The implications of management practices on life cycle greenhouse gas emissions in biogas production.

Biogas production is seen as one of the key measures in circular economy providing several benefits for the environment. In practice, however, these benefits may not be achieved if the production is not implemented and managed in ways that reduce gaseous emissions. Thus, this study aimed at highlighting how different management practices impact the climate during the life cycle of biogas production in comparison to management without biogas production (reference). Advanced, more emission-reducing practices resulted in 97-107% and conventional practices in 57-75% less emissions when biogas was utilized as transport fuel. If biogas was utilized in CHP (combined heat and power production), the emission reductions were 67-74% and 13-30%, respectively. This reflects the fact that inefficient practices can lead to minimal emission reduction without achieving the desired climate benefit in comparison to the reference. On the European level, this may also mean that the emission reduction demands of RED II (Renewable Energy Directive) regulation are not met. Therefore, when supporting biogas production with public funds, assurance of using emission-reducing practices should be made a prerequisite.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for chromosome rearrangements - one blastomere biopsy versus two blastomere biopsy.

PURPOSE: Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) has proven to be a useful reproductive option for carriers of some chromosome rearrangements. The data presented in this study compares the impact of one versus two blastomere biopsy on the likelihood of achieving a PGD result, as well as the effect on subsequent embryo development and clinical outcomes. METHODS: IVF-PGD couples had either one or two blastomeres biopsied from all embryos with ≥7 blastomeres on day 3 post oocyte collection. These blastomeres were assessed for the specific chromosome rearrangement using Fluorescent In-situ Hybridisation (FISH). Further embryo development was monitored on days 4 and 5. Clinical outcomes were assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: The data shows that statistically more embryos achieved a PGD result following two blastomere biopsy, compared with one blastomere biopsy (92 % versus 88 %, respectively). Furthermore it was found that embryo development and clinical outcomes were similar between the two biopsy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this analysis it appears that the biopsy of two blastomeres from embryos with ≥7 blastomeres on day 3 is a valid and successful approach for couples presenting for IVF-PGD for a chromosome rearrangement.

The genome of chemorefractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia reveals frequent mutations of NOTCH1 and SF3B1.

Next-generation whole-exome sequencing has revealed two novel genes, namely NOTCH1 and SF3B1, whose mutations predict poor outcome and preferentially associate with chemorefractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Analysis of 539 CLL cases documents that NOTCH1 mutations i) represent one of the most frequent cancer gene mutations involved at presentation; ii) cluster with cases harboring trisomy 12 and tend to be mutually exclusive with TP53 disruption among genetic subgroups; iii) identify high-risk patients showing poor survival similar to that associated with TP53 abnormalities; and iv) exert a prognostic role independent of widely accepted clinical and genetic risk factors. Mutations of SF3B1, a splicing factor that is a critical component of the spliceosome, recurrently associate with fludarabine-refractory CLL, occur at a low rate at CLL presentation and have a minor role in Richter transformation, corroborating the notion that CLL histological shift is molecularly distinct from chemorefractory progression without the Richter transformation.

Analysis of the host pharmacogenetic background for prediction of outcome and toxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP21.

Knowledge on the impact of pharmacogenetics in predicting outcome and toxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is scant. We tested 106 consecutive DLBCL treated with R-CHOP21 for 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 15 genes potentially relevant to rituximab-CHOP (R-CHOP) pharmacogenetics. Associations of SNPs with event-free survival (EFS) and toxicity were controlled for multiple testing. Genotypic variants of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) oxidase p22phox (CYBA rs4673) and alpha1 class glutathione S-transferase (GSTA1 rs3957357) were independent predictors of EFS (CYBA rs4673 TT genotype: HR 2.06, P=0.038; GSTA1 rs3957357 CT/TT genotypes: HR 0.38, P=0.003), after adjusting for International Prognostic Index (IPI). CYBA rs4673 and GSTA1 rs3957357 also predicted outcome in DLBCL subgroups by IPI. Impact of SNPs on toxicity was evaluated in 658 R-CHOP21 courses utilizing generalized estimating equations. NCF4 rs1883112 was an independent predictor against hematologic (odds ratios (OR): 0.45; P=0.018), infectious (OR: 0.46; P=0.003) and cardiac toxicity (OR: 0.37; P=0.023). Overall, host SNPs affecting doxorubicin pharmacodynamics (CYBA rs4673) and alkylator detoxification (GSTA1 rs3957357) may predict outcome in R-CHOP21-treated DLBCL. Also, NCF4 rs1883112, a SNP of NAD(P)H oxidase p40phox, may have a function in protecting against hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity. These results highlight the need to improve characterization of the host genetic background for a better prognostication of DLBCL.

Landfill gas upgrading with countercurrent water wash.

A pilot-scale countercurrent absorption process for upgrading landfill gas to produce vehicle fuel was studied using absorption and desorption units and water as absorbent. The height-to-diameter ratio of the absorption column used was 3:1 instead of the more conventionally used 20:1 ratio, and a higher pressure was used along with a lower water flow rate. The effects of pressure (10-30 bar) and water and gas flow-ratios on the upgrading process were studied. Methane content in the product gas increased to near or above 90% with both gas flows (50 and 100 l/min) used at over 20 bar pressure with 10 l/min water flow and at 30 bar pressure with 5l/min water flow. Carbon dioxide content with these upgrading parameters ranged from 3.2% to 4.8%. The remaining fraction of the product gas was nitrogen (from 6% to 7%), while hydrogen sulphide was removed to below the detection limit with all of the upgrading parameters used. The methane content of exhaust gas increased with increasing pressure. In conclusion, the pilot-scale gas upgrading process studied here appears to be able to produce gas with high energy content (>90% methane), apparently suitable as vehicle fuel, from landfill gas.

Quantification of carbonic anhydrase III and myoglobin in different fiber types of human psoas muscle.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA III) and myoglobin contents from isolated human muscle fibers were quantified using a sensitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. Human psoas muscle specimens were freeze-dried, and single fibers were dissected out and classified into type I, IIA and IIB by myosin ATPase staining. Fiber typing was further confirmed by SDS-PAGE. CA III and myoglobin were found in all fiber types. Type I fibers contained higher concentrations of CA III and myoglobin than type IIA and IIB fibers. The relative concentrations of CA III in type IIA and IIB fibers were respectively 24% and 10% of that in type I fibers. The relative concentrations of myoglobin in type IIA and IIB fibers were 60% and 28% of that in type I fibers. Anti-CA III immunoblotting results from fiber-specific pooled samples agreed well with quantitative measurements. The results indicate that CA III is a more specific marker than myoglobin for type I fibers.