Search Results (31,613)

Background: Coronary imaging is increasingly used in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO-PCI), but the impact of different imaging strategies on procedural decisions and outcomes remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 171 consecutive patients undergoing CTO-PCI, stratified by imaging strategy into four groups: angiography-only (n = 48), IVUS-guided (n = 42), CT-guided (n = 40) and CT + IVUS-guided (n = 41). Procedural and in-hospital clinical outcomes were compared. A multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of intense debulking techniques (defined as the use of rotational atherectomy or intravascular lithotripsy). Results: Imaging guidance was associated with progressively longer procedural (p < 0.001) and fluoroscopic time (p = 0.007). Similarly, an increased number of guidewires (p = 0.005) and balloons (p = 0.003) was used in the imaging groups, with the CT + IVUS groups showing the highest features. Regarding stenting characteristics, higher stent length and diameter (p = 0.01) were observed in the imaging groups. In patients with J-CTO score > 2, procedural success rates significantly increased with the use of coronary imaging (p = 0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that both J-CTO score (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3–3.0; p = 0.001) and imaging strategies (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.02–2.4; p = 0.04) independently predicted the use of intense debulking techniques. Importantly, no significant differences were observed in in-hospital complications across groups. Conclusions: The use of coronary imaging, particularly the combination of IVUS and CT, is associated with more complex CTO lesions and led to increased procedural time, fluoroscopic time and more extensive stenting, as well as higher debulking usage. In complex CTO cases, coronary imaging was associated with higher procedural success rates. Imaging strategies independently predicted the need for advanced lesion preparation, beyond anatomical complexity, without compromising safety. Despite higher procedural demands, coronary imaging enables a more tailored and successful approach to CTO-PCI, particularly in complex cases. These findings underscore the pivotal role of multimodal imaging in the procedural planning and optimization of CTO-PCI. Full article

Hydrogels comprise three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers and have attracted considerable interest in various sectors, including the biomedical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food industries. These materials offer significant benefits for food packaging applications, such as high mechanical strength and excellent water absorption capacity, thereby contributing to the extension of product shelf life. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the performance of citric acid and glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agents in gelatine-based hydrogels reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), contributing to the development of safe and environmentally responsible materials. The hydrogels were prepared using the casting method and characterised in terms of their physical, mechanical, and structural properties. The results indicated that hydrogels crosslinked with glutaraldehyde exhibited higher opacity, lower transparency, and greater mechanical strength, whereas those crosslinked with citric acid demonstrated improved clarity, reduced water permeability, and enhanced swelling capacity. The incorporation of CNC further improved mechanical strength, reduced weight loss, and altered both surface homogeneity and optical properties. Microstructural results obtained by SEM were consistent with the mechanical properties evaluated (TS, %E, and EM). The Gel-ca hydrogel displayed the highest elongation value (98%), reflecting better cohesion within the polymeric matrix. In contrast, films incorporating CNC exhibited greater roughness and cracking, which correlated with increased rigidity and mechanical strength, as evidenced by the high Young’s modulus (420 MPa in Gel-ga-CNC2). These findings suggest that the heterogeneity and porosity induced by CNC limit the mobility of polymer chains, resulting in less flexible and more rigid structures. Additionally, the DSC analysis revealed that gelatine hydrogels did not exhibit a well-defined Tg, due to the predominance of crystalline domains. Systems crosslinked with citric acid showed greater thermal stability (higher Tm and ΔH_m values), while those crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, although mechanically stronger, exhibited lower thermal stability. These results confirm the decisive effect of the crosslinking agent and CNC incorporation on the structural and thermal behaviour of hydrogels. In this context, the application of hydrogels in packaged products represents an eco-friendly alternative that enhances product presentation. This research supports the reduction in plastic consumption whilst promoting the principles of a circular economy and facilitating the development of materials with lower environmental impact. Full article

The quality of SLM formed parts is one of the key factors of the promotion and application of additive manufacturing technology. The scanning strategy fundamentally affects the fatigue life of SLM 316L stainless steel parts by regulating residual stress, defect distribution, and microstructure. Three different scanning strategies (meander scanning, stripe scanning, and chessboard scanning) were adopted to prepare the specimens. High cycle fatigue loading was applied to SLM 316L stainless steel specimens prepared by different scanning strategies. The thermal conductivity characteristics during the SLM part forming process were analyzed based on scanning electron microscopy observations of microstructure of SLM specimens, and the mechanism of residual stress and internal defect generation were revealed. The scanning direction determines the growth direction of the grains, thereby affecting the anisotropy and overall fatigue performance of SLM 316L stainless steel parts. The scanning path determines the overlap and lap joint of the melt pool, directly affecting the number, size, and location of pores and incomplete fusion defects. The scanning strategy affects the distribution and magnitude of residual stresses by changing the path of heat source movement. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification results indicate that the selection of a scanning strategy is an effective method for optimizing the fatigue performance of SLM parts. Full article

