Abstract
Crustaceans’ shells are one of the resources that can be used as raw materials for chitosan extraction. Chitosan can act as bio-coagulant to remove turbidity through coagulation process. ...Usage of chitosan extracted from biopolymers are safer and environmentally friendly that can substitute synthetic coagulant such as alum and lime (calcium oxide) which may cause diseases to humans. This study aims to extract chitosan from waste crustaceans’ shells which are crabs (Litopenaeus Vannamei) and shrimps (Matuta Victor) as well as to analyse the effectiveness of chitosan as a natural coagulant. By using the following concentration of chemicals, 0.5N and 1N of HCl for demineralization, 0.5N and 1N of NaOH for deproteinization and, 50% of NaOH for deacetylation. Crab sample A had been the most effective against crab sample B, shrimp sample A and shrimp sample B in terms of conductivity removal percentage, TSS removal percentage, and COD removal percentage, which was 73.02%, 98.93% and 33.95% respectively. In conclusion, crustaceans’ shells contained chitosan has great potential to be used as bio-coagulant.
Aim: This research aimed to evaluate three Cr(VI)-resistant rhizosphere bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus aerius and Exiguobacterium profundum) for their ability to produce plant growth-promoting ...(PGP) substances and to remove Cr(VI). Methodology: Three rhizosphere bacteria were characterized for their ability to produce several PGP substances, including ammonia and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and solubilized phosphate. The Cr(VI) reduction ability of the rhizosphere bacteria was determined by diphenylcarbazide method with 60 mg I-1 Cr(VI). Results: Bioreduction of Cr(VI) in the reduction media by B. cereus was 13.7%, which was higher compared with those of B. aerius (4.4%) and E. profundum (3.6%). B. aerius adsorbed high Cr(VI) concentration of 56.1 mg g-1. The best condition for these rhizobacteria to remove or adsorb Cr(VI) was at acidic pH (5.36-5.97). All rhizobacteria could not stand the toxic effect of Cr(VI) at 60 mg I-1, which decreased almost 100% of rhizobacteria growth. B. cereus and B. aerius produced PGP substances, including ammonia and IAA and solubilized phosphate. Interpretation: B. cereus and B. aerius with high PGP activities can be considered promising agents in microbe-assisted phytoremediation. All rhizosphere bacteria tolerated Cr(VI) and protected plants against the inhibitory effect of Cr(VI) by reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and assisting the plant uptake of Cr(III).
There seem to currently be no therapeutic medications found for the severe coronavirus infection in 2019 (COVID-19). In light of this, it has been hypothesized that the immunomodulatory treatment ...known as tocilizumab can lessen the inflammatory response that occurs in the respiratory system, speed up the process of clinical benefit, lower the risk of death, and avert the need for ventilators. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) studied patients with a proven infection of SARS-CoV-2 and hyperinflammatory reactions. The inclusion criteria included fever (body temperature > 38 °C), pulmonary infiltrates, or supplemental oxygen. The patients received either conventional treatment with one dose of either tocilizumab (8 mg per kilogram of body weight) or conventional treatment only. The subjects were randomized to receive either treatment with a 1:1 ratio. A time-to-event test was conducted to determine the time to intubation or death. There was an insignificant difference between the investigated groups regarding the time to death, time to mechanical ventilation, and percentage of deaths. The conventional group's median (IQR) hospital length of stay was 4 (3-6) days, whereas the tocilizumab therapy group was 7 (4.75-10) days. There was a substantial difference in the mechanical ventilation rates in both groups, which were 17 (34%) and 28 (56%), respectively. In hospitalized patients with severe illness and COVID-19, tocilizumab was ineffective in preventing intubation or death. Trials must be larger, however, in order to exclude the potential benefits or harms.
We perform detailed measurements of the higher-order-mode content of a low-loss, hollow-core, photonic-bandgap fiber. Mode content is characterized using Spatially and Spectrally resolved (S2) ...imaging, revealing a variety of phenomena. Discrete mode scattering to core-guided modes are measured at small relative group-delays. At large group delays a continuum of surface modes and core-guided modes can be observed. The LP11 mode is observed to split into four different group delays with different orientations, with the relative orientations preserved as the mode propagates through the fiber. Cutback measurements allow for quantification of the loss of different individual modes. The behavior of the modes in the low loss region of the fiber is compared to that in a high loss region of the fiber. Finally, a new measurement technique is introduced, the sliding-window Fourier transform of high-resolution transmission spectra of hollow-core fibers, which displays the dependence of HOM content on both wavelength and group delay. This measurement is used to illustrate the HOM content as function of coil diameter.
