Wax co-cracking synergism of high density polyethylene to alternative fuels

AbstractAttempts have been made to understand the thermal degradation of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and their combined co-cracking using different ratios of HDPE and petroleum wax under nitrogen atmosphere. We have conducted the experiments using HDPE as the raw material and petroleum wax as co-feed by at 400 and 450°C reaction temperatures. The product distribution was noted along with reaction time of 0.5–3h for the degradation. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique was used to measure the weight change of the feedstock as a function of temperature and time. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the degradation temperature. Products were characterized using gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), some other standard physical methods were used to determine the main properties of the liquid products. Results show that the mixed plastic-wax samples could be converted into gases, gasoline, and middle distillate depending upon the composition of feed polymer/wax ratio. It was found that the products mostly consisted of paraffin and olefin compounds, with carbon numbers of C1–C4, C5–C9 and C10–C19 in the case of gases, gasoline and middle distillate respectively

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Downregulated StAR gene and male reproductive dysfunction caused by nifedipine and ethosuximide

Steroid hormones that are controlled by steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) gene regulate sperm production. However, calcium ion is important for male fertility in vasodilation and sperm development. Calcium also serves as a second messenger to control acrosome reaction and sperm motility. Calcium channel-blockers (CCBs) as nifedipine and ethosuximide (used in hypertension and epilepsy treatment) can affect male fertility. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism of the male reproductive dysfunction and their side effects. The present study was designed to address the involvement of CCBs in inducing male infertility. Thirty-six male mice were orally treated by therapeutic dose of nifedipine and ethosuximide for 20 days followed by 10 days without treatment for drug withdrawal. Chromosome aberrations assay, sperm analysis and testicular expression level of biomarker steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR (mRNA were measured. In addition, histological structure of the testis was investigated to the process of spermatogenesis. Our results revealed that, CCBs significantly increased the percentage of chromosome aberration and sperm shape change. StAR-mRNA expression was significantly down regulated. Sperm count and motility were significantly decreased. However, slight improvement was observed in all tested parameters after drug withdrawal. Seminiferous tubules displayed total atrophy, disruption, severe damage and elongation of tubules with disorganization of germinal epithelium that detached from the basement membrane. The lumen of seminiferous tubules showed complete absence of sperm cells. Conclusions: Both nifedipine and ethosuximide significantly increase chromosome abnormalities, decrease sperm function, and down regulate StAR-mRNA expression. All these side effects may lead to irreversible male sterility

Modulation of Tamoxifen Cytotoxicity by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Although Tamoxifen (TAM) is one of the most widely used drugs in managing breast cancer, many women still relapse after long-term therapy. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a polyphenolic compound present in many medicinal plants and in propolis. The present study examined the effect of CAPE on TAM cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells. MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of TAM and/or CAPE for 48 h. This novel combination exerted synergistic cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 cells via induction of apoptotic machinery with activation of caspases and DNA fragmentation, along with downregulation of Bcl-2 and Beclin 1 expression levels. However, the mammalian microtubule-associated protein light chain LC 3-II level was unchanged. Vascular endothelial growth factor level was also decreased, whereas levels of glutathione and nitric oxide were increased. In conclusion, CAPE augmented TAM cytotoxicity via multiple mechanisms, providing a novel therapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment that can overcome resistance and lower toxicity. This effect provides a rationale for further investigation of this combination

The Anticancer Activity for the Bumetanide-Based Analogs via Targeting the Tumor-Associated Membrane-Bound Human Carbonic Anhydrase-IX Enzyme

The membrane-bound human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) IX is widely recognized as a marker of tumor hypoxia and a prognostic factor within several human cancers. Being undetected in most normal tissues, hCA-IX implies the pharmacotherapeutic advent of reduced off-target adverse effects. We assessed the potential anticancer activity of bumetanide-based analogues to inhibit the hCA-IX enzymatic activity and cell proliferation of two solid cancer cell lines, namely kidney carcinoma (A-498) and bladder squamous cell carcinoma (SCaBER). Bumetanide analogues efficiently inhibit the target hCA-IX in low nanomolar activity (IC50 = 4.4&ndash;23.7 nM) and have an excellent selectivity profile (SI = 14.5&ndash;804) relative to the ubiquitous hCA-II isoform. Additionally, molecular docking studies provided insights into the compounds&rsquo; structure&ndash;activity relationship and preferential binding of small-sized as well as selective bulky ligands towards the hCA-IX pocket. In particular, 2,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivative 9c displayed pronounced hCA-IX inhibitory activity and impressive antiproliferative activity on oncogenic A-498 kidney carcinoma cells and is being considered as a promising anticancer candidate. Future studies will aim to optimize this compound to fine-tune its anticancer activity as well as explore its potential through in-vivo preclinical studies

