Global health concern of cyanotoxins in surface water and its various detection methods

Water is an absolutely required resource for life nourishment especially for the purpose of drinking, domestic and farming. People in various part of the world are under prodigious threat due to unenviable changes in the physical-chemical and biological properties of an ecosystem. Due to anthropogenic causes like industrialization, the use of fertilizers and urbanization leads to highly polluted water bodies that include fresh and brackish water. These changes influence the harmful growth of cyanobacteria that is blue green algae. cyanoHABs (Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms)  became a worldwide threat to drinking and recreational purpose due to its adopting nature according to the temperature fluctuations. In this study, a basic introduction to cyanotoxins as well as the entanglement of public health that includes route of exposure health effects and the pervasive impact of cyanotoxins and alleviation efforts in the waterbodies along with that the toxicosis. Cyanobacterial toxins such as hepatotoxicosis, neurotoxicosis, gastrointestinal disturbances respiratory and allergic reactions were reviewed. Their detection process and the treatment techniques with various physicochemical methods and bioassay methods were also reviewed

: Hibridni samopodešavajući fuzzy PID regulator za upravljanje brzinom bezkolektorskog istosmjernog motora

The objective of the proposed work is to investigate the performance of hybrid self tuned fuzzy proportional integral derivative (STFPID) controller for brushless DC (BLDC) motor drive. The proposed hybrid STFPID controller includes a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller at steady state, a PID type self tuned fuzzy logic (FL) controller (STFLC) at transient state thereby combining the merits of both the controllers. The switching function incorporated in the controller ensures desired control response at various operating conditions by appropriately switching between PID and STFPID based on speed error. A detailed simulation study and performance comparison with other control approaches is performed to highlight the merits of the proposed work. The simulation results indicate that the proposed controller is robust with fast tracking capability and less steady state error. The experimental results are provided to validate the simulation study.Cilj ovog rada je istražiti performance hibridnog samopodešavajućeg regulatora za bezkolektorski istosmjerni motor. Predloženi hibridni samopodešavajući fuzzy regulator uključuje PID regulator u stacionarnom stanju i samopodešavajući fuzzy PID regulator (STFLC) za vrijeme trajanja prijelazne pojave kombinirajući prednosti oba regulatora. Funkcija prekapčanja regulatora omogućava upravljanje u različitim uvjetima odgovarajućim odabirom između PID i samopodešavajućeg fuzzy PID regulatora na temelju brzine pogreške. Provedena je detaljna simulacijska analiza i usporedba performanci s ostalim metodama upravljanja kako bi se istaknule prednosti predloženog rada. Iz simulacijskih rezultata je vidljivo je robusno svojstvo predloženenog regulatora te smanjena pogreška u stacionarnom stanju. Sustav pravljanja testiran je i eksperimentalno kao potvrda simulacijskih rezultata

INCIDENCE OF POST-OPERATIVE ADR OF ANESTHETICS IN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL: CLINICAL PHARMACIST PERSPECTIVES

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of anesthetics in various general surgical conditions and to identify the adverse clinical outcomes of anesthetics in post-operative patients using questionnaire and verbal rating scale (VRS) score and to assess the treatment pattern of adverse clinical outcomes of anesthetics.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in the Inpatient Department of General Surgery and ICU in S.R.M Medical College Hospital and Research Center involving patients up to 65 years of age. A total of 160 patients were recruited for the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patient demographics, medical history, type of surgery, type of anesthetics, duration of anesthesia, ASA Grade physical status, system examination, general examination, vital signs, and anesthetics drugs were assessed using pro forma. Adverse clinical outcomes of anesthetics were assessed using VRS score. Day of incidence of adverse outcomes was also monitored, and management of post-operative side effects and its effectiveness were assessed.Results: During the study period, approximately 50% of the patient's undergone general anesthetics reported post-operative pain. The incidence of post-operative nausea/vomiting, sore throat, and cough was highest in patient's undergone general anesthetics. The adverse outcomes were measured by VRS score, showed that mild adverse outcomes were predominated.Conclusion: Patients who undergone general anesthetics developed high risk of adverse outcomes. The post-operative recovery of the patientwas the main challenge. If an adverse drug reaction is not monitored the patients satisfaction can be weakened in general surgery. Hence, it isconcluded that pharmacists can play a major role in assessing adverse clinical outcomes and its management

Comparative study of selected indoor concentration from selective laser sintering process using virgin and recycled polyamide nylon (pa12)

