Evaluation of IR Spectral Analysis and Dyeing Parameters for Plasma and /or Nano-Silver Treatments of Polyester and Nylon Fabrics

In our work of this paper, we study the effect of surface modification of polyester and nylon fabrics induced by DC plasma discharge and/ or nano-siliver treatments .DC plasma discharge was employed at first, as a function of plasma device parameters including different time, different current and different hydrostatic pressure using chemically inert working gas: argon or nitrogen. Optimization of the performance of the applied DC plasma discharge with various applied conditions were performed using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy spectral analysis, by following up the changes in the peak intensity values of the characteristic functional groups that characterize polyester fabric. Then the dyeing properties of different pretreated fabrics with plasma by the best conditions are subjected to nano-silver treatment by concentration 50 ppm under the effect of different dye concentrations, different dyeing temperature and different dyeing time. Finally, the fastness properties to light and washing for the treated samples were studied. The results obtained showed that both of the dyeing parameters and fastness properties were highly improved by the treatment of fabrics by either individual plasma treatment or combined DC cold plasma and nano-silver treatments

Ka-Band Linear to Circular Polarization Converter Based on Multilayer Slab With Broadband Performance

In this paper, a Ka-band polarization converter is presented, which is based on multilayer slab. In order to improve impedance matching, metallic circular traces are printed periodically on each dielectric multilayer slab. Simulated results of the polarizer show that it can transform linearly polarized (LP) to circularly polarized (CP) fields over a frequency band from 23 to 35GHz (42%) with an insertion loss less than 0.5 dB. The transmitted CP wave by the polarizer is approximately robust under oblique illuminations. The polarizer is fabricated and measured by a wideband horn antenna satisfying the simulated results. Next, in order to design a high-gain CP structure around 30 GHz, an 8-element LP array antenna with Chebyshev tapered distribution is designed and integrated with the polarizer. Obviously, the antenna limits the overall bandwidth (nearly 28 to 31.5 GHz) due to the narrowband nature of the LP antenna array. When the polarizer is illuminated by an incident LP wave, the two linear components of the transmitted wave with approximately equal amplitudes and 90° phase difference on the frequency band of interest are produced. Experimental results of the proposed structure show a pure CP with a gain of 13 dBi at 30 GHz, which can be suitable for millimeter wave communication

Compact Multiband Planar Antenna for 2.4/3.5/5.2/5.8 GHz Wireless Applications

A low-profile planar monopole antenna is proposed to operate within WLAN and WiMax frequency bands. The antenna is composed three radiating elements together with an additional strip to control the antenna performance. An electromagnetic (EM) model of the proposed antenna is developed in CST Microwave Studio for numerical analysis and optimization. The principle of operation and parametric study on the antenna performance are provided. Two dual-band and triple-band antennas are fabricated and experimental results are presented

Combination of Human Amniotic Fluid Derived-Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Nano-hydroxyapatite Scaffold Enhances Bone Regeneration

