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This work describes the investigation of applicability of Sulfonated Glycidylmethacrylate (GMA) grafted non-woven polyethylene (PE) adsorbent for the efficient removal of uranium from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent film was prepared by the gamma radiation (pre-radiation) technique of GMA grafting onto non-woven PE and the epoxide group of GMA converted to sulfonic acid by sulfonation. The uranium loading capacity of the sorbent was investigated with different parameters contact time, initial uranium concentration, pH and temperature. The kinetics of the monolayer sorption was evaluated by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations. The uranium loading capacity depends on temperature. At 25 °C the value of ∆G is − 0.74 kJ mol−1 and at higher temperature it is also negative, indicates that the sorption process is spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable. The experimental data fitted best with the Langmuir isotherm model and the deliberate sorption capacity were 181.82 mg g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amidoxime adsorbent was prepared by radiation grafting of acrylonitrile on non-woven polyethylene followed by chemical treatment with hydroxyl amine hydrochloride. The prepared amidoxime adsorbent was used for adsorption of methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solution. The effect of different conditions such as contact time, pH and initial metal ion concentration on the adsorption capacity was investigated. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations were used to study the kinetic adsorption data. A Langmuir isotherm model was used to investigate the equilibrium experimental data. The monolayer saturation adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for MO, as determined from the Langmuir equation, was 142 mg/g of the adsorbent. Moreover, desorption and reuse of the adsorbent film showed satisfactory results. Large-scale recycling of the adsorbent will reduce the production cost, and thereby make the practical application of the adsorbent economically feasible. Abbreviations: Acrylonitrile - AN, Polyethylene - PE, Methylene Orange - MO [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-irradiation method was applied to graft acrylonitrile (AN) onto non-woven polyethylene film. Graft yield reached 130% at 70 kGy radiation dose, 60% monomer concentration and 4 h reaction time when H2SO4 was used as an additive. The modification of AN grafted films with hydroxyl amine hydrochloride was done for the preparation of amidoxime adsorbent. The constructed adsorbent was characterized using FTIR, DMA and SEM. The amidoxime adsorbent was used for adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cr(VI). Adsorption capacity was investigated under different conditions: contact time, pH and initial metal ion concentration. The optimum condition for maximum adsorption was found to be contact time 72 h and initial metal concentration 500 ppm for all the metal ions studied and pH 5.2 for Cu(II), 5.4 for Pb(II), 1.5 for Cr(VI). Kinetic adsorption data was elucidated using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations. The equilibrium experimental data of metal adsorption matched Langmuir isotherm model. From the Langmuir equation, the monolayer saturation adsorption capacity (highest adsorption capacity) of the adsorbent was found to be 74.62 mg/g for Cu(II), 107 mg/g for Pb(II) and 156.25 mg/g for Cr(VI). The thermodynamics of metal adsorption was also investigated. Furthermore, desorption and reuse of the adsorbent film was studied. The results suggest that the adsorbent can be effective for adsorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cr(VI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-irradiation technique was applied to graft acrylonitrile (AN) onto polyethylene film. The graft yield was optimised with respect to radiation dose, monomer concentration and reaction time. H2SO4 was added to the monomer solution to improve the graft yield. The highest graft yield obtained was 120% at 70 kGy radiation dose, 60% monomer concentration and 4 h reaction time using H2SO4 as additive. The AN grafted films were modified with hydroxyl amine hydrochloride to prepare amidoxime adsorbent. The prepared adsorbent was characterised by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The prepared amidoxime adsorbent showed high affinity towards Cr(VI) adsorption. Adsorption capacity was studied under different conditions: contact time, pH and initial metal ion concentration. The highest adsorption capacity obtained was 200 mg g-1 of adsorbent after 72 h contact time at pH 1.5 and initial metal ion concentration 200 ppm. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations were used for interpretation of kinetic adsorption data. The equilibrium experimental data of Cr(VI) adsorption were also fitted with Langmuir isotherm model. Desorption and reuse of the adsorbent film was studied. The adsorbent showed no significant loss of adsorption capacity upon repeated use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable films were prepared from the blend of starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with 4% (w/w) chitosan of total polymers (starch and PVA) by casting method. The effect of starch/PVA composition (starch/PVA = 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40) on tensile properties was investigated. It was found that both tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with increased amount of starch in the starch/PVA blend. The starch/PVA composition, starch/PVA = 40/60 was optimized with respect to tensile strength. The effect of radiation dose (0-50 kGy) on tensile properties of prepared film was studied. Tensile strength increased while elongation at break decreased with increase in radiation dose. The highest tensile strength of ~30 MPa was obtained for 25 kGy radiation dose which is 68% higher than non-irradiated starch/PVA blend film. The thermal property of the non-irradiated and irradiated film was investigated using thermosgravimetric analyzer and dynamic mechanical analyzer. The structural feature of blend film was investigated using FTIR. The application of blend film as wrapping material on guava showed that the weight loss of wrapped guava was lower than that of control guava. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cluster-randomized trial of Vi-TT was conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, using JE vaccine as the control. A subset of 1,500 children were randomly selected on 2:1 basis (Vi-TT vs JE) to assess immune response. Blood was collected before vaccination, and on days 28, 545 and 730 post-vaccination and plasma anti-Vi-IgG response was measured. A robust, persistent antibody response was induced after single dose of Vi-TT, even after 2 years of vaccination. While there is no accepted serological antibody threshold of protection, analyzing the antibodies of children who received Vi-TT provides evidence that may later be useful in predicting population protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses a 3-Parameter Logistic item response theory (IRT) model to develop an 18-item short-form of the Situational Test of Emotion Management (STEM). In a sample of 900 people, the short form showed acceptable reliability (reliability index = .87; Cronbach’s alpha = .84) and a meaningful correlation with another indicator of emotional intelligence (i.e., r = .30 with the Situational Test of Emotional Understanding). Latent class analysis of the short-form detected two classes. For all items, participants in Class 2 had a higher probability of selecting the best option than Class 1. When response options were coded to represent different emotion regulation strategies, Class 2 had a higher probability of endorsing “situation modification” and Class 1 had a higher probability of endorsing “no regulation”. These results provide validity evidence for the STEM-B as an assessment of emotion regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculous peritonitis is a rare condition in children that requires a high degree of clinical suspicion for detection. We report on a child who presented only with joint pain and was subsequently found to have peritoneal tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective Hg(II) adsorption from aqueous solutions of Hg(II) and Pb(II) using hydrolyzed acrylamide (AAm)-grafted polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films was examined to explore the potential reuse of waste PET materials. Selective recovery of Hg(II) from a mixture of soft acids with similar structure, such as Hg(II) and Pb(II), is important to allow the reuse of recovered Hg(II). An adsorbent for selective Hg(II) adsorption was prepared by γ-ray-induced grafting of AAm onto PET films followed by partial hydrolysis through KOH treatment. The adsorption capacity of the AAm-grafted PET films for Hg(II) ions increased from 15 to 70 mg/g after partial hydrolysis because of the reduction of hydrogen bonding between –CONH2groups and the corresponding improved access of metal ions to the amide groups. The prepared adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The absorbent film showed high selectivity for the adsorption of Hg(II) over Pb(II) throughout the entire initial metal concentration range (100–500 mg/L) and pH range (2.2–5.6) studied. The high selectivity is attributed to the ability of Hg(II) ions to form covalent bonds with the amide groups. The calculated selectivity coefficient for the adsorbent binding Hg(II) over Pb(II) was 19.2 at pH 4.5 with an initial metal concentration of 100 mg/L. Selective Hg(II) adsorption equilibrium data followed the Langmuir model and kinetic data were well fitted by a pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorbed Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions were effectively desorbed from the adsorbent film by acid treatment, and the regenerated film showed no marked loss of adsorption capacity upon reuse for selective Hg(II) adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Chitosan–starch blend films (thickness 0.2mm) of different composition were prepared by casting and their mechanical properties were studied. To improve the properties of chitosan–starch films, glycerol and mustard oil of different composition were used. Chitosan–starch films, incorporated with glycerol and mustard oil, were further modified with monomer 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) using gamma radiation. The modified films showed improvement in both tensile strength and elongation at break than the pure chitosan–starch films. Water uptake of the films reduced significantly than the pure chitosan–starch film. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that the modified films experience less thermal degradation than the pure films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR were used to investigate the morphology and molecular interaction of the blend film, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thin gelatin films were prepared via casting at 70°C. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (Eb%) of the gelatin films were found to be 20 MPa and 8.7% respectively. To improve the mechanical and thermal properties, gelatin films were cured with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) using UV radiation. Monomer concentration, soaking time of gelatin films in the monomer solution and UV radiation intensity were optimized on the basis of mechanical properties of the cured films. The highest TS was found to be 28.8 MPa for 3% monomer solution at 10th pass of UV for 5 min soaking time. Thermal properties, water uptake and water aging properties of the gelatin films were also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin gelatin films (about 0.25 mm thickness) were prepared from granular gelatin via casting. The mechanical properties of gelatin films such as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (Eb%), water uptake and water aging properties were investigated. To improve the water aging properties of gelatin films, gelatin-glucose and gelatin-urea films were prepared. Effect of gamma radiation on the tensile properties, water uptake and water aging properties of gelatin-glucose and gelatin-urea films were also studied. The results of the investigation show that both glucose and urea can improve the water stability of the gelatin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Shigella is an important cause of diarrhea in Bangladeshi children <5 years of age, with an incidence rate of 4.6 per 100 person-years. However, the report was more than a decade old, and data on Shigella consequences are similarly outdated and heterogeneously collected. Methods Facility-based disease surveillance is planned to be carried out under the Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) Shigella Surveillance Study consortium for 2 years with aims to optimize and standardize laboratory techniques and healthcare utilization and coverage survey, clinical and anthropometric data collection, safety monitoring and responsiveness, and other related activities. The EFGH is a cohesive network of multidisciplinary experts, capable of operating in concert to conduct the study to generate data that will pave the way for potential Shigella vaccine trials in settings with high disease burden. The study will be conducted within 7 country sites in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Conclusions We outline the features of the Bangladesh site as part of this multisite surveillance network to determine an updated incidence rate and document the consequences of Shigella diarrhea in children aged 6–35 months, which will help inform policymakers and to implement the future vaccine trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is a need for a reliable, simple diagnostic assay for typhoid fever. Available commercial serologic assays for typhoid fever have limited sensitivity and specificity. Using high-throughput immunoscreening technologies, we previously identified several immunoreactive Salmonella Typhi antigens that seem promising for possible inclusion in a new diagnostic assay: hemolysin E (HlyE), cytolethal distending toxin, S. Typhi lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and S. Typhi membrane preparation. Methods We assessed plasma antibody responses (immunoglobulin [Ig] M, IgA, and IgG) to these antigens by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with suspected enteric fever, controls with other febrile illnesses, and healthy controls in Dhaka, Bangladesh and performed Tubex and Typhidot tests, the Widal assay, and the typhoid/paratyphoid test (TPTest) in each patient. Using machine learning methods, we identified a parsimonious serology signature to distinguish acute typhoid cases from controls and then validated our findings in an independent test cohort from Nepal of patients with culture-confirmed S. Typhi and controls with other bacteremic illnesses. Results We demonstrated that the use of 2 antigens (HlyE and LPS) with 1 antibody isotype (IgA) could distinguish typhoid from other invasive bacterial infections (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.95; sensitivity, 90%, specificity, 92%). Use of a single antigen (HlyE) and isotype (IgA) had an AUC of 0.93. Conclusion Our results suggest that development of a diagnostic assay for acute typhoid fever focused on detecting IgA responses against HlyE, with or without LPS, is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Late-onset sepsis (LOS) in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives To determine the incidence of LOS workup, association, and predictive value of clinical indicators leading to culture-positive versus culture-negative sepsis workup. Methods All sepsis workups performed after 7 days of life, in neonates with birth weight of < 1,500 g were included. Each case (culture-positive workup) was matched with a control (culture-negative workup) for gestational age (GA), birth weight, corrected gestational age, and chronological age, at the time of workup. The clinical indicators leading to the performance of sepsis workup were compared between cases and controls. Results The incidence of culture-positive workup was 87/345 (25.2%) and that of LOS was 84/279 (30.1%). Among various clinical indicators, hypothermia and apnea were significantly associated with culture-positive sepsis workup (p = 0.015 and 0.004, respectively), with a positive predictive value of 81.2 and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusion In VLBW infants, one-fourth of sepsis workups resulted in a positive culture. Apnea and hypothermia were the most significant predictors of culture-positive workup aftermatching for GA, birth weight, chronological age, and corrected GA at the time of the workup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced graft copolymerization of allyl acetate (AA) monomer onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films and the subsequent sulfonation on the monomer units in the grafting chain using chlorosulfonic acid (ClSOH) were carried out to prepare proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for fuel cells. A maximum grafting value of 12.8% was found for 35 vol% allyl acetate after 3 h radiation time. Optimum concentration of ClSOH was selected for the sulfonation reaction to be 0.05 mol/L based on the degree of sulfonation and the tensile strength studies of the membrane. The degree of sulfonation increased as the sulfonation reaction temperature and sulfonation time were increasing. The radiation grafting and the sulfonation have been confirmed by titrimetric and gravimetric analyses as well as FTIR spectroscopy. The maximum ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 0.04125 mmol g was found at 12.1% degree of sulfonation and the maximum proton conductivity was found to be 0.035 S cm at 30°C and a relative humidity of 60%. The various physical and chemical properties of the PEMs such as water uptake, mechanical strength, thermal durability and oxidative stability were also studied. To investigate the suitability of the prepared membrane for fuel cell applications, its properties were compared with those of Nafion 117. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Typhoid fever remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries. Vi-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (Vi-TT) is recommended by WHO for implementation in high-burden countries, but there is little evidence about its ability to protect against clinical typhoid in such settings.Methods: We did a participant-masked and observer-masked cluster-randomised trial preceded by a safety pilot phase in an urban endemic setting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 150 clusters, each with approximately 1350 residents, were randomly assigned (1:1) to either Vi-TT or SA 14-14-2 Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine. Children aged 9 months to less than 16 years were invited via parent or guardian to receive a single, parenteral dose of vaccine according to their cluster of residence. The study population was followed for an average of 17·1 months. Total and overall protection by Vi-TT against blood culture-confirmed typhoid were the primary endpoints assessed in the intention-to-treat population of vaccinees or all residents in the clusters. A subset of approximately 4800 participants was assessed with active surveillance for adverse events. The trial is registered at www.isrctn.com, ISRCTN11643110.Findings: 41 344 children were vaccinated in April-May, 2018, with another 20 412 children vaccinated at catch-up vaccination campaigns between September and December, 2018, and April and May, 2019. The incidence of typhoid fever (cases per 100 000 person-years) was 635 in JE vaccinees and 96 in Vi-TT vaccinees (total Vi-TT protection 85%; 97·5% CI 76 to 91, p<0·0001). Total vaccine protection was consistent in different age groups, including children vaccinated at ages under 2 years (81%; 95% CI 39 to 94, p=0·0052). The incidence was 213 among all residents in the JE clusters and 93 in the Vi-TT clusters (overall Vi-TT protection 57%; 97·5% CI 43 to 68, p<0·0001). We did not observe significant indirect vaccine protection by Vi-TT (19%; 95% CI -12 to 41, p=0·20). The vaccines were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events judged to be vaccine-related were observed.Interpretation: Vi-TT provided protection against typhoid fever to children vaccinated between 9 months and less than 16 years. Longer-term follow-up will be needed to assess the duration of protection and the need for booster doses.Funding: The study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a pressing need for a gonorrhea vaccine due to the high disease burden associated with gonococcal infections globally and the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). Current gonorrhea vaccine research is in the stages of antigen discovery and the identification of protective immune responses, and no vaccine has been tested in clinical trials in over 30 years. Recently, however, it was reported in a retrospective case-control study that vaccination of humans with a serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine (MeNZB) was associated with reduced rates of gonorrhea. Here we directly tested the hypothesis that Nm OMVs induce cross-protection against gonorrhea in a well-characterized female mouse model of Ng genital tract infection. We found that immunization with the licensed Nm OMV-based vaccine 4CMenB (Bexsero) significantly accelerated clearance and reduced the Ng bacterial burden compared to administration of alum or PBS. Serum IgG and vaginal IgA and IgG that cross-reacted with Ng OMVs were induced by 4CMenB vaccination by either the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal routes. Antibodies from vaccinated mice recognized several Ng surface proteins, including PilQ, BamA, MtrE, NHBA (known to be recognized by humans), PorB, and Opa. Immune sera from both mice and humans recognized Ng PilQ and several proteins of similar apparent molecular weight, but MtrE was only recognized by mouse serum. Pooled sera from 4CMenB-immunized mice showed a 4-fold increase in serum bactericidal50 titers against the challenge strain; in contrast, no significant difference in bactericidal activity was detected when sera from 4CMenB-immunized and unimmunized subjects were compared. Our findings directly support epidemiological evidence that Nm OMVs confer cross-species protection against gonorrhea, and implicate several Ng surface antigens as potentially protective targets. Additionally, this study further defines the usefulness of murine infection model as a relevant experimental system for gonorrhea vaccine development. Author summary: Eighty-seven million Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) infections occur globally each year and control of gonorrhea through vaccination is challenged by a lack of strong evidence that immunity to gonorrhea is possible. This contention was recently challenged by epidemiological evidence suggesting that an outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine from the related species Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) protected humans against gonorrhea. Here we provide experimental evidence in support of this hypothesis by demonstrating that a licensed, modified version of this Nm OMV-based vaccine accelerates clearance of Ng in a mouse infection model. These results confirm the possibility cross-species protection and are important in that they support the biological feasibility of vaccine-induced immunity against gonorrhea. We also showed that several Ng outer membrane proteins that may be protective targets of the vaccine are recognized by antiserum from vaccinated mice, at least two of which (PilQ and NHBA) are also detected with sera from 4CMenB-immunized human subjects. Our demonstration that a vaccine that may reduce the risk of gonorrhea in humans protects mice against Ng, a highly host-restricted pathogen, also validates the mouse model as a useful tool for guiding the development of other candidate gonorrhea vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to plague militaries and defense forces. While the historical recognition of the impact of STIs on operations is evident, contemporary surveillance and research activities are limited. As Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other sexually transmitted pathogens become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, the role of the Department of Defense (DoD) in disease surveillance and clinical research is essential to military Force Health Protection.Methods: The Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences partnered with the DoD Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) program to monitor the distribution of gonorrhea antimicrobial resistance (AMR) both domestically and abroad. The DoD gonococcal reference laboratory and repository was established in 2011 as a resource for confirmatory testing and advanced characterization of isolates collected from sites across the continental United States (CONUS) and GEIS-funded sites outside the continental United States (OCONUS). The IDCRP is currently implementing surveillance efforts at CONUS military clinics, including Madigan Army Medical Center, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Naval Medical Center San Diego, and San Antonio Military Medical Center (efforts were also previously at Womack Army Medical Center). The reference laboratory and repository receives specimens from OCONUS collaborators, including Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS; Bangkok, Thailand), Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Ghana Detachment (Accra, Ghana), Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6; Lima, Peru), U.S. Army Medical Research Unit - Georgia (USAMRD-G; Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia), and U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate - Kenya (USAMRD-K; Nairobi, Kenya). The gonococcal surveillance program, to include findings, as well as associated clinical research efforts are described.Results: Among N. gonorrhoeae isolates tested within the United States, 8% were resistant to tetracycline, 2% were resistant to penicillin, and 30% were resistant to ciprofloxacin. To date, only one of the 61 isolates has demonstrated some resistance (MIC=1 μg/ml) to azithromycin. No resistance to cephalosporins has been detected; however, reduced susceptibility (MIC=0.06-0.125 μg/ml) has been observed in 13% of isolates. Resistance is commonly observed in N. gonorrhoeae isolates submitted from OCONUS clinical sites, particularly with respect to tetracycline, penicillin, and ciprofloxacin. While no azithromycin-resistant isolates have been identified from OCONUS sites, reduced susceptibility (MIC=0.125-0.5 μg/ml) to azithromycin was observed in 23% of isolates.Conclusion: Continued monitoring of circulating resistance patterns on a global scale is critical for ensuring appropriate treatments are prescribed for service members that may be infected in the U.S. or while deployed. Domestic surveillance for gonococcal AMR within the Military Health System has indicated that resistance patterns, while variable, are not dramatically different from what is seen in U.S. civilian data. Global patterns of gonococcal AMR have been described through the establishment of a central DoD gonococcal reference laboratory and repository. This repository of global isolates provides a platform for further research and development into biomedical countermeasures against gonococcal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the work is to synthesize pectin-N, N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) hydrogel by gamma radiation without using any initiators and cross-linking agents. Effect of radiation doses on gel fraction and equilibrium swelling as a function of pH were studied, and 5 kGy radiation dose was found to be the optimum dose for hydrogel synthesis. The grafting /crosslinking was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermal properties and surface morphology were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. To study the drug release kinetics, 5-fluorouracil was loaded into the hydrogel and in vitro release was carried out in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. The release profile of drug showed that more than 90% of the loaded drugs were released after 4 hours at both gastric fluid and intestinal fluid pH. Drug release data was fitted into zero order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic models. Higuchi model was found to be the best fitted and release exponent ‘n’ value of Korsmeyer-Peppas model indicated the non-Fickian transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of gelatin–polyvinyl alcohol (G–PVA) blend films were improved by methyl methacrylate (MMA) and γ irradiation for a practical viewpoint. The films were prepared by the casting method, modified by glycerol and MMA monomer, and their mechanical properties were also studied. The gelatin-based films were successfully prepared using γ irradiation (3.1 kGy) and gelatin: PVA = 97:3 (w/w) as optimized. Tensile properties of the films were studied and thermal properties of the films were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis pointed out that MMA treated both gelatin films, and G–PVA blend films showed less thermal degradation than untreated films. In addition, structural and morphological features of the gelatin-based films were examined by Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The ultimate results of the present study showed remarkable enhancement in tensile properties (> 40%) and a reduction in elongation at break of the films, thanks to the MMA addition and γ irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chitosan/starch blend films of 2:1 ratio were prepared by solution casting. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (%Eb) of chitosan/starch blend film were found to be 9.33 MPa and 3.6%, respectively. The blend films (2% Chitosan) were soaked in six different formulations of methylmethacrylate (MMA) monomer and aliphatic urethane diacrylate oligomer (M-1200) at different time intervals (1-5 min) and irradiated under UV radiation at different intensities (5-35 pass). Formulations containing 43% MMA and 15% oligomer in methanol solution showed 209% increase in TS at 25th UV pass for 4 min soaking time. SEM and FTIR were used to investigate the molecular interaction and morphology of the blend film, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]