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In this work we describe the use of bimetallic silver‐copper macroporous foams for electrochemical nitrate reduction in acidic conditions (pH 2, 0.1 M NaClO4). By carefully selecting the composition of the electrodeposition bath, we have successfully prepared foams with atomic percentage varying from Ag dominant to Cu dominant. Also, we have succeeded to obtain morphologies that vary between the one specific to pure Ag foam to the one specific to pure Cu foam. We have shown that these foams contain a pure silver phase and also a silver‐copper alloy. The electrochemical active surface area of the foams depends both on the morphology as well as on the atomic composition. These materials were used for the first time as catalysts for nitrate electrochemical reaction (NO3RR). Both liquid and gaseous products were quantified with several analytical techniques. It was shown that bimetallic foams present superior faradaic efficiency (FE) towards liquid products in comparisons with pure silver and copper foams, suggesting a synergetic contribution from both metals. The Ag94Cu6 (AgCu10) foam shows a FE as high as 92 % towards liquid products and the lowest FE (3 %) towards the undesired product, i. e. nitrous acid. Also, this material shows a better stability than pure copper materials in the presence of nitrate in acidic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained attention in medicine for their potent antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. The use of silver nanoparticles in ophthalmic solutions raises concerns regarding potential toxicity of nanoparticles to ocular tissues, such as the cornea, conjunctiva, and retina, which necessitates further toxicity assessments aiding in the development of safer ophthalmic solutions. This study investigates the impact of AgNPs on corneal tissue using ophthalmic investigations, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and chemometric analyses. Three concentrations of AgNPs (0.48 µg/mL, 7.2 µg/mL, and 15.5 µg/mL) were topically applied twice daily for 10 days, synthesized biologically by reducing silver nitrate with almond kernels water extract. Corneas, obtained by cutting 2–3 mm below the ora serrata, were analyzed with FTIR spectroscopy and subjected to chemometric analyses. Results reveal AgNPs’ influence on constituents with OH and NH groups, affecting corneal lipids and reducing the lipid saturation index. AgNPs alter both bulk and interfacial water, leading to changes in corneal hydration thus modifying corneal physico-chemical properties. The influence extends to the water environment around proteins and lipids, releasing bound water from phospholipids and disrupting hydrogen bonding networks around proteins. In conclusion, the applied AgNPs concentrations can be linked to dry eye onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Methods Results Conclusion It is often recommended that, in children with bilateral epistaxis, only one side of the nasal septum should be cauterised at a time in order to reduce the risk of septal perforation. This advice may have been reasonable when hot wire electrocautery was in common use. The risk of septal perforation after silver nitrate cautery is unknown but probably low.Retrospective case note review of children attending the nurse‐led epistaxis clinic between 2019 and 2022.Nine hundred and twenty children were seen in the nurse‐led clinic between January 2019 and December 2022. Six hundred and one children (79%) underwent nasal cautery. Simultaneous bilateral nasal cautery was carried out in 176 (29%) children. Our follow up period ranged between 303 and 1744 days, with a median of 809.5 days. No child presented to emergency or ENT services with septal perforation or any other complication of simultaneous bilateral nasal cautery.To the author's knowledge, this is the largest study assessing the safety of simultaneous bilateral nasal cautery with silver nitrate in children. No adverse results have been found after cauterising both sides of the septum at the same sitting, and doing so potentially saves time and money for patients and the health service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitivity and mechanical sensitivity of silver acetylide-silver nitrate (SASN) seriously affects its application. For solving this problem, novel SASN@GO nanocomposites were successfully prepared by a self-assembly method. Thin sheet graphene oxide (GO) was coated on the surface of SASN, and prevented the agglomeration of SASN nanoparticles effectively. GO content in SASN@GO nanocomposites was controlled (0.5 ~ 1.5 wt%) to balance explosive performance and safety. Results reveal that SASN@(1%)GO exhibits the best thermal safety and desensitization, with thermal decomposition temperature, impact sensitivity (Is), friction sensitivity (Fs) and electrostatic energy at 50% ignition probability (E50) of 208.2°C, 1.96 J, 128 N and 0.64 mJ respectively, which are much better than that of SASN, indicating safety performances of SASN are improved through the introducetion of a small amount of GO. This work provides a strategy for reducing the explosion risk of SASN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the extract obtained from the flowers of the Anchusa azurea (AA) plant was mixed with silver nitrate to obtain silver nanoparticles. The ion sensing ability of the obtained bio-sourced silver nanoparticles in aqueous solutions was investigated and the presence of Hg2+ ions was determined colorimetrically. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared on Green Chemistry method, which is both an environmentally friendly and cost-effective synthesis technique, were characterised using different analytical tools. The mean particle size of AA-AgNPs from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images was determined to be 22 nm in diameter. XRD measurements showed that the crystallite sizes of the synthesised AgNPs were in the face-centred cubic crystal structure with an average size of 22 nm, which is consistent with TEM results. AA-AgNPs showed absorption at 435 nm, indicating that AgNPs exhibit a strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and play a role in stabilisation. AgNPs synthesised with Anchusa azurea flowers were observed using UV-vis spectroscopy to selectively and sensitively detect mercury ions (Hg2+). When Hg2+ in aqueous solution was added to the AgNPs, the overall absorbance dramatically decreased and the colour changed from yellow to colourless. This study shows that AA-AgNPs can be used as a cost-effective material in optical sensors for colorimetric determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium alloys are among the widely used biomedical materials due to their biocompatibility and mechanical performance. It is an indisputable fact that the materials used in this area must be antibacterial. Therefore, in this study, the production of antibacterial Titanium alloys using NanoAg particles for use in biomedical applications was investigated. First, Ti-6Al-4 V titanium alloys were produced by the powder metallurgy method, which includes blending, pressing and sintering processes. Nano silver particles were synthesized by a chemical reduction method using silver nitrate and glucose. The resulting solution was subjected to Ag + ions and glucose determinations, pH and turbidity analysis. Nano Ag application was carried out by two different methods; dipping and coating method. The obtained samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. Additionally, as the main purpose of this study, antibacterial analysis against Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus was performed by percentage reduction test. While the coating method was seen to be more successful in antibacterial tests, the overall Nano Ag application performance was found to be higher against Escherichia Coli bacteria. Being that the sample containing 5% Nano Ag titanium alloys produced with the coating technique showed 100% killing effect against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is among the most extensively utilized solvents in various industrial applications. In this study, we