Search Results (1,498)

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been proposed as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy, although its benefits remain debated. This study evaluated the clinical and microbiological effects of aPDT combined with ultrasonic scaling and root planing (US-SRP) compared with US-SRP alone in patients with periodontitis. Methods: In this randomized split-mouth clinical trial, 40 patients with stage II–III periodontitis were included. Two non-adjacent sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 5 mm were assigned to either control (US-SRP) or test (aPDT + US-SRP) treatment. Clinical parameters, including PPD, bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI), gingival recession (REC), and clinical attachment level (CAL), were assessed at baseline and after 90 days. Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed by multiplex PCR for major periodontal pathogens. Results: No statistically significant differences were detected for microbiological outcomes at 90 days between groups. Significant greater variations were observed at T3 in the aPDT group for PPD (p = 0.04), BOP (p = 0.03) and PI (p = 0.005), whereas the control group showed a significant reduction only for PI (p = 0.01). Regarding comparisons of Δ(T0–T3) between the aPDT group and the control group, the paired t-test was significant for PPD, REC and CAL (p < 0.001), with a Cohen’s d_av < 0.5 for all three parameters (small effect sizes). In addition, the aPDT group showed a statistically significant reduction in BOP (p = 0.03 *) from T0 (92%) to T3 (50%). Exploratory analyses confirmed the same trend for BOP reduction in the aPDT group both in smokers and non-smokers. Conclusions: Despite the fact that adjunctive aPDT seems to offer predictable clinical outcomes in terms of PPD and BOP reductions, further larger and stratified studies are needed to verify if this treatment can provide superior benefits compared with conventional non-surgical periodontal therapy. Full article

A composite based on humic acid (HA) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was synthesized to evaluate the effect of rGO on the structural, functional, thermal, and preliminary phenol adsorption properties of humic acid. The incorporation of rGO increased the carbon content from 47.34 to 55.61 wt.% and decreased the oxygen content from 48.31 to 40.79 wt.%. At the same time, the total content of carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups increased from 5.00 to 5.47 mmol/g, indicating improved accessibility of oxygen-containing functional sites. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the retention of the main functional groups of the initial components after composite formation. Thermogravimetric analysis showed enhanced thermal stability, with the residual mass at 1000 °C increasing from 59.21 to 70.03%. Electron microscopy revealed the formation of a developed wrinkled surface morphology. Preliminary phenol adsorption experiments showed that the HA-rGO composite exhibited higher adsorption capacity than the initial HA and rGO. This improvement was attributed to the combined contribution of oxygen-containing functional groups and the aromatic carbon structure of rGO, which may promote hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions with phenol molecules. Full article

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysis is a promising sustainable solution for water decontamination; however, the industrial application of TiO₂ is hindered by its wide band gap and high handling and recovery costs. This work proposes to overcome these issues by developing a composite coating of nanopowder TiO₂ and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) applied onto commercial polyurethane (PU) foams by means of a simple, low-energy dip-coating process designed to enhance pollutant adsorption and photocatalytic activity. The rGO-TiO₂ coating was optimized by exploring different surface pre-treatments of the PU foams, the deposition of rGO-TiO₂ multilayers, and the variation in the rGO-TiO₂ mass ratio (1:3, 1:4, and 1:5). The prepared materials were characterized by optical microscopy, SEM-EDX, DSC, and thermogravimetry, while the stability of the coating was preliminarily evaluated through ultrasonic tests. The water decontamination capability of the coated foams was investigated by adsorption and UV-Vis photodegradation tests using a 3 mg/L aqueous solution of Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model contaminant. The results demonstrated that the rGO-TiO₂ 1:3-coated samples achieved complete RhB photodegradation within 90 min, with a pseudo-first-order kinetic constant of 0.0446 1/min. Moreover, pre-treating the foam with a 3 M NaOH solution improved coating adhesion onto the PU substrate while maintaining comparable decontamination efficiency. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of adjunctive gaseous ozone therapy combined with full-mouth ultrasonic debridement and scaling and root planing (FMUD–SRP) in patients with generalized periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine patients with stage II–IV generalized periodontitis were enrolled in a randomized split-mouth clinical trial. Quadrants were assigned to receive FMUD–SRP alone or FMUD–SRP plus adjunctive gaseous ozone therapy. Ozone (2100 ppm, 80% oxygen) was applied subgingivally immediately after instrumentation during three treatment sessions. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 45, and 90 days. Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed using qualitative polymerase chain reaction to detect six periodontal pathogens. Results: Both treatments resulted in significant clinical improvements over time (p < 0.05). At 90 days, ozone-treated sites showed greater probing pocket depth reduction (−1.6 ± 0.8 mm vs. −1.2 ± 0.8 mm; p = 0.02) and clinical attachment level gain (−1.1 ± 1.0 mm vs. −0.6 ± 1.0 mm; p = 0.03) compared with control sites. No significant intergroup differences were observed for bleeding on probing, plaque index, or gingival recession. A significantly greater reduction in the detection frequency of periodontal pathogens was observed in the ozone group, including complete suppression of Treponema denticola and marked reductions in other anaerobic species. Conclusions: Adjunctive gaseous ozone therapy enhances the clinical outcomes of non-surgical periodontal treatment and exerts a selective antimicrobial effect against anaerobic periodontal pathogens. Full article

