Red yeasts and carotenoid production: outlining a future for non-conventional yeasts of biotechnological interest

Carotenoids are one of the most common classes of pigments that occur in nature. Due to their biological properties, they are widely used in phytomedicine and in the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and feed industries. Accordingly, their global market is continuously growing, and it is expected to reach about US$1.4 billion in 2018. Carotenoids can be easily produced by chemical synthesis, although their biotechnological production is rapidly becoming an appealing alternative to the chemical route, partly due to consumer concerns against synthetic pigments. Among the yeasts, and apart from the pigmented species Phaffia rhodozyma (and its teleomorph Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous), a handful of species of the genera Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces and Sporidiobolus are well known carotenoid producers. These are known as ‘red yeasts’, and their ability to synthesize mixtures of carotenoids from low-cost carbon sources has been broadly studied recently. Here, in agreement with the renewed interest in microbial carotenoids, the recent literature is reviewed regarding the taxonomy of the genera Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces and Sporidiobolus, the stress factors that influence their carotenogenesis, and the most advanced analytical tools for evaluation of carotenoid production. Moreover, a synopsis of the molecular and “-omic” tools available for elucidation of the metabolic pathways of the microbial carotenoids is reported

Non-Conventional Yeasts Whole Cells as Efficient Biocatalysts for the Production of Flavors and Fragrances

The rising consumer requests for natural flavors and fragrances have generated great interest in the aroma industry to seek new methods to obtain fragrance and flavor compounds naturally. An alternative and attractive route for these compounds is based on bio-transformations. In this review, the application of biocatalysis by Non Conventional Yeasts (NCYs) whole cells for the production of flavor and fragrances is illustrated by a discussion of the production of different class of compounds, namely Aldehydes, Ketones and related compounds, Alcohols, Lactones, Terpenes and Terpenoids, Alkenes, and Phenols

Anatomopathological evaluation of uterine scars according to the type of surgical suture (experimental model)

PURPOSE: to compare macro and microscopically, surgical uterine sutures in female rabbits, after caesarean section utilizing separate, continuous and continuous anchored suture stitches. METHODS: three New Zealand female rabbits in their first pregnancy were used. The caesarean section was carried out at the 26th day of gestation and three incisions were performed in each uterus. The hysterorrhaphy was performed with a 00 Vicryl® thread, and a different suture technique was employed for each incision. Total hysterectomy and adnexectomy were done at the 60th day post-delivery with the preservation of eventual adhesions for the evaluation of the surgical scars. The extent of scar retraction, amount of fibrin deposit and the suture integrity were evaluated through macroscopy. For the evaluation through microscopy, hematoxylin eosin technique was used for cellular colorimetry, and Masson's trichrom to evidence collagen. The statistical non-parametric Friedman's test was employed for the matching hypothesis, and Fisher's exact test to verify the homogeneity of the techniques (level of significance: 5%). RESULTS: a total of 18 scars were obtained (six scars per suture). The following mean values were obtained for the longitudinal (0.5/0.4/0.5, p=0.069) and transversal retraction degrees (0.3/0.4/0.3, p=0.143) respectively for separate, continuous and continuous anchored suture techniques. All sutures presented regular fibrin deposit, no adhesions and integral absorption of the stitches. The mean value of the blood vessels (158.5/139.3/172.1; p=0.293), fibroblasts (351.6/345.8/354.3; p=0.311) and of collagen percentage (44.0/45.5/48.5; p=0.422) were calculated through microscopy, respectively for separate, continuous and continuous anchored suture techniques. CONCLUSIONS: the type of hysterorrhaphy technique of caesarean section in female rabbits did not generate any significant statistical difference in the macroscopic and microscopic parameters evaluated.OBJETIVO: comparar, macro e microscopicamente, cicatrizes uterinas pós-cesáreas, nas quais foram feitas suturas com pontos separados, contínuos e contínuos ancorados. MÉTODOS: utilizamos três coelhas prenhes, realizando parto cesáreo no 26º dia de prenhez, com três incisões em cada corno uterino. As histerorrafias foram realizadas com fio Vicryl® 00, com suturas distintas (pontos separados, sutura contínua e contínua ancorada). No 60º dia pós-parto, realizamos histerectomia total abdominal e anexectomia bilateral, para avaliação das cicatrizes cirúrgicas. Na macroscopia, avaliamos o grau de retração cicatricial (longitudinal e transversal), o depósito de fibrina, presença de aderências e integridade dos fios de sutura. Na microscopia, utilizamos coloração de hematoxilina-eosina, para contagem de vasos sangüíneos e fibroblastos, e a coloração do tricômio de Masson, para quantificação do colágeno. Para a análise comparativa das cicatrizes, utilizamos os testes de Friedman e exato de Fisher, adotando nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: foram obtidas 18 cicatrizes, seis para cada tipo de sutura. Obtivemos as seguintes médias 0,5/0,4/0,5 (p=0,069) para os graus de retração longitudinal e 0,3/0,4/0,3 (p=0,143) para os graus de retração transversal, respectivamente para as suturas com pontos separados, contínuo e contínuo ancorado. Todas as suturas apresentaram depósito de fibrina regular, ausência de aderência e reabsorção integral dos fios. Na microscopia, apuramos a média de vasos sangüíneos (158,5/139,3/172,1; p=0,293), de fibroblastos (351,6/345,8/354,3; p=0,311) e da porcentagem de tecido colágeno (44,0/45,5/48,5; p=0,422), respectivamente para as suturas com pontos separados, contínuo e contínuo ancorado. CONCLUSÕES: a técnica de histerorrafia na cesárea de coelhas (pontos simples, sutura contínua e contínua ancorada) não determinou diferenças estatísticas significantes em relação aos parâmetros macroscópicos e microscópicos avaliados.Centro Universitário Lusíada Faculdade de Ciências MédicasHospital do Servidor Público EstadualUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de ObstetríciaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de ObstetríciaSciEL

