HRTEM characterization of gold nanoparticles produced by wheat biomass

In this study, the bio-reduction of Au(III) to Au(0) by wheat biomass and the subsequent production of gold nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes is presented. The dry biomass was ground and sieved in order to assure a uniform particle size and having more area of biomass exposed to the gold. Wheat biomass was exposed to a 0.3mM potassium tetrachloroaurate solution at pH values of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for three and a half hours at room temperature. After that time, the biomass pellets were analyzed using a high resolution transmission electron microscope, JEOL-4000 EX, in order to characterize the gold nanoparticles. The results showed that wheat biomass produced nanostructures of the following morphologies: Fcc tetrahedral (T), decahedral (Dh), hexagonal (He), icosahedral multitwinned (I), irregular shape (Irr), and rod shape nanoparticles. The highest percent of the nanoparticles formed had a particle size ranging from 10-30 nm.Fil: Armendáriz, V.. University of Texas at El Paso; Estados UnidosFil: José Yacamán, Miguel. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Duarte Moller, A.. University of Texas at El Paso; Estados Unidos. Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados; MéxicoFil: Peralta Videa, J. R.. University of Texas at El Paso; Estados UnidosFil: Troiani, Horacio Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Herrera, I.. University of Texas at El Paso; Estados UnidosFil: Gardea Torres, J. L.. University of Texas at El Paso; Estados Unido

Aging and Phase Stability of Alloy 22 Welds FY04 SUMMARY REPORT

The work presented in this report consists of a compilation of individual activity reports sent to BSC at the conclusion of the FY04 fiscal year. A chapter is dedicated for each individual activity, and describes the accomplishments at the time of writing the original reports, and includes experimental data when appropriate. It is important to note that since work for most of the activities was intended for completion in FY05, no DTN numbers are given in the present report and the results presented here are to be considered preliminary at the time of their writing. Information and results presented in the FY05 Summary Report (UCRL-TR-217339) are more comprehensive and complete and supersede those given in the present report. The five activities addressed in this report are: (1) Preliminary evaluation of burnished and peened samples-metallurgy; (2) Preliminary heat-to-heat variability study-metallurgical; (3) Evaluation of FY00 mockup samples-metallurgy; (4) Weld stability with thick prototypical welds; and (5) Effect of solution annealing onweld metallurgy

Comparative environmental fate and toxicity of copper nanomaterials

Given increasing use of copper-based nanomaterials, particularly in applications with direct release, it is imperative to understand their human and ecological risks. A comprehensive and systematic approach was used to determine toxicity and fate of several Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs). When used as pesticides in agriculture, Cu NPs effectively control pests. However, even at low (5–20 mg Cu/plant) doses, there are metabolic effects due to the accumulation of Cu and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Embedded in antifouling paints, Cu NPs are released as dissolved Cu+ 2 and in nano- and micron-scale particles. Once released, Cu NPs can rapidly (hours to weeks) oxidize, dissolve, and form CuS and other insoluble Cu compounds, depending on water chemistry (e.g. salinity, alkalinity, organic matter content, presence of sulfide and other complexing ions). More than 95% of Cu released into the environment will enter soil and aquatic sediments, where it may accumulate to potentially toxic levels (> 50–500 μg/L). Toxicity of Cu compounds was generally ranked by high throughput assays as: Cu+ 2 > nano Cu(0) > nano Cu(OH)2 > nano CuO > micron-scale Cu compounds. In addition to ROS generation, Cu NPs can damage DNA plasmids and affect embryo hatching enzymes. Toxic effects are observed at much lower concentrations for aquatic organisms, particularly freshwater daphnids and marine amphipods, than for terrestrial organisms. This knowledge will serve to predict environmental risks, assess impacts, and develop approaches to mitigate harm while promoting beneficial uses of Cu NPs

Nanotechnology and Plant Extracts as a Future Control Strategy for Meat and Milk Products

Plant extracts, well known for their antibacterial and antioxidant activity, have potential to be widely used preservatives in the food industry as natural alternatives to numerous synthetic additives which have adverse impacts on health and the environment. Most plant compounds and extracts are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The use of preservatives is of great importance for perishable foods such as meat and milk, which, along with their products, are commonly consumed food items globally. However, the bioavailability of plant compounds could be diminished by their interaction with food components, processing, and storage. Nanoencapsulation of plant extracts, especially essential oils, is an effective method for their application in food model systems. This technique increases the bioactivity of plant compounds by increasing their physical stability and reducing their size, without negative effects on organoleptic properties. Furthermore, a recent study showed that plant extracts act as good bioreductants for biosynthesis of nanoparticles. This so-called green synthesis method using plant extracts is a rapid, relatively inexpensive, safe, and efficient method for synthesis of nanoparticles including silver, gold, iron, lead, copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum, zinc, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, magnetite, and nickel. Some of these nanoparticles have antimicrobial potential which is why they are of great interest to the food industry. In this chapter, the nanoencapsulation of plant extracts and plant extract-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles and their potential application in order to improve the safety and quality and prolong the shelf life of meat and milk products are reviewed and discussed