Pectic polysaccharides from tea residues represent a promising class of prebiotic dietary fibers. This study aimed to optimize the extraction of Oolong tea (Camellia sinensis ‘Foshou’) polysaccharides (FCTP), elucidate the structural alterations induced by ultrasonic degradation, and evaluate the consequent in vitro utilization using Lactobacillus salivarius BXP5. Enzyme-assisted extraction significantly improved the yield of FCTP to 11.10%, compared to 6.74% via conventional hot-water extraction. Ultrasonic treatment (120–240 W, 20–45 min) reduced the molecular weight (Mw) from 1079.9 kDa to 690.7–824.4 kDa, increased the uronic acid content, disrupted the triple-helix conformation, and transformed the polysaccharide into a looser and more water-accessible structure. Structural characterization by FTIR, methylation, and NMR further indicated that uFCTP remained an acidic pectic polysaccharide enriched in homogalacturonan (HG)-like domains. In vitro fermentation demonstrated that ultrasonically degraded FCTP (uFCTP) more effectively promoted BXP5 proliferation than native FCTP. Non-targeted metabolomics and proteomics revealed that uFCTP exerted more pronounced regulatory effects on nucleotide metabolism, carbon metabolism, and ribosomal biogenesis. Correlation analysis identified key metabolites (e.g., gallic acid, xanthosine monophosphate) tightly associated with differentially expressed proteins involved in carbohydrate utilization and cellular growth. These findings indicate that ultrasonic degradation is an effective physical modification strategy to improve utilization by L. salivarius BXP5 of tea-derived pectic polysaccharides by tailoring their molecular architecture for improved probiotic fermentation and metabolic cross-talk. Full article

Background and Objectives: Children with mild intellectual disability (MID) frequently experience difficulties during dental treatment due to increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli and limited cooperation. Sensory-adapted dental environments (SADE) have been proposed as a strategy to improve the dental experience of patients with neurodevelopmental conditions; however, evidence regarding their effectiveness in children with MID remains limited. This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a sensory-adapted dental environment on pain-related behaviors and treatment cooperation during professional oral hygiene procedures in children with MID and moderate dental anxiety. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at the IRCCS Oasi Research Institute (Troina, Italy). A total of 200 children were screened for eligibility. Following the application of the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 160 children (76 males and 84 females; age range: 6–7 years) with a diagnosis of mild intellectual disability (MID) and moderate dental anxiety, assessed using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to either a sensory-adapted dental environment (SADE; n = 80) or a regular dental environment (RDE; n = 80). All participants underwent a single session of professional oral hygiene using an ultrasonic scaler. Pain-related behaviors were assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Scale, whereas cooperation during treatment was evaluated using the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. Owing to the non-normal distribution of the outcome variables, between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants treated in the SADE showed significantly lower FLACC scores compared with those treated in the RDE (3.10 ± 1.86 vs. 5.05 ± 2.36, p < 0.001), indicating reduced pain-related behaviors during treatment. Moreover, children in the SADE group demonstrated significantly higher Frankl scores than those in the RDE group (2.78 ± 0.48 vs. 2.41 ± 0.84, p = 0.006), reflecting improved cooperation. Sex-stratified analyses confirmed significantly lower FLACC scores in both males and females treated in the SADE. No significant Group × Sex interaction was observed for either outcome, suggesting that the beneficial effects of sensory adaptation were independent of sex. Conclusions: SADE significantly reduced pain-related behaviors and improved cooperation during professional oral hygiene procedures in children with mild intellectual disability and moderate dental anxiety. These findings support the implementation of sensory-adapted strategies in pediatric dental settings to improve treatment experiences and facilitate dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disorders featured by social dysfunction, for which there still lacks effective treatments. Our previous study demonstrated that XAV939, a tankyrase inhibitor, could alleviate social dysfunction in two ASD mouse models via suppressing Wnt and glycolytic signaling. However, its further application is limited by poor brain–blood barrier penetration and low bioavailability. Methods: XAV939 was structurally optimized by esterification. The effects of XAV939-derivatives on Wnt/glycolysis were assessed by Western blotting, Topflash luciferase assay, lactate levels and the extracellular acidification rate. Social behaviors were evaluated by a three-chamber test, a resident–intruder test and ultrasonic vocalization. Biomimetic brain targeting was achieved by neuron-astrocyte hybrid cell membrane encapsulation. Periphery toxicities were examined by biochemical and histological analysis. Results: Three esterified XAV939 were synthesized. Data from both 293FT cells and primary Shank3b^-/- neurons revealed that an alkyl ester prodrug of XAV939 (named XAV939-L1) exhibited dual inhibition of Wnt/glycolysis. Intravenous injection of XAV939-L1 effectively improved the social function of Shank3b^-/- mice but showed hepatic side effects. Further, we made brain-targeting XAV939-L1 (XAV939-L1-BT) by neuron–astrocyte hybrid cell membrane encapsulation, which greatly enhanced the accumulation of XAV939-L1-BT in the brain and reduced its distribution in peripheral tissues (liver and intestine). At a half-dose of XAV939-L1, XAV939-L1-BT exhibited significant social improvement effects without obvious hepatic and intestinal toxicity. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated an esterified XAV939 and its biomimetic brain-targeted formula as a potential drug candidate for treating ASD-associated social dysfunction. Full article

