Multi-catalysis reactions: new prospects and challenges of biotechnology to valorize lignin

Considerable effort has been dedicated to the chemical depolymerization of lignin, a biopolymer constituting a possible renewable source for aromatic value-added chemicals. However, these efforts yielded limited success up until now. Efficient lignin conversion might necessitate novel catalysts enabling new types of reactions. The use of multiple catalysts, including a combination of biocatalysts, might be necessary. New perspectives for the combination of bio- and inorganic catalysts in one-pot reactions are emerging, thanks to green chemistry-driven advances in enzyme engineering and immobilization and new chemical catalyst design. Such combinations could offer several advantages, especially by reducing time and yield losses associated with the isolation and purification of the reaction products, but also represent a big challenge since the optimal reaction conditions of bio- and chemical catalysis reactions are often different. This mini-review gives an overview of bio- and inorganic catalysts having the potential to be used in combination for lignin depolymerization. We also discuss key aspects to consider when combining these catalysts in one-pot reaction

Increase in methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in Switzerland: a nationwide surveillance study (2008-2021).

PURPOSE An increasing burden of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (BSI), despite a decrease in the percentage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), was described recently in other European countries. The main aim of this study was to analyse recent temporal trends of S. aureus, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA BSI for Switzerland as well as the different linguistic regions within Switzerland. An additional aim was to estimate potential differences among patient-based and epidemiological risk factors. METHODS A retrospective observational study was conducted in Switzerland over a period of 14 years (2008-2021). Trends in S. aureus, MSSA and MRSA BSI were analysed by applying linear regression models. RESULTS Staphylococcus aureus BSI increased by + 30% from 19.7 to 25.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between 2008 and 2021 (P < 0.01) in Switzerland. Thereof, MSSA increased by + 37% from 17.8 to 24.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (P < 0.01). MRSA decreased from 1.9 to 1.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (P < 0.01), which was driven by decreasing incidence in the French-speaking region. MSSA BSI increased significantly (P < 0.01) in both linguistic regions. A further stratification revealed that incidence increased the most in male patients of the age group ≥ 80 years of the German-speaking region. CONCLUSION The increasing health burden of MSSA BSI in Switzerland indicates that not only proportions of resistant microorganisms but also total BSI incidences should be monitored. In addition, data stratification revealed that the increase was mainly driven by an increasing incidence in elderly males of the German-speaking region

Nutritional behavior while ski-mountaineering: An analysis from the Swiss Alps

The aim of this study was to analyze nutritional habits of well-trained alpinists during a standard ski mountaineering tour. Therefore a sample of eighteen male ski mountaineers (25 ± 5.8 years, 73.2 ± 6.1 kg, 180.2 ± 6.8 cm) were questioned after absolving a typical ski mountaineering tour e.g. Finsterarhorn 4274 meter (Cantone Bern); Gross Ruchen 3183 meter (Cantone Glarus); L'aiguille de la Tsa 3668 meter (Cantone Wallis). It was detected, that nutritional habits differed widely. From bread to meat and chocolate a broad range of nutritionals were consumed. Interestingly, despite the physiological demands special sports nutrition such as gels or special sport bars were not widely used. Lots of alpinists also consumed fruits or dried fruits such as apples or dried apricots. Interestingly, only one person paid special attention to salt intake. Fluid intake seemed with an average of 1.39 ± 0.68 liter per tour relatively low. This was probably also due to the aim of reducing backpack weight allowing to faster reach the peak while increasing security. Due to the low fluid intake Alpinists are encouraged to be well hydrated when starting and to drink sufficiently after finishing tours, especially when tours of several days are absolved a fast rehydration improves recovering and reduces risks of accidents in further tours in the following days

Analysis of speed strategies during World Orienteering Championships

The aim of this study was to analyse if better orienteers run more constant yielding to suggest the better the place, the more constant the pace. In principle, this premise is supported from a biological point of view of the aerobe-anaerobic threshold concept, which is well elucidated in long distance running and implies that a constant pace slightly below the threshold leads to maximal performance through regularly use of cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal system. To test this assumption race times of orienteers from the world championships at the Swedish Westcoast in Strömstad / Tanum were analysed concerning their steadiness of speed during the final course of middle and long-distance races. Interestingly statistical analyses mainly support the premise of relevance of steadiness in running. In woman, for long/middle distance a coefficient of determination between time and steadiness (calculated as standard deviation of all percentage deviations of individual split times and best time) of R2 = 0.254 respectively of R2 = 0.825 was detected. In men, for long/middle distance of R2 = 0.176 respectively of R2 = 0.472. Although, the method does not allow to strictly distinguish between cognitive and biological factors, it is implied that world class orienteers or more general orienteers get best results if running as constant as possible probably slightly below anaerobic threshold

Antibiotic resistance surveillance of Klebsiella pneumoniae complex is affected by refined MALDI-TOF identification, Swiss data, 2017 to 2022.

BackgroundModern laboratory methods such as next generation sequencing and MALDI-TOF allow identification of novel bacterial species. This can affect surveillance of infections and antimicrobial resistance. From 2017, increasing numbers of medical microbiology laboratories in Switzerland differentiated Klebsiella variicola from Klebsiella pneumoniae complex using updated MALDI-TOF databases, whereas many laboratories still report them as K. pneumoniae or K. pneumoniae complex.AimOur study explored whether separate reporting of K. variicola and the Klebsiella pneumoniae complex affected the ANRESIS surveillance database.MethodsWe analysed antibiotic susceptibility rates and specimen types of K. variicola and non-K. variicola-K. pneumoniae complex isolates reported by Swiss medical laboratories to the ANRESIS database (Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance) from January 2017 to June 2022.ResultsAnalysis of Swiss antimicrobial resistance data revealed increased susceptibility rates of K. variicola compared with species of the K. pneumoniae complex other than K. variicola in all six antibiotic classes tested. This can lead to underestimated resistance rates of K. pneumoniae complex in laboratories that do not specifically identify K. variicola. Furthermore, K. variicola strains were significantly more often reported from blood and primarily sterile specimens than isolates of the K. pneumoniae complex other than K. variicola, indicating increased invasiveness of K. variicola.ConclusionOur data suggest that refined differentiation of the K. pneumoniae complex can improve our understanding of its taxonomy, susceptibility, epidemiology and clinical significance, thus providing more precise information to clinicians and epidemiologists

How Is CYP17A1 Activity Altered in Autism? A Pilot Study to Identify Potential Pharmacological Targets.

Background: Increasing evidence exists that higher levels of androgens can be found in individuals with autism. Evidence yields to a susceptible role of Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) with its catalyzation of the two distinct types of substrate oxidation by a hydroxylase activity (17-alpha hydroxylase) and C17/20 lyase activity. However, to what extent steps are altered in affected children with autism versus healthy controls remains to be elucidated. Methods: Urine samples from 48 boys with autism (BMI 19.1 ± 0.6 kg/m2, age 14.2 ± 0.5 years) and a matched cohort of 48 healthy boys (BMI 18.6 ± 0.3 kg/m2, 14.3 ± 0.5 years) as well as 16 girls with autism (BMI 17.5 ± 0.7 kg/m2, age 13.8 ± 1.0 years) and a matched cohort of 16 healthy girls (BMI 17.2 ± 0.8 kg/m2, age 13.2 ± 0.8 years) were analyzed for steroid hormone metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The activity of 17-alpha Hydroxylase increased by almost 50%, whereas activity of 17/20 Lyase activity increased by around 150% in affected children with autism. Furthermore, the concentration of Cortisol was higher as compared to the average increase of the three metabolites TH-Corticosterone, 5α-TH-Corticosterone and TH-11β-DH-Corticosterone, indicating, in addition, a stimulation by the CRH-ACTH system despite a higher enzymatic activity. Discussion: As it was shown that oxidative stress increases the 17/20-lyase activity via p38α, a link between higher steroid hormone levels and oxidative stress can be established. However, as glucocorticoid as well as androgen metabolites showed higher values in subjects affected with autism as compared to healthy controls, the data indicate, despite higher CYP17A1 activity, the presence of increased substrate availability in line with the Cholesterol theory of autism

Strength training in seniors: The knowledge of positive aspects of eccentric training in elderly is sparse

Eccentric (lengthening) resistance training respectively muscle work requires a lower share of cardiac activity in comparison to concentric (shortening) muscle work. Especially in seniors suffering from cardiovascular diseases (still the most common cause of death in industrialized countries) this kind of activity is predisposed due to its possibility of high stimulation of musculoskeletal system only partly (20-25%) stimulating cardiovascular system. Comprehension of positive aspects was addressed for a sample of people doing regular work out while having access to concentric and eccentric training stations. 38 females (57 ± 15.7 years / 163.3 ± 19.4 cm / 63.6 ± 10.4 kg) and 36 males (57.6 ± 16.9 years / 177.4 ± 6.9 cm / 80.6 ± 8.7 kg) visiting at least once a week a fitness mall with access to eccentric and concentric training stations were asked concerning cardiovascular diseases, their corresponding risk factors and their own experience with eccentric muscle training. Differences in the perception of eccentric muscle training compared to concentric training were reported by 18 women and 24 men, however reported Rates of perceived Exertion measured by BORG-Scale (6-20) did not significantly differ. A positive Bias that especially persons with cardiovascular illnesses respectively risk factors preferred this kind of activity was not detectable and knowledge of positive aspects of eccentric training was sparse. General practitioners are encouraged to inform patients of the existence of positive aspects of eccentric muscle training and to motivate patients to absolve their training respectively

Inverse correlation between endothelin-1-induced peripheral microvascular vasoconstriction and blood pressure in glaucoma patients

• Background: The potent vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin-I has been shown to participate in the control of peripheral vascular tone and in the regulation of ocular perfusion. In glaucoma patients vasospasms and arterial hypotension have been identified as risk factors for the progression of glaucomatous damage, and the regulation of endothelin-1 release is disturbed in some of these patients. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between resting blood pressure and cutaneous vascular responsiveness to endothelin-1 and phenylephrine in patients with glaucoma and in matched controls. • Methods: In 9 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), 7 patient with normal tension glaucoma (NTG), and 16 age- and sex-matched controls, endothelin-1 and phenylephrine responses were assessed in the human forearm microcirculation using laser Doppler flowmetry during intra-arterial drug administration. Blood pressure was measured intra-arterially. • Results: In contrast to α1-adrenergic effects, endothelin-1 responses were inversely correlated to both systolic (r 2 = 0.27,P = 0.05) and diastolic (r 2 = 0.54,P = 0.001) blood pressure in glaucoma patients, whereas there was no such correlation in controls. Patients with lower blood pressure values were more sensitive to the vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin-1. Cutaneous responsiveness to endothelin-1 and phenylephrine was similar in glaucoma patients and in controls. • Conclusion: These results reveal that glaucoma patients appear to have peripheral microvascular abnormalities which are exhibited as altered responsiveness to endothelin-1. Thus, this study supports the hypothesis that endothelin-l-related microvascular dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous damag