The contribution of extracts from medicinal plants to the research of corrosion inhibition

The increasing interest in natural plants, fueled by the discovery of highly effective elements with diverse beneficial biological properties, underscores the quest for novel compounds from natural sources. This study focuses on exploring the anticorrosive potential of the aqueous extract from two specific plants within this broader context. In the initial phase, which centers on extraction methods, the hexane extract from Molene, obtained through Soxhlet extraction, proves to be particularly promising, boasting the highest yield at 39 percent. Gravimetric test results affirm a commendable level of inhibitory efficiency. Notably, among the various extracts, EHM and EHC demonstrate significant anticorrosive activity, with the EmM extract displaying a notable level of efficiency. Finally, the gravimetric method is employed to characterize corrosion-inhibiting qualities, revealing that Molene extracts obtained through diverse methods consistently exhibit the highest activity. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential of natural plant extracts as effective anticorrosive agents, with a specific emphasis on the significance of extraction methods in optimizing their inhibitory properties

Toxic heavy metals removal from river water using a porous phospho-calcic hydroxyapatite

The process of adsorption of copper ions on synthesized hydroxyapatites (p-HAp) by the wet route has been studied experimentally to make a comparison between the adsorption capacity of our porous phospho-calcic material and the phosphate hydroxyapatite. The specific surface of p-HAp was studied by BET, as well as the characterization of p-HAp by FTIR and XRD showed that the synthetic hydroxyapatite has an apatite phase of crystalline structure which is very interesting for the adsorption of metals. Heavy, the results of the adsorption study obtained that the mechanism of adsorption of Cu2+ ions was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and obeyed the linear models of Langmuir isotherms, continued that the adsorption is done in the surface area of p-HAp. Langmuir model parameters reveal that, the adsorption mechanism of Cu2+ is fit with this model. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were also used to determine the adsorption kinetic. The experimental data were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters showed that, the adsorption of Cu2+  ion onto the composite surface is a spontaneous and favored at neutral pH and at a temperature little higher than room temperature

Preparation of cellulose-hydroxyapatite composites using 3D printing for biomedical applications

Abstract: Every year, around 140 million tons of synthetic polymers are produced worldwide. Because of their non-degradability in landfills, traditional plastics made with petroleum-based synthetic polymers have caused considerable environmental difficulties. Aware of the growing concern, the proactive approach involves the investigation of polymers derived from renewable and sustainable materials for the production of bioproducts. This strategy provides a viable and novel alternative for reducing greenhouse gas and hazardous emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing the use of nonrenewable resources. As a result, much study has been conducted on numerous types of biopolymers, examining their characteristics and potential medical applications. The results of this research show that cellulose is the most used biopolymer thanks to its biodegradability and various biological properties. To improve these properties, it is desirable to combine cellulose with biomass which bears important biological properties. The choice was the use of Moroccan natural phosphate thanks to the important reserves of phosphate rocks in Morocco, for the preparation of hydroxyapatite and combining them with the prepared cellulose, and then the elaboration of HAp-Cellulose biocomposite, by the method of 3D printing. this biocomposite will be used in the biomedical field

Syndrome de Shah Waardenberg : à propos d’un cas

Introduction : Le syndrome de Waardenburg-Shah (SWS) est une neurocristopathie caractérisée par l'association d’une surdité neurosensorielle, anomalies de la pigmentation et d'une maladie de Hirschsprung. Nous rapportons le cas d’un nouveau né.Observation : nouveau né de sexe féminin, admis à son 3éme jour de vie pour  un syndrome occlusif. L’examen clinique a objectivé  une mèche de chevaux frontale blanche avec un pli de déshydratation pâteux et un ballonnement abdominal. L’épreuve à la sonde était positive. L’ASP a montré des niveaux hydroaériques coliques et gréliques. Le bilan malformatif n’a pas objectivé d’autres anomalies.Conclusion : Le syndrome de Shah Waardenburg est une affection rare dont le pronostic reste celui de la maladie d’Hershprung

Multivariate analysis and A GIS-based method to assess surface water quality in the Sakia El Hamra River Near Laâyoune City, Morocco

In the Laâyoune Sakia El Hamra region of Morocco, characterized by scarcity, fragility, and uneven distribution of water resources, acute water stress is prevalent due to overexploitation, climate change, and the escalating degradation of water quality from human activities. The Sakia El Hamra River, a vital watercourse, is subjected to continuous pollution from domestic waste and untreated wastewater from Laâyoune city, impacting a section designated as a Ramsar site. This study aims to enhance understanding of these impacts within the region. A series of physicochemical parameters were monitored spatiotemporally at multiple points along the river, both upstream and downstream of the Sakia El Hamra dam. The findings indicate that while the reservoir water maintains acceptable quality, influenced by evaporation, the salinity levels do rise. Conversely, the downstream water quality exhibits excessive mineral concentrations, far surpassing acceptable standards, as evidenced by elevated electrical conductivity. Furthermore, significant pollution levels are confirmed by high measurements of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, ammoniacal nitrogen, and other contaminants.  The mapping of water quality indicators in the Oued Sakia El Hamra River, was achieved using a Geographical Information System (GIS) based on the Water Quality Information System and spatial analysis with Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation. The analysis reveals that the water quality downstream poses a substantial risk to the Foum El Oued aquifer and the local aquatic ecosystem, especially in zones affected by wastewater discharge and spring runoff. Mapping water quality will help to monitor and enforce standards and regulations to manage and control pollution

