Fused filament fabrication (FFF) of high-performance thermoplastic composites for medical applications remains challenging due to the need to meet geometric precision, mechanical, and functional requirements. This study presents the first systematic evaluation of FFF radiopaque barium sulfate-reinforced polyetheretherketone (BaSO4-PEEK) for patient-specific orbital reconstruction, addressing dimensional accuracy, mechanical properties, and surgical precision in thin-walled implants. Six implants per material group (unfilled PEEK and 20 wt% BaSO4-PEEK) with 0.8 mm nominal wall thickness and complex orbital geometries were fabricated and evaluated. Optical scanning showed submillimeter-level dimensional accuracy, with root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.31 ± 0.09 mm for unfilled PEEK and 0.33 ± 0.08 mm for BaSO4-PEEK, confirming that incorporating an organic filler does not compromise manufacturability. Biomechanical testing revealed that FFF BaSO4-PEEK implants maintained adequate puncture strength (17.58 ± 0.46 N/mm[2]), comparable to titanium mesh. Radiographically, BaSO4-PEEK implants provided a 38% higher contrast-to-noise ratio than titanium and eliminated metal artefacts that obscured adjacent soft tissues. Cadaveric implantation demonstrated reconstruction accuracy (RMSE) of 0.61 ± 0.15 mm, which was better than that of manually contoured titanium mesh. These results establish FFF as a viable manufacturing method for complex, thin-walled, radiopaque PEEK composite orbital implants that provide sufficient dimensional control and mechanical performance in clinical scenarios.

We developed a novel glaucoma drainage tube, designated as GDTI-50H. The outer opening end of the drainage tube is provided with multiple drainage holes, which allows for normal drainage of aqueous humor through the remaining holes when one of the drainage holes becomes blocked. It is potentially enhancing the sustained drainage efficiency. Fourteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to receive GDTI-50H implantation in either the right or left eye as the test eye, with the contralateral eye serving as its own control (undergoing sham surgery). Intraocular pressure(IOP) was continuously monitored within 12 weeks postoperatively, combined with slit-lamp microscopy, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, Trypan Blue patency test, and histopathological examination. Results showed that IOP in the test group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 12 weeks postoperatively (all differences were statistically significant, p < 0.05). Anterior segment OCT showed that drainage tube was accurately positioned within the anterior chamber angle without displacement or detachment. The Trypan Blue patency test demonstrated that at 12 weeks postoperatively, Trypan Blue dye could still drain from the anterior chamber into the subconjunctival space in the test group. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining images showed no significant inflammatory cell infiltration around drainage tube. This study demonstrated that after implantation of drainage tube into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes, and it has certain efficacy and safety in controlling IOP.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The mortality rate can be reduced through the development of novel therapeutic drugs for lung cancer. In this study, we developed nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-cloaked mesoporous polydopamine (MP) loaded with indocyanine green (IG) and talazoparib (TZ), designed to combine therapies for lung cancer. MP NPs were synthesized and surface-capped with methoxypolyethylene glycol amine. PEG2K-MP and PEG5K-MP NPs were analyzed using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. PEG2K-MP@IG&TZ and PEG5K-MP@IG&TZ NPs were developed using the solvent diffusion technique to co-load IG and TZ. The reduction in drug-feeding ratios led to a decrease in the amount of drug loaded and an increase in the encapsulation efficiency. PEG2K-MP@IG&TZ and PEG5K-MP@IG&TZ NPs, which showed excellent drug loading efficiency (IG: 9.9 ± 0.4% and 9.1 ± 0.2%; TZ: 6.8 ± 0.3% and 6.5 ± 0.2%), were chosen for further investigation. The hydrodynamic sizes ranged from 200 to 300 nm. These nanoparticles exhibited improved stability of IG in water, near-infrared laser-stimulated release of TZ, effective photothermal activity, excellent biocompatibility, and increased cellular uptake. These two nanoparticles demonstrated a stronger anticancer effect on lung cancer A549 cells than the combination of IG and TZ when irradiated with 808 nm light in vitro. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that PEG5K-MP@IG&TZ NPs efficiently triggered apoptosis in A549 cells. This study presents an innovative and efficient method for combination therapy against lung cancer cells.

