Finite element modeling of stress distribution and safety factors in a Ti-27Nb alloy hip implant under real-world physiological loading scenarios.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most successful orthopaedic interventions globally, with over 450,000 procedures annually in the U.S. alone. However, issues like aseptic loosening, dislocation, infection and stress shielding persist, necessitating complex, costly revision surgeries. This highlights the need for continued biomaterials innovation to enhance primary implant integrity and longevity. Implant materials play a pivotal role in determining long-term outcomes, with titanium alloys being the prominent choice. However, emerging evidence indicates scope for optimized materials. The nickel-free ß titanium alloy Ti-27Nb shows promise with excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Using finite element analysis (FEA), this study investigated the biomechanical performance and safety factors of a hip bone implant made of nickel-free titanium alloy (Ti-27Nb) under actual loading during routine day life activities for different body weights. The FEA modelled physiological loads during walking, jogging, stair ascent/descent, knee bend, standing up, sitting down and cycling for 75 kg and 100 kg body weights. Comparative analyses were conducted between untreated versus 816-hour simulated body fluid (SBF) treated implant conditions to determine in vivo degradation effects. The FEA predicted elevated von Mises stresses in the implant neck for all activities, especially stair climbing, due to its smaller cross-section. Stresses increased substantially with a higher 100 kg body weight compared to 75 kg, implying risks for heavier patients. Safety factors were reduced by up to 58% between body weights, although remaining above the desired minimum value of 1. Negligible variations were observed between untreated and SBF-treated responses, attributed to Ti-27Nb's excellent biocorrosion resistance. This comprehensive FEA provided clinically relevant insights into the biomechanical behaviour and integrity of the Ti-27Nb hip implant under complex loading scenarios. The results can guide shape and material optimization to improve robustness against repetitive stresses over long-term use. Identifying damage accumulation and failure risks is crucial for hip implants encountering real-world variable conditions. The negligible SBF effects validate Ti-27Nb's resistance to physiological degradation. Overall, the study significantly advances understanding of Ti-27Nb's suitability for reliable, durable hip arthroplasties with low revision rates.

Sustainable utilization of Fe3O4-modified activated lignite for aqueous phosphate removal and ANN modeling.

Lignites are widely available and cost-effective in many countries. Sustainable methods for their utilization drive innovation, potentially advancing environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. In the present study, Fe3O4 (∼25.1 nm) supported on KOH-activated lignite (A-L) displayed 8 times higher phosphate removal than pristine A-L (67.6 mg/g vs. 8.5 mg/g at pH 5, 50 mg of absorbent in 25 mL of 1500 ppm [phosphate]), owing to its abundant Fe3O4 (10 wt% of Fe) nanoparticle content. The removal occurred within ∼2 h, following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Across pH levels ranging from 5.0 to 9.0, Fe3O4-A-L's phosphate removal occurs via both chemisorption and precipitation, as evident by kinetic, pH, and XPS analyses. The phosphate adsorption fits better with the Freundlich isotherm. The combined benefits of facile recovery, rapid phosphate uptake, straightforward regeneration, and attractive post-adsorption benefits (e.g., possibly use as a Fe, P-rich fertilizer) make magnetic Fe3O4-A-L a promising candidate for real-world applications. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling indicates an excellent accuracy (R2 = 0.99) in predicting the amount of phosphate removed by Fe3O4-A-L. Sensitivity analysis revealed both temperature and initial concentration as the most influencing factors. Leveraging lignite in environmentally friendly applications not only addresses immediate challenges but also aligns with sustainability goals. The study clearly articulates the potential benefits of utilizing lignite for sustainable phosphate removal and recovery, offering avenues for mitigating environmental concerns while utilizing resources efficiently.

Letter to editor: gender gap in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: preliminary results of a retrospective study.

This letter addresses important considerations for enhancing the research on the gender gap in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease. While acknowledging the commendable efforts of the study's authors, we highlight several areas that warrant further attention to maximize the research's yield and applicability. Specifically, we emphasize the need for a more diverse cohort to enhance the generalizability of findings, inclusion of a control group for comprehensive evaluation, utilization of additional assessment tools to mitigate bias, incorporation of qualitative data for a holistic understanding, and evaluation of long-term outcomes beyond short follow-up durations. Addressing these considerations would strengthen the validity, applicability, and impact of research findings in this crucial area of study.

Evidence for chronic headaches induced by pathological changes of myodural bridge complex.

Clinical studies have shown that there may be a certain relationship between pathological changes of the myodural bridge complex (MDBC) and chronic headaches of unknown cause. But there is still a lack of experimental evidence to explain the possible mechanism. This study aims to further confirm this relationship between MDBC and chronic headaches and explore its potential occurrence mechanism in rats. Bleomycin (BLM) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was injected into the myodural bridge fibers of rats to establish the hyperplastic model of MDBC. After 4 weeks, the occurrence of headaches in rats was evaluated through behavioral scores. The immunohistochemistry staining method was applied to observe the expression levels of headache-related neurotransmitters in the brain. Masson trichrome staining results showed that the number of collagen fibers of MDBC was increased in the BLM group compared to those of the other two groups. It revealed hyperplastic changes of MDBC. The behavioral scores of the BLM group were significantly higher than those of the PBS group and the blank control group. Meanwhile, expression levels of CGRP and 5-HT in the headache-related nuclei of the brain were increased in the BLM group. The current study further confirms the view that there is a relationship between pathological changes of MDBC and chronic headaches of unknown cause. This study may provide anatomical and physiological explanations for the pathogenesis of some chronic headaches of unknown cause.

Smart colorimetric indicator films prepared from chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol with high mechanical strength and hydrophobic properties for monitoring shrimp freshness.

This work aimed to develop and characterize a colorimetric indicator films based on chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and shikonin (SKN) from radix Lithospermi by casting method. The prepared films can serve as smart packaging for monitoring shrimp freshness which having excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The shikonin containing films have better hydrophobicity, barrier properties, and tensile strength. The release kinetics analysis shows that the loading amount causes a prolonged release of SKN from the prepared films. Increasing SKN in the CS/PVA film from 1 wt% to 2 wt% improved antibacterial effect for 24 h. Additionally, pH-sensitive color shifts from reddish (pH 2) to purple-bluish (pH 13) were visually seen in shikonin based solutions as well as films. The CS/PVA/SKN film detected shrimp deterioration at three temperatures (25, -20, and 4 °C) through color change. This study introduces a favorable approach for smart packaging in the food industry using multifunctional films.

Anti-bacterial films developed by incorporating shikonin extracted from radix lithospermi and nano-ZnO into chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol for visual monitoring of shrimp freshness.

In recent years, the utilization of smart colorimetric packaging films for monitoring food freshness has garnered significant concentration. However, their limited tensile strength, hydrophobicity, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties have been substantial barriers to widespread adoption. In this study, we harnessed the potential of biodegradable materials, specifically chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol, alongside shikonin extracted from Radix Lithospermi and ZnO nanoparticles, to create a novel colorimetric sensing film. This film boasts an impressive tensile strength of 82.36 ± 2.13 MPa, enhanced hydrophobic characteristics (exemplified by a final contact angle of 99.81°), and outstanding antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is designed for real-time monitoring of shrimp freshness. Additionally, we verified the effectiveness of this sensing film in detecting shrimp freshness across varying temperature conditions, namely 25 °C and 4 °C was validated through the measurement of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). Visual inspection unequivocally revealed a transition in color from dark red to purple-light blue and finally to dark bluish providing a clear indication of shrimp spoilage, which demonstrated a strong correlation with the TVB-N content in shrimp measured through standard laboratory procedures. The colorimetric sensing film developed in this study holds great promise for creating smart labels with exceptional antioxidant and antibacterial properties, tailored for visual freshness monitoring of shrimp.

Hydrogeochemical assessment of aquifer salinization in north-eastern Morocco's Gueroaou coastal plain using statistical methods.

The Guerouaou aquifer investigation spanning 280 km2 in Ain Zohra yields promising outcomes, instilling optimism for regional water quality. These analyses were applied to 45 sampling instances from 43 wells, enabling a comprehensive water quality assessment. Groundwater conductivity ranged from medium to high, peaking at 18360 ms/cm2. The conductivity reveals insights about the groundwater's mineralization. Key physiochemical parameters fell within desirable thresholds, bolstering the positive perspective. HCO3- levels spanned 82-420 mg/L, while chloride content ranged from 38 to 5316 mg/L, benefiting water quality. NO3- ions, vital for gauging pollution, ranged from 0 to 260 mg/L, indicating favorable results. Cation concentrations exhibited encouraging variations: Ca2+- 24 to 647 mg/L, Mg2+- 12 to 440 mg/L, Na+- 18 to 2722 mg/L, K+- 1.75 to 28.65 mg/L. These collectively favor water quality. Halite breakdown dominated mineralization, as evidenced by the prevalence of Na-Cl-Na-SO4 facies. Water resource management and local communities need effective management and mitigation strategies to prevent saltwater intrusion.

