Integrated Ozonation Ni-NiO/Carbon/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite-Mediated Catalytic Decomposition of Organic Contaminants in Wastewater under Visible Light.

Developing a hybrid process for wastewater purification is of utmost importance to make conventional methods more efficient and faster. Herein, an effective visible light-active nickel-nickel oxide/carbon/graphitic carbon nitride (Ni-NiO/C/g-C3N4)-based nanocatalyst was developed. A hybrid process based on ozonation and Ni-NiO/C/g-C3N4 visible light photocatalysis was applied to decolourize the Congo red (CR), Alizarin Red S (ARS), and real dairy industry wastewater. The synthesized catalyst was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Χ-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry (UV-Vis DRS). The factors affecting the catalytic process were evaluated, including contact time, solution pH, initial dye concentration, etc. The degradation rate of CR and ARS was compared between the photocatalysis, ozonation, and integrated photocatalytic ozonation (PC/O3) methods. The results showed 100% degradation of CR and ARS within 5 min and 40 min, respectively, by integrated PC/O3. The reusability of the modified catalyst was evaluated, and four successive regenerations were achieved. The modified Ni-NiO/C/g-C3N4 composite could be considered an effective, fast, and reusable catalyst in an integrated PC/O3 process for the complete decolourization of wastewater.

Developing the sensing features of copper electrodes as an environmental friendly detection tool for chemical oxygen demand.

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of water bodies is an essential indicator of organic contaminants. The majority of current testing methods have the drawbacks of requiring multiple processes, being time-consuming, and requiring the use of harmful and hazardous reagents. In this work, a low-cost copper wire (Cu-wire) electrode was designed and fabricated to be used as a sensing electrode for the detection of chemical oxygen demand in water. The sensing features were developed by electrodeposition of copper nanoparticles (nano-Cu) that were prepared by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) deposition at the optimum preparation conditions. For improving the adherence and stability of the deposited nano-Cu thin layer, the Cu-wire electrode was scratched to increase the surface roughness. The surface morphology of the prepared nano-Cu/Cu-wire electrode was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) was used for elemental analysis characterization. The non-modified and the nano-copper modified electrode were utilized and optimized for electrochemical assay of COD using glycine as a standard in 0.075 M NaOH as an electrolyte solution. The calibration curves (COD, mg L-1 vs. I, mA) were plotted from linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometry (I-t) curves for a wide range of COD under the optimized conditions. It shows that the electroanalytical features of the proposed nano-Cu-based COD sensor exhibit a linear range from 2 to 595 mg L-1 and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 2.6 mg L-1 (S/N = 3). The established electrochemical method demonstrated a high tolerance level to Cl- ions where 1.0 M Cl- exhibited a negligible influence. The sensor was employed for detecting the COD in diverse real water samples and the attained results were validated using the standard dichromate method. The obtained results could open the window toward using simple and cost effective tools in order to monitor the water quality.

Hazardous inorganic disinfection by-products in Egypt's tap drinking water: Occurrence and human health risks assessment studies.

This study is the first that monitored the presence and levels of chlorite, chlorate and bromate in tap drinking water of Egypt. Three hundred and eight samples were collected from 22 governorates across Egypt and were analyzed using a standardized ion chromatography method. Forty-seven samples were contaminated by one or more of the inorganic disinfection by-products (DBPs) and only 12 samples exceeded the admissible maximum contamination levels (MCLs). The ratio of samples detected, and exceeding the MCLs were low relative to the global literature. Chlorate was the most prevalent inorganic DBPs (40 samples; concentration <12-4082 µg/L) followed by bromate (12 samples; concentration <3-626 µg/L) then chlorite (5 samples; concentration <12-123 µg/L). Chlorite was always below the MCL and had no human health risk even for the worst-case scenario. Bromate is a real challenge as it poses a significant cancer risk even for the median concentrations. None of the inorganic DBPs was detected in the tap drinking water of Beheira, Cairo, Gharbia, Giza, Kafr El Sheikh, Luxor, Monufia, and Suez governorates. This study manifested the importance of routine monitoring, and implementing counter measures to control the levels of the hazardous inorganic DBPs in tap drinking water.

18F-FDG, 11C-Methionine, and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in Patients with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: Imaging Pattern and Clinical Features.

This study aimed to explore the correlation between imaging patterns and clinical features in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) who simultaneously underwent 18F-FDG, 11C-Methionine, and 68Ga-Pentixafor positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). We retrieved and analyzed clinical characteristics and PET imaging data of 10 patients with SMM. We found a significant correlation between bone marrow (BM) plasma cell (PC) infiltration and mean standardized uptake values (SUVmean) of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 on 11C-Methionine PET/CT scans (r = 0.676, p = 0.031) and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT scans (r = 0.839, p = 0.002). However, there was no significant correlation between BM involvement and SUVmean of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 on 18F-FDG PET/CT scans (r = 0.558, p = 0.093). Similarly, mean target-to-background ratios (TBRmean) of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 also correlated with bone marrow plasma cell (BMPC) infiltration in 11C-Methionine PET/CT (r = 0.789, p = 0.007) and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT (r = 0.724, p = 0.018) PET/CT. In contrast, we did not observe a significant correlation between BMPC infiltration rate and TBRmean in 18F-FDG PET/CT (r = 0.355, p = 0.313). Additionally, on 11C-Methionine PET/CT scans, we found a significant correlation between BMPC infiltration and TBRmax of lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 (r = 0.642, p = 0.045). In conclusion, 11C-Methionine and 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT demonstrate higher sensitivity than 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting BM involvement in SMM.

The Link between Cytogenetics/Genomics and Imaging Patterns of Relapse and Progression in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Pilot Study Utilizing 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Utilizing 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), we performed this pilot study to evaluate the link between cytogenetic/genomic markers and imaging patterns in relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma (MM). We retrospectively analyzed data of 24 patients with RRMM who were treated at our institution between November 2018 and February 2020. At the last relapse/progression, patients had been treated with a median of three (range 1-10) lines of therapy. Six (25%) patients showed FDG avid extramedullary disease without adjacency to bone. We observed significantly higher maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) in patients harboring del(17p) compared with those without del(17p) (p = 0.025). Moreover, a high SUVmax of >15 indicated significantly shortened progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.01) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.0002). One female patient exhibited biallelic TP53 alteration, i.e., deletion and mutation, in whom an extremely high SUVmax of 37.88 was observed. In summary, this pilot study suggested a link between del(17p)/TP53 alteration and high SUVmax on 18F-FDG PET/CT in RRMM patients. Further investigations are highly warranted at this point.

Alarming Levels of Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence among Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: Emergency National and International Actions Warranted.

How to cite this article: Mahtab MAL, Akbar SMF, et al. Alarming Levels of Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence among Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: Emergency National and International Actions Warranted. Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol 2019;9(1):55-56.

The role of polymorphonuclear neutrophils during HIV-1 infection.

It is well-recognized that human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) mainly targets CD4+ T cells and macrophages. Nonetheless, during the past three decades, a huge number of studies have reported that HIV-1 can directly or indirectly target other cellular components of the immune system including CD8+ T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), among others. PMNs are the most abundant leukocytes in the human circulation, and are known to play principal roles in the elimination of invading pathogens, regulating different immune responses, healing of injured tissues, and maintaining mucosal homeostasis. Until recently, little was known about the impact of HIV-1 infection on PMNs as well as the impact of PMNs on HIV-1 disease progression. This is because early studies focused on neutropenia and recurrent microbial infections, particularly, during advanced disease. However, recent studies have extended the investigation area to cover new aspects of the interactions between HIV-1 and PMNs. This review aims to summarize these advances and address the impact of HIV-1 infection on PMNs as well as the impact of PMNs on HIV-1 disease progression to better understand the pathophysiology of HIV-1 infection.

