Contamination of drinking groundwater with arsenic is a looming problem in several countries and has affected millions of people, distributed over some 20 countries, globally including people in West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh. Continued exposure to Arsenic (‘As’) leads to various disorders and malfunctioning of renal, reproductive, cardiovascular and respiratory system along with the lethal effects manifested on skin and epidermal cells. In the review, an effort was made to incorporate the findings of other investigators and to evaluate the relation among arsenic metabolism and the consequences of numerous chronic disease. Early indications/manifestations of arsenicosis is difficult because of the occurrence of non-specific symptoms in various water-borne ailments. It has emerged that orthodox drugs used for treating arsenicosis was highly unsatisfactory as they have their own toxic side effects. In such a scenario, insights to the biological and epidemiological meanings of arsenic metabolism can help in mitigating the risk of arsenic toxicity and provide a prospective means for disease prophecy, prevention and control.

•Heterogeneity in microbial degradation response reflected ecosystem stress.•Optimum but highand faster enzyme activity was specific for high stress condition.•Final stress categorized as severely stress, moderately stress and poorly stress.•Molecular biomarkers for ecological resilience.

We report here 2-((2-morpholinoethylimino)methyl)-4-bromophenol (Hmmbp) as a dual chemosensor for the detection of Zn2+ and H2AsO4- ions in 10 mM HEPES buffer in water: methanol (9: 1, v/v) (pH = 7.4). It has been synthesized by the condensation between 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-morpholinoethanamine and characterized by different methods. Its fluorescence intensity at 458 nm increases by 32-fold in the presence of one eqv. of Zn2+ (lambda(ex):378 nm). Fluorescence enhancement occurs via PET and CHEF mechanism. Other cations cannot induce any considerable change in fluorescence properties of the probe. LOD value for Zn2+ has been determined to be 4.41 x 10(-7) M. On the other hand, fluorescence intensity of Hmmbp enhances at 503 nm with one eqv. of H2AsO4- ion (lambda(ex):414 nm). In case of anion sensing, restriction of C-N isomerization due to hydrogen bonding and ICT mechanism are responsible for the changes of fluorescence of Hmmbp. Detection limit for H2AsO4- has been found to be 3.22 x 10(-7) M. The chemosensor is selective for arsenate ion over several common anions. It forms 1:1 complex with both Zn2+ and H2AsO4-.The probe has been utilized to image both the species using C6 rat brain glioma cells.

In the present study the effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screened fry for controlling white spot disease in semi-intensive culture of penaeid shrimp, Penaeus monodon was evaluated. PCR tested negative post-larvae and without PCR screened post-larvae were stocked for culture for 135 days in treatment ponds and control ponds respectively at a stocking density of 15 m-2 under similar management protocols. PCR surveillance resulted negative in initial, intermediate and pre-harvest culture phases in treatment ponds. However, emergency harvest occurred prematurely in 66.6% of control ponds with symptoms of white spot disease. Harvest outcome showed significantly higher (p<0.05) average body weight and yield resulting in higher net profit, benefit cost ratio and return on investment in treatment ponds than the control. Thus, the study reveals that stocking of PCR negative fry become an effective biosecurity tool and increased production of penaeid shrimp in growout ponds of West Bengal, India.

Industrial effluents from jute, paper, pulp mills and sewage from households are regularly discharged into the Hooghly River. It generates a potential risk for both humans and animals of the area concerned. In the present study, water quality of the Hooghly River passing by the site of a growing township (Naihati, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India) was assessed throughout the year 2010 on the basis of the data collected on the physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The water samples collected on each month revealed the presence of higher amount of coliform bacteria, Streptococcus sp. and Escherichia coli, than the standard limit. Different physicochemical parameters like chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, alkalinity, chlorinity, nitrate and nitrite of the water at the sampling sites were found to be considerably higher than the levels standardized by WHO (2006). It was found that the relative abundance of Streptococcus and E. coli was influenced by two independent variables (water quality parameters), namely, DO and TDS. The abundance of coliform bacteria in the water sample warrants the adoption of proper measures to reduce the pollution level at the point source on way of scientific disposal of industrial effluents.

