Powering the Future by Iron Sulfide Type Material (FexSy) Based Electrochemical Materials for Water Splitting and Energy Storage Applications: A Review.

Water electrolysis is among the recent alternatives for generating clean fuels (hydrogen). It is an efficient way to produce pure hydrogen at a rapid pace with no unwanted by-products. Effective and cheap water-splitting electrocatalysts with enhanced activity, specificity, and stability are currently widely studied. In this regard, noble metal-free transition metal-based catalysts are of high interest. Iron sulfide (FeS) is one of the essential electrocatalysts for water splitting because of its unique structural and electrochemical features. This article discusses the significance of FeS and its nanocomposites as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and overall water splitting. FeS and its nanocomposites have been studied also for energy storage in the form of electrode materials in supercapacitors and lithium- (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The structural and electrochemical characteristics of FeS and its nanocomposites, as well as the synthesis processes, are discussed in this work. This discussion correlates these features with the requirements for electrocatalysts in overall water splitting and its associated reactions. As a result, this study provides a road map for researchers seeking economically viable, environmentally friendly, and efficient electrochemical materials in the fields of green energy production and storage.

Reclamation of boron from solid and liquid streams for fertilizer application.

Boron (B) is a crucial element for efficient plant growth and development; therefore, B-based fertilisers have been employed in agricultural applications. The need for B-based fertilisers for agricultural uses is continuously increasing as a result of the world's growing population. It is expected that the global market for B-based fertiliser will grow by around $6.3 billion by 2032; hence, demand for B sources will also increase. In addition to being used in fertiliser, B is also employed in the production of neodymium iron B (NdFeB) permanent magnets. The demand for NdFeB magnets is also continuously increasing. Hence, it is of the utmost importance to reclaim B from secondary resources due to the rising demand for B in a wide variety of applications. This review study addresses the recovery of B from various waste streams. The main focus is on the recovery of B from spent NdFeB magnets, borax sludge, and liquid streams such as brine water, seawater, sewage, industrial wastewater, and agricultural effluents. Different technologies for B recovery are discussed, such as sorption, solvent extraction, membrane processes, precipitation, and hydrometallurgical methods. Solvent extraction has been found to be a very effective approach for reclaiming B from spent NdFeB magnet waste and from liquid streams with high B concentration (>1-2 g/L). Further, the application of B-based fertiliser in agriculture application is reviewed. Challenges associated with B recovery from waste streams and future perspectives are also highlighted in this review.

Ursolic Acid and Solasodine as Potent Anti-Mycobacterial Agents for Combating Paratuberculosis: An Anti-Inflammatory and In Silico Analysis.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in domestic livestock causes persistent diarrhea, weight loss, and death and is also a potential cause of Crohn's disease (CD) in humans; notably, treatments against MAP are insufficient, costly, and can cause adverse reactions. Hence, plant-derived bioactive constituents have been taken into consideration in this regard. Herein, we present the results of two bioactive constituents (Solasodine and Ursolic acid) that were evaluated for their safety and efficacy against MAP protein (Dephospho-Coenzyme A kinase (DPCK) by utilizing in vitro assays and different tools of in silico biology. The ADME/t-test, the drug-likeness property test, pharmacophore modelling, and PASS prediction have proven that both the constituents have better binding capacities than the available antibiotic drugs used to target protein inhibition pathways. Through our observations, it can be inferred that these two phytochemicals can be adequately used to treat paratuberculosis, thereby combating inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) of an autoimmune nature.

Genomic diversity of the Muslim population from Telangana (India) inferred from 23 autosomal STRs.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the genomic diversity and population structure in the Muslim community of Telangana, India, using 23 autosomal microsatellite genetic markers. We also examined genetic relatedness between Muslim and non-Muslim populations of India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A sample of 184 randomly selected unrelated healthy Muslim individuals from the Telangana state were included in this study. The genotyping of 23 autosomal STR markers included in PowerPlex® Fusion 6 C multiplex system (Promega)was done. RESULTS: A total of 273 alleles were observed in the studied population, and locus SE33 showed 37 observed alleles, which is the highest number of observed alleles among all the studied loci. Among all the studied loci the most polymorphic and discriminatory locus was SE33, with the values of polymorphic information content (PIC) = 9.411E-01 and power of discrimination (PD) = 9.865E-01. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 6.630E-01 (D22S1045) to 9.239E-01 (SE33). Discrimination power, exclusion power, matching probability and paternity index for all the studied loci were 1.00E + 00, 1.00E + 00, 2.01E-28, and 5.68E + 09, respectively. The studied Muslim population showed genetic relatedness with non-Muslim populations i.e. populations of central India, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting the conversion of Hindus during the Muslim invasion. CONCLUSION: Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the studied population showed genetic affinity with communities of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh states. The genetic data of this study may be useful for forensic, medical, and anthropological studies.

