<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
India is the world’s largest producer of sugar, with an annual production capacity of 29 million tonnes. Each crushing season, this intern produces over 10 million tonnes of pressmud, which is difficult to dispose of due to its inherent properties. The present study is part of larger investigation for treatment and disposal of pressmud and spentwash. Further, scope of this research article is confined to utilization of pressmud for aerobic composting of pressmud along with selected microbial consortium and stabilized spentwash. Composting was carried out in an open area with 50 kg of pressmud and 1% (w/w) dosage of microbial consortium. Stabilized spentwash was used at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200% (v/w) and applied at predetermined time intervals. The entire study lasted for 50 days and the results were compared to those recommended by the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India (1). In an organic compost, the FCO recommends a minimum concentration of 12%, 0.80%, 0.40%, and 0.40% in TOC, TKN, phosphorous and potassium, with a maximum C/N ratio of 20. During composting, the addition of 150% (CH5) stabilized spentwash resulted in a maximum nutrient concentration in the majority of the parameters analysed. CH5 showed that the concentration of TOC, TKN, C/N, phosphorous and potassium were 25.92±2.19%, 2.16±0.29%, 12.28±0.66, 6.55±0.11% and 15.90±1.37% respectively. Hence, it can be concluded that selected microbial consortium is capable of decomposing the organic matter found in pressmud. Additionally, the application of stabilized spentwash enhanced the nutritional content of end product.
</abstract>

Aerobic Composting of Sugar Pressmud with Stabilized Spentwash and selected Microbial Consortium

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Downstream processing for recovery of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters from biomass constitutes an integral part of the entire PHA production chain; beside the feedstocks used for cultivation of PHA-production strains, this process is currently considered the major cost factor for PHA production.Besides economic aspects, PHA recovery techniques need to be sustainable by avoiding excessive use of (often precarious!) solvents, other hazardous chemicals, non-recyclable compounds, and energy. Moreover, the applied PHA recovery method is decisive for the molecular mass and purity of the obtained product, and the achievable recovery yield. In addition to the applied method, also the PHA content in biomass is decisive for the feasibility of a selected technique. Further, not all investigated recovery techniques are applicable for all types of PHA (crystalline versus amorphous PHA) and all PHA-producing microorganisms (robust versus fragile cell structures).The present review shines a light on benefits and shortcomings of established solvent-based, chemical, enzymatic, and mechanical methods for PHA recovery. Focus is dedicated on innovative, novel recovery strategies, encompassing the use of “green” solvents, application of classical “PHA anti-solvents” under pressurized conditions, ionic liquids, supercritical solvents, hypotonic cell disintegration for release of PHA granules, switchable anionic surfactants, and even digestion of non-PHA biomass by animals.The different established and novel techniques are compared in terms of PHA recovery yield, product purity, impact on PHA molar mass, scalability to industrial plants, and demand for chemicals, energy, and time.</abstract>

Established and advanced approaches for recovery of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters from surrounding microbial biomass

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The benefit of biodegradable “green plastics” over established synthetic plastics from petro-chemistry, namely their complete degradation and safe disposal, makes them attractive for use in various fields, including agriculture, food packaging, and the biomedical and pharmaceutical sector. In this context, microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are auspicious biodegradable plastic-like polyesters that are considered to exert less environmental burden if compared to polymers derived from fossil resources.The question of environmental and economic superiority of bio-plastics has inspired innumerable scientists during the last decades. As a matter of fact, bio-plastics like PHA have inherent economic drawbacks compared to plastics from fossil resources; they typically have higher raw material costs, and the processes are of lower productivity and are often still in the infancy of their technical development. This explains that it is no trivial task to get down the advantage of fossil-based competitors on the plastic market. Therefore, the market success of biopolymers like PHA requires R&amp;D progress at all stages of the production chain in order to compensate for this disadvantage, especially as long as fossil resources are still available at an ecologically unjustifiable price as it does today.Ecological performance is, although a logical argument for biopolymers in general, not sufficient to make industry and the society switch from established plastics to bio-alternatives. On the one hand, the review highlights that there’s indeed an urgent necessity to switch to such alternatives; on the other hand, it demonstrates the individual stages of the production chain, which need to be addressed to make PHA competitive in economic, environmental, ethical, and performance-related terms. In addition, it is demonstrated how new, smart PHA-based materials can be designed, which meet the customer’s expectations when applied, e.g., in the biomedical or food packaging sector.</abstract>

