Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides (MXenes) for Water Purification and Antibacterial Applications.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDS), boron nitride (BN), and layered double hydroxide (LDH) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely investigated as potential candidates in various separation applications because of their high mechanical strength, large surface area, ideal chemical and thermal stability, simplicity, ease of functionalization, environmental comparability, and good antibacterial performance. Recently, MXene as a new member of the 2D polymer family has attracted significant attention in water purification, desalination, gas separation, antibacterial, and antifouling applications. Herein, we review the most recent progress in the fabrication, preparation, and modification methods of MXene-based lamellar membranes with the emphasis on applications for water purification and desalination. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of MXene-based membranes show a significant potential for commercial use in water purification. Thus, this review provides a directional guide for future development in this emerging technology.

Detection of active mycobacterium tuberculosis at 6th month exit among declared successfully treated cases in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health concern, and the basis of successful anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) rests on the complete eradication of live bacilli from a patient. This study was conducted to detect the live TB bacilli in Lowenstein Jensen culture media among exit cases of TB who were declared successfully treated, either cured or treatment completed. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted across Pakistan. Fifty-eight active TB DOTS centers were selected. The sample size of 3355 TB cases were equally distributed in all DOTS facilities. A detailed questionnaire was developed to record the information from TB DOTS and patients. After successful treatment, the sputum was taken from TB cases and examined to detect live bacilli on L-J culture. RESULTS: A total of 3355 TB cases were enrolled in the study. The male to female proportion was 1704(50.9%) and 1651(49.2%). Initially, 1993(59.4%) cases were cured, and 1362(40.6%) were declared as treatment completed cases. At exit, 324(9.65%) cases were again ZN smear-positive, and 328(9.77%) were positive on L-J culture, after being declared successfully treated for TB. CONCLUSIONS: To eradicate live TB bacilli, all TB cases should be subjected to L-J culture at the end of ATT.

Rapid in vitro propagation system through shoot tip cultures of Vitex trifolia L.-an important multipurpose plant of the Pacific traditional Medicine.

A rapid and efficient plant propagation system through shoot tip explants was established in Vitex trifolia L., a medicinally important plant belonging to the family Verbenaceae. Multiple shoots were induced directly on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium consisting of different cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2-iP), BA at an optimal concentration of 5.0 µM was most effective in inducing multiple shoots where 90 % explants responded with an average shoot number (4.4±0.1) and shoot length (2.0±0.1 cm) after 6 weeks of culture. Inclusion of NAA in the culture medium along with the optimum concentration of BA promoted a higher rate of shoot multiplication and length of the shoot, where 19.2±0.3 well-grown healthy shoots with an average shoot length of 4.4±0.1 cm were obtained on completion of 12 weeks culture period. Ex vitro rooting was achieved best directly in soilrite when basal portion of the shoots were treated with 500 µM indole-3-butyric acid for 15 min which was the most effective in inducing roots, as 95 % of the microshoots produced roots. Plantlets went through a hardening phase in a controlled plant growth chamber, prior to ex-vitro transfer. Micropropagated plants grew well, attained maturity and flowered with 92 % survival rate. The results of this study provide the first report on in vitro plant regeneration of Vitex trifolia L. using shoot tip explants.