Research Article
Optimizing Kraft Pulping Conditions to Improve Nettle Plant Pulp Quality
Tsiye Tekleyohanis*,
Belay Woldeyes
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, June 2024
Pages:
1-14
Received:
6 February 2024
Accepted:
22 February 2024
Published:
13 March 2024
Abstract: The suitability of nettle plants for the production of pulp and paper was thoroughly examined, with special consideration given to the plant’s chemical compositions, morphological analysis, and kraft pulping qualities. The mean values of cell wall thickness, fiber length, lumen width, runkel ratio, and nettle plant diameter were found to be 7.4 μm, 55 mm, 4.9 μm, 2.4 and 16.9 μm, respectively. Although nettle plant fibers have a stronger cell wall, their physical properties are comparable to another biomass. The chemical composition investigation found that the contents of nettle plants were 64.8 weight percent holocellulose, 38.7 weight percent alpha-cellulose, 16.8 weight percent lignin, and 5.8 weight percent ash. Additionally, 8.4 weight percent were discovered in the 1% alkaline extractives of nettle leaves. The kraft pulping process of nettle plants needed a low chemical charge and lower boiling time when compared to a number of other non-wood raw materials utilized in the papermaking process. Despite these circumstances, kraft-pulped nettle plants yielded a high-yield bleachable grade pulp. Kraft pulp produced from bleached nettle plants had strength properties that were comparable to those of other biomass for pulp and papermaking materials. Overall, this present research show that nettle plants, which have morphological and chemical characteristics comparable to those of traditional papermaking materials, have a bright future as a source of pulp and paper.
Abstract: The suitability of nettle plants for the production of pulp and paper was thoroughly examined, with special consideration given to the plant’s chemical compositions, morphological analysis, and kraft pulping qualities. The mean values of cell wall thickness, fiber length, lumen width, runkel ratio, and nettle plant diameter were found to be 7.4 μm,...
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Research Article
Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: High-Intensity Electroacupuncture Outperforms Low-Intensity Electroacupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis
Chen Zihang
,
Liang Xingsen,
Wang Huajun,
Zheng Xiaofei,
Zhao Jing,
Qing Peng,
Zhu Mingmin,
Ji Chang,
He Kejie,
Zeng Hai,
Lek Hang Cheang,
Man Seng Tam,
Guan Jian,
Jia Li,
Yanping Gao,
Ling Li*
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, June 2024
Pages:
15-22
Received:
13 March 2024
Accepted:
9 April 2024
Published:
28 April 2024
Abstract: Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been proven to be efficacious and safe in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), yet the superior intensity current for pain control in KOA remains unspecified. The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficiency of high-intensity and low-intensity EA in pain relief and functional improvement in KOA. Methods: A thorough and comprehensive literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), all looking at the intensity of EA for KOA, was carried out in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science Journal Citation Report (VIP) and Wanfang database. All databases were searched from the available date of inception until the latest issue (Apr 2022). The study quality was evaluated via the Jadad five-point scale. Ultimately, a meta-analysis of all eligible RCTs was conducted utilizing Review Manager 5.3. Results: Three studies with 472 individuals were included in the Meta-analysis. The pain intensity reductions are significantly different between the high-intensity EA group and low-intensity EA group (MD=-0.22, 95%CI=-0.26 to -0.18, P< 0.00001). There is no significant difference between the two groups in the WOMAC index (MD=-3.62, 95%CI=-12.22 to 4.98, P= 0.41). High-intensity EA group significantly improve the emotional scale (ES) in comparison to the low-intensity EA group (MD=-0.72, 95%CI=-0.76 to -0.67, P< 0.00001). Conclusion: The findings of this work indicated that high-intensity EA provides superior pain relief and emotional scale in KOA patients. Moreover, both high-intensity and low-intensity EA exert a significant functional improvement effect in KOA.
Abstract: Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been proven to be efficacious and safe in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), yet the superior intensity current for pain control in KOA remains unspecified. The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficiency of high-intensity and low-intensity EA in pain relief and functional improvement in KOA. M...
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