Switching from petro-plastics to microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): the biotechnological escape route of choice out of the plastic predicament?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Cystic hygroma (CH) is characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the region of the fetal neck and is a major anomaly associated with aneuploidy. Morphologically characterized by failure of the lymphatic system to communicate with the venous system in the neck, the clinical manifestations of CH depend on its size and location. Incidence is estimated at one case per 6000-16,000 live births. CH has autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive inheritance. This Utility Gene Test was developed on the basis of an analysis of the literature and existing diagnostic protocols. It is useful for confirming diagnosis, as well as for differential diagnosis, couple risk assessment and access to clinical trials.</abstract>

Genetic testing for cystic hygroma

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Economic activity that takes environmental protection into account and uses the environmental benefits of an area or country may continuously combine growth with sustainability thereby providing prosperity and societal quality. This paper aims to complement European research on Bioeconomy by reviewing current situation and future trends in Greece. Current data testify that there are significant opportunities for Greece to progress towards a lucrative economy based on renewable resources. The effective growth of such Bioeconomy in Greece depends on the successful cooperation of all stakeholders (state, business, citizens). This is the first study that provides a numerical analysis of the Bio-economy opportunities for Greece and may constitute the foundation for future research, suggestions for policy measures and strategic planning</abstract>

Bio-economy in Greece: Current trends and the road ahead

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Phytoremediation is a plant based environmental cleanup technology to contain (rendering less toxic), sequester and degrade contaminated susbtrates. As can be seen from data metrics, it is gaining cosiderable importance globally. Phytoremediation approach is being applied for cleanup of inorganic (potentially toxic metals), organic (persistent, emergent, poly-acromatic hydrocarbons and crude oil etc.) and co-contaminated (mixture of inorganic and organic) and/or polluted sites globally. Recently new approaches of utilizing abundantly available natural organic amendments have yielded significant results. Ricinus communis L. (Castor bean) is an important multipurpose crop viz., Agricultural, Energy, Environmental and Industrial crop. The current status of knowledge is abundant but scattered which need to be exploited for sustainable development. This review collates and evaluates all the scattered information and provides a critical view on the possible options for exploiting its potential as follows: 1. Origin and distribution, 2. Lead toxicity bioassays, 3. Progress in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-assisted phytoremediation, 4. Promising bioenergy crop that can be linked to pytoremediation, 5. A renewable source for many bioproducts with rich chemical diversity, 6. It is a good biomonitor and bioindicator of atmospheric pollution in urban areas, 7. Enhanced chelate aided remediation, 8. Its rhizospheric processes accelerate natural attenuation, 9. It is suitable for remediation of crude oil contaminated soil, 10. It is an ideal candidate for aided phytostabilization, 11. Castor bean is a wizard for phytoremediation and 12. Its use in combined phytoextraction and ecocatalysis. Further, the knowledge gaps and scope for future research on sustainable co-generation of value chain and value addition biobased products for sustainable circular economy and environmental security are described in this paper.</abstract>

Ricinus communis L. (Castor bean), a potential multi-purpose environmental crop for improved and integrated phytoremediation

