Development of a novel nano-biosorbent for the removal of fluoride from water

The study was designed to investigate the use of two sorbents namely(i) Fe3O4 nanoparticles immobilized in sodium alginate matrix(FNPSA) and(ii) Fe3O4 nanoparticles and saponified orange peel residue immobilized in sodium alginate matrix(FNPSOPR) as sorbents for fluoride removal from contaminated water. The synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed and characterized by dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry. The sorbent matrices were prepared in the form of beads and surface functionalized to enable enhanced sorption of fluoride ions. Batch sorption studies were carried out and the sorption isotherm and reaction kinetics were analyzed. Both the sorbents followed Langmuir model of isotherm and fitted well with Pseudo first order reaction. The maximum sorption capacity exhibited by FNPSA and FNPSOPR was58.24 mg·g-1and 80.33 mg·g-1respectively. Five sorption–desorption cycles exhibited 100%, 97.56%, 94.53%,83.21%, and 76.53% of regeneration of FNPSOPR. Accordingly, it is demonstrated that FNSOPR could be used as a promising sorbent for easy and efficient removal of fluoride from contaminated water with good reusability.The current work suggests a simple and effective method to remove fluoride from contaminated water.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and chemokine administration - a combination with potential therapeutic value for treating diabetic wounds

Non-healing wounds impart serious medical problems to people with diabetes.Amongst 15%of diabetic patients,the incidence of foot ulcer is the most prevailing,which confers a significant risk of limb amputation,mainly due to hypoxia and impairment in cell signaling.Alteration in the expression of chemokines and the related factors in diabetic conditions delays the recruitment of different cell types,including fibroblasts,keratinocytes,and immune cells such as macrophages to the site of injury,further impairing neovasculogenesis,reepithelialization,and extracellular matrix formation.Thus,proper activation of effector cells through an accurate signal pathway is necessary for better therapeutic application.Hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT)is the current treatment prescribed by medical practitioners,shown to have increased the wound healing rate by reducing the need for significant amputation among the diabetic population.However,the risk of morbidity associated with HBOT needs complete attention through rigorous research to avoid adverse outcomes.Altering the level of pro-angiogenic chemokines may regulate the inflammatory response,further promote vascularization,and enhance the complete healing of wounds in diabetic patients.Thus,a combination of better therapeutic approaches could pave the way for developing a successful treatment for diabetic foot and wound healing.