Bioethanol Production from Locally Growing Algal Biomass: A Promising and Cost-effective Approach

Background: Energy production and consumption ratio form the hallmark of the economic prosperity of a country. To keep up with the demand and supply of energy a major switch to biofuels is reasoned but the cost associated with production and the choice of raw material forms two major economical and ethical concerns, especially in the under-developed and developing countries where the food is not sufficiently available to everyone. In this scenario, the use of food sources as raw material becomes unjustified. Purpose: To address these issues, here we made an effort to obtain bioethanol from a non-edible and easily available resource that requires a modest cost of production i.e., a locally available algal bloom. Also, different methods of pre-treatment were employed and scrutinized for their efficacy. These methods of pre-treatment are very cost-effective and easy to administer. Materials and Methods: The algal biomass was pre-treated separately in three ways viz., freeze-thawing, mechanical disruption and rotten wood treatment. The algal cake left out after extraction of lipid content for biodiesel production was also used as a fourth sample. After pre-treatment, the supernatant was collected and estimated for reducing sugar content and allowed to ferment using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A distillate was obtained and checked for ethanol percentage through gas chromatography. Results: The mechanically disrupted sample yielded the highest percentage of ethanol followed by algal cake, freeze-thawing and rotten wood treatment. Conclusion: Given present food scarcity, the non-edible algae could be a better alternative for bioethanol production as compared to the use of conventional food crops. Through this study, we have found that a better yield can be achieved if the algal biomass is pre-treated via mechanical disruption.

Proximal migration of a ‘double J’ ureteric stent in a patient with a staghorn calculus

Ureteric stents are widely used for the management of obstructive uropathy and intraoperative identification of the ureters. Despite undergoing numerous modifications since their introduction in 1967, they are frequently associated with complications ranging from irritative symptoms to migration of the stent. Proximal migration of ureteric stents is a relatively uncommon occurrence, with a reported incidence of 1–4.2%; it is usually associated with inappropriate stent length, poor positioning or incorrect deployment of the stent. Here we discuss an interesting case of a patient who unfortunately suffered proximal ureteric stent migration associated with pelvico-ureteric junction obstruction, despite appropriate stent choice, adequate deployment and confirmation of correct positioning. This complication likely occurred secondary to mechanical disruption of the stent caused by the presence of a large staghorn calculus within the renal pelvis.

Diagnosis Under Pressure

A 75-year-old man with a history of BPH and squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, presented to hospital with a one-month history of recurrent falls associated with orthostatic lightheadedness. On initial examination he had a blood pressure (BP) of 132/75 and heart rate (HR) 86 while supine and BP 101/54, HR 88 while standing. Physical exam revealed a left neck mass, and computed tomography confirmed a large left nodal mass with encapsulation of the left carotid artery. He was not a surgical candidate and had symptomatic improvement with midodrine and fludrocortisone. This case highlights a unique cause of orthostatic hypotension due to mechanical disruption of blood supply and autonomic innervation, and exemplifies the lack of compensatory tachycardia with autonomic dysregulation. RESUMEUn homme de 75 ans ayant des antécédents d’HBP et de ysregula spinocellulaire de la langue s’est présenté à l’hôpital avec des antécédents d’un mois de chutes récurrentes associées à des vertiges orthostatiques. Lors de l’examen initial, il avait une tension artérielle (BP) de 132/75 et un rythme cardiaque (HR) de 86 en position couchée et une BP de 101/54, HR 88 en position debout. En évaluant les causes communes, une tomographie informatisée de la tête/cou a révélé une grande masse nodale gauche avec encapsulation de l’artère ysregu gauche. Il n’était pas un candidat à la chirurgie et présentait une ysregulatio symptomatique grâce à la midodrine et à la fludrocortisone. Ce cas met en ysregul une cause unique d’hypotension orthostatique due à une perturbation mécanique de l’approvisionnement en sang et à une innervation autonome, et illustre l’absence de tachycardie compensatoire avec ysregulation autonome.

Speeding Up COVID-19 Detection Using Shaker-Mill Homogenization and a Direct-to-PCR Workflow

Accurate and timely testing has become an essential measure in combatting the COVID-19 global pandemic. Currently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays are the most relied on methods for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This traditional workflow involves a viral RNA extraction from the viral transport media storing nasopharyngeal swabs collected from patients, followed by PCR based detection. While accurate, this methodology is time consuming and resource heavy, causing for delays in receiving results or limited access to testing. Herein, we demonstrate a validated method for SARS-CoV-2 detection from viral transport media using a two-step, direct-to-PCR workflow revolving around shaker-mill homogenization. This method completely bypasses the extraction steps of the traditional workflow, replacing it with 30 seconds of mechanical disruption sufficient to allow for COVID-19 detection with a 96.43% sensitivity and 100% specificity when compared to traditional extraction to PCR based methods.

Valid Presumption of Shiga Toxin-Mediated Damage of Developing Erythrocytes in EHEC-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

The global emergence of clinical diseases caused by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is an issue of great concern. EHEC release Shiga toxins (Stxs) as their key virulence factors, and investigations on the cell-damaging mechanisms toward target cells are inevitable for the development of novel mitigation strategies. Stx-mediated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), characterized by the triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal injury, is the most severe outcome of an EHEC infection. Hemolytic anemia during HUS is defined as the loss of erythrocytes by mechanical disruption when passing through narrowed microvessels. The formation of thrombi in the microvasculature is considered an indirect effect of Stx-mediated injury mainly of the renal microvascular endothelial cells, resulting in obstructions of vessels. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent data providing evidence that HUS-associated hemolytic anemia may arise not only from intravascular rupture of erythrocytes, but also from the extravascular impairment of erythropoiesis, the development of red blood cells in the bone marrow, via direct Stx-mediated damage of maturing erythrocytes, leading to “non-hemolytic” anemia.

Epithelial Cell Regulation of Type 2 Cytokine Release by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

BackgroundType 2 cytokines such as IL-13 and IL-5 are important drivers of pathophysiology and exacerbation in asthma. Defining how these type 2 cytokine responses are regulated is a research priority. Epithelial cells promote type 2 responses by releasing alarmins including IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP, but much less is known about inhibitory factors.MethodsIL-13 release was measured from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured with Interleukin (IL)-2 for five days. Epithelial cell lines or human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) isolated from healthy or asthma donors were added to these PBMC cultured with IL-2 and release of IL-13 or IL-5 measured. To characterise the mechanisms, we assessed the effect of mechanical disruption of epithelial cells, addition of the COX inhibitor indomethacin and the G-protein inhibitor pertussis toxin.ResultsPBMC cultured with IL-2 secreted type 2 cytokines in a cell number and time dependent manner. Epithelial cell lines inhibited IL-13 and IL-5 release after co-culture with PBMC in the presence of IL-2, directly, across a transwell and using epithelial cell supernatant. Cells or supernatant from HBEC from healthy or asthma donors also inhibited the cytokine release. Trypsin treatment of conditioned media indicated that inhibitory factor(s) are trypsin insensitive. Mechanical disruption of epithelial cells or indomethacin treatment had no effect, but pertussis toxin reduced epithelial cell inhibition of IL-2 driven type 2 cytokine release.ConclusionEpithelial cells regulate cytokine release by soluble factor(s) and this could be an important immunoregulatory function of the airway epithelium.

Thrombolysis for acute graft occlusion during elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

A 65-year-old man developed acute arterial thrombosis with stent graft occlusion, during elective endovascular aneurysm repair, with bilateral acute lower limb ischaemia. We describe successful endovascular and pharmacological management using a combination of mechanical disruption of the thrombus (using the access sheaths) followed by intra-arterial thrombolysis (Actilyse) infusion. Within 4-h the endograft had completely re-canalized. The patient made an uncomplicated recovery and was discharged on the second post-operative day.

Versatile magnetic microdiscs for the radio enhancement and mechanical disruption of glioblastoma cancer cells

First study demonstrating the use of physically engineered magnetic particles that display two functionalities for cancer treatment.

Safe and Complete Extraction of Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis by Efficient Mechanical Disruption of Cyst Cell Wall

Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) can naturally accumulate high amounts of astaxanthin – a powerful antioxidant. However, complete recovery of astaxanthin from the cysts of H. pluvialis is challenging because of the presence of a robust acetolysis resistant cell wall. Herein, a simple and effective planetary ball-milling pretreatment was developed to rupture the cells to attain an almost complete recovery of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis, using a supercritical CO2 and conventional organic solvent-based extraction. An optimized pretreatment using planetary ball mill under very mild conditions (150 rpm, 60 min) allowed the recovery of 31.4 mg/g dry weight of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis, while slightly harsh milling (500 rpm) was found to be detrimental toward astaxanthin. The extracts in acetone exhibited higher antioxidant activity in 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay than those in dichloromethane. These mild conditions were safe and highly effective for the complete extraction of astaxanthin along with the others extractables. This study opens a new avenue for the efficient recovery of valuable thermolabile ketocarotenoid species from microalgae, which can be applied to the development of economically viable biorefineries.