Supplementation of nano-selenium (SeNPs) improved growth, immunity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and selenium retention in broiler chicken during summer season.

The present experiment was aimed at finding the optimal supplemental dose of nano-selenium in broiler chicken during the summer season for better performance in terms of growth, blood metabolites, immune response, antioxidant status, and selenium concentration in vital organs. Three-hundred-day-old Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatment groups with six replicates of 10 chicks each. The dietary treatments were as follows: T1 (control group), basal diet; T2, basal diet with 0.0375 ppm of nano-Se; T3, basal diet with 0.075 ppm of nano-Se; T4, basal diet with 0.15 ppm of nano-Se; T5, basal diet with 0.3 ppm of nano-Se. The experiment was carried out for 35 days. The average gain and feed conversion ratio were best observed in T4 and T5. The antibody titres were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the treated birds. At the 5th week, erythrocytic glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) higher and lipid peroxidation values were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in all the nano-Se-treated groups. The Se levels in the liver, breast muscle, kidney, brain, and gizzard were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increased dietary nano-Se. Histological studies of the liver and kidney in the highest nano-Se-treated groups (T4 and T5) did not show any abnormal changes. It is concluded that supplementation of nano-selenium at 0.15 ppm over and above the basal level improved the performance and protect the birds from summer stress without any adverse effect on the vital organs of chicken.

Knowledge, Attitude and Level of Involvement of Married Males in Family Planning.

Background There is an age-old notion that family planning is women's responsibility disregarding the fact that men have equal responsibility in fertility regulation. Although male involvement is getting more recognition, studies on men's role in family planning are very few in the number in this part of the world. Objective To assess the knowledge, attitude and level of male involvement in family planning and to find out the factors associated with male involvement by contraceptive usage. Method A community based cross-sectional study was done from May to July 2021 among 165 currently married male, who had at least one child, living in Singur district of West Bengal. Cluster sampling method was done to select study participants and data were collected by pre-designed pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression was applied and data were analysed applying SPSS software. Result Only 36.4% participants were directly involved in family planning either by using condom or by withdrawal method but 65.5% participants were indirectly involved in family planning through spousal communication either by approving contraceptive use to their spouse or by decision making regarding family planning. Moreover, barrier of contraceptives usage were side effect (27%) and fear of impotence (25.5%). Male involvement was significantly associated with participant's education [AOR (95% CI= 3.63 (1.45-9.05)], caste [AOR (95% CI= 7.06 (2.55-19.51)], number of living children [AOR (95%CI= 5.01(1.95-12.87)], desire for more child [AOR (95% CI=0.34 (.13-.87)] and attitude on family planning [AOR (95% CI= 3.55 (1.41-8.94)]. Conclusion This study identified the prevailing gender norms in rural areas. Advocacy for male involvement in family planning by health personnel during counselling of eligible couples should help in increasing contraceptive coverage in the long run.

Comparative analysis of PHAs production by Bacillus megaterium OUAT 016 under submerged and solid-state fermentation.

In view of risk coupled with synthetic polymer waste, there is an imperative need to explore biodegradable polymer. On account of that, six PHAs producing bacteria were isolated from mangrove forest and affilated to the genera Bacillus & Pseudomonas from morpho-physiological characterizations. Among which the potent PHAs producer was identified as Bacillus megaterium OUAT 016 by 16S rDNA sequencing and in-silico analysis. This research addressed a comparative account on PHAs production by submerged and solid-state fermentation pertaining to different downstream processing. Here, we established higher PHAs production by solid-state fermentation through sonication and mono-solvent extraction. Using modified MSM media under optimized conditions, 49.5% & 57.7% of PHAs were produced in submerged and 34.1% & 62.0% in solid-state fermentation process. Extracted PHAs was identified as a valuable polymer PHB-co-PHV and its crystallinity & thermostability nature was validated by FTIR, 1H NMR and XRD. The melting (Tm) and thermal degradation temperature (Td) of PHB-co-PHV was 166 °C and 273 °C as depicted from DTA. Moreover, FE-SEM and SPM surface imaging indicated biodegradable nature, while FACS assay confirmed cytocompatibility of PHB-co-PHV.

Growth associated polyhydroxybutyrate production by the novel Zobellellae tiwanensis strain DD5 from banana peels under submerged fermentation.

