An eco-oriented polysulfone (PSU) ultrafiltration membrane was developed using amino-functionalized magnetic spent coffee activated carbon (MSCAC@NH2) as a waste-derived nanofiller to enhance permeability and antifouling performance. The functionalized magnetic filler was incorporated into the PSU matrix via non-solventinduced phase separation (NIPS) to fabricate composite membranes with optimized surface and structural properties. FTIR, XRD, and TGA analyses confirmed successful functionalization and improved thermal stability, while FESEM and AFM revealed a transition from dense to well-connected porous morphology with reduced surface roughness. Surface wettability was markedly improved, with the contact angle decreasing from 82.4 degrees (PSU) to similar to 60.3 degrees, accompanied by a substantial increase in porosity (19.2 % -* 52.9 %) and water uptake (49.8 % -* 62.1 %). The optimized PSU-MSCAC@NH2 (3 wt%) membrane exhibited a high pure water flux of 134.1 L.m(-2).h(-1) , humic acid rejection of 96.8 %, and an excellent flux recovery ratio of 95 %, significantly outperforming pristine PSU (FRR approximate to 55 %). Enhanced antifouling behavior is attributed to hydration-layer formation, optimized pore structure, and strong electrostatic repulsion, as confirmed by zeta potential measurements (-32 mV). Although chemical activation and functionalization are involved, the sustainability advantage stems from valorizing abundant spent coffee waste and achieving high performance at low filler loading (3 wt%), reducing reliance on virgin nanomaterials. Overall, MSCAC@NH2 enables the fabrication of high-performance and more sustainable PSU membranes for efficient water purification and NOM removal.

Introduction: Despite evidence for stress-reducing effects of psychosocial interventions in cancer patients, there is insufficient research on the psychological and physiological effects of interventions that utilize music-based avenues to address distress in this population. Method: Women with nonmetastatic breast cancer (N = 10; M age = 50.25) participated in an exploratory study of effects of Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM; a depth approach to music psychotherapy) sessions on distress, psychological impact of cancer, quality of life, and relevant neuroendocrine markers melatonin and cortisol. Participants completed the Profile of Mood States, Hassles Scale, Impact of Events Scale, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast Cancer and provided 15 cc of blood before (T1), at midpoint (T2), after the 13-week intervention (T3), and again at 6-week follow-up (T4). Results: Repeated measures analyses showed that after six bi-weekly sessions, participants reported significant pre-post decreases in depressed mood (eta 2p = 0.54) and total mood disturbance (eta 2p = .53), increased well-being (eta 2p = 0.44; all ps < .05), significantly decreased levels of fatigue by follow-up (eta 2p = 0.34; p < .05), and significant pre-post decreases in perceived distress, which remained at follow-up (p < .05). While no significant change was found in serum levels of cortisol or melatonin for this small sample, a large effect was found at follow-up for pre-post increased melatonin (eta 2p = 1.09) and a small-to-medium effect was found for the pre-post decrease in cortisol (eta 2p = 0.43). Discussion: These findings contribute to the growing evidence for GIM as an efficacious intervention for both reducing distress and normalizing stress physiology and provide support for further study.

Antibiotics in hospital wastewater have emerged as prominent contaminants because of their adverse effect on ecosystems and human health. The treatment of antibiotics-laden hospital wastewater is one of the utmost importance. This study describes the fabrication of oxidative stable functionalized MXene (Ti3C2Tx-polydop-amine-g-polyethylenimine) (Ti3C2Tx-PDA-g-PEI) infused novel hybrid membranes via the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method for antibiotics-laden hospital wastewater (HWW) treatment. The functionalized Ti3C2Tx MXene (f-MXene) was synthesized from Ti3C2Tx MXene and dopamine through mussel-inspired polymerization and Michael addition/Schiff base reaction. Hybrid membranes were then manufactured using different fractions of f-MXene, polyether sulfone (PES) and sulfonated poly (ether sulfone) (SPES). The hydrophilicity, surface texture, pore size distributions, and surface charge were tunable with the fraction of f-MXene within the matrix of hybrid membranes. The pure water flux (Jw) of the hybrid membranes depended on the fraction of f-MXene and the Jw of 1 wt% f-MXene incorporated membrane MX1 was 2.5-fold higher than the pristine membrane MX0. The hybrid membranes were utilized in antibiotic (Tetracycline: TCL and Sulfamethoxazole: SMX) removal from synthetic solutions and HWW. Only 1 wt% f-MXene was adequate to manufacture high performance hybrid membrane MX1 to remove 97.2 % TCL and 42 % SMX. Almost 75 % of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phosphate ion (PO43-) were rejected by the membrane MX1. The enhanced performance of the hybrid membranes for the rejection of TCL and SMX was primarily governed by a combination of electrostatic repulsion, molecular adsorption, and transport pathway modification. Overall, f-MXene infused hybrid membranes were competent in treating antibiotics-contaminated HWW.

