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Modelling of Molasses Fermentation for Bioethanol Production: A Comparative Investigation of Monod and Andrews Models Accuracy Assessment.
Zentou, H, Zainal Abidin, Z, Yunus, R, Awang Biak, DR, Zouanti, M, Hassani, A
Biomolecules. 2019;(8)
Abstract
Modelling has recently become a key tool to promote the bioethanol industry and to optimise the fermentation process to be easily integrated into the industrial sector. In this context, this study aims at investigating the applicability of two mathematical models (Andrews and Monod) for molasses fermentation. The kinetics parameters for Monod and Andrews were estimated from experimental data using Matlab and OriginLab software. The models were simulated and compared with another set of experimental data that was not used for parameters' estimation. The results of modelling showed that μmax = 0.179 1/h and Ks = 11.37 g.L-1 for the Monod model, whereas μmax = 0.508 1/h, Ks = 47.53 g.L-1 and Ki = 181.01 g.L-1 for the Andrews model, which are too close to the values reported in previous studies. The validation of both models showed that the Monod model is more suitable for batch fermentation modelling at a low concentration, where the highest R squared was observed at S0 = 75 g.L-1 with an R squared equal to 0.99956, 0.99954, and 0.99859 for the biomass, substrate, and product concentrations, respectively. In contrast, the Andrews model was more accurate at a high initial substrate concentration and the model data showed a good agreement compared to the experimental data of batch fermentation at S0 = 225 g.L-1, which was reflected in a high R squared with values 0.99795, 0.99903, and 0.99962 for the biomass, substrate, and product concentrations respectively.
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A Prospective Comparative Study in Skin Antiseptic Solutions for Posterior Spine Surgeries: Chlorhexidine-Gluconate Ethanol Versus Povidone-Iodine.
Yoshii, T, Hirai, T, Yamada, T, Sakai, K, Ushio, S, Egawa, S, Yuasa, M, Kato, T, Inose, H, Kawabata, S, et al
Clinical spine surgery. 2018;(7):E353-E356
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This is a prospective comparative study. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the efficacy of 2 standard antiseptic solutions, chlorhexidine-gluconate (CHG) and povidone-iodine (PD-I), in eliminating bacterial pathogens from surgical sites in posterior spine surgeries. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Previous studies have shown that CHG is more effective for skin antisepsis than PD-I in joint surgeries. However, few studies have investigated the preoperative use of antiseptic solutions in spine surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 190 patients who received posterior spine surgeries were included in this study. The patients were allocated to the group treated with 0.5% CHG in ethanol (N=98) or 10% PV-I (N=92). Sterile culture swabs were used to obtain samples from the skin area adjacent to the planned incision site before preparation, after preparation, and after wound closure. RESULTS No differences were found between the CHG-treated and the PD-I-treated groups in the patients' age, sex, disease status, surgical site, operating time, and intraoperative blood loss. Before surgical skin preparation, bacteria grew in the cultures of specimens of 83.7% of the patients; no significant difference was found between the 2 groups. The common organisms isolated from both the cervical and lumbar spine surgical sites were Staphylococcus sp., Corynebacterium sp., and Bacillus sp. After the skin preparation, there were no significant differences observed in the culture positive rate between the CHG (3.1%) and PD-I (5.1%) (P=0.49) solutions. The culture positive rates became higher after wound closure (preop=4.2%, postop=8.4%; P=0.07). The positive rate after wound closure in the CHG-treated group (5.1%) was smaller than in the PD-I-treated group (14.1%) (P=0.046). However, no difference was found in infection rates between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS While CHG-ethanol and PD-I were equally effective at eliminating the bacterial flora from the surgical site, CHG-ethanol showed a more favorable long-lasting effect for skin antisepsis in posterior spine surgeries.
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3.
Disinfection of the peritoneal dialysis bag medication port: Comparison of disinfectant agent and disinfection time.
Conti, A, Katzap, RM, Poli-de-Figueiredo, CE, Pagnussatti, V, Figueiredo, AE
Nephrology (Carlton, Vic.). 2018;(9):863-866
Abstract
AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare different disinfection techniques for the peritoneal dialysis bag medication port (MP). METHODS An experimental study was conducted testing different cleaning agents (70% alcohol vs 2% chlorhexidine) and time periods (5, 10 and 60 s) for disinfection of the MP. Five microorganisms (S. aureus, E. coli, A. baumannii and C. parapsilosis, CNS) were prepared for use as contaminants of the MP. MP were incubated in Tryptic soy broth at 36°C for 24 h, after which, they were seeded on a Biomérieux blood agar plate and incubated for 24 h at 36°C. RESULTS Three hundred peritoneal dialysis bags were analyzed regarding the time expose to the disinfectant showed a statistically significant difference in the number of culture positive (7/100) P = 0.001; Gram positive (6/100) P = 0.006 for 5 s, one positive culture and turbid bag with 10 s, while friction for 60 s showed all negative results. The comparison between disinfectant, alcohol or chlorhexidine, 150 bag in each group, showed that the ones disinfected with alcohol had five turbid bags, eight positive cultures and seven germs identified, while all bags disinfected with chlorhexidine were negative for all parameters, with a difference statistically significant (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the MP should be scrubbed with 2% chlorhexidine for at least 5 s; if alcohol 70% is used the length of friction should not be inferior to 10 s.
