Search Results (11)

In the past decade, eutrophication and phosphate recovery from surface water have become major issues. Adsorption is an effective method for phosphate removal because of its high efficiency. Even though lanthanum-based compounds are effective at removing phosphate from water, outside factors influence them. Hence, it is vital to develop and employ cost-effective innovations to fulfill ever-tougher requirements and address the issue of water contamination. Adsorption technology is highly effective in phosphate removal at concentrations from wastewater. This work briefly describes the preparation of lanthanum nano-adsorbents for the removal of phosphate efficiently in water, and phosphate adsorption on La-based adsorbents in various La forms. The work presented in this study offers an outline for future phosphate adsorption studies in La-based adsorbents, resulting in La-based materials with substantial adsorption capacity and strong regeneration capability. Full article

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of TB before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tamil Nadu, south India. Methods: In the present study, the effect of COVID-19 epidemiology on the TB epidemic was assessed by the SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered), a compartmental epidemiological model. The model input parameters on compartments of TB and incidence of COVID-19 were collected from the published literature. Based on the data collected, point prevalence and incidence of TB per 100,000 population is calculated with and without COVID-19. A prediction was conducted up to 2025, trend analysis was performed, and a trend chi-square test and chi-square test of independence were used to test the difference between the prevalence with and without COVID-19. R software 2000 (R 4.0.0) was used for analysis. Results: The TB prevalence without and with COVID-19 decreases from 289 in 2020 to 271 in 2025 and from 289 in 2020 to 269 in 2025, respectively. Similarly, the incidence of TB was decreasing from 144 in 2020 to 135 in 2025 without COVID-19 and 143 in 2020 to 134 in 2025 with COVID-19. Though the TB burden is decreasing over the years, the trend was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). With respect to the district level, the prevalence and incidence of TB with and without COVID-19 is also found to be decreasing over the years. It was also found that the difference in the prevalence and incidence of TB with and without COVID-19 was not statically significant. Conclusion: The results of our study shows that there was an annual decline of around 2% from 2020 to 2025 in the trend of the prevalence and incidence of TB with and without COVID-19. Overall, there is a reduction, but it was not significant, and there is no significant effect of COVID-19 on TB in Tamil Nadu. Full article

This comprehensive review investigates the potential of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) as a highly effective adsorbent for organic dye degradation. Al₂O₃ emerges as a promising solution to address environmental challenges associated with dye discharge due to its solid ceramic composition, robust mechanical properties, expansive surface area, and exceptional resistance to environmental degradation. The paper meticulously examines recent advancements in Al₂O₃-based materials, emphasizing their efficacy in both organic dye degradation and adsorption. Offering a nuanced understanding of Al₂O₃’s pivotal role in environmental remediation, this review provides a valuable synthesis of the latest research developments in the field of dye degradation. It serves as an insightful resource, emphasizing the significant potential of aluminum oxide in mitigating the pressing environmental concerns linked to organic dye discharge. The application of Al₂O₃-based catalysts in the photocatalytic treatment of multi-component organic dyes necessitates further exploration, particularly in addressing real-world wastewater complexities. Full article

Introduction: Since 1992, many rounds of the National Family Health Surveys have produced a significant quantity of data in India. The magnitude of the tuberculosis (TB) burden in Andaman and Nicobar Island can be better understood with this data. The household-level information on self-reported TB may provide useful information on the prevalence and distribution of TB as well as care-seeking behaviour. The primary objective is to analyse the data from the NFHS-IV and NFHS-V to understand the prevalence of self-reported TB as well as healthcare-seeking patterns for TB in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Methodology: We performed secondary data analysis of NFHS-IV and NFHS-V data. After taking into consideration the survey’s cluster design and sampling weights, the prevalence was estimated. The association of identified factors with self-reported TB was investigated using the chi-square and logistic regression models. Results: The point prevalence of self-reported TB was 615 (418, 873) and 221 (122, 367) in the NFHS-IV and NFHS-V, respectively (p = 0.012). The elderly, those from rural areas, those belonging to a tribe, and those with a poor wealth index were more likely to report TB. Self-reported TB prevalence was higher in the Nicobar district. There is an increase in a significant proportion of individuals not seeking care. Conclusion: The NFHS-IV and NFHS-V show a decline in self-reported TB, which is consistent with national estimates. However, the enhanced TB case detection in individuals at high risk of TB among the Nicobar districts and tribal communities could significantly contribute to the fight against tuberculosis. Improved awareness of TB could improve care seeking for TB. Full article

