Fabrication of PVA-Silver nanoparticle composite film for elimination of microbial contaminant from effluent

The effluent contains many harmful microbes which should be eliminated before it is discharged into a water body. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) being high-quality significance and have a great impact on this research field as it inhibits microbial proliferation and infection. Therefore, it may use for Bioremediation purposes, our laboratory is fascinated by the production of polymer matrix entrapment silver nanoparticles for in situ bio-remediation purposes. The AgNPs was prepared from sawdust by decoction method. The yellowish solution turns into dark brown colour indicating the formation of AgNPs. A sharp SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) band formation in UV-vis spectroscopy scan establishes the formation and stability of silver nanoparticles in an aqueous solution. SEM microphotograph indicated roughly spheroidal structure with (63±3) nm average diameters of newly synthesized AgNp. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is eco-friendly and non-toxic to the environment was chosen for the preparation of polymeric matrix. The non-toxic concentration (1 μg/mL) of AgNp was dispersed into PVA solution followed by cross-linked with maleic acid. PVA- maleic acid is cross-linked by the formation of an ester bond, whereas silver nanoparticles physically entrap into the cross-linked matrix. The silver nanoparticles were released from the matrix nearly after 10 min of swelling of the composite film. In a microbial assay using E. coli agar medium, PVA-AgNp composite film shows the significant killing of microorganisms. Microbial elimination is measured indirectly by pH measurement and dissolved oxygen concentration measurement of the effluent in situ against RO- water, taken as control. The dissolved oxygen concentration from RO water and effluent water was measured on Day “0” followed by treatment and incubation at the BOD chamber. The treatment with PVA-AgNp composite film reduced the BOD Level and increase dissolved oxygen level simultaneously increasing the quality of water

2016 Research & Innovation Day Program

A one day showcase of applied research, social innovation, scholarship projects and activities.https://first.fanshawec.ca/cri_cripublications/1003/thumbnail.jp

Bilateral symmetrical corneal melting following intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guerin therapy for bladder carcinoma

A 63-year-old man with unremarkable previous ocular history presented with bilateral symmetrical corneal ulceration along with mucopurulent conjunctivitis and dry eye 10 days after the fourth dose of intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation for treatment of bladder carcinoma. Slit lamp examination revealed thinning of the cornea at the base of the ulcer in both eyes. Conjunctival swab and scraping from ulcer sent for Gram and acid fast bacilli stain and culture were negative. On the basis of history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations, we diagnosed it as bilateral immune mediated sterile corneal ulceration along with mucopurulent conjunctivitis and dry eye. He was treated with topical antibiotics, cycloplegics, cyclosporine, lubricant gel, and bandage contact lens. There was progressive stromal melting, descemetocele formation, and perforation in the inferior part of cornea in both the eyes. He was treated with pulse steroid and paramedian tarsorraphy in both eyes. The patient was subsequently lost to follow-up. We report this case to highlight this rare complication of BCG therapy, in order to improve their management protocol in patients with similar clinical profile. We could not find a similar case after thorough PubMed search

Mapping geographical inequalities in oral rehydration therapy coverage in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17

Abstract Background: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a form of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) for diarrhoea that has the potential to drastically reduce child mortality; yet, according to UNICEF estimates, less than half of children younger than 5 years with diarrhoea in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) received ORS in 2016. A variety of recommended home fluids (RHF) exist as alternative forms of ORT; however, it is unclear whether RHF prevent child mortality. Previous studies have shown considerable variation between countries in ORS and RHF use, but subnational variation is unknown. This study aims to produce high-resolution geospatial estimates of relative and absolute coverage of ORS, RHF, and ORT (use of either ORS or RHF) in LMICs. Methods: We used a Bayesian geostatistical model including 15 spatial covariates and data from 385 household surveys across 94 LMICs to estimate annual proportions of children younger than 5 years of age with diarrhoea who received ORS or RHF (or both) on continuous continent-wide surfaces in 2000–17, and aggregated results to policy-relevant administrative units. Additionally, we analysed geographical inequality in coverage across administrative units and estimated the number of diarrhoeal deaths averted by increased coverage over the study period. Uncertainty in the mean coverage estimates was calculated by taking 250 draws from the posterior joint distribution of the model and creating uncertainty intervals (UIs) with the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles of those 250 draws. Findings: While ORS use among children with diarrhoea increased in some countries from 2000 to 2017, coverage remained below 50% in the majority (62·6%; 12 417 of 19 823) of second administrative-level units and an estimated 6 519 000 children (95% UI 5 254 000–7 733 000) with diarrhoea were not treated with any form of ORT in 2017. Increases in ORS use corresponded with declines in RHF in many locations, resulting in relatively constant overall ORT coverage from 2000 to 2017. Although ORS was uniformly distributed subnationally in some countries, within-country geographical inequalities persisted in others; 11 countries had at least a 50% difference in one of their units compared with the country mean. Increases in ORS use over time were correlated with declines in RHF use and in diarrhoeal mortality in many locations, and an estimated 52 230 diarrhoeal deaths (36 910–68 860) were averted by scaling up of ORS coverage between 2000 and 2017. Finally, we identified key subnational areas in Colombia, Nigeria, and Sudan as examples of where diarrhoeal mortality remains higher than average, while ORS coverage remains lower than average. Interpretation: To our knowledge, this study is the first to produce and map subnational estimates of ORS, RHF, and ORT coverage and attributable child diarrhoeal deaths across LMICs from 2000 to 2017, allowing for tracking progress over time. Our novel results, combined with detailed subnational estimates of diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality, can support subnational needs assessments aimed at furthering policy makers’ understanding of within-country disparities. Over 50 years after the discovery that led to this simple, cheap, and life-saving therapy, large gains in reducing mortality could still be made by reducing geographical inequalities in ORS coverage