'Green firecrackers' with reduced barium emissions in particulate matter.

Ambient air quality is affected due to the emission of pollutants on a large scale after the bursting of firecrackers. Traditionally in all firecrackers, barium (Ba) compounds are used as oxidizers and also to impart green colour flame. Combustion products of barium compounds are water soluble and readily absorbed by the body affecting human health. Thus, the inherent risk of Ba pollution due to the bursting of firecrackers has consequent health effects. To reduce the ambient air pollution caused due to burning of conventional firecrackers, CSIR NEERI has developed reduced emission firecrackers (green crackers). This is achieved by reducing the amount of chemicals, barium nitrate, shell size and addition of additives such as zeolite and iron oxide. This study aims to specifically investigate the influence of additives on the level of barium in reduced emission firecrackers. Four types of conventional and reduced emission firecrackers were selected and tested inside a firecracker emission testing facility to check the levels of barium in PM10 and PM2.5. The measured mean concentrations of all types of reduced emission crackers (green crackers) provided by fireworks manufacturers show significantly reduced barium concentration by 30-60% compared to conventional crackers depending on the type of firecrackers, shell size and amount of chemicals used. The possible reason for reduced Ba level is attributed to i) reduced usage of Ba(NO3)2 and ii) formation of heavy density compounds, leading to soil fallout.

An activated unfolded protein response promotes retinal degeneration and triggers an inflammatory response in the mouse retina.

Recent studies on the endoplasmic reticulum stress have shown that the unfolded protein response (UPR) is involved in the pathogenesis of inherited retinal degeneration caused by mutant rhodopsin. However, the main question of whether UPR activation actually triggers retinal degeneration remains to be addressed. Thus, in this study, we created a mouse model for retinal degeneration caused by a persistently activated UPR to assess the physiological and morphological parameters associated with this disease state and to highlight a potential mechanism by which the UPR can promote retinal degeneration. We performed an intraocular injection in C57BL6 mice with a known unfolded protein response (UPR) inducer, tunicamycin (Tn) and examined animals by electroretinography (ERG), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and histological analyses. We detected a significant loss of photoreceptor function (over 60%) and retinal structure (35%) 30 days post treatment. Analysis of retinal protein extracts demonstrated a significant upregulation of inflammatory markers including interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and IBA1. Similarly, we detected a strong inflammatory response in mice expressing either Ter349Glu or T17M rhodopsin (RHO). These mutant rhodopsin species induce severe retinal degeneration and T17M rhodopsin elicits UPR activation when expressed in mice. RNA and protein analysis revealed a significant upregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers such as IL-1ß, IL-6, p65 nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and MCP-1, as well as activation of F4/80 and IBA1 microglial markers in both the retinas expressing mutant rhodopsins. We then assessed if the Tn-induced inflammatory marker IL-1ß was capable of inducing retinal degeneration by injecting C57BL6 mice with a recombinant IL-1ß. We observed ~19% reduction in ERG a-wave amplitudes and a 29% loss of photoreceptor cells compared with control retinas, suggesting a potential link between pro-inflammatory cytokines and retinal pathophysiological effects. Our work demonstrates that in the context of an established animal model for ocular disease, the persistent activation of the UPR could be responsible for promoting retinal degeneration via the UPR-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß.

A randomized comparative trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (Fungisome) versus conventional amphotericin B in the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia in India.

BACKGROUND: In patients with persistent fever and netropenia, amphotericin B is administered empirically for early treatment and prevention of systemic fungal infections. Despite this treatment, there are chances of breakthrough fungal infections and drug is also toxic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicentric, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare liposomal amphotericin B two doses with conventional amphotericin B as empirical antifungal therapy. RESULTS: The average body weight of patients was 26.4 ± 14.8 (n=22), 32.9 ± 19.4 (n=23) and 37.9 ± 20.0 (n=20) kg in 1 mg, 3 mg Fungisome (liposomal amphotericin B) and 1 mg/kg/day conventional amphotericin B group, respectively. The mean age was 16.2 ± 13.4, 16.0 ± 10.9 and 22.7 ± 16.2 yrs in 1 and 3 mg/kg/day Fungisome and 1 mg/kg/day conventional AMP B group, respectively. The average duration of treatment with 1 mg and 3 mg/kg/day Fungisome and 1 mg/kg/day conventional amphotericin B was 17 ± 9.8, 16.2 ± 8.3, and 14.7 ± 10.7 days, respectively. The time to resolve fever was 13.3 ± 10.2, 10.9 ± 7.1, 10.1 ± 6.7 days, and for absolute neutrophil count (ANC) to be above 500 cells per microliter, it took 13.4 ± 9.6, 10.6 ± 7.6 and 7.3 ± 3.4 days, respectively. Liposomal formulations were well-tolerated compared to conventional amphotericin B. CONCLUSIONS: This small randomized study showed that the indigenous liposomal formulation Fungisome appears to be equally efficacious and safer than conventional amphotericin B. Also, the lower dose Fungisome (1 mg/kg/day) appears to be equally efficacious and was well-tolerated as compared to higher dose Fungisome (3 mg/kg/day). Treatment cost would be a major factor for limiting use of higher dose of Fungisome.

