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Nature Communications Nov 2021Clinically, it is difficult to endow implants with excellent osteogenic ability and antibacterial activity simultaneously. Herein, the self-activating implants modified...
Clinically, it is difficult to endow implants with excellent osteogenic ability and antibacterial activity simultaneously. Herein, the self-activating implants modified with hydroxyapatite (HA)/MoS coating are designed to prevent Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections and accelerate bone regeneration simultaneously. The electron transfer between bacteria and HA/MoS is triggered when bacteria contacted with the material. RNA sequencing data reveals that the expression level of anaerobic respiration-related genes is up-regulated and the expression level of aerobic respiration-related genes is down-regulated when bacteria adhere to the implants. HA/MoS presents a highly effective antibacterial efficacy against both S. aureus and E. coli because of bacterial respiration-activated metabolic pathway changes. Meanwhile, this coating promotes the osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by altering the potentials of cell membrane and mitochondrial membrane. The proposed strategy exhibits great potential to endow implants with self-activating anti-infection performance and osteogenic ability simultaneously.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Bone Regeneration; Bone and Bones; Cell Differentiation; Cell Membrane; Cell Proliferation; Cell Respiration; Communicable Diseases; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Implants; Durapatite; Electron Transport; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Osteogenesis; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Up-Regulation
PubMed: 34824260
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27217-4 -
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and... May 2020Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen and have important roles in... (Review)
Review
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen and have important roles in multiple biological processes, including development and tissue remodeling, both in health and disease. The activity of MMPs is influenced by the expression of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs). In the eye, MMP-mediated ECM turnover in the juxtacanalicular region of the trabecular meshwork (TM) reduces outflow resistance in the conventional outflow pathway and helps maintain intraocular pressure (IOP) homeostasis. An imbalance in the MMP/TIMP ratio may be involved in the elevated IOP often associated with glaucoma. The prostaglandin analog/prostamide (PGA) class of topical ocular hypotensive medications used in glaucoma treatment reduces IOP by increasing outflow through both conventional and unconventional (uveoscleral) outflow pathways. Evidence from and studies using animal models and anterior segment explant and cell cultures indicates that the mechanism of IOP lowering by PGAs involves increased MMP expression in the TM and ciliary body, leading to tissue remodeling that enhances conventional and unconventional outflow. PGA effects on MMP expression are dependent on the identity and concentration of the PGA. An intracameral sustained-release PGA implant (Bimatoprost SR) in development for glaucoma treatment can reduce IOP for many months after expected intraocular drug bioavailability. We hypothesize that the higher concentrations of bimatoprost achieved in ocular outflow tissues with the implant produce greater MMP upregulation and more extensive, sustained MMP-mediated target tissue remodeling, providing an extended duration of effect.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Bimatoprost; Ciliary Body; Collagen; Drug Implants; Extracellular Matrix; Glaucoma; Homeostasis; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Models, Animal; Prostaglandins, Synthetic; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; Trabecular Meshwork
PubMed: 32233938
DOI: 10.1089/jop.2019.0146 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2023The poultry feed industry is pretty much active in a lot of countries and it is achieved market acceptance. The final products are supposed to meet certain...
The poultry feed industry is pretty much active in a lot of countries and it is achieved market acceptance. The final products are supposed to meet certain specifications to fulfill the nutritional need of animals at different life periods. The final product for poultry is shipped in the form of pelleted feed for the convenience of consumption. One of the major challenges of poultry feed production is the principal complement of equipment necessary for the local production. Imported poultry pellets are quite expensive and unaffordable for many poultry feed industries. Hence, the need to be able to produce poultry feed at lower cost yet achieve the objective of quantity and quality expected of pelleted feeds is critical to the viability of the enterprise. The study aims to investigate the effects of some operating parameters (pressure and temperature of the compounded feed) and die hole size on the pelleting efficiency, throughput capacity, and to optimize the conditions. The improvement approach is conducted by observing the main operating parameters of productivity; statistical analysis is conducted to observe the effect of those parameters on the production rate and the quality of the product. Comparison between parameter levels is done through analysis of variance to determine the significance of the tested parameters. The optimization of parameters was applied with Minitab and designed expert software to determine the best operating conditions. The obtained results showed that the downtime decreased by 77% monthly and productivity increased by 32.5% per hour and the pellet durability index increased by 1.23%. The total sales increased by 6,750,600 LE/Month.
