Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through hydrothermal route and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Scanning ...electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA).The band gap of CdS nanoparticles was found to be 2.38 eV. CdS NPs are crystalline aggregates with hexagonal structure as shown by SEM and XRD analysis. TGA study revealed that the synthesized nanomaterials were very stable to temperature and only 6.54% total loss occurred during heating range (25 °C-600 °C).The CdS NPs were used for the first time against the degradation of Eosin B (EB) and Methyl green (MG) dyes in aqueous solution.The degradation of EB and MG over CdS nanocatalysts followed second order kinetics. The predicted activation energies for both the dyes' reactions were 61.1 kJ/mol and 32.11 kJ/mol, respectively. About 95% and 90% dye degradation was observed at the time interval of 160 minutes for EB and MG, respectively. High percent degradation of EB was observed at high pH (pH 0) while at low pH (pH 4) high percent degradation was found for MG dye. Maximum dye degradation was found at the optimal dose (0.03 g/L) of the catalyst and at low dye concentration. The rate of EB and MG dye degradation was found to increase with increase in temperature up to 45 °C. The recyclability study showed that CdS nanoparticles could be reused for the degradation of the given dyes. Good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was shown by CdS NPs. From the biocompatibility it was confirmed that CdS NPS are bioincompatible compatible.
In the last decade, as semiconductor industry was approaching the end of the exponential Moore’s roadmap for device downscaling, the necessity of finding new candidate materials has forced many ...research groups to explore many different types of non-conventional materials. Among them, graphene, CNTs and organic conductors are the most successful alternatives. Finding a material with metallic properties combined with field effect characteristics on nanoscale level has been always a dream to continue the ever-shrinking road of the nanoelectronics. Due to its fantastic features such as high mobility, optical transparency, room temperature quantum Hall effect, mechanical stiffness, etc. the atomically thin carbon layer, graphene, has attracted the industry’s attention not only in the micro-, nano-, and opto-electronics but also in biotechnology. This paper reviews the basics and previous works on graphene technology and its developments. Compatibility of this material with Si processing technology is its crucial characteristic for mass production. This study also reviews the physical and electrical properties of graphene as a building block for other carbon allotropes. Different growth methods and a wide range of graphene’s applications will be discussed and compared. A brief comparison on the performance result of different types of devices has also been presented. Until now, the main focus of research has been on the background physics and its application in electronic devices. But, according to the recent works on its applications in photonics and optoelectronics, where it benefits from the combination of its unique optical and electronic properties, even without a bandgap, this material enables ultrawide-band tunability. Here in this article we review different applications and graphene’s advantages and drawbacks will be mentioned to conclude at the end.
Beeswax, honey, and live in-hive worker bees were collected in this study from eight districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The concentration of seven essential elements (copper, calcium, zinc, ...iron, nickel, chromium and manganese) and two non-essentials (lead and cadmium) were determined. All of the samples were found to have a random distribution of metal concentrations. The plentiful metals with high concentrations in the gathered samples were discovered to be calcium, iron, and zinc. The health concerns related with metal intake in honey were assessed using the Average Daily Dose (ADD), Hazard Quotients (HQs) and Hazard Index (HI) models. Children were found to have higher estimated health risk values for the components assessed in all samples than adults. All of the computed ADD values were lower than the matching reference (R
f
D) values. The matching HI values of metals in various honeys were found to be less than one, implying that honey consumption in the studied area has no non carcinogenic risk. Cancer risks (CR) was also calculated for intake of Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd in honey in the selected districts. The CR values for Cr and Cd exceeded 1E-4 in various districts such as Karak, Kohat, Nowshera, Bajur, Dir Upper, and Mohmand Agency, signifying that there was a small danger involved. In the case of Karak, the Ni CR value was greater than the allowed limits. As a result, it is important to keep an eye on the concentration of these metals in honey because anthropogenic input could raise their concentration in the future, posing a health danger.
