Effect of chitosan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on size and antibacterial activity of copper nanoparticles

Background: Nanomaterials exhibit better antibacterial activity because of their distinct structural/ morphological characteristics. The particle size and shape of the nanomaterials are the two significant parameters which affect the resultant antibacterial property. Different biopolymers have been explored to prepare capped metal nanoparticles with controlled/desired particle size and morphology. Methods: The present research work explains the effect of chitosan (CH) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the shape and size of the copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) and their antibacterial activity. The CH-Cu and HPMC-Cu NPs were achieved by facile precipitation technique using ascorbic acid as a nucleating agent. Results: Instrumental analysis by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray analysis and transmission electron microscope confirmed the successful synthesis of Cu NPs. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies revealed that the formed NPs have a spherical structure with different diameters of ~8 ± 2 nm for CH-Cu and ~38 ±2 nm for HPMC-Cu NPs. Crystalline size calculated using Debye–Scherrer equation from XRD results were also in good agreement with the above results. The developed materials CH-Cu NPs and HPMC-Cu demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It was observed that the CH-Cu NPs showed a higher inhibition zone when compared to that of the HPMC-Cu NPs. Conclusions: The biopolymer capped Cu NPs of smaller particle size exhibit much better antibacterial activity and the particle size of the Cu NPs (nm) can be finetuned with the aid of selecting the most appropriate biopolymer

Uncommon isolated near total small bowel mesenteric tear after blunt abdominal trauma and successful damage control surgery

Isolated near total small bowel mesenteric tear after blunt abdominal trauma is rare. We reported here an uncommon case with isolated near total small bowel mesenteric tear after blunt abdominal trauma. Early diagnosis of mesenteric tear is important and enhanced computed tomography is more sensitive for that kind of injury. Damage control laparotomy should be considered if unstable vital signs occurred

Prospective study on sociodynamics of cellulitis in general surgical unit

Background: Cellulitis is a potentially serious infection that commonly recurs. The identification of preventable dynamic factors could reduce infection related morbidity and cost and improve patient management. The aim of this study was to identify the dynamic factors associated with cellulitis, including analysis of risk factors associated with cellulitis in either limb and in other parts of the body.Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 110 patients with cellulitis in either limb and in other parts of the body, who were admitted in septic ward of all units of King George hospital between period of December 2013 to December 2014. The factors such as low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, rural area, nutritional status and associated co-morbid conditions and their effect on outcome of patient were studied. Univariate analyses were performed to describe the study.Results: The median age of the participants was 62.5 years. The following risk factors were strongly and independently associated with cellulitis and outcome of the patient; illiteracy (OR, 4; P value 0.010), age above 50 years (OR, 0.110; P value 0.000), residing in rural areas (OR, 4.008; P value 0.006), low socioeconomic status (OR, 0.241; P value 0.030) and associated co-morbid conditions (OR, 0.390; P value, 0.032).Conclusion: Patients usually presented in the late stage of disease because of illiteracy, ignorance and poor knowledge. Patients should be educated to routinely inspect their feet, and the importance of appropriate footwear should be emphasized. Patients who are actively involved in their care can improve their quality of life and have a better outcome.

Preparation and properties of biodegradable spent tea leaf powder/poly(propylene carbonate) composite films

Abstract: The aim of the present work is to develop novel biobased lightweight material with improved tensile and thermal properties. Spent tea leaf powder (STLP) is used as a filler to improve the tensile and thermal properties of polypropylene carbonate (PPC). Tea is an important material of hotels and household and spent tea leaf forms a conjugal solid waste. Composite films are obtained by solution casting method. These films are characterized by Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and tensile testing to examine the effect of filler content on the properties of the composites. The results have shown that composite films are having increased tensile strength due to enhanced interfacial adhesion between the filler and the matrix. In addition, the composite films have also exhibited higher thermal degradation temperatures compared to pure polypropylene carbonate. The morphology results indicate that there is a good interface interaction between STLP and PPC. Results of the study reveal STLP to be a promising green filler for polymer plastics

Hydrogels and its Nanocomposites from Renewable Resources: Biotechnological and Biomedical Applications

Eco-friendly hydrogel and its nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels prepared from renewable resources have drawn significant attention from industrial and academic sectors. The ecofriendly polymeric hydrogels contain polymers or their composites, which are either biodegradable or biobased (from renewable resources). Their carbon-neutral lifecycle may reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and the dependence on petroleum-based materials and then reduce the human footprint on the environment. In this concern, the technologies are required in order to develop novel soft materials beside to get the new information, and fundamental understanding results in important advancement in the field of hydrogels and its NC hydrogels. A wide diversity of complex hydrogel structures have been found with distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties at the nanometer level. The possibility in order to develop self-assembled and supramolecular morphologies makes natural polymers and inorganic nanoparticles desirable building blocks for the design of water-based gels. In this book chapter, we partially covered the accomplishments and trends in the field of NC polymer hydrogels with a focus on creative approaches to generating structures, properties, and function within mostly biotechnological and biomedical application

A comprehensive review of techniques for natural fibers as reinforcement in composites::preparation, processing and characterization

Designing environmentally friendly materials from natural resources represents a great challenge in the last decade. However, the lack of fundamental knowledge in the processing of the raw materials to fabricate the composites structure is still a major challenge for potential applications.Natural fibers extracted from plants are receiving more attention from researchers, scientists and academics due to their use in polymer composites and also their environmentally friendly nature and sustainability. The natural fiber features depend on the preparation and processing of the fibers. Natural plant fibers are extracted either by mechanical retting, dew retting and/or water retting processes. The natural fibers characteristics could be improved by suitable chemicals and surface treatments. This survey proposes a detailed review of the different types of retting processes, chemical and surface treatments and characterization techniques for natural fibers. We summarize major findings from the literature and the treatment effects on the properties of the natural fibers are being highlighted

Electroactive Hydrogels Made with Polyvinyl Alcohol/Cellulose Nanocrystals

This paper reports a nontoxic, soft and electroactive hydrogel made with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC). The CNC incorporating PVA-CNC hydrogels were prepared using a freeze–thaw technique with different CNC concentrations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results proved the good miscibility of CNCs with PVA. The optical transparency, water uptake capacity and mechanical properties of the prepared hydrogels were investigated in this study. The CNC incorporating PVA-CNC hydrogels showed improved displacement output in the presence of an electric field and the displacement increased with an increase in the CNC concentration. The possible actuation mechanism was an electrostatic effect and the displacement improvement of the hydrogel associated with its enhanced dielectric properties and softness. Since the prepared PVA-CNC hydrogel is nontoxic and electroactive, it can be used for biomimetic soft robots, actively reconfigurable lenses and active drug-release applications