Rare-earth ions as antibacterial agents for woven wool fabric

Modulation of proteins by rare earth elements as a biotechnological tool

Although rare earth element (REE) complexes are often utilized in bioimaging due to their photo- and redox stability, magnetic and optical characteristics, they are also applied for pharmaceutical applications due to their interaction with macromolecules namely proteins. The possible implications induced by REEs through modification in the function or regulatory activity of the proteins trigger a variety of applications for these elements in biomedicine and biotechnology. Lanthanide complexes have particularly been applied as anti-biofilm agents, cancer inhibitors, potential inflammation inhibitors, metabolic elicitors, and helper agents in the cultivation of unculturable strains, drug delivery, tissue engineering, photodynamic, and radiation therapy. This paper overviews emerging applications of REEs in biotechnology, especially in biomedical imaging, tumor diagnosis, and treatment along with their potential toxic effects. Although significant advances in applying REEs have been made, there is a lack of comprehensive studies to identify the potential of all REEs in biotechnology since only four elements, Eu, Ce, Gd, and La, among 17 REEs have been mostly investigated. However, in depth research on ecotoxicology, environmental behavior, and biological functions of REEs in the health and disease status of living organisms is required to fill the vital gaps in our understanding of REEs applications.

One-pot multi-functional finishing of wool fabric using reactive nonionic softener

Crossbred wool is widely used in the textile and clothing fields. Nevertheless, the surface roughness of crossbred wool fabric is higher than that of Merino wool. Herein we propose a reactive nonionic softener (RNS) based on fatty acid (FA) and 2-amino-2-methyl propane diol (AMPD) to impart desirable multi-functions for crossbred wool fabric, such as improved smoothness, enhanced wettability, and induced resistance to felting shrinkage. Adopting the pad-dry-cure method, treatment of wool with the said softener was carried out using different concentrations of FA/AMPD condensate at different curing temperatures and durations. The results showed that the highest fabric surface smoothness was attained when wool fabric was treated with 3.5% (o.w.f.) RNS, and the curing temperature and time were 130 °C and 5 min, respectively. The surface smoothness of the treated fabric and its resistance to felting shrinkage were increased by 21.7% and 90% respectively. The effects of treatment of wool with the RNS on its bending stiffness, air and water permeability, yellowness, electrostatic charge, and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) were monitored. The reaction mechanism between the used RNS and wool was studied using FTIR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopic investigation showed a layer of the used RNS on the surface of the treated fabric. The finished fabric retained its air permeability and dyeability with anionic dye. The imparted fabric smoothness was find to be durable against washing until 5 washing cycles, and decreased by 5.5% of after 10 washing cycles respectively.

New antimicrobial materials with cerium ions in the composition of salts, solutions, and composite systems based on Ce3+(NO3)3 × 6H2O

The antimicrobial property against different bacteria with cerium oxide formation mainly depends on the content of Ce3+ ions.