Amino acid metabolism and MAP kinase signaling pathway play opposite roles in the regulation of ethanol production during fermentation of sugarcane molasses in budding yeast.

Sugarcane molasses is one of the main raw materials for bioethanol production, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the major biofuel-producing organism. In this study, a batch fermentation model has been used to examine ethanol titers of deletion mutants for all yeast nonessential genes in this yeast genome. A total of 42 genes are identified to be involved in ethanol production during fermentation of sugarcane molasses. Deletion mutants of seventeen genes show increased ethanol titers, while deletion mutants for twenty-five genes exhibit reduced ethanol titers. Two MAP kinases Hog1 and Kss1 controlling the high osmolarity and glycerol (HOG) signaling and the filamentous growth, respectively, are negatively involved in the regulation of ethanol production. In addition, twelve genes involved in amino acid metabolism are crucial for ethanol production during fermentation. Our findings provide novel targets and strategies for genetically engineering industrial yeast strains to improve ethanol titer during fermentation of sugarcane molasses.

The quality of life of patients developed delirium after coronary artery bypass grafting is determined by cognitive function after discharge: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: Postoperative delirium (POD) and declined cognitive function were common in patients (especially elderly patients) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which may affect quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to determine the relationships among age, POD, declined cognitive function, and QoL in patients who underwent CABG. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent first time elective CABG and assessed for POD using Confusion Assessment Method for intensive care unit for 5 postoperative days from November 2013 to March 2015 were recruited. A cross-sectional study was conducted during April 2015 to assess their cognitive function and QoL, using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Scale and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. The relationships among age, POD, declined cognitive function, and QoL were tested using path analysis. RESULTS: Declined cognitive function was associated with poorer QoL. POD was associated with declined cognitive function but was not associated with poorer QoL. Ageing was not associated with QoL but was associated with POD and declined cognitive function. CONCLUSION: The QoL of patients developed delirium after CABG is determined by cognitive function after discharge. Necessary strategies should be implemented to prevent POD and declined cognitive function, especially in elderly patients.

Change in Serum Level of Interleukin 6 and Delirium After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.

BACKGROUND: Serum level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) is known to be associated with postoperative delirium. However, no consensus has emerged on the postoperative time point at which IL-6 level may predict postoperative delirium after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. OBJECTIVES: To compare trends in IL-6 levels in patients with and without postoperative delirium and to examine the relationship between IL-6 levels at different times and postoperative delirium after coronary artery bypass graft. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients who underwent their first elective isolated coronary artery bypass graft between November 2013 and August 2015 at a cardiac intensive care unit in Beijing, China. Concentrations of IL-6 were measured before the operation and at the 6th, 12th, and 18th postoperative hours. Participants were assessed for postoperative delirium twice daily for 5 days. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to determine associations between IL-6 levels at different time points, postoperative changes in IL-6 levels, and the occurrence of postoperative delirium. RESULTS: Postoperative delirium was diagnosed in 85 of 266 patients (32%). Levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in patients with postoperative delirium than in patients without it at the 6th, 12th, and 18th postoperative hours (P = .03, .004, and .001, respectively). Change in IL-6 level (odds ratio, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.20-7.31; P = .02) and IL-6 level of 583 pg/mL or higher at the 18th postoperative hour (odds ratio, 5.20; 95% CI, 1.84-14.70; P = .002) were associated with higher incidence of postoperative delirium. CONCLUSION: Interleukin 6 level (≥ 583 pg/mL) at the 18th postoperative hour may serve as a potent predictor of postoperative delirium in coronary artery bypass graft patients.