Evaluation of cell disruption methods in the oleaginous yeasts Yarrowia lipolytica QU21 and Meyerozyma guilliermondii BI281A for microbial oil extraction.

The interest for oleaginous yeasts has grown significantly in the last three decades, mainly due to their potential use as a renewable source of microbial oil or single cell oils (SCOs). However, the methodologies for cell disruption to obtain the microbial oil are considered critical and determinant for a large-scale production. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate different methods for cell wall disruption for the lipid extraction of Yarrowia lipolytica QU21 and Meyerozyma guilliermondii BI281A. The two strains were separately cultivated in 5 L batch fermenters for 120 hours, at 26 ºC and 400 rpm. Three different lipid extraction processes using Turrax homogenizer, Ultrasonicator and Braun homogenizer combined with bead milling were applied in wet, oven-dried, and freeze-dried biomass of both strains. The treatment with the highest percentage of disrupted cells and highest oil yield was the ultrasonication of oven-dried biomass (37-40% lipid content for both strains). The fact that our results point to one best extraction strategy for two different yeast strains, belonging to different species, is a great news towards the development of a unified technique that could be applied at industrial plants.

Cardiovascular adverse effects associated with the use of anti-HER2 in breast cancer treatment.

Background: Cancer represents an important public health problem with increasing incidence, prevalence, and mortality, affecting the entire Western population, especially in developed and developing countries. The use of monoclonal antibodies has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, but this treatment can cause adverse cardiovascular effects (AE). Objective: The objective of this paper is to identify and classify AE in breast cancer patients in the use of Trastuzumab in two health institutions. Methods: Retrospective study of medical records of patients with breast cancer Her 2+ submitted the therapy with trastuzumab in early and advanced stage of the disease. Review conducted in a university hospital and a private clinic, both located in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Results: Cardiovascular events were late for trastuzumab, with predominance of moderate reactions. There was a predominance of dyspnea, increased blood pressure, fatigue and reduced left ventricular ejection. Conclusion: The results resemble similarities in the pattern of the institutions' reactions. Identify possible AE and know the toxicity profile of trastuzumab can contribute to a safer therapy.

Unveiling Fungal Community Structure along Different Levels of Anthropic Disturbance in a South American Subtropical Lagoon.

Studies of fungal communities through amplicon metagenomics in aquatic environments, particularly in freshwater ecosystems, are still relatively recent. Unfortunately, many of these water bodies are facing growing threats from human expansion, such as effluent discharge from various human activities. As a result, these effluents have the potential to significantly alter the characteristics of water bodies and, subsequently, impact the diversity of their resident microorganisms. In this context, our objective was to investigate whether the fungal community structure varies according to the presence of different anthropic disturbances. We expect (i) the diversity of fungi will be greater and (ii) more specific unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to each ecotonal system will be found compared to other sites of a lagoon. The study was conducted in the Tramandaí Lagoon (subtropical southern Brazil) at four distinct sampling points (estuary, middle of the lagoon, crop field area, and near a residential area where the Tramandaí River flows into the lagoon). As expected, the estuary and residential zones, which are ecotones, exhibited greater fungal diversity and more specific OTUs compared to the middle of the lagoon and crop field area. Moreover, a substantial proportion of fungal taxa could not be identified at the genus level, with many only classified at the phylum level, indicating potential new lineages. These findings underscore our limited understanding of the subtropical freshwater mycobiota.

Monoclonal-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast cancer: A retrospective study in an oncology clinic.

Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab and rituximab, significantly contribute to the oncological therapeutic arsenal. However, they may be associated with the development of cardiotoxicity. This study collected data from clinical records of patients in the use of rituximab and trastuzumab in a private oncology clinic from 2017 to 2019. It also investigated cardiovascular adverse drug reactions and associated risk factors. Cardiotoxicity was defined as symptomatic in the presence of signs and symptoms suggestive of heart failure (HF) such as dyspnea, nocturnal cough, and fatigue, among others. Asymptomatic HF was confirmed by the decline in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥10% of baseline or LVEF ≤50%. Among the 57 patients undergoing trastuzumab, 12 patients (21%) had cardiotoxicity and 8 patients (67%) had extreme or high-risk scores in the cardiotoxicity risk assessment algorithm. Among the 37 patients treated with rituximab, 3 patients (8%) had cardiotoxicity. The presence of previous diabetes mellitus significantly increased the risk of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (p = 0.02). However, none of the other risk factors influenced the incidence of trastuzumab- and rituximab-induced cardiotoxicity, which the sample size may explain. More studies are needed to investigate the association of risk factors with cardiotoxicity induced by trastuzumab and rituximab, aiming to establish strategies to prevent and manage this effect early.

