Removal of organic dyes and tannins by electrochemical techniques.

Removal of organic dyes, tannins and phenol based molecules from aqueous solutions and the amenability of electrochemical techniques for the treatment of dye bath and tannery effluents was discussed. In the case of electro-coagulation/flotation, aluminum and steel were used as electrodes whereas graphite and IrO2 / TaO2/RuO2 coated Ti electrodes were tried for electro-oxidation. The degradation of dyes such as CI reactive blue 221 and CI Acid orange 10, phenol based tannins and phenolics such as resorcinol, pyrogallol, catechol and phloroglucinol was studied both by electrocoagulation and electro-oxidation techniques. The decolourization and degradation of the dye molecules was monitored by UV-Visible spectrophotometer and the mineralization trend of all these compounds was followed by chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) measurements. The effect of operating parameters such as nature of the electrolyte, pH, and applied current density were discussed. The generation of chlorine based insitu oxidants has been confirmed by cyclic voltammetric technique. Electro-oxidation of the dyes and tannin molecules was evaluated and found that the graphite material was effective to achieve the complete mineralization. Although, IrO2 / TaO2/RuO2 coated Ti anode is chemically inert and structurally stable, it fails to generate more molecular oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. The purification of textile and tannery effluent was successfully achieved by electrochemical treatment

Treatment of pharmaceutically active compounds by electrooxidation using boron doped diamond and platinum anodes

Clean and hygiene water is a critical environmental issue that touches the life of every human being. In recent years, presence of some pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites in surface and ground water has become a potential health risk to human beings. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are prescribed for muscle pain and inflammatory rheumatic disorders. Ketoprofen one of the NSAIOs, is categorized as a pharmaceutically active compound which resists both the abiotic and biotic degradation. Similarly, P-blockers are a class of drugs used for various indications particularly to control high blood pressure, anti-angina and cardiovascular diseases. One among the P-blockers, atenolol is most toxic to humans and aquatic organisms. The presence of both ketoprofen and atenolol in ground water has been reported at concentrations up to 10 figlL. A bench scale study was carried out to treat synthetically prepared pharmaceutical compounds (ketoprofen and atenolol) contaminated water in lower concentrations (fig/I) using boron doped diamond (BOD) and platinum anodes. The results were explained in terms of in situ generated of hydroxyl radical COH), peroxodisulfate (S20t), and active chlorine species (CI2, ocr and HOCI). The physisorbed 'OH on BOD was observed to trigger the combustion of pollutant molecules in to CO2 and H20. The BOD anode was found to be effective in the presence ofNa2S04 whereas Pt yields better removal in the presence of NaCI. The influence of electrolyte pH on the mineralization of ketoprofen molecules was found to be insignificant

Role of electrolyte on anodic mineralization of atenolol at boron doped diamond and Pt electrodes

Anodic oxidation of atenolol, known as -blocker, has been investigated using boron-doped diamond(BDD) and Pt electrodes. The mineralization trend of atenolol in the presence of NaCl, Na2SO4 and NaNO3 was followed using total organic carbon analyzer. The disappearance of chloride ions and generation of active chlorine (Cl2, HOCl, OCl−) were analysed by argentometric and iodometric methods, respectively. The BDD anode was found to be effective in the presence of Na2SO4 whereas Pt yields better removal in the presence of NaCl. The initial concentration of NaCl and applied current density on the mineralization of atenolol were found to be significant for both BDD and Pt anodes. These results are explained in terms of electrogenerated oxidants such as •OH, SO4•−, S2O8 2−, Cl2, HOCl and OCl−. The evolution of chlorine at BDD and Pt with respect to NaCl concentration was studied by means of cyclic voltammetric technique. Though the rate of mineralization was observed to be initially higher in the presence of Pt anode, the overall rate of mineralization is more or less similar beyond 15 h of electrooxidation. The slow degradation at the later stages of electrooxidation was attributed to the presence of residual chlorinated organic compounds which are very refractive. The complete mineralization was achieved in the presenceof Na2SO4 using BDD as anode

Anodic oxidation of ketofrofen-an anti-inflammatory drug using boron doped diamond electrode

The mineralization of ketoprofen (KP) by anodic oxidation was studied by employing boron doped diamond (BDD) and Pt electrodes. The redox behavior of KP molecule, fouling of electrodes, generation of oxygen and active chlorine species were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The effect of electrolyte, pH of aqueous medium and applied current density on the mineralization behavior of KP was also investigated. The degradation and mineralization were monitored by UV–vis spectrophotometer and total organic carbon analyzer, respectively. The results were explained in terms of in situ generation of hydroxyl radical (•OH), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), and active chlorine species (Cl2, HOCl, OCl−). The physisorbed •OH on BDD was observed to trigger the combustion of KP in to CO2 and H2O. The poor mineralization at both BDDand Pt anodes in the presence of NaCl as supporting electrolyte was ascribed to the formation of chlorinated organic compounds which are refractory. Complete mineralization of KP molecule was achieved using Na2SO4 as supporting electrolyte

