SALT WATER INTRUSION IN WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS: ANALYSIS, SOLUTION, AND ECO-EFFICIENCY

Since many water distribution systems (WDSs) experience saltwater intrusion, system behavior during saltwater intrusion is important. An alternative to the currently accepted WDS decontamination method of hydrant flushing is needed since during the current procedure all contaminated water is discharged to the surroundings which imposes environmental impacts. Hence, this research was conducted to study salt spread in different WDSs and to seek an alternative to hydrant flushing as a way of WDS decontamination. First, salt contamination was modelled in real water system models to document the salt spread. It was found that (1) if salt enters as a short pulse, it may contaminate different parts at different times; (2) in a multi-reservoir system if any reservoir remains fresh during a salt contamination event, contamination might take a longer time to reach the system edges; and (3) for all system types, time to clear the system from salt contamination is linearly correlated to the rate of salt entry at the source. Second, the performance of a containment pond was evaluated as an alternative to hydrant flushing, in which a pond lined with impermeable material will be constructed in a suitable place. Network modeling was performed, and it was found that (1) a containment pond can be a better option for WDS decontamination from an environmental viewpoint; (2) flushing only into the containment pond cannot clear all areas of the system; and (3) for some systems, some pond locations might be better from an economic perspective, while other locations will be better environmentally. A containment pond also has some environmental impact since the pond requires initial construction. Also, the decontamination time depends on the decontamination option chosen. Finally, a life cycle assessment study was performed using SimaPro for both the decontamination options and the impacts were assessed using IMPACT 2002+. The results show that (1) a containment pond can reduce the environmental impact caused during hydrant flushing alone; (2) using a containment pond can be more effective in an urban area; and (3) the time needed for the decontamination and the area exposed to contaminated water significantly affect environmental impact

Novel dihydropyrimidinone derivatives as potential P-glycoprotein modulators

P-glycoprotein (Pgp), an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter, is an ATP-dependent efflux pump responsible for cancer multidrug resistance. As part of efforts to identify human Pgp (hPgp) inhibitors, we prepared a series of novel triazole-conjugated dihydropyrimidinones using a synthetic approach that is well suited for obtaining compound libraries. Several of these dihydropyrimidinone derivatives modulate human P-glycoprotein (hPgp) activity with low micromolar EC50 values. Molecular docking studies suggest that these compounds bind to the M-site of the transporter

Spread of salt through municipal water distribution systems

Since many water systems in developing countries experience saltwater intrusion from sea-water, system behavior during saltwater intrusion is important. System network modeling was performed here to document the spread of salt for four realistic water systems. It was found that (1) pump status at the time of salt injection is significant, (2) if salt enters as a short pulse, it may contaminate different parts at different times, (3) systems with the source directly connected to the tank may contribute to slower spread of the salt, (4) the maximum concentration of salt might not reach everywhere in the system, (5) in a multi-reservoir system, if any reservoir remains fresh during a salt contamination event, contamination might take a longer time to reach the system edges, and (6) for all system types, the time to clear the system from salt contamination is linearly correlated to the rate of salt entry at the source

Eco-efficiency analysis of water distribution system flushing into a containment Pond

For a salt or other conservative contaminant contamination event in a water distribution system, opening fire hydrants to flush the system is currently an accepted decontamination method. However, all the contaminated flushed water is discharged to the local surroundings of the fire hydrants and imposes an environmental impact. Another system decontamination alternative can be using a containment pond to catch the contaminated water. To reduce environmental impacts of flushing salt from a water distribution system a comparative life cycle assessment study has been performed for both conventional flushing and for flushing contaminated water into a containment pond. This was performed using SimaPro software for both of these decontamination options and the impacts have been assessed using the IMPACT 2002+ methodology. The results show that environmental impacts can be reduced by 25% for rural areas, 69% for urban roads, 61% for urban lawns, and 64% for mixed land use. In addition, a sensitivity analysis reveals the two most sensitive variables resulting in the finding that a 10% change in the time needed for system decontamination led to a 10% change in environmental impact and a 10% change in the area of land exposed to contaminated water discharge led to an 8% change in environmental impact

Identification and clinical implications of circulating cancer associated fibroblasts in lung cancer patients

Objectives: In tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are known to expedite cancer progression (metastasis). CAF-secreted cytokines confer a survival advantage to circulating tumor stem cells (CTSCs) (indicators of residual-disease) facilitating immune system evasion. Collectively, CAFs serve as “bio-incubator'' by providing favourable ''soil'' for their subsequent growth in the circulation during EMT and are thus considered as an important target in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Thus, the aim of this study was to check the presence of circulating CAF (cCAFs) in blood of lung cancer patients as a liquid biopsy approach. Materials and methods: Mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood of non-metastatic lung cancer patients were cultured to confirm the presence of cCAF. CAF-specific marker α-SMA and FAP was used to characterise them using Western blot and real time PCR. Furthermore, correlation between expression of cCAFs and various clinico-pathological parameters were examined. Results: Cultured MNCs showed the presence of cCAFs which was further confirmed by western blotting. All patients were found positive for the presence of cCAFs (α-SMA expression), while healthy individuals lacked this, being α-SMA negative. Moreover, significant trend was observed between different stages of lung cancer patients (p < 0.014), suggesting its probable role in lung cancer progression. Conclusion: Thus, cCAFs could be companion biomarker for the early detection of tumors as well as it could be efficient biomarker for the prediction of metastasis. However, validation of cCAFs as robust marker is still required to be tested in a more number of patients. This should be done using more than one marker associated with CAFs for their clinical application, as it has a potential implication to monitor the effectiveness of a specific cancer therapy and disease progression

