Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Urological Surgery: Risk Factor or Not? Results From the National and Multicenter TOCUS Database.

PURPOSE: Current guidelines recommend screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to all urological surgeries breaching the mucosa. But little evidence supports this recommendation. At the least, risk stratification for postoperative UTI to support this strategy is lacking. The aim of this study was to define the associated factors for postoperative febrile infectious complications (UTI or surgical site infection) in urological surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multicentric study including all consecutive patients undergoing any urological surgery with preoperative urine culture. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a UTI or surgical site infection occurring within 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2023, in 10 centers, 2389 patients were included with 838 (35%) positive urine cultures (mono-/bi-/polymicrobial). Postoperative infections occurred in 106 cases (4.4%), of which 44 had negative urine cultures (41%), 42 had positive mono-/bimicrobial urine cultures (40%), and 20 had polymicrobial urine cultures (19%). In multivariable analysis, UTI during the previous 12 months of surgery (odds ratio [OR] 3.43; 95% CI 2.07-5.66; P < .001), monomicrobial/bimicrobial preoperative urine culture (OR 3.68; 95% CI 1.57-8.42; P = .02), polymicrobial preoperative urine culture (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.52-5.14; P < .001), and operative time (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.04-1.15; P < .001) were independent associated factors for postoperative febrile infections. CONCLUSIONS: Positive urine culture, including preoperative polymicrobial urine culture, prior to urological surgery was associated with postoperative infection. Additionally, patients experiencing infectious complications also had a higher incidence of other complications. The effectiveness of systematic preventive antibiotic therapy for a positive urine culture has not been conclusively established.

Corrigendum to "Gold-selenide quantum dots supported onto cesium ferrite nanocomposites for the efficient degradation of rhodamine B" [Heliyon 8(6) June 2023 e09652].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09652.].

Synthesis and characterization of magnesium ferrite-activated carbon composites derived from orange peels for enhanced supercapacitor performance.

Supercapacitors have emerged as highly efficient energy storage devices, relying on electrochemical processes. The performance of these devices can be influenced by several factors, with key considerations including the selection of electrode materials and the type of electrolyte utilized. Transition metal oxide electrodes are commonly used in supercapacitors, as they greatly influence the electrochemical performance of these devices. Nonetheless, ferrites' low energy density poses a limitation. Hence, it is crucial to create electrode materials featuring unique and distinct structures, while also exploring the ideal electrolyte types, to enhance the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors incorporating magnesium ferrites (MF). In this study, we effectively prepared magnesium ferrites (MgFe2O4) supported on activated carbon (AC) derived from orange peels (OP) using a simple hydrothermal method. The resulting blends underwent comprehensive characterization employing various methods, including FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, and mapping analysis. Moreover, the electrochemical performance of MgFe2O4@AC composites was evaluated using GCD and CV techniques. Remarkably, the MF45-AC electrode material showed exceptional electrochemical behavior, demonstrating a specific capacitance of 870 F·g-1 within current density of 1.0 A g-1 and potential windows spanning from 0 to 0.5 V. Additionally, the prepared electrodes displayed exceptional cycling stability, with AC, MF, and MF45-AC retaining 89.6%, 94.2%, and 95.1% of their initial specific capacitance, respectively, even after 5000 cycles. These findings underscore the potential of MF-AC composites as superior electrode materials for supercapacitors. The development of such composites, combined with tailored electrolyte concentrations, holds significant promise for advancing the electrochemical performance and energy density of supercapacitor devices.

Correction to "Role of NiO Nanoparticles in Enhancing Structure Properties of TiO2 and Its Applications in Photodegradation and Hydrogen Evolution".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03693.].

Asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to partial and radical nephrectomy: To screen or not to screen? Results from the national and multicenter TOCUS database.

