Physicochemical characterization of natural hydroxyapatite/ cellulose composite

The natural hydroxyapatite (HAp, activated at different temperatures)/ cellulose composites have been prepared by usingsonication method to improve the physical properties of the cellulose fibre. The molecular level interaction and the physicalproperties of the hydroxyapatite/cellulose composite are examined using FTIR, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and thermalanalysis. The absorption bands at around 660 cm1 confirm the O–P–O bending vibration in the HAp/cellulose composites.There is a difference in the d-spacing of the HAp /cellulose composite, indicating that the HAp is reactive towards cellulose.SEM indicates that HAp could penetrate the cellulose network structure to form particles that is helpful to improve themechanical properties of the cellulose. The porosities of HAp/cellulose composites decrease, and their compressive strengthincrease as compared to those of cellulose. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms the highest thermal stability of theprepared composites

Review: Medical Equipment Engineering and the Role of Health Adminstration and Nurses in Promoting the Proper Collaboration

By taking on expanded roles in collaboration with administrative and medical equipment engineering, to working in new settings in innovative ways, and to partnering with communities and other sectors, nurses have the potential to be key contributors to making substantial progress toward health care equity in the world in the decade that lies ahead. However, the potential for nurses to assist individuals and communities in leading healthier lives can only be fulfilled if the obstacles that prevent them from working to the full extent of their education and training are addressed

The medical and biochemical knowledge of health care professionals regarding the management of MERS-CoV: lessons from 2019 pilgrimage season in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) epidemic was a serious healthcare concern not responding to conventional anti-viral therapies between 2012 and 2017 with high fatality rates. Saudi Arabia is still among the best world examples in combating both MERS-CoV and COVID-19 pandemics. Objectives: Investigating the medical and biochemical knowledge of healthcare professionals in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia on preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures against MERS-CoV epidemic. Subjects and methods: In 2019, this cross-sectional study included 416 healthcare personnel of which 402 participants answered the questions with a response rate of 96.7%. Specialties of participants were medical students (1.4%), physicians (64.4%), nurses (23.6%) and others (10.7%). Results: The vast majority of the investigated healthcare personnel gave the right answers. 96.7% of the participants answered that washing hands using water helps prevent MERS-CoV. 90.8% of the participants answered that wearing a clean non-sterile long-sleeved gown and gloves does helps prevent MERS-CoV infection. 94.7% of participants answered that using alcohol-based hand rub helps prevent MERS-CoV infection. 92.03% of the participants thought that wearing protective equipment does help preventing MERS-CoV infection. 86.1% answered that there is no vaccine available against MERS-CoV infection and 86.1% answered that taking vaccines is suitable for preventing MERS-CoV infection. 90.04% of the participants answered that MERS-CoV patients should be diagnosed using PCR and 84.3% thought that the highest levels of anti-CoV antibodies are in abattoir workers while 87.8% thought that isolation of suspected cases helps preventing MERS-CoV infection. Conclusion: The investigated healthcare workers had a satisfactory knowledge on the preventive and therapeutic measures and biochemical knowledge against MERS-CoV epidemic at mass gatherings as pilgrimage season

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Impact of some inorganic anions on the corrosion of nickel in a solution containing Na2SO4 and NaClO4

Abstract Potentiodynamic study was carried out on nickel in Na2SO4 solution in the presence of ClO4 –, WO4 2–, MoO4 2–, NO2 – and NO3 – ions. The anodic excursion spans of the metal nickel in a solution of Na2SO4 are marked by the appearance of clearly defined anodic peak, passive region, and transpassive shoulder. According to the data, the anodic peak current density (IPAI) rise from 1.82 to 8.12 mA cm–2 as the concentration of the Na2SO4 solution rises from 0.2 to 1.0 M. It is clear that as scan rate increases, the IPAI rises reaching to 11.8 mA cm–2. The apparent activation energy of nickel corrosion in Na2SO4 is 33.25 kJ mol–1. ClO4 – anion addition speeds up nickel’s active dissolution, as well tends to break down the passive layer, and causes pitting penetration. It was found that, the pitting potential (Epit) of nickel in solutions containing the two anions ClO4 – and SO4 2– shifts to the positive direction by addition of WO4 2–, MoO4 2–, NO2 – anions and shifts to the negative direction by addition NO3 - anion. Epit increased by 0.67, 0.37 and 0.15 V in the presence of WO4 2–, MoO4 2– and NO2 –, respectively. WO4 2– > MoO4 2– > NO2 – was the order in which the inhibitors were most effective

Impact of Co3O4 nanoparticles on epoxy's mechanical and corrosion-resistance properties for carbon steel in seawater

Abstract Co3O4 nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) are synthesized using the facile solvothermal method. FT-IR and XRD spectroscopic analyses verify the creation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with an average size of 13.20 nm. Furthermore, Zeta potential assessments were carried out to identify the electrical charge of the surface of the produced Co3O4-NPs, which was found to be -20.5 mV.  In addition, the average pore size of Co3O4-NPs is 19.8 nm, and their BET surface area is 92.4 m/g. The study also concerned the effect of Co3O4-NPs on epoxy's improvement of mechanical and corrosion protection for carbon steel in salt solution. By including Co3O4-NPs in an epoxy (EP) coating, corrosion is effectively prevented by non-permeable protective coatings that effectively reduce the transfer of corrosion ions and oxygen

Exploring Adsorption Process of Lead (II) and Chromium (VI) Ions from Aqueous Solutions on Acid Activated Carbon Prepared from <i>Juniperus procera</i> Leaves

The adsorption potential of acid activated carbon prepared from leaves of Juniperus procera to remove Pb(II) and Cr(VI) toxic ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent mass, contact time, initial ion concentration and temperature on the biosorption process were studied, and the optimum conditions were determined. Moreover, Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin&#8211;Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models were applied to analyze adsorption data. Thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption processes were calculated. Adsorption was found to be a spontaneous and endothermic process. In addition, kinetic studies revealed a pseudo-first order kinetics biosorption process. The obtained results suggest that acid activated Juniperus procera leaves powder can be used as a cheap, efficient and environmentally friendly adsorbent material with high removal efficiency up to 98% for Pb(II) and 96% for Cr(VI) at 0.80 and 1.00 g/100 mL, respectively. The duration of the process was 100 min and 120 min for Pb(II) and Cr(VI) ions, respectively. The morphology of the of prepared activated carbon was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM)

Physicochemical characterization of natural hydroxyapatite/ cellulose composite

45-50The natural hydroxyapatite (HAp, activated at different temperatures)/ cellulose composites have been prepared by using sonication method to improve the physical properties of the cellulose fibre. The molecular level interaction and the physical properties of the hydroxyapatite/cellulose composite are examined using FTIR, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and thermal analysis. The absorption bands at around 660 cm -1 confirm the O–P–O bending vibration in the HAp/cellulose composites. There is a difference in the d-spacing of the HAp /cellulose composite, indicating that the HAp is reactive towards cellulose. SEM indicates that HAp could penetrate the cellulose network structure to form particles that is helpful to improve the mechanical properties of the cellulose. The porosities of HAp/cellulose composites decrease, and their compressive strength increase as compared to those of cellulose. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms the highest thermal stability of the prepared composites