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A magnetic adsorbent namely magnetic iron oxide encrusted hydrocalumite-chitosan (Fe 3 O 4 @HCCS) composite was prepared by the fabrication of magnetic iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4) particles on hydrocalumite-chitosan (HCCS) composite for fluoride sorption studies in batch mode. The prepared magnetic Fe 3 O 4 @HCCS composite possesses an enhanced defluoridation capacity (DC) of 6.8 mg/g compared to hydrocalumite (HC) which possesses the DC of 2.4 mg/g. The various physico-chemical parameters such as contact time, pH, co-existing anions, initial fluoride concentration and temperature were optimized for the maximum fluoride removal. The structural changes of the sorbent, before and after fluoride sorption were studied using FTIR and SEM with EDAX techniques. The equilibrium data was well modeled by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The thermodynamic parameters revealed the feasibility, spontaneity and endothermic nature of fluoride sorption. The field performance and efficiency of Fe 3 O 4 @HCCS composite was examined with the waste-water sample collected from a fluoride endemic area of Dindigul district, Tamilnadu, India using standard protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza virus is a common human pathogenic agent that has caused serious respiratory illness and death over the past century and in recent year. Treatment options against pandemic influenza strain A/H1N1 are very limited and unsatisfactory. Therefore we have developed iron oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) with particle size in the range of 10–15 nm against pandemic influenza strain A/H1N1/Eastern India/66/PR8-H1N1. Cell viability and anti-influenza activity was measured by MTT assay, plaque inhibition and quantifying viral transcripts using quantitative real-time PCR with Iron oxide nanoparticles in a dose- and time-dependent manner. 50% cell viability (TD 50) was observed at 4.25 pg ±.2 pg of Iron oxide nanoparticles. The percentage of plaque inhibition relative to the infection and the IC 50 (50% virus reduction) of PR8-H1N1strain (0.5 moi) were measured in vitro by the plate forming unit (pfu) in MA104 cells. Finding were observed at 01 pg after 72 h. The Antiviral activity determined by change in viral RNA transcripts within 24 h of virus infection by RT-PCR, 08 fold reductions in virus found when treated with Iron oxide nanoparticles Thus; it opens a new avenue for use of IP-NPs against virus infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic, one of the elements having most terrible impact on the human being, is threatening the world continuously. It exists in the combined form in rocks under earth which on dissolution contaminates ground water. The contamination has led to a massive epidemic in East and South-East Asia, and the problem is more dangerous for Bangladesh and adjoining province, Bengal of India, where more than 100 million people are currently affected by arsenic contaminated ground water. Arsenic exists in water as oxyacids in two oxidation states, As(III) and As(V), the former is more toxic. Various techniques are under use for the removal of both forms of arsenic but most of these are not suitable for As(III) form. Adsorption has been proved most preferable technique for the removal of both forms of arsenic. Various types of solid materials had been used as adsorbent but nanomaterials have been reported more effective. However, some of these materials are toxic, difficult to separate after adsorption, and ineffective in the presence of water constraints. Iron oxides and its modified forms overcome all these shortcomings. Arsenic adsorption using various types of iron oxides has been surveyed and their sorption efficiencies have been compared herein. The effect of presence of other competitive ions in water has also been discussed. The valuable literature available on arsenic remediation, latest advancement, implementation of iron oxides in filters, and future perspective along with safe disposal of sludge produced have been incorporated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]