The effects of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease on 28-day mortality of COVID-19

We compared the prognosis of inpatients with a known diagnosis of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease who have COVID-19 infection with other hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Our cohort study started in October 2020 and ended in May 2021 and included inpatients with COVID-19 infection who were admitted to hospitals. From a total of 67,871 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, a sample of 3732 individuals were selected of which 363 had Alzheimer's, and 259 had Parkinson's disease. All patients had both positive RT-PCR test and positive chest CT for COVID-19. The outcome was dead within 28 days of admission and the predictors were a large number of demographic and clinical features, and comorbidities recorded at patients’ bedside. Mortality were 37.5%, 35.1%, and 29.5% in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease; and in other patients, respectively. The hazard ratio for Alzheimer's disease was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.06–1.53, p = 0.010) and for Parkinson's disease was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.94–1.46, p = 0.171). Age was a predictor of mortality, hazard ratio = 1.04 (95% CI, 1.03–1.05, p < 0.001). Patients with Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19 infection were older and more likely to have a loss of consciousness on admission (both p ≤ 0.001). We concluded that inpatients with Alzheimer's disease have an increased risk for 28-day mortality from COVID-19 and healthcare settings should be ready to provide critical care for them such as early intubation and immediate O₂ therapy. However, Parkinson's disease does not significantly predict higher mortality of COVID-19.

A novel polyvinyl chloride-membrane optical sensor for the determination of Cu(2+) ion based on synthesized (N'(1)E,N'(2)E)-N'(1),N'(2)-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethylene)oxalohydrazide: experimental design and optimization

A copper (Cu(2+)) ion-selective bulk optode was constructed by using (N'(1)E,N'(2)E)-N'(1),N'(2)-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethylene)oxalohydrazide as ionophore and NaTPB in DBP matrices. Central composite design under response surface methodology was applied for the optimization of variables including pH, amount of ligand, amount of additive and response time which significantly affect the response of proposed sensor. At optimum specified conditions, the high stability, reproducibility and relatively long lifetime of the optical sensor suggest its ability for accurate and precise monitoring of Cu(2+) ion content in various real samples over a concentration range of 1.6×10(-6) to 3.17×10(-5)molL(-1) with a limit of detection of 8.1×10(-7)molL(-1) during response time 6.9min. The proposed optical sensor was successfully applied for the determination of Cu(2+) ion in tap water and different samples.

Asymmetric supercapacitor based on an α-MoO3 cathode and porous activated carbon anode materials

Low cost porous carbon materials were produced from cheap polymer materials and graphene foam materials which were tested as a negative electrode material in an asymmetric cell configuration with α-MoO₃ as a positive electrode.

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model for adsorption of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol onto gold nanoparticales-activated carbon

In this research, a novel adsorbent gold nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon (Au-NP-AC) was synthesized by ultrasound energy as a low cost routing protocol. Subsequently, this novel material characterization and identification followed by different techniques such as scanning electron microscope(SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Unique properties such as high BET surface area (>1229.55m(2)/g) and low pore size (<22.46Å) and average particle size lower than 48.8Å in addition to high reactive atoms and the presence of various functional groups make it possible for efficient removal of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol (TDDT). Generally, the influence of variables, including the amount of adsorbent, initial pollutant concentration, contact time on pollutants removal percentage has great effect on the removal percentage that their influence was optimized. The optimum parameters for adsorption of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2, 5-dithiol onto gold nanoparticales-activated carbon were 0.02g adsorbent mass, 10mgL(-1) initial 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol concentration, 30min contact time and pH 7. The Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and multiple linear regression (MLR) models, have been applied for prediction of removal of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol using gold nanoparticales-activated carbon (Au-NP-AC) in a batch study. The input data are included adsorbent dosage (g), contact time (min) and pollutant concentration (mg/l). The coefficient of determination (R(2)) and mean squared error (MSE) for the training data set of optimal ANFIS model were achieved to be 0.9951 and 0.00017, respectively. These results show that ANFIS model is capable of predicting adsorption of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol using Au-NP-AC with high accuracy in an easy, rapid and cost effective way.

Comparison of nickel oxide and palladium nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon for efficient removal of methylene blue

Palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) and nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) were synthesized and loaded on activated carbon (AC). This novel material successfully used for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous medium. Full characterization of both material using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller analyses for Pd-NP show their high surface area (>1340 m2/g) and low pore size (<20 Å) and average particle size lower than 45 Å and for NiO-NP show their high surface area (>1316.1554 m2/g) and low pore size (<20 Å) and average particle size lower than 46 Å in addition to high reactive atom and presence of various functional groups. These unique properties make them possible for efficient removal of MB. In batch experimental set-up, optimum conditions for maximum removal of MB by both adsorbents were attained following searching effect of variables such as central composite design. The Langmuir isotherm was found to be highly recommended for fitting the experimental equilibrium data. The kinetic of adsorption of MB on both adsorbents strongly can be fitted by a combination of pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion pathway. The experimental result achieved in this article shows the superiority of Pd-NP-AC for MB removal than NiO-NP-AC, so the maximum adsorption capacities of Pd-NP-AC and NiO-NP-AC were 555.5 mg/g and 588.2 mg/g, respectively.

