Crude oil bioremediation in Arctic seashore sediments

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015Oil is an important energy source but also an environment pollutant. Crude oil spills along Arctic shorelines might occur due to the expected increase in offshore oil production. To reduce adverse effects on the environment in the case of a spill, it is important to develop approaches to remove spilled oil. Bioremediation with addition of nutrients has shown promising results in enhancing oil degradation rates. This research focuses on determining the effect of different environmental conditions on the rate of crude oil biodegradation in laboratory experiments, as a proxy for oil spills at Arctic seashores. Laboratory microcosms were set up containing beach sediments collected from Barrow, spiked with North Slope Crude. These microcosms were incubated at varying temperatures (3°C vs. 20°C), salinities (30 vs. 35 g/L) and crude oil concentrations (1 vs. 5 mL/kg), all with a standard concentration of nutrients. Measurements of respiration rates (breakdown of hydrocarbons to CO₂), hydrocarbons remaining in the sediment (GC/FID), and hydrocarbons volatilized and sorbed to activated carbon (GC/MS) were performed. In all microcosms, higher respiration rates by naturally occurring microorganisms were observed at 20ºC compared to 3°C. Surprisingly, volatile organic compounds (VOC) release was similar at both temperatures, for different crude oil concentration and salinities. High total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) levels remained at 3°C for microcosms with high initial crude oil concentration. Regardless of temperature, increased salinity had a positive impact on the rate of crude oil removal, i.e. high CO₂ release, high VOC production and low amount of TPH in sediments. At higher crude oil dosages, a larger amount of volatiles was released, however CO₂ production did not significantly increase with the contaminant concentration. The results of this study will assist decision-makers in choosing effective spill response strategies for future crude oil spills in Arctic shorelines

Role of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to escitalopram in patients of major depressive disorder: a 8 week prospective, randomized, interventional, clinical study

Background: Depression is a major public health problem and occurs in persons of all ages, and is associated with increased morbidity, soaring costs for treatment and reduced productivity and quality of life. Vitamin D is involved in numerous brain processes including neuroimmunomodulation, neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, regulation of neurotrophic factors, and making it biologically plausible to be associated with depression. Aim of the present study is to compare the therapeutic effects of vitamin D given along with escitalopram versus escitalopram given alone in patients with major depressive disorder.  Methods: In this prospective, randomized, interventional clinical study, 60 patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on ICD-10 criteria were randomly assigned into two groups, one group received 60000IU vitamin D3 weekly plus 10 mg escitalopram OD daily while the other group received escitalopram10 mg OD daily alone for 8 weeks. Depression severity was assessed at 2-week intervals using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were measured in all the patients at baseline and after intervention.Result: Fifty nine patients completed the trial. Depression severity based on HDRS decreased significantly after intervention, with a significant difference between the two groups. The vitamin D3+escitalopram combination was significantly better than escitalopram alone from the fourth week of treatment. Conclusion: Role of vitamin D in mood disorder and its dietary supplementation is effective as an adjuvant treatment along with SSRIs in depressive disorders, especially in vitamin D deficient patients

Comparative evaluation of itopride and domperidone in gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) presents in various ways in terms of symptoms and severity. This study was conducted to assess the severity of GERD patients and to evaluate the effect of itopride and domperidone on symptoms and severity of GERD.Methods: A single-blind study was carried out in 70 patients. Group A (n=35) patients were kept on itopride therapy, 50 mg thrice a day before meal. Group B (n=35) patients were kept on domperidone therapy, 10 mg thrice a day before meal. Patients of both groups were given rabeprazole, 20 mg once a day for hyperacidity. Patients served their own control. Each patient was followed-up at 2 weeks interval up to 8 weeks.Results: The most common symptom was heartburn, present in 95.71% patients. Regurgitation was the next most common symptom (65.71%). The most common lesion seen endoscopically (according to Savary Miller classification) was grade I (38.57%). In 24.29% patient, only symptoms of GERD were present without any endoscopically visible mucosal injury. At the end of 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, relief of symptoms was more with a combination of itopride and rabeprazole in comparison to the combination of domperidane and rabeprazole, but the difference was statistically insignificant. Healing rate at the end of 4th and 8th week was slight better with a combination of itopride and rabeprazole, but the difference again was statistically insignificant.Conclusion: Combination of itopride and rabeprazole showed insignificantly better results, both symptomatically and endoscopically in comparison to the combination of domperidone and rabeprazole

