Characterization and pollutant removal efficiency of biochar derived from baggase, bamboo and tyre

Conversion of broad-spectrum organic waste into carbonaceous biochar has gained enormous interest in past few years. The present study aims to characterize feedstock (FS), i.e. bagasse (Bg), bamboo (Bm) and biochar (BC), i.e. baggase biochar (BBg), bamboo biochar (BBm) and tyre biochar (Ty). Significant changes in elemental composition, atomic ratio, proximate analyses, mineral content and heavy metal content were observed which was well supported by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Impregnation with ferric hydroxide was done, and resultant modified biochars (MBC), i.e. iron-impregnated baggase biochar (FeBBg), iron-impregnated bamboo biochar (FeBBm) and iron-impregnated tyre biochar (FeTy), along feedstock and biochar were used for PO4 (3-), Pb, Hg and Cu adsorption. In general, BBg, FeBBg, BBm, FeBBm, Ty and FeTy were found to adsorb PO4 (3-), Pb, Hg and Cu better than Bg and Bm, except in few cases. Results from adsorption experiments were fitted into Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models of isotherms and pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and Elovich models of kinetics. Result of batch study adsorption revealed that maximum adsorption of PO4 (3-), Pb, Hg and Cu was done by FeBBg (adsorption mechanism explained by Freundlich model), FeTy (Temkin model), Ty (Langmuir model) and BBm (Langmuir model) respectively. According to R (2) values, pseudo-first-order reaction was well suited to PO4 (3-), Pb, Hg and Cu adsorption. The optimum pH for maximum adsorption was observed to be 7.4 for PO4 (3-), 5 for Cu and 6 for Pb and Hg respectively.

Physico-chemical and pasting properties of starch from stored potato tubers

Starch was separated from tubers of four potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars, viz. 'Kufri Jyoti', 'Kufri Sindhuri', 'Kufri Chipsona-1' and 'Kufri Chipsona-2' before and after 90 days of storage at 4, 8, 12 and 16°C and, morphological, physico-chemical and pasting properties were studied. Scanning electron microscopy showed oval and irregular shaped starch granules with average diameter of 15 μm, and the granule diameter increased after storage. Peak viscosity was lower after storage at 8°C and higher at 16°C. Hot paste viscosity decreased while breakdown viscosity and set back viscosity increased after storage, and there was no significant change in cold paste viscosity. A significant decrease in pasting time and increase in pasting temperature was observed after storage. Phosphorus content showed significant positive correlation with peak viscosity (r = 0.452, p <0.05) and breakdown viscosity (r = 0.685, p <0.01), and a negative correlation with amylose content (r = -0.674, p <0.01). 'Kufri Sindhuri' starch showed significantly (p <0.05) higher peak, hot paste, breakdown and cold paste viscosity. The X-ray diffraction pattern of starch showed a distinctive maximum peak at around 17°, 2 ϑ and it was not affected by the cultivar or storage temperature.

Measuring, modelling and testing ozone exposure, flux and effects on vegetation in southern European conditions--what does not work? A review from Italy

Ozone (O3) exposure at Italian background sites exceeds UN/ECE concentration-based critical levels (CLe(c)), if expressed in terms of AOT40. Yet the occurrence of adverse effects of O3 on forests and crops is controversial. Possible reasons include (i) ability of response indicators to provide an unbiased estimate of O3 effects, (ii) setting of current CLe(c) in terms of cut-off value and accumulation level, (iii) response functions adopted to infer a critical level, (iv) environmental limitation to O3 uptake and (v) inherent characteristics of Mediterranean vegetation. In particular, the two latter points suggest that critical levels based on accumulated stomatal flux (CLe(f)) can be a better predictor of O3 risk than CLe(c). While this concept is largely acknowledged, a number of factors may limit its applicability for routine monitoring. This paper reviews levels, uptake and vegetation response to O3 in Italy over recent years to discuss value, uncertainty and feasibility of different approaches to risk assessment.

One-year outcome and survival analysis of deferred ventricular septal repair in cardiogenic shock supported with mechanical circulatory support

Background and objective

The effectiveness of deferred surgical repair of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) post-myocardial infarction (MI) with cardiogenic shock remains limited to case reports. Our study aimed to investigate the outcomes and survival analysis following mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients after VSR who develop cardiogenic shock.

