Search

Plastics utilized in packaging have a significant impact on the environment, leading to considerable concerns regarding human and environmental well-being. Researchers globally are working to counteract these incidents by integrating biopolymers like starch, cellulose, chitosan, etc., into the packaging sector because of their nontoxic nature, biodegradability, and eco-friendly properties. This study aims to extract cellulose from jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) peel by combining bleaching and alkaline treatment (17.5% w/v NaOH) and utilizes the extracted cellulosic compounds to produce a practical biodegradable film. The constructed film can be an alternative to synthetic films currently used in industries, minimize environmental harm caused by plastics, and offer a waste management option for jackfruit peels. The study extracted 28.04% cellulose from jackfruit peel wastes, and it was subsequently utilized to develop a biocompatible composite film containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and extracted cellulose. The percentage of cellulose being used in PVA is 0%, 20%, 50%, and 80% compared to pure PVA film. Mechanical properties (tensile atrength, elastic modulus, tensile energy absorption, and strain) as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), water absorption, and soil burial test were done to define the material and functional properties of 0%, 20%, 50%, and 80% cellulose-PVA composite film. Among four films, 20% of the jackfruit-extracted cellulose-reinforced PVA film has shown better results compared to others. It has shown maximum thermal stability at 368.2°C. Conversely, the 50% cellulose-reinforced PVA film has maximum contraction at 57.4°C with a value of 130.6 μm compared to other percentages in terms of thermomechanical analysis. It also shows the maximum water absorption percentage. It is evident from this study that a cellulosic component generated from jackfruit peels can be used with PVA to make biodegradable packaging films.

The current research is directed to observe, assess, and evaluate the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the fabricated composite. In this study, rattan and bamboo fiber have been used as woven mat for reinforcing agent in polyester matrix. The properties were investigated for fiber loading of 0, 10, 20, and 30 wt.% with a uniform ratio of (Rattan: Bamboo = 1:1). Better mechanical properties were observed in 30 wt.% fiber loading for tensile, flexural, impact and hardness test. The tensile strength, impact, and hardness properties are increased from raw polyester by 8.64 %, 413.88 %, and 12.79 % respectively. On the other hand, elongation percentage at break and flexural strength are decreased from raw polyester by 20 % and 22.27 % respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis has been also explored here. Biodegradability analysis and water absorption test were also conducted. In terms of biodegradability analysis, the weight loss is about 29 % for 30 wt.% fiber loading with one month exposure whereas for water absorption, it was found at 25 % respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the composite has achieved maximum thermal stability at 401.8 °C. The surface morphological analysis was also investigated through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for understanding interfacial bonding characteristics.

