Optimization of methane production in a swine manure-rice straw anaerobic co-digestion process with sycamore sawdust biochar application
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Jiang, B.; Lin, Y.; Lun, Y.; Xu, Z.
Abstract
Anaerobic co-digestion has been widely applied to re-utilize livestock manure; however, the low methane yield is still a key issue. Biochar could play an important role in anaerobic digestion. This study aims to produce and characterize sycamore sawdust biochar (SSB), determine the promoting effect on the swine manure-rice straw co-digestion system by applying the SSB, and obtain the optimal digesting conditions by using a Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that SSB had a porous structure composed of micropores and mesopores. The micropore surface area reached 162.87 m(2)/g, and the mesopore volume accounted for 43.67% of the total pore volume. SSB was also rich in C=O surface functional groups, and the BET specific surface area was up to 276.67 m(2)/g. Application of SSB could improve the pH value and the stability of the co-digestion system, and eventually improve the cumulative methane yield. The maximum cumulative methane yield in this test was 217.99 mL/(g VS) when 4% SSB was added. According to the response surface optimization analysis, the cumulative methane yield could be 247.20 mL/(g VS) under the optimal conditions: 94.54% swine manure, 8.78% TS and 5.49% SSB. Graphic abstract
Anti-Ro52 antibodies are a risk factor for interstitial lung disease in primary Sjogren syndrome
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
Authors: Buvry, Charlotte; Cassagnes, Lucie; Tekath, Marielle; Artigues, Maxime; Pereira, Bruno; Rieu, Virginie; Le Guenno, Guillaume; Tournadre, Anne; Ruivard, Marc; Grobost, Vincent
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether anti-Ro52 antibodies are associated with ILD in pSS. Methods: Retrospective study based on the presence or absence of anti-Ro52 antibodies in patients with pSS. Patients underwent chest HRCT at the time of diagnosis or during follow-up. Results: Sixty-eight patients were included. Two groups were defined by the presence (n = 31) or absence (n = 37) of anti-Ro52 antibodies. ILD was significantly higher in the presence of anti-Ro52 (41.9%, n = 13) versus in the anti-Ro52-negative group (16.2%, n = 6; p = 0.019). Multivariate analysis adjusted for anti-SSA/Ro60, anti-SSB antibodies and rheumatoid factor status confirmed that anti-Ro52 antibodies positivity is a predictive factor for ILD (p = 0.01). Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia was the most common pattern of ILD (31.6%). The majority of patients were diagnosed with pSS simultaneously to ILD (52.6%). In the anti-Ro52-negative group, no patients develop ILD after 5 years of follow-up. Conclusion: In pSS, the risk of developing ILD is higher in the presence of anti-Ro52 antibodies. In patients with pSS and anti-Ro52 antibodies, a clinical screening and pulmonary functional tests with DLCO is necessary during the follow-up and should comprise chest HRCT if there is a decline in the DLCO or clinical symptoms or inspiratory crackles.