Preparation, Characterization, and Catalytic Evaluation of Metal Containing MCM-41-Based Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts

In this study, the preparation of nickel and cobalt incorporated MCM-41 (metal-MCM-41) with Si/Al = 10, Si/Mo = 10 and Si/Co and Si/Ni as 50 was done. Then molybdenum was impregnated on Ni-MCM-41 and Co-MCM-41 by incipient wetness impregnation method. MCM-41 based catalysts were characterized by XRD, surface area, pore volume, pore-size distribution, and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The catalysts were evaluated for hydrodesulfurization of model compounds thiophene and benzothiophene in pulse reactor at atmospheric pressure and at different temperatures. HDS of dibenzothiophene dissolved in dodecane, was also performed in a batch autoclave reactor at high pressure and temperature. The results of hydrodesulfurization activity indicate that when impregnated with molybdenum the prepared metal-MCM-41 showed higher activity as compared to commercial catalyst. Mo-CoMCM-41 showed highest conversion per mole of metal in hydrodesulfurization of thiophene and benzothiophene. For comparison purposes, a sample of NiMo-Y zeolite catalyst was also prepared and evaluated

HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT USING ST. GEORGE'S RESPIRATORY QUESTIONNAIRE IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS ON COMBINED INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS AND BRONCHODILATORS

Objective: Chronic diseases like COPD have significant effects on patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL measures additional indices as compared to objective measurements like spirometry. Our aim is to assess and compare the disease-specific quality of life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients using St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) receiving Salmeterol/Fluticasone (SF), Formoterol/Budesonide (FB), Formoterol/Fluticasone (FF).Methods: A prospective, open-label, randomized, parallel group study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. A 6-months follow-up of 90 patients with severe and very severe COPD randomized to receive Salmeterol/Fluticasone, Formoterol/Budesonide, and Formoterol/Fluticasone in appropriate doses according to their global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) severity. After spirometry, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) was administered at baseline and after 180 d to assess improvement in lung function and HRQoL. Statistical analysis used: Data analyzed using SPSS version: 13.0. General linear repeated measures using the post-hoc Bonferroni method assessed significance between treatment groups.Results: Significant decrease (P<0.05) in each SGRQ-C domains and total scores as well as improvement in FEV1 (P<0.05) was observed in all study subjects. The mean SGRQ-C total score for the group I subjects (SF) at the initial visit was 86.69 and the scores reduced to 58.78 at final visit (i.e. after using SF for 6 mo). This reduction was highly significant statistically (t=10.989, p=0.000) at 95% CI. The mean SGRQ-C total scores for group II subjects (FB) at initial visit were 85.85 and the scores reduced to 67.98 at the final visit. This reduction was highly significant statistically (t=9.669, p=0.000) at 95% CI. The mean SGRQ-C total scores for group III subjects (FF) at initial visit were 83.96 and the scores reduced to 70.37 at final visit (after 6 mo). This reduction was highly significant statistically (t=12.285, p=0.000) at 95% CI.Conclusion: Maximum improvement in HRQoL (P<0.05) was noted in patients receiving Salmeterol/Fluticasone with respect to SGRQ-C (activity, impact and total) scores and FEV1. This improvement with SF was due to its greater effect in patients with severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There was a significant improvement in QoL with SF as compared to FB and FF in severe and very severe COPD patients. Subsequently, the three combined inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators showed similar improvements in lung functions and Health related quality of life throughout the study.Â

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy versus Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in children, adolescents and adults. It can occur alone or in comorbidity with other disorders. A broad range of psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have been developed for the treatment of PTSD. Aim Through quantitative meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the efficacy of CBT and EMDR: (i) relieving the post-traumatic symptoms, and (ii) alleviating anxiety and depression, in patients with PTSD. Methods We systematically searched EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL) for articles published between 1999 and December 2017. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that compare CBT and EMDR in PTSD patients were included for quantitative meta-analysis using RevMan Version 5. Results Fourteen studies out of 714 were finally eligible. Meta-analysis of 11 studies (n = 547) showed that EMDR is better than CBT in reducing post-traumatic symptoms [SDM (95% CI) = -0.43 (-0.73 – -0.12), p = 0.006]. However, meta-analysis of four studies (n = 186) at three-month follow-up revealed no statistically significant difference [SDM (95% CI) = -0.21 (-0.50 – 0.08), p = 0.15]. The EMDR was also better than CBT in reducing anxiety [SDM (95% CI) = -0.71 (-1.21 – -0.21), p = 0.005]. Unfortunately, there was no difference between CBT and EMDR in reducing depression [SDM (95% CI) = -0.21 (-0.44 – 0.02), p = 0.08]. Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis suggested that EMDR is better than CBT in reducing post-traumatic symptoms and anxiety. However, there was no difference reported in reducing depression. Large population randomized trials with longer follow-up are recommended to build conclusive evidence