Biodegradability of select polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (pah) mixtures

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmentally significant because of their ubiquity and the toxicity of some. Their recalcitrance and persistence makes them problematic environmental contaminants. Microbial degradation is considered to be the primary mechanism of PAH removal from the environment. Biodegradation kinetics of individual PAHs by pure and mixed cultures have been reported by several researchers. However, contaminated sites commonly have complex mixtures of PAHs whose individual biodegradability may be altered in mixtures. Biodegradation kinetics for fluorene, naphthalene, 1,5-dimethylnaphthalene and 1- methylfluorene were evaluated in sole substrate systems, binary and ternary systems using Sphingomonas paucimobilis EPA505. The Monod model was fitted to the data from the sole substrate experiments to yield biokinetic parameters, (qmax and Ks). The first order rate constants (qmax/Ks) for fluorene, naphthalene and 1,5- dimethylnaphthalene were comparable, although statistically different. However, affinity constants for the three compounds were not comparable. Binary and ternary experiments indicated that the presence of another PAH retards the biodegradation of the co-occurring PAH. Antagonistic interactions between substrates were evident in the form of competitive inhibition, demonstrated mathematically by the Monod multisubstrate model. This model appropriately predicted the biodegradation kinetics in mixtures using the sole substrate parameters, validating the hypothesis of common enzyme systems. Competitive inhibition became pronounced under conditions of: Ks1 > Ks1 and S1 >> S. Experiments with equitable concentrations of substrates demonstrated the effect of concentration on competitive inhibition. Ternary experiments with naphthalene, 1,5-dimethylnapthalene and 1-methylfluorene revealed preferential degradation, where depletion of naphthalene and 1,5-dimethylnapthalene proceeded only after the complete removal of 1-methylfluorene. The substrate interactions observed in binary and ternary mixtures require a multisubstrate model to account for simultaneous degradation of substrates. However, developing models that account for sequential degradation may be useful in scenarios where PAHs may not be competitive substrates. These mixture results prove that substrate interactions must be considered in designing effective bioremediation strategies and that sole substrate performance is limited in predicting biodegradation kinetics of complex mixtures

Crude Urbanism

Mumbai’s formal and informal components operate in interdependence. Matter from the formal is absorbed by the informal, where it is hacked, recycled and repurposed. The output, now lucrative, is spat back into the formal. For example, the city’s trash is collected, sorted and prepared by the informal as a commodity that is sold back into the formal. This cycle creates crucial nodes, where the formal relies heavily on the informal for its flexible and resilient systems. Though these systems may be independent and engrained in Mumbai’s economy, the worker’s relation to the system’s matter reveals needs that the informal sector alone cannot meet. These are primarily social needs that derive from the constraints and disparities of informal work including education, security, and sanitation. This thesis contends for a new, hybrid typology that brings together the layers of programs embedded in the flows of the informal economies. The purpose of a new typology is to mitigate the boundary and systems between the formal and informal. A hybrid typology derives its parameters by extracting information from existing flows at the nodes. It hosts the intersection of multiple systems and is an agent for stimulating the daily activities of informal workers. This new typology is envisioned as a piece of infrastructure that is constantly active, adapting to the nature of the ephemeral flows it contains. The city is at stake. Without the nodes, Mumbai would drown in its own garbage, the economic flows would be halted globally, safety would be compromised and crime would prevail the streets. The cleansing activities of the informal lead to contaminating them-selves--calling for the need to galvanize these communities. This leads to investigating the role of the architect by “moving sharply away from the figure of the architect as an individual hero and replaces it with a much more collaborative approach” (Spatial Agency). Overlaying and mapping the operations of informal workers and their awareness of the city allows us to speculate the future implications, and perhaps lends a new lens to understand the dynamics of these economies

Cinemeducation: a teaching-learning tool to teach professionalism and ethics in medical undergraduates

