Medical Applications Research Articles

INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES OF PEGANUM HARMALA SEEDS: IN SILICO AND IN VITRO ANALYSES

Seeds of Peganum harmala L. have been traditionally used in Algerian medicine. This study investigates whether the antioxidant, antihemolytic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Peganum harmala extracts (PHE) are attributed to polyphenolic compounds, which are abundant in methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts. Extraction and fractionation of polyphenols involved solvents with different polarities, resulting in a crude extract (CrE), a chloroform extract (CHE), and an ethyl acetate extract (EAE). The antioxidant potential of CrE and its fractions was assessed using the ferrothiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assays. The inhibition of mice erythrocyte hemolysis was evaluated for methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts in the presence of the oxidant (AAPH). PMA-induced mouse ear edema was used as an in vivo model for inflammation. The FTC assay demonstrated the strong antioxidant effect of CrE (87.64 ± 0.003%). EAE showed potent antioxidant activity with low MDA absorption levels. Assessment of antihemolytic effects against AAPH-induced oxidative hemolysis revealed significant protective effects of CrE and EAE, with EAE showing the most pronounced effect. In the in vivo model, CrE (100 mg/kg) exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting the ear edema. Computational analyses using molecular docking simulations showed that chlorogenic acid, hesperetin, and rutin have promising potential as inhibitors of COX-2 protein, which is a key component in inflammatory pathways. This study highlights the potent antioxidant properties of P. harmala, particularly in CrE, and its anti-inflammatory effects. The bioactive compounds, such as chlorogenic acid, hesperetin, and rutin, exhibit potential as anti-inflammatory agents. P. harmala could be a valuable natural source for potential medical applications, suggesting the need for further exploration in medical treatments.

Modified Release 3D-Printed Capsules Containing a Ketoprofen Self-Nanoemulsifying System for Personalized Medical Application.

This study explores the realm of personalized medicine by investigating the utilization of 3D-printed dosage forms, specifically focusing on patient-specific enteric capsules designed for the modified release of ketoprofen, serving as a model drug. The research investigates two distinct scenarios: the modification of drug release from 3D-printed capsules crafted from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate:polyethylene glycol (HPMCP:PEG) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), tailored for pH sensitivity and delayed release modes, respectively. Additionally, a novel ketoprofen-loaded self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) based on pomegranate seed oil (PSO) was developed, characterized, and employed as a fill material for the capsules. Through the preparation and characterization of the HPMCP:PEG based filament via the hot-melt extrusion method, the study thoroughly investigated its thermal and mechanical properties. Notably, the in vitro drug release analysis unveiled the intricate interplay between ketoprofen release, polymer type, and capsule thickness. Furthermore, the incorporation of ketoprofen into the SNEDDS exhibited an enhancement in its in vitro cylooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory activity. These findings collectively underscore the potential of 3D printing in shaping tailored drug delivery systems, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of personalized medicine.

Polarity control of siloxane composite films for triboelectric nanogenerator based self-powered body temperature monitoring

Body temperature monitoring systems serve as key indicators for identifying potential patients with various illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19. Conventionally, these monitoring devices rely on batteries, limiting their long-term and widespread application. Self-powered thermometers are considered a sustainable solution that enable continuous monitoring. Among various self-charging power sources, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a novel development, but suffer several critical drawbacks for medical applications. In this study, we present a high-performance TENG for self-powered body temperature monitoring systems by controlling the polarity of glass-fabric reinforced vinyl-thiol functionalized hybrid materials (GFR-VTHs) by varying the phenyl group contents. The effect of polarity modification on the performance of the developed TENG was confirmed by the high electrical output and stable operation under 10,000 cycles of repetitive pressing tests. Finally, self-powered body temperature monitoring systems were constructed by measuring human body temperature with a clinical thermometer powered by the GFR-VTH-based TENG, demonstrating device feasibility as a power source for self-powered healthcare systems.

Synthesis of Zinc Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles by Chemical Method, Study of Structure, Properties and Applications

Zinc and silver oxide nanoparticles are widely used in technology, science, cosmetology and medicine. Research objectives: to study the synthesis of zinc and silver oxide nanoparticles by a chemical method, to study the structure, properties and medical applications of synthesized nanoparticles. Synthesis of zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles performed using chemical method, which saves energy, temperature and the cost of expensive equipment. The synthesized zinc and silver oxide nanoparticles range in size from 17 to 26 nanometers. The skin-irritating effect of the medicinal cosmetic gel based on nanoparticles of zinc oxide and silver obtained by our method was not revealed.

Optofluidic Force Induction Meets Raman Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry: A New Hyphenated Technique for Comprehensive and Complementary Characterizations of Single Particles.

Nanoparticles are produced at accelerating rates, are increasingly integrated into scientific and industrial applications, and are widely discharged into the environment. Analytical techniques are required to characterize parameters such as particle number concentrations, mass and size distributions, molecular and elemental compositions, and particle stability. This is not only relevant to investigate their utility for various industrial or medical applications and for controlling the manufacturing processes but also to assess toxicity and environmental fate. Different analytical strategies aim to characterize certain facets of particles but are difficult to combine to retrieve relevant parameters coherently and to provide a more comprehensive picture. In this work, we demonstrate the first online hyphenation of optofluidic force induction (OF2i) with Raman spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS) to harness their complementary technology-specific advantages and to promote comprehensive particle characterizations. We optically trapped individual particles on a weakly focused vortex laser beam by aligning a microfluidic flow antiparallelly to the laser propagation direction. The position of particles in this optical trap depended on the hydrodynamic diameter and therefore enabled size calibration as well as matrix elimination. Additionally, laser light scattered on particles was analyzed in a single particle (SP) Raman spectroscopy setup for the identification of particulate species and phases. Finally, particles were characterized regarding elemental composition and their distributions in mass and size using SP ICP-TOFMS. In a proof of concept, we analyzed polystyrene-based microplastic and TiO2 nanoparticles and demonstrated the opportunities provided through the coupling of OF2i with SP Raman and SP ICP-TOFMS.

Open-source graphical user interface for the creation of synthetic skeletons for medical image analysis

Open-source graphical user interface for the creation of synthetic skeletons for medical image analysis

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles from calcium hydroxide fouled with gases evolved from smokestack of glass industry

In glass industry, the evolved gases and fumes from burning the gas fuel absorbed in calcium hydroxide to minimize the pollution of environment. After a period of time, the calcium hydroxide fouled with sulphate and carbonate as action of the absorbed SO3 and CO2 gases. Based on our interest to treatment the solid waste materials, this study intended to convert the obtained waste of calcium hydroxide fouled with gases to valuable products. Firstly, this waste was treated with water, caustic soda and acids. The results confirmed the conversion of waste to pure calcium sulfate by treatment with 6 v/v% sulfuric acid. Secondly, the obtained calcium sulfate was reacted with ammonium dihydrogen phosphate solution for preparation of calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles. The produced HAp sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and N2 adsorption measurements. The obtained findings confirmed that the HAp can be produced after calcination at 700 °C, nanorods-like of sizes ranged from 11 to 15 nm and with main surface functional groups of hydroxyapatite. TGA and DTA data indicated that HAp is thermally stable up to 700 °C. Also, the obtained HAp has Ca/P molar ratio of 1.60 and exhibited high total surface area of 146 m2/g with mesoporous structure which make this material can be used in medical and water purification applications.

Thermomechanical Pathways for Accurate Microstructural Control of Ti–7Ag Alloy: Towards a New Generation of Antibacterial Materials for Medical Applications

This study delved into exploring microstructural states in a Ti–7Ag alloy to achieve targeted functional and structural properties. Specifically, the focus was on attaining a homogeneously precipitated state and a solid solution, known for their potential to combine functional traits like corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity with structural properties such as mechanical strength. However, obtaining these optimized microstructures presents challenges due to kinetic considerations. A key finding of this study was the crucial role of a pre-deformation stage, prior to heat treatment, to create an even distribution of fine Ti2Ag precipitates. Moreover, we demonstrated that starting from this precipitated state, a controlled dissolution step could yield a single-phase solid solution with similar grain size. Therefore, a tailored set of thermomechanical treatments was developed to achieve both microstructures, and these metallurgical states were fully characterized combining SEM (BSE imaging and EDS analysis), TEM, and XRD. Associated mechanical properties were also assessed by tensile testing. In addition, the process was proven to be robust enough to overcome potential industrial problems, such as slow cooling rates when water-quenching large ingots. Considering the limited existing documentation on microstructural features in Ti–Ag alloys, this work on this model alloy significantly advanced our current understanding of the broader Ti–Ag alloy system by providing new data and showcasing a tailored approach involving thermomechanical treatments.