•Aims to obtain optimal design using Iterative-Pareto-Fuzzy technique.•Design objectives include total cost, reliability and unutilized surplus power.•Inclusion of surplus power criteria minimizes ...the total cost of the system.
The intermittent resources which cause fluctuations in the power generated by photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine (WT) system made the optimal design for these resources essential, especially for an autonomous system. Therefore, this paper aims to obtain the best combination size between the hybrid PV–WT-battery system that yields minimum cost and maximum reliability. In addition to that, the minimization of unutilized surplus power is also being considered as one of the design objectives. An Iterative-Pareto-Fuzzy (IPF) technique is used to obtain the best compromised solution between all the design objectives. Results show that the inclusion of unutilized surplus power criteria gave different set of Pareto points to the system and provided a different result for the best compromised solution. The total cost of the hybrid system is lower when the minimization of unutilized surplus power criteria is taken into account in the analysis.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Telephonic Barthel Index (BI) assessment is less time-consuming and more feasible than a face-to-face interview. The aim of this study was to test the validity as well as reliability of the BI ...administered by telephone in comparison with face-to-face assessment in a multi-centric study. The study was conducted during the course of a randomized controlled trial in which 120 patients with subacute strokes from five teaching hospitals from different parts of India were recruited. Central telephonic follow-up and face-to-face assessment of BI and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 and 6 months were done by trained and certified blinded researchers. Kappa or weighted kappa (wK) was estimated. Sensitivity and specificity at various cutoff levels of telephonic BI were calculated. Concurrent validity of the telephonic BI was assessed by correlating it with the mRS and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scales (NIHSS) at 3 and 6 months. We observed high sensitivity and specificity at various cutoff levels of BI. Moderate to substantial agreement was observed between the two methods at 6 months wK 0.72 (95% CI 0.70–0.77). Item-wise and center-wise kappa also reflected substantial agreement. The study shows that telephonic assessment of activities of daily living with the BI in moderate to severely disabled stroke patients is valid and reliable compared to face-to-face assessment. Our study shows that telephonic assessment requires smaller sample size compared to face-to-face assessment of BI.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous type of neoplasia with molecular and biochemical alterations in the ductal epithelium. AnxA2 has a diverse functions and through intracellular interaction with ...other molecules promotes carcinogenesis.
To study the possible involvement of AnxA2 in breast cancer heterogeneity and cancer progression.
Tumor tissue and serum were obtained from different breast cancer subtypes. Tumor tissues were processed for histopathological studies. AnxA2 levels were assessed in the tissues by H scoring and in the serum by ELISA. AnxA2 levels were correlated with HER2 and Ki67 and with clinicopathological data. Normal breast tissues and serum from healthy subjects were used as controls.
AnxA2 showed a peculiar distribution in tumor tissues and nearby interstitial tissues. Pattern of expressions varied in different subtypes with the highest expression in triple negative subtype. Tissue and serum AnxA2 showed significant co-upregulations in breast cancer. Moreover, they showed positive correlations with HER2 and Ki67 and associations with clinicopathological data including cancer staging and lymph node metastasis.
For the best of our knowledge this is the first study showing correlation between AnxA2, the proposed prognostic marker and the well-established tumor markers; HER2 and Ki67. AnxA2 might contribute to breast cancer heterogeneity and is associated with poor prognosis. AnxA2 might be a prognostic marker and an additional marker for breast cancer grading and clinical staging. Interestingly, tissue and serum AnxA2 showed a strong correlation. Thus, assessing serum AnxA2 can be a noninvasive prognostic tool.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
ObjectivesThe clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 has varied across countries with varying cardiovascular manifestations. We review the cardiac presentations, in-hospital outcomes and development of ...cardiovascular complications in the initial cohort of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients at Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, UK.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 498 COVID-19 positive adult admissions to our institute from 7 March to 7 April 2020. Patient data were collected for baseline demographics, comorbidities and in-hospital outcomes, especially relating to cardiovascular intervention.ResultsMean age was 67.4±16.1 years and 62.2% (n=310) were male. 64.1% (n=319) of our cohort had underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) with 53.4% (n=266) having hypertension. 43.2%(n=215) developed acute myocardial injury. Mortality was significantly increased in those patients with myocardial injury (47.4% vs 18.4%, p<0.001). Only four COVID-19 patients had invasive coronary angiography, two underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and one required a permanent pacemaker implantation. 7.0% (n=35) of patients had an inpatient echocardiogram. Acute myocardial injury (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.40, p=0.005) and history of hypertension (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.55, p=0.049) approximately doubled the odds of in-hospital mortality in patients admitted with COVID-19 after other variables had been controlled for.ConclusionHypertension, pre-existing CVD and acute myocardial injury were associated with increased in-hospital mortality in our cohort of COVID-19 patients. However, only a low number of patients required invasive cardiac intervention.
