Simultaneous removal of cationic methylene blue and anionic reactive red 198 dyes using magnetic activated carbon nanoparticles: equilibrium, and kinetics analysis.

For the simultaneous adsorption of cationic dye (methylene blue, MB) and anionic dye (reactive red 198, RR198) from aqueous solution, magnetic activated carbon (MAC) nanocomposite as a promising adsorbent was prepared and used. The concentration of MB at different time intervals was determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer while the concentration of RR198 was determined using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The effect of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent amount, and dye concentration were investigated. Also, both kinetic and isotherm experiments were studied. The optimum pH was 10 and 5.5 for adsorption of MB and RR198, respectively, and the equilibrium status was achieved after 120 min. The adsorption kinetics was controlled by the pseudo-second order kinetic model more than pseudo-first order. The best-fitted isotherms were Freundlich and Langmuir models for MB and RR198, respectively. The higher values of Freundlich adsorption capacity (Kf) for MB in comparison with RR198 refer to MAC affinity to remove cationic dyes more than anionic dyes. Apparently, there was no substantial change in the adsorption efficiency among the 10 adsorption-desorption cycles. Overall, MAC can be considered as an effective and efficient viable adsorbent for cationic and anionic dyes removal from industrial wastewaters.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of novel cinnamic acid derivatives: cinnamoyl-metronidazole ester and cinnamoyl-memantine amide.

In this study, two derivatives, namely the ester derivative cinnamoyl metronidazole and the amide derivative cinnamoyl memantine, were synthesized from cinnamic acid and respective drugs for the purpose of exploring their potential as novel and efficient antimicrobial agents in the quest of prevailing the global antimicrobial resistance challenge. The synthesis process involved two steps: first, the chlorination of cinnamic acid using thionyl chloride, and second, the esterification of metronidazole or the amidation of memantine. These steps resulted in the formation of cinnamoyl metronidazole/memantine. Optimal reaction conditions were established, and chromatographic techniques were used to separate the synthesized compounds. Confirmation of successful synthesis was achieved through FT-IR analysis, which readily distinguished the chlorinated product and derivatives based on distinctive bands, including mainly the one of carbonyl group. Additionally, molecular structures were validated using 1H NMR and 13C NMR, with all peaks further confirming the successful esterification/amidation of cinnamoyl and drug moieties. Upon evaluating the biological activity, the parent compounds exhibited negligible effects within the tested concentration range. However, the derivatives demonstrated significant activity. The ester derivative exhibited potent activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, as evidenced by a zone of inhibition measuring 12-15 mm in diameter. Conversely, the amide derivative displayed appreciable biological activity against Candida fungi, with an inhibition zone measuring 11-14 mm.

Splenic Rupture Secondary to Metastatic Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of the Spleen: A Rare Presentation of an Exceptionally Rare Entity.

Splenic malignancies are uncommonly encountered in routine practice, and they are often only detected incidentally, posing a clinical challenge. Primary malignant neoplasms of the spleen are rare, and sarcomas are by far the rarest. The undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma type is an exceptionally rare and aggressive type with only a handful of cases reported in literature thus far. Herein, we present the case of a 49-year-old, with a previous finding of a heterogeneous splenomegaly on imaging for an unrelated medical complaint, presenting with an acute abdomen secondary to a ruptured spleen. The diagnosis of high-grade primary undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the spleen was made, and with further investigations, suspicious hepatic lesions were identified and later confirmed to be metastases.

Integration of nickel doping with loading on graphene for enhanced adsorptive and catalytic properties of CdS nanoparticles towards visible light degradation of some antibiotics.

Water dispersible, highly efficient nickel doped CdS nanoparticles anchored on graphene nanosheets as a photocatalyst for cephalexin and sulfamethoxazole photodegradation have been prepared in a facile microwave-furnace assisted method. Each one of the two modifications has played a critical role in nanocomposite functioning. Defects originated by dopant boosted the lifetime of carriers and thereupon graphene matrix transferred them to contribute effectively the photocatalytic process. Characterization results revealed the formation of monocrystalline hexagonal phase of all products and that both doping and loading on graphene have red-shifted the absorption edge of CdS towards the visible light region. Furthermore, FTIR confirmed the successful reduction of graphene oxide by the subsequent preparation steps. Adsorption isotherms revealed the role of graphene in enhancing substrate adsorption. Nevertheless, dissimilar pathways of catalytic degradation were observed on the doped composite as cephalexin oxidation was principally mediated by the hole-hydroxyl radical mechanism, sulfamethoxazole oxidation favored the superoxide radical mechanism. This composite has shown, however, a high photostability and minimized ions release of the composite.