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Sustainability in freight transportation demands for a balance among economic, environmental, and social aspects in shipping commodities throughout a supply chain. The performance evaluation of sustainable freight transportation (SFT) systems is of prime importance as it facilitates perpetual and objective assessment for advancements towards sustainability targets. In this study, we propose a comprehensive framework to assess the sustainability performance of freight transportation systems. We pinpoint critical success factors (CSFs) affecting the performance of SFT by carrying out an extensive literature review and conducting a Delphi study to seek experts' opinions from industry as well as academia. Further, a comprehensive hierarchical framework is developed to establish inter-relationships among these CSFs followed by prioritisation of these CSFs. The application of the proposed framework is illustrated through a case example. This framework would also serve as a reference for decision-makers in selecting the most sustainable freight transportation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nanocomposite of β-Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles immobilized on cucurbit[6]uril, β-Ni(OH)2-CB[6], was designed and characterized using several physicochemical techniques, viz FTIR, PXRD, XPS, FESEM, HRTEM, EDAX, TGA, and ICP-OES. The nanocomposite was successfully applied as a heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of a series of pharmaceutically important quinazolines, in good to excellent yields (67–96%) and with high turnover numbers (TONs), via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) of alcohols with nitriles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of a heterogeneous catalyst in the ADC reaction between alcohols and nitriles to afford quinazolines. The catalyst could be reused up to four times with an insignificant decrease in its catalytic activity. The identity of all the isolated organic products were confirmed by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR studies. The striking features of the methodology are high atom economy, broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance, generation of non-toxic side-products, use of a cheap catalyst and stoichiometric reagents. The values of green chemistry matrices for the reaction were found to be in close proximity to the ideal values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to higher levels of arsenic is a serious threat affecting human health worldwide. We investigated the protective role of betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine) against sodium arsenite-induced renal dysfunction in rats. Sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg, oral) was given to rats for 4 weeks to induce nephrotoxicity. Betaine (125 and 250 mg/kg, oral) was administered in rats for 4 weeks along with sodium-arsenite feeding. Arsenic-induced renal dysfunction was demonstrated by measuring serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urea, uric acid, potassium, fractional excretion of sodium, and microproteinuria. Oxidative stress in rat kidneys was determined by assaying thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, superoxide anion generation, and reduced glutathione levels. Furthermore, hydroxyproline assay was done to assess renal fibrosis in arsenic intoxicated rats. Hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius red staining revealed pathological alterations in rat kidneys. Renal endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was determined by immuno-histochemistry. Concurrent administration of betaine abrogated arsenic-induced renal biochemical and histological changes in rats. Betaine treatment significantly attenuated arsenic-induced decrease in renal eNOS expression. In conclusion, betaine is protective against sodium arsenite-induced renal dysfunction, which may be attributed to its anti-oxidant activity and modulation of renal eNOS expression in rat kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic exposure causes immense health distress by increasing risk of cardiovascular abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, neurotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. The present study explored the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitors against sodium arsenite-induced renal and hepatic dysfunction in rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to arsenic toxicity by administering sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg/day, oral) for 4 weeks. The iNOS inhibitors, S-methylisothiourea (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg, i.p.) were given one hour before sodium arsenite administration in rats for 4 weeks. Sodium arsenite led rise in serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, electrolytes (potassium, fractional excretion of sodium), microproteinuria, and decreased creatinine clearance (p < 0.001) indicated renal dysfunction in rats. Arsenic-intoxication resulted in significant oxidative stress in rat kidneys, which was measured in terms of increase in lipid peroxides, superoxide anion generation and decrease in reduced glutathione (p < 0.001) levels. A threefold increase in renal hydroxyproline level in arsenic intoxicated rats indicated fibrosis. Hematoxylin–eosin staining indicated tubular damage, whereas picrosirius red staining highlighted collagen deposition in rat kidneys. S-methylisothiourea and aminoguanidine improved renal function and attenuated arsenic led renal oxidative stress, fibrosis, and decreased the kidney injury score. Additionally, arsenite-intoxication resulted in significant rise in hepatic parameters (serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin (p < 0.001) along with multi-fold increase in oxidative stress, fibrosis and liver injury score in rats, which was significantly (p < 0.001) attenuated by concurrent administration of iNOS inhibitors). Hence, it is concluded that iNOS inhibitors attenuate sodium arsenite-induced renal and hepatic dysfunction in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A copper‐triazine‐dendrimer‐functionalized graphene oxide (CTD‐GO) is synthesized for the first time. The structure of the dendrimer is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), Fourier transform (FT) Raman, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), elemental mapping, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The catalytic activity of the CTD‐GO is demonstrated in green synthesis of a series of propargylamine derivatives in high yields via A3‐coupling of aldehyde, alkyne, and amine in water. After the reaction, the catalyst was easily recuperated from the reaction mixture and reused up to four times without any significant loss in its catalytic activity. Operational simplicity, high yields of product, use of green solvent, facile recovery and recyclability of the catalyst, and easy workup are the salient features of this procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green "polyol method" is reported for the synthesis of Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized on graphene oxide (Cu2O-GO), for the first time. The composition of the synthesised composite was characterized by FT-IR, Raman, PXRD, FESEM, high-resolution TEM, XPS, TGA and ICP-MS analysis. Its catalytic application, as a novel heterogeneous catalyst, has been investigated in the solvent-free synthesis of a series of pharmaceutically important