Beneficiation of Low-Grade Hematite Iron Ore Fines by Magnetizing Roasting and Magnetic Separation.

Present investigation includes the magnetizing roasting of low-grade iron ore fines followed by grinding and beneficiation using magnetic separation. The hematite iron ore used in the investigation contains 53.17% T Fe, 10.7% SiO2, and 4.5% Al2O3. Powdered bituminous coal of 210 µm size with an ash content of 12.5% and fixed carbon of 54.25% was used as reductant during magnetizing roasting. Optical microstructures have shown where iron and silicate minerals are found and how they are interconnected. Hematite is the most abundant material in the specimen and is found in fine- and medium-sized grains. Hematite emerged as the predominant iron-bearing mineral, accompanied by magnetite and goethite phases in smaller proportions according to XRD analyses. The primary gangue mineral identified by scanning electron microscopy is quartz, with gibbsite, feldspar, and pyrolusite present in lesser levels. The effects of iron/coal ratio, roasting time, and roasting temperature were considered as variable parameters. Hematite ore's magnetic characteristics were significantly impacted by magnetizing roasting. By selectively magnetizing roasting, hematite is transformed into magnetite. With an Fe grade of 65.25% at a recovery value of 72.5% in the concentrate, magnetic separation produced the greatest result for Fe. The performance of magnetization and therefore the magnetic separation process were shown to be significantly impacted by temperature, reductant %, and roasting duration in this investigation.

Assessment of Periodontal Health Status among the Male Adult Population with a Dual Habit of Smoking and Gutkha Chewing: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aims and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal health status in subjects having dual habits of smoking and gutkha chewing among the male population of Kanpur City, Central Uttar Pradesh (UP). Materials and Methods: A total number of 500 male subjects were included, divided into three study groups: group I-164 subjects with a dual habit of smoking and gutkha chewing, group II- 170 gutkha chewers, and group III-166 smokers. Case history, clinical examination, and the following clinical parameters were recorded-oral hygiene index (OHI-S), gingival index (GI), bleeding index, clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession, and furcation involvement. Result: In this study, the proportion of severe CAL was maximum in dual habit (78%) followed by smokers (70.5%) and then gutkha chewers (40.0%). A significant difference was observed in the proportion of CAL status between smokers, gutkha, and dual habit cases (P < 0.001). The result revealed that the dual habit group had more severe periodontal disease than smokers and gutkha chewers. Conclusion: Overall, it was concluded that periodontal health status was found to be very poor in both smokers and gutkha chewers, but the subjects in the dual habit group were found to have extremely poor periodontal health status.

Characterization of hepatic fatty acids using magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the assessment of treatment response to metformin in an eNOS-/- mouse model of metabolic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis and staging of disease. There is a clinical need for noninvasive diagnostic tools for risk stratification, follow-up, and monitoring treatment response that are currently lacking, as well as preclinical models that recapitulate the etiology of the human condition. We have characterized the progression of NAFLD in eNOS-/- mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) using noninvasive Dixon-based magnetic resonance imaging and single voxel STEAM spectroscopy-based protocols to measure liver fat fraction at 3 T. After 8 weeks of diet intervention, eNOS-/- mice exhibited significant accumulation of intra-abdominal and liver fat compared with control mice. Liver fat fraction measured by 1 H-MRS in vivo showed a good correlation with the NAFLD activity score measured by histology. Treatment of HFD-fed NOS3-/- mice with metformin showed significantly reduced liver fat fraction and altered hepatic lipidomic profile compared with untreated mice. Our results show the potential of in vivo liver MRI and 1 H-MRS to noninvasively diagnose and stage the progression of NAFLD and to monitor treatment response in an eNOS-/- murine model that represents the classic NAFLD phenotype associated with metabolic syndrome.

Comparison of liver iron concentration calculated from R2* at 1.5 T and 3 T.

