Highly Durable Antibacterial Properties of Cellulosic Fabric via ß-Cyclodextrin/Essential Oils Inclusion Complex.

Essential oils (EOS), which naturally come from plants, have significant antibacterial properties against a variety of pathogens, but their high volatility and poor water solubility severely restrict their use in the textile industry. In this study, an inclusion complex based on ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD)/EOS was prepared by two different simple methods: pad dry cure (method 1) and pad batch (method 2). A glyoxal crosslinking agent was used for the fixation of the inclusion complexes on the surface of the fabric. Lavender, rosemary, salvia, and lemon essential oils were applied. The structure of the ß-CD/EOs inclusion complex was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and weight gain (%), which indicated that the ß-CD/EOs were successfully deposited on cellulose-based fabric. The results demonstrated that ß-CD enhanced the oils' scent stability, with the advantage of exhibiting no major change in the tensile strength or permeability of cotton. Lavender oil had the highest stability scent with a value of 3.25, even after 30 days of evaluation. The antibacterial activity showed that EOS/ßCD-impregnated fabrics for method 1 had an inhibition zone ranging from 33 to 23 mm, while the inhibition zone for method 2 ranged from 39 mm to 29 mm, indicating that our treatment was able to control the growth of bacteria, even after five washing cycles. This study confirmed that the EOs/ßCD inclusion-complex-deposited cotton fabric might hold further promise for medical and hospital use.

Response of Canola productivity to integration between mineral nitrogen with yeast extract under poor fertility sandy soil condition.

Canola is one of the important oil crops and is considered the most promising oil source and adapts to reclaimed soil conditions. The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of yeast extract (YE) integrated with nitrogen (N) rates and treatments were arranged as follows: Control (without F0), 95 kg N ha-1 (F1), 120 kg N ha-1 (F2), 142 kg N ha-1 (F3), 95 kg N ha-1 + YE (F4), 120 kg N ha-1 + YE (F5) and 142 kg N ha-1 + YE (F6) on physico-chemical properties, yield and its components for three Canola genotypes i.e. AD201 (G1), Topaz and SemuDNK 234/84 under the sandy soil. In this work, Results reveal that increasing rates of Nitrogen fertilization from 95 kg N ha-1 to 142 kg N ha-1 have a great effect on physicochemical properties yield and its components. The result proved that 142 kg N ha-1 with yeast treatment was the best treatment for three Canola genotypes. Also, the result showed that seed yield was positively correlated with Chl. a/b ratio, plant height, number of branches/plant, number of pods/plant, and number of seeds/pod, and a strong negative correlation was detected between seed oil percentage when the amount of nitrogen fertilization applied without or with yeast extract is increased.

Antibacterial and UV Protection Properties of Modified Cotton Fabric Using a Curcumin/TiO2 Nanocomposite for Medical Textile Applications.

Medical textiles are one of the most rapidly growing parts of the technical textiles sector in the textile industry. This work aims to investigate the medical applications of a curcumin/TiO2 nanocomposite fabricated on the surface of cotton fabric. The cotton fabric was pretreated with three crosslinking agents, namely citric acid, 3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (Quat 188) and 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), by applying the nanocomposite to the modified cotton fabric using the pad-dry-cure method. The chemistry and morphology of the modified fabrics were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the chemical mechanism for the nanocomposite-modified fabric was reported. UV protection (UPF) and antibacterial properties against Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli bacterial strains were investigated. The durability of the fabrics to 20 washing cycles was also examined. Results demonstrated that the nanocomposite-modified cotton fabric exhibited superior antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria and excellent UV protection properties. Moreover, a good durability was obtained, which was possibly due to the effect of the crosslinker used. Among the three pre-modifications of the cotton fabric, Quat 188 modified fabric revealed the highest antibacterial activity compared with citric acid or GPTMS modified fabrics. This outcome suggested that the curcumin/TiO2 nanocomposite Quat 188-modified cotton fabric could be used as a biomedical textile due to its antibacterial properties.

