Selective adsorption of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide by metal-organic frameworks.

The removal of highly toxic gasses such as SO2 and H2S is important in various industrial and environmental applications. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising candidates for the capture of toxic gases owing to their favorable properties such as high selectivity, moisture stability, thermostability, acid gas resistance, high sorption capacity, and low-cost regenerability. In this study, we perform first principles density functional theory (DFT) and grand-canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations to investigate the capture of highly toxic gases, SO2 and H2S, by the recently designed ZTF and MAF-66 MOFs. Our results indicate that ZTF and MAF-66 show good adsorption performances for SO2 and H2S capture. The nature of the interactions between H2S or SO2 and the pore surface cavities was examined at the microscopic level. SO2 is adsorbed on the pore surface through two types of hydrogen bonds, either between O of SO2 with the closest H of the triazole 5-membred ring or between O of SO2 with the hydrogen of the amino group. For H2S inside the pores, the principal interactions between H2S and surface pores are due to a relatively strong hydrogen bonds established between the nitrogens of the organic part of MOFs and H2S. Also, we found that these interactions depend on the orientation of SO2/H2S inside the pores. Moreover, we have studied the influence of the presence of water and CO2 on H2S and SO2 capture by the ZTF MOF. The present GCMC simulations reveal that the addition of H2O molecules at low pressure leads to an enhancement of the H2S adsorption, in agreement with experimental findings. However, the presence of water molecules decreases the adsorption of SO2 irrespective of the pressure used. Besides, SO2 adsorption is increased in the presence of a small number of CO2 molecules, whereas the presence of carbon dioxide in ZTF pores has an unfavorable effect on the capture of H2S.

In silico design of a new Zn-triazole based metal-organic framework for CO2 and H2O adsorption.

In search for future good adsorbents for CO2 capture, a nitrogen-rich triazole-type Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) is proposed based on the rational design and theoretical molecular simulations. The structure of the proposed MOF, named Zinc Triazolate based Framework (ZTF), is obtained by replacing the amine-organic linker of MAF-66 by a triazole, and its structural parameters are deduced. We used grand-canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations based on generic classical force fields to correctly predict the adsorption isotherms of CO2 and H2O. For water adsorption in MAF-66 and ZTF, simulations revealed that the strong hydrogen bonding interactions of water with the N atoms of triazole rings of the frameworks are the main driving forces for the high adsorption uptake of water. We also show that the proposed ZTF porous material exhibits exceptional high CO2 uptake capacity at low pressure, better than MAF-66. Moreover, the nature of the interactions between CO2 and the MAF-66 and ZTF surface cavities was examined at the microscopic level. Computations show that the interactions occur at two different sites, consisting of Lewis acid-Lewis base interactions and hydrogen bonding, together with obvious electrostatic interactions. In addition, we investigated the influence of the presence of H2O molecules on the CO2 adsorption on the ZTF MOF. GCMC simulations reveal that the addition of H2O molecules leads to an enhancement of the CO2 adsorption at very low pressures but a reduction of this CO2 adsorption at higher pressures.

Risk Factors Associated with In-Hospital Mortality for Patients with Acute Abdomen After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Management of acute abdomen (AA) differs due to the heterogeneity of underlying pathophysiology. Complications of AA and its overall outcome after cardiac surgery are known to be associated with poor results. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate risk factors for AA in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between December 2011 and December 2014, a total of 131 patients with AA after cardiac surgery were identified and retrospectively analyzed using our institutional database. Statistical analysis of risk factors concerning in-hospital mortality of mentioned patient cohort was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 54.2% (71/131). Analyzing in-hospital non-survivors (NS) versus in-hospital survivors (S) peripheral artery disease (28.2% vs. 11.7%; p = 0.03), the need for assist device therapy (33.8% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.03) and the requirement of hemodialysis (67.6% vs. 23.3%; p < 0.01) were significantly higher in NS. Furthermore, lactic acid values at onset of symptoms were shown to be significantly higher in NS (5.7 ± 5.7 mmol/L vs. 2.8 ± 2.9 mmol/L; p < 0.01). Assured diagnosis of mesenterial ischemia was strongly associated with worse outcome (odds ratio 10.800, 95% confidence interval 2.003-58.224; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in critically ill patients after performed cardiac surgery peripheral vascular disease, need for supportive hemodynamic assist device systems and occurrence of renal failure are risk factors associated with worsen outcome. Additionally, rise of lactic acid could potentially be associated with onset of intestinal malperfusion and should be taken into account in therapeutic decisions preventing fatal mesenterial ischemia.

