Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Manuel Alvarez-Vera, Jacinto Vazquez, Daniel Fernandez, Rosalia Reinoso
Summary: Poultry waste can be treated using beneficial microbial consortia to obtain useful amino acids through hydrolysis. The study found that indigenous microbial consortia benefit the hydrolysis of poultry waste, and the type and content of amino acids are related to the microbial activity of each consortium.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jana Branisa, Angela Kleinova, Klaudia Jomova, Robert Weissabel, Marcel Cvik, Zuzana Branisova, Maria Porubska
Summary: The study examined the effect of humidity on sheep wool irradiated by an accelerated electron beam. Results showed that wool sorptivity was significantly dependent on humidity, with 53% RH demonstrating the best Co(II) sorptivity. Excessive humidity and high dose of radiation led to decreased sorptivity due to radiolysis of water.
Article
Polymer Science
Sara Mattiello, Alessandro Guzzini, Alessandra Del Giudice, Carlo Santulli, Marco Antonini, Giulio Lupidi, Roberto Gunnella
Summary: In this study, the characteristic structure of keratin extracted from sheep wool and chicken feathers was investigated using the sulfitolysis method for film deposition. Various techniques including SEM, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, and IR spectroscopy were used to study the structural and microscopic properties. SAXS analysis was performed to study the assembly character of the fiber. The competition between reversible hydrogen bonds and irreversible disulfide bonds was found to affect the amorphous part and medium range structure of the fiber, as revealed by Raman and SAXS analysis.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dongqian He, Liyao Chen, Fang Luo, Huitong Zhou, Junkui Wang, Qian Zhang, Tongtong Lu, Shaofei Wu, Jon G. H. Hickford, Jinzhong Tao
Summary: Proteins in wool can be phosphorylated, with differences in phosphorylation of keratins and keratin-associated proteins potentially affecting wool fiber crimping. This suggests that wool traits may be under epigenetic control and that post-translational modifications need to be considered in breeding for different wool types.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lorena Ugarte, Borja Fernandez-d'Arlas, Izaskun Larraza, Garazi Berra, Nagore Gabilondo, Arantxa Eceiza
Summary: Sheep wool waste is a major environmental problem as it currently has no commercial application. However, the keratin in sheep's wool has attracted interest for various applications including tissue engineering, bioactive materials, and drug delivery. Alginate derived from seaweed offers good performance in 3D printing and is suitable for fabricating support materials. This work aimed to develop biobased printable inks containing keratin, alginate, salvia extracts, and cellulose nanofibers and assess their rheological parameters, printability, and mechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sandleen Feroz, Nawshad Muhammad, George Dias, Mabkhoot Abdullah Alsaiari
Summary: Wool derived keratin is a potential biopolymer that can serve as a cheap, sustainable, renewable material source for specialized biomedicine products. Utilizing eco-friendly, recyclable ionic liquids as solvents opens up new possibilities for processing natural materials from livestock industries. This study developed a technique for rapidly dissolving keratin in ionic liquid using probe sonication without external heating. The optimized extraction process included considerations such as the type of ionic liquid, sonication time, sample loading, and acoustic power. The properties of the regenerated keratin were analyzed using various techniques, showing improved thermal properties and specific protein structures. Further efforts are needed to implement this economical, quick, and environmentally friendly technique at a larger industrial scale.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chad M. Elason, Julia A. Clarke, Suzanne Amador Kane
Summary: Currently known structural colors in feathers are caused by light scattering from periodic or amorphous arrangements of keratin, melanin, and air within barbs and barbules that comprise the feather vane. Structural coloration in the largest part of the feather, the central rachis, is rare. Here, we report on an investigation of the physical mechanisms underlying the only known case of structural coloration in the rachis, the blue rachis of great argus (Argusianus argus) flight feathers. Spectrophotometry revealed a reflectance peak at 344 nm that is diffuse and well matched to the blue and UV-sensitive cone sensitivities of this species' visual system. A combination of electron microscopy and optical modeling confirmed blue coloration is generated by scattering from amorphous wrinkle nanostructures 125 nm deep and 385 nm apart, a new avian coloration mechanism. These findings have implications for understanding how novel courtship phenotypes arise through evolutionary modification of existing ontogenetic templates.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Blaz Petek, Romana Marinsek Logar
Summary: Sheep wool, a keratin-rich by-product of sheep breeding and textile industry, poses a serious environmental problem due to its resistance to degradation. Biotechnological approaches can reduce environmental impact and create valuable products.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Blaz Petek, Maja Vodusek, Tomaz Accetto, Masa Zorec, Polona Zalar, Jernej Oberckal, Romana Marinsek Logar
