The potential of biomimetic nanofibrous electrospun scaffold comprising dual component for bone tissue engineering

Oils play a putative choice for alleviating various symptoms associated with bone-related disorders. In this present study, polyurethane (PU) scaffold encompassing with Mahua oil (MO) and propolis (PP) were developed using the electrospinning technique. Morphological analysis showed the reduction in the diameter of the electrospun scaffold with blending of MO and MO/PP into the PU matrix. The strong interactions between PU, MO, and PP were evident through the infrared spectrum and thermal analysis. The wettability results showed the hydrophobic nature in electrospun PU/MO scaffold and hydrophilic behavior in electrospun PU/MO/PP scaffold. Mechanical testing indicated the enhancement in the strength of the PU due to the addition of MO and PP. Moreover, the fabricated scaffolds exhibited nontoxicity, low hemoglobin release and improved blood clotting time as evident in the coagulation studies. The cell proliferation studies showed the enhanced fibroblast cell adhesion in the developed nanocomposites than the pristine PU. Hence, the fabricated PU scaffolds blended with MO and PP having desirable properties can serve as a valuable candidate for bone tissue repair.     

Modification of surface properties of polypropylene (PP) film using DC glow discharge air plasma

The industrial use of polypropylene (PP) films is limited because of undesirable properties such as poor adhesion and printability. In the present study, a DC glow discharge plasma has been used to improve the surface properties of PP films and make it useful for technical applications. The change in hydrophilicity of modified PP film surface was investigated by contact angle (CA) and surface energy measurements as a function of exposure time. In addition, plasma-treated PP films have been subjected to an ageing process to determine the durability of the plasma treatment. Changes in morphological and chemical composition of PP films were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The improvement in adhesion was studied by measuring T-peel and lap shear strength. The results show that the surface hydrophilicity has been improved due to the increase in the roughness and the introduction of oxygen-containing polar groups. The AFM observation on PP film shows that the roughness of the surface increased due to plasma treatment. Analysis of chemical binding states and surface chemical composition by XPS showed an increase in the formation of polar functional groups and the concentration of oxygen content on the plasma-processed PP film surfaces. T-peel and lap shear test for adhesion strength measurement showed that the adhesion strength of the plasma-modified PP films increased compared with untreated films surface.     

Fabrication and characterization of polyurethane patch loaded with palmarosa and cobalt nitrate for cardiac tissue engineering

Cardiac patches are attractive option in overcoming the morbidities associated with cardiac disorders. Nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated using polyurethane (PU) added with palmarosa (PR) and cobalt nitrate (CoNO₃) using an electrospinning technique. Several characterizations were employed namely field emission scanning electron microscopy, wettability measurement, attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, surface roughness measurements, and tensile testing. Further, biological response of the electrospun nanofibers were tested through coagulation study and MTS assay. As-spun composite mats showed smaller fibers than pure PU as depicted in morphology analysis. The interaction of PU with PR and CoNO₃ was confirmed in infrared spectrum and thermal analysis. The incorporation of the PR decreased the wettability and while CoNO₃ addition resulted in the hydrophilic nature as depicted in the contact angle measurements. Mechanical properties testing showed that elongation at break for the pristine PU was increased with the addition of PR and CoNO_3. The surface measurements depicted that the incorporation of PR resulted in the improvement of the surface roughness while the addition of CoNO₃ reduced the surface roughness of the pristine PU. The electrospun nanocomposites showed delayed blood clotting time compared to the pristine PU as shown in coagulation study. Both composites supported the better proliferation of fibroblast cells than pure PU. Therefore, novel composites with smaller fiber diameter, hydrophilicity, better mechanical properties, improved blood compatibility parameters, and good cell viability rates would be a promising candidate for cardiac tissue engineering.     

Optical properties of melamine based materials

The melamine based crystalline materials are synthesized. To determine the optical properties the transmittance and reflectance spectra are recorded. The absorption coefficient of the materials is calculated using the recorded transmittance values. From the absorption coefficient values the insulating behavior of all our studied materials is identified. In addition the direct bandgap transition nature of the materials is recognized from the absorption coefficient value. Tauc relation is used to determine the bandgap energy. The bandgap energy values suggest the dielectric nature of the materials and interpretation is given for high dielectric constant values.     

Molybdenum trioxide hybridized kaempferol: double-powered nanosystem for salvaging oxidative stress and electrochemical immunoprobing of interleukin-6

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) are the culprit in inflammation-linked diseases. Excessive radical generation triggers an inflammation cascade involving interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other cytokines release, causing oxidative stress to cells. Developing healthcare materials with dual-functionality controlling iROS and diagnosing IL-6 would be extremely beneficial for chronic inflammatory disease management. Herein, molybdenum trioxide hybridized kaempferol nanoparticles (MoHK NPs) have been synthesized with iROS scavenging and in situ electrochemical redox property for immunoassay of IL-6. Physicochemical integrity of nanosystem comprising MoHK NPs is characterized by X-ray absorption/photoelectron, Raman, and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as well as scanning transmission electron microscopy–high-angle annular dark field microscopic analysis. In vitro radical scavenging mechanism of MoHK NPs was studied by electron paramagnetic spectroscopy. Distinctly, these MoHK NPs exhibit a clinically significant antioxidant function and cytocompatibility with RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Bioaffinity layer–assisted monoclonal antibodies of IL-6 immobilized on MoHK electrode enable superior selectivity, electrochemical signal transduction (sensitivity 0.63 μA/fM/cm²), and rapid analytical response time even at ultralow IL-6 concentrations (detection limit 0.91 fM). This work demonstrates that hybridizing redox-active and antioxidant-rich phytochemical on metal oxide nanosystem can be a promising strategy for multifunctional theranostics.     

Electrochemical Tracing of Butein Using Carbon Nanoparticles Interfaced Electrode Processed from Biowaste

Nanoparticles of carbon derivatized from pyrolysis of biowaste oil palm leaves were processed as electrochemical transducer material at the interface of glassy carbon electrode. This modified electrode exhibits convincing electron‐transfer property for voltammetric and chronoamperometric quantification of clinically important phytochemical, butein, without the use of external redox mediator and enzyme. A reversible two‐electron transfer redox property observed from butein is distinct at the electrode interface and the current density is found to be superior in phosphate buffered saline electrolyte at pH 7.0. Carbon nanoparticles interfaced electrode system displayed a good stability and sensitivity for butein with a detection limit of 7.6 μM and a dynamic detection concentration ranging from 10 to 100 μM. This bio‐waste translated carbon nanoparticle represent a promising electrode material for various flavonoids detection useful for biological studies.