Aqueous Carboxymethyl Cellulose Research Articles

Seed Encrusting with Plant Nutrients Enhances Germination, Plant Growth and Yield of Soybean (Glycine max)

Background: Encrusted seeds receive a thinner coating than encrusted seeds and the coating process is halted before full roundness is achieved. This is beneficial for soybean seeds and enhances water-use efficiency during germination. Additionally, adding essential nutrients to seeds promotes germination and growth, enabling soybean plants to grow faster and to have a higher yield. Methods: Soybean seeds were encrusted with 3.45 g/kg NH4NO3, 4.60 g/kg NaH2PO4.H2O and 1.87 g/kg KCl, using vermiculite as the encrusting material and 0.4% w/w aqueous-carboxymethyl cellulose as the binder. The encrusting process was carried out in a rotary drum (Model SKK12) spinning at 40 rpm and the seeds were evaluated for seed quality parameters. Result: Encrusting seeds with all three types of plant nutrients had a positive impact on enhancing seed quality compared to non-encrusted seeds. In particular, encrusting seeds with 50 g/kg vermiculite and 1.87 g/kg KCl did not hinder the germination process. Moreover, it enhanced both the germination rate and speed of germination. Additionally, it promoted plant growth, including fresh and dry root weight, fresh shoot weight, fresh and dry plant weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed weight per plant and pod weight per plant. Therefore, encrusting seeds with 50 g/kg vermiculite and 1.87 g/kg KCl is recommended to enhance the quality of Chiang Mai 60 soybean seeds.

Physicochemical mechanism of BSA, Hb, and dsDNA biomacromolecules with aq-NaCMC at 298.15–310.15 K interfaced with UV–vis fluorescence circular dichroism spectroscopy and in-silico for interacting activities

The 0.2–0.8mg% @ 0.2 mg% bovine serum albumin (BSA 66), hemoglobin (Hb 64.5), and double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA 130 kDa) with water and 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g% aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (NaCMC) thermodynamically, kinetically, and tentropically stable homogeneous solutions via resonating energy transfer were designed. Density (ρ), viscosity (η), surface tension (γ), friccohesity (σ), Gibbs free energy (ΔGb), chemical potential (μ), frictional volume (ϕ), apparent molar volume (V2), hydrodynamic radius (Rh), and isentropic compressibility (ksϕ) at 298.15, 304.15, and 310.15 K were studied. UV–Vis spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), MALDI TOF, and in-silico study via reorientational activities have elucidated structural recognition. The ρ, η, γ, σ, ΔGb, μ, V2, ϕ, Rh, and ksϕ physicochemical properties (PCPs) have studied the interacting activities of salt bridges (peptide bonds) of proteins and base pairs (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine) of dsDNA on developing nanohydration sphere (NHS) with water and 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g% aq-NaCMC. Regression constants of PCPs have elaborated the interacting mechanism of internal linkages of BSA, Hb, and dsDNA for solubilizing them without unfolding assisted by glycosidic bonds of glucopyranose units of NaCMC. Magnitudes of regression constants analyse the inner salt bridges, electrostatic dipoles, and hydrogen bonds (HB) to interact with H2O dipoles and NaCMC affecting solubilization of biomolecules (biomols) in areas of biochemical, biophysical, bioengineering, tissue, and genetic engineering. PCPs, UV–Vis, fluorescence, CD, and in-silico study analyse their structurally interacting abilities with NaCMC via respective NHS to be extended to pharmaceutical and cosmetic processes by minimizing quantum energy barrier (QEB) as Newtonian behaviour of structural sensors.

Ameliorative role of chitosan nanoparticles against silver nanoparticle-induced reproductive toxicity in male albino rats.

