Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cell blocks (CBs) are widely used for processing cytology specimens, but preparation methods remain variable and non-standardised. Low cellularity is a common limitation that may compromise diagnostic utility. This study aimed to evaluate the cellularity of routinely prepared CBs across different preparation methods, laboratories and sample types. Each laboratory in this multicentre observational study retrospectively assessed 50 consecutive CBs prepared using a single method. Cellularity of Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)-stained sections was semi-quantitatively evaluated by two independent reviewers per laboratory in four categories: acellular, low (≤ 100 cells), medium (100-500 cells) and high cellular (> 500 cells). The proportion of poorly cellular CBs (acellular + low cellular) was compared across methods, laboratories and sample types using non-parametric tests. Cellularity was assessed for 1817 CBs prepared using Agar (22%), HistoGel (19%), Plasma-Thrombin (19%), Cellient (17%), In-house (15%) and Shandon/Epredia (8%) methods. The proportion of poorly cellular CBs ranged from 4% to 80% across laboratories (mean 27%, median 25%), with no consistent clustering by method. Median proportions by method ranged from 12% (Cellient) to 35% (Agar), but inter-method differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Substantial variability was observed both across and within sample types and preparation methods. The study revealed marked variability in the proportion of poorly cellular CBs among preparation methods and laboratories, highlighting the need for improved processing and monitoring of CB adequacy.

Bioinspired material design for oral targeted delivery Systems: From structural bioinspiration to functional implementation.

Rational design and detection applications of ratio fluorescence sensing based on CDs@Ln-MOFs composites.

Preparation methods, inhibitory activity, and regulatory mechanisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from eggs

Repeatable preparing flexible tube with superhydrophobicity and blood repellency based on laser etching and replication method

Development and experimental investigation of a rapid non-premixed injection technique for hydrogel extinguishants

: The current scenario of research is moving from the nanosized scale. This research posits that nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, thereby addressing critical challenges in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and dermatological conditions. : In this study, a comprehensive review of various nanoformulation techniques was conducted, including nanoemulsions, lipid-based formulations, and polymeric nanoparticles. The study involved analyzing existing literature on the preparation methods, characterization, and optimization of nanoparticles for drug delivery. Additionally, case studies of approved and clinical trial drugs utilizing nanoparticle carriers were examined to assess their impact on bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes. : The findings indicate that nanoparticle formulations not only improve the solubility and stability of hydrophobic drugs but also facilitate targeted delivery, resulting in enhanced therapeutic effects and reduced side effects. Specific examples highlighted include the successful application of nanoparticles in gene therapy and oncology, demonstrating their potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms. By reviewing this article, the reviewer gets knowledge about the different array of tools, methods, and development achieved in the field of nanotechnology, and the article represents the sufficient information needed to achieve the best design of nanoformulation for drug development and bridge the gaps faced by researchers and the scientific community.

Considerations for massic activity determination by Decay Energy Spectrometry (DES) using cryogenic Transition Edge Sensors (TES).

Recent studies have shown that essential oils (EOs) from spices are effective in reducing high blood glucose levels, with β-caryophyllene (BCP) emerging as one of the most promising bioactive compounds. Despite the increasing interest in this field, few studies in the literature have elucidated the link between sample components and their resulting biological activities. In this paper, a detailed investigation was carried out, using a black pepper EO as a case study, and α-glucosidase as biological target. Initial biological assays showed very similar activities between the entire EO and the corresponding amount of BCP in the EO on α-glucosidase. These outcomes confirmed the manifest role of BCP, and further suggested that EO's fractionation could help to unravel the complex interactions among terpene families, BCP, and the biological target. As a first step, a suitable preparative GC method was developed to enable the effective and rapid isolation of the separated monoterpene and sesquiterpene families for subsequent biological assays. The biological outcomes bio-guided consequent fractionation procedures, which were aimed at understanding the role of BCP in the overall sesquiterpene family. Consequently, the use of multidimensional preparative GC guaranteed the effective isolation of the sesquiterpene family without BCP, underscoring its relevant role in this fraction. In a complementary approach, the sesquiterpene family was further fractionated to understand potential enhancing/inhibitory effects with BCP. To the best of authors' knowledge, this paper represents the first instance in the literature where preparative gas chromatography has been employed as an analytical approach to carry out a bio-guided fractionation of EOs.

