Search Results (7,366)

Methods for the preparation of aluminum hydroxides and alumina-supported catalysts through the interaction of activated Al–In–Ga alloys with water were developed. Bayerite was obtained from an alloy containing 99.0% Al + 0.5% In + 0.5% Ga at 303 K, while pseudoboehmite was synthesized from 90% Al + 5% In + 5% Ga at 363 K. The maximum specific surface area of aluminum oxide reached 700 m²/g. Dehydration of aluminum hydroxides proceeds via a sigmoidal mechanism with induction, acceleration, and deceleration stages. The dehydration rate increases with calcination temperature. Kinetic analysis revealed both kinetic and diffusion-controlled transformation regions for pseudoboehmite and bayerite. Transformation of pseudoboehmite into γ-Al₂O₃ at 523–673 K preserves a high specific surface area of 630–640 m²/g. Two platinum deposition methods were proposed: synthesis in the presence of soluble platinum salts and incorporation of Pt into the Al–Ga–In alloy followed by reaction with water. Alongside metallic Pt, Ptδ⁺, Pt²⁺, and Pt⁴⁺ species were detected and reduced to Pt⁰ at 900 K. Alumina–platinum catalysts showed high activity in cyclohexane dehydrogenation. A Zn–Al catalyst for methanol decomposition was developed, providing up to 70% H₂ in gaseous fuel and complete methanol conversion at 573 K. Full article

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as versatile antiviral nanoplatforms because their size, morphology, plasmonic properties, and surface chemistry can be precisely engineered. In this review, we summarize the core design principles of antiviral AuNPs from a structure–function–mechanism perspective. We first outline representative synthetic and interface-programming routes for AuNP preparation, including citrate reduction, Brust–Schiffrin synthesis, seed-mediated growth, green synthesis, direct thiol-conjugation, and mixed-ligand shell strategies, emphasizing how these approaches define particle size, morphology, surface accessibility, interfacial composition, and downstream biofunctionalization potential. We then discuss major surface engineering strategies, including polyethylene glycol, nucleic acids, antibodies and nanobodies, peptides, glycans, antiviral drugs, and biomimetic coatings, with particular attention to how ligand density, orientation, flexibility, and interfacial stability determine biological performance. Next, we examine how functionalized AuNPs inhibit different stages of the viral life cycle, including viral attachment and entry, intracellular replication, assembly and egress, photothermal inactivation, and immune modulation or vaccine delivery. Finally, we highlight current challenges, including incomplete structure–activity relationships, dynamic nano–bio interactions under physiological conditions, limited standardization across studies, and translational barriers related to safety, reproducibility, and scale-up. This review provides a conceptual framework for the rational development of next-generation AuNP-based antiviral nanotherapeutics. Full article