A method to minimize the global warming and environmental pollution.

There has been continuous increase in the level of CO2 in atmosphere. Therefore, it is essential to develop an economical and convenient process to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. In this study, we have proposed an economical and efficient adsorption method to minimize the environmental CO2. A fluidized bed adsorption column was used, fabricated using cast iron sheet. The low prize pyrolyzed biochar prepared from farming biomass (crushed fine powder) was used as an adsorbent to adsorb CO2 from the mixture of air and CO2 (99.5% air and 0.5% CO2). The experimental observation was taken for the % removal of CO2 from the mixture of air and CO2, development of adsorption isotherm and to study the effect of pressure and inlet gas flow rate on the amount of CO2 adsorbed per kg of biochar. The exhausted (CO2 adsorbed) biochar from the fluidized column was tested as a fertilizer for the wheat crop and it has given near about 10% increase in the height of wheat crop within the first 10 days after sowing the wheat seeds. On the basis of this experimentation, we have proposed a hypothetical method, using above mentioned fluidized bed column and biochar as adsorbent to reduce the CO2 concentration in the highly polluted regions.

Liposomal amphotericin B (Fungisome) for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients in India: a multicentric, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is need to investigate the use of liposomal amphotericin B in cryptococcal meningitis in India. AIMS: To compare the efficacy, safety, duration of treatment and cost of two doses of liposomal amphotericin B (Amp B) (Fungisome) in cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multicenter study in tertiary care hospitals across India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients with culture-proven cryptococcal meningitis with HIV/AIDS were randomized to receive either 1 (Group A) or 3 mg/kg/day of Fungisome (Group B). Clinical efficacy and tolerability, laboratory evaluations and mycological response were assessed daily, twice weekly and weekly respectively. The patients were assessed at four and eight-week follow-up. STATISTICS: We calculated average and standard deviation for the various parameters. RESULTS: The time to show clinical response was 13.66 days (1 mg) and 9.55 days (3 mg). In Group B (n=6 complete response), 50% patients responded within one week by microbial conversion, 83% in two weeks and 100% in three weeks. Patients with 1 mg dose (n=4 complete response), none showed microbial conversion within one week, 75% responded in two weeks, whereas one patient took four weeks. The average duration of treatment was 36.5+/-14.4 and 26.5+/-5.89 (S.D.) days in 1 and 3 mg/kg/day respectively. Drug was tolerated with little renal, hepatic or hematological toxicity. The cost was found to be 3.81 lacs and 1.74 lacs with 3mg/kg/day and 1mg/kg/day respectively. CONCLUSION: Higher dose showed better efficacy and quicker microbial conversion of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (cerebrospinal fluid) than 1 mg/kg/day. It shortened the duration of treatment in days by 27% while drug cost almost doubled ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN 52812742).

RAPD Analysis for Determination of Components in Herbal Medicine.

In this study, the RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) technique was employed for determination of the components in an Ayurvedic herbal prescription, Rasayana Churna. One-hundred-and-twenty decamer oligonucleotide primers were screened in the RAPD analysis to identify three Ayurvedic medicines, dried stem of Tinospora cordifolia, dried fruit of Emblica officinalis and dried fruit of Tribulus terestris, the Ayurvedic prescription. Primer OPC-6 simultaneously generated three distinct amplicons, each specific to one component. The marker with 600 bp is specific to Tinospora cordifolia; the marker 500 bp is specific to Emblica officinalis and the remaining marker >1000 bp was present in Tribulus terestris. Presence of three herbal medicines was determined when RAPD reaction with OPC-6 was performed. The technique was proved to contribute to the identification of components in Ayurvedic herbal preparation and thus helping to serve as a complementary tool for quality control.

Operating environmental laboratories--an overview of analysis equipment procurement and management.

Management of equipment in an environmental laboratory requires planning involving assessment of the workload on a particular equipment, establishment of criteria and specification for the purchase of equipment, creation of infrastructure for installation and testing of the equipment, optimization of analysis conditions, development of preventive maintenance procedures and establishment of in-house repair facilities. The paper reports the results of such an analysis carried for operating environmental laboratories associated with R& D work, serving as an Govt. laboratory or attached to an Industry for analysing industrial emissions.

An extraction study of gallium, indium and thallium using TPASO as an extractant.

A method is proposed for the extraction and individual separation of trivalent gallium, indium and thallium from salicylate media using triphenylarsine oxide dissolved in toluene as an extractant. The optimum extraction conditions are evaluated and described. The extracted metal ions are stripped and estimated spectrophotometrically following complexation with 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol. A possible mechanism of the extraction is discussed. The method permits rapid and precise individual separation of gallium (III), indium (III) and thallium (III) and is applicable to the analysis of alloy samples.

Separation of scandium(III) and yttrium(III) by tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP).

Tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate is proposed as an extractant for scandium(III) and yttrium(III) from salicylate media. The optimum extraction conditions are evaluated and described. The method permits mutual separation of scandium(III) and yttrium(III) and can be used for the separation and determination of scandium(III) and yttrium(III) from binary and multicomponent mixtures.

