Search Results (1,144)

Intra-articular injections form a substantial element of the temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) therapy. Given the role played by IL-1β in pathology, the use of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is well-founded. Despite years of effective use in different locations, data regarding the intra-articular administration of ACS in TMD is scarce, and the strategy itself is not routinely applied. This study aims to provide preliminary evidence on the therapeutic efficacy of administering intra-articular ACS in treating TMD. Patients with TMD who received intra-articular ACS were included. More invasive co-interventions, such as arthroscopy, were excluded. Final searches were conducted on 17 June 2025, using five databases (ACM, BASE, DOAJ, PubMed, and SciELO). Risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2 tool. The results were tabulated. Only one study met the inclusion criteria. When compared to dextrose prolotherapy in internal TMD, ACS therapy resulted in greater improvement in mouth opening, pain, and joint-sound reduction. The small sample size, head-to-head design, and limited blinding suggest a highly cautious interpretation of the findings. ACS is a promising, but still experimental, therapeutic strategy addressing critical mechanisms in TMD. However, the currently available data is insufficient to confirm the effectiveness and safety of such an approach, and further high-quality studies are needed. This study received no funding. PROSPERO registration number: CRD420251069310. Full article

Inspired by the free swing of coral tentacles driven by water currents to actively repel microbial attachment, we have identified a unique physical anti-fouling strategy: coral “swinging effect” anti-fouling. Taking the fleshy soft coral (Sarcophyton trocheliophorum) as an example, its surface is covered with numerous soft tentacles. These coral tentacles utilize the force of water current fluctuations to freely sway, resembling a “feather duster” waving to repel microorganisms attempting to settle and establish themselves. Based on this characteristic, this study delves into the living habits of corals, observing the expansion and contraction cycles of their tentacles. Simultaneously, simulations of the anti-fouling performance of coral tentacles were conducted. It demonstrates that the “swinging effect” of the tentacles can effectively prevent the attachment of fouling organisms. Furthermore, this study uses S. trocheliophorum as a biomimetic prototype to design and prepare an artificial coral-mimic substrate (ACMS). It employs the common marine Gram-negative bacterium Paracoccus pantotrophus as a microbial sample to test anti-fouling performance in both pure static water environments and low-flow water environments. The results showed that the 13 mm-long ACMS could bend and overlap the surface of the rear tentacles to the greatest extent under the unidirectional scouring action of low-speed water flow (3.5 m/s), forming an anti-fouling protective layer. Additionally, the “swinging effect” phenomenon generated by the tentacles under water flow scouring demonstrated excellent anti-fouling effects. This study not only provides further evidence for research on coral antifouling performance but also offers new concepts and ideas for antifouling strategies in low-flow water environments, such as stationary ships in ports and underwater infrastructure facilities at docks. Full article