Study of Holtermanniella wattica, Leucosporidium creatinivorum, Naganishia adeliensis, Solicoccozyma aeria, and Solicoccozyma terricola for their lipogenic aptitude from different carbon sources

Background The ability of some microorganisms to accumulate lipids is well known; however, only recently the number of studies on microbial lipid biosynthesis for obtaining oleochemical products, namely biofuels and some building blocks for chemistry, is rapidly and spectacularly increased. Since 1990s, some oleaginous yeasts were studied for their ability to accumulate lipids up to 60\u201370% of their dry weight. Due to the vast array of engineering techniques currently available, the recombinant DNA technology was the main approach followed so far for obtaining lipid-overproducing yeasts, mainly belonging to the Yarrowia lipolytica. However, an alternative approach can be offered by worldwide diversity as source of novel oleaginous yeasts. Lipogenic aptitude of a number of yeast strains has been reviewed, but many of these studies utilized a limited number of species and/or different culture conditions that make impossible the comparison of different results. Accordingly, the lipogenic aptitude inside the yeast world is still far from being fully explored, and finding new oleaginous yeast species can acquire a strategic importance. Results Holtermanniella wattica, Leucosporidium creatinivorum, Naganishia adeliensis, Solicoccozyma aeria, and Solicoccozyma terricola strains were selected as a result of a large-scale screening on 706 yeasts (both Ascomycota and Basidiomycota). Lipid yields and fatty acid profiles of selected strains were evaluated at 20 and 25 \ub0C on glucose, and on glycerol, xylose, galactose, sucrose, maltose, and cellobiose. A variable fatty acid profile was observed in dependence of both temperature and different carbon sources. On the whole, L. creatinivorum exhibited the highest performances: total lipid yield (YL) >7 g/l on glucose and glycerol, % of intracellular lipids on cell biomass (YL/DW) >70% at 20 \ub0C on glucose, lipid coefficient (YL/Glu) around 20% on glucose, and daily productivity (YL/d) on glucose and sucrose >1.6 g/(l*d). Conclusions This study provides some meaningful information about the lipogenic ability of some yeast species. Variable lipid yields and fatty acid profiles were observed in dependence of both temperature and different carbon sources. L. creatinivorum exhibited the highest lipogenic performances

An Evaluation of the Benefits That Animal-Assisted Therapy Provide to the Terminally Ill and Their Families

Empirical research involving the therapeutic use of pets in a hospice setting is scarce, yet many hospice programs include volunteer-guided animal visitation programs that are available to patients receiving hospice services. This indicates that there are benefits to animal companionship with the hospice client population, however, most evidence has been anecdotal. The purpose of this community project was to evaluate a hospice-based animal-assisted therapy program located in Bakersfield, California. This study used a qualitative method to assess the benefits that animal-assisted therapy provides to the terminally ill and their families. The primary research question guiding this project was: What effects on mood, levels of stress, and depression does animal-assisted therapy have on the terminally ill and their families? Family members of hospice patients receiving pet visitations, hospice staff members, and animal-assisted therapy volunteers were interviewed to determine the outcomes of receiving this intervention

