scholarly journals INVESTIGATION ON PRE-TREATMENT PROCESS IN MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE (MCC) FROM OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH (EFB)

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96
Author(s):  
Muhammad Arif Fahmi Supian ◽  
Khairatun Najwa Mohd Amin ◽  
Saidatul Shima Jamari ◽  
Shahril Mohamad

In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was extracted from empty fruit bunch (EFB) with alkaline treatment, bleaching and acid hydrolysis treatment and its properties were compared with commercial MCC. Two conditions were optimized in this study which are fiber consistency and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration in alkaline pretreatment. The obtained optimum consistency and alkaline concentration are 5% and 20%respectively. The physicochemical and morphological characteristics, elemental composition and size distribution of the obtained alpha cellulose and MCC were analyzed in this work. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis provided clear evidence that the characteristic peak of lignin and hemicellulose were absent in the spectrum of the alpha cellulose and MCC. The difference in surface morphology and aggregation between alpha cellulose, MCC and commercialized MCC were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mean length of approximately 251.3 μm, 41.4 μm and 138.6 μm were measured for alpha cellulose, MCC and commercialized MCC respectively. Thus, the isolated MCC from EFB has a good potential to be utilized as reinforcing agent in green composites and may be a precursor for future roselle derived nanocellulose, and thus a promising subject in nanocomposite research.

Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandakumar Nagaraja ◽  
Steven Warach ◽  
Amie W Hsia ◽  
Sungyoung Auh ◽  
Lawrence L Latour ◽  
...  

Background: Blood pressure (BP) drop in the first 24 hours after stroke onset may occur in response to vessel recanalization. Clinical improvement could be due to recanalization or better collateral flow with persistent occlusion. We hypothesize that patients with combination of significant improvement on the NIHSS and a drop in BP at 24hr post tPA is associated with recanalization. Methods: We included intravenous t-PA patients from the Lesion Evolution of Stroke Ischemia On Neuroimaging (LESION) registry who had pre-treatment and 24 hour MRA scan, NIHSS scores at those times and an M1 MCA occlusion at baseline, but excluded those on pressors, pre tPA SBP<120 and tandem ICA occlusion. We classified recanalization status on the 24 hour MRA as none, partial or complete. We abstracted all BP measurements for the first 24 hours from the chart and calculated BP drop as the difference of the triage pre-tPA BP and the average of the last 3 hour readings preceding the 24 hour MRI. NIHSS improvement was defined as ≥4points improvement on NIHSS or NIHSS of 0 at 24hour. Patients with combination of drop in BP and NIHSS improvement were compared with others for recanalization status on 24hr MRA by Kendall Tau-b test. Results: Seventeen patients met the study criteria. There were 13 women, the mean age was 76 years and the median baseline NIHSS was 15. On the 24 hour MRA, 3, 8 and 6 patients had none, partial and complete recanalization, respectively. Patients with NIHSS improvement and a SBP drop ≥20 mmHg were more like to have recanalization at 24 hrs (57% Vs 0%, p=0.03). Similar patterns were seen for patients with NIHSS improvement and DBP drop ≥5mmHg (50% Vs 0%, p=0.04) or MAP drop ≥20mmHg (50% Vs 0%, p=0.04). Complete recanalization was only associated with the combination of NIHSS improvement with SBP drop ≥ 20mmHg (66% Vs 0%, p=0.04). A significant association was not found for recanalization with NIHSS improvement alone or drop in BP alone. Conclusion: There is an association of clinical improvement and BP drop in patients who recanalize. Bedside clinical information may be useful in the management of stroke patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
Hakan Başak

This study was conducted in 2014 and 2015 to compare Cemele pepper with other bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum) genotypes with respect to agronomic and morphological traits. Totally 75 bell peppper genotypes were collected from the centrum and villages of Kırşehir province. For a total of 48 agronomic and morphological characteristics of pepper genotype, the characterization study of IPGRI according to the criteria of the International Union of Plant Protection Preservation (UPOV) were done made. As a result of the principal component analysis, total 11 main component axes were obtained and these axes represented 73.25% of the total variance. Genotypes were divided into 15 groups in dendrogram according to morphological and agronomic characteristics. The mean of the quantitative characteristics of each group was determined and it was determined which group or group was the difference between them. As a result of cluster analysis; D1, D20, D54, D67K, D43 and D39 coded genotypes were determined to be the most distant genotypes in terms of agronomic and morphological degree of relation. To conclude, with the identification of the genotypes of bell peppers in Kırşehir province, it will provide significant advantages in future pepper breeding studies as well as contributing to the formation of pepper database.


