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Abstracts: A ninety-day oral toxicity study of saponified Capsicum annum fruit extract with 50% (w/w) capsanthin (SCFE-50 C) was performed by oral gavage administration to male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at doses of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg BW/day for a period of ninety consecutive days. To assess the reversal of toxicity, the treatment phase was followed with a twenty-eight-day recovery period. The treatment with SCFE-50 C in both male and female SD rats showed no mortality, and no treatment-related toxicologically significant changes were observed in any groups. No significant differences between treated and control groups were found in feed consumption, body weight gain, individual organ weights, ocular examination, clinical chemistry or blood biochemistry. The necroscopy and histopathology examination did not reveal any clinically significant changes in male and female rats from the 2000 mg/kg BW/day group. According to this study, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for saponified Capsicum annum fruit extract with 50% (w/w) capsanthin (SCFE-50 C) administered by oral gavage for 90-days is > 2000 mg/kg BW/day in SD rats.

Background: Gold nanoparticles have come to prominence among noble metals due to their characteristics. Bio-transformed nanoparticles have a low toxicity and are biocompatible and ecologically benign. Physalis minima has been used in traditional medicine for its diuretic, laxative, and anti-inflammatory qualities since ancient times. Methods: Gold nanoparticles are formed when water gold metal ions interact with an aqueous plant extract of Physalis minima (Au NPs). Results: In a UV–visible spectrophotometer, the resulting Au NPs formed a broad surface peak at 546 nm. According to the FTIR data, the peaks represent flavonoids, phenols and polyphenols meaning that flavonoids, phenols, and polyphenols were utilised as the reducing agent to create gold nanoparticles. According to the XRD pattern, the synthesised gold nanoparticles are crystalline in nature in a cubic system, with average particle sizes of roughly 36 nm. Gold nanoparticles were evaluated and found to have a zeta potential of −20.5mv, suggesting that they were stable and suitable for biological uses. The morphology of gold nanoparticles was confirmed using microscopic imaging. Conclusion: This study looked at the anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial properties of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) made from Physalis minima, making it exceedingly promising for biological applications.

In this study, we report the combined effect of graphene oxide (GO) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for the heavy metal removal efficiency of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. PVP with four different amounts of GO was infused in the membrane matrix by the physical blending method. Characterizations such as porosity, contact angle, water flux and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were conducted for all prepared membranes. Viscid behavior of polymer dope solution was examined to understand the phase separation phenomena better. PVP enhanced the GO distribution within the membrane surface to some extent via hydrogen bond. The addition of nanoparticles enhanced the membrane physicochemical properties with water permeation, Pb 2+ rejection and adsorption capacity. Permeate flux of modified membrane (m4) was found to be 150.21 L/m 2 h and it is 8.03 times higher than unmodified membrane (m0). Besides, all fabricated membranes were evaluated for Pb 2+ rejection from synthetic wastewater and rejection % of m4 (80.6%) had increased twofold than m0 (38.9%). Membrane cleaning was performed using different methods and the best results were achieved with a concentration of 0.05 wt% sodium hypochlorite under pH 7 and further reused for the filtration test. Moreover, adsorption isotherm was tested using Freundlich and Langmuir models and the Langmuir model offered the best fitting., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

First ever ionic liquid derived sorbent for antimony was synthesised. The charged functional groups of the polymer showed preferential binding and strong affinity for difficult to remove anionic species of antimony. The sorbent was synthesised by crosslinking co-polymerisation of 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide with N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide). SEM-EDS analysis showed that the polymer retained the bromide counter ions. Antimony removal properties under wide solution conditions, including the presence of competitor ions, were investigated. Maximum antimony binding and selectivity was at pH 3.0. Variation in saturation capacity with respect to the crosslinker amount matched with the calculated capacity values. Maximum uptake obtained was 4.6 and 3.2 mmol/g for Sb(III) and Sb(V) respectively. Tartrate salt of Sb(III) showed better binding through the interaction of tartrate with the imidazole moieties of the polymer. In less than 15 min, saturation capacity was achieved for Sb(III), while over 90% of uptake was complete for Sb(V). Investigations