Removal of copper(II) from aqueous solution using spent tea leaves (STL) as a potential sorbent

In this work spent tea leaves were used as a non-conventional, cost-effective sorbent for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions in batch systems. The sorbent was characterised with respect to surface area, pore volume, density, etc. The equilibrium sorption data were applied to various sorption isotherm models, and the order of fitness was: Langmuir > Temkin > Freundlich. The maximum sorption capacity Qo was found to be almost 90.9 and 68.4, as evaluated using Langmuir isotherms at 27ºC and 37ºC respectively. The observed decrease in sorption capacity with temperature indicated the exothermic nature of the uptake process. The kinetic uptake data were best interpreted by a pseudo second-order kinetic model with values of rate constants of adsorption of 1.47 x 10-2 and 3.01 x 10-2 g/mg∙min, respectively, for the initial sorbate concentrations of 10 and 20 mg∙ℓ-1 at 27ºC. The sorption mean free energy was determined from the Dubinin Radushkevich (DR) isotherm model and was found to be 9.91 kJ∙mol-1, indicating ion exchange/chemisorption nature of uptake process. The Cu(II) uptake was found to increase with the pH of the sorbate solution and maximum sorption was observed in the pH range of 1.0 to 4.8. Finally, thermodynamic parameters like ΔGo, ΔHo, ΔSo were also evaluated. Keywords: Spent tea leaves, copper(II), adsorption, Langmuir mode

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROBALLONS BASED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM OF MESALAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Objective: An objective of the present investigation was to prepare Eudragit S-100: Eudragit RS-100 microballons of mesalamine hydrochloride and evaluate for their anti-inflammatory activity. Material method: Microballons were prepared by quasi solvent diffusion and evaporation method using different ratios of Eudragit S-100: Eudragit RS-100 (1:1 to 1:4 % w/w), mesalamine hydrochloride (40 to 100% w/w), PVA concentration (0.5 to 1.25 %), stirring speeds (300-500 rpm) and temperature (25°C, 37 °C and 45 °C). The yield of preparation and encapsulation efficiency was high for all hollow microballons formulation. Results and Discussion: Microballons prepared by using Eudragit S-100: Eudragit RS-100 ratio 1:2 %w/w, 80:100% w/w) drug concentration, 0.75 % w/v concentration of surfactant (PVA), stirring speed 400 rpm, and temperature 37°C were selected as an optimized. The optimized microballons formulation were evaluated for their surface morphology, particle size and size distribution, percentage drug entrapment and in vitro mesalamine release in SGF (pH 1.2), and PBS (pH 7.4). The % Cumulative released was found 91.2±3.5% in SGF (pH 1.2) and 89.2±3.5 in PBS (pH 7.4) up to 24 hrs. The data of drug released revealed that the microballons formulation follows a diffusion controlled drug release mechanism. In vivo evaluation of the optimized microballons formulation were carried out in healthy male albino rats by measuring  anti inflammatory activity produced after oral administration of optimized microballons formulation at a dose of (equivalent to 50 mg/kg of mesalamine hydrochloride). The progressive reduction in paw volume was observed till the end of study and maximum upto 0.4 ml after 2 hr. Conclusion : It is concluded from the present investigation that Eudragit S-100: Eudragit RS-100 microballons bearing mesalamine are promising controlled release vector for effective treatment of inflammation.Keywords: microballons, hollow microspheres, anti-inflammatory activity, mesalamine hydrochloride, solvent diffusion evaporation method.Â

Dynamics of Team Teaching and Research in a Management School: Learning and Imperatives

This paper discusses the experience of team teaching to address the issues of integration of academic inputs by bringing multi-disciplinary perspective together and thereby enhance learning experience of participants. The paper delves on the process, events and outcome of team teaching by four faculty members at IIM Ahmedabad who collaborated in teaching, writing cases, and doing research for a period of more than three years. The experience has been summarized using the following dimensions: need for team-teaching, existing mechanisms and barriers, opportunities and potential, imperatives, fall-outs and challenges experienced in the process. The cohesion, trust and mutual respect are key imperatives. The other factors contributing to the success of team-teaching are strong felt need by the members for integration in programmes, complementary skills and experiences of team members, frequent programmes with integrated components that provided continuous opportunities for learning, co-location of the instructors, and off-site programmes that provided opportunities for close get-togethers. The autonomy granted by the institution to instructors and co-coordinators to design and execute learning opportunities was also instrumental in the success. In an environment where the rule of the game is individualism, forming teams creates fears of loss of importance and recognition. The experience shows that the competency of the members and the overall effectiveness of the tasks are strengthened if the team believes in “reciprocating interdependence”. This can be possible only if members allow themselves opportunities to experiment, improvise and review

Comparative study between the evolutionary history of development of blood vessels in various species (Brahmanda or Srushti) and the Human Embryo (Pinda) to evaluate ‘Yata Pindam Tata Brahmandam’

