Environmentally relevant levels of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) alter the skin and gastrointestinal microbiome of adult male and female zebrafish (Danio rerio).

This study determined the effects of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) exposure on the gastrointestinal and skin microbiome of male and female adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Adult male and female zebrafish were exposed to measured, environmentally relevant concentrations of 0, 0.75, and 304.

A Multilamellar, Thermoreversible, Phase-Selective Galactose-Triazole Organogelator: Role of Noncovalent Interactions and Porous Nanostructure in Environmental Remediation.

This article describes the design and synthesis of an efficient galactose-triazole-based reversed N-nucleoside as a thermoreversible, low molecular weight organogelator 8a. The gelator 8a shows a phase-selective behavior toward ethyl acetate with respect to water. Powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV results show that the xerogel has a multilamellar structure due to supramolecular forces identified as H-bonding, van der Waals interactions, and π-π stacking.

Monitoring of bacterial and potentially toxic elements contamination in the Rawal Lake tributaries and filtration plant.

This study examines bacterial and potentially toxic elements pollution in Jinnah Stream, Nurpur Stream, and Rawal Lake filtration plant during dry and wet seasons; Rawal Lake serves as a key source of water supply for the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Three growth media (Salmonella-Shigella agar, Brilliant Green agar, and Chromo-select agar) were used for microbial plating targeting Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp.

Monitoring of university wastewater within the sewage system and its performance evaluation through integrated constructed wetlands.

Rapid increase in population and industrialization has not only improved the lifestyle but adversely affected the quality and availability of water leading to ample amount of wastewater generation. The major contribution towards wastewater production is from sewage. Regular monitoring and treatment of sewage water is necessary to conserve and enhance the quality of water.

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) Alters Immune and Apoptotic Endpoints in Developing Zebrafish ).

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a broad-range bacteriostatic antibiotic widely used in animal and fish farming and is also employed in human medicine. These antibiotics can ultimately end up in the aquatic ecosystem and affect non-target organisms such as fish. To discern the effect of SMX on developing zebrafish embryos and larvae, we investigated a broad range of sub-lethal toxicity endpoints.

Comprehensive analysis of spatial distribution of microplastics in Rawal Lake, Pakistan using trawl net and sieve sampling methods.

Occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater environments, particularly reservoir and lakes, is an emerging concern. There are limited studies in Pakistan on microplastic pollution in the lacustrine environments and those that exist do not provide sufficient information on the spatial distribution of MPs in offshore surface water. The aims of this study were to determine microplastic abundance in Rawal Lake, Pakistan and to ascertain if sampling methodology influences microplastic counts.

Toxic effects of pristine and aged polystyrene microplastics on selective and continuous larval culture of acorn barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite.

This study evaluates the toxicity of pristine (Unwashed) and aged, clean (Biofilm-) or fouled (Biofilm+), PS microspheres (3 µm,10 µm), using Washed particles as a reference material, on selective and continuous larval culture of Amphibalanus amphitrite. Exposure to 3 µm Unwashed and Biofilm+ particles for 24 h induced significant mortality (60 % and 57 % respectively) in stage II larvae. Stage II and VI nauplii showed greater uptake of 3 µm Biofilm- particles.

Detection in influx sources and estimation of microplastics abundance in surface waters of Rawal Lake, Pakistan.

The ever-growing production, usage and poor waste management practices of plastics are causing microplastics intrusion in freshwater environments all over the world. The identification of inflow processes and sources is equally important as the assessment of microplastic concentrations in freshwater. This study reports microplastic presence in the influx sources and provides an overall estimation of microplastic concentration in the surface water of a freshwater reservoir, Rawal Lake, Islamabad.

Multi-biomarkers approach to determine the toxicological impacts of sulfamethoxazole antibiotic on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio.

Antibiotics are increasingly detected in the aquatic environment and are raising severe concerns for human and ecological health. Sulfamethoxazole being a widely recommended antibiotic in both human and veterinary medicine is consequently found in the aquatic environment. The current research was aimed to investigate the potential bioaccumulation and sub-lethal toxicity in terms of oxidative stress and histopathology of targeted antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in Cyprinus carpio at environmentally relevant concentrations over a prolonged period.

Clearing the Clutter: Antiatherosclerotic activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis crude extract.

Plant components have been extensively evaluated for their pharmacological activities. This study provides scientific rationale towards the therapeutic effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis aqueous bark extract against induced atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia in pigeons. Phytochemical components of Eucalyptus bark extract possess a great antioxidant activity that potentially reduced the risk of heart diseases.

Combined pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse using alkali and ionic liquid to increase hemicellulose content and xylanase production.

Background: Lignin in sugarcane bagasse (SB) hinders its utilization by microorganism, therefore, pretreatment methods are employed to make fermentable components accessible to the microbes. Multivariate analysis of different chemical pretreatment methods can aid to select the most appropriate strategy to valorize a particular biomass.

Results: Amongst methods tested, the pretreatment by using sodium hydroxide in combination with methyltrioctylammonium chloride, an ionic liquid, (NaOH+IL) was the most significant for xylanase production by Bacillus aestuarii UE25.

Cellulose extraction from methyltrioctylammonium chloride pretreated sugarcane bagasse and its application.

