Partial Splenic Artery Embolization for the Management of Symptomatic Hypersplenism in Portal Hypertension: Clinical Insights from a Case Series.

Background and aims: Partial splenic artery embolization (PSAE) is an alternative treatment modality for managing hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension. We are presenting a case series of patients with portal hypertension who underwent PSAE for symptomatic hypersplenism. Methods: We included patients with portal hypertension who underwent PSAE from January 2022 to December 2022. Patients' characteristics and procedure related complications were noted. Data were analyzed for improvement in the hematological parameters. Results: A total of 11 (7 women, median age 34 [18-56] years) patients were included. Three patients were cirrhotic (hepatitis B-2, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease -1) and 8 were non-cirrhotic (extra-hepatic portal vein obstruction-5, Non cirrhotic portal fibrosis-3). Splenic artery aneurysm was concomitantly present in 5 cases. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Post embolization, hemoglobin, white blood cells and platelet counts improved at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks along with symptomatic improvement. All patients had post-embolization syndrome. One patient developed transient ascites and secondary bacterial peritonitis which was managed conservatively. One patient died due to splenic abscess and septicemia. Conclusion: Although, hematological parameters and symptoms improve post procedure, PSAE is associated with major complications and should be performed judiciously in selected cases only. Graphical abstract is presented in Figure 1.

COVID-19 pandemic and inflammatory bowel disease from patients' perspective: A survey from COVID epicenter in India.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The COVID pandemic and countrywide lockdown has had significant impact on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with delay in diagnosis, difficulty in access to healthcare and unavailability of drugs. We conducted a telephonic survey to assess this impact. METHODS: Out of 350, 302 participated in the survey. Demographic data, disease severity at the time of survey, extent of disease, details of therapy, and adherence were noted. A validated questionnaire addressing information source, perception of COVID-19 situation, contact with healthcare, and adherence to standard precautions was administered telephonically. RESULTS: Out of 350 contacted patients, 302 (86.28%) patients participated in the survey. Median age of cohort was 39 years. Ulcerative colitis (UC) constituted 79%, 16% Crohn's disease (CD), and 5% IBD-unclassified. At the time of survey, 86.98% patients with UC were in clinical remission and 75.75% of CD patients were generally well. A total of 115 (38%) cases were nonadherent to therapy due to unavailability of medicines (66.38%), financial constraints (25.21%) and inability to reach healthcare facility (3.6%). Disease flare was seen in 14.2% and correlated well with nonadherence. Existing drug therapy was switched to alternative drug in 70 (23.17%) cases due to unavailability (74%). Social media (52.3%) and television (40.4%) were the common sources of information about the pandemic. Telemedicine platforms (WhatsApp and telephone) were used by 180 (59.6%) patients for consultation with good acceptance (81.6%). 87 (28.8%) patients failed to contact healthcare. Apprehension regarding severe COVID infection was noted in 80% while 29% thought that IBD therapy could increase infection risk. Adherence to wearing mask, hand washing, and social distancing was 100%. CONCLUSION: Pandemic resulted in disruption of healthcare visits and medication supply. Majority were concerned about increased risk of COVID-19 infection and adhered to standard precautions. Mobile phone-based formats for patient care may be an alternative due to patient acceptance and convenience.

Innovations in applications and prospects of bioplastics and biopolymers: a review.

Non-biodegradable plastics are continually amassing landfills and oceans worldwide while creating severe environmental issues and hazards to animal and human health. Plastic pollution has resulted in the death of millions of seabirds and aquatic animals. The worldwide production of plastics in 2020 has increased by 36% since 2010. This has generated significant interest in bioplastics to supplement global plastic demands. Bioplastics have several advantages over conventional plastics in terms of biodegradability, low carbon footprint, energy efficiency, versatility, unique mechanical and thermal characteristics, and societal acceptance. Bioplastics have huge potential to replace petroleum-based plastics in a wide range of industries from automobiles to biomedical applications. Here we review bioplastic polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactic acid, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, polyamide 11, and polyhydroxyurethanes; and cellulose-based, starch-based, protein-based and lipid-based biopolymers. We discuss economic benefits, market scenarios, chemistry and applications of bioplastic polymers.

Valorization of Wild-Type Cannabis indica by Supercritical CO2 Extraction and Insights into the Utilization of Raffinate Biomass

Supercritical CO2 extraction (SCCO2) extraction of cannabis oil from Indian cannabis (Cannabis indica) leaves was optimized through a central composite design using CO2 pressure (150-250 bar), temperature (30-50 °C) and time (1-2 h). From the regression model, the optimal CO2 pressure, extraction temperature and time were 250 bar, 43 °C and 1.7 h, respectively resulting in the experimental yield of 4.9 wt% of cannabis oil via SCCO2 extraction. The extract contained cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabivarin, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol as well as two terpenoids such as cis-caryophyllene and α-humulene. Besides SCCO2 extraction of cannabis oil, the raffinate biomass was utilized to extract polyphenols using water as the extraction medium. Cannabis oil and water extractive were investigated for their half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values, which were found to be 1.3 and 0.6 mg/mL, respectively. This is comparable to the commercially available antioxidant such as butylated hydroxytoluene with an IC50 value of 0.5 mg/mL. This work on SCCO2 extraction of cannabinoids and other valuable bioactive compounds provides an environmentally sustainable technique to valorize cannabis leaves.

Slow pyrolysis of agro-food wastes and physicochemical characterization of biofuel products.

Effective management and utilization of food waste and agricultural crop residues are highly crucial to mitigate the challenges of greenhouse gas generation upon natural decomposition and waste accumulation. Conversion of biogenic wastes to biofuels and bioproducts can address the energy crisis and promote environmental remediation. This study was focused on exploring the characteristics of food waste and agricultural crop residues (e.g., canola hull and oar hull) to determine their candidacy for slow pyrolysis to produce biochar and bio-oil. Process parameters of slow pyrolysis such as temperature, reaction time and heating rate were optimized to obtain maximum biochar yields. Maximum biochar yield of 28.4 wt% was recorded at optimized temperature, heating rate and reaction time of 600 °C, 5 °C/min and 60 min, respectively. Furthermore, the physicochemical, spectroscopic and microscopic characterization of biochar, bio-oil and gases were performed. The carbon content and thermal stability of biochar were found to increase at higher temperatures. Moreover, bio-oil generated at higher temperatures showed the presence of phenolics and aromatic compounds.

Taguchi-based process optimization for activation of agro-food waste biochar and performance test for dye adsorption.

The optimization of process parameters for biochar activation is crucial for enhancing its surface area and adsorptive potentials. This work attempts to investigate the influence of activating agent (e.g., steam and KOH), temperature (700-900 °C) and activation time (60-120 min) using Taguchi L18 (21 × 32) experimental design for the activation of biochar derived from food waste and agricultural crop residues such as canola hull and oat hull. Among all the factors, activating agent and temperature influenced surface area considerably. KOH-assisted chemical activation of biochar at 800 °C for 90 min was found to be optimal with higher specific surface areas of 1760, 1718 and 1334 m2/g for food waste, canola hull and oat hull derived biochar, respectively. Finally, the comparative evaluation of the performances of biochar and activated carbon samples was achieved through the adsorption of common dyes such as methylene blue, methyl violet and rhodamine B. Activated carbon samples derived from food waste biochar and canola hull biochar exhibited a complete removal of methylene blue and methyl violet from model aqueous solution within 1-2 h of contact time at room temperature, whereas in case of rhodamine B only 91-94% removal was achieved.