Kinetic, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Analysis on Adsorption of Cr(VI) Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic-Poly(divinylbenzene-vinylimidazole) Microbeads

The magnetic-poly(divinylbenzene-1-vinylimidazole) [m-poly(DVB-VIM)] microbeads (average diameter 53–212 μm) were synthesized and characterized; their use as adsorbent in removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads were prepared by copolymerizing of divinylbenzene (DVB) with 1-vinylimidazole (VIM). The m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads were characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, ESR, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and swelling studies. At fixed solid/solution ratio the various factors affecting adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions such as pH, initial concentration, contact time and temperature were analyzed. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkvich isotherms were used as the model adsorption equilibrium data. Langmuir isotherm model was the most adequate. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Ritch-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models were used to describe the adsorption kinetics. The apparent activation energy was found to be 5.024 kJ mol−1, which is characteristic of a chemically controlled reaction. The experimental data fitted to pseudo-second-order kinetic. The study of temperature effect was quantified by calculating various thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy changes. The thermodynamic parameters obtained indicated the endothermic nature of adsorption of Cr(VI) ions. Morever, after the use in adsorption, the m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads with paramagnetic property were separeted via the applied magnetic force. The magnetic beads could be desorbed up to about 97% by treating with 1.0 M NaOH. These features make the m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads a potential candidate for support of Cr(VI) ions removal under magnetic field

Comparison of blood platelet distribution width and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with different grades of knee osteoarthritis

PMID = 3034759

The impact of additional trunk balance exercises on balance, functional condition and ambulation in early stroke patients: Randomized controlled trial

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of additional trunk exercises to conventional exercise program on balance, functional condition and ambulation in early stage stroke patients. Patients and methods: A total of 65 patients were included in this double-blinded randomized controlled study. Patients were assigned to two groups as experimental group (n=32) who performed trunk exercises two hours/day/three weeks accompanied by conventional exercise program, and control group (n=32) who received only conventional exercise program during the three weeks. Balance, trunk balance, functional level and ambulation were assessed by Berg Balance Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, Functional Independence Measurement, Rivermead Mobility Index, respectively. Patients were evaluated pretreatment and on the third month after the treatment. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the outcome measurements between the groups at the pretreatment evaluation. All outcome measurements were improved significantly between pre-and post-treatment evaluation in general linear repeated measures model. The interaction parameter of “time x condition” according to time and recovery was significantly better in experimental group than in control group. The highest mean difference in efficacy between the two rehabilitation interventions was found for dynamic sitting balance in post hoc calculations. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, in early stroke patients either conventional exercises or conventional exercises plus trunk balance exercises can provide significant improvement in balance, functional condition and ambulation. However, the level of the improvement is better for the group which was applied trunk balance exercises to conventional exercises. Trunk balance exercises that are easily applicable with simple mechanisms by the patients themselves can be added to the rehabilitation. © 2016 by Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Selective Conditions Are Required for the Induction of Invariant NKT Cell Hyporesponsiveness by Antigenic Stimulation

Activation of invariant (i) NKT cells with the model Ag alpha-galactosylceramide induces rapid production of multiple cytokines, impacting a wide variety of different immune reactions. In contrast, following secondary activation with a-galactosylceramide, the behavior of iNKT cells is altered for months, with the production of most cytokines being strongly reduced. The requirements for the induction of this hyporesponsive state, however, remain poorly defined. In this study, we show that Th1-biasing iNKT cell Ags could induce iNKT cell hyporesponsiveness, as long as a minimum antigenic affinity was reached. In contrast, the Th2-biasing Ag OCH did not induce a hyporesponsive state, nor did cytokine-driven iNKT cell activation by LPS or infections. Furthermore, although dendritic cells and B cells have been reported to be essential for iNKT cell stimulation, neither dendritic cells nor B cells were required to induce iNKT cell hyporesponsiveness. Therefore, our data indicate that whereas some bone marrow-derived cells could induce iNKT cell hyporesponsiveness, selective conditions, dependent on the structure and potency of the Ag, were required to induce hyporesponsiveness