Geochemical evaluation, ecological and human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in urban soil, Southern India.

Roadside soil contamination is mostly caused by human-caused pollutant deposition. PTEs are among the many substances that are harmful for both humans and the environment. PTE concentrations in roadside soil in Chennai, southern India, have been determined in this study. To evaluate the seriousness of the threats, more environmental and geochemical indices have been applied. 83 soil samples have been obtained from the study regions and focusing on important roads. Elemental analysis has been analyzed with ED-XRF and sieve-filtered samples focused on PTEs such as arsenic, barium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, nickel, lead, thorium, titanium, zinc, and uranium. Significant metallic variations have been found in soil samples around roads by the investigation. The elements this study examined section ascending in the following sequence: Fe > Ti > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > Th > As > U > K. In the research area, the CD classification denotes high contamination, whereas the CF indices show mild to significant pollution. PLI indicates moderate to high pollution, whereas EF suggests excessive enrichment. Igeo demonstrates a range from uncontaminated to highly contaminated. PERI showed high levels in the northern study region, whereas GUFI shows several hot spots indicating moderate to severe pollution. The Hazard Index (HI) values for all metals were less than one, demonstrating the absence of non-carcinogenic risks for both adults and children. Multivariate data show natural and anthropogenic PTEs in roadside soil. In addition, a soil quality monitoring system is needed to mitigate continual contamination risks.

Emerging mercury and methylmercury contamination from new artisanal and small-scale gold mining along the Nile Valley, Egypt.

The past decade witnessed the initiation and boom of the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities in the hyper-arid southern Egypt. The ores are mined in the Eastern Desert and then transported to the densely populated farming communities in the Nile Valley, where the river provides the water resources needed for ore processing. In search for economic benefits, the poorly educated farmers with limited technical resources transformed their cultivated lands into ASGM operations, exposing themselves, their families, the residents, and the Nile ecosystems to several environmental and occupational health problems. Using integrated remote sensing, field, geochemical, and isotopic analyses, we report the first inventory of ASGM-related total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) levels in tailings, amalgamation-tailing ponds, and surface and groundwater with emphasis on the Edfu city and its surroundings. The field and remote sensing-based mapping of ASGM activities reveals clustering around the Nile waterways and suggests interaction of Hg contamination sources with their surrounding receptors. Common ASGM practices include release of contaminated water from unlined amalgamation-tailing ponds into irrigation and drainage canals, and spreading of tailings over cultivated soils. In a short period (10 years), the released Hg contaminated multiple media, including the surface water, the shallow and deep aquifers, and possibly the soil, crops, and livestock. THg levels in amalgamation-tailing ponds (1200-8470 ng/L) are fourfold higher than US EPA and eightfold the WHO thresholds. The contaminated waters released from amalgamation-tailing ponds raised THg levels in surface water (irrigation canals: 50-100 ng/L; drainage canals: THg: > 200 ng/L) and groundwater (shallow and deep aquifers: 80-500 ng/L). Our findings highlight the need to extend the adopted approach to cover the entire length of the Nile River and its valley and the importance of conducting awareness campaigns to educate residents and health care providers about potential ASGM-related environmental and health hazards.

Evaluation of benzo[a]pyrene-induced toxicity in the estuarine thornfish Therapon jarbua.

Our previous study reported that chronic exposure to sublethal levels of estrogen induces DNA damage and endocrine dysfunction in sea bass. In this study, we extended our hypothesis to test changes in genotoxicity and biotransformation induced by Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) that may regulate endocrine disorders in the estuarine fish. Therapon jarbua an euryhaline fish was exposed to BaP at two different ambient concentrations for 21 days. Biomarkers such as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethlylase (EROD) and DNA damages were assessed in the gill and liver, while neuroendocrine markers such as serotonin (5-HT) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) were studied in the brain. The findings showed that longer the exposure, higher the levels of biotransformation enzymes and DNA damage were produced. In both gill and the liver, BaP exposure generated dose-dependent EROD induction and DNA damages, with such a response being more linear in the case of liver than gill. BaP toxicity exacerbated the neurotoxicity by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and serotonin levels in the brain and this response was dose-dependent. Neuroendocrine system and biotransformation enzyme have a negative correlation. Results of the correlation and regression data suggest the reduction of endocrine marker might be attributed to the activation of biotransformation enzymes. These findings showed that BaP exposure can harm the gills and liver by inducing the biotransfomation enzyme and causing DNA damage, and so inhibiting neurotransmitters in the brain. These findings are predicted to give fresh insight on the research of the ecotoxicology effect of PAHs on estuarine fish.

