Knowledge extraction of sonophotocatalytic treatment for acid blue 113 dye removal by artificial neural networks.

Removing decolorizing acid blue 113 (AB113) dye from textile wastewater is challenging due to its high stability and resistance to removal. In this study, we used an artificial neural network (ANN) model to estimate the effect of five different variables on AB113 dye removal in the sonophotocatalytic process. The five variables considered were reaction time (5-25 min), pH (3-11), ZnO dosage (0.2-1.0 g/L), ultrasonic power (100-300 W/L), and persulphate dosage (0.2-3 mmol/L). The most effective model had a 5-7-1 architecture, with an average deviation of 0.44 and R2 of 0.99. A sensitivity analysis was used to analyze the impact of different process variables on removal efficiency and to identify the most effective variable settings for maximum dye removal. Then, an imaginary sonophotocatalytic system was created to measure the quantitative impact of other process parameters on AB113 dye removal. The optimum process parameters for maximum AB 113 removal were identified as 6.2 pH, 25 min reaction time, 300 W/L ultrasonic power, 1.0 g/L ZnO dosage, and 2.54 mmol/L persulfate dosage. The model created was able to identify trends in dye removal and can contribute to future experiments.

Prediction of batch sorption of barium and strontium from saline water.

Celestite and barite formation results in contamination of barium and strontium ions hinder oilfield water purification. Conversion of bio-waste sorbent products deals with a viable, sustainable and clean remediation approach for removing contaminants. Biochar sorbent produced from rice straw was used to remove barium and strontium ions of saline water from petroleum industries. The removal efficiency depends on biochar amount, pH, contact time, temperature, and Ba/Sr concentration ratio. The interactions and effects of these parameters with removal efficiency are multifaceted and nonlinear. We used an artificial neural network (ANN) model to explore the correlation between process variables and sorption responses. The ANN model is more accurate than that of existing kinetic and isotherm equations in assessing barium and strontium removal with adj. R2 values of 0.994 and 0.991, respectively. We developed a standalone user interface to estimate the barium and strontium removal as a function of sorption process parameters. Sensitivity analysis and quantitative estimation were carried out to study individual process variables' impact on removal efficiency.

Facile and diastereoselective synthesis of 3,2'-spiropyrrolidine-oxindoles derivatives, their molecular docking and antiproliferative activities.

In the present study, a series of novel highly functionalized spiropyrrolidine-oxindoles have been synthesized through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an azomethine ylide formed from isatin and various amino acids such as sarcosine, proline and thioproline with the dipolarophile (E)-3-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(1H-indole-3-carbonyl)acrylonitrile under optimized conditions. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and shown significant activity.

Assessment of antifouling efficacy of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane based poly (urea-urethane-imide) hybrid membranes.

UNLABELLED: A series of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) based poly(urea-urethane-imide) (PUUI-POSS) membranes were synthesized by varying the proportions of imide using 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and bis(aminopropyl) terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The molecular structures of poly(urea-urethane-imide)s were characterized by Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic technique. Incorporation of imide domain and its influence on surface roughness was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Hydrophobicity of polymeric membrane surfaces was determined by contact angle measurement. The thermal properties of the polymers were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The antimicrobial activities and inhibition of bacterial attachment of these polymeric membranes were studied on Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) by the disc-diffusion method. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The antifouling performance has been evaluated for the polymeric membranes against two bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538)) (Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739)). The polymeric membranes were incorporated with imide moiety to improve thermal stability of the polymeric materials. The synthesized polymeric membranes have shown good morphological properties for better antifouling activities. This study found that these membranes are capable of preventing micro-organisms besides offering excellent bio-fouling resistance.

(4S)-3-Methyl-5,6,7,8-tetra-hydro-4H-spiro-[[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-b]quinoline-4,3'-indole]-2',5-dione.

In the title compound, C18H15N3O3, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the quinoline and indole ring systems [r.m.s. deviations = 0.189 (2) and 0.027 (2) Å, respectively] is 88.65 (5)°. The cyclo-hexene ring of the quinoline ring system adopts an envelope conformation with the central -CH2- C atom as the flap. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by two pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers, and enclosing R 2 (2)(14) ring motifs. This arrangement results in the formation of chains propagating along [100].

