Analysis of the lignocellulosic components of biomass residues for biorefinery opportunities.

The present study aims to identify the renewable resources available in Brazil such as açai seed, coconut husks, coffee husks, rice husks, eucalyptus sawdust, grass, soy peel, bamboo, banana stems and banana stalks. To identify such renewable energy sources, samples were examined for their physical and chemical characteristics using X-ray diffraction (XRD), proximate and ultimate analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), calorific value determination, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, high-pH anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC-PAD) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). Among the biomasses, açai and coffee exhibited higher total sugar content, 67.70% and 62.55%, respectively. Sawdust exhibited low ash, along with the highest calorific value and lignin content. The highest glucose contents were observed in bamboo (44.65%) and sawdust (38.80%). The maximum yield for the bioproducts levulinic acid (LA), formic acid (FA) and furfural were estimated; açai exhibited the highest yield of LA and FA, while coffee exhibited the best furfural yield. All of these properties indicate that the residues are potential candidates for bioenergy production.

A microsurgical technique for orthotopic ovarian transplantation in the Chinese hamster.

A microscopic surgical technique for the orthotopic transplantation of ovaries in the Chinese hamster is described. The procedure, which uses microcauterization of the mesovarian stump and closure of the ovarian bursa with microvascular suture, resulted in a 75 to 80 percent surgical success rate in a series of 12 nondiabetic and 12 diabetic hamsters. Applications include the production of prediabetic offspring, the study of intrauterine environmental effects on transplant-derived offspring, and the preservation of endangered genetic colony sublines.

Alicyclobacillus in orange juice: occurrence and heat resistance of spores.

Spore suspensions of a pure culture of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSM 2498 were submitted to different heat treatments (60 degrees C for 60 min, 60 degrees C for 30 min, 70 degrees C for 20 min, 80 degrees C for 5 min, 80 degrees C for 10 min, 80 degrees C for 30 min, and boiling for 5 min) to determine the best activation conditions in orange juice. The best treatment for spore activation was shown to be 70 degrees C/20 min. Seventy-five samples of concentrated orange juice from 11 different suppliers were examined for the presence of thermophilic acid-tolerant spore formers by the most probable number technique using Bacillus acidocaldarius medium (BAM broth) and incubation at 44 degrees C for 5 days after a prior spore activation. After incubation, isolation was carried out using BAM agar medium incubating at 44 degrees C for 5 days. Typical colonies were submitted to a microscopic examination, evaluation for the presence of spores, and various biochemical tests. Of the orange juice samples examined, 14.7% were found to be positive for Alicyclobacillus. The thermal death time open tube method was used to determine the heat resistance of the spores of strains confirmed as being Alicyclobacillus. The D-values determined were in the range from 60.8 to 94.5 min at 85 degrees C, 10.0 to 20.6 min at 90 degrees C, and 2.5 to 8.7 min at 95 degrees C. The z-values were between 7.2 degrees C and 11.3 degrees C. The results demonstrated the occurrence of Alicyclobacillus in orange juice and the high heat resistance of the spores that could survive the heat treatments normally applied in the processing of orange juice.

A meta-analytic comparison of the effectiveness of smoking cessation methods.

Meta-analysis was used to cumulate the results from 633 studies of smoking cessation, involving 71,806 subjects, that reported the proportion of successful quits. Self-care methods do not appear to be as effective as formal intervention methods. Instructional programs involving physicians were not more effective than other instructional programs. Conditioning-based techniques such as aversive methods had success rates similar to those of instructional methods, and among the instructional methods, those incorporating social norms and values were more successful than those relying solely on didactic approaches. Cumulation of quit rates from all available control groups indicated that, on average, 6.4% of the smokers could be expected to quit smoking without any intervention. This figure must be subtracted from the raw success rate to obtain the net success rate for each program. Directions for future research are discussed.

Effect of electrical stimulation on chronic wound healing: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantify the effect of electrical stimulation on chronic wound healing. Fifteen studies, which included 24 electrical stimulation samples and 15 control samples, were analyzed. The average rate of healing per week was calculated for the electrical stimulation and control samples. Ninety-five percentage confidence intervals were also calculated. The samples were then grouped by type of electrical stimulation device and chronic wound and reanalyzed. Rate of healing per week was 22% for electrical stimulation samples and 9% for control samples. The net effect of electrical stimulation was 13% per week, an increase of 144% over the control rate. The 95% confidence intervals of the electrical stimulation (18-26%) and control samples (3.8-14%) did not overlap. Electrical stimulation was most effective on pressure ulcers (net effect = 13%). Findings regarding the relative effectiveness of different types of electrical stimulation device were inconclusive. Although electrical stimulation produces a substantial improvement in the healing of chronic wounds, further research is needed to identify which electrical stimulation devices are most effective and which wounds respond best to this treatment.