Search Results (1,926)

Voice disorders severely limit verbal communication, creating a need for intuitive assistive technologies. To meet this need, we present epidermal strain sensors that capture strain signals during silent speech and hand gesture. A thin electrospun nanofiber layer integrated onto commercial polyurethane films guides uniform, controlled microcrack formation in screen-printed carbon conductive paths, achieving a gauge factor up to 243 over 0–40% strain. Signals from the seven-channel strain sensor array are recognized by a hybrid neural network that combines convolutional and Transformer architectures, reaching over 98% accuracy. The recognized outputs are rendered in virtual reality (VR), enabling intuitive, real-time communication. Moreover, the approach simplifies fabrication by enabling crack-based strain sensing with only a thin electrospun surface layer on commercial polyurethane films, eliminating the need for thick freestanding electrospun substrates. This cost-effective approach addresses limitations of conventional electrospun substrates by minimizing the thickness of the electrospun layer, thereby shortening the electrospinning time. Overall, the work demonstrates a method for translating natural non-verbal expressions into speech and text in VR, with promising applications in healthcare and assistive communication. Full article

Printed biosensors have attracted increasing attention as platforms for rapid, low-cost, and portable diagnostics because they can be fabricated on flexible or rigid substrates using scalable printing techniques. Their performance is strongly influenced by both the printing process and the materials employed, since factors such as ink rheology, particle dispersion, interfacial behavior, and post-processing conditions directly affect device architecture, sensing performance, and manufacturing reliability. This review summarizes recent advances in printed biosensors from the combined perspectives of printing technologies and functional materials. Commonly employed printing techniques, including inkjet, screen, aerosol jet, and roll-to-roll gravure printing, are discussed with emphasis on their processing characteristics and material requirements. The review also examines key material platforms used in printed biosensors, including carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, metal nanoparticles, conductive polymers, dielectric materials, and hybrid composites, highlighting their roles in electrical conductivity, catalytic activity, biomolecule immobilization, mechanical flexibility, and overall analytical performance. Finally, current challenges and emerging research directions are outlined with respect to ink stability, post-processing strategies, sensor reliability, manufacturability, and practical translation. Overall, this review emphasizes that the development of high-performance printed biosensors depends on the synergistic integration of rational material design with optimized printing strategies. Full article

To reduce food waste and mitigate health risks from accidentally consuming spoiled food, freshness-indicating technologies are increasingly demanded. However, conventional colorimetric-based freshness-indicating packaging is limited by instability, subtle color changes, and complex production processes. This study presents a curcumin-based ink suitable for eco-friendly polylactic acid (PLA) food packaging films enabling real-time shrimp freshness monitoring via integrated intelligent packaging. The ink comprised curcumin as the indicator, ethyl cellulose (EC) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as binders, and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) to regulate permeability. Excellent printability was demonstrated by fineness, initial dryness and fluidity tests. It also demonstrated good thixotropic, viscosity, and flow curve properties. Printing minimally affected the PLA films’ mechanical and barrier properties. The indicator label showed high sensitivity, rapid response, and excellent reversibility to ammonia vapor. Practical application in monitoring shrimp spoilage at 25 °C and 4 °C revealed a strong correlation between the distinct color transition of the label and the increase in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content and pH value, providing a reliable visual warning before obvious spoilage signs appeared. This work provides a viable integrated indicator packaging strategy for developing intelligent packaging, offering significant potential to reduce food waste and enhance supply chain transparency for perishable goods. Full article

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is increasingly explored as a digital fabrication technology offering design freedom, automation, and material efficiency. Nevertheless, its application in reinforced and long-life structures remains limited by insufficient understanding and poor comparability of durability performance, as previous reviews have not systematically linked methodologies to transport-related results. This study presents a systematic and critical review of carbonation and chloride ingress in 3DCP cementitious materials, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA methodology. Following a structured database search and two-stage screening process, the selected studies are subjected to qualitative analysis. Experimental methodologies, specimen typologies, exposure conditions, and attack directions are compiled and qualitatively compared. The review highlights pronounced methodological heterogeneity and frequent under-reporting of key parameters, particularly attack direction, sealing conditions, CO₂ concentration, and indicator methods, limiting cross-study comparison. Despite these limitations, consistent qualitative trends are identified. Printed specimens generally exhibit inferior durability performance than cast specimens, while cold joints are associated with increased penetration depth and result dispersion. Directional effects are non-negligible, although they are systematically addressed in only a limited number of studies. Overall, the findings emphasise the critical role of process-induced features and the need for harmonised testing methods to enable reliable durability assessment. Full article

