Avecom (Belgium)

This study presents a comprehensive revision of the genus Protoleptops Heinrich, 1967. We describe a new species, P.nyeupe Dal Pos & Di Giovanni, sp. nov., from Burundi, marking the first documented occurrence of an Ichneumoninae species in the country. Additionally, we provide the first diagnostic description of the female P.farquharsoni Heinrich, 1967 and report a new occurrence of this species in KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, we document P.magnificus for Mpumalanga (South Africa) and P.angolae Heinrich, 1967 in Uganda, thereby extending the known range of the latter into East Africa. A detailed catalogue of all species within the genus Protoleptops is also included.

Analysis of an integrated waste-to-protein system for a sustainable protein future to ameliorate the rising global hunger pandemic.

SummaryAnaerobic digesters produce biogas, a mixture of predominantly CH4 and CO2, which is typically incinerated to recover electrical and/or thermal energy. In a context of circular economy, the CH4 and CO2 could be used as chemical feedstock in combination with ammonium from the digestate. Their combination into protein‐rich bacterial, used as animal feed additive, could contribute to the ever growing global demand for nutritive protein sources and improve the overall nitrogen efficiency of the current agro‐ feed/food chain. In this concept, renewable CH4 and H2 can serve as carbon‐neutral energy sources for the production of protein‐rich cellular biomass, while assimilating and upgrading recovered ammonia from the digestate. This study evaluated the potential of producing sustainable high‐quality protein additives in a decentralized way through coupling anaerobic digestion and microbial protein production using methanotrophic and hydrogenotrophic bacteria in an on‐farm bioreactor. We show that a practical case digester handling liquid piggery manure, of which the energy content is supplemented for 30% with co‐substrates, provides sufficient biogas to allow the subsequent microbial protein as feed production for about 37% of the number of pigs from which the manure was derived. Overall, producing microbial protein on the farm from available methane and ammonia liberated by anaerobic digesters treating manure appears economically and technically feasible within the current range of market prices existing for high‐quality protein. The case of producing biomethane for grid injection and upgrading the CO2 with electrolytic hydrogen to microbial protein by means of hydrogen‐oxidizing bacteria was also examined but found less attractive at the current production prices of renewable hydrogen. Our calculations show that this route is only of commercial interest if the protein value equals the value of high‐value protein additives like fishmeal and if the avoided costs for nutrient removal from the digestate are taken into consideration.

SummaryPure (single) cultures of microorganisms and mixed microbial communities (microbiomes) have been important for centuries in providing renewable energy, clean water and food products to human society and will continue to play a crucial role to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals. To use microorganisms effectively, microbial engineered processes require adequate control. Microbial communities are shaped by manageable deterministic processes, but also by stochastic processes, which can promote unforeseeable variations and adaptations. Here, we highlight the impact of stochasticity in single culture and microbiome engineering. First, we discuss the concepts and mechanisms of stochasticity in relation to microbial ecology of single cultures and microbiomes. Second, we discuss the consequences of stochasticity in relation to process performance and human health, which are reflected in key disadvantages and important opportunities. Third, we propose a suitable decision tool to deal with stochasticity in which monitoring of stochasticity and setting the boundaries of stochasticity by regulators are central aspects. Stochasticity may give rise to some risks, such as the presence of pathogens in microbiomes. We argue here that by taking the necessary precautions and through clever monitoring and interpretation, these risks can be mitigated.

None declared.

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the added prognostic value of screening tools, geriatric assessment (GA) components, and GA summaries to clinical information for overall survival (OS) in older patients with cancer. A screening and a 10-item GA were systematically performed in patients ≥70 years old with cancer. Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the added prognostic value for OS of screening tools, GA, and GA summaries to clinical information (age, stage, and tumor type) in 2 cohorts (A and B). Cox models were compared on the basis of the Akaike information criterion and the concordance probability estimate. The 2 cohorts for the analyses were similar but independent. A complete case analysis was available for 763 patients (median age, 76 years) in cohort A and for 402 patients (median age, 77 years) in cohort B. In both cohorts, most individual GA components were independent prognostic factors for OS. Nutritional status (assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form) and functional status (assessed with the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) consistently displayed a strong capacity to predict OS. Less consistent results were found for screening tools. GA summaries performed the best in comparison with the screening tools and the individual GA components. Most individual GA components, especially nutritional status and functional status, are prognostic factors for OS in older patients with cancer. GA summaries provide more prognostic information than individual GA components but only moderately improve the prognostic baseline model with clinical information.