Sorption and mechanism studies of Cu2+, Sr2+ and Pb2+ ions on mesoporous aluminosilicates/zeolite composite sorbents.

The research aimed to develop a novel mesoporous aluminosilicate/zeolite composite by the template co-precipitation method. The effect of aluminosilicate (AlSi) and zeolite (NaY) on the basic properties and adsorption capacity of the resultant composite was conducted at different mass ratios of AlSi/NaY (i.e., 5/90, 10/80, 15/85, 20/80, and 50/50). The adsorption characteristics of such composite and its feedstock materials (i.e., aluminosilicates and zeolite) towards radioactive Sr2+ ions and toxic metals (Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions) in aqueous solutions were investigated. Results indicated that BET surface area (SBET), total pore volume (VTotal), and mesopore volume (VMeso) of prepared materials followed the decreasing order: aluminosilicate (890 m2/g, 0.680 cm3/g, and 0.644 cm3/g) > zeolite (623 m2/g, 0.352 cm3/g, and 0.111 cm3/g) > AlSi/NaY (20/80) composite (370 m2/g, 0.254 cm3/g, and 0.154 cm3/g, respectively). The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) of metal ions (Sr2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+) in single-component solution was 260 mg/g, 220 mg/g, and 161 mg/g (for zeolite), 153 mg/g, 37.9 mg/g, and 66.5 mg/g (for aluminosilicate), and 186 mg/g, 140 mg/g, and 77.8 mg/g for (AlSi/NaY (20/80) composite), respectively. Ion exchange was regarded as a domain adsorption mechanism of metal ions in solution by zeolite; meanwhile, inner-surface complexation was domain one for aluminosilicate. Ion exchange and inner-surface complexation might be mainly responsible for adsorbing metal ions onto the AlSi/NaY composite. Pore-filling mechanism was a less important contributor during the adsorption process. The results of competitive adsorption under binary-components (Cu2+ and Sr2+) and ternary-components (Cu2+, Pb2+, and Sr2) demonstrated that the removal efficacy of target metals by the aluminosilicate, zeolite, and their composite remarkably decreased. The synthesized AlSi/NaY composite might serve as a promising adsorbent for real water treatment.

Synthesis of novel adsorbent by intercalation of biopolymer in LDH for the removal of arsenic from synthetic and natural water.

This study focuses on the synthesis of nanocomposites named CCA and CZA that were prepared by the incorporation of cellulose (CL) in the Ca/Al and Zn/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH), respectively. These materials were then used for the uptake of As(III) and As(V) from aqueous medium. Characterization of both nanocomposites (CCA and CZA) was done using FTIR and Raman analysis to identify the functional groups, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms to determine the specific surface area and pore geometry and XPS analysis to obtain the surface atomic composition. Some other characters were investigated using simultaneous TGA and DTA and elemental chemical analysis (CHNS/O). The crystallinity of the prepared nanocomposites was displayed by XRD patterns. Furthermore, the sheet-like structure of the LDHs and the irregularity of surface morphology with porous structure were observed by TEM and SEM microphotographs. Optimization of maximum adsorption capacity was adjusted using different parameters including pH, contact time and adsorbent dosage. The pseudo-second-order model was in good fitting with kinetics results. The adsorption isotherm results showed that CZA exhibits better adsorption capacity for As(III) than CCA and the Langmuir isotherm model described the data well for both nanocomposites. Thermodynamic studies illustrated the endothermic nature of CCA and exothermic nature on CZA, as well as the fact that the adsorption process is spontaneous. A real water sample collected from well located in Gabes (Tunisia), has also been treated. The obtained experimental results were confirmed that these sorbents are efficient for the treatment of hazardous toxic species such as.

Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Its Hydrophobically Modified Derivative as pH-Switchable Emulsifiers.

