Design and application of metal organic frameworks for heavy metals adsorption in water: a review

The growing apprehension surrounding heavy metal pollution in both environmental and industrial contexts has spurred extensive research into adsorption materials aimed at efficient remediation. Among these materials, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have risen as versatile and promising contenders due to their adjustable properties, expansive surface areas, and sustainable characteristics, compared to traditional options like activated carbon and zeolites. This exhaustive review delves into the synthesis techniques, structural diversity, and adsorption capabilities of MOFs for the effective removal of heavy metals. The article explores the evolution of MOF design and fabrication methods, highlighting pivotal parameters influencing their adsorption performance, such as pore size, surface area, and the presence of functional groups. In this perspective review, a thorough analysis of various MOFs is presented, emphasizing the crucial role of ligands and metal nodes in adapting MOF properties for heavy metal removal. Moreover, the review delves into recent advancements in MOF-based composites and hybrid materials, shedding light on their heightened adsorption capacities, recyclability, and potential for regeneration. Challenges for optimization, regeneration efficiency and minimizing costs for large-scale applications are discussed.

Bismuth tungstate Bi2WO6: a review on structural, photophysical and photocatalytic properties

This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the recent trends in bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆) research, covering its structural, electrical, photoluminescent, and photocatalytic properties. The structural characteristics of bismuth tungstate are explored in detail, including its different allotropic crystal structures with respect to its isotypic materials. The electrical properties of bismuth tungstate, such as its conductivity and electron mobility, are also discussed, along with its photoluminescent properties. The photocatalytic activity of bismuth tungstate is a particular focus, with recent advances in doping and co-doping strategies with metals, rare earth and other elements summarized. The limitations and challenges of using bismuth tungstate as a photocatalyst are also examined, such as its low quantum efficiency and susceptibility to photodegradation. Finally, recommendations for future research directions are provided, including the need for further studies on the underlying mechanisms of photocatalytic activity, the development of more efficient and stable bismuth tungstate-based photocatalysts, and the exploration of new applications in fields such as water treatment and energy conversion.

Low-temperature synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties of lanthanum vanadate LaVO4

In this study, we have successfully prepared tetragonal lanthanum vanadate LaVO₄ nanoparticles by a facile co-precipitation method at room temperature. The obtained materials were characterized using different structural and micro-structural techniques such as the characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectrometry. The obtained structure is crystallized in single tetragonal phase with pin-like nanostructure. A main optical transition with bandgap energy of 3.26 eV is evidenced, and the average lifetime of charges carriers was found to be 1 ns Furthermore, the photoluminescence occurs in the visible light range. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) with initial concentration of 10 mg L^-1. The result indicates that LaVO₄ particles showed a best photocatalytic activity of 98.2% degradation for methylene blue solution after irradiation of 90 min under visible light. Furthermore, the photocatalytic mechanism and reusability were studied.

A comprehensive review on yogurt syneresis: effect of processing conditions and added additives

Yogurt, produced by the lactic fermentation of milk base, is an important dairy product worldwide. One of the essential sensory properties of yogurt is the texture, and some textural defects such as weak gel firmness and syneresis likely occur in various types of yogurts, affecting consumer acceptance. In this regard, various strategies such as enrichment of milk-based with different additives and ingredients such as protein-based components (skimmed milk powder (SMP), whey protein-based powders (WP), casein-based powders (CP), and suitable stabilizers, as well as modification of processing conditions (homogenization, fermentation, and cooling), can be applied in order to reduce syneresis. The most effective proteins and stabilizers in syneresis reduction are CP and gelatin, respectively. Furthermore, yogurt's water holding capacity and syneresis can be affected by the type of starter cultures, the protolithic activity, production of extracellular polysaccharides, and inoculation rate. Moreover, optimizing the heat treatment process (85 °C/30 min and 95 °C/5 min), homogenization (single or dual-stage), incubation temperature (around 40 °C), and two-step cooling process can decrease yogurt syneresis. This review is aimed to investigate the effect of fortification of the milk base with various additives and optimization of process conditions on improving texture and preventing syneresis in yogurt.

