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External carbon sources can enhance denitrification rates and thus improve nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants. When external carbon sources are added, no severe effect could be observed from an operational point of view. Denitrification is a process in which the oxidized nitrogen substances, i.e. nitrates and nitrites are reduced to nitrogen gas, such as N2O and N2, when a proton donor (energy source) is available. Nitrogen in groundwater results from human excreta, ground garbage and industrial effluents, particularly from food processing plants. The addition of external carbon source helps in increasing denitrification rates and enhances the nitrogen removal. In most biological denitrification systems, the nitrate polluted wastewater (e.g. domestic sewage) contains sufficient carbon source to provide the energy source for the conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas by the denitrifying bacteria. The groundwater, in which the nitrate contents may be as high as 100 mg/L with low dissolved carbon content, an additional proton acceptor is required. This project work discusses the successful implementation of methanol as carbon sources for Wastewater Treatment Facility utilizing upflow deep bed continuous filter. This work will describe the methodology employed to implement methanol carbon sources, the modifications required to utilize methanol carbon sources in deep bed filter technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increase in application of inorganic fertilizers in agriculture has detoriated the soil quality. Vermicompost as a soil conditioner has been emerging as a potential end use for maintaining soil productivity. The paper examines the effect of chemical fertilizer and vermicompost on the growth of Capsicum annum crop. Initially analysis of soil was done in order to know its composition and lacking nutrients. Urea as chemical fertilizer was applied for the comparative study with vermicompost. Fertilizer at the rate of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% concentration was applied in the plot. Plant height, leaf length, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content in leaves, fresh weight, dry weight etc. were measured. Significant increase in plant height, leaf length and fruit yield of pepper plants was observed in plots treated with vermicompost. Maximum leaf chlorophyll content, 2.9% was estimated from the vermicomposting plot of 20%. Effective results were obtained after application of organic fertilizer as compared to the chemical fertilizer. Hence, in some fields if organic fertilizer applied at appropriate dose, it shows the potential to act as growth promoter for particular crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effects of COVID-19 vaccines in women before or during pregnancy on SARS-CoV-2 infection-related, pregnancy, offspring and reactogenicity outcomes., Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis., Data Sources: Major databases between December 2019 and January 2023., Study Selection: Nine pairs of reviewers contributed to study selection. We included test-negative designs, comparative cohorts and randomised trials on effects of COVID-19 vaccines on infection-related and pregnancy outcomes. Non-comparative cohort studies reporting reactogenicity outcomes were also included., Quality Assessment, Data Extraction and Analysis: Two reviewers independently assessed study quality and extracted data. We undertook random-effects meta-analysis and reported findings as HRs, risk ratios (RRs), ORs or rates with 95% CIs., Results: Sixty-seven studies (1 813 947 women) were included. Overall, in test-negative design studies, pregnant women fully vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine had 61% reduced odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.75; 4 studies, 23 927 women; I 2 =87.2%) and 94% reduced odds of hospital admission (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.71; 2 studies, 868 women; I 2 =92%). In adjusted cohort studies, the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy was reduced by 12% (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.92; 2 studies; 115 085 women), while caesarean section was reduced by 9% (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.98; 6 studies; 30 192 women). We observed an 8% reduction in the risk of neonatal intensive care unit admission (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.97; 2 studies; 54 569 women) in babies born to vaccinated versus not vaccinated women. In general, vaccination during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy or perinatal outcomes. Pain at the injection site was the most common side effect reported (77%, 95% CI 52% to 94%; 11 studies; 27 195 women)., Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and related complications in pregnant women., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42020178076., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© World Health Organization 2024. Licensee BMJ.)

The socioeconomic impact of snakebites in India is largely attributed to a subset of snake species commonly known as the 'big four'. However, envenoming by a range of other clinically important yet neglected snakes, a.k.a. the 'neglected many', also adds to this burden. The current approach of treating bites from these snakes with the 'big four' polyvalent antivenom is ineffective. While the medical significance of various species of cobras, saw-scaled vipers, and kraits is well-established, the clinical impact of pit vipers from regions such as the Western Ghats, northeastern India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands remains poorly understood. Amongst the many species of snakes found in the Western Ghats, the hump-nosed ( Hypnale hypnale ), Malabar ( Craspedocephalus malabaricus ), and bamboo ( Craspedocephalus gramineus ) pit vipers can potentially inflict severe envenoming. To evaluate the severity of toxicity inflicted by these snakes, we characterised their venom composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities, and toxicity- and morbidity-inducing potentials, including their ability to damage kidneys. Our findings highlight the therapeutic inadequacies of the Indian and Sri Lankan polyvalent antivenoms in neutralising the local and systemic toxicity resulting from pit viper envenomings.

Among the medically most important snakes in the world, the species belonging to the genus Daboia have been attributed to the highest number of human envenomings, deaths and disabilities. Given their significant clinical relevance, the venoms of Russell's vipers ( D. russelii and D. siamensis ) have been the primary focus of research. In contrast, the composition, activity, ecology and evolution of venom of its congener, the Palestine viper ( D. palaestinae ), have remained largely understudied. Therefore, to unravel the factors responsible for the enhanced medical relevance of D. russelii in comparison to D. palaestinae , we comparatively evaluated their venom proteomes, biochemical activities, and mortality and morbidity inflicting potentials. Furthermore, the synthesis and regulation of venom in snakes have also remained underinvestigated, and the relative contribution of each venom gland remains unclear. We address this knowledge gap by sequencing the tissue transcriptomes of both venom glands of D. palaestinae , and comparatively evaluating their contribution to the secreted venom concoction. Our findings highlight the disparity in the venom composition, function and toxicities of the two Daboia species. We also show that toxin production is not partitioned between the two venom glands of D. palaestinae .

Snake envenoming afflicts the Indian subcontinent with the highest rates of mortality (47,000) and morbidity globally. The only effective treatment for snakebites is the administration of antivenom, which is produced by the hyperimmunisation of equines. Commercial Indian antivenoms, however, have been shown to exhibit a poor preclinical performance in neutralising venom, as a result of inter- and intrapopulation snake venom variation. Additionally, their poor dose effectiveness necessitates the administration of larger volumes of antivenom for treatment, leading to several harmful side effects in snakebite victims, including serum sickness and fatal anaphylaxis. In this study, we employed chromatographic purification to enhance the dose efficacy of commercial Indian antivenoms. The efficacy of this 'second-generation' antivenom was comparatively evaluated against six other marketed antivenoms using a number of in vitro and in vivo preclinical assays, which revealed its superior venom recognition capability. Enhanced purity also resulted in significant improvements in dose effectiveness, as the 'second-generation' antivenom exhibited a 3 to 4.5 times increased venom neutralisation potential. Furthermore, preclinical assays revealed the increased effectiveness of the 'second-generation' antivenom in countering morbid effects inflicted by the 'big four' Indian snakes. Thus, we demonstrate the role of simpler purification steps in significantly enhancing the effectiveness of snakebite therapy in regions that are most affected by snakebites.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an abode to a diversity of flora and fauna, including the many endemic species of snakes, such as the elusive Andaman cobra ( Naja sagittifera ). However, the ecology and evolution of venomous snakes inhabiting these islands have remained entirely uninvestigated. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the evolutionary history of N. sagittifera and its venom proteomic, biochemical and toxicity profile. Phylogenetic reconstructions confirmed the close relationship between N. sagittifera and the Southeast Asian monocellate cobra ( N. kaouthia ). Overlooking this evolutionary history, a polyvalent antivenom manufactured using the venom of the spectacled cobra ( N. naja ) from mainland India is used for treating N. sagittifera envenomations. Comparative evaluation of venoms of these congeners revealed significant differences in their composition, functions and potencies. Given the close phylogenetic relatedness between N. sagittifera and N. kaouthia , we further assessed the cross-neutralising efficacy of Thai monovalent N. kaouthia antivenom against N. sagittifera venoms. Our findings revealed the inadequate preclinical performance of the Indian polyvalent and Thai monovalent antivenoms in neutralising N. sagittifera venoms. Moreover, the poor efficacy of the polyvalent antivenom against N. naja venom from southern India further revealed the critical need to manufacture region-specific Indian antivenoms., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Attarde, Khochare, Iyer, Dam, Martin and Sunagar.)

Interpopulation venom variation has been widely documented in snakes across large geographical distances. This variability is known to markedly influence the effectiveness of snakebite therapy, as antivenoms manufactured against one population may not be effective against others. In contrast, the extent of intrapopulation venom variability, especially at finer geographical scales, remains largely uninvestigated. Moreover, given the historical focus on the 'big four' Indian snakes, our understanding of venom variation in medically important yet neglected snakes, such as the monocellate cobra (Naja kaouthia), remains unclear. To address this shortcoming, we investigated N. kaouthia venoms sampled across a small spatial scale (<50 km) in Eastern India. An interdisciplinary approach employed in this study unveiled considerable intrapopulation differences in the venom proteomic composition, pharmacological and biochemical activities, and toxicity profiles. Documentation of stark differences in venoms at such a finer geographical scale, despite the influence of similar ecological and environmental conditions, is intriguing. Furthermore, evaluation of in vitro and in vivo venom recognition and neutralisation potential of Indian polyvalent 'big four' antivenoms and Thai monovalent N. kaouthia antivenom revealed concerning deficiencies. These results highlight the negative impact of phylogenetic divergence and intrapopulation snake venom variation on the effectiveness of conventional antivenom therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: In contrast to our understanding of snake venom variation across large distances, which is theorised to be shaped by disparities in ecology and environment, intrapopulation variation at finer geographic scales remains scarcely investigated. Assessment of intrapopulation venom variability in Naja kaouthia at a small spatial scale (<50 km) in Eastern India unravelled considerable differences in venom compositions, activities and potencies. While the influence of subtle differences in prey preference and local adaptations cannot be ruled out, these findings, perhaps, also emphasise the role of accelerated molecular evolutionary regimes that rapidly introduce variations in evolutionarily younger lineages, such as advanced snakes. The inability of 'big four' Indian antivenoms and Thai N. kaouthia monovalent antivenom in countering these variations highlights the importance of phylogenetic considerations for the development of efficacious snakebite therapy. Thus, we provide valuable insights into the venoms of one of the most medically important yet neglected Indian snakes., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Snakebite in India results in over 58,000 fatalities and a vast number of morbidities annually. The majority of these clinically severe envenomings are attributed to Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), which has a near pan-India distribution. Unfortunately, despite its medical significance, the influence of biogeography on the composition and potency of venom from disparate D. russelii populations, and the repercussions of venom variation on the neutralisation efficacy of marketed Indian antivenoms, remain elusive., Methods: Here, we employ an integrative approach comprising proteomic characterisation, biochemical analyses, pharmacological assessment, and venom toxicity profiling to elucidate the influence of varying ecology and environment on the pan-Indian populations of D. russelii. We then conducted in vitro venom recognition experiments and in vivo neutralisation assays to evaluate the efficacy of the commercial Indian antivenoms against the geographically disparate D. russelii populations., Findings: We reveal significant intraspecific variation in the composition, biochemical and pharmacological activities and potencies of D. russelii venoms sourced from five distinct biogeographic zones across India. Contrary to our understanding of the consequences of venom variation on the effectiveness of snakebite therapy, commercial antivenom exhibited surprisingly similar neutralisation potencies against the majority of the investigated populations, with the exception of low preclinical efficacy against the semi-arid population from northern India. However, the ability of Indian antivenoms to counter the severe morbid effects of Daboia envenoming remains to be evaluated., Conclusion: The concerning lack of antivenom efficacy against the north Indian population of D. russelii, as well as against two other 'big four' snake species in nearby locations, underscores the pressing need to develop pan-India effective antivenoms with improved efficacy in high snakebite burden locales., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: Snake venom composition is dictated by various ecological and environmental factors, and can exhibit dramatic variation across geographically disparate populations of the same species. This molecular diversity can undermine the efficacy of snakebite treatments, as antivenoms produced against venom from one population may fail to neutralise others. India is the world's snakebite hotspot, with 58,000 fatalities and 140,000 morbidities occurring annually. Spectacled cobra (Naja naja) and Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) are known to cause the majority of these envenomations, in part due to their near country-wide distributions. However, the impact of differing ecologies and environment on their venom compositions has not been comprehensively studied., Methods: Here, we used a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of venom proteomics, biochemical and pharmacological analyses, and in vivo research to comparatively analyse N. naja venoms across a broad region (>6000 km; seven populations) covering India's six distinct biogeographical zones., Findings: By generating the most comprehensive pan-Indian proteomic and toxicity profiles to date, we unveil considerable differences in the composition, pharmacological effects and potencies of geographically-distinct venoms from this species and, through the use of immunological assays and preclinical experiments, demonstrate alarming repercussions on antivenom therapy. We find that commercially-available antivenom fails to effectively neutralise envenomations by the pan-Indian populations of N. naja, including a complete lack of neutralisation against the desert Naja population., Conclusion: Our findings highlight the significant influence of ecology and environment on snake venom composition and potency, and stress the pressing need to innovate pan-India effective antivenoms to safeguard the lives, limbs and livelihoods of the country's 200,000 annual snakebite victims., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The Common Krait ( Bungarus caeruleus ) shares a distribution range with many other 'phenotypically-similar' kraits across the Indian subcontinent. Despite several reports of fatal envenomings by other Bungarus species, commercial Indian antivenoms are only manufactured against B. caeruleus . It is, therefore, imperative to understand the distribution of genetically distinct lineages of kraits, the compositional differences in their venoms, and the consequent impact of venom variation on the (pre)clinical effectiveness of antivenom therapy. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted phylogenetic and comparative venomics investigations of kraits in Southern and Western India. Phylogenetic reconstructions using mitochondrial markers revealed a new species of krait, Romulus' krait ( Bungarus romulusi sp. nov.), in Southern India. Additionally, we found that kraits with 17 mid-body dorsal scale rows in Western India do not represent a subspecies of the Sind Krait ( B. sindanus walli ) as previously believed, but are genetically very similar to B. sindanus in Pakistan. Furthermore, venom proteomics and comparative transcriptomics revealed completely contrasting venom profiles. While the venom gland transcriptomes of all three species were highly similar, venom proteomes and toxicity profiles differed significantly, suggesting the prominent role of post-genomic regulatory mechanisms in shaping the venoms of these cryptic kraits. In vitro venom recognition and in vivo neutralisation experiments revealed a strong negative impact of venom variability on the preclinical performance of commercial antivenoms. While the venom of B. caeruleus was neutralised as per the manufacturer's claim, performance against the venoms of B. sindanus and B. romulusi was poor, highlighting the need for regionally-effective antivenoms in India.

In the present research article we explore the synthesis method and adsorption capability of ZnFe oxides nanocomposites by using Pb as dopant. A conventional and simple batch adsorption method is selected and optimized. Pb@ZnFe 2 O 4 NCs were fabricated by facile method i.e. co-precipitation method and characterized by FESEM, XRD, IR, EDX. The removal of dye has monitored by UV method. An outstanding result is obtained as adsorption efficiency of 1042 mg g -1 shows more significant performance than currently available bench-mark adsorbents. The optimized parameters pH 7.1, Adsorbent Mass: 50 mg, Initial Dye Concentration: 150 mg/l and Agitation Time: 90 min results in 96.49 % removal of CR (Congo red) dye. A CCD (central composite design) is applied to evaluate the role of adsorption variables. Based on its excellent performance, cost effectiveness, facile fabrication and large surface area, the Pb@ZnFe 2 O 4 has considerable potential for the manufacture of cost effective and efficient adsorbents for environmental applications., (© 2019 The Author(s).)

A dipodal ligand 2,2'-((ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(ethane-1,1-diyl))diphenol was synthesized through a condensation reaction and was characterized with IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The receptor 2 has shown marked enhancement in fluorescence intensity (emission signal at 341 nm) on binding with Zn(2+) as compared to other surveyed metal ions. The sensor has shown dramatic changes in dual channel fluorescence emission with λmax at 300 and 341 nm. The successive addition of Zn(2+) to the solution of the sensor led to a blue shift of the peak maxima and interestingly upon addition of higher equivalents of Zn(2+) quenched the fluorescence intensity of the sensor, and ultimately the original fluorescent profile of sensor was restored. The structures of 2 and 3 were optimized with B3LYP/LanL2DZ basis sets. The receptor 2 successfully detect the Zn(2+) ion in HeLa cells cultured in Zn(2+) enriched medium.

A malonohydrazide derivative bearing an imine and phenolic group was synthesized and had a high affinity and selectivity towards Zn(2+). The recognition properties of receptor 1 were evaluated using absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. The 1:1 stoichiometry of 1.Zn(2+) was confirmed from job's plot, mass spectra and density functional theory (DFT). The detection of Zn(2+) in intracellular environment of HeLa cell through confocal microscopy was successfully applied for live cell imaging., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new non-natural receptor 2,2'-[benzene-1,2-diylbis(iminomethanediyl)]diphenol (4) was synthesized, and it is fluorogenic behaviour toward various metal ions were investigated. Receptor 4 exhibited pronounced fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Zn(2+), which can visually be discernible by an orchid fluorescence in compared to other metal ions. The receptor 4 shows high sensitivity and selectivity for Zn(2+) through changes in the fluorescence intensity based on chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). The binding modes of the complexes were investigated by Job's plot and density functional theory (DFT)., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The noncyclic 2,2'-[ethane-1,2-diylbis (iminomethanediyl)]diphenol (4) fluorescent receptor bearing two amine and hydroxyl groups have been designed and investigated for their binding properties towards various cations. The fluorescent spectral measurements revealed that receptor 4 is a selective fluorescent sensor for Fe(3+) ions but not for metal ions such as Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+) and Bi(3+). The binding ability was confirmed with spectroscopic methods and density functional theory calculation (DFT). This straightforward and cost effective receptor provides rapid detection of Fe(3+) ions at concentrations as low as 2.5 μM and expected to be useful to design efficient chemically and biological sensor.

A novel cell-permeable urea-linked dipodal naphthalene-based fluorescent receptor 1 (1,1'-(1,5,5-trimethyl-3-oxocyclohexane-1,2-diyl)bis(3-(naphthalen-2-yl)urea) was designed and synthesized. The cation recognition ability of 1 was evaluated with a library of metal ions in DMSO/H₂O (9:1, v/v). The receptor showed a selective chromogenic and fluorescent turn-off response towards Hg(2+) among the surveyed metal ions. The developed sensor was successfully applied to image intracellular Hg(2+) in living cells and also for the determination of Hg(2+) content in real water samples. Moreover, the DFT calculations were performed to complement the experimental evidences., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A dipodal fluorescent receptor, 2,2'-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(iminoethane-1,1-diyl)]diphenol (), with amine and hydroxyl moieties as binding sites has been synthesised and characterized with spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray techniques. The recognition of the anions with receptor was studied using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The (1)H-NMR spectroscopic and DFT studies revealed the distinct recognition of I(-) ions over the other surveyed anions.

Urea based fluorescent chemosensor 1 was synthesized. Receptor 1 shows unique selectivity for the Fe(3+)ion and no such significant response was noticed with other metal ions (Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+) and Bi(3+)) in DMSO/H2O (50:50,v/v) semi-aqueous solution. The binding features have been established by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The binding constant (K) values obtained from Benesi-Hildebrand, Scatchard and Connor plot for receptor 1 is (8.3 ± 0.3) × 10(3) M(-1) and has good detection limit 0.7 μM. The stoichiometry of 1.Fe(3+) complex was confirmed by mass spectroscopy and Job's plot.

A new fluorescent receptor 1,1'-(4-methylbenzene-1,3-diyl)bis[3-(2-sulfanylphenyl)urea] (1) has been designed and synthesized. The receptor showed excellent selectivity for Fe(3+) in DMSO/H2O (8:2, v/v) solvent system over other commonly coexistent metal ions. The binding constant (Ka) of receptor with Fe(3+) was calculated to be 11,250 M(-1), 12,970 M(-1) and 12,970 M(-1) using Benesi-Hildebrand, Scatchard and Connor plot, respectively. The experimental results have been further supported by the detailed DFT calculations., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A new chromogenic dipodal Zn2+ complex (4) bearing an amide group has been synthesized. The anion binding profile of this sensor was investigated with fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The receptor 4 has high affinity for HSO4 − with a binding constant of 3.5 × 104 M−1 and a detection limit of 50 nM. The binding ability was confirmed with spectroscopic methods and density functional theory calculation (DFT).