present a highly efficient synthesis route for MEK via the decarboxylation of biomass-derived levulinic acid, using potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) as key reagents. The specific roles of AgNO3 and K2S2O8 were thoroughly investigated. Additional silver species, such as Ag2O and AgO, were also detected during the reaction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses provided evidence of the evolution of solid phases throughout the reaction. Based on these findings, we propose a radical decarboxylation mechanism initiated by the generation of sulfate radicals (SO4•⁻) through the catalytic breakdown of K2S2O8 by AgNO3. This mechanistic understanding, combined with a parametric study, enabled us to achieve an unprecedented level of levulinic acid conversion (97.9%) and MEK yield (86.6%) with this system, surpassing all previously reported results in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The cultivation of the Pacific fat sleeper (Dormitator latifrons) is of commercial interest in the Eastern Central Pacific. Its domestication potential is affected by the presence of pathogens. This study aimed to identify two trichodinid ectoparasites that are associated with D. latifrons larval mortality. We evaluated a total of 4320 fish larvae, 1080 fish larvae per treatment, revealing the presence of T. acuta and T. compacta in one treatment. Larval mortality in the infected treatment reached up to 58% by the fourth day post-hatching, at 28 °C, due to Trichodina infestation, resulting in significantly lower survival in the infected tanks compared to the uninfected tanks. This is the first geographical record of these protozoan parasites in a species that is native to the East Central Pacific Basin and intended for culture. Trichodinidae, a prevalent group of protozoan ectoparasites in aquaculture, cause rapid mortality in fish hatcheries. Despite their significance, knowledge about these parasites in farmed fish in South America, especially in native species that are currently being domesticated for aquaculture, remains limited. This study morphologically characterized the Trichodinid species that are infecting Pacific fat sleeper (Dormitator latifrons) larvae and evaluated their impact on larval rearing. Four pairs of broodstock were induced with GnRHA implants and placed in tanks containing 200 L of freshwater, with a water temperature of 28 ± 1.0 °C and a dissolved oxygen level of 4.00 ± 1.23 mg L−1, with partial water exchanges being performed daily. The larvae hatched 7 to 8 h after fertilization and were transferred to tanks containing water with the same quality parameters. Twelve hours post-hatching, the presence of Trichodina was observed. Every 24 h, 60 larvae per tank (n = 180 per treatment) were sedated, and larval wet mounts were prepared, air-dried at room temperature, and impregnated with silver nitrate. Infection parameters and daily mortality were calculated. Trichodina was observed to parasitize the pelvic fins, caudal fins, and heads of fish larvae, which showed lethargy and erratic swimming movements. The Trichodina species showed a daily increase in the infection parameters, and a 58% rate of larval mortality was observed at the fourth day post-hatching (dph) in the infected tanks. In captivity, D. latifrons larvae typically survive up to 7 days post-hatching (dph) before reaching their point of no return due to the lack of adequate diet and feeding regimes. However, our study indicates that Trichodina infestation accelerates mortality, causing infected larvae to die more quickly than uninfected ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first aqueous silver borate nitrate Ag3B4O6(OH)2(NO3) has a non-centrosymmetric crystal structure (P43212, a = 10.0196(3) Å, c = 9.2594(2) Å). The compound is prepared by soft hydrothermal synthesis inside an evacuated quartz ampoule. The structure of the resulting 1D–5B-borate compound is formed by [B4O6(OH)2]2– chains consisting of two triborate rings with a common (2Δ3□:(‹Δ2□›–‹Δ2□›–)∞ tetrahedron and NO3 triangles with silver atoms between the rings. The relationship between the structures of Ag3B4O6(OH)2(NO3), Tl2B4O6(OH)2·2H2O and the kernite Na2B4O6(OH)2·3H2O (also formed by [B4O6 (OH)2]2– chains) is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stevia is an industrially and medicinally valued herb from Asteraceae family. • First report on polyamine- and growth inducer-mediated mono-phasic regeneration in liquid medium. • meta -Topolin-putrescine combination enhanced in vitro growth and proliferation. • Cumulative impact on growth and development was assessed via multiple statistical analyses. • Successfully developed mono-phasic in vitro regenerationn protocol with reduced production time. In the present study, a high-frequency simultaneous muliple shoot-root regeneration protocol for stevia using a liquid medium was developed successfully. Shoot tip explants were grown in Murashige and Skoog liquid (MSL) medium supplemented with different cytokinins i.e. , 6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (KIN), and meta -Topolin (m T) in three varied concentrations in combination with 4.9 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to evaluate their performance on mono-phasic growth and development traits. The m T (6.2 µM) + IBA (4.9 µM) combination induced the highest number of de novo shoots, leaves, and roots (6.3, 30.7, and 5.3, respectively) compared to other treatments during the four-week culture. To assess the effect of polyamines and growth inducers on multiple shoot proliferation, shoot tips from optimized multiple shoot cultures were grown individually in putrescine (PUT), spermidine, spermine, silver nitrate, and salicylic acid (at 100–500 µM) supplemented medium for four weeks and compared against control (without polyamines or growth inducers). The cumulative and individual impact of these polyamines and growth inducers on in vitro growth parameters were comprehensively assessed by employing combined jitter plot and box plot, correlation, network plot, principal component analysis, and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean clustering based on the Euclidean distance matrix. Among different treatments, 200 µM PUT exhibited the most promising results in terms of earliest shoot-root formation (4.7 days, 7.0 days), maximum shoot-root proliferation (counting 12.0, 11.0), and elongation (97.3 mm, 50.0 mm), having maximum leaf count (87). This protocol should be useful to meet the ever-increasing consumers' demand for stevia plantlets, a source of commercially valuable natural sweetener. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the silver ions in a silver nitrate solution were reduced to the Ag element by silk sericin (SS); then, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was added into the mixed solution of SS and silver nitrate to form the bifunctional SS/NIPAAm-Ag3 hydrogel with interpenetrating network structure with N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as a cross-linking agent, ammonium persulfate (APS) as a initiator and N, N, N', N-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) as a co-initiator. SEM showed that the SS/NIPAAm-Ag3 hydrogel had a regular honeycomb structure and high porosity. It was confirmed by DSC that the SS/NIPAAm-Ag3 hydrogel exhibited temperature sensitivity, and its Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) was about 35 °C. The swelling degree of the SS/NIPAAm-Ag3 hydrogel was obviously higher than that of SS/NIPAAm hydrogel at 25 °C and 37 °C. The time required for deswelling equilibrium was shortened by 2 h compared with SS/NIPAAm hydrogel, showing that the introduction of a certain amount of nano-Ag could give hydrogel excellent swelling and deswelling properties. The bacteriostatic rates against Esherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) reached 99.8% and 93.38%, respectively. A cytotoxicity test proved that SS/NIPAAm-Ag3 hydrogel had no adverse effects on the human cell health. The development of this temperature-sensitive and antibacterial hydrogel provides a new possibility for the preparation of hydrogel medical dressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The