Hyperbranched polymeric membranes for industrial water purification.

This work aims at the preparation and characterization of dual-layer (DL) nano-fibrous mat (NFM) of hydrophobic and mechanical stable polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nano-fibers (NFs), as a supporter, and polyamide 6 (PA)/chitosan (Ch) NFs as a top hydrophilic coating layer. PAN and PA fibers, as residual wastes from textile processes, were collected and dissolved in their proper solvents. PAN was electro-spuned under certain conditions of electro-spinning (voltage, flow rate, and distance between spinneret and collector) to obtain PAN-NFM. Different ratios of PA/Ch composite were prepared and then electro-spun above the PAN-NFM that was previously prepared to obtain hydrophobic/hydrophilic functional dual-layer nano-fibrous membrane (DLNFM). The efficiency of the prepared DLNFM for capturing dye residues and heavy metals from wastewater was investigated. The viscosities of the prepared composite solutions were measured. The prepared dual-layer nano-fiber membranes (DLNFMs) were chemically and physically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyzer. The potential of the prepared mats for the adsorption of some heavy metal ions, i.e., Cu+2, Cr+3, and Pb+2 cations in addition to dyes from wastewater was evaluated. The effect of using different concentrations of PA/Ch composite as well as the thickness of the obtained DLNFM on the filtration efficiency was studied. The results of this study show the success of functional DLNFM in dye and heavy metal removal. The maximum removal efficiency of acid dyes was reached to 73.4 % and of reactive dye was approximately 61 % for PAN/PA-1.25%Ch DLNFM after 3 days at room temperature. The removal efficiency percent of heavy metal ions reached to 54 % by DLNFM. Additionally, the results showed that 0.08 mm is the ideal thickness for maximum absorption capacity. This value is correlated with the membrane's highest Ch percentage, which is (PAN/PA-1.25%Ch). Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the presence of the Ch polymer strengthened the produced bi-layered membrane to achieve the highest thermal stability when compared to the other nano-fibrous membranes (NFMs), with the breakdown temperature of the Ch functionalized dual-layer membranes (DLMs) reaching approximately 617 °C and a maximum weight loss of 60 %.

Effective impact of nano-plastic-waste incorporated with nanotitina on the physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of white cement pastes composites for progressing towards sustainability.

Plastic waste (PW) has received a lot of attention as a possible additional material for industrial and environmental applications, particularly cement and/or concrete production for a more environmentally and economically sound use of raw materials and energy sources. PW has been investigated as an inert and/or active hydraulic filler for cement and/or concrete by numerous scientists. Plastic garbage is cheap, abundant, and takes long period of time to degrade in the eco-system (soil and water). The main goal of the ongoing research is to offer safety and efficacy by partially substituting nano-plastic waste (NPW), incorporated with nano-titania (NT), for the composition of white cement (WC). Blends are built up by substitution of WC with different ratios of NPW incorporated with fixed ratios of nano-titania (1.0 wt.%). Workability, physical, mechanical and microstructural properties have gone through laboratory and instrumental analysis. The results showed improvement in the compressive strength, density and microstructure due to the effective impact of fillers. Consequently, a decrease in total porosity, whiteness reflection (Ry) and early-rapid expansion. Eventually, the outcomes may reduce the pandemic strength, especially in the external environment, and other epidemics.

A comprehensive study on the fire resistance properties of ultra-fine ceramic waste-filled high alkaline white cement paste composites for progressing towards sustainability.

The most practical sustainable development options to safeguard the local ecology involve reducing the use of raw materials and guaranteeing proper recycling of the principal destroyed solid wastes. Preventing the creation of hazardous waste and the subsequent pollution that results from improper disposal is a top priority. Based on this, the study's authors recommend reusing the ultra-fine ceramic shards (CW). High-alkaline white cement (WC) has been partially replaced by ultra-fine CW because it is a cheaper, more abundant, and more lasting environmental material used in the production of trendy blended white cement pastes composites. In this context, we look at ultra-fine CW, a material that has been suggested for use as a hydraulic filler due to its high performance, physicomechanical qualities, and durability. XRF, XRD, FTIR, and SEM measurements are used to characterize the microstructure, thermal characteristics, and thermodynamics. Because of the effect of ultra-fine ceramic waste, the firing test reduces the mechanical strength by default, but with active filler, decreases slowly and increase its physicomechanical features and compressive strength compared to the control sample (WC), setting a new benchmark. The maximum amount of crystallization formed in the presence of ultra-fine ceramic waste in WC-matrix, resulting in a decrease in total porosity and early cracking. Together, the improved workability and energy-saving features of cement blends with ultra-fine ceramic waste, reflect their economic and environmental benefits, which may reduce building costs and boost the durability of the raw materials used in the mix.

Identification of effective anti-HCV and anti-HIV royal jelly constituents and their acute toxicity evaluation in Albino rats.

Few studies on royal jelly's (RJ) antiviral activities and toxicity have been conducted. Here, we investigated the antioxidant properties of RJ that was fractionated into soluble fraction (SF), non-soluble fraction (NSF), water-soluble protein fraction (crude protein fraction, CPF), PF30, PF40, PF50, and PF60. The PFs were identified by SDS-PAGE, and phenolic constituents of SF were detected by HPLC. The qualitative anti-HCV, immunomodulatory, and predicted impact of the studied fractions on ERK2/MAPK14 (activated by HCV) were investigated. The influences of RJ fractions on HIV CD4, reverse-transcriptase, and integrase were examined. The acute toxicity of RJ, SF, NSF, and CPF-PF50 (all CPF except PF50) was tested. Results showed that RJ had potent antioxidant efficiency, and its SF contains functional phenolic compounds. PF30, PF40, and PF50 only showed anti-HCV potency, and PF50 had an immunomodulatory effect against HCV and predicted inhibitory influence on ERK2/MAPK14. RJ-PFs, particularly PF60, showed the most effective anti-HIV ingredients. A single ip injection of RJ fractions at different concentrations revealed that SF was the safest one. Whereas NSF was the most toxic at 700-5000 mg/kg b.w., its toxicity was reversed spontaneously after seven days. Thus, this study provides valuable information about the antiviral activities and toxicity of RJ constituents.

A Bio-Indicator Pilot Study Screening Selected Heavy Metals in Female Hair, Nails, and Serum from Lifestyle Cosmetic, Canned Food, and Manufactured Drink Choices.

Lifestyles, genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and geographical regions are considered key factors of heavy metals initiatives related to health issues. Heavy metals enter the body via the environment, daily lifestyle, foods, beverages, cosmetics, and other products. The accumulation of heavy metals in the human body leads to neurological issues, carcinogenesis, failure of multiple organs in the body, and a reduction in sensitivity to treatment. We screened for Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd in selected foods, beverages, and cosmetics products depending on questionnaire outcomes from female volunteers. We also screened for Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd on hair, nails, and serum samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) from the same volunteers, and we analyzed the serum cholinesterase and complete blood picture (CBC). We performed an AutoDock study on Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd as potential ligands. Our results indicate that the most elevated heavy metal in the cosmetic sample was Al. In addition, in the food and beverages samples, it was Pb and Al, respectively. The results of the questionnaire showed that 71 percent of the female volunteers used the studied cosmetics, food, and beverages, which were contaminated with Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd, reflecting the high concentration of Cr, Al, Cd, and Pb in the three different types of biological samples of sera, nails, and hair of the same females, with 29 percent of the female volunteers not using the products in the studied samples. Our results also show an elevated level of cholinesterase in the serum of group 1 that was greater than group 2, and this result was confirmed by AutoDock. Moreover, the negative variation in the CBC result was compared with the reference ranges. Future studies should concentrate on the actions of these heavy metal contaminations and their potential health consequences for various human organs individually.

Biochemical Pilot Study on Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil Extract and Cosmetic Cream on Neurologically Mediated Skin Inflammation in Animals and Humans: A Comparative Observational Study.

