Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Advanced Antimicrobial Electrospun Polymers.

The aim of this work was to synthesize, characterize and apply advanced antimicrobial biocompatible electrospun polymers suitable for medical implants for surgical repairs. Injuries to the musculoskeletal system often necessitate surgical repair, but current treatments can still lead to high failure rates, such as 40% for the repair of rotator cuff tears. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new biocompatible materials that can effectively support the repair of damaged tissues.

Computational Methodologies in Synthesis, Preparation and Application of Antimicrobial Polymers, Biomolecules, and Nanocomposites.

The design and optimization of antimicrobial materials (polymers, biomolecules, or nanocomposites) can be significantly advanced by computational methodologies like molecular dynamics (MD), which provide insights into the interactions and stability of the antimicrobial agents within the polymer matrix, and machine learning (ML) or design of experiment (DOE), which predicts and optimizes antimicrobial efficacy and material properties. These innovations not only enhance the efficiency of developing antimicrobial polymers but also enable the creation of materials with tailored properties to meet specific application needs, ensuring safety and longevity in their usage. Therefore, this paper will present the computational methodologies employed in the synthesis and application of antimicrobial polymers, biomolecules, and nanocomposites.

Effect of Sterilization Methods on Chemical and Physical-Mechanical Properties of Cotton Compresses.

The aim of this work was to determine the changes in the chemical and physical-mechanical properties of gauze compresses under the influence of various sterilizations. Gauze compresses are made of cotton; therefore, all methods used focused on cotton. The methods used to test possible damage to cotton materials (pH value (pH paper, KI starch paper), yellowing test, Fehling reaction, reaction to the formation of Turnbull blue (Berlin blue), microscopic staining with methylene blue and swelling reaction with Na-zincate) did not show that the sterilizations affected the cotton compresses.

Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO and TiO Hybrid Coatings for Textile UV Anti-Aging Protection.

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize thin hybrid films on polyurethane-coated knitted fabrics and to achieve satisfactory color fastness to artificial light. Sol-gel-derived hybrid thin films were deposited via the dip-coating of 3-glycidoxypropiltrimethoxysilane. Titanium dioxide (TiO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanopowders were added to compensate for the insufficient aging resistance, which manifests itself in low color fastness and is one of the most frequent complaints from manufacturers of coated marine fabrics (yachts, boats, etc.

Challenges of Green Transition in Polymer Production: Applications in Zero Energy Innovations and Hydrogen Storage.

The green transition in the sustainable production and processing of polymers poses multifaceted challenges that demand integral comprehensive solutions. Specific problems of presences of toxic trace elements are often missed and this prevents shifting towards eco-friendly alternatives. Therefore, substantial research and the development of novel approaches is needed to discover and implement innovative, sustainable production materials and methods.

The application of bacteria-derived dehydrogenases and oxidases in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles.

In this work the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) using the oxidoreductive enzymes Myriococcum thermophilum cellobiose dehydrogenase (Mt CDH), Glomerella cingulata glucose dehydrogenase (Gc GDH), and Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase (An GOX)) as bioreductants was investigated. The influence of reaction conditions on the synthesis of Au-NPs was examined and optimised. The reaction kinetics and the influence of Au ions on the reaction rate were determined.

Novel Zinc/Silver Ions-Loaded Alginate/Chitosan Microparticles Antifungal Activity against .

Addressing the growing need for environmentally friendly fungicides in agriculture, this study explored the potential of biopolymer microparticles loaded with metal ions as a novel approach to combat fungal pathogens. Novel alginate microspheres and chitosan/alginate microcapsules loaded with zinc or with zinc and silver ions were prepared and characterized (microparticle size, morphology, topography, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and swelling behavior). Investigation of molecular interactions in microparticles using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy exhibited complex interactions between all constituents.

Nanoparticles for Biomedical Application and Their Synthesis.

Tremendous developments in nanotechnology have revolutionized the impact of nanoparticles (NPs) in the scientific community and, more recently, in society. Nanomaterials are by their definition materials that have at least one dimension in range of 1 to 100 nm. Nanoparticles are found in many types of different technological and scientific applications and innovations, from delicate electronics to medical treatments.

Application of Causality Modelling for Prediction of Molecular Properties for Textile Dyes Degradation by LPMO.

The textile industry is one of the largest water-polluting industries in the world. Due to an increased application of chromophores and a more frequent presence in wastewaters, the need for an ecologically favorable dye degradation process emerged. To predict the decolorization rate of textile dyes with Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), we developed, validated, and utilized the molecular descriptor structural causality model (SCM) based on the decision tree algorithm (DTM).

Innovative Insights into In Vitro Activity of Colloidal Platinum Nanoparticles against ESBL-Producing Strains of and .