Introduction: Embryology is considered to provide evidence for evolution and is a way to link various species on the phylogenetic tree of life. To higher recognize the evolutionary embryology in the back of the blood vascular device and endothelium recognition of the taxonomy is very essential. By this we came to know that different species achieve the goals of reproduction, nutrition and survival by different means. These changes diverge due to change in body size and variation in structural complexity. The same way vascular system in mammals develops. Materials and Methods: From various published articles through google search, texts of Ayurveda mainly Charaka Samhita and modern embryology texts and internet media. Aim & Objective: To compare the process of evolution of blood vessels in Garbha with that of evolution of various species on phylogenetic tree on basis of their functional requirements. Result and Discussion: Before the formation of placenta there is histotrophic nutrition in which embryo gets its nutrition through diffusion from uterine glands. This diffusion state is the Srotas in Ayurveda mentioned as Sravanatsrotansi. This diffusion can provide nutrition to small area or cell group only. With the beginning of formation of placenta, the histotrophic nutrition is replaced by the hemotrophic nutrition. As embryo further grows, the nutrition demand increases so to balance, tube circulation (vasculature) develops in embryo in order to increase the flow. This vasculature is the state of Sira in Ayurveda mentioned as Sarnatsira. Similarly, development of vessels from Srotas to Dhamani occurs in Fetus due to change in functional requirements. This occurs in human body. Thus, in this paper “Yata Pinde Tata Brahmande” Nyaya of Yajurveda which is very much similar to Ayurveda “Lok Purusha Samya Siddhanth” is justified in context of taxonomical circulatory system evolution and development

Impact of serum magnesium levels in critically ill elderly patients—A study in a rural teaching hospital

AbstractBackground/PurposeMagnesium deficiency has been a common, but easily ignored, electrolyte abnormality. Studies on magnesium deficiency are lacking in India, especially in a rural setting. Here, we have correlated serum magnesium levels with outcomes in elderly patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit with respect to the length of intensive care unit stay, need for mechanical ventilatory support and its duration, and outcome (discharge/death).MethodsA prospective, observational study was conducted in patients aged 60 years and older, who had been admitted to the intensive care unit of the medicine department for over a year. The chi-square test was applied to correlate hypomagnesemia with the outcome.ResultsIn our study, 59.30% of the elderly patients had hypomagnesemia. Compared with patients with a normal magnesium level, hypomagnesemic patients had no correlation with the duration of medical intensive care unit stay (5.57±6.10 days vs. 5.61±5.55 days), but the need for mechanical ventilation (57.84% vs. 45.71%), rate of discharge from the intensive care unit or cure (60.28% vs. 71.42% ), rate of death (39.21% vs. 28.57%), and mean duration of ventilation (3.07±5.05 days vs. 2.15±3.46 days) were higher. However, no significant statistical difference was found between these groups.ConclusionHypomagnesemia was associated with a slightly higher mortality rate. Requirement and duration of ventilatory support were also higher, although not statistically significant. Hypomagnesemia was not found to have any impact on the duration of medical intensive care unit stay. Monitoring of serum magnesium levels may have prognostic and perhaps therapeutic implications in the elderly

Silver-Russell Syndrome: A Case Report

A 15-year-old male boy with hemihypertrophy (left side) of the body was admitted in the hospital with the history of repeated attacks of convulsion. The patient was diagnosed as Silver-Russell syndrome on clinical ground. Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a very rare genetic disorder that appears no later than early childhood. This is usually characterized by asymmetry in the size of the two halves or other parts of the body. Silver-Russell Syndrome occurs mostly in isolated cases because of sporadic genetic changes (mutations) for no apparent reason. For lack of facilities we were not able to do genetic study

Hygiene and health: Effects, experiences, and expertise of “Clean India Campaign” from a tertiary care hospital

Background: The current happenings in the country for the good should be of importance in the crucial places and the critical phases of life, i.e., hospitals and during hospitalization, even for normal life processes. The current “Clean India Campaign” is a catalyst for hospitals for improvements in hygiene. Objective: The objective of this study is to define and describe the impact of multifaceted infection control and hygienic practices by all on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: Implementation of multifaceted infection control policies was ensured along with the health educationfor hygienic practices by all, including attendants of patients and patients when possible. These were rigorously enforced with the renewed enthusiasm since the launch of “Clean India Campaign” from January 2015. The setting was “Paediatric Wing” of a tertiary care hospital catering to a large army cantonment, and also, referred cases. The outcome measures were the incidence of HAIs. Results: The incidence rate of HAIs was 2.91% (July 2013-December 2014) and declined to 1.59% (January 2015-June 2016) (relative risk: 0.547, 95% confidence interval: 0.409-0.733; p=0.0001). The most significant decline in HAI in our study has been in that of gastrointestinal infections (RR: 0.428%, 95% CI: 0.241-0.761; p=0.0034). Overall, the results of preventiveactions were rewarding (RR: 0.547, 95% CI: 0.409-0.733; p=0.0001). Conclusion: The mission “Clean India Campaign” and the WHO’s vision “clean care is safer care” lead to prevention and reduction of HAIs. Implementation of multifaceted infection control interventions is impactful. Hygienic practices teaching should be for both caregivers and caretakers.&nbsp

Cluster Head Selection in a Homogeneous Wireless Sensor Network Ensuring Full Connectivity with Minimum Isolated Nodes

The research work proposes a cluster head selection algorithm for a wireless sensor network. A node can be a cluster head if it is connected to at least one unique neighbor node where the unique neighbor is the one that is not connected to any other node. If there is no connected unique node then the CH is selected on the basis of residual energy and the number of neighbor nodes. With the increase in number of clusters, the processing energy of the network increases; hence, this algorithm proposes minimum number of clusters which further leads to increased network lifetime. The major novel contribution of the proposed work is an algorithm that ensures a completely connected network with minimum number of isolated nodes. An isolated node will remain only if it is not within the transmission range of any other node. With the maximum connectivity, the coverage of the network is automatically maximized. The superiority of the proposed design is verified by simulation results done in MATLAB, where it clearly depicts that the total numbers of rounds before the network dies out are maximum compared to other existing protocols