| 1. |
- Blomsma, Fenna, et al.
(author)
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Developing a circular strategies framework for manufacturing companies to support circular economy-oriented innovation
- 2019
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 241
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper puts forward the Circular Strategies Scanner: a framework that introduces a taxonomy of circular strategies developed for use by manufacturing companies engaging in circular economy (CE) oriented innovation. Currently, a range of frameworks exists that propose a vision for how to operate in a CE, by identifying and organising relevant circular strategies. However, these frameworks have a limited applicability for specific business types, in particular manufacturing, and are unsuitable for use in CE oriented innovation, due to a lacking ability to support innovation processes through: 1) creating a comprehensive understanding of circular strategies, 2) mapping strategies currently applied and 3) finding opportunities for improved circularity across a range of business processes. This paper addresses these shortcomings by proposing a circular strategies framework for the manufacturing context, titled the Circular Strategies Scanner, which provides a comprehensive set of definitions of circular strategies and directly supports the early stages of CE oriented innovation. With this, the paper contributes to the body of work that develops CE transition methodology.
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| 2. |
- Hildenbrand, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Aquaporin 1 is expressed in the human endometrium during normal cycle and increases after mifepristone treatment.
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Molecular Medicine. - 1107-3756 .- 1791-244X. ; 22:1, s. 49-53
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is involved in the angiogenesis and structural modifications of microvessels and possibly also in the pathogenesis of idiopathic menhorrhagia, where a reduced AQP1 expression is seen in the endometrium. Mifepristone treatment induces reduced menstrual bleeding and amenorrhea and also has a direct effect on endometrial arterioles. Administered with gestagen-only contraceptive methods, antiprogestins improve the bleeding pattern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the AQP1 expression in endometrial blood vessels during normal cycle and after mifepristone treatment. Localization and expression of AQP1 was determined using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 43 biopsies from human endometrium taken during a normal cycle and after mifepristone treatment. AQP1 expression in human endometrial vessels is not cycle dependent and is stronger in capillaries and arteries than in veins. After mifepristone treatment the staining intensity was increased, but not the number of stained vessels. The presence of AQP1 was also confirmed using RT-PCR. The changes in AQP1 expression could contribute to the reduced bleeding seen following mifepristone treatment and could be an effect of either antagonizing progesterone or cortisol.
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| 3. |
- Hildenbrand Wachtmeister, Anna
(author)
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Expression and hormonal regulation of aquaporins in the human uterus
- 2010
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels present in the cell wall, allowing water – and occasionally other molecules – to pass the cell membrane. So far 13 AQPs have been found in humans. Their function is to maintain the cell internal milieu by regulating water and ion equilibrium. AQPs can be found in virtually all cell types and tissues and are essential to the normal function of cells and organs. Malfunction of the water channels can cause disease. The uterine wall consists of three layers of which the endometrium is the innermost portion, facing the uterine cavity. The endometrium undergoes structural changes during the menstrual cycle, influenced by the hormones estrogen (E) and progesterone (P), as a preparation for implantation of a fertilized egg. Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones. This process is essential for regeneration of the endometrium after shedding during menstruation. Excessive uterine bleeding, also called menorrhagia, is a common gynecological disorder, presenting with large menstrual bleedings and reduced quality of life for those affected. Several organic diseases can lead to excessive uterine bleeding, but in most of the cases the cause is unknown. Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid which has the ability to bind to P-receptors, thereby mainly blocking the effect of P. Mifepristone treatment improves menstrual bleeding pattern and has an effect on endometrial vessels. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDIES: The general objective of the studies was to gain knowledge about the expression and hormonal regulation of AQPs in the uterus as well as to investigate the connection between AQPs and uterine function in healthy subjects and patients diagnosed with excessive uterine bleeding. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: AQP1 and AQP2 are present in human endometrium; AQP1 in endothelial cells (lining the interior surface of blood vessels) and AQP2 in epithelial cells (lining cavities, surface structures, and glands). They can be assumed to be involved in events where water transport is essential, e.g. menstruation and reduction of uterine fluid volume at the time of implantation. AQP1 levels in the endometrium are reduced in women with excessive uterine bleeding, indicating that an impaired expression of AQP1 could be a cause to this condition. Mifepristone treatment increases AQP1 expression in human endometrium, which could imply a regulation by P. In cell culture, it was possible to show a hormonal regulation of certain AQPs: AQP1 protein-expression was up-regulated in endothelial cells when exposed to E, as well as to P; AQP2 mRNA levels increased after exposure to E + IC, and P combined with mifepristone, and AQP7 protein-expression increased after treatment with E + IC, and E + P, suggesting a role for these AQPs in increased endometrial secretion after ovulation.
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| 4. |
- Ruiz-Caldas, Maria-Ximena, 1991-, et al.
(author)
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Citrated cellulose nanocrystals from post-consumer cotton textiles
- 2023
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 11:13, s. 6854-6868
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We propose a new method for the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from post-consumer cotton textiles through surface functionalization followed by mechanical treatment. Cotton-based textiles were esterified using an 85 wt% solution of citric acid at 100 °C, then further fibrillated in a microfluidizer. The final product, citrated cellulose nanocrystals (CitCNCs), was a dispersion of needle-like nanoparticles with high crystallinity. Up to 78 wt% of the cotton fabric was converted to CitCNCs that exhibited higher yields and a higher surface group content than CNCs extracted through H2SO4 hydrolysis, although CitCNCs showed a broader size distribution and decreased thermal stability. Experimental data supported by DFT calculations showed that the carboxyl groups on the CitCNC surface are bonded to cellulose by mono or diester linkages. An early-stage life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to evaluate the environmental impact of using discarded textiles as a source of cellulose and analyze the environmental performance of the production of CitCNCs. Our work showed a significant reduction in the environmental burden of CNC extraction using post-consumer cotton instead of wood pulp, making clothing a good feedstock. The environmental impact of CitCNC production was mainly dominated by citric acid. As a proof of concept, around 58 wt% of the citric acid was recovered through evaporation and subsequent crystallization, which could reduce climate impact by 40%. With this work, we introduce a catalyst-free route to valorize textiles with the extraction of CitCNCs and how conducting LCA in laboratory-scale processes might guide future development and optimization.
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