Liquefaction of Biomass and Upgrading of Bio-Oil: A Review

The liquefaction of biomass is an important technology to converse the biomass into valuable biofuel. The common technologies for liquefaction of biomass are indirect liquefaction and direct liquefaction. The indirect liquefaction refers to the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process using the syngas of biomass as the raw material to produce the liquid fuel, including methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and dimethyl ether. The direct liquefaction of biomass refers to the conversion biomass into bio-oil, and the main technologies are hydrolysis fermentation and thermodynamic liquefaction. For thermodynamic liquefaction, it could be divided into fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction. In addition, this review provides an overview of the physicochemical properties and common upgrading methods of bio-oil.

Mitochondrial DNA mutation m.3243A>G is associated with altered mitochondrial function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, with heteroplasmy levels and with clinical phenotypes

AIMS

To investigate the associations among heteroplasmy levels (i.e. the proportions of mutant and wild-type mitochondrial DNA in the same cell), mitochondrial function and clinical severity of the m.3243A>G mutation.

METHODS

A total of 17 participants carrying the m.3243A>G mutation and 17 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Heteroplasmy levels of the m.3243A>G mutation in leukocytes, saliva and urine sediment were determined by pyrosequencing. The clinical evaluation included endocrinological, audiological and ophthalmological examinations. Mitochondrial function was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from participants.

RESULTS

Heteroplasmy levels in urine sediment were higher than those in leukocytes and saliva. Reduced levels of adenosine triphosphate and mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased reactive oxygen species production were observed in mutant peripheral blood mononuclear cells (all P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that higher heteroplasmy levels in peripheral blood leukocytes were associated with increased levels of glycated albumin and HbA_1c , and decreased total hip bone mineral density T-score after adjustment for age and sex (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane potential was independently associated with bone mineral density T-score at the femoral neck (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Heteroplasmy levels in peripheral blood leukocytes and mitochondrial membrane potential in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were closely associated with clinical manifestations and were valuable for evaluation of the clinical severity of the m.3243A>G mutation.

Epididymal small non-coding RNA studies: progress over the past decade

BACKGROUND

Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) accomplish a huge variety of biological functions. Over the past decade, we have witnessed the substantial progress in the epididymal sncRNA studies. In the Epididymis 7, we had the true privilege of having a whole session to share our findings and exchange ideas on the epididymal sncRNA studies.

OBJECTIVES

This mini-review attempts to provide an overview of what is known about the sncRNAs in the mammalian epididymis and discuss the future directions in this field.

METHODS

We surveyed literature regarding the sncRNA studies in the mammalian epididymis, and integrated some of our unpublished findings as well. We focus on the progress in methodology and the advances in our understanding of the expression and functions of epididymal sncRNAs.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The applications of high-throughput approaches have made great contributions in the discovery of new sncRNA species and profiling their dynamics in the epithelial cells, the passing spermatozoa, and the luminal environment. The diverse classes of epididymal sncRNAs exert important biological functions from the in situ regulation of epididymal gene expression to the epigenetic inheritance in the offspring.

CONCLUSION

Although still in its infancy, we believe that the research on epididymal sncRNAs will not only lead to a better understanding of their physiological and pathological functions, but also contribute to the whole landscape of the RNA field.

Abstract P1-10-05: Analysis of genetic mutation in ethnically diverse population with Breast and ovarian cancer: Single institution experience

Only 5-10% of all breast and ovarian cancers have been attributed to inherited mutation. In unselected breast cancer patients, prevalence of germline BRCA 1 & 2 is about 2%. In Ashkenazi Jewish population the prevalence is estimated to be 11.7%. The rate of mutations in other populations has not been well characterized. The purpose of this study is to identify and characterize the risk of genetic mutations in an ethnically diverse population referred for genetic testing according to NCCN guidelines.