This study investigates the effects of welding parameters and the addition of a buffer layer on the morphology, microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of the overlay layer during overlay welding. This paper uses Q235 steel as the base material, ER309L as the buffer layer, and ER347 as the overlay layer to conduct process experiments on overlay welding component, aiming to obtain optimal process parameters. The effects of welding line energy and weld bead overlap rate on the morphology, dimensions, and dilution rate of the overlay layer were analyzed. Furthermore, the influence of the presence or absence of the buffer layer on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of the overlay layer was investigated. The microstructure and morphology of the overlay layer were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Mechanical and electrochemical tests were also performed to evaluate the mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of ER347 stainless steel weld overlays. The results showed that the optimal process parameters were successfully obtained, which ensured sound weld bead formation while minimizing dilution. The addition of the buffer layer (ER309L) improved the bonding quality of the overlay welding component interface, reduced element dilution in the overlay layer, significantly improved hardness distribution, and reduced sudden changes in hardness in the fusion zone, thereby optimizing the mechanical properties of the ER347 stainless steel overlay layer. After adding the buffer layer, the corrosion current density decreased from 6.23 × 10⁻⁵ A·cm⁻² to 2.21 × 10⁻⁵ A·cm⁻², and the corrosion potential increased from −1.049 V to −0.973 V, effectively reducing the corrosion risk of the overlay component. This study innovatively introduced a buffer layer in the process of overlay welding austenitic stainless steel on low-carbon steel and investigated the impact of the overlay welding process on the overlay layer, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the overlay welding process from multiple perspectives. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in the use of disposable surgical masks, primarily composed of polypropylene (>86% carbon), whose improper disposal contributes to persistent microplastic pollution. In alignment with circular economy principles, this study explores the valorization of surgical masks into carbonaceous adsorbent materials (ACMs) for dye removal from water. The masks were chemically treated with concentrated H₂SO₄ at 85 °C for 2 h and subsequently activated with air (400 °C), CO₂, or steam (800 °C, 1 h). The resulting ACMs were characterized by SEM, FT-IR, nitrogen adsorption at −196 °C, and pH of the aqueous carbon suspension (pH_Sus, 1.96–9.25). CO₂ and steam activation yielded the highest surface areas (525 and 632 m²·g⁻¹, respectively). FT-IR confirmed the introduction of sulfonic groups, enhancing dye interactions. Adsorption tests using methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and orange G (OG) in ultrapure and river water showed removal efficiencies up to 100% for MB with ACM-WV and ~94% with ACM. All dyes followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. These findings demonstrate that surgical mask waste can be effectively transformed into high-value adsorbents for water treatment applications. Full article

Aluminum has the advantages of being lightweight and rust-resistant, and having high strength and durability. Aluminum scrap is a recycled material and is reused in its production process, for example, for propellers. Because it is used in conditions that require good durability, a coating that can increase the hardness and strength of aluminum is introduced. This study used the anodization method with a H₂SO₄ electrolyte medium and variations in current density of 0.03 A/cm², 0.035 A/cm², and 0.04 A/cm². The anodization time was 45 min. It was found that the hardness of the specimen increased from the initial hardness of 189 HL. Full article

Background: Transient intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations frequently occur after cataract surgery and may raise concerns, especially in patients susceptible to glaucomatous damage or pressure-related complications. These IOP spikes have also been linked to postoperative discomfort and headache. Oral acetazolamide is often used prophylactically, despite its known systemic side effects. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical benefit of routine prophylactic oral acetazolamide in reducing IOP after uncomplicated phacoemulsification performed with an anterior chamber maintainer (ACM). Methods: In this retrospective case–control study, 196 eyes from 196 patients were included. All underwent standard phacoemulsification with an ACM. Patients either received oral acetazolamide postoperatively (n = 98) or no IOP-lowering medication (n = 98). IOP was measured preoperatively, and on postoperative days one and seven. Results: On day one, mean IOP was 14.0 ± 3.8 mmHg in the acetazolamide group versus 15.4 ± 3.8 mmHg in controls (p < 0.005). By day seven, IOP was identical in both groups (13.5 mmHg), with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.95). No participant in either group reported headache or serious adverse effects, though 10% in the acetazolamide group experienced mild, transient systemic symptoms. Conclusions: In low-risk patients undergoing uneventful cataract surgery with ACM, routine use of oral acetazolamide yields only a modest, short-lived IOP reduction without evident clinical benefit. Its use may be unnecessary in this setting, though targeted prophylaxis could be considered for high-risk individuals. Full article

