Developing patient-friendly and non-invasive topical drug delivery systems is essential for improving therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance. In this study, ketotifen (KTF)-loaded microemulgels (μEGs) were formulated using biocompatible ingredients for enhanced topical delivery. Microemulsion (μE) systems composed of castor oil, Emulan EL, isopropanol, and water with varying surfactant/co-surfactant ratios (Smix) were developed to systematically investigate the influence of formulation composition on microstructural characteristics and topical drug delivery performance and subsequently gelatinized using PEG-6000 and Poloxamer 407 to achieve controlled skin permeation. Pseudoternary phase diagram analysis identified optimized formulations containing ∼11% castor oil, ∼14% water, and ∼75% Smix, capable of incorporating ∼2.5 wt% KTF. Conductivity and viscosity analyses confirmed phase transitions from water-in-oil (w/o) to oil-in-water (o/w) systems through a bicontinuous phase. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering revealed monodisperse nano-sized droplets with sizes ranging from ∼49–95 nm for μEs and ∼61–120 nm for KTF-loaded μEGs. Ex vivo permeation studies using rabbit skin in a Franz diffusion cell at pH 7.4 demonstrated enhanced permeation, with μEGs achieving >90% drug release after 12 h. The improved performance was attributed to their nanoscale droplet size and higher viscosity, and the combined physicochemical and permeation analyses established a clear relationship between formulation composition, microstructural evolution, and topical permeation behavior. These findings provide mechanistic insight for the rational optimization of μE-based topical drug delivery systems.
Extracellular enzymes from plants and microorganisms drive soil nutrient recycling, yet how mineral interfaces regulate enzyme activity remain unclear. Here, we investigated two extracellular phosphatases, from plant Ipomoea batatas and fungus Aspergillus niger, interacting with quartz, goethite, and illite. Enzyme kinetics, molecular modeling, and infrared spectroscopy were combined to resolve interfacial mechanisms controlling catalysis. For plant phosphatase, despite comparable adsorbed fractions, activity loss was 17% greater on illite than on goethite or quartz. Stronger inhibition by illite was consistent with direct surface interactions that suppressed enzyme flexibility, whereas water-mediated interactions on goethite and quartz caused minor perturbations of catalytic core. For fungal phosphatase, adsorption was up to 3-fold higher on illite than on goethite or quartz, but activity loss differed by only about 10%. Illite promoted rigid β-sheet–rich conformation with reduced α-helix and random-coil content, while weaker binding on goethite and quartz produced transient structural perturbations that caused activity loss.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for nearly 20 million new cases and 10 million deaths annually. Melittin, the principal bioactive peptide of Apis mellifera venom, has attracted considerable interest due to its potent anticancer properties, including membrane disruption, apoptosis induction, and inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. However, its clinical application is limited by severe hemolytic activity, non-selective cytotoxicity, rapid proteolytic degradation, and a narrow therapeutic window. To address these challenges, lipid vesicle–based nanocarriers such as liposomes, niosomes, and bilosomes have emerged as promising delivery systems. These platforms enhance melittin stability, improve pharmacokinetics, reduce systemic toxicity, and facilitate tumor-targeted delivery. This review summarizes recent advances in melittin-loaded lipid vesicles, highlighting formulation strategies, surface engineering approaches, anticancer mechanisms, and preclinical evidence across various cancers. Lipid vesicle–mediated melittin delivery represents a promising strategy for improving the safety and therapeutic efficacy of peptide-based cancer treatment.