Development and evaluation of Fusarium wilt-resistant and high-yielding chickpea advanced breeding line, KCD 11.

Fusarium wilt (FW) is the most severe soil-borne disease of chickpea that causes yield losses up to 100%. To improve FW resistance in JG 11, a high-yielding variety that became susceptible to FW, we used WR 315 as the donor parent and followed the pedigree breeding method. Based on disease resistance and yield performance, four lines were evaluated in station trials during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at Kalaburagi, India. Further, two lines, namely, Kalaburagi chickpea desi 5 (KCD 5) and KCD 11, which possesses the resistance allele for a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism marker linked with FW resistance, were evaluated across six different locations (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Siruguppa, Bhimarayanagudi and Hagari) over a span of 3 years (2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023). KCD 11 exhibited notable performance, showcasing yield advantages of 8.67%, 11.26% and 23.88% over JG 11, and the regional checks Super Annigeri 1 (SA 1) and Annigeri 1, respectively, with enhanced FW resistance in wilt sick plot. Further, KCD 11 outperformed JG 11, SA 1 and Annigeri 1 in multi-location trials conducted across three seasons in the North Eastern Transition Zone, North Eastern Dry Zone, and North Dry Zones of Karnataka. KCD 11 was also tested in trials conducted by All India Coordinated Research Project on chickpea and was also nominated for state varietal trials for its release as a FW-resistant and high-yielding variety. The selected line is anticipated to cater the needs of chickpea growers with the dual advantage of yield increment and disease resistance.

1'-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1''-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-2',3',5',6',7',7a'-hexa-hydro-1'H-di-spiro-[1-benzo-pyran-3,2'-pyrrolizine-3',3''-indoline]-2'',4-dione 0.75-hydrate.

In the central aza-bi-cyclo-octane unit of the title compound, C40H34N4O3·0.75H2O, the peripheral pyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation with the N atom deviating by 0.209 (2) Å, whereas the other pyrrolidine ring adopts a twisted conformation with the bridging N and C atoms deviating by -0.218 (2) and 0.236 (3) Å, respectively, from the rest of the ring. The pyrazole ring forms dihedral angles of 42.36 (7) and 24.07 (8)° with its C- and N-attached phenyl groups, respectively. The solvent water mol-ecule has a partial occupancy of 0.75. In the crystal, the water mol-ecules link the fused-ring mol-ecules into chains along the b axis via O-H⋯N and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is further stabilized by C-H⋯π inter-actions involving a methyl-ene group of the pyran ring and the C-attached benzene ring on the pyrazole ring.

(6'R*,7'R*)-7'-(1,3,-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,5',6',7',7a',3'',4''-octa-hydro-1'H,2''H-dispiro-[acenaphthyl-ene-1,5'-pyrrolo-[1,2-c][1,3]thia-zole-6',3''-[1]benzopyran]-2,4''-dione.

In the title compound, C40H29N3O3S, the pyran ring adopts a sofa conformation, the thia-zolidine ring adopts a twisted conformation and the pyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation with the N atom as the flap. The pyrazole ring is essentially planar [maximum deviation = 0.002 (2) Å] and forms dihedral angles of 4.8 (1) and 39.0 (1)°, respectively, with the benzene rings attached to the N and C atoms. The acenapthylene ring system is approximately planar [maximum deviation = 0.058 (2) Å] and forms dihedral angles of 85.9 (1) and 48.5 (1)°, respectively, with the pyrollothia-zole and chromene ring systems. The mol-ecular conformation is stabilized by three weak intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which generate one S(8) and two S(6) ring motifs. In the crystal, pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link centrosymmetrically related mol-ecules into dimers, generating R 2 (2)(14) ring motifs. The crystal packing also features pairs of C-H⋯π inter-actions, which link the dimers into a supra-molecular chain along the b axis.

1'-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2',3',5',6',7',7a'-hexa-hydro-1'H-di-spiro-[ace-naphthyl-ene-1,3'-pyrrolizine-2',3''-chromane]-2,4''(1H)-dione.

