Search Results (479)

Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and increasing interest in dermatological and nutraceutical applications. In this study, AST-rich extracts were obtained from by-products of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus and chemically characterized using HPLC-DAD analysis. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was assessed through complementary spectrophotometric assays (DPPH and FRAP). Comparable AST contents were detected in the two extracts, with values of 1.269 ± 0.006 and 1.219 ± 0.015 mg/100 g dry weight for EtOH and IPrOH, respectively. However, the EtOH extract exhibited higher antioxidant activity, reaching 0.10 ± 0.01 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/g in the DPPH assay and 0.27 ± 0.02 mg TE/g in the FRAP assay, compared with 0.08 ± 0.01 and 0.11 ± 0.03 mg TE/g for the IPrOH extract. The biological activity of AST extracts was further evaluated against the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and beneficial lactic acid bacteria. AST exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against S. aureus, with an MIC value of 50 μg/mL and inhibition zones up to 14 mm at 200 μg/disc, while promoting the proliferation of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus reuteri. These findings highlight the prospective valorization of blue crab by-products as a sustainable supply of antioxidant and microbiota-modulating compounds with possible applications in skin health and cosmetic formulations. Full article

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) imposes a substantial global health burden, with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) established as the gold standard for localized disease. While da Vinci^® Xi maintains market dominance, Toumai^® MT-1000 offers a potentially cost-competitive alternative lacking prospective validation. Objective: To evaluate perioperative safety, oncologic quality (primary endpoint: positive surgical margins), early functional recovery (continence), and surgeon learning curve between Toumai^® MT-1000 (T-RARP) and da Vinci^® Xi RARP (DV-RARP) performed in high-volume European practice. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective single-center comparative study carried out at Policlinico Gemelli, Rome (May–November 2025), enrolling 80 patients with localized or locally advanced PCa, elected for radical prostatectomy and casually allocated to receive surgery with Toumai or the da Vinci robotic platform. The primary endpoint was the comparison of positive surgical margin (PSM) rates. Secondary endpoints included the comparison of operative time (skin-to-skin), estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, 45-day postop outcomes, specifically Clavien–Dindo complications, urinary continence recovery (0–1 pad/day), and IIEF-5 scores. Learning curve was evaluated through the cumulative summation (CUSUM) analysis of operative times and linear regression of operative times (n = 80 cases). The analyses used STATA 19 with two-sided tests at p < 0.05 significance. Results: Baseline characteristics showed balance between cohorts (p > 0.05 for most covariates). Perioperative outcomes proved equivalent: median operative time (OT) was 192.5 min (IQR 165–230) for Toumai^® versus 183.5 min (IQR 147–225) for da Vinci^® Xi (p = 0.38); estimated blood loss (EBL) was 150 mL in both groups (p = 0.87); length of hospital stay (LOS) was 2 days in both groups (p = 0.92). PSM rates were identical at 17.5% (p = 0.79). Continence recovery reached 72.5% versus 80% (p = 0.43). Complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ II) occurred in 7.5% versus 12.5% of cases (p = 0.45). The CUSUM analysis demonstrated operative time proficiency after only four procedures; operative time regression showed no significant trend (p = 0.38). Conclusions: Toumai^® MT-1000 demonstrates similar performance to da Vinci^® Xi across different RARP quality metrics, with no detectable learning curve for surgeons previously experienced with da Vinci. These findings support a safe integration of cost-effective platforms into clinical practice, pending multicenter randomized confirmation. Full article

Lysine carboxymethyl cysteinate (LCC) has been identified as a glutathione (GSH) precursor for the use of cosmetic products, providing a defense against oxidative stress by elevating GSH levels, and mitigating UVB-induced pigmentation and barrier disruption. In this study, the protective efficacy of LCC on epidermal barrier integrity under UVB irradiation was systematically evaluated and its underlying mechanisms were investigated. Results from the UVB-exposed 3D living skin equivalent model (LSE) indicated that LCC effectively restored UVB-induced reductions in epidermal living cell thickness by 9.67%. In addition, LCC markedly increased the expression of key biomarkers related to cornified envelope (CE) formation and skin hydration, including transglutaminase 1, involucrin, loricrin and aquaporin 3 by 104.80%, 121.67%, 218.63% and 388.39%, respectively, compared with the UVB group. Transcriptomics analysis in human primary keratinocytes further revealed that LCC regulated multiple biological functions, including glutathione synthesis pathway, oxidation response, inflammatory process, and notably autophagy. After confirming LCC’s potential in boosting autophagy-associated gene expression (p-value < 0.05) and autophagy activity (p-value < 0.01) in keratinocytes, functional validation in the same model confirmed that LCC counteracted UVB-induced suppression of genes involved in barrier formation, particularly those associated with CE development and autophagy, while these protective effects were abolished by chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor. Findings from the UVB-exposed LSE model further substantiated this mechanism. Collectively, these results demonstrate that LCC safeguards the epidermis from UVB-induced cornification abnormalities through the activation of autophagy. Full article

