Whole-cell fungal transformation of precursors into dyes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chemical methods of producing dyes involve extreme temperatures and unsafe toxic compounds. Application of oxidizing enzymes obtained from fungal species, for example laccase, is an alternative to chemical synthesis of dyes. Laccase can be replaced by fungal biomass acting as a whole-cell biocatalyst with properties comparable to the isolated form of the enzyme. The application of the whole-cell system simplifies the transformation process and reduces the time required for its completion. In the present work, four fungal strains with a well-known ability to produce laccase were tested for oxidation of 17 phenolic and non-phenolic precursors into stable and non-toxic dyes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An agar-plate screening test of the organic precursors was carried out using four fungal strains: <it>Trametes versicolor</it>, <it>Fomes fomentarius</it>, <it>Abortiporus biennis</it>, and <it>Cerrena unicolor</it>. Out of 17 precursors, nine were transformed into coloured substances in the presence of actively growing fungal mycelium. The immobilized fungal biomass catalyzed the transformation of 1 mM benzene and naphthalene derivatives in liquid cultures yielding stable and non-toxic products with good dyeing properties. The type of fungal strain had a large influence on the absorbance of the coloured products obtained after 48-hour transformation of the selected precursors, and the most effective was <it>Fomes fomentarius </it>(<it>FF25</it>). Whole-cell transformation of AHBS (3-amino-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid) into a phenoxazinone dye was carried out in four different systems: in aqueous media comprising low amounts of carbon and nitrogen source, in buffer, and in distilled water.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrated the ability of four fungal strains belonging to the ecological type of white rot fungi to transform precursors into dyes. This paper highlights the potential of fungal biomass for replacing isolated enzymes as a cheaper industrial-grade biocatalyst for the synthesis of dyes and other commercially important products. The use of immobilized fungal biomass limits free migration of cells and facilitates their reuse in a continuous system for precursor transformation.</p

Wpływ nasilenia lęku jako cechy na siłę mięśni pacjentów poddanych operacyjnej rekonstrukcji więzadła krzyżowego przedniego stawu kolanowego

Założenia: Izolowane zerwanie więzadła krzyżowego przedniego kolana ACL jest trzecim co do częstości urazem więzadłowym stawu kolanowego. Postępowanie obejmuje rekonstrukcję i rehabilitację pooperacyjną. Wyniki leczenia ocenia się m.in. na podstawie testów ortopedycznych, badań siły mięśniowej i pomiarów obwodów, porównywanych do nogi przeciwnej. Stan kliniczny operowanego więzadła nie zawsze jest zbieżny z odczuciami pacjenta co do własnego zdrowia. Wpływ na samoocenę zdrowia przez pacjenta i przebieg rehabilitacji ma między innymi nasilenie lęku. Cel: Ocena wpływu predyspozycji do reagowania lękiem na skuteczność rehabilitacji, ocenianej w oparciu o pomiary siły mięśni, po operacyjnym leczeniu przerwanego więzadła krzyżowego przedniego kolana. Materiał i metoda: Badano 201 pacjentów z rozpoznanym zerwaniem więzadła krzyżowego przedniego kolana (113 kobiet i 88 mężczyzn). Wszyscy pacjenci zostali poddani rekonstrukcji więzadła krzyżowego przedniego oraz sześciomiesięcznemu leczeniu rehabilitacyjnemu. Do oceny nasilenia lęku jako cechy badanego przed zabiegiem operacyjnym zastosowano Kwestionariusz STAI, a do dwukrotnego badania siły mięśni (tydzień przed i po 6 miesiącach od operacji) zastosowano dynamometr. Wyniki: Badani wykazujący małe nasilenie lęku-cechy (poniżej 3,5 stena) istotnie częściej niż badani wykazujący duże nasilenie lęku-cechy (powyżej 7,5 stena) uzyskiwali po rehabilitacji zwiększenie siły mięśni przywodzicieli stawu biodrowego i prostowników stawu kolanowego, oraz poprawę w teście leg press operowanej kończyny dolnej. Wnioski: Zwiększona predyspozycja do reagowania lękiem może być przyczyną gorszych wyników rehabilitacji pacjentów po operacyjnej rekonstrukcji więzadła krzyżowego przedniego. W przypadku pacjentów o nasilonym lęku, rehabilitowanych po operacyjnej rekonstrukcji więzadła krzyżowego przedniego, należy rozważyć zastosowanie indywidualnego programu rehabilitacji, uwzględniającego psychoterapię.Background: The rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) constitutes the third most frequent ligament injury of the knee joint. The approach involves its reconstruction and post-operational rehabilitation. The results of treatment are evaluated on the basis of, among other things, orthopaedic tests, tests of muscle strength and circumference measurements when compared to the other leg. The clinical state of the ligament is not always in accordance with the patient’s perceptions as to their state of health. An influence on the self evaluation of health on the part of the patient is brought about by, among other things, an intensification in fear and anxiety. Objective: An evaluation of the influence of a predisposition for an anxiety reaction on the effectiveness of rehabilitation, evaluated in relation to the measurement of muscle strength, following operational treatment of the injured ACL. Materials and Methods: 201 patients (113 women and 88 men) were tested who had a diagnosed of the ACL injury. All the patients were subjected to a reconstruction of the ACL as well as a period of six months of rehabilitation treatment. The STAI questionnaire was used in the evaluation of the trait-anxiety prior to the operational procedure, while twice a dynamometer was used in the testing of muscle strength (a week before and six months after the operation). Results: Those patients displaying a small intensification in trait-anxiety (lower than 3.5) significantly more often than those patients displaying a large intensification in trait-anxiety (over 7.5) gained increased muscle strength following rehabilitation of the hip joint adductor and the extensors of the knee joint, as well as an improvement in the leg press test of the lower limb operated on. Conclusions: An increased predisposition for an anxiety reaction may be the reason for poorer rehabilitation results in patients following an operational reconstruction of the ACL. It may be necessary in the case of patients undergoing rehabilitation after an operational reconstruction of the ACL and who display an intensive anxiety of the said to consider the application of an individual programme of rehabilitation, one incorporating elements of psychotherapy

(Un)translatability of literary texts. The names of the protagonists of "Obywatel męczennik" written by Tomasz Kaczmarek in Italian translation

The paper presents the key concepts in Translation Studies such as untranslatability and equivalence. The author seeks to gain an insight into the theories relevant for translation and their development especially in the field of literary translation. To translate means to understand and explore the unique and extraordinary world created by the author in order to be able to reproduce it in another language and to evoke similar reactions, emotions and reflections.Gli aspetti principali che riguardano la traduzione e che infatti sono i concetti chiave nella discussione sull’attivita di tradurre come l’equivalenza e l’intraducibilita vengono presentati nell’articolo, che cerca di spiegare e chiarire gli studi sulla traduzione e il loro sviluppo riguardando particolarmente la traduzione letteraria. Tradurre i testi letterari significa approfondire, comprendere ed esplorare il mondo unico ed eccezionale dell’autore, cioe entrare in questo mondo e poi creare un duplicato in un’altra lingua che potrebbe evocare simili reazioni, emozioni e riflessioni

Theoretical and Practical Phonetic Instruction in the Eyes of Advanced Students. An Editorial to RiL Special Issue Vol. 21.3 and 21.4 on Pronunciation Research and Pronunciation Learning/Teaching in a Global EFL Perspective

The article focuses on advanced students’ beliefs and views related to their own pronunciation and pronunciation learning/teaching. It also presents their opinions on the university courses dedicated to phonetics and phonology of the English language. Furthermore, it analyses the students plans and ambitions for their future self-study and intentions to further develop and improve their English pronunciation. Finally, the article introduces varied and numerous research areas investigated in the current two issues of RiL and points to the significance of the most recent findings in the field

