Recent Advances in Adsorptive Nanocomposite Membranes for Heavy Metals Ion Removal from Contaminated Water: A Comprehensive Review

Water contamination is one of the most urgent concerns confronting the world today. Heavy metal poisoning of aquatic systems has piqued the interest of various researchers due to the high toxicity and carcinogenic consequences it has on living organisms. Due to their exceptional attributes such as strong reactivity, huge surface area, and outstanding mechanical properties, nanomaterials are being produced and employed in water treatment. In this review, recent advances in the use of nanomaterials in nanoadsorptive membrane systems for wastewater treatment and heavy metal removal are extensively discussed. These materials include carbon-based nanostructures, metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and layered double hydroxide-based compounds. Furthermore, the relevant properties of the nanostructures and the implications on their performance for water treatment and contamination removal are highlighted. The hydrophilicity, pore size, skin thickness, porosity, and surface roughness of these nanostructures can help the water permeability of the nanoadsorptive membrane. Other properties such as surface charge modification and mechanical strength can improve the metal adsorption effectiveness of nanoadsorptive membranes during wastewater treatment. Various nanocomposite membrane fabrication techniques are also reviewed. This study is important because it gives important information on the roles of nanomaterials and nanostructures in heavy metal removal and wastewater treatment.     

Anti-trypanosomal activity of African medicinal plants: A review update

Ethnopharmacological relevance

African trypanosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases caused by different species of trypanosomes that affect both human and livestock with devastating consequences in the continent. Most of the affected populations commonly use traditional medicinal plants for the treatment of the disease. Consequently, this prompted ethnopharmacological research activities on the anti-trypanosomal activity of a number of these African medicinal plants in order to validate their ethnomedicinal use. Furthermore, such studies could lead to the identification of chemical leads for the development of newer anti-trypanosomal agents from those plants. This review aims to provide updated information on the ethnopharmacological evidence of African medicinal plants with anti-trypanosomal activity.

Methods

Literature was collected via electronic search (PubMed, Sciencedirect, Medline and Google Scholar) from published articles that report on the in vitro or in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of plants that were collected from different parts of Africa.

Results

African medicinal plants investigated for in vitro and in vivo anti-trypanosomal activity from January 1993 to October 2013 are systematically compiled and all the in vivo studies are critically discussed. A total of 264 plant species belonging to 79 families were investigated for anti-trypanosomal activity. However, only 48 bioactive anti-trypanosomal compounds were successfully isolated in pure forms. Furthermore, some of the plants were investigated for possible ameliorative effects on the trypanosome-induced pathological changes out of which 18 plants were reported to be effective while a few others were not. In spite of interesting preclinical ethnopharmacological evidence for anti-trypanosomal activity, not a single African medicinal plant was investigated in a clinical study.

Conclusion

Several African medicinal plants have demonstrated promising anti-trypanosomal effects but the studies on the anti-trypanosomal potentials of these plants are not taken beyond proof of concept stage. It is hoped that the article would stimulate future clinical studies because of the paucity of knowledge in this area.     

Calcified tissue of fetal origin in utero

Hysteroscopic examination in a woman with secondary infertility revealed calcified tissue in the uterine cavity. Histopathological examination demonstrated mature bone. Genetic analysis supports its fetal origin.     

Meroditerpenoids and derivatives from the brown alga Cystoseira baccata and their antifouling properties

The brown alga Cystoseira baccata harvested along the Atlantic coasts of Morocco yielded seven new meroditerpenoids (1-4) and derivatives (5-7), whose chemical structures were elucidated mainly by 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. Surprisingly, for all these compounds, which possess a bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane ring system, a trans fusion of the bicyclic system was deduced by stereochemical studies even though such compounds isolated from Cystoseira species are known to have a typical cis orientation for the bridgehead methyls. The antifouling and antibacterial activities of compounds 1-5 and 7 were evaluated, as well as their toxicity toward nontarget species. Compounds 4, 5, and 7 showed antifouling activities against growth of microalgae, macroalgal settlement, and mussel phenoloxidase activity, while being nontoxic to larvae of sea urchins and oysters.     

Antidiabetic effect of alcoholic extract of Caralluma sinaica L. on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rabbits

People of Asir region of Saudi Arabia chew Caralluma sinaica (CS) to lower glucose level. To establish its utility in diabetes mellitus we have under taken this study. The effect of CS on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic model as well as effect on oral glucose tolerance test were studied. The extract was shown to have positive test for possessing following chemical constituents like phenolic alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids and tannins. Administration of CS in different doses (50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg, p.o.) to normal animals caused significant (P<0.01) decrease in glucose level. Prior administration of either CS (100mg/kg, p.o.) or glibenclamide (GB) (5mg/kg, p.o.) blocked the rise of glucose caused by the streptozotocin. Antidiabetic activity of CS was compared with clinically available drug GB. Administration of CS (100mg/kg, p.o.) to diabetic rabbits for 30 days has been shown to decrease plasma glucose level to almost normal level (P<0.001). Liver and kidney weight expressed as percentage of body weight significantly (P<0.05; P<0.01) increased in diabetic rabbits versus normal control (CNT). CS significantly (P<0.05) reversed the increasing weight of liver caused by STZ but not GB. STZ induced lowering of glycogen content of liver and muscle was reversed by both CS and GB. STZ induced a significant (P<0.001) increase in renal glycogen content this was almost normalized by CS (P<0.001) whereas GB significantly decreased (P<0.002) glycogen content. In oral glucose tolerance test administration of glucose increased plasma glucose level significantly in the diabetic control over the 2-h period. Compared to diabetic control plasma glucose levels in rabbits given CS or GB were significantly lower at all the time points that blood was sampled after oral glucose load. Comparing with the GB treatment blood glucose lowering effect was more pronounced for diabetic rabbits given CS. All these effects could explain the basis for use of this plant extract to manage diabetes mellitus.     

