Assessment of Sodium Cyanide Toxicity on Freshwater Teleosts

Short term definitive tests by static renewal bioassay method were conducted to determine the toxicity of sodium cyanide on freshwater teleosts, Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis mossambicus. Fishes were exposed to various concentrations of sodium cyanide for 96 h and the mortalities were recorded. The acute toxicity (LC50) of sodium cyanide calculated over 96 h period for C. catla, L. rohita, C. mrigala C. carpio and O.  mossambicus was found to be 0.11 mg/L, 0.19 mg/L, 0.33 mg/L, 1 mg/L and 0.420 mg/L, respectively. Behavioural patterns were observed in lethal (1, 2, 3 and 4 d) concentration. Some of the common behavioural changes exhibited by teleosts in toxic media include hyperexcitability, erratic and darting movements with imbalanced swimming activity, which might be due to inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase activity and decreased blood pH. The combination of cytotoxic hypoxia with lactate acidosis depresses the central nervous system and myocardium, which are the most sensitive critical sites for anoxia, resulting in respiratory arrest and death

Access to Interdental Brushing in Periodontal Healthy Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: Interdental diameter space is largely undefined in adults, which compromises the decision support for daily interdental cleaning during routine practice in individual oral prophylaxis. This study assesses the distribution of diameter access of interdental spaces in an 18- to 25-year-old adult population free of periodontal disease. Methods: In March-April 2015, a cross-sectional study using random sampling was performed at the University Lyon 1, France. The interproximal dental spaces of 99 individuals were examined using a colorimetric calibrated probe associated with the corresponding calibrated interdental brush (IDB). Results: Of the 2,408 out of 2,608 sites, the overall accessibility prevalence of any interdental brushing was 92.3%. In total, 80.6% of the sites required interdental brushes with smaller diameters (0.6–0.7 mm). In anterior sites, the diameter of the interdental brushes used was smaller (55.8% of IDB with 0.6 mm) than the diameter of the interdental brushes used in posterior sites (26.1% of IDB with 0.6 mm) (p < 0.01). The adjusted ORs indicate a significant association with the location of the sites (approximately doubling the risk of bleeding, i.e., OR = 1.9, in posterior sites). Conclusions: Most interdental sites can be cleaned using interdental brushes. Even in healthy people, interdental hygiene requirements are very high. Strengthening the oral hygiene capacity by specifically using interdental brushes can have an effect on the health of the entire population. Screening of the accessibility of the interdental space should be a component of a routine examination for all patients.The study was financially supported by Curaden International AG, Kriens, Switzerlan

Synthesis and structural characterization of orange red light emitting Sm3+ activated BiOCl phosphor for WLEDs applications

We report, synthesis of orange red light emitting Sm3+ activated BiOCl phosphors at relatively low temperature (400 degrees C) and shorter duration of 1 h. Rietveld refined results confirmed that all the compounds crystallized in the tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm (No. 129). Functional group analysis were carried out by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. The Photoluminescent (PL) experiment results reveal that, an intense PL transition at 598 nm ((4)G(5/2) -> H-6(7/2)) corresponds to orange red emission at lambda(ex) = 408 nm. The maximum emission intensity was observed for BiOCl: Sm3+ (3 mol%) phosphor, above this concentration quenching takes place due to charge exchange with neighboring Sm3+ ions. Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopic result reveals that, the decay curve is bi-exponential in nature and having long lifetime (tau = 0.58 ms). The obtained CIE and CCT values suggest that these phosphors having excellent color purity (similar to 90%) and low correlated color temperature. These results suggest that, Sm3+ activated BiOCl can be a potential red phosphor materials for WLEDs and other optoelectronics applications. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Alberta species at risk report

The development of new catalysts for high-performance, cost-effective oxygen reduction is crucial in the commercialization of fuel cells. We demonstrate here the use of functionalized polyterthiophene-anchored graphene oxide (GO) composites as new non-metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Different functional groups containing the monomers 3′-(2-aminopyrimidyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene (APT), 3′-(p-benzoic acid)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene (TBA) and 3′-(carboxylic acid)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene (TCA) were synthesized and polymerized with as-prepared GO to form complexes by a potential cycling method. The aminopyrimidyl groups on the poly(APT) backbone served as effective functional groups in the oxygen reduction reaction. The APT-GO complex was formed through hydrogen bonding and a ring-opening reaction of the epoxide group with the amine to form a new C-N bond. It was observed that the C-N bond in the polymer matrix was involved in the direct electrocatalytic reduction of O to HO. The poly(APT-GO) composite showed much better tolerance to fuel cross-over and long-term electrode stability than commercially available Pt/C electrodes

Unraveling Monkeypox: An Emerging Threat in Global Health

Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic ailment originating in the Central and West African regions, has escalated into a global health issue of growing concern. The current analysis offers an exhaustive examination of monkeypox, emphasizing its historical progression, etiology, epidemiological patterns, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methodologies, treatment modalities, and preventive strategies. The worldwide discontinuation of smallpox vaccination has contributed to an increased incidence of monkeypox, driven by the expansion of vulnerable host populations. Significant strides in diagnostic procedures, prospective antiviral treatments, and vaccine development exhibit potential in managing this affliction, yet obstacles remain in terms of disease control, prevention, and treatment. Additionally, the international propagation of monkeypox underscores the need for robust public health initiatives and the significant role played by global health institutions in disease containment. Prospective research endeavors should strive to enhance our comprehension of the natural reservoirs of monkeypox and its transmission dynamics, evaluate sustained immune responses to novel vaccines, and investigate the potential impact of One Health strategies. This analysis underscores the pressing necessity for increased research and synchronized global efforts to tackle this emergent infectious malady