Exploring nighttime pedestrian crash patterns at intersection and segments: Findings from the machine learning algorithm.

INTRODUCTION: Pedestrian safety at nighttime is an ongoing critical traffic safety concern. Although poor visibility is primarily associated with nighttime pedestrian crashes, other contributing factors such as humans, vehicles, roadways, and environmental factors interact with each other to cause a crash. Additionally, the pattern of nighttime pedestrian crashes differs significantly according to the intersection and segment location, which requires further exploration. DATA: This study applied Association Rules Mining (ARM), a rule-based machine learning method, to reveal the association of nighttime pedestrian crash risk factors according to the intersection and segment locations using 2,505 nighttime pedestrian fatal and injury crashes in Louisiana (2015-2019). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on the generated rules, the results show that nighttime pedestrian crashes at the intersection are associated with right-turn vehicle movement, older drivers (>64 years) at the high-speed intersection, senior pedestrians (>64 years) in rainy weather conditions, violation by pedestrian age group '<15 years', and alcohol-intoxicated pedestrian violation in business/industrial areas. Additionally, 'careless operation' at the intersection is associated with alcohol-involved drivers. Most of the nighttime pedestrian crashes at segments are associated with roadways with no physical separation and the absence of streetlights. Driver alcohol involvement and their physical condition (inattentive/distracted) are also associated with pedestrian crashes associated at the segment location at night. Other segment pedestrian crashes are linked to the interstate in dark conditions, open country locations, and high-speed roadways. Additionally, the crash site investigation identified several critical pedestrian safety concerns including the lack of crosswalk facilities, high driveway density, and pedestrian behavioral patterns (e.g., crossing at roadway segments close to the intersection location). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings of this study can be used for selecting the appropriate countermeasures based on a case-by-case basis. The exposure patterns can be used in educational campaigns to strategically reduce nighttime pedestrian crashes.

Giant mandibular osteoma, CT findings for the primary care provider.

We report a very rare case of 35-year-old female with a giant mandibular osteoma in the angle of the mandible. We highlight the importance of CT in diagnosing as well as defining the extent of this rare case so that proper management can be undertaken. We also showcase the importance of angiography to show relationship of this mass with the surrounding vessels.

S1P Lyase Deficiency in the Brain Promotes Astrogliosis and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via Purinergic Signaling.

Astrocytes are critical players in brain health and disease. Brain pathologies and lesions are usually accompanied by astroglial alterations known as reactive astrogliosis. Sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase (SGPL1) catalysis, the final step in sphingolipid catabolism, irreversibly cleaves its substrate sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). We have shown that neural ablation of SGPL1 causes accumulation of S1P and hence neuronal damage, cognitive deficits, as well as microglial activation. Moreover, the S1P/S1P-receptor signaling axis enhances ATP production in SGPL1-deficient astrocytes. Using immunohistochemical methods as well as RNA Seq and CUT&Tag we show how S1P signaling causes activation of the astrocytic purinoreceptor P2Y1 (P2Y1R). With specific pharmacological agonists and antagonists, we uncover the P2Y1R as the key player in S1P-induced astrogliosis, and DDX3X mediated the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, including caspase-1 and henceforward generation of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and of other proinflammatory cytokines. Our results provide a novel route connecting S1P metabolism and signaling with astrogliosis and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a central player in neuroinflammation, known to be crucial for the pathogenesis of numerous brain illnesses. Thus, our study opens the door for new therapeutic strategies surrounding S1P metabolism and signaling in the brain.

Characterization of municipal solid waste: Measures towards management strategies using statistical analysis.

