Treatment Methods Research Articles

Effect of psychological nursing interventions on effectiveness and quality of life in schizophrenia patients receiving modified electroconvulsive therapy

BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a common and severe mental disorder characterized by severe thought disturbances, hallucinations, delusions, and emotional instability. For some patients, conventional treatment methods may not effectively alleviate symptoms, necessitating the use of alternative therapeutic approaches. Modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) is an effective treatment modality for schizophrenia, inducing anti-depressive and antipsychotic effects through the stimulation of brain electrical activity. AIM To explore the impact of psychological nursing intervention (PNI) before and after MECT on the efficacy and quality of life of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS Eighty patients with schizophrenia who received MECT treatment from 2021 to 2023 were randomly divided into two groups: The intervention group (n = 40) and the control group (n = 40). The intervention group received PNI before and after MECT, while the control group received routine nursing care. The efficacy of MECT was evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) before and after the treatment. The quality of life was assessed by the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) after the treatment. RESUITS The intervention group had significantly lower scores of PANSS and CGI than the control group after the treatment (P < 0.05). The intervention group also had significantly higher scores of SF-36 than the control group in all domains except physical functioning (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION PNI before and after MECT can improve the efficacy and quality of life of patients with schizophrenia. It is suggested that nurses should provide individualized and comprehensive psychological care for patients undergoing MECT to enhance their recovery and well-being.

Clinical efficacy of intradermal type I collagen injections in treating skin photoaging in patients from high-altitude areas

BACKGROUND Photoaging, a result of chronic sun exposure, leads to skin damage and pigmentation changes. Traditional treatments may have limitations in high-altitude areas like Yunnan Province. Intradermal Col Ι injections stimulate collagen production, potentially improving skin quality. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of this treatment for photoaging. AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal type Ι collagen (Col Ι) injection for treating photoaging. METHODS This prospective, self-controlled study investigated the impact of intradermal injections of Col Ι on skin photodamage in 20 patients from the Yunnan Province. Total six treatment sessions were conducted every 4 wk ± 3 d. Before and after each treatment, facial skin characteristics were quantified using a VISIA skin detector. Skin thickness data were assessed using the ultrasound probes of the Dermalab skin detector. The Face-Q scale was used for subjective evaluation of the treatment effect by the patients. RESULTS The skin thickness of the right cheek consistently increased after each treatment session compared with baseline. The skin thickness of the left cheek significantly increased after the third through sixth treatment sessions compared with baseline. The skin thickness of the right zygomatic region increased after the second to sixth treatment sessions, whereas that of the left zygomatic region showed a significant increase after the fourth through sixth treatment sessions. The skin thickness of both temporal regions significantly increased after the fifth and sixth treatment sessions compared with baseline (P < 0.05). These findings were also supported by skin ultrasound images. The feature count for the red areas and wrinkle feature count decreased following the treatment (P < 0.05). VISIA assessments also revealed a decrease in the red areas after treatment. The Face-Q-Satisfaction with Facial Appearance Overall and Face-Q-Satisfaction with Skin scores significantly increased after each treatment session. The overall appearance of the patients improved after treatment. CONCLUSION Intradermal Col Ι injection improves photoaging, with higher patient satisfaction and fewer adverse reactions, and could be an effective treatment method for populations residing in high-altitude areas.

Analysis of tera gymnastic as an intervention of acute pain nursing problems in elderly families with hypertension

Background: One of the problems that occurs in the elderly is hypertension. Hypertension has many symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping, and one of them is acute pain in the nape of the neck. In treating pain, there are two methods of treatment: pharmacological techniques and non-pharmacological treatments. One of the non-pharmacological treatments is tera exercise. Terra exercise is an alternative way to reduce pain. Objective: To analyze the implementation of acute pain nursing care for elderly families who experience hypertension problems in Trayeman Pleret Hamlet, Bantul. Method: This research method uses descriptive methods. The approach used is a case study with the management of one case using a nursing care process approach involving elderly families who experience acute pain nursing problems with hypertension. Results: After performing tera exercises three times for ± 60 minutes, participants said the pain had decreased from a pain scale of 5 to 2. Conclusion: The application of tera exercise can reduce the problem of acute pain nursing in elderly families with hypertension.