Implicações do teletrabalho para o trabalhador no período pandêmico de covid-19 / Implications of teleworking for the worker in the pandemic covid-19 period / Consecuencias de telework para el trabajador en el período pandémico covid-19

Objetivo: identificar as implicações do teletrabalho para o trabalhador no período pandêmico de covid-19.Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura com buscas nas bases de dados Web of Science, Scopus, Medline via pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo e Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, utilizando os descritores teleworking, pandemics, occupational health com operador booleano AND. A busca foi realizada em agosto de 2022 e contou com os seguintes critérios de inclusão: textos no formato artigo científico com texto na íntegra, publicados no período pandêmico (2020 - 2022), em inglês, português e espanhol. Excluíram-se os artigos duplicados, pesquisas de revisão e artigos reflexivos. Resultados: Foram encontrados 134 artigos e após a aplicação dos critérios e avaliação do corpus textual, obtivemos uma amostra de 19 estudos. A análise se desdobrou na criação de 03 categorias, a citar: modificações no estilo de vida durante o trabalho remoto; implicações relacionadas à saúde mental e ao isolamento e implicações relacionadas ao processo de trabalho. O teletrabalho foi uma ferramenta valiosa porque proporcionou a continuidade e funcionamento das empresas durante a pandemia de Covid-19 uma vez que a saúde física e mental do trabalhador foi imensamente afetada. Conclusão: O teletrabalho mostrou- se uma importante modalidade de trabalho frente à pandemia de Covid-19. Apesar de ter sido uma ferramenta imprescindível para manutenção dos empregos e continuidade do funcionamento das empresas durante a pandemia, a saúde física e mental do trabalhador foi bastante afetada neste período.

Objective: To identify the implications of teleworking for the worker in the pandemic period of covid-19.Methods: This is an integrative literature review with searches in the Web of Science, Scopus, Medline via pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases, using the descriptors teleworking, pandemics, occupational health with boolean operator AND. The search was carried out in August 2022 and had the following inclusion criteria: texts in the format of scientific article with full text, published in the pandemic period (2020 - 2022), in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Duplicate articles, review research, and reflective articles were excluded. Results: We found 134 articles and after applying the criteria and evaluation of the textual corpus, we obtained a sample of 19 studies. The analysis unfolded in the creation of 03 categories, to mention: changes in lifestyle during remote work; implications related to mental health and isolation and implications related to the work process. Teleworking was a valuable tool because it provided business continuity and operation during the COVID-19 pandemic as the worker's physical and mental health was greatly affected. Conclusion: Teleworking proved to be an important way of working against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it was an indispensable tool for maintaining jobs and continuing the functioning of companies during the pandemic, the physical and mental health of the worker was greatly affected in this period.

Propósito: identificar las implicaciones del teletrabajo para los trabajadores en el periodo pandémico de covid-19.Métodos: Se trata de una revisión integrada de la literatura con búsquedas en la Web de Ciencia, Scopus, Medline via pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo y el Índice Acumulativo a las bases de datos de Enfermería y Literatura de Salud Aliada, utilizando los descriptores teletrabajo, las pandemias, la salud ocupacional con operador Y. La búsqueda se llevó a cabo en agosto de 2022 y pudo contar con los siguientes criterios de inclusión: textos en formato de artículo científico con texto completo, publicados en el período de la pandemia (2020-2022), en español, portugués e inglés. Se excluyeron artículos duplicados, encuestas de revisión y artículos reflexivos. Resultados: se encontraron 134 artículos, y tras la aplicación de los criterios de valoración del corpus textual, se obtuvo una muestra de 19 estudios. El análisis ha dado lugar a la creación de 30 categorías, por citar: cambios en el estilo de vida durante el trabajo a distancia; consecuencias relacionadas con la salud mental y el aislamiento y consecuencias relacionadas con el proceso de trabajo. El teletrabajo era un instrumento valioso porque ofrecía continuidad y funcionamiento de las operaciones durante la pandemia del Covid-19, ya que la salud física y mental del trabajador se veía inmensamente afectada. Conclusión: el teletrabajo ha demostrado ser una importante modalidad de trabajo frente a la pandemia del Covid-19. Aunque fue un instrumento indispensable para mantener el empleo y continuar el funcionamiento de las empresas durante la pandemia, la salud física y mental del trabajador se ha visto muy afectada en este período.

High MICs for antifungal agents in yeasts from an anthropized lagoon in South America.

