Main hurdles of lignin valorization are its diverse chemical composition, recalcitrance, and poor solubility due to high-molecular weight and branched structure. Controlled fragmentation of lignin could lead to its use in higher value products such as binders, coatings, fillers, etc. Oxidative enzymes (i.e., laccases and peroxidases) have long been proposed as a potentially promising tool in lignin depolymerization. However, their application was limited to ambient pH, where lignin is poorly soluble in water. A Finnish biotechnology company, MetGen Oy, that designs and supplies industrial enzymes, has developed and brought to market several lignin oxidizing enzymes, including an extremely alkaline lignin oxidase MetZyme^® LIGNO™, a genetically engineered laccase of bacterial origin. This enzyme can function at pH values as high as 10–11 and at elevated temperatures, addressing lignin at its soluble state. In this article, main characteristics of this enzyme as well as its action on bulk lignin coming from an industrial process are demonstrated. Lignin modification by MetZyme^® LIGNO™ was characterized by size exclusion chromatography, UV spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering for monitoring particle size of solubilized lignin. Under highly alkaline conditions, laccase treatment not only decreased molecular weight of lignin but also increased its solubility in water and altered its dispersion properties. Importantly, organic solvent-free soluble lignin fragmentation allowed for robust industrially relevant membrane separation technologies to be applicable for product fractionation. These enzyme-based solutions open new opportunities for biorefinery lignin valorization thus paving the way for economically viable biorefinery business.

Background: To report the surgical and functional outcomes of the holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) surgical program implemented at a high-volume tertiary referral center and to estimate the learning curve (LC) duration for this surgical procedure. Methods: Data of all consecutive patients undergoing HoLEP at the University of Verona between June 2022 and April 2024 were retrieved from a prospectively maintained institutional database of patients undergoing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgical treatment. The primary endpoint was functional outcomes evaluation during the surgeons’ LC. The secondary endpoint was to define the surgical LC for HoLEP. A multivariable test of means was performed to compare functional outcomes at different time points. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, preoperative pharmacotherapy, and prostate volume), multivariable linear regression models were fitted to evaluate the effect of experience on operative time (OT) and enucleation efficiency. To assess LCs for HoLEP surgery, the non–risk-adjusted cumulative sum (CUSUM) method was used. Results: A statistically significant improvement in International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) score, delta% IPSS score, IPSS quality of life (IPSS-QoL) score, and delta% IPSS-QoL score was observed over the study period. Furthermore, the incidence of irritative symptoms ( p < 0.001) and stress incontinence ( p = 0.01) significantly decreased over time, with a 12-month incidence of 8.4% and 9.5%, respectively. A statistically significant association between experience and both OT and enucleation efficiency was observed in multivariable linear regression analysis. The CUSUM chart for OT and enucleation efficiency showed a steep initial upward/downward trend of ∼50 cases each, and a plateau until ∼100 procedures are reached, where the breakpoint is recognized for both variables and where the CUSUM curve goes below the locally weighted scatterplot smoothing curve in the corresponding observed–expected CUSUM plot. Conclusions: HoLEP represents an effective treatment for BPH, demonstrating significant improvement in BPH-related symptoms over the study period, despite the considerable LC of ∼50 cases associated with the procedure.

Article: Searching the half-full glass of COVID-19 pandemic: basic hygienic measures positively impact on postoperative infections after major elective urological surgery: a single-center matched pair analysis - Minerva Urology and Nephrology 2022 Nov 16 - Minerva Medica - Journals

This study aims to evaluate the abdominal aortic atherosclerotic plaque index (API)’s predictive role in patients with pre-operatively or post-operatively developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). One hundred and eighty-three patients (134 with no pre- and post-operative CKD (no CKD) and 49 with persistent or post-operative CKD development (post-op CKD)) who underwent RAPN between January 2019 and January 2022 were deemed eligible for the analysis. The API was calculated using dedicated software by assessing the ratio between the CT scan atherosclerotic plaque volume and the abdominal aortic volume. The ROC regression model demonstrated the influence of API on CKD development, with an increasing effect according to its value (coefficient 0.13; 95% CI 0.04–0.23; p = 0.006). The Model 1 multivariable analysis of the predictors of post-op CKD found that the following are independently associated with post-op CKD: Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.31; p = 0.01), last follow-up (FU) Δ%eGFR (OR 0.95; p < 0.01), and API ≥ 10 (OR 25.4; p = 0.01). Model 2 showed API ≥ 10 as the only factor associated with CKD development (OR 25.2; p = 0.04). The median follow-up was 22 months. Our results demonstrate API to be a strong predictor of post-operative CKD, allowing the surgeon to tailor the best treatment for each patient, especially in those who might be at higher risk of CKD.