Effect of chelating agents on phytoextraction of Ni from contaminated Soil by Zea mays

The effects of application of CDTA, (CA), DTPA, NTA and FYM on the growth of Zea mays and its Ni uptake and accumulation were investigated using the pot-culture experiments. Application of chelating agents decreased the dry matter yield of roots of Zea mays while, higher values of dry matter yield (11.35 g pot-1) was observedin case of FYM sewage sludge amended soil at 80 days after sowing. FYM addition was found beneficial as compared to control (Ni90). Dry matter yield of shoots of Zea mays increased over control due to application of CDTA and FYM. The highest value of dry matter yield of shoot (86.05 g pot-1) was observed in case of CDTA withsewage sludge amended soil at 80 days after sowing. Whereas reverse trend was observed in NTA, CA and DTPA treated soils. Chelating agents enhanced the Ni uptake by both roots and shoots, higher values of Ni uptake by roots (3415.44 ?g pot-1 ) and shoots (10104.98 ?g pot-1 ) Was observed in NTA and CDTA treated soil after 80 days of sowing in amended as compared to sewage sludge unamended soil. Application of CDTA followed by NTA was found more effective in enhancing the Ni uptake by Zea mays roots and shoots than any other chelating agents at both the growth stages. The chelating agents are found useful in enhancing phytoextractability of Ni by Zea mays. Hence, marginally Ni contaminated soil may be remediated by adding chelating agents

Voxelotor: novel drug for sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD), is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in the β‐chain of haemoglobin (Hb) that leads to production of sickle haemoglobin (HbS). The disease has a profound negative impact on health-related quality of life with increased propensity for complications. Current treatment options include drugs like hydroxyurea and L-glutamine that are currently on the market. However, none of these therapies target the underlying mechanism and have potential safety concerns. As oxygenated Hb is a potent inhibitor of HbS polymerization, increasing the proportion of oxygenated HbS may provide a disease‐modifying approach to SCD. Voxelotor is a novel therapy developed for the treatment of SCD by modulating the Hb affinity for oxygen. By forming a reversible covalent bond with the N‐terminal valine of the α‐chain of Hb, the drug results in an allosteric modification of Hb and thereby leading to an increase in oxygen affinity. Moreover, voxelotor prevents sickling of red blood cells (RBCs) and possibly interrupts the molecular pathogenesis of the disease. The drug is available in oral formulation with a recommended dosage of 1500 mg once daily. The onset of voxelotor is fast, shows rapid absorption and linear pharmacokinetics. Most common adverse reactions seen are headache, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Clinical trials for voxelotor have been positive, and results suggest that the drug may be a new safe and effective option for SCD treatment. With global blood therapeutics having already received US FDA approval in November 2019, voxelotor may soon be an addition to the mounting armoury of drugs against SCD

Heavy metals and microbial contamination of certain leafy vegetables grown in abattoir effluent disposal province of Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), India

The present investigation was carried out to study the heavy metals and microbial contamination of four selected leafy vegetables viz., cabbage, lettuce, coriander and spinach grown in abattoir effluent irrigated soil. The results revealed that the values of various parameters of abattoir effluent viz., TDS (2840 mg L-1), BOD (2480.50 mg L-1), COD (2890.00 mg L-1), total N (195.80 mg L-1), Fe (18.48 mg L-1), Mn (2.88 mg L-1), total bacteria (6.97×108 CFU ml -1), coliform bacteria (3.24×104 MPN 100 ml -1) and total fungi (7.78×105 CFU ml -1) were found beyond the prescribed limit of Indian irrigation standards. The abattoir effluent irrigation significantly (p<0.05/p<0.01) increased the EC, total N, available P, OC, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, total bacteria, coliform bacteria of the soil used for the cultivation of cabbage, lettuce, coriander and spinach in comparison to their respective controls. The most numbers of bacteria (8.67×108 CFU ml-1), coliform bacteria (7.80×105 MPN 100 ml-1) and total fungi (9.85×105 CFU ml-1) were noted in the lettuce after abattoir effluent irrigation. Therefore, the higher contents of heavy metals and microbial population in cabbage, lettuce, coriander and spinach might be related to their contents in the soils irrigated with abattoir effluent. Therefore, the agronomical practices with abattoir effluent should be regularly monitored to avert environmental problems and attendant health hazards

