Glutathione reductase and catalase as potential biomarkers for synergistic intoxication of pesticides in fish.

Synergy occurs when chemicals give pronounced effect on combination in contrast to their individual effect. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of pesticides carbaryl (C) and methyl parathion (MP) on oxidative stress biomarkers viz catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) including different enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) in different tissues of carps Catla catla. Fishes were exposed to 6.25 mg/L of MP and 2.3 mg/L of C in mixture (one-third of LC50 value). CAT and GSSG-R were studied in gills, brain, liver and muscle of carp were found to be elevated significantly (p < 0.005). LDH activity increased significantly (p < 0.005) in synergistic group, there was a seven-fold (748%) increase in LDH activity in muscle compared to individual studies with same pesticides. Contrary to LDH, sudden decrease in SDH activity was accounted. Significant (p < 0.005) decrease in AChE activity after initial 24 h was remarkable addressing to the shift in neurotransmission pathway in organism. Significant increase was observed in activity of CAT and GSSG-R in all tissues compared to control fishes in individual as well as synergistic (MP + C) group suggesting that CAT and GSSG-R can be a potential biomarker of oxidative stress when studied in combination.

Fast and Secure Medical Image Encryption Based on Non Linear 4D Logistic Map and DNA Sequences (NL4DLM_DNA).

This paper proposes an innovative image cryptosystem algorithm using the properties of the block encryption, 4D logistic map and DNA systems. Multiple key sequences are generated and pixel substitution is performed by using nonlinear 4D logistic map, then encryption is performed by using DNA rules to ensure that the different blocks are encrypted securely. The results of the experiment indicate that the proposed Non Linear 4D Logistic Map and DNA (NL4DLM_DNA) sequence based algorithm gives better performance, which is analyzed on the basis of security, quality, attack resilience, diffusion and running time as compared to some previous works.

Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVs) as an emerging contaminant of concern: a review.

Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVs) are a group of industrial chemicals used in various consumer products and industrial applications. Due to its large-scale production and use, BUVs have been detected in all environmental matrices. Humans are exposed to BUVs from environmental media, food, personal care products (PCPs), and consumer products. As a result, BUVs are detected in human breast milk, attracting researchers and regulatory bodies worldwide. BUVs such as UV-328 exhibit the characteristics of persistent organic pollutants (POPs); hence, it has been recently listed under Stockholm Convention POP list. The current review focuses on the occurrence of BUVs in the environment with emphasis on persistency, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT). Scarcity of scientific data on BUVs' properties, environmental occurrence, exposure levels, and effects on organisms poses significant challenges to the policymakers and regulatory bodies in adopting management strategies. The need for a science-based integrated framework for risk assessment and management of BUVs is recommended. Considering the potential threat of BUVs to human health and the environment, it is recommended that BUVs should be taken as a subject of priority research. Studies on the degradation and transformation route of BUVs need to be explored for the sound management of BUVs.

Occurrence, spatio-temporal variation and ecological risk assessment of benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) in water and sediment of rivers in central India.

Occurrence of benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) in different environmental matrices has attracted researchers and regulatory agencies worldwide due to its persistency, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. Environmental occurrence of BUVs in Indian freshwater is lacking. The present study analyzed six targeted BUVs in surface water and sediments of three rivers of Central India. BUVs were determined in pre- and post-monsoon seasons to reveal their concentration, spatio-temporal distribution and probable ecological risks. Results indicated that total concentration of BUVs (Æ©BUVs) ranged from ND to 42.88 µg/L in water, and ND to 165.26 ng/g in sediments with UV-329 as the predominant BUV in surface water and sediments during pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Surface water samples from Pili River, and sediment of Nag River accounted for maximum BUVs concentration. Partitioning coefficient results confirmed the effective transfer of BUVs from overlaying water to sediments. The observed concentration of BUVs in water and sediments posed low ecological risk to planktons. Untreated municipal discharges and poor waste management practices including dumping of wastes might be the sources of BUVs in water bodies.

An updated cost-effectiveness analysis of pazopanib versus sunitinib as first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of pazopanib versus sunitinib as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) from an Italian National Health Service perspective, considering the evolving Italian landscape in terms of new reimbursement agreements trend. METHODS: This analysis is an update of the previously published cost-effectiveness analysis to incorporate recent 2019 costs and additional changes regarding drug discounting. A partitioned-survival analysis model with three different health states (progression-free survival, post-progression survival, and dead) was utilized. Outcomes included progression-free life years, post-progression life years, overall life years, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and costs calculated for both treatments. Cost-effectiveness was assessed in terms of incremental costs per QALY gained and the net monetary benefit (NMB) of pazopanib versus sunitinib. In the base case analysis, a time horizon of 5 years was used and future costs and QALYs were discounted at a 3% annual discount rate. An impact of methodological and parameter uncertainly on base case results was evaluated using probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: In the base case, pazopanib had higher QALYs (+0.060) at lower costs (-€5,857) versus sunitinib, hence it dominated sunitinib. At willingness-to-pay thresholds of €30,000 and €50,000 per QALY, the NMB with pazopanib were €7,647 and €8,841 per patient, respectively, versus sunitinib. The probability that pazopanib is cost-effective versus sunitinib was estimated to be 97.5% at a cost-effectiveness threshold of €20,000, 95.4% at a threshold of €30,000, and 90.2% at a threshold of €50,000 per QALY. Cost-effectiveness results were robust to changes in key parameter values and assumptions as demonstrated by deterministic sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Pazopanib is likely to represent a cost-effective treatment option compared with sunitinib as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic RCC in Italy.