Electrochemical deposition of silicon is considered a promising alternative to conventional high-temperature and high-emission methods of silicon production. This review analyzes the current state of research on electrolyte systems used for silicon electrodeposition, with a particular focus on their potential for industrial-scale application. These systems are evaluated based on key characteristics relevant to such implementation, including silicon precursor solubility, electrical conductivity, applicable current density, and behavior under process conditions. The study evaluates fluoride-based, chloride-based, mixed halide, and organic electrolyte systems based on key criteria, including conductivity, chemical stability, silicon precursor solubility, temperature range, and ease of product purification. Fluoride-based melts offer high current densities (up to 2 A/cm²) and effective SiO₂ dissolution but operate at high temperatures (550–1300 °C) and suffer from hygroscopicity. Chloride systems exhibit lower operating temperatures (300–1000 °C) and better water solubility but lack compatibility with common silicon sources. Mixed fluoride–chloride electrolytes emerge as the most promising option, combining high performance with improved practicality; they operate at 600–850 °C and current densities up to ~1.5 A/cm². Additional focus is placed on the impact of substrate materials and on unresolved questions related to reaction reversibility, kinetic mechanisms, and the influence of electrolyte composition. The review concludes that further fundamental studies are needed to optimize electrolyte design and enable the transition from laboratory-scale research to industrial implementation. Full article

Background/Objective: The use of immersive virtual reality (VR) for cognitive training in older adults has shown promising results in recent years. However, the number of well-designed studies remains limited, and variability in methodologies makes it difficult to draw generalizable conclusions. This systematic review aims to examine the effects of VR-based cognitive training in older adults, describe the technological characteristics of these interventions, identify current gaps in the literature, and suggest future research directions. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, ProQuest, ACM, and Web of Science) from 2018 to 2025. The database search identified 156 studies, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria after screening and eligibility assessment. Across these studies, a total of 3202 older adult participants (aged 60 years or older) were included. Interventions varied in duration from 4 to 36 sessions, targeting domains such as memory, executive function, attention, and global cognition. Most interventions were based on cognitive training, with a few employing cognitive stimulation or cognitive rehabilitation approaches. Quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. Results: Most studies reported positive effects of VR interventions on cognitive domains such as attention, executive functions, and global cognition. Fewer studies showed improvements in memory. The majority used head-mounted displays connected to computers and custom-built software, often without public access. Sample sizes were generally small, and blinding procedures were often unclear. The average methodological quality was moderate. Conclusions: Immersive VR has potential as an effective tool for cognitive training in older adults. Future research should include larger randomized controlled trials, long-term follow-up, standardized intervention protocols, and the development of accessible software to enable replication and broader application in clinical and community settings. Full article

Metal nitride coatings have been considered as a promising approach to improve the performance of metal bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this study, NbN_x coatings with three different ratios of N₂/Ar (1:2, 1:1 and 3:1) were prepared on TC4 alloy substrates using the double glow plasma alloying technology. The NbN_x coatings are homogeneous and dense, and the phase of the coating transforms from hexagonal β-Nb₂N to δ′-NbN phase as the nitrogen content increases. All coatings demonstrate high protective efficiency, with the coating (N₂/Ar ratio of 3:1) displaying the lowest current density of 8.92 × 10⁻⁶ A/cm² at a working voltage of 0.6 V. The EIS results also show that this coating has the best corrosion resistance. Notably, it also presents the lowest interfacial contact resistance of 7.29 mΩ·cm² at 1.5 MPa and good hydrophobicity. More importantly, this study provides a new idea and method for corrosion-resistant coatings of metal bipolar plates for PEMFC applications. Full article

This study focuses on optimizing a sol–gel based electrodeposition–sintering process for producing yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramic coatings on stainless steel substrates. Four key process variables—precursor concentration, current density, sintering time, and temperature—were evaluated in terms of two response variables: R (electrodeposition yield) and S (sintering yield). A fractional factorial design was used to reduce the number of experiments while enabling robust statistical modeling. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that precursor concentration and current density were the most influential factors for both R and S, whereas sintering time and temperature had a lesser effect. Under central conditions (42.9 g·L⁻¹, 1.5 A·cm², 500 °C, 20 min), coatings exhibited yields of ~3.9 mg·cm² and superior morphological uniformity. Higher current density (3 A·cm²) increased R to 6.9 mg·cm² but induced porosity and cracking. Compared to conventional sol–gel derived coatings, the proposed methodology enables a more controlled microstructure with a trade-off between mass deposition and structural integrity. This predictive, statistically validated approach facilitates the optimization of electrodeposition parameters to obtain defect-minimized ceramic coatings, particularly suited for protective and thermal barrier applications in demanding environments. Full article

