing for clarification of juices. The inactivation of these enzymes after processing is mandatory by European law. Clear apple juice was treated with both non-thermal processing methods, as well as with thermal pasteurization as the standard method. For HPP, 3 pressures (250, 450, and 600 MPa) and different holding times (from 2 to 12 min) were tested. For PEF, 3 electric field intensities (10, 13, and 15 kV/cm) and different specific energy values (from 121 to 417 kJ/kg). Standard thermal pasteurization resulted in a complete inactivation of all tested pectinases. HPP treatment only showed marginal effects on polygalacturonase and pectin transeliminase at the highest pressure and holding times, which are beyond levels used in industrial settings. For PEF, dependence upon high electric field strength and specific energy values was evident; however, here too, the effect was only moderate at the levels attainable within the scope of this study. Assuming a continued linear relationship, usable results could be achieved in an industrial setting, albeit under more extreme conditions. Full article

Foodborne illness caused by bacterial pathogens is a global health concern and results in millions of infections annually. Therefore, food products typically undergo several processing stages, including sanitation steps, before being distributed in an attempt to remove pathogens. However, many sanitation methods have compounding effects on the color, texture, flavor, and nutritional quality of the product or do not effectively reduce the pathogens that food can be exposed to. Some bacterial pathogens particularly possess traits and tactics that make them even more difficult to mitigate such as biofilm formation. Non-thermal plasma sanitation techniques, including plasma-treated water (PTW), have proven to be promising methods that significantly reduce pathogenic bacteria that food is exposed to. Published work reveals that PTW can effectively mitigate both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial biofilms. This study presents a novel analysis of the differences in antimicrobial effects of PTW treatment between biofilm-forming gram-positive bacteria, commonly associated with foodborne illness, that are sporulating (Bacillus cereus) and non-sporulating (Listeria monocytogenes). After treatment with PTW, the results suggest the following hypotheses: (1) that the non-sporulating species experiences less membrane damage but a greater reduction in metabolic activity, leading to a possible viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state, and (2) that the sporulating species undergoes spore formation, which may subsequently convert into vegetative cells over time. PTW treatment on gram-positive bacterial biofilms that persist in food processing environments proves to be effective in reducing the proliferating abilities of the bacteria. However, the variance in PTW’s effects on metabolic activity and cell vitality between sporulating and non-sporulating species suggest that other survival tactics might be induced. This analysis further informs the application of PTW in food processing as an effective sanitation method. Full article

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) often involves autonomic dysfunction, most notably impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), which disrupts cardiovascular homeostasis and contributes to orthostatic hypotension (OH). Pharmacological and invasive treatments, including deep brain stimulation, have yielded inconsistent benefits and carry procedural risks, highlighting the need for safer, more accessible alternatives. In this systematic review, we evaluated non-invasive interventions—spanning somatosensory stimulation, exercise modalities, thermal therapies, and positional strategies—aimed at improving cardiovascular autonomic function in PD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2014 and December 2024. Eight original studies (n = 8) including 205 participants met the inclusion criteria for analyzing cardiac sympathovagal balance. Results: Five studies demonstrated significant post-intervention increases in BRS. Most reported favorable shifts in heart rate variability (HRV) and favorable changes in the low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio. Across modalities, systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased by an average of 5%, and some interventions produced benefits that persisted up to 24 h. Conclusion: Although sample sizes were small and protocols heterogeneous, the collective findings support the potential of non-invasive neuromodulation to enhance BRS and overall cardiovascular regulation in PD. Future research should focus on standardized, higher-intensity or combined protocols with longer follow-up periods to establish durable, clinically meaningful improvements in autonomic function and quality of life for people living with PD. Full article

