AEO7 Surfactant as an Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in HCl solution

The impact of AEO7 surfactant on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (C-steel) in 0.5 M HCl solution at temperatures between 20 °C and 50 °C was elucidated using weight loss and different electrochemical techniques. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the corrosion and inhibition processes were reported. The corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE%) improved as the concentration of AEO7 increased. In addition, a synergistic effect was observed when a concentration of 1 × 10 −3 mol L −1 or higher of potassium iodide (KI) was added to 40 µmol L −1 of the AEO7 inhibitor where the corrosion IE% increased from 87.4% to 99.2%. Also, it was found that the adsorption of AEO7 surfactant on C-steel surface followed the Freundlich isotherm. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements indicated that AEO7 was physically adsorbed on the steel surface. The surface topography was examined using an optical profilometer, an atomic force microscope (AFM), and a scanning electron-microscope (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) unit. Quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory were performed to understand the relationship between the corrosion IE% and the molecular structure of the AEO7 molecule. © 2019, The Author(s).This publication was supported by Qatar University Internal Grant N° GCC-2017-012. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors gratefully thank the Center for Advanced Materials at Qatar University and the Chemistry Department at Cairo University for their support. The permanent address of Dr. Mohamed F. Shibl is Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.Scopu

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association analyses improve resolution of genes and pathways influencing lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk.

Lung-function impairment underlies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and predicts mortality. In the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of lung function to date, comprising 580,869 participants, we identified 1,020 independent association signals implicating 559 genes supported by ≥2 criteria from a systematic variant-to-gene mapping framework. These genes were enriched in 29 pathways. Individual variants showed heterogeneity across ancestries, age and smoking groups, and collectively as a genetic risk score showed strong association with COPD across ancestry groups. We undertook phenome-wide association studies for selected associated variants as well as trait and pathway-specific genetic risk scores to infer possible consequences of intervening in pathways underlying lung function. We highlight new putative causal variants, genes, proteins and pathways, including those targeted by existing drugs. These findings bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying lung function and COPD, and should inform functional genomics experiments and potentially future COPD therapies

Monosodium glutamate versus diet induced obesity in pregnant rats and their offspring

Background: We aim at determining the role of monosodium glutamate (MSG) compared with high caloric chow (HCC) in development of obesity in pregnant rats and their offspring. Methods: Ninety pregnant rats were divided into 3 groups, control, MSG and HCC fed. We determined energy intake, body weight (BW), abdominal fat, fat to body weight ratio, serum glucose, insulin, leptin, lipid profile, ob and leptin receptor-b gene expressions in pregnant rats and ob and leptin receptor-b gene expressions, serum insulin, glucose, leptin, triacylglycerides (TAG), total lipids (TL) and BW in offspring. Results: Although daily energy intake and BW of MSG treated rats were lower than those of HCC fed rats, their abdominal fat and fat body weight ratio were higher. MSG or HCC increased Ob gene expression, leptin, insulin, LDL, cholesterol, total lipids (TL), glucose and decreased leptin receptor-b gene expression. In offspring of MSG treated rats, BW, serum glucose, insulin, leptin, TAG, TL and Ob gene expression increased and leptin receptor-b gene expression decreased whereas in offspring of HCC fed rats, serum insulin, leptin, Ob and leptin receptor-b gene expression increased but serum glucose, TAG, TL or BW did not change. Conclusion: We conclude that in pregnant rats, MSG, in spite of mild hypophagia, caused severe increase in fat body weight ratio, via leptin resistance, whereas, HCC increased BW and fat body weight ratio, due to hyperphagia with consequent leptin resistance. Moreover, maternal obesity in pregnancy, caused by MSG, has greater impact on offspring metabolism and BW than that induced by HCC

Antimicrobial effect of different intracanal medications on various microorganisms

AbstractTo compare the antimicrobial effect of Calcium hydroxide paste (CaOH), Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) gel and Antibiotic-Corticosteroid paste against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in root canal lumen and radicular dentin.Materials and methodsEighty four single rooted extracted human teeth with straight root canals were selected, decronated leaving root segments of 15 mm length. All canals were prepared up to size 40 master apical file under irrigation with sodium hypochlorite solution. Roots were sterilized, infected by mixed suspension of the three types isolated microorganisms and incubated at 37 °C for 14 days. The roots were divided into 4 equal groups according to the intracanal medications used. Group I: CaOH, Group II: CHX, Group III: Antibiotic-Corticosteroid paste and Group IV: saline. Each main group was further equally subdivided into 3 subgroups according to the isolated organism. Subgroup (A): S. mutans, Subgroup (B): E. faecalis and Subgroup(C): C. albicans. The medicated roots were incubated for 7 days at 37 °C then irrigated to remove the medications. Two samples were taken from each canal, one from root canal lumen and the other from radicular dentin and cultured on three media selective for each tested microorganisms. The growing colonies were counted and recorded as colony forming units CFU.ResultsChlorhixidine gel showed the best effect against all tested microorganisms at both experimental sites, while Antibiotic-Corticosteroid paste was the worest one.ConclusionCHX was the best medication used to eliminate the different tested organisms at the two experimental sites. S. mutans was the most sensitive microorganism to the whole tested medications, while C. albicans was the most resistant one

Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma after chemoembolization

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate role of DWI in assessment of H.C.C. after TACE.Patients and methodsTwenty patients with H.C.C., mainly in sixth and seventh decades underwent TACE therapy. The baseline hepatic MRI before chemoembolization used 1.5-T closed magnet and then follow-up 3weeks post-TACE included axial T1, T2 WI, DWI and dynamic contrast study. DWI used b values 0, 300, and 600s/mm2 then measured ADC value on dedicated workstation.ResultsADC measurement within H.C.C. tumor was significantly lower than normal liver parenchyma before TACE with increased ADC in the necrotic tissue after TACE. Fifteen patients showed a partial response with increased tumor necrosis. Complete response occurred in five patients as absent residual viable tumor tissue on DWI. Statistical analysis showed that DWI has sensitivity of 86.67%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 92.86% and negative predictive value of 66.67%.ConclusionsMRI DWI offers quick and non-invasive technique to distinct between viable and necrotic tumor areas and helps the diagnosis of residual tumor. Potential effect of treatment can be detected as increase in the diffusion coefficient. We recommend that optimal follow-up after image guided trans-catheter tumor therapy should include DWI and contrast-enhanced MRI