Selective synthesis of visible light active γ-bismuth molybdate nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue,reduction of 4-nitrophenol,and antimicrobial activity

In this study, we have reported selective synthesis of bismuth molybdate (γ-Bi₂M₂O₆) nanoparticles (NPs) under different pH conditions for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) and antimicrobial activities. The synthesis of pure phase γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ at pH = 3 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analysis. A single hexagonal morphology was obtained at pH = 3 which shows the formation of the pure phase γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs. The mixed morphologies (hexagonal and spherical) were observed at different pH values other than pH = 3. The bandgap energy of all the synthesized Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs is found in the visible region (2.48–2.59 eV). The photocatalytic activity of bismuth molybdate (BM) NPs was examined by the degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. Results show that 95.44% degradation efficiency was achieved by pure γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs compared to mixed phases (γ-Bi₂M₂O₆, α-Bi₂M₂O₆ and β-Bi₂M₂O₆) synthesized at pH = 1.5 and 5. Moreover, the degradation efficiency of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ was enhanced to 98.89% by the addition of H₂O₂. The effective catalytic activity of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ was observed during the reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP by NaBH₄. Potential antibacterial and antifungal activity of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ was observed, which gives a basis for further study in the development of antibiotics.

In this study, we have reported selective synthesis of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs under different pH conditions for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) and antimicrobial activities.     

Urinary symptoms and urodynamics following obstetric genitourinary fistula repair

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary symptoms and urodynamic diagnoses in women following repair of obstetric fistula of the lower urinary tract.

Methods

Women with previous genital tract fistula and ongoing urinary symptoms were evaluated at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. The women were referred to the Urodynamic Unit by doctors reviewing women at the hospital. Consecutive women between December 2008 and September 2009 were assessed (including urodynamic studies) and data collected

Results

One hundred and fifty-four women were referred for urodynamic assessment. Only women with previous obstetric fistula were included in the study. Of the 154 women, 5 were excluded from the study—1 declined the assessment, 1 had a non-obstetric fistula and 3 were found to have recurrence of the fistula. Forty-nine percent had urodynamic stress incontinence only, 3 % had detrusor overactivity only and 43 % had both urodynamic stress incontinence and detrusor overactivity. Five percent of women had neither detrusor overactivity nor urodynamic stress incontinence. Seven percent had post-void residual volume of 150 ml or more.

Conclusions

Non-surgical management of post-obstetric fistula urinary symptoms may be neglected. The reduced success rates in surgery for post-obstetric fistula urinary incontinence may be due to the lack of attention to the other reasons for urinary symptoms and markedly impaired urethral function. Urethral closure pressures in this group of women often did not reflect the severity of urinary incontinence.     

Hydrothermal green synthesis of MoS2 nanosheets for pollution abatement and antifungal applications

In this study, we report a green synthesis of MoS₂ nanosheets (NSs) using a facile hydrothermal technique in the presence of l-cysteine. l-Cysteine can serve as a greener source of sulfur as well as a capping agent to help the growth of MoS₂ nanosheets. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electron transmission microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) analysis. The results showed that MoS₂ NSs are of high crystallinity with a lattice spacing of 0.61 nm. The optical bandgap of MoS₂ NSs nanosheets prepared using l-cysteine as a source of sulfur was found to be 1.79 eV. The photocatalytic degradation of MoS₂ NSs towards methylene orange (MO) and rhodamine blue (RB) dyes under sunlight was found to be promising for practical applications. The fast kinetics of degradation of MO and RhB was observed over a wide range of pH range. Moreover, MoS₂ NSs showed excellent antifungal activities against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Penicillium chrysogenum fungus.

In this study, we report a green synthesis of MoS₂ nanosheets (NSs) using a facile hydrothermal technique in the presence of l-cysteine.     

Objective computerized versus subjective analysis of facial synkinesis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare the sensitivity of an objective, computerized approach to measurement of facial synkinesis with that for a subjective approach and to examine the test-retest reliability of these approaches. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, and blinded. METHODS: Remote facial motion at the upper eyelids and oral commissures during a closed-lip smile and eyelid closure were measured using a commercially available computerized motion analysis system. Thirty healthy adults with normal facial nerve function were enrolled to establish normative data and a threshold value for synkinesis. Thirty consecutive patients were analyzed based on the synkinesis threshold value. Blinded subjective evaluations by two observers were also performed independently on the same patients. RESULTS: Facial synkinesis was detected significantly more frequently with objective than subjective analysis for eyelid closure; no significant differences between approaches were shown for the closed-lip smile. Interestingly, five (17%) patients developed early synkinesis within 3 months from the onset of the facial nerve injury. The test-retest reliability of all objective measures was excellent for both expressions. Close agreement in percent of patients with synkinesis between test and retest subjective evaluations was obtained for both observers for both expressions. CONCLUSIONS: The objective, computerized approach to detection of facial synkinesis has excellent reliability and is more sensitive than the subjective approach to assessment to the presence of facial synkinesis associated with eyelid closure. The finding of early synkinesis suggests that central nervous reorganization plays a role in regeneration of the facial nerve.     

