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This study investigates the accuracy of stereolithography (SLA)-printed occlusal devices fabricated at orientations of 0° and 45°, addressing a gap in the literature regarding printing orientation, technology and clinical performance. Despite their nascent application, the clinical performance of these materials remains largely unexplored. The primary objective was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 3D-printed occlusal devices (OC) in a prospective, double-blind study involving 40 participants divided into four groups: conventionally fabricated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) occlusal devices (CPMMA), CAD/CAM milled PMMA (MPMMA), and 3D-printed OCs at 0 degrees (3D 0°) and 45 degrees (3D 45°). Conventional impressions and gypsum casts were digitized and designed for milling from PMMA blocks, while the 3D-printed groups used Dental LT resin (Formlabs, Sommerville, MA, USA) in a Form 2 printer (Formlabs, MA, USA). Clinical assessments were conducted at baseline and six months post-treatment, focusing on OC surface roughness, OC surface wear, antagonist tooth wear, occlusal device fit, and therapeutic efficacy. One-way ANOVA and post hoc tests were applied for statistical analysis. Results showed no significant therapeutic differences among groups, although all participants exhibited improvements in palpation and mandibular movement scores (p > 0.001). No significant difference was observed in surface wear between the MPMMA and 3D 0° groups, while the difference between the other groups was significant (p < 0.001). Significant antagonist tooth wear variations (p < 0.001) were noted, with the MPMMA and 3D 0° groups showing less wear compared to the control group. The findings indicate that 3D-printed occlusal devices yield clinically acceptable outcomes, demonstrating performance comparable to traditional materials, with printing orientation potentially influencing antagonist tooth wear. The 3D-printed OC demonstrates adequate surface roughness, wear resistance, device fit, and therapeutic efficacy.

The effective treatment of skin wounds remains a challenge, largely due to complications from bacterial infections. In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibrous membranes incorporated with azithromycin (AZ) were fabricated via electrospinning as a novel antibacterial wound dressing. The morphology, chemical composition, and wettability of the nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and contact angle analysis, respectively. Antibacterial evaluations demonstrated that increasing AZ concentration significantly enhanced the inhibition zones, confirming strong antibacterial performance. Furthermore, in vivo experiments on Staphylococcus aureus–infected rat wounds revealed that the PVDF/PEO/AZ membranes effectively suppressed suppuration and maintained a cleaner wound surface. These results highlight the potential of AZ-loaded PVDF/PEO nanofiber dressings as promising candidates for advanced wound care, combining biocompatibility, structural integrity, and sustained antibacterial activity.

Background: Sepsis-induced inflammation and oxidative stress lead to multi-organ dysfunction with limited treatment options. Biomaterials with intrinsic immunomodulatory properties may offer a novel therapeutic strategy. Materials and Methods: A physically crosslinked hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and tannic acid (TA) was developed. Its physicochemical properties and cytocompatibility were evaluated. In vitro models using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC), Human Kidney-2 Cell (HK-2), and Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma G2 Cell (HepG2) cells were used to simulate LPS-induced inflammatory injury. A triple-cell co-culture system was established to assess cytokine crosstalk and hydrogel intervention. Results: The hydrogel exhibited favorable swelling, degradation, and cytocompatibility. LPS stimulation induced significant cell injury, ROS elevation, mitochondrial disruption, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Hydrogel treatment restored cell viability, reduced ROS, preserved mitochondrial morphology, and suppressed TNF-β, IL-6, and IL-1β while upregulating IL-10. These effects persisted in the co-culture model. Conclusion: The PVA/CMC/TA hydrogel effectively attenuates LPS-induced cellular and immunological injury through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This drug-free biomaterial shows promise as a supportive therapeutic platform for sepsis-related inflammatory disorders.

Traditional synthetic polymers pose significant risks to the environment, and native starch-based films usually have impaired mechanical strength and lack physical functionality. This paper explores the physical, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of the first biocomposite films made of arrowroot thermoplastic starch (AS) reinforced with different concentrations (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). The films were made by a more traditional solution-casting technique in a combination of glycerol and sorbitol as a plasticizer. The findings showed that there was a positive relationship between GNP loading and film thickness, with density reaching a maximum loading of 1% and then levelling off because of the agglomeration effect of fillers. Mechanical testing results showed that the addition of 5% GNP maximized the strength of the material, where the tensile strength was a maximum of 2.83 MPa, and the Young’s modulus was 128.25 MPa, which was a great improvement over that of the neat starch control. Interestingly, the elongation at break was highest with 3% GNP loading (14.37%), and this indicated an optimum ductile balance. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) verified that low-to-moderate loadings resulted in dense and integrated microstructure, whereas higher concentrations (10%) resulted in high agglomeration of GNP and micro-voiding. Further tests showed that GNP reinforcement enhances thermal stability and resistive response by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and electrical characterisation, respectively. These results are indicative of the fact that optimised AS/GNP biocomposites are a potential, environmentally appropriate, and inexpensive substitute for the next generation of flexible electronic sensors and devices.

Background: Thyroid cancer remains the most common endocrine malignancy, and a subset of patients exhibit aggressive invasion and recurrence. Conventional two-dimensional culture models fail to replicate the three-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironment, underscoring the need for biomimetic scaffolds to study invasion and therapy response. Methods: GelMA/SA double-network hydrogels with different ratios (3:1, 1:1, 1:3) were fabricated by sequential photocrosslinking and ionic crosslinking. Their swelling, degradation, and mechanical properties were characterized, and microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell lines (TPC-1 and BCPAP) were encapsulated to evaluate viability, morphology, and invasive behavior. Results: The hydrogel composition strongly influenced structural and biological performance. SA-rich gels showed excessive swelling, rapid degradation, and poor pore formation, while GelMA-rich gels were stable but less porous. The intermediate 1:1 formulation exhibited balanced swelling and degradation, uniform pores, and enhanced tensile and compressive strength. Encapsulated cells in the 1:1 gels displayed robust viability, extended pseudopodia, and maintained expression of invasion-related markers(N-cadherin, MMP-9). Conclusion: The GelMA: SA = 1:1 double-network hydrogel provides the most favorable microenvironment for thyroid cancer cell invasion modeling, combining porosity, stability, and bioactivity. This 3D platform offers a reliable tool for mechanistic studies and therapeutic evaluation in thyroid cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate whether the combination of Vitapex paste and minocycline hydrochloride ointment offers superior therapeutic benefits for combined periodontal–endodontic lesions. A total of 109 patients with combined periodontal-endodontic lesions treated in our hospital were prospectively selected and divided into a control group (n = 54, treated with minocycline hydrochloride ointment + iodoform-zinc oxide eugenol paste) and a study group (n = 55, treated with minocycline hydrochloride ointment + Vitapex paste) using a random number table. The treatment lasted for eight weeks in both groups. The periodontal status [gingival index (GI), plaque index (PLI), clinical attachment level (CAL), and probing depth (PD)], levels of inflammatory cytokines in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], pain degree and tooth function were also compared. The study group achieved a higher total effective rate compared with the control group (96.36% vs. 83.33%). After treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in GI, PLI, CAL, PD, and GCF levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α, with greater improvements observed in the study group. Pain scores (VAS, PPI, PRI) also decreased more markedly in the study group. Furthermore, occlusal force and masticatory efficiency improved significantly in both groups, with superior enhancement in the study group. Root canal injection of Vitapex paste combined with minocycline hydrochloride ointment demonstrates superior clinical efficacy in treating combined periodontal-endodontic lesions, effectively reducing inflammation, improving periodontal parameters, relieving pain, and enhancing tooth function.

