Search Results (114)

Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer. While laser therapy is established for non-melanoma skin cancers, its role in melanoma remains controversial and largely unsupported by robust clinical evidence. The gold standard for melanoma management remains surgical excision, as it allows for definitive histopathological diagnosis, Breslow thickness measurement, and surgical margin assessment, which are essential for accurate staging. This narrative review analyzed preclinical and clinical studies evaluating various laser modalities, including Nd:YAG, CO₂, pulsed dye, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), for efficacy, recurrence rates, and limitations in cutaneous melanoma management. Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) showed potential for local control in thin stage I melanomas, reporting a low local recurrence rate of 0–0.7% and favorable 5-year survival in small, non-randomized cohorts. CO₂ laser (10,600 nm) provides effective palliation and local control for in-transit or unresectable metastases, but local recurrence is highly variable, reaching up to 46.7%. Photodynamic therapy showed variable efficacy, although Chlorin e6 achieved complete local regression in a small series of metastases. A critical limitation of laser therapy is the irreversible destruction of tissue, which precludes these vital assessments. Therefore, laser treatment should be cautiously reserved for cases where standard surgery is not feasible, acknowledging that it may interfere with the evaluation of curative outcomes and accurate staging. Laser therapy is a valuable minimally invasive adjunct for local control in selected patients who are poor surgical candidates or require palliative care. Routine use is restricted by the lack of randomized controlled trials. Future studies should prioritize combination strategies with systemic or immunotherapeutic approaches to enhance overall outcomes. Full article

Conventional extraction of indigo, a vital natural dye, provides low yields and has a negative environmental impact. However, microbial synthesis has emerged as a sustainable alternative. In this study, we describe the optimization of indigo biosynthesis in an engineered Escherichia coli strain called E216. This strain carries, on a replicative plasmid, the styAB genes originating from Pseudomonas putida that constitute the monooxygenase biosynthetic pathway of indigo, as well as mdh, encoding malate dehydrogenase, which plays a role in reducing power generation. In this strain, the overexpression of mtr (a gene encoding a transporter of tryptophan (Trp), the precursor of indigo biosynthesis) and acrA (a gene encoding a protein involved in indigo efflux) was found to substantially enhance indigo yields. Consistently, knocking out these two genes using CRISPR-Cas9 significantly reduced indigo production, whereas it was restored through the complementation of these mutants. This study thus revealed that stimulating tryptophan uptake and indigo efflux, the latter of which limits indigo’s toxic intracellular accumulation, has a positive impact on indigo yields. Furthermore, a comparative mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of E216 grown in fermentation medium with or without tryptophan supplementation, integrated with data-independent acquisition (DIA), revealed the global impact of tryptophan supplementation on cellular metabolism. This analysis identified upregulation of key proteins and enriched metabolic pathways under conditions of tryptophan supplementation. Integrating the results of the genetic engineering and proteomic analysis establishes a strong scientific and practical basis for developing a highly efficient method for the green industrial production of indigo using engineered E. coli strains. Full article

Background: Accurate axillary staging is vital in breast cancer. While dual tracers (Tc-99m + methylene blue dye) are standard for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), indocyanine green (ICG) offers a cost-effective, safe alternative, especially where nuclear medicine access is limited. Despite growing global use, data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain scarce. This study presents India’s largest cohort using ICG in SLNB. Methods: We analyzed data from 678 breast cancer patients (2013–2023), of whom 609 underwent SLNB. For analysis, patients were grouped into: isotope + blue dye (control), ICG + blue dye (study group), and ICG alone. False-negative rate (FNR) was evaluated in cases where SLNB was followed by axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). All other outcomes were assessed across the SLNB cohort. Results: In upfront surgery, the study group had an identification rate (IR) of 95.6%, an FNR of 5%, and a median node yield of four, compared to the control group (IR 94.1%, FNR 0%, median of three). Post-neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST), the study group outperformed the control (IR 92% vs. 88.2%; both FNR 10%), with higher node yield (three vs. two). From 2021, ICG alone showed 100% IR, 0% FNR (upfront), and 95.6% IR (post-NACT), with high median node retrieval. Overall recurrence was 7.8%; loco-regional recurrence was 3.09%. Conclusions: ICG offers high efficacy, safety, and feasibility as a sole tracer, especially in LMICs. Its integration into SLNB and oncoplastic workflows supports its broader adoption as a practical alternative to radioisotopes in breast cancer surgery. Full article