first aqueous silver borate nitrate Ag3B4O6(OH)2(NO3) has a non-centrosymmetric crystal structure (P43212, a = 10.0196(3) Å, c = 9.2594(2) Å). The compound is prepared by soft hydrothermal synthesis inside an evacuated quartz ampoule. The structure of the resulting 1D–5B-borate compound is formed by [B4O6(OH)2]2– chains consisting of two triborate rings with a common (2Δ3□:(‹Δ2□›–‹Δ2□›–)∞ tetrahedron and NO3 triangles with silver atoms between the rings. The relationship between the structures of Ag3B4O6(OH)2(NO3), Tl2B4O6(OH)2·2H2O and the kernite Na2B4O6(OH)2·3H2O (also formed by [B4O6 (OH)2]2– chains) is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study applied electrospun fibers containing 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (8-HQS) (100, 150, and 200 mg L−1) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) (15 and 20 mg L−1) to enhance the longevity and qualitative parameters of two cyclamen cultivars. The results indicated that the vase life of the flowers treated with 20 mg L−1 AgNO3 and 200 mg L−1 8-HQS was higher than that of the other treatments (16 days). Cyclamens treated with 8-HQS (100 mg L−1) + AgNO3 (15 mg L−1) and 8-HQS (100 mg L−1) + AgNO3 (20 mg L−1) had lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity than the control group. Also, it was observed that the higher phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) enzyme activity of cyclamens in the 8-HQS (150 mg L−1) + AgNO3 (15 mg L−1) treatment was longer than that of the other treatments and control groups. Treatment with 100 mg L−1 8-HQS and 20 mg L−1 AgNO3 showed higher peroxidase (POD) activity than the different treatments. This research indicated that adding AgNO3 and 8-HQS to electrospun fibers is a promising method for enhancing the longevity and maintaining the quality of these cut flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HAp), a biocompatible ceramic material, has been the priority source in several biomedical applications due to its bone type composition, crystallography and morphology. In the current research, firstly, HAp powder was synthesized from the waste eggshells using a modified synthesis route, i.e., multistage calcination preceded by a chemical precipitation method for process optimization. Secondly, the silver-doped HAp was synthesized with varying weight percent (0.0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 wt.%) of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in HAp. An increase of 5.52% and 23.68% in maximum compressive strength and Vickers microhardness was observed between the undoped and 0.2 wt.% silver-doped HAp, showing the improved adhesion and bonding strength of the sintered samples. The porosity percentage also decreased with an increase in silver doping and was minimum for HAP0.2Ag (7.969%). The flowability characteristics demonstrate good flow for HAP0.0Ag (HR = 1.175 and CI = 14.89) and HAP0.1Ag (HR = 1.174 and CI = 14.87), and persists the travelable flow up to 0.5 wt.% (angle of repose = 42 ± 1.28, n = 3). Silver doping exhibits a synergistic effect, yielding satisfactory physiomechanical and antibacterial properties up to 0.2 wt.%. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy, x-ray Diffraction Technique, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy verify the morphology, chemical composition, bonding strength, crystallite size, particle size, lattice strain and phase purity, respectively. Six different bacteria strains, i.e., S. epidermidis, S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli DH5α, P. aeruginosa and E. coli, employed for antibacterial characterization confirm the antibacterial nature of silver-doped HAp. Results obtained accentuate the antibacterial nature of silver-doped HAp and its utility in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to synthesize the silver nanoparticles from Alangium salvifolium Wang. and evaluating its biomedical applications. The leaves of A. salvifolium collected and subjected for the standard procedure of Soxhlet extraction using distilled water as a solvent. With the help of an aqueous extract AgNPs were synthesized from silver nitrate using phyto-reduction method. Further, synthesized AgNPs were characterized using several analytical techniques such as UV, FTIR, SEM–EDX, XRD, particles size and zeta potential. Synthesized AgNPs were tested for antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer for lung cancer cell line and flowcytometry-based pathway studies. The visual observation confirmed the formation of AgNPs from the aqueous extract by changing yellow to brown colour formation. Further, characterization techniques also confirmed the formation of AgNPs. Antibacterial activity results showed that the tested AgNPs were potent against bacterial pathogens with a higher zone of inhibition. Further, the antioxidant and anticancer activity of AgNPs revealed that the AgNPs have exhibited significant results with a good percentage of inhibition. Further, the flow cytometry studies confirmed that the AgNPs inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in lung cancer. The phytochemicals of A. salvifolium plant have successfully synthesized AgNPs. In the case of performed biological activity, the synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited potent activity. In future these AgNPs can be taken for molecular and in vivo studies to identify their efficacy using in vivo and molecular models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a novel calcium silver zeolite (Ca-Ag-Zeo) and assess its biocompatibility, physiochemical properties and antimicrobial effects. Methods: Ca-Ag-Zeo was synthesized using ion-exchange method with calcium chloride, silver nitrate and Zeolite X (Zeo). Silver zeolite X (Ag-Zeo) and Zeo were set as control. The chemical structure, morphology, crystal structure and elemental composition of Ca-Ag-Zeo was characterized by X-ray diffraction spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Its biocompatibility on the human gingival fibroblasts was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay. Its physiochemical properties were determined by the released calcium and silver ion using Inductive Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometry for up to 12 weeks. The antimicrobial properties on Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Candida albicans were assessed by minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) or minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) assay. Results: Ca-Ag-Zeo with a hexagonal cage structure was synthesized. As for biocompatibility, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (± SD in mg/mL) of Ca-Ag-Zeo, Ag-Zeo and Zeo in human gingival fibroblasts were 0.52 ± 0.05, 0.15 ± 0.01 and 3.35 ± 0.58, respectively (Zeo > Ca-Ag-Zeo > Ag-Zeo; p < 0.05). As for physiochemical properties, the accumulated ion release (± SD in mg) of Ca-Ag-Zeo, Ag-Zeo and Zeo were 0.011 ± 0.003, 0 and 0 for calcium ion, respectively (Ca-Ag-Zeo > Ag-Zeo, Zeo; p < 0.001), and 0.213 ± 0.032, 0.209 ± 0.019 and 0 for silver ion, respectively (Ca-Ag-Zeo, Ag-Zeo > Zeo; p < 0.001). As for anti-microbial ability, the MBC/MFC (mg/mL) of Ca-Ag-Zeo, Ag-Zeo and Zeo were 32, 16 and > 256 against Streptococcus mutans; 32, 16, > 256 against Lactobacillus acidophilus; 16, 16, and 256 against Lactobacillus casei; 0.25, 0.125; and 2, 1, > 256 against Candida albicans, respectively. Conclusion: A novel Ca-Ag-Zeo was developed. It presented better biocompatibility compared to Ag-Zeo. It released calcium and silver ions sustainably, and it could inhibit the growth of common cariogenic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a straightforward yet impactful method to enhance optical fibre sensor signals by integrating silver nanostars (AgNS) with graphene oxide (GO-AgNS) as a sensing material. AgNS were synthesized successfully via a one-step chemical reduction method using hydroxylamine as a reducing agent. The concentration of hydroxylamine was varied (7.2, 3.6, 1.8, and 0.9) x 10-4 %v/v to optimize AgNS formation, with the longest spike of the nanostar observed at lower hydroxylamine concentrations, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-visible