This study was designed to evaluate the protective potentials of chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) against silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wister albino rats. AgNPs, ChNPs, and AgNPs particles coated with ChNPs were characterized by using transmission electron microscope. Control rats were injected interperitoneally with 0.5% aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose. Second group was given ChNPs at a dose 300mg/kg bwt. Third group was given AgNPs at a dose 50mg/kg bwt. Fourth group was given AgNPs with chitosan nanoparticles simultaneously. Fifth group was given silver nanoparticles coated with chitosan nanoparticles at a dose 300mg/kg bwt. TEM showed the formation of AgNPs with average size of 42.7nm, ChNPs with average size of 33.3nm, and AgNPs coated with ChNPs with average size of 48.1nm. AgNPs significantly reduced serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin, sperm count, morphology index, vitality, total motility and progressive motility, the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, and the concentration of reduced glutathione in testicular tissues. However, it significantly increased malondialdehyde concentration in testicular tissues, sperm abnormalities, testicular tissue damages, non-progressive motility, and immotile sperms. On the contrast, ChNPs ameliorated AgNP-induced alteration in serum levels of sex hormones, spermogram, and testicular tissue's structure and functions. These results indicated that ChNPs had protective potential against AgNP-induced reproductive toxicity and ChNPs coating AgNPs had more potent protective effect than ChNPs administrated together with AgNPs.

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized using Quercetin and Their Effects on Soil Respiration and Enzymes

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using quercetin in aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution, which is used as both the reducing and capping bioagents in the current study. The characterization of synthesized CMC-Q AgNPs was performed through different analysis techniques. Antibacterial activity was assessed by using agar well diffusion assay against both gram-positive and gram-negative strains. Also, the effect of nanoparticles on biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. Moreover, soil treated with CMC-Q AgNPs and AgNO3 was analyzed in terms of soil respiration, silver contents, and soil exoenzymes (dehydrogenase and urease). In the study, the microscopic images represented the average size of the CMC-Q AgNPsto be 27 nm and the zeta potential of −59.4 (mV) could also be signed as the higher stability. Generally, the results indicate that CMC-Q AgNPs might be powerful antibacterial agents. Furthermore, we found that CMC-Q AgNPs and AgNO3 could both inhibit exoenzyme activities in soil, with the inhibitory effects especially obvious at higher exposure times and concentrations. Also, the findings revealed that Ag concentration and soil respiration (% of control) in the soil treated with AgNO3 was lower compared to CMC-Q AgNPs treatment. This might be explained in terms of different transformations of two compounds in the soil.

Shear-thinning droplet formation inside a microfluidic T-junction under an electric field

Researchers usually simplify their simulations by considering the Newtonian fluid assumption in microfluidic devices. However, it is essential to study the behavior of real non-Newtonian fluids in such systems. Moreover, using the external electric or magnetic fields in these systems can be very beneficial for manipulating the droplet size. This study considers the simulation of the process of non-Newtonian droplets’ formation under the influence of an external electric field. The novelty of this study is the use of a shear-thinning fluid as the droplet phase in this process, which has been less studied despite its numerous applications. The effects of an external electric field on this process are also investigated. Aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution with different mass concentrations is selected as the non-Newtonian fluid of the droplet phase. The level set numerical method is used to analyze the formation of droplets in a T-junction. First, the effects of changing the key parameters such as the inlet velocities of phases, the concentration of the droplet phase, and the contact angle and the time of first droplet formation are investigated. The results indicate that as the concentration of the droplet phase increases, the diameter of the droplet decreases. Next, by applying a voltage difference to the system, an electric field is created inside the system. It is found that the stronger the electric field, the larger the droplet size due to the direction of electric forces applied to the interface of the droplet.

Amylopectin from Glutinous Rice as a Sustainable Binder for High‐Performance Silicon Anodes

Silicon (Si) has been investigated as a promising anode material because of its high theoretical capacity (4200 mAh g‐1). However, silicon anode suffers from huge volume changes during repeated charge–discharge cycles. In this work, inspired by a remarkable success of the glutinous rice mortar in the Great Wall with ca. 2000‐year history, amylopectin (AP), the key ingredient responsible for the strong bonding force, is extracted from glutinous rice and utilized as a flexible, aqueous, and resilient binder to address the most challenging drastic volume‐expansion and pulverization issues of silicon anode. Additionally, the removal of toxic N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) organic solvent makes the electrode fabrication process environmentally friendly and healthy. The as‐prepared Si‐AP electrode with 60 wt% of Si can uphold a high discharge capacity of 1517.9 mAh g−1 at a rate of 0.1 C after 100 cycles. The cycling stability of the Si‐AP has been remarkably improved in comparison with both traditional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and aqueous carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) binders. Moreover, when the content of silicon in the Si‐AP electrode increases to 70 wt%, a high discharge capacity of 1463.1 mAh g−1 can still be obtained after 50 cycles at 0.1° C. These preliminary results suggest that the sustainably available and environmentally benign amylopectin binders could be a promising choice for the construction of highly stable silicon anodes.