heterocycles containing nitrogen, viz. 1,2,4-triazoles and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. The composite shows an extensive substrate scope and broad functional group resilience. This green methodology involves the use of inexpensive reactants, moderate temperature, and solvent-free conditions and affords an excellent yield of products. The composite is retrieved from reaction mixtures by filtration and can be reused up to five cycles without any noticeable loss in its catalytic activity for both reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was aimed to elucidate the histochemical moieties in different nuclei in the hypothalamus of Indian buffaloes under different reproductive stages. Tissue samples were collected from three levels, the supraoptic region (anterior region), the tuberal region (middle region), and the mamillary region (posterior region) of the hypothalamus, and processed for routine histochemical studies and cryosectioning. The paraffin sections were stained for carbohydrate and protein localization, while the cryosections were used for lipid demonstration. The neurosecretory substance of the neurons in these nuclei was PAS-positive and mostly clustered along the periphery of the cell. An intense reaction of acid mucopolysaccharides was also present in the peripheral part of the perikaryon and weak nucleus. The neurosecretory materials were noticed in the perikaryon and axon fibers of the paraventricular nucleus. A strongly positive reaction for PAS -Alcian blue was observed in the neurons of all the reproductive phases. The neurons in the arcuate nucleus demonstrated intense PAS reaction in the peripheral part of the neuron during the follicular phase and pregnant buffaloes. The PAS reaction was moderate during the luteal phase and weak in prepubertal buffaloes. The reaction product was granular. Acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) were also strongly present in these neurons during the follicular phase and in pregnant animals. PAS reactive neurosecretory granules were observed in the perikaryon of neurons located in the ventromedial nucleus. AMPS were also located in the cytoplasm of these neurons. The reaction was moderate to strong in pubertal buffaloes while moderate in prepubertal buffaloes. Sudanophilic lipid droplets and Oil Red O positive lipids were observed in the neuronal substance of preoptic, supraoptic, and paraventricular nuclei of the buffalo hypothalamus during the pubertal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histochemical and immunohistochemical studies were conducted on spleen of 12 healthy and normal pigs. The sections were stained with various stains to study the histochemical details. The capsule and trabeculae showed moderate activity for neutral and acid mucopolysaccharides and proteins whereas white pulp showed weak activity for acidic mucopolysaccharides and moderate to strong for neutral mucopolysaccharides. The lymphocytes present in lymphoid follicle of white pulp and erythrocytes in sinuses were devoid of acid mucopolysaccharides activity but periphery showed positive reaction. The ellipsoids and lymphocytes in germinal centre showed weakly positive activity. The capsule and trabeculae showed positive reaction for phospholipids and bromophenol blue positive activity was observed throughout the spleen. Polymer based horseradish peroxidase method was used to demonstrate the presence of B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte in white pulp. Localization of more T-lymphocytes and macrophages in white pulp and ellipsoids implied that T-lymphocytes possibly act as major phagocytic cell in spleen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is one of the common reasons for acute kidney injury (AKI) and we need to develop effective therapies for treating AKI. We investigated the role of fenofibrate against I/R‐induced AKI and associated hepatic dysfunction in rats. In male wistar albino rats, renal pedicle occlusion for 40 min and 24 h reperfusion resulted in AKI. I/R‐induced AKI was demonstrated by measuring serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urea, uric acid, potassium, fractional excretion of sodium and urinary microproteins. Oxidative stress in rat kidneys was quantified by assaying superoxide anion generation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and reduced glutathione levels. AKI‐induced hepatic damage was quantified by assaying serum aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. Moreover, serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides were quantified. Hematoxylin–eosin staining of renal and hepatic tissues was done and the kidney and liver injury scores were determined. Immunohistology of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was done in rat kidneys. Fenofibrate was administered for 1 week before subjecting rats to AKI. In separate group, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L‐nitroarginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) was administered prior to fenofibrate treatment. In I/R group, significant alteration in the serum/urine parameters indicated AKI and hepatic dysfunction along with marked increase in kidney and liver injury scores. Treatment with fenofibrate attenuated AKI and associated hepatic dysfunction. Moreover, I/R‐induced decrease in renal eNOS expression was abrogated by fenofibrate. Pre‐treatment with L‐NAME abolished fenofibrate mediated reno‐ and hepato‐protective effects. In conclusion, fenofibrate attenuates I/R‐induced AKI and associated hepatic dysfunction putatively through modulation of eNOS expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the potential role of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) in stevioside‐mediated renoprotection using rhabdomyolysis‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) model in rats. Rhabdomyolysis refers to intense skeletal muscle damage, which further causes AKI. Glycerol (50% w/v, 8 ml/kg) was injected intramuscularly in rats to induce rhabdomyolysis. After 24 hr, AKI was demonstrated by quantifying serum creatinine, urea, creatinine clearance, microproteinuria, and electrolytes in rats. Further, oxidative stress was measured by assaying thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, generation of superoxide anion, and reduced glutathione levels. Additionally, serum creatine kinase (CK) level was assayed to determine glycerol‐induced muscle damage in rats. Pathological changes in rat kidneys were studied using hematoxylin–eosin and periodic acid Schiff staining. Moreover, the expression of apoptotic markers (Bcl‐2, Bax) in rat kidneys was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Stevioside (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) was administered to rats, prior to the induction of AKI. In a separate group, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE, 30 mg/kg), a PPAR‐γ receptor antagonist was given prior to stevioside administration, which was followed by rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI in rats. The significant alteration in biochemical and histological parameters in rats indicated AKI, which was attenuated by stevioside treatment. Pretreatment with BADGE abrogated stevioside‐mediated renoprotection, which is suggestive of the involvement of PPAR‐γ in its renoprotective effect. In conclusion, stevioside protects against rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI, which may be attributed to modulation of PPAR‐γ expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]