Existing studies have shown that placing 3D-printed lattices in cement matrices can effectively improve the ductility of cement-based composites. However, the influence of thermal fatigue effect on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed lattice-reinforced cement-based composites during service remains to be studied. In this paper, cement-based materials without lattices were used as the control group, and the uniaxial compressive mechanical properties of 3D-printed lattice-reinforced cement-based composites after thermal fatigue treatment under a temperature difference of 60 °C were tested. The number of thermal fatigue cycles was set to 45, 90, and 145 times, respectively. During the test, two non-destructive testing technologies, AE and DIC, were used to analyze the strength degradation and deformation law of 3D-printed lattice-reinforced cement-based composites with the increase in cycles. AE adopted the threshold triggering mode, and the channel threshold was 100 mv. The experiment showed that the compressive strength of the control group after 45, 90, and 145 thermal cycles decreased to 72.47% and 49.44% of that of the specimen after 45 thermal cycles, respectively. The strength of RO lattices decreased to 91.07% and 82.14% of that of the specimen after 45 thermal cycles, respectively, while the strength of SO lattices decreased to 83.27% and 77.96% of that of the specimen after 45 thermal cycles, respectively. The compressive strengths of the two types of lattices were higher than that of the control group after three cycles, indicating that 3D-printed lattices can effectively mitigate the influence of environmental thermal fatigue on the mechanical properties of cement-based materials. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a frequent and limiting complication of oncological treatment, particularly in patients receiving oxaliplatin. Its onset can significantly affect the quality of life and compromise the continuity of the antineoplastic therapy. Due to the limited efficacy of available pharmacological therapies, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) has been proposed as a non-invasive alternative for symptom management. Case presentation: We report the case of a 75-year-old woman with colorectal adenocarcinoma who developed CIPN following oxaliplatin administration. She underwent a 12-week course of PENS targeting the median nerve, with weekly sessions conducted without interruption of chemotherapy and without adverse effects. The patient showed progressive improvement in neurosensory symptoms, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaire. Quantitative sensory testing revealed normalization of thermal and vibratory sensitivity and improved mechanical detection thresholds. The cumulative oxaliplatin dose was maintained throughout treatment. Conclusions: PENS may offer an effective and safe therapeutic option for managing CIPN, enabling symptom control without compromising oncological treatment. This case supports the need for controlled clinical trials to confirm efficacy and establish standardized protocols. Full article

Background: Pain is a complex phenomenon characterized by unpleasant experiences with profound heterogeneity influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. According to the National Health Interview Survey, 50.2 million U.S. adults (20.5%) experience pain on most days, with the annual cost of prescription medication for pain reaching approximately USD 17.8 billion. Theranostic pain nanomedicine therefore emerges as an attractive analgesic strategy with the potential for increased efficacy, reduced side-effects, and treatment personalization. Theranostic nanomedicine combines drug delivery and diagnostic features, allowing for real-time monitoring of analgesic efficacy in vivo using molecular imaging. However, clinical translation of these nanomedicines are challenging due to complex manufacturing methodologies, lack of standardized quality control, and potentially high costs. Quality by Design (QbD) can navigate these challenges and lead to the development of an optimal pain nanomedicine. Our lab previously reported a macrophage-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC NE) that demonstrated analgesic efficacy across multiple rodent pain models in both sexes. Here, we report PFC-free, biphasic nanoemulsions formulated with a biocompatible and non-immunogenic plant-based coconut oil loaded with a COX-2 inhibitor and a clinical-grade, indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye for parenteral theranostic analgesic nanomedicine. Methods: Critical process parameters and material attributes were identified through the FMECA (Failure, Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) method and optimized using a 3 × 2 full-factorial design of experiments. We investigated the impact of the oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) with three different surfactant systems on the colloidal properties of NE. Small-scale (100 mL) batches were manufactured using sonication and microfluidization, and the final formulation was scaled up to 500 mL with microfluidization. The colloidal stability of NE was assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and drug quantification was conducted through reverse-phase HPLC. An in vitro drug release study was conducted using the dialysis bag method, accompanied by HPLC quantification. The formulation was further evaluated for cell viability, cellular uptake, and COX-2 inhibition in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Results: Nanoemulsion droplet size increased with a higher oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) but was no significant impact by the type of surfactant system used. Thermal cycling and serum stability studies confirmed NE colloidal stability upon exposure to high and low temperatures and biological fluids. We also demonstrated the necessity of a solubilizer for long-term fluorescence stability of ICG. The nanoemulsion showed no cellular toxicity and effectively inhibited PGE2 in activated macrophages. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first instance of a celecoxib-loaded theranostic platform developed using a plant-derived hydrocarbon oil, applying the QbD approach that demonstrated COX-2 inhibition. Full article