Harmful compounds of soy milk: characterization and reduction strategies

Soymilk is a plant based product which is a rich source of nutrients. However, various harmful compounds including allergens, anti-nutritional factors, and biogenic amines (BAs) exist in soybeans that may be transferred into soymilk. These compounds cause difficulties for consumers from mild to severe symptoms. Soymilk production is considered as a critical step in quantity of harmful compounds in final product. Common steps in soy milk manufacturing include soaking, grinding, and heating process. Allergens contents could be decreased by heating alone or in combination with structural modifiers and fermentation. BAs could be reduced by optimizing fermentation process and using suitable strains, especially BAs degradable types. Soaking, grinding and heating of soybeans in water are considered as effective methods for inactivation of antinutritional factors. Isoflavones are soy phytochemicals, which potentially leads to breast cancer in some women, can be converted to less bioavailable forms during processing. Other treatments such as high hydrostatic pressure and irradiation are also effective in harmful compounds reduction. Combination of the processes is more effective in harmful compounds removal. Considering the increasing trends in soymilk consumption, this review is focused on introduction of harmful compounds in soymilk and investigating the effects of processing condition on their concentration.

Technological characteristics of sodium reduced wheat bread: Effects of fermentation type and partial replacement of salt with potassium chloride

Rheological, physicochemical, textural, and sensory characteristics of wheat bread prepared by potassium chloride (KCl) substitution of sodium chloride (NaCl) at different ratio (0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50) in the presence of two different fermentation types (Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast starter (YSF) and mixed fermentation based on sourdough (MFSD)) were investigated. Considering the results obtained at this study, the technological characteristics change through KCl substitution ratio which depends on the type of fermentation. In other words, the enhanced activity of microflora in MFSD‐fermented samples and decreased activity of yeast in YSF‐fermented ones have been found by increasing the ratio of KCl incorporation level. Despite the increased activity of starter microflora in MFSD‐fermented samples through increasing the KCl incorporation level, the lowest specific volume (p < .05) is found in SD50 (containing 50%w/w KCl in the presence of MFSD) with a quantity equal to 1.71 ± 0.47 cm³/g confirming its inability to restore gases. No significant difference has been found in KCl substitution levels up to 20%w/w in YSF‐fermented samples (Y20) with control (p ≥ .05). The lowest crumb lightness (L*) (65.27 ± 0.12), highest cohesiveness (1.31 ± 0.07 mm), and springiness (0.76 ± 0.01) is also found in Y20. Considering sensory characteristics perception, no significant difference has been found in textural characteristics perception of Y10 and Y20 containing KCl at 10%w/w and 20% w/w, respectively, in the presence of YSF with control sample (Y). The overall acceptability is also found to be more influenced by texture perception(r = 0.827, p < .00).

Acrylamide in bread: a review on formation, health risk assessment, and determination by analytical techniques

Acrylamide is a water-soluble toxicant found in high-protein and carbohydrate-containing foods exposed to high temperature like bread as the staple foodstuff. This toxicant is mainly formed via Maillard reaction. The potential adverse effects of acrylamide especially possible carcinogenicity in human through dietary exposure necessitate its monitoring. Regarding the existence of its precursors in wheat bread formulation as well as extreme consumption of bread by most population and diversity of bread types, its acrylamide level needs to be investigated. The indicative value for acrylamide in wheat bread is set at 80 μg/kg. Consequently, its determination using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), or capillary electrophoresis can be helpful considering both the risk assessment and quality control aspects. In this respect, methods based on LC-MS/MS show good recovery and within laboratory repeatability with a limit of detection of 3-20 μg/kg and limit of quantification of 10-50 μg/kg which is suitable for the immediate requirements for food product monitoring and calculation of consumer exposure.

Vitamin D status in preschool children in Algeria

It is well established today that an optimal vitamin D intake plays a crucial role in the constitution of optimal osseous mass during childhood, and hence in the prevention of the osteoporosis in adults. The prevalence of the vitamin D deficiency is increasing globally and Algeria is no exception in this regard. Our study is the first to be carried out with healthy children of preschool age in North Africa.

