The use of topical and transdermal drug delivery systems for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has transformed pain management, inflammation, and skin conditions. This analysis highlights the topical and transdermal applications of ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and flurbiprofen, highlighting their excellent skin permeability and localized pain relief, as well as an evaluation of their safety in such applications. Their compatibility with diverse formulations, minimal systemic side effects, and widespread use in commercial products makes them ideal candidates for skin research and targeted therapy. Advances in transdermal delivery processes, such as the use of chemical enhancers, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, vesicular systems, and hydrogels, have enhanced NSAID penetration and bioavailability. Physical techniques like iontophoresis and sonophoresis further enhance the transport of drugs across the stratum corneum of the skin. These approaches and processes enable more efficient and localized treatment of inflammatory conditions. The review emphasizes the need for continued innovation, interdisciplinary processes, and collaboration to overcome existing challenges. Future developments in nanotechnology and advanced drug delivery systems have the capability to enhance the effectiveness and safety of NSAIDs, paving the way for novel therapeutic solutions in managing pain and inflammation.

Photocatalytic H₂ production is one of the most promising approaches for sustainable energy. The literature presents a plethora of carefully designed systems aimed at harnessing solar energy and converting it into chemical energy. However, the main drawback of the reported photocatalysts is their stability. Thus, the development of a cost-effective and stable photocatalyst, suitable for real-world applications remains a challenge. An ideal photocatalyst for H₂ production must possess appropriate band-edge energy positions, an effective sacrificial agent, and a suitable cocatalyst. Among the various photocatalysts studied, TiO₂ stands out due to its stability, abundance, and non-toxicity. However, its efficiency in the visible spectrum is limited by its wide bandgap. Metal doping is an effective strategy to enhance electron–hole separation and improve light absorption efficiency, thereby boosting H₂ synthesis. Common metal cocatalysts used as TiO₂ dopants include platinum (Pt), gold (Au), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), ruthenium (Ru), iron (Fe), and silver (Ag), as well as bimetallic combinations such as Ni-Fe, Ni-Cu, Nb-Ta, and Ni-Pt. In all cases, doped TiO₂ exhibits higher H₂ production performance compared to undoped TiO₂, as metals provide additional reaction sites and enhance charge separation. The use of bimetallic dopants further optimizes the hydrogen evolution reaction. Additionally, porphyrins, with their strong visible light absorption and efficient electron transfer properties, have demonstrated potential in TiO₂ photocatalysis. Their incorporation expands the photocatalyst’s light absorption range into the visible spectrum, enhancing H₂ production efficiency. This review paper explores the principles and advancements in metal- and porphyrin-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts, highlighting their potential for sustainable hydrogen production.

This study investigates the development and evaluation of anti-photoaging creams enriched with natural extracts from avocado, apple, and kiwi by-products, with and without nanobubbles (NBs), focusing on their antioxidant, photoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties. Extract-containing creams showed significantly higher antioxidant capacity, particularly in the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay (S: 710.4 ± 344.3, NB: 566.3 ± 185.0, X: 202.8 ± 145.6 μmol TE/g DW at production; S: 631.7 ± 277.8, NB: 1019.3 ± 574.0, X: 449.8 ± 43.9 μmol TE/g DW after 1 month; p < 0.05), indicating up to a 250% improvement compared to the base cream and stable antioxidant activity during storage. The sun protection factor (SPF) increased in extract-containing creams after storage (8.7 ± 0.8 → 9.5 ± 0.6; p < 0.05). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) with Strat-M^® membranes revealed enhanced penetration of active compounds in enriched creams, while NBs did not significantly change absorption profiles. Platelet aggregation assays showed markedly lower half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in extract-enriched creams compared to the base cream for both the platelet-activating factor (PAF) pathway (S: 300.0 ± 42.0, NB: 258.0 ± 31.0 vs. X: 685.0 ± 35.0; after 1 month S: 325.0 ± 50.0, NB: 275.0 ± 42.0 vs. X: 885.0 ± 112.0; p < 0.05) and the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) pathway (S: 450.0 ± 65.0, NB: 400.0 ± 31.0 vs. X: 880.0 ± 58.0; after 1 month S: 470.0 ± 52.0, NB: 412.0 ± 42.0 vs. X: 1102.0 ± 125.0; p < 0.05). In silico analysis was also performed to demonstrate the ligand/protein complex with the strongest affinity to the PAF receptor. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of fruit by-products as sustainable, multifunctional cosmetic ingredients supporting circular economy principles.