Camel milk (CM), which is produced by both Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus, is gaining increasing popularity as a value-added functional dairy product, but the science of managing its shelf life has progressed more slowly than its commercial expansion. Unlike bovine milk, CM lacks β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), has a unique casein (CN) micelle structure with a high β-CN-to-αs1-CN ratio, and low κ-CN protein content, and contains an unusually rich bioactive protein fraction including lactoferrin (LF), immunoglobulin G (IgG), lysozyme (LZ), and peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP). These compositional characteristics imbue CM with both significant inherent antimicrobial benefits and place it at risk of processing weaknesses that do not have direct analogs in bovine dairy science. The review discusses three key areas of CM shelf life science that have not been sufficiently addressed in the published literature. The first relates to physicochemical mechanisms of deterioration, including lipid oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), destabilization of CN micelles in the structural absence of β-LG, and Maillard browning during thermal treatment and storage of powder. The second addresses the fate of bioactive proteins, with the majority being lactoferrin (LF), immunoglobulin G (Igs), and heavy chain-only antibodies (HCAbs), under both thermal and non-thermal processing conditions. The third looks at new non-thermal preservation methods, such as high-pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electric field (PEF), ultrasonication, ultraviolet irradiation, cold plasma, and electromagnetic (EM) field treatment, and functional packaging innovations, which contribute to longer shelf life. Of the non-thermal options examined, HPP at 200–400 MPa today provides the most mechanistically proven evidence for camel-specific microbial deactivation with satisfactory quality preservation. The latest primary CM research also indicates that processing with EMs in the 850 mT range can potentially be as effective as conventional pasteurization in microbial control and may be more effective than pasteurization in retaining desirable bioactive markers, although this result needs to be independently replicated before more responsible conclusions can be drawn. The review ends with four priority research gaps: standardized kinetic shelf life modeling frameworks, systematic characterization of bioactive protein stability under commercial processing conditions, life cycle assessment of preservation chains across the camel dairy supply continuum, and the urgent validation of camel-specific pasteurization adequacy indicators to replace bovine alkaline phosphatase, which remains active in CM after conventional high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It remains a therapeutic challenge due to the limited skin penetration of many drugs, adverse systemic effects, and the need for long-term management. Transferosomal nanoformulations containing natural products were proposed as a potential therapeutic tool. Methods: Transferosomes containing 20-hydroxyecdysone and resveratrol were prepared using the thin-film hydration method followed by probe ultrasonication, generating several formulation variants differing in composition. The vesicles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) to determine size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. Furthermore, time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) relaxation measurements were employed to evaluate local molecular dynamics and membrane fluidity, providing deeper insights into the structural integrity and elasticity of the transferosomal systems. The stability of the nanoformulations was assessed for one month in water and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Viability was evaluated in vitro using the MTS assay on human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) and psoriasis-patient derived human epidermal keratinocyte (PHEK) cell lines, alongside antimicrobial profiling against four representative human skin microbiome strains. Acute toxicity was further examined in vivo using the Danio rerio FET test. Results: The formulations demonstrated high physicochemical stability over the tested period, maintained desirable particle sizes within 100–200 nm, and showed no cytotoxicity toward skin-associated bacteria or in the zebrafish model. Conclusions: The developed nanoformulations present suitable properties in terms of safety and stability and can be considered for potential use in psoriasis treatment. Full article

