Baseline study in environmental risk assessment: Escalating need for computer models to be whole-system approach

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Accepted author version posted online: 12 Dec 2016Despite landfills having the potential to pollute the environment both during their operation and long after they have ceased to receive waste, they remain a dominant waste management option, particularly in the UK. In order to combat the environmental pollution caused by landfills, risk analysis is increasingly being employed through computer models. However, for a risk analysis process to be successful, its foundation has to be well established through a baseline study. This paper aims to identify knowledge gaps in software packages regarding environmental risk assessments in general, and especially those that have been developed specifically for landfills and landfill leachate. The research establishes that there is no holistic computer model for the baseline study of landfills, which risk assessors can use to conduct risk analyses specifically for landfill leachate. This paper also describes a number of factors and features that should be added to the baseline study system in order to render it more integrated—thereby enhancing quantitative risk analysis, and subsequently environmental risk management.The authors acknowledge the financial support of Dundee City Council in this project. We are additionally grateful for the discussion and help received from Mr Peter Goldie of the Environment & Consumer Protection Department, Dundee City Council. The support from Dr I. M. Spence (Consultant Environmental Geologist, Scotland), and colleagues at the University of Abertay Dundee, including Dr Kehinde O. K. Oduyemi and Mr Phillip Jenkins is also highly 39 appreciated. It must be noted that concepts and ideas presented in this article by the authors do not necessarily represent views that of their respective employer organization

Rhodococcus opacus B4: a promising bacterium for production of biofuels and biobased chemicals

Bacterial lipids have relevant applications in the production of renewable fuels and biobased oleochemicals. The genus Rhodococcus is one of the most relevant lipid producers due to its capability to accumulate those compounds, mainly triacylglycerols (TAG), when cultivated on different defined substrates, namely sugars, organic acids and hydrocarbons but also on complex carbon sources present in industrial wastes. In this work, the production of storage lipids by Rhodococcus opacus B4 using glucose, acetate and hexadecane is reported for the first time and its productivity compared with Rhodococcus opacus PD630, the best TAG producer bacterium reported. Both strains accumulated mainly TAG from all carbon sources, being influenced by the carbon source itself and by the duration of the accumulation period. R. opacus B4 produced 0.09 and 0.14 g L1 at 24 and 72 h, with hexadecane as carbon source, which was 2 and 3.3 fold higher than the volumetric production obtained by R. opacus PD630. Both strains presented similar fatty acids (FA) profiles in intact cells while in TAG produced fraction, R. opacus B4 revealed a higher variability in fatty acid composition than R. opacus PD630, when both strains were cultivated on hexadecane. The obtained results open new perspectives for the use of R. opacus B4 to produce TAG, in particular using oily (alkane-contaminated) waste and wastewater as cheap raw-materials. Combining TAG production with hydrocarbons degradation is a promising strategy to achieve environmental remediation while producing added value compounds.This work was financially supported by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) and European Social Fund (ESF, POPH-QREN) through the Grant given to A.R. Castro (SFRH/BD/64500/2009), the FCT Strategic Project of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462)

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe

Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection

Background End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. Results In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). Conclusion Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone

Is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) associated with higher incidence of congenital anomalies? A single center prospective controlled study in Egypt.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of congenital anomalies by ultrasound in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies and in spontaneous pregnancies with correlation to the neonatal outcome. METHODS: This is a prospective comparative study carried out in Kasr Al Aini Hospital Cairo University from January 2010 to December 2012, comparing 739 pregnant women conceived through ICSI and 843 pregnant women conceived spontaneously as regard to incidence of congenital anomalies, multiple pregnancy, preterm labor, cesarean section and neonatal outcome. RESULTS: The number of anomalies diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound in ICSI group was 14 (1.62%) while in spontaneous group was 13 (1.51%). The number of anomalies detected by postnatal examination in ICSI group was 20 (2.31%) while in spontaneous group was 16 (1.86%) (Odds ratio [OR] 1.438; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.739-2.796). ICSI group was associated with higher incidence of twins 12.7% (p < 0.001), preterm labor 3.8% (p 0.022), preterm premature rupture of membranes 4.6% (p 0.001), cesarean section 74.1% (p < 0.001) and neonatal deaths 10.4% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ICSI was associated with higher incidence of multiple pregnancy and cesarean section, with no difference in the incidence of congenital anomalies compared to spontaneous conception

Is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) associated with higher incidence of congenital anomalies? A single center prospective controlled study in Egypt.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of congenital anomalies by ultrasound in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies and in spontaneous pregnancies with correlation to the neonatal outcome. METHODS: This is a prospective comparative study carried out in Kasr Al Aini Hospital Cairo University from January 2010 to December 2012, comparing 739 pregnant women conceived through ICSI and 843 pregnant women conceived spontaneously as regard to incidence of congenital anomalies, multiple pregnancy, preterm labor, cesarean section and neonatal outcome. RESULTS: The number of anomalies diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound in ICSI group was 14 (1.62%) while in spontaneous group was 13 (1.51%). The number of anomalies detected by postnatal examination in ICSI group was 20 (2.31%) while in spontaneous group was 16 (1.86%) (Odds ratio [OR] 1.438; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.739-2.796). ICSI group was associated with higher incidence of twins 12.7% (p &lt; 0.001), preterm labor 3.8% (p 0.022), preterm premature rupture of membranes 4.6% (p 0.001), cesarean section 74.1% (p &lt; 0.001) and neonatal deaths 10.4% (p &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSION: ICSI was associated with higher incidence of multiple pregnancy and cesarean section, with no difference in the incidence of congenital anomalies compared to spontaneous conception

