Pretreatment Posttreatment Research Articles

Cellulosic Ethanol Production Using Waste Wheat Stillage after Microwave-Assisted Hydrotropic Pretreatment.

One of the key elements influencing the efficiency of cellulosic ethanol production is the effective pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of microwave-assisted pretreatment of wheat stillage in the presence of sodium cumene sulphonate (NaCS) hydrotrope used for the production of second-generation bioethanol. As a result of microwave pretreatment, the composition of the wheat stillage biomass changed significantly when compared with the raw material used, before treatment. Microwave-assisted pretreatment with NaCS effectively reduced the lignin content and hemicellulose, making cellulose the dominant component of biomass, which accounted for 42.91 ± 0.10%. In post pretreatment, changes in biomass composition were also visible on FTIR spectra. The peaks of functional groups and bonds characteristic of lignins (C–O vibration in the syringyl ring, asymmetric bending in CH3, and aromatic skeleton C–C stretching) decreased. The pretreatment of the analyzed lignocellulosic raw material with NaCS resulted in the complete conversion of glucose to ethanol after 48 h of the process, with yield (in relation to the theoretical one) of above 91%. The highest observed concentration of ethanol, 23.57 ± 0.10 g/L, indicated the high effectiveness of the method used for the pretreatment of wheat stillage that did not require additional nutrient supplementation.

A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY TO EVALUATE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME IN ANKLE SPRAIN INJURY GRADE I AND GRADE II WITH PARTIAL AND COMPLETE IMMOBILIZATION METHODS

Background: Acute ankle injuries are one of the most common injuries in orthopaedic department. However, there is still lack of standardized evidence-based treatment. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare and evaluate the functional outcome of Partial And Complete Immobilization Methods. Comparative evaluation of Functional outcome in ankleObjective: sprain patient treated with partial and complete immobilization and to identify factors affecting the functional outcome in patients with ankle sprain. Methodology- A prospective comparative study was designed from 1st jan 21 to 30th oct 21 49 patients fromMaterials and Methods: orthopedic OPD was selected whom were presented with the ankle sprain and ready to give consent irrespective of their gender. Lower Extremity Functional Scale(LEFS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed at pre-treatment and post treatment at 1st ,3rd and 6th week were compared in both category. in the present study 35 patients were treated with partial immombilization method and 14 were treatedResult- with complete immobilization. Most of patients were belong to age group of 18-25. 67.3 % patients were male and 32.7% were female. 51% having left side injury while 49% have right side a Lower Extremity Functional Scale(LEFS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed at pretreatment post treatment at 1st ,3rd and 6th week. - From our prospective study, we conclude that conservative management ofConclusion- ankle ligament injuries (grade I, II) is a safe and effective method of treatment. And partial immobilization is better than the complete mobilization.

Effect of Probiotic Supplements on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in First-Episode Bipolar Disorder Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Currently no study has examined the effects of probiotic administration on the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mania, as well as their correlations with the biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with bipolar disorder (BPD). The aim of this study is to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation on plasma oxidative stress-related biomarkers and different domains of clinical symptom in patients suffering from BPD. Methods: Eighty first-episode drug-naive patients with BPD were recruited. The subjects were randomized to receive psychotropic drugs supplementing with either probiotic or placebo and scheduled to evaluate with follow-ups for clinical symptom improvements and changes in the oxidative stress biomarkers. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Young Mania Rating Scale were used to assess the clinical symptomatology. The panel of plasma oxidative stress biomarkers were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) at baseline and for 3 months of follow-up, i.e., at post-treatment month 1, 2, and 3. Results: After 3 months of intervention, decreased levels of plasma lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) were found in both placebo and probiotic groups. However, six other oxidative stress biomarkers (i.e., creatine, inosine, hypoxanthine, choline, uric acid, allantoic acid) increased in BPD patients after the two types of therapies. In addition, a positive correlation between changes of LPC (18:0) and YMRS scale was found in BPD patients and this association only existed in the probiotic group. Additionally, the mania symptom greatly alleviated (pretreatment–posttreatment, odds ratio = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.01, 0.64, p= 0.016) in patients who received probiotic supplements as compared with the placebo group. Conclusion: The changes in plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with BPD have a potential to be trait-like markers, and serve as prognostic indexes for bipolar patients. Daily intakes of probiotics have advantageous effects on BPD patients with certain clinical symptoms, especially manic symptoms. The treatment may be a promising adjunctive therapeutic strategy for BPD patients in manic episode.

