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Industrially contaminated sites with hazardous materials are a priority and urgent problem all over the world. Appropriate risk assessment is required to determine health risks associated with contaminated sites. The present study was conducted to investigate distribution of potentially hazardous, heavy metal (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations in surface and groundwater samples collected during summer (pre-monsoon) and winter (post-monsoon) seasons from an industrially contaminated site, Hyderabad, India, with potential source of metal contamination because of industrial effluents and usage of pesticides in agriculture. Heavy metal (HM) concentrations were analysed by using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer and were compared with permissible limits set by the World Health Organisation. Data obtained was treated using multivariate statistical approaches like R-mode factor analysis (FA), principal component analysis, cluster analysis, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor and the degree of contamination. Health risk assessment like chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) were also calculated. Relatively high levels were noted in surface water with average concentrations during summer and winter seasons showing 16.13 and 11.83 for As, 7.91 and 1.64 for Cd, 88.33 and 32.90 for Cr, 58.11 and 28.26 for Cu, 53.62 and 69.96 for Ni, 173.8 and 118.6 for Pb, and 2,943 and 1,889 μg/L for Zn. While in groundwater, the mean metal levels during two seasons were 18.18 and 3.76 for As, 1.67 and 0.40 for Cd, 29.40 and 5.15 for Cr, 17.03 and 4.19 for Cu, 25.4 and 6.09 for Ni, 81.7 and 2.87 for Pb and 953 and 989 μg/L for Zn, respectively. FA identified two factors with cumulative loadings of F1-60.82 % and F2-76.55 % for pre-monsoon surface water and F1-48.75 % and F2-67.55 % for groundwater. Whereas, three factors with cumulative loadings of F1-39.13 %, F2-66.60 % and F3-81.01 % for post-monsoon surface water and F1-50.31 %, F2-66.18 % and F3-81.54 % for groundwater. The health risk assessment like CDI and HQ indices with increased levels of hazardous elements in the surface and groundwater were safe for drinking purposes provided some water treatment methodologies are adopted.

The current research examines the possibility of using recirculation filters from aircraft to document the nature of air-quality incidents on aircraft. These filters are highly effective at collecting solid and liquid particulates. Identification of engine oil contaminants arriving through the bleed air system on the filter was chosen as the initial focus. A two-step study was undertaken. First, a compressor/bleed air simulator was developed to simulate an engine oil leak, and samples were analyzed with gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. These samples provided a concrete link between tricresyl phosphates and a homologous series of synthetic pentaerythritol esters from oil and contaminants found on the sample paper. The second step was to test 184 used aircraft filters with the same gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry system; of that total, 107 were standard filters, and 77 were nonstandard. Four of the standard filters had both markers for oil, with the homologous series synthetic pentaerythritol esters being the less common marker. It was also found that 90% of the filters had some detectable level of tricresyl phosphates. Of the 77 nonstandard filters, 30 had both markers for oil, a significantly higher percent than the standard filters.

Assessment of metal contamination and their distribution in different grain size fractions of the surface sediments of a lake in Kazipalli industrial development area has been investigated. Since the persistent toxic metals pose serious health risks, this research concentrated on investigating the concentrations and spatial distribution of metals in and around the Kazipalli Lake. Ten sampling points were selected and approximately 500 g of surface sediments were obtained from 1ft depth. Samples were sieved and four grain size fractions (>250, 110-250, 61-110, <61 μm) from each sample were selected for the analysis of metals. The average concentration of ten points for individual metals (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) revealed data ranging from 9.6 to 131.4 mg/kg for As, 3.0-20.8 mg/kg for Co, 15.3-196 mg/kg for Cr, 13-40 mg/kg for Cu, 18-74 mg/kg for Ni, 51-328 mg/kg for Pb and 27-335.1 mg/kg for Zn. Enrichment factor and correlation analysis were also applied to the data set. The overall results indicate that sediment grain size played important role in controlling the distribution of heavy metals in surficial sediments of Kazipalli Lake.

