Plastic Pandemic after COVID-19: A Global Health Concern.

Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic has increased the amount of plastic burden to environment and complexities of plastic waste management. Change in behavioral pattern with advent of this pandemic led to increased practice of hygiene and increased use of different types of personal protective equipment. Unfortunately, rapid rise in production of the PPEs (like Hazmat suit, gloves, etc.) and single-use plastics used in RT-PCR and other testing are the biggest source for increased non-biodegradable plastic waste leading to amplified burden on plastic waste management. A number of measures like prioritizing the policies directed towards changes at behavioral, social and institutional level need to be started. Also, reduction in plastic waste along with proper plastic waste management policies should be implemented. To prevent the transition from one pandemic to other; improvement in government policies with public private partnership are the need of the hour.

Novel decorated aluminium(iii) phthalocyanine complex with the application of MWCNTs on electrodes: electrochemical non-enzymatic oxidation and reduction of glucose and hydrogen peroxide.

In this study, we performed the physicochemical and electrochemical characterization of a decorated macrocyclic aluminium(iii) phthalocyanine complex (AlTMQNCAPc). Subsequently, the AlTMQNCAPc@MWCNT/GC electrode was used for the electrochemical detection of glucose and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and chronoamperometry (CA). Moreover, the limit of detection, linear range, and sensitivity for glucose and H2O2 were investigated (CV: 2.5 nM L-1 and 25 nM L-1, 50-500 µM, 0.052 and 0.072 µA µmol cm-2; DPV: 3.1 nM L-1 and 18 nM L-1, 50-500 µM, 0.062 and 0.066 µA µmol cm-2 and CA: 10 nM L-1 and 20 nM L-1, 50-500 µM, 0.098 and 0.07 µA µmol cm-2, respectively). In addition, the AlTMQNCAPc@MWCNT/GC electrode showed good selectivity for the detection of glucose and H2O2 in the presence of common interfering substances, such as AA, DA, UA, glycine, l-cysteine, nitrite, Pb(ii), Cd(ii), Cu(ii), Co(ii), Hg(ii), Zn(ii), and glucose. For the detection of glucose and H2O2, the kinetic parameters, including the electron transfer coefficient and catalytic reaction rate constant, were also established. Finally, for usage in practical applications, the modified electrode was employed to achieve the quantitative detection of glucose and H2O2 in human urine and commercial samples of 3% H2O2, respectively.

Electrochemical, Ultrasensitive, and Selective Detection of Nitrite and H2O2: Novel Macrostructured Phthalocyanine with Composite MWCNTs on a Modified GCE.

In the current study, the synthesis of tetra-4-(2-methoxyphenoxy) carboxamide cobalt(II) amide-bridged phthalocyanine (CoTMePhCAPc) is described, as well as its characterization by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-visible, and mass spectroscopy; powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD); thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); scanning electron microscopy (SEM); and electrochemistry. Sensing of nitrite (NO2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) simultaneously was done on CoTMePhCAPc with the composite multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified glassy carbon electrode (CoTMePhCAPc/MWCNT/GCE) in the range of linear absorption (NO2- and H2O2: CV 50-750, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) 50-750, CA 50-500 nmol L-1), lower detection limit (NO2- and H2O2: CV 10.5 and 12.5, DPV 10.5 and 11.2, CA 6.0 and 5.5 nmol L-1), and sensitivity (NO2- and H2O2: CV 0.379 and 0.529, DPV 0.043 and 0.049, CA 0.033 and 0.040 µA nM-1 cm-2). The composite electrode exhibits improved electrocatalytic behavior compared to modified electrodes for nitrite and H2O2. The CoTMePhCAPc/MWCNT/GCE sensor displays good selectivity even in the presence of an excess of interfering metal ions and biomolecules at the applied potentials of +400 mV (nitrite) and -400 mV (H2O2). Moreover, the fabricated sensor was studied with various phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 5-9) electrolyte solutions. The unknown H2O2 concentration in blood samples and apple juice and nitrite concentration in drinking water and butter leaf lettuce were all measured using the usual addition method. Docking analysis clearly indicates that the ligand shows excellent inhibition activity toward the three subjected protein molecules.

