Engineering the fatty acid synthesis pathway in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 improves omega-3 fatty acid production

Background: The microbial production of fatty acids has received great attention in the last few years as feedstock for the production of renewable energy. The main advantage of using cyanobacteria over other organisms is their ability to capture energy from sunlight and to transform CO2 into products of interest by photosynthesis, such as fatty acids. Fatty acid synthesis is a ubiquitous and well-characterized pathway in most bacteria. However, the activity of the enzymes involved in this pathway in cyanobacteria remains poorly explored. Results: To characterize the function of some enzymes involved in the saturated fatty acid synthesis in cyanobacteria, we genetically engineered Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 by overexpressing or deleting genes encoding enzymes of the fatty acid synthase system and tested the lipid profile of the mutants. These modifications were in turn used to improve alpha-linolenic acid production in this cyanobacterium. The mutant resulting from fabF overexpression and fadD deletion, combined with the overexpression of desA and desB desaturase genes from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, produced the highest levels of this omega-3 fatty acid. Conclusions: The fatty acid composition of S. elongatus PCC 7942 can be significantly modified by genetically engineering the expression of genes coding for the enzymes involved in the first reactions of fatty acid synthesis pathway. Variations in fatty acid composition of S. elongatus PCC 7942 mutants did not follow the pattern observed in Escherichia coli derivatives. Some of these modifications can be used to improve omega-3 fatty acid production. This work provides new insights into the saturated fatty acid synthesis pathway and new strategies that might be used to manipulate the fatty acid content of cyanobacteria.Work in the FDLC laboratory was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (MINECO) Grant BFU2014-55534-C2-1-P. MSM. was recipientof a Ph.D. fellowship (BES-2012-057387) from MINECO

Implementation of a guideline for physical therapy in the postoperative period of upper abdominal surgery reduces the incidence of atelectasis and length of hospital stay

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing a physical therapy guideline for patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery (UAS) in reducing the incidence of atelectasis and length of hospital stay in the postoperative period. Materials and methods: A âbefore and afterâ study design with historical control was used. The âbeforeâ period included consecutive patients who underwent UAS before guideline implementation (intervention). The âafterâ period included consecutive patients after guideline implementation. Patients in the pre-intervention period were submitted to a program of physical therapy in which the treatment planning was based on the individual experience of each professional. On the other hand, patients who were included in the post-intervention period underwent a standardized program of physical therapy with a focus on the use of additional strategies (EPAP, incentive spirometry and early mobilization). Results: There was a significant increase in the use of incentive spirometry and positive expiratory airway pressure after guideline implementation. Moreover, it was observed that early ambulation occurred in all patients in the post-intervention period. No patient who adhered totally to the guideline in the post-intervention period developed atelectasis. Individuals in the post-intervention period presented a shorter length of hospital stay (9.2 ± 4.1 days) compared to patients in the pre-intervention period (12.1 ± 8.3 days) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The implementation of a physical therapy guideline for patients undergoing UAS resulted in reduced incidence of atelectasis and reduction in length of hospital stay in the postoperative period. Resumo: Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da implementação de uma diretriz de fisioterapia para doentes submetidos a cirurgia abdominal superior (UAS) na redução da incidência de atelectasia e no tempo de internamento no pós-operatório. Materiais e Métodos: Foi usado um desenho de estudo de âantes e depois com controlo histórico. O período âantesâ incluiu doentes consecutivos que foram submetidos a UAS antes da implementação da diretriz (intervenção). O período âdepoisâ incluiu doentes consecutivos após a implementação da diretriz. Os doentes no período pré-intervenção foram submetidos a um programa de fisioterapia onde o planeamento do tratamento foi baseado na experiência individual de cada profissional. Por outro lado, os doentes que foram incluídos no período pós-intervenção foram submetidos a um programa padronizado de fisioterapia com um foco no uso de estratégias adicionais (EPAP, espirometria de incentivo e mobilização precoce). Resultados: Ocorreu um aumento significativo do uso de espirometria de incentivo e pressão expiratória positiva nas vias aéreas após a implementação das diretrizes. Além disso, observou-se que ocorreu o levantamento precoce em todos os doentes durante o período pós-intervenção. Nenhum doente que aderiu totalmente à diretriz no período pós-intervenção desenvolveu atelectasia. Os indivíduos no período pós-intervenção apresentaram um menor tempo de internamento hospitalar (9.2 ± 4.1 dias) em comparação com os doentes no período pré-intervenção (12.1 ± 8.3 dias) (p < 0.05). Conclusão: A implementação de uma diretriz de fisioterapia para doentes submetidos a UAS resultou na redução da incidência de atelectasia e na redução do tempo de internamento no pós-operatório. Keywords: Physical therapy modalities, Early ambulation, Guideline, Pulmonary atelectasis, Hospitalization, Postoperative care, Palavras-chave: Modalidades de fisioterapia, Deambulação precoce, Orientação, Atelectasia pulmonar, Internamento, Cuidados pós-operatório

Neoplasms of the ovary

Based on the experience of two Italian referral centers, the book depicts the characteristic findings obtained when using MR imaging to study the male and female pelvis including the obstetric applications. Each chapter provides a comprehensive account of the use of the imaging technique of examination, including the most recent advances in MR imaging, the anatomy and MR possibilities in the identification, characterization and staging of the different pelvic diseases highlighting its diagnostic possibilities. The advances in fetal MRI, representing the cutting edge of pelvic MR imaging, will also be depicted. The text is complemented by numerous illustrations, as well as clinical cases that make this a very practice-oriented work, presenting the role of diagnostic imaging in every-day clinical activity. The volume will prove an invaluable guide for both residents and professionals with core interest in gynecology, obstetrics and urology