Contribution of Arab countries to pharmaceutical wastewater literature

Sa’ed H. Zyoud,Shaher H. Zyoud,Samah W. Al-Jabi,Waleed M. Sweileh,Rahmat Awang 대한직업환경의학회 2016 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.28 No.-

Background: Recently, the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry has been growing rapidly in many countries in the world, including in Arab countries. Pharmaceuticals reach aquatic environments and are prevalent at small concentrations in wastewater from the drug manufacturing industry and hospitals. Such presence also occurs in domestic wastewater and results from the disposal of unused and expired medicines. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze and compare the quantity and quality of publications made by researchers in Arab countries on pharmaceutical wastewater. Methods: To retrieve documents related to pharmaceutical wastewater, we used the Scopus database on November 21, 2015. All documents with terms related to pharmaceutical wastewater in the title or abstract were analysed. Results obtained from Arab countries were compared with those obtained from Turkey, Iran and Israel. Results: Globally, a total of 6360 publications were retrieved while those from Arab countries, Iran, Turkey and Israel, were 179, 113, 96 and 54 publications respectively. The highest share of publications belonged to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with a total of 47 (26.2 %) publications, followed by Egypt (38; 21.2 %), Tunisia (17; 9.5 %) and Morocco (16; 8.9 %). The total number of citations was 1635, with a mean of 9.13 and a median (inter quartile range) of 3 (1.0–10.0). The study identified 87 (48.6 %) documents with 32 countries of international collaboration with Arab countries. It was noted that Arab researchers collaborated mainly with authors in Western Europe (54; 30.2 %), followed by authors from the Asiatic region (29; 16.2 %) and Northern America (15; 8.4 %). The most productive institution was King Saud University, KSA (13; 7.3 %), followed by the National Research Centre, Egypt (10; 7.3 %). Conclusions: This study showed that KSA has the largest share of productivity on pharmaceutical wastewater research. Bibliometric analysis demonstrated that research productivity, mainly from Arab countries in pharmaceutical wastewater research, was relatively lagging behind. More research effort is required for Arab countries to catch up with those of non-Arab Middle Easter countries on pharmaceutical wastewater research.

Copper selenide film electrodes prepared by combined electrochemical/chemical bath depositions with high photo-electrochemical conversion efficiency and stability

Zyoud, Ahed,Murtada, Khaled,Kwon, Hansang,Choi, Hyun-Jong,Kim, Tae Woo,Helal, Mohammed H.S.,Faroun, Maryam,Bsharat, Heba,Park, DaeHoon,Hilal, Hikmat S. Elsevier 2018 SOLID STATE SCIENCES Vol.75 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Copper selenide (of the type Cu<SUB>2-x</SUB>Se) film electrodes, prepared by combined electrochemical (ECD) followed by chemical bath deposition (CBD), may yield high photo-electrochemical (PEC) conversion efficiency (∼14.6%) with no further treatment. The new ECD/CBD-copper selenide film electrodes show enhanced PEC characteristics and exhibit high stability under PEC conditions, compared to the ECD or the CBD films deposited separately. The electrodes combine the advantages of both ECD-copper selenide electrodes (in terms of good adherence to FTO surface and high surface uniformity) and CBD-copper selenide electrodes (suitable film thickness). Effect of annealing temperature, on the ECD/CBD film electrode composition and efficiency, is discussed.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Copper selenide film electrodes have been prepared by ECD followed by CBD. </LI> <LI> The pristine ECD/CBD electrodes exhibit high PEC conversion efficiency and stability with no further treatment. </LI> <LI> The new film combines advantages of both ECD and CBD prepared films. </LI> <LI> ECD/CBD film annealing at 250 °C affects its composition, uniformity and PEC characteristics. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Spectral and photo-electrochemical characteristics for copper selenide film electrodes are enhanced by combining electrochemical and chemical depositions. Plots are measured for (1) Electrochemical deposited, (2) Chemical bath deposited and (3) combined electrochemical & chemical bath deposited film electrodes.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Enhanced PEC characteristics of pre-annealed CuS film electrodes by metalloporphyrin/polymer matrices

