Biotechnology of natural and winery-associated strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A new body of evidence challenges the original consolidated theory of Pasteur on the natural (vineyard) origin of wine strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and instead indicates a local, winery-restricted life cycle. The findings open novel biotechnological perspectives for obtaining autochthonous selected starters for the wine industry. A local, individual, and specific fermenting yeast flora, mass selected year after year through many generations of S. cerevisiae in grape must, is present on the surfaces of every winery. These yeast strains are endowed with exceptional enological properties and capable of producing an assortment of volatile compounds apparently contributing to the specific bouquet of locally produced wines

Facts, myths and legends on the prime industrial microorganism.

Archaic speculations and firmly established legends regarding the origin of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related species are revisited in light of past and recent ecological evidence pointing to a strict association with artificial, man-made environments such as wineries and fermentation plants. The nomenclature within this industrially important group is also discussed in view of the modifications imposed from application of molecular techniques to classification

Cooperative and non-cooperative solutions to carbon leakage

A modified version of the CGE GTAP-E model is developed for assessing the economic and carbon emissions effects related to alternative policy measures implemented with the aim of reducing carbon leakage. We explore a set of scenarios, comparing solutions where Annex I countries introduce exogenously or endogenously determined carbon border taxes in order to solve the carbon leakage problem unilaterally. Results provide evidence on the scarce effectiveness of carbon tariffs in reducing carbon leakage and enhancing economic competitiveness, while they have large negative welfare effects not only on the Non-Annex countries, but also on certain Annex I countriesCarbon Leakage, Carbon Border Tax, GTAP-E model

A PHYTOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO A DUPLEX SYNDROME: INFECTIVE ARTHRITIS+VENOUS LYMPHOEDEMA IN AN OBESE MIDDLE AGE MAN

Objective: Aims of our study is to face and trying to struggle a very interesting case of a syndrome where the causes and contributory causes are differentiated although they synergistically do evoke a severe and hazardous medical profile which may lead to complete infirmity and destructive complications, if not promptly corrected and healed. The case is represented by a middle age individual (male), obese, which presents the two following malaises:  infective arthritis and venous lymphedema chiefly at his ankles, that are swollen because of an acute infective phase, and we actually deem the individual is affected by the co-existence of infective arthritis and venous lymphoedema, owing to the scores recorded by the Lequesne's test. Methods: We have employed a fully natural gélée containing Ruscus aculeatus root extract, Achillea millefolium alcoholic extract and Centella Asiatica glyceric extract. The gélée was made up by crosslinked Tara gum, that is capable of releasing the biologic principles contained in the cosmetic system gradually. Results: We are really satisfied by the encouraging results, as this severe syndrome, that did not achieve evident  rescue by any medician, surgeon or physician, appears to regress promptly in 11 days after the first application and this is the umpteenth confirmation that Natural Medicine is often more reliable than the Official Allopathic Medicine. Conclusion: We are really satisfied by the encouraging results, as this severe syndrome that did not achieve evident  rescue by any medician, surgeon or physician appears to regress promptly in 11 days after the first application and this is the umpteenth confirmation that Natural Medicine is often more reliable than the Official Allopathic Medicine

Generation of time-bin entangled photons without temporal post-selection

We report on the implementation of a new interferometric scheme that allows the generation of photon pairs entangled in the time-energy degree of freedom. This scheme does not require any kind of temporal post-selection on the generated pairs and can be used even with lasers with short coherence time.Comment: RevTex, 6 pages, 8 figure

Cochlear Implant Outcomes and Genetic Mutations in Children with Ear and Brain Anomalies

Background. Specific clinical conditions could compromise cochlear implantation outcomes and drastically reduce the chance of an acceptable development of perceptual and linguistic capabilities. These conditions should certainly include the presence of inner ear malformations or brain abnormalities. The aims of this work were to study the diagnostic value of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with sensorineural hearing loss who were candidates for cochlear implants and to analyse the anatomic abnormalities of the ear and brain in patients who underwent cochlear implantation. We also analysed the effects of ear malformations and brain anomalies on the CI outcomes, speculating on their potential role in the management of language developmental disorders. Methods. The present study is a retrospective observational review of cochlear implant outcomes among hearing-impaired children who presented ear and/or brain anomalies at neuroimaging investigations with MRI and HRCT. Furthermore, genetic results from molecular genetic investigations (GJB2/GJB6 and, additionally, in selected cases, SLC26A4 or mitochondrial-DNA mutations) on this study group were herein described. Longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis was conducted using statistical tests. Results. Between January 1, 1996 and April 1, 2012, at the ENT-Audiology Department of the University Hospital of Ferrara, 620 cochlear implantations were performed. There were 426 implanted children at the time of the present study (who were <18 years). Among these, 143 patients (64 females and 79 males) presented ear and/or brain anomalies/lesions/malformations at neuroimaging investigations with MRI and HRCT. The age of the main study group (143 implanted children) ranged from 9 months and 16 years (average = 4.4; median = 3.0). Conclusions. Good outcomes with cochlear implants are possible in patients who present with inner ear or brain abnormalities, even if central nervous system anomalies represent a negative prognostic factor that is made worse by the concomitant presence of cochlear malformations. Common cavity and stenosis of the internal auditory canal (less than 2 mm) are negative prognostic factors even if brain lesions are absent

The Impact of Age and Duration of Cochlear Implant in a Congenital Deaf Population: An ERP Study

Objective: It is well known that patients with Cochlear Implant (CI) have a large inter-individual variability in linguistic and auditory performances. This can be related to individual auditory processing abilities and integrity of auditory system from auditory nerve to cerebral cortex. P300 can be used for the evaluation of central auditory functions in people with hearing loss and CI. No studies considered the P300 in the population of prelingually deafened adults that underwent CI in old age. The aim of this study is to assess Event Related Potential (ERP) in patients with congenital profound hearing loss with early or late implantation and evaluate these results respect to an age-matched normal hearing group. Methods: ERPs (N100, N200 and P300) and auditory benefit testing (pure tone average and speech audiometric test) and auditory perception testing (Categories of Auditory Performance\u2014CAP) were evaluated in all subjects with their device. Results: All mean latencies (N100, N200 and P300) were found greater in patients group compared to control group. When analyzing all measures in patient group, we did not find any significant differences according to age of implant while significant difference (p > 0.05) in N100 amplitude (p = 0.045) and P300 latency (p = 0.035) were found according to time of CI use. A linear correlation between N200 and P300 latency in control and patients groups was found. Conclusion: In summary, ERPs analysis in the evaluation of CI showed a great importance of long use of the device in addiction to an early time of implant