The lagoons are fragile ecosystems used by several species as a refuge and breeding area, and it is also a place where certain communities practice fishing activity. With increasing urbanization around this ecosystem, pesticides used in agriculture and untreated urban wastewater are drained into the river basin, resulting in the dispersion of organic matter and antifungals used by the population and farmers. These may favor the selection of resistant pathogens directly into the environment, a concern since several fungi have emerged as pathogens in the last decades. In this study, we investigated the presence in an impacted lagoon by potentially resistant yeasts to antifungal agents. We evaluated their capacity for producing extracellular enzymes that could act as virulence factors. Water samples from the Tramandaí lagoon were analyzed for the presence of pesticides using the SPE-LC-ESI-MS/MS. Tricyclazole, carbendazim, azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, and tebuconazole were found. Twenty-eight yeast species were isolated, including the multidrug-resistant Candida haemulonii, and species with high minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for clinical antifungal agents. Around 93% of the isolates had MIC values above the resistance breakpoints established for Candida species for at least two antifungal agents. And 27% had high MICs values for fluconazole, terbinafine, amphotericin B, and caspofungin. Tebuconazole MICs values were highly associated with MICs for fluconazole, terbinafine, and amphotericin B, and significant correlations between high MICs for antifungal agents and enzyme production were found. The results indicated that the lagoon is a reservoir of resistance genes and a potential source for fungal infection, highlighting the importance of the One Health approach and the integrated vision of the ecosystem when managing these environments.

Different plant compartments, different yeasts: The example of the bromeliad phyllosphere.

The plant phyllosphere is one of the largest sources of microorganisms, including yeasts. In bromeliads, the knowledge of yeasts is dispersed and still incipient. To understand the extent of our knowledge of the subject, this review proposes to compile and synthesize existing knowledge, elucidating possible patterns, biotechnological and taxonomic potentials, bringing to light new knowledge, and identifying information gaps. For such, we systematically review scientific production on yeasts in bromeliads using various databases. The results indicated that the plant compartments flowers, fruits, leaves, and water tank (phytotelma) have been studied when focusing on the yeast community in the bromeliad phyllosphere. More than 180 species of yeasts and yeast-like fungi were recorded from the phyllosphere, 70% were exclusively found in one of these four compartments and only 2% were shared among all. In addition, most of the community had a low frequency of occurrence, and approximately half of the species had a single record. Variables such as bromeliad subfamilies and functional types, as well as plant compartments, were statistically significant, though inconclusive and with low explanatory power. At least 50 yeast species with some biotechnological potentials have been isolated from bromeliads. More than 90% of these species were able to produce extracellular enzymes. In addition, other biotechnological applications have also been recorded. Moreover, new species have been described, though yeasts were only exploited in approximately 1% of the existing bromeliads species, which highlights that there is still much to be explored. Nevertheless, it appears that we are still far from recovering the completeness of the diversity of yeasts in this host. Furthermore, bromeliads proved to be a good ecological model for prospecting new yeasts and for studies on the interaction between plants and yeasts. In addition, the yeast community diverged among plant compartments, establishing bromeliads as a microbiologically complex and heterogeneous mosaic.

Familial breast cancer, pregnancy and cardiotoxicity associated with the use of doxorubicin and reaction with trastuzumab.

INTRODUCTION: Breast Cancer (BC) is a neoplasm with the highest prevalence in women in Brazil and worldwide. Pregnancy-associated with BC is defined as that which occurs during pregnancy or within 1 to 2 years postpartum. The objective is to present a clinical case of a young patient with a history of familial BC who had cancer during pregnancy. The patient had cardiotoxicity after using doxorubicin and trastuzumab. CASE REPORT: She was a young patient within infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the right breast She was diagnosed within nine weeks of gestation and submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with AC protocol (doxorubicina and cyclophosphamide) and mastectomy. Developed left atrial overload after treatment and still responding to hypersensitivity to trastuzumab. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: The patient presented an alteration in the electrocardiogram (ECG) after the use of doxorubicin. The exam was repeated and the ECG was normal. Trastuzumab was started after delivery and the patient had a hypersensitivity reaction. Administration of trastuzumab was stopped and hydrocortisone was administered. The patient showed improvement in symptoms with cessation of trastuzumab. DISCUSSION: Although anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and hypersensitivity reactions to trastuzumab are common reactions, there are few studies on the effects of these drugs in patients with Gestational breast cancer (GBC). Monitoring cardiotoxicity in breast cancer treatment in pregnant patients is essential to avoid two complications: for the pregnant woman and the fetus.

Tremella ananatis sp. nov. and Tremella lamprococci sp. nov., two yeast species associated with bromeliads.

