Evaluation of Interleukin 8 gene polymorphism for predicting inflammation in Indian chronic kidney disease and peritoneal dialysis patients

Background and aim: Previous studies have observed the association between inflammation and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The role played by Interleukin 8 (IL8) gene polymorphism has not been studied yet. Hence, the present study has been designed as the first attempt to identify the possible associations between polymorphism of the IL-8 gene and patients with diabetic CKD and on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).Materials and methods: A total of 150 participants were selected from a private nephrology outpatient clinic. The subjects were divided into three groups: healthy individuals without any renal complications (group 1, control, n=50), patients with diabetic chronic kidney disease of stages 3 and 4 (group 2, n= 50) and CAPD (group 3, n= 50). Blood deoxyribo nucleic acid (DNA) isolated from the members of the study group, was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis and primers specific for IL8 gene were designed, using primer3 software tool.Results: Restriction digestion of the amplicons with Escherichia coli restriction enzyme I (EcoRI) ended up in 203 base pairs (bp) band in control and 108 bp band in all diabetic and non-diabeticCKD. This indicated the presence of polymorphismin +781 Cytosine/Thymine (C/T) of IL-8 gene in diabetic CKD and CAPD patients. Statistical analysis of the distribution of frequencies of alleles C and T by chi square test confirmed the presence of polymorphismat+781C/T of IL-8 gene in patient groups compared to control.Conclusion: The polymorphismin+781C/T of IL-8 gene studied in this work suggests its possible role as an inflammatory marker for both chronic kidney disease and CAPD.Keywords: IL-8 gene polymorphism; CKD; CAPD; +781 C/

Production of hydrogen as value added product from the photovoltaic thermal system operated with graphene nanoparticles: An experimental study

Hydrogen is a growing alternative for fossil fuels that may be used to combat the energy shortfall that exists in a variety of industries, most notably the transportation and power generation industries. In this research work, the utilization of solar energy for the generation of electricity and production of hydrogen are thoroughly covered. A hybrid photovoltaic thermal system (PVT) has been used to generate the hydrogen via electrolysis process. To enhance the thermal efficiency of the PVT, graphene oxide nanofluids have been utilized. Graphene oxide nanofluids dispersed at the mass flow rates, such as 0.8 g/s, 1.0 g/s, and 1.2 g/s using sonication technique. A series of tests conducted between 9.00 A.M. to 4.00 P.M. to determine the parameters such as cell temperature, electrical efficiency, thermal efficiency and hydrogen mass flow rate. The procured results of the PVT carried out with the utilization of air and water as coolants were compared with PVT with nanofluids. From the findings it is evident that the performance of the system was significantly enhanced by the utilization of nanofluids at the optimized concentration compared to conventional water and air. With regard to the nanofluids mass flow rate, concentration of 1.2 g/s reported higher electrical (8.6%) and thermal efficiency (33.3%) compared to water. Added to above, there is a profound increase in the mass flow rate of hydrogen that has been observed at 1.2 g/s.King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; [RSP-2021/228

Spirulina microalgae blend with biohydrogen and nanocatalyst TiO2 and Ce2O3 as step towards emission reduction: Promoter or inhibitor

Extensive use of fossil fuels is the main cause for global warming. Burning of fossil fuels increases the air pollution which leads to adverse human health effects. Biodiesel is one the promising source of the energy to replace fossil fuel. The current study focused on one of the most sustainable microalgae biodiesel blends in the diesel engine. Further, the nanoparticles such as TiO2 and Ce2O3 were sonicated with the blends at the rate of 50 ppm to increase the brake thermal efficiency with least production of the pollutants. In addition to above, the hydrogen is also used as the secondary fuel to enhance the performance and combustion characteristics of the spirulina biodiesel. The constant hydrogen flow rate of 10 L/min was maintained throughout the study. Compared to the diesel fuel, biodiesel blends reported higher BTE due to the oxygenated additives and hydrogen addition. The maximum thermal efficiency for blend B30TH was found to be 29.5 % and minimum specific fuel consumption has been obtained for B30CH at maximum brake power conditions. In all test conditions, the biodiesel blends with hydrogen reported higher in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate. With regard to the emission, adding the biodiesel blends increases the combustion rates which leads to the reduction of accumulation of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen of oxides and smoke. Among the various blends B20CH reported a massive reduction in the emission than B20TH.Van Lang University, Vietnam; King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [RSP-2021/385