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.

Latent tuberculosis diagnostics: current scenario and review.

This review presents a comprehensive examination of the contemporary landscape pertaining to latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) diagnostics, with a particular emphasis on the global ramifications and the intricacies surrounding LTBI diagnosis and treatment. It accentuates the imperative of bolstering diagnostic, preventive, and treatment modalities for tuberculosis (TB) to fulfill the ambitious targets set forth by the World Health Organization aimed at reducing TB-related mortalities and the incidence of new TB cases. The document underscores the significance of addressing LTBI as a means of averting the progression to active TB, particularly in regions burdened with high TB prevalence, such as India. An in-depth analysis of the spectrum delineating latent and active TB disease is provided, elucidating the risk factors predisposing individuals with LTBI to progress towards active TB, including compromised immune functionality, concurrent HIV infection, and other immunosuppressive states. Furthermore, the challenges associated with LTBI diagnosis are elucidated, encompassing the absence of a definitive diagnostic assay, and the merits and demerits of tuberculin skin testing (TST) and interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are expounded upon. The document underscores the necessity of confronting these challenges and furnishes a meticulous examination of the advantages and limitations of TST and IGRAs, along with the intricacies involved in interpreting their outcomes across diverse demographics and settings. Additionally, attention is drawn towards the heritability of the interferon-γ response to mycobacterial antigens and the potential utility of antibodies in LTBI diagnosis.

Enhancement in xylose utilization using Kluyveromyces marxianus NIRE-K1 through evolutionary adaptation approach.

The evolutionary adaptation was carried out on the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus NIRE-K1 at 45 °C up to 60 batches to enhance its xylose utilization capability. The adapted strain showed higher specific growth rate and 3-fold xylose uptake rate and short lag phase as compared to the native strain. During aerobic growth adapted yeast showed 2.81-fold higher xylose utilization than that of native. In anaerobic batch fermentation, adapted yeast utilized about 91% of xylose in 72 h and produced 2.88 and 18.75 g l⁻¹ of ethanol and xylitol, respectively, which were 5.11 and 5.71-fold higher than that of native. Ethanol yield, xylitol yield and specific sugar consumption rate obtained by the adapted cells were found to be 1.57, 1.65 and 4.84-fold higher than that of native yeast, respectively. Aforesaid results suggested that the evolutionary adaptation will be a very effective strategy in the near future for economic lignocellulosic ethanol production.

Sikhs in Minnesota: Dental Care Access, Ethnicity, and Acculturation.

To explore the dental care experiences of one of Minnesota's ethnic communities, the authors conducted pilot study among members of Sikh temple. The Sikhs, a religious group from the Punjab region of India, number roughly 1,500-2,000 individuals in the Twin Cities. Forty-seven adults from the Bloomington, Minnesot temple completed the survey, which was administered during interviews with one of the authors, himself a Sikh. Respondents, who ranged in age from 29 to 92, have been in the United States for an average of 16 years, and had educational backgrounds ranging from undergraduate, Masters, to doctoral degrees. Their self-reported oral health is deemed good. They regularly seek dental care, including preventive services. Their experiences with dental practices have largely been positive, and they have found little discrimination when encountering dental office staff members. Some degree of communication issues was reported by 25% of respondents. Roughly half of the persons surveyed seek care in private practices, but a surprisingly high percentage (13%) visit the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry clinics. Most respondents were comfortable discussing their culture and religion with dental office staff members, and they seemed to hold a positive view of Minnesota's dental profession. Sikh weddings are always full of rituals, traditions, and celebrations. The wedding usually takes place in the morning and is held in front of the Sikh holy book Shri Guru Granth Sahib. A bride may traditionally be dressed in red, as the color red symbolizes love and commitment in Indian culture. The groom wears a colored turban and scarf and carries a kirpan, a ceremonial sword a dagger. The priest leading this ceremony explains the Sikh philosophy of marriage. Family members, relatives, and friends gather to congratulate and bless the new couple, and the whole wedding can last three to four days, made up of a number of rituals.

Ghosal hematodiaphyseal dysplasia-a concise review including an illustrative patient.

Ghosal hematodiaphyseal dysplasia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by metadiaphyseal dysplasia of long bones and defective hematopoiesis due to fibrosis or sclerosis of bone marrow. Approximately 15 cases of this entity have been reported in the literature so far. The diagnosis of this rare syndrome and its differentiation from other sclerosing bone disorders is important as correct diagnosis helps in treatment with corticosteroids, leading to considerable improvement in anemia and bony changes, negating the need for blood transfusions. We review the literature for this uncommon disorder and also present a similar case in a 21-year-old female who remained undiagnosed until this age because of unfamiliarity of clinicians with the condition.

Imaging spectrum of cerebellar pathologies: a pictorial essay.

