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.

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.

CORAL: Monte Carlo based global QSAR modelling of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors using hybrid descriptors

Global QSAR modelling was performed to predict the pIC₅₀ values of 233 diverse heterocyclic compounds as BTK inhibitors with the Monte Carlo algorithm of CORAL software using the DCW hybrid descriptors extracted from SMILES notations of molecules. The dataset of 233 BTK inhibitors was randomly split into training, invisible training, calibration and validation sets. The index of ideality of correlation was also applied to build and judge the predictability of the QSAR models. Eight global QSAR models based on the hybrid optimal descriptor using two target functions, i.e. TF₁ (W_IIC = 0) and TF₂ (W_IIC = 0.2) have been constructed. The statistical parameters of QSAR models computed by TF₂ are more reliable and robust and were used to predict the pIC₅₀ values. The model constructed for split 4 via TF₂ is regarded as the best model and the numerical values of r²_Train, r²_Valid, Q²_Train and Q²_Valid are equal to 0.7981, 0.7429, 0.7898 and 0.6784, respectively. By internal and external validation techniques, the predictability and reliability of the designed models have been assessed. The structural attributes responsible for the increase and decrease of pIC₅₀ of BTK inhibitors were also identified.

A Monte Carlo method based QSPR model for prediction of reaction rate constants of hydrated electrons with organic contaminants

The Monte Carlo algorithm was applied to formulate a robust quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model to compute the reactions rate constants of hydrated electron values for a data set of 309 water contaminants containing 125 aliphatic and 184 phenyl-based chemicals. The QSPR models were computed with the hybrid optimal descriptors which were procured by combining the SMILES and hydrogen-suppressed molecular graph for both classes of compounds. Approximately 75% of the total experimental data set was randomly divided into training and invisible training sets, while approximately 25% was divided into calibration and validation sets. The authenticity and robustness of the developed QSPR models were also judged by the Index of Ideality of Correlation. In QSPR modelling of aliphatic compounds, the numerical values of r T r a i n i n g 2 , r V a l i d a t i o n 2 , Q T r a i n i n g 2 and Q V a l i d a t i o n 2 were in the range of 0.852-0.905, 0.815-0.894, 0.839-0.897 and 0.737-0.867, respectively. Whereas, in the QSPR modelling of phenyl-based compounds, the numerical values of r T r a i n i n g 2 , r V a l i d a t i o n 2 , Q T r a i n i n g 2 and Q V a l i d a t i o n 2 were in the range of 0.867-0.896, 0.852-0.865, 0.816-0.850 and 0.760-0.762, respectively. The structural attributes, which are promoters of l o g K e a q - increase/decrease are also extracted from the SMILES notation for mechanistic interpretation. These QSPR models can also be applied to compute the reaction rate constants of organic contaminants.

Interrelationship of physical exercise, perceptual discrimination and academic achievement variables in high school students

BACKGROUND

Many studies results suggest how can we improve the academic performance for our kids. The purposes of this study were to examine how physical activity could affect both academic achievement and fluid intelligence in adolescence.

STUDY DESIGN

We measured the three variables (physical, cognitive, academic) and try to find the correlations between them.

METHODS

A total of 167 adolescents (mean age = 16.34 years SD = 1.2) from Morocco are participating in this study. The cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with the20 m endurance shuttle-run test. We also assessed the Resistance capacity with 500m sprint test. The academic achievement was assessed by school grades. The fluid intelligence was assessed by using Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices. We examined the correlation between all variables.

RESULTS

This study indicates that the academic achievement was positively associated with the Fluid Intelligence and also with the Resistance Capacity and not with Cardiorespiratory Fitness (VO2peak).

CONCLUSIONS

We can conclude that the professionals and researchers in sports and education have to promote physical activity at the school age for a public health purpose.

Psychometric properties of the Sexual Adjustment Questionnaire (SAQ) in the Iranian population with spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Sexual Adjustment Questionnaire (SAQ) for Iranian people with spinal cord injury.

