Biosorption of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) from contaminated water using charred tea waste

The goal of this study is to develop charred tea waste (CTW) via chemical process for the removal of Cr(VI) from contaminated water. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted as a function of pH, initial concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage. Characterization of the adsorbent was analyzed by FT-IR and XRD. Maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of the CTW was found to be 85.32 mg/g at optimum pH 2 in 120 minutes. The adsorption on CTW was well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm and the kinetic data is consistent with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The findings suggest that CTW could be an efficient and promising adsorbent for the removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

Biosorption of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) from contaminated water using charred tea waste

The goal of this study is to develop charred tea waste (CTW) via chemical process for the removal of Cr(VI) from contaminated water. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted as a function of pH, initial concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage. Characterization of the adsorbent was analyzed by FT-IR and XRD. Maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of the CTW was found to be 85.32 mg/g at optimum pH 2 in 120 minutes. The adsorption on CTW was well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm and the kinetic data is consistent with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The findings suggest that CTW could be an efficient and promising adsorbent for the removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

Molecular Docking and ADMET Prediction of Compounds from Piper longum L. Detected by GC-MS Analysis in Diabetes Management

Medicinal plants have been utilized traditionally for therapeutics against various diseases. This study focuses on identifying bioactive compounds present in the fruit of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extract of Piper longum L. through GC-MS analysis. The molecular level computational exploration of its phytocompounds against diabetes through molecular docking and ADMET prediction was carried out. The results of the GC-MS analysis unveiled the presence of 33 different phytochemicals and the Molecular docking revealed that 5,6-dihydroergosterol, β-sitosterol, and piperine demonstrated better binding affinities of -9.7 kcal/mol, -9.5 kcal/mol, and -7.9 kcal/mol, respectively with α-amylase (PDB ID: 2QV4) and -9.1 kcal/mol, -9.4 kcal/mol and -8.1 kcal/mol respectively with α-glucosidase (PDB ID: 5ZCC). Most of the docked compounds exhibited significant binding with the receptor protein greater than that of the reference drugs (miglitol, voglibose, and metformin). Moreover, the ADMET predictions suggested that the compounds were comparative with the reference drugs. These phytochemicals may be considered promising candidates for addressing diabetes by interfering with the normal functioning of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The study recommends additional in vitro and in vivo experiments to validate the preliminary in silico results

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial study of silver nanoparticles using methanolic fraction of Artemisia vulgaris leaf

Rational selection of active biomolecules in the synthesis of nanoparticles for reducing the precursor and functionalizing the nanoparticles (NPs) can offer remarkable comeback of biocompatibility and biological applicability. This work aimed at the synthesis of a cost-effective, ecofriendly, and a facile approach of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using methanolic leaf extract of Artemisia vulgaris. The phytochemical constituents present in the methanolic extract were characterized by qualitative chemical tests and spectroscopic measurements and employed for the reduction of silver nitrate into silver nanoparticles. Formation of AgNPs was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopic measurement. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reflected the presence of characteristic functional groups associated with the phytochemical constituents involved in the formation of nanoparticles. The crystalline phase and morphology of the NPs were assessed form X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. XRD pattern revealed the crystalline nature of nanoparticles with grain size of ∼ 28 nm based on the Debye Scherer formula. Study of antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtili, Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, and fungus Candida albicans exhibited good potential to control the bacterial and fungal growth

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial study of silver nanoparticles using methanolic fraction of Artemisia vulgaris leaf

Rational selection of active biomolecules in the synthesis of nanoparticles for reducing the precursor and functionalizing the nanoparticles (NPs) can offer remarkable comeback of biocompatibility and biological applicability. This work aimed at the synthesis of a cost-effective, ecofriendly, and a facile approach of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using methanolic leaf extract of Artemisia vulgaris. The phytochemical constituents present in the methanolic extract were characterized by qualitative chemical tests and spectroscopic measurements and employed for the reduction of silver nitrate into silver nanoparticles. Formation of AgNPs was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopic measurement. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reflected the presence of characteristic functional groups associated with the phytochemical constituents involved in the formation of nanoparticles. The crystalline phase and morphology of the NPs were assessed form X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. XRD pattern revealed the crystalline nature of nanoparticles with grain size of ∼ 28 nm based on the Debye Scherer formula. Study of antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtili, Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, and fungus Candida albicans exhibited good potential to control the bacterial and fungal growth

The COVID‐19 Pandemic Not Only Poses Challenges, but Also Opens Opportunities for Sustainable Transformation