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a promising approach for endodontic tissue engineering, enabling scaffolds with controlled architecture and bioactivity to support pulp regeneration. Objectives: This systematic review assessed the following: “What 3D bioprinting applications are reported in endodontics-related studies?” Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar were searched up to January 2026 with no date or language limits. Two reviewers independently screened studies; risk of bias in in vitro studies was assessed with the QUIN tool. As only one study reported complete antimicrobial outcomes, an intra-study quantitative comparison (MD, 95% CI) of inhibition halos was performed (not a meta-analysis). Results: From 518 records, nine studies were included. Outcomes mainly addressed physicochemical properties (n = 9), cell viability (n = 7), biocompatibility (n = 5), and cell differentiation (n = 5); antimicrobial activity was evaluated in two studies. Most used hDPSCs and extrusion-based printing, testing calcium silicate composites, alginate hydrogels, functionalized PCL, and modified PLA. Modified PLA scaffolds showed greater antimicrobial activity, strongest with naringin and nHA formulations. Overall risk of bias was moderate (58.33%), largely due to limited reporting of randomization, blinding, and sampling. Conclusion: 3D-bioprinted scaffolds/bioinks generally improved cellular responses and bioactivity, especially with MTA, Biodentine, nHA, or naringin; antimicrobial effects were most evident in functionalized PLA (PLA/NAR and PLA/nHA/NAR). Full article

Hybrid metal–polymer components are used in many industries, such as in aerospace, automotives, and electronics, due to the possibility of reducing the weight of the final part while maintaining mechanical properties comparable to components made entirely of metal. Conventional 3D printing processes do not enable the direct fabrication of hybrid structures consisting of solid metal and polymer parts due to the significant differences in the processing temperatures of both materials. A solution to this problem is the integration of two processes, electrodeposition and photopolymerization, which allow fabrication to be carried out at room temperature. This paper presents preparatory studies aimed at developing a new 3D printing technology that uses the simultaneous application of electrodeposition and photopolymerization to manufacture hybrid metal–polymer elements in a single, integrated 3D printing process. Here, a hybrid metal–polymer element is defined as a component composed of at least two bonded parts, including at least one metal part fabricated by electrodeposition and at least one polymer part produced by photopolymerization. Thus, it is not a polymer component merely coated with an electrodeposited metal layer, but a true hybrid structure consisting of functional metallic and polymeric parts. Such components can be manufactured using the world’s first hybrid 3D printer, which integrates electrodeposition and photopolymerization to produce metal–polymer hybrid parts within a single 3D printing process (the device has been submitted to the Polish Patent Office). However, its design and operating principle are beyond the scope of this paper. The presented research focuses on initial study of selected feedstock materials for this printer, namely photocurable resins and electroplating baths. Since the entire hybrid printing process occurs in an electroplating bath environment, studies of these materials for 3D printing under such conditions were essential. This work includes a screening study of photocurable formulations with respect to rheological properties, 3D printing tests in a model copper electroplating bath, and selection of a suitable bath brightener to maximize the quality (fine grain size, homogeneous grain distribution) of additively deposited copper layers. The study was conducted using copper electrodeposition and acrylate resin photopolymerization as model processes for evaluating the proposed hybrid metal–polymer 3D printing technology. Finally, the most suitable feedstock materials for producing metal–polymer hybrid parts via the proposed 3D printing method were selected. Full article

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide, accounting for approximately 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 deaths annually. The diagnostic landscape has undergone a paradigm shift over the past two decades, evolving from morphology-based classification toward molecularly informed, precision-guided strategies. Early and accurate diagnosis is fundamental to improving outcomes; advances in imaging technology, including digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM), and abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have improved sensitivity and specificity in diverse patient populations. Simultaneously, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and radiomics into screening workflows offers unprecedented potential for risk stratification and a reduction in false-positives. At the pathological level, multi-gene expression profiling assays such as Oncotype DX, MammaPrint, Prosigna, and EndoPredict have refined prognostic classification and guide adjuvant chemotherapy decisions in early-stage hormone receptor-positive disease. The emergence of liquid biopsy, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and exosomal biomarkers provides minimally invasive tools for real-time monitoring of response, residual disease, and the evolution of resistance mechanisms. Precision diagnostics now encompass next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based comprehensive genomic profiling, enabling identification of actionable alterations such as PIK3CA mutations, HER2 amplification, BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants, and NTRK fusions, each linked to approved therapeutic agents. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of current and emerging diagnostic modalities in breast cancer—from population-level screening to individualized molecular profiling—and to examine how integrative, multimodal diagnostic platforms are reshaping clinical decision-making in the era of precision medicine. Full article