Biotechnological production and significance of triacylglycerols and wax esters

Global fat, oil, and wax ester demand is forecasted to increase in the next years. Steadily growing biodiesel requirements will lead to an increased demand for vegetable oils, in combination with a constant rise in the consumption of vegetable oil as food and feed. This situation will prompt the use of alternative sources for the production of oils and wax esters during the next years. In this context, microorganisms (yeasts, fungi, microalgae, and bacteria) are receiving increasing attention as alternative oils and wax esters sources. The knowledge acquired during the last decade about the production of bacterial triacylglycerols (TAG) and wax esters (WE) and their fundamental aspects could provide a new production platform for oils. The applied potential of bacterial TAG and WE may be similar to that of vegetable sources, such as additives for feed, cosmetics, oleochemicals, lubricants, and other manufactured products. In addition, bacterial oils could be used for biofuel production. The development of an industrial and commercially significant process may depend on the optimization of engineered cells and the technological procedures. This chapter will focus on the potential biotechnological application of TAG and WE produced by bacteria.Fil: Alvarez, Hector Manuel. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Herrero, Ornella Marisa. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia; Argentina. Oil M&S; ArgentinaFil: Lanfranconi, Mariana Patricia. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Roxana Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, María Soledad. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia; Argentina. Oil M&S; Argentin

Characterization of key triacylglycerol biosynthesis processes in rhodococci

Oleaginous microorganisms have considerable potential for biofuel and commodity chemical production. Under nitrogen-limitation, Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 grown on benzoate, an analog of lignin depolymerization products, accumulated triacylglycerols (TAGs) to 55% of its dry weight during transition to stationary phase, with the predominant fatty acids being C16:0 and C17:0. Transcriptomic analyses of RHA1 grown under conditions of N-limitation and N-excess revealed 1,826 dysregulated genes. Genes whose transcripts were more abundant under N-limitation included those involved in ammonium assimilation, benzoate catabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis and the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway. Of the 16 atf genes potentially encoding diacylglycerol O-acyltransferases, atf8 transcripts were the most abundant during N-limitation (~50-fold more abundant than during N-excess). Consistent with Atf8 being a physiological determinant of TAG accumulation, a Δatf8 mutant accumulated 70% less TAG than wild-type RHA1 while atf8 overexpression increased TAG accumulation 20%. Genes encoding type-2 phosphatidic acid phosphatases were not significantly expressed. By contrast, three genes potentially encoding phosphatases of the haloacid dehalogenase superfamily and that cluster with, or are fused with other Kennedy pathway genes were dysregulated. Overall, these findings advance our understanding of TAG metabolism in mycolic acid-containing bacteria and provide a framework to engineer strains for increased TAG production

Biology of triacylglycerol accumulation by Rhodococcus

Members of the genus Rhodococcus are specialist in the accumulation of triacylglycerols (TAG). Some of them can be considered oleaginous microorganisms since they are able to produce significant amounts of those lipids under certain conditions. In this context, R. opacus strain PD630 and R. jostii RHA1 became models among prokaryotes in this research area. The basic knowledge generated for rhodococci could be also extrapolated to related microorganisms with clinical importance, such as mycobacteria. The biosynthesis and accumulation of TAG by species of the genus Rhodococcus and other actinomycetes seems to be a process linked to the stationary growth phase or as a response to stress. The chemical structure of rhodococcal TAG can be controlled by the composition of the carbon source used. The biosynthesis and accumulation of novel TAG containing unusual components, such as aromatic and isoprenoid fatty acids, by members of Rhodococcus and related genera has been reported. The low specificity of wax ester synthase/diacylglycerol acyltransferase enzymes (WS/DGAT), which catalyze TAG biosynthesis in prokaryotes, may contribute to the high variability of TAG composition. The occurrence of genes coding for WS/DGAT enzymes is highly redundant in rhodococcal genomes. The enrichment of genes and enzymes involved in TAG metabolism in rhodococci suggest an important role of these lipids in the physiology of these microorganisms. Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data from TAG-accumulating rhodococci are now available and some genes coding for enzymes of the central metabolism, the Kennedy pathway, lipid transporter proteins, structural lipid inclusion bodies associated proteins, and transcriptional regulatory proteins have been identified and characterized. This article aims to summarize the most relevant achievements of basic research in this field, including the most recent knowledge emerged from studies on TAG accumulation by rhodococci.Fil: Alvarez, Hector Manuel. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Steinbüchel, Alexander. Westfälische Wilhelms Universität; Alemania. King Abdulaziz University; Arabia Saudit