Research progress on functional carbon dots for detecting heavy metal ions in the fields of environmental protection and food safety.

Colorimetric and fluorometric Seleno-BODIPY sensor for selective palladium detection in solution and on a cotton swab platform

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) employs various processing methods to enhance the bioactivity of herbs. Rheum palmatum (R. palmatum) is commonly processed to optimize its medicinal properties, yet its antibacterial activity under different processing techniques remains unclear. Standardizing preparation methods is essential for ensuring consistent therapeutic efficacy. This study examines how different processing methods influence the antibacterial activity of R. palmatum, contributing to the standardization of TCM preparation. R. palmatum roots underwent 10 different water-based processing methods. Antibacterial activity against S. aureus was assessed using disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays. The most effective extracts were further analyzed via molecular docking to evaluate their binding interactions with bacterial virulence proteins (α-hemolysin and Catalase). Disc diffusion and MIC results showed that RP-4 (high-pressure steamed with wine) exhibited the largest inhibition zone (11.67 mm) and the lowest MIC (1250 μg/mL). Compared to other tested microorganisms, selective inhibition was also observed against S. aureus. Molecular docking revealed that Rhein, a major active compound identified in the RP-4 extract, exhibited strong binding affinity to α-hemolysin and Catalase, comparable to standard antibiotics. RP-4, processed through high-pressure steaming with wine, showed the strongest antibacterial activity based on ZOI and MIC results. Wine processing enhances the dissolution of active compounds, while high-pressure steaming reduces anthraquinone derivatives that cause digestive problems. Molecular docking also confirmed interactions between Rhein and the virulent proteins α-hemolysin and Catalase, suggesting a potential mechanism for inhibiting S. aureus. Processing methods significantly influence the antibacterial properties of R. palmatum. RP-4 demonstrated the strongest activity against S. aureus, making it a promising candidate for future TCM formulation and antibacterial drug development.

Pesticide residues in imported black tea in Egypt: Occurrence, processing-induced reduction, and health risk assessment.

The AI-Based Interview Coach is an innovative and intelligent web-based platform designed to assist job seekers and students in enhancing their interview performance through real-time, personalized, and adaptive feedback. In today's highly competitive job market, candidates often lack access to effective and affordable interview preparation tools. Traditional methods such as peer mock interviews, coaching institutes, and static question banks fail to provide objective, data-driven, and immediate feedback. This project bridges that gap by leveraging state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence technologies. The system is powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP), Sentiment Analysis, Speech Recognition, and Machine Learning algorithms. These technologies work in concert to evaluate a candidate's response across multiple dimensions including clarity, relevance, grammar, fluency, confidence, and professional tone. Users have the flexibility to either type or speak their responses, making the platform accessible to a wider audience. The AI Interview Coach generates role-specific and adaptive interview questions tailored to various job profiles such as Software Engineers, Marketing Professionals, HR Executives, Data Scientists, and more. This ensures that each practice session is highly relevant to the user's target role. Upon completing a session, users receive a comprehensive performance report with a numerical score, detailed feedback, and specific suggestions for improvement. An optional Computer Vision module, leveraging webcam input, further enhances the coaching experience by analyzing non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, eye contact, and body posture. These non-verbal aspects of communication are often critical in real-world interviews and are typically overlooked in conventional preparation methods The system consists of two primary modules: the Student Module, which handles user registration, job role selection, interview simulation, and result tracking, and the Admin Module, which manages students, job roles, interview histories, and system feedback. The application is built using the Python Flask framework for backend operations and MySQL as the database management system. The front-end is developed using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and JavaScript, ensuring a responsive and user-friendly interface

