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Bio-polyol chemical design for self-healing boronate ester gels by green oxyalkylation of organosolv lignin
No full textPlease cite this article as: Jacobs, B., Nieuwenhove, I.V., Driesen, S., Reyes, P., D'hooge, D.R., Graulus, G-J., Bernaerts, K.V., Verberckmoes, A., Bio-polyol chemical design for self-healing boronate ester gels by green oxyalkylation of organosolv lignin, European Polymer Journal (2025), doi: https://doi. ABSTRACT-Lignin, the most abundant aromatic biopolymer, has a high potential as an alternative to fossil resources in the chemical industry. However, the non-uniformity of lignin is currently a drawback for high-end applications. In this work, glycerol carbonate being a green and safe cyclic carbonate was therefore applied in the oxyalkylation of organosolv lignin (weight average molecular weight of ≈ 8,300 g mol-1 ; aliphatic OH content of ca. 2.61 mmol g-1) to obtain a lignin-based polyol with solely aliphatic OH functionalities. The catalyst type, reaction temperature and time and additional solvents were evaluated in the oxyalkylation with optimal settings using K 2 CO 3, 175 °C, 30 minute reaction time without any additional solvent to make a modified lignin with a weight average molecular weight of ca. 15,000 g mol-1 and an aliphatic OH content of ca. 4.59 mmol g-1. To support mechanistic understanding it is shown that the carboxylic acid and phenolic hydroxyl functionalities are converted completely into 1,2-diols, while native aliphatic OH functionalities take at most slightly part in the modification reaction. Furthermore, upon the formation of vicinal diols, the functionalities partially react with glycerol carbonate by an internal transesterification into cyclic carbonate functionalities, this undesirable reaction being more dominant at lower temperatures. Notably, the performance of the oxyalkylation strategy is sufficient to crosslink the modified lignin with benzene-1,4-diboronic acid into a gel-like material with identical shear storage and loss moduli before destruction and immediately after destruction (for the lowest amount of crosslinker added = 1:1.15 diol/boronic acid functionalities molar ratio)
Mycorrhiza-dependent drivers of the positive rhizosphere effects on the temperature sensitivity of soil microbial respiration in subtropical forests
No full textTree roots and their fungal symbionts mediate the response of rhizosphere soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition to climate warming, specifically the temperature sensitivity of soil microbial respiration (Q10), which is a critical parameter for projecting the magnitude of terrestrial soil C-climate feedbacks. However, the intensity of the rhizosphere effects (RE; rhizosphere soils vs. bulk soils) on Q10 in forest soils associated with different mycorrhizal groups and their seasonal dynamics are poorly understood. Here, we selected nine tree species associated with either arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi in subtropical forests of China and collected bulk soil and rhizosphere soil in both the warm and cold seasons to explore the RE on Q10, respectively. Our results showed a positive RE on Q10 (ranging from 20.1% to 87.5%) for all tree species, independent of the season. For EM tree species, the RE on Q10 was 64.5% higher in the warm season and 44.4% higher in the cold season, compared to AM tree species. The RE on Q10 of AM and EM tree species was 44.8% and 65.0% larger in the warm season than that in the cold season, respectively. Fine root traits (including biomass, the carbon to nitrogen ratio, and soluble sugar content) predominantly controlled the RE on Q10 in AM-dominated forests, whereas the RE on soil properties (such as NH4+ and C availability) dominantly governed the RE on Q10 in EM-dominated forests. Furthermore, the RE on Q10 was also positively correlated with the RE on soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids in both AM- and EM-dominated forests. These findings suggest that rhizosphere soils in EM-dominated forests are more susceptible to C losses under climate warming than those in AM-dominated forests, compared to their respective bulk soils, potentially limiting rhizosphere SOC sequestration. The greater vulnerability of EM-dominated forests underscores the importance of accounting for root-soil interactions, mycorrhizal associations, and seasonal dynamics in C-climate models to improve predictions of SOC cycling and its feedback to global warming.National Natural Science Foundation of China. https://ror.org/01h0zpd94Description of the data and file structure