SETTING

This study was conducted in the brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

We assessed the psychometric properties of the SAQ, with 200 participants (men=146, women=54) completing the scale. An evaluation of its test-retest reliability was performed over a 2-weeks period, on a subsample of 30 patients recruited from the overall group. Cronbach's α-coefficient was computed for assessment of internal consistency reliability. In addition, content and face validity were examined by an expert committee. Construct validity was assessed by examining convergent and discriminant validity. Finally, exploratory factor analysis was used to extract the factor structure of the questionnaire.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient were 0.77 and 0.72 retrospectively. With regard to construct validity, there was a significant (P=0.009) negative correlation (r=-0.28) between the SAQ score and age. Those with lower levels of educations scored significantly lower on the SAQ (P=0.04). The exploratory factor analysis indicated a four-factor structure for the questionnaire, accounting for 68.9% of the observed variance. The expert committee approved the face and content validity of the developed measure.

CONCLUSION

The SAQ is a valid measure for assessing sexual adjustment in people with spinal cord injury. The evaluation of sexual well-being may be useful in clinical trials and practical settings.

Celiac disease and dysfunctional uterine bleeding; the efficiency of gluten free diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between Celiac disease (CD) and unexplained dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) in celiac women. The celiac patients were selected from women who were referred to celiac department. Controls were selected from those women without any signs of celiac disease and matched with age. Meanwhile, a trained physician was ready to explain the study, and then in case of their allowance, a questionnaire was completed by the physician. 24 % of celiac women reported a past history of at least one menstrual cycle disorder vs 10 % of controls reported these problems (p=0.038) and higher percentage of unexplained DUB has been observed in celiac women. All celiac patients were undertaking gluten free diet for at least 3 months and the celiac patients who reported the history of DUB were again interviewed for any signs of unexplained DUB. From 12 celiac women with DUB, 10 patients reported no more unexplained DUB after getting gluten-free diet (83.3 %). The occurrence of a significant correlation between CD and DUB suggests the possibility of considering CD as one of the potential causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. Therefore, celiac disease must be seriously considered in the screening of patients with reproductive disorders (Tab. 2,Ref. 23).

Study of operated primary and secondary (recurrence) hydatidosis in hospitals of Kermanshah, west of Islamic Republic of Iran

Cystic echinococcosis, caused by the larval stage of Echinoccocus granulosus, is a global public health threat. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of cases of primary and secondary hydatid cyst in the west of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A retrospective record review was made in 7 public and private hospitals in Kermanshah from 2004 to 2009. Of 526 files of suspected cases analysed, 291 cases of hydatid cyst had been operated upon and confirmed. Of the patients, 51.5% were females, 57.7% lived in urban and suburban areas and the largest age group (17.5%) was 31-40 years. The major organs involved were liver (64.9%) and lung (26.8%) and 18 cases (6.2%) were confirmed as secondary hydatidosis. Most patients (79.4%) had been treated with albendazole. Kermanshah province should be considered an endemic region for human hydatid cyst disease; greater efforts in prevention are needed.

Lipoid Proteinosis in two Iranian Sisters: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Lipoid proteinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder which may be seen within a family very occasionally. Herein, we report lipoid proteinosis in two sisters characterized by verrucous lesions and hoarseness of voice, dysphagia and multiple beaded papules along the margins of their eyelids, fissured lips and thick ferenulum.

[Variation of cognitive functions and glycemia during physical exercise in Ramadan fasting]

INTRODUCTION

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset. Several studies have shown that Ramadan fasting affects biochemical parameters, sleep/wake cycle, behaviour and food habits. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting (RF) and physical exercise on cognitive functions, blood glucose.

METHODS

Eleven healthy male volunteers aged 20.45+/-1.65 years were assessed before RF (B.RF), during the 1st week (wk), 3rd wk and 1 wk B.RF, in blood sugar, work memory (WM), visual perception (VP), before exercise (B. Ex) and after exercise (A. Ex) exercise of 1000 m.

RESULTS

Compared to control days (B.RF), there were no significant changes in body mass index. Physical performance declined significantly during 1st wk (p<0.001), 3th wk (p<0.013) and before (p<0.046) of RF. At the level of the glycemia, the results show a significant effect of Ramadan by increasing gradually during Ramadan but nevertheless, the values remain lower of 100mg/dl. No significant change was observed between B. Ex and A. Ex value in WM during RF. However, the WM A. Ex value increase significantly during and after RF (respectively 1st wk (p<0.013), 3rd wk (p<0.005) and before (p<0.003). The VP was significantly affected by fasting effect (F=16.84, p<0.001) and exercise effect (F=14.01, p<0.0001), and was progressively increased 15.56% in the 1st wk, 25.69%, the 3rd wk during RF, and 27.07% A.RF, but no significant change was found in errors performances of VP during and after RF.

CONCLUSION

These results showed that the intermittent fasting imply differently effects on cognitive functions and physiological.

Integrating GIS and fuzzy logic for urban solid waste management (a case study of Sanandaj city, Iran)

The city of Sanandaj with population of 340000 in 2003 produces 714 tons of solid waste per day. Waste dumping is the main method of solid waste disposal during the thirty past years. The conditions show that the present site is quite unsuitable because many principles and criteria for site selection are not considered. So in the near future, the severe environmental impacts will threats the health of Sanandaj's inhabitants. The research attempts to integrate fuzzy logic and GIS with the help of Remote Sensing in selecting the most suitable area for the waste disposal. In this study we georeferenced many data which ranges from physical to socio-economic to monitor the impacts of all different factors. Some of these factors are; distance from the legal limits of the city, distance from main road, airport, main urban utilities, other human settlements, surface water resources, wind direction, population density, gradient, fault line, vegetation cover and geology. The data and information has been integrated and then by using satellite images, three areas in the 20 km of north east of Sanandaj city were identified for the solid waste disposal.

Acute spontaneous infrarenal aortic dissection

An acute spontaneous rupture of an aortic dissection originating in and limited to the infrarenal aorta associated with an infrarenal aortic aneurysm is reported. The diagnosis was made by ultrasonography and computed tomography and was confirmed intraoperatively followed by a successful graft insertion.

[Pleurisy and sarcoidosis. Apropos of 2 cases]

Pleural involvement is uncommon in sarcoidosis, observed in less than 5% of cases. We report two cases. Both patients were women. In the first patient, signs of sarcoidosis included pleural, mediastinal node, and multiple joint involvement as well as nasal obstruction, sicca syndrome and subcutaneous nodules. Diagnosis was established on pleural and nasal biopsies. For the second patient, in addition to the pleural involvement, there was interstitial lung disease and cervical, epitrochleal and deep abdominal node enlargement. Diagnosis was established from serial bronchial biopsies, pleural biopsies and peripheral node biopsies. Pleurisy is generally observed in cases with extensive lung involvement with extrathoracic localizations. Blind pleural biopsy is not very sensitive for diagnosis of sarcoidosic pleurisy. Light yellow exsudative fluid with a high lymphocyte count in a patient with a radiological and clinical presentation suggestive of tuberculosis, which must be ruled out, is a characteristic feature.

Chyloperitoneum. A rare complication after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

We report a case of chylous ascites as a rare complication following elective aortic aneurysm repair in a 66-year-old male. After its early development on the second post-operative day, re-laparotomy was performed with ligation of fistulas and omentumplasty. After recurrence of chylous ascites, conservative treatment for three months including parenteral nutrition and low-fat diet under continuous peritoneal drainage led finally to success.

Chyloperitoneum: a rare complication after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

We report a case of chylous ascites as a rare complication following elective aortic aneurysm repair in a 66-year-old male. After early development of this condition on the second postoperative day, relaparotomy was performed with ligation of fistulae as well as omentoplasty. After recurrence of chylous ascites, conservative treatment consisting of parenteral nutrition and a low-fat diet for 3 months along with continuous peritoneal drainage finally led to successful resolution of this complication.

Intraoperative acute occlusion of aortic bifurcation during extracorporeal circulation

A 36-year-old male patient showed a significant decrease of arterial pressure in the lower extremities during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Arterial pressure measured in the femoral artery fell to 10-20 mmHg at the end of ECC, whereas in the upper extremities arterial pressure levels were normal. At the end of the surgery a complete ischemia of both lower extremities was observed. We suspected Leriche's syndrome and performed a successful aortic embolectomy through bilateral femoral arteriotomies immediately. An insufficient anticoagulation could be excluded by prolonged "activated clotting time" (ACT), therefore we presumed that the source of embolus was a small aneurysm of the left ventricle. The shape and superficial structure of the extracted embolus, which was partly covered with endocardium, confirmed our suspicion. No complications occurred throughout the postoperative period. On the 10th postoperative day, the patient left our department for postoperative rehabilitation with a normal perfusion of the lower extremities.

Calcification tendency of various biological aortic valves in an experimental animal model

The present study aimed at investigating the influence of fixation methods on the ultrastructure and calcium content of five different aortic biovalves. Biovalves subcutaneously implanted in Wistar rats for 12 weeks demonstrated significant differences in their calcium contents. Using Scheffe tests, two different groups of biovalves could be distinguished: (i) valves with high calcium content, such as Toronto-SPV (165 +/- 42 mg/g dry tissue) and Intact (193 +/- 36 mg/g dry tissue), and (ii) valves with low calcium content, such as Mosaic (2.7 +/- 1.8 mg/g dry tissue), Freestyle (2.3 +/- 1.1 mg/g dry tissue) and Hancock-II (3.6 +/- 1.2 mg/g dry tissue) (P < 0.05). All biovalves with an ultrastructurally preserved endothelium exhibited a low calcification tendency. The data suggest that if the endothelium is lost as a result of the fixation procedure, then calcification can only be prevented by appropriate anticalcification methods.

[Deep leg and pelvic vein thrombosis in aplasia of the inferior vena cava]

Deep phlebothromboses of iliacal vein and aplasia of the inferior vena cava Coincidence of deep phlebothromboses of iliacal vein and aplasia of the inferior vena cava is a rare condition but has significance for further therapy. Two cases of this anatomical malformation with complications are presented and the importance of therapeutical strategies are discussed. We report on our experiences with the operative procedures of venous thrombectomy and arteriovenous fistula, aimed at increasing the venous flow in the collaterals of the aplastic inferior vena cava.

Fatal pulmonary embolism after atrial septal defect closure in a paediatric patient

A four-year-old girl died of massive acute bilateral pulmonary embolism 11 days after direct closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II), despite postoperative anticoagulation until the patient was ambulatory. An autopsy showed thrombotic deposits on the suture line of the ASD closure, bilateral 90% occlusion of the pulmonary arteries, and haemorrhagic ulcerative ischaemic colitis of the descending colon and the sigmoid.

Chest re-exploration for complications after lung surgery

BACKGROUND

Review of the most recent chest re-explorations for lung surgery complications may show methods by which risks can effectively be reduced.

METHODS

The data on rethoracotomies following lung surgery over the past 14 years in our department were retrospectively reviewed. The indication, the type of operation, the outcome, and various factors influencing the postoperative mortality were analyzed. From 1983 to 1996, 1960 patients underwent primary thoracotomies for various lung diseases. Among these, 73 (3.7%) patients required re-exploration for various postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Mean age was 56.8 years (15-80 years). There were 66 (90.4%) men and 7 (9.6%) women. The most common indication for rethoracotomy was hemorrhage in 38 (52%) patients. The source of bleeding was a mediastinal and/or bronchial blood vessel in 8 patients and an intercostal blood vessel in 6 patients. Six patients had to be reoperated because of hemorrhage from a major artery of the hilus. In 14 cases the postoperative hemothorax occurred without evident surgical origin. Further indications for rethoracotomy were bronchopleural fistula (BPF) in 13 (17.8%) patients, and persistent parenchymal leak in 8 (10.9%) patients. There were 8 additional causes distributed among the remaining 14 (19.3%) patients. The overall mortality rate was 17.8% (13/73), with the highest (38.4%) among BPF patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative complications following lung surgery which require rethoracotomy are rare. The most common complication is postoperative bleeding. This is followed by bronchial stump insufficiency which is associated with the highest mortality and morbidity. Our experience shows that the need for re-exploration can hardly be reduced but the indication for re-exploration should be established as early as possible to avoid late complications.

[CT-supported virtual intra-arterial endoscopy after stent implantation: phantom studies and the initial clinical results]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the facilities of computed tomographic virtual intraarterial endoscopy (VIE). Imaging of an intravascular stent in a phantom study and clinical assessment in 10 patients.

METHODS

The optimal scan parameters for different 3 D reconstructions (MIP, SSD, VIE) were determined in a vessel phantom with intravascular stent. Furthermore, in vitro stenoses were analysed and initial in vivo investigations were performed.

RESULTS

The quality of CT-angiography (CTA) depended on the scanning parameters. VIE allowed the reconstruction of the intravascular surface of a stent.

CONCLUSION

VIE is a new kind of post-processing CTA reconstruction. It permits the visualisation of the intravascular structure of a stent. In vitro relevant stenoses were correctly detected. First clinical investigations support these results.