Eight yeast isolates with an affinity to the genus Tremella were obtained from bromeliads from different locations in Brazil. Although the formation of basidia and basidiocarp were not observed, on the basis of the results of sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, we suggest that these isolates represent two novel species of the genus Tremella. These yeasts are phylogenetically related to Tremella saccharicola and Tremella globispora. Therefore, we propose Tremella ananatis sp. nov. and Tremella lamprococci sp. nov. as novel yeast species of the order Tremellales (Agaricomycotina, Basidiomycota). Sequence analysis revealed that Tremella ananatis sp. nov. differs by 11 and 28 nucleotide substitutions from Tremella saccharicola in the D1/D2 sequence and ITS region, respectively. Moreover, Tremella lamprococci sp. nov. differs by 15 and 29 nucleotide substitutions from Tremella globispora in the D1/D2 sequence and ITS region, respectively. The holotypes of Tremella ananatis sp. nov. and Tremella lamprococci sp. nov. are CBS 14568T and CBS 14567T, and the MycoBank numbers are MB840480 and MB840481, respectively.

Nile Red Incubation Time Before Reading Fluorescence Greatly Influences the Yeast Neutral Lipids Quantification.

High-throughput screening methodologies to estimate lipid content in oleaginous yeasts use Nile red fluorescence in a given solvent and optimized excitation/emission wavelengths. However, Nile red fluorescence stabilization has been poorly analyzed, and high variability occurs when relative fluorescence is measured immediately or a few minutes after dye addition. The aim of this work was to analyze the fluorescence of Nile red at different incubation times using a variety of solvents and oleaginous/non-oleaginous yeast strains. We showed that fluorescence stabilization occurs between 20 and 30 min, depending on the strain and solvent. Therefore, we suggest that fluorescence measurements should be followed until stabilization, where Relative Fluorescence Units should be considered after stabilization for lipid content estimation.

Prevalence, antifungal susceptibility and virulence determinants of oral yeast species isolated from immunodeficient patients in Northeastern Brazil / Prevalência, suscetibilidade a antifúngicos e determinantes de virulência de leveduras orais isoladas de pacientes imunodeficientes do Nordeste do Brasil / Prevalencia, susceptibilidad antifúngica y determinantes de virulencia de levaduras orales aisladas de pacientes inmunodeficientes del Noreste de Brasil

Justificativa e Objetivos: A candidíase oral tem uma ocorrência comum em pacientes imunocomprometidos. No entanto, outras infecções emergentes tornaram-se cada vez mais habituais. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a prevalência, os determinantes de virulência e a suscetibilidade a antifúngicos de leveduras que colonizam a mucosa de pacientes imunocomprometidos na região Nordeste do Brasil. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 60 pacientes HIV positivos atendidos no Serviço de Atendimento Especializado/Hospital Dia do Hospital Universitário Prof. Alberto Antunes, vinculado à Universidade Federal de Alagoas. As amostras foram coletadas em regiões subgengivais e semeadas em CHROMagar para confirmação presuntiva de Candida spp., seguido por PCR e sequenciamento. Além disso, testamos os determinantes de virulência fosfolipase e protease e avaliamos in vitro a concentração inibitória mínima dos antifúngicos anfotericina B e fluconazol. Este projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de ética em pesquisa do Centro de Estudos Superiores de Maceió. Resultados: Aproximadamente 63% dos pacientes foram colonizados por leveduras. A espécie C. albicans foi predominante, enquanto as espécies de Candida não-albicans representaram 49% dos isolados, sendo C. dubliniensis e C. parapsilosis as mais comuns. Entretanto, C. intermedia, Bullera penniseticola e Naganishia liquefaciens também foram encontrados. Os determinantes da virulência protease e/ou fosfolipase também foram produzidos por Candida spp. e alguns isolados oportunistas incomuns como Kodamaea ohmeri, N. liquefaciens e Saitozyma podzolica. Além disso, a maioria dos isolados de Candida spp. e algumas espécies oportunistas incomuns apresentaram altos valores de concentração inibitória mínima. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos indicam que C. albicans continua a ser a espécie predominante na cavidade oral de pacientes imunodeficientes e, juntamente com outras espécies incomuns, pode apresentar alta resistência aos antifúngicos testados.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Oral candidiasis has a common occurrence in immunocompromised patients. However, other emergent infections have become increasingly common. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, virulence determinants and the antifungal susceptibility of yeast colonizing the mucosa of immunocompromised patients in Northeastern Brazil. Methods: Samples from sixty HIV-positive patients seen at the Specialized Service / Hospital Dia - Hospital Universitário Prof. Alberto Antunes from the Federal University of Alagoas were collected from subgingival sites and seeded on CHROMagar for presumptive confirmation of Candida spp. followed by PCR and sequencing. In addition, we tested virulence determinants, phospholipase and protease and evaluated in vitro the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of antifungals amphotericin B and fluconazole. This project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Center for Higher Studies in Maceió. Results: Approximately 63% of the patients were colonized by yeasts, with C. albicans as the predominant species, while non-Candida albicans species accounted for 49% of the isolates, with C. dubliniensis and C. parapsilosis being the commonest, but C. intermedia, Bullera penniseticola and Naganishia liquefaciens were also found. The virulence determinants protease and/or phospholipase were also produced by Candida spp. and some uncommon opportunistic isolates such as Kodamaea ohmeri, N. liquefaciens and Saitozyma podzolica. Furthermore, most of Candida spp. strains and some uncommon opportunistic species showed high values of minimal inhibitory concentration. Conclusion: Results obtained indicate that C. albicans continues to be the predominant species in oral cavity of immunodeficient patients and along with other unusual species may present high resistance to the antifungals tested.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: La candidiasis oral acomete con frecuencia a pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Sin embargo, otras infecciones emergentes se han vuelto cada vez más comunes. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia, la producción de determinantes de virulencia y la susceptibilidad a antifúngicos de levaduras que colonizan la mucosa de pacientes inmunocomprometidos en la región Nordeste de Brasil. Métodos: Se colectaron muestras de sesenta pacientes VIH positivos atendidos en el Servicio de Atención Especializado/Hospital Día del Hospital Universitario Prof. Alberto Antunes, vinculado a la Universidad Federal de Alagoas. Se colectaron las muestras en las regiones subgingivales y las sembraron en CHROMagar para la presunta confirmación de Candida spp. seguido de PCR y secuenciación. Además, analizamos los determinantes de virulencia fosfolipasa y proteasa y evaluamos in vitro la concentración mínima inhibitoria de los antifúngicos anfotericina B y fluconazol. Este proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación del Centro de Estudios Superiores de Maceió. Resultados: Aproximadamente el 63% de los pacientes fueron colonizados por levaduras, y la C. albicans fue la especie predominante, mientras que las especies de Candida no-albicans representaron el 49% de los aislamientos, de las cuales la C. dubliniensis y la C. parapsilosis fueron las más comunes. Sin embargo, también se encontraron C. intermedia, Bullera penniseticola y Naganishia liquefaciens. Los determinantes de virulencia de proteasa y/o fosfolipasa también fueron producidos por Candida spp. y algunos aislados oportunistas inusuales como Kodamaea ohmeri, N. liquefaciens y Saitozyma podzolica. Además, la mayoría de los asilados de Candida spp. y algunas especies oportunistas inusuales mostraron valores altos de concentración mínima inhibitoria. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos indican que C. albicans continúa siendo la especie predominante en la cavidad oral de pacientes inmunodeprimidos y, junto con otras especies poco comunes, puede presentar una alta resistencia a los antifúngicos evaluados.(AU)

Influence of detergents and sodium hypochlorite on Yarrowia lipolytica biofilms in utensils used in industrial production of colonial cheese.

The formation of microbial biofilms in materials used in the industrial production of dairy may lead to deterioration of these foods. Yarrowia lipolytica biofilms are widely found in dairy products and can modify the final characteristics of these products. Thus, this study investigated the effectiveness of hygienization by detergents and sodium hypochlorite on the formation of Y. lipolytica biofilms in different utensils usually employed during industrial cheese production, like polypropylene, hoses, and nylon/polyethylene. The utensils were sanitized using solutions of mild and alkaline detergents, and sodium hypochlorite, according to the cheese industry Standard Operation Procedure. Results showed that in all coupons there was biofilm formation with Y. lipolytica isolates. The contact angle measurements were favored to promote the adhesion of the biofilm in the evaluated surfaces. Even after treatment with sanitizers, a significant survival rate of planktonic cells was observed in all coupons tested. These results indicate that Y. lipolytica biofilms show a significant ability to adhere to polypropylene, presenting an important impact on the quality of colonial cheese.

Oleaginous yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii shows fermentative metabolism of sugars in the biosynthesis of ethanol and converts raw glycerol and cheese whey permeate into polyunsaturated fatty acids.

We studied the biotechnological potential of the recently isolated yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii BI281A to produce polyunsaturated fatty acids and ethanol, comparing products yields using glucose, raw glycerol from biodiesel synthesis, or whey permeate as substrates. The yeast metabolism was evaluated for different C/N ratios (100:1 and 50:1). Results found that M. guilliermondii BI281A was able to assimilate all tested substrates, and the most efficient conversion obtained was observed using raw glycerol as carbon source (C/N ratio 50:1), concerning biomass formation (5.67 g·L-1 ) and lipid production (1.04 g·L-1 ), representing 18% of dry cell weight. Bioreactors experiments under pH and aeration-controlled conditions were conducted. Obtained fatty acids were composed of ~67% of unsaturated fatty acids, distributed as palmitoleic acid (C16:1 , 9.4%), oleic acid (C18:1 , 47.2%), linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6 , 9.6%), and linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3 , 1.3%). Showing fermentative metabolism, which is unusual for oleaginous yeasts, M. guilliermondii produced 13.7 g·L-1 of ethanol (yields of 0.27) when growing on glucose medium. These results suggest the promising use of this uncommonly studied yeast to produce unsaturated fatty acids and ethanol using cheap agro-industrial residues as substrates in bioprocess.

