Battle against COVID-19: Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma as an emergency therapyTo the editor:Convalescent Plasma (CP) is a form of adaptive immunization. It is an indirect way to protect a susceptible individual by providing immunity against a specific pathogen. Currently, the outbreak of highly infectious respiratory illness, i.e., novel coronavirus (COVID-19), has so far affected 2,471,136 individuals and has caused 169,006 deaths (WHO situation report-93; April 22, 2020). The USA alone reported 695,353 infected cases with the highest number of fatalities (n = 37,602). The outbreak is so dangerous that it has affected the entire world (213 countries/ areas/territories). So far, scientists are struggling to develop an effective treatment strategy. The only preventive measures rely on supportive care, quarantine, and isolation of infected patients. CP therapy was effective during the outbreaks of SARS in 2002/2003, H1N1 in 2009, and MERS in 2012. CP transfusion improves clinical symptoms and reduces the mortality rate [4]. A previous exploratory study on SARS and severe influenza performed in 2014, which included 32 separate studies, identified a reduction in mortality rate after CP transfusion. The study showed pooled odds of mortality reduced after CP therapy compared to the placebo or no treatment (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.45; I2 = 0%) [5]. A retrospective nonrandomized study on 19 SARS infected patients showed reduced mortality as well as shorter hospital stay after CP transfusion [6].Similarly, a meta-analysis study on 1703 Spanish influenza pneumonia patients reported improved clinical symptoms and reduction in mortality upon CP transfusion. Absolute mortality risk range between the groups (treatment vs. control) was 8% -26% with a pooled difference of 21% [CI 95%: 15-27%] [7]. A 2015-16 MERS study on Marmosets, treated with mAb and CP, reported a reduction in clinical symptoms and viral load in the CP group [8]. During the Ebola outbreak, CP therapy was found to be effective [9,10], especially during the early phase of the epidemic and showed improved survival odds ratio (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 0.8-6.5) [9].Phylogenetic and molecular sequencing-based studies suggest the similarity between the present COVID-19 virus and previously reported SARS and MERS viruses. Therefore, CP transfusion could be an effective therapy against COVID-19 (Table 1). Recently published article on ten American Journal of Emergency Medicine xxx (xxxx) xxx YAJEM-159069; No of Pages 3 [13]

No abstract

No abstract

Research progress on sustainable and renewable biofuel has gained motion over the years, not just due to the rapid reduction of dwindling fossil fuel supplies but also due to environmental and potential energy security issues as well. Intense interest in microalgae (photosynthetic microbes) as a promising feedstock for third-generation biofuels has grown over recent years. Fuels derived from algae are now considered sustainable biofuels that are promising, renewable, and clean. Therefore, selecting the robust species of microalgae with substantial features for quality biodiesel production is the first step in the way of biofuel production. A contemporary investigation is more focused on several strategies and techniques to achieve higher biomass and triglycerides in microalgae. The improvement in lipid enhancement in microalgae species by genetic manipulation approaches, such as metabolic or genetic alteration, and the use of nanotechnology are the most recent ways of improving the production of biomass and lipids. Hence, the current review collects up-to-date approaches for microalgae lipid increase and biodiesel generation. The strategies for high biomass and high lipid yield are discussed. Additionally, various pretreatment procedures that may aid in lipid harvesting efficiency and improve lipid recovery rate are described.

No abstract