Tantalum nitride (TaNx) thin films exhibit a wide range of electrical and optical properties that can be controlled by adjusting deposition conditions, making them attractive for microelectronics, protective coatings, and functional layers in radiation detectors and other advanced devices. In this work, TaNx films were deposited by ion‑assisted reactive magnetron sputtering while systematically varying the N2/Ar flow‑rate ratio. Optical transmission/reflectance spectroscopy combined with spectroscopic ellipsometry and the Tauc method analysis shows that increasing N2/Ar flow-rate ratio governs a continuous transition from quasi-metallic Ta-rich films to semiconducting N-rich films, with indirect optical bandgaps increasing from near zero to about 1.6 eV. This transformation is accompanied by a corresponding increase in resistivity over roughly five orders of magnitude, from ~10[-2] to ~10[3] Ω·cm. Raman spectroscopy and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction reveal that all films are nanocrystalline or quasi-amorphous TaNx with short-range order embedded in a disordered matrix; increasing N2/Ar suppressing cubic TaN-like formation and promoting nitrogen-rich, structurally disordered Ta-N configurations. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry confirms that N-rich films at N2/Ar ≈ 2 are compositionally uniform, with stoichiometry lying between Ta3N5 and Ta4N5. Overall, these results establish quantitative deposition-structure-property relationships in nanocrystalline TaNx thin films and demonstrate that ion-assisted reactive sputtering enables effective tuning of resistivity and optical bandgap. The identified correlations are essential for optimizing electro-optical performance in low-resistivity contacts and liners, as well as high-resistivity blocking and passivation layers for electronic, photonic, and detector applications.

This study developed a novel Eremina desertorum snail extract (Ere extract) loaded-chitosan nanoparticles (Ere-CS NPs) to enhance the anti-diabetic efficacy of Eremina desertorum snail extract. The nanoparticles, synthesized via ionic gelation, were spherical (~80 nm) and exhibited storage stability when lyophilized, with consistent physicochemical properties upon reconstitution over a 90-day period, high encapsulation efficiency (73.56%) and a sustained, pH-dependent release profile. Biochemical analysis confirmed the successful loading of the extract's rich profile of amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. In vitro, Ere-CS NPs demonstrated significantly superior antioxidant (scavenging DPPH, H2O2, OH[-], O2[-]), anti-inflammatory (inhibiting erythrocyte hemolysis), and antimicrobial activities compared to the free extract and blank nanoparticles, alongside high biocompatibility. In a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model, an 8-week oral treatment with Ere-CS NPs (100 and 200 mg/kg) produced a potent, dose-dependent anti-diabetic effect, outperforming the unencapsulated extract. The nano-formulation effectively normalized hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and body weight, and reduced serum fructosamine. It also provided significant hepatorenal protection, corrected diabetic dyslipidemia by normalizing hepatic and serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C, and markedly alleviated pancreatic oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and restoring superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Concurrently, Ere-CS NPs potently suppressed pancreatic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6). These findings demonstrate that chitosan nano-encapsulation robustly enhances the bioavailability and multi-targeted therapeutic potential of Eremina desertorum extract, positioning Ere-CS NPs as a promising comprehensive nanomedicine for managing diabetes and its complications.

High-pressure torsion (HPT) was employed to investigate the effects of monotonic and cyclic shear deformation on the microstructural evolution and hardness of commercial purity molybdenum processed at room temperature (RT). Disks were subjected to monotonic HPT (m-HPT) and cyclic HPT (c-HPT) with strain reversals for total numbers of turns ranging from 1/2 to 7 under an applied pressure, P, of 6.0 GPa. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis showed that m-HPT promotes progressive grain refinement and continuous transformation of low-angle boundaries (LABs) into high-angle boundaries (HABs) giving an equiaxed ultrafine-grained structure with an average grain size of ~ 0.19 µm and a high fraction of ~ 82% of HABs after 7 turns. In c-HPT, there are elongated or lamellar grain morphologies, reduced grain refinement to ~ 0.25 µm and a suppressed development of HABs to ~ 67% after 7 turns. There was hardening and radial hardness homogeneity in m-HPT but slower hardening and persistent radial hardness gradients in c-HPT. It is concluded that strain reversals during c-HPT enhance a stress-assisted dynamic recovery, promote dislocation annihilation, and disrupt subgrain rotation, thereby suppressing the continuous dynamic recrystallization.

