Search Results (5,063)

Femtosecond laser processing enables spatially controlled modification of the structure, composition, and functionality of advanced materials through highly localized energy deposition and laser–matter interaction mechanisms. This review discusses the role of ultrafast laser irradiation in the engineering of oxide-based functional systems, including functional oxides, oxide-containing layers, interfaces, and heterogeneous structures whose properties are substantially determined by an oxide component. The mechanisms governing laser-induced oxidation, phase transformation, elemental redistribution, defect generation, and hierarchical micro-/nanostructure formation are considered. Particular attention is given to the ability of femtosecond laser processing to create surfaces with tailored interactions with light, liquids, biological environments, and external stimuli, enabling responsive devices and advanced manufacturing strategies. Laser-modified oxide layers and nanostructured interfaces are analyzed as pathways for controlling surface energy, optical properties, chemical activity, and functional response. The relationship between laser-generated architectures and their applications in sensing, actuation, wetting control, and multifunctional systems is discussed. By connecting ultrafast laser surface engineering with emerging 4D manufacturing concepts, this review highlights femtosecond laser technologies as a versatile platform for designing systems with spatially programmed functionality and, where stimulus-dependent behavior is demonstrated, time-dependent performance. Such approaches provide opportunities for integrating adaptive oxide-based functional systems into advanced manufacturing. Full article

Lupins have been cultivated since ancient times. Poland ranks second in the world in terms of lupin cultivation area (second only to Australia), particularly for narrow-leaved lupin. It is used in various industries. The purpose of this review is to analyze data on the chemical composition of narrow-leaved lupin in comparison with other species of this genus, as well as to identify its potential applications. The literature data characterize narrow-leaved lupin in terms of its content of protein, lectins, fat, carotenoids, phytosterols, fiber, sugars, alkaloids, vitamins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, volatile organic compounds, and micro- and macronutrients. Due to its interesting qualitative and quantitative composition, this species may play a significant role in human nutrition—not only as an alternative source of protein, but above all as a source of health-promoting compounds. Studies conducted on humans and animals have demonstrated a wide range of biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering effects. In addition, in vitro studies suggest anticancer effects. Among the tangible outcomes of research and commercialization efforts is the availability on the consumer market of food and cosmetic products containing lupin. Due to its properties, this species has a wide range of applications. However, to meet the requirements of various industrial sectors, a collaborative approach is necessary among plant breeders, scientists, and industry representatives working to improve this species. Only through joint efforts can the use of narrow-leaved lupin be expanded. Full article

This exploratory study compared the flowers, leaves, and roots of Hypochaeris sessiliflora to evaluate physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, in vitro chemical antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and locomotion-disrupting effects on Caenorhabditis elegans. Bioactive compounds were determined by liquid chromatography; in vitro chemical antioxidant activity by microplate spectrophotometry; antimicrobial activity against a range of ATCC and multidrug-resistant microorganisms; and locomotion-disrupting effects on Caenorhabditis elegans. The results revealed significant differences between plant organs. The leaves contained the highest concentrations of calcium (1163.1 mg/100 g DW), potassium (3256.6 mg/100 g DW), vitamin C (39.2 mg/100 g DW), organic acids (1213.5 mg/100 g DW), and total quantified chlorophylls (89.0 mg/100 g DW). The flowers had the highest levels of total quantified carotenoids (152.1 mg/100 g DM) and total quantified phenolic compounds (12,341.1 mg/100 g DM). They exhibited the highest in vitro chemical antioxidant activity, as measured by the ABTS assay (6.1 mmol TE/100 g DW). The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity that depended on the plant organ and the microorganism tested, with the root extract being the most active against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 8.2 mg/mL). No activity was detected against Candida species or against multidrug-resistant bacteria under the experimental conditions used. Furthermore, the extracts under the experimental conditions used did not significantly alter C. elegans’ locomotion. Overall, this study provides baseline evidence of the organ-specific chemical composition and biological properties of H. sessiliflora, supporting further investigation of the compounds responsible for the observed in vitro chemical antioxidant and selective and antimicrobial activities. Full article