Shortcut learning in medical AI hinders generalization: method for estimating AI model generalization without external data

Healthcare datasets are becoming larger and more complex, necessitating the development of accurate and generalizable AI models for medical applications. Unstructured datasets, including medical imaging, electrocardiograms, and natural language data, are gaining attention with advancements in deep convolutional neural networks and large language models. However, estimating the generalizability of these models to new healthcare settings without extensive validation on external data remains challenging. In experiments across 13 datasets including X-rays, CTs, ECGs, clinical discharge summaries, and lung auscultation data, our results demonstrate that model performance is frequently overestimated by up to 20% on average due to shortcut learning of hidden data acquisition biases (DAB). Shortcut learning refers to a phenomenon in which an AI model learns to solve a task based on spurious correlations present in the data as opposed to features directly related to the task itself. We propose an open source, bias-corrected external accuracy estimate, PEst, that better estimates external accuracy to within 4% on average by measuring and calibrating for DAB-induced shortcut learning.

Recent Developments in Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surface Coatings for Biomedical Applications.

Slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS), inspired by the Nepenthes pitcher plant, exhibits excellent performances as it has a smooth surface and extremely low contact angle hysteresis. Biomimetic SLIPS attracts considerable attention from the researchers for different applications in self-cleaning, anti-icing, anticorrosion, antibacteria, antithrombotic, and other fields. Hence, SLIPS has shown promise for applications across both the biomedical and industrial fields. However, the manufacturing of SLIPS with strong bonding ability to different substrates and powerful liquid locking performance remains highly challenging. In this review, a comprehensive overview of research on SLIPS for medical applications is conducted, and the design parameters and common fabrication methods of such surfaces are summarized. The discussion extends to the mechanisms of interaction between microbes, cells, proteins, and the liquid layer, highlighting the typical antifouling applications of SLIPS. Furthermore, it identifies the potential of utilizing the controllable factors provided by SLIPS to develop innovative materials and devices aimed at enhancing human health.

Research Progress on Taxus Extraction and Formulation Preparation Technologies.

Taxus, as a globally prevalent evergreen tree, contains a wealth of bioactive components that play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical field. Taxus extracts, defined as a collection of one or more bioactive compounds extracted from the genus Taxus spp., have become a significant focus of modern cancer treatment research. This review article aims to delve into the scientific background of Taxus extracts and their considerable value in pharmaceutical research. It meticulously sifts through and compares various advanced extraction techniques such as supercritical extraction, ultrasound extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, solid-phase extraction, high-pressure pulsed electric field extraction, and enzymatic extraction, assessing each technology's advantages and limitations across dimensions such as extraction efficiency, extraction purity, economic cost, operational time, and environmental impact, with comprehensive analysis results presented in table form. In the area of drug formulation design, this paper systematically discusses the development strategies for solid, liquid, and semi-solid dosage forms based on the unique physicochemical properties of Taxus extracts, their intended medical uses, and specific release characteristics, delving deeply into the selection of excipients and the critical technical issues in the drug preparation process. Moreover, the article looks forward to the potential directions of Taxus extracts in future research and medical applications, emphasizing the urgency and importance of continuously optimizing extraction methods and formulation design to enhance treatment efficacy, reduce production costs, and decrease environmental burdens. It provides a comprehensive set of preparation techniques and formulation optimization schemes for researchers in cancer treatment and other medical fields, promoting the application and development of Taxus extracts in pharmaceutical sciences.

Self-Assembled Hydrogel Membranes with Structurally Tunable Mechanical and Biological Properties.

Using supramolecular self-assembled nanocomposite materials made from protein and polysaccharide components is becoming more popular because of their unique properties, such as biodegradability, hierarchical structures, and tunable multifunctionality. However, the fabrication of these materials in a reproducible way remains a challenge. This study presents a new evaporation-induced self-assembly method producing layered hydrogel membranes (LHMs) using tropocollagen grafted by partially deacetylated chitin nanocrystals (CO-g-ChNCs). ChNCs help stabilize tropocollagen's helical conformation and fibrillar structure by forming a hierarchical microstructure through chemical and physical interactions. The LHMs show improved mechanical properties, cytocompatibility, and the ability to control drug release using octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) as a drug model. Because of the high synergetic performance between CO and ChNCs, the modulus, strength, and toughness increased significantly compared to native CO. The biocompatibility of LHM was tested using the normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) and the human osteosarcoma cell line (Saos-2). Cytocompatibility and cell adhesion improved with the introduction of ChNCs. The extracted ChNCs are used as a reinforcing nanofiller to enhance the performance properties of tropocollagen hydrogel membranes and provide new insights into the design of novel LHMs that could be used for various medical applications, such as control of drug release in the skin and bone tissue regeneration.

