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Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gears, also known as ghost gears (GG), are major contributors to global marine and freshwater plastic pollution. GG can lead to the accidental entanglement of several threatened freshwater and marine species, especially the air-breathing aquatic vertebrates, which is a matter of global concern. There is a lack of know-how and mechanisms for collecting and recycling GG, leading to their constant accumulation in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we have examined the mortalities of threatened aquatic species in fishing nets and have proposed an incentive-based standard operating procedure (SOP) for effective collection and disposal of GG based on field observations and extant national and international policies and made recommendations for a net buyback scheme as a possible downstream solution to reduce GG in the Ganga River Basin. It is proposed that the collection of GG can be done by the local level institutions of fishing community through the fair-price shops. The nets are then to be deposited at the block-level processing centres to be transported to the district-level consolidating centres. Recycling partners identified by the Government of India will then collect the nets directly from district centres for further upcycling and recycling. A multi-level, multi-stakeholder approach with strong upstream and downstream linkages backed with appropriate policy interventions is needed to tackle the ghost gear issue in the Ganga River basin.

Abstract Escalation of human–wildlife conflict (HWC) is a barrier to the conservation of ecological corridors across the globe. The existing mechanisms to counter HWC are either economically and socially taxing, or ineffective for long-term management. We assessed HWC in the corridor linking the Rajaji and Corbett Tiger Reserves in Uttarakhand, India, and its drivers, along with the benefits derived by local communities from the forest. We designed an innovative incentive-based mitigation mechanism to encourage coexistence of people and wildlife around the corridor. Costs incurred due to conflict and benefits derived from the forest were assessed using semi-structured questionnaire-based personal interviews (n = 757) with representatives from forest dependent households (hh). Fuelwood (1678.7 ± 131 kg hh−1 year−1), fodder (4772 ± 186 kg hh−1 year−1) and green/dry grass (3359 ± 104 kg hh−1 year−1) contributed 3 ± 1%, 6 ± 0.5% and 9 ± 1%, respectively, to the annual income of dependent households. 69% of the households practising agriculture reported crop damage by wild animals, 19% of the households that owned livestock reported livestock loss, and 1.58% reported attack on humans resulting in injuries. The cost incurred due to crop raiding and livestock depredation was US $ 159.83 ± 1.0 hh−1 year−1 and US $ 229.32 ± 34.0 hh−1 year−1, respectively. Crop loss was positively associated with the number of crops grown per season and cultivation of sugarcane, wheat and pulses, and negatively with distance from forest and cultivation of fodder and finger millet. Livestock depredation was negatively associated with distance from forest and positively with number of livestock owned, primarily calves. The accounting profit from cultivating a hectare of land, in the absence of crop depredation by wild animals, was estimated at US $ 3571.84 ha−1 year−1 and US $ 361.44 ha−1 year−1 for the plains and hills, respectively. This value can be used to calculate the payments to be paid to local communities to encourage them to adopt HWC resistant agricultural and pastoralism practices. The net present value of benefits from participating in the payments to encourage coexistence programme for 5 years, discounted at 12%, was US $ 12,875.7 ha−1 for the plains and US $ 1302.9 ha−1 for the hills.

Insulinoma is a rare, mostly benign and solitary neuroendocrine tumour of the β-cells of islets of langerhans of pancreas. Clinically it presents with a classical ‘Whipple Triad’ encompassing symptomatic hypoglycemia, fasting hypoglycemia (

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19) pandemic that has engulfed the world has put an immense strain on the existing healthcare systems. The rapid, insidious and often dramatic deterioration of the respiratory function of an infected patient, has led to an increased need for effective and rapid airway control. However, such airway control techniques put the healthcare workers to an increased risk of exposure to the virus. Therefore, interventions aimed at minimising such risks, while preventing the complications inherent to securing an airway are imperative to the management of a COVID-19 patient in acute respiratory failure (ARF). Personal protective equipment (PPE) is sine qua non to keep the intubator safe, however some barrier equipment’s have been employed with limited success. There are varied schools of thought on whether to intubate early or late, and the use of non-invasive methods for management of respiratory failure, however, most consensus statements reinforce the need for rapid sequence induction (RSI), which provides ideal intubating environment for an experienced intubator. Techniques, which decrease the number of required personnel as well as time, to secure the airway and increase the distance of the intubating physician from the patient, are recommended. Routine use of, videolaryngoscope, if available, is recommended. While intubation with an endotracheal tube is the gold standard airway technique, second generation supraglottic airway devices (SAD) are increasingly being recommended, particularly in cases of failure to intubate or in an unanticipated difficult airway. Awake intubation techniques are contraindicated due to increased risk of cough and subsequent aerosolization; however, few modifications were innovated when if it all required. In this review, we summarise the existing data with respect to the modifications and guidelines in severe COVID-19 patients who requires endotracheal intubation for invasive mechanical ventilatory support.