Effects of Grain Size and Treatment Methods on the Cementation of Bioimproved Calcareous Sand

Effects of Grain Size and Treatment Methods on the Cementation of Bioimproved Calcareous Sand

Patterns of Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment from 2010 to 2020: An Evolving Landscape in Stroke Management Following Thrombectomy Trials.

Population-based studies on stroke can help guide the care of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by providing health care communities with information regarding the current usage of stroke treatments. It remains unclear how rapidly new techniques, particularly endovascular stroke treatment (EST), are being adopted and whether there is any disparity in their availability. Although studies using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) have been conducted, updated studies over a longer period may provide further insights. This study aimed to understand patterns of AIS treatment, discharge disposition, in-hospital mortality, and mean length of stay (LOS) for each modality from 2010 to 2020 using the NIS database. This retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using NIS data from 2010 to 2020. Patients were categorized into groups based on whether they received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), EST, both rt-PA and EST (combined therapy), or supportive care alone. Demographic, socioeconomic, regional, insurance, and hospital data were also obtained. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving each modality, whereas the secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, mean LOS, and discharge disposition. The usage rates increased (p < 0.001) in all groups between 2010 and 2020 (rt-PA: 5.09% to 8.39%, EST: 0.31% to 4.40%, and rt-PA+EST: 0.46% to 1.09%). The highest increase in usage was observed for EST, with a thirteen-fold increase. Mortality decreased from 2010 to 2020 in all groups (rt-PA: 8.45% to 3.54%, EST: 25.22% to 12.50%, and rt-PA+EST: 21.12% in 2010 to 9.30%) (p < 0.001). Combination therapy demonstrated the greatest improvement, with an 11.2% reduction in absolute mortality. Mean LOS was reduced for patients who received rt-PA (6.8 to 4.8 days), EST (9.3 to 8.9 days), and combined therapy (10.0 to 8.3 days) (p < 0.001) over the study period. The proportion of patients discharged to home increased for rt-PA (29.01% to 41.85%), EST (14.13% to 17.70%), and combined therapy (12.89% to 24.29%) (p < 0.001). Overall, stroke treatment usage was higher among the higher income groups, regardless of race. Higher usage was also observed for Whites in the West and Hispanic ethnicities in the South and West. Regardless of income or treatment method, utilization rates were lower for Black patients. Utilization rates were lower for Black patients with Medicare, Medicaid, or self-pay than for White patients. Our study demonstrated that endovascular stroke treatment continues to expand, leading to better outcomes for mortality, LOS, and home discharge. Despite these positive patterns, there are visible inequities across regions, income status, and races.

Ononin: A comprehensive review of anticancer potential of natural isoflavone glycoside.

Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide, with more than 10 million deaths annually. Despite tremendous advances in the health sciences, cancer continues to be a substantial global contributor to mortality. The current treatment methods demand a paradigm shift that not only improves therapeutic efficacy but also minimizes the side effects of conventional medications. Recently, an increased interest in the potential of natural bioactive compounds in the treatment of several types of cancer has been observed. Ononin, also referred to as formononetin-7-O-β-d-glucoside, is a natural isoflavone glycoside, derived from the roots, stems, and rhizomes of various plants. It exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, including Antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antimetastatic activities. The current review presents a thorough overview of sources, chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and the role of ononin in affecting various mechanisms involved in cancer. The review also discusses potential synergistic interactions with other compounds and therapies. The combined synergistic effect of ononin with other compounds increased the efficacy of treatment methods. Finally, the safety studies, comprising both in vitro and in vivo assessments of ononin's anticancer activities, are described.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Role of Epidural Blood Patching.

This review focuses on the challenges of diagnosing and treating spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), a condition caused by spinal CSF leakage. It emphasizes the need for increased awareness and advocates for early and thoughtful use of empirical epidural blood patches (EBPs) in suspected cases. SIH diagnosis is hindered by variable symptoms and inconsistent imaging results, including normal brain MRI and unreliable spinal opening pressures. It is crucial to consider SIH in differential diagnoses, especially in patients with connective tissue disorders. Early EBP intervention is shown to improve outcomes. SIH remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, requiring heightened awareness and understanding. This review promotes proactive EBP use in managing suspected SIH and calls for continued research to advance diagnostic and treatment methods, emphasizing the need for innovative imaging techniques for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the anticancer properties of pH-responsive carvacrol-zinc oxide quantum dots on breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231).