In the title compound, C41H31N3O3, the pyrazole and pyrrolidine rings adopt twisted conformations. The mean plane of the pyrazole ring forms dihedral angles of 9.11 (12) and 39.65 (11)° with the phenyl rings. The O atoms deviate from the mean planes of the chromene and ace-naphthyl-ene ring systems by 0.194 (15) and 0.079 (15) Å, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of C-H⋯O inter-actions,forming inversion dimers with an R 2 (2)(12) ring motif.

1'-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1''-methyl-2',3',5',6',7',7a'-octa-hydro-1'H-dispiro-[1-benzopyran-3,2'-pyrrolizine-3',3''-indoline]-2'',4-dione.

In the title compound C38H32N4O3, one pyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation with the N atom as the flap while other pyrrolidine ring adopts an twisted conformation. The pyrrolizine ring forms dihedral angles of 79.24 (5) and 77.57 (5)° with the chromene and indole rings, respectively. The carbonyl O atoms deviate from the least-square planes through the chromene and indole rings by 0.0113 (12) and 0.0247 (12) Å, respectively. In the crystal, non-classical C-H⋯O inter-actions link the mol-ecules, generating an C(9) chain along the b-axis direction.

Histoid leprosy with erythema nodosum leprosum--a case report.

Histoid leprosy is a variant of lepromatous leprosy characterized by cutaneous and/or subcutaneous nodules and plaques present over an apparently normal skin with unique histopathology and characteristic bacterial morphology. Reactions are uncommon in histoid leposy. Our patient developedtype 2 reaction after initiating MDT for leprosy.

Modeling and optimization of process parameters of biofilm reactor for wastewater treatment.

The efficiency of heavy metal in biofilm reactors depends on absorption process parameters, and those relationships are complicated. This study explores artificial neural networks (ANNs) feasibility to correlate the biofilm reactor process parameters with absorption efficiency. The heavy metal removal and turbidity were modeled as a function of five process parameters, namely pH, temperature(°C), feed flux(ml/min), substrate flow(ml/min), and hydraulic retention time(h). We developed a standalone ANN software for predicting and analyzing the absorption process in handling industrial wastewater. The model was tested extensively to confirm that the predictions are reasonable in the context of the absorption kinetics principles. The model predictions showed that the temperature and pH values are the most influential parameters affecting absorption efficiency and turbidity.

Fecal bacterial beta-glucuronidase: control by diet.

The effect of a mixed Western, high meat diet or a nonmeat diet on the intestinal bacterial beta-glucuronidase activity was studied in human volunteers. This enzyme was significantly higher in stools of subjects on a high meat diet as compared to the nonmeat regimen. Thus, intestinal flora of subjects on a high meat diet was more able to hydrolyze glucuronide conjugates than that of individuals on a nonmeat diet. This, in turn, may raise the amount of substances, such as carcinogens, within the colonic lumen.

Nondegradation of fecal cholesterol in subjects at high risk for cancer of the large intestine.

In previous studies subjects with familial polyposis, the autosomal dominant disease leading to colon cancer, excreted higher levels of fecal cholesterol than normal subjects, with decreased conversion to degradation products. Findings suggested fecal cholesterol degradation as a marker of hereditary predisposition to colon cancer. Current measurements now have shown that affected individuals and asymptomatic progeny in a second population group with inherited predisposition to colon cancer are low converters of fecal cholesterol. The latter group consisted of highly colon cancer prone families without polyposis, in which patterns of inheritance similar to the autosomal dominant pattern of familial polyposis were observed. 24-h stool collections were obtained from 72 subjects who consumed mixed western diets. Mean percent degradation of fecal cholesterol to coprostanol, coprostanone, cholestanol, and cholestanone revealed significant decreases in fecal cholesterol conversion in affected and asymptomatic subjects in colon cancer prone families without polyposis (P < 0.001) compared to controls. This is in addition to those with familial polyposis (P < 0.001), and extends this marker of colon cancer susceptibility to a second population group with hereditary predisposition to colonic neoplasia.

Review article: bacterial translocation in the critically ill--evidence and methods of prevention.

