Mn-doped ZnO nanopowders prepared by sol-gel and microwave-assisted sol-gel methods and their photocatalytic properties.

Although the microwave-assisted sol-gel method is quite frequently used for the preparation of oxide nanostructures, the synergism of the reaction pathways is not fully explained. However, state-of-the-art theoretical and practical results of high novelty can be achieved by continuously evaluating the as-synthesized materials. The present paper presents a comparative study of Mn-doped ZnO nanopowders prepared by both sol-gel and microwave-assisted sol-gel methods.

Improved Photocatalytic Activity of Dion-Jacobson-Type Tantalate Perovskites Modified with FeCl.

A rapid and feasible approach was used to develop visible-light-driven-type Dion-Jacobson perovskites by the modification of the RbLaTaO host (RbLTO) with FeCl through the molten salt route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization showed that FeCl-modified layered perovskite (e.g.

Is there a promoting role for artificial sweeteners in the evolution of bladder cancer? A meta-analysis of current literature.

Introduction: Urinary bladder cancer is a frequent neoplasia in the urogenital system. Ageing and smoking are the two main risk factors, however, some chemical agents such as artificial sweeteners could act as initiators or promoters.

Evidence Acquisition: After identifying trends in scientific literature, we conducted a wide search in PubMed database and a meta-analysis was performed on extracted data to determine the role of artificial sweeteners in the development of urinary bladder cancer.

Antibacterial Activity of PVA Hydrogels Embedding Oxide Nanostructures Sensitized by Noble Metals and Ruthenium Dye.

Nanostructured oxides (SiO, TiO) were synthesized using the sol-gel method and modified with noble metal nanoparticles (Pt, Au) and ruthenium dye to enhance light harvesting and promote the photogeneration of reactive oxygen species, namely singlet oxygen (O) and hydroxyl radical (•OH). The resulting nanostructures were embedded in a transparent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel. Morphological and structural characterization of the bare and modified oxides was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Titania nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ethanol under simulated solar light.

TiO nanoparticles were synthesized by laser pyrolysis from TiCl vapor in air in the presence of ethylene as sensitizer at different working pressures (250-850 mbar) with and without further calcination at 450 °C. The obtained powders were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Also, specific surface area and photoluminescence with optical absorbance were evaluated.

Antibacterial Activity of ZnSe, ZnSe-TiO and TiO Particles Tailored by Lysozyme Loading and Visible Light Irradiation.

ZnSe, ZnSe-TiO microspheres and nanostructured TiO obtained by hydrothermal and sol-gel methods were tested against ATCC 25923 and ATCC 4698 before and after lysozyme (Lys) loading. Morphological characterization of inorganic matrices and hybrid organic-inorganic complexes were performed by microscopy techniques (SEM, AFM and Dark Field Hyperspectral Microscopy). Light absorption properties of ZnSe, ZnSe-TiO and TiO powders were assessed by UV-visible spectroscopy and their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (•OH and O) under visible light irradiation was investigated.

Is endoscopic approach superior to laparoscopic surgery for gastric plication in terms of complications and efficacy? A systematic review including meta-analysis.

Introduction: Metabolic surgery is a more effective manner to manage weight loss for morbidly obese patients than conservative therapy. There are many surgical and endoscopic modalities to choose which represents a real challenge for bariatric surgeons. LGCP is a restrictive procedure, the greater curvature of stomach is folded into the gastric lumen in one or two layers.

Is it Time to Migrate to Liquid Chromatography Automated Platforms in the Clinical Laboratory? A Brief Point of View.

Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry already started to surpass the major drawbacks in terms of sensitivity, specificity and cross-reactivity that some analytical methods used in the clinical laboratory exhibit. This hyphenated technique is already preferred for specific applications while finding its own place in the clinical laboratory setting. However, large-scale usage, high-throughput analysis and lack of automation emerge as shortcomings that liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry still has to overrun in order to be used on a larger scale in the clinical laboratory.

Bioactive Coatings Based on Nanostructured TiO Modified with Noble Metal Nanoparticles and Lysozyme for Ti Dental Implants.

This work presents the synthesis of nanostructured TiO modified with noble metal nanoparticles (Au, Ag) and lysozyme and coated on titanium foil. Moreover, the specific structural and functional properties of the resulting inorganic and hybrid materials were explored. The purpose of this study was to identify the key parameters for developing engineered coatings on titanium foil appropriate for efficient dental implants with intrinsic antibacterial activity.

A safety study of laparoscopic single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with gastric plication (SADI-GP) in the management of morbid obesity.

Background: Bariatric surgery is more effective in the management of morbid obesity and related comorbidities than is conservative therapy. Pylorus-preserving single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-SG) is a modified duodenal switch technique. Gastric plication (GP) is an alternate to SG.

Epithelioid hemangioma of liver-The first reported case.

Epithelioid hemangioma, otherwise known as angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, is a rare benign vasoproliferative disease with an unknown etiology. We report the case of a 42-year-old man with routine bloods test showing mildly elevated serum bilirubin level. CT scan revealed a lesion in the left liver lobe not typical of FNH.

