Optimised ammonia sanitation of sewage sludge

The usage of sewage sludge as an organic fertiliser offers a way to recycle nutrients and organic matter for a sustainable agriculture. Sewage sludge is rich in plant nutrient like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients. Concerning the depletion of phosphorus resources, the reuse of sewage sludge can contribute in reducing the production of artificial fertiliser and satisfy agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus demands. Heavy metals and organic contaminants contained in sewage sludge hampered the image of sewage sludge application in agriculture, although reduced since the last decades. Another concern is pathogens in the sludge, posing a risk on human health and the food chain when applied to land. Pathogens in sewage sludge have not been considered as limiting for the use as heavy metals, thus regulations on pathogens putting less restrictions. This has changed over the last years, especially in the EU member states, lowering pathogen limits for sewage sludge (biosolids) when applied to land. Therefore, proper sanitisation of sewage sludge is required and the need for cost‐effective, simple and quick treatment methods for sludge stabilisation increased. In this study, an optimum ammonia treatment for sanitising sewage sludge was attempted. Pathogen inactivation was monitored by using indicator and model organisms. The small‐scale experiment comprised two phases, an aerobic composting phase (<40°C) and a subsequent anaerobic chemical treatment phase using urea solely or combined with carbonate or ECOX (sodium percarbonate). Urea addition releases ammonia, which has shown to effectively reduce pathogens. This antimicrobial effect is combined with the biological heat development in compost, also reducing pathogens. All tested chemical treatments reached a 5 log10 reduction for total thermotolerant coliforms and an 8 log10 reduction for Salmonella spp. within the two weeks experiment, with the best effect using 1.5% urea. Somatic coliphages reached a 1‐2 log10 reduction in treatments and control. The treatments had no significant effect on enterococci and only a 1 log10 reduction was achieved. The viability of Ascaris suum eggs was reduced in all treatments, but without consistency. No viable eggs were detected with 1.5% urea and 1.5% urea+3% CaCO3, when temperature was maintained over 35°C during four consecutive days. All chemical treatments used in this study increased the pH to around 9. The highest values were reached with 1% urea +2% ECOX. Considering treatment efficiency and cost‐effectiveness, the best sanitisation result in this study was achieved with 1.5% urea

Differences in Stability of Viral and Viral-Cellular Fusion Transcripts in HPV-Induced Cervical Cancers

HPV-DNA integration results in dysregulation of viral oncogene expression. Because viral-cellular fusion transcripts inherently lack the viral AU-rich elements of the 3’UTR, they are considered to be more stable than episome-derived transcripts. The aim of this study is to provide formal proof for this assumption by comparing the stability of viral early transcripts derived from episomal and integrated HPV16 DNA, respectively. Full-length cDNA of three fusion transcripts comprising viral and cellular sequences in sense orientation were amplified and cloned into the adeno-viral-vector pAd/CMV/V5-DEST. The most abundant HPV16 oncogene transcript E6*I-E7-E1vE4-E5 with and without 3’UTR, served as reference and control, respectively. Human primary keratinocytes were transduced using high titer virus stocks. qRT-PCR was performed to determine mRNA stability in relation to GAPDH in the presence of actinomycin-D. In four independent transduction experiments, all three viral-cellular fusion transcripts were significantly more stable compared to the episome-derived reference. Among the three viral-cellular fusion transcripts the most stable transcript was devoid of the instability core motif “AUUUA”. Unexpectedly, there was no significant difference in the stability between the episome-derived transcripts either with or without 3’UTR, indicating that the AU-rich elements of the 3’UTR are not contributing to RNA stability. Instead, the three “AUUUA” motifs located in the untranslated region between the viral E4 and E5 genes may be responsible for the instability. This is the first report showing that authentic viral-cellular fusion transcripts are more stable than episome-derived transcripts. The longer half-life of the fusion transcripts may result in increased levels of viral oncoproteins and thereby drive the carcinogenic process

Effect of Organic and Mineral Soil Additives on Asparagus Growth and Productivity in Replant Soils

The repeated cultivation of asparagus in the same field can severely reduce yield. A complex of predominantly microbial causes is suspected. Limited plant development, establishment problems, and yield loss may occur, particularly in light sandy soils. In order to address this replant problem and evaluate alternative cultivation conditions, two asparagus fields were treated with different supplements and were cultivated for 5 years to investigate their impact on yield. The results from the pot trials using soils from these fields are presented, along with the field trial findings. The trials included the incorporation of mushroom substrate (champost), Fimonit (clay mineral), mustard meal (biofumigation), and Micosat F Uno (including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma viride, and rhizosphere bacteria species). In the pot trials, the sterilised soil exhibited a growth benefit over the original soil. However, the tested additives had no significant effects in the short period of 8 weeks. At one of the tested field sites, the marketable asparagus yields following champost, Fimonit, biofumigation, and Micosat treatments were 14, 6, 16 and 12% higher than that of the control soil, respectively, but no significant differences in treatment effect were observed in the second test field. Biofumigation using mustard meal and champost was most successful in reducing the impact of replanting on yields

Qualitative risk analysis for contents of dry toilets used to produce novel recycling fertilizers

Human excreta are a sustainable, economical source of nutrients, and can be used to produce recycling fertilizer for horticulture by collecting and processing the contents of dry toilets. Herein, we discuss the key categories of risk associated with the main groups of materials commonly found in dry toilets. The study was part of the development of a German product standard for marketable and quality-assured recycling fertilizers from human excreta for use in horticulture. Particular attention is paid to ensuring that the fertilizer is epidemiologically and environmentally harmless and that the quality of the recycling fertilizer is adequate in terms of low pollution and nutrient availability. In sum, the risk of transmissible human pathogens lies within the human excreta, particularly feces; plant materials added during composting are of particular phytosanitary relevance; pharmaceutical residues in excrements and chemical additives are potential sources of pollutants; non-biodegradable contaminants can cause pollution and injury; and the horticultural risks involve mainly the ammonia emission potential and in some cases the salinity effects of urine. These risks can be reduced significantly (i) with education of users around proper operation of dry toilets and the consequences of adding inappropriate waste, (ii) with facilitation of proper use with general waste bins and clear instructions, and importantly (iii) by using modern sanitization and cleaning processes and testing for harmful substances under the guidance of local laws and regulations, ensuring safe and high-quality fertilizers. In conclusion, the benefits of using dry toilet contents to produce fertilizers for use in horticulture are unquestionable. Our analysis highlights the need to support recycling optimization and awareness for the purpose of a sustainable circular economy and to minimize the risk of harm to humans and the environment overall

Recycling fertilizers from human excreta exhibit high nitrogen fertilizer value and result in low uptake of pharmaceutical compounds

Recycling nutrients is essential for closing nutrient loops within a circular economy. Using locally available resources such as human excreta to produce bio-based recycling fertilizers can substitute mineral fertilizers and thereby promote environmentally friendly food production. To better understand the fertilizer potential and nitrogen value of human excreta, three novel and safe recycling products were evaluated in a field experiment. Two nitrified urine fertilizers (NUFs) and one fecal compost were applied alone or in combination, and compared against the commercial organic fertilizer vinasse. In addition, the uptake of pharmaceuticals was assessed for treatments with compost application. White cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) was cultivated in plots in three different soil types (sand, loam or silt) treated with the fertilizers according to plant needs and mineral soil nitrogen content. The two NUFs resulted in marketable yields similar to those of vinasse in all soil types. Combining fecal compost with a NUF led to increased marketable yield compared to compost alone. The highest yield was recorded from the sandy soil, where vinasse and NUF treatments led to comparable yields, as expected in organic productions systems (up to 72 t ha−1). The cabbage yield and total aboveground fresh biomass followed the following trend in all soils: NUFs ~ vinasse ≥ compost + NUF ≥ compost. Nitrogen uptake in the cabbage heads and total biomass was significantly higher in sand (69.5–144 kg ha−1) than loam (71.4–95.8 kg ha−1). All compost treatments alleviated the effect of soil type and resulted in comparable nitrogen uptake and yield in all soil types. Plant uptake of pharmaceuticals (Carbamazepin) was higher in sand than in loam, and concentration in the edible part was lower than in the outer leaves. In conclusion, NUF alone appears to be a promising successful fertilizer substitute in horticultural food production. The combined application of NUF and compost led to slightly lower crop yields, but may increase soil carbon content in the long term, promoting climate-friendly food production

Differences in Stability of Viral and Viral-Cellular Fusion Transcripts in HPV-Induced Cervical Cancers

HPV-DNA integration results in dysregulation of viral oncogene expression. Because viral-cellular fusion transcripts inherently lack the viral AU-rich elements of the 3&rsquo;UTR, they are considered to be more stable than episome-derived transcripts. The aim of this study is to provide formal proof for this assumption by comparing the stability of viral early transcripts derived from episomal and integrated HPV16 DNA, respectively. Full-length cDNA of three fusion transcripts comprising viral and cellular sequences in sense orientation were amplified and cloned into the adeno-viral-vector pAd/CMV/V5-DEST. The most abundant HPV16 oncogene transcript E6*I-E7-E1vE4-E5 with and without 3&rsquo;UTR, served as reference and control, respectively. Human primary keratinocytes were transduced using high titer virus stocks. qRT-PCR was performed to determine mRNA stability in relation to GAPDH in the presence of actinomycin-D. In four independent transduction experiments, all three viral-cellular fusion transcripts were significantly more stable compared to the episome-derived reference. Among the three viral-cellular fusion transcripts the most stable transcript was devoid of the instability core motif &ldquo;AUUUA&rdquo;. Unexpectedly, there was no significant difference in the stability between the episome-derived transcripts either with or without 3&rsquo;UTR, indicating that the AU-rich elements of the 3&rsquo;UTR are not contributing to RNA stability. Instead, the three &ldquo;AUUUA&rdquo; motifs located in the untranslated region between the viral E4 and E5 genes may be responsible for the instability. This is the first report showing that authentic viral-cellular fusion transcripts are more stable than episome-derived transcripts. The longer half-life of the fusion transcripts may result in increased levels of viral oncoproteins and thereby drive the carcinogenic process

A novel locus (DFNA24) for prelingual nonprogressive autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss maps to 4q35-qter in a large Swiss German kindred

Nonsyndromic hearing loss is one of the most genetically heterogeneous traits known. A total of 30 autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing-loss loci have been mapped, and 11 genes have been isolated. In the majority of cases, autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss is postlingual and progressive, with the exception of hearing impairment in families in which the impairment is linked to DFNA3, DFNA8/12, and DFNA24, the novel locus described in this report. DFNA24 was identified in a large Swiss German kindred with a history of autosomal dominant hearing loss that dates back to the middle of the 19th century. The hearing-impaired individuals in this kindred have prelingual, nonprogressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss affecting mainly mid and high frequencies. The DFNA24 locus maps to 4q35-qter. A maximum multipoint LOD score of 11.6 was obtained at 208.1 cM at marker D4S1652. The 3.0-unit support interval for the map position of this locus ranges from 205.8 cM to 211.7 cM (5.9 cM)