Citrous Lime-A Functional Reductive Booster for Oil-Mediated Green Synthesis of Bioactive Silver Nanospheres for Healthcare Clothing Applications and Their Eco-Mapping with SDGs.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are most effective against pathogens and have widely been studied as antibacterial agents in commodity clothing, medical textile, and other hygiene products. However, prolonged utilization of silver and rapid mutation in bacterium stains has made them resistant to conventional silver agents. On the other hand, strict compliance against excessive utilization of toxic reagents and the current sustainability drive is forcing material synthesis toward green routes with extended functionality. In this study, we proposed an unprecedented chemical-free green synthesis of bioactive Ag-NPs without the incorporation of any chemicals. Cinnamon essential oil (ECO) was used as a bio-reducing agent with and without the mediation of lime extract. A rapid reaction completion with better shape and size control was observed in the vicinity of lime extract when incorporated into the reaction medium. The interaction of natural metabolites and citrus compounds with nanoparticles was established using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The application of as-prepared nanoparticles on textiles encompasses extended bioactivity to treated fabric with infused easy-care performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported instance of utilizing bioactive silver nanoparticles as a functional finish, both as an antimicrobial and as for easy care in the absolute absence of toxic chemicals. The easy-care performance of fabric treated with lime-mediated nanoparticles was found to be 141O, which is around 26% better than bare cotton without any significant loss in fabric strength. Furthermore, to enlighten the sustainability of the process, the development traits were mapped with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which show significant influence on SDGs 3, 8, 9, and 14. With the effective suspension of microorganisms, added functionality, and eco-mapping with SDGs with the chemical-free synthesis of nanoparticles, widespread utilization can be found in various healthcare and hygiene products along with the fulfillment of sustainability needs.

In-Vitro cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and UV protection properties of the biosynthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles for medical textile applications.

Nowadays, medical textiles have become the most essential and developing part in human healthcare sector. This work was undertaken with a view to harness the bio-active macromolecules secreted by fungi e.g. proteins and enzymes in bio-synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for multifunctional textiles such as antibacterial activity and UV protection with considering the cytotoxicity limitation. Herein, the isolated fungus, Aspergillus terreus, was allowed to produce proteins which has affinity to cape ZnO-NPs. Various factors affecting the behavior of the secreted proteins on the formed nanoparticles were investigated. Thorough characterizations of the protein capped ZnO-NPs were performed by the using of UV-Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM) Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS). Prior treatment of cotton fabrics with ZnO-NPs, the cytotoxicity of the protein capped ZnO-NPs was examined. After that, the antibacterial activity of the ZnO-NPs before and after treating of cotton fabrics, besides, the UV-protection (UPF) properties were investigated. Results obviously demonstrated the ability of the bio-secreted protein to cape and reduce ZnO to spherical ZnO-NPs with particle size lied around 10-45 nm, as indicated form UV-vis., spectra TEM, Zeta sizer, FTIR and XRD. Regarding to the results of cytotoxicity, the treatment of the cotton fabrics with ZnO-NPs were performed at safe dose (20 ppm). At this dose, ZnO-NPs loaded samples exhibited reasonable antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria; besides, good UV-protection with reasonable increase in UVA and UVB blocking values. Indeed, nanotechnology based microbiological active molecules opens up new opportunities for us to explore novel applications in terms of green technology.

Silk Meshes Coated with Chitosan-Bioactive Phytochemicals Activate Wound Healing Genes In Vitro.

Meshes from natural silk are hand knitted and surface functionalized to facilitate hernia repair and other load bearing, tissue applications. Purified organic silk is - hand knitted and then coated with chitosan (CH)/bacterial cellulose (BC) blend polymer using four phytochemicals such as pomegranate (PG) peel, Nigella sativa (NS) seed, Licorice root (LE), and Bearberry leaf extracts (BE) separately. Characterizations using GCMS analysis shows the presence of bioactive chemicals in the extracts. Scanning electron microcopy (SEM) shows that the surface is coated with the composite polymer t. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows significant elements found in CH, BC, and phytochemicals in plant extracts with no chemical changes. Tensile strength of the coated meshes is higher to support tissue as implants. The release kinetics suggest sustained release of phytochemical extracts. In vitro studies confirmed the noncytotoxic, biocompatible, wound healing potential of the meshes. Furthermore, gene expression analysis of 3-wound healing genes shows marked increase in the in vitro cell cultures due to the presence of extracts. These results suggest that the composite meshes can efficiently support hernia closure while facilitating wound/tissue healing and combating bacterial infections. Therefore, these meshes can be good candidates for fistula and cleft palate repair.