Plastics utilized in packaging have a significant impact on the environment, leading to considerable concerns regarding human and environmental well‐being. Researchers globally are working to counteract these incidents by integrating biopolymers like starch, cellulose, chitosan, etc., into the packaging sector because of their nontoxic nature, biodegradability, and eco‐friendly properties. This study aims to extract cellulose from jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) peel by combining bleaching and alkaline treatment (17.5% w/v NaOH) and utilizes the extracted cellulosic compounds to produce a practical biodegradable film. The constructed film can be an alternative to synthetic films currently used in industries, minimize environmental harm caused by plastics, and offer a waste management option for jackfruit peels. The study extracted 28.04% cellulose from jackfruit peel wastes, and it was subsequently utilized to develop a biocompatible composite film containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and extracted cellulose. The percentage of cellulose being used in PVA is 0%, 20%, 50%, and 80% compared to pure PVA film. Mechanical properties (tensile atrength, elastic modulus, tensile energy absorption, and strain) as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), water absorption, and soil burial test were done to define the material and functional properties of 0%, 20%, 50%, and 80% cellulose‐PVA composite film. Among four films, 20% of the jackfruit‐extracted cellulose‐reinforced PVA film has shown better results compared to others. It has shown maximum thermal stability at 368.2°C. Conversely, the 50% cellulose‐reinforced PVA film has maximum contraction at 57.4°C with a value of 130.6 μm compared to other percentages in terms of thermomechanical analysis. It also shows the maximum water absorption percentage. It is evident from this study that a cellulosic component generated from jackfruit peels can be used with PVA to make biodegradable packaging films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this research is to observe the effect of alkalisation of rattan, bamboo fibre, and eggshell particles addition in the fabrication of hybrid polyester laminated composite. A 5% NaOH treatment of fibres was conducted, and 5% eggshell particles was added to the composite. The FTIR analysis was done to reveal the presence of nanol, and thermal stabilities were evaluated by TGA, DTG and DTA. Furthermore, water absorption and biodegradability of the composite were also investigated. Mechanical properties were tested with compatible ASTM standards. The 5% NaOH treated 30 wt.% fibre- loading enhanced the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness by 9%, 2%, 7%, and 4%, respectively compared to the raw composites. On the other hand, the addition of 5% eggshell particles decreased the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness of the raw 30 wt% fibre-reinforced composite by 5%, 4%, 3%, and 2%, respectively In addition, the raw 30 wt% fibre-reinforced composite has the highest biodegradability, and water absorption percentage than the alkali-treated and eggshell added fibre-reinforced composite. The raw 30 wt% fibre-reinforced composite has dictated over the alkali-treated and eggshell added fibre-reinforced composite in terms of thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research is directed to observe, assess, and evaluate the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the fabricated composite. In this study, rattan and bamboo fiber have been used as woven mat for reinforcing agent in polyester matrix. The properties were investigated for fiber loading of 0, 10, 20, and 30 wt.% with a uniform ratio of (Rattan: Bamboo = 1:1). Better mechanical properties were observed in 30 wt.% fiber loading for tensile, flexural, impact and hardness test. The tensile strength, impact, and hardness properties are increased from raw polyester by 8.64 %, 413.88 %, and 12.79 % respectively. On the other hand, elongation percentage at break and flexural strength are decreased from raw polyester by 20 % and 22.27 % respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis has been also explored here. Biodegradability analysis and water absorption test were also conducted. In terms of biodegradability analysis, the weight loss is about 29 % for 30 wt.% fiber loading with one month exposure whereas for water absorption, it was found at 25 % respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the composite has achieved maximum thermal stability at 401.8 °C. The surface morphological analysis was also investigated through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for understanding interfacial bonding characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present research, palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and aramid fiber reinforced epoxy composite is fabricated by hand lay-up technique with equal fiber ratio (Palm:Aramid = 1:1) and fiber loading constituting of 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt.% fiber, where palm acted as natural fiber and aramid acted as synthetic fiber. The use of bio fibers as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites is thought to have better prospects in terms of showing high earmarked properties such as light in weight, lowest density, less costly, environmental conciliation, have sustained aspect for effective transfer of stress, etc. Mainly, the effect of fibre loading on mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, impact, hardness) and physical property (water absorption) is assessed in this research work. Experiments are directed according to ASTM standards for evaluating mechanical and physical properties. Surface morphological analysis is conducted through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) for observing the fiber–matrix bonding on the tensile fracture surface. After evaluation, it is found that flexural, impact, hardness properties along with water absorption percentage have shown incremental behaviour with the enhancement of fiber loading. On the other hand, tensile properties have shown dissimilar performance with the enhancement of fiber loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The extensively antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii GC1(ST1IP) isolate SGH0807 from Singapore carries the KL70 gene cluster. The structure of the K70 capsular polysaccharide (CPS) produced by SGH0807 was determined using sugar analysis and one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The K70 CPS consists of branched tetrasaccharide K-units and is closely related to the previously reported K9 CPS. The KL70 and KL9 loci differ in a short segment that encodes the initiating transferase for d-FucpNAc in K70 and d-GlcpNAc in K9. The two structures differ only in the identity of the “first” sugar of the K-unit, d-FucpNAc in K70 and d-GlcpNAc in K9. This difference alters the identity of one of the sugars involved in the linkage between K-units formed by the Wzy polymerase. However, KL70 and KL9 encode an identical Wzy polymerase, designated as WzyKL9, indicating that the differences between d-FucpNAc and d-GlcpNAc do not affect its function. Whether the difference in the first sugars was recognized by the depolymerases encoded by three K9-specific bacteriophages, AM24, BS46, and APK09, that hydrolyze the bond in K9 CPS formed by WzyKL9 was also examined. Purified depolymerases incubated with K70 CPS purified from SGH0807 formed oligosaccharide fragments that were monomers and dimers of the CPS cleaved at the linkage between K-units. As depolymerases encoded by phage determine host specificity by hydrolyzing specific CPS types, these phages could infect and lyse the SGH0807 K70 isolate. A. baumannii carrying KL70 were found in Singapore hospitals between 2006 and 2009. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophage show promise for the treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infections that resist all therapeutically suitable antibiotics. Many tail-spike depolymerases encoded by phage that are able to degrade A. baumannii capsular polysaccharide (CPS) exhibit specificity for the linkage present between K-units that make up CPS polymers. This linkage is formed by a specific Wzy polymerase, and the ability to predict this linkage using sequence-based methods that identify the Wzy at the K locus could assist with the selection of phage for therapy. However, little is known about the specificity of Wzy polymerase enzymes. Here, we describe a Wzy polymerase that can accommodate two different but similar sugars as one of the residues it links and phage depolymerases that can cleave both types of bond that Wzy forms.

