Synthesis of montmorillonite-based tris(2-ethylamine)-Schiff-base composites with remarkable antibacterial activity

A range of heterogeneous, inexpensive and benign Schiff bases-montmorillonite composites were synthesized and screened for their antibacterial activity against common microbial pathogens. Sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) clay was modified with tris(2-ethylamine) in the presence of dilute HCl to yield a quaternary salt of tris(2-ethylamine) modified clay. The Schiff bases were then fabricated from the reaction of the modified montmorillonite using different aldehydes. The structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed by Fourier transformer Infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). All the obtained composite materials were screened for their antibacterial activities against the multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains. It was reasoned that the modified MMT-based composites has the ability to absorb the different micro-organisms onto the surface, and accordingly act as an effective antibacterial agent. All the composites showed significant antibacterial activity between 2.5 and 20 mg/mL against the MDR bacterial strains. The benzyl-based/modified MMT and the tertiary amino-based/modified MMT was found to be the most effective antibacterial agent.     

Mussel-mimicking sulfobetaine-based copolymer with metal tunable gelation,self-healing and antibacterial capability

In the present study, the sulfobetaine-based copolymer bearing a dopamine functionality showed gel formation adjusted by the application of metal salts for gelation and various values of pH. Normally, the liquid-like solution of the sulfobetaine-based copolymer and metal cross-linkers is transformed to a gel-like state upon increasing the pH values in the presence of Fe³⁺ and Ti³⁺. Metal-induced coordination is reversible by means of the application of EDTA as a chelating agent. In the case of Ag⁺ ions, the gel is formed through a redox process accompanied with the oxidative coupling of the dopamine moieties and Ag⁰ particle formation. Mussel-mimicking and metal-dependent viscoelastic properties were observed for Fe³⁺, Ti³⁺, and Ag⁺ cross-linking agents, with additionally enhanced self-healing behavior in comparison with the covalently cross-linked IO₄⁻ analogues. Antibacterial properties can be achieved both in solution and on the surface using the proper concentration of Ag⁺ ions used for gelation; thus, a tunable amount of the Ag⁰ particles are formed in the hydrogel. The cytotoxicity was elucidated by the both MTT assay on the NIH/3T3 fibroblast cell line and direct contact method using human dermal fibroblast cell (F121) and shows the non-toxic character of the synthesized copolymer.     

Calixarene coated gold nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic agent

In the current study, gold nanoparticles (AuC6NPs and AuC8NPs) were prepared through sodium borohydride reduction method by using Calix[6]rene and Calix[8]rene as a stabilizing agents. The synthesized AuNPs were screened for cytotoxic, phytotoxic, antifungal and antibacterial activities. The fabricated AuNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and FTIR spectroscopy. Antibacterial activities of the AuNPs were tested against E. coli and S. aureus. The AuC6NPs were found to be effective against the growth of gram positive bacteria and inhibited the growth of S. aureus. AuC6NPs interact with bacterial cell and damaged cell membrane. Roughness of the bacterial surface and membrane rupture can be clearly observed by AFM images. The AuNPs possess insignificant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Moreover, AuC8NPs have significant phytotoxicity and moderate cytotoxicity.     

Bio-approach synthesis of nanosilver impregnation on calcium hydroxyapatite by biological activated ammonia from urinary waste

A novel biological approach is attempted to convert the human urinary waste into a well-designed bionanomaterial. In the present study, biological activated ammonia gas (NH_3(g)) mediated synthesis of hydroxyapatite material (B-HAp) and then impregnation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the B-HAp material surface was performed by photoreduction method and was followed by an evaluation of its antibacterial activity and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were engaged to analyze the synthesized materials. Analytical studies revealed the morphology of the crystalline B-HAp synthesized by biologically activated NH_3(g) as spherical shaped with AgNPs impregnated on over it. Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (AAS) estimated 2–7 ppm of Ag⁺ ion were released from the 100 ppm of Ag concentration was impregnated with B-HAp material (B-HAp-Ag-10). It was also found to be an excellent performance of antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas sp, E.coli and S. aureus. The cell- material interaction study of the thus synthesised B-HAp-Ag-10 was found to exhibit a minimal cytotoxicity level when incorporated in MG63 osteosarcoma cell lines, thus confirming the prospective biological application of our material in the biomedical field.     

Dye removal,antibacterial properties,and morphological behavior of hydroxyapatite doped with Pd ions

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) containing different contents of palladium (Pd) ions were synthesized using the co-precipitation method. The structural and morphological properties of the as-synthesized compositions were investigated using XRD and FESEM. The c/a increased from 0.728 to 0.733 with the lowest and highest contributions of Pd(II), respectively. Furthermore, the morphological features were investigated using FESEM. It was illustrated that Pd-HAP was formed as agglomerated as rod shapes with dimensions in the range of 63.4–110.3 nm for no Pd additions, and the size was reduced reaching 43.4–70.5 nm for the highest Pd contribution. Besides, the maximum height of the roughness (R_t) grew from 183.6 up to 236.5 nm for the lowest and highest Pd(II). Besides, the obtained specific surface area was around 28.3, 42.0, and 63.4 m²/g for 0.0Pd-HAP, 0.6Pd-HAP, and 1.0Pd-HAP, respectively. The antibacterial activity was examined against both Escherichia coli (E-coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and it obvious that the activity was enhanced upon Pd content. The inhibition zone was increased from no sensitivity reaching 4.3 ± 0.9 and 4.5 ± 0.8 mm for no Pd and the highest one, respectively. The removal efficiency of dyes was examined for methylene blue (MB) and it was shown that after 120 min of irradiation, the removal efficiency reached around 86.4% for the highest contribution of Pd. The pseudo-first-order constant (K_app) increased from 0.0032 to 0.0179 min⁻¹. The recyclability of Pd-HAP denoted that removal efficiency decreased to 5.65, 8.14, 6.24, 8.76, and 10.2% for different contents of Pd(II) after 6 cycles.     

