Iodide retention by modified kaolinite in the context of safe disposal of high level nuclear waste

Bentonite clay is identified as potential buffer in deep geological repositories (DGR) that store high level radioactive wastes (HLW) as the expansive clay satisfies the expected mechanical and physicochemical functions of the buffer material. In the deep geological disposal of HLW, iodine-129 is one of the significant nuclides, attributable to its long half-life (half life=1.7×107  years). However, the negative charge on the basal surface of bentonite particles precludes retention of iodide anions. To render the bentonite effective in retaining hazardous iodide species in DGR, improvement of the anion retention capacity of bentonite becomes imperative. The iodide retention capacity of bentonite is improved by admixing 10 and 20% Ag-kaolinite (Ag-K) with bentonite (B) on a dry mass basis. The present study produced Ag-kaolinite by heating silver nitrate-kaolinite mixes at 400°C. Marginal release of iodide retained by Ag-kaolinite occurred under extreme acidic (pH=2.5) and alkaline (pH=12.5) conditions. The swell pressure and iodide retention results of the B-Ag-K specimens bring out that mixing Ag-K with bentonite does not chemically modify the expansive clay; the mixing is physical in nature and Ag-K presence only contributes to iodide retention of the admixture

Mitigation of cromium contamination by copper-ZVI bimetallic particles

Soil and water pollution by chromium is a major environmental concern. While existence of chromium in + 3 state is considered benign, it's presence in the + 6 state poses an environmental concern. Hence reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) is considered as a satisfactory environmental solution to mitigate chromium contamination. The oxidation of a metal substrate can be enhanced by depositing small amount of nobler metal on its surface. The present study hence examines the efficiency of Cr (VI) reduction upon deposition of copper (oxidation potential: −0.34 V) on the surface of (zero valent iron) ZVI (oxidation potential: 0.04 V) particles. Batch experiments and pH and Eh measurements revealed that presence of copper loading on ZVI particles increases the efficiency of Cr(VI) reduction by 11 to 233 % in relation to the uncoated ZVI particles owing to enhanced electron activity and release of hydroxyl ions that converted Cr (VI) to mixed Fe-Cr oxide. The Cr (VI) reduction is accomplished in periods ranging from 60 to 240 min in the batch experiments and obeyed the pseudo first or second order kinetics

Panorama of neoplasms of upper GI tract: a 5 year research study

Background: The diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are the most common and leading cause of morbidity and mortality than the disorders of any other systems of the body. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract tumors are one of the most common cancers accounting for 11% of all cancers. Among these tumors, upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies are quite aggressive with a dismal prognosis. Malignant tumors are most common than benign. The most common carcinoma of the esophagus is Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Incidence of SCC is less than 5 per 100,000 populations in males and 1 per 100,000 populations in females. Gastric cancer was the second most common cancer in the World and 60% of them occurred in developing countries. The most common carcinoma of the Stomach is Adenocarcinoma.Aim & Objectives: To study the spectrum of neoplastic lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract by the examination of endoscopic biopsies and surgically resected specimens. To determine the degree of severity of the malignancies by assessing the depth of invasion, Lymph nodal & Omental spread.Methods: The present study is both retrospective & prospective study for a period of 5 years from January 2007 to December 2011. The sample size includes all the endoscopic biopsies & surgically resected specimens of gastrointestinal tract received at Department of Pathology, S.V. Medical College, Tirupati. The study also obtained clearance from the ethical committee of the institution. The biopsy specimens thus obtained were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin. The sections were stained routinely with H & E. Special stains and IHC done wherever necessary.Results: we have received 120 specimens regarding the upper gastrointestinal system. Among these 120 specimens, 71 specimens were endoscopic biopsies & 49 specimens were surgically resected specimens. Out of 71 Endoscopic biopsies 28 biopsies were malignant among which 2 was esophagus and 26 were stomach. Out of 49 surgically resected specimens 1 was benign and 32 were malignant tumors. Out of 59 neoplasms of stomach there were single cases each of Sub mucosal Lipoma, Malignant lymphoma, GIST & 56 cases of Adenocarcinoma & its variants were noted.Conclusion: Most of the neoplasms are of stomach (97%). All the neoplasms are malignant except one benign lesion sub mucous lipoma of stomach. Most of the neoplasms of stomach were Adenocarcinoma (96.5%). Both tumors of esophagus were squamous cell carcinoma occurred after 50 years of age.

