Geospatial distribution of metal(loid)s and human health risk assessment due to intake of contaminated groundwater around an industrial hub of northern India.

The study focused on analyzing concentrations of metal(loid)s, their geospatial distribution in groundwater around an industrial hub of northern India. Human health risk posed due to the intake of contaminated groundwater was also evaluated. For this, 240 samples were assayed using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometer. For risk assessment, the methodology proposed by US Environmental Protection Agency was adopted. Geometric mean of Al, As, Mo, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn was 193.13, 27.35, 4.22, 2.85, 92.81, 14.97, 271.78, 25.76, 54.75, 19.50, 16.94, and 1830.27 µg/l, respectively. Levels of Al (84%), As (63%), Ni (63%), Pb (49%), and Se (41%) exceeded the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Principal component analysis is accounted for ~ 88% of the total variance and reflected pollution loads of Al, As, Mo, Cr, Fe, Se, and Pb in the groundwater. Based on it, four sources of metal(loid)s, namely geogenic (34.55%), mixed (industrial and agricultural, 26.76%), waste dumping (15.31%), and industrial (11.25%) were identified. Semi-variogram mapping model demonstrated significant geospatial variations of the metal(loid)s. Hazard index (HI) suggested potential non-carcinogenic risks to the inhabitants due to As, Al, Ni, Se, and Pb, which were the largest contributors. Based on maximum concentrations of metal(loid)s, HI for child and adult was above unity. Arsenic was identified as the most hazardous pollutant that may have chronic carcinogenic health implications. At western side of study area, carcinogenic health risks exceeded critical threshold of 1 × 10-4, indicating that As posed health risks to residents by intake of groundwater.

Outcome Analysis of Dual Plating in Management of Unstable Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fracture - A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Bicondylar tibial plateau fractures account for 10-30% of tibial plateau fractures. Despite recent advancements in the management of unstable bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, the outcomes are often poor. The present study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes and complications of internal fixation of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with the dual plating using two incisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 30 patients (26 males; 4 females, mean age 35.6 years; range, 19 to 65 years) with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures who were treated with dual plating between January 2017 to August 2019. Out of 30 patients, 5 patients had Schatzker type (V) and 25 patients had Schatzker type (VI) bicondylar tibial plateau fracture. All patients were treated with dual plating using two incisions. In all patient's similar standard physical rehabilitation therapy was followed. All complications including intra and post-operative were assessed and recorded. The patients were followed-up for over 24 months. Functional outcomes were assessed with Rasmussen's functional grading system, Oxford knee score, and range of motion of knee joint. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using Rasmussen's radiological scoring system. RESULT: All fractures united with a mean time of 18 weeks. The average knee range of motion was 1.5° - 130° (range: 0° - 10° for extension lag, range: 100° -135° for flexion). Mean Rasmussen's functional grading score at the final follow-up was 26.75. All patients showed excellent or good radiographic results according to Rasmussen's radiological scoring with a mean score of 8.5 (range 6-10). The post-operative radiographs showed mean MPTA was 84.3° and the mean PPTA was 6.2°. In the present study, complications were encountered in five patients. However, there were no cases of secondary loss of reduction, failure of the implant, malunion, or non-union. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with dual locking represents a significant treatment option and provides rigid fixation in these fractures with good functional and radiological outcomes.

Morphological, pathological and molecular variability in Botryodiplodia theobromae (Botryosphaeriaceae) isolates associated with die-back and bark canker of pear trees in Punjab, India.

Thirteen isolates of Botryodiplodia theobromae collected from pear varieties grown in various regions of Punjab were studied for morphological, pathological and molecular characterization. The mycelial growth of B. theobromae isolates was classified as fluffy or depressed, uniform to irregular and cottony white turning to black. Colony growth rate varied from 19.1 to 24.9 mm per day. Pycnidia were produced either on the edge, centered or scattered on Petri dishes after 20 to 34 days of incubation. Pycnidia and pycnidiospores ranged in size from 118.0 to 240.0 microm and 14.5-35.5 x 6.5-14.5 microm, respectively. Lesion length produced by different isolates ranged from 1.9-7.2 x 0.8-3.3 cm with 49.4-90.9% infection. Using nine SSR and seven RAPD markers, amplified DNA bands ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 and 0.18 to 2.0 kb, respectively. Polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.44 to 0.71 and 0.63 to 0.93 for SSR and RAPD markers, respectively. A dendrogram based on molecular data, grouped the isolates into three major clusters with 65 to 79.5% genetic similarity; most of the isolates showed variety-specific grouping. The isolates prevalent on pear cultivars 'Patharnakh' and 'Baggugosha' in Ludhiana, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur districts were found to have a high degree of similarity; these isolates were also considerably distant from mango isolates and from other isolates on other pear cultivars. The isolates from cultivars Punjab Beauty, LeConte and Kieffer also had a high degree of similarity. Isolates from cultivar Smith were different from other pear isolates but showed more similarity with mango isolates.

Structure of Undulatin: A New Iridoid Glucoside from Tecomella undulata.

Undulatin ( 1), a new iridoid glucoside isolated from the TECOMELLA UNDULATA Seem. (Bignoniaceae), has been assigned the structure 4'- O-P-coumaroyl-7,8-dihydro-8-dehydroxymethylbartsioside by chemical and spectroscopic analysis.

Macrocarposide, a new isoflavanone c-glucoside from Pterocarpus macrocarpus heart wood.

Macrocarposide has been isolated for the first time as a natural product from the heartwood of Pterocarpus macrocarpus along with some known compounds. Based on its spectral and chemical evidence, it has been assigned the structure dalbergioidin-6- C-glucoside ( 1).