BiFeO(3) magnetic nanoparticles (BFO MNPs) were prepared with a sol-gel method and characterized as a catalyst. It was found that BFO MNPs effectively catalyzed the decomposition of H(2)O(2) into *OH radicals, being confirmed with electron spin resonance spin-trapping technique and other radical probing techniques. The strong H(2)O(2)-activating ability of BFO MNPs showed promising applications in the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants. When BFO MNPs were used as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst to degrade Rhodamine B, the apparent rate constant for the RhB degradation at 25 degrees C at pH 5.0 in the BFO MNPs-H(2)O(2) system was evaluated to be 2.89 x 10(-2) min(-1), being about 20 folds of that obtained with Fe(3)O(4) MNPs as the catalyst under similar conditions. Moreover, BFO MNPs were demonstrated to have excellent stability and reusability. The catalytic mechanism of BFO MNPs was also investigated with Monte Carlo simulations and density functional theory calculations.

Effects of chelating agents on the catalytic degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) was studied in the presence of BiFeO3 nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst and H2O2 as a green oxidant. The oxidizing ability of H2O2 in the presence of nano-BiFeO3 alone was not so strong to degrade BPA at neutral pH values, due to the limited catalytic ability of nano-BiFeO3. Once the surface of nano-BiFeO3 was in situ modified by adding proper organic ligands, the BPA degradation was much accelerated in the pH range of 5–9. The enhancing effect of the ligand was observed to have an order of blank < tartaric acid < formic acid < glycine < nitrilotriacetic acid < ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The addition of 0.25 mmol L–1 EDTA in the H2O2–BiFeO3 system at pH 5.0 and 30 °C increased the BPA removal from 20.4% to 91.2% with reaction time of 120 min. The enhancing effect of the ligand was found to be indifferent of the possible dissolution of iron from nano-BiFeO3, but correlated well with the accelerated •OH formation from the H2O2 decomposition at the BiFeO3 surface, which was confirmed by ESR measurements and density functional theory studies. In general, more addition of EDTA, higher H2O2 concentrations, or higher temperatures were favorable to the BPA degradation. The effect of the EDTA addition on the kinetics of BPA degradation was also clarified.

Mots clés: enseignement sur le diabète pied diabétique soins de pieds prévention a b s t r a c t Objective: The aim of this study is to design and implement a foot care program for minority patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus of Zhuang tribe in Guangxi, China, which will achieve the following: 1) improve patients' foot care behaviour, 2) improve their glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and 3) decrease the incidence of foot ulcers and amputation. Background: In Guangxi, China, foot care resources are limited, and diabetes self-management and foot care is poor for patients with diabetes. Thus developing a program with the limited resources for diabetes foot care is very important. Methods: A multidisciplinary team led by a diabetes nurse was established. A foot care kit and set of teaching materials focusing on foot care and diabetes self-management was developed. Sixty-two inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, under the same attending physician's service, were screened to be at high risk for foot ulcers and randomized into 2 groups. The subjects in the study group received didactic diabetes education, tailored foot care and focused teaching for 2 hours. Every patient was given a foot care kit during hospitalization and then followed up in the clinic monthly with a systematic foot exam. Subsequently, diabetes education classes were given every 3 to 6 months. The subjects in the control group were just given usual care according to 2007 Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Results: For patients in the study group, the average score of knowledge and self foot care behaviours were higher than those of the patients in the control group both after 1 year (88.31 AE 8.15, 86.35 AE 5.17 vs. 70.27 AE 7.92, 75.86 AE 6.19) and 2 years (87.24 AE 6.20, 89.56 AE 7.00 vs. 71.43 AE 5.17, 67.87 AE 5.26). The mean A1C (6.5% AE 2.3% vs. 7.9% AE 4.2%), the incidence of foot ulcer (0% vs. 24.14%), and amputation (0% vs. 6.90%) were much lower than that of the patients in the control group after 2 years. Conclusion: The foot care program delivered by a multidisciplinary team can markedly improve foot care behaviours and reduce complications of the minority diabetes patients who are at risk of developing foot ulcer, thereby reducing the incidence of foot ulcer and amputation. In areas where resources are limited, the foot care program will be a cost-effective approach to reduce the incidence of diabetes foot ulcer.Ó 2012 Canadian Diabetes Association r é s u m é Objectifs : Le but de cette étude est de concevoir et de mettre en oeuvre un programme de soins de pieds pour les patients minoritaires de la tribu Zhuang, en Chine, ayant un diabète sucré de type 2 (DST2), qui permettra d'atteindre les objectifs suivants: 1) améliorer les habitudes des patients en ce qui a trait aux soins des pieds; 2) améliorer leur HbA1c; 3) diminuer l'incidence des ulcères du pied et de l'amputation. Introduction : Dans la région du Guangxi, en Chine, les ressources en soins de pieds sont limitées, et la prise en charge autonome du diabète et les soins de...

A ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(bpy) 2(H 2bbim)](PF 6) 2 ( 1) as anions receptor has been exploited, where Ru(II)-bpy moiety acts as a chromophore and the H 2bbim ligand as an anion binding site. A systematic study suggests that 1 interacts with the Cl (-), Br (-), I (-), NO 3 (-), HSO 4 (-), and H 2PO 4 (-) anions via the formation of hydrogen bonds. Whereas 1 undergoes a stepwise process with the addition of F (-) and OAc (-) anions: formation of the monodeprotonated complex [Ru(bpy) 2(Hbbim)] with a low anion concentration, followed by the double-deprotonated complex [Ru(bpy) 2(bbim)], in the presence of a high anion concentration. These stepwise processes concomitant with the changes of vivid colors from yellow to orange brown and then to violet can be used for probing the F (-) and OAc (-) anions by naked eye. The deprotonation processes are not only determined by the basicity of the anion but also related to the strength of hydrogen bonding, as well as the stability of the formed compounds. Moreover, a double-deprotonated complex [Ru(bpy) 2(bbim)].CH 3OH.H 2O ( 3) has been synthesized, and the structural changes induced by the deprotonation has also been investigated. In addition, complexes [Ru(bpy) 2(Hbbim)] 2(HOAc) 3Cl 2.12H 2O ( 2), [Ru(bpy) 2(Hbbim)](HCCl 3CO 2)(CCl 3CO 2).2H 2O ( 4), and [Ru(bpy) 2(H 2bbim)](CF 3CO 2) 2.4H 2O ( 5) have been synthesized to observe the second sphere coordination between the Ru(II)-H 2bbim moiety and carboxylate groups via hydrogen bonds in the solid state.