The engineering of porous transport layer (PTL)–catalyst layer (CL) interfacial architecture plays a critical role in optimizing the performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Particularly, at the PTL-CL interface, our results reveal that anode catalyst loadings affect the modulation of the PTL surface structure on the overpotentials of PEMWEs. Under high anode catalyst loadings, the magnitude of overpotentials is predominantly governed by the electronic conductivity and mass transport resistance within the CL, where the modifying effects of PTL-CL interfacial contact characteristics become negligible. However, when the catalyst loading is reduced, the PTL-CL interfacial contact characteristics become critical for electron conduction, mass transport, and kinetic reaction. Under low catalyst loadings, the etched PTL demonstrates a maximum reduction of 59 mV compared to the pristine PTL at 4 A/cm², with the former exhibiting a 10 mΩ·cm² reduction. Meanwhile, the etched PTL integrated with a cell demonstrates superior performance in both mass transport and kinetic overpotentials compared to a pristine PTL. This clearly indicates that the surface structure of the PTL plays an increasingly significant role in regulating the overpotentials of PEMWEs as the catalyst loadings decrease. Full article

Background: Freezing of gait (FoG) is one of the most debilitating motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It often leads to falls and reduces quality of life due to the risk of injury and loss of independence. Several types of wearable sensors have emerged as promising tools for the detection of FoG in clinical and real-life settings. Objective: The main objective of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the current usability of wearable sensor technologies for FoG detection in PD patients. The focus of the study is on sensor types, sensor combinations, placement on the body and the applications of such detection systems in a naturalistic environment. Methods: PubMed, IEEE Explore and ACM digital library were searched using a search string of Boolean operators that yielded 328 results, which were screened by title and abstract. After the screening process, 43 articles were included in the review. In addition to the year of publication, authorship and demographic data, sensor types and combinations, sensor locations, ON/OFF medication states of patients, gait tasks, performance metrics and algorithms used to process the data were extracted and analyzed. Results: The number of patients in the reviewed studies ranged from a single PD patient to 205 PD patients, and just over 65% of studies have solely focused on FoG + PD patients. The accelerometer was identified as the most frequently utilized wearable sensor, appearing in more than 90% of studies, often in combination with gyroscopes (25.5%) or gyroscopes and magnetometers (20.9%). The best overall sensor configuration reported was the accelerometer and gyroscope setup, achieving nearly 100% sensitivity and specificity for FoG detection. The most common sensor placement sites on the body were the waist, ankles, shanks and feet, but the current literature lacks the overall standardization of optimum sensor locations. Real-life context for FoG detection was the focus of only nine studies that reported promising results but much less consistent performance due to increased signal noise and unexpected patient activity. Conclusions: Current accelerometer-based FoG detection systems along with adaptive machine learning algorithms can reliably and consistently detect FoG in PD patients in controlled laboratory environments. The transition of detection systems towards a natural environment, however, remains a challenge to be explored. The development of standardized sensor placement guidelines along with robust and adaptive FoG detection systems that can maintain accuracy in a real-life environment would significantly improve the usefulness of these systems. Full article

