Search Results (2,753)

Glioblastomas represent the most aggressive and lethal form of primary brain cancer and continue to pose a major challenge to global health. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as central regulators of gene expression, are intimately involved in the initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance of numerous malignancies, including glioblastoma. Therefore, this class of non-coding RNAs are considered to be valuable candidates for innovative therapeutic strategies. However, despite many promising preclinical studies, miRNA-based therapies have yet to be translated into routine clinical practice. In the context of glioblastoma, one of the principal obstacles to the effective delivery of synthetic miRNA therapy is their limited ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To address this challenge, a variety of locoregional delivery strategies have been developed in recent years. In this review, we provide a detailed discussion and a state-of-the-art overview of these local delivery methods in the context of glioblastoma treatment, with a specific emphasis on their application for delivering miRNA-based therapeutic oligonucleotides, formulated either with or without synthetic nanoparticles. Full article

During pregnancy, women are more inclined to modify their habits and lifestyle to find a new balance and promote well-being for themselves and the child-to-be. However, the availability of nutritional and psychological support is often limited by stigma, geographic barriers, and a lack of services. Digital health tools are emerging as possible solutions to cover these needs. This study explores the acceptability, feasibility, and user experience of Demetra, a virtual coach based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), designed to promote healthy lifestyles and mental well-being. Fifty pregnant women will be enrolled in the feasibility study of the intervention. It starts with an educational part on the foundations of healthy eating and suggestions about lifestyle habits, followed by a six-week psychoeducational module. Content is delivered through text, audio, and video formats. User experience and engagement will be measured through validated questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Psychological well-being will be evaluated both before and after the program. The intervention is expected to be well-received, with high levels of satisfaction and engagement, leading to a greater awareness of healthy behaviors, improved psychological flexibility, and enhanced overall well-being. Demetra offers an accessible solution to support women through the transformative experience of motherhood with a multidisciplinary and innovative approach. Full article

Background: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute a large portion of the industrial energy demand in the emerging economies, but their shift to renewable energy is not well comprehended at the firm level. Bangladesh is a special case, since the country has adopted national commitments to Sustainable Development Goal 7 on clean energy, but the uptake of renewable energy by SMEs remains minimal due to complex socio-economic factors. Most of the literature has concentrated on household access to energy or national policy models, leaving a gap in empirically validated models of firm-level adoption in the manufacturing sector. Method: Based on the diffusion of innovation theory, institutional theory, and the resource-based view, this research paper formulates and empirically verifies a combined socio-economic model of renewable energy adoption. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze a cross-sectional survey of 426 owners and managers of manufacturing SMEs in Bangladesh’s textile and food processing sub-sectors. Findings: Four out of five hypothesized direct relationships were supported. The most important drivers were environmental orientation (β = 0.467, p < 0.001, f² = 0.413), market competitiveness (β = 0.287, p < 0.001, f² = 0.413), policy and institutional factors (β = 0.211, p < 0.001, f² = 0.413), and access to finance (β = 0.096, p = 0.004). Perceptions of cost did not become significant (β= −0.036, p = 0.279). Top management support significantly and negatively moderated the relationship between environmental orientation and adoption (β = −0.093, p = 0.003), possibly because it moderates the substitution mechanism in SME decision-making, which is highly centralized. The model accounted for 64.5% of the variation in renewable energy adoption (R² = 0.645). Conclusion: The results show that attitudinal and institutional factors tend to be more important than financial barriers in determining SMEs’ energy transitions. Environmental consciousness, market incentives, and streamlined institutional access should be the focus of policy interventions to hasten inclusive low-carbon transitions in emerging manufacturing economies. Full article

One of the main focuses of social innovation is the fight for social inclusion for all. The prevalence of violence against women with disabilities shows how the lack of recognition of diversity hinders real equality for these individuals. This violence is a structural problem that is caused by a combination of gender and disability dynamics, the perpetuating inequalities and social exclusion. Researchers have analyzed specific vulnerabilities in the areas of work, education and health, and point out that only by addressing diversity can we overcome the consequences of such discrimination. Using a qualitative methodological approach, this study utilized critical documentary analysis and a thematic review of recent scientific, academic, and institutional literature, alongside empirical data, to identify the most prevalent forms of violence faced by women with disabilities: sexual (affecting up to 80% of women with disabilities), economic (with wage gaps exceeding 24%), and institutional (a lack of accessibility to basic services). The barriers hindering these women’s access to resources and services are also highlighted. The results point to the urgent need to develop innovative public policies and social strategies that value social diversity as a driver of change. This study concludes with specific recommendations for implementing inclusive approaches that promote equality, universal accessibility, and comprehensive protection in order to move toward more just, cohesive, and innovative societies. Full article

This study examines institutional processes in digital justice through a mixed conceptual approach that integrates bibliometric analysis and technology-adoption modeling, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) as a projected component rather than an implemented system. A corpus of approximately 200 Scopus-indexed documents (2003–2024) was analyzed, identifying five dominant thematic clusters: advanced technologies, institutional justice, digital government, judicial information management, and digital criminal justice. The results reveal persistent gaps in the literature, particularly in rural and underserved communities, where connectivity barriers and the limited application of adoption models hinder inclusive digital transformation. As an institutional contribution, the study presents the conceptual design of the digital solution “Travel Permits—Accessible Justice”, developed under a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and projected for future integration with AI-supported components to automate judicial authorizations through biometric validation, electronic signatures, and digital delivery. To evaluate its potential acceptance, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is analytically adapted and extended to the community-based judicial context, framing institutional learning processes as a prospective form of learning analytics focused on user interaction, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention. Taken together, the integration of bibliometric evidence with an extended TAM, along with the projected incorporation of AI-supported institutional learning processes, offers a coherent foundation for future studies on inclusive digital innovation in justice environments. Full article

Traditional cancer therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and antibody-based treatments often face significant barriers, including systemic toxicity, a lack of selectivity, and the emergence of drug resistance. These issues demand innovative and targeted solutions. Peptide-based therapeutics have gained prominence for their ability to disrupt cancer pathways and facilitate targeted drug delivery, offering structural flexibility, precise targeting, and low immunogenicity with minimal effects on healthy tissues. Concurrently, aptamers, which are structured nucleic acid molecules capable of high-affinity molecular recognition, are being developed as both direct therapeutic agents and as targeting ligands for the improved delivery of anticancer drugs. Combining peptide and aptamer technologies with engineered exosomes provides a modular drug delivery system that enhances targeting specificity, stability, and the ability to cross complex biological barriers such as the blood–brain barrier. The emergence of peptide-decorated, aptamer-decorated exosomes represents a new frontier in precision oncology, promising highly selective, biocompatible, and tunable cancer therapies. Further advances are required to overcome challenges in pharmacokinetics, scalable production, and regulatory compliance, but ongoing bioengineering and nanotechnology research continues to accelerate the translation of these innovative strategies toward improved cancer diagnostics and treatment outcomes. This review discusses the synergistic integration of peptides and aptamers with exosome-based delivery systems, highlighting their current applications and future possibilities. Full article

The skin serves as the first line barrier of innate immunity, protecting the body from external influences and maintaining its homeostasis. Exogenous and endogenous stress factors alter the structure and functional properties of the skin. The search for compounds capable of counteracting these processes has allowed the identification of peptides as promising ingredients of products for medicinal and cosmetic applications. This review comprehensively examines the mechanisms of action and dermatological applications of two distinct classes of natural products—endogenous human peptides and those derived from marine organisms. Human peptides exhibit numerous biological functions, including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory ones, as well as promoting antioxidant protection and wound healing. Microbiome-associated peptides are an underestimated but powerful regulator of skin aging through immunomodulation, inflammation control, barrier function maintenance, and selection of the proper microbial community. Peptides from marine organisms exhibit significant structural diversity and a broad spectrum of biological activity, including regenerative effects and effects on antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. This review summarizes current data obtained from in vitro, ex vivo, and clinical studies demonstrating a broad potential of peptides for maintaining skin health. Both peptide classes represent powerful, targeted strategies for innovative dermatological interventions aimed at promoting skin rejuvenation, protection, and overall homeostasis. Full article

This study investigates the potential of Fischer–Tropsch (FT) waxes, synthesized from natural gas, as high-performance and sustainable alternatives to conventional ester waxes in cosmetic applications. To evaluate their technical viability, a series of FT waxes with varying hydrocarbon chain lengths were synthesized and characterized. Safety was rigorously assessed through human patch tests and irritation surveys, while sensory attributes, including gloss and transparency, were compared against beeswax and carnauba wax. Furthermore, the impact on the skin barrier was analyzed using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to determine lipid packing characteristics. The results demonstrated that FT waxes possess an excellent safety profile with irritation levels comparable to traditional waxes. Sensory evaluations revealed that adjusting the hydrocarbon chain length allows for precise control over melting points and texture, offering significant formulation flexibility. Crucially, lipid packing analysis indicated that FT waxes promote an orthorhombic organization, effectively mimicking and reinforcing the native crystalline structure of the human skin barrier. These findings conclude that FT waxes provide both superior sensory properties and functional skin-barrier benefits, positioning them as versatile and innovative ingredients for advanced dermo-cosmetic formulations. Full article

Tissue engineering integrates concepts from medicine, biology, and engineering to create living constructs capable of repairing, replacing, or supporting damaged tissues. This multidisciplinary field relies on the interplay between biomaterials, cellular sources, and bioactive signaling to achieve functional tissue regeneration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in scaffold design, highlighting natural, synthetic, and hybrid materials, as well as innovative fabrication techniques such as electrospinning, 3D bioprinting, and smart biomaterials. It discusses the role of stem cells and growth factors in directing regeneration and examines a wide range of clinical applications, including skin regeneration, cartilage repair, bone tissue engineering, dental and periodontal regeneration, nerve repair, cardiac tissue engineering, liver tissue models, and ophthalmic applications. Current challenges, such as immune responses, limited vascularization, scalability, and regulatory barriers, are addressed alongside emerging strategies aimed at improving clinical translation. By integrating diverse tissue types and engineering approaches within a unified framework, this review offers a broad yet detailed perspective on the current state and future directions of regenerative medicine. Full article

Polyamide (PA) is widely used as a high-performance engineering thermoplastic in automotive components and textiles, due to its superior mechanical strength and chemical resistance. However, the increase in PA waste has posed significant challenges to resource sustainability and environmental protection. Despite breakthrough development achieved in PA recycling, key barriers remain in process scale-up and high-value recovery. This review examines the current state of PA recycling, analyzing the research prospects of mechanical and chemical recycling from economic feasibility and environmental impact. We present discussions on innovative recycling approaches for PA, including upcycling, molecular design of novel PA derivatives, chemo-biological coupling and solvent-based recovery, offering potential solutions to the sustainable circular economy and green cycles. Finally, by presenting case studies, we highlight pathways toward future innovation that inform industrial-scale implementation. Full article

This empirical study examines how FinTech innovation is adopted, scaled, and sustained in a small and highly regulated market, such as Latvia. The triangulated analytical framework is applied in this study, integrating Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT), De Meyer’s Innovation Ecosystem framework, and Value Chain Theory. This framework analyses the relationship between innovation characteristics, ecosystem relationships, and restructuring in the value chain. The data was collected from FinTech leaders, conventional financial institutions (banks), regulators, and associations, and was analysed thematically. Based on interviews with stakeholders, the relative advantage of Latvian FinTech lies in its flexibility, speed, and trialability; however, barriers to adoption result in complex regulation, an uneven distribution of technology in infrastructure, and differences in institutional readiness. The authors found strong collaboration among the ecosystem’s players but limited proactive regulatory engagement. This research provides a replicable model for cross-border or cross-sector analysis to assess the progress of innovation in regulatory and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration. Full article

Infectious complications remain a principal determinant of late morbidity and mortality following major thermal injury, reflecting a convergence of barrier disruption, microbial adaptation, and host immune dysfunction. The post-burn environment creates a uniquely permissive niche for pathogen persistence, characterized by altered tissue perfusion, biofilm formation, and dynamic shifts in microbial ecology toward multidrug-resistant organisms. Concurrently, profound and evolving changes in host immunity and metabolism reshape both susceptibility to infection and response to therapy. This review integrates current evidence across pathophysiology, microbiology, diagnostics, and treatment, with a focus on challenges that limit effective infection control in burn patients. Particular attention is given to diagnostic uncertainty arising from overlap between sterile inflammation and true infection, the clinical implications of biofilm-associated tolerance, and the impact of burn-specific pharmacokinetic variability on antimicrobial efficacy. We further examine emerging diagnostic and therapeutic innovations, including host-response profiling, rapid molecular detection platforms, and next-generation anti-infective strategies targeting microbial virulence, biofilm structure, and host immune pathways. Despite substantial scientific advances, translation into clinical practice remains constrained by limited burn-specific trials, heterogeneous definitions, and systemic barriers to antimicrobial development. Collectively, these challenges underscore the need for integrated, precision-based approaches that combine early source control, individualized antimicrobial optimization, and advanced diagnostic frameworks. Future progress will depend on coordinated efforts to standardize definitions, generate high-quality multicenter data, and align innovation with clinical applicability across diverse healthcare settings. Full article

Telerehabilitation—the remote delivery of rehabilitation services—is undergoing a paradigm shift with the convergence of immersive virtual reality (VR) and wearable biosensor technologies. This perspective article outlines a vision for home-based motor and cognitive rehabilitation that is engaging, personalized, and data-driven. We describe how immersive VR environments (for example, simulations of home settings or supermarkets) coupled with wearable sensors can address current challenges in rehabilitation by increasing patient motivation, enabling real-time biofeedback, and supporting remote clinician supervision. Gamification mechanisms and rich sensory feedback in VR are highlighted as key strategies to enhance user engagement and adherence to therapy. We discuss conceptual innovations such as multi-sensor data integration, dynamic difficulty adaptation, and AI-driven personalization of exercises, derived from recent research and our development experience, and consider their potential benefits for patients with neuro-cognitive-motor impairments (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis). Implementation scenarios for home-based therapy are presented, emphasizing scalability, standardized digital metrics for monitoring progress, and seamless involvement of clinicians via telehealth platforms. We also critically examine the current limitations of VR and telehealth rehabilitation and how an integrative model could overcome these barriers. More specifically, this perspective defines the engineering requirements of a closed-loop VR-based telerehabilitation framework, including multimodal data synchronization, calibration, signal-quality management, interpretable adaptive control, digital biomarker validation, and practical strategies to improve accessibility, privacy, and scalability in home-based neurological rehabilitation. Full article

In order to reach net-zero by 2050, we need to have strong decarbonization policies, especially in hard-to-abate clean-ups like steel (8% of the global emissions), cement (7%), and power generation (30%), and negative emissions through direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). This review paper summarizes the progress in CO₂ capture, compression, transportation, and storage technologies between 2020 and 2025, including energy penalty (20–40%) and cost (15–30%) reductions, with innovations such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), bio-inspired catalysts, ionic liquids, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based optimization. This paper, as a new input into the carbon capture and storage (CCS) field, uses the Weighted Sum Model (WSM) as a multi-criteria decision-making tool to rank the best technologies in the capture, storage, monitoring, and transportation sectors. The weights of the criteria are calculated based on Shannon entropy, and the assessment is performed in three conditions, namely, optimistic, pessimistic, and expected. The weights are computed with sensitivity analysis to make the assessment robust. The viability of key projects, such as Northern Lights (Norway, 1.5 MtCO₂/year), Porthos (The Netherlands, 2.5 MtCO₂/year), Quest (Canada, 1 MtCO₂/year), and Petra Nova (USA, 1.6 MtCO₂/year), is evident, and it is projected that, globally, CCS will reach 49 MtCO₂/year across 43 plants in 2025. The review incorporates socio-economic and environmental justice, including barriers such as high costs ($30–600/MtCO₂), energy penalties (1–10 GJ/tCO₂), and opposition between people (20–40% in EU/US). In comparison with previous reviews, this article has a more comprehensive focus, provides quantitative synthesis through WSM, and discusses the implications for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders towards achieving faster CCS implementation on the path to net-zero. Full article

School-based neuromuscular training interventions have the potential to mitigate dynapenia in the paediatric population and enhance movement skill outcomes; however, translating research into practice in primary school settings has been slow due to the expertise and professional learning required for implementation. This review describes the new teacher-supported intervention ‘Kids Innovative Neuromuscular Enhancement & Teacher-supported Instructional Coaching with AI’ (Kinetic AI) and presents evidence supporting its use in primary school settings. The Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) was used to guide the narrative and conceptual review methodology employed to synthesise peer-reviewed literature on paediatric dynapenia, school-based neuromuscular training, and AI technology-supported instructional models. This synthesis informed the development of a conceptual approach to neuromuscular training delivery in primary schools. The newly developed Kinetic AI conceptual model provides a pathway to embed neuromuscular training within active class breaks, offering adaptive feedback and targeted teacher support to facilitate implementation. This approach has the potential to bridge gaps between research, access, and practice. The Kinetic AI application is designed to support children’s muscular fitness and movement skills through school-based neuromuscular training, while addressing barriers to research translation and teacher expertise. When applied during school breaks, this approach has the potential to reduce the risk of dynapenia and contribute to scalable improvements in paediatric health and wellbeing. Full article