Author(s):  
N.N. Kobeniak

In recent decades, the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases has increased thus posing the immediate, both therapeutic and surgical treatment. It brings forth a problem of searching new and improving existing approaches and techniques for correcting the above-mentioned diseases. Preclinical studies in this area are conducted exclusively on laboratory animals and peculiarities of the morphological features of their organs are of great importance when comparing with the human morphology. The methodology used in the study included histological, morphometric and statistical techniques; biopsy samples of caecum taken from 5 rabbits were investigated. We assessed the correctness of the trait distribution by each of the variations, the mean values for each trait studied, standard errors and standard deviations. The significance of the difference of values between independent micrometric values in the normal trait distribution was determined by Student's criterion. The paper describes the main morphological characteristics of the caecum in rabbits and compared the findings obtained with similar structures of the human caecum. The caecum of rabbits, as of humans, has four layers: mucous, submucosal, muscular and serous. The mucous membrane consists of the epithelial layer located on the basement membrane and the muscular plate and contains cellular elements. The submucosa is composed of loose fibrous connective tissue, which contains collagen and reticular fibres, elements of diffuse lymphoid tissue, blood vessels, and nerve endings. The muscular and serous membranes are quite similar to the human caecum. Thus, the optic light microscopy has demonstrated the morphology of the caecum in rabbits is similar to that in the human caecum.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 562-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawna Duff

Purpose Vocabulary intervention can improve comprehension of texts containing taught words, but it is unclear if all middle school readers get this benefit. This study tests 2 hypotheses about variables that predict response to vocabulary treatment on text comprehension: gains in vocabulary knowledge due to treatment and pretreatment reading comprehension scores. Method Students in Grade 6 ( N = 23) completed a 5-session intervention based on robust vocabulary instruction (RVI). Knowledge of the semantics of taught words was measured pre- and posttreatment. Participants then read 2 matched texts, 1 containing taught words (treated) and 1 not (untreated). Treated texts and taught word lists were counterbalanced across participants. The difference between text comprehension scores in treated and untreated conditions was taken as a measure of the effect of RVI on text comprehension. Results RVI resulted in significant gains in knowledge of taught words ( d RM = 2.26) and text comprehension ( d RM = 0.31). The extent of gains in vocabulary knowledge after vocabulary treatment did not predict the effect of RVI on comprehension of texts. However, untreated reading comprehension scores moderated the effect of the vocabulary treatment on text comprehension: Lower reading comprehension was associated with greater gains in text comprehension. Readers with comprehension scores below the mean experienced large gains in comprehension, but those with average/above average reading comprehension scores did not. Conclusion Vocabulary instruction had a larger effect on text comprehension for readers in Grade 6 who had lower untreated reading comprehension scores. In contrast, the amount that children learned about taught vocabulary did not predict the effect of vocabulary instruction on text comprehension. This has implications for the identification of 6th-grade students who would benefit from classroom instruction or clinical intervention targeting vocabulary knowledge.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Mohsena Akhter ◽  
Ishrat Bhuiyan ◽  
Zulfiqer Hossain Khan ◽  
Mahfuza Akhter ◽  
Gulam Kazem Ali Ahmad ◽  
...  

Background: Scabies is one of the most common skin diseases in our country. It is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, which is an ecto-parasite infesting the epidermis. Scabies is highly contagious. Prevalence is high in congested or densely populated areas. Individuals with close contact with an affected person should be treated with scabicidal which is available in both oral and topical formulations. The only oral but highly effective scabicidal known to date is Ivermectin. Amongst topical preparations, Permethrin 5 % cream is the treatment of choice. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy & safety of oral Ivermectin compared to topical Permethrin in the treatment of scabies. Methodology: This prospective, non-randomized study was conducted at the out-patient department of Dermatology and Venereology of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital over a period of 6 months, from August 2016 to January 2017. The study population consisted of one hundred patients having scabies, enrolled according to inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups. group A was subjected to oral Ivermectin and the group B to Permethrin 5% cream. Patients were followed up on day 7 and 14 for assessment of efficacy and safety. Result: The mean scoring with SD in group A (Ivermectin) and group B (Permethrin) were 8.26 ± 2.22 and 7.59 ± 2.01 respectively at the time of observation. The difference between the mean score of the two group is not significant (p=0.117) the mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 4.54 ± 2.05 and 1.64 ± 1.84 respectively at 7thdays. The difference between the mean score of the two group is significant (p<0.001). The mean scoring with SD in group A and group B were 2.68± 2.35 and .36± 1.10 respectively at 14th day difference between the mean score of the group is significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Topical application of permethrin 5% cream is more effective and safer than oral Ivermectin in the treatment of scabies. TAJ 2020; 33(1): 41-47


1974 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Rannevik ◽  
J. Thorell

ABSTRACT Eight amenorrhoeic women were given 100 μg synthetic LRH (Hoechst) iv and im, respectively, at an interval of 2 weeks. Four of the women received the iv injection first and four the im injection. The urinary excretion of oestrogens and pregnanediol was low and unaltered throughout the test weeks. The effects of LRH were compared by serial measurements of the plasma LH and FSH during 8 h. The initial response of LH for up to 25 min and that of FSH for up to 60 min were equal whether LRH was given iv or im. The difference appeared later. Four hours after the injection the mean increase of LH to iv injection was 0.5 ng/ml (N. S.), while that to im injection was 1.9 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The corresponding values for FSH were 1.3 (P < 0.05) and 3.2 (P < 0.001). The effect of LRH administration im was thus found to be larger and more prolonged.


