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Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024Microplastics and organic micropollutants are two emerging contaminants that interact with each other in environmental and engineered systems. Sorption of organic...
Microplastics and organic micropollutants are two emerging contaminants that interact with each other in environmental and engineered systems. Sorption of organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides and industrial compounds, to microplastics can modify their bioavailability and biodegradation. The present study investigated the capacity of ultra-high density polyethylene particles (125 µm in diameter), before and after aging, to sorb 21 organic micropollutants at different environmentally relevant concentration. Furthermore, the biodegradation of these organic micropollutants by a biofilm microbial community growing on the microplastic surface was compared with the biodegradation by a microbial community originating from activated sludge. Among all tested organic micropollutants, propranolol (70%), trimethoprim (25%) and sotalol (15%) were sorbed in the presence of polyethylene particles. Growth of a biofilm on the polyethylene particles had a beneficial effect on the sorption of bromoxynil, caffeine and chloridazon and on the biodegradation of irbesartan, atenolol and benzotriazole. On the other hand, the biofilm limited the sorption of trimethoprim, propranolol, sotalol and benzotriazole and the biodegradation of 2,4-D. These results showed that ultra-high density polyethylene particles can affect both in a positive and negative way for the abiotic and biotic removal of organic micropollutants in wastewater. This project highlights the need for further investigation regarding the interaction between microplastics and organic micropollutants in the aquatic environment.
Topics: Biofilms; Biodegradation, Environmental; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Polyethylene; Microplastics; Adsorption; Propranolol; Trimethoprim; Atenolol; Triazoles; Sewage
PubMed: 38810284
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116510 -
Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia 2024
Topics: Humans; Timolol; Ophthalmic Solutions; Conjunctival Diseases; Cysts; Treatment Outcome; Male; Adult
PubMed: 38808909
DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.2023-0313 -
RSC Advances May 2024In this study, we synthesized mixed ligand complexes of the -[Co(tn)(Rpy)Br]Br type using a novel mechanochemical approach. Characterization involved spectral...
In this study, we synthesized mixed ligand complexes of the -[Co(tn)(Rpy)Br]Br type using a novel mechanochemical approach. Characterization involved spectral measurements and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, confirming the structure of the -[Co(tn)(4-Mepy)Br]Br complex. The single crystal refinement data revealed a monoclinic crystal system with a distorted octahedral geometry. The choice of the sixth ligand influenced the emission and magnetic properties, showing a ferromagnetic character in the Co(iii)-complex environment. We investigated efficient electron transfer to the cobalt(iii) center using TiO nanoparticles under UV-light irradiation. The adsorption characteristics of -[Co(tn)(Rpy)Br]Br in aqueous 2-propanol varied, leading to surface compound formation. Under UV irradiation, the anatase surface exhibited remarkable adsorption capabilities, facilitating efficient electron transfer to the Co(iii) center and resulting in a high photoefficiency for Co(ii) formation. Our study has put forward a model for interfacial electron transfer (IET), taking into account the overlap between the TiO conduction band and the acceptor level of the Co center, as well as the electronic coupling between the donor level of the Ti center and the acceptor level of the Co center. This model sheds light on the accumulation of electrons for reducing the adhered complex ion. The IET process was corroborated by the conversion of 2-propanol into acetone, as verified by H NMR technique. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the role of the Rpy moiety in modifying the structure of the TiO-cobalt(iii)-Rpy compound and propose a mechanism for IET reactions, thus advancing the field.
PubMed: 38808249
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02648a -
BMC Pediatrics May 2024Lip infantile hemangiomas tend to show less volumetric regression and are more susceptible to visible sequelae in the involuted stage. Some of them still require...
BACKGROUND
Lip infantile hemangiomas tend to show less volumetric regression and are more susceptible to visible sequelae in the involuted stage. Some of them still require surgical management after propranolol therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Stepwise, Multi-Incisional, and Single-Stage (SMISS) approach applied to lip reduction for those with involuted lip hemangiomas.
METHODS
A retrospective review was performed to evaluate patients with lip hemangioma who received previous propranolol treatment and underwent the aforementioned procedure. Demographic characteristics, lesion morphology, and medical history were reviewed. The Visual Analog Scale was applied to assess the postoperative appearance. Complications within 12 months postoperatively were recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 18 patients with lip hemangioma were eligible. All patients received oral propranolol therapy before surgery, with treatment duration ranging from 6.0 to 23.0 months. Their age at surgery ranged from 2.5 to 9.0 years. The median Visual Analog Scale scores were 8.0, ranging from 4.0 to 10.0. No severe complications were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
This modified technique based on the SMISS approach has proven reliable and effective in improving the aesthetic outcome for involuted lip infantile hemangiomas. Practical surgical techniques still play an important part in the propranolol era.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Male; Female; Hemangioma; Lip Neoplasms; Propranolol; Child, Preschool; Child; Infant; Lip; Treatment Outcome; Lipoma
PubMed: 38807073
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04838-4 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Phononic crystals (PnCs) emerge as an innovative sensor technology, especially for high-performance sensing applications. This study strives to advance this field by...