The cerebellum is a crucial structure of hindbrain which helps in maintaining motor tone, posture, gait and also coordinates skilled voluntary movements including eye movements. Cerebellar abnormalities have different spectrum, presenting symptoms and prognosis as compared to supratentorial structures and brainstem. This article intends to review the various pathological processes involving the cerebellum along with their imaging features on MR, which are must to know for all radiologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons for their prompt diagnosis and management.

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as obstructive jaundice: uncommon presentation of a rare entity.

BACKGROUND: Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare primary malignant liver tumor, significantly different from generic hepatocellular carcinoma with distinct demographics, risk factors, imaging features, histopathology and prognosis. CASE REPORT: Unlike conventional hepatocellular carcinoma, it presents in young individuals with no preexisting hepatitis or cirrhosis and does not cause elevation of serum alpha feto proteins in most cases. This paper presents a case report of this rare tumor in a young female with an unusual clinical manifestation of obstructive jaundice (which has not been reported so far) along with a review of its imaging and pathological features, with treatment options. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrolamellar HCC is a rare variant of classic HCC with different epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, radiological, pathological and prognostic features. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with the entity for its early diagnosis and management.

Joubert syndrome: imaging features and illustration of a case.

BACKGROUND: Joubert Syndrome (JS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised clinically by neonatal breathing dysregulation, developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, ataxia, nystagmus. CASE REPORT: We present another case of this uncommon syndrome in a 12 years old patient presenting with classical complaints of developmental delay, intellectual impairment, weakness in both lower limbs, ataxia and abnormal facies and diagnosed on Computed Tomography. CONCLUSIONS: Joubert Syndrome should be ruled out in all patients presenting with hypotonia, ataxia, nystagmus, breathing abnormalities and developmental delay. Its neuroimaging hallmarks include molar tooth sign and batwing shaped fourth ventricle. As JS is associated with multiorgan involvement, these patients should enter a diagnostic protocol to assess systemic abnormalities. Extreme caution should be taken while administering drugs in these patients as they are prone to respiratory depression.

An unusual case of large posterior fossa neurenteric cyst involving bilateral cerebellopontine angle cisterns: report of a rare case and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial neurenteric cysts are rare cystic masses of endodermal origin lined with mucin producing low columnar or cuboidal epithelium. Approximately 141 cases have been reported so far. Most of the posterior fossa neurenteric cysts are typically small, located anteriorly to the brainstem in the midline or in the cerebellopontine angle cistern area. CASE REPORT: We present a rare, histologically proven case of a large lobulated intracranial neurenteric cyst measuring 4.2 centimeters in the maximal transverse dimension and involving bilateral cerebellopontine angle cisterns. We also present a review of the literature on this uncommon finding. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging features of neurenteric cyst are non-specific and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis for any intracranial extraaxial cystic lesion.

Suprasellar Arachnoid Cyst with Spontaneous Intracystic Hemorrhage: A Rare Complication - Role of MR and Illustration of a Case.

BACKGROUND: Arachnoid cysts are congenital or developmental intra-arachnoidal CSF-filled lesions, which develop probably as a result of splitting or duplication of the arachnoid membrane. Most of them are asymptomatic and are detected as incidental findings on Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the head carried out for other reasons. Although complications such as intracystic, subdural, and extradural hematomas are well known after a trauma, spontaneous hemorrhage in an arachnoid cyst is a rare and serious complication with atypical imaging features on cross-sectional imaging and only less than ten cases are documented in the literature till date, with none of them in the suprasellar location. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old female patient presented with history of headache since two months, which was sudden in onset, holocranial. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage is an uncommon and serious complication of arachnoid cysts, which can give rise to atypical features on imaging. Therefore familiarity with this rare complication is indeed essential.

Recent advances in the antioxidant activity of metal-curcumin complexes: a combined computational and experimental review.

Curcumin, an extensively studied phytochemical compound, has gained attention for its potential therapeutic applications across a spectrum of diseases. Its notable attributes include its relatively high tolerability within the human body and its perceived absence of adverse side effects. This review article presents a comprehensive overview of the antioxidant effects exhibited by complexes formed by curcumin and curcumin derived ligands with metals like Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ga and In, which leads to toxic effects beyond a certain limit, based on both experimental and theoretical findings. Additionally, the discussion delves into metal-curcumin complexes characterized by stoichiometries of 1:1 and 1:2, exploring their geometric arrangements and corresponding antioxidant activity, as highlighted in recent studies. These complexes hold the promise of improving curcumin's solubility, stability, and bioavailability, potentially augmenting its overall therapeutic potential and expanding its scope for medical applications.

Unlocking the potential of low FODMAPs sourdough technology for management of irritable bowel syndrome.

