Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Antioxidant Derivatives: Pharmacological Insights for Neurological Disorders.

Neurological disorders, characterized by oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation, have become a major global health concern. Redox reactions play a vital role in regulating the balance of the neuronal microenvironment. Specifically, the imbalance leads to a significant weakening of the organism's natural defensive mechanisms. This, in turn, causes the development of harmful oxidative stress, which plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative dis-eases. The quest for effective therapeutic agents has led to significant advancements in the syn-thesis of antioxidant derivatives. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in the use of novel antioxidant compounds with potential pharmacological applica-tions in the management of neurological disorders. The discussed compounds encompass a di-verse range of chemical structures, including polyphenols, vitamins, flavonoids, and hybrid mole-cules, highlighting their varied mechanisms of action. This review also focuses on the mechanism of oxidative stress in developing neurodegenerative disease. The neuroprotective effects of these antioxidant derivatives are explored in the context of specific neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. The ultimate goal is to pro-vide effective treatments for these debilitating conditions and improve the quality of life for pa-tients.

Endoscopic Posterior Approach for Cervical Myelopathy and Radiculopathy Using Tubular Retractor: Our Experience, Surgical Technique, and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic posterior approach can effectively decompress cervical root and cord secondary to posterior compression. We present our experience in 229 patients using tubular retractor, and the relevant literature is reviewed. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of multilevel myelopathy and or radiculopathy was performed. Indications for posterior approach was primary posterior compressions at cord and or root. Combined compression from posterior side and mild to moderate anterior pressure with acceptable lordosis were also decompressed. Bilateral cord decompression and foraminotomy for radiculopathy was performed using tubular retractor. RESULT: Myelopathy and radiculopathy were present in 220 and 9 patients, respectively. A total of 53 foraminotomy procedures were performed in 36 patients. All patients showed improvement, with the mean preoperative Nurick grade decreasing from 2.72 ± 0.799 to 0.78 ± 0.911 after surgery. There was significant improvement in postoperative Nurick grades compared with preoperative grades (Z-value = 13.306, P < 0.0001). Operative results were better in patients with good preoperative Nurick grades (grades 1 and 2) compared with those with poorer grades (grades 3 and 4). Minor bleeding, small dural tear, and root injury were observed in 42, 4, and 8 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic approach was effective and safe for root and cord decompression. This study was limited by its single-center, retrospective design, exclusion of some eligible patients, a short postoperative Nurick grade assessment period of 6 months, and absence of a comprehensive long-term postoperative biomechanical assessment. To validate these results, a prospective multicenter study addressing these limitations is needed.

The Rocker Technique for Atlantoaxial Dislocation With or Without Basilar Invagination: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) poses a complex surgical challenge. Surgical approaches vary for reducible and irreducible cases. Challenges persist in reducing the atlantodental interval, especially in cases with oblique or vertical C1-C2 joints. The Rocker instrument (MJ Surgical), a less-explored technique, seeks to simplify instrumentation, reduce complexity, and enhance translation and retroflection reduction of AAD. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2022 to July 2023 at a tertiary neurosurgical center. Inclusion criteria covered all age groups with AAD, with or without basilar invagination. Exclusions included medically unstable patients and severe osteoporotic spine conditions. Preoperative assessments included dynamic X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography scans. The Rocker technique was used, and patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (30 males, 25 females) underwent surgery. The mean age was 40.41 ± 15.01 years. Successful Rocker technique application was observed in 53 cases. Functional outcomes, assessed using Modified Ranawat grading, showed improvement postoperatively. Radiological outcomes revealed a significant reduction in the anterior atlantodental interval (7.21 ± 0.94 to 2.98 ± 0.78). Basilar invagination was reduced in all cases, whenever present. The technique exhibited versatility, applicability in various joint orientations, and cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSION: The Rocker technique is a safe and effective alternative for managing both reducible and irreducible AADs, with or without basilar invagination. It simplifies the reduction process, offering advantages over established techniques. Further trials, especially in rotational deformities, are warranted for validation.

Colorectal Origin: A Marker of Favorable Outcome in Krukenberg Tumor? Results from Clinical and Prognostic Analysis.

Purnima Thakur This study aimed to identify the prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients suffering from Krukenberg tumor (KT) and also to determine the survival in these patients. A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with KT between January 2015 and December 2021 was conducted at a tertiary cancer center. Clinicopathological variables were scrutinized, and survival analysis was performed. Thirty-six patients were enrolled in this study. The median age at diagnosis was 48 years (ranging from 22 to 71 years). The median overall survival (OS) was 9.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.6 to 13 months). The mean OS for tumors originating in the colorectal region was longer compared to that for tumors of other sites (15.4 vs. 9 months, respectively; p = 0.048). In univariate analysis, patients who received chemotherapy had better survival, while those presenting with ascites had a poor prognosis. No correlation was observed between age, menstrual status, bilaterality, size of ovarian metastases, extent of metastatic disease, metastasectomy, and survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that chemotherapy predicted a favorable survival outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.200, 95% CI: 0.046-0.877, p -value = 0.033). KT is an aggressive tumor with a median OS of less than a year. Chemotherapy may improve survival. Patients with a primary tumor in the colorectal region have a better outcome, while those presenting with ascites indicate a poor prognosis.

Endoscopic Management of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Using a Novel Brain Retractor.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic procedures are useful in chronic subdural hematoma especially when there are septations, solid/organized hematoma, and the presence of bridging or neovessels in the cavity. Visualizing the distal hematoma cavity by a rigid scope is challenging in large and curved ones due to the hindrance by the brain surface. Combining rigid endoscopy and brain retractor can overcome this limitation. METHODS: A retrospective study of 248 patients managed by endoscopic technique was performed and the relevant literature was reviewed. RESULTS: The brain retractor was used in all patients. Average operative time, subgaleal drainage duration, and hospital stay were 56 minutes, 3.1 days, and 4.6 days, respectively. The average preoperative Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score was 12, which improved to 14 and 15 in 223 and 23 patients, respectively at discharge. There were solid clots, septations, bridging vessels, curved hematoma cavities, rapid expansion of the brain after partial hematoma removal, and recurrences in 59, 52, 15, 49, 19, and 2 patients, respectively. There were 2 deaths, without any procedure-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscope was very effective and safe in the management of chronic subdural hematoma, especially in about 51% patients with solid clots, septations, and bridging vessels which could have been difficult to treat by conventional burr hole. It can avoid craniotomy in such patients. Good visualization and complete hematoma removal were possible with the help of an endoscope and brain retractor in about 27% of patients which could have been difficult with a rigid endoscope alone.

Biosorption of arsenic (III) from aqueous solution using calcium alginate immobilized dead biomass of Acinetobacter sp. strain Sp2b.

This study presents a novel biosorbent developed by immobilizing dead Sp2b bacterial biomass into calcium alginate (CASp2b) to efficiently remove arsenic (AsIII) from contaminated water. The bacterium Sp2b was isolated from arsenic-contaminated industrial soil of Punjab, a state in India. The strain was designated Acinetobacter sp. strain Sp2b as per the 16S rDNA sequencing, GenBank accession number -OP010048.The CASp2b was used for the biosorption studies after an initial screening for the biosorption capacity of Sp2b biomass with immobilized biomass in both live and dead states. The optimum biosorption conditions were examined in batch experimentations with contact time, pH, biomass, temperature, and AsIII concentration variables. The maximum biosorption capacity (qmax = 20.1 ± 0.76 mg/g of CA Sp2b) was obtained at pH9, 35 ̊ C, 20 min contact time, and 120 rpm agitation speed. The isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic modeling of the experimental data favored Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.941) and pseudo-2nd-order kinetics (R2 = 0.968) with endothermic nature (ΔH° = 27.42) and high randomness (ΔS° = 58.1).The scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis indicated the As surface binding. The reusability study revealed the reasonable usage of beads up to 5 cycles. In conclusion, CASp2b is a promising, efficient, eco-friendly biosorbent for AsIII removal from contaminated water.