Effect of a tropical cyclone on the distribution of heavy metals in the marine sediments off Kameswaram, Southeast coast of India.

Cyclones and heavy rainfalls are the main reasons for incessant environmental aggravation in the coastal regions and the distribution of pollutants from the contaminated terrestrial areas to the offshore regions. Twenty-five surface sediment samples were collected off Kameswaram, SE coast of India, and assessed for their geochemical and sedimentological characteristics post Cyclone Gaja. Sediment texture and various geochemical analyses were carried out to assess the metal distribution in the study area. Environmental impacts caused by heavy metal contamination in the marine sediments were assessed using different sediment pollution indices and it was found that metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, and Co were moderately contaminated. Fe and Cr were uncontaminated to moderately contaminated, and Mn fall under the uncontaminated category. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that the enrichment of organic-rich mud helps in entrapping the heavy metals, thus polluting the environment. Moreover, these metals were mainly derived from anthropogenic activities.

Integrated studies to identify site-specific parameters for environmentally benign mining operations: A case study from the Sukari Gold Mine, Egypt.

This study integrates observations from field and remote sensing data, along with geochemical and isotopic analyses, to assess the environmental impacts of cyanidation and mining activities in the Sukari gold mine (SGM), Eastern Desert, Egypt, in particular, and the orogenic gold deposits of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) in general. Our findings indicate: (1) groundwater flows south to north in the highly fractured basement aquifer related to the brittle deformation associated with the Najd Fault System; (2) massive gabbroic bodies separate the fractured basement aquifer into east and west conduits; (3) the tailings storage facility (TSF) pond and leach pad were constructed over the west conduit; and (4) cyanide-rich wastewater has leaked downward through tears and cuts in the lining of the TSF pond into the fractured aquifer and cyanide contaminants have migrated northward along the west conduit. Evidence for the latter includes: (1) toxic concentrations of cyanide (total: 0.018-9.4 mg/L; free weak-acid dissociable: 0.003-0.7 mg/L) were observed in groundwater samples north of the TSF pond; (2) similarities in electrical conductivity (EC) values and chloride/bromide (Cl-/Br-) ratios between groundwater north of the pond (EC: 88.8 mS/cm; Cl-/Br-: 346 to 363) and those of the TSF pond water (mean EC: 99 mS/cm; Cl-/Br-: 242 to 383) were observed; (3) the geochemical (e.g., sodium [Na+], Cl-) and isotopic compositions (δ18O and δ2H values) of groundwater are consistent with mixing of groundwater upgradient from the SGM with isotopically enriched pond water; and (4) cyanide contamination could not have resulted from an overflow of the TSF pond during flash flood events, given that rainfall is negligible and effective flood control systems are in place. Our findings show that the international codes/regulations do not fully address site-specific characteristics and highlight the importance of considering these parameters in mining of orogenic gold deposits in the ANS.

Trace metal contamination in the marine sediments off Point Calimere, Southeast coast of India.

Twenty-five offshore sediment samples were collected after the Gaja cyclone to evaluate the sediment quality in terms of its metal concentration. The samples were examined for organic matter, textural characteristics, calcium carbonate, and trace metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, and Cr). The geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor, and pollution load index revealed that the study area was highly contaminated with Cu, Zn, and Co. Reasonable to extensive contamination was observed for Fe, Cr, and Ni, whereas Mn was under the uncontaminated category. Statistical analyses revealed that the contamination of Cu, Zn, and Ni are mainly originated from human activities such as boat navigation, fuel combustion, and tourism. Cyclones such as Gaja cause ecological disturbances of the terrestrial and transitional environments and also increase the level of offshore contamination by flooding the contaminated coastal landforms and transporting the contaminants to the sea.