on sorption mechanism, which included synthesis and comparative evaluation of the non-ionic counterpart polyvinylimidazole as sorbent, indicated the uptake to be through anion exchange. Sb(III) specific binding against Sb(V) was seen in the presence of nitrilotriacetic acid., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases arrhythmia risk through incompletely elucidated mechanisms. Ventricular arrhythmias could be initiated by delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) resulting from elevated spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ release (SR Ca 2+ leak)., Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the role of DADs and SR Ca 2+ leak in triggering arrhythmias in T2D hearts., Methods: We compared rats with late-onset T2D that display pancreatic and cardiac phenotypes similar to those in humans with T2D (HIP rats) and their nondiabetic littermates (wild type [WT])., Results: HIP rats showed higher propensity for premature ventricular complexes and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, whereas HIP myocytes displayed more frequent DADs and had lower SR Ca 2+ content than WT. However, the threshold SR Ca 2+ at which depolarizing transient inward currents (I ti s) are generated was also significantly decreased in HIP myocytes and was below the actual SR Ca 2+ load, which explains the increased DAD incidence despite reduced Ca 2+ in SR. In agreement with these findings, Ca 2+ spark frequency was augmented in myocytes from HIP vs WT rats, which suggests activation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in HIP hearts. Indeed, RyR phosphorylation (by CaMKII and protein kinase A) and oxidation are enhanced in HIP hearts, whereas there is no RyR O-GlcNAcylation in either HIP or control hearts. CaMKII inhibition dissipated the difference in Ca 2+ spark frequency between HIP and WT myocytes., Conclusion: The threshold SR Ca 2+ for generating depolarizing I ti s is lower in T2D because of RyR activation after hyperphosphorylation and oxidation, which favors the occurrence of DADs despite low SR Ca 2+ loads., (Copyright © 2018 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Gadolinium as gadolinium nitrate is used as neutron poison in the moderator system for regulating and controlling the power generation of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) and proposed to be used in Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWR) owing to its high neutron absorption cross section. Removal of the added gadolinium nitrate (Gd 3+ and NO 3 - ) from the system after its intended use is done using ion exchange resins. In the present investigation, attempts have been made to optimize the ion exchange process for generation of low radioactive waste and maximize utilization of the ion exchange resins by employing different types of resins and different modes of operation. The investigations revealed that use of mixed bed (MB) resin column consisting of Strong Acid Cation (SAC) resin and Strong Base Anion (SBA) resin followed by SAC resin column is efficient in removing the Gd 3+ and NO 3 - from the system besides maintaining the pH of the moderator system in the desirable regime, where gadolinium does not get precipitated as its hydroxide., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Antimony is classified as a pollutant of priority importance by USEPA. We have earlier reported the synthesis of nano-titania impregnated epichlorohydrin crosslinked chitosan (TA-Cts-Epi) beads, in a format suitable for large scale applications with high sorption capacity for antimony. To understand the sorption mechanism, and to fine tune the bead composition, the effect of crosslinking density on the swelling and sorption properties of the beads was investigated in detail. Epichlorohydrin effected significant changes in physical and sorption properties of the beads. The antimony sorption capacity of the TA-Cts-Epi beads prepared by crosslinking 0.3g non-crosslinked titania-chitosan beads (TA-Cts-NCL) with 6.4mmol epichlorohydrin was 493μmol/g, while those crosslinked with 0.64mmol showed a capacity of 133μmol/g. Whereas, TA-Cts-NCL beads showed a capacity of 75μmol/g. The increase in uptake capacity with increase in crosslinking demonstrated the active involvement of the epichlorohydrin moieties in antimony binding leading to enhanced sorption. Apart from altering the stability, swelling behaviour and sorption kinetics of the beads, crosslinking significantly increased the uptake of the anionic species via electrostatic interactions. Epichlorohydrin crosslinked chitosan beads prepared without TiO 2 also showed similar behaviour. The results demonstrated the involvement of chitosan, TiO 2 and epichlorohydrin in sorption., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The beneficial cardiovascular effects of vegetables may be underpinned by their high inorganic nitrate content., Objective: We sought to examine the effects of a 6-wk once-daily intake of dietary nitrate (nitrate-rich beetroot juice) compared with placebo intake (nitrate-depleted beetroot juice) on vascular and platelet function in untreated hypercholesterolemics., Design: A total of 69 subjects were recruited in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study. The