Trace metal accumulations in commercially important fish and crab species from impacted tropical estuary, India: implications on human health risk assessment.

Despite the beneficial role of aquatic food, bioaccumulation of trace metals can increase health risk for consumers. We conducted a comprehensive study to understand the levels of various trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn and Mn) in fish (Nematalosa nasus, Gerres filamentosus, Arius arius, Gerres erythrourus, Sardinella fimbriata, Caranx ignobilis, Etroplus suratensis, Mugil cephalus, Sillago sihama, and Euryglossa orientalis) and crab (Portunus pelagicus and Scylla serrata) species collected from Netravathi-Gurupur estuary, India and evaluated the potential health risks to humans by measuring target health hazard (THQ), hazard index (HI), estimated daily (EDI) and weekly (EWI) intake and cancer risk (CR). The hierarchy of toxic metal content in studied species was Fe>Pb>Cr>Mn>Zn>Cu>Ni>Cd>Co.

Cord Blood Platelet Lysate-Loaded Thermo-Sensitive Hydrogels for Potential Treatment of Chronic Skin Wounds.

Background/objectives: Chronic skin wounds (CSWs) are a worldwide healthcare problem with relevant impacts on both patients and healthcare systems. In this context, innovative treatments are needed to improve tissue repair and patient recovery and quality of life. Cord blood platelet lysate (CB-PL) holds great promise in CSW treatment thanks to its high growth factors and signal molecule content.

Electroless silver plating on fabrics for antimicrobial coating: comparison between cotton and polyester.

In the past few years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the interest towards textiles with antimicrobial functionalities faced a significant boost. This study proposes a rapid and convenient method, in terms of reactants and equipment, for fabricating antimicrobial coatings on textiles. Through the electroless silver plating reaction, silver coatings were successfully applied on cotton and polyester, rapidly and at room temperature.

Dynamics of sediment phosphorus in the middle and lower stretch of River Ganga, India: insight into concentration, fractionation, and environmental risk assessment of phosphorus.

Despite continuous efforts, eutrophication is still occurring in freshwater and phosphorus (P) is the most important nutrients that drive the eutrophication in rivers and streams. However, little information is available about the distribution of P fractions in river sediment. Here, the sequential extraction approach was used to evaluate the sediment P fractionation and its content in the anthropogenically damaged river Ganga, India.

Ecological and human health risk from exposure to metal contaminated sediments in a subtropical river affected by anthropogenic activities: A case study from river Yamuna.

Heavy metal enrichment in river sediments poses a significant risk to human and aquatic health. The Yamuna River faces severe challenges due to untreated industrial and domestic wastewater discharge. The study evaluates sediment metal content, ecological and human health risks, and potential sources.

Riboflavin based setup as an alternative method for a preliminary screening of face mask filtration efficiency.

Face masks are essential in reducing the transmission of respiratory infections and bacterial filtration efficiency, a key parameter of mask performances, requires the use of Staphylococcus aureus and specialised staff. This study aims to develop a novel method for a preliminary screening of masks or materials filtration efficiency by a green, easy and rapid setup based on the use of a riboflavin solution, a safe autofluorescent biomolecule. The proposed setup is composed of a commercial aerosol generator commonly used for aerosol therapy, custom 3D printed aerosol chamber and sample holder, a filter for downstream riboflavin detection and a vacuum pump.

Trace metals and pesticides in water-sediment and associated pollution load indicators of Netravathi-Gurupur estuary, India: Implications on coastal pollution.

Various environmental indicators were used to evaluate the water and sediment quality of the Netravathi-Gurupur estuary, India, for trace metals and pesticide pollution. The descended order of studied metal concentrations (μg/L) in the water was Fe (592.71) > Mn (98.

One-step silver coating of polypropylene surgical mask with antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Face masks can filter droplets containing viruses and bacteria minimizing the transmission and spread of respiratory pathogens but are also an indirect source of microbes transmission. A novel antibacterial and antiviral Ag-coated polypropylene surgical mask obtained through the and one-step deposition of metallic silver nanoparticles, synthesized by silver mirror reaction combined with sonication or agitation methods, is proposed in this study. SEM analysis shows Ag nanoparticles fused together in a continuous and dense layer for the coating obtained by sonication, whereas individual Ag nanoparticles around 150 nm were obtained combining the silver mirror reaction with agitation.

Fibrinogen-Based Bioink for Application in Skin Equivalent 3D Bioprinting.

Three-dimensional bioprinting has emerged as an attractive technology due to its ability to mimic native tissue architecture using different cell types and biomaterials. Nowadays, cell-laden bioink development or skin tissue equivalents are still at an early stage. The aim of the study is to propose a bioink to be used in skin bioprinting based on a blend of fibrinogen and alginate to form a hydrogel by enzymatic polymerization with thrombin and by ionic crosslinking with divalent calcium ions.

Incorporation of Copper Nanoparticles on Electrospun Polyurethane Membrane Fibers by a Spray Method.

Electrospinning is an easy and versatile technique to obtain nanofibrous membranes with nanosized fibers, high porosity, and pore interconnectivity. Metal nanoparticles (e.g.

Marine Collagen-Based Bioink for 3D Bioprinting of a Bilayered Skin Model.

Marine organisms (i.e., fish, jellyfish, sponges or seaweeds) represent an abundant and eco-friendly source of collagen.

Geochemical distribution and forms of phosphorus in the surface sediment of Netravathi-Gurupur estuary, southwestern coast of India.

