Hydrogen and Carbon Nanotubes from Pyrolysis-Catalysis of Waste Plastics: A Review

More than 27 million tonnes of waste plastics are generated in Europe each year representing a considerable potential resource. There has been extensive research into the production of liquid fuels and aromatic chemicals from pyrolysis-catalysis of waste plastics. However, there is less work on the production of hydrogen from waste plastics via pyrolysis coupled with catalytic steam reforming. In this paper, the different reactor designs used for hydrogen production from waste plastics are considered and the influence of different catalysts and process parameters on the yield of hydrogen from different types of waste plastics are reviewed. Waste plastics have also been investigated as a source of hydrocarbons for the generation of carbon nanotubes via the chemical vapour deposition route. The influences on the yield and quality of carbon nanotubes derived from waste plastics are reviewed in relation to the reactor designs used for production, catalyst type used for carbon nanotube growth and the influence of operational parameters

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Not AvailableGonadotropin (GTH) hormones are glycoprotein which stimulates gonadal maturation in vertebrates. Follicle stimulating hormone is involved in initiation of gametogenesis and regulation of gonadal growth. FSHβ has been cloned and characterized from the brain of Catla catla. The FSHβ full‐length of cDNA sequence of 523 bp comprised 3, 394 and 128 bp of 5′‐UTR, open reading frame (ORF) 3′‐UTR respectively. The coding region of C. catla FSHβ encoded a peptide of 130 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis of C. catla FSHβ deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity with Gobiocypris rarus followed by goldfish, Carassius auratus. The qPCR result shows that FSHβ mRNA is mainly expressed in pituitary while moderate and low expression was observed in testis and ovary respectively. Chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) of particle size 125 nm, polydispersity index of 0.335 to 0.65 and zeta potential of −34.95 mV were synthesized and evaluated at against naked kisspeptin‐10 for their reproductive hormonal profile. Treatment of fish with CK‐10 showed controlled and sustained surge of the reproductive hormones (FSH & LH) with peak at 12 h. The hormone levels of naked kisspeptin‐10 treated fish decline after 6 h. The sustained release of this CK‐10 will help in reducing maturation age, synchronization of ovulation and spawning in fish. This is the first report on use of chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) for reproduction in fish.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableGreen synthesis of nanoparticles by using different biological agents has emerged as an alternative to overcome the toxic effect of chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Among various biological agents, plants are mostly preferred. This study describes an eco-friendly and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs) using Azadirachta indica (neem) as a reducing agent. UV–Vis spectral analysis proved the wavelength of sample to be 420 nm, approaching the surface resonance peak specific for G-AgNPs. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed the mean diameter of particles as 35.4 nm with zeta potential +34.6 mV. TEM results revealed the compact and spherical shape of the particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies (FT-IR) demonstrate the presence of possible functional groups involved in synthesis of the silver nanoparticles. The functional activity of immunological parameters, such as nitroblue tetrazolium assay, myeloperoxidase activity, phagocytic activity, anti-protease and lysozyme activity, increased significantly (P < 0.05) in fish treated with G-AgNPs. Relative percentage survival (74%) and enhanced disease resistance were observed in G-AgNP-treated Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. In summary, present results demonstrate biosynthesized silver nanoparticles have immunomodulatory and antibacterial activity.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableFish like higher animals, have a well-defined mechanism to produce sex steroids that play a critical role in gonadal development and maturation. In this study, we aimed to analyse the expression pattern of 3b- HSD in different tissues, during ontogenetic development and gonadal recrudescence of Clarias batra- chus. A full-length cDNA of 1617 bp including an open reading frame (ORF) of 1125 bp encoding 374 amino acids was isolated from testes of C. batrachus. The docking analysis between C. batrachus 3b-HSD protein and eurycomanone exhibited high binding affinity toward each other with total energy of 108.292 kcal/mol and van der Waals (VDW) interaction of 84.2838 kcal/mol. The 3b-HSD transcript level during ontogeny was detected in all the stages starting from the fertilized egg. The mature C. batrachus showed more expression of 3b-HSD mRNA in gonads and brain while weak expression was detected in the remaining tissues analysed. The 3b-HSD mRNA expression during annual reproductive phases of gonads was more in preparatory and pre-spawning stages than that of spawning and post- spawning phases. The mRNA expression results together suggest that 3b-HSD plays an important role in gonadal development. Furthermore, the active binding sites on 3b-HSD protein could be targeted in pharmacological drug designing to cope with reproductive dysfunctions in fish.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableWe report molecular characterization of the kisspeptin receptor (kiss1r), an essential gatekeeper for reproduction and onset of puberty in vertebrates. The full-length cDNA sequence of kiss1r is 1786 bp which consist of 5∗ UTR (untranslated region) 261 bp, 3∗ UTR of 424 bp and open reading frame of 1101 encoding a putative protein of 366 amino acids. Basal tissue expression pattern of kiss1r mRNA revealed that it is mainly expressed in the brain and testis. We also report the structure of the kiss1r, along with plausible activation mechanism of this receptor by kisspeptin using computational modelling and dynamic simulation approach of multiple 100 ns of timescale. A present modelling and simulations stud- ies shed light on the molecular level of interaction, suggesting that direct hydrogen bonds between ASN4, SER5, GLY7, ARG9 and PHE10 of kisspeptin and TRP7, ASN8, GLU11, ILE17, ASN19 and TYR183 of kiss1r could be crucial role players in initial binding of receptor and the kisspeptin towards allosteric modulatory effects of kisspeptin on the receptor. To the best our knowledge, this is the first report on computational modelling and molecular dynamic simulations of kiss1r in animals shedding light on its possible mode of activation.Not Availabl

Oral Administration of Live and Dead Cells of Lactobacillus sakei proBio65 Alleviated Atopic Dermatitis in Children and Adolescents: a Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study.

Several studies suggest that probiotics might be useful in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the efficacy and comparison between both the administration of viable and non-viable probiotics on alleviation of AD is not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of L. sakei proBio65 live and dead cells when administered (1 × 1010 cells/day) for 12 weeks to children and adolescents (aged 3 to 18) with atopic dermatitis. In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study, ninety patients were recruited and randomly allocated to either the L. sakei proBio65 live cells, L. sakei proBio65 dead cells, or placebo groups. Assessment of efficacy was based on the change in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score, Investigators Global Assessment (IGA) score, serum inflammatory markers such as the serum eosinophil (count), IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), CCL17 (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine [TARC]), and CCL27 (cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine [CTACK]), and changes in skin condition (moisture and sebum) at baseline, week 6 and week 12. The SCORAD total score decreased in the live cells (p = 0.0015) and dead cell group (p = 0.0017) from the baseline after 12 weeks, whereas there were no significant changes in the placebo group when compared with baseline. The skin sebum content increased in both the live cell (p < 0.0001) and the dead cell group (p < 0.0001), suggesting potential improvements in skin barrier functions. Current data suggested a positive improvement in alleviation of AD symptoms upon oral administration of L. sakei proBio65 in both viable and non-viable forms