Evaluating the environmental impact of crude glycerol purification derived from biodiesel production: A comparative life cycle assessment study

In recent decades, surplus crude glycerol has been generated in large amounts as a waste product of biodiesel production, leading to bottlenecks in the supply chain of the biodiesel industry. This waste glycerol represents an important potential renewable feedstock and platform chemical; however, its purification is often needed for further processing. Advancements towards glycerol purification are being made using sustainable purification techniques aimed at improving the biodiesel industry's environmental footprint. Many studies focussing on various techniques to purify glycerol can be found in the literature; however, very few studies to evaluate the environmental impacts of the purification processes have been reported. This paper provides a critical investigation on the cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of three different processes for purifying crude glycerol, namely, physicochemical treatment and membrane purification (PMP) processes, vacuum distillation purification (VDP) processes and ion exchange purification (IEP) processes having a functional unit (FU) of 1000 kg of purified glycerol. These purification processes were modelled using Aspen plus software v12.1 in combination with Super Pro Designer v13. CCaLC2 (Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle of Industrial Activities) was used to measure the environmental impacts associated with each process. By following the ISO 14044:2006 methodology and utilising the CCaLC2 tool, seven different types of potential environmental impacts have been investigated, which include carbon footprint, water footprint, acidification, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, photochemical smog and human toxicity. Sensitivity analysis of the LCA was carried out using the response surface method (RSM) to determine the most effective parameter within the LCA. The total carbon footprint of the PMP, VDP and IEP processes are 3466.82, 1745.72 and 2239.71 kg CO2 eq. FU−1 respectively. The LCA study determined that waste generated as a result of crude glycerol impurities from the three processes had one of the highest environmental impacts on the overall process. For the PMP and IEP processes, the raw materials used in the physicochemical treatment also contribute significantly to the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts. Lastly, aspects concerning the environmental impacts from the PMP glycerol purification process have been addressed by analysing the raw materials from different sources accompanied by altered waste disposal methods (i.e. the incineration of generated wastes as opposed to landfilling) in an attempt to reduce the overall environmental impacts. For the PMP process, which has the highest carbon footprint, usage of differently sourced raw materials and altered waste disposal treatments resulted in 39% reduction in total carbon footprint and 54% reduction in the total ozone layer depletion. Sensitivity analysis of the LCA shows that the glycerol content within the crude glycerol was the most significant parameter

Humoral immune consequences of Staphylococcus aureus ST239-associated bacteremia

The humoral immune responses against 46 different staphylococcal antigens in 27 bacteremia patients infected by clonally related methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains of a single sequence type (ST) 239 were investigated. A group of non-infected patients (n = 31) hospitalized for different reasons served as controls. All strains were confirmed as ST 239 by S. aureus and mecA-specific PCR, spa, and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). In each bacteremia patient, a unique pattern of S. aureus antigen-specific immune responses after infection was observed. Antibody levels among bacteremia patients were significantly higher than controls for HlgB (P = 0.001), LukD (P = 0.009), LukF (P = 0.0001), SEA (P = 0.0001), SEB (P = 0.011), SEC (P = 0.010), SEQ (P = 0.049), IsaA (P = 0.043), IsdA (P = 0.038), IsdH (P = 0.01), SdrD (P = 0.001), SdrE (P = 0.046), EsxA (P = 0.0001), and SA0104 (P = 0.0001). On the other hand, the antibody levels were significantly higher among controls for SSL3 (P = 0.009), SSL9 (P = 0.002), and SSL10 (P = 0.007) when the IgG level on the day of infection was compared with that measured on the day of admission. Diversity was observed in the immune response against the antigens. However, a set of antigens (IsaA, IsdA, IsdH, SdrD, and HlgB) triggered a similar type of immune response in different individuals. We suggest that these antigens could be considered when developing a multi-component (passive) vaccine. SEA and/or its specific antibodies seem to play a critical role during ST239 MRSA bacteremia and SEA-targeted therapy may be a strategy to be considered

An Overview on the Bioethanol Production using Membrane Technologies

Membrane process is a novel effective technology that can improve the efficiency of a bio-refinery plant. In this study, an overview of the main subjects dealing with the coupling between bioethanol production plant and membrane process is presented as a new technology. Nowadays, several methods to improve existing processes in industrial environments are studied. For example, methods such as flow back to increase the efficiency and the use of more advanced devices has always been a goal of managers. However, using of membranes and membrane processes can be very efficient and includes a lot of advantages. Indeed, a bio-refinery is one of the suitable choices that can apply membrane technology to improve the conditions for the biofuel production. To achieve these goals and advantages being aware of their useful parts is necessary. Frequently, by helping a bio-refinery, sugar is changed into ethanol in one step using yeast during the fermentation process. Moreover, needed sugars are often provided by Biological sources or starch, cellulose and lignocellulosic materials. Hence, by changing the type of feedstock, the steps to achieve the product can be different in the agenda. Therefore, the improvements by the introduction of membranes in the bioethanol production process are discussed, in terms of efficiency and final product purity

Examining Older Adults\u27 Perceptions of Usability and Acceptability of Remote Monitoring Systems to Manage Chronic Heart Failure

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of using remote monitoring systems (RMS) in monitoring health status (e.g., vital signs, symptom distress) in older adults (≥ 55) with chronic heart failure (HF). Method: Twenty-one patients (52.4% women, mean age 73.1 ± 9.3) were trained to measure and transmit health data with an RMS. Data transmissions were tracked for 12 weeks. Results: All participants initiated use of RMS within 1 week; 71%, 14%, and 14% of patients transmitted daily health data 100%, ≥ 75%, and \u3c 75% of the time, respectively, for 12 weeks. Overall usability and acceptability of the RMS were 4.08 ± 0.634 and 4.10 ± 0.563, respectively (when scored on a range of 1-5, where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree). Discussion: Findings show that an RMS-based intervention can be successfully implemented in a group of older patients with chronic HF

