Characterization and application of synthesized calcium alginate-graphene oxide for the removal of Cr3+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions from tannery effluents.

Environmental sustainability has gained acceptance to achieving the goal of a secure ecosystem with a reliable management system. Heavy metal remediation of aqueous streams is of special concern due to the intractability and persistence in the environment. Adsorption is a potential alternative to the existing inefficient conventional technologies for the removal and recovery of metal ions from aqueous solutions and becomes vital to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mitigate the adverse environmental and social impacts. Calcium Alginate-Graphene oxide (CA-GO) composite has been synthesized for the adsorption of heavy metals including Cr3+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ ions from tannery effluents. Graphene oxide is prepared from commercial graphite powder and reacted with sodium alginate and calcium chloride to form the beads of CA-GO composite. The developed composite was characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, SEM, XRD analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the effect of pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentration of metal ions on the adsorption capacity were investigated through batch experiments. At a pH>3.0 (pHzpc), the carboxyl group of CA-GO was deprotonated to make the surface negatively charged and facilitate metal adsorption. The optimum pH and maximum adsorption capacity of CA-GO for removal of Cr(III), Cu(II), and Cd(II) were 4.5, 6.0, and 7.0, and 90.58, 108.57, and 134.77 mg g-1, respectively. The kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamics were studied to determine the adsorption mechanism. The kinetic of adsorption adopted the second-order model. Thermodynamic parameter were calculated and the adsorption process was determined to be exothermic and spontaneous at room temperature. The developed composite has been efficaciously applied for the removal of metal ions and pollution from real tannery effluents.

Synthesis of gamma irradiated acrylic acid-grafted-sawdust (SD-g-AAc) for trivalent chromium adsorption from aqueous solution.

Water pollution caused by chromium released from tannery is a serious concern to the environment and public health. Chromium removal from tannery effluent is a crying need before discharging to the surface water. In this study, acrylic acid-grafted sawdust was prepared by Tectona grandis sawdust grafting with acrylic acid employing gamma irradiation in the presence of air and Mohr's salt. It was treated with NaOH and the characterization of surface morphology and functional groups of modified sawdust was studied by SEM and FTIR.. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, adsorption time, and initial Cr(III) ion concentration were investigated by batch sorption studies. The process was found to be pH, temperature and concentration dependent. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to realize the adsorption process in depth, and it was found that the Langmuir isotherm model fitted well with experimental data (R2 value of 0.983). The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of acrylic acid-grafted sawdust for Cr(III) from aquous solution was found to be 21.55 mg g-1 at 25 °C. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were employed to analyze the kinetics of the process, and it was found that the experimental process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, i.e. chemisorption. This study revealed that acrylic acid-grafted sawdust has a decent potential for the removal of Cr(III) from tannery effluents.

Health risk assessment for heavy metal accumulation in leafy vegetables grown on tannery effluent contaminated soil.

Accumulation of metals (Cr, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Cu) in leafy vegetables cultivated on tannery effluent contaminated soil and agricultural land soil were determined with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The values of risk factors for the human population were studied, where metals were transferred from tannery effluent to plants via effluent contaminated soil and finally, transmitted to human body through the consumption of these metal accumulated leafy vegetables. Leafy vegetables, namely Stem amaranths (Amaranthus lividus), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Red amaranths (Amaranthus gangeticus), Jute mallows (Corchorus capsularis), Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), and Malabar spinach (Basella alba) were cultivated on the soils collected from downstream of Hazaribagh tannery area and Keraniganj agricultural land. The study revealed that the metal contents in contaminated soil exceeded the permissible limits recommended by WHO/DoE. Tannery effluent contaminated soil was found more polluted than the agricultural land soil. Metal contents in leafy vegetables cultivated on contaminated soil were higher than that of agricultural soil and exceeded the permissible limit, particularly in the case of Cr (125.50-168.99 mg/kg Dw) and Cd (0.19-0.83 mg/kg Dw). Metal content order was found as Cr>Zn>Ni>Cu>Cd for contaminated soil and Zn>Cr>Cu>Ni>Cd for agricultural land soil. The metal accumulation and translocation were found in vegetables in the order of Spinach>Water spinach>Malabar spinach>Jute mallows>Red amaranths>Stem amaranths. The analyses also revealed that the metal translocation rate in the plants of contaminated soil was higher than that of non-contaminated agricultural soil. The values of each risk index exceeded 1 in case of vegetables cultivated in contaminated soil. Therefore, the possible threat of chronic and carcinogenic diseases emerged if those polluted vegetables would be consuming as daily diet.

