For the removal of Ld²⁺, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were produced and modified (jelly-like) and then utilized as the adsorbent. The properties of CNCs such as surface area, chemical structure and composition were determined using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. In addition to how well they predicted reaction (adsorption capacity), one factor at a time (factorial method) was used. The process was further studied by implementing the kinetic models, thermodynamics studies and the adsorption isotherm. The AAS was used to determine the concentration of the element in the samples. Initially, a concentration of 100 mg/L, an adsorbent dosage of 5g, a pH of 6 and temperature of 25°C were to be kept constant when one parameter was being tested. After 120 minutes, adsorption capacity was 400.01 mg/g. The results showed that the modified CNCs exhibited high lead(II) removal efficiencies, with maximum removal capacities of 80-98%. The adsorption process was discovered to be pH-dependent, with optimal removal at pH 4-6 where the removal started reaching equilibrium. The FTIR and SEM findings for CNCs showed that the hydrogels had a network structure and more homogenous pores. The pseudo-second-order rate model was used to ascertain the adsorption kinetics. To achieve the best placement for adsorption, H_OMO−L_UMO energy binding differences were used.

This studied aimed to remove Cu (II) from waste water onto the modified cellulose nanocrystals using the Box-Benken design in RSM. The Cellulose nanocrystals derived from waste paper was characterized and compared with the modified cellulose nanocrystals by FTIR. The adsorption peaks 3367 and 3420 found in the modified CNC and unmodified CNC spectra, respectively, revealed the characteristics for the stretching of –OH found in the polysaccharide. The strong absorption peak 1551 was found to be present in the unmodified spectra, confirming the characteristics of the asymmetric and symmetric of CO in COO-, and giving evidence for the successful incorporation of EDTA and cellulose nanocrystals. Four parameters pH, contact time, initial concentration and adsorbent dosage were optimized with the use of response surface methodology (RSM) with a quadratic model box-Benken design. Twenty-nine experimental runs were conducted to get the desired response. The results showed that CNCs effectively removed Copper (II) ions, with a maximum removal efficiency of 99.78%. The optimised conditions were pH 6, initial Cu (II) concentration of 125mg/L adsorbent dosage of 6 mg/200mL, and contact time of 30 minutes. The quadratic model developed through RSM showed a moderate to strong correlation, with an R-squared value of 0.988, indicating that 98.88% of the variation removal efficiency can be explained by the predictor variables and their interactions. This study demonstrates the potential of CNCs as an eco-friendly adsorbent for heavy metal removal and highlights the effectiveness of RSM in optimising adsorption processes.

Phenobarbital, also known as Luminal, is a barbituric acid derivative that possesses an intense hypnotic and sedative effect. It also has a secondary important anti-convulsant effect. The main purpose of this research consisted of the development and optimization of a new, simple, rapid, and accurate spectrophotometric method in the visible range (VIS) for quantitative analysis of Phenobarbital from various different pharmaceutical samples. Beta-naphthylamine from 0.1 % alcoholic solution underwent a complete diazotization reaction in the presence of sodium nitrite NaNO₂, 5%, and hydrochloric acid HCl, 15%-20%, for half an hour in cold conditions (0-5°C). The diazonium salt of beta-naphthylamine formed was then quantitatively coupled with Phenobarbital from a 5% sodium hydroxide NaOH solution, which led to the synthesis of a bright red-orange dye providing a prominent maximum absorption wavelength at ʎ = 487 nm. This azo dye was formed in equivalent proportions to the Phenobarbital from the sample and was spectrophotometrically determined. Through spectrophotometric determination of the bright red-orange azo dye at ʎ = 487 nm, the content expressed in milligrams of pure Phenobarbital from the tablets was effectively calculated. The pure Phenobarbital content calculated was found to be 97.104 mg, very close to the official amount of 100 mg stated by the pharmaceutical company. This pure amount found corresponded to a 97.104 mg % content. The average percentage deviation from the official reference value (100 mg) of the 97.104 mg Phenobarbital content calculated was only (+) 2.896 %, located below the maximum allowed limit of ± 5% imposed by the European Pharmacopeia and by the Romanian Pharmacopoeia's official rules. Finally, the statistical validation procedure consisted of a linearity analysis and detection limit (LOD) and quantitation limit (LOQ) calculations, as the first stages. The stability of the prepared solutions, the system's precision, the intra-day and inter-day precision of the method, and the accuracy of the method were also within the normal range of values.

