Search Results (1,846)

Background/Objectives: This study developed a targeted drug delivery nanoplatform for treating HER2-positive breast cancer. The nanoplatform encapsulated two hydrophobic anticancer agents, neratinib (NTB) and docetaxel (DTX), within nanoparticles (DTX+NTB−NP) functionalized for conjugation to trastuzumab to form trastuzumab-tagged nanoparticles (TRZ−NP). Trastuzumab is a HER2-specific monoclo-nal antibody that binds to HER2 receptors, blocking signal transduction and inducing an-tibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Upon receptor-mediated endocytosis, neratinib inhibits cytosolic HER2 signaling, while docetaxel disrupts mitotic cell division, collectively leading to tumor cell death. Methods: Nanoparticles were fabricated by the nanoprecipitation technique, followed by surface modification with a crosslinker and a targeting moiety. DTX+NTB−NP, TRZ−NP, and singly loaded nanoparticles (NTB−NP and DTX−NP) were characterized and their effects evaluated in HER2-positive cancer cell line and xenograft model. Results: In vitro antiproliferation assay in SKBR-3 cell line re-veals a dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity. There was no significant difference in cyto-toxicity observed between DTX+NTB−NP and its free form (DTX+NTB) [p = 0.9172], and between TRZ−NP and its free form (TRZ+DTX+NTB) [p = 0.6750]. However, TRZ−NP, at half the concentration of the singly loaded nanoparticles, significantly reduced the viabil-ity of SKBR-3 cells compared to pure trastuzumab (TRZ) [p < 0.001], NTB−NP [p = 0.0019], and DTX−NP [p = 0.0002]. In vivo evaluation in female athymic nude mice showed sig-nificant log relative tumor volume (%) reduction in groups treated with TRZ−NP and DTX+NTB−NP compared to PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) controls (p ≤ 0.001 and p ≤ 0.001), respectively. Notably, TRZ−NP demonstrated a statistically significant regression in the log relative tumor volume (%) compared to DTX+NTB−NP (p = 0.001). Conclusions: These findings underscore the therapeutic potential and suitability of these nanoplatforms for the precise and controlled targeting of HER2-positive tumors. This study is the first to synchronize the delivery of multiple agents-docetaxel, neratinib, and trastuzumab-within a nanoparticle system for treating HER2-positive tumors, offering a promising strategy to enhance treatment outcomes for HER2 positive breast cancer patients. Full article

The development of efficient and environmentally sustainable membrane materials is essential for advancing water purification technologies. This review examines composite membranes that combine the properties of MXene and nanocellulose, focusing on their structural features, functional characteristics, and potential advantages in water treatment applications. Nanocellulose provides a biodegradable, renewable matrix with abundant surface functional groups, while MXene offers high hydrophilicity, electrical conductivity, and adsorption capacity. Based on a critical evaluation of published studies, the review outlines various fabrication strategies, discusses key factors affecting membrane performance—including morphology, surface modification, and interfacial interactions—and highlights the synergistic effects between the two components. The article systematizes current approaches to designing MXene/nanocellulose membranes and establishes a foundation for future scientific and technological development in this field. Full article

The design and the synthesis of functional films with enhanced functionality represent a significant step forward in sustainable material development due to their potential applications. In this study, a novel chitosan derivative (CS-MeIm) was synthetized by chemically modifying chitosan (CS) structure with 1-methyl-1H-imidazole (MeIm), a heterocyclic compound known for its biological properties. This functionalization not only enhances the intrinsic capabilities of CS but also provides a strategic platform for advanced material engineering. The modified compound, CS-MeIm, was incorporated at 10 wt% into films based on CS matrix, which was also reinforced with 1 or 5 wt% of chitin nanowhiskers (ChNw), to improve their functionality for its potential applications. The fabrication process was optimized to ensure the homogeneity and the structural integrity of the films, which were extensively evaluated to study their thermal stability, mechanical integrity, and bioactivity. The incorporation of the imidazole ring into the CS backbone provided a marked enhancement in antioxidant capacity from 3 to 15 μmol Trolox/gram of film; and excellent antimicrobial activity against common microbes, particularly against E. coli with an efficacy of 99.999%. The findings reveal that this chemical modification not only raises the intrinsic properties of CS but also introduces a versatile platform for creating biodegradable films with high functionality. Full article

