Comparison activity of pure and chromium-doped nickel oxide nanoparticles for the selective removal of dyes from water.

The current study involves a synthesis of a composite of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) with a chromium dopant to yield (Cr/NiONPs). Synthesis of nickel oxide was performed by the co-precipitation method. The synthesis of the composite was conducted by the impregnation method. FTIR, EDX, SEM, and XRD were used to characterize the synthesized materials. The synthesised materials' point zero charges (PZC) were performed using the potentiometric titration method. The obtained results show that the PZC for neat nickel oxide was around 5, and it was around 8 for Cr/NiONPs. The adsorption action of the prepared materials was examined by applying them to remove Reactive Red 2 (RR2) and Crystal Violate (CV) dyes from solutions. The outcomes demonstrated that Cr/NiONPs were stronger in the removal of dyes than NiONPs. Cr/NiONPs achieved 99.9% removal of dyes after 1 h. Adsorption isotherms involving Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were also conducted, and the outcomes indicated that the most accurate representation of the adsorption data was offered by Langmuir adsorption isotherms. Additionally, it was discovered that the adsorption characteristics of the NiONPs and Cr/NiONPs correspond well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Each of the NiONPs and Cr/NiONPs was reused five times, and the results display that the effectiveness of the removal of RR2 dye slightly declined with the increase in reuse cycles; it lost only 5% of its original efficiency after the 5 cycles. Generally, Cr/NiONPs showed better reusability than NiONPs under the same conditions.

High-performance photocatalytic degradation and antifungal activity of chromium-doped nickel oxide nanoparticles.

The elimination of pollutants such as dyes and fungi has become a tedious process hence there is a need for multifunctional materials that can be used for the removal or degradation of various pollutants from wastewater. Here, a nickel oxide nanoparticle (NiONPs) was synthesized by the co-precipitation method. In the current study, a composite of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) was synthesized using nitrogen and chromium as dopants to create (N/NiONPs) and (Cr/N/NiONPs), respectively and used for the removal of dyes and fungi. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using zeta potential (ZP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-rays diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The NiONPs, N/NiONPs and Cr/N/NiONPs were tested for the degradation of two dye pollutants, Reactive blue 13 (RB13) and eosin dye. The obtained results showed that Cr/N/NiONPs were more efficient than NiONPs and N/NiONPs for dye degradation by applying the same irradiation conditions. The Cr/N/NiONPs nanocomposites showed very good degradation efficiency of dye up to 94.2% for the RB13 and 90.8% for the eosin. We also examined the antifungal action of the NiONPs, N/NiONPs and Cr/N/NiONPs against Trichoderma fungus. The results showed that the Cr/N/NiONPs have an extremely strong antifungal impact on Trichoderma. This could be explained by the strong adhesion of Cr/N/NiONPs to the Trichoderma surface due to electrostatic attraction. This work has demonstrated that it is possible to create environmentally safe materials that can be used for the degradation of different dyes and the improvement of more effective antifungal treatments with lower active agent doses for fungus control with potential big economic benefits.

An Inventive Report of Inducing Apoptosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cell Lines by Transfection of MiR-4301.

BACKGROUND: Based on recent studies, new therapeutic strategies have been developed for cancer treatment using microRNAs (miRNAs). With this view, miRNAs manipulating techniques can be considered as novel therapeutic prospects for cancer treatment. In this study, we evaluated the expression of miR-4301 in human lung cancer cell lines and investigated its potential role in cell proliferation and tumor suppression on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) cells. METHODS: We used quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) to examine the level of miR- 4301 expression in human lung cancer cell lines (A549, QU-DB) and non-malignant lung epithelial cells (HFLF-PI5). Then, we investigated the effect of miR-4301 by transfecting it into these cell lines and probing for cancer cell viability and apoptosis using the MTT assay, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Our results showed that the expression level of miR-4301 was significantly reduced in human lung cancer cell lines (P<0.001). When miR-4301 was transfected in lung cancer cells, their cell proliferation was suppressed and apoptosis induced. This decline in cell survival was confirmed by the MTT assay. Transfection of miR-4301 caused an increase in early and late apoptotic cells in all lung cancer cell lines tested. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that miR-4301 may act as a lung cancer suppressor through targeting of proteins involved in cell proliferation and survival. For this reason, targeting miR-4301 may provide a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this deadly disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Image-guided transnasal endoscopic fine needle aspiration or biopsy of parapharyngeal space tumours.

BACKGROUND: Parapharyngeal space biopsy is an important investigation in the management of parapharyngeal space tumours. These tumours are relatively rare and the surgeon is often faced with a wide range of differential diagnoses. There are several ways to access the parapharyngeal space, with varying degrees of associated morbidity. METHODS: This paper describes a seldom used, but a simple and safe, image-guided endoscopic approach to parapharyngeal space biopsy that enables tissue to be obtained transnasally. The procedure is conducted under general anaesthesia using computed tomography image guidance via the LandmarX system, with transnasal access to the parapharyngeal space achieved using a sampling needle. RESULTS: This procedure is relatively simple, safe and reproducible. It is a less invasive approach to parapharyngeal space biopsy, and one which has been successfully used by the senior author for years without any significant morbidity. CONCLUSION: Transnasal image-guided endoscopic aspiration or biopsy of the parapharyngeal space is a novel technique that has not been previously described.

Fracture dislocation of the sacro-coccygeal joint in a 12-year-old boy. A case report and literature review.

A case report and literature review. To present a rare case of facture dislocation of the sacro-coccygeal joint in a 12-year-old boy who was treated conservatively. Fracture dislocations of the sacrum or the sacro-coccygeal joint are infrequent injuries and are rarely reported. The treatment for these disorders is usually conservative. Detailed description of the anterior dislocation (Salter-Harris type I) of the sacro-coccygeal joint in this child and its management are presented, with review of the relevant literature. A conservative treatment was performed, with excellent clinical and radiological result at three years after the injury. MR imaging obtained at two years showed very good healing and alignment. Fracture dislocation of the sacro-coccygeal joint in the pediatric population should be treated conservatively, as the potential of healing and remodeling is great. Closed reduction should not be attempted.

Incidence and clinical significance of iliac vein compression.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of left common iliac vein (CIV) compression by the right common iliac artery (CIA) based on CT scan images. METHODS: CT scan images were reviewed and the diameter of CIV was measured at the area of minimal diameter and compared to the distal adjacent segment and the contralateral CIV at the same level. Medical records were reviewed for symptoms, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and risk factors that might be associated with DVT. Data were analyzed with SPSS program using both Chi square and t test. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Linear regression (R2) was used to evaluate correlation. RESULTS: A total of 300 complete records were reviewed. The mean age was 51.89 years, with 126 (42%) males. Comparison between the two groups (>70% vs <70%) showed similar clinical factors such as history of DVT, surgery, immobilization, malignancy, limb trauma, pregnancy, obesity, CHF, and smoking. There were more females with CIV compression of 70% or more than males (19.5% vs 11.1% P < .049). CONCLUSION: Diameter stenosis more than 70% was present in 30.6% of cases with higher incidence in females. The presence of stenosis was not associated with the presence of clinical symptoms.

Heroin spongiform leukoencephalopathy (HSLE).

PURPOSE: An increasing number of heroin addicts-especially young and first-time users-prefer inhaling the drug to intravenous injection. A rare complication of inhaling heroin is the development of a spongiform leukoencephalopathy (HSLE). METHODS: Pathological background, symptoms, imaging, and therapeutical options are discussed on the basis of an example case. RESULTS: Pathophysiologically, a dysfunction of the oligodendrocyte mitochondria is suspected. Three distinct stages based on key symptoms are defined. Patients may remain in one stage, or pass through two, or all three stages. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is necessary for diagnosis. There are few therapeutical options. Antioxidants and coenzyme Q may be beneficial. The disorder is self-limiting in the majority of cases. Complications such as hydrocephalus and diffuse cerebellar swelling may, however, require neurosurgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: HSLE is a rare occurrence in patients with heroin abuse. The number of undetected cases in drug-related deaths may be high. Clinical appearance may be easily mistaken for withdrawal symptoms.

Growth factor plus preemptive ('just-in-time') plerixafor successfully mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells in multiple myeloma patients despite prior lenalidomide exposure.

