Nanoparticles Synergistic Effect with Various Substrate Pretreatment and their Comparison on Biogas Production from Algae Waste

Algae waste is one of the potential substrates for biogas and biohydrogen production and can comprehend multiple benefits of waste treatment and resource utilization. In view of the key bottlenecks such as low substrate degradation rate and poor productivity of algae waste production process, this study analyzes the combined effect of two metallic and metallic oxide nanoparticles with different substrate pretreatment methods (autoclave, ultrasonic, and microwave methods) to investigate the effect of anaerobic digestion of green algae (Enteromorpha). The results showed that out of the three pretreatment methods, microwave pretreatment and nanoparticles' synergistic effect significantly increases biogas production. The microbial community composition at the phylum level was analyzed. It was observed that the Firmicutes were most abundant across all samples. The relative abundance of Firmicutes for control, Ni NPs + MW, Co NPs + MW, and Fe3O4 NPs + MW groups were 51.78, 70.37, 75.77, and 83.93%,      respectively. The second most abundant was of Bacteroidetes that also contributes to hydrogen production. This relatively high abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes promises its potential applications in a hydrogen production facility. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Optimization of Cobalt Nanoparticles for Biogas Enhancement from Green Algae Using Response Surface Methodology

Organic matter may be converted to energy through various methods, but the most preferable one is the Anaerobic Digestion (AD), specifically for biogas production. In sustainable bioenergy production, it can undoubtedly be called one of the most widely used methods from the various feedstock. Over the past years, algae waste has become an increasingly acute environmental problem but luckily it can be used as feedstock to produce bioenergy. In order to improve the energy productivity of green algae, this study is focused on the introduction of cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (NPs) in the AD process. The concentration of Co NPs was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Mesophilic temperature range (25–45 °C), initial pH (5–9) and Co NPs dosage (0.5–2 mg/L) were selected as the independent variables for RSM. The results indicated that at optimized values (Co NPs concentration = 1 mg/L, initial pH = 7, and digestion temperature = 35 °C) produced the highest biogas yield of 298 ml. An experiment was carried out at optimized conditions to explore the effect on biogas production. The results showed that Co NPs had a positive influence on biogas yield. The low concentrations achieved higher biogas production as compared to higher ones. A maximum biogas yield of 678 mL is achieved by Co NPs (1 mg/L). AD performance was further evaluated by the modified Gompertz model. Different kinetic parameters were calculated. The values of the performance indicators confirmed that the mathematical model fitted well with experimental data

S. Cheema et al .

Objectives Oral health is a crucial determinant of quality of life. We aimed to determine oral health condition and factors associated with poor oral status in the adult national population of Qatar. Methods We used data from the World Health Organization supported STEPS (STEPwise approach to Surveillance) Survey conducted by the Supreme Council of Health, Qatar in 2012. A total of 2,496 Qataris (1,053 men, 1,443 women) answered the national survey. The Rao-Scott Chi-Square test was used to analyze oral health characteristics and multinomial logistic regression to assess risk factors. Results The self-perceived oral status of approximately 40 percent of respondents was either "average" or "poor" rather than "good." Poor oral status was more often reported by women (OR = 1.93; 95%CI = 1.30-2.80), by older (OR = 3.38; 95%CI = 1.59-7.19) and less educated respondents (OR = 3.58; 95%CI = 2.15-5.96). Other risk groups included people with diabetes (OR = 1.87; 95%CI = 1.24-2.81), smokeless tobacco users (OR = 3.90; 95%CI = 1.75-8.68), or ever tobacco users (OR = 1.66; 95%CI = 1.03-2.67). Oral health status appeared to be independent of diet, BMI status, and history of hypertension. Difficulties and behaviors related to oral health were more frequently reported by women than by men. These included pain (P < 0.001), difficulty chewing (P < 0.001), and discomfort over appearance of teeth (P < 0.001). Participants used toothbrushes, toothpicks, dental floss, and miswak to maintain oral hygiene. Conclusion Our results provide evidence that oral health remains a public health concern in Qatar

The Impact Of Oral Health Education And Preventive Measures On Dental Caries And Periodontal Diseases

Oral problems, including dental caries, periodontal diseases, and tooth loss, are significant global public health concerns. This is due to the fact that inadequate oral health has extensive impacts on general health and quality of life. In improving oral health, especially in developing countries, there are obstacles that need to be addressed. It is crucial to enhance public health programs worldwide by implementing efficient preventative measures against diseases and simultaneously boosting oral health. Frequently, collective actions are employed for the purpose of oral health education. These actions often involve delivering lectures utilizing various materials such as flipcharts, videos, PowerPoint presentations, as well as implementing other activities like supervised teeth brushing and topical fluoride application. This paper aimed to review the impact of oral health education and preventive measures on dental caries and periodontal diseases

Photo-electrochemically synthesized light emtting nanoporous silicon based UV photodetector: influence of current density

Nanoporous silicon (n-PSi) with diverse morphologies was prepared on silicon (Si) substrate via photo-electrochemical etching technique. The role of changing current density (15, 30 and 45 mA cm−2) on the structure, morphology and optical properties was determined. As-prepared samples were systematically characterized using XRD, FESEM, AFM and photoluminescence measurements. Furthermore, the achieved n-PSi sample was used to make metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) UV photodetector. The performance of these photodetectors was evaluated upon exposing to visible light of wavelength 530 nm (power density 1.55 mW cm−2), which exhibited very high sensitivity of 150.26 with a low dark current. The achieved internal photoconductive gain was 2.50, the photoresponse peak was 1.23 A W−1 and the response time was 0.49 s and the recovery time was 0.47 s. Excellent attributes of the fabricated photodetectors suggest that the present approach may provide a cost effective and simple way to obtain n-PSi suitable for sundry applications

Herd Immunity against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in 10 Communities, Qatar.

