Hydrolysed collagen from Lates calcarifer skin: its acute toxicity and impact on cell proliferation and collagen production of fibroblasts

Acute toxicity in Wistar rat and the impact of hydrolysed collagen (HC) from seabass skin on in vitro cell proliferation and collagen production were studied using L929 fibroblasts. HC was rich in glycine (326 residue/1000 residue) and imino acids (196 residue/1000 residue). MALDI mass spectrum of HC showed several low MW peptides with MW range of 1050–1330 Da as the major components. Based on acute oral cytotoxicity test in Wistar rat, HC was considered as safe with LD₅₀ value higher than 5000 mg kg^?1 body. HC could promote L929 cell growth, especially when used in combination with vitamin C (VitC) at a ratio of 2:1. HC/VitC (2:1) mixture also exhibited the higher enhancement effect on collagen production of L929 cells, compared with HC or VitC alone. Thus, HC could be a promising candidate for biological applications, especially in combination with VitC, as nutraceuticals for skin care.     

Performance optimization of microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) for palm oil mill effluent (POME) wastewater treatment and sustainable Bio-H2 production using response surface methodology (RSM)

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are a new bio-electrochemical method for converting organic matter to hydrogen gas (H₂). Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is hazardous wastewater that is mostly formed during the crude oil extraction process in the palm oil industry. In the present study, POME was used in the MEC system for hydrogen generation as a feasible treatment technology. To enhance biohydrogen generation from POME in the MEC, an empirical model was generated using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was utilized to perform twenty experimental runs of MEC given three important variables, namely incubation temperature, initial pH, and influent dilution rate. Experimental results from CCD showed that an average value of 1.16 m³ H₂/m³ d for maximum hydrogen production rate (HPR) was produced. A second-order polynomial model was adjusted to the experimental results from CCD. The regression model showed that the quadratic term of all variables tested had a highly significant effect (P < 0.01) on maximum HPR as a defined response. The analysis of the empirical model revealed that the optimal conditions for maximum HPR were incubation temperature, initial pH, and influent dilution rate of 30.23 ^°C, 6.63, and 50.71%, respectively. Generated regression model predicted a maximum HPR of 1.1659 m³ H₂/m³ d could be generated under optimum conditions. Confirmation experimentation was conducted in the optimal conditions determined. Experimental results of the validation test showed that a maximum HPR of 1.1747 m³ H₂/m³ d was produced.     

Performance improvement of microbial fuel cell through artificial intelligence

The current work introduces an enhancement in the performance of the microbial fuel cell through estimating the optimal set of controlling parameters. The maximization of both power density (PD) and the percentage of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were considered as the enhancement in the cell's performance. Three main parameters in terms of performance as well as commercialization are the system's inputs; the Pt which takes the range of 0.1‐0.5 mg/cm², the degree of sulphonation in sulfonated‐poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone that changes in the range of 20‐80%, and the rate of aeration of cathode which varies between 10 and 150 mL/min. From the experimental dataset, two robust adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system models based on the fuzzy logic technique have been constructed. The comparisons between the models' outputs and the experimental data showed well‐fitting in both training and testing datasets. The mean squared errors of the PD model, for testing and whole datasets, were found 2.575 and 0.909 while for the COD model it showed 19.242 and 6.791, respectively. Then, based on the two fuzzy models, a Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm has been used to determine the best parameters that maximize both of the PD and the COD removal of the cell. The optimization process was utilized for single and multi‐object optimization processes. In the single optimization, the resulting maximums of the PD and the COD removal were found 62.844 (mW/m²) and 99.99 (%), respectively. Whereas, in the multi‐object optimization, the values of 61.787 (mW/m²) and 96.21 (%) were reached as the maximums for the PD and COD, respectively. This implies that, in both cases of optimization processes, the adopted methodology can efficiently enhance the microbial fuel cell performances than the previous work.     

Investigation of Nafion series membranes on the performance of iron‐chromium redox flow battery

To boost the performance of the iron‐chromium redox flow battery (ICRFB), opting an appropriate proton exchange membrane (PEM) as the core component of ICRFB is of great importance. For the purpose, in this paper, various widely adopted commercial Nafion membranes with a different thickness of 50 μm (Nafion 212, N212), 126 μm (N115), and 178 μm (N117) are chosen for the sake of evaluating the influence of membrane thickness on the ICRFB single‐cell performance. Physicochemical properties, electrolyte utilization, cell efficiency, long‐term cycling stability, and the self‐discharge process of ICRFBs based on a series of Nafion membranes are contrasted comprehensively. The cycling test of ICRFBs is carried out under the current density range of 40 to 120 mA/cm² for the charge‐discharge process. As a result of the good equilibrium of membrane resistance and electro‐active species permeability, Nafion 212 membrane exhibits the highest electrolyte utilization and energy efficiency during the operation, accompanied by the lowest overpotential. In the final part, the selection of Nafion membrane thickness was optimized on the basis of single‐cell performance and the overall cost of the system.     