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[In process].
Kreutzkamp, B
Medizinische Monatsschrift fur Pharmazeuten. 2016;(10):453
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Differential Effect of Initiating Moderate Red Wine Consumption on 24-h Blood Pressure by Alcohol Dehydrogenase Genotypes: Randomized Trial in Type 2 Diabetes.
Gepner, Y, Henkin, Y, Schwarzfuchs, D, Golan, R, Durst, R, Shelef, I, Harman-Boehm, I, Spitzen, S, Witkow, S, Novack, L, et al
American journal of hypertension. 2016;(4):476-83
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Abstract
AIMS: Observational studies report inconsistent associations between moderate alcohol intake and blood pressure (BP). In a sub-study of a larger randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effect of initiating moderate red wine consumption on 24-h BP recordings and the effect of a common genetic variant of alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) among patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS Fifty-four type 2 diabetes, alcohol abstainers were randomized to consume 150 ml/dinner dry red wine or mineral water. Both groups were guided to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, without caloric restriction. We measured 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS Participants (age = 57 years; 85% men; mean 24-h BP = 129/77 mm Hg) had 92% 6-month retention. After 6 months of intervention, the average 24-h BP did not differ between the wine and water groups. A transient decrease in BP was observed in the red wine group at midnight (3-4 hours after wine intake: systolic BP: red wine = -10.6mm Hg vs. mineral water = +2.3 mm Hg; P = 0.031) and the following morning at 7-9 am (red wine: -6.2mm Hg vs. mineral water: +5.6mm Hg; P = 0.014). In a second post hoc sub-analysis among the red wine consumers, individuals who were homozygous for the gene encoding ADH1B*2 variant (Arg48His; rs1229984, TT, fast ethanol metabolizers), exhibited a reduction in mean 24-h systolic BP (-8.0mm Hg vs. +3.7 mm Hg; P = 0.002) and pulse pressure (-3.8 mm Hg vs. +1.2 mm Hg; P = 0.032) compared to heterozygotes and those homozygous for the ADH1B*1 variant (CC, slow metabolizers). CONCLUSIONS Initiating moderate red wine consumption at dinner among type 2 diabetes patients does not have a discernable effect on mean 24-h BP. Yet, a modest temporal BP reduction could be documented, and a more pronounced BP-lowering effect is suggested among fast ethanol metabolizers. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00784433.
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The effects of a priming dose of alcohol and drinking environment on snack food intake.
Rose, AK, Hardman, CA, Christiansen, P
Appetite. 2015;:341-8
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is a potential risk factor for being overweight. We aimed to investigate the effects of an alcohol priming dose and an alcohol-related environment on snacking behaviour. One hundred and fourteen social drinkers completed one of four experimental sessions either receiving a priming dose of alcohol (.6 g/kg) or soft drink in a bar-lab or a sterile lab. Participants provided ratings of appetite, snack urge, and alcohol urge before and after consuming their drinks. Participants completed an ad libitum snack taste test of savoury and sweet, healthy and unhealthy foods before completing the self-reports a final time. Appetite and snack urge increased more following alcohol consumption, and decreased to a lesser extent following the taste test relative to the soft drink. Total calories (including drink calories) consumed were significantly higher in the alcohol groups. There was a marginal effect of environment; those in the bar-lab consumed a higher proportion of unhealthy foods. These effects were more pronounced in those who were disinhibited. While alcohol may not increase food consumption per se, alcohol may acutely disrupt appetite signals, perhaps via processes of reward and inhibitory control, resulting in overall greater calorie intake. Individuals who are generally disinhibited may be more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and drinking environments on eating behaviour.
