Reusable Fe2O3/TiO2/PVC Photocatalysts for the Removal of Methylene Blue in the Presence of Simulated Solar Radiation.

Currently, environmental pollution by various organic pollutants (e.g., organic dyes) is a serious, emerging global issue. The aqueous environment is highly exposed to the harmful effects of these organic compounds. Furthermore, the commonly applied conventional purification techniques are not sufficient enough. Heterogeneous photocatalysis and the photo-Fenton process are effective, low-cost and green alternatives for the removal of organic pollutants. In this study, different iron(III) oxide/titanium(IV) oxide/polyvinyl chloride (Fe2O3/TiO2/PVC) nanocomposites in tablet form were investigated in the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated sunlight, and their possible antibacterial effects were examined. The newly synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed a hematite crystal form in the case of Fe2O3(2) and Fe2O3 samples, while the Fe2O3(1) sample showed a combination of hematite and synthetic mineral akaganeite. The highest photocatalytic efficiency was achieved in the presence of Fe2O3/TiO2/PVC, when 70.6% of MB was removed. In addition, the possible photo-cleaning and reuse of the mentioned photocatalyst was also examined. Based on the results, it can be seen that the activity did not decrease after five successive runs. Nanocomposites also exhibited mild antibacterial effects against the two tested Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and B. cereus).

Sleep Problems and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand in Persons with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) arises as a result of a specific relationship among the anatomical structures that may cause compression in the muscles, nerves, and/or blood vessels in the neck, thereby compromising the local circulation. The aim of the current study was to establish the presence of sleep disturbance and disability in the shoulder, arm, and hand in individuals affected by TOS, as well as to ascertain if there are any differences in these findings relative to TOS-free individuals. The study sample comprised 82 TOS patients and 81 TOS-free individuals aged 19-66 years. Data were gathered by administering the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) instruments. The results showed that both the DASH (t = -13.21, p < 0.001) and PSQI (t = -7.27, p < 0.001) scores obtained by the TOS group were higher relative to the controls and were strongly and positively correlated (ρ = 0.58, p < 0.01). As positive DASH scores may be indicative of TOS, they signal the need for further diagnostic evaluations. In individuals in whom TOS is already diagnosed, high DASH scores imply that further sleep quality assessments are required, as compromised sleep patterns may undermine quality of life.

Safety and immunogenicity of a seasonal trivalent inactivated split influenza vaccine: a double blind, phase III randomized clinical trial in healthy Serbian adults.

This study was a phase III, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a seasonal trivalent split, inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) in healthy Serbian adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years. This egg-based vaccine was manufactured by the Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Torlak, Belgrade, Serbia. A total of 480 participants were assigned randomly in a ratio of 2:1 to receive a single intramuscular dose (0.5 ml) of the vaccine (15 µg of hemagglutinin per strain) or placebo (phosphate-buffered saline). Participants were monitored for safety, including solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). No SAEs related to vaccination were reported. Injection site pain (51.3%), injection site tenderness (40.4%), tiredness (17.0%), and headache (15.1%) were the most commonly reported solicited events in the vaccine group. Incidence of related unsolicited AEs was low (1.3%) among vaccinees. Hemagglutinin inhibition (HAI) titers were measured before and 21 days after vaccination in 151 participants. Overall, HAI seroconversion rates to H1 and H3 were observed in 90.1% and 76.2% of vaccinees, respectively. For B antigen, it was 51.5%, likely due to high pre-vaccination titers. Post-vaccination seroprotection rates were in the range of 78.2-95.0% for the three antigens. Post-vaccination geometric mean titers (GMT) were at least 3.8 times higher than baseline levels for all the three strains among vaccinees. Overall, the study showed that the vaccine was safe and well tolerated, and induced a robust immune response against all three vaccine strains. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02935192, October 17, 2016.

Upper extremity function and quality of life in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.

Background/Aim: Upper limb lymphedema is one of the most frequent chronic complications after breast cancer treatment with a significant impact on the upper extremity function and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to estimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema and its correlation with upper limb function and the size of edema. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 54 breast-cancer-related lymphedema patients. The quality of life was evaluated by the Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Upper limb function was assessed by the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (Quick DASH). The size of lymphedema was determined by the arm circumference. Results: The higher HRQoL score was assessed for mental health (47.0 ± 12.2) than for physical one (42.2 ± 7.5). The highest values of SF-36 were found in the domains of Mental Health (67.7 ± 22.9) and Social Function (70.1 ± 23.1). The lowest scores were registered in the domains of Role Physical (46.9 ± 39.1) and General Health (49.3 ± 20.1). Upper extremity function statistically significantly correlated with the domains Role Physical, Bodily Pain and Physical Composite Summary and also, with the domain Role Emotional (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant correlation between size of lymphedema and tested domains of quality of life (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Physical disability in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema influences quality of life more than mental health. Upper limb function has a significant impact on quality of life, not only on the physical, but also on the mental component. The presence of breast-cancer-related lymphedema certainly affects upper limb function and quality of life, but in this study no significant correlation between the size of edema and quality of life was found.

FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF PATIENTS AFTER STROKE.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who have suffered from stroke become disabled and have specific problems due to the physical and mental disability that requires the implementation of rehabilitation and the creation of conditions for independent living, economic and social reintegration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional recovery of patients after ischemic stroke, during the subacute phase of medical rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was organized as a prospective study, which included 74 patients (44 men, 30 women) treated after stroke at the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Clinical Center of Vojvodina during 2013. Motor recovery was assessed by Signe-Brunnstrom scale, and Barthel Index, Rivermead Mobility Index, and modified Rankin scale were applied to assess the function. RESULTS: The average age of patients after stroke was 66.59 ± 9.607 years. The mean hospital stay was 34.35 days. The majority of patients in this study had right-hand hemiparesis 47 (63.5%), and 27 (36.5%) had left-hand hemiparesis. By analyzing the average valueof motor recovery of the affected limb by S.Brunnstrom's scale during rehabilitation at the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, it was found that the value at the end of subacute rehabilitation phase was significantly increased (p<0.01). The results of this testing showed a statistically significant improvement (p<0.0l) in the average values of Barthel Index, Rivermead Mobility Index and modified Rankin scale during the rehabilitation treatment of stroke patients. CONCLUSION: The obtained results showed that the rehabilitation treatment resulted in better functional and motor recovery in the patients who had had ischemic stroke.

Post-operative condition of breast cancer patients from standpoint of psycho-oncology--preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: Information on being diagnosed to have cancer is always shocking for the patient, and it always causes a lot of psychosocial problems during its treatment. In these moments, patients need understanding, support and someone who can help them to apprehend all available options and choices clearly. The purpose of this study is to show the psychological states of patients with breast cancer after breast surgery, the importance of the psychological support, and first experiences in psycho-oncological management of breast cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample included 46 women, their average age being 52.32 (+/- 8.98), who had answered questions in a questionnaire in the period after surgery. RESULTS: The patients experienced fears and worries associated with almost every part of cancer treatment likely to happen in the near future. The fear of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (67%), the horror of losing hair (59%) and the fear of relapse or disease progression (57%) were evident. Moreover, the patients dreaded the forthcoming pathological results and the decisions to be made by the Oncology Commission (57%), with accompanying insomnia caused by disturbing thoughts in 39% of the patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that psychological support is important in this early period after breast surgery due to the vulnerability of the patients, and because it can diminish the risk of potential escalation of distress.