For centuries, natural extracts such as Aloe vera have been used in wound care due to their soothing, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. However, their clinical efficacy can be limited by instability, low bioavailability, and restricted antimicrobial potency. Nanotechnology offers promising strategies to enhance and complement the therapeutic benefits of herbal extracts. In this study, we investigated the wound-healing potential of Aloe vera gel combined with ZnO/SWCNT/Ag (zinc oxide-single-walled carbon nanotubes-silver nanoparticles) nanocomposite. Forty full-thickness excisional wounds (15 mm) were created on the dorsum of 20 Sprague Dawley rats and divided into four treatment groups: ZnO/SWCNT/Ag alone (1 mg/mL), Aloe vera gel (30 mg/mL), the combination of Aloe vera gel with the NPs, and control (saline 0.9%). Wound areas were tracked at days 0, 3, 10, 15, and 21 using calibrated imaging, and skin samples were harvested for histopathological analysis. The ZnO/SWCNT/Ag nanocomposite alone accelerated wound closure compared to Aloe vera and saline control, while combining Aloe vera with the nanocomposite improved wound healing compared to Aloe vera alone at day 10 (p < 0.05). Although wound closure was similar across all groups by day 21, nanoparticle-treated wounds showed less variability and more uniform healing. Scar area analysis revealed significant reductions for ZnO/SWCNT/Ag based treatment and the combination compared to Aloe vera (p < 0.05), whereas differences versus saline control were not statistically significant. Additionally, the formulations demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and enhanced antioxidant properties. These findings suggest that ZnO/SWCNT/Ag nanoparticles may serve as a supportive platform to enhance the wound-healing behaviour of Aloe vera.

The increasing incidence of aerosol-related pulmonary diseases has intensified the need for efficient fibrous filtration technologies capable of capturing ultrafine particles with low pressure drop. Although nonwoven fibrous filters are widely used in medical, industrial, and ventilation systems, their complex internal structures and multiscale transport mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This review examines the theoretical foundations of aerosol filtration, including single-fiber capture mechanisms and the concept of the most penetrating particle size. In addition, electrostatic interactions, including charge generation, transport, and stability, are incorporated to extend conventional mechanical filtration frameworks. Particular attention is given to flow-particle interactions within fibrous media. We then discuss current approaches for constructing three-dimensional representations of filter structures and highlight how structural assumptions influence the reliability of numerical simulations. Computational fluid dynamics modeling, particle tracking, deposition modeling, and clogging simulations are critically evaluated, with emphasis on commonly adopted assumptions such as homogeneity and steady-state flow. Experimental methodologies for filtration testing are also reviewed, including aerosol generation, particle measurement, and pressure-drop characterization. Instrumentation limitations and measurement uncertainties are discussed. Finally, recent advances in fiber fabrication techniques, including electrospinning, meltblowing, bubble electrospinning, and supersonic solution blowing, are summarized. These fabrication approaches are further analyzed through a material-process-performance perspective, linking fiber morphology and charge behavior to filtration efficiency. The interplay between structural parameters, operating conditions, and aerosol characteristics is analyzed to clarify their combined influence on filtration performance. By identifying unresolved modeling limitations and discrepancies between theoretical predictions and real-world conditions, this review highlights key gaps in current understanding. It integrates filtration theory, electrostatic effects, and fabrication-induced material properties into a unified framework. This approach enables more predictive design of next-generation fibrous filters.

The versatility and scalability of blow spinning motivated us to investigate the surface properties of blow-spun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), cellulose acetate (CA), polystyrene (PS), and their blends, with and without silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs). Pristine PCL and PS membranes are hydrophobic and oleophilic, whereas CA membranes are hydrophilic and oleophilic. Incorporation of SiO2 NPs renders PCL membranes superhydrophilicity while preserving oleophilicity. Blending PS with CA or PCL yields hydrophobic and oleophilic membranes. These characteristics enable selective oil uptake and either water repellence or water spreading, depending on formulation. Dye removal was assessed using methylene blue (MB), showing rapid uptake on PS/CA and higher overall removal for PCL-SiO2 NPs membranes. SiO2 NPs incorporation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under the conditions tested (1 mL MB solution), a PCL-SiO2 NPs membrane (6.9 cm2, 118 μm thick, 24.6 mg) reduced the MB concentration by ~ 4 mg L-1 within 19 h (~ 4 μg removed; apparent uptake ~ 0.16 mg g-1). Overall, blow spinning provides an accessible route to obtain membranes for oil-water separation and dye retention.

