Carbon constraints, as well as the growing hazard of greenhouse gas emissions, have accelerated research into all possible renewable energy and fuel sources. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), a novel technology able to convert soluble organic matter into energy such as hydrogen gas, represent the most recent breakthrough. While research into energy recovery from wastewater using microbial electrolysis cells is fascinating and a carbon-neutral technology that is still mostly limited to lab-scale applications, much more work on improving the function of microbial electrolysis cells would be required to expand their use in many of these applications. The present limiting issues for effective scaling up of the manufacturing process include the high manufacturing costs of microbial electrolysis cells, their high internal resistance and methanogenesis, and membrane/cathode biofouling. This paper examines the evolution of microbial electrolysis cell technology in terms of hydrogen yield, operational aspects that impact total hydrogen output in optimization studies, and important information on the efficiency of the processes. Moreover, life-cycle assessment of MEC technology in comparison to other technologies has been discussed. According to the results, MEC is at technology readiness level (TRL) 5, which means that it is ready for industrial development, and, according to the techno-economics, it may be commercialized soon due to its carbon-neutral qualities.
The clinical usage of doxorubicin (DOX), a potent anthracycline antineoplastic drug, is limited due to its cardiotoxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the possible cardioprotective effects of nerolidol (NERO) in a rat model of DOXinduced chronic cardiotoxicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. DOX (2.5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally once in a week for 5 weeks to induce chronic cardiotoxicity in male albino Wistar rats. The rats were treated with NERO (50 mg/kg, orally) 6 days a week for a duration of 5 weeks. DOX-injected rats showed a significant decline in cardiac function, elevated levels of serum cardiac marker enzymes, and enhanced oxidative stress markers along with altered PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1 signaling pathways. DOX also triggered the activation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling and increased the levels/expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and expression of inflammatory mediators (iNOS and COX-2) in the heart. DOX activated NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptotic cell death along with fibrosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and apoptosis in the myocardium. Additionally, histological studies, TUNEL staining, and myocardial lesions revealed structural alterations of the myocardium. NERO treatment showed considerable protective effects on the biochemical and molecular parameters studied. The findings demonstrate that NERO protects against DOX-induced chronic cardiotoxicity and the observed cardioprotective effects are attributed to its potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.
INTRODUCTIONIndia is the second most populous country in the world with a population of more than 1.2 billion population explosion has been India's major problem since independence.1 It is a major obstacle to the overall progress of the nation. The explosive growth of human population combined with unsustainable production and consumption pattern, is putting increasing stress on air, water, land, energy and other essential resources.There are a number of factors that affect population growth in India. These include socioeconomic factors, religious and cultural factors, and geographical factors. Poverty and illiteracy leads to poor utilization of family ABSTRACT Background: Population explosion has been India's major problem since independence. It is a major obstacle to the overall progress of the nation. Adoption of family planning methods is one of the best solutions to tackle this problem. The present study was planned to determine the factors for non-acceptance of different contraceptive methods among married women of reproductive age group in rural areas of Patna. Methods: Study design: a community based cross sectional study. Study population: married women of reproductive age group (15-45 years). Study period: January 2012-July 2013. Study area: field practice area of PHC Sampatchak, Patna. Sample size: 705 using formula n =4p* q/d 2 . Study tool: pre tested semi-structured proforma. Collected data was analysed using latest version of SPSS. Results: 705 married women of reproductive age group were surveyed and it was found that out of 705 women only 230 (32.65%) were using contraceptive methods. Amongst the users 70.87% were using permanent method of contraception and that too female sterilization. Of the temporary method users (29.13%) 2.60% were using condom, 15.21% were using OCP (oral contraceptive pills) and 11.30% were using IUCD (Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device). Choice of contraceptive method was mostly OCP (71.4%) when duration of marriage was <5 years. Greater the duration of married life more was the acceptance of Tubectomy. The main reasons for non-acceptance of contraceptives method was desire for child (31.17%) followed by fear of side effects (21.05%). Want of male child and opposition by husband accounted for 8.45% &12% respectively. Conclusions: There is tremendous need to increase use of temporary contraceptives for spacing after one or two children. Male involvement in RCH care is essential. It is important to increase their participation as husbands often influence their wife's decision regarding reproductive health.
Backgrounds: Previous studies have demonstrated that excretion of urinary extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different nephron segments differs between kidney stone formers and non-stone formers (NSFs), and could reflect pathogenic mechanisms of urinary stone disease. In this study we quantified selected populations of specific urinary EVs carrying protein markers of immune cells and calcium/phosphorus physiology in calcium oxalate stone formers (CSFs) compared to non-stone formers (NSFs). Methods Biobanked urine samples from CSFs (n = 24) undergoing stone removal surgery and age- and sex- matched NSFs (n = 21) were studied. Urinary EVs carrying proteins related to renal calcium/phosphorus physiology (phosphorus transporters (PiT1 and PiT2), Klotho, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23); markers associated with EV generation (anoctamin-4 (ANO4) and Huntington interacting protein 1 (HIP1)), and markers shed from activated immune cells were quantified by standardized and published method of digital flow cytometry. Results Urine excretion of calcium, oxalate, phosphorus, and calcium oxalate supersaturation (SS) were significantly higher in CSFs compared to NSFs (P < 0.05). Urinary excretion of EVs with markers of total leukocytes (CD45), neutrophils (CD15), macrophages (CD68), Klotho, FGF23, PiT1, PiT2, and ANO4 were each markedly lower in CSFs than NSFs (P < 0.05) whereas excretion of those with markers of monocytes (CD14), T-Lymphocytes (CD3), B-Lymphocytes (CD19), plasma cells (CD138 plus CD319 positive) were not different between the groups. Urinary excretion of EVs expressing PiT1 and PiT2 negatively (P < 0.05) correlated with urinary phosphorus excretion, whereas excretion of EVs expressing FGF23 negatively (P < 0.05) correlated with both urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion. Urinary EVs with markers of HIP1 and ANO4 correlated negatively (P < 0.05) with clinical stone events and basement membrane calcifications on papillary tip biopsies. Conclusions Urinary excretion of EVs derived from specific types of activated immune cells and EVs with proteins related to calcium/phosphorus regulation differed between CSFs and NSFs. Further validation of these and other populations of urinary EVs in larger cohort could identify biomarkers that elucidate novel pathogenic mechanisms of calcium stone formation in specific subsets of patients.
Introduction: Heterogeneity of nephrotic diseases and a lack of validated biomarkers limits interventions and reduces the ability to examine outcomes. Urinary CD80 is a potential biomarker for minimal change disease (MCD) steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (NS). We investigated and validated a CD80 enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in urine in a large cohort with a variety of nephrotic diseases. Methods: A commercial CD80 ELISA was enhanced and analytically validated for urine. Patients were from Mayo Clinic (307) and Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network Consortium (NEPTUNE; 104) as follows: minimal change disease (MCD, 56), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, 92), lupus nephritis (LN, 25), IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 20), membranous nephropathy (MN, 49), autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD, 10), diabetic nephropathy (DN; 106), pyuria (19), and controls (34). Analysis was by KruskalÀWallis test, generalized estimating equation (GEE) models, and receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve.Results: Urinary CD80/creatinine values were highest in MCD compared to other glomerular diseases and were increased in DN with proteinuria >2 compared to controls (control ¼ 36 ng/g; MCD ¼ 139 ng/g, P < 0.01; LN ¼ 90 ng/g,
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