Bioremediation of Heavy Metal by Algae: Current and Future Perspective

Instead of using mainly bacteria, it is also possible to use mainly algae to clean wastewater because many of the pollutant sources in wastewater are also food sources for algae. Nitrates and phosphates are common components of plant fertilizers for plants. Like plants, algae need large quantities of nitrates and phosphates to support their fast cell cycles. Certain heavy metals are also important for the normal functioning of algae. These include iron (for photosynthesis), and chromium (for metabolism). Because marine environments are normally scarce in these metals, some marine algae especially have developed efficient mechanisms to gather these heavy metals from the environment and take them up. These natural processes can also be used to remove certain heavy metals from the environment. The use of algae has several advantages over normal bacteria-based bioremediation processes. One major advantage of the removal of pollutants is that this is a process that under light conditions does not need oxygen. Instead, as pollutants are taken up and digested, oxygen is added while carbon dioxide is removed. Hence, phytoremediation could potentially be coupled with carbon sequestration. Additionally, because phytoremediation does not rely on fouling processes, odors are much less a problem. Microalgae, in particular, have been recognized as suitable vectors for detoxification and have emerged as a potential low-cost alternative to physicochemical treatments. Uptake of metals by living microalgae occurs in two steps: one takes place rapidly and is essentially independent of cell metabolism – “adsorption” onto the cell surface. The other one is lengthy and relies on cell metabolism – “absorption” or “intracellular uptake.” Nonviable cells have also been successfully used in metal removal from contaminated sites. Some of the technologies in heavy metal removals, such as High Rate Algal Ponds and Algal Turf Scrubber, have been justified for some practical application in China and abroad and limitations of these methods in large-scale still exist. As an innovative clean-up technology, it mainly depends on the biosorption and bioaccumulation abilities of algae, and the former is dominated in the whole process of bioremediation. Studies suggest that the constituents of algae cell wall such as alginate and fucoidan which have key functional groups are chiefly responsible for biosorption of heavy metal ions

Anchoring the Anchor: Spirituality as an Entrepreneurial Competence

Spirituality is the fountainhead of many of the required and elemental entrepreneurial competencies, yet it seems to be out of the main stage in entrepreneurial-competence dialogue. Spirituality lays the groundwork for entrepreneurial success, as it builds eligibility for the same. It preludes, enables and sustains the phenomenon of entrepreneurship. Research confirms a huge overlap and integration between spiritual attributes, psychological capital and character-strengths. These together help entrepreneurial competencies and prospects. Spirituality should be accorded appropriate precedence in the scheme of competencies, though the extant literature denies any. Also, spiritual attributes give a meaningful and virtuous direction to entrepreneurial behaviors, rendering them beneficial to all holistically. This includes socioeconomic and ecological dimensions. Contrary to the misconceived dissonance between entrepreneurial interests and spiritual attributes, the pixie-dust of spirituality packs more punch in entrepreneurial pursuits. Absenting spirituality and the attributes associated with it in the entrepreneurial discussion will send the world hurtling into endless entropy

Uterine rupture a retrospective analysis of referral cases at a tertiary care centre in Kanpur city

Background: Uterine rupture a retrospective analysis of referral cases at a tertiary care centre in Kanpur city.Method: Observational study was conducted on 40 patients admitted Upper India Sugar Exchange Maternity Hospital, Kanpur.Result: Majority of patients presented with rupture uterus belongs to age group 30-35 years were multigravida came from rural setup and were unbooked among patients with lower segment rupture, 66.7% needed operative hysterectomy while 33% needed rent repair alone and were treated successfully.Conclusion: Uterine rupture is a catastrophic complication associated with high fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality

Bioremediation of Heavy Metal by Algae: Current and Future Perspective

Instead of using mainly bacteria, it is also possible to use mainly algae to clean wastewater because many of the pollutant sources in wastewater are also food sources for algae. Nitrates and phosphates are common components of plant fertilizers for plants. Like plants, algae need large quantities of nitrates and phosphates to support their fast cell cycles. Certain heavy metals are also important for the normal functioning of algae. These include iron (for photosynthesis), and chromium (for metabolism). Because marine environments are normally scarce in these metals, some marine algae especially have developed efficient mechanisms to gather these heavy metals from the environment and take them up. These natural processes can also be used to remove certain heavy metals from the environment. The use of algae has several advantages over normal bacteria-based bioremediation processes. One major advantage of the removal of pollutants is that this is a process that under light conditions does not need oxygen. Instead, as pollutants are taken up and digested, oxygen is added while carbon dioxide is removed. Hence, phytoremediation could potentially be coupled with carbon sequestration. Additionally, because phytoremediation does not rely on fouling processes, odors are much less a problem. Microalgae, in particular, have been recognized as suitable vectors for detoxification and have emerged as a potential low-cost alternative to physicochemical treatments. Uptake of metals by living microalgae occurs in two steps: one takes place rapidly and is essentially independent of cell metabolism – “adsorption” onto the cell surface. The other one is lengthy and relies on cell metabolism – “absorption” or “intracellular uptake.” Nonviable cells have also been successfully used in metal removal from contaminated sites. Some of the technologies in heavy metal removals, such as High Rate Algal Ponds and Algal Turf Scrubber, have been justified for some practical application in China and abroad and limitations of these methods in large-scale still exist. As an innovative clean-up technology, it mainly depends on the biosorption and bioaccumulation abilities of algae, and the former is dominated in the whole process of bioremediation. Studies suggest that the constituents of algae cell wall such as alginate and fucoidan which have key functional groups are chiefly responsible for biosorption of heavy metal ions

Uterine cavity evaluation in infertile patients with transvaginal sonography, saline infusion sonography and hysteroscopy

Background: To compare diagnostic accuracy of Transvaginal sonography (TVS), Saline infusion sonography (SIS) and hysteroscopy in infertile women.Methods: In a prospective study, 250 women with complaint of infertility underwent TVS and SIS. Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy under general anaesthesia was then performed.Results: Hysteroscopy with directed biopsy was considered as the gold standard. Endometrial polyp (n=25, 10%), submucosal fibroid (n=12, 4.8%), suspected intrauterine adhesions (n=4, 1.6%) and congenital uterine anamoly (n=2, 0.8%) were detected with TVS. In the evaluation with SIS results Endometrial polyp (n=34, 13.6%), submucosal fibroid (n=20, 18.1%), suspected intrauterine adhesions (n=5, 2%) and congenital uterine anamoly (3, 1.2%). Hysteroscopy results detected Endometrial polyp (n=32, 12.8%), submucosal fibroid (n=19, 7.6%), suspected intrauterine adhesions (n=8, 3.2%) and congenital uterine anamoly (n=5, 2%).Conclusions: TVS is the primary investigative method for evaluating every infertile couple by means of uterine cavity and ovaries. Hysteroscopy is superior to SIS in diagnosis of intracavitatory abnormalities. However SIS has the advantage of being noninvasive, cheap, affordable, short duration and accurate method for uterine cavity evaluation

Neonatal outcome in early term and late term pregnancy

Background: Full-term neonates born between 37- and 41-weeks’ gestational age have been considered a homogeneous, low-risk group. However, recent evidence from studies has pointed toward increased NICU admissions and morbidity associated with births (37-38 weeks) compared with term neonates (39-41 weeks). The objective of this study was to compare the short-term morbidity of early-term vs term neonates in a county-based birth cohort using the primary objective of admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or neonatology service. Methods: Retrospective observational population-based 2 year birth cohort study at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. All full-term live births comprised the birth cohort; this information was obtained from the hospitals’ perinatal databases, and data pertaining to NICU, or neonatology service admissions were extracted from individual medical records.  Gestational age of early term (37 0/7-38 6/7 weeks) verses term (39 0/7-4 10/7 weeks). Admission to the NICU or neonatology service. Results: There were 17,132 live births during the 2 year period, of which 13679 had a gestational age between 37 and 41 weeks. Of all live births, 6204 (45.3%) were early term. Compared with term infants, early-term neonates had significantly higher risks for the following: hypoglycaemia (29.9% verses 14.7%), NICU or neonatology service admission (20.9% vs12.05 %), need for respiratory support (36.8% verses 29.9%), treatment with intravenous antibiotics [39.4% verses 25. Delivery by caesarean section was common among early-term births (45.9%)]. Conclusions: Early-term births are associated with high neonatal morbidity and with NICU or neonatology service admission. Evaluation of local prevalence data will assist in implementation of specific preventive measures and plans, as well as prioritize limited health care resources

Placenta accreta: the silent invader

Background: To review incidence causes, clinical presentations, management, maternal mortality and morbidity associated with placenta accreta.Methods: A prospective study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur during the period of January 2010 to December 2014. During this period all the patients who were diagnosed with placenta accreta were included in the study.Results: Majority of patients presenting with placenta accreta belonged to age group 30-35 years (46%) were multigravida (95%) came from both rural and urban background. Majority of deliveries complicated by placenta accrete were booked cases (78%). Previous LSCS with placenta previa proved to be the major cause (86%). Out of whole spectrum including placenta accreta, increta, percreta, placenta accreta was the commonest of all and placenta percreta required maximum number of blood transfusions (5-6 units of blood on an average). Hysterectomy was required in 29 cases out of 37 (78%), 6 women suffered from bladder injury which were repaired. Among total of 37 women 7women couldn't be saved even after our best of efforts.Conclusions: Incidence of placenta accrete has increased now a days because of increased incidence of cesarian sections, placenta accreta was seen in primi due to uterine procedures  done deliberately  in both diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Morbidly adherent placenta is always a nightmare for the obstetrician. Suspicion of a case on history, preoperative confirmation of diagnosis, planned management with bundle of care, with multi-disciplinary approach can save many patients from the clutches of inevitable death

Heterotopic pregnancy: a catastrophic event

Heterotopic gestation, although common with assisted reproductive techniques, is very rare in natural conception. A high index of suspicion can help in timely diagnosis and appropriate intervention. We report a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a 25-year-old woman presenting with hemoperitoneum from ruptured tubal pregnancy with live intrauterine gestation at 12 weeks of amenorrhea, diagnosed on ultrasound examination

Study of association of socio-demographic characteristics with the knowledge about sex determination and preconception and prenatal diagnostic technique act among pregnant women

Background: Preconception and prenatal diagnostic technique Act was amended in year 2003 which provides for prohibition of sex selection before and after conception and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic technique.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in antenatal ward of GSVM Medical College Kanpur during the period of January to December 2019. A total of 2500 pregnant women were included and predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to get information regarding socio-demographic details of pregnant women. They were asked regarding the knowledge and attitude towards the PC-PNDT Act. Data were collected and analyzed using Microsoft excel and SPSS-12. Results: In the present study, out of 2500 women, 2125 (85%) knew about sex determination while 125 (5%) knew about PNDT Act. There was significant association of occupation, education and annual income with knowledge. Majority of women know about PC-PNDT act from health staff and ultrasonography was the main technique they know to detect sex determination. Conclusions: The falling ratio of girl child is a matter of grave concern. Effective implementation of the PNDT Act in addition to spreading awareness about this act among people is the need of the hour. Educating the community will prevent the decline in sex ratio and female feticide through PC-PNDT Act

A study to compare the efficacy of ormeloxifene with norethisterone and conventional oral contraceptive pills

Background: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is one of the commonest conditions for which patients seek advice in gynaecological outpatient department. Objective of present study was comparative evaluation of ormeloxifene with norethisterone and conventional oral contraceptive pills in dysfunctional uterine bleeding.Methods: This randomized study was conducted on 300 cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding and they were distributed into three groups. group I were given ormeloxifene 60 mg biweekly for first 12 weeks followed by 60 mg weekly for next 12 weeks. Group II were given norethisterone 5 mg BD from 5th to 25th day of cycle and group III were given oral contraceptive pills from 5th to 25th day of cycle.Results: Subjective improvement was outstanding in group I in comparison to other two groups. There was also statistically significant increase in Hb g/dl and statistically significant decrease in endometrial thickness.Conclusions: Ormeloxifene was found to be superior to both norethisterone and conventional OCPs