A Comprehensive Review on the Significance of Cysteine in Various Metabolic Disorders; Particularly CVD, Diabetes, Renal Dysfunction, and Ischemic Stroke.

Metabolic disorders have long been a challenge for medical professionals and are a leading cause of mortality in adults. Diabetes, cardiovascular disorders (CVD), renal dysfunction, and ischemic stroke are the most prevalent ailments contributing to a high mortality rate worldwide. Reactive oxygen species are one of the leading factors that act as a fundamental root cause of metabolic syndrome. All of these disorders have their respective treatments, which, to some degree, sabotage the pathological worsening of the disease and an inevitable death. However, they pose a perilous health hazard to humankind. Cysteine, a functional amino acid shows promise for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders, such as CVD, Diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, and ischemic stroke. In this review, we explored whether cysteine can eradicate reactive oxygen species and subsequently prevent and treat these diseases.

Research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Involving the Use of In vivo and In vitro Models and Mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive formation of extracellular amyloid plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, inflammation, and impaired antioxidant systems. Early detection and intervention are vital for managing AD effectively. OBJECTIVE: This review scrutinizes both in-vivo and in-vitro screening models employed in Alzheimer's disease research. In-vivo models, including transgenic mice expressing AD-related mutations, offer profound insights into disease progression and potential therapeutic targets. A thorough understanding of these models and mechanisms will facilitate the development of novel therapies and interventions for Alzheimer's disease. This review aims to provide an overview of the current experimental models in AD research, assess their strengths and weaknesses as model systems, and underscore the future prospects of experimental AD modeling. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search across multiple databases, such as Pub- Med, Bentham Science, Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, and Research Gate. The search strategy incorporated pertinent keywords related to Alzheimer's disease, in-vivo models, in-vitro models, and screening mechanisms. Inclusion criteria were established to identify studies focused on in-vivo and in-vitro screening models and their mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease research. Studies not meeting the predefined criteria were excluded from the review. RESULTS: A well-structured experimental animal model can yield significant insights into the neurobiology of AD, enhancing our comprehension of its pathogenesis and the potential for cutting-edge therapeutic strategies. Given the limited efficacy of current AD medications, there is a pressing need for the development of experimental models that can mimic the disease, particularly in pre-symptomatic stages, to investigate prevention and treatment approaches. To address this requirement, numerous experimental models replicating human AD pathology have been established, serving as invaluable tools for assessing potential treatments. CONCLUSION: In summary, this comprehensive review underscores the pivotal role of in-vivo and in-vitro screening models in advancing our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. These models offer invaluable insights into disease progression, pathological mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets. By conducting a rigorous investigation and evaluation of these models and mechanisms, effective screening and treatment methods for Alzheimer's disease can be devised. The review also outlines future research directions and areas for enhancing AD screening models.

Comorbidity of Depression and Diabetes: A Literature Review on Systemic Flaws in Healthcare and the Benefits of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment in Primary Care Settings.

BACKGROUND: The increasing specialization and dispersion of healthcare systems have led to a shortage of resources to address comorbidities. Patients with coexisting mental and physical conditions are disadvantaged, as medical providers often only focus on the patient's mental illness while neglecting their physical needs, resulting in poorer health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to shed light on the systemic flaws in healthcare systems that contribute to suboptimal health outcomes in individuals with comorbid diseases, including depression and diabetes. This paper also discusses the clinical and economic benefits of collaborative methods for diagnosing and treating depressive disorders in primary care settings. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review of the relationship between depression and diabetes was conducted. The outcomes of the literature review were carefully analyzed. Several databases were searched using keywords such as "diabetes," "depression," "comorbidity," "prevalence," "epidemiology," and "risk factors" using Google Scholar and PubMed as search engines. The review and research papers written between 1961 and 2023 were our main focus. RESULTS: This study revealed improved depressive symptoms and better blood sugar and blood pressure control. Additionally, individuals with comorbid depression and diabetes have higher direct and secondary medical costs. Antidepressants and psychological interventions are equally effective in treating depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes, although they have conflicting effects on glycemic control. For individuals with comorbid diabetes and depression, clear care pathways, including a multidisciplinary team, are essential for achieving the best medical and mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Coordinated healthcare solutions are necessary to reduce the burden of illness and improve therapeutic outcomes. Numerous pathophysiological mechanisms interact with one another and may support the comorbidities of T2DM, and depressive disorders could exacerbate the course of both diseases.

Engaging Community Health Workers to Enhance Modern Contraceptive Uptake Among Young First-Time Parents in Five Cities of Uttar Pradesh.

INTRODUCTION: Young newly married women and first-time parents (FTPs), particularly those living in slum settlements, have a high unmet need for modern contraceptive methods to limit and space births. We describe an intervention in which adolescents and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) services tailored to FTPs were incorporated into the government's existing family planning (FP) program in 5 cities of Uttar Pradesh. We examined the effect of this intervention on modern contraceptive use among FTPs aged 15-24 years. METHODS: To assess the effect of this pilot, in 2019, 1 year after the implementation of the program, we analyzed community-based output tracking survey data on 549 married women who are FTPs in the pilot cities. These FTPs were compared with 253 women who were FTPs from other cities where the program was implemented without a specific focus on FTPs. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were applied to understand the association between exposure to FP information, either through accredited social health activists or through service delivery points, and use of modern contraceptives. RESULTS: Use of modern contraceptives was higher among FTPs in the 5 pilot cities than non-pilot cities (39% vs. 32%; P<.05). The interaction effect of city type and exposure to the information showed a positive association between modern contraceptive use and program exposure, greater in pilot cities than non-pilot cities. CONCLUSIONS: Higher uptake of modern contraceptives among young women may be achieved when an FTP-focused intervention is layered on the government's existing FP programs. Future studies with a longer duration of implementation, in a wider geography, and with longitudinal design are recommended to provide more robust measures of high impact intervention/practices in urban areas.

Unprecedented iron-assisted room temperature synthesis of AgCN using acetonitrile.

A straightforward and convenient approach for producing AgCN at room temperature using acetonitrile as a source has been developed, employing various iron salts. To date, there have been no prior studies documenting the synthesis of AgCN by cleaving the C-CN bond in acetonitrile with the use of iron salts. The resulting highly crystalline material was subjected to characterization through XRD and FT-IR analysis. Additionally, the same process was used for C-CN bond breaking using Ag2S or via the formation of an AgSxOy composite. Consequently, this report is primarily dedicated to exploring the efficacy of different iron salts in breaking the C-CN bond in CH3CN. A theoretical investigation of the proposed experimental scheme has also been performed to confer the feasibility of the reaction.

Entropy optimization of lid-driven micropolar hybrid nanofluid flow in a partially porous hexagonal-shaped cavity with relevance to energy efficient storage processes.

