Compressive stress strain behavior of workable bio-concretes produced using bamboo, rice husk and wood shavings particles

The present study aims to produce workable bio-based concretes with consistence indexes around 265 ± 15 mm, free of pressing process with bio-aggregates such as bamboo particles, wood shavings and rice husk. To produce the concretes, a nominal water-to-cement ratio of 0.45, a cement amount of 687 kg/m3 and a volume fraction of the bio-aggregates of 50%, were used for all mixtures. Appropriate compensating water amounts and the use of adequate dosages of viscosity modifying agent (VMA) allowed obtaining bio-concretes of high workability without exudation and segregation. The fresh property used was the consistence index through the flow table test, while the hardened property determined was the compressive stress-strain behavior at 1, 7 and 28 days. The results showed workable and consistent mixtures, with mechanical properties that can allow industrial scale production of construction components

A doxorubicin–platinum conjugate system:impacts on PI3K/AKT actuation and apoptosis in breast cancer cells

In recent years, the development of a nano-conjugate system for drug delivery applications has gained attention among researchers. Keeping this in mind, in this study, we developed a doxorubicin–platinum conjugate system that targeted breast cancer cell lines. To achieve this, we developed platinum nanoparticles using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). High resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) revealed the occurrence of octopod-shaped platinum nanoparticles. Subsequently, doxorubicin (DOX) was conjugated on the surface of the as-prepared platinum octopods via an in situ stirring method. The physicochemical characterization of the doxorubicin–platinum conjugate system revealed that the PVP of PtNPs interacts with the NH(2) group of doxorubicin via electrostatic interaction/hydrogen bonding. Besides, the doxorubicin–platinum conjugate system exhibited a sustained drug release profile within the cancer cells. Furthermore, the evaluation of the in vitro anticancer efficacy of the doxorubicin–platinum conjugate system in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) unveiled the induction of apoptosis via intracellular ROS and DNA damage, rather than free DOX and PtNPs. Remarkably, we also perceived that the doxorubicin–platinum conjugate system was strong enough to down-regulate the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. As a result, the tumour suppressor gene PTEN was activated, which led to the stimulation of a mitochondrion-based intrinsic apoptotic pathway and its downstream caspases, triggering cell death. Hence, our findings suggested that a biologically stable doxorubicin–platinum conjugate system could be an imperative therapeutic agent for anticancer therapy in the near future

Carbon footprint of bamboo particles, rice husk and wood shavings-cement composites

The growing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) increases more and more the heat trapping in the atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperatures, also known as global warming. For these reasons, in the last decade, in order to counteract this phenomenon, a special effort has been made also in the construction sector by developing new sustainable building materials and, moreover, one of the most promising solution is the possible employment of forest waste as a raw material for the production of cement based construction systems. In this context, the present study aims at evaluating the carbon footprint production of bio-based cementitious composites (BBCCs) produced with three types of bio-aggregates: bamboo particles, rice husk and wood shavings. The carbon footprint of the BBCCs was calculated using a life cycle perspective following the guidelines of ISO 14067:2014. The biogenic carbon was quantified based on the carbon content of the bio-based materials, considering the landfill process in the end-of-life stage. System boundaries were established according to a cradle-togate approach, based on data collection (in literature and laboratory) regarding the raw material production, transportation and processing. The results were presented in three ways: (1) the amount of CO2e emissions to produce 1m³ of composite (kgCO2e/m³), (2) the amount of CO2e emissions considering the 1MPa strength of the composite (kgCO2e/m³.MPa), (3) the amount of CO2e emissions to produce 1m³ with 1MPa strength considering the dry density of the composite (MPa.CO2e index./Dry density). The wood shavings composite was the most carbon efficient, while the rice husk showed to be the lowest efficient. Finally, the main criteria for a low carbon footprint bio-based material were described in order to help designers