Exploration of PVC@SiO2 nanostructure for adsorption of methylene blue via using quartz crystal microbalance technology

Methylene blue (MB) dye is considered a well-known dye in many industries and the low concentration of MB is considered very polluted for all environment if it discharged without any treatment. For that reason, many researchers used advanced technologies for removing MB such as the electrochemical methods that considered very simple and give rapid response. Considering these aspects, a novel quartz crystal microbalance nanosensors based on different concentrations of PVC@SiO2 were designed for real-time adsorption of MB dye in the aqueous streams at different pHs and different temperatures. The characterization results of PVC@SiO2 showed that the PVC@SiO2 have synthesized in spherical shape. The performance of the designed QCM-Based PVC@SiO2 nanosensors were examined by the QCM technique. The sensitivity of designed nanosensors was evaluated at constant concentration of MB (10 mg/L) at different pHs (2, 7 and 11) and temperatures (20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C). From the experimental, the best concentration of PVC@SiO2 was 3% for adsorbed 9.99 mg of cationic methylene blue at pH 11 and temperature 20 °C in only 5.6 min.

The efficiency of application of bacterial and humic preparations to enhance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plant productivity in the arid regions of Egypt

Lower nitrogen use efficiency is major crop productivity limiting factor in semi-arid regions due to its poor organic contents in the soil; our research work is considered to optimize crop productivity by soil and plant chem-biological correction. This study designed and aimed to use soil inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria of the genus Azospirillum and foiler application by humic preparations ALCRI-CropHelp and ALCRI-CropHelp-M compared with control and NPK fertilizer under wheat plants in arid regions of Egypt. Experimental data showed that biological correction contributed to a significant increase in wheat yield in the arid regions. The specific results for Azospirillum, ALCRI-CropHelp, and ALCRI-CropHelp-M were significantly increased wheat grain yield on 256, 267, and 278 % relative to the control, respectively. Simultaneously, water use efficiency has increased by more than 2.5 times, compared with control and NPK treatments. This effect was achieved due to multiple effects on the metabolism of agricultural plants, and applications of ALCRI-CropHelp and ALCRI-CropHelp-M treatments revealed an increase in the biological yield, spike length, harvest index compared with control and NPK treatments. In conclusion, this study has shown that the ALCRI-CropHelp Az and ALCRI-CropHelp-M foliar applications significantly (P < 0.05) increased grain yield status, N, P, and K in plants, plant growth rate, and plant productivity under growing wheat plant in arid regions. We recommended these treatments for the enhancement of wheat plant productivity in arid regions.

Genetic profiling of CAH Egyptian children: rapid guide to clinical interpretation of common mutations

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of CAH in Egypt is reported to be ten times more than that of the worldwide prevalence. The study aimed at genetic screening of children diagnosed with 21-alpha hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21OHD-CAH). In addition, the study offers a rapid and easy guide for clinical reporting of common mutations for endocrinologists.

METHODS

A cohort of 174 unrelated Egyptian children with 21OHD-CAH were screened for 11 common CYP21A2 gene mutations using a strip hybridization assay, and then, bioinformatics analysis was done to report the pathogenicity of the common mutations for clinical classification.

RESULTS

The most common mutations were I2 splice and p.Q318X. Deletions/conversions comprised 45.9% of the cohort, whereas 7.4% of the cases were negative for all mutations. The least positively detected point mutations were p.P453S, cluster E6, p.R483P, and p.L307FS, which were detected in fewer than 5% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Strip hybridization assay is a rapid screening tool for the diagnosis of CAH. The authors hypothesized an easy and rapid scheme for clinical interpretation of the strip results to gain the highest value of the strip in diagnosis.

