Mesoporous Nano-Sized BiFeVOx.y Phases for Removal of Organic Dyes from Wastewaters by Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation.

With an increasing demand for industrial dyes in our daily lives, water conditions have become worse. Recently, the removal of such environmentally hazardous pollutants from wastewaters through photocatalytic degradation has been drawing increased attention. Three mesoporous nanophases of BiFeVOx.y as (Bi2FeIIIV1-yO5.5-y) visible light photocatalysts were synthesized in this study using ethylene glycol-citrate sol-gel synthesis combined with microwave- assisted calcination. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry (UV-Vis/DRS) were used to characterize the BiFeVOx.y photocatalysts. The visible light-induced photocatalytic activities of the BiFeVOx.y phases were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in aqueous solution at pH ~10.0. The results of this study show that the combination of doping strategy with the utilization of advanced synthesis methods plays an important role in improving the structure and surface properties of BiFeVOx.y phases, and thereby enhancing their adsorption and photocatalytic efficiencies. The synthesized mesoporous tetragonal γ-BiFeVOx.y nanophase has been proven to be a potential visible-light photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dyes.

Ex Situ Method for Photoreduction of the Cadmium Ion from Terbium-Loaded Bismuth Vanadium Oxide.

The photoreduction of Cd (II) to Cd (0) was performed using Bi4V2O11, which was tremendously enhanced by Tb3+-doped Bi4V2O11. The relationship between charge carrier isolation and light harvesting was studied in depth in this research, and a promising technique for fabricating effective photocatalysts for heavy metals was discovered. Lattice disorder effects due to size variance between V5+ and Tb3+ cations in Bi4V2O11 nanomaterials substituted with an invariable Tb3+ cation at different concentrations (x = 15, 20, and 25%). Bi4V2O11 and 15% Tb/Bi4V2O11 evidenced a coexistence of monoclinic (α-phase) with a CS/m symmetry, while 25% Tb/Bi4V2O11 was tetragonal (γ-phase) with an I4/mmm symmetry. Raman scattering experiments elucidated the changes in Bi4V2O11 lattice corresponding to oxygen motion, suggesting significant destabilization of the VO4 tetrahedra after addition of Tb3+. The SEM micrograph depicted a disparity in the microstructure with reduced grain size in 25% Tb/Bi4V2O11 samples. However, the TEM micrographs of 25% Tb/Bi4V2O11 nanomaterials revealed that crystallite sizes of 25-35 nm were obtained, presenting a single tetragonal phase, highly homogeneous in nature. Impedance spectroscopy was used to study the conductivity of these compounds in the temperature range of 300 °C. At 300 °C, the compounds with x = 25% showed a conductivity of 15.92 S cm-1. The conductivity values were found to be comparable with the highest values reported in the literature for similar compounds.

Synthesis and Phase Transformation Studies of Dysprosium-Doped Bi4V2O11 Nanoparticles and Their Application in Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Drug.

Recently, Bi4V2O11 as an electrolyte material has pulled in considerable consideration because of its remarkable novel applications. In this article, novel, dysprosium-doped (x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) Bi4V2O11 (Dy/BVO) nanoparticles have been synthesized by sol-gel strategy. The photocatalyst Dy/BVO nanoparticles exhibit higher photocatalytic efficiency than BVO nanoparticles assessed by debasement of tetracycline drug under visible light illumination. Our work focuses on the phase transformation, conducting properties, and mechanisms of the Dy/BVO nanoparticles in relation to execute some methods of processing and manufacturing product in commercial applications. The characterization of Dy/BVO was performed by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and UV-vis analysis. ac impedance spectroscopy was used to analyze the conducting behavior of synthesized nanoparticles in the temperature range 100-600 °C. The photocatalytic activity revealed that Dy/BVO remarkably enhanced the photocatalytic activity. This is the first report that Dy/BVO can destroy the drug effluent which is coming from the drug industry and also worried about the human health hazards.

Tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis: a Cochrane systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the benefit and safety of tocilizumab to placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: we searched multiple databases for published randomized or controlled clinical trials comparing benefit and safety of tocilizumab to placebo, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), or other biologics. For dichotomous outcomes, we calculated the relative risk, and for continuous outcomes, the mean difference. RESULTS: eight randomized controlled trials were included in this systematic review, with 3334 participants, 2233 treated with tocilizumab and 1101 controls. The US and Canadian approved dose of tocilizumab, 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks, was given to 1561 participants. In patients taking concomitant methotrexate, compared to placebo, patients treated with approved dose of tocilizumab were substantially and statistically significantly more likely than placebo to achieve the American College of Rheumatology 50 (absolute percentage, 38.8% vs 9.6%, respectively; RR 3.2, 95% CI 2.7, 3.7); Disease Activity Score remission (30.5% vs 2.7%; RR 8.7, 95% CI 6.3, 11.8); and a clinically meaningful decrease in Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)/Modified HAQ scores (60.5% vs 34%; RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6, 1.9). There were no substantive statistically significant differences in serious adverse effects (0.8% vs 0.7%; RR 1.2, 95% CI 0.8, 1.6) or withdrawals due to adverse events (4.9% vs 3.7%; RR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9, 2.1); however, tocilizumab-treated patients were significantly more likely to have any adverse event (74% vs 65%; RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07); elevation in the ratio of low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL; 20% vs 12%; RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2, 2.2); and increase in the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol (12% vs 7%; RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2, 2.6); and they were less likely to withdraw from treatment for any reason (8.1% vs 14.9%; RR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5, 0.8). CONCLUSION: at the approved dose of 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks, tocilizumab in combination with methotrexate/DMARD is beneficial in decreasing RA disease activity and improving function. Tocilizumab treatment was associated with a significant increase in cholesterol levels and occurrence of any adverse event, but not serious adverse events. Larger safety studies are needed to address these safety concerns.

Tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Tocilizumab, a new biologic that inhibits interleukin-6, is approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Europe, Japan and the US. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in patients with RA using the data from published randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SEARCH STRATEGY: We performed a search of the following databases: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to issue 3, 2009; OVID MEDLINE(1966 to 1 October 2009); CINAHL(1982 to 2009); EMBASE (1980 to week 39, 2009); Science Citation Index (Web of Science) (1945 to 2009) and Current Controlled Trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Tocilizumab alone or in combination with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biologics compared to placebo or other DMARDs or biologics. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted all data including major (ACR50, adverse events, serious adverse events, withdrawals, specific adverse events) and secondary outcomes. We calculated the risk ratio for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference for continuous outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: Eight RCTs were included in this systematic review with 3334 participants; 2233 treated with tocilizumab and 1101 controls. Of the 2233, 1561 were treated with tocilizumab 8 mg/kg every four weeks, which is the approved dose. In patients taking concomitant methotrexate, compared to placebo, tocilizumab-treated patients were four times more likely to achieve ACR50 (absolute %, 38.8% versus 9.6%), 11 times more likely to achieve Disease Activity Score (DAS) remission (absolute %, 30.5% versus 2.7%), 1.8 times more likely to achieve clinically meaningful decrease in Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ/mHAQ) scores (absolute %, 60.5% versus 34%), 1.2 times more likely to have any adverse event (absolute %, 74% versus 65%) and 0.6 times less likely to withdraw from therapy for any reason (absolute %, 8.1% versus 14.9%). With the limitation that none of the studies were powered for safety as primary outcome, there were no statistically significant differences in serious adverse effects, or withdrawals due to adverse events. A significant increase in total, HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride level was seen in the tocilizumab treated patients. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Tocilizumab is beneficial in decreasing RA disease activity and improving function. Tocilizumab treatment was associated with significant increase in cholesterol levels and in total adverse events. Larger safety studies are needed to address these safety concerns.