Search Results (1,905)

Aircraft skin defect recognition is a safety-critical visual inspection task in which lightweight models must maintain high diagnostic accuracy while suppressing false alarms caused by complex surface textures, illumination variations, and weak defect patterns. This study proposes HQCA-Net, a simulation-based hybrid quantum-classical channel attention network for reliable aircraft skin defect recognition. The core component, termed Residual Quantum Channel Attention (RQCA), embeds a 10-qubit variational quantum circuit into a classical ResNet-18 backbone to perform compact and structured nonlinear feature recalibration, introducing only 30 trainable quantum-gate parameters. The quantum circuit is evaluated using state-vector simulation, and this study focuses on model-level feature recalibration, reliability, and robustness within the evaluated dataset rather than implementation on physical quantum hardware. Experiments on a six-class aircraft skin defect dataset show that HQCA-Net achieves 97.93% classification accuracy and a global false positive rate of 0.49%, outperforming ResNet-18 and classical lightweight attention mechanisms including SE, ECA, and SimAM. Additional analyses using confidence calibration, Grad-CAM visualization, Gaussian noise perturbation, few-shot training, and circuit-depth ablation further indicate that the proposed RQCA module improves feature discrimination and false-alarm suppression under compact parameter constraints. These results suggest that the hybrid quantum-classical attention module can serve as a parameter-efficient nonlinear feature recalibration strategy for reliable visual defect inspection under the tested experimental conditions. Full article

Background: Oxidative stress contributes significantly to premature skin aging and inflammatory dermatological conditions. While plant-derived antioxidants have demonstrated considerable promise in topical applications, Bougainvillea glabra Choisy remains underexplored in standardized pharmaceutical dosage form development despite its documented phytochemical richness. Objective: This study aimed to develop, standardize, and characterize topical cold cream formulations incorporating B. glabra ethanolic leaf extract, with HPTLC-based quantification of marker compounds, validated antioxidant assessment, and preliminary dermal safety evaluation. Methods: The ethanolic leaf extract was prepared by maceration and characterized by preliminary phytochemical screening and HPTLC fingerprinting with quantitative densitometric analysis of quercetin and pinitol. Three cold cream formulations were developed at 10% (F1), 20% (F2), and 30% (w/w) (F3) extract loading. Formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, and viscosity. Antioxidant activity was assessed using a validated methanol extraction procedure followed by DPPH radical scavenging and potassium permanganate reduction assays. Ex vivo skin permeation was evaluated using Franz diffusion cells with freshly excised goat skin. Accelerated stability was conducted at 40 ± 2 °C/75 ± 5% RH for 90 days with HPTLC-based marker retention monitoring. Primary dermal safety was assessed in Wistar albino rats (n = 6) following OECD Test Guideline 404. Results: Quantitative HPTLC confirmed quercetin (4.82 ± 0.14 mg/g dry extract) and pinitol (2.31 ± 0.09 mg/g) as marker compounds, with linearly increasing content across F1–F3. All formulations demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties (pH 5.7–5.9, viscosity 440,000–460,000 cP, spreadability 11.8 ± 0.3 cm·g/s). F3 exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity (56.68 ± 1.05%) with IC₅₀ of 1.3 ± 0.1% w/v, demonstrating a 3.2-fold improvement over F1. Extraction recovery from the cream matrix was 96.4–97.1%, validating the antioxidant data. Ex vivo quercetin permeation through goat skin reached 51.3 ± 2.8 μg/cm² at 24 h for F3, following Higuchi diffusion kinetics (R² > 0.99). No dermal irritation was observed (Primary Irritation Index = 0). Accelerated stability confirmed ≥98.3% retention of both marker compounds and antioxidant activity after 90 days. Conclusions: B. glabra leaf extract was successfully incorporated into a physicochemically stable, non-irritating cold cream with demonstrated dose-dependent antioxidant efficacy and cutaneous delivery capability. The study establishes preliminary dermal safety and in vitro antioxidant efficacy warranting further controlled clinical evaluation. Full article

