Chitosan Biocomposites with Variable Cross-Linking and Copper-Doping for Enhanced Phosphate Removal.

The fabrication of chitosan (CH) biocomposite beads with variable copper (Cu2+) ion doping was achieved with a glutaraldehyde cross-linker (CL) through three distinct methods: (1) formation of CH beads was followed by imbibition of Cu(II) ions (CH-b-Cu) without CL; (2) cross-linking of the CH beads, followed by imbibition of Cu(II) ions (CH-b-CL-Cu); and (3) cross-linking of pristine CH, followed by bead formation with Cu(II) imbibing onto the beads (CH-CL-b-Cu). The biocomposites (CH-b-Cu, CH-b-CL-Cu, and CH-CL-b-Cu) were characterized via spectroscopy (FTIR, 13C solid NMR, XPS), SEM, TGA, equilibrium solvent swelling methods, and phosphate adsorption isotherms. The results reveal variable cross-linking and Cu(II) doping of the CH beads, in accordance with the step-wise design strategy. CH-CL-b-Cu exhibited the greatest pillaring of chitosan fibrils with greater cross-linking, along with low Cu(II) loading, reduced solvent swelling, and attenuated uptake of phosphate dianions. Equilibrium and kinetic uptake results at pH 8.5 and 295 K reveal that the non-CL Cu-imbibed beads (CH-b-Cu) display the highest affinity for phosphate (Qm = 133 ± 45 mg/g), in agreement with the highest loading of Cu(II) and enhanced water swelling. Regeneration studies demonstrated the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of Cu-imbibed chitosan beads for controlled phosphate removal, whilst maintaining over 80% regenerability across several adsorption-desorption cycles. This study offers a facile synthetic approach for controlled Cu2+ ion doping onto chitosan-based beads, enabling tailored phosphate oxyanion uptake from aqueous media by employing a sustainable polysaccharide biocomposite adsorbent for water remediation by mitigation of eutrophication.

A Qualitative Study on Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Community Members in Tanzania.

The use of vaccines is one of the key tools in reversing the COVID-19 pandemic; however, various reports reported the low uptake of the vaccines. This study explored the barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among community members in Tanzania. A qualitative explorative study was conducted in December 2021 and April 2022 in eight regions of Tanzania. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were the methods of data collection. A total of 48 FGDs and 32 IDIs were conducted. Participants were aware of the COVID-19 disease and vaccines. The barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine non-uptake included receiving contradicting statements from top government leaders, vaccine preceded the education, myths towards vaccines, the presence of different types of vaccines, the process of getting the vaccine, the influence of social media and random people from the community, and vaccine conflicting religious beliefs. Despite being aware of the vaccine, the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is still low. Interventions that focus on increasing community knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines and addressing myths about the vaccines are needed.

Should routine surgical wound drainage after ventral hernia repair be avoided? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: To evaluate outcomes of drain use vs. no-drain use during ventral hernia repair. METHODS: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane database, The Virtual Health Library, Clinical trials.gov and Science Direct. Studies comparing use of drains with no-drain during ventral hernia repair (primary or incisional) were included. Wound-related complications, operative time, need for mesh removal and early recurrence were the evaluated outcome parameters. RESULTS: Eight studies reporting a total number of two thousand four hundred and sixty-eight patients (drain group = 1214; no-drain group = 1254) were included. The drain group had a significantly higher rate of surgical site infections (SSI) and longer operative time compared with the no-drain group [odds ratio (OR): 1.63, P = 0.01] and [mean difference (MD): 57.30, P = 0.007], respectively. Overall wound-related complications [OR: 0.95, P = 0.88], seroma formation [OR: 0.66, P = 0.24], haematoma occurrence [OR: 0.78, P = 0.61], mesh removal [OR: 1.32, P = 0.74] and early hernia recurrence [OR: 1.10, P = 0.94] did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The available evidence does not seem to support the routine use of surgical drains during primary or incisional ventral hernia repairs. They are associated with increased rates of SSIs and longer total operative time with no significant advantage in terms of wound-related complications.

Confidence in COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and safety and its effect on vaccine uptake in Tanzania: A community-based cross-sectional study.

COVID-19 is a major public health threat associated with increased disease burden, mortality, and economic loss to countries and communities. Safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines are key in halting and reversing the pandemic. Low confidence in vaccines has been one of the factors leading to hesitancy. We aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccine confidence (safety and effectiveness), associated factors, and its effects on vaccine uptake among general community members in Tanzania. This was a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted from December 2021 to April 2022 in six regions of Tanzania mainland and two regions in Zanzibar. Participants were interviewed using an electronic questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with vaccine confidence. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0. The study enrolled 3470 general Tanzanian community members; their mean age was 40.3 (standard deviation ±14.9) years, and 34% were males. The proportion of COVID-19 vaccine confidence was 54.6%. Geographical region, residence area, COVID-19 disease risk perception, and good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine confidence. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines was associated with over three times higher odds of vaccine uptake. Confidence in COVID-19 vaccines was low in Tanzania. Innovative community engagement strategies and region-specific interventions are needed to improve comprehensive knowledge and address community perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Associated Factors in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from a Community-Based Survey in Tanzania.

COVID-19 is a major public health threat associated with the increased global burden of infectious diseases, mortality, and enormous economic loss to countries and communities. Safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines are crucial in halting the pandemic. We assessed the COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among community members from eight regions in Tanzania. The interviewer-administered questionnaire collected data. Multiple logistic regression models determined the factors associated with vaccine uptake. The median age of 3470 respondents was 37 years (interquartile range of 29-50 years) and 66% of them were females. Only 18% of them had received the COVID-19 vaccine, ranging from 8% in Dar es Salaam to 37% in Simiyu regions. A third (34%) of those vaccinated people did not know which vaccine they were given. Significantly higher rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake were among the respondents aged 30+ years, males, and with a history of COVID-19 infection. Unfavorable perceptions about vaccine safety and efficacy lowered the rates of vaccine uptake. Setting-specific interventions and innovations are critical to improving vaccine uptake, given the observed differences between regions. Efforts are needed to increase vaccine uptake among women and younger people aged less than 30 years. Knowledge-based interventions should enhance the understanding of the available vaccines, benefits, target groups, and availability.

Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals in the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey.

The central region of the Milky Way is one of the foremost locations to look for dark matter (DM) signatures. We report the first results on a search for DM particle annihilation signals using new observations from an unprecedented γ-ray survey of the Galactic Center (GC) region, i.e., the Inner Galaxy Survey, at very high energies (≳100 GeV) performed with the H.E.S.S. array of five ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. No significant γ-ray excess is found in the search region of the 2014-2020 dataset and a profile likelihood ratio analysis is carried out to set exclusion limits on the annihilation cross section ⟨σv⟩. Assuming Einasto and Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) DM density profiles at the GC, these constraints are the strongest obtained so far in the TeV DM mass range. For the Einasto profile, the constraints reach ⟨σv⟩ values of 3.7×10^{-26} cm^{3} s^{-1} for 1.5 TeV DM mass in the W^{+}W^{-} annihilation channel, and 1.2×10^{-26} cm^{3} s^{-1} for 0.7 TeV DM mass in the τ^{+}τ^{-} annihilation channel. With the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey, ground-based γ-ray observations thus probe ⟨σv⟩ values expected from thermal-relic annihilating TeV DM particles.

