Advancements in microalgal biomass conversion for rubber composite applications.

Carbon black (CB) as rubber reinforcement has raised environmental concerns regarding this traditional petroleum-based filler, which is less susceptible to biodegradability. Although it has great reinforcing properties, the production technique is no longer sustainable, and its cost increases regularly. For these reasons, it is wise to look for sustainable replacement materials.

The Effect of Antenatal Vaginal Progesterone Administration on Uterine, Umbilical, and Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler Flow: A Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vaginal progesterone (P) administration during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy on Doppler velocimetry of uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral vessels.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study conducted on 80 women at risk for preterm labor. Uterine artery, umbilical artery, and middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler indices were measured before and after 1 week of administration of 200 mg twice daily vaginal P.

Brain Volume and Doppler Velocimetry in Growth-Restricted, Small-for-Gestational-Age, and Appropriate-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses.

 This study aims to detect possible differences in fetal brain volumes between growth-restricted fetuses (FGR), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses with normal Doppler indices, and appropriate-for-gestational-age fetuses (AGA).  Three-dimensional measurements of fetal brain volume and umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were made in 80 AGA fetuses, 68 SGA fetuses with normal Doppler indices, and 68 FGR with brain-sparing effect between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation.  MCA-PI and MCA-RI were significantly lower in FGR group compared with the other two groups ( < 0.