Implementing unified municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is often difficult due to socio-economic variables. However, spatial GIS models and statistical analysis of solid waste characterized by the weekdays, weekends, and festivals can somewhat mitigate the variance and assist with selecting suitable waste management methods. This paper presents the example of Rajouri, India, to propose a suitable MSWM based on Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) intensity maps and statistical findings. The considered region was divided into different sample sites based on the local population density, and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) was collected from four locations in each site on weekdays, weekends, and festivals. Compositional analysis of the MSW was then used to generate spatial IDW models in QGIS 3.22.7 to interpolate MSW generation over the entire area. Finally, statistical analysis was conducted to gain insight into the waste generation and accumulation trends. The results show that Rajouri produces 245 tonnes of waste daily (per capita: 0.382 kg/day) with a large organic fraction compared to other waste categories. Besides, waste generation is observed to increase over weekends and festivals due to increased consumption of material goods. Composting could serve as a vector for municipal solid waste because of its increased organic component and cost constraints. However, further research on the potential segregation techniques for the organic fraction of solid waste is needed.

Identifying roadway departure crash patterns on rural two-lane highways under different lighting conditions: Association knowledge using data mining approach.

INTRODUCTION: More than half of all fatalities on U.S. highways occur due to roadway departure (RwD) each year. Previous research has explored various risk factors that contribute to RwD crashes, however, a comprehensive investigation considering the effect of lighting conditions has been insufficiently addressed. DATA: Using the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development crash database, fatal and injury RwD crashes occurring on rural two-lane (R2L) highways between 2008-2017 were analyzed based on daylight and dark (with and without streetlight). METHOD: This research employed a safe system approach to explore meaningful complex interactions among multidimensional crash risk factors. To accomplish this, an unsupervised data mining algorithm association rules mining (ARM) was utilized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on the generated rules, the findings reveal several interesting crash patterns in the daylight, dark-with-streetlight, and dark-no-streetlight, emphasizing the importance of investigating RwD crash patterns depending on the lighting conditions. In daylight condition, fatal RwD crashes are associated with cloudy weather conditions, distracted drivers, standing water on the roadway, no seat belt use, and construction zones. In dark lighting condition (with and without streetlight), the majority of the RwD crashes are associated with alcohol/drug involvement, young drivers (15-24 years), driver condition (e.g., inattentive, distracted, illness/fatigued/asleep), and colliding with animal(s). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings also reveal how certain driver behavior patterns are connected to RwD crashes, such as a strong association between alcohol/drug intoxication and no seat belt usage in the dark-no-streetlight condition. Based on the identified crash patterns and behavioral characteristics under different lighting conditions, the findings could aid researchers and safety specialists in developing the most effective RwD crash mitigation strategies.

S1P Released by SGPL1-Deficient Astrocytes Enhances Astrocytic ATP Production via S1PR2,4, Thus Keeping Autophagy in Check: Potential Consequences for Brain Health.

Astrocytes are critical players in brain health and disease. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive signaling lipid, is involved in several vital processes, including cellular proliferation, survival, and migration. It was shown to be crucial for brain development. Its absence is embryonically lethal, affecting, inter alia, the anterior neural tube closure. However, an excess of S1P due to mutations in S1P-lyase (SGPL1), the enzyme responsible for its constitutive removal, is also harmful. Of note, the gene SGPL1 maps to a region prone to mutations in several human cancers and also in S1P-lyase insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS) characterized by several symptoms, including peripheral and central neurological defects. Here, we investigated the impact of S1P on astrocytes in a mouse model with the neural-targeted ablation of SGPL1. We found that SGPL1 deficiency, and hence the accumulation of its substrate, S1P, causes the elevated expression of glycolytic enzymes and preferentially directs pyruvate into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle through its receptors (S1PR2,4). In addition, the activity of TCA regulatory enzymes was increased, and consequently, so was the cellular ATP content. The high energy load activates the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), thus keeping astrocytic autophagy in check. Possible consequences for the viability of neurons are discussed.

Facial palsy as a manifestation of COVID-19: A systematic review of cases.