Occlusal Trauma Induces Neuroimmune Crosstalk for a Pain State.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder caused by occlusal trauma is one of the most controversial topics in dentistry. Experimental traumatic occlusion (ETO) induced by metal crowns cemented to mandibular first molars in rats causes a long-lasting nociceptive response. This study aimed to elucidate whether ETO generates an increase in inflammatory mediators in the TMJ. In addition, the impact of ETO on trigeminal ganglia, neurotransmitter release, and satellite glial cell (SGC) activation was investigated. ELISA revealed enhanced inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, CX3CL1, and ADAM-17 by Western blotting, in periarticular TMJ tissue after 28 d of ETO. In the trigeminal ganglia, ETO groups increased the release of the neurotransmitters substance P and glutamate. Overexpression of the AMPA receptor and upregulation of NMDA were observed in the 0.4- and 0.7-mm ETO groups, respectively, highlighting enhanced neuronal excitation. Increased IL-1ß and COX-2 mRNA levels in the 0.7-mm ETO group confirmed trigeminal ganglia SGC activation. Immunofluorescence and electrophoresis of SGC revealed increased pERK expression in the 0.7-mm ETO group. ERK phosphorylation was shown to be nociceptive specific, with its upregulation occurring in cases of chronic inflammatory pain. Increased PKA mRNA levels were observed in the 0.4-mm ETO group, while CREB mRNA levels were upregulated for both ETO groups. Electrophoresis showed overexpression of sodium channel Nav 1.7 in the 0.7-mm ETO group, while immunofluorescence revealed that Nav 1.7 is expressed in sensory trigeminal ganglia cells. The results of this study suggest that occlusal trauma induces neuroimmune crosstalk, with synthesis of proinflammatory/pronociceptive mediators, which increases neuronal activity in trigeminal ganglia via the activation of an inflammatory response cascade to develop a persistent neuroinflammatory state that leads to central sensitization.

Revealing x-ray and gamma ray temporal and spectral similarities in the GRB 190829A afterglow.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are bright flashes of gamma rays from extragalactic sources followed by fading afterglow emission, are associated with stellar core collapse events. We report the detection of very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays from the afterglow of GRB 190829A, between 4 and 56 hours after the trigger, using the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.). The low luminosity and redshift of GRB 190829A reduce both internal and external absorption, allowing determination of its intrinsic energy spectrum. Between energies of 0.18 and 3.3 tera-electron volts, this spectrum is described by a power law with photon index of 2.07 ± 0.09, similar to the x-ray spectrum. The x-ray and VHE gamma-ray light curves also show similar decay profiles. These similar characteristics in the x-ray and gamma-ray bands challenge GRB afterglow emission scenarios.

A Review on the Design and Hydration Properties of Natural Polymer-Based Hydrogels.

Hydrogels are hydrophilic 3D networks that are able to ingest large amounts of water or biological fluids, and are potential candidates for biosensors, drug delivery vectors, energy harvester devices, and carriers or matrices for cells in tissue engineering. Natural polymers, e.g., cellulose, chitosan and starch, have excellent properties that afford fabrication of advanced hydrogel materials for biomedical applications: biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, hydrophilicity, thermal and chemical stability, and the high capacity for swelling induced by facile synthetic modification, among other physicochemical properties. Hydrogels require variable time to reach an equilibrium swelling due to the variable diffusion rates of water sorption, capillary action, and other modalities. In this study, the nature, transport kinetics, and the role of water in the formation and structural stability of various types of hydrogels comprised of natural polymers are reviewed. Since water is an integral part of hydrogels that constitute a substantive portion of its composition, there is a need to obtain an improved understanding of the role of hydration in the structure, degree of swelling and the mechanical stability of such biomaterial hydrogels. The capacity of the polymer chains to swell in an aqueous solvent can be expressed by the rubber elasticity theory and other thermodynamic contributions; whereas the rate of water diffusion can be driven either by concentration gradient or chemical potential. An overview of fabrication strategies for various types of hydrogels is presented as well as their responsiveness to external stimuli, along with their potential utility in diverse and novel applications. This review aims to shed light on the role of hydration to the structure and function of hydrogels. In turn, this review will further contribute to the development of advanced materials, such as "injectable hydrogels" and super-adsorbents for applications in the field of environmental science and biomedicine.

Combined Supplementation of Nano-Zinc Oxide and Thyme Oil Improves the Nutrient Digestibility and Reproductive Fertility in the Male Californian Rabbits.

The present study aimed to determine the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), thyme oil (THO), or their combination on the nutrient digestibility coefficients, reproductive parameters, and some blood metabolites of male Californian rabbits. One hundred rabbits, 29-weeks of age (initial body weight 3.48 ± 0.08 kg) were randomly distributed into four groups, 25 rabbits each. Treatment groups were fed a control diet, a control diet supplemented with ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg), THO (500 mg/kg), or combination of ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg) and THO (500 mg/kg). The feeding trial lasted for 35 days. Results showed improvements in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and crude fiber in ZnO-NPs, THO, and their combination treated groups compared to those of control. Furthermore, semen volume, sperm motility, vitality, and morphology were significantly improved (p < 0.01) in ZnO-NPs and THO groups rather than the control. Both ZnO-NPs and THO, as either individual or combined treatments significantly improved the serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), urea, and creatinine compared to the control. Moreover, serum concentrations of testosterone were significantly increased in rabbits supplemented with ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination compared to those of control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination improved the digestibility of nutrients, liver/ kidney functions, semen characteristics, and testosterone concentration in male rabbits.

Comparison of the Moisture Adsorption Properties of Starch Particles and Flax Fiber Coatings for Energy Wheel Applications.

The adsorption-desorption behavior of flax fibers (FFs) is reported in this paper. FFs are a potential desiccant material for air-to-air energy wheels, which transfer heat and moisture in building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The raw FFs sample was subjected to physical modification, followed by complementary material characterization to understand the relationship between its structure and its moisture uptake performance. The surface and textural properties of the modified FFs were determined by gas adsorption (N2, H2O) and gravimetric liquid water swelling studies and further supported by spectroscopic (infrared and scanning electron microscopy) results. A FF-coated small-scale energy exchanger was used to determine the moisture transfer (or latent effectiveness; εl) using single-step and cyclic testing. The FF-coated exchanger had εl values of ∼10 and 40% greater compared to similar exchangers coated with starch particles (SPs) and silica gel (SG) reported in a previous study. The enhanced surface and textural properties, along with the complex compositional structure of FFs and its greater propensity to swell in water, account for the improved performance over SPs. Thus, FFs offer an alternative low-cost, environment-friendly, and sustainable biodesiccant for air-to-air energy wheel applications in buildings. The current study contributes to an improved understanding of the structure-function relationship of biodesiccants for such energy wheel applications.

Flax Biomass Conversion via Controlled Oxidation: Facile Tuning of Physicochemical Properties.

The role of chemical modification of pristine linen fiber (LF) on its physicochemical and adsorption properties is reported in this contribution. The surface and textural properties of the pristine LF and its peroxyacetic acid- (PAF) and chlorite-treated (CF) fiber forms were characterized by several complementary methods: spectroscopy (SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and XPS), thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), gas/water adsorption isotherms, and zeta potential (ξ). The results obtained reveal that the surface charge and textural properties (surface area and pore structure) of the LF material was modified upon chemical treatment, as indicated by changes in the biomass composition, morphology, ξ-values, and water/dye uptake properties of the fiber samples. Particularly, the pristine LF sample displays preferential removal efficiency (ER) of methylene blue (MB) dye with ER ~3-fold greater (ER~62%) as compared to the modified materials (CF or PAF; ER~21%), due to the role of surface charge of pectins and lignins present in pristine LF. At higher MB concentration, the relative ER values for LF (~19%) relative to CF or PAF (~16%) reveal the greater role of micropore adsorption sites due to the contributing effect of the textural porosity observed for the modified flax biomass at these conditions. Similar trends occur for the adsorption of water in the liquid vs. vapour phases. The chemical treatment of LF alters the polarity/charge of the surface functional groups, and pore structure properties of the chemically treated fibers, according to the variable hydration properties. The surface and textural properties of LF are altered upon chemical modification, according to the variable adsorption properties with liquid water (l) vs. water vapor (g) due to the role of surface- vs. pore-sites. This study contributes to an understanding of the structure-adsorption properties for pristine and oxidized flax fiber biomass. The chemical conversion of such biomass yields biomaterials with tunable surface and textural properties, as evidenced by the unique adsorption properties observed for pristine LF and its modified forms (CF and PAF). This study addresses knowledge gaps in the field by contributing insight on the relationship between structure and adsorption properties of such LF biomass in its pristine and chemically modified forms.

Hydration and Sorption Properties of Raw and Milled Flax Fibers.

The physicochemical and hydration properties of mechanically modified flax fibers (FFs) were investigated herein. Raw flax fibers (FF-R) were ball-milled and sieved through mesh with various aperture sizes (420, 210, and 125 µm) to achieve modified samples, denoted as FF-420, FF-210, and FF-125, respectively. The physicochemical and hydration properties of FF-R with variable particle sizes were characterized using several complementary techniques: microscopy (SEM), spectroscopy (FT-IR, XRD, and XPS), thermoanalytical methods (DSC and TGA), adsorption isotherms using gas/dye probes, and solvent swelling studies in liquid H2O. The hydration of FF biomass is governed by the micropore structure and availability of active surface sites, as revealed by the adsorption isotherm results and the TGA/DSC profiles of the hydrated samples. Gravimetric water swelling, water retention values, and vapor adsorption results provide further support that particle size reduction of FF-R upon milling parallels the changes in surface chemical and physicochemical properties relevant to adsorption/hydration in the modified FF materials. This study outlines a facile strategy for the valorization and tuning of the physicochemical properties of agricultural FF biomass via mechanical treatment for diverse applications in biomedicine, energy recovery, food, and biosorbents for environmental remediation.

A very-high-energy component deep in the γ-ray burst afterglow.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are brief flashes of γ-rays and are considered to be the most energetic explosive phenomena in the Universe1. The emission from GRBs comprises a short (typically tens of seconds) and bright prompt emission, followed by a much longer afterglow phase. During the afterglow phase, the shocked outflow-produced by the interaction between the ejected matter and the circumburst medium-slows down, and a gradual decrease in brightness is observed2. GRBs typically emit most of their energy via γ-rays with energies in the kiloelectronvolt-to-megaelectronvolt range, but a few photons with energies of tens of gigaelectronvolts have been detected by space-based instruments3. However, the origins of such high-energy (above one gigaelectronvolt) photons and the presence of very-high-energy (more than 100 gigaelectronvolts) emission have remained elusive4. Here we report observations of very-high-energy emission in the bright GRB 180720B deep in the GRB afterglow-ten hours after the end of the prompt emission phase, when the X-ray flux had already decayed by four orders of magnitude. Two possible explanations exist for the observed radiation: inverse Compton emission and synchrotron emission of ultrarelativistic electrons. Our observations show that the energy fluxes in the X-ray and γ-ray range and their photon indices remain comparable to each other throughout the afterglow. This discovery places distinct constraints on the GRB environment for both emission mechanisms, with the inverse Compton explanation alleviating the particle energy requirements for the emission observed at late times. The late timing of this detection has consequences for the future observations of GRBs at the highest energies.

Water Vapor Adsorption-Desorption Behavior of Surfactant-Coated Starch Particles for Commercial Energy Wheels.

This study reports on the adsorption (dehumidification)-desorption (humidification) behavior of cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) coated starch particles (SPs), denoted as SP-CPB, as a potential desiccant material for air-to-air energy exchangers. CPB is a cationic surfactant with antibacterial activity that can be used to modify the surface properties of SPs, especially at variable CPB loading levels (SP-CPB0.5, SP-CPB2.5, and SP-CPB5.0, where the numeric suffix represents the synthetic loading level of CPB in mM). The SP-CPB0.5 sample displayed optimal surface area and pore structure properties that was selected for water sorption isotherm studies at 25 °C. The CPB-coated SPs sample (SP-CPB0.5) showed an improved water vapor uptake capacity compared to unmodified starch (SPs) and other desiccant systems such as high amylose starch (HAS15) and silica gel (SG13). Single-step and cyclic water vapor sorption tests were conducted using a small-scale exchanger coated with SP-CPB0.5. The calculated latent effectiveness values obtained from direct measurements using cyclic tests (65.4 ± 2%) agree closely with the estimated latent effectiveness from single-step tests (64.6 ± 2%) at controlled operating conditions. Compared to HAS15- and SG13-coated exchangers, the SP-CPB0.5-coated exchanger performed much better at controlled operating conditions, along with improved longevity due to the CPB surface coating. The presence of CPB did not attenuate the uptake properties of native SPs. Latent effectiveness of SP-CPB0.5-coated exchanger was enhanced (5-30% higher) over that of the SG13- or HAS15-coated exchangers, according to the wheel angular speed. This study reports on a novel and sustainable SP-CPB0.5 material as a promising desiccant coating with tunable uptake and surface properties with potential utility in air-to-air energy exchangers for ventilation systems.

