VIPERA: Viral Intra-Patient Evolution Reporting and Analysis.

Viral mutations within patients nurture the adaptive potential of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during chronic infections, which are a potential source of variants of concern. However, there is no integrated framework for the evolutionary analysis of intra-patient SARS-CoV-2 serial samples. Herein, we describe Viral Intra-Patient Evolution Reporting and Analysis (VIPERA), a new software that integrates the evaluation of the intra-patient ancestry of SARS-CoV-2 sequences with the analysis of evolutionary trajectories of serial sequences from the same viral infection. We have validated it using positive and negative control datasets and have successfully applied it to a new case, which revealed population dynamics and evidence of adaptive evolution. VIPERA is available under a free software license at https://github.com/PathoGenOmics-Lab/VIPERA.

The Broad Autism Phenotype-International Test (BAP-IT): A two-domain-based test for the assessment of the broad autism phenotype.

LAY ABSTRACT: The broad autism phenotype refers to a group of behaviors related to autism spectrum disorder, but that appear to a lesser extent. Its assessment has been performed through outdated broad autism phenotype/autism spectrum disorder definitions and tests. To address this problem, this study presents the development of a new test, the Broad Autism Phenotype-International Test, a 20-item measure consisting of two dimensions, SOCIAL-BAP and RIRE-BAP, targeting the two-domain operationalization of autism spectrum disorder in Spain and the United Kingdom. Unlike the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire, this test received empirical support as a quick and effective broad autism phenotype measure that can facilitate both broad autism phenotype/autism spectrum disorder research and interventions. This is the first step to studying the BAP in several Spanish and English-speaking countries.

The role of the differential outcomes procedure and schizotypy in the recognition of dynamic facial expressions of emotions.

Emotional facial expression recognition is a key ability for adequate social functioning. The current study aims to test if the differential outcomes procedure (DOP) may improve the recognition of dynamic facial expressions of emotions and to further explore whether schizotypal personality traits may have any effect on performance. 183 undergraduate students completed a task where a face morphed from a neutral expression to one of the six basic emotions at full intensity over 10 s. Participants had to press spacebar as soon as they identified the emotion and choose which had appeared. In the first block, participants received no outcomes. In the second block, a group received specific outcomes associated to each emotion (DOP group), while another group received non-differential outcomes after correctly responding (NOP group). Employing generalized linear models (GLMs) and Bayesian inference we estimated different parameters to answer our research goals. Schizotypal personality traits did not seem to affect dynamic emotional facial expression recognition. Participants of the DOP group were less likely to respond incorrectly to faces showing Fear and Surprise at fewer intensity levels. This may suggest that the DOP could lead to better identification of the main features that differentiate each facial expression of emotion.

Two haplotype-resolved genome assemblies for AAB allotriploid bananas provide insights into banana subgenome asymmetric evolution and Fusarium wilt control.

Bananas (Musa spp.) are one of the world's most important fruit crops and play a vital role in food security for many developing countries. Most banana cultivars are triploids derived from inter- and intraspecific hybridizations between the wild diploid ancestor species Musa acuminate (AA) and M. balbisiana (BB). We report two haplotype-resolved genome assemblies of the representative AAB-cultivated types, Plantain and Silk, and precisely characterize ancestral contributions by examining ancestry mosaics across the genome. Widespread asymmetric evolution is observed in their subgenomes, which can be linked to frequent homologous exchange events. We reveal the genetic makeup of triploid banana cultivars and verify that subgenome B is a rich source of disease resistance genes. Only 58.5% and 59.4% of Plantain and Silk genes, respectively, are present in all three haplotypes, with >50% of genes being differentially expressed alleles in different subgenomes. We observed that the number of upregulated genes in Plantain is significantly higher than that in Silk at one-week post-inoculation with Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), which confirms that Plantain can initiate defense responses faster than Silk. Additionally, we compared genomic and transcriptomic differences among the genes related to carotenoid synthesis and starch metabolism between Plantain and Silk. Our study provides resources for better understanding the genomic architecture of cultivated bananas and has important implications for Musa genetics and breeding.

Optimization of Radiation Protection in Pediatric Interventional Radiology in Latin America and the Caribbean: Development, Advancements, Challenges and Achievements of the OPRIPALC Program.

This article presents the development, advancements, challenges and achievements of the "Optimization of Protection in Pediatric Interventional Radiology in Latin America and the Caribbean" (OPRIPALC) program. This international initiative is led by the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The main objectives of OPRIPALC are to foster a culture of radiological protection in pediatric interventions, enhance these procedures' quality, and define optimization strategies such as the use of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Currently, 33 centers from 12 countries participate actively in the program. Significant progress has been made towards the proposed objectives, overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through many virtual meetings for coordination, planning, training and follow-up, a comprehensive set of DRLs for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, categorized by weight and age, have been established and are in use. A consensus document on good practices is in the final stage of development. The program's continuation into at least a second phase is essential to address pending issues, including the integration of automatic dose management systems, the levels of occupational radiation doses, their correlation with pediatric patient doses, and strategies to reduce them.

Analysis of the contribution of sport events to sustainable development: Impacts, support and resident's perception.

The current study intends to evaluate the link between the affects observed by citizens on athletic events, the perception of their contribution to municipalities' sustainable development, and support for their celebration. A total of 2049 inhabitants from the Valencian Community's three provincial capitals (Spain) took part in this study, which used a stratified random sample with proportionate allocation. The causal association model fit well, with RMSEA = 0.044, NNFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95, and IFI = 0.95. The study's findings demonstrate that residents' perceptions of the positive and negative impacts caused by sporting events in their communities are an antecedent that explains how these events contribute to sustainable urban development. A positive relationship between perceived sustainable development and support for the hosting of sport events in these localities was also found. These results highlight the need to promote sustainable management development of any sporting event to increase local support from the residents.

Survival Impact of an On-Site Medicalization Program in the Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in 11 Nursing Homes.

BACKGROUND: The elderly admitted to nursing homes have especially suffered the havoc of the COVID-19 pandemic since most of them are not prepared to face such health problems. METHODS: An innovative coordinated on-site medicalization program (MP) in response to a sizeable COVID-19 outbreak in three consecutive waves was deployed, sharing coordination and resources among primary care, the referral hospital, and the eleven residences. The objectives were providing the best possible medical care to residents in their environment, avoiding dehumanization and loneliness of hospital admission, and reducing the saturation of hospitals and the risk of spreading the infection. The main outcomes were a composite endpoint of survival or optimal palliative care (SOPC), survival, and referral to the hospital. RESULTS: 587 of 1199 (49%) residents were infected, of whom 123 (21%) died. Patients diagnosed before the start of the MP presented SOPC, survival, and referrals to the hospital of 83%, 74%, and 22.4%, opposite to 96%, 84%, and 10.6% of patients diagnosed while the MP was set up. The SOPC was independently associated with an MP (OR 3.4 [1.6-7.2]). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 outbreak, a coordinated MP successfully obtained a better rate of SOPC while simultaneously reducing the need for hospital admissions, combining optimal medical management with a more compassionate and humanistic approach in older people.

The kleisin subunit controls the function of C. elegans meiotic cohesins by determining the mode of DNA binding and differential regulation by SCC-2 and WAPL-1.

The cohesin complex plays essential roles in chromosome segregation, 3D genome organisation, and DNA damage repair through its ability to modify DNA topology. In higher eukaryotes, meiotic chromosome function, and therefore fertility, requires cohesin complexes containing meiosis-specific kleisin subunits: REC8 and RAD21L in mammals and REC-8 and COH-3/4 in Caenorhabditis elegans. How these complexes perform the multiple functions of cohesin during meiosis and whether this involves different modes of DNA binding or dynamic association with chromosomes is poorly understood. Combining time-resolved methods of protein removal with live imaging and exploiting the temporospatial organisation of the C. elegans germline, we show that REC-8 complexes provide sister chromatid cohesion (SCC) and DNA repair, while COH-3/4 complexes control higher-order chromosome structure. High-abundance COH-3/4 complexes associate dynamically with individual chromatids in a manner dependent on cohesin loading (SCC-2) and removal (WAPL-1) factors. In contrast, low-abundance REC-8 complexes associate stably with chromosomes, tethering sister chromatids from S-phase until the meiotic divisions. Our results reveal that kleisin identity determines the function of meiotic cohesin by controlling the mode and regulation of cohesin-DNA association, and are consistent with a model in which SCC and DNA looping are performed by variant cohesin complexes that coexist on chromosomes.

Tracking SARS-CoV-2 introductions in Mozambique using pandemic-scale phylogenies: a retrospective observational study

From the start of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, global sequencing efforts have generated an unprecedented amount of genomic data. Nonetheless, unequal sampling between high-income and low-income countries hinders the implementation of genomic surveillance systems at the global and local level. Filling the knowledge gaps of genomic information and understanding pandemic dynamics in low-income countries is essential for public health decision making and to prepare for future pandemics. In this context, we aimed to discover the timing and origin of SARS-CoV-2 variant introductions in Mozambique, taking advantage of pandemic-scale phylogenies. Methods: We did a retrospective, observational study in southern Mozambique. Patients from Manhiça presenting with respiratory symptoms were recruited, and those enrolled in clinical trials were excluded. Data were included from three sources: (1) a prospective hospital-based surveillance study (MozCOVID), recruiting patients living in Manhiça, attending the Manhiça district hospital, and fulfilling the criteria of suspected COVID-19 case according to WHO; (2) symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection recruited by the National Surveillance system; and (3) sequences from SARS-CoV-2-infected Mozambican cases deposited on the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data database. Positive samples amenable for sequencing were analysed. We used Ultrafast Sample placement on Existing tRees to understand the dynamics of beta and delta waves, using available genomic data. This tool can reconstruct a phylogeny with millions of sequences by efficient sample placement in a tree. We reconstructed a phylogeny (~7·6 million sequences) adding new and publicly available beta and delta sequences. Findings: A total of 5793 patients were recruited between Nov 1, 2020, and Aug 31, 2021. During this time, 133 328 COVID-19 cases were reported in Mozambique. 280 good quality new SARS-CoV-2 sequences were obtained after the inclusion criteria were applied and an additional 652 beta (B.1.351) and delta (B.1.617.2) public sequences were included from Mozambique. We evaluated 373 beta and 559 delta sequences. We identified 187 beta introductions (including 295 sequences), divided in 42 transmission groups and 145 unique introductions, mostly from South Africa, between August, 2020 and July, 2021. For delta, we identified 220 introductions (including 494 sequences), with 49 transmission groups and 171 unique introductions, mostly from the UK, India, and South Africa, between April and November, 2021. Interpretation: The timing and origin of introductions suggests that movement restrictions effectively avoided introductions from non-African countries, but not from surrounding countries. Our results raise questions about the imbalance between the consequences of restrictions and health benefits. This new understanding of pandemic dynamics in Mozambique can be used to inform public health interventions to control the spread of new variants. Funding: European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials, European Research Council, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca.

Divergent patterns of meiotic double strand breaks and synapsis initiation dynamics suggest an evolutionary shift in the meiosis program between American and Australian marsupials.

In eutherian mammals, hundreds of programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are generated at the onset of meiosis. The DNA damage response is then triggered. Although the dynamics of this response is well studied in eutherian mammals, recent findings have revealed different patterns of DNA damage signaling and repair in marsupial mammals. To better characterize these differences, here we analyzed synapsis and the chromosomal distribution of meiotic DSBs markers in three different marsupial species (Thylamys elegans, Dromiciops gliorides, and Macropus eugenii) that represent South American and Australian Orders. Our results revealed inter-specific differences in the chromosomal distribution of DNA damage and repair proteins, which were associated with differing synapsis patterns. In the American species T. elegans and D. gliroides, chromosomal ends were conspicuously polarized in a bouquet configuration and synapsis progressed exclusively from the telomeres towards interstitial regions. This was accompanied by sparse H2AX phosphorylation, mainly accumulating at chromosomal ends. Accordingly, RAD51 and RPA were mainly localized at chromosomal ends throughout prophase I in both American marsupials, likely resulting in reduced recombination rates at interstitial positions. In sharp contrast, synapsis initiated at both interstitial and distal chromosomal regions in the Australian representative M. eugenii, the bouquet polarization was incomplete and ephemeral, γH2AX had a broad nuclear distribution, and RAD51 and RPA foci displayed an even chromosomal distribution. Given the basal evolutionary position of T. elegans, it is likely that the meiotic features reported in this species represent an ancestral pattern in marsupials and that a shift in the meiotic program occurred after the split of D. gliroides and the Australian marsupial clade. Our results open intriguing questions about the regulation and homeostasis of meiotic DSBs in marsupials. The low recombination rates observed at the interstitial chromosomal regions in American marsupials can result in the formation of large linkage groups, thus having an impact in the evolution of their genomes.

