Fabrication of Effective Nanohybrids Based on Organic Species, Polyvinyl Alcohol and Carbon Nanotubes in Addition to Nanolayers for Removing Heavy Metals from Water under Severe Conditions.

Industrial water has a dual problem because of its strong acidic characteristics and the presence of heavy metals. Removing heavy metals from water in these severe conditions has special requirements. For this problem, an economic method was used for removing iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn) with extremely acidic characteristics from water. This method depends on the preparation of nanohybrids through host-guest interactions based on nanolayered structures, organic species (stearic acid), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The formation of nanohybrids was confirmed using different techniques through the expansion of the interlayered spacing of the nanolayered structure from 0.76 nm to 1.60 nm, 1.40 nm and 1.06 nm. This nano-spacing is suitable for trapping and confining the different kinds of heavy metal. The experimental results indicated that the prepared nanohybrid was more effective than GreensandPlus, which is used on the market for purifying water. The high activity of the nanohybrid is obvious in the removal of both copper and nickel because the GreensandPlus was completely inactive for these heavy metals under severe conditions. Finally, these experimental results introduce new promising materials for purifying industrial water that can work under severe conditions.

Impact of Nanolayered Material and Nanohybrid Modifications on Their Potential Antibacterial Activity.

Due to an escalating increase in multiple antibiotic resistance among bacteria, novel nanomaterials with antimicrobial properties are being developed to prevent infectious diseases caused by bacteria that are common in wastewater and the environment. A series of nanolayered structures and nanohybrids were prepared and modified by several methods including an ultrasonic technique, intercalation reactions of fatty acids, and carbon nanotubes, in addition to creating new phases based on zinc and aluminum. The nanomaterials prepared were used against a group of microorganisms, including E. coli, S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Experimental results revealed that a nanohybrid based on carbon nanotubes and fatty acids showed significant antimicrobial activity against E. coli, and can be implemented in wastewater treatment. Similar behavior was observed for a nanolayered structure which was prepared using ultrasonic waves. For the other microorganisms, a nanolayered structure combined with carbon nanotubes showed a significant and clear inhibitory effect on S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is concluded that the nanolayered structures and nanohybrids, which can be modified at low cost with high productivity, using simple operations and straightforward to use equipment, can be considered good candidates for preventing infectious disease and inhibiting the spread of bacteria, especially those that are commonly found in wastewater and the environment.

Characteristics of COVID and post COVID polyneuropathies in adults and pediatrics: an Egyptian sample.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe the different forms of polyneuropathy associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a secondary neurological complication for (COVID-19) and the outcome from different therapeutic regimens in adults and pediatrics in first and second waves of the pandemic. CASE PRESENTATION: This study was conducted on 42 patients, they were divided into two groups, group (A) and group (B) in first and second waves respectively. Twenty-five patients presented by ascending weakness preceded by fever, dry cough and respiratory distress, electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction (NC) studies done and confirmed the clinical diagnosis of demyelinating polyneuropathy. Eight patients presented by acute flaccid quadriparesis, more severe in upper limbs preceded by fever and diarrhea diagnosed as acute axonal polyneuropathy. Five patients presented by severe fatigue and progressive weakness of both lower and upper limbs, they developed fever and cough 10 days after the neurological symptoms. EMG and NC done and confirmed clinical diagnosis of polyneuropathy of demyelinating with secondary axonal picture. Four patients presented 30 to 40 days after their recovery form corona virus infection with gradual progressive weakness of both upper and lower limbs over 2 to 3 months duration, mainly the proximal muscles of lower limbs were affected with areflexia. EMG and NC done and confirmed the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). CONCLUSION: We should gain a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and therapeutic options of polyneuropathies related to COVID-19, which will have an impact on the treatment of the COVID related respiratory failure presenting with neuropathy.

Designing Dual-Effect Nanohybrids for Removing Heavy Metals and Different Kinds of Anions from the Natural Water.

In the present study, well-designed nanohybrids are used to act as effective dual-function adsorbents for removing both anions and heavy metals from natural water, at the same time. In this trend, Zn-Al LDHs and graphene oxide are applied to build up building blocks to produce a series of nanohybrids. These nanohybrids were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These techniques confirmed that the prepared nanohybrids contained nanolayered structures with three-dimensional porous systems. These porous systems were identified by the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and water purification experiments. The obtained results indicated that these nanohybrids included suitable structures to act as dual function materials. The first function was achieved by removing more than 80% of both cadmium and lead from the natural water. The second function was accomplished by eliminating of 100% of hydrogen phosphate and bromide anions alongside with 80%-91% of sulfate, chloride, and fluoride anions. To conclude, these well-designed nanohybrids convert two-dimensional nanolayered structures to three-dimensional porous networks to work as dual-function materials for removing of heavy metals and different kinds of anions naturally found in the fresh tap water sample with no parameters optimization.