AIMS

The study aimed to evaluate the vitamin D status of a pediatric population, during all four seasons of the year, living in the north of Algeria, as well as to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, identifying the potential risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was an analytic and cross-sectional study carried out between March 2014 and March 2016 with healthy preschool infants from an urban environment in the town of Hussein Dey. A total of 1016 infants aged 9-72 months were included during this period. The consensual threshold value was 20ng/mL.

RESULTS

The sex ratio was of 1.47 (535 boys/481 girls) and the average age of the children was 36.5±1.79 months. The daily average calcium ratio was 395±23 mg/with food contributions in vitamin D at an estimated average of 164 UI/day (4.1μg/day). The average concentration of the total 25-OHD for all four seasons of the year was 18.6±10.4ng/mL with an average rate of parathyroid hormone (PTH) of 30.9±14.6pg/mL. There was a highly significant inverse correlation between the serum level of vitamin D and PTH (r=-0.57; P=0.0001), the point of inflection was situated at 34.1ng/mL. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency follows a seasonal variation that is statistically significant (P=0.0001), and the prevalence is higher during the autumn-winter period. The risk factors identified by multiple logistic regression were autumn-winter season (OR: 7; 95% CI: 3-11; P=0.001), age less than 24 months (OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 3.4-4.4; P=0.0001), high body mass index (OR: 2; 95% CI: 1.2-3.2; P=0.3), darker skin pigmentation (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 2.2-5.2; P=0.001), duration of sunlight exposure less than 15min (OR: 6.1; 95% CI: 3.6-10.2; P=0.0001), low socioeconomic status (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.5-4.3; P=0.01), calcium intake lower than 500 mg/day (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.8-6; P=0.001), and a weekly dietary intake of vitamin D lower than 200 UI (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.6-4.2; P=0.02).

DISCUSSION

No studies have been conducted in north Africa or Algeria concerning healthy preschool children; however, this population has a rapid growth rate and deserves special attention. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the children of this study was higher than that reported in studies of children of the same age living in Europe or America, despite the fact that Algeria is closer to the equator (36° latitude north).

CONCLUSION

The changes experienced by Algerian society and the shorter exposure of the population to the sun call for more efforts regarding the detection and treatment of vitamin D deficiency, as well as an update of the vitamin D supplementation schedule.

Effective removal of lead (II) using chitosan and microbial adsorbents: Response surface methodology (RSM)

The ability of chitosan (1% w/v), Bifidobacterium longum (10⁸ CFU mL-¹) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (10⁸ CFU mL-¹) separately or in combination (chitosan/B. longum, chitosan/S. cerevisiae, B. longum/S. cerevisiae) was assessed for lead (II) removal from aqueous solutions. The results showed chitosan/B. longum adsorbent had higher adsorption percentage in comparison with other adsorbents (p < 0.05). It was selected as the most efficient adsorbent and the effect of process variables including initial metal concentration (0.01-5 mg L^-1), contact time (5-180 min), temperature (4-37 °C) and pH (3-6) on the its removal efficiency was evaluated with a Box-Behnken design. Twenty-seven test runs were performed and the optimal conditions for metal adsorption was observed at metal concentration of 2.5 mg L^-1, contact time of 180 min, temperature of 37 °C and pH 4.5. The maximum lead (II) adsorption yield under optimal conditions was 97.6%. The foreign ions didn't diminish lead (II) adsorption by chitosan/B. longum and it had high selectivity toward the lead (II). Adsorption behavior was analyzed using the Freundlich and the Langmuir isotherms. The correlation coefficients (R²) demonstrated the Langmuir model had a better description on metal adsorption process. Overall, isotherms revealed chemisorption and physisorption were probably involved in metal adsorption on adsorbent.

Sociodemographic and behavioural determinants of early childhood caries knowledge among expectant mothers in Kuwait

PURPOSE

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent disease in Kuwait. It poses health, economic, and social implications affecting patients, their families and communities. ECC awareness campaigns targeting expectant mothers hold a promising potential as primary prevention tools. Understanding the baseline of ECC knowledge (ECC-K) is an important foundational step in planning such interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the level of ECC-K in a sample of expectant mothers, and to identify the sociodemographic and behavioural determinants of that knowledge.

