Evaluation of Adsorptive Capture and Release Efficiency of MNPs-SA@Cu MOF Composite Beads Toward U(VI) and Th(IV) Ions from an Aqueous Media.

Effluent from nuclear power plants, rocks, and minerals contains hazardous radionuclides that adversely affect human health and seriously threaten the environment. To address this issue, simple, economic, and sustainable magnetite nanoparticle loaded sodium alginate copper metal-organic framework composite beads (MNPs-SA@Cu MOF composite beads) have been designed, and their performance has been evaluated under varying conditions of pH, time, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration and have been studied by batch adsorption studies for optimizing the adsorption conditions. In this work, MNPs-SA@Cu MOF composite beads have been prepared in situ for the adsorptive removal of uranium [U(VI)] and thorium [Th(IV)] ions from an aqueous solution. The synthesized MNPs-SA@Cu MOF composite beads were characterized by model analytical techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Here, 6 mg of adsorbent with 10 mL of 50 mg/L uranium and thorium ion solution at pH 5 was capable of removing the U(VI) and Th(IV) ions with 99.9 and 97.7% removal efficiencies, respectively. The obtained results showed that the adsorption behavior of the adsorbent for U(VI) and Th(IV) follows pseudo-second-order kinetics, and Langmuir isotherm fitted well with a maximum adsorption capacity of 454.54 and 434.78 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption mechanism indicated that electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding are the main driving forces for removing the U(VI) and Th(IV) ions. It can be reused for up to 10 adsorption-desorption cycles with minimal loss of removal efficiency. The easy synthesis method of MNPs-SA@Cu MOF composite beads and the high removal efficiency of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions reveal that they can potentially treat radionuclide waste effectively.

Maternal and Newborn Blood Aluminum Levels and Neurodevelopment of Infants: Is there a Need for Concern?

Aluminum is a neurotoxic element that enters the human body due to its widespread usage in daily life. It has the potential to affect the neurological development of the fetus and infant adversely. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal and umbilical cord serum aluminum level and infant neurodevelopment. Over a period of March 2018 to September 2019, we conducted a prospective cohort study; 173 Mother-new-born pairs were enrolled. Aluminum levels were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The correlation with Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) -3rd edition score and maternal and cord serum aluminum were assessed via linear regression model. The mean concentration of maternal and cord serum aluminum was 2.58 ± 1.14 µg/dL and 1.44 ± 0.62 µg/dL, respectively. There was a significant correlation in aluminum level between maternal and umbilical cord serum (Pearson's r = 0.591, p < 0.000). There is no significant correlation between maternal and serum aluminum level, and BSID-3rd edition (cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotion) score at the average age of 6.5 months. In conclusion, maternal and cord serum aluminum levels were significantly correlated but did not correlate with infant neurodevelopment. Thus, low serum aluminum concentration and their association with child neurodevelopment deserve further investigation longitudinally in a large cohort. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-021-01002-y.

Association of newborn blood lead concentration with neurodevelopment outcome in early infancy.

BACKGROUND: In utero exposure to toxic metal substances can cause severe neurodevelopmental deficits in developing fetus and infant. METHODS: We evaluated the association of newborn umbilical cord blood lead concentration with early neurodevelopmental performance (cognitive, receptive language, expressive language, fine motor, gross motor and social-emotional development). The Bayley Scale of Infants Developments-III (BSID-III) was used to perform neurodevelopment outcomes at an average age of 6.5 months. In this prospective study, total of 167 mother-child pairs were enrolled from Western Rajasthan, India. Association between risk factors of lead contamination and newborn umbilical cord blood lead levels was observed. Multivariate regression was performed to see the association of cord blood lead level with infant neurodevelopment outcome. RESULTS: The obtained newborn umbilical cord blood lead concentration 5.0-10.5 µg/dL was negatively associated with the sub-scale score of gross motor development (ß-coefficient with 95 % CI; -0.29 (-5.0-0.11), p = 0.04). However, no associations were found with the score of cognitive, language, gross motor, and social-emotional development. The umbilical cord blood lead concentration <5.0 µg/dL was also not associated with the BSID-III scores. The mother's regular intake of calcium supplements during the antenatal period was significantly associated with a lower umbilical cord blood lead level (p-value 0.031). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that newborn umbilical cord blood lead concentration 0.5-10.5 µg/dL has a negative association with early gross motor development during infancy.