Phytochemical profiling and antimicrobial activity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oils against important phytopathogens

The objectives of this study were to profile ginger essential oils (EOs) phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity against important phytopathogens. Ginger EOs was extracted using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus by hydro-distillation then followed by GCMS and headspace analysis of its phytochemical constituents. The phytoconstituents identified were monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Food poisoned and disc diffusion techniques were applied to determine the percentage inhibition of fungal mycelial and bacterial growth respectively. The EOs produced mycelial growth inhibition in all the test fungal pathogens after five days of incubation. The MIC and MFC of the EOs on the tested fungi were in the range of 1 μl/ml and 5–6 μl/ml, respectively. The bacterial growth of all the tested isolates was also affected by EOs at 100–500 µl/ml, from weak to strong antibacterial activity. The EOs affected the Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae-strain A isolate most at a higher concentration of 400–500 μl/ml with mean inhibition of 20.66 mm and 22.66 mm respectively, which are found to be effective. The MIC values on the bacterial pathogens were at100 μl/ml. The inhibition zone of positive control (streptomycin) at 15 µg/disc was 25.00 mm and appeared to be efficient. Metabolomics analysis to concurrently quantify variability among multiple compounds in the data sets and identify such compounds responsible for the X. oryzae pv. oryzae-strain-A inhibition were determined. The cross-validated PLS model has shown a strong correlation between ginger EOs and bioactivity. The action of ginger EOs on the cell structure was fully identified using SEM by observing the changes in morphology and integrity of X. oryzae pv. oryzae-strain-A cells. The DMSO treatment (control) showed a normal rod shape cell, while treatment with the ginger EOs showed irregular shape with sunken surfaces, and treatment with antibiotics display abnormal growth of the cells. These findings can, therefore, propose that the ginger EOs could be used as a new antimicrobial agent in suppressing the growth of phytopathogens and as possible new alternatives to synthetic fungicides and bactericides.     

Study of new cellulosic dressing with enhanced antibacterial performance grafted with a biopolymer of chitosan and myrrh polysaccharide extract

The treatment of chronic wounds represents a major interest for public health both medically and economically. Hence the need for a modern wound dressing that actively promotes the physiological process specific to healing. In this perspective we have studied the development of a new dressing able to offer a serious contribution to the dilemma of the various chronic wounds. A dressing grafted with two natural polysaccharides known for their multiple biological effects, chitosan and a carbohydrate polymer extracted from Commiphora myrrha (CMP). We began by studying the grafting of the two natural biopolymers onto cellulose dressings, via a polyacrylic acid as a crosslinking agent. An optimization study, revealed the different grafting parameters, the polymer concentration as well as the heat-setting time and temperature. After, different characterization techniques were carried out in order to evaluate the effectiveness of our grafting. The swelling test revealed a hydrophilicity enhancement which increased with the degree of grafting, a desired property for effective dressings. Infrared characterization as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTA) confirmed the binding mode and the permanence of our grafting. XRD and mechanical characterization showed no change in the crystallinity or in the original mechanical properties of the functionalized dressings. Morphological SEM study, confirmed the presence of our grafting as well as its mode of distribution. Finally, a bacteriological study conducted, showed a clear improvement of the antimicrobial behavior of cellulosic wound dressings functionalized by our combined natural biopolymers.     

三环无源谐振腔在光纤激光器中的选频特性

利用琼斯矩阵对一种三环嵌套的无源谐振腔的选频特性进行了分析,并根据无源谐振腔选频的原理,设计了一种基于三环嵌套无源谐振腔的掺铒光纤激光器.实验结果表明:三环嵌套的无源谐振腔具有良好的选频特性,当泵浦功率为159 mW时,得到了稳定的单纵模激光信号输出;输出功率的最大波动为0.04 dB,输出中心波长最大漂移为0.016...     

聚(二甲基硅氧烷-co-甲氧基十二烷基硅氧烷)在棉纤维及其他模型表面的膜形貌及定向排列方式

用场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)、原子力显微镜(AFM)、光电子能谱(XPS)等仪器研究了棉纤维以及再生纤维素表面聚(二甲基硅氧烷-co-甲氧基十二烷基硅氧烷)(DDPS)的膜形貌及其定向排列方式.结果发现,在天然棉纤维以及再生纤维素模型表面,DDPS均能形成宏观上平滑、而微观形态学实则非均一的疏水性硅膜,表明DDPS的定向排列成膜方式为疏水性硅甲基、硅十二烷基朝外伸向空气,硅氧偶极键指向基质界面.     

饱和放大情形下光纤参量放大器的增益和带宽特性研究

利用龙格库塔法数值求解非线性耦合方程,研究了单抽运光纤参量放大器在增益饱和区的增益谱特性.通过比较考虑抽运光损耗与忽略抽运光损耗增益谱的差别,分析了抽运光损耗对增益谱的影响.此外,给出了在饱和放大区,信号光的增益谱与光纤长度、输入信号光功率、抽运光波长与零色散波长偏离之间的关系.发现在饱和放大区,增益的整体水平有所下降,增益谱的可用带宽相对于小信号放大有所减少,增益谱在可用带宽范围内出现了旁瓣.这些结果将对工作在饱和放大区的单抽运光参量放大器的设计提供有益的帮助.