Challenges and perspectives on innovative technologies for biofuel production and sustainable environmental management

Specifically, human activities, such as those in industry and transportation, have resulted in an increase in the demand for fossil fuels, resulting in severe environmental problems.Throughout this article, we discuss the potential and challenges associated with the production of biofuels from a variety of feedstocks and advances in processing technologies utilizing a range of feedstocks. Based on the conclusion of the study, we conclude that bioenergy is a green alternative to be used for diverse energy needs, once the appropriate conversion processes are applied. The production of biofuels and their use in industries and transportation have significantly reduced the use of fossil fuels. The literature review concluded that producing biofuels from energy crops and microalgae was the most efficient and attractive method. The purpose of this review is to explain all aspects of biofuels and their sustainability criteria. With a particular focus on the role of nanotechnology in biofuel production, this article discusses the most recent advances in biofuel production. A number of emerging techniques have been investigated for improving process quality, including integrated techniques, less energy-intensive distillation strategies, and the use of microorganisms in engineering. A challenging aspect of biofuel production on a large scale remains; therefore, a novel technology must be developed in order to enhance biofuel production in order to meet the challenges and meet future energy needs

Prenatal Diagnosis of Maternal Serum from Mothers Carrying β-thalassemic Fetus

Background Current study focused on discovering protein biomarkers from the maternal serum of β-thalassemic trait mothers carrying the normal fetus and β-thalassemic major fetus. Method Serum samples from β-thalassemic trait mothers carrying major (N=5) and normal fetuses (N=5) were studied. IVS1-5 thalassemia mutation was common among β-thalassemic trait mothers who were carrying homozygous β-thalassemic fetus (IVS1-5/ IVS1-5 mutation) or normal fetus (no mutation). We employed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis to explore differentially expressed maternal serum proteins from thalassemia carrier couples having the same β-thalassemia mutation. Western blotting was performed for one of the identified proteins to validate our data. Results Ten proteins were identified in maternal serum of β-thalassemic trait mothers carrying the β-thalassemic major fetus and normal fetus. Among these, Serotransferrin, Haptoglobin, Alpha-1 anti-trypsin (A1AT), Apo-lipoprotein A1, and Fibrinogen-beta chain were found to be up-regulated in mothers carrying major fetuses and are known to be associated with pregnancy-related disorders. The expression of A1AT was validated through western blotting. Conclusion Proteins identified in the current study from maternal serum are reported to contribute to hereditary disorders. We suggest that these can serve as putative screening markers for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis in β-thalassemic pregnancies

Quantitative and Qualitative Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to EM Bioaab and Fertilizers

ABSTRACT An attempt was made to examine growth, yield and quality performance of maize treated with EM 'Bioaab' and fertilizers under agroecological conditions of Faisalabad. The treatments included were Control, FYM (50 t ha -

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Endometrial Carcinoma Mortality and Recurrence

Background: Recent data suggest that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be associated with reductions in endometrial cancer risk, yet very few have examined whether their use is related to prognosis among endometrial cancer patients

Primary plant nutrients modulate the reactive oxygen species metabolism and mitigate the impact of cold stress in overseeded perennial ryegrass

Overseeded perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) turf on dormant bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers. L) in transitional climatic zones (TCZ) experience a severe reduction in its growth due to cold stress. Primary plant nutrients play an important role in the cold stress tolerance of plants. To better understand the cold stress tolerance of overseeded perennial ryegrass under TCZ, a three-factor and five-level central composite rotatable design (CCRD) with a regression model was used to study the interactive effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and their detoxification by the photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The study demonstrated substantial effects of N, P, and K fertilization on ROS production and their detoxification through enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways in overseeded perennial ryegrass under cold stress. Our results demonstrated that the cold stress significantly enhanced malondialdehyde, electrolyte leakage, and hydrogen peroxide contents, while simultaneously decreasing ROS-scavenging enzymes, antioxidants, and photosynthetic pigments in overseeded perennial ryegrass. However, N, P, and K application mitigated cold stress-provoked adversities by enhancing soluble protein, superoxide dismutase, peroxide dismutase, catalase, and proline contents as compared to the control conditions. Moreover, N, P, and, K application enhanced chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids in overseeded perennial ryegrass under cold stress as compared to the control treatments. Collectively, this 2−years study indicated that N, P, and K fertilization mitigated cold stress by activating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants defense systems, thereby concluding that efficient nutrient management is the key to enhanced cold stress tolerance of overseeded perennial ryegrass in a transitional climate. These findings revealed that turfgrass management will not only rely on breeding new varieties but also on the development of nutrient management strategies for coping cold stress

