Economic and Sustainability Impacts of Yield and Composition Variation in Bioenergy Crops: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Economically viable production of biobased products and fuels requires high-yielding, high-quality, sustainable process-advantaged crops, developed using bioengineering or advanced breeding approaches. Understanding which crop phenotypic traits have the largest impact on biofuel economics and sustainability outcomes is important for the targeted feedstock crop development. Here, we evaluated biomass yield and cell-wall composition traits across a large natural variant population of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) grown across three common garden sites. Samples from 331 switchgrass genotypes were collected and analyzed for carbohydrate and lignin components. Considering plant survival and biomass after multiple years of growth, we found that 84 of the genotypes analyzed may be suited for commercial production in the southeastern U.S. These genotypes show a range of growth and compositional traits across the population that are apparently independent of each other. We used these data to conduct techno-economic analyses and life cycle assessments evaluating the performance of each switchgrass genotype under a standard cellulosic ethanol process model with pretreatment, added enzymes, and fermentation. We find that switchgrass yield per area is the largest economic driver of the minimum fuel selling price (MSFP), ethanol yield per hectare, global warming potential (GWP), and cumulative energy demand (CED). At any yield, the carbohydrate content is significant but of secondary importance. Water use follows similar trends but has more variability due to an increased dependence on the biorefinery model. Analyses presented here highlight the primary importance of plant yield and the secondary importance of carbohydrate content when selecting a feedstock that is both economical and sustainable.

Oral Health Care Practice and Circumstances during Covid-19 among Dental Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal

Background Patients are hesitant to enter a dental hospital because of the significant danger of cross infection and illness transmission due to rapid spread of corona virus. Objective To assess knowledge regarding Covid-19, oral health practices and circumstances on dental treatment during a pandemic. Method Cross sectional study was conducted among patients visiting dental department of Dhulikhel hospital from September to October 2020. Questionnaires were interviewed following safety protocols regarding the pandemic and descriptive analysis was performed. Both verbal and written consent as well as ethical approval was taken before the study. Result A total 411 patients aged 14 to 75 years old from 14 different districts across Nepal participated in the study. All of the patient were free of Covid-19 symptoms and had strong knowledge and awareness about disease transmission. During the crisis 96% of the people maintain good oral hygiene while 25.8% acquire new dental problems where majority experienced oral discomfort and swelling, 93.2% of them did not attend a dental clinic or hospital in the interim owing to fear and inaccessibility. Majority of the participants were impressed by the safety precautions and preparations during treatment and 99.3% strongly suggest or pledge to visit dental department if necessary during the pandemic. Conclusion Dental patient visiting Dhulikhel hospital is highly aware of current health crisis, possible transmission and preventive measures. Proper safe hospital setup can encourage them to seek dental treatment during crisis. Dental pain and swelling in Endodontic department recorded most common dental emergency during this pandemic.

Endometriosis of Groin Mimicking Neoplasm

Endometriosis is principally a disease of women in active reproductive life. Although it is rare, foci of endometrial tissue may be seen in the bowel, the umbilicus, abdominal surgical scars and in the lungs. Inguinal endometriosis is challenging to the clinicians and pathologist and often diagnosed accidentally. We present a case of inguinal endometriosis mimicking neoplasm. A 40 year old woman presented with a swelling in the right inguinal region associated with cyclical pain. In view of presence of atypical cells in fine needle aspiration cytology, metastatic carcinoma was rendered as diagnosis. Histopathological examination revealed endometrial glands and stroma which was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Diagnosis of inguinal endometriosis is difficult and often challenging because of unusual site. The clinician must have high index of suspicion with any patient who has cyclical symptoms. A good history and physical examination can guide clinical diagnosis of endometriosis.

Management of Proximal Ureteric Stones: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) Versus Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy (URSL)

Background Urolithiasis is the third most common disease of the urinary tract after urinary tract infections and pathologic conditions of prostate. Debate is ongoing regarding the effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL) in the management of ureteral stones. Objective We aim to compare the efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy in the management of upper ureteric stones in terms of stone clearance. Method This prospective hospital based study included patients with upper ureteric calculus managed with Ureterorenoscopic Lithortripsy with Double J stenting or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital from August 2014 to July 2015. Stone size, stone clearance, number of sittings, complications and need of other procedure were recorded. Result There were 90 patients with upper ureteric calculus. Among these patients, 45 patients underwent Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and 45 patients underwent Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy. There was no difference in male/female ratio, age and stone diameter between two groups (p>0.05). Total stone-free ratio was 88.9% (40/45) for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and 82.2% (37/45) for URSL, partial fragmentation requiring shift of modality of treatment was 8.88% (4/45) for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and 13.33% (6/45) for Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy. Failure of procedure was noted in 11.1% in Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy group and 17.8% in URSL group In the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy group, 8.89% (4 out of 45) patients required Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy for complete stone clearance. Complete stone clearance could not be achieved in 2.23% (1 out of 45) patient with both Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy and had to undergo open ureterolithotomy. Conclusion Both Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy are equally effective in the management of upper ureteric calculus with no significant difference in age, male/female ratio, stone diameter and stone free ratio.

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Tillering-Related Traits in Two Switchgrass Populations

Plant tillering and related traits are morphologically important components contributing to switchgrass ( L.) biomass yield. The objectives of this study were to estimate broad-sense heritabilities for tillering-related traits, to analyze correlations between biomass yield and the traits, and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for them. A first-generation selfed population of NL94 plant and a hybrid population between NL94 and SL93 plants were field established in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Stillwater and Perkins, OK. Phenotypic data were collected in 2 yr and genotypic data were obtained by genotyping simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers in the two populations on the basis of two preexisting genetic maps. Plant base size (PBS), plant girth (PG), tillering ability (TA), tiller diameter (TD), and tiller dry weight (TDW) were positively correlated with biomass yield in both populations. Consistently, PBS had the largest correlation coefficients for biomass yield, suggesting its value as an indirect selection criterion for biomass yield. Twenty and 26 QTL for six tillering-related traits were detected in the hybrid and selfed population, respectively. Among the QTL, one on linkage group (LG) 5a between sww-2387/PVCAG-2197/2198 and PVGA-1649/1650 for PBS, PG, and TA and another on LG 2a between sww-2640/sww-2545 and PVCA-765/766 for TD and TDW were stably detected in multiple environments in the two populations. The findings add to the knowledge base regarding the genetics of tillering-related traits that could be used in accelerating the development of high-yielding cultivars through marker-assisted selection.