Production of biogas from solid organic wastes through anaerobic digestion: a review

Anaerobic digestion treatments have often been used for biological stabilization of solid wastes. These treatment processes generate biogas which can be used as a renewable energy sources. Recently, anaerobic digestion of solid wastes has attracted more interest because of current environmental problems, most especially those concerned with global warming. Thus, laboratory-scale research on this area has increased significantly. In this review paper, the summary of the most recent research activities covering production of biogas from solid wastes according to its origin via various anaerobic technologies was presented.     

Determination of Rust Resistance Gene Complex Lr34/Yr18 in Spring Wheat and its Effect on Components of Partial Resistance

The non‐durable nature of hypersensitive (race‐specific) resistance has stimulated scientists to search for other options such as race‐non‐specific resistance to provide long‐lasting protection against plant diseases. Adult plant resistance gene complex Lr34/Yr18 confers a dual race‐non‐specific type of resistance to wheat against stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) and leaf rust (P. triticina Eriks). This study was conducted to evaluate 59 spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for the presence of the Lr34/Yr18‐linked csLV34 allele using STS marker csLV34 and to determine the effect of this gene complex on the components of partial resistance in wheat to leaf/stripe rust. Lr34/Yr18‐linked csLV34 allele was detected only in 12 genotypes, namely Iqbal 2000, NR‐281, NR 354, NR 363, NR 364, NR 366, NR 367, NR 370, NR 376, 4^thEBWYT 509, 4^thEBWYT 510 and 4^thEBWYT 518. Eleven genotypes showing the amplified Lr34/Yr18‐linked allele were further studied for the assessment of the effect of Lr34/Yr18 on components of partial resistance along with nine genotypes lacking this gene complex. Both stripe and leaf rusts were studied separately. The components of partial resistance including latency period (LP) and infection frequency (IF) were studied on primary leaf (seedling stage), fourth leaf and fully expanded young flag leaf (adult plant stage). Both the stripe and leaf rust fungi showed a prolonged LP and reduced IF on genotypes carrying Lr34/Yr18 gene complex. Generally, a longer LP was associated with a reduced IF at all growth stages. Although significant effect of Lr34/Yr18 gene complex on LP and IF was observed almost at all three growth stages, the effect was more pronounced at flag leaf. This suggested that Lr34/Yr18 gene complex is more effective at later stages of plant growth.     

A brief overview of mouse models of pulmonary arterial hypertension: problems and prospects

Many chronic pulmonary diseases are associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary vascular remodeling, which is a term that continues to be used to describe a wide spectrum of vascular abnormalities. Pulmonary vascular structural changes frequently increase pulmonary vascular resistance, causing PH and right heart failure. Although rat models had been standard models of PH research, in more recent years the availability of genetically engineered mice has made this species attractive for many investigators. Here we review a large amount of data derived from experimental PH reports published since 1996. These studies using wild-type and genetically designed mice illustrate the challenges and opportunities provided by these models. Hemodynamic measurements are difficult to obtain in mice, and right heart failure has not been investigated in mice. Anatomical, cellular, and genetic differences distinguish mice and rats, and pharmacogenomics may explain the degree of PH and the particular mode of pulmonary vascular adaptation and also the response of the right ventricle.     

Diurnal and nocturnal pollination of Marginatocereus marginatus (Pachycereeae: Cactaceae) in Central Mexico

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chiropterophillous and ornithophillous characteristics can form part of a single reproductive strategy in plants that have flowers with diurnal and nocturnal anthesis. This broader pollination strategy can ensure seed set when pollinators are scarce or unpredictable. This appears to be true of hummingbirds, which presumably pollinate Marginatocereus marginatus, a columnar cactus with red nocturnal and diurnal flowers growing as part of dense bat-pollinated columnar cacti forests in arid regions of central Mexico. The aim of this study was to study the floral biology of M. marginatus, and evaluate the effectiveness of nocturnal vs. diurnal pollinators and the contribution of each pollinator group to overall plant fitness. METHODS: Individual flower buds were marked and followed to evaluate flower phenology and anthesis time. Flowers and nectar production were measured. An exclusion experiment was conducted to measure the relative contribution of nocturnal and diurnal pollinators to seed set. KEY RESULTS: Marginatocereus marginatus has red hermaphroditic flowers with nocturnal and diurnal anthesis. The plant cannot produce seeds by selfing and was pollinated during the day by hummingbirds and during the night by bats, demonstrating that both pollinator groups were important for plant reproduction. Strong pollen limitation was found in the absence of one of the pollinator guilds. CONCLUSIONS: Marginatocereus marginatus has an open pollination system in which both diurnal and nocturnal pollinators are needed to set seeds. This represents a fail-safe pollination system that can ensure both pollination, in a situation of low abundance of one of the pollinator groups (hummingbirds), and high competition for nocturnal pollinators with other columnar cacti that bloom synchronously with M. marginatus in the Tehuacan Valley, Mexico.     

