Biodegradation of styrene in a recirculation reactor using immobilized activated sludge

The performance of immobilized cells in the biological treatment of hazardous waste was investigated using a recirculating flow reactor in batch mode. A mixed culture activated sludge from a municipal waste water treatment plant was immobilized in calcium alginate gel, The bio-oxidation ability of these microbes towards a model toxin (styrene) was studied under closed system using dilute H2O2 solution as an oxygen source. The process parameters studied were as follows: Effect of flow rate of recycle stream, Effect of biomass loading, Effect of spiking concentration of styrene, and Flow pattern and average residence time within the reactor. Dissolved oxygen concentration was monitored by a Clark type dissolved oxygen probe and also by an oxygen electrode. Biodegradation rates of styrene with two different oxygen sources, air and H2O2, were determined and compared. Abiotic losses of styrene were taken into account. It was found that biodegradation was the primary removal mechanism when H2O2 was used as oxygen source, whereas stripping was the primary removal mechanism in the case of sir, considerable adsorption of styrene on the alginate was observed initially, but all the styrene desorbed to the bulk slowly and biodegraded finally

Tungsten Carbonyl Complexes Containing Positively Charged Phosphorus Ligands

Two positively charged complexes, (CO)5WP(C6H5)2CH2CH2-+P(C6H5)2(CH2C6H5) Br- and (CO)5W(C6H5)2PCH2+P(C6H5)2CH3 I-, were synthesized, and their carbonyl stretching frequencies and force constants were compared to those of the uncharged complexes, (CO)5WP(C6H5)2CH2CH2P(C6H5)2 and (CO)5WP(C6H5)2-CH2P(C6H5)2. Within experimental error, no differences in infrared data were noted for (CO)5WP(C6H5)2CH2CH2+P(C6H5)2-(CH2C6H5) Br- and (CO)5WP(C6H5)2CH2CH2P(C6H5)2. The complex (CO)5WP(C6H5)2CH2+P(C6H5)2CH3 I- had a significantly larger k1 force constant than did (CO)5WP(C6H5)2CH2P(C6H5)2. This effect is interpreted as arising from the ability of the positive charge to withdraw electron density from the metal which weakens the metal-carbon bond and strengthens the C O bond. A tungsten-phosphorus coupling constant of 270 Hz was recorded for (CO)5W(C6H5)2PCH2CH2P(C6H5)2 which suggests a metal-phosphorus bond of the same strength as the metal-phosphorus bond in (CO)5WP(C6H5)3. A phosphorus-phosphorus coupling value of 32.1 Hz was noted. Synthetically, it was observed that C6H5NH2W(CO)5 reacts with (C6H5)2PCH2CH2P(C6H5)2 to give a mixture of (CO)5WP(C6H5)2-CH2CH2P(C6H5)2 and (CO)5W(C6H5)2PCH2CH2P(C6H5)2(W(CO)5) with the formation of the latter being favored. The monometallic product can be obtained predominantly if a large excess of free ligand is employed in the reaction. With (C6H5)2PCH2P(C6H5)2, there is no tendency for the formation of the dimetallic complex nor does the monometallic complex (CO)5W(C6H5)2CH2P(C6H5)2 react with benzyl bromide. The inactivity of the dangling phosphorus is thought to be steric in nature because quaternization does occur with iodomethane. Attempts to prepare a complex such as (CO)5WP(C6H5)2+N(C2H5)3 BF-4 with the positive charge in the position alpha to phosphorus were unsuccessful. Infrared evidence is presented which suggests that the reaction between (C6H5)2PCH2CH+P(C6H5)2CH2C6H5Br- and C6H5NH2W(CO)5 in methanol yields predominantly (CO)4Br-WP(C6H5)2CH2-CH2+P(C6H5)2CH2C6H5 which represents a new class of compounds