Effect of Preanesthetic Fluid Loading on Postinduction Hypotension and Advanced Cardiac Parameters in Patients with Chronic Compressive Cervical Myelopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose Hypotension during the early intraoperative phase is common and can lead to adverse perioperative outcomes. Fluid preloading is one of the methods to limit its occurrence. Patients with chronic compressive cervical myelopathy may have autonomic dysfunction, which can aggravate hemodynamic alterations during anesthesia. This study compared the occurrence of postinduction hypotension and changes in cardiac dynamic indices in patients with and without crystalloid preloading undergoing decompressive cervical spine surgery. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted over 15 months after obtaining patient consent, approval of the institute ethics committee, and trial registration. We compared preanesthetic fluid loading with Ringer's lactate (20 mL/kg over 30 minutes) with no preloading (2 mL/kg/h maintenance) in 60 consecutive patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. The ANSiscope was used to determine baseline cardiac autonomic function. Noninvasive cardiac output monitor was used to assess changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index (CI), stroke volume variation (SVV), and total peripheral resistance index during study intervention, anesthetic induction, tracheal intubation, and change in position from supine to prone. Results The incidences of postinduction hypotension were 26.7% (8/30) and 86.7% (26/30) and the median doses of mephentermine used were 0 and 6 mg, respectively, in patients with and without fluid preloading (both p < 0.001). Preloading resulted in improvement in CI, reduction in SVV, and lesser vasopressor use. Conclusion Preloading reduced the occurrence of postinduction hypotension and vasopressor use, improved CI, and reduced SVV during the early intraoperative period. Registration number of Clinical Trial The trial was registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2018/07/014970 on 19/07/2018).

Evaluation of Pulmonary Functions in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children and adolescents with the risk of development and progression of chronic complications. This study evaluates the pulmonary functions with spirometry in children with T1DM in relation with glycemic control. Ninety-six children with T1DM were matched with 102 healthy controls. All the spirometry parameters including FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and MMFR were significantly reduced (p = < 0.001) in T1DM patients when compared with the controls. Compared to the children with fair glycemic control, the children with poor glycemic control were seen to have a significant decrease in FEV1 (p = 0.001) and FVC (p = 0.001) with no significant change in FEV1/FVC ratio (p = 0.9), PEFR (p = 0.4) and MMFR (p = 0.1). Restrictive lung pattern was the most common pulmonary dysfunction in children with T1DM and it worsened with poor glycemic control. This necessitates the need for adequate glycemic control and periodic lung function assessment.

Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Review on Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb.: A Special Insight to Antidiabetic Property.

Avartaki (Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. syn. Cassia auriculata L.; Family- Fabaceae ) is a traditional medicinal plant, widely used for the treatment of various ailments in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine in India. Almost all the parts of the plant, such as flowers, leaves, seeds, barks, and roots have been reported for their medicinal uses. Traditionally, it has been used in the treatment of diabetes, asthma, rheumatism, dysentery, skin disease, and metabolic disorders. The principle phytochemicals in Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. are alkaloids, anthraquinone, flavone glycosides, sugar, saponins, phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, benzoic acid 2-hydroxyl methyl ester, 1-methyl butyl ester, resorcinol, α-tocopherol-ß-D-mannosidase, epicatechin, ferulic acid, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin, proanthocyanidin B1. The extracts from its different parts and their isolated compounds possess a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, anticancer, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiulcer, antipyretic, anthelmintic, immunomodulatory, antifertility, anti-venom, and anti-melanogenesis. The toxicological findings from preclinical studies ensured the safety of the plant, but comprehensive clinical studies are required for the safety and efficacy of the plant in humans. The current review article aimed to provide up-to-date information about Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. covering its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects with special emphasis on its clinical implications in diabetes.

Impact of Air Pollution on Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma: Consensus Statement by Indian Academy of Pediatrics.

JUSTIFICATION: Rising air pollution is an ever-growing threat to many human diseases. Poor air quality has been directly correlated with respiratory allergies with a disproportionate affection among the pediatric age group. A clear understanding of common air pollutants and their potential contribution in allergic rhinitis and asthma is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To formulate a consensus statement for appropriate understanding among pediatricians and general practitioners about the effects of air pollution on respiratory allergies and their prevention. PROCESS: A group of experts (Pediatric pulmonologists and allergy specialists) from across India were appointed by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) to formulate a consensus statement on 'Allergy and Air pollution'. A virtual meeting was conducted on 6th April 2020 to discuss in detail regarding various issues related to the subject and a writing committee was formed with broad consensus. After extensive literature review and multiple virtual sessions, the current document was prepared and circulated via email to the representatives from central IAP and IAP environment chapter. All the experts approved the consensus with minor modifications after a detailed discussion on 29th September 2020 on a virtual platform. RECOMMENDATIONS: Air pollution is the emerging contributor to respiratory allergies due to various mechanisms including oxidative stress and compromised mucociliary clearance. Children are more vulnerable to both outdoor and indoor pollution, due to their unique physiological characteristics. Knowledge about pollutant particle size and air quality index will help in demarcating level and extent of airway involvement. Relevant environmental history in difficult allergic rhinitis and asthma cases, along with conventional pharmacological measures, is warranted. Multipronged approach, targeted at community, physician and individual levels, needs to be emphasized to improve air quality and reduce economic and psychological burden of respiratory allergies.