Utilization of Waste Natural Fibers Mixed with Polylactic Acid (PLA) Bicomponent Fiber: Incorporating Kapok and Cattail Fibers for Nonwoven Medical Textile Applications.

Disposable surgical gowns are usually made from petroleum-based synthetic fibers that do not naturally decompose, impacting the environment. A promising approach to diminish the environmental impact of disposable gowns involves utilizing natural fibers and/or bio-based synthetic fibers. In this study, composite webs from polylactic acid (PLA) bicomponent fiber and natural fibers, cattail and kapok fibers, were prepared using the hot press method. Only the sheath region of the PLA bicomponent fiber melted, acting as an adhesive that enhanced the strength and reduced the thickness of the composite web compared with its state before hot pressing. The mechanical and physical properties of these composite webs were evaluated. Composite webs created from kapok fibers displayed a creamy yellowish-white color, while those made from cattail fibers showed a light yellowish-brown color. Additionally, the addition of natural fibers endowed the composite webs with hydrophobic properties. The maximum natural fiber content, at a ratio of 30:70 (natural fiber to PLA fiber), can be incorporated while maintaining proper water vapor permeability and mechanical properties. This nonwoven material presents an alternative with the potential to replace petroleum-based surgical gowns.

Longitudinal Study on the Antimicrobial Performance of a Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB)-Treated Textile Fabric in a Hospital Environment.

Healthcare workers in the hospital environment are at risk of infection and body fluids such as saliva, bacterial contamination, oral bacteria, etc. directly or indirectly exacerbate this issue. These bio-contaminants, when adhered to hospital linens and clothing, grow substantially, as conventional textile products provide a favorable medium for bacterial and viral growth, adding to the risk of transmitting infectious diseases in the hospital environment. Textiles with durable antimicrobial properties prevent microbial colonization on their surfaces and help contain the spread of pathogens. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial performance of PHMB-treated healthcare uniforms during prolonged usage and repetitive laundry cycles in a hospital environment. The PHMB-treated healthcare uniforms displayed non-specific antimicrobial properties and remained efficient (>99% against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae) after use for 5 months. With the fact that no antimicrobial resistance was reported towards PHMB, the presented PHMB-treated uniform may reduce infection in hospital settings by minimizing the acquisition, retention, and transmission of infectious diseases on textile products.

The Use of Textiles in the Wound Healing: A Review.

The present article reviews the effects of the textile in the wound healing process, as well as the availability of these products in the market. A brief description of applications is given based on the literature obtained from searching the scientific databases, besides the data obtained from secondary sources, like books and congress proceedings. The historical context of the textiles used in wounds, their general characteristics, particularities in the healing process, and incorporation of new technologies are discussed. It was evidenced that the textiles and associated technologies might influence directly or indirectly the stimulation of collagen, cell migration, angiogenesis, and reduction of pro-inflammatory factors and fibroblasts. However, the mechanisms by which the textiles act in the healing process are not well established in the literature. The interaction among textile engineering, biotechnology, medicine, and pharmacology is essential for the improvement and development of new products with better efficiency and accessibility.

Development of novel antiviral nanofinishes for bioactive textiles.

Virus-caused public health outbreaks represent a serious threat to humans all over the world. The rampant new 2019 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has wreaked havoc on China and the rest of the world since December 2019. Now focus is on effective reduction of corona and other viral and bacterial infections in hospitals, public and private sectors, households, schools, etc. Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, heterostructures, patterned surfaces, and graphene-based materials have shown up to 99.9998% efficacy against bacteria, mold, and viruses. The stability, long shelf life, and robustness of inorganic nanoparticles make them desirable for antimicrobial nanofinishes. These inorganic antimicrobial agents are more stable than organic antibacterial compounds at high temperature and pressure. The high specific surface area-to-volume ratios and unique physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles are largely responsible for their antibacterial actions. But their immobilization is a huge challenge. To address this issue, NPs were modified with (glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTS) and applied on cotton fabric. The silane part of GPTS reacted with the NPs under acidic conditions while epoxy reacted with cotton under alkaline conditions. Treated cotton fabric showed good antiviral and antibacterial activity even after severe industrial washing.

Potent environmental-friendly virucidal medical textiles against coronavirus to combat infections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sudden outburst of Coronavirus disease 19 or COVID-19 has raised serious awareness about viral contamination on the environment, which is one of the major causes of the disease. Transmission via contaminated surfaces has been recognized as a significant route for spreading the virus. To suppress and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, potent virucidal finishing agents for decontamination of medical textiles are urgently required. In this study, an environmental-friendly, economical, non-toxic, and practical finishing on medical textiles with potent virucidal activity was proposed with the combined concepts of a new green synthesis of TiO2@Ag core-shell nanostructures using ascorbic acid reduction and UV-curing process. In order to evaluate efficiency of virucidal activity, effects of the amount of TiO2@Ag NPs and contact time were determined against the coronavirus following ISO 18184:2019 standard. The finishing agent exhibited an excellent 99.9% virucidal efficacy. The stability of virucidal activity and mechanical properties were determined under repeated washing. The finished fabrics had the ability to retain their virucidal activity and tensile strength through 20 washes. The results suggested that the finishing agent had great potential as a potent and non-toxic virucide against the coronavirus for medical textile applications.

Non-woven textiles for medical implants: mechanical performances improvement.

Non-woven textile has been largely used as medical implant material over the last decades, especially for scaffold manufacturing purpose. This material presents a large surface area-to-volume ratio, which promotes adequate interaction with biological tissues. However, its strength is limited due to the lack of cohesion between the fibers. The goal of the present work was to investigate if a non-woven substrate can be reinforced by embroidery stitching towards strength increase. Non-woven samples were produced from both melt-blowing and electro-spinning techniques, reinforced with a stitching yarn and tested regarding several performances: ultimate tensile strength, burst strength and strength loss after fatigue stress. Several stitching parameters were considered: distance between stitches, number of stitch lines (1, 2 or 3) and line geometry (horizontal H, vertical L, cross X). The performance values obtained after reinforcement were compared with values obtained for control samples. Results bring out that reinforcement can increase the strength by up to 50% for a melt-blown mat and by up to 100% for an electro-spun mat with an X reinforcement pattern. However, after cyclic loading, the reinforcement yarn tends to degrade the ES mat in particular. Moreover, increasing the number of stitches tends to fragilize the mats.

Exploration of Effects of Graduated Compression Stocking Structures on Performance Properties Using Principal Component Analysis: A Promising Method for Simultaneous Optimization of Properties.

This paper focuses on the comfort properties of graduated and preventive compression stockings for people who work long hours in standing postures and for athletes for proper blood circulation. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of the yarn insertion density and inlaid stitches on the performance of the compression stockings. The effects of these parameters on the thermo-physiological comfort properties were tested with standard and developed methods of testing. All compression stockings were maintained with class 1 pressure as per German standards. The structural parameters of the knitted fabric structures were investigated. The stretching and recovery properties were also investigated to determine the performance properties. The theoretical pressure was predicated using the Laplace's law by testing the stockings' tensile properties. The compression interface pressures of all stockings were also investigated using a medical stocking tester (MST) from Salzmann AG, St. Gallen, Switzerland. Correlation between the theoretical pressures and pressures measured using the MST system were also assessed. The current research used a multi-response optimization technique, i.e., principal component analysis (PCA), to identify the best structure based on the optimalization of the above-mentioned properties. The results also revealed that samples with higher insertion density levels exhibit better comfort properties. The results showed that sample R1 was the best sample, followed by R2 and P. In addition, all developed stocking samples exhibited better comfort properties than the control sample from the market.

Advanced materials used in wearable health care devices and medical textiles in the battle against coronavirus (COVID-19): A review.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has generated great confusion around the world, affecting people's lives and producing a large number of deaths. The development of portable and wearable devices is of great importance in several fields such as point-of-care medical applications and environmental monitoring. Wearable devices with an ability to collect various types of physiological records are progressively becoming incorporated into everyday life of people. Physiological indicators are essential health indicators and their monitoring could efficiently enable early discovery of disease. This would also help decrease the number of extra severe health problems, in disease avoidance, and lower the overall public sector health cost. Protective clothing is nowadays a main part of textiles classified as technical or industrial textiles. Protective clothing aims to protect its wearer from the harsh environmental impacts that may result in injury or death. Providing protection for the common population has also been taken seriously considering the anticipated disaster due to virus attacks. This review highlights the properties of the materials that are used in wearable health care device and medical textiles.

Alginate, gelatin, and carboxymethyl cellulose coated nonwoven fabrics containing antimicrobial AgNPs for skin wound healing in rats.

