A bilayer TPU-based intelligent packaging film integrating colorimetric sensing and antibacterial preservation was developed. The film consisted of a dense cast TPU indicator layer containing a bromocresol purple/fluorescein indicator and an electrospun TPU antibacterial layer loaded with lignin-modified HKUST-1 loaded with carvacrol and tea tree oil. The indicator showed reversible responses to ammonia, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine, with detection limits of 0.37, 0.15, and 0.18 μM, respectively. Lignin modification improved the aqueous structural retention of HKUST-1, and the electrospun layer exhibited sustained, pH-dependent release of the antibacterial components. Water vapor permeability was further evaluated under both 25 and 4 °C conditions. The film showed antibacterial activity against the four tested bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis), while its extracts caused no detectable cytotoxicity under the tested conditions. In refrigerated beef, the selected TBF3-T-LH@CT formulation delayed quality deterioration by approximately 4 days and provided visible freshness indication from yellow to orange-red. The color variation correlated well with beef spoilage indicators, supporting visual freshness monitoring. These results demonstrate the potential of the bilayer film for intelligent active food packaging.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate cell-to-cell communication in development, health and disease. Heparin is a common component in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) media but its impact on hiPSC-EVs beyond stabilizing growth factors is unknown. Published evidence indicates heparin dose-dependent EV uptake inhibition in heterotypic target cells. We asked if heparin affects hiPSC-EV yield, storage, phenotype, or function. We used large-scale hiPSC-EV propagation to obtain pro-angiogenic hiPSC-EVs in presence or absence of escalating heparin doses and determined EV quantity, identity and functionality. Heparin delayed hiPSC colony-confluence without significantly affecting hiPSC viability, pluripotency markers and proliferation. Significantly elevated tetraspanin+/flotillin+ hiPSC-EV number (mean 367±31 EVs/cell/24 h at 200 IU heparin/mL) enabled efficient purification of > 1011/mL functional EVs at superior particle/protein ratio > 1010/mg. Heparin dose-dependently inhibited EV uptake in hiPSC and endothelial progenitors, comparable to 5 IU/mL flavobacterium heparinase, and increased EV recovery after storage in NaCl but not in cell-conditioned media. EVs obtained from hiPSC at 1% O2 with 200 IU/mL heparin maintained superior angiogenesis similarly to control hiPSC-EVs obtained without heparin. We conclude that heparin inhibits hiPSC-EV reuptake and stabilizes NaCl-cryopreserved EVs thus boosting EV recovery while maintaining pro-angiogenic function. Heparin presence and dose should therefore be documented particularly in PSC media.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal monogenic hereditary disease that affects approximately 100,000 people worldwide. It is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, impairing biosynthesis and/or function of a protein that regulates chloride and bicarbonate fluxes. CFTR loss of function is associated with aberrant, non-resolving inflammation that in combination with recurrent infection leads to respiratory insufficiency. Cellular and molecular studies have uncovered failures in key mechanisms of inflammation resolution, consequent to loss of function of CFTR expressed by leukocytes, platelets, and epithelial and endothelial cells. This chapter illustrates these processes and discusses pro-resolving therapeutic approaches to combat CF inflammation.

A 59-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis, surgically altered anatomy, and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator presented with acute exacerbation caused by cast-like obstructive pancreatic duct stones. Endoscopic therapy was considered technically difficult, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was avoided. While delayed surgical drainage was being considered, off-label oral trimethadione was started after institutional ethics approval. Computed tomography 2 weeks later showed disappearance of the stones and improvement of ductal dilatation. No adverse events occurred, and surgery was deferred. This case suggests that trimethadione may be a potential salvage option when standard interventions are infeasible.

There have been many calls for systems-informed approaches to evaluation. Population health interventions, which often focus on improving the upstream determinants of health through large-scale change, seem well-suited to systems-informed approaches to evaluation. The purported benefits and appropriateness of taking a systems-based approach to population health intervention evaluation have been extensively discussed, and there is a growing, but still limited, number of applied case studies that operationalised these calls. Here, we reflect on insights gained from recent experiences across three evaluation case studies: a late-night levy to support local policing (UK), the tiered soft drinks industry levy (UK) and a value-based tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (Barbados). Building on theoretical work in this area, we illustrate through applied examples how a systems-informed approach can help to cast a wider net for potential impacts, be integrated with an effectiveness perspective to produce deeper insights and support greater engagement with non-linearity.

Oral drug delivery remains the predominant administration route, but formulation strategies rarely account systematically for the gut microbiome. The microbiome can alter drug metabolism, excipient behavior, nanocarrier interactions, and interpatient variability. This review integrates evidence on microbial drug metabolism, excipient-microbiome interactions, nanocarrier engineering, microbiota-responsive delivery, and experimental models. Clinically relevant examples include digoxin inactivation by Eggerthella lenta, bacterial levodopa metabolism, and microbial beta-glucuronidase-mediated irinotecan toxicity. Microbiota-degradable polysaccharides may serve as colon-targeted release triggers, whereas some surfactants and polymers may create context-dependent microbiome or barrier risks. Nanocarrier size, charge, coating, mucoadhesion, mucus penetration, biodegradability, enzyme responsiveness, and surfactant burden are treated as microbiome-interface variables. We propose an authors' evidence-informed framework comprising an excipient classification, nanocarrier design rules, microbiota-responsive decision logic, and a tiered testing roadmap. These proposals are not established regulatory classifications; they are intended to support more predictable and patient-relevant oral formulation development.

