Silver/Polyethylene Glycol Nanocomposite Thin Films and its Biological Applications

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles with different sizes and concentrations was carried out using NaBH4 as a reducing agent and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a stabilizer. The thin films of PEG embedded with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were deposited by electrospray deposition technique (ESD) and the morphology of subsequent prepared films was studied by AFM. Structure-property relationships of the colloid and subsequent films were discussed in dependence on the concentration of NaBH4. The synthesized Ag/PEG nanocomposite solution was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chemical composition in the whole and on the surface of films were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (ATR-IR) and X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), respectively. The UV-visible results indicate to the formation of spherical Ag NPs where the absorption peak was observed at wavelengths around 395 nm. TEM images showed the well dispersion of Ag NPs in the PEG matrix with average particle size of 13 nm.  Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of the nanocmposite was studied. The Ag NPs released from the polymer matrix proven to have a significant antimicrobial activity against S. Pneumonia, B. Subtilis, E. Coli, and A. Fumigates

Membrane processes for the dehydration of organic compounds

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Ureterorectostomy as a continent urinary diversion for complicated bladder exstrophy in children by using a modified Duhamel procedure: A case series

AbstractIntroductionWhatever the method and timing of surgery, a high proportion of children with bladder exstrophy will continue to suffer from urinary incontinence. They face the options of urinary diversion to an external stoma or construction of a neobladder from bowel. This study describes a modified Duhamel's rectal pouch with a ureterorectostomy was carried out on 11 children who had a failed repair of bladder exstrophy.Materials and methodsTen boys and one girl, aged from 4 to 7years (mean 5.5), had several unsuccessful operations for bladder exstrophy. All selected to have good renal function and no other anomalies, but were incontinent of urine and had a small contracted or prolapsed bladder. They underwent urinary diversion to the rectum using the Duhamel pullthrough technique, where the sigmoid colon was opened into the back of the anal canal above the dentate line, creating a rectal bladder and making use of the anal sphincter to control urine and stool. All were followed up for 24months (18–27months).ResultsIn this selected group of patients there were no major operative or postoperative complications. Follow-up for 2years revealed no deterioration in renal function, or electrolytes disturbance. They can hold up to 300ml of urine and all patients are continent during the daytime with an emptying frequency of 3–5 times. Nocturnal wetting occur some 4–8 times per month with significant decrease with time. Two cases developed pyelonephritis but this was controlled with medical treatment.ConclusionEleven children achieved effective urinary continence by ureteric diversion to the rectum using a modified Duhamel pullthrough technique. Two years follow up showed no complications, except bed wetting, but long term assessment is warranted

Enhanced bone tendon healing using anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with remnant augmentation

Background: When dealing with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, anatomic single-bundle reconstruction with remnant-preserving method offers numerous advantages, including enhanced revascularization and graft ligamentization, prevention of synovial fluid bath to the tunnels, and enhanced bone tendon healing.Objective: assess the efficacy and outcome of anatomic single-bundle reconstruction with remnant-augmenting technique in patients with an ACL tear.Patients and Methods: At the Orthopedic Departments of Zagazig University hospital, 18 patients with complete ACL damage were studied in prospective cohort research. The study was carried out from 2-11/2021. All patients received an anatomic single-bundle reconstruction using a remnant-preserving approach, and all patients were periodically monitored clinically and radiographically for a week, then every 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks after the index procedure. Results: 33.3% of studied patients were complicated; superficial Infection was in 27.8%, Failure was just in one case and stiffness 2 cases only there were no other complications. VAS was significantly higher among complicated cases at the post but Lysholm knee score was significantly lower at pre and post and regard IKDS was significantly lower at post only. Conclusion: Patients with ACL tears benefit more from anatomic single-bundle restoration using the remnant-augmenting method, which improves proprioceptive functions, stability, and healing of the graft

Plasma O2modifies the structure of synthetic zeolite-A to improve the removalof cadmium ions from aqueous solutions

International audienceThe present study addresses the removal of cadmium ions (Cd(II)) from aqueous solutions at a pH of 7.5 using zeolite-A activated by exposure to oxygen plasma. The activation process was performed over a wide range of plasma powers (10, 20, 30, and 40 W) and exposure times (30 to 360 s). Oxygen plasma cannot chemically modify zeolite to a considerable extent, but it can clean the surface, open blocked pores, and induce the formation of additional OH groups via exposure to humidity in ambient air. Therefore, Cd +2 ion removal is increased by approximately 10% with the plasma treatments. Infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy were applied to analyze the changes in the surface structure and properties of thesamples

Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of three wild Mesembryanthemum species growing in heterogeneous habitats