Innovative first order elimination kinetics working model for easy learning

Background:  General pharmacology is the backbone of therapeutic pharmacology. In general pharmacology, pharmacokinetics is a very difficult topic for undergraduate medical students. Knowledge of the kinetics and of the effects of drugs is necessary for the correct use of drugs in therapy. As in the body most of the drugs follow first order elimination kinetics, so it is necessary for all students to know about basic concept of first order kinetics. This can be easily understood by using working models. Our present study is a step in that direction. The objective of this study was planned to develop first order elimination kinetics working models to teach pharmacokinetics principle to the under graduate medical students.Methods: The current study was planned and executed by the department of pharmacology in SHKM government medical college, Mewat, Haryana, India in the first quarter of 2016. This model was developed from household waste materials like thermocol sheets, coke bottles, waste water pipe, colour etc.Results: As we know learning is better with live experimentation as compare to theoretical learning, so difficult topics such as elimination kinetics will be taught by help of working models.Conclusions: First order elimination kinetics is easily understood with the help of above working model. More and more working models could be developed for teaching difficult topics

Evaluation of dose dependent analgesic response by extracts of Myristica fragrans on albino wistar rats: an experimental study

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate analgesic activity of ethanolic extract, methanol and benzene fraction of Myristica fragrans on wistar albino rats.Methods: The present study was carried out in the department of pharmacology JNMC AMU and F.H. Medical College, Agra. The analgesic activity was evaluated by employing the Eddy’s hot plate method and tail flick response method. In both the tests, Rats of either sex weighing 150-200 g were used. The total number of animals n=36 were allocated to six groups. Each group consist of six animals each. The response noted in animals that were tested by hot plate method was reaction time for licking/biting of both the paws before and after administration of control & test drugs. However in Tail flick test, the pain threshold response was recorded before and after administration of control & test drugs. The statistical analysis was done by using one-way ANOVA. The data is expressed as Mean±SEM. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Ethanolic extracts and methanol fraction of M. fragrans showed statistically significant (p<0.001) increase in reaction time for licking/biting in hot plate method. On the contrary a significant increase in pain threshold was also recorded in tail flick response test. It is interesting to note that no significant degree of analgesia related to any dose of benzene fraction was observed.Conclusions: The present study reveals the dose dependent significant analgesic activity of the extracts of M. fragrans i.e. ethanolic extracts and methanol fraction in both the test. However, the degree of analgesia was recorded significantly higher in groups received higher doses of extracts of M. fragrans

An Enhanced Massive Black Hole Occupation Fraction Predicted in Cluster Dwarf Galaxies

The occupation fraction of massive black holes (MBHs) in low mass galaxies offers interesting insights into initial black hole seeding mechanisms and their mass assembly history, though disentangling these two effects remains challenging. Using the Romulus cosmological simulations we examine the impact of environment on the occupation fraction of MBHs in low mass galaxies. Unlike most modern cosmological simulations, Romulus seeds MBHs based on local gas properties, selecting very dense, pristine, and rapidly collapsing regions in the early Universe as sites to host MBHs without assuming anything about MBH occupation as a function of galaxy stellar mass, or halo mass, a priori. The simulations predict that dwarf galaxies with M$_{\star}<10^9$ M$_{\odot}$ in cluster environments are approximately two times more likely to host a MBH compared to those in the field. The predicted occupation fractions are remarkably consistent with those of nuclear star clusters. Across cluster and field environments, dwarf galaxies with earlier formation times are more likely to host a MBH. Thus, while the MBH occupation function is similar between cluster and field environments at high redshift ($z>3$), a difference arises as late-forming dwarfs -- which do not exist in the cluster environment -- begin to dominate in the field and pull the MBH occupation fraction down for low mass galaxies. Additionally, prior to in-fall some cluster dwarfs are similar to progenitors of massive, isolated galaxies, indicating that they might have grown to higher masses had they not been impeded by the cluster environment. While the population of MBHs in dwarf galaxies is already widely understood to be important for understanding MBH formation, this work demonstrates that environmental dependence is important to consider as future observations search for low mass black holes in dwarf galaxies.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, to be submitted to the Open Journal of Astrophysic

Problem-based learning versus lecture-based learning in pharmacology in a junior doctor teaching program: a crossover study from northern India

