Cryptomelane (K-OMS-2) (K(Mn4+, Mn2+)8O16) is a manganese-oxide mineral that is abundant in soils and rock coatings globally and is gaining importance in materials science and industrial mineralogy. The crystal structure is composed of 2 × 2 octahedra that creates a tunnel space for K+. Low-weight percent (wt

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a distinct class of fluorescent nanomaterials distinguished by their tunable physicochemical properties, ultrasmall size, exceptional photoluminescence, versatile surface chemistry, high biocompatibility, and chemical stability, positioning them as promising candidates for biomedical applications ranging from sensing and imaging to drug delivery and theranostics. As CDs increasingly transition toward biological and clinical use, a fundamental understanding of their interactions with biological membranes becomes essential, as cellular membranes govern nanoparticle uptake, intracellular transport, and therapeutic performance. Model membrane systems, such as phospholipid vesicles and liposomes, offer controllable platforms to elucidate CD-membrane interactions by isolating key physicochemical variables otherwise obscured in complex biological environments. Recent studies demonstrate that CD surface chemistry, charge, heteroatom doping, size, and hydrophobicity, together with membrane composition, packing density, and phase behavior, dictate nanoparticle adsorption, insertion, diffusion, and membrane perturbation. In addition, CD-liposome hybrid systems have gained momentum as multifunctional nanoplatforms that couple the fluorescence and traceability of CDs with the encapsulation capacity and biocompatibility of lipid vesicles, enabling imaging-guided drug delivery and responsive theranostic systems. This review consolidates current insights into the mechanistic principles governing CD interactions with model membranes and highlights advances in CD-liposome hybrid nanostructures. By bridging fundamental nanoscale interactions with translational nanomedicine strategies, this work provides a framework for the rational design of next-generation CD-based biointerfaces with optimized structural, optical, and biological performance.

Background This study involved improving solubility of ondansetron HCl (ODN-HCl) through solid dispersion followed by its inclusion into orodispersible films (ODFs) for improved chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) management. Research design and methods Face-centered central composite design (FCCD) was used to optimize ODN-HCl solid dispersions through the combination of PEG 6000 and PVP K30 carriers. Solvent-evaporation method was used for SD preparation and characterized for solubility, particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index. The optimized SD obtained integrated into ODFs of HPMC E50 matrix was evaluated for thickness, disintegration time, in-vitro drug release, and ex-vivo permeability. Results The FCCD yielded quadratic mathematical models (p < 0.0001) which indicated PEG 6000 and PVP K30 were key determinants for SD properties. Optimized SDs presented increased solubility levels of 4.5 times (0.2685 mg/ml compared to pure drug solubility of 0.0252 mg/ml) combined with lowered crystal formation that XRD and DSC measurements confirmed. The ODFs showed a quick disintegration time (<35 s) that combined with uniform drug distribution (90%) and drug release exceeding 90% within 10 min. Stability tests across six months maintained uniform results. Conclusion The FCCD-optimized SDs increased ODN-HCl solubility with ODF delivery system which supports rapid drug release for CINV therapy. [GRAPHICS]

The goal of this study was to fabricate gelatin cross-linked Locust bean gum (LBG)/guar gum-based hydrogels with microwave assistance for diabetic wound healing applications and evaluate it for physicochemical properties. In the last few years, microwave irradiation has gained acceptance as a reliable technique for quickening and streamlining chemically modified reactions. In order to achieve this, metformin-loaded LBG and guar gum-based hydrogel were formulated employing microwave radiation. Moreover, the microwave-assisted-based metformin hydrogel are microwave-assisted reaction sudden increase in temperature may led to distortion of molecules, very vigorous and which may be hazardous, but environmental sustainability and friendly chemistry concepts are supported by microwave irradiation. The optimized formulation (F3) showed significantly improved physicochemical properties, with a swelling capacity of 480.4% +/- 2.5%. The results indicate an appropriate duration for adequate drugs diffusion and nutrition exchange. Controlled disintegrate and sustained release of embedded drug molecules from F3 may have an impact on antibacterial activity. The study indicated that microwave-assisted polymer blend hydrogels had adequately improved physical qualities, making them a promising candidate for improving diabetic wound healing and hastening skin tissue regeneration.

Bandgap engineering through the control of strain can be accomplished through many means, such as applying strain epitaxially that typically requires complicated growth and/or material processing. An alternative is applying a one-time shock wave to GaAs, transforming the material to a precisely controllable, permanently pressurized structure. In this study, laser-driven flyer plate experiments were conducted in crystalline GaAs to probe permanent structural changes induced by shock compression. Detailed characterizations after the shock were conducted at the center of the compression through photoluminescence (PL), time-resolved PL, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. While PL peak positions shifted nonlinearly with increasing pressure, the peak linewidths increased linearly. PL lifetimes shortened with the application of pressure, showing evidence of more defects. The XRD displayed peak shifts and peak broadening with increasing pressure, with a possible systematic decrease in crystallite sizes. The observed transverse optical (TO) and longitudinal optical Raman modes showed nonlinear peak shifts, while the TO mode exhibited linewidth broadening. The results indicate the presence of strong disorders and a high degree of inhomogeneous strain in the shocked material. The compressed GaAs appear to have highly localized regions with smaller grains.

Ocular infections remain a significant global health challenge, necessitating advanced drug delivery systems to overcome the limitations of conventional formulations. Ofloxacin (Ofx), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, exhibits restricted ocular bioavailability due to poor corneal permeability and rapid precorneal clearance. This study aimed to develop a niosomal gel formulation to enhance Ofx delivery by improving corneal penetration. Niosomal suspensions were prepared via thin-film hydration using four non-ionic surfactants (Span 60, Span 80, Tween 20, Tween 80) at two drug: surfactant: cholesterol ratios (1:1:1 and 1:2:1). The optimized formulation was selected based on particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation efficiency (EE

Polymer nanocomposites incorporating perovskite (PV) nanoparticles have recently emerged as highly promising materials for optoelectronic and photonic devices. In this work, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) were performed in PV-based polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite films. The steady-state PL measurements revealed linearly increasing emission as excitation intensities ramped up, followed by a saturation. The optical limiting was scalable through the PV concentrations and is likely due to creation of maximum number of electron–hole (e–h) pairs in the system. The presence of a PDMS altered the multi-exponential PL decay significantly, both in terms of underlying mechanism and the associated timescales. The introduction of PDMS changed a 3-component exponential decay of PV into a 2-component mechanism and reduced the total timescale of decay from 16 ns to ~6 ns.

Nanotechnology presents an entirely new era in the area of applied medical science, from diagnosis to treatment or prevention of various diseases. This chapter reviews the principle of nanotechnology and the wide range of its applications within the medical science boundaries. Targeted drug delivery, improved image-formation techniques, and advanced diagnostic tools constitute the most diversified applications in nanomedicines, which include the use of nanoparticles, nanorobots, and nanosensors. One of the applications of nanotechnology in medicine has marked a paradigm shift toward extremely personalized medicine where highly particular treatment plans can become possible. This chapter will therefore describe the type of nanomaterials deployed for medical applications, the functional mechanism of these materials, and potential benefits and risks from their use. The discussion also considers the recent breakthroughs in this area of study and those that are under research with promising prospects for transforming health care through nanotechnology. Only by comprehending the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine will researchers and medical professionals recognize the potential benefits of these breakthroughs for patients with complex issues.

Abstract: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have gained considerable attention in drug delivery due to their superparamagnetic characteristics. SPIONs have a greater surface-to-volume ratio, size, superficial chemistry, and superparamagnetic characteristics, which allow them to be covered by external magnetic fields. These properties make SPIONs promising nanoparticles for drug delivery systems. A great advantage of the superparamagnetic characteristics is magnetic properties. SPIONs are magnetic and thoroughly demagnetized when the field of the electromagnet is pulled out. These characteristics permit their targeted delivery to a particular tissue or cell following a magnetic field. Furthermore, SPIONs can be fabricated with particular ligands, such as peptides or antibodies, to increase their efficiency in desired cells or tissues. This permits delivery, particularly to the desired cell type, increases therapeutic activity, and reduces off-target effects. Moreover, SPIONs exhibit imaging characteristics. However, this review highlights the capabilities of SPIONs for targeted drug delivery to reduce tumor cell toxicity.

Drug delivery through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the key challenges in the modern era of medicine due to the highly semipermeable characteristics of BBB that restrict the entry of various drugs into the central nervous system (CNS) for the management of brain disorders. Drugs can be easily incorporated into carbon nanocarriers that can cross the bloodbrain barrier. Numerous nanocarriers have been developed, including polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles, etc. Among these, carbon nanostructures could be superior due to their easier BBB penetration and strong biocompatibility. Several CDs (Carbon dots) and CD-ligand conjugates have explored effectively penetrating the BBB, which enables significant progress in using CD-based drug delivery systems (DDS) to manage CNS diseases. Despite the drug delivery applications, they might also be used as a central nervous system (CNS) drug; few of the carbon nanostructures show profound neurodegenerative activity. Further, their impact on neuronal growth and anti- amyloid action is quite interesting. The present study covers diverse carbon nanostructures for brain-targeted drug delivery, exploring a variety of CNS activities. Moreover, it emphasizes recent patents on carbon nanostructures for CNS disorders.

There is a significant burden on public health caused by the extensive cost of wound management therapy, the prolonged healing process associated with wounds, and the unpredictable nature of its effect on physiological processes throughout the body. Quercetin (QT), a flavonoid that occurs in vegetables and fruits, is well-known, due to its pharmaceutical benefits, which include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this work was to develop a microwave-assisted guar gum (GG) and sodium alginate (SA) composite quercetin-loaded polymeric film by the solvent casting technique and subsequently evaluate it for several characteristics necessary for wound healing. Methods used to examine this effect include the use of microwaves: electromagnetic radiation that has a frequency that ranges from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. They have been utilized for the production of films and to improve their mechanical characteristics. To examine the results, the interaction of GG and SA was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal evaluation (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)). The antimicrobial study of optimized film (F3) against Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 2940 and Escherichia coli MTCC 1195, as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 424, were determined by the agar well diffusion method. The MTT test demonstrated that the film is not harmful to the NIH3T3 fibroblast cell line. The F3 film showed 96.5% ± 0.34% wound healing efficacy in the Wistar rat model evaluated against the untreated disease control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this research study states the formulation of polymeric film based on the GG-SA conjugate loaded with QT that improves physical characteristics, making them a strong candidate to accelerate the regeneration of skin tissue and improve the chronic wound healing process.

We present a mathematical model capable of the calculation of semiconductor melting temperatures. Notably, and quite different from previous attempts, the procedure does not require specific knowledge about the thermodynamics of the materials and is based on the Fan equation and the 1/e rule, also known as the 37% rule. Employing this new model, we calculated melting temperatures for 14 semiconductors spanning a wide range of bandgap energies. The results found are in good agreement with previous theoretical and experimental values reported in the literature, establishing the strength of the model in spite of its simplicity. The model also unifies elements and compounds with representative linear trends, showcasing the potential for future expansion.