Extraction and separation of silver using triphenylphosphine sulphide.

Silver compounds are used in pharmaceutical and ayurvedic medicines. A method is proposed for the extraction separation of silver from Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni, Pt (IV) and Au (III) from nitrate solution using triphenylphosphine sulphide as an extractant. The recovery of silver is tested both volumetrically and/or by ICP-AES technique.

Separation studies of molybdenum(VI) and rhenium(VII) using TPPO as an extractant.

A simple, rapid and reproducible method for the extractive separation of molybdenum(VI) and rhenium(VII) is proposed using triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) dissolved in toluene as an extractant. The extractions are carried out from the hydrochloric and hydrobromic acid medium. The extraction of molybdenum is quantitative from 2.54-3.10 M hydrochloric acid and from 3.76-3.98 M hydrobromic acid, and that of rhenium is from 6.78-7.91 M hydrochloric acid. The probable nature of the extractable species is established using log distribution ratio-log concentration plots. The method permits mutual separation of molybdenum(VI) and rhenium(VII) and is applicable for the analysis of alloys and pharmaceutical sample. The detection limits for molybdenum(VI) and rhenium(VII) are 0.8 ppm and 4 ppm respectively.

Extractive separation of group IVB elements: analysis of alloy samples.

A method is proposed for the extraction and mutual separation of quadrivalent titanium, zirconium and hafnium from hydrochloric acid using triphenylphosphine oxide dissolved in toluene as an extractant. The optimum conditions for the extraction and separation have been evaluated from critical study of acid concentration, extractant concentration, period of equilibration and effect of diluent. The effect of foreign ions on the extraction and determination is also discussed. The probable composition of the extracted species has been deduced from logD-logC plots. The method affords mutual separation of titanium, zirconium and hafnium and is applicable to the analysis of alloy samples.

Tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate as an extractant for trivalent gallium, indium and thallium.

A systematic study of solvent extraction behaviour of gallium(III), indium(III) and thallium(III) with tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate from salicylate media has been undertaken and a scheme for their separation is proposed. The optimum extraction conditions are evaluated and described. The method is applicable to the analysis of standard aluminium and aluminium alloys samples. The results obtained are reproducible and accurate.

Extraction and separation studies of tellurium(IV) with tris-(2-ethyl hexyl) phosphate.

A method is proposed for the extraction of microgram levels of tellurium(IV) from halide media with tris-(2-ethyl hexyl) phosphate dissolved in toluene as extractant. The optimum conditions have been evaluated from a critical study of acid concentration, extractant concentration, period of equilibration and effect of solvent. Tellurium ion from the organic phase is stripped with water and determined spectrophotometrically with stannous chloride. The method affords binary separation of tellurium from copper, bismuth, gold and selenium and is applicable to the analysis of alloy samples and synthetic mixtures. The method is fast, accurate and precise.

Ion-pair extraction and determination of copper(II) and zinc(II) in environmental and pharmaceutical samples.

Copper and zinc were extracted from salicylate solution into Aliquat 336 dissolved in toluene and determined in the organic phase spectrophotometrically using 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol. The determination of copper and zinc was also carried out titrimetrically or by atomic absorption spectrometry after stripping the metal ions from the organic phase. The method permits the determination of copper and zinc in environmental and pharmaceutical samples. The standard deviation and relative standard deviation are 0.052 micrograms and 0.69%, respectively, for copper and 0.041 micrograms and 0.60%, respectively, for zinc.

Extraction and separation of uranium and lead with liquid anion-exchangers.

A method is proposed for the extraction and separation of microgram amounts of uranium(VI) and lead(II) from sodium salicylate solution with high molecular-weight amines such as Aliquat 336, TOA, TIOA, Amberlite LA-1 or Amberlite LA-2 dissolved in xylene. From a critical study of pH, salicylate concentration, amine concentration, diluent and period of equilibration, the optimum conditions were identified. The method permits separation of uranium and lead from binary mixtures with metal ions commonly associated with them, the determination of uranium, and of lead in air samples.

Extraction and determination of zinc in pharmaceutical samples.

A systematic study of extraction of zinc salicylate is reported. Optimum conditions for the extraction and determination of zinc are evaluated from a critical study of the effect of pH, sodium salicylate concentration and triphenylphosphine oxide concentration. The effect of foreign ions on the extraction is also discussed. The probable composition of the species has been deduced from the extraction data. The method has been used to separate zinc from cadmium and mercury in binary mixtures and for the determination of zinc in various pharmaceutical products.

Gas chromatographic studies on the biodegradation of nitrobenzene and 2,4-dinitrophenol in the nitrobenzene plant wastewater.

The biodegradation of nitrobenzene (NB) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) in NB plant wastewater has been studied using acclimated activated sludge in a batch bioreactor. The gas chromatographic (GC) monitoring shows simultaneous utilization of these two substrates, and both NB and DNP were ultimately biodegraded. The primary and ultimate biodegradation rates using GC and COD methods, respectively, are compared and reported.