211 research outputs found

    A Comprehensive Review on Hybridization in Sustainable Desalination Systems

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    The contemporary era underscores the paramount significance of the water sector, largely due to dwindling resources and the exponential growth of the global population. Consequently, there is a pressing need to emphasis the vital role of desalination processes in addressing these challenges. In recent times, nations worldwide have shifted their focus towards optimizing treatment facilities. This optimization is pursued through the enhancement of plant efficiency and the amalgamation of diverse desalination technologies. The latter strategy has demonstrated its efficacy in augmenting on-ground productivity. Within this context, we embark on an exploration of the world\u27s foremost desalination facilities, delving into their production capacities and their hybridization status. Furthermore, we delve into the pivotal dimension of integrating renewable energy sources into these processes, acknowledging the substantial energy demands that desalination inherently entails. It is evident that countries in the Middle East have showcased a noteworthy inclination towards hybridization endeavors, which have yielded substantial improvements in station productivity. Notably, the RO-MSF hybrid system has emerged as a highly reliable choice among the various hybridization schemes employed in operational plants. The Middle East, in particular, has substantially bolstered its presence in the global landscape of operational hybrid plants, amassing a staggering total production capacity exceeding 17 million cubic meters per day. This attests to the region\u27s remarkable commitment to securing sustainable water resources through innovative desalination approaches

    A Comprehensive Review on Hybridization in Sustainable Desalination Systems

    Get PDF
    The contemporary era underscores the paramount significance of the water sector, largely due to dwindling resources and the exponential growth of the global population. Consequently, there is a pressing need to emphasis the vital role of desalination processes in addressing these challenges. In recent times, nations worldwide have shifted their focus towards optimizing treatment facilities. This optimization is pursued through the enhancement of plant efficiency and the amalgamation of diverse desalination technologies. The latter strategy has demonstrated its efficacy in augmenting on-ground productivity. Within this context, we embark on an exploration of the world\u27s foremost desalination facilities, delving into their production capacities and their hybridization status. Furthermore, we delve into the pivotal dimension of integrating renewable energy sources into these processes, acknowledging the substantial energy demands that desalination inherently entails. It is evident that countries in the Middle East have showcased a noteworthy inclination towards hybridization endeavors, which have yielded substantial improvements in station productivity. Notably, the RO-MSF hybrid system has emerged as a highly reliable choice among the various hybridization schemes employed in operational plants. The Middle East, in particular, has substantially bolstered its presence in the global landscape of operational hybrid plants, amassing a staggering total production capacity exceeding 17 million cubic meters per day. This attests to the region\u27s remarkable commitment to securing sustainable water resources through innovative desalination approaches

    Increased myeloperoxidase activity as an indicator of neutrophil-induced inflammation and sepsis in neonates

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    Background: MPO is an enzyme that contains heme secreted by phagocytic cells after the respiratory burst system activation. MPO is expressed mainly by neutrophils and monocytes in small quantities and it is very important to determine further process of hydrogen peroxide.Objective: to evaluate neutrophils activation and the MPO enzyme activity in plasma as an indicator of sepsis as well as sepsis severity in neonates with sepsis with correlation to their clinical and laboratory findings.Methods: were classified into 2 groups: sepsis group: included 45 neonates with gestational ages 28-40 weeks with sepsis, 15 of them had been subjected to follow up samples, control group: included 30 neonates proved to be free of sepsis. All neonates were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and measurement of plasma MPO enzyme.Results: this study revealed that MPO activity and neutrophil cell count are increased in sepsis group compared to the non-septic neonates. The ROC curve showed that the best cut off for MPO in prediction of septic patients and mortality was found >54 mu/ml and >83 mu/ml respectively. There was positive correlation between MPO enzyme activity and the total leukocyte count and neutrophil count. By following up some of sepsis group neonates there was significant decrease in MPO activity goes along with improvement in clinical state of neonates with sepsis. MPO enzyme activity was found to be low in septic shock patients who also have pancytopenia compared to septic patients without shock.Conclusion: plasma MPO enzyme proved to be a good marker of sepsis in neonates, with a good prognostic value in severe cases.Keywords: MPO, inflammatory response, neonates, sepsi

