Ag-CuO-Decorated Ceramic Membranes for Effective Treatment of Oily Wastewater.

Although ultrafiltration is a reliable method for separating oily wastewater, the process is limited by problems of low flux and membrane fouling. In this study, for the first time, commercial TiO/ZrO ceramic membranes modified with silver-functionalized copper oxide (Ag-CuO) nanoparticles are reported for the improved separation performance of emulsified oil. Ag-CuO nanoparticles were synthesized via hydrothermal technique and dip-coated onto commercial membranes at varying concentrations (0.

[THE EFFECT OF BIOLOGIC THERAPY ON THE LIPID PROFILE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA), PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS (PSA) AND ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS (AS) PATIENTS].

Cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PSA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. The inflammation not only accelerates atherosclerosis, but also influences CV risk factors such as lipid profile, blood pressure and insulin resistance. RA and PSA patients are initially treated with DMARDS (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).

Effects of anti-TNF-α treatment on lipid profile in rheumatic diseases: an analytical cohort study.

Background: The aim was to assess the influence of long-term treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and atherogenic index (AI) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on RA, PsA, and AS patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors for at least 270 days between 2001 and 2011. Levels of TC, TG, LDL, and HDL and the AI were compared with baseline values at 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24 months.

Does low peritoneal glucose load protect from the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in peritoneal dialysis patients?

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major predictor of the development of cardiovascular events that is considered the main cause of morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate retrospectively the impact of low peritoneal glucose load on left ventricular mass (LVM) in PD patients.

Methods: 36 patients who were on continuous ambulatory PD for at least a period of 2 years enrolled in the study.

The impact of sub-clinical over-hydration on left ventricular mass in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Objective: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents a major predictor of the development of cardiovascular (CV) complications. Over-hydration (OH) is an important uremic risk factor associated with LVH and increased CV morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In the present study we evaluated the prevalence of sub-clinical OH (SCOH) among PD patients and its effects on left ventricular mass (LVM).

Predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy and their cutoffs in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major predictor of the development of cardiovascular events. This study aimed to identify risk factors that contribute to the development of LVH and to determine their cutoffs in patients on maintenance peritoneal dialysis.

The impact of the peritoneal glucose load index on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the peritoneal glucose load (PGL) on hydration status and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated stable PD patients using a novel PGL index (PGLI), which was calculated as the net glucose content (g) in the PD solutions administered in the daily PD prescription divided by the dry body weight (kg) assessed by whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy. The relationship between PGLI and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fluid overload (FO), and inflammatory markers was investigated.

The impact of glucose load on left ventricular mass in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a well-known major CV risk factor.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of peritoneal glucose load on left ventricular mass (LVM) in PD patients.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patient.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by clinical and electrocardiographic features that mimic acute myocardial infarction, normal or mildly elevated cardiac enzymes, distinctive left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, and absence of significant obstructive coronary artery disease. Often there is a history of emotional stress and usually encountered in postmenopausal women. Excessive catecholamine stimulation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of TTC.

Acute kidney injury associated with metamizole sodium ingestion.

Metamizole sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been widely used in the last 100 years. Its efficacy as an analgesic and antipyretic is unquestionable. Only few cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by metamizole sodium were reported in the medical literature.

Unusual case of pancreatic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor associated with spontaneous splenic rupture.

Background: Spontaneous splenic rupture considered a relatively rare but life threatening. The three commonest causes of spontaneous splenic rupture are malignant hematological diseases, viral infections and local inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. We describe a unique and unusual case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the tail of pancreas presented with massively enlarged spleen and spontaneous splenic rupture.

Effects of omega-3 on lipid profile and inflammation markers in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Introduction: Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients generally have a more atherogenic serum lipid profile. Although statins are the cornerstone of lipid-lowering therapy, there is an important role of fibrates in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

Unusual presentation of gallstones.

Gallstones are usually asymptomatic in the majority of patients. Gallstones can migrate through a cholecysto-duodenal fistula and may cause an intestinal obstruction anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. The obstruction usually occurs at the level of the ileocecal valve.