INTRODUCTION: In the era of increased bacterial resistance, the main strategy is to reduce the prescription of antibiotics when possible. Nowadays, it is highly recommended to screen for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), prior to urological surgery with potential mucosal breach or urine exposure. Screening and treating urinary colonization is a strategy widely adopted before radical and partial nephrectomy but without any evidence. Our main end point in this study is to analyze the relationship between preoperative urine culture and the risk of postoperative febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) or surgical-site infection (SSI) in partial or radical nephrectomy patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study between January 2016 and January 2023 in 11 French tertiary referral hospitals (TOCUS database). We collected the data for 269 patients including several pre-, intra-, and post-operative variables that could potentially increase the risk of postoperative UTI and SSI including preoperative urinary culture results. RESULTS: The incidence rate of postoperative UTI and SSI was 8.9% in our study. After conducting a logistic multivariate analysis, a propensity score matching analysis, and a subgroup analysis, we found no significant correlation between the urine culture and the postoperative UTI risk [OR = 1.2 (0.5-2.7) (p = 0.7)]. Only the postoperative non-infectious complications were related to a higher risk of postoperative UTI [OR = 12 (4-37), p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSION: Our research shows that screening and treating for ABU prior to radical or partial nephrectomy seems to be unnecessary to prevent postoperative UTI and SSI.

Role of nanohybrid NiO-Fe3O4 in enhancing the adsorptive performance of activated carbon synthesized from Yemeni-Khat leave in removal of Pb (II) and Hg (II) from aquatic systems.

Over years, existence of toxic chemical heavy metal in aquatic systems has motivated more research studies toward the preparation of effective stable solid adsorbents for the removal of toxic chemical pollutants. Therefore, in the current research study, activated carbon adsorbent (AC) was synthesized from Yemeni khat (catha edulis) leaves which are considered as waste accumulated on waste disposal areas in Yemen. KOH (2.0 N) was used as a chemical activator to produce the AC material which was subsequently heated at 400 °C. A simple co-precipitation method was used to chemically modify AC with varying weight ratios of NiO-Fe3O4 NPs (5, 15, and 25 wt %). The modified AC was used to remove toxic Pb(II) and Hg(II) ions from aquatic systems. Numerous techniques, which included x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, were used to confirm the morphology of AC and 5, 15, and 25 wt% NiO-Fe3O4/AC samples. The study findings demonstrated that, NiO-Fe3O4 nanoparticles improved the adsorption efficiency for toxic Pb(II) and Hg (II) ions. The AC adsorbent attained maximum removal efficiencies of 88.95% and 87.56% for Pb (II) and Hg (II) ions, respectively. In contrast, 15-NF/AC NC sample successfully attained the highest removal efficiencies of 100% for pb(II) and 99.71% for Hg(II). According to the experimental findings, the prepared NF/AC adsorbents were effective and they can be used as inexpensive and stable solid nanoadsorbents in water treatment.

Facile Synthesis of NiO-CuO/Activated Carbon Nanocomposites for Use in the Removal of Lead and Cadmium Ions from Water.

In this work, activated carbon (AC) was synthesized and then modified using nickel(II) oxide and copper(II) oxide. Pure-AC, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt % nanohybrid NiO-CuO/AC nanocomposites (χ-NC/AC NCs) were characterized using XRD, IR, EDS, surface area, and FE-SEM techniques. Furthermore, the adsorbents obtained were tested for their ability to remove hazardous Pb(II) and Cd(II) from water. The fabricated x-NC/AC NC adsorbents showed the highest adsorptive performance toward the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from water. The 30-NC/AC NC adsorbent showed the complete removal of Pb(II) at pH = 5 and Cd(II) at pH = 7 within 30 min. Overall, the obtained superior experimental results suggest that the adsorptive performance of AC was greatly enhanced after loading hybrid metal oxide nanoparticles, so its application in water treatment is potential and applicable.

Fe/Co-MOF Nanocatalysts: Greener Chemistry Approach for the Removal of Toxic Metals and Catalytic Applications.

