Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on Chemical and Surface Properties of Biochar of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

The biochar is an important carbon-rich product that is generated from biomass sources through pyrolysis. Biochar (charcoal) can be both used directly as a potential source of solid biofuels and as soil amendments for barren lands. The aim of this study was investigate influence of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical properties and structure of biochar. The biochars were produced by pyrolysis of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) using a fixed-bed reactor at different pyrolysis temperatures (400–700°C). The produced biochars were characterized by proximate and elemental analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, particle size distributions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that both chemical and surface properties of the biochars were significantly affected by the pyrolysis temperature. Aromatic hydrocarbons, hydroxyl and carbonyl compounds were the majority components of the biochar. The biochar obtained at 700°C had a high fixed carbon content (66.16%) as well as a high heating value, and therefore it could be used as solid fuel, precursor in the activated carbons manufacture (specific surface area until 25.38 m² g^?1), or to obtain category-A briquettes.     

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Association of APOE Genetic Variation with Plasma Lipoprotein Traits in U.S. Whites and African Blacks

Although common APOE genetic variation has a major influence on plasma LDL-cholesterol, its role in affecting HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides is not well established. Recent genome-wide association studies suggest that APOE also affects plasma variation in HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. It is thus important to resequence the APOE gene to identify both common and uncommon variants that affect plasma lipid profile. Here, we have sequenced the APOE gene in 190 subjects with extreme HDL-cholesterol levels selected from two well-defined epidemiological samples of U.S. non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) and African Blacks followed by genotyping of identified variants in the entire datasets (623 NHWs, 788 African Blacks) and association analyses with major lipid traits. We identified a total of 40 sequence variants, of which 10 are novel. A total of 32 variants, including common tagSNPs (≥5% frequency) and all uncommon variants (<5% frequency) were successfully genotyped and considered for genotype-phenotype associations. Other than the established associations of APOE*2 and APOE*4 with LDL-cholesterol, we have identified additional independent associations with LDL-cholesterol. We have also identified multiple associations of uncommon and common APOE variants with HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. Our comprehensive sequencing and genotype-phenotype analyses indicate that APOE genetic variation impacts HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in addition to affecting LDL-cholesterol.     

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D 3) improves cognitive dysfunction and reduces inflammation in a rat fatty liver model of metabolic syndrome

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cholecalciferol on systemic inflammation and memory in the setting of fatty liver disease in rats.

Materials and methods

To induce the development of fatty liver disease, the rats were fed a 35% fructose solution over 8 weeks. Group I (n = 6) was designated as the control group and fed with standard rat chow. Group II (n = 6) was provided with, standard rat chow, and 0.3 μg/kg/day of oral cholecalciferol over a duration of 2 weeks. In addition to standard rat chow, group III (n = 6) and group IV (n = 6) were given 4 mL of the 35% fructose solution per day via oral gavage for 8 weeks. However, group IV was also given 0.3 μg/kg/day of oral cholecalciferol over 2 weeks. After the treatment period, passive avoidance tasks were performed by all groups. The liver and brain were harvested for subsequent biochemical and histopathologic analyses.

Key findings

The development of fatty liver extends the memory latency period of passively avoiding tasks after 1 trial. Moreover, there were increases in brain TNF-α and plasma MDA levels according to two-way analysis of variance. Cholecalciferol supplementation decreased the latency period of passively avoiding tasks in rats with hepatosteatosis, and also significantly reduced brain TNF-α and plasma MDA levels.

Significance

Fatty liver may contribute to the development of systemic inflammation, which affects cognition and causes deficits in memory; however, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of vitamin D may improve the cognitive function of rats with hepatosteatosis.     

Aluminum Toxicity: A Case Study on Tobacco (<i>Nicotiana tabacum</i> L.)

Aluminum is an abundant metal in the earth’s crust that turns out to be toxic in acidic environments. Many plants are affected by the presence of aluminum at the whole plant level, at the organ level, and at the cellular level. Tobacco as a cash crop (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a widely cultivated plant worldwide and is also a good model organism for research. Although there are many articles on Al-phytotoxicity in the literature, reviews on a single species that are economically and scientifically important are limited. In this article, we not only provide the biology associated with tobacco Al-toxicity, but also some essential information regarding the effects of this metal on other plant species (even animals). This review provides information on aluminum localization and uptake process by different staining techniques, as well as the effects of its toxicity at different compartment levels and the physiological consequences derived from them. In addition, molecular studies in recent years have reported specific responses to Al toxicity, such as overexpression of various protective proteins. Besides, this review discusses data on various organelle-based responses, cell death, and other mechanisms, data on tobacco plants and other kingdoms relevant to these studies.     

Massive Localized Lymphedema in an Unreported Location (Retroperitoneum)

Background

Massive localized lymphedema (MLL) is a non-neoplastic benign soft tissue lesion that may be confused with sarcomas or other neoplastic proliferations both clinically and morphologically. Most occur in morbidly obese adults on the lower extremities. The objective of this article is to document a case of MLL in the retroperitoneal cavity which is a previously unreported site for this lesion, and to highlight its unusual clinical features.

Case presentation

The patient was a non-obese male who had undergone major abdominal surgery due to bladder extrophy 17?years ago. Abdominal ultrasonography detected a large incidental mass in the right renal sinus during his investigation for nephrolithiasis. The lesion extending from renal pelvis down to pelvis was resected and its histopathological findings were compatible with massive localized lymphedema.