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF PHTHALATE ANALOGUE OF DICLOFENAC AGAINST FREUND’S COMPLETE ADJUVANT INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN RAT

Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of Phthalate analogues of diclofenac in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) induced Arthritis in the rat. Methods: Twenty four female albino wistar rats were enrolled in this study and are divided into 4 groups (six each). The groups were designed as follows: Group I: vehicle control, Group II: arthritic control, Group III: diclofenac treated, Group IV: phthalate analogue of diclofenac treated. Various assessments such as anti-arthritic activity, biochemical estimations, haematological parameters, ulcerogenesis, radiological and histopathological studies were evaluated. Results: Arthritic control group exhibited significant increase in the level of paw volume, arthritic score (p<0.0001), Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (p<0.001), Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) p<0.01), rheumatoid arthritis factor, C-reactive protein (CRP), White Blood Cells (WBC), Creatinine and uric acid and a significant decrease in Red Blood Cells (RBC). Increased swelling of joints, bony destruction and profound ulceration were observed in the Arthritic control group. All these conditions were reversed in diclofenac and phthalate analogue of diclofenac groups. Conclusion: We conclude that phthalate analogue of diclofenac shows potent anti-arthritic activity with milder ulceration when compared to diclofenac treatment

Malnutrition, nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes of patients with acute small bowel obstruction: results from a national, multicentre, prospective audit.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of patients presenting with small bowel obstruction (SBO), along with associated nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: 131 UK hospitals with acute surgical services. PARTICIPANTS: 2069 adult patients with a diagnosis of SBO were included in this study. The mean age was 67.0 years and 54.7% were female. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes recorded included: major complications (composite of in-hospital mortality, reoperation, unplanned intensive care admission and 30-day readmission), complications arising from surgery (anastomotic leak, wound dehiscence), infection (pneumonia, surgical site infection, intra-abdominal infection, urinary tract infection, venous catheter infection), cardiac complications, venous thromboembolism and delirium. RESULTS: Postoperative adhesions were the most common cause of SBO (49.1%). Early surgery (<24 hours postadmission) took place in 30.0% of patients, 22.0% underwent delayed operation and 47.9% were managed non-operatively. Malnutrition as stratified by Nutritional Risk Index was common, with 35.7% at moderate risk and 5.7% at severe risk of malnutrition. Dietitian review occurred in just 36.4% and 55.9% of the moderate and severe risk groups. In the low risk group, 30.3% received nutritional intervention compared with 40.7% in moderate risk group and 62.7% in severe risk group. In comparison to the low risk group, patients who were at severe or moderate risk of malnutrition had 4.2 and 2.4 times higher unadjusted risk of in-hospital mortality, respectively. Propensity-matched analysis found no difference in outcomes based on use or timing of parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition on admission is associated with worse outcomes in patients with SBO, and marked variation in management of malnutrition was observed. Future trials should focus on identifying effective and cost-effective nutritional interventions in SBO

Malnutrition, nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes of patients with acute small bowel obstruction : results from a national, multicentre, prospective audit

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of patients presenting with small bowel obstruction (SBO), along with associated nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: 131 UK hospitals with acute surgical services. Participants: 2069 adult patients with a diagnosis of SBO were included in this study. The mean age was 67.0 years and 54.7% were female. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes recorded included: major complications (composite of in-hospital mortality, reoperation, unplanned intensive care admission and 30-day readmission), complications arising from surgery (anastomotic leak, wound dehiscence), infection (pneumonia, surgical site infection, intra-abdominal infection, urinary tract infection, venous catheter infection), cardiac complications, venous thromboembolism and delirium. Results: Postoperative adhesions were the most common cause of SBO (49.1%). Early surgery (<24 hours postadmission) took place in 30.0% of patients, 22.0% underwent delayed operation and 47.9% were managed non-operatively. Malnutrition as stratified by Nutritional Risk Index was common, with 35.7% at moderate risk and 5.7% at severe risk of malnutrition. Dietitian review occurred in just 36.4% and 55.9% of the moderate and severe risk groups. In the low risk group, 30.3% received nutritional intervention compared with 40.7% in moderate risk group and 62.7% in severe risk group. In comparison to the low risk group, patients who were at severe or moderate risk of malnutrition had 4.2 and 2.4 times higher unadjusted risk of in-hospital mortality, respectively. Propensity-matched analysis found no difference in outcomes based on use or timing of parenteral nutrition. Conclusions: Malnutrition on admission is associated with worse outcomes in patients with SBO, and marked variation in management of malnutrition was observed. Future trials should focus on identifying effective and cost-effective nutritional interventions in SBO