Ixora coccinea L. - A reliable source of nanocellulose for bio-adsorbent applications.

Nanocellulose, a subset of nanomaterials made from cellulose, one of the world's most plentiful natural resources, has the potential to offer environmentally friendly, renewable, and sustainable building blocks with enhanced properties for a variety of applications in the nanotechnology field. This article describes the impact of glutaraldehyde (GA) on glycerol plasticized nanocellulose derived from I. coccinea L. plant root. Using a variety of characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), AFM, tensile and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, the effect of GA on glycerol plasticized nano-cellulose was investigated. The tensile modulus of the GA-crosslinked, 2 % glycerol-plasticized nanocellulose scaffolds is higher (88.82 MPa) than that of the regular nanocellulose scaffolds (78.8 MPa). The scaffold Young's modulus has been increased to 86.3 MPa. The results of the BET study proved that the surface area of the GA crosslinked nano-cellulose scaffold improved to129.703 m2/g. The larger surface area in turn results in a greater number of contact sites between consecutive fibers. This enhances the utility of the scaffold as a bio-adsorbent for waste water treatment. The absorbance of textile black dye and methylene blue dye in sunlight using nanocellulose composites as photocatalyst revealed a significant decrease in dye concentration after each hour, demonstrating the composites' bio-adsorbent property. The non-toxic nature, inertness, increased crystallinity index values, and good mechanical qualities are other characteristics of the GA-treated nanocellulose encourages its uses as product packaging, bioengineering materials, tissue engineering, and insulation coatings.

[Acute appendicitis: preference for second ultrasound instead of CT or MRI]. / Acute appendicitis: liever tweede echo dan CT of MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether additional CT or MRI, rather than a repeat ultrasound investigation, is the most appropriate diagnostic approach for patients with clinical suspicion of appendicitis following an inconclusive first ultrasound. DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHOD: Retrospective data analysis of patients admitted to ER with clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis, on whom at least one ultrasonography had been performed. RESULTS: A total of 328 patients were included of which 81 patients had an inconclusive first ultrasonography. Twenty-five patients underwent a second ultrasound test, and in 17 patients a correct diagnosis could be made. The positive and negative predictive value of a second ultrasonography, following an inconclusive first one was 97% and 99% respectively. CONCLUSION: Following an inconclusive first ultrasonography in patients suspected of having acute appendicitis, a second ultrasound after an observation period can be considered, rather than opting for additional CT or MRI imaging.

Asociación de gastrosquisis y artrogriposis múltiple congénita / Gastroschisis and arthrogryposis: clinical case

Introducción: La gastrosquisis (GQ) es un defecto congénito de cierre de la pared abdominal, a la derecha de la inserción del cordón umbilical. Una cantidad variable del intestino, y en ocasiones, otros órganos abdominales, se hernian fuera de la pared abdominal, sin cobertura membranosa. La Artrogriposis Múltiple Congénita (AMC) comprende un grupo de trastornos reumáticos caracterizados por contracturas articulares múltiples en que se afectan los músculos dorsales y de las extremidades superiores e inferiores. Objetivo: Describir una rara asociación de estas dos malformaciones congénitas. Caso clínico: Recién nacido con GQ clásica Se realizó cierre primario del defecto de pared abdominal en las primeras horas de vida, con buena evolución postoperatoria. Al nacimiento, se apreció además Artrogriposis de articulaciones distales de ambos miembros superiores y atrofia muscular en ellos asociada a paresia severa de miembros superiores. Conclusiones: Recientemente se ha señalado que la asociación entre GQ y AMC pueda ser más frecuente de lo que clásicamente se ha descrito. Aunque la etiología de estas dos afecciones no está clara, el fenómeno que causa la disrupción o accidente vascular podría explicar la coexistencia de estas dos patologías.

Introduction: Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall closure defect, usually to the right of the umbilical cord insertion. A variable amount of the intestine and occasionally other abdominal organs herniate outside of the abdominal wall without a covering membrane. Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital (AMC) consists of a group of rheumatic disorders characterized by multiple joint contractures that may affect back muscles and upper and lower extremities. Objective: To describe a rare association of these two birth defects. Case report: Newborn with classical Gastroschisis; primary closure of the abdominal wall defect was performed in the first hours of life, with good results. At birth, Arthrogryposis in distal joints of both upper limbs and muscle atrophy associated with severe upper limb paresis were observed. Conclusions: It has recently been suggested that the association between Gastroschisis and AMC may be more common than previously described. Although the etiology of these conditions is unclear, the phenomenon that causes the disruption or stroke could explain the coexistence of both pathologies.