Protective Properties Research Articles

Impact of modifications on the characteristics of salivary pellicle on dental hard tissue: a scoping review.

The salivary pellicle regulates interfacial events on dental surfaces and is a promising target for modification to improve dental health. This scoping review systematically examines substances that modify the pellicle, evaluating their potential and identifying knowledge gaps. This review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies investigating how substances applied during pellicle formation on enamel or dentin affect its structure, composition, or protective function were included. A systematic search of Medline was conducted up to March 2024 using predefined terms. Only English-language research articles were included. No hand-searching was performed. A total of 864 records were identified. After title and abstract screening, 110 articles were assessed in full, resulting in 85 eligible studies for data charting. These studies investigated human saliva-derived pellicles on enamel or dentin, comparing their composition, structure, or protective properties with and without modification. Most studies, conducted equally in vitro and in situ, focused on fluorides and metals (n = 28), peptides and proteins (n = 21), and polyphenols (n = 18), while other substances were less frequently examined (n = 17). Modifications affected the pellicle's ultrastructure, altered its proteome, or enhanced its protective role against erosion, abrasion, and bacterial adherence. Despite numerous studies and distinct substance classes, findings remain inconclusive and must be interpreted within the context of individual study designs. Modifying the pellicle can improve its protective function, presenting a promising approach for preventive dentistry. However, the long-term effects of these substances within the dynamic oral environment remain unclear. This review underscores the need for further research to close existing knowledge gaps and confirm clinical relevance.

A novel active packaging film based on polyvinyl alcohol/bajakah tampala (Spatholobus littoralis hassk) extract: Enhancing mechanical, UV protection, thermal stability, antimicrobial, and barrier properties

A novel active packaging film based on polyvinyl alcohol/bajakah tampala (Spatholobus littoralis hassk) extract: Enhancing mechanical, UV protection, thermal stability, antimicrobial, and barrier properties

Immobilization of electrospun alumina nanofiber-embedded nanocomposite into delignified wood toward multifunctional ultraviolet filtering smart windows for energy efficiency of residential buildings.

Immobilization of electrospun alumina nanofiber-embedded nanocomposite into delignified wood toward multifunctional ultraviolet filtering smart windows for energy efficiency of residential buildings.

Depolymerization and demethylation of lignin for sustainable coloration and functionalization of silk fabric.

Depolymerization and demethylation of lignin for sustainable coloration and functionalization of silk fabric.

Scaling Attacks on Large Logic-Locked Designs

Researchers have developed numerous strategies to alleviate the threat of malicious third-party foundries, including logic locking and its numerous sophisticated variants for hardware intellectual property (IP) protection. Recent work at the register-transfer level has opened the door to “large-scale” locking of large IPs (comprising thousands of gates) with hundreds to thousands of key bits. Recent security evaluation of such techniques treats the locked design as a monolith and has suggested that large logic-locked designs are practically secure, even from powerful SAT-based attacks. In this work, we challenge such findings by proposing and evaluating a novel algorithmic method to de-obfuscate large logic-locked circuits by attacking a set of small sub-circuit cones. The algorithm chooses a sub-optimal set of sub-circuit cones and proposes an attack sequence on these cones by leveraging the observation that each locking key-bit is distributed across multiple sub-circuit cones of varying sizes. This Divide And Conquer SAT (DACSAT) attack framework can de-obfuscate large designs, like an AES IP comprising 300,000 gates, logic-locked with up to 50,000 keys in around 3600 seconds, while an out-of-the-box, state-of-the-art SAT attack tool fails.

Oroxylin A alleviates pyroptosis and apoptosis in human corneal epithelial cells under hyperosmotic stress by activating the SIRT3-SOD2/HIF-1α pathway.

Oroxylin A alleviates pyroptosis and apoptosis in human corneal epithelial cells under hyperosmotic stress by activating the SIRT3-SOD2/HIF-1α pathway.

Syringic acid alleviates cadmium-induced neurotoxicity in rats by modulating cellular signaling pathways.

Syringic acid alleviates cadmium-induced neurotoxicity in rats by modulating cellular signaling pathways.

Dihydroartemisinin attenuates acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats: Suppression of inflammation and modulation of NFκβ/TNF-α/RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis.

Dihydroartemisinin attenuates acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats: Suppression of inflammation and modulation of NFκβ/TNF-α/RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and apoptosis.

Leveling the playing field: How intellectual property protection countervails foreign quality shocks

Leveling the playing field: How intellectual property protection countervails foreign quality shocks

Intellectual property protection: How bankruptcy courts shape corporate technological innovation and patent quality

Intellectual property protection: How bankruptcy courts shape corporate technological innovation and patent quality

Intellectual property protection and corporate digital transformation: An empirical analysis from the perspectives of intellectual property protection and digital governance

Intellectual property protection and corporate digital transformation: An empirical analysis from the perspectives of intellectual property protection and digital governance

Nutraceutical Approaches to Treating Gastrointestinal Diseases

Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, ranging from functional disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and dyspepsia to inflammatory and infectious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroenteritis, and peptic ulcers, significantly affect global health and quality of life. Conventional pharmacological therapies, while effective, often come with side effects and limitations, prompting a growing interest in complementary and alternative approaches, notably nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals, encompassing dietary supplements, functional foods, and bioactive compounds derived from natural sources, offer promising adjunct or alternative therapeutic options for managing GI disorders due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and mucosal protective properties. This review explores the current landscape of nutraceuticals employed in the prevention and management of gastrointestinal diseases. It highlights the mechanistic actions of various nutraceutical agents such as probiotics, prebiotics, polyphenols, omega3 fatty acids, glutamine, curcumin, and plant-based extracts, including aloe vera, licorice root, and peppermint oil. The paper further examines clinical and preclinical evidence supporting their efficacy and safety profiles, emphasizing their potential in modulating gut microbiota, enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, and regulating immune responses. Additionally, this review discusses the challenges and limitations in nutraceutical development, such as bioavailability, standardization, regulatory issues, and the need for large-scale clinical validation. The integration of nutraceuticals into mainstream gastroenterology could pave the way for more holistic and patient-centric therapeutic strategies, especially in chronic and lifestyle-related GI conditions.

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Technology Developed for Alzheimer's-Dementia Patients and Elderly People to Live More Comfortably

As we know, the global population continues to increase at a great pace, as the elderly population and Alzheimer's and Dementia diseases are increasing day by day in parallel accordingly. According to the 2023 World Social Report prepared by the United Nations with the slogan "Leaving No One Behind in an Aging World"; the proportion of the elderly in the world population is expected to more than double from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. According to these forecasts, by 2050, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is expected to increase from 47 million in 2020 to 76 million in 2030 and 135.5 million in 2050. The incidence rate of these diseases is inversely correlated with the development of countries. The relationship between the rate of increase is faster in countries with higher levels of development and prosperity. However, today's technological advances have had a positive impact on making the lives of people suffering from such diseases easier. Despite the results achieved by using AI technologies to help Alzheimer's-Dementia patients and/or the elderly population and making their lives easier and more comfortable, there are facing various long-term challenges driven by megatrends such as demographic shifts, increasing security threats, technological advancements. To overcome these challenges and accelerate transformation, AI and Data Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) play a crucial role. However, limited funding, brain drain, inadequate infrastructure, weak intellectual property protection and poor inclusiveness hinder progress and investment in STI for transition. Private sector initiatives have demonstrated successful examples and the potential to lead in this field. There is a consensus around the world on the economic and environmental benefits of developing and utilizing Artificial Intelligence - Human - Machine Hybrid Environment for a sustainable future. To unlock this potential, it is essential to invest more financial resources and create the right policy framework, fostering collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society. Keywords: AI, data science, Alzheimer's and Dementia patients, seniors, comfortable living

Genetic diversity analysis and DNA fingerprinting of different populations of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in China with fluorescence-labeled microsatellite markers

BackgroundLargemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, LMB) is an economic fish in China, which has developed into many different cultured populations in the past decades. These populations exhibit different growth rates, morphological traits, stress resistance, and genetic diversity. Analyzing genetic diversity and molecular identification of these populations is crucial for conserving and utilizing germplasm resources, as well as for breeding new varieties.ResultIn this study, ten distinct LMB populations from China were collected and examined using fluorescence-labeled microsatellite markers. A total of 53 alleles were identified using seven microsatellite primer pairs, with allele counts ranging from 5 to 11 and an average of 7.571. The observed heterozygosity among the ten LMB populations varied from 0.210 to 0.967, while expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.204 to 0.651, and the polymorphism information content was between 0.175 and 0.597. Genetic distance varied from 0.019 to 0.457, the genetic differentiation index ranged from 0.013 to 0.258, and the number of effective migrants (Nm) was between 0.719 and 18.981. The genetic structure analysis indicated that the ten LMB populations could be classified into two or four groups. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 83.77% of genetic variation was found within individuals, with only 16.23% attributed to differences among populations. Through construction of DNA fingerprinting, we discovered unique fragments at several loci were detected in the populations such as the reintroduced Northern LMB population, “Youlu No.3” population, and the hybrid populations. Additionally, we also created digital DNA fingerprint maps of these LMB populations. Through analysis the digital DNA fingerprints from four candidate LMB populations, three known populations corresponded with the populations collected in this study. These results indicated high identification efficiencies of the digital DNA fingerprinting created in this study.ConclusionWe established a method to distinguish 10 different LMB populations in China, which will assist in identification, traceability management, protection, and intellectual property rights of LMB in the future.

Bioactivity Assessment and Untargeted Metabolomics of the Mediterranean Sea Pen Pennatula phosphorea.

Octocorals have proven to be a prolific source of bioactive natural products, exhibiting a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. Among octocorals, Pennatulaceans, commonly known as sea pens, are among the most dominant soft coral species living in benthic communities. Nonetheless, reports on bioactivity and chemical investigations of this genus are scarce. This prompted us to shed light on the pharmacological potential of the extracts of the sea pen Pennatula phosphorea, Linneus 1758, and gain an overview of its metabolome. Crude octocoral extracts, obtained with a modified Kupchan extraction protocol, were assessed for their bioactivity potential, revealing the hexanic extract to exert anti-inflammatory effects and interesting protective properties in an in vitro model of sarcopenia and in auditory HEI-OC1 cisplatin-treated cells, while the chloroformic extract was active in reducing A375 melanoma cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. An untargeted metabolomic analysis unveiled that P. phosphorea collects a wide array of glycerophospholipids and phosphosphingolipids belonging to the ceramide phosphoinositol class, which were exclusive or more abundant in the hexanic extract. Their proven anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects could demonstrate the activity shown by the P. phosphorea hexanic extract. In addition, a group of prostaglandins, eluted mainly in the chloroformic extract, were putatively annotated. Since prostanoids from marine origin have been demonstrated to exert cytotoxic and anti-proliferative properties against various cancer cell lines, the presence of PGs in the P. phosphorea chloroform extract could justify its anti-melanoma activity. This is the first report on the presence of glycerophospholipids, phosphosphingolipids, and prostaglandins, along with the identification of novel congeners, in sea pens.

Furniture image protection scheme based on chaotic generating matrix encryption and filter combined with genetic algorithm noise reduction

Abstract Aiming to address the need for intellectual property protection, particularly the risk of digital images being stolen in furniture design, this paper proposes an encryption framework based on the two-dimensional coupled Logistic and Hénon Map (2D-CLH) model. It aims to enhance the security of key digital assets, such as original furniture design drawings. The 2D-CLH exhibits stronger chaotic properties, with a maximum Lyapunov index of 27.4517, sample entropy of 2.2774, and a 0-1 test value of 0.998. These results indicate that the proposed chaotic model is more nonlinear and secure compared to existing chaotic models. Compared with existing scheme frameworks, this scheme introduces a dual dynamic encryption algorithm based on the 2D-CLH model and chaos matrix, combining diffusion and permutation. In the decryption process, adaptive filtering and genetic algorithms are innovatively employed to optimize image distortion. After rigorous testing, the NPCR and UACI of the encryption scheme reached 99.96091% and 33.4662%, respectively, demonstrating the ability to resist brute force attacks. The information entropy of the encrypted image is 7.9994, with pixel distribution approaching the random limit. Even under 0.1 intensity Gaussian noise, the decrypted image can pass the PSNR test (18.62). This method outperforms existing encryption schemes in terms of encryption strength and denoising ability. This study provides a safe and practical technical approach for the digital protection of intellectual property in furniture design.