primary endpoint was the change in vascular function determined with the use of ultrasound flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)., Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups, with primary outcome data available for 67 patients. Dietary nitrate resulted in an absolute increase in the FMD response of 1.1% (an ∼24% improvement from baseline) with a worsening of 0.3% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). A small improvement in the aortic pulse wave velocity (i.e., a decrease of 0.22 m/s; 95% CI: -0.4, -0.3 m/s) was evident in the nitrate group, showing a trend (P = 0.06) to improvement in comparison with the placebo group. Dietary nitrate also caused a small but significant reduction (7.6%) in platelet-monocyte aggregates compared with an increase of 10.1% in the placebo group (P = 0.004), with statistically significant reductions in stimulated (ex vivo) P-selectin expression compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05) but no significant changes in unstimulated expression. No adverse effects of dietary nitrate were detected. The composition of the salivary microbiome was altered after the nitrate treatment but not after the placebo treatment (P < 0.01). The proportions of 78 bacterial taxa were different after the nitrate treatment; of those taxa present, 2 taxa were responsible for >1% of this change, with the proportions of Rothia mucilaginosa trending to increase and Neisseria flavescens (P < 0.01) increased after nitrate treatment relative to after placebo treatment., Conclusions: Sustained dietary nitrate ingestion improves vascular function in hypercholesterolemic patients. These changes are associated with alterations in the oral microbiome and, in particular, nitrate-reducing genera. Our findings provide additional support for the assessment of the potential of dietary nitrate as a preventative strategy against atherogenesis in larger cohorts. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01493752.

The development of semiconductor materials made a considerable progress of catalytic technologies. In the present study, a simple and eco-friendly chemical direction for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using leaf extract of Moringa oleifera has been used. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized various techniques such as UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). XRD analysis revealed the wurtzite hexagonal structure of ZnO NPs. FT-IR confirmed the presence of functional groups of both leaf extract and ZnO NPs. The particles size, morphology and topography determined from FE-SEM. The intense and narrow width of zinc and oxygen have high purity and crystalline were identified using EDX. UV-Vis absorption showed the characteristic absorption peak of ZnO NPs. The results of antimicrobial activities revealed that maximum zones of inhibition was observed Gram (+ve) positive bacteria and followed by the Gram (-ve) negative bacteria and fungal at concentration of 200μg/mL of ZnO NPs., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Biologically synthesized nanoparticles have been widely used in the field of medicine. Especially, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) synthesized by the leaf extract lead the biological activity. In the present work, the synthesized Ag NPs by using the leaf extract of Croton sparsiflorus morong Ag NPs were characterized by using UV-Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) along with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy and Fourier Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, respectively. UV-Vis peak at 457 nm confirmed the Ag NPs due to the absorption. Cubic structural analysis and 16 nm particle size of the Ag NPs were calculated by using XRD analysis. The surface morphology along with the presence of Ag NPs was identified by using FE-SEM and EDX, respectively. The FT-IR study revealed with the functional groups of the Ag NPs. Finally, the present research has been explored to exhibit the significant antimicrobial activities., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the present investigation, we chose the very simple and eco-friendly chemical method for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from leaf extract of Tamarindus indica (L.) (T. indica) and developed the new green route for synthesis of nanoparticles. Formed product has been studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and with corresponding energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Mainly, the present results depicted that the synthesized nanoproducts are moderately stable, hexagonal phase, roughly spherical with maximum particles in size range within 19-37 nm in diameter. The antibacterial and fungal activities of aqueous extracts of T. indica were ended with corresponding disk diffusion and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The highest mean zones of inhibition were observed in the ZnO NPs (200 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus (13.1±0.28). Finally, it can be concluded that microbial activity of ZnO NPs has more susceptible S. aureus than the other micro organisms. Further, the present investigation suggests that ZnO NPs has