Display omitted
•Fabrication of PVA/Nanocellulose/Ag nanocomposite films by solution casting method.•Synthesis of starch-capped silver nanoparticlres (Ag NPs).•Good antibacterial activity against ...Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.•The addition of NC and Ag NPs enhanced the mechancial and thermal properties.•Water vapor transmission rate was decreased with the incorporation of NC and Ag NPs.
Antimicrobial packaging is an area of emerging interest and is rapidly expanding with application of nanotechnology. The present work investigates the effect of nanocellulose (NC) and Ag NPs on the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of PVA nanocomposite films. The tensile strength of PVA was improved from 5.52 ± 0.27 MPa to 12.32 ± 0.61 MPa when filled with 8 wt% of NC. Nanocomposite films exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (DH5-alpha). The maximum inhibition zone at 0.5 g Ag NPs with 12 wt% NC against DH5-alpha was 14 ± 0.70 mm. While, the maximum inhibition zone at 0.3 g Ag NPs for 16 wt% NC was 13.6 ± 0.68 mm against MRSA. Moreover, nanocomposites films have no cytotoxicity effect on HepG2 and cell viability was more than 90%. Based on mechanical properties and antibacterial potential of the developed nanocomposite films, it can be envisaged to use these films for packaging applications.
This work deals with different design configurations using existing photon recycling technologies such as front spectral filters and back surface reflectors (BSRs) to improve the efficiency of the ...thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. On the TPV cell surface, some photons absorb, but some quantity of them is lost due to the interference on the surface. On the other hand, BSR mounted on the backside of the cell reflects all photons which were not absorbed by TPV back to the front side of the cell and the emitter, which leads to the elevated temperature of the cell and more interference on the cell surface. This work aimed to design a configuration of the TPV system model using hybrid photon recycling technologies and to investigate the efficiencies of different TPV cells with numerous factors such as emitter temperature and reflectivity of the spectral filter. The design parameters and configuration of front filters with BSRs are studied under 2500 K temperature of the emitter. It is found that an InGaAs cell with reasonable bandgap energy of 0.72 eV, is the most favorable cell material as its bandgap wavelength (1.68 μm) is closely matched to the peak wavelength (1.65 μm) of the emissions spectra. The results show that the incorporation of magnesium oxide (MgO) spectral filter along with the BSR (R = 1) and the emitter temperature of 2200 K efficiency as high as 35% can be attained. This makes MgO a viable choice in TPV cell system under concentrated solar power plant.
In this study, the dyeing of cellulose fibre with disperse dyes is attempted by chemically modifying the cellulose fibre with a previously reported bifunctional cross-linker
AXL-2
at a neutral pH. ...The modified cellulose was then dyed with nucleophilic disperse dyes containing amino and/or hydroxyl groups. One end of the cross-linker binds with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose, while the second one binds with the disperse dye molecule containing free NH
2
or OH groups. After optimizing the parameters on 100% cellulose, the bifunctional cross-linker was applied on polyester/cotton (P/C) blended fabric. The chemical composition, morphology, and strength of the modified cellulose and P/C fibres were analyzed by ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDX, tensile strength testing, water absorbency testing, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The characterization analyses verified the binding of the synthesized epoxy compound with the hydroxyl group of cellulose. The tensile strength of the modified fabric was reduced slightly compared to the unmodified one. No significant change in the absorbency and thermal stability of the fabric was noticed after chemical modification. The colour depth of the modified cotton and P/C blend, after dyeing with disperse dyes, was assessed by K/S measurements and compared to the respective unmodified fabrics. The results indicated the successful dyeing of the modified P/C blend in one-bath using disperse dyes containing amino and/or hydroxyl functionalities. The fastness properties of the dyed samples were examined by following ISO standard test procedures, and the crosslinked fabrics were found to have good overall fastness except for the light fastness.
Graphical Abstract
The burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) is increasing at a greater rate in South Asia than in any other region globally, but there is little direct evidence about its determinants. The Pakistan ...Risk of Myocardial Infarction Study (PROMIS) is an epidemiological resource to enable reliable study of genetic, lifestyle and other determinants of CHD in South Asia. By March 2009, PROMIS had recruited over 5,000 cases of first-ever confirmed acute myocardial infarction (MI) and over 5,000 matched controls aged 30-80 years. For each participant, information has been recorded on demographic factors, lifestyle, medical and family history, anthropometry, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram. A range of biological samples has been collected and stored, including DNA, plasma, serum and whole blood. During its next stage, the study aims to expand recruitment to achieve a total of about 20,000 cases and about 20,000 controls, and, in subsets of participants, to enrich the resource by collection of monocytes, establishment of lymphoblastoid cell lines, and by resurveying participants. Measurements in progress include profiling of candidate biochemical factors, assay of 45,000 variants in 2,100 candidate genes, and a genomewide association scan of over 650,000 genetic markers. We have established a large epidemiological resource for CHD in South Asia. In parallel with its further expansion and enrichment, the PROMIS resource will be systematically harvested to help identify and evaluate genetic and other determinants of MI in South Asia. Findings from this study should advance scientific understanding and inform regionally appropriate disease prevention and control strategies.