Population growth of the stored product pest Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) on environmentally and medically important fungi.

The stored food mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) has been associated with the presence of several fungal species. The aims of this work were to evaluate T. putrescentiae population growth associated to environmental and medically important fungal species to determine on which fungal species populations of T. putrescentiae performs best, and to evaluate their ability to disperse each fungal species. First, 24 fungal species were inoculated separately in Petri dishes containing Sabouraud agar medium. One week after inoculation, 50 mites were added to each plate. On the 28th evaluation day, mites and eggs were counted in each plate, and 50 mites randomly collected from each replicate were transferred to new plates containing only Sabouraud agar medium. Then, mites, eggs, and fungal population were evaluated in each plate on day 28 again. The highest population increases were on Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Alternaria sp., Microsporum gypseum, and Aspergillus chevalieri. With Fusarium guttiforme and the medically important fungi Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, T. mentagrophytes, and Sporothrix sp., mites were observed to feed on whole mycelium. Only eight fungal species were dispersed by T. putrescentiae to the new Petri dishes: Aspergillus clavatus, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans, Fusarium guttiforme, Hyphopichia burtonii, Penicillium citrinum, Rhizophus azygosporus, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The best performance of T. putrescentiae was found feeding on F. guttiforme, P. citrinum, and T. mentagrophytes. In conclusion, T. putrescentiae successfully used fungi as a food source, and it proved to be an important tool for disseminating both environmental and medically important fungi.

Biological diversity of carbon assimilation among isolates of the yeast Dekkera bruxellensis from wine and fuel-ethanol industrial processes.

Dekkera bruxellensis is considered a spoilage yeast in winemaking, brewing and fuel-ethanol production. However, there is growing evidence in the literature of its biotechnological potential. In this work, we surveyed 29 D. bruxellensis isolates from three countries and two different industrial origins (winemaking and fuel-ethanol production) for the metabolization of industrially relevant sugars. The isolates were characterized by the determination of their maximum specific growth rates, and by testing their ability to grow in the presence of 2-deoxy-d-glucose and antimycin A. Great diversity was observed among the isolates, with fuel-ethanol isolates showing overall higher specific growth rates than wine isolates. Preferences for galactose (three wine isolates) and for cellobiose or lactose (some fuel-ethanol isolates) were observed. Fuel-ethanol isolates were less sensitive than wine isolates to glucose catabolite repression (GCR) induction by 2-deoxy-d-glucose. In strictly anaerobic conditions, isolates selected for having high aerobic growth rates were able to ferment glucose, sucrose and cellobiose at fairly high rates without supplementation of casamino acids or yeast extract in the culture medium. The phenotypic diversity found among wine and fuel-ethanol isolates suggests adaptation to these environments. A possible application of some of the GCR-insensitive, fast-growing isolates in industrial processes requiring co-assimilation of different sugars is considered.

Kurtzmaniella hittingeri f.a., sp. nov., isolated from rotting wood and fruits, and transfer of three Candida species to the genus Kurtzmaniella as new combinations.

Twelve strains of a novel yeast species were isolated from rotting wood, mushrooms and fruit samples in Brazil and French Guiana. Analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that the novel species belongs to the Kurtzmaniella clade. The novel species differed from its closest relative, Candida natalensis, by 12 substitutions in the D1/D2 sequences. The novel species could be distinguished from C. natalensis by its inability to assimilate cellobiose and salicin, and growth at 50 % (w/w) glucose. The name Kurtzmaniella hittingeri f.a., sp. nov. is proposed for the novel species. The type strain of K. hittingeri sp. nov. is CBS 13469T (=UFMG CM-Y272T). The MycoBank number is 827183. We also propose the transfer of Candida fragi, Candida quercitrusa and Candida natalensis to the genus Kurtzmaniella as new combinations.

In Vitro Interactions of Amphotericin B Combined with Non-antifungal Agents Against Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Strains.