Design of a spherical parallel mechanism with controllable center of rotation using a spherical reconfiguration linkage

It is well known that Remote Center of the motion (RCM) mechanisms are highly suitable for many medical applications. While it is sometimes preferable that the mechanism can control their Center of Rotation (CoR), most RCM mechanisms do not have this possibility without being mounted on large and heavy translational platforms. By using a new concept of Spherical Reconfigurable Linkage (SRL), the present study offers an alternative solution. These new linkages are designed to control their radius and they are connected to form an RCM mechanism with controllable CoR. The newly mounted mechanism now has two linear Degrees of Freedom (DoF) for the displacement of its CoR in addition to its two angular DoF. The linear kinematic model is derived along with the angular kinematic one while taking into account the reconfiguration of the SRL. The velocity model is calculated and all singular configurations are identified. The mechanism performances in terms of workspace and kinematic performances are is also assessed. Finally, motion capture experiments on a prototype validated the models.

Essential oils from fennel plants as valuable chemical products: gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, FTIR, quantum mechanical investigation, and antifungal activity

AbstractIn the present study, the biomass produced by fennel plants (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) was converted to yield bioactive chemicals, and the hydrodistillation method was used to extract the essential oils (EOs) from both the leaves and the umbels. The antifungal activity of the EOs was tested using bioassay against the development of Fusarium oxysporum MW854649 and Alternaria solani MT279570. Molecular spectroscopic detection techniques were used to evaluate the EO products using gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). GC–MS equipped with single quadruple analyzers have been used to measure the electron ionization (EI) mass spectra of the primary constituents of fennel EOs at 70 eV. The main chemical compounds in the EO from leaves were anethole, estragole, D-limonene, trans-β-ocimene, and fenchone, with percentages of 37.94, 35.56, 17.46, 1.53, and 1.49%, respectively. The abundant compounds in the EO from umbels were estragole, anethole, D-limonene, fenchone, and γ-terpinene, with percentages of 51.18, 25.08, 12.22, 6.57, and 2.86%, respectively. EI mass spectral fragmentation of the major compounds D-limonene, estragole, anethole, and fenchone has been investigated. Umbels and leaf EOs at 5000 mg/L displayed the strongest suppression of fungal growth against A. solani, with values of 87.78% and 79.63%, respectively, compared to the positive control (94.44%). The EOs from umbels and leaves at 5000 mg/L showed the highest inhibition of fungal growth against F. oxysprium as compared to the positive control (94.44%), with values of 77.77% and 72.96%, respectively. All of the important ions—including a few distinctive fragment ions—have comprehensive fragmentation pathways defined. Based on EI, the main routes of fragmentation for the primary compounds have been identified. The existence of alkenes, aliphatic alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, ester compounds, alkanes, hydrogen-bonded alcohols, and phenols was demonstrated by the FTIR analysis of fennel EOs. On the other hand, the reactive behavior of the studied molecules has been investigated using two quantum mechanics method: the modified neglect of diatomic overlap (MNDO), a semi-empirical method, and the density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP hybrid density functional method with the 6-311G (d, p) basis set in the ground state for gas phase. The optimum geometries have been obtained through the execution of computations and electrostatic potential. The obtained analytical and calculated results were then used to understand the activity of the studied EOs in further medical applications.

Exploring the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Streptomyces sp. EIZ2 Isolated from Moroccan Agricultural Soil

Antibiotics play a crucial role in preserving and improving public health, saving millions of lives every year. However, their effectiveness is currently under threat due to the ability of bacteria to adapt and develop resistance to these treatments. Therefore, this study was carried out on two soil samples collected in two areas of Arba Aounate, Sidi Bennour province, Morocco, to identify natural antibiotic-producing Actinobacteria capable of combating multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. A primary screening revealed that of the 50 isolates, 16 exhibited antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27,853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25,923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25,922, and Candida albicans ATTC 60193. A secondary screening showed that of the 16 isolates, only EIZ1 and EIZ2 isolates displayed outstanding antimicrobial and antifungal activity against 6 MDR bacteria, including Escherichia coli 19L2418, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus sp. 19K1313, Klebsiella pneumoniae 19K 929, Proteus vulgaris 16C1737, and Klebsiella pneumoniae 20B1572. These two isolates were also characterized culturally, morphologically, physiologically, and biochemically. Afterward, the amplification of 16S rRNA revealed that isolate EIZ2 was 99.06% strongly related to the genus Streptomyces. Furthermore, this extract exhibits strong antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS free radicals and elevated ferric-reducing antioxidant power. A significant (p < 0.0001) positive correlation was observed between antioxidant activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. A GC–MS analysis of the ethyl acetate extract revealed the presence of 10 compounds, mainly diethyl phthalate (97%) and benzeneacetic acid (94%). This research demonstrates that Streptomyces sp. strain EIZ2 represents a potential source of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. These compounds could offer considerable potential as therapeutic agents, paving the way for future developments in medical applications.