Polymer supported dichlorophosphate (PEG-OPOCl(2)) is an efficient green catalyst for the electrophilic substitution reaction of indole with aromatic aldehydes, in neat condition, to afford an excellent yield of bis(indolyl) methanes with short reaction time, at room temperature. The synthesized compounds and their anti-cancer activity are evaluated.

A series of α-hydroxyphosphonates were synthesized from the reaction of aldehyde (1) with triethylphosphite (2) in the presence of oxone and evaluated for their antioxidant properties against lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The majority of the compounds showed promising antioxidant activity. Diethyl anthracen-9-yl (hydroxy) methylphosphonate (3n) is the most potent and biologically active compound against free radicals., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Sensorial analysis of pineapple breads (conventionally baked, Cpb; fully baked frozen, Fpb and partially baked, Ppb) showed no significant differences in terms of aroma and taste. On the contrary, the scores for the overall quality between the partially baked and conventionally baked breads showed significant (p < 0.05) differences. At the same time, headspace analysis using a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method identified 59 volatile compounds. The results of the aroma extracts dilution analysis (AEDA) revealed 19 most odour-active compounds with FD factors in the range of 32-128 as the key odourants of the pineapple breads. Further analysis of the similarities and differences between the pineapple breads in terms of the key odourants were carried out by the application of PLS-DA and PLS-regression coefficients. Results showed that Ppb exhibited strong positive correlations with most of the volatile- and non-volatile compounds, while the Cpb showed significant positive correlations with hexanal and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, and the Fpb had strong positive correlations with lactic acid, benzoic acid, benzaldehyde and ethyl propanoate.

Pyrethroid insecticides have been used for disinsection of commercial aircrafts. However, little is known about the pyrethroids exposure of flight attendants. The objective of the study was to assess pyrethroids exposure of flight attendants working on commercial aircrafts through monitoring the urinary pyrethroids metabolite levels. Eighty four urine samples were collected from 28 flight attendants, 18-65 years of age, with seventeen working on planes that were non-disinsected, and eleven working on planes that had been disinsected. Five urinary metabolites of pyrethroids were measured using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method: 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), cis-/trans-3-(2,2-Dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclo-propane carboxylic acid (cis-/trans-Cl2CA), cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclo-propane-1-carboxylic acid (cis-Br2CA) and 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4F-3-PBA). Flight attendants working on disinsected planes had significantly higher urinary levels of 3-PBA, cis- and trans-Cl2CA in pre, post- and 24-h-post flight samples than those on planes which did not report having been disinsected. Urinary levels of cis-Br2CA and 4F-3-PBA did not show significant differences between the two groups. Flight attendants working on international flights connected to Australia had higher urinary levels of 3-PBA, cis- and trans-Cl2CA than those on either domestic and other international flights flying among Asia, Europe and North America. Post-disinsection duration (number of days from disinsection date to flight date) was the most significant factor affecting the urinary pyrethroid metabolites levels of 3-PBA, cis- and trans-Cl2CA of the group flying on disinsected aircraft. It was concluded that working on commercial aircraft disinsected by pyrethroids resulted in elevated body burdens of 3-PBA, cis- and trans-Cl2CA., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Synthesis of 1-substituted-1,3,2-diazaphosphole 1-oxides (3a-l) were accomplished via a two-step process. It involves the preparation of diazaphospholo 1-oxide monochloride intermediate (2) and its subsequent reaction with phenols/amino acid esters in dry THF in the presence of triethylamine at 40-45°C. The structures of newly synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral and elemental analysis. The title compounds were evaluated for their in-vitro antioxidant properties., (2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a serious medical emergency in the neonatal period which occurs because of failure of transition of the foetal circulation into the normal circulation. The condition is characterised by persistently elevated pulmonary vascular pressures and despite numerous modalities of treatment available, the condition carries with it a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Early awareness of predisposing conditions and early diagnosis leads to better outcomes in PPHN.