House dust mite allergens Der p 1, Der p 2, and Der p 23 are recognized as major clinically relevant allergens worldwide; however, it is difficult to obtain these proteins in purified form from a natural source, which limits their use in molecular targeted immunotherapy and in vivo diagnosis. In this study, we developed and validated robust methodologies for the large-scale purification and individual characterization of native nDer p 1, nDer p 2, and nDer p 23 allergens from the natural sensitization source, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Each allergen was isolated through an independent downstream process based on successive chromatographic steps, achieving high purity and preserving the structural integrity. Molecular standardization was performed in vivo in 27 mite-allergic patients by skin prick testing (SPT), enabling the separate determination of histamine equivalent potency (HEP) values: 7.43 µg/mL for nDer p 1, 8.11 µg/mL for nDer p 2, and 1.55 µg/mL for nDer p 23. These data establish a direct relationship between the protein concentration and biological activity for each major allergen. In conclusion, the successful production and biological standardization of native nDer p 1, nDer p 2, and nDer p 23 proteins provide well-defined reagents for in vivo molecular diagnosis and enable more precise and reproducible standardization compared with complex allergen extracts. Full article

Gesture recognition with electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an enormous potential tool for human–machine interaction because of its low cost, low complexity and high temporal resolution. Although high-precision EIT-based gesture recognition has been achieved in ideal scenarios, ensuring its consistent performance under interference remains challenging. This article presents a novel method to alleviate the effect of confounding factors on EIT gesture recognition. An EIT armband was designed to mitigate the effect of contact impedance variation based on equivalent circuit analysis, and a spatial–temporal fusion network, named the Fold Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling-Gated Recurrent Unit (FASPP-GRU), was developed for robust gesture classification. The results showed that the proposed two-layer electrode maintained a stable contact impedance when its contact force with the skin was changed. Although confounding factors caused significant changes in baseline forearm impedance, FASPP-GRU achieved 80% accuracy under the effect of limb position changes and dynamic changes in muscle state over time, which outperforms conventional classifiers. With an 87 μs inference time, the proposed system shows enormous potential in real-time applications. Full article

Advances in regenerative medicine increasingly rely on human-relevant in vitro systems to model the multistage process of wound healing. However, the translation of research into effective therapies remains limited by the inability of traditional 2D cultures and animal models to faithfully replicate the structural and biochemical complexity of human skin. While existing reviews often focus on the structural composition of static skin equivalents, this review addresses a critical knowledge gap: the need for dynamic, time-dependent methodologies that can capture the spatiotemporal evolution of healing, from inflammation to remodeling, in both physiological and pathological conditions. To this end, we critically evaluate next-generation platforms, including 3D bioprinting, organ-on-chip systems, organoids, and iPSC-based models, highlighting their comparative advantages and technical hurdles like vascularization and scalability. The unique contribution of this work lies in providing a forward-looking framework that advocates for the convergence of bioengineering and computational modeling to move beyond “steady-state” snapshots toward predictive, high-resolution dynamic models. We conclude that the future of wound healing research depends on integrating vascular and immune components within these platforms to achieve truly human-relevant, personalized diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Full article