Consumption of high FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, and Monosaccharides and Polyols) diet is the leading cause of alteration in the human gut microbiome, thereby, causing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, sourdough technology can be exploited for reduction of FODMAPs in various foods to alleviate the symptoms of IBS. Several microorganisms viz. Pichia fermentans, Lactobacillus fetmentum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Torulaspora delbrueckii, Kluyveromyces marxianus etc. have been identified for the production of low FODMAP type II sourdough fermented products. However, more research on regulation of end-product and volatilome profile is required for maximal exploitation of FODMAP-reducing microorganisms. Therefore, the present review is focused on utilisation of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, alone and in synergy, for the production of low FODMAP sourdough foods. Moreover, the microbial bioprocessing of cereal and non-cereal based low FODMAP fermented sourdough products along with their nutritional and therapeutic benefits have been elaborated. The challenges and future prospects for the production of sourdough fermented low FODMAP foods, thereby, bringing out positive alterations in gut microbiome, have also been discussed.

In silico studies of the interaction of the minor groove binder Hoechst 33258 with B-DNA.

Interaction of the minor groove binder, Hoechst 33258, with the Dickerson-Drew DNA dodecamer sequence has been investigated using docking, MM/QM, MM/GBSA and molecular dynamics computations to study the modes of binding and the interactions responsible for the binding. Besides the original Hoechst 33258 ligand (HT), a total of 12 ionization and stereochemical states for the ligand are obtained at the physiological pH and have been docked into B-DNA. These states have one or the other or both benzimidazole rings in protonated states, apart from the piperazine nitrogen, which has a quaternary nitrogen in all the states. Most of these states are found to exhibit good docking scores and free energy of binding with B-DNA. The best docked state has been taken further for molecular dynamics simulations and compared with the original HT. This state is protonated at both benzimidazole rings besides the piperazine ring and hence has very highly negative coulombic interaction energy. In both cases, there are strong coulombic interactions, but these are offset by the almost equally unfavorable solvation energies. Thus, the nonpolar forces, particularly van der Waals contacts, dominate the interaction, and the polar interactions highlight subtle changes in the binding energies, leading to more highly protonated states having more negative binding energies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Giant rectal lipoma.

Colonic lipomas are rare benign tumors usually occurring in the ascending colon. We present here a case of giant rectal lipoma measuring 11.5 cm in size with review of the literature. To the best of our knowledge, colonic lipoma exceeding 8.5 cm in size has not been reported previously.

Antioxidant capacity and phenolics content of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel as a function of genotype.

Fourteen apricot genotypes grown under similar cultural practices in Trans-Himalayan Ladakh region were studied to find out the influence of genotype on antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content (TPC) of apricot kernel. The kernels were found to be rich in TPC ranging from 92.2 to 162.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g. The free radical-scavenging activity in terms of inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) ranged from 43.8 to 123.4 mg/ml and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) from 154.1 to 243.6 FeSO(4).7H(2)O µg/ml. A variation of 1-1.7 fold in total phenolic content, 1-2.8 fold in IC(50) by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and 1-1.6 fold in ferric reducing antioxidant potential among the examined kernels underlines the important role played by genetic background for determining the phenolic content and antioxidant potential of apricot kernel. A positive significant correlation between TPC and FRAP (r=0.671) was found. No significant correlation was found between TPC and IC(50); FRAP and IC(50); TPC and physical properties of kernel. Principal component analysis demonstrated that genotypic effect is more pronounced towards TPC and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) content in apricot kernel while the contribution of seed and kernel physical properties are not highly significant.

Canine Parvovirus and Its Non-Structural Gene 1 as Oncolytic Agents: Mechanism of Action and Induction of Anti-Tumor Immune Response.

The exploration into the strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer is far from complete. Apart from humans, cancer has gained considerable importance in animals because of increased awareness towards animal health and welfare. Current cancer treatment regimens are less specific towards tumor cells and end up harming normal healthy cells. Thus, a highly specific therapeutic strategy with minimal side effects is the need of the hour. Oncolytic viral gene therapy is one such specific approach to target cancer cells without affecting the normal cells of the body. Canine parvovirus (CPV) is an oncolytic virus that specifically targets and kills cancer cells by causing DNA damage, caspase activation, and mitochondrial damage. Non-structural gene 1 (NS1) of CPV, involved in viral DNA replication is a key mediator of cytotoxicity of CPV and can selectively cause tumor cell lysis. In this review, we discuss the oncolytic properties of Canine Parvovirus (CPV or CPV2), the structure of the NS1 protein, the mechanism of oncolytic action as well as role in inducing an antitumor immune response in different tumor models.