Growing morbidity and mortality rates due to increase in the number of infections caused by MDR (multi-drug resistant) microorganisms are becoming some of the foremost global health issues. Thus, the need to search for and find novel approaches to fight AMR (antimicrobial resistance) has become obligatory. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial properties of commercially purchased colloidal platinum nanoparticles by examining the existence and potency of their antibacterial effects and investigating the mechanisms by means of which they express these activities.

Functionalization of Polymer Surface with Antimicrobial Microcapsules.

The development of antimicrobial polymers is a priority for engineers fighting microbial resistant strains. Silver ions and silver nanoparticles can assist in enhancing the antimicrobial properties of microcapsules that release such substances in time which prolongs the efficiency of antimicrobial effects. Therefore, this study aimed to functionalize different polymer surfaces with antimicrobial core/shell microcapsules.

ICP-MS Determination of Antimicrobial Metals in Microcapsules.

Silver (Ag) and zinc (Zn) are very powerful antimicrobial metals. Therefore, in this research, a high-throughput, sensitive, and rapid method was developed for the determination of Ag and Zn in microcapsules using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The sample preparation procedure employed simple microwave digestion of the microcapsules with 55.

Development of Antibacterial Protective Coatings Active against MSSA and MRSA on Biodegradable Polymers.

In this work the in vitro antimicrobial activity of colloidal solutions of nine different commercially available nanoparticles were investigated against strains, both methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Research covered antimicrobial investigation of different metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles, including Ag 10 nm, Ag 40 nm, AlO 100 nm, Au 20 nm, Pt 4 nm, TiO 100 nm, YO 100 nm, ZnO 100 nm and ZrO 100 nm nanoparticles. Such materials were foreseen to be applied as coatings on 3D-printed biodegradable polymers: i.

Design of Experiment Approach to Optimize Hydrophobic Fabric Treatments.

Polymer materials can be functionalized with different surface treatments. By applying nanoparticles in coating, excellent antimicrobial properties are achieved. In addition, antimicrobial properties are enhanced by hydrophobic surface modification.

Microreactor Production by PolyJet Matrix 3D-Printing Technology: Hydrodynamic Characterization.

This work investigates the methodology of producing a 3D-printed microreactor from the acrylic resin by PolyJet Matrix process. The PolyJet Matrix technology employs different materials or their combinations to generate 3D-printed structures, from small ones to complex geometries, with different material properties. Experimental and numerical methods served for the evaluation of the geometry and production of the microreactor and its hydrodynamic characterization.

Fungal secretomes enhance sugar beet pulp hydrolysis.

The recalcitrance of lignocellulose makes enzymatic hydrolysis of plant biomass for the production of second generation biofuels a major challenge. This work investigates an efficient and economic approach for the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugar beet pulp (SBP), which is a difficult to degrade, hemicellulose-rich by-product of the table sugar industry. Three fungal strains were grown on different substrates and the production of various extracellular hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes involved in pectin, hemicellulose, and cellulose breakdown were monitored.

Removal of Cr, Mn, and Co from textile wastewater by horizontal rotating tubular bioreactor.

Environmental pollution by industrial wastewaters polluted with toxic heavy metals is of great concern. Various guidelines regulate the quality of water released from industrial plants and of surface waters. In wastewater treatment, bioreactors with microbial biofilms are widely used.

Determination of total chromium in tanned leather samples used in car industry.

Despite the high competition of synthetic fibers leather is nowadays still widely used for many applications. In order to ensure a sufficient stability of the skin matrix against many factors, such as microbial degradation, heat and sweat, a tanning process is indispensable. Using chromium (III) for this purpose offers a multitude of advantages, thus this way of tanning is widely applied.

Determination of 28 selected elements in textiles by axially viewed inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.

A simple, robust and reliable analytical procedure for the determination of 28 selected elements, namely Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sc, Si, Se, Sn, Sm, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn in textile materials by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after microwave digestion of samples was optimized and validated in this work. The total amount of elements present in textile samples was determined after microwave digestion of materials in 7 mol/L nitric acid within the optimal working program: 5 min at 150°C (power 250 W), 15 min 180°C (300 W) and 20 min at the maximum temperature of 200°C (350 W). For the quality control reasons, which were ascertained by analysis of the certified cotton trace elements reference material IAEA-V9, the ICP-OES method was optimized through several parameters: by comparing Meinhard and Gemcone Low Flow nebulizers efficiency, ranging nebulizer gas flows from 0.

Simple methods for characterization of metals in historical textile threads.

Characterization of metal threads on historical textile materials is important for preservation of valuable cultural heritage. Obtained results dictate decisions on cleaning, conservation and restoration steps. The most important part of characterization is chemical analysis of originally applied materials, since this enables understanding the nature of chemical and physical degradation and determines the cleaning methods.