Kinmen peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cultivar Kinmen No. 1) is a unique crop used to produce local specialty “peanut candy”; however, the peanut skins (PSs) are treated as waste owing to the bitter taste. To support the valorization of this agro-industrial by-product, peanut skin ethanolic extract (PSE) was prepared and evaluated for its hypolipidemic potential in a cholesterol/fat-fed hamster model, together with its antioxidant capacity and chemical composition. Hamsters were fed a cholesterol/fat-enriched diet supplemented with PSE at 0.1%, 0.2%, or 0.4% (w/w) for 8 weeks. Serum lipid profiles were determined, and derived atherogenic indices were calculated. In parallel, antioxidant activity was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and reducing power assays, while chemical characterization included total phenolics, crude phytosterols, and HPLC profiling of representative phenolic compounds. PSE significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with the cholesterol/fat-enriched control, whereas triglycerides were not significantly altered. The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was also reduced in PSE-treated groups, with the greatest reduction observed in the 0.1% PSE group (0.33 ± 0.04 vs. 0.56 ± 0.12 in the negative control). In addition, PSE exhibited marked antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 141.3 and 76.2 μg/mL in the DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. Chemical analyses showed that PS contained 1098 ± 189 µg β-sitosterol equivalents/g PS and 199.3 ± 4.6 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g PS, and HPLC identified p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, daidzein, catechin, and resveratrol as representative phenolic constituents. Collectively, these findings support Kinmen peanut skin as a promising value-added source of bioactives for functional ingredient development targeting cholesterol dysregulation and oxidative processes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Topical treatment efficacy is fundamentally dependent on effective delivery of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and its compatibility with the compromised skin barrier. Many commercially available industrial formulations contain poorly tolerated excipients or lack essential therapeutic combinations, frequently leading to complex polypharmacy and reduced patient adherence. In contrast, magistral galenic preparations offer a degree of therapeutic personalization unmatched by standardized products, positioning the compounding laboratory as a strategic resource in dermatological care. This analysis aims to identify and evaluate ten indispensable magistral formulations selected based on their high clinical frequency and the absence of equivalent, globally available commercial alternatives. Materials and Methods: Each formulation was according to four strategic pillars: (i) dosage customization, (ii) excipient modification (removing allergens like parabens or fragrances), (iii) synergistic ingredient association, and (iv) vehicle optimization. The dermatological conditions addressed include pediatric scabies, melasma, hidradenitis suppurativa, and autoimmune mucosal diseases. Key selections include Kligman’s formula for hyperpigmentation and personalized trichological preparations. Results: The identified “top 10” magistral formulation reveals significant gaps within the standardized pharmaceutical market. In pediatric scabies (specifically patients < 15 kg), benzyl benzoate and precipitated sulfur demonstrate superior efficacy over permethrin, addressing emerging resistance patterns. For acute inflammatory dermatoses, Hoffmann Paste and Lime Liniment provide effective protective barriers while neutralizing local acidity. Antiseptic and astringent solutions, including Burow’s and Silver Nitrate (AgNO₃) offer targeted mechanisms and biocidal activity, often absent in standardized topicals. Furthermore, specialized adhesive oral pastes for autoimmune conditions minimizing systemic absorption and associated risks. Conclusions: Magistral compounding represents a cornerstone of precision medicine in dermatology enabling tailored therapies that bridge critical gaps left by standardized formulations, particularly in complex cases and vulnerable populations. Full article

The brewing process generates substantial by-products rich in potentially bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols and fermentation metabolites), providing a sustainable and appealing source of cosmetic ingredients. Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions containing 20% (w/w) aqueous extracts from Bionda Triplo Malto beer, wort, and key brewing by-products (hops, yeast, and spent grain) were developed and evaluated using a combined in vitro–in vivo approach. Aqueous extracts were first screened on human immortalized dermal fibroblasts (BJ-5ta) at 0.25–1 mg/mL for cytocompatibility and antioxidant activity. Within this concentration range, no significant changes in cell viability or intracellular antioxidant capacity under UV stress were detected, suggesting cytocompatibility but limited inherent activity. When incorporated into O/W emulsions and tested at an active-equivalent concentration of 10 mg/mL, the formulations increased fibroblast metabolic activity and antioxidant response. In contrast, free extracts at 10 mg/mL showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity for some matrices, with beer- and yeast-based emulsions demonstrating the strongest effects. The emulsions exhibited good physicochemical stability (pH ~5.7–6.2; viscosity 4750–5150 mPa·s), passed the ISO 11930:2012 challenge test, and were well tolerated in patch testing. In a double-blind, randomized split-forearm study on 50 healthy volunteers over 30 days, beer, yeast, and spent grain-based formulations improved skin parameters versus baseline. TEWL decreased (e.g., beer: 16.22 ± 5.12 to 10.77 ± 2.22 mg·m⁻²·h⁻¹; yeast: 16.29 ± 5.66 to 10.18 ± 1.08; spent grain: 14.45 ± 4.34 to 11.66 ± 2.28), hydration increased (beer: 35.15 ± 5.93 to 42.26 ± 3.78; yeast: 33.27 ± 4.87 to 42.92 ± 2.48; spent grain: 34.22 ± 5.19 to 41.16 ± 3.17, and elasticity improved for beer and yeast formulations (62.33 ± 3.27 to 70.24 ± 2.12 N/m) and yeast (61.21 ± 4.72 to 72.13 ± 5.55 N/m). Based on these findings, brewing-derived ingredients demonstrate potential as cosmetic actives, with formulation critically determining their clinical efficacy. Full article

High-frequency transmission loss in Redistribution Layer-Through Silicon Via (RDL-TSV) interconnect structures is a critical factor influencing the performance of three-dimensional integrated circuits. This study aims to enhance the prediction accuracy of high-frequency losses by balancing the training accuracy and computational efficiency of traditional full-wave simulation and equivalent circuit models. A Physical Information Convolutional Neural Network (PI-CNN) prediction model was developed based on convolutional neural networks, incorporating the skin effect as physical guidance. A multi-criteria decision-making framework was then proposed by integrating the PI-CNN model with a genetic algorithm. Results show that the PI-CNN model achieves stable single-prediction times under 3 s, with prediction loss errors below 0.1 dB and an R² value of 0.987, significantly improving the accuracy of high-frequency loss prediction. Through multi-criteria decision optimization, the randomness inherent in genetic algorithms enables systematic exploration of favorable design options within the design space. This approach ensures that the final design maintains consistent performance and robustness under anticipated manufacturing variations. The study provides a data-driven, physics-guided approach for evaluating and optimizing high-frequency performance in advanced packaging. Full article

Brazil is among the world’s leading exporters of chicken meat, and microbiological evaluation of carcasses is essential to verify process hygiene and safety. This study assessed the microbiological effectiveness and economic impact of two sampling methods for poultry carcasses: the excision of pooled samples of skin and muscle from multiple carcass regions, as recommended by Brazilian authorities, and the excision of neck skin alone. In accordance with Brazilian authorities guidelines requiring carcass evaluation through Enterobacteriaceae counts, these microorganisms were employed to assess contamination across different regions of 90 carcasses. Subsequently, Enterobacteriaceae counts were performed on 144 carcasses using both sampling methods. Mesophilic microorganisms, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus were tested in ten carcasses sampled by both methods to confirm the results obtained from the enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae and results were evaluated using Shapiro–Wilk, Levene, F-test, Kruskal–Wallis, Dunn, and T-test. Additionally, costs related to labor time and protein waste were quantified in 18 slaughterhouses. Results showed that Enterobacteriaceae counts in neck, cloaca, and wing regions were similar but significantly lower than those in pooled dorsal samples (p < 0.05). Neck skin samples were statistically comparable to dorsal pooled samples and exhibited higher contamination than ventral samples, demonstrating equivalent or superior microbiological representativeness. The neck skin method required less time, produced less protein waste, and reduced costs by 99%, indicating a more efficient and cost-effective alternative for microbiological monitoring of poultry carcasses. Full article

Aim: To investigate the impact of pain on some electroencephalographic (EEG) features at term equivalent age (TEA) and, second, to assess if the proposed EEG analysis may be predictive of the neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months corrected age. Methodology: Infants born < 32 weeks of gestational age, without major brain injury, were studied with an 8-channel EEG recording at TEA. The number of skin-breaking procedures from birth to the EEG recording was collected, as well as opioid administration. The following EEG-based indexes were investigated: Brain Simmetry Index (BSI) and Circular Omega Complexity (COC). Multivariate statistical analysis was performed. Results: Seventy-seven preterm newborns were enrolled. The multivariate models showed that higher pain exposure resulted in higher BSI, lower COC μ (mean), and lower COC values related to δ waves (all p < 0.05). Fentanyl was associated with increased BSI values related to α and β waves (all p < 0.05). Morphine showed a positive effect on BSI and a negative effect on OC μ and COC on all frequency bands (all p < 0.05). COC related to δ waves was positively associated with cognitive outcomes (p = 0.034). Conclusions: Pain and opioids might impact brain dynamics in preterm infants. Quantitative multivariate EEG indexes may be helpful to characterize the neurodevelopmental outcomes. Full article