    Evaluating 'pocket' public spaces in Al Wehdat refugee camp, Jordan: challenges and opportunities

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    The main objective of this research is to evaluate public ‘pocket’ spaces in Al Wehdat Refugee Camp, Jordan. The paper aims to identify the challenges associated with implementing pocket space upgrades and make visible some opportunities that enhances their socio-economic viability. By doing so, the research seeks to contribute to providing long-term solutions for refugee settlements, going beyond basic shelter provision, and creating community facilities and public spaces to enhance the living conditions and well-being of camp residents. The study addresses three key questions: What are the different types of pocket spaces in the camp? How do community members perceive their potential uses? What are the challenges and opportunities for implementing pocket space upgrades in Al Wehdat camp? The research utilised mapping and semi-structured interviews, which revealed various pocket space types. This exposed distinct pattern of public space appropriation within different camp zones, including informal privatisation of public space, linked to the spaces’ morphology rather than ownership. Community preferences for upgrading strategies differed based on pocket types, with small-scale greening and place-making strategies favoured in informally privatised pockets to maintain privacy, while parks or playgrounds were preferred in mixed-use areas. The research found that the main challenge facing public space upgrades lies in the conflicting dual management structure between UNRWA and the local municipality, necessitating administrative strategies for long-term improvement. Community involvement and heritage preservation proved crucial for sustaining upgrades. While specific to Al Wehdat, the findings offer insights into creating community public spaces in refugee camps and informal settings, potentially benefiting other long-term refugee camps

    Dissecting DNA repair in adult high grade gliomas for patient stratification in the post-genomic era

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    Deregulation of multiple DNA repair pathways may contribute to aggressive biology and therapy resistance in gliomas. We evaluated transcript levels of 157 genes involved in DNA repair in an adult glioblastoma Test set (n=191) and validated in ‘The Cancer Genome Atlas’ (TCGA) cohort (n=508). A DNA repair prognostic index model was generated. Artificial neural network analysis (ANN) was conducted to investigate global gene interactions. Protein expression by immunohistochemistry was conducted in 61 tumours. A fourteen DNA repair gene expression panel was associated with poor survival in Test and TCGA cohorts. A Cox multivariate model revealed APE1, NBN, PMS2, MGMT and PTEN as independently associated with poor prognosis. A DNA repair prognostic index incorporating APE1, NBN, PMS2, MGMT and PTEN stratified patients in to three prognostic sub-groups with worsening survival. APE1, NBN, PMS2, MGMT and PTEN also have predictive significance in patients who received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. ANN analysis of APE1, NBN, PMS2, MGMT and PTEN revealed interactions with genes involved in transcription, hypoxia and metabolic regulation. At the protein level, low APE1 and low PTEN remain associated with poor prognosis. In conclusion, multiple DNA repair pathways operate to influence biology and clinical outcomes in adult high grade gliomas

    Genomic and protein expression analysis reveals flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) as a key biomarker in breast and ovarian cancer

