Adsorption behavior of fluoroquinolone(ciprofloxacin) using zinc oxide impregnated activated carbon prepared from jack fruit peel: Kinetics and isotherm studies

Ciprofloxacin is a pharmaceutical component used for treating various tract infections. This is considered as an emerging contaminant due to the release of unreacted components getting disposed into the water bodies. This component is effectively treated using renewable biomass, which is converted into a useful renewable low-cost adsorbent material. Discarded Jack Fruit Peel (JFP) is used as an activated carbon incorporated with zinc oxide nanocomposite. The prepared activated carbon in this experiment was characterized by determining their functional groups, morphological characters, and nature of the adsorbent material by analyzing the Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) characterization. Further, the prepared composite's correlation coefficients and equilibrium sorption of the adsorption process were calculated using Ultra Violet (UV)-Visible Spectroscopy and analyzed with isotherm models (Langmuir model, Freundlich model, and Temkin model) and kinetic models (Pseudo-first-order kinetics, Pseudo-second-order kinetics, Intraparticle diffusion model, and Elovich model). Among the different models, the Zinc oxide impregnated activated carbon show Freundlich Isotherm and Pseudo Second order equation having a maximum correlation with experimental studies indicating double-layer adsorption, which suggests that the process is chemisorption. The operational parameters, including the effect of pH, dosage of activated carbon, and contact time of adsorption was calculated to identify the optimal condition for maximum adsorption.

A Retrospective Study on Turnaround Time for Frozen Sections- A Tertiary Care Centre Experience from Southern India

Introduction: Intraoperative consultation by frozen sections is an integral and essential part of surgical pathology to provide critical real-time information and guide in further intraoperative management. Diagnostic accuracy and Turnaround Time (TAT) have been considered as essential parameters which decide its effectiveness. Although diagnostic accuracy has been studied extensively, very few studies have assessed TAT of frozen sections. Aim: To assess the TAT for frozen sections in a tertiary center and identifying the various practical factors determining it. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Department of General Pathology at Christian Medical college, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, on 615 frozen section samples obtained during the time period of June 2020 to June 2021. The TAT was defined as the time interval between receipt of sample and the time at which report was conveyed to the surgeon. The TAT for frozen sections should not exceed 30 minutes as per the criteria proposed by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Further details such as number of sites per frozen, number of pathologists involved, number of tissue blocks and slides made, requirement of deeper sections and special stains were documented and the factors influencing TAT were analysed based upon their subspecialty. Results: A total of 35,175 specimens were received during the study period, of which 615 cases had frozen sections. Out of 615, 16.9% had TAT of more than 30 minutes, however when only one tissue block was submitted (n=221), 90% were within TAT. The delay in TAT was likely to occur when more than two pathologists participated in the FS diagnosis, more number of sections/tissue blocks were required, the pathologist had to retrieve and review previous case material during the FS procedure, simultaneously receiving additional specimens and requirement of special stains. Conclusion: Turnaround time for frozen sections depends on several preanalytical and analytical reasons. An overall TAT that includes these factors cannot be taken as a standalone quality indicator of the laboratory. Therefore, a checklist that includes specimen receiving time, slide receiving time and time at which the diagnosis was conveyed to the surgeon needs to be documented to help understand where the delay happens. A periodic assessment of intraoperative frozen section TAT should be an integral part of an ongoing quality assurance program.

Synthesis of zinc chloride activated eco-friendly nano-adsorbent (activated carbon) from food waste for removal of pollutant from biodiesel wash water

Food waste has been a complex component added to municipal solid waste, making it a major reason for the evolution of greenhouse gases, foul odour and a dwelling habitat for insects and microbes. Diversion of the mixed food waste (unsegregated) to useful materials (activated carbon) would have immense industrial significance. In this study, rice, vegetables, oil and spice (WCVR); mixed fruit peels including banana peel, pomegranate peel, orange peel and lemon peel (MFPW); plain rice (WCR) and mixed food waste (rice, dhal, vegetables, fruits, meat and bones) (MFW) were used. Food waste samples were heated at a temperature of 350 °C for 3 h in an incinerator and then activated with zinc chloride for 2 h in a muffle furnace maintained at 500-600 °C temperature. Zinc chloride activated carbon was characterized through X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. WCR carbon was the best-activated carbon, yielding nanomaterials with 2θ = 25.81, 31.76, 34.41 and 56.54, which was in accordance with the JCPDS card number. The MFW activated carbon reduced the biodiesel wash water pH from 10 to 6.5 making it suitable for recycling. Turbidity was reduced by 98.41%, chemical oxygen demand by 41.33%, oil and grease by 99.05% for MFW carbon.