Objective: To compare the effect of transverses abdominis plane block verses local infiltration of wound with Bupivacaine to assess frequency of analgesic requirement for pain relieve during 15 hours after appendisectomy. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Peshawar, from Apr 2016 to Oct 2016. Results: Both the groups were comparable with to assess frequency of analgesic for pain relieve after TAP Block Vs local infiltration with bupivacaine. In group A the frequency of analgesic requirement was less as compared to group B (p

OBJECTIVE: To determine the advantages of conscious sedation in spinal anesthesia by comparing Propofol with Midazolam. METHODS: The study was carried out on 60 patients undergoing various elective surgical procedures under spinal anesthesia. The patients were divided into three groups each containing 20 patients. Group A (n=20) received initial bolus of 30 mg of Propofol intravenously (IV) followed by 10 mg top ups on as-required basis. Group B (n=20) received initial bolus of 2 mg of Midazolam followed by 1 mg increments to maintain the conscious sedation. Group C (n=20) did not receive any conscious sedation (Control). The patients were interviewed through a structured questionnaire before anesthesia and 24 hours after the surgical proce­dure. Demographic variables were scored using descriptive statistics and results were analyzed using correlation methods. RESULTS: It was revealed that in patients who were given conscious sedation, 17 patients (85%) from Midazolam group as compared to 12 patients (60%) from Propofol group were not willing to have remained wide awake during the procedure. Similarly 15 patients (75%) from Midazolam group as compared to 10 patients (50%) from Propofol group were very much comfortable being asleep during the procedure. Ten patients (50%) from the group who were not given conscious sedation remained apprehensive and uncomfortable and they very much desired to be sedated during the procedure. CONCLUSION: Conscious sedation was very effective in spinal anes­thesia in alleviating preoperative anxiety and apprehension. Midazolam proved to be a better agent than Propofol for the purpose. KEY WORDS: Conscious sedation (MeSH), Spinal anesthesia (MeSH), Propofol (MeSH), Midazolam (MeSH).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects on hemodynamic stability,block level,patient’s comfort,nausea and vomiting using 0.5% and 0.75% hyperbaric bupivacaine in lower segment caesarean section. METHODS: A total of 100 patients, having American Society of Anesthesiology status I/II, aged 20 to 40 years, scheduled for elective lower segment caesarean section were selected through consecutive non-probability sampling technique. Patients were randomly allocated by lottery method to either the group I (n=50) to whom 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was given or group II (n=50) to which 0.75% hyperbaricbupivacaine was administered. Hemodynamic parameters were noted 03 minutes apart for first 30 minutes. Block level was confirmed to cold using ethyl chloride spray. Pain, uneasiness, nausea and vomiting were also noted. Student t-test and Chi square tests were applied where appropriate. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of age, weight, height and duration of surgery. There was no significant difference between heart rate, fall in blood pressure in both the groups. Block level at T4 level was observed in 78% & 50% in group I & II respectively and at T6 level in 22% & 50% in group I & II respectively (p

Background: To find out the effectiveness of ketorolac administered at the end of surgery in reducing pain scores and the length of stay in the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) for the patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Methods: This interventional study, a double blind randomized control trial was conducted at POF Hospital, Wah Cantt, over a three year period starting 2004. One hundred adult patients, planned for major surgery fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomized by simple random numbers table into two groups by codes. At the end of procedure, 30mg ketorolac (an NSAID) was given intravenously to every member of ketorolac group and 10 ml normal saline I/V (placebo) was given to every member in control group. All the patients were shifted to PACU. The doctor in charge PACU had to decide the length of stay based on two parameters; 1) Pain score on the basis of visual analogue score (VAS) and 2) Salim ABC score for recovery room stay. Results: The initial mean post operative scores in the PACU were lower for ketorolac group, 3.6 on Visual analogue score(VAS) with a standard deviation (S.D.) of +/-0.9, and for control group the respective mean postoperative pain score was 5.4 with the S.D. of +/-1.3. This difference was of statistical significance with a p value of less than 0.05. The mean length of stay in PACU for ketorolac group was 97 minutes with an S.D. of +/-30 minutes, while the corresponding mean and S.D. for the control group were 134 minutes and +/-35 minutes respectively which also depicted a difference of statistical significance with a p value of less than 0.05. Conclusion: Ketorolac administered I/V at the end of surgery effectively controls the immediate post operative pain and reduces the length of stay in PACU.

