Heavy metal contamination in river water, sediment, groundwater and human blood, from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Exponential industrialization and anthropogenic activities have resulted in water contamination by various heavy metals in Kanpur city, India. Heavy metal pollution, an issue of great concern, is not only affecting river water, but contamination of groundwater is creating health issues and worries. In the present investigation, blood samples were collected from selected volunteers, water and sediment samples from four sites of river Ganga and drinking groundwater samples from 23 locations of Kanpur city. Heavy metals analysis in river water, sediment, and human blood, was done by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for groundwater samples. Human blood showed a high concentration of arsenic (As) (66.6 ± 0.00 and 76.9 ± 0.01 µg L-1 in males and female subjects, respectively) and thallium (Tl) (13.4 ± 0.004 and 16.6 ± 0.005 µg L-1 in males and female subjects, respectively) with higher concentrations in females than males. Other heavy metals (Nickle, Beryllium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Lead) were not observed in any of the tested human blood samples. However, in groundwater sampling, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and arsenic (As) were detected, one sample had the presence of chromium (Cr), and two samples showed lead (Pb) contamination. River water [Cu (32-125 µg L-1), Cr (19-725 µg L-1), Cd (1-59 µg L-1), Pb (37-163 µg L-1), As (32-153 µg L-1), Th (26.75 µg L-1)] showed a high level of the heavy metals, as compared to reference values of BIS, CPCB (2016a), WHO, EPA and USEPA. River sediment [Cu (4168-34,470 µg Kg-1), Cr (4040-145,650 µg Kg-1), Cd (326-5340 µg Kg-1), Pb (1840-19,350 µg Kg-1), As (103-188 µg Kg-1)] also showed high concentration when compared to reference values of USEPA and PASS. River site 4, with high Cr (725 µg L-1), also showed Cr levels (19.8 µg L-1) in the groundwater samples, indicating Cr contamination in groundwater while Pb was observed at groundwater samples close to two industrial sites. Drinking water might be the primary exposure pathway for As and Tl to enter the human body. The study recommends periodic monitoring of river water, sediment, groundwater, and human blood samples for contamination of heavy metals.

Triphenylphosphine-Assisted Transformation of NiS to Ni2P through a Solvent-Less Pyrolysis Route: Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Performance.

Straightforward synthetic routes to the preparation of transition metal phosphides or their chalcogenide analogues are highly desired due to their widespread applications, including catalysis. We report a facile and simple route for the preparation of a pure phase nickel phosphide (Ni2P) and phase transformations in the nickel sulfide (NiS) system through a solvent-less synthetic protocol. Decomposition of different sulfur-based complexes (dithiocarbamate, xanthate, and dithiophosphonate) of nickel(II) was investigated in the presence and absence of triphenylphosphine (TPP). The optimization of reaction parameters (nature of precursor, ratio of TPP, temperature, and time) indicated that phosphorus- and sulfur-containing inorganic dithiophosphonate complexes and TPP (1:1 mole ratio) produced pure nickel phosphide, whereas different phases of nickel sulfide were obtained from dithiocarbamate and xanthate precursors in the presence or absence of TPP. A plausible explanation of the sulfide or phosphide phase formation is suggested, and the performance of Ni2P was investigated as an electrocatalyst for supercapacitance and overall water-splitting reactions. The performance of Ni2P with the surface free of any capping agents is not well explored, as common synthetic methods are solution-based routes; therefore, the electrocatalytic performance was also compared with metal phosphides, prepared by other routes. The highest specific capacitance of 367 F/g was observed at 1 A/g, and the maximum energy and power density of Ni2P were calculated to be 17.9 Wh/kg and 6951 W/kg, respectively. The prepared nickel phosphide required overpotentials of 174 and 316 mV along with Tafel slopes of 115 and 95 mV/dec to achieve a current density of 10 mA/cm2 for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively.

Flexible Molecular Precursors for Selective Decomposition to Nickel Sulfide or Nickel Phosphide for Water Splitting and Supercapacitance.