Effluent of Supreme Paper Mill at Chakdaha, West Bengal, India gets drained everyday into the river Ganges and makes the water polluted. Man as well as aquatic community, particularly fish are directly or indirectly exposed to these environmental stressors. The present study was conducted to find out the genotoxic effects caused by the effluents of supreme paper mill using assay of micronuclei (MN), abnormal nuclei (AN) in peripheral erythrocytes and total protein content of some vital organs, namely, muscle, gill and liver of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Fish were kept in different aquaria containing three different concentrations like, 100, 50 and 25 % of effluents (different concentrations was accomplished through addition of required amounts of tap water) for 10, 20, 30 and 60 days. The fishes kept in tap water served as control. It was found that induction of MN and AN was significantly increased in consecutive higher effluent concentrations than the control with more time span. On the contrary, the amount of total protein content was significantly lowered for all the tissues at the same exposure time against control. It was concluded that the paper mill effluent induced genotoxic effects to the experimental fish and to some extent may have an adverse effect in the nearby water of river Ganges.

Alteration of electrical conductivity and total protein profiles of muscle of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) have been assessed as an indicator of responses to change in pH of the aquatic medium. Fish were kept in different aquaria containing tap water maintained at different pH levels (viz., 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0 and 10.5) for 48 hrs and the muscle was exposed to different electrical fields by subjecting them to 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 volt/cm. Required pH was accomplished by adding conc. HCl (AR grade) and NaOH (LR grade) in tap water. As protein is an organic semiconductor, the responses of electrical conductivity, protein band profiles (number, molecular weight and intensity of bands) and total protein content of muscle, if any, were analyzed at different pH to evaluate the extent of damage/alteration caused by pH at protein level. pH not only modulated the muscle conductivity at the lower and higher levels, but also altered significantly in regard to both protein profiles and total protein content, indicating possibility and relevance of utilizing pH as a potent indicator of extent of damage inflicted on fish muscle protein and thereby to a considerable extent the degree of aquatic pollution.

BACKGROUND:Millions of people are at risk of groundwater arsenic contamination, and there is no known remedy that can effectively remove the symptoms of prolonged arsenic poisoning. A potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album LM 0/3 (Ars Alb LM 0/3), is claimed in homeopathic literature to have the ability to treat symptoms similar to that of arsenic poisoning.OBJECTIVE:This study examines whether Ars Alb LM 0/3 could provide some degree of amelioration for the victims living in an arsenic-affected village where no arsenic-free drinking water is available.DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS:This study was carried out on volunteers living in an arsenic-affected village where no arsenic-free drinking water is available. Twenty-eight volunteers from the village of Dasdiya, in Haringhata block under Nadia District, West Bengal, India, an arsenic-contaminated village where wells contain 55 to 95 μg/L arsenic, were selected to undertake a double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. The subjects provided samples of blood and urine before and after 2 months of taking either "verum" or "placebo". Another 18 subjects living in an arsenic-free village, served as the negative controls.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Samples of blood and urine from the subjects were assayed for arsenic content, according to various toxicity biomarkers and pathophysiological parameters.RESULTS:Out of the original 28 subjects, only 14 subjects provided samples while the other 14 dropped out. There were elevated levels of arsenic in the blood and urine, alkaline and acid phosphatases, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione activities and increased blood glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, whereas there were decreased levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, gamma glutamyl transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase contents, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and packed cell volume in the subjects. After 2 months of homeopathic remedy administration, the verum-fed subjects showed positive modulations within these parameters with slight lowering of matrix metalloproteinase activity as compared with the placebo group.CONCLUSION:Ars Alb LM 0/3 shows potential for use in high-risk arsenic villages as an interim treatment for amelioration of arsenic toxicity until more extensive medical treatment and facilities can be provided to the numerous victims of arsenic poisoning.

Millions of people are at risk of groundwater arsenic contamination, but supply of arsenic-free drinking water is grossly inadequate. The present study was intended to examine if a potentized homeopathic remedy reportedly showing ameliorating potentials in people inhabiting high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas but drinking arsenic-free water, can also ameliorate arsenic toxicity in subjects living in high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas, and drinking arsenic-contaminated water. This pilot study was conducted on 20 males and 19 females of village Dasdiya (arsenic contaminated) who initially agreed to act as volunteers; but as many as 14, mostly placebo-fed subjects, later dropped out. 18 volunteers, 14 males and 4 females, from a distant village, Padumbasan (arsenic-free), served as negative controls. In a double blind placebo-controlled study, a potentized remedy of homeopathic Arsenicum Album-30 and its placebo (Succussed Alcohol-30) were given randomly to volunteers. Arsenic contents in urine and blood and several widely accepted toxicity biomarkers and pathological parameters in blood were analyzed before and after 2 months of administration of either verum or placebo. Elevated levels of ESR, creatinine and eosinophils and increased activities of AST, ALT, LPO and GGT were recorded in arsenic exposed subjects. Decreased levels of hemoglobin, PCV, neutrophil percentages, and GSH content and low G-6-PD activity were also observed in the arsenic exposed people. The administration of "verum" appeared to make positive modulations of these parameters, suggestive of its ameliorative potentials. Most of the subjects reported better appetite and improvement in general health, thereby indicating possibility of its use in remote arsenic-contaminated areas as an interim health support measure to a large population at risk. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Millions of people are at risk of groundwater arsenic contamination, but supply of arsenic-free drinking water is grossly inadequate. The present study was intended to examine if a potentized homeopathic remedy reportedly showing ameliorating potentials in people inhabiting high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas but drinking arsenic-free water, can also ameliorate arsenic toxicity in subjects living in high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas, and drinking arsenic-contaminated water. This pilot study was conducted on 20 males and 19 females of village Dasdiya (arsenic contaminated) who initially agreed to act as volunteers; but as many as 14, mostly placebo-fed subjects, later dropped out. 18 volunteers, 14 males and 4 females, from a distant village, Padumbasan (arsenic-free), served as negative controls. In a double blind placebo-controlled study, a potentized remedy of homeopathic Arsenicum Album-30 and its placebo (Succussed Alcohol-30) were given randomly to volunteers. Arsenic contents in urine and blood and several widely accepted toxicity biomarkers and pathological parameters in blood were analyzed before and after 2 months of administration of either verum or placebo. Elevated levels of ESR, creatinine and eosinophils and increased activities of AST, ALT, LPO and GGT were recorded in arsenic exposed subjects. Decreased levels of hemoglobin, PCV, neutrophil percentages, and GSH content and low G-6-PD activity were also observed in the arsenic exposed people. The administration of "verum" appeared to make positive modulations of these parameters, suggestive of its ameliorative potentials. Most of the subjects reported better appetite and improvement in general health, thereby indicating possibility of its use in remote arsenic-contaminated areas as an interim health support measure to a large population at risk.

