Tear proteome analysis in ocular surface diseases using label-free LC-MS/MS and multiplexedmicroarray biomarker validation

We analyzed the tear film proteome of patients with dry eye (DE), meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and normal volunteers (CT). Tear samples were collected from 70 individuals. Of these, 37 samples were analyzed using spectral-counting-based LC-MS/MS label-free quantitation, and 33 samples were evaluated in the validation of candidate biomarkers employing customized antibody microarray assays. Comparative analysis of tear protein profiles revealed differences in the expression levels of 26 proteins, including protein S100A6, annexin A1, cystatin-S, thioredoxin, phospholipase A2, antileukoproteinase, and lactoperoxidase. Antibody microarray validation of CST4, S100A6, and MMP9 confirmed the accuracy of previously reported ELISA assays, with an area under ROC curve (AUC) of 87.5%. Clinical endpoint analysis showed a good correlation between biomarker concentrations and clinical parameters. In conclusion, different sets of proteins differentiate between the groups. Apolipoprotein D, S100A6, S100A8, and ceruloplasmin discriminate best between the DE and CT groups. The differences between antileukoproteinase, phospholipase A2, and lactoperoxidase levels allow the distinction between MGD and DE, and the changes in the levels of annexin A1, clusterin, and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, between MGD and CT groups. The functional network analysis revealed the main biological processes that should be examined to identify new candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Methane emissions from the storage of liquid dairy manure: Influences of season, temperature and storage duration

Methane emissions from livestock manure are primary contributors to GHG emissions from agriculture and options for their mitigation must be found. This paper presents the results of a study on methane emissions from stored liquid dairy cow manure during summer and winter storage periods. Manure from the summer and winter season was stored under controlled conditions in barrels at ambient temperature to simulate manure storage conditions. Methane emissions from the manure samples from the winter season were measured in two time periods: 0 to 69 and 0 to 139 days. For the summer storage period, the experiments covered four time periods: from 0 to 70, 0 to 138, 0 to 209, and 0 to 279 continuous days, with probing every 10 weeks. Additionally, at the end of all storage experiments, samples were placed into eudiometer batch digesters, and their methane emissions were measured at 20 degrees C for another 60 days to investigate the potential effect of the aging of the liquid manure on its methane emissions. The experiment showed that the methane emissions from manure stored in summer were considerably higher than those from manure stored in winter. CH4 production started after approximately one month, reaching values of 0.061 kg CH4 kg(-1) Volatile Solid (VS) and achieving high total emissions of 0.148 kg CH4 kg(-1) VS (40 weeks). In winter, the highest emissions level was 0.0011 kg CH4 kg(-1) VS (20 weeks). The out comes of these experimental measurements can be used to suggest strategies for mitigating methane emissions from manure storage

Transcriptomics pave the way into mechanisms of cobalt and nickel toxicity: Nrf2-mediated cellular responses in liver carcinoma cells

Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni) are used nowadays in various industrial applications like lithium-ion batteries, raising concerns about their environmental release and public health threats. Both metals are potentially carcinogenic and may cause neurological and cardiovascular dysfunctions, though underlying toxicity mechanisms have to be further elucidated. This study employs untargeted transcriptomics to analyze downstream cellular effects of individual and combined Co and Ni toxicity in human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2). The results reveal a synergistic effect of Co and Ni, leading to significantly higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared to individual exposure. There was a clear enrichment of Nrf2 regulated genes linked to pathways such as glycolysis, iron and glutathione metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism, confirmed by targeted analysis. Co and Ni exposure alone and combined caused nuclear Nrf2 translocation, while only combined exposure significantly affects iron and glutathione metabolism, evidenced by upregulation of HMOX-1 and iron storage protein FTL. Both metals impact sphingolipid metabolism, increasing dihydroceramide levels and decreasing ceramides, sphingosine and lactosylceramides, along with diacylglycerol accumulation. By combining transcriptomics and analytical methods, this study provides valuable insights into molecular mechanisms of Co and Ni toxicity, paving the way for further understanding of metal stress