A wipe sampler for the collection of permethrin from soft and hard surfaces has been developed for use in aircraft. "Disinsection" or application of pesticides, predominantly pyrethrods, inside commercial aircraft is routinely required by some countries and is done on an as-needed basis by airlines resulting in potential pesticide dermal and inhalation exposures to the crew and passengers. A wipe method using filter paper and water was evaluated for both soft and hard aircraft surfaces. Permethrin was analyzed by GC/MS after its ultrasonication extraction from the sampling medium into hexane and volume reduction. Recoveries, based on spraying known levels of permethrin, were 80-100% from table trays, seat handles and rugs; and 40-50% from seat cushions. The wipe sampler is easy to use, requires minimum training, is compatible with the regulations on what can be brought through security for use on commercial aircraft, and readily adaptable for use in residential and other settings.

A protocol for establishing standard instrument conditions for measurement of product ion MS/MS spectra from parent ions produced by electron ionization is presented. Within this protocol, the ion at m/z 231 (C5F9 (+)) from perfluorokerosene or perfluorotributylamine is selected as the parent ion and subjected to collision-induced dissociation. The relative intensities of product ions at m/z 69, 131, and 181 are monitored as a function of collision energy while keeping the target gas pressure constant within the range of 10(-4)-10(-6) torr (measured), or a beam attenuation of approximately 30-70%. The collision energy at which the ion intensities for product ions at m/z 69 and 181 are equal is defined as the calibration point at that collision gas pressure; the intensity of the ion at m/z 131 is very close to this value as well. Electron ionization MS/MS spectra taken at the calibration point using two different multiquadrupole instruments show good reproducibility for several test compounds. The high degree of similarity may aid in the establishment of a MS/MS spectral library.

A new colorimetric method has been developed for estimating folic acid. The British Pharmacopoeial method has been modified to reduce folic acid to 2,4,5-triamino-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine (TAHP), which is treated with ninhydrin to yield a stable purple complex. Participation of 5-amino and 6-hydroxy groups of TAHP in the color reaction with ninhydrin is suggested on the basis of experimental evidence. The color obtained has an absorbance maximum at 555 nm and obeys Beer's law in the concentration range of 4.5 to 45 microng folic acid/ml. The method has been successfully used for assaying folic acid, its tablets, and injections.

The Adolescent Growth Spurt (AGS) was studied in rural Hyderabad boys of 5+ years of age with known childhood nutritional background. Longitudinal data on height measurements of pre-school children available for 13 to 16 points of follow-up, during an 18 year period of study (i.e., from 1965-66 to 1983-84) were utilized for this purpose. A Preece and Baines model 1 (PB 1) function was fitted for height measurements of 323 boys aged 19-24 years in 1984. The boys were classified into three groups according to degree of under-nutrition at the age of 5+ years, using Boston reference values for height. Boys with severe height deficit at age 5+ were considered to have had a background of severe undernutrition and were referred as Group III. Boys with normal range height measurements at age 5+ were considered to have a normal nutritional background and were referred to as Group I. Group II boys had height deficits in between the above two groups and were considered to have milk to moderate undernutrition backgrounds. Group I boys had similar timing, intensity, duration of Adolescent Growth Spurt Period (AGSP) and gained a similar amount of height during puberty as did British boys. Group III boys differed significantly from British boys for AGS. They entered late into puberty, with significantly depressed intensity, but gained a similar amount of height, as a result of prolonged AGSP, which continued till 19.2 years. Thus a childhood background of undernutrition did not lead to any additional deficit in height during puberty. However, pre-pubertal height deficits were carried into adult height. The growth curves of rural Hyderabad children were parallel to the British distance height curve after 12 years of age. The mean constant height velocity curve of group I boys was superimposable on the British curve during puberty.