This study investigates the formulation–structure–function relationships of quercetin- and rutin-loaded nanoemulsions using a multivariate analytical approach. Nanoemulsions were prepared under varying polyphenol concentration, surfactant-to-oil ratio (SOR), and temperature, and characterized in terms of particle size, Z-potential, transparency, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, and total phenolic content). Response surface methodology (RSM) revealed distinct behaviors between systems, with quercetin nanoemulsions exhibiting nonlinear responses and strong interaction effects, while rutin systems showed smoother and more predictable trends. Correlation analysis indicated a strong coupling between structural and functional variables in quercetin systems, whereas rutin nanoemulsions displayed a more decoupled response pattern. Principal component analysis (PCA) further confirmed the separation between systems, with quercetin samples showing higher dispersion and rutin samples forming more compact clusters. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis identified polyphenol concentration as the dominant factor governing system behavior, while SOR exerted a secondary influence primarily on structural properties. Overall, quercetin nanoemulsions were characterized by a structure-sensitive behavior requiring careful optimization, whereas rutin systems exhibited a formulation-driven and more robust response. These findings highlight the critical role of molecular characteristics in determining nanoemulsion performance and demonstrate the value of multivariate approaches for the rational design of delivery systems for bioactive compounds.
This study addresses the limitations of synthetic hair dyes, such as potential carcinogenicity and allergies, and the drawbacks of conventional natural dyes, like long treatment times. The research proposes a safe and efficient hair dyeing system using dopamine (DA) and genipin (GP). When applied together, DA and GP undergo rapid self-assembly and cross-linking to coat hair, turning it black within 40 min without additives such as mordants or adhesives. The dyeing speed and color intensity can be controlled by adjusting the GP concentration. Evaluations using SEM, UV–Vis, and ATR–FTIR spectroscopy confirmed effective morphological changes, while MTT assays demonstrated low toxicity. Furthermore, the dyed hair exhibited high durability, maintaining its color even after dozens of shampooing cycles. This DA/GP dye system provides a promising natural alternative for rapid, safe, and long-lasting hair coloring.
Drug-loaded microneedles have emerged as an important alternative to traditional injection administration. 3D bioprinting technology, with its advantages of customization, provides a new route for the fabrication of microneedles. However, current drug-loaded microneedles still face several key issues, including matched-degree between materials and drug, the impact of manufacturing processes on drug activity, the safety evaluation of complex structures, and barriers to clinical translation. This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress in 3D-bioprinted drug-loaded microneedles, focusing on four aspects material selection, fabrication processes, structural design, and functional applications with clinical translation. Finally, this review provides an outlook on the drug loading capacity, the closed-loop drug release mechanisms, and the clinical standards for microneedles. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive reference for the development of 3D-bioprinted drug-loaded microneedles and to promote their clinical translation and application expansion in the field of drug delivery.
Bacterial anchoring and biofilm formation on engineering substrates cause severe medical and food-safety infections. We report a novel phase-transited lysozyme/polydopamine (PDTL) composite bilayer coating that eliminates these bottlenecks by coupling enzymatic hydrolysis with photothermal cleansing. The bottom polydopamine (PDA) layer provides robust interfacial anchoring and near-infrared photothermal shearing capabilities. Meanwhile, the highly transparent top phase-transited lysozyme (PTL) layer self-assembles via β-sheet-oriented stacking, preserving its chemical bactericidal activity. This structural architecture seamlessly synergizes localized physical heat dissipation with active bio-macromolecular lysis, achieving an exceptional 99.9% bactericidal efficiency while maintaining excellent mammalian cytocompatibility. Furthermore, cross-interface simulations demonstrate high material adaptability across diverse operational substrates, including polyethylene packaging polymers, clinical catheters, and medical sponges. This scalable, biomolecule-based strategy provides a spatiotemporally controllable, safe, and highly efficient design philosophy for advanced anti-infection interface engineering.