A comparative study of bubble formation characteristics in non-Newtonian and high-viscosity Newtonian fluids by a laser image technique

A laser image measurement system has been established to study the problem of dynamic bubble formation from a submerged orifice in two kinds of high-viscous fluids, namely Newtonian glycerol aqueous solution and non-Newtonian carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) aqueous solutions. The bubble generation process was measured accurately by means of He-Ne laser as light source using the beam expanding and light amplification technology. The whole formation process, including bubble expansion, stretching and detachment three stages, and the dynamic characteristics of each stage, were investigated experimentally by analyzing comparatively the evolution of the instantaneous shape, volume, surface area, and deformation rate in both fluids. The influences of solution mass concentration, gas chamber volume and orifice diameter on bubble detached volume were discussed respectively, and the results reveals that bubble begins to grow spherically due to the predominant role of surface tension, and then is elongated gradually owing to the increasing buoyancy force. Compared with Newtonian fluid, bubble formed in non-Newtonian fluid presents a slim shape as a result of the shear-thinning effect of CMC solution. Bubble detachment volume in both kinds of fluids increases with solution mass concentration and gas chamber volume, but declines with orifice inner diameter, respectively.

A new model of bubble Sauter mean diameter in fine bubble-dominated columns

Abstract A new mathematical model of bubble Sauter mean diameter (d32) in the fine bubble-dominated columns (FBCs) is developed. Unlike previously proposed models suggesting a linear relationship existed between d32 and the diameter of the maximum stable bubble (dmax), the combined effects of dmax and the diameter of the minimum bubble (dmin) on d32 were considered in the new model. Accordingly, the effects of physical properties of four liquids (e.g., distillated water, 10 wt% aqueous ethanol, 0.1 wt% aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and 10 wt% aqueous sucrose) and energy dissipation rate on bubble size distribution (BSD) and d32 were discussed by introducing the models of dmax and dmin. Theoretical calculations were compared with the experimental results from the air–water system in the fine bubble-dominated column under different operation conditions. It is shown that satisfactory predictions of d32 can be achieved with the new model and the relative errors are less than 9%.

Stable and unstable miscible displacement of a shear-thinning fluid at low Reynolds number

We present the results of experiments performed for the displacement of an aqueous low-concentration polymer solution that initially fills a capillary tube (diameter < 1 mm), using water. Aqueous carboxymethyl-cellulose polymer solutions were prepared at initial concentration 0.5 < c0 < 0.75 (w/w). Polymer concentrations are low such that the displaced fluids may be considered shear-thinning. We measured the shear viscosity of the aqueous polymer solutions and obtained values for Carreau shear-thinning fluid model parameters at each polymer concentration. Separately, we measured the average bulk diffusivity for each solution. The estimates of the residual film using penetrating fluid tip and mean velocities were measured as a function of the Peclet (Pe), Reynolds (Re), Carreau (Cu0), and viscous Atwood number based on zero shear-rate viscosity (At0) where the latter two were computed using c0. For Cu0 > 1, we observe a corkscrew type instability where the wavelength increases as diffusion is diminished but requires a finite amount of diffusion to appear.

Magnetic nanofibrous materials based on CMC/PVA polymeric blends

In this paper, the synthesis of magnetic nanofibrous materials with a soft ferromagnetic response based on magnetite nanoparticles (SMON) loaded to aqueous carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC)/polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) polymeric blends is reported. The nanofibrous materials were obtained from the electrospinning of SMON-CMC/PVA blends with different SMON content, applying a constant tension of 15 kV. The synthesized samples were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared, Raman and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as static magnetic measuring. Our experimental findings indicate that nanofibers’ diameter decreases as SMON content in the electrospun polymeric blends is increased, since these magnetic nanoparticles diminish the interactions between PVA and CMC molecules, which improves their spinnability. Moreover, the spatial distribution of SMON in the fibers provides to the synthesized nanofibrous materials a novel soft ferromagnetic response at room temperature. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of nanoparticles’ aggregates that are discretely distributed in the nanofibers.

Considerations and Pitfalls in Selecting the Drug Vehicles for Evaluation of New Drug Candidates: Focus on in vivo Pharmaco-Toxicological Assays Based on the Rotarod Performance Test.

Purpose - During the discovery and development of new drugs, compounds with low aqueous solubility pose special challenges in their pharmacological evaluation and, therefore, the selection of appropriate vehicles to administer the compounds of interest is determinant for the quality of the results generated during the in vivo non-clinical studies. This work aimed to evaluate the motor deficit (as a surrogate of neurotoxicity) of several administration/delivery vehicles through the rotarod performance test. Methods - Trained male CD-1 mice were intraperitoneally administered with the following vehicles: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) 0.9%, aqueous carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 0.5%, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400, propylene glycol (PG), and solutions of these vehicles containing 5% and 10% DMSO. Results - It was observed that the aqueous vehicles (NaCl 0.9% and CMC 0.5%) did not affect the performance of the animals on the rod. On the other hand, a vehicle consisting solely of DMSO led to significant motor impairment and only a small improvement was recorded over time. Additionally, a strong neuromotor toxicity was observed in the early evaluation points of the experiment using vehicles constituted by PG and PEG-400 or by mixtures of PG/DMSO (5% and 10%) and PEG-400/DMSO (5% and 10%). Conclusion - This study provides useful data about the neurotoxicity inherent to several vehicles frequently used in non-clinical pharmaco-toxicological assays, aiming to draw especial attention to the need of a careful selection of drug vehicles in order to avoid the impact of such confounding variables on the accuracy of the results and in decision-making processes.This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

Rheological Behavior and Effective Thermal Conductivity of Non-Newtonian Nanofluids

Abstract The rheological behavior and effective thermal conductivity of CMC-based non-Newtonian nanofluids were investigated. Non-Newtonian nanofluids of different concentrations were prepared by dispersing Fe2O3, γ-Al2O3 and CuOnanoparticles in three different concentrations of (0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 wt. %) aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution (base fluid). Experiments were carried out to examine the effect of concentration of nanofluid and temperature on rheological behavior and effective thermal conductivity of non-Newtonian nanofluid. Viscosity and thermal conductivity were measured by rheometer and transient hot wire technique, respectively. The rheological characterization and thermal conductivity measurements were done in the range 30°C–50°C. Flow behavior index and consistency index were determined. As the concentration of nanofluid and temperature were increased, the thermal conductivity of nanofluid was found to increase. A correlation for predicting the thermal conductivity of non-Newtonian nanofluid was developed. The correlation predicted the thermal conductivity of non-Newtonian nanofluids reported by other researchers very well. The results obtained were compared with the model predictions from literature.

Recyclable and superelastic aerogels based on carbon nanotubes and carboxymethyl cellulose

Deformation mechanisms are largely unknown for superelastic carbon nanotube (CNT) aerogels, and this hampers materials design efforts. The CNT network in the cell walls is typically crosslinked or connected by a thermoset polymer phase. In order to create a recyclable superelastic aerogel, unmodified single or multi-walled CNTs were dispersed in water by adding to aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution. Directional freeze-drying was used to form honeycombs with cell walls of random-in-the-plane CNTs in CMC matrix. Cell wall morphology and porosity were studied and related to CNT type and content, as well as elastic or plastic buckling of the cell walls under deformation. CMC acts as a physical crosslinker for the CNTs in a porous cell wall. Aerogel structure and properties were characterized before and after recycling. The conductivity of the composite aerogel with a density of 10 kg/m3, 99% porosity and 50 wt % single-walled CNT exceeds 0.5 S/cm. The potential of these superelastic and conductive aerogels for applications such as mechanoresponsive materials was examined in cyclic conductivity tests at different strains. This opens a new route for recyclable superelastic CNT composite aerogels, avoiding material loss, chemical treatment or addition of other components.

Moving to Aqueous Binder: A Valid Approach to Achieving High-Rate Capability and Long-Term Durability for Sodium-Ion Battery.

