Pesticide Nanoformulations Based on Sunlight-Activated Controlled Release of Abamectin.

A controlled release system that enables the sunlight-triggered release of a model agrochemical, abamectin (abm), is presented. The release system consists of polydopamine functionalized halloysite nanotubes (HNT-PDA) utilized as photothermal nanocarriers to encapsulate 25 wt % abm and 37 wt % lauric acid (LA), a phase change material, that acts as a heat-activable gatekeeper stopping or facilitating the abm release. When exposed to sunlight for 20 min at 1 and 3 sun light density, the temperature of the photothermal nanocarriers reaches 51 and 122 °C, respectively, which triggers the melting of LA and the consequent release of abm from the nanocarriers. Abm was shown to be released gradually over a period of 10 days when nanohybrids were exposed to sunlight for 6 h per day and to remain stable and kill Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), green peach aphids, at a mortality rate of over 70% for at least 10 days. Aqueous dispersions of the LA/abm@HNT-PDA nanohybrids were studied in terms of their potential as aqueous sprayable pesticide nanoformulations and presented over 30% suspensibility, 36 mg/cm2 foliar retention, strong rainwater resistance, and a 50% mortality rate for M. persicae at a concentration of 9 mg/mL. The proposed sunlight-activated controlled release system based on photothermal, LA-functionalized HNT-PDA nanocarriers holds great potential as controlled release pesticide nanoformulations.

Challenges in Functional Food Products with the Incorporation of Some Microalgae.

Much attention has been given to the use of microalgae to produce functional foods that have valuable bioactive chemicals, including essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, carotenoids, fiber, and minerals. Microalgal biomasses are increasingly being used to improve the nutritional values of foods because of their unique nutrient compositions that are beneficial to human health. Their protein content and amino acid composition are the most important components. The microalgal biomass used in the therapeutic supplement industry is dominated by bio-compounds like astaxanthin, ß-carotene, polyunsaturated fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and polysaccharides such as ß-glucan. The popularity of microalgal supplements is growing because of the health benefits of their bioactive substances. Moreover, some microalgae, such as Dunaliella, Arthrospira (Spirulina), Chlorella, and Haematococcus, are commonly used microalgal species in functional food production. The incorporation of microalgal biomass leads not only to enhanced nutritional value but also to improved sensory quality of food products without altering their cooking or textural characteristics. Microalgae, because of their eco-friendly potential, have emerged as one of the most promising and novel sources of new functional foods. This study reviews some recent and relevant works, as well as the current challenges for future research, using different methods of chemical modification in foods with the addition of a few commercial algae to allow their use in nutritional and sensory areas. It can be concluded that the production of functional foods through the use of microalgae in foods has become an important issue.

Mildronate Has Ameliorative Effects on the Experimental Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Model in the Rabbit Spinal Cord.

BACKGROUND: Mildronate is a useful anti-ischemic agent and has antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of mildronate in the experimental rabbit spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI) model. METHODS: Rabbits were randomized into 5 groups of 8 animals as groups 1 (control), 2 (ischemia), 3 (vehicle), 4 (30 mg/kg methylprednisolone [MP]), and 5 (100 mg/kg mildronate). The control group underwent only laparotomy. The other groups have the spinal cord ischemia model by a 20-minute aortic occlusion just caudal to the renal artery. The malondialdehyde and catalase levels and caspase-3, myeloperoxidase, and xanthine oxidase activities were investigated. Neurologic, histopathologic, and ultrastructural evaluations were also performed. RESULTS: The serum and tissue myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, and caspase-3 values of the ischemia and vehicle groups were statistically significantly higher than those of the MP and mildronate groups (P < 0.001). Serum and tissue catalase values of the ischemia and vehicle groups were statistically significantly lower than those of the control, MP, and mildronate groups (P < 0.001). The histopathologic evaluation showed a statistically significantly lower score in the mildronate and MP groups than in the ischemia and vehicle groups (P < 0.001). The modified Tarlov scores of the ischemia and vehicle groups were statistically significantly lower than those of the control, MP, and mildronate groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study presented the antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects of mildronate on SCIRI. Future studies will elucidate its possible use in clinical settings in SCIRI.

