Advanced biohydrogen production using pretreated industrial waste: outlook and prospects

In order to address existing environmental concerns as a result of non-renewable energy sources and to meet future energy demands, biohydrogen offers a suitable alternative energy reserve. Discrete as well as integrative methods of biohydrogen production have been analyzed over time, optimized for achieving high yields. In addition, key process parameters such as temperature, pH, hydraulic retention time, substrate concentration etc., which influence the rate of production have been clarified. Several studies have exploited industrial waste as feed sources for the production of biohydrogen; however, lower yields from these add an additional requirement for suitable pretreatment methods. The present communication examines various pretreatment methods used to increase the accessibility of industrial wastewater/waste for biohydrogen production. Furthermore, a brief overview addresses challenges and constraints in creating a biohydrogen economy. The impacts of pretreating wastes on biohydrogen generation and the latest trends are also supplied. This study helps in the critical understanding of agro-industrial wastes for biohydrogen production, thereby encouraging future outcomes for a sustainable biohydrogen economy

Microtubule modification defects underlie cilium degeneration in cell models of retinitis pigmentosa associated with pre-mRNA splicing factor mutations

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of hereditary blindness, and may occur in isolation as a non-syndromic condition or alongside other features in a syndromic presentation. Biallelic or monoallelic mutations in one of eight genes encoding pre-mRNA splicing factors are associated with non-syndromic RP. The molecular mechanism of disease remains incompletely understood, limiting opportunities for targeted treatment. Here we use CRISPR and base edited PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cell lines, and publicly-available data from human PRPF31 +/− patient derived retinal organoids and PRPF31 siRNA-treated organotypic retinal cultures to confirm an enrichment of differential splicing of microtubule, centrosomal, cilium and DNA damage response pathway genes in these cells. We show that genes with microtubule/centrosome/centriole/cilium gene ontology terms are enriched for weak 3′ and 5′ splice sites, and that subtle defects in spliceosome activity predominantly affect efficiency of splicing of these exons. We suggest that the primary defect in PRPF6 or PRPF31 mutant cells is microtubule and centrosomal defects, leading to defects in cilium and mitotic spindle stability, with the latter leading to DNA damage, triggering differential splicing of DNA damage response genes to activate this pathway. Finally, we expand understanding of “splicing factor RP” by investigating the function of TTLL3, one of the most statistically differentially expressed genes in PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cells. We identify that TTLL3 is the only tubulin glycylase expressed in the human retina, essential for monoglycylation of microtubules of the cilium, including the retinal photoreceptor cilium, to prevent cilium degeneration and retinal degeneration. Our preliminary data suggest that rescue of tubulin glycylation through overexpression of TTLL3 is sufficient to rescue cilium number in PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cells, suggesting that this defect underlies the cellular defect and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention in this group of disorders

A Cross-Sectional Study on Fall Direction and Lower Limb Loading in Response to a Perturbation on Laterally Inclined Platform

Perturbation-based balance training (PBT) improves reactive stepping in older adults and people with neurological disorders. Slip-induced falls are a threat to older adults, leading to hip fractures. Fall-prone individuals must be trained to regain balance during a fall in the posterolateral direction. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the reactive step induced by a laterally inclined platform. This cross-sectional study included 46 healthy participants who performed a “lean and release” backward fall using a platform with two inclined angles on each side. Kinovea software was used to analyze the step width. Reactive steps, characterized by crossover or medial foot placement, are preventive measures against posterolateral falls. The first objective was on the narrowed step width that was subjected to analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc assessment, indicating a tendency toward posterolateral falls. As part of our second objective, the inclined platform resulted in uneven loading between the legs, with a preference for the unloaded leg as the reactive leg (p<0.001), as determined by Fisher’s exact test and Cramer’s V. These characteristics align closely with those observed in modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT). The angled platform had a significant effect on selecting the reactive leg, particularly at higher angles (p<0.001). Thus, the study suggested that the device is capable of inducing posterolateral falls and exhibited mCIMT characteristics

3rd National Conference on Image Processing, Computing, Communication, Networking and Data Analytics

This volume contains contributed articles presented in the conference NCICCNDA 2018, organized by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women, Mysore, Karnataka (India) on 28th April 2018