Estuaries are the most productive transition ecosystem and phosphorus (P) plays an important role in these ecosystems. Therefore, in the present study, sequential extraction method was used to determine the abundance of five sediment P fractions (calcium (Ca-P), Iron (FeP), aluminum (AlP), exchangeable (Ex-P) and organic (OrgP) bound P) in Netravathi-Gurupur estuary, India. Total phosphorus (TP) content varied from 435-810 mg/kg (non-monsoon) and 258-699 mg/kg (monsoon).

Use of geographical information systems (GIS) in assessing ecological profile, fish community structure and production of a large reservoir of Himachal Pradesh.

The present study demonstrates the spatial analysis and mapping of fish and different measures of environmental parameters and fish diversity of Pong reservoir, Himachal Pradesh, using Kriging spatial interpolation methods for geographical information system mapping. Seasonal data on environmental parameters, potential fish habitat and fish diversity was collected from lentic (dam), lentic (reservoir), transitional and lotic zone of the reservoir..

COVID-19 serum can be cross-reactive and neutralizing against the dengue virus, as observed by the dengue virus neutralization test.

Objectives: Observing the serological cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus (DV), we aimed to elucidate its effect on dengue serodiagnosis and infectivity in a highly dengue-endemic city in India.

Methods: A total of 52 COVID-19 (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] positive) serum samples were tested in rapid lateral flow immunoassays and DV immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect DV or SARS-CoV-2 IgG/immunoglobulin M. The COVID-19 antibody (Ab) positive samples were subjected to a virus neutralization test (Huh7 cells) using DV type 1 (DV1) clinical isolate.

A Copper nanoparticles-based polymeric spray coating: Nanoshield against Sars-Cov-2.

Face masks are an effective protection tool to prevent bacterial and viral transmission. However, commercial face masks contain filters made of materials that are not capable of inactivating either SARS-CoV-2. In this regard, we report the development of an antiviral coating of polyurethane and Copper nanoparticles on a face mask filter fabricated with a spray technology that is capable of inactivating more than 99% of SARS-CoV-2 particles in 30 min of contact.

Plasminogen-Loaded Fibrin Scaffold as Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing Applications.

Plasminogen is a protein involved in intravascular and extravascular fibrinolysis, as well as in wound healing, cell migration, tissue formation and angiogenesis. In recent years its role in healing of tympanic perforations has been demonstrated in plasminogen deficient mice. The aim of this work was to fabricate a fibrin-based drug delivery system able to provide a local and sustained release of plasminogen at the wound site.

Analysis of oxidative degradation and calcification behavior of a silicone polycarbonate polyurethane-polydimethylsiloxane material.

The biocompatibility and chemical stability of implantable devices are crucial for their long-term success. CarboSil® is a silicon polycarbonate polyurethane copolymer with good biocompatibility and biostability properties. Here, we explored the possibility to improve these characteristics by introducing 30% of extra-chain cross-linkable poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS).

Fabrication and in-vitro characterization of a polymeric aortic valve for minimally invasive valve replacement.

The valve replacement therapy is the standard treatment for severe heart valve diseases. Nowadays, two types of commercial prosthesis are available: mechanical and biological, but both of them have severe limitations. Moreover, alternative therapeutic approach for valve replacement, based on minimally invasive techniques (MIAVR), motivates the search for new valve materials.

Bilayered Fibrin-Based Electrospun-Sprayed Scaffold Loaded with Platelet Lysate Enhances Wound Healing in a Diabetic Mouse Model.

The present study examined the effects of a bilayered fibrin/poly(ether)urethane scaffold loaded with platelet lysate by a combination of electrospinning and spray, phase-inversion method for wound healing. In particular, the poly(ether)urethane layer was obtained using by a spray phase-inversion method and the fibrin fibers network were loaded with platelet lysate by electrospinning. The kinetics release and the bioactivity of growth factors released from platelet lysate-scaffold were investigated by ELISA and cell proliferation test using mouse fibroblasts, respectively.

A New Method for Fibrin-Based Electrospun/Sprayed Scaffold Fabrication.

Fibrin is an optimal scaffold for tissue-engineering applications because it mimics the extracellular matrix. Despite this interesting feature, fibrin gel owns only poor mechanical properties that limit its applications. Different approaches have been used for fibrin electrospinning, however all the methods investigated required washing steps, cross-linking agent treatment or immersion.

In vivo evaluation of an elastomeric small-diameter vascular graft reinforced with a highly flexible Nitinol mesh.

Highly porous small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs) prepared with elastomeric materials such as poly(ether urethane) (PEtU)-polydimethylsiloxane (PEtU-PDMS) are capable to biodegrade but may develop aneurismal dilatation. Through a compliance/patency assessment with ultrasound techniques, the current study investigated the functionality, in terms of patency and endothelialization, of a highly flexible and porous Nitinol mesh incorporated into PEtU-PDMS SDVGs in a sheep carotid model. Nitinol-PEtU-PDMS grafts with an internal diameter (ID) of 4 mm were manufactured by spray, phase-inversion technique.

Development of a gelatin-based polyurethane vascular graft by spray, phase-inversion technology.

The capacity of a composite vascular graft constituting polyurethane (PU) and gelatin to support cell growth was investigated using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Gelatin-based polyurethane grafts were fabricated by co-spraying polyurethane and gelatin using a spray, phase-inversion technique. Graft microstructure was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Evaluation of the effect of a gamma irradiated DBM-pluronic F127 composite on bone regeneration in Wistar rat.

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is widely used for bone regeneration. Since DBM is prepared in powder form its handling properties are not optimal and limit the clinical use of this material. Various synthetic and biological carriers have been used to enhance the DBM handling.