The emulsification properties of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMChi) and hydrophobically modified carboxymethyl chitosan (h-CMChi) were studied as a function of pH and dodecane/water ratio. The pH was varied between 6-10, and the oil/water ratio between 0.1-2.0. In CMChi solution, the emulsion stability increased as the pH was lowered from 10 to 7, and the phase inversion was shifted from oil/water ratio 1.0 to 1.8, respectively. The system behaved differently in pH 6 due to the aggregation of CMChi and the formation of nanoparticles (∼200-300 nm). No phase inversion was observed and the maximum amount of emulsified oil was reached at oil/water ratio 1.2. The h-CMChi showed similar behavior as a function of pH but, due to hydrophobic modification, the phase inversion was shifted to higher values in pH 7-10. In pH 6, the behavior was similar, but the maximum amount of emulsified oil was higher compared to CMChi. The amount of adsorbed particles correlated with the emulsified amount of oil. Reversible emulsification of dodecane was demonstrated by pH adjustment using CMChi and h-CMChi solutions. The formed emulsions were gel-like, suggesting particle-particle interaction.

Synthesis of malachite@clay nanocomposite for rapid scavenging of cationic and anionic dyes from synthetic wastewater.

Synthesis of malachite@clay nanocomposite was successfully carried out for the removal of cationic (Methylene Blue, MB) and anionic dyes (Congo Red, CR) from synthetic wastewater. Nanocomposite was characterized by TEM, SEM, FT-IR, EDS analysis and zeta potential. TEM analysis indicated that the particle diameter of nanocomposite was in the range of 14 to 23nm. Various important parameters viz. contact time, concentration of dyes, nanocomposite dosage, temperature and solution pH were optimized to achieve maximum adsorption capacity. In the case of MB, removal decreased from 99.82% to 93.67% while for CR, removal decreased from 88.55% to 75.69% on increasing dye concentration from 100 to 450mg/L. pH study confirmed the higher removal of CR in acidic range while MB removal was higher in alkaline range. Kinetic study revealed the applicability of pseudo-second-order model for the adsorption of both dyes. Negative values of ΔG0 for both systems suggested the feasibility of dye removal and support for spontaneous adsorption of CR and MB on nanocomposite. Nanocomposite showed 277.77 and 238.09mg/g Langmuir adsorption capacity for MB and CR respectively. Desorption of dyes from the dye loaded nanocomposite was easily carried out with acetone. The results indicate that the prepared malachite@clay nanocomposite is an efficient adsorbent with high adsorption capacity for the aforementioned dyes.

Separation and removal of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ from environmental waste samples by N-benzoyl-n-phenylhydroxylamine.

This study was conducted to determine the optimum extraction conditions for the effective separation and removal of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ using N-benzoyl-n-phenylhydroxylamine (BPA) as an analytical reagent. An efficient liquid-liquid extraction method was developed for the separation and removal of Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ from environmental waste samples. In this method, BPA was used as a chelating agent and the effect of different parameters- including solvents, pH, stripping agents, extraction time, and the interference of other ions- on the quantitative removal of these metals was investigated. This study demonstrates that chloroform is the most effective solvent for BPA. The maximum extraction of the selected metallic species was found between pH 3 and 5. It was demonstrated that the maximum percentage recovery of the metals can be attained using 1 M HCl as a stripping agent. Optimized conditions of different parameters could be beneficial for industry and environmental laboratories.

The effect of the number of SO3- groups on the adsorption of anionic dyes by the synthesized hydroxyapatite/Mg-Al LDH nanocomposite.