Execução contra o poder público: o caos do regime de precatórios

Esse trabalho tem por escopo demonstrar que a execução de obrigação de pagar quantia certa contra a Fazenda Pública segue um rito especial. O principal diferencial desta execução está na previsão de tramitação constitucional dos precatórios. Antes, o pagamento das dívidas oriundas de decisões transitadas em julgado era confuso e pouco confiável. Não havia a exigência do respeito à ordem cronológica, a vedação de designação de casos ou pessoas para pagamento dos débitos, tampouco a figura do seqüestro. Entretanto, a despeito da previsão do precatório em sede constitucional ter servido à moralização do sistema de pagamento dos débitos da Fazenda Pública, bem como ao fortalecimento do Estado de Direito, na medida em que homenageou os princípios ético-jurídicos da moralidade, impessoalidade e igualdade, é de extrema importância, em prestígio à efetividade do processo, lançar um olhar crítico sobre a atual sistemática de execução contra a Fazenda Pública, com o fim de formular propostas de modificação do sistema. A reflexão será dividida em três capítulos. No primeiro, o Instituto do Precatório, invenção tupiniquim, é apresentado desde sua origem remota, quando surgiu como fator de moralização, até os dias atuais, em que parece representar o oposto. O intuito é exatamente apontar as alterações legislativas que desvirtuaram a sistemática de execução por quantia certa em face da Fazenda Pública. A análise prossegue, no segundo capítulo, com a apresentação das prerrogativas processuais do Poder Público e de seu principal fundamento, qual seja, a defesa do interesse público, que também é lembrado para justificar a existência da sistemática do precatório. Nesse ponto, portanto, o objetivo é, primeiramente, mostrar o tratamento diferenciado que a Fazenda Pública recebe no processo, de modo geral, para então aprofundar o estudo na peculiar forma de execução por quantia contra os entes públicos. No terceiro capítulo, então, são debatidos alguns aspectos relevantes e polêmicos sobre a sistemática do precatório, principalmente aqueles circunscritos ao campo processual. Qual a natureza jurídica do ato do presidente do tribunal de justiça no processamento do precatório? É possível falar em sequestro de verba pública e intervenção federal nos estados por falta de pagamento de precatório? A execução provisória é possível em face da Fazenda Pública? Esses são exemplos de questionamentos que serão trabalhados neste terceiroThis work has the purpose to demonstrate that the execution of an obligation to pay a right amount against the public Treasury follows a special rite. The main difference in such an execution is in the imminence of precatories (pay orders) be constitutionally processed. Previously, the payment of debts from decisions made in judged processes was confusing and not so reliable. There was not a demand for either a respect of a cronological order, an overruling of case assignments, people to pay the debt, or even the arresting macanism. However, despite the imminence of a precatório on a constitutional basis, work for moralizing the debt paying system of Public Treasury, as well as for strengthening the State of Rights, as it praised the ethic-juridical principles of morality, impersonality and equality, it is of vital importance in praising the prestige of the process, to cast a critical look over the present execution against the Public Treasury system. The discussion is divided into three chapters. At first, the Institute of precatory, tupiniquim invention, is shown from its remote source, when it emerged as a factor of moralization, until today, that seems to represent the opposite. The intent is exactly pointing legislative changes that undermined the systematic execution by right in the face amount of the Treasury. The analysis proceeds in the second chapter with the presentation of the procedural prerogatives of the government and its main foundation, namely, the defense of the public interest, which is also reminded to justify the existence of systematic of the. At this point, therefore, the goal is to, first, show differential treatment that the Treasury receives in the process, generally, and then further study the peculiar form of execution for the amount against public entities. The third chapter then discussed some aspects are relevant and controversial on the systematic of the especially those confined to the procedural field. What is the legal nature of the act of the President of the court of justice in the court order processing? It is possible to talk about the kidnapping of public funds and federal intervention in the state for nonpayment of a court order? The provisional execution is possible in the face of the Treasury? These are examples of questions that will be worked out in the third chapter. At the end of that segmen

Yeast and yeast-like diversity in the southernmost glacier of Europe (Calderone Glacier, Apennines, Italy)

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