Kinetics of cadmium, chromium, and lead sorption onto chemically modified sugarcane bagasse and wheat straw.

In this study, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) adsorption potential of unmodified and modified sugarcane bagasse and ground wheat straw was explored from aqueous solution through batch equilibrium technique. Both the materials were chemically modified by treating with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) alone and in combination with nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Two kinetic models, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order were used to follow the adsorption process and reaction fallowed the later model. The Pb removal by both the materials was highest and followed by Cr and Cd. The chemical treatment invariably increased the adsorption capacity and NaOH treatment proved more effective than others. Langmuir maximum sorption capacity (q m) of Pb was utmost (12.8-23.3 mg/g of sugarcane bagasse, 14.5-22.4 mg/g of wheat straw) and of Cd was least (1.5-2.2 mg/g of sugarcane bagasse, 2.5-3.8 mg/g of wheat straw). The q m was in the order of Pb > Cr > Cd for all the three adsorbents. Results demonstrate that agricultural waste materials used in this study could be used to remediate the heavy metal-polluted water.

Synthesis of α, ß-unsaturated carbonyl based compounds as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors: characterization, molecular modeling, QSAR studies and effect against amyloid ß-induced cytotoxicity.

A series of novel carbonyl compounds was synthesized by a simple, eco-friendly and efficient method. These compounds were screened for anti-oxidant activity, in vitro cytotoxicity and for inhibitory activity for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The effect of these compounds against amyloid ß-induced cytotoxicity was also investigated. Among them, compound 14 exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity (18.39 µM) while six compounds (1, 3, 4, 13, 14, and 19) were found to be the most protective against Aß-induced neuronal cell death in PC12 cells. Compounds 4 and 14, containing N-methyl-4-piperidone linker, showed high acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity as compared to reference drug donepezil. Molecular docking and QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) studies were also carried out to determine the structural features that are responsible for the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

Biological activity and molecular docking studies of curcumin-related α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl-based synthetic compounds as anticancer agents and mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors.

Hyperpigmentation in human skin and enzymatic browning in fruits, which are caused by tyrosinase enzyme, are not desirable. Investigations in the discovery of tyrosinase enzyme inhibitors and search for improved cytotoxic agents continue to be an important line in drug discovery and development. In present work, a new series of 30 compounds bearing α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl moiety was designed and synthesized following curcumin as model. All compounds were evaluated for their effects on human cancer cell lines and mushroom tyrosinase enzyme. Moreover, the structure-activity relationships of these compounds are also explained. Molecular modeling studies of these new compounds were carried out to explore interactions with tyrosinase enzyme. Synthetic curcumin-like compounds (2a-b) were identified as potent anticancer agents with 81-82% cytotoxicity. Five of these newly synthesized compounds (1a, 8a-b, 10a-b) emerged to be the potent inhibitors of mushroom tyrosinase, providing further insight into designing compounds useful in fields of food, health, and agriculture.

Assessment of physicochemical parameters of wastewater samples.

Water samples from selected locations of Nullah Lai and Koh-e-Noor textile mill in the metropolitan city of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, were collected. Physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were determined using standard analytical procedures in comparison with sites, locations and subsequent interval of 3 months. The results of the physicochemical analysis at different locations of Nullah Lai and Koh-e-Noor textile mill with an interval of 3 months were obtained in the following range: pH (7.16-8.29), temperature (17.8-28.8 °C), conductivity (1,005-3,347 µS/m), TDS (754.3-2,519.5 mg/L), turbidity (272.8-487.05 NTU), total hardness (300-452 mg/L), nitrates (10.11-22.95 ppm), calcium (74.31-139.2 ppm), chloride (127.72-396.16 ppm), sulphate (15.97-87.38 ppm), NaCl (210.5-631.1 ppm), Ni (0.30-0.72 ppm), Cd (0.005-0.03 ppm), Cr (0.2-7.4 ppm), Pb (0.12-0.73 ppm), Zn (0.03-0.08 ppm) and Cu (0.01-0.06 ppm). The highest value of physicochemical parameters (compared with Nullah Lai) was obtained in locations of Koh-e-Noor textile mill. The results obtained exceeded the maximum allowable limit set by the World Health Organization for drinking purpose but can be used for irrigation purposes after suitable treatment and purification.

Metal contamination of vegetables grown on soils irrigated with untreated municipal effluent.

Metals in soils and vegetables irrigated with untreated municipal/industrial effluent, from four cities of Pakistan (Gujranwala, Sialkot, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas) were assessed. The cadmium, copper, lead and chromium concentrations in the municipal/industrial effluent from all sites were above the recommended permissible limits. Similarly, cadmium, lead and nickel concentrations in almost all the soil samples were above the recommended permissible limits with chromium higher than the recommended permissible limits in 62% soils and copper higher in 26%. Cadmium and chromium concentrations were above the recommended permissible limits in all the examined vegetables and lead was exceeded in 90% of vegetables.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: metal complexes of a sulfanilamide derived Schiff base and their interaction with isozymes I, II and IV.

Metal complexes of aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides act as stronger inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) as compared to the uncomplexed sulfonamides from which they are derived. Here we report the synthesis and inhibition studies against the physiologically relevant isozymes CA I, CA II and CA IV, of a series of metal complexes (Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) derivatives) of a Schiff-base ligand, obtained from sulfanilamide and salicylaldehyde. The best activity was observed for the Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes, against CA II and CA IV, for which inhibition constants in the range of 15-39 and 72-108nM, respectively, were seen. The enhanced efficacy in inhibiting the enzyme may be due to a dual mechanism of action of the metal complexes, which interact with CA both by means of the sulfonamide moieties as well as the metal ions present in their molecule.

Meconium peritonitis--a leading cause of neonatal peritonitis in Kashmir.

Meconium peritonitis is a chemical reaction of peritonium to meconium which occurs due to leakage of meconium into peritoneal cavity as a result of perforation of intestines antinatally which gets subsequently sealed. In the present retrospective study, 39 cases of neonatal peritonitis were studied. Meconium peritonitis was diagnosed if a) abdominal X-ray showed diffuse calcifications (b) abdominal paracentesis showed meconium aspirate and c) leprotomy examination. Twenty (51.3%) out of 39 cases of neonatal peritonitis were found to have meconium peritonitis. These included 14 boys and 6 girls, birth weight ranged from 1500 gms to 3200 gms and mean age of presentation included abdominal distension in 100% cases, H/O not passing meconium in 50% cases, Ascites in 45% cases and vomiting in 40% cases, 30% presented with abdominal mass. Pseudocyst formation on X-ray was seen in 23% cases which was much higher than reported in world literature. Overall mortality in meconium peritonitis was 80%. The incidence of meconium peritonitis in this part of country in much higher than reported in Western and Indian literature. The high incidence may be due to underlying cystic fibrosis because Kashmir has a more homogenous population and consanguinity is very common. A prospective study including sweat chloride testing needs to be undertaken to look into the cause for proportionately higher occurrence of meconium peritonitis in Kashmir with particular reference to cystic fibrosis.

Serum lipid profile in children of coronary heart disease patients.

Serum lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol levels were analysed in 44 children from 5-14 years of age (index), belonging to 29 parents diagnosed as coronary artery disease (CAD). 314 children of parents without any CAD served as control. Index group had significantly (P < .05) higher levels of total cholesterol (Tch), triglycerides (TG) and very low density lipo-proteins cholesterol (VLDLc) and low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) (P < .05). Index group revealed higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in 31.8%, 6.8% and 36% cases respectively. HDLc did not show any significant variation. Index group whose parents had hypercholesteremia (Tch > 260 mg/dl) with CAD had raised levels of Tch, TG, LDLs and VLDLc when compared with control group (P < .05).