Targeted interplay between bacterial pathogens and host autophagy

Due to the critical role played by autophagy in pathogen clearance, pathogens have developed diverse strategies to subvert autophagy. Despite previous key findings of bacteria-autophagy interplay, a systems level insight into selective targeting by the host and autophagy modulation by the pathogens is lacking. We predicted potential interactions between human autophagy proteins and effector proteins from 56 pathogenic bacterial species by identifying bacterial proteins predicted to have recognition motifs for selective autophagy receptors p62/NDP52 and LC3. Conversely, using structure-based interaction prediction methods, we identified bacterial effector proteins that could putatively modify core autophagy components. Our analysis revealed that autophagy receptors in general potentially target mostly genus specific proteins, and not those present in multiple genera. We also show that the complementarity between the predicted p62 and NDP52 targets, which has been shown for Salmonella, Listeria and Shigella, could be observed across other pathogens. Using literature evidence, we hypothesize that this complementarity potentially leave the host more susceptible to chronic infections upon the mutation of one of the autophagy receptors. To check any bias caused by our pathogenic protein selection criteria, control analysis using proteins derived from entero-toxigenic and non-toxigenic Bacillus outer membrane vesicles indicated that autophagy targets pathogenic proteins rather than non-pathogenic ones. We also observed a pathogen specific pattern as to which autophagy phase could be modulated by specific genera. We found intriguing examples of bacterial proteins which could modulate autophagy, and in turn capable of being targeted by the autophagy receptors and LC3 as a host defence mechanism. To demonstrate the validity of our predictions, we confirmed experimentally with in vitro Salmonella invasion assays the bi-directional interactions underlying the interplay between a Salmonella protease, YhjJ and autophagy. Our comparative meta-analysis points out key commonalities and differences in how pathogens could affect autophagy and how autophagy potentially recognises these pathogenic effectors

Study of various congenital anomalies in fetal and neonatal autopsy

Background: The study of dead is to save the livings. The growing awareness that still births and infant mortalities are unable to reduction has led to a wide spread desire for more information regarding the cause of these deaths. Congenital malformations have become important cause of fetal and neonatal (perinatal) mortality in developed countries and would very soon be increasingly important determinants of fetal and neonatal mortality in developing countries like India. In spite of antenatal diagnostic modality still the fetal autopsy plays the vital role in the conformation as well as identification of congenital anomalies and also for the counseling of the parents, to prevent the fetal congenital anomalies in further pregnancies. This study was undertaken with the purpose of finding out cause of death during the perinatal period at government maternity hospital and pediatric department S.V.R.R.G.G.H. & S.V. medical college Tirupati, and to study the clinical and pathological findings (Gross & microscopic) in fetal and neonatal death.Methods: The present study of congenital anomalies in fetal and neonatal deaths was done at S.V. medical college, Tirupati, over a time period of 2 years from September 2008 to 2010 August. Consent for autopsy in requested compassionately, respectfully and fully informed. The present study included dead fetus and neonates with gestational age above 20 weeks of intra uterine life and within 7 days of post natal life. All fetuses of gestational age <20 weeks and all neonates above 7 days of age were excluded from the study. The study also obtained clearance from the ethical committee of the institution. Autopsy was performed by standard technique adopted by Edith L. Potter. External and internal findings followed by histopathological examination, and autopsy findings were compared with available ultrasound findings.Results: A total of 46 Autopsies performed, 40 (87%) were fetal deaths, 6 (13%) were early neonatal deaths. In a total of 46 fetuses, there were 13 male and 33 female babies. On external examination of 46 fetal and Neonatal (perinatal) deaths, 8 (17.39%) babies showed congenital malformation. On internal examination of the 46 fetal and Neonatal (perinatal) deaths, 4 babies showed internal congenital anomalies. A total of 46 anatomical and histopathologic examinations were done among fetal and neonatal (perinatal) deaths. Out of 13 autopsies on male babies, 2 had congenital malformation and 33 autopsies on female babies, 7 had congenital malformations. Congenital anomalies were commonest in the birth weight group of 1000-1500 grams accounting for 9 cases. Malformations of central nervous system (33.33%) were most common followed by musculoskeletal system (16.66%), genitourinary and respiratory system (8.33%) respectively.Conclusion: Most number of perinatal deaths occurred in low birth weight and preterm babies. Study of malformations greatly helpful in genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in successive pregnancies

Distribution, diversity, length-weight relationship and recruitment pattern of deep-sea finfishes and shellfishes in the shelf-break area off southwest Indian EEZ

The results of an exclusive fishing cruise, No. 241, undertaken by FORV Sayar Sampada (Ministry of Earth Sciences) during January-February 2006, in the shelf-break area (500-1000m depth) in the southwest region of Indian EEZ (Lat.Q-16" and Long. 72"-75"46) are presented. Bottom trawling was conducted at 33 stations. A total catch of 1795 kg was realised, out of which the discards formed 31 1 kg. A variety of non-conventional finfishes (77 species) and shellfishes (shrimps 8 species, crabs 3 species, one species of lobsterette) have been recorded. Depth-wise 235m zone indicated the maximum catch. The total catch during the entire cruise was dominated by Psenopsis ryanra. The various population parameters such as La, K, total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M), fishing mortality (F), exploitation ratio (E), recruitment pattern and length-weight relationship of some of the important species have been worked out. In most of the deep-sea fishes, the recruitment appeared to take place almost throughout the year and showed great similarity among the various species except Luciobrotula bartschi. Presently, all these resources remain unexploited, except the shrimps. The trawlers based at Cochin, Quilon and Munambam have been exploiting the deep-sea shrimp resources like the red-ring Arbreus alcocki from the Quilon Bank and other similar areas of< west coast for the last five years. Interestingly Psenopsis cyanea has been found to occur as bye-catch in these fishing operations. Therefore, these two species showed higher fishing mortality compared to practically nil value in other finfishes and shellfishes. The occurrence of the deep-sea glass sponge, Hyalonema sp. off Mangalore is also reported. Bio-silica, extracted from this sponge, has a vide range of applications in the medical field from novel biomaterials for bone replacements to the stabilization of tissue. Most of the resources being nonconventional there is need to evolve new processing methods, product diversification and develop export avenues to make deep-sea fishing venture a success. Inventorisation of the deep-sea biodiversity and preparation of fishery atlas also merit serious consideration

Prosopis Plant Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Attributes: Targeting Clinical Studies from Preclinical Evidence

Members of the Prosopis genus are native to America, Africa and Asia, and have long been used in traditional medicine. The Prosopis species most commonly used for medicinal purposes are P. africana, P. alba, P. cineraria, P. farcta, P. glandulosa, P. juliflora, P. nigra, P. ruscifolia and P. spicigera, which are highly effective in asthma, birth/postpartum pains, callouses, conjunctivitis, diabetes, diarrhea, expectorant, fever, flu, lactation, liver infection, malaria, otitis, pains, pediculosis, rheumatism, scabies, skin inflammations, spasm, stomach ache, bladder and pancreas stone removal. Flour, syrup, and beverages from Prosopis pods have also been potentially used for foods and food supplement formulation in many regions of the world. In addition, various in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed interesting antiplasmodial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic and wound healing effects. The phytochemical composition of Prosopis plants, namely their content of C-glycosyl flavones (such as schaftoside, isoschaftoside, vicenin II, vitexin and isovitexin) has been increasingly correlated with the observed biological effects. Thus, given the literature reports, Prosopis plants have positive impact on the human diet and general health. In this sense, the present review provides an in-depth overview of the literature data regarding Prosopis plants' chemical composition, pharmacological and food applications, covering from pre-clinical data to upcoming clinical studies

Correspondence Efficient Mapping of Backpropagation Algorithm onto a Network of Workstations

Abstract — In this paper, we present an efficient technique for mapping a backpropagation (BP) learning algorithm for multilayered neural networks onto a network of workstations (NOW’s). We adopt a vertical partitioning scheme, where each layer in the neural network is divided into � disjoint partitions, and map each partition onto an independent workstation in a network of � workstations. We present a fully distributed version of the BP algorithm and also its speedup analysis. We compare the performance of our algorithm with a recent work involving the vertical partitioning approach for mapping the BP algorithm onto a distributed memory multiprocessor. Our results on SUN 3/50 NOW’s show that we are able to achieve better speedups by using only two communication sets and also by avoiding some redundancy in the weights computation for one training cycle of the algorithm. Index Terms — Backpropagation algorithm, distributed memory multiprocessors, multilayered neural networks, network of workstations, network partitioning, pattern partitioning, performance analysis. I