The present study investigated the influence of ultrasonication and humic substances (HS) on the colloidal-chemical characteristics and enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP). Specifically, the distribution of AP in immiscible liquid systems, its adsorption at the liquid–liquid interface, and its enzyme activity were examined. The latter was assessed by measuring both the enzyme’s ability to hydrolyze 4-nitrophenyl phosphate and its capacity to catalyze the synthesis of calcium phosphate. Under alkaline pH conditions, HS preserved the enzyme activity of AP during ultrasonication. Ultrasonication did not alter the secondary structure of the protein, and the observed loss of enzyme activity is reversible for both free AP and its mixture with HS. This reversibility was further supported by the enzymatic synthesis of calcium phosphate, which yielded comparable results for both treated and untreated AP samples. The following mechanism of HS action in the AP-HS system is proposed: (1) HS fragments form complexes with AP, resulting in higher enzyme activity; (2) continued ultrasonic treatment leads to a sharp decline in the activity of free AP; and (3) after the ultrasonic treatment is completed, the enzyme activity remains reduced; however, complexes between HS fragments and AP may begin to reform and exert their effect again. Full article

Conventional antibiotics exhibit limited ability to penetrate host cell membranes, making intracellular bacterial infections difficult to eradicate completely. As naturally derived nanoscale membrane structures, bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess excellent biocompatibility and intrinsic transmembrane transport capability, thereby demonstrating unique advantages for in vivo drug delivery. The present study investigated the feasibility of using EVs derived from the avirulent Streptococcus suis T15 as novel carriers for ciprofloxacin delivery. We also comprehensively evaluated the biosafety and anti-infective efficacy of this nanodrug delivery system in vitro and in vivo. Cytotoxicity assays, live/dead cell staining, and hemolysis analyses demonstrated that T15-derived EVs at concentrations below 50 μg/mL did not cause significant cellular damage or hemolysis. Serum biochemical analyses in mice further confirmed the absence of obvious organ toxicity, indicating favorable biosafety within the tested concentration range. Ciprofloxacin was successfully loaded into EVs using a combination of ultrasonication and electroporation, achieving a drug concentration of 438.6 μg/mL and a loading efficiency of 10.96%. The ciprofloxacin-loaded EVs (EV-CIP) exhibited significantly greater antibacterial activity than free ciprofloxacin against both intracellular bacteria and fluoroquinolone-resistant strains exhibiting efflux pump activity. Evaluation in animal infection models showed that EV-CIP markedly reduced mortality in infected Galleria mellonella larvae. It also decreased bacterial burdens in multiple mouse organs and significantly alleviated histopathological damage. These results collectively suggest that EVs derived from the avirulent S. suis T15 were safe and effective within the tested concentration range and experimental conditions. The EV-based ciprofloxacin delivery system substantially enhanced the clearance of intracellular pathogens and fluoroquinolone efflux pump-positive bacteria, suggesting its potential application in the treatment of difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the further development of novel EV-based anti-infective drug delivery strategies for livestock and poultry. Full article

This work evaluates the performance of three configurations (V1, V2, and V3) of novel membraneless continuous-flow ultrasonic-assisted plasma-driven solution electrolysis (PDSE) reactors (CombiSonoPlasma^®) operated at near-ambient temperature and pressure, for the single-pass treatment of model hypersaline produced water (HPW) originating from the oil extraction industry, with simultaneous hydrogen co-production. The performance of the reactors was assessed based on (i) the formation of gaseous oil decomposition products (CO, CO₂, and CH₄) as indicators of crude oil destruction and (ii) hydrogen generation as a valuable energy co-product. The results demonstrate that coupling ultrasonication with PDSE provides a bidirectional synergistic effect: ultrasonication reduces the PDSE electric power demand, while PDSE operation simultaneously decreases the power consumption of the ultrasonic generator. Among the investigated configurations, along with improved oil decomposition, Reactor V2 delivered the most pronounced energy benefits, achieving reductions in electrical power consumption of 33.5% for PDSE and 44.5% for the ultrasonic generator. These findings highlight the potential of continuous-flow ultrasound-assisted PDSE as an energy-efficient process intensification strategy for oilfield HPW treatment combined with hydrogen co-generation. Full article