Distant hybridization is known to play an important role in expanding the gene pool of any crop. It is believed that the combination of different genomes in one nucleus, as a rule, is accompanied by the phenomenon of “genomic shock”, resulting in a variety of genetic and epigenetic changes. This provides a wealth of material for the selection of genotypes adapted to different environmental conditions. Interspecific hybrids in different combinations were obtained in the genus Brassica, however, until now, interest in distant hybridization in this genus has not died out, since such important crops as rapeseed and mustard demand an improvement of many important agronomic traits. The aim of this work was to study the degree of manifestation of morphological characters of a leaf, flower, and plant as a whole in the hybrid obtained by crossing of brown mustard of the variety Slavyanka and a collection specimen of spring rape. Seeds were sown in the spring of 2019 in a field with 30 cm row width. During the flowering period a number of morphological characters of a flower, leaf, and the whole plant were analyzed. Each parameter was evaluated with 10 plants. The degree of dominance in first-generation hybrid was calculated by the formula of Beil, Atkins (1965). The dominance coefficients were not determined in the case when the difference between the parental samples was insignificant. Differences between parental samples were determined by Student t-test. The level of heterosis was calculated according to the formula of Rasul et al (2002). In a mustard-rapeseed hybrid, the size of the leaves of the lower row was inherited by the type of rapeseed, which had larger leaves than mustard. The height of the hybrid plant was inherited by the type of mustard (hp = 1.32, Ht = 4.89%), and intermediate inheritance was observed for the length of the internodes (hp = -0.48). The size of the flower petals and sepals was inherited by the type of rapeseed, and significant heterosis was observed for the length of the pistil (Ht = 33.57%). The data obtained are of interest for understanding the interaction of genes of different genomes in the genus Brassica.


Author(s):  
P B Parejiya ◽  
B S Barot ◽  
P K Shelat

The present study was carried out to fabricate a prolonged design for tramadol using Kollidon SR (Polyvinyl acetate and povidone based matrix retarding polymer). Matrix tablet formulations were prepared by direct compression of Kollidon SR of a varying proportion with a fixed percentage of tramadol. Tablets containing a 1:0.5 (Drug: Kollidon SR) ratio exhibited a rapid rate of drug release with an initial burst effect. Incorporation of more Kollidon SR in the matrix tablet extended the release of drug with subsequent minimization of the burst effect as confirmed by the mean dissolution time, dissolution efficiency and f2 value. Among the formulation batches, a direct relationship was obtained between release rate and the percentage of Kollidon SR used. The formulation showed close resemblance to the commercial product Contramal and compliance with USP specification. The results were explored and explained by the difference of micromeritic characteristics of the polymers and blend of drug with excipients. Insignificant effects of various factors, e.g. pH of dissolution media, ionic strength, speed of paddle were found on the drug release from Kollidon-SR matrix. The formulation followed the Higuchi kinetic model of drug release. Stability study data indicated stable character of Batch T6 after short-term stability study.


2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Gurney ◽  
D.S.L. Lawrence

Seasonal variations in the stable isotopic composition of snow and meltwater were investigated in a sub-arctic, mountainous, but non-glacial, catchment at Okstindan in northern Norway based on analyses of δ18O and δD. Samples were collected during four field periods (August 1998; April 1999; June 1999 and August 1999) at three sites lying on an altitudinal transect (740–970 m a.s.l.). Snowpack data display an increase in the mean values of δ18O (increasing from a mean value of −13.51 to −11.49‰ between April and August), as well as a decrease in variability through the melt period. Comparison with a regional meteoric water line indicates that the slope of the δ18O–δD line for the snowpacks decreases over the same period, dropping from 7.49 to approximately 6.2.This change points to the role of evaporation in snowpack ablation and is confirmed by the vertical profile of deuterium excess. Snowpack seepage data, although limited, also suggest reduced values of δD, as might be associated with local evaporation during meltwater generation. In general, meltwaters were depleted in δ18O relative to the source snowpack at the peak of the melt (June), but later in the year (August) the difference between the two was not statistically significant. The diurnal pattern of isotopic composition indicates that the most depleted meltwaters coincide with the peak in temperature and, hence, meltwater production.


1983 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 2232-2248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivo Roušar ◽  
Michal Provazník ◽  
Pavel Stuhl

In electrolysers with recirculation, where a gas is evolved, the pumping of electrolyte from a lower to a higher level can be effected by natural convection due to the difference between the densities of the inlet electrolyte and the gaseous emulsion at the outlet. An accurate balance equation for calculation of the rate of flow of the pumped liquid is derived. An equation for the calculation of the mean volume fraction of bubbles in the space between the electrodes is proposed and verified experimentally on a pilot electrolyser. Two examples of industrial applications are presented.


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