Fabrication of Antibacterial and Antioxidant ZnO-Impregnated Amine-Functionalized Chitosan Bio-Nanocomposite Membrane for Advanced Biomedical Applications.

Developing a variety of safe and effective functioning wound dressings is a never-ending objective. Due to their exceptional antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and healing-promoting properties, functionalized chitosan nanocomposites have attracted considerable attention in wound dressing applications. Herein, a novel bio-nanocomposite membrane with a variety of bio-characteristics was created through the incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) into amine-functionalized chitosan membrane (Am-CS). The developed ZnO@Am-CS bio-nanocomposite membrane was characterized by various analysis tools. Compared to pristine Am-CS, the developed ZnO@Am-CS membrane revealed higher water uptake and adequate mechanical properties. Moreover, increasing the ZnONP content from 0.025 to 0.1% had a positive impact on antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A maximum inhibition of 89.4% was recorded against Escherichia coli, with a maximum inhibition zone of 38 ± 0.17 mm, and was achieved by the ZnO (0.1%)@Am-CS membrane compared to 72.5% and 28 ± 0.23 mm achieved by the native Am-CS membrane. Furthermore, the bio-nanocomposite membrane demonstrated acceptable antioxidant activity, with a maximum radical scavenging value of 46%. In addition, the bio-nanocomposite membrane showed better biocompatibility and reliable biodegradability, while the cytotoxicity assessment emphasized its safety towards normal cells, with the cell viability reaching 95.7%, suggesting its potential use for advanced wound dressing applications.

Reusable kaolin impregnated aminated chitosan composite beads for efficient removal of Congo red dye: isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics studies.

In this investigation, Kaolin (K) impregnated aminated chitosan (AM-CTS) composite beads were fabricated with multi-features including low-cost, high performance, renewable and ease of separation for adsorption of anionic Congo red (CR) dye. Characterization tools such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, BET, XPS and Zeta potential were thoroughly employed to confirm the successful formulation process. The results revealed that K@ AM-CTS composite beads displayed higher specific surface area (128.52 m2/g), while the thermal stability was prominently improved compared to pure AM-CTS. In addition, the adsorption equilibrium of CR dye was accomplished rapidly and closely gotten within 45 min. The removal efficiency was significantly enriched and reached 90.7% with increasing kaolin content up to 0.75%, compared to 20.3 and 58% for pristine kaolin and AM-CTS, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption process obeyed the pseudo-first order kinetic model, while data were agreed with the Freundlich isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity reached 104 mg/g at pH 6. Furthermore, D-R isotherm model demonstrated the physical adsorption process of CR dye, which includes the electrostatic interactions, ion exchange and H-bonding. Thermodynamics evidenced the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Interestingly, the developed K@AM-CTS composites beads showed better reusability for eight consecutive cycles, suggesting their feasible applicability for adsorptive removal anionic dyes from polluted aquatic bodies.

A novel spectrofluorimetric method based on a reaction with an azoisoxazoles-benzenesulfonamide derivative for determination of uranium (VI) ions in water samples.

Selective fluorometric detection and determination of uranium ions is provided here using a novel fluorescent reagent, namely (E)-4-([4-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl]diazenyl)-N-(5-methyleisoxazol-3-yl) benzenesulfonamide (UVI reagent). The UVI reagent offers a selective fluorescence enhancement behaviour at emission wavelength = 557 nm. The parameters affecting fluorometric detection of uranium ions, such as the pH, solvent type, ligand concentration, interaction time, and interfering ions, were investigated and adjusted. The proposed UVI reagent can detect and determine uranium ions even at low concentrations, for which the obtained limit of detection was 0.1 ppm. Additionally, this proposed determination protocol was successfully used to detect, monitor, and determine uranium ions in actual water samples.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of magnesium ions in water, ampoule, and suspension samples using a fluorescent azothiazol-benzenesulfonamide derivative.

In this study, a fluorescence azothiazol-benzenesulfonamide derivative (M-sensor) was prepared for the determination of Mg2+ ions in different samples. The utilized M-sensor exhibited an emission fluorescence activity at 587 nm upon excitation at 537 nm. The developed method was based on the quenching effect of Mg2+ ions on the fluorescence intensity of the M-sensor with the above-mentioned fluorescence features. Furthermore, the utilized M-sensor was complexed with Mg2+ ions in the molar ratio of 1:1 (Mg2+ to M-sensor) and the selectivity of M-sensor toward Mg2+ against other metals ions, and the reversibility and reusability of the sensor were studied and verified. After optimization of the fluorometric detection, the quenching effect was directly proportional to the increase in the concentration of Mg2+ in the linear range 100-600 ng ml-1 with a limit of detection value of 18 ng ml-1 . The fluorescence sensor was successfully applied with good recovery for the determination of Mg2+ in water samples and different pharmaceutical samples (ampoules and suspension) without any interference from aluminium.