In this study, a new nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite (HA)/Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was successfully formed via a facile co-precipitation method and applied to adsorb three anionic dyes of alizarin red S (ARS), Congo red (CR), and reactive red 120 (RR120) differing in the number of SO3- groups from aqueous solution. Based on a combination of characterization analysis and adsorption experiments, HA/Mg-Al LDH nanocomposite showed better adsorption performance than HA and Mg-Al LDH. Using XRD and TEM analyses, the crystallinity and the presence of nanoparticles were confirmed. According to the SEM investigation, the Mg-Al LDH layers in the nanocomposite structure were delaminated, while HA nanorods were formed at the surface of Mg-Al LDH nanoparticles. The higher BET surface area of the novel HA/Mg-Al LDH nanocomposite compared to HA and Mg-Al LDH provided its superior adsorption performance. Considering an effective amount of adsorbent dosage, pH 5 was selected as the optimum pH for each of the three dye solutions. According to the results from the study of contact time and initial concentration, the pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2 = 0.9987, 0.9951, and 0.9922) and Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9873, 0.9956, and 0.9727) best fitted the data for ARS, CR, and RR120, respectively. Anionic dyes with different numbers of SO3- groups demonstrated distinct adsorption mechanisms for HA and Mg-Al LDH nanoparticles, indicating that the adsorption capacity is influenced by the number of SO3- groups, with HA/Mg-Al LDH nanocomposite offering superior performance toward dyes with higher numbers of SO3- groups. Furthermore, ΔH° less than 40 kJ/mol, positive ΔS°, and negative ΔG° accompanied by the mechanism clarifying show physical spontaneous adsorption without an external source of energy and increase the randomness of the process during the adsorption, respectively. Finally, the regeneration study demonstrated that the nanocomposite could be utilized for multiple adsorption-desorption cycles, proposing the HA/Mg-Al LDH as an economically and environmentally friendly adsorbent in the adsorption of anionic dyes in water treatment processes.

A comprehensive review on Phyto-MAP: A novel approach of drug discovery against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis using AYUSH heritage.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Indian system of Traditional medicine, AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) has great potential with a History of Safe Use (HOSU) of thousands of medicinal plants included in pharmacopoeias. The multi-targeted approach of phytoconstituents present in different traditionally used medicinal plants makes them suitable candidates for research against various infective pathogens. MAP which is a dairy-borne pathogen is associated with the development of Johne's disease in ruminants and Crohn's disease like autoimmune disorders in human beings. There are no reliable treatment alternatives available against MAP, leaving surgical removal of intestines as the sole option. Hence, there exists an urgent need to search for leads against such infection. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present review has been conducted to find out the ethnopharmacological evidence about the potential of phytoconstituents against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), along with the proposal of a potential phyto-MAP mechanism for the very first time taking anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-microbial traditional claims into consideration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have analyzed and reviewed different volumes of the two main traditional scriptures of India i.e. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) and Unani Pharmacopoeia of India (UPI), respectively-for identification of potential anti-MAP plants based on their claims for related disorders. These plants were further investigated systematically for their scientific publications of the last 20 years (2002-2022) available through electronic databases including Google Scholar, Pubmed, and Scopus. The studies conducted in vitro, cell lines, and in vivo levels were taken into consideration along with the associated mechanisms of phytoconstituents. RESULTS: A total of 70 potential medicinal plants have been identified. Based on the ethnopharmacology, a potential phyto-paratuberculosis (Phyto-paraTB) mechanism has been proposed and out of 70, seven potential anti-MAP plants have been identified to have a great future as anti-MAP. CONCLUSION: A novel and scientifically viable plan has been proposed for addressing anti-MAP plants for stimulating research against MAP and related disorders using mass-trusted AYUSH medicine, which can be used as an alternative remedy in resistance cases otherwise can be advocated as an adjuvant with modern treatments for better management of the disease.

Adsorption of rare earth elements on a magnetic geopolymer derived from rice husk: studies in batch, column, and application in real phosphogypsum leachate sample.

There is a growing need to develop new strategies for rare earth element (REE) recovery from secondary resources. Herein, a novel approach to utilize biogenic silica (from rice husk) and metakaolin was employed to fabricate magnetic geopolymer (MGP) by incorporating metallic iron. The fabricated MGP adsorbent material was used to uptake Ce3+, La3+, and Nd3+ from synthetic solutions and real phosphogypsum leachate in batch and column modes. The MGP offers a negatively charged surface at pH above 2.7, and the uptake of REEs rises from pH 3 to 6. The kinetic study validated that the kinetics was much faster for Nd3+, followed by La3+ and Ce3+. A thermodynamic investigation validated the exothermic nature of the adsorption process for all selected REEs. The desorption experiment using 2 mol L-1 H2SO4 as the eluent demonstrated approximately 100% desorption of REEs from the adsorbent. After six adsorption-desorption cycles, the MGP maintained a high adsorption performance up to cycle five before suffering a significant decrease in performance in cycle six. The effectiveness of MGP was also assessed for its applicability in recovering numerous REEs (La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, and Nd3+) from real leachate from phosphogypsum wastes, and the highest recovery was achieved for Nd3+ (95.03%) followed by Ce3+ (86.33%). The operation was also feasible in the column presenting suitable values of the length of the mass transfer zone. The findings of this investigation indicate that MGP adsorbent prepared via a simple route has the potential for the recovery of REEs from synthetic and real samples in both batch and continuous operations modes.

Artificial Intelligence in Drug Formulation and Development: Applications and Future Prospects.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in various domains, and the field of drug formulation and development is no exception. This review article aims to provide an overview of the applications of AI in drug formulation and development and explore its future prospects. The article begins by introducing the fundamental concepts of AI, including machine learning, deep learning, and artificial neural networks and their relevance in the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the article discusses the network and tools of AI and its applications in the pharmaceutical development process, including various areas, such as drug discovery, manufacturing, quality control, clinical trial management, and drug delivery. The utilization of AI in various conventional as well as modified dosage forms has been compiled. It also highlights the challenges and limitations associated with the implementation of AI in this field, including data availability, model interpretability, and regulatory considerations. Finally, the article presents the future prospects of AI in drug formulation and development, emphasizing the potential for personalized medicine, precision drug targeting, and rapid formulation optimization. It also discusses the ethical implications of AI in this context, including issues of privacy, bias, and accountability.

Assessment of Post-operative Complications in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India.

Background Thyroid surgeries, among the most common surgical procedures globally, present with varied complications. This study is aimed at identifying the complications and selected variables associated with thyroid surgery. Methods In this cross-sectional, retrospective, record-based study, a total of 107 patients who underwent thyroidectomies and satisfied the inclusion criteria, were recruited using convenience sampling technique. This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from January 2021 to December 2021. Data were collected from medical records using a researcher-created data extraction form after ethical approval from the institutional ethics committee. The data were analyzed using Epi Info software (Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), with a p-value of <0.05 considered to be statistically significant. Results Of the 107 patients who underwent thyroidectomies, 92 (85.9%) reported one or more complications. Complications were most common (90.2% of patients) in the 25-34 years age group and among females (83.3%). The most common complications were dysphagia (30.84% of patients), voice change (21.50%), and respiratory obstruction (8.41%). Temporary hypocalcemia developed in 3.74% of these patients, while tracheal injury and hematoma were documented in 3.74% and 1.87%, respectively. Tobacco users (14.9%), alcohol users (16.8%), those eating a non-vegetarian diet (61.9%), and those eating saturated fats (13.0%) suffered more complications. Family history (p=0.03) was found to be significantly associated with complications. Conclusion The most common post-thyroidectomy complications in this group of patients were dysphagia and voice change, while hypocalcemia, tracheal injury, and hematoma were rare complications. Tobacco users and alcohol users reported more complications. Complications were more common in those with a family history of thyroid disease and those who were underweight.

Nanomaterials for photo-electrochemical water splitting: a review.

Over the last few decades, the global rise in energy demand has prompted researchers to investigate the energy requirements from alternative green fuels apart from the conventional fossil fuels, due to the surge in CO2 emission levels. In this context, the global demand for hydrogen is anticipated to extend by 4-5% in the next 5 years. Different production technologies like gasification of coal, partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, and reforming of natural gas are used to obtain high yields of hydrogen. In present time, 96% of hydrogen is produced by the conventional methods, and the remaining 4% is produced by the electrolysis of water. Photo-electrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising and progressive solar-to-hydrogen pathway with high conversion efficiency at low operating temperatures with substrate electrodes such as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), incorporated with photocatalytic nanomaterials. Several semiconducting nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, TiO2, ZnO, graphene, alpha-Fe2O3, WO3, metal nitrides, metal phosphides, cadmium-based quantum dots, and rods have been reported for PEC water splitting. The design of photocatalytic electrodes plays a crucial role for efficient PEC water splitting process. By modifying the composition and morphology of photocatalytic nanomaterials, the overall solar-to-hydrogen (STH) energy conversion efficiency can be improved by optimizing their opto-electronic properties. The present article highlights the recent advancements in cleaner and effective photocatalysts for producing high yields of hydrogen via PEC water splitting.

Current Status and Challenges for Metal-Organic-Framework-Assisted Conversion of Biomass into Value-Added Chemicals.

