Distribution of radiotin (Sn) in partially hepatectomised rats and its binding with subcellular components of liver cells

Distribution of radiotin (Sn¹¹³) in target organs and in the hepatic subcellular fractions was studied in sham and partially hepatectomised rats 72 hrs after the administration of tin (II) tartrate (2 mg Sn⁺⁺, 10 uCi/100 gm body weight) intraperitoneally. The results indicate that in both the groups Sn¹¹³ was maximally accumulated in liver followed by kidney and spleen. Partially hepatectomised rat however accumulated less Sn¹¹³ in liver while an increase was observed in kidney. Subcellular studies showed significantly high affinity of tin for microsomes. A compartmental shift of radiotin from cytosol to microsomal fraction was observed in hepatectomised rats when compared to sham operated rats.     

Artificial intelligence as a fundamental tool in management of infectious diseases and its current implementation in COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The world has never been prepared for global pandemics like the COVID-19, currently posing an immense threat to the public and consistent pressure on...     

Trihalomethane Formation Potential and Concentration Changes During Water Treatment at Mumbai (India)

The treated water at the outlet oftreatment plants and representative servicereservoirs of Mumbai city have been evaluatedfor trihalomethane formation potential in1995–1996. Chloroform, dichlorobromomethane,chlorodibromomethane and bromoform have beenmonitored during monsoon, winter and summer.The levels of chloroform are found above theregulated WHO guideline value of 200 g L^-1 in final water during postmonsoon atGhatkopar (226 g L^-1), Malbar (210.3 g L^-1) and Tulsi (231.26 g L^-1).     

Toxicity and degradation of the insecticide monocrotophos

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Monocrotophos, commonly named Azodrin or Nuvacron, is an organophosphate insecticide, which in spite of ban is preferred due to its high efficacy against...     

Targeting natural products against SARS-CoV-2

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The human coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus; the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)....     

Chromium toxicity and tolerance in plants

Chromium (Cr) is the second most common metal contaminant in ground water, soil, and sediments due to its wide industrial application, hence posing a serious environmental concern. Among various valence states, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) are the most stable forms. Cr(VI) is the most persistent in the soil and is highly toxic for biota. Since Cr is a non-essential element for plants, there is no uptake mechanism; Cr is taken up along essential elements such as sulfate through sulfate transporters. Cr accumulation in plants causes high toxicity in terms of reduction in growth and biomass accumulation, and Cr induces structural alterations. Cr interferes with photosynthetic and respiration processes, and water and minerals uptake mechanism. Various enzymatic activities related to starch and nitrogen metabolism are decreased by Cr toxicity either by direct interference with the enzymes or through the production of reactive oxygen species. Cr causes oxidative damage by destruction of membrane lipids and DNA damage. Cr may even cause the death of plant species. Few plant species are able to accumulate high amount of Cr without being damaged. Such Cr-tolerant, hyperaccumulator plants are exploited for their bioremediation property. The present review discusses Cr availability in the environment, Cr transfer to biota, toxicity issues, effect on germination and plant growth, morphological and ultrastructural aberrations, biochemical and physiological alterations, effect on metabolic processes, Cr-induced alterations at the molecular level, Cr hyperaccumulation and Cr detoxification mechanism, and the role of arbuscular mycorrhizae in Cr toxicity, in plants.     

Evaluation of the possible role of five enzymes in the metabolism of IBA in mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.)

The enzymatic activity of five enzymes viz. Glutathione S-transferases, Esterases, NADH dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase and Glutathione reductase were assessed under the influence of Indole butyric acid (IBA) (400 ppm) in the nymphs (48-52h old) of mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi fed on radish plants treated for 13, 25 and 37h. The activity of Glutathione S-transferases, Esterases and NADH dehydrogenase increased compared to that found in the control of the same age group of nymphs and it was concluded that these enzymes might be involved in the metabolism of IBA. The other two enzymes, NADH oxidase and Glutathione reductase showed no significant increase in their activity compared to that in the control of the same age group. It was hypothesized that the latter enzymes do not play any significant role in the metabolism of IBA.     

Assessment of arsenic content in soil,rice grains and groundwater and associated health risks in human population from Ropar wetland,India, and its vicinity

In the present study, potential health risks posed to human population from Ropar wetland and its vicinity, by consumption of inorganic arsenic (i-As) via arsenic contaminated rice grains and groundwater, were assessed. Total arsenic (t-As) in soil and rice grains were found in the range of 0.06–0.11 mg/kg and 0.03–0.33 mg/kg, respectively, on dry weight basis. Total arsenic in groundwater was in the range of 2.31–15.91 μg/L. i-As was calculated from t-As using relevant conversion factors. Rice plants were found to be arsenic accumulators as bioconcentration factor (BCF) was observed to be >1 in 75% of rice grain samples. Further, correlation analysis revealed that arsenic accumulation in rice grains decreased with increase in the electrical conductivity of soil. One-way ANOVA, cluster analysis and principal component analysis indicated that both geogenic and anthropogenic sources affected t-As in soil and groundwater. Hazard index and total cancer risk estimated for individuals from the study area were above the USEPA limits of 1.00 and 1.00 × 10^?6, respectively. Kruskal-Wallis H test indicated that groundwater intake posed significantly higher health risk than rice grain consumption (χ ²(1) = 17.280, p = 0.00003).     

A low-cost process for efficient hydrolysis of deoiled rice bran and ethanol production using an inhouse produced multi-enzyme preparation from Aspergillus niger P-19

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The study deals with the management of deoiled rice bran by converting it into ethanol using a multi-enzyme preparation produced in-house...     

Fluoride contamination in drinking water in rural habitations of Northern Rajasthan, India

This study was carried out to assess the fluoride concentration in groundwater in some villages of northern Rajasthan, India, where groundwater is the main source of drinking water. Water samples collected form deep aquifer based hand-pumps were analysed for fluoride content. Fluoride in presently studied sites was recorded in the ranges of 4.78 and 1.01 mg/l. The average fluoride concentration for this region was recorded 2.82 mg/l. As per the desirable and maximum permissible limit for fluoride in drinking water, determined by WHO or by Bureau of Indian Standards, the groundwater of about 95 of the studied sites is unfit for drinking purposes. Due to the higher fluoride level in drinking water several cases of dental and skeletal fluorosis have appeared at alarming rate in this region. The middle and eastern parts of the Hanumangarh, a northern most district of the state, can be classified as higher risk area for fluorosis; due to relatively high concentrations of fluoride (3-4 mg/l) in groundwater of this region. After evaluating the data of this study it is concluded that there is an instant need to take ameliorative steps in this region to prevent the population from fluorosis.