Polyanionic Na3V2(PO4)2F3 with a NASICON‐type structure is heralded as a promising cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries due to its fast ionic conduction, high working voltage, and favorable structural stability. However, a number of challenging issues remain regarding its rate capability and cycle life, which must be addressed to enable greater application compatibility. Here, a facile and effective approach that can be used to overcome these disadvantages by introducing an aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder is reported. The resulting conductive network serves to accelerate the diffusion of Na+ ions across the interface as well as in the bulk. The strong binding force of the CMC and stable solid permeable interface protect the electrode from degradation, leading to an excellent capacity of 75 mA h g−1 at an ultrahigh rate of 70 C (1 C = 128 mA g−1) and a long lifespan of 3500 cycles at 30 C while sustaining 79% of the initial capacity value. A full cell based on this electrode material delivers an impressive energy density as high as 216 W h kg−1, indicating the potential for application of this straightforward and cost‐effective route for the future development of advanced battery technologies.

Experimental study of steady state laminar forced heat transfer of horizontal annulus tube with non-Newtonian nanofluid

The forced convection steady heat transfer under laminar flow regime in a horizontal annular tube was experimentally investigated in this paper using a non-newtonian, pseudo-plastic nanofluid with an aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-0.2 % wt) as the base fluid, and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles in 0.5 % wt, 1.0 % wt and 1.5 % volume fractions and Reynolds number from 460 to 1280 and different range of heat flux. The mean and local heat transfer coefficients of the nanofluid were recorded higher than the base fluid at all the applied Reynolds numbers. For instance, at Re = 460, for the nanofluid of 0.5 % vol. concentration, heat transfer coefficient was improved by 14.7 % compared to the base fluid, and by increasing nanofluid concentration to two/three times, heat transfer was improved by 4.4 % and 5.2 %, respectively. The maximum mean heat transfer coefficient was observed for the 1.5 % nanofluid at Re = 1280.

Recommendations for volume augmentation and rejuvenation of the face and hands with the new generation polycaprolactone-based collagen stimulator (Ellansé®).

BackgroundThe range of fillers currently available for soft-tissue augmentation is constantly expanding. The latest advances in filler technology include collagen biostimulators that exert their esthetic effect by promoting neocollagenesis. One such product is the next-generation collagen biostimulator (Ellansé®) that demonstrates properties as yet unseen in soft-tissue fillers. It is composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres in an aqueous carboxymethylcellulose gel carrier. Given its specific characteristics and the number of areas that can be treated with this innovative product, experts’ recommendations were deemed necessary and are therefore presented in this paper with a specific focus on the indications, treatment areas and procedures as well as injection techniques.MethodsA multinational, multidisciplinary group of plastic surgeons and dermatologists convened to develop recommendations with a worldwide perspective. This publication provides information on the specific characteristics of the product and focuses on the recommendations on the injection techniques.ResultsRecommendations on injection techniques are provided for the upper face, mid-face and lower face and zone by zone for each of these areas, as well as hands. Based on the particular anatomy of each area, the focus is on the techniques and devices of injection and the volume and depth of injection. The information is tabulated, and photos are presented for illustration.ConclusionThese recommendations provide a guideline for physicians who wish to perform safe and efficacious treatment with the PCL collagen stimulator for face and rejuvenation with volume augmentation.

A review on empirical correlations estimating gas holdup for shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluids in bubble column systems with future perspectives

AbstractGas holdup is one of the most important parameters for characterizing the hydrodynamics of bubble columns. Modeling and design of bubble columns require empirical correlations for precise estimation of gas holdup. Empirical correlations available for prediction of gas holdup (εG) in various non-Newtonian systems for both gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid bubble columns have been presented in this review. Critical analysis of correlations presented by different researchers has been made considering the findings and pitfalls. As the magnitude of gas holdup depends on many factors, such as physicochemical properties of gas and/or liquid, column geometry, type and design of gas distributors, operating conditions, phase properties, and rheological properties, etc., all of these have been discussed and examined. In order to emphasize the significance, relative importance of parameters such as flow behavior index, consistency index, column diameter, gas flow rate, and density of aqueous carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solution on gas holdup has been quantified using artificial neural network and Garson’s algorithm for an experimental data set of air-CMC solution from the literature. Besides, potential areas for research encompassing operating conditions, column geometry, physical properties, modeling and simulation, rheological properties, flow regime, etc., have been underlined, and the need for developing newer correlations for gas holdup has been outlined. The review may be useful for the modeling and design of bubble columns.