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are highly promising nanocarrier materials, boasting excellent drug adsorption and loading potential due to their tunable hydrophilic/lipophilic interfaces. This study is the first to report the successful synthesis of maleic anhydride-modified CNFs (MA-CNFs) via the esterification of CNFs using a solvent-free molten maleic anhydride (MA) system, and it systematically evaluates MACNFs’ dual adsorption performance for water-soluble and lipophilic drugs. A new characteristic peak at 1723 cm⁻¹ in FT-IR confirms the formation of ester bonds, proving the successful grafting of MA onto CNFs. XRD analysis shows that the crystallinity slightly increases from 72.56% to 74.06%, indicating the reaction mainly occurs in the amorphous region. After modification, the material’s hydrophobicity is significantly enhanced (water contact angle: ~63.3° for CNFs vs. ~74.9° for MA-CNFs), and its BET specific surface area rises sharply from 5.03 to 26.29 m²/g. These structural advantages collectively enable MA-CNFs to have adsorption capacities for folic acid (FA, water-soluble) and vitamin E acetate (VEA, lipophilic) that are 1.15 and 2.04 times those of CNFs, respectively. The results demonstrate MA-CNFs are high-performance functional materials fabricated via a green method, with good biocompatibility. Full article

The centres of historical cities have changed trying to accommodate modern urban needs, while maintaining the original bohemian atmosphere that represents the identity of the local community. Restoration, according to Cesare Brandi, goes beyond mere physical repairs and focuses on preserving the core historical and cultural significance of a building within its context. Brandi highlights the importance of the surrounding environment, suggesting that the “horizontal plan” around a structure should be prioritised to ensure its recognition within its historical setting. Decisions about preserving or removing additions should be informed by historical evidence, as modifications over time contribute to the building’s narrative. Aesthetic considerations are secondary to historical accuracy, with the primary goal being the preservation of the building’s relationship with its context rather than its visual appeal. This perspective aligns with Giovannoni’s view that preservation should not focus solely on individual monuments but on the broader urban fabric, which collectively forms the city’s historical environment. By respecting the context in which buildings exist, restoration efforts can maintain their role in the larger space. Ultimately, the aim is to balance the conservation of architectural value with modern needs, all while ensuring that the structure’s historical integrity is maintained. While there is extensive research on heritage conservation and accessibility, there remains a lack of integrated strategies that harmoniously address both cultural preservation and inclusive access. This paper presents an urban study made on the historical centre of Lugoj, a Romanian city with interesting architecture. This study aims to illustrate how creating an urban promenade can improve cohesion between old and new, creating a harmonious public space that reflects the identity of the local community. Moreover, the accessibility of the case study area is investigated, following four major categories of special needs, mobility, visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments, and offering recommendations for a better public space for all the citizens. Full article