Pesticidal activity of certain plant extracts and their isolates against the cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

Different extracts from seven plant species were assayed against the cowpea beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) in the laboratory. The plants were extracted sequentially with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl alcohol. The petroleum ether extract of each was fractionated into sap and unsap, then identified by GC chromatography. Also compounds isolated from chloroform and alcohol extracts of Citrullus colocynthis and petroleum ether extract of Nicandra physaloides were tested for their toxicity against the adult beetle. The sensitivity of the adults to various crude extracts revealed great variation in effectiveness. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of Nicandra physaloides proved to be the most toxic in comparison to other extracts tested, while petroleum ether extracts of Curcuma longa proved to be the least effective. All the fatty acid fractions of the seven plant species were toxic to the adult beetles at the tested concentrations. N. physaloides, Schinus terebinthifolius and Dodonaea viscosa resulted in 100% mortality of adults at the highest concentration tested (1.0%). Using 1.0% unsap fraction of Dodonaea viscosa resulted in 100% mortality between the adults. The least percentage mortality between the adult beetles recorded (22%) was for unsap fraction of T. orientalis at concentration of 0.0625% but increased to 80.0% mortality at concentration of 1.0%. The compounds isolated from chloroform and alcohol extracts of C. colocynthis and petroleum ether extract of N. physaloides proved to be highly efficient against C. maculatus adults.

High frequency of splice site mutation in 21-hydroxylase deficiency children

PURPOSE

Steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is the common type of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by defects in the CYP21A2 gene, as an autosomal recessive disease, genetic analysis has a prominent role in its diagnosis. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of common mutations in a group of Egyptian patients with 21-OHD and their families using rapid methods, and also to detect the rate of deletion, duplication and conversions in CYP21A2 gene.

METHODS

Rapid detection methods were used: allele-specific PCR for c.293-13A>G (g.659A>G), c.518T>A (p.I172N) variants and c.332_339del (8-bp deletion in exon 3), and real-time, quantitative PCR assay was used to detect deletion in the CYP21A2 gene. 29 Egyptian patients, 38 family members, and 20 healthy controls were all included in the study.

RESULTS

The frequency of c.293-13A>G splice mutation was reported in 96.6 % cases, G allele had 2.5-folds higher risk to develop CAH than other alleles. The c.518T>A mutation was reported in 69 % cases, children carrying the mutant allele were 2.1 times more risk. The most frequent combined mutations detected were c.293-13A/C>G/c.518T>A in 58.6 % cases.

CONCLUSION

The genetic analysis of the splice site mutation c.293-13A>G and c.518T>A variant can be used as good biomarkers for early detection of cases and carriers in 21-OHD CAH Egyptian children, since the methods used have rapid turnaround time.

A study of the phase transition of reheated diphenyl carbazide (DPC) by using UV spectroscopy

Phase transition phenomenon in reheated diphenyl carbazide (DPC) is studied here using UV spectroscopy. The optical band gap for reheated DPC is obtained by measuring the optical diffused reflectance (DR) and equals to 3.55 eV. Also, the optical band gap is calculated using UV technique and equals to 3.548 eV. The absorbance of reheated DPC is studied at some selected temperatures in order to check the presence of phase transitions at 90°C and 125°C. According to the present work, the band gaps are calculated at 80°C, 110°C and 130°C and equal to 3.548 eV. But at 100°C, the optical band gap has changed to 4.139 eV. It was found that each phase of reheated DPC belongs to a certain definite crystal structure. The presence of the phase transitions are checked and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structural properties and morphology of reheated diphenyl carbazide are investigated by SEM. The SEM images are taken at some selected temperatures to confirm the presence of phase transitions.

Diffused reflectance and structure analysis for the nano-matrix (ZnO(1-x)SiO2(x)) system

Optical and structural properties of the investigated matrix ZnO(1-x)SiO2(x) system were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray analysis and UV-VIS-NIR absorption. The structural changes of the studied nano-matrix ZnO(1-x)SiO2(x) with the concentration of nanosilica are checked by X-ray analysis measurement. The crystal structures for ZnO, (ZnO)0.75(SiO2)0.25, (ZnO)0.50(SiO2)0.50 and (ZnO)0.25(SiO2)0.75 and pure SiO2 are hexagonal, monoclinic, tetragonal, orthorhombic and amorphous respectively and detailed crystal parameters are obtained. The electronic properties of ZnO(1-x)SiO2(x) are investigated, where the optical band gaps for the five studied systems are 3.22eV, 3.24eV, 3.27eV, 3.30eV and 4.5eV respectively. It is clear that the band gap increases with increasing SiO2 content. Mixing the ZnO with SiO2 enhance the UV response of these materials which is confirmed by diffused reflectance spectrum used to analyze the UV response of the studied systems.

