Chronic dermatophytosis: A clinical, epidemiological, mycological study

Background: Dermatophytes are a common cause of superficial fungal infection of the skin. The emergence of epidemic-like attacks of those chronic and recurring represents a public health problem. Materials and Methods: Two hundred patients with suspected fungal infection of the skin attending the Dermatology and Venereology Department of Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital were examined. Fifty-nine patients with chronic dermatophytosis were selected for the study and fifty of those were subjected for culture. History taking and a physical examination were conducted for all patients. A wet mount of 10% potassium hydroxide and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar was done for selected cases. Results: Among 59 patients with chronic infections, the main age group affected was 29 years old, with a nearly equal sex ratio. The mean duration of the illness was 1.2 years. Tinea corporis was the most common type. The Trichophyton genera were the most common (65%), and Trichophyton mentagrophyte was the most common species isolated (46%). Conclusion: Multiple factors have been associated with the appearance of epidemic-like attacks of chronic dermatophyte infections in Iraq in the last several years. Herein, we would like to shed light on these factors and the pathogens responsible.

Research on the Synthesis and Performance of a New Type of Neutral Polymer Bonding Agent

In order to improve the mechanical properties of nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellants, 3-allylic hydantoin was synthesized by hydantoin, potassium hydroxide and 3-bromopropene, and then a new type of intermediate polymer bonding agent (NPBA) was synthesized by 3-allylic hydantoin, acrylonitrile, hydroxyethyl acrylate and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. At the same time, two traditional neutral polymer bonding agents were synthesized for comparative study. Through the contact angle test, the bond performance prediction shows that: compared with the two traditional bond agents, the bond work between the new bond agent and oxidant (ammonium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate) is greater, indicating that the bond between the new bond agent and oxidant is stronger.

EFFICACY OF 5% POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE VERSUS 10% POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION FOR THE TREATMENT OF MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: To compare the efficacy of 5% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum at a tertiary care Hospital. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology Department, Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi, from Oct 2019 to Apr 2021. Methodology: Sixty patients with molluscum contagiosum who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the outpatient department of tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Patients were divided into two groups, A (5% KOH) and B (10% KOH) of 30 patients each. Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) solution was applied at home using the cotton-tipped applicator twice daily. Follow-up of patients was done at 2-weekly intervals for 12 weeks. Efficacy was measured based on the resolution of lesions or improvement from baseline. Results: Complete response occurred in 23 (76.7%) cases in 10% KOH Group while 6 (20%) in 5% KOH Group, Partial response occurred in 6 (20%) in 10% KOH group while 15 (50%) in 5% KOH group, No response occurred in 1 (3.33%) in 10% KOH group and 9 (30%) in 5% KOH group (p<0.001). Conclusion: 10% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) is an efficient modality for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum compared to 5% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH).

Chemical and Electrochemical Properties of Bamboo Activated Carbon Activate Using Potassium Hydroxide Assisted by Microwave-Ultrasonic Irradiation

This paper presents the utilization of bamboo residue from the chopstick industry as modified carbon (AC) for supercapacitor application. Bamboo activated carbon (BAC) was activated using Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and assisted with microwave ultrasonic (Mw-U) irradiation to enhance the properties of bamboo activated carbon (BAC). Different microwave (Mw) power intensities of 100 W, 300 W, and 500 W at 30 minutes of retention time have been applied on activation and the carbonization process was conducted at temperature 800°C. The BAC was analyzed for the morphology using a scanning electron microscope and proximate and ultimate analysis. Then BAC with the higher surface area was subjected to the electrochemical analysis to determine the electrochemical properties. The study indicated Mw-U irradiation improved the morphology of the BAC, eliminated the impurity of the sample, and gave higher carbon content of BAC. The findings show that lower Mw-U irradiation power provided a higher surface area of BAC. The surface area of 646.87 m2/g and total pore volume of 2.8x10-1 cm3/g was obtained with a power intensity of Mw-U activation at 100 W. While, electrochemical properties, the specific capacitance (Cs) of BAC was 77 Fg-1 at 25 mVs-1 in 1 mol/L KOH of electrolyte for cyclic voltammetry (CV) which indicates the ability of the prepared BAC to be used as an electrode in supercapacitor application. This study determined that Mw-U irradiation can improve the properties of the bamboo during chemical activation and formed BAC that consists of supercapacitor properties.

Ethanolysis of Waste Cooking oils using KOH Catalyst

The transesterification of waste cooking oils (WCO) with ethanol was investigated by means of potassium hydroxide (KOH) as catalyst. This work aimed to study the influences of catalyst concentration, temperature, ethanol to WCO molar ratio, reaction time, and stirring rate on the biodiesel conversion. Gas chromatography (GC) was used during the process of transesterification to determine the evolution of ethyl esters concentration with time. Biodiesel with maximum yield was obtained (92.5%) when 2 wt% KOH, temperature of 75°C, and ethanol/oil molar ratio of 11:1 were utilized.

Nitric Acid-Potassium Hydroxide Fractionation of Rice Straw: an Integrated Biorefinery Initiative

Rice straw was fractionated with nitric acid in order to avoid the cooking liquor recovery in pulp production from agricultural residue (rice straw). The rice straw treated with 11.03% nitric acid at 90 ℃ for 3hr yields 53.09% pulp. The nitric acid treated rice straw pulp had high amount of lignin and minerals. However, further treatment of nitric acid pulp with low potassium hydroxide reduced the lignin and ash sufficiently as well as the pulp yield. Pulp yield reduced from 53.09 to 34.27%. The papermaking properties of the nitric acid followed by KOH treated pulp showed better quality than the nitric acid pulp. Nitric acid liquor was used several times. Pulp yield decreased in every step of reusing of the nitric acid spent liquor although residual lignin content increased. The final effluent liquor was rich with potassium, nitrogen and biomass that can be used as soil nutrient for cultivation.

Structural Investigation of the Synthesized Few-Layer Graphene from Coal under Microwave

This study focused on the structural investigation of few-layer graphene (FLG) synthesis from bituminous coal through a catalytic process under microwave heat treatment (MW). The produced FLG has been examined by Raman spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, and AFM. Coal was activated using the potassium hydroxide activation process. The FLG synthesis processing duration was much faster requiring only 20 min under the microwave radiation. To analyse few-layer graphene samples, we considered the three bands, i.e., D, G, and 2D, of Raman spectra. At 1300 °C, the P10% Fe sample resulted in fewer defects than the other catalyst percentages sample. The catalyst percentages affected the structural change of the FLG composite materials. In addition, the Raman mapping showed that the catalyst loaded sample was homogeneously distributed and indicated a few-layer graphene sheet. In addition, the AFM technique measured the FLG thickness around 4.5 nm. Furthermore, the HRTEM images of the P10% Fe sample contained a unique morphology with 2–7 graphitic layers of graphene thin sheets. This research reported the structural revolution with latent feasibility of FLG synthesis from bituminous coal in a wide range.