Nanocomposite of hydrophobic cellulose aerogel/graphene quantum dot/Pd: synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application

Novel hydrophobic cellulose aerogel (CA) supported graphene quantum dots (GQD)/Pd were synthesized with high lipophilicity, superior porosity as well as high catalytic activity. The nanocomposite aerogel was obtained in four steps, including transformation of cotton to CA, a silanization reaction of CA in the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles to give polysiloxane/TiO₂ nanoparticles supported on CA (ST@CA), a modification of ST@CA with GQD to yield polysiloxane/TiO₂ nanoparticles/graphene quantum dots supported on CA (STG@CA), and finally a deposition of Pd nanoparticles on STG@CA. The synthesized aerogel demonstrated hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 136.2°. It also exhibited excellent oil/water selective absorption capacity with an oil absorption of up to 79 g g⁻¹ with 134 g g⁻¹ selectivity. Finally, the nanocomposite was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the oxidation reaction of alcohols, ethylbenzene, and alkenes. High yields, excellent selectivities, green and mild reaction conditions, recyclability and biocompatibility of the catalyst were important features of the reactions.

Novel hydrophobic cellulose aerogel (CA) supported graphene quantum dots (GQD)/Pd were synthesized with high lipophilicity, superior porosity as well as high catalytic activity.     

Reliability of a patient survey assessing ＂Short Form Injury Questionnaire 7＂ in Iran

Objective: Injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world.The assessment of patterns and severity of injury in high-risk groups is crucial for planning and service development.On a lar...     

Clinical and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women with Covid-19: A case series study on 26 patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with Covid-19.Materials and methodsThis case series study was performed to investigate demographic, clinical and obstetric characteristics of 26 pregnant women with COVID-19 referring to a university hospital of Kashan during the epidemic of COVID-19 (March to May 2020).ResultsThe mean gestational age of the patients at admission and delivery was 31.8 ± 5.2 and 36.3 ± 3.4 weeks, respectively. The most common symptoms were fever (96.2%) followed by dyspnea and cough (30.8%). The findings of lung CT scan showed abnormalities confirming the pneumonia in 22 patients (84.6%). Cesarean section was performed in 69.2% of the mothers. The most common maternal–fetal outcome was preterm delivery (38%). Two mothers were transferred to the ICU due to deterioration in clinical condition and they underwent mechanical ventilation without any maternal death. The most common neonatal outcomes were prematurity (38%) and low birth weight (34.6%). No cases of confirmed COVID-19 were observed in the neonates.ConclusionClinical manifestations and laboratory and radiographic findings in pregnant women with COVID-19 are similar to the general population. Common outcomes of pregnancy and delivery in mothers included increased rate of preterm delivery and cesarean section. The most prevalent neonatal outcomes included prematurity and LBW. Careful monitoring of pregnant women with COVID-19 is recommended.     

In-vitro evaluation of the immunomodulatory effects of Baricitinib: Implication for COVID-19 therapy

ObjectiveBaricitinib seems a promising therapy for COVID-19. To fully-investigate its effects, we in-vitro evaluated the impact of baricitinib on the SARS-CoV-2-specific-response using the whole-blood platform.MethodsWe evaluated baricitinib effect on the IFN-γ-release and on a panel of soluble factors by multiplex-technology after stimulating whole-blood from 39 COVID-19 patients with SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) antigen was used as a positive control.ResultsIn-vitro exogenous addition of baricitinib significantly decreased IFN-γ response to spike- (median: 0.21, IQR: 0.01–1; spike+baricitinib 1000 nM median: 0.05, IQR: 0–0.18; p < 0.0001) and to the remainder-antigens (median: 0.08 IQR: 0–0.55; remainder-antigens+baricitinib 1000 nM median: 0.03, IQR: 0–0.14; p = 0.0013). Moreover, baricitinib significantly decreased SEB-induced response (median: 12.52, IQR: 9.7–15.2; SEB+baricitinib 1000 nM median: 8, IQR: 1.44–12.16; p < 0.0001). Baricitinib did modulate other soluble factors besides IFN-γ, significantly decreasing the spike-specific-response mediated by IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, IL-1ra, IL-10, GM-CSF, FGF, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1β (p ≤ 0.0156). The baricitinib-decreased SARS-CoV-2-specific-response was observed mainly in mild/moderate COVID-19 and in those with lymphocyte count ≥1 × 10³/µl.ConclusionsExogenous addition of baricitinib decreases the in-vitro SARS-CoV-2-specific response in COVID-19 patients using a whole-blood platform. These results are the first to show the effects of this therapy on the immune-specific viral response.     

Microbial contamination of single- and multiple-dose vials after opening in a pulmonary teaching hospital

ObjectivesIntravenous therapy is a complex procedure usually requiring the preparation of the medication in the clinical area before administration to the patient. Breaches in aseptic technique may result in microbial contaminations of vials which is a potential cause of different avoidable infections. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and pattern of microbial contamination of single- and multiple-dose vials in the largest pulmonary teaching hospital in Iran.MethodsIn a period of 2 months, opened single- and multiple-dose vials from different wards were sampled by a pharmacist. The name of the medication, ward, labeling of the vials, the date of opening, and storing temperature were recorded for each vial. Remained contents of each vial were cultured using appropriate bacterial and fungal growth media.ResultsMicrobial contamination was identified in 11 of 205 (5.36%) of vials. The highest contamination rate was 14.28% for vials used in interventional bronchoscopy unit. The most frequent contaminated medication was insulin. Gram-positive bacteria (81.82%) were more significantly involved than gram-negative ones (9.09%) and fungi (9.09%), with the highest frequency for Staphylococcus epidermidis.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that repeated use of vials especially if basic sterility measures are disobeyed can cause microbial contamination of administered products to the patients. Infection preventionists are responsible to train health care workers regarding aseptic techniques and apply guidelines for aseptic handling of intravenous solutions.     

Diabetic Foot Disease: Emerging Technologies: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Gait: Does Footwear Modify This Association?

Background

Gait-related fall risk is the leading cause of mortality among patients with diabetes, especially those older than 65 years. Deterioration in balance and loss of protective sensation in lower extremities contribute significantly to fall risk in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This study aimed to explore the impact of neuropathy and foot ulcer on gait.

Methods

We recruited 39 participants (age, 56.9 ± 8.2 years; body mass index, 29.6.3 ± 4.7 kg/m²), including 15 DPN patients without foot ulcers, 16 DPN patients with foot ulcers, and 8 healthy aged-matched controls. Patients with active foot ulcers wore an offloading device during gait examination, including removable cast walker.

Results

Results suggest that neuropathy alters gait mainly by increasing gait initiation, gait variability (coefficient of variation of gait velocity), and double support (DS) time, while reducing knee range of motion and center of mass sway (p < .05). Interestingly, the presence of foot ulcer does not impact gait velocity (p > .1) but enhances some of the gait parameters such as gait variability and DS time.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that neuropathy deteriorates gait, but the presence of foot ulcers does not alter gait parameters further than neuropathy. In addition, patients with foot ulcers demonstrated a better gait compared with DPN patients without ulcers. We speculate that offloading footwear may be enhancing the somatosensory feedback from sensate skin, thereby positively affecting gait parameters. A study with a larger sample is required to explore the effect of prescribed footwear in the DPN population in order to validate the findings of this research study.