In this study, we fabricated three dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) with 50% HV content. P(HB-50HV) was biosynthesized from bacteria Cupriavidus necator H16 and the in vitro proliferation of dental cells for tissue engineering application was evaluated. Comparisons were made with scaffolds prepared by poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-12%hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-12HV)), and polycaprolactone (PCL). The water contact angle results indicated a hydrophobic character for all polymeric films. All fabricated scaffolds exhibited a high porosity of 90% with a sponge-like appearance. The P(HB-50HV) scaffolds were distinctively different in compressive modulus and was the material with the lowest stiffness among all scaffolds tested between the dry and wet conditions. The human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) cultured onto the P(HB-50HV) scaffold adhered to the scaffold and exhibited the highest proliferation with a healthy morphology, demonstrating excellent cell compatibility with P(HB-50HV) scaffolds. These results indicate that the P(HB-50HV) scaffold could be applied as a biomaterial for periodontal tissue engineering and stem cell applications.

Carbon dots (CDs) are promising tools for in situ tracking in biological systems. However, the majority of CDs are excited by ultraviolet (UV) light, which is harmful and can potentially cause negative effects on biological organisms. Herein, visible-light-excited CDs were developed in order to reduce the cellular toxicity of the excitation wavelength. Three structures of sugar precursors were used to demonstrate the effect of the sugar structure on the carbonisation of carbon dots in a domestic microwave. The results revealed that a sugar with a 5-membered ring more effectively promoted carbon-core formation than a sugar with a 6-membered ring. However, changing the excitation properties of the carbon dots toward the visible region was dominated by the carbon-dot surface, not the carbon core. The carbon dots obtained from our study showed a high quantum yield%, compared with other sugar-derived carbon dots obtained using a microwave, at 20.28%. In addition, doping with different acids caused a change in the core and surface of the carbon dots. The quantum yield% also increased to a maximum of 37.81% when doping with nitric acid, which proved to be the effect of the core crystallinity increasing. However, doping with phosphoric acid gave the best visible-light-excited carbon dots, since the excitation wavelength significantly shifted from 400 to 460 nm. The emission of the phosphoric-acid-doped carbon dots was at 554 nm. The energy band structures of the visible-light-excited carbon dots were illustrated and discussed according to their core and surface chemistry. The fluorescence under visible light enhanced the biocompatibility for biosensing or bioimaging applications.

Background and Aim: Public health and food safety are gaining attention globally. Consumer health can be protected from chemical residues in meat by early detection or screening for antibiotic residues before selling the meat commercially. However, conventional practices are normally applied after slaughtering, which leads to massive business losses. This study aimed to use portable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) equipped with multivariate curve resolution-alternation least squares (MCR-ALS) to determine the concentrations of enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and neomycin concentrations. This approach can overcome the problems of business loss, costs, and time-consumption, and limit of detection (LOD). Materials and Methods: Aqueous solutions of three standard antibiotics (enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and neomycin) with different concentrations were prepared, and the LOD for each antibiotic solution was determined using SERS. Extracted pig urine was spiked with enrofloxacin at concentrations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 10,000 ppm. These solutions were investigated using SERS and MCR-ALS analysis. Urine samples from pigs at 1 and 7 days after enrofloxacin administration were collected and investigated using SERS and MCR-ALS to differentiate the urinary enrofloxacin concentrations. Results: The LOD of enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and neomycin in aqueous solutions were 0.5, 2.0, and 100 ppm, respectively. Analysis of enrofloxacin spiking in pig urine samples demonstrated the different concentrations of enrofloxacin at 10, 20, 50, 100, and 10,000 ppm. The LOD of spiking enrofloxacin was 10 ppm, which was 10 times lower than the regulated value. This technique was validated for the first time using urine collected on days 1 and 7 after enrofloxacin administration. The results revealed a higher concentration of enrofloxacin on day 7 than on day 1 due to consecutive administrations. The observed concentration of enrofloxacin was closely correlated with its circulation time and metabolism in pigs. Conclusion: A combination of SERS sensing platform and MCR-ALS is a promising technique for on-farming screening. This platform can increase the efficiency of antibiotic detection in pig urine at lower costs and time. Expansion and fine adjustments of the Raman dataset may be required for individual farms to achieve higher sensitivity.

The Loy Krathong Festival, a cherished cultural event in Thailand, poses significant environmental challenges due to the use of non-biodegradable materials in traditional krathongs. This study presents the development of mycelium-based krathongs (MBKs) using Pleurotus pulmonarius, lignocellulosic sawdust, and ground water hyacinth in two substrate ratios (50:50 and 80:20), designed as biodegradable floating offerings embedded with Ipomoea aquatica (morning glory) seeds to enhance ecological benefits. MBKs exhibited low density (0.30–0.35 g/cm³) for buoyancy and compressive strengths of 6.18 MPa (50:50) and 5.83 MPa (80:20). Water contact angle tests revealed higher hydrophobicity in the 80:20 composite (127.13°) vs 50:50 (70.73°). Seed germination showed high viability, and soil burial tests confirmed significant biodegradation within 28 d. SEM imaging displayed uniform mycelial networks, enhancing structural integrity. This study underscores the potential of MBKs as sustainable alternatives for traditional krathongs, offering a regenerative solution that aligns cultural heritage with environmental restoration and waste valorization. By integrating biodegradable materials and seeding plants, MBKs contribute to ecosystem recovery post-festival, setting a benchmark for eco-conscious cultural practices in Thailand.