Determining mating type and ploidy in Rhodotorula toruloides and its effect on growth on sugars from lignocellulosic biomass.

Rhodotorula toruloides is being developed for the use in industrial biotechnology processes because of its favorable physiology. This includes its ability to produce and store large amounts of lipids in the form of intracellular lipid bodies. Nineteen strains were characterized for mating type, ploidy, robustness for growth, and accumulation of lipids on inhibitory switchgrass hydrolysate (SGH). Mating type was determined using a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay, which was validated using the classical microscopic test. Three of the strains were heterozygous for mating type (A1/A2). Ploidy analysis revealed a complex pattern. Two strains were triploid, eight haploid, and eight either diploid or aneuploid. Two of the A1/A2 strains were compared to their parents for growth on 75%v/v concentrated SGH. The A1/A2 strains were much more robust than the parental strains, which either did not grow or had extended lag times. The entire set was evaluated in 60%v/v SGH batch cultures for growth kinetics and biomass and lipid production. Lipid titers were 2.33-9.40 g/L with a median of 6.12 g/L, excluding the two strains that did not grow. Lipid yields were 0.032-0.131 (g/g) and lipid contents were 13.5-53.7% (g/g). Four strains had significantly higher lipid yields and contents. One of these strains, which had among the highest lipid yield in this study (0.131 ± 0.007 g/g), has not been previously described in the literature. SUMMARY: The yeast Rhodotorula toruloides was used to produce oil using sugars extracted from a bioenergy grass.

Microcystin-Detoxifying Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Expressing the mlrA Gene from Sphingosinicella microcystinivorans B9.

Contamination of water by microcystins is a global problem. These potent hepatotoxins demand constant monitoring and control methods in potable water. Promising approaches to reduce contamination risks have focused on natural microcystin biodegradation led by enzymes encoded by the mlrABCD genes. The first enzyme of this system (mlrA) linearizes microcystin structure, reducing toxicity and stability. Heterologous expression of mlrA in different microorganisms may enhance its production and activity, promote additional knowledge on the enzyme, and support feasible applications. In this context, we intended to express the mlrA gene from Sphingosinicella microcystinivorans B9 in an industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain as an innovative biological alternative to degrade microcystins. The mlrA gene was codon-optimized for expression in yeast, and either expressed from a plasmid or through chromosomal integration at the URA3 locus. Recombinant and wild yeasts were cultivated in medium contaminated with microcystins, and the toxin content was analyzed during growth. Whereas no difference in microcystins content was observed in cultivation with the chromosomally integrated strain, the yeast strain hosting the mlrA expression plasmid reduced 83% of toxins within 120 h of cultivation. Our results show microcystinase A expressed by industrial yeast strains as a viable option for practical applications in water treatment.

Erosive potential associated with the pH of industrialized and natural drinks

Nowadays there is an increase in the consumption of acidic drinks, especially the fermented ones. Its ingestion is closely associated with the demineralization of superficial dental tissues, which characterizes dental erosion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pH of industrialized and natural drinks. The sample consisted of soft drinks, natural and artificial juices, fermented drinks, isotonic drinks and energy from different commercial brands acquired in the city of Niterói (RJ). The products were kept at room temperature (25oC) for 1 hour and were aliquoted 3 mL of each drink to a Becker to measure pH in a specific electrode coupled to a potentiometer. The readings were performed in triplicate. The mean pH ranged from 2.34 to 4.31, the most acidic drink was the refrigerant and the less acidic, the curd. It was found that all drinks analyzed had an acidic pH. Thus, potentially erosive dental structures.

Atualmente, há um aumento no consumo de bebidas ácidas, especialmente as fermentadas. Sua ingestão está intimamente associada à desmineralização dos tecidos dentários superficiais, o que caracteriza a erosão dentária. O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi avaliar o potencial erosivo de bebidas industrializadas e naturais. A amostra de conveniência foi constituída de refrigerantes, sucos naturais e artificiais, bebidas fermentadas, isotônicos e energéticos de diferentes marcas comerciais adquiridas no município de Niterói (RJ). Os produtos foram mantidos em temperatura ambiente (25oC) durante 1 hora e foram aliquotados 3 mL de cada bebida para um Becker para a mensuração de pH em eletrodo específico acoplado a um potenciômetro. As leituras foram realizadas em triplicata. Os valores médios de pH variaram de 2,34 a 4,31, sendo a bebida mais ácida um refrigerante e a menos ácida, a coalhada. Constatou-se que todas as bebidas analisadas apresentaram um pH ácido e abaixo do crítico para a dissolução do esmalte, sendo estas potencialmente erosivas das estruturas dentárias.