It is of great significance to prepare carbon-supported non-noble metal catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) via a sustainable method. Meanwhile, the enhanced metal-support interaction (MSI) is vital for promoting the catalytic activity of metal/carbon catalysts. Herein, we prepare a biomass-derived porous carbon-supported metal Ni catalyst (Ni/APC) with the enhanced MSI via atomic Ni-N₄ sites utilizing agaric as a precursor. The highly dispersed Ni-N₄ species preferentially adsorb dye molecules and reactant H₂O, beneficial to efficient electron transfer and promoting H₂O dissociation. Meanwhile, Ni nanoparticles undertake the active sites for H₂ desorption. In virtue of the synergistic effect of metal Ni nanoparticles and atomic Ni-N₄ for different roles of active sites, Ni/APC catalysts show more effective dye-sensitized photocatalytic HER activities, compared with pure Ni and pure APC. The Ni/APC catalyst with an optimal Ni loading amount exhibits a high AQY of 41.0% with an excellent long-term stability in terms of both HER activity and structure. It is the first report of an application for biomass-derived carbon catalysts in dye-sensitization hydrogen production, and the synergistic effect of atomic Ni and particled Ni on the dye-sensitized photocatalytic HER is deeply investigated. This work provides new deep insight into the design of new non-noble metal/carbon materials by taking advantage of biomass materials. Full article

The efficient removal of toxic dyes from wastewater remains a major environmental challenge. In this study, we report a green and facile one-pot synthesis of zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO-NWs) using lemon verbena leaf extract as a sustainable capping and stabilizing agent. The extract played a vital role in directing the 1D growth of the wurtzite hexagonal structure. Characterization confirmed a band gap of 3.12 eV and the characteristic Zn-O stretching at 375 cm⁻¹. Photocatalytic activity tests using 20 mg of biosynthesized ZnO-NWs demonstrated excellent degradation performance. A rate constant of 0.0067 min⁻¹ was achieved, with 99.95% degradation of Basic Fuchsin under natural sunlight for 3 h. Active species analysis highlighted the crucial roles of holes (h⁺), superoxide radicals (O₂•⁻), and hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Notably, the addition of 10 mM H₂O₂ produced a powerful synergistic effect, reducing the degradation time from 3 h to only 7 min and increasing the reaction rate by approximately 25-fold. These findings highlight the potential of biosynthesized ZnO-NWs as highly efficient, rapid, and sustainable photocatalysts for environmental remediation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease with significant global impact and limited therapeutic options due to the toxicity and cost of current treatments. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from amphibians, such as Ocellatin-PT4 and Ocellatin-PT6, have emerged as promising bioactive molecules due to their antimicrobial properties and low toxicity to mammalian cells. This study evaluated the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory effects of Ocellatin-PT4 and Ocellatin-PT6 against Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes. Methods: Peptides were tested on axenic amastigotes and macrophages infected with amastigotes. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT (0.4–197 µM for Ocellatin-PT4 and 0.3–152.1 µM for Ocellatin-PT6) and vital dye exclusion assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and lipid droplet (LD) production were quantified to assess immunomodulatory responses. Results: Ocellatin-PT4 and Ocellatin-PT6 significantly reduced the viability of free and intracellular amastigotes at concentrations ≥ 24.7 µM and ≥19 µM, respectively, without affecting J774 macrophage viability. Infected macrophages treated with the peptides showed reduced parasite load and decreased infection index (≥12.3 µM for Ocellatin-PT4 and ≥2.4 µM for Ocellatin-PT6). Both peptides modulated the oxidative stress response: they reduced ROS levels in infected macrophages while only slightly increasing NO production at higher concentrations. Additionally, lipid droplet accumulation, which was increased during infection, was downregulated by both peptides—particularly by Ocellatin-PT6. Conclusions: Ocellatin-PT4 and Ocellatin-PT6 exert leishmanicidal effects and modulate key macrophage functions without cytotoxicity. These peptides represent promising candidates for the development of novel therapies against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Full article

The Fabaceae family plays a vital role in tropical ecosystems and human livelihoods due to its ecological, nutritional, and medicinal significance. This study provides a comprehensive ethnobotanical assessment of Fabaceae in Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern Thailand. A total of 83 taxa representing 52 genera were recorded, reflecting the family’s high species richness and cultural importance in local communities. Field surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted across diverse habitats, including homegardens, community forests, markets, and agricultural areas. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices—Species Use Value (SUV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (F_ic)—were used to evaluate species importance and cultural consensus. The highest SUV and RFC values were observed for Arachis hypogaea L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir., and Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc., indicating their central roles in local diets and livelihoods. Medicinally significant taxa, including Abrus precatorius and Albizia lebbeck, exhibited high FL and Fic values, reflecting strong community agreement on their therapeutic uses. Diverse applications—spanning food, medicine, fodder, fuelwood, dye, ornamental, and construction materials—highlight the multifunctionality of Fabaceae in rural livelihoods. The documentation of 44 new provincial records further emphasizes the value of integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into biodiversity assessments. These findings provide essential insights for sustainable utilization, conservation planning, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches. Full article

