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Purpose: To evaluate four decontamination strategies utilizing enzymatic agents available in most clinical settings to determine (1) the amount of biomaterial that can be removed in a group of previously used healing abutments (uHAs) and (2) the degree to which the decontaminated HAs are capable of inducing an inflammatory response in vitro compared to new HAs. Materials and Methods: In total, 50 HAs were collected following 2 to 4 weeks of intraoral use and distributed randomly into five test groups (groups A-E; n = 10 per group). Group A used enzymatic cleaner foam and an autoclave. Group B used an ultrasonic bath with enzymatic cleaner and an autoclave. Group C used a prophy jet, enzymatic cleaner foam, and an autoclave. Group D used a prophy jet, an ultrasonic bath with enzymatic cleaner, and an autoclave. Lastly, group E used a prophy jet and an autoclave. The control group consisted of 10 new and sterile HAs. Residual protein concentration was determined by a Micro BCA protein assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific), while HAs from each group were stained with Phloxine B and macroscopically examined for the presence of debris. To examine the inflammatory potential, human primary macrophages were exposed to HAs, and supernatant levels of nine cytokine and chemokine profiles were analyzed using a multiplex bead assay. Results: All test groups showed differences in the degree of visual decontamination compared to controls. Groups D and E displayed the most effective surface debris removal and reduced protein concentration, while group A was the least effective. However, compared to controls, all test groups showed high levels of inflammatory cytokine secretion via multiplex assay for up to 5 days. Conclusions: Our study found that decontamination of uHAs utilizing enzymatic cleaners failed to reestablish inert HA surfaces and prevent an inflammatory immune response in vitro. Clinicians should not reuse HAs even after attempts to decontaminate and sterilize HA surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective clinical study compared two different professional maintenance therapy (MT) approaches (with and without periodic removal and decontamination of prosthetic components) on peri-implant inflammatory clinical and biochemical parameters after 5 years of implant function. A retrospective analysis based on patient records was used to assess inflammatory clinical and biochemical parameters around dental implants placed by the same clinician in a private practice. The Plaque Index (PI), peri-implant probing depth (PPD), mucosal recession (REC), bleeding on probing (BOP), and radiographic marginal bone level were determined at baseline and at each follow-up year. Moreover, at the last follow-up visit, the peri-implant intrasulcular levels of active metalloproteinasis 8 (aMMP-8) were also assessed. All participants were under MT with a 6-month recall interval. A total of 92 patients with 132 implants were selected. At the end of the study period, 12 patients with 12 implants were classified as dropouts. The remaining 80 patients and 120 implants were classified into two groups: Group 1 (42 patients, 62 implants) received MT with periodic removal and decontamination of prosthetic components; Group 2 (38 patients, 58 implants) received MT without periodic removal and decontamination of prosthetic components. No statistical differences were found between the groups regarding PI, PPD, and REC. Group 1 presented a statistically significant higher number of sites with BOP (12.4% vs 6.2%). Marginal bone loss was statistically higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (0.23 ± 0.6 mm vs 0.78 ± 0.3 mm). Intrasulcular levels of aMMP-8 were statistically higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. The supplemental application of periodic removal and decontamination of prosthetic components during MT had a significantly positive effect on the inflammatory status of periimplant tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evaluating emergency room nurses' knowledge of radiation protection, health effects, and decontamination procedures is crucial for preparedness in nuclear and radiological emergencies. This study aims to evaluate the level of knowledge among emergency nurses in Saudi Arabia regarding medical responses to nuclear and radiological emergencies. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted via a self-structured questionnaire with 15 true‒false questions divided into three domains, namely, radiation protection measures, radiation health effects, and decontamination procedures, each with five items and a possible score of 1 point per correct answer. The collected data were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics. The study followed the STROBE checklist for methodological rigor. Results: A total of 594 emergency nurses participated in this study, with the majority being young (64.50% aged ≤ 30), female (68.69%), bachelor's degree-holding (67.68%), single (63.64%), having ≤ 4 years of experience (56.06%), working in public health facilities (88.89%), and lacking training in medical response (85.35%). The mean knowledge scores for participants were highest for radiation exposure effects (3.27 ± 0.91), followed by radiation protective measures (2.32 ± 0.99), and lowest for decontamination procedures (1.46 ± 1.07). Overall knowledge was measured at a mean score of 7.06 ± 1.68, with 97.47% of the nurses categorized as having poor knowledge level. Nurses in private hospitals scored higher (7.77 ± 1.82) than those in public hospitals (6.97 ± 1.65) on overall mean knowledge (P = 0.034). Concerning findings include emergency nurses' misconceptions about the protection provided by dense materials, the effectiveness of increasing distance from a radiation source, and prioritizing decontamination of victims over life-saving measures. Additionally, they were unaware of the immediate symptoms following radiation exposure and misunderstood that the primary threat in a radioactive bomb event is the explosion rather than the radiation itself. Conclusion: This study revealed poor knowledge among emergency nurses regarding medical responses to radiation emergencies and highlighted the critical need for enhanced and standardized training in radiation emergency preparedness among nurses. The gaps in knowledge identified in this study could significantly impact the effectiveness of healthcare responses in radiation emergency scenarios. Therefore, targeted educational interventions and policy changes are recommended to address these shortcomings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskites have recently emerged as a promising class of materials with a wide range of applications, including solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and catalysts. In addition, perovskites have demonstrated significant potential for water decontamination due to their tunable properties and facile synthesis. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of perovskites, including their preparation techniques, crystal structure, and electronic properties. The article also highlights the various applications of perovskites, with a particular focus on their use in water decontamination. The different types of perovskites for water decontamination, including simple, substituted, and doped perovskites, as well as nanoscopic and supported perovskites, are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the article addresses the beneficial costs of perovskites and the environmental impacts associated with their use, including toxicity and end-of-life management. The aim of this review article is to provide a broad perspective on perovskites and their potential for water decontamination, as well as future prospects and challenges in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin films of BiOCl, BiOBr, and BiOI (BiOX) were deposited by thermal evaporation for their potential application in the decontamination of water and air through their photocatalytic activity, which was compared among the three. The BiOX thin films were subjected to characterization through X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the optical properties were determined from the diffuse reflectance spectrum obtained with a spectrophotometer. To assess the efficacy of the semiconductor films in water decontamination, the evolution of rhodamine B discoloration and its mineralization was monitored by measuring total organic carbon. The decontaminating activity in the air was evaluated in a gas reactor, measuring the conversion of NOx-type gases. The results demonstrated that the thin films of the three oxides exhibited decontaminating photocatalytic activity in both water and air. However, notable distinctions were observed in the photocatalytic activities of the three bismuth oxyhalides in water, while in air, they exhibited similarities. In aqueous environments, the mineralization percentages exhibited notable variation after 96 h, with the BiOBr film displaying a value of 9.2%/mg and the BiOCl film a value of 3.9%/mg. In contrast, the NO conversion rate in the air was approximately 0.6%/mg for the three oxyhalide films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effectiveness of self-assessed exposure (SAE) data collection for characterization of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) risks in water and wastewater management, challenging the adequacy of traditional random or campaign sampling strategies. We compared 3 datasets derived from distinct strategies: expert