Background The development of multifunctional biomaterial surfaces that simultaneously support bone-cell responses and reduce bacterial infection is important for orthopedic implants. However, polymer-based polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material exhibits limited surface bioactivity and insufficient antibacterial performance because of its chemical inertness and hydrophobicity. Methods A combined surface-engineering strategy was developed by integrating pH-regulated hydroxyapatite (HA) microstructures with sulfonate functionalization on PEEK substrates. Hydrothermal treatment under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions produced plate-like, cauliflower-like, and sea urchin-like Ca-based layers, respectively. Sodium p-styrenesulfonate (NaSS)-derived sulfonate functionalization was subsequently introduced through UV-assisted surface modification, followed by hydrothermal post-treatment to reduce loosely associated NaSS species. Significant findings The cauliflower-like HA layer prepared under neutral conditions exhibited the most favorable cytocompatibility after NaSS functionalization and hydrothermal post-treatment. Suitable modification of PEEK surface enhanced cell proliferation and spreading, reduced cytotoxicity, maintained bacterial growth inhibition for up to 72 h, and substantially decreased the accumulation of E. coli and S. aureus. These results demonstrate that the HA microstructure and the retained sulfonate groups jointly regulate the biological performance of HA-coated PEEK samples.
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a global health burden. While international guidelines share consensus, variations exist in disputed issues. The 2025 Taiwan Consensus and Management Guidelines for Gastric Cancer had just been released. We compared the key recommendations with established international guidelines. A multidisciplinary taskforce addressed key questions and recommendations using modified Delphi method and evidence-based approaches. The comparative review aimed to elucidate similarities and differences among guidelines from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China, Europe, and the US. Guidelines converge on absolute endoscopic resection criteria for early GC but differ in extended indications and perioperative approaches for locally advanced disease. Heterogeneity exists in biomarker assessment protocols, cutoff thresholds, and companion diagnostics. For metastatic disease, consensus exists on anti-HER2, anti-VEGF, immunotherapy, and biomarker-driven strategies, though oligo-metastatic definitions and intraperitoneal chemotherapy indications remain controversial. Optimal GC management requires integrating global evidence with regional contexts. The comparative review addresses heterogeneity among international guidelines, which helps harmonize management strategies as therapeutic standards evolve.
A waste-to-wealth strategy is reported for the fabrication of a copper-functionalized fibrous nanosilica (Cu/KCC-1) photocatalyst derived from palm oil fuel ash (POFA), an abundant silica-rich agricultural residue. The Cu/KCC-1 nanocomposite retains the characteristic dendritic fibrous architecture and high surface area of KCC-1, while incorporating catalytically active Cu species within the amorphous silica framework, as confirmed by FESEM, XRD, BET, FTIR, and UV-Vis DRS analyses. The resulting catalyst exhibits outstanding photocatalytic activity toward methylene blue degradation, achieving 94.30% efficiency under UV irradiation at pH 8 with a catalyst dosage of 3 g/L and an initial dye concentration of 10 mg/L. Reaction temperature strongly influenced performance, with optimal degradation at 50 degrees C, beyond which charge-carrier recombination and partial deactivation limited the catalytic efficiency. The superior activity is attributed to enhanced light absorption, increased density of accessible active sites, and improved charge separation induced by Cu incorporation within the fibrous silica matrix. Alkaline conditions further promoted degradation by facilitating reactive oxygen species generation. A mechanism involving surface adsorption followed by center dot OH- and O2 center dot- driven oxidative mineralization is proposed. This study demonstrates the viability of POFA-derived Cu/KCC-1 as a high-performance, low-cost, and sustainable photocatalyst for advanced wastewater remediation.
Osteoporosis is a major and growing health concern in the Asia-Pacific region, y et it remains widely underdiagnosed and undertreated due to limited access to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in many areas. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities to improve osteoporosis screening and management, but unvalidated tools pose risks of inconsistent care. This consensus was developed to provide regionally harmonized guidance on the safe, effective, and equitable use of AI in osteoporosis care. Purpose The aim of this work was to establish expert consensus recommendations on the role of AI in osteoporosis screening and management in the Asia-Pacific region. Key objectives were to define appropriate applications of AI (e.g., imaging-based bone assessment and fracture risk prediction) and specify minimum standards for validation and reporting, addressing region-specific implementation challenges and ensuring that AI use aligns with clinical guidelines and ethical principles. Methods This consensus was developed through multidisciplinary collaboration among experts across the Asia-Pacific region. Each participant reviewed draft statements, contributed feedback during virtual meetings, and provided insights based on clinical experience and current evidence. Consensus was reached iteratively until full agreement was achieved for all statements. The process integrated global best practices and regional adaptations, drawing from peer-reviewed studies, international AI guidelines, and local fracture registry data. The final recommendations emphasize the validation, transparency, and ethical implementation of AI within regional healthcare systems, ensuring compatibility with local regulations. Ultimately, twelve consensus statements were established to guide the responsible use of AI for osteoporosis screening and management in the Asia-Pacific region. Results The panel produced 12 consensus statements covering the role of AI as an adjunct for opportunistic osteoporosis screening rather than a diagnostic tool, requirements for imaging quality and AI model transparency, standards for validation and performance reporting, integration of AI with clinical risk stratification, demonstration of clinical utility in real-world settings, adherence to data protection laws and ethical AI principles, training of clinicians in AI use, strategies for implementation and monitoring (including post-market surveillance and feedback loops), and recognition of technical, clinical, and equity limitations of AI. All 12 statements give extensive recommendations for using AI to improve osteoporosis management while ensuring patient safety, accuracy, and equity. Conclusion This first Asia-Pacific consensus on AI in osteoporosis concludes that AI, when appropriately validated and implemented, can help bridge the osteoporosis care gap by identifying high-risk patients who would otherwise remain undiagnosed, thus facilitating earlier intervention. It emphasizes that AI should complement-not replace-standard diagnostic methods and clinical judgment. The guidance emphasizes validation, transparency, and ethical oversight to facilitate early intervention while minimizing risks associated with unvalidated or premature AI adoption.
Digital nomadism is increasingly seen as an aspirational lifestyle, yet many face a psychological tension between freedom and loneliness. Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT), we conceptualise this freedom-loneliness paradox as an autonomy-relatedness trade-off, and use the sense of virtual community (SOVC) framework to theorise how community-based support can satisfy relatedness needs. This study examines how perceived freedom and anticipated loneliness shape digital nomad intentions. It also tests whether virtual companionship via AI or online communities can mitigate loneliness. In Study 1 (N = 350), a survey showed that perceived freedom positively predicted nomad intentions, whereas anticipated loneliness exerted a stronger negative effect, prior solo travel experience and social media use buffered the negative association between loneliness and intention. In Study 2 (final analytic N = 350), an experiment randomly assigned participants to a baseline information control condition or one of three interventions (AI companion, online community, or a hybrid condition combining both). All interventions reduced anticipated loneliness and increased digital nomad intentions relative to the control, with the hybrid condition yielding the strongest improvements. Moderation analyses further indicated that individuals with less prior solo travel experience benefited more from the interventions, and mediation analyses confirmed loneliness reduction partially mediated intervention effects. Findings highlight the potential of integrating AI- and community-based support to rebalance autonomy and relatedness needs in mobile work contexts, with implications for computer-mediated social support and practical guidance for designing digital well-being technologies for mobile professionals.
