Green energy innovation initiatives for environmental sustainability: current state and future research directions.

Worldwide, all countries have been facing the crisis of climate change problem. They have been addressing this issue by focusing on implementing green energy innovation initiatives and promoting a sustainable future through environmental sustainability. In this research study, we focus on examining the role of green finance through green energy innovations, which are taking place in several sectors across different regions to promote environmental sustainability. The study has analysed 152 articles on this research domain through a systematic literature review to understand the present state of existing knowledge. The current study examines the Scopus-indexed research articles from the time period 2002 to 2023. Six emerging themes have been examined to understand their development and the potential impact of green initiatives for environmental sustainability. Various institutional theories have been explored to understand their association with the investigated research area. The paper has discussed multiple challenges that need to be addressed for the speedy implementation of green innovations. Finally, future research questions have been proposed based on the findings from the extant literature and the existing research gaps.

Exploring the application of ICTs in decarbonizing the agriculture supply chain: A literature review and research agenda.

The contemporary agricultural supply chain necessitates the integration of information and communication technologies to effectively mitigate the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and rising global demand for food products. Furthermore, recent developments in information and communication technologies, such as blockchain, big data analytics, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, etc., have made this transformation possible. Each of these technologies plays a particular role in enabling the agriculture supply chain ecosystem to be intelligent enough to handle today's world's challenges. Thus, this paper reviews the crucial information and communication technologies-enabled agriculture supply chains to understand their potential uses and contemporary developments. The review is supported by 57 research papers from the Scopus database. Five research areas analyze the applications of the technology reviewed in the agriculture supply chain: food safety and traceability, security and information system management, wasting food, supervision and tracking, agricultural businesses and decision-making, and other applications not explicitly related to the agriculture supply chain. The study also emphasizes how information and communication technologies can help agriculture supply chains and promote agriculture supply chain decarbonization. An information and communication technologies application framework for a decarbonized agriculture supply chain is suggested based on the research's findings. The framework identifies the contribution of information and communication technologies to decision-making in agriculture supply chains. The review also offers guidelines to academics, policymakers, and practitioners on managing agriculture supply chains successfully for enhanced agricultural productivity and decarbonization.

Exploration of isoxazole analogs: Synthesis, COX inhibition, anticancer screening, 3D multicellular tumor spheroids, and molecular modeling.

In this study, a new series of Isoxazole-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and characterized via HRMS, 1H-, 13CAPT-NMR, and MicroED. The findings revealed that nearly all of the synthesized derivatives exhibited potent inhibitory activities against both COX enzymes, with IC50 values ranging from 4.1 nM to 3.87 µM. Specifically, MYM1 demonstrated the highest efficacy among the compounds tested against the COX-1, displaying an IC50 value of 4.1 nM. The results showed that 5 compounds possess high COX-2 isozyme inhibitory effects with IC50 value in range 0.24-1.30 µM with COX-2 selectivity indexes (2.51-6.13), among these compounds MYM4 has the lowest IC50 value against COX-2, with selectivity index around 4. Intriguingly, this compound displayed significant antiproliferative effects against CaCo-2, Hep3B, and HeLa cancer cell lines, with IC50 values of 10.22, 4.84, and 1.57 µM, respectively, which was nearly comparable to that of doxorubicin. Compound MYM4 showed low cytotoxic activities on normal cell lines LX-2 and Hek293t with IC50 values 20.01 and 216.97 µM respectively, with safer values than doxorubicin. Furthermore, compound MYM4 was able to induce the apoptosis, suppress the colonization of both HeLa and HepG2 cells. Additionally, the induction of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production could be the mechanism underlying the apoptotic effect and the cytotoxic activity of the compound. In the 3D multicellular tumor spheroid model, results revealed that MYM4 compound hampered the spheroid formation capacity of Hep3B and HeLa cancer cells. Moreover, the molecular docking of MYM4 compound revealed a high affinity for the COX2 enzyme, with energy scores (S) -7.45 kcal/mol, which were comparable to celecoxib (S) -8.40 kcal/mol. Collectively, these findings position MYM4 as a promising pharmacological candidate as COX inhibitor and anticancer agent.

Exploring the effect of 6-BIO and sulindac in modulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in chronic phase of temporal lobe epilepsy.