Photodynamic therapy and other pretreatment methods on epoxy-based glass fiber post on the push-out bond strength to radicular dentin

AimTo assess the push-out bond strength (PBS) of glass fiber post (GFP) conditioned using different surface treatment regimens bonded to radicular dentin Material and MethodsSixty central incisors and canine were collected and disinfected. Decoronation following working length was determined using K-file. Rotary file system was used for cleaning and shaping. Canals of all samples were dried with paper points and obturated with gutta percha. Canal space was prepared with peso reamers. Now samples were randomly allocated into six groups based on pretreatment of GFP. Post in group 1 treated with 9% HFA+ Silane, post in group 2 surface treated with silane only, Post in group 3 surface treated with airborne particle (50 µm), group 4 post conditioned with photodynamic therapy (PDT), group 5 post pretreatment was performed with MBP and in group 6 GFP was not treated. Conditioned and non-conditioned posts were positioned in canal space and cemented. Tooth were sectioned coronally, middle and apically. Sections were positioned in universal testing machine (UTM) and debonded surfaces were evaluated for failure modes. The means and standard deviations of PBS were examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). ResultsCoronal third of group 3 in which posts were sandblasted using airborne Al2O3 particle presented the highest PBS (11.21±0.64 MPa). Whereas, an apical section of group 4 in which posts were treated with PDT exhibited the lowest bond integrity. ConclusionSandblasting using airborne particles (50 µm) and hydrogen peroxide (H3PO4) conditioned with GFP exhibited significantly higher bond strength as compared to the control. However, PDT decreases the PBS of fiber post with the root dentin.

Development and Validation of a Simoa Assay for Determination of Recombinant Batroxobin in Human Serum.

Recombinant batroxobin (S3101) is a thrombin-like serine protease that binds to fibrinogen or is taken up by the reticuloendothelial system. A literature survey showed no adequate method that could determine sufficient concentrations to evaluate pharmacokinetic parameters for phase I clinical studies. Therefore, a sensitive method is urgently needed to support the clinical pharmacokinetic evaluation of S3101. In this study, a sensitive bioanalytical method was developed and validated, using a Quanterix single molecular array (Simoa) assay. Moreover, to thoroughly assess the platform, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence assay were also developed, and their performance was compared with that of this novel technology platform. The assay was validated in compliance with the current guidelines. Measurements with the Simoa assay were precise and accurate, presenting a valid assay range from 6.55 to 4000 pg/mL. The intra- and inter-run accuracy and precision were within -19.3% to 15.3% and 5.5% to 17.0%, respectively. S3101 was stable in human serum for 280 days at -20°C and -70°C, for 2 h prior to pre-treatment and 24 h post pre-treatment at room temperature (22°C-28°C), respectively, and after five and two freeze-thaw cycles at -70°C and -20°C, respectively. The Simoa assay also demonstrated sufficient dilution linearity, assay sensitivity, and parallelism for quantifying S3101 in human serum. The Simoa assay is a sensitive and adequate method for evaluating the pharmacokinetic parameters of S3101 in human serum.

End-Range and Scapular Mobilization Technique Versus PassiveStretching Exercises in Treatment of Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis

AbstractBackground: Idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulderis a condition characterized by gradual loss of active andpassive glenohumeral motion. The prevalence of adhesivecapsulitis is estimated to be two to five percent of the generalpopulation. Stretching the adhered shoulder capsule by meansof end range mobilization and passive stretching is the cor-nerstone of physical therapy interventions for treatment ofadhesive capsulitis. Scapular mobilization is also recommendedto correct the abnormal scapulohumeral rhythm accompaniedwith the limited motion at glenohumeral joint in patients withadhesive capsulitis.Aim of Study: To compare between the effect of end rangemobilization and scapular mobilization versus passive stretch-ing exercises on shoulder pain severity, functional disabilityand passive range of motion of shoulder flexion, abduction,internal rotation and external rotation in treatment of idiopathicshoulder adhesive capsulitis.Design of the Study: Randomized clinical trial, pretreat-ment posttreatment design was used.Methods: Forty male patients with idiopathic adhesivecapsulitis of the shoulder, whose age ranged between 40 to65 years with limited shoulder passive range of motion in atleast 2 of 4 directions and duration of illness ranged between 3 and 12 months participated in this study. They were randomly distributed into two equal experimental groups. The first group received end range mobilization technique and scapular mobilization technique and the second group received passive stretching exercises. In addition to that both groups received infrared radiation before each treatment session for warming up. All patients were treated twice weekly for six weeks.Results: Both groups had significant improvement in allmeasured variables. End range mobilization and scapularmobilization was significantly more effective than passivestretching exercises in improving shoulder pain severity,functional disability and range of motion of shoulder flexionand abduction. However, there was no significant differencebetween groups in improving range of motion of shoulderexternal rotation and internal rotation.

