Al and Zr Porous Clay Heterostructures as Removal Agents of Basic Blue-41 Dye from an Artificially Polluted Solution: Regeneration Properties and Batch Design

The removal of Basic Blue-41 dye molecules was carried out by using two doped porous clay heterostructures by aluminum (Al) or zirconium (Zr) species. The proposed method of synthesis showed its efficiency, starting from Al or Zr intercalated hydrolyzed species, prior to its reaction with dodecylamine (C₁₂ amine) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a silica source. The intercalated precursors and their porous clay heterostructures (PCH) derivatives were characterized by different techniques. Solid NMR technique proved the presence of Al species into the intercalated silica between the clay sheets, and in addition to Si in different environments within the PCH materials. The Zr-PCH material exhibited a higher surface area and pore volume compared to its Al-PCH counterpart, with a mesoporous character for both materials. A maximum removed amount of 279 and 332 mg/g was achieved and deduced from the Langmuir equation. The regeneration tests revealed that the removal efficiency of Zr-PCH was retained after five regeneration runs, with a loss of 15% of the original value; meanwhile, the Al-PCH lost 45% of its efficiency after only three cycles. A single-stage batch design was proposed based on the Langmuir isotherm parameters. The increase of the removal capacity of Zr-PCH led to the reduction of the required amounts for the target removal of BB-41 dye compared to Al-PCH.     

Early detection of Pre-XDR TB with line probe assay in a high TB burden country

BackgroundWorldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death. Drug resistant tuberculosis has lately become a major public health problem that threatens progress made in Tuberculosis (TB) care and control worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Pre-extensive drug resistant TB among MDR TB in North Central of Nigeria.MethodsThis study was conducted from October, 2018 to August, 2019 with 150 samples. In Nigeria, guidelines for DR-TB as recommended by WHO is followed. All the samples from the patients who gave their consent were transported to a zonal reference TB laboratory (ZRL).ResultsMean age was 38.6 ± 13.4 years with peak age at 35–44. Out of these 103 samples processed with LPA, 101(98%) were rifampicin resistant and 2 were rifampicin sensitive, 99(96%) were INH resistant and 4 (4%) were INH sensitive, 5(5%) were fluoroquinolone resistant, 98(95%) were fluoroquinolone sensitive, 12 (12%) were Aminoglycoside + Capreomycin resistant, 91(83%) were Aminoglycoside + Capreomycin sensitive.ConclusionMultidrug resistant TB and its severe forms (Pre-extensive & extensively drug resistant TB) can be detected early with rapid tool- Line Probe Assay rapid and prevented timely by early initiation on treatment.     

Single coronary artery syndrome: Cardiac computed tomography angiography as a leading imaging modality

Single coronary artery syndrome is usually an asymptomatic condition in most patients; thus most patients are diagnosed when noninvasive imaging (cardiac computed tomography angiography, cardiac magnetic resonance) or invasive coronary angiography is done for evaluation for other cardiac conditions. With advances using cardiovascular imaging in the evaluation and management of single coronary artery syndrome; Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a very essential and leading imaging modality. CCTA has the best resolution (spatial and temporal) among the imaging modalities available for analyzing the cardiovascular system for the diagnosis and management of single coronary artery syndrome. We are presenting cases of patients with single coronary artery syndrome with 3 different courses (anterior, septal, inter‐arterial), illustrating how CCTA gives a detailed anatomic/structural evaluation of the origin and course of the coronary arteries, and other cardiac structures. Thus in patients diagnosed with single coronary artery syndrome, CCTA can provide vital information on the not only the course, but the associated narrowing of coronary vessels. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.