Antibacterial oil‐based polyurethane films for wound dressing applications

As an alternative to petroleum‐based polyol, hydroxyl containing material was prepared from linseed oil for polyurethane synthesis. Hexamethylene di‐isocyanate (HMDI) and/or 4, 4′‐methylene diphenyl di‐isocyanate (MDI) were used as isocyanate source. The polymerization reaction was carried out without catalyst. Polymer films were prepared by casting‐evaporation technique. The MDI/HMDI‐based polyurethane and its films had higher T_g and better thermal property than that of the HMDI‐based one because of the existence of benzene ring in the polymer chain. Static water contact angle was determined to be 74° and 77.5° for HMDI and MDI/HMDI‐based films, respectively. Water adsorption was found to be around 2.6–3.6% for both films. In vitro degradation of polyurethanes in phosphate buffered saline at 37°C was investigated by gravimetric method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for confirmation of degradation on the polymer surface. The degradation rate of the HMDI‐based polyurethane film was found higher than that of the MDI/HMDI‐based film. Both the direct contact method and the MMT test were applied for determination of cytotoxicity of polymer films, and the polyurethane films investigated here was not cytotoxic. Silver‐containing films were prepared using Biocera A® as filler and were screened for their antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and/or Bacillus subtilis. The films prepared with and without Biocera A® exhibited antibacterial activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Questioning the validity of present models for estimating the performances of zeolite-polymer mixed matrix membranes

An investigation was carried out to determine the applicability of the conventional models to the mixed matrix permeability data reported in the literature. The series, parallel, Maxwell, effective medium theory (EMT), geometrical mean, and te Hennepe models were employed to estimate the zeolite permeabilities pertaining to various gases. The variations of the zeolite permeabilities with respect to the model, polymer type, and zeolite loading used were taken as indicators of the suitability of the models to be applied to permeability data. Data reported for various zeolites and polymers were utilized in the calculations. The results obtained showed that in many cases, taking into consideration the zeolite and polymer permeabilities and the zeolite loading is not sufficient to describe the performances of the zeolite-polymer mixed matrix membranes in an accurate manner. It is demonstrated that the properties of an additional phase, the interphase, should also be taken into consideration for a better prediction.     

MXene Materials for Designing Advanced Separation Membranes

MXenes are emerging rapidly as a new family of multifunctional nanomaterials with prospective applications rivaling that of graphenes. Herein, a timely account of the design and performance evaluation of MXene-based membranes is provided. First, the preparation and physicochemical characteristics of MXenes are outlined, with a focus on exfoliation, dispersion stability, and processability, which are crucial factors for membrane fabrication. Then, different formats of MXene-based membranes in the literature are introduced, comprising pristine or intercalated nanolaminates and polymer-based nanocomposites. Next, the major membrane processes so far pursued by MXenes are evaluated, covering gas separation, wastewater treatment, desalination, and organic solvent purification. The potential utility of MXenes in phase inversion and interfacial polymerization, as well as layer-by-layer assembly for the preparation of nanocomposite membranes, is also critically discussed. Looking forward, exploiting the high electrical conductivity and catalytic activity of certain MXenes is put into perspective for niche applications that are not easily achievable by other nanomaterials. Furthermore, the benefits of simulation/modeling approaches for designing MXene-based membranes are exemplified. Overall, critical insights are provided for materials science and membrane communities to navigate better while exploring the potential of MXenes for developing advanced separation membranes.     

Cytogenetic profile of lymphoma of follicle mantle lineage: correlation with clinicobiologic features

Conventional chromosome analysis (CCA) and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed in 42 patients with mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL), with BCL1 rearrangement. The t(11;14)(q13;q32) or 11q abnormalities were detected by CCA in 34 cases, 20 of which had additional aberrations. A normal karyotype was observed in 8 cases. Probes detecting the chromosome aberrations that were observed in at least 3 cases by CCA, ie, +12, 13q14 deletion, and 17p deletion, were used for interphase FISH analysis. FISH detected total or partial +12, 13q14 deletion and 17p- in 28.5%, 52.4%, and 26% of the cases, respectively. The presence of these anomalies was not a function of karyotype complexity. Based on the results of CCA/FISH, three groups of increasing karyotype complexity were recognized: group 1, including 11 patients without detectable aberrations in addition to BCL1 rearrangement; group 2, including 14 patients with 1 to 2 additional anomalies; and group 3, including 17 patients with three or more additional anomalies. Clinical parameters associated with shorter survival were male sex (P =.006) and primary lymph-node involvement compared with primary bone marrow involvement (P =.015). Trisomy 12 was the only single cytogenetic parameter predictive of a poor prognosis (P =.006) and the best prognostic indicator was the derived measure of karyotype complexity (P <.0001), which maintained statistical significance in multivariate analysis (P<.0001). We arrived at the following conclusions: 13q14 deletion occurs at a high incidence in MCL; 17p deletion and total/partial +12 are relatively frequent events in MCL, the latter aberration being associated with a shorter survival; and the degree of karyotype complexity has a strong impact on prognosis in this neoplasia.     

Effect of borax addition on the structural modification of bentonite in biodegradable alginate‐based biocomposites

Functionalized next generation biodegradable polymeric systems (bioplastics) that have better compatibility, enhanced relaxation, and thermal properties were designed using bentonite‐added alginate biocomposite films in the presence of borax. A series of bentonite‐added biocomposite films crosslinked with CaCl₂ were characterized by using methods like XRD, FTIR, TGA, DTA/DSC, DMA, and AFM. A plausible structural mechanism with Ca²⁺ crosslinking gel formation known as egg‐box and borate ion complexes was proposed to elucidate the interactions between borax and bentonite/alginate biocomposites. Enhanced compatibility and hybrid properties of raw fillers were confirmed by mineral processing steps involving hydrocyclone purification for bentonite and recrystallization steps for borax. The structure of bentonite and also bentonite hybrid biocomposites were clearly improved upon small additions of borax into the matrix. The presence of borax was found to provide a more intercalated or exfoliated morphology for a given hybrid biocomposite structure. Borate ions dissociated in aqueous solution provided a better effect on the intercalation of bentonite by imparting new hydrogen bonding sites, diol‐complexes, and didiol‐crosslinking gels. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Copper/polypyrrole multilayer coating for 7075 aluminum alloy protection

The corrosion behavior of 7075 aluminum (Al), copper modified Al (Al/Cu), polypyrrole modified Al (Al/PPy) and copper (under layer)/polypyrrole (top layer) modified Al (Al/Cu/PPy) samples were investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution. The copper plating on aluminum was carried out from acidic copper sulphate solution by electroless method. Polypyrrole (PPy) was electrochemically synthesized on Al and Al/Cu electrodes from 0.1 M pyrrole containing 0.4 M oxalic acid solution using cyclic voltammetry technique. The films synthesized were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The thermal stability of PPy films was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The surface morphologies were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The corrosion behavior of samples was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarization curves. The data obtained showed that the synthesis of PPy on top of the Cu layer significantly enhances the corrosion resistance of Al by exhibiting a barrier effect against the attack of corrosive environment.     

Cysteine protease CPP32, but not Ich1-L, is expressed in germinal center B cells and their neoplastic counterparts

Ich-1/Nedd2 and CPP32/YAMA are cysteine proteases related to interleukin 1-beta-converting enzyme (ICE), which act as apoptosis effectors. Both molecules are expressed in T- and B-cell lines. The authors investigated their in vivo cellular distribution in normal and neoplastic human lymphoid tissues. Sixty-eight representative non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) samples, normal lymphoid organs, and nonlymphoid tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). CPP32 expression in benign tissues was restricted to germinal center B cells, plasma cells, and a few interfollicular immunoblasts. All follicular NHLs and most diffuse large cell NHLs were CPP32 positive. Among T-cell NHLs, CPP32 expression was mainly observed in anaplastic large cell NHLs, whereas the other subtypes were less frequently positive. In contrast, lymphoid organs displayed only weak Ich1-L expression, located in sinusal histiocytes and thymic epithelial cells. Lymphomas were Ich1-L negative, except for T-cell-rich B-cell NHLs, and about half of the HD samples, in which Reed-Sternberg cells (RSC) were usually Ich1-L positive/CPP32 negative. Extralymphoid Ich1-L reactivity was found in particular organs like the kidney and various tumors. Western blot analysis confirmed the specificity of immunostaining. Neither CPP32 nor Ich1-L expression were correlated with intratumoral DNA fragmentation, as determined by the TUNEL assay. Altogether, these results indicate that CPP32 is preferentially expressed in germinal centers and thus could be involved in B-cell maturation. The differential expression of CPP32 and Ich1-L suggests that cysteine proteases differ in substrate specificities and carry out functions unrelated to apoptosis.     

Synthesis of functionalized PET fibers by grafting and modification and their application for Cr(VI) ion removal

A new fiber adsorbent for removing Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution was prepared by grafting and modification. The grafted fiber and modified fiber were characterized by SEM, FTIR, and TGA. FTIR analysis indicated that acrylonitrile monomer was grafted onto the PET surface and that new groups were present on the surface after the modification. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the PET fiber was wider after grafting and especially modification. The TGA results showed that the degradation steps and the thermal behavior of the PET fiber changed after modification. The effects of the pH, ion concentration, and temperature on the amount of Cr(VI) adsorbed were investigated. The fiber showed its maximum adsorption capacity in acidic medium. Isotherm studies indicated that the experimental results were best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacity of the modified fiber was found to be 25.77, 38.17, and 44.84 mg/g fiber at 25, 35, and 45 °C, respectively. Kinetic results indicated that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the modified fiber followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Calculated thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions on the modified fiber is an endothermic, feasible, and spontaneous process.