The presence of an M-band in serum and/or urine electrophoresis is a crucial diagnostic indicator for multiple myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias. Conventionally, on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), the M-band is observed as a sharp spike (M-spike), typically in the gamma region, occasionally in the beta region, and rarely in the alpha region. However, the infrequency of M-bands in the alpha region raises the possibility of overlooking them when coexisting with normal bands. This study underscores the significance of considering the potential discovery of M-bands in unusual sites, particularly in the alpha-2 region. This retrospective study spanned three years and involved conducting serum and urine protein electrophoresis followed by serum and urine immunofixation electrophoresis on a semi-automated platform (Helena Biosciences, Europe) using agarose gel and serum protein 6-band format kits. We identified five cases of multiple myeloma presenting with a monoclonal band in the alpha-2 region on SPEP and UPEP. Subsequent immunofixation electrophoresis confirmed these bands to be monoclonal bands in the lambda lane. In suspected cases of multiple myeloma, even in the absence of an M-band in the gamma region, heightened prominence in the alpha or beta region warrants further investigation through immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE).

PURPOSE:Lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune diseases both are interrelated. The high incidence of lymphoma in autoimmune diseases and frequent antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity in lymphoma patients have been observed. But the impact of ANA positivity on various clinical parameters and responses to therapy has not been elucidated properly.METHODS:In the present study, 73 treatment-naive lymphoma patients were recruited prospectively and samples were collected at baseline and after completion of therapy for evaluation of ANA. Comparative analysis was performed for various parameters between ANA-positive and ANA-negative groups.RESULTS:The prevalence of ANA at baseline was 27% in lymphoma patients which further increased to 35% after chemotherapy. The ANA-positive group had a significantly higher mean age (58±14.7 vs 47±19.9; p=0.01), early stage (77% vs 38%; p=0.02,) and infrequent B-symptoms (25% vs 52%; p=0.03) as compared to ANA-negative group. No significant difference was observed in the response to therapy and survival (both event-free and overall survival). The most frequent ANA pattern was speckled (50%) at baseline, and homogenous (42%) after the therapy.CONCLUSION:ANA is more frequent in lymphoma and increases further after chemotherapy. Higher mean age, early stage, and infrequent B symptoms were found to be significantly more frequent in ANA-positive lymphoma patients; however, only limited evidence supports its role as a prognostic marker or response to therapy. A wider study with appropriate follow-up data and molecular assay could shed light on the immunobiology of ANA production and its more defined clinical utility in lymphoma.

Factors associated with pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) among subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) remain unclear. Following the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19)‐associated mucormycosis outbreak in India, specific environmental exposures (especially cattle dung exposure) were proposed as possible aetiology. We hypothesized that environmental factors are associated with PM. We compared subjects with DM with (cases) and without PM (controls).

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) clade C is the most prevalent form of HIV-1 comprising nearly 46% of global infections and is the dominant subtype in India. Despite its predominance, the impact of HIV-1 clade C infection on cognitive function has been understudied in comparison with other subtypes, notably clade B, which is primarily found in Europe and North America. Few studies have assessed cognitive impairment in antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve men and women with HIV-1 clade C infection. In this study conducted in Northern India, differences in neuropsychological functioning were compared between 109 participants (70 men, 39 women) with untreated HIV-1 clade C infection and 110 demographically matched healthy controls (74 men, 36 women). A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was used to examine depression, self-assessment of functioning, and cognitive performance in six domains of functioning. Group differences were assessed by HIV-1 status and sex, controlling for age and education. Results indicated that cognitive deficits were substantially greater among male participants with HIV-1 clade C compared to male controls in all domains of cognitive functioning; in contrast, women with HIV-1 clade C had only minor deficits compared to healthy female participants. In addition, a larger proportion of men with HIV-1 clade C exhibited high levels of depression than women with HIV-1 clade C. These findings suggest that untreated HIV-1 clade C infection in men can have debilitating effects on neuropsychological function and depression, and stress the importance of facilitating rapid access to treatment to reduce the impact of HIV-1 infection.

Background. Presence of preformed donor specific antibodies (DSAs) detected by complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC-XM) is a strong contraindication for transplant. However, it has limitations including its sensitivity and its inability to distinguish between HLA-specific and other non-HLA-specific antibodies. In this study, we standardized CDC-XM by flow cytometry and determined its relevance by comparing its results with other methods of DSA detection, such as routine CDC-XM, antibody binding assay by flow cytometry (FC-XM), and Luminex-based crossmatch assays, such as Luminex crossmatch (LXM) and virtual crossmatch (VXM).Materials and Methods. A total of 79 serum samples were tested for DSAs by the flow cytometric complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch assay (FC-CDC-XM) and then the results of FC-CDC-XM were compared with other detection methods such as CDC-XM, FC-XM, LXM, and VXM.Results. We found that the FC-CDC-XM assay is more sensitive than routine CDC-XM. Out of total 79 sera, 24 sera were detected positive (T cells positive: 1 case and B cells positive: 23) by FC-CDC-XM as compared with 3 sera using CDC-XM; these 3 sera also showed positivity by FC-CDC-XM. After FC-XM assay, 23 samples were positive by FC-XM and out of these 23 samples, 13 were also positive by FC-CDC-XM. On comparing the FC-CDC-XM results with VXM and LXM, 10 sera of 24 FC-CDC-XM positive had HLA class II antibodies detected on aConclusions. The FC-CDC-XM is a more sensitive and specific method for detection of HLA-specific complement-fixing antibodies than CDC-XM and FC-XM. FC-CDC-XM should be used in tissue-typing laboratories after intra- and inter- laboratory validation.

The development of an efficient adsorbent for removal of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions using ionic liquid (IL) (1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium amino acetate) functionalized graphene oxide (GO) (IL-GO) is reported. The formation of IL-GO adsorbent was confirmed by FTIR, Raman, TGA, TEM and SEM-EDX analysis. The loading of IL within the IL-GO adsorbent was found to be 39 wt%. A minimum amount of IL (∼2%) leached from IL-GO after continuous stirring in DI water for 24 h. The IL-GO adsorbent exhibited high adsorption capacity towards Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions and stable recovery without cross-contamination of the feed water. The structural integrity of IL-GO was preserved after functionalization and adsorption of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ from aqueous solution. Adsorption kinetics results show that the adsorption rates of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ follow a pseudo second-order kinetic model. Moreover, the adsorption data of both Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ on IL-GO is well fitted using the Langmuir isotherm, implying that active sites for adsorption are homogeneously distributed on the IL-GO surface. IL-GO adsorbent shows promise in the removal of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions from saline water, as part of a pretreatment process in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants, to control the inorganic fouling of RO membranes. Finally, since the adsorption capacity of IL-GO for Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ has been found to be much greater than that for Na + , the developed adsorbent could be a very good candidate for the separation of monovalent and divalent cations from an aqueous feed.

