Non-mosaic trisomy 22: a report of 2 cases

Non-mosaic trisomy 22 is a common cause of first trimester miscarriage and has a livebirth incidence of 1 in 30 000–50 000. Consequently there is a paucity of information for counselling parents. Detection in the second trimester is rare. It is commonly associated with severe growth retardation and multiple structural abnormalities. Oligohydramnios is frequently seen and can make detection of other abnormalities difficult. The outlook is uniformly poor and survival beyond the first trimester may present management dilemmas. A thorough fetal assessment including high-resolution cytogenetics with or without FISH is required for counselling. Careful plans for intrapartum and neonatal management may be necessary. The recurrence risk is thought to be low but information is very limited as there have been no reported cases of recurrence. We present two case of non-mosaic trisomy 22 including the first to be diagnosed subsequent to investigation for a high serum screening Down's risk. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heavy metal pollution abatement using rock phosphate mineral

The low-grade rock phosphate of Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh (India), was investigated for its possible application in the removal of lead, copper, zinc and cobalt ions from aqueous solutions. Effects of contact time, amount of adsorbent and initial concentration of metal ions were studied. Adsorption of heavy metal ions was found to follow the order: Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Co2+. The probable mechanism of metal ions removal by rock phosphate was found to be by its dissolutions followed by subsequent precipitation.     

Removal of the hazardous dye rhodamine B through photocatalytic and adsorption treatments

This paper reports on photocatalytic and adsorptive treatment of a hazardous xanthene dye, Rohdamine B, in wastewater. The photocatalytic degradation was carried out in the presence of the catalyst TiO(2) and the effects of pH, concentration of the dye, amount of TiO(2), temperature and electron acceptor H(2)O(2) on the degradation process were observed. It was found that photocatalytic degradation by TiO(2) is an effective, economical and faster mode of removing Rohdamine B from aqueous solutions. Attempts were also made to utilize activated carbon and rice husk as potential adsorbents to remove Rhodamine B from wastewater. The adsorption studies were carried out at 40, 50 and 60 degrees C, and the effects of pH, temperature, amount of adsorbents, concentration of adsorbate, etc., on the adsorption were measured. On the basis of adsorption data the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were also confirmed. The adsorption isotherm constants thus obtained were employed to calculate thermodynamic parameters like Gibb's free energy, change in enthalpy and entropy. In order to observe the quality of wastewater COD measurements were also carried out before and after the treatments. A significant decrease in the COD values was observed, which clearly indicates that both photocatalytic and adsorption methods offer good potential to remove Rhodamine B from industrial effluents.     

Effect of trypanosomes infection on blood ascorbic acid and serum aldolase levels on the fresh water fishes, Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustus fossilis

The trypanosomes presence has been found to decrease blood ascorbic acid levels in fishes, Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustus fossilis by 55.7% and 54.70% respectively. The infection also showed significant increase in serum aldolase level of three fishes by 50.19% and 48.06% respectively.     

Cybil induced hepatobiochemical changes in wistar rats

Cybil, 25%EC formulation of Cypermethrin, induces biochemical changes in the liver of wistar rats after oral intubation of the same at acute (one day) and subacute (7, 14 and 21 days) levels. The changes were tallied with the controls run simultaneously. LD50 of Cybil was estimated to be 622mg/kg body weight The acute dose is 80mg/kg body weight exposed for one day i.e. 24 hours and subacute dose is 4mg/kg body weight exposed for 7, 14 and 21 days. When compared with the control values, both the doses enhanced the level of glycogen, cholesterol, total lipid and acid phosphatase activities, while decreased activity of alkaline phosphatase. Alterations in glycogen, cholesterol, total lipid, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase resulted in the impairement in liver physiology.     

Comparative studies on accumulation of Cr from metal solution and tannery effluent under repeated metal exposure by aquatic plants: its toxic effects

The present study demonstrates comparison of Cr accumulatingpotential by the plants of Najas indica Cham. (submerged),Vallisneria spiralis L. (rooted submerged) and Alternanthera sessilis R. Br. (rooted emergent) under repeatedmetal exposure and its effect on chlorophyll and protein concentrations. These plants were treated with different concentrations of Cr under repeated exposure in controlled laboratory conditions to assess the maximum metal accumulationpotential. The plants of V. spiralis accumulated significantly high amount of Cr under laboratory conditions incomparison to N. indica and A. sessilis. The maximumaccumulation of 1378, 458 and 201 g g^-1 dw Cr was found in the leaves of V. spiralis, N. indica and A. sessilis, respectively at 8 mg L^-1 after 9 day of Cr exposure. These plants have shown a decrease in chlorophyll andprotein concentrations with increase in Cr concentrations. In view of high accumulation of Cr in V. spiralis, the plantswere treated with different concentrations of tannery effluent collected from Common Effluent Treatment Plant, Unnao (UP). Theplants of V. spiralis treated with 100% tannery wastewatershowed the maximum accumulation (57.5 g g^-1 dw) of Cr in the roots after 10 days of exposure. The plants were foundeffective in removing Cr from solution and tannery effluent.     

Assessment of bio-medical waste management in three apex government hospitals of Agra

Waste management practices in three apex government hospitals of Agra viz., Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Lady Lyall Maternity Hospital and District Hospital were studied during January 2004-January 2005. Data were collected with the help of (i) personal observations of the waste treatment and disposal practices and (ii) assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices of working personnel with the help of questionnaires. The results obtained indicated lack of knowledge and awareness regarding legislations on bio-medical waste management even among qualified hospital personnel. None of these hospitals were equipped with higher technological options e.g. incinerator autoclave, microwave and had no facilities to treat the liquid waste generated inside the hospital. It is concluded that generation and implementation of a waste management policy institutiona/organizational set up, training and motivation must be given paramount importance to meet the current needs and standards of bio-medical waste management in these hospitals.