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-based hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for wound dressing applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and tunable physicochemical properties. In this study, a novel hydrogel functionalized with hyaluronic acid (HA) and RGD peptides (RGD) was fabricated and evaluated for its structural characteristics and wound-healing potential. Using CMC as the base matrix and EDC/NHS as crosslinking agents, four hydrogel variants were fabricated: CMC gel, CMC-HA gel, CMC-RGD gel, and CMC-HA-RGD gel. The preliminary cell compatibility experiment identified the optimal formulation as 1% CMC, 0.9% HA, and 0.02 mg/mL RGD, crosslinked with 1 vol% EDC and 0.05 wt% NHS. Scanning electron microscopy showed a porous architecture (100–400 μm), conducive to fibroblast viability and proliferation. Zeta potential measurements (|ζ| > 30 mV) indicated colloidal stability of the hydrogel system. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful crosslinking and integration of HA and RGD via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, forming a stable three-dimensional network. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed enhanced thermal stability upon HA/RGD incorporation. CCK-8 assays demonstrated significantly improved cell viability with HA/RGD loading (p < 0.05), while Ki-67 immunofluorescence confirmed enhanced fibroblast proliferation, with the CMC-HA-RGD gel showing the most pronounced effect. In vitro scratch assay results demonstrated that the CMC-HA-RGD hydrogel dressing significantly enhanced cellular migration compared to other carboxymethyl chitosan-based hydrogel groups (p < 0.05). The observed statistically significant improvement in cell migration rate versus controls underscores the distinctive enhancement of synergistic HA and RGD modification in accelerating cellular migration and facilitating wound repair. Collectively, these findings suggest that the CMC-HA-RGD hydrogel possesses favorable physicochemical and biological properties and holds strong potential as an advanced wound dressing for the treatment of chronic and refractory wounds. Full article

Melanin-related materials efficiently emulate the adhesion properties of natural mussel filaments and have been used advantageously for surface modification and for fabrication of electrochemical sensors for detection of environmentally relevant targets. The most applicable advantages of melanin-based coatings are their biocompatibility and versatility, and they can be easily prepared and modified according to simple and highly environmentally friendly procedures. For these reasons, melanin-related materials, in particular polydopamine, which can be obtained simply via oxidative polymerization of dopamine in an aqueous solution in the presence of atmospheric oxygen, have been applied in a large variety of scientific and technological fields. Here, we summarize and critically discuss the most recent and important applications of melanin-related materials in the development of electrochemical sensors for monitoring the environment and food. In particular, the examples used in this paper include toxic metal ions, drugs, and pesticides. In the final section of this paper, the actual limitations of the existing approach are discussed and possible future design improvements are suggested. Full article

In the research of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), most attention has been paid to material modification, structural design, and power management. Little study has been performed on the transient process of TENGs, although the capacitance characteristics of TENGs are well known. In this work, the transient process of contact-mode TENGs was studied by the infinite-plate model and verified by experimental tests. The results showed that TENGs exhibited a much higher output in the transient process than that in the steady state. Within the transient process, the transfer charge gradually grew to a maximum value, while the output current and power decreased. A formula to calculate the duration of the transient process was derived by Fourier expansion. This work also demonstrated an interesting transformation process of the Q-V curve in the transient process. Furthermore, the transient phenomenon was verified clearly in a contact-mode TENG sample fabricated by copper and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films through experimental tests. These results are useful for performance optimization of TENGs in applications. Full article

In recent years, paper-based humidity sensors have emerged as a highly promising technology for humidity detection. In this work, a polymerizable deep eutectic solvent (PDES) was prepared via a one-step blending method, which was applied to modify filter paper. The modification process did not alter the overall structure of the paper cellulose but rather targeted only its internal cellulose channels, thereby minimizing any impact on the paper’s original moisture-independent properties. The filter paper functioned both as the substrate and the humidity-sensing material in the fabricated sensor. The finger-like electrodes were designed using AutoCAD 2018 software and then printed onto the modified paper using screen-printing technology to fabricate the humidity sensor. Different saturated salt solutions were used to simulate corresponding humidity environments and evaluate the humidity performance of sensors. Compared with that of the blank paper-based humidity sensor, the sensitivity of the sensor modified by the PDES was significantly greater, and the recovery time was greatly shorter. Specifically, the sensitivity increased from 1.34 to 10.36 at 54% RH and from 166.24 to 519.2 at 98% RH. Additionally, the sensor response time was reduced from 728 s to 137 s. PDES modification significantly improved the moisture-sensitive characteristics and detection performance of the sensor. Full article