Treatment sensitivity: Its importance in the measurement of psychological flexibility

BackgroundPsychological flexibility (PF) is a central construct in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Many studies have operationalized PF using the self-report Acceptance and Actions Questionnaire (AAQ-II). Information on the treatment sensitivity of self-report assessments of PF is lacking, however. We investigated differences in the treatment sensitivity of the AAQ-II compared to other measures of PF across various samples. MethodsUsing three different clinical samples (N = 164), we compared the pretreatment–posttreatment change scores of the AAQ-II to those of three alternative self-report questionnaires measuring PF in a within-subject design. Sensitivity to change was assessed with effect sizes and Reliable Change Index (RC). ResultsWithout exception, effect sizes and rates of clinically significant change were larger in all three alternative questionnaires and across three populations compared to the standard formulation of the AAQ-II. ConclusionsThe results of the present study show greater treatment sensitivity of three alternative questionnaires measuring PF compared to the AAQ-II. The results suggest that treatment effects concerning PF may have been underestimated depending on the wording and measure used. Implications for research on PF and ACT processes and outcomes are discussed.

Challenges in luting fibre posts: Adhesion to the post and to the dentine

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between physicochemical interactions of resin luting cements with dentine and retention of fibre posts in root canals. MethodsRetention of fibre posts (RelyX Fiber Post) was assessed by the pull-out method. The diffusion zone of the cements and their chemical interaction with dentine were estimated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Resin luting cements employing etch-and-rinse (Rely X Ultimate and Variolink II), self-etch (Rely X Ultimate and Panavia F2.0), or self-adhesive (RelyX Unicem 2) modes were investigated. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance followed by Tukey HSD tests. ResultsThe retention of the fibre posts decreased in the following order: RelyX Ultimate, etch-and-rinse mode>RelyX Unicem 2≥RelyX Ultimate, self-etch mode≥Panavia F2.0≥Variolink II (p<0.05). One of the etch-and-rinse mode cements presented the deepest diffusion zone, while the other, along with the self-adhesive cement, produced the shallowest zone. Cements used in the self-etch mode showed intermediary diffusion into dentine (p<0.05). All resin luting cements showed some degree of chemical interaction with dentine, the highest recorded for RelyX Ultimate used in the etch-and-rinse mode and the lowest for Panavia F2.0 (p<0.05). The retention of fibre posts in the root canal could be attributed neither to the mode of interaction of the luting cements with dentine nor to their ability to diffuse into dentine. SignificanceChemical interaction between the resin luting cement and the dentine paired with adequate post pretreatment contribute positively to the retention of fibre posts.

Research on the Dissolution of Pentosans during Eucalyptus Hydrolysate Pretreatment

Hydrolysate pretreatment (HP) uses hot water pre-hydrolysis liquor (HWPL) as partial or full pretreatment medium for biomass. Pentosan dissolution during Eucalyptus HP was studied under holding times between 0 min and 160 min, holding temperatures between 150 °C and 190 °C, a hot water pre-hydrolysate ratio (HWPR) from 20% to 100%, and a fixed liquid to wood ratio of 1:6. Both the pentosan removals in the hydrolysate pretreated solid (HPS) and the hydrolysate pretreatment liquor (HPL) pento-saccharides contents were determined and compared with those of hot water pre-hydrolysis (HWP). When compared to HWP, the HP enhanced pentosan removal from the solid phase, and enriched the saccharides or promoted the in-situ conversion of saccharides into other chemicals in the liquid phase. Pentosan removal in the HPS increased when holding time and temperature were increased. Increasing holding time first increased the pento-saccharide content in the HPL, and then decreased it after reaching the maximum. Elevating the holding temperature increased the pento-saccharide content in the HPL, except for arabino-oligosaccharide. Different HWPR had varying influences on pentosan removal in the HPS and on the saccharides concentration in the HPL. When controlled, HP positively influenced hemicellulose removal from biomass, and increased utilization value of the liquid phase obtained post pretreatment.