Antibacterial Properties and pH Sensitive Swelling of Insitu Formed Silver-Curcumin Nanocomposite Based Chitosan Hydrogel.

A simple method was used to prepare curcumin/silver nanocomposite based chitosan hydrogel. In an alkaline medium, chitosan and chitosan nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared using the physical crosslinking method. The prepared hydrogels were stable for a long period at room temperature. In one step, silver nanoparticles were prepared insitu using silver nitrate solution and curcumin oxide within the hydrogel network formation. In the meantime, curcumin compound served as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The structure and surface morphology of nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and EDX analysis confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles within the hydrogel network. Moreover, Images of TEM showed a spherical shape of silver nanoparticles with an average size of 2-10 nm within the matrix of the hydrogel. The formation mechanism of nanocomposite based hydrogel was reported. Besides that, the effect of chitosan and silver nitrate concentrations were studied. The swelling capacity of the prepared nanocomposite hydrogels was also performed at different pH of 4, 7, and 9. From the experimental results, the swelling capacity of hydrogels depends on the concentrations of chitosan and silver nitrate. The prepared composite based hydrogel exceeds a higher swelling degree than chitosan hydrogels at low pH. The antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite hydrogels was also examined; the results showed that the prepared nanocomposite hydrogels outperformed the pure chitosan hydrogels. This shows them to be a promising material for the biomedical field as a wound dressing and drug release.

Photocatalytic activity and antibacterial properties of linen fabric using reduced graphene oxide/silver nanocomposite.

Silver nanoparticles were in situ prepared on the surface of linen fabric coated by graphene oxide (GO). In the meantime, the reduction of silver nitrate on the GO-coated fabric led to the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide on the fabric. Two kinds of substrate (cotton and linen) were used. Both RGO/Ag and Ag/GO nanocomposites were added on cotton and linen fabrics through a conventional "pad-dry-cure" method. The chemistry and morphology of the coated surfaces were extensively characterized using Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Resistivity measurements were used for assessing the conductivity. The UV protection properties and the photocatalytic activity of the coated fabrics against methylene blue dye were also investigated. The antibacterial activity was studied against Gram-positive S. aureus and B. subtilis and Gram-negative bacterial strains E. coli and P. aeruginosa by determining the zone of inhibition using the agar diffusion method. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been responsible for many serious hospital infections worldwide. The fabrics showed superior antibacterial activity and successfully hindered the growth of pathogenic bacterial strains. This outcome suggested that both the RGO/Ag and Ag/GO nanocomposites-coated fabrics could be potentially applied in biomaterials and biomedical fields.

Influence of PEG induced drought stress on molecular and biochemical constituents and seedling growth of Egyptian barley cultivars.

In order to investigate the effects of drought stress on germination components of barley cultivars, a laboratory experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized complete design with four replications. The controlled experiment included ten of Egyptian barley cultivars namely; (Giza 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 129, 130, 134, 135 and 2000) as first factor. The second factor included 4 levels of drought stress inducer by applying 0, 5, 10 and 20% of polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG) which is equivalent to four osmotic potential levels including -0.001, -0.27, -0.54 and -1.09 MPa, respectively. The results showed that, the highest reduction was related to the drought level of 20% PEG among the barley cultivars. The best cultivars in terms of germination traits were Giza 134, Giza 127, and Giza 126 this indicate their tolerance to drought stress and Giza 130, 135, 2000 cultivars was moderately tolerance and remaining is less tolerance. The protein band 27 kDa and 78 kDa showed high intensity after stress in almost all cultivars. Those two protein bands their exciting was very clear in treated barley leaf tissue. It could be related to dehydrine and oxygen evolving enhancer protein 2 (OEE2) which involved in drought stress tolerance response. Cultivars Giza 127, 130 and 134 showed highest tolerance response under drought stress. The antioxidant enzymes PAGE pattern of Peroxidase (POX), Sodium dismutase (SOD) and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) for Barley cultivars under drought stress revealed a high activities for Giza 126, 127, 134, 136 and 2000 under -0.5 MPa osmotic stress by PEG in most of their isoforms. Based on similarity coefficient values the highest values were 1.0 with 100% similarly between tolerant cultivars Giza 130 and Giza 127. Similarly between the susceptible cultivars 125 and Giza 129 was 60%.These data confirmed by the growth parameters which we ranked as tolerant to drought stress.