Hydrogels have received increasing attention in biomedical applications owing to their controllable physical and chemical properties, high biocompatibility, and structural similarity to natural biological tissues. Among them, polyphenol-based hydrogels stand out due to the inherent antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, along with their excellent biocompatibility and functional versatility. These features make them highly promising for advanced wound treatment and monitoring applications. This review highlights recent advances in polyphenol-based hydrogels for wound management and monitoring, with an emphasis on their innovative design and integrated functionality. Firstly, an overview of structure, classification, and biological function of polyphenols is introduced. On this basis, the construction methods, functions, and applications of several representative polyphenol-based hydrogels are discussed. Then, the application of polyphenol-based hydrogels on wound treatment and monitoring is comprehensively summarized. In the end, the recently developed microneedles based on polyphenol hydrogels in combination with artificial intelligence in wound management are also discussed. This review aims to provide valuable insights for advancing polyphenol-based hydrogels, not only in their design, preparation, and application for wound healing and intelligent management but also in their future development potential. Full article

This study investigates the structural and magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles prepared by five different synthesis methods: coprecipitation, ultrasound-assisted coprecipitation, coprecipitation coupled with mechanochemical treatment, microemulsion and microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The produced powders were additionally functionalized with starch to improve biocompatibility and colloidal stability. The starch-coating procedure itself by sonication in starch solution, as well as its result, affects the structural and magnetic properties of functionalized nanoparticles. The resulting changes of properties in the process of ligand addition depend significantly on the starting nanoparticles, or rather, on the method of their synthesis. The structural, magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the resulting materials were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Taken together, XRD, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopy show that starch deposition reduces structural disorder and internal stress, resulting in nanoparticles with a more uniform size distribution. These changes, in turn, affect all magnetic properties—magnetization, coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. Magnetic responses are preserved what is desirable for future biomedical applications. This work emphasizes the importance of surface modification for tailoring the properties of magnetic nanoparticles while maintaining their desired functionality. Full article

Spectral detection technology offers non-destructive, in situ, and high-speed capabilities, making it widely applicable for detecting biological and chemical samples and quantifying their concentrations. Water resources, essential to life on Earth, are widely distributed across the planet. The application of spectral technology to underwater environments is useful for wide-area water resource monitoring. Although spectral detection technology is well-established, its underwater application presents challenges, including waterproof housing design, power supply, and data transmission, which limit widespread application of underwater spectral detection. Furthermore, underwater spectral detection necessitates the development of compatible computational methods for sample classification or regression analysis. Focusing on underwater spectral detection, this work involved the construction of a suitable hardware system. A compact spectrometer and LEDs (400 nm–800 nm) were employed as the detection and light source modules, respectively, resulting in a compact system architecture. Extensive tests confirmed that the miniaturized design-maintained system performance. Further, this study addressed the estimation of total phosphorus (TP) concentration in water using spectral data. Samples with varying TP concentrations were prepared and calibrated against standard detection instruments. Subsequently, classification algorithms applied to the acquired spectral data enabled the in situ underwater determination of TP concentration in these samples. This work demonstrates the feasibility of underwater spectral detection for future in situ, high-speed monitoring of aquatic biochemical indicators. In the future, after adding UV LED light source, more water quality parameter information can be obtained. Full article

This study investigates the evolution of the chemical components of kombucha aroma during refrigerated storage. Two preparation methods (MT1 and MT2) were used to produce kombucha from a 1:1 mixture of black and green tea. The bottled beverages were stored at 4 °C for three months, and changes in headspace (HS) volatiles were monitored at different time points using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and GC-MS. A total of 68 volatile substances were identified, with alcohols, acids, and esters dominating the aroma profile. The study revealed significant changes in flavor composition during cold storage, particularly in the first two weeks, with an increase in the number of esters, acids, ketones and terpenoids, as well as the total amount of esters and alkanols. While some changes contribute to the desirable “cider-like” characteristics, others, like certain volatile acids, aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, are associated with off-flavors. These findings suggest that refrigeration alone is not sufficient to completely inhibit microbial activity in freshly prepared kombucha, highlighting the need for further research to correlate chemical changes with sensory properties to establish optimal organoleptic standards and shelf life. Full article