Exposure to excessive concentrations of fluoride in potable water is harmful to human health; therefore, its limitation is deemed necessary. Among the commonly applied technologies, adsorption is selected, as it is a highly effective, simple, and economically efficient treatment. In the present study, several combinations of chitosan (CS), orange peels (OP), activated carbon (AC), and MgO were synthesized and tested as adsorbents in order to find the most effective derivative for fluoride extraction. The impact of the adsorbent dosage, pH level, contact time, and initial concentration was investigated to assess the feasibility of the chitosan/orange peels/activated carbon@MgO composite. According to the results, the modification of chitosan with AC, OP, and MgO in a unique adsorbent (CS/OP/AC@MgO), especially in acidic conditions (pH 3.0 ± 0.1) by using 1.0 g/L of the adsorbent, demonstrated the highest efficiency in F removal, up to 97%. The pseudo-second (PSO) order model and Langmuir isotherm model fit better to the experimental results, especially for CS/OP/AC@MgO, providing a Q_m = 26.92 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. The structure and morphology of the modified OP/CS@AC-Mg were extensively characterized using BET, XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques.

The temporal dynamics and statistical properties of air nanobubbles (NBs) in ultrapure water were investigated using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Statistical analysis of NB lifetimes reveals a strong correlation between bubble size and persistence. The mean bubble diameter increases rapidly from ~100 nm for short-lived detections to a characteristic size of about 500 nm for bubbles surviving longer than 40 frames, after which the size remains approximately constant. The population of detected NBs decreases monotonically with increasing lifetime, approximately following an exponential decay. Temporal analysis of the cumulative population yields a scaling exponent of ~0.6, indicating correlated fluctuations rather than independent stochastic events. Spatial observations confirm that NBs are separated by micrometer-scale distances, excluding direct bubble–bubble interactions. The combined statistical and imaging results support a picture in which NBs behave as dynamically coupled gas domains embedded within localized dissolved-gas microenvironments. The observed non-monotonic population dynamics cannot be explained by irreversible dissolution alone. Instead, the data indicate that NBs undergo continuous cycles of dissolution and replenishment. Within this framework, localized gas micro-domains, potentially exhibiting non-extensive behaviour, evolve dynamically and act as transient reservoirs. Upon bubble disappearance, these regions persist and diffuse, while their interaction may locally restore conditions for nucleation. This mechanism provides a physically consistent explanation for the observed cyclic behaviour and the apparent persistence of NBs beyond classical predictions.

Two hemostatic bionanocomposite dressings were developed using natural, semi-natural (or semi-synthetic) and synthetic polymers. The first system consisted of chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (CS/PVA/CMC), while the second was based on CS, PVA, and starch (SR) (CS/PVA/SR). Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and bicyclic monoterpene camphor (CP) ketone were incorporated as bioactive agents in order to enhance antimicrobial and hemostatic performance. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful solvent casting synthesis of the dressings and the interactions between the biopolymers and additives. XRD analysis indicated a predominantly amorphous structure, while SEM images and EDS analysis revealed uniform dispersion of ZnO particles within the polymer matrices without aggregation. Furthermore, the CS/PVA/CMC-1ZnO/CP sample exhibited a water sorption of 12,666 ± 126%, while CS/PVA/SR-1ZnO/CP reached 7013 ± 215%. ZnO incorporation also improved mechanical performance, with CS/PVA/SR-2ZnO/CP displaying the highest tensile strength (39.18 ± 0.2 MPa) and elongation at break (9.54 ± 1.04%). ZnO incorporation also led to a concentration-dependent increase in antibacterial activity, with SR-based dressings achieving near-complete bacterial reduction at higher ZnO loadings. All the dressings demonstrated good biocompatibility, while CS/PVA/SR-1ZnOCP showed the fastest clotting time (420 s ± 40), highlighting its potential for hemostatic applications.