Influence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes and confounding factors on the frequency of sister chromatid exchange and micronucleus among road construction workers

In the present study, we have investigated the influence of polymorphism of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and confounding factors such as age, sex, exposure duration and consumption habits on cytogenetic biomarkers. Frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), high frequency cell (HFC) and cytokinesis blocked micronuclei (CBMN) were evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 115 occupationally exposed road construction workers and 105 unexposed individuals. The distribution of null and positive genotypes of glutathione-S transferase gene was evaluated by multiplex PCR among control and exposed subjects. An increased frequency of CBMN (7.03 ± 2.08); SCE (6.95 ± 1.76) and HFC (6.28 ± 1.69) were found in exposed subjects when compared to referent (CBMN - 3.35 ± 1.10; SCE - 4.13 ± 1.30 and HFC - 3.98 ± 1.56). These results were found statistically significant at p < 0.05. When the effect of confounding factors on the frequency of studied biomarkers was evaluated, a strong positive interaction was found. The individuals having GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes had higher frequency of CBMN, SCE and HFC. The association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes and studied biomarkers was found statistically significant at p < 0.05. Our findings suggest that individuals having null type of GST are more susceptible to cytogenetic damage by occupational exposure regardless of confounding factors. There is a significant effect of polymorphism of these genes on cytogenetic biomarkers which are considered as early effects of genotoxic carcinogens.     

Evaluation of seasonal variation and the optimization of reducing sugar extraction from Ulva prolifera biomass using thermochemical method

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Green macroalgae comprise significant amount of structural carbohydrates for their conversion to liquid biofuels. However, it generally relies on...     

Risk assessment due to ingestion of natural radionuclides and heavy metals in the milk samples: a case study from a proposed uranium mining area, Jharkhand

Ingestion of radionuclides and heavy metals through drinking water and food intake represents one of the important pathways for long-term health considerations. Milk and milk products are main constituents of the daily diet. Radionuclides and heavy metals can be apprehended in the ecosystem of the East Singhbhum region which is known for its viable grades of uranium, copper and other minerals. For the risk assessment studies, samples of milk were collected from twelve villages around Bagjata mining area and analysed for U(nat), ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁰Th, ²¹⁰Po, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu and Ni. Analysis of the results of the study reveals that the geometric mean of U(nat), ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁰Th and ²¹⁰Po was 0.021, 0.24, 0.23 and 1.08 Bq l^???1, respectively. The ingestion dose was calculated to be 12.34 ??SvY^???1 which is reflecting the natural background dose via the route of ingestion, and much below the 1 mSv limit set in the new ICRP recommendations. The excess lifetime cancer risk was estimated to be 1.72 × 10^???4 which is within the acceptable excess individual lifetime cancer risk value of 1 × 10^???4. The geometric mean of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Ni was 4.91, 0.29, 4.77, 0.56 and 0.48 mgl^???1, respectively; whereas the daily intake was computed to be 0.44, 0.03, 0.43, 0.05 and 0.04 mg/day, respectively. Pb was not detected in any of the samples. The hazard quotient revealed that the intake of the heavy metals through the ingestion of milk does not pose any apparent threat to the local people as none of the HQ of the heavy metals exceeds the limit of 1.     

Performance evaluation of isoproturon-degrading indigenous bacterial isolates in soil microcosm

Isoproturon (IPU)-degrading soil bacteria were isolated from herbicide-applied wheat fields. These isolates were identified using cultural, morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA sequencing methods. 16S rRNA sequences of both the bacterial isolates were compared with NCBI GenBank data base and identified as Bacillus pumilus and Pseudoxanthomonas sp. A soil microcosm study was carried out for 40 days in six different treatments. Experimental results revealed maximum 95.98% IPU degradation in treatment 6 where bacterial consortia were augmented in natural soil, followed by 91.53% in treatment 5 enriched with organic manure as an additional carbon source. However, only 14.03% IPU was degraded in treatment 1 (control) after 40 days. In treatments (2–4), 75.59%, 70.92% and 77.32% IPU degradation was recorded, respectively. IPU degradation in all the treatments varied significantly over the control. 4-Isopropylaniline was detected as IPU degradation by-product in the medium. The study confirmed that B. pumilus and Pseudoxanthomonas sp. performed effectively in soil microcosms and could be employed profitably for field-scale bioremediation experiments.     

Human health risk assessment due to dietary intake of heavy metals through rice in the mining areas of Singhbhum Copper Belt,India

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The study was intended to investigate heavy metal contamination levels in the rice grown in the vicinity of the mining areas of Singhbhum Copper Belt,...     

A comprehensive review of the energy efficiency on nano coated fin and tube condenser

The condenser is a piece of equipment used to effectively transfer heat from water to the environment. The fin and tube condenser is the most commonly used in commercial applications. The improved performance of heat transfer in the fin and tube condenser is a significant area of study all over the world because optimizing the efficiency of heat transfer in the condenser will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of system performance. The vapor deposition, plasma spray, and thermal spray techniques are being used, and it is determined that a heat transfer enhancing coating improves condenser performance. This review discusses the nanomaterial coating over the fin and tube condenser in detail. The various nanomaterial coatings with various propositions and coating methods had been discussed with the evidence of previous researchers. At a 50-degree inclination angle on the condensate plate, the condensate over the coating surface increases by more than 30%. The thermal properties of the working fluid are improved over the condenser, and the overall effectiveness of the condenser is increased by approximately 40% over the non-coated condenser. A 1% volumetric concentration of Nanoparticles in the coated material achieves a maximum efficiency increase of 78.7%.