Potential bioremediation of lead and phenol by sunflower seed husk and rice straw-based biochar hybridized with bacterial consortium: a kinetic study.

Environmental pollution is a global phenomenon and troublesome fact that poses a grave risk to all living entities. Via coupling carbonaceous feedstocks with outstanding microbial activity, kinetic experiments were established using the consortium of Proteus mirabilis and Raoultella planticola, biochar-derived sunflower seed husk (SHB) and rice straw (RSB), and their composites, which investigated at 30 °C (150 rpm) to eliminate 700 mg L-1 lead (120 h) and phenol (168 h) from synthetic wastewater. The derived biochars physicochemical properties of were studied. According to adsorption capacity (qe), consortium-SHB composites and consortium-RSB composites removed lead completely (70 mg g-1) within 48 h and 66 h, respectively. Besides, phenol was remediated entirely after 42 h and 48 h by both composite systems (69.90 mg g-1), respectively, comparing with bacterial consortium only or parent SHB and RSB. Moreover, four kinetic models were studied to describe the bioremediation process. Fractional power and Elovich models could be recommended for describing the adsorption kinetics for lead and phenol removal by the studied biomaterials with high correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.91 for Pb2+ and ≥ 0.93 for phenol) and lower residual root mean square error (RMSE) and chi-square (X2). Overall, bacterial consortium-biochar composites exhibited greater remediation of lead and phenol than the sum of each single bacterial consortium and biochar systems; reflecting synergistic interaction of adsorptive capability of biochar and metabolic performance of bacterial consortium, as denoted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The current study addressed the successful design of employing functional remediating consortium immobilized on waste biomass-derived biochar as a conducive alternative eco-sorbent and economic platform to detoxify organic and inorganic pollutants.

Influences of Mg-activation on sugarcane bagasse biochar characteristics and its PNP removing potentials from contaminated water.

Biochar as a substitute eco-friendly and low-cost adsorbent is introduced for removing p-nitrophenol (PNP) one of the most important chemical contaminant that recognized as the main metabolite in many pesticides and an intermediate compound in many industries. Physicochemical characteristics of sugarcane bagasse biochar (SCBB) and its Mg-activation (ASCBB) generated at 500 °C for 30 min were investigate. Batch kinetic experiment was conducted (200 mg L-1 PNP) to evaluate sorption efficiency of both tested biochars. To study the reaction behavior of PNP adsorption on ASCBB, solution pH and isotherm experiment of different concentrations and dosages were as investigated. The results show that ASCBB had a higher biochar yield, ash content, pH, molar ratios (H/C and O/C), surface area, pore volume, mean pore diameter, and specific and thick wall structure than SCBB. The efficiency of ASCBB to remove PNP was higher than SCBB which reached 51.98% in the first 1 min., and pH 7 achieved the optimum adsorption. Pseudo-second-order model examination exhibited well fitted to explain the adsorption results depending on R2 value (1.00). The adsorption isotherm results were well described by the Elovich and Freundlich models depending on the R2, qm and n values, which means the formation of a multilayer of PNP on the ASCBB surface through the chemisorption reaction. The calculated qm (144.93 mg g-1) of 1g L-1 was relatively close with experimental value (142.03 mg g-1). The PNP adsorption mechanism on both biochar types was electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking interactions, which were confirmed by studying the surface reactions before and after adsorption. Overall, the current study provided a successful waste biomass-derived biochar as a conducive alternative eco-sorbent to eliminate p-nitrophenol from wastewater.

Evaluation of the Utility of Seminal Plasma Resistin and Leptin in Predicting Successful Surgical Sperm Retrieval in Men with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia.