Hybrid aluminium matrix composites (HAMMCs) are of interest for lightweight components requiring improved resistance to wear and friction. The present study investigates the effects of solution treatment temperature, holding time and cooling method on the tribological behaviour of stir-cast LM26/graphite/fly ash hybrid aluminium matrix composites. A Taguchi L27 orthogonal array was used to evaluate solution treatment temperatures of 450, 500 and 550 °C, holding times of 2, 4 and 6 h, and furnace cooling, air cooling and water quenching. Hardness, wear rate and coefficient of friction (COF) were considered as response characteristics. TOPSIS was used for multi-response evaluation, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the contribution of the heat treatment parameters. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine reinforcement distribution in the matrix. The measured hardness ranged from 42.3 to 51.2 BHN, while the wear rate and COF ranged from 0.000667 to 0.000750 mm3/min and 0.4002 to 0.4501, respectively. The experimental results showed that hardness increased from 42.3 to 51.2 BHN, while wear rate and coefficient of friction decreased from 0.000750 to 0.000667 mm3/min and from 0.4501 to 0.4002, respectively, across the investigated conditions. Experiment 18, corresponding to 500 °C, 6 h and water quenching, gave the highest TOPSIS relative closeness value (0.8933). Factor-level analysis identified 550 °C, 6 h and water quenching (A3B3C3) as the optimum combination within the investigated design space. Temperature had the greatest influence on wear rate, coefficient of friction and the TOPSIS grade, whereas cooling method had the greatest influence on hardness. These results show that the selected heat treatment conditions substantially affected the combined hardness-wear-friction response of the hybrid composite under the investigated dry-sliding conditions.

Tight sandstone has emerged as a primary focus for global oil-gas resource exploration and for increasing reserves and production. Accurate characterization of the microscopic pore structure of tight sandstone reservoirs is crucial for identifying and classifying high-quality reservoirs. This study examines tight sandstone reservoirs in the Sha-4 member of the Dongying area in the Bohai Bay Basin and the Chang-7 member of the Xin'anbian area in the Ordos Basin, China. Through techniques such as cast thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, and high-pressure mercury injection, this study investigates the intrinsic relationships among rock types, petrophysical properties, and pore structures across these two distinct regions. Findings reveal that the types of reservoir rock in the study area are feldspar sandstone, lithic feldspar sandstone and feldspar lithic sandstone, as their feldspar-dissolved pores gradually decrease. Comparative analysis suggests that the contrasting burial histories in the eastern and western regions of China result in significant differences in the petrophysical properties of the involved reservoirs. The eastern regions experienced a more rapid burial history compared to the western regions, which limited the efficiency of destructive diagenetic processes and have better porosity and permeability. Variations in rock types, mineral compositions, and diagenesis are key factors influencing reservoir space and physical property heterogeneity. These results are of great significance for understanding the differences in reservoir storage space, pore structure, and petrophysical properties across different regions and rock types.

This study aims to identify indicator parameters for biofilms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). Biofilms grown on coupons of three pipe materials (cast iron, cement, and polyvinyl chloride) in two sampler types (pipe loops and annular reactors) installed at full scale DWDS were quantified by three analytical methods: heterotrophic plate count (HPC), total cell count by flow cytometry (FC), and in situ by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Quantification by both biofilm HPC and CLSM biomass is recommended to avoid under-reporting of viable but non-culturable microbial populations. Multiple multivariable statistical methods were used to explore complex full-scale data sets. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed similar variability of select water parameters and biofilm quantity regardless of sampler type. Indicators of biofilm quantity were identified by taking the preponderance of results of correlation analysis, PCA, and multiple step linear regression. Indicators of biofilm quantity found here include total calcium (average range 55-108 ppm CaCO3), total alkalinity (49-173 ppm CaCO3), and pH (7.3-8.7). Total chlorine decay and HPC of planktonic cells were indicators of biofilms both within a single DWDS and in the aggregated data of all seven utilities sampled. Assimilable organic carbon and phosphorus appear to have secondary impacts on biofilm quantity. Oxygen reduction potential (439-644 mV measured at two utilities) may also be useful as a biofilm indicator worth further investigation.

Implementing the advantages of preceramic polymers in modern ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) manufacturing remains a significant challenge due to the limited preceramic polymer chemistry, which often is not fully amenable to ceramic processing conditions. Here, we present a solvent-activated, zirconocene dichloride-mediated ring-opening of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) that generates a zirconium-rich crosslinked network (X-mPGMA), allowing the metallopolymer to function both as a ZrC nanoparticle precursor and a colloidal processing gelcasting system. We utilize this metallopolymer gel chemistry to cast and consolidate near-net-shape ZrB2 green bodies. After carbothermal reduction and sintering, the crosslinked preceramic network yields a distinct ZrC phase that conformally coats the ZrB2 particles. Owing to the conformal ZrC interphase formed in situ, a finer ZrB2 microstructure was revealed, even under high-temperature sintering conditions. We further employed two gelcasting variants to near-net-shape and consolidate ZrB2 with and without added ZrC nanoparticles. Compared with the X-mPGMA-derived ZrB2 composites, these variants showed significant grain growth of ZrB2 after sintering, underscoring the effectiveness of in situ ZrC formation. This work highlights a powerful chemical processing strategy for effectively implementing multi-purpose, topologically distinct preceramic polymer-derived interphases in modern UHTC processing.