Use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis for bioethanol production from sugar beet pulp and raw juice

Biofuels have received great attention as an alternative energy source mainly due to limited oil reserves. Bioethanol can be produced from wide range of raw materials like starch, sucrose and cellulosic based sources. Sugar beet and raw juice, as its intermediate product, constitute very profitable substrates for bioethanol production, considering content of easy available fermentable sugars. In this study, sugar beet pulp and raw juice were fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae distillery yeasts and bacterium Zymomonas mobilis. Different medium dilution rate as well as yeasts preparations (Fermiol, Safdistil C-70) were investigated. Fermentation was run for 72 h at 30°C. Quality of obtained raw distillates was evaluated using GC method. S. cerevisiae distillery yeasts turned out to be more favourable microorganism than bacterium Z. mobilis for sucrose material fermentation. The ethanol yield obtained from sugar beet pulp and raw juice was 84 and 95% of theoretical yield, respectively. Fermentation of sugar beet raw juice obtained by pressing without enzymatic treatment yielded higher ethanol efficiency as compared to raw juice pressed with enzyme. Dilution ratio 1:1 for fermentation medium appeared to be profitable for effective fermentation process.Keywords: Sugar beet roots, raw juice, fermentation, bioethanol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zymomonas mobilisAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyVol. 12(18), pp. 2464-247

Anaplastyczny rak tarczycy z gwałtowną tyreotoksykozą — opis przypadku i przegląd literatury

Introduction: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive human malignancies and constitutes approximately 1.6–5% of the malignant neoplasms of the thyroid gland. ATC usually manifests itself with the local symptoms due to a rapidly enlarging thyroid mass, and as other thyroid cancers, has only seldom been reported to cause thyrotoxicosis. Up to now only 9 cases of ATC with concomitant thyrotoxicosis have been described. Case report: We report a rare case of a 66-year-old woman, who had had the preexisting large, euthyroid multinodular goiter for almost 50 years. She was consulted by a doctor because of a 4-week history of thyrotoxicosis, symptoms of the congestive heart failure and a rapid increase in the size of the goiter. Thyroid hormone levels were consistent with a hyperthyroid state. The fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, the small cells variant. The 99m Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy visualized non-homogenous tracer distribution with hot nodules. She was given a doxorubicin (20 mg/week) and required the continuous antithyroid treatment. The patient died a one year after the first symptoms of the disease occurred. Discussion: The association between ATC and a thyrotoxic state is very rare. In most cases, thyrotoxicosis concomitant with ATC was thought to be a result of the destruction of the thyroid follicles by the rapid infiltration with malignant cells, resulting in the leakage of preformed hormones to the circulation. In that case the most probable cause of thyrotoxicosis was the multinodular goiter coexisting with ATC. A simultaneous onset of tumor growth, thyrotoxicosis and a relatively long survival time of our patient is worth to notice and discuss.Wstęp: Anaplastyczny rak tarczycy (ATC) jest jednym z najagresywniejszych nowotworów w patologii ludzkiej i stanowi około 1,6–5% złośliwych nowotworów tarczycy. Rozpoczyna się zwykle objawami miejscowymi wtórnymi do szybkiego wzrostu guza i, podobnie jak w przypadków innych typów raka tarczycy, jedynie sporadycznie jest on skojarzony z nadczynnością tarczycy. Dotychczas opisano 9 przypadków ATC ze współistniejącą tyreotoksykozą. Opis przypadku: Autorzy prezentują rzadki przypadek 66-letniej kobiety ze stwierdzanym od blisko 50 lat ogromnym wolem guzowa­tym, wcześniej w stanie eutyreozy. Pacjentka zgłosiła się do lekarza z powodu utrzymujących się od 4 tygodni objawów nadczynności tarczycy, zastoinowej niewydolności krążenia oraz gwałtownego wzrostu objętości wola. Wyniki badań hormonalnych były typowe dla pierwotnej nadczynności tarczycy. W biopsji cienkoigłowej potwierdzono rozpoznanie raka anaplastycznego z małych komórek. Scyntygrafia technetowa wykazała niejednorodne gromadzenie znacznika oraz kilka gorących guzków. Pacjentka była leczona doksorubicyną w dawce 20 mg/tydzień, wymagała także stałego podawania tyreostatyku. Zmarła po roku od wystąpienia pierwszych objawów choroby. Dyskusja: Skojarzenie ATC z tyreotoksykozą jest niezwykle rzadkie. W większości przypadków nadczynność tarczycy współistniejąca z ATC wynika z uwalniania do krążenia hormonów z nabłonka tarczycy niszczonego przez naciek nowotworowy. W prezentowanym przypadku najbardziej prawdopodobną przyczyną nadczynności tarczycy było współistnienie wola guzowatego toksycznego. Warto zwrócić uwagę na jednoczesne wystąpienie gwałtownego wzrostu wola i tyreotoksykozy oraz na względnie długie przeżycie pacjentki