Nanomaterials are increasingly used in manufacturing, medicine, consumer products, and environmental technologies due to their unique physicochemical properties. Although these materials offer substantial technological and societal benefits, their widespread use has raised concerns about potential health risks. Of particular importance is exposure during pregnancy, as certain nanoparticles can cross the placental barrier and reach the developing embryo. Fetal tissues are highly sensitive to environmental insults, so maternal exposure to nanoparticles may disrupt normal development and increase the risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes. This review examines the current understanding of nanoparticle-induced developmental toxicity, with a focus on the vulnerability of the maternal–fetal unit. We discuss the structure and function of the placental barrier and the mechanisms that enable nanoparticle transfer from mother to fetus. Particular attention is given to how nanoparticle characteristics, including size, shape, composition, and surface chemistry, influence biodistribution, placental transport, tissue accumulation, and toxicity. We summarize the major molecular and cellular mechanisms implicated in fetotoxicity, highlighting oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and DNA damage as recurring pathways identified across experimental studies. These interconnected processes contribute to placental dysfunction, impaired fetal growth, developmental abnormalities, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We also compare findings across different classes of nanoparticles, including metal, metal oxide, carbon-based, and polymeric nanomaterials, identifying both shared toxicological mechanisms and material-specific effects. Evidence from animal models demonstrates that susceptibility varies according to nanoparticle properties, exposure conditions, and species, underscoring the complexity of nanoparticle–biological interactions and the limitations of extrapolating experimental findings directly to humans. Overall, the available evidence indicates that nanoparticle exposure during pregnancy represents a potential risk to fetal health, although important knowledge gaps remain regarding human exposure and long-term developmental outcomes. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle-induced fetotoxicity is essential for improving human health risk assessment, refining experimental models, informing regulatory policies, and supporting the safe-by-design development of nanomaterials. Such knowledge will help ensure the responsible application of nanotechnology while minimizing potential risks during pregnancy. Finally, this review is distinguished by its integrated analysis of how the chemical characteristics of nanoparticles govern placental transfer and the mechanistic pathways of fetotoxicity across multiple nanomaterial classes, providing a unified framework that connects material properties with their potential for abnormal fetal development and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent, surface-active contaminants for which soil represents the largest terrestrial reservoir. This review synthesizes a rapidly expanding but fragmented body of literature in order to reframe PFAS not merely as a groundwater transport problem but as a systemic stressor of soil health, drawing together their reported effects on the chemical, physical and biological properties of soils and giving particular attention to the calcareous, alkaline, carbon-poor and seasonally dry soils of the Mediterranean. The reviewed evidence suggests that, chemically, PFASs perturb the coupled carbon and nitrogen cycles rather than the bulk soil reaction, transiently stimulating and then depressing organic carbon turnover, drawing down the dissolved organic carbon pool and disturbing nitrification, while their retention and bioavailability are governed chiefly by organic carbon, chain length and pH. Physically, the surfactant character that defines these molecules lowers the surface tension of soil water and concentrates PFASs at the air–water interface, so that in unsaturated and drought-prone soils much of the burden is retained and then released episodically, most clearly on rewetting after dry periods. Biologically, the literature consistently reports dose-dependent declines in microbial viability, diversity and enzyme activity, alongside toxicity to earthworms and other soil fauna, with sensitivity strongly modulated by soil texture and organic matter. Across all three domains, the Mediterranean emerges as both potentially vulnerable and conspicuously understudied, the available data being clustered in a few western countries and effectively absent for much of the eastern and southern basin, so that the regional assessment offered here rests largely on mechanistic inference rather than on direct observation. The review argues that these coupled mechanistic and geographic gaps define an urgent, region-specific research agenda for the protection of soil health. Full article

The biosynthesis of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu/CuO-NPs) has attracted considerable interest due to its non-toxic, eco-friendly nature and wide-ranging applications, especially in nanomedicine and biomedical fields. Traditional nanoparticle production methods often involve toxic chemicals and generate harmful byproducts. In contrast, biological synthesis provides a cleaner, safer, more cost-effective, and sustainable alternative. Various biological sources, including plants, bacteria, fungi, and yeast, have been employed for the efficient and non-toxic production of Cu/CuO-NPs. These organisms contain diverse biomolecules such as enzymes, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, flavonoids, and alkaloids that function as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents during nanoparticle formation. The biologically synthesized Cu/CuO-NPs are characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, TGA, XPS, FTIR, DLS, zeta potential analyzer, etc. Cu/CuO-NPs hold promise for applications in nanomedicine, primarily because of their strong antimicrobial and anticancer activities and potential use as disinfectants against infectious diseases. Various reports have suggested that the biologically synthesized Cu/CuO-NPs have exhibited significant antimicrobial and anticancer efficacies against pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses and various cancer cells. Due to their nanoscale dimensions and extensive surface area, Cu/CuO nanoparticles can readily infiltrate cell walls, disrupt membrane integrity, generate reactive oxygen species, and hinder both DNA replication and protein production, leading to cell death. The present review comprehensively describes the biological synthesis of Cu/CuO-NPs, their characterization techniques, and potential antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer applications. The modes of action for antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer properties have also been explored critically. Full article

