Search Results (1,982)

Background: Physical activity is a key modifiable factor influencing healthy aging, yet data on activity patterns and their physiological correlates in older adults from Central Asia remain limited. Understanding these relationships is essential for informing region-specific health promotion strategies. Objectives: This study assessed physical activity levels among urban-dwelling older adults in Astana, Kazakhstan, and examined associations between activity level, body composition, visceral fat accumulation, metabolic indicators, and muscle strength. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 608 adults aged ≥60 years (median age: 68 years; 82.1% women). Physical activity was measured using the validated Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Anthropometric and body composition indicators, including BMI, total and visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass, and handgrip strength, were evaluated. Spearman correlation and linear regression analyses were applied. The analyses were exploratory and did not include adjustment for potential confounders such as sex, chronic disease burden, or socioeconomic status; therefore, the observed associations should be interpreted with caution. Results: The median PASE score was 55.55, with 61.8% of participants demonstrating moderate activity levels, primarily through walking and household tasks. In analyses without adjustment for potential confounding factors, PASE scores showed weak inverse associations with visceral fat (ρ = −0.214; p < 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (ρ = −0.154; p < 0.001), as well as weak positive associations with handgrip strength. Across the reported significant associations, correlation coefficients ranged from |ρ| = 0.103 to 0.235, and the explanatory capacity of the regression models was low, with R² values ranging from 0.6% to 8.2%. Conclusions: Higher habitual physical activity may be linked to selected bioelectrical impedance parameters, WHR, and handgrip strength among urban older adults. Given the cross-sectional design, causal interpretation should be approached with caution. These findings provide meaningful regional baseline evidence for future longitudinal and intervention studies on physical activity and healthy aging in Central Asia. Full article

Sjögren’s disease (SjD) remains one of the few major systemic autoimmune diseases without an approved disease-modifying therapy, despite decades of pathogenic insight and several randomised trials. We contend that these repeated failures reflect not intrinsic therapeutic refractoriness, but trial designs insufficiently aligned with the underlying biological heterogeneity of SjD. We propose a tripartite framework in which SjD is organised around three dominant biological axes: an interferon-driven systemic axis, a B-cell/lymphoproliferative axis, and a symptom/fibro-structural axis. Each axis carries its own characteristic biomarkers, histopathology, prognostic features, candidate endpoints, and therapeutic targets, and each implies a distinct trial enrolment strategy. Recent positive trials—phase III for ianalumab in NEPTUNUS-1/2, phase 2b for iscalimab in TWINSS, phase 2 for nipocalimab in DAHLIAS, and phase 2 for dazodalibep in a phenotype-defined symptom-dominant cohort—illustrate that meaningful clinical benefit becomes detectable once stratification is aligned to biology. By integrating molecular endotypes, validated biomarkers, composite endpoints, and phenotype-matched therapies onto a single explicit architecture, SjD shifts from a recurring example of translational failure to a model for precision medicine in heterogeneous autoimmune disease. The central message is that SjD may be less intrinsically treatment-resistant than it has historically been treatment-mistargeted. Full article

Background: Sedentary behavior is a major modifiable risk factor for chronic metabolic disorders, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite recommendations promoting regular physical activity (PA), adherence remains low. DIA/01 is a multidisciplinary study designed to promote healthy lifestyles for the prevention and management of T2DM, supporting healthcare systems. Methods: A total of 123 adults with T2DM diagnosed will be enrolled at the Diabetes Center of the University Hospital of Perugia throughout 2025. Inclusion criteria are age 25–80 years, ability to walk independently, being inactive, and BMI 18.5–40 kg/m². Exclusion criteria include severe cardiovascular, central nervous system, or musculoskeletal diseases contraindicating PA. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) standard care (SC); (2) SC plus theoretical PA counseling (TCPA); and (3) SC plus TCPA plus a 3-month supervised mixed exercise program. The assessment, conducted at baseline and at 6 and 12 months, includes total weekly PA (WPA) time, using IPAQ-SF and actigraphy. Moreover, glycated hemoglobin, sedentary time (ST), functional capacity, body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, dietary adherence, perceived barriers and willingness to initiate PA, readiness to change, health-related quality of life, and sleep quality will be studied. This study is registered in the Clinical Trials Registry on 13 May 2026, with the identifier NCT07583355. Conclusions: Participants in groups (2) and (3) are expected to show greater improvements in WPA, reductions in ST, and favorable changes in metabolic and functional outcomes compared with SC. This approach may support long-term engagement in regular PA and contribute to improving the clinical management of T2DM. Full article