Food crops irrigated with wastewater are mostly contaminated with heavy metals and considered as a main pathway for human exposure. In this study, soil and food crops samples were collected from ...wastewater irrigated soils, background and relatively less polluted areas. Results of the sequential extraction and total metals concentrations in soils indicated that wastewater irrigation has significantly increased (
p
≥
0.001) the bioavailable and total metal contents in wastewater irrigated soil as compared to background and control soils. Heavy metal concentrations in the food crops grown on wastewater irrigated soil were higher than those grown on background and control soils but were found within WHO/FAO permissible limits except for Zn. Health risk index values were less than 1 for both control and wastewater irrigated soils (except Mn). However, the food crops such as
Brassica rapa,
Spinacia oleracae L.,
Lycopersicum esculantum,
Mentha viridis,
Coriandum sativum and
Lactuca sativa grown on wastewater irrigated soil can pose health risks because of the high concentration of Mn.
Zinc oxide and Fe doped zinc Oxide nanoparticles were prepared by green biosynthesis route using natural extract of Myrtus communis L as an effective chelating agent. The synthesized nanoparticles ...were characterized by Ultraviolet visible (UV–Visible), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic techniques. Antioxidant assays, free radical scavenging assays and hemolysis assays of the synthesized nanoparticles were also carried out for finding their therapeutic applications. The optical band gaps was calculated to be Eg = 3.4 eV and Eg = 3.2 eV for ZnO and Fe-ZnO nanoparticles respectively. Functional groups present in both NPs were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Average particles size of pure ZnO and Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles was 21 nm and 17 nm respectively calculated from XRD pattern. SEM analysis showed that ZnO nanoparticles are granular size and have irregular spherical morphology while with Fe doping there is dispersion of nanoparticles with less agglomeration as well as regular distribution of ZnO NPs. EDX spectra indicate purification of undoped and Fe-ZnO NPs. TGA results showed that 27.8% and 10.4% weight loss occurred for ZnO and Fe-ZnO respectively at the temperature range of 30–600 °C. Doping with Fe content the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the visible peaks of ZnO decreased. The degradation of Acid Yellow-3 over ZnO and Fe-ZnO NPs follows first order kinetics. The characterized nanoparticles were used as photo catalyst in the degradation of Acid Yellow-3 dye in aqueous solution under UV light illumination. Effect of different parameters i.e. irradiation time, initial dye concentration, catalyst dosage and temperature was also studied. The maximum degradation of dye at time of 120 min, concentration of 10 ppm, catalyst loading was 0.03 g and temperature was 50 °C. Excellent antioxidant potential was shown by the prepared NPs. Good hemolytic activity was shown by undoped ZnO NPs and good antibacterial activity by doped ZnO nanoparticles.
Aim
The aim of this work was to compare the outcomes of extended right hemicolectomy (ERH), left hemicolectomy (LH) and segmental colectomy (SC) for the surgical management of splenic flexure ...tumours.
Method
In compliance with PRISMA statement standards, a systematic review was performed to identify all studies comparing outcomes of ERH, LH and SC for the surgical management of splenic flexure tumours. Primary outcomes included anastomotic leakage and all postoperative complications. The secondary outcomes included operative time, R0 resection, number of harvested lymph nodes, > 12 harvested lymph nodes, severe complications, postoperative mortality, paralytic ileus, wound infection, pancreatic fistula, intra‐abdominal abscess, need for reoperation, length of hospital stay, 5‐year overall survival and 5‐year disease‐free survival. The ROBINS‐I tool and GRADE system were used to assess the risk of bias and certainty of evidence, respectively.
Results
Analysis of 956 patients from seven observational studies showed that ERH was associated with more paralytic ileus than LH (OR 2.74, P = 0.002) and SC (OR 6.67, P < 0.0001) and the operative time was shorter in SC than in ERH (mean difference 25.48, P < 0.0001) and LH (mean difference −17.94, P = 0.0002). There were no differences between ERH, LH and SC in terms of anastomotic leakage, postoperative complications, R0 resection, severe complications, postoperative mortality, wound infection, pancreatic fistula, intra‐abdominal abscess, need for reoperation, length of hospital stay, > 12 harvested lymph nodes, 5‐year overall survival and 5‐year disease‐free survival.
Conclusions
The available evidence, limited to observational studies, suggests that there is no difference between ERH, LH and SC in terms of postoperative morbidity and mortality, lymph node yield and cancer survival. Randomized controlled trials are required for definite conclusions.
Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by co-precipitation method were characterized by UV–Vis, XRD, EDX, SEM and FTIR techniques. XRD analysis revealed partially cubic crystal structure ...of NiO NPs, with an average particle size of 35.67 nm. The prepared NPs were also used for the photodegradation of Rose Bengal (RB), Carmine and Bromothymol Blue (BB) dyes. The activation energies calculated for the photodegradation reactions were 9.54 kJ/mol, 11.68 kJ/mol and 11.2 kJ/mol, respectively, for RB, Carmine and BB dyes. The first-order reaction kinetics was followed by the photodegradation reaction of three dyes over NiO NPs as a catalyst. The effect of different reaction parameters was also studied, i.e., at pH 4, and time duration of 240, 160 and 200 min about 92%, 90% and 91% degradation was found for RB, Carmine and BB, respectively. Low dye concentration (10 ppm), maximum catalyst dosage (0.05 g) and increase in temperature up to 50 °C were found to facilitate dye degradation. The recyclability study revealed that NiO NPs could be reused for the degradation of selected dyes; however, the first recovery's performance was superior to the second recovery. The results also indicated that with increase in the concentration of NPs from 2- to 4-mg antioxidant activities, Catalase activity (CAT), Superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), Peroxidase activity (POD) and Reduced glutathione (GSH) activity also increased.
The isothermal section of the ytterbium-palladium-indium phase diagram was constructed at 600oC in the Pd < 60 at. % region, as a result of X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy ...with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The existence of a new ternary compound Yb5Pd2In was observed at this temperature, and its crystal structure was determined (structure type Mo5SiB2, space group I4/mcm, a = 0.78820(2) nm, c = 1.41596(5) nm). Magnetic and thermodynamic properties of two ternary compositions YbPdIn4 and Yb17Pd50In33 were also investigated. Yb17Pd50In33 presents a stable trivalent Yb3+, whereas in YbPdIn4 the Yb ion is in a nearly divalent state.
•Detailed information on phase equilibria of the Yb-Pd-In system obtained•A structural transition from Pm3¯m→Fm3¯m is observed along the PdIn-YbPd2In composition line•Physical properties studies for YbPdIn4 and for the ternary composition Yb17Pd50In33
Summary
The immunosuppressive state of tumour‐bearing hosts is attributable, at least in part, to myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC). However, the role of MDSC in physiological conditions and ...diseases other than cancer has not been addressed. As the liver is a tolerogenic organ, the present study attempted to localize and assess functions of hepatic MDSC in a normal liver and in a murine model of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. MDSC was identified in the liver of normal mice and HBV transgenic mice (TM) as CD11b+ Gr1+ cells by dual‐colour flow cytometry. Highly purified populations of MDSC and their subtypes were isolated by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. The functions of MDSC and their subtypes were evaluated in allogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐specific T cell proliferation assays. Normal mice‐derived liver MDSC, but not other myeloid cells (CD11b+ Gr1‐), suppressed T cell proliferation in allogenic MLR in a dose‐dependent manner. Alteration of T cell antigens and impaired interferon‐γ production seems to be related to MDSC‐induced immunosuppression. In HBV TM, the frequencies of liver MDSC were about twice those of normal mice liver (13·6 ± 3·2% versus 6·05 ± 1·21%, n = 5, P < 0·05). Liver‐derived MDSC from HBV TM also suppressed proliferative capacities of allogenic T cells and HBsAg‐specific lymphocytes. Liver MDSC may have a critical role in maintaining homeostasis during physiological conditions. As liver MDSC had immunosuppressive functions in HBV TM, they may be a target of immune therapy in chronic HBV infection.
The process of aging impacts the function of the human body. Sarcopenia can cause frailty, which leads to changes in energy balance due to malnutrition, and it can progress if not treated properly. ...Hand grip strength is well known to be associated with several conditions in elderly, such as sarcopenia and frailty. We determined the correlation between hand grip strength and nutritional status in a cross-sectional study of 98 geriatric patients conducted between January and September 2016. Hand grip strength and nutritional status were measured. Median hand grip strength was 18. Six patients (6.1%) suffered malnutrition, 59 (60.2%) were at risk for malnutrition, and 33 (33.7%) had normal nutritional status. Based on Pearson correlation test, hand grip strength was correlated with nutritional status (P = 0.008, r = 0.268).
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