Purpose: This study sought to extract and characterize fucoidan from brown seaweed Padina tetrastromatica for the synthesis of fucoidan–gold nanoparticles (F-AuNPs) and to assess their physicochemical properties, as well as their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, alongside potential molecular interactions with specific cancer-related targets. Methods: The extracted fucoidan-rich fraction was characterized for its sulfate content. Citrate-stabilized plain gold nanoparticles (plain AuNPs) were prepared and characterized as non-fucoidan nanoparticle controls. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization, including UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta-potential analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), was performed on the resultant fucoidan-functionalized AuNPs (F-AuNPs). Biological activities were assessed using different techniques: antioxidant potential (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays), anti-inflammatory effects (NO inhibition in macrophages), and anticancer efficacy against HepG2 cells (MTT and flow cytometry). Potential molecular targets relevant to these activities were further explored in silico using molecular docking against key cancer-related proteins, providing hypotheses for future experimental validation. Results: The fucoidan-rich fraction showed a sulfate content of 10.08%. Strong antioxidant activity was observed, especially in FRAP (11.20 ± 0.29 mg TE g⁻¹ DW). F-AuNPs exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ 138.1 µg mL⁻¹) compared to plain AuNPs (IC₅₀ 271.2 µg mL⁻¹) and the fucoidan-rich fraction (IC₅₀ 390.2 µg mL⁻¹), inducing G1 phase arrest. In addition, F-AuNPs reduced nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, reaching 21.42 ± 1.29% inhibition at 100 µg mL⁻¹. As an exploratory, hypothesis-generating step, an in silico target-prioritization screen identified HPSE and MMP-2 as the highest-scoring candidate proteins, proposed solely as targets for future experimental validation. Conclusions: F-AuNPs represent a promising multifunctional nanoplatform with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities. The integration of in vitro biological evaluation with in silico target prediction supports the potential biomedical relevance of F-AuNPs and generates testable hypotheses regarding their molecular targets, which require experimental validation. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly applied to healthcare decision-making; however, many persistent patient safety risks arise from sociotechnical conditions such as communication breakdowns, coordination failures, and organisational culture rather than diagnostic or decision error alone. While simulation can engage these dimensions of care, AI-supported simulation remains limited by heterogeneity and a lack of explicit conceptual structure. This study presents a narrative and conceptual review of the healthcare simulation and AI literature to identify structural barriers to coherent AI reasoning about simulation. Drawing on this synthesis, we introduce Transformative Simulation (TfS) as an intentional framework that can be formalised as an ontology for AI-supported simulation focused on cultural and systems-level change. TfS structures simulation through explicit Simulation-Based Intentions, an aligned design–delivery–data–debrief process, and foundational considerations of purpose, perspective, power, preparation, and possibility. Framed in this way, TfS enables AI systems to interpret simulation artefacts in relation to declared intent, sociotechnical context, and ethical boundaries. We further describe an Intentionality–Simulation–Intelligence triad and a continuous learning loop that align human values, simulation structure, and AI reasoning. The findings of this review suggest that an important challenge in applying AI to healthcare simulation may be ontological as well as technical, and that explicit representation of intention and context is necessary to support coherent, context-sensitive, and system-aligned AI reasoning in healthcare. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to develop curcumin nanoparticles (Cur@PCL-PEG-MF/cRGDfc) with retinal-targeting capability and to evaluate their biological effects and pharmacological mechanisms in vitro. Methods: After synthesis of the carrier framework, metformin (MF) and cRGDfc were conjugated to the carrier material using the carbodiimide method and Michael addition reaction, respectively. Subsequently, self-assembled nanoparticles were formed from the carrier and curcumin under specific conditions. The materials were characterized by spectroscopy, chromatography, elemental analysis, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The efficacy of the formulation was evaluated in two cell lines, ARPE-19 and HUVEC-T1. In addition, the pharmacological mechanism was explored using transcriptome sequencing as a complementary approach. Key Findings: Self-assembled nanoparticles were successfully prepared by combining the two modified carrier materials, PCL-PEG-MF and PCL-PEG-cRGDfc, with curcumin. The nanoparticles exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of 78.09%, a particle size of 162.33 nm, and a zeta potential of −23.28 mV and displayed a spherical morphology. They showed sustained release in simulated physiological conditions and stronger affinity for ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress. Nearly 100% of the nanoparticles were internalized by the cells, which was accompanied by reduced ROS and LDH release and decreased DNA fragmentation. In addition, the nanoparticles inhibited neovascularization by reducing VEGF-A release, thereby potentially protecting the retina in macular degeneration and reducing choroidal hemorrhage. Further analyses showed that curcumin and its nanoformulations significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and IL-18, lowered the protein levels of Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, and NLRP3, and increased AMPK levels. Conclusions: Using PCL-PEG as the carrier framework, MF and cRGDfc were conjugated to construct a curcumin-loaded nanoparticle with retinal-targeting capability. This nanoparticle, characterized by a small particle size, sustained release, and targeted delivery to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells under oxidative stress, alleviated oxidative stress-induced damage. Its therapeutic effect may be mediated, at least in part, by interference with the AMPK/mTOR pathway and activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. Full article

The transition toward a circular economy is accelerating the development of high-performance, sustainable polymeric materials derived from renewable resources. Medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs) represent a versatile class of biodegradable polyesters with inherent flexibility and tunable side-chain chemistry, making them attractive candidates for advanced polymer applications. Here, we report a novel class of bio-based polyurethanes (PUs) incorporating mcl-PHAs as soft segments, marking their first application in polyurethane synthesis and shifting towards greener PU synthesis. Polyurethane networks were prepared using castor oil (CO) and mcl-PHAs as polyols, with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) as a hard segment. Material properties were systematically tuned by varying the mcl-PHA/CO ratio (100/0 to 0/100), enabling precise control over structure–property relationships. Comprehensive characterization confirmed urethane bond formation and revealed predominantly amorphous materials with tunable thermal and mechanical behavior. Increasing mcl-PHA content enhanced elasticity and influenced phase organization, underscoring its role as a flexible, bio-derived soft segment. The resulting materials exhibited competitive mechanical performance alongside adjustable swelling behavior and morphology. Importantly, in vitro biocompatibility (MRC-5 fibroblasts) and eco-toxicological evaluation (Caenorhabditis elegans) confirmed the absence of toxicity. These findings highlight the potential of mcl-PHAs as sustainable building blocks for advanced polyurethane systems. Full article