data with activity metadata (A), SAE without metadata (B), and SAE with logbook metadata (C). The findings reveal that standard practices of random sampling (dataset A) fail to capture the sporadic nature of H2S exposure. Instead, SAE methods enhanced by logbook metadata and supported by reliable detection and calibration infrastructure (datasets B and C) are more effective. When assessing risk, particularly peak exposure risks, it is crucial to adopt measures that capture exposure variability, such as the range and standard deviations. This finer assessment is vital where high H2S peaks occur in confined spaces. Risk assessment should incorporate indices that account for peak exposure, utilizing variability measures like range and standard or geometric standard deviation to reflect the actual risk more accurately. For large datasets, a histogram is just as useful as statistical measures. This approach has revealed that not only wastewater workers but also water distribution network workers, can face unexpectedly high H2S levels when accessing confined underground spaces. Our research underscores the need for continuous monitoring with personal electrochemical gas detector alarm systems, particularly in environments with variable and potentially hazardous exposure levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient removal of the photocatalysts used in the decontamination of water is crucial after its application beside its expected visible light sensitive activities. This study presents the synthesis of magnetically separable CuFe2O4 nanoparticles (CFNPs) with enhanced photoactivity under AM 1.5 G sunlight. A simple two-step process involving co-precipitation and hydrothermal treatment is employed, with subsequent annealing at temperatures from 200 °C to 1000 °C to synthesize the CFNPs. The characteristic features of the highest photoactive tetragonal phase of CFNP are confirmed by powder XRD studies with Rietveld refinement. This scheme strategically controls the growth of a highly photoactive tetragonal phase with predominant (224) facets over other less active facets in cubic CuFe2O4. Mott–Schottky analysis confirms the p -type semiconducting nature of CFNPs. A favourable direct optical band gap of 1.73 eV, as well as photoluminescence emission quenching for visible photons, show that the (224) oriented CFNPs are good photocatalysts in the visible spectrum with demonstrated organic dye degradations, including methylene blue and others. A density functional theory-based approach validates that the adsorption of such dye is thermodynamically more favourable on (224) facets of CuFe2O4 to facilitate the redox action by the excitons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disasters can prompt hydrocarbon contaminants to reach building water systems, and ultimately customer fixtures. Here, seven water supply connectors (e.g., ice‐maker lines, faucet connectors, washing machine hoses) were exposed to contaminated water, and were subsequently decontaminated by water flushing. After a 24 h contamination period, water samples were collected after three consecutive 72 h exposure periods. Samples were characterized for volatile organic compound, semi‐volatile organic compound, and total organic carbon concentrations. New, uncontaminated, PVC tubing leached phenol at concentrations that exceeded the health advisory. All materials sorbed more than 90% of hydrocarbon contaminants during the initial exposure period. All materials then released the contaminants into the water during decontamination, at times above health‐based limits. The majority of sorbed mass remained in the plastics at the end of the decontamination effort, indicating the products posed continued leaching risks. Public health guidance considerations and research needs were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poisoning with Organophosphates (OP) and/or Pyrethroids (PYR) pesticides is common. We present a rare case of OP+PYR poisoned patient who suffered from Atrial Fibrillation (AF) at the beginning of treatment by a low dose of atropine and reviewed the literature. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old man had ingested about 5-10 ml of a mixture of chlorpyrifos/cypermethrin. Half an hour later, he went to the rural hospital and 2 hr later, after gastrointestinal decontamination, he was referred to the clinical toxicology department with normal vital signs except normal sinus tachycardia [Heart rate (HR)]=105. On admission, he had nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mild sialorrhea, symmetric mid-size pupils, wet skin, and bilateral moist rales in his lungs. His cardiac rhythm changed to rapid AF (HR >140 beats/min) after treatment with 3 mg midazolam followed by 0.3 mg of atropine (0.1 mg every 1-3 min). Atropine administration was discontinued and he was treated with 0.5 mg of digoxin. 6 hr later, his arrhythmia disappeared and all cardiac and laboratory evaluations changed to normal except reduced serum cholinesterase activity. Conclusion: AF may be induced by Organophosphates (OP) and Pyrethroids (PYR) intoxication or during the treatment by atropine. We could not find any known risk factor (cardiac or medical issues) for AF in the current case. It may be suggested that poisoning with OP, PYR (alone or mixed) or atropine (in general or in low dose), or combination is the trigger of AF. However, AF is not life threating and can easily cure by antiarrhythmic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear power plays a major role in the generation of electricity with low carbon emissions. However, it generates significant amounts of radioactive waste, mainly from contaminated metallic components such as steam generators. Decontamination is essential for the safe handling and eventual recycling or disposal of these materials. Various decontamination techniques can be utilized but chemical processes are recommended for complex geometries such as the tubular parts of steam generators. COREMIX (Chemical Oxidation REduction using nitric permanganate and oxalic acid MIXture) is a process that is similar to the CORD (Chemical Oxidation Reduction Decontamination) process currently utilized in the industry which involves dissolving the contaminated oxide layers from metallic surfaces. This process generates a large quantity of radioactive effluent that requires appropriate treatment. The objective is to reduce metallic concentration and the radioactivity by precipitating metals in solution as hydroxides M(m-n)(OH)n (with m the oxidation number of the metal M). The optimization of a two-step precipitation protocol is presented here, with a study of the contact time (1–24 h) and the reagents used (NaOH and KOH). The resulting precipitates from this process are characterized using several techniques (FTIR, TGA and XRD). Tests were conducted on surrogate samples to demonstrate the viability of the process on more complex samples. Finally, the optimized protocols were implemented on radioactive Ni-alloy samples. Decontamination factors were calculated portraying the efficiency of both the COREMIX and the subsequent two-stage precipitation process. Characterization of the sludge produced during the process shows that the precipitate obtained at pH 8.5 consists mainly of iron (III) oxide-hydroxides, whereas the precipitate obtained at pH 12 is mainly composed of manganese (II,III) oxide. The optimization steps show that the contact time during the first precipitation and the choice of precipitants does not influence the efficiency of the protocol while the destruction of oxalic acid proves to be critical to quantitatively precipitate chromium. Ultimately, the COREMIX process can effectively decontaminate contaminated Ni-alloy samples, removing between 12% and 14% of the contamination in each cycle. Decontamination of effluent using the precipitation protocol results in a very high decontamination factor of between 3000 and 6000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Covid‐19 crisis has led to a massive surge in the use of surgical masks worldwide, causing risks of shortages and high pollution. Reusing the masks may be promising to reduce such risks, especially since various decontamination techniques are being investigated. In this study, the thermal degradation of surgical masks was investigated using X‐ray‐based techniques such as XRD and XPS. Additional characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements. XRD experiments reveal an increase in both crystal size and crystallinity of the mask with temperature until it is destroyed at 160 °C. However, XPS results show that there was no significant change in the surface chemistry of the mask, as no other chemical element has been detected in the mask heated up. Breathability has been proven compliant with standards until 150 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonaceous adsorbents were synthesized from palm kernel shell and palm mesocarp fiber for the adsorption of phenanthrene (PHE) and the highly carcinogenic-benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). The structure and properties of the activated biochar were characterized using standardized analytical tools. The microscopic examinations carried out with SEM and BET results revealed mesoporous structures and interstitial spaces in the activated samples (AB-PKS and AB-PMS). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) results showed that prepared sorbents are amorphous and that activation affected the amorphous cellulose on the surface of the microfibrils which led to a decrease in the intensity of some peaks. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) affirms the availability of surface moieties that may promote polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal or decontamination of aqueous media. The sorption isotherm and effect of pH on the adsorption of PHE and BaP onto the activated palm kernel shell (AB-PKS) and activated palm mesocarp fiber (AB-PMF) were investigated. The isotherm studies and error analysis (SSE and R2) confirm that the Freundlich model best fits experimental results for AB-PMF; while, the Langmuir model best describes AB-PKS sorption of BaP and PHE, respectively. The optimal removal efficiency for PHE was between 84 and 100% while that of BaP was between 68 and 87% with maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 19.38–21.98 mg/g and 1.24–13.26 mg/g, respectively. The optimum pH condition for removing PHE is less than 7 and above 7 for BaP. Therefore, the conversion of waste materials to useful sorbents, as well as preliminary adsorption test results obtained suggests a cleaner and cost-effective pathway for waste management and water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micron-scale zero-valent iron (ZVI)-based material has been applied for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) decontamination in wastewater treatment and groundwater remediation, but the passivation problem has limited its field application. In this study, we combined aluminum chloride solution with ZVI (pcZVI-AlCl3) to enhance Cr(VI) removal behavior under aerobic conditions. The optimal pre-corrosion conditions were found to be 2.5 g/L ZVI, 0.5 mM AlCl3, and a 4 h preconditioning period. Different kinds of techniques were applied to detect the properties of preconditioned ZVI and corrosion products. The 57Fe Mössbauer spectra showed that proportions of ZVI, Fe3O4, and FeOOH in pcZVI-AlCl3 were 49.22%, 34.03%, and 16.76%, respectively. The formation of Al(OH)3 in the corrosion products improved its pHpzc (point of zero charge) for Cr(VI) adsorption. Continuous-flow experiments showed its great potential for Cr(VI) removal in field applications. The ZVI and corrosion products showed a synergistic effect in enhancing electron transfer for Cr(VI) removal. The mechanisms underlying Cr(VI) removal by pcZVI-AlCl3 included adsorption, reduction, and precipitation, and the contribution of adsorption was less. This work provides a new strategy for ZVI pre-corrosion to improve its longevity and enhance Cr(VI) removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the acute issue of intensive contamination of surface and underground waters with iron and chromium ions, which reduces the amount of water suitable for consumption. It was noted that because of monitoring the state of transboundary rivers of Ukraine within the framework of bilateral agreements, an unacceptable excess of the content of heavy metal ions was recorded. The main polluters of the water environment are machinebuilding enterprises that discharge untreated or insufficiently treated metal-containing wastewater from the processes of steel etching, chrome plating, etc. Recently, the processing of these solutions to obtain a suspension of highly dispersed particles with magnetic properties - magnetite has been increasingly practiced. One of the directions of its use is the sorption of various pollutants in water environments, i.e., the application of the magnetic absorption method. Our study shows the advantages of using magnetite obtained from sulphate solutions in comparison with the traditional sulphate-chloride solution, the influence of the ratio of iron (II) and (III) ions, temperature, pH, nature of the precipitant, salinity on the dispersion of the obtained magnetic particles. When applying the magnetic absorption method, it was determined that hydrolyzed forms of iron (III) ions are best sorbed on magnetite, the removal process of which from aqueous solutions occurs quite intensively during the first two minutes. During the study of various samples of magnetite, it was established that in acidic solutions, with an increase in the ratio of iron (II) and (III) ions, the efficiency of iron ion removal decreases; in neutral and alkaline solutions, such a dependence is not observed. In the proposed technological scheme, purifying wastewater containing 10-100 mg/dm3 of iron ions is advisable by adding 100-1000 mg/dm3 of magnetite suspension and alkali solution to a pH of 8-9. The study showed that during the treatment of chromate-containing waters with magnetite, in addition to the processes of reduction of chromate ions, oxidation of surface Fe2+ ions to Fe3+, sorption of Cr3+ ions or Cr(OH)³ hydroxides, the reduction of chromate anions on its surface is observed, the basis of which may be the formation chemical compounds, as well as the sorption mechanism. The optimal conditions for removing chromium (VI) compounds from model solutions are to conduct the process at an elevated temperature and use magnetite with a 20 mg per 1 mg Cr6+ consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Intended for management of waste from bioterrorist incident. • Potential for waste to not have to be transported as Category A Infectious Agent. • Potential for management of bio-contaminated waste with minimal worker exposure. • Successfully demonstrated at bench-scale and in field. Clean up following the wide-area release of a persistent biological agent has the potential to generate significant waste. Waste containing residual levels of biological contaminants may require off-site shipment under the U.S. Department of Transportation's (US DOT) solid waste regulations for Category A infectious agents, which has packaging and size limitations that do not accommodate large quantities. Treating the waste on-site to inactivate the bio-contaminants could alleviate the need for Category A shipping and open the possibility for categorizing the waste as conventional solid waste with similar shipping requirements as municipal garbage. To collect and package waste for on-site treatment, a semi-permeable nonwoven-based fabric was developed. The fabric was designed to contain residual bio-contaminants while providing sufficient permeability for penetration by a gaseous decontamination agent. The nonwoven fabric was tested in two bench-scale experiments. First, decontamination efficacy and gas permeability were evaluated by placing test coupons inoculated with spores of a Bacillus anthracis surrogate inside the nonwoven material. After chlorine dioxide fumigation, the coupons were analyzed for spore viability and results showed a ≥6 Log reduction on all test materials except glass. Second, filters cut from the nonwoven material were tested in parallel with commercially available cellulose acetate filters having a known pore size (0.45 μm) and results demonstrate that the two materials have similar permeability characteristics. Overall, results suggest that the nonwoven material could be used to package waste at the point of generation and then moved to a nearby staging area where it could be fumigated to inactivate bio-contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ubiquity and impact of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, as well as their residues in environmental compartments, particularly in water, have raised human and environmental health concerns. This emphasizes the need of developing sustainable methods for their removal. Solar-driven photocatalytic degradation has emerged as a promising approach for the chemical decontamination of water, sparking intensive scientific research in this field. Advancements in photocatalytic materials have driven the need for solar reactors that efficiently integrate photocatalysts for real-world water treatment. This study reports preliminary results from the development and evaluation of a solar system for TiO2-based photocatalytic degradation of intermittently flowing water contaminated with doxycycline (DXC), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), dexamethasone (DXM), and carbendazim (CBZ). The system consisted of a Fresnel-type UV solar concentrator that focused on the opening and focal point of a parabolic trough concentrator, within which tubular quartz glass reactors were fixed. Concentric springs coated with TiO2, arranged one inside the other, were fixed inside the quartz reactors. The reactors are connected to a raw water tank at the inlet and a check valve at the outlet. Rotating wheels at the collector base enable solar tracking in two axes. The substances (SMX, DXC, and CBZ) were dissolved in dechlorinated tap water at a concentration of 1.0 mg/L, except DXM (0.8 mg/L). The water underwent sequential batch (~ 3 L each, without recirculation) processing with retention times of 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. After 15 min, the degradation rates were as follows: DXC 87%, SMX 35.5%, DXM 32%, and CBZ 31.8%. The system processed 101 L of water daily, simultaneously removing 870, 355, 256, and 318 µg/L of DXC, SMX, DXM, and CBZ, respectively, showcasing its potential for real-world chemical water decontamination application. Further enhancements that enable continuous-flow operation and integrate highly effective adsorbents and photocatalytic materials can significantly enhance system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This research study investigated the effect of new decontamination protocols on the bonding capacity of saliva-contaminated monolithic zirconia (MZ) ceramics cemented with two different monomer-containing self-adhesive resin cements. Materials and Methods. Standardized tooth preparations (4 mm. axial height) were performed for eighty human maxillary premolars under constant water cooling system. Eighty monolithic zirconia crowns (Whitepeaks Supreme Monolith) (n = 8 / 10 groups) were manufactured by CAD-CAM. Specimens were kept in the artificial saliva at pH = 7.3 for 1 minute at 37°C except control groups. The specimens have not been prealumina blasted and grouped according to cleaning methods and resin cements: control groups (C) (no saliva contamination + GPDM + 4 ‐ META (N) (CN) and 10-MDP (M) containing resin cement (CM), alumina blasted AL + GPDM + 4 ‐ META (ALN) and 10-MDP containing resin cement (ALM), zirconium oxide containing universal cleaning agent (IC) applied + GPDM + 4 ‐ META (N) (ICN) and 10-MDP containing resin cement (ICM), pumice (P) applied + GPDM + 4 ‐ META (PN) and 10-MDP containing resin cement (PM), and air-water spray (AW) applied + GPDM + 4 ‐ META (AWN) and 10-MDP containing resin cement (AWM)). Monobond Plus was applied to all surfaces for 40 seconds before cementation. The thermal cycle was applied at 5,000 cycles after cementation. The crowns were tested in tensile mode at a speed of 1 mm/min. The mode of failure was recorded. SEM examinations were carried out at different magnifications. Data were analyzed using rank-based Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. Results. No significant differences were found between the surface treatments and between the two types of resin cements. Interaction effects between surface treatments and resin cements were found to be significant by two-way ANOVA analysis. ICM group resulted in significantly better bond strength results compared with CN. ICM was found to result in better bond strength results compared with PM. The combination of universal cleaning agent and 10-MDP containing resin cement had significantly the highest cementation bond strength values. The increasing order of mean tensile bond strength values of decontamination protocols was C < AW < P < AL < IC. The mean tensile bond strength of 10-MDP containing resin cement was slightly higher than GPDM + 4 ‐ META containing resin cement. Conclusions. Universal cleaning agents can be preferred as an efficient cleaning method with 10-MDP-containing cement after saliva contamination for better adhesive bond strength of 4 mm crown preparation height of monolithic zirconia ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RSDL® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) Kit is approved for decontaminating chemical warfare agents and T-2 fungal toxins. This work aimed to investigate the efficacy of RSDL or water irrigation for sulfuric acid dermal decontamination against untreated control in rabbit models. Rabbits were randomly assigned to Groups 1 (no decontamination), 2 (water) or 3 (RSDL) and exposed to sulfuric acid (0.1 mL/3-4 cm²) for 30 seconds Decontaminants remained on-site for 2 minutes. Decontamination efficacy with RSDL and water were similar. Wound pH was higher and erythema persisted longer after decontamination versus control. Oedema developed by Day 3 and resolved by Day 15 in all groups. Necrosis started by Day 3, and all wounds had necrosis by Day 21. Wound areas following decontamination were significantly smaller than controls. Microscopically, all wounds in all groups had full-thickness epidermal and dermal necrosis. In summary, RSDL and water were similarly effective in reducing wound size and increasing wound pH by Day 3 compared to controls. Histopathology data demonstrated similar tissue injury across all groups and showed no signs of wound healing after exposure RSDL was a reliable decontamination method in the absence of immediate access to water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple contaminants are present in industrial effluents, affecting the quality of water treatment operations. As a result, understanding the outcome of the multicomponent adsorption systems is critical for developing an effective decontamination technique. In this study, a novel formulation comprising of two composites—Pennisetum glaucum (PG) biomass–functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT), i.e., (PG + CNT), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) treated Pennisetum glaucum biomass–functionalized carbon nanotubes, i.e., (PG + CNT + CTAB)—was synthesized and utilized for the adsorption of two anionic dyes, i.e., Aniline blue 93 (AB) and Congo red (CR), and two cationic dyes, Crystal violet (CV) and Malachite green (MG), from their individual and multi-adsorptive systems. The influence of different operational factors like pH, adsorbent dosage, and dye solution concentration on the adsorption process was evaluated by employing the Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD). The kinetics of AB, CR, CV, and MG biosorption were better fitted to the pseudo-2nd-order model. The unmodified and extended Langmuir models were suitable for evaluating the experimental data of individual and multicomponent systems. Meanwhile, the extended or modified Langmuir isotherm model confirmed the synergistic behavior of a single dye species over other dye species adsorption on composite surface in their respective adsorptive setups for all multicomponent systems. The thermodynamic observations indicate that the removal of cationic and anionic dyes was feasible. Overall, the synthesized composite is a biosorbent that is safe for the environment and can be used to adsorb anionic and cationic dyes from individual and multi-component dye-containing effluents at a natural pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removal of organic pollutants from wastewater remains a significant challenge. Hence, we report a series of novel MOFs based BixTiy‐BTC photocatalysts synthesized by hydrothermal method for decontamination of 1,1‐Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH). The preparation parameters of MOFs were optimized, the best catalytic performance was achieved by adjusting the Bi/Ti molar ratio to 1 : 3, with Bi1Ti3‐BTC a photocurrent density of 0.35 mA/cm2 was reached. The morphology and composition of the materials were analyzed, titanium doping increased the specific surface area. Bi1Ti3‐BTC was loaded with magnetic nano‐Fe3O4, which prevented agglomeration of Bi1Ti3‐BTC and increased the specific surface area, thus improving photocatalytic activity. The band gap structure of the semiconductor materials was estimated by UV‐Vis and XPS valence band spectra, while the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers was investigated by photocurrent density and PL (Photoluminescence) spectrum. The photocatalytic degradation rate of UDMH rapidly decreased after addition of EDTA, indicating that h+ was the main active species in the photocatalytic degradation process. The photocatalytic removal efficiency of UDMH with Bi1Ti3‐BTC/Fe3O4 at a concentration of 0.5 g/L reached 97.58 % after illumination for 180 min, and after 210 min near quantitative degradation was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 100,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions (ACLRs) occur annually in the United States, and postoperative surgical-site infection is a relatively rare but devastating complication, often leading to graft failure or septic arthritis of the knee, necessitating repeat surgery. Wrapping allografts in vancomycin-soaked gauze has been adopted as a common sterilization technique in the operating room to reduce surgical-site infection; however, identifying effective alternatives to vancomycin has not been extensively pursued. Hypothesis: Tobramycin would be as effective as vancomycin in reducing the concentrations of Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria on tendon allografts. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: S. epidermidis strain ATCC 12228 was inoculated onto the human cadaveric gracilis tendon. The tendons were wrapped in sterile gauze saturated with tobramycin or vancomycin at various experimental concentrations. Bacteria remaining on the tendon were dislodged, serially diluted, and plated for colony counting. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing 2-way analysis of variance testing. Results were considered statistically significant when P <.05. Results: Vancomycin (P =.0001) and tobramycin (P <.0001) reduced bacterial concentration. Tobramycin was found to produce a statistically significant reduction in bacterial concentration at concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/mL (P <.0001 and P =.01 at 10 and 20 minutes), while vancomycin produced a statistically significant reduction at a concentration as low as 2.5 mg/mL (P <.0001 at both 10 and 20 minutes). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that tobramycin is as effective as vancomycin in bacterial concentration reduction but can achieve this reduction level at lower doses. Further studies clarifying the biomechanical and cytotoxic effects of tobramycin on tendon tissue are indicated to solidify its use as a clinical alternative to vancomycin in ACLR. Clinical Relevance: These results will begin establishing tobramycin as an alternative to vancomycin in ACL graft decontamination. Because of relatively frequent shortages of vancomycin, establishing tobramycin as an alternative agent is a useful option for the orthopaedic surgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxalic acid is encountered within industrial processes, spanning from the nuclear sector to various chemical applications. The persistence and potential environmental risks associated with this compound underscore the need for effective management strategies. This article presents an overview of different approaches for the destruction of oxalic acid. The study explores an array of degradation methodologies and delves into the mechanistic insights of these techniques. Significant attention is channeled towards the nuclear industry, wherein oxalic acid arises as a byproduct of decontamination and waste management activities. An integral aspect of decommissioning efforts involves addressing this secondary waste-form of oxalic acid. This becomes imperative due to the potential release of oxalic acid into waste streams, where its accommodation is problematic, and its capacity to solubilize and transport heavy metals like Pu is a concern. To address this, a two-tiered classification is introduced: high concentration and low concentration scenarios. The study investigates various parameters, including the addition of nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of metallic ions, notably Mn2+ and Fe2+. These metallic ions are common components of effluents from metallic waste treatment. Additionally, the impact of UV light on degradation is explored. Investigations reveal that at high concentrations and with the influence of hydrogen peroxide, the presence of metallic cations accelerates the rate of destruction, demonstrating a direct correlation. This acceleration is further enhanced by exposure to UV light. At low concentrations, similar effects of metallic cations are observed upon heating the solution to 80°C. The rate of destruction increases proportionally with hydrogen peroxide concentration, with an optimal oxalic acid to hydrogen peroxide ratio of 1:100. Interestingly, a low-power UV light exerted no discernible effects on the destruction rate; heating alone proved sufficient. In essence, regardless of concentration, the degradation of oxalic acid with hydrogen peroxide experiences acceleration in the presence of metallic ions such as Mn2+ and Fe2+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent progress in the development of MnO2-based micromotors has shown the immense potential of these motile devices to remediate environmental contamination. However, the production of such micromotors on an industrial scale through a facile, efficient and reproducible process remains challenging. The present work aimed to address this issue using naturally occurring and abundant pine pollen (PP) grains. The immersion of PP in potassium permanganate (KMnO4) solutions was found to generate MnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on the PP surfaces, the amount and distribution of which was readily adjusted by varying the coating time. Because of the asymmetrical shape of the PP grains, the MnO2/PP composites exhibited rapid self-propulsion at a maximum speed of 360.686 μm/s (approximately eight body lengths/s) in low-concentration hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solutions. The ability of these materials to remediate heavy metal pollutants was also examined and was evidently increased by a factor of 1.5 compared with static counterparts. These composites could also be recovered and reused over three consecutive cycles. The competitive cost, continuous motion and superior decontamination capacity of these materials suggests potential applications in the rapid removal or degradation of heavy metal ions, toxic organic dyes, pathogenic bacteria and other pollutants in wastewater. These micromotors represent a new approach to the utilization of natural materials in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To measure nurses' compliance with standard precautions during the COVID‐19 pandemic, compare findings with previous assessments and describe the barriers affecting nurses' compliance. Background: Healthcare providers' compliance with standard precautions is still limited worldwide. Implementation of infection control policies in hospitals is needed internationally, especially during a pandemic. Surprisingly, studies exploring nurses' compliance with standard precautions are lacking during COVID‐19. Methods: A multicenter cross‐sectional study was adopted in two Italian hospitals. Nurses' compliance with standard precautions was measured through The Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (Italian version). An open‐ended question explored the barriers to nurses' compliance with standard precautions. Reporting, followed the STROBE guidelines. Results: A total of 201 nurses were enrolled in 2020. Nurses' compliance with standard precautions was suboptimal. A statistically significant improvement in the compliance rate with standard precautions was observed between pre‐ and during COVID‐19 assessments. High compliance was found in the appropriate use of surgical masks, gloves and sharps disposal. Nurses perceived personal, structural and organizational barriers to standard precautions adherence. Conclusion: Nurses' compliance with standard precautions was not 100%, and different factors impeded nurses to work safely. Our findings provide institutional leaders and educators with the basis for implementing policies to optimize nurse safety, well‐being and patient care. Implications for nursing and health policies: Nurses have the right to work safely, and when the shortage of personal protective equipment and nurses during an emergency threatens healthcare quality worldwide, policymakers are challenged to act by establishing an effective allocation of resources for consistent compliance with standard precautions. Moreover, nurses should actively engage in the implementation of infection control policies to improve safe behaviours among citizens and students accessing hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water contamination by harmful organic and inorganic compounds seriously burdens human health and aquatic life. A series of conventional water purification methods can be employed, yet they come with certain disadvantages, including resulting sludge or solid waste, incomplete treatment process, and high costs. To overcome these limitations, attention has been drawn to nanotechnology for fabricating better-performing adsorbents for contaminant removal. In particular, magnetic nanostructures hold promise for water decontamination applications, benefiting from easy removal from aqueous solutions. In this respect, numerous researchers worldwide have reported incorporating magnetic particles into many composite materials. Therefore, this review aims to present the newest advancements in the field of magnetic composites for water decontamination, describing the appealing properties of a series of base materials and including the results of the most recent studies. In more detail, carbon-, polymer-, hydrogel-, aerogel-, silica-, clay-, biochar-, metal–organic framework-, and covalent organic framework-based magnetic composites are overviewed, which have displayed promising adsorption capacity for industrial pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flexible endoscopes have a complicated design which includes several small lumen channels intended to facilitate the flow of fluids, tissue, and tools through the length of the device. This complex design leads to reprocessing challenges for high-level disinfection (HLD) to ensure endoscopes are free from contaminants that could lead to hospital-acquired infections. The aim of this project was to identify optimal strategies and obstacles for each stage of flexible endoscope HLD through an integrative review with the goal of achieving reprocessing excellence. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed/Medline and CINAHL databases. A total of 32 articles and six guidelines were included in the review. Results: Ten elements with best-practice recommendations of flexible endoscope HLD have been identified. The HLD elements that received the most literature support include quality assurance/process monitoring and manual cleaning/decontamination. Several barriers to the adequate performance of HLD elements were also identified. Conclusion: This integrative review applied varying levels of rigour to identify and synthesize best practices for the following HLD elements: point-of-use treatment, transport, leak testing, manual cleaning/decontamination, visual inspection, manual or automated HLD, rinsing/drying, storage/hang time, record keeping, and quality assurance/process monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the escalating global issue of microbial contamination, this study introduces a breakthrough photocatalyst: bismuth ferrite-activated carbon (BFO-AC) for visible light-driven disinfection, specifically targeting the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Employing an ultrasonication method, we synthesized various BFO-AC ratios and subjected them to comprehensive characterization. Remarkably, the bismuth ferrite-activated carbon 1:1.5 ratio (BA 1:1.5) nanocomposite exhibited the narrowest band gap of 1.86 eV. Notably, BA (1:1.5) demonstrated an exceptional BET surface area of 862.99 m2/g, a remarkable improvement compared to pristine BFO with only 27.61 m2/g. Further investigation through FE-SEM unveiled the presence of BFO nanoparticles on the activated carbon surface. Crucially, the photocatalytic efficacy of BA (1:1.5) towards S. aureus reached its zenith, achieving complete inactivation in just 60 min. TEM analysis revealed severe damage and rupture of bacterial cells, affirming the potent disinfection capabilities of BA (1:1.5). This exceptional disinfection efficiency underscores the promising potential of BA (1:1.5) for the treatment of contaminated water sources. Importantly, our