Changes in hematological profile of male albino rats after acephate administration

The present study was designed to evaluate the possible adverse effects of acephate, an organophosphate insecticide, on hematological parameters in male albino rats. Acephate was administered orally to rats at either 25, 50, or 75 mg/kg bwt/day for 30 days. Data showed a significant decrease in total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit value; however, an increase in total leukocyte count was noted. The levels of blood sugar and blood urea were significantly elevated when administered by acephate. There were no significant changes in mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration for all doses. Thus, obtained results collectively revealed that acephate administration produced significant alterations in hematological parameters in dose-dependent manner.     

Combined sorptional–photocatalytic remediation of dyes by polyaniline Zr(IV) selenotungstophosphate nanocomposite

A polyaniline Zr(IV) selenotungstophosphate nanocomposite was prepared via sol-gel method and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The combined sorptional–photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite for degradation of methylene blue and malachite green was investigated and was found to be more efficient than separate adsorption in the dark followed by photocatalysis. The dyes were degraded in 3 h by 96% and 89% by the combined process, as compared to 86% and 72% by the two-step process in 5 h. The nanocomposite material showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.     

Arsenic in freshwater ecosystems of the Bengal delta: status,sources and seasonal variability

The study aimed to examine the contamination status of arsenic (As) in excavated small water bodies, commonly known as ponds – the integral part of daily life in the arsenic-affected rural areas of West Bengal, India in comparison to the unaffected areas. The ponds of the contaminated area had higher levels of As: water 2–174 µg L^?1 (mean 31 ± 2 µg L^?1) and sediment 1.3–37.3 mg kg^?1 (mean 10.3 ± 0.4 mg kg^?1), than those from the unaffected area: water 1–8 µg L^?1 (mean 4 ± 0 µg L^?1) and sediment 1.4–5.3 mg kg^?1 (mean 3.0 ± 0.1 mg kg^?1). A moderate positive correlation was observed between the water and sediment arsenic content of the ponds of the arsenic-affected region (r = 0.688, n = 277, p < 0.0001). Contaminated ground water, either as direct input or through agricultural washings, was found to be the major contributor of arsenic pollution to these ecosystems. Seasonal variations were not prominent. This study emphasized the beneficial role of using the studied ecosystems over the highly contaminated ground water for various livelihood activities in the Gangetic delta region.     

Atmospheric deposition studies of heavy metals in Arctic by comparative analysis of lichens and cryoconite

Lichens and cryoconite (rounded or granular, brownish-black debris occurring in holes on the glacier surface) from Ny-Ålesund were used for understanding the elemental deposition pattern in the area. Lichen samples collected from low-lying coastal region and cryoconite samples from high altitudinal glacier area were processed and analysed for elements such as aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed that heavy metals, Al and Fe, are present in high concentration in the cryoconite samples. Al was also present in high amounts in seven of the eight lichen samples studied. The general scheme of elements in the decreasing order of their concentrations for most of the cryoconite samples was Al?>?Fe?>?Mn?>?Zn?>?V?>?Pb?>?Cr?>?Ni?>?Cu?>?Co?>?As?>?Cs?>?Cd while that for the lichen samples was Al?>?Fe?>?Zn?>?Mn?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Cs?>?Cr?>?Ni?>?V?>?Co?>?As?>?Cd. Similarity in trends in the two sample types confirms that the environment indeed contains these elements in that order of concentration which overtime got accumulated in the samples. Overall comparison showed most elements to be present in high concentrations in the cryoconite samples as compared to the lichen samples. Within the lichens, elemental accumulation data suggests that the low-lying site (L-2) from where Cladonia mediterranea sample was collected was the most polluted accumulating a number of elements at high concentrations. The probable reasons for such deposition patterns in the region could be natural (crustal contribution and sea salt spray) and anthropogenic (local and long-distance transmission of dust particles). In the future, this data can form a baseline for monitoring quantum of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in lichens and cryoconite of Svalbard, Arctic.     

A reasoned approach towards administering COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant women

There are over 50 SARS-CoV-2 candidate vaccines undergoing Phase II and III clinical trials. Several vaccines have been approved by regulatory authorities and rolled out for use in different countries. Due to concerns of potential teratogenicity or adverse effect on maternal physiology, pregnancy has been a specific exclusion criterion for most vaccine trials with only two trials not excluding pregnant women. Thus, other than limited animal studies, gradually emerging development and reproductive toxicity data, and observational data from vaccine registries, there is a paucity of reliable information to guide recommendations for the safe vaccination of pregnant women. Pregnancy is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, especially in women with comorbidities, resulting in increased rates of preterm birth and maternal morbidity. We discuss the major SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, their mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety profile and possible benefits to the maternal-fetal dyad to create a rational approach towards maternal vaccination while anticipating and mitigating vaccine-related complications. Pregnant women with high exposure risks or co-morbidities predisposing to severe COVID-19 infection should be prioritised for vaccination. Those with risk factors for adverse effects should be counselled accordingly. It is essential to support patient autonomy by shared decision-making involving a risk-benefit discussion with the pregnant woman.     

A design chart for estimation of horizontal displacement in municipal landfills

This paper describes the development of a design chart for the estimation of maximum horizontal displacement within a municipal landfill using the height and the side slope of the landfill. The design chart is based on the results of a finite element parametric study in which the behaviour of the municipal solid waste (MSW) was modeled using a non-linear elastic hyperbolic model. The model input parameters, i.e. non-linear stiffness, shear strength and unit weight of MSW, were obtained from laboratory testing data and an extensive stochastic numerical modelling exercise. Non-linear variations of unit weight as well as Young’s modulus of MSW with depth were incorporated in the finite element analyses. The validity of the design chart was assessed using field monitoring results from a large landfill located in Ontario, Canada.     

Aquatic arsenic: Toxicity,speciation, transformations,and remediation

This paper reviews the current knowledge on the toxicity, speciation and biogeochemistry of arsenic in aquatic environmental systems. The toxicity of arsenic is highly dependent on the chemical speciation. The effects of pH, E_h, adsorbing surfaces, biological mediation, organic matter, and key inorganic substances such as sulfide and phosphate combine in a complex and interwoven dynamic fashion to produce unique assemblages of arsenic species. The number of different arsenic species found in environmental samples and an understanding of the transformations between arsenic species has increased over the past few decades as a result of new and refined analytical methods. Changes in arsenic speciation and in total arsenic content of foods upon processing have suggested possible risks associated with processed and unprocessed food. Arsenic removal from water using adsorbents, chemical oxidation, photolysis and photocatalytic oxidation techniques is also reviewed.     

印度的生物气体技术:前景如何?

当 1974年提出雄心勃勃的国家生物气体开发计划时 , 它被欢呼为样板的适用气体技术 .可是预 测的 1200万个家庭规模的生物气体工厂中有四分之三没有建成 .在印度 , 生物气体技术没有能 够在大量可获得的牲畜粪便巨大潜力之上化为投资 .检讨了这个失败的原因 , 并为复兴此计划 提出了建议 .