Background and Aims: Facial palsy is a rare complication of the COVID-19 infection. Herein, we conducted a systematic review of all published cases of facial palsy post-COVID-19 infection in an attempt to educate the general population and medical practitioners regarding the likely occurrence of facial palsy in COVID-19 patients, its detection, effective treatment plan, and prognosis of the condition. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) from December 1, 2019 to September 21, 2021. Results: We included 49 studies bearing accounts of 75 cases who had facial palsy. The mean age of patients was 42.9 ± 19.59 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 8:7. The majority of the cases were reported from Brazil (n = 14), USA (n = 9), Turkey (n = 9), and Spain (n = 9). Noticeably, 30.14% of COVID-19 patients were diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. In total, 22.97% of patients complained of bilateral facial paralysis (n = 17), whereas ipsilateral paralysis was observed in 77.03% (n = 57). These were common complaints of Lagophthalmos, otalgia, facial drooping, dysarthria, and compromised forehead wrinkling. The treatment regimen mainly included the use of corticosteroids (n = 51) (69.86%), antivirals (n = 23) (31.51%), IVIG (n = 18) (24.66%), antibiotics (n = 13) (17.81%), antiretroviral (n = 9) (12.33%), and antimalarial (n = 8) (10.96%) medications. In all, 35.62% of patients (n = 26) adhered to a combination of antiviral and corticosteroid-based therapy. Positive treatment outcomes were observed in 83.58% (n = 56) of cases. In contrast, 10 patients (14.93%) showed nonsignificant recovery, out of which 3 (4.48%) died from the disease. Conclusion: The association of facial palsy with COVID-19 is controversial and therefore requires further investigation and published work to confirm a causal relationship. However, physicians should not overlook the likelihood of facial palsy post-COVID-19 infection and treat it accordingly.

Microplastics: Occurrences, treatment methods, regulations and foreseen environmental impacts.

Microplastics are a silent threat that represent a high degree of danger to the environment in its different ecosystems and of course will also have an important impact on the health of living organisms. It is evident the need to have effective treatments for their treatment, however this is not a simple task, this as a result of the behavior of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants due to their different types and nature, their long molecular chain, reactivity against water, size, shape and the functional groups they carry. Wastewater treatment plants are at the circumference of the release of these wastes into the environment. They often act as a source of many contaminations, which makes this problem more complex. Challenges such as detection in the current scenario using the latest analytical techniques impede the correct understanding of the problem. Due to microplastics, treatment plants have operational and process stability problems. This review paper will present the in-depth situation of occurrence of microplastics, their detection, conventional and advanced treatment methods as well as implementation of legislations worldwide in a comprehensive manner. It has been observed that no innovative or new technologies have emerged to treat microplastics. Therefore, in this article, technologies targeting wastewater treatment plants are critically analyzed. This will help to understand their fate, but also to develop state-of-the-art technologies or combinations of them for the selective treatment of microplastics. The pros and cons of the treatment methods adopted and the knowledge gaps in legislation regarding their implementation are also comprehensively analyzed. This critical work will offer the development of new strategies to restrict microplastics.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate-lyase deficiency affects glucose metabolism in a way that abets oncogenesis.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive signaling lipid, is involved in several vital processes, including cellular proliferation, survival and migration, as well as neovascularization and inflammation. Its critical role in the development and progression of cancer is well documented. The metabolism of S1P, which exerts its effect mainly via five G protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1-5 ), is tightly regulated. S1P-lyase (SGPL1) irreversibly cleaves S1P in the final step of sphingolipid catabolism and exhibits remarkably decreased enzymatic activity in tumor samples. In this study, we used SGPL1-deficient (Sgpl1-/- ) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and investigated the impact of S1P on glucose metabolism. Accumulated S1P activates, via its receptors (S1PR1-3 ), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and stimulates the expression of proteins involved in glucose uptake and breakdown, indicating that Sgpl1-/- cells, like cancer cells, prefer to convert glucose to lactate even in the presence of oxygen. Accordingly, their rate of proliferation is significantly increased. Activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and hence down-regulation of autophagy indicate that these changes do not negatively affect the cellular energy status. In summary, we report on a newly identified role of the S1P/S1PR1-3 axis in glucose metabolism in SGPL1-deficient MEFs.

Anthropogenic impacts on phytosociological features and soil microbial health of Colchicum luteum L. an endangered medicinal plant of North Western Himalaya.

