Photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes using reduced graphene oxide (rGO).

Photocatalysts have developed into a successful strategy for degrading synthetic and organic toxins, such as chemicals and dyes, in wastewater. In this study, graphene oxide was reduced at different temperatures and used for degrading indigo carmine and neutral red dyes. The wide surface areas, strong adsorption sites, and oxygen functionalities of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at 250 °C (rGO-250) produced more photocatalytic degradation efficiency and adsorption percentage. The catalyst dosage, initial dye concentration, solution pH and recyclability were all used to optimize the photocatalytic activity of rGO-250. This research presents a capable nano-adsorbent photocatalyst for the efficient degradation of organic dyes. GO and rGOs were also investigated for carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption properties. Results showed that rGO-250 has better CO2 adsorption properties than other rGOs. Overall, it was observed that rGO-250 has better photocatalytic and CO2 adsorption capabilities compared to graphene oxide reduced at different temperatures.

Design and Development of Inexpensive Paper-Based Chemosensors for Detection of Divalent Copper.

Simple, portable, and low-cost paper-based sensors are alternative devices that have the potential to replace high-cost sensing technologies. The compatibility of the paper base biosensors for both chemical and biochemical accentuates its feasibility for application in clinical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food quality monitoring. High concentration of copper in blood serum and urine is associated with diseases like liver diseases, carcinomas, acute and chronic infections, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Detection of copper concentration can give an early sign of Alzheimer disease. Apart from that genetic Wilson's disease can be detected by evaluating the concentration of copper in the urine. In view of the above advantages, a novel and the highly sensitive paper-based sensor has been designed for the selective detection of Cu2+ ions. The fast and highly sensitive chemiresistive multi-dye system sensor can detect Cu2+ ions selectively in as low as 2.23 ppm concentration. Least interference has been observed for counter ion in the detection of Cu2+. Copper chloride, nitrate, and acetate were used to validate the detection process. This assay provides a very high selectivity of Cu2+ ion over other metal cations such as Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, etc. The easy preparation and high stability of dye solutions, easy functionalization of the paper-based sensors, high selectivity over other cations, low interference of counter anion, and significantly low detection limit of 2.23 ppm make it an effective Cu2+ ion sensor for real-time application in near future.

Intraspinal Intramedullary Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor in a Young Girl: A Case Report from BSMMU, Bangladesh.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are malignant tumor of pluripotent cells of neural crest. It has diverse clinical presentation and aggressive clinical behaviour. Clinical features may provide some clue but imaging studies such as MRI of brain; tissue histopathology, immune histochemistry and cytogenetic are essential to confirm the diagnosis. Here we describe a girl of 4½ years age admitted with the complaints of, low back pain for 2 months, gradually worsening weakness in both lower limbs for the same duration along with urinary incontinence and constipation for 1 month. On examination she was afebrile, mildly pale, no lymphadenopathy, having normal vital signs and anthropometrically well thriving. Back and spine examination showed angulation of spine involving T11 - L4, without paravertebral swelling. Neurological examination of lower limbs revealed decreased muscle tone, diminished muscle power (3/5), both knee and ankle jerks were also diminished and bilaterally equivocal planter response, sensory function of all modalities were impaired. MRI findings were suggestive of ependymoma. Consultation was done with department of neurosurgery and they did the relevant surgery. Tissue histopoathology and immune histochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Finally the child was referred to Paediatric Haemato-oncolgy department for further management.

Factors associated with intimate partner violence against women in a mega city of South-Asia: multi-centre cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES. To assess the proportion of women subjected to intimate partner violence and the associated factors, and to identify the attitudes of women towards the use of violence by their husbands. DESIGN. Cross-sectional study. SETTING. Family practice clinics at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. PARTICIPANTS. A total of 520 women aged between 16 and 60 years were consecutively approached to participate in the study and interviewed by trained data collectors. Overall, 401 completed questionnaires were available for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association of various factors of interest. RESULTS. In all, 35% of the women reported being physically abused by their husbands in the last 12 months. Multivariate analysis showed that experiences of violence were independently associated with women's illiteracy (adjusted odds ratio=5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-19.6), husband's illiteracy (3.9; 1.4-10.7), smoking habit of husbands (3.3; 1.9-5.8), and substance use (3.1; 1.7-5.7). CONCLUSION. It is imperative that intimate partner violence be considered a major public health concern. It can be prevented through comprehensive, multifaceted, and integrated approaches. The role of education is greatly emphasised in changing the perspectives of individuals and societies against intimate partner violence.

Evaluation of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System as a potential index model for Total Force Fitness.

This article reports the results of an evaluation of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as a potential "index model" for the assessment of Total Force Fitness (TFF) in military personnel. The evaluation was conducted using descriptive categories developed by Firth and Smith for appraisal of potential TFF index models, and documents and publications related to BRFSS survey measures and methodology. Secondary analysis of data from military personnel responding to the 2010 BRFSS was used as "sample" data to assess relationships between the domains of TFF. Findings from this evaluation support that the BRFSS is a potential index model for TFF. Additional research is needed to determine the usefulness of BRFSS survey measures and resulting data in assessing TFF in military personnel.

Lipid peroxidation and serum antioxidant enzymes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by fasting hyperglycemia, with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Persons are also known to be prone to develop complications related to elevated blood glucose concentrations, including atherosclerosis, retinal damage, cataract, and neuropathy. Hyperglycemia may also result in increased production of the reactive oxygen species within numerous biochemical pathways that have the potential to initiate changes in endothelial function. This article demonstrates the presence of lipid peroxidation products in the red cell membranes of type 2 diabetic patients compared to the normal subjects. These membranes are more susceptible to exogenous oxidative stress than those of normal healthy individuals. Significantly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, namely, serum peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were found in type 2 diabetic patients as compared to control. This study led us to conclude that elevated levels of glucose induce oxidative stress that is ultimately reflected by the increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in erythrocyte ghost membranes of diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia also induced an increase in antioxidant enzymes and a relationship seems to exist between diabetic complications and elevated levels of these enzymes. It is suggested that these antioxidant enzymes may be considered as markers for vascular injury.