We investigated what proportion of the population acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and whether the herd immunity threshold has been reached in 10 communities in Qatar. The study included 4,970 participants during June 21-September 9, 2020. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected by using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Seropositivity ranged from 54.9% (95% CI 50.2%-59.4%) to 83.8% (95% CI 79.1%-87.7%) across communities and showed a pooled mean of 66.1% (95% CI 61.5%-70.6%). A range of other epidemiologic measures indicated that active infection is rare, with limited if any sustainable infection transmission for clusters to occur. Only 5 infections were ever severe and 1 was critical in these young communities; infection severity rate of 0.2% (95% CI 0.1%-0.4%). Specific communities in Qatar have or nearly reached herd immunity for SARS-CoV-2 infection: 65%-70% of the population has been infected

Global prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in 2015 : A modelling study

Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier LtdBackground The 69th World Health Assembly approved the Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, which can become a reality with the recent launch of direct acting antiviral therapies. Reliable disease burden estimates are required for national strategies. This analysis estimates the global prevalence of viraemic HCV at the end of 2015, an update of—and expansion on—the 2014 analysis, which reported 80 million (95% CI 64–103) viraemic infections in 2013. Methods We developed country-level disease burden models following a systematic review of HCV prevalence (number of studies, n=6754) and genotype (n=11 342) studies published after 2013. A Delphi process was used to gain country expert consensus and validate inputs. Published estimates alone were used for countries where expert panel meetings could not be scheduled. Global prevalence was estimated using regional averages for countries without data. Findings Models were built for 100 countries, 59 of which were approved by country experts, with the remaining 41 estimated using published data alone. The remaining countries had insufficient data to create a model. The global prevalence of viraemic HCV is estimated to be 1·0% (95% uncertainty interval 0·8–1·1) in 2015, corresponding to 71·1 million (62·5–79·4) viraemic infections. Genotypes 1 and 3 were the most common cause of infections (44% and 25%, respectively). Interpretation The global estimate of viraemic infections is lower than previous estimates, largely due to more recent (lower) prevalence estimates in Africa. Additionally, increased mortality due to liver-related causes and an ageing population may have contributed to a reduction in infections. Funding John C Martin Foundation.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential in Artemisia vulgaris L.

Artemisia vulgaris L. (Mugwort or Afsantin) has been used to treat various diseases since ancient times by the inhabitants of Himalayan region-Pakistan. Methanolic fractions (HA1-HA9) obtained from the aerial parts of A. vulgaris were evaluated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and brine shrimp cytotoxic activities. Fraction HA8 showed substantial phenolics content with value of 26.29±1.4μgEQ/mg and DPPH scavenging (82.84±3.01%). Conversely, total flavonoids content of 7.32±0.07μgEQ/mg was determined in HA1 fraction. Fraction HA1 also showed significant cytotoxic effect with the value LD50 of 144.94μg/mL. Fractions HA7 and HA9 depicted maximum total antioxidant activity and ferric ion reduction (96.25±3.29 and AAE/mg and 176.91±8, respectively). All fractions showed encouraging results against bacterial strains Bordetella bronchiseptica and Micrococcus luteus, while HA2 fraction showed the highest percentage inhibition Mucor species with zone of inhibition of 13.25±0.35mm. A total of 7 fractions showed significant antileishmanial activity with survival percentage ranging 0.00 to 19. To sum up, results of the current study indicated that the plant can be further explored for isolation of antileishmanial and antimicrobial compounds, which could be used for drug development

Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and Helicobacter pylori infection

Background/aims: It is well known that patients with diabetes mellitus are more prone to infection. In patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic infections are frequent and severe, due to the impairment of their immune status. The aim of this study was to determine the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the United Arab Emirates population. This is a case and control study comparison of type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic groups. The study was conducted at the primary health care clinics in United Arab Emirates during the period from June 2002 to August 2003. The study included 210 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 210 non-diabetic subjects. Methods: Helicobacter pylori was assessed by histopathological examination by measuring antibody profiles (IgG and IgA) among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and the non-diabetic group. Results: The mean age of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients infected with Helicobacter pylori was 48.1 +/- 7.9 years compared to 46.7 +/- 5.4 years in the non-diabetic infected subjects. A positive antibody titer for Helicobacter pylori infection (IgA >= 300) was found in 76.7% of the diabetic subjects compared to 64.8% of the non-diabetic subjects (p<0.009). There was higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in diabetic obese patients than the non-diabetic subjects (23.6% vs 11.801o, p<0.001). Muscular (47.2%), gastrointestinal (29.8%), chronic bronchitis (22.4%), nausea (19.9%), anemia (18%), abdominal pain (12.4%), diarrhea (10.6%) and vomiting (7.5%) were more common in diabetic patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. Conclusions: The present study suggests that there is a significant association between Helicobacter pylori infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Helicobacter pylori infection was significantly higher in diabetic obese patients than non-diabetic subjects