A critical assessment on scalable technologies using high solids loadings in lignocellulose biorefinery: challenges and solutions.

The pretreatment and the enzymatic saccharification are the key steps in the extraction of fermentable sugars for further valorization of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) to biofuels and value-added products via biochemical and/or chemical conversion routes. Due to low density and high-water absorption capacity of LCB, the large volume of water is required for its processing. Integration of pretreatment, saccharification, and co-fermentation has succeeded and well-reported in the literature. However, there are only few reports on extraction of fermentable sugars from LCB with high biomass loading (>10% Total solids-TS) feasible to industrial reality. Furthermore, the development of enzymatic cocktails can overcome technology hurdles with high biomass loading. Hence, a better understanding of constraints involved in the development of technology with high biomass loading can result in an economical and efficient yield of fermentable sugars for the production of biofuels and bio-chemicals with viable titer, rate, and yield (TRY) at industrial scale. The present review aims to provide a critical assessment on the production of fermentable sugars from lignocelluloses with high solid biomass loading. The impact of inhibitors produced during both pretreatment and saccharification has been elucidated. Moreover, the limitations imposed by high solid loading on efficient mass transfer during saccharification process have been elaborated.

Silk nano-discs: A natural material for cancer therapy.

The article demonstrates the crystalline silk nano-discs (CSNs), with well-controlled morphology, which upon magnetization, yields magnetic crystalline silk nano-discs, making both prominent alternatives for replacing metal templates such as gold, silver, and so on in therapeutics and implants. The isolated ß-sheet-rich discotic CSNs have ~50 nm diameter, high crystallinity (> 90%), and are insoluble but provide good dispersibility and stability in aqueous solutions. The melt blending-cum-electrospinning of functionalized CSN with poly(lactic acid) results in biocompatible nanofiber-based scaffolds having in vitro cell cytocompatibility with improved cell adhesion and proliferation. The assessment of release behavior of curcumin, a naturally occurring anticancer drug, shows sustained release over 25 days exhibiting effective cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer cells. Further, combined effect of curcumin and hyperthermia reduced the cell growth by ~63%. Alignment of CSN-derived magnetic nanoparticles due to effective fiber drawing process during electrospinning could improve cytocompatibility against BHK-21 cells, and therefore efficacy for cancer therapy.

Assessment of Various Risk Factors for Success of Delayed and Immediate Loaded Dental Implants: A Retrospective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Ever since its introduction in 1977, a minimum of few months of period is required for osseointegration to take place after dental implant surgery. With the passage of time and advancements in the fields of dental implant, this healing period is getting smaller and smaller. Immediate loading of dental implants is becoming a very popular procedure in the recent time. Hence, we retrospectively analyzed the various risk factors for the failure of delayed and immediate loaded dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, retrospective analysis of all the patients was done who underwent dental implant surgeries either by immediate loading procedure or by delayed loading procedures. All the patients were divided broadly into two groups with one group containing patients in which delayed loaded dental implants were placed while other consisted of patients in whom immediate loaded dental implants were placed. All the patients in whom follow-up records were missing and who had past medical history of any systemic diseases were excluded from the present study. Evaluation of associated possible risk factors was done by classifying the predictable factors as primary and secondary factors. All the results were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and chi-square test were used for assessment of level of significance. RESULTS: In delayed and immediate group of dental implants, mean age of the patients was 54.2 and 54.8 years respectively. Statistically significant results were obtained while comparing the clinical parameters of the dental implants in both the groups while demographic parameters showed nonsignificant correlation. CONCLUSION: Significant higher risk of dental implant failure is associated with immediate loaded dental implants. Tobacco smoking, shorter implant size, and other risk factors play a significant role in predicting the success and failure of dental implants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Delayed loaded dental implant placement should be preferred as they are associated with decreased risk of implant failure.

Quantifying variations associated with dental caries reveals disparity in effect allele frequencies across diverse populations.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries (DC) is a multifaceted oral condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent advancements in genotyping and sequencing technologies, such as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have helped researchers to identify numerous genetic variants associated with DC, but their prevalence and significance across diverse global populations remain poorly understood as most of the studies were conducted in European populations, and very few were conducted in Asians specifically in Indians. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the genetic affinity of effect alleles associated with DC to understand the genetic relationship between global populations with respect to the Indian context. METHODOLOGY: This present study used an empirical approach in which variants associated with DC susceptibility were selected. These variants were identified and annotated using the GWAS summary. The genetic affinity was evaluated using Fst. RESULTS: The effect of allele frequencies among different populations was examined, revealing variations in allele distribution. African populations exhibited higher frequencies of specific risk alleles, whereas East Asian and European populations displayed distinct profiles. South Asian populations showed a unique genetic cluster. CONCLUSION: Our study emphasises the complex genetic landscape of DC and highlights the need for population-specific research as well as validation of GWAS-identified markers in Indians before defining them as established candidate genes.