Wound packing trainee construction

Haemorrhage is one of the main causes of death in injuries in both civilian and military conditions. Controlling bleeding is the most important task facing the rescuer when helping a casualty. There are many ways to control bleeding, but these methods are often misused. Most of the methods described have their roots in battlefield medicine developed on the basis of experience from armed conflicts. Currently, there is a clear trend towards adapting tactical medicine solutions for civil rescues because they are effective and simple. Increased awareness among civilian rescuers and regular training will hopefully lead to more effective help for injured people. The authors' work focused on the construction of an effective trainer to mimic a hip wound and a practical examination of how training affects the time to stop bleeding using the wound packing technique

Uterine fibroids - a literature review

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplastic lesions occurring in women. They are formed as a result of proliferation of smooth muscle tissue cells. Their appearance and proliferation are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. 70% of them remain asymptomatic, so they are often detected only during a routine gynecological examination or pelvic imaging studies. Uterine myomas can generate pelvic and lower abdominal discomfort and pain, abnormal, prolonged, heavy bleeding, anemia, dyspareunia, frequent urination, bloating, constipation, abdominal cramps, low back pain and obstetric complications. Available therapeutic strategies include conservative, pharmacological and surgical treatment. The choice of a particular method is considered on an individual basis and depends on the presence of clinical symptoms, the size, location of the myomas, or the age and procreative plans of the patient

Chronic migraine prevention from the perspective of a family doctor: a literature review

Chronic migraine is a disease that significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. It affects millions of people around the world, and is common particularly among young women. Family physicians often encounter the problem of migraine headaches in their daily practice. The diagnostic problem results from absence of tests or imaging studies that can clearly indicate the cause of the headache. In order to establish a diagnosis and exclude secondary sources of pain, doctors focus on a detailed medical history and analysis of symptoms presented over time. Preventive treatment of migraine requires appropriate drug selection after weighing the benefits and risks for each patient. This review paper presents and briefly discusses selected pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods used in migraine prevention. They were selected by searching the PubMed Internet database. The presented non-pharmacological methods include the use of nutraceutics, acupuncture and behavioral therapy. The discussed pharmacological methods include treatment with beta-blockers, topimarate, flunarizine or one of the latest methods - the use of monoclonal antibodies against CGRP. In addition, the use of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of chronic migraine has also been demonstrated. It should be remembered that the type of therapy chosen should be individualized: according to the patient's preferences, treatment effectiveness, possible side effects or accompanying diseases. Proper management of chronic migraine prophylaxis can significantly improve the quality of life of patients and reduce the frequency of headache attacks

Contemporary treatment options for male hypogonadism

Introduction Male hypogonadism is a disease in which testicular function is impaired. Its symptoms are due to testosterone deficiency and most of them show low specificity. These include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and mood disorders, among others. The biochemical indicator of hypogonadism is a testosterone concentration below 350 ng/ml (12nmol/L), according to the European Association of Urology (EAU). The increased incidence of hypogonadism is associated with aging and the presence of comorbidities such as type II diabetes and obesity. Men with testosterone deficiency have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Goals Summary of current reports on the diagnosis and treatment of hypogonadism. An overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of formulations used in testosterone replacement therapy. MethodsReview of literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Conclusions The medical interview, physical examination and ancillary tests help to classify hypogonadism appropriately. Measuring the concentration of gonadotropins, helps diversify primary from secondary hypogonadism. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) uses formulations that have varying release profiles, route of administration and drug formulation. The choice of testosterone product should involve age, lifestyle, and individual preferences of the patient

Uterine fibroids - a literature review

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplastic lesions occurring in women. They are formed as a result of proliferation of smooth muscle tissue cells. Their appearance and proliferation are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. 70% of them remain asymptomatic, so they are often detected only during a routine gynecological examination or pelvic imaging studies. Uterine myomas can generate pelvic and lower abdominal discomfort and pain, abnormal, prolonged, heavy bleeding, anemia, dyspareunia, frequent urination, bloating, constipation, abdominal cramps, low back pain and obstetric complications. Available therapeutic strategies include conservative, pharmacological and surgical treatment. The choice of a particular method is considered on an individual basis and depends on the presence of clinical symptoms, the size, location of the myomas, or the age and procreative plans of the patient

Chronic migraine prevention from the perspective of a family doctor: a literature review

Chronic migraine is a disease that significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. It affects millions of people around the world, and is common particularly among young women. Family physicians often encounter the problem of migraine headaches in their daily practice. The diagnostic problem results from absence of tests or imaging studies that can clearly indicate the cause of the headache. In order to establish a diagnosis and exclude secondary sources of pain, doctors focus on a detailed medical history and analysis of symptoms presented over time. Preventive treatment of migraine requires appropriate drug selection after weighing the benefits and risks for each patient. This review paper presents and briefly discusses selected pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods used in migraine prevention. They were selected by searching the PubMed Internet database. The presented non-pharmacological methods include the use of nutraceutics, acupuncture and behavioral therapy. The discussed pharmacological methods include treatment with beta-blockers, topimarate, flunarizine or one of the latest methods - the use of monoclonal antibodies against CGRP. In addition, the use of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of chronic migraine has also been demonstrated. It should be remembered that the type of therapy chosen should be individualized: according to the patient's preferences, treatment effectiveness, possible side effects or accompanying diseases. Proper management of chronic migraine prophylaxis can significantly improve the quality of life of patients and reduce the frequency of headache attacks