results underscore the enhanced photocatalytic performance with an increased content of activated carbon, suggesting a promising avenue for more effective microorganism inactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the adsorption performance of wetland fillers is of great significance for enhancing pollutant removal in constructed wetlands. Currently, limited by complex preparation processes and high costs, large numbers of high adsorption fillers studied in lab are difficult to be applied in practical engineering. In this study, a newly low-cost and efficient phosphorus removal composite wetland filler (CFB) is prepared by using industrial and agriculture waste (steel slag and oyster shells) and natural ore (volcanic rock) as raw materials. The results show that phosphorus removal efficiency was largely enhanced by synergistic effects of steel slag, oyster shells, and volcanic rock, and it was mainly influenced by the proportion of each component of CFB. Based on the fitting of the classical isothermal equation, the adsorption capacity of CFB is 18.339 mg/g. The adsorption of phosphorus by CFB is endothermic and spontaneous, and there are heterogeneous surfaces and multi-layer adsorption processes, as well as pH value and temperature, are free from the influence on CFB phosphorus removal. During the practical wastewater application experiments, the phosphorus removal rate of the CFB-filled constructed wetland apparatus (CW-A) can reach 94.89% and is free from the influence on the removal of other pollutants (COD, TN, and NH3-N) by the system. Overall, the prepared CFB is of excellent decontamination effect, an extremely simple preparation process, low cost, and sound practical engineering application potential, providing new ideas and approaches for enhancing the phosphorus removal capacity and waste resource utilization of constructed wetland systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To achieve high plaque removal around peri-implant tissues, noninvasive cleaning methods that guarantee the long-term success and survival of titanium implants should be established. This systematic review aimed to systematically evaluate in vitro investigations assessing different treatment modalities to decontaminate titanium surfaces, with special focus on the most effective cleaning procedures. Materials and Methods: PRISMA guidelines were adopted in an electronic search conducted through MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify studies on mechanical, chemical, or laser decontamination modalities up to November 2019. Results: The search resulted in 326 articles; after removing duplicates and reading titles, abstracts, and full texts, 38 articles were ultimately processed for data extraction. Mechanical decontamination provided better results in comparison to laser and chemical procedures. Among mechanical modalities, air abrasion showed the best cleaning effectiveness. Conversely, upon comparison of the chemical methods, chlorhexidine demonstrated comparable results with all tested substances and even with photodynamic therapy. Among different lasers, the results showed that the diode was more promising compared with the other tested lasers. Conclusion: This review demonstrated that there is still no consensus on which technique performs better. However, mechanical decontamination yielded more favorable results than laser and chemical methods. This aspect would support the hypothesis that decontamination procedures adopted in a combination fashion, which includes mechanical procedures, may provide better clinical results than when used alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of ammonium (NH4+) in natural waters has increased in the last years due to the rising use of agricultural fertilizers, industrial activity and sewage discharges without any decontamination treatment. The great amounts of this inorganic cation in water bodies have been considered an environmental problem, due to its influence on the eutrophication process which leads to the deterioration of water quality. The application of ZnO nanoparticles to assess nutrient elimination, including ammonium, from water bodies has not been exhaustively studied. In this work, the capability of ZnO nanoparticles to remove ammonium cation from aqueous samples induced by adsorption is investigated. In this regards, experiments tending to determine the efficiency of nanomaterials have been performed employing two different NH4+ concentrations aiming to replicate two feasible real water-impacted environments. The interactions between adsorbent and adsorbate have been explored by employing experimental characterization techniques as well as theoretical DFT simulations. The achieved data demonstrated that the efficiency of ZnONPs shows a dependency on the ammonium concentration, ranging between 0.79 and 11.6 mg of ammonium adsorbed per gram of ZnONPs. According to the data on characterization prior and post adsorption of the ZnO nanomaterials the electrostatic interaction would not be favored, being the coordination ones the most feasible as suggested experimental and DFT results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of a circular economy that recommends the most efficient use of wastes, algae wastes have a huge potential for valorization. In this study, algae wastes obtained after the alkaline extraction of active compounds from two types of marine algae (green algae—Ulva sp. and red algae—Callithamnion sp.) were used as biosorbents to remove metal ions from aqueous effluents. The efficiency of these biosorbents was tested for Zn(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) ions, considered technologically valuable metal ions. The batch monocomponent experiments performed under optimal conditions (pH = 5.0; 4.0 g biosorbent/L; 22 ± 1 °C) showed that more than 75% of the metal ions were removed when their initial concentration was less than 1.25 mmol/L. The experimental data were well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. The high values obtained for the maximum biosorption capacity (qmax: Cu(II) (0.52 mmol/g) > Zn(II) (0.41 mmol/g) > Co(II) (0.39 mmol/g) for G-AWB, and qmax: Cu(II) (1.78 mmol/g) > Zn(II) (1.72 mmol/g) > Co(II) (1.66 mmol/g) for R-AWB) show the potential use of these biosorbents to remove such technologically valuable metal ions from industrial wastewater. This possibility was tested using industrial wastewater samples obtained from the metal coating industry. The quantitative removal (>91%) of Zn(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) ions was obtained when their initial concentration was adjusted to 50 mg/L. In addition, the rapid and efficient desorption of these metal ions from loaded biosorbents by simple treatment with small volumes of HNO3 (10−1 mol/L) further emphasizes the possibility of their recovery and reuse in the technological circuit. The results included in this study indicate that algae wastes have the potential to be used in industrial effluent decontamination processes and open new perspectives for the implementation of circular economy principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portable X-ray fluorescence has successfully been used to effectively evaluate occupational exposure to airborne and surface metal contaminants nondestructively. Traditional methods of assessing metal surface contamination involve the costly, time-consuming collection and laboratory analysis of wipe samples, making portable X-ray fluorescence an attractive alternative method for screening worksites by reducing delays in risk assessment decision-making. Existing research into this use of portable X-ray fluorescence has primarily been centered on the analysis of airborne and surface lead contamination. The extant literature is sparse on the use of portable X-ray fluorescence with other metals for surface contamination with respect to occupational exposure. The present study evaluated the use of portable X-ray fluorescence in the screening of cadmium surface contamination to determine if the effectiveness of decontamination measures can be ascertained by this technique. Wipe samples were collected and screened with portable X-ray fluorescence before being sent to the laboratory for definitive analysis to assess the correlation between portable X-ray fluorescence readings in percent mass with laboratory results in μg/ft2. Portable X-ray fluorescence readings demonstrated a strong linear correlation with laboratory results, as indicated by the R2 value of 0.993. Therefore, this technique may be further developed and deployed as a screening tool for wipe samples used for evaluating contamination and decontamination of metal-contaminated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contagious pathogens like COVID-19 transmitted via respiratory droplets spread effortlessly in the passenger compartments of transport, significantly jeopardizing passengers' safety when taking public transportation. To date, studies on the fundamental theories of airborne droplet transmission and the engineering application of decontamination techniques are insufficient for the prevention and control of pathogens transmitting in the compartments of passenger transport. It is essential to systematically investigate the control approaches to restrain pathogens from transmitting in passenger compartments. Herein, a theoretical framework for calculating the transmission of pathogens in a complex compartment environment was proposed, and experimental platforms that satisfy the Biosafety Level-2 Laboratory safety level for compartment environment simulations were built based on a set of real train cabins. On these bases, numerical investigations on the motion of pathogen-laden droplets were conducted, and decontamination techniques were examined experimentally. Thereby, control measures on the pathogen transmission and pathogen decontamination schemes were proposed. Moreover, highly efficient decontamination devices were developed, and coping strategies for epidemic emergencies were devised. The outcomes provide theoretical and technical support for developing the next generation of transportation and the prevention and control measures cooperatively considering regular and pandemic times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide wastewater treatment plants generate enormous amounts of sewage sludge, and their further disposal depends on the treatment technologies applied and spontaneously occurring microbiological processes. From different ages urban sewage sludge, 12 strains of bacteria with simultaneous tolerance to two or more trace elements: Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb at concentration of 3-5 mmol were isolated and identified by PCR of target genes and Sanger sequencing methods. The isloated metal(loids) tolerant strains belong to the species, i.e., Serratia fonticola, Rhodococcus qingshengii, Pseudomonas fragi, Pseudomonas extremaustralis, Pseudomonas cedrina, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Serratia liquefaciens and Citrobacter freundii. The ecological features of the isolated strains were studied. The optimal growth temperatures for most strains was 15–30°C at pH range of 5–9, although some strains grew at 7°C (Pseudomonas fragi SS0-4, Serratia fonticola SS0-9 and Serratia fonticola SS12-11). Satisfactory growth of two strains (Serratia fonticola SS0-1and Citrobacter freundii SS60-12) was noted in an acidic medium at pH 4. Most of the strains grew in the NaCl concentration range of 1–5%. The isolated bacteria resistant to high concentrations of trace elements can be used for the effective mineralization of sewage sludge and for the decontamination of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of their many advantages, such as simplicity of handling, affordability, and environmental friendliness, green magnetic nanoparticles (GMNPs) are currently receiving more attention than prevailing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The synthesis and application of GMNPs inspired by biological systems are encouraged by rising ecological consciousness and stringent environmental restrictions and also deal with in detail in this manuscript. The current report presents the biological and environmental uses of GMNPs in-depth. Numerous biomedical applications, including imaging and diagnosis, cancer therapy, immunoassay, genetic engineering, and supported enzymes (proteins and peptides), among others, successfully use GMNPs. The GMNPs would be coupled with tiny sensors, microsystems, and microfluidics modules to boost the signal sensitivity for the identification of environmental contaminants, diseases, poisons, drugs, and trace biomarkers from clinical, environmental, and dietary examples. The GMNPs were essential elements in gene delivery and gene therapy initiatives, among other genetic engineering endeavors. They have also been extensively used for environmental applications such as wastewater treatment, organic pollutants decontamination, electrochemical sensing, industrial and radioactive wastes treatment, pollutant adsorption and removal etc. The use of GMNPs, particularly biosynthesized MNPs, is also believed to be more cost-effective than the majority of regularly used traditional MNPs. In addition, Green magnetic nanoparticles applied as supported enzymes, proteins and peptides catalyst, positron emission tomography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, theranostics, thermo-chemotherapy, electrochemical immunoassay and efficient detection of coronavirus is a significant issue in modern analytical chemistry and other fields. The opportunities of using GMNPs in the place of traditional MNPs have also been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the early days of COVID-19 pandemic, due to the shortage of N95 respirators in hospitals and healthcare centers, the reuse of N95 respirators was posed as a crisis capacity strategy. Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of various decontamination methods on N95 respirators of well-known and approved brands. However, fundamental question is whether decontamination and reuse methods can be applied to all types of respirators. Methods: Six types of respirators were selected from well-known and lesser-known brands which their manufacturers claimed to be N95. The selected respirators decontaminated with dry heat, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, and ethylene oxide methods in seven consecutive cycles and their particle filtration efficiency and pressure drop were measured before and after each decontamination cycle. Results: As the initial measurements revealed, 4 respirators (group A) showed a sharp drop in efficiency and also, negative efficiency in removing 2.5 and 4 µm particles in most of the experiments. In these respirators (group A), the maximum efficiency in removing 0.5 µm particles was 74.4 %, while the last two respirators (group B) achieved an efficiency of 98 %. Subsequent experiments following the decontamination process revealed that the non-authentic N95 respirators within group A which were not resistant to decontamination. However, the second group demonstrated a removal rate of over 95 % of particles ranging from 0.5 to 10 µm after six consecutive decontamination cycles using all three methods. The results demonstrated that ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and ethylene oxide methods could eradicate the covid-19 virus from respirators. Conclusion: The results indicated that decontamination can be successfully applied to original N95 respirators, not low-quality respirators, even under critical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although studies have shown high survival rates of dental implants, complications may occur mainly due to peri-implant infections. These highlight the importance of establishing protocols for implant decontamination using adjuvant therapies, such as ozone. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for in vitro decontamination of ozonated water on implants surface. Sixteen titanium implants were used, distributed into the groups (n = 4): group E – sterile implants; group C – contaminated implants; group O40 – contaminated implants treated with ozonated water 40 mg/L; and group O60 – contaminated implants treated with ozonated water 60 mg/L. The implants of groups C, O40, and O60 were contaminated in vitro with biofilm. Groups O40 and O60 were decontaminated with ozonated water for 1 minute. Microbiologic analysis was performed by counting colony-forming units (CFUs). Experimental group comparisons were done using a one-way ANOVA test with Tukey's posttest; a comparison between groups O40 and O60 was done using an independent t-test (p < 0.05). There was a difference among all experimental groups (p = 0.000), with a more significant reduction in CFUs in group O60 (0.83 × 107 ± 0.06) compared to group C (3.41 × 107 ± 0.41). It was concluded that ozonated water 60 mg/L has shown good potential for in vitro decontamination of implants surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear power components contain radioactivity on their surfaces after long-term service, which can be harmful to personnel and the environment during maintenance, dismantling, and decommissioning. In this experiment, laser decontamination technology is utilized to remove radioactivity from their surfaces. In order to meet the actual needs, a laser decontamination process without spot overlapping has been studied. Under the same equipment conditions, the decontamination efficiency of the non-spot overlapping process is 10 times higher than that of the spot overlapping process. Alloy 690 is used as the test substrate, and non-radioactive specimens are prepared by simulating primary-circuit hydrochemical conditions. The surface morphology, elemental composition, and phase composition of the specimens before and after laser decontamination are investigated with SEM and XRD using the single-pulse experiment and power single-factor experiment methods, and the laser decontamination effect was evaluated. The results show that the decontamination efficiency reached 10.8 m2/h under the conditions of a pulse width of 500 ns, a laser repetition frequency of 40 kHz, a scanning speed of 15,000 mm/s, and a line spacing of 0.2 mm, according to which the removal effect was achieved when the laser power was 160 W and the oxygen content on the surface was 6.29%; additionally, there were no oxide phases in the XRD spectra after decontamination. Therefore, the laser cleaning process without spot overlap can provide reference for future practical operations to achieve efficient removal of radioactivity from nuclear power components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium is an essential nutrient for biological function. However, there is a detrimental effect on the aquatic environment associated with higher concentrations of > 40 µg/L. The utilization of waste shrimp shells for the removal of high-concentrated selenium from wastewater is a commendable strategy in both the pollution control and waste management sectors. In the present study, a chitin-iron polymer complex hybrid material (Fe@SHC) was prepared from shrimp shell–derived