Powering precision: development of a certified reference material for elemental composition analysis of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li-NMC) cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.

This work presents the development and certification of the world's first certified reference material (CRM), BAM-S014, for a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO or Li-NMC 111) cathode material-an integral component in high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs), portable electronics, and stationary energy storage systems. By providing certified mass fractions for 11 elements, this CRM addresses a critical need for accurate and traceable elemental analysis, supporting quality control and regulatory compliance in the global battery industry. Ensuring reliable and harmonized measurements supports the efficient use of resources, including the reuse of recycled materials, and ultimately helps maintain product performance and safety.

Discovery and mechanism of K63-linkage-directed deubiquitinase activity in USP53.

Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) represent the largest class of human deubiquitinases (DUBs) and comprise its phylogenetically most distant members USP53 and USP54, which are annotated as catalytically inactive pseudoenzymes. Conspicuously, mutations within the USP domain of USP53 cause progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. Here, we report the discovery that USP53 and USP54 are active DUBs with high specificity for K63-linked polyubiquitin.

Determination of calcium, iron, and selenium in human serum by isotope dilution analysis using nitrogen microwave inductively coupled atmospheric pressure plasma mass spectrometry (MICAP-MS).

In this study, we demonstrate the applicability of nitrogen microwave inductively coupled atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry (MICAP-MS) for Ca, Fe, and Se quantification in human serum using isotope dilution (ID) analysis. The matrix tolerance of MICAP-MS in Na matrix was investigated, revealing that high Na levels can suppress the signal intensity. This suppression is likely due to the plasma loading and the space charge effect.

N-Cyanopiperazines as Specific Covalent Inhibitors of the Deubiquitinating Enzyme UCHL1.

Cyanamides have emerged as privileged scaffolds in covalent inhibitors of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). However, many compounds with a cyanopyrrolidine warhead show cross-reactivity toward small subsets of DUBs or toward the protein deglycase PARK7/DJ-1, hampering their use for the selective perturbation of a single DUB in living cells. Here, we disclose N'-alkyl,N-cyanopiperazines as structures for covalent enzyme inhibition with exceptional specificity for the DUB UCHL1 among 55 human deubiquitinases and with effective target engagement in cells.

eCerto-versatile software for interlaboratory data evaluation and documentation during reference material production.

The statistical tool eCerto was developed for the evaluation of measurement data to assign property values and associated uncertainties of reference materials. The analysis is based on collaborative studies of expert laboratories and was implemented using the R software environment. Emphasis was put on comparability of eCerto with SoftCRM, a statistical tool based on the certification strategy of the former Community Bureau of Reference.

Molecular basis for ubiquitin/Fubi cross-reactivity in USP16 and USP36.

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins typically use distinct machineries to facilitate diverse functions. The immunosuppressive ubiquitin-like protein Fubi is synthesized as an N-terminal fusion to a ribosomal protein (Fubi-S30). Its proteolytic maturation by the nucleolar deubiquitinase USP36 is strictly required for translationally competent ribosomes.

Prediction of the Postoperative Outcome in Liver Resection Using Perioperative Serum Lactate Levels.

Background: The aim of our study was to analyze perioperative lactate levels and their predictive value for postoperative mortality and morbidity after liver resection.

Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of 152 patients who underwent liver resection for benign and malign diagnoses were analyzed retrospectively. Lactate concentrations at three different time points, (1) before liver resection (LAC-PRE), (2) after liver resection on day 0 (LAC-POST), and (3) on day one after the operation (LAC-POD1) were assessed regarding the prognostic value in predicting postoperative complications and mortality according to the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification.

Assessing the reproducibility and up-scaling of the synthesis of Er,Yb-doped NaYF-based upconverting nanoparticles and control of size, morphology, and optical properties.

Lanthanide-based, spectrally shifting, and multi-color luminescent upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have received much attention in the last decades because of their applicability as reporter for bioimaging, super-resolution microscopy, and sensing as well as barcoding and anti-counterfeiting tags. A prerequisite for the broad application of UCNPs in areas such as sensing and encoding are simple, robust, and easily upscalable synthesis protocols that yield large quantities of UCNPs with sizes of 20 nm or more with precisely controlled and tunable physicochemical properties from low-cost reagents with a high reproducibility. In this context, we studied the reproducibility, robustness, and upscalability of the synthesis of β-NaYF:Yb, Er UCNPs via thermal decomposition.

[Glyphosate detection in the duodenal fluid of horses with gastric ulcer syndrome].

The hay producing plants, concentrate, straw and meadows could be contaminated by the aerosols of glyphosate based herbicide during spraying process of crops and pre-harvest desiccation treatment of cereals. The aim of this study is to investigate the concentration of glyphosate in the duodenal fluid of horses with gastric ulcer syndrome. The stomach and duodenum of referred untreated horse patients (n=92) with colic, weight loss, diarrhoea, anemia or performance intolerance were endoscopically examined right after the admission.

Trends in selected fields of reference material production.

For more than 110 years, BAM has been producing reference materials for a wide range of application fields. With the development of new analytical methods and new applications as well as continuously emerging more stringent requirements of laboratory accreditation with regard to quality control and metrological traceability, the demand and requirements for reference materials are increasing. This trend article gives an overview of general developments in the field of reference materials as well as developments in selected fields of application in which BAM is active.

Determination of lithium in human serum by isotope dilution atomic absorption spectrometry.

The therapeutic dose of lithium (Li) compounds, which are widely used for the treatment of psychiatric and hematologic disorders, is close to its toxic level; therefore, drug monitoring protocols are mandatory. Herein, we propose a fast, simple, and low-cost analytical procedure for the traceable determination of Li concentration in human serum, based on the monitoring of the Li isotope dilution through the partially resolved isotope shift in its electronic transition around 670.80 nm using a commercially available high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer.