Nonwoven fabrics containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely utilized to assist management of infected wounds and those at risk of infection. However, such materials have varied responses due to their chemical nature. Herein we investigated the correlation between the concentration of AgNPs taken up by nonwoven viscose material and antibacterial activity in a simulated wound fluid model against two bacterial models (i.e., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Thereafter, the developed nonwoven viscose containing AgNPs were independently coated with two polyacid carbohydrate polymers (i.e., carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCs), alginate (ALG)), and gelatin (GEL) protein in order to study their influence on the physical and biological attributes in vitro and in vivo. Intensive characterizations were utilized to monitor the physicochemical features of the developed nonwoven viscose. The results demonstrated that higher concentrations of AgNPs were taken up by viscose fabric whilewhile increasing AgNPs in the colloidal solution during padding process. Overall, the treated nonwoven fabric with and without polymers' coatings showed remarkable antibacterial activity against two bacterial models in vitro. As well as they achieved high and speed wound recovery in rats which was almost similar to commercial dermazin treatment. Therefore, it validates excellent nonwoven dressing clinically relevant to the wound type and condition.

Investigation of antibiofilm activity, antibacterial activity, and mechanistic studies of an amphiphilic peptide against Acinetobacter baumannii.

Biofilm-producing pathogens, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, have aroused escalating attention. Because these bacteria could secrete mixture with close-knit architecture and complicated components to resist traditional antibiotics. Here, we reported an amphiphilic peptide denoted as zp3 (GIIAGIIIKIKK-NH2), which showed favorable bioactivity against Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 (minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC = 4 µM) and low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells Vero (half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 > 100 µM). Importantly, zp3 could inhibit the formation of biofilm at micromole level and eliminate around 50% preformed biofilm at 32 µM after 6 h treatment. This peptide was able to bind with biofilm while maintaining a helical structure in a mimic biofilm-rich environment. In vivo test demonstrated that zp3 rescued 33.3% of larvae after 48 h infection and reduced 1 log live bacteria inside the animal body after 6 h treatment. The bactericidal mode for zp3 was attributed to the combination of influencing ions balance at low concentration and inducing permeability alteration and pore formation on the Acinetobacter baumannii membrane at high concentration. Application on medical textiles also proved that zp3 could perform a good antibacterial activity in practice.

Functional and radiologic results of extensor mechanism reconstruction methods following proximal tibial modular endoprosthetic reconstructions: Direct versus medical textile augmented reattachment.

BACKGROUND: Following proximal tibial resection and modular endoprosthetic reconstruction, extensor mechanism can be reconstructed with different techniques. This study compares direct reattachment (DR) with medical textile augmented reattachment (MTAR) methods in terms of functional results and radiological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients (34 male, 21 female) operated between 1990 and 2015 with a minimum follow up of 24 months in a single center were evaluated retrospectively. The median age was 18 years (range: 9-64). The reconstruction was performed via MTAR (polypropylene mesh, Trevira) in 23 patients and DR in 32 patients. Incidence and degree of extension lag, degree of flexion and development of postoperative patella alta were evaluated at 3, 6 and 24 months. RESULTS: The mean follow up was 78.5 months. Extension lag incidence at 24 months was 71.9% in the DR group compared with 43.5% in the MTAR group (P < 0.05).Theextensionlagratiosat 24 months in DR was 0-5° in 8.7% (n = 2), 6-10° in 21.7% (n = 5), 11-15° in 17.4% (n = 4) and > 15° in 52.2% (n = 12), respectively. Extension lag ratios at 24 months in MTAR were 0-5° in 12.5% (n = 4), 6-10° in 6.3% (n = 2), 11-15° in 6.3% (n = 2) and > 15° in 6.3% (n = 2). The mean MSTS score in DR group was 20.7 compared with 23.2 in the MTAR group (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: MTAR is associated with a lower incidence as well as a lower degree of extension lag. The flexion range and the incidence of patella alta are not statistically different between the groups. MSTS scores of MTAR group are significantly higher than DR group at 2-year follow up.

Influence of Washing and Sterilization on Properties of Polyurethane Coated Fabrics Used in Surgery and for Wrapping Sterile Items.

The objective of this work was to determine the influence of washing and sterilization under real hospital conditions on properties of microbial barrier offered by polyurethane coated fabrics used in surgery and for wrapping sterile items. Emphasis was put on the change of surface polyurethane coating by using FTIR analysis. The permeability and durability of the microbial barrier were determined after 0, 10, and 20 washing and sterilization procedures according to previously developed methods. Bacterial endospores of the apathogenic species of the genus Bacillus Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus were used. Mechanical damage to medical textiles in the washing and sterilization process was determined according to standard HRN EN ISO 13914-1:2008 and associated with changes in physical and mechanical properties. Chemical changes of PU coatings were determined using FTIR analysis. The results showed an exceptionally efficient microbial barrier and its durability in all samples after 0, 10 and 20 washing and sterilization procedures and for a period of one, two and three months.