This study investigates the bactericidal efficacy and penetration ability inside dentinal tubules of calcium hydroxide (CH) and a modified tri-antibiotic paste (ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, clarithromycin) (TAP) during regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs). The blood clot serving as a biological scaffold was introduced into the root canal to assess its influence on bacterial regrowth. Forty-four human extracted teeth were infected with E. faecalis and divided in four experimental groups (N = 10) with positive and negative controls (N = 4). Samples were treated with either CH or TAP as intracanal dressing. Bacterial viability and depth of penetration were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) after fluorescent vital staining. The same analysis was performed with or without blood clot exposure and the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Bonferroni test (p < 0.05). TAP demonstrated significantly stronger bactericidal activity than CH (p = 0.008). However, its efficacy significantly decreased in the presence of blood clot (p = 0.032). CH showed a moderate antibacterial effect, with its efficacy reduced in the presence of blood. Blood clot exposure consistently reduced the bactericidal efficacy in both groups (p = 0.01) and the dye penetration in CH group (p = 0.041). In conclusion, TAP demonstrated superior antibacterial performance compared to CH and blood clot exposure seemed to decrease antimicrobial efficacy and depth of disinfection during REPs. Full article

Cell analysis is vital in clinical diagnostics and cell engineering research. Among the various analytical techniques, dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a particularly promising label-free method for distinguishing biological particles, which eliminates the need for fluorescent dyes or magnetic beads. In this study, we present a high-precision single-cell analysis system based on the evaluation of DEP forces in a controlled microfluidic flow environment. The system integrates a microfluidic chamber equipped with an electrode array to exert DEP forces and flow-induced shear forces to facilitate force balance analysis. We quantitatively characterized the DEP response to successfully discriminate between healthy skin cells and cancer cells using the proposed DEP-based cell-sorting platform. The proposed system successfully distinguished between these cell types even when their dielectrophoretic properties were similar, highlighting its potential for sensitive and selective cell classification in biomedical applications. Full article

Efficient water decolorization techniques are vital for ensuring fresh water for future generations. Azo dyes are used heavily in the textile industry and are a challenge to remove from industrial wastewater. This research expands on recent innovative work where anionic azo dyes themselves were used to functionalize track-etched porous polycarbonate filtration membranes with decolorized water obtained as a byproduct. The objective of this research is to determine whether the observed dye rejection is dependent on the magnitude of the intrinsic charge of the dye molecule or on its structure, using two selectively chosen anionic azo dye series during functionalization. The first group is a negative two intrinsic charge series with six dyes, each differing in structure, and the second group is a five-dye series that increases from −1 to −6 in intrinsic charge. Rejection measurements as a function of both time and concentration during functionalization are made using ultraviolet-visible light spectroscopy. For 100 µM aqueous dyes, comparing pre- and post-functionalization, a systematically increasing trend in the ability to functionalize porous polycarbonate based on the number of double 6-carbon ring structures in the dyes is illustrated and found to be independent of intrinsic charge. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and complications of laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV) in pediatric and adolescent patients, comparing lymphatic-sparing (LS) and non-lymphatic-sparing (NLS) techniques, with a particular focus on the postoperative effects of methylene blue dye. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for patients with Grade 3 left-sided varicocele who underwent LV between 2010 and 2023. Patients were grouped according to whether lymphatic-sparing techniques were used. Testicular volumes were measured pre- and postoperatively by ultrasonography. Surgical complications including hydrocele, recurrence, and intratesticular calcification were recorded. Statistical comparisons were made between the two groups. Results: A total of 21 patients with a median age of 15 years were included. LS suvrgery was performed in seven patients (33.3%), and arterial sparing in four (19%). Methylene blue was used to identify lymphatic vessels in the LS group. Postoperative hydrocele was observed in three patients (14.3%) and occurred equally in both groups. However, testicular calcification was detected only in the LS group and was significantly more common compared to the NLS group (p = 0.002). Recurrence rates were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.694). No cases of testicular atrophy were observed. The median follow-up duration was 6 years in the NLS group and 3 years in the LS group (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Lymphatic-sparing laparoscopic varicocelectomy appears effective in preserving testicular volume, but the use of intratesticular methylene blue is associated with a higher incidence of calcification. These findings highlight the need for caution and further long-term evaluation of vital dyes in pediatric varicocelectomy. Full article

Optoelectronic devices, which combine optics and electronics, are vital for converting light energy into electrical energy. Various solar cell technologies, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), silicon solar cells, and perovskite solar cells, among others, belong to this category. DSSCs have gained significant attention due to their affordability, flexibility, and ability to function under low light conditions. The current research incorporates machine learning (ML) models to predict the performance of a modified Eu³⁺-doped Y₂WO₆/TiO₂ photo-electrode DSSC. Experimental data were collected from the “Dryad Repository Database” to feed into the models, and a detailed data visualization analysis was performed to study the trends in the datasets. The support vector regression (SVR) and Random Forest regression (RFR) models were applied to predict the short-circuit current density (J_sc) and maximum power (P_max) output of the device. Both models achieved reasonably accurate predictions, and the RFR model attained a better prediction response, with the percentage difference between the experimental data and model prediction being 0.73% and 1.01% for the J_sc and P_max respectively, while the SVR attained a percentage difference of 1.22% and 3.54% for the J_sc and P_max respectively. Full article

