Promising photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity of novel capsaicin coated cobalt ferrite nanocatalyst

Abstract In this study, CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by the co-precipitation method then surface modified with Capsaicin (Capsicum annuum ssp.). The virgin CoFe2O4 NPs and Capsaicin-coated CoFe2O4 NPs (CPCF NPs) were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The antimicrobial potential and photocatalytic degradation efficiencies of the prepared samples via Fuchsine basic (FB) were investigated. The results revealed that CoFe2O4 NPs have spherical shapes and their diameter varied from 18.0 to 30.0 nm with an average particle size of 25.0 nm. Antimicrobial activity was tested on Gram-positive (S. aureusATCC 52923) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 52922) by disk diffusion and broth dilution methods to determine the zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. UV-assisted photocatalytic degradation of FB was examined. Various parameters affecting the photocatalytic efficiency such as pH, initial concentration of FB, and dose of nanocatalyst were studied. The in-vitro ZOI and MIC results verified that CPCF NPs were more active upon Gram-Positive S. aureus ATCC 52923 (23.0 mm ZOI and 0.625 μg/ml MIC) than Gram-Negative E. coli ATCC 52922 (17.0 mm ZOI and 1.250 μg/ml MIC). Results obtained from the photocatalytic activity indicated that the maximum FB removal achieving 94.6% in equilibrium was observed using 20.0 mg of CPCF NPS at pH 9.0. The synthesized CPCF NPs were effective in the removal of FB and also as potent antimicrobial agent against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with potential medical and environmental applications

Enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of novel Ag-HA bioceramic nanocatalyst for waste-water treatment

Abstract Hydroxyapatite (HA), the most common bioceramic material, offers attractive properties as a catalyst support. Highly crystalline mono-dispersed silver doped hydroxyapatite (Ag-HA) nanorods of 60 nm length was developed via hydrothermal processing. Silver dopant offered enhanced chemisorption for crystal violet (CV) contaminant. Silver was found to intensify negative charge on the catalyst surface; in this regard enhanced chemisorption of positively charged contaminants was accomplished. Silver dopant experienced decrease in the binding energy of valence electron for oxygen, calcium, and phosphorous using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS/ESCA; this finding could promote electron–hole generation and light absorption. Removal efficiency of Ag-HA nanocomposite for CV reached 88% after the synergistic effect with 1.0 mM H2O2; silver dopant could initiate H2O2 cleavage and intensify the release of active ȮH radicals. Whereas HA suffers from lack of microbial resistance; Ag-HA nanocomposite demonstrated high activity against Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria with zone of inhibition (ZOI) mm value of 18.0 mm, and high biofilm inhibition of 91.1%. Ag-HA nanocompsite experienced distinctive characerisitcs for utilization as green bioceramic photocatalyst for wastewater treatment

Carbon-dot-loaded CoxNi1−xFe2O4; x = 0.9/SiO2/TiO2 nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial potential: An engineered nanocomposite for wastewater treatment

Abstract Water scarcity is now a serious global issue resulting from population growth, water decrease, and pollution. Traditional wastewater treatment plants are insufficient and cannot meet the basic standards of water quality at reasonable cost or processing time. In this paper we report the preparation, characterization and multiple applications of an efficient photocatalytic nanocomposite (CoxNi1−xFe2O4; x = 0.9/SiO2/TiO2/C-dots) synthesized by a layer-by-layer method. Then, the photocatalytic capabilities of the synthesized nanocomposite were extensively-studied against aqueous solutions of chloramine-T trihydrate. In addition, reaction kinetics, degradation mechanism and various parameters affecting the photocatalytic efficiency (nanocomposite dose, chloramine-T initial concentration, and reaction pH) were analyzed in detail. Further, the antimicrobial activities of the prepared nanocomposite were tested and the effect of UV-activation on the antimicrobial abilities of the prepared nanocomposite was analyzed. Finally, a comparison between the antimicrobial abilities of the current nanocomposite and our previously-reported nanocomposite (CoxNi1−xFe2O4; x = 0.9/SiO2/TiO2) had been carried out. Our results revealed that the prepared nanocomposite possessed a high degree of crystallinity, confirmed by XRD, while UV–Vis. recorded an absorption peak at 299 nm. In addition, the prepared nanocomposite possessed BET-surface area of (28.29 ± 0.19 m2/g) with narrow pore size distribution. Moreover, it had semi-spherical morphology, high-purity and an average particle size of (19.0 nm). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency was inversely-proportional to chloramine-T initial concentration and directly proportional to the photocatalyst dose. In addition, basic medium (pH 9) was the best suited for chloramine-T degradation. Moreover, UV-irradiation improved the antimicrobial abilities of the prepared nanocomposite against E. coli, B. cereus, and C. tropicalis after 60 min. The observed antimicrobial abilities (high ZOI, low MIC and more efficient antibiofilm capabilities) were unique compared to our previously-reported nanocomposite. Our work offers significant insights into more efficient water treatment and fosters the ongoing efforts looking at how pollutants degrade the water supply and the disinfection of water-borne pathogenic microorganisms

Gene expression analysis and the risk of relapse in favorable histology Wilms’ tumor

Wilms’ tumor (WT) relapse occurs in 15% of patients. We aim to investigate the association between the expression of several genetic markers and WT relapse risk. The study included 51 children treated for WT at a tertiary center between 2001 and 2019: 23 patients had disease relapse (group A) and 28 remained relapse-free after at least 2 years of follow-up (group B). Patients with syndromic, bilateral synchronous or anaplastic WT were excluded. Autologous renal tissue from 20 patients served as control. Total RNA was isolated from tumor tissue and control. Gene expression levels of WT1, HIF1α, b-FGF, c-MYC and SLC22A18 were assessed using quantitative RT-PCR and normalized to GAPDH. Immunohistochemical staining for WT1 and gene expression levels were compared between the study groups. Median patient age was 3 (IQR = 2–5) years and 36 (70.6%) had stage I disease. Baseline characteristics were similar between study groups. Relapse occurred at a median of 6.8 (2.8–24.7) months, predominantly in the lungs (11/23, 47.8%). Tumors that relapsed expressed significantly higher levels of WT1, HIF1α, b-FGF and c-MYC and lower levels of SLC22A18 (p Higher expression levels of WT1, HIF1 α, b-FGF and c-MYC and lower level of SLC22A18 are associated with increased risk of WT relapse. These genetic markers can serve as future prognostic predictors and help stratify patients for treatment.</p

The clinical and genetic characteristics of permanent neonatal diabetes (PNDM) in the state of Qatar

Abstract Background Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare condition that occurs within the first six months of life. Permanent NDM (PNDM) is caused by mutations in specific genes that are known for their expression at early and/or late stages of pancreatic beta‐ cell development, and are either involved in beta‐cell survival, insulin processing, regulation, and release. The native population in Qatar continues to practice consanguineous marriages that lead to a high level of homozygosity. To our knowledge, there is no previous report on the genomics of NDM among the Qatari population. The aims of the current study are to identify patients with NDM diagnosed between 2001 and 2016, and examine their clinical and genetic characteristics. Methods To calculate the incidence of PNDM, all patients with PNDM diagnosed between 2001 and 2016 were compared to the total number of live births over the 16‐year‐period. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was used to investigate the genetic etiology in the PNDM cohort. Results PNDM was diagnosed in nine (n = 9) patients with an estimated incidence rate of 1:22,938 live births among the indigenous Qatari. Seven different mutations in six genes (PTF1A, GCK, SLC2A2, EIF2AK3, INS, and HNF1B) were identified. In the majority of cases, the genetic etiology was part of a previously identified autosomal recessive disorder. Two novel de novo mutations were identified in INS and HNF1B. Conclusion Qatar has the second highest reported incidence of PNDM worldwide. A majority of PNDM cases present as rare familial autosomal recessive disorders. Pancreas associated transcription factor 1a (PTF1A) enhancer deletions are the most common cause of PNDM in Qatar, with only a few previous cases reported in the literature