Assessment of carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles loaded clays as adsorbents for removal of bacterial contaminants from water sources.

This work evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of kaolin clay and its loaded forms with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against bacterial isolates from different water supplies (tap, underground and surface water) in addition to wastewater. A total of 160 water samples were collected from different water sources in the investigated districts. Samples were cultured for isolation and serological identification of pathogenic bacteria. AgNPs were synthesized by a typical one-step synthesis protocol, where CNTs were carried out in a reactor employing the double bias-assisted hot filament chemical vapor deposition method. Both were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, infrared and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The antimicrobial efficacy of each of natural kaolin clay, AgNPs- and CNTs-loaded clays were evaluated by their application in four concentrations (0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.1 ppm) at different contact times (5 min, 15 min, 30 min and 2 h). AgNPs-loaded clays at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/l for 2 h contact time exhibited a higher bactericidal efficacy on Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. (70, 70, 80 and 90%, respectively) compared to CNTs-loaded clay. Concluding, the application of AgNPs-loaded clay for removal of water bacterial contaminants at a concentration of 0.1 ppm for 2 h contact times resulted in highly effective removals.

PVC membrane electrode for the potentiometric determination of Ipratropium bromide using batch and flow injection techniques.

Ipratropium (IP(+)) ion-selective electrode (ISE) has been constructed from poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membrane containing Ipratropium-tetraphenylborate (IP-TPB) as the electroactive component using 2-nitrophenyloctylether as plasticizer. The electrode exhibits near Nernstian response to Ipratropium bromide (IPBr) over the concentration range 10(-5) to 10(-2) mol L(-1) and detection limit 5.1x10(-6) mol L(-1). The electrode offers significant advantages including long lifetime (>2 months), excellent stability and reproducibility, fast response time (<10 s), wide pH working range (pH 2-9), high thermal stability (isothermal coefficient 0.37 mV/degrees C) and superior selectivity for IPBr over a large number of inorganic and organic substances. The electrode was successfully used as indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of IPBr versus sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and in the determination of IPBr in Atrovent vials and spiked urine samples applying batch and flow injection techniques, with satisfactory results.

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of salbutamol and bromhexine in tablets.

Typical anti-mucolytic drugs called salbutamol hydrochloride and bromhexine sulfate encountered in tablets were determined simultaneously either by using linear regression at zero-crossing wavelengths of the first derivation of UV-spectra or by application of multiple linear partial least squares regression method. The results obtained by the two proposed mathematical methods were compared with those obtained by the HPLC technique.

Determination of oxalate based on its enhancing effect on the oxidation of Mn(II) by periodate.

A new kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of oxalate has been described, based on its enhancing effect on the oxidation of Mn(II) to MnO(4)(-), which is measured at 525 nm, by potassium periodate. Under the optimum conditions of 20 mugml(-1) Mn(II) in MnSO(4).H(2)O/0.015 moll(-1) H(3)PO(4)/0.013 moll(-1) sodium acetate and 3x10(-3) moll(-1) KIO(4) at 35 degrees C, calibration graphs in the range of 0.05-1.25 and 0.05-1.75 mugml(-1) oxalate concentration were obtained with detection limits of 27 and 5 ngml(-1) by the fixed time and the induction period methods, respectively. No serious interference was identified. The proposed method is simple, inexpensive, sensitive and accurate. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by the determination of the oxalate in spinach and urine samples.

Long-term outcome and quality of life after modified pubovaginal sling for intrinsic sphincteric deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term outcome of the modified pubovaginal sling (MPVS) procedure and its impact on our patients' quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We mailed an outcome questionnaire to 112 female patients who underwent the MPVS procedure for complicated type III stress urinary incontinence (SUI), intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. Eighty-two responses (73.2%) were obtained, with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years (range 0.5 to 8). Forty-four of them have had a follow-up for more than 3 years. RESULTS: Of the patients who responded, 86.3% were satisfied, and 78% of the patients reported significant improvement; 49.3% were dry all the time, 21.9% were occasionally wet, 17.9% were wet with moderate activity, and 10.9% were wet all the time. Social activity improved in 74% of the patients, and sexual activity improved in 39%. No significant difference was noted in continence and satisfaction or QOL. Reviewing the charts of our failures (15 patients, 19.2%) revealed that all of them had urge incontinence with or without SUI. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire results revealed a high satisfaction rate and a significant improvement in the QOL of patients with complicated SUI who underwent MPVS. The patients remained satisfied over a long follow-up period. Failures are mostly associated with urge incontinence and severe irritative symptoms.

Bladder neck prop using vaginal wall island for intrinsic sphincteric deficiency in elderly patients: a new technique.

OBJECTIVES: A simple new technique, using a trapezoid island of vaginal wall, is described for elderly female patients undergoing transvaginal pelvic prolapse repair and suffering from stress urinary incontinence secondary to intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. METHODS: Fifteen elderly women underwent bladder neck prop in association with other pelvic prolapse surgery. The mean follow-up period was 20 months. RESULTS: Twelve of 14 patients (85.7%) were dry. One patient was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder neck prop provided urethral and bladder neck compression and support. The major advantage of this approach is avoiding extensive dissection and/or abdominal incision in elderly female patients.

Detrusor properties in myelomeningocele patients: in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To characterize detrusor properties of myelomeningocele (MMC) bladders which failed conventional therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladder strips from five end-stage MMC patients were compared with those from five patients with vesicoureteric reflux. The active and passive properties of the detrusor muscles and the effect of different blocking agents on the transmural nerve stimulation were studied. RESULTS: A significant decrease in contractility (p = 0.003) and increased rigidity (p = 0.019) was found in MMC group. In the control group, atropine blocked 77.7% of the detrusor contractility and tetrodotoxin demonstrated an equal blocking effect. In MMC group, atropine blocked 58.2% and tetrodotoxin blocked 77.4% of the detrusor contractility. CONCLUSION: MMC bladders showed decreased contractility and increased rigidity. In MMC group, the atropine-resistant component which is blocked by tetrodotoxin signifies the possible existence of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurotransmitters (NANC). Further studies are needed to possibly improve the pharmacological therapy of the myelomeningocele detrusor.

Multivariate analysis of Cd(II), In(III), Tl(I) and Pb(II) in mixtures using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry.

Accurate qualitative and quantitative results were obtained by the application of parameter estimation methods, viz. Classical Least Squares ;CLS', Inverse Least Squares ;ILS' and Kalman Filter ;KF' algorithms. These methods were used to separate strongly overlapping electrochemical peaks produced by binary, ternary and quaternary mixtures of traces of cited poisonous heavy metals stripped from the hanging mercury drop electrode in an acetate-bromide electrolyte using the square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The analysis was achieved using a single standard addition, the concentrations studied were down to 50 nM and molar ratios up to 1:6 for binary mixtures. A statistical analysis of the results was reported. The method was applied for the ultratrace analysis of the cited cations in a sample of sodium hydrogen carbonate AR.

Effect of transvaginal stimulation in the treatment of detrusor instability.

INTRODUCTION: Early research on implantable electrodes for transvaginal stimulation had high rates of complications and mechanical failures. Today's nonimplantable devices are safe for short-term or long-term use. This study evaluated an intermittent short-term transvaginal stimulation program for treatment of bladder overactivity. METHODS: Fifteen women who ranged in age from 22 to 96 years and had bladder instability were enrolled into this noncontrolled, open, clinical evaluation program. Six to 10 biweekly office sessions were followed by use of a home unit twice daily for approximately 6 weeks. RESULTS: Results were based on patients' voiding diaries. All 15 completed the study, and 73% were satisfied with the results. On pretrial urodynamic examination nine patients had sensory urgency, and six patients had involuntary contractions. All tolerated therapy without side effects. Two women had slight vaginal discomfort because of vaginal narrowing. Urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia were significantly decreased. Seven women reported 75% or more improvement; four women reported 50% to 75% improvement. Three women required a second office treatment series. DISCUSSION: The results of this study support findings of previous researchers, although the follow-up time frame of the study was short. Most of these patients (N = 11 of 15) wished to continue transvaginal stimulation. When three women discontinued home treatments, symptoms recurred in 1 to 3 months. The exact cause is unclear, but scar tissue as a result of previous pelvic operations may have contributed to the problem. The second course of treatment had positive results. Intermittent therapy in these cases is recommended. Transvaginal stimulation should be considered for treatment for urinary incontinence because the device is easily used and adjusted by the patient, patients may be very compliant, and results are satisfactory and at least similar to those attained with drug therapy.

Spectrophotometric microdetermination of bismuth in organic compounds after oxygen-flask combustion.

A method has been developed for the micro and submicro determination of bismuth in organic compounds, based on combustion in an oxygen-filled flask, provided with a silica spiral instead of the conventional platinum holder (which alloys with bismuth). After absorption of the products in hydrochloric acid (1 + 1), the solution is chemically treated to convert the bismuth into the orange-yellow BiI(-)(4) complex, then the absorbance is measured at 465 nm. Analysis of 12 organic compounds containing 28-74% of bismuth yielded satisfactory results with a maximum standard deviation of 0.4%.