Additive manufacturing (AM) stands out as one of the promising technologies that have huge potential towards manufacturing industry. The study on additive manufacturing impact on the environment and occupational exposure are attracting growing attention recently. However, most of the researcher focus on desktop and fused deposition modelling type and less attention given to the industrial type of AM. Usually, during the selective laser sintering process, recycle powder will be used again to reduce cost and waste. This article compares the PM 2.5, carbon dioxide (CO2) and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration between virgin and recycles powder using polyamide-nylon (PA12) towards indoor concentration. Four phases of sampling involve during air sampling accordingly to the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 by DOSH Malaysia. It was found that PM 2.5 and CO2 concentration are mainly generated during the pre-printing process. The recycle powder tended to appear higher compared to virgin powder in terms of PM 2.5, and CO2. The peak value of PM 2.5 is 1452 μg/m3 and CO2 is 1218 ppm are obtained during the pre-printing process during 8 hours of sampling. TVOC concentration from recycling powder is slightly higher during the post- printing phase where confirm the influence of the powder cake and PA12 temperature from the printing process. In summary, this work proves that elective laser sintering (SLS) machine operators are exposed to a significant amount of exposure during the SLS printing process. Mitigation strategies and personal protective equipment are suggested to reduce occupational exposure

Comparative Study of Ram Air Turbines based on Wind Tunnel Study for Specific Air Borne Energy Extraction

Ram Air Turbines (RAT) are used for emergency on-board power generation on aircraft and associated systems. Many studies on usage of RATs have shown promising results in terms of using RATs as a source of emergency on-board power generation. Many external podded systems on aircraft utilise RATs for self-sufficient adaptation. These pods generate their own power using RATs for their power requirements instead of depending on the mother aircraft power. Commercial cargo planes use RATs for generating emergency hydraulic power. A RAT was suggested to be used for emergency power, during failure of main alternator on a prototype aircraft. A specific requirement of the RAT was also to produce high drag for aerodynamic braking when deployed and concurrently generate electrical energy. Three models with different solidity were studied in wind tunnel at different wind speeds for suitability of this drag-energy combination. This paper presents the results of the study. Based on the results, a suitable RAT was selected for further analysis and ground trials

Prescribing pattern and adverse drug reactions monitoring in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis which requires lifelong treatment to prevent the damage to joints and to maintain day to day functioning of patients. All the drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis show significant toxicity and hence it is very important that their use require regular monitoring for adverse reactions. The present study is designed to estimate the prescribing pattern and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from July 2014 to September 2014 in rheumatology outpatient department.75 patients who fulfilled the study criteria were observed for 3 months. Their prescriptions were collected and analysed. The CSDCO reporting forms were used for the collection of adverse drug reactions. Causality assessment was done by using WHO-UMC scoring system and severity assessment by modified Hartwig and Siegel scale.Results: The study group consists of 85.6 % female. Majority of them were in age group 40-49 years. Average number of drugs per prescription was 4.97.Out of 75 patients, 57.33% were on single DMARD, and 33.33% required 2 DMARDs and 9.33% were prescribed 3 DMARDs. A total of 64 adverse drug reactions were reported out of which 29.6% was due to glucocorticoids, 25% was due to the use of NSAIDS and steroids. Chloroquine maculopathy occurred in 2 patients and elevated liver enzymes occurred in 6 patients due to methotrexate which necessitated DMARD withdrawal. Eight percent of the ADRs were severe.Conclusions: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is based on DMARDs and glucocorticoids where it is difficult to prevent the occurrence of ADRs. Consistent monitoring of therapy is needed for early recognition of ADRs and prompt action

Optical spectroscopic and polarization properties of 2011 outburst of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis

We study the spectroscopic and ionized structural evolution of T Pyx during its 2011 outburst, and also study the variation in degree of polarization during its early phase. Optical spectroscopic data of this system obtained from day 1.28--2415.62 since discovery, and optical, broadband imaging polarimetric observations obtained from day 1.36--29.33 during the early phases of the outburst are used in the study. The physical conditions and the geometry of the ionized structure of the nova ejecta has been modelled for a few epochs using the photo-ionization code, CLOUDY in 1D and pyCloudy in 3D. The spectral evolution of the nova ejecta during its 2011 outburst is similar to that of the previous outbursts. The variation in the line profiles is seen very clearly in the early stages due to good coverage during this period. The line profiles vary from P-Cygni (narrower, deeper and sharper) to emission profiles which are broader and structured, which later become narrower and sharper in the late post-outburst phase. The average ejected mass is estimated to be $7.03\, \times\, 10^{-6}\, M_{\odot}$. The ionized structure of the ejecta is found to be a bipolar conical structure with equatorial rings, with a low inclination angle of $14.75^\circ\, \pm\, 0.65^\circ$.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures, accepted in A&