Apoptin as a Tumor-Specific Therapeutic Agent: Current Perspective on Mechanism of Action and Delivery Systems.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide in humans and animals. Conventional treatment regimens often fail to produce the desired outcome due to disturbances in cell physiology that arise during the process of transformation. Additionally, development of treatment regimens with no or minimum side-effects is one of the thrust areas of modern cancer research. Oncolytic viral gene therapy employs certain viral genes which on ectopic expression find and selectively destroy malignant cells, thereby achieving tumor cell death without harming the normal cells in the neighborhood. Apoptin, encoded by Chicken Infectious Anemia Virus' VP3 gene, is a proline-rich protein capable of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a selective manner. In normal cells, the filamentous Apoptin becomes aggregated toward the cell margins, but is eventually degraded by proteasomes without harming the cells. In malignant cells, after activation by phosphorylation by a cancer cell-specific kinase whose identity is disputed, Apoptin accumulates in the nucleus, undergoes aggregation to form multimers, and prevents the dividing cancer cells from repairing their DNA lesions, thereby forcing them to undergo apoptosis. In this review, we discuss the present knowledge about the structure of Apoptin protein, elaborate on its mechanism of action, and summarize various strategies that have been used to deliver it as an anticancer drug in various cancer models.

Justification of whole-body CT in polytrauma patients, can clinical examination help selecting patients?

BACKGROUND: Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is used indiscriminately in trauma cases, just on the suspicion of them being polytrauma cases. A good clinical examination done pre-emptively could prevent the need for this investigation and its undesirous effects. We did this study with an overall aim to assess, if WBCT can be limited to subgroup of trauma patients without compromising clinical safety. METHODS: Retrospective database analysis of 150 cases of polytrauma who underwent WBCT in 2017 was performed. We recorded age, gender, radiation dose and CT findings in all cases and calculated mean age, number of total patients and female patients less than 25 years of age, number of normal WBCT scans, mean radiation dose in the normal and total scans. We also compared pre-test clinical requests with whole-body CT findings, and categorised them in following seven categories: Category 1-Normal Scans; Category 2-Clinically expected Major Injuries; Category 3-Clinically expected Minor Injuries (low risk injuries with no risk of morbidity or mortality if remained undiagnosed), Category 4-Clinically expected CT findings with unexpected Minor (non-serious) injuries; Category 5-Clinically expected CT findings with unexpected Major (serious) injuries, Category 6-Unexpected Minor (non-serious) injuries; Category 7-Unexpected Major (serious) injuries. Categories 2 &3 of clinically expected major and minor injuries included patients with fewer injuries than expected. On the other hand, Category 4 & 5 consist of clinically expected findings with other unexpected injuries, including minor and major injuries respectively. Body injuries were reported in seven areas as per our institutional reporting protocol- Head (including face), Cervical Spine, Thoracolumbar Spine, Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis and Appendicular Skeleton (if asked for). RESULTS: Overall, we found statistically significant correlation between clinical suspicion raised and WBCT findings with good clinical correlation noticed in 106 (70.66%) cases (including 61 cases of clinically suspected major injuries, 15 cases of clinically suspected minor injuries and 25 nearly normal scans with no obvious clinical concern). Isolated unexpected serious injury without any clinical suspicion was seen in only 1 case. Surprisingly, 25 scan requests were made due to high risk mechanism of injury with no obvious clinical concern and were found normal in 20 cases and showed very subtle injuries in 5. Notably, 30 cases of expected major and minor injuries showed highly accurate clinical findings with no injury other than the region of concern and in these cases, limited scan requests would have been sufficient. Mean radiation dose of the entire study group was 22.45 mSv and those to normal patients was 21.19 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: This study re-emphasizes the significance of good clinical examination in the era of evidence based medicine, which would reduce the high number of unnecessary high dose WBCT (25 scans with no positive findings on clinical examination were nearly normal and in 30 cases limited CT would have been sufficient), thereby, decreasing radiation exposure and its potential side effects on polytrauma patients without affecting their survival.

Identification of novel urease inhibitors: pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening and molecular docking studies.

Pharmacophore modeling and atom-based three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) have been developed on N-acylglycino- and hippurohydroxamic acid derivatives, which are known potential inhibitors of urease. This is followed by virtual screening and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity) studies on a large library of known drugs in order to get lead molecules as Helicobacter pylori urease inhibitors. A suitable three-featured pharmacophore model comprising one H-bond acceptor and two H-bond donor features (ADD.10) has been found to be the best QSAR model. An external library of compounds (∼3000 molecules), pre-filtered using Lipinski's rule of five, has been further screened using the pharmacophore model ADD.10. By analyzing the fitness of the hits with respect to the pharmacophore model and their binding interaction inside the urease active site, four molecules have been predicted to be extremely good urease inhibitors. Two of these have significant potential and should be taken up for further drug-designing process.