Mössbauer and XRD study of hot dip galvanized alloy

Mossbauer spectroscopy has been used to investigate the nature of the Zinc-Iron alloys present within the Hot Dip Galvanized (HDG) layers of steel with a silicon content of 0.35 %. The investigation also studied the impact of the powder coating pretreatment on the nature of the alloy layers. The acid etching process within the pretreatment process in particular would be expected to have a significant impact on the HDG layer. This study utilized 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy to examine identically processed samples prior to and post pre treatment. XRD and 57Fe CEMS measurements were performed on hot galvanized S355J2 + N samples, forming sandwiched structure. Both XRD and CEMS reveal the presence of dominant steel phase in accordance with its estimated occurrence on the surface of the sandwiched samples. Minor Γ-Fe3Zn10, ζ-FeZn15 and solid solution Fe-Zn as well as minor Fe-Si phases could also be identified.

Abstract 9941: Baseline Vitamin D Levels, Vitamin D Deficiency and Changes in Vitamin D With Statin Therapy Do Not Predict Statin Myalgia

Background and Objective: Low Vitamin D levels have been implicated as contributing to statin myalgia, but studies on the relationship between Vitamin D and statin-associated muscle side effects (SAMS) have produced discrepant results. We examined the influence of baseline and change in Vitamin D levels in patients with self-reported statin myalgia who developed muscle symptoms during a statin-placebo cross-over trial. Methods: Statin myalgia was verified in 120 patients with prior statin muscle complaints using an 8-week randomized, double-blind crossover trial of simvastatin (SIMVA) 20 mg/d and placebo. Anthropometrics, medical histories, demographics and serologic data (including 25 (OH)Vitamin D) were measured at each phase of the trial. Results: Forty three (35.8%) patients met the study criteria for myalgia, experiencing muscle pain on SIMVA but not placebo. Serum Vitamin D levels (mean ± standard deviation) prior to simvastatin treatment were not different between patients who did (31.7 ±12.1 ng/mL) or did not (31.6 ±10.3 ng/mL) develop myalgia and did not predict SAMS (r 2 = 0.00; p = 0.96). The change in Vitamin D with SIMVA (post-pre treatment) was also not different between myalgic and non-myalgic patients (0.3 ± 5.9 vs. 0.2 ±8.3 ng/mL, respectively) and again did not predict SAMS (r 2 = 0.00; p = 0.96). In addition, the proportion of patients classified as Vitamin D deficient (&lt; 20 ng/mL) did not differ between myalgics and non-myalgics (n=7 vs. n=8; χ 2 =1.45; p = 0.23), nor did the proportion of patients classified as Vitamin D insufficient (&lt; 30 ng/mL) (n=18 vs. n=37; χ 2 &lt; 0.01 and p = 0.94, respectively). Conclusions: Our results suggest that baseline levels of Vitamin D, Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and changes in Vitamin D with statin therapy do not predict statin myalgia in patients in whom SAMS are verified using a rigorous double-blind, cross-over study design. The failure to verify SAMS in other studies may explain the discordant results on Vitamin D as a risk factor and potential treatment for statin myalgia. Trial Registration: NCT01140308

Effects of pretreatment conditions and post–pretreatment washing on ethanol production from dilute acid pretreated rice straw

Rice straw pretreatment was examined in a full factorial study at temperatures of 120 °C and 160 °C and 0% and 1% [H2SO4]. Pretreatment efficacy was assessed by measuring hydrolysate composition and reducing sugar yield after enzymatic hydrolysis. Pretreatment with 1% [H2SO4] and 160 °C yielded the highest amount of reducing sugar, 259 mg g−1 [dry matter], during enzymatic hydrolysis corresponding to 57% glucose conversion based on cellulose content of the pretreated solid. Under this pretreatment condition hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural were 0.19 and 0.68 g l−1, respectively. Rice straw pretreated with 1% [H2SO4] at 160 °C was subjected to simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using either Saccharomyces cerevisiae D5A or recombinant Escherichia coli KO11. Solid and hydrolysate separation and washing techniques were evaluated for their effect on ethanol production during SSF. Pretreated rice straw without liquid–solid separation or washing had the highest 7-d ethanol yield of 0.2 g [ethanol] g−1 [dry substrate] for E. coli KO11. This finding has economic implications on the processing of rice straw to bioethanol.

Can Silanization Increase the Retention of Glass-fiber posts? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of In Vitro Studies.

The role of silanes in the bonding of resin luting agents to glass-fiber posts (GFPs) is a controversial topic, and the question still remains whether post silanization is able to improve the retention of GFPs luted into root canals. Thus, this study was designed to determine whether evidence exists to justify silanization of GFPs before cementation to increase their retention into root canals. In vitro studies that evaluated the retention of GFPs cemented into root canals or artificial substrates and that used silane coupling agents for pretreatment of the post were selected. Searches were carried out in PubMed and Scopus databases with no publication year or language limits. The last search was carried out in August 2014. Two distinct data analyses were carried out: 1) control group (no post pretreatment) vs silane only and 2) post pretreatment + silane vs silane only. Pooled-effect estimates were obtained by comparing the difference between each bond strength mean value and were expressed as the weighted mean difference between groups (p≤0.05). A total of 178 articles were found, and 23 were included in the review. The results were affected by the substrate into which the GFPs were luted (teeth or artificial devices). The analysis between control group and silane only for studies that used artificial devices favored the use of silane (p<0.0001), but considering studies that used teeth as substrate, no significant difference was observed (p=0.35). The analysis between silane only and pretreatment + silane did not show a significant difference between groups when artificial devices were used (p=0.71), whereas the analysis favored the use of post pretreatment + silane over silane (p<0.00001) only when the GFPs were luted into teeth. In conclusion, this review indicates that silanization improves the retention of GFPs luted into root canals provided that selective surface pretreatments are applied to the post before silanization.

Retention of Root Canal Posts: Effect of Cement Film Thickness, Luting Cement, and Post Pretreatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the cement film thickness of a zinc phosphate or a resin cement on retention of untreated and pretreated root canal posts. Prefabricated zirconia posts (CosmoPost: 1.4 mm) and two types of luting cements (a zinc phosphate cement [DeTrey Zinc] and a self-etch adhesive resin cement [Panavia F2.0]) were used. After removal of the crowns of 360 extracted premolars, canines, or incisors, the root canals were prepared with a parallel-sided drill system to three different final diameters. Half the posts did not receive any pretreatment. The other half received tribochemical silicate coating according to the manufacturer's instructions. Posts were then luted in the prepared root canals (n=30 per group). Following water storage at 37°C for seven days, retention of the posts was determined by the pull-out method. Irrespective of the luting cement, pretreatment with tribochemical silicate coating significantly increased retention of the posts. Increased cement film thickness resulted in decreased retention of untreated posts and of pretreated posts luted with zinc phosphate cement. Increased cement film thickness had no influence on retention of pretreated posts luted with resin cement. Thus, retention of the posts was influenced by the type of luting cement, by the cement film thickness, and by the post pretreatment.

Antioxidant activity of enzymatic hydrolysates from eggshell membrane proteins and its protective capacity in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells

Eggshell membrane (ESM) hydrolysate was prepared by Alcalase and Protease S (AL-PS) sequentially and was ultrafiltered as fractions AL-PS-I (<5 kDa), AL-PS-II (5-10 kDa), and AL-PS-III (>10 kDa). The antioxidant activity of ESM hydrolysate was evaluated using chemical assays and its protective ability against oxidative stress was investigated using human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell-based assay. AL-PS-I possessed the highest scavenging activity against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. AL-PS-III demonstrated the best Fe2+ chelating activity. AL-PS and AL-PS-I had higher cellular antioxidant activity to inhibit the formation of DCF. The secretion of IL-8 was inhibited significantly (P < 0.05) at 2 h post pretreatment with AL-PS, AL-PS-I and AL-PS-II (0.1 and 0.5 mg/mL) and at 6 h post stimulation with 1 mM H2O2. In addition, AL-PS, AL-PS-I and AL-PS-II (0.5 mg/mL) increased glutathione (GSH) level significantly (P < 0.05) in H2O2-treated Caco-2 cells.