Assessment of Effect of Different Sterilization Agents on Dimensional Accuracy of Different Impression Materials in Implant Prosthesis - An In vitro Study.

AIM: Sterilization of impression materials is of paramount importance. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of different disinfectants on dimensional accuracy of elastomeric impression materials used for implant prosthesis and other routine treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted with polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) (regular body), PVS (medium body), PVS (heavy body), and polyether (medium body) impression materials. Glutaraldehyde (2%) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, 0.525%) were the disinfectant solutions employed in the study. After 16 h, the specimens were measured under Leica WILD stereomicroscope and dimensions were compared with master die. RESULTS: The dimensional change in the Controls, 2% glutaraldehyde (Group I), and 0.525% NaOCl (Group II) was non significant where as Group III and Group IV showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Results also showed significantly higher tear strength (newton/millimeter) in Control group followed by Group I and Group II. CONCLUSION: PVS (heavy body) was found to be most stable, and polyether was seen to be stable of all the impression materials.

Novel Schiff base cobalt(ii) phthalocyanine with appliance of MWCNTs on GCE: enhanced electrocatalytic activity behaviour of α-amino acids.

A novel tetra-4-{(E)-[(8-aminonaphthalen-1-yl)imino]methyl}-2-methoxyphenol Co(ii) phthalocyanine (CoTANImMMPPc) was synthesized using a precursor protocol and characterized via electroanalytical and spectroscopic techniques. The FT-IR spectra of the synthesized compounds showed significant peaks corresponding to the functional groups of the precursors and phthalocyanine (Pc) compound. The mass and NMR spectra confirmed the formation of the target precursor compounds. A film of CoTANImMMPPc was deposited on the surface of an electrode and applied for the detection and monitoring of l-alanine and l-arginine. The cyclic voltammetric studies of l-alanine and l-arginine using the (CoTANImMMPPc/MWCNTs/GC) electrode showed a linear response in the range of 50-500 nM and the limit of detection was found to be 1.5 and 1.2 nM, respectively. Differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry showed that the catalytic response for l-alanine and l-arginine is in the range of 50-500 nM with an LoD of 1.8 and 2.3 nM, respectively. The oxidation-active CoTANImMMPPc film significantly enhanced the current response in the chronoamperometric method and displayed a selective and sensitive response towards l-alanine and l-arginine in the presence of various other bio-molecules. The developed electrode showed good working stability and was applied for the analysis of real samples, which yielded satisfactory results. Therefore, CoTANImMMPPc-MWCNTs/GCE shows good analytical performance, is economical and produced via a simple synthetic method and can be applied as a sensor for the detection of l-alanine and l-arginine.

Assessment of Aluminum Chloride Retraction Cords, Expasyl, and Tetrahydrozoline-Soaked Retraction Systems in Gingival Retraction.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess different gingival displacement systems such as aluminum chloride retraction cords, expasyl, and tetrahydrozoline-soaked retraction cord to record intracrevicular margins of tooth preparations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 60 patients. Patients were divided into four groups of 15 each. In group I, aluminum chloride retraction cords, in group II expasyl, in group III tetrahydrozoline-soaked retraction cord, and in group IV no retraction cord were used. RESULTS: The mean gingival displacement (µm) in group I was 825.6, in group II was 482.1, in group III was 742.3, and in group IV was 214.8. Significant difference was seen in between groups by one-way analysis of variance as P < 0.05. Post hoc Tukey analysis showed significant difference during multiple comparison between groups. CONCLUSION: Authors found that maximum gingival retraction was achieved with aluminum chloride retraction cords followed by tetrahydrozoline and expasyl.

Duration and frequency of drainage and flooding events interactively affect soil biogeochemistry and N flux in subtropical peat soils.