In view of environmental pollution by fossil fuel-based plastics, it has become imperative to find out an alternative biodegradable plastic for sustainability. In this context, polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) production was carried out by the Zobellella sp. DD5 using inexpensive banana peels as the carbon source. Under optimized condition, 1.13 g/L (47.3%) of PHB was produced by the bacteria in growth associated mechanism. The CO group of PHB was detected from the high intense absorption band (1719 cm-1) of FTIR spectroscopic analysis. NMR and GC-MS results are also identical with the chemical shift signal CH, CH2 and CH3 group of PHB. The PHB is crystalline in nature and degree of crystallinity (Xc) - 34.38%, melting temperature (Tm) - 169 °C, thermal decomposition temperature (Td) - 248 °C as detected by XRD and DTA respectively. Rough surface morphology of PHB film was validated by AFM and SEM imaging that improves biodegradability of the PHB. The Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break depicted hard and brittle nature of PHB. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) confirmed cytocompatibility of PHB at 500 µg/mL in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell line. The non-cytotoxic PHB can be used for various biomedical and agricultural applications in future.

Chemical chaperones reverse early suppression of regulatory circuits during unfolded protein response in B cells from common variable immunodeficiency patients.

B cells orchestrate pro-survival and pro-apoptotic inputs during unfolded protein response (UPR) to translate, fold, sort, secrete and recycle immunoglobulins. In common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) patients, activated B cells are predisposed to an overload of abnormally processed, misfolded immunoglobulins. Using highly accurate transcript measurements, we show that expression of UPR genes and immunoglobulin chains differs qualitatively and quantitatively during the first 4 h of chemically induced UPR in B cells from CVID patients and a healthy subject. We tested thapsigargin or tunicamycin as stressors and 4-phenylbutyrate, dimethyl sulfoxide and tauroursodeoxycholic acid as chemical chaperones. We found an early and robust decrease of the UPR upon endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in CVID patient cells compared to the healthy control consistent with the disease phenotype. The chemical chaperones increased the UPR in the CVID patient cells in response to the stressors, suggesting that misfolded immunoglobulins were stabilized. We suggest that the AMP-dependent transcription factor alpha branch of the UPR is disturbed in CVID patients, underlying the observed expression behavior.

Multi-element detection in sea water using preconcentration procedure and EDXRF technique.

A method was optimized for detecting trace elements in sea water using Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. Sea water samples were pre-concentrated using ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) as chelating agent and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as organic phase. The preconcentrated samples were dried to form thin films on mylar substrate and analysed using EDXRF spectrometer. The multi-element standard samples prepared in synthetic sea water were used for EDXRF instrument calibration. The instrument was calibrated for 11 elements namely As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn using linear regression method for concentration up to 200 ppb. The detection limits achieved for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn were 13, 70, 5.1, 36, 15, 36, 23, 11, 20, 13 and 40 ppb respectively. The optimized method was used for determination of elements in sea water collected from the Thane creek, Mumbai, India. The results were checked for accuracy by comparing it with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP AES) technique. The comparison showed the discrepancy of results to be insignificant at 95% confidence level.

Flow investigation in an industrial-scale soaker using radiotracer technique.

Flow dynamics of heavy petroleum residue in an industrial-scale soaker operating in a petroleum refinery was investigated. Residence time distributions (RTDs) of the residue were measured using radiotracer technique. Bromine-82 as dibromobiphenyl was used as radiotracer for tracing the petroleum residue. The measured RTDs were treated and mean residence times (MRTs) were determined. The measured RTD data was simulated using a combined model i.e. axial dispersion model in parallel with tanks-in-series with stagnant volume and exchange. The results of the model simulation fitted very well to the experimentally measured data and identified bypassing or existence two parallel flow paths within the soaker.

Bioconversion of fish solid waste into PHB using Bacillus subtilis based submerged fermentation process.

Currently, one of the major problem affecting the world is solid waste management, predominantly petroleum-based plastic and fish solid waste (FSW). However, it is very difficult to reduce the consumption of plastic as well as fish products, but it is promising to convert FSW to biopolymer to reduce eco-pollution. On account of that, the bioconversion of FSW extract to polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was undertaken by using Bacillus subtilis (KP172548). Under optimized conditions, 1.62 g/L of PHB has been produced by the bacterium. The purified compound was further characterized by advanced analytical technologies to elucidate its chemical structure. Results indicated that the biopolymer was found to be PHB, the most common homopolymer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). This is the first report demonstrating the efficacy of B. subtilis to utilize FSW extract to produce biopolymer. The biocompatibility of the PHB against murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 demonstrated that, it was comparatively less toxic, favourable for surface attachment and proliferation in comparison with poly-lactic acid (PLA) and commercially available PHB. Thus, further exploration is highly indispensable to use FSW extract as a substrate for production of PHB at pilot scale.