Rhodotorula species are emerging as opportunistic pathogens, causing catheter-associated fungemia in patients with compromised immunity. R. mucilaginosa is considered the most common species involved in human infections. Correct identification and susceptibility testing of Rhodotorula isolates recovered from the blood stream or central nervous system are essential to determine the best management of this unusual infection. The antifungal susceptibility tests showed that Rhodotorula was susceptible to low concentrations of amphotericin B (AMB) but was less susceptible to voriconazole. Combinations of AMB plus several non-antifungal medications were evaluated against 35 susceptible (Rm AMB-S) and resistant (Rm AMB-R) clinical Rhodotorula isolates using the broth microdilution checkerboard technique. We showed that in vitro exposure to increasing concentrations of AMB changed the susceptibility profile to these strains, which were named the Rm AMB-R group. The most synergistic interactions were AMB + simvastatin, followed by AMB + amlodipine and AMB + warfarin. Synergism and antagonism were observed in both groups for the combination AMB + cyclosporine A. AMB combined with a fluoroquinolone (AMB + levofloxacin) also demonstrated antagonism for the Rm AMB-S strains, but a high percentage of synergistic interactions was observed for the Rm AMB-R group. A combination drug approach can provide a different strategy to treat infections caused by AMB-resistant R. mucilaginosa.

Nitrogen source and pH interact and modulate lipase secretion in a non-clinical strain of Candida parapsilosis

Lipases (E.C. 3.1.1.3) are serine-hydrolases, and act on long chain fatty acid ester bonds. They exhibit specific and enantioselective activities, which are desirable for many industrial applications. This study aimed at screening and optimizing the production of lipases by wild yeast strains from a variety of substrates, as well as characterizing the enzyme. An initial selection was made in oxygenated oil-supplemented minimum medium, and the enzymatic activity of the supernatant was tested over p-nitrophenyl palmitate. One-hundred and twenty-four yeast strains from different substrates were tested, and twenty-three showed significantly higher lipolytic activity (p<0.01). One yeast in particular, QU110, showed best lipase production and therefore was selected for the optimization and characterization processes. This yeast exhibits enzyme secretion in initial pH 6.0, with olive oil and tryptone as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. There was a strong interaction between nitrogen source and initial pH, and pH 9.0seems to inhibit enzyme secretion. The crude enzyme (cell-free supernatant) shows stability in surfactants and n-hexane, but not in ethanol or methanol. A Response Surface Model was created and optimal enzyme activity conditions were observed at 36°C and pH 8.0. The lipase is appropriate for transesterification reactions, as the enzyme is more stable in strong apolar solvents than moderately apolar ones. Also, secretion by pH was not reported elsewhere, which should be further investigated and contribute for other yeast bioprocesses as well.

Pesquisa de Cardiotoxicidade em Prontuário de Paciente Submetido à Quimioterapia R-CHOP: um Estudo de Caso / Research on Cardiotoxicity in Patient Chart Submitted to R-CHOP Chemotherapy: a Case Study / Investigación de Cardiotoxicidad en Prontuario de Paciente Sometido a la Quimioterapia R-CHOP: un Estudio de Caso

Introdução: A cardiotoxicidade é um dos efeitos mais significativos no tratamento oncológico. Entre as implicações mais consideráveis, destaca-se a insuficiência cardíaca com disfunção ventricular sistólica ou diastólica. Relato do caso: Paciente do sexo feminino, 39 anos, com linfoma não Hodgkin difuso de grandes células B, submetida à quimioterapia com rituximabe, ciclofosfamida, doxorrubicina, vincristina e prednisona (R-CHOP), que apresentou cansaço aos pequenos esforços e aumento da pressão arterial. O ecocardiograma demonstrou disfunção ventricular esquerda leve com hipocinesia difusa e redução da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE), associadas à possível cardiomiotoxicidade da doxorrubicina. O caso foi identificado em uma pesquisa de prontuário e analisado segundo o algoritmo de Naranjo e, em seguida, foi determinada a gravidade das reações adversas cardiovasculares. Conclusão: Este estudo ressalta a importância da busca ativa de eventos cardiovasculares em prontuários de pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia cardiotóxica e do papel da farmacovigilância nesse contexto.

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity is one of the most significant effects of oncological treatment. Among the major relevant consequences, heart failure with systolic or diastolic ventricular dysfunction stands out. Case report: 39-year-old female patient with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who underwent rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP chemotherapy) and presented fatigue while exerting small efforts and increased blood pressure. The echocardiogram showed mild left ventricular dysfunction with diffuse hypokinesia and reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) associated with the possible cardiomyotoxicity of doxorubicin. The case was identified in a chart survey, and analyzed according to the Naranjo Algorithm, and then the severity of the adverse cardiovascular reactions was determined. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of the active search for cardiovascular events in medical charts of patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy and the role of pharmacovigilance in this context.