The rapid detection of organophosphorus (OP) compounds is crucial for safeguarding human health and ensuring food safety. This study presents a novel wearable electrochemical biosensor that integrates miniaturized screen-printed electrodes with wearable devices to achieve real-time, on-site OP detection. The biosensor was fabricated by constructing a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) on a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate, sequentially modified with graphene (GR), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH), and finally encapsulated with Nafion. This SPCE/GR/AuNPs/OPH/Nafion configuration yields a highly flexible and portable device. The detection principle relies on the enzymatic hydrolysis of methyl paraoxon (MPOX) by OPH, generating p-nitrophenol (PNP), which is quantitatively measured via square wave voltammetry (SWV). The sensor exhibits a broad linear detection range (30–400 μM) with a strong linear correlation (R² = 0.995) and a low detection limit (0.321 μM). It demonstrates excellent selectivity against common interfering substances, including urea, sucrose, and various metal ions. Application to real-world samples such as cabbage and tap water yielded high recoveries (107.2% for cabbage and 101.2% for tap water), with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 8%. Furthermore, the biosensor maintains robust flexibility and mechanical resilience, with less than 5% signal loss after 100 bending cycles, confirming its suitability for wearable applications and reliable operation under mechanical stress. This innovative, flexible electrochemical biosensor provides a powerful and reliable platform for rapid OP detection, particularly in complex testing environments. Full article

Lumbar spine disorders often require surgical intervention using medical implants to stabilize or replace damaged structures. As the prevalence of these surgeries increases due to an aging population, rigorous preclinical evaluation is critical. This narrative review aims to summarize current testing methods, identify gaps in clinical translatability, and explore the role of emerging computational technologies. Mechanical testing protocols established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provide essential standardized data on structural integrity but fail to replicate the complex biological interactions of the human spine. Similarly, animal models offer insights into biological responses like osseointegration but are limited by quadrupedal biomechanics and anatomical differences. Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) enable rapid, patient-specific modeling and high-throughput screening, significantly reducing the time and cost of physical testing. Future innovations include 3D-printed personalized implants, bio-responsive materials, and genetically modified animal models to bridge existing translatability gaps. In conclusion, improving the clinical success of lumbar spine implants requires an integrated framework that combines mechanical, biological, and computational approaches. This interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for developing safer and more effective treatments for patients. Full article

Campylobacter spp. is one of the most common pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis in developed countries and is raising public health concerns worldwide. This work optimized a label-free electrochemical genosensor based on screen-printed gold electrodes (SPAuEs) for the rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. lari and C. upsaliensis. SPAuEs were functionalized with a specific thiolated DNA probe and tested with a ferrocyanide solution for signal production. The optimization of the conditions was obtained using DNA extracted from pure cultures of Campylobacter spp. and negative controls such as Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Salmonella spp., and Helicobacter pylori. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were compared to assess sensitivity and specificity. The relative change in intensity of the ferrocyanide anodic peak (Ipa) was proportional to the value of Campylobacter spp. DNA concentrations in the range of 1 pg/µL to 10⁴ pg/µL. The limit of detection of our optimized system was 1.06 pg/μL. After optimization, the method was applied to chicken meat samples from the market. The proposed electrochemical DNA biosensor was able to detect Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. lari and C. upsaliensis after selective enrichment and DNA isolation within 60 min of DNA extraction, demonstrating its usefulness for routine analyses. Full article

The development of reliable electrochemical interfaces for biosensor applications requires materials that combine high conductivity, large effective surface area, and suitable platforms for biomolecule immobilization. In this work, a hybrid electrochemical platform based on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with electropolymerized polypyrrole (PPy) and electrodeposited silver particles (AgPs) is presented for the subsequent immobilization of Ki-67 antibodies. PPy films were synthesized under optimized electrochemical conditions, producing homogeneous, porous, and electrochemically stable coatings that significantly enhanced the doping/undoping processes from 0.3280 C/0.3284 C to 0.3281 C/0.3284 C for SPCE and SPCE-PPy, respectively. Subsequently, silver particles were deposited onto the PPy matrix, resulting in a well-dispersed and uniform distribution of AgPs, promoted by the interaction between Ag⁰ and the nitrogen groups in the polymer backbone. The synergistic combination of PPy and AgPs resulted in improved charge-transfer properties and enhanced electrochemical reversibility, thereby decreasing the peak-to-peak separation of the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox couple used as a probe by 40%. Immobilization of Ki-67 antibodies was achieved via direct interaction with AgPs, resulting in a marked passivation effect, as evidenced by the suppression of redox probe signals, confirming successful biofunctionalization. The proposed SPCE-PPy-AgP architecture provides a robust, reproducible, and versatile platform for antibody immobilization, as demonstrated by oxidation and reduction peaks with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.18% and 4.43%, respectively, highlighting its potential for developing label-free electrochemical immunosensors for clinically relevant proliferation biomarkers. Full article