Comparison of the efficiency of Cu and silver nanoparticle loaded on supports for the removal of Eosin Y from aqueous solution: Kinetic and isotherm study

In this study, the efficiency of a novel copper containing ionic liquid based nanoporous organosilica (Cu@IL-ONO) and palladium nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Pd-NP-AC) for the removal of Eosin Y from aqueous solution was investigated. The Cu@IL-ONO was prepared by hydrolysis and co-condensation of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and 1,3-bis (trimethoxysilylpropyl) imidazolium chloride in the presence of surfactant template following immobilization of copper chloride dihydrate. These materials were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and subsequently used for the successful removal of Eosin Yellow (EY) from aqueous solution. The effects of pH, contact time, amount of adsorbents, initial dye concentration was optimized and set as following: 0.005g/50mL Cu@IL-ONO and 0.015g/50mL Ag-NP-AC at pH=2 for Cu@IL-ONO and pH=3 for Ag-NP-AC and contact time less than 14min. The experimental removal percentage data at various situations was fitted by conventional isotherm models like Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R). Judgment based on linear regression coefficient (R(2)) and error analysis show high usability of the Langmuir isotherm for best explanation of experimental data with maximum monolayer adsorption capacities 286 and 250mgg(-1) at room temperatures for Cu@IL-ONO and Ag-NP-AC, respectively. Fitting the corresponding data of removal percentage at various experimental conditions shows the suitability of second order and interparticle diffusion model for interpretation of real data.

Reliability and validity of the Persian version of Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) to measure functional limitations in patients with foot and ankle disorders

OBJECTIVE

To translate the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) into Persian and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of FAAM.

METHODS

93 patients with a range of foot and ankle disorders, completed the Persian version of the FAAM and Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) in the test session. With an interval of 2-6 days, 60 patients filled out the FAAM in the retest session. The FAAM is composed of two subscales including activities of daily living (ADL) and SPORTS. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (s.e.m.), item internal consistency and discriminant validity using Spearman's correlation coefficient and construct validity using Spearman's correlation coefficient and Independent t-test.

RESULTS

Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.97 and 0.94 was obtained for ADL and SPORTS subscales, respectively. The ICC and s.e.m. were 0.98 and 3.13 for ADL and 0.98 and 3.53 for SPORTS subscale. Items were stronger measures of their hypothesized subscale than of other subscale. The ADL and SPORTS subscales had stronger correlation with SF-36 physical function (r=0.60, 0.53) and physical health summary measure (r=0.61, 0.48) than with SF-36 mental health (r=0.21, 0.10) and mental health summary measure (r=0.36, 0.27). A high correlation was found between FAAM scores and global scale of functional status for SPORTS (r=0.73) but not for ADL (r=0.42). FAAM scores were greater in individuals who rated their function as normal or nearly normal compared with those who rated as abnormal or severely abnormal for SPORTS (P=0.04) but not for ADL (P=0.15).

CONCLUSION

The Persian version of FAAM is a reliable and valid measure to quantify physical functioning in patients with foot and ankle disorders.

Health status in patients with disturbed sleep and obstructive sleep apnea

The health status of 435 consecutive patients with sleep disturbances necessitating polysomnography was investigated. Patients underwent overnight polysomnography and health status assessment, including the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 Health Survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Based on a respiratory distress index (RDI) greater than 10 to define apnea, patients with apnea were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to be male, be older, and have higher body mass index and lower oxygen saturation levels than patients without apnea. Multiple domains of the SF-36 Health Survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were significantly worse (P < 0.05) for this population when normative data were compared. Although few differences were observed between the apneic and nonapneic patients when a cutoff point for apnea was defined as an RDI greater than 10 or 20, increasing RDI was significantly associated with worsening physical functioning scores. Overall, decrements in health status measures were more strongly correlated with the number of oxygen desaturations below 85% than with increasing RDI. We conclude that patients with sleep disturbances demonstrate significant decrements in general and sleep-specific health status, but these decrements are more closely associated with oxygen desaturation than RDI.

Outcomes of septoplasty

A prospective nonrandomized study of consecutive patients presenting to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for septoplasty was conducted to evaluate patient-based outcome. Patients received statistically validated measures of general health status (Short Form-12) and nasal specific health (Nasal Health Survey) before and 6 and 12 months after surgery. Multiple perioperative patient- and surgeon-dependent treatment variables were also evaluated to determine the impact on outcome. A total of 161 patients were entered into the study, and 93 were available for statistical analysis. At 9 months the mean follow-up (range 6-12 months), both symptom and medication subscores of the Nasal Health Survey, and the total score demonstrated significant improvement (P < 0.05); 71% of patients had clinically significant improvement as determined by at least a 50% decrease in duration of nasal symptoms. Measures of general health did not differ significantly from normative values at baseline and did not change after surgical intervention. Predictor analysis revealed that female gender and a history of previous nasal surgery predicted worse outcome.

Stapled cystograstrotomy. A method of treatment for pediatric pancreatic pseudocyst

An uncommon complication of pancreatic inflammatory disease or pancreatic trauma in children is the development of a pseudocyst. The English literature records less than 100 cases in children and emphasizes that surgical intervention is the indicated form of treatment. The authors have had experience with nine pediatric patients suffering from pseudocysts in a seven year period. All except one were successfully treated by internal drainage; the other spontaneously resolved. Four had cystogastrostomy using a stapler. This method is discussed as far as indications, technique, advantages and complications.

Nectotizing enterocolitis: is there a place for resection and primary anatomosis?

While most situations of peritonitis, perforation and compromised blood flow in necrotizing enterocolitis are best handled by resection and stoma formation, primary resection and anastomosis should be considered in selected cases. Nine premature infants with NEC underwent bowel resection with primary anastomosis in the face of localized perforation and peritonitis. Eight survived and had no problems when oral alimentation was started. One patient with small bowel involvement underwent two anastomoses rather than a high jejunostomy; the proximal anastomosis leaked and led to the death of the patient.