Since most solid tumors have a low pH value, a pH-responsive drug delivery system may offer a broad method for tumor-targeting treatment. The present study is used to analyze the anticancer activity of carvacrol-zinc oxide quantum dots (CVC-ZnO QDs) against breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). CVC-ZnO QDs demonstrate pH responsive and are specifically released within the acidic pH tumor microenvironment. This property enables targeted drug delivery exclusively to cancer cells while minimizing the impact on normal cells. To the synthesized ZnO QDs, the CVC was loaded and then examined by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy. For up to 20 h, CVC release was examined in different pH-buffered solutions. The results showed that carvacrol release was stable in an acidic pH solution. Further, cytotoxicity assay, antioxidant, and lipid peroxidation activity, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear damage, and the ability of CVC-ZnO QDs to cause apoptosis were all examined. Apoptosis markers such as Bcl2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9, were also studied. In conclusion, the CVC-ZnO QDs destabilized the MDA-MB-231cells under its acidic tumor microenvironment and regulated apoptosis.

The efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI in recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is used to treat recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rmNPC). This meta-analysis aims to study the efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI in treating patients with rmNPC. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to November 2023, and included literature that met the criteria. We extracted objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median progression-free survival (mPFS), median overall survival (mOS), and adverse reaction-related events and performed meta-analysis using Stata 14.0. A total of nine articles were included. The summary results showed that the ORR for patients treated with EGFR-TKI for rmNPC was 38% (95% CI = 27%-49%), the DCR was 71% (95% CI = 61%-80%), the mPFS was 6.29 months (95% CI = 5.22-7.35), and the mOS was 15.94 months (95% CI = 14.68-17.20). The most common grade 3-4 adverse reaction events in these patients were mucositis, nasopharyngeal necrosis, and oral ulceration. We found an incidence rate of 49% (95% CI = 38%-61%) for grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs). The anti-PD1 combined with TKI treatment method is more effective than the EGFR-TKI alone for treating rmNPC. The study shows that EGFR-TKI has good efficacy in treating rmNPC but does not translate into survival benefits and owns a high incidence of grade 3-4 AEs. More RCT trials are needed in the future to verify the efficacy of anti-PD1 combined with TKI treatment method.

Enhanced aquaculture wastewater treatment using water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal) and exogenous compound bacteria

Bioremediation technology has been widely recognized as a sustainable treatment method for purifying aquaculture wastewater. We established two types of ecological floating beds, one with water spinach (WS) only and another with water spinach combined with exogenous compound bacteria (WS-ECB) for the treatment of the Pacific white shrimp aquaculture wastewater of low-salinity. The exogenous compound bacteria used in this study was composed of Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Bacillus subtilis in a certain proportion. Microbial community dynamics were analyzed by using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and water quality was determined. Both two treatments were effective in the remediation of aquaculture wastewater. The removal efficiencies of CODMn, TN and TP in the WS group were 34.33 %, 66.54 % and 73.01 %, respectively, and the removal efficiency of NH4+ in the WS-ECB group was 93.79 %. Furthermore, the addition of water spinach and exogenous compound bacteria increased the abundance of some bacteria that are involved in regulating water quality and altered the succession of microbial communities. The microbial communities were shaped by both stochastic processes (including limited dispersal) and deterministic processes (including environmental conditions and biotic interactions). Importantly, stochastic processes dominated the assembly of both water and rhizosphere microbial communities in different treatments, while deterministic processes contributed more to the rhizosphere microbial community in the WS-ECB than in the WS. Overall, our study emphasizes that plant and microbial remediation was a potential and effective approach to remove the nutrients of water, and clarifies the bacterial community dynamics and assembly mechanisms during aquaculture wastewater treatment processes.

Cortistatin protects against septic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting cardiomyocyte pyroptosis through the SSTR2-AMPK-NLRP3 pathway

BackgroundAlthough the pathophysiological mechanism of septic cardiomyopathy has been continuously discovered, it is still a lack of effective treatment method. Cortistatin (CST), a neuroendocrine polypeptide of the somatostatin family, has emerged as a novel cardiovascular-protective peptide, but the specific mechanism has not been elucidated. PurposeThe aim of our study is to explore the role of CST in cardiomyocytes pyroptosis and myocardial injury in sepsis and whether CST inhibits cardiomyocytes pyroptosis through specific binding with somastatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) and activating AMPK/Drp1 signaling pathway. Methods and ResultsIn this study, plasma CST levels were significantly high and were negatively correlated with N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a biomarker for cardiac dysfunction, in patients with sepsis. Exogenous administration of CST significantly improved survival rate and cardiac function in mouse models of sepsis by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis of cardiomyocytes (decreased cleavage of caspase-1, IL-1β and gasdermin D). Pharmacological inhibition and genetic ablation revealed that CST exerted anti-pyroptosis effects by specifically binding to somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2), thus activating AMPK and inactivating Drp1 to inhibit mitochondrial fission in cardiomyocytes. ConclusionsThis study is the first to report that CST attenuates septic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting cardiomyocyte pyroptosis through the SSTR2-AMPK-Drp1-NLRP3 pathway. Importantly, CST specifically binds to SSTR2, which promotes AMPK phosphorylation, inhibits Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission, and reduces ROS levels, thereby inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated pyroptosis and alleviating sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

Heavy metals remediation through alkali assisted ball-milling activation of copper smelting slag for resource utilization

This study describes the preparation of Silico-Calcium-adhesive (CS-SS) by alkali-assisted ball milling to activate copper smelting slag (CS) for the remediation of heavy metals contamination and consequent resource utilization. The adsorption behavior and mechanisms of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) in mono-metallic and polymetallic coexisting systems were investigated. The adsorption capacities of CS-SS were 21.906mg/g, 30.893mg/g and 93.593mg/g for Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) at a pH of 6, respectively. Based on the experimental results of monometallic system indicated that CS-SS exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for Pb(II), followed by Cu(II) and Cd(II). In the polymetallic system, the inhibitory impact of Pb(II) was more potent compared to Cd(II) and Cu(II). The adsorption mechanisms included electrostatic attraction, chemical adsorption, physical adsorption, ion exchange, functional group complexation and surface precipitation. Simple economic estimates show that it costs about $4.72 to treat 1 m3 of Cd(II)-20 mg/L, Cu(II)-30 mg/L and Pb(II)-90 mg/L containing wastewater. Therefore, the CS treatment method proposed in this study has certain feasibility and economic applicability.

Conditioned Media Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Findings and Future Challenges.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder accompanied by a reduction in cognition and memory. Till now, there is no definite cure for AD, although, there are treatments available that may improve some symptoms. Currently, in regenerative medicine stem cells are widely used, mainly for treating neurodegenerative diseases. There are numerous forms of stem cells to treat AD aiming at the expansion of the treatment methods for this particular disease. Since 10 years ago, science has gained abundant knowledge to treat AD by understanding the sorts of stem cells, methods, and phasing of injection. Besides, due to the side effects of stem cell therapy like the potentiation for cancer, and as it is hard to follow the cells through the matrix of the brain, researchers have presented a new therapy for AD. They prefer to use conditioned media (CM) that are full of different growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, etc. without tumorigenicity or immunogenicity such as stem cells. Another benefit of CM is that CM could be kept in the freezer, easily packaged, and transported, and doesn't need to fit with the donor. Due to the beneficial effects of CM, in this paper, we intend to evaluate the effects of various types of CM of stem cells on AD.

A Descriptive Study on Performance Evaluation of Sewage Treatment System

Abstract: As The rapid expansion of modern housing and industrialization around the cities has polluted environment. This trend was observed in many developed countries in the beginning of nineteenth century which resulted in the contamination of air, water, soil etc. with pollutants. If the pollutants are released in the environment and left untreated they would cause serious diseases in both humans and animals. Large scale pollution of water bodies around the globe became a major problem due to release of industrial and domestic waste directly in water streams. To prevent the leaching of pollutants in the ground water scientist developed various methods of wastewater treatment based on the hazardous chemicals and microorganisms, which were present in the untreated water. Modern sewage treatment plants were installed in big cities to treat the water released from households. Most STPs were designed based on the stringent criteria to check the pollutants levels in the treated water so that when it is released or recycled it is safe to the environment. Modern day STP plants have a high cost of operation due to huge power consumption. In order to reduce the pollutant levels in the wastewater this study was conducted using a Eco Bio Block (EBB) techniques with aeration and without aeration. A comparison of EBB was also carried out with MBBR technique. Our results show that when EBB technique was applied with aeration it is effective in reducing pollutant levels in the wastewater akin to MBBR. In addition, we tested the EBB without aeration and found that the treated waste water has relatively low levels of BOD, COD and turbidity, suggesting that the treated water can be utilized for landscaping and horticulture activities. Overall, the outcomes from this study are encouraging to adopt EBB in smaller towns and in small housing societies to treat the wastewater prior to release. The paper focuses on reviewing the various sewage treatment methods and their results.