A multidisciplinary intervention to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection in pediatrics and neonatal intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: To date, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections in high-risk neonates and children. These infections are associated with significantly longer hospital stays, increased health care cost, and mortality in the health care systems. Application of evidence-based preventive interventions has proven to decrease CLABSI rate. The purpose of this study is to reduce the undesired relative high CLABSI rate through the adoption of standardized quality improvement interventions. METHODS: and Methods: The study employed a pre-post-intervention design. Phase one is a retrospective calculation of 12 months of surveillance period as a baseline. Phase 2 establishes a multidisciplinary quality improvement intervention, which includes the formation of a dedicated central line insertion team, provision of central line kit at the bedside, training and educating the team, and selecting bundle checklist. In the third phase, we performed auditing and calculating the checklist compliance and monthly feedback for 12 consecutive post-intervention months. During phase 1 and 3, we calculated the following measures; CLABSI per 1000 catheter-days, duration of central line use, and device utilization ratio. RESULTS: During the post-intervention phase the CLABSI rate significantly reduced by 59.5% from 7.5 to 3.0 per 1000 central line day, and the duration of use of the central line decreased from 21.3 ± 9.9 to 11.0 ± 3.2 days (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Implementation of quality improvement multidisciplinary intervention; central line insertion and maintenance care bundle, dedicated IV team, education and feedback effectively reduced the rate of CLABSI within our pediatrics and neonatal ICUs.

A systematic review of trials investigating the efficacy of exercise training for functional capacity and quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of exercise training on functional capacity and quality of life in chronic kidney disease. DATA SOURCES: SCOPUS, CINAHL, Science Direct, Web of Science, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDRO), and Google Scholar databases were searched between 2010 and December 2020. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were included if they involved any types of exercise training (aerobic, resisted and respiratory ex.) conducted with chronic kidney disease patients. Three authors independently screened articles, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality using PEDro scale, and two authors released any confliction. Modified Sackett Scale was used to determine the level of evidence for each outcome. RESULTS: Out of 130 papers screened, 13 studies with 619 participants met the inclusion criteria. The frequency of the treatment ranged from three to four sessions per week for a period ranging from 8 to 24 weeks. According to the Pedro scale, the quality of studies ranged from good (three studies) to fair (ten studies). All included studies showed positive effects on the measured outcomes (functional capacity and quality of life in chronic kidney disease). CONCLUSION: Exercise programs for chronic kidney disease patients provide beneficial clinical outcomes and optimize functional capacity and quality of life in those patients. Future studies still need to focus on high-quality evidence and studies evaluating the adverse effects of exercise.

Hantzsch condensation reaction as a spectrofluorometric method for determination of alogliptin, an antidiabetic drug, in pure form, tablet form, and human and rat plasma.

To analyze alogliptin in its pharmaceutical dosage forms and human plasma, a sensitive, inexpensive, simple, and precise spectrofluorimetric method was developed and tested. This method was also used to investigate the drug's pharmacokinetic behaviour in the blood of rats. This was based on the Hantzsch reaction, which produces yellowish luminous products that can be detected spectrofluorometrically at 480 and 415 nm for emission and excitation, respectively, when the primary amine group in the examined drug reacts with acetylacetone and formaldehyde. Several experimental parameters that affect the reaction product's development and stability were explored and improved. The curve of fluorescence and concentration for alogliptin was linear in the concentration range 0.05-3.60 µg ml-1 . The proposed approach was validated according to International Council for Harmonization criteria. The method was successfully utilized to evaluate the examined drug in dose formulations and spiked human plasma with high accuracy.

Electromagnetic field versus circuit weight training on bone mineral density in elderly women.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disorder with costly complications and a global health problem and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Magnetic field therapy and physical activity have been proven as beneficial interventions for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the response of bone mineral content and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly women to either low-frequency low-intensity pulsed magnetic field (LFLIPMF) or circuit weight training (CWT) on short-run basis (after 12 weeks). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty elderly women, aged 60-70 years, were randomly assigned into two groups (magnetic field and CWT) (n=15 each group). The session was performed three times per week for magnetic field and CWT groups, for 12 weeks. BMD and bone mineral content of lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Both magnetic field and CWT for 12 weeks in elderly women seem to yield beneficial and statistically significant increasing effect on BMD and bone mineral content (P<0.05). But magnetic field seems to have more beneficially and statistically significant effect than does CWT. CONCLUSION: It is possible to conclude that LFLIPMF and CWT programs are effective modalities in increasing BMD but LFLIPMF is more effective in elderly women.