The objective of this study was to analyze the phytochemicals and to determine the antioxidant, antibacterial and allelopathic potential of three wild Mesembryanthemum species (M. crystallinum L., M. forsskaolii Hochst. Ex Boiss and M. nodiflorum L.). The phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract of studied species revealed the considerable quantities that might be responsible for their powerful antioxidant activity. The IC50 values were 386.51, 592.97, and 752.23µg/ml for M. nodiflorum, M. crystallinum and M. forsskaolii extracts respectively. The antibacterial activity index was calculated for each extract in comparison with the standard antibiotics. M. nodiflorum showed higher potency than ampicillin and penicillin G against against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The allelopathic potential showed that the studied Mesembryanthemum species expressed a significant phytotoxic activity against Chenopodium murale weed in a dose dependent manner. M. nodiflorum sample showed the most phytotoxic effect among the studied species

Accuracy of Gray‑scale and Three‑dimensional Power Doppler Ultrasound Parameters in the Diagnosis of Morbidly Adherent Placenta

Background: Morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) is usually associated with excess blood loss, bladder injuries, and hysterectomies.Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of grayscale and three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound parameters in the diagnosis of MAP. Subjects and Methods: Fifty pregnant women ≥28 weeks’ gestation with suspected MAP were included randomly in this prospective study. Two-dimensional (2D) transabdominal gray-scale ultrasound and 3D power Doppler scans were done for studied women to confirm placental location and findings suggestive of MAP. Intraoperative findings and histopathology results of removed uteri in the cases were managed by hysterectomies compared to preoperative sonographic findings using Student’s t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test for quantitative data, Chi-square test for qualitative data to detect the accuracy of 2D transabdominal gray-scale ultrasound and 3D power Doppler parameters in the diagnosis of MAP. Results: Best 2D gray scale ultrasound parameters for the detection of emergency hysterectomies in the studied cases were disruption of uterine serosa– bladder interface (81.8% sensitivity) and exophytic mass invading bladder (94.9% specificity, 66.7% positive predictive value (PPV), and 84.1% negative predictive value [NPV]). Best 3D power Doppler parameters for the detection of emergency hysterectomies in the studied cases were disruption of uterine serosa–bladder interface (90.9% sensitivity, 68.8% specificity, and 47% PPV) and crowded vessels over peripheral subplacental zone (93.2% NPV). Conclusion: 3D power Doppler is a useful complementary tool to 2D gray-scale ultrasound for antenatal diagnosis of MAP. Crowded vessels over peripheral sub-placental zone and disruption of uterine serosa–bladder interface were the best 3D power Doppler parameters for the detection of difficult placental separation, considerable intraoperative blood loss, and emergency hysterectomies in the studied cases.KEY WORDS: Three‑dimensional power Doppler, gray-scale, morbidly adherent placent

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF POLYMER NICKEL (II) COMPLEX

4-vinyl pyridine nickel complex containing polymerizable vinyl group, prepared by condensing (4:1 molar ratio) of 4-vinylpyridine with Nickel chloride, then polymerized with methyl methacrylate at 70 °C using AIBN as initiator. Metal complexand polymer metal complex have been characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, 1H-NMR , Massspectra and thermal analyses (DTA and TGA). Conductivity measurement reveals the nonelectrolytic nature of thecomplex. This confirms that, the anion is coordinated to the metal ion. The IR reveal the metal ion is coordinated via thenitrogen atom of 4-VP. Nickel complex and polymer nickel complex have been tested invitro against number of tumor andnumber of microorganisms in order to assess their anti tumor and antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial activity wasobserved by compounds VP-Ni and MMA-VP-Ni under the screening conditions. The activity against HCT-116 cells wasdetected for compound VP-Ni (with IC50 value 9.8±0.6 µg/ml), compared with reference standard (24.6±0.3 µg/ml) followedby MMA-VP-Ni (48.3±1.5). In conclusion, this study highlighted the synthesis of polymer nickel complex, and proved thepromising biological activity of the synthesized compounds

Optimized D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate/phospholipid self-assembled mixed micelles: A promising lipid-based nanoplatform for augmenting the antifungal activity of fluconazole

Fluconazole (FLZ) is the most widely used antifungal agent for treating cutaneous candidiasis. Although oral FLZ has been proved to be effective, the incidence of side effects necessitates the development of an effective formulation that could surpass the pitfalls associated with systemic availability. Accordingly, this research aimed at developing a self-assembled mixed micelles topical delivery system to enhance the topical delivery of the drug. Self-assembled mixed micelles were developed using D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate and phospholipids and optimized using Box-Behnken design. The optimized formulation with minimized size was then tested in vivo for the antifungal activity against C. albicans in immunocompromised mice. Treatment with the optimized formulation led to decreased peripheral erythema as well as lesions due to fungal infection in comparison to raw FLZ loaded gel. Therefore, the developed formulation was found to be a promising vehicle for the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis