Photodegradation of Carbol Fuchsin Dye Using an Fe2−xCuxZr2−xWxO7 Photocatalyst under Visible-Light Irradiation

Fe2−xCuxZr2−xWxO7 (x: 0, 0.05, 0.015) nanoparticles were synthesized following the Pechini method and characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) measurements to be used as photocatalysts in colored water remediation. All of the prepared materials were crystallized in a cubic fluorite phase as the major phase. The band gap was reduced upon doping with W6+ and Cu2+ from 1.96 eV to 1.47 eV for Fe1.85Cu0.15Zr1.85W0.15O7. Carbol fuchsin (CF) dye was used to determine the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the prepared catalysts. Degradation efficiency was directly proportional to the dopant’s concentration. Complete removal of 20 mg/L CF was achieved under optimal conditions (pH 9, and catalyst loading of 1.5 g/L) using Fe1.85Cu0.15Zr1.85W0.15O7. The degradation rate followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The reusability for photocatalysts was tested five times, decreasing its efficiency by 4% after the fifth cycle, which indicates that the prepared Fe1.85Cu0.15Zr1.85W0.15O7 photocatalyst is a promising novel photocatalyst due to its superior efficiency in dye photodegradation.

Correlation between age, testosterone and adiponectin concentrations, and sperm abnormalities in Simmental bulls

Background and Aim: Capacity for sperm production is affected by age, which is related to the morphology of sperm abnormalities and can affect fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age and concentrations of testosterone and adiponectin with sperm abnormalities in Simmental bulls. Materials and Methods: The study used 11 bulls, separated into three groups. The first group consisted of five bulls aged 4-5 years, and the second and third groups each consisted of three bulls, aged 6-7 and 8-10 years, respectively. The average sperm motility of the animals ranged from 57.66±2.60% to 70.17±0.22%. Blood samples were obtained from the coccygeal region of the animals. Testosterone and adiponectin analysis was performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Sperm morphology was evaluated using carbol fuchsin-eosin staining according to the Williams method. Finally, correlations between testosterone and adiponectin concentrations, age, and sperm abnormalities were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: The findings revealed a significant correlation (p<0.01) between the concentrations of testosterone and adiponectin (–0.538), age (–0.588), and abnormal sperm morphology (–0.912). Moreover, they revealed that the concentration of testosterone in the bulls aged 8-10 years was lower, at 21.89±4.56 ng/mL, compared to that in the bulls aged 4-5 years, at 36.15±1.29 ng/mL, and 6-7 years, at 35.16±5.39 ng/mL. The findings also revealed a positive correlation between adiponectin concentration and age (0.529) and sperm abnormalities (0.506). The increase in testosterone concentration was inversely related to the adiponectin concentration (–0.538). Moreover, the mean amount of abnormal sperm increased with increasing age: 3.82±0.33% in the group aged 4-5 years, and 4.40±0.72% and 10.20±1.97% in the groups aged 6-7 years and 8-10 years, respectively. Conclusion: The study data indicate that there is a decrease in testosterone concentration, a high adiponectin concentration, and an increase in abnormal sperm with increasing age in bulls.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY OF PAPANICOLAOU AND ACETO-ORCEIN STAINS IN DEMONSTRATING BARR BODIES IN BUCCAL MUCOSAL SMEARS

Introduction: Establishing one’s sexual identity has a critical role in medical conditions like ambiguous genitalia and in crime investigations. There are various investigations to determine the sexual identity of a person and Barr body evaluation in buccal smears forms the first line of investigation. Barr body estimation in buccal mucosal scrapes has been demonstrated by using different stains like Papanicolaou, Aceto-Orcein(AO), Feulgen, Guard, Cresyl violet, Carbol fuchsin and fluorescent staining methods, but with varying efficacy. The current study is done to evaluate the efficacy of Papanicolaou and AO stains in demonstration of Barr bodies. Materials and Methods: A total of 207 medical students were included in the study. Two buccal smears were collected from each student and subsequently, one was stained with Aceto-Orcein by squash technique and the other with Papanicolaou stain. Both slides were evaluated for percentage of Barr bodies using 1000x magnification and cytomorphological features in 400x. Results: The percentage of Barr bodies in AO stained slides ranged from 5-18 among females and 0-8 in males, while with Papanicolaou stain the ranges recorded were 4 – 12 in females, 0 – 2 in males. The accuracy of AO and Papanicolaou stains for detecting sex accurately were 97% and 91% respectively. Evaluation of the buccal smears was better in AO stained smears because of the clean background and better cytoplasmic and nuclear contrast in comparison to PAP stain. Conclusion: Aceto-Orcein staining method is rapid, economical, accurate, reproducible and comparable to Papanicolaou staining, for the detection of Barr body in buccal mucosal smears. Keywords: Aceto-Orcein, Papanicolaou, Buccal smears, Barr body.