Tracking SARS-CoV-2 introductions in Mozambique using pandemic-scale phylogenies: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: From the start of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, global sequencing efforts have generated an unprecedented amount of genomic data. Nonetheless, unequal sampling between high-income and low-income countries hinders the implementation of genomic surveillance systems at the global and local level. Filling the knowledge gaps of genomic information and understanding pandemic dynamics in low-income countries is essential for public health decision making and to prepare for future pandemics. In this context, we aimed to discover the timing and origin of SARS-CoV-2 variant introductions in Mozambique, taking advantage of pandemic-scale phylogenies. METHODS: We did a retrospective, observational study in southern Mozambique. Patients from Manhiça presenting with respiratory symptoms were recruited, and those enrolled in clinical trials were excluded. Data were included from three sources: (1) a prospective hospital-based surveillance study (MozCOVID), recruiting patients living in Manhiça, attending the Manhiça district hospital, and fulfilling the criteria of suspected COVID-19 case according to WHO; (2) symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection recruited by the National Surveillance system; and (3) sequences from SARS-CoV-2-infected Mozambican cases deposited on the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data database. Positive samples amenable for sequencing were analysed. We used Ultrafast Sample placement on Existing tRees to understand the dynamics of beta and delta waves, using available genomic data. This tool can reconstruct a phylogeny with millions of sequences by efficient sample placement in a tree. We reconstructed a phylogeny (~7·6 million sequences) adding new and publicly available beta and delta sequences. FINDINGS: A total of 5793 patients were recruited between Nov 1, 2020, and Aug 31, 2021. During this time, 133 328 COVID-19 cases were reported in Mozambique. 280 good quality new SARS-CoV-2 sequences were obtained after the inclusion criteria were applied and an additional 652 beta (B.1.351) and delta (B.1.617.2) public sequences were included from Mozambique. We evaluated 373 beta and 559 delta sequences. We identified 187 beta introductions (including 295 sequences), divided in 42 transmission groups and 145 unique introductions, mostly from South Africa, between August, 2020 and July, 2021. For delta, we identified 220 introductions (including 494 sequences), with 49 transmission groups and 171 unique introductions, mostly from the UK, India, and South Africa, between April and November, 2021. INTERPRETATION: The timing and origin of introductions suggests that movement restrictions effectively avoided introductions from non-African countries, but not from surrounding countries. Our results raise questions about the imbalance between the consequences of restrictions and health benefits. This new understanding of pandemic dynamics in Mozambique can be used to inform public health interventions to control the spread of new variants. FUNDING: European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials, European Research Council, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca.

Oral spleen tyrosine kinase/Janus Kinase inhibitor gusacitinib for the treatment of chronic hand eczema: Results of a randomized phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND: Gusacitinib is an oral inhibitor of Janus and Spleen tyrosine kinases. METHODS: The efficacy and safety of gusacitinib were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 2 study in 97 chronic hand eczema patients randomized (1:1:1) to placebo or gusacitinib (40 or 80 mg) for 12 weeks (part A). Then, in part B (through week 32), the patients received gusacitinib. RESULTS: At week 16, patients receiving 80 mg gusacitinib showed a 69.5% (P <.005) decrease in the modified total lesion-symptom score versus 49.0% for 40 mg (P =.132), and 33.5% for placebo. Considerable improvement in Physician's Global Assessment was seen in 31.3% of patients receiving 80 mg versus 6.3% of placebo (P <.05). A 73.3% decrease in the hand eczema severity index versus placebo (21.7%) occurred in patients receiving 80 mg (P <.001). Patients receiving 80 mg experienced a considerable decrease in hand pain (P <.05). As early as week 2, considerable reductions over placebo in modified total lesion-symptom score (P <.005), Physician's Global Assessment (P =.04), and hand eczema severity index (P <.01) were observed (80 mg gusacitinib). Adverse events included upper respiratory infection, headache, nausea, and nasopharyngitis. CONCLUSIONS: Gusacitinib showed rapid improvement in chronic hand eczema patients and was well tolerated, warranting further investigations.