Excessive surface friction encountered during metal-forming processes typically leads to die wear and seizure in part surfaces, which consequently shortens the die’s service lifespan and lowers the surface quality of the formed parts. To minimize surface friction, tool surface modification is required. This study focuses on reducing the sliding friction of SKH51 high-speed steel by fabricating micro-grooves with various crosshatch angles using a nanosecond pulse laser. The effects of laser texturing parameters on achieving the groove aspect ratio of 0.1 were investigated. This aspect ratio facilitates lubricant retention and enhances lubrication performance on the contact surfaces. The influence of groove crosshatch angles (30°, 60°, and 90°) on the friction in the sliding contact between a textured high-speed steel disc and an AISI304 stainless steel pin was evaluated using a pin-on-disc test with a constant load. Moreover, the contact pressure distribution and stress concentration associated with each groove pattern were numerically analyzed using the finite element method. The results demonstrated that a laser power of 20 W effectively produced groove geometries with the desired aspect ratio. Among the tested patterns, the surface textured with a 60° crosshatch angle exhibited the lowest coefficient of friction of 0.111, compared to 0.148 for the untextured surface. Finite element analysis further revealed that the 60° crosshatch pattern provided the most balanced combination of load redistribution, reduced mean pressure, and average stress, which may reduce the friction under sliding conditions. These findings confirm that laser surface texturing, particularly with an optimized crosshatch angle, can significantly reduce sliding friction and enhance the tribological performance of high-speed steel tools. Full article

With the rapid growth of nuclear energy, effective shielding of radioactive nuclear by-products is critical for safety and environmental protection. Gadolinium (Gd) is ideal for neutron shielding due to its exceptionally high thermal neutron capture cross-section. Despite significant progress in developing various Gd-based shielding materials, poor interfacial compatibility between Gd₂O₃ and polymer matrices remains a significant limitation. In this study, we addressed this challenge by successfully modifying Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles (Gd₂O₃@SIT-M) through the construction of a dual-layer molecular coating using electrostatic interactions. Initially, Gd₂O₃ was functionalized with the silane coupling agent 3-(trihydroxysilyl) propyl-1-propane-sulfonic acid (SIT), followed by subsequent assembly of polyether amine M2070 onto this modified surface. The combined presence of hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups from SIT and amine-ether groups from M2070 endowed Gd₂O₃@SIT-M nanoparticles with excellent hydrophilicity, significantly reducing their aqueous contact angle to 14.34°. Consequently, this modification strategy notably enhanced the dispersion stability of Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles in aqueous solutions and polymer matrices. The developed approach thus provides an effective pathway for fabricating advanced polymer-based neutron shielding materials with improved dispersibility, stability, and overall performance. Full article

Computer-assisted implant surgery (CAIS) using 3D-printed surgical templates has become a preferred approach for improving implant placement accuracy. Despite its clinical advantages over conventional freehand techniques, CAIS remains limited by the presence of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) metal artefacts, which compromise the 3D data alignment during implant planning and guide fabrication. This narrative review aims to explore the impact of metal artefacts on the accuracy of 3D-printed surgical implant templates and to evaluate current approaches and modifications in implant planning workflows. This article reviews accuracy studies, case reports and technology research on CAIS from the past 5 years. It summarised the CAIS clinical decision framework and data alignment methods to provide alternatives for guided implant therapy in the future. Studies indicate that metal artefacts can distort anatomical data, leading to potential misalignment in 3D data superimposition during surgical guide designs and fabrication. However, various strategies have shown promise in reducing these distortions. Accurate implant planning and template fabrication are essential to ensure clinical success. Special consideration should be given to artefact management during data acquisition. Modified workflows that account for the presence of metal artefacts can enhance guide precision and improve patient outcomes. Full article

