Recovery of acerbic anaerobic digester for biogas production from pomegranate shells using organic loading approach

86-94Anaerobic digestion of pomegranate shells was conducted in 25 L bioreactor operating at 35±0.5°C. The digester showed a reasonable amount of biogas (0.71 m3/kg VS fed) and methane (55.7%) with stable pH and acid: alkali profiles when operated at organic loading rate (OLR) from 1.0 to 3.0 kg VS/day/m−3. The reactor exhibited stable performance with methane yield of 0.44 m3/kg VS fed and reduction of 38.5% volatile solids (VS) As organic loading rate increased to 3.5 kg VS/day/m−3, accumulation of volatile fatty acid (VFA; 2797 ppm), mainly propionic acid (1617 ppm) was noticeable. The digester turned sour (pH 4.32) with lower biogas (2.5 Ld−1) and methane (30.80%) production, reflecting the case of overloading. Reversal of organic loading rate from 3.5 to 3.0 kg VS/day/m−3 gradually restored the upset anaerobic digester to normal profile in 4 weeks as judged from a gradual increase in biogas (6.5 Ld−1) and methane (58.4%)

Recovery of acerbic anaerobic digester for biogas production from pomegranate shells using organic loading approach

Anaerobic digestion of pomegranate shells was conducted in 25 L bioreactor operating at 35±0.5°C. The digester showed a reasonable amount of biogas (0.71 m3/kg VS fed) and methane (55.7%) with stable pH and acid: alkali profiles when operated at organic loading rate (OLR) from 1.0 to 3.0 kg VS/day/m−3. The reactor exhibited stable performance with methane yield of 0.44 m3/kg VS fed and reduction of 38.5% volatile solids (VS) As organic loading rate increased to 3.5 kg VS/day/m−3, accumulation of volatile fatty acid (VFA; 2797 ppm), mainly propionic acid (1617 ppm) was noticeable. The digester turned sour (pH 4.32) with lower biogas (2.5 Ld−1) and methane (30.80%) production, reflecting the case of overloading. Reversal of organic loading rate from 3.5 to 3.0 kg VS/day/m−3 gradually restored the upset anaerobic digester to normal profile in 4 weeks as judged from a gradual increase in biogas (6.5 Ld−1) and methane (58.4%)

A scoping review of echocardiographic and lung ultrasound biomarkers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants

Despite recent improvements in neonatal care, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is still associated with high mortality and with an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). This scoping review provides an updated overview of echocardiographic and lung ultrasound biomarkers associated with BPD and PH, and the parameters that may prognosticate their development and severity, which could be clinically helpful to undertake preventive strategies. A literature search for published clinical studies was conducted in PubMed using MeSH terms, free-text words, and their combinations obtained through appropriate Boolean operators. It was found that the echocardiography biomarkers for BPD, and especially those assessing right ventricular function, are reflective of the high pulmonary vascular resistance and PH, indicating a strong interplay between heart and lung pathophysiology; however, early assessment (e.g., during the first 1-2 weeks of life) may not successfully predict later BPD development. Lung ultrasound indicating poor lung aeration at day 7 after birth has been reported to be highly predictive of later development of BPD at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. Evidence of PH in BPD infants increases risk of mortality and long-term PH; hence, routine PH surveillance in all at risk preterm infants at 36 weeks, including an echocardiographic assessment, may provide useful information. Progress has been made in identifying the echocardiographic parameters on day 7 and 14 to predict later development of pulmonary hypertension. More studies on sonographic markers, and especially on echocardiographic parameters, are needed for the validation of the currently proposed parameters and the timing of assessment before recommendations can be made for the routine clinical practice

Diagnostic utility of lung ultrasound in predicting the need for surfactant therapy in preterm neonates with respiratory distress

BackgroundLung ultrasound is an accurate and early predictor for surfactant replacement therapy in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) as compared to clinical parameters and chest x-ray. However, lung pathologies for respiratory distress at birth have overlapping symptomatology and low middle-income countries have a higher incidence of congenital pneumonia, in addition to RDS, making the immediate diagnosis difficult. Thus, there is a need for assessing a cutoff for lung ultrasound scores in the given setting.ObjectivesThe primary objective was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the lung ultrasound score (LUS) in predicting the need for surfactant therapy in preterm neonates with respiratory distress. Secondary objectives were to correlate LUS with corresponding oxygen saturation to the fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SpO2/FiO2), arterial/Alveolar oxygen pressure ratio (a/A), and chest x-ray (CXR) findings.MethodologyA prospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit in India in 2022 enrolling 100 neonates <34 weeks gestational age with respiratory distress at birth. After initial stabilization of the neonate, LUS was performed and baseline parameters were noted. Surfactant was administered as per the 2019 European Consensus guidelines and LUS was repeated after 6 h of therapy.ResultsThe mean gestation of enrolled neonates was 31.06 ± 2.12 weeks and the mean birthweight was 1,412 ± 391 g. Approximately 58% were diagnosed with RDS and 30% had congenital pneumonia. Surfactant was administered to 40% of neonates. The cutoff LUS for surfactant therapy was 7 [area under the curve (AUC) 0.977; 95% CI, 0.947–1; P < 0.001; with sensitivity 92.5%, specificity 96.67%, PPV 94.87%, and NPV 95.08%] and the cutoff LUS for the second dose of surfactant was 10 (AUC 0.964; 95% CI, 0.913–1; P < 0.001). The score decreased by 3.24 (2.44–4.05) after 6 h of the first dose and correlated significantly with SpO2/FiO2 ratio (−0.750), a/A ratio (−0.650), and CXR findings (0.801).ConclusionThe study predicted an optimal LUS cutoff of 7 and 10 for the need for the first dose of surfactant and re-treatment, respectively, in neonates <34 weeks gestational age with respiratory distress

High-performance field emission device utilizing vertically aligned carbon nanotubes-based pillar architectures

The vertical aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based pillar architectures were created on laminated silicon oxide/silicon (SiO2/Si) wafer substrate at 775 degrees C by using water-assisted chemical vapor deposition under low pressure process condition. The lamination was carried out by aluminum (Al, 10.0 nm thickness) as a barrier layer and iron (Fe, 1.5 nm thickness) as a catalyst precursor layer sequentially on a silicon wafer substrate. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that synthesized CNTs are vertically aligned and uniformly distributed with a high density. The CNTs have approximately 2-30 walls with an inner diameter of 3-8 nm. Raman spectrum analysis shows G-band at 1580 cm(-1) and D-band at 1340 cm(-1). The G-band is higher than D-band, which indicates that CNTs are highly graphitized. The field emission analysis of the CNTs revealed high field emission current density (4mA/cm(2) at 1.2V/mu m), low turn-on field (0.6 V/mu m) and field enhancement factor (6917) with better stability and longer lifetime. Emitter morphology resulting in improved promising field emission performances, which is a crucial factor for the fabrication of pillared shaped vertical aligned CNTs bundles as practical electron source

Galectin-9/TIM-3 Interaction Regulates Virus-Specific Primary and Memory CD8+ T Cell Response

In this communication, we demonstrate that galectin (Gal)-9 acts to constrain CD8+ T cell immunity to Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection. In support of this, we show that animals unable to produce Gal-9, because of gene knockout, develop acute and memory responses to HSV that are of greater magnitude and better quality than those that occur in normal infected animals. Interestingly, infusion of normal infected mice with α-lactose, the sugar that binds to the carbohydrate-binding domain of Gal-9 limiting its engagement of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin (TIM-3) receptors, also caused a more elevated and higher quality CD8+ T cell response to HSV particularly in the acute phase. Such sugar treated infected mice also had expanded populations of effector as well as memory CD8+ T cells. The increased effector T cell responses led to significantly more efficient virus control. The mechanisms responsible for the outcome of the Gal-9/TIM-3 interaction in normal infected mice involved direct inhibitory effects on TIM-3+ CD8+ T effector cells as well as the promotion of Foxp3+ regulatory T cell activity. Our results indicate that manipulating galectin signals, as can be achieved using appropriate sugars, may represent a convenient and inexpensive approach to enhance acute and memory responses to a virus infection