Improved functional assessment of osteoarthritic knee joint after chondrogenically induced cell treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Our previous studies on osteoarthritis (OA) revealed positive outcome after chondrogenically induced cells treatment. Presently, the functional improvements of these treated OA knee joints were quantified followed by evaluation of the mechanical properties of the engineered cartilages. METHODS: Baseline electromyogram (EMGs) were conducted at week 0 (pre-OA), on the locomotory muscles of nine un-castrated male sheep (Siamese long tail cross) divided into controls, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), before OA inductions. Subsequent recordings were performed at week 7 and week 31 which were post-OA and post-treatments. Afterwards, the compression tests of the regenerated cartilage were performed. RESULTS: Post-treatment EMG analysis revealed that the control sheep retained significant reductions in amplitudes at the right medial gluteus, vastus lateralis and bicep femoris, whereas BMSCs and ADSCs samples had no further significant reductions (P < 0.05). Grossly and histologically, the treated knee joints demonstrated the presence of regenerated neo cartilages evidenced by the fluorescence of PKH26 tracker. Based on the International Cartilage Repair Society scores (ICRS), they had significantly lower grades than the controls (P < 0.05). The compression moduli of the native cartilages and the engineered cartilages differed significantly at the tibia plateau, patella femoral groove and the patella; whereas at the medial femoral condyle, they had similar moduli of 0.69 MPa and 0.40-0.64 MPa respectively. Their compression strengths at all four regions were within ±10 MPa. CONCLUSION: The tissue engineered cartilages provided evidence of functional recoveries associated to the structural regenerations, and their mechanical properties were comparable with the native cartilage.

Bilateral Septic Neonatal Orchiepididymitis - Case Report.

Neonatal epididymo-orchitis is a rare condition, causing testicular pain in neonatal boys. It represents epididymo-testicular inflammation which commonly coexists with urinary tract infections and malformations. The idiopathic type is extremely rare. We present a case of a seven-day old male neonate with advanced septic form of idiopathic orchiepididymitis and no associated urinary tract anomalies. The boy was hospitalized with signs of sepsis, anterior abdominal wall phlegmona and bilateral acute scrotum. Colour Doppler echosonography indicated epididymo-testicular inflammation with increased vascular flow. The patient underwent surgical exploration of both scrota in order to evacuate purulent content and fibrin. Cultures of Enterobacter spp were detected in hemiscrotal pus. Prompt administration of antibiotics was done. The postoperative course was uneventful. We suggest that every male baby must be very meticulously examined by a neonatologist in the early postnatal period, in order to prevent infertility.

Blunt Trauma in Paediatric Patients - Experience from a Small Centre.

OBJECTIVE: Despite great prevention efforts, blunt abdominal trauma still remains a leading cause of injury, especially in the paediatric population. Abdominal trauma is the main culprit of serious children's injury and the most common area of initially missed diagnosis with a fatal outcome. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, aetiology, grades of abdominal organ injuries, diagnosis, management and outcome of blunt abdominal trauma in a paediatric population. METHOD: This is a retrospective study of 31 patients with isolated parenchymatous abdominal organs, treated in a single centre. Stable patients with no signs of peritonitis and insignificant changes in laboratory findings were managed conservatively. Unstable patients received surgery. RESULTS: The leading cause of injuries were traffic accidents (64.5%), followed by fall from a height (22.5%), bicycle handlebar injuries (6.45%), contact sport and child abuse (3.22% each). The majority of injured children (90.32%) were managed conservatively. Only three patients (9.68%) were operated on due to complete avulsion and organ smash, or devascularization of the injured organs. Diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scan examination was performed on 93.5% of patients. Few patients had grade I and grade V injuries, while the largest proportion of patients had grade III and IV injuries. The most frequently injured organs were the spleen and kidney. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The results emphasize that conservative treatment was appropriate for all stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma regardless of organ injury grade. The success of non-operative management depends upon proper patient selection. The choice of non-operative treatment should be based predominantly on physiological response, rather than grade injury on CT scan.