Summary
In 40% of cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latency‐II antigens EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1)/latent membrane protein (LMP)1/LMP2A are present (EBV+cHL) in ...the malignant cells and antigen presentation is intact. Previous studies have shown consistently that HLA‐A*02 is protective in EBV+cHL, yet its role in disease pathogenesis is unknown. To explore the basis for this observation, gene expression was assessed in 33 cHL nodes. Interestingly, CD8 and LMP2A expression were correlated strongly and, for a given LMP2A level, CD8 was elevated markedly in HLA‐A*02– versus HLA‐A*02+ EBV+cHL patients, suggesting that LMP2A‐specific CD8+ T cell anti‐tumoral immunity may be relatively ineffective in HLA‐A*02– EBV+cHL. To ascertain the impact of HLA class I on EBV latency antigen‐specific immunodominance, we used a stepwise functional T cell approach. In newly diagnosed EBV+cHL, the magnitude of ex‐vivo LMP1/2A‐specific CD8+ T cell responses was elevated in HLA‐A*02+ patients. Furthermore, in a controlled in‐vitro assay, LMP2A‐specific CD8+ T cells from healthy HLA‐A*02 heterozygotes expanded to a greater extent with HLA‐A*02‐restricted compared to non‐HLA‐A*02‐restricted cell lines. In an extensive analysis of HLA class I‐restricted immunity, immunodominant EBNA3A/3B/3C‐specific CD8+ T cell responses were stimulated by numerous HLA class I molecules, whereas the subdominant LMP1/2A‐specific responses were confined largely to HLA‐A*02. Our results demonstrate that HLA‐A*02 mediates a modest, but none the less stronger, EBV‐specific CD8+ T cell response than non‐HLA‐A*02 alleles, an effect confined to EBV latency‐II antigens. Thus, the protective effect of HLA‐A*02 against EBV+cHL is not a surrogate association, but reflects the impact of HLA class I on EBV latency‐II antigen‐specific CD8+ T cell hierarchies.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Microorganisms that have the potential to improve plant productivity and health are known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Rhizobacteria play a major role in phytoremediation process by ...increasing the phytoremediation efficiency, thus the need to identify the superior rhizosphere bacteria has been gaining serious attention. In the current study, Scirpus grossus were exposed to a series of lead-contaminated sand (50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 mg/L) in plastic crates in greenhouse enviroment. Four weeks after exposure, the plants could sustain with toxicity of lead contamination by as much as 300 mg/L. Twenty two colonies of rhizobacteria were isolated from plant roots of Scirpus grossus. The rhizobacteria were characterised based on cell and colony observation. Identification of rhizobacteria was carried out based on analysis of 16S rDNA sequences and were identified as Aeromonas taiwanensis isolate 5E, Bacillus sp. Isolate 7G, Bacillus cereus isolate 8H and 3C , Bacillus velezensis isolate 9I, Bacillus proteolyticus isolate 4D, Bacillus stratosphericus isolate 14N, Bacillus megaterium isolate 11K , Pseudomonas sp. Isolate 12L , Enterobacter cloacae isolate 13M and isolate 16P, Bacillus aerius isolate 15O and Lysinibacillus sp. isolate 10J. The highly lead-resistant rhizobacteria were identified as Bacillus proteolyticus isolate 4D, Bacillus velezensis isolate 9I and Lysinibacillus sp. isolate 10J , which can tolerate against high concentration of lead (300 mg/L). The results showed that these highly lead-resistant rhizobacteria have potential to produce plant growth-promoting traits and have a ability to help S. grossus growth and productivity.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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