Bone defects from trauma, tumour resection, infection, and degenerative disease remain a major clinical burden, and autografts face limitations of supply and donor-site morbidity. Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a route to patient-specific, architecturally defined bone scaffolds, while biopolymers from natural sources provide biodegradability, biocompatibility, and extracellular matrix-mimicking cues consistent with sustainable, green biomaterials science. This review synthesises recent progress in 3D printing of biopolymer-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. We first examine the principal feedstocks—alginate, gelatin and gelatin methacryloyl, collagen, chitosan, silk fibroin, cellulose, and microbial polyesters—and their preparation, crosslinking chemistry, and printability. We then compare extrusion, light-based, and indirect printing technologies and the process–property relationships governing resolution, mechanical competence, and cell viability. Composite and functionalisation strategies, including biopolymer–bioceramic hybrids and controlled delivery of growth factors and antimicrobial agents, are analysed as routes to osteoinduction, vascularisation, and infection control. Finally, we evaluate translational performance in preclinical models and outline central challenges of vascularisation, mechanical–degradation matching, scalability, and regulatory standardisation. Biopolymer 3D printing is positioned as a ve rsatile, sustainable platform whose clinical maturation depends on integrated material, structural, and biological design. Full article

Background/Objectives: Natural calcium carbonate materials such as Rügen chalk have a long history of use in balneology and rehabilitation, particularly for musculoskeletal disorders, yet their application remains largely confined to traditional, labour-intensive forms such as powders, suspensions, and packs, which limit usability and broader clinical translation. This study aimed to develop an alginate-based solid foam incorporating Rügen chalk and to evaluate how key formulation components influence its structural, mechanical, and thermal properties relevant for therapeutic use. Methods: Alginate–chalk foams were prepared by mechanical mixing of a sodium alginate–Rügen chalk paste with an amino acid-based surfactant, while in situ CO₂ generation from D–glucono–δ–lactone (GDL) induced calcium-mediated alginate gelation and foam stabilization. A central composite design with response surface methodology was used to assess the effects of alginate, chalk, and Perlastan^®–GDL content on foam pH, overrun, firmness, springiness, pore volume, sphericity, pore density, specific internal surface area, and heat-loss time. Foam microstructure was characterized by optical microscopy and microcomputed tomography (µCT), and the thermal conductivity and cooling behaviour of the selected formulation were compared with therapeutic peat. Results: Stable, elastic solid foams with a three-dimensional porous architecture were obtained across the investigated composition range. Foam overrun (30.8–57.1%) was primarily governed by sodium alginate and Rügen chalk concentrations, while firmness (7.4–15.2 N) increased predominantly with alginate content, and springiness remained high (70–78%), indicating good elastic recovery. Response surface modelling and ANOVA confirmed sodium alginate as the dominant factor influencing both mechanical and structural properties, with statistically significant effects on overrun, firmness, springiness, heat loss, porosity, and specific internal surface. µCT analysis revealed that all foam formulations were predominantly composed of fine, closed-cell pores, with over 96% of pores having volumes below 0.5 mm³ and a consistent median pore volume of 0.02 mm³. Structural differences between formulations were governed primarily by pore number and spatial distribution rather than pore size. Strong correlations were identified between µCT-derived parameters, particularly between specific internal surface, porosity, and pore density, confirming that internal architecture is controlled by pore population rather than individual pore dimensions. Thermal analysis demonstrated that the optimized formulation exhibited thermal conductivity comparable to therapeutic peat and maintained clinically relevant temperatures (35–45 °C) for more than one hour. Based on predefined performance criteria (overrun ≥ 50%, firmness ≤ 10 N, heat loss ≥ 120 s), formulation 7 was identified as optimal, combining favourable mechanical properties, structural uniformity and thermal retention. Conclusions: Alginate-based solid foams incorporating Rügen chalk constitute a feasible and tunable platform that combines efficient mineral loading, elastic porosity, and effective heat retention, offering a practical and modern alternative to conventional mineral-based therapeutic applications in balneology and rehabilitation. Full article

Flavor esters are valuable compounds widely used in the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries for their aroma and flavor-enhancing properties. Traditional methods of obtaining these compounds, such as extraction from natural sources or chemical synthesis, present challenges related to cost and toxicity, respectively. Enzymatic synthesis, particularly using immobilized lipases, offers a sustainable and efficient alternative. This study investigates the application of CRL immobilized on Diaion HP-20 for geranyl butyrate synthesis via esterification of geraniol and butanoic acid using Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) immobilized on Diaion HP-20 (CRL-DHP-20). The immobilization process resulted in a protein loading of 29.6 ± 2.2 mg/g support from an initial 40 mg/g, and the immobilized biocatalyst exhibited a hydrolytic activity of 124.0 ± 2.5 U/g using olive oil emulsion. Reaction conditions were optimized through a central composite design, evaluating the influence of biocatalyst concentration, temperature, and agitation on ester conversion. The optimal conditions (13.4% CRL-DHP-20, 48.2 °C, and 220.1 rpm) led to 85.4% conversion in 360 min. Additionally, CRL-DHP-20 retained 84% of its initial activity after six reaction cycles, indicating good operational stability. These findings highlight the potential of CRL-DHP-20 as an effective and reusable biocatalyst for green synthesis of flavor esters. Full article