Children are often underserved by adult-oriented oral medicines, leading to off-label use and dosage-form manipulation that may compromise dosing accuracy. This review summarises recent advances in paediatric orodispersible tablets (ODTs), focusing on manufacturing technologies, superdisintegrants, taste masking, and in vitro disintegration testing. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance and a protocol registered with the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (registration number INPLASY2025110022), we searched PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar for experimental studies on paediatric-relevant ODT formulation and evaluation. Two reviewers screened studies and extracted data on manufacturing methods, excipients, disintegration/dissolution testing, and key outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using a six-domain framework. Overall, 65 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Direct compression was the dominant method, with freeze-drying, sublimation, spray-drying, nanoparticle-in-tablet systems, and semi-solid extrusion/3D printing also reported. Crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium, and sodium starch glycolate were the most common superdisintegrants, while natural and co-processed disintegrants showed promise as cost-effective alternatives. Disintegration was usually assessed using pharmacopoeial methods, with some modified set-ups to better simulate oral conditions. Paediatric ODT development is advancing rapidly. Broader translation requires harmonised disintegration testing, age-stratified acceptability reporting, and GMP-ready workflows, alongside benchmarking of superdisintegrants and attention to dose flexibility, packaging, and affordability. Full article

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone (PBZ) are among the most widely used medications globally due to their effectiveness in relieving pain and reducing inflammation. This study aims to detect PBZ with metallic particle-based electrochemical sensors using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the presence of catechol as a redox probe. The approach focuses on evaluating the electrochemical behaviour of PBZ under different experimental conditions and optimizing the detection parameters to develop a simple, rapid, and cost-effective analytical method suitable for this pharmaceutical compound in lab practice. CV was performed using four types of screen-printed electrodes, each modified with different transitional metal particles, in potassium ferrocyanide/potassium ferricyanide, catechol, and catechol-PBZ solutions to study the electrochemical response and detection capability for PBZ. The best performance characteristics were obtained for the sensor modified with Ir particles that detect PBZ, with a linearity range of 0.01 to 1.00 μM and a detection limit of 1.53 nM. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to characterize the PBZ in pharmaceuticals. The method using an iridium-modified sensor developed in this study allows the accurate detection of PBZ in pharmaceuticals with a relative error lower than 4%. Full article

Disruption of the intestinal barrier is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and drives both epithelial injury and neutrophil-mediated inflammation, yet rapid, multiplexed assessment of these processes remains an unmet clinical need. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP) and fecal calprotectin (FC) provide complementary insights into barrier integrity and mucosal inflammation, but conventional ELISA-based assays are time-consuming, low-throughput, and require large sample volumes. Here, we introduce a dual electrochemical sandwich immunosensor enabling simultaneous quantification of iFABP and FC on screen-printed dual carbon electrodes (SPdCEs). Capture antibodies were immobilized via electrografting of p-aminobenzoic acid diazonium salt, while a V₂O₅/MWCNTs-HRP–streptavidin nanocomposite amplified the electrocatalytic reduction in hydrogen peroxide, enhancing sensitivity. The platform achieved detection limits of 0.01 pg mL⁻¹ (iFABP) and 1 pg mL⁻¹ (FC) with a total assay time of 1 h 20 min and sample volume of just 5 μL, outperforming conventional ELISA in speed and efficiency. High repeatability, reproducibility, and accurate recovery in enriched fecal samples confirmed analytical robustness. By integrating multiplexed detection, nanostructured signal amplification, and robust electrode engineering, this immunosensor provides a rapid, sensitive, and low-volume platform for point-of-care and decentralized monitoring of IBD, enabling timely clinical decision-making and longitudinal patient management. Full article

Geometrical dot gain represents a fundamental physical phenomenon influencing tonal reproduction in halftone printing, particularly in offset and flexographic processes. However, a formally defined analytical framework capable of determining the tonal conditions of equal geometrical dot gain, particularly for hybrid screening design and tonal consistency optimization, has not yet been clearly established. In this study, a geometrical analytical model is formulated to determine the transition points of equal geometrical dot gain between AM and FM screening. Two analytical approaches were applied. The first compares the total contour length of halftone elements in both screening technologies, while the second relates the AM dot diameter to predefined FM microdot sizes. Calculations were performed for eight AM screen rulings (120–340 lpi) and six FM microdot diameters (20–50 μm) under predefined geometrical conditions (2540 dpi output resolution and circular dot shape). The results indicate that transition points predominantly occur within the highlight tonal region and systematically shift toward higher tonal percentages with increasing screen ruling. Both analytical procedures, although conceptually different, yield identical results, confirming the internal consistency of the model. The analytically determined transition points provide a geometrically justified basis for defining switching zones in hybrid and XM screening systems, enabling improved tonal stability and more consistent screening transitions. Full article