Sustainable use of plastic-derived nanocarbons as a promising larvicidal and growth inhibitor agent towards control of mosquitoes.

Nanoscale carbon was obtained from six widely used plastics (PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP and PP) via thermal degradation (600 °C) under inert atmosphere. The thermally degraded products were processed through bath sonication followed by lyophilisation and the same was characterized through proximate analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Transmission electron micrograph (TEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A series of aqueous solution of nanoscale carbon (5-30 mg/L) were prepared and same were used as both mosquito growth inhibitor and larvicidal agent against 3rd and 4th instar larvae of Culex pipiens.

Antibacterial, antibiofilm and larvicidal activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from spider silk protein.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has gained attention due to its simple process of synthesis and varied applications. Scientists have tried its synthesis from a wide range of materials, but there is lack of reports that can use the metabolites of insects. Here in this study, we have used the spider silk protein which is considered as complete waste collected from household and field sources and processed to synthesize silver nanoparticles which were subsequently analyzed using different analytical tools like SEM, TEM, FTIR, and XRD.

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles alleviate arsenic toxicity, reduce oxidative stress and arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) have been attracted by the scientific community for their combating action against heavy metal stress in plants. However, their role towards the mitigation of arsenic (As) induced toxicity is still obscure. In the present study, MgO NPs were synthesized through the green route and assessed their efficacy towards the reduction of As accumulation and phytotoxicity in As-stressed rice cultivar MTU-1010 under laboratory conditions.

Giant cells: multiple cells unite to survive.

Multinucleated Giant Cells (MGCs) are specialized cells that develop from the fusion of multiple cells, and their presence is commonly observed in human cells during various infections. However, MGC formation is not restricted to infections alone but can also occur through different mechanisms, such as endoreplication and abortive cell cycle. These processes lead to the formation of polyploid cells, eventually resulting in the formation of MGCs.

Characterization and active component identification of Premna herbacea roxb. root extract reveals anti-inflammatory effect and amelioration of imiquimod induced psoriasis via modulation of macrophage inflammatory response.

Background: 1-2.88% of human populations are affected by psoriasis, one type of chronic inflammatory skin disease. Skin thickenings, erythema, scaling in skin are the most important symptoms of psoriasis.

Groundwater vulnerability assessment of elevated arsenic in Gangetic plain of West Bengal, India; Using primary information, lithological transport, state-of-the-art approaches.

Deterioration of groundwater quality is a long-term incident which leads unending vulnerability of groundwater. The present work was carried out in Murshidabad District, West Bengal, India to assess groundwater vulnerability due to elevated arsenic (As) and other heavy metal contamination in this area. The geographic distribution of arsenic and other heavy metals including physicochemical parameters of groundwater (in both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season) and different physical factors were performed.

Biomass using tribal women exhibited respiratory symptoms, hypertensive risks and abnormal pulmonary function.

In rural areas of developing countries, solid fuels are still widely used for cooking, heating, and lighting purposes. This study investigates the effects of household air pollutants (HAPs) exposure on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, blood pressure, and lung function. In this study, we randomly selected 123 (83 biomass and 40 clean fuel user) subjects to assess the impact of smoke generated from solid biomass fuel by assessing their health status along with the ventilation pattern of the kitchens and living rooms.

Synthesis, characterization and optimization of chicken bile-mediated silver nanoparticles: a mechanistic insight into antibacterial and antibiofilm activity.

The fast-growing urbanization and slow progress in the field of waste management have led to the accumulation of large quantities of animal wastes. The present work focused on the synthesis of low-cost and eco-friendly chicken bile juice-mediated silver nanoparticles (BJ-AgNP). Results reveal that bile juices have enough potentiality towards the synthesis of almost uniform sizes (average size < 50 nm) of BJ-AgNPs which remains stable for more than 6 months.

Effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic on germination, biochemistry and phytotoxicity of Cicer arietinum L. and cytotoxicity study on Allium cepa L.

Accumulation of plastic materials in terrestrial systems threatens to contaminate food chains. The aim of the current study is to determine the impact of microplastics synthesized from PET plastics (control, 50, 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg/L) with respect to morphological, biochemical impact on Cicer arietinum using standardized 72 h assay and cytotoxicity study on Allium cepa root tips. The synthesized microplastics were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies.

Bio-fabricated silver nanoparticles for controlling dengue and filaria vectors and their characterization, as well as toxicological risk assessment in aquatic mesocosms.

The present study is focused on synthesis of silver nanoparticles from weeds and an assessment of their mosquito larvicidal efficacy. This study also presented the toxicological effects as well as the stability of these nanoparticles in aquatic mesocosms. The weed Digiteria sanguinallis was first time used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Impact of two commercially available hair dyes on germination, morpho-physiology, and biochemistry of Cicer arietinum L. and cytotoxicity study on Allium cepa L. root tip.

Contamination of agricultural land and surface water by personal care products and pharmaceutical constituents is a potential environmental threat. The active ingredients of personal care products are life-threatening for users. Present work highlighted the efficacy of the different components of two commercially available hair dyes (synthetic and herbal) on germination, morpho-physiological, biochemical parameters of Cicer arietinum, and cytotoxicity study by Allium cepa root tip.

Assessment of household air pollution exposure of tribal women.

There is a growing evidence that the burning of unprocessed biomass fuels is associated with adverse health impacts. This study estimated the gaseous pollutants (CO, CO, O SO, and NO) and particulate matters (PM and PM) during the burning of biomass and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuels and their impacts on the health of tribal women. The results revealed that the tribal women mainly used six types of unprocessed biomass fuels (dry leaves, cow dung cake, dry woods, twigs, rice straw, and agricultural residues) along with five types of traditional earthen stoves.

