Search Results (213)

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have emerged as promising natural nanocarriers for biomedical applications owing to their distinctive ability to facilitate intercellular communication and transport bioactive molecules. In this review, we employ bibliometric analysis to identify research hotspots and trends, providing a comprehensive overview of these core themes. The bibliometric results reveal a sustained increase in annual publications in this field, with keyword analysis identifying drug delivery, cross-kingdom regulation, immunomodulation, engineering modification, and gut microbiota as five major research themes. The focus of research has evolved from early basic biological characteristics into engineered smart delivery platforms, with the application areas expanding from intestinal inflammation to neurological, metabolic, dermatological, and oncological diseases. This review systematically examines the core directions in this field. It compares the strengths and limitations of mainstream isolation methods and highlights the value of multi-omics integration, covering the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and gut microbiota regulation by PDEVs along with engineering strategies such as drug loading, surface modification, and membrane fusion. It also discusses the latest progress in frontier therapeutic applications of PDEVs, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, tissue regeneration and aesthetics, and neurological disorders. Finally, this review summarizes the key challenges confronting the field, including the lack of standardized protocols, production bottlenecks, and engineering obstacles. It also delineates future directions, including establishing international standardization definitions, advancing multi-omics and AI-driven mechanistic elucidation, developing scalable and efficient purification technologies, and executing systematic preclinical safety and pharmacokinetic evaluations to facilitate clinical translation. Full article

This study presents a mathematics-based simulation model for designing, analyzing, and optimizing offshore green hydrogen stations powered by solar photovoltaic systems, applicable to any location worldwide. Developed in Python, the model integrates environmental, physical, and technological parameters to simulate and forecast hydrogen production via water electrolysis using alkaline (ALK) or proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, combined with an adiabatic compressor that enhances energy storage and facilitates integration into smart grids. The five-phase modular methodology includes timeframe definition; estimation of solar electricity generation based on solar trajectory and the geographic orientation of photovoltaic panels; performance modeling of electrolyzers and compressors; and the integration of all components into a cohesive system. A case study demonstrates the model’s real-world applicability. Results from the Gulf of Cadiz case study show a substantial increase in solar energy capture in offshore environments due to reduced atmospheric pollution and sea-surface reflection. The reflected component is modeled as a function of sea-surface flatness. This reflection increases the daily average solar irradiance received by the photovoltaic panels by 8.44%. Under the modeled 2026 conditions and equivalent irradiance levels, the ALK electrolyzer produces 3.347% more hydrogen than the PEM electrolyzer. In addition, a 20% increase in electrolyzer efficiency raises hydrogen production by 32.35%, whereas the same increase in compressor efficiency improves production by 0.758%. These impacts directly correlate with proportional reductions in the photovoltaic panel surface area, driven by increased electricity generation capacity, which translates into smaller infrastructure needs. The model enables quantitative evaluation of trade-offs among solar irradiance, component performance, and system design. It supports cost reduction through optimized sizing and improved integration. This approach contributes to lowering the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) and promoting the viability of marine-based green hydrogen deployment. Full article

Non-invasive Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) and Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) are emerging as promising techniques for real-time monitoring and quality assessment in food processing and agri-food applications. This study reviews recent advances in impedance-based sensing for fruit characterization and investigates the experimental implementation of multi-electrode impedance measurements for tomographic imaging. Particular attention is devoted to electrode configurations, electrode polarization effects, and equivalent circuit modeling. Experimental measurements were performed on yellow honeydew melon samples using a four-electrode configuration and a impedance analyzer Keysight E4990 (Keysight Technologies, Santa Rosa, USA) over the frequency range from 20 Hz to 1 MHz. The impedance spectra were validated through Kramers–Kronig consistency tests and interpolated using several fractional-order equivalent circuit models, including single-Cole, double-Cole, and Hayden-based models. The results show that four-electrode measurements are less sensitive to electrode-sample interface artifacts than conventional two-electrode approaches, thereby providing a more reliable estimate of the sample impedance, particularly at low frequencies. Among the tested models, the double-Cole model provided the best interpolation accuracy, while the fractional Hayden models effectively described the temporal evolution of extracellular resistance and membrane-related parameters. Preliminary EIT reconstructions further demonstrate the feasibility of non-destructive tomographic imaging for fruit monitoring. These findings support the potential of EIS and EIT as low-cost, portable, and non-invasive tools for smart food quality assessment and precision agriculture applications. Full article

Chronic wounds represent a growing global healthcare burden driven by persistent inflammation, polymicrobial biofilm formation, impaired tissue regeneration, and increased antimicrobial resistance. This review examines the mechanistic interplay between chronic wound pathophysiology, biofilm persistence, and antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-based therapeutics, with particular emphasis on translational barriers and advanced biomaterial-enabled delivery strategies. Current evidence demonstrates that AMPs exert multifactorial activities extending beyond direct antimicrobial effects, including membrane disruption, quorum-sensing inhibition, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) destabilization, immune modulation, angiogenic stimulation, and promotion of re-epithelialization. However, their clinical translation remains limited due to proteolytic degradation, poor stability, cytotoxicity, rapid clearance, and inadequate retention within the hostile chronic wound microenvironment. To address these limitations, emerging biomaterial platforms—including hydrogels, electrospun nanofibers, nanoparticles, self-assembling peptide systems, and stimuli-responsive smart dressings—have been developed to improve AMP stability, controlled release, biofilm penetration, and regenerative efficacy. This review further highlights current preclinical and clinical challenges, including the lack of standardized polymicrobial biofilm models and translationally relevant wound systems, while discussing future perspectives such as artificial intelligence-assisted peptide design and precision wound therapeutics. We argue that peptide discovery is no longer the principal bottleneck: the rate-limiting steps are now peptide stabilization, biofilm-targeted delivery, and dosing, and no current platform yet couples validated eradication of mature polymicrobial biofilms with validated tissue regeneration in a clinically representative model. Collectively, AMP-enabled smart biomaterials may support the transition from passive wound management toward responsive, biofilm-targeted regenerative therapy. Full article

Nanotechnology offers transformative potential for wastewater treatment, yet its full-scale implementation remains bottlenecked by the “lab–reality gap”. While bench-scale studies using idealized matrices report outstanding pollutant removal efficiencies, performance routinely deteriorates in authentic wastewater due to complex matrix interferences, natural organic matter (NOM) competitive binding, fouling dynamics, and unpredictable nano–bio transformations. Moving beyond traditional reviews that focus heavily on material synthesis and theoretical capacities, this review provides a novel, systems-oriented, and function-driven perspective on environmental nanotechnology. We critically evaluate the operational stability and behavior of nano-enabled systems under realistic conditions, categorizing nanomaterial roles into reactive interfaces, selective barriers, signal generators, and biological modulators. Crucially, this work examines the synergistic integration of nanotechnology with advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), membrane bioreactors, and digital intelligence—including artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time nanosensing—to achieve smart fouling management and circular resource recovery. Finally, we propose a comprehensive, multidimensional evaluation framework that simultaneously assesses technical efficiency, stability, scalability, economic feasibility, environmental safety, and system compatibility. This review delivers a pragmatic roadmap to bridge the chasm between isolated laboratory discovery and robust, sustainable, field-scale wastewater engineering. Full article