Enhancing full-thickness cutaneous wound repair in dogs remains challenging, particularly when infection risk and delayed regeneration are expected. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) delivers a concentrated pool of growth factors, while chitosan-based nanoparticles-especially silver-functionalized systems-may provide antimicrobial protection and support tissue remodeling. This study evaluated PRP alone or combined with chitosan nanoparticles (PRP/CS NPs) or chitosan-capped silver nanoparticles (PRP/CS/Ag NPs) in experimentally induced full-thickness skin wounds in dogs. Twenty-four healthy male mongrel dogs were randomized into four groups (n = 6): saline control, PRP, PRP/CS NPs, and PRP/CS/Ag NPs. Standardized 2 × 2 cm full-thickness wounds were created surgically and followed for 21 days using clinical wound assessment, wound area and contraction measurements, histopathology, collagen deposition analysis, and immunohistochemical staining for EGF and α-SMA. All treatments significantly reduced wound size and increased contraction versus controls over time (p < 0.001). PRP/CS/Ag NPs achieved the greatest wound size reduction, particularly on days 7, 14, and 21, with a significant difference from controls at day 14 (p < 0.001). PRP promoted higher early collagen deposition (day 7), whereas PRP/CS/Ag NPs induced sustained and significantly greater collagen deposition at days 14 and 21. Immunohistochemistry showed consistently higher EGF expression in the PRP/CS/Ag NPs group across time points, while PRP/CS NPs increased α-SMA expression, consistent with enhanced myofibroblast activity. PRP accelerates early wound repair, while chitosan-based nanoparticles modulate later healing events.PRP combined with PRP/CS/Ag NPs produced the most consistent improvement in wound closure, collagen remodeling, and epithelial regeneration, supporting silver-functionalized chitosan nanoparticles as a promising adjunct to PRP for managing full-thickness cutaneous wounds in dogs.

The development and performance of self-lubricating Cu-Fe-based composites produced via powder metallurgy are examined as an advanced alternative to conventional Babbitt alloy for guide pad applications in high-speed circular saw systems. The proposed composite addresses the inherent limitations of Babbitt, particularly its low mechanical strength and poor wear resistance under high contact pressures, aiming to improve durability and operational reliability. A baseline Cu-5 vol.% Ni-coated graphite (NCG)-6 vol.% CaF₂ composite was reinforced with incremental Fe additions (12-52 vol.%) to enhance mechanical strength while preserving favorable tribological properties. The composites were characterized through pin-on-disk and dry sand rubber wheel (DSRW) wear tests, complemented by mechanical evaluation (hardness and tensile testing) and detailed microstructural examination using SEM/EDS. The results demonstrate that increasing Fe content significantly improves hardness, yield strength, and wear resistance, with the composite containing 42 vol.% Fe achieving the optimal performance balance. This composition exhibited nearly a twofold increase in hardness and an approximately threefold increase in yield strength, along with a 94% reduction in sliding wear during pin-on-disk test and an 81% reduction in abrasive wear compared to Babbitt. These improvements are attributed to the enhanced load-bearing capacity of the Fe-reinforced matrix and the formation of a stable oxide-rich tribolayer that effectively limits direct surface interaction and suppresses material removal. In contrast, excessive Fe content (52 vol.%) led to brittle oxide formation and increased wear due to crack propagation and delamination, confirming the existence of a critical reinforcement threshold. Semi-industrial testing further validated the superior performance of the optimized Cu-Fe-based composite. Compared to Babbitt, the optimized composite demonstrated reduced power consumption and negligible material transfer to the saw blade, indicating improved tribological efficiency. Surface morphology analyses of the guide pads revealed that while Babbitt guide pad experienced severe material loss, the Cu-Fe-based composite maintained a smooth and coherent contact surface with minimal damage. Overall, the Cu-42 vol.%Fe-5 vol.%NCG-6 vol.%CaF2- composite emerges as a highly effective and durable replacement for Babbitt guide pads, offering superior wear resistance.