Lenalidomide is associated with suboptimal autologous hematopoietic stem cell (AHSC) mobilization. We hypothesized that growth factor plus preemptive plerixafor is an effective strategy for AHSC mobilization in multiple myeloma (MM) despite prior exposure to lenalidomide. We retrospectively reviewed patient characteristics and mobilization outcomes of 89 consecutive MM patients undergoing first mobilization with filgrastim or pegfilgrastim +/- preemptive plerixafor using a previously validated algorithm based on day 4 peripheral blood CD34+ cell count (PB-CD34+) and mobilization target. Outcomes were analyzed according to the extent of prior exposure to lenalidomide: no prior exposure (group A, n=40), 1- 4 cycles (group B, n=30) and >4 cycles (group C, n=19). Multivariate analysis yielded only age and number of cycles of lenalidomide as negatively associated, and mobilization with pegfilgrastim as positively associated with higher PB-CD34+. Only 45% of patients in group A required plerixafor vs 63% in groups B and 84% in C, P=0.01. A higher proportion of patients in group A (100%) met the mobilization target than in groups B (90%) or C (79%), P=0.008. All patients yielded at least 2 × 10(6) CD34+/kg. Growth factor mobilization with preemptive plerixafor is an adequate upfront mobilization strategy for MM patients regardless of prior exposure to lenalidomide.

Diabetic retinopathy and socioeconomic deprivation in Gloucestershire.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate socioeconomic variations in diabetes prevalence, uptake of screening for diabetic retinopathy, and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: The County of Gloucestershire formed the setting of the study. A cross-sectional study of people with diabetes was done on a countywide retinopathy-screening database. Diabetes prevalence with odds ratios, uptake of screening, prevalence of any retinopathy and prevalence of sight-threatening retinopathy at screening were compared for different area deprivation quintiles. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: With each increasing quintile of deprivation, diabetes prevalence increased (odds ratio 0.84), the probability of having been screened for diabetic retinopathy decreased (odds ratio 1.11), and the prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy among screened patients increased (odds ratio of 0.98), while the prevalence of non-sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy remained unchanged with each increasing quintile of deprivation. CONCLUSION: Sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy was associated with socioeconomic deprivation, but non-sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy was not. Uptake of screening was inversely related to socioeconomic deprivation.

Osteochondroma of the trochlea presenting as acquired Brown syndrome: a case report.

The following is a rare observational case report of a 16-year-old boy who presented with acquired Brown syndrome associated with a painless slowly growing mass in the supranasal area of the left eye. Meticulous surgical removal of the mass resulted in recovery of superior oblique muscle function. Histopathology was consistent with osteochondroma of the trochlea. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first reported case of osteochondroma of the trochlea causing acquired Brown syndrome.

Long-term survival following aggressive surgery and radiotherapy for pelvic fibromatosis.

Desmoid tumors of the female pelvis are rare. The efficacy of the available treatment modalities in improving survival and decreasing recurrence remains controversial. A 32-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic large ischeorectal mass. Computed tomography scan revealed a large tumor adherent to the pubic bone and impinging on the bladder neck and the rectum. Aggressive surgical removal of the mass including partial osteotomy of the pubic bone was followed by radiotherapy. The patient is still alive 6 years later with no evidence of disease. Aggressive surgical management followed by radiotherapy is an acceptable means of treatment of locally invasive desmoid tumor of the female pelvis.

Primary pure squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report and review of the literature.

Pure primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a rare condition. The exact histogenesis of this malignancy is unclear. The rarity of the condition makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions on the course of the disease and the overall prognosis. We report a case of pure primary SCC of the breast occurring in a 62-year-old woman and presenting as an enlarged breast lesion with bleeding. We also review the literature for all cases of pure primary SCC.

Synchronous vulvar and breast cancer.

Synchronous vulvar and breast cancer is rare. A 44-year-old women presented with a lesion in the right labia majora and right upper quadrant breast lump. After work-up, she underwent radical wide local vulvar excision and modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection. The pathology of the vulva revealed moderately-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and that of the breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Only two such cases have been previously reported: one was an elderly patient and the second a young patient with HIV infection. Our patient is a young and healthy woman making her presentation a unique and rare case.

Candida krusei fungemia. An escalating serious infection in immunocompromised patients.

BACKGROUND: Candida krusei is inherently resistant to fluconazole and is emerging as a frequent cause of fungemia in patients with hematologic malignant neoplasms. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk and prognostic factors associated with C krusei fungemia in comparison with Candida albicans fungemia in patients with cancer. METHODS: Retrospective study of 57 cases of C krusei fungemia occurring at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex, from 1989 to 1996. The C krusei cases were compared with 57 cases of C albicans fungemia with respect to demographics, underlying cancer, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, immunosuppression status, chemotherapy, and the use of central venous catheters, as well as fluconazole prophylaxis. RESULTS: At our institution, C krusei accounted for 5% of fungemias during 1989 through 1992 and for 10% during 1993 through 1996. Patients with C krusei fungemia more often had leukemia than patients with C albicans (77% vs 11%; P =.02), whereas catheter-related infections were more common among patients with C albicans fungemia (42% vs 0%; P<.001). Patients with C krusei fungemia had a lower response rate (51% vs 69%; P =.05), largely because they more frequently were neutropenic and had disseminated infection. Mortality related to fungemia was 49% in the cases with C krusei vs 28% in C albicans. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that persistent neutropenia (P =.02) and septic shock (P =.002) were predictors of poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: In neutropenic patients, C krusei fungemia is associated with high mortality. It should be suspected in patients with leukemia who are receiving fluconazole prophylaxis and should be treated aggressively with an amphotericin B regimen.

