Simultaneous removal of NH4+ and PO43- from simulated reclaimed waters by modified natural zeolite. Preparation, characterization and thermodynamics

Natural zeolite was modified by NaCl, AlCl3 and thermal treatment for the removal of NH4+ and PO43− ions. The characteristics of the modified zeolite (AlZ) and its mechanism for the NH4 + and PO43− removal were studied and compared. The results showed that the surface area and the Na+ and Al3+ content increased whereas the content of Ca2+, K+ and Mg2+ decreased after zeolite modification. On natural zeolite when activated with the 1 M NaCl and 10 cm3 /g of pillaring dosage, high adsorption efficiencies for the NH4 + (97.80%) PO43− (98.60%) were obtained. The results of various analyses indicated that the Na+ exchange is the main mechanism for NH4 + removal whereas the adsorption mechanism for PO43− followed the complexation with Al–OH groups present in the AlZ. In addition, the kinetics study showed that the adsorption of NH4+ and PO43− followed pseudo-second order model while the adsorption isotherm of NH4 + and PO43− is consistent with the Langmuir isotherm model. Moreover, the Gibbs free energy change for the simultaneous removal of the ions indicates that NH4 + is adsorbed faster compared to PO43−. The simultaneous removal of NH4 + and PO43− by AlZ adsorbent is cost effective in water treatment at low ion concentrations

THE EFFECT OF DENTAL IMPLANTS ON INCREASING THE COLONIZATION RATE OF AEROBIC BACTERIA IN THE ORAL CAVITY

Background and aims: Dental implants' principal function is to support artificial teeth. The physiological process by which bones firmly adhere to the surface of various ceramics and metals, such as titanium, is what leads to the emergence of modern dental implants, and there may be negative effects of these implants on the balance in the bacterial numbers in the mouth. Therefore, this study compared the colony forming unit (CFU) of oral bacteria from the buccal mucosa and buccal tongue between patients who had dental implants and healthy volunteers without dental implants. Methods: In this study, 36 people with dental implants and 36 people without dental implants were both included. Following serial dilutions were made and distributed on blood agar, samples were grown in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHI). When a single layer of bacteria developed on blood agar at any dilution level, CFU was estimated. Version 7 of Epi-info Statistics software was used to analyze the data. In each graph, the results were presented as mean standard error of the mean (SEM), and in the table, as mean and standard deviation (SD). Collected data were normally distributed and an independent T-test was used to compare different means of oral CFU bacteria between control and test groups of buccal mucosa and lingual mucosa. Results:  For non-implant controls the values for buccal mucosa of bacterial counts were slightly lower than that of the implant patient’s buccal mucosa.  There was a significant correlation between the increase of aerobic bacterial colonization of the tongue with the implants where the mean±SD was 196.8±12.9 CFU/ml greater than 183.4±9.1 CFU/ml for the normal controls; indicating the enhancement of the effect of the implant in the heavy colonization of bacteria in the oral cavity among implant patient group (p<0.0001). There was a significant association between ≥5 implants and heavy bacterial colonization of the oral cavity with the mean±SD being 214±13.9 CFU/mL vs. 192.85±4.44 CFU/mL for the two-implant composite patient; p=0.027. Additionally, there was a strong correlation between the duration of 13–24 months since implant placement and decreased bacterial colonization of the oral cavity with the mean±SD being 193.2±10.3 CFU/mL vs. 209.6±13.8 CFU/mL for ≤ 12 months; p=0.005. Conclusion: Patients with implants had greater lingual buccal tongue CFU readings than non-implant patients, suggesting that implants are more prone to plaque adhesion. Dental implants, particularly those associated with five implants or more and those recently placed, increased the amount of bacteria leading to heavily colonized of the oral cavity.                           Peer Review History: Received: 11 March 2023; Revised: 26 April; Accepted: 29 June 2023, Available online: 15 July 2023 Academic Editor: Dr. Iman Muhammad Higazy, National Research Center, Egypt, [email protected] Received file:                             Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Omnia Momtaz Al-Fakharany, Tanta, University, Eygpt, [email protected]  Dr. Mohaddese Mahboubi, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran, [email protected]

Rapid plant regeneration, validation of genetic integrity by ISSR markers and conservation of Reseda pentagyna an endemic plant growing in Saudi Arabia

Reseda pentagyna is the only endemic species among the seven species of the genera Reseda found in Saudi Arabia. Probably no information is available on regeneration by conventional method of regeneration through seeds or cuttings. Therefore, alternative method of tissue culture was attempted to regenerate and multiply the plant. High shoot regeneration (14.44 shoots/explant) was obtained after four weeks, when shoot cuttings cultured on MS containing BA at 1.0 µM. Other cytokinins e.g., Kn, 2iP and TDZ found to be less effective in bud induction and shoot multiplication. Individual shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with various auxins at 0.5–5.0 µM concentrations. The IBA (1.5 µM) supplemented MS media induced maximum (83.3%) rooting. The plantlets were acclimatized and hardened under greenhouse conditions in plastic pots containing soil and farm yard manure with 95.0% success. The protocol developed would help to multiply the plant as well as conserve them in natural habitat. This can also be utilized to obtain active constituents for pharmaceutics and genetic manipulations

Self-reported depression and anxiety rates among females with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Hubuna, Saudi Arabia

Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies, causing disfiguring skin lesions and a range of physical symptoms. However, the psychological impact of CL is often overlooked despite the significant burden it imposes on the affected individuals and communities. This is especially true in Saudi Arabia, where limited research exists on the psychological consequences of CL, particularly among females. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by investigating the perceived psychological problems associated with CL among females living in the Hubuna area of Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 213 females with CL in the Hubuna area of Saudi Arabia using purposive sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered electronic questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics and measures of depression and anxiety using the BDI and GAD-7 tools. Descriptive analysis was used to determine the psychological impact of CL, including means and standard deviations for the BDI and GAD-7 scores, as well as frequencies and percentages for other variables of interest. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of anxiety and depression, including variables such as age, marital status, education, occupation, number and location of lesions. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at p < 0.05. The study was carried out between September and December of 2022. Results The study found that the mean Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores among the participants were 8.67 ± 4.82 out of 63 and 8.20 ± 7.08 out of 21, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of depression and anxiety was 55.9% and 68.1%, respectively, indicating a significant psychological burden associated with CL in the study population. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that anxiety and depression were significantly associated with age, marital status, number of lesions, and location of the lesions on the body, highlighting the importance of considering these factors when designing interventions aimed at improving the mental health of CL patients. Conclusions In conclusion, this study highlights the significant psychological impact of CL among females in the Hubuna area of Saudi Arabia, calling for urgent action to address this neglected aspect of the disease. By integrating mental health considerations into CL prevention and management efforts, healthcare providers can improve the overall well-being of affected individuals and contribute to the broader goal of eliminating CL as a public health concern