Achieving controlled intracellular co-delivery of polyphenol and miRNA requires nanocarriers that integrate stimulus-responsiveness, active targeting, and mechanistically defined release. Herein, we report the rational design of a six-component transferrin-functionalized, pH-sensitive liposomal nanoplatform (Tf-(DDL-pHSLs)) coencapsulating epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and miR-30a-5p. CHEMS drives lamellar-to-hexagonal phase transition under acidic pH; DDAB enables electrostatic miRNA complexation; DSPE-PEG2000-NH2 anchors covalent interaction with transferrin via cyanuric chloride coupling. All formulations displayed size distributions of similar to 95-160 nm (PDI < 0.3), and zeta potential of -36 to -42 mV, with encapsulation efficiencies >90% for both cargos. CHEMS protonation triggers non-linear size escalation (95 -> 350 nm) and charge neutralization (-36.8 -> -4.2 mV) at pH 4.5. Release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas anomalous transport (q = 0.525-0.738), mechanistically attributed to coupled bilayer relaxation-erosion. Tf-(DDL-pHSLs) showed enhanced cytotoxicity (IC50: 75.12 & micro;M) over non-targeted controls and 5-fluorouracil (97.50 & micro;M), establishing colloidal design-to-function framework for stimuli-responsive drug delivery.
This investigation examined the use of acoustic streaming as a mechanism to disrupt cake layer formation at a microfilter interface. A microfiltration model consisting of arrays of 10-& micro;m-wide microchannels, was examined. Fifteen-micron polystyrene particles were introduced to the microfilter, permitting the observation of cake layer formation. Three flow rates, 100 & micro;L h-1, 200 & micro;L h-1, and 300 & micro;L h-1, were used to introduce solids to the microfilter. Acoustic streaming was observed at a resonance frequency of 5.8 kHz with excitation voltages of 60 V and 90 V. Acoustic streaming was found to generate a vortex flow upstream of the filter, and this vortex in turn disrupted the cake layer and trapped particles, achieving an average 43% reduction in membrane pressure drop at 90 V when compared to passive conditions. These findings demonstrate that acoustic streaming can serve as a non-invasive method to improve microfilter performance and lifespan.
Understanding perceived product absorption remains challenging in cosmetic sensory science because evaluations often exhibit high inter-individual variability and limited reproducibility. This study investigated the relationship between perceived absorption and biometrological and tribological measurements on healthy volunteers. Absorption was defined as the disappearance of wetness together with increased resistance during spreading. Statistical analysis confirmed the absence of an operator effect, indicating that the observed variability originated primarily from intrinsic skin factors. Corneometry identified three hydration-based skin types, while tribological measurements performed on bare skin revealed an intrinsic factor termed skin responsiveness, distinguishing responsive from non-responsive skin independently of hydration level. During product application, three sensory absorption profiles emerged, associated with both hydration and skin responsiveness. Responsive skin exhibited stronger friction dynamics during rub-out. By integrating sensory analysis, biometrology and tribology, this work suggests that intrinsic tribological responsiveness of bare skin may contribute to the inter-individual variability commonly observed in perceived absorption.
Silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures were synthesized by femtosecond laser ablation (800 nm, 1 kHz) and incorporated into a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/collagen blend via electrospinning to obtain functional nanofibrous membranes. The study comprised three stages: nanoparticle synthesis, nanofiber fabrication and characterization, and evaluation of photocatalytic performance. UV-Vis spectroscopy of TiO2@Ag nanoparticles showed a gradual decrease in absorbance from the ultraviolet to infrared region and an estimated band gap of similar to 2.5 eV. FTIR analysis (500-3000 cm(-1)) confirmed successful incorporation of TiO2@Ag into the PAN/collagen matrix, while SEM revealed uniform nanofibers with an average diameter of similar to 100 nm. Photocatalytic activity was assessed by the degradation of methylene blue under light irradiation. The PAN/collagen/TiO2/Ag nanofibers exhibited markedly improved photodegradation efficiency, highlighting the role of nanofiber architecture and plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis in developing advanced materials for wastewater treatment.
