Iron-modified activated carbon derived from agro-waste for enhanced dye removal from aqueous solutions

Background and aim: Finding a cost-effective adsorbent can be an obstacle to large-scale applications of adsorption. This study used an efficient activated carbon adsorbent based on agro-waste for dye removal. Methods: Pistachio shells as abundant local agro-wastes were used to prepare activated carbon. Then, it was modified with iron to improve its characteristics. Acid red 14 was used as a model dye in various conditions of adsorption (AR14 concentration 20–150 mg L−1, pH 3–10, adsorbent dosage 0.1–0.3 g L−1, and contact time 5–60 min). Results: A mesoporous adsorbent was prepared from pistachio shells with 811.57 m2 g−1 surface area and 0.654 cm3 g−1 pore volume. Iron modification enhanced the characteristics of activated carbon (surface area by 33.3% and pore volume by 64.1%). Adsorption experiments showed the high effectiveness of iron-modified activated carbon for AR14 removal (>99%, >516 mg g−1). The adsorption followed the pseudo-second kinetic model (k = 0.0005 g mg−1 min−1) and the Freundlich isotherm model (Kf = 152.87, n = 4.61). Besides, the reaction occurred spontaneously (ΔG0 = −36.65 to −41.12 kJ mol−1) and was exothermic (ΔH0 = −41.86 kJ mol−1 and ΔS0 = −3.34 J mol−1 K−1). Conclusion: Iron-modified activated carbon derived from pistachio shells could be cost-effective for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing dyes

Coinfection of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst and Aspergilloma: Case Report and Systematic Review

Aspergilloma infection consists of a mass of fungal hyphae, inflammatory cells, fibrin, mucus, and tissue debris and can colonize lung cavities due to underlying diseases such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, bronchiectasis, cavitary lung cancer, neoplasms, ankylosing spondylitis, bronchial cysts, and pulmonary infarction. Here we report coinfection of pulmonary hydatid cyst and aspergilloma in a 34-year-old female who had had history of minor thalassemia and suffered from chest pain, dyspnea, non-productive cough for at least five months, and hemoptysis for 20 days. Radiographic sign showed a large cavitary lesion (5 x 6 x 6 cm) involving left lower lobe (LLL). Dichotomous septate hyphae were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy specimens from LLL. The patient subsequently improved after combined anti-helminth therapies with albendazole (400 mg/bd) and lobectomy. According to morphological and molecular characterization, Aspergillus niger was confirmed. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests revealed that the MIC values for the antifungals used in this case in increasing order were posaconazole (0.125 A mu g/ml), itraconazole and voriconazole (0.5 A mu g/ml), and amphotericin B (1 A mu g/ml). The minimum effective concentration for caspofungin was 0.125 A mu g/ml. Subsequently, we systematically reviewed 22 confirmed cases of pulmonary hydatid cyst and aspergilloma during a period of 19 years (1995-2014) and discussed the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment of this disease