To degrade high-concentration and toxic organic effluents, we developed Fe-Cu active sites loaded on biomass-source carbon aerogel (CA) to produce a low-cost and high-efficiency magnetic Fenton-like catalyst for the catalytic oxidative decomposition of organic pollutants. It exhibits excellent performance in catalytic Fenton-like reactions for RhB removal at an ultrahigh initial concentration of up to 1000 ppm. To be specific, Fe₃O₄ and Cu nanoparticles are generated in situ on a mesoporous CA support, denoted as an Fe₃O₄-Cu/CA catalyst. Experimentally, factors including initial dye concentration, catalyst dosage, H₂O₂ dosage, pH, and temperature, which significantly influence the oxidative degradation rate of RhB, are carefully studied. The RhB (1000 ppm) degradation ratio reaches 93.7% within 60 min under low catalyst and H₂O₂ dosage. The catalyst also shows slight metal leaching (almost 1.4% of total Fe and 4.0% of total Cu leached after a complete degradation of 25 μmol RhB under conditions of 15 mg catalyst dosage, 20 mL RhB solution (600 ppm), and 200 μL 30 wt% H₂O₂ dosage, at pH of 2.5, at 40 °C), good catalytic activity for degrading organic pollutants, excellent reusability, and good catalytic stability (the degradation ratio is nearly 82.95% in the 8th cycle reaction). The synergistic effect between Fe and Cu species plays a vital role in promoting the redox cycle of Fe(III)/Fe(II) and enhancing the generation of ·OH. It is suitable for ultrahigh-concentration organic pollutant degradation in practical wastewater treatment applications. Full article

Traditional water purification systems often rely on synthetic materials that pose environmental risks due to their non-biodegradability and the potential release of harmful substances. To address these concerns, natural polymer-based membranes are being developed as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative for water treatment due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and chemical versatility. These materials are particularly suitable for removing a wide range of contaminants due to their high selectivity and water permeability. Despite their benefits, challenges such as improving mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to fouling persist. Ongoing research continues to optimize the performance of electrospun membranes to meet modern water treatment demands. For this purpose, crosslinking via thermal initiators azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and 2,2’-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (V50) and chemical crosslinking by glutaraldehyde (GA) vapor have been studied for methacrylated chitosan and alginate. In addition, biocharcoal has been introduced into the membranes to enhance their functional properties. The development of natural polymer-based membranes combined with biocharcoal presents a promising and scalable solution for sustainable water purification, playing a crucial role in reducing pollution and preserving vital water resources for future generations. In this study, we demonstrate that the crosslinking effect plays a key role in maintaining the stability of alginate-based membranes in an aqueous environment while enhancing their adsorption capacity for methylene blue dye, making them promising for water purification applications. Full article

The inner ear and/or lateral line are responsible for hearing and balance of vertebrate. The otic sensory hair cells (HCs) employ cilium organelles, namely stereocilia and/or kinocilia, to mediate mechanical stimuli to electrical signal transition. Tektins (Tekts) are known as the cilium microtubule stabilizer and inner-space filler, and four Tekt(1-4)-encoding genes are identified in zebrafish HCs, but the subcellular location of Tekts in HCs remains unknown. In the present study, we first found that tekt3 is expressed in the inner ear and lateral line neuromast. Antibody staining revealed that Tekt3 is present in neuromast and utricular HCs. It is absent in the saccule, the authentic hearing end-organ of zebrafish and the crista of semi-circular canals. Furthermore, Tekt3 were enriched at the apical side of neuromast and utricular HCs, mainly in the cytosol. Similar subcellular distribution of Tekt3 was also evident in the outer HCs of mature mouse cochlea, which are not directly linked to the hearing sense. However, only neuromast HCs exerted morphological defect of kinocilia in tekt3 mutant. The disrupted or distorted HC kinocilia of mutant neuromast ultimately resulted in slower vital dye intake, delayed HC regeneration after neomycin treatment, and reduced startle response to vibration stimulation. All functional defects of tekt3 mutant were largely rescued by wild-type tekt3 mRNA. Our study thus suggests that zebrafish Tekt3 maintains the integrity and function of neuromast kinocilia to against surrounding and persistent low-frequency noises, perhaps via the intracellular distribution of Tekt3. Nevertheless, TEKT3/Tekt3 could be used to clarify HC sub-types in both zebrafish and mice, to highlight the non-hearing HCs. Full article