Optimisation of Thiourea Concentration in a Decorative Copper Plating Acid Bath Based on Methanesulfonic Electrolyte

The role of thiourea as an organic additive in the nucleation and growth mechanism was studied for copper deposition and its application in the decorative electroplating and fashion accessory industries. The bath was designed to reduce the environmental and ecological impacts using methanesulfonic acid as electrolyte as an alternative to alkaline cyanide baths. We evaluated the nucleation and growth mechanism of copper exploiting voltametric and chronoamperometric measurements with a brightener concentration ranging from 0 to 90 ppm. We used the Scharifker– Hills model to estimate the type of nucleation mechanism after progressive addition of thiourea. Scanning electron microscope was employed for surface analysis and morphological characterisation of the nuclei. We verified that progressive nucleation is a key step in the obtainment of a shiny and homogeneous copper film, but an excess of thiourea could cause parasitic adsorption reactions on the surface of the substrate. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used for the thickness determination of the copper deposits and the electrodeposition efficiency correlated to thiourea concentration. Finally, the optimal concentration of thiourea was assessed to be 60 ppm for the used formulation of copper plating

Approaches in biotechnological applications of natural polymers

Natural polymers, such as gums and mucilage, are biocompatible, cheap, easily available and non-toxic materials of native origin. These polymers are increasingly preferred over synthetic materials for industrial applications due to their intrinsic properties, as well as they are considered alternative sources of raw materials since they present characteristics of sustainability, biodegradability and biosafety. As definition, gums and mucilages are polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates consisting of one or more monosaccharides or their derivatives linked in bewildering variety of linkages and structures. Natural gums are considered polysaccharides naturally occurring in varieties of plant seeds and exudates, tree or shrub exudates, seaweed extracts, fungi, bacteria, and animal sources. Water-soluble gums, also known as hydrocolloids, are considered exudates and are pathological products; therefore, they do not form a part of cell wall. On the other hand, mucilages are part of cell and physiological products. It is important to highlight that gums represent the largest amounts of polymer materials derived from plants. Gums have enormously large and broad applications in both food and non-food industries, being commonly used as thickening, binding, emulsifying, suspending, stabilizing agents and matrices for drug release in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the food industry, their gelling properties and the ability to mold edible films and coatings are extensively studied. The use of gums depends on the intrinsic properties that they provide, often at costs below those of synthetic polymers. For upgrading the value of gums, they are being processed into various forms, including the most recent nanomaterials, for various biotechnological applications. Thus, the main natural polymers including galactomannans, cellulose, chitin, agar, carrageenan, alginate, cashew gum, pectin and starch, in addition to the current researches about them are reviewed in this article.. }To the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientfíico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for fellowships (LCBBC and MGCC) and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nvíel Superior (CAPES) (PBSA). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462) and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) (JAT)

Dry powder inhalers of gentamicin and leucine: formulation parameters, aerosol performance and in vitro toxicity on CuFi1 cells

The high hygroscopicity of gentamicin (G) as raw material hampers the production of respirable particles during aerosol generation and prevents its direct use as powder for inhalation in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Therefore, this research aimed to design a new dry powder formulation of G studying dispersibility properties of an aminoacid, l-leucine (leu), and appropriate process conditions. Spray-dried powders were characterized as to water uptake, particle size distribution, morphology and stability, in correlation with process parameters. Aerodynamic properties were analyzed both by Single Stage Glass Impinger and Andersen Cascade Impactor. Moreover, the potential cytotoxicity on bronchial epithelial cells bearing a CFTR F508/F508 mutant genotype (CuFi1) were tested. Results indicated that leu may improve the aerosol performance of G-dried powders. The maximum fine particle fraction (FPF) of about 58.3% was obtained when water/isopropyl alcohol 7:3 system and 15-20% (w/w) of leu were used, compared to a FPF value of 13.4% for neat G-dried powders. The enhancement of aerosol efficiency was credited both to the improvement of the powder flowability, caused by the dispersibility enhancer (aminoacid), and to the modification of the particle surface due to the influence of the organic co-solvent on drying process. No significant degradation of the dry powder was observed up to 6 months of storage. Moreover, particle engineering did not affect either the cell viability or cell proliferation of CuFi1 over a 24h period

Robotic assisted surgery in pediatric gynecology: promising innovation in miniinvasive surgical procedures

