Predictive models of biohydrogen and biomethane production based on the compositional and structural features of lignocellulosic materials.

In an integrated biorefinery concept, biological hydrogen and methane production from lignocellulosic substrates appears to be one of the most promising alternatives to produce energy from renewable sources. However, lignocellulosic substrates present compositional and structural features that can limit their conversion into biohydrogen and methane. In this study, biohydrogen and methane potentials of 20 lignocellulosic residues were evaluated. Compositional (lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses, total uronic acids, proteins, and soluble sugars) as well as structural features (crystallinity) were determined for each substrate. Two predictive partial least square (PLS) models were built to determine which compositional and structural parameters affected biohydrogen or methane production from lignocellulosic substrates, among proteins, total uronic acids, soluble sugars, crystalline cellulose, amorphous holocelluloses, and lignin. Only soluble sugars had a significant positive effect on biohydrogen production. Besides, methane potentials correlated negatively to the lignin contents and, to a lower extent, crystalline cellulose showed also a negative impact, whereas soluble sugars, proteins, and amorphous hemicelluloses showed a positive impact. These findings will help to develop further pretreatment strategies for enhancing both biohydrogen and methane production.

Aspirin and growth, rupture of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Aspirin has been suggested as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent the growth and rupture of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs), but there is still controversy. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the association between aspirin use and growth, rupture of UIAs. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search of electronic databases to identify cohort and case-control studies investigating the relationship between aspirin use and growth or rupture of UIAs. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was quantified using the I2 statistic, and potential publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Sensitivity analysis was performed to verify the robustness of the intention-to-treat results. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the frequency of aspirin use. RESULTS: We identified 8 studies comprising 10,518 participants. The risk of bias was low to moderate. The pooled estimate showed that aspirin use was associated with a lower likelihood of growth of UIAs (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.11-0.55; p = 0.0005) without statistical heterogeneity (p for Cochran Q statistic = 0.62, I2 = 0%). Likewise, aspirin intake also significant decreased 58% risk of intracranial aneurysms rupture (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.29-0.60; p < 0.00001) with moderate heterogeneity (p for Cochran Q statistic = 0.005, I2 = 66%). Similar results were observed in the sensitivity analysis. Pooled OR of aspirin frequency subgroup analysis for less than or equal to 2 times per week was 0.82 (95%CI = 0.40-1.72; I2 = 0%), for at least 3 times per week to daily was 0.25 (95%CI = 0.12-053; I2 = 0%), for daily was 0.59 (95%CI: 0.47-0.74; I2 = 0%), and for unknown was 0.26 (95%CI: 0.15-0.45; I2 = 51%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicates a beneficial effect of aspirin on growth and rupture of UIAs.

Statin use for the prevention of seizure and epilepsy in the patients at risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: Statin use for the prevention of seizure and epilepsy had been suggested but remained controversial. We sought to search existing literature to determine whether prophylactic use of statin reduced the incidence of seizure and epilepsy in the patients at risk. METHODS: Three electronic databases were thoroughly searched to identify clinical studies investigating the effects of statin use on patients at the risk of seizure or epilepsy. Regardless of heterogeneity quantified, a random effects meta-analyses were used to synthesize the evidence, to pool odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Seven cohort studies involving 26,042 patients with newly-onset epileptogenic brain insults and no history of seizure and epilepsy before were included. Compared with patients didn't receive statin treatment after epileptogenic brain insults, those treated with statin had a lower risk of epilepsy (5 studies; 22,849 patients; pooled OR, 0.48; 95 % CI, 0.31 to 0.73; p = 0.001) and seizure (4 studies; 6076 subjects; pooled OR, 0.35; 95 % CI, 0.25 to 0.48; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from this meta-analysis suggested that the use of statin should as primary prevention for patients with risk of seizures and epilepsy. Considering the limited number and quality of available studies, future randomized controlled trials are required to further demonstrate the association between statin use and incident of seizure and epilepsy.

Tranexamic Acid for Acute Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The role of tranexamic acid (TXA) in preventing hematoma expansion (HE) in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of TXA in acute spontaneous ICH with a particular focus on subgroups. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from CENTRAL, Clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, PubMed, and WHO ICTRP. The primary outcome measurement was HE. The secondary outcome measurements included 3-month poor functional outcome (PFO), 3-month mortality, and major thromboembolic events (MTE). We conducted subgroup analysis according to the CT markers of HE (standard-risk population and high-risk population) and the time from onset to randomization (>4.5 and ≤4.5 h). Results: We identified seven studies (representing five RCTs) involving 2,650 participants. Compared with placebo, TXA may reduce HE on subsequent imaging (odd ratio [OR] 0.825; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.692-0.984; p = 0.033; I2 = 0%; GRADE: moderate certainty). TXA and placebo arms did not differ in the rates of 3-month PFO, 3-month mortality, and MTE. Subgroup analysis indicated that TXA reduced the risk of HE in the high-risk population with CT markers of HE (OR 0.646; 95% CI 0.503-0.829; p = 0.001; I2 = 0 %) and in patients who were treated within 4.5 h of symptom onset (OR 0.823; 95% CI 0.690-0.980; p = 0.029; I2 = 0%), but this protective effect was not observed in the standard-risk population and patients who were treated over 4.5 h of symptom onset. Conclusions: Tranexamic acid (TXA) may decrease the risk of HE in patients with acute spontaneous ICH. Importantly, the decreased risk was observed in patients who were treatable within 4.5 h and with a high risk of HE, but not in those who were treatable over 4.5 h and in standard-risk population. However, PFO or mortality at 3 months did not significantly differ between patients who received TXA and those who received placebo. TXA is safe for acute spontaneous ICH without increasing MTE.