Astragalus membranaceus, a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, has attracted growing scientific attention for its potential anti-aging and anticancer properties, particularly for skin and bone health. Its key bioactive compounds like astragalosides, cycloastragenol, and its commercial derivative TA-65, have been associated with telomerase activation and telomere maintenance, suggesting a possible role in modulating cellular senescence and tissue repair processes. In addition to the claimed telomere maintenance, A. membranaceus exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and DNA-protective activities, properties that contribute to its anti-aging effects. Emerging evidence also suggests that telomerase modulation by A. membranaceus influences cancer cell dynamics, either suppressing tumor progression through immune regulation and apoptosis induction or, in some contexts, potentially promoting tumor growth. This duality highlights the importance of dose, formulation, and targeted application. Clinically, TA-65 has been reported to improve vascular health, bone mineral density, and skin elasticity in aging individuals. Preclinical studies further support its protective effects against osteoporotic bone loss and photoaging-induced dermal degeneration. This review summarizes the phytochemical composition of A. membranaceus and critically evaluates the mechanistic and therapeutic evidence underlying its anti-aging and anticancer actions on skin and bone tissues. It also discusses the pharmacokinetic properties of A. membranaceus, including its absorption, bioavailability, and safety profile. The integration of A. membranaceus into evidence-based senile therapeutic strategies holds promise, but further mechanistic and clinical studies are required to optimize its safety and efficacy. Full article

Lactic acid is a widely used component in cosmetics such as hair care products. High concentration of lactic acid or inappropriate enantiomeric form can have a negative impact on the skin. This study focuses on the development of methods of analysis for the separation, enantioseparation and determination of lactic acid in cosmetics and the confirmation of its enantiomeric form. Achiral reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) on a C18 stationary phase and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) on an amino-propyl stationary phase, combined with diode array detection (DAD; 210 nm), were applied for analysis. Chiral HPLC-DAD on a teicoplanin-based stationary phase was an effective method for verification of the enantiomeric form, confirming L-lactic acid in tested samples. The complex samples were treated by solid-phase extraction using an anion-exchange adsorbent. Recovery studies showed good results, 76.1–91.8% (RSD ≤ 5.0%). The methods provide linearity of response in the concentration ranges tested (R² > 0.996). This study demonstrated several approaches to the HPLC-DAD determination of lactic acid and proposed an effective sample preparation procedure. Developed methods were rapid, simple and applicable in the routine analysis of cosmetics for monitoring the safety of products. Full article

Pulse oximetry is an essential standard monitor in modern anesthetic practice, enabling continuous noninvasive assessment of arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate throughout the perioperative period. Since its introduction into clinical medicine, pulse oximetry has significantly improved patient safety by facilitating early detection of hypoxemia and physiologic deterioration. Despite its widespread use, clinicians may underrecognize the technical principles, physiologic assumptions, and limitations that influence measurement accuracy. This review provides a perioperative perspective on pulse oximetry, including the physics of photoplethysmography, sensor technologies, and practical considerations for optimal probe placement and signal acquisition. Sources of inaccuracy such as motion artifact, low perfusion states, dyshemoglobinemias, ambient light interference, skin pigmentation, and venous pulsation are discussed in detail. The review further examines perioperative applications across preoperative evaluation, intraoperative monitoring, and postoperative recovery, while also exploring advanced parameters including perfusion index (PI) and pleth variability index (PVI). Emerging innovations such as multi-wavelength systems and artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced signal analysis are also highlighted. A comprehensive understanding of pulse oximetry allows anesthesiologists to appropriately interpret monitor data, recognize device limitations, and optimize perioperative patient care. Full article

Background: Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in early childhood and is traditionally managed through strict avoidance diets, which may negatively affect nutrition and quality of life. Early oral immunotherapy (OIT) may represent an alternative therapeutic strategy; however, controlled studies in children younger than two years remain limited. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study using historical controls. Thirty-one children younger than two years with IgE-mediated egg allergy underwent OIT using pasteurized liquid egg white (maximum dose: 30 mL; 3300 mg protein). Twelve children managed with an avoidance diet served as the historical control group. Outcomes included desensitization rates, adverse reactions, and longitudinal changes in skin prick test (SPT) wheal diameters, serum-specific IgE (sIgE), specific IgG4 (sIgG4), and sIgE/total IgE ratios. Results: At six months, 29/31 children (93.5%) in the OIT group did not experience allergic reactions after ingestion of any egg preparation, compared with none in the historical control group (p < 0.001). In the control group, 7/12 children (58.3%) continued to react to less-cooked egg preparations, whereas 5/12 (41.7%) remained reactive to all forms of eggs. During the induction phase, 24/31 OIT-treated children (77.4%) experienced mild adverse reactions, predominantly isolated cutaneous or gastrointestinal symptoms, and no patient required intramuscular adrenaline administration. In contrast, allergic reactions occurred in 11/12 controls, including anaphylaxis in 6/12 (50.0%) patients (p = 0.0301). The OIT group demonstrated significant reductions in SPT wheal diameters, sIgE levels, and sIgE/total IgE ratios (all p < 0.001), accompanied by increased sIgG4 levels. Conclusions: Early OIT with pasteurized egg white in children younger than two years with IgE-mediated egg allergy was associated with high desensitization rates, favorable short-term safety outcomes, and significant immunological changes. These findings support the potential role of early active intervention as an alternative to exclusive avoidance strategies in infants with egg allergy. Full article