Translational aspects of the modern genetics in head and neck cancers

Oral Cancer (OC) is one of the most recurrent cancers in the head and neck squamous cancer (SCCHN) category. Recently, the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have gained growing interest in the scientific community. GWAS have identified several pathways involved in the interactions among general risk factors and genomic variants affecting SCCHN. This systematic overview aims to critically evaluate the latest data reported within the scientific literature. The aim was to investigate the impact of genetic aspects on SCCHN onset and prognosis, involving other clinical and systemic co-factors. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cancer Genetics Web databases have been systematically investigated for original articles published in the last two years, reporting studies on the main queries addressed in this work. This review also comparatively describes the impact of environmental and pathological co-factors in different types of cancers, clarifying and updating the role of genetic factors in SCCHN onset and development. The main outcomes reported may be helpful to drive clinicians towards their clinical evaluations for the most appropriate therapeutic approach in SCCHN.     

miR-181b promotes the oncogenesis of renal cell carcinoma by targeting TIMP3

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a poor prognosis due to limited diagnosis and treatment. Thus, it is necessary to find novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The aberrant expression of microRNAs plays an important role in RCC oncogenesis. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) acts as a downstream target of miR-181b. The aim of this study was to understand the role and molecular mechanism of miR-181b in RCC oncogenesis. The results showed that miR-181b expression was significantly higher in RCC tumour tissues, especially in those with significant invasion or metastasis. miR-181b overexpression promoted proliferation and migration of the RCC cell line 786-O, while miR-181b knockdown had the opposite effect. In addition, miR-181b was inversely correlated with TIMP3 expression in RCC tumour tissues. miR-181b overexpression reduced TIMP3 expression in RCC cell line 786-O or OS-RC-2, while miR-181b knockdown had the inverse effect. Mechanistically, a luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding sites of miR-181b on the 3’-UTR of TIMP3, confirming the targeting effect of miR-181b on TIMP3. Overall, miR-181b promotes the development and progression of RCC by targeting TIMP3 expression, indicating the potential use of miR-181b in the diagnosis and treatment of RCC.     

Gestational Exposure to Bisphenol A Affects Testicular Morphology,Germ Cell Associations,and Functions of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in Male Offspring

Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in the gestational period damages the reproductive health of offspring; detailed evidence regarding BPA-induced damage in testicular germ cells of offspring is still limited. In this study, pregnant mice (F0) were gavaged with three BPA doses (50 μg, 5 mg, and 50 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day; tolerable daily intake (TDI), no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL), and lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL), respectively) on embryonic days 7 to 14, followed by investigation of the transgenerational effects of such exposure in male offspring. We observed that the NOAEL- and LOAEL-exposed F1 offspring had abnormalities in anogenital distance, nipple retention, and pubertal onset (days), together with differences in seminiferous epithelial stages and testis morphology. These effects were eradicated in the next F2 and F3 generations. Moreover, there was an alteration in the ratio of germ cell population and the apoptosis rate in germ cells increased in F1 offspring at the LOAEL dose. However, the total number of spermatogonia remained unchanged. Finally, a reduction in the stemness properties of spermatogonial stem cells in F1 offspring was observed upon LOAEL exposure. Therefore, we provide evidence of BPA-induced disruption of physiology and functions in male germ cells during the gestational period. This may lead to several reproductive health issues and infertility in offspring.     

Exergy analysis of the diesel pre-reforming solid oxide fuel cell system with anode off-gas recycling in the SchIBZ project. Part I: Modeling and validation

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems with anode off-gas recirculation (AGR) and diesel pre-reforming are advantageous because they can operate with the current fuel infrastructure. In the SchIBZ-project, the prototype of such a SOFC system for maritime applications has already been commissioned. In this first paper, we model the system devices to conduct an exergy analysis of this real SOFC plant and validate them with experimental values from experiments in laboratory scale. The results of our simulation agree well with the experimental values. The calculations with the validated results may be closer to the real thermodynamic behavior of such system components than previous literature.     

Development and analysis of novel six-lobe helical rotors for hydrogen fuel cell vehicle roots blowers

This paper suggests a novel six-lobe Roots profile to improve the performance of Roots blowers in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Mathematical models for rotor profile generation and geometric characteristics are established. A working process simulation model for Roots blowers is developed based on the lumped parameter method and is verified by experimental results. The key profile parameters are discussed and optimized in views of geometric and thermodynamic performance. Case studies are conducted to reveal the detailed performance map difference between several design cases. Results show that a trade-off exists between the rotor cavity volume and adiabatic indicated efficiency for Roots blowers. The proposed profile broadens the design space of rotors in tooth height and achieves a flexible adjustment for the leakage through the blow-hole and contact line. As a consequence, compared to conventional Roots profiles, the proposed rotor profile achieves higher adiabatic indicated efficiency under the same rotor cavity volume.