CuO/CuO Nanoparticle-Cotton Fiber Biocomposite Catalyst: Self-Improvement through Morphological Changes during Methyl Orange Degradation.

In this study, the application of a novel polymer-supported CuO/CuO nanoparticle catalyst for the efficient degradation of an organic dye, in which the nanoparticle catalyst is incorporated within a natural plant fiber matrix, is presented. The use of plant fibers provides a renewable and environmentally friendly support material, and enhances the catalytic efficiency over consecutive degradation cycles. This innovative design promotes the efficient adsorption and degradation of dye.

Repurposing Cotton Gin Trash for Cellulose Nanofibril-Silver Hybrid and Ultralight Silver-Infused Aerogel.

Cellulose nanofibril-silver (CNF-Ag) hybrid and ultralight silver-infused aerogel were produced using cotton gin trash (CGT), an abundant agro-waste material. This repurposing of CGT was achieved by exploiting its potential for CNF extraction and the in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). CNFs were extracted from CGT through a mechanical shearing process.

Standardizing the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis in infants with congenital heart disease.

Objective: This quality improvement initiative aimed to standardize the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Study Design: A multidisciplinary team developed clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of NEC within the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). The diagnosis rate of NEC per 100 at-risk admissions was the primary outcome measure.

Time to Positive Blood Cultures Among Critically Ill Children Admitted to the PICU.

Objectives: Our study aimed to assess the time to positivity (TTP) of clinically significant blood cultures in critically ill children admitted to the PICU.

Design: Retrospective review of positive blood cultures in patients admitted or transferred to the PICU.

Setting: Large tertiary-care medical center with over 90 PICU beds.

Assessment of Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Elastase Biosensors to Inflammatory Disease as a Function of Spacer Length and Fluorescence Response.

Inflammatory disease biomarker detection has become a high priority in point-of-care diagnostic research in relation to chronic wounds, with a variety of sensor-based designs becoming available. Herein, two primary aspects of biosensor design are examined: (1) assessment of a cellulose nanofiber (CNF) matrix derived from cotton ginning byproducts as a sensor transducer surface; and (2) assessment of the relation of spacer length and morphology between the CNF cellulose backbone and peptide fluorophore as a function of sensor activity for porcine pancreatic and human neutrophil elastases. X-ray crystallography, specific surface area, and pore size analyses confirmed the suitability of CNF as a matrix for wound care diagnostics.