Management of fractures involving the mandibular body, parasymphyseal, and subcondylar regions

Background: The mandibular bone plays a crucial role in various aspects of facial anatomy, including digestion, speech, and facial aesthetics. Given its significance in these functions, surgeons must not only address functional aspects but also consider aesthetic concerns during treatment. Mandibular fractures represent a prevalent form of traumatic injury in the maxillofacial region. Despite the existence of established treatment methods that have been in use for a considerable time, untreated fractures and complications following surgery can still significantly impact the patient's quality of life. Purpose: Understand the principles of managing cases of mandibular corpus, mandibular parasymphysis, subcondyle fractures using a combination of Mini Plate and Reconstruction Plate. Case: A 54-year-old man with mandibular parasymphysis fracture Dekstra, corpus mandibular fracture sinistra, subcondyle fracture sinistra, dentoalveolar fracture regions 32-42 accompanied by avulsions 32, 31, 41, 42, and hypertension was reported. Results: The treatment in this case was Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF). Fixation of the fracture segments with 2 vertical mini-plates on the parasymphysis of the dextral mandible, 1 mini-plate and reconstruction plate on the corpus and subcondyle fracture sinistra. Conclusion: The use of two plates and screws in the parasymphysis of the mandible, one mini-plate and one reconstruction plate in mandibular corpus and subcondyle fractures, resulted in good occlusion with minimal complications.

Inaccessible and Unaffordable? The State of Water and Sanitation Services in Nairobi, Kenya

As the limited water resources become increasingly stressed by factors such as rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change, the need for sustainable urban water management is more important than in the past decades. A large part of the world’s population still lacks access to clean water and sanitation, making achieving Sustainable Development Goals a challenge. Water is an indispensable resource and plays an important role in ensuring the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, there is a need to prioritize research on the availability, affordability, and access of water resources to promote sustainable water resource management. In this study, we reviewed academic articles and published reports from various institutions and organizations to assess water sources, infrastructure, coverage, accessibility, and affordability of water and sanitation services in Nairobi County. The study identified Nairobi’s main water sources as municipal water, primarily from surface water and groundwater. However, the capacities of the water sources, treatment plants, and wastewater treatment plants were found to be insufficient, resulting in water shortages in most parts of the city.Most of the infrastructures were also found to be insufficient and old, contributing to water distribution inefficiencies, frequent leakages, and pipe bursts which hampers water reliability. The study suggests prioritizing the water and sanitation sector in government budgets to increase infrastructure development investments and funding. Appropriate wastewater treatment methods should also be adopted and implemented to enable wastewater to meet water consumption standards and be potentially integrated into supply systems.

Man up: A Study on how men Deal with mental health issues

Men's mental health is a crucial yet frequently disregarded component of health care. The distinct challenges and coping mechanisms that men employ to cope with mental health issues are discussed in this paper. The analysis synthesizes the body of research on men's approach to asking for help, handling stress, and dealing with mental health issues, which are influenced by societal, cultural, and psychological factors. This study delves into a range of therapies and support systems specifically designed to improve the mental health of men. This study intends to educate policymakers, medical professionals, and the general public on the intricacies of men's mental health by shedding light on these findings, aiming to promote more efficient and inclusive mental health treatment methods.