[Influence of Secondary Organic Coating on Hygroscopicity of a Sodium Chloride Core: Based on Mircro-scale Single Particle Analysis].

The hygroscopicity of atmospheric particulate matter can determine its optical behaviors, cloud condensation nuclei activity, and heterogeneous chemical reaction on the surface. However, the effect of secondary organic matter on the hygroscopicity of inorganic salts is still rarely studied. In this study, a 2 L gas-phase flow tube was used to stimulate the oxidation process of α-pinene. NaCl particles at the end of the flow tube served as seeds to absorb the product of α-pinene oxidation. The absorption times were 11, 15, and 20 h. Transmission electron microscopy results show that this system could produce particles with typical core-shell structure, and that the thickness of the organic shell would be thicker with longer collection time. Results from individual particle hygroscopic systems indicate that the organic shell can affect the deliquescent point of NaCl (pure NaCl deliquesces at 77%):for 11 h collection time, the NaCl core began to deliquesce at 75.5% relative humidity, and completely deliquesced at 78%; for 15 h collection time, the deliquescent range of the NaCl core was 75%-78.5%; and the deliquescent range was 76%-83% for the NaCl core with 20 h collection time. Furthermore, the organic shell could affect the hygroscopic growth of the NaCl core:the growth factor of the NaCl core with 11 h, 15 h, and 20 h collection time was 2.5, 2.3, and 1.8, respectively. These results indicate that:① the secondary organic shell could cause water absorption of the NaCl core in advance:② the organic shell could postpone the completely deliquescent point of the NaCl core, and this effect is more obvious with a thicker organic shell; ③ the organic shell could restrain the hygroscopic growth factor of the NaCl core. This study suggests that it is necessary to consider the influence of secondary organic matter on inorganic salts when studying the hygroscopic properties of atmospheric particles in climate models and field observations.

Genetic Diversity and Genome-Wide Association Study of Major Ear Quantitative Traits Using High-Density SNPs in Maize.

Kernel and ear traits are key components of grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.). Investigation of these traits would help to develop high-yield varieties in maize. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) uses the linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the whole genome to determine the genes affecting certain phenotype. In this study, five ear traits (kernel length and width, ear length and diameter, cob diameter) were investigated across multi-environments for 2 years. Combining with the genotype obtained from Maize SNP50 chip, genetic diversity and association mapping in a set of 292 inbred lines were performed. Results showed that maize lines were clustered into seven subgroups and a total of 20 SNPs were found to be associated with ear traits significantly (P < 3.95E-05). The candidate genes identified by GWAS mainly encoded ubiquitin-activation enzymes (GRMZM2G015287), carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (GRMZM2G446858), MYB-CC type transfactor, and phosphate starvation response protein 3, and they were associated with kernel length (KL) and ear diameter (ED), respectively. Moreover, two novel genes corresponding to RNA processing and fructose metabolism were found. Further, the SNPs detected by GWAS were confirmed by meta-QTL analysis. These genes and SNPs identified in the study would offer essential information for yield-related genes clone and breeding program in maize.

[Maize transformation using xylose isomerase gene as a selection marker].

The xylA gene, encoding xylose isomerase, was cloned as a 1342-bp BamHI/SacI fragment from the E. coli. As a selection marker, the xylA gene was fused between the enhanced CaMV 35S promoter (E35S) and terminator (35St) in pBAC413 (Fig.2). pBAC413 was constructed to prevent the expression of sbeIIb in maize. PDS1000/He was used to bombard maize calli, which were induced to form by the elite inbred lines. The selection was carried out on the media containing concentrations of xylose from 0 to 100%. The results showed that the media containing 50% to 100% D-xylose were better, but differed with the genotype of maize (Tables 1 and 2). Successful integration of xylA gene into the maize genome was confirmed by DNA dot blotting, PCR and PCR-Southern hybridization (Figs.4 to 6). A method was established in which transformed maize cells were successively screened on a medium containing xylose instead of antibiotic and herbicide for bio-safety.

[Clinical observation on effect of xiaoshui powder in auxiliary treatment of tuberculous remnant pleural effusion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xiaoshui Powder as auxiliary with chemotherapy for treatment of tuberculous remnant pleural effusion. METHODS: Sixty patients were assigned to the treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. All were given conventional treatment but those in the treated group were given Xiaoshui Powder additionally. The hydrothorax disappearance time, and change of vital capacity of lung and immune function in patients were observed. RESULTS: Hydrothorax disappearance time in all the 30 patients of the treated group was 26.0 +/- 3.8 days in average, while in the control group, it only disappeared in 23 with the mean disappearance time prolonged to 42.0 +/- 1.2 days, showing significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The improvement of pulmonary vital capacity and immune function in the treated group were superior to those in the control group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Xiaoshui Powder has definitely curative effect for auxiliary treatment of tuberculous remnant pleural effusion.