Synergism between hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in the activation of fat storing cells (perisinusoidal lipocytes)

This study concerns the cooperation of hepatocytes (PC) and Kupffer cells (KC) in the activation of rat liver fat storing cells (FSC) in culture. Various dilutions of conditioned media collected from early, serum-free cultures of both cell types were added separately and in combination, either simultaneously or sequentially, to early, non-confluent, primary cultures of FSC maintained under serum-reduced (0.5% fetal calf serum) conditions to determine the effects on proliferation (incorporations of [3H]thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine [BrdUrd], DNA-content, cell number), transformation and morphology (phase contrast microscopy, immunostainings of desmin and smooth muscle-alpha-actin), on the deposition of fibronectin and laminin and on the formation of 35S sulfated medium proteoglycans. Media of both cell types stimulated cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner but combined PC- and KC-conditioned media was most potent and increased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine to 4-times above control values. The multiplication stimulatory effects visualized by labeling cell nuclei with BrdUrd and the increase of cell number per culture well were additive. The sequential addition of KC-conditioned medium to FSC preexposed to PC-conditioned medium increased the multiplication of FSC further and in an additive manner. The mitogenic activity of the PC-medium and the enhancing effect of KC-induced FSC proliferation was measured also when PC were damaged by incubation under anoxic conditions during generation of the conditioned medium. This observation indicates the release of the mitogen by membrane damage presumably from a cytoplasmic pool. The PC-medium did not induce either significant morphological changes or transformation of FSC towards myofibroblast-like cells. KC, however, generated transformation of FSC as indicated by more elongated cells with spindle-like cellular extensions and a reduction of retinoid droplets. Both these morphological effects were visible when PC and KC media were added simultaneously. Both media act synergistically on the deposition of fibronectin and laminin in FSC cultures and these components were found to be elevated 2.3 and 2.8-fold, respectively, if the cells were exposed to the combined media. Proteoglycan synthesis was also maximally enhanced if FSC were exposed to PC- and KC-media simultaneously. These findings suggest the involvement of (damaged) hepatocytes in the process of FSC activation. A model of sequential, spatial and time-dependent activation of FSC is suggested where cells in the immediate proximity of hepatocytes are primed to proliferate by a mitogenic signal released by membrane damage presumably from a cytoplasmic pool of injured hepatocytes into the pericellular environment. This non-inflammatory stimulation is followed by secretions of activated Kupffer cells and other inflammatory cell types which further enhance the activation of FSC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Identification and partial characterization of a hepatocyte-derived factor promoting proliferation of cultured fat-storing cells (parasinusoidal lipocytes)

The molecular and cellular mechanisms of activation of fat-storing cells (Ito cells or parasinusoidal lipocytes), a prerequisite of the fibrogenic response of injured liver, were studied by analysis in vitro of some aspects of the intercellular communication between parenchymal liver cells and fat-storing cells. Conditioned medium harvested from early serum-free monolayer cultures of hepatocytes isolated from normal rat liver stimulated strongly, reproducibly and dose-dependently the proliferation of nonconfluent fat-storing cells maintained under serum-reduced conditions. During exposure of fat-storing cells for 48 hr to the conditioned medium, the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA was stimulated four to six times over control values, the DNA content per culture well was elevated by 40% above control values and the immunocytochemical detection of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cell nuclei was increased from 13% stained nuclei in controls to 70% stained nuclei in treated fat-storing cells. The mitogenic effects of hepatocyte-conditioned medium were similar to or even higher than those of 10% fetal calf serum. No mitoinhibitory activity could be detected in the hepatocyte-conditioned medium when arginase, as a potential inhibitor, was excluded. Rat skin fibroblasts could not be stimulated under conditions where the proliferation activity of fat-storing cells was greatly enhanced. The occurrence of the mitogenic activity in the medium is not dependent on de novo synthesis or secretion because the media of hepatocytes cultured under anoxic conditions in the presence of cycloheximide, brefeldin A or ethylenediaminetetraacetate were highly active in promoting fat-storing cell proliferation, although hepatocyte viability was greatly reduced under some of these conditions. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.01) was found between lactate dehydrogenase activity and the mitogenic potency of the conditioned medium. The proliferation factor for fat-storing cells could also be demonstrated in the lysate of freshly isolated hepatocytes from normal liver. The stimulatory activity in the medium was partially enriched by a combination of gel permeation and anion exchange fast protein liquid chromatography and characterized as a protein with an apparent molecular weight of about 60 kD that is heat and pH sensitive but insensitive to reducing agents. It does not bind to immobilized heparin; nor does soluble heparin or proteinase inhibitor affect the mitogenic activity of the factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)