Colchicum luteum is currently a rare and threatened medicinal plant species in the Kashmir Himalaya. Due to the subsequent increase in anthropogenic pressure on medicinal plant species, it is imperative to understand the phytosociological and conservational status of the plant in its natural habitat. The objectives of this study were analysed in year 2018-2019 on the phytosociological data, viz. density, frequency, and abundance, as well as the rhizospheric soil microbial diversity of C. luteum in disturbed and undisturbed areas of the Kashmir Himalaya. We examined the distribution pattern, phytosociological data, and conservation status of C. luteum by analysing ecological features like abundance, frequency, and density in all three selected locations in Kashmir, Northern India and were found maximum values at Undisturbed areas. The highest values of density (3.24 ± 0.69 m2), frequency (57.77 ± 13.55%), and abundance (5.49 m2) were recorded at undisturbed site Harwan. The total bacterial count (CFU) and Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) spore population from the rhizospheric soil of C. luteum were also analysed, with higher bacterial count i.e., Pseudomonas, Azatobacter, Rhizobium and PSB were (26.2 ± 0.648) (21.88 ± 0.675) (30.11 ± 0.576) and (14.11 ± 0.671) and VAM spore population (g-1) of soil recorded 6.36 ± 0.550 at undisturbed areas viz. Harwan. The bacteria and fungi are likely keystone organisms that form an interface between soils and plant roots. Mutualistic associations with host plants have been observed in various natural and agricultural ecosystems. The present findings could be helpful in formulating conservation strategies for C. Luteum threatened and endangered medicinal plant present in North western Himalayan regions. The plant in disturbed areas that are affected by anthropogenic activities like tourism, grazing, deforestation, urbanization, transport etc. impacts on phytosociological and soil microbial patterns in the area. Because of these abiotic pressures, causes a reduction in plant cover in forest regions, soils become exposed, affecting soil microbial health. Therefore, the study shows the necessity for best practices for medicinal plant and forest management that provide effective monitoring and regulation of human activities in the offshore forest regions and avoid the intrusion of existing reserves.

Thermodynamic modeling of in-situ rocket propellant fabrication on Mars.

In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to refuel rockets on Mars will become critical in the future. The current effort presents a thorough feasibility analysis of a scalable, Matlab-based, integrated ISRU framework from the standpoint of the second law of thermodynamics. The ISRU model is based on existing technology that can utilize Martian resources (regolith and atmosphere) to produce rocket propellants. Model simulations show that the system analysis is theoretically consistent with a positive entropy generation, and the achievable mass flow rates of liquid methane and liquid oxygen can potentially meet the 16-month rocket refueling deadline (on Mars) as desired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. However, the model is sensitive to liquid oxygen storage temperatures, and lower temperatures are necessary to minimize compressor work. This proof-of-concept model can open avenues for further experimental evaluation of the system to achieve a higher technology readiness level.

Efficient removal of ibuprofen and ofloxacin pharmaceuticals using biofilm reactors for hospital wastewater treatment.

Hospital wastewater is harmful to the environment and human health due to its complex chemical composition and high potency towards becoming a source of disease outbreaks. Due to these complexities, its treatment is neither efficient nor cost-effective. It is a challenging issue that requires immediate attention. This effort focuses on the treatment of hospital wastewater (HWW) by removing two selected drugs, namely ibuprofen (IBU) and ofloxacin (OFX) using individual biological treatment methods, such as moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR) and physicochemical treatment, such as ozonation and peroxane process. The both methods are compared to find the best method overall based on effectiveness and removal efficiency. The optimal removal for ozone dosing range was nitrate (9.00% and 62.00%), biological oxygen demand (BOD) (92.00% and 64.00%), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (96.00% and 92.00%) that required at least 10 min to reach considerable degradation. The MBBR process assured a better performance for ibuprofen removal, overall. The IBU and OFX removal was found to be 14.32-96.00% at a higher COD value and 11.33-94.00% at a lower COD value due to its biodegradation. This work strives to pave the way forward to build an HWW treatment technology using integrated MBBR processes for better efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

COVID-19 associated vasculitis: A systematic review of case reports and case series.

Vasculitis is one of the complications of COVID-19. We conducted a systematic review analysing the association of COVID-19 with vasculitis. We searched Google Scholar and PubMed from December 1, 2019, to October 11, 2021. The review included 8 studies (7 case reports and 1 case series) reporting 9 cases of vasculitis secondary to COVID-19. The mean age was 29.17 ± 28.2 years, ranging from 6 months to 83 years. The male to female ratio was 4:5. Maculopapular, violaceous, papular and erythematous rash were common. Heparin(n = 2), corticosteroids (n = 6) (methylprednisolone) and intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 4) were prescribed in these patients. Significant clinical improvement was observed in 8 out of 9 patients. One person died during treatment. Our study discusses vasculitis as one of the complications of COVID-19. Furthermore, the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of COVID-19 associated vasculitis is discussed.