• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.40-53
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• 2021

The level of soil organic carbon (SOC) fluctuates in different types of forest stands: this variation can be attributed to differences in tree species, and the variables associated with soil, climate, and topographical features. The present review evaluates the level of SOC in different types of forest stands to determine the factors responsible for the observed variation. Mixed stands have the highest amount of SOC, while coniferous (both deciduous-coniferous and evergreen-coniferous) stands have greater SOC concentrations than deciduous (broadleaved) and evergreen (broadleaved) tree stands. There was a significant negative correlation between SOC and mean annual temperature (MAT) and sand composition, in all types of forest stands. In contrast, the silt fraction has a positive correlation with SOC, in all types of tree stands. Variation in SOC under different types of forest stands in different landscapes can be due to differences in MAT, and the sand and silt fraction of soil apart from the type of forests.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 2014

Small sized manganese dioxide particles are immobilized onto the surface of sand by the wet impregnation process. The surface morphology of the solid, i.e., immobilized manganese dioxide natural sand (IMNS) is performed by taking scanning electron microscope images and characterized by the X-ray diffraction data. The specific surface area of the solid is obtained, which shows a significant increase in the specific surface area obtained by the immobilization of manganese dioxide. The $pH_{PZC}$ (point of zero charge) is found to be 6.28. Further, the IMNS is assessed in the removal of As(III) and As(V) pollutants from aqueous solutions under the batch and column operations. Batch reactor experiments are conducted for various physicochemical parametric studies, viz. the effect of sorptive pH (pH 2.0-10.0), concentration (1.0-25.0 mg/L), and background electrolyte concentrations (0.0001-0.1 mol/L $NaNO_3$). Further, column experiments are conducted to obtain the efficiency of IMNS under dynamic conditions. The breakthrough data obtained by the column experiments are employed in non-linear fitting to the Thomas equation, so as to estimate the loading capacity of the column for As(III) and As(V).

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.203-210
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• 2016

Hybrid materials were obtained modifying the bentonite (BC) and local clay (LC) using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) or the clay were pillared with aluminum followed by modification with HDTMA. The materials were characterized by the SEM, FT-IR and XRD analytical tools. The batch reactor data implied that the uptake of $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) by the hybrid materials showed very high uptake at the neutral pH region. However, at higher and lower pH conditions, slightly less uptake of E2 was occurred. The uptake of E2 was insignificantly affected changing the sorptive concentration from 1.0 to 10.0 mg/L and the background electrolyte (NaCl) concentrations from 0.0001 to 0.1 mol/L. Moreover, the sorption of E2 by these hybrid materials was fairly efficient since within 30 mins of contact time, an apparent equilibrium between solid and solution was achieved, and the data was best fitted to the PSO (pseudo-second order) and FL-PSO (Fractal-like-pseudo second order) kinetic models compared to the PFO (pseudo-first order) model. The fixed-bed column results showed that relatively high breakthrough volume was obtained for the attenuation of E2 using these hybrid materials, and the loading capacity of E2 was estimated to be 75.984, 63.757, 58.965 and 49.746 mg/g for the solids BCH, BCAH, LCH and LCAH, respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4057-4062
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• 2012

Objective: To study the level of awareness and knowledge about cancers and associated risk factors among households in selected states of India. Methods: In the study 3070 households were interviewed from six states viz, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mizoram. Results: Knowledge of cancers other than those related to tobacco was very low (prostate 8%, colon 11% ) among the communities, with a poor awareness of warning signs and symptoms. The knowledge varied from state to state. It is found that the major source of information related to cancers was television (38%) followed by friends and relatives (36%). Only about 15 % of respondents had knowledge about cancer awareness camps organized in their districts but they did not have knowledge about the organizers of the camp. Findings suggested a strong need for strengthening of DCCP. Conclusion: It is important to create awareness among community through educational programs on cancer prevention, preventable cancer risk factors, benefits of early diagnosis, and availability of screening facilities. Integration of District Cancer Control activities with NRHM could be the most cost-effective strategy to prevent cancers and rural population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5049-5054
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• 2013

Background: To assess the treatment pattern and expenditure incurred by cancer patients undergoing treatment at government tertiary hospitals in India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 508 cancer patients randomly selected from tertiary cancer hospitals funded by central/state governments located in major cities of five states in India, namely Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram, during March - May 2011 was conducted. Information related to direct costs, indirect costs and opportunity costs incurred on investigations and treatment, major source of payment and difficulties faced by patients during the course of treatment was collected. Results: About 45% of the patients used private health facilities as the first point of contact for cancer related diseases as against 32% in public hospitals. About 47% sought private health facilities for cancer investigations, 21% at district/sub-district hospitals, and about 4% contacted primary health care facilities. A majority of the patients (76%) faced financial problems while undergoing treatment. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of involving the primary health care system in the cancer prevention activities.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2022

