Comparison of DeLorme with Oxford resistance training techniques: effects of training on muscle damage markers

Aim: The purpose of this study was comparing DeLorme with Oxford methods through ten repetition maximum (10 RM) performance and serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Methods: Before and after four weeks of training with the DEL (n=16) or OXF (n=16) resistance training (RT) methods, rest and post exercise serum CK activity, serum LDH activity and 10 RM performance were measured and compared. Results: Both methods provide higher 10 RM results after training without significant differences between groups (p<0.05). Rest and post exercise CK and LDH activity was less after training with DeLorme (DEL) and Oxford (OXF), but the magnitude of the relative peak response (48-hr our 72-hr post exercise, respectively) was higher after each training protocol. Comparisons of CK activity between groups display non-significant differences. Conclusion: DEL or OXF training methods cause the same improvement on muscle performance and both alters CK activity without differences between methods in a 4-week RT program

Improved nanocomposite of montmorillonite and hydroxyapatite for defluoridation of water

A novel hydroxyapatite montmorillonite (HAP-MMT) nanocomposite system was synthesized using a simple wet chemical in situ precipitation method. Neat nano hydroxyapatite (HAP) was also synthesized for comparison. The characterization of the materials was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherms to study the functional groups, morphology, crystallinity and the surface area respectively. Batch adsorption studies and kinetic studies on fluoride adsorption were conducted for the HAP-MMT system and for neat HAP. The effect of parameters such as contact time, pH, initial concentration, temperature, and thermodynamic parameters and the effect of coexisting ions on fluoride adsorption by HAP-MMT were studied. Results of the isotherm experiments were fitted to four adsorption isotherm models namely Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin Radushkevich. Fluoride adsorption over HAP-MMT fitted to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and showed more than two-fold improved adsorption capacity (16.7 mg g−1) compared to neat HAP. The best-fitting kinetic model for both adsorbents was found to be pseudo second order. Calculated thermodynamic parameters indicated that the fluoride adsorption by HAP-MMT is more favorable compared to that on HAP within the temperature range of 27 °C–60 °C. Improved fluoride adsorption by HAP-MMT is attributed to the exfoliated nature of HAP-MMT. Gravity filtration studies carried out using a 1.5 ppm fluoride solution, which is closer to the ground water fluoride concentrations of Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) affected areas in Sri Lanka, resulted in a 1600 ml g−1 break through volume indicating the potential of HAP-MMT to be used in real applications

Biopolymer-Based Nanohydroxyapatite Composites for the Removal of Fluoride, Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic from Water

In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanocomposites were prepared with chitosan (HAP-CTS), carboxymethyl cellulose (HAP-CMC), alginate (HAP-ALG), and gelatin (HAP-GEL) using a simple wet chemical in situ precipitation method. The synthesized materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. This revealed the successful synthesis of composites with varied morphologies. The adsorption abilities of the materials toward Pb(II), Cd(II), F–, and As(V) were explored, and HAP-CTS was found to have versatile adsorption properties for all of the ions, across a wide range of concentrations and pH values, and in the presence of common ions found in groundwater. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the affinity of HAP-CTS toward multi-ion mixture containing all four ions. HAP-CTS was hence engineered into a more user-friendly form, which can be used to form filters through its combination with cotton and granular activated carbon. A gravity filtration study indicates that the powder form of HAP-CTS is the best sorbent, with the highest breakthrough capacity of 3000, 3000, 2600, and 2000 mL/g for Pb(II), Cd(II), As(V), and F–, respectively. Hence, we propose that HAP-CTS could be a versatile sorbent material for use in water purification

Structure–Activity Relationship of Lanthanide-Incorporated Nano-Hydroxyapatite for the Adsorption of Fluoride and Lead

The growing demand for water purification provided the initial momentum to produce lanthanide-incorporated nano-hydroxyapatite (HAP) such as HAP·CeO2, HAP·CeO2·La(OH)3 (2:1), and HAP·CeO2·La(OH)3 (3:2). These materials open avenues to remove fluoride and lead ions from contaminated water bodies effectively. Composites of HAP containing CeO2 and La(OH)3 were prepared using in situ wet precipitation of HAP, followed by the addition of Ce(SO4)2 and La(NO3)3 into the same reaction mixture. The resultant solids were tested for the removal of fluoride and lead ions from contaminated water. It was found that the composite HAP·CeO2 shows fluoride and lead ion removal capacities of 185 and 416 mg/g, respectively. The fluoride removal capacity of the composite was improved when La(OH)3 was incorporated and it was observed that the composite HAP·CeO2·La(OH)3 (3:2) has the highest recorded fluoride removal capacity of 625 mg/g. The materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Analysis of results showed that Ce and La are incorporated in the HAP matrix. Results of kinetic and leaching analyses indicated a chemisorptive behavior during fluoride and lead ion adsorption by the composites; meanwhile, the thermodynamic profile shows a high degree of feasibility for fluoride and lead adsorption

The drying of sewage sludge by immersion frying

The objective of this work was to dry sewage sludge using a fry-drying process. The frying experiments were carried out in commercial fryers modified by adding thermocouples to the setup. During frying, typical drying curves were obtained and it was verified that, in relation to the parameters: oil temperature, oil type and shape of the sample, the shape factor the most effect on the drying rate, at least within the range chosen for the variables studied. Oil uptake and calorific value were also analyzed. The calorific value of the samples increased with frying time, reaching values around 24MJ/kg after 600s of frying (comparable to biocombustibles such as wood and sugarcane bagasse). The process of immersion frying showed great potential for drying materials, especially sewage sludge, obtaining a product with a high energy content, thereby increasing its value as a combustible.22227127

Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and bcl-2 are markers with prognostic significance in CIN III

There are no known biological markers or technologies to predict the natural history of an individual CIN III. The probability of progression is considered greater with the persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and age. p53 polymorphism has been associated with cervical carcinogenesis. Hormone-induced cervical cancer is mediated by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). In cervical cancer, increased bcl-2 and Bax immunoreactivity is generally associated with a better prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of HPV 16 and HPV 18 typing and p53 codon polymorphism genotyping by polymerase chain reaction and ER, PR, bcl-2, and Bax expression by immunohistochemistry in predicting the CIN III clinical behavior of CIN III lesions. We studied the expression of these prognostic factors in the CIN III adjacent to squamous cell microinvasive carcinomas of the cervix (MIC) from 29 patients with FIGO stage IA1 cervical cancer and in 25 patients with CIN III and no documented focus of invasion. In the MIC group, only the CIN III was considered at least 2 mm away from the microinvasive complex. The ER, PR, bcl-2, and Bax immunoreactivity was scored as positive (>10% staining cells) and negative (<10% staining cells). No significant difference was observed between MIC and CIN III group concerning HPV infection and p53 polymorphism. The ER, PR, bcl-2, and Bax immunohistochemical expression was stronger and more frequent in the CIN III group. After multivariable analysis, coexpression of ER, PR, and bcl-2 was the only independent factor in defining low risk of progression for CIN III. Our study suggests that coexpression of ER, PR, and bcl-2 may be a useful tool in identifying the CIN III lesions with low risk of progression to cervical cance

The blending effect of natural polysaccharides with nano-zirconia towards the removal of fluoride and arsenate from water

Nano-zirconia (ZO) was synthesized using a microwave-assisted one-pot precipitation route. Two biopolymers, chitosan (CTS) and carboxymethyl cellulose were blended with ZO at different w/w ratios. The formulation with 30% w/w chitosan (ZO-CTS) was found to give enhanced uptake of F− and As(V). ZO and the most effective ZO-CTS system were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These confirmed the formation of a composite system containing nanoparticles of 50 nm in size, in which ZO was present in the amorphous form. It was observed that the combination of ZO with CTS improved the F− and As(V) adsorption capacity most notably at pH 5.5. Fluoride adsorption by ZO-CTS followed the Freundlich isotherm model, with an adsorption capacity of 120 mg g−1. Adsorption of As(V) by ZO-CTS could be fitted with both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and was found to have a capacity of 14.8 mg g−1. Gravity filtration studies conducted for groundwater levels indicated the effectiveness of ZO-CTS in adsorbing As(V) and F− at a pH of 5.5. The ability of the ZO-CTS in removing Cd(II) and Pb(II) was also investigated, and no such enhancement was observed, and found the neat ZO was the most potent sorbent here