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social, economic, and environmental systems worldwide, slowing down and reversing the progress made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGs belong to the 2030 Agenda to transform our world by tackling humankind's challenges to ensure well-being, economic prosperity, and environmental protection. We explore the potential impacts of the pandemic on SDGs for Nepal. We followed a knowledge co-creation process with experts from various professional backgrounds, involving five steps: online survey, online workshop, assessment of expert's opinions, review and validation, and revision and synthesis. The pandemic has negatively impacted most SDGs in the short term. Particularly, the targets of SDG 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13 have and will continue to have weakly to moderately restricting impacts. However, a few targets of SDG 2, 3, 6, and 11 could also have weakly promoting impacts. The negative impacts have resulted from impeding factors linked to the pandemic. Many of the negative impacts may subside in the medium and long terms. The key five impeding factors are lockdowns, underemployment and unemployment, closure of institutions and facilities, diluted focus and funds for non-COVID-19-related issues, and anticipated reduction in support from development partners. The pandemic has also opened a window of opportunity for sustainable transformation, which is short-lived and narrow. These opportunities are lessons learned for planning and action, socio-economic recovery plan, use of information and communication technologies and the digital economy, reverse migration and “brain gain,” and local governments' exercising authorities

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Ending the global tobacco epidemic is a defining challenge in global health. Timely and comprehensive estimates of the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden are needed to guide tobacco control efforts nationally and globally. Methods We estimated the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden for 204 countries and territories, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2019 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. We modelled multiple smoking-related indicators from 3625 nationally representative surveys. We completed systematic reviews and did Bayesian meta-regressions for 36 causally linked health outcomes to estimate non-linear dose-response risk curves for current and former smokers. We used a direct estimation approach to estimate attributable burden, providing more comprehensive estimates of the health effects of smoking than previously available. Findings Globally in 2019, 1.14 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1.13-1.16) individuals were current smokers, who consumed 7.41 trillion (7.11-7.74) cigarette-equivalents of tobacco in 2019. Although prevalence of smoking had decreased significantly since 1990 among both males (27.5% [26. 5-28.5] reduction) and females (37.7% [35.4-39.9] reduction) aged 15 years and older, population growth has led to a significant increase in the total number of smokers from 0.99 billion (0.98-1.00) in 1990. Globally in 2019, smoking tobacco use accounted for 7.69 million (7.16-8.20) deaths and 200 million (185-214) disability-adjusted life-years, and was the leading risk factor for death among males (20.2% [19.3-21.1] of male deaths). 6.68 million [86.9%] of 7.69 million deaths attributable to smoking tobacco use were among current smokers. Interpretation In the absence of intervention, the annual toll of 7.69 million deaths and 200 million disability-adjusted life-years attributable to smoking will increase over the coming decades. Substantial progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking tobacco use has been observed in countries from all regions and at all stages of development, but a large implementation gap remains for tobacco control. Countries have a dear and urgent opportunity to pass strong, evidence-based policies to accelerate reductions in the prevalence of smoking and reap massive health benefits for their citizens. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of chewing tobacco use in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. Findings In 2019, 273 center dot 9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 center dot 5 to 290 center dot 9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 center dot 72% (4 center dot 46 to 5 center dot 01). 228 center dot 2 million (213 center dot 6 to 244 center dot 7; 83 center dot 29% [82 center dot 15 to 84 center dot 42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global agestandardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 center dot 21% [-1 center dot 26 to -1 center dot 16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 center dot 46% [0 center dot 13 to 0 center dot 79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 center dot 94% [-1 center dot 72 to -0 center dot 14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Summary Background Chewing tobacco and other types of smokeless tobacco use have had less attention from the global health community than smoked tobacco use. However, the practice is popular in many parts of the world and has been linked to several adverse health outcomes. Understanding trends in prevalence with age, over time, and by location and sex is important for policy setting and in relation to monitoring and assessing commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Methods We estimated prevalence of chewing tobacco use as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 using a modelling strategy that used information on multiple types of smokeless tobacco products. We generated a time series of prevalence of chewing tobacco use among individuals aged 15 years and older from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories, including age-sex specific estimates. We also compared these trends to those of smoked tobacco over the same time period. Findings In 2019, 273 & middot;9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 & middot;5 to 290 & middot;9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 & middot;72% (4 & middot;46 to 5 & middot;01). 228 & middot;2 million (213 & middot;6 to 244 & middot;7; 83 & middot;29% [82 & middot;15 to 84 & middot;42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global age standardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 & middot;21% [-1 & middot;26 to -1 & middot;16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 & middot;46% [0 & middot;13 to 0 & middot;79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 & middot;94% [-1 & middot;72 to -0 & middot;14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. Copyright (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe