Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Orange and Lemon Peel Extract and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Properties

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts of orange and lemon peels, as a reducing agent, and silver nitrate salts as a source of silver ions is a promising field of research due to the versatility of biomedical applications of metal nanoparticles. In this paper, AgNPs were synthetized at different reaction parameters such as the type and concentration of the extracts, metal salt concentration, temperature, speed stirring, and pH. The antibacterial properties of the obtained silver nanoparticles against E. coli, as well as the physical and chemical characteristics of the synthesized silver nanoparticles, were investigated. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to confirm the formation of AgNPs. In addition to green biogenic synthesis, chemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles was also carried out. The optimal temperature for extraction was 65˚C, while for the synthesis of AgNPs was 35˚C. The synthesis is carried out in an acidic environment (pH = 4.7 orange and pH = 3.8 lemon), neutral (pH = 7) and alkaline (pH = 10), then for different concentrations of silver nitrate solution (0.5 mM - 1 mM), optimal time duration of the reaction was 60 min and optimal stirring speed rotation was 250 rpm on the magnetic stirrer. The physical properties of the synthesized silver nanoparticles (conductivity, density and refractive index) were also studied, and the passage of laser light through the obtained solution and distilled water was compared. Positive inhibitory effect on the growth of new Escherichia coli colonies have shown AgNPs synthesized at a basic pH value and at a 0.1 mM AgNO3 using orange or lemon peel extract, while for a 0.5 mM AgNO3 using lemon peel extract.

Could near focus endoscopy,narrow-band imaging,and acetic acid improve the visualization of microscopic features of stomach mucosa?

BACKGROUND Conventional magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging(NBI)observation of the gastric body mucosa shows dominant patterns in relation to the regular arrangement of collecting venules,subepithelial capillary network,and gastric pits.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of a new one-dual(near)focus,NBI mode in the assessment of the microscopic features of gastric body mucosa compared to conventional magnification.METHODS During 2021 and 2022,68 patients underwent proximal gastrointestinal endoscopy using magnification endoscopic modalities subsequently applying acetic acid(AA).The GIF-190HQ series NBI system with dual focus capability was used for the investigation of gastric mucosa.At the time of the endoscopy,the gastric body mucosa of all enrolled patients was photographed using the white light endoscopy(WLE),near focus(NF),NF-NBI,AA-NF,and AA-NF-NBI modes.RESULTS The WLE,NF and NF-NBI endoscopic modes for all patients(204 images)were classified in the same order into three groups.Two images from each patient for the AA-NF and AA-NF-NBI endoscopic modes were classified in the same order.According to all three observers who completed the work independently,NF magnification was significantly superior to WLE(P<0.01),and the NF-NBI mode was significantly superior to NF magnification(P<0.01).After applying AA,the three observers confirmed that AA-NF-NBI was significantly superior to AA-NF(P<0.01).Interobserver kappa values for WLE were 0.609,0.704,and 0.598,respectively and were 0.600,0.721,and 0.637,respectively,for NF magnification.For the NF-NBI mode,the values were 0.378,0.471,and 0.553,respectively.For AA-NF,they were 0.453,0.603,and 0.480,respectively,and for AA-NF-NBI,they were 0.643,0.506,and 0.354,respectively.CONCLUSION When investigating gastric mucosa in microscopic detail,NF-NBI was the most powerful endoscopic mode for assessing regular arrangement of collecting venules,subepithelial capillary network,and gastric pits among the five endoscopic modalities investigated in this study.AA-NF-NBI was the most powerful endoscopic mode for analyzing crypt opening and intervening part.

Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Morphology of ZnO Nanoparticles

The ZnO molecule plays an important role in the industry due to it special features, anti-corrosion anti-bacterial properties, as well as due to its low electrical conductivity and heat resistance. In these experimental researches, the sol-gel method was chosen, which enables control of nucleation, aging and growth of particles in the solution. ZnO synthesis was prepared utilizing chemical method with Zinc acetate dyhidrate and NaOH with the appropriate methanol solvent and heating (60˚C). The methods used in identification and characterization are FTIR, UV/VIS, OPTICAL MICROSCOPY, SEM and XRD. The FTIR spectra of synthesized ZnO with corresponding ones show characteristic bands at the corresponding wavelengths, which confirm the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. SEM characterization of ZnO shows the morphology of needle-shaped nanoparticles. XRD spectar in this research by chemical method indicates the particle size of 17.76 nm.

Influence of Heavy Metals from the Flooded Areas of Tuzla Canton on the Growth of Stomach Adenocarcinoma

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between food contaminated with heavy metals and growing number ofstomach adenocarcinoma patients in Tuzla Canton after flooding of the river Spreca catchment area. The scope of work is retrospectiveand prospective five-year study （2010-2015） of 1,000 patients, who had stomach adenocarcinoma surgery in the department of surgery,University Clinical Centre Tuzla, and answered questions about diet. The patients were predominantly male, aged 60 to 70 （1.5： 1）. Thedata on heavy metal contamination in farmlands in the river catchment area were provided by the Federal Department of Agropedology.The malignity was reported to the department of public health in Tuzla Canton. The results showed an increase in number of patientswith stomach adenocarcinoma in the industrially developed municipalities who consumed vegetables contaminated with heavy metalsafter the floods. The smallest number of patients who underwent stomach adenocarcinoma surgery comes from the municipalitiessituated out of the flood plain, where farmland was not contaminated. It is concluded that most of the patients having stomachadenocarcinoma came from the municipalities with contaminated agricultural soil. The diet included vegetables, meat, and dairyproducts.

Practical Application of Out-of-Kilter Algorithm

The algorithm under this name, together with the variants, is a method that solves the problems of optimal flow and costs. Examples of such problems are planning and procurement, scheduling by contractors, distribution and supply systems, transport on the road or rail network, electricity transmission, computer and telecommunications networks, pipe transmission systems (water, oil, …), and the like. The main goal of any business organization is to increase profits and satisfy its customers. Because business is an integral part of our environment, their goals will be limited by certain environmental factors and economic conditions. The out-of-kilter algorithm is used to solve a complex allocation problem involving interactive and conflicting personal choices subject to interactive resource constraints. The paper presents an example of successful use of this algorithm and proposes an extension to the areas of corporate and social planning. Customer demand, warehousing, and factory capacity were used as input for the model. First, we propose a linear programming approach to determine the optimal distribution pattern to reduce overall distribution costs. The proposed model of linear programming is solved by the standard simplex algorithm and the Excel-solver program. It is noticed that the proposed model of linear programming is suitable for finding the optimal distribution pattern and total minimum costs.

Solubilization of 2-Acetoxy-Benzencarboxylic Acid Using Beta Cyclodextrins

2-acetoxy-benzencarboxylic acid is one of the most famous salicylate drugs today, a pharmaceutically active compound known as aspirin. It is poorly soluble in water which results in decreased bioavailability of the drug in the organism. The increase in water solubility of insoluble or poorly soluble drugs is therefore of great importance, which is the aim of this study. Inclusion of the drug in the molecule with a higher water solubility significantly increases its solubility and biological availability. Natural and hydrophilic derivatives of natural cyclodextrins are in the spotlight for their role as solubilizing excipients. Studies indicate that the use of β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with acetylsalicylic acid formed, increases the solubility of the drug in water. Many advantages of drug-complexation with cyclodextrins have been reported in scientific literature which includes increased solubility, enhanced bioavailability, improved stability, masking of bad test or odour, reduced side effect. Orally administered aspirin requires high and frequent dosing because it undergoes extensive pre systematic metabolism. Also chronic oral aspirin use is associated with serious gastrointestinal side-effects. Complexation with CD alleviates the side effects to some extent. The bioavailability and solubility of aspirin has to be increased to overcome the side-effects of aspirin related to stomach and gastro intestinal tract. The phase solubility study was performed according to the method of Higuchi and Connors by adding the 2-acetoxi-benzencarboxylic acid in excess to different concentrations of different beta cyclodextrins solutions. Phase solubility study records shown that the stability constant and complex stoichiometry of 2-acetoxi-benzencarboxylic acid-CD complexes gives linearly improve with the concentration of CD. Complexes were analyzed by UV-VIS spectroscopy and were characterized by infrared spectroscopy.

