Synchronous COD removal and nitrogen recovery from high concentrated pharmaceutical wastewater by an integrated chemo-biocatalytic reactor systems.

Present report, an investigation of highly concentrated and low bio-degradable pharmaceutical wastewater (HCPWW) treatment; simultaneously ammoniacal nitrogen recovery for struvite fertilizer. The use of multiple solvents and many formulation processes in HCPWW, resulting highly refractory chemicals. Here, in this study focused on evaluation of chemo-biocatalysts for the removal of refractory organics, nitrogen recovery from HCPWW. The initial organics, and nitrogen content in HCPWW was 20,753 ± 4606 mg/L; BOD, 6550 ± 1500 mg/L and NH4+-N, 1057.9 ± 185.8 mg/L. Initially, the biodegradability (BOD5: COD ratio from 0.32 to 0.45) of HCPWW, which was improved by heterogeneous Fenton oxidation (HFO) processes, and porous carbon (PCC, 30 g/L), along with FeSO4.7H2O, 200 mg/L and H2O2 (30% v/v), 0.4 ml/L were used as a catalyst in a weakly acidic medium. For the biocatalytic processes, the microbial culture cultivated from sewage and incorporated into a Fluidized Immobilized Carbon Catalytic Oxidation reactor (FICCO), and dominant species are Pseudomonas Putida sp., Pseudomonas Kilionesis sp., and Pseudomonas Japonica sp., which is identified by using 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis. The COD and BOD5 removal efficiency of 65-93% and 70-82%, and follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with the rate constants of 1.0 × 10-4 L COD-1 h-1, 1.5 × 10-3 L COD-1 h-1 and 3.0 × 10-3 L COD-1 h-1 in the HFO-FICCO-CAACO catalytic processes. The optimized hydraulic retention time (HRT) of FICCO reactor was 24 h, and 1 h for the Chemo-Autotrophic Activated Carbon Oxidation (CAACO) reactor for maximum organics removal. MAP (Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate precipitation) process showed 90% of NH4+-N elimination and recovered it as a struvite fertilizer at an optimum molar ratio of 1:1.3:1.3 (NH4+-N: Na2HPO4.2H2O: MgO). FT-IR, UV-visible, and UV-fluorescence data confirm the effective elimination of organics. Hence, this integrated treatment system is appropriate for the management of pharmaceutical wastewater especially elimination of complex organic molecules and the recovery of nitrogen in the wastewater.

Reversible Modulation of Aptamer-Ligand Binding in RNA Light-Up Aptamers Containing G-Quadruplex Using Chemical Stimuli.

Regulating a system in equilibrium transiently to out-of-equilibrium by using certain stimuli is the strategy used by natural biomolecules to function. Herein, we showed that the interaction of synthetic RNA aptamers, having a G-quadruplex core structure, with their corresponding ligands could be regulated from their equilibrium state to non-equilibrium state in a reversible manner using simple chemical stimuli (Ag+ and cysteine). The approach would be useful for designing aptamer regulators that work in a dynamic nucleic acid network, where a strict control on aptamer-ligand interaction is needed. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report which shows that RNA G-quadruplexes can be disrupted by the addition of silver ions. This would be useful not only in designing RNA-based sensors or regulators but would also be useful for understanding the role of metal ions in RNA folding and catalysis.

A highly efficient Baby Spinach-based minimal modified sensor (BSMS) for nucleic acid analysis.

Molecular recognition between nucleic acids has proven to be a powerful tool for designing hybridization probes for the detection of DNA and RNA sequences. Most detection probes rely on the conjugation of small molecule dyes to nucleic acids for fluorescence output, which is not cost-effective and also limits their applications in vivo, as they are not genetically encodable. More affordable sensors devoid of any chemical labeling are needed that show high fluorescence output and are genetically encodable. Here, we have designed a label-free Baby Spinach-based minimal modified sensor (BSMS) for the analysis of nucleic acids. The minimal modification in the sensor design reduces the complexity of the design, and provides additional stabilization after binding the target nucleic acids, leading to a high fluorescence output. BSMS is able to detect both DNA and RNA of potentially any lengths and is based on a Baby Spinach aptamer that binds and enhances the fluorescence of a small molecule dye. BSMS shows specificity towards its analyte in the presence of other sequences and selectively differentiates between closely related sequences. BSMS comprises genetically encodable unmodified RNA and has been shown to function at ambient temperature, and thus is anticipated to provide nucleic acid monitoring in vivo.

