Kinetics of extraction and in situ transesterification of oils from spent coffee grounds

Resource limits, environmental concerns and unstable petroleum costs have led to an increased effort to develop alternative liquid fuels. Purpose grown feedstocks are expensive and demand additional resources such as land and water. Spent coffee grounds (SCGs) are a good potential low-cost feedstock, however, processing times and costs must be lowered in order to be cost competitive with fossil fuels. In this work, we investigated the kinetics of oil extraction from SCGs to explore if current methods of oil extraction could be hastened and if an integrated process which couples oil extraction and conversion to biodiesel stages in one single step (in situ transesterification) was viable. Kinetics of oil extraction from SCGs using n-hexane as solvent was studied as a function of temperature, solvent to solid ratio and water content. We have found that oil extraction times could be as low as 10 min due to higher diffusion coefficients of oils from SCGs. Further, we demonstrate, for the first time, the successful in situ transesterification of SCGs using different concentrations of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst and methanol to oil mole ratios. Both of these outcomes show promise for lowering biodiesel production costs from SCGs, a ubiquitous waste product around the world

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

No evidence of association between prothrombotic gene polymorphisms and the development of acute myocardial infarction at a young age

Background : we investigated the association between 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding hemostasis factors and myocardial infarction in a large sample of young patients chosen because they have less coronary atherosclerosis than older patients, and thus their disease is more likely to be related to a genetic predisposition to a prothrombotic state Methods and Results : this nationwide case-control study involved 1210 patients who had survived a first myocardial infarction at an age of 45 years who underwent coronary arteriography in 125 coronary care units and 1210 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and geographical origin. None of the 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins involved in coagulation (G-455A -fibrinogen: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.8 to 1.2; G1691A factor V: OR, 1.1; CI, 0.6 to 2.1; G20210A factor II: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.5 to 1.9; and G10976A factor VII: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.8 to 1.3), platelet function (C807T glycoprotein Ia: OR, 1.1; CI, 0.9 to 1.3; and C1565T glycoprotein IIIa: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.8 to 1.2), fibrinolysis (G185T factor XIII: OR, 1.2; CI, 0.9 to 1.6; and 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.7 to 1.2), or homocysteine metabolism (C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.8 to 1.1) were associated with an increased or decreased risk of myocardial infarction Conclusions : this study provides no evidence supporting an association between 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins involved in hemostasis and the occurrence of premature myocardial infarction or protection against it

Resíduo sólido orgânico como matéria-prima para a produção de biodiesel: uma análise da viabilidade financeira

The pursuit towards an alternative solution to fossil fuel has facilitated science investigation initiatives that compare various options leading to biodiesel production. Besides conventional feedstock derived from vegetable oils, alternative sources that could be produced in large scale at competitive costs are the main scope of research in this field. This dissertation investigates the financial feasibility using organic solid waste as a feedstock, which results in the production of biodiesel through the conversion of volatile fatty acids (VFA) into lipids. As a result, based on existing references of: (i) capital and operating costs; (ii) internal rate of return; (iii) production and extraction yields for volatile fatty acids and lipids, we concluded that biodiesel production is competitive compared to subsidized biodiesel traded in regions of Europe and the United States. The sensitivity analysis took into consideration independent variables associated with: (i) investments in the plant; (ii) selling price of the biodiesel; (iii) costs of feedstock; and (iv) production yield. The results of such analysis showed the feasibility of using organic solid waste as a feedstock in 86.4% of the total 10,000 simulations, at the required internal rate of return. These results encourage research aims to examine this technology at a larger scale. The adoption of public policies for the urban wastes disposal and collection is also important for the implementation of such technologies.A busca por soluções alternativas aos combustíveis fósseis tem impulsionado as iniciativas de pesquisa científica que comparam várias opções para a produção de biodiesel. Além das tradicionais fontes de matéria-prima provenientes de óleos vegetais, fontes alternativas, que possam ser produzidas em grande escala a custo competitivo, figuram como o principal escopo nesse campo de pesquisa. Essa dissertação investiga a viabilidade financeira da utilização de resíduo sólido orgânico como matéria-prima para a produção de biodiesel, através da conversão de ácidos graxos voláteis em lipídios. Como resultado, baseando-se em dados sobre: (i) investimentos e custos de operação; (ii) taxa interna de retorno requerida; (iii) taxas de extração e produção de ácidos graxos voláteis e de lipídios, conclui-se que a produção de biodiesel é competitiva quando comparada ao biodiesel subsidiado, que é negociado em regiões dos Estados Unidos e da Europa. A análise de sensibilidade realizada levou em consideração variáveis independentes tais como: (i) investimentos na planta; (ii) preço de venda do biodiesel, (iii) custos da matéria-prima e (iv) produtividade. O resultado de tal análise mostrou a viabilidade da utilização de ácidos graxos voláteis para a produção de biodiesel em 86,4% das 10.000 simulações, assumindo a taxa interna de retorno requerida. Esses resultados encorajam pesquisas adicionais para teste da tecnologia em maior escala. A adoção de políticas públicas para o descarte e coleta adequados dos resíduos sólidos urbanos também é importante para o desenvolvimento dessa tecnologia