Phononic crystals (PnCs) emerge as an innovative sensor technology, especially for high-performance sensing applications. This study strives to advance this field by developing new designs of PnC structures that exhibit stability in the face of construction imperfections and deformations, focusing on the evolution of topological PnCs (TPnCs). These designs could be promising to overcome the problem of instability involved in most of the theoretical PnC sensors when they emerge in experimental verification. In particular, the fabrication process of any design could collide with some fluctuations in controlling the size of each component. Thus, Fano resonance is introduced through a one-dimensional (1D) quasiperiodic TPnC. To the best of the author's knowledge, this study is the first to observe Fano modes in liquid cavities through 1D PnCs. Various quasiperiodic PnC designs are employed to detect the temperature of alcohols (specifically propanol) across an extensive temperature range (160-240 °C). The effects of many geometrical parameters on the sensor stability, such as material thicknesses, are studied. Numerical findings demonstrated that the designed quasiperiodic topological PnCs based on Fibonacci sequence of the second order proved superior performance. This sensing tool provides sensitivity, quality factor and figure-of-merit values of 104,533.33 Hz/°C, 223.69 and 0.5221 (/°C), respectively, through temperature detection of propanol in the range of 160-240 °C.
PubMed: 38802403
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62268-9 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024JUK-8 ([Zn(oba)(pip)], oba = 4,4'-oxybis(benzenedicarboxylate), pip = 4-pyridyl-functionalized benzene-1,3-dicarbohydrazide) is a hydrolytically stable flexible...
JUK-8 ([Zn(oba)(pip)], oba = 4,4'-oxybis(benzenedicarboxylate), pip = 4-pyridyl-functionalized benzene-1,3-dicarbohydrazide) is a hydrolytically stable flexible metal-organic framework. Owing to its unusual adsorptive properties, JUK-8 can be considered as a promising sensing material for construction of detectors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air. Quasi-equilibrated temperature-programmed desorption and adsorption (QE-TPDA) is a versatile method dedicated to characterization of porous materials. In this work, QE-TPDA was employed to study co-adsorption of water and selected alcohols in JUK-8. For the first time an infrared detector sensitive to organic compounds was used in the QE-TPDA measurements, allowing the study of the influence of water vapor on sorption of VOCs. The QE-TPDA profiles of the studied alcohols, exhibiting two desorption maxima and two adsorption minima, are consistent with the standard sorption isotherms, revealing a two-step adsorption-desorption mechanism. The profiles recorded in the presence of water are noticeably changed in different ways for different alcohols. While at low relative humidity (RH) (ca. 20%) the low temperature adsorption states of ethanol and 1-propanol were only slightly destabilized, for 2-propanol almost complete suppression of adsorption was observed. The results found for moderate RH levels (ca. 50%) indicated that the opening of the JUK-8 structure, responsible for its breathing behavior, was followed by the filling of the just generated pores with a water-alcohol mixture.
PubMed: 38792170
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102309 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Despite the advantages of surgical handrub in terms of the ease of application and effectiveness, chlorhexidine (CHG)-based hand scrubbing remains the preferred method...
Alcohol-Based Chlorhexidine and Potassium Sorbate Rub Strengthens the Effectiveness of Traditional Hand Scrubbing and Improves Long-Lasting Effectiveness-Evaluation of Hand Preparation Protocols According to EN 12791.
Despite the advantages of surgical handrub in terms of the ease of application and effectiveness, chlorhexidine (CHG)-based hand scrubbing remains the preferred method for surgical hand preparation. However, it does not systematically meet the non-inferiority requirement of the European norm (EN) 12791 with respect to n-propanol (the reference product) and does not provide the sustained efficacy expected for these long-lasting agents. Commercially available alcohol-based products have also failed to demonstrate sustained efficacy according to EN 12791. Multi-step protocols enhance the efficacy of hand scrubbing, yet their extended disinfection duration might diminish their allure for healthcare professionals. In this study, we show that hand scrubbing with CHG 4% followed by a 1 min rubbing with the novel formulation of ethanol (Et) 70%/CHG 3% plus 0.3% potassium sorbate food additive (PS) meets the non-inferiority requirement and demonstrates sustained efficacy when tested according to EN 12791. The immediate and 3 h effect of this protocol was significantly higher than that of n-propanol and the homologous disinfection protocol without PS (CHG 4% hand scrub plus Et 70%/CHG 3% rub), demonstrating that the inclusion of PS confers a notable residual effect. We speculate that this non-volatile ingredient acts synergistically with CHG. This promising combination represents an alternative method for the development of new disinfection strategies.
PubMed: 38786198
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050470 -
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences Jul 2023Enuresis, defined as involuntary nocturnal urination without any underlying organic disorder in a child expected to control urination, poses a common problem. This study... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Enuresis, defined as involuntary nocturnal urination without any underlying organic disorder in a child expected to control urination, poses a common problem. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Tolterodine and Oxybutynin in children presenting with primary desmopressin-resistant enuresis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A randomized clinical trial was undertaken involving 68 participants aged between 5 and 16 years, all suffering from primary enuresis. These patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups for a three-month period: Group 1, treated with Oxybutynin and Desmopressin, and Group 2, treated with Tolterodine and Desmopressin. Data on demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, and subjective responses to treatment were gathered. The response was measured based on the frequency of wetting incidents per night and week and compared with pre-treatment data.
RESULTS
Patients were divided into two groups (30 patients in Group 1 and 38 patients in Group 2). The mean age of the patients was 88.97±27.09 months. In the first treatment group, 6 out of 30 patients (20%) experienced a complete treatment response, as did 5 out of 38 patients (13.2%) in the second treatment group. This difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Seven patients (23%) in the Oxybutynin group and 13 patients (34%) in the Tolterodine group reported a lack of response to treatment, a difference that also lacked statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
For patients resistant to Desmopressin, the addition of anticholinergic drugs elicited a significant response in over half of the patients. However, no benefit was observed in using either Oxybutynin or Tolterodine in the treatment of Desmopressin-resistant enuresis.
Topics: Humans; Tolterodine Tartrate; Child; Mandelic Acids; Male; Female; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin; Adolescent; Treatment Outcome; Child, Preschool; Nocturnal Enuresis; Muscarinic Antagonists; Antidiuretic Agents; Urological Agents; Enuresis; Drug Resistance
PubMed: 38784212
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v33i4.7 -
Journal of the American Society For... Jun 2024We investigated the applicability of proton transfer reaction-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) for quantitative analysis of mixtures comprising glycerin,...
We investigated the applicability of proton transfer reaction-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) for quantitative analysis of mixtures comprising glycerin, acetol, glycidol, acetaldehyde, acetone, and propylene glycol. While PTR-TOF-MS offers real-time simultaneous determination, the method selectivity is limited when analyzing compounds with identical elemental compositions or when labile compounds present in the mixture produce fragments that generate overlapping ions with other matrix components. In this study, we observed significant fragmentation of glycerin, acetol, glycidol, and propylene glycol during protonation via hydronium ions (HO). Nevertheless, specific ions generated by glycerin (/ 93.055) and propylene glycol (/ 77.060) enabled their selective detection. To thoroughly investigate the selectivity of the method, various mixtures containing both isotope-labeled and unlabeled compounds were utilized. The experimental findings demonstrated that when samples contained high levels of glycerin, it was not feasible to perform time-resolved analysis in HO mode for acetaldehyde, acetol, and glycidol. To overcome the observed selectivity limitations associated with the HO reagent ions, alternative ionization modes were investigated. The ammonium ion mode proved appropriate for analyzing propylene glycol (/ 94.086) and acetone (/ 76.076) mixtures. Concerning the nitric oxide mode, specific / were identified for acetaldehyde (/ 43.018), acetone (/ 88.039), glycidol (/ 73.028), and propylene glycol (/ 75.044). It was concluded that considering the presence of multiple product ions and the potential influence of other compounds, it is crucial to conduct a thorough selectivity assessment when employing PTR-TOF-MS as the sole method for analyzing compounds in complex matrices of unknown composition.
Topics: Mass Spectrometry; Volatile Organic Compounds; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Nicotiana; Propylene Glycol; Acetaldehyde; Acetone; Glycerol; Hot Temperature; Epoxy Compounds; Propanols
PubMed: 38780179
DOI: 10.1021/jasms.4c00062 -
Journal of Cytology 2024Rapidity and reliability are the major advantages of cytopathology in tumor diagnosis. The need for minimal turnaround time for assessing cytological smears has...
BACKGROUND
Rapidity and reliability are the major advantages of cytopathology in tumor diagnosis. The need for minimal turnaround time for assessing cytological smears has encouraged innovations in staining techniques that require lesser staining time with unequivocal cell morphology. Rapid Pap staining was introduced as a hybrid to conventional Pap stain. It improves staining quality, gets over the staining time in restriction, and is a more efficient technique financially. In the present study, a modified staining technique was adopted where phloxine is added as one of the cytoplasmic stain components in rapid Pap stain kits.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess whether the modification of the existing procedure by adding phloxine as one of the components of the cytoplasmic stain intensifies the cytoplasmic differentiation and cytoplasmic staining in gynecological smears.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a prospective study done on 50 cases of gynecological smears. Two smears were collected from each patient and fixed in 100% propanol and stained with the rapid Pap stain kit procedure and modified rapid Pap stain with phloxine. Slides were then analyzed by two pathologists blinded to the staining method used. Five parameters were considered and scored (background, cell morphology, nuclear staining, cytoplasmic differentiation, and cytoplasmic staining). The quality index for each method was calculated by finding out the ratio of the actual score obtained to the maximum score possible.
RESULTS
Both the staining methods had comparable results. For both pathologists, the quality index calculated for modified Pap stain was found to be marginally higher than the quality index for rapid Pap. The mean quality index was comparable for modified Pap (0.91) and rapid Pap (0.89).
CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of modified Pap stain with phloxine to distinctly stain the cytoplasm is comparable with that of rapid Pap stain. In addition, the intensity of staining can be enhanced with little cost outlay, and this can be especially beneficial in low-resource settings.
PubMed: 38779599
DOI: 10.4103/joc.joc_24_23