Heat transfer enhancement using non-Newtonian nanofluids in a shell and helical coil heat exchanger

The current investigation examines heat transfer using three different non-Newtonian nanofluids comprising of Fe2O3, Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles in aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) base fluid. The studies were carried out to determine enhancement in heat transfer compared to base fluid (aqueous CMC solution) in a shell and helical coil heat exchanger. Non-Newtonian nanofluids containing nanoparticles in the concentration range of 0.2–1.0wt% were prepared. Nanofluid and water were used on shell side and tube side respectively. The thermal analysis was carried out to determine overall heat transfer coefficient and shell-side Nusselt number, at different conditions such as flow rate of cold water (0.5–5lpm), shell side fluid (nanofluid) temperature (40–60°C) and stirrer speeds (500–1500rpm). The results show that the Nusselt number increases with increasing nanofluid concentration, shell side fluid temperature, Dean number (flow rate of coil-side water), and stirrer speeds. It was found that the CuO/CMC-based nanofluid showed better heat transfer than the other two types of fluid (Fe2O3 and Al2O3). The heat transfer performance of non-Newtonian nanofluids was significantly enhanced at higher nanofluid concentrations, shell-side temperatures, stirrer speeds and Dean numbers.

The Role of Tamarix gallica Leaves Extract in Liver Injury Induced by Rifampicin Plus Isoniazid in Sprague Dawley Rats

ABSTRACTThe Tamarix gallica leaves extract (TGLE) was investigated for hepatoprotective potential against rifampicin (RIF) plus isoniazid (INH)–induced liver injury in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. All the rats of groups III and IV received 100 and 200 mg/kg body wt, respectively, of the suspension of TGLE while group V received silymarin 100 mg/kg body wt orally. After 10 min, they, along with group II, received INH plus RIF each day (50 mg/kg body wt, by mouth (PO) each) for 28 days. Group I received 10 ml/kg body wt, PO of vehicle, i.e., 1% aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (1% CMC) throughout the study. At the end of the experiment, blood was obtained through the retro-orbital plexus under light anesthesia and the serum was separated from the sacrificed animals. A small portion of isolated liver tissue was fixed in 10% formaldehyde for histopathological examinations. The levels of elevated serum bilirubin (p > .05–p < .05), alanine transaminase (p > .05–p < .01), aspartate transaminase (p > .05–p < .01), alkaline phosphatase (p < .05–p < .01), lactate dehydrogenase (p < .05–p < .01), and cholesterol (p > .05–p < .01) decreased while the levels of decreased total protein (p > .05–p < .05) and albumin (p < .05–p < .05) increased in TGLE-treated groups III and IV as compared to group II, and the serum marker enzyme levels were toward normal, indicating protection against liver injury. It was well supported with histopathological results. Thus, Tamarix gallica leaves extract possesses promising hepatoprotective activity against RIF plus INH-induced liver injury in experimental rats.

Rheological properties of nanocrystalline cellulose suspensions

Rheological behavior, including linear and nonlinear, as well as transient rheology of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) suspensions was studied in this work. Two kinds of polymer solutions, aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with flexible chain structure and aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with semi-rigid chain structure, were used as the suspension media to further explore the role that the interactions among NCC and polymers played during shear flow. The results reveal that NCC has lower values of percolation threshold in the PVA solution than in the CMC one during small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) flow because the flexible PVA chain has higher adsorbed level onto NCC particles than the negatively charged semi-rigid CMC chain, which is further confirmed by the Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy tests. As a result, the NCC suspension shows a weak strain overshoot in PVA solution during large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) flow, which cannot be seen on the one in CMC solution. During startup shear flow, both of these two suspensions show evident stress overshoot behavior with the strain-scaling characteristics, indicating the formation of ordered long-term structure of rod-like NCC particles with self-similarity during flow. However, NCC suspension have far stronger stress overshoot response in CMC solution relative to the one in PVA solution. A possible synergy mechanism between NCC and CMC chain is hence proposed.