With the demand for restoration and future prediction of climate change effects, subtropical peatlands are expected to be subjected to hydrologic regimes with variable duration and frequency of drained and flooded conditions, but knowledge of their interactive effects on soil biogeochemistry and emission of greenhouse gases including nitrous oxide (N2O) is largely limited. The objective of this study was to investigate how the duration and frequency of drainage and flooding events interactively influence soil biogeochemical properties and denitrification and related net N2O production rates following rewetting. Surface soils are susceptible to different hydrologic regimes. Significantly higher pH, extractable organic carbon (ext. OC), ammonium (NH4+-N), denitrification enzyme activity (DEA), but lower nitrate (NO3--N), microbial biomass C and N were observed when the peat soils were under flooded conditions compared to drained conditions. Two-week and four-week drainage or flooding duration did not result in statistically significant differences in soil biogeochemical properties. A 24-week prolonged drainage led to an accumulation of NO3--N and a significantly lower pH. Soil microbial biomass and fungal:bacterial abundance likely increased with the frequency of drainage-flooding cycles. Significant differences in denitrification and net N2O production rates following reflooding were mainly found in the surface soils. Structural equation modeling indicated that hydroperiod and water-filled pore space (WFPS) prior to reflooding is likely to control denitrification and net N2O production through its regulation of NO3--N and activity of microorganisms involved in denitrification while higher drainage-flooding frequency decreases the availability of organic C and NO3--N for denitrification. Our results also suggest high NO3--N and low pH within peat soils caused by prolonged drainage likely leads to a significant N2O emission pulse following reflooding. For peat soils subjected to frequent drainage-flooding cycles, N2O emission pulses following reflooding would decrease with time, attributing to the loss of substrates for denitrification.

Soil phosphorus forms and storage in stormwater treatment areas of the Everglades: Influence of vegetation and nutrient loading.

Stormwater treatment areas (STAs) are an integral component of the Everglades restoration strategies to reduce phosphorus (P) loads from adjacent agricultural and urban areas. The overall objective of this study was to determine the forms and distribution of P in floc and soils along the flow-path of two parallel flow-ways (FWs) in STA-2 with emergent aquatic vegetation (EAV) and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), respectively, to assess their stability and potential for long term storage. In EAV high organic matter accretion supported low bulk density and high P concentrations in floc and soil, while high mineral matter accretion in SAV resulted in high bulk density and low P concentrations. Approximately 25-30% of the total P is identified as highly reactive P (HRP) pools, 50-60% in moderately reactive P (RP) forms, and 15-20% in the non-reactive P (NRP) pool. Within HRP and RP pools, a large proportion of P in the SAV areas was inorganic while organic P was more dominant in the EAV areas. Enrichment of total P (especially in HRP and RP pools) found in the upstream areas of both FWs resulted from the P loading into FWs over time, and the surplus P conditions can potentially support flux into the water column. In EAV FW, approximately 45% of the P retained was recovered in floc and RAS and remaining was possibly retained in the above and below ground biomass and incorporated into subsurface soils. In SAV FW, all of the P retained was recovered in floc and soils suggesting P retention in plants was not significant. For STAs to continue to function effectively and meet the desired outflow TP concentrations, management strategies should be aimed to promote P limiting conditions within the system to avoid release of P from floc and soils to water column and potential downstream transport.

Sensitive and reliable electrochemical detection of nitrite and H2O2 embellish-CoPc coupled with appliance of composite MWCNTs.

The electrocatalytic properties of tetra L-Methionine cobalt (II) phthalocyanine (CoTL-MethPc) and functionalized MWCNTs, decorated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was investigated. The synthesis of the CoTL-MethPc was confirmed using UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRD, TGA and MASS techniques. Successful modification of GCE with the CoTL-MethPc and their composite was also confirmed using cyclic voltammetry (CVs), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chrono-amperometry (CA) techniques. CoTL-MethPc/MWCNTs/GCE was the best electrode towards nitrite and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection with a very low detection limit (30 and 10 nmol L-1) by CVs method, which compared favorably with literature, good sensitivity, electrocatalytic oxidation of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide on CoTL-MethPc/MWCNTs/GCE electrode was diffusion controlled but characterized with some adsorption of electro-oxidation-reduction reaction intermediates products. The fabricated sensors are easy to prepare, cost-effective and can be applied for real sample analysis of nitrite in beetroot vegetable. The excellent electrocatalytic property of CoTL-MethPc/MWCNTs is high reproducibility, repeatability, selectivity.

Analgesia nociception index and hemodynamic changes during skull pin application for supratentorial craniotomies in patients receiving scalp block versus pin-site infiltration: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Noxious stimulation such as skull pin insertion for craniotomy elicits a significant hemodynamic response. Both regional analgesic techniques (pin-site infiltration [PSI] and scalp block [SB]), and systemic strategies (opioids, alpha-2 agonists, anesthetics, and beta-blockers) have shown to attenuate this response. Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) provides objective information about the magnitude of nociception and adequacy of analgesia. This study compared ANI and hemodynamic changes in patients receiving local anesthetic SB versus PSI during skull pin application for craniotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty adult patients scheduled for elective supratentorial tumor surgery were randomly allocated to receive local anesthetic SB or PSI for skull pin insertion after the induction of anesthesia. Data regarding heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and ANI were collected every minute for 5 min after the skull pin insertion beginning from the baseline. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in ANI values between the SB (higher ANI) and the PSI groups during skull pin insertion, P < 0.001 and P = 0.003 for ANIi and ANIm, respectively. Similarly, a significant difference was seen in HR and BP both within and between the two groups during skull pin insertion (P < 0.001 for both). The magnitude and duration of change were smaller in the SB group compared with the PSI group for the parameters studied. A strong negative linear correlation was noted between ANI and hemodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in HR, BP, and ANI were significantly less with local anesthetic SB compared with PSI during skull pin insertion in patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy.

