Carbon-based adsorbents for the mitigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon: a review of recent research.

Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) poses significant dangers to the environment and human health. The advancement of technology for cleaning up PAH-contaminated environments is receiving more attention. Adsorption is the preferred and most favorable approach for cleaning up sediments polluted with PAH. Due to their affordability and environmental friendliness, carbonaceous adsorbents (CAs) have been regarded as promising for adsorbing PAH. However, adsorbent qualities, environmental features, and factors may all significantly impact how well CAs remove PAH. According to growing data, CAs, most of which come from laboratory tests, may be utilized to decontaminate PAH in aquatic setups. However, their full potential has not yet been established, especially concerning field applications. This review aims to concisely summarize recent developments in CA, PAH stabilization processes, and essential field application-controlling variables. This review analysis emphasizes activated carbon, biochar, Graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon-nanomaterials composite since these CAs are most often utilized as adsorbents for PAH in aquatic systems.

Up-regulation of hypertonicity-activated myo-inositol transporter SMIT1 by the cell volume-sensitive protein kinase SGK1.

Mechanisms of regulatory cell volume increase following cell shrinkage include accumulation of organic osmolytes such as betaine, taurine, sorbitol, glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) and myo-inositol. Myo-inositol is taken up by the sodium-myo-inositol-transporter SMIT1 (SLC5A3) expressed in a wide variety of cell types. Hypertonicity induces the transcription of the SMIT1 gene upon binding of the transcription factor tonicity enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) to tonicity responsive enhancers (TonE) in the SMIT1 promoter region. However, little is known about post-translational regulation of the carrier protein. In this study we show that SMIT1 is modulated by the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1, a protein genomically up-regulated by hypertonicity. As demonstrated by two-electrode voltage-clamp in the Xenopus oocyte expression system, SMIT1-mediated myo-inositol-induced currents are up-regulated by coexpression of wild type SGK1 and constitutively active (S422D)SGK1 but not by inactive (K127N)SGK1. The increase in SMIT1 activity is due to an elevated cell surface expression of the carrier while its kinetic properties remain unaffected. According to the decay of SMIT1 activity in the presence of brefeldin A, SGK1 stabilizes the SMIT1 protein in the plasma membrane. The SGK isoforms SGK2, SGK3 and the closely related protein kinase B (PKB) are similarly capable of activating SMIT1 activity. SMIT1-mediated currents are decreased by coexpression of the ubiquitin-ligase Nedd4-2, an effect counteracted by additional coexpression of SGK1. In conclusion, the present observations disclose SGK isoforms and protein kinase B as novel regulators of SMIT1 activity.

Effect of combined supplementation of fish oil with garlic pearls on the serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Elevated total cholesterol, especially low-density lipoprotein has been documented as the leading risk factor for the coronary artery disease among Indians. Studies with fish oil supplementation alone have shown an increase in low-density lipoprotein, thereby enhancing the risk associated with incidence of coronary artery disease in hypercholesterolemic subjects. In view of this, the effect of a combined supplementation of fish oil with garlic pearls on the serum lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects was studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: We administered 600 mg of fish oil with 500 mg of garlic pearls (garlic oil) per day to 16 hypercholesterolemic subjects (age range: 30-60 years) with a total cholesterol above 220 mg/dl for 60 days. The effect of this combined supplementation was compared with that of a control group (16 hypercholesterolemic subjects) without any supplementation. The baseline body height and weight of all the subjects were recorded. Significant reductions were seen in all the lipid parameters (except high-density lipoprotein which was increased) in the test group after 60 days compared to that of the control group. The total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, serum triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, and the total cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein ratio reduced by 20%, 21%, 37%, 36.7%, and 23.4%, respectively, and the high-density lipoprotein increased by 5.1% after 60 days of supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The co-administration of garlic pearls with fish oil was found to be more effective than placebo in the management of dyslipidemia.

Cooling evokes redistribution of alpha2C-adrenoceptors from Golgi to plasma membrane in transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells.

Cold-induced vasoconstriction in cutaneous blood vessels is mediated by increased constrictor activity of vascular alpha2-adrenoceptors (alpha2-ARs). In mouse cutaneous arteries, alpha2-AR constriction at 37 degrees C is mediated by alpha2A-ARs, whereas after cold exposure (28 degrees C), alpha2C-ARs are no longer silent and mediate the remarkable cold-induced augmentation of alpha2-AR responsiveness. The goals of the present study were to develop a cell model of cutaneous thermoregulation and to determine the mechanisms underlying the thermosensitivity of alpha2C-ARs. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells were transiently transfected with the mouse alpha2A- or alpha2C-AR. In cells expressing alpha2A-ARs, UK-14,304 (5-bromo-N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-6-quinoxalinamine), an alpha2-AR agonist, inhibited (10 pM) and stimulated (1-10 nM) the accumulation of cAMP evoked by forskolin. Similar responses were obtained at 37 degrees C and 28 degrees C. In contrast, in cells expressing alpha2C-ARs, UK-14,304 did not affect forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation at 37 degrees C but did cause a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect at 28 degrees C. Subcellular fractionation revealed that at 37 degrees C alpha2C-ARs were localized predominantly to Golgi compartments, whereas alpha2A-ARs localized predominantly to the plasma membrane. After cooling (28 degrees C), alpha2C-ARs relocated from Golgi compartments to the plasma membrane, whereas the alpha2A-AR remained at the plasma membrane. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed that, at 37 degrees C, alpha2A-ARs were localized to the cell surface, whereas alpha2C-ARs colocalized with a trans-Golgi marker. Cooling did not affect localization of alpha2A-ARs, but shifted alpha2C-ARs to the cell surface. Moderate cooling, therefore, caused a selective redistribution of alpha2C-ARs from the Golgi compartments to the cell surface, allowing the rescue of the alpha2C-adrenergic functional response. This mechanism may explain the role of alpha2-ARs in thermoregulation of the cutaneous circulation.

A pilot project on community based rehabilitation in south India--a preliminary report.

A pilot project on Community Based Rehabilitation was launched by the Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh in South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu with the help of the Hemerijckx Rural Centre, Rawttakuppam on an experimental basis to assess the cost effectiveness and suitability of its application in other districts. Twenty cured disabled leprosy patients with grades 1 and 2 deformities from 17 villages were given training in trades like cycle repairing, tailoring, pesticides spraying, doll making, cane work, cigar making, fish net knitting and incense stick making. The duration of the training varied from two to six months depending upon the trade. Local artisans and craftmen from among the community members were identified, motivated, and utilised as trainers. The travel and maintenance costs paid to the trainees was an incentive to learn the trade and the honorarium paid to the trainers motivated them to spare their time to impart the skill within the specified period. On completion of training, start-up funds needed for purchase of tools and accessories required for pursuing the vocation were arranged through banks under DRI scheme, IRDP schemes from BDO office and from other voluntary agencies. The total expenditure incurred for training 20 cured disabled leprosy patients worked out to only Rs. 25,350/-i.e., approximately Rs.1,250/- per patient. Out of the 20 patients trained, 17 have already started earning through the skills imparted to them.