Effect of Calcium/phosphorus Ratio on the Chemical and Structural Properties of Oxygenated Apatite Synthesized by Neutralization

Zinc oxide-based cements are commonly used to fill dental canals, but they have drawbacks such as poor bonding and bacterial infection. In this work, we propose a novel phosphocalcic apatitic cement/oxygenated apatite mixture, which can mimic the natural filling of dental canals. Oxygenated apatite is a type of apatite that contains molecular oxygen in their tunnels. We aim to evaluate the effect of the Calcium/Phosphorus (Ca/P) atomic ratio on the chemical and structural properties of the synthesized oxygenated apatite, as well as on the quantity of oxygen retained in their tunnels. We use the neutralization method to precipitate apatite from lime milk and orthophosphoric acid, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. We characterize the materials the materials by X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopy, thermal analysis, adsorption-desorption of nitrogen, and elemental analysis. We obtain simple oxygenated apatitic phases with a Ca/P ratio ranging from 1.53 to 1.76, an oxygen insertion rate of 3.5x10-4 moles, and a chemical formula of Ca9,9(PO4)6(OH)2(O2)0,69(CO2)0,01. We find that the deviation from stoichiometry and calcination at 900°C lead to the formation of a biphasic mixture of PAH/β-TCP. The synthesized apatites have low crystallinity and high specific surface area, which decreases from 156.3 to 141.6 m2/g as the Ca/P ratio increases

Evaluation of a new imaging software for aortic endograft planning

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new 3D Workstation workflow (EVAR Assist, Advantage Windows, GE Healthcare, Chalfont, UK) (EA-AW) designed to simplify complex EVAR planning. Patients and methods: All pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scans of patients who underwent repair at our institution of a complex aortic aneurysm using fenestrated endovascular repair (f-EVAR) between January and September 2014, were reviewed. For each patient, imaging analysis (12 measures: aortic diameters and length and "clock position" of visceral artery) was performed on two different workstations: Aquarius (TeraRecon, San Mateo, CA, USA) and EA-AW. According to a standardized protocol, three endovascular surgeons experienced in aortic endograft planning, performed image analyses and data collection independently. We analyzed an internal assessment between observers (on the Aquarius 3DWS) and an external assessment comparing these results with the planning center (PC) data used to custom the fenestrated endografts of the patients enrolled in this study. Finally, we compared both 3DWS data to determine the accuracy and the reproducibility. A p-value < .05 was considered as statistically significant. Complete agreement between operators was defined as 1.0. Results: Intra and inter observer variability (interclass correlation coefficients - ICC: 0.81- .091) was very low and confirmed the reliability of our planners. The ICC comparison between EA-AW and Aquarius was excellent (> 0.8 for both), thus confirming the reproducibility and reliability of the new EA-AW application. Aortic and iliac necks diameters and lengths were similarly reported with both workstations. In our study, the mean difference in distance and orientation evaluation of target vessels evaluated by the two workstations was marginal and has no impact on clinical practice in term of device manufacturing. Conclusions: We showed that complex EVAR planning can be performed with this new dedicated 3D workstation workflow with a good reproducibility

Synthesis and Characterization of Phosphocalcic Apatites with Phosphite Ions for Biomedical Applications

Phosphocalcic apatites are promising materials for orthopedic and dental surgery, due to their similarity to the mineral phase of bone and their strong affinity to bone tissue. To enhance their physicochemical and biological properties, it is important to prepare apatites with a highly reactive surface. In this work, we synthesized apatites with different amounts of phosphorous acids H3PO3, using a modified double decomposition method. We characterized the synthesized materials by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We also performed a biological study to evaluate the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the apatites. The results showed that the presence of phosphite ions affected the crystallinity and the structural composition of the apatites. The apatitic phase became less crystallized and more distorted as the phosphite concentration increased and lost its apatitic structure for values above 33% of phosphite ions. The thermal analysis revealed that the phosphite groups stabilized the apatitic structure, as indicated by the shift of the exothermic peaks. The antibacterial activity was tested against four bacterial strains, two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus) and two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The results indicated that the addition of phosphite ions improved the antibacterial activity of the apatites, especially against P. aeruginosa. The antifungal activity was evaluated against tow fungal strains, Penicillium digitatum and Aspergillus niger, and a yeast, Candida glabrata. The results suggested that the addition of phosphite ions influenced the antifungal activity of the apatites, but the effect depended on the phosphite concentration, the apatite structure, and the fungal strain. Future research should aim to increase the sample size, optimize the synthesis method, and conduct in vivo tests to confirm the potential of the phosphocalcic apatites with phosphite ions for biomedical applications