This research work blooms the new idea of developing a safe and controlled drug releasing matrix using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). In aqueous solution, uniform and highly stable dispersion of MWCNTs was obtained after secondary functionalization with polyethylene glycol (PEG) which was studied by Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Solution casting method was used to prepare MWCNTs/gelatin-chitosan nanocomposite films and the effect of MWCNTs on physico-mechanical, thermal and water uptake properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated. Incorporation of MWCNTs into the porous gelatin-chitosan matrix showed interesting stiffness and dampness along with developed microfibrillar structures within the pore walls intended at being used in tissue engineering of bone or cartilage. A common antibiotic drug, ciprofloxacin was incorporated into nanocomposite matrix. The evaluation of the effect of MWCNTs on drug release rate by dissolution test and antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed. Sharp release of the drug was found at early stages (∼1 h), but the rate was reduced afterwards, showing a sustained release. It was observed that for all microorganisms, the antibacterial activities of drug loaded MWCNTs/gelatin-chitosan nanocomposites were higher than that of drug loaded gelatin-chitosan composite films containing no MWCNTs. Comparative statistical studies by ANOVA techniques also showed remarkable difference between the antibacterial activities, exhibited by MWCNTs-incorporated and non-incorporated composite films.

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Affinity monolith chromatography (AMC) is a liquid chromatographic technique that utilizes a monolithic support with a biological ligand or related binding agent to isolate, enrich, or detect a target analyte in a complex matrix. The target‐specific interaction exhibited by the binding agents makes AMC attractive for the separation or detection of a wide range of compounds. This article will review the basic principles of AMC and recent developments in this field. The supports used in AMC will be discussed, including organic, inorganic, hybrid, carbohydrate, and cryogel monoliths. Schemes for attaching binding agents to these monoliths will be examined as well, such as covalent immobilization, biospecific adsorption, entrapment, molecular imprinting, and coordination methods. An overview will then be given of binding agents that have recently been used in AMC, along with their applications. These applications will include bioaffinity chromatography, immunoaffinity chromatography, immobilized metal‐ion affinity chromatography, and dye‐ligand or biomimetic affinity chromatography. The use of AMC in chiral separations and biointeraction studies will also be discussed.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, which is caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has continued to spread around the world since December 2019. Healthcare workers and other medical first responders in particular need personal protective equipment to protect their respiratory system from airborne particulates, in addition to liquid splashes to the face. N95 respirator have become a critical component for reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and controlling the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a major dispute concerning the protective performance of N95 respirators has erupted, with a myriad of healthcare workers affected despite wearing N95 masks. This article reviews the most recent updates about the performance of N95 respirators in protecting against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the present pandemic situation. A brief overview of the manufacturing methods, air filtration mechanisms, stability, and reusability of the mask is provided. A detailed performance evaluation of the mask is studied from an engineering point of view. This Review also reports on a comparative study about the protective performance of all commercially available surgical and respiratory masks used to combat the spread of COVID-19. With the aim of protecting healthcare providers more efficiently, we suggest some potential directions for the development of this respiratory mask that improve the performance efficiency of the mask.