Synthesis and characterization of tetra-ganciclovir cobalt (II) phthalocyanine for electroanalytical applications of AA/DA/UA.

Cobalt (II) phthalocyanine embedded with ganciclovir units has been synthesized by a novel method using tetracarboxylic phthalocyanine reported for the first time. The synthesized dark green colored complexes were characterized by electronic spectroscopy, elemental analysis, FT-IR, MASS and XRD. Thermal stability study reveals that the newly synthesized complex was stable up to 300 °C and XRD patterns showed amorphous nature of the complex. In the present work, the synthesized complex was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and shows the redox behavior corresponding to central metal (Co+II/Co+I) of the complex. Three biomolecules are well-separated by their oxidation peaks in simultaneous determination predicting the potentials for (-128, 335, and 723 mV) with highly increasing current. The low detection limit of AA, DA, and UA were 0.33, 0.03 and 0.10 µmol by CV method and good responses of amperometric and DPV technique. The modified tetra substituted CoTGPc/GCE exhibit an excellent electrocatalytic activity, stability, high sensitivity, good linearity, and selectivity without losing its catalytic activity and proves to be a versatile chemical sensor for commercial pharmaceutical samples, vitamin C tablets, and dopamine injections.

Influence of select bioenergy by-products on soil carbon and microbial activity: A laboratory study.

Concerns about the negative impacts of crop biomass removal on soil ecological functions have led to questioning the long-term sustainability of bioenergy production. To offset this potential negative impact, use of organic C rich by-products from the bioenergy industries have been proposed as a means to replenish soil C in degraded soils. However, the impact of these by-products application on soil carbon dynamics is not fully understood. We measured biogeochemical changes in soil organic C following a three-year field application of two by-products, biochar (BC) and fermentation-by product (FBP), of bioenergy industry processes in an elephant grass [Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schum.] field. There was a significant increase in overall soil organic C (SOC) observed in BC (270%) treated plots, however the higher labile SOC (51%) content was present in FBP treated plots. Solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy further revealed increased aromatic and alkyl groups in BC amended soils which lend to its significantly higher hydrophobicity index, HI (2.13) compared with FBP amended soils (HI = 0.8). Initial biogeochemical responses of amended soils to drought conditions were also investigated during a short-term experiment with drying and rewetting of soils. Increased concentrations of extractable C and higher stimulation of microbial activities (respiration and enzyme activities) in FBP amended soils were measured. Overall, our results reveal different impacts of the two soil amendments, where FBP soil application can affect the labile SOC availability, and stimulate rapid microbial response in drought affected soils, and biochar soil application lowers the labile SOC and microbial stimulation facilitating C sequestration over time.

Macrocyclic complexes: synthesis, characterization, antitumor and DNA binding studies.

The present paper deals with the synthesis of novel macrocyclic complexes of the type [MLX]X, where [(M = Co(II) (1), and Ni(II) (2) X = (Cl2)]. The complexes are synthesized by the reaction of ligand(L)diquinolineno[1,3,7,9]tetraazacyclododecine-7,15-ethane(14H,16H)-benzene with the corresponding metal salts. The synthesized complexes are thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, Mass and electronic spectra. The complexes (1) and (2) were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell (MCF-7). MTT cytotoxicity studies shows both the complexes are most effective. The binding properties of these complexes with calf thymus-DNA were studied by absorption, emission spectra, viscosity measurements, and thermal denaturation studies. On binding to CT-DNA, the absorption spectrum undergoes bathochromic and hypochromic shifts. The absorption spectral results indicate that the intrinsic binding constant (Kb) are 4.8 × 105 M-1 for (1) and 3.9 × 105 M-1 for (2) respectively, suggesting that complex (1) binds more strongly to CT-DNA than complex (2). The viscosity measurement results revealed the viscosity of sonicated rod like DNA fragments increased when the complex was added to the solution of CT-DNA. The synthesized ligand and its metal complexes are screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities.