Treatment of heavy metals containing wastewater using biodegradable adsorbents: A review of mechanism and future trends.

The direct disposal of industrial effluents into the aquatic system is considered as a significant environmental hazard in many countries. Because of poisonous chemicals, substantial volumes of effluent release, as well as the lack of adequate of conventional treatment methodologies, industrial effluent treatment is extremely difficult. Numerous researchers have been interested in adsorption technology for its high efficiency of pollutant removal, low cost, and abundantly available adsorbent. Various adsorbent materials, both natural and modified form, have been widely used for the removal of toxic contaminants from industrial effluent. This paper highlights recent advancements in multiple modification types to functionalize the adsorbent material, resulting in higher adsorption capacity on various toxic pollutants. This review provides an overview of the adsorption mechanism and parameters (pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, temperature and interaction time), which influencing the removal efficiency of adsorbents. Furthermore, this review compiles the desorption study to recover the adsorbent and improve the cycle's financial viability. This review provides a concise overview of the future directions and outlook in the framework of adsorbent application for industrial wastewater treatment.

Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer and the use of gemcitabine during pregnancy.

We present a case of metastatic non-small-cell lung malignancy diagnosed in the mother in her 24th week of pregnancy and illustrate the obstetric, oncology, neonatal and ethical issues involved. This is the second reported case on the use of gemcitabine for lung cancer in human pregnancy.

The role of gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging in the preoperative evaluation of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm is an uncommon variant of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Thorough preoperative imaging of the extent of the aneurysm and inflammation and the associated complications are crucial in the management of this condition. We report a case of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm where, after the initial contrast-enhanced CT, gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging was used to define the true extent of the inflammation and differentiate inflammation from mural thrombus at the iliac extension of the aneurysm. The imaging appearances are presented and the impact of MR imaging on further surgical management options including endovascular repair are discussed.

Perianeurysmal fibrosis: a relative contra-indication to endovascular repair.

OBJECTIVE: Perianeurysmal fibrosis (PAF) with involvement of neighbouring viscera can render open repair of inflammatory aneurysms technically difficult and therefore hazardous. For this reason, endovascular repair (EVAR) has been advocated as the preferred approach for this condition. EVAR is known to induce a systemic inflammatory response in patients but the nature of the local response remains unknown. If significant, such a response could exacerbate rather than ameliorate PAF. The aim of the study was to examine the incidence, course and consequences of perianeurysmal fibrosis detected by computerised tomography (CT) before and after EVAR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical records of patients treated by EVAR and followed for at least 6 months were reviewed. Pre and post-operative CT images were independently graded for PAF by three radiologists according to a standard protocol. RESULTS: PAF was documented preoperatively in six out of a total of 61 patients. In two of these PAF worsened after EVAR resulting in ureteric obstruction and hydronephrosis requiring ureteric stents. In the remaining 4 patients PAF did not reduce postoperatively. PAF of low grade developed postoperatively in 10 out of 55 patients (18%) in whom there was no evidence of PAF on preoperative imaging. Median follow-up was 18 months (range 6-36 months). The development of periaortic fibrosis de novopostoperatively was statistically significant (McNemar's test p=0.002). CONCLUSION: EVAR does not seem to reverse PAF if this is present preoperatively and it induces this condition in approximately one sixth of patients without evidence of preoperative PAF. The potential for this adverse inflammatory local response should be taken into account when considering EVAR for treatment of aneurysms with perianeurysmal fibrosis and must be weighed against the perceived benefits of this approach.

Saw tooth patello--femoral arthritis.

Four patients with an unusual form of patello-femoral arthritis are described. The characteristic feature of the condition is an erosive 'saw tooth' pattern characteristically seen on both sides of the joint. Radiologically, this pattern is best seen on the skyline view. The other principal features are a lamellar-like pattern on slightly oblique lateral views, a smooth supra patellar erosion of the femur seen on the lateral view and cortical ridging of the lateral femoral condyle seen 'en face' on the AP projection. A possible mechanism to account for the radiological features is proposed. Anbarasu, A., Loughran, C. F. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 767-769.

Tuberculous chylous ascites: pathognomonic CT findings.

The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of chylous ascites is usually that of water with corresponding attenuation coefficients. This case report depicts the fat-fluid level sign on CT (shown by supine and decubitus scans), which is pathognomonic of chylous ascites.

Esophageal tuberculosis with intramural pseudodiverticulosis.

Esophageal tuberculosis is rare, and its association with intramural pseudodiverticulosis is not widely appreciated. We report a patient with dysphagia who proved to have esophageal narrowing, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and intramural pseudodiverticulosis. Results of endoscopy and biopsy were nonspecific, but biopsy of the supraclavicular node showed histology consistent with tuberculosis. The patient experienced a dramatic response to antitubercular therapy, with resolution of the esophageal narrowing, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis.