Sources, distribution, bioavailability, toxicity, and risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in complementary medicines

Bolan, Shiv,Kunhikrishnan, Anitha,Seshadri, Balaji,Choppala, Girish,Naidu, Ravi,Bolan, Nanthi S.,Ok, Yong Sik,Zhang, Ming,Li, Chun-Guang,Li, Feng,Noller, Barry,Kirkham, Mary Beth Elsevier 2017 Environment international Vol.108 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The last few decades have seen the rise of alternative medical approaches including the use of herbal supplements, natural products, and traditional medicines, which are collectively known as ‘Complementary medicines’. However, there are increasing concerns on the safety and health benefits of these medicines. One of the main hazards with the use of complementary medicines is the presence of heavy metal(loid)s such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). This review deals with the characteristics of complementary medicines in terms of heavy metal(loid)s sources, distribution, bioavailability, toxicity, and human risk assessment. The heavy metal(loid)s in these medicines are derived from uptake by medicinal plants, cross-contamination during processing, and therapeutic input of metal(loid)s. This paper discusses the distribution of heavy metal(loid)s in these medicines, in terms of their nature, concentration, and speciation. The importance of determining bioavailability towards human health risk assessment was emphasized by the need to estimate daily intake of heavy metal(loid)s in complementary medicines. The review ends with selected case studies of heavy metal(loid) toxicity from complementary medicines with specific reference to As, Cd, Pb, and Hg. The future research opportunities mentioned in the conclusion of review will help researchers to explore new avenues, methodologies, and approaches to the issue of heavy metal(loid)s in complementary medicines, thereby generating new regulations and proposing fresh approach towards safe use of these medicines.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A first-time comprehensive overview on the health risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in complementary medicines </LI> <LI> Ayurvedic medicines contain toxic levels of heavy metal(loid)s including As, Cd, Hg and Pb </LI> <LI> The bioavailability of metal(loid)s in complementary medicines depends on speciation of these metals </LI> <LI> Regular intake of some complementary medicines has caused metal(loid) toxicity in humans </LI> <LI> Health risk assessment can be achieved based on the daily intake of complementary medicines and total metal(loid) content </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Interactions between heavy metal(loid)s and complementary medicines.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

The electrochemical oxidation of toluene catalysed by Co(<small>II</small>) in <i>N</i>-butyl-<i>N</i>-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide

Balaji, S.,Kannan, K.,Moon, I. S. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015 Physical chemistry chemical physics Vol.17 No.46

<P>The electrochemical oxidation of toluene in <I>N</I>-butyl-<I>N</I>-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([bmpyr]<SUP>+</SUP>[Ntf<SUB>2</SUB>]<SUP>−</SUP>) was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic electrolysis in the presence of Co(<SMALL>II</SMALL>) at a Pt disc working electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) investigations revealed that Co(<SMALL>II</SMALL>)–Co(<SMALL>III</SMALL>) oxidation is a diffusion controlled electron transfer process. The diffusion coefficient values of Co(<SMALL>II</SMALL>) were found to increase from 0.38 × 10<SUP>−7</SUP> to 1.9 × 10<SUP>−7</SUP> cm<SUP>2</SUP> s<SUP>−1</SUP> as the temperature was increased from 25 °C to 80 °C. The CV peak current for toluene electro-oxidation increased by nearly 7 fold in the presence of Co(<SMALL>II</SMALL>) demonstrating a good catalytic effect. Co(<SMALL>II</SMALL>) catalysed galvanostatic electrolysis of toluene at room temperature has shown that benzaldehyde was formed along with a small quantity of 3-methyl-1-hexanol.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>Co(<SMALL>II</SMALL>) catalysed electro-oxidation of toluene in room temperature ionic liquid. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c5cp04151a'> </P>

Study on Exterior RC Beam-Column Joints Upgrade with SIFCON in Joint Core Under Reversed Cyclic Loading

S. Balaji,G. S. Thirugnanam 대한토목학회 2017 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.21 No.1

Beam-column joint is a key component of a Reinforced Concrete (RC) moment resisting frame and should be designed and detailed properly, particularly when the frame is subjected to earthquake seismic forces. Failure of beam-column joints is governed by bond and shear failure mechanism which are brittle in nature. Therefore, all international codes insist sufficient anchorage to longitudinal bars and confinement of core concrete in resisting shear. In this paper, the behavior of exterior RC beam-column joints with Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete (SIFCON) in the joint core under reversed cyclic loading is presented. Beam-column joints made entirely with RC, Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and SIFCON are also investigated for comparison. A total number of ten specimens corresponding to five test series are cast and tested under reversed cyclic loading to study the load deformation behavior, ductility associated parameters, ultimate load carrying capacity and failure characteristics. A nonlinear finite element model is also developed using FEA software ANSYS to validate the experimental results such as load-deflection response and the corresponding failure modes. From the test results, it is observed that the ultimate load carrying capacity, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capacity are improved to a greater extent for beam-column joints with SIFCON when compared with that of conventional RC beamcolumn joints.