Dental caries remains a significant health issue in pediatric populations, necessitating effective non-invasive treatments that promote remineralization and inhibit demineralization. This study investigates the efficacy of poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGGA), a natural biodegradable polypeptide, in preventing mineral loss and enhancing enamel repair in deciduous teeth. Study utilizing a pH cycling model mimicking oral environment showed that artificial caries lesions were treated with 1% and 2% PGGA with/without hydroxyapatite and compared to sodium fluoride (NaF) treatments. It was found that 2% PGGA markedly increased calcium uptake and integrated mineral recovery to a greater extent than some NaF concentrations. In-depth remineralization was evidenced by a cross-sectional microhardness study. These results advocate PGGA as an effective biomimetic material in the treatment of early childhood caries and a potential substitute for traditional fluoride therapies.

Purpose: This study investigates the comprehensive performance of high-modulus asphalt mixtures (HMAM) with a focus on their climate-specific suitability, which is insufficiently addressed in existing research. Methodology: Four asphalt mixtures—70-penetration asphalt, styrene butadiene–styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt, HMAM-Lubao, and HMAM-H7686—were evaluated using wheel-tracking (rutting), low-temperature bending, water stability, and uniaxial compression tests. An improved analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to assign indicator weights across different climate zones. Findings: HMAMs exhibited superior rutting resistance, water stability, and modulus compared with conventional and SBS-modified mixtures. Among them, HMAM-H7686 ranked highest in hot and rainy zones, while HMAM-Lubao demonstrated more balanced performance in colder climates. Value: This study establishes an adaptable and transparent evaluation framework by integrating multi index laboratory testing with an improved AHP method. The framework provides practical guidance for selecting asphalt mixtures according to climate zones, supporting more durable pavement design and construction.

Background: Photothermal hydrogels enable noninvasive, light-controlled drug delivery for neural therapy. However, achieving stable mechanics and biocompatibility under NIR irradiation remains challenging. Methods: A PVA–GelMA@rGO nanocomposite hydrogel was fabricated by photopolymerization to integrate rGO’s photothermal activity and ibuprofen loading capacity. Its structure, mechanical strength, photothermal performance, drug release, and biological responses were systematically evaluated. Results: The incorporation of rGO improved hydrogel compactness, modulus, and photothermal conversion, enabling stepwise ibuprofen release under NIR stimulation. The hydrogel showed excellent cytocompatibility with PC12 cells and significantly reduced IL-6 and TNF-α expression, indicating strong anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The PVA–GelMA@rGO hydrogel provides an efficient and biocompatible platform for NIR-triggered, on-demand drug release and neu roinflammation control, offering promising potential for neural repair and pain modulation applications.

Background: Gastric cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and the development of effective, targeted drug delivery systems is crucial to improve therapeutic outcomes. Graphene oxide (GO)-based nanocarriers have shown promise for controlled drug release, yet their biological evaluation remains limited. Methods: We synthesized a composite nanoparticle system by electrostatic self-assembly of chitosan (CS) onto graphene oxide (GO), followed by doxorubicin (DOX) loading. The resulting GO–CS–DOX nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and pH responsive release profiles. Preliminary biological performance was evaluated in gastric cancer cells (AGS), including dose–response cytotoxicity and fluorescence-based uptake studies. Results: GO–CS DOXnanoparticles showed a clear pH-dependent DOX release behavior, with accelerated release under mildly acidic conditions. DLS and zeta potential measurements confirmed successful drug loading and changes in surface charge. In vitro, GO–CS–DOX demonstrated comparable or slightly enhanced cytotoxicity relative to free DOX at specific concentrations. Cellular uptake of DOX was observed under acidic conditions, consistent with lysosomal trafficking. However, only preliminary in vitro data were collected and no mechanistic apoptosis studies were performed. Conclusion: This study presents the design and initial evaluation of a pH-responsive GO–CS–DOX nanocarrier. While the in vitro results indicate potential for controlled drug release and tumor-targeted delivery, the biological findings are still limited and should be interpreted as preliminary. Further in-depth studies, including apoptosis assays and in vivo validation, are necessary to fully establish therapeutic efficacy.