Recanalization of an occluded popliteal artery following posterior knee dislocation.

Posterior knee dislocation results in popliteal artery injury in up to one-third of cases. Prompt recognition and treatment of arterial injury is essential for limb salvage. We report a case of complete occlusion of the popliteal artery following posterior knee dislocation treated with saphenous vein bypass without exclusion of the injured arterial segment. Follow-up duplex scanning demonstrated a patent vein graft and a patent ipsilateral popliteal artery. This report suggests that, in some instances, a traumatically occluded popliteal artery may recanalize, and that revascularization with a bypass graft may be the preferred method of repair, particularly in young patients.

Anti-Yo positive paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration associated with ovarian carcinoma: case report and review of the literature.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare nonmetastatic neurological complication in cancer patients. Anti-Yo is one of the anti-onconeural antibodies found in PCD patients. It is believed that anti-Yo occurs almost always in women and is most likely associated with gynecologic or breast cancers, although exceptions exist. Here we report a PCD patient with ovarian cancer having high-titer anti-Yo. The acute onset of her PCD symptoms mimicked that of a stroke. Her ovarian cancer tissue contained abundant plasma cells and lymphocytes. After a thorough review of the literature, we propose a schematic hypothesis for the autoimmune pathogenesis of PCD. Despite anecdotal case reports of neurological improvement with different combinations of treatment, including IVIg, there is still no definitely effective treatment for PCD. Further research on the pathogenesis of PCD may lead to more effective therapies.

Infection control of nosocomial respiratory viral disease in the immunocompromised host.

Among immunocompromised adults, such as bone marrow transplant recipients, more than half of respiratory viral infections are complicated by pneumonia, with an associated mortality rate > 50%. Nosocomial transmission of respiratory viral pathogens, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, in the immunocompromised patient has been reported frequently and usually occurs during a community outbreak. In view of the poor outcome in this subset of patients, intensive efforts should be directed at instituting prevention measures that would interrupt nosocomial transmission. At M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, a multifaceted infection control strategy resulted in a significant decrease in and almost complete interruption of the nosocomial transmission of RSV infections in immunocompromised patients over a 3-year period (1994-1996). For influenza virus, special emphasis should be given to vaccination of hospital personnel before the influenza season to prevent and control nosocomial transmission. In highly immunocompromised patients, prophylactic use of antiviral agents should be considered during an outbreak or when the frequency of nosocomial transmission is high. An aggressive multifaceted infection control strategy appears to be effective in reducing the frequency of nosocomial transmission of respiratory viral infections in immunocompromised patients. Universal and timely influenza vaccination of hospital personnel who care for immunocompromised patients is necessary.

Burn wound carcinoma: case report and review of the literature.

A 22-year-old man developed squamous cell carcinoma of the exophytic papillary type following a latent period of 14 years in a burn scar overlying the left forearm and wrist, with concomitant left axillary lymph node metastasis. The literature pertaining to clinical presentation, pathological findings and prognosis of such patients has been reviewed. The surgical treatment and adjuvant therapy have been discussed. Patients should be counselled to seek medical advice early for persistent ulcerations or deep scars of burn wounds, especially those overlying joint surfaces.

Gastric leiomyosarcoma: a clinicopathologic study.

Seven patients with gastric leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and leiomyoblastoma (LMB) were seen at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in the period 1970-1983. The natural history, clinical presentation, radiologic findings, histopathologic features and treatment modalities of these patients are discussed. The anatomic location of the tumor had no relation to the occurrence and number of mucosal ulcers. Ulcerations were more frequent with endogastric than exogastric tumors. Histologic pattern, cell shape and number of mitotic figures were the basic morphological criteria for differentiating between LMS and LMB. Maintenance of a reasonable gastric reservoir and avoidance of total or near total gastrectomy are important factors affecting long term morbidity following surgical resection.