Breathability performance of antiviral cloth masks treated with silver nanoparticles for protection against COVID-19.

The global widespread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused shortage of medical face masks and led to developing of various types of cloth masks with different levels of protection and comfort to meet the market demands. Breathing comfort is a significant aspect that should be considered during the design of cloth masks along with the filtration efficiency; otherwise, the wearer will feel suffocated. In this work, different types of cotton and polyester knitted fabrics blended with spandex yarns were produced and treated with silver nanoparticles to be used as antiviral cloth masks. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and EDX were used to characterize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Antiviral activity was assessed against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus as well. The influence of using different fabric materials, number of layers, and hybrid layers on their air permeability and breathability were investigated to evaluate the comfortability of the cloth masks. Physiological impacts of wearing the cloth masks were evaluated by measuring oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and heart rate of the wearers while doing various activities. The results indicated that AgNPs have low cytotoxicity and considerable efficiency in inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. Adding spandex yarns with different count and ratios reduced the porosity and air permeability of the fabrics. Moreover, the combination of three hybrid layers' mask made of polyester fabric in the outer layer with 100% cotton fabric in the inner layer showed high comfortability associated with high air permeability and breathability. Also, wearing these masks while doing activities showed no significant effect on blood oxygen saturation and heart rate of the wearers.

Preparation of cellulose-based wipes treated with antimicrobial and antiviral silver nanoparticles as novel effective high-performance coronavirus fighter.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). We succeeded in preparing disinfectant cellulose-based wipes treated with antimicrobial and antiviral silver nanoparticles to be used for prevention of contamination and transmission of several pathogenic viruses and microbes to human in critical areas such as hospitals and healthcare centers especially coronavirus. In this work, the antimicrobial and antiviral activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared with four different techniques were investigated for the utilization as a disinfectant for cellulose-based wipes. These four methods are namely; 1) trisodium citrate with cotton yarn as a reducing agent, 2) preparing AgNP's using aqueous solution of PVA in the presence of glucose, 3) trisodium citrate with cotton fabric as a reducing agent, and 4) photochemical reaction of polyacrylic acid and silver nitrate solution. Polyester/viscose blended spunlace nonwoven fabrics as cellulose based fabrics were treated with the prepared silver nanoparticles to be used as surfaces disinfection wipes. The properties of the nonwoven fabrics were examined including thickness, tensile strength in dry and wet conditions in both machine direction (MD) and cross-machine direction (CMD), bursting strength, air permeability, water permeability and surface wettability. Characterization of the AgNPs was carried out in terms of UV-VIS spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, and Zeta potential analysis. The assessment of AgNPs active solutions for antimicrobial and antiviral activities was evaluated. The results obtained from the analyses of the AgNPs samples prepared with different techniques showed good uniformity and stability of the particles, as well uniform coating of the AgNPs on the fibers. Additionally, there is a significant effect of the AgNPs preparation method on their disinfectant performance that proved its effectiveness against coronavirus (MERS-CoV), S. aureus and B. subtilis as Gram-positive bacteria, E. coli and P. mirabilis as Gram-negative bacteria, A. niger and C. albicans fungi.

Nanocomposites based on chitosan/silver/clay for durable multi-functional properties of cotton fabrics.

The present work addresses an innovative approach for benign development of environmentally synthesis of chitosan-based nanocomposite. The synthesis involves the inclusion via interaction of AgNPs and clay with chitosan (Cs) giving rise to Cs/AgNPs and Cs/AgNPs/clay nanocomposites which when applied independently induce super functionalities. Comparison is made among the two nanocomposites with respect to their intimate association with the in depth cotton fibre-fabric surfaces and the onset of this on the multi-functionalization of cotton fabrics. It is as well to emphasize that Cs/AgNPs/clay nanocomposites prove unequivocally that its use in one-step treatment process for cotton fabrics results in imparting very appreciable good technical properties which, in turn, are reflected on all the gained functionalities of cotton fabrics. Of these functional performance properties, mention is made of cotton fabrics which exhibit high strength, uniform morphology, increased thermal stability, successful deposition of the composite on the surface of cotton fabrics, high water absorption, antimicrobial activity, flame retardant, controlled release of fragrance and UV protection. The obtained data indicate that the treatment for cotton fabrics with these nanocomposite is stable against washing even after 20 washing cycles. Based on encourage data, the environmental benign synthesis of Cs/AgNPs/clay nanocomposites is considered as a promising nanocomposite for the multifunctional finishing textiles.

Printing and impact properties of cationised hollow cellulosic fiber based polyester/cotton composite.

Hollow fibers materials have been potentially used and gaining increasing attention in recent years. In this study, Egyptian hollow fibers have been blended with cotton and polyester wastes at different weft counts using open-end spinning. The blended fabrics were subjected for cationisation followed by printing with reactive and acid dyes. The performance of impact properties of cationised hollow fiber reinforced polyester/cotton hybrid composites was studied. The results demonstrated that the physical and color properties of blended fabrics are greatly influenced by alkali pretreatment and cationisation of hybrid composites as well as the weft counts. The pretreatment decreases the resistance of the waxy layer on the surface of hollow fiber and increased markedly the efficiency of printing. Besides, the pretreatment supplied for hybrid composites accomplished the required color balance that can bring about reasonable fastness properties. These studies provided referential knowledge for printing of hollow cellulosic-based composite materials.

Broadband ultraviolet A vs. psoralen ultraviolet A in the treatment of vitiligo: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband (NB)-UVB have been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of vitiligo. With large and repeated doses, UVA may lead to immediate skin darkening and to delayed tanning. Our previous experience with broadband (BB)-UVA in vitiligo showed encouraging results. AIM: To test the efficacy of BB-UVA in vitiligo and to evaluate if it could provide an alternative treatment for this condition. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled, comparative clinical trial enrolled 45 patients with vitiligo, who were randomly divided into three groups, with group A receiving UVA 15 J/cm(2) /session, group B receiving UVA 10 J/cm(2) /session, and group C receiving PUVA. The patients received three sessions/week for 5 months, with 60 sessions in total. RESULTS: At the mid-point of treatment, clinical response was significantly higher in patients receiving PUVA than in the other two groups At the end of the study, clinical response was comparable for groups A and C (UVA 15 J/cm(2) and PUVA, respectively), and both were significantly higher than the group receiving UVA 10 J/cm(2) . Patients in the PUVA group responded mainly with perifollicular pigmentation, whereas those receiving UVA responded mainly with lesional tanning. CONCLUSIONS: BB-UVA at a dose of 15 J/cm(2) /session gives results for vitiligo that are comparable to PUVA, suggesting it might be useful when oral psoralens are contraindicated.

Classification of papulo-squamous skin diseases using image analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Papulo-squamous skin diseases are variable but are very close in their clinical features. They present with the same lesions, erythematous scaly lesions. Clinical evaluation of skin lesions is based on common sense and experience of the dermatologist to differentiate features of each disease. AIM: To evaluate a computer-based image analysis system as a helping tool for classification of commonly encountered diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 50 selected images from each of psoriasis, lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, pityrasis rosea, and pitryasis rubra pilaris with a total of 300 images. The study comprised three main processes peformed on the 300 included images: segmentation, feature extraction followed by classification. RESULTS: Rough sets recorded the highest percentage of accuracy and sensitivity of segmentation for the six groups of diseases compared with the other three used techniques (topological derivative, K-means clustering, and watershed). Rule-based classifier using the concept of rough sets recorded the best percentage of classification (96.7%) for the six groups of diseases compared with the other six techniques of classification used: K-means clustering, fuzzy c-means clustering, classification and regression tree, rule-based classifier with discretization, and K-nearest neighbor technique. CONCLUSION: Rough sets approach proves its superiority for both the segmentation and the classification processes of papulo-squamous skin diseases compared with the other used segmentation and classification techniques.

Estimation of (IgA) anti-gliadin, anti-endomysium and tissue transglutaminase in the serum of patients with psoriasis.