Owing to the abundance of availability, low cost, and environmental-friendliness, biomass waste could serve as a prospective renewable source for value-added chemicals. Nevertheless, biomass conversion into chemicals is quite challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of biomass waste. Biomass-derived chemicals are appealing sustainable solutions that can reduce the dependency on existing petroleum-based production. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based catalysts and their composite materials have attracted considerable amounts of interest in biomass conversion applications recently because of their interesting physical and chemical characteristics. Due to their tunability, the catalytic activity and selectivity of MOF-based catalyst/composite materials can be tailored by functionalizing them with a variety of functional groups to enhance biomass conversion efficiency. This review focuses on the catalytic transformation of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added chemicals by employing MOF-based catalyst/composite materials. The main focus is given to the production of the platform chemicals HMF and Furfural from the corresponding (hemi)cellulosic biomass, due to their versatility as intermediates for the production of various biobased chemicals and fuels. The effects of different experimental parameters on the conversion of biomass by MOF-based catalysts are also included. Finally, current challenges and perspectives of biomass conversion into chemicals by MOF-based catalysts are highlighted.

TLC-MS-Bioautographic Identification of Antityrosinase Compounds and Preparation of a Topical Gel Formulation from a Bioactive Fraction of an RSM-Optimized Alcoholic Extract of Rubia Cordifolia L. stem.

BACKGROUND: Rubia cordifolia L., Rubiaceae, is globally reported to treat skin-related problems. The study aimed to assess the antityrosinase potential of Rubia cordifolia (ARC) and the development of gel formulation. METHODS: The AutoDock Vina (version V.1.2.0) program package was used for molecular docking to check for the binding affinity of ligands with protein. Response surface methodology (RSM) software was used to optimize extraction parameters for an alcoholic extract of Rubia cordifolia (ARC). The developed HPTLC method for the quantification of purpurin in ARC was validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. A bioautographic study for the evaluation of antityrosinase effects was performed; an anthraquinone-enriched fraction (AEF)-loaded gel formulation developed and evaluated physicochemically which could be used to reduce skin pigmentation. RESULTS: Purpurin showed optimum binding affinity (-7.4 kcal/mol) with the molecular target (tyrosinase) when compared to that of standard kojic acid (-5.3 kcal/mol). Quantification of purpurin in ARC, optimized by RSM software, was validated and physiologically significant results were observed for the antityrosinase potential of an AEF, along with TLC-MS-bioautographic identification for antityrosinase compounds: purpurin (m/z 256.21) and ellagic acid (m/z 302.19). Evaluation of an AEF-loaded gel formulation by in vitro and ex vivo permeation studies was performed. CONCLUSION: ARC extraction parameters optimized by RSM, and a bioautographic study helped identify antityrosinase compounds. The development of a gel formulation could be a cost-effective option for the treatment of depigmentation in the future. HIGHLIGHTS: A TLC-MS-Bioautography-based Identification of Antityrosinase Compounds and development of AEF-loaded Topical Gel formulation from a Bioactive Fraction of an RSM-Optimized Alcoholic Extract of Rubia Cordifolia L. stem, which could help with promising results in reducing skin pigmentation and maintaining even tone.

Phytochemicals from fruit and vegetable waste generated in hotels: Optimization of recovery procedure and potential for value-addition.

Fifteen star-category hotels in the National Capital Region of India were surveyed to assess the mixed fruit and vegetable waste generated. Based on the survey, a model mixed waste was prepared and used to identify the optimal procedure for recovery of bioactive phytochemicals and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) followed by preliminary identification of phytochemical constituents. The optimization procedure was done over (i) level I focusing on sample type (fresh, oven dried, vacuum dried), extraction technique (maceration, ultrasound assisted extraction), removal of interfering components by treatment with dichloromethane (DCM) and extraction in different solvents, and (ii) level II focusing on solvent concentration and extraction time, in both non DCM and DCM treated samples. The model mixed waste consisted of peels of pineapple, papaya, potato, pomegranate, apple, onion and citrus. The optimal conditions for recovery of phytochemicals and TEAC were non DCM treated vacuum dried samples subjected to ultrasonic assisted extraction for 60 min using âˆ¼ 63% acetone. This resulted in recovery of appreciable amounts of total extractable phytochemicals consisting of polyphenols and flavonoids as the major components with relatively smaller amounts of flavones and flavanols. High TEAC values were obtained with both aqueous phase (ABTS) and organic phase (DPPH) assays. Preliminary investigation revealed the presence of various high-value compounds particularly gallic acid, ferulic acid, rutin and catechin in the phytochemicals extract. Consequently, there is significant potential to recover value-added phytochemicals from mixed fruit and vegetable waste from hotels contributing towards a circular bioeconomy.