Acetylcholinesterases from entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditid bacteriophora: Susceptibility to insecticides and immunological characteristics.

Acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) from the infective juveniles (IJs) of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) have been investigated with respect to their susceptibility to insecticides and immunological characteristics, aiming at nominating the most compatible insecticide(s) to be used in conjunction with the most insecticide-tolerant EPN strain before incorporation in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. The inhibition kinetics of two purified AChE isoenzymes, AChEAII and AChEBI isolated from Heterorhabditid bacteriophora EM2 strain, by different insecticides revealed that the insensitivity to inhibition by such insecticides could be arranged in a descending order as; methomyl>carbofuran>acetamiprid>oxamyl>malathion. Except for malathion, the insecticides competitively inhibited AChEs with Ki values ranging from 0.1 to 15mM and IC50 values from 1.25 to 23mM. The two AChE isoforms are several folds less sensitive to inhibition by methomyl and carbofuran compared to those previously reported for other insect species. AChEBI was used as an immunogen to raise anti-AChEBI antisera in rabbits. The prepared antisera cross-reacted with AChEs of five different heterorhabditid nematode strains implying the presence of common epitopes shared along all the examined strains. Such studies could aid in the rational selection of the compatible insecticide(s) and the prepared polyclonal anti-AChE antisera would be a valuable immunodiagnostic tool for evaluating the most insecticide-tolerant EPN strain(s) in IPM programs.

The activity of detoxifying enzymes in the infective juveniles of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strains: Purification and characterization of two acetylcholinesterases.

The infectivity and detoxifying enzyme activities including glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and carboxylesterase (CaE) are investigated in the infective juveniles (IJs) of six different strains of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora as a biocontrol agent against insect pests. The specific activities ranged from 10.8-29.8 and 50-220units/mg protein for GST and AChE, respectively; and from 24.7-129 and 22.6-77.3units/mg protein for CaE as estimated by P-nitrophenyl and α-naphthyl acetates, respectively. H. bacteriophora EM2 strain has the highest infectivity and the highest enzymatic activities as well. AChE is the predominant detoxifying enzyme that might imply its major role in the detoxification of insecticide(s). The isoenzyme pattern demonstrated two major slow-moving isoforms in all EPN strains examined. Purification of two AChE isoforms, AChEAII and AChEBI, from H. bacteriophora EM2 strain is performed by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose. AChEAII and AChEBII have specific activities of 1207 and 1560unit/mg protein, native molecular weights of 180 and 68kDa, and are found in dimeric and monomeric forms, respectively. Both isoforms showed optimum activity at pH8.5 and 35°C. AChEBI exhibited higher thermal stability and higher activation energy than AChEAII. The enzymatic activities of purified AChEs are completely inhibited by Hg(+2) and Ni(+2) and greatly enhanced by Mn(+2). The substrate specificity, the relative efficiency of substrates hydrolysis, substrate inhibition and inhibition by BW284C51, but not by iso-OMPA, clearly indicated that they are true AChEs; their properties are compared with those recorded for insects as target hosts for H. bacteriophora EM2.

Preparation of multifunctional cationized cotton fabric based on TiO2 nanomaterials.