Perovskitoids have attracted widespread attention in recent years by extending octahedral connectivity, thereby overcoming the traditional 3D perovskite materials' limitations on the tolerance factor, expanding structural diversity, and enhancing stability and bandgap tunability. This review first summarizes the advanced preparation methods for high-quality perovskitoid single crystals. Subsequently, we systematically classify perovskitoids into 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D structures based on their dimensionality, elaborating on the relationship between their unique octahedral connectivity modes and optoelectronic properties. Furthermore, advances in perovskitoids for optoelectronic applications are highlighted, with a focus on their roles in solar cells, light-emitting devices, and detectors. Finally, to address current bottlenecks, we propose future perspectives to accelerate their practical commercialization.

Nanostructured self-assembling materials known as lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) consist of amphiphilic molecules in a solvent and having a number of mesophases such as cubic, hexagonal, and lamellar phases. Since LLCs are concentration-dependent and not temperature-dependent as it is the case with thermotropic liquid crystals, they are heavily applied in drug delivery, nanotechnology, and the biological sciences. Their ability to entrap hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules supports controlled and site-specific drug release, promoting therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability. Stimuli-sensitive LLC systems have been found promising as devices for transdermal delivery, ocular delivery of drugs, and cancer therapy due to their sensitivity towards pH changes, temperature changes, or mechanical stress. Characterization techniques such as polarized light microscopy (PLM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) are often employed to determine phase structures in order to understand their structural properties and enhance their formulations. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) helps in assessing colloidal stability. The fundamental concepts, types, compositions, and preparation methods—such as top-down and bottom-up strategies—of LLCs are all discussed elaborately in this article. It also addresses new advances in biomedical applications, control release strategies, targeted drug delivery systems, and their application to drug delivery. In addition, several case studies related to LLC formulations laden with anti-tumor drugs and their therapeutic capability are discussed. Formulation developments in LLC form are capable of reshaping present day drug delivery procedures and enhance therapeutic outcomes in biomedical applications.

The porcine uterine decellularized extracellular matrix (DECM) hydrogel represents a promising candidate for endometrial tissue engineering. However, conventional preparation methods face challenges in balancing decellularization efficiency and bioactive extracellular matrix (ECM) preservation. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of the biochemical and biomechanical properties of the DECM hydrogel on porcine endometrial stromal cells (pESCs), while addressing the inherent conflict between decellularization efficiency and preserved ECM bioactivity in conventional processing techniques. In this study, we established an optimized protocol: combining freeze-thaw cycles with SDS/Triton X-100 decellularization, followed by orthogonal experimental determination of optimal pepsin digestion parameters (72 h, 4 ℃, 10 mg/mL). The refined protocol enhanced decellularization efficiency (P<0.001) while maintaining intact collagen architecture, glycosaminoglycans, growth factors, and porous microstructure, as validated through proteomic analysis and scanning electron microscopy. To address the inherent mechanical limitations of pure DECM hydrogels, we developed a composite hydrogel system, which was composed of 0.5% DECM and 5% methacrylated gelatin (GelMA). This composite hydrogel system demonstrated elastic modulus comparable to native endometrium (P<0.001), with improved degradation stability and optimized swelling ratio compared with single-component systems. Cellular investigations revealed that higher DECM content promoted porcine endometrial stromal cell migration and spheroid self-organization through activating the integrin α5β1-FAK signaling pathway. To overcome limitations in conventional 2D culture, we engineered DECM-GelMA composite microarrays with hemispherical/cylindrical configurations, successfully inducing directional cellular alignment via contact guidance effects. The present study achieved concurrent optimization of DECM preparation efficiency and bioactivity retention, while elucidating its regulatory mechanisms through integrin-mediated signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization. These findings provide new biomimetic strategies for designing functional endometrial scaffolds with improved histocompatibility and mechanobiological responsiveness.