Vaso-occlusive crises and costs of sickle cell disease in patients with commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare insurance - the perspective of private and public payers.

AIM: To characterize vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) and describe healthcare costs among commercially-insured, Medicaid-insured, and Medicare-insured patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IBM Truven Health MarketScan Commercial (2000-2018), Medicaid Analytic eXtract (2008-2014), and Medicare Research Identifiable Files (2012-2016) databases were used to identify patients with ≥2 SCD diagnoses. Study measures were evaluated during a 12-month follow-up period, stratified by annual number of VOCs (i.e. 0, 1, and ≥2). RESULTS: Among 16,092 commercially-insured patients (mean age = 36.7 years), 35.3% had 1+ VOCs. Mean annual total all-cause healthcare costs were $15,747, $27,194, and $64,555 for patients with 0, 1, and 2+ VOCs, respectively. Total all-cause healthcare costs were mainly driven by inpatient (0 VOC = 31.0%, 1 VOC = 53.1%, 2+ VOCs = 65.4%) and SCD-related costs (0 VOC = 56.4%, 1 VOC = 78.4%, 2+ VOCs = 93.9%). Among 18,287 Medicaid-insured patients (mean age = 28.5 years, fee-for-service = 50.2%), 63.9% had 1+ VOCs. Mean annual total all-cause healthcare costs were $16,750, $29,880, and $64,566 for patients with 0, 1, and 2+ VOCs, respectively. Inpatient costs (0 VOC = 37.2%, 1 VOC = 64.3%, 2+ VOCs = 72.9%) and SCD-related costs (0 VOC = 60.9%, 1 VOC = 73.8%, 2+ VOCs = 92.2%) accounted for a significant proportion of total all-cause healthcare costs. Among 15,431 Medicare-insured patients (mean age = 48.2 years), 55.1% had 1+ VOCs. Mean annual total all-cause healthcare costs were $21,877, $29,250, and $58,308 for patients with 0, 1, and ≥2 VOCs, respectively. Total all-cause healthcare costs were mainly driven by inpatient (0 VOC = 47.9%, 1 VOC = 54.9%, 2+ VOCs = 67.5%) and SCD-related costs (0 VOC = 74.9%, 1 VOC = 84.4%, 2+ VOCs = 95.3%). LIMITATIONS: VOCs managed at home were not captured. Analyses were descriptive in an observational setting; thus, no causal relationships can be inferred. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients experienced VOCs across payers. Furthermore, inpatient and SCD-related costs accounted for a significant proportion of total all-cause healthcare costs, which increased with VOC frequency.

Emission from open burning of municipal solid waste in India.

Open burning of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a potential non-point source of emission, which causes greater concern especially in developing countries such as India. Lack of awareness about environmental impact of open burning, and ignorance of the fact, i.e. 'Open burning is a source of emission of carcinogenic substances' are major hindrances towards an appropriate municipal solid waste management system in India. The paper highlights the open burning of MSW practices in India, and the current and projected emission of 10 major pollutants (dioxin, furans, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and 1-hexene) emitted due to the open burning of MSW. Waste to Energy potential of MSW was also estimated adopting effective biological and thermal techniques. Statistical techniques were applied to analyse the data and current and projected emission of various pollutants were estimated. Data pertaining to population, MSW generation and its collection efficiency were compiled for 29 States and 7 Union Territories. Thereafter, emission of 10 pollutants was measured following methodology prescribed in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guideline for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, 2006. The study revealed that people living in Metropolitan cities are more affected by emissions from open burning.

The applicability of oxidative stress biomarkers in assessing chromium induced toxicity in the fish Labeo rohita.

The evaluation of metal's toxicity in freshwater is one of the imperative areas of research and there is an emergent concern on the development of techniques for detecting toxic effects in aquatic animals. Oxidative stress biomarkers are very useful in assessing the health of aquatic life and more in depth studies are necessary to establish an exact cause effect relationship. Therefore, to study the effectiveness of this approach, a laboratory study was conducted in the fish Labeo rohita as a function of hexavalent chromium and the toxicity indices using a battery of oxidative stress biomarkers such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the liver, muscle, gills, and brain have been studied along with biometric parameters, behavioral changes, and Cr bioaccumulation. A significant increased HSI was observed in contrast to CF which reduced significantly. SOD, CAT, and GR activity increased significantly in all the tissues of treated fishes. The bioaccumulation of Cr was highest in liver followed by gills, muscle, and brain. This study highlights the significance of using a set of integrated biomarker and advocate to include these parameters in National Water Quality Monitoring Program in areas potentially polluted with metals to assess the health of the ecosystem.

Synthesis of single-crystalline anatase nanorods and nanoflakes on transparent conducting substrates.

Single-crystalline anatase nanorods and nanoflakes were grown on transparent conducting fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates through hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl(4)) followed by heating to 450 °C.

Quantum confinement in silver selenide semiconductor nanocrystals.

We prepare Ag(2)Se nanocrystals with average diameters between 2.7 and 10.4 nm that exhibit narrow optical absorption features in the near to mid infrared. We demonstrate that these features are broadly tunable due to quantum confinement. They provide the longest wavelength absorption peaks (6.5 µm) yet reported for colloidal nanocrystals.

Efficiency of utilization of dietary energy for milk production in lactating crossbred cattle (Bos Indicus).

The present study was conducted on efficiency of utilization of dietary energy for milk production in lactating crossbred cattle. 18 lactating crossbred cattle of early to mid-lactation, approximate body weight (375.39±23.43 kg), milk yield, parity and stage of lactation were divided into three groups of six animals each and were fed 0, 50 and 100% diammonium phosphate (DAP) in the mineral mixture of concentrates for 120 days. The chaffed mixed roughage (berseem + wheat straw) and concentrate mixture was fed to supply about nearly 18:82 concentrate to roughage ratio on dry matter basis. Tap water was available to the animals twice daily. A metabolism trial of seven days was conducted at the end of experiment to study digestibility of organic nutrients and balances of energy. DAP did not affect the nutrient intake, body weight changes, digestibility of Dry matter (DM), Crude protein (CP), Ether extract (EE), Crude fiber (CF), Nitrogen free extract (NFE) and daily milk yield. It was concluded that the at 46.07 Mcal Gross energy intake level the losses in feces, urine, methane and heat production was 45.82%, 5.40%, 4.31% and 33.01%, respectively, and net energy retention for milk production was 11.43%. The gross efficiency of conversion of metabolic energy ME for milk production was 35.69% and the net efficiency of conversion of ME for milk production was 39.56%.

TiO2-B/anatase core-shell heterojunction nanowires for photocatalysis.

Fast separation and spatial control of electrons and holes after photogeneration is important in photocatalysis. Ideally, after photogeneration, electrons and holes must be segregated to different parts of the photocatalyst to take part in separate oxidation and reduction reactions. One way to achieve this is by building junctions into the catalyst with built-in chemical potential differences that tend to separate the electron and the hole into two different regions of the catalyst. In this work, we sought to accomplish this by controllably forming junctions between different phases of TiO(2). A synthesis method has been developed to prepare TiO(2)-B core and anatase shell core-shell nanowires. We control the anatase phase surface coverage on the TiO(2)-B core and show that the maximum photocatalytic activity is obtained when the solution containing the reactants can contact both the anatase and TiO(2)-B phases. The photocatalytic activity drops both with bare TiO(2)-B nanowires and with completely anatase covered TiO(2)-B nanowires. In contrast, nanowires partially covered with anatase phase gives the highest photocatalytic activity. The improved photocatalytic activity is attributed to the effective electron-hole separation at the junction between the anatase and TiO(2)-B phases.

Size control and quantum confinement in Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals.

Starting with metal dithiocarbamate complexes, we synthesize colloidal Cu(2)ZnSnS(4) (CZTS) nanocrystals with diameters ranging from 2 to 7 nm. Structural and Raman scattering data confirm that CZTS is obtained rather than other possible material phases. The optical absorption spectra of nanocrystals with diameters less than 3 nm show a shift to higher energy due to quantum confinement.

Thermally degradable ligands for nanocrystals.

We exchanged the oleate ligands on as-prepared PbSe/CdSe core/shell nanocrystals with octyldithiocarbamate to enable the removal of insulating ligands by gentle heating. The octyldithiocarbamate ligand could readily be stripped from the surface by heating briefly to temperatures from 140 to 205 degrees C, which is substantially lower than the temperature (330 degrees C) required to remove oleate from the nanocrystal surface. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the nanocrystals sinter around 250 degrees C, resulting in a loss of quantum confinement. Heating for 1 min to 205 degrees C removed 92% of the organics from the surface. We could therefore prepare densely packed films of quantum-confined nanocrystals via dithiocarbamate treatment. Conductivity increased by up to 4 orders of magnitude after annealing. In addition to PbSe/CdSe core/shell nanocrystals, we also examined the applicability of our ligand removal procedure to CdSe nanocrystals.