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Sleep quality during exam stress: the role of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
Zunhammer, M, Eichhammer, P, Busch, V
PloS one. 2014;(10):e109490
Abstract
Academic exam stress is known to compromise sleep quality and alter drug consumption in university students. Here we evaluated if sleeping problems and changes in legal drug consumption during exam stress are interrelated. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to survey sleep quality before, during, and after an academic exam period in 150 university students in a longitudinal questionnaire study. Self-reports of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine consumption were obtained. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-20) was used as a measure of stress. Sleep quality and alcohol consumption significantly decreased, while perceived stress and caffeine consumption significantly increased during the exam period. No significant change in nicotine consumption was observed. In particular, students shortened their time in bed and showed symptoms of insomnia. Mixed model analysis indicated that sex, age, health status, as well as the amounts of alcohol and caffeine consumed had no significant influence on global sleep quality. The amount of nicotine consumed and perceived stress were identified as significant predictors of diminished sleep quality. Nicotine consumption had a small-to-very-small effect on sleep quality; perceived stress had a small-to-moderate effect. In conclusion, diminished sleep quality during exam periods was mainly predicted by perceived stress, while legal drug consumption played a minor role. Exam periods may pose an interesting model for the study of stress-induced sleeping problems and their mechanisms.
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Differentiating the contribution of pharmacological from alcohol expectancy effects to changes in subjective response and priming over successive drinks.
Rose, AK, Hobbs, M, Drummond, C
Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research. 2013;(4):687-95
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption can prime motivation to continue drinking and may contribute to excessive drinking. Most alcohol administration research assesses the effect of a single alcohol dose on outcome measures; however, this differs from typical drinking occasions in which several drinks are consumed over time. This research tracks priming measures (alcohol urge, latency to first sip, and consumption time) and subjective effects (intoxication, stimulation, and sedation) across consumption of 5 drinks, over a period of 2.5 hours. Alcohol, placebo, and no-alcohol (i.e., soft drink) conditions are compared with isolate the effects of alcohol expectancies and differentiate these from alcohol's pharmacological effects. METHODS Alcohol urge and subjective state were measured before and after an initial drink was consumed (preload: alcohol, placebo, or no-alcohol). Four additional drinking phases followed whereby participants had access to 2 drinks (alcohol/no-alcohol, or placebo/no-alcohol). Experimental priming (urge, latency to first sip, consumption time) and subjective effect (intoxication, stimulation, and sedation) outcomes were recorded after each drink. RESULTS The pattern of alcohol urge following placebo drinks differed compared with alcohol and no-alcohol consumption, Fs(1, 90) > 4.10, ps < 0.003. There was a linear decrease in urge in the no-alcohol condition, while in the alcohol condition urge increased after the first few drinks before decreasing. Urge ratings showed the opposite pattern in the placebo condition (a decrease followed by an increase). Alcohol produced the highest ratings of lightheadedness, F(5, 440) = 2.8, p < 0.02, but both alcohol and placebo produced increased sedated feelings, Fs ≥ 19.05, ps ≤ 0.001. After placebo, urge was positively related to liking and enjoying the "alcoholic" drinks and feeling more stimulated (rs ≥ 0.31, ps ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS In social drinkers, different factors may affect priming during different stages of a drinking episode. For example, the pharmacological effects of alcohol appear involved in priming during the initial stages of drinking. When alcohol expectancies are activated, blocking access to alcohol can increase urge, supporting Tiffany's cognitive processing model of craving.
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In vitro anti cancer activity of ethanol extract fractions of Aerva lanata L.
Bhanot, A, Sharma, R, Singh, S, Noolvi, MN, Singh, S
Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS. 2013;(22):1612-7
Abstract
To explore in vitro anticancer potential of Aerva lanata L. (flowering aerial part). The study was performed with 5 different human cell lines for the study of lung, leukaemia, prostate, colon and cervix cancer by using Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay. There were three doses of 10, 30 and 100 microg mL(-1) of each Aerva lanata L. Chloroform fraction (ALCF) and Aerva lanata L. Ethyl Acetate Fraction (ALEAF) used in this study. ALCF showed significant % inhibitory effect for leukaemia, lung and colon cancer at maximum concentration of 100 microg mL(-1) as compared to standard drug mitomycin. On the other hand ALEAF showed the significant % inhibitory effect for lung and cervix cancer at maximum concentration of 100 microg mL(-1) as compared to standard drug 5-fluoro Uracil (5-FU). From the above studies it is concluded that, the ethyl acetate fraction and chloroform fraction of Aerva lanata L. provide enough experimental evidence for anticancer activity and these fractions could be useful in medical care.
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[Cytoflavin in the detoxification of alcohol-dependent patients].
Minko, AI, Linskiĭ, IV, Kuz'minov, VN, Samoĭlova, ES, Goloshchapov, VV, Artemchuk, KA
Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova. 2013;(6):35-40
Abstract
Cytoflavin was used in the complex detoxification of 30 alcohol-dependent patients and 30 patients of the comparison group who did not receive this drug. It has been shown that cytoflavin promotes the regression of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including arterial hypertension, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, hyperhydrosis, tremor, the severity of head and headache. At the same time, cytoflavin significantly reduces the total score on the CIWA-Ar scale and severity of an autonomic component of pathological alcohol craving to the fifth day of treatment. It has been concluded that cytoflavin is effective and safe for the complex detoxification of alcohol-dependent patients.