Probiotic Dahi Containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Plantarum Suppresses DMH Induced Preneoplastic lesions in early Colorectal Carcinogenesis in Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the chemopreventiveeffects of probiotic LaLpDahicontainingLactobacillus acidophilus LaVK2 and Lactobacillus plantarumLp9 alone or as an adjunct with piroxicam (PXC)in male Wistar rats administered 1,2-dimethylehydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH).Colorectal carcinogenesis was induced by injecting DMH subcutaneously (40mg/kg body weight) twice a week for 2 weeks. Rats were divided into five groups, twenty four in each group and fed with the buffalo milk or probiotic supplements (20g) in addition to basal diet for 32 weeks.The rats were fed with buffalo milk or probiotic Dahi alone or in combination with PXC in addition to basal diet ad libitumand euthanized at 8th, 16th and 32nd weeks of the experiment and examined for development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), mucin-depleted foci (MDF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index. Administration of DMH in rats induced formation of preneoplastic lesions (ACF and MDF) and increased PCNA index in colorectal tissue. Probiotic Dahi alone or in combination with piroxicam showed a significant (P0.05) protectiveeffects by loweringthe initiation and progression of DMH induced formation of preneoplastic lesions and PCNA labeling index.Theseobservations suggest that probiotic LaLp Dahi alone or in combination with PXC may be used as a potential nutraceutical intervention in prophylaxis and treatment of colorectal cancer

Anticarcinogenic Effect of Probiotic Dahi and Piroxicam on DMH-induced Colorectal Carcinogenesis in Wistar Rats

This study examined the therapeutic effects of probiotic Dahi containing Lactobacillus acidophilus LaVK2 and Lactobacillus plantarum Lp9, alone or as well as in combination with piroxicam (PXC) as an antioxidant agent in male Wistar rats administered 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH). Colorectal carcinogenesis was induced by injecting DMH subcutaneously (40 mg/kg body weight) twice a week for 2 weeks. The rats were fed with buffalo milk or probiotic Dahi alone or in combination with PXC in addition to basal diet ad libitum and euthanized at 8th, 16th and 32nd week of the experiment and examined for biochemical and histopathological profile. A significant reduction in lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and colorectal tissue, and carcinogen activating enzyme measured as b-glucuronidase activity in faeces were observed in probiotic Dahi-DMH-PXC group compared with the DMH control group. Probiotic Dahi alone or in combination with PXC was showed a significant (P 0.05) protective effect by lowering the levels of TBARS, faecal b-glucuronidase and by enhancing the activity GST in liver and colorectal tissues, correlated with decreased tumor incidence, tumor multiplicity and tumor volume in gastrointestinal (GI) tract in DMH induced rats. These observations suggest that probiotic Dahi alone or conjointly with PXC may have therapeutic potential in attenuation of carcinogenesis in GI tract

ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS, CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS AND TREATMENT OUTCOME OF CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY: AN OBSERVATIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Aim: To study various etiological factors, clinical presentations of cervical lymphadenopathy. To study the management and outcome of cervical lymphadenopathy Method: Proper clinical history was first noted, local and systemic examination was performed and a clinical diagnosis was made. Gender wise distribution, presenting symptoms, site distribution, and treatment outcome were noted. Result: Gender wise distribution of male and female was 52%, and 48%, commonest site of primary in cases of metastatic Secondaries was tongue followed by oesophagus and thyroid. After proper diagnosis confirmed by Histopathology (biopsy), treatment constituted properly- Cases of Tubercular Lymphadenitis (49 cases) were Started on Anti-tubercular treatment, all were showed improvement in symptoms. Cases of Reactive lymphadenitis (26 cases) started on antibiotics, all recovered well. Among 14 Cases of Metastatic secondaries, 5 cases were given Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy after expert oncologist opinion out of which 3 showed improved symptoms and 2 were expired, 6 cases were operated out of which 5 showed improved symptoms and 1 expired post operatively, 3 cases were referred to specialized oncological and oncosurgical center for further management. All 6 Lymphoma cases were started on chemotherapy after expert oncologist opinion showed improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: Commonest site of primary in cases of metastatic Secondaries was tongue followed by oesophagus and thyroid. Anti-tubercular treatment for tubercular lymphadenitis was highly satisfactory with improvement in almost all patients. Surgery was restricted as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, as diagnostic biopsy, for treatment of abscess/sinuses and for a lymph nodes that do not resolve with chemotherapy. Non-tuberculous non-neoplastic lesions can be best managed by conservatively. Keywords: Cervical lymphadenopathy; Clinical presentations; Treatment outcome

Clinical Spectrum of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A Single-Center Study

A retrospective observational study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical profile of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a tertiary care hospital. Patients <18 years, kidney-transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressive agents and pregnant patients were excluded. Patients with ≥2 episodes of culture positive UTIs were included. Demographic details, investigations and treatment were recorded. Out of total 48 patients, 18 were female and 30 male. The common manifestations were acute pyelonephritis (52%), emphysematous pyelonephritis (20%) and cystitis (25%). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (48%) was the most frequent organism isolated followed by Klebsiella spp. (29%) and Pseudomonas spp. (23%). Recurrent episodes of UTI with same organisms were noted in 62% patients. Death occurred in 12.5% patients due to septic shock. Renal calculi (24%) and double J (DJ) stent placement (30%) were associated with recurrent UTIs, though this was not statistically significant. Resistance to higher antibiotics (colistin, carbapenems, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoperazone-sulbactam, third-generation cephalosporins) (65.4%, r = 0.81), diabetes (62.5%, r = 0.79), urological procedure (39.5%, r = 0.68), prior hospitalization (75%, r = 0.84), history of UTI prior to the study period (44%, r = 0.72) and need for per urethral catheter (PUC) beyond 7 days (35%, r = 0.74) had significant correlation with recurrent UTIs

Detection of vascular endothelial growth factor in colon cancer xenografts using bevacizumab based near infrared fluorophore conjugate.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop the near infrared fluorescence (NIRF)-based imaging agent for the visualization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in colon cancer. AlexaFluor 750 conjugating with bevacizumab, and injected intravenously into nude mice bearing VEGF over-expressing HT29 human colorectal cancer. Optical imaging was performed at 15 min, 24 h and 48 h post injection. Immunofluorescences staining of the tumor sections were performed. HT29 colorectal cancer xenografts were clearly visualized with bevacizumab-AlexaFluor 750. RESULTS: Ex vivo analysis showed 2.1 ± 0.4%, 37.6 ± 6.3% and 38.5 ± 6.2% injected dose/g accumulated in the tumors at 15 min, 24 h and 48 h respectively. Tumor uptake was significantly decreased in pretreated with excess of bevacizumab (p = 0.002). Immunofluorescence analysis showed strong staining of anti-CD 31 antibody around the blood vessels. Anti-VEGF-A and bevacizumab showed heterogeneous expression throughout the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Current study successfully detected the VEGF expression in HT29 colorectal cancer xenografts, signifying as a potential agent for non-invasive imaging of VEGF expression, which may be applied in clinical practice

Formulation Optimization of Polyox Based Modified Release Drug Delivery System

Polyethylene Oxide (PEOs) offer specific advantages to be used in pharmaceutical products as release modifiers by forming a hydrogel around the dosage form in aqueous environment causing the drug to follow a diffusional path before releasing into the media. The strength of the hydrogel governs the release retardation capacity of the PEO system. The objective of this dissertation work was to use the Design of Experiments methodology to develop and optimize a PEO based modified release formulation of a highly water-soluble drug like Metoprolol succinate. The effect of the different viscosity grade PEOs, their concentration with respect to the drug, combination of two different viscosity grades, % drug content in the formulation and the use of water soluble / insoluble fillers on the dissolution of metoprolol succinate was studied. The critical formulation parameters namely PEO concentration and % drug content were chosen as input factors and dissolution at 1, 4, 8 and 20 hours was recorded as responses to carry out optimization using the DOE approach. The results obtained after statistical treatment of data provided a design space that can be used for achieving the desired formulation profile. The model has been validated to predict the effect of the input factors (PEO type and concentration and % drug content) on the responses (in vitro dissolution). Keywords: Polyethylene Oxide, Modified Release Drug Delivery System, Metoprolo