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Vitiligo is a chronic, progressive autoimmune dermatological disease, and stress is known to have an impact on the development of vitiligo. However, the effect of the serotonin pathway and its impact have not been clearly explained for disease progression. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the stress induced serotonin receptor <italic>5-HTR2C</italic> rs6318 variant and its association with vitiligo pathogenesis.
Case-control study was conducted with 108 vitiligo patients and 107 age-sex matched, unrelated healthy control group. Real Time-PCR analysis was used for genotyping the <italic>5-HTR2C</italic> variation. Genotype and allele frequencies, genotype distributions, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) and vitiligo-related risk measurements were examined. Genotype correlations of the variant were also analyzed based on gender difference, age onset, Koebner phenomenon history, triggered with stress, clinical subgroups, treatment types, the presence of other autoimmune diseases, vitiligo presence in family members and other auto-immune diseases in relatives.
Statistical differences in 5HT-R2C receptor genotypes and allele frequencies between patients and controls were not detected. Genotype frequencies were not in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in the patients’ group (p&lt;0.00001). The frequency of the risk allele (allele C) was not significantly different between the patient and control groups (p=0.1392). However, in the clinical subgroup analysis, the risk allele presence was detected to be significantly higher for early age onset (&lt;40 years) vitiligo development (p=0.035, OR=Infinity, RR=1.391) and lower in Koebner phenomenon history (p=0.0276, OR= 0.219, RR=0.325).
In conclusion, although there was no association between the <italic>5-HTR2C</italic> variant rs6318 and vitiligo, current results indicate that there is an association between the <italic>5HTR2C</italic> rs6318 variant C allele and early onset vitiligo development.
</abstract>

Footprints of Stress in Vitiligo: Association of the <italic>5-HTR2C</italic> rs6318 Variant

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study aimed to assess the impact of the identified phenolic, flavonoid, and fat-soluble vitamin compounds found in <italic>Caesalpinia coriaria</italic> fruits (EC) aqueous extract on growth performance, helminth parasitic load, feeding behavior, and physiological variables in lambs. The fruits were extracted using water, and three doses of the extract as no extract (EC0 mL/lamb/day), 30 mL of aqueous extract of <italic>Caesalpinia coriaria</italic> fruits (EC30 mL/lamb/day), or 60 mL of aqueous extract of <italic>Caesalpinia coriaria</italic> fruits (EC60 mL/lamb/day) were orally administered to 24 growing crossbred lambs weighing 18-20 kg for 60 days. The HPLC analysis revealed that ferulic acid, ellagic acid, syringic acid, quercetin, and hesperidin were the predominant compounds in <italic>Caesalpinia coriaria</italic> fruits. Additionally, water-soluble vitamin compounds such as thiamine, pantothenic acid, and niacin were detected in the <italic>Caesalpinia coriaria</italic> fruit extract. The dietary administration of EC improved (P &lt; 0.05) average daily gain and feed and water intake. EC30 lambs spent more time (P &lt; 0.03) eating and less time ruminating. The aqueous extract also showed a dose-dependent reduction (P = 0.048) in fecal parasite egg count, with a steady decrease (P = 0.0001) as the extract was applied. EC0 lambs exhibited the highest (P &lt; 0.0001) respiratory frequency and EC30 the lowest. A strong positive correlation was identified between rectal and abdomen temperature in the morning and afternoon measurements. The presence of phenolic and antioxidants in the aqueous extract of C. coriaria, up to 60 mL, demonstrated beneficial effects, including improved productivity, anti-parasitic activity, and mitigation of body temperature. Thus, farmers without access to synthetic drugs can use this plant extract to treat their animals during fattening to reduce gastrointestinal parasites, improve growth rate, and reduce drug residue in animal products. Further studies need to be carried out on the individual components of <italic>Caesalpinia coriaria</italic> fruits to ascertain their effect on body temperature/physiology and to know if the effects are individualistic or synergistic.
</abstract>

Exploring the potential of phenolic and antioxidant compounds identified and quantified of <italic>Caesalpinia coriaria</italic> fruits and their impacts on lambs’ performance and health