PURPOSE: R2*, a measurement obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to estimate liver iron concentration (LIC). 3 T and 1.5 T scanners can be used but conversion of 3 T R2* to LIC is less well validated. In this study the aim was to compare 3 T-R2* LIC and 1.5 T-R2* LIC estimations to assess if they can be used interchangeably. METHODS: Thirty participants were scanned at both 1.5 T and 3 T. R2* was measured at both field strengths. 3 T R2* and 1.5 R2* were compared using linear regression and were converted to LIC using different calibration curves. Pearson's rho and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess correlation and agreement between 1.5 and 3 T LIC. Bland Altman plots were used to assess bias and limits of agreement. RESULTS: All 1.5 T and 3 T LIC comparisons gave Pearson's rho of 0.99 (p < 0.001). ICC ranged from 0.83 (p = 0.005) to 0.96 (p < 0.001). Biases had magnitude of less than 0.2 mg/g dry weight. CONCLUSION: Agreement and bias between 3 and 1.5 T-R2* LIC depended on the method used for conversion. There were instances when the agreement was excellent and bias was small, indicating that potentially 3 T-R2* LIC can be used alongside or instead of 1.5 T-R2* LIC but care needs to be taken over the conversion methods selected. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03743272, 16 November 2018.

Acceptance and commitment therapy as an add-on treatment for the management of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Background: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and long-lasting illness affecting approximately 2% of the population. Up to 40%-60% of patients with OCD do not have satisfactory outcomes, thereby leading to disability in performing daily routine activities. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) provides a substitute for old-fashioned psychotherapies, as it involves the client directly experiencing the problematic emotion, that is, anxiety and obsessions in the case of OCD. Aim: To observe the effect of ACT on patients with OCD and compare its effect on obsessive compulsive symptoms, thought control, thought and action fusion, acceptance and action, and depression. Materials and Methods: A total of 62 patients diagnosed with OCD as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in the age range between 18 and 60 years, having duration of illness less than two years, both male and female, literate and illiterate, hailing from rural and urban background, were included in the study. For pre- and post-assessment Yale-Brown Obsessive and Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), acceptance and commitment questionnaire, thought control questionnaire, and thought and action fusion questionnaire were used in this study, and ACT was used for management of OCD. Results: There is a significant difference between the groups treated with ACT and those treated as usual, on every domain of thought control questionnaire (TCQ) -- distraction (t = 9.07), social control (t = 11.13), worry (t = 11.93), punishment (t = 16.78), and re-appraisal (t = 16.47). Significance is also seen in the thought and action fusion in the moral domain (t = 16.22), the likelihood domain (t = 16.49), and others (t = 9.23). On Y-BOCS, HDRS, and acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ) both groups show a significant difference between each other. Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that ACT is a productive method for patients with OCD as it encourages the patient to accept and integrate their lived experiences, challenges effective responses, and recognizes and eliminates the controlling dimensions.

Management of post-COVID-19 depression among patients of Western Uttar Pradesh of Northern India.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects not only individual's physical health but also their well-being and makes them vulnerable in different ways. Post-COVID-19 depression is dependent on the dynamic interaction between social, medical, economic, geographical, and political factors determining the availability, vulnerability, and distribution of pandemic outbreaks that create fear apprehension and instability among the population. Aim: To evaluate the level of depression (pre and post) and the management of depression among patients from Western Uttar Pradesh of Northern India after the pandemic of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: It was a longitudinal study involving a total of 156 patients with depression. Through chit randomization methods, patients are allocated into two groups, that is, experimental (n=92) and control (n=64). Both groups received appropriate pharmacotherapy. The experimental group in addition also underwent eight therapeutic sessions of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) (relaxation breathing exercise, activity scheduling, and cognitive restructuring). The period of study was from July 2021 to January 2022. Depression was assessed by applying the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) pre- and post-intervention. Results: According to BDI II, 59.78% of patients report severe levels, 25% of patients report moderate levels, and 15.21% report mild levels of depression. Patients who received medications plus CBT showed significantly better improvement than the patients who received only medications. Conclusion: Patients with post-COVID-19 depression showed better improvement with medications plus CBT than medications alone. The finding of this study underline the importance of CBT in the treatment of depression.

Effect of magnetization on the adsorptive removal of an emerging contaminant ciprofloxacin by magnetic acid activated carbon.