Strengthening Islamic Legal Literacy for Indonesian Migrant Workers in Kuching: Efforts to Ensure Legal Protection and Certainty through Community Service Activities

Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in Kuching, Malaysia, often face various legal issues related to employment contracts, unpaid wages, inhumane working conditions, and discriminatory treatment. A lack of understanding of their legal rights—both under national and Islamic law—weakens their position in resolving these problems effectively. This Community Service Program (PKM) aims to strengthen the Islamic legal literacy of PMI through educational and participatory approaches. The objective is to raise legal awareness, empower workers to claim their rights lawfully, and promote fair and humane working environments rooted in the principles of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah.The implementation method includes a preliminary survey (pre-test) to assess the participants’ baseline understanding of their rights, followed by Islamic law-based legal counseling and interactive discussion sessions. The materials emphasize key principles such as justice (al-‘adl), protection of life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), and protection of property (ḥifẓ al-māl)—core objectives of Islamic law. A practical Islamic legal literacy module was also developed to support independent learning among PMI. The final evaluation (post-test) showed a significant increase in participants’ understanding of Islamic legal principles and their rights as workers in a cross-border context. This activity demonstrates that an Islamic values-based legal approach can serve as an effective alternative in educating and empowering migrant workers. It also strengthens the legal protection system that has often been inadequate. Furthermore, this program presents a collaborative model involving academics, migrant worker communities, and support institutions to establish a more inclusive, humane, and transformative framework of legal protection.

Effects of lanthanum hypophosphite on fire protection properties of intumescent fire-retardant coating for steel structure

Effects of lanthanum hypophosphite on fire protection properties of intumescent fire-retardant coating for steel structure

INFLUENCE OF SILICATE COMPOUNDS ON THE STRUCTURAL STRENGTHENING OF CERAMIC MASONRY ELEMENTS IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS

This study investigates the peel strength of bricks treated with silicate-based formulations designed to enhance durability. It examines the effects of seasoning time and the type of formulation—both undiluted and water-diluted—on the mechanical properties of the bricks. Particular attention was given to how dilution impacts the penetration of the material and its protective properties. The results indicate that peel strength is largely influenced by the bricks' physicochemical characteristics, including porosity, absorbability and micro-cracks. The findings confirm that silicate compounds with hydrophobic properties significantly improve brick durability by protecting against atmospheric agents such as moisture and environmental pollutants. Silicate impregnation not only enhances the structural integrity of bricks but also preserves their aesthetic value over time, improving resistance to erosion and degradation. These properties are especially critical for historically significant buildings, where maintaining material authenticity and stability is paramount. The study emphasizes the importance of selecting and applying strengthening preparations carefully to achieve optimal results. Undiluted formulations demonstrated superior efficacy in enhancing mechanical performance, particularly after prolonged seasoning periods. Nonetheless, in specific cases, diluted preparations offered advantages, highlighting the need for tailored, comprehensive pre-application studies. These results underscore the critical role of silicate compounds in brick conservation and pave the way for further research to optimize their use in preservation practices.

Asia's emergence in cancer immunotherapy: challenges and opportunities.

Asia's role in cancer immunotherapy research is rapidly expanding, driven by cutting-edge facilities, innovative technologies, and collaborative efforts. This commentary examines the region's growing impact, highlighting key clinical trials, emerging research hubs, and unique challenges that we face. It discusses the need for standardization in cell and gene therapies, and more broadly all immunotherapies, addressing cost and accessibility issues. We examine the implications of genetic diversity in Asian populations as well as cultural and linguistic factors that affect clinical trials and patient care. The analysis extends to emerging opportunities in technological innovation and international collaboration, while addressing critical challenges in regulatory oversight, data transparency, and intellectual property protection. The success of the recent SITC-World Immunotherapy Council-Asia conference is showcased as a catalyst for future collaborations. By tackling these challenges and using innovations, Asian countries can significantly contribute to global advancements in cancer immunotherapy, potentially improving outcomes for patients worldwide.