This research explores the flow penetration in porous media by virtue of capillary action and geometric control of the liquid imbibition rate in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) ...having applications in food quality management, medical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. We examine changes in flow resistance and membrane geometry, aiming to understand factors influencing capillary penetration rates for various practical applications. We conducted experiments and simulations using lateral porous membranes and altered the flow resistance by changing the liquids or the paper channel geometry by adding cavities. From experiments, it was revealed that by creating a circular cavity in the paper channel, the penetration rate was sufficiently altered. Moreover, increasing the cavity size and type of liquid (w.r.t. viscosity) also caused a decrease in the flow rate. Imbibition rates were also influenced by the position of the cavities in the paper channel. The maximum delay for water was almost 2 times with a 16 mm circular cavity located at 3 cm from strip bottom edge. Overall, we attained a maximum delay in the case of castor oil which was almost 85 times slower than water and 3.7 times slower than olive oil. A good agreement was observed with CFD analysis. We believe that this research would help in developing advance techniques to enhance the flow control strategies in μPADs and indicators.
Non-toxicity, high photo stability, biocompatibility and long lasting narrow emissions are some prime factors for an efficient biological marker. Unfortunately, commercial dyes and Cd-based ...fluorescent probes do not have such characteristics. Therefore, an efficient fluorescent probe is extremely desirable. Herein, functionalized ZnO quantum dots (QDs) and their nanohybrids with polyethylene glycol (PEG) were prepared by a room temperature solution growth tactic using 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (3-ICPTES) as a coupling agent. Isocyanato functional groups were hosted on the surface of as prepared ZnO QDs by introducing optimized stoichiometric amounts of 3-ICPTES. The ZnO QDs were further bonded covalently to PEG via urethane linkages by the reaction of isocyanato functionalized ZnO QDs and hydroxyl groups from PEG molecules. The fluorescence was tuned from cyan to yellowish color after the functionalization of ZnO QDs with 3-ICPTES. Moreover, PEGylated nanohybrids showed greater water dispensability with photoluminescence preserved for at least six months. The present synthesis and coupling strategy for QDs may open up new ways to achieve biocompatible nanohybrids with higher stability and efficient luminescence for bio-imaging and biomedical applications.
Display omitted
•Effective surface capping efficiency of 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane is confirmed rendering isocyanato-functionalized ZnO quantum dots (QDs).•ZnO QDs of varying sizes and tunable luminescence are produced by altering curing temperatures.•Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is covalently linked with QDs to achieve dual fluorescence PEGylated nanohybrids.•Nanohybrids' fluorescence is preserved for at least 6months which is appropriate for lasting bio-imaging applications.
Oncolytic viruses are genetically engineered viruses that target myeloma-affected cells by detecting specific cell surface receptors (CD46, CD138), causing cell death by activating the signaling ...pathway to induce apoptosis or by immune-mediated cellular destruction.
This article summarizes oncolytic virotherapy advancements such as the therapeutic use of viruses by targeting cell surface proteins of myeloma cells as well as the carriers to deliver viruses to the target tissues safely. The major classes of viruses that have been studied for this include measles, myxoma, adenovirus, reovirus, vaccinia, vesicular-stomatitis virus, coxsackie, and others. The measles virus acts as oncolytic viral therapy by binding to the CD46 receptors on the myeloma cells to utilize its surface H protein. These H-protein and CD46 interactions lead to cellular syncytia formation resulting in cellular apoptosis. Vesicular-stomatitis virus acts by downregulation of anti-apoptotic factors (Mcl-2, BCL-2). Based upon the published literature searches till December 2020, we have summarized the data supporting the advances in viral oncolytic for the treatment of MM.
Oncolytic virotherapy is an experimental approach in multiple myeloma (MM); many issues need to be addressed for safe viral delivery to the target tissue
Background: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is one of the surgical procedures for breast cancer management. Many complications are associated with wound healing, like hematoma, dehiscence, ...infection, chronic seroma and skin necrosis. The objective of this study was to compare the mean blood loss in drain output of topical versus intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) use among patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy.Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at department of surgery, Holy Family hospital, Rawalpindi from November 2019 to November 2020. 130 patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A patients received tranexamic acid topically while group B patients received intravenous tranexamic acid during modified radical mastectomy. Drain output and blood loss was recorded after twenty-four hours of the surgery.Results: Mean age was 51.15±10.33 in group A, while it was 50.58±10.59 in group B. Mean duration of breast cancer among the patients was 11.45±8.70 months. Mean blood loss, 24 hours after MRM was 40.68±20.79 ml in the topical group, while it was 50.83±26.38 ml in the intravenous group (p=0.016).Conclusions: Topical tranexamic acid showed significantly better control on blood loss as compared to intravenous TXA.
Objectives: To compare open hemorrhoidectomy with internal sphincterotomy versus open hemorrhoidectomy alone in terms of frequency of the postoperative pain. Study Design: Randomized Controlled ...Trial. Setting: Surgical Unit - I, Holy family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Period: For one year i.e. from January 2016 to December 2016. Material & Methods: 250 patients were divided in two equal groups by lottery method. The surgical procedure was performed using standard protocols after obtaining written informed consent. Anal dilatation was done after open hemorrhoidectomy in patients of control group (Group A). In the study group (Group B), the patients were subjected to lateral internal sphincterotomy after completion of classical open hemorrhoidectomy. Postoperative pain score was recorded by using visual analog scale. Difference between both groups for pain was analyzed using chi-square test. Results: There were 68 males and 57 females in Group-A and 61 males and 64 females in Group-B. The mean age of patients in Group-A was 33.10±8.77years and in Group-B was 32.52±9.4years. The mean pain score of patients in Goup-A and Group-B was 2.82±2.51 and 1.59±1.58 respectively (P<0.05). In Group-A, 94 (75.2%) cases had no pain while in Group-B, 116 (92.8%) cases were pain free following the procedure. The difference between both groups was significant i.e. P < 0.05. Conclusion: Open hemorrhoidectomy with internal sphincterotomy is effective in reducing postoperative pain.
PDF