Metadona para el tratamiento de la dependencia de opioides de prescripción médica. Una revisión retrospectiva de historias clínicas / Methadone for the treatment of Prescription Opioids Dependence. A retrospective chart review

La adicción a opioides de prescripción médica (OPM) está incrementado a niveles epidémicos. Los pocos estudios que existen hasta la fecha sobre su tratamiento se basan principalmente en el uso de buprenorfina. Sin embargo, la metadona puede considerarse como otra opción. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue revisar las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes ingresados en una unidad de psiquiatría para la desintoxicación de OPM usando metadona entre el 2010 y el 2013. El periodo de evaluación finaliza a los 3 meses desde el alta médico. Pese a ser una revisión de historia clínicas, se evaluaron las características sociodemográficas de la muestra, así como las variables relacionadas con el tratamiento y la tasa de abstinencia durante el estudio. Se incluyeron 11 pacientes, mayoritariamente mujeres (81,8%), con una mediana de edad de 50 años. La mediana de duración de la dependencia fue de 8 años. Hubo una alta prevalencia de adicción a otras sustancias así como de comorbilidades psiquiátricas. Ocho pacientes fueron seguidos durante al menos 3 meses. De estos, 7 (87,5%) estuvieron abstinentes hasta el final del periodo evaluado por el estudio. Los resultados sugieren la necesidad de estudios de mayor rigor metodológico para la correcta evaluación de la metadona como un tratamiento potencialmente eficaz para la dependencia de los OPM

Prescription opioids (PO) addiction is increasing to an epidemic level. Few studies exist regarding its treatment. Although buprenorphine has been the mainstay so far, other treatment options might be considered, such as methadone. We conducted a retrospective assessment of all patients admitted to a psychiatry ward for PO detoxification using methadone between 2010 and 2013. The assessment and description was carried out during a 3-month follow-up period after their discharge. Although this is a retrospective chart review, our exploration included sociodemographic and treatment variables in addition to the abstinence rates for the whole sample. Eleven patients were included, mostly women (81.8%), with a median age of 50 years. The median duration of dependence was 8 years. Dependence on other substances and psychiatric comorbidities were high. Eight patients were monitored during three months. Of these, 7 (87.5%) were abstinent after that period. The results suggest that methadone deserves further exploration as a potentially efficacious treatment option for PO dependence

Methadone for the treatment of Prescription Opioids Dependence. A retrospective chart review. / Metadona para el tratamiento de la dependencia de opioides de prescripción médica. Una revisión retrospectiva de historias clínicas.

Prescription opioids (PO) addiction is increasing to an epidemic level. Few studies exist regarding its treatment. Although buprenorphine has been the mainstay so far, other treatment options might be considered, such as methadone. We conducted a retrospective assessment of all patients admitted to a psychiatry ward for PO detoxification using methadone between 2010 and 2013. The assessment and description was carried out during a 3-month follow-up period after their discharge. Although this is a retrospective chart review, our exploration included sociodemographic and treatment variables in addition to the abstinence rates for the whole sample. Eleven patients were included, mostly women (81.8%), with a median age of 50 years. The median duration of dependence was 8 years. Dependence on other substances and psychiatric comorbidities were high. Eight patients were monitored during three months. Of these, 7 (87.5%) were abstinent after that period. The results suggest that methadone deserves further exploration as a potentially efficacious treatment option for PO dependence.

La adicción a opioides de prescripción médica (OPM) está ahasta la fecha sobre su tratamiento se basan principalmente en el uso de buprenorfina. Sin embargo, la metadona puede considerarse como otra opción. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue revisar las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes ingresados en una unidad de psiquiatría para la desintoxicación de OPM usando metadona entre el 2010 y el 2013. El periodo de evaluación finaliza a los 3 meses desde el alta médico. Pese a ser una revisión de historia clínicas, se evaluaron las características sociodemográficas de la muestra, así como las variables relacionadas con el tratamiento y la tasa de abstinencia durante el estudio. Se incluyeron 11 pacientes, mayoritariamente mujeres (81,8%), con una mediana de edad de 50 años. La mediana de duración de la dependencia fue de 8 años. Hubo una alta prevalencia de adicción a otras sustancias así como de comorbilidades psiquiátricas. Ocho pacientes fueron seguidos durante al menos 3 meses. De estos, 7 (87,5%) estuvieron abstinentes hasta el final del periodo evaluado por el estudio. Los resultados sugieren la necesidad de estudios de mayor rigor metodológico para la correcta evaluación de la metadona como un tratamiento potencialmente eficaz para la dependencia de los OPM.