In vitro digestion of microplastics in human digestive system: Insights into particle morphological changes and chemical leaching.

Despite the well-reported occurrences and established pathways for microplastics (MPs) ingestion by humans, the eventual fate of these particles in the human gastrointestinal system is poorly understood. The present study tries to gain a better understanding of the fate of four common food-borne MPs, i.e. Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP), Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE), and Nylon, in a simulated in vitro human digestive system. Firstly, the changes in the physicochemical properties of 20-210 µm sized MPs as well as the leaching of chemicals were monitored using fluorescence microscopy, FTIR, and LC-QTOF-MS. Thereafter, the mass loss and morphological alterations in 3-4 mm sized MPs were observed after removing the organic matter. The interaction of PS and PP MPs with duodenal and bile juices manifested in a corona formation. The increase in surface roughness in PP MPs aligned with MP-enzyme dehydrogenation reactions and the addition of NO groups. A few fragments ranging from 30 to 250 µm, with negligible mass loss, were released during the MP digestion process. In addition, the leaching of compounds, e.g. capsi-amide, butanamide, and other plasticizers and monomers was also observed from MPs during digestion, and which may have the potential to accumulate and get absorbed by the digestive organs, and to subsequently impart toxic effects.

Influence of inoculum variation on formation and stability of aerobic granules in oily wastewater treatment.

This study provides extensive information about oily wastewater treatment in aerobic granular reactors (AGR) using three different inoculums from sewage, refinery and brewery. Initially, sodium acetate was used for granule formation while AGR with brewery inoculum had maximum granule size (5.44 ±â€¯0.05 mm) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS: 471.22 ±â€¯2.0 mg/g VSS). But, during emulsified diesel exposure, refinery sludge granules achieved maximum granule size of 3.49 ±â€¯0.01 mm and EPS of 204.85 ±â€¯2.01 mg/g VSS with maximum 67.39 ±â€¯0.15% oil removal efficiency. AGRs achieved 99.9 ±â€¯0.05% chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 91.67 ±â€¯0.14% ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) removal efficiencies. Refinery granules remained stable at maximum 310 ±â€¯10 mg/L diesel concentration whereas, the stability thresholds for sewage and brewery granules were 170 ±â€¯15 and 250 ±â€¯10 mg/L, respectively. Brevibacterium paucivorans strain SG001, Micrococcus aloeverae strain SG002 and Staphylococcus hominis strain SG003 were identified as the major pollutant degraders isolated from sewage, refinery and brewery sludge. Micrococcus aloeverae strain SG002 exhibited maximum pollutant removal efficiencies (COD: 99.9 ±â€¯0.01%, NH4+-N: 99.9 ±â€¯0.01%, oil: 61.34 ±â€¯0.85%) among the three species. Re-addition of sodium acetate restored granule structure and stability.

An example of prompt and appropriate multidisciplinary management leading to an exceptionally good outcome: a case complicated by amniotic fluid embolism.

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and serious phenomenon; we describe a rare case of AFE occurring after a second trimester surgical termination in a private clinic, which, with prompt transfer and appropriate multidisciplinary management, had an exceptionally good outcome. The patient developed hypotension, respiratory arrest and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy following the procedure but with aggressive management she made a full recovery without any neurological or long-term sequelae.

Attenuation coefficients and absorbed gamma radiation energy of different varieties of potato, mango and prawn at different storage time and physiological condition.

Attenuation coefficients of different varieties of gamma irradiated potato (Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jyoti, and Kufri Sindhuri), mango (Himsagar, Langra, Dashehri and Fazli) and prawn (Tiger prawn and Fresh water prawn) of different storage time and physiological stages were determined. After six months storage attenuation coefficient of Kufri Chandramukhi was decreased by 30.8% with decrease of density and moisture content. Decreasing trend of attenuation coefficient during storage was more prominent (almost 50%) in other two varieties of potato. On the other hand in all four varieties, unripe mango consisted of significantly less (p ≤ 0.05) attenuation coefficient (around 11-14%) than the ripe one due to changes in physiological properties and density. Different varieties of prawn had different attenuation coefficients due to subtle differences in their proximate composition. Due to having different attenuation coefficients, different food components, even different varieties of same food component absorbed different gamma radiation energy though exposed to same radiation dose.

ADHD, ODD, and CD: Do They Belong to a Common Psychopathological Spectrum? A Case Series.

Purpose of Research. Numerous studies have reported comorbidities, overlapping symptoms, and shared risk factors among cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). We present three adolescent males aged 13-16 years with conduct disorder having past history of ADHD and ODD. Principal Result. The symptom profile especially in domains of aggression, hostility, and emotionality as well as the manner of progression from ADHD to ODD and CD in the above cases shows a similar pattern. Conclusion. These common developmental pathways and overlapping symptoms suggest the possibility of a common psychopathological spectrum encompassing the three externalizing disorders.

Bengali adaptation of brief patient health questionnaire for screening depression at primary care.

Depression is a common mental disorder quite prevalent at the primary care level and needs proper identification and prompt treatment. Bengali adaptation and validation of such an instrument (BPHQ) is aimed to provide a sensitive screening instrument that can help primary care physicians in the identification of depression correctly and easily.