Inhibition of FOXC2 restores epithelial phenotype and drug sensitivity in prostate cancer cells with stem-cell properties.

Advanced prostate adenocarcinomas enriched in stem-cell features, as well as variant androgen receptor (AR)-negative neuroendocrine (NE)/small-cell prostate cancers are difficult to treat, and account for up to 30% of prostate cancer-related deaths every year. While existing therapies for prostate cancer such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), destroy the bulk of the AR-positive cells within the tumor, eradicating this population eventually leads to castration-resistance, owing to the continued survival of AR-/lo stem-like cells. In this study, we identified a critical nexus between p38MAPK signaling, and the transcription factor Forkhead Box Protein C2 (FOXC2) known to promote cancer stem-cells and metastasis. We demonstrate that prostate cancer cells that are insensitive to ADT, as well as high-grade/NE prostate tumors, are characterized by elevated FOXC2, and that targeting FOXC2 using a well-tolerated p38 inhibitor restores epithelial attributes and ADT-sensitivity, and reduces the shedding of circulating tumor cells in vivo with significant shrinkage in the tumor mass. This study thus specifies a tangible mechanism to target the AR-/lo population of prostate cancer cells with stem-cell properties.

Potentially toxic elements in lignite and its combustion residues from a power plant.

The presence of potentially toxic elements in lignite and coal is a matter of global concern during energy extraction from them. Accordingly, Barsingsar lignite from Rajasthan (India), a newly identified and currently exploited commercial source of energy, was evaluated for the presence of these elements and their fate during its combustion. Mobility of these elements in Barsingsar lignite and its ashes from a power plant (Bikaner-Nagaur region of Thar Desert, India) is presented in this paper. Kaolinite, quartz, and gypsum are the main minerals in lignite. Both the fly ash and bottom ash of lignite belong to class-F with SiO2 > Al2O3 > CaO > MgO. Both the ashes contain quartz, mullite, anhydrite, and albite. As, In, and Sr have higher concentration in the feed than the ashes. Compared to the feed lignite, Ba, Co, U, Cu, Cd, and Ni are enriched (10-5 times) in fly ash and Co, Pb, Li, Ga, Cd, and U in bottom ash (9-5 times). Earth crust-normalization pattern showed enrichment of Ga, U, B, Ag, Cd, and Se in the lignite; Li, Ba, Ga, B, Cu, Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Se, in fly ash; and Li, Sr, Ga, U, B, Cu, Ag, Cd, Pb, and Se in bottom ash. Hg, Ag, Zn, Ni, Ba, and Se are possibly associated with pyrite. Leaching test by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) showed that except B all the elements are within the safe limits prescribed by Indian Standards.

Estimation of distribution coefficient of natural radionuclides in soil around uranium mines and its effect with ionic strength of water.

The distribution coefficient, K(d) in soil is an important parameter to predict the migration of contaminants. In this study, uranium (U) and its decay products thorium (Th), radium (Ra), bismuth (Bi), lead (Pb) and polonium (Po), which may contaminate the soil and ground water around uranium mining areas, have been considered. Soil and ground water samples were collected from a proposed uranium mining site in India. The soil samples were characterised for different parameters affecting the K(d) values. The batch sorption method was employed to measure the K(d) of different radionuclides. The important factors affecting the batch method for K(d) estimation were identified and optimised. The variation of K(d) was observed with different ionic strength water samples. Results showed high K(d) values for Th(IV), Po(IV) and Pb(II) (log K(d) ∼4) and low K(d) (log K(d) ∼2-3) for U(VI), Ra(II) and Bi(III) in all three types of water with different ionic strength.

Characterization of shiga toxin producing (STEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in raw yak (Poephagus grunniens) milk and milk products.