Percepções da equipe de enfermagem de uma Unidade de Pronto Atendimento sobre urgência e emergência / Perceptions of the nursing team in an Emergency Care Unit on urgency and emergency

Objetivo: conhecer as percepções da equipe de enfermagem de um Pronto Atendimento sobre o atendimento de Urgência e Emergência. Metodologia: exploratório-descritivo de abordagem qualitativa. O cenário da pesquisa foi a Unidade de Pronto Atendimento de Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul. Os participantes da pesquisa foram integrantes da equipe de enfermagem que atuam nesta instituição. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevista. Foi realizada análise do conteúdo. Resultados: emergiram as categorias: Conhecimento sobre Urgência e Emergência, Processo de trabalho e Questões gerenciais. Evidenciou-se que os profissionais percebem as unidades de pronto atendimento como locais de extrema importância no que se refere ao atendimento rápido e resolutivo nos casos de urgência e emergência, mas deixam claro, a forma equivocada, na qual as unidades vêm sendo utilizadas como porta de entrada para casos que poderiam ser atendidos nas unidades básicas de saúde. Considerações finais: destacou-se o importante papel dos serviços de urgência e emergência. É indispensável a qualificação do fluxo de encaminhamentos, bem como a melhoria do contexto organizacional.

Objectives: to know the perception of the nursing team of Emergency Service on Emergency and Emergency care. Methodology: it is an exploratory-descriptive qualitative approach. The research scenario was the Gravataí Emergency Care Unit, Rio Grande do Sul. The research participants were members of the nursing team that work at this institution. The data collection took place through an interview. Content analysis was performed. Results: categories emerged were: Knowledge about Emergency and Emergency, Work process and Management issues. It was evidenced that the professionals perceive the units of prompt service as places of extreme importance so that the patient has a fast and decisive attention in cases of urgency and emergency, but they make it clear, the mistaken form, that the units are being used as door of cases that could be taken care of in basic health units. Consideration finales: the important role of emergency and emergency services was highlighted. It is indispensable the qualification of the flow of referrals as well as the improvement of the organizational context.

Influence of genetic background of engineered xylose-fermenting industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for ethanol production from lignocellulosic hydrolysates.

An industrial ethanol-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with genes of fungal oxido-reductive pathway needed for xylose fermentation integrated into its genome (YRH1415) was used to obtain haploids and diploid isogenic strains. The isogenic strains were more effective in metabolizing xylose than YRH1415 strain and able to co-ferment glucose and xylose in the presence of high concentrations of inhibitors resulting from the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass (switchgrass). The rate of xylose consumption did not appear to be affected by the ploidy of strains or the presence of two copies of the xylose fermentation genes but by heterozygosity of alleles for xylose metabolism in YRH1415. Furthermore, inhibitor tolerance was influenced by the heterozygous genome of the industrial strain, which also showed a marked influenced on tolerance to increasing concentrations of toxic compounds, such as furfural. In this work, selection of haploid derivatives was found to be a useful strategy to develop efficient xylose-fermenting industrial yeast strains.

Draft Genome Sequence of the d-Xylose-Fermenting Yeast Spathaspora xylofermentans UFMG-HMD23.3.

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the yeast Spathaspora xylofermentans UFMG-HMD23.3 (=CBS 12681), a d-xylose-fermenting yeast isolated from the Amazonian forest. The genome consists of 298 contigs, with a total size of 15.1 Mb, including the mitochondrial genome, and 5,948 predicted genes.

Associação de membrana biológica de hemicelulose com pomada de estimulação da epitelização: relato de caso / Association of biological membrane of hemicellulose with epithelization stimulation ointment: case report / Asociación de la membrana biológica de hemicelulose con pomada de estimulación de la epitelización: informe de caso