Histotripsy is a novel, noninvasive, non-thermal technology invented in 2004 for the precise destruction of biologic tissue. It offers a powerful alternative to more conventional thermal or surgical interventions. Using short-pulse, low-duty cycle ultrasonic waves, histotripsy creates cavitation bubble clouds that selectively and precisely destroy targeted tissue in a predefined volume while sparing critical structures like bile ducts, ureters, and blood vessels. Such precision is of value when treating tumors near vital structures. The FDA has cleared histotripsy for the treatment of all liver tumors. Major medical centers are currently spearheading clinical trials, and some institutions have already integrated the technology into patient care. Histotripsy is now being studied for a host of other cancers, including primary kidney and pancreatic tumors. Preclinical murine and porcine models have already revealed promising outcomes. One of histotripsy’s primary advantages is its non-thermal mechanical actuation. This feature allows it to circumvent the limitations of heat-based techniques, including the heat sink effect and unpredictable treatment margins near sensitive tissues. In addition to its non-invasive ablative capacities, it is being preliminarily explored for its potential to induce immunomodulation and promote abscopal inhibition of distant, untreated tumors through CD8+ T cell responses. Thus, it may provide a multilayered therapeutic effect in the treatment of cancer. Histotripsy has the potential to improve precision and outcomes across a multitude of specialties, from oncology to cardiovascular medicine. Continued trials are crucial to further expand its applications and validate its long-term efficacy. Due to the speed of recent developments, the goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of histotripsy. It will explore its physics-based mechanisms, differentiating it from similar technologies, discuss its clinical applications, and examine its advantages, limitations, and future. Full article

To study the effect of cold plasma (CP) on the refrigerator shelf life of coconut water, microorganism growth and diversity and physicochemical properties were investigated. Results indicated that CP treatment did not cause significant color changes in coconut water, with turbidity remaining lower than the control even after 6 days of storage. Enzymatic activity analysis revealed reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) levels in treated samples. Specifically, the 12 s CP treatment resulted in the lowest antioxidant capacity values: 15.77 Fe²⁺/g for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 37.15% for DPPH radical scavenging, and 39.51% for ABTS⁺ radical scavenging. Microbial enumeration showed that extended CP treatment effectively inhibited the growth of total viable counts, psychrophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast. High-throughput sequencing identified Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium, and Lactobacillus as the dominant bacterial genera. During storage, Carnobacterium was the primary genus in the early stage, while Leuconostoc emerged as the dominant genus by the end of the storage period. In summary, CP as an effective non-thermal technology was able to maintain quality and antioxidant capacity, inhibit microbial growth, and delay the spoilage in coconut water to help extend the refrigerated shelf life of the product. Full article

The demand for anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is growing due to their applications in water electrolysis, CO₂ reduction conversion and fuel cells, as well as water treatment, driven by the increasing energy demand and the need for a sustainable future. However, current AEMs still face challenges, such as insufficient permeability and stability in strongly acidic or alkaline media, which limit their durability and the sustainability of membrane fabrication. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) biopolymers are selected for membrane preparation. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and porous organic polymer (POP) nanoparticles are also introduced within the PVA-CS polymer blends to make mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with increased OH⁻ transport sites. The membranes are characterized based on typical properties for AEM applications, such as thickness, water uptake, KOH uptake, Cl⁻ and OH⁻ permeability and ion exchange capacity (IEC). The OH⁻ transport of the PVA-CS blend is increased by at least 94.2% compared with commercial membranes. The incorporation of non-porous ZnO and porous POP nanoparticles into the polymer blend does not compromise the OH⁻ transport properties. On the contrary, ZnO nanoparticles enhance the membrane’s water retention capacity, provide basic surface sites that facilitate hydroxide ion conduction and reinforce the mechanical and thermal stability. In parallel, POPs introduce a highly porous architecture that increases the internal surface area and promotes the formation of continuous hydrated pathways, essential to efficient OH⁻ mobility. Furthermore, the presence of POPs also contributes to reinforcing the mechanical integrity of the membrane. Thus, PVA-CS bio-based membranes are a promising alternative to conventional ion exchange membranes for various applications. Full article

Electrochemical water splitting represents a sustainable approach for hydrogen production, yet efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts operating in alkaline environments remain critically needed. Herein, we report the fabrication of Co₃O₄–NiS₂ nanocomposites synthesized through a facile coprecipitation and subsequent thermal treatment method. Detailed characterization via physicochemical techniques confirmed the successful formation of a hybrid Co₃O₄–NiS₂ heterostructure with tunable compositional and morphological characteristics. Among the synthesized catalysts (Co–Ni–1, Co–Ni–2, and Co–Ni–3), the Co–Ni–2 sample demonstrated optimal structural integration, displaying interconnected nanosheet morphologies and balanced elemental distribution. Remarkably, Co–Ni–2 achieved exceptional HER performance in 1 M KOH electrolyte, requiring an ultralow overpotential of only 84 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and exhibiting a favorable Tafel slope of 67.5 mV dec⁻¹. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical surface area measurements further substantiated the superior electrocatalytic kinetics, rapid charge transport, and abundant active site accessibility in the optimized Co–Ni–2 composite. Additionally, Co–Ni–2 demonstrated outstanding durability with negligible activity decay over 5000 cycles. This study not only highlights the strategic synthesis of Co₃O₄–NiS₂ nanostructures but also provides valuable insights for designing advanced, stable, and efficient non-noble electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen generation. Full article

The combined effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) and hydropriming on the germination performance and seedling characteristics of specific varieties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck.) seeds after short-term storage is reported. Seeds were treated with NTP for 10 and 15 min, followed by hydropriming in distilled water for 24 h, and then stored for six months in the dark before evaluation. The treated cucumber seeds demonstrated a statistically significant enhancement in seed germination and seedling vitality indices. In contrast, broccoli seeds showed no significant improvement. The stimulatory effects observed in cucumber may be attributed to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which act as signaling molecules to promote stress tolerance and early growth. This study also highlights the potential of combined NTP treatment and hydropriming as a pre-sowing treatment for select crops, underscoring the need for species-specific optimization. The used, portable, and relatively inexpensive NTP device offers practical advantages for agricultural applications. Full article

The rapid increase in polystyrene (PS) production has led to substantial growth in plastic waste, posing serious environmental and waste management challenges. Current disposal techniques are unsustainable, relying heavily on harsh conditions, high energy input, and generating environmentally harmful byproducts. This review critically discusses alternative green approaches for PS treatment through photocatalytic and non-photocatalytic upcycling methods. Photocatalytic methods utilize light energy (UV, visible, or broad-spectrum irradiation) to initiate radical reactions that cleave the inert carbon backbone of PS. In contrast, non-photocatalytic strategies achieve backbone degradation without direct light activation, often employing catalysts and thermal energy. Both approaches effectively transform PS waste into higher-value compounds, such as benzoic acid and acetophenone, though yields remain moderate for most reported methods. Current limitations, including catalyst performance, low yields, and impurities in real-world PS waste, are highlighted. Future directions toward enhancing the efficiency, selectivity, and scalability of PS upcycling processes are proposed to address the growing plastic waste crisis sustainably. Full article

The advancement of non-thermal disinfection technologies represents a critical pathway for ensuring food safety, meeting environmental sustainability requirements, and meeting consumer preferences for clean-label products. This study systematically evaluated the combined preservation effect of ultrasonic-assisted slightly acidic electrolyzed water (US+SAEW) on mirror carp fillets during refrigeration. Results demonstrated that US+SAEW exhibited superior antimicrobial efficacy compared to individual US or SAEW, achieving reductions of 0.73, 0.74, and 0.79 log CFU/g in total viable counts (TVC), Aeromonas bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria counts compared to the control, respectively. Furthermore, the combined intervention significantly suppressed microbial proliferation throughout the refrigeration period while simultaneously delaying protein and lipid degradation/oxidation induced by spoilage bacteria, thereby inhibiting the formation of alkaline nitrogenous compounds. Consequently, lower levels of pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), protein carbonyl, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were observed in US+SAEW compared to the other treatments. Multimodal characterization through low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), texture, and color analysis confirmed that US+SAEW effectively preserved quality characteristics, extending the shelf life of mirror carp fillets by four days. This study provides a novel non-thermal preservation strategy that combines microbial safety maintenance with quality retention, offering particular advantages for thermolabile food. Full article

This study used fresh (young) and old (mature) ginger tissues as model systems to investigate how plant maturity modulates the response to pulsed electric field (PEF), a non-thermal processing technology. Specifically, the influence of tissue maturity on dielectric behavior and its downstream effect on juice yield and bioactive compound extraction was systematically evaluated. At 2.5 kV/cm, old ginger exhibited a pronounced dielectric breakdown effect due to enhanced electrolyte content and cell wall lignification, resulting in a higher degree of cell disintegration (0.65) compared with fresh ginger (0.44). This translated into a significantly improved juice yield of 90.85% for old ginger, surpassing the 84.16% limit observed in fresh ginger. HPLC analysis revealed that the extraction efficiency of 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol increased from 1739.16 to 2233.60 µg/g and 310.31 to 339.63 µg/g, respectively, in old ginger after PEF treatment, while fresh ginger showed increases from 1257.88 to 1824.05 µg/g and 166.43 to 213.52 µg/g, respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) also increased in both tissues, with OG-2.5 reaching 789.57 µg GAE/mL and 336.49 µg RE/mL, compared with 738.19 µg GAE/mL and 329.62 µg RE/mL in FG-2.5. Antioxidant capacity, as measured by ABTS^•+ and DPPH^• inhibition, improved more markedly in OG-2.5 (37.8% and 18.7%, respectively) than in FG-2.5. Moreover, volatile compound concentrations increased by 177.9% in OG-2.5 and 137.0% in FG-2.5 compared with their respective controls, indicating differential aroma intensification and compound transformation. Structural characterization by SEM and FT-IR further corroborated enhanced cellular disruption and biochemical release in mature tissue. Collectively, these results reveal a maturity-dependent mechanism of electro-permeabilization in plant tissues, offering new insights into optimizing non-thermal processing for functional food production. Full article

The Pennes bioheat equation is the most widely used model for describing heat transfer in living tissue during thermal exposure. It is derived from the classical Fourier law of heat conduction and assumes energy exchange between blood vessels and surrounding tissues. The literature presents various numerical methods for solving the bioheat equation, with exact solutions developed for different boundary conditions and geometries. However, analytical models based on this framework are rarely reported. This study aims to develop an analytical three-dimensional model using MATHEMATICA software, with subsequent mathematical validation performed through COMSOL simulations, to characterize heat transfer in biological tissues induced by laser irradiation under various therapeutic conditions. The objective is to refine the conventional bioheat equation by introducing three key improvements: (a) incorporating a non-Fourier framework for the Pennes equation, thereby accounting for the relaxation time in thermal response; (b) integrating Dirac functions and the telegraph equation into the bioheat model to simulate localized point heating of diseased tissue; and (c) deriving a closed-form analytical solution for the Pennes equation in both its classical (Fourier-based) and improved (non-Fourier-based) formulations. This paper investigates the nuanced relationship between the relaxation time parameter in the telegraph equation and the thermal relaxation time employed in the bioheat transfer equation. Considering all these aspects, the optimal thermal relaxation time determined for these simulations was 1.16 s, while the investigated thermal exposure time ranged from 0.01 s to 120 s. This study introduces a generalized version of the model, providing a more realistic representation of heat exchange between biological tissue and blood flow by accounting for non-uniform temperature distribution. It is important to note that a reasonable agreement was observed between the two modeling approaches: analytical (MATHEMATICA) and numerical (COMSOL) simulations. As a result, this research paves the way for advancements in laser-based medical treatments and thermal therapies, ultimately contributing to more optimized therapeutic outcomes. Full article