Determinants and short-term physiological consequences of PHA immune response in lesser kestrel nestlings.

Individual immune responses are likely affected by genetic, physiological, and environmental determinants. We studied the determinants and short-term consequences of Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced immune response, a commonly used immune challenge eliciting both innate and acquired immunity, on lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) nestlings in semi-captivity conditions and with a homogeneous diet composition. We conducted a repeated measures analyses of a set of blood parameters (carotenoids, triglycerides, β-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, uric acid, urea, total proteins, and total antioxidant capacity), metabolic (resting metabolic rate), genotypic (MHC class II B heterozygosity), and biometric (body mass) variables. PHA challenge did not affect the studied physiological parameters on a short-term basis (<12 hr), except plasma concentrations of triglycerides and carotenoids, which decreased and increased, respectively. Uric acid was the only physiological parameter correlated with the PHA induced immune response (skin swelling), but the change of body mass, cholesterol, total antioxidant capacity, and triglycerides between sessions (i.e., post-pre treatment) were also positively correlated to PHA response. No relationships were detected between MHC gene heterozygosity or resting metabolic rate and PHA response. Our results indicate that PHA response in lesser kestrel nestlings growing in optimal conditions does not imply a severe energetic cost 12 hr after challenge, but is condition-dependent as a rapid mobilization of carotenoids and decrease of triglycerides is elicited on a short-term basis.

Flexural properties, morphology and bond strength of fiber-reinforced posts: influence of post pretreatment

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of surface pretreatments of fiber-reinforced posts on flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (ME) and morphology of these posts, as well as the bond strength (BS) between posts and core material. Fifty-two fiber posts (smooth and serrated) were assigned to 4 groups (n=13): no treatment (control), 10% hydrogen peroxide (HP) for 10 min (HP-10), 24% HP for 1 min (HP-24) and airborne-particle abrasion (Al(2)O(3)). To evaluate FS and ME, a 3-point bending test was performed. Three posts of each group were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Composite resin was used as the core build-up and samples were sectioned to obtain microtensile sticks. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). For FS, significant differences were observed between posts type and surface pretreatment (p<0.05), with the highest means for the smooth posts. Al2O3 provided higher FS than HP-24. Al(2)O(3) promoted higher ME than HP-24 and control. SEM images revealed partial dissolution of the resin matrix in all treated groups. The smooth posts had higher BS and FS than serrated posts (p<0.05). Mechanical properties of the glass fiber posts and the bond strength between posts and composite material were not altered by the surface treatments, except for airborne-particle abrasion that increased the post elastic modulus.

Delignification with Alkaline Peroxide from Lespedeza Stalks Steam-Pretreated at Low Severity

A steam pretreatment method with low severity and post pretreatment with alkaline peroxide were investigated in this study with respect to the factors affecting delignification efficiency of Lespedeza Stalks. In alkaline peroxide procedure, four factors were compared to evaluate the lignin removal: substrate concentration (w/w), the ratio of peroxide to substrate (w/w), temperature and time. The remaining lignin of fractions from Lespedeza stalks steam pretreated at low severity was apparently reduced by post treatment with 1 g H2O2/g substrate at the substrate concentration of 1.67% under 60°C for 72h. Scanning electron microscopy images show that the samples with alkaline peroxide treatment have the smoother surface because of the elimination of lignin droplets and the fiber bundles individualized.

Drugs and human memory (part 2). Clinical, theoretical, and methodologic issues.

Drugs and human memory (part 2). Clinical, theoretical, and methodologic issues.

Can cognitive behavioural psychotherapy assist adherence to fluid restriction with dialysis patients: a case series

Introduction. Non-compliance with fluid restriction in the patient receiving haemodialysis poses significant health and management problems. No reliable intervention has been found to increase compliance rates in this group. We present raw data of a small case series using cognitive behavioural interventions to promote adherence. Method. Five subjects were offered six sessions of cognitive behavioural interventions. Measurements were taken pretreatment posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up. Results. Results show some improvement on the primary outcome measure in subjects who remained over the level of weight gain advised pretreatment and attended sessions. Conclusion. Study limitations preclude firm conclusion from this data. The cases presented here indicate further evaluation of this approach is warranted.