Studies have indicated an association between psoriasis and coeliac disease (CD), an immune-mediated gluten-dependent enteropathy; however, the precise relationship between psoriasis and CD remains controversial. We aimed to assess the prevalence of the CD-associated IgA antibodies antigliadin antibody (AGA), tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and antiendomysium antibody (EMA) in patients with psoriasis. In total, 41 patients with psoriasis and 41 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken from all participants, and screened for AGA, tTG and EMA. We found a significantly higher level of AGA in patients with psoriasis than in controls, but levels of tTG and EMA were not significant. There was also a significantly higher prevalence of AGA, tTG and EMA in the patient group (34.1%, 34.1% and 14.6%, respectively) than in the control group (2.4%, 22% and 4.9%, respectively). We conclude that the significantly high prevalence of AGA antibodies in patients with psoriasis supports the possibility of a link between psoriasis and gluten-sensitive enteropathies, especially CD.

Clinical study of nail changes in leprosy and comparison with nail changes in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Nail changes in leprotic patients are not specific to leprosy, and may be observed in other peripheral neuropathies. Diabetes is one of the diseases that present with nail dystrophy secondary to peripheral neuropathy, vasculopathy, trauma and infections. Therefore, nail changes in diabetic neuropathy are expected to be very similar to that of leprosy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency and pattern of nail changes in Egyptian leprotic patients with the different spectrums of the disease, and to compare nail changes in leprosy with those seen in patients with diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: The study included 115 leprosy patients and 60 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Nail examination was thoroughly carried out and various nail changes were recorded including the location of the involved nails (fingers, toes). RESULTS: Our study detected similar incidence of nail changes in both multibacillary (MB) (86%) and paucibacillary (PB) patients (86%). Flag sign (alternating horizontal bands of whitish and pinkish discoloration of the nail) observed in our study was not reported before. It was more commonly seen in MB patients (21%) than in PB patients (14%). Our results also revealed that the nail changes were more commonly seen in leprosy patients (86%) than in diabetic patients (68%). CONCLUSION: Nail changes in leprosy are multifactorial, and could be related to one or more of the following: neuropathy, endarteritis, trauma, drugs or superimposed infections. Nail changes in leprosy may be used as an additional clue that helps in the diagnosis.

A large scale analytical study on efficacy of different photo(chemo)therapeutic modalities in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo and mycosis fungoides.

Psoriasis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides (MF) are among the most frequently treated dermatological diseases by photo(chemo)therapy. The objectives are to determine which photo (chemo) therapeutic modality could achieve the best response in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, and MF. The design used in this study is retrospective analytical study. The study included 745 patients' records; 293 with psoriasis, 309 with vitiligo, and 143 with early MF, treated in the Phototherapy Unit, Dermatology Department, Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University by either psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA), narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), psoralen and narrow band UVB (P-NBUVB), broad band UVB (BB-UVB), or broad band UVA (BetaBeta-UVA). Data were retrieved from the computer database of the unit and statistically analyzed. In psoriasis, oral and topical PUVA and NB-UVB were found to be equally effective, whereas oral PUVA had significantly better results than both UVA and BB-UVB at the end of therapy. In generalized vitiligo, PUVA and P-NBUVB had significantly better results than NB-UVB alone. In early MF, there was no statistically significant difference between the response to oral PUVA and NB-UVB. PUVA and NB-UVB are good choices in patients with psoriasis and early stage MF, whereas PUVA appears the best choice in the treatment of vitiligo.

Ultrasonic assisted dyeing: dyeing of acrylic fabrics C.I. Astrazon Basic Red 5BL 200%.

The dyeing of acrylic fabrics using C.I. Astrazon Basic Red 5BL 200% has been studied with both conventional and ultrasonic techniques. The effect of dye concentration, dye bath pH, ultrasonic power, dyeing time and temperature were studied and the resulting shades obtained by dyeing with both techniques were compared. Colour strength values obtained were found to be higher with ultrasonic than with conventional heating. The results of fastness properties of the dyed fabrics were studied. X-ray and Scanning Electron Microscope SEM were carried out on dyed samples using both methods of dyeing to find out an explanation for the better dyeability of acrylic fabrics with (US) method. Dyeing kinetics of acrylic fabrics using C.I. Astrazon Basic Red 5BL 200% using conventional and ultrasonic conditions were compared. The time/dye-uptake isotherms are revealing the enhanced dye-uptake in the second phase of dyeing. The values of dyeing rate constant, half-time of dyeing and standard affinity and ultrasonic efficiency have been calculated and discussed.