Non-derivatizing solvent assisted waste-derived cellulose/ MOF composite porous matrix for efficient metal ion removal: comprehensive analysis of batch and continuous packed-bed column sorption studies.

The use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for wastewater treatment in continuous operation is a major challenge. To address this, the present study demonstrates the eco-friendly and economic synthesis of Ca-MOF immobilized cellulose beads (Ca-MOF-CB) derived from paper waste. The synthesized Ca-MOF-CB were characterized using standard analytical techniques. Batch sorption studies were performed to check the effect of cellulose composition (wt%), Ca-MOF loading, contact time, and initial metal ion (Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+) concentration. Ca-MOF-CB beads exhibited outstanding equilibrium sorption capacities for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+, with estimated values of 281.22 ± 7.8, 104.01 ± 10.58, and 114.21 ± 9.68 mg g-1, respectively. Different non-linear isotherms and kinetic models were applied which confirmed the spontaneous, endothermic reactions for the physisorption of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+. Based on the highest equilibrium sorption capacity for Pb2+ ion, in-depth parametric column studies were conducted in an indigenously developed packed-bed column set-up. The effect of packed-bed height (10 and 20 cm), inlet flow rate (5 and 10 mL min-1), and inlet Pb2+ ion concentration (200, 300, and 500 mg L-1) were studied. The breakthrough curves obtained at different operating conditions were fitted with the empirical models viz. the bed depth service time (BDST), Yoon-Nelson, Thomas, and Yan to estimate the column design parameters. In order to determine the financial implications at large-scale industrial operations, an affordable synthesis cost of 1 kg of Ca-MOF-CB was estimated. Conclusively, the present study showed the feasibility of the developed Ca-MOF-CB for the continuous removal of metal ions at an industrial scale.

Remediation of multifarious metal ions and molecular docking assessment for pathogenic microbe disinfection in aqueous solution by waste-derived Ca-MOF.

The present study demonstrates an eco-friendly and cost-effective synthesis of calcium terephthalate metal-organic frameworks (Ca-MOF). The Ca-MOF were composed of metal ions (Ca2+) and organic ligands (terephthalic acid; TPA); the former was obtained from egg shells, and the latter was obtained from processing waste plastic bottles. Detailed characterization using standard techniques confirmed the synthesis of Ca-MOF with an average particle size of 461.9 ± 15 nm. The synthesized Ca-MOF was screened for its ability to remove multiple metal ions from an aqueous solution. Based on the maximum sorption capacity, Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+ ions were selected for individual parametric batch studies. The obtained results were interpreted using standard isotherms and kinetic models. The maximum sorption capacity (qm) obtained from the Langmuir model was found to be 644.07 ± 47, 391.4 ± 26, and 260.5 ± 14 mg g-1 for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+, respectively. Moreover, Ca-MOF also showed an excellent ability to remove all three metal ions simultaneously from a mixed solution. The metal nodes and bonded TPA from Ca-MOF were dissociated by the acid dissolution method, which protonated and isolated TPA for reuse. Further, the crystal structure of Ca-MOF was prepared and docked with protein targets of selected pathogenic water-borne microbes, which showed its disinfection potential. Overall, multiple metal sorption capability, regeneration studies, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity confirmed the versatility of synthesized Ca-MOF for industrial wastewater treatment.

One-pot synthesis of metal oxide-clay composite for the evaluation of dye removal studies: Taguchi optimization of parameters and environmental toxicity studies.

The present study demonstrates the synthesis of eco-friendly metal oxide-clay composites (MgO-clay and CaO-clay) with phytochemical functionalization. The physical and chemical properties of prepared composites were characterized using standard techniques viz. scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The effect of pH on the dye adsorption capability of the synthesized composites was studied. The adsorption of an anionic dye methyl orange (MO) and a cationic due methylene blue (MB) was favored in the acidic and basic regions, respectively. The Taguchi design approach was adopted for the removal of MO and MB from wastewater using the synthesized composites. The obtained results suggest that initial dye concentration and composite dosage were the most influential parameters in dye removal among all the studied parameters. The adsorption experiments were carried out using MgO-clay and CaO-clay composites with the optimum conditions obtained from Taguchi optimization to validate the predicted response. The experimental parameters viz. the effect of contact time, initial dye concentration, and solution temperature were studied for screened composite (CaO-clay) with optimized conditions. The obtained results were interpreted using standard isotherms and kinetic models. A maximum adsorption capacity of 571 ± 10 and 859 ± 14 mg g-1 was obtained from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm for MO and MB, respectively. Regeneration studies suggested that the CaO-clay composite can be utilized up to 3 cycles with reduced adsorption capacity of the dyes over cycles due to the solid binding nature of dyes on the CaO-clay composite. The fresh and utilized CaO-clay composite were tested for their environmental toxicity analysis using ecologically important soil microorganisms. The obtained results suggested no detrimental effects on soil microbe's functionality, indicating their threat-free disposal in the soil environment.