The prospective involvement of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in epilepsy, with the proposed therapeutic uses of its modulators, has been suggested; however, comprehensive knowledge in this regard is currently limited. Despite postulations about the pathway's significance and treatment potential, a systematic investigation is required to better understand its implications in chronic epilepsy. We investigated the role of key proteins like ß-catenin, GSK-3ß, and their modulators sulindac and 6-BIO, in Wnt/ß-catenin pathway during chronic phase of temporal lobe epilepsy. We also evaluated the role of modulators in seizure score, seizure frequency and neurobehavioral parameters in temporal lobe epilepsy. We developed status epilepticus model using lithium-pilocarpine. The assessment of neurobehavioral parameters was done followed by histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry staining of hippocampus as well as RT-qPCR and western blotting to analyse gene and protein expression. In SE rats, seizure score and frequency were significantly high compared to control rats, with notable changes in neurobehavioral parameters and neuronal damage observed in hippocampus. Our study also revealed a substantial upregulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in chronic epilepsy, as evidenced by gene and protein expression studies. Sulindac emerged as a potent modulator, reducing seizure score, frequency, neuronal damage, apoptosis, and downregulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway when compared to 6-BIO. Our findings emphasize the potential of GSK-3ß and ß-catenin as promising drug targets for chronic temporal lobe epilepsy, offering valuable treatment options for chronic epilepsy. The promising outcomes with sulindac encourages further exploration in clinical trials to assess its therapeutic potential.

Penetrating Sugarcane Injury to Brain via Orbit: A Case Report.

Penetrating brain trauma is rare. We present a unique case involving a sugarcane injury that penetrated the brain via the orbit following a road traffic accident. A 32-year-old male arrived at our emergency department with a penetrating injury to his left eye. A non-contrast computerized tomography (NCCT) scan of the head showed a foreign body in the left orbit, extending to the frontal lobe. Left frontotemporal craniotomy, anterior cranial fossa exploration, retrieval of the foreign body (a sugarcane piece), and dural repair of the anterior cranial fossa were performed. The patient was discharged and showed positive progress on follow-up. Penetrating trauma to the eyes and brain can be fatal, leading to vision loss. Therefore, early surgical intervention and close coordination between ophthalmologists and neurosurgeons are imperative.

Bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture: two injuries 6 years apart.

We present a case of a fit man in his 50s, with simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon repair of injuries sustained 6 years apart. Spontaneous closed ruptures of the quadriceps tendon are uncommon. Clinical data of a single case of bilateral quadriceps tendon injury with simultaneous repair was gathered via the patient, notes and surgeon. Diagnosis was primarily based on history and clinical examination. Suggestive features on the plain radiographic imaging were also present. Confirmation was attempted using ultrasonography but yielded conflicting reports. The patient was screened for any associated predisposing conditions that would preclude surgical intervention or increase risk of recurrence. Repairs were accomplished by employing a combination of suture anchors and transpatellar cerclage reinforcement. Apposition of the tendon to the superior patellar pole was successful although with decreased passive flexion on the neglected side (approximately 30°) compared with the acute (approximately 90°). Follow-up continues with postoperative rehabilitation.

How a Single 5 eV Electron Can Induce Double-Strand Breaks in DNA: A Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Study.

Low-energy (<20 eV) electrons (LEEs) can resonantly interact with DNA to form transient anions (TAs) of fundamental units, inducing single-strand breaks (SSBs), and cluster damage, such as double-strand breaks (DSBs). Shape resonances, which arise from electron capture in a previously unfilled orbital, can induce only a SSB, whereas a single core-excited resonance (i.e., two electrons in excited orbitals of the field of a hole) has been shown experimentally to cause cluster lesions. Herein, we show from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) that a core-excited resonance can produce a DSB, i.e., a single 5 eV electron can induce two close lesions in DNA. We considered the nucleotide with the G-C base pair (ds[5'-G-3']) as a model for electron localization in the DNA double helix and calculated the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of excited states of the ground-state TA of ds[5'-G-3'], which correspond to shape and core-excited resonances. The calculations show that shape TAs start at ca. 1 eV, while core-excited TAs occur only above 4 eV. The energy profile of each excited state and the corresponding PES are obtained by simultaneously stretching both C5'-O5' bonds of ds[5'-G-3']. From the nature of the PES, we find two dissociative (σ*) states localized on the PO4 groups at the C5' sites of ds[5'-G-3']. The first σ* state at 1 eV is due to a shape resonance, while the second σ* state is induced by a core-excited resonance at 5.4 eV. As the bond of the latter state stretches and arrives close to the dissociation limit, the added electron on C transfers to C5' phosphate, thus demonstrating the possibility of producing a DSB with only one electron of ca. 5 eV.

