Rupture Endometriomas Presenting as Acute Abdomen Infection in Hasty and Limited Resources Setting: A Pitfall Not to Miss - A Case Report.

Introduction: Abdominal pain is a diagnostic problem that requires immediate care and treatment for surgeons and gynecologists. The causes of abdominal pain in women of childbearing age range from benign and temporary to potentially life threatening. Rare etiologies such as spontaneous ruptured endometrioma are often not included in the radar of diagnosis due to their rarity and non-specific signs and symptoms in the patient. This case report aimed to show a resemblance between the clinical symptoms of acute abdomen in diffuse peritonitis due to hollow viscus perforation and spontaneous ruptured endometrioma. Case Description: A 42-year-old woman presented to our hospital with abdominal pain. She had a history of fever for two weeks. She came from a tropical rural area where typhoid fever is common. She was advised to undergo emergency laparotomy because of the suspicion of diffuse peritonitis due to a hollow viscus perforation due to typhoid infection. Because of acute abdominal pain, a vertical incision was made to explore her abdominal cavity, and chocolate-like fluid and ovarian cysts were found during surgery. The diagnosis was changed to diffuse peritonitis due to spontaneous rupture of the endometrioma bilaterally. Conclusion: This case suggests that the exact diagnosis and cause of abdominal pain varies. As the current gold standard for endometrioma is laparoscopy, surgeons must prepare a collaborative approach to the cause of the disease.

Abdominal pain is common and often requires prompt medical care. In women, it can have various causes, including rare ones, such as spontaneous ruptured endometrioma, which can be difficult to diagnose owing to its rarity and vague symptoms. We describe the case of a 42-year-old woman with abdominal pain and fever, initially suspected to have diffuse peritonitis due to typhoid infection. However, surgery revealed a ruptured endometrioma, highlighting the challenge of accurately diagnosing such conditions. This case emphasizes the need to consider the diverse diagnoses of abdominal pain and the importance of collaborative approaches among medical professionals to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Wajeepeptin, a Cytotoxic and Antitrypanosomal Cyclic Depsipeptide from a Marine Moorena sp. Cyanobacterium.

Here, we report wajeepeptin (1), a new cyclic depsipeptide isolated from a marine Moorena sp. cyanobacterium. The structure was elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analyses, X-ray diffraction analysis, and degradation reactions. Wajeepeptin (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity (IC50 = 3.7 µM against HeLa cells) and potent antitrypanosomal activity (IC50 = 0.73 ± 0.14 µM against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense).

Building disability-inclusive health systems.

Health systems often fail people with disabilities, which might contribute to their shorter life expectancy and poorer health outcomes than people without disabilities. This Review provides an overview of the existing evidence on health inequities faced by people with disabilities and describes existing approaches to making health systems disability inclusive. Our Review documents a broad range of health-care inequities for people with disabilities (eg, lower levels of cancer screening), which probably contribute towards health differentials. We identified 90 good practice examples that illustrate current strategies to reduce inequalities. Implementing such strategies could help to ensure that health systems can expect, accept, and connect people with disabilities worldwide, deliver on their right to health, and achieve health for all.

The association between disability and mortality: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, 1·3 billion people have a disability and are more likely to experience poor health than the general population. However, little is known about the mortality or life expectancy gaps experienced by people with disabilities. We aimed to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between disability and mortality, compare these findings to the evidence on the association of impairment types and mortality, and model the estimated life expectancy gap experienced by people with disabilities. METHODS: We did a mixed-methods study, which included a systematic review and meta-analysis, umbrella review, and life expectancy modelling. For the systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Global Health, PsycINFO, and Embase for studies published in English between Jan 1, 2007, and June 7, 2023, investigating the association of mortality and disability. We included prospective and retrospective cohort studies and randomised controlled trials with a baseline assessment of disability and a longitudinal assessment of all-cause mortality or cause-specific mortality. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted the data, and assessed risk of bias. We did a random-effects meta-analysis to calculate a pooled estimate of the mortality rate ratio for people with disabilities compared with those without disabilities. We did an umbrella review of meta-analyses examining the association between different impairment types and mortality. We used life table modelling to translate the mortality rate ratio into an estimate of the life expectancy gap between people with disabilities and the general population. The systematic review and meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42023433374. FINDINGS: Our search identified 3731 articles, of which 42 studies were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis included 31 studies. Pooled estimates showed that all-cause mortality was 2·24 times (95% CI 1·84-2·72) higher in people with disabilities than among people without disabilities, although heterogeneity between the studies was high (τ2=0·28, I2=100%). Modelling indicated a median gap in life expectancy of 13·8 years (95% CI 13·1-14·5) by disability status. Cause-specific mortality was also higher for people with disabilities, including for cancer, COVID-19, cardiovascular disease, and suicide. The umbrella review identified nine meta-analyses, which showed consistently elevated mortality rates among people with different impairment types. INTERPRETATION: Mortality inequities experienced by people with disabilities necessitate health system changes and efforts to address inclusion and the social determinants of health. FUNDING: National Institute for Health and Care Research, Rhodes Scholarship, Indonesia Endowment Funds for Education, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme for Evidence to Inform Disability Action), and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Unilateral biportal endoscopic surgical decompression for symptomatic ossification of the ligamentum flavum - Is it enough to improve the clinical outcome? A case-control study.