The modulation of ZnO physicochemical properties through Mn doping represents a promising strategy for the development of multifunctional nanomaterials with enhanced biological performance. In this study, we investigate how the nominal Mn concentration influences both the physicochemical properties and antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-virulence activities of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles containing nominal Mn from 2.5 to 10 mol% were synthesized through a simple wet-chemical approach and characterized by UV–Vis, Raman, TEM, EDX, and EELS analyses. The resulting ZnO-based NPs showed average dimensions of 3.7–4.8 nm, while increasing Mn incorporation produced measurable changes in optical response and morphology of nanoparticles. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial models by assessing planktonic growth inhibition, biofilm formation, and pyocyanin production. The sample with the highest Mn amount (Mn₁₀-ZnO) markedly enhanced antibacterial performance by reducing MIC₉₀ from 150 to 37.5 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and from 300 to 75 μg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mn doping also enhanced biofilm inhibition and produced a progressive reduction in pyocyanin synthesis. These results establish a concentration-dependent relationship between Mn concentration, nanoparticle properties, and antibacterial performance, highlighting the potential of Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles for the development of anti-infective biomaterials, including antimicrobial coatings for implantable medical devices. Full article

The global plastic pollution crisis demands a fundamental re-evaluation of materials systems beyond incremental improvements to fossil fuel-based polymers. Bioplastics, polymers derived from renewable biological feedstocks, biodegradable under defined conditions, or both, offer a chemically diverse and rapidly evolving platform for transitioning toward circular materials economies in which the value of carbon, energy, and material is retained across multiple use cycles. This review provides a comprehensive and critically organized account of the bioplastics field, spanning three generations of feedstock development from food crops through lignocellulosic residues to algae and waste streams; primary production pathways including microbial fermentation, ring-opening polymerization, and biosynthesis; forming processes from extrusion and injection molding to additive manufacturing; and the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties that determine application fitness. Particular emphasis is placed on life cycle assessment, which reveals that bioplastics’ climate benefits are conditional on feedstock choice, land-use management, energy source at manufacturing, and end-of-life pathway, and that burden-shifting from greenhouse gas emissions to land use, water consumption, and eutrophication is a systematic risk requiring integrated LCA evaluation rather than single-metric optimization. The review further examines end-of-life recycling, composting, and biodegradation pathways; market applications across packaging, agriculture, automotive, biomedical, and electronics sectors; and the growing role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in accelerating materials design, process optimization, and lifecycle data management. Critical barriers to scale, such as cost premiums of 20–75% over conventional plastics, inadequate composting infrastructure, recycling stream contamination, regulatory fragmentation, and consumer labeling confusion, are systematically analyzed alongside mitigation strategies. The review concludes with a forward-looking discussion of emerging feedstocks, smart and functional bioplastics, and the policy and infrastructure investments required to translate the environmental promise of bio-based polymers into realized circular economy impact. Full article

Erythroxylum nummularium is a native Brazilian species with limited phytochemical and pharmacological characterization. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and biological properties of methanolic extracts and fractions obtained from the leaves, branches, stem bark, and stem of the plant. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total alkaloid content (TAT), and GC–MS profiling were combined with antioxidant (DPPH, β-carotene bleaching, TAC), antimicrobial, toxicological, and antinociceptive assays. The extracts exhibited substantial variation in TPC, TFC, and metabolite profiles, which strongly influenced their biological activities. The ethyl acetate fraction from the leaves (ELEN) showed the highest TPC and TFC, correlating with superior antioxidant performance, antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, low toxicity in Artemia salina, and significant antinociceptive effects in mice, with an LD₅₀ above 2000 mg/kg. In the antioxidant assays, the ethyl acetate fraction from the stem bark (ESBEN) exhibited the highest overall activity, likely due to its elevated levels of highly polar phenolics and flavonoids. Among the fractions characterized by GC–MS, DSBEN, DLEN, and DBEN were the most active, with phenolic acids, their methylated derivatives, and low-molecular-weight organic acids contributing synergistically to antioxidant activity. These findings identify E. nummularium as a promising source of structurally diverse metabolites with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antinociceptive potential and support further investigation toward the development of natural bioactive agents. Full article