Solid state manipulation of lornoxicam for cocrystals--physicochemical characterization

CONTEXT

Lornoxicam is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug of choice and belongs to Class II (low solubility) of BCS (Biopharmaceutical Classification System). Thus bioavailabilities problems are predominant.

OBJECTIVE

Through crystal engineering approach, a method was developed for obtaining multi-component cocrystals of lornoxicam using pharmaceutically acceptable compounds as guests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lornoxicam guest-free form was obtained from solution crystallization. Supramolecular synthon approach indicated that lornoxicam was in orthorhombic form. Further presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding with layered structures was identified. Solvent drop grinding method permitted the formation of cocrystals of lornoxicam with catechol, resorcinol, benzoic acid, hydroxyquinone and 2,4 dihydroxy benzoic acid, all are capable of forming hydrogen bonding.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Lornoxicam cocrystals exhibited the difference in melting points and decomposition characteristics. The analysis of infrared (IR) indicated the shifting of characteristic bands of lornoxicam. The XPRD (X-Ray Powder Diffraction) pattern indicated the crystallinity of cocrystals and significant difference in 2θ value of intense peaks. Differential scanning calorimetry spectra of cocrystals denoted the changes in fusion endotherms, which are in agreements with melting points. The pH solubility profile of lornoxicam showed sigmoidal curve, which substantiated the pKa-dependent solubility. Lornoxicam cocrystals also exhibited a similar pH-solubility profile. Thus pairing of lornoxicam and coformers in the solution at high pH media was assumed. The in vitro dissolution studies of cocrystals were conducted at pH 4.0. The rapid rate of dissolution of cocrystals was observed in initial 10 min. The extent of dissolution was enhanced by 20% on account of cocrystallization.

CONCLUSION

The lornoxicam cocrystals were obtained with improved physicochemical characteristics.

Frequencies of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ phenotypes in the United Arab Emirates population

The high degree of polymorphism of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system provides means for the study of diversity in different populations. The aim of this work is to study the HLA phenotype frequencies in the United Arab Emiratis in comparison with other geographically related Arabs, Iranians, and Asians, all living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Healthy blood donors and potential kidney or bone marrow donors were typed for HLA class I (n = 1880) and class II (n = 2022). Only one representative member of each family was included to avoid bias. UAE Emiratis, Arabs of Arabian Gulf Peninsula (AGP), Arabs of South Mediterranean (SMR), North African Arabs (NA), Iranians, and Asians. HLA typing was done by microlymphocytotoxicity method and/or low-resolution polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer techniques. As an individual antigen, HLA-A2 had the highest frequency in all populations studied, however, the frequency of the broad antigen A19 surpassed A2 in all the groups except the AGP Arabs and Iranians. B5 was the predominant B antigen in all groups except the SMR and Asians. Amongst the class II broad antigens, DR2 was the most frequent antigen in UAE, AGP Arabs, Iranians, and Asians. The overall frequency of DQ1 was high in all groups except the SMR Arabs who had an almost equal distribution of DQ1 and DQ3. In conclusion, this study indicates that the most frequent antigens in the UAE population are HLA-A19, HLA-A2, HLA-B5, and HLA-DR2. It also sheds light on the similarities between the UAE Emiratis, AGP Arabs, Iranians, and Asians, specially the predominance of DR2 of the class II antigens.

Decrease in the concentration of vitamin E in blood and tissues caused by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, a commonly used plasticizer in blood storage bags and medical tubing

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Significant amounts of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthlate (DEHP) leach into blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC bags. The aim of this study was to find out whether DEHP at these low levels has any effect on the concentration of vitamin E, an antioxidant which affords protection against free radical damage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DEHP was administered in low doses (150-750 microg/100 g body weight) to rats intraperitoneally and the concentration of vitamin E in the liver and testes was measured. Concentration of vitamin E was also measured in blood stored in glass bottles in the presence and absence of DEHP and in blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC bags.

RESULTS

A decrease in the concentration of vitamin E was observed in all cases. Administration of vitamin E to rats and incorporation of vitamin E in the additive solution in the case of blood prevented this decrease.

CONCLUSION

DEHP even at very low doses caused a decrease in the concentration of vitamin E in liver and tests of rats given this substance. Blood stored in DEHP-plasticized bags also showed a decrease in the concentration of vitamin E.

Increased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes in blood stored in polyvinyl chloride blood storage bags plasticized with di-[2-ethyl hexyl] phthalate and effect of antioxidants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Previous work in this laboratory has shown significant decrease in vitamin E in erythrocytes in blood stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags plasticized with di-[2-ethyl hexyl] phthalate (DEHP), and in erythrocytes incubated in vitro with DEHP. Since vitamin E is a major antioxidant, a study was carried out to find out whether this decrease observed in vitamin E has an effect on lipid peroxidation in blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC blood bags.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood was collected in Penpol blood storage bags (which is a DEHP-plasticized PVC bag) and parameters of lipid peroxidation, i.e. activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes, hydroperoxides, glutathione and vitamin E studied in erythrocytes after various periods of storage as compared to glass bottles. Erythrocytes were also incubated in vitro with DEHP with and without vitamin E, and changes in lipid peroxidation studied.

RESULTS

Blood stored in Penpol bags showed increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes as compared to that stored in glass bottles, as is evident from a greater increase in MDA and a greater decrease in glutathione and a significant decrease in vitamin E. The addition of vitamin E decreased the formation of MDA and conjugated dienes and prevented the decrease in vitamin E. However in spite of increased lipid peroxidation in the presence of DEHP, the release of K+ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes was lower. When there was an increase in DEHP taken up by erythrocytes, there was a corresponding decrease in vitamin E. More important, whenever there was an increase in vitamin E in erythrocytes (when RBCs in the presence of DEHP were incubated with vitamin E), there was a progressive decrease in DEHP.

CONCLUSION

DEHP caused increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes. At the same time, it decreased the release of K+ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes. It is possible that the stabilizing effect of DEHP on the erythrocyte membrane may offset the detrimental effects of the increased lipid peroxidation it causes.

Modulation of biochemical activity of hepatocytes in culture by matrix substratum

The influence of extra cellular matrix on the biochemical activity of hepatocytes was studied by maintaining rat hepatocytes in primary culture in a serum free medium on different matrix protein substrata or biomatrices prepared from liver, aorta or mammary gland. There was significant difference in the individual protein synthesis and distribution by cells maintained on different substrata. Comparison of the kinetics of synthesis and secretion of albumin by cells maintained on different tissue biomatrix showed that those maintained on hepatic biomatrix synthesized more albumin and retained more of albumin synthetic capacity, when compared to those maintained on aortic and mammary gland biomatrix. Similarly, hepatocytes maintained on hepatic biomatrix synthesized significantly more apo B, the major apo protein of VLDL, than those maintained on heterologous tissue matrix. Induction of tyrosine aminotransferase by dexamethasone and the uptake of [14C]-amino isobutyric acid were found to be maximum in cells maintained on liver biomatrix than the heterologous biomatrix. But cells maintained on hepatic biomatrix incorporated less amounts of radioactivity into total cytoskeletal proteins as well as the individual proteins such as actin and the cytokeratins C8 and C18 while that by cells maintained on aortic biomatrix was significantly high. Quantitative analysis of the relative incorporation of radioactivity into individual cytoskeletal proteins and albumin in pulse labelling studies with cells maintained in culture on different matrix for different lengths of time revealed a reciprocal relationship between these two activities. These results indicate that the substrata with which the cells are in contact influence on a selective basis, the biochemical activity of hepatocytes in primary culture.

Synthesis of NAD+ in erythrocytes incubated with nicotinic acid and the effect of di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Synthesis of NAD+ from nicotinic acid by erythrocytes incubated in SAGM phosphate solution and effect of di-[2-ethyl hexyl] phthalate, a plasticizer commonly used in PVC blood/component storage bags, on this synthesis was studied. Erythrocytes are able to synthesise NAD+ in SAGM (sodium chloride, adenine, glucose, mannitol) phosphate solution and this synthesis was more in the presence of added nicotinic acid (optimum concentration 1 mM). The level of NAD+ decreased when the incubation period was increased from 24 to 48 hr. Glutamine had a deleterious effect on this synthesis, possibly due to the decrease in pH. Di-[2-ethyl hexyl] phthalate had an inhibitory effect on NAD+ synthesis when the cells were incubated in SAGM phosphate solution, either alone or in the presence of added nicotinic acid. There was significant decrease in the release of potassium and haemoglobin from the cells in the presence of nicotinic acid, indicating increased red cell stability.

Effect of DEHP [di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate] on lipid peroxidation in liver in rats and in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

The effect of DEHP [di-(2-ethly hexyl) phthalate] on lipid peroxidation in the liver in rats and in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes incubated with it was studied. The doses of DEHP used in this study corresponded to the low levels of this substance leaching into blood stored in DEHP plasticised PVC bags. Increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, increased concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes and decrease in the concentration of glutathione and vitamin E have been observed in the liver of rats administered DEHP. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes incubated with DEHP also showed increase in the activity of these enzymes, increase in the concentration of MDA and decrease in vitamin E. These results indicate that DEHP promotes lipid peroxidation. Incorporation of vitamin E along with DEHP into the culture medium containing hepatocytes counteracted these effects.