Introducción: La cardiotoxicidad es uno de los efectos más significativos del tratamiento oncológico. Entre los efectos más considerables, destaca la insuficiencia cardíaca con disfunción ventricular sistólica o diastólica. Relato del caso: Paciente de 39 años con linfoma no Hodgkin difuso de células grandes B que se sometieron a quimioterapia con rituximab, ciclofosfamida, doxorubicina, vincristina y prednisona (R-CHOP). Pequeños esfuerzos y aumento de la presión arterial. El ecocardiograma mostró una disfunción ventricular izquierda leve con hipocinesia difusa y reducción de la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) asociada con la posible cardiomioxicidad de la doxorrubicina. El caso se identificó en una encuesta gráfica y se analizó de acuerdo con el algoritmo de Naranjo, y luego se determinó la gravedad de las reacciones cardiovasculares adversas. Conclusión: Este estudio destaca la importancia de la búsqueda activa de eventos cardiovasculares en los registros médicos de pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia cardiotóxica y el papel de la farmacovigilancia en este contexto.

A Importância do Monitoramento e da Identificação Precoce de Cardiotoxicidade do Tratamento com Trastuzumabe no Câncer de Mama: Relato de Caso / The Importance of Early Monitoring and Identification of Cardiotoxicity of Trastuzumab Treatment in Breast Cancer: Case Report / La Importancia del Monitoreo y de la Identificación Temprano de la Cardiotoxicidad del Tratamiento con Trastuzumab en el Cáncer de Mama: Informe de Caso

Introdução: O câncer de mama representa a neoplasia mais frequente entre as mulheres, com elevada morbimortalidade. Com o advento de novos medicamentos, houve um aumento na sobrevida global; entretanto, o trastuzumabe, um anticorpo monoclonal utilizado no tratamento, pode promover cardiotoxicidade, que deve ser avaliada e monitorada durante o tratamento. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever um relato de caso de paciente que apresentou cardiotoxicidade associada ao uso de trastuzumabe e a importância do monitoramento e da identificação precoce da cardiotoxicidade por meio do monitoramento pelo ecocardiograma (ECO). Relato do caso: Paciente, sexo feminino, 63 anos, hipertensa, obesa, com câncer de mama, apresentou cardiotoxicidade associada ao uso de trastuzumabe, com redução da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) e desenvolveu diabetes após o tratamento. A paciente fez acompanhamento regular pelo ECO durante o tratamento, tendo sido esse processo fundamental para a detecção precoce e o manejo adequado da cardiotoxicidade associada ao uso do trastuzumabe. Foi utilizado um algoritmo na determinação da causalidade. Conclusão: Este estudo mostra a importância do acompanhamento da FEVE pelo ECO em pacientes submetidas à quimioterapia cardiotóxica e do monitoramento de possíveis alterações metabólicas após o tratamento oncológico.

Introduction: Breast cancer represents the most common neoplasm among women, with elevated morbimortality. With the appearance of new drugs, there has been an increase of global survival; however, trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment, may promote cardiotoxicity that should be evaluated and monitored during treatment. The aim of this article is to describe a case report of a patient presenting trastuzumab-associated cardiotoxicity and the importance of monitoring and early identification of cardiotoxicity through echocardiography (ECHO). Case report: A 63-year-old female patient, hypertensive, obese, with breast cancer, presented trastuzumab-associated cardiotoxicity, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), who developed diabetes after the treatment. The patient underwent regular echocardiography follow-up during treatment and this process was essential for early detection and appropriate management of trastuzumab-associated cardiotoxicity. An algorithm was used to determine the causality. Conclusion: This study shows the importance of LVEF follow-up with ECHO in patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy, and the monitoring of possible metabolic changes after oncologic treatment.

Introducción: El cáncer de mama representa el cáncer más común entre las mujeres, con alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Con el advenimiento de nuevos medicamentos, ha habido un aumento en la supervivencia general, sin embargo, trastuzumab, un anticuerpo monoclonal utilizado en el tratamiento, puede promover la cardiotoxicidad, que debe evaluarse y monitorearse durante el tratamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir un informe de caso de un paciente que presenta cardiotoxicidad asociada con el uso de trastuzumab y la importancia del monitoreo y la identificación temprana de la cardiotoxicidad a través del monitoreo ecocardiográfico (ECHO). Relato del caso: Una paciente de 63 años, hipertensa, obesa, con cáncer de mama, tenía cardiotoxicidad asociada con trastuzumab, fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda (FEVI) reducida y diabetes después del tratamiento. El paciente se sometió a un seguimiento ecocardiográfico regular durante el tratamiento y fue el proceso fundamental para la detección temprana y el manejo adecuado de la cardiotoxicidad asociada con el uso de trastuzumab. Se utilizó un algoritmo para determinar la causalidad. Conclusión: Este estudio muestra la importancia del seguimiento ECHO de la FEVI en pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia cardiotóxica, y el monitoreo de posibles cambios metabólicos después del tratamiento del cáncer.