In vitro maturation (IVM) is a critical step affecting the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production; however, oxidative stress during in vitro culture can impair oocyte quality and subsequent developmental competence. This study investigated the effects of cysteine supplementation on bovine oocyte IVM, redox homeostasis, mitochondrial status, and transcriptomic changes. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 125 μM cysteine, and 75 μM was identified as the optimal concentration. Compared with the control group, 75 μM cysteine increased the first polar body extrusion rate from approximately 78% to 81% and improved the fertilization/cleavage rate from approximately 74% to 82%. It also significantly increased the proportions of 2-cell, 4-cell, and 8-cell embryos, whereas morula and blastocyst rates were not significantly affected. At the cellular level, 75 μM cysteine significantly reduced ROS levels and increased GSH content, as indicated by changes in relative fluorescence intensity. JC-1 staining showed that the JC-1 monomer signal decreased from approximately 16.0 to 13.5, whereas the JC-1 aggregate signal increased from approximately 13.2 to 14.8, indicating improved mitochondrial membrane potential status. In addition, lipid droplet fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 11.8 to 13.4, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 6.0 to 7.0, and cytoskeletal fluorescence intensity showed no significant difference between groups. Smart-seq2 transcriptomic analysis identified 1935 differentially expressed genes, including 1778 upregulated and 157 downregulated genes, which were mainly enriched in translation, ribosomal structural components, RNA binding, oxidative phosphorylation, and metabolism-related pathways. qRT-PCR further confirmed the upregulation of key genes, including NDUFS2, VDAC3, ANXA2, MTHFD1L, and SCD. Overall, 75 μM cysteine improves bovine oocyte IVM quality by enhancing antioxidant capacity, improving mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing lipid-derived energy substrate storage, and regulating genes related to energy metabolism and developmental competence. Full article

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites with dual significance: they threaten health via food contamination yet hold potential as biopesticides. Their isolation from complex matrices remains a critical challenge. This review analyzes classical methods (liquid–liquid extraction, SPE including QuEChERS, chromatography). Traditional techniques suffer from poor selectivity, multi-step processing, large toxic solvent volumes, and matrix effects. As alternatives, emerging strategies based on rational design are considered: directed cocrystallization, supercritical fluid extraction, smart MOF/COF membranes, and AI integrated with physicochemical modeling. The concept of “precision” extraction enabling prediction of target isolation at the molecular level is developed. Recommendations for standardizing experimental reporting to create machine-readable datasets for neural networks are provided. The review concludes that while most still require experimental validation for mycotoxins, these approaches point toward selective, sustainable mycotoxin isolation technologies for analytical control and pure standard production. Full article

Microplastics have recently emerged as a widespread contaminant in wastewater, posing severe risks to the environment and human health due to their potential bioaccumulation and toxicity. Conventional wastewater treatment processes are generally inadequate for the complete removal of microplastics due to their modest scale. Interest has been garnered from academia and industry regarding their separation from wastewater. This review covers recent advances in the application of membrane processes for the removal of microplastics from wastewater. The principles of membrane separation, removal efficiency, and operational challenges are critically evaluated, along with the potential of the hybrid membrane systems. In the next section, the fouling mechanism induced by microplastics and their interaction with foulants, as well as cleaning and anti-fouling strategies, are discussed. Finally, future perspectives focus on the current unresolved research gaps, including the integration of digital monitoring and artificial intelligence-assisted optimization of membrane technology for microplastic removal. By consolidating current knowledge and identifying pathways for innovation, this review underscores the pivotal role of membranes in mitigating plastic pollution and advancing sustainable wastewater management. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in biological systems as indispensable signaling molecules and as key mediators of oxidative damage. Chronic wounds are often associated with excessive ROS formation, which impedes the healing process. Locally applied antioxidants may mitigate such imbalance and support tissue regeneration. The chitosan–hyaluronan (Ch/HA) composite membranes’ biocompatibility, moisture retention, and ability to maintain local redox balance rank these materials among the most promising next-generation wound dressings. The aim of this review is to summarize the Ch/HA composite membranes serving as reservoirs for locally applied antioxidants to accelerate the healing of full-thickness skin wounds in experimental animals. Composite Ch/HA membranes fortified with the selected antioxidants such as phosphatidylcholine dihydroquercetin and glutathione were evaluated in rats. A mitochondria-targeted derivative such as mitoquinone mesylate was evaluated in rats and rabbits, while l-(+)-ergothioneine has been examined in rabbits so far. This review demonstrates that smartly designed Ch/HA composite membranes represent a novel-generation wound dressing platform capable of smart antioxidant release and efficient stimulation of skin regeneration. Full article