Millions of people are at risk of groundwater arsenic contamination, but supply of arsenic-free drinking water is grossly inadequate. The present study was intended to examine if a potentized homeopathic remedy reportedly showing ameliorating potentials in people inhabiting high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas but drinking arsenic-free water, can also ameliorate arsenic toxicity in subjects living in high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas, and drinking arsenic-contaminated water. This pilot study was conducted on 20 males and 19 females of village Dasdiya (arsenic contaminated) who initially agreed to act as volunteers; but as many as 14, mostly placebo-fed subjects, later dropped out. 18 volunteers, 14 males and 4 females, from a distant village, Padumbasan (arsenic-free), served as negative controls. In a double blind placebo-controlled study, a potentized remedy of homeopathic Arsenicum Album-30 and its placebo (Succussed Alcohol-30) were given randomly to volunteers. Arsenic contents in urine and blood and several widely accepted toxicity biomarkers and pathological parameters in blood were analyzed before and after 2 months of administration of either verum or placebo. Elevated levels of ESR, creatinine and eosinophils and increased activities of AST, ALT, LPO and GGT were recorded in arsenic exposed subjects. Decreased levels of hemoglobin, PCV, neutrophil percentages, and GSH content and low G-6-PD activity were also observed in the arsenic exposed people. The administration of “verum” appeared to make positive modulations of these parameters, suggestive of its ameliorative potentials. Most of the subjects reported better appetite and improvement in general health, thereby indicating possibility of its use in remote arsenic-contaminated areas as an interim health support measure to a large population at risk.

Millions of people are at risk of groundwater arsenic contamination, but supply of arsenic-free drinking water is grossly inadequate. The present study was intended to examine if a potentized homeopathic remedy reportedly showing ameliorating potentials in people inhabiting high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas but drinking arsenic-free water, can also ameliorate arsenic toxicity in subjects living in high-risk arsenic-contaminated areas, and drinking arsenic-contaminated water. This pilot study was conducted on 20 males and 19 females of village Dasdiya (arsenic contaminated) who initially agreed to act as volunteers; but as many as 14, mostly placebo-fed subjects, later dropped out. 18 volunteers, 14 males and 4 females, from a distant village, Padumbasan (arsenic-free), served as negative controls. In a double blind placebo-controlled study, a potentized remedy of homeopathic Arsenicum Album-30 and its placebo (Succussed Alcohol-30) were given randomly to volunteers. Arsenic contents in urine and blood and several widely accepted toxicity biomarkers and pathological parameters in blood were analyzed before and after 2 months of administration of either verum or placebo. Elevated levels of ESR, creatinine and eosinophils and increased activities of AST, ALT, LPO and GGT were recorded in arsenic exposed subjects. Decreased levels of hemoglobin, PCV, neutrophil percentages, and GSH content and low G-6-PD activity were also observed in the arsenic exposed people. The administration of "verum" appeared to make positive modulations of these parameters, suggestive of its ameliorative potentials. Most of the subjects reported better appetite and improvement in general health, thereby indicating possibility of its use in remote arsenic-contaminated areas as an interim health support measure to a large population at risk.

The efficacy of 0.02% vitamin C (VC; l-ascorbic acid) and 0.05% β-carotene (BC) at the rate of 1ml/100g of body weight in amelioration of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS)-induced genotoxicity has been studied in an Indian endemic fish, Anabas testudineus by using several cytogenetical endpoints like chromosome aberrations, micronuclei (MN) and abnormal nuclei (AN), and sperm head anomaly at 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96h after treatment, as compared to suitable controls (distilled water (DW)-treated control for EMS and VC-treated fish, and 1% alcohol-treated control for BC-treated fish). Both VC and BC reduced EMS-induced genotoxicity at all the fixation intervals as compared to their respective controls. Additionally, effects of two more doses of VC (0.01% and 0.05%) and BC (0.02% and 0.1%) were analyzed at 72h after treatment (at the peak period of EMS genotoxicity) for testing their relative efficacy in amelioration of EMS-induced cytogenetical damage in this fish. All the three doses of both VC and BC appeared to reduce the EMS-induced genotoxicity in this fish to a variable extent, of which the higher dose of VC appeared to give marginally better protection while the dose–response relationship was inconclusive for BC. The results of this study can lead to future research for exploring if low doses of these vitamins may be useful in protecting fish from genotoxic damage on exposure to mutagenic agents in small confined/stagnant waters.

Effect of vitamin supplementation on the recovery of Ethyl Methane Sulphonate induced proteotoxicity in Anabas testudineus