Effect of Flaxseed Mucilage and Gum Arabic on Probiotic Survival and Quality of Kefir during Cold Storage.

This study aimed to assess the survival of probiotic cultures in kefir. Kefir is a fermented dairy product, and in this study we incorporated nutritionally rich flaxseed mucilage and gum arabic as a prebiotic, then monitored for improvement in the the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. In addition, some physicochemical variables of kefir were investigated. The addition of flaxseed mucilage and gum arabic significantly (p ˂ 0.05) increased the growth of both Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis compared to the control. Samples enriched with flaxseed mucilage and gum arabic had significantly (p ˂ 0.05) reduced pH and increased viscosity. Flaxseed mucilage and gum arabic significantly (p ˂ 0.05) changed the color parameters L*, a*, and b*. However, as the concentration of flaxseed mucilage increased, the L* value decreased. Moreover, adding flaxseed mucilage and gum arabic into kefir increased (p ˂ 0.05) the protein content. These results showed that flaxseed mucilage and gum arabic could be used to increase the survival of probiotic cultures in kefir without changing its physicochemical properties.

Efficacy of Spinetoram for the Control of Bean Weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Different Surfaces.

In this study, the contact toxicity of spinetoram on three different surfaces, concrete, ceramic floor tile and laminate flooring, against Acanthocelides obtectus (Say.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was evaluated in laboratory bioassays. Different concentrations were evaluated ranging from 0.0025 to 0.05 mg AI/cm2, against adults of A. obtectus. Adult mortality was measured after 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-day exposure. After 1-day exposure, the mortality was low on all surfaces, ranging from 0 to 27.2%. After 5- and 7-day exposure, spinetoram at concentrations of 0.01 mg/cm2 and above achieved 100% or close mortality on concrete and laminate flooring surface, whereas low concentrations (0.0025, 0.005 and 0.0075 mg AI/cm2) resulted in significantly lower mortality levels, ranging from 1.6 to 30.8%, than high concentrations. In the case of ceramic floor tile surface, spinetoram treatments at all tested concentrations did not result in 100% mortality. Significant differences were recorded among the surfaces, depending on concentrations and exposure intervals. After 3-, 5- and 7-day exposure, mortality levels on ceramic floor tile surface were generally higher at low concentrations than those on the concrete and laminate flooring surfaces, whereas those on concrete and laminate flooring surfaces were significantly higher at high concentrations than ceramic floor tile surface. These results indicate that spinetoram at 0.025 and 0.05 mg AI/cm2 achieve satisfactory control at relatively short exposures on common types of surfaces and thus can be used as an effective insecticide against A. obtectus.

Lost microbes of COVID-19: Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium depletion and decreased microbiome diversity associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection severity.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to compare gut microbiome diversity and composition in SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients whose symptoms ranged from asymptomatic to severe versus PCR-negative exposed controls. DESIGN: Using a cross-sectional design, we performed shotgun next-generation sequencing on stool samples to evaluate gut microbiome composition and diversity in both patients with SARS-CoV-2 PCR-confirmed infections, which had presented to Ventura Clinical Trials for care from March 2020 through October 2021 and SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative exposed controls. Patients were classified as being asymptomatic or having mild, moderate or severe symptoms based on National Institute of Health criteria. Exposed controls were individuals with prolonged or repeated close contact with patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection or their samples, for example, household members of patients or frontline healthcare workers. Microbiome diversity and composition were compared between patients and exposed controls at all taxonomic levels. RESULTS: Compared with controls (n=20), severely symptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected patients (n=28) had significantly less bacterial diversity (Shannon Index, p=0.0499; Simpson Index, p=0.0581), and positive patients overall had lower relative abundances of Bifidobacterium (p<0.0001), Faecalibacterium (p=0.0077) and Roseburium (p=0.0327), while having increased Bacteroides (p=0.0075). Interestingly, there was an inverse association between disease severity and abundance of the same bacteria. CONCLUSION: We hypothesise that low bacterial diversity and depletion of Bifidobacterium genera either before or after infection led to reduced proimmune function, thereby allowing SARS-CoV-2 infection to become symptomatic. This particular dysbiosis pattern may be a susceptibility marker for symptomatic severity from SARS-CoV-2 infection and may be amenable to preinfection, intrainfection or postinfection intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04031469 (PCR-) and 04359836 (PCR+).

Oral booster probiotic bifidobacteria in SARS-COV-2 patients.

Oral booster-single strain probiotic bifidobacteria could be a potential strategy for SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to evaluate the role of oral probiotic Bifidobacterium on moderate/severe SARS-CoV-2 inpatients. In this single-center study, we analyzed data of 44 moderate/severe inpatients with diagnosed COVID-19 in Istanbul Maltepe University Medical Faculty Hospital, 2020 from 1 November 2020 to 15 December 2020. Clinical and medication features were compared and analyzed between patients with or without probiotic. In result, 19 of the 44 patients (43.18%) who were administrated with oral booster-single strain probiotic were discharged with the median inpatient day of 7.6 days which were significantly shorter than those of patients without probiotic. There were significant differences in inpatient days, radiological improvement at day 6 and week 3, and reduction in interleukin-6 levels in those receiving oral probiotic therapy. Although the mortality rate was 5% in the probiotic group, it was 25% in the non-probiotic group. Booster-single strain probiotic bifidobacteria could be an effective treatment strategy for moderate/severe SARS-CoV-2 inpatients to reduce the mortality and length of stay in hospital.

The Relationship Between Transpedicular Stabilization with Spinal Canal Type.

AIM: To analyze the spinal canal type and spinal structure of patients, to determine appropriate preoperative preparation and surgical procedures to prevent material malposition, which is the most common complication of thoracolumbar posterior transpedicular stabilization (TPTS) and is a determiner of its clinical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 214 cases were examined. TPTS procedures carried out on each thoracolumbar spine were evaluated. Twenty parameters were documented and retrospectively examined in each patient. RESULTS: Laminectomy is not helpful for healing unless there is spinal compression and ligamentotaxis is beneficial for healing. The correlation between the structure of the spinal canal and defective screw delivery found (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The spinal structure formed around the canal should be the first form to evaluate while TPTS applications to protect the spinal cord, which is the focal point of the spinal structure.

The probiotic Bifidobacterium in the management of Coronavirus: A theoretical basis.

COVID-19 is a viral pandemic that primarily manifests with respiratory distress but may also lead to symptoms and signs associated with the gastrointestinal tract. It is characteristically associated with a hyper-immune response, also referred to as a 'cytokine storm'. Probiotics are living microorganisms that have been shown to have positive effects on immune response in man with some bacteria; some strains of Bifidobacteria, for example, possess especially potent immune modulating effects. These bacteria have the potential to ameliorate the 'cytokine storm' through a differential effect on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In the management of COVID-19 and other coronovirus-mediated illnesses, probiotic bacteria also have the potential to enhance vaccine efficacy.

Amelioration of Cerebral Vasospasm and Secondary Injury by Vigabatrin After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Rabbit.

BACKGROUND: Vigabatrin, an antiepileptic drug, increases the level of gamma aminobutyric acid in the brain by inhibiting its catabolism. Because gamma aminobutyric acid has been proved to have vasodilatory effects, in the present study, we investigated the effect of vigabatrin to treat experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced vasospasm. METHODS: A total of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 10 each: the control group, SAH group, and vigabatrin group. Experimental SAH was established by injection of autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna. In the vigabatrin group, the rabbits were administered vigabatrin for 3 days after induction of the SAH. The first dose of vigabatrin was given 2 hours after SAH induction. A daily dose of 500 mg/kg vigabatrin was administered intraperitoneally. After 3 days, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the brains were removed, together with the cerebellum and brainstem. The basilar artery wall thickness and lumen areas were measured. The neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus (CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus) was also evaluated. RESULTS: The arterial wall thickness of the vigabatrin group was less than that in the SAH group (P < 0.001), and the mean luminal area of the vigabatrin group was greater than that in the SAH group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the hippocampal neuronal degeneration score of the vigabatrin group was lower than that of the SAH group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings have indicated that vigabatrin has a vasodilatory effect in an experimental SAH model in the rabbit. Moreover, it showed a neuroprotective effect in the hippocampal neurons against secondary injury induced by SAH.