Syndromic association of pyloric atresia and epidermolysis bullosa (Carmi syndrome)--a case report.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is an inherited, autosomal recessive, bullous disease, characterized by blisters followed with skin and mucosal erosions. We present a case of a male infant with pyloric atresia associated with junctional EB (Carmi syndrome). The patient underwent urgent laparotomy after prompt stabilization. Postoperative course was uneventful. Nine months later the patient died in the paediatric intensive care unit from respiratory distress syndrome. Prognosis is usually very poor. Death usually occurs during the first year of life, as a result of septic complications.

GE132+Natural: Novel promising dietetic supplement with antiproliferative influence on prostate, colon, and breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE: Natural products have been investigated for promising new leads in pharmaceutical development. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biological effect of GE132+Natural, a novel supplement consisting of 5 compounds: Resveratrol, Ganoderma lucidum, Sulforaphane, Lycopene and Royal jelly. METHODS: The antiproliferative activity of GE132+Natural was tested on 3 different human cancer cell lines: MCF7 (breast cancer cells), PC3 (prostate cancer cells), and SW480 (colon cancer cells), as well as on EA.hy 926 (normal human endothelial cell line). In addition, the cytotoxicity of GE132+- Natural on the proliferation of primary human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from dental pulp (DP=MSC), along with its in vitro impact on different peripheral blood parameters, was determined. RESULTS: The results revealed high antiproliferative activity of GE132+Natural on all tested cancer cell lines (PC3, MCF7 and SW480), as well as on the EA.hy 926 endothelial cell line in a dose-dependent manner. However, applied in a wide range of concentrations GE132+Natural did not affect both the proliferation of primary mesenchymal stem cells and the peripheral blood cells counts. CONCLUSION: The data obtained demonstrated that GE132+Natural is effective in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, indicating its potential beneficial health effects. In addition, the results pointed that adult mesenchymal stem cells might be valuable as a test system for evaluating the toxicity and efficacy of new medicines or chemicals.

Serum leptin levels in children and adolescents with spinal muscular atrophy types 2 and 3✰.

AIM: It has been reported that in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), lower levels of motor function are associated with hyperleptinemia. Additionally, hyperleptinemia has been found to be more frequent in underweight SMA patients. Therefore, we aimed to analyze serum leptin levels in patients with SMA. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study of pediatric patients (2-19 years old) with SMA types 2 and 3. The investigations included anthropometric measurements, assessment of pubertal status, motor function evaluation using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale - Expanded (HFMSE), and serum leptin levels. RESULTS: In total, 37 patients (22 with type 2 and 15 with type 3 SMA) were included in the study. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.3 and 62.2% of patients were prepubertal. No statistically significant correlation was found between the HFMSE score and leptin levels, rs(35) = 0.24, p = 0.15. There was, however, a strong positive relationship between the body mass index (BMI) z-score and leptin levels, rs(35) = 0.87, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Serum leptin levels do not seem to be a useful marker of disease severity in children and adolescents with types 2 and 3 SMA. As in the general pediatric population, leptin levels are strongly correlated with BMI, which is a surrogate measure of body fat.

One-stage transanal surgical technique for Hirschsprung's disease: is the age of a patient a limiting factor?

Hirschsprung's disease in the adolescent is a rare and often misdiagnosed cause of lifelong refractory constipation. In this particular case, a male patient spent 13 years with an unrecognized illness that was eventually diagnosed as Hirschsprung's disease. The age of the patient is considered a limiting factor due to over-distention and hypertrophy of the rectosigmoid colon that has to be pulled through a muscular cylinder in a limited operative field. This report of a successfully treated teenage boy using a one-stage transanal endorectal approach without conversion to laparotomy, his uneventful recovery and excellent functional results supports the opinion that practically all patients with Hirschsprung's disease can be treated using this technique, regardless of age and size of colon, on condition that the operation is performed by experienced surgeons familiar with classic operative procedures to avoid possible operative pitfalls.

Advanced Form of Hepatopulmonary Hydatidosis in a Child: Case Report

ABSTRACT Hepatopulmonary hydatidosis (HPH) is a very rare condition in children with a prevalence of 11%. An 8-year-old girl with advanced HPH was successfully treated in our institution without complications. The coexistence of large numbers of high hydatid cyst makes this case very unusual and interesting.

[Epidermoid splenic cysts in children and adolescents].

Epidermoid cysts of the spleen are a rare lesion comprising less than 10% benign non-parasitic splenic cysts. Two boys and three girls, aged 13 to 24 years (mean 18.0 years) were diagnosed over a 4-year period. Presenting symptoms were dull, acute left hypochondrium pain and diffuse abdominal pain. Hemogram and routine analyses, as well as radiography were performed for the diagnosis. Ultrasound and CT confirmed the cystic nature of the lesion. Definitive diagnosis is made by pathological findings. Was performed splenectomy on one patient, and was performed a partial splenectomy on the other patients, in order to eliminate the symptoms produced by the cyst and prevent potential complications (postspleenectomiam sepsis). Patients were examined postoperatively. They were asymptomatic and with a normal spleen remnant detected by ultrasound and CT. Routine hematological data, blood clotting factors, and immunoglobulins were normal.

Syndromic association of pyloric atresia and Epidermolysis bullosa (Carmi syndrome) - a case report / Asociación sindrómica de la atresia pilórica y la Epidermolisis bullosa (síndrome de Carmi) - un reporte de caso

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is an inherited, autosomal recessive, bullous disease, characterized by blisters followed with skin and mucosal erosions. We present a case of a male infant with pyloric atresia associated with junctional EB (Carmi syndrome). The patient underwent urgent laparotomy after prompt stabilization. Postoperative course was uneventful. Nine months later, the patient died in the paediatric intensive care unit from respiratory distress syndrome. Prognosis is usually very poor. Death usually occurs during the first year of life, as a result of septic complications.

La epidermólisis bullosa (EB) es una enfermedad hereditaria, autosómica recesiva, y bullar, caracterizada por ampollas acompañadas de erosiones de las mucosas y la piel. Presentamos el caso de un niño con atresia pilórica asociada con EB juntural (síndrome de Carmi). El paciente fue sometido a laparotomía urgente después de una rápida estabilización. Curso postoperatorio transcurrió sin incidentes. Nueve meses más tarde, el paciente murió en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de síndrome de dificultad respiratoria (SDR). El pronóstico es generalmente muy pobre. La muerte ocurre generalmente durante el primer año de vida, como consecuencia de las complicaciones sépticas.

[Lead point as a poor prognostic factor in the therapy of invagination in children].

UNLABELLED: Invagination is specific form of bowel opstruction that is seen in 1-4 children per 1000 births, usually in the period from 3 to 12 months of age. In 90-95 % reason for invagination in unknown so we called this forms idiopathic. In 5-10% invagination is caused by specific leading point. THE AIM of this retrospective study was to determinate prognostic valye of used biochemical tests (hemograms, glucosa, electrolites ( levels of Na+, K+, Ca+ and Cl-) and to prove bad influence of existing "leading point" in therapy of invagination (weather it will be surgical or hydrostatic desinvagination). METHODS: We analised 65 patients with invagination. We devided all our patients into 2 groups: first group consisted patients with idiopathic forms of invagination, and the other one were patients with invagination coused by specific leading point. RESULTS proved that leading point in invagination has great implications on clinical presentation, laboratory results, diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, and finaly in prognosis.

Axillary recurrence after modified radical mastectomy.

Optimal management for axillary recurrence is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for overall survival in the patients with axillary recurrence. Data of 1098 patients were collected from breast cancer registers from Clinic for Oncology Nis between 1990-1995. All patients underwent modified radical mastectomy. Axillary recurence was diganosed in 43 (3.92%) patients. Most patients were presented with a localized, palpable axillary mass 30 (69.77%). Cox multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for breast cancer-specific survival showed that node status HR 4.69 (1.50 to 14.72), tumor size HR 3.18 (0.90 to 11.26) and axillary radiotherapy HR 1.99 (0.69 to 5.75) had statistically significant effect on breast cancer mortality. Log-rank (54.21 p < 0.001) analysis showed significant difference for overall survival among women with a axillary recurrence based on different cancer stages. Tumor size and node status were the most important prognostic factors in women with axillary recurrence.