Preparation and Characterization of Black Pomegranate Peel Extract-Loaded Nanofibers Using Electrospinning

Background: Blended electrospun nanofibrous mats containing black pomegranate peel extract (BPPE) were prepared using different proportions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polycaprolactone as the filament-forming polymers. Methods: The electrospinning process was conducted by simultaneously injecting PVP and polycaprolactone spinning solutions from two opposite sides on a rotary collector. The films were characterized in morphology, mechanical features, water vapor transmission rate, swelling properties, and drug release profile. Results: The uniform white porous nanofibrous mats were achieved using the optimized method. As the concentration of PVP in the formula increased, the average diameter of the fibers increased, and fibers containing spindle bodies appeared. Though, the moisture content is one of the most essential issues with a wound dressing to promote the healing process, excessive water absorption by PVP produced highly erodible mats with weak tensile strength and elongation. The higher content of polycaprolactone created narrower and more uniform fibers and improved the mechanical features and water swelling properties of the blended mats. Furthermore, the nanofibrous membrane composed of a 70:30 polycaprolactone/PVP weight ratio resulted in a more sustained drug release. Conclusion: The favorable properties mentioned above, along with the wound healing effect of BPPE, make it an attractive candidate for application in wound dressing products

Biological predictors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): MASCC neurological complications working group overview.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating condition associated with a number of chemotherapeutic agents. Drugs commonly implicated in the development of CIPN include platinum agents, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, bortezomib, and thalidomide analogues. As a drug response can vary between individuals, it is hypothesized that an individual's specific genetic variants could impact the regulation of genes involved in drug pharmacokinetics, ion channel functioning, neurotoxicity, and DNA repair, which in turn affect CIPN development and severity. Variations of other molecular markers may also affect the incidence and severity of CIPN. Hence, the objective of this review was to summarize the known biological (molecular and genomic) predictors of CIPN and discuss the means to facilitate progress in this field

Corrigendum: Comparison of 21-Plex PCR and API 20C AUX, MALDI-TOF MS, and rDNA Sequencing for a Wide Range of Clinically Isolated Yeast Species: Improved Identification by Combining 21-Plex PCR and API 20C AUX as an Alternative Strategy for Developing Countries

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00021.]

High efficiency nanocellulose filters for diesel particulate matter with acetylation to improve hydrophobicity

In spite of progressively tightening emissions standards, there is still significant concern that ultrafine particles are harming human health. Although ultrafine particles do not contribute much to the total mass of particulate matter emitted from the engine, they contribute greatly to the total number of particles. One of the most effective methods for removing diesel particulate matter is disposable diesel particulate filters. These filters are made from synthetic fibres such as fibreglass and polypropylene which are not environmentally friendly. Also, these kinds of filters have a short life and should be replaced every shift which results in a high cost for using these filters. The main focus of this study was to give a summary of how nanocellulose can be an effective material for filtration. Nanocellulose has a very large surface area, which significantly increases the probability of aerosol particle deposition on fibre surfaces and thereby should improve filter efficiency

Cellulose nanofibre materials, methods of making them, and their use

The present invention relates to nanofibre materials suitable for use as filtration materials. In particular, the nanofibre materials are cellulosic nanofibre. 5 materials prepared by a process in which cellulosic nanofibre materials are freeze dried to form a porous material having a high specific surface area. The materials are useful in filtering nanoparticulate matter from air and exhausts

Cellulose nanofibre materials, methods of making them, and their use

The present invention relates to nanofibre materials suitable for use as filtration materials. In particular, the nanofibre materials are cellulosic nanofibre. 5 materials prepared by a process in which cellulosic nanofibre materials are freeze dried to form a porous material having a high specific surface area. The materials are useful in filtering nanoparticulate matter from air and exhausts

A Case of Colorectal Cancer during Pregnancy: A Brief Review of the Literature

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) during pregnancy is so rare. Herein we present a case of colorectal cancer that was missed by pregnancy all over the pregnancy period. The patient was a 37-year-old woman (gravid 4, para 2) referred with the complaints of vaginal discharge and suspicious rupture of membrane (ROM). The patient was pale and the initial physical examination revealed dilation of two fingers, effacement about 30%. She underwent emergent cesarean section which showed adhesions surrounding the uterus, the bladder, and the abdominal wall. Forty days postoperatively, the patient presented with abdominal pain in the left upper quadrant (LUQ). Imaging confirmed a mass in LUQ. Partial colectomy of transverse colon (20 cm) was performed. Postoperative histopathologic study revealed a 7 * 6 * 5 cm mass in transverse colon compatible to stage IIa of the Duck class (T3, N0, Mx). Adjuvant chemotherapy was applied and the patient showed improvements during 7 months followup after surgery. Colorectal cancer in pregnancy is associated with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges which mostly lead to late diagnosis in advanced stages and poor prognosis. A targeted program to improve the general population knowledge and the establishment of a national consultant and screening program particularly for women with a planned pregnancy in the high risk group might be beneficial

Response surface methodology (RSM) modeling to improve removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions in photocatalytic process using copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO/UV)

Abstract Ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic is considered as an emerging and biological resistant pollutant. This study aimed to improve of the removal of CIP from synthetic aqueous solutions in photocatalytic process through copper oxide nanoparticles as catalyst (CuO/UV). The effect of CIP concentration (10–200 mg/l), catalyst dosage included CuO (0.01–0.1 g/l) and pH (3–11) as independent variables on the COD removal efficiency as response in photocatalytic process using UV-C lamps with three different powers of 8, 15 and 30-W were optimized through the central composite design in response surface method using design-expert software. A second order model was selected as the best model with R2 values and lack of fit as 0.85 and 0.06 for lamp 8-W, 0.89 and 0.11 for lamp 15-W, and 0.86 and 0.19 for lamp 30-W, respectively. Optimum conditions were obtained in CIP concentration of 11.2 (mg/l), CuO dosage of 0.08 (g/l), and pH value of 8.17. In this condition, predicted maximum COD removal was respectively found 83.79, 93.18, and 98.90% for lamps 8, 15 and 30-W. According to the results, photocatalytic process using copper oxide nanoparticles can effectively compose CIP in aqueous solutions