Autofluorescence based diagnostic techniques for oral cancer.

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite of various advancements in the treatment modalities, oral cancer mortalities are more, particularly in developing countries like India. This is mainly due to the delay in diagnosis of oral cancer. Delay in diagnosis greatly reduces prognosis of the treatment and also cause increased morbidity and mortality rates. Early diagnosis plays a key role in effective management of oral cancer. A rapid diagnostic technique can greatly aid in the early diagnosis of oral cancer. Now a day's many adjunctive oral cancer screening techniques are available for the early diagnosis of cancer. Among these, autofluorescence based diagnostic techniques are rapidly emerging as a powerful tool. These techniques are broadly discussed in this review.

The role of myofibroblasts in wound healing, contraction and its clinical implications in cleft palate repair.

Myofibroblasts after its discovery in 1971 as the principal cell for wound healing has come a long way as far as research is concerned. The primary focus of research has been regarding preventing certain unwanted effects of this cell such as wound contraction and scarring. As far as the oral and maxillofacial region is concerned, the primary concern of this untoward effect is during repair of cleft palate surgically which results impaired development of palate and the dentoalveolar structures. This review focuses on the basic aspects of myofibroblasts such as its origin, formation, function in wound healing, role in wound contraction and ways by which its unwanted effects can be overcome to improve the quality of the post surgical complications of cleft palate surgery.

Taurodontism.

Taurodontism can be defined as a change in tooth shape caused by the failure of Hertwig's epithelial sheath diaphragm to invaginate at the proper horizontal level. An enlarged pulp chamber, apical displacement of the pulpal floor, and no constriction at the level of the cemento-enamel junction are the characteristic features. Although permanent molar teeth are most commonly affected, this change can also be seen in both the permanent and deciduous dentition, unilaterally or bilaterally, and in any combination of teeth or quadrants. Whilst it appears most frequently as an isolated anomaly, its association with several syndromes and abnormalities has also been reported. Despite the clinical challenges, taurodontism has received little attention from clinicians. Due to the prevalence of taurodontism in modern dentitions and the critical need for its true diagnosis and management, this review addresses the etiology, clinical and radiographic features of taurodontism, its association with various syndromes and anomalies, as well as important considerations in various areas of expertise dental treatments of such teeth.

Burning mouth syndrome: A review on its diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), a chronic and intractable orofacial pain syndrome is characterized by the presence of burning sensation of the oral mucosa in the absence of specific oral lesion. This condition affects chiefly of middle aged and elderly woman with hormonal changes or psychological disorders. In addition to burning sensation, patient with BMS also complains of oral mucosal pain, altered taste sensation, and dry mouth. This condition is probably of multifactorial origin, often idiopathic and its exact etiopathogenesis remains unclear. So far, there is no definitive cure for this condition and most of the treatment approaches, medications remains unsatisfactory. An interdisciplinary and systematic approach is required for better patient management. The purpose of this article is to present a review of epidemiology, clinical presentation, classification, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of BMS.

A perspective on the PCPNDT Act.

BACKGROUND: An important modern diagnostic tool, used for monitoring pregnancy and genetic defects; the ultrasound machine, has also become a selective killer of the female child. The male child preference in India was responsible for female infanticides in the past. With easy availability and accessibility of USG, a shift has occurred from infanticide to feticide, although female infanticides still continue. In the process doctors are blamed as "merchants of death". Peeved and pressed by national and internal agencies for the declining female child ratio (0-6 years), the Government of India reacted by enacting a stringent PC-PNDT Act almost solely aimed at doctors to prevent them from advertising and disclosing the sex of the fetus to the pregnant woman or her relatives. Since the enactment, hundreds of cases have been launched against the doctors. AIMS: 1. In order to stand up to the law important sections and rules of the PC-PNDT Act have been analyzed for the benefit of our colleagues. 2. The Indian legal system rests the burden of proof on the prosecution. In two sections of The Act, these have been done away with. Instead, the accused doctor has to prove himself innocent. Therefore a demand has been made to make suitable amendments to The Act in this regard. 3. The inclusion of column numbers 9-19 in the form 'F' is not relevant for USG clinics/ imaging centers; inaccurate filling of which may attract a prison sentence of 3 years. This irrelevance has to be deleted. 4. Some suggestions.