Background: The undergraduate MBBS training in our country is still in the traditional mode. The main part of the curriculum consists of lecture, tutorial, practical and ward teaching classes with a limited number of problem based session. The objective of the study was undertaken to compare PBL with LBL in terms of students’ knowledge retention in the subject of Pharmacology in undergraduate medical training.Methods: The current survey was planned and executed by the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Medical Education Unit, MSDS Medical College, Fatehgarh in the batch currently posted in the Department of Pharmacology for practical classes. Fifty MBBS students posted were enrolled for the study and were divided in 2 groups. One of the topics was presented as LBL for the first group and as PBL for the second group. The other topic was presented as PBL for the first group and as LBL for the second group. Intervention and control groups were taken as those used PBL and LBL respectively. T test was used to compare mean scores obtained by students in the intervention and control groups.Results: Mean scores obtained by students in the intervention group (topics learnt with PBL) were higher (3.80 Vs 2.84) than mean scores obtained by students in the control group (topics learnt with LBL). Mean scores obtained by students in the intervention group were higher (3.72 Vs 2.96) than mean scores obtained by students in the control group.Conclusions: The current study indicates usefulness of Problem-based learning (PBL) over Lecture-based Learning (LBL) in terms of retention of knowledge. However further studies involving more number of students are warranted in order to generate stronger evidence on this tool for improving medical education in our setup.

Comparison of Antibacterial Efficacy of Combination of Turmeric and Calcium Hydroxide with Three Intracanal Medicaments against Various Endodontic Bacteria: An in vitro Study

Introduction: An intracanal medicament have an antibacterial&nbsp;effect on the root canal flora. The effectiveness of different&nbsp;available intracanal medicaments and search for new&nbsp;antibacterial agents to use as intracanal medicament to&nbsp;ensure success of our treatment is today’s need. Curcumin&nbsp;(diferuloymthane) main yellow bioactive component of turmeric&nbsp;has wide spectrum of biological actions and this provides a&nbsp;basis for exploring its endodontic applications.&nbsp;Aim: To determine antibacterial efficacy of Curcuma longa&nbsp;(turmeric) against root canal microorganism and compare its&nbsp; efficacy with calcium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide+ turmeric&nbsp;and metapex.&nbsp;Materials and methods: For an antibacterial assessment&nbsp;samples were divided into four groups as group 1 calciumhydroxide group 2 calcium hydroxide + turmeric oleoresin&nbsp;group 3 turmeric oleoresin group 4 metapex. Each group was&nbsp;tested against following root canal pathogens S. aureas, E. coli,&nbsp;E. feacalis by agar well diffusion method. Inhibition zone was&nbsp;recorded at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results were tabulated andsent for statistical analysis.&nbsp;Result: Maximum inhibition of E.feacalis, E.coli, S. aureas&nbsp;is shown by combination of turmeric oleoresin and calcium&nbsp;hydroxide, i.e., group 2 followed by group metapex and then&nbsp;calcium hydroxide.&nbsp;Conclusion: Turmeric extract has substantial antibacterial&nbsp;effect and its combination with calcium hydroxide increases&nbsp;its antibacterial efficacy against all important root canal&nbsp;pathogens. So turmeric has great potential to be used as&nbsp;intracanal medicament&nbsp

Metabolic effects of oral vitamin D supplementation as an adjuvant therapy on subjects with type 2 diabetes

Background: It is common for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to have vitamin D deficiency. Aim of the study is to determine the metabolic effects of oral vitamin D supplementation in a cohort of T2DM subjects.Methods: Subjects with T2DM were divided into two groups. Group A (Control) included subjects who received the standard treatment (conventional antidiabetic drugs). Group B (Intervention), apart from the standard treatment (conventional antidiabetic drugs), was also supplemented with Vitamin D3. All the patients were followed up at baseline, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months.Results: Vitamin D deficiency was noted down in all the study subjects. Even after 18 months of supplementation, all subjects remained vitamin D deficient. There was a significant improvement in the circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Improvement in the lipid profile of subjects was observed as evidenced by a decrease in total cholesterol (5.0±0.92 mmol/l) as compared to baseline (5.5±1.6 mmol/l). HOMA-IR changed significantly after 18 months of supplementation from baseline (7.0±1.06 vs 10.8±1.96 nmol/l).Conclusions: Supplementation to achieve higher levels of vitamin D remains a promising adjuvant therapy for T2DM patients. Additionally, the intervention brought out a favourable change in HDL/LDL ratio among study subjects