Microalgae is considered as sustainable and viable feedstock for biofuel production due to its significant advantages over terrestrial plants. Algal biofuels have received significant attention among researchers and energy experts owing to an upsurge in global energy issues emanating from depletion in fossil fuel reserves increasing greenhouse gases emission conflict among agricultural crops, traditional biomass feedstock, and potential futuristic energy security. Further, the exploration of value-added microalgae as sustainable and viable feedstock for the production of variety of biofuels such as biogas, bio-hydrogen, bioethanol, and biodiesel are addressed. Moreover, the assessment of life-cycle, energy balance, and environmental impacts of biofuel production from microalgae are briefly discussed. The present study focused on recent advancements in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering tools, algal bio refinery, and the optimization of algae growth conditions. This paper also elucidates the function of microalgae as bio refineries, the conditions of algae-based cultures, and other operational factors that must be adjusted to produce biofuels that are price-competitive with fossil fuels., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

α-amylases are vital biocatalysts that constitute a billion-dollar industry with a substantial and enduring global demand. Amylases hydrolyze the α-1,4-glycosidic linkages in starch polymers to generate maltose and malto-oligosaccharides subunits. Amylases are key enzymes that have promising applications in various industrial processes ranging from pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, textile food industries to bioremediation and biofuel sectors. Microbial enzymes have been widely used in industrial applications owing to their ease of availability, cost-effectiveness and better stability at extreme temperatures and pH. α-amylases derived from distinct microbial origins exhibit diverse characteristics, which make them suitable for specific applications. The routine application of immobilized enzymes has become a standard practice in the production of numerous industrial products across the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries. This review details the structural makeup of microbial α-amylase to understand its thermodynamic characteristics, aiming to identify key areas that could be targeted for improving the thermostability, pH tolerance and catalytic activity of α-amylase through various immobilization techniques or specific enzyme engineering methods. Additionally, the review briefly explores the enzyme production strategies, potential sources of α-amylases, and use of cost-effective and sustainable raw materials for enzyme production to obtain α-amylases with unconventional applications in various industrial sectors. Major hurdles, challenges and future prospects involving microbial α-amylases has been briefly discussed by considering its diverse applications in industrial bioprocessing., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no financial or non-financial competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Petrochemical-based synthetic plastics poses a threat to humans, wildlife, marine life and the environment. Given the magnitude of eventual depletion of petrochemical sources and global environmental pollution caused by the manufacturing of synthetic plastics such as polyethylene (PET) and polypropylene (PP), it is essential to develop and adopt biopolymers as an environment friendly and cost-effective alternative to synthetic plastics. Research into bioplastics has been gaining traction as a way to create a more sustainable and eco-friendlier environment with a reduced environmental impact. Biodegradable bioplastics can have the same characteristics as traditional plastics while also offering additional benefits due to their low carbon footprint. Therefore, using organic waste from biological origin for bioplastic production not only reduces our reliance on edible feedstock but can also effectively assist with solid waste management. This review aims at providing an in-depth overview on recent developments in bioplastic-producing microorganisms, production procedures from various organic wastes using either pure or mixed microbial cultures (MMCs), microalgae, and chemical extraction methods. Low production yield and production costs are still the major bottlenecks to their deployment at industrial and commercial scale. However, their production and commercialization pose a significant challenge despite such potential. The major constraints are their production in small quantity, poor mechanical strength, lack of facilities and costly feed for industrial-scale production. This review further explores several methods for producing bioplastics with the aim of encouraging researchers and investors to explore ways to utilize these renewable resources in order to commercialize degradable bioplastics. Challenges, future prospects and Life cycle assessment of bioplastics are also highlighted. Utilizing a variety of bioplastics obtained from renewable and cost-effective sources (e.g., organic waste, agro-industrial waste, or microalgae) and determining the pertinent end-of-life option (e.g., composting or anaerobic digestion) may lead towards the right direction that assures the sustainable production of bioplastics., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lipase is an important commercial enzyme with unique and versatile biotechnological applications. This study was conducted to biosynthesize and characterizes alkaliphilic lipase by Exiguobacterium sp. strain AMBL-20 T isolated from the glacial water samples of the northeastern (Gilgit-Baltistan) region of Pakistan. The isolated bacterium was identified as Exiguobaterium sp. strain AMBL-20 T on the basis of morphological, biochemical, and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences with GenBank accession number MW229267. The bacterial strain was further screened for its lipolytic activity, biosynthesis, and characterization by different parameters with the aim of maximizing lipase activity. Results showed that 2% Olive oil, 0.2% peptone at 25 °C, pH 8, and 24 h of incubation time found optimal for maximum lipase production. The lipase enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and its activity was standardized at pH 8 under 30 °C temperature. The enzyme showed functional stability over a range of temperature and pH. Hence, extracellular alkaliphilic lipase from Exiguobacterium sp. is a potential candidate with extraordinary industrial applications, particularly in bio-detergent formulations.