BACKGROUND: Human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAF-MSCs) have a high proliferative capacity and osteogenic differentiation potential in vitro. The combination of hAF-MSCs with three-dimensional (3D) scaffold has a promising therapeutic potential in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Selection of an appropriate scaffold material has a crucial role in a cell supporting and osteoinductivity to induce new bone formation in vivo. AIM: This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the osteogenic potential of the 2nd-trimester hAF-MSCs in combination with the 3D scaffold, 30% Nano-hydroxyapatite chitosan, as a therapeutic application for bone healing in the induced tibia defect in the rabbit. SUBJECT AND METHODS: hAF-MSCs proliferation and culture expansion was done in vitro, and osteogenic differentiation characterisation was performed by Alizarin Red staining after 14 & 28 days. Expression of the surface markers of hAF-MSCs was assessed using Flow Cytometer with the following fluorescein-labelled antibodies: CD34-PE, CD73-APC, CD90-FITC, and HLA-DR-FITC. Ten rabbits were used as an animal model with an induced defect in the tibia to evaluate the therapeutic potential of osteogenic differentiation of hAF-MSCs seeded on 3D scaffold, 30% Nano-hydroxyapatite chitosan. The osteogenic differentiated hAF-MSCs/scaffold composite system applied and fitted in the defect region and non-seeded scaffold was used as control. The histopathological investigation was performed at 2, 3, & 4 weak post-transplantation and scanning electron microscope (SEM) was assessed at 2 & 4 weeks post-transplantation to evaluate the bone healing potential in the rabbit tibia defect. RESULTS: Culture and expansion of 2nd-trimester hAF-MSCs presented high proliferative and osteogenic potential in vitro. Histopathological examination for the transplanted hAF-MSCs seeded on the 3D scaffold, 30% Nano-hydroxyapatite chitosan, demonstrated new bone formation in the defect site at 2 & 3 weeks post-transplantation as compared to the control (non-seeded scaffold). Interestingly, the scaffold accelerated the osteogenic differentiation of AF-MSCs and showed complete bone healing of the defect site as compared to the control (non-seeded scaffold) at 4 weeks post-transplantation. Furthermore, the SEM analysis confirmed these findings. CONCLUSION: The combination of the 2nd-trimester hAF-MSCs and 3D scaffold, 30% Nano-hydroxyapatite chitosan, have a therapeutic perspective for large bone defect and could be used effectively in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Human Bone Marrow and Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Vitro & in Vivo

BACKGROUND: Cell therapies offer a promising potential in promoting bone regeneration. Stem cell therapy presents attractive care modality in treating degenerative conditions or tissue injuries. The rationale behind this is both the expansion potential of stem cells into a large cell population size and its differentiation abilities into a wide variety of tissue types, when given the proper stimuli. A progenitor stem cell is a promising source of cell therapy in regenerative medicine and bone tissue engineering. AIM: This study aimed to compare the osteogenic differentiation and regenerative potentials of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow (hBM-MSCs) or amniotic fluid (hAF-MSCs), both in vitro and in vivo studies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Human MSCs, used in this study, were successfully isolated from two human sources; the bone marrow (BM) and amniotic fluid (AF) collected at the gestational ages of second or third trimesters. RESULTS: The stem cells derived from amniotic fluid seemed to be the most promising type of progenitor cells for clinical applications. In a pre-clinical experiment, attempting to explore the therapeutic application of MSCs in bone regeneration, Rat lumbar spines defects were surgically created and treated with undifferentiated and osteogenically differentiated MSCs, derived from BM and second trimester AF. Cells were loaded on gel-foam scaffolds, inserted and fixed in the area of the surgical defect. X-Ray radiography follows up, and histopathological analysis was done three-four months post- operation. The transplantation of AF-MSCs or BM-MSCs into induced bony defects showed promising results. The AF-MSCs are offering a better healing effect increasing the likelihood of achieving successful spinal fusion. Some bone changes were observed in rats transplanted with osteoblasts differentiated cells but not in rats transplanted with undifferentiated MSCs. Longer observational periods are required to evaluate a true bone formation. The findings of this study suggested that the different sources; hBM-MSCs or hAF-MSCs exhibited remarkably different signature regarding the cell morphology, proliferation capacity and osteogenic differentiation potential CONCLUSIONS: AF-MSCs have a better performance in vivo bone healing than that of BM-MSCs. Hence, AF derived MSCs is highly recommended as an alternative source to BM-MSCs in bone regeneration and spine fusion surgeries. Moreover, the usage of gel-foam as a scaffold proved as an efficient cell carrier that showed bio-compatibility with cells, bio-degradability and osteoinductivity in vivo

Spatially Decoupling of CP Antennas Based on FSS for 30GHz MIMO Systems

In this paper, an effective approach for mitigating the near-field coupling between four-port circularly polarized (CP) antennas in a 30-GHz multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) system is suggested and investigated. This is obtained by incorporating a two-layer transmission-type frequency selective surface (FSS) superstrate based on planar crossed-dipole metal strips. This paper presents a comparison between the mutual coupling when the patches are radiating in free space and in the presence of the FSS layers. The simulated results, when the FSS layers are applied, show an average of 6–12-dB improvement in the isolation between four adjacent CP-MIMO antennas. In addition, an accurate study is carried out on the insignificant reflections produced by the FSS layers to redirect those and also prevent any interference. The proposed 2×2 CP-MIMO antenna along with the superstrate is implemented and tested to validate the simulation results. Experimental results of the coupling and reflection coefficients and axial ratio show an acceptable agreement with the corresponding simulated ones