Design, Synthesis, Anticancer Activity, and Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation of Indole- and Benzimidazole-Based Compounds as Pro-Apoptotic Agents Targeting Bcl-2 Protein

Cancer is a multifactorial disease necessitating identification of novel targets for its treatment. Inhibition of Bcl-2 for triggered pro-apoptotic signaling is considered a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Within the current work, we aimed to design and synthesize a new series of benzimidazole- and indole-based derivatives as inhibitors of Bcl-2 protein. The market pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor, obatoclax, was the lead framework compound for adopted structural modifications. The obatoclax’s pyrrolylmethine linker was replaced with straight alkylamine or carboxyhydrazine methylene linkers providing the new compounds. This strategy permitted improved structural flexibility of synthesized compounds adopting favored maneuvers for better fitting at the Bcl-2 major hydrophobic pocket. Anti-cancer activity of the synthesized compounds was further investigated through MTT-cytotoxic assay, cell cycle analysis, RT-PCR, ELISA and DNA fragmentation. Cytotoxic results showed compounds 8a, 8b and 8c with promising cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231/breast cancer cells (IC50 = 12.69 ± 0.84 to 12.83 ± 3.50 µM), while 8a and 8c depicted noticeable activities against A549/lung adenocarcinoma cells (IC50 = 23.05 ± 1.45 and 11.63 ± 2.57 µM, respectively). The signaling Bcl-2 inhibition pathway was confirmed by molecular docking where significant docking energies and interactions with key Bcl-2 pocket residues were depicted. Moreover, the top active compound, 8b, showed significant upregulated expression levels of pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic of genes; Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, -8, and -9 through RT-PCR assay. Improving the compound’s pharmaceutical profile was undertaken by introducing 8b within drug-solid/lipid nanoparticle formulation prepared by hot melting homogenization technique and evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, particle size, and zeta potential. Significant improvement was seen at the compound’s cytotoxic activity. In conclusion, 8b is introduced as a promising anti-cancer lead candidate that worth future fine-tuned lead optimization and development studies while exploring its potentiality through in-vivo preclinical investigation

Delving into the properties of nanostructured Mg ferrite and PEG composites: A comparative study on structure, electrical conductivity, and dielectric relaxation

Magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are materials known for their versatility in various applications. This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the electrical conductivity and dielectric relaxation of nanostructured MgFe2O4 and its composites with PEG. Through experimentation, it was observed that incorporating PEG into MgFe2O4 did not lead to a high relative observed decrease or increase in electrical conductivity at room temperature. The study revealed that the composites maintained stable electrical behavior at room temperature, with a dielectric constant value of around 9 and a loss tangent value of around 0.1 at high frequency (around 7 MHz). The electron-hole hopping mechanism was identified as the underlying cause for the strong dielectric dispersion with frequency. The low dielectric loss and conductivity of the MgFe2O4 and PEG/ferrite composites make them promising candidates for high-frequency switching applications and microelectronic devices, particularly in scenarios where negligible eddy currents are essential. Additionally, complex impedance data analysis demonstrated that the capacitive and resistive properties of the composites are primarily attributed to grain boundary processes. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the electrical and dielectric properties of MgFe2O4 and PEG composites and highlights their potential for many applications in materials science, particularly in electrical and electronic devices

Structural, Magnetic, and AC Measurements of Nanoferrites/Graphene Composites

As a contribution to the graphene-based nanoferrite composites, this article is intended to present Mn, Co, and Co-Mn nanoferrites for the preparation and investigation of such samples. Nanoparticles of Co ferrite, Mn ferrite, and Co-Mn ferrite were chemically synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The composites of ferrite/graphene were made by incorporating weight ratios of 25% graphene to 75% ferrite. Various structural and characterizing investigations of ferrite samples and ferrite/graphene composites were performed, including XRD, EDX, SEM, VSM hysteresis loops, AC conductivity, and dielectric behavior. The investigations ensured the formation of the intended nanoferrite powders, each having a single-phase crystal structure with no undesired phases or elements. All samples exhibit a soft magnetic behavior. They show a semiconducting behavior of AC electrical conductivity as well. This was proved by the temperature dependence of the AC&rsquo;s electrical conductivity. Whereas the dielectric function and loss tangent show an expected, well-explained behavior, the ferrite/graphene composite samples have lower saturation magnetization values, lower AC conductivity, and dielectric constant values than the pure ferrites but still have the same behavior trends as those of the pure ferrites. The values obtained may represent steps on developing new materials for expected applications, such as manufacturing supercapacitors and/or improved battery electrodes