The need for reliable preventive medicine tools is growing, especially for diseases with long diagnostic delays, such as endometriosis, which can take several years to diagnose. In this context, cellulose acetate nanofibrous membranes were prepared via electrospinning, to create the absorbent core of a smart wearable in the form of a sanitary pad, intended to support electronic diagnostic devices. A multi-layered structure was opted for, with each layer acting in a specific way according to its position within the pad, regarding mainly absorbency and porosity. The membranes were ultralight and highly absorbent, with single membranes showing an absorbency of 20–70 times their initial weight, and multi-layered membranes 15–30 times. Morphological evaluation of the pad was used as the basis for the optimization of the fabrication parameters, while liquid absorption capacity confirmed the pad’s high absorbency. Additionally, chemical and toxicological assessments indicated in vitro biocompatibility of the pad. The potential of the electrospinning process in the fabrication of menstrual hygiene pads is shown by these results. Future studies should focus on the integration of smart devices within the pad, as well as their functionality and effectiveness. Full article

Intermittently operated, tankless reverse osmosis (RO) systems are widely used in decentralized and point-of-use applications, yet water stagnation during idle periods remains a critical challenge, leading to degraded water quality, accelerated fouling, and performance loss. This study presents an experimentally validated engineering solution that eliminates stagnant water in intermittently operated RO systems. A dual-membrane RO configuration with flexible series–parallel switching was developed, enabling membranes to alternate between production and flushing modes. An adaptive control strategy, integrated into the system hardware, regulates membrane switching and flushing based on real-time feed-water quality. The proposed configuration and control framework was evaluated under representative intermittent operating conditions. Experimental results show that the zero-stagnant-water strategy effectively prevents residual water accumulation during shutdown and maintains stable permeate quality, with total dissolved solids consistently below 10 mg/L. Long-term testing further demonstrates reduced membrane fouling and slower performance degradation compared with conventional fixed-operation schemes, resulting in enhanced desalination efficiency and operational stability. Owing to its modular design and simple control logic, the proposed approach is readily transferable to decentralized and point-of-use membrane water treatment systems requiring reliable, high-quality water under intermittent operation. Full article

Antarctica’s extreme cryospheric conditions impose severe thermodynamic constraints on the natural attenuation of hydrocarbon pollutants. Despite the Antarctic Treaty System’s protections, the footprint of human logistics has left persistent reservoirs of petroleum hydrocarbons that threaten endemic biodiversity. This review critically synthesizes the state-of-the-art in Antarctic bioremediation, moving beyond traditional culture-dependent studies to integrate recent multi-omics breakthroughs (2020–2025). We analyze the molecular mechanisms limiting bioavailability in frozen soils and highlight the adaptive strategies of psychrophilic consortia, including the modification of membrane fluidity and the expression of cold-active enzymes (e.g., RHDs, AlkB). Notably, we discuss emerging findings on novel long-chain alkane degradation genes (almA, ladA) identified in 2025, which challenge previous assumptions about recalcitrance. Furthermore, the review evaluates the engineering bottlenecks of in situ versus ex situ strategies, emphasizing the synergistic potential of bacterial–fungal co-cultures and the ecological necessity of “climate-smart” remediation to mitigate methane emissions from thawing permafrost. By bridging the gap between fundamental microbial genetics and applied field engineering, we propose a roadmap for the next generation of biotechnological solutions in the warming polar environment. Full article

