Design and characterization of phosphonic acid-functionalized grafted sepiolite nanohybrids and their adsorption studies for removal of copper ions from aqueous solution.

In this study, we synthesized novel, economically efficient phosphonic acid-functionalized grafted sepiolite nanohybrids for selective elimination of copper ions from water. These nanohybrids were prepared by graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate onto sepiolite. We utilized free radical graft polymerization to graft glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto silanized sepiolite. The nanohybrids obtained exhibited a grafting percentage of 479% at 0.3 g of KPS initiator, 15% GMA monomer, and after 4 h of reaction. In pursuit of selectively removing metal ions from water, the nanohybrid with the highest grafting (PGE3) was chemically treated with phosphoric acid to introduce phosphonic acid groups on it. FTIR, XRD, SEM, CHO analysis, BET, and TGA analysis were utilized to characterize the developed nanohybrids. Batch adsorption studies were carried out using AAS process, examining the impact of pH, adsorbent weight, contact time, adsorbate concentration, and temperature on the adsorption process. Due to the selectivity of phosphonic acid groups towards copper ions, phosphonic acid-functionalized grafted sepiolite nanohybrid (PGE3-P) was used for copper ions removal from its aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity of PGE3-P adsorbents was 134.5 mg/g for copper ions. The data from kinetic studies suggests that the adsorption process of copper ions followed a pseudosecond-order model. Furthermore, Langmuir isotherm proved to be a more fitting model in equilibrium isothermal investigations. The thermodynamic analysis of the data indicates that the adsorption of copper ions by PGE3-P is an endothermic and spontaneous process. The development of this phosphonic acid-functionalized grafted sepiolite nanohybrid adsorbent is a new contribution into the field of adsorption. The developed material can be utilized as selective adsorbent for elimination of other heavy metals from water.

Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Generation by Light-Induced Carbon Modification of TiO2 Nanotubes.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) is the material of choice for photocatalytic and electrochemical applications owing to its outstanding physicochemical properties. However, its wide bandgap and relatively low conductivity limit its practical application. Modifying TiO2 with carbon species is a promising route to overcome these intrinsic complexities. In this work, we propose a facile method to modify TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) based on the remnant organic electrolyte retained inside the nanotubes after the anodization process, that is, without removing it by immersion in ethanol. Carbon-modified TiO2 NTs (C-TiO2 NTs) showed enhanced H2 evolution in photocatalysis under UV illumination in aqueous solutions. When the C-TiO2 NTs were subjected to UV light illumination, the carbon underwent modification, resulting in higher measured photocurrents in the tube layers. After UV illumination, the IPCE of the C-TiO2 NTs was 4.4-fold higher than that of the carbon-free TiO2 NTs.

Removal of copper using chitosan beads embedded with amidoxime grafted graphene oxide nanohybids.

This study explores a biopolymer-based composite system for metal decontamination of water using copper {Cu (II)} as a model pollutant. Novel composite beads of chitosan and amidoxime grafted graphene oxide (AOGO) were successfully prepared and used for the Cu (II) removal from aqueous solutions. For this purpose, acrylonitrile was first polymerized onto a gamma-irradiated and silanized graphene oxide substrate. The nitrile groups of polyacrylonitrile grafted graphene oxide (GO-g-PAN) were then chemically modified into amidoxime groups to form AOGO nanohybrids. These nanohybrids were mixed with a blend of chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and crosslinked using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) to form composite CP/AOGO beads. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the structural changes at each step during the formation of composite beads. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis demonstrated that the beads had a well-developed spherical structure. The adsorption of Cu (II) onto CP/AOGO composite beads was studied under different conditions (initial concentration, pH, and contact time). The results revealed the potential of composite beads in copper removal from aqueous solutions.

The Interplay of Genetics and Environmental Factors in the Development of Obesity.

Obesity is a major health issue in the developed nations, and it has been increasingly clear that both genetics and environment play an important role in determining if an individual will be obese or not. We reviewed the latest researches which were carried out to identify the obesity susceptible genes and to identify the metabolic pathways having a central role in energy balance. Obesity is a heritable disorder, and some of the many obesity susceptible genes are fat mass and obesity (FTO), leptin, and Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Glucose metabolism is the central pathway for fatty acid synthesis, de novo generating the major substrate acetyl-CoA. Further knowledge of these genes and their complex interaction with the environment will help devise individual, family and community-based preventive lifestyle interventions as well as nutritional and medical therapies.

A Unique Case of Empyema Secondary to Amoebic Liver Abscess.

An amoebic liver abscess is an extraintestinal manifestation of amoebiasis that can present with complaints such as right upper quadrant pain and fever. It might not necessarily be associated with abdominal complaints and can have many other atypical presentations. It may present with lung diseases, cardiac diseases, or brain abscesses. We present a case of a patient with empyema secondary to amoebic liver abscess whose diagnosis was delayed due to an unusual presentation. A combination of radiology, serology, and therapeutic interventions led to the accurate management of the patient.

Quality of Life After Living Donor Hepatectomy for Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) involves healthy individuals undergoing voluntary major hepatic resection. LDLT program only started in 2012 in Pakistan and its impact on donor's quality of life (QOL) post resection is not known. The objective of this study was to determine health-related QOL in donors who underwent hepatectomy in country's first liver transplant program. METHODS: A total of 60 donors who underwent hepatectomy between 2012 and 2014 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included in the study. Short form (SF-36) and Profile of mood states (POMS-65) was used to assess QOL. In addition scores were compared between patients who did and did not develop complications. RESULT: Mean time duration between hepatectomy and administration of questionnaire was 15 ± 5.1 months. Median age was 28 (19-45) years. Mean BMI was 24.4 ± 3.7. A total of 7 (11.6%) Grade 3 and above complications were observed in donors. Donors exceeded a score of 90 in 6 out of 8 evaluated categories on SF-36. The highest mean score was recorded for emotional role limitation 95.5 ± 17.1 and lowest for energy 84.8 ± 17.5. The mean score for anger was 6.6 ± 7.5. Donors also did well on the POMS vigor score with a mean of 22.7 ± 5. No significant difference in scores was observed between donors with and without complications for any of the categories except tension. Donors who developed complications post-operatively had a significantly low mean tension score of 1.5 versus 3.8 for donors without complications. CONCLUSION: Acceptable post donation QOL was achieved and surgical complications did not adversely affect SF-36 and POMS scores.