Tuberculosis defaulters from the "dots" regimen in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with tuberculosis on the DOTS regimen in the four teaching health centers of Jimma zone to determine rate of defaulting and factors associated with it. All tuberculosis patients registered and treated using DOTS regimen in the 4 teaching health centers (THC's) from the second half of 1999 to December 30, 2000 were included in the study. A sub-sample of one hundred and fourteen 114 (56.2%) defaulters were traced at their homes and interviewed to elicit their reasons for defaulting. The study showed that overall rate of defaulting was 6.7%. The default rate from the DOTS regimen was found to be quite low when compared to the rate of defaulting from the standard regimen in Jimma zone. Socio-economic factors including distance of patients' residence from the health institution, lack of money for paying transportation and poor awareness about the disease were the major reasons contributing to poor compliance and defaulting. Designing community based strategies for DOTS regimen in order to make the drug available within the vicinity of the grass root community and strong information education and communication activities need to be employed in order to reduce the defaulter rate and improve the quality of treatment of tuberculosis cases by the DOTS regimen.     

Aberrant expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) in Philadelphia chromosome negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders

Philadelphia chromosome negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders (Ph- CMPD) comprise haematopoietic stem cell disorders with currently unknown underlying molecular defect. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is an imprinted gene that is known to be involved in the regulation of normal cell growth and that is overexpressed by a variety of tumors. The expression of IGF-2 in bone marrow cells is largely unknown. In order to elucidate gene expression level, protein expression pattern, and a potential role of IGF-2 in the pathogenesis of Ph- CMPD, we quantitatively analyzed the expression of the IGF-2 gene in bone marrow cells of 69 cases with Ph- CMPD and 31 control cases by applying real-time RT-PCR. IGF-2 gene expression in idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) was significantly increased by up to 11-fold as compared to the control group (P < 0.0001). IMF also expressed higher IGF-2 gene level as compared to essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and polycythaemia vera (PV) (P < 0.0001, P = 0.005, respectively). Paranuclear IGF-2 protein could be demonstrated in IMF, ET, and PV exclusively in megakaryocytes and myeloid progenitor cells in contrast to undetectable IGF-2 protein in control cases. We conclude that overexpression of the IGF-2 gene is a pathogenic feature in IMF. In addition, an abundant translational and post-translational processing could explain the accumulation of IGF-2 protein detectable in all Ph- CMPD entities in contrast to non-neoplastic haematopoiesis. We conclude that IGF-2 represents a new molecular target for evaluation of underlying fundamental pathomechanisms in Ph- CMPD.     

Synaptic and extrasynaptic neurotransmitter receptors in glial precursors' quest for identity

It is widely established that neurotransmitter receptors are expressed in non-neuronal cells, and particularly in neural progenitor cells in the postnatal central nervous system. The functional role of these receptors during development is unclear, but it needs to be revisited now that cells previously considered restricted to glial lineages have been shown to generate neurons. The present review integrates recent advances, to shed new light on how neurotransmitter receptors may, alternatively, serve as excitable mediators of neuron-glia and neuron-neuroblast interactions.     

The utility of pallor detecting anemia in under five years old children

The diagnosis and management of anemia, which affects a significant proportion of young children in developing countries, largely depends on the clinical assessment for pallor. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the utility of pallor in detecting anemia. Children aged 2 to 60 months who visited the pediatric outpatient department of Jimma Hospital over 3 months period were assessed for the presence and degree of pallor in 4 anatomic sites (conjunctivae, tongue and buccal mucosa, nailbeds, palm) by trained nurses. Hemoglobin was then determined using the HemoCue method. Individuals involved in clinical examination did not have access to the laboratory results before documenting their findings. The mean hemoglobin in the 574 children examined was 11.03 gm/dl, and about 46% had anemia. Children younger than 2 years were found to have a higher prevalence of anemia as compared to older children (p < 0.001). Palmar pallor, with a sensitivity of 58%, had the highest sensitivity to detect moderate anemia as compared to other anatomic sites. The presence of either palmar or conjunctival pallor increased the sensitivity to 73%. The inter-observer agreement was highest for conjunctival pallor (kappa value = 0.81). The findings of the study suggest that pallor of a single anatomic site does not have adequate sensitivity to detect moderate anemia. We recommend further studies to look at the performance of severe pallor in correctly identifying severe anemia. Furthermore, the magnitude and causes of anemia need to be studied in a community setting.