Inclusion Complexes of Melphalan with Gemini-Conjugated ß-Cyclodextrin: Physicochemical Properties and Chemotherapeutic Efficacy in In-Vitro Tumor Models.

ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD) has been widely explored as an excipient for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals as it forms stable host-guest inclusion complexes and enhances the solubility of poorly soluble active agents. To enhance intracellular drug delivery, ßCD was chemically conjugated to an 18-carbon chain cationic gemini surfactant which undergoes self-assembly to form nanoscale complexes. The novel gemini surfactant-modified ßCD carrier host (hereafter referred to as 18:1ßCDg) was designed to combine the solubilization and encapsulation capacity of the ßCD macrocycle and the cell-penetrating ability of the gemini surfactant conjugate. Melphalan (Mel), a chemotherapeutic agent for melanoma, was selected as a model for a poorly soluble drug. Characterization of the 18:1ßCDg-Mel host-guest complex was carried out using 1D/2D 1H NMR spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The 1D/2D NMR spectral results indicated the formation of stable and well-defined 18:1ßCDg-Mel inclusion complexes at the 2:1 host-guest mole ratio; whereas, host-drug interaction was attenuated at greater 18:1ßCDg mole ratio due to hydrophobic aggregation that accounts for the reduced Mel solubility. The in vitro evaluations were performed using monolayer, 3D spheroid, and Mel-resistant melanoma cell lines. The 18:1ßCDg-Mel complex showed significant enhancement in the chemotherapeutic efficacy of Mel with 2-3-fold decrease in Mel half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. The findings demonstrate the potential applicability of the 18:1ßCDg delivery system as a safe and efficient carrier for a poorly soluble chemotherapeutic in melanoma therapy.

Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Many methods have been performed to achieve a satisfying outcome in acne scars but some of them were high cost and also were associated with low results and some complications. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety therapy of glycolic acid (GA) peel, microneedling with dermapen and a combination of both procedures in treatment of atrophic acne scars. PATENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 patients suffering from acne scars. They were randomly assigned into three groups, each group included 10 patients; group I was treated with GA peel, group II treated was with microneedling. Group III received a combination of both procedures. All patients received six sessions with 2-week intervals. The clinical assessment was based on the qualitative global scar grading system before and after treatment, quartile grading scale, and degree of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in acne scars grade after treatment among the studied groups (P = 0.04) but it was higher in group III. There was improvement in boxcar, ice pick, and rolling scars in all groups, respectively (P = 0.03, P = 0.04, P = 0.04). Patients' satisfaction was higher in group III (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The combination of dermapen and GA peel is more effective than monotherapy.

Cyclodextrin-Based Polymer-Supported Bacterium for the Adsorption and in-situ Biodegradation of Phenolic Compounds.

Dual function polymer materials with immobilized Sphingobium Chorophenolicum (SpC) bacterium cells are reported herein that undergo tandem adsorption and biodegradation of phenolic compounds. The cross-linked polymer materials contain ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) with incremental hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) cross-linker at variable mole ratios (X = 1, 3, or 6), denoted as HDI-X systems. The adsorptive uptake properties of the insoluble HDI-X polymers (X = 3 and 6) with various phenolic compounds [pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), and 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (TMP)] were studied using batch adsorption isotherms. The molecular selective phenol removal (SR) capacity of the HDI-3 and HDI-6 materials was evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results were compared against granular activated carbon (GAC) and native ß-CD, where 1D/2D 1H NMR spectral characterization of the complexes formed between phenolic guests and a soluble polymer (HDI-1) in aqueous solution provide insight on the intermolecular interactions and the role of cross-linking effects. Immobilization of SpC onto HDI-3 was shown to form a composite polymer/bacterium material. The composite system displays synergistic removal effects due to tandem PCP adsorption and SpC biodegradation to yield by-products such as 2,6-dichloro-1,4-hydroquinone (DCHQ). Apoptosis and cytotoxicity of DCHQ were evaluated using three breast cancer cell lines.