Propolis-Based Nanofiber Patches to Repair Corneal Microbial Keratitis

In this research, polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA)/gelatin (GEL)/propolis (Ps) biocompatible nanofiber patches were fabricated via electrospinning technique. The controlled release of Propolis, surface wettability behaviors, antimicrobial activities against the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, and biocompatibility properties with the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were investigated in detail. By adding 0.5, 1, and 3 wt.% GEL into the 13 wt.% PVA, the morphological and mechanical results suggested that 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL patch can be an ideal matrix for 3 and 5 wt.% propolis addition. Morphological results revealed that the diameters of the electrospun nanofiber patches were increased with GEL (from 290 nm to 400 nm) and Ps addition and crosslinking process cause the formation of thicker nanofibers. The tensile strength and elongation at break enhancement were also determined for 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL/3 wt.% Ps patch. Propolis was released quickly in the first hour and arrived at a plateau. Cell culture and contact angle results confirmed that the 3 wt.% addition of propolis reinforced mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and wettability properties of the patches. The antimicrobial activity demonstrated that propolis loaded patches had antibacterial activity against the S. aureus, but for P. aeruginosa, more studies should be performed.     

Sol–gel derived silver-incorporated titania thin films on glass: bactericidal and photocatalytic activity

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and silver-containing TiO₂ (Ag-TiO₂) thin films were prepared on silica pre-coated float glass substrates by a sol–gel spin coating method. The bactericidal activity of the films was determined against Staphylococcus epidermidis under natural and ultraviolet (UV) illumination by four complementary methods; (1) the disk diffusion assay, (2) UV-induced bactericidal test, (3) qualitative Ag ion release in bacteria inoculated agar media and (4) surface topographical examination by laserscan profilometry. Photocatalytic activity of the films was measured through the degradation of stearic acid under UV, solar and visible light conditions. The chemical state and distribution of Ag nanoparticles, as well as the structure of the TiO₂ matrix, and hence the bactericidal and photocatalytic activity, is controlled by post-coating calcination treatment (100–650 °C). Additionally, under any given illumination condition the Ag-incorporated films were found to have superior bactericidal and photocataltyic activity performance compared to TiO₂ thin films. It is shown that with optimized thin film processing parameters, both TiO₂ and Ag-TiO₂ thin films calcined at 450 °C were bactericidal and photocatalytically active.     

The Kadison–Singer problem for the direct sum of matrix algebras

Let M _n denote the algebra of complex n × n matrices and write M for the direct sum of the M _n . So a typical element of M has the form

EPR study of free radical in gamma-irradiated bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride single crystal

Bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride (BCZD; zirconocene dichloride) single crystals were exposed to ⁶⁰Co-γ irradiation at room temperature. The irradiated single crystals were investigated between 125 and 470?K by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectra of the crystals were found to be temperature independent. The paramagnetic center was attributed to the cyclopentadienyl radical. The g values of the radiation damage center observed in BCZD single crystal and the hyperfine structure constants of the free electron with nearby protons were obtained.     

Preparation and microstructure of sol-gel derived silver-doped silica

Silver-doped silica was prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS, Si(OC₂H₅)₄) in the presence of a silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution by two different synthesis methods. In the first synthesis route, sol-gel mixtures were prepared using an acid catalyst. In the second synthesis route, silver-doped silica gels were formed by two-step acid/base catalysis. For the same concentration of silver dopant [AgNO₃]/[TEOS] = 0.015 acid-catalyzed sol-gel formed a microporous silica with an average pore size of <25 Å whereas the two-step catalyzed silica had an average pore size of 250 Å and exhibited a mesoporous structure when fully dried. The differences in the pore size affected the silver particle formation mechanism and post-calcination silver particle size. After calcination at 800 °C for 2 h the acid-catalyzed silica contained metallic silver particles size with an average particle size of 24 ± 2 nm whereas two-step catalyzed silica with the same concentration of [AgNO₃]/[TEOS] = 0.015 contained silver nanoparticles with an average size of approximately 32 ± 2 nm. Mechanisms for silver particle formation and for silica matrix crystallization with respect to the processing route and calcination temperature are discussed.     

Silver containing sol–gel derived silica thin films: effect of aluminum incorporation on optical,microstructural and bactericidal properties

Silver containing silica (Ag–SiO₂) thin films with and without aluminum (Al) were prepared on soda-lime-silica glass by spin coating of aqueous sols. The coating sol was formed through mixing tetraethyl orthosilicate [Si(OC₂H₅)₄]/ethanol solution with aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and aluminum nitrate nonahydrate [(AlNO₃)₃·9H₂O] solutions. The deposited films were calcined in air at 100, 300 and 500 °C for 2 h and characterized using x-ray diffraction, UV-visible and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of Al incorporation and calcination treatment on microstructure and durability of the films, and chemical/physical state of silver in the silica thin film have been reported. The bactericidal activity of the films was also determined against Staphylococcus aureus via disk diffusion assay studies before and after chemical durability tests. The investigations revealed that the optical, bactericidal properties and chemical durability of Ag–SiO₂ films can be improved by Al addition. The Al-modified Ag–SiO₂ thin films do not exhibit any coloring after calcination in the range of 100–500 °C, illustrating that silver is incorporated within the silica gel network in ionic form (Ag⁺). Al incorporation also improved the overall durability and antibacterial endurance of Ag–SiO₂ thin films.     

On the geometry and regularity of largest subsolutions for a free boundary problem in \mathbf{R }^2: elliptic case

We consider a one-phase exterior Bernoulli type free boundary problem in $\mathbb{R }^2$ with a non constant, only continuous, free boundary condition. In this article, we present geometry and regularity properties of the largest viscosity subsolution of this problem. Moreover, we provide density bounds for the positivity set and its complement near the free boundary.     

EPR study of radiation damage in gamma-irradiated 3-nitroacetophenone single crystal

This paper presents the results of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of the anion radical formed from 3-nitroacetophenone (C₈H₇NO₃) (3NAP) single crystal, by gamma irradiation. The EPR spectra of gamma-irradiated single crystals of 3NAP have been recorded at 10-degree intervals for different orientations of crystals in a magnetic field, at room temperature. The EPR analysis of gamma-irradiated crystals of 3NAP has shown that the radiation damage center produced by gamma irradiation is the carbon-centered 3NAP anion radical. One-electron reduction of 3NAP results in general bond loosening. The single crystals have been investigated between 120 and 450?K. The spectra have been found to be temperature-dependent. The EPR parameters of the 3NAP anion radical have been evaluated.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of essential oils from Pimpinella species gathered from Central and Northern Turkey

Essential oils from 15 Pimpinella species were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. One species, Pimpinella anisum, in which only fruits were evaluated, was also included in the study. A total of 140 different compounds were identified and significant qualitative and quantitative differences were observed among the samples. Pimpinella essential oils were characterized as having mono-, sesqui- and trinorsesquiterpenoids, propenylphenols, and pseudoisoeugenols. Trinorsesquiterpenoids and phenylpropanoids appear to be chemical markers of Pimpinella species analyzed thus far. Essential oils obtained from Pimpinella roots share the same principal compound, epoxypseudoisoeugenyl-2-methylbutyrate at concentrations from 20 to 82.6%.     

Capsaicin emulsions: Formulation and characterization

Oleoresin capsicum, the oil extract of chili pepper, is mainly composed of capsaicin. Capsaicin is a hydrophobic volatile compound exhibiting antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms. Capsaicin in the form of an emulsion-based carrier system could be a good alternative to enhance bioavailability and simultaneously to increase the shelf-life of food. In this study, capsaicin emulsions were formulated using three different surfactants (Tween 80, commercial soy lecithin, and sucrose monopalmitate/SMP). Effects of aqueous phase composition, pH, and heating the pre-homogenized dispersion were investigated. For characterization, NMR relaxometry, color, turbidity, and antioxidant activity experiments were conducted. Antimicrobial efficacies of the emulsions were also evaluated against Escherichia coli andStaphylococcus aureus. Mean particle sizes of emulsions with surfactants Tween 80, lecithin, and SMP were found to be 68.30, 582.63, and 50.10?nm, respectively. Lecithin-containing emulsions showed the highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus with 4.60?log reduction, whereas the same effect was observed in Tween 80-containing emulsions against E. coli with 3.86 log reduction. Emulsions prepared with SMP showed the highest antioxidant activity with 0.482?mg DPPH/L emulsion. The formulated emulsions have the potential to be used in food industry as antimicrobial food grade solutions.