Topics: Animals; Poultry; Animal Feed; Temperature
PubMed: 37336894
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36072-w -
F1000Research 2020Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is defined as urinary urgency, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia, with or without urgency incontinence, in the absence of... (Review)
Review
Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is defined as urinary urgency, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia, with or without urgency incontinence, in the absence of urinary tract infection or other obvious pathology. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the management of OAB. We examine the evidence on the effect of anticholinergic load on OAB patients. Advances in medical treatment include a new beta-3 agonist, vibegron, which is thought to have fewer drug interactions than mirabegron. Treatment of genitourinary syndrome of the menopause with oestrogens and ospemifene have also shown promise for OAB. Botulinum toxin has been shown to be an effective treatment option. We discuss the new implantable neuromodulators that are on the market as well as selective bladder denervation and laser technology.
Topics: Acetanilides; Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists; Botulinum Toxins; Denervation; Drug Implants; Humans; Laser Therapy; Pyrimidinones; Pyrrolidines; Tamoxifen; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome; Urinary Bladder, Overactive
PubMed: 32968482
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.26607.1 -
Heliyon Feb 2022The aim of this work was to identify and collate the major common challenges that arise during pellet development. These challenges focus on aspects right from raw... (Review)
Review
The aim of this work was to identify and collate the major common challenges that arise during pellet development. These challenges focus on aspects right from raw material properties until the final drying process of the pelletization. The challenges associated with the particle size of drug and excipients, physicochemical properties, drug excipient interaction and the effect of type/grade and amount of raw material on the pellet properties are covered in this review. Technological and process related challenges within the commonly used pelletization techniques such as extrusion-spheronization, hot-melt extrusion and layering techniques are also emphasized. The paper likewise gives an insight to the possible ways of addressing the quality of pellets during development.
PubMed: 35243077
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08956 -
Heliyon Jun 2023Ghana's Renewable Energy Master Plan of 2019 includes the production and use of biomass pellets. However, pellets have neither been developed commercially nor included... (Review)
Review
Ghana's Renewable Energy Master Plan of 2019 includes the production and use of biomass pellets. However, pellets have neither been developed commercially nor included in Ghana's energy mix. This paper reviewed the prospect of production, adoption and sustained use of pellets in Ghana. Besides having abundant biomass resources, Ghana has high market demand and relevant policies for pellet development. The production of pellets can significantly replace traditional household biomass demand and improve environmental and health quality. However, the production and use of pellets are limited due to technical, financial, social and policy issues. Our estimates show that 3% of the annual national average household income will be spent on pellet demand for cooking, with the highest burden on rural households in Ghana. Practical measures are required since the cost of pellets and gasifier stoves may limit pellet adoption and use in Ghana. Based on study findings, it is recommended that the government of Ghana establishes a robust supply chain and provides infrastructure for pellet production and use. Existing renewable energy policies should be reviewed to remove ambiguities, attract investment, and build capacity in the renewable energy sector. Apart from raising public awareness of the benefits of pellets use, the government of Ghana should ensure that continuous and thorough impact assessments are undertaken to assess the implications of pellet production and use. This review will inform policymaking on achieving sustainable production, adoption and use of pellets and assess Ghana's contribution to achieving the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
PubMed: 37292302
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16416 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Typically, coniferous sawdust from debarked stems is used to make pellets. Given the high lignin content, which ensures strong binding and high calorific values, this... (Review)
Review
Typically, coniferous sawdust from debarked stems is used to make pellets. Given the high lignin content, which ensures strong binding and high calorific values, this feedstock provides the best quality available. However, finding alternative feedstocks for pellet production is crucial if small-scale pellet production is to be developed and used to support the economy and energy independence of rural communities. These communities have to be able to create pellets devoid of additives and without biomass pre-processing so that the feedstock price remains low. The features of pellets made from other sources of forest biomass, such as different types of waste, broadleaf species, and pruning biomass, have attracted some attention in this context. This review sought to provide an overview of the most recent (2019-2023) knowledge on the subject and to bring into consideration potential feedstocks for the growth of small-scale pellet production. Findings from the literature show that poor bulk density and mechanical durability are the most frequent issues when making pellets from different feedstocks. All of the tested alternative biomass typologies have these shortcomings, which are also a result of the use of low-performance pelletizers in small-scale production, preventing the achievement of adequate mechanical qualities. Pellets made from pruning biomass, coniferous residues, and wood from short-rotation coppice plants all have significant flaws in terms of ash content and, in some cases, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine content as well. All things considered, research suggests that broadleaf wood from beech and oak trees, collected through routine forest management activities, makes the best feasible feedstock for small-scale pellet production. Despite having poor mechanical qualities, these feedstocks can provide pellets with a low ash level. High ash content is a significant disadvantage when considering pellet manufacture and use on a small scale since it can significantly raise maintenance costs, compromising the supply chain's ability to operate cost-effectively. Pellets with low bulk density and low mechanical durability can be successfully used in a small-scale supply chain with the advantages of reducing travel distance from the production site and storage time.