Bioactive Lipids and Circulating Progenitor Cells in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Bone marrow-derived progenitor cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood after acute myocardial injury and in chronic ischemic heart disease. However, the mechanisms responsible for this mobilization are poorly understood. We examined the relationship between plasma levels of bioactive lipids and number of circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) in patients (N = 437) undergoing elective or emergent cardiac catheterization. Plasma levels of sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1 phosphate (C1P) were quantified using mass spectrometry. CPCs were assessed using flow cytometry. S1P levels correlated with the numbers of CD34+, CD34+/CD133+, and CD34+/CXCR4+ CPCs even after adjustment for potential confounding factors. However, no significant correlation was observed between C1P levels and CPC count. Plasma levels of S1P correlated with the number of CPCs in patients with coronary artery disease, suggesting an important mechanistic role for S1P in stem cell mobilization. The therapeutic effects of adjunctive S1P therapy to mobilize endogenous stem cells need to be investigated

In vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of young Zingiber officinale against human breast carcinoma cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ginger is one of the most important spice crops and traditionally has been used as medicinal plant in Bangladesh. The present work is aimed to find out antioxidant and anticancer activities of two Bangladeshi ginger varieties (Fulbaria and Syedpuri) at young age grown under ambient (400 μmol/mol) and elevated (800 μmol/mol) CO₂concentrations against two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The effects of ginger on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were determined using TBA (thiobarbituric acid) and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] assays. Reversed-phase HPLC was used to assay flavonoids composition among Fulbaria and Syedpuri ginger varieties grown under increasing CO₂concentration from 400 to 800 μmol/mol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Antioxidant activities in both varieties found increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing CO₂concentration from 400 to 800 μmol/mol. High antioxidant activities were observed in the rhizomes of Syedpuri grown under elevated CO₂concentration. The results showed that enriched ginger extract (rhizomes) exhibited the highest anticancer activity on MCF-7 cancer cells with IC₅₀values of 34.8 and 25.7 μg/ml for Fulbaria and Syedpuri respectively. IC₅₀values for MDA-MB-231 exhibition were 32.53 and 30.20 μg/ml for rhizomes extract of Fulbaria and Syedpuri accordingly.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Fulbaria and Syedpuri possess antioxidant and anticancer properties especially when grown under elevated CO₂concentration. The use of ginger grown under elevated CO₂concentration may have potential in the treatment and prevention of cancer.</p

First report on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus of Spa type T037, Sequence type 239, SCCmec type III/IIIA in Malaysia

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Malaysia were shown to possess staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec)-III and IIIA. Spa sequencing and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) documented t037 and ST 239 (CC8) for 83.3% of the isolates. This confirms observations in several other Far Eastern countries and corroborates the epidemicity of this clone

Extracellular ascorbate modulates glutamate dynamics: role of behavioral activation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A physiological increase in extracellular ascorbate (AA), an antioxidant vitamin found throughout the striatum, elevates extracellular glutamate (GLU). To determine the role of behavioral arousal in this interaction, microdialysis was used to measure striatal GLU efflux in rats tested in either a lights-off or lights-on condition while reverse dialysis either maintained the concentration of AA at 250 μM or increased it to 1000 μM to approximate endogenous changes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When lights were off, both locomotion and GLU increased regardless of AA dose. In contrast, animals in the lights-on condition were behaviorally inactive, and infusion of 1000, but not 250, μM AA significantly increased extracellular GLU. Interestingly, when ambient light returned to the lights-off group, 1000 μM prolonged the GLU increase relative to the 250 μM group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results not only support evidence that elevated striatal AA increases extracellular GLU but also indicate that this effect depends on behavioral state and the corresponding level of endogenous GLU release.</p

Prenatal Cocaine Exposure Increases Synaptic Localization of a Neuronal RasGEF, GRASP-1 via Hyperphosphorylation of AMPAR Anchoring Protein, GRIP

Prenatal cocaine exposure causes sustained phosphorylation of the synaptic anchoring protein, glutamate receptor interacting protein (GRIP1/2), preventing synaptic targeting of the GluR2/3-containing alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs; J. Neurosci. 29: 6308–6319, 2009). Because overexpression of GRIP-associated neuronal rasGEF protein (GRASP-1) specifically reduces the synaptic targeting of AMPARs, we hypothesized that prenatal cocaine exposure enhances GRASP-1 synaptic membrane localization leading to hyper-activation of ras family proteins and heightened actin polymerization. Our results show a markedly increased GRIP1-associated GRASP-1 content with approximately 40% reduction in its rasGEF activity in frontal cortices (FCX) of 21-day-old (P21) prenatal cocaine-exposed rats. This cocaine effect is the result of a persistent protein kinase C (PKC)- and downstream Src tyrosine kinase-mediated GRIP phosphorylation. The hyperactivated PKC also increased membrane-associated GRASP-1 and activated small G-proteins RhoA, cdc42/Rac1 and Rap1 as well as filamentous actin (F-actin) levels without an effect on the phosphorylation state of actin. Since increased F-actin facilitates protein transport, our results suggest that increased GRASP-1 synaptic localization in prenatal cocaine-exposed brains is an adaptive response to restoring the synaptic expression of AMPA-GluR2/3. Our earlier data demonstrated that persistent PKC-mediated GRIP phosphorylation reduces GluR2/3 synaptic targeting in prenatal cocaine-exposed brains, we now show that the increased GRIP-associated GRASP-1 may contribute to the reduction in GluR2/3 synaptic expression and AMPAR signaling defects