Industrial Two-Phase Olive Pomace Slurry-Derived Hydrochar Fuel for Energy Applications.

The present study aims to resolve the existing research gaps on olive pomace (OP) hydrochars application as a fuel by evaluating its molecular structures (FTIR and solid NMR analysis), identifying influential characteristics (Pearson correlation analysis), process optimization (response surface methodology), slagging-fouling risks (empirical indices), and combustion performance (TG-DSC analysis). The response surfaces plot for hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of OP slurry performed in a pressure reactor under varied temperatures (180-250 °C) and residence times (2-30 min) revealed 250 °C for 30 min to be optimal conditions for producing hydrochar fuel with a higher heating value (32.20 MJ·Kg-1) and energy densification ratio (1.40). However, in terms of process efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the optimal HTC conditions for producing the hydrochar with the highest energy yield of 87.9% were 202.7 °C and 2.0 min. The molecular structure of hydrochar was mainly comprised of aromatic rings with methyl groups, alpha-C atoms of esters, and ether bond linkages of lignin fractions. The slagging and fouling risks of hydrochars were comparatively lower than those of raw OP, as indicated by low slagging and fouling indices. The Pearson correlation analysis emphasized that the enrichment of acid-insoluble lignin and extractive contents, carbon densification, and reduced ash content were the main pivotal factors for hydrochar to exhibit better biofuel characteristics for energy applications.

Optimisation of sugar and solid biofuel co-production from almond tree prunings by acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis.

Almond pruning biomass is an important agricultural residue that has been scarcely studied for the co-production of sugars and solid biofuels. In this work, the production of monosaccharides from almond prunings was optimised by a two-step process scheme: pretreatment with dilute sulphuric acid (0.025 M, at 185.9-214.1 â„ƒ for 0.8-9.2 min) followed by enzyme saccharification of the pretreated cellulose. The application of a response surface methodology enabled the mathematical modelling of the process, establishing pretreatment conditions to maximise both the amount of sugar in the acid prehydrolysate (23.4 kg/100 kg raw material, at 195.7 â„ƒ for 3.5 min) and the enzymatic digestibility of the pretreated cellulose (45.4%, at 210.0 â„ƒ for 8.0 min). The highest overall sugar yield (36.8 kg/100 kg raw material, equivalent to 64.3% of all sugars in the feedstock) was obtained with a pretreatment carried out at 197.0 â„ƒ for 4.0 min. Under these conditions, moreover, the final solids showed better properties for thermochemical utilisation (22.0 MJ/kg heating value, 0.87% ash content, and 72.1 mg/g moisture adsorption capacity) compared to those of the original prunings.

Administration of α-lipoic acid and silymarin attenuates aggression by modulating endocrine, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways in mice.

Aggression, a highly prevalent behavior among all the psychological disorders having strong association with psychiatric imbalance, neuroendocrine changes and neurological disturbances (including oxidative stress & neuroinflammation) require both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Focusing the preclinical neuroendocrine determinants of aggression, this interventional study was designed to elucidate the curative effect of antioxidants on aggression in male mice. Adult albino male mice (n = 140) randomly divided into two main treatment groups for α-lipoic acid (ALA) and silymarin with 5 subgroups (n = 10) for each curative study, namely control, disease (aggression-induced), standard (diazepam, 2.5 mg/kg), low dose (100 mg/kg) and high dose (200 mg/kg) treatment groups of selected antioxidants. Resident-intruder paradigm and levodopa (L-dopa 375 mg/kg, p.o.) induced models were used for aggression. Effect of antioxidant treatment (i.e., 21 days bid) on aggression was assessed by evaluating the changes in aggressive behavior, oxidative stress biomarkers superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, nitrite and malondialdehyde (SOD, CAT, GSH, nitrite & MDA), neurotransmitters (dopamine, nor-adrenaline and serotonin), pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin- 6 (TNF-α & IL-6) along with serum testosterone examination. This study showed potential ameliorative effect on aggressive behavior with both low (100 mg/kg) and high (200 mg/kg) doses of antioxidants (ALA & silymarin). Resident-intruder or L-dopa induced aggression in male mice was more significantly tuned with ALA treatment than silymarin via down regulating both oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. ALA also exhibited notable effects in managing aggression-induced disturbances on plasma testosterone levels. In conclusion, ALA is more effective than silymarin in attenuating aggression in mice.

Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and the NF-κB Pathway by a Vitamin E Derivative: Pharmacological Approach against Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In this study, PD was induced via (ip) injection of haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day). Animals were divided into seven groups (n = 70). Group I received the vehicle carboxymethylcellulose (CMC; 0.5%), group II was treated with designated 1 mg/kg haloperidol, and group III received the standard drug Sinemet (100 mg/kg), while groups IV-VII received a tocopherol derivative (Toco-D) at dose levels of 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively, via the oral route. All groups received haloperidol for 23 consecutive days after their treatments except the control group. The improvement in locomotor activity and motor coordination was evaluated by using behavioral tests. Oxidative stress markers, neurotransmitters, and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) as well as NF-κB levels in the whole brain were measured. mRNA expression analysis of α-synuclein was carried out using the PCR technique. Toco-D at 20 mg/kg showed the maximum improvement in locomotor activity. The levels of antioxidant enzymes and neurotransmitters were also increased by the treatment with Toco-D. Inflammatory cytokine levels and mRNA expression of α-synuclein were decreased by Toco-D in treated animals. This study concluded that Toco-D might be effective in the improvement of locomotor activity and motor coordination in haloperidol-induced PD.

Nutrients enriched biochar production through Co-Pyrolysis of poultry litter with banana peduncle and phosphogypsum waste.

Poultry litter (PL) utilisation has been widely studied for production of phosphorus (P) rich biochars. Recent research documented co-pyrolysis of PL with nutrient rich chemical additives like rock phosphate, phosphoric acid and magnesium (Mg) salts for production of P-Mg enriched biochar with improved P use efficiency. However, research is highly scarce on utilisation of waste materials for production of PL biochar enriched in P, potassium (K) and sulphur (S). In this context, present work investigated co-pyrolysis (700°C, 10°C/min, 1h residence time) of PL with banana peduncle (BP) and phosphogypsum (PG) in different w/w ratios (1:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:3:1) of BP-PL-PG for production of K-P-S enriched biochars composites. These biochars mainly showed variations in their K-P-S contents. The K (5.1%) and S (11.35%) enrichment was relatively higher in BP-PL-PG (1:1:1) biochar than PL biochar (K-3.70% and S-0.96%). However, P content was higher in PL biochar (4.48%) and was reduced in biochar composites. The P contents were 3.84, 2.84, and 2.44% in BP-PL-PG (1:3:1), BP-PL-PG (1:2:1) and BP-PL-PG (1:1:1) composites respectively. In biochars, P was present predominantly as Ca-Mg bound form. Furthermore, best fit of second order kinetic model indicated slow-release behaviour of P from biochars and composites. These results highlight the scope of co-pyrolysis of PL with selected wastes for production of multi-nutrients enriched biochars with improved nutrient availability for soil application.

Analysis of Expected Costs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Strategies.

BACKGROUND: Over 500 000 carpal tunnel releases costing over $2 billion are performed each year in the United States. The study's purpose is to perform a cost-minimizing analysis to identify the least costly strategy for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment utilizing existing success rates based on previously reported literature. METHODS: We evaluate the expected cost of various treatment strategies based on the likelihood of further treatments: (1) a single steroid injection followed by surgical release; (2) up to 2 steroid injections before surgical release; (3) 3 steroid injections before surgery, and (4) immediate surgical release. To reflect costs, we use our institution's billing charges to private payers and reimbursements from Medicare. A range of expected steroid injection success rates are employed based on previously published literature. RESULTS: Immediate surgical release is the costliest treatment with an expected cost of $2149 to $9927 per patient. For immediate surgical release to cost less than a single injection attempt, the probability of surgery after injection would need to exceed 80% in the Medicare reimbursement model and 87% in the institutional billing model. A single steroid injection with subsequent surgery, if needed, amounts to a direct cost savings of $359 million annually compared with immediate surgical release. Three injections before surgery, with "high" expected success rates, represent the cost-minimizing scenario. CONCLUSIONS: Although many factors must be considered when deciding upon treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, direct payer cost is an important component, and the initial management with steroid injections minimizes these direct payer costs.

Polymer nanocarriers protecting active enzyme cargo against proteolysis.

Polymeric nanocarriers (PNCs), proposed as an attractive vehicle for vascular drug delivery, remain an orphan technology for enzyme therapies due to poor loading and inactivation of protein cargoes. To unite enzyme delivery by PNC with a clinically relevant goal of containment of vascular oxidative stress, a novel freeze-thaw encapsulation strategy was designed and provides approximately 20% efficiency loading of an active large antioxidant enzyme, catalase, into PNC (200-300 nm) composed of biodegradable block copolymers poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactic-glycolic acid). Catalase's substrate, H(2)O(2), was freely diffusible in the PNC polymer. Furthermore, PNC-loaded catalase stably retained 25-30% of H(2)O(2)-degrading activity for at least 18 h in a proteolytic environment, while free catalase lost activity within 1 h. Delivery and protection of catalase from lysosomal degradation afforded by PNC nanotechnology may advance effectiveness and duration of treatment of diverse disease conditions associated with vascular oxidative stress.