Background: Pain management in patients with severe burns remains one of the most complex challenges in perioperative care. Burn-related pain is multifactorial, resulting from tissue destruction, intense inflammation, surgical procedures, and repeated dressing changes. Opioids remain the cornerstone of analgesia; however, prolonged use is associated with tolerance, dependence, adverse effects, and prolonged hospitalization. Multimodal and opioid-sparing strategies, including regional anesthesia, may improve postoperative outcomes by enhancing analgesia while reducing systemic drug exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized regional anesthesia protocol in reducing postoperative pain and opioid requirements in burn patients undergoing lower-limb escharectomy and autologous skin grafting. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center analysis of 25 adult patients with deep thermal burns of the lower limbs who underwent escharectomy and split-thickness skin grafting. All patients received a combined ultrasound-guided sciatic popliteal block and adductor canal block on both the burned limb and the donor site. Ropivacaine 0.375% with clonidine was administered without exceeding a total dose of 3.0 mg/kg. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and opioid consumption was recorded as rescue doses in intravenous morphine equivalents. Secondary outcomes included perioperative complications and 30-day hospital readmission. Results: Regional anesthesia provided effective postoperative pain control. Thirty-two percent of patients reported no pain (NRS 0), 52% reported mild pain (NRS 1–3), and 16% reported moderate pain (NRS 4–6). No patient reported severe pain (NRS 7–10). Only four patients (16%) required rescue opioids. No perioperative complications or block-related adverse events occurred, and no patient required hospital readmission within 30 days. Conclusions: In this cohort, regional anesthesia was associated with satisfactory postoperative analgesia and minimal opioid requirements. By reducing opioid exposure, this approach may help improve patient comfort and potentially limit opioid-related adverse effects. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to assess long-term outcomes. Full article

To address the problems of weak geometric features, low signal response amplitude, and insufficient spatial resolvability of near-surface defects in metal substrates, a high-resolution spatiotemporal-coded eddy-current array probe is proposed. The probe adopts an array topology with time-multiplexed excitation and adjacent differential reception, achieving a balance between high common-mode rejection ratio and high-density spatial sampling. First, a theoretical electromagnetic coupling model between the probe and the metal substrate is established, and finite-element simulations are conducted to investigate the evolution of the skin effect, eddy-current density distribution, and differential impedance response over an excitation frequency range of 1–10 MHz. Subsequently, a 64-channel M-DECA probe and an experimental testing platform are developed, and frequency-sweeping experiments are carried out under different excitation conditions. Experimental results indicate that, under a 50 kHz excitation frequency, the array eddy-current response achieves an optimal trade-off between signal amplitude and spatial geometric consistency. Furthermore, based on the pixel-to-physical coordinate mapping relationship, the lateral equivalent diameters of near-surface defects with different characteristic scales are quantitatively characterized, with relative errors of 6.35%, 4.29%, 3.98%, 3.50%, and 5.80%, respectively. Regression-based quantitative analysis reveals a power-law relationship between defect area and the amplitude of the differential eddy-current array response, with a coefficient of determination ${\mathrm{R}}^2=0.9034$ for the bipolar peak-to-peak feature. The proposed M-DECA probe enables high-resolution imaging and quantitative characterization of near-surface defects in metal substrates, providing an effective solution for electromagnetic detection of near-surface, low-contrast defects. Full article

Background: Aristolochia clematitis L. (AC), a plant with diverse traditional uses, has gained increasing scientific interest due to its rich content of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and polyphenols. However, its systemic use is limited by the presence of aristolochic acids, which are known for their nephrotoxic and carcinogenic potential. Methods: In this context, the present study investigates the therapeutic potential of A. clematitis extract by encapsulating it in liposomes with the aim of enhancing its topical efficacy. Results: The extract was characterized in terms of its flavonoid content (67.23 ± 0.33 mg QE/g DW (quercetin/dry plant material)) and polyphenols expressed as gallic acid equivalents (64.38 ± 0.16 mg GAE/g DW), as well as its antioxidant capacity using the reagents 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH − IC₅₀ = 0.1619 mg/mL extract) and diammonium 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS − IC₅₀ = 205.57 μg/mL extract). Four types of liposomes were synthesized (two loaded with extract and two empty), and their characterization was performed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential, polydispersity index, and in vitro release studies. Conclusions: The results demonstrated a high entrapment efficiency (over 82%), good stability over 30 days, and controlled release of flavonoids. Microbiological studies revealed relevant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The evaluation on HaCaT skin-derived cells (at 10–100 µg/mL) proved that the samples displayed good overall tolerability, slightly decreasing cell viability (the most statistically significant being associated with AC treatment) and showing no structural, nuclear, or mitochondrial morphological changes. Full article