An experimental study of sexual function improving effect of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg)

BACKGROUND: Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) has been mentioned in Unani medicine to be of value in the management of male sexual disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the aphrodisiac effect of 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg along with its likely adverse effects and acute toxicity using various animal models. METHODS: The suspension of the extract was administered (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) to different groups of male rats daily for seven days. The female rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment. The general mating behaviour, libido and potency were studied and compared with the standard reference drug sildenafil citrate. Likely adverse effects and acute toxicity of the extract were also evaluated. RESULTS: Oral administration of the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg, produced significant augmentation of sexual activity in male rats. It significantly increased the Mounting Frequency, Intromission Frequency, Intromission Latency and caused significant reduction in the Mounting Latency and Post Ejaculatory Interval. It also significantly increased Mounting Frequency with penile anaesthetisation as well as Erections, Quick Flips, Long Flips and the aggregate of penile reflexes with penile stimulation. The extract was also observed to be devoid of any adverse effects and acute toxicity. CONCLUSION: The resultant significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats without any conspicuous adverse effects indicates that the 50% ethanolic extract of nutmeg possesses aphrodisiac activity, increasing both libido and potency, which might be attributed to its nervous stimulating property. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of nutmeg in the management of male sexual disorders

Clinical profile and treatment of infantile spasms using vigabatrin and ACTH - a developing country perspective

Background: Infantile spasms represent a serious epileptic syndrome that occurs in the early infantile age. ACTH and Vigabatrin are actively investigated drugs in its treatment. This study describes the comparison of their efficacy in a large series of Patients with infantile spasms from Pakistan. Methods: All Patients with infantile spasms who presented to Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from January, 2006 to April, 2008 were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were clinical symptoms of infantile spasms, hypsarrythmia or modified hyparrythmia on electroencephalography, at least six months of follow-up period and receipt of any of the two drugs mentioned above. The type of drug distribution was random according to the availability, cost and ease of administration. Results: Fifty six cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 62.5% were males. Mean age at onset of seizures was 5 +/- 1.4 months. Fifty two (92.8%) Patients demonstrated hypsarrythmia on electroencephalography. 64.3% cases were identified as symptomatic while 19.6% were cryptogenic and 16.1% were idiopathic. Eighteen Patients received ACTH while 38 Patients received Vigabatrin as first line therapy. Initial response to first line therapy was similar (50% for ACTH and 55.3% for Vigabatrin). Overall, the symptomatic and idiopathic groups responded better to Vigabatrin. The relapse rate was higher for ACTH as compared to Vigabatrin (55.5% vs. 33.3%) when considering the first line therapy. Four Patients evolved to Lennox-Gastaut variant, all of these Patients had initially received Vigabatrin and then ACTH. Conclusion: Vigabatrin and ACTH showed no significant difference in the initial treatment of infantile spasms. However, Patients receiving ACTH were 1.2 times more likely to relapse as compared to the Patients receiving Vigabatrin when considering monotherapy. We suggest that Vigabatrin should be the initial drug of choice in Patients presenting with infantile spasms. However, larger studies from developing countries are required to validate the therapeutic trends observed in this study

Effect of Composition on Electrical and Optical Properties of Thin Films of Amorphous GaxSe100−x Nanorods

We report the electrical and optical studies of thin films of a-GaxSe100−x nanorods (x = 3, 6, 9 and 12). Thin films of a-GaxSe100−x nanorods have been synthesized thermal evaporation technique. DC electrical conductivity of deposited thin films of a-GaxSe100−x nanorods is measured as a function of temperature range from 298 to 383 K. An exponential increase in the dc conductivity is observed with the increase in temperature, suggesting thereby a semiconducting behavior. The estimated value of activation energy decreases on incorporation of dopant (Ga) content in the Se system. The calculated value of pre-exponential factor (σ0) is of the order of 101 Ω−1 cm−1, which suggests that the conduction takes place in the band tails of localized states. It is suggested that the conduction is due to thermally assisted tunneling of the carriers in the localized states near the band edges. On the basis of the optical absorption measurements, an indirect optical band gap is observed in this system, and the value of optical band gap decreases on increasing Ga concentration