CO2 sequestration by hybrid integrative photosynthesis (CO2-SHIP): A green initiative for multi-product biorefineries

Diversification among organisms has resulted in uniqueness and complexity between them leading to maintenance of continuous energy supply while restoring equilibrium in the environment. Photosynthetic organisms are capable of naturally converting atmospheric CO2 in presence of sunlight and water leading to production of organic molecules whereas artificial photosynthesis yields solar fuels by directly converting light through photovoltaic cells. Therefore, hybrid integration of both photosynthetic mechanisms involving catalytic processes by converting light energy which is an unlimited source of energy leading to the production of fuels and various valuable products, will be an amicable solution for efficient CO2 sequestration. For optimizing photosynthesis various approaches and processes need to be improvised such as light harvesting complexes, reaction centres, carbon fixation and metabolic pathways for enhancing their photosynthetic efficiencies. This review highlights enormous potential and possibility of solar energy utilization leading to a new horizon to the researchers for exploring the CO2 sequestration by hybrid integrative photosynthesis (CO2-SHIP) for a sustainable renewable production of energy components for multi-product biorefineries. Keywords: Artificial leaf, Carbon dioxide, Catalyst, Photosynthesis, Sequestratio

Ecopreneur: Bridging The Gap Between Conventional Teaching And Learner Achievement

In 21st century education, it is imperative for educators to exploit technology in order to meet the evolving education needs of the current generation through greater access to knowledge. The researchers cum educators supplemented the conventional-based classrooms teaching of entrepreneur education with a customized home-based and interactive e-learning platform, ECOPRENEUR, to increase learner participation, engagement and achievement. The research employed a mixed method approach to elicit data from 385 undergraduates from an established public university in Malaysia to determine the efficacy of the e-learning platform as a supplementary learning tool in the teaching of Technology Entrepreneurship. Findings reveal that the intervention supplementary learning platform improves students’ overall grades in Technology Entrepreneurship: m = 44.04 in the pre-test and m= 53.63 in the post-test. Paired sample test results demonstrate a statistically significant grade outcome (t = 28.679; n=385; p=.000). Further findings reveal that the male students in the study secured higher grades with a mean of 55.72 compared to female students with a mean of 52.26 (p=.000) in the post-test. Both pre and post-test scores show that students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics outperformed (pre-test mean with 45.76 and post-test 56.69) students from the Faculty of Plantation and Agro Technology (pre-test m=42.29 and post-test m= 50.51), thus indicating that motivation and expertise in information and communication technology to navigate the platform play a major role in determining its efficacy

Orthopaedic specialty committee exit examination amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia- experiences and reflections from the candidates

Introduction: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the Orthopaedic Specialty Committee (OSC) Exit Examination candidates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of this pandemic on the candidates’ teaching and learning, mental well-being, and personal experience during the examinations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 31st January 2021. 103 candidates for the OSC Exit Examination November 2020 were asked to answer a questionnaire. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare differences in the frequencies before and during the pandemic. A p-value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: There was a significant reduction in the number of classes (P-value < 0.001) and examination preparatory courses conducted, reduced number and variety of patients attended and limited exposure in the operation theatre. Most candidates had virtual and physical classes, and agreed virtual clinical teaching was less effective. A majority had increased caffeine intake and smoking habits, decreased time spent with family and sports activities and no impact on sleeping hours, alcohol and analgesic usage. During the examinations, most candidates felt disturbed by the COVID-19 safety protocol and worried about the risk of contracting the infections. Conclusion: The effect of this pandemic on the post-graduate Orthopaedics students teaching and learning is massive. Virtual teaching programmes or applications that can replace the traditional clinical teaching methods should be explored and developed for the benefit of our education system

South Indian Children's Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Group B Streptococcus Invasive Disease: A Matched-Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: This study is part of a multicountry matched-cohort study designed to estimate the risk of long-term neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) of children exposed to invasive group B Streptococcus (iGBS). The specific objective of this paper is to compare NDI across domains of iGBS survivors with a matched non iGBS group in our population. METHODS: Survivors of iGBS in a South Indian hospital were identified and recruited between January 2020 and April 2021. Cases were compared with age- and gender-matched non iGBS children. Participants were assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-3rd edition (BSID-III), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-4th edition (WPPSI-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-5th edition (WISC-V), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition (BOT-2), depending on age. RESULTS: Our cohort comprised 35 GBS-exposed and 65 matched non iGBS children, aged 1-14 years. The iGBS-exposed group had 17 (48.6%) children with impairment in ≥1 domain compared to 25 (38%) in the non iGBS group (unadjusted OR, 1.51; 95% CI, .65-3.46), 9 (26%) children with "multi-domain impairment" compared to 10 (15.4%) in the non iGBS group (unadjusted OR, 1.90; 95% CI, .69-5.24), and 1 (2.9%) child with moderate to severe impairment compared to 3 (4.6%) in the non iGBS group (unadjusted OR, .60; 95% CI, .06-6.07). In the iGBS group, more children had motor impairments compared with the non iGBS group (unadjusted OR, 10.7; 95% CI, 1.19-95.69; P = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Children with iGBS seem at higher risk of developing motor impairments compared with a non iGBS group

Microscopy Characterization of Silica-Rich Agrowastes to be used in Cement Binders: Bamboo and Sugarcane Leaves

Agrowastes are produced worldwide in huge quantities and they contain interesting elements for producing inorganic cementing binders, especially silicon. Conversion of agrowastes into ash is an interesting way of yielding raw material used in the manufacture of low-CO2 binders. Silica-rich ashes are preferred for preparing inorganic binders. Sugarcane leaves (Saccharum officinarum, SL) and bamboo leaves (Bambusa vulgaris, BvL and Bambusa gigantea, BgL), and their corresponding ashes (SLA, BvLA, and BgLA), were chosen as case studies. These samples were analyzed by means of optical microscopy, Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Spodograms were obtained for BvLA and BgLA, which have high proportions of silicon, but no spodogram was obtained for SLA because of the low silicon content. Different types of phytoliths (specific cells, reservoirs of silica in plants) in the studied leaves were observed. These phytoliths maintained their form after calcination at temperatures in the 350¿850°C range. Owing to the chemical composition of these ashes, they are of interest for use in cements and concrete because of their possible pozzolanic reactivity. However, the presence of significant amounts of K and Cl in the prepared ashes implies a limitation of their applications.The authors thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (Projeto CNPq 40174/2013-1) of Brazil for funding the research. The authors thank the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and Materials Department of Universidade Estadual Paulista at Ilha Solteira.Rosello Caselles, J.; Soriano Martínez, L.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Akasaki, JL.; Melges, JLP.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ. (2015). Microscopy Characterization of Silica-Rich Agrowastes to be used in Cement Binders: Bamboo and Sugarcane Leaves. Microscopy and Microanalysis. 21(5):1314-1326. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927615015019S13141326215Villar-Cociña, E., Morales, E. V., Santos, S. F., Savastano, H., & Frías, M. (2011). Pozzolanic behavior of bamboo leaf ash: Characterization and determination of the kinetic parameters. Cement and Concrete Composites, 33(1), 68-73. doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2010.09.003Tuck, C. O., Perez, E., Horvath, I. T., Sheldon, R. A., & Poliakoff, M. (2012). Valorization of Biomass: Deriving More Value from Waste. Science, 337(6095), 695-699. doi:10.1126/science.1218930Savastano Jr, H., Santos, S. F., Tonoli, G. H. D., Mejia, J. E. B., & Fiorelli, J. (2015). Non-conventional cement-based composites reinforced with vegetable fibers: A review of strategies to improve durability. Materiales de Construcción, 65(317), e041. doi:10.3989/mc.2015.05514Neethirajan, S., Gordon, R., & Wang, L. (2009). Potential of silica bodies (phytoliths) for nanotechnology. Trends in Biotechnology, 27(8), 461-467. doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2009.05.002Kameník, J., Mizera, J., & Řanda, Z. (2013). Chemical composition of plant silica phytoliths. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 11(2), 189-195. doi:10.1007/s10311-012-0396-9Madani Hosseini, M., Shao, Y., & Whalen, J. K. (2011). Biocement production from silicon-rich plant residues: Perspectives and future potential in Canada. Biosystems Engineering, 110(4), 351-362. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2011.09.010GALLEGO, L. (2004). Phytolith Assemblages in Grasses Native to Central Argentina. Annals of Botany, 94(6), 865-874. doi:10.1093/aob/mch214Epstein, E. (1999). SILICON. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology, 50(1), 641-664. doi:10.1146/annurev.arplant.50.1.641Diamond, S. (1975). A review of alkali-silica reaction and expansion mechanisms 1. Alkalies in cements and in concrete pore solutions. Cement and Concrete Research, 5(4), 329-345. doi:10.1016/0008-8846(75)90089-7Le Blond, J. S., Williamson, B. J., Horwell, C. J., Monro, A. K., Kirk, C. A., & Oppenheimer, C. (2008). Production of potentially hazardous respirable silica airborne particulate from the burning of sugarcane. Atmospheric Environment, 42(22), 5558-5568. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.03.018Diamond, S. (1976). A review of alkali-silica reaction and expansion mechanisms 2. Reactive aggregates. Cement and Concrete Research, 6(4), 549-560. doi:10.1016/0008-8846(76)90083-1Li, B., Song, Z., Wang, H., Li, Z., Jiang, P., & Zhou, G. (2014). Lithological control on phytolith carbon sequestration in moso bamboo forests. Scientific Reports, 4(1). doi:10.1038/srep05262Frías, M., Savastano, H., Villar, E., Sánchez de Rojas, M. I., & Santos, S. (2012). Characterization and properties of blended cement matrices containing activated bamboo leaf wastes. Cement and Concrete Composites, 34(9), 1019-1023. doi:10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2012.05.005Prychid, C. J., Rudall, P. J., & Gregory, M. (2003). Systematics and Biology of Silica Bodies in Monocotyledons. The Botanical Review, 69(4), 377-440. doi:10.1663/0006-8101(2004)069[0377:sabosb]2.0.co;2Nzihou, A. (2010). Toward the Valorization of Waste and Biomass. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 1(1), 3-7. doi:10.1007/s12649-010-9014-xFrías, M., Villar-Cociña, E., & Valencia-Morales, E. (2007). Characterisation of sugar cane straw waste as pozzolanic material for construction: Calcining temperature and kinetic parameters. Waste Management, 27(4), 533-538. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2006.02.017Ma, J. F., & Yamaji, N. (2006). Silicon uptake and accumulation in higher plants. Trends in Plant Science, 11(8), 392-397. doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2006.06.007Rodrigues, M. S., Beraldo, A. L., Savastano Júnior, H., & Santos, S. F. (2013). Cinza de palha de cana-de-açúcar como adição mineral em fibrocimento. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 17(12), 1347-1354. doi:10.1590/s1415-43662013001200014Le Blond, J. S., Horwell, C. J., Williamson, B. J., & Oppenheimer, C. (2010). Generation of crystalline silica from sugarcane burning. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 12(7), 1459. doi:10.1039/c0em00020eTeixeira, S. R., Souza, A. E., Carvalho, C. L., Reynoso, V. C. S., Romero, M., & Rincón, J. M. (2014). Characterization of a wollastonite glass-ceramic material prepared using sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA) as one of the raw materials. Materials Characterization, 98, 209-214. doi:10.1016/j.matchar.2014.11.003Aprianti, E., Shafigh, P., Bahri, S., & Farahani, J. N. (2015). Supplementary cementitious materials origin from agricultural wastes – A review. Construction and Building Materials, 74, 176-187. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.10.010Mohapatra, S., Sakthivel, R., Roy, G. S., Varma, S., Singh, S. K., & Mishra, D. K. (2011). Synthesis of β-SiC Powder from Bamboo Leaf in a DC Extended Thermal Plasma Reactor. Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 26(11), 1362-1368. doi:10.1080/10426914.2011.557127MOTOMURA, H., FUJII, T., & SUZUKI, M. (2006). Silica Deposition in Abaxial Epidermis before the Opening of Leaf Blades of Pleioblastus chino (Poaceae, Bambusoideae). Annals of Botany, 97(4), 513-519. doi:10.1093/aob/mcl01

Multi-Fold Enhancement of Tocopherol Yields Employing High CO₂ Supplementation and Nitrate Limitation in Native Isolate <i>Monoraphidium</i> sp.

Tocopherols are the highly active form of the antioxidant molecules involved in scavenging of free radicals and protect the cell membranes from reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we focused on employing carbon supplementation with varying nitrate concentrations to enhance the total tocopherol yields in the native isolate Monoraphidium sp. CABeR41. The total tocopherol productivity of NRHC (Nitrate replete + 3% CO2) supplemented was (306.14 µg·L−1 d−1) which was nearly 2.5-fold higher compared to NRVLC (Nitrate replete + 0.03% CO2) (60.35 µg·L−1 d−1). The best tocopherol productivities were obtained in the NLHC (Nitrate limited + 3% CO2) supplemented cells (734.38 µg·L−1 d−1) accompanied by a significant increase in cell biomass (2.65-fold) and total lipids (6.25-fold). Further, global metabolomics using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was done in the defined conditions to elucidate the molecular mechanism during tocopherol accumulation. In the present study, the Monoraphidium sp. responded to nitrogen limitation by increase in nitrogen assimilation, with significant upregulation in gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). Moreover, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle upregulation depicted increased availability of carbon skeletons and reducing power, which is leading to increased biomass yields along with the other biocommodities. In conclusion, our study depicts valorization of carbon dioxide as a cost-effective alternative for the enhancement of biomass along with tocopherols and other concomitant products like lipids and carotenoids in the indigenous strain Monoraphidium sp., as an industrial potential strain with relevance in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals

Multi-Fold Enhancement of Tocopherol Yields Employing High CO2 Supplementation and Nitrate Limitation in Native Isolate Monoraphidium sp.

Tocopherols are the highly active form of the antioxidant molecules involved in scavenging of free radicals and protect the cell membranes from reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we focused on employing carbon supplementation with varying nitrate concentrations to enhance the total tocopherol yields in the native isolate Monoraphidium sp. CABeR41. The total tocopherol productivity of NRHC (Nitrate replete + 3% CO2) supplemented was (306.14 &micro;g&middot;L&minus;1 d&minus;1) which was nearly 2.5-fold higher compared to NRVLC (Nitrate replete + 0.03% CO2) (60.35 &micro;g&middot;L&minus;1 d&minus;1). The best tocopherol productivities were obtained in the NLHC (Nitrate limited + 3% CO2) supplemented cells (734.38 &micro;g&middot;L&minus;1 d&minus;1) accompanied by a significant increase in cell biomass (2.65-fold) and total lipids (6.25-fold). Further, global metabolomics using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was done in the defined conditions to elucidate the molecular mechanism during tocopherol accumulation. In the present study, the Monoraphidium sp. responded to nitrogen limitation by increase in nitrogen assimilation, with significant upregulation in gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). Moreover, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle upregulation depicted increased availability of carbon skeletons and reducing power, which is leading to increased biomass yields along with the other biocommodities. In conclusion, our study depicts valorization of carbon dioxide as a cost-effective alternative for the enhancement of biomass along with tocopherols and other concomitant products like lipids and carotenoids in the indigenous strain Monoraphidium sp., as an industrial potential strain with relevance in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals

Umbilical Cord Blood Culture as an Aid to the Diagnosis of Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally, accounting for an estimated neonatal mortality rate of 23.9 per 1000 live births. Due to overlapping signs and symptoms, a specific diagnosis of sepsis poses a diagnostic challenge. Blood collected from a peripheral vein for sepsis screening and blood culture remains the gold standard for diagnosing neonatal sepsis. The umbilical cord is still not routinely used as a site for collecting blood for sepsis screening and blood culture. Aim: To determine the diagnostic efficacy of Umbilical Cord Blood Culture (UCBC) compared to Peripheral Venous Blood Culture (PVBC) in Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis (EONS). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Neonatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, Assam, India, involving 110 neonates with two or more risk factors for EONS over a one-year period (August 2021-July 2022). Umbilical cord blood and peripheral venous blood were collected and cultured, and the neonates were monitored throughout their hospital stay. Statistical significance was determined using the Chi-square test for categorical variables and the t-test for continuous variables (with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant). The validity of UCBC for diagnosing early neonatal sepsis was assessed based on sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV). Results: The mean gestational age was 34.95±3.314 weeks and mean birth weight was 2.08±0.790 grams. Of the 110 high-risk neonates, sepsis screening was positive in 67 (61%), while UCBC and PVBC were positive in 19 (17.3%) and 10 (9.09%), respectively. Acinetobacter was the most common organism found in both cultures. The sensitivity and specificity of sepsis screening were 100% and 47.25% compared to UCBC and 90% and 42% compared to PVBC. In comparison to PVBC, UCBC demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 88%, with a diagnostic accuracy of 86.36%. Conclusion: The UCBC exhibits good diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing EONS and can be utilised due to it being a painless and technically less challenging method of blood sampling, with high sensitivity and specificity

Elucidation of Functional Genes Associated with Long Chain-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LC-PUFAs) Metabolism in Oleaginous Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a marine diatom rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a nutraceutical-relevant product. Long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are crucial dietary components for human development and growth. With the availability of genome information and genetic engineering tools, the productivities of OMEGAs have improved, but the functional and organizational relationship of such protein-encoding genes associated with LC-PUFAs biosynthesis is still not clear. Henceforth, our study highlights the conservation pattern, functionality and interaction of LC-PUFAs protein-encoding genes via in silico analysis. The transcriptome and quantitative PCR analysis demonstrates downregulation of ACS4, ELO6b, PTD5a, and MYB106 genes associated with LC-PUFAs synthesis and upregulation of ECoAH and ACAT1 genes associated with &beta;-oxidation in nitrogen-depleted conditions in P. tricornutum. Phylogenomics studies of LC-PUFAs protein-encoding genes show a highly conserved evolutionary pattern in various microalgal lineages. Further, for elucidating the interaction of LC-PUFA metabolic genes, subcellular networks were predicted and pathway enrichment analysis was performed, providing new insights on the crosstalk between LC-PUFA protein-encoding genes (ELO6, PTD5, ACS, and ACL1), regulatory elements (LEC2, MYB, WIN) and transporters (ABCD1). In conclusion, such extensive functional enrichment analysis will undoubtedly aid in the development of genetically engineered algal strains with enhanced production of biomolecules i.e., LC-PUFAs

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in India—Early experience, challenges, and outcomes from a single center

Background: Despite the increasing popularity of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), only about 10,000 TAVR cases have been performed in Asia to date. The procedure is still in a nascent stage in India with very few centers offering this state-of-art technique. Here, we present the early results of TAVR experience at our center. Methods: Forty-nine patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) were referred to our center for TAVR from November 2015 to February 2018. Twenty-five patients underwent TAVR at our conventional cardiac catheterization laboratory under local or general anesthesia, with standby surgical team support. Results: The mean age of the patients was 72.0 ± 8.1 years. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 13.8 ± 10.2. Baseline mean ejection fraction was 50.3 ± 14.8%. Baseline mean aortic valve gradient was 55.8 ± 24.7 mmHg. There was one procedural-related death. Two of the patients required urgent surgery: one for contained annular rupture and one underwent vascular repair for femoral artery occlusion. Mild and moderate paravalvular leak was seen in 11 and 3 patients, respectively. Four patients (16%) required permanent pacemaker. Eighty percent were in New York Heart Association class I-II at discharge. One-year all-cause mortality was 8%, with no hospitalizations or major adverse cardiac event during the 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: Our early data clearly shows that in our country, TAVR is a good alternative for symptomatic severe AS for high surgical risk cases. Large-scale multicenter studies are required to study the real impact of TAVR in the Indian scenario. During initial years of implementation of a nationwide TAVR program, it may be prudent to focus on creating TAVR Centers of Excellence by developing an ideal hub and spokes model. Keywords: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), Aortic stenosis, Indian experienc