Insights into the p-nitrophenol adsorption by amidoxime-modified poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid): characterization,kinetics, isotherm,thermodynamic, regeneration and mechanism study

This study performs an appraisal of the adsorptive capacity of amidoxime-modified poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) or abbreviated as (AO-modified poly(AN-co-AA)) for the p-nitrophenol (PNP) adsorption, from aquatic environments via batch system. The AO-modified poly(AN-co-AA) polymer was developed with redox polymerization, and then altered by using hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HH). Tools used to describe the physicochemical and morphological characteristics of the AO-modified poly(AN-co-AA) were Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, CHN elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption kinetics were examined by pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models. Meanwhile, the isotherms were investigated by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Redlich–Peterson models. It was found that the adsorption was best fitted with pseudo-second order, and agreed with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. It was described best with the Freundlich isotherm due to highest R² (0.999). The maximum adsorption capacity was 143.06 mg g⁻¹ at 298 K, and thermodynamic functions showed that the adsorption process was exothermic. Also, following five regeneration cycles, the adsorbent recorded 71.7% regeneration efficiency. The finding in this study indicates that the AO-modified poly(AN-co-AA) is an effective adsorbent to remove PNP from an aqueous solution.

This study performs an appraisal of the adsorptive capacity of amidoxime-modified poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) for the p-nitrophenol (PNP) adsorption, from aqueous solutions.     

Intravascular imaging in neuroendovascular surgery: a brief review

Intravascular imaging has significantly contributed to the advancement of interventional cardiology. Intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography have facilitated decision-making and interventional strategies in management of coronary artery lesions. Yet, applications of these modalities are limited in cerebrovascular practice. With the momentum in advancement of neuroendovascular interventions and techniques for treatment of strokes, cerebrovascular atherosclerotic diseases, aneurysms and vascular malformations, there is a need for the development of high-resolution platforms that can safely be used in cerebrovascular system, and to meet the imaging requirements in the field. In this brief review, we aim to discuss current and emerging intravascular imaging modalities and explore their potentials in field of neuroendovascular surgery.     

Nicardipine Associated Risk of Short-Term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Background: Hypertensive emergency is commonly associated with acute ischemic stroke and can be a predictor of poor outcome in these patients. Nicardipine and labetalol are commonly administered for the treatment of acute hypertension following stroke. Yet, data are lacking on the safety of these agents in this setting. Objective: This study aimed to determine all-cause in-hospital mortality, medication-related hypotensive episodes, development of hospital acquired infections and hospital length of stay between nicardipine and labetalol use for the management of hypertension after acute ischemic stroke. Methods: This retrospective study used a prospective database of individuals admitted to the neurointensive care unit at a university-based hospital over 39 months. Patients with confirmed ischemic strokes were included in this analysis. Data were recorded for administration of nicardipine and labetalol following acute stroke. Results: A total of 244 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in this analysis (mean age, 64.3 ± 15 years; 52.2% males). Nicardipine use after acute ischemic stroke was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-15.7; P = .02). A single episode of hypotension in the first 72hours of admission was also significantly associated with mortality (OR 4.35 [95% CI 1.2-14.9]; P = .02). Conclusions: Nicardipine was associated with an increased risk of short-term mortality after acute ischemic stroke. This may have been due to hypotension, tachycardia, or pulmonary edema which were not apparent in our study. Further studies are required to elucidate the cause of this association.     

Helicobacter pylori infection and risk of preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Helicobacter pylori is associated with many pregnancy adverse effects such as preeclampsia (PE). We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis study to assess the possible association between H. pylori infection and PE and this is the first meta-analysis to clarify this issue.

Methods: PubMed, ISI (Web of Science), SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases were searched (up to April 2017) to identify the relevant studies. The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines were used to do this study. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the χ²-based Q-test and I² statistic.

Results: A total of eight studies including 889 participants (460 preeclamptic women and 429 controls) met the eligibility criteria. A positive association was found between H. pylori infection and PE (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 2.21–5.10). Heterogeneity was acceptable (χ²?=?13.39; I²?=?47.7, 95% CI: 0–77). In subgroup analysis, cytotoxin-associated antigen A seropositivity was a substantial risk factor for PE when immunoblotting methods (OR: 11.12; 95% CI: 5.34–23.16; χ²?=?6.42; I²?=?53.3, 95% CI: 0–85) were used, whereas it was not potential risk factor for PE when ELISA was used as a detecting method (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.6–2.06; χ²?=?1.83; I²?=?0, 95% CI: 0–90).

Conclusions: This study indicated that women with H. pylori infection, especially those infected with Cag A positive strains are more likely to have PE compared with the uninfected women.     

Inflammatory responses of RAW 264.7 macrophages upon exposure to nanoparticles: role of ROS-NFκB signaling pathway

Recent advances in particle-forming chemistries used for developing nanotechnology has not only widened novel applications for nanoscale materials but also has provided significant concern regarding their biological effects. The present study investigates the inflammatory responses of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages exposed to nanoparticles (NPs, 5 μg/ml) of varied sizes including silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), carbon black (CB), carbon-coated silver (CAg) and gold (Au). A significant increase in IL-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression was observed in macrophages with maximum response found in cells exposed to Ag NPs followed by Al, CB and CAg. These pro-inflammatory effects of NPs were dependent on size and duration of exposure and comparable to those induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a known inflammatory mediator. Au NPs, on the other hand, induced small but significant inflammatory responses in macrophages upon prolonged exposure. These studies reveal that Ag NPs exhibit higher propensity in inducing inflammation, mediated by ROS and NF-κB signaling pathways and leading to the induction of COX-2, TNF-α and IL-6. However, no such prominent pro-inflammatory responses were observed with Au NPs, suggesting their bio-compatibility.     

A novel missense mutation in the ESRRB gene causes DFNB35 hearing loss in a Tunisian family

Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) is a genetically heterogenous disorder with 41 genes so far identified. Among these genes, ESRRB whose mutations are responsible for DFNB35 hearing loss in Pakistani and Turkish families. This gene encodes the estrogen-related receptor beta. In this study, we report a novel mutation (p.Y305H) in the ESRRB gene in a Tunisian family with ARNSHL. This mutation was not detected in 100 healthy individuals. Molecular modeling showed that the p.Y305H mutation is likely to alter the conformation of the ligand binding-site by destabilizing the coactivator binding pocket. Interestingly, this ligand-binding domain of the ESRRB protein has been affected in 5 out of 6 mutations causing DFNB35 hearing loss. Using linkage and DHPLC analysis, no more mutations were detected in the ESRRB gene in other 127 Tunisian families with ARNSHL indicating that DFNB35 is most likely to be a rare type of ARNSHL in the Tunisian population.     

DFNB66 and DFNB67 loci are non allelic and rarely contribute to autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss

We previously mapped the DFNB66 locus to an interval overlapping the DFNB67 region. Mutations in the LHFPL5 gene were identified as a cause of DFNB67 hearing loss (HL). However, screening of the coding exons of LHFPL5 did not reveal any mutation in the DFNB66 family. The objective of this study was to check whether DFNB66 and DFNB67 are distinctive loci and determining their contribution to HL. In the DFNB66 family, sequencing showed absence of mutations in the untranslated regions and the predicted promoter sequence of LHFPL5. Analysis of five microsatellites in the 6p21.31–22.3 region and screening of the LHFPL5 gene by DNA heteroduplex analysis in DHPLC revealed a novel mutation (c.89dup) in one out of 129 unrelated Tunisian families with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic (ARNS) HL. Our findings suggest that two distinct genes are responsible for DFNB66 and DFNB67 HL. These loci are likely to be a rare cause of ARNSHL.     

Grafting of dermatan sulfate on polyethylene terephtalate to enhance biointegration

The aim of the present study was to achieve the immobilization of dermatan sulfate (DS) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces and to evaluate its biocompatibility. DS obtained from the skin of Scyliorhinus canicula shark was immobilized via carbodiimide on knitted PET fabrics, modified with carboxyl groups. PET-DS characterization was performed by SEM, ATR-FTIR and contact angle measurements. Biocompatibility was evaluated by investigating plasma protein adsorption and endothelial cell proliferation, as well as by subcutaneous implantations in rats. The results indicated that DS immobilization on PET was achieved at ~8 μg/cm2. ATR-FTIR evidenced the presence of sulfate groups on the PET surface. In turn, contact angle measurements indicated an increase in the surface wettability. DS immobilization increased albumin adsorption on the PET surface, whereas it decreased that of fibrinogen. In vitro cell culture revealed that endothelial cell proliferation was also enhanced on PET-DS. Histological results after 15 days of subcutaneous implantation showed a better integration of PET-DS samples in comparison to those of nonmodified PET. In summary, DS was successfully grafted onto the surface of PET, providing it new physicochemical characteristics and biological properties for PET, thus enhancing its biointegration.     

Association of COL1A1 and TGFB1 polymorphisms with otosclerosis in a Tunisian population

Otosclerosis is a condition characterized by an abnormal bone metabolism in the otic capsule, resulting in conductive and/or sensorineural hearing loss. Otosclerosis is a common disorder in which genes play an important role. Case-control association studies have implicated several genes in the abnormal bone metabolism associated with otosclerosis: COL1A1, TGFB1, BMP2, and BMP4. To investigate the association of these genes with otosclerosis in the Tunisian population, we examined nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 159 unrelated otosclerosis patients and 155 unrelated controls. We found an association of rs11327935 in COL1A1 with otosclerosis that was shown to be sex specific. The coding polymorphism T263I in TGFB1 was also associated with otosclerosis in the Tunisian population. The effect sizes of both the associations were consistent with previous studies, as the same effect was found in all cases. The association of BMP2 and BMP4 was not significant. However, a trend towards association was found for the BMP4 gene that was consistent with earlier reports. In conclusion, this study replicates and strengthens the evidence for association between polymorphisms of COL1A1 and TGFB1 in the genetic aetiology of otosclerosis.     

