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Journal of Indian Association of... 2024This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of topical application of common salt (CS) in comparison to silver nitrate (SN) for treating infants with umbilical...
AIM
This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of topical application of common salt (CS) in comparison to silver nitrate (SN) for treating infants with umbilical granuloma (UG).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted an open-label, prospective, single-center, pilot randomized controlled trial. Thirty-seven infants with a clinical UG diagnosis were enrolled between October 2022 and July 2023, excluding those previously treated for UG. Patients were randomly assigned (using the Randomizer app) to receive either topical CS (applied thrice daily by caregivers at home for 5 days) or SN (applied by pediatric surgeon in clinic and kept under occlusive dressing for 48 h). Patients with partial/no healing received an additional session of the same treatment. Nonresponders transitioned from CS to SN, and vice versa, for two more applications. Healing rates were compared with a significance level of α =0.05.
RESULTS
Out of 34 patients (18 CS and 16 SN), 32 successfully completed the trial (17 CS and 15 SN). No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics. Efficacy rates of CS (19/22; 86.36%) and SN (11/17; 64.71%) did not significantly differ ( = 0.056; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.4832-0.0502). No major adverse events were reported. CS showed superior healing outcomes in infants below 3 months of age (19/22; 86.36%) compared to SN (11/17; 64.71%) ( = 0.056; 95% CI - 0.4832-0.0502). The timing of umbilical cord detachment did not significantly affect healing rates.
CONCLUSION
Widespread availability, ease of access, suitability for safe home application, and cost-effectiveness make CS a primary treatment option for UG. Larger patient cohorts are needed for conclusive results.
PubMed: 38912018
DOI: 10.4103/jiaps.jiaps_209_23 -
RSC Advances Jun 2024Heavy metals exist in different water resources and can threaten human health, inducing several chronic illnesses such as cancer and renal diseases. Therefore, this work...
Improvement of hybrid polyvinyl chloride/dapsone membrane using synthesized silver nanoparticles for the efficient removal of heavy metals, microorganisms, and phosphate and nitrate compounds from polluted water.
Heavy metals exist in different water resources and can threaten human health, inducing several chronic illnesses such as cancer and renal diseases. Therefore, this work dealt with the fabrication of highly efficient nanomembranes based on silver nanoparticle (Ag NP)-doped hybrid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by dapsone (DAP) using an method. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to confirm the hybridization of PVC as well as the crystalline structure of hybrid PVC nanocomposites. Three varying proportions of Ag NPs (, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%) were used to fabricate hybrid PVC-DAP nanomembranes. The Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method was used to estimate membrane surface area, porosity and distribution of pore volume. The mechanical strength and antibacterial properties of the cased films notably improved when Ag NPs were added depending on the NP ratio inside the matrix. Results obtained from adsorption experiments of PVC-DAP nanomembranes at 35 °C revealed that the optimum nanomembrane was achieved at 0.2% NPs and its percentage of removal effectiveness ranged from 71 to 95% depending on the ion type. The surface morphology of the PVC-DAP-0.2 Ag NPs before and after the adsorption process of the metal ions was analyzed using SEM-EDX. Moreover, the impact of other parameters such as the initial concentrations, pH media, temperature, and contacting time, on the adsorption efficiency of PVC-DAP-0.2 Ag NPs was also investigated. Furthermore, kinetic and adsorption isotherm models were suggested to describe the adsorption efficiency of the PVC-DAP-0.2 Ag NP membrane, and the uptake mechanism of metal ion removal was studied. The obtained outcomes for these fabricated nanomembranes demonstrated that they could be potential candidates for water purification and other potential purposes including biomedical areas.
PubMed: 38899035
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03810j -
Polymers May 2024Pomegranate waste poses an environmental challenge in Arequipa. Simultaneously, interest in sustainable materials like natural rubber latex (NRL) is growing, with...
Pomegranate waste poses an environmental challenge in Arequipa. Simultaneously, interest in sustainable materials like natural rubber latex (NRL) is growing, with Peruvian communities offering a promising source. This study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using pomegranate peel extract and their incorporation into NRL nanofibers for enhanced functionalities. An eco-friendly process utilized silver nitrate and pomegranate peel extract as a reducing and capping agent to synthesize AgNPs. The resulting AgNPs and NRL/AgNPs nanofibers were characterized using imaging and spectroscopic techniques such as UV-vis, TGA, FTIR, XRD, Raman, SEM, and DLS. Green-synthesized AgNPs were spherical and crystalline, with an average diameter of 59 nm. They showed activity against , , , and (IC50: 51.32, 4.87, 27.72, and 69.72 µg/mL, respectively). NRL and NRL/AgNPs nanofibers (300-373 nm diameter) were successfully fabricated. The composite nanofibers exhibited antibacterial activity against and . This study presents a sustainable approach by utilizing pomegranate waste for AgNP synthesis and NRL sourced from Peruvian communities. Integrating AgNPs into NRL nanofibers produced composites with antimicrobial properties. This work has potential applications in smart textiles, biomedical textiles, and filtration materials where sustainability and antimicrobial functionality are crucial.
PubMed: 38891477
DOI: 10.3390/polym16111531 -
PloS One 2024Rice (Oryza sativa) stands as a crucial staple food worldwide, especially in Bangladesh, where it ranks as the third-largest producer. However, intensified cultivation...
Rice (Oryza sativa) stands as a crucial staple food worldwide, especially in Bangladesh, where it ranks as the third-largest producer. However, intensified cultivation has made high-yielding rice varieties susceptible to various biotic stresses, notably sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani, which inflicts significant yield losses annually. Traditional fungicides, though effective, pose environmental and health risks. To address this, nanotechnology emerges as a promising avenue, leveraging the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles like silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This study explored the green synthesis of AgNPs using Ipomoea carnea leaf extract and silver nitrate (AgNO3), and also examined their efficacy against sheath blight disease in rice. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized through various analytical techniques such as UV-vis spectrophotometer, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Particle size analyzer, Zeta potential, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) for confirming their successful production and crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The results of UV-visible spectrophotometers revealed an absorption peak ranging from 421 to 434 nm, validated the synthesis of AgNPs in the solution. XRD, DLS, and TEM estimated AgNPs sizes were ~45 nm, 66.2nm, and 46.38 to 73.81 nm, respectively. SEM and FESEM demonstrated that the synthesized AgNPs were spherical in shape. In vitro assays demonstrated the significant inhibitory effects of AgNPs on mycelial growth of Rhizoctonia solani, particularly at higher concentrations and pH levels. Further greenhouse and field experiments validated the antifungal efficacy of AgNPs against sheath blight disease in rice, exhibiting comparable effectiveness to commercial fungicides. The findings highlight the potential of AgNPs as a sustainable and effective alternative for managing rice sheath blight disease, offering a safer solution amidst environmental concerns associated with conventional fungicides.
Topics: Rhizoctonia; Oryza; Silver; Metal Nanoparticles; Plant Diseases; Green Chemistry Technology; X-Ray Diffraction; Plant Extracts; Fungicides, Industrial
PubMed: 38889131
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304817 -
Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences Apr 2024L. (Solanaceae), commonly known as nightshade, has been traditionally used by various populations to treat a variety of ailments. Environment-friendly alternatives to...
L. (Solanaceae), commonly known as nightshade, has been traditionally used by various populations to treat a variety of ailments. Environment-friendly alternatives to chemical and physical procedures for the synthesis of nanomaterials have been proposed. In this research, the hot plate combustion method is used to synthesize nickel oxide nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate and leaf extract. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests, the cubic phase was face-centered, had good crystallinity, and had average crystallite sizes. According to morphological studies, the surface has a cylindrical and rod-like morphology, and average particle size estimates from UV-visible spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), concur well with XRD, and the bio-reduced silver nanoparticles were characterized. , , and the human pathogenic microorganisms were used to investigate the antibacterial efficacy (12.5, 25, 50 μg/mL) of these biologically created silver nanoparticles.
PubMed: 38882899
DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_544_23 -
ACS Omega Jun 2024Silver ions are antimicrobial agents with powerful action against bacteria. Applications in surface treatments, as Ag-functionalized sol-gel coatings, are expected in...