Is duodeno-jejunal bypass liner superior to pylorus preserving bariatric surgery in terms of complications and efficacy?

Purpose: Based on recent scientific evidence, bariatric surgery is more effective in the management of morbid obesity and related comorbidities than conservative therapy. Pylorus preserving surgical procedures (PPBS) such as laparoscopic single-anastomosis duodeno-jejunal or duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy are modified duodenal switch (DS) surgical techniques. The duodeno-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL) is a novel surgical method in the inventory of metabolism focused manual interventions that excludes duodeno-jejunal mucosa from digestion, mimicking DS procedures without the risk of surgical intervention.

[Mesenteric actinomycosis].

Összefoglaló. Egy 46 éves nőbeteg esetét ismertetjük, akinél láz és görcsös hasi fájdalom miatt kezdődött kivizsgálás. A hasi ultrahangvizsgálat során a colon transversum területén megvastagodott falú konglomerátum volt látható.

[Laparoscopic gastric plication with pylorus-preserving duodenoileal bypass for treating morbid obesity].

Bariatric surgery is more effective in the management of morbid obesity and related comorbidities than conservative therapy. There are two main groups, restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. Laparoscopic gastric plication with pylorus-preserving loop duodenoileal bypass is classified into the latter group.

Tubular and Spherical SiO₂ Obtained by Sol Gel Method for Lipase Immobilization and Enzymatic Activity.

A wide range of hybrid biomaterials has been designed in order to sustain bioremediation processes by associating sol-gel SiO₂ matrices with various biologically active compounds (enzymes, antibodies). SiO₂ is a widespread, chemically stable and non-toxic material; thus, the immobilization of enzymes on silica may lead to improving the efficiency of biocatalysts in terms of endurance and economic costs. Our present work explores the potential of different hybrid morphologies, based on hollow tubes and solid spheres of amorphous SiO₂, for enzyme immobilization and the development of competitive biocatalysts.

[PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE CARDIORENAL SYNDROME].

Cardiorenal syndrome, a complex pathophysiological disorder of both the heart and kidneys, is a condition in which acute or chronic damage to one organ can lead to acute or chronic dysfunction of the other organ. Depending on primary organ dysfunction and disease duration, there are five different types of cardiorenal syndrome. Type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (acute cardiorenal syndrome) is defined as acute kidney injury caused by sudden decrease in heart function.

[DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH TO PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE].

According to consensus definition, chronic kidney disease (CKD) includes urinary excretion of albumin >30 mg/day and/ or reduction in kidney function defined as a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for a period longer than three months, in the presence of kidney tissue damage verified by imaging or histologic methods. In developed world, the first cause of CKD is diabetes, followed by arterial hypertension, and the less frequent causes are inflammatory disease (glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis) and congenital condition (polycystic kidney disease).

[Cryosclerosis. The forgotten endovenous cryoablation of the great saphenous vein. Mid-term results of a prospective comparative trial].

Introduction: Cryosclerosis was introduced by Milleret and Le Pivert in the 1980s.

Method: A prospective non-randomized comparative study has been performed on initial 96 patients. 48 patients were treated by cryosclerosis and the others received conventional stripping.

Which endovenous ablation method does offer a better long-term technical success in the treatment of the incompetent great saphenous vein? Review.

Objective: The aim of this review article was to evaluate the long-term technical success rates of the known endovenous ablation procedures in the treatment of the incompetence of the great saphenous vein.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed-database until the 5 January 2016. All publications with four to five years follow-up were eligible.

[CROATIAN GUIDELINES FOR THE PHARMACOTHERAPY OF TYPE 2 DIABETES].

Introduction: The Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders of the Croatian Medical Association has issued in 2011 the first national guidelines for the nutrition, education, self-control, and pharmacotherapy of diabetes type 2. According to the increased number of available medicines and new evidence related to the effectiveness and safety of medicines already involved in the therapy there was a need for update of the existing guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of type 2 diabetes in the Republic of Croatia.

Participants: as co-authors of the Guidelines there are listed all members of the Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, as well as other representatives of professional societies within the Croatian Medical Association, who have contributed with comments and suggestions to the development of the Guidelines.

Does cryostripping add anything to the treatment of the ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein?

Objective: To analyse the differences of outcome between cryostripping and conservative therapy in the treatment of superficial vein thrombosis.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed between the October of 2001 and the October of 2014. In all, 246 cases were eligible for the study.

[ESOPHAGEAL TUMORS IN FAMILY PHYSICIAN PRACT].

Esophageal tumors are relatively rare. They present with typical symptoms in patients that consume spicy food, alcohol, enjoy cigarette smoking, and after alkaline solution ingestion. Considering their accessibility, they can be diagnosed in early stages.

The Histological Changes of the Great Saphenous Vein at 2 Years after Cryosclerosis.

Cryosclerosis was developed at the end of the last decade. It is the endovenous cryoablation of the great saphenous vein and has been forgotten before the era of the endovenous ablation techniques began. The caused histomorphological changes of the vein weren't described before, especially, years after the procedure.