the potential applications for various medical and industrial fields., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has been achieved using environmentally acceptable plant extract. It is observed that Abutilon indicum leaf extract can reduce silver ions into silver nanoparticles within 15 min of reaction time. The formation and stability of the reduced silver nanoparticles in the colloidal solution were monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer analysis. The mean particle diameter of silver nanoparticles was calculated from the XRD pattern. FT-IR spectra of the leaf extract after the development of nanoparticles are determined to allow identification of possible functional groups responsible for the conversion of metal ions to metal nanoparticles. The AgNPs thus obtained showed highly potent antibacterial activity toward Gram-positive (Staphyloccocus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli) microorganisms., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Biomediated silver nanoparticles were synthesized with the aid of an eco-friendly biomaterial, namely, aqueous Tribulus terrestris extract. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a rapid, single step, and completely green biosynthetic method employing aqueous T. terrestris leaf extracts as both the reducing and capping agent. Silver ions were rapidly reduced by aqueous T. terrestris leaf extracts, leading to the formation of highly crystalline silver nanoparticles. An attempt has been made and formation of the silver nanoparticles was verified by surface plasmon spectra using an UV-vis (Ultra violet), spectrophotometer. Morphology and crystalline structure of the prepared silver nanoparticles were characterized by TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction), techniques, respectively. FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared), analysis suggests that the obtained silver nanoparticles might be stabilized through the interactions of carboxylic groups, carbonyl groups and the flavonoids present in the T. terrestris extract., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present work focuses the use of aqueous extract of Gloriosa superba Linn. (Glory Lily) for producing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate aqueous solution. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloid, amino acids, carbohydrates and proteins in the extract and they serve as effective reducing and capping agents for converting silver nitrate to silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterised by UV (Ultra violet), FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray), and PL (Photoluminescence) studies. Moreover, the catalytic activity of synthesized AgNPs in the reduction of methylene blue was studied by UV-vis spectrophotometer. The synthesized AgNPs are observed to have a good catalytic activity on the reduction of methylene blue by G. superba extract which is confirmed by the decrease in absorbance maximum values of methylene blue with respect to time using UV-vis spectrophotometer., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Permanganate and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) based dilute chemical formulations were evaluated for the dissolution of uranium dibutyl phosphate (U-DBP), a compound that deposits over the surfaces of nuclear reprocessing plants and waste storage tanks. A combination of an acidic, oxidizing treatment (nitric acid with permanganate) followed by reducing treatment (NTA based formulation) efficiently dissolved the U-DBP deposits. The dissolution isotherm of U-DBP in its as precipitated form followed a logarithmic fit. The same chemical treatment was also effective in dissolving U-DBP coated on the surface of 304-stainless steel, while resulting in minimal corrosion of the stainless steel substrate material. Investigation of uranium recovery from the resulting decontamination solutions by ion exchange with a bed of mixed anion and cation resins showed quantitative removal of uranium., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Separation and isolation of radioactive cobalt ((60)Co), one of the main contributors towards the activity build up in nuclear reactors, is essential for radioactive waste volume reduction during nuclear reactor decontamination procedures. In this context, sorption of free and complexed Co(II), Cu(II) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) on the biosorbent, chitosan was studied. A detailed investigation on the role of pH on sorption of Co(II), Cu(II) and NTA was done. Uptake capacities of the metal ions and NTA were measured within pH range of 2.0-7.0. At pH above 5, the NTA uptake capacities were found to be higher in presence of the metal ions than in their absence. Effect of NTA was found to be more pronounced on copper uptake than on cobalt uptake. Significant change in selectivity of chitosan towards metal ion uptake from NTA medium was observed with respect to change in pH. At pH 2.9, the uptake of cobalt was found to be more than that of copper, while the selectivity was reversed at pH 6.0. The respective selectivity coefficient (k(Co/Cu)) values were found to be 2.06 and 0.072., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)