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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]

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]