Silver ions are antimicrobial agents with powerful action against bacteria. Applications in surface treatments, as Ag-functionalized sol-gel coatings, are expected in the biomedical field to prevent contaminations and infections. The potential cytotoxicity of Ag cations toward human cells is well known though. However, few studies consider both the bactericidal activity and the biocompatibility of the Ag-functionalized sol-gels. Here, we demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of Ag cations is circumvented, thanks to the ability of Ag cations to kill () much faster than normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). This phenomenon was investigated in the case of two silver nitrate-loaded sol-gel coatings: one with 0.5 w/w% Ag cations and the second with 2.5 w/w%. The maximal amount of released Ag ions over time (0.25 mg/L) was ten times lower than the minimal inhibition (MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) concentrations (respectively, 2.5 and 16 mg/L) for and twice lower to the minimal cytotoxic concentration (0.5 mg/L) observed in NHDFs. were killed 8-18 times, respectively, faster than NHDFs by silver-loaded sol-gel coatings. This original approach, based on the kinetic control of the biological activity of Ag cations instead of a concentration effect, ensures the bactericidal protection while maintaining the biocompatibility of the Ag cation-functionalized sol-gels. This opens promising applications of silver-loaded sol-gel coatings for biomedical tools in short-term or indirect contacts with the skin.
PubMed: 38882165
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00726 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been produced by low-dose (1-20 kGy) gamma irradiation of silver nitrate in the presence of graphene-based material (graphene oxide or...
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been produced by low-dose (1-20 kGy) gamma irradiation of silver nitrate in the presence of graphene-based material (graphene oxide or electrochemically exfoliated graphene). The large surface area of those graphene-based materials combined with the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface provided successful nucleation and growth of Ag nanoparticles, which resulted in a uniformly covered graphene surface. The obtained Ag nanoparticles were spherical with a predominant size distribution of 10-50 nm for graphene oxide and 10-100 nm for electrochemically exfoliated graphene. The photothermal efficiency measurement showed a temperature increase upon exposure to a 532 nm laser for all samples and the highest photothermal efficiency was measured for the graphene oxide/Ag NP sample prepared at 5 kGy. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency measurements showed poor shielding for the composites prepared with graphene oxide. On the other hand, all composites prepared with electrochemically exfoliated graphene showed EMI shielding to some extent, and the best performance was measured for the samples prepared at 5 and 20 kGy doses.
PubMed: 38869537
DOI: 10.3390/nano14110912 -
Veterinary Medicine International 2024It is still not clear how the intravesical instillation of drugs affects rat urinary frequency. This study aimed to examine the dynamics of intravesical treatments'...
OBJECTIVES
It is still not clear how the intravesical instillation of drugs affects rat urinary frequency. This study aimed to examine the dynamics of intravesical treatments' treatment effect on rat urinary frequency models by real-time and extended monitoring using a novel continuous urination monitoring system.
METHODS
Nine eleven-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into three groups to receive intravesical instillation of 0.1% acetic acid (AA), 1.0% AA, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Thirty minutes later, these drugs were voided, and rats were moved to a continuous urination monitoring system, UM-100. UM-100 monitored rat urination quantitatively and continuously for 24 hours. Rats were then euthanized, and histopathologic examinations using a damage score validated the severity of bladder inflammation. We used nine additional rats to determine the treatment effect of various drugs against the urinary frequency. These rats were also treated with 1.0% AA in the same way and divided into three groups ( = 3 each) to receive intravesical instillation of lidocaine, silver nitrate (AgNO), or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), respectively. Thirty minutes later, rats were catheterized again and moved to the UM-100, and their voiding was monitored for 24 hours.
RESULTS
Intravesical instillation of AA increased the urinary frequency and decreased the mean voided volume (VV) in a concentration-dependent manner, with statistical significance at a concentration of 1.0% (urinary frequency; =0.0007, mean VV; =0.0032, respectively) compared with PBS. Histopathological analysis of these models demonstrated a significantly higher damage score of bladder mucosa in both 0.1% AA and 1.0% AA compared with PBS, with the severity in concordance with the clinical severity of urinary frequency (0.1% AA: < 0.0001, 1.0% AA: < 0.0001). Moreover, intravesical instillation of lidocaine, AgNO, and DMSO decreased the urinary frequency. Continuous monitoring with UM-100 also demonstrated that the treatment effect of these intravesically instilled drugs occurred only at night.
CONCLUSIONS
The extended monitoring of rat urination by UM-100 revealed a significant fluctuation in the treatment effect of intravesically instilled drugs between day and night. These findings may help establish novel therapies for urinary frequency.
PubMed: 38836165
DOI: 10.1155/2024/6505595 -
ACS Omega May 2024A fluorosulfate ion (FSO) is a hydrolysis product of sulfuryl fluoride (SOF), which is widely used to fumigate buildings, soil, construction materials, and postharvest...
A fluorosulfate ion (FSO) is a hydrolysis product of sulfuryl fluoride (SOF), which is widely used to fumigate buildings, soil, construction materials, and postharvest commodities, and is a potent greenhouse gas. It is a potential marker for biological exposure to SOF and for monitoring the progress of reactions used to scrub SOF from fumigation vent gases. Here, we report a simple and inexpensive potentiometric method for determining FSO using a commercial nitrate-selective electrode and discuss its application. The method is suitable for solutions between 0.0025 mM and 660 mM FSO at initial pH between 5 and 9. Halide interference depends on its molar ratio to FSO and follows the sequence, F < Cl < Br ≪ I. Halide interference can be eliminated by adding silver sulfate. Interference by bicarbonate can be eliminated by HSO pretreatment, and interference by phosphate or pyrophosphate by MgSO addition. Sulfate does not interfere, as it does in ion chromatography. Satisfactory method detection limits for FSO in spiked aqueous extracts of 11 fruits were obtained. The method accurately quantified the yield of FSO relative to that of F in base hydrolysis of SOF. This study demonstrates that the developed method is highly selective, convenient, and sensitive and thus can be of great value in practice.
PubMed: 38826532
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c02629 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Cassava root rot disease caused by the fungal pathogens Fusarium solani and Lasiodiplodia theobromae produces severe damages on cassava production. This research was...
Cassava root rot disease caused by the fungal pathogens Fusarium solani and Lasiodiplodia theobromae produces severe damages on cassava production. This research was conducted to produce and assess silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by Trichoderma harzianum for reducing root rot disease. The results revealed that using the supernatants of T. harzianum on a silver nitrate solution changed it to reddish color at 48 h, indicating the formation of AgNPs. Further characterization was identified using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). DLS supported that the Z-average size is at 39.79 nm and the mean zeta potential is at - 36.5 mV. SEM revealed the formation of monodispersed spherical shape with a diameter between 60-75 nm. The antibacterial action of AgNPs as an antifungal agent was demonstrated by an observed decrease in the size of the fungal colonies using an increasing concentration of AgNPs until the complete inhibition growth of L. theobromae and F. solani at > 58 µg mL and at ≥ 50 µg mL, respectively. At in vitro conditions, the applied AgNPs caused a decrease in the percentage of healthy aerial hyphae of L. theobromae (32.5%) and of F. solani (70.0%) compared to control (100%). The SR-FTIR spectra showed the highest peaks in the first region (3000-2800 cm) associated with lipids and fatty acids located at 2962, 2927, and 2854 cm in the AgNPs treated samples. The second region (1700-1450 cm) consisting of proteins and peptides revealed the highest peaks at 1658, 1641, and 1548 cm in the AgNPs treated samples. The third region (1300-900 cm), which involves nucleic acid, phospholipids, polysaccharides, and carbohydrates, revealed the highest peaks at 1155, 1079, and 1027 cm in the readings from the untreated samples. Finally, the observed root rot severity on cassava roots treated with AgNPs (1.75 ± 0.50) was significantly lower than the control samples (5.00 ± 0.00).
Topics: Metal Nanoparticles; Silver; Plant Diseases; Manihot; Plant Roots; Fusarium; Antifungal Agents; Hypocreales; Trichoderma
PubMed: 38821999
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60903-z