Preparation of composite polyethersulfone membrane containing basalt powder and optimization of the parameters using response surface methodology.

In this study, environmental-friendly composite polyethersulfone (PES) membranes based on basalt powder were prepared by phase inversion method. The effects of polymer percentage, the basalt percentage, and the thickness of the membrane were investigated on the distilled water flux, compaction factor, bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection, contact angle, fouling factor and the parameters were modelled by response surface methodology (RSM). The distilled water flux increased when the basalt was added to the membrane up to 6% percentage of the polymer amount. The blending of basalt also provided resistance against the membrane compaction. The BSA rejection experiments approved the positive effects of basalt on the rejections efficiencies. At higher basalt percentages, the rejection efficiencies increased from 78% at the raw membrane to 99% for the composite membranes had 10% basalt. The adding of basalt to the membranes decreased the contact angles. The hydrophilicity of the membranes contained basalt in their structures was higher than those which had not basalt. By comparison with the neat membranes and the basalt added membrane, it can be said that the basalt increased the flux recovery and decreased the irreversible fouling factors. The basalt increased the antifouling properties for the composite membranes. Finally, the prepared membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX).

OMICS approaches in cardiovascular diseases: a mini review.

Ranked in the topmost position among the deadliest diseases in the world, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global burden with alterations in heart and blood vessels. Early diagnostics and prognostics could be the best possible solution in CVD management. OMICS (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) approaches could be able to tackle the challenges against CVDs. Genome-wide association studies along with next-generation sequencing with various computational biology tools could lead a new sight in early detection and possible therapeutics of CVDs. Human cardiac proteins are also characterized by mass spectrophotometry which could open the scope of proteomics approaches in CVD. Besides this, regulation of gene expression by transcriptomics approaches exhibits a new insight while metabolomics is the endpoint on the downstream of multi-omics approaches to confront CVDs from the early onset. Although a lot of challenges needed to overcome in CVD management, OMICS approaches are certainly a new prospect.

A cluster of nosocomial Lassa fever cases in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria: Description and lessons learned, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria. The 2018 Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria was unprecedented, with 8% of all cases occurring among healthcare workers (HCWs). A disproportionately high number of these infections occurred in HCWs working in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. This paper describes the cluster of Lassa fever infections among HCWs in a treatment centre and the lessons learnt. METHODS: We analysed clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data from surveillance and laboratory records kept during the 2018 outbreak. Interviews were conducted with surviving HCWs using a questionnaire developed specifically for the investigation of Lassa fever infections in HCWs. Descriptive analysis of the data was performed in Microsoft excel. RESULTS: The index case was a 15-year-old male who presented at the health facility with fever and uncontrolled nasopharyngeal bleeding, following a recent uvulectomy by a traditional healer. Overall, 16 HCWs were affected (15 confirmed and 1 probable) with five deaths (CFR-31.6%). Of the 15 confirmed cases, five (33.3%) were asymptomatic. Nine HCWs were direct contacts of the index case; the remaining six HCWs had no direct contact with the index case. HCW interviews identified a low index of suspicion for Lassa fever leading to inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) practices as possible contributing factors to nosocomial transmission. CONCLUSION: Maintaining a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever in all patients, especially in endemic areas, is essential in adhering to adequate IPC practices in health facilities in order to prevent nosocomial transmission of Lassa fever among HCWs. There is a need to continually train and sensitise HCWs on strict adherence to IPC measures while providing care, irrespective of a patient's provisional diagnosis.

OMICS approaches in cardiovascular diseases: a mini review

Ranked in the topmost position among the deadliest diseases in the world, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global burden with alterations in heart and blood vessels. Early diagnostics and prognostics could be the best possible solution in CVD management. OMICS (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) approaches could be able to tackle the challenges against CVDs. Genome-wide association studies along with next-generation sequencing with various computational biology tools could lead a new sight in early detection and possible therapeutics of CVDs. Human cardiac proteins are also characterized by mass spectrophotometry which could open the scope of proteomics approaches in CVD. Besides this, regulation of gene expression by transcriptomics approaches exhibits a new insight while metabolomics is the endpoint on the downstream of multi-omics approaches to confront CVDs from the early onset. Although a lot of challenges needed to overcome in CVD management, OMICS approaches are certainly a new prospect.

OMICS approaches in cardiovascular diseases: a mini review

Ranked in the topmost position among the deadliest diseases in the world, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global burden with alterations in heart and blood vessels. Early diagnostics and prognostics could be the best possible solution in CVD management. OMICS (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) approaches could be able to tackle the challenges against CVDs. Genome-wide association studies along with next-generation sequencing with various computational biology tools could lead a new sight in early detection and possible therapeutics of CVDs. Human cardiac proteins are also characterized by mass spectrophotometry which could open the scope of proteomics approaches in CVD. Besides this, regulation of gene expression by transcriptomics approaches exhibits a new insight while metabolomics is the endpoint on the downstream of multi-omics approaches to confront CVDs from the early onset. Although a lot of challenges needed to overcome in CVD management, OMICS approaches are certainly a new prospect.