Foraging behaviour of Pheidole latinoda: An impetus for employing a heuristic approach to address optimization challenges.

The primary goal of the binary model in this study was to understand the convergence pattern of the Pheidole latinoda ants. Forager and scout ants on the hunt for food use path integration. When they find a food source, they leave a trail pheromone to alert other nest mates. Every ant starts following that trail and reinforces it on their way back home. To investigate the ant convergence pattern, binary and ternary bridges of varying lengths are used. Each bridge is built in such a way that one end is connected to a food source whilst the other end is connected to the nest. The food source is surrounded by water-filled islands. The Pheidole latinoda ant's convergence pattern has been observed following the successful installation of a bridge near the ants' nest. This species took between 1 and 3 and 3-4 min to find the shortest possible path. Numerous studies looking for optimal solutions, such as those addressing the challenges of travelling salesmen, routing in communication networks, etc., may use this convergence or path optimization as their new starting point.

Deep eutectic solvents: Preparation, properties, and food applications.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) emerge as innovative 21st-century solvents, supplanting traditional ones like ethanol and n-hexane. Renowned for their non-toxic, biodegradable, and water-miscible nature with reduced volatility, DESs are mostly synthesized through heating and stirring method. Physicochemical properties such as polarity, viscosity, density and surface tension of DESs influenced their application. This review paper gives the overview of application of eco-benign DESs in fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, spices, herbs, plantation crops, oil seed crops, medicinal and aromatic plants, seaweed, and milk for the extraction of bioactive compounds. Also, it gives insight of determination of pesticides, insecticides, hazardous and toxic compounds, removal of heavy metals, detection of illegal milk additive, purification of antibiotics and preparation of packaging film. Methodologies for separating bioactive compounds from DESs extracts are systematically examined. Further, safety regulations of DESs are briefly discussed and reviewed literature reveals prevalent utilization of DES-based bioactive compound rich extracts in cosmetics, indicating untapped potential of their application in the food industry.

Corrosion inhibition of mild steel by Praecitrullus fistulosus (tinda fruit and peel) extracts.

Metal corrosion has recently emerged as a growing concern, impacting both local and industrial operations and disrupting conventional production methods. The utilization of green inhibitors to mitigate the metal degradation has garnered extensive attention from researchers and industrial professionals due to their prominent advantages: high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. A novel ecofriendly inhibitor was prepared from Praecitrullus fistulosus (tinda fruit and peel) for mild steel (MS) corrosion in 1 M HCl. The presence of phenol, 3,5-bis (1,1-dimethyl ethyl)-, 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid 15-methyl-, methyl ester, 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, 9, 12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z,Z-), ascorbic acid, and phytol were identified as major constituent through LC/MS analysis of tinda extracts. The existence of these compounds was further confirmed through FTIR analysis, which shows the presence of various functional groups, such as -OH, CO, C-O-C, CC, and aromatic rings in the tinda extracts. Electrochemical and gravimetric analyses were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of tinda extracts. Outcomes of Tafel analysis revealed that both tinda extracts significantly reduced the corrosion current as compared to blank and achieved 83.73 % and 87.59 % inhibition efficiencies at 200 mg L-1 of tinda peel extract (TPE) and tinda fruit extract (TFE), respectively. The change in corrosion potential (Ecorr) was within an ±85 mV range compared to that of the uninhibited system, indicating that both tinda extracts demonstrated a mixed-type inhibition behavior. During adsorption studies, the best fit was obtained for the Langmuir adsorption model. The obtained values of standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG°ads) for TPE and TFE lie between -20 and - 40 kJ mol-1 but close to -20 kJ mol-1, which reveals preferential physical adsorption of the extracts on the metal surface. Thermodynamic parameters, including activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy, were computed across the temperature range of 303 to 323 K, suggesting that corrosion occurs spontaneously by the endothermic process. FESEM analysis depicted that inhibited systems exhibited smooth and crack-free surfaces as compared to blank system. AFM images demonstrated that surface roughness was significantly reduced for the inhibited system. In EDX analysis, the weight percentage of Cl was reduced in the presence of tinda extracts as compared to blank, and in XRD analysis, iron chloride (FeCl2) peak did not appear in the presence of inhibitor but it was in the uninhibited system. All surface-related findings signify that tinda extracts are adsorbed on the MS surface and form a protective layer that separates the metal from the corrosive solution.

