Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Environments Using Micelle-Clay Adsorption

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under different conditions was investigated using either clay (montmorillonite) or micelle-clay complex, the last obtained by adsorbing critical micelle concentration of octadecyltrimethylammonium ions onto montmorillonite. Batch experiments showed the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Langmuir adsorption isotherm fitted the experimental data giving significant results. Filtration experiments using columns filled with micelle-clay complex mixed with sand were performed to assess Cr(VI) removal efficiency under continuous flow at different pH values. The micelle-clay complex used in this study was capable of removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions without any prior acidification of the sample. Results demonstrated that the removal effectiveness reached nearly 100% when using optimal conditions for both batch and continuous flow techniques.This work was supported by the European Commission in the framework of the project “Diffusion of Nanotechnology Based Devices for Water Treatment and Recycling-NANOWAT” (ENPI CBC MED I-B/2.1/049, Grant no. 7/1997)

The Management of Symptomatic Hydronephrosis in Pregnancy

© 2024, Hosny et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0., To view a copy of the license, see: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/The aim of this article is to provide a literature review on the management of symptomatic physiological hydronephrosis in pregnancy and compare different modalities of intervention when needed. In this review, we conducted an electronic literature search of peer-reviewed journal articles. The PubMed, Research Gate, and Google Scholar databases were queried with the following search terms: "pregnancy", "obstruction," and "hydronephrosis"; the terms "urolithiasis" and "kidney stone" were excluded. As a result, conservative treatment was successful and more favored for most of the patients and the clinicians in the different studies we found. Conservative management will usually include regular analgesia, positioning, and antibiotics. Close follow-up with ultrasound is always recommended. Intervention with ureteric stent insertion or nephrostomy tube insertion was less favored and only triggered by certain clinical criteria. In conclusion, symptomatic hydronephrosis in pregnancy can be safely treated conservatively. However, ureteral double-J stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy are effective and safe treatment methods in the minority of patients with persistent symptoms not responding to conservative management.Peer reviewe

Magnetic resonance imaging of a temporal lobe cerebral amyloidoma

Amyloidomas are focal solitary amyloid masses without systemic involvement that have been observed to occur in various body locations. When presenting intracranially, they pose a challenging diagnostic and therapeutic course given their location and rarity. We report a case of a 62-year-old man with a 4-year history of seizure and headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging was initially inconclusive but revealed an ill-defined right temporal lobe lesion. Biopsy later confirmed a cerebral amyloidoma. We also review the current literature on the pathogenesis, imaging findings, prognosis, and treatment of cerebral amyloidomas

Effect of routine pre-operative urethral catheterization of women undergoing minor gynaecological surgeries on urinary symptoms and urinary infections: a randomized control study

Background: The prevalence of urinary tract infection increases in young sexually active women, and women with previous UTI. Routine urethral catheterization performed for bladder evacuation before minor gynecological procedures and it is not clear whether this routine urethral catheterization associated with increased incidence of bacteriuria or UTIs or not. This study designed to detect the effect of routine uretheral catheterization for women undergoing minor gynecological surgeries on urinary symptoms and urinary infections.Methods: Two hundred and forty women infertile women scheduled for uterine assessment by diagnostic hysteroscopy before in-vitro fertilization in assisted reproduction unit of Ahmadi Hospital, Kuwait Oil Company were included in this study. Participants were randomized into; group I (catheterized group) and group II (non-catheterized group). Participants’ urine samples compared pre-operatively and post-operatively and they asked to complete about their pre and post-operative urinary symptoms.Results: Post-operative dysuria, frequency and urgency were significantly higher in catheterized group (22 (18.33%), 26 (21.66%) and 18 (15%); respectively) compared to non- catheterized group [5 (4.16%), 7 (5.83%) and 4 (3.33%); respectively]. Relative risk of dysuria, frequency and urgency after catheterization were 4.4, 3.7 and 4.5; respectively (95% CI; 1.7-11.2, 1.67-8.22 and 1.56-12.9; respectively). Asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTIs and subsequent need for antimicrobial therapy were also significantly high in catheterized group [15 (12.5%), 18 (15%) and 18 (15%); respectively) compared to non-catheterized group (3 (2.5%), 2 (1.96%) and 2 (1.96%); respectively]. Relative risk of asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTIs after catheterization in women undergoing minor gynecological procedures were 5 and 9; respectively (95%CI; 1.48-16.8 and 2.1-37.9).Conclusions: Catheterization in women undergoing minor gynecological surgery was associated with increased risk of dysuria, frequency, urgency, ASB, UTIs and subsequent antimicrobial therapy. Surgeons should revise the practice of routine preoperative catheterization for women undergoing minor gynecological procedures