Background: The purpose of the current study was evaluation of the utility of seminal plasma (SP) resistin and leptin in predicting successful surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted in the andrology clinic of a specialized fertility center. In total, 53 NOA men as candidates for either first time micro-testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) or repeat micro-TESE and 28 normozoospermic controls were included. ELISA was used for measurement of SP resistin and leptin levels in all participants. Significance level was defined as p<0.05. Results: The current study demonstrated a significant positive correlation between estradiol (E2) level in serum and SP resistin (r=0.342, p=0.025). Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation between SP leptin and SP resistin (r=0.568, p= 0.001). Interestingly, SP leptin was the only variable that demonstrated a significant correlation with eventful micro-TESE outcome in men who underwent micro-TESE for the first time. Finally, ROC curve showed that SP leptin level of 4.05 ng/ml predicted successful SSR in men who underwent micro-TESE for the first time with a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 75% as 11 out of 27 (41%) cases showed eventful micro-TESE at or above this cut-off level [AUC of 0.747, 95% CI, lower bound of 0.555, and upper bound of 0.939, p=0.030]. Conclusion: SP leptin can be used as a non-invasive biomarker to predict successful SSR in NOA cases undergoing first time micro-TESE, while SP resistin failed to play the same role.

Isolation, characterization, and application of lytic bacteriophages for controlling Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) in pasteurized milk and yogurt.

Reducing bacterial pathogen contamination not only improves overall global public health but also diminishes food waste and loss. The use of lytic bacteriophages (phages) that infect and kill bacteria could be a beneficial tool for suppressing bacterial growth during dairy products storage time. Four Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) complex isolates which were previously isolated from contaminated dairy products were used to identify lytic phages in wastewater. Phages specific to multi-drug resistant (MDR) E. cloacae complex 6AS1 were isolated from local sewage. Two novel phages vB_EclM-EP1 and vB_EclM-EP2 were identified as myoviral particles and have double-stranded DNA genome. Their host range and lytic capabilities were detected using spot test and efficiency of plating (EOP) against several bacterial isolates. The phages had a latent period of 30 min, and a large burst size of about 100 and 142 PFU/cell for vB_EclM-EP1 and vB_EclM-EP2, respectively. Both phages were viable at pH ranging 5-9 and stable at 70 °C for 60 min. The individual phages and their cocktail preparations (vB_EclM-EP1 and vB_EclM-EP2) reduced and inhibited the growth of E. cloacae complex 6AS1 during challenge test in milk and yogurt samples. These results indicate that the E. cloacae complex-specific phages (vB_EclM-EP1 and vB_EclM-EP2) have a potential application as microbicidal agents in packaged milk and milk derivatives during storage time. In addition, our environment is a rich sources of lytic phages which have potential use in eliminating multidrug-resistant isolates in food industry as well as in biocontrol.

Inhibition of notch signalling and mesangial expansion by combined glucagon like peptide-1 agonist and crocin therapy in animal model of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the devastating complications in diabetes mellitus (DM). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is one of the incretins secreted from L cells in the intestine. Crocin (a carotenoid component of saffron) has antioxidants properties. We investigated the renal effects of Exendin-4 as a GLP-1 agonist and Crocin in DN.Thirty male rats were divided into five groups: control, type II DM, type II DM + Exendin-4, type II DM + Crocin and type II DM + Exendine-4 + Crocin. At the end of the experimental period, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured, and GFR was calculated. Blood and urine samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Tissue samples were collected from the kidney for histological examination and biochemical measurements of protein expression.Treatment with GLP-1 agonist or Crocin caused a significant improvement in renal function. Better results were achieved with simultaneous administration of both drugs with inhibition of notch signalling pathway and the related proteins.

Pattern and determinants of COVID-19 infection and mortality across countries: An ecological study.