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    FEN1 has key roles in Okazaki fragment maturation during replication, long patch base excision repair, rescue of stalled replication forks, maintenance of telomere stability and apoptosis. FEN1 may be dysregulated in breast and ovarian cancers and have clinicopathological significance in patients. We comprehensively investigated FEN1 mRNA expression in multiple cohorts of breast cancer [training set (128), test set (249), external validation (1952)]. FEN1 protein expression was evaluated in 568 oestrogen receptor (ER) negative breast cancers, 894 ER positive breast cancers and 156 ovarian epithelial cancers. FEN1 mRNA overexpression was highly significantly associated with high grade (p= 4.89 x 10 - 57) , high mitotic index (p= 5.25 x 10 - 28), pleomorphism (p= 6.31 x 10-19), ER negative (p= 9.02 x 10-35 ), PR negative (p= 9.24 x 10-24 ), triple negative phenotype (p= 6.67 x 10-21) , PAM50.Her2 (p=5.19 x 10-13 ), PAM50.Basal (p=2.7 x 10-41), PAM50.LumB (p=1.56 x 10-26), integrative molecular cluster 1 (intClust.1) ( p=7.47 x 10-12), intClust.5 (p=4.05 x 10-12) and intClust. 10 (p=7.59 x 10-38 ) breast cancers. FEN1 mRNA overexpression is associated with poor breast cancer specific survival in univariate (p=4.4 x 10-16) and multivariate analysis (p=9.19 x 10-7). At the protein level, in ER positive tumours , FEN1 overexpression remains significantly linked to high grade, high mitotic index and pleomorphism (ps< 0.01). In ER negative tumours, high FEN1 is significantly associated with pleomorphism, tumour type, lymphovascular invasion, triple negative phenotype, EGFR and HER2 expression (ps<0.05). In ER positive as well as in ER negative tumours, FEN1 protein over expression is associated with poor survival in univariate and multivariate analysis (ps<0.01). In ovarian epithelial cancers , similarly, FEN1 overexpression is associated with high grade, high stage and poor survival (ps<0.05). We conclude that FEN1 is a promising biomarker in breast and ovarian epithelial cancer

    Transcriptomic and Protein Expression Analysis Reveals Clinicopathological Significance of Bloom Syndrome Helicase (BLM) in Breast Cancer

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    BLM has key roles in homologous recombination repair, telomere maintenance and DNA replication. Germ-line mutation in the BLM gene causes Bloom’s syndrome, a rare disorder characterised by premature aging and predisposition to multiple cancers including breast cancer. The clinicopathological significance of BLM in sporadic breast cancers is unknown. We investigated BLM mRNA expression in the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium cohort (n=1950) and validated in an external dataset of 2413 tumours. BLM protein level was evaluated in the Nottingham Tenovus series comprising 1650 breast tumours. High BLM mRNA expression was highly significantly associated with high histological grade, larger tumour size, ER negative, PgR negative and triple negative phenotypes (ps<0.0001). High BLM mRNA expression was also linked to aggressive molecular phenotypes including PAM50.Her2 (p<0.0001), PAM50.Bas al (p<0.0001) and PAM50.LumB (p<0.0001) and Genufu subtype (ER+/Her2-/High proliferation) (p<0.0001). PAM50.LumA tumours and Genufu subtype (ER+/Her2-/low proliferation) were more likely to express low levels of BLM mRNA (ps<0.0001). Integrative molecular clusters (intClust) intClust.1 (p<0.0001), intClust.5 (p<0.0001), intClust.9 (p<0.0 001) and intClust.10 (p<0.0001) were also more likely in tumours with high BLM mRNA expression. High BLM mRNA expression was associated with poor breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) (ps<0.000001). At the protein level, altered sub-cellular localisation with high cytoplasmic BLM and low nuclear BLM was linked to aggressive phenotypes. In multivariate analysis, BLM mRNA and BLM protein levels independently influenced BCSS ( p=0.03). This is the first and the largest study to provide evidence that BLM is a promising biomarker in breast cancer

    RECQL4 helicase has oncogenic potential in sporadic breast cancers

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    RECQL4 helicase is a molecular motor that unwinds DNA, a process essential during DNA replication and DNA repair. Germ-line mutations in RECQL4 cause type II Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), characterized by a premature ageing phenotype and cancer predisposition. RECQL4 is widely considered to be a tumour suppressor, although its role in human breast cancer is largely unknown. As the RECQL4 gene is localized to chromosome 8q24, a site frequently amplified in sporadic breast cancers, we hypothesized that it may play an oncogenic role in breast tumourigenesis. To address this, we analysed large cohorts for gene copy number changes (n = 1977), mRNA expression (n = 1977) and protein level (n = 1902). Breast cancer incidence was also explored in 58 patients with type II RTS. DNA replication dynamics and chemosensitivity was evaluated in RECQL4-depleted breast cancer cells in vitro. Amplification or gain in gene copy number (30.6%), high-level mRNA expression (51%) and high levels of protein (23%) significantly associated with aggressive tumour behaviour, including lymph node positivity, larger tumour size, HER2 overexpression, ER-negativity, triple-negative phenotypes and poor survival. RECQL4 depletion impaired the DNA replication rate and increased chemosensitivity in cultured breast cancer cells. Thus, although recognized as a ’safe guardian of the genome’, our data provide compelling evidence that RECQL4 is tumour promoting in established breast cancers

    Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of RECQL5 helicase expression in breast cancers

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    RECQL5 is a member of the RecQ family of DNA helicases and has key roles in homologous recombination, base excision repair, replication and transcription. The clinicopathological significance of RECQL5 expression in breast cancer is unknown. In the current study we have evaluated RECQL5 mRNA expression in 1977 breast cancers, and RECQL5 protein level in 1902 breast cancers [Nottingham Tenovus series (n=1650) and ER- cohort (n=252)]. Expression levels were correlated to aggressive phenotypes and survival outcomes. High RECQL5 mRNA expression was significantly associated with high histological grade (p=0.007), HER2 overexpression (p=0.032), ER+/HER2-/high proliferation genefu subtype, integrative molecular clusters (intClust 1and 9) and poor breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) (ps<0.0001). In sub-group analysis, high RECQL5 mRNA level remains significantly associated with poor BCSS in ER+ cohort (p<0.0001) but not in ER- cohort (p=0.116). At the protein level, in tumours with low RAD51, high RECQL5 level was significantly associated with high histological grade (p<0.0001), higher mitotic index (p=0.008), de-differentiation (p=0.025), pleomorphism (p=0.027) and poor BCSS (P=0.003). In sub-group analysis, high RECQL5/low RAD51 remains significantly associated with poor BCSS in ER+ cohort (p=0.010), but not in ER- cohort (p=0.628). In multivariate analysis, high RECQL5 mRNA and high RECQL5/low RAD51 nuclear protein co-expression independently influenced BCSS (p=0.022) in whole cohort and in the ER+ sub-group. Pre-clinically, we show that exogenous expression of RECQL5 in MCF10A cells can drive proliferation supporting an oncogenic function for RECQL5 in breast cancer. We conclude that RECQL5 is a promising biomarker in breast cancer

    HER2/HER3 heterodimers and p21 expression are capable of predicting adjuvant trastuzumab response in HER2+ breast cancer

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    Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) plays an important role in breast cancer progression and provides predictive information for response to targeted therapy including trastuzumab although this is limited. Downstream pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, are associated with HER2/HER3 heterodimerization promoting survival and proliferation amongst cancer cells. Thus, patient outcome and trastuzumab therapy effectiveness might be further characterised by HER2/HER3 dimerisation and its signalling pathways. HER2/HER3 dimerisation status was assessed, using chromogenic in situ Proximity Ligation Assay, in two breast cancer series: early stage primary breast cancer, including 224 HER2+ patients that were not submitted to trastuzumab, and HER2+ breast cancer where patients were treated with adjuvant trastuzumab (n = 143). Levels of biomarkers including PI3K, pAKT, ER, PgR, HER3, BCL2, p53, PTEN and p21 were measured using immunohistochemistry. Levels of HER2/HER3 heterodimers were compared with biomarker expression and patient outcome. An association between high levels of HER2/HER3 dimerisation and absence of hormone receptors, ER and PgR, was observed. We further show for the first time the presence of HER2/HER3 heterodimers and the loss of p21 expression in HER2+ breast cancer predicts a significantly poorer outcome when submitted to adjuvant trastuzumab. Breast cancer patients that reveal high levels of HER2/HER3 dimerisation and loss of p21 are associated with poor survival prognosis in patients with HER2+ breast cancer treated with adjuvant trastuzumab. Further quantification analysis of HER dimer/ligand complexes and downstream signalling pathways will begin to unravel the complex associations with patient outcome and its relationship with sensitivity to targeted treatment
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