This study investigates the formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) in cavitation bubble plasma-treated water (CBPTW) using a chemical probe method. CBPTW samples were prepared with different electrode materials (W, Fe, Cu, and Ag), and the chemical scavenger was added two minutes after the completion of cavitation and plasma treatments. The concentrations of metal ions and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generated in the CBPTW were also measured over time. This study reveals a novel mechanism whereby metal nanoparticles and ions released from electrodes catalyze the continuous generation of hydroxyl radicals in CBPTW, which has not been fully addressed in previous studies. The results suggest a continuous generation of OH radicals in CBPTW prepared with W, Fe, and Cu electrodes, with the amount of OH radicals produced in the order Cu > Fe > W. The study reveals a correlation between OH radical production and electrode wear, suggesting that the continuous generation of OH radicals in CBPTW results from the catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ by metal nanoparticles or ions released from the electrodes. It should be noted that cavitation bubble plasma (CBP) is fundamentally different from sonochemistry. While sonochemistry utilizes ultrasound-induced cavitation to generate radicals, CBP relies on plasma discharge generated inside cavitation bubbles. No ultrasound was applied in this study; therefore, all observed radical formation is attributable exclusively to plasma processes rather than sonochemical effects. However, the precise mechanism of continuous OH radical formation in CBPTW remains unclear and requires further investigation. These findings provide new insights into the role of electrode materials in continuous OH radical generation in cavitation bubble plasma treated water, offering potential applications in water purification and sterilization technologies. Full article

The search for bioactive compounds against chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes
includes curcuminoids as promising scaffolds. Here, we report the synthesis of a family
of curcuminoid analogue compounds with an extended unsaturated central chain, as follows:
difluoroboron complex 1, the enolised curcuminoid 2, and its homoleptic copper
complex 3, in moderate to good yields (68–90%). Additionally, their β-cyclodextrin (BCD)
association complexes, 4 and 5, were prepared through a mechanochemical method and
characterised by spectroscopic techniques. Complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments and
NOESY correlations revealed unique solvent effects on the conformational disposition of
compound 2, while the copper complex 3 displayed the highest extinction coefficient (1.20
× 10⁵ M⁻¹·cm⁻¹). Furthermore, the authentication of the polymorph of 1 and the new crystal
structures of 2 and 3, determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, were highlighted. Although
the copper complex 3 initially exhibited the lowest a-glucosidase inhibitory activity
(IC₅₀ > 100 μM), it showed a significant increase (IC₅₀ = 36.27 μM) upon association with
BCD, reaching values comparable to the free ligand (IC₅₀ = 45.63 μM). Compounds 1–5
were non-toxic to healthy cells (COS-7), but compound 5 stands out as a promising candidate
against this metabolic condition. Full article

Conductive polymer hydrogels have attracted extensive attention in wearable devices, soft machinery, and energy storage due to their excellent mechanical and conductive properties. However, their preparation is often complex, expensive, and time-consuming. Herein, we report a facile precipitation method to prepare conductive polymer composite hydrogels composed of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) via straightforward solution blending and centrifugation. During the preparation, PEDOT, grown along the PAA template, is uniformly dispersed in the hydrogel matrix. After shaping and rinsing, the PEDOT/PAA/PVA hydrogel shows good mechanical and electrical properties, with a conductivity of 4.065 S/m and a Young’s modulus of 311.6 kPa. As a strain sensor, it has a sensitivity of 1.86 within 0–100% strain and a response time of 400 ms. As a bioelectrode, it exhibits lower contact impedance than commercially available electrodes and showed no signs of skin irritation in the test. The method’s versatility is confirmed by the observation of similar performance of hydrogels with different compositions (e.g., polyaniline (PANI)/PAA/PVA). These results demonstrate the broad applicability of the method. Full article

A new sensor system for the determination of nitrogen-containing pharmaceutical substances has been proposed. It is based on the use of an ion association complex formed between cationic polyacrylamide (CPAA) and sulfonephthalein dye as a reagent. Bromocresol purple (BCP) interacts with CPAA to form a complex through hydrophobic interaction as well as electrostatic interaction. In the pH range from 3.5 to 5.5, this leads to an increase in the intensity of the dianionic form BCP band at 590 nm. The interaction between the polymer and the dye leads to an increase in the acidic properties of BCP, causing its pK_a2 to shift from 6.3 to 3.75. Subsequently, when loratadine (LOR) is added to the CPAA/BCP system, the strong electrostatic interaction between the BCP monoanion and the protonated form of LOR leads to a decrease in the intensity of the band at 590 nm and an increase in the absorbance of the band at 432 nm, which is related to the dye monoanion. Here, we have demonstrated that this facile methodology can enable the rapid, reliable, and selective determination of LOR with a detection limit of 1.6 mg L⁻¹ and a linear range from 5.0 to 120 mg L⁻¹. The environmental friendliness of the developed method was assessed using the AGREE metric and is characterized by a high score of 0.83. The developed method represents a new approach to the creation of extraction-free spectrophotometric methods based on ionic associates of anionic dyes with protonated forms of nitrogen-containing medicinal compounds. The method was successfully applied to the determination of LOR in pharmaceutical preparations with satisfactory precision and accuracy. Overall, the results obtained indicate that this method has great potential for application in pharmaceutical analysis. Full article