Ti–Nb alloys are widely recognized as highly promising materials for orthodontic applications due to their excellent functional properties, including superior biocompatibility and a relatively low Young’s modulus that better matches that of human bone. The formation of Ti–Nb surface alloys or surface-modified layers is particularly attractive, as the surface properties of biomedical materials strongly influence their mechanical and biological interactions during service. In the present study, Ti-Nb coatings were fabricated on commercially pure titanium substrates using an electron beam surface treatment (EBST) technique. Initially, a 1 μm thick Nb layer was deposited onto the Ti substrates by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering. Subsequently, the samples were modified through scanning electron beam irradiation, with beam power varied between 1000 and 2000 W to promote Ti-Nb alloyed layers. The phase composition of the resulting structures was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructural characteristics and chemical composition were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Mechanical properties were evaluated in terms of hardness and Young’s modulus. The findings of this study demonstrate the feasibility of tailoring the structural and mechanical properties of Ti–Nb surface alloys through controlled electron-beam processing and support their further investigation for potential orthodontic and dental applications. Full article

Gyrinops vidalii (Thymelaeaceae), a critically endangered agarwood-producing species native to Thailand and Laos and remains phytochemically unexplored. In this study, the chemical constituents and biological activities of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of methanol extract of G. vidalii leaves were investigated. Phytochemical analysis led the isolation of mangiferin (1), iriflophenone 3-C-β-D-glucoside (2), aquilarinenside E (3), iriflophenone 2-O-α-L-rhamnoside (4), 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone (5), blumenol A (6), loliolide (7), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester (8), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (9). Compound 1 exhibited potent DPPH radical scavenging activity with an SC₅₀ value of 19.35 μM), whereas iriflophenone (3a), obtained by acid hydrolysis of 3, and 5 showed promising α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values 100.06 and 174.57 μM, respectively. Molecular docking demonstrated favorable binding of both compounds within the α-glucosidase active site through hydrogen bonding, aromatic, and hydrophobic interactions, with binding energies of −7.4 and −8.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Predicted ADMET properties further supported the drug-like potential of both compounds, indicating favorable aqueous solubility, high intestinal absorption, and no predicted hepatotoxicity, while differences were observed in their predicted blood–brain barrier permeability. This study represents the first phytochemical investigation of G. vidalii, provides scientific support for its traditional use, and expands the chemotaxonomic knowledge of the closely related genera Gyrinops and Aquilaria. Full article

Bacterial colonization and biofilm formation on orthopedic and dental implants remain major clinical complications, while conventional systemic antibiotics are often limited by poor penetration into biofilms and infected bone. These limitations have motivated the development of biomaterials with intrinsic antibacterial activity. Hydroxyapatite (HA), a major inorganic component of bone and teeth, possesses excellent biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and bone-bonding ability but exhibits limited inherent antibacterial activity. Incorporation of therapeutic metal ions, including Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Co²⁺, Ga³⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ce³⁺, has therefore emerged as a promising strategy for developing multifunctional HA-based biomaterials. This review critically examines the crystal-chemical basis of metal-ion incorporation into HA and discusses how ionic radius, oxidation state, charge-compensation mechanisms, dopant concentration, and synthesis conditions influence lattice occupancy, physicochemical properties, and biological performance. The antibacterial activity of metal-substituted and metal-modified HA systems generally involves interconnected mechanisms, including bacterial membrane damage, intracellular metabolic disruption, interference with enzymes and nucleic acids, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress, and inhibition of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Ag-, Cu-, Zn-, and Ga-containing HA systems show the most consistently reported antibacterial effects, although their efficacy and cytocompatibility depend strongly on dopant concentration and ion-release kinetics. Co-substituted HA may combine antibacterial activity with angiogenic and osteogenic stimulation, whereas Sr-substituted HA is primarily osteogenic and anti-resorptive, with variable antibacterial performance. Ti-modified HA and TiO₂/HA composites exhibit predominantly photoactive antibacterial behavior, while Ce-substituted HA shows concentration-, oxidation-state-, and synthesis-dependent biological effects. The review also evaluates protein adsorption, osteogenic and angiogenic signaling, macrophage-mediated immunomodulation, biological safety, and representative commercial and translational applications. Overall, metal-substituted HA represents a versatile platform for infection-resistant and regenerative hard-tissue biomaterials, provided that composition, phase structure, ion release, antibacterial efficacy, and cytocompatibility are systematically co-optimized before clinical translation. Full article