Blocking VEGF by Bevacizumab Attenuates VEGF-Induced Vasospasm After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: Vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) plays a vital role in the development of delayed cerebral ischemia. Anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies, like bevacizumab (BEV), may attenuate VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis, reduced vascular cell proliferation, and improve vasospasm after SAH. METHODS: Thirty-two adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 rabbits in each group: group 1 (control); group 2 (SAH); group 3 (SAH + vehicle); and group 4 (SAH + BEV). BEV (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered 5 minutes after the intracisternal blood injection and continued for 72 hours once per day in the same dose for group 4. Animals were sacrificed 72 hours after SAH. Basilar artery cross-sectional areas, arterial wall thicknesses, and hippocampal degeneration scores were evaluated in all groups. RESULTS: VEGF is associated with the narrowing of the basilar artery. Treatment with BEV statistically significantly increased the cross-sectional area of the basilar artery when compared with the SAH and the vehicle groups. Basilar artery wall thicknesses in the BEV group was statistically significant smaller than in the SAH and vehicle groups. The hippocampal degeneration scores for the BEV and control groups were similar and significantly lower than those for the SAH and vehicle groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular proliferation and subsequent vessel wall thickening is a reason to delay cerebral ischemia and deterioration of the neurocognitive function. Intraperitoneal administration of BEV was found to attenuate cerebral vasospasm and prevent delayed cerebral ischemia and improve neurocognitive function after SAH in rabbits.

The Vasorelaxant and Neuroprotective Effects of Mildronate in A Rabbit Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Model.

AIM: To investigate the effects of an anti-ischemic agent, mildronate, on subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), vehicle, and mildronate (n=8 animals per group). In the treatment group, 200 mg/kg of mildronate were intraperitoneally administered 5 minutes after the procedure and continued for 3 days as daily administrations of the same dose. At the end of the third day, the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem were perfused, fixated, and removed for histopathological examination. Tissues were examined for arterial wall thickness, luminal area, and hippocampal neuronal degeneration. RESULTS: Mildronate group showed significantly increased luminal area and reduced wall thickness of the basilar artery compared with the subarachnoid hemorrhage group. In addition, the hippocampal cell degeneration score was significantly lower in the mildronate group than in the SAH and vehicle groups. CONCLUSION: These results show that mildronate exerts protective effects against SAH-induced vasospasm and secondary neural injury.

The effects of Cinnamaldehyde on early brain injury and cerebral vasospasm following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits.

The neuroprotective and vasodilatory effects of cinnamaldehyde have been widely studied and documented. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesized that cinnamaldehyde exhibits therapeutic effects on subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced early brain injury and cerebral vasospasm. Thirty-two adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of eight rabbits: control, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage + vehicle, and subarachnoid hemorrhage + cinnamaldehyde. An intraperitoneal dose of 50 mg/kg cinnamaldehyde was administered 5 min following an intracisternal blood injection, followed by three further daily injections at identical doses. The animals were sacrificed 72 h after subarachnoid hemorrhage was induced. The cross-sectional areas and arterial wall thicknesses of the basilar artery were measured and hippocampal degeneration scores were evaluated. Treatment with cinnamaldehyde was effective in providing neuroprotection and attenuating cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits. It effectively increased the cross-sectional areas of the basilar artery and reduced the arterial wall thickness; in addition, hippocampal degeneration scores were lower in the cinnamaldehyde group. The findings of this study showed, for the first time to our knowledge, that cinnamaldehyde exhibits neuroprotective activity against subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced early brain injury and that it can prevent vasospasm. Potential mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection and vasodilation were discussed. Cinnamaldehyde could play a role in subarachnoid hemorrhage treatment.

