An analytical characterization study on biofuel obtained from pyrolysis of Madhuca longifolia residues.

The current study focuses on examining the characteristics of biofuel obtained from the pyrolysis of Madhuca longifolia residues, since the selected forest residue was primarily motivated by its greater volatile matter content. The study used several analytical techniques to describe pyrolysis oil, char, and gas obtained from slow pyrolysis process conducted between 350 and 600 °C in a fixed-bed reactor. Initially, the effect of process temperature on product distribution was assessed to motivate maximum pyrolysis oil yield and found to be 44.2 wt% at pyrolysis temperature of 475 °C, while the yields of char and gas were 22.1 wt% and 33.7 wt%, respectively. In order to determine the suitability of the feedstock, the Madhuca longifolia residues were analyzed by TGA and FT-IR, which revealed that the feedstock could be a feasible option as an energy source. The characterization of pyrolysis oil, char, and gas has been done through various analytical methods like FT-IR, GC-MS, and gas chromatography. The physicochemical characteristics of the pyrolysis oil sample were examined, and the results showed that the oil is a viscous liquid with a lower heating value than conventional diesel. The FT-IR and GC-MS analysis of pyrolysis oil revealed the presence of increased levels of oxygenated chemicals, acids, and phenol derivatives. The findings of the FT-IR analysis of char indicated the existence of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The increased carbon content in the char indicated the possibility of using solid fuel. Gas chromatography was used to examine the chemical structure of the pyrolysis gas, and the results showed the existence of combustible elements.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Eradication With Interferon-Free Direct-Acting Antiviral-Based Therapy Results in KLRG1+ HCV-Specific Memory Natural Killer Cells.

Direct acting antiviral therapies rapidly clear chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and restore natural killer (NK) cell function. We investigated NK-cell memory formation following HCV clearance by examining NK-cell phenotype and responses from control and chronic HCV patients before and after therapy following sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post therapy (SVR12). NK-cell phenotype at SVR12 differed significantly from paired pretreatment samples, with an increase in maturation markers CD16, CD57, and KLRG1. HCV patients possessed stronger cytotoxic responses against HCV-infected cells as compared to healthy controls; a response that further increased following SVR12. The antigen-specific response was mediated by KLRG1+ NK cells, as demonstrated by increased degranulation and proliferation in response to HCV antigen only. Our data suggest that KLRG1+ HCV-specific memory NK cells develop following viral infection, providing insight into their role in HCV clearance and relevance with regard to vaccine design.

ECG artefacts mimicking atrial flutter in posterior fossa surgery.

ECG artefacts are defined as abnormalities in the monitored ECG, which result from measurement of cardiac potentials on the body surface and are not related to the electrical activity of the heart. In the operation theatre, the use of various types of electrical equipment may interfere with ECG interpretation. We describe our experience with artefacts resembling atrial fibrillation when a nerve integrity monitoring device was used on a patient undergoing posterior fossa surgery for epidermoid tumour. These artefacts resemble serious arrhythmias and may result in unwanted interventions. To enable better identification of such artefacts, a 12-lead ECG should be considered as it will display rhythm in all the leads; while artefacts will present in only a few leads, true arrhythmia will be present in all the 12 leads. Our case report aims to increase awareness regarding ECG artefacts and to explain how to distinguish them from actual arrhythmias.

External Beam Radiation Therapy of Aden carcinoma of the Prostate / 대한치료방사선과학회지

The record of radiation therapy cases during a five-ear period at the University of Michigan Hospitals has been analyzed. Of a total of 73 Aden carcinoma of prostate, the majority belonged to Stage B and C which represented 49 and 20 cases, respectively. The mortality rate after irradiation was clearly related to the tumor stage. Local irradiation resulted in 88% of the local control of well-ifferentiated Aden carcinomas. Stage C cases had 50% mortality, whereas that of Stage B patients was 14%. Results of this study are in general agreement with previous data in terms of the local disease control after irradiation and provide a basis for conservative radiotherapy regimen as an approach in the treatment of localized prostatic carcinomas.