Amylum is widely used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations, one of which is inert and can be mixed with any drug without causing a chemical reaction. The aim of this research is to know the preparation method of cassava amylum (Durio zibethinus, Murr) native and pregelatinized which is used as binder to dissolution rate of paracetamol tablet with granulation method. The native and pregelatinized amylum produced from cassava is carried out by a preliminary test to determine the nature of physical characteristics and to know the ability as a binder of the tablet. The paracetamol tablets produced from the two methods were tested dissolution using medium buffer phosphate at 37 ± 0,5 ° C (pH 5.8, 50 rpm). The results showed that cassava starch preparation method had an effect on dissolution rate of tablet. Pregelatinized amylum as binder on paracetamol tablet showed Q value (93,17 ± 0,01)% while native amylum showed value of Q (81,76 ± 0,20)%. The use of pregelatinized cassava starch as a binder on paracetamol tablet has better characteristic properties compared with native starch

The field of nanoparticle-based biotechnology has undergone substantial advancement, characterized by progress in targeted drug delivery systems, the development of innovative diagnostic and imaging platforms, the expanded adoption of environmentally sustainable (“green”) synthesis approaches, and an increasing emphasis on the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and nanorobotics. Conventional nanoparticle synthesis often involves toxic reducing agents; however, recent advances promote eco-friendly green synthesis methods utilizing biological systems such as bacteria, fungi, algae, yeast, plants, and actinomycetes. These biological approaches are safe, sustainable, cost-effective, and capable of producing highly stable Nanoparticles (NPs). The interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems is crucial for developing intracellular and subcellular drug delivery technologies with minimal toxicity, governed by nano–bio interface mechanisms such as cellular translocation, surface wrapping, embedding, and internal attachment. Key factors influencing NP behavior include morphology, size, surface area, surface charge, and ligand chemistry. Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly iron-based forms, exhibit unique superparamagnetic properties that are strongly influenced by particle size, as explained by the Néel relaxation mechanism, in which thermal energy induces flipping of magnetic moments. Nanoparticles demonstrate diverse modes of action, including antimicrobial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and plant growth promotion. NP performance and biological effects are strongly dependent on their size, shape, dosage, and concentration. This critical review article aims to elucidate evolution, classification, preparation methods, and multifaceted applications of nanoparticles

Medicinal plants are central to primary healthcare and cultural identity, especially in remote areas with limited access to modern health services. Ethnomedicinal knowledge in the study area has not yet been documented. This study aimed to document indigenous medicinal plant knowledge, assess sociodemographic influences on its distribution, and compare plant use patterns with previous Ethiopian studies to identify novel insights. Primary ethnobotanical data on medicinal plant use and indigenous knowledge were collected between June and September 2023 from 364 informants using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field walks. Demographic information and plant-use details (including plant species, parts used, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications) were systematically recorded, and the data were analyzed quantitatively using t-tests, ANOVA, informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), Jaccard similarity index (JSI), and Rahman similarity index (RSI). A total of 102 medicinal plant species belonging to 48 families were documented. Fabaceae (8%), Asteraceae (7%), and Solanaceae (6%) were the most represented families. Herbs constituted the dominant growth form (36.3%), and leaves were the most frequently used plant part (37.4%). Oral administration (56.2%) was the primary route of remedy application, whereas grinding and crushing were the most commonly employed preparation methods. ICF values were highest for external injuries (0.89) and neurological disorders (0.86). Multipurpose species, such as Cordia africana and Olea europaea, are under high pressure due to agricultural expansion and wildfires, which represent major anthropogenic threats. Medicinal plant knowledge differed across sociodemographic factors, with key informants, men, older participants, and illiterate informants reporting higher numbers of species than other groups (p ≤ 0.001, t-tests and ANOVA). Cross-cultural comparison demonstrated moderate to low similarity with other Ethiopian studies (JSI: 2.55-48.39%; RSI: 0.64-24.27%). The WBANP and surrounding districts harbor rich medicinal plant diversity and indigenous knowledge for treating human ailments. However, anthropogenic pressures threaten these resources and their cultural heritage. Future research should prioritize community-based conservation, pharmacological validation, and phytochemical studies of culturally and therapeutically important species to support evidence-based healthcare integration.