The contact force between the ultrasound probe and human skin directly affects image quality, patient safety, and comfort. In infant developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) ultrasound examinations, higher force control precision is required, as infants have thin skin and soft cartilage that are easily deformed under excessive probe pressure. This paper proposes a comprehensive force control method for DDH ultrasound robots. Firstly, an online gravity calibration approach is employed to estimate the installation tilt, sensor zero offset, and probe center of gravity, thereby improving force measurement accuracy. Then, a torque-based pose control algorithm is adopted to achieve conformal probe–skin contact. Finally, a variable admittance control strategy based on fuzzy neural network (FNN) is proposed, which adaptively regulates the damping coefficient based on the force error and its rate, enabling stable force control without explicit soft-tissue modeling. Experiments on an infant phantom and human skin show that the proposed method achieves force fluctuation amplitudes of 0.0984 ± 0.0012 N and 0.0976 ± 0.0014 N, respectively, with absolute steady-state force errors below 0.01 N. Compared with conventional admittance control, it significantly reduces force oscillations and improves tracking accuracy. In infant experiments, the method enables smooth convergence to the desired force and maintains relatively stable probe–skin interaction, which contributes to consistent ultrasound image acquisition and reduces tissue deformation. These results suggest that the proposed method can provide a feasible force control basis for stable and gentle robotic DDH ultrasound scanning. Full article

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays a pivotal role in maintaining epidermal barrier homeostasis and regulating cutaneous inflammatory responses. However, the cosmetic application of vitamin D and its active metabolites is limited by photoinstability, formulation challenges, and regulatory considerations. In this study, we evaluated a synthetic VDR-activating peptide (VDR-Pep) as a potential functional cosmetic ingredient capable of modulating VDR-associated signaling pathways in human keratinocytes. In situ proximity ligation assays (PLAs) demonstrated that VDR-Pep enhanced the heterodimerization of VDR and retinoid X receptor (RXR), indicating activation of canonical VDR signaling. Treatment with VDR-Pep significantly increased the expression of S100A3 and key terminal differentiation markers, including filaggrin, involucrin, and loricrin, in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, VDR-Pep stimulated intracellular calcium mobilization at levels comparable to or exceeding those induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃. Under UVB-induced stress conditions, the peptide attenuated the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and enhanced NRF2-associated transcriptional engagement, as evidenced by increased interaction between NRF2 and RNA polymerase II. Collectively, these findings suggest that VDR-Pep supports epidermal homeostasis through coordinated modulation of VDR/RXR signaling, calcium-mediated differentiation, barrier-related protein expression, inflammatory responses, and antioxidant-associated pathways. The results indicate that VDR-targeting peptides may represent a promising non-hormonal strategy for cosmetic formulations aimed at reinforcing skin barrier function and improving resilience to environmental stress. Future studies should focus on validating these effects in in vivo human skin models, assessing long-term safety and efficacy, and optimizing formulation stability for practical cosmetic applications. Full article

Cosmetic preservatives should have reduced percutaneous absorption to lower the risk of systemic exposure and skin irritation. In this work, previously synthesized galactosylated derivatives of common cosmetic preservatives were comparatively evaluated for transdermal permeation and preliminary toxicity. Escherichia coli β-galactosidase was used to enzymatically modify several of the commonly used cosmetic preservatives to produce their corresponding galactosylated derivatives: benzyl alcohol β-d-galactopyranoside 7, 2-phenoxyethanol β-d-galactopyranoside 8, chlorphenesin β-d-galactopyranoside 9, 1,2-hexanediol β-d-galactopyranoside 10, 1,2-octanediol β-d-galactopyranoside 11, and 2-phenylethyl β-d-galactopyranoside 12. HPLC and NMR spectroscopy were used to analyze the previously synthesized derivatives. The Franz diffusion cell assay was used to evaluate skin penetration. 2-Phenoxyethanol (PE), chlorphenesin (CPN), and 2-phenylethanol (PhE), showed measurable skin penetration, with flux values ranging from 3.82 to 7.34 µg·h⁻¹·cm⁻² and permeability coefficients (Kp) between 1.38 and 3.00 × 10⁻³ cm·h⁻¹. In contrast, their galactosylated derivatives showed markedly reduced permeation under the same experimental conditions. Moreover, brine shrimp lethality assays indicated that galactosylated derivatives had significantly higher LD₅₀ values (1.6–2.1 mg/mL) than their parent compounds (0.1–0.79 mg/mL), suggesting lower cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that enzymatic galactosylation can significantly decrease skin permeability and the toxicity of cosmetic preservatives, highlighting its potential approach to improve the safety of cosmetic components. Full article

This review aims to critically examine food industry by-products as potential sources of natural preservatives and to discuss how this evidence can be translated into adolescent food literacy, label interpretation, and critical food choices. Adolescents are increasingly exposed to food labels and claims about “natural,” “clean-label,” “upcycled,” “sustainable,” and “circular” foods, which may not always be transparent or supported by sufficient evidence regarding their safety, efficacy, sensory quality, consumer acceptance, or environmental benefit. Therefore, they need more than nutritional information; they need to interpret labels, question sustainability claims, and understand how food innovations are produced, tested, communicated, and regulated. Food by-products such as fruit and vegetable pomaces, peels, seeds, skins, olive and wine residues, cereal by-products, coffee silverskin, and cocoa residues are promising resources for clean-label preservation and circular food systems because they may contain phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, essential oils, pectin, dietary fibers, and other compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, coloring, stabilizing, and texturizing properties. However, the bioactive potential alone does not guarantee that a by-product-derived ingredient is safe, effective, acceptable, scalable, or sustainable. Its use requires extraction, stabilization, real-food validation, safety assessment, sensory optimization, regulatory compliance, and sustainability evaluation. The review concludes that by-product-derived natural preservatives are both technological resources and educational tools. Future research and education should connect food preservation, label interpretation, food safety, sensory quality, sustainability evidence, and consumer decision-making to empower adolescents as critical consumers and informed agents of change in sustainable food systems. Full article

With the transition to deep coal mining, the transparent detection of hidden geological hazards in the floor strata is fundamental for production safety. In mine seismic exploration, gliding waves—inhomogeneous plane waves propagating along the coal–rock interface—offer a unique advantage for penetrating high-velocity floors via the skin effect, overcoming the total reflection limitations of conventional in-seam waves. This study investigates the propagation laws and anomaly response characteristics of floor gliding waves using super-critical incidence theory and high-order staggered-grid finite difference simulations. The results demonstrate that the apparent velocities of gliding P and S-waves are bounded by those of the coal and host rock, exhibiting minimal dispersion. Quantitative analysis using a penetration depth model reveals that while penetration depth is frequency-dependent—with lower frequencies providing deeper reach—high-frequency components remain essential for high-resolution imaging. Crucially, the proposed method was validated through a field Case Study at the 11123 working face. By utilizing a specialized deep-hole excitation strategy to ensure super-critical incidence, the inversion successfully identified a hidden fault extending up to 60 m below the floor, which was subsequently confirmed by rock roadway excavation. These findings establish a robust physical basis for designing underground floor-detection systems and provide a significant theoretical reference for addressing detection blind spots in deep mining environments. Full article

Indigenous clays are widely used for facial skincare in South Africa, yet their suitability for cosmetic incorporation remains poorly characterised, particularly with respect to elemental safety. This study assessed two traditionally applied clays for acne-prone skin (Umcako and Ibomvu) using a multi-analytical workflow encompassing colorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), pH measurement, in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) estimation, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) of clay leachates. XRD showed both materials to be kaolinite-dominated, with higher kaolinite content in Umcako (92.5 wt%) than in Ibomvu (77.3 wt%); SEM revealed characteristic overlapping pseudo-hexagonal platelets, and FT-IR did not indicate prominent organic functional groups under the conditions tested. The clays were mildly acidic (pH 4.23–4.48), aligning with physiological skin pH, but exhibited low photoprotective performance when assessed alone (SPF ≈ 2.5–2.6). Elemental screening identified nutritionally relevant trace minerals but also detected regulated or sensitising metals, with Ibomvu showing elevated bulk Pb (53 ± 12 ppm), Ni (126 ± 71 ppm) and Zn (72 ± 26 ppm), while Umcako contained elevated bulk Cr (460 ± 140 ppm) and Pb (18 ± 6 ppm). Overall, although Umcako and Ibomvu display physicochemical properties compatible with clay-based cosmetic products, their heavy metal burden, together with the potential for dermal exposure highlighted by leachate analysis, indicates that purification, batch-to-batch monitoring and regulatory risk assessment are essential before safe cosmetic use. Full article

