Improved Biobutanol Production in 2-L Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation with Delayed Yeast Extract Feeding and in-situ Recovery.

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with delayed yeast extract feeding (DYEF) was conducted in a 2-L bioreactor equipped with in-situ recovery using a gas stripping in order to enhance biobutanol production from lignocellulosic biomass of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). This study showed that 2.88 g/L of biobutanol has been produced from SSF with a similar yield of 0.23 g/g as compared to separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). An increase of 42% of biobutanol concentration was observed when DYEF was introduced in the SSF at 39 h of fermentation operation. Biobutanol production was further enhanced up to 11% with a total improvement of 72% when in-situ recovery using a gas stripping was implemented to reduce the solvents inhibition in the bioreactor. In overall, DYEF and in-situ recovery were able to enhance biobutanol production in SSF.

Expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in Maternal Plasma and Placental Tissue in a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Late Pregnancy Preterm Birth Mouse Model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in maternal plasma and placental tissue in intrauterine infection-induced preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: Using a mouse model of intrauterine infection in preterm birth, we used magnetic beads to extract normal pregnant mouse spleen Treg cells, injecting them into lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated pregnant mice. The subjects were divided into 4 groups: control group, LPS group, LPS+PBS group, and LPS+Treg group. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate HO-1, LIF mRNA, and protein levels in the placenta. ELISA was used to detect these parameters in the peripheral blood of pregnant mice. RESULTS: The expression of HO-1 and LIF in the placenta of the LPS group was significantly decreased when compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). Serum HO-1 and LIF levels were higher than in the control group (p<0.05). In the Treg cell-treated group placental tissue HO-1 and LIF expression were significantly higher than in the LPS group (p<0.05), and serum HO-1 and LIF expression were significantly lower than in the LPS group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: HO-1 and LIF participate with Treg cells in the maternal-fetal interface, producing a unique immune microenvironment.