Study Objective: Robotic assisted surgery is not yet widely applied in the pediatric field. We report our initial experience regarding the feasibility, safety, benefits, and limitations of robot-assisted surgery in pediatric gynecological patients. Design: Descriptive, retrospective report of experience with pediatric gynecological patients over a period of 12 months. Setting: Department of Pediatric Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation. Participants: Children and adolescents, with a surgical diagnosis of ovarian and/or tubal lesions. Main Outcome Measures: Robot assembly time and operative time, days of hospitalization, time to cessation of pain medication, complication rate, conversion rate to laparoscopic procedure and trocar insertion strategy. Results: Six children and adolescents (2.4-15 yrs), weighing 12-55 kg, underwent robotic assisted surgery for adnexal pathologies: 2 for ovarian cystectomy, 2 for oophorectomy, 1 for right oophorectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy for gonadal disgenesis, 1 for exploration for suspected pelvic malformation. Mean operative time was 117.5 \ub1 34.9 minutes. Conversion to laparatomy was not necessary in any of the cases. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. Conclusion: Initial results indicate that robotic assisted surgery is safely applicable in the pediatric gynecological population, although it is still premature to conclude that it provides better clinical outcomes than traditional laparoscopic surgery. Randomized, prospective, comparative studies will help characterize the advantages and disadvantages of this new technology in pediatric patients

Innovative Phytodefense Colloidal Delivery System Based On Chestnut Spiny Bur Extract

Exploiting agri-food by-products is a pertinent strategy in the context of implementing the circular economy concept in the agri-food industry. In this context, the hydroalcoholic extract (CSB-H) of chestnut spiny burs of C. Sativa Mill and its main compounds (hydrolysable tannins and flavonoids) showed a marked free radical scavenging activity and efficacy in the inhibition of phytopathogenic fungi such as Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani and Botrytis cinerea, responsible for foodstuffs deterioration [1-2]. The functional activity highlighted suggests its potential use in the phytodefense of IV range plants. Although the extract has higher and demonstrated functional efficacy, its use in the dry form has poor applicability due to different critical issues such as unpleasant organoleptic characteristics, poor solubility in water, and lower stability. This work aimed to develop a technological-formulation protocol using the spray-drying technique to convert raw extract (CSB-H) into a stable, water-soluble, easy-to-handle ingredient useful in the phyto-defence of seedlings of the fourth range[3]. This work aimed to develop a technological approach to convert raw hydroalcoholic extract (CSB-H) of chestnut spiny burs into a stable, water-soluble ingredient useful in phytodefense. The design of an adequate multicomponent polymer matrix, of natural origin/derivation, (inulin/sodium carboxymethylcellulose/SLS) and of the spray drying process parameters have improved its technological and biological characteristics, obtaining a functional ingredient in the form of a water-dispersible powder, easy to dose and manipulate, with improved stability that make it useful in agriculture field. In vivo studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the ingredient in the field. Even the powder not loaded with the extract (blank) acts synergistically, providing some protection to the leaves, due to the film-forming properties of its components. The developed technological approach led to obtaining high production yields (greater than 60%), and higher encapsulation efficiency of 100%. Finally, in the dissolution and permeation assays, a technological improvement was observed for both profiles for the microparticle powder containing the extract, compared to the unprocessed extract, suggesting an increase in bioavailability after in vivo administration. These results show that the selected technological approach combined widelivery system designs parameters and a careful design of the delivery system led to obtaining a stable and functional microparticulate powder, potentially useful as an innovative ingredient in phytodefense, and scalable to an industrial approach

Exploring microencapsulation potential: Multicomponent spray dried delivery systems for improvement of Chlorella vulgaris extract preservation and solubility

The potential of Lutein-rich extract from Chlorella vulgaris (CHL) as a health product ingredient is hindered by stability and solubility issues. We propose a method to produce a stable microparticulate powder using spray- drying and a multicomponent carrier consisting of modified starch (OSA-MS), low molecular weight Inulin, and Lecithin. The influence of matrix selection, spray drying, and storage conditions on powder properties and chemical-physical stability was investigated. The resulting powder exhibited improved flow characteristics, wettability, and enhanced water dissolution rate of CHL. After 12 months of storage, the powder (PURIL-CHL) retained approximately 65 % of Lutein, twice the retention of the raw extract. The properties of the spray-dried powder were well-preserved, and bioactive dissolution remained above 80%. This study provides an approach to upgrade Lutein-rich CHL extract in powder form, suitable for various applications in the health products industry