BACKGROUND:Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have a role in infection, autoimmunity, autoinflammation, thrombosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), epithelial-mesenchymal transition, vasculitis, and metabolic diseases. However, its role in early graft injury and graft outcome has not been elucidated till now. We evaluated the circulating NETs during early post-transplant periods and their correlation with graft outcome and IRI. METHODS:Prospectively, thirty kidney transplants recipient (KTR) were recruited and grouped into non-dysfunction (Group-A) and dysfunction groups (Group-B). Serum levels of circulating NETs were estimated by measuring myeloperoxidase-DNA complex at three-time points: pre-transplant, 8 h post-transplant, and 18 h post-transplant; and correlated with early graft outcome. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress or IRI, was also measured to assess its relation with NETs and early graft outcome. RESULTS:Circulating NETs were significantly increased in both non-dysfunctional [Median OD: 0.11 (0.01-0.19) to 0.51 (0.22-0.91); p = 0.001] and dysfunctional [Median OD: 0.16 (0.12-0.27) to 0.38 (0.19-0.68); p = 0.047] KTR during first 8 h of transplant followed by fall at 18 h post-transplant [0.25 (0.18-0.72) and 0.35 (0.26-0.36) respectively]; however, no significant difference were observed between two groups at any time points. Isolated biopsy-proven graft rejection KTR also had higher circulating NETs during the early post-transplant period [Median OD: 0.16 (0.13-0.31) to 0.38 (0.28-1.5); p > 0.05] but no significant difference compared to non-dysfunctional KTR. MDA also displayed similar trends with an early significant rise [9.30 (7.74-12.56) μM to 17.37 (9.11-22.25) μM; p = 0.03 in group-A, and 8.7 (6.04-10.30) μM to 14.66 (13.39-21.63) μM; p = 0.01in group-B] followed by fall at 18 h in both groups [10.21 (7.64-13.90) μM and 11.11 (9.15-17.54) μM respectively]. Despite similar trends of both NETs and MDA, there was no significant correlation between these; however, creatinine exhibits a significant inverse correlation with NETs and MDA both. CONCLUSION:Circulating NETs are significantly increased during the early post-transplant period in KTR irrespective of early graft outcome. Similar dynamics of MDA indicate that the early rise of NETs might be a part of IRI. However, molecular studies with large sample sizes and longer follow up are required to reach more defined conclusions.

In recent years, membrane technologies have emerged as a promising solution for water treatment, particularly ultrafiltration. However, fouling remains a significant challenge in membrane applications, leading to a decline in membrane performance over time. To address this issue, the development of antifouling membranes has garnered considerable attention. By tuning their hydrophilicity, roughness, and surface charge, such membranes aim to mitigate fouling effects and extend their operational lifespan. In this work, aluminophosphate zeotype AlPO4-5 and cobalt-substituted AlPO4-5 (CoAPO-5) fillers were hydrothermally grown, their physicochemical, structural, and morphological characteristics were evaluated, and both types of fillers were incorporated into polyethersulfone (PES) membranes via phase inversion to fabricate antifouling hybrid ultrafiltration membranes. Fabrication of PES/xCoAPO-5 (y) hybrid membranes (x: Co/Al2O3 mole%, y: H2O/Al2O3 molar ratio in the synthesis mixture of the zeolite synthesis) was realized by varying the loading of the zeolite in the casting solution. Water permeance and bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection of the developed hybrid membranes were significantly enhanced depending on the metal content, filler morphology, and loading within the membrane matrix. The maximum water permeance (688.8 L m- 2 h-1 bar-1) was obtained for the membrane loaded with 6 wt% AlPO4-5 (400), which was 66 % higher than the pristine one, while a superior BSA rejection rate of 99.4 % was obtained from the membrane loaded with 6 wt% of 5CoAPO-5 (400).

