Lignin Upconversion by Functionalization and Network Formation

Lignin, a complex and abundant biopolymer derived from plant cell walls, has emerged as a promising feedstock for sustainable material development. Due to the high abundance of phenylpropanoid units, aromatic rings, and hydroxyl groups, lignin is an idealcandidate for being explored in various material applications. Therefore, the demand on lignin valorization for development of value-added products is significantly increasing. This mini-review provides an overview of lignin upconversion, focusing on its functionalization through chemical and enzymatic routes, and its application in lignin-based polymer resins, hydrogels, and nanomaterials. The functionalization of lignin molecules with various chemical groups offers tailored properties and increased compatibility with other materials, expanding its potential applications. Additionally, the formation of lignin-based networks, either through cross-linking or blending with polymers, generates novel materials with improved mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. However, challenges remain in optimizing functionalization techniques, preserving the innate complexity of lignin, and achieving scalability for industrial implementation. As lignin's potential continues to be unlocked, it is poised to contribute significantly to the shift towards more eco-friendly and resource-efficient industries

Overview of the MOSAiC expedition - Atmosphere

With the Arctic rapidly changing, the needs to observe, understand, and model the changes are essential. To support these needs, an annual cycle of observations of atmospheric properties, processes, and interactions were made while drifting with the sea ice across the central Arctic during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition from October 2019 to September 2020. An international team designed and implemented the comprehensive program to document and characterize all aspects of the Arctic atmospheric system in unprecedented detail, using a variety of approaches, and across multiple scales. These measurements were coordinated with other observational teams to explore cross-cutting and coupled interactions with the Arctic Ocean, sea ice, and ecosystem through a variety of physical and biogeochemical processes. This overview outlines the breadth and complexity of the atmospheric research program, which was organized into 4 subgroups: atmospheric state, clouds and precipitation, gases and aerosols, and energy budgets. Atmospheric variability over the annual cycle revealed important influences from a persistent large-scale winter circulation pattern, leading to some storms with pressure and winds that were outside the interquartile range of past conditions suggested by long-term reanalysis. Similarly, the MOSAiC location was warmer and wetter in summer than the reanalysis climatology, in part due to its close proximity to the sea ice edge. The comprehensiveness of the observational program for characterizing and analyzing atmospheric phenomena is demonstrated via a winter case study examining air mass transitions and a summer case study examining vertical atmospheric evolution. Overall, the MOSAiC atmospheric program successfully met its objectives and was the most comprehensive atmospheric measurement program to date conducted over the Arctic sea ice. The obtained data will support a broad range of coupled-system scientific research and provide an important foundation for advancing multiscale modeling capabilities in the Arctic

Lignin reinforcement in thermosets composites

With its highly branched structure, its functional groups, and its free ring positions in the aromatic monomers, lignin is a promising bio-based candidate for network formation in resin formulations for thermosets and thermoset composites. Of particular interest are phenol-formaldehyde, polyurethane, and epoxy systems which are reviewed in separate sections. Various kinds of lignin are considered, including common kraft lignin and lignosulfonates but also the more recent organosolv and enzymatic hydrolysis lignins. A few examples for the development of cross-linked polymers with lignin which do not fall in the three categories are also given. It becomes clear that with the right structure (molar mass, functional groups) and the right modification (e.g., purification, fractionation, chemical derivatization) lignin can play an important role in future thermoset systems

Biopolymer-Partikel enthaltender Aminoharzschaumstoff

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Schaumstoffs, das die folgenden Schritte umfasst: - Einbringen von Biopolymer-Partikeln in eine Aminoharz-Lösung, wobei das Biopolymer ein Polyphenol, ein Polysaccharid, ein Polypeptid, oder ein Gemisch oder eine Kombination aus mindestens zwei dieser Biopolymere ist, - Aufschäumen der die Biopolymer-Partikel enthaltenden Aminoharz-Lösung durch Eintragen von Luft unter Erhalt eines Aminoharz-Schaums, - Aushärten des die Biopolymer-Partikel enthaltenden Aminoharz-Schaums

Lignin-Anwendungen in der Elektronikindustrie

Die Zielstellung des aktuell laufenden Forschungsprojekts mit dem Kurztitel "e-lignin" ist es, den Einsatz von ligninhaltigen Werkstoffen in der Elektronikindustrie zu erreichen. Der vollständige Titel lautet "Lignin als nachwachsender Rohstoff für Anwendungen in der Elektronik". Dazu sollen für einen größeren Masseneffekt Betriebsmittel der Elektronikfertigung einbezogen werden und für die besonders hohen technischen Anforderungen für ligninbasierte Leiterplattenmaterialien die industrielle Einsetzbarkeit demonstriert werden. Das Projekt knüpft an das von 2003 bis 2005 ebenfalls durch die FNR geförderte Projekt ?Entwicklung von elektrischen Baugruppen auf Verdrahtungsträgern aus nachwachsenden Rohstoffen? an. Um die Marktfähigkeit der neuen Applikationen zu sichern, müssen reproduzierbare Strukturparameter sowie chemische Reinheit von Lignin gewährleistet und -darauf aufbauend- ein breites Anwendungsfeld für dieses Biopolymer angestrebt werden. Im Rahmen dieses Projekts gilt es dementsprechend, verschiedene Nutzungsmöglichkeiten für Lignin in der Elektronik zu untersuchen: ligninbasierte Leiterplattensubstrate, Siebdruckrahmen sowie Bohr- und Fräsunterlagen. In allen Fällen können entscheidende Fortschritte demonstriert werden ? jedoch sind die notwendigen technischen Eigenschaften für einen Industrieeinsatz noch nicht vollständig verfügbar. Wie bei anderen Projekten zum technischen Einsatz von biobasierten Materialien ist bisher das anzustrebende Optimum für Substitutionen, in dem ein substanzieller und nachweisbarer Umweltvorteil mit geringen oder keinen Mehrkosten erreicht werden kann, noch nicht ermittelt worden. Wenn im Trend erdölbasierte Rohstoffe weiter teurer werden und mehr Firmen auf den Ressourcenverbrauch ihrer Zuliefererketten achten, werden bis zum Projektabschluss zumindest die Grundlagen für industrielle Nischenanwendungen gelegt sein. Das Interesse von Elektronikfirmen, mehr nachwachsende Rohstoffe in ihrem Angebotsportfolio aufzuzeigen, ist weiterhin groß

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography for optimized colon cancer staging and follow up

OBJECTIVES: Optimal management of colon cancer (CC) requires detailed assessment of extent of disease. This study prospectively investigates the diagnostic accuracy of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for staging and detection of recurrence in primary CC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PET/CT for preoperative staging was performed in 66 prospectively included patients with primary CC. Diagnostic accuracy for PET/CT and CT was analyzed. In addition to routine follow up, 42 stages I–III CC patients had postoperative PET/CT examinations every 6 months for 2 years. Serological levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), carcinoembryonic antigen, and liberated domain I of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor were analyzed. RESULTS: Accuracy for tumor, nodal, and metastases staging by PET/CT were 82% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70; 91), 66% (CI: 51; 78), and 89% (CI: 79; 96); for CT the accuracy was 77% (CI: 64; 87), 60% (CI: 46; 73), and 69% (CI: 57; 80). Cumulative relapse incidences for stages I–III CC at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were 7.1% (CI: 0; 15); 14.3% (CI: 4; 25); 19% (CI: 7; 31), and 21.4% (CI: 9; 34). PET/CT diagnosed all relapses detected during the first 2 years. High preoperative TIMP-1 levels were associated with significant hazards toward risk of recurrence and shorter overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates PET/CT as a valuable tool for staging and follow up in CC. TIMP-1 provided prognostic information potentially useful in selection of patients for intensive follow up

Loss-of-function analyses defines vital and redundant functions of the Plasmodium rhomboid protease family

Summary Rhomboid-like proteases cleave membrane-anchored proteins within their transmembrane domains. In apicomplexan parasites substrates include molecules that function in parasite motility and host cell invasion. While two Plasmodium rhomboids, ROM1 and ROM4, have been examined, the roles of the remaining six rhomboids during the malaria parasite's life cycle are unknown. We present systematic gene deletion analyses of all eight Plasmodium rhomboid-like proteins as a means to discover stage-specific phenotypes and potential functions in the rodent malaria model, P. berghei. Four rhomboids (ROM4, 6, 7 and 8) are refractory to gene deletion, suggesting an essential role during asexual blood stage development. In contrast ROM1, 3, 9 and 10 were dispensable for blood stage development and exhibited no, subtle or severe defects in mosquito or liver development. Parasites lacking ROM9 and ROM10 showed no major phenotypic defects. Parasites lacking ROM1 presented a delay in blood stage patency following liver infection, but in contrast to a previous study blood stage parasites had similar growth and virulence characteristics as wild type parasites. Parasites lacking ROM3 in mosquitoes readily established oocysts but failed to produce sporozoites. ROM3 is the first apicomplexan rhomboid identified to play a vital role in sporogony

Localisation of O-glycans in MUC1 glycoproteins using electron-capture dissociation fragmentation mass spectrometry

Sihlbom C, van Dijk Härd I, Lidell M, Noll T, Hansson G, Bäckström M. Localisation of O-glycans in MUC1 glycoproteins using electron-capture dissociation fragmentation mass spectrometry. Glycobiology. 2009;19(4):375-381.MUC1 is a mucin glycoprotein containing multiple tandem repeats of 20 amino acids, with five serines and threonines that can be O-glycosylated. Here, we investigated the O-glycosylation site occupancy in MUC1 glycoproteins produced in two mutant CHO cell lines, Lec3.2.8.1 and ldlD. We found that the average site occupancy was higher in MUC1 from Lec3.2.8.1 than from ldlD and that the occupancy increased with the number of tandem repeats in the protein and also depended on the culture conditions used for production. Moreover, we describe the successful use of electron-capture dissociation (ECD) fragmentation, coupled to online liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, to determine the glycosylation of individual sites in recombinant MUC1 proteins with 16 tandem repeats. We analyzed MUC1 tandem repeat peptides with 1-5 GalNAc residues by ECD fragmentation and found that the first site to be glycosylated was either Ser-5 or Thr-6, with the addition of a second GalNAc at Thr-14. For peptides with three GalNAc residues, several different variants of glycopeptides were found, indicating a heterogeneous order of glycosylation at this stage. In contrast, only one variant was found for peptides with four GalNAc residues, where Thr-19 in the PDTR motif was left unglycosylated, indicating that this site is glycosylated last. The results gave novel insight into the order of GalNAc substitution in MUC1 in vivo