Bioactive enhancement of PVA films through CNC reinforcement and Ficus auriculata fruit extract: A novel synthesis for sustainable applications.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have received immense interest lately as a potential nanomaterial because of their excellent mechanical and biological properties. This investigation aims to formulate a composite coating made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), CNCs, and a methanolic extract from the dried leaves and fruit of the fig tree (Ficus auriculata) (FAE). A sequential procedure to get CNCs included alkaline and acid hydrolysis, sonication, and suitable methods for purification. Analytical techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study the CNC-loaded films. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of composites revealed superior thermal stability of the CNC-reinforced films versus control, evident from higher degradation temperatures, indicating desirable environmental resistance of proposed coatings for wood surfaces. The termite control was made more effective through synergistic use of a combination of CNCs, PVA, and FAE with proven insecticidal properties. The composite material was examined for its anti-termite resistance and termite mortality rate, and demonstrated that when used together, CNCs, PVA, and FAE were collectively and synergistically more effective at keeping termites away. The findings of this study demonstrate that the evolved composite could be used to develop anti-termite products that are environmentally benign and respond well. Synthesized composites also demonstrated significant antibacterial activity. Among all films, a combination of 0.7 % extract in PVA displayed excellent results with 26 and 28 mm diameter for growth inhibition zone for Gram-positive bacteria whereas 26 mm for both negative bacterial strains. The findings suggest a potential use of this composite as a sustainable, environmentally resistant, and eco-friendly alternative for termite/bacterial control in various building materials and wood preservation applications.

Investigating the Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Case-Control Study.

Background: This study aims to explore the connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) through a case-control investigation. OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder that affects breathing during sleep, whereas TMD involves pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint. Understanding any potential association between these two conditions could contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 participants were included in both the OSA group and the control group. Participants with diagnosed OSA constituted the OSA group, whereas individuals without OSA formed the control group. TMD symptoms were assessed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the prevalence of TMD symptoms between the two groups. Results: In the OSA group, 36 out of 50 participants exhibited TMD symptoms, whereas in the control group, 18 out of 50 participants displayed such symptoms. The calculated P value was found to be 0.023, indicating a statistically significant association between OSA and TMD. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a notable association between OSA and TMD. Individuals with OSA are more likely to experience TMD symptoms compared to those without OSA. This underscores the importance of considering TMD symptoms in individuals with OSA and vice versa for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management.

A Comprehensive Review of Our Understanding and Challenges of Viral Vaccines against Swine Pathogens.

Pig farming has become a strategically significant and economically important industry across the globe. It is also a potentially vulnerable sector due to challenges posed by transboundary diseases in which viral infections are at the forefront. Among the porcine viral diseases, African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot and mouth disease, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, pseudorabies, swine influenza, and transmissible gastroenteritis are some of the diseases that cause substantial economic losses in the pig industry. It is a well-established fact that vaccination is undoubtedly the most effective strategy to control viral infections in animals. From the period of Jenner and Pasteur to the recent new-generation technology era, the development of vaccines has contributed significantly to reducing the burden of viral infections on animals and humans. Inactivated and modified live viral vaccines provide partial protection against key pathogens. However, there is a need to improve these vaccines to address emerging infections more comprehensively and ensure their safety. The recent reports on new-generation vaccines against swine viruses like DNA, viral-vector-based replicon, chimeric, peptide, plant-made, virus-like particle, and nanoparticle-based vaccines are very encouraging. The current review gathers comprehensive information on the available vaccines and the future perspectives on porcine viral vaccines.

Cellular metabolism: a link connecting cellular behaviour with the physiochemical properties of biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

Biomaterial properties, such as surface roughness, morphology, stiffness, conductivity, and chemistry, significantly influence a cell's ability to sense and adhere to its surface and regulate cell functioning. Understanding how biomaterial properties govern changes in cellular function is one of the fundamental goals of tissue engineering. Still, no generalized rule is established to predict cellular processes (adhesion, spreading, growth and differentiation) on biomaterial surfaces. A few studies have highlighted that cells sense biomaterial properties at multiple length scales and regulate various intracellular biochemical processes like cytoskeleton organization, gene regulation, and receptor expression to influence cell function. However, recent studies have found cellular metabolism as another critical aspect of cellular processes that regulate cell behavior, co-relating metabolism to cellular functions like adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Now researchers have started to uncover previously overlooked factors on how biomaterial properties govern changes in cellular functions mediated through metabolism. This review highlights how different physiochemical properties of scaffolds designed from different biomaterials influence cell metabolism. The review also discusses the role of metabolism change in cellular functions and cell behavior in the context of bone tissue engineering. It also emphasizes the importance of cell metabolism as a missing link between the cellular behavior and physicochemical properties of scaffolds and serves as a guiding principle for designing scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Influence of varying dry air temperatures on postoperative sensitivity, penetration depth, and push-out bond strength of an ethanol/water-based adhesive: An in vivo double-blind clinical trial and in vitro analysis.

Background: Incomplete monomer infiltration into the etched dentin causes postoperative sensitivity (POS) with total-etch adhesives. Increasing the temperature of the air to dry the adhesive has shown to improve its infiltration into the dentin. Aims: The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of dry air temperatures of 15°C ± 5°C and 50°C ± 5°C on the POS, depth of penetration, and bond strength of an ethanol/water-based etch-and-rinse (ER) adhesive under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Methods: Forty-four premolars from 11 patients scheduled for orthodontic extraction were allocated into cold air (Group 1) and warm air (Group 2) groups using a split-mouth design. A 2 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm cavity was prepared on the middle third of the buccal surface of the teeth, acid etched, and two coats of an ethanol/water-based adhesive resin mixed with 0.1% rhodamine B was applied for 10 s. A dental air gun customized to deliver warm and cold air was used to dry the adhesive prior to its light polymerization. The cavities were restored with resin composite incrementally. POS was assessed using visual analog scale at 24 and 72 h using cold test. The teeth were atraumatically extracted and analyzed for depth of adhesive penetration using confocal laser scanning microscope (n = 11) and push-out bond strength (n = 11). Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < 0.05). Results: A significantly lower POS and greater adhesive penetration into the dentin was observed in the warm air group compared to cold air (P < 0.05). No significant difference could be elicited between the push-out bond strength of both the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Warm air alleviated POS and improved the penetration of an ethanol/water-based ER adhesive into the dentin.

SCPNB is an adjuvant to local anaesthesia for maxillofacial surgical practice.

The superficial cervical plexus nerve block [SCPNB] procedure is frequently used throughout head and neck surgery because it is simple to learn and has a low rate of complications. The investigation of this method might produce superior outcomes in treating frequent maxillofacial disorders including mandibular fractures and infections of the odontogenic region. The SCPNB is known to play a part in the medical evacuation of head and neck abscesses, the excision of superficial diseases in the perimandibular region, and the therapy of mandibular fracture, despite the dearth of research in this area. Considering this background, it was expected that the SCPNB might be helpful as an adjuvant to regional anaesthesia in maxillofacial surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the SCPNB in the treatment of mandibular fractures and infectious diseases in the perimandibular area. 48 patients with either submandibular space infections or mandibular injuries who were anticipated for surgical procedure under regional anaesthesia participated in a prospective randomized clinical study (eg, inferior alveolar nerve block, long buccal nerve block). Administering a combination of a local infiltration and regional anaesthesia was used as the control group. Regional anaesthesia and a SCPNB were administered to the intervention class. The following factors were examined: pain, anaesthesia's duration and onset, waiting period before initial analgesic demand, pulse rate, and blood pressure. The unpaired t-test was used to compare groups. Multiple variables ANOVA (for more than two observations) was used for intragroup analysis, accompanied by a post-hoc analysis of variance. In aspects of intra - operative pain at thirty minutes, time required of anaesthesia, intraoperative anesthetic necessity, duration until first analgesic recommendation, and intra - operative diastolic arterial blood pressure at ten minutes, the SCPNB group demonstrated a substantial (P ≤.01) improved performance. It can be concluded that the use of a regional anaesthetic approach in conjunction with a SCPNB is a good substitute to localized infiltration for patients having surgery for fracture of mandible and perimandibular area infections.

Pinpointing the Geographic Origin of 165-Year-Old Human Skeletal Remains Found in Punjab, India: Evidence From Mitochondrial DNA and Stable Isotope Analysis.

In 2014, 157 years after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, several unidentified human skeletons were discovered in an abandoned well at Ajnala, Punjab. The most prevailing hypothesis suggested them as Indian soldiers who mutinied during the Indian uprising of 1857. However, there is an intense debate on their geographic affinity. Therefore, to pinpoint their area of origin, we have successfully isolated DNA from cementum-rich material of 50 good-quality random teeth samples and analyzed mtDNA haplogroups. In addition to that, we analyzed 85 individuals for oxygen isotopes (δ18O values). The mtDNA haplogroup distribution and clustering pattern rejected the local ancestry and indicated their genetic link with the populations living east of Punjab. In addition, the oxygen isotope analysis (δ18O values) from archaeological skeletal remains corroborated the molecular data and suggested the closest possible geographical affinity of these skeletal remains toward the eastern part of India, largely covering the Gangetic plain region. The data generated from this study are expected to expand our understanding of the ancestry and population affinity of martyr soldiers.

Molecular Control of Interfacial Fibronectin Structure on Graphene Oxide Steers Cell Fate.

The use of graphene-based materials (GBMs) for tissue-engineering applications has been growing exponentially because of the seemingly endless multifunctional and tunable physicochemical properties of graphene that can be exploited to influence cellular behavior. Despite many demonstrations wherein cell physiology has been modulated on different GBMs, a clear mechanism connecting the different physicochemical properties of GBMs to cell fate has remained elusive. In this work, we demonstrate how different GBMs can be used to bias cell fate in a multiscale study-starting from serum protein (fibronectin) adsorption and its molecular scale morphology, structure, and bioactivity and ending with stem cell response. Using heat to chemically reduce graphene oxide without changing physical properties, we show that graphene chemistry controls surface-adsorbed molecular conformation and morphology, epitope presentation, and stem cell attachment. Moreover, this subtle change in the protein structure was found to drive increased bone differentiation of stem cells, suggesting that the physicochemical properties of graphene biases cell fate by directly influencing the adsorbed protein structure and subsequent biochemical activity.

A detailed assessment of pyrolysis kinetics of invasive lignocellulosic biomasses (Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara) by thermogravimetric analysis.

Thermogravimetric analysis of two invasive weeds Prosopis juliflora (PJ) and Lantana camara (LC) are carried out by pyrolysis under dynamic conditions (20 to 900 °C) at different heating rates 5, 10, 20 and 40 °C/min. Gross calorific values of PJ and LC are estimated to 18.2 and 18.92 MJ/kg respectively. Activation energy obtained by FRM, M-FRM, KAS, OFW, STR, NL-INT, NL-DIF methods are 157.56, 151.24, 140.86, 143.39, 140.74, 141.19, 157.59 kJ/mol for PJ and 169.98, 167.67, 149.39, 151.51, 149.23, 149.70, 169.98 kJ/mol for LC respectively. Kinetic compensation effects were well fitted with the experimental data, which provided the value of the pre-exponential factor. To identify the appropriate reaction mechanism, the Popescu and Master-plot methods are employed. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS) are also determined by NL-INT, NL-DIF, and M-FRM methods. Results of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters confirm the suitability of PJ and LC invasive weeds as potential biomasses for pyrolysis process.

Effect of ambient temperature on respiratory tract cells exposed to SARS-CoV-2 viral mimicking nanospheres-An experimental study.

The novel coronavirus caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reached more than 160 countries and has been declared a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) surface receptor via the spike (S) receptor-binding protein (RBD) on the virus envelope. Global data on a similar infectious disease spread by SARS-CoV-1 in 2002 indicated improved stability of the virus at lower temperatures facilitating its high transmission in the community during colder months (December-February). Seasonal viral transmissions are strongly modulated by temperatures, which can impact viral trafficking into host cells; however, an experimental study of temperature-dependent activity of SARS-CoV-2 is still lacking. We mimicked SARS-CoV-2 with polymer beads coated with the SARS-CoV-2 S protein to study the effect of seasonal temperatures on the binding of virus-mimicking nanospheres to lung epithelia. The presence of the S protein RBD on nanosphere surfaces led to binding by Calu-3 airway epithelial cells via the ACE-2 receptor. Calu-3 and control fibroblast cells with S-RBD-coated nanospheres were incubated at 33 and 37 °C to mimic temperature fluctuations in the host respiratory tract, and we found no temperature dependence in contrast to nonspecific binding of bovine serum ablumin-coated nanospheres. Moreover, the ambient temperature changes from 4 to 40 °C had no effect on S-RBD-ACE-2 ligand-receptor binding and minimal effect on the S-RBD protein structure (up to 40 °C), though protein denaturing occurred at 51 °C. Our results suggest that ambient temperatures from 4 to 40 °C have little effect on the SARS-CoV-2-ACE-2 interaction in agreement with the infection data currently reported.

Phototunable interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels to stimulate the vasculogenesis of stem cell-derived endothelial progenitors.

Vascularization of engineered scaffolds remains a critical obstacle hindering the translation of tissue engineering from the bench to the clinic. We previously demonstrated the robust micro-vascularization of collagen hydrogels with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived endothelial progenitors; however, physically cross-linked collagen hydrogels compact rapidly and exhibit limited strength. We have synthesized an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel comprised of collagen and norbornene-modified hyaluronic acid (NorHA) to address these challenges. This dual-network hydrogel combines the natural cues presented by collagen's binding sites and extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking fibrous architecture with the in situ modularity and chemical cross-linking of NorHA. We modulated the IPN hydrogel's stiffness and degradability by varying the concentration and sequence, respectively, of the NorHA peptide cross-linker. Rheological characterization of the photo-mediated gelation process revealed that the IPN hydrogel's stiffness increased with cross-linker concentration and was decoupled from the bulk NorHA content. Conversely, the swelling of the IPN hydrogel decreased linearly with increasing cross-linker concentration. Collagen microarchitecture remained relatively unchanged across cross-linking conditions, although the addition of NorHA delayed collagen fibrillogenesis. Upon iPSC-derived endothelial progenitor encapsulation, robust, lumenized microvascular networks developed in IPN hydrogels over two weeks. Subsequent computational analysis showed that an initial rise in stiffness increased the number of branch points and vessels, but vascular growth was suppressed in high stiffness IPN hydrogels. These results suggest that an IPN hydrogel consisting of collagen and NorHA is highly tunable, compaction resistant, and capable of supporting vasculogenesis.

Thermal degradation of eco-friendly alternative plastics: kinetics and thermodynamics analysis.

This work reports the thermal degradation behaviour, kinetics and thermodynamics of two different eco-friendly plastics, viz. non-woven plastic and corn starch-based biodegradable plastics, which are commonly used nowadays as an alternative to synthetic plastics. In this context, thermogravimetric analysis of plastic waste samples was carried out at wide range of heating rates of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C/min in nitrogen atmosphere, and activation energy is determined by first-order model-fitting method while thermodynamic parameters are determined on the basis of Eyring theory of activated complex. The regression coefficient obtained from kinetic study of thermal degradation of these plastics best fits to the first-order kinetic equation. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters obtained for both the plastics are found very close to each other. So, this study would help design more effective conversion system for the recycling of both the wastes together.

Bioethanol production from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) plant residue by combined physical, microbial and chemical pretreatments.

This study explored the potential of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) plant residue (SPR) for bioethanol production. Three particle sizes, including 400, 850 and 1300 µm of SPR, were subjected to microbial degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium followed by 1% H2SO4 pretreatments. FTIR and HPLC analyses showed that the combined pretreatment which begins with microbial followed up by acid degraded SPR in the finest particle size (400 µm) resulted in the maximum contents of reducing sugars (370.23 mg·g-1). Kinetics studies of the pretreatment process also confirmed the maximized rate of hemicellulose and lignin reduction with reducing sugars production. The logistic model had better fitness as compared to the modified Gompertz model to predict bioethanol production. SPR gave a maximum of 1.90 g·L-1 bioethanol yield after 60 h of fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This study is the first report on bioethanol production from SPR, which proposed its suitability for sustainable energy production.

Cleft of lip and palate: A review.

Cleft of lip and palate are most common serial congenital anomalies to affect the orofacial region . It can occur isolated or together in various combination and/or along with other congenital deformities particularly congenital heart diseases. .Patient with oro-facial cleft deformity needs to be treated at right time and at right age to achieve functional and esthetic well being. Successful management of the child born with a cleft lip and palate requires coordinated care provided by a number of different specialties including oral/maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, genetics/dysmorphology, speech/language pathology, orthodontics, prosthodontics, and other. This article aims to the review the point primary care physicians in literature knowledge about cleft lip and palate. A review of literature have made to discuss introduction, epidemiology, clinical feature, etiology factor and management of cleft lip and palate.

Xylose transport in yeast for lignocellulosic ethanol production: Current status.

Lignocellulosic ethanol has been considered as an alternative transportation fuel. Utilization of hemicellulosic fraction in lignocelluloses is crucial in economical production of lignocellulosic ethanol. However, this fraction has not efficiently been utilized by traditional yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetically modified S. cerevisiae, which can utilize xylose, has several limitations including low ethanol yield, redox imbalance, and undesired metabolite formation similar to native xylose utilizing yeasts. Besides, xylose uptake is a major issue, where sugar transport system plays an important role. These genetically modified and wild-type yeast strains have further been engineered for improved xylose uptake. Various techniques have been employed to facilitate the xylose transportation in these strains. The present review is focused on the sugar transport machineries, mechanisms of xylose transport, limitations and how to deal with xylose transport for xylose assimilation in yeast cells. The recent advances in different techniques to facilitate the xylose transportation have also been discussed.