Objetivo: Relatar o tratamento de queimadura de segundo grau superficial por meio de associação da membrana biológica de hemicelulose com pomada de estimulação da epitelização. Relato do Caso: Trata-se de um trabalho qualitativo descritivo, do tipo estudo de caso. Realizado em uma clínica especializada em curativos na cidade de Campina Grande, PB, em fevereiro de 2015. O estudo teve como amostra uma lesão proveniente de queimadura de segundo grau superficial, conduzida com aplicação do Veloderm®, membrana biológica de hemicelulose, associado ao Stimulen®, pomada de estimulação da epitelização, a cada sessão de curativos. D.L.M., 29 anos, sexo feminino, estudante, nega etilismo e tabagismo, e conhecimento de comorbidades. Admitida à clínica especializada com queimadura de segundo grau superficial em membro inferior direito, conduzida com limpeza lesional e perilesional, mais utilização de Veloderm® e Stimulen®, obteve resultado satisfatório em três sessões de curativos. Conclusão: Considera-se o tratamento delineado como exitoso, visto que foi alcançada cicatrização total da lesão. Portanto, houve um processo cicatricial rápido, efetivo, sem injúrias maiores da paciente e sem a presença de complicações associadas ao trauma da queimadura.

Objective: To report the treatment of superficial second-degree burn through the association of the hemicellulose biological membrane with epitelization stimulation ointment. Case Report: This is a qualitative, descriptive, case-study work. It was carried out in a dressing clinic in the city of Campina Grande, PB, in February, 2015. The study had as a sample a lesion from a second-degree superficial burn, conducted with the application of Veloderm®, hemicellulose biological membrane, associated to Stimulen®, epithelial stimulation ointment, at each dressing session. The procedure of data collection was done through the medical record and photographic record of the patients injury. D.L.M., 29 years old, female, student, denies alcoholism and smoking, and knowledge of comorbidities. Admitted to the specialized clinic with superficial second-degree burn in the right lower limb, conducted with lesion and perilesional cleansing, plus use of Veloderm® and Stimulen®, obtaining a satisfactory result in three sessions of dressings. Conclusion:The treatment outlined as successful was considered, since total wound healing was achieved. Therefore, there was a fast, effective cicatricial process, without major injuries to the patient and without the presence of complications associated with burn trauma.

Objetivos: Presentar el tratamiento de quemadura de segundo grado superficial por medio de la asociación de la membrana biológica de hemicelulose con pomada de estimulación da epitelización. Método: Se trata de un trabajo cualitativo descriptivo, un informe de caso. Realizado en una clínica especializada en tratamiento de heridas en la ciudad de Campina Grande, PB, en febrero de 2015. El estudio tubo como muestra lesiones de quemaduras de segundo grado superficial, siendo aplicado Veloderm®, membrana biológica de hemicelulosa, asociado a Stimulen®, para cada sesión de curación. D.L.M., de 29 años, sexo femenino, estudiante, niega el alcoholismo y el tabaquismo, y el conocimiento de comorbilidades. Ingresado en la clínica especializada con con quemadura de segundo grado superficial en la extremidad inferior derecha, realizada curación lesional y perilesional, siendo más utilizado el Veloderm® y Stumulen®, siendo obtenidos resultados satisfactorios. Conclusión: Se considera un delineamiento de tratamiento exitoso, ya que concluyó con la completa cicatrización de la lesión. Hubo un proceso de curación rápida, eficaz y sin grandes lesiones del paciente y sin la presencia de complicaciones asociadas con el trauma de la quemadura.

Psychological distress and quality of life in leprosy patients with neuropathic pain.

Leprosy is widely known because of progressive damage to the peripheral nerves. In spite of multidrug therapy, some patients develop chronic neuropathic pain after bacteriological cure. Chronic pain is associated with psychological distress and is also an important predictor of poor quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess psychological distress in leprosy patients with chronic neuropathic pain, and its repercussions on their quality of life. The sample of this cross-sectional study comprised patients with chronic neuropathic pain after multidrug therapy. Neuropathic pain was confirmed by clinical examination and by the Douleur neuropathique en 4 questions questionnaire. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogic scale (VAS) ruler. The psychological health of the participants was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, and the WHOQOL-bref was used to assess quality of life. The mean pain intensity reported by participants on the VAS was 7.1 cm (SD = 2.9). No differences in pain intensity with respect to gender were observed. Psychological distress was present in 76.2% of participants, being higher in those with Grade 2 of disability. Patients with psychological distress had the lowest mean scores in all domains of the WHOQOL-bref. The lowest mean scores according to domain were physical (9.9; SD = 3.3), followed by environment (11.9; SD = 3.0), psychological (13.5; SD = 2.6) and social relations (14.0; SD = 3.7). In conclusion, our study identified the presence of psychological distress in most of the participants. Patients with chronic neuropathic pain who were also found to have high psychological distress levels had higher pain intensity and a poorer quality of life.