Each component implemented in a robotic system requires a priority on low weight, flexibility, and durability. These key parameters for creating a stable yet flexible device can be achieved by applying polymer materials in the construction, not only in the static parts of the skeleton but also in the design and production of robotic grippers. This concise review highlights the possibilities of using polymers as the primary fabrication material for the specific area of “soft grippers” used in dental production. The main part of the article is devoted to analyzing polymer materials—specifically SMPs—their modifications, the characteristics of their primary properties, and the specifics of their use in robotic grippers. The article also provides information on the current state of research conducted over the last decade, through a brief overview obtained from the renowned Web of Science and Scopus databases. As part of the overview, we used basic keywords relevant to the analyzed issue: soft, gripper, and polymer. The review results indicate continuous growth in the number of publications, with the highest increase recorded in 2016 compared to 2016, showing more than a fourfold increase. The lowest increase was recorded in 2020 compared to 2019, where the publication rate was stagnant. The most frequently published documents are Articles, comprising 80.1% to 68.3% (more than 5000 publications). The most popular categories in which documents were published are Engineering 27.1%, (more than 4500 publications) and Materials Science Multidisciplinary 45.2% (more than 180 publications). Based on this review, the importance and need for research into this issue and its analysis can be confirmed, not only in practical applications but also within theoretical reviews and summaries. Full article

Optimal sensing devices exhibit a combination of key performance attributes, including an extensive detection limit, exceptional selectivity, high sensitivity, consistent repeatability, precise measurement, and rapid response times with efficient analyte flow. In recent years, biosensing platforms incorporating nanoscale materials have garnered considerable attention due to their diverse applications across various scientific and technological domains. The integration of nanoparticles (NPs) in biosensor design primarily bridges the dimensional gap between the signal transduction element and the biological recognition component, both of which operate at nanometer scales. The synergistic combination of NPs with electrochemical techniques has facilitated the development of biosensors characterized by enhanced sensitivity and superior analyte discrimination capabilities. This comprehensive analysis examines the evolution and recent advancements in nanomaterial (NM)-based biosensors, encompassing an extensive array of nanostructures. These consists of one-dimensional nanostructures including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanowires (NWs), nanorods (NRs), and quantum dots (QDs), as well as noble metal and metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). The article examines how advancements in biosensing techniques across a range of applications have been fueled by the growth of nanotechnology. Researchers have significantly improved biosensor performance parameters by utilizing the distinct physiochemical properties of these NMs. The developments have increased the potential uses of nanobiosensors in a wide range of fields, from food safety and biodefense to medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. The continuous developments in NM-based biosensors are the result of the integration of several scientific areas, such as analytical chemistry, materials science, and biotechnology. This interdisciplinary approach continues to drive innovations in sensor design, signal amplification strategies, and data analysis techniques, ultimately leading to more sophisticated and capable biosensing platforms. As the field progresses, challenges related to the scalability, reproducibility, and long-term stability of nanobiosensors are being addressed through innovative fabrication methods and surface modification techniques. These efforts aim to translate the promising results observed in laboratory settings into practical, commercially viable biosensing devices that can address real-world analytical challenges across various sectors. Full article

Polysaccharides have emerged as promising biomaterials for 3D bioprinting due to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural diversity. However, their limited mechanical strength, insufficient bioactivity, and suboptimal printability hinder their direct application in fabricating complex tissue constructs. This review systematically summarizes universal modification strategies to address these challenges by tailoring polysaccharides’ physicochemical and biological properties. We first analyse the fundamental requirements of bioprinting materials, emphasising on the critical role of shear-thinning behaviours, post-printing structural fidelity, and cell-instructive functions. Subsequently, we highlight the advantages and limitations of representative polysaccharides, including chitosan, alginate, and hyaluronic acid. Chemical functionalisation, physical reinforcement, and biological hybridisation are proposed as versatile approaches to synergistically enhance printability, mechanical robustness, and bioactivity to tackle the limitations. Furthermore, dynamic crosslinking mechanisms enabling self-healing and stimuli-responsive behaviours are discussed as emerging solutions for constructing biomimetic architectures. Finally, we outline future directions in balancing material processability with cellular viability and scaling up modified polysaccharides for clinical translation. This review aims to provide a design blueprint for engineering polysaccharide-based bioinks toward next-generation regenerative medicine. Full article