Herein, the synthesis of three nickel(II) dithiophosphonate complexes of the type [Ni{S2 P(OR)(4-C6 H4 OMe)}2 ] [R=H (1), C3 H7 (2)] and [Ni{S2 P(OR)(4-C6 H4 OEt}2 ] [R=(C6 H5 )2 CH (3)] is described; their structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray studies. These complexes were subjected to surfactant/solvent reactions at 300 °C for one hour as flexible molecular precursors to prepare either nickel sulfide or nickel phosphide particles. The decomposition of complex 2 in tri-octylphosphine oxide/1-octadecene (TOPO/ODE), TOPO/tri-n-octylphosphine (TOP), hexadecylamine (HDA)/TOP, and HDA/ODE yielded hexagonal NiS, Ni2 P, Ni5 P4 , and rhombohedral NiS, respectively. Similarly, the decomposition of complex 1 in TOPO/TOP and HDA/TOP yielded hexagonal Ni2 P and Ni5 P4 , respectively, and that of complex 3 in similar solvents led to hexagonal Ni5 P4 , with TOP as the likely phosphorus provider. Hexagonal NiS was prepared from the solvent-less decomposition of complexes 1 and 2 at 400 °C. NiS (rhom) had the best specific supercapacitance of 2304 F g-1 at a scan rate of 2 mV s-1 followed by 1672 F g-1 of Ni2 P (hex). Similarly, NiS (rhom) and Ni2 P (hex) showed the highest power and energy densities of 7.4 kW kg-1 and 54.16 W kg-1 as well as 6.3 kW kg-1 and 44.7 W kg-1 , respectively. Ni5 P4 (hex) had the lowest recorded overpotential of 350 mV at a current density of 50 mA cm-2 among the samples tested for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). NiS (hex) and Ni5 P4 (hex) had the lowest overpotentials of 231 and 235 mV to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm-2 , respectively, in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) examinations.

Spatial changes in water and heavy metal contamination in water and sediment of river Ganga in the river belt Haridwar to Kanpur.

Despite heavy investments and a number of government schemes, deterioration in water quality of river Ganga and its tributaries is an issue of serious concern. Among all the cities, thriving on Ganga, Kanpur is considered to add maximum pollution in the river. In the present study, water samples were collected seasonally from nine selected sites within the middle stretch of river Ganga from Haridwar to Kanpur. The velocity, temperature, pH, alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were analyzed during winter (November-January), summer (March-June) and monsoon (July-September) season from November 2016 to September 2017 along with heavy metal analysis of water and sediment samples of the winter season. The levels of Cr, Cu, Cd and Pb were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Water quality was evaluated by water quality index (WQI) using BIS and WHO standards. The WQI values showed good water quality at Haridwar site (< 100) while it was very poor at other sites and Kanpur (> 100) which renders it highly unfit for human consumption and survival of some fish species because of low DO value (4.65 ± 1.08 mg L-1) and high values of pH (8.82 ± 0.10), alkalinity (187.88 ± 8.88 mg L-1), BOD (66.64 ± 2.19 mg L-1) and COD (240.00 ± 17.33 mg L-1). WQI showed highly unsuitable water quality at all sites except control site, of which S9 (Siddhanath Ghat) was highly polluted. Lead concentration was higher at Kannauj sites while high Cr was observed at Siddhanath Ghat (S9), Kanpur. The examined metals, such as Cr, Cu, and Pb, were far above the prescribed limits of various standards.

Comparison of analgesic efficacy of four-quadrant transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and continuous posterior TAP analgesia with epidural analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery: an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Posterior transversus abdominis plane blocks have been reported to be an effective method of providing analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. We compared the efficacy of a novel technique of providing continuous transversus abdominis plane analgesia with epidural analgesia in patients on an enhanced recovery programme following laparoscopic colorectal surgery. A non-inferiority comparison was used. Adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery were randomly assigned to receive continuous transversus abdominis plane analgesia (n = 35) vs epidural analgesia (n = 35), in addition to a postoperative analgesic regimen comprising regular paracetamol, regular diclofenac and tramadol as required. Sixty-one patients completed the study. The transversus group received four-quadrant transversus abdominis plane blocks and bilateral posterior transversus abdominis plane catheters that were infused with levobupivacaine 0.25% for 48 h. The epidural group received an infusion of bupivacaine and fentanyl. The primary outcome measure was visual analogue scale pain score on coughing at 24 h after surgery. We found no significant difference in median (IQR [range]) visual analogue scores during coughing at 24 h between the transversus group 2.5 (1.0-3.0 [0-5.5]) and the epidural group 2.5 (1.0-5.0 [0-6.0]). The one-sided 97.5% CI was a 0.0 (∞-1.0) difference in means, establishing non-inferiority. There were no significant differences between the groups for tramadol consumption. Success rate was 28/30 (93%) in the transversus group vs 27/31 (87%) in the epidural group. Continuous transversus abdominis plane infusion was non-inferior to epidural infusion in providing analgesia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Adolescent Social Anxiety, School Satisfaction, Family Emotional Support, and School Absenteeism: Findings from Young-HUNT3 and Norwegian National Education Data.

Background: Adolescents grappling with social anxiety may experience poor school satisfaction, resorting to school-related avoidance behaviors, exemplified by absenteeism, as a coping mechanism. Understanding the role of family support in alleviating the adverse effects of social anxiety on school satisfaction is imperative for fostering supportive educational settings. Although there is literature regarding how school satisfaction promotes positive adolescent outcomes, empirical knowledge on the interrelation between social anxiety, school satisfaction, and family emotional support is limited. This study investigates the association between social anxiety, family emotional support, school satisfaction, and school absenteeism within the theoretical framework of the stage-environment fit theory to offer insight into how family emotional support can moderate the influence of social anxiety on school-related outcomes. Methods: Utilizing a population-based sample of 1861 upper secondary school pupils from the Trøndelag Young Health study "Young-HUNT3 study", we employed an index of moderated mediation to examine the role of family emotional support in moderating the association between social anxiety and school-related avoidance behavior related to school satisfaction. Results: Family emotional support had moderated mediation association for school absenteeism (ß = 0.128, 95% CI 0.019, 0.278) and extracurricular activity (ß = -0.003, 95% CI -0.008, -0.000). Conclusions: This urges further investigation into the specific mechanisms and individual differences influencing these relationships, aiming to deepen our understanding of adolescents' experiences and inform comprehensive strategies for promoting their well-being within school communities.

Obesity as an Important Marker of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: In December 2019, the emergence of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began in Wuhan, China. Thereafter, the disease has been spreading rapidly across the world, with about 300 million registered cases worldwide, and the numbers are also exponentially increasing in India, with about 34 million registered cases by the end of 2021. Among the comorbidities, obesity may increase the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection as it is related to immune system dysfunction. Since the epidemiological picture of COVID-19 is changing very rapidly. Therefore, it is very important to discuss the pattern of clinical manifestation and association with comorbidities. Hence, we have conducted this observational study in one of the tertiary care centers in North India.  Methods and Materials: We conducted a hospital-based prospective observational study in dedicated COVID-19 wards and ICU of a tertiary care center in North India with a sample size of 400 positive patients (males: 260, females: 140). We divided the patients in this study into three different age groups (less than 40 years, 40-60 years, and more than 60 years). The patients with age ≤ 18 years and BMI 18.5 kg/m2 were excluded from the study.  Results: Out of these 400 patients, 55 (13.8%) developed severe COVID-19. There was a fewer number of patients who developed severe COVID-19 in the normal and over-weight group. Moreover, obese patients progressed to more severe cases (34.5%). This also shows that after adjusting for age, compared to the normal-weight group, those who were overweight had a 1.48-fold chance of developing severe COVID-19 (OR 1.48, P 0.0455), while those who were obese had a 1.73-fold chance of developing the disease (ORs 1.73, P 5 0.0652). Regarding gender distribution, the association appeared to be stronger in men than in women. After similar adjustment, the ORs for overweight and obese patients compared to normal-weight patients were 1.39 (p 0.5870) and 3.55 (p 0.0113) in females and 1.36 (0.5115) and 6.19 (0.0001) in males, respectively.  Conclusion: Our study shows that obese patients with a BMI of greater than or equal to 27.5 are at higher risk of developing COVID-19 severity, especially in the male population. Moreover, severity may be related to other comorbid conditions. However, in our study, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and GI/liver diseases were less obese, and severity was relatively low. So, the conclusion is that obese male patients with comorbidities are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 infection.

Coherent control of angular momentum transfer in resonant two-photon light-matter interaction.

We show experimentally and theoretically that a polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulse with a zero net angular momentum creates a net angular momentum in atomic rubidium during resonant two-photon excitation. The necessary conditions for the creation of a nonzero angular momentum as well as the excitation efficiencies are analyzed in the framework of second-order time-dependent perturbation theory.

Bioaccumulation and potential sources of heavy metal contamination in fish species in River Ganga basin: Possible human health risks evaluation.

