Optimization of Extraction of Natural Antimicrobial Pigments Using Supercritical Fluids: A Review

It has become increasingly popular to replace chemically synthesized compounds with natural counterparts mostly found in natural sources, such as natural pigments. The conventional extraction processes for these compounds are limited by the toxicity and flammability of the solvents. To obtain pure extracts, it is always a longer process that requires several steps. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a cutting-edge green technology that is continuously increasing and expanding its fields of application, with benefits such as no waste produced, shorter extraction time, automation, and lower solvent consumption. The SFE of natural pigments has high potential in food, textiles, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals; there are a number of other applications that can benefit from the SFE technique of natural pigments. The pigments that are extracted via SFE have a high potential for application and sustainability because of their biological and antimicrobial properties as well as low environmental risk. This review provides an update on the SFE technique, specifically as it pertains to the optimization of health-promoting pigments. This review focuses on antimicrobial pigments and the high efficiency of SFE in extracting pure antimicrobial pigments. In addition, the optimal conditions, biological activities, and possible applications of each category are explained

Association of protein tyrosine phosphatase non receptor type 22 (PTPN22) C1858T gene polymorphism with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Egyptian children cohort

Background: The protein tyrosine phosphatase non receptor 22 gene (PTPN22) is an important negative regulator of signal transduction through the T-cell receptors. Recently a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 1858 C/T within this gene was shown to be a risk factor for several autoimmune diseases. Aim: To analyze a possible association between 1858 C/T SNP and T1DM in Egyptian cohort. Patients and methods: Patients with T1DM and healthy controls were genotyped for the 1858 C/T SNP in PTPN22 gene. Results: A non-significant association between PTPN22 1858 C/T SNP and T1DM was found. 1858T/T genotype was not observed more frequently in T1DM patients compared to control subjects. Conclusion: In concordance with previous data establishing PTPN22 1858 C/T SNP association with several autoimmune diseases, our findings deny further evidence that the PTPN22 gene may play an important role in the susceptibility to T1DM

Recent Advances in Functionalization of Cotton Fabrics with Nanotechnology

Nowadays, consumers understand that upgrading their traditional clothing can improve their lives. In a garment fabric, comfort and functional properties are the most important features that a wearer looks for. A variety of textile technologies are being developed to meet the needs of customers. In recent years, nanotechnology has become one of the most important areas of research. Nanotechnology’s unique and useful characteristics have led to its rapid expansion in the textile industry. In the production of high-performance textiles, various finishing, coating, and manufacturing techniques are used to produce fibers or fabrics with nano sized (10−9) particles. Humans have been utilizing cotton for thousands of years, and it accounts for around 34% of all fiber production worldwide. The clothing industry, home textile industry, and healthcare industry all use it extensively. Nanotechnology can enhance cotton fabrics’ properties, including antibacterial activity, self-cleaning, UV protection, etc. Research in the field of the functionalization of nanotechnology and their integration into cotton fabrics is presented in the present study

Fabrication of New Multifunctional Cotton/Lycra Composites Protective Textiles through Deposition of Nano Silica Coating

This study aims to develop multifunctional pile cotton fabrics by implementing different compositions of lycra yarns with different densities of the cotton fabric under study. Highly dispersed silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) with small sizes—in the range of 10–40 nm—were successfully prepared and were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size distribution of nano silica was determined via dynamic laser scattering (DLS) and measurements of its zeta potential. Cotton/lycra fabrics were treated using prepared SiO2 NPs in presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a crosslinking agent. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the nano-treated fabrics and assure homogeneous dispersion of SiO2 NPs on the cotton/lycra composites. Additionally, the nanoparticles were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against human pathogens such as Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The functional properties of the new composite pile cotton fabrics include excellent antibacterial, highly self-cleaning, and excellent UV protection factor (UPF) properties

Novel Antiviral and Antibacterial Durable Polyester Fabrics Printed with Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs)

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the importance of developing advanced protective equipment, and new antiviral fabrics for the protection and prevention of life-threatening viral diseases are needed. In this study, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were combined with polyester fabrics using printing technique to obtain multifunctional properties, including combined antiviral and antibacterial activities as well as coloring. The properties of the printed polyester fabrics with SeNPs were estimated, including tensile strength and color fastness. Characterization of the SeNPs was carried out using TEM and SEM. The results of the analysis showed good uniformity and stability of the particles with sizes range from 40–60 nm and 40–80 nm for SeNPs 25 mM and 50 mM, respectively, as well as uniform coating of the SeNPs on the fabric. In addition, the SeNPs—printed polyester fabric exhibited high disinfection activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with an inhibition percentage of 87.5%. Moreover, a toxicity test of the resulting printed fabric revealed low cytotoxicity against the HFB4 cell line. In contrast, the treated fabric under study showed excellent killing potentiality against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli). This multifunctional fabric has high potential for use in protective clothing applications by providing passive and active protection pathways

Impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)’s multidimensional approach on rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units in 22 hospitals of 14 cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

To analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Approach (IMA) and use of INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS) on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) rates in Saudi Arabia from September 2013 to February 2017. A multicenter, prospective, before–after surveillance study on 14,961 patients in 37 intensive care units (ICUs) of 22 hospitals. During baseline, we performed outcome surveillance of VAP applying the definitions of the CDC/NHSN. During intervention, we implemented the IMA and the ISOS, which included: (1) a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions, (2) education, (3) outcome surveillance, (4) process surveillance, (5) feedback on VAP rates and consequences and (6) performance feedback of process surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models to estimate the effect of intervention. The baseline rate of 7.84 VAPs per 1000 mechanical-ventilator (MV)-days―with 20,927 MV-days and 164 VAPs―, was reduced to 4.74 VAPs per 1000 MV-days―with 118,929 MV-days and 771 VAPs―, accounting for a 39% rate reduction (IDR 0.61; 95% CI 0.5–0.7; P 0.001). Implementing the IMA was associated with significant reductions in VAP rates in ICUs of Saudi Arabia