Treatment adherence and perception in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: a cross - sectional study from Palestine.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to diet recommendations, fluid restriction, prescribed medications, and attendance at hemodialysis (HD) sessions are essential for optimal and effective treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease. No data regarding this issue are available from Palestine. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess adherence to diet, fluid restriction, medications, and HD sessions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of HD patients at An-Najah National University Hospital was carried out during summer, 2016. Self-reported adherence behavior was obtained using a valid and reliable questionnaire (End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire: ESRD-AQ). Predialytic serum levels of potassium and phosphate were obtained as clinical indicator of diet and medication adherence respectively. In addition, interdialytic body weight (IDW) was also obtained from medical records and analyzed in relation to reported adherence of fluid restriction. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients answered all questions pertaining to ESRD-AQ. The mean age ± standard deviation of participants was 56.82 ± 14.51 years. Dietary adherence was observed in 24% while that of fluid restriction adherence was observed in 31% of studied patients. Reported adherence to HD sessions was 52% while that for medications was 81%. Overall, 122 (55.5%) patients had good adherence, 89 (40.5%) had moderate adherence, and 9 (4.1%) had poor adherence behavior. Male patients had significantly higher overall adherence scores than females (p = 0.034). A significant correlation between reported diet adherence and serum pre-HD potassium level (p < 0.01) was observed. A significant correlation between reported fluid restriction adherence and IDW (p < 0.01) was also found. However, no significant correlation between reported adherence and pre-HD phosphate level. There was significant correlation between overall perception and overall adherence score (p < 0.001). Counselling of patients regarding importance of adherence modalities was lowest for "staying for the entire dialysis time". Multivariate analysis indicated that elderly male patients who were city residents had higher odds of having higher adherence score. CONCLUSIONS: There was a good percentage of patients who had overall moderate or poor adherence. ESRD-AQ could be used to assess some aspects of HD adherence. Counselling and education of patients on HD are important to improve therapeutic outcome.

Trends and variations in the epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Kuwait 1987-2013.

The introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine and conjugate pneumococcal vaccine into routine childhood vaccination in Kuwait has resulted in the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis as the leading cause of invasive bacterial infection in children. Currently, a quadrivalent ACYW-135 meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is administered as part of routine childhood vaccination in Kuwait at the age of 2 years. Conjugate meningococcal vaccines have been shown to be more effective in preventing meningococcal infection in young children. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of meningococcal disease (MD) in Kuwait and evaluate the need for conjugate vaccine in routine childhood immunization. We have reviewed the MD surveillance data from the communicable disease unit, Ministry of Health, Kuwait during the period from 1987 to 2013. The analysis included microbiologically confirmed cases of N. meningitidis in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. There were 293 cases of confirmed MD during the study period. Two hundred and four cases (70%) were in children ≤ 14 years of age. The mean incidence rate was 0.5/100,000 persons. The dominant serogroups were W-135 and B, accounting for 80 cases (32%) each. Serogroup B accounted for 69/204 (34%) of all cases in children ≤ 14 years and serogroup A accounted for 36/89 40% of all adult cases. There were three outbreaks: 1987 (caused by serogroup A), 1989 (caused by serogroup W-135) and 2002 (caused by serogroup B). The mean case fatality rate was 13.5%. In conclusion, despite childhood routine vaccination with ACYW-135 polysaccharide vaccine, infants and young children remain at high risk for MD, which supports the introduction of conjugate meningococcal vaccine to the routine childhood vaccination schedule.

Protonation equilibria of biologically active ligands in mixed aqueous organic solvents.

The review is mainly concerned with the protonation equilibria of biologically active ligands like amino acids, peptides, DNA constituents, and amino acid esters in nonaqueous media. Equilibrium concentrations of proton-ligand formation as a function of pH were investigated. Also, thermodynamics associated with protonation equilibria were also discussed.

XPD gene polymorphisms and the effects of induction chemotherapy in cytogenetically normal de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients.

BACKGROUND: Cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents nearly half of newly diagnosed de novo AML cases. XPD is one of the DNA repair proteins, whose genetic polymorphisms are thought to affect their function as regards response to chemotherapeutic drugs and chemotherapy-induced toxicities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated the XPD Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 51 newly diagnosed cytogenetically normal de novo AML patients. The response to the standard induction chemotherapy protocol and chemotherapy-induced toxicities were monitored. RESULTS: The XPD Asp312Asn GG genotype was the most frequent (57%) followed by the GA variant (37%), and the AA variant was the least frequent (6%). As regards the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism, the AA genotype was the most frequent (49%), followed by the AC (39%) and CC (12%) variants. These variants were not associated with age, sex, FAB subtype, CNS infiltration, chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or metabolic toxicity. The XPD Lys751Gln CC polymorphic variant was associated with chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and lower chance to achieve response to induction chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: XPD Lys751Gln and not Asp312Asn polymorphism was associated with chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and response to induction chemotherapy in newly diagnosed cytogenetically normal AML patients. Pretreatment assay of XPD Lys751Gln may help to anticipate cardiotoxicity in those at risk. Moreover, it may be considered a prognostic marker in AML cases. However, further large scale research is needed to verify its usefulness.

Thermodynamic Investigation and Mixed Ligand Complex Formation of 1,4-Bis-(3-aminopropyl)-piperazine and Biorelevant Ligands.

Thermodynamic parameters for protonation of 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)-piperazine (BAPP) and its metal complexation with some divalent metal ions were determined in aqueous solution at constant ionic strength (0.1 M NaNO(3)) using a potentiometric technique. The order of -ΔG(0) and -ΔH(0) was found to obey Co(2+) < Ni(2+) < Cu(2+) > Zn(2+), in accordance with the Irving-Williams order. The formation equilibria of zinc (II) complexes and the ternary complexes Zn(BAPP)L, where L = amino acid, amides, or DNA constituents), have been investigated. Ternary complexes are formed by a simultaneous mechanism. The concentration distribution of the complexes in solution was evaluated as a function of pH. Stoichiometry and stability constants for the complexes formed are reported and discussed. The stability of ternary complexes was quantitatively compared with their corresponding binary complexes in terms of the parameter Δlog K.

Synthesis, characterization, equilibrium study and biological activity of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes of polydentate Schiff base ligand.

Schiff base ligand, 1,4-bis[(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)propyl]piperazine (BHPP), and its Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance and spectral (IR and UV-vis) studies. The ground state of BHPP ligand was investigated using the BUILDER module of MOE. Metal complexes are formed in the 1:1 (M:L) ratio as found from the elemental analysis and found to have the general formula [ML]·nH(2)O, where M=Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II), L=BHPP. In all the studied complexes, the (BHPP) ligand behaves as a hexadentate divalent anion with coordination involving the two azomethine nitrogen's, the two nitrogen atoms of piperazine ring and the two deprotonated phenolic OH-groups. The magnetic and spectral data indicates octahedral geometry of metal(II) complexes. The ligand and their metal chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activities using the disc diffusion method against the selected bacteria and fungi. They were found to be more active against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. Protonation constants of (BHPP) ligand and stability constants of its Cu(2+), Co(2+) and Ni(2+) complexes were determined by potentiometric titration method in 50% DMSO-water solution at ionic strength of 0.1 M sodium nitrate. It has been observed that the protonated Schiff base ligand (BHPP) have four protonation constants. The divalent metal ions Cu(2+), Ni(2+) and Co(2+) form 1:1 complexes.

Bath psoralen+ultraviolet A photochemotherapy vs. narrow band-ultraviolet B in psoriasis: a comparison of clinical outcome and effect on circulating T-helper and T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells.

BACKGROUND: Comparative success rates of bath psoralen+ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrow band-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in psoriasis treatment are variably reported with no previous studies on the possible effect of bath PUVA on circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the effect of bath PUVA and NB-UVB clinically and on circulating T-helper and T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells in psoriasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four psoriatic patients divided into a bath PUVA-treated group (18 patients) and a NB-UVB-treated group (16 patients) were compared regarding the disease severity by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and percentage of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the bath PUVA group showed a significantly higher reduction of PASI score (85.44%) than the NB-UVB group (58.72%). Mean peripheral CD4+ T-cell percentage was significantly lower after [36.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 33.80, 39.97] compared with before treatment (42.06; 95% CI 38.29, 45.83) (P<0.05) in the bath PUVA group while this difference was insignificant in the NB-UVB group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Bath PUVA therapy is superior to NB-UVB in the treatment of moderate and severe psoriasis with mild reversible side effects. Both modalities have a systemic effect decreasing peripheral CD4+ T cells, which is more with bath PUVA.