This study describes the preparation of new bimetallic (Fe/Co)-organic framework (Bi-MOF) nanocatalysts with different percentages of iron/cobalt for their use and reuse in adsorption, antibacterial, antioxidant, and catalytic applications following the principles of green chemistry. The prepared catalysts were characterized using several techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. These techniques proved the formation of MOFs, and the average crystallite sizes were 25.3-53.1, 27.6-67.2, 3.0-18.9, 3.0-12.9, and 3.0-23.6 nm for the Fe-MOF, Co-MOF, 10%Fe:90%Co-MOF, 50%Fe:50%Co-MOF, and 90%Fe:10%Co-MOF samples, respectively. The nanoscale (Fe/Co) Bi-MOF catalysts as efficient heterogeneous solid catalysts showed high catalytic activity with excellent yields and short reaction times in the catalytic reactions of quinoxaline and dibenzoxanthene compounds, in addition to their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, the nanoscale (Fe/Co) Bi-MOF catalysts efficiently removed toxic metal pollutants (Pb2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+) from aqueous solutions with high adsorption capacity.

Gold-selenide quantum dots supported onto cesium ferrite nanocomposites for the efficient degradation of rhodamine B.

In this work, different weight percentage of gold-selenide quantum dots (AuSe QDs) (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.0 wt.%) were successfully synthesized and decorated on cesium ferrite nanocomposite (Cs2Fe2O4 NC). The as-prepared pure AuSe QDs, pure Cs2Fe2O4 NC, and x wt.% AuSe QDs/Cs2Fe2O4 NC photocatalysts were investigated using different characterization techniques such as nitrogen adsorption desorption isotherms (BET), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The results show that AuSe QDs were uniformly distributed on Cs2Fe2O4NCs surface as spherical dots with an average size of 1.0-8.0 nm. While the Cs2Fe2O4 NCs possess an average size between 10 to 35 nm. The photocatalytic performance of x wt. % AuSe QDs/Cs2Fe2O4NCs were measured through the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye as a model water pollutant, under a150 W-Mercury lamp with a filter (JB400) as a simulated source of visible light. The results revealed that the % degradation of RhB increased from 50.0 %, 59.1 %, 76.4 %, and to 99.15 % within 150 min for the pure Cs2Fe2O4, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 wt.% AuSe QDs/Cs2Fe2O4 NC photocatalysts, respectively. The 5.0 wt.% AuSe/Cs2Fe2O4 NC sample showed highest photocatalytic activity. The effect of recycling also studied. High photocatalytic performance and superior stability confirmed that the prepared nanocomposites act as good photocatalysts.

Role of NiO Nanoparticles in Enhancing Structure Properties of TiO2 and Its Applications in Photodegradation and Hydrogen Evolution.

Pure and modified mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles with different loadings of NiO (3-20.0 wt %) were prepared through the surfactant-assisted sol-gel approach with the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a template. The optical and structural properties of different samples were examined using N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the insertion of Ni2+ into the lattice of TiO2, and the crystallite size reduced remarkably after the addition of NiO. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy spectra displayed obvious red shift in the absorption edges, and new absorption bands appeared in the visible region when NiO was added, which indicates the formation of surface defects and oxygen vacancies. The optical band gap of TiO2 reduced sharply when the contents of NiO were increased. The increase in the surface defects as well as oxygen vacancies were examined using PL spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of the as-synthesized samples was investigated over photodegradation of brilliant green (BG) and phenol and hydrogen generation under visible light. 10% NiO/TiO2 exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency. The photocatalytic activity was improved due to the creation of a p-n junction at the interface of NiO/TiO2, which efficiently promotes the separation of photogenerated electron/hole pairs and consequently enhances its photodegradation activity. According to the photocatalytic activity results, NiO contents were considered one of the most important factors affecting the photodegradation of BG and phenol and H2 evolution. Also, we discussed the mechanism of photodegradation, mineralization (total organic carbon), and photocatalytic reaction kinetics of BG and phenol.