Hydromagnetically associated heat convection can greatly enhance the performance of high-efficiency thermal appliances and renewable energy sources through an optimized design. This investigation examines the production of thermodynamic irreversibility and heat convection for a double lid-driven flow within a partially porous stratified hexagonal enclosure. The top and bottom-wall are moving in the opposite direction with an equal velocity U0. The top-wall and the bottom-wall are kept at temperature Tc and Th (Th  >  Tc) while the slanted walls are assumed to be thermally insulated. A constant magnetic field is employed in the horizontal x-direction. The hexagonal cavity was filled with a micropolar hybrid nanofluid Ag-MgO/water. The system of dimensionless equations was solved by the finite difference method (FDM) associated with successive over-relaxation (SOR), successive under-relaxation (SUR), and Gauss-Seidel iteration tactics and required results are computed with problem specific program in MATLAB code. The results indicate that the Ra and the thickness of the porous layer (Xp) significantly influences heat convection and thermal irreversibility processes. The Nuavg and STotal rises 6.299% and 3.373% as ' ϕ hnf ' enhances from 0 to 4%, respectively. Furthermore, as the values of Ra, Ha, K0, and ϕ hnf increase, Beavg experiences a decline of 53.73%, 11.04%, 38.36%, and 0.09% respectively. Also, movement of wall has a significant impact on heat transfer rates and entropy production. The present study may be extended in numerous areas to mimic the problems like-(1) onset of thermo-mechanical process for solid-fluid interaction in a conduit. (2) Thermos-chemical process with extraction of ions in two-phase fluid for double layer plating on a continuously moving sheet, as region of porous stratum saturated with a class of fluid and region without porous medium occupied with other fluid.

Current Progress on Central Cholinergic Receptors as Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's Disease.

Acetylcholine (ACh) is ubiquitously present in the nervous system and has been involved in the regulation of various brain functions. By modulating synaptic transmission and promoting synaptic plasticity, particularly in the hippocampus and cortex, ACh plays a pivotal role in the regulation of learning and memory. These procognitive actions of ACh are mediated by the neuronal muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. The impairment of cholinergic transmission leads to cognitive decline associated with aging and dementia. Therefore, the cholinergic system has been of prime focus when concerned with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia. In AD, the extensive destruction of cholinergic neurons occurs by amyloid-ß plaques and tau protein-rich neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid-ß also blocks cholinergic receptors and obstructs neuronal signaling. This makes the central cholinergic system an important target for the development of drugs for AD. In fact, centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil and rivastigmine are approved for the treatment of AD, although the outcome is not satisfactory. Therefore, identification of specific subtypes of cholinergic receptors involved in the pathogenesis of AD is essential to develop future drugs. Also, the identification of endogenous rescue mechanisms to the cholinergic system can pave the way for new drug development. In this article, we discussed the neuroanatomy of the central cholinergic system. Further, various subtypes of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors involved in the cognition and pathophysiology of AD are described in detail. The article also reviewed primary neurotransmitters that regulate cognitive processes by modulating basal forebrain cholinergic projection neurons.

The impact of 180° return bend inclination on pressure drop characteristics and phase distribution during oil-water flow.

The present work aims to capture the influence of the inclination of the return bend on flow patterns and pressure drop during oil-water flow. The experiments were carried out for different inclinations (0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°) of return bend for various superficial velocity combinations of oil (kerosene) and water ranging from 0.07 to 0.66 m/s. The experiments showed that pressure drop increases with the increase in inclination. However, the pressure drop at a fixed inclination (say 15°) decreases with the increase in the superficial velocity of the water. Distinct flow patterns observed in the return bend were droplet flow, film inversion, slug flow, plug flow and large slug flow. Droplet flow dominates at the lower range of kerosene (i.e., Usk = 0.07-0.2 m/s) and higher range of water superficial velocity (i.e., Usw = 0.40-0.66 m/s) at all the inclinations considered in this study. Additionally, comparisons between the experimental and numerical simulation results were made. The numerical solution utilized the Euler-Euler approach, considering the different phases as interpenetrating continua. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) model was used within this approach, monitoring the volume fraction of each phase over the domain while calculating one set of momentum equations for each phase. To capture the turbulent effects accurately, the k-ε turbulence model was incorporated. It happened to be found that the numerical findings showed remarkable agreement with the experimental data.

Paradigm shift in Nutrient-Energy-Water centered sustainable wastewater treatment system through synergy of bioelectrochemical system and anaerobic digestion.

