Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition to widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. lectularius sequenced genome (650 Mb) and 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide a comprehensive representation of genes that are linked to traumatic insemination, a reduced chemosensory repertoire of genes related to obligate hematophagy, host–symbiont interactions, and several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the presence of multiple putative lateral gene transfer events. Genome sequencing and annotation establish a solid foundation for future research on mechanisms of insecticide resistance, human–bed bug and symbiont–bed bug associations, and unique features of bed bug biology that contribute to the unprecedented success of C. lectularius as a human ectoparasite

Lebenszykluskostenanalyse zur Entscheidungsunterstützung in der chemischen Prozessentwicklung = Life cycle cost analysis for decision support in chemical process development

The need for environmentally benign processes as a crucial basis of future competitiveness is in the focus of today's chemical industry. Decision support in the development of such processes can be provided by life cycle assessment. New technologies, however, can be established only if they lead to cost-efficient production processes as well. Life cycle cost analyses provide an appropriate methodological basis of linking the cost-side evaluation of alternative options during the process development with environmental decision criteria. The results of both methods can be combined in an eco portfolio. In summary, development of both, ecologically and economically efficient processes, can thus be supported already in the early design phase of chemical processes. © 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

Life cycle assessment of multi-step rufinamide synthesis - from isolated reactions in batch to continuous microreactor networks

Rufinamide is an antiepileptic drug to treat Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, in combination with other medications. Herein, several batch and continuous process routes to rufinamide are analysed and optimised regarding their environmental impact, to finally predict a fully continuous, telescoped process route.</p

Ionic liquids and green chemistry : a lab experiment

Although ionic liquids have been investigated as solvents for many applications and are starting to be used in industrial processes, only a few lab experiments are available to introduce students to these materials. Ionic liquids have been discussed in the context of green chemistry, but few investigations have actually assessed the degree of their greenness. This experiment combines two research areas, ionic liquids and ecological assessment, in an advanced undergraduate lab course. The modular combination of these two research areas allows for the adaptation of the timetable and content. Two ionic liquids are synthesized, and the method of heating (microwave-assisted vs convective), temperature, time, and alkylating agent are varied. In addition to the yield, simple metrics (atom economy, reaction mass efficiency, E-factor) in combination with energy efficiency, prices of chemicals, and ecological impacts of the materials are considered. It is the goal of this experiment to help students realize that a synthetic method leading to quantitative yields is not a priori green: other factors (nature of reactants, energy consumption, etc.) must be assessed as well

Reduction of CO2 emissions during cement clinker burning; part 1 = Ein Beitrag zur Reduzierung der CO2-Emissionen beim Zementklinkerbrand; Teil 1

The aim of the research project entitled "New technology in cement production for reducing CO2 emissions" sponsored by the German Federal Environmental Foundation was to lower the CO2 emissions during clinker burning. A possible reduction, relative to an industrial example, of up to 21 % in the carbon dioxide emissions due to the raw materials was identified. The CO2 emissions caused by the fuel can be reduced by about 13 % by lowering the energy requirement for clinker burning. Implementation was achieved by partial replacement of the rock used for Portland cement clinker production by by-products from other industrial processes (e.g. steel production, power generation from lignite) as raw meal components. The environmental relevance and the industrial availability have been taken into account. The burning process for cement clinker was carried out on a laboratory scale in a gradient furnace. The clinker produced in the trials and the suitability of the raw meal mixes were evaluated by chemical and quantitative X-ray phase analysis. CO2 balances were established as crucial criteria for material selection. Clinker for determining the technical cement parameters was produced from an alternative raw mix and a reference meal. Assessment of the cement quality showed that when industrial by-products are used it is possible to achieve hardening and workability properties that are equivalent to those achieved when using Portland cement clinker from conventional raw meal mixes

S-100B and FDG-PET/CT in therapy response assessment of melanoma patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare the value of the tumor marker S-100B protein and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in patients treated for melanoma metastases. METHODS: In 41 patients with proven melanoma metastases, S-100B measurements and FDG-PET/CT were performed before and after therapy. The change of S-100B levels (DeltaS-100B) was assessed. In all patients, therapy response was assessed with PET/CT using visual criteria and change of maximal standard uptake value (DeltaSUV(max.)) or total lesion glycolysis (DeltaTLG). RESULTS: In 15 of 41 patients (37%), S-100B values were not suitable because they were normal before and after therapy. In 26 patients, S-100B was suitable for therapy response assessment. PET/CT was suitable for response assessment in all patients. Correlations between DeltaS-100B and DeltaTLG (r = 0.850, p < 0.001) and between DeltaS-100B and DeltaSUV(max.) (r = 0.818, p < 0.001) were both excellent. A complete agreement between S-100B and PET/CT response assessment was achieved in 22 of 26 patients. In 4 patients, therapy response differed between the S-100B and PET/CT findings, but subsequent S-100B measurements realigned the S-100B results with the later PET/CT findings. CONCLUSION: In a third of our patients with metastases, the S-100B tumor marker was not suitable for therapy assessment. In these patients, imaging techniques remain necessary, and FDG-PET/CT can be used for response assessment

Eco-efficiency analysis for intensified production of an active pharmaceutical ingredient : a case study

This article presents results on cost and performance benefit analysis of optimization and intensification activities of a pharmaceutical process. A batch process for the production of a low-volume, high value active pharmaceutical ingredient, developed at Sanofi (France), has been used as a case study. With the scale of 100 kg/y and a product price of a few thousands Euros per kilogram, also following a general trend in pharmaceutical industry, this process is supposed to be an ideal candidate for continuous, modular plant production of a highly potent drug. It was aimed to keep the learning gathered generic, i.e. to stand for the whole class of similarly produced drugs. The impact of various chemical process parameters on the overall production costs has been investigated and process performance represented in terms of operation time, waste and resource usage as the main process metrics. Five optimized and intensified scenarios were compared to the reference case operated at a Sanofi site: intensified reaction, continuous processing, alternative catalysts, change of solvent, change in the purification sequence, recovery of the key product, and intensified drying option. The analysis has shown that, under the assumptions used, an intensified millireactor based process with a subsequent continuous post-processing brings the most benefits in terms of cost, while its process performance, although equal or slightly better than batch, still can be optimized. The total product cost is then reduced for 35 %, while the operating time is 27 % lower than the base case, with 47 % less labor needed compared to the reference case. First studies on ecological impact by University of Jena confirm these promising findings and are presented in outlines herein; with an own paper on respective details to follow. The results are now undergoing experimental validation in the newly developed compact container plant of Evonik

Green catalysis by nanoparticulate catalysts developed for flow processing? case study of glucose hydrogenation

Heterogeneous catalysis, flow chemistry, continuous processing, green solvents, catalyst immobilization and recycling are some of the most relevant, emerging key technologies to achieve green synthesis. However, a quantification of potential effects on a case to case level is required to provide a profound answer, whether they can lead to a superior process compared to the industrial standard. To do so, holistic environmental assessment approaches are very useful tools providing insights and decision support during the process development phase. Herein, novel heterogeneous nanoparticulate ruthenium catalysts immobilized on hyperbranched polystyrene (HPS) and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) were investigated with respect to their potential environmental impacts and improvements if utilized in an industrially highly relevant process, namely glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol. The results of a comparative Life Cycle Assessment of the alternative catalytic systems under consideration of RANEY® nickel as benchmark catalyst revealed that in particular Ru nanoparticles on porous HPS beads processed under flow-chemistry conditions have the potential to improve the greenness of the overall synthesis, but the concentration of glucose in the reaction mixture is in fact the most influential parameter

Green catalysis by nanoparticulate catalysts developed for flow processing? case study of glucose hydrogenation

Heterogeneous catalysis, flow chemistry, continuous processing, green solvents, catalyst immobilization and recycling are some of the most relevant, emerging key technologies to achieve green synthesis. However, a quantification of potential effects on a case to case level is required to provide a profound answer, whether they can lead to a superior process compared to the industrial standard. To do so, holistic environmental assessment approaches are very useful tools providing insights and decision support during the process development phase. Herein, novel heterogeneous nanoparticulate ruthenium catalysts immobilized on hyperbranched polystyrene (HPS) and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) were investigated with respect to their potential environmental impacts and improvements if utilized in an industrially highly relevant process, namely glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol. The results of a comparative Life Cycle Assessment of the alternative catalytic systems under consideration of RANEY® nickel as benchmark catalyst revealed that in particular Ru nanoparticles on porous HPS beads processed under flow-chemistry conditions have the potential to improve the greenness of the overall synthesis, but the concentration of glucose in the reaction mixture is in fact the most influential parameter

Transfer of the epoxidation of soybean oil from batch to flow chemistry guided by cost and environmental issues

The simple transfer of established chemical production processes from batch to flow chemistry does not automatically result in more sustainable ones. Detailed process understanding and the motivation to scrutinize known process conditions are necessary factors for success. Although the focus is usually "only" on intensifying transport phenomena to operate under intrinsic kinetics, there is also a large intensification potential in chemistry under harsh conditions and in the specific design of flow processes. Such an understanding and proposed processes are required at an early stage of process design because decisions on the best-suited tools and parameters required to convert green engineering concepts into practice—typically with little chance of substantial changes later—are made during this period. Herein, we present a holistic and interdisciplinary process design approach that combines the concept of novel process windows with process modeling, simulation, and simplified cost and lifecycle assessment for the deliberate development of a cost-competitive and environmentally sustainable alternative to an existing production process for epoxidized soybean oil