Biodiesel from Palm Vegetable Oil

Energy obtained from a variety of non-renewable sources is considered unsustainable. Various fossil fuels, such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas, are among these sources. The combustion of fossil fuels resulted in the generation of greenhouse gases, which increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Global warming and ozone layer degradation are the negative consequences. In a country like India, where consumable oils are still imported, it is sense to look at the possibility of using such unpalatable oils in CI engines that aren’t often utilized as cooking oil. Palm oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the monocarp of the oil palm’s crop. The main goal is to provide a low-cost, high-performance alternative to diesel. The possibility of palm oil as a realistic, modest, and effective hotspot for the generation of biodiesel is investigated in this research. The article is focused on the comparison of palm oil and diesel in terms of characteristics.

一种适用于欠压实成因的地层孔隙流体压力预测技术

为了提高基于欠压实成因机制的地层孔隙流体压力预测的准确性,这里从提高地震层速度场的计算精度的角度出发,提出了一种高精度地层孔隙流体压力预测技术。①该技术针对浅部地层(无测井曲线的地层段)采用三维约束DIX反演方法和叠加速度体、层位数据计算浅部地层的地震层速度体;②针对中深层地层(有测井曲线的地层段)采用叠后波阻抗反演方法和叠后三维地震数据体、测井数据、层位数据计算中深层地层的地震层速度;③沿着研究区的某一浅部地层分界面将浅部地层与中深层地层的地震层速度体进行拼接处理,得到一个完整的地震层速度体;④采用"Fillippone方法+Eaton方法"的组合方法进行三维地层孔隙流体压力预测。某区页岩气地层的实际计算结果验证了该技术的正确性与可靠性,其预测的地层孔隙流体压力与实钻井一致,且目的层的地层孔隙压力平面分布特征与地质认识一致,有助于指导研究区后续的勘探与开发。

Detection of alcoholic liver disease

INTRODUCTIONAlcohol has been used in society over centuries and all over the world for its mood-lifting properties and taste. It is probably ,however ,the commonest drug of abuse world-wide and unfortunately causes considerable morbidity, mortality and social disruption .In 1990 the cost tl the USA was more than $ 100 billion and 100 000 lives.The relationship between alcohol and mankind is well documented from the earliest tines .

PCR-based methodologies for detection and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii in foods and environmental sources

Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen responsible for listeriosis,a fatal disease.It is widely distributed in various foods and environmental sources.In this review,we focused on addressing PCR-based technologies,including conventional PCR,qPCR and droplet digital PCR(ddPCR).Specifically,we described(a)conventional PCR and mono-,duplex-and multiplex-qPCR methodologies;(b)development and applications of gene HlyA-,Iap-,PrfA–and SsrA-based conventional and qPCR assays as well as PCR assays targeting newly identified gene targets for specific detection of L.monocytogenes;differentiation of viable from dead L.monocytogenes by qPCR in conjugation with propidium monoazide pretreatment;PCR-based serotype identification of L.monocytogenes isolates;PCR-based detection of L.ivanovii,infecting ruminants,differentiation of L.monocytogenes from other Listeria species;and sigB-gene based PCR identification of Listeria spp;(c)applications of ddPCR in detection of L.monocytogenes;and(d)application of qPCR assays in detection and subtyping of L.monocytogenes in milk and dairy products;meats,meat products and meat-processing environment;and seafood,seafood products and processing environment.Our goal was to provide a relatively comprehensive overview of PCR-based methodologies available in detection,characterization and subtyping of various strains of L.monocytogenes in foods and environmental sources.

