Visible-light-driven photocatalysis is a green and efficient strategy for wastewater treatment, where graphitic carbon nitride-based semiconductors showed excellent performance in this regard. ...Consequently, we report on the development of a green and facile one-pot room-temperature ultrasonic route for the preparation of novel ternary nanocomposite of cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4 NSs). The proposed materials had been characterized by several physicochemical techniques such as PXRD, XPS, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, PL, and DRS. The photocatalytic efficiency of the proposed photocatalysts was assessed towards the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye as a water pollutant model using spectrophotometric measurements. The as-synthesized novel ternary nanocomposite (CdS@ZnO/g-C3N4) exhibited perfect photocatalytic activity, where almost complete degradation was achieved in only 2 h under UV-irradiation or 3 h under visible-irradiation. Various methods were used to elucidate the kinetics of the photocatalytic process. Moreover, CdS@ZnO/g-C3N4 exhibited a unique synergetic performance when compared to the corresponding binary composites or the individual components. This synergetic performance could be ascribed to the perfect electronic band configuration of the three components, leading to the establishment of several combined synergetic Z-Scheme/Type-II photocatalytic heterojunctions, which is the proposed mechanism for the observed synergetic photocatalytic reactivity of the as-synthesized CdS@ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite when compared to the single and binary nanocomposite counterparts. Furthermore, the effects of both the type and concentration of various scavengers on the photocatalytic activity were assessed to investigate the most reactive species, where the reductive degradation pathway was found to be the predominant route. Finally, the photocatalytic efficiency of the as-synthesized CdS@ZnO/g-C3N4 composite showed promising and competing results when compared to other photocatalysts reported in the literature.
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•Synthesis of water-soluble CdS quantum dots via green room-temperate N2-free method.•Facile ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of novel CdS@ZnO/g-C3N4 ternary nanocomposite.•CdS@ZnO/g-C3N4 has narrow bandgap with the reduction of the e-h recombination rates.•Synergetic Z-scheme/Type-II heterojunctions caused complete RB photodegradation.•Superoxide radicals are the most reactive species in a reductive degradation route.
Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate the interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and its relationship to stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among healthcare workers (HCWs) compared to controls during ...the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A total of 80 HCWs in Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt, and 80 controls were analyzed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) questionnaire was used, and serum IL-6 level was determined in both groups.
Results
IL-6 levels were high in 81.2% (65) of HCWs compared to 36% (45) of controls (P < .05). The DASS score was higher in participants with high IL-6 levels (>3 ng/mL) than in those with mild to moderate levels (P < .05). The regression model revealed that the type of work as a healthcare staff, irregular or night shift, and stress were predictors of increased IL-6 levels among the studied sample (P < .05) (odds ratio = 20.30, 2.44, and 2.04, respectively).
Conclusion
The IL-6 level and DASS score were higher in HCWs compared to those in controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The type of work as a healthcare staff, stress, and irregular or night shift were predictors of increased IL-6 levels.
Premature atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease represent a major cause of comorbidities among children with Turner syndrome. The identification of non-traditional risk aspects is crucial for ...the early identification and management of such comorbidities through establishing effective preventive measures. The aim of the study is to explore the role of the deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine in children with Turner syndrome.
The study included 78 children with Turner syndrome and 67 healthy age and sex matched children. Karyotype was implemented for all patients. The serum levels of vitamin B12, folic acid and serum homocysteine were assessed. The prevalence of the deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid was estimated to study its correlation to hyperhomocysteinemia in Turner syndrome children.
The karyotype analysis showed 45,X (monosomy X) in the 78 patients. Vitamin B12 and folic acid were significantly decreased in children with Turner syndrome in 65-73% of the patients, respectively, while the serum level of homocysteine significantly increased to 48.7% compared to healthy controls. Homocysteine level negatively correlated with vitamin B12 and folic acid. The deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid increased the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia in children with Turner syndrome (OR 2.49 and 2.36, respectively).
This report highlights that hyperhomocyste-inemia in children with Turner syndrome may be related to the deficiency vitamin B12 and folic acid.
Background
Coronavirus Disease Pandemic 2019 has a pervasive effect on all health aspects include psychological and mental health. This study aimed to assess the hidden stressful impact of COVID-19 ...pandemic on Egyptian children and adolescents’ lifestyles 2 months after lockdown in Egypt by detecting symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders. Online questionnaire was used by snowball sampling approach 2 months after lockdown targeting children and adolescents.
Results
The overall mean Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children score (SDSC) in participated groups was 44.6 ± 11.72. Of 765 participants 502 (65.6%) showed the symptoms suggestive of sleep disorder. Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep were the most common among participants as 168 (33.4%) of them were suffering from it while 79 (15.7%) children were suffering from excessive somnolence. Linear stepwise regression revealed that anxiety score, understanding safety measures, and following strict quarantine measures significantly predicted SDSC (
p
= 0.001, 0.009, 0.046). Significant positive correlations were found between SDSC and extra screen usage, understanding safety and quarantine measures, anxiety signs, and change in child lifestyle with (
p
= 0.029, 0.010, 0.001 and 0.001) sequentially. Significant positive correlation was found between family income affection, SDSC, and anxiety with
p
value (00.001, 00.4).
