Study of the productivity of MWCNT over Fe and Fe–Co catalysts supported on SiO2, Al2O3 and MgO

AbstractIn the present study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared in good quality and quantity, MWCNT were produced using the catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) technique and the carbon source was acetylene. Different catalysts were synthesized based on iron and a mixture of iron and cobalt metal supported on SiO2, Al2O3 or MgO. The effect of parameters such as iron concentration, support type, bimetallic catalyst and the method of catalyst preparation has been investigated in the production of MWCNT. The quality of as-made nanotubes was investigated by the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The best yield of MWCNT was 30 times of the amount of the used catalyst. The high yield of MWCNT was gained by 40wt.% Fe on alumina support which was prepared by the sol–gel method. TEM analysis was done for the carbon deposit, which revealed that the walls of the MWCNT were graphitized, with regular inner channel and uniform diameter. It reflected a reasonable degree of purity. The TGA showed that MWCNT was decomposed at 635°C by a small rate indicating a high thermal stability and well crystalline formation of the produced MWCNT

EXTRACTION, FRACTIONATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA) GLOBULINS

The proteins were extracted from cowpea seeds by buffered saline solution and the globulins were separated by dialyzing the protein extract against distilled water. Fractionation of the total globulins on Sephacryl S-200 column produced two major and one minor components. The molecular weight of the major globulin components were estimated to be greater than 250000 and 178 000 for the globulin component (a) and (b) respectively and the latter component was the predominant globulin. The two major globulin components were free from contamination of other proteins as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Spectrophotometry and amino acid analyses were used as tools for characterizing the globulin components

NANOEMULSION AS A NOVEL OPHTHALMIC DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR ACETAZOLAMIDE

Objective: The aim of this work was to formulate the antiglaucoma drug acetazolamide as ocular nanoemulsion of high therapeutic efficacy and prolonged effect. Methods: Eighteen nanoemulsion formulaions consisting of different oils, surfactants and cosurfactants at various ratios and constant water content (39%) were prepared based on their constructed pseudoternary-phase diagrams. According to the In vitro release studies, three nanoemulsions which exhibited fast drug release were used to prepare acetazolamide nanoemulsions with higher water content (59%). The six nanoemulsions at either water content (39 or 59%) were evaluated for their physicochemical properties and ex- vivo corneal permeability. In addition, Draize rabbit eye irritation test was performed. Moreover, biological evaluation of acetazolamide nanoemulsions for their intraocular pressure lowering activity on glaucomatous albino rabbits was carried out. Results: Isopropyl myristate nanoemulsion prepared with cremophor EL and transcutol P exhibited the fastest drug release among all isopropyl myristate nanoemulsions. Oleic acid nanoemulsion prepared with mixture of tween 80 and cremophor EL as surfactants together with transcutol P showed the fastest drug release among other oleic acid nanoemulsion formulae. Similar results were also observed for peanut oil nanoemulsions. The above mentioned formulations either at 39% or 59% water content showed acceptable physicochemical properties and higher acetazolamide permeability coefficient through goat corneas than that reported for the free drug. They also were non irritant to rabbit eye. Therapeutic efficacy testing revealed that peanut oil nanoemulsion at 39% water content showed better and prolonged intraocular pressure lowering effect relative to either commercial brinzolamide eye drops (Azopt®) or the commercial oral acetazolamide tablet (Cidamex®). Conclusion: Acetazolamide was successfully formulated in nanoemulsion form which revealed high therapeutic efficacy in treatment of glaucoma together with a prolonged effect

Assessing Drought Tolerance of Newly Developed Tissue-Cultured Canola Genotypes under Varying Irrigation Regimes

This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Tolerance under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses[Abstract] Drought is a major abiotic stress that greatly affects canola growth, production, and quality. Moreover, water scarcity is projected to be more severe and frequent as a result of climate change, in particular in arid environments. Thereupon, developing drought-tolerant and high-yielding canola genotypes has become more critical to sustaining its production and ensuring global food security with the continuing population growth. In the present study, ten canola genotypes comprising six developed tissue-cultured canola genotypes, two exotic genotypes, and two commercial cultivars were evaluated under four irrigation regimes. The applied irrigation regimes were well-watered (100% crop evapotranspiration, ETc), mild drought (80% ETc), moderate drought (60% ETc), and severe drought (40% ETc) conditions. Drought-stress treatments (80, 60, and 40% ETc) gradually reduced the chlorophyll content, relative water content, flowering time, days to maturity, plant height, number of pods, number of branches, seed yield, and oil percentage, and increased proline, phenolic, anthocyanin, and glycine betaine contents. The evaluated genotypes exhibited varied responses to drought-stress conditions. The developed tissue-cultured genotypes T2, T3, and T1, as well as exotic genotype Torpe, possessed the highest performance in all evaluated parameters and surpassed the other tested genotypes under water-deficit conditions. Overall, our findings elicited the superiority of certain newly developed tissue-cultured genotypes and exotic ones compared with commercial cultivars, which could be exploited in canola breeding under water-deficit conditions.This research was funded by the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSPD-2023R730), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaKing Saud University (Riad, Arabia Saudí); RSPD-2023R73

Role of static fluid MR urography in detecting post urinary diversion complications

Aim of work: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic performance of static MR urography in detection of post cystectomy complications & the ability of static fluid MR urography in visualization of urinary tract segments.Material & methods: We prospectively reviewed 21 MR urograms with urinary diversion. The most common surgical procedures included Ileal conduit & Ileocecal neobladder diversion.Material & methods: Magnetic resonance urography examinations were performed with 1.5-T MR scanners. T2 weighted (static fluid) MR urography techniques were done, in addition to conventional T1- and T2-weighted axial and coronal sequences. Urinary tract was divided in different parts: pelvicalyceal systems, upper, mid and lower ureteric segments & the reservoir or conduit Imaging features of the urinary collecting systems were evaluated for their visualization and complications detection.Results: T2-weighted MR urography could demonstrate 95% of urinary tract segments & together with conventional MR sequences all urinary tract segments can be visualized. Urinary diversion related complications were encountered included in 15 patients (71.4%) & no urological complications were seen in 6 patients (28.6%).Conclusion: Comprehensive T2-weighted MR urography is an effective imaging method for the visualization of the urinary system and detection of early and late postoperative complications in patients with urinary diversion.Keywords: MR urography, Urinary diversion, Cancer bladde

Incidence and clinical outcomes of nosocomial infections in patients presenting with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock in the United States

OBJECTIVES: This study addresses the incidence, trends, and impact of nosocomial infections (NI) on the outcomes of patients admitted with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and cardiogenic shock (STEMI-CS) using the United States National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. METHODS: We analyzed data from 105,184 STEMI-CS patients using the NIS database from the years 2005-2014. NI was defined as infections of more than or equal to three days, comprising of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), urinary tract infection (UTI), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), bacteremia, and skin related infections. Outcomes of the impact of NI on STEMI-CS included in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS) and costs. Significant associations of NI in patients admitted with STEMI-CS were also identified. RESULTS: Overall, 19.1% (20,137) of patients admitted with STEMI-CS developed NI. Trends of NI have decreased from 2005-2014. The most common NI were UTI (9.2%), followed by HAP (6.8%), CLABSI (1.5%), bacteremia (1.5%), skin related infections (1.5%), and CDI (1.3%). The strongest association of developing a NI was increasing LOS (7-9 days; OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.75-2.26; \u3e9 days; OR: 4.51; 95% CI: 4.04-5.04 compared to 4-6 days as reference). Increased mortality risk among patients with NI was significant, especially those with sepsis-associated NI compared to those without sepsis (OR: 2.95; 95% CI: 2.72-3.20). Patients with NI were found to be associated with significantly longer LOS and higher costs, irrespective of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support placement. CONCLUSIONS: NI were common among patients with STEMI-CS. Those who developed NI were at a greater risk of in-hospital mortality, increased LOS and costs

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020