Fabrication of biochar-based hybrid Ag nanocomposite from algal biomass waste for toxic dye-laden wastewater treatment.

Dual functional innovative approaches were developed to tackle the algal scum problem in water by utilizing the algal (Spirogyra sp.) biomass waste for organic dye-laden industrial wastewater treatment, a global problem, and challenge. Therefore, an algal biochar-based nanocomposite (nAgBC) was synthesized and employed as a low-cost adsorbent for Congo red (CR) removal.

Prevalence of Arsenic in chicken feed and its contamination pattern in different parts of chicken flesh: a market basket study.

Organoarsenic compounds are widely used in chicken feed for control of coccidial parasite, quick weight gain, and for imparting attractive color to the chicken flesh. A study was conducted to assess the level of arsenic in both chicken feed and flesh. Chicken feed was collected from 10 farm houses and total arsenic was estimated.

Genotoxicity study of nano AlO, TiO and ZnO along with UV-B exposure: An Allium cepa root tip assay.

The present effort aims to investigate the cytotoxic and genotoxic impact of three widely used nanoparticles (ZnO, TiO and AlO) on root cells of Allium cepa as a test organism. The root tip of Allium cepa were treated with three different concentrations (0.1 10 and 100 mg/L) of the above-mentioned NPs and the observations were recorded after proper growth of root under both nanoparticle solutions and UV-B exposure in combined conditions and separately.

Cytogenetic effects of silver and gold nanoparticles on roots.

The present study evaluates the cytogenetic effects of both silver and gold nanoparticles on the root cells of . In this study, the root cells of were treated with both gold and silver nanoparticles of different concentrations (1 mg/L, 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L) along with control for 72 h. Experimental results revealed that after 72 h of exposure, a significant decrease in mitotic index (MI) from 68% (control) to 52.

Hypertensive and toxicological health risk among women exposed to biomass smoke: A rural Indian scenario.

This study shows that exposure to air pollutants from indoor cooking fuel combustion may be associated with elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Heart rate and Body mass index (BMI) in rural women of India. 60 premenopausal women (using solely agriculture residues, wood, dung, straw, leaf) and 30 women (solely using clean fuel, LPG) were recruited for this study. An ethically approved questionnaire was used in the study and health parameters were measured by standard instruments.

Effect of fluoride on photosynthesis, growth and accumulation of four widely cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties in India.

Long-term use of fluoride contaminated groundwater to irrigate crops; especially paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) has resulted in elevated soil fluoride levels in Eastern India. There is, therefore, growing concern regarding accumulation of fluoride in rice grown on these soils.

Optimization of Cr(VI) biosorption onto using 3-level Box-Behnken design: Equilibrium, kinetic, thermodynamic and regeneration studies.

Heavy metal biosorption is an efficient technology for the decontamination of metal from industrial waste water. The present study focused on exploration of towards removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The influence of different experimental parameters-initial pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, contact time, shaking speed, temperature, and their combined effect during Cr(VI) adsorption-was investigated by means of response surface methodology based on four factorial Box-Behnken experimental design.

Isolation and characterization of arsenic-resistant bacteria and possible application in bioremediation.

Ground water arsenic contamination is a widespread problem in many developing countries including Bangladesh and India. In recent years development of modern innovative technologies for the removal of arsenic from aqueous system has become an interesting topic for research. In this present study, two rod shaped Gram-positive bacteria are being reported, isolated from arsenic affected ground water of Purbasthali block of Burdwan, West Bengal, India, which can tolerate arsenate concentration up to 4500 ppm and 550 ppm of arsenite concentration.

Mosquito larvicidal activity of cadmium nanoparticles synthesized from petal extracts of marigold ( sp.) and rose ( sp.) flower.

Mosquitoes are blood-thirsty insects and serve as the most important vectors for spreading most notorious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and filariasis. The extensive use of synthetic mosquito repellent has resulted in resistance in mosquitoes. Therefore, the development of a reliable, eco-friendly processes for the synthesis of nano dimensional materials is an utmost important aspect of nanotechnology.

Dental fluorosis and urinary fluoride concentration as a reflection of fluoride exposure and its impact on IQ level and BMI of children of Laxmisagar, Simlapal Block of Bankura District, W.B., India.

There has been growing public concern about intellectual performance of children at high levels of fluoride exposure. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Simlapal Block of Bankura District, West Bengal, to find out the relationship between fluoride (F) exposure as exposure dose (ED) with dental fluorosis (DF), urinary fluoride concentration (UF), intelligence quotient (IQ) and body mass index (BMI). Fifty groundwater samples were collected from the target area.

Effect of mercury on seedling growth, nodulation and ultrastructural deformation of Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek.

Heavy metals are major environmental pollutant when they present in high concentration in soil and have toxic effects on growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of legumes and development of plants. Mercury stress triggers disturbances in cellular structure, and metabolismn is poorly understood. The response of seedling growth and nodulation of Vigna radiata (L) Wilczek to different concentrations (0.

Characterization of fluoride-tolerant halophilic Bacillus flexus NM25 (HQ875778) isolated from fluoride-affected soil in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India.

A new Gram-positive, nonpigmented, rod-shaped fluoride-tolerant bacterial strain, NM25, was isolated from waterlogged muddy field soil collected from the fluoride endemic area of Rampurhat II block (average fluoride in water, 4.7 mg/l, and in soil, 1.5 mg/kg) in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India.