With advancements in research and the necessity of improving the performance of bioelectrochemical system (BES), coupling anaerobic digestion (AD) with BES is crucial for energy gain from wastewater and bioremediation. Hybridization of BES-AD concept opens new avenues for pollutant degradation, carbon capture and nutrient-resource recovery from wastewater. The strength of merging BES-AD lies in synergy, and this approach was employed to differentiate fads from strategies with the potential for full-scale implementation and making it an energy-positive system. The integration of BES and AD system increases the overall performance and complexity of combined system and the cost of operation. From a technical standpoint, the primary determinants of BES-AD feasibility for field applications are the scalability and economic viability. High potential market for such integrated system attract industrial partners for more industrial trials and investment before commercialization. However, BES-AD with high energy efficacy and negative economics demands performance boost.

Photoresponsive 'chemo-free' phytotherapy: formulation development for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

Aim: The present investigation aimed to develop a chemo-free, nanophytosomal system to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) via a phyto-photo dual treatment strategy. Method: Size, shape, surface analysis, photoprovoked release profile, photothermal stability, (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, apoptotic assay, DNA fragmentation, in vitro cellular uptake evaluation, mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3 assay, and photodynamic evaluation. Results: Biological experiments using MDA-MB-231 cells displayed dose-dependent synergistic anti-TNBC activity of PhytoS/Houttuynia cordata extract (HCE)/IR780 as compared with Phyto/HCE, PhytoS/IR780 and even more promising under laser treatment. Apoptotic assay and DNA fragmentation analysis also showed enhanced anti-TNBC effects. Investigation found that HCE acts via suppression of mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing caspase-3 activity in cells. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that photo-empowered phytotherapy can be employed effectively and safely against TNBC.

A district-level emission inventory of anthropogenic PM2.5 from the primary sources over the Indian Indo Gangetic Plain: Identification of the emission hotspots.

A district-wise emission inventory was made for the states and union territories (UTs) of the Indian Indo-Gangetic Plain for the base year of 2018 to estimate the emissions of PM2.5 from various sectors. In addition to conventional sectors, emissions from road dust, fossil-fuelled irrigation pumps, and construction dust were also taken into account. Total primary anthropogenic PM2.5 emission was estimated to be 3157.3 Gg (or kilo-tones) for the year 2018 of which 32 % originated from the industrial sector, 27 % from domestic fuel consumption, 23 % from open burning, 14 % from road dust, 2 % from vehicular and 2 % from various unorganized sectors. The highest emissions were observed during the premonsoon (1013 Gg/year) followed by postmonsoon (802Gg/year), winter (788 Gg/year), and lowest during the monsoon (554Gg/year). Among the states and UTs, Uttar Pradesh contributes the most in total emissions (39 %), followed by Punjab (19 %), Bihar (17 %), West Bengal (13 %), Haryana (11 %), Delhi (0.9 %) and Chandigarh (0.1 %). Emission for per capita and for billion-rupee of state gross domestic product (GDP) were the highest for Punjab and Haryana. Results have identified the districts of Punjab (Firozpur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar), scattered pockets of Uttar Pradesh (Sonbhadra, Agra, Varanasi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj) and lower Gangetic delta (Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Burdwan, both 24-parganas and Murshidabad) as potent hotspots of cumulative PM2.5 emissions. On the other hand, the districts of Punjab (Faridkot, Mansa, Muktsar, Fatehgarh) were found to be the hotspots for per capita emissions. High emissions were observed from the domestic sector, brick kilns, and micro and small-scale industries, and regulating norms should be more stringent for these sectors. Such a study will be a value add for the policymakers and health experts to assess emission hot spots, pollution simulation, and associated mortality analysis of the region.

Acidity and oxidative potential of atmospheric aerosols over a remote mangrove ecosystem during the advection of anthropogenic plumes.