With the rapid advancement of portable wearable electronics, flexible supercapacitors have ushered in new development opportunities. In recent years, MXene and its composites have demonstrated potential as advanced supercapacitor electrode materials due to their outstanding theoretical capacitance, specific surface area, conductivity, hydrophilicity, and mechanical flexibility. This review traces the development of MXene and summarizes common synthesis strategies, with a focus on the effects of different preparation methods on its structure and properties. Departing from previously reported work, this review draws from the practical requirements of flexible supercapacitors to conduct an in-depth analysis of the key factors influencing the charge storage, rate capability, cycling life, and mechanical flexibility of the devices. It summarizes common design strategies for MXene composites currently used to enhance device performance. Additionally, this study analyzes key challenges facing MXene-based electrode materials, including issues such as self-stacking of layers, insufficient oxidation stability, limited energy density, and structural degradation under complex deformation conditions. Mitigation strategies are summarized, including optimizing synthesis methods and constructing composite systems integrating carbon materials, conducting polymers, and transition metal compounds. Finally, future research directions for MXene in flexible energy storage are explored, emphasizing the need to achieve a balance between performance and manufacturability through synergistic regulation at structural design, interfacial engineering, and device levels. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance for the development of practical MXene-based wearable energy storage devices. Full article

The utilization of biomass resources is of significant importance. However, the complexity of biomass thermochemical conversion processes and the performance limitations of conventional catalysts restrict the stable selection of reaction pathways and ultimately affect catalytic yields. With the rapid development of synthesis techniques and machine learning, nanoscale high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with targeted properties can now be accurately predicted and synthesized. The diverse compositions and structures of HEAs enable versatile catalytic selectivity, while their unique four core effects enhance catalytic activity and stability. This review primarily elaborates on the specific applications of HEAs in biomass thermochemical conversion. It covers the fundamental characteristics of HEAs, preparation methods, and machine learning-driven design strategies. Summarized the directional conversion and value-added research of high-entropy alloys in biomass thermal conversion intermediates. This demonstrates the excellent application adaptability of high-entropy alloys in complex reaction systems. Finally, prospects for the rational design of high-entropy alloy catalysts and their application in biomass refining technologies are outlined. Full article

The development of low-cost and highly sensitive electrochemical sensing platforms for pesticide monitoring has attracted significant attention in recent years. In this study, coke-derived carbon (CDC) was successfully synthesized from petroleum coke through high-temperature carbonization under a nitrogen atmosphere. Subsequently, a CDC@CuO-NP nanocomposite was fabricated by depositing copper oxide nanoparticles onto the CDC matrix. The morphology, structure, and elemental composition of the synthesized materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and elemental mapping analyses, confirming the successful formation of the composite and the uniform distribution of CuO nanostructures on the carbon surface. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated that the incorporation of CuO significantly enhanced the electrochemical performance of CDC by increasing the electroactive surface area and facilitating electron transfer. The CDC@CuO-NP-modified glassy carbon electrode was applied for the electrochemical detection of dichlorvos (DDVP) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The sensor exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in charge-transfer resistance and showed a linear response in the concentration range of 247–3770 nM, with the regression equation y = 47.1458C + 111.8162 and a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9832. The developed sensor achieved a low limit of detection (LOD) of 2.3 nM, demonstrating high sensitivity toward DDVP. These results indicate that the CDC@CuO-NP nanocomposite is a promising, low-cost, and efficient electrode material for the sensitive determination of organophosphorus pesticides and has considerable potential for environmental monitoring and food safety applications. Full article