Toxic effect of systemic administration of low doses of the plasticizer di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate [DEHP] in rats

DEHP [di-(2 ethyl hexyl) phthalate], a widely used plasticizer in blood storage bags, leaches out in appreciable amounts into blood (about 10 mg/100 ml) resulting in exposure of recipients of blood transfusion to this compound. Various reports indicate the toxicity of DEHP, particularly in liver and reproductive organs but all these studies used large doses (up to 2 g or more/Kg body weight) and oral route of administration which are not relevant to the intravenous administration during blood transfusion or the low amounts present in blood. We have studied changes in the activity of some important enzymes-gamma-GT, ALT, CPK, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and few other parameters like vitamin E, glutathione, serum albumin etc in rats administered low doses of DEHP (corresponding to transfusion of 2, 4, 6 and 10 units of blood). Histopathology of the organs has also been carried out. The results obtained indicate no serious toxic effects for DEHP at the level present in blood stored in DEHP plasticized blood bags as evidenced by the lack of any significant alteration in most of the biochemical parameters studied. Even in those cases where there was alteration (for e.g., decrease in the level of vitamin E) 24 hr after administration of DEHP, it returned to near normal level with in 72 hr to 7 days. No histopathological changes were observed in any of the organs at these levels of DEHP. It is concluded that DEHP did not cause any serious toxic effect even at doses corresponding to transfusion of several units of blood in a recipient.

Synthesis of sulphated proteoglycans by primary cultures of rat hepatocytes--modulation by matrix substratum

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes maintained on different matrix proteins such as collagen (Co IV) fibronectin (Fn), Laminin (Ln) or different tissue biomatrices were metabolically labelled with 35[S]-SO4 and the synthesis of sulphated proteoglycans was studied. The incorporation of the label into total glycosaminoglycan (GAG) was significantly higher in cells maintained on Co IV compared to those maintained on Fn or Ln. Similarly the incorporation of label was maximum in those cells maintained on the aortic biomatrix compared to liver or mammary gland biomatrix. About 80-95% of the GAG synthesised and secreted by cells maintained on individual matrix proteins and liver biomatrix was heparan sulphate (HS). But in the case of cells maintained on collagen IV aortic or mammary biomatrix in addition to HS, significant amount of chondroitin sulphate (CS) was also found. Nearly 50% of the total 35[S]-GAG was associated with the cell layer after 24 h in culture in the case of cells maintained on individual matrix protein while those maintained on tissue biomatrix, retained about 70% of the 35[S]-labelled proteoglycans (PG) with the cell layer. Analysis of the cell surface 35[S]-labelled proteoglycans isolated from cells maintained on different biomatrix showed that it is a hybrid proteoglycan consisting of CS and HS. While the PG isolated from cells maintained on liver biomatrix consists of HS and CS in the ratio of 3:2 that from cells maintained on aorta or mammary gland matrix was about 2:3 indicating an alteration in the nature of the cell surface PGs produced by cells maintained on different tissue biomatrix. These results indicate that depending on the nature of the matrix substratum with which the cells are in contact, the nature and quantity of sulphated proteoglycans produced by hepatocytes vary.

Influence of collagen gel substrata on certain biochemical activities of hepatocytes in primary culture

In order to study the influence of cell shape as modulated by the extracellular matrix on the cellular activity, hepatocytes isolated from liver were maintained on collagen I coated plastic substrata and collagen I gel substrata and certain hepatocyte specific functions were investigated. The incorporation of 3[H]-leucine into total proteins and albumin secreted by cells maintained on collagen gel was found to be significantly higher compared to those maintained on a collagen coated plastic substrata, indicating that hepatocytes on collagen gel have an enhanced albumin synthesizing capacity. Increased incorporation of 35[S]-sulphate into total proteoglycans (PG) and a relatively higher fraction of the 35[S]-PG in the extracellular space showed an increased rate of synthesis and secretion of sulphated PGs by cells on collagen gels. But in contrast to the above results, the incorporation of 3[H]-leucine into cytokeratins C8, C18 and actin were significantly low in cells maintained on collagen gel. The tyrosine amino transferase activity exhibited by hepatocytes preincubated with dexamethasone on collagen gel was also significantly low. The different forms of collagen substrata appeared to have no effect on the amino acid transport by hepatocytes, further suggesting that the various hepatocyte specific functions are not uniformly altered when hepatocytes are maintained on three-dimensional collagen gel substrata. These results indicate that the shape of the cell as determined by the nature of the matrix substratum influences the synthetic activity of secretory proteins and those remaining intracellularly, differently.