Efficient depolymerization of lignin to biobased chemicals using a two-step approach involving ozonation in a continuous flow microreactor followed by catalytic hydrotreatment

Lignin is a promising feedstock for the replacement of conventional carbon sources for the production of chemicals and fuels. In this paper, results are reported for the depolymerization of various residual lignins in the absence of a catalyst by utilizing ozone. Reactions were performed in a microreactor setup ensuring high gas-liquid mass transfer rates, a low inventory of ozone, and straightforward scale-up possibilities. The ozonation is demonstrated using a representative model compound (vanillin) and various lignins (pyrolytic and organosolv) dissolved in methanol (2.5 wt %). Experiments were performed under ambient conditions, at gas-liquid flow ratios ranging from 30 to 90 and short residence times on the order of 12-24 s. Analyses of the products after methanol removal revealed the presence of (di)carboxylic acids, methyl esters, and acetals. Extensive depolymerization was achieved (i.e., up to 30% for pyrolytic lignin and 70% for organosolv lignins). Furthermore, a two-step approach in which the ozonated lignin is further hydrotreated (350-400 degrees C, 100 bar H-2, 4 h, Pd/C as catalyst) showed a substantial increase in depolymerization efficiency, yielding a 2.5-fold increased monomer yield in the product oil compared to a hydrotreatment step only

Acculturation and use of health care services by Turkish and Moroccan migrants: a cross-sectional population-based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is insufficient empirical evidence which shows if and how there is an interrelation between acculturation and health care utilisation. The present study seeks to establish this evidence within first generation Turkish and Moroccan migrants, two of the largest migrant groups in present-day Western Europe.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were derived from the Amsterdam Health Monitor 2004, and were complete for 358 Turkish and 288 Moroccan foreign-born migrants. Use of health services (general practitioner, outpatient specialist and health care for mental health problems) was measured by means of self-report. Acculturation was measured by a structured questionnaire grading (i) ethnic self-identification, (ii) social interaction with ethnic Dutch, (iii) communication in Dutch within one's private social network, (iv) emancipation, and (v) cultural orientation towards the public domain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Acculturation was hardly associated with the use of general practitioner care. However, in case of higher adaptation to the host culture there was less uptake of outpatient specialist care among Turkish respondents (odds ratio [OR] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.82-0.99) and Moroccan male respondents (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.93). Conversely, there was a higher uptake of mental health care among Turkish men (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.93) and women (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.93). Uptake of mental health care among Moroccan respondents again appeared lower (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.55-0.99). Language ability appeared to play a central role in the uptake of health care.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Some results were in accordance with the popular view that an increased participation in the host society is concomitant to an increased use of health services. However, there was heterogeneity across ethnic and gender groups, and across the domains of acculturation. Language ability appeared to play a central role. Further research needs to explore this heterogeneity into more detail. Also, other cultural and/or contextual aspects that influence the use of health services require further identification.</p

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals &lt;1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Detection and isolation of antigen-specific b-cells by the fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS)

A method is described for the isolation of antigen-specific B cells from immunized and subsequently boosted mice. Antigen-specific B cells were stained by incubation with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled antigen and then detected and isolated in a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Ovalbumin (OVA) and Helix pomatia haemocyanin (HPH) were used as antigens in this procedure, yielding relative amounts of antigen-FITC-binding lymphocytes of 0.9 ± 0.4% and 3.5 ± 3.1%. the FITC-positive cells were visible as distinct cell populations in the FACS-generated histograms. All antigen-FITC-binding cells were B cells, as shown by double staining with phycoerythrin-conjugated anti-mouse Ig. In addition, as tested in a spot-ELISA, the sorted, antigen-FITC-binding cell population contained almost the entire population of antigen-specific antibody-producing B cells. However, sorting had a negative influence on the antibody production capability of the sorted cells. Thorough washing of isolated spleen cells in the procedure before labelling with antigen-FITC proved to be essential for the specific detection of antigen-specific B cells, since staining without prior washing resulted in antigen-FITC binding to all B cells. This ‘nonspecific’ staining phenomenon was caused by the presence of antibodies, specific for the immunizing/boosting antigen, which were also present in the spleen cell suspension. These antibodies formed immune complexes with antigen-FITC and bound to Fc receptors present on all B cells, interfering in this way with any specific binding of antigen-FITC to sIg on the B cells

RAIN study: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of intravenous-to-oral antibiotic switch therapy in neonates with a probable bacterial infection

INTRODUCTION: High morbidity and mortality rates of proven bacterial infection are the main reason for substantial use of intravenous antibiotics in neonates during the first week of life. In older children, intravenous-to-oral switch after 48 hours of intravenous therapy has been shown to have many advantages and is nowadays commonly practised. We, therefore, aim to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of an early intravenous-to-oral switch in neonates with a probable bacterial infection. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We present a protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial assessing the non-inferiority of an early intravenous-to-oral antibiotic switch compared with a full course of intravenous antibiotics in neonates (0-28 days of age) with a probable bacterial infection. Five hundred and fifty patients will be recruited in 17 hospitals in the Netherlands. After 48 hours of intravenous treatment, they will be assigned to either continue with intravenous therapy for another 5 days (control) or switch to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid suspension (intervention). Both groups will be treated for a total of 7 days. The primary outcome will be bacterial (re)infection within 28 days after treatment completion. Secondary outcomes are the pharmacokinetic profile of oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, the impact on quality of life, cost-effectiveness, impact on microbiome development and additional yield of molecular techniques in diagnosis of probable bacterial infection. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus Medical Centre. Results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03247920.status: publishe