Synergistic interactions and reaction mechanisms of biochar surface functionalities in antibiotics removal from industrial wastewater.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material with a unique surface chemistry (high abundance of surface functional groups, large surface area, and well-distributed), has shown great potential as a sustainable solution for industrial wastewater treatment as compared to conventional industrial wastewater treatment techniques demand substantial energy consumption and generate detrimental byproducts. This critical review emphasizes the surface functionalities formation and development in biochar to enhance its physiochemical properties, for utilization in antibiotics removal. Factors affecting the formation of functionalities, including carbonization processes, feedstock materials, operating parameters, and the influence of pre-post treatments, are thoroughly highlighted to understand the crucial role of factors influencing biochar properties for optimal antibiotics removal. Furthermore, the research explores the removal mechanisms and interactions of biochar-based surface functionalities, hydrogen bonding, encompassing electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, π-π interactions, and electron donor and acceptor interactions, to provide insights into the adsorption/removal behavior of antibiotics on biochar surfaces. The review also explains the mechanism of factors influencing the removal of antibiotics in industrial wastewater treatment, including particle size and pore structure, nature and types of surface functional groups, pH and surface charge, temperature, surface modification strategies, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, biochar dose, pollutant concentration, contact time, and the presence of coexisting ions and other substances. Finally, the study offers reusability and regeneration, challenges and future perspectives on the development of biochar-based adsorbents and their applications in addressing antibiotics. It concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the significance of biochar as a sustainable and effective solution for mitigating antibiotics contamination in industrial wastewater.

Correction of a chronic pulmonary disease through lentiviral vector-mediated protein expression.

We developed a novel lentiviral vector, pseudotyped with the F and HN proteins from Sendai virus (rSIV.F/HN), that produces long-lasting, high-efficiency transduction of the respiratory epithelium. Here we addressed whether this platform technology can secrete sufficient levels of a therapeutic protein into the lungs to ameliorate a fatal pulmonary disease as an example of its translational capability. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) results from alveolar granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) insufficiency, resulting in abnormal surfactant homeostasis and consequent ventilatory problems. Lungs of GM-CSF knockout mice were transduced with a single dose of rSIV.F/HN-expressing murine GM-CSF (mGM-CSF; 1e5-92e7 transduction units [TU]/mouse); mGM-CSF expression was dose related and persisted for at least 11 months. PAP disease biomarkers were rapidly and persistently corrected, but we noted a narrow toxicity/efficacy window. rSIV.F/HN may be a useful platform technology to deliver therapeutic proteins for lung diseases requiring long-lasting and stable expression of secreted proteins.

Knowledge about breastfeeding in accordance with the national policy among doctors, paramedics and mothers in baby-friendly hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge about the National Breastfeeding Policy among paramedics, doctors and mothers in baby-friendly hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted at the Paediatrics and Obstetrics' department of Civil Hospital, Karachi, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Liaquat National Hospital in May 2008. A questionnaire was developed which was based on National Breastfeeding Policy by the investigators after literature search. The respondents were mothers, doctors and paramedics. The questionnaire included demographic profile of participants and questions related to the National breastfeeding policy. Sampling was based on convenient method. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. The investigators interviewed the participants and filled out the questionnaire after taking verbal informed consent. SPSS version 15.0 was used for data analysis RESULT: Total of 515 participants were interviewed which included 197 doctors, 99 paramedics and 218 mothers. The mean age (years) of mothers' was 27.6 +/- 7.06, doctors' 29.96 +/- 6.024, and paramedics 27.76 +/- 9.106. A substantial majority of mothers, paramedics & doctors agreed that breast milk is better than any formula milk. More than three-fourths of the doctors and paramedics responded that prelacteal feed should not be given in comparison to 64.7% of mothers. Nearly half of doctors and paramedics never attended any workshop or training programme on lactation management. Similarly, 63.7% mothers were not counseled for lactation during their antenatal visits. CONCLUSION: In this study doctors and paramedics are well aware of the recommendations of the National breastfeeding policy. But nearly two-thirds of the mothers were never educated for the management of the breastfeeding. This point towards the lack of implementation of the national policy on part of healthcare providers.