PubMed: 37445003
DOI: 10.3390/ma16134689 -
ACS Applied Energy Materials Sep 2023Cryoadsorption on the inner surface of porous materials is a promising solution for safe, fast, and reversible hydrogen storage. Within the class of highly porous... (Review)
Review
Cryoadsorption on the inner surface of porous materials is a promising solution for safe, fast, and reversible hydrogen storage. Within the class of highly porous metal-organic frameworks, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) show high thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability. In this study, we selected ZIF-8 synthesized mechanochemically by twin-screw extrusion as powder and pellets. The hydrogen storage capacity at 77 K and up to 100 bar has been analyzed in two laboratories applying three different measurement setups showing a high reproducibility. Pelletizing ZIF-8 increases the packing density close to the corresponding value for a single crystal without loss of porosity, resulting in an improved volumetric hydrogen storage capacity close to the upper limit for a single crystal. The high volumetric uptake combined with a low and constant heat of adsorption provides ca. 31 g of usable hydrogen per liter of pellet assuming a temperature-pressure swing adsorption process between 77 K - 100 bar and 117 K - 5 bar. Cycling experiments do not indicate any degradation in storage capacity. The excellent stability during preparation, handling, and operation of ZIF-8 pellets demonstrates its potential as a robust adsorbent material for technical application in pilot- and full-scale adsorption vessel prototypes.
PubMed: 37771502
DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.2c03719 -
ACS Omega Dec 2022Pelletization from nonwoody biomass has gained a lot of attention due to its potential to secure biomass feedstock supply and pricing. Studies have been conducted to...
Pelletization from nonwoody biomass has gained a lot of attention due to its potential to secure biomass feedstock supply and pricing. Studies have been conducted to produce biopellets from different parts of Napier grass plant. In this study, two different species of Napier grass were used. Two pressure points and five different times were varied accordingly. Proximate, ultimate, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were performed to assess chemical properties. Statistical analysis of the collected data validated and supported the discussion. The produced pellets of Napier grass exhibited good energy density comparable to those in the literature based on gross calorific values. The pellet density demonstrated a significant effect with time, pressure, and feedstock ratios. The pellet durability test showed comparable characteristics to another biomass pellet. Both Pakchong Napier grass (PNG) and wild Napier grass (WNG) biopellet densities obtained were higher than 0.650 g/cm, and the durability was higher than 95%. This signifies that the pellet can withstand repeated transfer during handling without breakage.
PubMed: 36570314
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03434 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Sep 2022The performance of Aspergillus niger pellets to remove selenite and tellurite from wastewater using batch and continuous fungal pelleted bioreactors was investigated....
The performance of Aspergillus niger pellets to remove selenite and tellurite from wastewater using batch and continuous fungal pelleted bioreactors was investigated. The acid hydrolysate of brewer's spent grain (BSG) was utilized by A. niger as the electron donor for selenite and tellurite reduction. The dilution of BSG hydrolysate using mineral medium had a positive effect on the selenite and tellurite removal efficiency with a 1:3 ratio giving the best efficiency. However, selenite and tellurite inhibited fungal growth with a 40.9% and 27.3% decrease in the A. niger biomass yield in the presence of 50 mg/L selenite and tellurite, respectively. The maximum selenite and tellurite removal efficiency using 25% BSG hydrolysate in batch incubations amounted to 72.8% and 99.5% Two fungal pelleted bioreactors were operated in continuous mode using BSG hydrolysate as the substrate. Both the selenite and tellurite removal efficiencies during steady state operation were > 80% with tellurite showing a maximum removal efficiency of 98.5% at 10 mg/L influent concentration. Elemental Se nanospheres for selenite and both Te nanospheres and nanorods for tellurite were formed within the fungal pellets. This study demonstrates the suitability BSG hydrolysate as a low cost carbon source for removal of selenite and tellurite using fungal pellet bioreactors.
Topics: Aspergillus niger; Lignin; Selenious Acid; Tellurium
PubMed: 35728327
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129333