Intratumoral bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum have been increasingly recognized as modulators of tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, motivating localized and antibiotic-free strategies for targeting tumorcolonizing bacteria. Herein, we developed an ultrasound-responsive liposomal nanodroplet (LPGD) co-loaded with gallium protoporphyrin IX (GaPPIX), doxorubicin (DOX), and perfluorohexane (PFH) for the coordinated treatment of F. nucleatum-colonized breast tumors. In this study, GaPPIX served as an antibiotic-free dualfunctional agent for both intratumoral bacterial eradication and ultrasound-activated tumor inhibition, while PFH endowed the nanodroplets with phase-transition-enhanced payload release and local intratumoral distribution under ultrasound irradiation. As a result, LPGD exhibited favorable ultrasound responsiveness, potent antibacterial activity, and enhanced antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, this work provides an antibiotic-free and ultrasound-amplified strategy for coordinated elimination of intratumoral bacteria and suppression of tumor, offering a promising approach for the treatment of F. nucleatum-associated breast tumors.
Implants are commonly used for tissue repair in clinical medicine. However, the regenerative effect is limited by the mismatch in physical properties and functionality between implant and perienchyma. Hydrogel coatings serve as an ideal "soft interface" between artificial medical devices and biological tissues, leveraging their exceptional hydrophilicity and biomimetic characteristics to play an indispensable role in enhancing the surface properties and functions of biomaterials. This review systematically summarized the fundamental materials science and interfacial engineering strategies underlying hydrogel coatings. Building upon their classification, the review deeply analyzes their intrinsic properties and unique advantages as implant coatings. Subsequently, it highlights state-of-the-art surface fabrication techniques and elucidates how rational functionalization enables the transition of coatings from passive barriers to active regulatory interfaces. Next, the clinical adaptability and therapeutic efficacy of hydrogel coatings are discussed across diverse medical domains. Finally, the article outlines emerging developmental directions for robust theoretical foundation and innovative technical pathways toward intelligent and precision-oriented medical coating systems. The flexible smart hydrogel coating links the tissue to hard device may build up the bridge of the tissue engineering and chemical material design to promote the rapid development of regenerative medicine field.
The physical microenvironment regulates cancer cell behavior through mechanical and geometrical cues. While surface topography is known to influence cell adhesion and proliferation, its effects on population-level behaviors and time-dependent adaptation remain unclear. Here, we developed a simple particle-coating method generate isotropic topographies (0.7 mu m and 2.26 mu m) directly in standard culture wells and applied it to melanoma cell lines. Topography did not affect viability but induced a more contractile morphology, reduced migration, and increased proliferation, with stronger effects for 2.26 mu m particles. Topography also induced biphasic proliferative response, with an initial increase followed by a later decline after serial passaging. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of metabolic and adhesion pathways, supporting early increases proliferation and adhesion while prolonged activation may cause metabolic stress and reduced proliferation. Overall, these topographies modulate melanoma behavior via adhesion and metabolism changes, offering simple platform to study time-dependent cellular responses.
Superhydrophilic surfaces show a broad array of potential applications in oil-water separation, self-cleaning, anti-fogging, and biomedical fields due to their unique wettability. By introducing hydrophilic groups and constructing rough structures, these surfaces enable rapid spreading and penetration of water droplets. This paper first introduces the theory of solid surface wettability and photo-induced superhydrophilicity, then systematically elaborates on various preparation methods for superhydrophilic surfaces as well as their uses in self-cleaning and oil-water separation. Despite significant advances, challenges persist in terms of practical implementation, including insufficient durability, difficulties in large-scale production, and relatively high costs. Future research should focus on developing mechanically stable, low-cost superhydrophilic surfaces for implementation in industrial and everyday applications.