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of probiotic on colony functional traits, honey quantitative and qualitative parameters and gut microbial flora in honey bees. A total of 56 hives were randomly allocated to 8 treatments with 7 replicates in the city of Firouzkoh (Iran) for about 60 days. Experimental treatments that were included: control, 2 g antibiotic, 1 g probiotic, 2 g probiotic, 3 g probiotic, 1 g antibiotic + 1 g probiotic, all per liter of syrup for each hive. The results showed that hives fed with treatments 2 g or 3 g probiotic per liter of syrup had higher hive population and honey production than the other treatments (p&lt;0.05). Adding 2 g or 3 g probiotic per liter of syrup increased <italic>lactobacillus</italic> counts in bees’ intestines compared to the other treatments (p&lt;0.05). Also, supplementation of 1 g or 2 g probiotic and 2 g antibiotic per liter of syrup for each hive decreased <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> counts in the intestine compared to the other treatments (p&lt;0.05). The adding 1 g or 2 g probiotic per liter of syrup for each hive increased the levels of fructose and glucose in honey compared to the other treatments (p&lt;0.05). The supplementation of 1 g or 2 g probiotic per liter of syrup decreased sucrose in honey compared to the other treatments (p&lt;0.05). The results of the present study suggest that probiotic might be used as a feed additive for increased honey quality and gut microbial flora improvement in honey bees.
</abstract>

Comparative effect of probiotic and antibiotic on honey bees colony functional traits

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Herbicides (HBs) are an integral part of modern agricultural practice globally as one of the most suitable methods for chemical weed control. Hence, they may inadvertently damage crops through similar mechanisms well-functioning at weeds. Tolerance to three categories of treatments (tribenuron-methyl, 2,4 D and their combination), and the impact of the mode of application (pre-treatment of seeds or spraying on plants) was assessed through morphometric analysis (total plant length, root length, stem length, lengths of the first three leaves, relative water content-RWC), and pigment content analysis for some wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars in use in Albania. Results speak of a cultivar specific tolerance to each HB category, discriminating “Dajti” as the most resistant cultivar, and suggesting that the stress imposed to plants by the combination of HBs can produce significant differences in pigment content. The mode of treatment, on the other side showed that glyphosate pre-treatment of seeds led to inhibition of germination, and plants germinated from seed pre-treatment with in 2,4-D displayed significant modification of plant morphology, and germination rate, and had limited impact on RWC. On contrary, few statistically significant changes in morphometric traits and pigments content were evidenced when plants were treated with 2,4-D or glyphosate after the germination. In conclusion, the combination of HBs produced significant changes in plant pigments content compared to the impact of each HB alone, and the pre-treatment of seeds lead either to inhibition or delayed germination. Based on the above we recommend avoiding these practices, and suggest further exploration of alternative HB combinations and modes of treatment before large scale applications.
</abstract>

Different Level of Tolerance to Herbicides is Displayed by <italic>Triticum aestivum</italic> L. Cultivars Depending on Herbicide Category and Mode of Application

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The current study aims to provide insights into the drying of agro products, with a specific focus on <italic>Capsicum annum L.</italic> (red pepper). Among open sun drying (OSD), polyethylene bag drying (PBD), and polycarbonate sheet drying (PCSD), PCSD was efficient requiring around 24 hours with a maximum yield of 350 g of dried product per 1000 g of supplied fresh peppers. The PCSD dried chili also showed greater retention of antioxidant markers (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) than OSD and PBD as evidenced by UV-VIS spectroscopy. Additionally, the PCSD dried chili demonstrated highest antioxidant potential via ABTS (2, 2′-Azinobis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid). Interestingly, the presence of various aromatic compounds and other chemical groups, indicated the occurrence of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in each drying method used. The study suggests that PCSD sheet drying is an efficient and cost-effective approach that can conserve the antioxidant potential of agro products such as red pepper.
</abstract>

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and bioactive compounds in <italic>Capsicum annum L</italic>. red peppers following drying in a polycarbonate greenhouse

