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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, most of which are inherited in autosomal recessive patterns. GSDs are of two types:...
Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil and Dietary Intervention Improved Body Composition and Metabolic Parameters in Children with Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1 in Jordan: A Clinical Trial.
Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, most of which are inherited in autosomal recessive patterns. GSDs are of two types: those that have to do with liver and hypoglycaemia (hepatic GSDs) and those that are linked to neuromuscular presentation. This study aims to assess the impact of dietary intervention, including medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, on anthropometric measurements, body composition analysis and metabolic parameters among Jordanian children and is expected to be the first in the country. A sample of 38 children with glycogen storage disease type 1 (GSD-1) (median age = 6.4 years) were on a diet that included uncooked cornstarch therapy and a fructose-, sucrose- and lactose-restricted diet. Patients started to take MCT oil along with the prescribed diet after the first body composition test. Patients' nutritional status was re-evaluated three months later. The study results show that the percentage of patients who suffered from hypoglycaemia at the beginning of the study decreased significantly from 94.7% to 7.9% ( < 0.0001). The serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid and lactate decreased significantly after three months of intervention (100-71.1%, 73.7-21.1%, 97.4-52.6% and 94.7-18.4%, respectively). In contrast, there was no statistical difference in neutrophil count. Regarding clinical parameters, liver span was significantly reduced from (16.01 ± 2.65 cm) to (14.85 ± 2.26 cm) ( < 0.0001). There were significant improvements in growth parameters, including height-for-age and BMI-for-age for children aged ≥2 years ( = 0.034 and = 0.074, respectively). Significant improvements in skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral content were also noticed at the end of the trial ( ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, medium-chain triglyceride therapy is found to improve biochemical and growth parameters in children with GSD-1 in Jordan.
PubMed: 38611395
DOI: 10.3390/foods13071091 -
RSC Advances Jan 2024Excessive carbon-dioxide emissions drive global climate change and environmental challenges. Integrating renewable biomass fuels with coal in power units is crucial for...
Excessive carbon-dioxide emissions drive global climate change and environmental challenges. Integrating renewable biomass fuels with coal in power units is crucial for achieving low-carbon emission reductions. Coal blending with bio-heavy oil enhances the combustion calorific value of the fuel, improves combustion characteristics, and decreases pollutant emissions. This study found that bio-heavy oil with low sulfur (0.073%), low nitrogen (0.18%), low ash, and high oxygen (11.005%) content exhibits excellent fuel performance, which can be attributed to the abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (such as C[double bond, length as m-dash]O) in the alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones present in bio-heavy oil. Additionally, the residual moisture in coal-blended bio-heavy oil reduces the fuel's calorific value. The calorific value increases with a higher proportion of blended bio-heavy oil (28.1, 28.9, 32.1, 34.7, 40.6 MJ kg). Experiments on combustion flame shooting reveal that the combustion time of bio-heavy oils is significantly shorter than that of coal. As the proportion of blended bio-heavy oil increases, the flame height increases. Coal blending with bio-heavy oil involves three stages: water evaporation, volatile-matter decomposition, fixed-carbon combustion and mineral decomposition. This advances the combustion process and improves coal's ignition performance. Furthermore, the amount of gaseous pollutants (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) in coal mixed with bio-heavy oil is relatively low, which is in alignment with the green environmental protection guidelines. The blending of coal with biomass fuel holds significant practical and strategic importance for developing high-efficiency, low-carbon, coal power units.
PubMed: 38304568
DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08748d -
Microorganisms Mar 2024Pollutants can exist in the soil for a long time and alter the bacterial community. Using lubricants to prevent the wear of chainsaw blades is necessary for thinning...
Pollutants can exist in the soil for a long time and alter the bacterial community. Using lubricants to prevent the wear of chainsaw blades is necessary for thinning activities and wood harvesting. We investigated the influences of soil contamination with chainsaw lubricants on soil bacterial communities. Bio-oil, mineral oil, and recycled oil were scattered on each treatment to investigate variations in soil bacterial structure during treated periods using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform. The results obtained were 5943 ASVs, 5112 ASVs, and 6136 ASVs after treatment at one month, six months, and twelve months, respectively. There was a significant difference in Shannon and Simpson indices between treatments and controls. A total of 46 bacterial genera with an average relative abundance of more than 1.0% were detected in all soil samples. was the most common genus detected in control at one month, with an average relative abundance of 14.99%, while was the most abundant genus detected in bio-oil, mineral oil, and recycled oil treatments at one month, with an average relative abundance of 13.39%, 14.32%, and 10.47%, respectively. Among the three chainsaw lubricants, bio-oil and mineral oil had fewer impacts than recycled oil. The abundances of several functional bacteria groups in the bio-oil treatment were higher than in other treatments and controls. Our results indicated that different chainsaw lubricants and their time of application affected the soil bacterial community composition.
PubMed: 38543559
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12030508 -
Science Advances Nov 2023Carbon dioxide and methane emissions are the two primary anthropogenic climate-forcing agents and an important source of uncertainty in the global carbon budget....
Carbon dioxide and methane emissions are the two primary anthropogenic climate-forcing agents and an important source of uncertainty in the global carbon budget. Uncertainties are further magnified when emissions occur at fine spatial scales (<1 km), making attribution challenging. We present the first observations from NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) imaging spectrometer showing quantification and attribution of fine-scale methane (0.3 to 73 tonnes CH hour) and carbon dioxide sources (1571 to 3511 tonnes CO hour) spanning the oil and gas, waste, and energy sectors. For selected countries observed during the first 30 days of EMIT operations, methane emissions varied at a regional scale, with the largest total emissions observed for Turkmenistan (731 ± 148 tonnes CH hour). These results highlight the contributions of current and planned point source imagers in closing global carbon budgets.
PubMed: 37976355
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2391 -
Journal of Oleo Science Aug 2023Raw materials suitable for a sustainable society have attracted interest in the cosmetics industry. We focused on rice bran as a sustainable material and evaluated the...
Raw materials suitable for a sustainable society have attracted interest in the cosmetics industry. We focused on rice bran as a sustainable material and evaluated the gelation behavior of paraffin extracted from rice bran (rice paraffin) against liquid paraffin, squalane, jojoba oil, and silicone oil. In addition, the frictional properties of the prepared organogel on an artificial skin surface were evaluated using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system. Rice paraffin solidified all oils even at the lowest wax concentration of 5 wt%. The hardness and kinetic friction coefficient μ increased with an increase in the wax composition. The hardness and μ of organogels solidified with rice paraffin were smaller than those of gels solidified with petroleum-derived paraffin. These differences are caused by the smaller carbon amount of rice paraffin. The friction parameters depended on the type of oil: the μ of RLG composed of rice and liquid paraffin was greater than that of the other three oils (R, L, and G denote rice paraffin, liquid paraffin, and gel, respectively). These findings promote the development of lipsticks and cleansing gels consisting of sustainable development goal-responsive raw materials.
Topics: Paraffin; Oryza; Mineral Oil; Friction; Oils; Gels; Rice Bran Oil
PubMed: 37468272
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23023 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of postmenopausal osteoporosis in elderly women. Hormone replacement therapy has been employed to manage postmenopausal...
Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of postmenopausal osteoporosis in elderly women. Hormone replacement therapy has been employed to manage postmenopausal osteoporosis; however, it has raised concerns related to heart attacks and breast cancer. Sesame oil has been reported to affect sex hormone status. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of sesame oil supplement on postmenopausal osteoporosis in rats. We used female Sprague Dawley rats that underwent bilaterally ovariectomy (OVX) as an experimental postmenopausal osteoporosis animal model. These rats were orally administrated sesame oil (0.25 or 0.5 mL/kg/day) for four months as the therapeutic group. We assessed bone mineral density (BMD) and the levels of osteocalcin, procollagen-I C-terminal propeptide (PICP), collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTx), estradiol, and aromatase in the sera. The daily supplementation of sesame oil significantly increased BMD, serum osteocalcin levels, and trabecular areas in the OVX-treated rats. Sesame oil also elevated serum PICP levels and decreased NTx levels in these rats. Furthermore, sesame oil effectively maintained serum estradiol and aromatase levels in the OVX-induced osteoporosis rats. In conclusion, daily supplementation of sesame oil prevents postmenopausal osteoporosis by maintaining serum estrogen and aromatase levels, while also modulating the imbalance between bone formation and resorption in osteoporosis rats.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Female; Animals; Aged; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sesame Oil; Aromatase; Osteocalcin; Osteoporosis; Bone Density; Estrogens; Estradiol; Dietary Supplements; Ovariectomy
PubMed: 38172141
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50453-1 -
Polymers Jul 2023New trends in the circular economy and sustainability are pointing towards the gradual elimination of standard flame retardants such as phosphorus compounds or...
New trends in the circular economy and sustainability are pointing towards the gradual elimination of standard flame retardants such as phosphorus compounds or halogenated compounds. New solutions are therefore being sought in this area and ceramizable composites could be an interesting alternative. Weak rheological properties are one of the main disadvantages of ceramizable composites. This study tested ceramizable composites composed of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) as a polymer matrix and mica as a mineral filler and aimed to improve the viscoelastic properties of silicone oil as a plasticizer. To characterize this composite's mechanical properties before and after ceramization, the viscoelastic properties were tested with a dynamic oscillating rheometer and the thermal behavior with a cone calorimeter. This paper also provides results showing differences (via the abovementioned properties) between vulcanization with sulfur and that with peroxide for the ceramizable composites based on SBR. The presented results, showing changes in mechanical properties, dynamic viscosity or flammability, among others, allow a better understanding of elastomeric composites with ceramizable flame-retardant systems. Such composites can find a wide range of applications, from lagging for electrical cables to building elements such as floor coverings and fire barriers.
PubMed: 37571098
DOI: 10.3390/polym15153204 -
ACS Omega Sep 2023Organic-rich tuffaceous mudstones are important oil and gas resources. The systematic study of the pyrolysis kinetics and characteristics can not only provide the...
Organic-rich tuffaceous mudstones are important oil and gas resources. The systematic study of the pyrolysis kinetics and characteristics can not only provide the theoretical basis for the rational development and efficient utilization of these rocks but also is an important complement to the theoretical research on the pyrolysis kinetics of organic-rich rocks. In this study, the pyrolysis kinetics, behavior, and mechanism of the organic-rich tuffaceous mudstone in the Junggar Basin were clarified by thermogravimetric analysis. The organic structure and mineral composition were identified by Rock-Eval, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that the mudstone could be described as a type II kerogen with good hydrocarbon generation potential. The mudstone included up to 80.7% quartz, which is associated with Carboniferous volcanic activity. Four isoconversional methods were used to evaluate the activation energies. A novel and simplified method was proposed to separate the pyrolysis processes using the Coats-Redfern method based on the differences in reaction models and activation energies. The pyrolysis processes were divided into four stages, and the reaction models of each stage were preliminarily clarified. The reaction models were further modified by the accommodation function The results showed the kinetic parameters, and the reaction models of each stage were significantly different. Moreover, the obtained kinetic parameters and optimal reaction models can well characterize the pyrolysis processes and mechanism of the tuffaceous mudstone. The results of thermogravimetric-FTIR (TG-FTIR) indicated that the main pyrolysis hydrocarbon volatiles were methane, C aliphatic hydrocarbons, and aromatics. And the types and yields of pyrolysis volatiles differed at each stage.
PubMed: 37692255
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03787 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Organic-inorganic interactions regulate the dynamics of hydrocarbons, water, minerals, CO, and H in thermal rocks, yet their initiation remains debated. To address this,...
Organic-inorganic interactions regulate the dynamics of hydrocarbons, water, minerals, CO, and H in thermal rocks, yet their initiation remains debated. To address this, we conducted isotope-tagged and in-situ visual thermal experiments. Isotope-tagged studies revealed extensive H/O transfers in hydrous n-CH-HO-feldspar systems. Visual experiments observed water microdroplets forming at 150-165 °C in oil phases near the water-oil interface without surfactants, persisting until complete miscibility above 350 °C. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) detected hydroxyl free radicals concurrent with microdroplet formation. Here we propose a two-fold mechanism: water-derived and n-CH-derived free radicals drive interactions with organic species, while water-derived and mineral-derived ions trigger mineral interactions. These processes, facilitated by microdroplets and bulk water, blur boundaries between organic and inorganic species, enabling extensive interactions and mass transfer. Our findings redefine microscopic interplays between organic and inorganic components, offering insights into diagenetic and hydrous-metamorphic processes, and mass transfer cycles in deep basins and subduction zones.
PubMed: 38862499
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49293-y -
Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical... Jul 2023The lack of a specific proven treatment for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has led individuals to use different treatment options. Although their effects on...
OBJECTIVES
The lack of a specific proven treatment for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has led individuals to use different treatment options. Although their effects on COVID-19 have not been proven, interest in dietary supplements and aromatherapy has increased during the pandemic period. In this study, use of dietary supplements and aromatherapy was investigated for COVID-19 among individuals living within the borders of Türkiye.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 310 individuals. The questionnaire was prepared using online Google Forms and communicated to the participants via social media platforms. The data obtained from the study were analyzed with the statistical program.
RESULTS
The analyzes of the survey revealed that participants increased the usage of supplements mostly prophylactic and for treatment purposes during COVID-19 pandemic, 31.9% individuals declared that they consumed herbal tea/products, 38.1% of them used vitamin/mineral supplements (multivitamin-mineral, vitamins B1, B6, B12, C, D, calcium, coenzyme Q10, iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc), and 18.4% of the individuals applied aromatherapy (meaning treatment with essential oils). As a result of the study, the most commonly used supplement was vitamin D, the most commonly consumed tea was green tea, the essential oil was thyme oil, and the most eaten vegetable was garlic. Moreover, other frequently used herbal products were found to contain ginger and onion as food and peppermint and eucalyptus oils as aromatherapeutics. Participants often reported that they found it safe to use elevated levels of herbs or herbal products against COVID-19.
CONCLUSION
Among the individuals participating in this study, it has been observed that the use of dietary supplements has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The study revealed that vitamin D is prominent in self-medication use. Moreover, interest in aromatherapy and dietary supplements has increased. Among aromatherapeutics, thyme stood out over the applied essential oils.
PubMed: 37417200
DOI: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2022.21370