In this work, N, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) samples from virgin chitosan (CS) were synthesised and CMCS/polyethylene oxide (PEO) (50/50) blend nanofibrous samples were successfully electrospun from their aqueous solution. The electrospinning conditions to achieve smooth and fine diameter nanofibrous mats were optimised via D-optimal design approach. Afterwards, vitamin C and phenytoin sodium (PHT-Na) were added to these samples for producing wound dressing materials. H-nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared tests for the evaluation of functionalised CS, morphology and biodegradability studies of CMCS/PEO blend nanofibrous samples were applied. The kinetic and drug release mechanism for vitamin C and PHT-Na drug-loaded electrospun samples were also investigated by UV-vis spectrophotometer and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The results showed an approximately similar drug release rate of the two drugs and followed Higuchi's kinetic model. The stem cells viability and their adhesion on the surface of the samples containing PHT-Na and vitamin C were carried out using MTT assay and the best cells' biocompatibility was obtained using both drugs into the CMCS/PEO nanofibrous samples. Moreover, the in vivo animal wound model results revealed that the electrospun samples containing vitamin C and PHT-Na (1%) had a remarkable efficiency in the wounds' closure and their healing process compared with vitamin C/PHT-Na (50/50) ointment. Finally, the histology observations showed that the wound treated with optimised electrospun samples containing two drugs enabled regeneration of epidermis layers due to collagen fibres accumulation followed by granulating tissues formation without necrosis.
A fast and efficient method was developed for the extraction and determination of organophosphorus pesticides in water samples. Organophosphorus pesticides were extracted by solid-phase extraction using magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes and determined by gas chromatography with ion-trap mass spectrometry. Parameters affecting the extraction were investigated. Under optimum conditions of the method, 10 mg magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes were added into 10 mL sample. After 2 min, adsorbent particles settled at the bottom of test tube with a magnet. After removing aqueous supernatant, the analytes were desorbed with acetonitrile. Then, 70 μL of acetonitrile phase was injected into the gas chromatography and mass spectrometry system that had an ion-trap analyzer. To achieve high sensitivity, the large-volume-injection technique was used with a programmed temperature vaporization inlet, and the ion-trap mass spectrometer was operated in single ion storage mode. Under the best conditions, the enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were in the range of 113-124 and 74-103%, respectively. The limits of detection were between 3 and 15 ng/L, and the relative standard deviations were < 10%. This method was successfully used for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides in dam water, lagoon water, and river water samples with good reproducibility and recovery.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.