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This review embarks on a comprehensive journey, exploring the application of lignocellulosic biomass materials as highly effective adsorbents for the removal of textile dyes (cationic and anionic dyes) from wastewater. A literature review and analysis were conducted to identify existing gaps in previous research on the use of lignocellulosic biomass for dye removal. This study investigates the factors and challenges associated with dye removal methods and signifies their uses. The study delves into the pivotal role of several parameters influencing adsorption, such as contact time, pH, concentration, and temperature. It then critically examines the adsorption isotherms, unveiling the equilibrium relationship between adsorbent and dye and shedding light on the mechanisms of their interaction. The adsorption process kinetics are thoroughly investigated, and a detailed examination of the adsorbed rate of dye molecules onto lignocellulosic biomass materials is carried out. This includes a lively discussion of the pseudo-first, pseudo-second, and intra-particle diffusion models. The thermodynamic aspects of the adsorption process are also addressed, elucidating the feasibility and spontaneity of the removal process under various temperature conditions. The paper then dives into desorption studies, providing insights into the regeneration potential of lignocellulosic biomass materials for sustainable reusability. The environmental impact and cost-effectiveness of employing lignocellulosic biomass materials in textiles including Congo Red, Reactive Black 5, Direct Yellow 12, Crystal Violet, Malachite Green, Acid Yellow 99, and others dyes from wastewater treatment are discussed, emphasizing the significance of eco-friendly solutions. In summary, this review brings together a wealth of diverse studies and findings to present a comprehensive overview of lignocellulosic biomass materials as adsorbents for textile cationic and anionic dye removal, encompassing various aspects from influential parameters to kinetics, adsorption isotherms, desorption, and thermodynamics studies. Its scope and other considerations are also discussed along with its benefits. The collective knowledge synthesized in this paper is intended to contribute to the advancement of sustainable and efficient water treatment technologies in the textile industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that leads to accelerated skeletal muscle atrophy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of salbutamol (SLB) on skeletal muscle atrophy in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): control, SLB, HFD/STZ, and HFD/STZ + SLB (6 mg/kg orally for four weeks). After the last dose of SLB, rats were assessed for muscle grip strength and muscle coordination (wire-hanging, rotarod, footprint, and actophotometer tests). Body composition was analyzed in live rats. After that, animals were sacrificed, and serum and gastrocnemius (GN) muscles were collected. Endpoints include myofibrillar protein content, muscle oxidative stress and antioxidants, serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-2, and interleukin-6), serum muscle markers (myostatin, creatine kinase, and testosterone), histopathology, and muscle 1H NMR metabolomics. Findings showed that SLB treatment significantly improved muscle strength and muscle coordination, as well as increased lean muscle mass in diabetic rats. Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and muscle markers (myostatin, creatine kinase) indicate muscle deterioration in diabetic rats, while SLB intervention restored the same. Also, Feret's diameter and cross-sectional area of GN muscle were increased by SLB treatment, indicating the amelioration in diabetic rat muscle. Results of muscle metabolomics exhibit that SLB treatment resulted in the restoration of perturbed metabolites, including histidine-to-tyrosine, phenylalanine-to-tyrosine, and glutamate-to-glutamine ratios and succinate, sarcosine, and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) in diabetic rats. These metabolites showed a pertinent role in muscle inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. In conclusion, findings showed that salbutamol could be explored as an intervention in diabetic-associated skeletal muscle atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The loading of drugs or medicinally active compounds has recently been performed using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which are thought to be a new type of porous material in which organic ligands and metal ions can self-assemble to form a network structure. The quercetin (QRC) loading and biofilm application on a cyclodextrin-based metal–organic framework via a solvent diffusion approach is successfully accomplished in the current study. The antibacterial plant flavonoid QRC is loaded onto β-CD-K MOFs to create the composite containing inclusion complexes (ICs) and denoted as QRC:β-CD-K MOFs. The shifting in the chemical shift values of QRC in the MOFs may be the reason for the interaction of QRC with the β-CD-K MOFs. The binding energies and relative contents of MOFs are considerably changed after the formation of QRC:β-CD-K MOFs, suggesting that the interactions took place during the loading of QRC. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed a reduction in the formation of biofilm. The results of the cell aggregation and hyphal growth are consistent with the antibiofilm activity that is found in the treatment group. Therefore, QRC:β-CD-K MOFs had no effect on the growth of planktonic cells while inhibiting the development of hyphae and biofilm in C. albicans DAY185. This study creates new opportunities for supramolecular β-CD-based MOF development for use in biological research and pharmaceutical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Skeletal muscle atrophy is a common and debilitating condition associated with disease, bed rest, and inactivity. We aimed to investigate the effect of atenolol (ATN) on cast immobilization (IM)-induced skeletal muscle loss. (2) Methods: Eighteen male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: a control group, an IM group (14 days), and an IM+ATN group (10 mg/kg, orally for 14 days). After the last dose of atenolol, forced swimming test, rotarod test, and footprint analysis were performed, and skeletal muscle loss was determined. Animals were then sacrificed. Serum and gastrocnemius (GN) muscles were then collected, serum creatinine, GN muscle antioxidant, and oxidative stress levels were determined, and histopathology and 1H NMR profiling of serum metabolites were performed. (3) Results: Atenolol significantly prevented immobilization-induced changes in creatinine, antioxidant, and oxidative stress levels. Furthermore, GN muscle histology results showed that atenolol significantly increased cross-sectional muscle area and Feret's diameter. Metabolomics profiling showed that glutamine-to-glucose ratio and pyruvate, succinate, valine, citrate, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, acetone, serine, and 3-hydroxybutyrate levels were significantly higher, that alanine and proline levels were significantly lower in the IM group than in the control group, and that atenolol administration suppressed these metabolite changes. (4) Conclusions: Atenolol reduced immobilization-induced skeletal muscle wasting and might protect against the deleterious effects of prolonged bed rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida albicans are highly widespread pathogenic fungi in humans. Moreover, its developed biofilm causes serious clinical problems, leading to drug failure caused by its inherent drug tolerance. Hence, the inhibition of biofilm formation and virulence characteristics provide other means of addressing infections. Polymer composites (PCs) derived from natural products have attracted increasing interest in the scientific community, including antimicrobial applications. PCs are a good alternative approach to solving this challenge because of their excellent penetration power inside biofilms. The main objectives of this study were to synthesize a novel curcumin-based polybenzoxazine polymer composite (poly(Cu-A) PC) using Mannich condensation reaction and evaluate their potency as an antibiofilm and anticorrosive candidate against C. albicans. In addition, their anticorrosive efficacy was also explored. PC exhibited significant antibiofilm efficacy versus C. albicans DAY185 by the morphologic changing of yeast to hyphae, and>90% anticorrosive efficacy was observed at a higher dose of PC. These prepared PC were safe in vivo against Caenorhabditis elegans and Raphanus raphanistrum. The study shows that a polybenzoxazine polymer composite has the potential for controlling biofilm-associated fungal infections and virulence by C. albicans, and opens a new avenue for designing PCs as antifungal, anticorrosive agents for biofilm-associated fungal infections and industrial remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybenzoxazines (Pbzs) are considered as an advanced class of thermosetting phenolic resins as they overcome the shortcomings associated with novolac and resole type phenolic resins. Several advantages of these materials include curing without the use of catalysts, release of non-toxic by-products during curing, molecular design flexibility, near-zero shrinkage of the cured materials, low water absorption and so on. In spite of all these advantages, the brittleness of Pbz is a knotty problem that could be solved by blending with other polymers. Chitosan (Ch), has been extensively investigated in this context, but its thermal and mechanical properties rule out its practical applications. The purpose of this work is to fabricate an entirely bio-based Pbz films by blending chitosan with benzoxazine (Bzo), which is synthesized from curcumin and furfuryl amine (curcumin-furfurylamine-based Bzo, C-fu), by making use of a benign Schiff base chemistry. FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy were used to confirm the structure of C-fu. The impact of chitosan on benzoxazine polymerization was examined using FT-IR and DSC analyses. Further evidence for synergistic interactions was provided by DSC, SEM, TGA, and tensile testing. By incorporating C-fu into Ch, Ch-grafted-poly(C-fu) films were obtained with enhanced chemical resistance and tensile strength. The bio-based polymer films produced inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, by reversible labile linkages, expanding Ch galleries, and releasing phenolic species, which was 125 times stronger than bare Ch. In addition, synthesized polybenzoxazine films [Ch/Poly(C-fu)] showed significant dose-dependent antibiofilm activity against S. aureus and E. coli as determined by confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). This study suggests that bio-based Ch-graft-polymer material provide improved anti-bacterial property and characteristics that may be considered as a possibility in the near future for wound healing and implant applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exceptional characteristics of bio-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), including high surface-to-volume ratio and high-profit strength, are of tremendous interest. CuO NPs have cytotoxic, catalytic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Fruit peel extract has been recommended as a valuable alternative method due to the advantages of economic prospects, environment-friendliness, improved biocompatibility, and high biological activities, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as many physical and chemical methods have been applied to synthesize metal oxide NPs. In the presence of apple peel extract and microwave (MW) irradiation, CuO NPs are produced from the precursor CuCl2. 