Biochemical Characterization, Antifungal Activity, and Relative Gene Expression of Two Mentha Essential Oils Controlling Fusarium oxysporum, the Causal Agent of Lycopersicon esculentum Root Rot

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is important food in daily human diets. Root rot disease by Fusarium oxysporum caused huge losses in tomato quality and yield annually. The extensive use of synthetic and chemical fungicides has environmental risks and health problems. Recent studies have pointed out the use of medicinal plant essential oils (EOs) and extracts for controlling fungal diseases. In the current research, Mentha spicata and Mentha longifolia EOs were used in different concentrations to control F. oxysporum. Many active compounds are present in these two EOs such as: thymol, adapic acid, menthol and menthyl acetate. These compounds possess antifungal effect through malformation and degradation of the fungal cell wall. The relative expression levels of distinctly upregulated defense-related WRKY genes (WRKY1, WRKY4, WRKY33 and WRKY53) in seedling root were evaluated as a plant-specific transcription factor (TF) group in different response pathways of abiotic stress. Results showed significant expression levels of WRKY, WRKY53, WRKY33, WRKY1 and WRKY4 genes. An upregulation was observed in defense-related genes such as chitinase and defensin in roots by application EOs under pathogen condition. In conclusion, M. spicata and M. longifolia EOs can be used effectively to control this plant pathogen as sustainable and eco-friendly botanical fungicides

Green Synthesized of Thymus vulgaris Chitosan Nanoparticles Induce Relative WRKY-Genes Expression in Solanum lycopersicum against Fusarium solani, the Causal Agent of Root Rot Disease

: Fusarium solani is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes tomato root rot disease and yield losses in tomato production. The current study's main goal is testing the antibacterial efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Thyme vulgaris essential oil (ThE-CsNPs) against F. solani in vitro and in vivo. GC-MS analysis was used to determine the chemical constituents of thyme EO. ThE-CsNPs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy before being physicochemically characterized using FT-IR. ThE-CsNPs were tested for antifungal activity against F. solani mycelial growth in vitro. A pot trial was conducted to determine the most effective dose of ThE-CsNPs on the morph/physiological characteristics of Solanum lycopersicum, as well as the severity of fusarium root rot. The relative gene expression of WRKY transcript factors and defense-associated genes were quantified in root tissues under all treatment conditions. In vitro results revealed that ThE-CsNPs (1%) had potent antifungal efficacy against F. solani radial mycelium growth. The expression of three WRKY transcription factors and three tomato defense-related genes was upregulated. Total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant enzyme activity were all increased. The outfindings of this study strongly suggested the use of ThE-CsNPs in controlling fusarium root rot on tomatoes; however, other experiments remain necessary before they are recommended

Chemical Profile of Cyperus laevigatus and Its Protective Effects against Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats

Cyperus species represent a group of cosmopolitan plants used in folk medicine to treat several diseases. In the current study, the phytochemical profile of Cyperus laevigatus ethanolic extract (CLEE) was assessed using UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS. The protective effect of CLEE at 50 and 100 mg /kg body weight (b.w.) was evaluated on hepatorenal injuries induced by thioacetamide (100 mg/kg) via investigation of the extract’s effects on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney. UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS analysis of CLEE resulted in the identification of 94 compounds, including organic and phenolic acids, flavones, aurones, and fatty acids. CLEE improved the antioxidant status in the liver and kidney, as manifested by enhancement of reduced glutathione (GSH) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), in addition to the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Moreover, CLEE positively affected oxidative stress parameters in plasma and thwarted the depletion of hepatorenal ATP content by thioacetamide (TAA). Furthermore, treatment of rats with CLEE alleviated the significant increase in plasma liver enzymes, kidney function parameters, and inflammatory markers. The protective effect of CLEE was confirmed by a histopathological study of the liver and kidney. Our results proposed that CLEE may reduce TAA-hepatorenal toxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties suppressing oxidative stress