Polymer coatings are integral to nearly every modern cardiovascular and endovascular device, including drug-eluting stents (DESs) and drug-coated balloons (DCBs), bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs), occluders, grafts, and catheter and guidewire hydrophilic surfaces. Persistent complications, including late stent thrombosis, delayed endothelialization, hypersensitivity, and restenosis, show that coatings actively shape biological responses rather than acting as inert drug carriers. Their surface chemistry, drug release kinetics, and degradation behavior are upstream determinants of blood– and tissue–material responses that govern healing and failure. This review frames coating selection as a structure–property–biological response problem. It surveys the major classes of synthetic polymer coatings and the defining surface and bulk properties. This review also examines how composition and architecture control drug release, and traces the interfacial cascade of protein adsorption, coagulation and complement activation, platelet and leukocyte responses, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. These mechanisms are linked to contemporary design strategies that improve hemocompatibility, limit thrombosis, promote endothelial recovery, and tune degradation, and to the standardization and translation gaps that remain. The central message is that polymer coatings are not biologically equivalent. Their surface chemistries and degradation profiles determine the thrombo-inflammatory outcomes. Therefore, coating design should be guided by intended biological response, not drug release alone. Full article

Phenolic compounds, particularly secoiridoids derived from oleuropein and ligstroside, are the main determinants of the antioxidant capacity and health-promoting properties of virgin olive oil, yet their content is strongly affected by processing conditions. This study aimed to enhance phenolic enrichment in Picual olive oil through mild acidification of the paste. Four olive samples were processed under a Central Composite Design varying malaxation time (40–80 min), acid concentration (0.02–0.08 mol/kg paste), and acid type (ascorbic or malic), across two maturity indices (MI) per acid, and evaluated by Response Surface Methodology. Ascorbic acid outperformed malic acid for most of the evaluated responses, with the majority of the monitored parameters exhibiting progressive improvements with increasing acid concentration across the tested range. Extraction efficiency reached 75.8–80.0%, increasing with ripening, malaxation time, and acid dose. Acidification did not affect standard quality parameters but enhanced pigment retention (up to 18.9 mg/kg carotenoids; 28.9 mg/kg chlorophylls) and selectively increased oleuropein- and ligstroside-derived secoiridoids. Antioxidant capacity correlated with phenolic content, reaching 1177.9 µmol Trolox equivalents/kg at high acid concentration and medium–high malaxation times. The optimal acid dose depended on MI, with higher doses favoring riper fruit. Overall, in the Picual cultivar, mild acidification is an effective strategy to enrich the antioxidant fraction of olive oil without compromising its quality. Full article

Sewage sludge management is increasingly shifting from a liability-focused “treat-and-dispose” approach toward resource recovery, where digestion residues and their liquid fractions are treated as secondary feedstocks for nutrient, water, and energy recovery. In Europe, the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive strengthens performance and monitoring requirements and reinforces the need for efficient sludge treatment and downstream valorization routes. This review synthesizes evidence on how pretreatment-induced changes in digestate properties translate into membrane performance outcomes and maps practical design implications for selecting pretreatment-membrane trains for nutrient recovery and reclaimed water production. Pressure-driven membrane methods (MF/UF/NF/RO), together with membrane distillation and electrodialysis, are central candidates for producing clarified water streams and concentrating nutrients; however, their performance is governed by digestate rheology, colloidal stability, and the composition of soluble microbial products and inorganic ions, which collectively shape fouling and scaling risks. Pretreatments such as thermal hydrolysis and microwave conditioning can modify floc structure and solubilize organics, with potential benefits for dewaterability and mass transfer, but can also shift particle size distributions toward fines and increase fouling propensity if not coupled with appropriate solid–liquid separation and conservative flux control. Emphasis is placed on mechanisms and operational trade-offs rather than single-point performance claims, highlighting where evidence is robust and where further comparability and full-scale validation remain necessary. Full article