Characterization of the phenolic constituents in Mauritian endemic plants as determinants of their antioxidant activities in vitro

The phenolic constituents of Mauritian endemic plants from the Rubiaceae and Myrtaceae family were assessed and correlated with their potential antioxidant activities in vitro. The antioxidant activities of the plant extracts ranged from 0.27 to 1.49mmol Trolox equivalent/g FW and from 0.20 to 1.39mmol Fe(II) equivalent/g FW in the TEAC and FAP assays, respectively, with Syzygium commersonii showing the highest activity in these two systems. Eugenia orbiculata and all the Syzygium species were effective scavengers of hypochlorous acid while Monimiastrum acutisepalum was the most potent inhibitor of deoxyribose degradation. The plant extracts inhibited microsomal lipid peroxidation with low IC(50)s ranging from 0.02 to 1.75mgFW/mL when reaction was initiated with Fe(3+)/ascorbate and from 0.093 to 1.55mgFW/mL in the AAPH-dependent lipid peroxidation. The potential prooxidant nature of the plant extracts was compared with ascorbate (250microM) using copper-phenanthroline assay. The plant extracts at concentrations up to 5gFW/L were not prooxidant. However, Myonima nitens, Syzygium commersonii, Syzygium glomeratum and Syzygium mauritianum at concentrations of 10gFW/L had potency approaching 50% of the prooxidant activity of ascorbic acid in vitro, suggesting relative safeties. The total phenolics influenced the antioxidant activities in the TEAC, FRAP and HOCl scavenging assays whereas a negative correlation was observed with the deoxyribose assay. The high levels of polyphenolic compounds and the significant antioxidant activities of these Rubiaceae and Myrtaceae plant family make them suitable candidates as prophylactic agent.     

Studies on the Traditional Uses of Some Medicinal Shrubs of Swat Kohistan, Pakistan

The traditional herbal medicine bequeathed fromgenerationto generationis richin domestic recipes andcommunal practice . Encompassing concepts and meth-ods for the protection and restoration of health, tradi-tional medicine has served as a fount of alternativemedicine , newpharmaceuticals , and healthcare prod-ucts. The best known examples of traditional medi-cine , differing in concept and protocol , are well-de-veloped systems such as acupuncture , Unani systemand ayurvedic medicine that have…     

Phenotypic characterization of Bbs4 null mice reveals age-dependent penetrance and variable expressivity

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare oligogenic disorder exhibiting both clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Although the BBS phenotype is variable both between and within families, the syndrome is characterized by the hallmarks of developmental and learning difficulties, post-axial polydactylia, obesity, hypogenitalism, renal abnormalities, retinal dystrophy, and several less frequently observed features. Eleven genes mutated in BBS patients have been identified, and more are expected to exist, since about 20–30% of all families cannot be explained by the known loci. To investigate the etiopathogenesis of BBS, we created a mouse null for one of the murine homologues, Bbs4, to assess the contribution of one gene to the pleiotropic murine Bbs phenotype. Bbs4 null mice, although initially runted compared to their littermates, ultimately become obese in a gender-dependent manner, females earlier and with more severity than males. Blood chemistry tests indicated abnormal lipid profiles, signs of liver dysfunction, and elevated insulin and leptin levels reminiscent of metabolic syndrome. As in patients with BBS, we found age-dependent retinal dystrophy. Behavioral assessment revealed that mutant mice displayed more anxiety-related responses and reduced social dominance. We noted the rare occurrence of birth defects, including neural tube defects and hydrometrocolpos, in the null mice. Evaluations of these null mice have uncovered phenotypic features with age-dependent penetrance and variable expressivity, partially recapitulating the human BBS phenotype.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available to authorised users in the online version of this article at .     

Papanicolaou stain: Is it economical to switch to rapid, economical, acetic acid, papanicolaou stain?

OBJECTIVE: To standardize an inexpensive and rapid Papanicolaou staining technique with limited ethanol usage. STUDY DESIGN: Smears from 200 patients were collected (2 per patient) and fixed in methanol. Half were subjected to conventional Papanicolaou and half to stain ing with rapid, economical, acetic acid Papanicolaou (REAP) stain. In REAP, pre-OG6 and post-OG6 and post-EA36 ethanol baths were replaced by 1% acetic acid and Scott's tap water with tap water. Hematoxylin was preheated to 60 degrees C. Final dehydration was with methanol. REAP smears were compared with Papanicolaou smears for optimal cytoplasmic and nuclear staining, stain preservation, cost and turnaround time. RESULTS: With the REAP method, cytoplasmic and nuclear staining was optimal in 181 and 192 cases, respectively. The staining time was considerably reduced, to 3 minutes, and the cost per smear was reduced to one fourth. The staining quality remained good in all the smears for > 2 years. CONCLUSION: REAP is a rapid, cost-effective alternative to Papanicolaou stain. Though low stain penetration in large cell clusters is a limitation, final interpretation was not compromised.