measurements revealed the highest peak absorption for AgNS synthesized using 0.9 x 10-4 %v/v hydroxylamine, 0.05 M sodium hydroxide, 0.8 mM silver nitrate, and 0.045 M sodium citrate, with an average length of 352.62 ± 59.72 nm measured from TEM images. GO was synthesized via a modified Hummer's method and mixed with AgNS at varying ratios (1:5, 1:10, 1:15, and 1:20) to form GO-AgNS coatings for the fibre optic probe. The GO-AgNS coating at a ratio of 1:5 exhibited the highest light absorption intensity, enhancing optical signal by 218% compared to GO-coated and 174% compared to AgNS-coated fibre optic sensors. These findings demonstrate that embedding AgNS onto the GO matrix structure as a sensing material significantly improves sensor performance, suggesting promising applications for super-sensitive, costeffective, and rapid detection in fibre optic-based sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of different conditions on the reaction of alkenes with phenyl[(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-imino]-λ3-iodane (PhI=NTf, 1) have been studied. The reaction of PhI=NTf with styrenes in the presence of copper(I) chloride led to the formation of substituted aziridine and bis-trifluorometanesulfonamido derivatives at different ratios. When silver nitrate was used as additive in the same reaction, 1-phenyl-2-(trifluoro-methanesulfonamido)ethyl nitrate was formed. Isomeric amidines were obtained from camphene as substrate in the presence of different activating additives and an oxidant. Potential biological activity of the synthesized compounds was predicted using PASS Online software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Decalcification is a technique used to remove calcium salts from hard tissue specimens, such as bone or teeth, to make them suitable for sectioning. X-rays, physical methods, and chemical methods are commonly used to determine the endpoint of decalcification. However, these procedures can be cumbersome, may deteriorate the specimen, and are often subjective. Aim: To determine the endpoint of decalcification of hard tissue specimens using a colour palette. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Oral Pathology at Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, over a period of 5 months. A total of 25 hard tissue specimens (10 bone and 15 teeth) were subjected to decalcification in 20% formic acid. To evaluate the endpoint of decalcification, silver nitrate solution was added to the formic acid, and the colour change was noted. The resulting colour was compared with a previously patented colour palette (Patent number: 202241047215). Once a lighter colour was obtained, the specimen was processed, sectioned, and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). The slides were then evaluated by two pathologists. Results: A total of 8 (80%) bone samples exhibited excellent staining, while 2 (20%) samples showed a good staining score. Regarding the tooth samples, 14 (93.3%) showed excellent staining, and one (6.66%) tooth displayed a good staining score. Conclusion: The present method is a simple and safe way to determine the endpoint of decalcification for a specimen. It does not damage the tissue, thus preserving the integrity of the hard tissue specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aimed at the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanocomposite (NC) using maize leave as precursor. Silver NPs (AgNPs) and AgNCs were synthesized from silver nitrate and maize leave extract using green approach. The maize leave NPs (AgNPs) and the maize leave NCs (AgNCs) were characterized using Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion x-ray (EDX), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurement, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) particle size analysis. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannin, oxalate, and flavonoids in appreciable quantity, which have proven to be a powerful reducing agent that facilitates the reduction of silver ions for the synthesis of silver NPs and silver nano composites. FTIR revealed that all the peaks identified in AgNPs and AgNCs belong to the characteristic bands of reducing compounds such as flavonoid compounds. The SEM-EDX results showed that the peaks observed from 2.9 to 3.1 Kev in the spectra indicate the presence of elemental silver as it is reduced from Ag+ to Ag. DLS analysis results showed that the average size and polydispersity index (PdI) of the synthesized AgNPs and AgNCs were 42.30 and 68.29 nm, 0.691 and 0.270, respectively. The single point BET surface area (m2/g) obtained for AgNPs and AgNCs were 223.3 and 209.5, respectively. The results showed maize leave as a potential precursor for the preparation of NPs and NCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel supramolecular composite, "photogels", was synthesized by mixing of cysteine–silver sol (CSS) and methylene blue (MB). A complex of modern physico-chemical methods of analysis such as viscosimetry, UV spectroscopy, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that MB molecules are uniformly localized mainly in the space between fibers of the gel-network formed by CSS particles. Molecules of the dye also bind with the surface of CSS particles by non-covalent interactions. This fact is reflected in the appearance of a synergistic anticancer effect of gels against human squamous cell carcinoma even in the absence of light irradiation. A mild toxic influence of hydrogels was observed in normal keratinocyte cells. Photodynamic exposure significantly increased gel activity, and there remained a synergistic effect. The study of free-radical oxidation in cells has shown that gels are not only capable of generating reactive oxygen species, but also have other targets of action. Flow cytometric analysis allowed us to find out that obtained hydrogels caused cell cycle arrest both without irradiation and with light exposure. The obtained gels are of considerable interest both from the point of view of academics and applied science, for example, in the photodynamic therapy of superficial neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Begonia rex cv. DS-EYWA is an important plant for indoor and outdoor cultivation, and cv. DS-EYWA is a rare unique cultivar with curly, colorful leaves. Due to their importance, applying plant tissue culture techniques for mass and healthy production in a short period of time without seasonal limitation is of immense economic value. Applying several concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in combination with varied concentrations of cytokinins including 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), thidiazuron (TDZ) (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mgL−1), and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) auxin (0, 0.5, 1 mgL−1) via focusing on transverse thin cell layer (tTCL) petiole explants for high-scale production was used to establish an efficient in vitro propagation protocol. Our results showed that even low concentrations (25 mgL−1) can control internal bacterial infection and increase shoot direct regeneration efficiency. A combination of 1.5 mgL−1 BAP, 0.5 mgL−1 NAA, and 25 mgL−1 AgNO3 was the best treatment to increase the number of direct regenerated shoots, and a lower concentration of BAP (0.5 mgL−1) can be suggested for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots were successfully rooted in MS basal medium and acclimatized in a 1:1 peat moss/perlite sterilized pot mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we describe a simple strategy for the preparation of a low-cost electrode material based on polypyrrole (PPy) film grown on an insulating cellulosic paper substrate via in-situ oxidative polymerisation technique and functionalised by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) uniformly dispersed on its surface. The properties of the obtained AgNPs-PPy composites were characterised using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared electrode was investigated for the electroreduction of nitrate using cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KOH solution. Results demonstrated that the incorporation of AgNPs into the PPy matrix improves significantly the catalytic behaviour of this film. The effect on the electrode response of the amount of the incorporated AgNPs was also investigated. This paper highlights a simple procedure for the making of low-cost paper electrodes for the efficient reduction of nitrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design, synthesis, and spectroscopic characterization of [Ag(P(o‐C6H4OCH3)3)(NO3)]2 (1) and [Ag(P(o‐C6H4OCH3)3)2][NO3] (2) were conducted to investigate the efficiency of the fabricated solar cell devices. The slow evaporation technique proved effective in growing the colorless crystals of the silver(I) complexes. Spectroscopic analyses including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) studies were carried out to elucidate the chemical structure and absorption properties of the compounds. The chemical composition and existence of intermolecular interactions in 1 and 2 were disclosed via the single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction method. The side‐to‐side arrangement of molecules in 1 and 2 was evident from the crystal packing analysis, in which the molecules in both compounds were linked together by C–H···O and C–H···π contacts. The silver(I) complexes exhibited maximum absorption wavelength (287–288 nm) within the ultraviolet region, where both compounds had comparable high energy band gap values ranging from 4.15 to 4.16 eV. Moreover, both compounds possess appropriate HOMO–LUMO energy levels that facilitate effective electron injection and dye regeneration processes in dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. Photophysical characterization techniques, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy‐dispersive x‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy studies were employed to assess the morphological characteristics and elemental composition of the silver(I) complexes on TiO2. Compound 2 exceeded 1 in terms of solar cell efficiency, 2 (η = 3.34%) > 1 (η = 0.66%) due to the complex being in ionic form and composed of the mononuclear [Ag(P(o‐C6H4OCH3)3)2]+ cation [NO3]− anion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The study aims to investigate the effect of combining silver nanoparticles (AGNPs) with different antibiotics on multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and to investigate the mechanism of action of AGNPs. Methods AGNPs were prepared by reduction of silver nitrate using trisodium citrate and were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) in addition to an assessment of cytotoxicity. Clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected, and antimicrobial susceptibility was conducted. Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index was calculated, and bacteria were categorized as MDR or XDR. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, and AGNPs were determined. The mechanism of action of AGNPs was researched by evaluating their effect on biofilm formation, swarming motility, protease, gelatinase, and pyocyanin production. Real-time PCR was performed to investigate the effect on the expression of genes encoding various virulence factors. Results TEM revealed the spherical shape of AGNPs with an average particle size of 10.84 ± 4.64 nm. AGNPS were safe, as indicated by IC50 (42.5 µg /ml). The greatest incidence of resistance was shown against ciprofloxacin which accounted for 43% of the bacterial isolates. Heterogonous resistance patterns were shown in 63 isolates out of the tested 107. The MAR indices ranged from 0.077 to 0.84. Out of 63 P. aeruginosa isolates, 12 and 13 were MDR and XDR, respectively. The MIC values of AGNPs ranged from 2.65 to 21.25 µg /ml. Combination of AGNPs with antibiotics reduced their MIC by 5–9, 2–9, and 3-10Fold in the case of gentamicin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin, respectively, with synergism being evident. AGNPs produced significant inhibition of biofilm formation and decreased swarming motility, protease, gelatinase and pyocyanin production. PCR confirmed the finding, as shown by decreased expression of genes encoding various virulence factors. Conclusion AGNPs augment gentamicin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin against MDR and XDR Pseudomonas isolates. The efficacy of AGNPs can be attributed to their effect on the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa. The combination of AGNPs with antibiotics is a promising strategy to attack resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa.

In this study, we conducted the extraction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) using the chemical reduction evaporation method, involving silver metal (Ag) with a molarity of 7.716 M and nitric acid (HNO3). The heating process via evaporation was carried out at 85oC for 2 hours. Subsequently, the synthesis of silver nanowires (AgNWs) was performed using a 0.3 M of AgNO3 solution in ethylene glycol (EG), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and Iron (III) Chloride hexahydrate (FeCl36H2O). XRD analysis of the AgNO3 sample revealed an orthorhombic crystal structure with a single AgNO3 phase peak. In AgNWs, three crystalline phases were observed, with the Ag phase being the most dominant. The average crystal size of AgNO3 and AgNWs was 109.42 nm and 22.06 nm, respectively. The average crystal size of the AgNO3 sample may be influenced by the aggregation between crystal nuclei during the heating process. XRF analysis indicated a 98.84% Ag concentration in AgNO3. SEM-EDS analysis showed that the AgNO3 sample had a non-aggregated morphological structure, with particle size measuring 49.46 μm and an overall AgNO3 purity of 92.68%. The SEM image of the AgNWs sample displayed a very homogeneous diameter of ∼200 nm with a length of around 10-20 μm. Meanwhile, AgNWs exhibited a morphology resembling rod-shaped wires with a purity of 68% for Ag.

We report hereby a sensitive and rapid label free colorimetric assay of two amino acids, viz. L -arginine (L -Arg) and L -cysteine (L -Cys), through silver sol synthesized via a wet chemical method using 2-boronobenzoic acid (2- BBA) as a reducing and capping reagent in an aqueous alkaline medium. 2-BBA was synthesized in situ by the reaction of 2-formylphenylboronic acid (2-FBPA) and silver nitrate through Tollen's method. The as-synthesized silver sol exhibited the formation of nanocubes having their most predominant size in the range of 20–25 nm upon their TEM scanning and exhibiting an SPR band at 401 nm in their UV-vis spectrum. The same were further characterized by SEM, EDX, AFM, FTIR, XPS, DLS, and zeta potential measurements also. Separate interaction of the two amino acids, viz., L -Arg and L -Cys, with diluted AgNCs (1 : 2; AgNCs and Millipore water V/V) exhibited two different colors, pinkish grey and blue, respectively accompanied by distinctive shifts in their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band also. The detection limits were found to be 6 μM and 3 μM for L -Arg and L -Cys respectively. Furthermore, L -Arg and L -Cys were quantified in a pharmaceutical sample each with their respective recovery rates of 99.2% and 90.1%. These AgNCs exhibited rich SERS characteristics also by intensifying the Raman peaks of L -Arg and L -Cys. Only a few one-pot aqueous chemical syntheses of silver nanocubes have been reported previously. Most probably, this is the third report of its kind. To the best of our knowledge, no silver nanoprobe exhibiting simultaneous detection of L -Arg and L -Cys has been reported to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 4 × 4 × 4 and 765 eV (sufficient to converge the results) have been used to explore the electronic, optical, mechanical, and vibrational properties using ab initio code CASTEP with hybrid functionals. A wide indirect F–Z bandgap energy of 3.77 eV has been reported. Our partial density of states plot further shows the valence band is made of O 2p and Ag 4d electron orbitals, while Ag S orbitals and N O 2p states contribute to the conduction band bottom (CBM), among the upper conduction band consisting of Ag 4p, O 2 s 2 p and N 2p electron orbitals. In our optical data, a high absorption coefficient of 2. 