An Overview of Treatment Approaches for Octahydro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetranitro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetrazocine (HMX) Explosive in Soil, Groundwater, and Wastewater.

Octahydro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetranitro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetrazocine (HMX) is extensively exploited in the manufacturing of explosives; therefore, a significant level of HMX contamination can be encountered near explosive production plants. For instance, up to 12 ppm HMX concentrations have been observed in the wastewater effluent of a munitions manufacturing facility, while up to 45,000 mg/kg of HMX has been found in a soil sample taken from a location close to a high-explosive production site. Owing to their immense demand for a variety of applications, the large-scale production of explosives has culminated in severe environmental issues. Soil and water contaminated with HMX can pose a detrimental impact on flora and fauna and hence, remediation of HMX is paramount. There is a rising demand to establish a sustainable technology for HMX abatement. Physiochemical and bioremediation approaches have been employed to treat HMX in the soil, groundwater, and wastewater. It has been revealed that treatment methods such as photo-peroxidation and photo-Fenton oxidation can eliminate approximately 98% of HMX from wastewater. Fenton's reagents were found to be very effective at mineralizing HMX. In the photocatalytic degradation of HMX, approximately 59% TOC removal was achieved by using a TiO2 photocatalyst, and a dextrose co-substrate was used in a bioremediation approach to accomplish 98.5% HMX degradation under anaerobic conditions. However, each technology has some pros and cons which need to be taken into consideration when choosing an HMX remediation approach. In this review, various physiochemical and bioremediation approaches are considered and the mechanism of HMX degradation is discussed. Further, the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies are also discussed along with the challenges of HMX treatment technologies, thus giving an overview of the HMX remediation strategies.

Perceived Barriers in Delivering Optimal Healthcare Services in a Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital: Perspectives of Health-Service Providers.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic challenged the healthcare infrastructure, with health-service providers (HSPs) offering unconditional and unprejudiced service to admitted patients. During the first wave, due to the novelty of the disease and the lack of clarity regarding its transmission in the initial phases of the evolution of the disease, the predominant fear was of contracting the disease while caring for patients. With the prevailing uncertainty in knowledge and management, this study was planned to identify the barriers to delivering optimal healthcare to COVID-19 patients. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among HSPs working in the first phase of a dedicated 500-bed government COVID-19 hospital at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences using an online questionnaire with the following five aspects: workplace guidelines and support, protective equipment, access to information regarding updates on the epidemic, overall self-reported stress and workplace stress about self-infection with COVID-19 and family being infected, and demographics. All HSPs aged 18 years or above, who were working either on a full- or a part-time basis, were able to understand the English language, and who were working in the COVID-19 hospital and gave digital informed consent (via Google Forms) were included in the study. All data were collected, coded, tabulated, and analyzed using Google Forms in an Excel format and Epi Info software version 7.2.5.0. Results Of the 144 respondents contacted, 132 completed the survey, with a participation rate of 91.67%. About 52.27% of respondents were aged 21-30 years, 68.18% were females, and 56.06% were nurses. Challenges faced were "working in a new context" (40.91%), "the uncertainty and fear of being infected and infecting others"(31.06%), and "exhausted by the workload and protective gear" (18.94%). Moreover, 64.12% were aware of a workplace policy. Only 0.75% felt that their workload needed to be reduced; 2.27% felt the need for a penalty policy for hiding travel history, lack of quarantine compliance, avoiding the accumulation of face masks, and price inflation of face masks. The overall self-reported stress level was significantly associated with a lack of awareness of workplace policies and the fear of getting infected. Furthermore, 93.94% reported that they had an adequate supply of personal protective equipment. As high as 81.06% of the HSPs were "worried about being infected from COVID-19 during work," and 94.69% were "worried about their family being infected from COVID-19 due to their working in COVID-19 hospitals." Conclusions HSPs' perception of barriers in providing healthcare gave an insight into the problems being faced and helped improve the quality of services. The study highlighted the need of increasing awareness regarding the existing workplace policies among HSPs to promote preparedness during crisis management.