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) represent a versatile magnetic nanoparticle (NP) system with considerable, yet underexplored, potential in diverse applications, particularly in emerging biomedical fields such as magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, and biosensing. The successful translation of MIONPs into these applications requires reproducible synthesis methods and precise control over particle uniformity in terms of size, shape, and composition. However, reproducibility in nanoparticle synthesis remains a persistent challenge, limiting the ability of researchers to replicate results and integrate MIONPs into application-oriented studies. In recent years, substantial efforts have been directed toward elucidating synthesis mechanisms and improving both reproducibility and particle uniformity, enabling notable advances in the biomedical deployment of MIONPs. This review summarizes progress in the synthesis of MIONPs, with emphasis on three widely employed precursors: iron oleate, iron acetylacetonate, and iron pentacarbonyl. The discussion focuses on key findings in NP synthesis, relevant chemical aspects, and the magnetic properties of MIONPs, which are critical for optimizing their functional performance. By consolidating recent advances, this review aims to provide a reliable framework for the preparation of high-quality MIONPs and to support their effective use in specific biomedical applications. Full article

Tamibarotene (Am80) is a promising anti-tumor drug that induces the expression of Meflin (a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored protein) in cancer-associated fibroblasts, thereby improving the tumor microenvironment. However, Am80, which is approved only for oral administration owing to its poor water solubility, has the challenge of poor tumor penetration. In this study, we developed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with Am80 (Am80–PLGA nanoparticles) as a potential intravenous drug for targeted Am80 delivery to the tumor site. The Am80–PLGA nanoparticles were fabricated using the single-emulsion method in the presence of cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI). The loading efficiency of Am80 in the nanoparticles was controlled by tuning the PEI concentration in the preparation mixture. Nanoparticles with the highest Am80-loading efficiency were dispersible and showed a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 190 nm in phosphate-buffered saline for up to 2 weeks. The Am80 release from the nanoparticles started in a day and lasted for weeks. The nanoparticles upregulated Meflin expression in human fibroblasts (fHDF/TERT166 cells). These results suggest the potential of Am80–PLGA nanoparticles as a new intravenous anti-tumor drug that can improve the tumor microenvironment, thereby enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Full article

Microplastics pose a growing environmental concern, necessitating accurate and scalable methods for their detection and classification. This study presents a novel deep learning framework that integrates a transformer-based architecture with domain adaptation techniques to classify microplastics using reflectance micro-FTIR spectroscopy. A key challenge addressed in this work is the domain shift between laboratory-prepared reference spectra and environmentally sourced spectra, which can significantly degrade model performance. To overcome this, three domain-adaptation strategies—Domain Adversarial Neural Networks (DANN), Deep Subdomain-Adaptation Networks (DSAN), and Deep CORAL—were evaluated for their ability to enhance cross-domain generalization. Experimental results show that while DANN was unstable, DSAN and Deep CORAL improved target domain accuracy. Deep CORAL achieved 99% accuracy on the source and 94% on the target, offering balanced performance. DSAN reached 95% on the target but reduced source accuracy. Overall, statistical alignment methods outperformed adversarial approaches in transformer-based spectral adaptation. The proposed model was integrated into a reflectance micro-FTIR workflow, accurately identifying PE and PP microplastics from unlabelled spectra. Predictions closely matched expert-validated results, demonstrating practical applicability. This first use of a domain-adaptive transformer in microplastics spectroscopy sets a benchmark for high-throughput, cross-domain analysis. Future work will extend to more polymers and enhance model efficiency for field use. Full article

The degree of bovine serum albumin (BSA) released from particles based on chitosan and hydroxyapatite prepared by encapsulation and chemisorption methods, crosslinked by aldol condensation, was studied. The obtained materials’ composition was qualitatively determined by IR spectroscopy; phase identification and surface morphology were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. A spectrophotometric method was used to quantitatively assess the loading and release degree of encapsulated/chemisorbed BSA from polymer microspheres. To determine the release mechanism, the data on the amount of BSA released were analyzed according to the zero- and first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmayer–Peppas models. Full article