Preparation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Apparel and Medical Application （衣服および医療用途における電界紡糸ナノファイバーの作製および特性評価）

信州大学(Shinshu university)博士（工学）ThesisZEESHAN. Preparation and Characterization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Apparel and Medical Application （衣服および医療用途における電界紡糸ナノファイバーの作製および特性評価）. 信州大学, 2013, 博士論文. 博士（工学）, 甲第594号, 平成25年9月30日授与.doctoral thesi

Photodegradation of dyes by a novel TiO2/u-RuO2/GNS nanocatalyst derived from Ru/GNS after its use as catalyst in aerial oxidation of primary alcohols (GNS = Graphene NanoSheets)

Ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs) supported on graphene nanosheets (GNS), a composite (Ru/GNS), were prepared by a dry synthesis method and were used as nanocatalysts for the aerial oxidation of various primary alcohols. Ru/GNS was highly efficient, selective, stable and heterogeneous in nature. Owing to the high stability of the used catalyst (u-Ru/GNS), it was further applied in a different catalytic system viz photocatalytic degradation, after suitable modifications. We have obtained a novel TiO2/u-RuO2/GNS catalyst from u-Ru/GNS by the sol-gel method. The catalytic activity of TiO2/u-RuO2/GNS toward the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) and acridine orange (AO) was found to be excellent. Overall, the sustainable use of these recyclable materials (Ru/GNS and TiO2/u-RuO2/GNS) could lead to economic and environmental benefits.Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis. 115(2):759-772 (2015)journal articl

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Influence of Amino-Ffunctional Macro and Micro Silicone Softeners on the Properties of Cotton Fabric

Amino-functional silicone softeners are most widely used type of soft finishes owing to their outstanding permanent softness, smoothness and handle characteristics. These soft finishes are prepared in different emulsion droplet sizes such as macro and micro emulsions providing varying characteristics on the textile on which they are applied. The macroemulsions due to their larger droplet sizes lubricate fabric and yarn surfaces, while the micro-emulsion, thanks to their smaller sizes penetrate inside fiber pores. In this research amino-functional macro and micro emulsions have been applied on dyed cotton fabric in 1:1 combination and compared against their influence on physical properties such as bending length, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, crease resistance and water repellency. These emulsions have also been compared for their influence on colorimetric properties; color difference and color strength (K/S values). The results reveal that the softener`s application in combination improves the properties deteriorated by each softener when applied separatel

The Impact of Effective Colour Management for Textile Coloration: An Instrumental Way Towards Perfection

The colour produced by the application of either dyes or pigments on textiles must be close matched with reference (standard) provided by buyer. Meeting stringent requirement from Buyer that demands right colour on right time is not a simple task to achieve. The process of colour matching is a lengthy process and needs many trials to get close match. The colour quantification through instruments helps to cut most of the lead time, however, there is a serious need to manage colour during colour approval stage and coloration process. We adopted four different routes for colour approval and compared with the conventional one. The study revealed that out of four instrumental options, the 4th option had shortest route and minimum lead time. We also concluded that by using spectrophotometer, K/S (Colour Strength) and colorimetic values are very good to not only communicate colour numerically but also controlling colour during colour approval process

Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Polylactic Acid Nanofibers as an Artificial Nerve Conduit

Development of conduits made of biodegradable nanofibers is gaining substantial interest due to their suitability for nerve regeneration. Among all polymeric nanofibers PCL (Poly ?-Caprolactone) is distinctively found for mechanical stability and PLLA (Poly (L-Lactic Acid)) for relatively faster biodegradability. The aim of this study is to investigate blending compatibility between PCL and PLLA and the ability to fabricate nanofibers conduits via electro spinning. The PCL-PLLA nano-fiber tubular made from different blend ratios of PCL-PLLA were electro spun. The electro spun nanofibers were continuously deposited over high speed rotating mandrel to fabricate nanofibers conduit having inner diameter of 2mm and the wall thickness of 55-65µm. The diameters of nano-fibers were between 715-860nm. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy used to analyze chemical change in the blends of nerve conduits, which revealed that the PCL-PLLA blend nanofiber exhibit characteristic peaks of both PCL and PLLA and was composition dependent. The crystallinity of PCL-PLLA tubes were studied using WAXD (Wide Angle Xray Diffraction). The morphology of nanofibers were investigated under SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). The mechanical properties of the conduits were also tested; the Young?s modulus obtained for small diameter was 10MPa, twice as high as larger diameter

Fabrication of Ceftriaxone-Loaded Cellulose Acetate and Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers and Their Antibacterial Evaluation

Nanotechnology provides solutions by combining the fields of textiles and medicine to prevent infectious microbial spread. Our study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of nanofiber sheets incorporated with a well-known antibiotic, ceftriaxone. It is a third-generation antibiotic that belongs to the cephalosporin group. Different percentages (0, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%; based on polymer wt%) of ceftriaxone were incorporated with a polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via electrospinning to fabricate nanofiber sheets. The Kirby-Bauer method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of the nanofiber sheets using Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). For the characterization of the nanofiber sheets incorporated with the drug, several techniques were used, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results showed that the nanofiber sheets containing ceftriaxone had potential inhibitory activity against E. coli and S. aureus as they had inhibition zones of approximately 20–25 mm on Mueller-Hinton-agar-containing plates. In conclusion, our nanofiber sheets fabricated with ceftriaxone have potential inhibitory effects against bacteria and can be used as a dressing to treat wounds in hospitals and for other biomedical applications

A Landscape of CRISPR/Cas Technique for Emerging Viral Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics: Progress and Prospects

Viral diseases have emerged as a serious threat to humanity and as a leading cause of morbidity worldwide. Many viral diagnostic methods and antiviral therapies have been developed over time, but we are still a long way from treating certain infections caused by viruses. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the challenges where current medical science advancements fall short. As a result, new diagnostic and treatment options are desperately needed. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has recently been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for viral disease treatment. CRISPR/Cas9 is a specialised, effective, and adaptive gene-editing technique that can be used to modify, delete, or correct specific DNA sequences. It has evolved into an advanced, configurable nuclease-based single or multiple gene-editing tool with a wide range of applications. It is widely preferred simply because its operational procedures are simple, inexpensive, and extremely efficient. Exploration of infectious virus genomes is required for a comprehensive study of infectious viruses. Herein, we have discussed the historical timeline-based advancement of CRISPR, CRISPR/Cas9 as a gene-editing technology, the structure of CRISPR, and CRISPR as a diagnostic tool for studying emerging viral infections. Additionally, utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology to fight viral infections in plants, CRISPR-based diagnostics of viruses, pros, and cons, and bioethical issues of CRISPR/Cas9-based genomic modification are discussed