Synthesis of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) capped copper oxide nanocubes for the remediation of organic pollutants using photocatalysis and catalysis.

The aim of this report is to synthesize copper oxide nanocubes (CuO NCs) at room temperature, using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent, and Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) as a stabilizing agent. The crystallinity and morphology of the synthesized CuO NCs are investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The optical properties were analyzed by means of UV-visible absorbance and Raman spectroscopy. The existence of specific functional groups and structural stability were established via FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, the catalytic efficiency of the as-prepared CuO NCs was tested using catalytic and photocatalytic studies of para-nitrophenol (p-NP) reduction and methylene blue (MB) degradation, respectively. The catalytic results demonstrated the nanocubes' excellent catalytic and photocatalytic responses with respect to the abatement of p-NP and MB within 50 s and 240 min, with kinetic rate constants of 3.9 × 10-2 s-1 and 6.47 × 10-3 min-1, respectively.

Tyrosine assisted size controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their catalytic, in-vitro cytotoxicity evaluation.

A simple, green approach for the size controllable preparation of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using tyrosine as reducing and capping agent is shown here. The size of SNPs is controlled by varying the pH of tyrosine solution. The as synthesized SNPs are characterized by using XRD, UV-Visible, DLS, TEM and SAED. Zeta potential measurements revealed the stability of tyrosine capped silver nanocolloids. Furthermore, catalytic activity studies concluded that the smaller SNPs acts as good catalyst and the catalytic activity depends on size of the nanoparticles. Further, the in-vitro cytotoxicity experiments concluded that the cytotoxicity of the prepared SNPs towards mouse fibroblast (3T3) cell lines is size and dose dependent. Additionally, the present approach is substitute to the traditional methods that are being used now-a-days for size controlled synthesis of SNPs.

Environment friendly approach for size controllable synthesis of biocompatible Silver nanoparticles using diastase.

A green, facile method for the size selective synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using diastase as green reducing and stabilizing agent is reported. The thiol groups present in the diastase are mainly responsible for the rapid reaction rate of silver nanoparticles synthesis. The variation in the size and morphology of AgNPs were studied by changing the pH of diastase. The prepared silver nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-vis, XRD, FTIR, TEM and SAED. The FTIR analysis revealed the stabilization of diastase molecules on the surface of AgNPs. Additionally, in-vitro cytotoxicity experiments concluded that the cytotoxicity of the as-synthesized AgNPs towards mouse fibroblast (3T3) cell lines is dose and size dependent. Furthermore, the present method is an alternative to the traditional chemical methods of size controlled AgNPs synthesis.

Prevalence of QT interval prolongation in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is growing evidence linking various cardiac complications with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Electrolyte abnormalities, chronic inflammation, and medication use (such as Infliximab) that are associated with IBD are all independent risk factors for QT interval prolongation. Given that malignant ventricular arrhythmias are associated with QT interval prolongation, it is important to risk stratify this subset of patients. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal QT interval prolongation (defined by a QT interval of >450 ms in men and >460 ms in women) in an IBD population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with IBD from the Metro Hospital database was performed. Patients' demographic characteristics and laboratory data were abstracted. "RR" and "QT" intervals were measured from the last available electrocardiogram, and corrected QT (QTc) interval was calculated from lead II using Bazett's formula. RESULTS: Of 142 eligible patients, 42.3% (n=22/52) of males and 48.9% (n=44/90) of females had a prolonged QTc interval. Patients with IBD having a prolonged QTc interval had a higher body mass index than those with a normal QTc interval (29.7±6.9 vs. 26.2±5.9, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that patients with IBD are at a higher risk of developing QTc interval prolongation.

Inflammatory bowel "Cardiac" disease: Point prevalence of atrial fibrillation in inflammatory bowel disease population.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Proinflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-6 have been closely associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). These markers are characteristically elevated in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and positively correlate with disease activity. Although IBD and AF have similar pathogenesis, there have been very limited studies looking at their association. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of AF in patients with IBD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with biopsy proven IBD (n = 203, both in and outpatient) were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred and forty-one IBD patients with documentary evidence of electrocardiograms (ECG's) were included. The "Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA)" study, a large cross-sectional study (n = 1.89 million) done to evaluate the prevalence of AF among the US population, was our control population. All ECGs available till December 2010 for each IBD patient were reviewed carefully for evidence of AF. We studied the prevalence of AF among IBD population and compared it to that of control (ATRIA) population. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was significantly higher among IBD patients compared with the ATRIA study patients (11.3% vs 0.9%, P < 0.0001). Additionally, the IBD patient population were much younger compared with the controls (64.4 ± 10.7 vs 71.2 ± 12.2, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: AF has an overall higher prevalence across all age groups in IBD compared with the subjects of ATRIA study, which could be due to the chronic inflammatory state of IBD. Further studies are needed to study the association in detail.

A case of recurrent bleeding stomal varix controlled using embolization with a liquid copolymer: an effective therapy for palliation.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding stomal varices (BSV) is a common problem in patients undergoing an ileostomy or colostomy. The diagnosis is often delayed as blood loss occurs in small amounts over a period of time, usually from minor anastamosing blood vessels at the ostomy site making it hard to diagnose. Treatment options can be limited in terms of modalities and efficacy. CASE: We describe a case of recurrent bleeding from a superior mesenteric vein (SMV) that was inadvertently sewn into the ileostomy site during surgery. Bleeding was initially controlled with percutaneous SMV coil embolization, but the bleeding persisted, only to be controlled finally by embolization using a liquid copolymer. Though the patient was terminally ill, his quality of life significantly improved thereafter, he did not have any further bleeding episodes during 10 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Embolization of a recurrent bleeding stomal varix with a liquid copolymer may be an effective therapeutic option.