Even though the functional food market has rapidly increased in recent years, the links between bioactive-rich formulations and consumers’ health benefit are not fully established, mainly because of insufficient consideration of food matrix effects. This review provides a comprehensive and integrated evaluation of how food matrix properties (structural and physicochemical) affect the bioaccessibility of plant bioactive compounds. Unlike many reviews that focus on a single nutrient approach, we highlight quantitative evidence of how bioaccessibility can be affected by matrix properties, illustrating the interactions between main food components (lipids, proteins, dietary fiber and minerals). This review integrates fragmented information among different areas of food and nutrition sciences, i.e., food structure, gastrointestinal science, mineral chemistry, protein chemistry, providing a holistic framework for Quality by Design (QbD) functional food development. Synergisms and antagonistic behaviors, threshold effects, and concentration-dependent behaviors are analyzed comparatively for the most common plant-derived bioactives, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, curcuminoids and minerals (iron, zinc and calcium). We propose a matrix-informed optimization as a prerequisite for credible health claims and sustainable plant-based nutrition strategies. This can ultimately serve as a foundation for next-generation functional food development based on bioaccessibility, supporting the central argument that functional food development should move from composition-based fortification to bioaccessibility-based matrix engineering. Full article

A regeneration process for powdered spent activated carbon was developed through binder-assisted forming and thermal regeneration, and the process parameters were optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of calcination time, calcination temperature, and binder ratio on the iodine adsorption value of spent activated carbon were investigated by using a Central Composite Design. The quadratic regression model exhibited high accuracy and statistical significance (R² = 0.9934, p < 0.0001), indicating good agreement between the predicted and experimental results. The optimal regeneration conditions were determined as a calcination time of 39.2 min, a calcination temperature of 848 °C, and a binder ratio of 10.15%. Under the optimized conditions, the VOCs (dichloromethane) adsorption capacity increased sharply from 9.1 mg/g to 108.2 mg/g. Characterization results showed that the regeneration process effectively restored the pore structure and improved the surface properties of the activated carbon. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated the effective removal of adsorbed pollutants. XPS analysis revealed a decrease in oxygen-containing functional groups, particularly –COOH groups, accompanied by an increase in C=O content, while the C–O groups changed only slightly. These structural and surface modifications contributed to the recovery of adsorption performance and provide guidance for the regeneration of powdered spent activated carbon. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is a prevalent global health concern characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Growing evidence suggests that metabolic dysregulation may influence prostate cancer risk and disease behavior; however, findings across studies remain inconsistent. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer risk, clinicopathologic characteristics, and disease outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE from database inception through the final search update on 10 January 2026, with supplementary searches of Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, the Clinical Oncology journal collection, and reference lists. Observational studies assessing the relationship between metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer outcomes were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, followed by full text review to determine eligibility. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus. Risk of bias was assessed using design-specific tools, including the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, and Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Findings were synthesized narratively because of heterogeneity in study design, metabolic syndrome definitions, populations, outcomes, and effect estimates. Results: A total of 1304 records were identified across all databases. After duplicate assessment, records underwent title and abstract screening, followed by full text assessment. Twenty-four studies, ranging from small clinic-based cohorts to large population-based cohorts exceeding 5 million participants, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Most studies were cohort or case–control designs conducted in North America, Europe, and Asia. Overall, evidence for a uniform association between composite metabolic syndrome and prostate cancer incidence was inconsistent. Associations appeared more suggestive for clinically significant, high-grade, or adverse pathological features, although findings varied by study design, metabolic syndrome definition, detection context, and adjustment level. Several studies suggested that individual components of metabolic syndrome, particularly obesity and insulin resistance, may be key drivers of these associations. Conclusions: Available evidence suggests a heterogeneous relationship between metabolic syndrome, related metabolic abnormalities, and prostate cancer outcomes. Evidence for a uniform association with overall prostate cancer incidence was inconsistent, whereas signals were more frequently reported for clinically significant, high-grade, or adverse pathological features. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of observational study designs, heterogeneous MetS definitions, detection context, and variable adjustment. Further well-designed prospective studies are needed to clarify temporality, causal pathways, and the contributions of individual metabolic components. Full article