Ionic polymer–metal composites consist of an ion-conducting polymer–gel membrane sandwiched between two flexible electrodes, representing a class of soft electroactive materials capable of large deformation under low voltage. The gel membrane, swollen with solvent, facilitates ion migration under an electric field, enabling actuation. Tailoring the interfacial architecture between the electrode and the polymer–gel membrane is pivotal for advancing high-performance IPMC actuators. This study presents a comparative investigation of three core–shell nanocomposite electrodes, fabricated via in situ polymerization, for IPMC applications. Among these, the polyaniline-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube composite exhibits a deliberately designed hierarchical structure, with a specific surface area of 32.345 m²·g⁻¹ and a conductive doped polyaniline shell, as confirmed through XPS analysis. This optimized interface enables superior charge storage and transport, endowing the corresponding electrode with a specific capacitance of 40.28 mF·cm⁻² at 100 mV·s⁻¹—3.2 times greater than that of conventional silver-based electrodes—along with a reduced sheet resistance. When integrated with a Nafion ion–gel membrane, the PANI@MWCNT electrode achieves a 67% increase in force density and a larger displacement output compared to standard devices, directly correlated with its enhanced electrical and electrochemical properties. This work highlights the critical role of core–shell interfacial engineering in governing electromechanical performance at the electrode–gel interface and offers a practical design strategy for developing high-performance, cost-effective IPMC actuators for soft robotics, flexible electronics, and related applications. Full article

The rapid digitalization of power systems and the growing penetration of variable renewable energy sources have intensified the need for flexible and resilient smart-grid architectures capable of coordinating cross-sector energy flows. This review aims to provide a system-level synthesis of the artificial-intelligence-enabled integration of smart grids and green hydrogen, explicitly addressing coordination across physical infrastructure, digital control layers, market mechanisms, and environmental constraints. Following the PRISMA 2020 framework, 142 high-relevance studies published between 2010 and 2025 were systematically screened and classified into five interdependent thematic pillars: demand-side flexibility, ICT and IoT infrastructures, cybersecurity and resilience, communication and control performance, and AI-based optimization and decision-making. The synthesis reveals three principal findings. First, while core technologies such as photovoltaics, battery storage, and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers exhibit high component-level maturity, system-integration readiness remains limited by interoperability, communication latency, cybersecurity compliance, and market eligibility constraints. Second, electrolyzers can technically provide fast-response and multi-timescale flexibility services, yet their economic viability depends strongly on market product granularity, settlement intervals, and regulatory frameworks. Third, environmental and resource constraints, including water availability and material criticality, are emerging as binding factors that must be embedded directly into planning and optimization models. Overall, the review positions artificial intelligence as a cross-layer coordination mechanism that links operational control, digital observability, market participation, and sustainability boundaries, providing an integrated architecture to guide scalable and resilient smart grid–hydrogen deployment. Full article

Ensuring the simple, rapid, and real-time monitoring of the freshness of fresh food items is essential for maintaining food safety. By reacting with characteristic substances generated during spoilage, pH-responsive indicators can effectively reveal the degree of food freshness. In this study, a mixture of hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and blueberry anthocyanins (BAs) was adopted and, via an electrospinning strategy, changed into a membrane coupled with a pH-responsive ability to assess the freshness of shrimp. The results showed that HACC/PVA-BA membranes with a HACC: PVA ratio of 1:4 exhibited enhanced hydrophobicity, better WVP properties (4.32 × 10⁻⁹ g m⁻¹ s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹), a rapid pH-response ability within 5 s and super radical scavenging capacity (56.34% for DPPH and 54.74% for ABTS radicals). HACC’s immutable positive charge creates a strong electrostatic field that pre-concentrates spoilage-generated ammonia and intensifies the protonation state of BAs, which dramatically enhances colorimetric sensitivity and rapid response to volatile amines. Moreover, a satisfactory antibacterial ability for S. aureus and E. coli were also evidenced: HACC/PVA-BA (1:4) membranes achieved a maximum inhibition rate of 64.9% for E. coli and 62.2% for S. aureus. Once applied to monitor the freshness of shrimp stored at 4 °C, the HACC/PVA-BA (1:4) membranes were able to indicate shrimp freshness through visually recognizable color changes within 3 h, which correlated strongly with the spoilage indicators of total volatile basic nitrogen, total viable count, and pH value. It is suggested that the intelligent pH-responsive membranes show great potential for practical application in monitoring food freshness. Full article