BACKGROUND: This work aimed to identify the mathematical model and ecological determinants of COVID-19 infection and mortality across different countries during the first six months of the pandemic. METHODOLOGY: In this study, authors used the online available data sources of randomly selected 18 countries to figure out potential determinants of COVID-19 transmissibility and mortality. The studied variables were environmental factors (daily average temperature, daily humidity), socioeconomic attributes (population age structure, count and density, human development index, per capita income (PCI), gross domestic product, internet coverage) mobility trends and chronic diseases. Researchers used the linear and exponential time series analysis, and further utilized multivariate techniques to explain the variance in the monthly increase in cases and deaths. RESULTS: In the first two months, the R2 of linear models for the cases and deaths were higher than that of the corresponding R2 of the exponential model. Later one, R2 of the exponential model was occasionally relatively higher than that of the linear model. The exponential growth rate of new cases was significantly associated with mobility trends (ß = 0.00398, P = 0.002), temperature (ß = 0.000679, P = 0.011), humidity (ß = 0.000249, P < 0.001), and the proportion of population aged ≥65 years (ß = -0.000959, P = 0.012). Similarly, the exponential growth rate of deaths was significantly associated with mobility trends (ß = 0.0027, P = 0.049), temperature (ß = 0.0014, P < 0.001), humidity (ß = -0.0026, P < 0.001), and PCI of countries. During this period, COVID-19 transmissibility was evident to be controlled as soon as social mobility is decreased by about 40% of the baseline over 3 months controlling for the other predictors. CONCLUSION: Controlling of COVID-19 pandemic is based mainly on controlling social mobility. Role of environmental determinants like temperature and humidity was well noticed on disease fatality and transmissibility. Socio-demographic determinants of COVID-19 spread and fatality included modifiable risk factors like PCI and non-modifiable risk factors like ageing.

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Stress Burden in Caregivers of Patients With Severe Mental Illness: An Underestimated Health Concern.

Caregivers of patients with severe mental disorders experience a heavy stress burden that can manifest as psychiatric symptoms mimicking posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can negatively impact interpersonal relationships and work performance. The present study investigated the prevalence of PTSD symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and stress burden in caregivers of patients with severe mental illness. A total of 70 caregivers of severely mentally ill patients and 70 control subjects who were caregivers of patients with a chronic debilitating medical illness (cardiovascular disease) were recruited from university hospital outpatient facilities. Severe mental illness was defined based on a Global Assessment of Functioning score <50 and duration of illness >2 years. Both groups were evaluated with the Zarit Burden interview, a QoL questionnaire, and Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS). The results showed that 37.14% (n = 26) of caregivers of patients with severe mental illness showed PTS symptoms compared to 0% of caregivers of patients with physical illness, and 15.17% (n = 11) met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Caregivers of patients with severe mental illness had higher stress burden and lower QoL scores than the control group (p < 0.05). These results indicate that caregivers of patients with severe mental illness have a high stress burden that may lead to PTSD, highlighting the importance of providing psychological support to this group.

Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor-Based Fe2O3@MWCNTs for Ivabradine Drug Determination in Pharmaceutical Formulation, Serum, and Urine Samples.

Ivabradine hydrochloride (IVR) is a medically important drug because of its ability to lower the heart rate. Techniques reported for IVR determination were expensive, laborious, besides being of poor selectivity. In this study, iron oxide @ carbon nanotube (Fe2O3@MWCNTs) nanocomposite and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) were synthesized and used in the fabrication of carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) for the potentiometric detection of IVR in biological and pharmaceutical samples. CPEs of the best sensor were formulated from graphite (41 wt%) as a carbon source, MIP (3 wt.%) as an ionophore, Fe2O3@MWCNTs (5 wt%) as a modifier, and nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE, 51 wt.%) as a conductive oil so-called plasticizer. The best sensor exhibits a Nernstian slope (response) of 56 mV decade-1 within the IVR concentration range from 1.0 × 10-3 M to 9.8 × 10-8 M with high selectivity against interfering species (ascorbic, maltose, glucose, lactose, dopamine, glycine) over those reported earlier. The use of Fe2O3@MWCNTs together with MIP in the electrode formulation was found to improve the limit of detection (LOD) from 630 to 98 nM along with high reversibility, a short response time of 30 s, and a good lifetime of more than 2 weeks. The sandwich membrane (SMM) method was used to quantify the H-bonding complexing strength of the MIP binding sites for IVR with Log ß ILn = 11.33. The constructed sensors were successfully applied for the IVR determination in blood serum, urine, and commercial formulations (Savapran®) with high sensitivity.

t-Butyl calixarene/Fe2O3@MWCNTs composite-based potentiometric sensor for determination of ivabradine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulations.