To date, lithium–ion batteries (LIBs) are considered one of the most promising and market-leading energy storage systems due to their high theoretical capacity and energy density. However, poor thermal and cyclic stability, low electrolyte uptake, and the possibility for frequent short circuits of typical separators and evolution of several gases during long cycle operation pose several problems for LIBs. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted widespread interest as a promising material for improving the cycle stability and safety of rechargeable batteries due to their inherent surface and structural properties such as high specific surface area, high porosity, and ionic conductivity. In this work, the aim is to provide detailed descriptions of the synthesis routes and parameters for obtaining various MOFs such as Zr-MOF-808 and Ni-MOF-74 nanoparticles and the fabrication of those MOF-integrated separators. To optimize the crystallinity, morphological and compositional characteristics, and several material characterizations such as XRD, SEM, and EDX have been applied. Afterwards, the synthesized MOF-integrated glass fiber (GF) separators have been developed for lithium–ion battery (LIB) applications. To investigate the electrochemical performance and the effect of MOF integration into the separators, electrochemical studies in the form of galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) have been evaluated by preparing CR2032-type half-coin cells. This MOFs-integrated GF-separators and synthesized LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ (NMC622) cathode materials-based coin cell LIB exhibited higher cycle stability than bare GF-separator based LIB. This novel approach and extensive research suggest that development of MOF-integrated separators could significantly improve cycle stability by reducing the internal cell degradation for next generation energy storage devices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Effective clinical leadership is a critical driver of healthcare quality, patient safety, and organisational performance. However, evidence on the leadership competencies of healthcare professionals in formal management roles remains fragmented. It is dispersed across professional groups, healthcare contexts, and conceptual frameworks, limiting opportunities for synthesis and cumulative knowledge development. This systematic review examined three questions: how clinical managers perceive their leadership competency; what challenges they encounter in exercising leadership roles; and what development mechanisms the literature identifies. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261305279). Four databases were searched: Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMCARE, and Web of Science from January 2010 to February 2026. Two reviewers independently screened studies; methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Reported competencies were mapped to the five domains of the Clinical Leadership Competency Framework (CLCF) using narrative integrative synthesis. Results: Forty-nine studies were included across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs from 24 countries. Competencies in the Working with Others and Demonstrating Personal Qualities domains were reported as strengths across the largest number of included studies. Competencies in Managing Services, Improving Services, and Setting Direction were reported as areas of weakness or developmental need across multiple studies. Leadership challenges included inadequate preparation, role ambiguity, limited authority, and organisational constraints. Development needs spanned formal training, strategic competency building, mentoring, and sustained organisational support. Conclusions: Clinical leadership competency is unevenly distributed across CLCF domains. This pattern reflects not only individual developmental gaps but also the organisational and contextual conditions that shape how leadership is enacted in practice. The findings support a contextual-relational model of clinical leadership. Both individual capability and enabling organisational conditions must be addressed to strengthen leadership effectiveness across healthcare systems. Full article

Background: Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are the most common benign tumors in women of reproductive age and represent a significant cause of abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Contemporary management has evolved toward individualized, uterus-sparing approaches, incorporating pharmacological and minimally invasive strategies alongside traditional surgical methods. Methods: This narrative review was conducted based on a comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published between January 2010 and December 2025. The search strategy combined Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms related to uterine fibroids and their management. Eligible studies included clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses focusing on pharmacological, minimally invasive, and surgical treatments in adult women. The review was prepared in accordance with the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) recommendations to improve methodological transparency and quality of reporting. Results: A total of 97 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Minimally invasive techniques, including uterine artery embolization (UAE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), demonstrate high efficacy in symptom control and improvement of quality of life, with shorter recovery times and lower complication rates compared to conventional surgery. However, their impact on fertility remains variable and requires careful patient selection. Pharmacological therapies, particularly GnRH analogues and antagonists, effectively reduce bleeding and fibroid volume, although their long-term use is limited by side effects. Conclusions: The management of uterine fibroids should be individualized, taking into account symptom severity, fibroid characteristics, patient age, and reproductive plans. Minimally invasive and pharmacological treatments represent effective alternatives to surgery in appropriately selected patients, while surgical approaches remain essential in advanced or refractory cases. Future research should focus on optimizing personalized treatment strategies and evaluating long-term outcomes, particularly regarding fertility and recurrence. Full article