hydrochar (SHC), and the synthesized composite was successfully employed to uptake selenium from wastewater. The highest removal performance of 79.18 mg/g was attained by Fe@SHC, whereas the capacity of SHC was 15.30 mg/g. It was found that the calcium content of Fe@SHC (1.98%) was lower than that of SHC (25.20%) and pHzpc of Fe@SHC was extended to 7.78 compared with that of SHC (2.00). The abundance of protonated hydroxyl (–OH2+) and amine (–NH3+) functional groups that developed through the iron co-precipitations resulted in the improved adsorption performance of Fe@SHC. XPS analysis demonstrated that the captured Se(IV) species were converted into less hazardous Se(0), which is accompanied by the electron transfer with both N–C = O (acetyl amine) and –NH2 (amine) functional groups. Adsorption kinetics disclosed that the adsorption process was governed by chemical sorption, and the Sips isotherm model provided the most accurate description of the isotherm equilibrium. This study proposed an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method for effective decontamination of Se from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis which has affected the economic and social development. Infectious airborne particles are transmitted via direct contact or inhalation. In order to reduce the infection rates, face masks such as cloth, surgical and filtering facepiece respirator masks are being used as a nonpharmaceutical intervention. Face cloth masks are recommended for public use due the global shortages of traditional single use surgical and filtering facepiece respirators. Decontamination of masks for reuse is also being suggested in order to address the shortages and environmental pollution. Single use masks are disposed after one-time use and pose an environmental and health risk if not properly disposed. Incinerating masks releases toxic gases during combustion. Contaminated masks can be treated with heat, ultraviolet, chemicals and antimicrobial agents to deactivate microbial particles. The protection provided by masks can be compromised if the decontamination method damages the structural integrity, and heat and chemicals have been reported to cause this. When electrostatic charged masks are exposed to water and chemicals, they lose their electrostatic charge and as result their filtration efficiency decreases. Mask's filtration efficiency from the highest to the lowest is in the order filtering facepiece respirator, surgical and cloth. Because masks act as a barrier and they cause breathability difficulty which is associated with the discomfort experience for the wearer. Breathability from the highest to the lowest is in the order cloth, surgical and filtering facepiece respirator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a mass casualty medical evacuation after a bioaerosol (BA) dispersal event, a decontamination (DC) method is needed that can both decontaminate and prevent biological particle (BP) re-aerosolization (RA) of contaminated clothes. However, neither the efficacy of current DC methods nor the risk of BP RA is greatly explored in the existing literature. The goals of this study were to develop a repeatable method to quantify the RA of a biological contaminant off military uniform fabric swatches and to test the efficacy of one DC protocol (high-volume, low-pressure water) using 1 µm polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres as a surrogate. A four-step methodology was developed: contamination using a Collison Nebulizer; RA using a laboratory mixer and aerosol collection using an inhalable air sampler with a polyvinyl chloride filter; DC using a gravity-fed water shower; and quantification using ultraviolet microscopy via both visual and computer techniques. All results for uncontaminated control samples showed little to no presence of PSL sphere-like particles, while the contaminated experimental trials showed that RA was much lower after DC with water at the 99% confidence level (p-value = 0.0081). The water DC showed an average ∼73% reduction in particle RA, along with a change in air sampler filter deposition patterns from aerosol-like (before DC) to droplet-like (after DC). The fluorescent sphere contamination method for testing the DC residual risk of RA was repeatable and successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In a suitable condition, it is important to perform any dental restorative procedure using an operatory field isolated. Then, the aim of this study was to compare the bond strength of composite restorations to dentin affected by any contamination agent through a systematic review. Methods: This systematic review was performed following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The literature search was conducted until September 2022 by scanning the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus, and Web of Science. Manuscripts evaluated the bond strength of resin‐based materials to permanent human dentin contaminated with blood or saliva were selected for full‐text review. The risk of bias was assessed by the RoBDEMAT tool. Results: A total of 3750 papers resulted from the search from all databases. After the full‐text reading, a total of 62 articles remained for the qualitative analysis. The contamination agents used were blood, saliva, and hemostatic agents. A great variety of protocols were used to contaminate the dentin surface, and the contamination process occurred in several steps of the bonding process, including before and after the etching process, after the primer application and after the adhesive application. Also, several decontamination procedures were tested, including reapplication of the etching material, rinsing with water, chlorhexidine or sodium hypochlorite and reapplication of the adhesive system. Conclusion: Any contamination with blood or saliva impaired the bond strength of resin‐based materials to dentin. Decontamination procedures including water‐spray and reapplication of the bonding system could revert the impairment produced by the saliva or blood contamination. The use of hemostatic agents as a method of blood decontamination is not recommended. Clinical Significance: Clinicians should avoid contamination during a bonding procedure, otherwise, a reduction in the bond quality is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide demand for clean water is rising worldwide, yet wastewater decontamination is actually limited by the presence of refractory organic and inorganic compounds, calling for more efficient treatment methods. Here we review the use of ruthenium-based catalysts for the removal or transformation of pollutants at a concentration range of 1.0–100 mg/L under acid or neutral conditions. We focus on catalytic oxidation and reduction, and on the environmental impact of ruthenium catalysts. We discuss electrooxidation, photocatalytic oxidation, activation of inert oxidants, hydrogen-assisted reduction, electroreduction, and N–O bond activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment protocols for peri-implantitis include various decontamination procedures of the exposed implant surface, and their application is dependent on the stage of implant therapy, involving both non-surgical and surgical interventions, as appropriate. These implant surface decontamination procedures may be delivered using different approaches, such as mechanical/physical, chemical, photo/mechanical, adjuncts, or combinations thereof. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we reviewed the available evidence for the non-surgical and surgical management of peri-implantitis. In Part 2, we discuss different approaches for implant surface decontamination. CPD/Clinical Relevance: The pre-operative risk identification and management at both patient and site level, early diagnosis and regular supportive peri-implant care are fundamental for long term implant success and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The efficiency of bacterial removal using mechanical and chemical methods and recurrence rates was evaluated based on infected implant surface removal modalities. Materials and Methods: The study comprises two main parts: in vitro bacterial removal (n = 49) and regrowth (n = 42) suppression tests on implant surfaces. Microorganisms were attached to each implant, and various methods were applied to clean the infected implants. The groups were allocated as follows: (1) no treatment, (2) cotton + saline, (3) brush, (4) scaler, (5) brush + scaler, (6) cotton + 3% H2O2, and (7) brush + 3% H2O2. All groups were further divided into two subgroups of mechanical treatment (3, 4, 5) vs mechanical + chemical treatment (2, 6, 7). After treatment for each group, immunofluorescence analysis and measurement using an ultravioletvisible light spectrophotometer were performed. Results: In the mechanical treatment group, the brush, scaler, and brush + scaler groups, all of which had strong polishing abilities, exhibited superior removal efficiency compared with the other groups (P < .001). In the regrowth experiment, 3% H2O2 effectively restrained biofilm formation. In particular, the brush + 3% H2O2 group exhibited significant differences from the mechanical treatment group (vs brush: P < .001, vs scaler: P = .023, vs brush + scaler: P = .005). Conclusion: Mechanical methods, including brushes and scalers, effectively removed bacteria. Biofilm formation was effectively restrained by H2O2. In particular, the brush + H2O2 group exhibited a superior ability to suppress bacterial regrowth compared with the other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]