Purpose: Open decompression is currently the standard surgical procedure for symptomatic OLF. As the minimal invasive method gains popularity, UBE is considered a reliable technique with less complication. However, the outcome is still in question. This study aimed to evaluate and compare UBE versus open surgery in symptomatic OLF cases. Methods: We evaluated 35 patients with single- or two-level thoracic OLF, underwent decompression by open or UBE. Surgery duration, estimated blood loss, and LOS were recorded as intraoperative parameters. Minimum follow-up was 1 year to evaluate clinical parameters based on the mJOA score, Frankel grade, and recovery rate (RR). Results: The UBE procedure showed significant superiority with faster surgery (62.5 min vs. 180 min; p < 0.001), less blood loss (50 mL vs. 250 mL; p < 0.001), and shorter LOS (4 days vs. 6 days; p < 0,001). UBE patients showed notable clinical improvement on the mJOA score at 1 year (8.2 ± 0.18 vs. 6.8 ± 0.24; p = 0.015). Frankel grade improvements seen in both groups with 51.4% of subjects having at least a 1-point upgrade. RR in 1 year resulted in significant recovery in UBE group (RR-UBE 43.2 ± 17 vs. RR-open 26.3 ± 15.3; p < 0.05). No neurological deterioration or significant complication occurred after either procedure. Conclusion: The UBE technique allows faster decompression with less blood loss and shorter LOS compared to open surgery. It was found to be a reliable treatment option in treating OLF with favorable clinical outcomes and improved patient neurological status.

The relationship between quality of sleep and physical activity with level of symptom severity post-COVID-19 among HIV/AIDS patients.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic led to many implications for patients after recovering from the disease, including HIV patients. The long symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, and sleep deprivation are common complaints for patients post-COVID-19. In this study, we investigate the correlation between sleep quality and physical activity and severity post-COVID-19 among patients at the hospital in Jakarta. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 post-COVID patients recruited from a public hospital in Jakarta. All participants were aged over 20 years old, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and infected by COVID-19 within the last month. Eligibility included primary insomnia for at least 3 months and acute pain and high fever. Outcomes included sleep quality (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), physical activity (the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and severity post-COVID-19 (severe post-COVID). Univariate analysis measured demographics, such as age, gender, etc. RESULTS: Among all study participants, 75.8% of patients had poor sleep quality and 60% of respondents 60% moderate physical activity. We found that sleep quality was not significantly associated with severe COVID-19 symptoms (p = 0.409). Physical activity was significantly associated with severe COVID-19 symptoms (p = 0.007). In the multivariate analysis, only physical activity (p = 0.011) and oxygen saturation (p = 0.000) were found to be independently related to the severity of the post-COVID-19 symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity was associated with the severity of the COVID-19 symptoms (p = 0.007). However, sleep quality was not associated with the severity of COVID-19 (p = 0.409). Physical activity may be one of the factors that prevent further severe COVID-19 symptoms. Therefore, physical activity should be considered as an effective factor to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and should be included in health care and prevention strategies.

Complete miscibility of immiscible elements at the nanometre scale.

Understanding the mixing behaviour of elements in a multielement material is important to control its structure and property. When the size of a multielement material is decreased to the nanoscale, the miscibility of elements in the nanomaterial often changes from its bulk counterpart. However, there is a lack of comprehensive and quantitative experimental insight into this process. Here we explored how the miscibility of Au and Rh evolves in nanoparticles of sizes varying from 4 to 1 nm and composition changing from 15% Au to 85% Au. We found that the two immiscible elements exhibit a phase-separation-to-alloy transition in nanoparticles with decreased size and become completely miscible in sub-2 nm particles across the entire compositional range. Quantitative electron microscopy analysis and theoretical calculations were used to show that the observed immiscibility-to-miscibility transition is dictated by particle size, composition and possible surface adsorbates present under the synthesis conditions.

Lessons Learned From Telephone-Based Data Collection for Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia.

The Sleman Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) is a longitudinal survey held routinely since 2014 to collect demographic, social, and health changes in Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, we needed to adjust our method of conducting data collection from in-person to telephone interviews. We describe the Sleman HDSS data collection strategy used and the opportunities it presented. First, the Sleman HDSS team completed a feasibility study and adjusted the standard operational procedures to conduct telephone interviews. Then, the Sleman HDSS team collected data via a telephone interview in September-October 2020. Ten interviewers were equipped with an e-HDSS data collection application installed on an Android-based tablet to collect data. The sample targeted was 5,064 households. The telephone-based data collection successfully interviewed 1,674 households (33% response rate) in 17 subdistricts. We changed the data collection strategy so that the Sleman HDSS could still be conducted and we could get the latest data from the population. Compared to in-person interviewing, data collection via telephone was sufficiently practical. The telephone interview was a safe and viable data collection method. To increase the response rate, telephone number activation could be checked, ways of building rapport could be improved, and engagement could be improved by using social capital.

Fermentable sugar recovery from durian peel by using ultrasound-assisted chemical pretreatment.

Durian peel, an abundant waste in Malaysia could be a potential substrate for fermentable sugar recovery for value-added biochemical production. Common pretreatment such as acid or alkaline pretreatment resulted in the need for extensive solid washing which generated wastewater. Herein, this study aims to introduce sonication on top of chemical pretreatment to destruct lignin and reduce the chemical usage during the durian peel pretreatment process. In this study, the morphology and the chemical composition of the pretreated durian peels were studied. The sugar yield produced from the chemical pretreatment and the combined ultrasound and chemical pretreatment were compared. The morphology and chemical structure of durian peels were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM images showed that the structural change became more significant when sonication was introduced. Second, XRD profile indicated a relatively higher crystallinity index and FTIR spectra displayed a lower intensity of lignin and hemicellulose for ultrasound plus alkaline (UB) pretreatment as compared to acid, alkaline and ultrasound plus acid (UA) pretreatment. UB and UA pretreatment portrayed higher yield (376.60 ± 12.14 and 237.38 ± 3.96 mg reducing sugar/g dry biomass, respectively) than their controls without the application of ultrasound. Therefore, it could be concluded that ultrasound was able to intensify the fermentable sugar recovery from durian peel by inducing physical and chemical effect of cavitation to alter the morphology of durian peel. Fermentation of UB treated durian peel resulted in 2.68 mol hydrogen/mol consumed sugar and 131.56 mL/Lmedium/h of hydrogen productivity. This study is important because it will shed light on a way to handle durian waste disposal problems and generate fermentable sugars for the production of high value-added products.

Molecular Mechanism of Natural Food Antioxidants to Regulate ROS in Treating Cancer: A Review.

Cancer is the second-highest mortality rate disease worldwide, and it has been estimated that cancer will increase by up to 20 million cases yearly by 2030. There are various options of treatment for cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. All of these options have damaging adverse effects that can reduce the patient's quality of life. Cancer itself arises from a series of mutations in normal cells that generate the ability to divide uncontrollably. This cell mutation can happen as a result of DNA damage induced by the high concentration of ROS in normal cells. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause oxidative stress, which can initiate cancer cell proliferation. On the other hand, the cytotoxic effect from elevated ROS levels can be utilized as anticancer therapy. Some bioactive compounds from natural foods such as fruit, vegetables, herbs, honey, and many more have been identified as a promising source of natural antioxidants that can prevent oxidative stress by regulating the level of ROS in the body. In this review, we have highlighted and discussed the benefits of various natural antioxidant compounds from natural foods that can regulate reactive oxygen species through various pathways.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Indonesian version of the Critical-care Pain Observation Tool.

Objective: The Critical-care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) is one of the most accurate methods for assessing pain in ICU patients with critical illness and/or a decreased level of consciousness (LOC). This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the CPOT. Methods: The English version of CPOT was translated into the Indonesian version following five steps: initial translation, synthesis of instrument translation results, back translation, validation of the instrument by an expert committee, and testing of the Indonesian instrument. Between September and December 2022, a total of 52 ICU patients from four hospitals in Indonesia were evaluated for pain at rest, during body-turning procedure, and 15 minutes after the procedure using the CPOT. The researcher used the verbal Faces Pain Thermometer (FPT) instrument as a gold standard to assess the CPOT's criteria validity. Validity assessments included content and criterion validity. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient and interrater reliability. Results: Higher CPOT scores were found during the body-turning procedure than at rest and after the procedure. The instrument's item-content validity index (I-CVI) ranged from 0.75 to 1.00, and the overall instrument's average scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) was 0.93. The statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation (r) between the CPOT and the patient's FPT scores (0.877-0.983, P < 0.01). The significant agreement amongst raters (κ) revealed the inter-rater reliability of the CPOT (0.739-0.834, P < 0.01). Conclusion: The Indonesian version of the CPOT has been proven valid and reliable in assessing pain in patients with critical illness and/or decreased LOC.

Secretome of Hypoxia-Preconditioned Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Liver Regeneration and Anti-Fibrotic Effect in Liver Fibrosis Animal Model.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Liver fibrosis (LF) is a most common pathological process characterized by the activation of hepatocytes leading to the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Hypoxia precondition treated in MSCs (H-MSCs) could enhance their immunomodulatory and regeneration capability, through expressing robust anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, known as H-MSCs secretome (SH-MSCs) that are critical for the improvement of liver fibrosis. However, the study regarding the efficacy and mechanism of action of SH-MSCs in ameliorating liver fibrosis is still inconclusive. In this study, the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism for SH-MSCs in the treatment of liver fibrosis were investigated. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A rat model with liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄ was created and maintained for 8 weeks. The rats received intravenous doses of SH-MSCs and secretome derived from normoxia MSCs (SN-MSCs), filtered using a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system with different molecular weight cut-off categories, both at a dosage of 0.5 mL. The ELISA assay was employed to examine the cytokines and growth factors present in both SH-MSCs and SN-MSCs. On the ninth day, the rats were euthanized and liver tissues were collected for subsequent histological examination and analysis of mRNA expression. <b>Results:</b> The ELISA test revealed that SH-MSCs exhibited higher levels of VEGF, PDGF, bFGF, IL-10, TGF-ß and IL-6 compared to SN-MSCs. <i>In vivo</i>, administration of SH-MSCs notably decreased mortality rates. It also demonstrated a reduction in liver fibrosis, collagen fiber areas, α-SMA positive staining and relative mRNA expression of TGF-ß. Conversely, SN-MSCs also contributed to liver fibrosis improvement, although SH-MSCs demonstrated more favorable outcomes. <b>Conclusion:</b> Current findings suggested that SH-MSCs could improve CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis and decrease α-SMA and TGF-ß expression.

Deciphering molecular basis of pesticide-induced recurrent pregnancy loss: insights from transcriptomics analysis.

Recent studies have revealed a notable connection between pesticide exposure and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), yet the precise molecular underpinning of this toxicity remains elusive. Through the alignment of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) of healthy and RPL patients with the target genes of 9 pesticide components, we identified a set of 12 genes responsible for RPL etiology. Interestingly, biological process showed that besides RPL, those 12 genes also associated with preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease. Enrichment analysis showed the engagement of these genes associated with essential roles in the molecular transport of small molecules, as well as the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption, endocrine and other factor-regulated calcium reabsorption, mineral absorption, ion homeostasis, and ion transport by P-type ATPases. Notably, the crosstalk targets between pesticide components played crucial roles in influencing RPL results, suggesting a role in attenuating pesticide agents that contribute to RPL. It is important to note that non-significant concentration of the pesticide components observed in both control and RPL samples should not prematurely undermine the potential for pesticides to induce RPL in humans. This study emphasizes the complexity of pesticide induced RPL and highlights avenues for further research and precautionary measures.

Labisia pumila as a Culprit of Primary Uterine Rupture Alongside Abruptio Placentae: A Case Report.

Purpose: Uterine rupture is a rare obstetrical and surgical emergency but is often associated with a catastrophic obstetric complication. Traditionally, unscarred uteri without risk factors are considered immune to rupture and information about its risk factors is only few due to its rarity. Complementary and alternative medicine is commonly used in pregnant woman in southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, however information regarding its toxicity due to irrational use is few. This case report presents a G2P1A0 35-year-old woman with acute abdomen with spontaneous unscarred uterine rupture >15 cm after continuously consuming herbal water made of Kacip Fatimah leaves in boiling water. Case Description: A 35-year-old pregnant woman was referred to hospital due to abdominal discomfort 3 hours before admission due to suspicion of intrauterine fetal death. She drank the extracted herbal water to help her when the labor comes, which was made from boiled water with rumput Fatimah from her neighbor's house. Then, she was diagnosed with G2P1A0 parturient aterm latent phase; acute abdomen due to suspicion of placentae abruption dd/ ruptur uteri; and Intrauterine Fetal Death. Exploratory laparotomy was decided due to acute abdominal pain, and during the procedure the operator decided to do subtotal hysterectomy on the patient. The operator found her uterine was already ruptured, approximately 15-18 cm and the placentae was located outside of the uterus. Conclusion: This case suggest that rational usage of herbal medicine must be implemented to avoid unwanted complication.

Description of five new Luticola D.G.Mann (Bacillariophyta, Diadesmidaceae) species from Indonesia with comments on the morphological boundaries of the genus.

During a survey of the Indonesian diatoms, five Luticola D.G.Mann taxa that could not be identified, based on the available literature were discovered. Based on light microscopy, scanning electron microscope observations and comparisons with similar taxa, all of them are described as new species. All taxa were found on mosses growing on tree trunks and concrete on the islands of Banda Besar and Seram and from spring on Java Island. Luticolainsularissp. nov. is most similar to L.aequatorialis and L.simplex, but it can easily be distinguished from both taxa, based on the lower striae density, the narrower valves and the well-developed silica ridges on the valve face/mantle junction. Luticolabandanensissp. nov. resembles L.frequentissima, but they can be easily distinguished, based on their valve widths and the direction of the grooves located on the distal and proximal raphe endings. Luticolaellipticasp. nov. is most similar to L.sparsipunctata, L.tenuis and L.bryophila. Amongst all the species compared, L.ellipticasp. nov. is the only one with a highly asymmetrical central area, with the isolated pore located on the wider side. Luticolamalukuanasp. nov. shares similarities with L.dismutica and L.areolata, but it has a notably higher stria density. From L.areolata, it can also be separated by the morphology of striae and the lack of ghost areolae in the central area. Luticolapoliporeasp. nov. is unique in the whole genus due to the presence of multiple isolated pores.

Loosening of the anterolateral capsule affects the stability after arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament repair of chronic ankle instability.

PURPOSE: Arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) has been widely performed. The recurrence of the instability after the surgery sometimes occurs, which may cause the development of osteoarthritis. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the factors of the recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the loosening of the capsule in the MRI and whether it affected clinical outcomes or not in arthroscopic ATFL repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight ankles in 35 patients with CLAI treated by arthroscopic lateral ligament repair were included. The capsule protrusion area defined as the area that protruded ATFL laterally from the line connecting the fibula and talus attachment on MRI was measured. Capsule protrusion area in ankles with or without CLAI was compared and the relationships between it and clinical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: The capsule protrusion area in the CLAI group (74.2 ± 36.4 mm2) was significantly larger than that in the control (25.5 ± 14.3 mm2) (p < 0.01). The capsule protrusion area in the poor remnant group (93.8 ± 36.4 mm2) was significantly larger than that in the excellent (53.2 ± 40.3 mm2) (p < 0.05). The capsule protrusion area in the patients with recurrent instability (99.8 ± 35.2 mm2) was significantly larger than that without recurrent instability (62.4 ± 30.9 mm2) (p < 0.01). Clinical scores in the recurrent group were significantly lower than those in the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Capsule loosening would be one of the causes of the recurrence of instability after arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament repair. Evaluation of the capsule protrusion area on MRI is helpful to choose appropriate surgical procedures for CLAI patients.

