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Abstract: Thiocarbamoyl chitosan (TC-Chitosan) was prepared, characterized and evaluated for the removal of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) from electroplating waste effluents. TC-Chitosan was characterized by various spectral techniques like SEM, EDAX, BET and FTIR. It was observed that Cd(II) adsorption was maximum at alkaline pH (7.5) in contrast to acidic pH (2.0) for Cr(VI). Langmuir isotherm model fitted better compared to the Freundlich model indicating monolayer adsorption. Equilibrium studies revealed a maximum adsorption capacity of 666.7mg/g for Cd(II) and 434.8mg/g for Cr(VI). The sorption process was found to follow pseudo second order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.0498 and 0.028g/mg/h for Cr(VI) and Cd(II) respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔS, ΔH and ΔG indicated the suitability of TC-Chitosan towards the removal of Cr(VI) and cadmium. Simultaneous removal of both Cr(VI) and Cd(II) were achieved and applied to the removal of these heavy metals from electroplating wastewater. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Decontamination of lead ions from aqueous media has been investigated using cross linked xanthated chitosan (CMC) as an adsorbent. Various physico-chemical parameters such as contact time, amount of adsorbent, concentration of adsorbate were optimized to simulate the best conditions which can be used to decontaminate lead from aqueous media using CMC as an adsorbent. The atomic absorption spectrometric technique was used to determine the distribution of lead. Maximum adsorption was observed at both pH 4 and 5. The adsorption data followed both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. Langmuir isotherm gave a saturated capacity of 322.6±1.2mg/g at pH 4. From the FTIR spectra analysis, it was concluded that xanthate and amino group participate in the adsorption process. The developed procedure was successfully applied for the removal of lead ions from real battery wastewater samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Beetroot is a health-promoting vegetable packed with essential components like vitamins, minerals, nitrates, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, triterpenes, and betalains. These bioactives are responsible for the pharmacological properties of beetroot along with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It is also utilized as a natural colorant or additive in products like desserts, ice cream, and yogurt. In the current review nutritional aspect of beetroot has been discussed, and the article aims at giving an overview of processing and preservation of beetroot by using thermal processing techniques, freezing, microwave, ultrasounds, high-pressure processing, high-pressure carbon dioxide, pulsed electric field, cold plasma and irradiation along with encapsulation of beetroot extracts using spray drying and freeze drying. In addition, the article also covers different beetroot value-added products like jam, jelly, powder, chips, yogurt, candy, ice cream, ready-to-drink juice, wine, and noodles. This review is the first of its kind to summarize and discuss various processing techniques and value addition methods for beetroot used in different works of literature, making it easy for food processors and scientists to have a glance. Though thermal processing techniques do inactivate microbes and enzymes in beetroot, they degrade the bioactive and colouring compounds present. Processing techniques like microwave, ultrasounds, high-pressure processing, high-pressure carbon dioxide, cold plasma technology, pulsed electric field, and irradiation can help in increasing its shelf life along with aiding extraction, drying, and bringing modifications in food matrix without affecting the bioactives present in beet. Freezing as a pretreatment has been found to be effective in reducing drying time. Beetroot can also be converted into stable microcapsules using spray dryer and freeze dryer. Converting beetroot into more convenient forms like jam, jelly, powder, chips, and other products can help consumers to get their nutrition from these different products. Value addition can also help in increasing its market opportunities and economic value. [Display omitted] • This article appraises beetroot bioactive compounds shows medicinal and therapeutic effects. • Spray drying helps in encapsulation of beetroot extracts. • Thermal processing may lead to microbial and enzyme inactivation in beetroot. • It includes non-thermal processing techniques for assisted drying, extraction and preservation of beetroot. • Value added products from beetroot: jam, jelly, candy, powder etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable bio nano composite comprising of nanoMgS/FeS doped cellulose nanofibres (FeMgSCNF) was prepared, characterized by various techniques and assessed for the decontamination of Cr(VI). Cellulose nanofibres (CNF) acts as a template and stabilizer and prevents agglomeration of FeS/MgS nano particles. MgS present in the nano-composite provides a barrier to suppress aerial oxidation of Fe(II) and provided additional source of sulfide ions. An adsorption capacity in the order of 142.8 mg/g of the bionano composite was exhibited towards hexavalent chromium. Both FeSCNF and FeMgSCNF followed pseudo first order and pseudo second order kinetics with regression coefficients >0.96. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies indicated that decontamination of Cr(VI) follows the route of electrostatic attraction, ion-exchange followed by reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and immobilization of Cr(III) as chromic oxide and Fe-Cr mixed oxide. Toxicity characteristics leaching tests revealed the efficacy of immobilization. Finally the developed sorbents were successfully applied to the removal of chromium from tannery waste effluents. Image 1 • Novel FeS and MgS doped cellulose nanofibres (CNF) were prepared for the first time. • MgS acts as a barrier to suppress aerial oxidation of Fe(II). • CNF prevents agglomeration of FeS. • FeMgSCNF exhibited very high adsorption capacity for Cr(VI). • XPS Studies revealed complete decontamination of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by FeMgSCNF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Figure: Illustrates the effect of PSTi8 on ameliorating metabolic and reproductive parameters in HFD + LET-induced PCOS rats. The red arrow indicates the adverse effects of HFD + LET on PCOS rats before treatment. The green arrow indicates the restoration of the effects after PSTi8 treatment on PCOS rats. [Display omitted] • PSTi8 improves insulin sensitivity and inhibits hyperandrogenism in PCOS-IR rats. • PSTi8 inhibits hyperandrogenism and restores follicle development in PCOS-IR rats. • PSTi8 reduces hyperinsulinemia and restores SHBG in PCOS-IR rats. • PSTi8 inhibits hyperandrogenism and restores estrogen level in PCOS-IR rats. • PSTi8 improves function of the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis in PCOS-IR rats. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine and metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance (IR) and hyperandrogenism. IR plays a crucial role in the etiology of PCOS. An insulin-sensitizing agent like metformin is most commonly used as an off-label drug for the treatment of PCOS. PSTi8 (a pancreastatin inhibitor) is known as a promising therapeutic insulin-sensitizing agent for the treatment of IR in metabolic diseases. Thus, this study evaluates the insulin-sensitizing effects of PSTi8 compared to metformin on IR, hyperandrogenism, ovarian, and metabolic dysfunction in a PCOS model. To induce PCOS, rats were administered letrozole at a dose of 2 mg/kg via oral administration and fed a 60 % high-fat diet. Metformin and PSTi8 lowered serum insulin, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, and the LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio in the blood serum and improved steroidogenic gene expression in the PCOS ovaries. Both treatments increased the levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and estrogen hormone. Metformin and PSTi8 restore ovarian and uterine histomorphometry and improve the estrous cycle in PCOS rats. Metformin and PSTi8 treatments also improve blood glucose level and increase insulin sensitivity, inflammation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, lipid parameters, body weight, and fat mass in PCOS rats. This study revealed that PSTi8 is as helpful as metformin in decreasing hyperandrogenism by improving insulin sensitivity, free testosterone level and restoring disturbed reproductive and metabolic parameters in PCOS rats. PSTi8 has potential to serve as a therapeutic molecule for preventing IR induced by a western diet in PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Threat to human health worldwide due to the natural contamination of arsenic in ground waters has led to extensive studies on factors controlling the distribution of arsenic and conditions leading to arsenic mobilization in different arsenic contaminated areas. Another aspect of the arsenic crisis, especially in South Asia, is the degree of spatial variability of ground water arsenic concentrations. Thus it becomes necessary to study the source and the processes involved in arsenic mobilization into ground water under such conditions. An arsenic contaminated area namely, Ballia district of UP was chosen for this study. A set of 56 samples were collected from India Mark II hand pumps (30–33m depth) thrice in a year namely pre-monsoon (April ’07), monsoon (July ’06) and winter seasons (December ’06). Nine samples were also collected from deep bore well hand pumps (66–75m) to study the difference in geochemistry with the shallow pumps. Various water quality parameters like As(III), As(V), sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, bicarbonate, ammonia, were determined. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 0 to 468μgL−1 in ground water collected from depths of 30–33m. In the deeper wells (66–75m), arsenic concentrations ranged from 12 to 20μgL−1. Most samples contained both As(III) and As(V) and the concentration of As(III) was generally equal/higher than As(V). Not much variation of arsenic concentration was observed when sampled in summer, monsoon and winter seasons. Correlation studies among various water quality parameters revealed that reductive dissolution of FeOOH was the most probable mechanism for release of arsenic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chronic kidney disease-induced secondary hyperparathyroidism (CKD-SHPT) heightens fracture risk through impaired mineral homeostasis and elevated levels of uremic toxins (UTs), which in turn enhance bone remodeling. Etelcalcetide (Etel), a calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) agonist, suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) in hyperparathyroidism to reduce excessive bone resorption, leading to increased bone mass. However, Etel's effect on bone quality, chemical composition, and strength is not well understood. To address these gaps, we established a CKD-SHPT rat model and administered Etel at a human-equivalent dose concurrently with disease induction. The effects on bone and mineral homeostasis were compared with a CKD-SHPT (vehicle-treated group) and a control group (rats without SHPT). Compared with vehicle-treated CKD-SHPT rats, Etel treatment improved renal function, reduced circulating UT levels, improved mineral homeostasis parameters, decreased PTH levels, and prevented mineralization defects. The upregulation of mineralization-promoting genes by Etel in CKD-SHPT rats might explain its ability to prevent mineralization defects. Etel preserved both trabecular and cortical bones with attendant suppression of osteoclast function, besides increasing mineralization. Etel maintained the number of viable osteocytes to the control level, which could also contribute to its beneficial effects on bone. CKD-SHPT rats displayed increased carbonate substitution of matrix and mineral, decreased crystallinity, mineral-to-matrix ratio, and collagen maturity, and these changes were mitigated by Etel. Further, Etel treatment prevented CKD-SHPT-induced deterioration in bone strength and mechanical behavior. Based on these findings, we conclude that in CKD-SHPT rats, Etel has multiscale beneficial effects on bone that involve remodeling suppression, mineralization gene upregulation, and preservation of osteocytes. • In CKD-induced SHPT rats, Etel improved hormonal and mineral balances, renal function, and reduced uremic toxins. • In CKD-induced SHPT rats, Etel preserved the number of viable osteocytes. • In CKD-induced SHPT rats, Etel increased mineralization and expression of mineralization genes. • In CKD-induced SHPT rats, Etel decreased cortical porosity and improved bone mechanical response. • In CKD-induced SHPT rats, Etel improved the chemical composition of bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetracycline (TC) is one of the most commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. TC antibiotics enter into the environment because of partial metabolism in the humans and animals, thereby increasing the environmental toxicity. Therefore, it is highly needed to treat TC antibiotics from the water system. In this aspect, the present work focus on the synthesis of Fe and Zn (bimetal) incorporated with different concentrations into the bismuth-oxy-iodide (Fe/Zn–BiOI) based photocatalyst materials. The synthesized Fe/Zn–BiOI was tested against photocatalytic degradation of TC antibiotics and bacteria. The band gap value of the synthesized Fe/Zn–BiOI was calculated ~2.19 eV. The incorporation of the Fe and Zn metals within the BiOI aided advantages that increased the reactive sites, oxygen defects, photon adsorption, production of hydroxyl radicals, and decrease the recombination rate, thereby high photo-degradation ability. The maximum degradation of ~83% was observed using Fe/Zn–BiOI-1-1 at 10 mg/L of TC antibiotics concentration. Moreover, ~98% of degradation was observed at pH~10 of the TC antibiotics. The photo-activity against bacteria of the Fe/Zn–BiOI was also determined. The data suggested that the synthesized Fe/Zn–BiOI based photocatalyst materials effectively inhibited the bacterial strains. Therefore, Fe/Zn–BiOI based photocatalyst materials might be promising materials that effectively degrade TC antibiotics as well as bacteria. • Bimetal (Fe–Zn)–BiOI nanostructure photocatalytic materials are synthesized. • The incorporation Fe and Zn metal increase the oxygen defects and create heterjunction. • The Fe–Zn–BiOI might be promising material for the photodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]