Methods

We analyzed 27 patients with post-MI VSR and cardiogenic shock who received deferred surgical repair while stabilized on MCS between January 2018 and March 2020. After normality test adjustments, continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). These were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Student’s t-test. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. To identify predictors of operative mortality, univariate analysis of clinical characteristics and interventions followed by logistic regression was carried out. P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

All patients had preoperative MCS. Emergency repair was avoided in all the patients. The mean age of the participants was 64.96 with the majority being males (74.1%). On average, the mean time from MI to VSR repair was 18.85 days. Delayed revascularization was associated with increased mortality (OR 17.500, 95% CI 2.365–129.506, P = 0.005). Other factors associated with increased mortality were ejection fraction (EF), three-vessel disease, Killip class, early surgery, and prolonged use of inotropes. The operative mortality was 11% with an overall mortality of 33.3%. The one-year survival rate was 66.7%.

Conclusion

The use of MCS in adjunct to a deferred surgical approach shows an improved survival outcome of patients with VSR complicated by cardiogenic shock. Further investigations are required regarding the optimal time for MCS and surgical repair.

Some fetal and pregnancy parameters in Nepal

In Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, 4600 single live births were analysed concerning birth weight in relation to gestational age. At term, the median birth weight of females was 2900 g and of males 3010 g. Compared with Norwegian newborns, the birthweights of Nepali babies were lower for all corresponding gestational lengths. The differences increased with gestational age. Fundal height was lower in Nepali than in Norwegian pregnant women for all periods of pregnancy. An increase in the differences between Norwegian and Nepali women was also noted. Hematocrit values of Nepali women who did not take supplementary iron, correspond well to findings in Norwegian women without iron supplementation. Only a slight degree of hemoconcentration was noted towards term. For Norwegian women with iron supplementation the hematocrit values were much higher, with a tendency towards hemoconcentration near term. In Nepal the average woman probably has small iron stores, and without iron supplementation the hematocrit values will remain low throughout the pregnancy. The high altitude does not seem to cause hemoconcentration in pregnancy to a greater extent than at lower altitude. Hemoconcentration is therefore not a major causative factor of the lower birth weights.

Evaluation of mitigation strategies to reduce ammonia losses from slurry fertilisation on arable lands

To evaluate the best practices in reducing ammonia (NH3) losses from fertilised arable lands, six field trials were carried out in three different locations in northern Italy. NH3 emissions from cattle slurry were estimated considering the spreading techniques and the field incorporation procedures. The measurements were performed using long term exposure samplers associated to the determination of the atmospheric turbulence and the use of the backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) model WindTrax. The results obtained indicate that the NH3 emission process was exhausted in the first 24-48 h after slurry spreading. The slurry incorporation technique was able to reduce the NH3 losses with respect to the surface spreading, where a contextual incorporation led to reductions up to 87%. However, the best abatement strategy for NH3 losses from slurry applications has proved to be the direct injection into the soil, with a reduction of about 95% with respect to the surface spreading. The results obtained highlight the strong dependence of the volatilisation phenomenon by soil and weather conditions.

Outcome of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor on anxiety and depression in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction vs. heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Objective: In patients with heart failure (HF), anxiety and depression are commonly observed and confer an adverse outcome. The first-in-class member of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sacubitril/valsartan has been demonstrated to improve functional class and decrease mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and reduce the readmission of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, its effects on anxiety and depression levels remain unknown.Methods: Sacubitril/valsartan was started on 764 symptomatic patients with HFrEF and HFpEF who were receiving guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Patients were evaluated using Hamilton's depression rating scale (HDRS) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) for their levels of depression and anxiety before and after treatment at a six-month follow-up.Results: A significant reduction in HADS and HDRS scores was observed in patients with HFrEF (9.7 ± 1.3 to 6.4 ± 0.7, p = 0.032 and 19.2 ± 2.2 to 8.9 ± 1.6, p < 0.001, respectively) compared with HFpEF (p = 0.161 and 0.273, respectively). The six-minute walk test (6-MWT) significantly increased HFrEF from 195 ± 68 to 321 ± 97 (p < 0.001). There was an overall improvement in the functional class of all patients.Conclusion: Patients with HFrEF have the additional advantage of using sacubitril/valsartan in the form of decreased anxiety and depression symptoms in addition to an improvement in functional class. However, patients with HFpEF did not exhibit significant improvement in their psychological scores.

Evaluation of trovafloxacin in the treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae lung infection in tumour-bearing mice

Trovafloxacin, a new trifluoroquinolone, was evaluated for its therapeutic efficacy against Klebsiella pneumoniae lung infection in tumour (P388 murine leukaemia cells)-bearing mice, treated with or without a chemotherapeutic agent, daunorubicin (DNR) and in mice without tumour. Its activity was compared with ciprofloxacin and cephazolin. The effect on therapeutic efficacy of the addition of recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rGCSF) was also examined. Our study showed that both quinolones successfully cured pneumonia owing to infection with K. pneumoniae in mice without tumours but that all antibiotics failed in tumour-bearing mice if DNR was withheld. Substantial differences were noted in DNR-treated tumour-bearing mice with infection-the cure rate with trovafloxacin was 91% whereas the cure rate with ciprofloxacin or cephazolin was 57%. Addition of rGCSF to ciprofloxacin did not substantially improve its efficacy (when assessed by protection against death owing to infection; the survival rate was 41%). Trovafloxacin cure rates ranged from 80 to 90% whether or not rGCSF was added to the treatment regimen. Our results suggest that prior cancer chemotherapy had no adverse effect on the therapeutic efficacy of trovafloxacin, and that trovafloxacin may be a promising therapeutic agent for treatment of bacterial infections in the presence of leucopenia.

Prolapse of an ovarian tumor during labor

A case of prolapsed tumor after home delivery is reported. At first a puerperal inversion of the uterus was suspected. At operation a dermoid ovarian tumor was found to be prolapsed through the vaginal fornix.

Outcomes of intracutaneous sutures in comparison with intracutaneous staples in cardiac implantable-electronic device pocket closure

OBJECTIVE

With the increase in cardiovascular implantable-electronic devices (CIEDs), complications from insertion and healing are also increasing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the intracutaneous stapling method to the absorbable suture technique in terms of complications, procedure time, and pocket closure time.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted over the course of three months on patients with CIED implantation. The patients were divided in two groups according to pocket closure technique. Group 1 included patients with pocket closure using intracutaneous sutures; whereas in Group 2, the pocket was closed by intracutaneous staples. Data were collected regarding patient characteristics and wound problems. The endpoints were wound problems, including early and late wound problems (primary), total procedure time, and the time taken for pocket closure (secondary).

RESULTS

One hundred and nineteen patients and 107 patients were allocated to Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. During the three-month observation period, 27 (22.6%) patients in Group 1 and 13 (12.1%) patients in Group 2 suffered from early wound problems, and the combined primary endpoint reached was statistically significant (p=0.021). Minor and major bleeding events were more common in Group 1 [Odds ratio (OR): 4.49, p=0.024; OR: 0.96, p=0.052]. The time to close the pocket was markedly reduced in Group 2 (7.29±1.42 vs. 3.98±1.19, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The rate of early wound problems is higher using intracutaneous sutures; and therefore, intracutaneous staples should be preferred to prevent these problems.

Tricuspid insufficiency after cardiac-implantable electronic device placement

Objective

Device-related estimates of incidence and significance of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is mainly based on case reports and small observational studies. We sought to determine whether right-heart device implantation increased the risk of TR in this interventional study.

Methods

All patients who underwent permanent pacemaker (PPM) or other device implantation were assessed for degree of TR at one year. The data collected was analyzed on IBM SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were applied for qualitative variables. Mean and standard deviation were applied for quantitative variables. Regression analysis and paired t-tests were applied for the degree of change and predictors of TR.

Results

Out of 165 participants, 73.94% were male. The mean age of the participants was 59.86 ± 12.03 years. Dual-chamber pacemaker (DDDR) was the most common device implanted (78.18%) causing significant TR and drop in left ventricular ejection fraction as compared to other devices (p-value < 0.05). The paired t-test for changes in ejection fraction (LVEF) and TR were also significant (p-value < 0.05). A regression model predicted significant TR to depend on baseline LVEF (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion

Device-related worsening of TR is related to mechanical mechanisms. It is significantly associated with DDDR pacemakers after a 1-year follow-up.

The prevalence of anemia in pregnant Nepali women--a study in Kathmandu

BACKGROUND

Anemia in pregnancy is associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization has suggested that where up-to-date information is not available, prevalence studies should be undertaken.

METHODS

The distribution of hematocrit in 2280 pregnant women attending Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, for their first antenatal visit in a twelve month period, 1994-95, was studied. Anemia was defined as a hematocrit value < or =34% in the first and third trimesters, or < or =33% in the second trimester. Severe anemia was defined as a hematocrit value < or =24%. The prevalence of anemia and severe anemia, and associations with socio-demographic (age, ethnic group, living area, maternal and paternal education and occupation) and biological (height, body mass index, parity, gestation) variables were investigated.

RESULTS

The hematocrit values ranged from 11-49% with a mean value of 32.6% (s.d. 3.9). The prevalences of anemia and severe anemia were 62.2% and 3.6%, respectively. High prevalence of anemia was observed among teenagers, farmers, women of short height, the ethnic groups Lama/Sherpa/Tamang, and women married to industrial workers or illiterate men. Also, the risk of anemia increased with gestation. Work within the service professions, higher education and high body mass index, were associated with a lower risk of anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Kathmandu was observed. The hematocrit values were related to socio-demographic and biological factors. In order to plan focused and effective intervention, studies on the etiology of anemia among pregnant women in rural and urban areas of Nepal need to be carried out.