OBJECTIVE:We previously reported that a brief guided written emotional disclosure (WED) intervention resulted in significant reductions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology in women, but not men, living with HIV. Levels of 24-hour urinary output of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) are shown to be elevated in persons diagnosed with PTSD. The current study tested whether there was an effect for the 4-week WED intervention on 6-month change in urinary E and NE output amongst persons living with HIV. METHOD:Fourteen women and 11 men living with HIV randomized to four 30-min expressive writing sessions of either trauma writing or daily events writing in the parent trial were included based upon collection of urine specimens at baseline, 1-, and 6-months after the intervention. Total volume (µg) and concentration (µg/ml) of urinary E and NE were derived from the specimens as study outcomes. RESULTS:Four repeated measures analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed to evaluate study outcomes using trauma- versus daily-writing as the between-subject factors and collection time point as the within-subject factor, controlling for age and sex. A group x time interaction was observed wherein the trauma writing treatment group showed a significantly greater decrease in total urinary output, F(2, 46) = 4.03, p = .03, and concentration, F(2, 46) = 4.74, p = .01 of epinepherine. Post-hoc analyses revealed the interaction effect for the total, F(2, 22) = 4.82, p = .03, and concentration, F(2, 22) = 7.57, p = .005, of urinary E output over 6-months was significant for women. Interactions were not observed in urinary NE output. CONCLUSIONS:Significant reductions in the total output and concentration of urinary E were found up to 6-months following initiation of a 4-session guided written emotional disclosure intervention. Profiles of sympathoadrenal activity and response to expressive writing differ between men and women living with HIV. Futher research is need to characterize the putative pathways linking sympathoadrenal response to upstream neurobiological function and downstream inflammatory-immune status in women living with HIV and PTSD.

Dear Sir,COVID-19 is of paramount concern in the rheumatology community. As per current consensus, patients of rheumatological diseases (RDs) are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than the general population (high agreement but very low grade of evidence); however, contradictory reports are available regarding its seroprevalence and association with severity and mortality. However, these inferences are mainly based on patients who have long-standing RDs and on various therapies. Then what would happen to those who are treatment-naive, mildly symptomatic, or carrying this disease unknowingly in the community during this pandemic? To explore this aspect, we screened blood samples of clinically suspected patients of autoimmune diseases (ADs) for COVID-19 IgG antibody during the pandemic in the pre-vaccination period. Based on clinical profile, antinuclear antibody (ANA), antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), and myositis-associated autoantibodies were tested. Out of 268 clinically suspected cases of RDs, 131 samples were positive for autoantibodies: RD group (114 ANA+08 myositis associated antibody+09 ANCA), and the rest 137 were negative (non-RD group). Out of these, three samples each from RD (3/131; 2.29%) and non-RD group (3/137; 2.17%) turned out to be positive for COVID-19 IgG antibody (EUROIMMUN, Germany), suggesting no increased prevalence of COVID19 in patients of the RD group (OR=1.046, 95% CI: 0.145–7.53, P=0.9645). Among the RD group, two patients were finally diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, others did not turn up again to the hospital to comment on the final diagnosis. None of these COVID-19 positive patients had any known comorbidities or RD-related treatment. These positive patients from both groups had almost similar mildto-moderate COVID-19 disease courses with a favorable outcome. A meta-analysis found a marginal association of ADs with increased risk of severity and mortality of COVID-19 disease (Risk of severity: OR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.58–2.5, P=0.79; Risk of mortality: OR=1.31, 95% CI: 0.33–5.2, P=0.95); however, the difference was not significant. Studies have documented COVID-19 frequency of 2.4% (4/165) among SLE patients with severe cases mostly in coexisting comorbidities. Even recent consensus has suggested older age, presence of comorbidities, and use of prednisolone ≥10 as a risk factor for poor outcome in these two coexisting diseases. Unlike the previous reports, the present study highlighted the susceptibility of treatment naïve cases of RDs for COVID-19. The RD group either has an almost similar SARS-CoV-2 prevalence as the non-RD group (2.29% vs. 2.17%) or even lowers than the general population (2.29% vs. 7%). In conclusion, RD itself does not seem to be a risk factor for SARS-CoV2 infection, even in treatment naïve patients; however, disease outcome may depend on various coexisting factors/comorbidities. Inter-talk between SARS-CoV-2 and RDs yet to be explored.