RE, rhizosphere effects; e.g., RE on TN indicated the rhizosphere effect on soil total nitrogen
Q10, temperature sensitivity of SOC decomposition
TN, soil total nitrogen content
SOC, soil organic carbon content
WEOC, water-extractable organic carbon content
LOC, labile organic carbon content
ROC, recalcitrant organic carbon content
AP, available phosphorus content
PPO, polyphenol oxidase activity
UE, urease activity
βGC, β-glucosidase activity
CL, cellulase activity
ACP, acid phosphatase activity
NAG, N-acetylglucosaminidase activity
LAP, leucine aminopeptidase activity
Total B, total bacterial phospholipid fatty acid
Total F, total fungal phospholipid fatty acid
Brichness, bacterial richness
Frichness, fungal richness
FRB, fine root biomas
Shortening of the telomere length during the transition period of dairy cows in relation to biological stress
No full textTelomere length (TL) is a recognized biomarker for ageing in multiple species. In dairy cattle, the
transition period is considered a very stressful period. We hypothesized that TL shortens during this
period. Holstein cows (n = 61) were followed during the transition period. Blood and milk samples were
collected at − 7, 3, 6, 9, 21d relative to calving to determine concentrations of oxidative, energetic
metabolic, and inflammatory markers. Average relative leukocyte TL was measured by a modified
qPCR protocol 7d before and 21d after parturition. We confirmed TL attrition during the transition
period (P = 0.02), as TL was 1.05 ± 0.229 (mean ± SD) before, and 0.97 ± 0.191 (mean ± SD) after
parturition. Univariable analyses assessed associations between blood markers and TL shortening.
Greater plasma oxidative parameters, including oxidized glutathione and glutathione peroxidase, were
positively and negatively (respectively) associated with TL attrition. Higher blood α- and β-globulin
were all positively associated, while IGF-1, albumin-globulin ratio and albumin were negatively
associated with TL attrition. Greater serum amyloid A and haptoglobin were linked with greater TL
shortening. This study reveals significant TL shortening during the transition period in dairy cows and
identifies significant associations with oxidative stress, metabolic stress, and inflammation. While
these associations are observed, no causality can be established. Our findings suggest the need for
further research to explore the effects of transition-related stress on TL dynamics.Funding
The present study was funded by a PhD grant from the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO grant 1SH5N24N). Dries S. Martens holds a postdoctoral grant by the Research Foundations Flanders (FWO grant 12X9623N). We acknowledge the financial support of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) (VLAIO; Belgium; LA170830). The research of Xiaoping Jing and Mingqi Zhang was supported by the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC, China); the PhD research of Stijn Heirbaut was funded by a PhD grant from the Special Research Fund of the Ghent University (Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds, BOF, Belgium). This research did not receive any specific grant from other funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the University of Ghent and University of Hasselt for providing computational resources and support that have contributed to obtaining the research results reported in the present publication. The authors gratefully acknowledge the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO) for the funding
Supporting materials of "Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registry"
No full textBackground
Since 2014, Belgium’s Superior Health Council has recommended pneumococcal vaccination for adults aged 19–85 years at increased risk for pneumococcal diseases with a specific vaccine administration sequence and timing. Currently, Belgium has no publicly funded adult pneumococcal vaccination program. This study investigated the seasonal pneumococcal vaccination trends, evolution of vaccination coverage and adherence to the 2014 recommendations.
Methods
INTEGO is a general practice morbidity registry in Flanders (Belgium) that represents 102 general practice centres and comprised over 300.000 patients in 2021. A repeated cross-sectional study was performed for the period between 2017 and 2021. Using adjusted odds ratios computed via multiple logistic regression, the association between an individual’s characteristics (gender, age, comorbidities, influenza vaccination status and socioeconomic status) and schedule-adherent pneumococcal vaccination status was assessed.
Results
Pneumococcal vaccination coincided with seasonal flu vaccination. The vaccination coverage in the population at risk decreased from 21% in 2017 to 18.2% in 2018 and then started to increase to 23.6% in 2021. Coverage in 2021 was highest for high-risk adults (33.8%) followed by 50- to 85-year-olds with comorbidities (25.5%) and healthy 65- to 85-year-olds (18.7%). In 2021, 56.3% of the high-risk adults, 74.6% of the 50+ with comorbidities persons, and 74% of the 65+ healthy persons had an adherent vaccination schedule. Persons with a lower socioeconomic status had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.92 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.87–0.97) for primary vaccination, 0.67 (95% CI 0.60–0.75) for adherence to the recommended second vaccination if the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was administered first and 0.86 (95% CI 0.76–0.97) if the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine was administered first.
Conclusion
Pneumococcal vaccine coverage is slowly increasing in Flanders, displaying seasonal peaks in sync with influenza vaccination campaigns. However, with less than one-fourth of the target population vaccinated, less than 60% high-risk and approximately 74% of 50 + with comorbidities and 65+ healthy persons with an adherent schedule, there is still much room for improvement. Furthermore, adults with poor socioeconomic status had lower odds of primary vaccination and schedule adherence, demonstrating the need for a publicly funded program in Belgium to ensure equitable access.The study was funded by MSD, BelgiumIntego is funded regularly by the Flemish Government (Ministry of Health and Welfare)TN gratefully acknowledges funding by the Internal Funds KU Leuven (project number 3M190682)PJKL acknowledges support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, fwo.be) (postdoctoral fellowship 1242021N) and the Research council of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (OZR-VUB) via grant number OZR3863BOF.The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article and its Additional files. The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due confidentiality but are available in aggregated format from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.
Additional file 1 of Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registry
Additional file 2 of Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a
repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registry
Additional file 3 of Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registry
Additional file 4 of Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registry
Additional file 5 of Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registry
Additional file 6 of Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registr
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Low-Grade Inflammation Associate With Enteric Neuronal Amyloid-β in a Model for Amyloid Pathology
No full textBackground Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder involving cognitive decline and memory impairment, often present with gastrointestinal comorbidities. Accumulating data also indicate that alterations in the gut can modulate Alzheimer's disease pathology, highlighting the need to better understand the link between gastrointestinal abnormalities and neurodegeneration in the brain. Methods To disentangle the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, we conducted a detailed pathological characterization of the gastrointestinal tract of 5xFAD mice by performing histological analyses, gene expression studies, immunofluorescence labeling and gut function assays. Results We found that 5xFAD mice have elevated levels of intestinal amyloid precursor protein and accumulate amyloid-beta in enteric neurons. Histopathology revealed that this is associated with mild intestinal inflammation and fibrosis and accompanied by increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. While overall enteric nervous system composition and organization appeared unaffected, 5xFAD mice have faster gastrointestinal transit. Conclusion Our findings indicate that amyloid-beta accumulation in enteric neurons is associated with low-grade intestinal inflammation and altered motility and suggest that peripheral pathology may cause gastrointestinal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease patients.We acknowledge the Advanced Optical Microscopy Centre at Hasselt University, especially the help provided by Sam Duwé, for support with microscopy experiments, which were made possible by FWO (I001222N) and Methusalem UHasselt. We also thank the members of the Laboratory for Enteric Neurobiology and the Melotte Lab for their support and insightful comments on the manuscript. The graphical abstract was created using
BioRender.com, accessed on December 18, 2024
Otite v the United Kingdom: What about the Incentivising Function of Process-Based Review?
No full textRenewable Energy Support Schemes in the EU. State Aid Law and the Free Movement of Goods
No full textThe book analyses how State aid law and the law of the free movement of goods apply to renewable energy support schemes, how they have impacted on the design and implementation of national support schemes, and how they have been instrumentalised to affect national renewable energy support policies.
Legal theory and practice have not given a methodical answer to the following questions: when do renewable energy support schemes constitute State aid? When are they compatible with the internal market? When do they pose fiscal or nonfiscal trade barriers? And are such trade barriers justifiable? This book answers such questions from a theoretical and a practice-oriented point of view, and it aspires to elucidate how EU primary law should apply to support schemes. It critically analyses case law and it interprets and examines the practical application of primary EU law, secondary State aid legislation, as well as soft law State aid guidelines.
This book will be of interest to practitioners, judges, academics, and students and policymakers who are interested in scrutinising the legality of renewable energy support schemes within the EU legal order