Summary: This article describes the isolation, identification, and characterization of new keratinolytic microorganisms capable of degrading sheep wool. These microorganisms exhibit keratinase activity at various temperatures and pH levels, making them suitable for industrial and environmental applications in reducing and recycling keratin-rich wastes.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tiffany S. Slater, Nicholas P. Edwards, Samuel M. Webb, Fucheng Zhang, Maria E. McNamara
Summary: Fossil proteins are valuable tools in evolutionary biology, and their preservation potential is not affected by geological age. Controlled experiments show that feather CBPs can survive moderate thermal maturation, indicating their presence in fossils.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amahle Bokveld, Nonso E. Nnolim, Uchechukwu U. Nwodo
Summary: Microbial keratinases, like the one produced by Chryseobacterium aquifrigidense FANN1, show potential in converting keratinous waste biomass into valuable products. FANN1 keratinase exhibited high enzyme activity when degrading chicken feathers, suggesting its potential for industrial applications in waste recycling and detergent formulation.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jin Zhu, Ning Ma, Shuo Li, Liang Zhang, Xiaoling Tong, Yanyan Shao, Chao Shen, Yeye Wen, Muqiang Jian, Yuanlong Shao, Jin Zhang
Summary: In this study, a continuous wet-spinning strategy is proposed to rebuild wool keratin into compact regenerated bio-fibers with improved strength. By introducing dithiothreitol (DTT) to renovate disulfide linkage inside keratin polypeptide chains, a continuous backbone is formed as mechanical support. The wet-spinning technical parameters have been optimized to ensure the continuous preparation of high-strength regenerated keratin fibers.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyue Zhang, Yani Guo, Wenjun Li, Jinyuan Zhang, Hailiang Wu, Ningtao Mao, Hui Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrated the fabrication of wool keratin modified magnetite powders for efficient removal of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solutions with high adsorption performance and easy regeneration. It provided a feasible approach to utilize waste wool textiles for preparing magnetic biomass-based adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wenhao Li, Huitong Zhou, Hua Gong, Kaiwen Zhang, Shaobin Li, Xiu Liu, Jiqing Wang, Yuzhu Luo, Jon G. H. Hickford
Summary: This study identified the ovine KRTAP27-1 gene using PCR-SSCP analysis and found four sequence variants, including two non-synonymous SNPs in the coding region. The study also discovered that sheep with genotypes AB and BB had longer fibers and higher wool weight compared to sheep with genotype AA.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dagmara J. Trojanowska, Giulia Suarato, Clarissa Braccia, Andrea Armirotti, Fabrizio Fiorentini, Athanassia Athanassiou, Giovanni Perotto
Summary: In this study, keratin particles were produced via isoelectric precipitation and found to contain the amino acid sequence LDV, which can promote cell adhesion and growth orientation. Microcontact printing was used to facilitate the adhesion and growth of dermal fibroblast cells on the keratin particles.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Mohamed Yacin Sikkandar, Ahmed Ayman A. Almedhun
Summary: This paper presents a numerical estimation of wall shear stress and a study on hemodynamic pattern in the carotid artery near the bifurcation region with dynamic growth of aneurysm using computational fluid dynamics. The findings suggest that the vortex pattern rather than wall shear stress may be the cause of tissue damage and thinning. The study provides insights into the effect of aneurysm in the carotid artery bifurcation region and can be used as an adjunct tool for clinical interventions.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arshad Ali Khan, Safia Akhtar, Yogesh Yadav, Akhtar Atiya, Walla Alelwani, Azzah M. Bannunah, Syed Mahmood
Summary: A self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for lopinavir (LPV) was developed to improve its limited oral bioavailability. The optimized formulation showed small droplet size and high stability, and released nearly 99% of LPV within 30 minutes, indicating its potential to enhance the solubility and oral bioavailability of LPV.
CURRENT DRUG DELIVERY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Khater AL-Japairai, Samah Hamed Almurisi, Abd Almonem Doolaanea, Syed Mahmood, Fawaz Alheibshy, Ahmed Alobaida, Nadiya Abdul-Halim, Bappaditya Chatterjee
Summary: Taste refers to the perception of sensations through taste buds, and the unpleasant taste of drugs can lead to refusal of medication in pediatric patients. The acceptability of pharmaceutical products is influenced by a variety of factors, including swallowability, palatability, appearance, ease of administration, and patient characteristics. Multiparticulate dosage forms provide a solution for pediatric patients who struggle with swallowing and the unpleasant taste of medications. This review provides insights into the considerations for preparing taste masked multiparticulate dosage forms for pediatric use.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Nurul Izzati Azahar, Nadzirah Mohd Mokhtar, Syed Mahmood, Mohd Aizudin Abd Aziz, Mohd Azmir Arifin
Summary: This study focused on the extraction of Piper betle to reduce the virulence factor of P. aeruginosa. The results showed that ethyl acetate exhibited the lowest peak, and the ratio of 1:10 and maceration method with agitation had higher extraction yields.