Rehabilitation engineering plays a vital role in developing assistive tools for individuals with diverse abilities, enabling them to perform activities of daily living (ADL) independently. However, the fabrication of clinical aids using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology often results in prolonged printing times. Balancing the printing time with the mechanical properties of the printed objects is a critical challenge. This research aims to identify optimized 3D printing parameters that minimize printing time while maintaining superior tensile strength and elongation properties.

To achieve the research objective, an initial plan of 256 combinations was devised for experimentation. However, utilizing Taguchi's orthogonal array design, the combinations were reduced to 16 trials, with five samples printed for each trial. Tensile strength and elongation were evaluated as crucial mechanical properties, while printing time was considered a key time efficiency factor. The mRMR algorithm, a feature selection technique, was employed to identify the parameters with the most significant contribution to the three output factors. Subsequently, linear regression analysis was conducted to ascertain the major influencing input parameters.

The mRMR analysis revealed a prominent trade-off between printing time and mechanical properties, with the nozzle diameter and infill pattern emerging as the most dominant factors. Specifically, a 0.6mm nozzle diameter and the zigzag infill pattern exhibited the greatest influence on both mechanical properties and printing time. By employing a systematic approach that integrates Taguchi's orthogonal array design, mRMR feature selection, and linear regression analysis, we identified the combination of a 0.16mm layer height, 30% infill density, 0.6mm nozzle diameter, and zigzag infill pattern demonstrated superior performance in terms of tensile strength, elongation, and printing time. Understanding these optimized printing parameters will facilitate the production of clinical aids with reduced printing times while preserving high mechanical properties, leading to enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in the field of rehabilitation engineering.

In this study, we present the fabrication of electrospun scaffolds consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) incorporated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and investigate their potential anticancer properties. Using the electrospinning technique utilizing in-house built electrospinning device, we successfully produced nanofibrous scaffolds incorporating AgNPs through a simple and cost-effective method. Dissolution of 21% of PVDF was achieved in a combination of organic solvents acetone and dimethylformamide (Ac:DMF, volume ratio 1:3).

Anticancer efficacy was evaluated through in vitro cytotoxicity assay using MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma and healthy MRC-5 fibroblast cell lines, yielding promising results that highlight the potential of silver-incorporated PVDF scaffolds for anticancer applications in tissue engineering. Different concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) were incorporated into the PVDF nanofibrous scaffolds and evaluated by the MTT assay. Notably, the most significant anticancer effect on MDA-MB-231 cancer cells was observed at a concentration of 0.1%, without causing cytotoxic effects on MRC-5 cells, while 0.5% exhibited cytotoxic effects on both cell lines.

The data suggest that even slightly higher concentrations of AgNPs can affect the viability of both cell lines. Thus, careful selection of silver nitrate concentration promises to achieve prominent results in in vitro and in vivo biological activities. Future research will focus on further exploring these findings.

Several active principles from plants could be used to mobilize HSC stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream of patients. Pharmacological stem cell mobilizers showed adverse effects in patients. Thus, those active principles from plants with antioxidant and/anti-inflammatory effects (curcuminoids, AFA bluegreen algae, resveratrol, ect), could act as stem mobilizers without inducing adverse side effects. Curcuminoids [1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-2,5-dione], or AFA (Aphanizomenon flos) extract are antioxidants that increase the number of CD34+ cells by flow cytometry in peripheral blood of curcumin-treated patients. CD34 is a marker of hematological stem cells (HSC). We observed that short-term AFA-Aphanizomenon flos aquae-algae or curcuminoid supplementation in healthy subjects (powder or liquid formulation) over 48 consecutive hours enhanced peripheral CD34+ mobilization in both AFA-treated patients and curcumin-supplemented healthy patients as compared to their respective untreated controls. As a whole, the short-term supplementation over 7 and 38 consecutive days by curcuminoids (2000 mg/day) plus AFA Algae bluegreen extract (400 mg/day) enhanced CD34+ peripheral levels. Collectively, these antioxidants emerge as mobilizers agents for enhancing HSC levels into the bloodstream of healthy patients without adverse effects. Further studies will evaluate signalling pathways by which curcumin promote anti-inflammatory effects in monocytes from healthy subjects, as well as in certain diseases such as depression.

Nigeria’s agricultural sector is pivotal to its economy, yet it grapples with substantial environmental challenges, concerning the management of Agro-wastes such as rice husk which constitute about 60 % of total paddy rice. With millions of tons of rice husk generated annually, the traditional burning of this waste not only constitute to environmental degradation but also poses serious health risk due to emission of CO₂ and particulate matter. This study explores the conversion of locally sourced rice husk ash into nanosilica to enhance the mechanical properties of Nigerian tropical soils for road construction. Various proportions (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) of nanosilica were incorporated into the soil, and tests including particle size distribution analysis, Atterberg limits, standard Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and unconfined compression tests were conducted. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed the nanosilica's particle size range (1-9 nm), predominantly within 1-7 nm, indicating its efficacy as a reactive pozzolana. Results revealed significant improvements in soil characteristics, with CBR increasing from 5% for natural soil to 14% at 3% nanosilica replacement, and unconfined compressive strength rising from 0.09 MPa to 0.26 MPa under similar conditions. This research underscores the potential of converting agricultural waste into valuable nanosilica for sustainable soil improvement, highlighting keywords such as waste to wealth, sustainability, tropical soils, climate action, and nanotechnology.

Urban water bodies are facing a growing crisis due to contamination from a diverse array of pollutants, encompassing heavy metals, oil and grease, organic and inorganic chemicals, industrial effluents, and pathogenic microorganisms. This study focuses on the burgeoning field of utilizing metal oxide nanoparticles (MONs) as a potential solution to this pressing environmental challenge. The distinctive physicochemical properties of MONs, including their large surface area, catalytic activity, and photocatalytic ability, position them as promising candidates for water purification technologies. This study also comprehensively discusses the sources of urban water pollution and the specific challenges posed by different types of contaminants. A critical evaluation of MONs' efficacy in removing heavy metals, oil and grease, organic and inorganic chemicals, and industrial pollutants is presented, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms such as adsorption, photocatalysis, and redox reactions. Furthermore, the potential of MONs to neutralize pathogens and microbial contaminants is investigated. While MONs exhibit significant advantages, this study acknowledges the challenges associated with nanoparticle stability, recovery, and potential environmental repercussions. To fully realize the potential of MONs in water treatment, sustained research is imperative to refine treatment processes, develop economically viable strategies, and ensure the long-term sustainability of these technologies in addressing urban water pollution.

Geophagy is the deliberate ingestion of earthly materials such as chalk, kaolin, soil, clay, and sand amongst pregnant women and women of childbearing age in African countries such as South Africa. This study aimed to examine the chemical composition and potential health risks of clay soil consumed by women of childbearing age. An experimental study was conducted to examine the chemical composition of clay soils ingested by pregnant women and women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Thirty-nine clay soil samples were collected from study participants attending antenatal care services and family planning at public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, and were subjected to biochemical analysis. The study detected 18 trace elements that were present in clay soil eaten by women of childbearing age of Tshwane in different concentrations. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age has been reported to be associated with detrimental health outcomes and risks such as iron deficiency anaemia, constipation, shortness of breath, maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities, neurological and central nervous system disorder, death, appendicitis, cancers, teratogenic risks and ulcers. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age is toxic and should be discouraged and abolished.

Loratadine is an effective antihistamine, or anti-H1 histamine receptor inhibitor, frequently used to relieve the major symptoms of hay fever and hives of the skin. It is a tricyclic H1 inverse agonist that is used to treat various allergies, like allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion and chronic idiopathic urticaria. The main purpose of this research was to find and develop a new spectrophotometric method in the visible (VIS) range for the quantitative analysis of Loratadine from various samples, including pharmaceuticals, and to exactly compare the final experimental obtained result with the officially stated amount of Loratadine reported on the tablet. Following the quantitative color reaction with alpha naphthylamine 0.2% from an alkalized alcoholic solution, in the presence of sodium nitrite 4-5% and hydrochloric acid 10-15% solution, an intense bright orange azo dye with a reddish shade quantitatively obtained was analyzed at its maximum absorption wavelength λ = 490 nm. The amount of pure Loratadine in the pharmaceutical was found to be 9,777 mg of pure active substance / film-coated tablet, very close to the official stated reference value of 10 mg, corresponding to 97.776 % of pure Loratadine. The average percentage deviation was (+) 2.224 %, below the maximum allowed average percentage deviation (± 7.5 %) imposed by the rules of the Romanian, European and International Pharmacopoeias. The proposed method was linear over the entire standard concentration range of 0,75 µg/mL- 11.25 µg/mL. The linear regression coefficient (R² = 0.9993, R2 ≥ 0.9990) and the correlation coefficient (R = 0.9996, R > 0.9990) were within the normal range of values. The standard error of the regression line was very low, within the normal limits: SE = 0.007078, SE <<1 . The applied method was subjected to a complete statistical validation process. All statistical parameters were found to be within the normal accepted values.