Zyoud, Ahed,AlKerm, Rana S.,Alkerm, Rola S.,Abdelhadi, Doa׳,H.,Park, DaeHoon,Helal, Mohammed H.S.,Campet, Guy,Muthaffar, Reham W.,Kwon, Hansang,Hilal, Hikmat S. North-Holland 2016 Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>High conversion efficiency (<I>η</I>) values have been obtained from modified CuS film electrodes electrochemically deposited onto Glass/FTO. The modification involved pre-annealing the film followed by coating with tetra(-4-pyridyl)porphyrinato manganese (MnTPyP<SUP>+</SUP>) ions embedded inside a polyethylene (PE) matrix. The Glass/FTO/CuS/MnTPyP/PE electrodes exhibited enhanced photo-electrochemical (PEC) characteristics under solar simulated illumination (5.6mW/cm<SUP>−2</SUP>) in aqueous media, compared to the as-prepared Glass/FTO/CuS films which showed no PEC activity. Up to 17.4% efficiency and 85% fill factor (FF) values were obtained from the modified film electrodes. Such characteristics have not been widely known for metal chalcogenide based film electrodes before. Different pre-annealing temperatures were attempted and the 250°C temperature, followed by quenching, showed favorable results. Different aqueous redox couples were studied and the environmentally safe FeCl<SUB>2</SUB>/FeCl<SUB>3</SUB> aqueous system showed highest PEC characteristics. Effect of pre-annealing on film electrode characteristics is discussed. The MnTPyP/PE matrix behaves as charge transfer catalyst for the holes across the CuS film/liquid junction.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CuS film electrodes were coated with metalloporphyrinato manganese(III)/polyethylene matrices. </LI> <LI> High PEC characteristics have been exhibited by the modified electrodes. </LI> <LI> Modification enhanced both film electrode stability and efficiency together. </LI> <LI> The matrix behaved as charge transfer catalyst for holes at the solid/liquid interface. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Annealing CuS film electrodes at moderate temperatures (preferably at 250°C) affects CuS film morphology and spectral properties, and coating with metalloporphyrin/polymer matrices enhanced their PEC efficiency and stability.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Enhanced PEC characteristics for CdSe polycrystalline film electrodes prepared by combined electrochemical/chemical bath depositions

Zyoud, A.,Abdul-Rahman, N.N.,Campet, G.,Park, D.,Kwon, H.,Kim, T.W.,Choi, H.J.,Helal, M.H.S.,Hilal, H.S. Elsevier Sequoia 2016 Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry Vol.774 No.-

<P>Polycrystalline CdSe films have been deposited onto fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO/glass) substrates by three different techniques, electrochemical deposition (ECD), chemical bath deposition (CBD) and, for the first time, combined ECD and CBD (ECD/CBD). The films were comparatively characterized-by photoluminescence spectra (PL), electronic absorption spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM micrographs show that the films involved rod shaped agglomerates with various lengths and widths. XRD patterns show that the three systems involved nano-sized CdSe particles with cubic type crystals. Based on Scherrer's equation, the ECD film showed larger particle size than the CBD film, while the ECD/CBD film showed largest particles among the series. Similarly, the band gap values varied for different films as CBD > ECD > ECD/CBD. Photo electrochemical (PEC) characteristics, including photo-current density vs. voltage (J-V) plots, conversion efficiency (eta), fill factor (FF) and stability were all studied for different film electrodes. The films exhibited n-type behaviors with direct band gaps. The new ECD/CBD-CdSe electrode exhibited higher conversion efficiency (eta%similar to 4.40) than other counterparts. The results show the added value of combining ECD and CBD methods in enhancing PEC characteristics of CdSe film electrodes, even with no additional treatment. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Self-sensitization of tetracycline degradation with simulated solar light catalyzed by ZnO@montmorillonite

Zyoud, Ahed,Jondi, Waheed,AlDaqqah, Najat,Asaad, Sara,Qamhieh, Naser,Hajamohideen, AbdulRazack,Helal, Muath H.S.,Kwon, Hansang,Hilal, Hikmat S. ELSEVIER 2017 SOLID STATE SCIENCES Vol.74 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-particles were chemically deposited onto montmorillonite (MONT) clay particles. The composite ZnO@MONT was then characterized and used as a catalyst for photo-degradation of aqueous tetracycline. Unlike earlier studies, solar simulated light can be effectively used in this work. The composite shows high efficiency as adsorbent and as a photo-degradation catalyst. Both adsorbed and dissolved tetracycline molecules undergo mineralization under the photo-catalytic conditions, and up to 94% of the contaminant gross amount is completely mineralized. Other forms of ZnO particles, commercial ZnO and synthetic ZnO particles were examined in separate experiments. The ZnO@MONT is superior to both pristine counterparts. The ability of tetracycline to sensitize the supported ZnO particles, to solar simulated light, before being photo-degraded itself, is discussed here for the first time. In addition to enhanced catalytic activity of the ZnO@MONT, the composite can be efficiently recovered and reused with no significant loss of efficiency.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> ZnO particles supported onto montmorillonite are useful catalyst for tetracycline degradation by simulated solar light. </LI> <LI> The ZnO@MONT is more effective catalyst than pristine ZnO, due to high adsorption by support. </LI> <LI> Contaminant facilitates own light-driven degradation by sensitizing the wide bad gap ZnO catalyst. </LI> <LI> ZnO@MONT catalyst can be recovered and reused with no significant loss in its efficiency. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Tetracycline may self-sensitize its own degradation with simulated solar light Using ZnO supported onto montmorillonite.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Natural dye-sensitized ZnO nano-particles as photo-catalysts in complete degradation of E. coli bacteria and their organic content

