Study of the role of the covalently linked cell wall protein (Ccw14p) and yeast glycoprotein (Ygp1p) within biofilm formation in a flor yeast strain.

Flor yeasts are Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains noted by their ability to create a type of biofilm in the air-liquid interface of some wines, known as 'flor' or 'velum', for which certain proteins play an essential role. Following a proteomic study of a flor yeast strain, we deleted the CCW14 (covalently linked cell wall protein) and YGP1 (yeast glycoprotein) genes-codifying for two cell surface glycoproteins-in a haploid flor yeast strain and we reported that both influence the weight of the biofilm as well as cell adherence (CCW14).

Comparison and uncertainty evaluation of different calibration protocols and ionization chambers for low-energy surface brachytherapy dosimetry.

PURPOSE: A surface electronic brachytherapy (EBT) device is in fact an x-ray source collimated with specific applicators. Low-energy (<100 kVp) x-ray beam dosimetry faces several challenges that need to be addressed. A number of calibration protocols have been published for x-ray beam dosimetry. The media in which measurements are performed are the fundamental difference between them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface dose rate of a low-energy x-ray source with small field applicators using different calibration standards and different small-volume ionization chambers, comparing the values and uncertainties of each methodology. METHODS: The surface dose rate of the EBT unit Esteya (Elekta Brachytherapy, The Netherlands), a 69.5 kVp x-ray source with applicators of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mm diameter, was evaluated using the AAPM TG-61 (based on air kerma) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) TRS-398 (based on absorbed dose to water) dosimetry protocols for low-energy photon beams. A plane parallel T34013 ionization chamber (PTW Freiburg, Germany) calibrated in terms of both absorbed dose to water and air kerma was used to compare the two dosimetry protocols. Another PTW chamber of the same model was used to evaluate the reproducibility between these chambers. Measurements were also performed with two different Exradin A20 (Standard Imaging, Inc., Middleton, WI) chambers calibrated in terms of air kerma. RESULTS: Differences between surface dose rates measured in air and in water using the T34013 chamber range from 1.6% to 3.3%. No field size dependence has been observed. Differences are below 3.7% when measurements with the A20 and the T34013 chambers calibrated in air are compared. Estimated uncertainty (with coverage factor k = 1) for the T34013 chamber calibrated in water is 2.2%-2.4%, whereas it increases to 2.5% and 2.7% for the A20 and T34013 chambers calibrated in air, respectively. The output factors, measured with the PTW chambers, differ by less than 1.1% for any applicator size when compared to the output factors that were measured with the A20 chamber. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements using both dosimetric protocols are consistent, once the overall uncertainties are considered. There is also consistency between measurements performed with both chambers calibrated in air. Both the T34013 and A20 chambers have negligible stem effect. Any x-ray surface brachytherapy system, including Esteya, can be characterized using either one of these calibration protocols and ionization chambers. Having less correction factors, lower uncertainty, and based on measurements, performed in closer to clinical conditions, the TRS-398 protocol seems to be the preferred option.

Volatile composition of partially fermented wines elaborated from sun dried Pedro Ximénez grapes.

In this work, we used a cell immobilisation system consisting of Penicillium chrysogenum fungi (GRAS) bound to the osmotolerant yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae X4 and X5 for the partial fermentation of raisin musts. The resulting wines were compared with others obtained by partial fermentation of musts with free yeasts and with a traditionally produced sweet wine (i.e. without fermentation of the must). The analysis of volatile compounds grouped by aroma series showed the partially fermented musts had a more complex aroma than the traditional wine. Specially prominent among aroma series was that of ripe fruit, followed by the milky and chemical series. The volatiles with the greatest impact on wine aroma as assessed in terms of odour activity were ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, butyrolactone, isoamyl alcohols, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, 2,3-butanediol, acetoin and 2,3-butanedione. A cluster analysis according to the Ward method was performed to assess the similarity between the traditional sweet wine and those obtained by partial fermentation with free and immobilised yeasts revealed small differences between the wines obtained with free and immobilised yeasts, and marked differences between partially fermented and traditionally obtained sweet wine. The wines provided by immobilised yeasts were the most appreciated in the sensory analysis (especially those obtained with X4 yeasts).

[Utilization of a hospital emergency service. Influence of the need to transfer to another location and previous medical attention]. / Utilización de un servicio de urgencias hospitalario. Influencia del traslado de localidad y de la asistencia médica previa.

171 cases consecutively seen in a hospital emergency service were prospectively evaluated. Several data were recorded to assess the type of care given and the need for attention in an institution with the technical resources of a hospital. These data were evaluated considering whether the user had moved from another town to receive attention and whether he had been referred by a physician or not. There were definite differences in the behavior of the user from the town where the hospital is located and the remaining users. These differences were not attributable to a different performance or evaluation from the primary care services of the several towns involved. It was concluded that, at the present time, the use of the emergency service of our hospital is significantly influenced by the decision of the user to consult the service. Factors other than the severity of the disease influence this decision.