A novel method for enrichment of Morganella morganii in fecal samples using designed culture medium.

Morganella morganii is a gram negative, facultative anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium, commonly found in environment and in the intestine of human, mammals, and reptiles as a part of their gut microbiome. M. morganii can cause Gram-negative folliculitis, black nail infection, acute retiform purpura, fetal demise, and subdural empyema. The increasing frequency of M. morganii infections generate the need for efficient methods to enrich the presence of M. morganii in clinical samples to make its detection easier. Culturomics aims to grow and maximize the number of culturable bacteria. Different methods are followed to maximize the growth of minority population of bacteria by disrupting the growth of bacteria which are present in higher concentration. This article presents a method for selective enriching the M. morganii in human fecal samples. This method includes prior incubation of fecal microbiota in an anaerobic environment, adding supplement like fecal water to give dormant bacteria a break to become active to grow to threshold concentration, and an enrichment stage which provides the additional opportunity of growing to M. morganii on the selective medium. This method also provides an ingenuous way for augmenting the growth of fecal M. morganii species.

Recent advancements of smartphone-based sensing technology for diagnosis, food safety analysis, and environmental monitoring.

The emergence of computationally powerful smartphones, relatively affordable high-resolution camera, drones, and robotic sensors have ushered in a new age of advanced sensible monitoring tools. The present review article investigates the burgeoning smartphone-based sensing paradigms, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors, electrochemical biosensors, colorimetric biosensors, and other innovations for modern healthcare. Despite the significant advancements, there are still scarcity of commercially available smart biosensors and hence need to accelerate the rates of technology transfer, application, and user acceptability. The application/necessity of smartphone-based biosensors for Point of Care (POC) testing, such as prognosis, self-diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment selection, have brought remarkable innovations which eventually eliminate sample transportation, sample processing time, and result in rapid findings. Additionally, it articulates recent advances in various smartphone-based multiplexed bio sensors as affordable and portable sensing platforms for point-of-care devices, together with statistics for point-of-care health monitoring and their prospective commercial viability.

Mo than meets the eye: genomic insights into molybdoenzyme diversity of Seleniivibrio woodruffii strain S4T.

Seleniivibrio woodruffii strain S4T is an obligate anaerobe belonging to the phylum Deferribacterota. It was isolated for its ability to respire selenate and was also found to respire arsenate. The high-quality draft genome of this bacterium is 2.9 Mbp, has a G+C content of 48%, 2762 predicted genes of which 2709 are protein-coding, and 53 RNA genes. An analysis of the genome focusing on the genes encoding for molybdenum-containing enzymes (molybdoenzymes) uncovered a remarkable number of genes encoding for members of the dimethylsulfoxide reductase family of proteins (DMSOR), including putative reductases for selenate and arsenate respiration, as well as genes for nitrogen fixation. Respiratory molybdoenzymes catalyze redox reactions that transfer electrons to a variety of substrates that can act as terminal electron acceptors for energy generation. Seleniivibrio woodruffii strain S4T also has essential genes for molybdate transporters and the biosynthesis of the molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide cofactors characteristic of the active centers of DMSORs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed candidate respiratory DMSORs spanning nine subfamilies encoded within the genome. Our analysis revealed the untapped potential of this interesting microorganism and expanded our knowledge of molybdoenzyme co-occurrence.

An integrative approach for management of post-traumatic dorsal foot wounds - A case report.

Crush injuries to the foot have become increasingly prevalent in contemporary settings, primarily arising from incidents such as the impact of large objects falling onto the foot or involvement in traffic accidents. The complexity of treating these injuries is compounded by the intricate anatomy of the foot. In specific scenarios, the implementation of an integrated management approach could prove advantageous. In this report, we depict the case of a 23-year-old male who visited the Shalya OPD with a wound on his left foot caused by trauma. The wound covered the medial portion of the foot, involving the dorsal area, and measured roughly 20 cm by 9 cm and was unable to walk. We successfully managed the case by adopting an integrative approach. The Ayurvedic treatment included Panchavalkala kashaya for wound irrigation, as well as oral administration of Amalaki rasayana, Triphala guggulu, Shatavari churna and Ashwagandha churna. Jatyadi taila was topically applied. For the first seven days, in addition to these ayurvedic medications, we also employed analgesics and antibiotics to treat infection and pain. To accomplish early closure, we employed a split-thickness skin graft after sufficient granulation tissue had appeared. The wound was completely healed within three months and the patient was able to walk freely without any support. The combined approach yielded a promising result in this case.

Cold-adapted Exiguobacterium sibiricum K1 as a potential bioinoculant in cold regions: Physiological and genomic elucidation of biocontrol and plant growth promotion.

The scarcity of soil nutrient availability under cold conditions of Himalayan regions needs a sustainable approach for better crop yields. The cold-adapted bacteria, Exiguobacterium sibiricum K1, with the potential to produce several plant growth-promoting (PGP) attributes, nitrogen fixation, indole acetic acid production, phosphate and potassium solubilization at 10 °C can provide an opportunity to promote crop yield improvement in an eco-friendly way under cold conditions. The bacterium also exhibited biocontrol activity against two phytopathogens and produced siderophore (53.0 ± 0.5 % psu). The strain's PGP properties were investigated using a spinach-based bioassay under controlled conditions. The bacterized seeds showed a notable increase in germination rate (23.2 %), shoot length (65.3 %), root length (56.6 %), leaf area (73.7 %), number of leaflets (65.2 %), and dry matter (65.2 %). Additionally, the leaf analysis indicated elevated chlorophyll pigments, i.e., chlorophyll a (55.5 %), chlorophyll b (42.8 %), carotenoids (35.2 %), percentage radical scavenging activity (47.4 %), and leaf nutrient uptake such as nitrogen (23.4 %), calcium (60.8 %), potassium (62.3 %), and magnesium (28.9 %). Moreover, the whole-genome sequencing and genome mining endorsed various biofertilisation-related genes, including genes for potassium and phosphate solubilization, iron and nitrogen acquisition, carbon dioxide fixation, and biocontrol ability of Exiguobacterium sibiricum K1. Overall, this study highlights the role of Exiguobacterium sibiricum K1 as a potential bioinoculant for improving crop yield under cold environments.

Targeting EED as a key PRC2 complex mediator toward novel epigenetic therapeutics.

EED within the PRC2 complex is crucial for chromatin regulation, particularly in tumor development, such that its inhibition is a promising epigenetic therapeutic strategy. Significant advancement in PRC2 inhibitor development has been achieved with an approved EZH2 inhibitor in the market and with others in clinical trials. However, current EZH2 inhibitors are limited to specific blood cancers and encounter therapeutic resistance. EED stabilizes PRC2 and enhances its activity through unique allosteric mechanisms, thereby acting as both a scaffold protein and a recognizer of H3K27me3 making it an attractive drug target. This review provides an overview of epigenetic therapeutic strategies targeting EED, including allosteric inhibitors, PPI inhibitors, and PROTACs, together with brief discussions on the relevant challenges, opportunities, and future directions.

Studies on Fluorescence Quenching, Decay Rate Parameters, Dipole Moment, Rotational Diffusion of 3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-7-(diethylamino)-2H-chromen-2-one Laser Dye in Excited Singlet State: Temperature Effect.

The effect of temperature on the absorption and emission characteristics of 3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-7-(diethylamino)-2H-chromen-2-one (3BT7D2H-one) laser dye in glycerol solvent has been studied by the steady-state method. Fluorescence intensity decreases with an increase in temperature and shifts towards a shorter wavelength. Parameters like fluorescence lifetime, rate constants, activation energy, and dipole moment (using the thermochromic method) are determined experimentally. Also, the temperature effect on rotational diffusion of 3BT7D2H-one laser dye is studied and also estimated theoretical and experimental hydrodynamic volumes.

Achieving White Light Emission with High Luminescence Efficiency via Combustion Produced Sr3Y(PO4)3: Dy3+ Nanophosphors for Photonic Applications.

Extensive investigations were conducted on the structural and photoluminescence characteristics of the present nanosamples, encompassing PL, TEM, PXRD, EDAX, CCT, and CIE research. PXRD studies established a single phase, and TEM instruments were used to examine the dimensions and topographical behavior. The EDAX analysis examined the magnitude of the different components that were present. Decay lifetimes, radiative and non-radiative energy transfer rates, and a number of intensity limitations have all been found using PL spectra. Two significant peaks were visible in the blue (B) and yellow (Y) regions of the photoluminescence (PL) spectra upon NUV excitation, at 486 nm and 577 nm. At 7 mol% Dy3+ ions, the PL intensity peaked. After that, it began to decline as a result of the concentration quenching process brought on by multipolar exchanges (s = 4.1445). The values of 0.86423 ms, 81%, and 226 s-1 were discovered to be the decay life time, non radiative rates, and quantum efficiency of the ideal powder, respectively. Further analysis of Sr3Y0.93Dy0.07(PO4)3 nanocrystals revealed that their chromaticity coordinates (0.305, 0.321), and CCT value (6902 K) matched those of NTSE and commercial LEDs, certifying their use in innovative optoelectronic appliances, particularly single phased WLEDs.

Commissioning and dosimetric verification of volumetric modulated arc therapy for multiple modalities using electronic portal imaging device-based 3D dosimetry system: a novel approach.

The purpose of this study was to validate an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) based 3-dimensional (3D) dosimetry system for the commissioning of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) delivery for flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter free (FFF) modalities based on test suites developed according to American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 119 (AAPM TG 119) and pre-treatment patient specific quality assurance (PSQA).With ionisation chamber, multiple-point measurement in various planes becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming, necessitating repeated exposure of the plan. The average agreement between measured and planned doses for TG plans is recommended to be within 3%, and both the ionisation chamber and PerFRACTION™ measurement were well within this prescribed limit. Both point dose differences with the planned dose and gamma passing rates are comparable with TG reported multi-institution results. From our study, we found that no significant differences were found between FF and FFF beams for measurements using PerFRACTION™ and ion chamber. Overall, PerFRACTION™ produces acceptable results to be used for commissioning and validating VMAT and for performing PSQA. The findings support the feasibility of integrating PerFRACTION™ into routine quality assurance procedures for VMAT delivery. Further multi-institutional studies are recommended to establish global baseline values and enhance the understanding of PerFRACTION™'s capabilities in diverse clinical settings.

Ecological and human health risk assessment of pharmaceutical compounds in the Sirsa River of Indian Himalayas.

The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) region of Indian Himalayas is one of the most important pharmaceutical industrial clusters in Asia. This study investigated the distribution, and ecological and human health risks of four most frequently used pharmaceuticals [ciprofloxacin (CIP), norfloxacin (NOR), cetirizine (CTZ) and citalopram oxalate (ECP)] when co-occurring with metal ions in the Sirsa river water of the BBN region. The concentration range of the selected pharmaceuticals was between 'not detected' to 50 µgL-1 with some exception for CIP (50-100 µgL-1) and CTZ (100-150 µgL-1) in locations directly receiving wastewater discharges. A significant correlation was found between the occurrences of NOR and Al (r2 = 0.65; p = 0.01), and CTZ and K (r2 = 0.50; p = 0.01) and Mg (r2 = 0.50; p = 0.01). A high-level ecological risk [risk quotient (RQ) > 1] was observed for algae from all the pharmaceuticals. A medium-level risk (RQ = 0.01-0.1) was observed for Daphnia from CIP, NOR and ECP, and a high-level risk from CTZ. A low-level risk was observed for fishes from CIP and NOR, whereas CTZ and ECP posed a high-level risk to fishes. The overall risk to ecological receptors was in the order: CTZ > CIP > ECP > NOR. Samples from the river locations receiving water from municipal drains or situated near landfill and pharmaceutical factories exhibited RQ > 1 for all pharmaceuticals. The average hazard quotient (HQ) values for the compounds followed the order: CTZ (0.18) > ECP (0.15) > NOR (0.001) > CIP (0.0003) for children (0-6 years); ECP (0.49) > CTZ (0.29) > NOR (0.005) > CIP (0.001) for children (7-17 years), and ECP (0.34) > CTZ (0.21) > NOR (0.007) > CIP (0.001) for adults (>17 years). The calculated risk values did not readily confirm the status of water as safe or unsafe because the values of predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) would depend on various other environmental factors such as quality of the toxicity data, and species sensitivity and distribution, which warrants further research.