Case study of augmenting livelihood of fishing community at Sagar Island,India, through solar thermal dryer technology

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Drying of fish at the Sagar Island (21.7269° N, 88.1096° E) is generally carried out in open sun on the seashore on plastic sheets or mat of...     

A system-based approach to the genetic etiologies of non-immune hydrops fetalis

A wide spectrum of genetic causes may lead to nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF), and a thorough phenotypic and genetic evaluation are essential to determine the underlying etiology, optimally manage these pregnancies, and inform discussions about anticipated prognosis. In this review, we outline the known genetic etiologies of NIHF by fetal organ system affected, and provide a systematic approach to the evaluation of NIHF. Some of the underlying genetic disorders are associated with characteristic phenotypic features that may be seen on prenatal ultrasound, such as hepatomegaly with lysosomal storage disorders, hyperechoic kidneys with congenital nephrosis, or pulmonary valve stenosis with RASopathies. However, this is not always the case, and the approach to evaluation must include prenatal ultrasound findings as well as genetic testing and many other factors. Genetic testing that has been utilized for NIHF ranges from standard chromosomal microarray or karyotype to gene panels and broad approaches such as whole exome sequencing. Family and obstetric history, as well as pathology examination, can yield additional clues that are helpful in establishing a diagnosis. A systematic approach to evaluation can guide a more targeted approach to genetic evaluation, diagnosis, and management of NIHF.     

Maternal genetic disorders and fetal development

With improvements in early diagnosis and management of genetic diseases, more women with genetic disorders are reaching reproductive age and becoming pregnant. While pregnancy can have a significant impact on a woman's health when there is an underlying genetic disorder, there can also be fetal effects, including embryopathy, fetal growth restriction, and brain injury. Some maternal genetic disorders are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, including a high risk of perinatal loss and preterm birth. In this article, we review several maternal genetic disorders associated with fetal risk that are important for clinicians and patients to understand and manage appropriately. These include phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency and other inborn errors of metabolism, tuberous sclerosis complex, myotonic dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, Turner syndrome, sickle cell disease, and connective tissue disorders.     

Toxicological studies of zinc oxide nanomaterials in rats

In this study, we have evaluated the ability of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles to induce pulmonary and extrapulmonary toxicities was examined in rats following intratracheal (IT) instillation. Lungs of rats were instilled IT with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)?+?1% Tween 80, ZnO nanoparticles, carbonyl iron or quartz particles at a dose of 1 or 5?mg?kg^?1 body weight. Following exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, blood samples and organs including lung, liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, and brain were collected at 24?h, 1 week, or 1 month of post instillation of nanoparticles and different parameters estimated to assess toxicity. BAL fluid was analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to assess pulmonary toxicity. Exposures to ZnO or quartz particles produced transient dose-dependant increase in BAL fluid LDH and ALP activities at all post exposure periods. Blood samples were analyzed for the tissue damage biomarkers to assess extrapulmonary toxicity. Histopathological examination of lung, liver and kidneys revealed dose-dependent degeneration and necrosis which worsened at 1 week post-instillation periods but recovered at 1 month post instillation. Histopathological examination of rat pancreas, heart, and brain exposed to quartz or ZnO particles showed no marked changes. Data suggest the instillation of ZnO nanoparticles produced a greater pulmonary toxicity in rats comparable with quartz; and extrapulmonary toxicities of these ZnO nanoparticles might be due to translocation into liver and kidney.     

Synthesis and characterization of γ-ferric oxide nanoparticles and their effect on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis>

γ-Ferric oxide nanoparticles are synthesized through modern and facile ayurvedic route followed by normal and special purification steps, which are both cost-effective and eco-friendly. These synthesized γ-ferric oxide nanoparticles were applied on Solanum lycopersicum to search the effect on chlorophyll content. This process involves multiple filtration and calcination steps. The synthesized samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and particle size analysis (PSA) to identify the purification step’s influence on the structural, optical, morphological, magnetic, and particle size properties of ferric oxide nanoparticles (γ-phase). X-ray diffraction has revealed that ferric oxide nanoparticles have rhombohedral structure of α-phase (hematite) in initial purification process later transformed into cubic structure γ-phase (maghemite). UV-vis spectroscopy analysis has clearly shown that by repetitive purification steps, λ_max has increased from 230 to 340 nm. TEM result has an intercorrelation with XRD results. γ-Ferric oxide nanoparticles were tested on Solanum lycopersicum (tomato seeds). The changes in the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total carotene were studied using spectral measurements at two different dosages—0.5 and 2 M. As a result, at 0.5-M concentration, magnetic nanoparticles exhibit fruitful results by increasing the crop yield and being more resistant to chlorosis.     

Application of ameliorated wood pulp to recover Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II) from e-waste

In this study, dl-malic acid and hydrogen peroxide were used as leaching agents to remove metals from e-waste (printed-circuit boards) and itaconic acid-grafted poly(vinyl alcohol)-encapsulated wood pulp (IA-g-PVA-en-WP) to uptake metals from leachate with high proficiency [11.63 mg g^?1; 93.03 % for Cd(II), 11.90 mg g^?1; 95.18 % for Pb(II), and 12.14 mg g^?1; 97.08 % for Ni(II)]. Metals were recovered from the loaded biosorbent by desorption studies. The standard analytical techniques, such as elemental analysis, Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, were used to characterize the recovering agent (biosorbent). At equilibrium, the metal uptake data were fitted to Langmuir and D–R isotherms (R ² > 0.99) significantly, revealing, the homogeneous distribution of active sites on biosorbent’s backbone. The possible mechanism appeared to be ion exchanges of metal ions with H⁺ together with binding over functionalities (COO^?). Dimensionless equilibrium parameter (R _L) showed the favourability of metal uptake at lower concentration, while mean adsorption energy (E) certified the physical binding of metal on functionalities which was further confirmed by sticking probability and activation energy parameters. Reusability studies were also conducted to state the performance of biosorbent.     

Microbial biodegradation of plastics: Challenges,opportunities, and a critical perspective

● Health hazards of plastic waste on environment are discussed. ● Microbial species involved in biodegradation of plastics are being reviewed. ● Enzymatic biodegradation mechanism of plastics is outlined. ● Analytical techniques to evaluate the plastic biodegradation are presented. The abundance of synthetic polymers has increased due to their uncontrolled utilization and disposal in the environment. The recalcitrant nature of plastics leads to accumulation and saturation in the environment, which is a matter of great concern. An exponential rise has been reported in plastic pollution during the corona pandemic because of PPE kits, gloves, and face masks made up of single-use plastics. The physicochemical methods have been employed to degrade synthetic polymers, but these methods have limited efficiency and cause the release of hazardous metabolites or by-products in the environment. Microbial species, isolated from landfills and dumpsites, have utilized plastics as the sole source of carbon, energy, and biomass production. The involvement of microbial strains in plastic degradation is evident as a substantial amount of mineralization has been observed. However, the complete removal of plastic could not be achieved, but it is still effective compared to the pre-existing traditional methods. Therefore, microbial species and the enzymes involved in plastic waste degradation could be utilized as eco-friendly alternatives. Thus, microbial biodegradation approaches have a profound scope to cope with the plastic waste problem in a cost-effective and environmental-friendly manner. Further, microbial degradation can be optimized and combined with physicochemical methods to achieve substantial results. This review summarizes the different microbial species, their genes, biochemical pathways, and enzymes involved in plastic biodegradation.     

Hexavalent chromium reduction and plant growth promotion by Staphylococcusarlettae strain Cr11

Cr(VI), a mutagenic and carcinogenic pollutant in industrial effluents, was effectively reduced by an indigenous tannery effluent isolate Staphylococcus arlettae strain Cr11 under aerobic conditions. The isolate could tolerate Cr(VI) up to 2000 and 5000 mg L⁻¹ in liquid and solid media respectively. S. arlettae Cr11 effectively reduced 98% of 100 mg L⁻¹ Cr(VI) in 24 h. Reduction for initial Cr(VI) concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L⁻¹ was 98% and 75%, respectively in 120 h. The isolate was also positive for siderophore, indole acetic acid, ammonia and catalase production, phosphate solubilization and biofilm formation in the presence and absence of Cr(VI). The isolate showed halotolerance (10% NaCl) and cross tolerance to other toxic heavy metals such as Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. Bacterial inoculation of Triticum aestivum in controlled petri dish and soil environment showed significant increase in percent germination, root and shoot length as well as dry and wet weight in Cr(VI) treated and untreated samples. This is the first report of simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and plant growth promotion for a S. arlettae strain.