Conclusions

Retroperitoneum has to be added to the list of locations that MLL can be found. Liposarcoma will be a challenging differential diagnosis when the lesion is encountered in an unusual site.

     

Cross-linked stabilization of Escherichia coli penicillin G acylase against pH by dextran-dialdehyde polymers

The inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli penicillin G acylase (PGA), and cross-linked stabilization of the enzyme by dextran-dialdehyde derivatives of molecular weights of 11500, 37000 and 71000, were similar from pH 2 to pH 10. Inactivation of the native and modified PGA obeyed first order kinetics. The lowest inactivation rate constants for native and dextran-11500-dialdehyde modified PGA were 9.0310 and 1.5310 min respectively at pH 7.0. The highest pH stabilization (nearly ten-fold) was obtained at pH 7.0.     

Effects of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine on serum and aortic cholesterol,lipid peroxidation,antioxidant status and aortic histology in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Reactive oxygen metabolites and oxidized fatty acids are proinflammatory and are involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Amlodipine, a unique third-generation dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blocker, seems to exert atheroprotective effects through its antioxidant properties related to its chemical structure and independent of its calcium channel-blocking effect. In this study, the interactions of amlodipine with major cellular antioxidants were investigated in order to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its atheroprotective effects. New Zealand white male rabbits were fed regular chow (group 1), chow with 1% cholesterol (group 2), regular chow plus 5 mg/kg/day amlodipine per os (group 3) and 1% cholesterol plus amlodipine (group 4) for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol, malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin E concentrations and catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in blood drawn before and after the experimental period. Aortic tissue was examined for atherosclerotic changes and aortic total cholesterol, MDA, catalase and SOD were determined. At the end of the 8-week treatment period, serum total cholesterol and plasma MDA were elevated in groups 2 and 4. In group 2, serum vitamin E and plasma SOD diminished (p < 0.05) and catalase increased (p < 0.05). In group 4, SOD activity increased at the end of treatment. MDA levels were lower and plasma SOD activities were higher in group 4 than in group 2. Aortic tissue investigations revealed higher total cholesterol and MDA concentrations and catalase activities in group 2 than in group 4, and the highest tissue SOD activity was recorded in group 4 (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Morphological examination of aortic tissues exhibited endothelial disarrangement and lipid deposition in group 2. Histopathological alterations related to atherogenesis were less in group 4 than in group 2. Amlodipine seems to exert atheroprotective effects by reducing aortic cholesterol accumulation and blood and aortic lipid peroxidation, enhancing SOD activity both in blood and aortic tissue and suppressing the consumption of vitamin E. On the other hand, the suppression of catalase activity in blood and the aorta interferes with the drug's well-known antioxidant effects.     

Potential cytotoxic effect of Anilofos by using Allium cepa assay

Cytogenetic effects of Anilofos which was widely used in agriculture, was evaluated in Allium cepa root meristematic cells. In the Allium root growth inhibition test EC₅₀ value was determined 50 ppm and 1/2× EC₅₀ (25 ppm), EC₅₀ (50 ppm) and 2 × EC₅₀ (100 ppm) concentrations of Anilofos were applied to onion roots. A negative and positive control were used in the experiment in parallel. According to results mitotic index decreased with increasing the Anilofos concentrations in all application groups and each exposure time, while disturbed anaphase–telophase, choromosome laggard(s), stickiness and anaphase bridge(s) were observed. In anaphase–telophase cells, c-metaphase, disturbed nucleus and binuclear cells were observed in other anomalies. The results were also analyzed statistically by using Dunnett t test (2-tailed) and all concentrations of Anilofos were found significant.     

Are we aware how contaminated our mobile phones with nosocomial pathogens?

Vibrio spp. is a pathogen rarely isolated in cancer patients, and in most cases it is associated with haematological diseases. Cutaneous manifestations of this organism are even rarer. We report a case of Non-O1 Vibrio cholerae inguinal skin and soft tissue infection presenting bullous skin lesions in a young type II diabetic patient with a penis squamous cell carcinoma having a seawater exposure history.     

Effect of Putrescine on Low-Temperature Acclimation in <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i>

Putrescine is reported to be necessary for cold acclimation under low-temperature stress. In this study, the effect of low-temperature on some physiological and biochemical parameters has been investigated using the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The lipid peroxidation rate, amount of Rubisco protein, activities of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression of polyamine biosynthesis (odc2, and spd1), heat shock proteins (hsp70c, hsp90a, and hsp90c), and PSII repair mechanisms (psba, rep27, and tba1) were determined to understand the low-temperature response. Exogenous putrescine application significantly increased Rubisco protein concentration and catalase enzyme activities under low-temperature stress. Moreover, real-time RT-PCR results and gene expression analysis showed that polyamine metabolism induced gene expression at low-temperatures in the first 24 h. In the same way, the gene expression of heat shock proteins (hsp70c, hsp90a, and hsp90c) decreased under low-temperature treatment for 72 h; however, application of putrescine enhanced the gene expression in the first 24 h. The results obtained indicated that molecular response in the first 24 h could be important for cold acclimation. The psba and tba1 expressions were reduced under low-temperatures depending on the exposure time. In contrast, the exogenous putrescine enhanced the expression level of the psba response to low-temperature at 24 and 72 h. The results obtained in this study indicate that putrescine could play a role in the PS II repair mechanisms under low-temperature stress.