Comprehensive evaluation of the metabolic effects of insect meal from Tenebrio molitor L.in growing pigs by transcriptomics, metabolomics and lipidomics

Background:The hypothesis was tested that insect meal(IM)as protein source influences intermediary metabolism of growing pigs.To test this,30 male,5-week-old crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 10 pigs each with similar body weights(BW)and fed isonitrogenous diets either without(CON)or with 5%IM(IM5)or 10%IM(IM10)from Tenebrio molitor L.for 4 weeks and key metabolic tissues(liver,muscle,plasma)were analyzed using omics-techniques.Results:Most performance parameters did not differ across the groups,whereas ileal digestibilities of most amino acids were 6.7 to 15.6%-units lower in IM10 than in CON(P<0.05).Transcriptomics of liver and skeletal muscle revealed a total of 166 and 198,respectively,transcripts differentially expressed between IM10 and CON(P<0.05).Plasma metabolomics revealed higher concentrations of alanine,citrulline,glutamate,proline,serine,tyrosine and valine and a lower concentration of asparagine in IM10 than in CON(P<0.05).Only one out of fourteen quantifiable amino acid metabolites,namely methionine sulfoxide(MetS),in plasma was elevated by 45%and 71%in IM5 and IM10,respectively,compared to CON(P<0.05).Plasma concentrations of both,major carnitine/acylcarnitine species and bile acids were not different across groups.Lipidomics of liver and plasma demonstrated no differences in the concentrations of triacylglycerols,cholesterol and the main phospholipids,lysophospholipids and sphingolipids between groups.The percentages of all individual phosphatidylcholine(PC)and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE)species in the liver showed no differences between groups,except those with 6 double bonds(PC 38:6,PC 40:6,PE 38:6,PE 40:6),which were markedly lower in IM10 than in CON(P<0.05).In line with this,the percentage of C22:6n-3 in hepatic total lipids was lower in IM10 than in the other groups(P<0.05).Conclusions:Comprehensive analyzes of the transcriptome,lipidome and metabolome of key metabolic tissues indicate that partial or complete replacement of a conventional protein source by IM in the diet has only a weak impact on the intermediary metabolism of growing pigs.Thus,it is concluded that IM from Tenebrio molitor L.can be used as a dietary source of protein in pigs without causing adverse effects on metabolism.

Prevalence and methodologies for detection,characterization and subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes and L.ivanovii in foods and environmental sources

Listeria monocytogenes,one of the most important foodborne pathogens,can cause listeriosis,a lethal disease for humans.L.ivanovii,which is closely related to L.monocytogenes,is also widely distributed in nature and infects mainly warm-blooded ruminants,causing economic loss.Thus,there are high priority needs for methodologies for rapid,specific,cost-effective and accurate detection,characterization and subtyping of L.monocytogenes and L.ivanovii in foods and environmental sources.In this review,we(A)described L.monocytogenes and L.ivanovii,world-wide incidence of listeriosis,and prevalence of various L.monocytogenes strains in food and environmental sources;(B)comprehensively reviewed different types of traditional and newly developed methodologies,including culture-based,antigen/antibody-based,LOOP-mediated isothermal amplification,matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry,DNA microarray,and genomic sequencing for detection and characterization of L.monocytogenes in foods and environmental sources;(C)comprehensively summarized different subtyping methodologies,including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis,multi-locus sequence typing,ribotyping,and phage-typing,and whole genomic sequencing etc.for subtyping of L.monocytogenes strains from food and environmental sources;and(D)described the applications of these methodologies in detection and subtyping of L.monocytogenes in foods and food processing facilities.

Diet and medical foods in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder with motor and non-motorsigns, which begins long before the diagnosis can be made. Pharmacotherapy with dopaminergic drugsis the mainstay of PD therapy. There is no currently available cure or disease-modifying treatment. Dietand various foods have been proposed as possible risk factors for PD. Nutritional supplementation withomega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, B vitamins, and coenzyme Q may have potential in the management ofPD. In addition, several strategies could possibly lead to the development of medical foods in PD. Forexample, ketogenic diets may have effects complementary to pharmacotherapy. Gut microbial dysbiosisand altered microbial metabolites found in PD may lead to chronic low-grade inflammation in gut andbrain. Interventions targeting gut microbiota, such as the supplementation of probiotics, may providenovel approaches to PD in regard to both symptomatic treatment and disease modification. High qualityrandomized controlled trials need to be conducted in order to evaluate whether these food-basedstrategies have symptomatic efficacy or the potential to delay the progression of PD.

