ABSTRACT
Photocatalytic degradation of dyes has been the subject of extensive study due to its low cost, eco-friendly operation, and absence of secondary pollutants. Copper oxide/graphene oxide (CuO/GO) nanocomposites are emerging as a new class of fascinating materials due to their low cost, nontoxicity, and distinctive properties such as a narrow band gap and good sunlight absorbency. In this study, copper oxide (CuO), graphene oxide (GO), and CuO/GO were synthesized successfully. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirm the oxidation and production of GO from the graphene of lead pencil. According to the morphological analysis of nanocomposites, CuO nanoparticles of sizes ≤20 nm on the GO sheets were evenly adorned and distributed. Nanocomposites of different CuO:GO ratios (1:1 up to 5:1) were applied for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl red (MR). CuO:GO(1:1) nanocomposites achieved 84% MR dye removal, while CuO:GO(5:1) nanocomposites achieved the highest value (95.48%). The thermodynamic parameters of the reaction for CuO:GO(5:1) were evaluated using the Van't Hoff equation and the activation energy was found to be 44.186 kJ/mol. The reusability test of the nanocomposites showed high stability even after seven cycles. CuO/GO catalysts can be used in the photodegradation of organic pollutants in wastewater at room temperature due to their excellent properties, simple synthesis process, and low cost.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many women can be saved from carcinoma of cervix by detecting and treating its precancerous stage. Pap smear is cheap and easily available in majority of institutes. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of abnormal Pap smear and role of Pap smear in detecting precancerous stage of cancer cervix in women. METHODS: This is retrospective descriptive study was conducted in gynaecology outpatient department of Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Sind from Nov 2006 to Oct 2009. All women who presented in OPD with gynaecological complaints were included in the study. Pregnant women were excluded from the study. Smear was collected with an Aryes spatula and relevant information was obtained from the patient's record and recorded on pre-designed Performa. Slides were then sent to pathology department. Data were analysed through SPSS-15 and presented as frequency and percentage. RESULTS: Total 981 women underwent Pap smear screening. Majority (63.3%) of the patients belonged to age group of 31-40 years. One hundred and eighty (18.34%) smears were normal and 792 (80.7%) were abnormal. Among these abnormal smears, 739 (75.33%) smears were inflammatory while 4 (0.40%) women had Ca in situ and 4 (0.40%) had squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION. Pap smear is an important screening tool to detect precancerous stage of carcinoma of cervix. It should be done periodically in all married and high risk women for early detection of a precancerous stage.