Introduction: Enteral resuscitation (EResus) is operationally advantageous to intravenous resuscitation for burn-injured patients in some low-resource settings. However, there is minimal guidance and no training materials for EResus tailored to non-burn care providers. We aimed to develop and consumer-test a training flipbook with doctors and nurses in Nepal to aid broader dissemination of this life-saving technique., Materials and Methods: We used individual cognitive interviews with Nepali (n = 12) and international (n = 4) burn care experts to define key elements of EResus and specific concepts for its operationalization at primary health centers and first-level hospitals in Nepal. Content, prototype illustrations, and wireframe layouts were developed and revised with the burn care experts. Subsequently, eight consumer testing focus groups with Nepali stakeholders (5-10 people each) were facilitated. Prompts were generated using the Questionnaire Appraisal System (QAS) framework. The flipbook was iteratively revised and tested based on consumer feedback organized according to the domains of clarity, assumptions, knowledge/memory, and sensitivity/bias., Results and Discussion: The flipbook elements were iterated until consumers made no additional requests for changes. Examples of consumer inputs included: clarity-minimize medical jargon, add shrunken organs and wilted plants to represent burn shock; assumptions-use locally representative figures, depict oral rehydration salts sachet instead of a graduated bottle; knowledge/memory-clarify complex topics, use Rule-of-9 s and depict approximately 20% total body surface area to indicate the threshold for resuscitation; sensitivity/bias-reduce anatomic illustration details (e.g. urinary catheter placement, body contours)., Conclusion: Stakeholder engagement, consumer testing, and iterative revision can generate knowledge translation products that reflect contextually appropriate education materials for inexperienced burn providers. The EResus Training Flipbook can be used in Nepal and adapted to other contexts to facilitate the implementation of EResus globally., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd and International Society of Burns Injuries. All rights reserved.)

Functional neuroimaging modalities vary in spatial and temporal resolution. One major limitation of most functional neuroimaging modalities is that only neural activation taking place inside the scanner can be imaged. This limitation makes functional neuroimaging in many clinical scenarios extremely difficult or impossible. The most commonly used radiopharmaceutical in Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT) functional brain imaging is Technetium 99 m-labeled Ethyl Cysteinate Dimer (ECD). ECD is a lipophilic compound with unique pharmacodynamics. It crosses the blood brain barrier and has high first pass extraction by the neurons proportional to regional brain perfusion at the time of injection. It reaches peak activity in the brain 1 min after injection and is then slowly cleared from the brain following a biexponential mode. This allows for a practical imaging window of 1 or 2 h after injection. In other words, it freezes a snapshot of brain perfusion at the time of injection that is kept and can be imaged later. This unique feature allows for designing functional brain imaging studies that do not require the patient to be inside the scanner at the time of brain activation. Functional brain imaging during severe burn wound care is an example that has been extensively studied using this technique. Not only does SPECT allow for imaging of brain activity under extreme pain conditions in clinical settings, but it also allows for imaging of brain activity modulation in response to analgesic maneuvers whether pharmacologic or non-traditional such as using virtual reality analgesia. Together with its utility in extreme situations, SPECTS is also helpful in investigating brain activation under typical pain conditions such as experimental controlled pain and chronic pain syndromes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Bermo, Saqr, Hoffman, Patterson, Sharar, Minoshima and Lewis.)

Background and Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool for distraction analgesia. This study aims to compare brain perfusion patterns while patients were undergoing burn wound care in two conditions-VR distraction and control (NoVR)., Methods: With IRB approval, four patients hospitalized for acute burn care (three males and one female) participated in the study. All patients underwent wound care on two consecutive days; 1 day with standard analgesia and adjunctive VR, and the other day with standard analgesia alone, otherwise the wound care was very similar. Tc-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer was injected during wound care at the time of peak pain. Subjective patient reports on a 0-10 scale of pain intensity, time spent thinking about pain, and "fun" as well as opioid equivalent usage were analyzed. Voxel by voxel subtraction analysis of brain perfusion Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) images was performed at the group level. Statistical significance threshold was defined as P < .05., Results: Mean group subjective scores (VR, NoVR, statistical significance, and P-value) were observed for maximal pain intensity (9.0, 8.8, insignificant, and P = .809), time spent thinking about pain (5.2, 10.0, significant, and P = .015), and fun (6.0, 2.5, significant, and P = .012). Subtraction group analysis demonstrated VR-induced modulation of brain activity with statistically significant relative suppression of cerebellar activation in the VR compared to intense cerebellar activation in the NoVR environments., Conclusion: Relative decrease in cerebellar perfusion based on stringent statistical threshold in the VR environment combined with improved subjective pain experience supports the hypotheses on the role of cerebellum in perception of noxious stimuli., (© 2020 American Society of Neuroimaging.)

Background: The 'flipped classroom' instructional strategy has gained much momentum in educational discourse, yet no single educational offering exists in postgraduate medical education (PME) to systematically replace the lecture element of didactic sessions. This article describes the design and implementation of Clinical Anesthesia Fundamentals, the first known textbook in PME addressing this gap in resources through the integration of full-length interactive multimedia-enhanced video lectures. The 'flipped classroom' instructional strategy has gained much momentum in educational discourse INNOVATION: The textbook was developed in alignment with the content outline for the specialty provided by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Its accompanying video lectures, produced at the Media Lab in the Department of Anesthesiology at Boston University Medical Center (BUMC), cover the topics in each chapter of the textbook and include review questions featuring explanatory feedback., Evaluation: Following a 5-month trial period at the BUMC Anesthesiology Residency Program, the complete resident class (25 of 25; 100%) participated in an anonymous, Institutional Review Board (IRB) -approved, five-point Likert-type scale survey assessing an underlying variable of preference for the use of multimedia learning tools., Discussion: Survey results suggest that residents favour technology-enhanced learning environments in which textbooks are coupled with interactive multimedia, and the 'flipped classroom' approach is employed. Although the development of digital videos requires time and financial investment, the improved accessibility and uniform delivery of didactic content are two positive outcomes., Conclusion: This textbook provides an example for educators wishing to learn how to capitalise on advances in technology to further enhance learning and accessibility. Further studies could address the impact of this approach on the academic performance of residents., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and The Association for the Study of Medical Education.)

Objective: Previous studies have shown that high-intensity focused ultrasound can effectively control bleeding from injuries of liver, spleen, and blood vessels. This study investigated long-term hemostasis and tissue repair after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment in liver., Methods: A total of 21 rabbits were randomly assigned to 2 groups: high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment (n = 14) and sham treatment (n = 7). All animals had sterile laparotomy and liver exposure. The high-intensity focused ultrasound-treated animals received liver incisions, 20 to 25 mm long and 4 to 6 mm deep, followed immediately by high-intensity focused ultrasound application until complete hemostasis was achieved. After recovery, sonographic images, blood samples, and histologic samples were collected immediately and on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 60 after treatment., Results: All 14 liver injuries were hemostatic after an average +/- SD of 78 +/- 44 seconds of high-intensity focused ultrasound application, with no rebleeding at any time point after the treatment. Subsequent blood analysis showed no significant difference in serial hematologic or coagulation measures between the high-intensity focused ultrasound and sham groups. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels increased immediately after surgery by as much as 285% up to day 3 and returned to normal values by day 7. Hematocrit and white blood cell counts showed no statistically significant difference from normal values at all time points. Histologic examination up to 60 days after treatment revealed scarring and liver tissue regeneration at the treatment site., Conclusions: High-intensity focused ultrasound appears to provide long-lasting hemostasis of acute liver injury. Healing and repair mechanisms after high-intensity focused ultrasound application appear to be intact.

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been shown to control bleeding from liver incisions, and blood vessel punctures and incisions. The objective of the current study was to investigate the capability of HIFU to stop bleeding from splenic injuries in a pig model., Methods: Surgical incisions, 25 to 50 mm in length and 2 to 8 mm in depth, were made in the spleens of five anesthetized pigs. HIFU with a frequency of 5 MHz was applied within 5 seconds of making the incision. A total of 39 incisions and HIFU treatments were performed., Results: Bleeding from all incisions was stopped completely after HIFU treatment. The average times to control and completely arrest the hemorrhage were 28 and 55 seconds, respectively. The mechanisms of hemostasis appeared to be thermally induced coagulation necrosis of splenic tissue and occlusion of blood vessels by a mechanically induced homogenized splenic tissue., Conclusion: HIFU may provide a useful method of hemostasis for actively bleeding spleen. Because of its ability to induce hemostasis at adjustable depth, HIFU may prove to be a useful cauterization method both in the operating room and for patients who are managed nonoperatively.

Injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion is a significant factor in a number of clinical diseases. We have completed a number of preclinical studies investigating the blockade of leukocyte adhesion molecules in ischemia-reperfusion injury. In our work and in the work of other investigators, monoclonal antibodies directed to CD18, P-selectin and L-selectin were effective in reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury to the rabbit ear and in reducing injury following hemorrhagic shock in both rabbits and nonhuman primates. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was also reduced by synthetic oligosaccharide sLe(x). These studies suggest that adhesion blockade might be effective in the clinical setting.