Magnetic acid activated carbons (MAAC) were prepared from the shells of Sterculia villosa Roxb by activating the biomass and magnetizing it using the co-precipitation technique. Characterization of MAAC prior and post adsorption was performed using various microscopic and spectroscopic analytical techniques, and they verified the formation of magnetic aggregates over porous activated carbon surface. Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) analysis confirmed the superparamagnetic behaviour of the adsorbent with saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 18.2 emu/g, causing an easy and rapid recovery from the adsorption setup in the presence of an external magnetic field. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model best fit the experimental data with theoretical Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity as 81.97 mg/g and verifying chemisorption type of adsorption process, respectively. Thermodynamic analysis verified the interaction among adsorbate and adsorbent as endothermic, spontaneous, and thermodynamically favourable. Co-existing metal cations showed a significant reduction in ciprofloxacin removal efficiency; co-existing anions, though, showed a negligible influence on the adsorption efficiency of MAAC. Recyclability studies verified that the adsorption efficiency fell from 98% in the first cycle to 43% in the fifth cycle. The Ms value fell to 7.6 emu/g (after five adsorption cycles), affecting the adsorbent's recovery. The Phyto-toxicological assessment was performed to evaluate the environmental risk to human and aquatic life using Vigna mungo seeds. MAAC proved to be an effective and magnetically separable adsorbent for removing antibiotics.

Interrelationship of Indoor Particulate Matter and Respiratory Dust Depositions of Women in the Residence of Dhanbad City, India.

Women spend relatively more time in indoor environments in developing countries. Exposure to various indoor air pollutants leads them to higher health risks according to household air quality in which they reside. Particulate matter (PM) exposure with their exposure duration inside the household plays a significant role in women's respiratory problems. This study measured size-segregated particulate matter concentrations in 63 residences at different locations. Respiratory dust depositions (RDDs) for 118 women in their different respiratory regions like head airway (HD), tracheobronchial (TB), and alveolar (AL) regions for the three PM size fractions (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) were investigated. For different positions like light exercise and the sitting condition, RDDs values found for AL region were 0.091 µgmin-1 (SD: 0.067, 0.012-0.408) and 0.028 µgmin-1 (SD: 0.021, 0.003-0.126) for PM10, 0.325 µgmin-1 (SD: 0.254, 0.053-1.521) and 0.183 µgmin-1 (SD: 0.143, 0.031-0.857) for PM2.5, 0.257 µgmin-1 (SD: 0.197, 0.043-1.04) and 0.057 µgmin-1 (SD: 0.044, 0.009-0.233) respectively for PM1 to females. RDDs values in the AL region significantly increase as PM10 (11%), PM2.5 (68%), and PM1 (21%), confirming that for women, the AL region is the most prominent affected zone by fine particles (PM2.5).

Impact of tobacco smoking on oral cancer genetics-A next-generation sequencing perspective.

This study identified a total of 28 genetic loci (comprising 31 genes), which were found to be altered in oral cancer patients having a habit of tobacco smoking. Three loci, that is, 17p13.1 (TP53), 9p21.3 (CDKN2A), and 9q34.3 (NOTCH1) were found to be modified and common in three records whereas one locus, that is, 3q26.32 (PIK3CA) was found to be modified and common in two records. This study suggests that oral cancer patients should be categorized into different subgroups based on (i) genetic signatures, and (ii) smoking status, then the treatment strategies for each group should be precisely defined.

Performance of acid-activated water caltrop (Trapa natans) shell in fixed bed column for hexavalent chromium removal from simulated wastewater.

The current study deals with the adsorption of hexavalent chromium using acid (H3PO4)-activated water caltrop (Trapa natans) shell (PWCS) using an up-flow packed bed column. Characteristics of breakthrough curve was obtained by investigating the effect of several operating parameters viz. inlet flow rate (2-6 mL/min), initial metal ion concentration (50-150 mg/L), and adsorbent's column bed height (1-3 cm). Elevated time of breakthrough curve was reported with elevated adsorbent bed height and vice versa with enhanced initial metal concentration and inlet flow rate of sorbate solution. Process design and breakthrough curves under varying conditions were predicted by applying column models like Thomas model, Adams-Bohart model, Yoon Nelson model, and bed depth service Time (BDST). Column behavior was better described by the BDST and Thomas model and simultaneously gave a good fit with the experimental data of breakthrough curves. The percentage removal for Cr(VI) from aqueous solution having pH 2 and temperature 303.15 K was observed to be 52.46%. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 87.31 mg/g according to the Thomas model. Conclusively, phosphoric acid-modified T. natans shell (PWCS) showed better sorption potential for of Cr(VI) species from simulated wastewater.

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies on biosorption of Cr(VI) on raw and chemically modified Datura stramonium fruit.

Biosorption of Cr(VI) on sulfuric and phosphoric acid-treated Datura stramonium fruit was investigated in batch mode. The various parameters that influence the biosorption process such as Cr(VI) initial concentration, biosorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, and pH value were optimized. Both linear and non-linear regression analysis of isotherm data suggest that Langmuir isotherm model mimics the behavior of Cr(VI) ion biosorption onto Datura stramonium fruit biosorbent. The maximum Cr(VI) ions adsorption capacity of 138.074 mg/g at pH 2 is achieved with phosphoric acid treated Datura stramonium (PDSF). The kinetics of adsorption process is well described by pseudo-second-order model with high R2 and low χ2 value. The estimated activation energy of < 8 kJ/mol obtained for both raw and chemically modified adsorbents suggests that the adsorption occurs mainly via physisorption. Besides, thermodynamic results reveal that biosorption of Cr(VI) on both treated and untreated Datura stramonium was endothermic, spontaneous, and randomness in nature.

Immunoexperssion of cancer stem cell marker (CD44) in ameloblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Ameloblastoma is the most frequently encountered benign, locally invasive tumor. Attempts to surgically resect the tumor often leave small islands of tumor, which later result in recurrence in 50%-90% of cases. This has raised questions regarding the tumor cell populations that are responsible for tumor growth and recurrence. In ameloblastoma, whether or not cancer stem-like cells are present remains undetermined. However, if cancer stem-like cells are present in ameloblastoma, it is important to identify which type of cell possesses the stem-like characteristics and is responsible for ameloblastoma progression and recurrence. AIM: Our study aims at analyzing immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) marker CD44 in relation to proliferative activity of tumor cells in histopathologically diagnosed cases of ameloblastoma variants and to derive a correlation between the CD44 expression and biologic behavior of the lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study, was conducted on total 25 cases ameloblastoma and were immunostained for CD44 expression. Results obtained were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A positive correlation was observed between staining intensity of CD44 marker and the known biological behavior of the lesion. Intense staining reaction was found to be only in 8% cases, whereas 76% cases demonstrated moderate intensity and remaining 16% displayed mild immunoreactivity to CD44 marker. Staining location was more to be in stellate reticulum-like (SR-like) cells when compared to ameloblast-like (AB-like) cells. Intense immunostaining was localized in the small tumor follicles, especially in SR-like cells situated in close vicinity of peripheral AB-like cells whereas mild intensity of staining was observed in keratinizing areas. CONCLUSION: CSCs marker positive expression in benign tumor like ameloblastoma may be responsible for its aggressiveness and recurrence. CD44 marker may be of great value in predicting the biological behavior and growth potential of ameloblastoma.

Phytochemical investigation, antioxidant and wound healing activities of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple)

Objective: To undertake metabolite profiling of various plant parts of Citrullus colocynthis, and assess antioxidant and wound healing activities of fractions for therapeutical applications. Methods: Extracts from leaves, stem, root, fruit pulp and seeds were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Variation in antioxidant potential was assayed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The extract with highest antioxidant potential was subjected on in-vivo wound healing activity using excision wound model. Results: Metabolite profiling of Citrullus colocynthis identified 70 chemically diverse metabolites from different plant parts by using a combination of GC-MS and HPLC. Concentration of colocynthin, a principal active secondary metabolite, ranged from 3.15 mg/g dry weight to 242.00 mg/g dry weight, the lowest being in leaves and highest in fruit pulp. DPPH radical scavenging activity of free radical (IC50) ranged from 196.44 μg/mL in fruit pulp to 413.33 μg/mL in leaves tissues. Significant wound contraction and increase in hydroxyproline content of granulation tissue were observed with ointment formulated from methanolic extract of fruit pulp. Conclusions: The study indicates that the methanol extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruit pulp when applied topically may promote wound contraction in rat model attributable to the accumulation of colocynthin. The high quantity of colocynthin (242.00 mg/g dry weight) and substantial concentration of 2,4-di-tert butyl phenol (3.2％), squalene (4.2％) and δ-tocopherol (2.5％) make this plant to provide new opportunities for development of medicinal, nutraceutical and dietary supplements with optimized functionality.

Nature of Hard Tissues in Oral Pathological Lesions -Using Modified Gallego's Stain.

INTRODUCTION: Histological stains are dyes that bind to various tissues. Special stains form an integral part of routine histopathology as an adjunct to Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), and give meaningful diagnostic information of the tissues available. By using routine histological procedure like H&E alone, it is difficult to differentiate the various hard tissues present in the oral pathological lesions. Modified Gallego's stain can be used as one of the differential stain for these hard tissues. AIM: To differentiate various hard tissues of teeth and to identify the presence of hard tissue components in different oral pathological lesions using Modified Gallego's stain under light microscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total sample of 20 cases, amongst which 10 were human extracted teeth and 10 oral pathological lesions were included. From 10 human extracted teeth, five ground sections and five decalcified sections were prepared. From pathological lesions, two slides of each lesion were prepared. All the sections were stained with Modified Gallego's stain and viewed under light microscopy. RESULTS: In properly stained slides, cementum stained red, dentin and bone stained green and enamel stained pink in colour. CONCLUSION: Modified Gallego's stain can be used as a differential stain for various hard tissues in oral pathological lesions and also for ground sections for which histochemical stains are very rare.

Surgically Assisted Orthodontics: Use of Piezocision in a Case of Oligodontia to Accelerate the Rate of Tooth Movement.

Conventionally the use of surgical assisted tooth movement is to hasten orthodontic tooth movement. In this article, a case of 13 year-old male with oligodontia has been described in whom piezocision has been used to improve bone turnover and remodeling in long standing edentulous spaces which have less medullary bone and more cortical bone.

Recovery of combustibles from electrostatic precipitator discharge.

Coal is the main fuel for the direct reduced iron (DRI) plants of India, which are one of the major sources of fly ash generation. The generation of fly ash and its disposal has raised concern because of the environmental impacts. In the present study, two different fly ash samples were investigated to explore the scope of recovery of combustibles. One did not show any recovery potential. The second sample indicated that about 40% of material could be recovered, with 35% fixed carbon and 10,841 kJ kg(-1) gross calorific value. This can be used as a fuel blend in standard fluidised bed combustion boilers efficiently burning inferior coal. A process flowsheet has been suggested for the recovery purpose. It was estimated that for a small 0.2 million tonnes per year (Mtpy) capacity DRI plant, approximately 3.4 ha of land could thus annually be saved from dumping of the generated fly ash, while recovering 1.83 MW of electrical energy.

A simple technique for the direct bonding of a lingual retainer: a clinical hint.

The direct bonding of a fixed wire retainer often poses clinical difficulties. While there are several possible techniques, the present paper describes a simple method employing a ball clasp (S handle) to assist in the stabilisation of the wire to be attached. The advantages and disadvantages are indicated.

Monitoring kinase and phosphatase activities through the cell cycle by ratiometric FRET.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based reporters(1) allow the assessment of endogenous kinase and phosphatase activities in living cells. Such probes typically consist of variants of CFP and YFP, intervened by a phosphorylatable sequence and a phospho-binding domain. Upon phosphorylation, the probe changes conformation, which results in a change of the distance or orientation between CFP and YFP, leading to a change in FRET efficiency (Fig 1). Several probes have been published during the last decade, monitoring the activity balance of multiple kinases and phosphatases, including reporters of PKA(2), PKB(3), PKC(4), PKD(5), ERK(6), JNK(7), Cdk(18), Aurora B(9) and Plk1(9). Given the modular design, additional probes are likely to emerge in the near future(10). Progression through the cell cycle is affected by stress signaling pathways( 11). Notably, the cell cycle is regulated differently during unperturbed growth compared to when cells are recovering from stress(12).Time-lapse imaging of cells through the cell cycle therefore requires particular caution. This becomes a problem particularly when employing ratiometric imaging, since two images with a high signal to noise ratio are required to correctly interpret the results. Ratiometric FRET imaging of cell cycle dependent changes in kinase and phosphatase activities has predominately been restricted to sub-sections of the cell cycle(8,9,13,14). Here, we discuss a method to monitor FRET-based probes using ratiometric imaging throughout the human cell cycle. The method relies on equipment that is available to many researchers in life sciences and does not require expert knowledge of microscopy or image processing.