Microplastic pollutants in water: A comprehensive review on their remediation by adsorption using various adsorbents.

Microplastics (MPs), as emerging pollutants, have attracted the attention of environmentalists, statespersons, and the scientific community over the last few decades. To address the spread of MPs in the environment, it is imperative to develop various removal techniques and materials that are effective, scalable, and ecologically benign. However, to the best of our knowledge, no review has systematically examined the removal of MPs using adsorption or provided an in-depth discussion on various adsorbents. Adsorption is an inexpensive and effective technology for wastewater treatment. Recently, many researchers have conducted studies on MP remediation using diverse adsorbent materials, such as biochar, activated carbon, sponges, carbon nanotubes, metal-layered oxides, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and zeolites. Each adsorbent has advantages and disadvantages. To overcome their disadvantages, researchers have been designing and developing hybrid adsorbents for MP remediation. This review provides insights into these individual adsorbents and also discusses hybrid adsorbents for MP removal. Finally, the review elaborates on future possibilities and ways to enable more efficient, scalable, and environmentally friendly MP cleanup. Overall, this review bridges the gap between contemporary MP remediation using adsorption techniques and adsorbent development.

Prevention of Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia and Oral Lichen Planus Using Laser: An Observational Study

Objectives: The present observational study was conducted with an aim to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser in management of homogenous oral leukoplakia (OL) and reticular oral lichen planus (OLP), so that these potentially malignant disorders can be limited and further malignant transformation can be prevented. Further the assessment of associated postoperative complications after laser therapy was also carried out. Study Design: Present study was carried out using diode laser 810nm on 60 subjects, of whom 30 subjects were of homogenous OL and 30 subjects were of reticular OLP aged between 20 ­ 60 years, the diagnosis of which was histopathologically confirmed. Results: Of the 60 subjects none complained of pain during and immediately after surgery with no bleeding at any stage of the procedure. By the end of 3rd day post operative most subjects reported no pain and swelling and very few subjects had negligible pain and swelling when evaluated. On subsequent follow-up of 1,2 and 4 week(s) none of the subject reported of pain, swelling or bleeding and it was noted that all the areas treated with laser had healed without scarring with no signs of recurrence. Fibrosis was seen in two male patients and one female patient treated for OL and OLP respectively. Conclusion: Patient compliance and contentment without any postoperative complications were observed to be of high degree in the present study. Thus diode laser can be considered as a best alternative to conventional surgical treatment modality in managing OL and OLP and preventing its further transformation.

Pressure assisted enhancement in superconducting properties of Fe substituted NbSe2 single crystal.

The impact of hydrostatic pressure (P) up to 1 GPa on T c , J c and the nature of the pinning mechanism in FexNbSe2 single crystals have been investigated within the framework of the collective theory. We found that the pressure can induce a transition from the regime where pinning is controlled by spatial variation in the critical transition temperature (δT c ) to the regime controlled by spatial variation in the mean free path (δℓ). Furthermore, T c and low field J c are slightly induced, although the J c drops more rapidly at high fields than at ambient P. The pressure effect enhances the anisotropy and reduces the coherence length, resulting in weak interaction of the vortex cores with the pinning centers. Moreover, the P can induce the density of states, which, in turn, leads to enhance in T c with increasing P. P enhances the T c with the rates of dT c /dP of 0.86, 1.35 and 1.47 K/GPa for FexNbSe2, respectively. The magnetization data are used to establish a vortex phase diagram. The nature of the vortices has been determined from the scaling behaviour of the pinning force density extracted from the J c -H isotherms and demonstrates the point pinning mechanism.

Analyzing intra-abdominal pressures and outcomes in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Studies have documented the impact of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) on virtually every organ. However, it still remains strangely underdiagnosed. The aims of the study were to assess, in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy, whether intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality, to evaluate the effects of IAH, and to identify hidden cases of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 197 patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. IAP was measured preoperatively and then postoperatively at 0, 6, and 24 hours. Duration of hospital stay, occurrence of burst abdomen, and mortality were noted as outcomes. RESULTS: At admission, incidence of IAH was 80%. No significant association was found between IAP and occurrence of burst abdomen (P > 0.1). IAP was found to be a significant predictor of mortality in patients undergoing laparotomy (P < 0.001). Elevated IAP was found to affect all the organ systems adversely. The incidence of post-op ACS was 3.05% in the general population and 13.16% in trauma patients. The mortality rate for this subgroup was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: IAP is a significant predictor of mortality in patients undergoing laparotomy. IAH has detrimental effects on various organ systems. A more frequent monitoring with prompt decompression may be helpful in decreasing the mortality rate. Further studies are required to establish a screening protocol in patients undergoing laparotomy to detect and manage cases of IAH and ACS.

Evaluation of gelatin/resorcinol/aldehyde as a hemostatic agent and tissue adhesive: an experimental study in rat.

Use of gelatin/resorcinol/formaldehyde glue as a tissue adhesive and hemostatic agent was evaluated experimentally after modification of the aldehyde component. Gelatin/ resorcinol/aldehyde (GRA) glue was prepared by mixing gelatin and resorcinol and cross-linking with a blend of formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde. After wedge resection of the liver of 28 albino rats, bleeding was controlled, and the cut surfaces were joined with GRA. Liver biopsy was done at 7, 14, 21, and 28-day intervals. Hemostasis was excellent in 71.4%, satisfactory in 25.0%, and poor in 3.6%. Mean time for tissue adhesion was 2.6 minutes. No necrosis or bile leakage was seen. Visibility of site of repair decreased from 50.0% on day 7 to 14.3% on day 28. Residual glue was seen microscopically on day 28 in 43% cases. GRA is safe and good hemostatic, tissue adhesive, and sealant in rat liver.