AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of azilsartan (AZT) on bone loss, inflammation, and the expression of matrix metallo proteinases (MMPs), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK), osteoprotegerin (OPG), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and cathepsin K in periodontal tissue in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis.Materials and MethodsMale Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 rats each: (1) nonligated, water; (2) ligated, water; (3) ligated, 1 mg/kg AZT; (4) ligated, 5 mg/kg AZT; and (5) ligated, 10 mg/kg AZT. All groups were treated with saline or AZT for 10 days. Periodontal tissues were analyzed by histopathology and immunohistochemical detection of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANKL, RANK, OPG, and cathepsin K. Levels of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glutathione (GSH) were determined by ELISA.ResultsTreatment with 5 mg/kg AZT resulted in reduced MPO (p<0.05) and IL-1β (p<0.05), increased levels of IL-10 (p<0.05), and reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANK, RANKL, cathepsin K, and increased expression of OPG.ConclusionsThese findings reveal that AZT increases anti-inflammatory cytokines and GSH and decreases bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), chemically synthesized by citrate reduction, were for the first time immobilized onto chitosan-treated soybean knitted fabric via exhaustion method. AuNPs were successfully produced in the form of highly spherical, moderated polydisperse, stable structures. Their average size was estimated at ≈35 nm. Successful immobilization of chitosan and AuNPs were confirmed by alterations in the fabric’s spectrophotometric reflectance spectrum and by detection of nitrogen and gold, non-conjugated C=O stretching vibrations of carbonyl functional groups and residual N-acetyl groups characteristic bands by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. XPS analysis confirms the strong binding of AuNPs on the chitosan matrix. The fabrics’ thermal stability increased with the introduction of both chitosan and AuNPs. Coated fabrics revealed an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of +50, which established their effectiveness in ultraviolet (UV) radiation shielding. They were also found to resist up to 5 washing cycles with low loss of immobilized AuNPs. Compared with AuNPs or chitosan alone, the combined functionalized coating on soy fabrics demonstrated an improved antimicrobial effect by reducing Staphylococcus aureus adhesion (99.94%) and Escherichia coli (96.26%). Overall, the engineered fabrics were confirmed as multifunctional, displaying attractive optical properties, UV-light protection and important antimicrobial features, that increase their interest for potential biomedical applications.

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Dyeing of polyamide fibers is normally made with acid dyes, however, it is somewhat difficult to achieve uniformity and control of pH and temperature must be carefully made. The possibility to dye polyamide 6.6 in a larger gamut of colours with good properties may be achieved using other classes of dyes after plasmatic modifications in textile substrates. Polyamide 6.6 fabrics were treated with Double Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma obtained at atmospheric conditions in a semi-industrial machine and very positive results were obtained when dyeing is made with direct dyes. Surface modifications were evaluated, namely, roughness in terms of Atomic Force Microscopy, changes in chemical composition by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and microstructural analysis by SEM. In order to optimize dyeing process, different dye concentrations, pH and temperatures were attempted on dyeing with DBD treated fabrics. Important parameters were studied such as exhaustion, colour strength (K/S) and washing fastness. Chemical and physical effects of plasmatic discharge contribute to excellent results obtained in yield, exhaustion and fastness of dyeing of polyamide with direct dyes demonstrating extensive improvement of dye exhaustion from baths, easily achieving 100% in shorter dyeing times. These results mean less dyes in effluents and less time for dyeing processes. The cleanness of the processes and lower cost of direct dyeing are additional advantages when compared to difficulties in acidic dyeing of polyamide.

The application of nanocoatings in the textile finishing is increasingly being explored because they open a whole new vista of value-addition possibilities in the textile sector. In the present work, low temperature pulsed DC magnetron sputtering method was used to create functional TiO2 nanocoatings on poly(lactic acid) textile fibres surfaces. In this study, the principal objectives in the application of TiO2 nanocoatings to textile materials are to impart UV protection functions and self-cleaning properties to the textile substrates. The TiO2 films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and contact angle analysis. The Photocatalytic activity of the films was tested by measuring the photodegradation rates of rhodamine-B dye aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. The ultraviolet protection function was tested according to the Australian/New Zealand standards. It was observed that the TiO2 nanocoatings on poly(lactic acid) fibres showed an excellent ultraviolet protection (> 40) function and the photocatalytic efficiency was maintained even after a strong washing treatment.

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In this work, physical, chemical and morphological modifications of three different polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) fabrics were investigated using double barrier dielectric (DBD) plasma treatment. Several techniques of characterization were used to study the effects caused by the interaction between plasma discharge and polyamide fabrics, such as: contact angle, water drop adsorption, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), whiteness by Berger degree and tensile strength. All analyses performed in this study showed that DBD plasma discharge, when applied on PA6.6 fiber, produces significant modifications on the surface of this substrate, without altering its intrinsic properties, thus proving the effectiveness of this important technology to the textile industry.

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