Feasibility of an environmentally friendly method of contaminant flushing in water distribution systems using containment ponds

Water distribution system flushing is one way to get rid of contamination. In conventional flushing, all the contaminated water is discharged to the environment, thereby harming it. A new method is proposed here as an alternative solution, in which a containment pond lined with impermeable material will be constructed in a suitable place within the municipality. Network modelling was performed to investigate the feasibility of the new method. It was found that (1) the proposed flushing method can successfully reduce environmental impacts compared to hydrant flushing only, (2) a containment pond cannot clear the system periphery away from the containment pond, (3) the best location of a containment pond is not always at the furthest location from the source reservoir, and (4) for some systems, some pond locations might be better from an economic perspective, while other locations will be better environmentally

A multi-gene expression profile panel for predicting liver metastasis: An algorithmic approach.

BACKGROUND & AIM:Liver metastasis has been found to affect outcome in prostate, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, but its role in lung cancer is unclear. The 5 year survival rate remains extensively low owing to intrinsic resistance to conventional therapy which can be attributed to the genetic modulators involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Thus, this study aims to generate a model for early diagnosis and timely treatment of liver metastasis in lung cancer patients. METHODS:mRNA expression of 15 genes was quantified by real time PCR on lung cancer specimens with (n = 32) and without (n = 30) liver metastasis and their normal counterparts. Principal Component analysis, linear discriminant analysis and hierarchical clustering were conducted to obtain a predictive model. The accuracy of the models was tested by performing Receiver Operating Curve analysis. RESULTS:The expression profile of all the 15 genes were subjected to PCA and LDA analysis and 5 models were generated. ROC curve analysis was performed for all the models and the individual genes. It was observed that out of the 15 genes only 8 genes showed significant sensitivity and specificity. Another model consisting of the selected eight genes was generated showing a specificity and sensitivity of 90.0 and 96.87 respectively (p <0.0001). Moreover, hierarchical clustering showed that tumors with a greater fold change lead to poor prognosis. CONCLUSION:Our study led to the generation of a concise, biologically relevant multi-gene panel that significantly and non-invasively predicts liver metastasis in lung cancer patients

Life cycle assessment for water distribution system decontamination procedures: Fire hydrants and flushing pond

Flushing using fire hydrants is a very common way to get rid of contamination in any water distribution system. Unfortunately, this process directly exposes contaminated water to the environment. This contaminated water can end up in agricultural fields, natural water bodies, and even in treatment plants. One solution can be building a contaminant flushing pond to hold that water; however, the use of the pond also involves some environmental impact beginning from its construction phase. A life cycle assessment study has been performed using SimaPro software for both hydrant flushing and contaminant flushing pond processes, and the impacts have been assessed using the IMPACT 2002+ methodology. The results show that decontamination using flushing ponds can cause less environmental impact than decontamination using fire hydrants

Utility of FNAC in Conjunction with Cell Block for Diagnosing Space-Occupying Lesion (SOL) of Liver with Emphasis on Differentiating Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Metastatic SOL: Analysis of 61 Cases

Objectives: To study the cytological patterns of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) obtained from space-occupying lesions (SOLs) of the liver with an aim to differentiate primary hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic deposits and to evaluate the added advantage and efficacy of studying cell blocks in conjunction with smears for enhancing diagnostic accuracy.   Methods: This prospective study took place over two years (September 2007 to 2009) and included 61 patients with cases of liver SOLs that were clinically or radiologically suspicious for malignancy and who were referred for computed tomography or ultrasonography-guided FNAC. Smears were prepared from the aspirated material, and any remainder was used to make the cell block (n = 55). A final diagnosis was made after evaluating the smears and cell block sections.   Results: On cytomorphology, a diagnosis of moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic carcinoma was made in 10 (18.2%) and 25 (45.5%) cases, respectively, and were confirmed using cell block sections. In cases where it was difficult to differentiate between well-differentiated HCC and regenerative nodules, and between poorly differentiated HCC and poorly differentiated metastatic carcinoma, a final diagnosis was made with the help of cell blocks sections. Cell blocks assisted in reaching a final diagnosis in 16 (29.1%) cases. Cases that were diagnosed using cytomorphology were confirmed by the cell block method. In these 39 (70.9%) cases we were able to render a diagnosis with much more confidence.   Conclusion: In our experience, difficulties in diagnosing SOL liver are attributed to differentiation of the tumor. Cell block preparation gives an additional advantage as architectural details can be studied that help to reach an accurate diagnosis in problematic and challenging cases. Thus, we strongly recommend the use of the cell block technique in conjunction with cytosmears for the purpose of diagnosis