Efficient Low-Temperature Nutrient Removal from Agricultural Digestate Using Microalgae

Humanity is facing an energy crisis triggered by the depletion of fossil fuels, rapid industrialization, and the growthof the global population. These trendsput an emphasis on searching for alternative energy sources. Additionally, the rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is driving climate change, which poses serious threats. In this scenario, microalgae emerge as a promising solution for both sustainable energy production and CO2 sequestration. Digestate, a nutrient-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion, is considered a cost-effective nutrient source for microalgae cultivation. Utilizing digestate not only enhances the sustainability and economic feasibility of microalgal biofuels but also offers a method for wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, the application of digestate is limited by its high optical density and substantialamount of total solids.In this study, several pretreatment methods were tested to increase the feasibility of digestate application for microalgae cultivation. Our findings show that various centrifugation methods and vacuum filtration decrease the content of total solids but are not effective in reducing optical density. Although the use of microalgae in treating various wastewaters has shown promising outcomes, the effectiveness of nutrient removal at low temperatures remainslargely unexplored.To fill this gap, green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana was cultivated in pretreated diluted liquid digestate in dynamic springtime weather conditions in a covered open race-way pond integrated into a biogas plant.During the cultivation, high solar irradiance and low temperatures were recorded resulting in suboptimal conditions for C. sorokinianagrowth. Although low productivity of C. sorokiniana was detected, the nutrient removal efficiency was high. C. sorokiniana could efficiently remove 83% of nitrogen and 85% of phosphorus showing very promising results of the use of microalgae for wastewater treatment in high latitude regions.

Recent advances and challenges of the green ZnO-based composites biosynthesized using plant extracts for water treatment.

Recently, there has been a notable rise in the prevalence of persistent pollutants in the environment, posing a significant hazard due to their toxicity and enduring nature. Conventional wastewater treatment methods employed in treatment plants rarely address these persistent pollutants adequately. Meanwhile, the concept of green synthesis has garnered considerable attention, owing to its environmentally friendly approach that utilizes fewer toxic chemicals and solvents. The utilization of materials derived from sustainable sources presents a promising avenue for solving pressing environmental concerns. Among the various sources of biological agents, plants stand out for their accessibility, eco-friendliness, and rich reserves of phytochemicals suitable for material synthesis. The plant extract-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) has emerged as a promising solution for applications in wastewater treatment. Thorough investigations into the factors influencing the properties of these green ZnONPs are essential to establish a detailed and reliable synthesis process. Major weaknesses inherent in ZnONPs can be addressed by changing the optical, magnetic, and interface properties through doping with various semiconductor materials. Consequently, research efforts to mitigate water pollution are being driven by both the future prospects and limitations of ZnO-based composites. This review underscores the recent advancements of plant extract-mediated ZnONP composites for water treatment.

Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing in Length Stable Versus Unstable Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures: A Comparison of Clinical, Radiographic, and Pedobarographic Outcomes.

Pediatric diaphyseal femoral fracture (PDFF) is one of the most common injuries requiring hospitalization. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is commonly used for PDFFs in ages 5 to 11. The optimal treatment method for length unstable PDFF is a subject of ongoing debate. This study aimed to compare clinical, radiographic, and pedobarographic outcomes of ESIN between length stable and unstable PDFF. We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing ESIN treatment for isolated PDFF between 2016 and 2021. Exclusion criteria were (1) history of ipsilateral or contralateral lower extremity fractures, (2) highly comminuted or segmental fractures, (3) body weight >50kg, and (4) comorbidities affecting bone quality, range of motion, or neurologic status. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to length stability. Clinical, radiographic, and pedobarographic data were then assessed to compare groups. Twenty-five patients were included (17 length stable and 8 length unstable PDFF) with a mean age of 73.6±17.8 months. There was no significant difference between groups in age, side of injury, body weight, follow-up duration, and nail-canal diameter ratio. Mean deformity in the fracture site in the early postoperative x-rays was not significantly different between groups (P=0.661). After a mean follow-up of 27.8±14.2 months (range, 12-67), there was no significant difference in mechanical axis deviation, distal femur joint orientation angle, or limb-length discrepancy in both groups. The pedobarographic assessment revealed that the length unstable group had a significantly higher external foot progression angle in the injured extremity (9.8°±6.9° vs. 1.3°±5.6°, P=0.031). However, the length stable group had no significant difference in the foot progression angle (4.9°±5° vs. 3°±4.3°, P=0.326). There was no significant difference in either group for other pedobarographic parameters. ESIN is a safe and effective option for length-unstable PDFF, yet attention should be paid to the rotational alignment. Although significant external rotation deformity occurs in length-unstable PDFF, it has no implications for the other pedobarographic parameters. Level IV.