Spatially and taxonomically explicit characterisation factors for greenhouse gas emission impacts on biodiversity

In life-cycle impact assessment, currently available characterisation factors (CF) for climate change impacts on biodiversity are highly simplified and do not consider spatial and taxonomic differentiation of species or local climate variability. We develop the first spatially and taxonomically specific CFs for the impacts of 20 GHGs on biodiversity considering 26,648 species across terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Generally, CFs are higher in the tropics, and marine species are affected more severely than terrestrial ones. When global GHG emissions from 2020 are assessed in a scenario with a global temperature rise of 3 °C by 2100, an average of 0.25%, 0.15% and 0.03% of species are negatively affected in 2100 from CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions, respectively, across the globe. The new CFs can be used at different levels of spatial and taxonomic aggregation to quantify co-benefits for biodiversity of climate change mitigation in tools such as life-cycle assessment, input-output analyses, or integrated assessment models

Comparative analysis of drop-size measurement in highly dense sprays using shadowgraphy, PDA, and SLIPI

Atomization is a physical phenomenon that is widely encountered in many engineering and industrial applications, such as in combustion engines, spray coating, spray dryers and many more. Spray characterization involves the determination of the droplet size and velocity distributions (both probability density function and spatial). To determine these parameters experimentally, traditionally, microscopic shadowgraphy and Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) are used, because of their relative ease of use and high accuracy. However, the application of these techniques is limited to relatively less dense sprays. In highly dense sprays, the strong multiple scattering effects cause significant errors in the determination of relevant parameters. Therefore, the Structured Laser Illumination Planar Imaging (SLIPI) technique is adopted. In this work, comparative measurements are reported to assess the capabilities of these techniques for drop-size measurements in a highly dense spray originating from a pressure swirl nozzle

Biodiversity Impact Assessment Considering Land Use Intensities and Fragmentation

Land use is a major threat to terrestrial biodiversity. Life cycle assessment is a tool that can assess such threats and thereby support environmental decision-making. Within the Global Guidance for Life Cycle Impact Assessment (GLAM) project, the Life Cycle Initiative hosted by UN Environment aims to create a life cycle impact assessment method across multiple impact categories, including land use impacts on ecosystem quality represented by regional and global species richness. A working group of the GLAM project focused on such land use impacts and developed new characterization factors to combine the strengths of two separate recent advancements in the field: the consideration of land use intensities and land fragmentation. The data sets to parametrize the underlying model are also updated from previous models. The new characterization factors cover five species groups (plants, amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles) and five broad land use types (cropland, pasture, plantations, managed forests, and urban land) at three intensity levels (minimal, light, and intense). They are available at the level of terrestrial ecoregions and countries. This paper documents the development of the characterization factors, provides practical guidance for their use, and critically assesses the strengths and remaining shortcomings

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of aminoalkyl resveratrol derivatives inspired by cationic peptides.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global concern, far from being resolved. The need of new drugs against new targets is imminent. In this work, we present a family of aminoalkyl resveratrol derivatives with antibacterial activity inspired by the properties of cationic amphipathic antimicrobial peptides. Surprisingly, the newly designed molecules display modest activity against aerobically growing bacteria but show surprisingly good antimicrobial activity against anaerobic bacteria (Gram-negative and Gram-positive) suggesting specificity towards this bacterial group. Preliminary studies into the action mechanism suggest that activity takes place at the membrane level, while no cross-resistance with traditional antibiotics is observed. Actually, some good synergistic relations with existing antibiotics were found against Gram-negative pathogens. However, some cytotoxicity was observed, despite their low haemolytic activity. Our results show the importance of the balance between positively charged moieties and hydrophobicity to improve antimicrobial activity, setting the stage for the design of new drugs based on these molecules.This work was supported by the Junta de Andalucía [FQM-7316] and the Dutch Research Council [NWA-Idea Generator project NWA.1228.191.006]. Rubén Cebrián was supported by the Ramon- Areces Foundation and the NWO-NACTAR program. Ricardo Lucas was supported by a TalentHub contract from Junta the Andalucía-EC program. The following reagents were obtained through BEI Resources, NIAID, NIH: Bacteroides ovatus 3_8_47FAA and Parabacteroides merdae CL03T12C32.Peer reviewe

Whole-genome profiling of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL), a hematological neoplasm caused by skin-homing CD30+ malignant T cells, is part of the spectrum of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders. To date, only a small number of molecular alterations have been described in pcALCL and, so far, no clear unifying theme that could explain the pathogenetic origin of the disease has emerged among patients. In order to clarify the pathogenetic basis of pcALCL, we performed high-resolution genetic profiling (genome/transcriptome) of this lymphoma (n=12) by using whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing. Our study, which uncovered novel genomic rearrangements, copy number alterations and small-scale mutations underlying this malignancy, revealed that the cell cycle, T-cell physiology regulation, transcription and signaling via the PI-3-K, MAPK and G-protein pathways are cellular processes commonly impacted by molecular alterations in patients with pcALCL. Recurrent events affecting cancer-associated genes included deletion of PRDM1 and TNFRSF14, gain of EZH2 and TNFRSF8, small-scale mutations in LRP1B, PDPK1 and PIK3R1 and rearrangements involving GPS2, LINC-PINT and TNK1. Consistent with the genomic data, transcriptome analysis uncovered upregulation of signal transduction routes associated with the PI-3-K, MAPK and G-protein pathways (e.g., ERK, phospholipase C, AKT). Our molecular findings suggest that inhibition of proliferation-promoting pathways altered in pcALCL (particularly PI-3-K/AKT signaling) should be explored as potential alternative therapy for patients with this lymphoma, especially, for cases that do not respond to first-line skin-directed therapies or with extracutaneous disease

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

Predicting global habitat conversion and fragmentation effects on terrestrial vertebrate species richness with species-area models within the life cycle impact assessment framework

Habitat change is the single largest threat to global biodiversity. Mainly caused by human land use, this results in the loss and fragmentation of natural habitat and subsequent losses of species. The relevance of halting and reversing biodiversity loss caused by habitat change is recognized by international efforts, such as the Aichi biodiversity targets or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, specifically, SDG 15). A variety of studies and assessments is needed to guide strategies to reach these goals and to assess whether we are on the right track for reaching them. In this light, a quantitative understanding of the effects of human land use is essential. Environmental decision-support tools can help to channel such information into decision-making processes, thereby helping to guide actions and strategies to minimise biodiversity impacts. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is such a tool that comprehensively assesses impacts along complete value chains. However, currently available life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) models for global land use impacts on species richness consider the effects of habitat conversion only and neglect the additional effects of habitat fragmentation. This means that land use impacts may be systematically underestimated in current LCAs. To more completely capture impacts related to land use, both habitat conversion and fragmentation effects should be considered. This thesis contributes to improving the LCIA characterisation of land use impacts by developing a novel method that considers the combined effects of habitat conversion and fragmentation. I investigated possible options for including the consideration of fragmentation effects within the LCA framework (Chapter 2). Based on a species-area relationship (SAR) approach, I developed a model that considers the global combined effects of habitat conversion and fragmentation on regional (non-flying) mammal species richness (Chapter 3). Fragmentation effects are estimated from changes in habitat connectivity based on the number and size of habitat patches, permeability of the matrix separating the patches, and species dispersal distances. The results suggest that neglecting fragmentation effects results in an average underestimation of land use impacts of about 10%. This reflects the relevance of considering fragmentation in addition to habitat conversion. In addition to regional species losses, we are interested global species extinctions. Hence, I developed an approach for indicating the potential effect of regional species loss on global species extinctions in a taxon- and regionally-specific manner (Chapter 4). The results highlight focal regions for the conservation of global species richness. A combination of the SAR model including fragmentation and the estimation of the global extinction probabilities results in a novel LCIA land use characterisation method (Chapter 5). This spatially differentiated LCIA model for land use impacts on species richness is globally applicable and considers the combined effects of habitat conversion and fragmentation on amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Overall, these characterisation factors improve the potential for characterizing impacts of land use in LCAs more completely. The limitations regarding a global approach like the one proposed here is that it generalizes impacts over larger scales, potentially not accurately reflecting local responses to habitat conversion or dispersal behaviour of specific species. Nevertheless, large-scale studies may help to identify global trends or to trace impacts spanning across regions. Hence, LCA biodiversity assessments are best suited for comparative analyses at larger scales. This thesis is an important step forward to more completely cover the aspects of land use impacts on species richness in LCA

Considering habitat conversion and fragmentation in characterisation factors for land-use impacts on vertebrate species richness

Human land use is one of the primary threats to terrestrial species richness and is considered a priority for meeting global sustainability and biodiversity targets. Decision-support tools, such as life cycle assessment (LCA), are widely used for developing strategies to achieve such objectives. Currently available life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods apply the countryside species-area relationship (c-SAR) to quantify habitat conversion impacts on species richness. However, additional effects of habitat fragmentation are yet ignored in these assessments. We use the species-habitat relationship (SHR), an adaptation of the c-SAR that considers both habitat conversion and fragmentation effects, to develop a new set of land-use characterisation factors for 702 terrestrial ecoregions (in 238 countries), four land-use types (urban, cropland, pasture, and forestry), and four taxonomic groups (amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles; plus the aggregate of these vertebrate groups). The SHR generally predicts higher per-area impacts of land-use than the impacts estimated by the c-SAR (a median relative difference of +9%), indicating that land-use impacts may be systematically underestimated when ignoring fragmentation effects. Whereas per-area impacts of land-use on regional species richness are highest in temperate regions, reflecting the diminished extent of natural habitat, per-area impacts of land-use on global species richness are highest in the subtropics, reflecting the importance of tropical regions and islands to global vertebrate species diversity. The large variety in magnitude of land-use impacts across the world's regions emphasizes the importance of regionalised assessments. The set of characterisation factors proposed here can be readily used in environmental decision-making

Trends in national biodiversity footprints of land use

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Facial subcutaneous emphysema due to rectum injury after pelvic fracture

A 35-year old dockworker sustained a pelvic injury when he was caught by a large loading clamshell grab. Primary survey revealed an open book pelvic fracture with soft tissue defects of the left thigh and groin. CT scanning of the thorax and abdomen did not reveal significant additional injuries. Partly due to patient's haemodynamical instability, osteosynthesis of the pelvic fracture was performed immediately after resuscitation, whereby the severely contaminated wound of the thigh was debrided and irrigated. The following days, progressive facial subcutaneous emphysema developed, but patient remained clinically stable. Several specialists were consulted, but did not find a cause. At day 7, a second surgery was planned to treat a pelvic surgical wound infection. Unexpectedly, we found faecal contamination in the pelvic surgical wound. The consulted gastro/intestinal-surgeon performed a laparoscopic colostomy for a rectal laceration. Awareness for bowel injuries with open pelvic fracture should be high, also when subcutaneous emphysema is found remotely.</p