Facile and Green Synthesis of Silver Quantum Dots Immobilized onto a Polymeric CTS-PEO Blend for the Photocatalytic Degradation of p-Nitrophenol.

Immobilization of inorganic metal quantum dots (especially, noble transition metals) onto organic polymers to synthesize nanometal-polymer composites (NMPCs) has attracted considerable attention because of their advanced optical, electrical, catalytic/photocatalytic, and biological properties. Herein, novel, highly efficient, stable, and visible light-active NMPC photocatalysts consisting of silver quantum dots (Ag QDs) immobilized onto polymeric chitosan-polyethylene oxide (CTS-PEO) blend sheets have been successfully prepared by an in situ self-assembly facile casting method as a facile and green approach. The CTS-PEO blend polymer acts as a reducing and a stabilizing agent for Ag QDs which does not generate any environmental chemical pollutant. The prepared x wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites were fully characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and UV/visible spectroscopy. The characterization results indicated the successful synthesis of the Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites by the interactions and complexation between x wt % Ag QDs and CTS-PEO blend sheets. TEM images revealed small granules randomly distributed onto the CTS-PEO blend sheets, indicating the immobilization of Ag QDs onto CTS-PEO composites. The presence of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band and the shifting of the absorption edge toward higher wavelengths in the UV/vis spectra indicated the formation of x wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites. The Ag QDs in the polymeric blend matrix led to remarkable enhancement in the optical, thermal, electrical, and photocatalytic properties of x wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared composites was evaluated by the photodegradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) under simulated sunlight. The maximum photocatalytic degradation reached 91.1% efficiency within 3 h for the 12.0 wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO photocatalyst. Generally, the Ag QDs immobilized onto CTS-PEO blend composites significantly enhance the SPR effect and the synergistic effect and reduce the band gap, leading to a high photocatalytic activity.

Splenic Infarcts and Pulmonary Renal Syndrome in a Young Patient with Double-Positive Anti-GBM and ANCA-Associated Vasculitis.

Double-positive disease, defined by double-seropositivity for serum anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) is a rare cause of pulmonary-renal syndrome. Here, we present an exceptional course of a 20-year-old male with seropositivity for anti-myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and anti-GBM antibody, who presented first with renal impairment due to focal necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. After receiving treatment, he presented two years later with a relapse manifesting with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and multiple splenic infarcts. We discuss the clinical presentation patterns and treatment strategies of this entity.

Role of topical oxytocin in improving vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of topical oxytocin gel to improve vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 140 postmenopausal women presenting with vaginal atrophy and who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized into two groups each of 70 patients; they received intravaginal oxytocin gel or placebo gel for 30 days. Serum estrogen level, visual, colposcopic and histological vaginal examination were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Forty-seven out of 70 women in the oxytocin gel group improved after treatment and none in the placebo group (p = 0.001). Forty-five participants in the oxytocin group and seven in the placebo group reported relief of dyspareunia (p = 0.001). Thirty-four participants in the oxytocin group and seven in the placebo group reported relief of soreness (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the circulating levels of estradiol in both groups before and after treatment (p = 0.4 and 0.6 for the oxytocin group and the placebo group, respectively). CONCLUSION: Oxytocin gel is useful in the restoration of the vaginal epithelium in cases of postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis. Further studies with a longer follow-up period are required to test the long-term effects of oxytocin as a treatment for vaginal atrophy.

[Repeated failure of the suture line of an aortic valve prosthesis. Treatment by implantation of a valvular tube in the supra-coronary position]. / Dehiscencia recidivante de la línea de sutura de prótesis valvulares aórticas. Tratamiento por implantación de tubo valvulado en posición supracoronaria.

We present our 7 years' experience in the treatment of repeated stitch failure of the suture line on aortic valve replacements. We used a valved tube placed in the supra-coronary position. This technique prevented further stitch failure and also prevented postop infections. Of eight patients operated on, five had survived.