A novel approach for imparting multi-functional properties, i.e., UV-protecting, self-cleaning, water repellent as well as anti-bacterial properties onto cotton fabric is described. This research mainly deals with ecofriendly multifunctional cationized cotton fabrics using nanomaterialss based on TiO2 nanoparticles. In this study cotton fabric was cationized with two durable cationizing agent, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (Quat 188) and diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC) using pad-batch method. The application of TiO2 nanomaterials on cotton 100% fabrics was achieved by using 1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxilic acids [BTCA] as polycarboxilic cid cross linker with Sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as catalyst through conventional pad-dry-cure method. UV-protection, antibacterial and self-cleaning performances are investigated. Water repellent property of treated cationized cotton fabric post treated with stearic acid was also investigated.

Synthesis and characterization of novel carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels and carboxymethylcellulolse-hydrogel-ZnO-nanocomposites.

New approach for preparation of CMC hydrogels was undertaken through reacting CMC with either malic, succinic or citric acid. Characteristics of the hydrogels, as monitored by the swelling behavior, FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM and XRD were dependent on nature and concentration of the polycarboxylic acid, time and temperature of curing. The best practice achieved from these studies was harnessed to synthesize and characterize CMC hydrogel-ZnO-nanocomposites with additional study pertaining to the antibacterial activity of the nanocomposites. CMC hydrogel with excellent swelling behavior could be prepared by adding succinic acid (0.5%) to CMC solution then drying the obtained paste at 80 °C for 5 min followed by curing at 120 °C for 3 min. Similarly, addition of ZnNO3 solution to the CMC paste results in CMC hydrogel-ZnO-nanocomposites having biocidal activity to gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria.

Physicochemical studies and biological evaluation on (E)-3-(2-(1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazinyl)-3-oxo-N-(thiazol-2yl)propanamide complexes.

Hydrazone complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) and U(VI)O2 with (E)-3-(2-(1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazinyl)-3-oxo-N-(thiazol-2yl)propanamide (H2o-HAH) have been synthesized. The complex structure has been elucidated by analysis (elemental and thermal), spectroscopy ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, IR, UV-visible, ESR, MS) and physical measurements (magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance). The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the different decomposition steps of some complexes have been calculated using the Coats-Redfern equation. Also, the association and formation constants of Co(II) ion in absolute ethanol solutions at 294.15K have been calculated by using electrical conductance. Moreover, the ligand and its complexes have been screened for their antibacterial (Escherichia coli and Clostridium sp.) and antifungal activities (Aspergillus sp. and Stemphylium sp.) by MIC method.

Radiation effect on positronium formation in solid state nuclear track detector.

The effect of alpha-particles on CR-39, a material used in solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs), has been investigated using the positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) technique. The samples were irradiated using a (238)Pu alpha-source of energy ranging from 1 to 5 MeV and with different doses ranging from 0 to 57.87 mGy. The ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetime, tau(3), shows a slight increase as the irradiation dose increases, while a rapid change in the o-Ps intensity, I(3) at 10 mGy was found. In addition, the PAL parameters (tau(3), I(3)) have been studied as a function of the energy of alpha-particles. The obtained results indicate that the o-Ps lifetime increases slightly with increasing energy of the alpha-particle. On the other hand, the o-Ps intensity decreases exponentially with increasing alpha-particle energy, plateaus, and finally increases. The data show that the track diameter increases with decreasing energy of the alpha-particle, while the track density increases with increasing the irradiation dose. A correlation between the track diameter and the o-Ps hole diameter was observed.