Extraction of Pyrrole from Its Mixture with n-Hexadecane Using Ionic Liquids and Their Binary Mixtures.

The conventional hydrodenitrogenation method is expensive and involves the use of catalysts and harsh procedures. In the last few years, ionic liquids (ILs) have gained attention as a promising alternative solvent for fuel oil extractive denitrogenation. In this work, the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) was used to screen 173 potential ILs as solvents for fuel oil. Two ILs (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([EMIM][N(CN)2]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate ([EMIM][MeSO3])) were selected for experimental investigation. The experimental liquid-liquid extraction of pyrrole (taken as the model nitrogen compound) from n-hexadecane (the model fuel) was conducted at 298 K and 1 atm with feed concentrations of pyrrole ranging from 10 to 50 wt%, using either the two pure ILs or their mixtures with dimethylformamide or ethylene glycol. Moreover, the NRTL model was effectively used to correlate the experimental tie lines. This work shows that the use of a binary mixture of ILs with a conventional solvent results in good selectivity, but has a low capacity for extracting pyrrole compounds. On the other hand, using an IL-IL mixture exhibits good results for both capacity and selectivity. All the ternary systems tested showed positive slopes, indicating that the nitrogen compounds had a higher affinity for the IL and binary mixture extract phase. In fact, the extraction efficiency for all the systems shows promising results. This characteristic is advantageous, as it requires less solvent to remove nitrogen compounds.

Exploring pineapple peel hydrolysate as a sustainable carbon source for xylitol production.

This study explores utilizing pineapple peel (PP) hydrolysate as a promising carbon source for xylitol production, covering scopes from the pre-treatment to the fermentation process. The highest xylose concentration achieved was around 20 g/L via mild acid hydrolysis (5% nitric acid, 105 °C, 20-min residence time) with a solid loading of 10%. Two sets fermentability experiments were carried out of varying pH levels in synthetic media that includes acetic acid as the main inhibitors and hydrolysate supplemented with diverse nitrogen source. The results revealed that pH 7 exhibited the highest xylitol production, yielding 0.35 g/g. Furthermore, urea was found to be a highly promising and cost-effective substitute for yeast extract, as it yielded a comparable xylitol production of 0.31 g/g with marginal difference of only 0.01 g/g compared to yeast extract further highlights the viability of urea as the preferred option for reducing xylitol production cost. The absence of a significant difference between the synthetic media and hydrolysate, with only a marginal variance of 0.35 to 0.32 g/g, implies that acetic acid is indeed the primary constraint in xylitol production using PP hydrolysate. The study sheds light on PP biomass's potential for xylitol production, aligning economic benefits with environmental sustainability and waste management.

Characterization and Application of Non-Formaldehyde Binder Based Citric Acid, Maleic Acid, and Molasses Adhesive for Plywood Composite.

Emissions of formaldehyde from wood-based panels, such as plywood, are gaining increased attention due to their carcinogenic impact on human health and detrimental effects on the environment. Plywood, which is primarily bound with a urea-formaldehyde adhesive, releases formaldehyde during hot pressing and gradually over time. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the impact of non-formaldehyde adhesive types on plywood performance. In addition, plywood performance was assessed by comparing Jabon wood (Anthocephalus cadamba Miq) veneer with other Indonesian wood veneers such as Mempisang (Alphonse spp.) and Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni). To manufacture a three-layer plywood panel, a two-step manufacturing process was devised. The first step involved the use of Jabon veneers treated with citric acid (CA), maleic acid (MA), and molasses (MO), and another step was carried out for various wood veneers such as Jabon, Mempisang, and Mahogany using CA. The performance of plywood was examined using JAS 233:2003. The performance of plywood bonded with CA was better than that of plywood bonded with MA and MO. The Jabon wood veneer resulted in a lower density of plywood than other wood veneers. The water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity, and tensile shear strength of plywood from Jabon wood veneer were similar to those of plywood from Mahogany wood veneer and lower than those of Mempisang wood veneer. The ester linkages of plywood bonded with CA were greater than those of plywood bonded with MA and MO because plywood bonded with CA has better performance than plywood bonded with MA and MO.