Indoles are chemical compounds that naturally occur in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. For example, indole alkaloids mainly occur in plant families such as Nyssaceae, Rubiaceae, Apocynaceae, and Loganiaceae. The popularity of indoles has led to further research into their function and synthetic modification. Meanwhile, the Wnt (Wingless and Int-1) signaling pathway is responsible for cell regulatory processes, while its dysfunction often constitutes the molecular basis for the pathogenesis of neoplastic processes. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were used to perform a literature search with keywords including “indoles” and those related to their biological activity, as well as “Wnt pathway” and “thyroid cancer (TC)”. We used ClinicalTrials.gov to search current clinical trials for selected indoles, such as melatonin, indole-3-propionic acid, and indole-3-carbinol. While indoles possess many therapeutic properties, we focused here on the following: antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antimigraine, antiemetic, and antihypertensive activities. We analyzed the Wnt pathway and its disruptions in thyroid cancer. In this manuscript, seventy-six (76) indoles, which have natural and synthetic origins, are presented. In addition to all activities mentioned, we discuss the therapeutic goals of indole applications in anticancer research. The Wnt signaling pathway can be changed in tumor cells, and such disruptions can occur in thyroid cancers. Full article

Urban soils are central to ecological functioning and urban resilience and have value not only for the services they provide to people but also for their intrinsic ecological worth. However, this ecocentric dimension remains underrepresented in urban sustainability research and practice. This study examines how urban soil management can be transformed to incorporate ecocentric values of nature by analysing both the practices through which this transformation can be achieved and the barriers that stand in the way. Based on a survey of 80 urban practitioners conducted in 2023, the study explores stakeholder roles, value orientations, soil indicators, regenerative practices, and perceived barriers to implementation. The results show that nearly all respondents recognised at least one explicit value of urban soil (95%), and a majority (60%) attributed several values at once, with future and intrinsic values each recognised by a substantial share of practitioners (65% and 50%, respectively), suggesting that ecocentric framings are present among a substantial share of practitioners. Whether this recognition translates into practice is more limited: about half of the respondents (51%) consider soil properties in their professional practices. Soil assessment is predominantly based on physical and chemical indicators, with biological indicators receiving comparatively little attention. The central empirical finding of this study is a pronounced awareness–action gap specific to soil regeneration: 96% of respondents recognise the importance of soil regeneration, yet only 40% report implementing regenerative practices. Regeneration, understood here as the restoration of biological activity and natural soil processes, is conceptually located towards the ecocentric pole of an anthropocentric–ecocentric continuum, since it engages with soil as a living system with intrinsic value rather than as a substrate for human use. Respondents identify knowledge gaps, fragmented governance, and financial constraints as key barriers to wider adoption, which indicates that the principal barriers are structural and institutional in nature; a lack of practitioner commitment does not appear to be the issue. Embedding ecocentric values in everyday practice will require integrating biological indicators into standard soil assessments, strengthening knowledge exchange through living labs and practitioner-oriented tools, and extending soil health targets across the policy, procurement, and funding mechanisms that govern urban development. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent synthetic chemicals of global concern. While most research has focused on their occurrence and toxicity, far less attention has been paid to their impacts on the global carbon cycle. This review synthesizes current evidence on how PFASs influence carbon cycling across soils, aquatic systems, and the atmosphere. In soils, PFASs alter organic carbon inputs by affecting plant biomass and root exudates and shift microbial community composition and enzyme activities, thereby modulating organic matter decomposition. In aquatic ecosystems, PFASs biologically impair carbon sequestration by inhibiting plankton, and abiotically interact with extracellular polymeric substances to prolong the cycling of dissolved organic carbon. The atmosphere acts as a key mediator as follows: thermal treatment of PFASs generates perfluorocarbons, potent greenhouse gases that exacerbate global warming and further disturb carbon cycling. Despite clear disruptive effects, major knowledge gaps remain. Future research should use quantitative structure–property relationship modeling to assess PFAS alternatives (e.g., PFHxS), and employ advanced molecular tracking (e.g., isotopic labeling, NanoSIMS) and machine learning to unravel nonlinear PFAS–carbon dynamics. Improved detection technologies are needed to identify greenhouse gas byproducts from PFAS thermal treatment. Ultimately, deploying high-resolution flux observation networks and integrating PFAS dynamics into Earth system models and carbon-accounting frameworks are critical for predicting carbon–climate feedback and supporting global carbon neutrality goals. Full article