PEMANFAATAN SARI UBI JALAR UNGU (Ipomoea batatas poiret) SEBAGAI ZAT PEWARNA PADA PEWARNAAN GRAM TERHADAP BAKTERI Staphylococcus aureus DAN Escherichia coli

Ubi jalar ungu (Ipomoea batatas poiret) telah menyebar hampir di seluruh Indonesia dan menunjukkan adanya kandungan senyawa antosianin yang dapat mewarnai bakteri dan pada saat ini, penggunaan zat warna juga dilakukan pada bidang bidang laboratorium mikrobiologi cenderung harganya mahal dan sulitnya mendapatkan pewarna yang digunakan untuk praktikum di laboratorium mikrobiologi Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui apakah sari ubi jalar ungu dapat dijadikan sebagai zat warna pada pewarnaan Gram terhadapa bakteri Staphylococcus aureus dan Escherichia coli. Penelitian dilaksanakan menggunakan metode eksperimental laboratory secara in vitro. Hasil penelitian didapatkan bakteri bentuk coccus pada bakteri Staphylococcus aureus dengan warna violet kemerahan pada pewarnaan gram dari kelompok eksperimen yang menggunakan larutan sari ubi jalar sebagai pengganti larutan Gentian Violet dan kelompok kontrol yang menggunakan Larutan Gentian violet. Dan pada bakteri bentuk basil pada Escherichia coli dengan warna merah pada pewarnaan gram dari kelompok eksperimen yang menggunakan larutan sari ubi jalar ungu sebagai pengganti larutan carbol fuchsin. ini membuktikan bahwa air perasan ubi jalar ungu dapat dijadikan sebagai zat warna pada pewarnaan Gram terhadapa bakteri Staphylococcus aureus dan Escherichia coli

Making cotton face masks extra-protective by use of impervious cloth as the front layer to restrict flow of aerosols and droplets

Introduction: One of the important measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 in community is use of face mask. Though the debate is going on regarding the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 it makes reasonable point for universal use of face masks. A large variety of face masks are available in the market or people can make their own using household items. The efficacy of masks depends upon the type of cloth and number of layers of the cloth. Material and methods: We have created an innovative mask with two layers of cotton and an impervious layer. The impervious layer made from polypropylene coated with polyurethane was applied on the outer side in the middle half of the mask in front of mouth and nose. The efficacy of this test mask was measured against N95FFR (reference standard), triple layer surgical masks and single layer cotton mask. A manikin was used wearing these masks/respirator and aerosols/droplets of diluted red colored carbol fuchsin and fluorescent Auramine O were sprayed from distance of 1m and 2m. We also tested use of face shield. Both macroscopic and microscopic examination of the dissected masks and respirator was performed. Results: The N95FFR was able to block the aerosols/droplets by its front layer. One triple layer surgical mask showed microscopic presence of stain in its innermost layer while the other blocked it with middle layer. The single layer cotton mask was not able to protect as we observed stain on the face itself. The test mask blocked most of the stain on impervious layer and also on the front cotton layer on lateral sides, where impervious layer was absent. When fluorescent stain was used, ultraviolet examination demonstrated that the whole area covered by test mask was clean while the other non covered area was fluorescent. Conclusion: We believe that our innovation can be used in the community as well as in general areas of the hospital like, offices, labs, etc. and can be a better alternative to single use triple layer surgical masks. Further testing may be done by other organizations to rule out bias in our study.

Biogenic synthesis of copper nanoparticles from rose (Rosa indica L.) and their applications in photocatalytic degradation of Malachite Green and Carbol Fuchsin dyes

Background: In the recent years, the green synthesis of nanoparticles has taken a lead role over the conventional chemical and physical approach due to its non-toxic, cost effective parameters and has found its place in various applications. Objectives: The major objectives of this study was to synthesise and characterize the copper nanoparticles using the rose extract at different set of conditions and analyse these nanoparticles as a source of dye degradation agent under sunlight conditions. Methods: Present study was conducted with the aim to synthesis the copper nanoparticle using the rose petal extract. The components present the in the extract act as the reduction and stabilization agents for the synthesis of CuNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-VIS, FTIR, XRD and SEM analysis. Photocatalytic degradation of two dyes (Malachite Green and Carbol fuchsin) was analysed using double beam spectroscopic analysis Results: UV-Vis analysis indicated the presence of a peak at around 630 nm. The FT-IR analysis indicated the involvement of various biomolecules during the synthesis of nanoparticles. The structure and the conformation was elucidated using XRD and SEM showed the agglomerated form of the synthesized nanoparticles with the size range of about 60-90 nm. The synthesised copper nanoparticles was used for degradation of malachite green and carbol fuchsin dye using photocatalytic under sunlight irradiation. UV-Vis spectral analysis indicated that synthesised copper nanoparticle act more effective in degradation of malachite green (around 95%) whereas carbol fuchsin showed a maximum degradation by 52% therefore suggesting that CuNPs act as an efficient photo catalyst in dye degradation. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study indicates that rose extract has the potential of synthesis of copper nanoparticles which is non-toxic and convenient approach as compared to physical and chemical synthesis. These nanoparticles can be effectively employed as dye decolourization agents to treat industrial effluent and prevent the environmental pollution.