BACKGROUND: Delayed sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiorgan failure remain major causes of morbidity and mortality on intensive care units. One factor thought to be important in the aetiology of SIRS is failure of the intestinal barrier resulting in bacterial translocation and subsequent sepsis. AIM: This review summarizes the current knowledge about bacterial translocation and methods to prevent it. METHODS: Relevant studies during 1966-2006 were identified from a literature search. Factors, which detrimentally affect intestinal barrier function, are discussed, as are methods that may attenuate bacterial translocation in the critically ill patient. RESULTS: Methodological problems in confirming bacterial translocation have restricted investigations to patients undergoing laparotomy. There are only limited data available relating to specific interventions that might preserve intestinal barrier function or limit bacterial translocation in the intensive care setting. These can be categorized broadly into pre-epithelial, epithelial and post-epithelial interventions. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of factors that influence translocation could result in the implementation of interventions which contribute to improved patient outcomes. Glutamine supplementation, targeted nutritional intervention, maintaining splanchnic flow, the judicious use of antibiotics and directed selective gut decontamination regimens hold some promise of limiting bacterial translocation. Further research is required.

Polymeric drug based on sulfanilamide: synthesis, antimicrobial and drug releasing studies.

N-((4-amino sulfonyl)phenyl)acrylamide (APA) was synthesized using sulfanilamide and acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethyl amine at 0-5 degrees C. Homo- and co-polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and acrylic acid (AA) were done by adopting a solution polymerization technique using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a solvent and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a free radical initiator at 70 +/- 1 degrees C. All the monomers and polymers were characterized by IR and NMR techniques. These monomers and polymers were tested for their antimicrobial activity against five different ATCC strain microorganisms (Escherichia coli (25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27853), Klebsiella (70063), Salmonella typhi (6539) and Staphylococcus aureus (25923)). The effect of co-monomer, other than the active drug moiety present in the polymeric drug, is discussed. The antimicrobial activity of APA on Gram-positive bacteria was enhanced when copolymerized with AA and HEA. The polymer was made into a film form and that film was used for drug releasing study. The drug releasing rate was monitored by the absorption at 268 nm using a UV spectrophotometer. The effect of pH and the temperature on the drug releasing rate was monitored and found that the releasing rate was dependent on the co-monomer, pH and temperature of the medium.

Day-case stoma surgery: is it feasible?

INTRODUCTION: The National Health Service (NHS) Modernisation Agency has identified ten high impact changes for health organisations to adopt in order to improve their service. Top of this list is increasing day-surgery rates. The basket of interventions offered as short-stay procedures will have to increase to achieve this target. The aim of this study was to investigate whether it is feasible to offer fashioning or reversal of loop stomas as a short-stay procedure. METHODS: Consecutive patients needing stoma fashioning or reversal were offered surgery as a day-case. All were recruited from a single colorectal consultant's caseload. Patients scheduled for stoma formation were taught how to manage the stoma by a specialist nurse prior to hospital admission. The stoma nurse then visited all patients at home one day after discharge. Laparoscopic-assisted techniques, opiate avoidance and early mobilisation were included in the management protocol. Data relating to patient demographics, length of stay and complications were collected prospectively. Results of continuous variables were presented as median and interquartile ranges (IQRs). RESULTS: All patients offered day-surgery accepted it readily. A total of twelve patients (M:F, 5:7) with a median (IQR) age of 70 (63-74) years were recruited. Seven had laparoscopically assisted loop ileostomy formation while five underwent loop stoma reversal (four loop ileostomies, one transverse colostomy). Four out of twelve patients were discharged the same day and 11/12 patients were home within 23 hours of admission. One patient needed admission for 72 hours for social reasons. None of the patients required readmission, and there were no observed complications associated with early discharge. CONCLUSIONS: With the appropriate supportive set up, 23-hour stoma surgery is indeed feasible. Day-case procedures are possible in some, however, as with all short-stay surgery, careful patient selection is required.