High-wear-resistant iron-based clad layers demonstrate substantial application potential in aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment due to their excellent mechanical properties and extended service life. Laser cladding has emerged as a pivotal technology for the additive manufacturing and repair of critical components, characterized by rapid cooling rates, narrow heat-affected zones, and dense microstructures. However, fabricating high-wear-resistant Fe-based clad layers remains challenging, particularly in achieving a trade-off among hardness, wear resistance, and toughness. Excessively high hardness often compromises toughness, increasing susceptibility to cracking and reducing service reliability, whereas insufficient hardness undermines functional performance and shortens service life. This review synthesizes recent advances in microstructural design, control, and optimization of high-wear-resistant Fe-based clad layers, focusing on powder alloying design, process parameter optimization, and post-cladding strengthening treatments. The strengthening mechanisms and performance characteristics of key alloying elements, specifically Cr, B, Nb, Mo, and Ti, are summarized, and the effects of laser power, scanning speed, and powder feeding rate on the microstructure and properties are systematically discussed. Furthermore, the influence of post-treatment processes, including turning, grinding, ultrasonic rolling, and heat treatment, on wear resistance enhancement is also addressed. Finally, future development directions for laser cladding of high-wear-resistant Fe-based clad layers are proposed. Full article

To develop energy-efficient building coatings with enhanced thermal energy storage performance, paraffin/sepiolite composite phase change coatings were prepared using ultrasonic-assisted acid-activated sepiolite as a supporting matrix. The effects of acid treatment duration on the structural properties of sepiolite and the performance of the resulting coatings were systematically investigated. The results showed that acid activation for 1 h produced the optimal pore structure, yielding a maximum internal specific surface area of 125.881 m² g⁻¹. Longer treatment durations (>2 h) caused structural degradation and possible deterioration of pore structure. The paraffin/sepiolite composite phase change material prepared with JK-1 h exhibited a latent heat of 77.29 J g⁻¹, outperforming that prepared with JK-2 h. Increasing the paraffin and CPCM contents enhanced the thermal storage capacity of the coatings; however, excessive CPCM loading deteriorated film integrity, resulting in cracking, reduced adhesion, and decreased hydrophobicity. Among all formulations, sample S3 demonstrated the best overall performance, with a latent heat of 33.51 J g⁻¹, a pull-off strength of 5.9 MPa, and a water contact angle of 102.53°. Thermal cycling tests further confirmed its excellent thermal reliability and reusability. These findings indicate that paraffin/sepiolite composite phase change coatings have considerable potential for reducing building energy consumption and improving indoor thermal regulation. Full article

Yellowfin tuna heads (YFTH), a major by-product of tuna processing, are rich in lipids and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study developed and optimized an ultrasound-assisted extraction process without exogenous protease addition, termed non-enzymatic ultrasound-assisted extraction (NE-UAE), for recovering yellowfin tuna head oil (YFTO). The term NE-UAE distinguishes this process from the enzyme-assisted comparators and does not denote a different ultrasonic mechanism. A four-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design was used to optimize nominal ultrasonic power, heat-treatment temperature, liquid-to-solid ratio, and ultrasonic treatment time. The predicted local-optimum conditions were 58.3% of the 1000 W rated power (nominal setting, 583 W), 64.0 °C, 3.0 mL/g, and 31 min, respectively, yielding a validated oil recovery of 63.92 ± 0.24%. The NE-UAE oil (NETO) was compared at the process-chain level with oils obtained by papain-, trypsin-, and Alcalase-assisted aqueous extraction. Under the tested conditions, NETO had lower acid value, initial peroxide value, and p-anisidine value, a lighter color, and lower relative abundances of putative oxidation-related electronic-nose marker signals. Polyunsaturated fatty acids comprised 38.39% of total fatty acids in NETO, including 7.43% EPA and 27.13% DHA. During accelerated storage at 60 °C for 14 d, NETO showed lower absolute peroxide values and smaller baseline-corrected increases than the comparator oils. Overall, NE-UAE provided a feasible process option for recovering YFTO with acceptable oil recovery and favorable quality-related characteristics under the specific process conditions and comparator process chains examined in this study. Full article