Total knee arthroplasty with patient-specific instruments improves function and restores limb alignment in patients with extra-articular deformity

BACKGROUND

Restoring function and alignment when treating knee arthritis with a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients who have an extra-articular deformity (EAD) from a malunion or with retained femoral hardware is a challenge. The normal anatomical landmarks are hard to find and difficult to use to obtain correct alignment. The procedure will be further challenged by angular deformity of the femur or tibia. A retrospective study was performed on a case series of patients with EAD or obliteration of the canal treated with patient-specific instruments (PSI).

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective review of 10 patients with multiplanar deformities in which the knee components were aligned with patient-specific instruments was performed. Outcome and alignment were studied.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 3.4years, function improved from preoperative as evidenced by a mean increase in the KS pain score of 53 points, KS function score of 48 points and Oxford Score of 28 points (P<0.05). Flexion improved from 94° +/- 11° to 112° +/- 15° (P<0.05). Limb alignment was restored with a mean Hip-Knee-Ankle angle of 179.3° +/- 1.3° (P<0.05). Maximum outliers were 177° to 181°. An average tourniquet time of 75 +/- 9minutes (range, 62-83min) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of patient-specific instrumentation systems to perform TKA in patients without access to the intramedullary canal because of EAD or fixation devices, improved function and restored limb alignment. Mechanical alignment can easily be obtained with this technique by intra-articular correction of deformities under 20°.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

IR spectroscopic analysis of the new organic silver complex C13H13N4OAg

IR analysis in the frequency range 400-4000 cm(-1) is used here to investigate the changes in different modes of thermally treated new metal complex (diphenyl carbazide silver complex DPCAg, C13H13N4OAg) during the glass transition at 91 °C and the high temperature phase transition at 167 °C. These two phase transitions in this new metal compound are studied here by detecting the changes in some IR spectroscopic parameters (e.g., mode shift, band contour, peak height and peak intensity) during the elevation of temperature. All of the vibrations of DPCAg were found to be due to ionic fundamentals 3311 cm(-1), 3097 cm(-1), 3052 cm(-1), 1677 cm(-1), 1602 cm(-1), 1492 cm(-1), 1306 cm(-1), 1252 cm(-1), 887 cm(-1) and 755 cm(-1). The results obtained can be considered as the first spectroscopic analysis of this new metal complex. These results strongly confirmed that the thermally treated DPCAg transverse a glass transition at 91 °C and a high temperature phase transition at 167 °C. Anomalous spectroscopic changes near the glass transition temperature Tg could be recorded. A temperature dependence of peak intensity of the two modes 810 cm(-1) and 3440 cm(-1) could be observed beyond Tg. Also, the high temperature phase modification at 167 °C showed anomalous change in the spectroscopic parameters before and after the phase transition process. A proposed silver position in the new silver complex DPCAg has been presented.