The presence of phenobarbital and formaldehyde in drugs, food, and beverages can lead to various health issues, including inflammation, oncogenesis, and neurological distress. Psychological stress leads to mood fluctuations and the onset of skin inflammation. Skin inflammation has a range of causes, including chemicals, heavy metals, infection, immune-related disorders, genetics, and stress. The various treatments for skin inflammation include medical and cosmetic creams, diet changes, and herbal therapy. In this study, we investigated the effects of Avocom-M and pomegranate seed oil extract (PSOE) against phenobarbital- and formaldehyde-induced skin biochemical changes in rats. We analyzed the constituents of PSOE using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. We also observed biochemical changes in the skin of human volunteers with and without TROSYD and PSOE as a skin cream. We compared the biochemical changes in human volunteers' skin before treatment and 21 days after the treatment stopped. The outcomes showed an improvement in the rats' biochemical status, due to PSOE and Avocom-M treatment. The human volunteers treated with TROSYD and PSOE showed substantial amelioration of skin inflammation. PSOE, Avocom-M, and TROSYD produced beneficial effects by reducing the levels of cyclooxygenase-2, lipid peroxidation, tyrosinase, hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase, and nitric oxide in the animals tested on and in human volunteers.

Acacia senegal gum attenuates systemic toxicity in CCl4-intoxicated rats via regulation of the ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Acacia senegal (AS) gum (Gum Arabic) is a natural emulsifier exudate from the branches and trunk of Acacia trees and it is recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency as a secure dietary fiber. The present research evaluated the systemic oxidative and necroinflammatory stress induced by CCl4 administration and the alleviating effect of AS gum aqueous extract (ASE, 7.5 g/Kg b.w.). The results demonstrated the presence of certain phenolic compounds in ASE, as well as its in vitro potent scavenging ability against ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), NO, and lipid peroxide radicals. Also, the outcomes revealed an improvement in the CCl4-induced liver, lung, brain, and spleen toxicity by reducing the levels of ROS, lipid peroxidation, NO, and the gene expression of NF-κB and its relevant ROS-mediated inflammatory genes. In contrast, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as well as the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, were significantly upregulated in these organs after the treatment with ASE. These results were confirmed by improving the morphological features of each organ. Therefore, ASE can ameliorate the systemic toxicity caused by CCl4 via regulation of the ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway in the rat organs, which is owed to its phytochemical composition.

Outcome of High-risk Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) in Egyptian Children, Does Intermediate-dose Methotrexate Improve the Outcome?

High-risk multisystem organ (RO+) Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has the least survival. We present the outcome of RO+ LCH in a pediatric single center. Fifty RO+ LCH patients, treated between 07/2007 and 07/2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Induction vinblastine (VBL) and prednisone (PRED) with intermediate-dose methotrexate (idMTX) was adopted until 2012 (n=20) wherein idMTX was omitted (n=30). The 3-year overall survival (OS) of MTX and non-MTX groups was 75% and 63%, respectively, P=0.537, while the event-free survival (EFS) was 36.9% and 13.2%, respectively, P=0.005. At week 12 of induction, "better status" was obtained in 80% of those receiving MTX, and 55% of those who were not. The statistically significant factors associated with both poor OS and EFS were trihemopoietic cytopenias, hepatic dysfunction, tri RO+ combination, and single induction. The factors associated with disease progression (DP) on induction were trihemopoietic cytopenias, hepatic dysfunction, and lack of idMTX, while those for disease reactivations (REA), the season of autumn/winter, lung disease, male sex, and idMTX were the associated factors. The 1-year OS was remarkably affected with the occurrence of DP versus REA versus none, wherein it was 47%, 93%, and 95%, respectively, P=0.001. In conclusion, idMTX is associated with better EFS. DP on induction remains of dismal prognosis in relation to disease REA afterwards. Risk stratification should highlight the role of trihemopoietic cytopenias, hepatic dysfunction, tri RO+, central nervous system risk site, and lung association.