Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was initially recognized as a factor that causes the necrosis of tumors, but it has been recently identified to have additional important functions as a pathological component of autoimmune diseases. TNF-α binds to two different receptors, which initiate signal transduction pathways. These pathways lead to various cellular responses, including cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. However, the inappropriate or excessive activation of TNF-α signaling is associated with chronic inflammation and can eventually lead to the development of pathological complications such as autoimmune diseases. Understanding of the TNF-α signaling mechanism has been expanded and applied for the treatment of immune diseases, which has resulted in the development of effective therapeutic tools, including TNF-α inhibitors. Currently, clinically approved TNF-α inhibitors have shown noticeable potency in a variety of autoimmune diseases, and novel TNF-α signaling inhibitors are being clinically evaluated. In this review, we briefly introduce the impact of TNF-α signaling on autoimmune diseases and its inhibitors, which are used as therapeutic agents against autoimmune diseases.

Substantial progress has been made in algal technologies in past few decades. Initially, microalgae drew the attention of the scientific community as a renewable source of biofuels due to its high productivity over a short period of time and potential of significant lipid accumulation. As of now, a technological upsurge has elaborated its scope in phycoremediation of both organic and inorganic pollutants. The dual role of microalgae—i.e., phycoremediation coupled with energy production—is well established, however, commercially, algal biofuel production is not yet sustainable due to high energy inputs. Efforts are being made to make the algal biofuel economy through modification in the cultivation conditions, harvesting, and extraction of value added products. Recent studies have demonstrated algal biomass production with various types of wastewater and industrial effluents. Similarly, the recent advent of eco-friendly harvesting technologies—such as low-cost green coagulants, electrochemical harvesting, etc.—are energy efficient and economical. Contemporary improvement in efficient lipid extraction from biomass will make algal biodiesel economical. The absolute extraction of all the value added products from algal biomass, either whole cell or lipid extracted biomass, in a complete biorefinery approach will be more economical and eco-friendly.

Methane gas, as one of the major biogases, is a potential source of renewable energy for power production. Biochar can be readily used to purify biogas contaminants such as H₂S and CO₂. This study assessed the adsorption of CH₄, H₂S, and CO₂ onto four different types of biochars. The adsorption dynamics of biochars were investigated in a fixed-bed column, by determining the breakthrough curves and adsorption capacities of biochars. The physicochemical properties of biochars were considered to justify the adsorption performance. The results showed that CH₄ was not adsorbed well by the subjected biochars whereas CO₂ and H₂S were successfully captured. The H₂S and CO₂ breakthrough capacity were related to both the surface adsorption and chemical reaction. The adsorption capacity was in the following order: perilla > soybean stover > Korean oak > Japanese oak biochars. The simultaneous adsorption also leads to a competition of sorption sites. Biochars are a promising material for the biogas purification industry.

The potential of various biochars to remove 15 odorous volatile organic compounds emitted from swine manure were investigated via laboratory sorption experiments. Nine biochars made from pyrolyzing poultry litter, swine manure, oak, and coconut shell at 350 °C and 500 °C and a commercial coconut-shell activated carbon were evaluated for their sorption capacities toward the odorous compounds. These 15 odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) consisted of reduced sulfur compounds, volatile fatty acids, phenolic, and indolic compounds. The sorption capacities of these biochars were investigated using a laboratory-scale sorption column system. Among the 15 targeted VOCs, acetic acid was the most predominant compound in the emitted gas from swine manure; however, its contribution to the complex swine manure odor mixture was minimal. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) were the two most odor-causing VOCs in the swine manure emissions based on single compound odor active values. Livestock-manure-based biochars were poor sorbents for DMDS and DMTS. In contrast, plant-biomass-based biochars had considerably larger sorption capacity for DMDS and DMTS. Oak biochar pyrolyzed at 500 °C (OK500) showed high sorption capacities for both DMDS and DMTS. Although the sorption capacity of OK500 for DMDS is less than that of commercial activated carbon, it may provide additional income for users if the spent OK500 biochar can be sold as a soil amendment.