Synthesis of Prussian blue-embedded magnetic micro hydrogel for scavenging of cesium from aqueous solutions; Batch and dynamic investigations.

A magnetic micro porous structure composite based on alginate and Prussian blue (M-SA-PB) was simply prepared for cesium removal from the aqueous solutions. The gelation and formation of PB proceeded through the same step, which made the PB homogenously distributed and firmly attached to the alginate matrix. The homogenizer was applied to break down the bulky gel structure into micro-ones, and the lyophilizer will provide the porous structure. Batch cesium sorption experiments showed that the adsorption kinetics and isotherms were attributed to the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm. Moreover, the Cs-ion is favorably adsorbed on the M-SA-PB composite surface as a monolayer towards Cs, with a maximum adsorption capacity reach of 191.0 mg/g. Furthermore, the M-SA-PB adsorbent showed excellent adsorption selectivity of Cs from multiple-ion solutions. Our work was extended to use the M-SA-PB composite in dynamic cesium sorption. The column studies showed that the removal efficiency of Cs+ increased with increasing bed depth as well as the initial cesium concentration. Finally, as previously mentioned, the M-SA-PB could be considered an excellent Cs+ scavenger employing both batch and dynamic approaches, which makes it a promising adsorbent for practical investigations.

Is it feasible to avoid suction before spontaneous breathing is established?

BACKGROUND: Suctioning of the posterior pharynx immediately after birth during neonatal resuscitation can produce a vagal response resulting in bradycardia or apnea. The feasibility of delaying any airway suctioning and avoiding deep suctioning has not been studied. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that newborn resuscitation is feasible with the following two guidelines: 1) avoiding any suctioning until the infant establishes spontaneous respiration, and 2) avoiding the use of deep suction with catheters. STUDY DESIGN: A quality improvement project was implemented using these two guidelines. Infants' mouth was cleaned with a dry cloth. No suction was started until infants establish spontaneous breathing. Then, bulb suction was used to clear secretions from the sides of the mouth and the nose without reaching the back of the pharynx. Deep suction using catheters was not used. Neonatal staff and physicians received biweekly training to support these changes. Resuscitation data before and after the practice change were compared. RESULTS: A total of 999 sequential cases were compared; of them 501 and 498 infants were resuscitated before and after the implementation of the new practice, respectively. Suction before spontaneous breathing occurred in 12.4% in the first cohort. There were no differences between groups except for less use of oxygen with the new guidelines (12.4% vs 4.4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Avoidance of any suction prior to spontaneous breathing and not applying deep suction with catheters are feasible during newborn resuscitation. These practices are associated with decreased exposure to oxygen in the delivery room.

Sterile water moisturizer of the skin of extremely low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of sterile water application to the skin of the extremely low birth weight (ELBW) newborns in the first week of life and examine its effects on their skin integrity and outcomes. DESIGN: Pilot randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Open-bay, 18 bed Level III NICU in the Eastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight ELBW neonates. Two newborns expired, sixteen newborns remained in the intervention group and twelve newborns in the control group. METHODS: ELBW neonates were either assigned to receive frequent sterile water wash to skin or not during care for the first week of life. Using the Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS), assessments were performed twice a day during the first week. Fluid intake, serum electrolytes, culture proven sepsis and other morbidities, and length of stay (LOS) were compared while controlling for confounding variables using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference in the demographic or clinical characteristics between both groups. Sterile water wash application to skin was not associated with differences in skin health indices or fluid intake. However, it was associated with higher median sodium level and with early regression of bilirubin level when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Frequent skin washes with sterile water are feasible and safe. However, they may not be associated with improved skin integrity or fluid intake.

Adsorption of palladium from chloride aqueous solution using silica alginate nanomaterial.

The adsorption characteristics of palladium from chloride aqueous solution onto the silica alginate (SA-Si) nanomaterial have been investigated. The prepared nanomaterial (SA-Si) was characterized by various advanced techniques that ensured a successful preparation process. Different adsorption parameters including the solution pH, shaking time, palladium ion concentration, adsorbent dosage, and temperature were investigated. The experimental results showed that the pseudo-first-order model provided the best fitting for the palladium ions adsorption, and the time required to reach equilibrium was 90.0 min. The adsorption isotherm result from palladium was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum adsorption capacity of (SA-Si) nanomaterial was estimated as 12.50 mg/g for Pd(II). Moreover, the thermodynamic results demonstrated that Pd(II) sorption onto (SA-Si) nanomaterial was endothermic and spontaneous. Additionally, the SA-Si nanomaterial can be used as an effective adsorbent for the sorption of Pd(II) from various metal ions present in fission products.

Novel vs. modified platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, is a stand-alone therapy or is used in combination with other treatments for the treatment of androgenic alopecia. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the improvement in hair density seen, when PRP was used alone and when used as an adjunct. Methods: Conforming to systematic review and meta-analysis recommendations, we performed a meta-analysis of relevant articles in multiple databases, from inception till May 2022. Randomized clinical trials were included that evaluated the use of PRP alone or used PRP as an adjuvant with previously used therapies. Hair density data at the start of treatment and follow-up after 3 and 6 months was used for analysis. Results: A review of 255 articles included nine studies, for a cumulative data set of 230 individuals. In comparison to the placebo, stand-alone PRP therapy resulted in a significant increase in hair density (MD=25.39, P<0.00001.) PRP combination therapy also showed marked improvement in hair density compared to placebo (MD=34.38, P=0.002.) When comparing stand-alone PRP to combination therapy, MD=36.16, and MD=34.63 was observed for the two groups, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis reaffirm previous studies that suggest the role of PRP in improving hair density in AGA; however, the results cannot justify the use of PRP-combined therapy. Stand-alone PRP therapy should be considered in the management protocols for both men and women, whereas more studies and may be, different combination therapies are required before combined therapy can be included in the management guidelines for AGA.

NS-HGlio: A generalizable and repeatable HGG segmentation and volumetric measurement AI algorithm for the longitudinal MRI assessment to inform RANO in trials and clinics.

Background: Accurate and repeatable measurement of high-grade glioma (HGG) enhancing (Enh.) and T2/FLAIR hyperintensity/edema (Ed.) is required for monitoring treatment response. 3D measurements can be used to inform the modified Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology criteria. We aim to develop an HGG volumetric measurement and visualization AI algorithm that is generalizable and repeatable. Methods: A single 3D-Convoluted Neural Network, NS-HGlio, to analyze HGG on MRIs using 5-fold cross validation was developed using retrospective (557 MRIs), multicentre (38 sites) and multivendor (32 scanners) dataset divided into training (70%), validation (20%), and testing (10%). Six neuroradiologists created the ground truth (GT). Additional Internal validation (IV, three institutions) using 70 MRIs, and External validation (EV, single institution) using 40 MRIs through measuring the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of Enh., Ed. ,and Enh. + Ed. (WholeLesion/WL) tumor tissue and repeatability testing on 14 subjects from the TCIA MGH-QIN-GBM dataset using volume correlations between timepoints were performed. Results: IV Preoperative median DSC Enh. 0.89 (SD 0.11), Ed. 0.88 (0.28), WL 0.88 (0.11). EV Preoperative median DSC Enh. 0.82 (0.09), Ed. 0.83 (0.11), WL 0.86 (0.06). IV Postoperative median DSC Enh. 0.77 (SD 0.20), Ed 0.78. (SD 0.09), WL 0.78 (SD 0.11). EV Postoperative median DSC Enh. 0.75 (0.21), Ed 0.74 (0.12), WL 0.79 (0.07). Repeatability testing; Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of 0.95 Enh. and 0.92 Ed. Conclusion: NS-HGlio is accurate, repeatable, and generalizable. The output can be used for visualization, documentation, treatment response monitoring, radiation planning, intra-operative targeting, and estimation of Residual Tumor Volume among others.

Travelers' Subjective Well-Being as an Environmental Practice: Do Airport Buildings' Eco-Design, Brand Engagement, and Brand Experience Matter?

The physical environment of airports plays a crucial role in improving travelers' perceptions and well-being. Adopting a green physical environment may elicit customers' cognitive and emotional responses and provide a convenient consumption environment. Brand experience and engagement are other important consumer-firm interactions that influence the attributes of the passengers' well-being. The current study sought to assess the impact of the eco-design of buildings, brand experience and engagement on the well-being of travelers at an international airport in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the current study investigated the possible effects of eco-design on airport experience and engagement. The results of the structural equation modeling analysis revealed that the eco-design of airport buildings was independently associated with passengers' well-being and brand engagement, but not with brand experience. Additionally, well-being was significantly predicted by brand engagement and experience. Airport managers are advised to adopt an internal eco-design to help promote passengers' connection with the brand and improve their well-being, which would eventually be reflected in their behavioral attributes and decision-making.

