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Introduction: Chloroform, a halogenated hydrocarbon, causes central nervous depression, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and rhabdomyolysis. Historically, chloroform had been used as a general anaesthetic and today is still used in chemical industries. Lack of proper personal protective equipment and adequate knowledge about its toxic effects can lead to serious harm. Case report: A 33-year-old gentleman presented to the emergency department (ED) with altered mental status. Given his depressed mental status, the decision was made to intubate shortly after arrival for airway protection. Further history raised suspicion of occupational chloroform exposure. Brown-colored urine further strengthened suspicion of chloroform poisoning with resultant rhabdomyolysis. Forced alkaline diuresis and N-acetylcysteine were started in the ED. His mental status and respiratory efforts improved on hospital day two, and he was ultimately extubated. Creatine phosphokinase and myoglobin levels were initially high but gradually came down by hospital day six. On hospital day 10, the patient was deemed stable and safely discharged. Conclusion: A patient with chloroform inhalation who suffered resultant rhabdomyolysis and hepatotoxicity was successfully treated with early initiation of forced alkaline diuresis, N-acetylysteine, and hemodialysis.

Association Rule Mining is an important research area in the field of Data Mining especially in case of 'Sales transactions'. A number of algorithms have been presented in this regard. In this paper a comparison of PARTITION algorithm with CMA algorithm is presented after improving the PARTITION algorithm. In this study, randomized partitioning of database is done. The database is randomized so that real random data is available for better results. The randomized partitioning of database has been implemented in different tool, i.e., VB. Net, as compared to CMA, which uses MATLAB for randomization so as to achieve better performance and efficient results. In the end it has been proved with extensive experiments that although Randomized PARTITION algorithm takes two database scans as compared to CMA that takes single database scan, still it gives better results with more efficiency than CMA.

Improved solubility and anti-inflammatory (AI) properties are imperative for enhancing the effectiveness of poorly water-soluble drugs, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). To address these critical issues, our focus is on obtaining NSAID materials in the form of inclusion complexes (IC) with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MCD). Ketoprofen (KTP) is selected as the NSAID for this study due to its potency in treating various types of pain, inflammation, and arthritis. Our objective is to tackle the solubility challenge followed by enhancing the AI activity. Confirmation of complexation is achieved through observing changes in the absorbance and fluorescence intensities of KTP upon the addition of MCD, indicating a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. Phase solubility studies demonstrated improved dissolution rates after the formation of ICs. Further analysis of the optimized IC is conducted using FT-IR, NMR, FE-SEM, and TG/DTA techniques. Notable shifts in chemical shift values and morphological alterations on the surface of the ICs are observed compared to their free form. Most significantly, the IC exhibited superior AI and anti-arthritic (AA) activity compared to KTP alone. These findings highlight the potential of ICs in expanding the application of KTP, particularly in pharmaceuticals, where enhanced stability and efficacy of natural AIs and AAs are paramount.

The solubility of commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs has become a significant concern in contemporary medicine. Furthermore, inflammatory arthritis stands out as the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease globally. The disease’s pathology is characterized by heightened inflammation and oxidative stress, culminating in chronic pain and the loss of joint functionality. Fenofibric acid (FFA) exhibits notable anti-inflammatory potential. This research assesses the anti-inflammatory effects of FFA, both in its standalone form and as inclusion complexes (ICs) with β-cyclodextrin and its methyl derivatives. FFA is encapsulated within the cavities of cyclodextrins (CDs), a fact confirmed by spectral changes observed in FFA. Distinct rock and seed-like morphologies are apparent for FFA with CDs, indicating that the CDs have influenced the surface of the guest. The introduction of CDs significantly enhances the thermal stability of FFA. ICs demonstrate superior results in inflammation activity compared to FFA alone. The efficacy of FFA complexed with CDs in mitigating inflammation positions it as a promising new drug. Additionally, our findings reveal that incorporating FFA into the CD cavity as a drug release system enhances the pharmacological profile of this substance, FFA.

This study addressed hydrogeochemical characterization and groundwater quality degradation for drinking and irrigation purposes in Pudukottai district using a geographic information system. Eighty-seven groundwater samples were collected from the bore and dug wells during the pre and post-monsoon season in 2019. The order of mean ionic abundance is as follows Cl− > HCO3− > Na+  > SO42− > Mg2+  > Ca2+  > K+ (325.5 > 182.2 > 181.4 > 83.2 > 51.1 > 35.8 > 9.1 > 8.6 > 0.9 > 0.3) and Cl− > Na+  > HCO3− > SO42− > Mg2+  > Ca2+  > K+ (415.7 > 230.3 > 198.2 > 82.9 > 53.8 > 43.4 > 14.9) in both seasons. Analytical results are presented in Piper, Gibbs, Na% vs. EC, USSL and PI plots used to evaluate the hydrogeochemical processes. The interaction between rock water and evaporation processes leads to variations in the hydrogeochemistry of the study area during pre and post monsoon. Almost 15% of the groundwater samples were not suitable for drinking according to the standard, which is common in the south-eastern region of the study area. From the results of Na%, SAR, RSC, MgC and KR, majority of the groundwater samples were suitable for irrigation purpose. The higher concentrations of EC, TDS, Cl− and Na+ values were found in the southern region, which is due to seawater intrusion caused by excessive pumping in the coastal regions. Drinking water quality index (DWQI) and irrigation water quality index (IRWQI) are calculated to determine the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Scatter plots show that the dissolution of carbonate minerals by the reverse ion exchange process increases the ions content of groundwater. In addition, statistical analysis of correlation matrix, PCA and cluster analysis were carried out to understand the relationship between the parameters and factors affecting hydrogeochemistry. However, the study concludes that most of the district is suitable for both drinking and agricultural purposes and can be used for sustainable growth. It is also recommended that, artificial recharge structures be introduced to improve groundwater quality in this region.

Human health requires safe and clean drinking water, but urbanization and industrialization have led to increased heavy metal release into water systems. In this study, the concentration, contamination status, and health risks of heavy metals in groundwater and river water from the Amaravati River Basin, South India, were investigated. Thirty samples were analyzed for Fe, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, and Co. Groundwater contained high mean concentrations of Cd (1.151 mg/L), Cr (0.907 mg/L), and Pb (1.546 mg/L), all exceeding safe drinking water limits, while Cd (1.493 mg/L), Cr (0.777 mg/L), and Pb (0.549 mg/L) remained high in river water, largely because of runoff and sediment transport. Heavy metal pollution indices (HPI, HEI, and DOC) suggested serious pollution, with groundwater showing higher overall pollution levels. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed hazard index (HI) values greater than 1 for all age groups (2.252 for infants in groundwater and 2.439 for infants in river water, 4.985 for children in groundwater and 5.401 for children in river water), suggesting potential long-term health effects. The metal enrichment is primarily caused by natural weathering and rock–water interaction in granite gneiss and charnockite formations, and exacerbated by human activities. The findings highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and mitigation measures to ensure the safety of drinking water in the Amaravati River Basin. Graphical Abstract

This study investigates the impact of rapid urbanization on land surface temperature (LST) in Madurai during the last decade. Using satellite-based thermal data from Landsat 8, land surface temperature (LST), normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and changes in land use and land cover (LULC) between 2013 and 2023 are analysed in geographic information system (GIS). The results show a significant increase in LST in urban areas by 42.9 °C, with a decrease in forest cover by 37.4 °C and an increase in barren land by 39.9 °C, worsening local climate conditions. A notable increase of 5 °C in summer temperatures was observed, especially in urban areas and bare land, which is consistent with the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Population growth from 1,529,000 in 2013 to 1,834,000 in 2023 has contributed to an increase in construction activity, vehicle emissions and industrial activities with decreasing green environment, further exacerbating LST. A comparative analysis with other South Asian cities confirms similar trends. The study highlights the need for sustainable urban planning that promotes green infrastructure, eco-friendly construction and improved public transportation to mitigate the increase in LST. These findings provide valuable insights for policy makers to improve Madurai’s resilience to climate change and urban heat stress.

This study addresses groundwater quality in Madurai block by examining heavy metal contamination and its potential health risks. Being the second largest city after Chennai, Madurai’s groundwater quality has not been analyzed for heavy metal contamination so far. In 2022, groundwater samples were taken from 60 wells in the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The heavy metal concentrations of Cu, Cr, Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn were measured. The results showed that most of the groundwater samples exceeded the (World Health Organisation ( 2019 ) World health statistics overview: Monitoring health for the sustainable development goals), (Bureau of Indian Standards ( 2012 ) Drinking water specifications) and (USEPA ( 2018 ) National primary drinking water regulations (EPA 816-F-09–004)) limits for drinking water. A spatial analysis using kriging interpolation in GIS and a multivariate statistical analysis were performed to decipher the interrelationships of the metals. The results indicate different sources of heavy metals, primarily caused by weathering and evaporation in both seasons. Pollution indices such as HPI, HEI and DOC were used to comprehensively assess the extent of metal pollution in groundwater. The Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index emphasized the significant health risks to infants, children and adults. To improve the quality of groundwater, this region needs to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly water management strategies, such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and strict pollution control measures.

This study investigates microplastic prevalence in wastewater mixing point from major coastal cities in Tamil Nadu, India, highlighting a significant environmental challenge. In January 2023, 16 wastewater samples revealed microplastics (< 5 mm) ranging from 20 to 51 items per litre. Predominant colours were pink, black, brown, white, green, blue, red, and yellow, with orange being the least common. Microplastic sizes mostly varied from 0.05 to 0.5 mm. Fiber shaped MPs are the predominant, followed by fragments, foam, film and pellets. Predominant polymer types were polyethylene (45%), polystyrene (18%), and polypropylene (15%). These results emphasize wastewater’s significant role in introducing microplastics into coastal ecosystems from domestic and industrial sources. Addressing this issue requires effective management plans, including advanced wastewater treatment, public awareness campaigns and regulatory measures. Further research is essential to comprehensively assess ecological impacts and inform sustainable management strategies.