An electrochemical photobioreactor with a packed bed containing transparent gel granules and immobilized photosynthetic bacterial cells is shown with a one-dimensional two-phase flow and transport model. We consider the biological/chemical events in the electrochemical photobioreactor, the intrinsically connected two-phase flow and mass transport, and other factors. This model is based on a system of nonlinear equations. This paper applies Akbari-Ganji’s and Taylor series methods to find analytical solutions to nonlinear differential equations that arise in an immobilized-cell electrochemical photobioreactor. Approximate analytical expressions of the concentration of glucose and hydrogen are obtained in liquid and gas phases for different parameter values. Numerical simulations are presented to validate the theoretical investigations. Full article

Soil is a crucial component for plant growth, as it provides water, nutrients, and mechanical support. Various factors, such as crop cultivation, microflora, nutrient addition, and water availability, significantly affect soil properties. Maintaining soil health is important, and one approach is the introduction of native organisms with multifaceted activities. The study evaluates the effects of introducing these microbes (Trichoderma asperellum strain TAIK1, Bacillus cabrialesii strain BIK3, Pseudomonas putida strain PIK1, and Pseudomonas otitidis strain POPS1) and their consortium, a combination of four bioagents, on soil health, plant growth, and the incidence of stem rot disease caused by Sclerotium oryzae in rice. Upon treatment of soil with the consortium of the four native bioagents mentioned above through seed treatment or soil application, variations/increases in the chemical properties of the soil were observed, viz., pH (8.08 to 8.28), electrical conductivity (EC) (0.72 to 0.75 d S m⁻¹), organic carbon (OC) (0.57 to 0.68 %), available soil nitrogen (SN) (155 to 315 kg/ha), soil phosphorus (SP) (7.87 to 24.91 kg/ha), soil potassium (SK) (121.29 to 249.42 kg/ha), and soil enzymes (urease (0.73 to 7.33 µg urea hydrolyzed g⁻¹ soil h⁻¹), acid and alkaline phosphatase (0.09 to 1.39 and 0.90 to 1.78 µg of p-nitrophenol released g⁻¹ soil h⁻¹), and dehydrogenase (0.14 to 16.44 mg triphenyl formazan (TPF) produced g⁻¹ soil h⁻¹)), compared to untreated soil. Treatment of seeds with the consortium of four native bioagents resulted in a significant increase in plant height (39.16%), the number of panicles (30.29%), and average grain yield (41.36%) over control plants. Under controlled conditions, the bioagent-treated plants showed a 69.37% reduction in stem rot disease. The findings of this study indicate a positive correlation between soil properties (pH, EC, OC, SN, SP, SK, and soil enzymes) and plant growth (shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight) as well as a highly negative association of soil properties with stem rot disease severity. The results suggest that using native bioagents as a management strategy can control stem rot disease and enhance crop productivity, while reducing reliance on chemical management. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of sustainable agricultural practices that maximize productivity by minimizing negative environmental impacts, which promotes soil health, plant growth, and disease management. Full article

Background: Patients with first-line drug resistance (DR) to rifampicin (RIF) or isoniazid (INH) as a first-line (FL) line probe assay (LPA) were subjected to genotypic DST using second-line (SL) LPA to identify SL-DR (including pre-XDR) under the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), India. SL-DR patients were initiated on different DR-TB treatment regimens and monitored for their outcomes. The objective of this retrospective analysis was to understand the mutation profile and treatment outcomes of SL-DR patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of mutation profile, treatment regimen, and treatment outcome was performed for SL-DR patients who were tested at ICMR-NIRT, Supra-National Reference Laboratory, Chennai between the years 2018 and 2020. All information, including patient demographics and treatment outcomes, was extracted from the NTEP Ni-kshay database. Results: Between 2018 and 2020, 217 patients out of 2557 samples tested were identified with SL-DR by SL-LPA. Among them, 158/217 were FQ-resistant, 34/217 were SLID-resistant, and 25/217 were resistant to both. D94G (Mut3C) of gyrA and a1401g of rrs were the most predominant mutations in the FQ and SLID resistance types, respectively. Favorable (cured and treatment complete) and unfavorable outcomes (died, lost to follow up, treatment failed, and treatment regimen changed) were recorded in a total of 82/217 and 68/217 patients in the NTEP Ni-kshay database. Conclusions: As per the testing algorithm, SL- LPA is used for genotypic DST following identification of first-line resistance, for early detection of SL-DR in India. The fluoroquinolone resistance pattern seen in this study population corelates with the global trend. Early detection of fluoroquinolone resistance and monitoring of treatment outcome can help achieve better patient management. Full article