Thirty-one shiga toxin-producing (STEC) and 6 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) were isolated from 87 raw yak milk and 63 'churpi' samples. Of 18 stx(1) positive isolates (48.6%), 14 carried stx(1c) (77.7%). Subtyping of 28 stx(2) positive isolates (75.7%) revealed the presence of stx(2c) (9, 32.1%), stx(2d) (3, 10.7%), stx(2e) (1, 3.57%) and stx(2f) (3, 10.7%) variants. Furthermore, intimin (eaeA), enterohaemolysin (ehxA), autoagglutinating adhesin (saa), iha (adherence conferring protein), efa1 (EHEC factor for adherence), bundle forming pilli (bfpA) and toxB (type III secreted protein encoded on LEE Island, similar to toxin B of Clostridium difficile) genes were detected in 14, 16, 12, 4, 3, 2 and 2 isolates, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis depicted that both stx(1) and stx(2) or their variants were more likely to occur in isolates from Arunachal Pradesh (p<0.04) rather than Sikkim. Dendogram constructed on the basis of RAPD and ERIC PCR profile distributed the STEC and EPEC isolates in separate clusters irrespective of their sources and serotypes. The STEC and EPEC isolates exhibited resistance against erythromycin, amikacin, azithromycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin+cloxacillin, cephalothin, furazolidone, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin and tetracycline. This is the first ever report on occurrence and characterization of STEC and EPEC isolated from yak milk and milk products.

Preparation and characterisation of mucoadhesive nasal gel of venlafaxine hydrochloride for treatment of anxiety disorders.

The aim of the present study is to prepare and evaluate mucoadhesive nasal gels of venlafaxine hydrochloride. Mucoadhesive nasal gels were prepared using polymers like carbopol 934 and sodium alginate and characterized in terms of viscosity, texture profile analysis, ex vivo drug permeation profiles and histopathological studies. The results show that values of viscosity, hardness and adhesiveness increase while those of cohesiveness decrease with corresponding increase in concentration of the polymers. Ex vivo drug permeation profiles showed that formulation containing 5% sodium alginate provided a better controlled release of the drug than the other formulations over a period of 12 h. Histopathological studies assured that gels containing different polymers did not produce any significant change in the nasal mucosae of goat even after 12 h permeation study. Mucoadhesive nasal gel of venlafaxine hydrochloride is a novel dosage form which delivers the drug directly into systemic circulation and provides controlled release of the drug.

Adsorption of zinc from aqueous solution using chemically treated newspaper pulp.

Adsorption of zinc was studied using chemically modified newspaper pulp as an adsorbent in the aqueous medium. Quantitative chemical analysis showed the presence of trace quantities of some inorganic elements along with phosphorous in TNP. The experimental adsorption data fitted reasonably well to both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm. pHzpc of TNP was 5.1, which indicated that the adsorbent was more potential for cationic adsorption. The adsorption kinetic data followed a pseudo-second order model for zinc. Optimum Zn(2+) loading was 9.20 mg/g for 10.31 mg/l initial zinc concentration at pH 5.80. Zn(2+) loading on TNP was dependent on initial zinc concentration. TNP was a potential adsorbent for the removal of Zn from the effluent of electroplating industry.

Protection from experimental colitis by theaflavin-3,3'-digallate correlates with inhibition of IKK and NF-kappaB activation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) involved in regulating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokine genes. As theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TFDG), the most potent anti-oxidant polyphenol of black tea, down-regulates NF-kappaB activation, we investigated if TFDG is beneficial in colonic inflammation by suppressing iNOS and proinflammatory cytokines. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The in vivo efficacy of TFDG was assessed in mice with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Both mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines and iNOS were analyzed in colon tissue treated with or without TFDG. NF-kappaB activation was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and levels of NF-kappaB inhibitory protein (IkappaBalpha) were analyzed by Western blotting. KEY RESULTS: Oral administration of TFDG (5 mg kg(-1) daily i.g.) significantly improved TNBS-induced colitis associated with decreased mRNA and protein levels of TNF-alpha, IL-12, IFN-gamma and iNOS in colonic mucosa. DNA binding and Western blotting revealed increase in NF-kappaB activation and IkappaBalpha depletion in TNBS-treated mice from Day 2 through Day 8 with a maximum at Day 4, which resulted from increased phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and higher activity of IkappaB kinase (IKK). Pretreatment with TFDG markedly inhibited TNBS-induced increases in nuclear localization of NF-kappaB, cytosolic IKK activity and preserved IkappaBalpha in colon tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: TFDG exerts protective effects in experimental colitis and inhibits production of inflammatory mediators through a mechanism that, at least in part, involves inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.

Determination of path coefficients and its application in road traffic noise annoyance - a theoretical approach.