Ivabradine hydrochloride (IVB) has shown high medical importance as it is a medication for lowering the heart rate for the symptomatic chronic heart failure and symptomatic management of stable angina pectoralis. The high dose of IVB may cause severe and prolonged bradycardia, uncontrolled blood pressure, headache, and blurred vision. In this study, a highly sensitive carbon-paste electrode (CPEs) was constructed for the potentiometric determination of IVB in pharmaceutical formulations. t-Butyl calixarene (t-BCX) was used as an ionophore due to its ability to mask IVB in the cavity via multiple H-bonding at the lower rim, as estimated quantitatively by the sandwich membrane method (Log ßILn = 8.62). Besides, the use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with Fe2O3 nanoparticles (Fe2O3@MWCNTs) as an additive for the paste electrode significantly improved the detection limit of the sensor up to 36 nM, with Nernstian response of 58.9 mV decade-1 in the IVB linear dynamic range of 10-3-10-7 M in aqueous solutions. The constructed sensors showed high selectivity against interfering species that may exist in physiological fluids or pharmaceutical formulations (e.g. Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Cr3+, Sr2+, glucose, lactose, maltose, glycine, dopamine, and ascorbic acid). The sensors were successfully employed for IVB determination in the pharmaceutical formulations (Savapran®).

Procalcitonin level as a surrogate for catheter-related blood stream infection among hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is a frequent complication among hemodialysis patients who usually are presented with nonspecific signs such as fever, rigors, and hypotension. Blood culture will take up to 5 days and antimicrobials will be started. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a valid marker in sepsis. Our goal in this study is to evaluate its usefulness as a diagnostic marker in detecting CRBSI among hemodialysis patients who present with suspected CRBSI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one hemodialysis patients with suspected CRBSI were enrolled in this study. PCT level was measured at the time of presentation. Patients were divided into two groups according to blood culture results: positive and negative groups. PCT level and other markers for inflammation: white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis of variables was performed using the t-test or Mann-Whitney test together with Spearman correlation test. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients had median age 44.7 ± 2.1 years. They comprised 16 males (52%) and 15 females (48%). Sixteen patients had a positive blood culture result while in 15 it was negative. PCT level was significantly higher in the positive blood culture group (40.0 ± -21.9) (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.4-51.8) while its level was 1.1 ± 1 (95% CI 0.54-1.8) in the negative blood culture group [t(15) = -7, p<0.001). In the positive culture group, there was a correlation between CRP and ferritin (r = -0.58, p = 0.01, n = 16), while no correlation between PCT and other markers of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: PCT is a useful marker for diagnosis of CRBSI among hemodialysis patients.

FTIR assessment of the effect of Ginkgo biloba leave extract (EGb 761) on mammalian retina.

Ginkgo biloba extract has been therapeutically used for several decades to increase peripheral and cerebral blood flow as well as for the treatment of dementia. The extract contains multiple compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids that are thought to contribute to its neuroprotective and vasotropic effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of prolonged administration of EGb 761, up to 10 weeks, on mammalian retina using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Two main groups were involved in this study: the normal group (n = 10); and EGb-administrated group (n = 50) that received-orally-a dose of 40 mg/kg/day EGb 761. The results demonstrated that EGb administration was associated with different beneficial effects on the retinal constituents especially the underlying amide I protein secondary structure components as well as the NH-OH region. It concluded that the optimum daily administration period of EGb (40 mg/kg) for ophthalmic applications that targeting the retina ranges from 5 to 8 weeks.