Removal of lead, cadmium, and nickel ions from aqueous solution using okra and chilli seeds as adsorbent

Heavy metal contamination in water sources, especially lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni), poses a significant threat to human health, due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulative nature. This study examined the effectiveness of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), and chilli (Capsicum annuum L) seeds as adsorbents for these metals removal from aqueous solution. Several parameters, including initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature, were conducted for this adsorption experiment. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) was used to measure Pb, Cd, and Ni ion concentrations. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterise biosorbents before and after treatment to discover functional groups involved in the adsorption process. The optimal parameters for Pb, Cd, and Ni removal using okra seeds were 1 ppm of initial concentration, 0.5 g adsorbent dosage, 20 minutes of contact time, and 30°C temperature, resulting in removal efficiencies of 84.9%, 87.3%, and 28%, respectively. For chili seeds, the same conditions with a 1.0 g adsorbent dosage resulted in 92% removal efficiency for Pb, 82.4% for Cd, and 37.4% for Ni. Based on the observations, Pb yielded the highest percentage removal efficiency compared to Cd and Ni, whereas Ni had the lowest for both adsorbent types. However, the findings indicated that both okra and chilli seeds have the potential to remove Pb, Cd, and Ni heavy metals from aqueous solution

Screening of the anti-proliferative effects of baicalein and carbon nanodot combination on hela cancer cells

This study identifies the anti-proliferative effects of a novel combination therapy using baicalein, a flavonoid, and carbon nanodots (CDs) on HeLa cervical cancer cells. Baicalein, known for its potent anti-cancer properties, has shown limitations in clinical applications due to low bioavailability. Carbon nanodots, with their excellent biocompatibility, solubility, and drug delivery potential, were used as a carrier to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of baicalein. The study evaluated the anti-proliferative effects of the baicalein-carbon nanodot (Bai-CDs) combination in comparison to standalone treatments of baicalein, CDs, and cisplatin on HeLa cells using the MTT assay. Results demonstrated that the combination therapy significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 69.85 ± 4.145μg/ml and p-value less than 0.05. These findings highlight the potential of the Bai-CDs combination as a new therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer, providing enhanced bioavailability and targeted anti-cancer effects while minimizing adverse outcomes associated with conventional chemotherap

Effects of health education on physical activity promotion based on precede-proceed model among adolescents in Yunnan, China

Regular physical activity is crucial for adolescent growth, while a lack of it can harm development. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model is a widely used health promotion framework that focuses on psychological and social factors. The model consists of two phases: PRECEDE (assessment) and PROCEED (implementation and evaluation), with a total of nine steps. In the PRECEDE phase, through five assessment steps, a comprehensive analysis of factors affecting health behavior is conducted, summarizing susceptible factors (attitudes and beliefs), reinforcing factors (social support), and enabling factors (resources and policies). In the PROCEED phase, targeted intervention programs are designed, implemented, and evaluated. This study followed the nine steps of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model and was conducted in three phases: two cross-sectional studies followed by a randomized controlled trial. In Phase 1, the researchers used cluster random sampling to select the participants. The reliability and validity of several physical activity-related questionnaires (ASAFA-C, Q-SPACE-C, EBBS-CN, PASES-C, and PAQ-CN) were tested using confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability. A total of 625 questionnaires were collected, with 586 valid responses (49.8% male, 50.2% female). Data analysis was done using Mplus 8.0 and SPSS 29.0, confirming that all models had good fit within acceptable ranges. These results validated the questionnaires as reliable tools for assessing adolescent physical activity in Yunnan Province. In Phase 2, cluster random sampling resulted in 1,250 completed questionnaires, with 920 valid responses (51.2% male, 48.8% female). SPSS 29.0 was used to analyse factors influencing adolescent physical activity, including social support, self-efficacy, exercise benefits/barriers, school environment, physical fitness, and activity levels. The results showed that physical activity level was insufficient, their physical fitness was at a passing level, and the other factors were at a moderate level among adolescents (high school students) in Yunnan Province, China. SEM confirmed significant relationships between these factors, with good model fit indices (RMSEA (90% CI) = 0.029 [0.026, 0.033], CFI = 0.981, TLI = 0.979, SRMR = 0.031). In Phase 3, a 12-week health education program was developed, combining lectures with physical activity. The intervention included 45-minute interactive learning sessions and 45-minute physical activities, with parents participating in two sessions. A total of 156 high school students participated, with the intervention group (n=79) and control group (n=77). Participants completed questionnaires and physical fitness tests at four points: before the intervention, during the 4th and 8th weeks, and after the program. Data analysis using SPSS 29.0 and Mixed ANOVA showed that the intervention group had significantly higher scores in social support, self-efficacy, exercise benefits, physical fitness, and physical activity levels. They also had lower scores in exercise barriers and school environment limitations compared to the control group. The study concluded that the validated measurement tools effectively assess adolescent physical activity, and the PRECEDE-PROCEED-based health education program successfully improved key factors influencing physical activity participation among high school students in China. Although this study provides valuable insights, it is important to note that the sample was geographically limited, which may affect the generalizability of the result