Method:

In this single institution retrospective study, we analyzed 782 patients referred for genetic testing between 2009-2018. Information regarding reason for referral, ethnicity, cancer history and results of genetic mutation using multigene panels were collected.

Results:

Reasons for referral were:

· Family History of cancer (142; 18.6%),

· Breast cancer diagnosed at early age (207; 26.4%),

· Triple negative breast cancer (12 ;53%

· Ovarian cancer (61; 7.8%)

· Multiple cancer (32; 4.09%)

· Known BRCA 1 or 2 mutation (51;6.5%)

· Known other mutation (9;1.15%)

· Family h/o cancer but not diagnosed with cancer (268)

Ethnic distribution:

· 328 Hispanic (41.94%)

· 177 Caucasian (22.6%),

· 27 Chinese, (3.4%)

· 52 Vietnamese (6.6%)

· 86 other- Asian (11%)

· 32 Middle eastern (4.1%),

· 14 South Asian (1.8%)

· 35 African American (4.5%)

· 8 Ashkenazi Jewish (1%)

· 19 Mixed Hispanic (2.1%)

Genetic testing was done in 545 /782 patients.

Deleterious Mutation detected: 88 patients (16.5% of tested)

· BRCA 1: 32(5.8%)

· BRCA 2:28 (5.14%)

· MSH2:5(0.9%)

· p53:39 (0.5%)

· PLB2:3 (0.38%)

· MUTYH:3 (0.38%)

· CDH1 :2 (0.26%)

· PMS2: 2 ( 0.26%)

· ATM: 1(0.13%)

· CCKn2A: 1(0.13%)

· CHEK 2: 1(0.13)

· MET:1(0.13%)

· MSH6:1 (0.13%)

· RAD50 :1(0.13%)

· RET1;1(0.13%)

BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation: 60

Mutation in BRCA 1/ 2 distribution by ethnicity:

· Hispanic (28; 8.54 %),

· Chinese (4;14.8%)

· Vietnamese (4; 7.7%)

· other Asian (12;13.9%)

· African American (3, 8.5, %)

· South Asian (0 %)

· Caucasian (8; 4.5 %)

· All Asian (20/165: 12.1%)

Mutation in other gene by Ethnicity: total 26

Hispanic (16, 4.5%), Caucasian: (3, 1.7%) Asian other than Chinese and Vietnamese (4, 4.65%)

Mutation in Breast cancer: 333 Breast cancer patients tested, 39 patients (11.17%) were found to have mutations.

10/32 triple negative (31%) 4/49 her2neu positive patients (8.1%) and 15/252 (5.9%) ER+ patients found to have mutations.

17/39 breast cancer patients with mutation had prophylactic BSO.

Mutation in BRCA 1& 2 by reason for referral:

Known family h/o of BRCA1 or 2 mutations (18; 39.5%)

Early age of cancer (10, 7.4%)

Cancer with positive family history (17, 8.2%)

Triple negative (2, 16%).

Variant of Unknown significance (VUS): 140 patients (25 %)

VUS in BRCA 2 were most common. VUS were found in 17% of Hispanic and African American patients.

No significant difference in PFS and OS was found in patient with mutation and without mutation

Conclusion:

We found much higher rates (16.5%) than previously reported mutation detection in this very highly diverse patient population.

Rate of BRCA 1&2 mutation was 8.55% in Hispanic and 12.1% in Asian patients compared with 4.5% in Caucasian patient when selected for high risk factors.

We Also noted very high rate of VUS especially in Hispanic and African American patients.

Citation Format: Aggarwal S, Chu C, Ngumi M. Analysis of genetic mutation in ethnically diverse population with Breast and ovarian cancer: Single institution experience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-05.

Effective removal of Cr(vi) from aqueous solution by biochar supported manganese sulfide

In order to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)) efficiently and simplify the adsorbent preparation process, we employed a single step method to prepare a new biochar supported manganese sulfide material. The nanoscale MnS particles were highly soldered on the biochar support surface, and this adsorbent displayed the effective removal of Cr(vi) (98.15 mg L⁻¹) via synergistic effect between adsorption and reduction/precipitation under weak acid conditions (pH = 5.0–6.0). The adsorption kinetic data were described well by the pseudo second-order kinetic model, suggesting that the reaction process was a chemisorption process. The adsorption isotherm data were described well by the Redlich–Peterson model, further suggesting that this reaction was a hybrid chemical reaction-sorption process. In addition, the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model with 8.28, 8.57, and 12.91 kJ mol⁻¹ adsorption energy also suggests that it was a chemisorption process. The simple and eco-friendly preparation process, low-cost, and the high removal efficiency could make it a promising material for the purification of Cr(vi)-contaminated wastewater.

In order to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)) efficiently and simplify the adsorbent preparation process, we employed a single step method to prepare a new biochar supported manganese sulfide material.

A Bayesian modeling approach for phosphorus load apportionment in a reservoir with high water transfer disturbance

Phosphorus loading from external and internal sources poses a potential risk to eutrophication of lakes or reservoirs. However, the relative contribution of external and internal sources to eutrophication is still unclear especially for reservoirs with water transfer disturbance. The objective of this paper is to estimate the phosphorus loading from external (water transfer and diffusing emission) and internal sources (sediment release) in Yuqiao Reservoir (YQR) and compare their relative contribution of external and internal sources. In this study, we estimated the phosphorus loading considering both external (water transfer and diffusing source emission) and internal (release from sediment) sources of YQR. The phosphorus loading from water transfer was estimated by total phosphorus (TP) concentration × monthly flow of inflow. The phosphorus loading from nonpoint source emission was estimated using a generalized watershed loading function (GWLF). The phosphorus loading from internal sources was estimated with a Bayesian phosphorus budget model. Our result showed that water transfer TP load is the biggest (45.2%) source of TP load in YQR and internal TP load (20.5%) accounts for a comparable proportion of TP load as nonpoint source (34.3%) in YQR and dominates the total loading in some months. Analysis of seasonal total phosphorus load apportionment indicated that water transfer TP load takes the largest proportion in winter (60.8%), spring (60.2%), and autumn (47.8%). Nonpoint source TP load takes the largest proportion in summer (60.1%), and internal TP load is the second source of YQR in summer (22.4%). Our study indicates that water transfer may be the major driver of eutrophication for some reservoir systems, and sediment release may prevent recovery of many eutrophic lakes and reservoirs. Our analysis suggests that TP pollution control strategies in YQR should be preferentially focused on the improvement of water quality in the upstream reservoir, and nonpoint source TP load reductions should be focused on summer. Compared with conventional nutrient apportionment model applications, this paper provides a new approach to estimate external and internal TP loads simultaneously. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Entangled stakeholder roles and perceptions of sustainable consumption: An evaluation of sustainable consumption practices in Tianjin, China

Sustainable consumption and production are considered to be fundamental ways to solve problems with environmental resources that human beings are facing. There is a broad consensus that promoting sustainable consumption requires the joint efforts of different social actors. This paper aims to define the roles of different stakeholders and the relationships between them, and then establish a modeling framework to analyze those relationships between stakeholders, which include members of government, business, consumer, mass media, environmental non-government organizations, education and research institutions, financial markets, etc. The research found that members of government, business, and consumers make up the core stakeholder network. The modeling framework could be used to evaluate sustainable consumption practices and identify deficiencies that would assist in defining better trajectories. This paper describes the evaluation of sustainable consumption practice in Tianjin, China from a stakeholder perspective to show how the modeling framework can function. According to this analysis, the following six actions may promote sustainable consumption practices in areas like Tianjin: 1) the cultivation of a consciousness of sustainable consumption, 2) the exemplary role of government, 3) a series of laws, regulations, and policies, 4) a thorough sustainable consumption action plan, 5) an insistence on sustainable production and consumption by businesses and consumers, and 6) the concerted efforts of various stakeholders.

IRX3 is a genetic modifier for birth weight, adolescent obesity and transaminase metabolism

OBJECTIVE

IRX3 expression has been functionally associated in obesity-associated long-distance susceptibility loci, but the effect of the IRX3 genetic variants on human obesity and obesity-related metabolism remains uncertain.

METHODS

To determine the genetic role of IRX3, we conducted a molecular epidemiological analysis using three haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs8053360, rs3751723 and rs12445085) and one nonsynonymous SNP (rs1126960) at the IRX3 locus in 333 junior and senior high school students from a northeast Chinese population.

RESULTS

We identified significant associations between IRX3 SNPs and birth weight, body mass index (BMI), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and AST/ALT ratio. The rs8053360 CC and rs1126960 GG genotypes were associated with increased birth weight and BMI, especially in females. Individuals with the rs12445085 TT genotype had significantly higher levels of AST and ALT, whereas individuals with the rs1126960 GG genotype had a significantly lower AST/ALT ratio than did individuals with other genotypes. However, no significant relationships were found between any of the IRX3 SNPs and metabolic syndrome or diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

IRX3 genetic variants associate with birth weight, BMI and AST/ALT-related transaminase metabolism, supporting the role of IRX3 as an obesity-associated susceptibility gene.

A water quality management strategy for regionally protected water through health risk assessment and spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution in 3 marine reserves

Severe water pollution and resource scarcity is a major problem in China, where it is necessary to establish water quality-oriented monitoring and intelligent watershed management. In this study, an effective watershed management method is explored, in which water quality is first assessed using the heavy metal pollution index and the human health risk index, and then by classifying the pollution and management grade based on cluster analysis and GIS visualization. Three marine reserves in Tianjin were selected and analyzed, namely the Tianjin Ancient Coastal Wetland National Nature Reserve (Qilihai Natural Reserve), the Tianjin DaShentang Oyster Reef National Marine Special Reserve (DaShentang Reserve), and the Tianjin Coastal Wetland National Marine Special Reserve (BinHai Wetland Reserve) which is under construction. The water quality and potential human health risks of 5 heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg, Cr) in the three reserves were assessed using the Nemerow index and USEPA methods. Moreover, ArcGIS10.2 software was used to visualize the heavy metal index and display their spatial distribution. Cluster analysis enabled classification of the heavy metals into 4 categories, which allowed for identification of the heavy metals whose pollution index and health risks were highest, and, thus, whose control in the reserve is a priority. Results indicate that heavy metal pollution exists in the Qilihai Natural Reserve and in the north and east of the DaShentang Reserve; furthermore, human health risks exist in the Qilihai Natural Reserve and in the BinHai Wetland Reserve. In each reserve, the main factor influencing the pollution and health risk were high concentrations of As and Pb that exceed the corresponding standards. Measures must be adopted to control and remediate the pollutants. Furthermore, to protect the marine reserves, management policies must be implemented to improve water quality, which is an urgent task for both local and national governments.

Water Environment Assessment as an Ecological Red Line Management Tool for Marine Wetland Protection

A 'red line' was established, identifying an area requiring for ecological protection in Tianjin, China. Within the protected area of the red line area, the Qilihai wetland is an important ecotope with complex ecological functions, although the ecosystem is seriously disturbed due to anthropogenic activities in the surrounding areas. This study assesses the water quality status of the Qilihai wetlands to identify the pollution sources and potential improvements based on the ecological red line policy, to improve and protect the waters of the Qilihai wetlands. An indicator system was established to assess water quality status using single factor evaluation and a comprehensive evaluation method, supported by data from 2010 to 2013. Assessment results show that not all indicators met the requirement of the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB3838-2002) and that overall, waters in the Qilihai wetland were seriously polluted. Based on these findings we propose restrictions on all polluting anthropogenic activities in the red line area and implementation of restoration projects to improve water quality.