2H2O. With the help of TEM analysis, and BET surface area, the average sizes of the obtained NPs are found to be 25–40 nm. For use in antimicrobial applications, CuO NPs are appropriate. Disk diffusion tests were used to study the bactericidal impact in relation to the diameter of the inhibition zone, and an intriguing antibacterial activity was confirmed on both the Gram-positive bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Escherichia coli. Moreover, CuO NPs did not have any toxic effect on seed germination. Thus, this study provides an environmentally friendly material and provides a variety of advantages for biomedical applications and environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybenzoxazines (Pbzs) are a recently developed class of thermosetting polymeric materials possessing low surface free energy with nonfluorine or nonsilicon content. In the present study, a new type of Pbz-BN/TiO2 composite was fabricated using benzoxazine monomer bis(6-phenyl diazenyl-3-phenoxy-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazinyl) benzonitrile and inorganic TiO2 fillers by a simple and inexpensive process. The thermal curing method was found to be effective for preparing superhydrophobic surfaces combining low surface energy and surface roughness. The presence of the benzonitrile group in the benzoxazine monomer paves the way for accelerating the curing of the benzoxazine monomer, as shown by the DSC analysis. The as-prepared Pbz/TiO2 surfaces containing 5 wt% of TiO2 generated a superhydrophobic surface exhibiting a static water contact angle (SWCA) of 146°. In addition, the effect of inorganic fillers on the thermal, mechanical and dielectric properties of the Pbz/TiO2 composites was investigated in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique semiconductor and optical properties of copper oxides have attracted researchers for decades. However, using fruit waste materials such as peels to synthesize the nanoparticles of copper oxide (CuO NPs) has been rarely described in literature reviews. The main purpose of this part of the research was to report on the CuO NPs with the help of apple peel extract under microwave irradiation. Metal salts and extracts were irradiated at 540 W for 5 min in a microwave in a 1:2 ratio. The crystallinity of the NPs was confirmed by the XRD patterns and the crystallite size of the NPs was found to be 41.6 nm. Elemental mapping of NPs showed homogeneous distributions of Cu and O. The NPs were found to contain Cu and O by EDX and XPS analysis. In a test involving two human pathogenic microbes, NPs showed antibacterial activity and the results revealed that the zone of inhibition grew significantly with respect to the concentration of CuO NPs. In a biofilm, more specifically, NPs at 25.0 µg/mL reduced mean thickness and biomass values of S. aureus and E. coli biofilms by >85.0 and 65.0%, respectively, with respect to untreated controls. In addition, environmentally benign materials offer a number of benefits for pharmaceuticals and other biomedical applications as they are eco-friendly and compatible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A poly(methyl methacrylate-co-maleic anhydride) P(MMA-co-MA) copolymer was synthesized via radical polymerization. The synthesized P(MMA-co-MA) copolymer was identified by 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), (13C-NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 composites were developed using a solution-casting method. The PBAT to P(MMA-co-MA) weight ratio was kept at 70:30, while the weight percentage of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) was varied from 0.0 to 5.0 wt.%. SiO2 was used for PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA) to solve the compatibility between PBAT and the P(MMA-co-MA) matrix. The PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 composites were characterized by studied FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM. A comparison of the composite film PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 (PBMS-3) with the virgin PBAT and P(MMA-co-MA) film revealed its good tensile strength (19.81 MPa). The WVTR and OTR for the PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 composites were much smaller than for PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA). The PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 WVTR and OTR values of the composites were 318.9 ± 2.0 (cc m−2 per 24 h) and 26.3 ± 2.5 (g m−2 per 24 h). The hydrophobicity of the PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA) blend and PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 composites was strengthened by the introduction of SiO2, as measured by the water contact angle. The PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 composite films showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the food-pathogenic bacteria E. coli and S. aureus from the area of inhibition. Overall, the improved packaging characteristics, such as flexibility, tensile strength, low O2 and H2O transmission rate, and good antimicrobial activities, give the PBAT/P(MMA-co-MA)–SiO2 composite film potential for use in food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the characteristics of the biocomposite film, solution cast was used to incorporate almond gum at different concentrations (10.0, 30.0, and 50.0%). The functional groups and morphology were determined using FTIR and SEM. The thermal property of chitosan and its composites materials were determined via TGA. In this study, the incorporation of almond gum into the chitosan matrix resulted in good mechanical strength, film thickness, and low barrier and solubility characteristics. Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the composites films was also investigated. The WVTR and OTR values for the chitosan/almond gum (CSA) composite film values are 11.6 ± 1.62 (g/m2/day) and 32.9 ± 1.95 (cc/m2/24 h), respectively. The obtained composites show significantly improved antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The results suggest that the CSA composites may serve as a promising candidate for antimicrobial food packaging materials. After an observation of the test results, it is inferred that the CSA composites bear good mechanical and antimicrobial activity and also show enhanced morphological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, we present the synthesis of gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles using the sol–gel auto-combustion technique. The obtained gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles were annealed at various temperatures, such as 800 °C, 900 °C, 1000 °C, and 1100 °C. The synthesized materials were analyzed by various instrumental characterizations. The vibrational characteristics of the synthesized samples were verified by FTIR. The surface morphology of the gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles was analyzed by FE-SEM and HR-TEM, revealing their spherical structural morphology and uniform particle structure. The presence of the elemental features was analyzed in the gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles by EDAX. The surface analysis of the core ranges of the XPS-recorded spectra were obtained for the elemental states of the Gd, Fe, and O factors in the samples, and it additionally characterized the different levels of oxidative states by fitting the levels of the high-resolution parameters of Gd 4d, Fe 2p, and O 1s. The magnetic properties of the samples were investigated by VSM. The measurement of the magnetic parameters revealed that gadolinium orthoferrite nanoparticles exhibit a ferromagnetic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradation is necessary for water-soluble or water-immiscible polymers because they eventually enter streams which can neither be recycled nor incinerated. It is important to consider the microbial degradation of natural and synthetic polymers in order to understand what is necessary for biodegradation and the mechanisms involved. Low/high-density polyethylene is a vital cause of environmental pollution. It occurs by choking the sewer line through mishandling, thus posing an everlasting ecological threat. Environmental pollution due to the unscrupulous consumption of synthetic polymers derived from petroleum has an adverse impact on the environment since the majority of plastics do not degrade, and the further incineration of synthetic plastics generates CO2 and dioxin. This requires understanding the interactions between materials and microorganisms and the biochemical changes involved. Widespread studies on the biodegradation of plastics have been carried out in order to overcome the environmental problems associated with synthetic plastic waste. Awareness of the waste problem and its impact on the environment has awakened new interest in the area of degradable polymers through microbes viz., bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. The microbial degradation of plastics is caused by certain enzymatic activities that lead to a chain cleavage of polymers into oligomers and monomers. This review focuses on the biodegradation rate of plastics by fungal and bacterial communities and the mode of action of biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer composites display the synergistic property of the polymer (matrix) and inorganic particles (filler material), when their combination is properly utilized. In the present work, polymer composites possessing a superhydrophobic property are fabricated by imposing the combination of both surface free energy and surface roughness. Polybenzoxazine (Pbz) is a choice of low surface free energy material and TiO2 particles contribute to create surface roughness. Thus, Pbz/TiO2 composites were fabricated by varying TiO2 contents to produce superhydrophobicity. The hydrophobicity increased from 94° for Pbz to 140° for Pbz/T5. The advantage of molecular design flexibility is also utilized to synthesize benzoxazine monomer (Bzo), which then undergoes thermally induced self-polymerization with different contents of TiO2 to produce Pbz-TiO2 composites. The structure analysis and curing behavior of the Bzo monomer was examined using FT-IR, NMR and DSC techniques. Whereas the properties of the Pbz/TiO2 composites were analyzed by WCA, SEM, DMA, TGA, and dielectric techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-response polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as a carrier system for various types of therapeutic delivery. In this study, we prepared a dual pH- and thermo-sensitive copolymer hydrogel (HG) system (PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG), using N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAm) and acrylamide (AAm) as comonomers. The synthesized PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG was characterized using various instrumental characterizations. Moreover, the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG's thermoresponsive phase transition behavior was investigated, and the results showed that the prepared HG responds to temperature changes. In vitro drug loading and release behavior of PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG was investigated using Curcumin (Cur) as the model cargo under different pH and temperature conditions. The PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG showed pH and temperature-responsive drug release behavior and demonstrated about 65% Cur loading efficiency. A nearly complete release of the loaded Cur occurred from the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG over 4 h at pH 5.5 and 40 °C. The cytotoxicity study was performed on a liver cancer cell line (HepG2 cells), which revealed that the prepared PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG showed good biocompatibility, suggesting that it could be applied as a drug delivery carrier. Moreover, the in vitro cytocompatibility test (MTT assay) results revealed that the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG is biocompatible. Therefore, the PNIPAm-co-PAAm HG has the potential to be useful in the delivery of drugs in solid tumor-targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid advancements in materials that offer the appropriate mechanical strength, barrier, and antimicrobial activity for food packaging are still confronted with significant challenges. In this study, a modest, environmentally friendly method was used to synthesize functionalized octakis(3-chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane [fn-POSS] nanofiller. Composite films compared to the neat thermoplastic starch (TS) film, show improved thermal and mechanical properties. Tensile strength results improved from 7.8 MPa to 28.1 MPa (TS + 5.0 wt.% fn-POSS) with fn-POSS loading (neat TS). The barrier characteristics of TS/fn-POSS composites were increased by fn-POSS by offering penetrant molecules with a twisting pathway. Also, the rates of O2 and H2O transmission were decreased by 50.0 cc/m2/day and 48.1 g/m2/day in TS/fn-POSS composites. Based on an examination of its antimicrobial activity, the fn-POSS blended TS (TSP-5.0) film exhibits a favorable zone of inhibition against the bacterial pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The TS/fn-POSS (TSP-5.0) film lost 78.4% of its weight after 28 days in natural soil. New plastic materials used for packaging, especially food packaging, are typically not biodegradable, so the TS composite with 5.0 wt.% fn-POSS is therefore of definite interest. The incorporation of fn-POSS with TS composites can improve their characteristics, boost the use of nanoparticles in food packaging, and promote studies on biodegradable composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gum katira polysaccharide is biocompatible and non-toxic, and has antioxidant, anti-microbial, and immunomodulatory properties. It is a natural polysaccharide and exudate derived from the stem bark of Cochlospermum reliogosum Linn. Additionally, it has many traditional medicinal uses as a sedative and for the treatment of jaundice, gonorrhea, syphilis, and stomach ailments. This article provides an overview of gum katira, including its extraction, separation, purification, and physiochemical properties and details of its characterization and pharmacognostic features. This paper takes an in-depth look at the synthetic methods used to modify gum katira, such as carboxymethylation and grafting triggered by free radicals. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of its industrial and phytopharmacological applications for drug delivery and heavy metal and dye removal, its biological activities, its use in food, and the potential use of gum katira derivatives and their industrial applications. We believe researchers will find this paper useful for developing techniques to modify gum katira polysaccharides to meet future demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal resistance that leads to the failure of drug therapy due to biofilm development is a major clinical challenge. Various polysaccharides have been used to control biofilm formation by drug-resistant fungi, and this study was undertaken to develop chitosan (CS)-modified materials and evaluate their abilities to inhibit Candida biofilm growth. CS was grafted with methacrylamide (MA) and acrylonitrile (AN) and, to improve its application characteristics further, was grafted with hyaluronic acid to produce CS-g-poly (MA-co-AN) HA complex. Grafting and complex formation were confirmed using spectroscopic techniques. CS-g-poly (MA-co-AN) HA was tested to investigate its ability to inhibit Candida albicans biofilm formation and showed significant antibiofilm activity at 200 µg/mL. Additionally, CS-g-poly (MA-co-AN) HA did not have any toxic effect on Caenorhabditis elegans. Thus, this study provides an innovative means of preventing microorganism-associated biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes are common pests that damage agricultural crop plants. Some of them are beneficial while others are parasitic and harmful to plants, animals and humans. Several in vitro studies have aimed to develop chemicals to kill parasitic nematodes, while others have been conducted to use beneficial nematodes as biocontrol agents. However, the preparation of large quantities of nematode eggs in a laboratory setting is challenging. Traditional egg isolation protocols involve the use of sieves to filter eggs or the use of chemicals that can be harmful to nematodes while isolating the eggs. Our method utilizes 1.5 × 1.5 cm sized chunks of bacterial or fungal feed to lure nematodes. A subsequent gentle washing of the consumed chunk with distilled water provides a rapid and straightforward method of collecting eggs in 6-well polystyrene plates and removing unwanted nematodes. Approximately 4000 Bursaphelenchus xylophilus eggs from a fungal chunk and 2400 Caenorhabditis elegans eggs from a bacterial chunk were obtained when tested. This study shows a protocol for the isolation of eggs and synchronization of nematode stages that is relatively straightforward, rapid, eco-friendly, and efficient. The protocol also provides a chemical-free and a reliable, simple means of separating eggs from adults and induces the synchronization of nematodes based on the simple concept that gravid nematodes can be provoked to lay eggs by providing additional feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is well-known for its rapid acclimatization in hospital environments. The ability of the bacterium to endure desiccation and starvation on dry surfaces for up to a month results in outbreaks of health care-associated infections. Previously, indole and its derivatives were shown to inhibit other persistent bacteria. We found that among 16 halogenated indoles, 5-iodoindole swiftly inhibited A. baumannii growth, constrained biofilm formation and motility, and killed the bacterium as effectively as commercial antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, colistin, and gentamicin. 5-Iodoindole treatment was found to induce reactive oxygen species, resulting in loss of plasma membrane integrity and cell shrinkage. In addition, 5-iodoindole rapidly killed three Escherichia coli strains, Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungus Candida albicans, but did not inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study indicates the mechanism responsible for the activities of 5-iodoindole warrants additional study to further characterize its bactericidal effects on antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii and other microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique semiconductor and optical properties of copper oxides have attracted researchers for decades. However, using fruit waste materials such as peels to synthesize the nanoparticles of copper oxide (CuO NPs) has been rarely described in literature reviews. The main purpose of this part of the research was to report on the CuO NPs with the help of apple peel extract under microwave irradiation. Metal salts and extracts were irradiated at 540 W for 5 min in a microwave in a 1:2 ratio. The crystallinity of the NPs was confirmed by the XRD patterns and the crystallite size of the NPs was found to be 41.6 nm. Elemental mapping of NPs showed homogeneous distributions of Cu and O. The NPs were found to contain Cu and O by EDX and XPS analysis. In a test involving two human pathogenic microbes, NPs showed antibacterial activity and the results revealed that the zone of inhibition grew significantly with respect to the concentration of CuO NPs. In a biofilm, more specifically, NPs at 25.0 µg/mL reduced mean thickness and biomass values of S. aureus and E. coli biofilms by >85.0 and 65.0%, respectively, with respect to untreated controls. In addition, environmentally benign materials offer a number of benefits for pharmaceuticals and other biomedical applications as they are eco-friendly and compatible., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

A poly(methyl methacrylate- co -maleic anhydride) P(MMA- co -MA) copolymer was synthesized via radical polymerization. The synthesized P(MMA- co -MA) copolymer was identified by 1 H- and 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H-NMR), ( 13 C-NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT)/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 composites were developed using a solution-casting method. The PBAT to P(MMA- co -MA) weight ratio was kept at 70:30, while the weight percentage of SiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) was varied from 0.0 to 5.0 wt.%. SiO 2 was used for PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA) to solve the compatibility between PBAT and the P(MMA- co -MA) matrix. The PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 composites were characterized by studied FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM. A comparison of the composite film PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 (PBMS-3) with the virgin PBAT and P(MMA- co -MA) film revealed its good tensile strength (19.81 MPa). The WVTR and OTR for the PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 composites were much smaller than for PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA). The PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 WVTR and OTR values of the composites were 318.9 ± 2.0 (cc m -2 per 24 h) and 26.3 ± 2.5 (g m -2 per 24 h). The hydrophobicity of the PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA) blend and PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 composites was strengthened by the introduction of SiO 2 , as measured by the water contact angle. The PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 composite films showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the food-pathogenic bacteria E. coli and S. aureus from the area of inhibition. Overall, the improved packaging characteristics, such as flexibility, tensile strength, low O 2 and H 2 O transmission rate, and good antimicrobial activities, give the PBAT/P(MMA- co -MA)-SiO 2 composite film potential for use in food packaging applications.