TemporalAugmenter: An Ensemble Recurrent Based Deep Learning Approach for Signal Classification

Ensemble modeling has been widely used to solve complex problems as it helps to improve overall performance and generalization. In this paper, we propose a novel TemporalAugmenter approach based on ensemble modeling for augmenting the temporal information capturing for long-term and short-term dependencies in data integration of two variations of recurrent neural networks in two learning streams to obtain the maximum possible temporal extraction. Thus, the proposed model augments the extraction of temporal dependencies. In addition, the proposed approach reduces the preprocessing and prior stages of feature extraction, which reduces the required energy to process the models built upon the proposed TemporalAugmenter approach, contributing towards green AI. Moreover, the proposed model can be simply integrated into various domains including industrial, medical, and human-computer interaction applications. Our proposed approach empirically evaluated the speech emotion recognition, electrocardiogram signal, and signal quality examination tasks as three different signals with varying complexity and different temporal dependency features.

Based on CiteSpace Insights into Illicium verum Hook. f. Current Hotspots and Emerging Trends and China Resources Distribution.

Illicium verum Hook. f. is a globally significant spice, which is recognized in China as a food-medicine homolog and extensively utilized across the pharmaceutical, food, and spice industries. China boasts the world's leading resources of I. verum, yet its comprehensive utilization remains relatively underexplored. Through a resource survey of I. verum and the application of bibliometric visualization using CiteSpace, this study analyzed 324 papers published in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) from 1962 to 2023 and 353 core documents from China's three major databases (CNKI, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database). I. verum from Guangxi province towards various southern provinces in China, with autumn fruits exhibited superior quality and market value over their spring fruits. Literature in WOSCC emerged earlier, with a research emphasis on food science technology and pharmacology pharmacy domains. WOSCC research on I. verum could be divided into two phases: an embryonic period (1962-2001) and a growth period (2002-2023), showing an overall upward trend in publication. The three major Chinese databases contain a larger number of publications, with a focus on the food sector, which could be categorized into three stages: an embryonic period (1990-1999), a growth period (2000-2010), and a stable period (2011-2023), with an overall downward trend in publication. Both Chinese and international research hotspots converge on the medical applications of I. verum, with antioxidant bioactivity research emerging as a prevailing trend. This study delineated the resource distribution of I. verum across China and identified the research hotspots and trends both in China and internationally. The findings are beneficial for guiding researchers in swiftly establishing their research focus and furnishing decision-makers with a comprehensive reference for industry information.

Degradable piezoelectric biomaterials for medical applications

Degradable piezoelectric biomaterials for medical applications

Synthesis, modifications, and applications of iron-based nanoparticles.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are appealing materials as assistant to resolve environmental pollution issues and as recyclable catalysts for the oxidative degradation of resistant contaminants. Moreover, they can significantly influence the advancement of medical applications for imaging, diagnostics, medication administration, and biosensing. On the other hand, due to unique features, excellent biocompatibility, high curie temperatures and low cytotoxicity of the Iron-based nanoparticles, they have received increasing attention in recent years. Using an external magnetic field, in which the ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) in the reaction mixtures can be easily removed, make them more efficient approach than the conventional method for separating the catalyst particles by centrifugation or filtration. Ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) provide various advantages in food processing, environmental issues, pharmaceutical industry, sample preparation, wastewater management, water purification, illness therapy, identification of disease, tissue engineering, and biosensor creation for healthcare monitoring. Modification of FMNPs with the proper functional groups and surface modification techniques play a significant role in boosting their capability. Due to flexibility of FMNPs in functionalization and synthesis, it is possible to make customized FMNPs that can be utilized in variety of applications. This review focuses on synthesis, modifications, and applications of Iron-based nanoparticles.

Apatite-related Na+, Cu2+, Zn2+, CO3 2− containing calcium phosphates nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and antibacterial properties for medical application

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize the calcium phosphates modified by different amount of Na+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and CO3 2−, and to investigate their activity in model solution (at pH = 7.45 and 37 °C) and antibacterial properties against Streptococcus pyogenes. According to XRD and FTIR spectroscopy data the apatite-related phases with partial substitution РО4 3− → СО3 2− (B-type) have been prepared. Presence of sodium and carbonate ions led to increase of solubility in model solution during the first 48 h, while modification with both Cu2+ and Zn2+ cations (up to 0.6 wt%) significantly improved antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus pyogenes.