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In the recent study, the entomopathogenic fungus, <italic>Beauveria bassiana</italic> and <italic>Metarhizium anisopliae</italic> against wheat aphid species in field conditions to check the insecticidal effect of entomophathogenic fungi were used to evaluate their pathogenecity against adults of different aphid species i.e., <italic>Schizaphis graminum, Rhopalosiphum padi, Brevicoryne brassicae</italic> and <italic>Lipaphis erysimi</italic>, and their natural enemies of crops. <italic>Beauveria bassiana</italic> and <italic>Metarhizium anisopliae</italic> were found effective at all concentrations i.e., 1×106, 1×107 and 1×108 cfu/ml on all aphid species, but the uppermost concentration (1×108 cfu/ml) provided maximum control within a short period of time. <italic>B. bassiana</italic> concentration (1×108 cfu/ml) proved to be lethal to wheat aphid species after the 3rd day. Mortality of wheat aphids were observed at maximum highest concentration of 1×108 cfu/ml were in range of 100% at 8th day of treatment for different aphid species treated at various concentrations. <italic>M. anisopliae</italic> (1×108 cfu/ml) showed excellent mortality 85% and 84% at 5th and 6th day respectively, against wheat aphid species. In conclusion, the use of <italic>Beauveria bassiana</italic> and <italic>Metarhizium anisopliae</italic> as biopesticides in agriculture is a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to control insects’ pests.
</abstract>

Efficacy of <italic>Beauveria bassiana</italic> and <italic>Metarhizium anisopliae</italic> against wheat aphid

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), the only group of “bioplastics” <italic>sensu stricto</italic>, are accumulated by various prokaryotes as intracellular “carbonosomes”. When exposed to exogenous stress or starvation, presence of these microbial polyoxoesters of hydroxyalkanoates assists microbes to survive.“Bioplastics” such as PHA must be competitive with petrochemically manufactured plastics both in terms of material quality and manufacturing economics. Cost-effectiveness calculations clearly show that PHA production costs, in addition to bioreactor equipment and downstream technology, are mainly due to raw material costs. The reason for this is PHA production on an industrial scale currently relying on expensive, nutritionally relevant “1st-generation feedstocks”, such as like glucose, starch or edible oils. As a way out, carbon-rich industrial waste streams (“2nd-generation feedstocks”) can be used that are not in competition with the supply of food; this strategy not only reduces PHA production costs, but can also make a significant contribution to safeguarding food supplies in various disadvantaged parts of the world. This approach increases the economics of PHA production, improves the sustainability of the entire lifecycle of these materials, and makes them unassailable from an ethical perspective.In this context, our EU-funded projects ANIMPOL and WHEYPOL, carried out by collaborative consortia of academic and industrial partners, successfully developed PHA production processes, which resort to waste streams amply available in Europe. As real 2nd-generation feedstocks”, waste lipids and crude glycerol from animal-processing and biodiesel industry, and surplus whey from dairy and cheese making industry were used in these processes. Cost estimations made by our project partners determine PHA production prices below 3 € (WHEYPOL) and even less than 2 € (ANIMPOL), respectively, per kg; these values already reach the benchmark of economic feasibility.The presented studies clearly show that the use of selected high-carbon waste streams of (agro)industrial origin contributes significantly to the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of PHA biopolyester production on an industrial scale.</abstract>

ARENA (Association for Resource Efficient and Sustainable Technologies)

Advanced approaches to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters in a sustainable and economic fashion

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Translucent monolithic zirconia is the newest option of zirconia-based ceramics, which aimed to substitute the opaque classic yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZPs) in more demanding esthetic cases.The aim of this review was to assess the available literature regarding the optical, chemical and mechanical properties of translucent zirconia ceramics.This systematic review was developed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis) guidelines. An electronic literature search was undertaken through Medline (National Library of Medicine) via PubMed to identify relevant articles, published in the interval 2010-2018. The search was limited to the English language publications, in vitro studies of color and microstructure of translucent zirconia material.Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZPs) has excellent mechanical properties, but its intense white color and high opacity represent an esthetic limit. Cubic zirconia represents a new generation of dental ceramics with molecular structure and physical properties different from the conventional zirconia. Dental manufacturers created new formulations of this restorative material, introducing new cubic varieties of zirconia with improved optical properties. Translucent monolithic zirconia provides a new restorative option that combines strength with improved esthetics, due to its increased translucency. Translucent zirconia is indicated for anterior and posterior restorations but should be used carefully for discolored teeth, because the background color can affect the final esthetic appearance of the restoration.</abstract>

Optical properties of translucent zirconia: A review of the literature

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The EuroBiotech Journal is the official journal of the The European Biotechnology Thematic Network Association (EBTNA) and is...