Acid-generating mining waste and polymer waste are two of the most persistent environmental problems facing the mining and manufacturing sectors, respectively. We have investigated the co-recovery of these disparate waste streams for the production of unfired cementitious paving blocks. We established a statistically optimized formulation using response surface methodology (RSM) and a central composite design (CCD). We systematically evaluated three process variables: air-curing time (4–37 days), dosage of the waste mixture (5–68% by weight of dry solids: acid-generating mining waste, hydrated lime, and recycled polymer in a waste-to-polymer mass ratio of 1:1), and type of polymeric aggregate (recycled PET flakes versus granulated rubber). Compressive strength ranged from 4.5 to 42.1 MPa across the 40 experimental conditions. The resulting quadratic model was clearly significant (F = 186.31, p < 0.0001) with solid predictive parameters (R² = 0.9796; R²pred = 0.9627; adequate precision = 42.47). Desirability-based optimization, which limited air curing to industrially feasible timeframes (7–28 days) and maximized waste utilization within a 10–50% by weight, identified PET with 12.4 days of curing and a 50% by weight waste mixture as the optimal configuration, predicting a compressive strength of 37.3 MPa. This value exceeds the 32 MPa threshold for Type I heavy-traffic paving blocks; however, confirmatory tests yielded 34.09 ± 1.08 MPa, indicating that production-scale use should include control of moisture content, compaction, and batch homogeneity. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrated that PET inclusions promoted a denser and more continuous interfacial transition zone than shredded rubber, driven by physical entanglement and the pronounced microfilling effect of the fine waste particles. Full article

Modulating the physical crosslink architecture of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels without altering total polymer concentration or introducing exogenous components remains a central challenge in biomaterial design. Here, we present a source blending strategy in which porcine skin gelatin (PG) and salmon skin gelatin (SG), two gelatins with markedly different proline and hydroxyproline contents, are combined at seven compositional ratios (PG weight fractions 0–1.0) and subsequently functionalized to GelMA under standardized conditions (8% v/v methacrylic anhydride, 60 °C, 3 h). Near-complete degrees of substitution (95–98%) were achieved across all formulations, as confirmed by both TNBS and ¹H-NMR analyses. In the parent gelatin mixtures, increasing PG fraction progressively increased viscosity, elastic modulus (G′), gelation temperature (Tgel), and compression modulus at 4 °C, with DSC revealing independent SG (0–15 °C) and PG (20–40 °C) endothermic transitions that suggest partial hindrance of PG triple-helix formation by high SG fractions. These composition-dependent trends were preserved after functionalization to GelMA, albeit with attenuated physical crosslinking due to steric impairment by the methacrylate groups. Photocrosslinked GelMA hydrogels fabricated after pre-incubation at 4 °C exhibited systematically higher compression moduli and lower swelling degrees with increasing PG content, demonstrating that the PG/SG ratio provides an effective means for independently tuning hydrogel mechanics and mesh architecture. In vitro release assays using Rhodamine 6G further demonstrated that pre-incubation at 4 °C prior to photocrosslinking effectively modulates transport kinetics in SG-PG GelMA hydrogels. This strategy delayed characteristic release times and constrained Weibull shape parameters to the anomalous-transport regime (0.75 < β < 1), where diffusion is governed by network chain relaxation. This effect was most pronounced in the 0.4SG:0.6PG formulation, where lower SG content permitted unhindered triple-helix formation, as corroborated by DSC and compression studies. Ultimately, adjusting the pre-incubation temperature and gelatin source combination provides a straightforward, processing-additive-free strategy to achieve programmable release profiles via controlled matrix tortuosity. Full article

Background: While ibuprofen is a widely used non-opioid analgesic with growing evidence in surgical settings, its safety and efficacy in acute burn care remain poorly characterized. This review aims to address this gap. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR (September 2025) across PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Scopus for original, English-language studies evaluating the safety and/or efficacy of ibuprofen, distinguishable from multimodal regimens, for acute burn analgesia. Results: Of 136 studies, six met inclusion criteria (5 adult, 1 pediatric). Populations primarily consisted of second- and third-degree burns; only two studies included >10% total body surface area (TBSA). Study designs were heterogeneous, all with moderate to high risk of bias, including one retrospective study (oral ibuprofen), two experimental double-blind placebo randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (topical; oral), and three clinical RCTs (intravenous; topical; topical and oral). No study reported associations with increased adverse events; a retrospective study found no increased bleeding risk with perioperative ibuprofen in skin graft patients. Analgesic outcomes were not directly comparable across studies due to heterogeneity. Experimental models found that ibuprofen did not reduce acute burn pain, but attenuated pain within hyperalgesic skin. Among clinical studies, both oral and dressing ibuprofen formulations demonstrated reduced procedural pain. One topical study noted faster wound healing, though this was confounded by less frequent dressing changes. Conclusions: The available studies were insufficient to draw definitive conclusions, limited by sample size, heterogeneity, bias, and exclusion of high-risk patients. Nonetheless, no study reported increased adverse events across diverse ibuprofen protocols. These findings underscore the need for adequately powered, agent-specific trials in clinically representative burn populations to inform evidence-based multimodal compositions amidst growing advocacy for opioid-sparing analgesia. Full article