Investigating the Use of Novel Blood Processing Methods to Boost the Identification of Biomarkers for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Proof of Concept.

Diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) currently relies on imaging; however, these methods are not effective for detecting early stage disease. Investigating blood-based protein biomarkers aims to simplify the diagnostic process and identify disease-associated changes before they can be seen by using imaging techniques. In this study, plasma and frozen whole blood cell pellets from NSCLC patients and healthy controls were processed using both classical and novel techniques to produce a unique set of four sample types from a single blood draw.

Harnessing water fleas for water reclamation: A nature-based tertiary wastewater treatment technology.

Urbanisation, population growth, and climate change have put unprecedented pressure on water resources, leading to a global water crisis and the need for water reuse. However, water reuse is unsafe unless persistent chemical pollutants are removed from reclaimed water. State-of-the-art technologies for the reduction of persistent chemical pollutants in wastewater typically impose high operational and energy costs and potentially generate toxic by-products (e.

Proteome Analysis of Whole Blood Collected by Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling.

Proteomic biomarker discovery and analysis from human biofluids using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is an area of intense biomedical research. There is a growing interest to analyze microsampled patient blood specimens as this is potentially more patient-friendly enabling at-home and bedside self-collection of small blood volumes. However, there are limited studies applying LC-MS proteomic analysis of whole blood as it is dominated by red blood cell proteins such as hemoglobin which suppresses the detection of other less abundant proteins.

Proteomic Analysis of Whole Blood Using Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling for Precision Medicine Biomarker Studies.

Microsampling of patient blood promises several benefits over conventional phlebotomy practices to facilitate precision medicine studies. These include at-home patient blood collection, supporting telehealth monitoring, minimal postcollection processing, and compatibility with nonrefrigerated transport and storage. However, for proteomic biomarker studies, mass spectrometry of whole blood has generally been avoided in favor of using plasma or serum obtained from venepuncture.

Hydrogen-rich syngas production from biomass in a steam microwave-induced plasma gasification reactor.

Substitution of fossil fuels by sustainable practices must be rapidly implemented to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The conversion of biomass into combustible gas is investigated in a microwave-induced plasma reactor using pure steam as the plasma working gas for the first time. The optimum results are achieved at the highest forward microwave power of 6 kW with biomass carbon conversion efficiency over 98% and complete biomass energy recovery in syngas.

The challenges of anaerobic digestion and the role of biochar in optimizing anaerobic digestion.

Biochar, like most other adsorbents, is a carbonaceous material, which is formed from the combustion of plant materials, in low-zero oxygen conditions and results in a material, which has the capacity to sorb chemicals onto its surfaces. Currently, research is being carried out to investigate the relevance of biochar in improving the soil ecosystem, digestate quality and most recently the anaerobic digestion process. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic substrates provides both a sustainable source of energy and a digestate with the potential to enhance plant growth and soil health.

Impact of biochar on the anaerobic digestion of citrus peel waste.

In this study, the impact of different types of biochar and biochar ratios on the anaerobic digestion of citrus peel waste was investigated. Citrus peel has an inhibitory effect on anaerobic digestion. The presence of biochar had two effects: a reduction in the length of the lag phase and greater production of methane relative to citrus peel waste only incubations.

Harmonising conflicts between science, regulation, perception and environmental impact: the case of soil conditioners from bioenergy.

As the global population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, humanity needs to balance an ever increasing demand for food, energy and natural resources, with sustainable management of ecosystems and the vital services that they provide. The intensification of agriculture, including the use of fertilisers from finite sources, has resulted in extensive soil degradation, which has increased food production costs and CO2 emissions, threatening food security. The Bioenergy sector has significant potential to contribute to the formation of a circular economy.

Time-course proteome analysis reveals the dynamic response of Cryptococcus gattii cells to fluconazole.

Cryptococcus gattii is an encapsulated fungus capable of causing fatal disease in immunocompetent humans and animals. As current antifungal therapies are few and limited in efficacy, and resistance is an emerging issue, the development of new treatment strategies is urgently required. The current study undertook a time-course analysis of the proteome of C.

Methylation of translation-associated proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Identification of methylated lysines and their methyltransferases.

This study aimed to identify sites of lysine methylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the associated methyltransferases. Hexapeptide ligand affinity chromatography was used to normalize the abundance levels of proteins in whole cell lysate. MS/MS, in association with antibody-based detection, was then used to identify lysine methylated proteins and the precise sites of modification.

Proteomic analysis of intra-arterial thrombus secretions reveals a negative association of clusterin and thrombospondin-1 with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is usually accompanied by the formation of a large volume of intra-luminal thrombus (ILT). ILT-derived proteins have been suggested as circulating markers for AAA. We conducted a proteomic study screening whole and hexapeptide ligand library (HLL) treated ILT explant secretions to identify potential ILT-derived markers for AAA.

The use of commercial and industrial waste in energy recovery systems - A UK preliminary study.

With 2020 energy targets set out by the EU fast approaching, the UK is trying to source a higher proportion of its energy from renewable resources. Coupled with this, a growing population and increasing trends in consumer demand have resulted in national waste loads increasing. A possible solution to both issues is energy-from-waste (EfW) technologies.

Immunoproteomic approach to elucidating the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii.

Cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus gattii is a devastating disease of immunocompetent hosts with an incompletely understood pathogenesis. Utilizing an immunoproteomic approach in a naturally occurring koala model of disease, a number of key proteins and pathways are identified in the early and late pathogenesis of cryptococcosis for the first time. In particular, the thioredoxin system appears important in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis caused by C.

Difficult proteins.

The degree of protein diversity and dynamic range within organisms means that even the simplest proteome cannot be captured by any single extraction and separation step. New techniques have focused on major protein classes often under-represented in proteome analysis; low abundance, membrane, and alkaline proteins. The last decade has seen considerable technology development in fractionation tools aimed at complexity reduction in many forms.

Micropreparative fractionation of the complexome by blue native continuous elution electrophoresis.

The large-scale analysis of protein complexes is an emerging challenge in the field of proteomics. Currently, there are few methods available for the fractionation of protein complexes that are compatible with downstream proteomic techniques. Here, we describe the technique of blue native continuous elution electrophoresis (BN-CEE).

Accumulation parameters and seasonal trends for PCBs in temperate and boreal forest plant species.

The concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the air and vegetation was measured periodically in two alpine forests, during the growing season. Foliage samples from nine plant species typical of the temperate and boreal environment were collected and analyzed. Leaf concentrations of tri- and tetra-CBs showed fast response times with changing temperature and gas-phase concentrations, suggesting that a partitioning equilibrium is approached relatively rapidly (few days) in the field.

Proteomics and phylogenetic analysis of the cathepsin L protease family of the helminth pathogen Fasciola hepatica: expansion of a repertoire of virulence-associated factors.

Cathepsin L proteases secreted by the helminth pathogen Fasciola hepatica have functions in parasite virulence including tissue invasion and suppression of host immune responses. Using proteomics methods alongside phylogenetic studies we characterized the profile of cathepsin L proteases secreted by adult F. hepatica and hence identified those involved in host-pathogen interaction.

Development of a Cryptosporidium oocyst assay using an automated fiber optic-based biosensor.

An intestinal protozoan parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum, is a major cause of waterborne gastrointestinal disease worldwide. Detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in potable water is a high priority for the water treatment industry to reduce potential outbreaks among the consumer populace. Anti-Cryptosporidium oocyst polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were tested as capture and detection reagents for use in a fiber optic biosensor assay for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts.

Improved 2-DE of microorganisms after acidic extraction.

2-DE separations of protein extracts sometimes have problems with poor resolution and streaking. This problem is particularly apparent with microorganisms, most notably those with a large cell wall. Here we describe a novel, rapid protocol for the extraction of microorganisms in acidic conditions, leading to increased resolution and 2-D gel quality.

How to bring the "unseen" proteome to the limelight via electrophoretic pre-fractionation techniques.

The present review reports a panoply of electrophoretic methods as pre-fractionation tools in proteomic investigations in preparation for mass spectrometry or two-dimensional electrophoresis map analysis. Such electrophoretic pre-fractionation protocols include all those electrokinetic methodologies which are performed in free solution, most of them relying on isoelectric focusing steps (although some approaches based on gels and granulated media are also discussed). Devices associated with electrophoretic separations are multi-chamber apparatuses, such as the multi-compartment electrolyzers equipped with either isoelectric membranes or with isoelectric beads, Off-Gel electrophoresis in a multi-cup device and the Rotofor, an instrument also based on a multi-chamber system but exploiting the conventional technique of carrier-ampholyte-focusing.

Proteomic response of the biological control fungus Trichoderma atroviride to growth on the cell walls of Rhizoctonia solani.

Trichoderma atroviride has a natural ability to parasitise phytopathogenic fungi such as Rhizoctonia solani and Botrytis cinerea, therefore providing an environmentally sound alternative to chemical fungicides in the management of these pathogens. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to display cellular protein patterns of T. atroviride (T.