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most commonly performed metabolic bariatric surgery procedures worldwide. However, conventional LSG generally requires liver retraction for adequate visualization of the operative field. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, perioperative safety, and metabolic outcomes of a modified three-port LSG technique performed without the use of a liver retractor. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study included 2000 consecutive individuals with obesity who underwent three-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between January 2020 and December 2023. All procedures were performed without mechanical liver retraction by two experienced bariatric surgeons. Operative outcomes, postoperative complications, weight loss parameters, metabolic variables, and histopathological findings were evaluated during a 12-month follow-up period. All included patients completed the predefined follow-up schedule. Postoperative complications were classified according to the Clavien–Dindo classification system. Results: The mean operative time, defined as skin-to-skin duration, was 30 ± 15 min, and the median hospital stay was 2.3 days. No conversion to open surgery, additional trocar placement, or rescue liver retractor use was required. The overall complication rate was 9.4%, with most complications classified as Clavien–Dindo grade I–II. Reoperation was required in three patients (0.15%), and no mortality was observed. Significant metabolic improvements were detected following surgery. Mean HbA1c levels decreased from 7.23% preoperatively to 5.67% at 12 months (p < 0.001), while BMI decreased from 42.6 kg/m² to 28.7 kg/m² (p < 0.001). Excess weight loss and total weight loss at 12 months reached 82.4% and 34.2%, respectively. Diabetes remission was achieved in 65.4% of patients with baseline type 2 diabetes mellitus. Continuous glucose monitoring findings demonstrated reduced postoperative glycemic variability. Conclusions: Three-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy performed without a liver retractor appears to be a feasible and effective surgical approach when performed by experienced bariatric surgeons. The technique was associated with acceptable perioperative safety and favorable metabolic outcomes. However, because of the retrospective single-center design and absence of a conventional comparison group, definitive conclusions regarding superiority or equivalence to standard techniques cannot be established. Prospective multicenter comparative studies are required to validate these findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wound infections represent a major category of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that interrupt the wound healing process, resulting in delayed wound healing and increasing the incidence of mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. With the emergence of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need to find alternative therapeutic strategies capable of overcoming antibiotic resistance while simultaneously promoting wound healing. Previously, we synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (IONPs-CTAB), reported their antimicrobial activity against selected multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR-bacteria) and SARS-CoV2 virus, and addressed their biocompatibility with the skin and eyes of rabbits. Therefore, it is hypothesized that IONPs-CTAB might be a promising alternative therapeutic agent for management of infected wounds. Methods: IONPs-CTAB were synthesized, and their successful synthesis was confirmed by FTIR, DSC-TGA, and XPS. Their antibacterial activity against three MDR-bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), isolated from infected wounds was investigated via the microdilution test to determine MIC/MBC, and a time–kill curve study was also performed. Subsequently, an in vivo study was conducted to assess their wound healing activity on both non-infected and infected wounds. Results: IONPs-CTAB had MIC and MBC values ranging from 125 to 250, and 500 to 1000 µg/mL, respectively. The time–kill curve study showed an effective control of bacterial growth for all tested bacteria. The vivo study demonstrated the superior wound healing activity of IONPs-CTAB compared to standard treatment on both non-infected and infected wounds. This was further confirmed by histopathological examination and biochemical analysis. Conclusions: IONPs-CTAB might be a good therapeutic alternative for the management of infected and non-infected wounds. However, future studies are still required to assess their long-term safety and the possibility of their extravasation to systemic circulation, with their potential accumulation in various organs after a long-term application. Full article

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory condition of the skin that has increased dramatically over the past decade and significantly impacts individual quality of life. Corticosteroids are still the primary therapy for AD, but there are limitations to their continued use due to potential adverse effects, particularly when used in sensitive areas. Topical calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, are available as a safe, steroid-sparing alternative that directly inhibit calcineurin-mediated activation of T cells and have been shown to be efficacious according to varying clinical study designs including randomized controlled trials, registry studies and meta-analyses. Although there was controversy regarding the safety of CNIs subsequent to the FDA’s black-box warning in 2006, the preponderance of evidence supports their continued safety when used as directed. In contrast to biologics and JAK inhibitors, CNIs occupy an inherently unique therapeutic niche for use in pediatric patients, have demonstrated historical efficacy, and can provide localized affordable treatment in sensitive areas including the face, eyelids and intertriginous surfaces. Furthermore, the role of CNIs in the context of precision dermatology continues to be defined through new innovations including barrier-repair strategies used in combination with topical medications, microneedle systems, and nanocarrier formulations. Hence, the role of CNIs in the current AD treatment paradigm is crucial and lies at the interface between topical corticosteroids and systemic immunomodulatory agents. The narrative review discusses recent advances in formulation strategies, combination approaches, and targeted delivery systems, underscoring how CNIs continue to bridge established practice and emerging therapeutic innovation in AD. Full article