La activación psicofisiológica en situaciones de competición en jugadores de bádminton / A ativação psicofisiológica em situações de competição em jugadores de bádminton / The psychophysiological activation in competition situations in badminton players

Diversas investigaciones demuestran la importancia de la relación del nivel de activación con el rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo fue analizar el nivel de activación psicofisiológica de la acción de saque y su efecto en el rendimiento, durante situaciones simuladas de competición. Participaron 30 jugadores de bádminton (M= 23.7 años, DE= 7.52), divididos por nivel de rendimiento: alto nivel de habilidad (mujeres=5, hombres=10) y bajo nivel de habilidad (mujeres=4, hombres=11). Variable independiente: simulación de competición con menor y mayor exigencia. Variable dependiente: nivel de activación psicofisiológica, subjetiva y rendimiento. No hubo diferencias significativas en electromiografía y conductancia de la piel por las diferentes condiciones, pero si en la temperatura periférica y la activación subjetiva. El nivel de activación psicofisiológica tuvo un incremento por las acciones, pero no fue significativo. Además, que la simulación imaginando situaciones de partido, es posible que no fue suficiente para generar diferencias significativas por las condiciones. (AU)

Various investigations demonstrate the importance of the relationship between the level of activation and sports performance. The objective was to analyze the level of psychophysiological activation of the serve action and its effect on performance during simulated competition situations. Thirty badminton players participated (M= 23.7 years, SD = 7.52), divided by performance level: high skill level (women=5, men=10) and low skill level (women=4, men=11). Independent variable: competition simulation with lower and higher demand. Dependent variable: level of psychophysiological and subjective activation and performance. There were no significant differences in electromyography and skin conductance for the different conditions, but there were significant differences in peripheral temperature and subjective arousal. The level of psychophysiological activation had an increase due to the actions, but it was not significant. In addition, that the simulation imagining match situations, it is possible that it was not enough to generate significant differences due to the conditions. (AU)

Várias investigações demonstram a importância da relação entre o nível de ativação e o desempenho esportivo. O objetivo foi analisar o nível de ativação psicofisiológica da ação de saque e seu efeito no desempenho durante situações simuladas de competição. Participaram 30 jogadores de badminton (M= 23,7 anos, DP = 7,52), divididos por nível de desempenho: alto nível de habilidade (mulheres=5, homens=10) e baixo nível de habilidade (mulheres=4, homens=11). Variável independente: simulação de competição com menor e maior demanda. Variável dependente: nível de ativação e desempenho psicofisiológico e subjetivo. Não houve diferenças significativas na eletromiografia e condutância da pele para as diferentes condições, mas houve diferenças significativas na temperatura periférica e excitação subjetiva. O nível de ativação psicofisiológica teve aumento devido às ações, mas não foi significativo. Além disso, que a simulação imaginando situações iguais, é possível que não tenha sido suficiente para gerar diferenças significativas devido às condições. (AU)

Optimization of parameters in coherent spin dynamics of radical pairs in quantum biology.

Identification of the external electromagnetic fields and internal hyperfine parameters which optimize the quantum singlet-triplet yield of simplified radical pairs modeled by Schrödinger system with spin Hamiltonians given by the sum of Zeeman interaction and hyperfine coupling interaction terms are analyzed. A method that combines sensitivity analysis with Tikhonov regularization is implemented. Numerical results demonstrate that the quantum singlet-triplet yield of the radical pair system can be significantly reduced if optimization is pursued simultaneously for both external magnetic fields and internal hyperfine parameters. The results may contribute towards understanding the structure-function relationship of a putative magnetoreceptor to manipulate and enhance quantum coherences at room temperature and leveraging biofidelic function to inspire novel quantum devices.

Mental rotation and schizotypal personality traits: A Bayesian approach.

People diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibit mental rotation differences, suggesting that clinical levels of positive symptoms, such as psychotic hallucinations, are related to disruptions in their monitoring and manipulation of mental representations. According to the psychosis continuum, findings in people with a high level of schizotypal personality traits are expected to be qualitatively similar, but research concerning this topic is scarce. A spared mental imagery manipulation in this population only could suggest that this ability might be a possible protective factor, or that the emergence of clinical-level positive symptoms could be paired with disruptions in this capacity. To explore this issue, 205 undergraduate students (122 women) completed a novel mental rotation task identifying the stimulus that was a 90, 180, or 270° rotation of a black circle with colored portions and were assessed with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Men performed better in most conditions. No relationship was detected between schizotypal personality traits and accuracy in the task. These results do not support that mental imagery manipulation disruptions may be related to schizotypal personality traits in non-clinical populations. Thus, they might instead be associated with the onset of psychosis disorders as mental representation handling is hindered. However, additional research is required including the general population, as well as those with higher levels of psychotic symptoms and psychosis disorders. Future research could also focus on working memory processes related to mental representation manipulations of different sensory modalities such as auditory mental representations and their relationship with schizotypal personality traits and clinical populations.