Genicular nerve block in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of genicular nerve block (GNB) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with persistent unilateral knee arthritis on pain, inflammatory parameters, function, and range of motion. METHODS: A total of 104 JIA patients were diagnosed according to the International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR) criteria with persistent unilateral knee arthritis. They were allocated randomly into 2 groups: group 1 treated with GNB, while group 2 was treated with intra-articular triamcinolone (TA) only. Visual analogue scale (VAS) on pain, sonography of large joints in rheumatology (SOLAR) scoring system, and Lysholm scores were assessed at 0-, 2-, and 12-week intervals. Swelling and tenderness were clinically evaluated semi-quantitatively (0-3) at the same time intervals. RESULTS: VAS pain, tenderness, swelling, and SOLAR grey scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) scores were significantly reduced after 2 weeks in both groups (p < 0.05). This was greater in the GNB group regarding VAS and tenderness, while SOLAR and swelling were stronger reduced in TA group. After 12 weeks, all outcome measures showed lower values in the GNB group compared to TA, and this was significant regarding VAS pain. Moreover, Lysholm functional score was significantly increased in both groups at both intervals; and higher values were seen in the TA group compared to GNB after 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: GNB was able to control pain and improve function and inflammation of the knee joint in JIA patients. Though steroid attained better results after 2 weeks, GNB achieved an equivalent longer-term improvement after 12 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFYING NUMBER: NCT04687930. Key Points • Persistent knee arthritis treatment in JIA is always challenging. • GNB was approved for treatment of pain in knee osteoarthritis. • GNB in the present study succeeded to control active knee arthritis and this effect was comparable to intra-articular steroid injection.

Selective removal of some heavy metals from Lanthanide solution by graphene oxide functionalized with sodium citrate.

Lanthanides are widely used in several advanced technologies, and the presence of heavy metal ions as traces reduce their efficiencies. Hence, adsorption of some heavy metals from Lanthanides aqueous solution using previously prepared graphene oxide-citrate (GO-C) composite was reported. In this regard, the GO-C was applied to remove various heavy metal ions (Fe, Ni, Mn) through the batch technique. The GO-C after the adsorption process was characterized by various advanced techniques. The results obtained from the experimental investigations revealed that the GO-C showed a rapid equilibrium adsorption time (1.0 min) for all the studied heavy metal ions. Moreover, the adsorption isotherm data for Fe3+, Mn2+, and Ni2+ was fit by the Langmuir isotherm model with excellent adsorption capacity for Fe3+ (535.0 mg/g), Mn2+ (223.22 mg/g), and Ni2+ (174.65 mg/g). Furthermore, the GO-C can be reused over five times to enhance the removal efficiency. Interestingly, the GO-C adsorbent achieved removal performance reached 95.0% for the Fe3+ and ≥ 35.0% for Ni, Mn, Co, and Cu compared to < 1% for lanthanides metal ions.

Alkali treatment-acid leaching of rare earth elements from phosphogypsum fertilizer: insight for additional resource of valuable components.

Phosphogypsum (PG) is the main by-product of phosphoric acid, which is produced by the sulfuric acid attack of phosphate rocks, wet process. This by-product, which contains around 2.0% phosphoric acid, is used as a low-cost soil fertilizer, PGF. PGF consists mainly of gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), P2O5, SiO2, and other impurities, including a minor amount of rare earth elements, REEs. In general, phosphate rocks contain from about 0.04 to 1.0% REE, which are precipitated with PG. Now, REEs are considered as strategic elements. Therefore, PG is now regarded as a secondary source of REE. This paper address a process for the separation of REEs and sodium sulphate as a product from PGF. This paper is based on the metathesis of the bulk of PGF with sodium carbonate to obtain calcium carbonate precipitated contain REEs. Furthermore, sodium sulphate was obtained as a product. Calcium carbonate containing REEs was leached out by citric acid as a green acid or nitric acid. At optimum conditions, maximum leaching of REEs from CaCO3 after one cycle of leaching by 3.0 mol/L nitric acid at L/S = 3/1, agitation time of 180.0 min., and at a temperature of 25 °C is 75.1%, 361.10 mg/kg from the total REEs present in PGF. While, the maximum leaching of 87.4%, 420.2 mg/kg of REEs from CaCO3 after one cycle of leaching by 1.0 mol/L citric acid, L/S = 5/1, agitation time of 15.0 min., and 85 °C. The REEs that were obtained in the leaching citrate solutions were purified by solvent extraction using 10% of di-2-ethyl hexyl phosphoric acid, HDEHP, in kerosene. The extracted REEs were stripped by 0.5 mol/L H2SO4. The stripped solutions were further treated with 10.0% oxalic acid to precipitate the REEs. The developed procedure can recover REEs from PGF with an efficiency of 85.2% and a purity of 97.7%.

Superior adsorption performance of citrate modified graphene oxide as nano material for removal organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous solution.

This work addressed one step preparation method to form a novel nano material composite of graphene oxide nanosheet (GO) functionalized with low-cost tri-sodium citrate (C), using, teteraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as a cross-linker. The prepared composite (GO-C) was characterized using various advanced techniques. Among these techniques, the TGA provided interesting information concerning the functionalization process. Within this process, the (-OH) groups that located at the GO-surface were consumed in the modification process which leads to increase the thermal stability of the resulted composite. Cationic organic methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV), and inorganic copper (Cu2+) and cobalt (Co2+) pollutants were displayed as a model to assess their removal performance by the developed composite (GO-C) from aqueous solution, through batch technique. According to Langmuir isotherm the GO-C present an excellent adsorption capacity for MB (222.22 mg g-1), CV (270.27 mg g-1), Cu2+ (163.4 mg g-1) and Co2+ (145.35 mg g-1) which were more than the adsorption capacities found in literature. Additionally, the regenerated composite presents higher removal ability than the original composite.

Impact of gamma radiation on antioxidant activity in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and the potential of meatballs formulation with inclusion of the powder of irradiated beans.

In the present study, the effect of gamma radiation on antioxidant activity in faba beans was investigated. Whole seeds were irradiated at doses of 0-10 kGy and the antioxidant activity in samples was assessed by measuring the DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power in the ethanolic extracts of seeds. Exposing of faba bean seeds to ascending doses of gamma irradiation induced significant gradual increases in the antioxidant activity in faba bean and the maximum increases were observed in samples irradiated at dose of 9 kGy. Therefore, the potential of meatballs formulation with inclusion of the powder of 9 kGy irradiated faba beans was investigated with evaluating the antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability in non-irradiated and 4.5 kGy irradiated meatballs. Meatballs formulated with 20% of faba bean powder were highly acceptable. Neither incorporation of irradiated faba bean in meatballs formulation nor irradiation treatments of the prepared meatballs could adversely affect the acceptability of samples. Incorporation of irradiated faba bean, especially at 9 kGy, in meatballs formulation improved the antioxidant activity and oxidative stability in non-irradiated and irradiated samples and increased their refrigerated shelf-life through delaying of the appearance of mold growth on samples. Therefore, healthier meat products with enhanced oxidative stability can be successfully formulated with inclusion of irradiated faba beans.

Volume and Infusion Rate Dynamics of Intraparenchymal Central Nervous System Infusion in a Large Animal Model.

Thalamic infusion of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors has been shown to have therapeutic effects in neuronopathic lysosomal storage diseases. Preclinical studies in sheep model of Tay-Sachs disease demonstrated that bilateral thalamic injections of AAV gene therapy are required for maximal benefit. Translation of thalamic injection to patients carries risks in that (1) it has never been done in humans, and (2) dosing scale-up based on brain weight from animals to humans requires injection of larger volumes. To increase the safety margin of this infusion, a flexible cannula was selected to enable simultaneous bilateral thalamic infusion in infants while monitoring by imaging and/or to enable awake infusions for injection of large volumes at low infusion rates. In this study, we tested various infusion volumes (200-800 µL) and rates (0.5-5 µL/min) to determine the maximum tolerated combination of injection parameters. Animals were followed for ∼1 month postinjection with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed at 14 and 28 days. T1-weighted MRI was used to quantify thalamic damage followed by histopathological assessment of the brain. Trends in data show that infusion volumes of 800 µL (2 × the volume required in sheep based on thalamic size) resulted in larger lesions than lower volumes, where the long infusion times (between 13 and 26 h) could have contributed to the generation of larger lesions. The target volume (400 µL, projected to be sufficient to cover most of the sheep thalamus) created the smallest lesion size. Cannula placement alone did result in damage, but this is likely associated with an inherent limitation of its use in a small brain due to the length of the distal rigid portion and lack of stable fixation. An injection rate of 5 µL/min at a volume ∼1/3 of the thalamus (400-600 µL) appears to be well tolerated in sheep both clinically and histopathologically.

A novel method for highly effective removal and determination of binary cationic dyes in aqueous media using a cotton-graphene oxide composite.

The presence of dyes in industrial wastewater is a serious problem that hazards the surrounding environment. Therefore, this work investigates the removal of a binary dye system composed of Methylene Blue (MB) and Crystal Violet (CV) using an innovative composite (cotton fiber-graphene oxide (C-GO)). The simultaneous determination of the concentrations of the dyes in the binary system is a challenge. Thus, a new method was investigated to simultaneously detect the concentration of the dyes in the binary system using first-order derivative UV spectra to avoid the complex overlap of the maximum peaks in the original zero-order absorption spectra. Different parameters affecting the filter sorption mode, such as the concentration of the dyes, the dose of the (C-GO) composite, the dose of NaCl, flow rate, temperature, and pH, were investigated. The data obtained showed high adsorption efficiency for the binary dye system (>99%). This was approved based on the maximum sorption capacity (Q°) value obtained for the Langmuir model. Furthermore, this technique was developed, evaluated and applied to treat real industrial waste. The obtained data showed that the C-GO composite was highly efficient in treating industrial wastewater containing such dyes when a sufficient quantity is used. Therefore, it can be used as a promising adsorbent for such dyes in wastewater treatment processes.

A program utilizing community pharmacists to improve diabetes education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this program was to demonstrate that retail community pharmacists could successfully recruit, engage and counsel people with diabetes by serving as a trusted source of diabetes information. We evaluated the outcomes of this clinical program in preparation for a wider roll out. METHODS: Joslin Diabetes Center collaborated with Nahdi Medical Company, a large retail pharmacy chain in Saudi Arabia, to offer a 'Let's Talk About Diabetes' (LTAD) program. LTAD consists of four 1: 1 counselling sessions, approximately 20 min each, scheduled over a 2-4 month period with a focus on medications, lab results, glucose monitoring and doctor visits. Twenty-five pharmacists completed diabetes education certification and intensive on-site training to deliver the LTAD program. RESULTS: The 25 program pharmacists in 11 locations enrolled 2639 individual customers into the program. Of these, 1582 participated in at least one session and 1137 (71.9%) participated in at least one LTAD session and completed follow-up surveys. There were 380 customers with paired HbA1C results which demonstrated a reduction from 8.50% (69 mmol/mol) to 7.32% (56 mmol/mol) (P < 0.001). There were improvements in diabetes awareness, attitudes towards diabetes and medication adherence. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of this community program suggests that a pharmacy-led diabetes education program is feasible in Saudi Arabia.

Process for lanthanides-Y leaching from phosphogypsum fertilizers using weak acids.

Phosphogypsum (PG) precipitates as a by-product of the phosphoric acid industry when treating phosphate rocks with H2SO4. Lanthanides and trivalent yttrium content, Ln-Y, in the rock are mostly found in the PG. After a slight modification of the precipitated PG, some portion of the PG containing ˜2.0% P2O5 is used as a low-grade phosphogypsum fertilizer (PGF). In this work, studies on Ln-Y, leaching from PGF were carried out using different concentration of weak acids such as boric acid, malic acid and citric acid at different retention time (Rt). It was found that the leaching efficiency of the total Ln-Y by citric acid solution is more favorable than that using boric or malic acid solutions. In this concern, 1.0 mol/L citric acid solution leach about 40.9% of Ln-Y, when the acid volume (L) to solid mass of PGF (S) ratio equals 2.0, L/S = 2.0, after Rt of 15 min at temperature of 298.0 K. Therefore, leaching of total Ln-Y from PGF by citric acid was investigated in terms of the acid concentration, Rt, and L/S as well as temperature. It is found that one leaching cycle by 1.0 mol/L citric acid solution using L/S ratio of 5.0 and Rt 15.0 min at temperature of 358 K, produced 53.3% from the total Ln-Y present in the used PGF sample. From these result a flow sheet was developed based on three leaching cycles to give a maximum leaching efficiency of 83.4%. Analysis of different Ln-Y in the final product indicated that 1.0 mol/L citric acid solution has high leaching selectivity for Er (89.4%), Ce (88.2%) and La (81.8%) and lower leaching selectivity for Pr (71.9%) and Y(40.7%).

