Attachment of Tragacanth gum on polyester fabric through the synthesis of iron oxide gaining novel biological, physical, and thermal features

This study focuses on polyester fabric modification to produce environmentally-friendly multifunctional fabrics for varied applications. The nanoparticles of iron oxide were achieved from ferrous sulfate solution under alkaline conditions and applied to Tragacanth gum to form an efficient layer on the polyester surface. The synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a crystal size of 12 nm was approved in the XRD spectra and iron oxide/Tragacanth gum nanocomposites with an agglomerated size of about 62 nm were confirmed by the SEM and EDX techniques. The formation of hydroxyl and iron oxide bands was observed in the FTIR and XPS patterns. The superparamagnetic behavior of treated samples exhibited by VSM with a magnetic saturation of 0.86 emu/g. The products showed an antibacterial activity (95 and 91%) toward Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The absorbance intensity of methylene blue decreased from 2.6 to 1.6 by the treated sample. The synthesized nanoparticles on the treated surface indicated a lower release of iron ions and cell toxicity. The rate of cell duplication increased under a magnetic field with 60 Hz and 0.5 mT for 20 min/day. The product color changed from white to a brownish hue and the wetting capacity and thermal ability increased.

Assessment of Bacterial Pathogens and their Antibiotic Resistance in the Air of Different Wards of Selected Teaching Hospitals in Tehran

Context:

Exposure to bio-aerosols in a variety of environments has been of great interest due to the health effects on humans. Hospitals can be the reservoir of these biological agents because of the presence of infectious patients; which can lead to hospital infections and various occupational hazards. In this way, we assessed bacterial contamination in two teaching hospitals in Tehran.

Aims:

Our purpose in this study assessment of bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic resistance in the air of different wards of selected teaching hospitals in Tehran.

Settings and Design:

In this study, sampling was done according to NIOSH 0800.

Methods and Material:

This descriptive study was carried out in the different sections of two hospitals in Tehran. A total of 180 air samples were evaluated according to NIOSH 0800. In each section sampling was performed on the culture media in three stations including primary room, end room, and nursing position then the number of colonies counted. The zone of inhibition was measured in antibiotic disks to determine antibiotic resistance of samples.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21. Initially, the data were normalized using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The difference between the two hospitals was achieved with Mann–Whitney U test for un-normal distribution data.

Results:

Bacterial contamination in hospital 2 was significantly higher than the hospital 1(P < 0.001). The median number of colonies in hospital 1 was 129.87 (87.46–268.97) CFU/m³ and 297.97 (217.66–431.85) CFU/m³ for hospital 2. Bacterial contamination in the all of stations in hospital 2 and 87% of samples in hospital 1 was higher than the acceptable range of ACGIH (75 CFU/m³).

Conclusions:

High bacterial contamination may be related to a lack of hygiene management and poor ventilation system. It seems effective infection control processes, appropriate ventilation systems and supervision systems should be improved.

A method development for bacterial quantification and qualification in occupational exposure

Bacterial contamination occurs in different occupational exposures. Although the level of colony-forming units in airborne samples reveals bacterial exposure, the bacterial origin is not specified. We applied Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate bacterial species in airborne samples and validated bacterial evaluation in an occupational exposure. As a pilot study, airborn of nurses station (n=40) was assessed according to National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health 0800 method. Bacterial strain in all samples was evaluated by diagnosis gallery tests. Simultaneously, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of sampled bacteria was prepared and then classified by principal component analysis. Spectroscopy method was validated for Staphylococcus aureus quantification. For this aim, spectrum band area in different wavenumbers was evaluated for calibration curve plotting and extraction of validation parameters. The second derivatization of spectroscopy data in 1200 to 1500 cm^-1 presented the best determination for gram-type discrimination by principal component analysis modeling. Moreover 900-1200 cm^-1 region modeling finely differentiated gram-negative bacteria in airborne samples. Adding spectroscopy area band in 2850 and 2906 cm^-1 was validated to assess the level of Staphylococcus aureus contamination. Results showed appropriate correlation between the Staphylococcus aureus level in airborne samples analyzed by commercial counting evaluation and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is a functional technique for assessment of airborne quality in occupational exposure. This analysis was recommended as an alternative method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of bio-aerosols.

Tragacanth gum/nano silver hydrogel on cotton fabric: In-situ synthesis and antibacterial properties

This paper is mainly focused on introducing cotton fabric with hydrogel and antimicrobial properties using Tragacanth gum as a natural polymer with hydrogel properties, silver nitrate as silver precursor, citric acid as a cross-linking agent and sodium hypophosphite as catalyst. The water absorption behavior of the treated fabrics was investigated with moisture regain, water retention, drying time of wetted fabric at room condition and vertical wicking tests. Antibacterial properties of the samples were evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcous aureus. The SEM pictures confirmed formation of nano silver and hydrogel layer on the fabric surface and XRD performed the crystal and particle size of the nano silver. The chemical structure of the fabric samples was identified with FTIR spectra. The central composite design (CCD) was used for statistical modelling, evaluated effective parameters and created optimum conditions. The treated cotton fabrics showed good water absorption properties along with reasonable antibacterial effectiveness.

Simultaneous encapsulation and stabilization of Aloe vera extract on cotton fabric for wound dressing application

Utilization of some herbal products in wound dressing for rapid healing with no side effects is a highly interesting task.

Influence of Temperature on Stability of Multilamellar Liposomes in Wool Dyeing

Liposomes are lipid vesicles that are composed of amphiphile molecules and can carry hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. In this research work liposomes used as carrier for transfer of dye molecules into wool fibers. The preparation and production of multilamellar liposomes (MLV) from Soya lecithin were carried out and the behavior of liposomes at different temperature was studied. The effect of different concentration of liposomes in the dye exhaustion profile of two dyes (Namely, Irgalan Blue FBL and Lanaset Blue 2R) at two different temperatures of 85 degrees C and 95 degrees C on the wool fabric was investigated. The results showed that presence of liposomes in the dye-bath helps to increase the dye absorption on the wool fabric before 80 degrees C. Dyeing at higher temperature and longer time leads to a decrease in the final exhaustion along with increase in the liposomes concentration. Liposomes at high temperature converted to the disperse phospholipids unimers that may deposited on the fabric surface and may produce a hydrophobic barrier against absorption of dye. The presence of 1% o.w.f. (on weight of fabric) of liposomes at 85 degrees C improved the dye exhaustion of Irgalan Blue FBL on the wool fabric. The wash fastness properties of samples which dyed in the dye-bath containing liposomes also improved.