Lefamulin: novel pleuromutilin drug for community acquired bacterial pneumonia

The advent and spread of antimicrobial resistance has led to a global public health emergency necessitating development of new antimicrobial drugs. Community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) contributes a major portion of societal burden with increasing morbidity due to evolution of drug resistant strains. Lefamulin is a novel pleuromutilin antibiotic with unique mechanism of action through inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the peptidyl transferase center of the 50s bacterial ribosome. The drug displays activity against Gram positive and atypical organisms associated with CABP (i.e., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Legionella pneumophila, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae), with an expanded Gram-positive spectrum including Staphylococcus aureus (i.e., methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate, and heterogeneous strains). Lefamulin is available in both intravenous (IV) and per oral (PO) formulation, exhibits high nonlinear plasma protein binding with low unbound concentrations, higher concentrations in lung epithelial lining fluid (ELF) than in plasma, and a half-life of approximately 10 hour. The recommended IV dose is 150 mg twice daily over 1 hour or a PO dose of 600 mg twice daily. Most common adverse drug reactions injection site reactions, hepatic enzyme elevation, nausea, diarrhoea, hypokalemia, insomnia, and headache. Clinical trials for lefamulin have been positive and Phase 3 data suggest similar efficacy when compared to moxifloxacin with or without linezolid in CABP. Also, the documented resistance and cross-resistance with other Gram-positive antibacterials remains low. With Nabrivia Pharmaceuticals having already received US FDA approval in August 2019, lefamulin may soon be a new addition to the mounting armoury of drugs against CABP.

Performance characteristics and reliability assessment of self-excited induction generator for wind power generation

Abstract The paper presents the performance analysis‐based reliability estimation of a self‐excited induction generator (SEIG) using the Monte‐Carlo simulation (MCS) method with data obtained from a self‐excited induction motor operating as a generator. The global acceptance of a SEIG depends on its capability to improve the system's poor voltage regulation and frequency regulation. In the grid‐connected induction generator, the magnetizing current is drawn from the grid, making the grid weak. In contrast, in the SEIG stand‐alone operation, an external capacitor arrangement is implemented to render the reactive power support. This capacitor arrangement is connected across the stator terminals during the stand‐alone configuration of SEIG. The capacitor serves two purposes, which include voltage build‐up and power factor improvement. Therefore, the paper deals with obtaining the minimum capacitor value required for SEIG excitation in isolated mode applications, including stand‐alone wind power generation. The SEIG performance characteristics have been evaluated for different SEIG parameters. The simulation and experimental results are then compared and found satisfactory. Then, SEIG reliability is estimated considering the MCS method utilizing SEIG excitation's failure and success rates during experimental work in the laboratory. Finally, the SEIG reliability evaluation is performed considering different wind speeds

Comparative assessment of phytoremediation feasibility of water caltrop (Trapa natans L.) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Solms.) using pulp and paper mill effluent

Experiments for the comparative assessment of phytoremediation feasibility of water caltrop (Trapa natans L.) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes Solms.) using paper mill effluent were carried out for 60 days. The results revealed that the pulp and paper mill effluent was varied in characteristics and highly loaded with TDS, EC, BOD5, COD, TKN, PO4 3- , Na+ , K+ , Ca2+, Mg2+, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, SPC and MPN. It was observed that and both the plant species T. natansand E. crassipes significantly (P<0.05/P<0.01/P<0.001) reduced the contents of TDS, EC, BOD, COD, TKN, PO4 3- , Na+ , K+ , Ca2+, Mg2+, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, SPC and MPN of pulp and paper mill effluent after phytoremediation experiments. Albeit, the maximum removal of these parameters were obtained at 60 days of the phytoremediation experiments but the removal rate of these parameters were gradually increased from 15 days to 45 days and it was decreased at 60 days. The most contents of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn was translocated in the leaves of T. natans and E. crassipes during the phytoremediation experiments whereas, the least contents of Cr, Ni and Pb was translocated in the leaves of T. natans and E. crassipes. Among both the macrophytic species (i.e. T. natans and E. crassipes) used for the phytoremediation, E. crassipes was found to be more effective for the removal of different parameters of pulp and paper mill effluent in comparison to T. natans. Therefore, T. natans and E. crassipes can be used effectively to reduce the pollution load of pulp and paper mill effluent