Induction Docetaxel and Cisplatin Followed by Weekly Docetaxel and Cisplatin with Concurrent Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Stage III Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (LA-NSCLC)-A Phase II Study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this phase II study was to document the activity and to evaluate the toxicity of docetaxel and cisplatin as induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent docetaxel and cisplatin with thoracic radiation in locally advanced stage III non small cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with stage III locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer received induction chemotherapy with two cycles of docetaxel 75mg/m2 and cisplatin 75mg/m2 D1 every 3 weeks. Patients without disease progress after induction chemotherapy were assigned to concurrent chemoradiotherapy 20mg/m2 docetaxel&25mg/m2 cisplatin administrated on day 1 every week for 6 weeks along with concurrent radiotherapy at a dose of 60Gy in 30 fractions (2 Gy/fraction and 5 fractions per week). The primary endpoint was to determine the overall response rate (ORR), the secondary endpoint was to evaluate time to progression (TTP) and safety profile. RESULTS: After induction chemotherapy, the overall response rate (ORR) was 44.4%, 23 patients without disease progress were assigned to concurrent treatment with an overall response rate of 65%. Median survival time was 17 months, time to progression was 11.5 months and the one-year survival was 58%. Neutropenia was the most common toxicity during induction therapy (26% expressed grade 3-4) whereas esophagitis was the most common toxicity during concurrent phase (17.3% expressed grade 3-4); toxicities were manageable. CONCLUSION: Induction chemotherapy by docetaxel and cisplatin followed by weekly docetaxel and cisplatin with concurrent thoracic radiation therapy is feasible and tolerable. These results warrant further large randomized studies to document and confirm the effectiveness of this regimen. Key Words: Lung cancer , Docetaxel , Cisplatin , Concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Seasonal variations of aerosol residence time in the lower atmospheric boundary layer.

During a one year period, from Jan. 2002 up to Dec. 2002, approximately 130 air samples were analyzed to determine the atmospheric air activity concentrations of short- and long-lived (222Rn) decay products 214Pb and 210Pb. The samples were taken by using a single-filter technique and gamma-spectrometry was applied to determine the activity concentrations. A seasonal fluctuation in the concentration of 214Pb and 210Pb in surface air was observed. The activity concentrations of both radionuclides were observed to be relatively higher during the winter/autumn season than in spring/summer season. The mean activity concentration of 214Pb and 210Pb within the whole year was found to be 1.4+/-0.27 Bq m(-3) and 1.2+/-0.15 mBq m(-3), respectively. Different 210Pb:214Pb activity ratios during the year varied between 1.78 x 10(-4) and 1.6 x 10(-3) with a mean value of 8.9 x 10(-4) +/- 7.6 x 10(-5). From the ratio between the activity concentrations of the radon decay products 214Pb and 210Pb a mean residence time (MRT) of aerosol particles in the atmosphere of about 10.5+/-0.91 d could be estimated. The seasonal variation pattern shows relatively higher values of MRT in spring/summer season than in winter/autumn season. The MRT data together with relative humidity (RH), air temperature (T) and wind speed (WS), were used for a comprehensive regression analysis of its seasonal variation in the atmospheric air.

Radiological study of exposure levels in El Maghara underground coal mine.

Coal is largely composed of organic matter, but it is the inorganic matter in coal minerals and trace elements that have been cited as possible causes of health, environmental and technological problems associated with the use of coal. Some trace elements in coal are naturally radioactive. These radioactive elements include uranium (U), thorium (Th) and their numerous decay products, including radium (Ra) and radon (Rn). Although these elements are less chemically toxic than other coal constituents, such as arsenic, selenium or mercury, questions have been raised concerning the possible risk from radiation. In order to accurately address these questions and to predict the mobility of radioactive elements during the coal fuel cycle, it is important to determine the specific activity, distribution and form of radioactive elements in coal. The assessment of the radiation exposure from coal burning is critically dependent on the specific activity of radioactive elements in coal and in the fly ash that remains after combustion. The El-Maghara coal mine is the only producing coal mine in Egypt. It is located in the middle of the Sinai desert about 250 km north-east of Cairo, where a coal-fired power plant is intended to be built. In this study, a pre-operational radiological baseline of the site and the occupational radiation exposures due to radon progeny in the mine were determined. The specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil and coal dust samples collected along the main gallery ranges were found to be 6-22.9, 9.6-47.3 and 77-489 Bq kg-1, respectively. Soil samples collected around the mine showed concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the ranges 2.7-20.2, 3.2-12.6 and 14.6-201 Bq kg-1, respectively. All of the mean values of radon progeny were lower than the action levels for working places recommended in the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 65.