Objectives: The quorum-sensing-inhibitory and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extract of E. globulus leaves were determined against clinically isolated multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: The preliminary anti-quorum-sensing (AQS) activity of eucalyptus was investigated against a biosensor strain Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 (CV12472) by using the agar well diffusion method. The effect of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of the methanol extract of eucalyptus on different quorum-sensing-regulated virulence factors, such as swarming motility, pyocyanin pigment, exopolysaccharide (EPS), and biofilm formation, against clinical isolates (CIs 2, 3, and 4) and reference PA01 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were determined using the swarm diameter (mm)-measurement method, chloroform extraction method, phenol (5%)-sulphuric acid (concentrated) method, and the microtiter plate assay respectively, and the inhibition (%) in formation were calculated. Results: The preliminary AQS activity (violacein pigment inhibition) of eucalyptus was confirmed against Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 (CV12472). The eucalyptus extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition (%) of swarming motility, pyocyanin pigment, EPS, and biofilm formation in different CIs and PA01 of P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: Our results revealed the effectiveness of the E. globulus extract for the regulation of quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors and biofilm formation at a reduced dose (sub-MICs) and suggest that E. globulus may be a therapeutic agent for curing and controlling bacterial infection and thereby reducing the possibility of resistance development in pathogenic strains.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fruit juices on Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens involved in Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among tribal women in the district Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods: Fresh juices of lemon (Citrus limon), amla/Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), pineapple (Ananas comosus), mosambi/sweet lime (Citrus limetta), orange (Citrus sinensis), kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), and pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens involved in UITs and STIs among tribal women. Physico-chemical analysis of fresh fruits was also carried out by measuring the pH, moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate, and ascorbic acid content. Results: Lemon and amla juice showed better antibacterial activity against the pathogens as compared to other juices. MIC results fruit juices against UTIs and STIs pathogens vary depending on the specific pathogen and juice chemical constituents. The physico-chemical analysis showed that the moisture content was highest in mosambi (90%), followed by orange (87%). Ascorbic acid content was found highest in amla (540 mg/100 g), followed by kiwi (90.3 mg/100 g). Pomegranate showed highest concentration of carbohydrate (15.28 g/100 g), fat (1.28 g/100 g), and protein (1.65 g/100 g). Lemon juice had lowest pH of 2.20, followed by amla 2.67. Conclusion: The lemon juice showed highest antibacterial activity against MDR bacterial pathogens involved in UTIs and STIs among tribal women in district Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The low pH of lemon may be responsible for its high antibacterial activity as compared to other juices.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2023

Arsenic is a highly toxic element, and its contamination is widespread around the world. The natural materials with high selectivity and efficiency toward pollutants are important in wastewater treatment technology. In this study, the mesoporous synthetic hectorite was synthesized by facile hydrothermal crystallization of gels comprising silica, magnesium hydroxide, and lithium fluoride. Additionally, the naturally available clay was modified using zirconium at room temperature. Both synthetic and modified natural clays were employed in the removal of arsenate from aquatic environments. The materials were fully characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) analyses. The synthesized materials were used to remove arsenic (V) under varied physicochemical conditions. Both materials, i.e., Zr-bentonite and Zr-hectorite, showed high percentage removal of arsenic (V) at lower pH, and the efficiency decreased in an alkaline medium. The equilibrium-state sorption data agrees well with the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, and the maximum sorption capacity is found to be 4.608 and 2.207 mg/g for Zr-bentonite and Zr-hectorite, respectively. The kinetic data fits well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Furthermore, the effect of the background electrolytes study indicated that arsenic (V) is specifically sorbed at the surface of these two nanocomposites. This study demonstrated that zirconium intercalated synthetic hectorite as well as zirconium modified natural clays are effective and efficient materials for the selective removal of arsenic (V) from aqueous medium.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

In this study, Fe(VI) was employed as a multi-functional agent to treat the simulated industrial wastewater contaminated with Cu(II)-EDTA through oxidation of EDTA, decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA and subsequent removal of free copper through precipitation. The decomplexation of $10^{-4}\;M$ Cu(II)-EDTA species was performed as a function of pH at excess concentration of Fe(VI). It was noted that the acidic conditions favor the decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA as the decomplxation was almost 100% up to pH 6.5, while it was only 35% at pH 9.9. The enhanced degradation of Cu(II)-EDTA with decreasing the pH could be explained by the different speciation of Fe(VI). $HFeO_4^-$ and $H_2FeO_4$, which are relatively more reactive than the unprotonated species $FeO_4^{2-}$, are predominant species below neutral pH. It was noted that the decomplexation reaction is extremely fast and within 5 to10 min of contact, 100% of Cu(II)-EDTA was decomplexed at pH 4.0. However, at higher pH (i.e., pH 10.0) the decomplexation process was relatively slow and it was observed that even after 180 min of contact, maximum ca 37% of Cu(II)-EDTA was decomplexed. In order to discuss the kinetics of the decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA, the data was slightly fitted better for the second order rate reaction than the first order rate reaction in the excess of Fe(VI) concentration. On the other hand, the removal efficiency of free Cu(II) ions was also obtained at pH 4.0 and 10.0. It was probably removed through adsorption/coagulation with the reduced iron i.e., Fe(III). The removal of total Cu(II) was rapid at pH 4.0 whereas, it was slow at pH 10.0. Although the decomplexation was 100% at lower pH, the removal of free Cu(II) was relatively slow. This result may be explicable due to the reason that at lower pH values the adsorption/coagulation capacity of Fe(III) is greatly retarded. On the other hand, at higher pH values the decomplexation of Cu(II)-EDTA was partial, hence, slower Cu(II) removal was occurred.