Curcumin loaded core-shell biopolymers colloid and its incorporation in Indian Basmati rice: An enhanced stability, anti-oxidant activity and sensory attributes of fortified rice.

Curcumin, a major bioactive in curcuminoids and food colorant, possess therapeutic properties, however, its low water solubility, instability during processing limit its industrial applications. The nanoencapsulated curcumin (NEC) in sodium caseinate (SC) and Maillard conjugate (MC) showed >90% water solubility. Encapsulation in MC reduced particle size (150 to 120 nm) zeta potential (-34 to -45 mV) and improved encapsulation efficiency (74 to 94%) compared to SC under optimized Tween20 and salt-ions. The in-vitro bioaccessibility of NEC was 300% more than curcumin (pH 7.4). The curcumin (0.092 mmol) and spray-dried NEC (0-0.092 mmol) were incorporated in Indian Basmati rice. The UV-VIS revealed 14, 10% higher stability of NEC (0.069 mmol) incorporated rice under dark and light at 27 ± 2 °C and 43, 39% more in thermally processed limited and excess water conditions, respectively, than curcumin. The high visual appeal and anti-oxidant activity (60%) of NEC Basmati rice demonstrated application in fortified product development.

Laser-Assisted Lip Repositioning With Smile Elevator Muscle Containment and Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smile: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Treating the patients with excessive gingival display to provide a pleasant smile is a challenge to the periodontist. Gummy smile can be due to excessive vertical bone growth, dentoalveolar extrusion, short upper lip, upper lip hyperactivity, or altered passive eruption. Gummy smile associated with hyperactivity of smile elevator muscles can be treated by surgical techniques like lip repositioning, botulinum toxin injection, lip elongation with rhinoplasty, detachment of the lip muscles, and myectomy. Regardless of the technique used, to achieve a predictable result with long-term stability limiting upper lip movement when the patient smiles, firm muscle containment is imperative. CASE PRESENTATION: The case report describes the excessive gingival display having a multifactorial etiology in a 25-year-old female patient. Altered passive eruption in upper anterior teeth was treated by crown lengthening followed by management of hyperactive lip using a diode laser-assisted lip repositioning along with traction and muscle containment. Excellent and predictable results were obtained after a 1-year follow-up without the relapse of gummy smile. CONCLUSIONS: The case report showed an excellent result when treated by a combined approach of an innovative procedure with laser-assisted lip repositioning aimed at maintaining the traction and containment of the smile elevator muscles along with crown lengthening procedure by gingivectomy.

Mothers’ caregiving resources and practices for children under 5 years in the slums of Hyderabad, India: a cross-sectional study

Background: The extended care model of the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) identifies knowledge/beliefs, nutritional status, mental health, control ofresources/autonomy, workload/time constraints and social support as importantcaregiver resources for childcare. The aim of this paper is to examine the role ofmothers’ caregiving resources in child-care practices in slums.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 slums of Hyderabad, toappraise the caregiving practices and health status of children under 5 years. Datawere collected from 506 households, selected through multistage stratified randomsampling, and data relating to 451 children aged 6–59 months were analysed.Four caregiving practices were studied: psychosocial stimulation, as assessed bythe Home Observation Measurement of the Environment inventory; hygienic carerated by spot-check observation; and meal frequency and dietary diversity basedon maternal recall. The role of the mother’s caregiving resources was examinedusing bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results: More than 50% of the children received good psychosocial stimulationand close to 60% had good hygienic care. About 75% of the children aged 6–23months had the recommended minimum meal frequency and 13% had therecommended dietary diversity. Mother’s media exposure (odds ratio [OR] 2.25,95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–3.77), participation in household budgeting(OR 2.19, CI 1.25–3.83) and husband’s support (OR 2.04, CI 1.28–3.24) werepredictors of psychosocial stimulation. Mother’s younger age (OR 1.11, CI 1.04–1.18), poor media exposure (OR 1.95, CI 1.15–3.29), dissatisfaction with life (OR1.84, CI 1.05–3.24), workload (OR 1.79, CI 1–3.18) and having no money for theirown use (OR 1.52, CI 0.95–2.45) placed children at higher odds for receiving poorhygienic care. Leisure time (OR 2.75, CI 1.25–6.06) and participation in budgeting(OR 1.97, CI 1–3.86) were predictors of meal frequency.Conclusion: Mother’s workload, poor media exposure, dissatisfaction with life,lack of husband’s support and absence of economic autonomy are constraints togood child care in slums.