Prebiotic Phosphorylation of Uridine using Diamidophosphate in Aerosols.

One of the most challenging fundamental problems in establishing prebiotically plausible routes for phosphorylation reactions using phosphate is that they are thermodynamically unfavorable in aqueous conditions. Diamidophosphate (DAP), a potentially prebiotically relevant compound, was shown to phosphorylate nucleosides in aqueous medium, albeit at a very slow rate (days/weeks). Here, we demonstrate that performing these reactions within an aerosol environment, a suitable model for the early Earth ocean-air interface, yields higher reaction rates when compared to bulk solution, thus overcoming these rate limitations. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate the effective conversion (~6.5-10%) of uridine to uridine-2',3'-cyclophosphate in less than 1 h. These results suggest that aerosol environments are a possible scenario in which prebiotic phosphorylation could have occurred despite unfavorable rates in bulk solution.

Trace element contamination in marine sediments along the southeast Indian shelf following Cyclone Gaja.

In this study, twenty seven surface sediments were collected off Pushpavanam, Nagapattinam coast, southeast coast of India for understanding the sedimentological and geochemical behaviour after the Cyclone Gaja. The sediment samples were analysed for texture, organic matter (OM), carbonates, and trace metals such as Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co including Fe and Mn. The Geoaccumulation index, contamination factor, enrichment factor and pollution load index revealed that Cu, Zn, Ni and Co is highly contaminated in the study area. Fe and Cr are moderately to considerably contaminated, while Mn shows uncontaminated. The principal component analysis also confirms the concentration of Cu, Zn, Ni and Co were mainly derived from the anthropogenic sources and related activities. Since Cyclones like Gaja often causes frequent ecological disturbance to the coastal environments and it distributes pollutants such as trace elements from localized area of contamination to offshore.

Response of deep aquifers to climate variability.

There is a general agreement that deep aquifers experience significant lag time in their response to climatic variations. Analysis of Temporal Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission (SMOS), satellite altimetry, stable isotopic composition of groundwater, and precipitation and static global geopotential models over the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) revealed rapid aquifer response to climate variability. Findings include: (1) The recharge areas of the NSAS (Northern Sudan Platform subbasin) witnessed a dry period (2002-2012), where average annual precipitation (AAP) was modest (85 mm) followed by a wet period (2013-2016; AAP: 107 mm), and during both periods the AAP remained negligible (<10 mm) over the northern parts of the NSAS (Dakhla subbasin); (2) the secular trends in terrestrial water storage (TWS) over the Dakhla subbasin were estimated at -3.8 ±â€¯1.3 mm/yr and + 7.8 ±â€¯1 mm/yr for the dry and wet periods, respectively; (3) spatial variations in TWS values and phase are consistent with rapid groundwater flow from the Northern Sudan Platform subbasin and Lake Nasser towards the Dakhla subbasin during the wet period and from the lake during the dry period; and (4) networks of densely fractured and karstified bedrocks provide preferential pathways for groundwater flow. The proposed model is supported by (1) rapid response in groundwater levels in distant wells (>280 km from source areas) and in soil moisture content in areas with shallow (<2 m) groundwater levels to fluctuations in Lake Nasser surface water, and (2) the isotopic composition (O, H) of groundwater along the preferred pathways, consistent with mixing of enriched (Lake Nasser water or precipitation over Sudan) and depleted (NSAS fossil water) endmembers. Findings provide new insights into the response of large, deep aquifers to climate variability and address the sustainability of the NSAS and similar fossil aquifers worldwide.

Assessment of genetic diversity in Colletotrichum falcatum Went accessions based on RAPD and ISSR markers.

Sugarcane is susceptible to red rot disease caused by phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum falcatum Went which ultimately affect the economy of farmers as well as sugar based industry. One of the various ways to control this devastating disease is to develop disease resistance sugarcane cultivar and this requires the complete understanding of genetic makeup of pathogen. Although South Gujarat is well known sugarcane cultivating area, less published data can be found about PCR-based genetic diversity in prevalent C. falcatum accessions. So, present investigation aims at finding molecular variation among the ten accessions of C. falcatum using RAPD and ISSR molecular markers. A total of 35 RAPD and 39 ISSR primers were screened across 10 C. falcatum accessions, of which 15 RAPD and 21 ISSR primers have showed consistent amplification. Statistics related to genetic variation were estimated using NTSYS-PC by means of Dice's coefficient. The results revealed 80.6% and 68.07% polymorphism and similarity coefficient ranged from 0.43 to 0.91 and 0.73 to 0.93 in RPAD and ISSR analysis respectively. The dendrogram generated using RAPD, ISSR and combined RAPD-ISSR grouped accessions into different clusters which reveal considerable level molecular variation among the C. falcatum accessions. It is also evident from PCA plots that accessions are rather dispersed with tested marker systems indicating good genetic base. So, in nut shell, we found considerable genetic variation and relatedness within C. falcatum accessions collected from different areas of south Gujarat, India using RAPD and ISSR markers.

Nitrogen isotopes provide clues to amino acid metabolism in human colorectal cancer cells.

Glutamic acid and alanine make up more than 60 per cent of the total amino acids in the human body. Glutamine is a significant source of energy for cells and also a prime donor of nitrogen in the biosynthesis of many amino acids. Several studies have advocated the role of glutamic acid in cancer therapy. Identification of metabolic signatures in cancer cells will be crucial for advancement of cancer therapies based on the cell's metabolic state. Stable nitrogen isotope ratios (15N/14N, δ15N) are of particular advantage to understand the metabolic state of cancer cells, since most biochemical reactions involve transfer of nitrogen. In our study, we used the natural abundances of nitrogen isotopes (δ15N values) of individual amino acids from human colorectal cancer cell lines to investigate isotope discrimination among amino acids. Significant effects were noticed in the case of glutamic acid, alanine, aspartic acid and proline between cancer and healthy cells. The data suggest that glutamic acid is a nitrogen acceptor while alanine, aspartic acid and proline are nitrogen donors in cancerous cells. One plausible explanation is the transamination of the three acids to produce glutamic acid in cancerous cells.

Assessment of genetic diversity in Costus pictus accessions based on RAPD and ISSR markers.

Costus pictus, belonging to the family Costaceae, is one of the valuable medicinal plants with its anti-diabetic property. Despite ever-increasing demand from the pharmaceutical industry, this species is being less exploited at molecular level. Hence, an effort has been made in the present study to characterize the 15 accessions of C. pictus collected from different geographical regions of India through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. A total of 25 RAPD and 20 ISSR primers were used in the present study. The RAPD analysis generated 343 loci, of which 124 were polymorphic with an average of 4.96 loci per primer. While, ISSR primers produced 177 loci, of which 77 were polymorphic with an average of 3.85 loci per primer. The similarity coefficients ranged from 0.86-0.99, 0.84-0.95 and 0.86-0.96 for RAPD, ISSR and combined RAPD-ISSR, respectively. The UPGMA dendrogram generated using these data showed low level of divergence among the accessions from South and West regions. Further, accession-specific bands were also revealed by RAPD and ISSR markers which might be contributed to specific trait. This investigation was an understanding of genetic variation within the C. pictus accessions. The present finding indicates that both the marker tools RAPD and ISSR combined or individually can be used in determining the genetic relationship between the accessions. It may be concluded that data of hereditary differences appeared among the C. pictus accessions could be utilized for their conservation and reproducing programs.

Factors affecting the stable isotopes ratios in groundwater impacted by intense agricultural practices: A case study from the Nile Valley of Egypt.

The monitoring of stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) in water can provide a sensitive indicator of water loss by evaporation. We obtained water samples from surface water and groundwater from both the young and old alluvial plains in the central part of the Nile Valley of Egypt. Groundwater is the only source for irrigation in the old alluvial plains while both surface water (River Nile and irrigation canals) and groundwater are used in the young alluvial plain. Results showed different isotopic compositions between each group of samples and hydrologic connections between shallow groundwater and surface water in the young alluvial plain. The δ18O and δ2H relationship of the samples collected from the desert areas of the old alluvial plains below agricultural lands define an evaporation line with a slope of 4.5 and low deuterium excess of <-14‰. These values can be attributed to return flow of irrigation water that has been subjected to evaporative processes, further amplified by intense agricultural practices. Average evaporative losses were estimated to be between 31% and 36%.

An experimental assessment on the performance of different lubrication techniques in grinding of Inconel 751.

The application of emulsion for combined heat extraction and lubrication requires continuous monitoring of the quality of emulsion to sustain a desired grinding environment; this is applicable to other grinding fluids as well. Thus to sustain a controlled grinding environment, it is necessary to adopt an effectively lubricated wheel-work interface. The current study was undertaken to assess experimentally the ​ effects of different grinding environments such as dry, minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) and Cryo-MQL on performance, such as grinding force, temperature, surface roughness and chip morphology on Inconel 751, a higher heat resistance material posing thermal problems and wheel loading. The results show that grinding with the combination of both liquid nitrogen (LN2) and MQL lowers temperature, cutting forces, and surface roughness as compared with MQL and dry grinding. Specific cutting energy is widely used as an inverse measure of process efficiency in machining. It is found from the results that specific cutting energy of Cryo-MQL assisted grinding is 50-65% lower than conventional dry grinding. The grindability of Inconel 751 superalloy can be enhanced with Cryo-MQL condition.

Road Traffic Related Injury Research and Informatics. New Opportunities for Biomedical and Health Informatics as a Contribution to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals?

The United Nations has recently adopted 17 sustainable development goals for 2030, including ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Road injuries remain among the ten leading causes of death in the world, and are projected to increase with rapidly increasing motorisation globally. Lack of comprehensive data on road injuries has been identified as one of the barriers for effective implementation of proven road safety interventions. Building, linking and analysing electronic patient records in conjunction with establishing injury event and care registries can substantially contribute to healthy lives and safe transportation. Appropriate use of new technological approaches and health informatics best practices could provide significant added value to WHO's global road safety work and assist Member States in identifying prevention targets, monitoring progress and improving quality of care to reduce injury-related deaths. This paper encourages the initiation of new multidisciplinary research at a global level.

Synthesis of orotidine by intramolecular nucleosidation.

An intramolecular nucleosidation approach provides easy access to orotidine in high yields. Notably, orotate itself is used as a leaving group at the anomeric position. This method has the potential for facile access to derivatives of orotidine of therapeutic interest, with implications for prebiotic formation of nucleosides.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, pain perception, and disease activity score may serve as important predictive markers for sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis.

The implementation of new treatment strategies based on current recommendations has enabled a greater number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to achieve remission. However, there are no definite predictors of sustained remission. Moreover, the absence of clear consensus on the time of withdrawal or reduction of treatment further adds to the treatment burden. This pilot study was intended to evaluate the prognostic potential of various RA-related parameters. All the enrolled subjects (n=124) were clinically evaluated on the basis of various parameters including age, gender, duration of illness before the initiation of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, tender and swollen joints (28 joints), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin percentage, lymphocyte count, total white-blood cell counts, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Student's t-test and discriminant function analysis were performed. The specificity of all parameters and their best possible cut-off to predict relapse were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. A significant difference in terms of pain perception, NLR, tendency to have a significant tender joint count and absolute lymphocyte counts was identified between the patients in sustained remission and those in relapse. The ROC analysis indicated that NLR was consistent in predicting remission. CRP, ESR, and/or disease activity score may not be very effective in differentiating patients with sustainable remission/low disease activity. NLR along with patient's perception of pain may assist in predicting sustained remission.

Effect of L-aspartic acid on the growth, structure and spectral studies of Zinc (tris) Thiourea Sulphate (ZTS) single crystals.

Single crystals of pure and L-aspartic acid doped Zinc (Tris) Thiourea Sulphate (ZTS) were grown from aqueous solution by solution growth method. The cell parameters and structure of the grown crystals were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The presence of functional group in the compound has been confirmed by FTIR and FT-Raman analysis. The optical transparency range has been studied through UV-Vis spectroscopy. TGA/DTA studies show thermal stability of the grown crystals. Microhardness study reveals that the hardness number (Hv) increases with load for pure and doped ZTS crystals. Dielectric studies have been carried out and the results are discussed. The second harmonic generation was confirmed for l-aspartic acid doped ZTS which is greater than pure ZTS.