High-energy ion induced physical and surface modifications in antimony sulphide thin films

S. Subramanian,M. Balaji,P. Chithra Lekha,K. Asokan,D. Kanjilal,Indra Sulania,Jai Prakash,D. Pathinettam Padiyan 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.4

Sb2S3 thin films prepared by electrodeposition on indium tin oxide coated glass substrate were irradiated with 150 MeV Ni11+ ions for various fluence in the range of 1011–1013 ions/㎠. The modifications in the structure, surface morphology and optical properties have been studied as a function of ion fluence. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates a shift in the (2 4 0) peak position towards lower diffraction angle and a decrease in grain size with increase in ion fluence. Presence of microcracks due to irradiation induced grain splitting effect has been observed from the SEM micrograph at higher ion fluence. The optical absorbance spectrum revealed a shift in the fundamental absorption edge and the band gap energy increased from a value of 1.63 eV for as-deposited films to 1.80 eV for the films irradiated with 1013 ions/㎠.

Laser Fired Local Back Contact C-Si Solar Cells Using Phosphoric Acid for Back Surface Field

Balaji, N.,Park, C.,Ju, M.,Lee, S.,Kim, J.,Chung, S.,Raja, J.,Yi, J. Springer Science + Business Media 2015 Journal of electronic materials Vol.44 No.4

Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Beams with SIFCON at Various Locations in the Beam

S. Balaji,G.S. Thirugnanam 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.1

This paper reports the flexural behaviour of conventional reinforced concrete beams with Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete (SIFCON) at various locations in the beam. Composite beams are cast with a layer of SIFCON at various locations of the conventional RC beam. Beams made entirely with RC, Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and SIFCON are also investigated for comparison. A total number of twenty one specimens corresponding to seven test series are cast and tested under two point flexural forward cyclic loading system. The parameters like load carrying capacity, stiffness degradation, ductility and energy absorption capacity are assessed. The concrete mix for RC beams are designed to obtain a concrete grade of M30. For SIFCON, the fibre volume fraction is 9%. The steel fibers used in the study are round crimped fibers having 0.5 mm diameter and aspect ratio of 60. Results indicate that the use of SIFCON in conventional RC beams have enhanced the cracking behavior in terms of considerable increase in the first crack load and in the formation of larger number of finer cracks. The ultimate load carrying capacity, stiffness, ductility and energy absorption capacity are increased to a greater extent for composite beams compared with that of conventional RC beams.

Synthesis of 2-Arylbenzothiazoles Catalyzed by Biomimetic Catalyst, β-Cyclodextrin

Balaji S. Londhe,Umesh R. Pratap,Jyotirling R. Mali,Ramrao A. Mane 대한화학회 2010 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.31 No.8

Cyclocondensation of 2-aminothiophenol and aryl/heteryl aldehydes has been carried using biomimetic catalyst, β-Cyclodextrin in water and obtained 2-aryl/heteryl benzothiazoles with better to excellent yields. This biomimetic catalyzed route is simple, economic, and environmentally benign.

Synthesis of 2-Arylbenzothiazoles Catalyzed by Biomimetic Catalyst, β-Cyclodextrin

Londhe, Balaji S.,Pratap, Umesh R.,Mali, Jyotirling R.,Mane, Ramrao A. Korean Chemical Society 2010 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.31 No.8

Cyclocondensation of 2-aminothiophenol and aryl/heteryl aldehydes has been carried using biomimetic catalyst, $\beta$-Cyclodextrin in water and obtained 2-aryl/heteryl benzothiazoles with better to excellent yields. This biomimetic catalyzed route is simple, economic, and environmentally benign.

Experimental investigation on the hysteresis behavior of the wire rope isolators

P. S. Balaji,Leblouba Moussa,M. E. Rahman,Loo Tshun Vuia 대한기계학회 2015 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.29 No.4

Vibration isolation has been widely applied to filter the external excitation energy and impact forces in building structures and equipment. Wire rope isolator (WRI), a kind of isolator for vibration and shock isolation, shows a better performance in attenuating theseforces. WRIs are able to deviate these external forces through their mechanical configuration and high-energy dissipative capabilities. The application of WRI demands knowledge of its behavior and the relation between various geometrical properties and input force. Thepresent work investigates the influence of geometrical parameters, such as wire rope diameter, number of coils, and displacement amplitudeon the hysteresis behavior of WRI under quasi-static loading in both vertical and horizontal directions. The hysteresis behavior ofdifferent WRIs was evaluated using the calculated parameters from hysteresis force-displacement curves: energy loss ratio (ELR), andeffective stiffness. The study indicates that the geometric properties significantly influence the effective stiffness than the energy lossratio. It is observed that, increased displacement amplitude results in decreased ELR and hence damping capabilities. The study alsoconfirms that the wire rope isolator possesses a good ability in damping through its stiffness and high-energy dissipation capability.

SITUATIONAL, INDIVIDUAL, AND SOCIAL NETWORK DETERMINANTS OF NEGATIVE ONLINE WORD-OF-MOUTH

M S Balaji,Khong Kok Wei 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2014 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2014 No.5

This paper examines the situational, individual and social network determinants of negative online word-of-mouth on social network sites. The findings of the empirical study indicate that feeling of injustice, firm attribution, perceived service image, face concern, emotion regulation, SNS use intensity and tie strength significantly affects negative word-of-mouth.