Modified Inside-outside Occipito-Cervical Plate System: Preliminary Results.

CONTEXT: Internal rigid fixation provides immediate stability of the occipito-cervical (OC) junction for treatment of instability; however, in current practice, the optimal OC junction stabilization method is debatable. AIMS: The aim of this study to test the safety and efficacy of a newly designed modified inside-outside occipito-cervical (MIOOC) plate system for the treatment of instability. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a feasibility study of MIOCC plate system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five male and four female patients with OC instability were treated using MIOOC plate system. Stabilization rate, safety, and efficacy were evaluated radiologically and clinically. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 35 ± 11 (range: 22-58) years. Etiology of OC instability included trauma, neoplasm, congenital abnormalities, and iatrogenic. The fusion levels ranged from occiput-C3 to occiput-C6. Mean follow-up duration was 22 ± 10 (range: 6-46) months. There were neither complication nor was there any need for plate revision or screw pullout. Mortality occurred in one patient due to primary malignancy at 6 months; otherwise, no morbidity was observed. During the follow-up, no recurrent subluxation or newly developed instability at adjacent levels occurred. All patients showed a satisfactory union at the most recent follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that the MIOCC plate system is a useful and safe method for providing immediate internal stability of the OC junction. Using a multi-piece plate design in this plate system provided easy implantation and a better interface between plate and OC bones. Further, clinical studies and long-term results are needed to determine the reliability of the MIOOC plate system.

Effect of Preoperative Uric Acid Level and Neutrophil / Lymphocyte Ratio on Preoperative and Postoperative Visual Analogue Pain Scores in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: To determine the relationship between the serum urate (SU) level, neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and pain severity using preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This single-center, cross-sectional study included 20 consecutive patients who were operated for LDH by the same surgeon. The patients'pre- and postoperative UA levels, NLRs, and intensity severity VAS scores were investigated. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, serum UA levels, and neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were recorded. Pain severity was recorded preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Effects of the preoperative SU levels and NLRs on the pre- and postoperative VAS scores were statistically assessed. RESULTS: Statistically significant positive correlation coefficients were determined between NLR and the preoperative and postoperative VAS scores. Negative correlation coefficients were found between the SU levels and preoperative VAS scores; in contrast, positive correlation coefficients were found between the SU levels and the postoperative VAS scores. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the importance of not ignoring the serum UA level and NLR in pre- and postoperative pain in patients with LDH. Nevertheless, further extensive studies are warranted.

Combination of oral vancomycin and intra-colonic vancomycin: Successful treatment of complicated pseudomembranous colitis in a child patient.

The Clostridium difficile infection-related disease varies from mild diarrhoea to pseudomembranouscolitis. Although C. difficile infection is commonly considered to be a hospital-acquired infection, a significant number of cases are community acquired. Community-acquired C. difficile infection can exhibit itself as ileus or toxic megacolon. Severe C. difficile infection that is unresponsive to intravenous metronidazole therapy requires more aggressive medical management and even surgical intervention. We present our case results for which vancomycin was administered both orally and intra-colonically. With this method, we treated the community acquired C. difficile infection patient who was presented as ileus.

Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis engineered to produce mycosporin-like amino acids in colorectal cancer prevention.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. The pathogensesis of colorectal cancer involves a multi-step and multi-factorial process. Disruption of the gut microbiota has been associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer. The genus Bifidobacterium is considered an important component of the commensal microbiota and plays important roles in several homeostatic functions: immune, neurohormonal, and metabolic. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis is a well-documented probiotic within the species Bifidobacterium. Mycosporin-like amino acids are low molecular weight amino acids demonstrated to exert prebiotic effects and to modulate host immunity by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as cytokine production.Their modulation of the metabolism of the immune system and transcription factors could exert a beneficial effect on colorectal cancer. B. animalis does not produce mycosporin-like amino acids. If one could create a B. animalis-producing mycosporin-like amino acids via genetic open reading frame engineering it should exert more potent immuno-stimulatory properties and, thereby, become a potent strain-specific microbial based therapy in colorectal cancer prevention.

A late onset adult seizure due to intracerebral needle: case-based update.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Late-onset seizure due to intracerebral needle is a rare entity. Most of them were clinically asymptomatic and rarely presented with seizure. Sewing needles are used in homicidal attempt in infancy or early childhood before the closure of the fontanels. Because of sociologic, politic, and scientific deficiencies subject remained untouched. We tried shedding some light on this ambiguous phenomenon. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report a 54-year-old man who was admitted to our neurosurgery outpatient department with epilepsy due to a sewing needle located in the left frontal lobe of the brain and made extensive literature review. RESULT: Patient's physical and neurological examinations were completely normal. All biochemical and hematological tests were normal. Cranial tomography demonstrated a linear density at the left frontal lobe compatible with a sewing needle. Patient was followed-up with antiepileptic treatment with no seizure. Sixty cases from up-to-date literature and past cases were reviewed. Patients' ages differ from 4 days to 70 years. Our review showed four cases treated with antibiotics, 19 patients went to surgery, and others just followed-up with antiepileptic and other drugs. CONCLUSION: Literature needs an autopsy series for a more intimate estimation. Due to psychosocial and legitimacy problems, matter should be handled cautiously and law enforcement agencies must be informed. Follow-up with medication is the first line of treatment with asymptomatic patients. Treatment is dictated by clinic onset, physical examination, and patient consent.

Development of a new adsorbent from pumpkin husk by KOH-modification to remove copper ions.

Heavy metal pollution in watercourses is a major environmental problem throughout the world due to rapid population growth, industrialization, and economic development. Considering this, the present study aimed to develop a new adsorbent from pumpkin husk (PH) by KOH modification to remove copper (Cu2+) ions and to explore its adsorptive potential. The sorption studies of Cu2+ on KOH-modified PH were carried out as functions of particle size, solution pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, initial metal concentration, and contact time. The sorption capacity of KOH-modified PH was found to be higher than that of raw PH, as 19.4 and 10.2 mg g-1, respectively. Morphology and surface structures of adsorbents were characterized by determination of zero point charge, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR-ATR) spectra, and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of PH powders before and after the sorption of Cu2+. The pHzpc of PH was found to be 5.0. FTIR-ATR analyses indicated that amino, amide, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and oxygenated groups of PH play an important role in the sorption process. Sorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic parameters of Cu2+ on KOH-modified PH were studied. The kinetic process was well represented by the Logistic model. The maximum sorption was found as 73.16 mg g-1 according to the well-fitting of Langmuir isotherm. Results of sorption and thermodynamic studies indicated that the process was exothermic, being feasible, and spontaneous. KOH-modified PH as an eco-friendly adsorbent had great potential to remove Cu2+ ions from aquatic system.

Antifibrotic Effect of Boric Acid in Rats with Epidural Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Epidural fibrosis is a major problem after spine surgery, with some patients having recurrent symptoms secondary to excessive formation of scar tissue resulting in neurologic compression. We used a rat laminectomy model to determine if topical application of boric acid could be helpful in the prevention of epidural fibrosis. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to 2 control and 2 experimental groups (n = 8 for each group). The negative control group received no surgery, and the positive control group underwent laminectomy only. Experimental groups were classified according to the study agents applied onto the dura mater after laminectomy at the L3 level: 2.5% boric acid solution and 5% boric acid solution. The extent of epidural fibrosis was assessed 4 weeks later macroscopically and histopathologically. RESULTS: Boric acid reduced epidural fibrosis in rats after laminectomy. The effect of 5% boric acid solution was more pronounced (P < 0.05) compared with the 2.5% solution. CONCLUSIONS: The antifibrotic effect of boric acid solution for the prevention of epidural fibrosis suggests that boric acid should be further evaluated in future studies for the prevention of epidural fibrosis.