A gastric ulcer (GU) that leads to acute or persistent bleeding poses a considerable risk of fatalities. Despite their overall primacy, the current treatments for GU have major downsides of incomplete healing, antibiotic resistance, and secondary injury. To address these challenges, researchers have turned their attention to hydrogels to solve the therapeutic bottleneck of GU treatment. Based on this, we developed a β-chitin (β-ch) hydrogel incorporating Lyophilised Platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) with anti-ulcer drug Lansoprazole (Lns). The prepared hydrogel was characterized using FESEM and FT-IR. In vitro studies of all samples showed good controlled swelling behaviour and degradation rate. Incorporation of Lansoprazole (Lns) facilitates healing and promotes and gastric mucosal regeneration, potentially through its acid-suppressive effects, whereas the in vitro drug release study proved the sustained release of Lns from the prepared hydrogel. The in vitro growth factor release study using ELISA revealed a sustained release of TGFα and PDGF BB. The Lansoprazole incorporated hydrogels exhibited good antioxidant activity. Further, β-ch-L-PRF-Lns hydrogel was demonstrated to be biocompatible in nature, and enhanced cell attachment of β-ch -L-PRF-Lns hydrogel was also observed in intestinal cells (INT 407). The INT 407 cells exposed to Lns incorporated β-ch-L-PRF hydrogel showed enhanced cell migration. Therefore, this unique strategy accelerates regenerative processes, making it a possible effective therapeutic alternative for treating GU.

Assessing the degree of conversion is important for evaluating processing quality in additively manufactured dental methacrylates. However, the widely used attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) method, based on the 1637/1608 cm[-1] ratio, may be unstable in contemporary methacrylate systems because of spectral congestion and the formulation-dependent behaviour of the aromatic reference band. This study evaluated a low-variance ATR-FTIR protocol based on a polymerisation-sensitive, ester-associated band pair at 1320/1352 cm[-1] to estimate surface or near-surface conversion in two commercially available microfilled dental resins for additive manufacturing, with matrices dominated by ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA). The conventional 1637/1608 cm[-1] ratio was analysed in parallel as a comparative method. Across the manufacturer-recommended processing stages, from the green state before postcuring to the final postcured state, the 1320/1352 cm[-1] model yielded chemically plausible and statistically stable conversion trajectories. In contrast, the conventional aromatic-normalised method showed greater dependence on formulation and workflow, and lower analytical stability. In the UDMA-dominant resin, conversion increased from 68.44% to 91.61% after light postcuring. For the Bis-EMA-dominant resin, the same model revealed a significant processing-stage effect, with a practical plateau near 91% after combined light and thermal treatment. The coefficients of variation for the 1320/1352 cm[-1] protocol were low (0.54-5.58%) compared with those of the conventional method (29.13-673.09%), which also yielded nonphysical negative estimates in some groups. Under the conditions tested, these findings support the 1320/1352 cm[-1] ATR-FTIR workflow as a practical approach for surface or near-surface characterisation of the two material-workflow systems studied. However, broader validation against orthogonal analytical methods and performance-related outcomes is needed before wider adoption.

Thyroid cancer is a significant worldwide health challenge, requiring sophisticated treatment strategies to minimize off-target side effects. In this study, we developed biodegradable polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated manganese dioxide (MD) nanomaterials, coupled with carminic acid (CA), for thyroid cancer chemo-photodynamic therapy (PDT). The pH-responsive PMD-CA NMs facilitates effective CA release at acidic pH. PMD-CA NMs enhances the efficiency of chemo-PDT through a synergistic reaction. PXRD examination of PMD-CA NMs confirmed a crystal structure. Surface morphology was validated by TEM and SEM analysis, which revealed a spherical shape. The anticancer efficacy of PMD-CA NMs was evaluated against the SW-1736 anaplastic thyroid cancer cells by an MTT assay. Furthermore, it can prevent the proliferation of SW-1736 cells, regardless of light exposure. The apoptosis induced by the PMD-CA NMs in SW-1736 cells was evidenced using calcein AM and PI staining, as well as Annexin V-FITC staining. Further, we demonstrated that PMD-CA NMs increased ROS levels and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), thereby initiating programmed cell death. The results indicate that the responsive PMD-CA NMs system is a promising strategy for thyroid cancer therapy with less cytotoxicity.