OBJECTIVES:To describe the clinico-laboratory profile, intensive care needs and outcome of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during the first and second waves.METHODOLOGY:This retrospective study was conducted in the paediatric emergency and paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India involving 122 children with MIS-C admitted during the first wave (September 2020-January 2021, n = 40) and second wave (February 2021-September 2021, n = 82) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).RESULTS:The median (interquartile range) age was 7 (4-10) years and 67% were boys. Common manifestations included fever (99%), abdominal symptoms (81%), rash (66%) and conjunctival injection (65%). Elevated C-reactive protein (97%), D-dimer (89%), procalcitonin (80%), IL-6 (78%), ferritin (56%), N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (84%) and positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody (81%) were common laboratory abnormalities. Cardiovascular manifestations included myocardial dysfunction (55%), shock (48%) and coronary artery changes (10%). The treatment included intensive care support (57%), non-invasive (33%) and invasive (18%) ventilation, vasoactive drugs (47%), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (83%), steroids (85%) and aspirin (87%). The mortality was 5% (n = 6). During the second wave, a significantly higher proportion had positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody, contact with COVID-19 and oral mucosal changes; lower markers of inflammation; lower proportion had lymphopenia, elevated IL-6 and ferritin; lower rates of shock, myocardial dysfunction and coronary artery changes; lesser need of PICU admission, fluid boluses, vasoactive drugs and IVIG; and shorter hospital stay.CONCLUSION:MIS-C is a febrile multisystemic disease characterized by hyperinflammation, cardiovascular involvement, temporal relationship to SARS-CoV-2 and good outcome with immunomodulation and intensive care. During the second wave, the severity of illness, degree of inflammation, intensive care needs, and requirement of immunomodulation were less as compared to the first wave.

The expedition for renewable and alternative energy sources is a need of the 21st century due to the rapid population growth. Biodiesel is one of the preferred intrants that many researchers, stockholders, legislators, etc., are investing in for satisfying its requirement. Biodiesel production from plant sources has been investigated extensively, but with the increasing populace, there is a food versus fuel debate, which jeopardizes this option. In view of this contextual, biodiesel production microbial sources, viz. oleaginous bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and microalgae are suitable intrants, which can help accomplish the energy demand evading the food versus fuel argument. In this chapter, a comprehensive study of lipid production from numerous microbial sources is discussed, with significant prominence on understanding the lipid accumulation biochemistry with the biosynthesis of fatty acids and triacylglycerides. Also, various biochemical and metabolic approaches were adopted to improve lipid yields.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children is a febrile illness that has overlapping presentation with other locally prevalent illnesses. Clinicolaboratory profile of children admitted with MIS-C and dengue were compared to understand their presentation at the outset. This was a retrospective study of children ≤ 12 y admitted with MIS-C (WHO definition) or laboratory-confirmed dengue between August 2020 and January 2021 at a tertiary center in North India. A total of 84 children (MIS-C - 40; dengue - 44) were included. The mean (SD) age [83.5 (39) vs. 91.6 (35) mo] was comparable. Rash (72.5

A novel high-performance hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was fabricated by blending polydopamine-coated graphene oxide (PDGO) nanosheets with sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES) via phase inversion method and tested for the removal of natural organic matter (humic acid; HA) from aqueous solution. The PDGO nanosheets were synthesized via self-polymerization of dopamine with GO nanosheets in alkaline tris-buffer solution at room temperature for 24 h and were fully characterized. Hybrid SPES membranes were prepared by incorporating 1-10 wt% of PDGO, which were further characterized by Raman spectroscopy, surface zeta potential, and field emission scanning electron microscopy to confirm membrane stability without any defects even by adding up to 10 wt%, of PDGO nanosheets. The membranes demonstrated a significant increase in hydrophilicity, water flux, and retention rate for HA (R-HA). For instance, water permeability with 5 wt% PDGO (M5) (680.7 L m(-2) h(-1) bar(-1)) was ca. 1.8-folds that of the pristine SPES membrane (380.8 L m(-2) h(-1) bar(-1)), while maintaining an HA rejection (R-HA) of 91.7% for a 50 ppm HA feed solution. This was accompanied by a distinct increase in surface hydrophilicity of M5, which showed a water contact angle of 27.8 & DEG;, well below that of pristine SPES membrane (59.1 & DEG;). The hybrid UF membranes also demonstrated a significant reduction in HA adhesion onto the membrane surface along with a superior antifouling performance for the membrane containing 10 wt% PDGO, giving irreversible fouling ratio (R-ir) of only 6.9% compared to 32.7% for the pristine membrane.