Rapidly increasing industrialisation has human needs, but the consequences have added to the environmental harm. The pollution caused by several industries, including the dye industries, generates a large volume of wastewater containing dyes and hazardous chemicals that drains industrial effluents. The growing demand for readily available water, as well as the problem of polluted organic waste in reservoirs and streams, is a critical challenge for proper and sustainable development. Remediation has resulted in the need for an appropriate alternative to clear up the implications. Nanotechnology is an efficient and effective path to improve wastewater treatment/remediation. The effective surface properties and chemical activity of nanoparticles give them a better chance to remove or degrade the dye material from wastewater treatment. AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) are an efficient nanoparticle for the treatment of dye effluent that have been explored in many studies. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against several pathogens is well-recognised in the health and agriculture sectors. This review article summarises the applications of nanosilver-based particles in the dye removal/degradation process, effective water management strategies, and the field of agriculture. Full article

COVID-19 patients have a higher risk of developing inflammatory responses associated with serious and even fatal respiratory diseases. The role of oxidative stress in exacerbating manifestations in COVID-19 pathogenesis is under-reported.This study aimed touseserum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD3) and glutathione-S-transferase (GSTp1) by ELISA, zinc (ErbaChem5), ferritin and free iron (VitrosChemistry, Ortho Clinical Diagnosis, Raritan, NJ, USA) at the first encounter of randomly selected RT-PCR-positive COVID-19 patients, for assessing disease severity. The parameters which helped in identifying the severity, leading to poor prognosis, were neutrophil:lymphocyte higher than 4, high CRP, low SOD3 values and high GSTp1 values, and diabetes mellitus as a co-morbidity. Higher zinc levels correlated with high GSTp1 and low SOD3, indicating the protective effect of zinc on ROS. The increased high GSTp1 shows an anticipated protective biochemical response, to mitigate the low SOD3 values due to ROS consumption. Decreased SOD3 levels indicate a state of high oxidative stress at cellular levels, and an anticipated increase in GSTp1 levels points to the pathophysiological bases of increasing severity with age, sex, and co-morbidities, such asdiabetes. High levels of initial GSTp1 and zinc levels possibly offer protection to redox reactions at the cellular level in severe COVID-19 infection, preventing deterioration. Full article

Pigments play a major role in many industries. Natural colors are usually much safer when compared to synthetic colors and may even possess some medicinal benefits. Synthetic colors are economical and can easily be produced compared to natural colors. In addition, raw plant materials for natural colors are limited and season dependent. Microorganisms provide an alternative source for natural colors and, among them, fungi provide a wide range of natural colorants that could easily be produced cheaply and with high yield. Along with pigment, some microbial strains are also capable of producing a number of mycotoxins. The commercial use of microbial pigments relies on the safety of colorants. This review provides a toxicity evaluation of pigments from fungal origins for food application. Full article

In recent years, sustainability has been a major focus of fashion business operations because fashion industry development causes harmful effects to the environment, both indirectly and directly. The sustainability of the fashion industry is generally based on several levels and this study focuses on investigating the optimal supplier selection problem for sustainable materials supply in fashion clothing production. Following the ground rule that sustainable development is based on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), this paper has framed twelve criteria from the economic, environmental and social perspectives for evaluating suppliers. The well-established multi-criteria decision making tool Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is employed for ranking potential suppliers among the pool of suppliers. Through a real case study, the proposed approach has been applied and some managerial implications are derived. Full article