Incense stick ash as a novel and sustainable adsorbent for sequestration of Victoria Blue from aqueous phase

The present investigation assessed the applicability of incense stick ash, a novel and sustainable adsorbent for remediation of Victoria Blue dye from wastewater. Incense stick ash, without any physical and chemical treatment has been applied to investigate the influence of various experimental parameters as pH, loading of adsorbent, concentration, shaking time, temperature and ionic strength on Victoria Blue remediation in a batch operation. Incense stick ash was characterized using BET, DLS, SEM-EDS, FTIR and XRD techniques. BET surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of incense stick ash are obtained as 2.245 m² g^?1, 0.0118 cm³ g^?1 and 21.02 nm, respectively. Average particle size of the adsorbent is obtained as 293.2 nm. Goodness of the fit of isotherm and kinetic model to the reported data was identified based on chi squared and coefficient of determination values. Isotherm and kinetic behavior was best represented by Freundlich and pseudo 2nd order equation, respectively. Boyd model confirmed involvement of film diffusion mechanism along with intra-particle for adsorption of Victoria Blue on incense stick ash. Maximum dye uptake was reported as 105.57 mg g^?1. Thermodynamic study revealed spontaneous and favorable adsorption of Victoria Blue on incense stick ash at higher temperature. The performed elution and subsequent regeneration study implied desorption capability of incense stick ash and its applicability as a fresh adsorbent for further cycle of adsorption. The overall study implied scavenging potential of incense stick ash, a novel and sustainable adsorbent available at zero cost towards Victoria Blue removal.     

Effects of acute diuresis stress on egr-1 (zif268) mRNA levels in brain regions associated with motivated behavior

Stressors evoke a well-studied physiological stress-response, namely, an immediate systemic release of catecholamines from the adrenals followed shortly afterwards by the release of adrenal steroids. The intensity of that response can often be inferred by the amount of adrenal steroids released into the circulatory system. It is still unclear however how the intensity and duration of the stressor affect a number of brain regions, including those in the motivational system. The present study sought to determine whether a brief stressor, such as an isotonic saline injection, activated the brain's motivational system in mesolimbic regions compared with a more intense stressor exemplified by pharmacological challenges caused by the administration of a diuretic. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were either injected (s.c.) with isotonic saline or 5 mg of the diuretic, furosemide. Controls did not receive any injections. Animals were sacrificed at 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after injection and trunk blood and brains were collected. Serum corticosterone and aldosterone levels were assessed through radioimmunoassay and mesolimbic brain activity was determined through in situ hybridization of mRNA expression of the immediate-early gene egr-1 in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens. While both adrenal steroids demonstrated an initial peak in both stress groups, levels were higher and longer lasting in rats treated with furosemide. Interestingly, egr-1 mRNA levels were significantly higher only in the furosemide-treated group compared with controls. These findings suggest that a selective activation of motivational circuits occurs under thirst and salt-appetite-induced conditions such as those caused by diuresis.     

Incidence of fungal infections in chronic maxillary sinusitis

Fifty patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis were included in our study. Antrat aspirate of chronically inflamed maxillary sinuses collected by antrat puncture were subjected to fungal culture. The study revealed the presence of fungi in 3 cases. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated in 2 cases while Candida albicans was found in 1 case. The role of fungi, particularly aspergillus as pathogen is discussed in the context of antibiotics and immuno-suppressive therapy and local predisposing factors.     

Daptomycin for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis saphenectomy wound infection after coronary artery bypass graft operation (CABG): a case report

We report a case of successful treatment of postoperative saphenectomy wound infection of the upper left leg with the antibiotic drug Daptomycin.     

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis in a patient with Takayasu arteritis: One more association?

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the dura mater, described in association with various infections, systemic vasculitides such as Wegener''s granulomatosis and giant cell arteritis. However, HP in association with Takayasu arteritis (TA) has not been described. We report a young woman who presented with headache, seizures, and right third and fourth cranial neuropathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed HP in bifrontal and right temporal region extending to cavernous sinus. She was also found to have systemic hypertension, stenosis of left subclavian, and left renal artery with narrowing of abdominal aorta, satisfying the diagnostic criteria for TA. A detailed evaluation for secondary causes of HP failed to reveal an alternative etiology. This report describes an unusual association of HP in a patient with TA, also emphasizing that seizures and cranial neuropathy may further expand the spectrum of neurological manifestations in patients with TA.     

Evaluation of brimonidine-timolol fixed combination in patients of primary open-angle glaucoma

The aim of present study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fixed combination of brimonidine and timolol with individual components used as monotherapy in patients of primary open angle glaucoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive brimonidine or timolol or brimonidine-timolol fixed combination, with 30 patients in each group. The mean reduction in intraocular pressure in brimonidine, timolol, and brimonidine-timolol group were 4.29 ± 1.97 mm Hg, 4.34 ± 1.21 mm Hg, and 5.54 ± 1.87 mm Hg respectively at 2 weeks and 4.86 ± 1.16 mm Hg, 5.42 ± 1.50 mm Hg, and 7.36 ± 2.58 mm Hg respectively at 6 weeks. When values of mean reduction in intraocular pressure were compared between brimonidine-timolol fixed combination with brimonidine and timolol, it was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) at 2 weeks and highly significant (0.001) at 6 weeks. The overall frequency of adverse effects was similar in all three groups.