This paper assesses the potential human health risks posed by five heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr) found in seven most consumable fish species (Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus reba, Catla catla, Lebio rohita, Crossocheilus latius, Clupisoma garua, and Mystus tengara) collected from local markets of Varanasi, Allahabad, Mirzapur, and Kanpur of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Cu concentration was found at Varanasi (4.58 mg/l), Allahabad (2.54 mg/l), and Mirzapur (2.54 mg/l). Pb was recorded 0.54, 0.62, 0.85, and 0.24 mg/l at Kanpur, Allahabad, Mirzapur, and Varanasi, respectively. The Cd concentration was recorded 0.54, 0.68, 0.78, and 0.85 mg/l at Kanpur, Allahabad, Mirzapur, and Varanasi, respectively. The Cr, Cd, and Pb concentrations in the river water were observed over the prescribed safe limits at all sampling sites, while Cu concentration was higher than the standards at all sites except Kanpur. However, Zn was observed under the permissible limits (15 mg/l) at all sampling sites. In case of fish tissues, WHO reported the concentration of Pb, Cd, and Cr higher than the prescribed safe limits. The results determined that the highest heavy metals accumulation was found settled in the liver of all selected fish species. Zn ranked the highest quantity, which was found in fish tissues with the concentration of 32.41 ± 2.55 µg/g in the gill of C. catla and 4.77 ± 0.34 µg/g in the gill C. Reba. The metals followed the magnitude order of Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd > Cr in selected fish tissues.

Transposon-derived mutants of Pseudomonas strains altered in indole acetic acid production: Effect on nodulation and plant growth in green gram (Vigna radiata L.).

Pseudomonas strains CPS63 and MPS78 produced 18.1 and 19.2 µg ml(-1) of indole acetic acid (IAA) at 2 days of growth. Low producers as well as over producer IAA mutants were derived from Pseudomonas strains CPS63 and MPS78 by Tn5 mutagenesis. Inoculation of selected IAA mutants on green gram (Vigna radiata) seeds showed stunting effect on root and shoot growth of seedlings at 5 and 10 days. Coinoculation studies of Pseudomonas strains with Bradyrhizobium strain S24 and IAA over producer mutants, i.e. CPS63-20 and MPS78-107 resulted in more nodule formation in green gram as compared to wild type Bradyrhizobium strain at 50 days of growth. Significant gains in plant dry weights, i.e. 2.0-3.06 times increase in comparison to uninoculated control plants, were observed on coinoculation of IAA low producer mutants CPS63-27, MPS78-92 and MPS78-166. Better performance of IAA low producer mutants in enhancing plant dry weights of green gram than to IAA over producer mutants indicated that overproduction of IAA by bacteria might inhibit shoot growth in green gram.

Improvement in symbiotic efficiency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) by coinoculation of Bacillus strains with Mesorhizobium sp. Cicer.

Rhizobacteria belonging to Bacillus sp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Ten Bacillus strains were studied for their antifungal activity, effect on seedling emergence and plant growth promotion. Two Bacillus strains CBS127 and CBS155 inhibited the growth of all the four pathogenic fungi tested on nutrient agar medium plates in vitro. Seed inoculation with different Bacillus strains showed stimulatory effect on root and shoot growth at 10 d of observation in comparison to control whereas four Bacillus strains CBS24, CBS127, CBS129 and CBS155 caused retardation of shoot growth at 10 d. Maximum nodule-promoting effect was observed with Bacillus strains CBS106, CBS127 and CBS155. The symbiotic effectiveness of Mesorhizobium sp. Cicer strain Ca181 was further improved on coinoculation with six Bacillus strains i.e. CBS9, CBS17, CBS20, CBS106, CBS127 and CBS155 at 80 d of plant growth under sterile conditions and shoot dry weight ratios increased 1.62 to 1.74 times those of Mesorhizobium-inoculated treatments, suggesting the usefulness of introduced rhizobacteria in improving crop productivity.

Detection and treatment of occupational lead nephropathy.

Reduced glomerular filtration rates (GFR less than 90 ml/min/1.73 sq m) were found in 21 of 57 lead workers in whom excessive body lead burdens had been shown by the urinary excretion of more than 1,000 microgram of lead per day during an edetate disodium calcium lead-mobilization test. In 12 patients, renal biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of occupational lead nephropathy and further excluded other possible causes of kidney disease. Glomerular and tubular immunoglobulin deposition in seven of eight biopsy specimens examined by immunofluorescent microscopy raises the possibility that an autoimmune response may contribute to the interstitial nephritis of occupational lead nephropathy. The GFR increased 20% or more in four of eight patients treated with 1 g of edetate disodium calcium three times weekly for from six to 50 months, further confirming the diagnosis of lead nephropathy and indicating a favorable response to prolonged chelation therapy.

Preparation of novel mesoporous carbons for the adsorption of an inflammatory cytokine (IL-1 beta).

