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Microplastics, which have a diameter of less than 5 mm, are becoming an increasingly prevalent contaminant in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to the dramatic increase in plastic production to 390.7 million tonnes in 2021. Among all the plastics produced since 1950, nearly 80% ended up in the environment or landfills and eventually reached the oceans. Currently, 82–358 trillion plastic particles, equivalent to 1.1–4.9 million tonnes by weight, are floating on the ocean's surface. The interactions between microorganisms and microplastics have led to the transportation of other associated pollutants to higher trophic levels of the food chain, where microplastics eventually reach plants, animals, and top predators. This review paper focuses on the interactions and origins of microplastics in diverse environmental compartments that involve terrestrial and aquatic food chains. The present review study also critically discusses the toxicity potential of microplastics in the food chain. This systematic review critically identified 206 publications from 2010 to 2022, specifically reported on microplastic transport and ecotoxicological impact in aquatic and terrestrial food chains. Based on the ScienceDirect database, the total number of studies with “microplastic” as the keyword in their title increased from 75 to 4813 between 2010 and 2022. Furthermore, various contaminants are discussed, including how microplastics act as a vector to reach organisms after ingestion. This review paper would provide useful perspectives in comprehending the possible effects of microplastics and associated contaminants from primary producers to the highest trophic level (i.e. human health). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated levels of primordial radionuclides (238U/232Th- decay series and 40K) are the foremost source of higher background radiations. Natural radioactive elements may prove precariously radioactive in some situations. So, it is essential to quantify the natural levels of radioactivity in the soil to figure out how much the population is exposed to, what the health risks are, and have a starting point for figuring out how radioactivity in the environment will change due to human activities. In this study natural radioactivity in the soil of different residential areas of Fatehabad and Hisar districts in Haryana, India has been quantified. HPGe gamma spectrometry has been used to quantify the activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the soil of the area under investigation. The respective activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranged 32 to 53 Bq kg-1, 23 to 41 Bq kg-1, and 402 to 610 Bq kg-1. The activity equivalent to radium only (Raeq), the air absorbed dose rate (AAD), the effective dose equivalent rate(AEDEC), the gonadal dose equivalent rate (AGDE), the external risk index, the internal risk index, the index for gamma level, cancer risk for an average lifetime, etc. were calculated and compared with the international standards. Each sample of soil had lesser radium equivalent activities than the permissible limit, i.e., 370 Bq kg-1 primarily set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the effective dose equivalent was below the safe limit of 1.0 mSv y-1. Organ-specific dose values are pretty considerable but not in the danger zone. The Clark value refuses the probability of finding any uranium ore. This study indicates that the area being studied is a place with low background radiation exposure from radionuclides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of carbon-based nanomaterials for the detection and remediation of hazardous pollutants. Carbon materials, such as fullerenes, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, have been found to be highly effective at removing pollutants from the environment. The special issue of Environmental Science and Pollution Research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of carbon-based materials in pollutant sequestration and water treatment. Various studies are highlighted, including the use of carbon nanotubes as adsorption materials, the development of biosensors for pollutant detection, and the synthesis of composite materials for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. The article concludes by acknowledging the contributions of the authors and reviewers and emphasizes the importance of carbon-based materials in catalysis, energy generation, and environmental research. [Extracted from the article]

Melatonin, a hormone known for its role in regulating sleep–wake cycles in mammals, has been found to have diverse functions in horticultural plants. In recent years, research has revealed the involvement of melatonin in various physiological processes in plants, like regulation of growth and development, stress tolerance, and antioxidant defense. Melatonin can augment seed germination, roots, shoot growth, and biomass accumulation in horticultural crops. It also performs a vital role in regulating vegetative and reproductive growth stages, floral transition, and leaf senescence. Melatonin improves stress tolerance in crops by regulating root architecture, nutrient uptake, and ion transport. Additionally, melatonin works like a broad-spectrum antioxidant by scavenging reactive oxygen species and enhancing antioxidant activity. The mechanism of action of melatonin in horticultural plants involves gene expressions, hormone signaling pathways, and antioxidant defense pathways. Melatonin also interacts with other plant growth regulators (PGRs), comprising auxins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid to coordinate various physiological processes in plants. Melatonin has evolved as a versatile chemical entity with diverse functions in horticultural plants, and its potential applications in crop production and stress management are increasingly being explored. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the present state of knowledge about melatonin and its role in horticulturally important plants and identify avenues for further research and practical applications. Further study must be conducted to fully elucidate the mechanisms of melatonin action in crops and to outline effective strategies for its practical use in horticultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the coming decades, the pressure to use saline water will increase as most of the natural resources with good water quality are being depleted. In order to avoid more stress on the soil plant system, a better understanding of the type of amendments and their integration with the irrigational water quality of any location-specific region is essential. Utilizing salt-affected lands in the best way possible will facilitate food security for the growing human population. An experiment was conducted with the Abelmoschus esculentus L. plant, irrigated with saline water having different NaCl gradients (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM), to evaluate the biochemical and physiological responses under different salinity gradients. Additionally, the effect of compost and vermicompost amendments in soil on plant responses to the changing salinity of irrigated water was observed. The results suggested that the addition of compost and vermicompost in soil not only suppressed the adverse impact of salinity in plants but also increased soil nutrients (TKN, OC, avail. P, avail. K and avail. Ca contents). Moreover, some biochemical parameters and plant growth parameters showed better traits in such manure-amended setups. The enhancement of proline, phenol, ascorbic acid and lipid peroxidation contents in the leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus L. under high salinity levels suggests some secondary metabolite-mediated response possibly due to stress caused by soil salt accumulations. In summary, crop production could be efficiently maintained in saline water-irrigated areas after amending the soils with appropriate organic manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton boll activated carbon (CBAC) was employed for Swiss blue (SB) decolorization from simulated wastewater. Adsorption data conformed better with Langmuir adsorption isotherm with highest adsorption capability of 52.631 mg g−1. Swiss blue adsorption onto CBAC was thermodynamically spontaneous and can be ascribed to follow the pseudo second order (PSO) kinetic model. An experimental matrix based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to design the batch experiments for investigating the adsorption of SB onto CBAC considering four operating factors, viz. initial pH (2–12), contact time (15–150 min), SB concentration (125–375 mg L–1) and CBAC dose (0.2–1 g/100 mL). RSM-BBD worked successfully to model the process, optimize the factors, and predict SB removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), in particular preterm neonates, are at high risk to develop healthcare associated infections. The present study was conducted to assess risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (ICU). Materials & Methods:52 neonate patients of both genders were randomly divided into 2 groups of 26 each. Group I comprised of cases diagnosed with CLABSI, and group II were controls were those neonates with a CVC during the same period but who did not develop a CLABSI. Parameters such as complications during procedure; catheter handling, number of CVC manipulations, blood transfusions through the CVC etc. were recorded Results: The mean gestational age (weeks) was 36.2 and 37.1, birth weight was 2346.4 and 2289.4, age at NICU admission (days) was 7 and 5, age at CVC installation (days) was 18 and 9 and weight at CVC installation (grams) was 2354.6 and 2412.4 in group I and II respectively. The mean length of hospitalization (=14 days) was 15 in group I and 10 in group II, postmenstrual age (< 32 weeks) 7 in group I and 2 in group II, double lumen CVC seen 12 in group I and 18 in group II, complications during installation was seen 7 in group I and 4 in group II and blood transfusions 20 in group I and 11 in group II. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Common risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection in neonates was length of hospitalization (=14 days), postmenstrual age (< 32 weeks), double lumen CVC, complications during installation and blood transfusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Acute gastroenteritis or diarrheal disease is still one of the leading causes of death in developing countries. The present study was conducted to assess cases of acute gastroenteritis in children. Materials & Methods:40 Pediatric patients of acute gastroenteritis of both genders were included and duration of illness, signs, and symptoms at admission, clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded. Results: Out of 40 patients, males were 22 and females were 18. Dysentery was seen 10 died and 6 survived, 12 lethargy cases of died and 4 of survived, poor oral intake in 15 died and 12 survived children. Signs of tachycardia was seen in 9 and 2, hypotension in 10 and 5 and pallor in 12 and 7 died and survived children. The mean blood glucose (mg/dl) was 96 and 98, blood urea was 59 and 63, creatinine (mg/dl) was 0.7 and 0.9, albumin (g/dl) was 2.5 and 3.2. Inotropes in first 24 hours was needed in 14 and 20, ventilation in the first 24 hours seen in 13 and 17, RC transfusion in the first 24 hours in 15 and 11 and duration of PICU stay in days was seen in 4 and 5 in died and survived children respectively. The difference was nonsignificant (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Severe acute malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia were associated with increased risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study rice grain, rice husk, and arable soil samples collected from Panipat district, Haryana, India were analyzed for Cd, Pb, Cr, Fe, Zn, Co, Cu, and Ni content using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals in rice husk was found to be more than rice grains. Soil pH and Total organic carbon significantly influenced the uptake of metals by the rice plants. Chronic daily dose (CDD) of Fe, Pb, and Cu marginally exceeded the permissible dose at 30–50% locations. Further, it is recommended that such studies should be conducted periodically to avoid health risks to the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a statistical experimental strategy was used to optimize the Cd(II) adsorption by chemically treated stems of Helianthus annuus (sunflower). The maximum cadmium adsorption was found at 100 mg/L when a dose of 2000 mg/100 ml was applied at pH 6.0. The highest percentage removal obtained using the model was 100%. The F value (17.28), lack-of-fit value (0.09) and coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.939) established the appropriateness of quadratic model. The results of confirmation experiment, i.e. 99.8% removal of Cd(II) by prepared adsorbent under optimized conditions agreed well with the model predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses a fresh pool of research findings reported on the multiple roles played by metal-based, magnetic, graphene-type, chitosan-derived, and sonicated nanoparticles in the treatment of pharmaceutical- and agrochemical-contaminated waters. Some main points from this review are as follows: (i) there is an extensive number of nanoparticles with diverse physicochemical and morphological properties which have been synthesized and then assessed in their respective roles in the degradation and mineralization of many pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, (ii) the exceptional removal efficiencies of graphene-based nanomaterials for different pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals molecules support arguably well a high potential of these nanomaterials for futuristic applications in remediating water pollution issues, (iii) the need for specific surface modifications and functionalization of parent nanostructures and the design of economically feasible production methods of such tunable nanomaterials tend to hinder their widespread applicability at this stage, (iv) supplementary research is also required to comprehensively elucidate the life cycle ecotoxicity characteristics and behaviors of each type of engineered nanostructures seeded for remediation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals in real contaminated media, and last but not the least, (v) real wastewaters are extremely complex in composition due to the mix of inorganic and organic species in different concentrations, and the presence of such mixed species have different radical scavenging effects on the sonocatalytic degradation and mineralization of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Moreover, the formulation of viable full-scale implementation strategies and reactor configurations which can use multifunctional nanostructures for the effective remediation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals remains a major area of further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of recalcitrant dyes into the biosphere is a threat because of pollution and environmental health issues. Adsorption using commercial activated carbon has been effective in industrial dye-loaded effluent remediation to some acceptable extent. However, commercial activated carbon suffers from limitations related to cost, relatively lower adsorption capacity, fewer microporous and mesoporous networks in comparison with other competing adsorbents, and reduced adsorption efficiency after regeneration. Here we review the recent developments in applying microwave irradiation, ultrasonication, ionic liquids and nanoscience for the preparation, activation, and physical, chemical and biological functionalization of novel and more potent adsorbents such as metal, mineral, carbon and polymer-based nanoparticles for dye removal. We observed that microwave and ultrasound irradiation and the use of ionic liquids are highly beneficial for the preparation of adsorbent materials; those adsorbents display enhanced porous structures and morphologies that account for much larger surface areas for faster adsorption interactions. Graphene-based, magnetic, cellulose-based and nanocomposite adsorbents are more selective and thermally more stable, faster in dye adsorption kinetics, have higher adsorption capacities for many dyes and can be regenerated for reuse without significant decrease in adsorption capacity. The scales of fabrication of green adsorbents do not go beyond the kilogram scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]