Suppression of Anti-Inflammatory Mediators in Metabolic Disease May Be Driven by Overwhelming Pro-Inflammatory Drivers

Obesity is a multifactorial disease and is associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome and co-morbidities. Dysregulated expansion of the adipose tissue during obesity induces local tissue hypoxia, altered secretory profile of adipokines, cytokines and chemokines, altered profile of local tissue inflammatory cells leading to the development of low-grade chronic inflammation. Low grade chronic inflammation is considered to be the underlying mechanism that increases the risk of developing obesity associated comorbidities. The glucocorticoid induced protein annexin A1 and its N-terminal peptides are anti-inflammatory mediators involved in resolving inflammation. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of annexin A1 in obesity and associated inflammation. To achieve this aim, the current study analysed data from two feasibility studies in clinical populations: (1) bariatric surgery patients (Pre- and 3 months post-surgery) and (2) Lipodystrophy patients. Plasma annexin A1 levels were increased at 3-months post-surgery compared to pre-surgery (1.2 ± 0.1 ng/mL, n = 19 vs. 1.6 ± 0.1 ng/mL, n = 9, p = 0.009) and positively correlated with adiponectin (p = 0.009, r = 0.468, n = 25). Plasma annexin A1 levels were decreased in patients with lipodystrophy compared to BMI matched controls (0.2 ± 0.1 ng/mL, n = 9 vs. 0.97 ± 0.1 ng/mL, n = 30, p = 0.008), whereas CRP levels were significantly elevated (3.3 ± 1.0 µg/mL, n = 9 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3 µg/mL, n = 31, p = 0.0074). The roles of annexin A1 were explored using an in vitro cell based model (SGBS cells) mimicking the inflammatory status that is observed in obesity. Acute treatment with the annexin A1 N-terminal peptide, AC2-26 differentially regulated gene expression (including PPARA (2.8 ± 0.7-fold, p = 0.0303, n = 3), ADIPOQ (2.0 ± 0.3-fold, p = 0.0073, n = 3), LEP (0.6 ± 0.2-fold, p = 0.0400, n = 3), NAMPT (0.4 ± 0.1-fold, p = 0.0039, n = 3) and RETN (0.1 ± 0.03-fold, p < 0.0001, n = 3) in mature obesogenic adipocytes indicating that annexin A1 may play a protective role in obesity and inflammation. However, this effect may be overshadowed by the continued increase in systemic inflammation associated with rapid tissue expansion in obesity.     

Comparative study of local anesthetic efficacy of 5% tramadol versus 2 %Lignocaine with 1:100,000 adrenaline for extraction of fully erupted maxillary 3rd molars using infiltration anesthesia

IntroductionThe majority of dental procedures need local anesthesia for pain control, and lidocaine/ lignocaine is the most commonly used anesthetic agent in dentistry. Although effective and safest, the anesthetic agent still has some complications. To overcome these many alternatives have been used. Tramadol has been shown to have some local anesthetic (LA) effects when used for infiltration anesthesia in dentistry.MethodsIn the present study, the local anesthetic efficacy of tramadol was compared with 2% lignocaine containing 1: 100,000 adrenaline for the extraction of maxillary fully erupted 3rd molar teeth. The parameters recorded included the onset of action, duration of action, intraoperative pain, post-operative analgesic effect, and incidence of an allergic reaction. A total of 200 patients were randomly divided into two groups. In group A -Each patient received 0.6 ml of 5% tramadol (Tramataj- 50 mg prepared by Taj pharma company) 0.4 ml buccally and 0.2 ml palatally for extraction of maxillary 3rd molar as local infiltration following strict aseptic precaution. In Group B- patients received 0.6 ml of 2% lignocaine containing 1: 100,000 adrenaline buccally and 0.2 ml palatally as infiltrations.ResultsIt was found that 5% tramadol has a local anesthetic efficacy similar to 2% lignocaine with adrenaline but was found to be a comparatively weaker agent.Conclusiontramadol is a valid alternative for performing extractions in normal patients or patients allergic to lidocaine.     

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC): A State-of-the-Art Review

The interest of researchers in UHPC has increased over the past decade. It is crucial to understand the structural behavior of reinforced UHPC (R/UHPC) components under various loading conditions before they can be used as a replacement for conventional concrete. Although several studies on ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) have been conducted, the knowledge is scattered, and no one can easily judge the performance and methodology of UPHC. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the research studies already carried out on UHPC. The review focuses on the materials’ physical and chemical composition, mechanical and durability characteristics, fire resistance, and environmental benefits of UHPC. Design considerations for effectively utilizing UHPC in structural elements are also presented. The best UHPFRC mixture is obtainable with a steel fiber content of 2–3% and a water-to-cement ratio of 0.2–0.3. The review also discusses the essentials recommendation for future research on UHPC.     

B-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A case report

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening condition characterized by an exaggerated but dysregulated immune response resulting in hyperinflammation, with a potential for progression to multiple organ dysfunction and failure. Infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders, malignancies and immunodeficiency syndromes are known triggers of HLH in adults. The present study reported the case of a middle-aged man with HLH triggered by B-cell lymphoma who was successfully treated with dexamethasone; etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, hydroxy-doxorubicin and rituximab chemotherapy; and multiple intrathecal methotrexate with a good outcome.