Schlussbericht zum Vorhaben

Pappelholz aus Kurzumtriebsplantagen (KUP) kann als nachwachsender Rohstoff für die Gewinnung von Biogas bzw. Biomethan und Torfersatzstoff verwendet werden. Der Biogasprozess kann dabei als und bei entsprechender Substratkonservierung das Potenzial des Holzes an flüchtigen Stoffen und vergärbaren Faseranteilen ausschöpft. Das Projekt PaplGas2 baute auf der PaplGas-Machbarkeitsstudie auf. Für ein besseres Verständnis der anaeroben Vergärung von Pappelholzfasern und zur Unterstützung einer zukünftigen wissensbasierten Verfahrensentwicklung wurden am UFZ die mikrobiellen Gemeinschaften in verschiedenen Biogassystemen erforscht. Dafür wurden Rührkesselsysteme aus dem Vorgängerprojekt PaplGas sowie der Pfropfenstromreaktor und Perkolationsreaktoren analysiert. Die Strukturen und Entwicklungen der jeweiligen bakteriellen und methanogenen Gemeinschaften bei der Pappelholz-Vergärung wurden mittels Illumina MiSeq Amplikonsequenzierungen untersucht. Zudem wurden die mikrobiologischen Daten mit den Prozessdaten korreliert, um Abhängigkeiten und Zusammenhänge aufzuzeigen. Datei-Upload durch TIBPoplar wood, harvested from short-rotation plantations, serves as a renewable resource for biogas, biomethane, and peat substitute production. The biogas process acts as a preliminary conditioning step for material utilization, generating energy and leveraging the wood’s potential in terms of volatile substances and fermentable fiber components, given proper substrate preservation. This process was explored in the PaplGas2 project, building on the PaplGas feasibility study. To enhance our understanding of poplar wood fibers’ anaerobic digestion and aid future process development, microbial communities in various biogas systems were studied at UFZ. This research involved analyzing stirred tank systems from the previous PaplGas project, along with the plug-flow reactor and percolation reactors. Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing was employed to examine the structures and evolutions of the bacterial and methanogenic communities during poplar wood fermentation. Furthermore, microbiological data were cross-referenced with process data to discern dependencies and correlations

Standard values and relationship-specific validity of the Bielefeld Relationship Expectations Questionnaire (BFPE)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Bielefeld Partnership Expectations Questionnaire (BFPE) is a tool to assess attachment in the romantic relationships of adults. The attachment styles are operationalized as configuration patterns of scale scores. While convergent validity has already been investigated, discriminant validity is still lacking confirmation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The present sample (n = 1509) is representative for the German population aged 18 to 50. The mean age was 34.6 years. Most of the participants lived in a relationship (77.3 %). Discriminant validity was analyzed using a marital quality questionnaire (PFB), a social support questionnaire (F-Soz-U K-14), and a life satisfaction questionnaire (FLZ).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the BFPE scales have a satisfying internal consistency between r = .79 and .86. Those individuals who showed a secure pattern, i.e. increased "Readiness for Self-Disclosure" and "Conscious Need for Care" as well as reduced "Fear of Rejection" experienced their partner as socially supportive, reported higher marital quality in all of its facets, and were more satisfied within the life-domains "family/children" and "relationship/sexuality". Standard values for each scale are presented.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The BFPE has repeatedly been verified as a short, reliable, and valid instrument applicable to research practice with healthy individuals as well as within clinical contexts.</p

Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Wheat Straw—Evaluating the Effect of Substrate Disintegration on the Digestibility in Anaerobic Digestion

The increasing demand for renewable energy sources and demand-oriented electricity provision makes anaerobic digestion (AD) one of the most promising technologies. In addition to energy crops, the use of lignocellulosic residual and waste materials from agriculture is becoming increasingly important. However, AD of such feedstocks is often associated with difficulties due to the high content of lignocellulose and its microbial persistence. In the present work, the effect of hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) on the digestibility of wheat straw is investigated and evaluated. Under different HTP temperatures (160–180 °C) and retention times (15–45 min), a significant increase in biomethane potential (BMP) can be observed in all cases. The highest BMP (309.64 mL CH4 g−1 volatile solid (VS) is achieved after pretreatment at 160 °C for 45 min, which corresponds to an increase of 19% of untreated wheat straw. The results of a multiple linear regression model show that the solubilization of organic materials is influenced by temperature and time. Furthermore, using two different first-order kinetic models, an enhancement of AD rate during hydrolysis due to pretreatment is observed. However, the increasing intensity of pretreatment conditions is accompanied by a decreasing trend in the conversion of intermediates to methane.</jats:p