Cellulose, the most abundant feedstock of chemicals and energy is extracted from various agro-industrial wastes, such as sugarcane bagasse (SB). Pretreatment of SB with ionic liquids improves extraction of cellulose, yet the use of ionic liquid is hindered by its high cost. In this study, cellulose was extracted from SB pretreated with methyltrioctylammonium chloride under relatively mild conditions.

The selective pressure of quorum quenching on microbial communities in membrane bioreactors.

In conventional membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment systems, Gram-negative bacterial population appears to be always outnumbered Gram-positive community. Thereby, acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), major signaling molecules utilized by Gram-negative bacteria, have been targeted for biofouling control in quorum quenching (QQ) based studies. This study investigated the impact of AHL and autoinducer-2 (AI-2)-degrading QQ consortium on the selective accumulation of microbial communities in a QQ MBR (MBR-QQb).

Evaluation of genotoxicity and hematological effects in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) induced by disinfection by-products.

Disinfection is intended to improve drinking water quality and human health. Although disinfectants may transform organic matter and form disinfection by-products (DBPs), many are branded as cyto- and genotoxic. Traditionally, research focuses on the effects of DBPs on human health, but cytogenic impacts on aquatic organisms still remain ill defined.

Plant uptake and leaching potential upon application of amendments in soils spiked with heavy metals (Cd and Pb).

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of soil amendments (organic and inorganic) on phytoavailability and leaching of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) during enhanced phytoextraction. The vertical column study was carried out to investigate the metal leaching meanwhile studying plant biomass and metals uptake for phytoextraction by Pelargonium hortroum. For this purpose, soil amendments at several concentration levels, such as ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA 0, 4, 5 mmol kg), ammonium nitrate (0, 8, 10 mmol kg), citric acid (0, 8, 10 mmol kg), compost (0, 8%, 10%) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs, 0, 80, 100 mg kg) were used.

Methyltrioctylammonium chloride mediated removal of lignin from sugarcane bagasse for themostable cellulase production.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the Methyltrioctylammonium Chloride (IL) and Sodium hydroxide effect on sugarcane bagasse (SB) structure and its subsequent utilization to produce cellulase from a thermophilic bacterium Bacillus aestuarii UE25. The strain was isolated from a crocodile pond of Manghopir, Karachi. Ten different factors affecting IL pretreatment of SB and cellulase production by UE25 were evaluated by Plackett-Burman design and three significant factors were optimized by employing Box Behnken design.

Metal tolerant bacteria enhanced phytoextraction of lead by two accumulator ornamental species.

Microbially enhanced availability and phytoextraction is a promising technique for phytoremediation of lead (Pb). In this study, Pb resistant strains were isolated and investigated for potential effects on plant growth and Pb phytoextraction. Incubation experiments were carried for inoculated and un-inoculated soil containing different levels of Pb.

Impact of meteorological conditions on the water quality of wastewater treatment systems: a comparative study of phytoremediation and membrane bioreactor system.

Two demonstration wastewater treatment systems, i.e. a phytoremediation system and a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system, were studied for a six-month period from August 2016 to January 2017.

Strengthening calcium alginate microspheres using polysulfone and its performance evaluation: Preparation, characterization and application for enhanced biodegradation of chlorpyrifos.

Bacterial cell immobilization offer considerable advantages over traditional biotreatment systems using free cells. Calcium alginate matrix usually used for bacterial immobilization is susceptible to biodegradation in harsh environment. Current study aimed to produce and characterize stable macrocapsules (MCs) of Chlorpyrifos (CP) degrading bacterial consortium using biocompatible calcium alginate matrix coupled with environmentally stable polysulfone.

Performance Evaluation of Membrane-Based Septic Tank and Its Reuse Potential for Irrigating Crops.

  Membrane technology, being the most emerging wastewater treatment option, has gained substantial importance with the massive objective of the reuse potential of wastewater. Keeping this in view, the present study was conducted with the rationale to evaluate the performance efficiency of membrane-based septic tank (MBST), and its reuse perspective for irrigating crops. The septic tank was designed by submerging a woven fiber microfiltration membrane module to treat domestic wastewater.

Effect of trihalomethanes (chloroform and bromoform) on human haematological count.

With the increasing concerns about the harmful effects of disinfection products, the process of chlorination is becoming questionable. Bromoform and chloroform are among the most frequently occurring disinfection by-products. Haematological parameters are an important indicator of human well-being which is why the prime objective of the current study was to conduct a dose-response assessment to investigate the effects of trihalomethanes on human haematological count.

Biodegradation of phenol and benzene by endophytic bacterial strains isolated from refinery wastewater-fed Cannabis sativa.

The presence of benzene and phenol in the environment can lead to serious health effects in humans and warrant development of efficient cleanup strategies. The aim of the present work was to assess the potential of indigenous endophytic bacterial strains to degrade benzene and phenol. Seven strains were successfully isolated from Cannabis sativa plants irrigated with oil refinery wastewater.

Insights into quorum quenching mechanisms to control membrane biofouling under changing organic loading rates.

A quorum quenching (QQ) consortium comprised of both acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs)- and autoinducer-2 (AI-2)-degrading bacteria, either immobilized in polymer-coated alginate beads or in liquid suspension, was examined for fouling control in lab-scale MBRs under both steady and changing organic loading rates (OLRs). Under steady conditions the QQ consortium retarded biofouling by a factor of 3. However, a continuous increase in OLR vastly reduced the effectiveness of QQ bacteria; the biofouling was retarded only by factors of 1.