The conventional treatment for periodontitis primarily involves mechanical debridement combined with antibiotic therapy. However, this approach faces limitations such as incomplete removal of bacterial biofilms, short intra-pocket drug retention time, and the risk of inducing antibiotic resistance. Sodium hyaluronate (HA), widely used in dental applications due to its excellent biocompatibility, is constrained by rapid degradation, which hampers sustained therapeutic efficacy. To address this, our study developed an injectable photocrosslinked hydrogel (HA-Furan, HA-F) through furan-modified HA, significantly prolonging its degradation time. Black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) were incorporated as a dual-functional nanomaterial, combining photothermal antibacterial activity with osteogenic induction. Their unique two-dimensional layered structure endows BPNSs with exceptional near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion efficiency. Under 808 nm NIR irradiation, BPNSs generate localized heat, denaturing bacterial proteins and enabling efficient eradication of pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Moreover, BPNSs gradually degrade into calcium phosphate nanoparticles in physiological environments, while mild photothermal therapy enhances osteoblast adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation. This synergistic effect significantly promotes alveolar bone regeneration, offering a critical driving force for periodontal repair. By integrating BPNSs into the HA-F hydrogel, we propose a minimally invasive and multifunctional strategy for periodontitis treatment, merging antibacterial efficacy with osteogenic potential. This strategy not only overcomes the limitations of conventional periodontal therapies but also provides a feasible clinical translation approach for the integrated treatment of periodontal infection and alveolar bone loss.
Experiments are conducted to elucidate how foams coarsen periodically in a periodic density wave oscillation in a two-phase natural circulation loop with seawater. This paper reports detailed data by image analysis on visualized foam coarsening dynamics and quantitative distributions of foamability, bubble size, aspect ratio, orientations, and coarsening rates for three stages of density wave oscillation. We have demonstrated a lamellalike foam regime after significant coarsening process characterized by a sharp decline in foamability. Such a unique lamella-like foam regime is with a mean thickness of 1.48 mm and the mean angle at which three foamlike lamellae intersect is 121o. The distinct characteristic normalized coarsening rate is captured. We confirm the dominant role by periodic mass flux inducing strong shear forces to foam coarsening. These findings offer critical guidance for modelling interfacial transport and optimizing heat transfer in energy-water systems.
Colloidal chitosan-integrated functional nanoparticles (CCIFN)-based multi-delivery carriers have considered as effective materials and biostructures for targeted drug delivery that offer improved therapeutic outcomes, controlled release mechanisms and reduced systemic toxicity. These nano-based carriers exhibit remarkable properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, mucoadhesion ability and tunable surface chemistry that make them highly adjustable for various biomedical applications. By applying functional nanoparticles, micelles, hydrogels and composite structures, multimodal CCIFNs assist the step-delivery of multiple therapeutic agents that enhance drug bioavailability and site-specific targeting while they can minimize off-target effects. In spite of the advantages these nanoplatforms, several challenges hinder the clinical translation of multimodal CCIFN-based drug delivery systems including solubility limitations, molecular weight (MW) variability and large-scale production difficulties. More research works is required to refine their physicochemical properties, to optimize manufacturing processes and to address regulatory concerns for broader clinical adoption. Affirmation of these systems in precision medicine is being boosted by developments in stimuli-responsive formulations, chemical alterations and nanotechnology-based methodologies. Effectiveness and selectivity of CCIFN-based carriers are further enriched by the incorporation of functionalized bioactive compounds, ligands and externally driven release mechanisms.
Advances in research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based drug delivery systems for breast cancer treatment have demonstrated the immense potential of MOFs as crystalline porous materials with periodic network structures, owing to their large specific surface area, high porosity, tunable pore size, and ease of chemical functionalization. This review summarizes the multimodal synergistic strategies and clinical translation challenges of MOFs as carriers for loading various molecules, including chemotherapeutic drugs and photosensitizers, in breast cancer treatment encompassing chemodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. Studies have shown that MOFs can not only control the release of loaded substances through endogenous and exogenous means but also exhibit immunogenicity, enabling the reversal of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and the initiation of immunogenic cell death, thereby significantly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer. Despite challenges such as biodegradability, metabolic dynamics, scalable production, and quality control in biomedical applications, the prospects of MOFs as nanocarrier materials in breast cancer treatment remain promising.