Extraction of carrier-free 99Mo by ionic liquids from acid solutions: A model of seaborgium (Sg) experiment.

A new approach for extraction of 99Mo tracer as a lighter homolog of Seaborgium (Sg) by three different the ionic liquids are studied. Aliquat-336 [Aliq-336.Cl-] as anion exchange has been used for the preparation of three ionic liquid, namely: ([Aliq-336]+ [SCN]-), ([Aliq-336]+ [S]- ) and ([Aliq-336]+ [Fe(CN)6]-). Their potential extraction of carrier free 99Mo from HNO3 solutions has been evaluated. The obtained results demonstrated that successful extraction of carrier free 99Mo from HNO3 solutions is achieved. The ([Aliq-336]+ [Fe(CN)6]-) is found to give the highest extraction affinity for 99Mo than the others ionic liquids investigated. The preliminary results could be useful for the upcoming aqueous experiments of Seaborgium.

Decontamination of organic pollutants from aqueous media using cotton fiber-graphene oxide composite, utilizing batch and filter adsorption techniques: a comparative study.

Cotton fiber-graphene oxide (C-GO) composite with high adsorptive properties towards the cationic dye, crystal violet (CV), was successfully fabricated by simple mixing of cotton fiber and GO in aqueous solution using a homogenizer. The as-prepared composite was characterized using TEM, SEM, LOM, XRD, FTIR, Raman and TGA. The characterization indicated that the formation of a homogeneous composite occurred via adequate mixing of the cotton fiber and GO. The fine structure of the obtained composite was successfully used in two adsorption techniques, namely batch adsorption and filter adsorption. Various parameters affecting batch adsorption, such as contact time, dye concentration, composite dose, NaCl dose, temperature and pH were investigated. In the filter adsorption mode, dye concentration, composite dose, NaCl dose, temperature, flow rate and pH were studied. A comparison study between the two techniques, i.e., batch adsorption and filter adsorption, are reported. The filter adsorption technique shows higher adsorption efficiency than the batch one, which was evident from the maximum adsorption capacity (Q°) values, obtained from the Langmuir isotherm. Further, the filter technique was developed and evaluated. This was achieved by regeneration, scaling-up and, finally, using another model of cationic dye (methylene blue).

Therapeutic activity of sour orange albedo extract and abundant flavanones loaded silica nanoparticles against acrylamide-induced hepatotoxicity.

The current research aims to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of sour orange albedo extract (SOAE) and two flavanones loaded-tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) using sol-gel technique, in adose100 mg/kg body weight taken orally or45 days against acrylamide (ACR)toxicity in rats. This was achieved through measuring the activities of specific biochemical parameters related to liver functions in tissue of ACR intoxicated rats as compared to normal one. Liver functions included alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers; superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde, MDA). Moreover, histological examination of liver was performed to confirm the biochemical findings. The present results clearly indicated disturbances in all biochemical parameters, such as increase in the liver function enzyme activities and MDA level. Results of ATPase enzyme activities revealed significant decrease in ACR intoxicated rats and liver biomarker enzymes declared significant decrease. On the other hand, treatment of intoxicated rats with the previous different nano-particles natural product demonstrated improvement in all biochemical parameters under investigation.

Outcome of transarterial chemoembolization in Egyptian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and branch portal vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is a common complication in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and it was considered a relative contraindication for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) by many centers. This study aimed to assess the outcomes after TACE in patients with branch PVT regarding Child classification, radiological response, and 1-year survival. METHODS: Thirty HCC patients (24 male, 6 females) Child A cirrhotics with branch PVT underwent TACE. Follow up was done at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after first TACE. All patients underwent laboratory investigations including liver function tests to assess deterioration in liver functions and triphasic spiral computed tomography to assess radiological response according to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST) criteria, and survival analysis was recorded. RESULTS: TACE succeeded to achieve disease control in 93.3%, 86.3%, 57.7%, and 44.4% of patients after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Post-TACE liver decompensation occurred in the form of ascites in 30%, jaundice in 10%, and hepatic encephalopathy in 3.3% within 1 month of TACE. One month survival after TACE was 100%, 3 months was 96.6%, 6 months was 86.6%, and 1-year survival was 60%. Mean overall survival of the included patients was 17 months (SE = 1.59). CONCLUSION: TACE seems an alternative option for patients with unrespectable HCC with portal vein thrombosis in patients with good liver function tests.