This paper elucidates the basic approach of determining the path coefficients and its significance in the road traffic noise annoyance. Path model not only outline the direct effect of the traffic noise on the nearby residents but also indicate the indirect effect via other variables. In this study seven variables were considered for determining road traffic noise annoyance. However the same would be equally applicable for other situations like aircraft noise, rail noise, and industry noise with the different variables. At the outset a priori path model was designed and then on the basis of the partial regression coefficient values for the different paths, the revised path model was developed. The standardized partial regression coefficients known as path coefficients, determine the strength of the linkage among variables. Some of the paths in the model were not statistically significant. Revised path models were developed by deleting the insignificant paths whose values were found above 5% level. In the revised path model, thus the direct and indirect effect due to a particular variable causing the road traffic noise annoyance could be observed.

A study on arsenic adsorption on polymetallic sea nodule in aqueous medium.

A detailed study on As(III) and As(V) adsorption on polymetallic sea nodule in aqueous medium has been reported. Elemental composition of sea nodule comprises primarily, iron, manganese and silicon with trace quantities of aluminium, copper, cobalt and nickel. As(V) adsorption on sea nodule is dependent on pH while As(III) is insensitive to it. Adsorption data broadly follow Langmuir isotherm. Kinetic data follow a pseudo-second-order model for both As(III) and As(V). Arsenic loading on sea nodule is dependent on initial arsenic concentration. Optimum As(III) loading is 0.74 mg/g at 0.34 mg/L and for As(V) it is 0.74 mg/g at 0.78mg/L. As(III) adsorption is broadly independent of ionic environment. Except for PO(4)(3-), As(III) adsorption is not influenced by anions but cations influence it significantly. As(V) adsorption, on the other hand, is influenced by anions and not by cations. Experimental evidence indicates an inner sphere complex for As(III) and partial inner and partial outer sphere complex for As(V). Both As(III) and As(V) adsorptions are marked with very little desorption in the pH range of 2-10. Sea nodule can speciate As(III) and As(V) in groundwater at or above pH 6. Sea nodule was successfully tested as an adsorbent for the removal of arsenic from six contaminated groundwater samples of West Bengal, India, containing arsenic in the range 0.04-0.18mg/L.

Metal contents in the groundwater of Sahebgunj district, Jharkhand, India, with special reference to arsenic.

A detailed study has been presented on groundwater metal contents of Sahebgunj district in the state of Jharkhand, India with special reference to arsenic. Both tubewell and well waters have been studied separately with greater emphasis on tubewell waters. Groundwaters of all the nine blocks of Sahebgunj district have been surveyed for iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in addition to arsenic. Normal distribution statistic, exploratory data analysis and robust Z-score analysis have been employed to find out the distribution pattern, localisation of data, outliers and other related information. Groundwaters of three blocks of Sahebgunj, namely, Sahebgunj, Rajmahal and Udhawa have been found to be alarmingly contaminated with arsenic present at or above 10 ppb. Arsenic distribution patterns in these blocks are highly asymmetric in nature with the common feature of increasing width from first to fourth quartile. A very broad fourth quartile in each case represents a long asymmetric tail on the right of the median. Tubewell waters of at least two more blocks require regular monitoring to identify the outbreak of arsenic at the onset. Groundwaters of Sahebgunj district in general contain high iron and manganese. It is by and large soft in nature. Well waters have been found to be better with regard to arsenic but iron and manganese contents do not vary significantly. Normal distribution analysis (NDA), box and whisker (BW) plot and Z-score analysis together can provide a reasonably complete statistical picture of metal contents in Sahebgunj district groundwaters.

Evaluation and standardisation of a simple HG-AAS method for rapid speciation of As(III) and As(V) in some contaminated groundwater samples of West Bengal, India.

A simple HG-AAS technique has been evaluated and standardised for rapid speciation of As(III) and As(V) in a number of contaminated groundwater samples of West Bengal, India. Citric acid has been used for selective hydride formation of As(III). The sensitivity of the evaluated HG-AAS method is 7.91 mg(-1)l, standard deviation, 0.001 and detection limit, 0.4 microg l(-1). As(III) sensitivity remains constant in the sample pH range of 2.3-10.6. Concomitant mineral matrix of the water samples did not interfere with arsenic determination. Eight out of ten groundwater samples analysed for As(IlI)and As(V) contain more As(III), which lies in the range of 54-350 ppb. As(III) estimation in drinking water along with total arsenic should be invoked as a policy for a realistic risk assessment of the contaminated water.