No evidence of association between prothrombotic gene polymorphisms and the development of acute myocardial infarction at a young age

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding hemostasis factors and myocardial infarction in a large sample of young patients chosen because they have less coronary atherosclerosis than older patients, and thus their disease is more likely to be related to a genetic predisposition to a prothrombotic state. METHODS AND RESULTS: This nationwide case-control study involved 1210 patients who had survived a first myocardial infarction at an age of <45 years who underwent coronary arteriography in 125 coronary care units and 1210 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and geographical origin. None of the 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins involved in coagulation (G-455A beta-fibrinogen: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.8 to 1.2; G1691A factor V: OR, 1.1; CI, 0.6 to 2.1; G20210A factor II: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.5 to 1.9; and G10976A factor VII: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.8 to 1.3), platelet function (C807T glycoprotein Ia: OR, 1.1; CI, 0.9 to 1.3; and C1565T glycoprotein IIIa: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.8 to 1.2), fibrinolysis (G185T factor XIII: OR, 1.2; CI, 0.9 to 1.6; and 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.7 to 1.2), or homocysteine metabolism (C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.8 to 1.1) were associated with an increased or decreased risk of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides no evidence supporting an association between 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins involved in hemostasis and the occurrence of premature myocardial infarction or protection against it

No evidence of association between prothrombotic gene polymorphisms and the development of acute myocardial infarction at a young age.

We investigated the association between 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding hemostasis factors and myocardial infarction in a large sample of young patients chosen because they have less coronary atherosclerosis than older patients, and thus their disease is more likely to be related to a genetic predisposition to a prothrombotic state.This nationwide case-control study involved 1210 patients who had survived a first myocardial infarction at an age of <45 years who underwent coronary arteriography in 125 coronary care units and 1210 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and geographical origin. None of the 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins involved in coagulation (G-455A beta-fibrinogen: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.8 to 1.2; G1691A factor V: OR, 1.1; CI, 0.6 to 2.1; G20210A factor II: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.5 to 1.9; and G10976A factor VII: OR, 1.0; CI, 0.8 to 1.3), platelet function (C807T glycoprotein Ia: OR, 1.1; CI, 0.9 to 1.3; and C1565T glycoprotein IIIa: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.8 to 1.2), fibrinolysis (G185T factor XIII: OR, 1.2; CI, 0.9 to 1.6; and 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.7 to 1.2), or homocysteine metabolism (C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase: OR, 0.9; CI, 0.8 to 1.1) were associated with an increased or decreased risk of myocardial infarction.This study provides no evidence supporting an association between 9 polymorphisms of genes encoding proteins involved in hemostasis and the occurrence of premature myocardial infarction or protection against it