LARGE amounts of highly heavy metals contaminated wastewater effluents are produced through the metal finishing and electroplating processes. In this study, mesoporous zeolite was prepared from Egyptian bentonite by alkali-hydrothermal method. The prepared zeolite was characterized by XRD technique showing the formation of crystalline phases corresponded to the zeolite structure. The adsorption performance of zeolite toward removal of copper (Cu+2) and nickel (Ni+2) ions was studied in relation to effect of contact time, concentrations of metal ions and the dose of adsorbent. The effect of Cu+2 and Ni+2 ions in treated wastewater on the corrosion behavior of steel pipelines was demonstrated. Elovich, Pseudo-first-order and Pseudo-second order kinetic models were applied. Kinetics models revealed that the adsorption of both Cu+2 and Ni+2 on zeolite was controlled by pseudo-second order kinetic and the equilibrium achieved at 90 min. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Kaganer-Radushkevich isotherms were investigated and the results showed that the adsorption of both cations well-satisfied with Langmuir model. The free energy (E) was 10.66 and 8.772 kJ/mol for the adsorption of Cu+2 and Ni+2 ions, respectively, confirming that the adsorption mechanism is endothermic and proceed through ion-exchange. The effect of Cu+2 and Ni+2 on the corrosion behavior of steel pipelines revealed that the corrosion resistance of steel for treated and untreated water is almost the same.

Background and Aim: A delivery system consisting of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) loaded with polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) was constructed to treat a rat model of cisplatin (Cis)-induced nephrotoxicity with 1/10 of the common dose of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antibodies (infliximab). Materials and Methods: Morphology, size, crystallinity, molecular structure, and magnetic properties of uncoated and PEG-coated SPIONs were analyzed. A delivery system consisting of MSCs containing infliximab-labeled PEG-coated SPIONs (Infliximab-PEG-SPIONs-MSCs) was generated and optimized before treatment. Fifty female Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups: Group 1: Untreated control; Group 2 (Cis): Rats were administered Cis through intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (8 mg/kg) once a week for 4 weeks; Group 3 (Infliximab): Rats were injected once with infliximab (5 mg/kg), i.p. 3 days before Cis administration; Group 4 (Cis + MSCs): Rats were injected with Cis followed by an injection of 2 × 106 MSCs into the tail vein twice at a 1-week interval; and Group 5 (Cis + Infliximab (500 μg/kg)-PEG-SPIONs-MSCs): Rats were injected with the delivery system into the tail vein twice at a 1-week interval. Besides histological examination of the kidney, the Doppler ultrasound scanner was used to scan the kidney with the Gray-color-spectral mode. Results: In vivo, intra-renal iron uptake indicates the traffic of the delivery system from venous blood to renal tissues. Cis-induced nephrotoxicity resulted in a significant increase in TNF-α and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05), bilirubin, creatinine, and uric acid (p < 0.01) levels compared with the untreated control group. The different treatments used in this study resulted in the amelioration of some renal parameters. However, TNF-α levels significantly decreased in Cis + Infliximab and Cis + MSCs (p < 0.05) groups. The serum levels of MDA significantly decreased in Cis + Infliximab (p < 0.05), Cis + MSCs (p < 0.05), and Cis + Infliximab-PEG-SPIONs-MSCs (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the serum activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly elevated in the Cis + MSCs and Cis + Infliximab-PEG-SPIONs-MSCs groups (p < 0.05) compared to the Cis-induced nephrotoxicity rat model. Conclusion: With the support of the constructed MSCs-SPIONs infliximab delivery system, it will be possible to track and monitor cell homing after therapeutic application. This infliximab-loading system may help overcome some challenges regarding drug delivery to the target organ, optimize therapeutics' efficacy, and reduce the dose. The outcomes of the current study provide a better understanding of the potential of combining MSCs and antibodies-linked nanoparticles for the treatment of nephrotoxicity. However, further investigation is recommended using different types of other drugs. For new approaches development, we should evaluate whether existing toxicity analysis and risk evaluation strategies are reliable and enough for the variety and complexity of nanoparticles.

The fired bricks of archaeological supply facilities—particularly the Ahmed Ibn Tulun Aqueduct, dating to the Abbasid period (875 AD)—have received limited attention in terms of integrated conservation. This study aims to identify the main deterioration factors affecting these bricks and to assess the effectiveness of selected nanocomposites for their consolidation and protection. A comprehensive methodology was applied, including examination, analysis, and evaluation using USB digital microscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Consolidants were prepared using silica (SiO₂) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles (mean particle diameter < 30 nm as confirmed by TEM) at 3% and 5% concentrations, dispersed in an acrylic copolymer matrix (Paraloid B72: 70% ethyl methacrylate, 30% methyl acrylate). Treated, untreated, and artificially aged samples were evaluated for physical and mechanical properties, colorimetric changes, and water contact angle. Quantitative results showed that the SiO₂/Paraloid B72 nanocomposite at 5% concentration increased compressive strength from 88.05 kg/cm² (untreated) to 231.21 kg/cm², and achieved a static water contact angle of 107°, indicating bo th enhanced mechanical strength and strong water repellenc. Results demonstrated that both SiO₂ and CaCO₃ nanocomposites significantly enhanced compressive strength, with the SiO₂/Paraloid B72 nanocomposite at 3% achieving the best overall performance—particularly in improving water repellency while maintaining the original appearance of the fried bricks, and showing excellent material compatibility and durability properties of prepared materials. The CaCO₃/Paraloid B72 nanocomposite ranked second in performance; however, the 5% formulation caused slight chromatic alteration and less effective water repellency, indicating the need for concentration adjustments to improve its conservation applicability.