Ti-Mo-N coatings were deposited on GCr15 bearing steel using arc ion plating. The effect of deposition bias on the coating microstructure, mechanical properties, tribological behavior, and electrochemical corrosion resistance was systematically investigated. The coating prepared at −120 V bias showed optimal overall performance. It achieved the lowest friction coefficient (0.308) and lowest wear rate (1.99 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/N·m). The significant improvement in tribological performance is attributed to the lubricating phase formed during the friction process. XPS analysis confirmed the layered MoO₃ formation within the wear scar. Deposition bias also significantly influenced the coating texture. At −120 V, the coating exhibited the strongest (111) crystal plane preferred orientation. This texture strongly correlated with performance enhancement. Regarding electrochemical corrosion, the −120 V coating displayed the lowest corrosion current density (3.62 × 10⁻⁹ A/cm²) and best corrosion resistance. Its corrosion morphology showed no obvious pitting, grooves, or other damage features. The results demonstrate the critical role of deposition bias in tailoring Ti-Mo-N coating properties. This research provides essential experimental support and a theoretical basis for designing wear- and corrosion-resistant protective coatings on bearing steel. Full article

In this study, ternary NiFeP coatings were fabricated on a copper substrate using a simple, fast, and cost-effective electroless deposition method. The coatings were named Ni₈₅Fe₄P₁₂, Ni₈₀Fe₈P₁₂, and Ni₇₅Fe₁₂P₁₂, indicating 4, 8, and 12 at % of Fe, respectively. The surface morphology and composition of the coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The activity of the prepared coatings was evaluated using the water-splitting reaction to determine the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a 1 M KOH electrolyte solution. Electrochemical measurements were carried out in a temperature range from 25 °C to 55 °C. The HER and OER current density values increased by up to 2.58 and 2.13 times, respectively, with temperature increase compared to the result at 25 °C. All three coatings demonstrated activity in both reactions. Ni₈₅Fe₄P₁₂ exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency in the HER, with the overpotential of 340 mV at 10 mAcm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 61 mVdec⁻¹. In the OER, the efficiency of the NiFeP catalysts correlated with their Fe content. The overpotential was 412 mV for Ni₈₀Fe₈P₁₂ and 432 mV for Ni₇₅Fe₁₂P₁₂ at 10 mAcm⁻² with Tafel slopes of 96 and 91 mVdec⁻¹, respectively. This study underscores the critical influence of Fe content on the catalytic efficiency of NiFeP coatings, with reduced Fe content enhancing HER and increased Fe content benefits OER. Full article

Mitochondrial fission and fusion appear to be relatively infrequent in cardiac cells compared to other cell types; however, the proteins involved in these events are highly expressed in adult cardiomyocytes (ACM). Therefore, these proteins likely have additional non-canonical roles. We have previously shown that DRP1 not only participates in mitochondrial fission processes but also regulates mitochondrial bioenergetics in cardiac tissue. However, it is still unknown where the DRP1 that does not participate in mitochondrial fission is located and what its role is at those non-fission spots. Therefore, this manuscript will clarify whether oligomeric DRP1 is located at the SR–mitochondria interface, a specific region that harbors the Ca²⁺ microdomains created by Ca²⁺ release from the SR through the RyR2. The high Ca²⁺ microdomains and the subsequent Ca²⁺ uptake by mitochondria through the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter complex (MCUC) are essential to regulate mitochondrial bioenergetics during excitation–contraction (EC) coupling. Herein, we aimed to test the hypothesis that mitochondria-bound DRP1 preferentially accumulates at the mitochondria–SR contacts to deploy its function on regulating mitochondrial bioenergetics and that this strategic position is modulated by calcium in a beat-to-beat manner. In addition, the mechanism responsible for such a biased distribution and its functional implications was investigated. High-resolution imaging approaches, cell fractionation, Western blot, 2D blue native gel electrophoresis, and immunoprecipitations were applied to both electrically paced ACM and Langendorff-perfused beating hearts to elucidate the mechanisms of the strategic DRP1 localization. Our data show that in ACM, mitochondria-bound DRP1 clusters in high molecular weight protein complexes at mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM). This clustering requires DRP1 interaction with β-ACTIN and is fortified by EC coupling-mediated Ca²⁺ transients. In ACM, DRP1 is anchored at the mitochondria–SR contacts through interactions with β-ACTIN and Ca²⁺ transients, playing a fundamental role in regulating mitochondrial physiology. Full article