Removal of Cefdinir from Aqueous Solution Using Nanostructure Adsorbents of TiO2, SiO2 and TiO2/SiO2: Equilibrium, Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies

The adsorptive removal of cefdinir, an antibiotic, from aqueous solutions on TiO2, SiO2 and TiO2/SiO2 nanostructures was studied by batch experiments. The SiO2 particles were obtained from rice husk ash. Investigated were the effects of the solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial adsorbate concentration, and solution temperature on both cefdinir uptake and removal. The studies suggest that the adsorption of cefdinir on the nanostructures was mainly due to the electrostatic interaction between the ionic adsorbate molecules and charged adsorbent surface sites. The adsorption isotherm data of TiO2 and SiO2 fit well to the Langmuir isotherm model and the Freundlich model for TiO2/SiO2. The thermodynamic studies indicated favorable and spontaneous occurrence of adsorption. The kinetic data of TiO2 fitted best with PSO reaction model equation, and was described well by Weber-Morris diffusion model with dominating control mechanism of intraparticle diffusion and limited contribution of internal film diffusion. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Multiscale Feature Analysis of Salivary Gland Branching Morphogenesis

Pattern formation in developing tissues involves dynamic spatio-temporal changes in cellular organization and subsequent evolution of functional adult structures. Branching morphogenesis is a developmental mechanism by which patterns are generated in many developing organs, which is controlled by underlying molecular pathways. Understanding the relationship between molecular signaling, cellular behavior and resulting morphological change requires quantification and categorization of the cellular behavior. In this study, tissue-level and cellular changes in developing salivary gland in response to disruption of ROCK-mediated signaling by are modeled by building cell-graphs to compute mathematical features capturing structural properties at multiple scales. These features were used to generate multiscale cell-graph signatures of untreated and ROCK signaling disrupted salivary gland organ explants. From confocal images of mouse submandibular salivary gland organ explants in which epithelial and mesenchymal nuclei were marked, a multiscale feature set capturing global structural properties, local structural properties, spectral, and morphological properties of the tissues was derived. Six feature selection algorithms and multiway modeling of the data was performed to identify distinct subsets of cell graph features that can uniquely classify and differentiate between different cell populations. Multiscale cell-graph analysis was most effective in classification of the tissue state. Cellular and tissue organization, as defined by a multiscale subset of cell-graph features, are both quantitatively distinct in epithelial and mesenchymal cell types both in the presence and absence of ROCK inhibitors. Whereas tensor analysis demonstrate that epithelial tissue was affected the most by inhibition of ROCK signaling, significant multiscale changes in mesenchymal tissue organization were identified with this analysis that were not identified in previous biological studies. We here show how to define and calculate a multiscale feature set as an effective computational approach to identify and quantify changes at multiple biological scales and to distinguish between different states in developing tissues

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Effect of synthesis temperature on the structural properties and photocatalytic activity of TiO2/SiO2 composites synthesized using rice husk ash as a SiO2 source

WOS: 000348685900011TiO2/SiO2 composites were synthesized using titanium tetrachloride as a TiO2 precursor and rice husk ash (RHA) as the SiO2 source at low temperatures. Their photocatalytic performances were investigated in the liquid phase degradation of terephthalic acid (TPA) under UV-C illumination. The effect of synthesis temperature on the properties and photocatalytic activities of the composites were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission gun scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), N-2 adsorption desorption analysis, and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS). The XRD patterns indicated the synthesis of rutile TiO2 particles due to the acidic nature of the reactant solution at low temperature without the need of calcination. The SEM images showed that the spherical and flower like agglomerates, consisting of nano fibers, are formed depending on the synthesis temperature. The TGA analysis showed no structural change or deformation in the catalysts due to heating. The N-2 adsorption desorption analysis revealed a change in the pore structure of the TiO2 particles from micro-to mixed micro-and meso-porous in the TiO2/SiO2 composites with an increase in their surface areas. The differences in the structural properties of the composites varied their photocatalytic activities in the degradation reactions. The presence of SiO2 in the composites enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 particles and simplified the recovery of the catalysts from the treated solution by increasing their rate of precipitation. The TiO2/SiO2 composites synthesized at 95 degrees C exhibited the best photocatalytic activity confirmed by both kinetic constant and turnover frequency. All the particles and composites synthesized indicated better photocatalytic performance than that of the P25 TiO2. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [04M255, 110M451]; Science, Technology Application, and Research Center of Ege University (EBILTEM)Ege University [2012/BIL/027]; Scientific Research Council of Ege UniversityEge University [11MUH034, 12MUH042]This project was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) through Projects 104M255 and 110M451, The Science, Technology Application, and Research Center of Ege University (EBILTEM) through Project 2012/BIL/027, and The Scientific Research Council of Ege University through Projects 11MUH034 and 12MUH042. The authors also thank Prof. Dr. F.S.C. Ozkan and specialist Nesrin Tatlidil (Department of Chemical Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology) for surface area measurements, PETKIM Petrokimya Holding A.S. for the TPA and Erdoganlar Food Industry and Business Company for the RHA

Neuropsychiatric involvement in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: A multicenter study

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement is a restricted area in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE). Aim: To investigate the prevalence, demographic and clinical features, and outcomes of the neurological involvement in the Turkish jSLE population. Methods: This study was based upon 24 referral centers’ SLE cohorts, multicenter and multidisciplinary network in Turkey. Patient data were collected by a case report form which was standardized for NP definitions according to American Collage of Rheumatology (ACR). Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) neuropsychiatric part was used to determine NP damage. Variables were evaluated Ward's hierarchical clustering analyses, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: A hundred forty-nine of 1107 jSLE patients had NP involvement (13.5%). The most common NPSLE findings were headache (50.3%), seizure (38.3%), and acute confusional state (33.6%). Five clusters were identified with all clinical and laboratory findings. The first two clusters involved neuropathies, demyelinating diseases, aseptic meningitis, and movement disorder. Cluster 3 involved headache, activity markers and other SLE involvements. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric disorders and SLE antibodies were in the fourth, and acute confusional state was in the fifth cluster. In multivariate analysis, APA positivity; OR: 2.820, (%95CI: 1.002–7.939), P: 0,050, plasmapheresis; OR: 13.804 (%95CI: 2.785–68.432), P: 0,001, SLEDAI scores; OR: 1.115 (%95CI: (1.049–1.186), P: 0,001 were associated with increased risk for neurologic sequelae. Conclusion: We detected the prevalence of juvenile NPSLE manifestations in Turkey. We have identified five clusters that may shed light pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of NP involvements. We also determined risk factors of neurological sequelae. Our study showed that new definitions NP involvements and sequelae for childhood period are needed