Variations in the cochlear implant experience in children with enlarged vestibular aqueduct

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113144/1/lary25187.pd

Paracetamol biodegradation by activated sludge and photo-catalysis and its removal by a micelleclay complex, activated charcoal and reverse osmosis membranes

Kinetic studies on the stability of the pain killer paracetamol in Al-Quds activated sludge demonstrated that paracetamol underwent biodegradation within less than one month to furnish p-aminophenol in high yields. Characterizations of bacteria contained in Al-Quds sludge were accomplished. It was found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the bacterium most responsible for the biodegradation of paracetamol to p-aminophenol and hydroquinone. Batch adsorptions of paracetamol and its biodegradation product (p-aminophenol) by activated charcoal and a composite micelle (octadecyltrimethylammonium)-clay (montmorillonite) were determined at 25°C. Adsorption was adequately described by a Langmuir isotherm, and indicated better efficiency of removal by the micelle-clay complex. The ability of bench top reverse osmosis (RO) plant as well as advanced membrane pilot plant to remove paracetamol was also studied at different water matrixes to test the effect of organic matter composition. The results showed that at least 90% rejection was obtained by both plants. In addition, removal of paracetamol from RO brine was investigated by using photocatalytic processes; optimal conditions were found to be acidic or basic pH, in which paracetamol degraded in less than 5 min. Toxicity studies indicated that the effluent and brine were not toxic except for using extra low energy membrane which displayed a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC-50) value of 80%

Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Environments Using Micelle-Clay Adsorption

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under different conditions was investigated using either clay (montmorillonite) or micelle-clay complex, the last obtained by adsorbing critical micelle concentration of octadecyltrimethylammonium ions onto montmorillonite. Batch experiments showed the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Langmuir adsorption isotherm fitted the experimental data giving significant results. Filtration experiments using columns filled with micelle-clay complex mixed with sand were performed to assess Cr(VI) removal efficiency under continuous flow at different pH values. The micelle-clay complex used in this study was capable of removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions without any prior acidification of the sample. Results demonstrated that the removal effectiveness reached nearly 100% when using optimal conditions for both batch and continuous flow techniques

Matted nodes: Poor prognostic marker in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma independent of HPV and EGFR status

Background Despite better prognosis, there is a group of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) human papillomavirus (HPV)+ patients who experience treatment failure and succumb to distant metastasis. Methods Seventy‐eight previously untreated patients nested in a concurrent chemoradiation protocol were reviewed to correlate patterns of local‐regional tumor extent to distant metastasis. Biomarker assessment was: HPV in situ hybridization and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) immunointensity. Results The 3‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) for patients presenting with and without matted nodes was 69% and 94%, respectively ( p = .003). Matted nodes were a poor prognostic factor independent of T classification, HPV, EGFR, and smoking status. For patients who were HPV+, 7 of 11 died of distant metastasis and 6 of 7 with distant metastasis had matted nodes. Conclusion Matted nodes are a novel marker of poor prognosis in oropharyngeal SCC independent of established prognostic factors. Matted nodes may identify patients at risk for the development of distant metastasis who could benefit from systemic therapy, whereas patients without matted nodes may be candidates for de‐escalation of therapy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck , 2012Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94456/1/21997_ftp.pd