Deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for enhancing biochemical conversion of switchgrass

Dr. Caixia Wan, Thesis Supervisor.In this study, green solvent-based pretreatment was developed for improving the conversion of switchgrass to acetoin. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), comprising choline chloride (ChCl) as a hydrogen-bond acceptor (HBA) and various chemical as a hydrogen-bond donor (HBD), were used to pretreat switchgrass. Different HBD groups, including polyalcohol, amid, diazole, and carboxylic acid, were used to synthesize DESs. The DESs using ChCl-formic acid and ChCl-lactic acid-acetic acid showed excellent performance in enhancing switchgrass digestibility. The obtained hydrolysate was successfully detoxified by using overliming detoxification, which was further used for acetoin fermentation by Bacillus licheniformis (NRRL B-642). The yield and titer of the produced acetoin were 0.377 g/g and 19.6 g/L, respectively. Our research demonstrates that DES pretreatment is an effective method for reducing biomass recalcitrance and improving the conversion of biomass into chemicals.Dr. Caixia Wan, Thesis Supervisor.Includes bibliographical references (pages 46-49)

Lead Poisoning Can Be Misdiagnosed as Guillain-Barre Syndrome; A Case Report

Background: Toxic neuropathy is a global health problem affecting many people over the world, annually. Lead poisoning (LP) represents neurological complaints and neurobehavioral disorders. Therefore, its significances, especially its neurological consequences, can be misdiagnosed as other neuropathies like syndromes.Case Presentation: In this case report, we aim at describing a 45-year-old woman with Guillain-Barre-like syndrome (GBS), who was admitted to the hospital with peripheral neuropathy and complaints of paresthesia in the lower and upper limbs. Suffering from GBS-like syndrome, she incidentally showed opium consumption during the hospitalization and taking her history. Serum lead levels were precisely elevated (88.6 µg/dL). To assess the neurologic effects, the brain CT, MRI, EMG, and NCV were performed, indicating severe sensory-motor demyelinating polyradiculopathy. The patient was admitted to the hospital again after 2 years with severe radicular pain in the lower and upper limbs and with positive myoclonus and tremor. While treated with plasma exchange and pregabalin at the first stage of admission, signs were normal and again recurred after 2 years, suggesting the reversibility of the histological findings and misdiagnosis. At the second stage, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was prescribed. The patient recovered and was discharged with chelation therapy of CaNa2EDTA for LP. The most frequent neurological complication induced by LP is severe sensory-motor demyelinating polyradiculopathy and axonal polyneuropathy. But, the clinical examination and the electrophysiological findings may also suggest a GBS-like syndrome.Conclusions: Any discrepancies in this regard should be reconsidered to confirm LP diagnosis

Effects of Anethum graveolens L. seed extracts on experimental gastric irritation models in mice

BACKGROUND: As a folk remedy, Anethum graveolens seed (dill) is used for some gastrointestinal ailments. We aimed to evaluate aqueous and ethanolic extracts of anti-ulcer and acute toxicity effects of the Anethum graveolens in mice. RESULTS: Gastric mucosal lesions were induced by oral administration of HCl (1 N) and absolute ethanol in mice. The acidity and total acid content of gastric juice were measured in pylorus-ligated mice. LD(50 )values of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 3.04 g/kg, i.p., (1.5, 6.16) and 6.98 g/kg, i.p., (5.69, 8.56), respectively. The efficacy of high dose of extracts (p.o.) was similar to sucralfate. The acidity and total acid content were reduced by the orally or intraperitoneally administration of the extracts. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that A. graveolens seed extracts have significant mucosal protective and antisecretory effects of the gastric mucosa in mice

Failures to Cure and Diagnose Cervical Cancer

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in developing countries and the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Using the screening test, cancer can be detected in the early stages and, thus, mortality will be reduced. Also, the early detection of cervical cancer could affect survival rate and time. But, the diagnostic and therapeutic methods of this disease are usually accompanied by errors that deduct the success rate.Methods: In this study, a variety of common errors in the detection and treatment of cervical cancer were investigated by reviewing and evaluating scientific resources.Results: Studies show the different medical failures during sampling, preparation, review, and interpretation of the sample. On the other hand, inappropriate operation and errors in the treatment pathway are common errors after diagnosis. Because of the types of these errors, preparing the information of papers investigating the possible types of errors and observing accuracy will play a significant role in reducing the failures.Conclusion: Because of the fact that cervical cancer is fully curable with proper and timely diagnosis, the early diagnosis is important and it is the responsibility of doctors, pathologists, and surgeons in this area. Therefore, monitoring and preventing errors in the diagnosis and treatment is directly associated with a reduction in the mortality rate of the disease

