In-situ synthesized ZIF-67 graphene oxide (ZIF-67/GO) nanocomposite for efficient individual and simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions

Heavy metals are ubiquitous in water bodies as a result of anthropogenic activities and over time they accumulate in body thus posing serious health problems. Therefore, it is essential to improve sensing performance, for determination of heavy metal ions (HMIs), of electrochemical sensors. In this work, cobalt-derived MOF (ZIF-67) was in-situ synthesized and incorporated onto the surface of graphene oxide (GO) by simple sonication method. The prepared material (ZIF-67/GO) was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and Raman spectroscopy. Afterwards, a sensing platform was made by drop-casting synthesized composite onto glassy carbon electrode for individual and simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions pollutants (Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cr³⁺) with estimated detection limits of 2 nM, 1 nM, 5 nM, and 0.6 nM, respectively, when determined simultaneously, that are below the permissible limit by World Health Organization. To the best of our knowledge, this is first report of HMIs detection by ZIF-67 incorporated GO sensor which can successfully determine the Hg⁺², Zn⁺², Pb⁺², and Cr⁺³ ions simultaneously with lower detection limits.

Rare occurrence of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) syndrome arising from a malignant transformed ovarian primary mature cystic teratoma treated by cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: a case report

Background

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) syndrome is a disease process that typically occurs from ruptured appendiceal mucocele neoplasms. PMP syndrome arising from malignant transformation of an ovarian primary mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is a pathogenesis rarely encountered.

Case Presentation

Herein, we report a 28-year-old patient evaluated and treated for a right ovarian mass and large volume symptomatic abdominopelvic mucinous ascites. Molecular profiling and genetic analysis revealed mutations in ATM, GNAS, and KRAS proteins while IHC demonstrated gastrointestinal-specific staining for CK20, CDX2, CK7, and SATB2. Peritoneal cytology showed paucicellular mucin. Diffuse peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM) variant of PMP arising from a ruptured ovarian primary MCT after malignant transformation to a low-grade appendiceal-like mucinous neoplasm was ultimately confirmed. Treatment included staged therapeutic tumor debulking and right salpingo-oophorectomy followed by cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Conclusions

Our report builds upon the existing literature supporting this aggressive treatment option reserved for advanced abdominal malignancies utilized in this patient with a rare clinical entity.

Educational Case: Myocardial Infarction: Histopathology and Timing of Changes

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objectives for all three competencies, seehttp://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374289517715040.¹

Educational Case: Asthma: Clinical Features and Morphologic Findings

The following fictional case is intended as a learning tool within the Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME), a set of national standards for teaching pathology. These are divided into three basic competencies: Disease Mechanisms and Processes, Organ System Pathology, and Diagnostic Medicine and Therapeutic Pathology. For additional information, and a full list of learning objectives for all three competencies, seehttp://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374289517715040.¹

Ultrasound assisted hydration of navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The use of ultrasound to enhance the transport phenomena in food processes has been well recognised in recent times. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sonication on hydration rate and pasting profile of navy beans. The hydration kinetics for control and ultrasound assisted soaking was mathematically described using mechanistic (Fickian diffusion) and empirical (Peleg's equation, Weibull model and First Order equation) models. Ultrasound enhanced the rate of hydration which was evident from the plot of kinetic data and model parameters. The effective diffusivities for water transport without and with ultrasound application were estimated to be 1.36×10(-10) m(2)/s and 2.19×10(-10) m(2)/s respectively, considering Fickian diffusion. The Weibull model was concluded to best predict the hydration kinetics of navy beans in an ultrasonic field. Significant increase in peak viscosity of sonicated bean powder was observed compared to control.

Epidemiology of prostate cancer in United Arab Emirates

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the magnitude of prostate cancer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

DESIGN

A descriptive retrospective study.

SETTING

Tawam and Al-Ain Teaching Hospitals, Al-Ain Medical District, UAE.

SUBJECTS

Analysis based on patient admissions into the main referral teaching hospital, categorizing age, nationality groups and type of cancer. All prostate cancer patients, diagnosed and treated at Tawam and Al-Ain Hospitals during the period from 1982 to 2000, are included in the study and consisted of 84 subjects.

RESULTS

The study series consisted of 84 patients with the ages ranging from 38 to 81 years with a median age of 56 years and a mean and standard deviation of 56.5 +/- 12.5 years. The study revealed that majority of the patients (n = 33, 39.2%) were diagnosed between 51 to 60 years of age. The majority of our patients were UAE nationals (44.0%), followed by patients from neighboring countries i.e. Oman, Yemen, Syria, Jordan and Egypt (40.5%). The initial pathological diagnosis was confirmed mainly by Trucut Needle Biopsy in the majority of patients (n = 48, 57%), TURP (n = 15, 18%), Open Prostatectomy (n = 4, 5%) and others i.e. lymph node, bone marrow, and pleural biopsies and high PSA (n = 17, 20%). The majority of our patients (77.7%) presented with an advanced disease and received hormonal treatment while 16.6% received radical radiotherapy and 5.5% had radical prostatectomy. According to our analysis the annual incidence of prostate cancer is 4.5/100,000 male population.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of prostatic carcinoma in the UAE, like other Arabian Gulf and Asian countries, is very low compared to Western Countries despite the high intake of calories and consumption of animal fat. However, genetics and environmental factors believed to be involved in the complex etiology of prostate cancer in UAE are not clear yet, and awaiting investigation.