Adenosine:An immune modulator of inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a common and lifelong disabling gastrointestinal disease.Emerging treatments are being developed to target inflammatory cytokines which initiate and perpetuate the immune response.Adenosine is an important modulator of inflammation and its anti-inflammatory effects have been well established in humans as well as in animal models.High extracellular adenosine suppresses and resolves chronic inflammation in IBD models.High extracellular adenosine levels could be achieved by enhanced adenosine absorption and increased de novo synthesis.Increased adenosine concentration leads to activation of the A2a receptor on the cell surface of immune and epithelial cells that would be a potential therapeutic target for chronic intestinal inflammation. Adenosine is transported via concentrative nucleoside transporter and equilibrative nucleoside transporter transporters that are localized in apical and basolateral membranes of intestinal epithelial cells,respectively. Increased extracellular adenosine levels activate the A2a receptor,which would reduce cytokines responsible for chronic inflammation.

Medical foods in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most prevalent cause of dementia worldwide.Treatments achieving a marked improvement in symptoms or preventing or delaying the progression of the disease are not available.Various diet-related risk factors for AD have been identified.Evidence for a protective effect of the Mediterranean diet on AD risk is inconclusive.Medical foods are designed to meet specific dietary needs for certain diseases.Improvements in symptomatology and regional brain atrophy in AD have been claimed for several medical foods,for example,those providing ketone bodies as alternative energy supply to neurons,those containing precursors believed to improve synaptic function,and those addressing oxidative stress related to memory loss.Many methodological shortcomings render the interpretation of the available findings of medical food trials in AD difficult.Optimal results of medical foods in AD may be expected when administered in presymptomatic or early stages of the disease.This requires the reliable identification of minimal neuropathological changes related to AD.The outcome measures currently used may not be able to detect subtle changes in cognition and function in early AD.Large-scale clinical studies using valid,sensitive,and reliable assessment tools are needed to establish the efficacy of medical foods in AD.

Ketogenic diets and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by decline in cognitive functions and associated with the neuropathological hallmarks of amyloid-peptide plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.Cerebral glucose uptake and metabolism deteriorate in AD and this hypometabolism precedes the onset of clinical signs in AD.The early decline in brain glucose metabolism in AD has become a potential target for therapeutic intervention.This has led to investigations assessing the supplementation of the normal glucose supply with ketone bodies which are produced by the body during glucose deprivation and can be metabolized by the brain when glucose utilization is impaired.The present review provides a synopsis of preclinical studies and clinical trials assessing the efficacy of ketogenic diets in the treatment of AD.Both the direct administration of ketone bodies and the use of high-fat,low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets have been shown to be efficacious in animal models of AD and clinical trials with AD patients.The mechanism underlying the efficacy of ketogenic diets remains unclear,but some evidence points to the normalization of aberrant energy metabolism.At present there is only limited evidence of the usefulness of ketogenic diets in AD.However,this dietary approach seems to be promising and deserves further clinical investigations.

Structure and dendroecology of Thuja occidentalis in disjunct stands south of its contiguous range in the central Appalachian Mountains, USA

Background： Information on forest structure, growth, and disturbance history is essential for effective forest management in a dynamic landscape. Because most of our research concerning the ecology and growth of Thujo ocddenralis comes from sites in northern portions of its range, highly contextual biotic and abiotic factors that affect the species in more southern locales may not be fully accounted for. This research characterized the structural attributes and growth dynamics of Thuja occidentolis in disjunct forest stands south of its contiguous range margin. Methods： The Thujo occidentalis forests examined in this research were located in the central Appalachian Mountains, USA, approximately 440 km south of the contiguous range margin of the species. Forest structural attributes were characterized in two Thujo occidentalis forest stands, which are rare in the region. Tree-ring chronologies were used to examine the influences of disturbance and climate on the growth of Thuja occidentolis. Results： The forests contained a total of 13 tree species with Thuja occidentalis contributing substantially to the basal area of the sites. Thujo occidentalis stems were absent in the smallest size class, while hardwood species were abundant in the smallest classes. Thuja occidentalis stems also were absent from the 〈 70 years age class. By contrast, Thuja occidentalis snags were abundant within stands. Growth-release events were distributed across the disturbance chronology and generally affected a small number of trees. The Thujo occidentolis tree-ring chronology possessed an interseries correlation of 0.62 and mean sensitivity of 0.25. The correlation between mean temperature and Thuja occidentalis growth was weak and variable. Growth and moisture variables were more strongly correlated, and this relationship was predominantly positive. Conclusions： Structural attributes indicate the forests are in the understory reinitiation stage of forest development. Silvicultural manipulations may be necessary to promote Thujo occidentalis establishment. The sensitivity of Thujo occidentalis to climate appears similar throughout its range, but geographical variation in the growth response to climate factors is apparent. More research is necessary to expand the geographical and ecological scope of our knowledge concerning Thuja occidentalis, particularly at more southern and disjunct sites.

Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one in divisible global health emergency

Over 200 health journals call on the United Nations(UN),political leaders and health professionals to recognise that climate change and biodiversity loss are one indivisible crisis and must be tackled together to preserve health and avoid catastrophe.This overall environmental crisis is now so severe as to be a global health emergency.

Palliative Care, Suffering, Death Trajectory: A View of End-of-Life Care (EOL) Related Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Palliative care in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region despite some progress made since the first hospice was opened in Zimbabwe in 1979, still lags far behind that of countries with developed economies, and relatively suffers from not being wholly included into mainstream public health service delivery in SSA. The situation is made worse due to relatively poor and pervasive socio-politico-economic factors and the challenge of the changing and increasing non-communicable disease epidemiology in SSA countries. This situation results in a tension between scarce resources and service needs/provision which prevails in a good number of SSA countries. In large part the situation where palliative care, end of life and the death trajectory converge in SSA countries currently portrays one of scarcity of resources and suffering for those ill SSA patients who need the services. This article is an overview of the current situation as pertains to palliative care services in the SSA region and some of the factors that contribute to or perpetuate the current state of palliative care delivery in SSA countries.

Investigation of potential Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli(STEC)associated with a local foodborne outbreak using multidisciplinary approaches

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli(STEC)outbreak is a public health concern as it can potentially cause a variety of clinical manifestations including diarrhea,hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome(HUS).However E.coli are generally innocuous commensal organisms,and there is a need to discriminate pathogenic from non-pathogenic isolates rapidly and accurately.In this study,we have used standard culture based methods and advanced molecular approaches to characterize E.coli in food in a local outbreak investigation.We show that the application of DNA based detection methods including real-time PCR and DNA microarray along with a traditional culture method can identify the organism implicated in an outbreak at the strain level for pathogenic potential.

长期照护机构中的新型冠状病毒疫情:教训与启示

探讨4个高收入国家长期照护机构在新型冠状病毒疫情期间系统性失误的关键因素,并试图提出实践和政策方面的解决方案,以避免不幸状况再次发生.基于澳大利亚、加拿大、西班牙和美国报告的数据,分别从宏观、中观和微观层面对实践和政策的干预提出建议.宏观层面的建议主要包括提高经费和透明度、问责制和卫生系统一体化,以及促进发展非营利和政府运营的长期护理机构.中观层面的建议涉及从长期照护从"仓库式"管理转向更加舒适的"绿色家园(green houses)".微观层面的建议强调应规定执业人员配备水平和技能组合,提供感染预防和控制方面的培训,为长期照护机构的入住者和工作人员提供福利和心理健康支持,建立循证实践文化,保障工作人员和护理专业学生的持续教育,以及充分整合照顾伙伴,比如,让家人或朋友融入到医疗照护团队中.这些建议的制订将有助于改善长期照护机构入住者的安全和生活质量,让家人安心,以及留住工作人员和提高其工作满意度.

Prospective Evaluation of Outcomes of Mechanical Devices in Women with Symptomatic Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Ogbomoso, South-Western Nigeria

Background: Symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) impacts the sufferers’ quality of life negatively. There is a preference for a mechanical device in certain conditions though the definitive management of POP is surgical. Objectives: We conducted the study to evaluate the outcome of management of POP using mechanical devices. Methods: It was a prospective study. It took place in the gynecology unit of the Bowen University Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso between May 2014 and April 2019. We followed up with eligible patients who opted for pessary use for a median duration of 18 months (Range 12 - 84 months). We excluded those who refuse to participate in the study. Results: Of the 127 patients with symptomatic POP, seventy-five (59.1%) opted for the use of mechanical devices, and 70 successfully retained them four weeks after insertion. We lost Six (9.2%) patients to follow up. Of the 64 women included in the analysis, 16 (25%) discontinued use at some point after four weeks, whereas 36 (56.3%) used the pessary successfully throughout the follow-up period. Overall, 12.1% of the women experienced minor complications (6.9% pain or discomfort, 3.2% excoriation or bleeding, and 2.0% dis-impaction or constipation). After cessation of pessary use, 12 (25%) of the 48 women chose surgery, and 10 (20.8%) chose no further treatment. Conclusion: This study concluded that pessary use for pelvic organ prolapse is safe in low resource settings. Therefore, it is justifiable to offer pessaries in the initial management of uterovaginal prolapse to all patients who opt for conservative management and those awaiting surgery.

Engineered Cleistogamy in Camelina sativa for bioconfinement

Camelina sativa is a self-pollinating and facultative outcrossing oilseed crop.Genetic engineering has been used to improve camelina yield potential for altered fatty acid composition,modified protein profiles,improved seed and oil yield,and enhanced drought resistance.The deployment of transgenic camelina in the field posits high risks related to the introgression of transgenes into nontransgenic camelina and wild relatives.Thus,effective bioconfinement strategies need to be developed to prevent pollen-mediated gene f low(PMGF)from transgenic camelina.In the present study,we overexpressed the cleistogamy(i.e.f loral petal non-openness)-inducing PpJAZ1 gene from peach in transgenic camelina.Transgenic camelina overexpressing PpJAZ1 showed three levels of cleistogamy,affected pollen germination rates after anthesis but not during anthesis,and caused a minor silicle abortion only on the main branches.We also conducted field trials to examine the effects of the overexpressed PpJAZ1 on PMGF in the field,and found that the overexpressed PpJAZ1 dramatically inhibited PMGF from transgenic camelina to non-transgenic camelina under the field conditions.Thus,the engineered cleistogamy using the overexpressed PpJAZ1 is a highly effective bioconfinement strategy to limit PMGF from transgenic camelina,and could be used for bioconfinement in other dicot species.

腹腔镜下子宫内膜异位症切除术主要并发症的多中心前瞻性研究

Objective: To clarify the rate of major intra-operative and post-operative complications experienced during excisional surgery for endometriosis. Design: Prospective multi-centre observational study set in two University teaching hospitals and three private hospitals in Sydney, Australia. All consecutive subjects undergoing laparoscopic excisional surgery for minimal to severe endometriosis were recruited (790 subjects). Complications were recorded intra-opera- tively or post-operatively on a secure computerised patient database. Major intra-and post-operative complications i.e. inadvertent visceral or vascular injury or other complications directly related to surgery that either significantly prolonged the operating time, delayed discharge or necessitated re-admission. Results: Seven hundred and ninety subjects were recruited over a 3-year period. Seven major complications were experienced (8.8/1000); four bowel injuries, one cystotomy, one ureteric transection, and one major vascular injury. All visceral or vascular injuries were diagnosed prior to completion of the surgery. No significant longterm sequelae were experienced. Conclusion: The incidence of major complications in this study of 8.8/1000 compares favourably with other similar reports. In view of the potential symptom relief obtained, the authors continue to believe the benefits of such surgery significantly outweigh the risks of subsequent operative-related morbidity.

Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency

Over 200 health journals call on the United Nations(UN),political leaders and health professionals to recognise that climate change and biodiversity loss are one indivisible crisis and must be tackled together to preserve health and avoid catastrophe.This overall environmental crisis is now so severe as to be a global health emergency.

用e^(2πi/p)表示丢番图方程x^2＋27y^2=4p的整数解

把素数表示为一些正整数平方和的问题是数论中基本问题之一.历史上如Fermat,Euler,Gauss等著名数学家都曾深入研究过.本文对于任何一个p≡1(mod 3)类型素数,从p次单位根e2πi/p开始,通过不同层次的组合推导出一组正整数A,B,使得4p=A2+27B2,进而把p表示成x2+3y2.