To investigate the acidity and the water-soluble oxidative potential of PM10, during the continental biomass-burning plume transport, a three-year (2018-2020) winter-time campaign was conducted over a pristine island (21.35°N, 88.32°E) of Sundarban mangrove ecosystem situated at the shore of Bay of Bengal. The average PM10 concentration over Sundarban was found to be 98.3 ± 22.2 µg m-3 for the entire study period with a high fraction of non-sea-salt- SO42- and water-soluble organic carbons (WSOC) that originated from the regional solid fuel burning. The thermodynamic E-AIM(IV) model had estimated that the winter-time aerosols over Sundarban were acidic (pH:2.4 ± 0.6) and mainly governed by non-sea-salt-SO42-. The volume and mass normalized oxidative potential of PM10 was found to be 1.81 ± 0.40 nmol DTT min-1 m-3 and 18.4 ± 6.1 pmol DTT min-1 µg-1 respectively which are surprisingly higher than several urban atmospheres across the world including IGP. The acid-digested water-soluble transition metals (Cu, Mn) show higher influences in the oxidative potential (under high aerosol acidity) compared to the WSOC. The study revealed that the advection of regional solid fuel burning plume and associated non-sea-salt-SO42- is enhancing aerosol acidity and oxidative stress that in turn alters the intrinsic properties of aerosols over such marine ecosystems rich in ecology and bio-geochemistry.

Fugitive road dust particulate matter emission inventory for India: A field campaign in 32 Indian cities.

This research delves into the pivotal issue of road dust emissions and their profound ramifications on air quality across diverse regions of India. In pursuit of this objective, the study initiated a comprehensive field campaign to estimate silt loading (sL) values and evaluate the distribution of vehicles at 259 locations spanning 32 Indian cities. Remarkable disparities in sL values were observed across different road types and states. Notably, sites in Rajasthan, characterized by its arid Aravalli range and industrial activities, emerged as stark outliers, exhibiting significantly elevated sL values (up to 137 g/m2) compared to their counterparts. The regional analysis goes further to elucidate the relation between climatic conditions, topography, and silt loading. As a broader trend, roads in North India have higher sL values in contrast to those in South India. Further, a comprehensive particulate matter road dust emission inventory for the entire India in the year 2022 was developed using the vehicle registration data from 1352 road transport offices nationwide, in conjunction with the data from the field campaign concerning sL values and vehicle counts. Specific states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat emerged as the predominant contributors to road dust emissions. These states not only exhibit elevated sL values, but also account for a substantial proportion of the total registered vehicles in India, thereby underscoring the pressing imperative for effective mitigation measures. Weather Research and Forecasting coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem) simulations, using this emission inventory, reveal that PM2.5 concentrations stemming from road dust exceed the World Health Organization guidelines in 55 % of the states across India. Further analysis delineates that more than 10,000 lives are annually lost due to PM2.5 pollution attributable to road dust in India, with the potential to salvage 10 % of these lives by paving all roads throughout the country.

Effect of Arsenic on Fluoride Tolerance in Microbacterium paraoxydans Strain IR-1.

Fluoride (F) and arsenic (As) are two major contaminants of water and soil systems around the globe, causing potential toxicity to humans, plants, animals, and microbes. These contaminated soil systems can be restored by microorganisms that can tolerate toxic stress and provide rapid mineralization of soil, organic matter, and contaminants, using various tolerance mechanisms. Thus, the present study was undertaken with the arsenic hyper-tolerant bacterium Microbacterium paraoxydans strain IR-1 to determine its tolerance and toxicity to increasing doses of fluoride, either individually or in combination with arsenic, in terms of growth inhibition using a toxicity unit model. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for fluoride increased, from 9 g/L to 11 g/L and from 5.91 ± 0.1 g/L to 6.32 ± 0.028 g/L, respectively, in the combination (F + As) group. The statistical comparison of observed and expected additive toxicities, with respect to toxicity unit (TU difference), using Student's t-test, was found to be highly significant (p < 0.001). This suggests the antagonistic effect of arsenic on fluoride toxicity to the strain IR-1. The unique stress tolerance of IR-1 ensures its survival as well as preponderance in fluoride and arsenic co-contaminated sites, thus paving the way for its possible application in the natural or artificial remediation of toxicant-exposed degraded soil systems.