Zyoud, A.,Dwikat, M.,Al-Shakhshir, S.,Ateeq, S.,Shteiwi, J.,Zu'bi, A.,Helal, M.H.S.,Campet, G.,Park, D.,Kwon, H.,Kim, T.W.,Kharoof, M.,Shawahna, R.,Hilal, H.S. Elsevier Sequoia 2016 Journal of photochemistry and photobiology Chemist Vol.328 No.-

<P>This communication describes for the first time how nano-size particles, sensitized with natural dye molecules of anthocyanin, can be used as catalysts in photo-degradation of gram negative Escherichia coli bacteria in water. The naked ZnO nano-particles degraded up to 83% of the bacteria under solar simulator light, while the dye-sensitized particles increased the bacterial loss by similar to 10%. Solar simulator light includes about 5% of UV tail (shorter than 400 nm) which means that both UV and visible light (longer than 400 nm) radiations could be involved. When a cut-off filter was used, the naked ZnO caused only 40% bacterial loss, in accordance with earlier literature that described killing of bacteria with ZnO particles both in the dark and under light. With the cut-off filter, the sensitized ZnO particles caused higher than 90% bacterial loss, which confirms sensitization of the ZnO particles to visible light. Moreover, the results show that the catalyzed photo-degradation process causes mineralization of the bacteria and their organic internal components which leach out by killing. The catalyst can be recovered and reused losing similar to 10% of its activity each time due to mineralization of the dye molecules. However, catalyst activity can be totally regained by re-sensitizing it with the anthocyanin dye. The effects of different experimental conditions, such as reaction temperature, pH, bacterial concentration and catalyst amount together with nutrient broth and saline media, will be discussed together with the role of the sensitizer. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

Drinking and recreational water-related diseases

Waleed M. Sweileh,Sa’ed H. Zyoud,Samah W. Al-Jabi,Ansam F. Sawalha,Naser Y. Shraim 대한직업환경의학회 2016 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.28 No.-

Background: Water – related diseases are worldwide health concern. Microbial contamination and contaminant products in water are a source of disease outbreaks and development of cumulative toxic effects. Ensuring safe water is one of the goals to be achieved at the global level. The aim of this study was to assess publications on drinking and recreational water from a health point of view to understand current problems and future research trends in this field. Methods: Scopus, the largest scientific electronic database, was used to retrieve related articles and present the results as bibliometric tables and maps. Search query was modified manually using related terms to maximize accuracy. Results: A total of 2267 publications were retrieved with an average of 16.82 citations per article. The h-index of retrieved articles was 88. Visual mapping showed that E. coli, diarrhea, cryptosporidiosis, fluoride, arsenic, cancer, chlorine, trihalomethane, and H. pylori were most frequently encountered terms in title and abstract of retrieved articles. The number of articles on water microbiology was a significant (P < 0.01) predictor of worldwide productivity of water – related disease publications. Journal of Water and Health ranked first in number of publications with 136 (6.00 %) articles. The United States of America ranked first in productivity with a total of 623 (27.48 %) articles. Germany (15.44 %), India (16.00 %) and China (20.66 %) had the least international collaboration in water-related disease research. Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control were among top ten productive institutions. In the top ten cited articles, there were three articles about arsenic, one about aluminum, one about trihalomethane, one about nitrate, one about toxoplasmosis, one about gastroenteritis, and the remaining two articles were general ones. Conclusions: There was a linear increase in the number of publications on water – related diseases in the last decade. Arsenic, in drinking water is a serious concern. Cryptosporidiosis and other infectious gastroenteritis remain a major health risk of exposure to contaminated water. Increased number of publications from Asian countries was not associated with a high percentage of international collaboration.

Highlights on selected microscopy techniques to study zebrafish developmental biology

Ahmed Abu-Siniyeh,Walid Al-Zyoud 한국실험동물학회 2020 Laboratory Animal Research Vol.36 No.2

Bio-imaging is a tedious task when it concerns exploring cell functions, developmental mechanisms, and other vital processes in vivo. Single-cell resolution is challenging due to different issues such as sample size, the scattering of intact and opaque tissue, pigmentation in untreated animals, the movement of living organs, and maintaining the sample under physiological conditions. These factors might lead researchers to implement microscopy techniques with a suitable animal model to mimic the nature of the living cells. Zebrafish acquired its prestigious reputation in the biomedical research field due to its transparency under advanced microscopes. Therefore, various microscopy techniques, including Multi-Photon, Light-Sheet Microscopy, and Second Harmonic Generation, simplify the discovery of different types of internal functions in zebrafish. In this review, we briefly discuss three recent microscopy techniques that are being utilized because they are non-invasive in investigating developmental events in zebrafish embryo and larvae.