Randomized, single-blind, crossover comparison of two rupatadine tablet formulations on histamine-induced cutaneous response in healthy adult volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Rupatadine is a histamine receptor type 1 antagonist that has been used to treat allergic rhinitis and urticaria. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2 rupatadine tablet formulations on the inhibition of histamine-induced wheal-and-flare cutaneous responses. METHODS: In this single-blind, single oral dose, crossover study, healthy male volunteers were randomized to receive 10 mg of either a rupatadine reference or test formulation after an overnight fast. After a 10-day washout period, the subjects were crossed over to receive the other formulation. Subjects were asked to sit with their arm resting on the table while histamine was injected intradermally. The skin prick test was performed on the upper half of the volunteers' forearms before administration and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after study drug administration. Fifteen minutes after each skin prick test, the wheal-and-flare responses were visualized under a bright lamp. AUC0-24 was the primary end point.The 90% CI of least squares mean ratio (%) of the test: reference formulations for maximum inhibition of histamine-induced wheal-and-flare response (Imax%), Tmax, AUC0-24 mm(2)/h, and AUC0-24%/hr were expected to be within 80% to 125% of untransformed data and 80% to 120% of log-transformed data for the 2 formulations to be considered pharmacodynamically equivalent. Subjects were monitored for any spontaneously reported adverse event (AE) throughout the study. In addition, they were specifically asked about the occurrence of any AEs on a checklist (ie, drowsiness, dizziness, dryness of mouth, itching sensation, headache, nausea) throughout the study. RESULTS: Of the 15 subjects assessed for inclusion, 12 healthy male volunteers (mean [SD] age, 30 [5] years; height, 162 [6] cm; weight, 58 [6] kg) participated in the study. Administration of reference and test formulations of rupatadine significantly inhibited the histamine-induced cutaneous responses in all subjects (P <0.001). Wheal Imax% with the reference and test formulations was 67.97% (11.57%) and 66.76% (9.40%), respectively. Flare Imax% was 59.06% (11.95%) and 56.92% (16.31%), respectively. None of the subjects withdrew from the study due to AEs. Both formulations were well tolerated except for an itching sensation on injection of histamine in all patients; no subject complained of any adverse drug reaction. CONCLUSION: In this small study of healthy adult males, the test formulation of the rupatadine tablet was found to be pharmacodynamically equivalent to the reference formulation, as measured by inhibition of histamine-induced cutaneous wheal-and-flare responses.

Simultaneous detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis by PCR in genitourinary specimens from men and women attending an STD clinic.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are the two most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections that manifest primarily as urethritis in males and endocervicitis in females, though the infection may be asymptomatic especially in women. Since complications may occur in untreated symptomatic and asymptomatic infected individuals, early diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals is required to prevent severe sequelae and spread of these diseases. Recently molecular amplification assays like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Ligase Chain Reaction (LCR) have been found to be highly sensitive and specific methods for detection of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachonmatis not only in urethral and cervical specimens but also in urine. The objective of this study was to screen male and female Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) clinic attenders, with and without symptoms suggestive of urethritis and cervicitis for presence of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis using a multiplex PCR based assay, to compare its performance with culture for N. gonorrhoeae and Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) staining for C. trachomatis and also to compare the efficacy of PCR test performed on urine and genital swab specimens collected from this high risk group. Genital specimens and urine was collected from STD clinic attenders. N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis was detected in genital specimens by culture and DFA respectively. Multiplex PCR was used to detect N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis infection in both genital and urine specimens. Among men with urethritis, N. gonorrhoeae was detected in 70% by culture and 77% by PCR, while C. trachomatis as detected in 7.5% by DFA and 17.5% by PCR. Among females with endocervicitis, N. gonorrhoeae was detected in 7.7% by culture and 30.7% by PCR, while C. trachomatis was detected in 7.7% by DFA and in 15.4% by PCR. None of the asymptomatic males were positive for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis by conventional methods, while 43.9% were positive for N. gonorrhoeae and 7.5% for C. trachomatis by PCR. Fifty per cent of asymptomatic women were positive for C. trachomatis by PCR alone. We encountered PCR positive but culture/DFA negative results and also PCR negative but culture/DFA positive results. In view of this a single PCR test cannot be used for diagnosis and treatment of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis infection unless confirmed by a second test.