Mesoporous carbons derived from two types of sulphonated styrene divinylbenzene copolymers (Macronet MN500HS and CT275, Purolite International Ltd) were produced and their adsorptive capacity for the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 beta (MW 14.4 kDa) determined. The carbons produced had surface areas from 400 to 1200 m(2)g(-1) and pore volume between 0.2 and 1.4 cm(3)g(-1). The mechanical strength of the carbon beads with surface area values up to 800 m(2)g(-1) were robust. The highest adsorption value of IL-1 beta was 150 ng g(-1) for a mesoporous carbon with surface area around 900 m(2)g(-1) and pore volume around 1.3 cm(3)g(-1). However, there was a trade-off between adsorptive capacity and mechanical strength. When used in conjunction with existing treatment modalities, the materials produced have the potential to enhance the removal of uraemic toxins.

Characterisation of novel modified active carbons and marine algal biomass for the selective adsorption of lead.

This paper discusses the sorption performance of novel materials for the removal of lead(II) and copper(II) from near-neutral aqueous solutions. Active carbons with surface heteroatoms of oxygen and phosphorus have been prepared. The surface functional groups display weakly acidic ion exchange characteristics. The optimum solution pH for maximum metal sorption is related to the pK values of the surface functional groups. In oxygenated active carbons, pK values are not distinct but can be obtained by describing proton binding to the heterogeneous adsorbent surface as a continuous proton affinity distribution. Information derived from zeta-potential measurements combined with knowledge of the pK distribution function and concentration of surface functional groups has been used to explain the selectivity of oxidised active carbons towards lead(lI) in the presence of copper(II) from multi-metal bearing solutions. Marine algal-based biosorbents have been challenged with lead(II) and copper(II)-bearing wastewater. The weakly acidic carboxyl groups of structural polysaccharides present within the algal matrix display high sorption capacity for both metals. The negative surface charge of algal particles results in electrostatic interactions as well as coordination between metal species and the adsorbent surface. Proton affinity for the algal surface lowers the negative surface potential at pH values around 2. The surface functional groups in algae unlike those in oxidised active carbons may be represented by discrete acid-dissociation constant values. The influence of conformational differences in uronic-acid segments upon metal ion selectivity is discussed.

Lipid composition of thylakoid membranes of cadmium treated wheat seedlings.

Cadmium (200 ppm) applied through the rooting medium to 30-day-old wheat plants decreased chlorophyll content, net CO2 exchanges and PSII activity by 34, 54 and 43% respectively. Thylakoid total lipids, total glycolipids, total phospholipids and total neutral lipids decreased by 22, 23, 12 and 25%, respectively, under cadmium treatment. Thylakoid membrane glycolipids had three major constituents, viz. monogalactosyl diacylglycerol, digalactosyl diacylglycerol and sulphoquinovosyl diacylglycerol. Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol and digalactosyl diacylglycerol contents decreased by 32 and 27%, respectively, under cadmium. Cadmium application also decreased the concentration of phosphatidyl glycerol and phosphatidyl choline to the extent of about 57 and 31%, respectively. On the other hand, phosphatidic acid and free fatty acids content showed an increase. These compositional changes in thylakoid membranes might be responsible for reduced PSII activity and rate of photosynthesis as observed under cadmium treatment.

The uses and abuses of rapid bioluminescence-based ATP assays.

Bioluminescence-based ATP testing of solid surfaces has become well established in the food processing industry as part of general hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) measures. The rise in healthcare associated infections (HAIs) at the turn of the century focussed attention on the environment as a potential reservoir of the agents responsible for such infections. In response to the need for objective methods of assessing the efficiency of cleaning in healthcare establishments and for rapid methods for detecting the presence of the pathogens responsible for HAIs, it was proposed that ATP testing of environmental surfaces be introduced. We examine the basis behind the assumptions inherent in these proposals. Intracellular ATP levels are shown to vary between microbial taxa and according to environmental conditions. Good correlations between microbial numbers and ATP levels have been obtained under certain specific conditions, but never within healthcare settings. Notwithstanding, ATP testing may still have a role in providing reassurance that cleaning regimes are being carried out satisfactorily. However, ATP results should not be interpreted as surrogate indicators for the presence of microbial pathogens.

On the difficulties of isolating Clostridium difficile from hospital environments.

Spores of Clostridium difficile were deposited on to a stainless steel surface and subsequently exposed to a chlorine-releasing disinfectant (dichloroisocyanurate). Recovery of the spores was carried out using RODAC plates containing a variety of selective and non-selective agars. The non-selective agar media yielded higher recoveries of both control and chlorine-stressed spores. Our results show that the antibiotics used in selective media imposed an additional stress on both disinfectant-treated and untreated spores resulting in considerably reduced recoveries. This could lead to a serious underestimate of the extent of environmental contamination by this organism.