OPTIMIZATION OF STARCH GLYCOLATE AS NOVEL SUPERDISINTEGRANT IN THE FORMULATION OF GLIPIZIDE FAST DISSOLVING TABLETS THROUGH 23FACTORIAL DESIGN

Objective: To synthesize, characterize and evaluate starch glycolate as a superdisintegrant in the formulation of Glipizide fast dissolving tablets by employing 23 factorial designs. Methods: Starch glycolate was prepared and its physical and micromeritic properties were performed to evaluate it. The fast dissolving tablet of Glipizide was prepared by employing starch crotonate as a superdisintegrant in different proportions in each case by direct compression method using 23 factorial design for the evaluation of tablet parameters like disintegration and dissolution efficiency in 5 min. Results: The starch glycolate prepared was found to be fine, free-flowing and amorphous. Starch glycolate exhibited good swelling in water with a swelling index (10%). The study of starch glycolate was shown by fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The drug content (100±5%), hardness (3.5–4 kg/sq. cm), and friability (<0.15%) was been effective with regard to all the formulated fast dissolving tablets employing starch glycolate. The disintegration time of all the formulated tablets was found to be in the range of 13±0.015 to 180±0.014 sec. The optimized formulation F8 had the least disintegration time i.e., 13±0.015 sec. The wetting time of the tablets was found to be in the range of 8±0.015 to 95±0.013 sec. The In vitro wetting time was less (i.e., 8±0.015s) in optimized formulation F8. The water absorption ratio of the formulated tablets was found to be in the range of 75±0.012 to 150±0.014%. The percent drug dissolved in the optimized formulation F8 was found to be 99.95% in 5 min. Conclusion: Starch glycolate was an efficient superdisintegrant for fast-dissolving tablets. The disintegration and dissolution efficiency of the fast dissolving tablets of glipizide was good and depended on the concentration of superdisintegrant employed i.e., starch glycolate, sodium starch glycolate, crospovidone. The formulated fast dissolving tablets of glipizide exhibited good dissolution efficiency in 5 min which can be used for the fast therapeutic action of glipizide

Plasmepsin inhibitors: design, synthesis, inhibitory studies and crystal structure analysis

Plasmepsin group of enzymes are key enzymes in the life cycle of malarial parasites. As inhibition of plasmepsins leads to the parasite's death, these enzymes can be utilized as potential drug targets. Although many drugs are available, it has been observed that Plasmodium falciparum, the species that causes most of the malarial infections and subsequent death, has developed resistance against most of the drugs. Based on the cleavage sites of hemglobin, the substrate for plasmepsins, we have designed two compounds (p-nitrobenzoyl-leucine-β -alanine and p-nitrobenzoyl-leucine-isonipecotic acid), synthesized them, solved their crystal structures and studied their inhibitory effect using experimental and theoretical (docking) methods. In this paper, we discuss the synthesis, crystal structures and inhibitory nature of these two compounds which have a potential to inhibit plasmepsins

Influence of sediment chemistry on mangrove-phosphobacterial relationship

The study reveals importance of sediment chemistry in mangrove-phosphobacterial relationship. The various physicochemical parameters of sediment, bacterial distribution, and acidic- alkaline phosphatase activity were studied in Avicennia marina mangrove sediments. The sampling sites were four mangrove forests along West India. Rhizospheric, pneumatophoric and bulk/non-rhizospheric sediment were collected. The rhizospheric sediment showed higher bacterial activity. The pH was observed low in the rhizospheric sediment and good abundance of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). This was also supported by other physico-chemical parameters. Acid phosphatase activity was found to be higher in rhizospheric sediment indicating acid production at rhizosphere by microbial action and root exudation. It is the first study indicating that alkaline phosphatase activity was observed to be higher in pneumatophoric sediment. This coincides with higher number of phosphatase-producing bacteria (PPB) and high inorganic P in the pneumatophoric sediment, revealing that this region of A. marina harbours favourably more PPB with utilization of organic P by bacterial load and conversion to inorganic forms stressing that strong bonding exists between mangrove-sediment-phosphobacterial relationships