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are chemically matured decoding molecules that are central to protein synthesis. Their post-transcriptional modifications, especially those in the anticodon stem-loop (ASL), shape local RNA structure, codon recognition and translational fidelity at the tRNA-mRNA decoding interface. 2′-O-methylation (Nm) is a conserved ribose modification installed at selected ASL positions, particularly positions 32 and 34, by the modular Trm7/FTSJ1 methyltransferase system. Rather than directly changing base-pairing identity, these marks help prepare the decoder for efficient translation and function within an interconnected 32–34–37 modification network, best illustrated by tRNA^Phe. Loss of Trm7/FTSJ1-mediated Nm may impair selected codon–tRNA decoding pairs; in yeast, Trm7 deficiency is additionally associated with GAAC activation and phenotypes consistent with reduced functional tRNA^Phe availability. In humans, mutations in FTSJ1 are associated with nonsyndromic X-linked intellectual disability (NSXLID), suggesting that disruption of tRNA chemical maturation can affect neuronal translation programs. In this review, we integrate anticodon-loop modifications at positions 32, 34, and 37 into a decoder-centered framework and compare the conserved enzymatic logic of yeast Trm7 and human FTSJ1 with their divergent substrate repertoires. By synthesizing structural, biochemical, genetic, and translational evidence, we distinguish established mechanisms from working models and unresolved questions concerning tRNA modification hierarchies and neuronal vulnerability. Full article

The development of highly efficient, stable, and cost-effective non-precious metal electrocatalysts to replace conventional platinum-based materials holds profound significance for accelerating the commercialization of advanced energy conversion devices, such as zinc–air batteries (ZABs). Herein, we propose a facile and highly efficient strategy to prepare a defect-rich, highly active nitrogen-doped porous carbon-based electrocatalyst (denoted U-Fe-N-C, urea-assisted iron–nitrogen–carbon material), via high-temperature co-pyrolysis of heme with urea. Our results demonstrate that urea not only serves as an excellent nitrogen source during pyrolysis, introducing abundant topological defects and heteroatom doping sites, but also induces the carbon substrate to form a hierarchical sponge-like porous structure with a high specific surface area. This unique microenvironment effectively prevents the agglomeration of iron species at high temperatures, achieving enhanced dispersion of iron species stabilized within the nitrogen-rich carbon matrix. Electrochemical evaluations reveal that under the optimal synthesis conditions (a precursor mass ratio of 1:3, calcination at 900 °C), U-Fe-N-C exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic performance, delivering a half-wave potential of 0.731 V vs. RHE, and shows long-term operational durability that significantly surpasses that of commercial Pt/C. Furthermore, liquid rechargeable zinc–air batteries assembled with U-Fe-N-C as the air cathode deliver remarkable cycling stability, operating for up to 270 h of charge–discharge cycling without noticeable performance degradation. This study not only provides useful insights into the mechanisms of pore formation and assistance but also offers a practical perspective for the rational design and scalable synthesis of high-performance metal–nitrogen–carbon (M-N-C) electrocatalysts. Full article

Gadolinium is a rare-earth element that is promising for the field of biomedicine due to its unique properties that enhance image quality, giving it high potential in targeted cancer therapy, antimicrobial treatments, etc. The disadvantage of Gd-containing materials is their high toxicity. In this work, ensembles of Fe and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were fabricated by the electric explosion of wire and Gd ribbons using rapid quenching techniques. Stable Fe, Fe/Gd and Fe/Gd/Al₂O₃ aqueous suspensions with a Z-potential of about –54 mV were fabricated by the ball-milling mechanosynthesis of Fe (100%), Fe and Gd (70 and 30 wt. % accordingly) and Fe, Al₂O_3, and Gd (69, 30 and 1 wt.% accordingly). Fillers from suspensions were used for the synthesis of epoxy composites mimicking natural tissue with embedded magnetic particles. The concentration range for synthesized epoxy composites (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.% of the filler) corresponded to the biomedical range of interest. Thin-film magnetoimpedance (MI) elements were prepared by a sputtering technique: conventional [FeNi/Cu]₅/Cu/[Cu/FeNi]₅ (NP) element and [FeNi/Cu]₅/Cu/[Cu/P{FeNi]₅} element with patterned top multilayer (SqP). They showed a maximum MI ratio of about 160% for NP and about 60% for SqP. MI sensor response was affected by the presence of filled magnetic composites in the shape of cylinders (5 mm × 4 mm) situated at about 1 mm due to the stray fields in the filler. MI response showed a linear dependence on the filler concentration for each selected position. These results open the possibility to develop new iron- and gadolinium-containing materials for simultaneous magnetic imaging and detection by magnetic field sensors, extending the functional properties of Fe/Gd materials for biomedical devices and therapies. Full article