METHODS

A multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed to 430 expectant women from one maternity hospital in Kuwait. The questionnaire gathered information on the demographics, ECC-K, and the oral health behaviours of the participants. Bivariate analysis assessed the relationship between ECC-K scores and the different socio-demographic variables and oral health practices of the participants. A multiple linear regression model was developed to identify the predictors of ECC-K scores RESULTS: The response rate was 94% (n = 405). The mean ECC-K score was 6.4 [standard deviation (SD) = 2.5] out of a maximum score of 14. Age, education, number of children, frequency of dental visits, and flossing frequency were significantly associated with ECC-K levels (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ECC-K among this cohort of expectant mothers was inadequate. Educational interventions are needed to foster better ECC preventive practices.

Chitosan-Coated Alginate Microcapsules Loaded with Herbal galactagogue Extract: Formulation Optimization and Characterization

Many herbs and spices have been recommended traditionally as galactagogues and several commercial formulations prepared using herbs. Due to the presence of various compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones, and terpenes, bitter and stringent taste is elicited that make the consumption of these herbal preparations unpleasant. Moreover, these compounds are unstable when exposed to environmental conditions. In this regard, different approaches are used for taste masking such as microencapsulation. In the present study, microcapsules containing herbal galactagogue extract were developed through emulsification/external gelation and Box-Behnken design was used to investigate the effects of independent variables (sodium alginate: 1-1.5%, calcium chloride: 0.2-1% and extract concentrations: 1-5%) on encapsulation efficiency (EE%). Following evaluation of the model, the optimum condition of encapsulation process was selected as 1.49% sodium alginate, 0.84 CaCl₂, and 1.58% extract with EE% of 77.97%. Microcapsules had an acceptable spherical morphology and the results of Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of the extract within the microcapsules. The mean diameters of the uncoated and chitosan-coated microcapsules were 52 and 123 μm and encapsulation yield was 50.21 and 69.7%, respectively. The polydispersity index of 0.45 and 0.48 were an indicative of polydisperse nature of the microcapsules. The loss of flavonoids in microcapsules stored at two different temperatures was insignificant. The in-vitro release in simulated gastric fluid (SGF; pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF; pH 7.4) were 48.1% and 80.11%, respectively during 24 h. The prepared extract-loaded microcapsules have potential to be used in matrices with neutral pH.

Microencapsulation of microbial canthaxanthin with alginate and high methoxyl pectin and evaluation the release properties in neutral and acidic condition

Canthaxanthin (CX) is an orange-red keto-carotenoid with high antioxidant activity. This functional pigment is sensitive to oxygen, light, pH and heat. In this study, CX was produced by the Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 and was encapsulated in Alginate (Alg) and Alg-high methoxyl pectin (HMP) through O/W/O multiple emulsion/external gelation method to developed resistant microparticles among acidic and neutral pHs. Results showed that initial CX concentration had a significant influence on total CX (TCX), surface CX (SCX), microencapsulation efficiency (EE) and particles size. The highest EE% for Alg (60.21 ± 0.18) and Alg-HMP (70.60 ± 0.68) were obtained with CX initial concentration of 11 and 18 μg/mg, respectively. Alg microparticles showed smaller size compare to Alg-HMP microcapsules. Presence of CX in microparticles and good antioxidant activity was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and DPPH assay, respectively. CX in vitro release was 66% and 49% in acidic condition and 76% and 50% in neutral condition for Alg and Alg-HMP, respectively. Thus, Alg-HMP-CX₁₈ microparticles were selected to be used in both neutral and acidic foods such as milk and fermented milks products as an antioxidant and a colorant agent.

A facile one step route to synthesize WO3 nanoplatelets for CO oxidation and photodegradation of RhB: microstructural, optical and electrical studies

Two-dimensional nanoplatelets of WO₃ were synthesized at room temperature. The large exposed (020) facets of the nanoplatelets show a high catalytic activities, for CO conversion and for photodegradation of organic pollutant.