Role of thrombophilia in splanchnic venous thrombosis in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Splanchnic venous thrombosis (SVT) is a common vascular complication of acute pancreatitis (AP). We conducted this study to prospectively investigate the frequency, risk factors, and extent of SVT in patients with AP and to evaluate the role of thrombophilia in its causation. METHODS: Patients with AP presenting between January 2015 and June 2016 were prospectively evaluated with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for the presence of SVT. These patients underwent a detailed analysis of coagulation parameters. RESULTS: We evaluated 96 patients with AP (73 male, mean age 31.85±13.34 years), of whom 26 (27.1%) had SVT. Splenic vein, portal vein, and superior mesenteric vein involvement were seen in 22 (84.6%), 11 (42.3%), and 4 (15.3%) patients, respectively. Necrotizing pancreatitis, CT severity index (CTSI) >6 and modified CTSI >6 were significantly more frequent in patients with SVT than in those without (96.2% vs. 78.6%, 76.9% vs. 47.1%, and 92.3% vs. 67.1%, respectively). Proteins C and S, and antithrombin III deficiency were found in 23.8%, 33.3% and 31.0% of patients, respectively. Anti-ß2-glycoprotein I and lupus anticoagulant were positive in 4.8% and 11.9% of patients, respectively. Factor V Leiden mutation analysis was positive in 6.1% of patients. Coagulation abnormality did not differ significantly between the patients with and without SVT. CONCLUSIONS: SVT is more common in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, suggesting that local inflammation plays a major role in its causation. Thrombophilia is seen in one third of patients with AP but does not seem to increase the risk of SVT.

Neurological Manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Single Centre Study from North East India.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological manifestations although common in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), are often not recognized due to their diversed and varied presentation. Therefore, the study was planned to highlight the pattern of neurological involvement in SLE to help in early recognition. AIM: To study the pattern of neurological involvement in SLE and its correlation with disease activity and different investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This hospital based prospective observational study was carried out from August 2009 to July 2010. Diagnosed cases of SLE [based upon American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria] who presented with neurological manifestations at the time of diagnosis or develop during the course of the disease were included in the study. They were assessed clinically and investigated with neuroimaging and neurophysiological tests as applicable. RESULTS: In total, 52 consecutive patients with SLE were evaluated, 92% were female. The most common age group was 21 to 25 years. Nervous system involvement was found in 19 (36.54%) patients. Cognitive impairment was the most frequent manifestation, present in 11 (57.89%) patients followed by seizure disorder in eight patients (42.1%). Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in eight (42.1%), acute confusional state in six (31.57%) and headache and depression was diagnosed in five (26.31%) patients each. Less common manifestations were psychosis, movement disorder and aseptic meningitis. Percentage of neurological manifestations directly correlated with disease activity. A significant difference was found in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score between the patients with Neuro Psychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE) and those without NPSLE (32.42±16.34 Vs 17.3±10.6). CONCLUSION: Neurological involvement in SLE is seen relatively early in the course of the disease with cognitive impairment being the most common manifestation and correlate with disease activity.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis in patients with portal hypertension and intra-abdominal collaterals.

BACKGROUND: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is complicated with segmental portal hypertension (PHT) and formation of venous collaterals. Presence of collaterals in vicinity of endoscopic transmural tract can lead to potentially catastrophic situation. Here, we report safety and outcome of EUS-guided transmural drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) in patients with PHT and intra-abdominal collaterals. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of collected database of patients (n=18; age 40.94±8.43 years; 17 males) who underwent EUS-guided transmural drainage of WOPN and had PHT with collaterals. RESULTS: Etiology of ANP: alcohol in 14 and gallstones in 3 patients. Mean size of collection was 10.7±3.5 cm, and all 18 patients had splenic vein thrombosis with 1 patient also having portal vein thrombosis. Drainage was not feasible in 1 patient as no window free of collaterals could be found. One patient with gastric variceal bleeding underwent drainage after successful obliteration of varix with glue. Multiple plastic stents were placed in 15 patients and fully covered self-expanding metallic stent (FCSEMS) in 1 patient and 1 patient required direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN). Mean procedures required were 3 ± 0.79 and time to resolution was 4.4 ± 1.3 weeks. One patient had post-drainage bleeding that was successfully managed with intravenous terlipressin and intermittent irrigation via nasocystic catheter. Successfully treated patients have been asymptomatic over follow up period of 15.65±12.2 weeks. CONCLUSION: EUS-guided drainage of WOPN seems to be safe and effective in patients with portal hypertension and intra-abdominal collaterals.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration from ascites and peritoneal nodules: A scoping review.

The peritoneum is involved in many diseases such as primary malignancy (mesothelioma), infectious disease (tuberculosis), and disseminated malignancy (peritoneal carcinomatosis). The peritoneal disease may manifest as ascites and/or peritoneal masses or nodules. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), due to its ability to provide high-resolution images, has revolutionized the imaging and diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary diseases among other gastrointestinal conditions. EUS can not only help in imaging of various lesions close to the gastrointestinal lumen but also aspirate/biopsy them. We conducted a systematic search to identify published literature on the value of EUS in detection and diagnosis of peritoneal disorders. This review aims to summarize the available literature on the use of EUS-guided paracentesis and fine-needle aspiration from peritoneal nodules.