Evaluation of two different concentration methods for surveillance of human viruses in sewage and their effects on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) emerged as a reliable strategy both as a surveillance method and a way to provide an overview of the SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating among the population. Our objective was to compare two different concentration methods, a well-established aluminum-based procedure (AP) and the commercially available Maxwell® RSC Enviro Wastewater TNA Kit (TNA) for human enteric virus, viral indicators and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. Additionally, both concentration methods were analyzed for their impact on viral infectivity, and nucleic acids obtained from each method were also evaluated by massive sequencing for SARS-CoV-2. The percentage of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples using the AP method accounted to 100 %, 83.3 %, and 33.3 % depending on the target region while 100 % positivity for these same three target regions was reported using the TNA procedure. The concentrations of norovirus GI, norovirus GII and HEV using the TNA method were significantly greater than for the AP method while no differences were reported for rotavirus, astrovirus, crAssphage and PMMoV. Furthermore, TNA kit in combination with the Artic v4 primer scheme yields the best SARS-CoV-2 sequencing results. Regarding impact on infectivity, the concentration method used by the TNA kit showed near-complete lysis of viruses. Our results suggest that although the performance of the TNA kit was higher than that of the aluminum procedure, both methods are suitable for the analysis of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses in wastewater by molecular methods.

Occurrence of pathogenic microorganisms in small drinking-water systems in Costa Rica.

This study describes the quality of drinking water sampled over 2 years (2018 and 2019) from 20 ASADAS (Spanish acronym for Administrative Associations for Water and Sewer Systems) in Costa Rica. The analysis included Rotavirus (RV), somatic coliphages, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The ASADAS were categorized into three regions as temperate rainy (region 1), tropical rainy (region 2), and tropical rainy and dry (region 3) according to biogeographic classification. The concentrations of fecal coliforms and E. coli were higher in samples from surface water sources from the ASADAS in region 3 compared to regions 1 and 2. RV-positive samples (24/296) were detected in drinking-water samples from regions 2 and 3 during dry and transition seasons, with higher concentrations more frequently in the dry season. In addition, somatic coliphages were detected in samples from the three regions, with higher concentrations in region 2. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between somatic coliphages and diarrheal cases, classified as outbreaks or alerts in the region. Thus, the results confirmed that somatic coliphages are a good indicator of the presence of diarrhea cases in a specific region.

Use of yeast biocapsules as a fungal-based immobilized cell technology for Indian Pale Ale-type beer brewing.

Immobilized cell technologies (ICT) have been used in wort fermentation, beer maturation, or production of alcohol-free or low-alcohol beer. The purpose of ICT is to restrict intact cells to a specific location while allowing biological function. It improves cell stability, operational flexibility, and control in brewing, as well as ease in executing continuous operations. We investigated the use of yeast biocapsules for Indian Pale Ale (IPA) type beer wort fermentation, a novel ICT in brewing. Yeast biocapsules are a spherical yeast immobilization system in which yeast cells are encapsulated and connected to the hyphae of an inactivated hollow filamentous fungus pellet. Fermentations with yeast encapsulated in alginate beads, as the standard immobilization practice, and in free (non-immobilized) forms were carried out in parallel. We found that yeast biocapsules are a better option for cell reutilization than alginate beads, but worse for beer must clarity. Beer brewed with yeast biocapsules differed in concentration for five volatile compounds (acetaldehyde, diacetyl, ethyl acetate, 1,1-diethoxyethane, and isoamyl alcohol) and three sensory characters (persistency of the foam, malt, and yeast character). KEY POINTS: • Yeast biocapsules were investigated for beer wort fermentation • Biocapsules improve cell reutilization but are limited for beer clarification • Beer brewed with biocapsules is chemically different than conventional beer • Most sensory features did not differ between biocapsule and control beer.