Development and certification of a reference material for zearalenone in maize germ oil.

Zearalenone (ZEN), an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium fungi, is a common contaminant of cereal-based food worldwide. Due to frequent occurrences associated with high levels of ZEN, maize oil is a particular source of exposure. Although a European maximum level for ZEN in maize oil exists according to Commission Regulation (EC) No.

Determination of organic chlorine in water via AlCl derivatization and detection by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry.

High-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GF-MAS) was employed for determining adsorbable organic chlorine (AOCl) in water. Organic chlorine was indirectly quantified by monitoring the molecular absorption of the transient aluminum monochloride molecule (AlCl) around a wavelength of 261.42 nm in a graphite furnace.

High-Resolution Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Combined With Machine Learning Data Processing for Isotope Amount Ratio Analysis of Lithium.

An alternative method for lithium isotope amount ratio analysis based on a combination of high-resolution atomic absorption spectrometry and spectral data analysis by machine learning (ML) is proposed herein. It is based on the well-known isotope shift of approximately 15 pm for the electronic transition 2P←2S at around the wavelength of 670.8 nm, which can be measured by the state-of-the-art high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) of Human Kidney Allografts.

Objective: Aim of our study was to test a noninvasive HSI technique as an intraoperative real time assessment tool for deceased donor kidney quality and function in human kidney allotransplantation.

Summary Of Background Data: HSI is capable to deliver quantitative diagnostic information about tissue pathology, morphology, and composition, based on the spectral characteristics of the investigated tissue. Because tools for objective intraoperative graft viability and performance assessment are lacking, we applied this novel technique to human kidney transplantation.

A dCas9-Based System Identifies a Central Role for Ctf19 in Kinetochore-Derived Suppression of Meiotic Recombination.

In meiosis, crossover (CO) formation between homologous chromosomes is essential for faithful segregation. However, misplaced meiotic recombination can have catastrophic consequences on genome stability. Within pericentromeres, COs are associated with meiotic chromosome missegregation.

Development of certified reference materials for the determination of cadmium and acrylamide in cocoa.

Since 1 January 2019 a maximum content of 0.6 mg kg cadmium (Cd) in cocoa powder sold to the final consumer or as an ingredient in sweetened cocoa powder sold to the final consumer (drinking chocolate) is set by the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 488/2014.

Fracture Healing Is Delayed in Immunodeficient NOD/scid‑IL2Rγcnull Mice.

Following bone fracture, the repair process starts with an inflammatory reaction at the fracture site. Fracture healing is disturbed when the initial inflammation is increased or prolonged, whereby, a balanced inflammatory response is anticipated to be crucial for fracture healing, because it may induce down-stream responses leading to tissue repair. However, the impact of the immune response on fracture healing remains poorly understood.

[Evaluation of an immunochromatographic dipstick test for the assessment of tetanus immunity in horses].

Knowledge of tetanus immunity in equine patients is crucial in cases of injuries, elective surgeries, or when effective vaccination protocols are to be designed. The Fassisi® TetaCheck is a stall-side rapid test which was developed to address these issues. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate its performance parameters.

Hypoglycin A Content in Blood and Urine Discriminates Horses with Atypical Myopathy from Clinically Normal Horses Grazing on the Same Pasture.

Hypoglycin A (HGA) in seeds of Acer spp. is suspected to cause seasonal pasture myopathy in North America and equine atypical myopathy (AM) in Europe, fatal diseases in horses on pasture. In previous studies, this suspicion was substantiated by the correlation of seed HGA content with the concentrations of toxic metabolites in urine and serum (MCPA-conjugates) of affected horses.

Temporal delimitation of the healing phases via monitoring of fracture callus stiffness in rats.

The healing process consists of at least three phases: inflammatory, repair, and remodeling phase. Because callus stiffness correlates with the healing phases, it is suitable for evaluating the fracture healing process. Our aim was to develop a method which allows determination of callus stiffness in vivo, the healing time and the duration of the repair phase.

Complement C3 and C5 deficiency affects fracture healing.

There is increasing evidence that complement may play a role in bone development. Our previous studies demonstrated that the key complement receptor C5aR was strongly expressed in the fracture callus not only by immune cells but also by bone cells and chondroblasts, indicating a function in bone repair. To further elucidate the role of complement in bone healing, this study investigated fracture healing in mice in the absence of the key complement molecules C3 and C5.

Survey of mercury, cadmium and lead content of household batteries.

The objective of this work was to provide updated information on the development of the potential impact of heavy metal containing batteries on municipal waste and battery recycling processes following transposition of the new EU Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC. A representative sample of 146 different types of commercially available dry and button cells as well as lithium-ion accumulators for mobile phones were analysed for their mercury (Hg)-, cadmium (Cd)- and lead (Pb)-contents. The methods used for preparing the cells and analysing the heavy metals Hg, Cd, and Pb were either developed during a former study or newly developed.

Dysphagia caused by focal guttural pouch mycosis: mononeuropathy of the pharyngeal ramus of the vagal nerve in a 20-year-old pony mare.

A 20-year-old pony mare was presented to the equine hospital with a ten-day history of dysphagia, regurgitation and coughing. An obstruction of the oesophagus was excluded via endoscopy, but the proximal oesophagus appeared to be distended and circular contractions were missing. A guttural pouch endoscopy revealed a single, black-mottled plaque on the pharyngeal ramus of the vagus nerve in the left guttural pouch, causing a local swelling of this nerve.