Investigating the effect of brain break exercise videos on mental stress, personality, mental hardiness, social support and physical activity among college students in Jiangxi province, China

College students, as a distinct cohort, are navigating the transition between campus and social life, facing pressures such as interpersonal dynamics, academic demands, financial constraints, employment expectations, and daily stress. Managing psychological well-being in universities is a pressing concern. Engaging in physical activity, such as Brain Breaks exercise videos, has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress levels. This study primarily aims to validate the uBioMacpa Pro stress measurement tool among Chinese college students. Studies indicated that individual characteristics like personality traits, hardiness, social support, and physical activity profoundly influence mental stress levels. Thus, the subsequent objectives were to explore the relationships between these factors and mental stress, and to evaluate the effect of Brain-breaks exercise video intervention on the study variables among Chinese college students in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province. The study was conducted in two phases, Phase 1 involved reliability and validity tests of the uBioMacpa Pro and a cross-sectional study, with 60 students involved in the reliability test, 200 in the validity test, and 890 in the cross-sectional study. Additionally, 80 students with mental stress from Phase 1 participated in Phase 2, which was a randomized controlled trial. In phase 2, 80 students were randomly College students, as a distinct cohort, are navigating the transition between campus and social life, facing pressures such as interpersonal dynamics, academic demands, financial constraints, employment expectations, and daily stress. Managing psychological well-being in universities is a pressing concern. Engaging in physical activity, such as Brain Breaks exercise videos, has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress levels. This study primarily aims to validate the uBioMacpa Pro stress measurement tool among Chinese college students. Studies indicated that individual characteristics like personality traits, hardiness, social support, and physical activity profoundly influence mental stress levels. Thus, the subsequent objectives were to explore the relationships between these factors and mental stress, and to evaluate the effect of Brain-breaks exercise video intervention on the study variables among Chinese college students in Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province. The study was conducted in two phases, Phase 1 involved reliability and validity tests of the uBioMacpa Pro and a cross-sectional study, with 60 students involved in the reliability test, 200 in the validity test, and 890 in the cross-sectional study. Additionally, 80 students with mental stress from Phase 1 participated in Phase 2, which was a randomized controlled trial. In phase 2, 80 students were randoml

Detection of microplastics in bottled drinking water

as a significant concern, particularly regarding its potential implications for product safety and consumer health. This study aimed to evaluate the leaching of MPs under different conditions, including temperature variations at room temperature (25 ± 2°C) and peak temperature (60 ± 2°C), mechanical stress at two shaking speeds (30 RPM and 60 RPM), and repeated usage of drinking bottled water. Additionally, the study characterized the morphology of the leached MPs. Results revealed that peak temperatures and increased mechanical stress significantly enhanced MPs release, with peak leaching observed at 60°C and 60 RPM. Repeated use further amplified the release, indicating that thermal and mechanical degradation play critical roles in the fragmentation of MP particles. The most commonly observed MP shapes were pellets, fibers, and filaments, with transparent MPs dominating across all tests, reflecting the material of the bottles. This study highlighted the awareness to the consumer on the critical impact of thermal, mechanical stress and repeated use of drinking bottled water through temperature test at two different temperatures (25 ± 2 and 60 ± 2°C), shaking test at 30 RPM and 60 RPM, and the reusability test, on the release of MPs from single-use bottled drinking water