5 7 × 1 0 5  cm − 1  has been found, and a relatively low 20% reflectivity simply indicates a high absorption of the material. Although our mechanical data cannot determine the material ductility/brittleness with the B/G ratio, we can report a Poisson's ratio value of −2.04 in this work. On the other hand, the phonon dispersion and the density of the phonon state plot report may indicate the mechanical instability of the system. The negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) we provide may hint at the possibility of using AgNO3 as a promising anode in a group I/II elements (Mg, K, Na)-ion battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of dopamine self-polymerization were used to cover the nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) surface and produce nano-titanium dioxide-polydopamine (TiO2-PDA). The reducing nature of dopamine was then used to reduce silver nitrate to silver elemental particles on the modified nano-titanium dioxide: The resulting TiO2-PDA-Ag nanoparticles were used as antimicrobial agents. Finally, the antibacterial agent was mixed with silicone to obtain an antibacterial silicone composite material. The composition and structure of antibacterial agents were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron energy spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Microscopy and the antibacterial properties of the silicone antibacterial composites were studied as well. The TiO2-PDA-Ag antimicrobial agent had good dispersion versus nano-TiO2. The three were strongly combined with obvious characteristic peaks. The antibacterial agents were evenly dispersed in silicone, and the silicone composite has excellent antibacterial properties. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) adhesion was reduced from 246 × 104 cfu/cm2 to 2 × 104 cfu/cm2, and colibacillus (E. coli) reduced from 228 × 104 cfu/cm2 leading to bacteria-free adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with pilonidal disease (PD) can present with concurrent draining secondary sinus at the superior gluteal cleft. The natural disease course in the setting of this severe phenotype is poorly characterized. We present the largest cohort of patients with PD and concurrent secondary sinus. Methods: Patients with PD and concurrent secondary sinus who underwent Gips procedure with secondary sinus excision from 2019 to 2023 were prospectively followed. Patient demographics, drainage recurrence, symptom resolution, treatment, and follow-up period were recorded. Recurrent drainage from previous secondary sinus site was defined as isolated painless serous drainage after the wound had closed for > 3 weeks; recurrent PD was characterized as recurrent pain and bloody drainage after excision. Results: One hundred and five patients (seventy-one males) with a median age of 17.2 years [interquartile range (IQR):15.4–19.0] underwent excision of their disease and were followed for a median of 367.0 days (IQR: 173.2–658.8). Without regular epilation, six patients (5.7%, five males, one female) had recurrent PD. With regular epilation, three patients (2.8%, three males) had recurrent PD. Eight patients (7.5%, six males, two females) had recurrent secondary sinus site drainage. Median time to recurrent drainage was 75.5 days (IQR: 65.2–216.2) after excision and for recurrent drainage to resolve was 72 days (IQR: 49–81). Recurrent secondary sinus site drainage was treated with antibiotics, silver nitrate, debridement, or no treatment. Conclusion: Patients who present with PD in the setting of concurrent secondary sinus have a unique, more severe disease phenotype. Excision can be complicated by recurrent drainage from the secondary sinus site that can resolve without repeat surgical excision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,2,4-Oxadiazole based unsymmetric bidentate ligand, 3,5-bis-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole has been employed for complexation with silver nitrate; this ligand has been used for the first time for preparation of any coordination complex. A polymeric array of one-dimensional silver-ligand complex is formed where each metal ion is coordinated to two 4-pyridyl groups of two different ligands and two O-atoms of a nitrate ion. Single crystal X-ray data shows presence of hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking between each one-dimensional array which leads to formation of channels in its solid state. The hydrogen bonding interactions have also been verified by Hirsfeld surface analysis plots. Antimicrobial property study of ligand 3,5-bis-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole has been performed with Lactobacillus plantarum and it inhibits the growth at 12.5 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO/Ag nanocomposite was prepared via in situ method by using silver nitrate and ZnSO4 as the raw material. ZnO and ZnO/Ag were characterized by utilizing SEM, UV-vis, XRD, FTIR, and so on. The photocataytic degradation behaviors of ZnO and ZnO/Ag for trimethylamine (TEA) in air and solution were studied. The results indicated that ZnO/Ag had better photocatalytic degradation properties on trimethylamine under the condition of 0.06 g catalyst, 2 h photocatalytic time, and 15 A light intensity, and the degradation rates of TEA were up to 44 and 67% in air and solution, respectively. Furtherly, ZnO and ZnO/Ag also indicated perfect photocatalytic degradation properties toward to organic compounds in wastewater. Especially, the harmless treatment of triethylamine was achieved by using photocatalytic degradation method that provided a novel method for treating triethylamine. In all the above results leaded to a good application prospect of ZnO/Ag in the degradation of organic compounds in air and solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of silver nitrate as an antimicrobial agent on natural rubber (NR) and nitrile butylene rubber (NBR) latex films were investigated. The NR and NBR latex films were prepared using coagulant dipping with an additional dipping procedure was performed prior to wet gel leaching to deposit the silver nitrate solution onto rubber films. Different concentrations of silver nitrate solution were used in the range of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 mM, respectively. The degree of microbial inhibition efficiency of the antimicrobial NR and NBR on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) which is a common nosocomial pathogen in combating hospital acquired infections (HAIs) were evaluated. The field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analyses showed an obvious morphological transition of the silver particle structures were observed as the concentration of silver nitrate increased. On the other hand, the microbial inhibition study using free diffusion and dissipative equations are suggested to determine minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The antimicrobial study suggested that silver nitrate deposited on the NR and NBR latex films were not influenced by the morphology of silver microstructure which yielded from different concentrations of silver nitrate deposited on latex films surface. Hence, the study effectively demonstrates that antimicrobial inhibition on different antimicrobial latex films results different of MIC values. The tensile strength results of silver nitrate treated NR and NBR latex films also showed no significant reduction on unaged and aged of film's tensile strength, modulus at 300% (M300) and elongation at break (EB). These results indicated that the deposition of silver ion latex films had no negative effect on film's integrity of the NR as well as NBR latex films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studied the micropropagation of fegra fig (F. palmata Forssk.) during which we experienced the incidence of shoot-tip necrosis (STN). STN was evident during the shoot elongation stage, which was regenerated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine. To alleviate SNT, we conducted a series of experiments and supplemented the medium with calcium chloride (40, 80, and 120 mg/L), ascorbic acid (50, 100, and 150 mg/L), silver nitrate (1, 2, and 3 mg/L), and boric acid (9.3, 12.4, and 15.5 mg/L). Results showed that all the treatments controlled STN at varying levels, and supplementation of medium with 3 mg/L silver nitrate reduced the incidence of STN from 80% to 24%. The regenerated shoots were rooted on the same medium with incubation of cultures in the dark for 3 weeks and subsequent 4 weeks of incubation under 16/8-hour light/dark photoperiod. The growth parameters (number of shoots and roots, length of the main shoot and root, fresh and dry weights), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), and relative water content of plantlets were restored with the application of 3 mg/L silver nitrate to the medium. Incubation of cultures initially in the dark followed by 16/8-hour light incubation facilitated axillary shoot elongation. On the basis of our findings, it is recommended to culture the regenerated axillary shoots of fegra fig onto MS medium containing 3% sucrose, 1.5 mg/L activated charcoal, and 3 mg/L silver nitrate to manage STN effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a disposable electrochemical sensor was constructed from a gold DVD (GDVD) mini-chip modified with pores, β-cyclodextrin capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@β-CD), and nanodiamond (ND). For this purpose, the LSV method was employed to deposit a silver film on the surface of the mini-chip. Then, the silver was replaced with gold using galvanic replacement, after which etching of silver by nitric acid and ammonia was accomplished to obtain a porous GDVD mini-chip (PGDVD). Next, AuNPs@β-CD and thereafter, an aqueous ND dispersion were successively drop-cast on the PGDVD. Finally, the as-prepared mini-chip was exposed to air to obtain the PGDVD@AuNps@β-CD@ND mini-chip. The electrochemical oxidation behaviour of BPA showed an irreversible oxidative wave with decreased oxidation overpotential and increased current response for BPA. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 5 × 10−5 M to 1 × 10−3 M of BPA. According to the 3sb/m and 10sb/m criteria, the limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of the method were obtained to be 1 × 10−5 M and 5 × 10−5 M, respectively. Also, the reproducibility of the method (RSD%) was obtained to be 4%. The proposed sensor was employed for the analysis of spiked tap water and apple juice samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study aims to investigate the effect of combining silver nanoparticles (AGNPs) with different antibiotics on multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and to investigate the mechanism of action of AGNPs. Methods: AGNPs were prepared by reduction of silver nitrate using trisodium citrate and were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) in addition to an assessment of cytotoxicity. Clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected, and antimicrobial susceptibility was conducted. Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index was calculated, and bacteria were categorized as MDR or XDR. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, and AGNPs were determined. The mechanism of action of AGNPs was researched by evaluating their effect on biofilm formation, swarming motility, protease, gelatinase, and pyocyanin production. Real-time PCR was performed to investigate the effect on the expression of genes encoding various virulence factors. Results: TEM revealed the spherical shape of AGNPs with an average particle size of 10.84 ± 4.64 nm. AGNPS were safe, as indicated by IC50 (42.5 µg /ml). The greatest incidence of resistance was shown against ciprofloxacin which accounted for 43% of the bacterial isolates. Heterogonous resistance patterns were shown in 63 isolates out of the tested 107. The MAR indices ranged from 0.077 to 0.84. Out of 63 P. aeruginosa isolates, 12 and 13 were MDR and XDR, respectively. The MIC values of AGNPs ranged from 2.65 to 21.25 µg /ml. Combination of AGNPs with antibiotics reduced their MIC by 5–9, 2–9, and 3-10Fold in the case of gentamicin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin, respectively, with synergism being evident. AGNPs produced significant inhibition of biofilm formation and decreased swarming motility, protease, gelatinase and pyocyanin production. PCR confirmed the finding, as shown by decreased expression of genes encoding various virulence factors. Conclusion: AGNPs augment gentamicin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin against MDR and XDR Pseudomonas isolates. The efficacy of AGNPs can be attributed to their effect on the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa. The combination of AGNPs with antibiotics is a promising strategy to attack resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A gold-silver alloy nanostars/polyvinyl chloride flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate was fabricated, which has the advantages of high transparency, strong flexibility, and remarkable SERS enhancement performance.During the fabrication process of composite substrate, the addition amount of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was optimized to obtain a flexible PVC substrate first.Meanwhile, the volume ratio of chloroauric acid/silver nitrate was optimized to prepare the anisotropic gold-silver alloy nanostars (Au@Ag NSs) with distinctive shape and significant SERS enhanced effect.Then, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, a Raman signal molecule, was detected by Raman spectrometer to determine its SERS intensity on the composite substrate, and the optimal concentration of the Au@Ag NSs solution was determined, which further verified the good SERS effect, reproducibility, and stability of the substrate.Finally, it was successfully applied to the detection of chlorpyrifos residue on apple surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The increase in the incidence of antimicrobial resistance in pathogens has led researchers to identify new and effective antimicrobial agents. Green production of nanoparticles has received attention due to its compatibility with the environment and low cost. The present study sought to characterize and evaluate the antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized with Plantago lanceolata seed extract. Materials and Methods: In this study, after the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by chemical and green methods, the characteristics of silver nanoparticles synthesized with the P. lanceolata seed extract were evaluated by UV-Vis, DLS, XRD, FT-IR, and TEM methods. Thereafter, the optimal conditions for the synthesis of nanoparticles and the antibacterial activity of the P. lanceolata extract, chemical silver nanoparticles, and green silver nanoparticles against standard bacterial strains were investigated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the broth microdilution method. Results: Based on the absorption spectrum of green silver nanoparticles with UV-Vis, the optimal concentration of silver nitrate was 20 mM, the suitable synthesis temperature was 57 °C, and the best reaction time was reported as 30 sec. The results of XRD, FT-IR, and TEM analyses confirmed the synthesis of green silver nanoparticles with oval and spherical morphology with a size of 20-40 nm. The P. lanceolata extract and chemical silver nanoparticles had no significant antibacterial effect. Nonetheless, green silver nanoparticles had significant antibacterial activity on the studied bacteria, with the highest antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC=125 μg/mL). Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, P. lanceolata seed extract significantly increased the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles. This research demonstrated the potential of environmentally friendly silver nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of P. lanceolata extract with significant antibacterial effects for various biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sandwich-type voltammetric immunosensor based on conjugates of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with specific immunoglobulins (IgG) against ovalbumin (IgG@AuNP) is developed for the determination of ovalbumin in some immunobiological preparations. The IgG@AuNP conjugate is synthesized by passive adsorption. A carbon-containing planar printed electrode modified by laser reduced graphene oxide is used as a substrate electrode for immobilizing the receptor layer of specific immunoglobulins. A possibility of the catalytic reduction of silver nitrate with a mixture of reducing agents, citric acid and metol, is considered in order to enhance the signal of AuNP. Conditions for the voltammetric recording of the electrochemical signal of silver on an immunosensor, which has been successfully tested in determining ovalbumin residues in some immunobiological drugs, are selected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is used as a reference method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) assisted with Cedrela odorata extracts and their antifungal efficacy against Fusarium circinatum, one of the most threatening pathogens in forest nurseries. Various extract volumes (1, 3, and 5 mL) of leaf and the bark of red cedar were tested. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy of X-rays (EDS-TEM). Phytochemicals in the extracts were explored using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests with (p ≤ 0.05, 95%). Both leaves and bark extracts produced AgNPs, but the particles from bark extract (AgNPs-B) were smaller (19.80 ± 9.88 nm, λmax at 447 nm), and they were more stable than particles from leaf extract (AgNPs-L) because they showed a superficial plasmon resonance (SPR) over 12 months. Phenols and triterpenoids, associated with -OH, C=O, and –NH, were identified in the plant extracts that could act as reducing and capping agents. The AgNPs exhibited good antifungal activity because the inhibition diameter (11.38 ± 0.8 mm) observed for 800 mg AgNO3 L−1 was statistically similar to the inhibition diameter (10.7 ± 0.7 mm) at lower concentrations of particles (200 mg AgNPs L−1), and benzimidazole showed no fungus inhibition. Hence, it could be concluded that the bark extract performed better than the leaf extract. In conclusion, this study reports a new method for the synthesis of AgNPs assisted with cedar bark that exhibit a good antifungal activity against F. circinatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endangered plant species Adenophora liliifolia faces threats to its survival in the wild, necessitating the development of effective micropropagation techniques for potential reintroduction efforts. This study demonstrates that Adenophora liliifolia effectively reproduces on MS synthetic medium with diverse plant growth regulators (PGR) and natural extracts, facilitating swift micropropagation for potential future reintroduction endeavors. It highlights the substantial impact of PGR composition and natural extracts on the growth and development of A. liliifolia. The ideal growth medium for A. liliifolia was determined to be ½ MS with specific treatments. Additionally, incorporating silver nitrate (AgNO3) at 5 mg L−1 into the medium led to enhanced root formation and shoot length, albeit excessive concentrations adversely affected root development. Varying concentrations of NAA significantly affected different plant growth parameters, with the 0.1 mg L−1 treatment yielding comparable plant height to the control. Moreover, 50 mL L−1 of coconut water bolstered root formation, while 200 mL L−1 increased shoot formation during in vitro propagation. However, elevated doses of coconut water (CW) impeded root development but stimulated shoot growth. Experiments measuring chlorophyll a + b and carotenoid content indicated higher concentrations in the control group than differing levels of applied coconut water. Optimizing pH levels from 6.8–7 to 7.8–8.0 notably enhanced plant height and root formation, with significant carotenoid accumulation observed at pH 6.8–7. Soil samples from A. liliifolia's natural habitat exhibited a pH of 6.65. Ultimately, the refined in vitro propagation protocol effectively propagated A. liliifolia, representing a pioneering effort and setting the stage for future restoration initiatives and conservation endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically, polymer composites and ceramics are used to create biosensors. Materials with properties that are ideal for biosensors and chemical sensors include AgNO3 (silver nitrate), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), and HA (hydroxyapatite). Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer has been widely used in several applications because of its well-known superior ferroelectric characteristics and biocompatibility. The brittleness and low bending strength of hydroxyapatite limit its applicability. Several HA and polymer composite formulations have been developed to compensate for HA's mechanical weakness. The final product contains a significant amount of HA, making HA/polymer composites highly biocompatible. When the right amount of silver is deposited, the maximum piezoelectric activity is generated, and silver nitrate has antimicrobial properties. The non-toxic solvent DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and the solvent casting method were chosen for the preparation of the film. Surface roughness was chosen to measure the Str and Sdr properties of the thin film. For liquid preparation, the multifractal spectra analysis was chosen for each sample. SEM was used to examine the samples morphologically. EDX and mapping analyses were presented for chemistry distribution in the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonwoven fabrics are the primary source of disposable medical clothing, which cause a huge medical waste. One possible way to reuse this disposable clothing is through antibacterial treatment. Among various metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are preferable regarding ecology and human health. Green synthesis is an ecological alternative to synthesize AgNPs from silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized from Calendula arvensis extract and AgNO3 at a certain temperature and incorporated into the fabric by padding and in-situ method. The pretreatments applied to the nonwoven fabric were found very important in terms of providing antibacterial activity. AgNPs applied according to the in situ method could provide 99% antibacterial activity on nonwoven surface fabrics. The samples treated by AgNPs with the in situ method performed better for both particle filtration efficiency (PFE) and bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) than the samples treated with the padding method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study highlights the effect of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in the promotion of in vitro regeneration and morpho-structural growth and developments in Oxystelma esculentum (L.f.) Sm. The incorporation of AgNO3 into the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium resulted in a favorable enhancement of shoot proliferation. Among the different concentrations of AgNO3 screened, 0.5 mg L−1 AgNO3 along with 0.5 mg L−1meta-Topolin (mT) and 0.25 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) stimulated the highest count, and length of shoots (143 shoots and 14.0 cm length) after 3 mo of incubation and the 3rd subculture. The in vitro–induced deformities in the tissues of the control stem and foliages were improved when the shoots were grown in AgNO3-enriched medium. Silver nitrate increased the photosynthetic pigments and improved the formation of functional stomata. The AgNO3-supplemented medium-derived shoots exhibited accelerated adventitious root induction (100% rhizogenesis, 21.0 roots per shoot) when the cut ends of shoots were treated with 200.0 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 5 min under greenhouse conditions. The incorporation of AgNO3 with optimal plant growth regulators in the medium promoted overall growth. It prevented in vitro–induced morphological and anatomical anomalies in the leaf and stem, which considerably improved the greenhouse and in vivo survival of micropropagated plantlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]