Acute periodontal lesions

This is a review and update on acute conditions affecting the gingival tissues, including abscesses in the periodontium, necrotizing periodontal diseases, and other acute conditions that cause gingival lesions with acute presentation, such as infectious process not associated with oral bacterial biofilms, muco-cutanenous disorders, and traumatic and allergic lesions. A periodontal abscess is clinically important since it is a relatively frequent dental emergency, it can compromise the periodontal prognosis of the affected tooth, and because bacteria within the abscess have been identified, mainly by the type of etiology, and there are clear diffrences between those affecting a previously existing periodontal pocket ahd those affecting healthy sites. Therapy for this acute condition consists of drainage and tissue debridement, with individual evaluation of the need for systemic antimicrobial therapy. the definitive treatment of the pre-existing condition should be accomplished after the acute phase is controlled. Necrotizing periodontal disease (NPD) present three typical clinical features : papilla necrosis, gingival bleeding, and pain. Although the prevalence of these diseases is not high, their importance is clear, since they represent the most severe conditions associated with dental biofilm, with very rapid tissue destruction. In adittion to bacteria, the etiology of NPD includes numerous factors that alter the host response and predispose to these diseases, including HIV infection, malnutrition, stress, and tobacco smoking. The treatment consists of superficial debridement, careful mechanical oral hygiene, rinsing with chlorhexidine, and daily re-evaluation. Systemic antimicrobials may be used adjunctively in severe cases or in non-responding conditions and the best option is metronidazole.Once the acute disease is under control, definitive treatment should be provided, including the adequate therapy for the pre-existing gingivitis or periodontitis. Among other acute conditions affecting the periodontal tissues, but not caused by the microorganisms present in oral biofilms , are infectious diseases, muco-cutaneous diseases and traumatic or allergic lesions. In most cases, the gingival envolvement is not severe, though they are common and may prompt a dental emergency visit. These conditions may the direct result of a trauma or the consequence of the breaking of vesicles and bullae. A proper differential diagnosis is important for an adequate management of the case

Total hip arthroplasty for failed aseptic Austin Moore prosthesis

Background: Though Austin Moore (AM) replacement prosthesis has fairly good short term results for intracapsular femoral neck fractures in the elderly, it still is a compromised option and has a high failure rate in the long run. The objective of the present retrospective study is to analyze the functional outcome, assess survivorship of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) at mid to long term followup, and evaluate intraoperative difficulties faced during conversion of failed aseptic AM prosthesis to cemented THA. Materials and Methods: Eighty-nine cemented THA surgeries for failed AM prosthesis were performed between 1986 and 2005. AM failures were classified into seven groups on the basis of mode of failure. Infected failures were excluded from the study. There were 35 men and 54 women in the study group. The mean age was 68 years (range 57-91 years). Mean followup was 8 years (range 5-13 years). Results: Average Harris Hip Score improved from 65 preoperatively (range 42-73) to 87 (range 76-90) at 1 year postoperatively and to 86 (range 75-89) at the last followup. The overall complication rate was 4.5%. Conclusion: Conversion THA is an excellent treatment strategy for symptomatic failed AM hemiarthroplasty in terms of pain relief and restoration of function and mobility as near as possible to the preinjury level. Also, hemiarthroplasty should not be used in physically active patients, even in elderly individuals. Careful patient selection for hemiarthroplasty versus THA is vital and may decrease the incidence of complications and ameliorate the outcomes in the treatment of intracapsular femoral neck fractures

Maximizing Productivity and Profitability of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) through Fertility Levels and Bio Fertilizers

A field experiment was conducted at the Crop Research Centre, School of Agriculture, ITM University Gwalior (M.P.) during the Kharif season of 2023 to evaluate the maximizing productivity and profitability of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) through fertility levels and biofertilizers. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 10 treatment combinations and each treatment was replicated thrice. The results revealed that the application of 100% RDF + RSI (10 g kg⁻¹) + PSB & KSB (5 kg ha⁻¹ each) had significantly improved the growth attributes viz., Plant height, number of branches, dry matter accumulation, Leaf area index and number of nodules plant⁻¹ of green gram over rest of the treatments. However, the higher grain yield (1424.71 kg ha-1), straw yield (3206.13 kg ha­­⁻¹) and biological (4630.84 kg ha­­⁻¹) yield was recorded with the treatment 100% RDF + RSI (10 g kg⁻¹) + PSB & KSB (5 kg ha⁻¹ each) which was being at par with 100% RDF + RSI (10 g kg⁻¹) + PSB 5 kg ha⁻¹ soil application, while the lowest grain yield and straw yield were recorded in control