Conclusion
Child deprived of his or her normal lifestyle is vulnerable to develop anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbances. Low income, extra screen time, and restricted quarantine measures are all contributing factors that influence children and adolescent’s mental health.
Background
Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. The angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene is a potential candidate gene for CAP risk.
...Objectives
In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (rs4340) could be a genetic marker for CAP susceptibility in Egyptian children, and we also measured the serum ACE level to assess its relation to such polymorphism.
Methods
This was a prospective case‐control study included 300 patients with CAP, and 300 age, gender, and ethnicity matched healthy controls. The ACE I/D polymorphism (rs4340) at intron 16 was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), while the serum ACE levels were measured by ELISA.
Results
Compared to the controls subjects, the frequencies of the ACE DD genotype and D allele were overrepresented in patients with CAP (OR = 3.05; 95%CI: 2.14‐4.35 for the DD genotype; P < 0.001) and (OR: 1.8; 95%CI: 1.42‐2.29; for the D allele; P < 0.01, respectively). Patients with the DD genotype had significantly higher mean serum ACE levels (45.6 ± 11.4 U/L) compared to those with ID genotype (36.5 ± 8.3 U/L) and II genotype (21.6 ± 5.7 U/L); P < 0.01, respectively.
Conclusion
The ACE I/D polymorphism (rs4340) may contribute to the genetic susceptibility of CAP in Egyptian children. The ACE D allele and DD genotype were associated with higher serum ACE levels among studied CAP patients.
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•Facile green ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of novel Ag@RGO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites.•Ag and RGO significantly decrease the bandgap energy of g-C3N4 from 2.65 to 1.97 eV.•Ag and RGO ...achieved a superior reduction in the e–h recombination rates of g-C3N4.•Ag and RGO caused a synergetic enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4.•Ag@RGO/g-C3N4 exhibited higher adsorption capability compared to bare g-C3N4.
Visible-light-driven photocatalysis can be considered as an eco-friendly approach for the effective treatment of wastewater, where 2D g-C3N4-based photocatalysts exhibited outstanding performance in this approach. Thus, a green simple one-pot ultrasonic method was utilized for the first time, with in-situ reduction of Ag+ and GO, to synthesize an innovative ternary nanocomposite of g-C3N4 nanosheets, Ag quantum dots, and RGO nanosheets. The samples were analyzed by several techniques including PXRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XPS, DRS, and PL. The anchoring of RGO nanosheets and Ag quantum dots on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets caused an outstanding improvement of its visible light absorption, a remarkable reduction of its bandgap energy from 2.65 to 1.97 eV, an unprecedented decline in the e–h recombination rate, a complete removal of Rhodamine-B dye through adsorption, and a unique improvement in the photodegradation of Amaranth dye. Finally, the mechanism of the synergetic improved photocatalytic behavior of Ag@RGO/g-C3N4 nanocomposites was suggested.
Background
Pneumonia is the foremost cause of child death worldwide. M‐ficolin is encoded by the FCN1 gene and represents a novel link between innate and adaptive immunity.
Objectives
To investigate ...the FCN1 −144 C/A (rs10117466) polymorphism as a potential marker for pneumonia severity and adverse outcome namely complications or mortality in the under‐five Egyptian children.
Methods
This was a prospective multicenter study that included 620 children hospitalized with World Health Organization‐defined severe pneumonia and 620 matched healthy control children. Polymorphism rs10117466 of the FCN1 gene promoter was analyzed by PCR‐SSP, while serum M‐ficolin levels were assessed by ELISA.
Results
The FCN1 A/A genotype and A allele at the −144 position were more frequently observed in patients compared to the control children (43.4% vs 27.6%; odds ratio OR: 1.62; 95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.18‐2.2; for the A/A genotype) and (60.8% vs 52.5%; OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.19‐1.65; for the A allele); P < .01. The FCN1 −144 A/A homozygous patients had significantly higher serum M‐ficolin concentrations (mean: 1844 ± 396 ng/mL) compared with those carrying the C/C or C/A genotype (mean: 857 ± 278 and 1073 ± 323 ng/mL, respectively; P = .002). FCN1 −144 A/A genotype was an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in children with severe pneumonia (adjusted OR = 4.85, 95% CI: 2.96‐10.25; P = .01).
Conclusion
The FCN1 A/A genotype at the −144 position was associated with high M‐ficolin serum levels and possibly contributes to enhanced inflammatory response resulting in the adverse outcome of pneumonia in the under‐five Egyptian children.
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