Fluorescent Labeling Technique and DNA Amplification By The Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Human Malaria Parasites.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescence staining based diagnosis of Malaria infection was attempted. 187 samples in two groups: 135 and 52 patients Attending the Malaria Clinic (preventive Medicine and Al-Ain Hospital, UAE) were Collected Two PCR systems; using small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssrRNA) based primers And merozoite surface antigen (MSP) based primers were assessed, taking the Giemsa Stain as the reference test. The re sults of PCR using the merozoite surface antigen (MSP) primers specific for Pfalciparum, proved to be specific and accurate. These results were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (page) stained with Ethidium bromide and /or silver nitrate, which increases, detect ion sensitivity. The accuracy of the PCR could be improved by nested p riming. For the ssrRNA PCR system, the primers were not found to be specific for the different malaria species since ribosomal genes have a high degree of homology between different species. Fluorescent staining showed a great promise in detecting the different malaria species and Stages, but only acridness orange could be used routinely. It was concluded that PCR testing proved to be of a great value in diagnosing Malaria when appropriate primers are available. It could be used successfully in detection Of malaria in epidemiological surveys. Fluor chrome staining could be further improved But could not replace Giemsa staining

Effects of Copigmentation on the Stability of Phycocyanin Pigments Extracted from Spirulina platensis Using Spray Dryer

Abstract   Background and Objective: Phycocyanin is a blue pigment extracted from Spirulina platensis algae as an excellent alternative for the comparison of synthetic dyes in various industries, including food industries. The aim of the present study was to assess effects of copigmentation on the stability of phycocyanin pigments using spray drying method. Material and Methods: An aqueous solution of phycocyanin (500 mg l-1) was prepared at three pH values of 3, 5 and 7. Then, polyphenolic compounds containing rosmarinic acid, tannic acid and digallic acid (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 mgl-1) were separately added to the solution as copolymers. Pigment solutions were transferred into cylindrical containers with similar sizes under a light source at an intensity of 7000 l mm-2 and ambient temperature. Color changes of the solutions were assessed for 14 d. Phycocyanin pigment solution was copigmented with tannic acid (the best copolymer) and mixed with a combination of maltodextrin and Arabic gum (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100). Ratio of the core to the wall was 1:10. Spray dryer was used for drying and stability of the dried coated pigment powder was assessed for 14 d by investigating the absorption reduction ratio at the maximum absorption wavelength of phycocyanin (620 nm) using spectrophotometer. Results and Conclusion: Based on the results, using tannic acid (300 mgl-1) as the best copigmenting compound induced higher resistance to phycocyanin. In addition, the most stable pigment treatment was seen with maltodextrin and Arabic gum coating (ratio: 100:0). In particle size, findings showed that the powder samples containing maltodextrin were larger than the samples with Arabic gum (350.2 and 40.1 nm, respectively). Moreover, results showed that phycocyanin copigmented with tannic acid included higher resistance to environmental changes and encapsulation using spray dryer was further effective in increasing stability of phycocyanin. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Exposing to EMF

Exposing to EMF Contact Autho

Gender Identification Based on the Parameters of the Sternum Bone in the Cadavers

Background: Identifying identity in the absence of large bones becomes more difficult and complicated; accordingly, it is highly beneficial to use the features of the sternum. The present study aimed to evaluate the dimensions of the sternum and its relation with gender in the Iranian population.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 cadavers (100 men and 100 women). By performing an autopsy, the sternum bone was first cut in the midline using a vibrating saw, and the different dimensions were measured using a caliper.Results: Among different dimensions related to the sternum, the mean length of manubrium, mesosternum, the largest width of manubrium, and the shortest width of manubrium were significantly higher in men compared to women. Regarding the value of each sternal diameter in discriminating male and female gender, the highest discriminative value was specified to the shortest width of manubrium (cutoff: 26.75, sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 84.0%), followed by the length of sternebrae 1 (cutoff: 8.45, sensitivity: 76.0%, specificity: 21.0%).Conclusion: Measuring various indices of sternum bone, particularly the shortest width of the manubrium and the length of sternebrae 1, leads to gender identity accurately

A Systematic Review of the Possibility of Determining Age Based on DNA Methylation of the ELOVL2 Gene in Human Samples

Background: In forensic medicine, predicting the age of a victim or suspect can be a clue to solving a crime. Epigenetics has recently played a vital role in age prediction in forensic medicine. Cytosine methylation at cytosine and guanine separated by phosphate (CpG) sites is well recognized as a novel epigenetic marker for age estimation. This study aimed to summarize the information obtained from previous studies to determine age by evaluating DNA methylation in the ELOVL2 gene.Methods: In this systematic review, all related articles published between 2012 and 2022 were extracted by searching reputable scientific databases, such as ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus. After selecting the appropriate articles, the full text of the articles was prepared and fully evaluated by the researchers. The protocol of this study was carried out based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.Results: Out of 307 articles, 5 articles were eligible for review according to the study protocol. The strongest correlation between DNA methylation and age was observed at sites 11044644 and 11044634 on chromosome 6 in the living cases. The relationship between the chronological age and the age calculated through DNA methylation was above 90% with an approximate error ranging from 7.5 to 10.4. However, the relationship between the chronological age and the age calculated through DNA methylation was above 90% in the multivariate analysis of sites 11044624 and 11044634 on chromosome 6. In this case, the calculation error reached approximately 6.9 years. Hence, considering a combination of multiple cytosine and guanine separated by phosphate (CpG) sites improves the calculation accuracy and reduces the error percentage. The relationships between DNA methylation and the age at sites 11044880 and 11044640 on chromosome 6 were significantly less reported in the blood samples taken from the dead and in those taken from the living (nearly 64%–78.5%).Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that DNA methylation in the ELOVL2 gene could help predict a person’s biological age