Structural, vibrational study and UV photoluminescence properties of the system Bi(2−x)Lu(x)WO6 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 1)

This study on bismuth lutetium tungstates presents, for the first time, correlations between structure, vibrational and photoluminescence properties in the case of solid solutions Bi_2−xLuxWO₆. The origin of luminescence signals under UV excitation is discussed.

Quality of working life on residents working in hospitals

BACKGROUND

Residents play an important role in the delivery of hospital care. They regularly work overnight, in emergency situations and with workload and stress which can affect their performance and quality of working life (QWL). This study explores the QWL and its contributory factors in residents working at hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

Medline was searched to identify questionnaires for measuring QWL in healthcare professionals and these questionnaires were used to design a comprehensive questionnaire for measuring residents QWL. Face and content validity of the questionnaire were examined by 7 experts. The questionnaire then was completed twice with one-week interval by 14 residents to assess the intera-rater reliability. Then 310 questionnaires were distributed among residents working at different specialties in 7 hospitals affiliated to TUMS including a large general hospital, two medium general hospitals and four small single specialty hospitals. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS.

RESULTS

Totally, 263 residents (84%) completed the questionnaire. The quality of working life was very well in 18%, well in 32%, moderate in 31%, low in 14% and very low in 5% of residents. Pediatric residents had the highest and urology and internal medicine residents had the lowest quality of working life.

CONCLUSION

The QWL is high in the majority of residents, but the QWL is still not desirable in a significant proportion of them. The questionnaire used in this study is reliable and valid. The residents' QWL still need improvement.

The Effect of Service Quality on Patient loyalty: a Study of Private Hospitals in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND

Service quality is perceived as an important factor for developing patient's loyalty. The aim of this study was to determine the hospital service quality from the patients' viewpoints and the relative importance of quality dimensions in predicting the patient's loyalty.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010. The study sample was composed of 943 patients selected from eight private general hospitals in Tehran. The survey instrument was a questionnaire included 24 items about the service quality and 3 items about the patient's loyalty. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to extracting the dimensions of service quality. Also, regression analysis was performed to determining the relative importance of the service quality dimensions in predicting the patient's loyalty.

RESULT

The mean score of service quality and patient's loyalty was 3.99 and 4.16 out of 5, respectively. About 29% of the loyalty variance was explained by the service quality dimensions. Four quality dimensions (Costing, Process Quality, Interaction Quality and Environment Quality) were found to be key determinants of the patient's loyalty in the private hospitals of Tehran.

CONCLUSION

The patients' experience in relation to the private hospitals' services has strong impact on the outcome variables like willingness to return to the same hospital and reuse its services or recommend them to others. The relationship between the service quality and patient's loyalty proves the strategic importance of improving the service quality for dragging and retaining patients and expanding the market share.

The Psychometric Properties of the Farsi Version of "Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture" In Iran's Hospitals

BACKGROUND

If you want to start a long journey towards patient safety, you should create a good culture of patient safety among employees alongside structural interventions. The first step in doing so is the assessment of current culture in the organization using different tools. One of the most commonly used instruments of measuring patient safety culture is Hospital Survey of Patient Safety culture (HSOPS). The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of Farsi version of this questionnaire for the first time in Iran's hospitals.

METHODS

We purposefully selected four hospitals out of seven general Tehran University of Medical Sciences affiliated hospitals. Then a 420 sample of staff of these hospitals were taken randomly. Staff was asked to complete the questionnaire. Confirmative factor analysis, correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha were employed in statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Factor loadings for almost all questions were acceptable. Factors jointly explained 77.8% of the variance in the responses. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was between 0.57 and 0.8. The study revealed that over 70% of employees were working at their hospitals more than 40 hours a week and also more than half of the employees were not reporting errors.

CONCLUSION

Farsi version of HSOPS with 12 dimensions and 42 questions is a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure patient safety culture for the first time in Iran hospitals. This tool will be helpful in tracking improvements and in heightening awareness on patient safety culture in Iran.

Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of trachea with subcutaneous emphysema and progressive dyspnea

Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the trachea is a rare tumor. Common complaints are dyspnea and cough that could mimic a partially refractory asthma in some cases. We report a 16-year-old female with an anaplastic large cell lymphoma (null cell type) in which tracheal involvement was presented with life-threatening airway obstruction and subcutaneous emphysema. After debulking the tumor by endobronchial curettage, the patient was treated with chemotherapy followed by local radiotherapy. She had no evidence of local or distant recurrence after 25 months. Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the trachea is a rare life-threatening disease. Nevertheless, this condition has a good prognosis if diagnosed immediately and treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Patients' length of stay in women hospital and its associated clinical and non-clinical factors, tehran, iran

BACKGROUND

Length of Stay (LOS) is an appropriate hospital indicator to evaluate hospital resource utilization rate, efficiency, and quality of services delivered. In this survey, we aimed to study hospital LOS and determine its association with clinical and non-clinical factors in Women Hospital in Tehran.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we reviewed all 3421 charts of patients admitted in Oncology, Surgery and Obstetrics units in 2008. We used a data collection sheet and conducted interviews to collect the following data: distance from living area, medical insurance coverage types, admission and discharge months, days and times, inpatient units, final diagnoses and the number of diagnostic tests.

RESULTS

The overall median of the LOS in the studied hospital was 50.8 hours. The medians were 48.5, 54.4, and 94.2 hours in the Obstetrics, Surgical and Oncology units, respectively. Results showed that the associated factors with the LOS were patient admissions on Thursdays, admitting by residents, the number of performed diagnostic tests (p<0.001), suffering from neoplastic diseases (p=0.005) and spouse jobs.

CONCLUSION

Among the associated factors, policy makers and managers can only change the admission days and the number of diagnostic tests to decrease the LOS. Further researches are needed to find other factors associated with LOS.

Incidence rate of ovarian cancer in Iran in comparison with developed countries

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies. The present study was designed to compare age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of ovarian cancer in Iran with that in Australia and some other developed countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the Cancer Registry Program of Iran, as a base, were compared with the cancer registry reports of surveillance, epidemiology and end results program in the USA, considering the population of the USA in the year 2000 as the standard population.

RESULTS

In all the age groups, ASR of ovarian cancer was much lower in Iran. Overall rates of ovarian cancer in Iran and the USA were 3.9 and 16.2 per 100,000, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Age-standardized ovarian cancer rate in Iran was much lower in comparison with high incidence areas in the world. Encouraging oral contraceptive use and reduction in fat intake may be effective in decreasing the rate of ovarian cancer or keeping its rate constant in Iran.

Eight years of lung transplantation: experience of the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases

BACKGROUND

Lung transplantation has evolved from an experimental procedure to a viable therapeutic option in many countries. In Iran, the first single-lung transplantation was performed in the year 2000, more than 3 decades after the first successful procedure in the world, and the first double-lung transplantation was performed in the year 2006.

OBJECTIVE

To describe our 8-year experience in lung transplantation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During 8 years, we performed 24 lung transplantation procedures. Underlying lung diseases were pulmonary fibrosis in 16 patients (66.6%); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2 (8.3%); bronchiectasis in 5, including 2 patients with cystic fibrosis (20.8%), and alveolar microlithiasis in 1 (4.16%). Data for all patients were collected and analyzed. Procedures were carried out using standardized methods. The induction suppression regimen consisted of cyclosporine and methylprednisolone. Maintenance immunosuppression drugs were cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil, and tapering dosage of prednisolone. Patients were followed up with physical examinations, 3 times a week, as well as and cycle ergometry 3 times a week and spirometry and laboratory tests once a week and chest radiography per needed for up to 3 months posttransplantation.

RESULTS

The longest survival time was 7.2 years, in a 60-year-old patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Fourteen patients died, 8 as a result of hemodynamic instability and/or hemorrhage, 1 as a result of bone and fat emboli, 3 after cessation of drug and 2 of them after infection.

CONCLUSION

Although lung transplantation is a complex procedure it can be performed in developing countries such as Iran.

Comparison between Intravenous and Intramuscular Administration of Prostaglandin E2 on Management of Missed Abortion

BACKGROUND

To compare the efficacy of two routes of prostaglandin E2 administration (Intravenous and Intramuscular) for treatment of missed abortion this study was conducted. Regarding the pilot cases of missed abortion admitted for termination of pregnancy intravenous administration of PGE2 that had higher efficacy compare to intramuscular route, investigators designed this study.

METHODS

In a randomized clinical trail, 50 women with confirmed missed abortion received 250-500 μg prostaglandins E2 either intravenously or intramuscularly. Evacuation time set from drug injection to complete empting of uterus. Complete uterine evacuation was defined as empting of uterus from pregnancy materials without the need for surgical intervention and partial evacuation defined as incomplete empting of uterus that need further surgical management. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 13. All the data extracted with a checklist and compare by descriptive statistics and X2 and t-tests.

RESULTS

There was no statistically difference between the results of two administration routes. The mean of evacuation time in intravenous administration routes was significantly lower in compare to intramuscular administration routes (P< 0.5). There was no statistically significant difference in the demographic data in two groups.

CONCLUSION

There was no preference between two administration routes except for evacuation time that occurred more rapidly in intravenous administration of PG E2.

Nondestructive room-temperature adsorption of 2,4,6-tri(2'-thienyl)-1,3,5-triazine on a Si-B interface: high-resolution STM imaging and molecular modeling

Organic nanostructures on semiconductors are currently investigated but the surfaces are known to interact strongly with molecules. To reduce the molecule-surface interaction, we used the Si(111)-B square root 3 x square root 3R30 degrees . Deposition of isolated 2,4,6-tri(2'-thienyl)-1,3,5-triazine, was achieved at room temperature without modification of their pi skeleton. This fascinating arrangement, observed by STM, has been validated by full density functional theory computations onto the entire system. The theoretical results give a clear explanation for the specific adsorption sites of molecules on the substrate.

Characterization of single wall carbon nanotubes by means of rare gas adsorption

Based on the formalisms of Langmuir and Fowler, theoretical adsorption isotherms are calculated for different bundle geometries of single wall carbon nanotubes in a triangular lattice. The authors show the dependence of the adsorption properties on the nanotube diameter and on the specific morphology of the bundles they constitute. The authors demonstrate how isotherm curve analysis can help to experimentally determine what kinds of tubes form a given bundle and the ratio of open to closed tubes in a sample having undergone a complete or incomplete opening protocol. In spite of the model's simplicity, quite satisfactory agreement is observed between experiments and the authors' calculations.

[The biochemical diagnosis of Gaucher disease]

Gaucher disease is a disease of overload lyosomale which we often met since a score of years. Since 1980 we had to answer several requests for diagnosis of this metabolic disease. Requests emanating primarily from paediatric services. Twelve cases were confirmed within sight of measurement of the intra-leucocytic activity of the beta-glucocerebrosidase, enzyme intervening in the catabolism of the sphingolipides. We report here our experiment in the biochemical diagnosis of Gaucher disease by showing mainly the variability and the extreme heterogeneity of the activity of the beta-glucosidasic during practised measurements. In addition, we expose the problems of diagnosis etiologic which certain patients raise in front of the discordances between the measured enzymatic activity and clinical signs of the disease of left-handed person. In addition, we develop the biological parameters useful to proportion for the monitoring of the treatment which is finally available in our country.

Influence of molecular adsorption on the dielectric properties of a single wall nanotube: A model sensor

Recent measurements of the resonance frequency of a copper disk covered with carbon nanotube bundles have shown characteristic resonance shifts during exposure with various gas molecules. The shifts were interpreted as the change of the dielectric permittivity of the system forming the sensor due to the electric properties of the adsorbed molecules. Starting from a simplified sensor model formed by one single wall nanotube, we develop a self-consistent approach to describe the variation of the linear dielectric susceptibility of the tube at the atomic scale when molecules are adsorbed at its external surface. The sensitivity of this model sensor is tested as a function of the apolar or polar nature of the admolecules, their adsorption geometry, their concentration, and the characteristics of the tube (length, diameter,...). The comparison with data on dielectric constant changes vs adsorption, coming from measurements of the resonance frequency shifts, displays striking agreement for most of the molecular species considered.