IR spectroscopic analysis of polymorphism in C13H14N4O

IR analysis is used here to investigate the changes in N-N, N-H, CO modes of thermally treated diphenyl carbazide (DPC) during the variation of temperature from room temperature up to ≈160°C. Polymorphism in DPC compound has been studied here by detecting the changes in some IR spectroscopic parameters (e.g., mode shift, band contour) during the elevation of temperature. Also, DSC, X-ray, NMR and atomic mass spectra are used as confirming tools for what is obtained by IR. All of the vibrations of DPC were found to be due to ionic fundamentals 3311 cm(-1), 3097 cm(-1), 3052 cm(-1), 1677 cm(-1), 1602 cm(-1), 1492 cm(-1), 1306 cm(-1), 1252 cm(-1), 887 cm(-1) and 755 cm(-1). The results revealed for the first time that the thermally treated DPC traverse four different phase transformations at 50°C, 90°C, 125°C and 140°C. The crystal structure was found to be amorphous, monoclinic, tetragonal, orthorhombic and amorphous within a temperature range (30°C-160°C). X-ray diffraction patterns support the results obtained by IR and DSC.

Small-Signal Performance and Modeling of sub-50nm nMOSFETs with f above 460-GHz

We have fabricated and tested the performance of sub-50nm gate nMOSFETs to assess their suitability for mixed signal applications in the super high frequency (SHF) band, i.e. 3-30GHz. For a 30nm×40 μm×2 device, we found f(T) =465GHz at V(ds)=2V, V(g)=0.67V, which is the highest cut-off frequency reported for a MOSFET produced on bulk silicon substrate so far. However, our measurements of f(max) and noise figure indicate that parasitics impose limitations on SHF operation. We also present a high-frequency ac model appropriate to sub-50nm gate length nanotransistors, which incorporates the effects of the parasitics. The model accurately accounts for measurements of the S and Y parameters in the frequency range from 1 to 50GHz.

A dynamic tactile map as a tool for space organization perception: application to the design of an electronic travel aid for visually impaired and blind people

This paper addresses a new concept of visuotactile human-machine interface for a certain representation of the peripersonnal space, especially useful for visually impaired and blind people navigation. The proposed space representation have been successfully implemented on a tactile device and validated via series of experiments involving naive blindfolded sighted people. Results show that is possible to interact with the space via the proposed tactile representation.

Space cognitive map as a tool for navigation for visually impaired

Human navigation is based on space mental representations built from several sensory data. This paper investigates the interaction between the visual and tactile modalities during navigation within the experimental platform "perception-movement". A new space representation for navigation and its visual-to-tactile coding are proposed. Four experiments have validated this new coding through some basic navigation tasks. Results obtained show that it is possible to integrate the proposed space representation into a portable navigation tool which could be useful for navigation assistance of the blind/visual impaired.

[Test schemes for evaluation of the effect of a probiotic feed additive on the gut microflora of young calves and newly hatched turkeys]

Probiotic feed additives have to undergo a strict assessment according to EU regula-tions, including the evaluation of the influence on the gut microflora of the host animal. A probiotic strain of the genus Enterococcus faecium and two different host animal species, young calves and newly hatched turkeys, were chosen as a test model for the establishment of schemes for feeding trials. Investigations included faeces samples and pooled swab samples of faeces as well as samples from gut sections derived from diagnostic slaughtering. The samples were tested for aerobic total count, for enterococci count and for Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli. The test schemes were appropriate for the evaluation of the influence of the probiotic feed additive on the physiological gut microflora of the host animals. Additional information could be gathered concerning safety aspects and effectiveness.

Reconstructive surgery in spinal tumours

AIMS

This study reports 21 patients who underwent reconstructive surgery for destructive spinal tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mean age was 49 years (range: 39-71 years). Primary lesions were met in two cases. Secondary spinal tumours were diagnosed in 19 cases. Thirteen were breast carcinoma metastases (61.9%). The cervical spine was involved in four cases, thoracic spine in six cases, and the lumbar spine in 11 cases. One patient underwent decompression laminectomy and posterior pedicle screw stabilization. The others underwent tumour tissue excision, with spinal reconstruction with autogenous bone grafting, with or without vertebral body replacement prosthesis. Anterior and posterior stabilization of the vertebral column was also used.

RESULTS

The objectives of surgery were achieved, in that early ambulation, easier nursing care, pain relief and neurological recovery were reported in all cases. No surgery-related complications were encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend surgical intervention for such lesions where reasonable longevity is anticipated.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptians with and without a history of hepatitis B virus infection: association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection but not with (HCV) RNA level

The aim of this study was to analyze the association of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Egypt, using hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) as virus controls. In addition, the association of HCC with HCV RNA levels among persons seropositive for HCV was analyzed. We compared 131 patients with proven HCC, 247 with bladder cancer, and 466 healthy hospital employees. Age, sex, and place of residence were recorded to study confounding factors. Among the healthy controls, 16% were seropositive for HCV, 21% for HBV, and 31% for HEV. When healthy controls were age-matched with HCC patients, the latter were significantly (P < 0.001) more often HCV seropositive (67%) than were the controls (30%). The seropositivity for HBV and HEV did not differ significantly in frequency between the two groups. The seropositivity for HCV was also significantly (P < 0.001) more often found in HCC patients (76%) than in BC patients (47%), with seroprevalences for HBV and HEV not differing significantly in these age-matched groups. In HBV-negative HCC and bladder cancer patients, seroprevalence for HCV was significantly (P = 0.002) higher in HCC patients (68%) than in bladder cancer patients (36%). This difference was even more pronounced (P < 0.001) in HBV-positive HCC and bladder cancer patients (78% versus 52%, respectively). Of HCV-seropositive individuals, 49% were HCV RNA positive by branched DNA assay, and of these, 96% were infected by HCV genotype 4. No correlation between HCV RNA load and seropositivity of HBV or age or disease state was found. Infection with HCV and HCV-HBV double infection, but not HBV or HEV infection alone, is strongly correlated with HCC in Egypt.

Human Prop-1: cloning, mapping, genomic structure. Mutations in familial combined pituitary hormone deficiency

Prop-1 is a newly isolated pituitary-specific paired-like homeodomain transcription factor whose cDNA sequence is well known in mouse. To study its involvement in human combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), we have isolated the human cDNA ortholog and determined the exon/intron organization and chromosomal localization of the human gene. A Prop-1 defect was characterized in three CPHD families. One missense mutation (R73C) involves a residue conserved in 95% of the more than 400 homeodomain proteins so far identified; in vitro splicing assays demonstrated the functional importance of the second defect, whereas the remaining mutation is a frameshift. Given the disease phenotype documented in the patients, these data, which will facilitate molecular investigations in other patients, demonstrate the crucial role of Prop-1 in the proper development of somatotrophs, lactotrophs, thyreotrophs and gonadotrophs.

Colon carcinoma cells switch their response to transforming growth factor beta 1 with tumor progression

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) switches from an inhibitor of tumor cell growth to a stimulator of growth and invasion during human colon carcinoma progression. We originally observed that metastatic colon carcinoma cells in primary culture responded to TGF-beta 1 by proliferation, whereas moderate to well-differentiated primary site colon carcinomas were growth inhibited by TGF-beta 1 (P. Schroy et al., Cancer Res., 50: 261-265, 1990). We then cloned several colon carcinoma cell lines which modeled these responses to TGF-beta 1 and expressed TGF-beta 1 (M. M. Hafez et al., Cell Growth & Differ., 1: 617-626, 1990; 3: 753-762, 1992). Two of these colon carcinoma cell lines, U9 and HD3, which activate approximately equal amounts of TGF-beta 1 and express equal amounts of TGF-beta receptors, are now used to compare the effects of TGF-beta 1 in modulating invasive behavior. The U9 cell line exhibits autocrine-positive growth regulation in vitro by TGF-beta 1, whereas the HD3 cell line shows the opposite response, autocrine-negative regulation. Blocking endogenous TGF-beta 1 with isotype-specific antibody inhibited U9 cell growth because autocrine TGF-beta 1 acts as a mitogen for U9 cells. In contrast, antibody to TGF-beta 1 stimulated HD3 cell proliferation because autocrine TGF-beta 1 inhibits growth of these cells. U9 cells were 13-fold more invasive in vitro through a collagen I layer than HD3 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)