No abstract

In the present study, the adsorption behavior of Congo Red (CR) dye from aqueous systems onto sawdust modified by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CH3(CH2)15N(CH3)3Br (CTAB) was attempted. Adsorption experiments were carried out using both batch and column modes under various operating conditions. The effects of some important parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and contact time were investigated. Treatment of the equilibrium data obtained in batch experiments was carried out using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. Based on the isotherm analysis, it was found that the adsorption of CR dye onto SD fits well to the Langmuir model and the adsorption pattern on CTAB modified sawdust (CTAB/SD) followed the Freundlich isotherm which is indicative of heterogeneity of the adsorption sites on the surfactant‐modified sawdust. The maximum adsorption capacity of SD and CTAB/SD were found to be 5.2 and 9.1 mg g−1, respectively, according to the Langmuir model. However, much higher differences in sorption capacities were observed for CTAB/SD and SD in the column system (66.73 mg g−1). In order to find out the possibility of the exhausted column for frequent use, a regeneration study was also carried out. It was found that the dye uploaded column can be easily regenerated with a high performance using ethanol as the washing solution.

Peripheral nerve injuries present challenges to regeneration. Currently, the gold standard for nerve repair is an autograft that results in another region of the body suffering nerve damage. Previously, bioactive borate glass (BBG) has been studied in clinical trials to treat patients with non-healing wounds, and we have reported that BBG is conducive for soft tissue repair. BBG provides structural support, degrades in a non-cytotoxic manner, and can be chemically doped. Here, we tested a wide range of chemical compounds that are reported to have neuroprotective characteristics to promote regeneration of peripheral neurons after traumatic injury. We hypothesized that chemical dopants added in trace amounts to BBG would improve neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants. We measured neurite outgrowth from whole DRG explants, and survival rates of dissociated neurons and support cells that comprise the DRG. Results show that chemically doped BBGs have differentially variable effects on neuronal survival and outgrowth, with iron, gallium, and zinc improving outgrowth of neurons, and iodine causing the most detriment to neurons. Because chemically doped BBGs support increased nerve regrowth and survival, they show promise for use in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Rice husk, as a green and cheap reagent, can be used for the promotion of the synthesis of 12-aryl -8, 9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzo[a] xanthen-11-one derivatives (ATXOs) via threecomponent reaction of aldehydes, 2-naphthol and 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadione (dimedone) under solvent-free conditions. This catalyst can also be used for the preparation of quinoxaline derivatives in a mixture of H 2 O and CH 3 CN at 50 8C. The present methodology offers several advantages such as high yields, simple procedure, low cost, short reaction times, mild reaction conditions and use of a green, cheap and reusable catalyst.

Organophosphorus insecticides (OPPs) have been extensively used for agricultural proposes for more than 40 years. The monitoring of pesticide residues is presently a priority objective in pesticide research in order to obtain an extensive evaluation of food quality. Diazinon (Fig. 1) is an OPP used as a pesticide for tomatos, potatos, grapes and rice.