Background: The study was undertaken in II year medical students to sensitize and make student competent for professionalism and ethics to maintain respect for patients, colleagues and society and role of Informed Consent in a clinical trial using Cinema-education Methods: A brief lecture about professionalism and ethics and hands-on training to write reflections was conducted. During session, the knowledge gained and attitudes were checked by pre-test questionnaire. In the Session the students were shown short movie clips that portray on professionalism and ethics which highlight doctor patient relationship in context of maintaining respect of patient, colleagues and society and ethical aspects of informed consent in a clinical trial. The Post session was assessed by a role play, post-test, feedback and reflection writing and analyzed using content and narrative analysis.Results: Respect towards patients and co-workers and taking informed consent were the positive reflections while treating patients as a subject and giving incomplete information about the trial were pointed out as negative aspect of the movie clip. Majority of the students agreed that cinemeducation had cleared doubts, gave better understanding, stimulated their interest and motivated to learn about professionalism and Ethics. Through role play as assessment the students were able to correctly pick up the scenario, identify the issues related to the role play and were able to give solution to the problem portrayed.Conclusions: Cinemeducation is an indispensable teaching learning tool to understand about patients feelings, role of communication and to teach empathy, ethical aspects in patient care

An evaluation of the technique of use of metered dose inhaler administration in bronchial asthma children

Background: Inadequate understanding and performance of drug administration using metered-dose inhaler (MDI) in paediatric population affects therapeutic outcome. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of two educational interventional methods for usage of MDI in paediatric patients of bronchial asthma.Methods: This prospective, interventional study was done in paediatric asthma patients who were prescribed drugs with (MDI) with/without spacer at outpatient department of pediatrics. Patients were divided in group A (video) or group B (leaflet) as per random table method and method to use MDI was assessed by using checklist as per WHO guide to good prescribing at baseline. Investigator taught the technique by a video (group A) and leaflet (group B) to the selected population. Patients were followed up after 15 days and assessed for use of MDI using the same checklist. Data were analysed by using paired and unpaired ‘t’-test.Results: A total of 100 pediatric asthma patients were included in study group A (50) and group B (50). The average no. of steps (WHO checklist) followed was significantly improved at post intervention in both group A (with spacer, p<0.0001) as well as B (without spacer, p<0.05). Although average no. of steps followed were more in group A, no significant difference was found between two groups after intervention.Conclusions: As video is an audio-visual method of demonstration, and hence help us memorise the step of inhalational technique in pediatric patients. Repeated demonstration/education to patients/caregivers may improve the method of MDI usage

An intensive monitoring of adverse drug reactions in pediatric hospitalized patients of a tertiary care hospital

Background: Children are at a higher risk of therapeutic failure due to major difference in pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics of drugs, off-label use and divergence of their illness from adult. The safety of drugs used in adult patients cannot be extrapolated to a pediatric age group. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the incidence and overall pattern of adverse drug reactions in pediatric patients hospitalized in pediatric wards at a tertiary care hospital in India.Methods: Pediatric patients up to 12 years hospitalized in two randomly selected pediatric units were enrolled and followed up daily till discharge. Detailed information of patients and ADRs (adverse drug reactions) if any were recorded from case records. ADRs were assessed for incidence, onset, duration, management, outcome, causality, severity, preventability, seriousness and risk factors. Appropriateness of drug treatment in patients with ADRs was analyzed using Phadke’s criteria. Data was analyzed using student’s t test, ANOVA and Chi square test.Results: A total of 700 patients were enrolled (mean age 3.95±0.12 years). A total of 66 ADRs observed in 58 patients. Intravenous (70.4%) being most common route for ADRs. The incidence of ADRs was 8.28%. Majority of ADRs occurred within 1 day, commonly affected skin and appendages followed by (28.78%), GI (25.75%) ADRs were frequently associated with antimicrobials (69.38%) and vaccines and sera (12.24%). Majority of reactions were mild (56%%), non-serious (77.2%), not preventable (95.4%), recovered completely at discharge (83.33%) and had possible (77.2%) causal association with suspect drug. Age group 0-3 years and prescription of ≥5 drugs were risk factors for occurrence of ADRs. Semi rational drug therapy was observed in 65.5% patients.Conclusions: Clinicians should be vigilant regarding occurrence of ADRs in pediatrics especially during the first week of hospitalization. Risk factors like 0-3 years of age and multiple drugs should be taken into consideration during treatment of these patients to help minimize adverse drug reactions

Prescribing pattern of analgesics used for postoperative pain and its correlate with patient and doctor satisfaction:

Background: Post operative pain is difficult to assessment and its management has been neglected at times. Moreover, the drug treatment involves administration of drug on as and when basis which leads to inadequate control. Methods: This observational, prospective study was conducted in 100 post-operative patients i.e., 50 each from surgery and orthopedics departments. Investigator enrolled post-operative patients within 24 hours of surgery and followed them for next 5 days or till hospital discharge, whichever was earlier. Analgesic prescribing pattern, self-assessment of pain, patient and doctor satisfaction using ASSIST questionnaire were recorded in Case Record Form and analysed. Results: Out of 100 patients, average number of analgesics prescribed post-operatively was 1.49±0.5 (baseline and all follow-up). 76.5% patients received NSAIDs which included diclofenac (44.29%) and paracetamol (30.87%). Opioids in the form of tramadol were prescribed in 23.49% patients. Mean least pain experienced by patients on day 1 was 2±0.75 which decreased to 1.32±0.63 on day 5. Mean worst pain decreased from 6.64±1.43 on day 1 to 3.38±1.17 on day 5. Average percentage of duration of severe pain was 35.2%±16.48 on day 1 which successively decreased to 16.32±8.26 on day 5. Average pain relief observed in 62.3% patients on day one increased to 80.88% on day 5. Patient satisfaction increased as pain score decreased (r=-0.73) and a strong positive correlation was observed between doctor satisfaction and patient satisfaction (r=0.91). Conclusions: Inadequate control of post-operative pain affects effective patient management and recovery. Incorporation of effective pain assessment scores in pain management is desirable

Torque Control During Intrusion on Upper Central Incisor in Labial and Lingual bracket System - A 3D Finite Element Study

The aim of present study was to investigate the difference of torque control during intrusive force on upper central incisors with normal, under and high torque in lingual and labial orthodontic systems through 3D finite element analysis. Six 3D models of an upper right central incisor with different torque were designed in Solid Works 2006. Software ANSYS Version 16.0 was used to evaluate intrusive force on upper central incisor model . An intrusive force of 0.15 N was applied to the bracket slot in different torque models and the displacements along a path of nodes in the upper central incisor was assessed. On application of Intrusive force on under torqued upper central incisor in Labial system produce labial crown movement but in Lingual system caused lingual movement in the apical and incisal parts. The same intrusive force in normal-torqued central incisor led to a palatal movement in apical and labial displacement of incisal edge in Lingual system and a palatal displacement in apical area and a labial movement in the incisal edge in Labial systemin. In overtorqued upper central incisor, the labial crown displacement in Labial system is more than Lingual system. In labial and lingual system on application of the same forces in upper central incisor with different inclinations showed different responses. The magnitudes of torque Loss during intrusive loads in incisors with normal, under and over-torque were higher in Labial system than Lingual orthodontic appliances

Rho iso-alpha acids from hops inhibit the GSK-3/NF-κB pathway and reduce inflammatory markers associated with bone and cartilage degradation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Rho </it>iso-alpha acids (RIAA) from hops have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. To understand the mechanisms, we evaluated the effect of RIAA in cell signaling pathways and inflammatory markers using various in vitro models. We also investigated their therapeutic effect in mice with collagen-induced arthritis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were used to evaluate the effect of RIAA on the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways; phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK was assessed by western blotting and NF-κB binding by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Effect on the NF-κB activity was evaluated by the luciferase reporter assays in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. GSK-3α/β kinase activity was measured in cell-free assays. The inhibitory effect of RIAA on inflammatory markers was assessed by measuring nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, RANKL-mediated TRAP activity in transformed osteoclasts, and TNF-α/IL-1β-mediated MMP-13 expression in SW1353 cells. Mice with collagen-induced arthritis were fed with RIAA for 2 weeks. Symptoms of joint swelling, arthritic index and joint damage were assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RIAA selectively inhibited the NF-κB pathway while having no effect on ERK1/2, p38 and JNK phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. RIAA also inhibited GSK-3α/β kinase activity and GSK-3β dependent phosphorylation of β-catenin in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, RIAA inhibited NF-κB-mediated inflammatory markers in various cell models, including nitric oxide in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, RANKL-mediated TRAP activity in transformed osteoclasts, and TNF-α/IL-1β-mediated MMP-13 expression in SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells. Finally, in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis, RIAA ameliorated joint damage as evidenced by significant reduction of the arthritis index and histology score; at 250 mg/kg-body weight, RIAA had efficacy similar to that of 20 mg/kg-body weight of celecoxib.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>RIAA may have potential as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic.</p