Safety of primary anastomosis following emergency left sided colorectal resection: an international, multi-centre prospective audit.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: group, T. E. S. o. C. c. (2018). "Safety of primary anastomosis following emergency left sided colorectal resection: an international, multi-centre prospective audit." Colorectal Disease 20(S6): 47-57., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.1437. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived VersionsINTRODUCTION: Some evidence suggests that primary anastomosis following left sided colorectal resection in the emergency setting may be safe in selected patients, and confer favourable outcomes to permanent enterostomy. The aim of this study was to compare the major postoperative complication rate in patients undergoing end stoma vs primary anastomosis following emergency left sided colorectal resection. METHODS: A pre-planned analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology 2017 audit. Adult patients (> 16 years) who underwent emergency (unplanned, within 24 h of hospital admission) left sided colonic or rectal resection were included. The primary endpoint was the 30-day major complication rate (Clavien-Dindo grade 3 to 5). RESULTS: From 591 patients, 455 (77%) received an end stoma, 103 a primary anastomosis (17%) and 33 primary anastomosis with defunctioning stoma (6%). In multivariable models, anastomosis was associated with a similar major complication rate to end stoma (adjusted odds ratio for end stoma 1.52, 95%CI 0.83-2.79, P = 0.173). Although a defunctioning stoma was not associated with reduced anastomotic leak (12% defunctioned [4/33] vs 13% not defunctioned [13/97], adjusted odds ratio 2.19, 95%CI 0.43-11.02, P = 0.343), it was associated with less severe complications (75% [3/4] with defunctioning stoma, 86.7% anastomosis only [13/15]), a lower mortality rate (0% [0/4] vs 20% [3/15]), and fewer reoperations (50% [2/4] vs 73% [11/15]) when a leak did occur. CONCLUSIONS: Primary anastomosis in selected patients appears safe after left sided emergency colorectal resection. A defunctioning stoma might mitigate against risk of subsequent complications

The impact of conversion on the risk of major complication following laparoscopic colonic surgery: an international, multicentre prospective audit.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: The and E. S. o. C. c. groups (2018). "The impact of conversion on the risk of major complication following laparoscopic colonic surgery: an international, multicentre prospective audit." Colorectal Disease 20(S6): 69-89., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.14371. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy has now been implemented as a standard of care for elective colonic resection around the world. During the adoption period, studies showed that conversion may be detrimental to patients, with poorer outcomes than both laparoscopic completed or planned open surgery. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether laparoscopic conversion was associated with a higher major complication rate than planned open surgery in contemporary, international practice. METHODS: Combined analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology 2017 and 2015 audits. Patients were included if they underwent elective resection of a colonic segment from the caecum to the rectosigmoid junction with primary anastomosis. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day major complication rate, defined as Clavien-Dindo grade III-V. RESULTS: Of 3980 patients, 64% (2561/3980) underwent laparoscopic surgery and a laparoscopic conversion rate of 14% (359/2561). The major complication rate was highest after open surgery (laparoscopic 7.4%, converted 9.7%, open 11.6%, P < 0.001). After case mix adjustment in a multilevel model, only planned open (and not laparoscopic converted) surgery was associated with increased major complications in comparison to laparoscopic surgery (OR 1.64, 1.27-2.11, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate laparoscopic conversion should not be considered a treatment failure in modern practice. Conversion does not appear to place patients at increased risk of complications vs planned open surgery, supporting broadening of selection criteria for attempted laparoscopy in elective colonic resection

Evaluating the incidence of pathological complete response in current international rectal cancer practice: the barriers to widespread safe deferral of surgery

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: , which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.14361. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."Colorectal Disease © 2018 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland Introduction: The mainstay of management for locally advanced rectal cancer is chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection. Following chemoradiotherapy, a complete response may be detected clinically and radiologically (cCR) prior to surgery or pathologically after surgery (pCR). We aim to report the overall complete pathological response (pCR) rate and the reliability of detecting a cCR by conventional pre-operative imaging. Methods: A pre-planned analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) 2017 audit was performed. Patients treated by elective rectal resection were included. A pCR was defined as a ypT0 N0 EMVI negative primary tumour; a partial response represented any regression from baseline staging following chemoradiotherapy. The primary endpoint was the pCR rate. The secondary endpoint was agreement between post-treatment MRI restaging (yMRI) and final pathological staging. Results: Of 2572 patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery in 277 participating centres across 44 countries, 673 (26.2%) underwent chemoradiotherapy and surgery. The pCR rate was 10.3% (67/649), with a partial response in 35.9% (233/649) patients. Comparison of AJCC stage determined by post-treatment yMRI with final pathology showed understaging in 13% (55/429) and overstaging in 34% (148/429). Agreement between yMRI and final pathology for T-stage, N-stage, or AJCC status were each graded as ‘fair’ only (n = 429, Kappa 0.25, 0.26 and 0.35 respectively). Conclusion: The reported pCR rate of 10% highlights the potential for non-operative management in selected cases. The limited strength of agreement between basic conventional post-chemoradiotherapy imaging assessment techniques and pathology suggest alternative markers of response should be considered, in the context of controlled clinical trials