One year cardiac follow up of young world cup football team compared to nonathletes

IntroductionSudden cardiac death among professional young athletes has become a significant concern mainly attributed to structural heart changes and ECG abnormalities.ObjectivesWe aimed primarily to compare echocardiographic and electrocardiographic changes in young professional athletes versus a control group of sedentary lifestyled nonathletic individuals of the same age group. Secondly, we aimed to follow up echocardiographic and electrocardiographic changes in young professional athletes after one year.MethodsWe conducted the study from May 2008 to May 2009 by clinical examination, transthoraxic echocardiography and 12 lead ECG. Our study group was the national football team candidates for the youth world cup occurring in Cairo 2009. This study group was compared to a control group of randomly picked nonathletic third year medical students after exclusion of anyone with a known medical illness. The study group was classified into Athletes I representing athletes at the beginning of the study and Athletes II representing athletes after one year follow up.ResultsThe Study group comprised 34 males, mean age 18.82 ± 1.56 years while the Control group comprised 28 males, age mean 19.64 ± 2.31 years. There was not a significant difference between the two groups regarding number, age, height or weight (P > 0.05).Athletes I vs controlClinical parameters showed significantly lower Systolic Blood Pressure SBP (athletes 117.79 ± 6.536, control 126.43 ± 17.043, P = 0.008) and Heart Rate HR (athletes 68.88 ± 5.044, control 77.43 ± 6.033, P = 0.001). ECG parameters showed a significantly longer RR interval (athletes 0.88 ± 0.065, control 0.76 ± 0.078, P = 0.001), while Corrected QTc interval was not significantly different (athletes 0.41 ± 0.029, control 0.42 ± 0.022, P > 0.05). Echo parameters showed a significant increase in Ejection fraction EF (athletes 60.94 ± 3.084 vs control 54.14 ± 13.063, P = 0.005) and Left atrial dimension LA (athletes 3.28 ± 0.392 vs control 2.58 ± 1.321, P = 0.005). On the other hand Septal wall in diastole SWD, Right ventricle dimension RV, Left ventricular end systolic dimension LVESD, Left Ventricular End Diastolic Dimension LVEDD, Aortic Root AO, and Posterior wall in diastole PWD were not significantly different (P > 0.05).Athletes II vs controlQTc became significantly longer (athletes 0.43 ± 0.028 vs control 0.42 ± 0.022, P = 0.05). SWD was significantly thicker (athletes 1.21 ± 0.23 vs control 1.07 ± 0.17, P = 0.04). SBP, HR remained significantly lower and RR, EF, LA remained significantly greater (P < 0.05), while RV, LVESD, LVEDD, AO, PWD remained not significantly different both at the beginning and also after 1 year (P > 0.05).Athletes I vs athletes IIECG parameters showed a significant increase in QTc (0.41 ± 0.029 vs 0.43 ± 0.028, P = 0.005) and RR interval (0.81 ± 0.167 vs 0.88 ± 0.065, P = 0.046). Echo parameters showed a significant increase in SWD (1.21 ± 0.232 vs 0.93 ± 0.124, P < 0.001), LA (3.62 ± 0.423 vs 3.28 ± 0.392, P = 0.001), RV (2.37 ± 0.565 vs 2.09 ± 0.234, P = 0.011), PWD (1.00 ± 0.200 vs 0.90 ± 0.200, P = 0.008), and a significant decrease in LVESD (3.19 ± 0.679 vs 3.48 ± 0.190, P = 0.016). Other parameters were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).ConclusionsProfessional football playing in young males results in significant changes compared to their control of sedentary nonathletic medical students of similar age. Clinical parameters showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure SBP and heart rate HR, ECG parameters showed significant increase in RR interval and QTc interval, and Echocardiographic parameters showed a significant increase in Left atrium diameter LA, Septal wall in diastole SWD, and ejection fraction EF. One year of professional football playing in young males causes a continuing significant increase in ECG parameters QTc, RR interval, and echocardiographic parameters SWD, LA, Right ventricle dimension RV, Posterior wall in diastole PWD and decrease in Left ventricular end systolic diameter LVESD compared to themselves one year earlier. The international concern of Sudden cardiac death among professional young athletes may be attributed to Structural heart changes and ECG abnormalities acquired with professional training.