Minimally invasive treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts

A pancreatic pseudocyst(PPC) is typically a complication of acute and chronic pancreatitis, trauma or pancreatic duct obstruction. The diagnosis of PPC can be made if an acute fluid collection persists for 4 to 6 wk and is enveloped by a distinct wall.Most PPCs regress spontaneously and require no treatment, whereas some may persist and progress until complications occur. The decision whether to treat a patient who has a PPC, as well as when and with what treatment modalities, is a difficult one. PPCs can be treated with a variety of methods: percutaneous catheter drainage(PCD), endoscopic transpapillary or transmural drainage, laparoscopic surgery, or open pseudocystoenterostomy. The recent trend in the management of symptomatic PPC has moved toward less invasive approaches such as endoscopic- and image-guided PCD. The endoscopic approach is suitable because most PPCs lie adjacent to the stomach. The major advantage of the endoscopic approach is that it creates a permanent pseudocysto-gastric track with no spillage of pancreatic enzymes. However, given the drainage problems, the monitoring, catheter manipulation and the analysis of cystic content are very difficult or impossible to perform endoscopically, unlike in the PCD approach. Several conditions must be met to achieve the complete obliteration of the cyst cavity.Pancreatic duct anatomy is an important factor in the prognosis of the treatment outcome, and the recovery of disrupted pancreatic ducts is the main prognostic factor for successful treatment of PPC, regardless of the treatment method used. In this article, we review and evaluate the minimally invasive approaches in the management of PPCs.

Nanobiotechnology for the Detection and Control of Waterborne Parasites

Nowadays, the fast development of nanobiotechnology, has led to rapid diagnosis of important infectious diseases such as arboviruses-borne diseases, vector-borne infections and waterborne parasites diseases and others in order to reduce and avoid further dissemination of the infections within the general population. Furthermore, new nanomedicines based on the application of silver and gold nanoparticles which are less toxic, more effective, and that does not generate resistance could help to solve the problems of parasitic disease like leishmaniasis and chagas disease. It turns out that the combination of nanoparticles with antibiotics not only reduces the toxicity of both agents towards human cells but also enhances their ability to destroy bacteria by facilitating the binding of antibiotics to the microbes. Moreover, combining nanoparticles with antimicrobial peptides and essential oils with nanoparticles generates genuine synergy against microbial resistance.

Biological Active Components of Selected Medical Fungi

According to official data, about 2000 mushrooms belong to the category of medical mushrooms, while over 600 have already confirmed medical properties. The aim and task of this work were to collect, analyze and process scientific and expert data of biologically active components of selected Basidiomycetes fungi: Letinula edodes, Ganoderma Lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Trametes versicolor and Inonotus obliquus. Areas of fungi therapy and the search for new immunomodulatory agents are far from being restricted to these species alone, however, these five may serve as typical representatives of widespread medicinal fungi used in both traditional medicine and modern biomedical research. Their biologically active components have different pharmacological effects, and beta-glucan polysaccharides, which are recognized as immunomodulators, are of particular importance. Many of the fungal beta-glucans tested have switched to pharmaceuticals such as Lentinan, Sonifilan, Krestin and GanoPoly, which speaks to their pharmacological and research potential. Citing the results of scientific advances in the last two decades, the results of preclinical tests and the results of clinical studies can confirm that supplementation with medical fungi can increase treatment success or mitigate the negative side effects of different therapies. A long-term weakened immune system is a risk factor for malignancies, so it can be concluded that disease prevention is beneficial for each individual and deserves the same attention paid to treating the disease.

Nanopesticides and Nanofertilizers and Agricultural Development: Scopes, Advances and Applications

Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture in order to increase yields has proved unnecessary because a large part of them remain unused and have negative effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, it is a great challenge for farmers to replace the application of pesticides and fertilizers with nanopesticides and nanofertilizers, with the aim of reducing the use of mineral fertilizers and increasing yields, as well as supporting agricultural development. This review provides a detailed overview of the classification of pesticides, commonly used nanoparticles in agriculture and their function, as well as impact of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers on the environment. The application of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers and new delivery mechanisms to improve crop productivity are reviewed and described. Particularly, the advantage of the nanoencapsulation process is emphasized for both pesticides and fertilizers. For hydrophobic pesticides, it may be a tool to provide greater stability, dispersion in aqueous media, and allowing a controlled release of the active compound, which increases its effectiveness. In nanofertilizers, micro- or macronutrients can be encapsulated by nanomaterials which allow to release of nutrients into the soil gradually and in a controlled way maintaining soil fertility, thus preventing eutrophication and pollution of water resources. Risks assessment of application of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers in agriculture are required for their correct and safe application.