JURNAL TEKNOLOGI-SCIENCES & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohit Kumar, Ayah. R. Hilles, Yi Ge, Amit Bhatia, Syed Mahmood
Summary: The current treatment strategies for diabetic wound care are not very effective, leading to a demand for new and improved therapeutic techniques. Nanomaterials like polymeric nanofibers (NFs) offer a promising approach for the treatment of diabetic wounds and have emerged as viable options for wound management. Electrospinning is a powerful and cost-effective method to fabricate versatile NFs with a wide array of raw materials for different biological applications. The electrospun NFs have unique advantages in the development of wound dressings and accelerate wound healing due to their high specific surface area and porosity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohit Kumar, Ankita Sharma, Syed Mahmood, Anil Thakur, Mohd Aamir Mirza, Amit Bhatia
Summary: The Franz diffusion cell is widely used for evaluating the permeability and stability of topical and transdermal formulations. It provides a straightforward assay to measure drug release from various preparations and offers critical insights into the relationship between skin, drug, and formulation. In addition to its role in pharmaceutical research, it is also employed for toxicity testing and quality control.
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Shady A. A. Alshewaier, Majed Ali Ghurmallah Alshehri, S. Sabarunisha Begum, Mohamed Yacin Sikkandar, Ali Abdullah A. Almukil, Aishah Mohammad Alhazmi
Summary: This paper investigates the numerical modeling of a customized knee implant using finite element analysis during flexion extension. CT images of 15 osteoarthritis subjects were used to extract morphological characteristics and study biomechanical properties. Patient-specific knee implants were designed and compared with the normal knee joint. Results showed equal stress distribution in the customized implant, providing similar biomechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF MECHANICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Khater Ahmed Al-Japairai, Syed Mahmood, Nadiya Abdul-Halim, Samah Hamed Almurisi
Summary: A simple, sensitive, and specific UV spectrophotometric method for the determination of benidipine hydrochloride has been established. The method showed linearity in a range of 2.0 - 16.0 μg/mL with good reproducibility. The detection and quantification limits were 0.34 and 1.02 μg/mL, respectively. The proposed method can be used for the analysis of benidipine in tablet formulations for quality control purposes.
PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melbha Starlin Chellathurai, Chung Lip Yong, Zarif Mohamed Sofian, Shariza Sahudin, Najihah Binti Mohd Hasim, Syed Mahmood
Summary: Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide that is biodegradable, bioadhesive, and biocompatible. It has been extensively studied for oral insulin drug delivery systems. Electrostatic interaction between chitosan and insulin leads to the formation of self-assembled nanoparticles, which can protect insulin from degradation and improve intestinal uptake. Functionalized chitosan nanoparticles also offer opportunities for targeted and prolonged delivery. This review provides a comprehensive guide for formulating stable insulin-chitosan nanoparticles using mild ionic interactions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rajaram Narasimhan, Muthukumaran Gopalan, Mohamed Yacin Sikkandar, Ahmad Alassaf, Ibrahim Almohimeed, Khalid Alhussaini, Adham Aleid, Sabarunisha Begum Sheik
Summary: This study utilizes in-home ambient sensors to monitor the daily activities of older adults and predicts the transition from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The trained recurrent neural network model reveals that sleep-related features are the most significant contributors to predicting the cognitive stage.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mohamed Yacin Sikkandar, Sridharan Padmanabhan, Bobby Mohan, Ibrahim AlMohimeed, Ahmad Alassaf, Shady A. Alshewaier, Ali Abdullah Almukil, Sabarunisha Begum
Summary: This paper presents the feasibility of automated and accurate in vivo measurements of vascular parameters using an ultrasound sensor. They developed a continuous and non-invasive Vascular Stiffness and Arterial Compliance Screener (CaNVAS) to assess cardiovascular disorders by measuring parameters such as pulse wave velocity. The device showed good accuracy and reliability as validated in the study.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
T. Gopalakrishnan, Mohamed Yacin Sikkandar, Raed Abdullah Alharbi, P. Selvaraj, Zahraa H. Kareem, Ahmed Alkhayyat, Ali Hashim Abbas
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed weaknesses in global medical services, particularly in underdeveloped countries. To address the limitations of traditional methods, there is a strong demand for novel computer-assisted diagnostic tools for rapid and cost-effective screenings. Medical imaging, specifically X-rays and CT scans, are crucial for disease diagnosis using deep networks.
CMC-COMPUTERS MATERIALS & CONTINUA
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shreya Chatterjee, Kajal Ghosal, Mohit Kumar, Syed Mahmood, Sabu Thomas
Summary: The advancement in precision medicine and the pursuit of well-being have motivated researchers to explore modern strategies for drug delivery systems. Among these, IPN based drug delivery systems are considered successful due to their targeted delivery capacity, biodegradability, and affordability. Extensive research has been conducted to explore the broad applicability of IPN systems.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chaitanya Reddy Chilakamarry, Irshad Ahamad Khilji, Ranjna Sirohi, Ashok Pandey, Gurunathan Baskar, Jagannadh Satyavolu
Summary: This study systematically addresses challenges faced during the conversion of biodiesel as a sustainable alternative to conventional diesel and investigates the potential of glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, through advanced conversion methodologies. It highlights cutting-edge advancements in biodiesel waste management techniques and emphasizes the critical need for sustainable approaches to mitigate environmental impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