Incidental Development of Pronunciation Learning Strategies

The studies devoted to the so-called good language learners that emerged in the 1970s (Rubin 1975) reveal that efficient learners fall back on an abundant and highly individualised array of techniques and strategic behaviours related to and employed while learning. The well-known taxonomies by Oxford (1990) and O’Malley and Chamot (1990) gave rise to analyses and investigations in the field of learner autonomy and self-development, also in pronunciation learning/teaching. As has been corroborated by empirical studies (Oxford 2001a; Oxford 2001b; Chamot, 2004) strategy training contributes to the increase in overall proficiency as well as to a number of invaluable benefits such as enhanced motivation, greater self-efficacy, anxiety reduction and more positive attitudes. Although studies dedicated to the relationship between learning strategies and pronunciation are still in their infancy, there are a number of investigations that set the directions for further research and development (Peterson 2000; Pawlak 2008; Pawlak and Oxford 2018).The paper presents results of a pilot study conducted in a secondary school that aimed at observing how learners develop pronunciation strategies as a result of regular pronunciation input and feedback from the teacher. It addresses a tentative assumption that explicit pronunciation training may contribute to the enhanced strategy use and consequently to better oral performance. Detecting and naming the strategies employed by the learners as well as selecting the most effective ones for more explicit application aided and boosted the learners’ awareness and confidence, which was confirmed by data obtained from questionnaires and from participant observation

The competitive position of Poland in bio-based products trade on the European Union market

Theoretical background: The strategies for the development of the European Union presented at the beginning of the new century portrayed bioeconomy as a modern concept of ensuring the sustainable and dynamic development of EU member states and bioeconomy itself became an important area of interest to the EU authorities. At present, the development of bioeconomy is a significant element of implementing the economic development strategies of respective EU member states.Purpose of the article: This article aimed to examine the international competitive position of Poland in the bio-based products trade on the common EU market in comparison to other member states of the EU.Research methods: The competitive position in bio-based products trade was evaluated based on the following indicators: balance of trade, Poland’s share in EU exports and imports, trade coverage ratio, import penetration ratio, relative export orientation ratio, intra-industry trade intensity ratio, and export specialisation index. Groups of bio-based products identified based on an official classification of products according to CPA, version 2.1, consistent with NACE. The analysis was based on data derived from the Eurostat database for the years 2008–2017.Main findings: The surveys imply that in 2008–2017, the competitive position of Poland improved mostly in the Forestry, Wood products, Paper and paper products, and Food sector, and in particular in the Tobacco products sector, which has been in line with the bioeconomy development strategy of the European Union.Theoretical background: The strategies for the development of the European Union presented at the beginning of the new century portrayed bioeconomy as a modern concept of ensuring the sustainable and dynamic development of EU member states and the bioeconomy itself became an important area of interest to the EU authorities. At present, the development of bioeconomy is a significant element of implementing the economic development strategies of respective EU member states.Purpose of the article: This article aimed to examine the international competitive position of Poland in the bio-based products trade on the common EU market in comparison to other member states of the European Union.Research methods: The competitive position in bio-based products trade was evaluated based on the following indicators: balance of trade, Poland’s share in EU exports and imports, trade coverage ratio, import penetration ratio, relative export orientation ratio, intra-industry trade intensity ratio, and export specialisation index. Groups of bio-based products identified based on an official classification of products according to CPA, version 2.1, consistent with NACE. The analysis was based on data derived from the Eurostat database for the years 2008-2017.Main findings: The surveys imply that in 2008-2017 the competitive position of Poland improved mostly in the Forestry, Wood products, Paper and paper products, and Food sector, and in particular in the Tobacco products sector, which has been in line with the bioeconomy development strategy of the European Union

Retirement privileges of civil servants in the Second Polish Republic

During the times of the Second Polish Republic the civil servants, teachers, the military, postal and railway workers were not covered by the universal social insurance, because before the social insurance act came into force, they were covered by pension systems guaranteeing more advantageous benefits. Persons working in state administration had a privileged position compared to the employees in general, both in terms of the scope and level of the benefits and their entire coverage by the State. The level of the pensions depended on the years of service and after 10 years of service amounted to 40% and was increasing every year by 2.4% or 3% up to 100%. The civil servants acquired the right to the pension already after 10 years and as of 1934 after 15 years of civil or military service. In special cases they were entitled to pension after 5 years already

Extracorporeal rewarming from accidental hypothermia of patient with suspected trauma

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a new approach to rewarming patients with severe hypothermia and hemodynamic instability. There are, however, many questions regarding qualification for this technique in case of suspected or confirmed trauma. A male with confirmed accidental hypothermia (25°C) and after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation from in-hospital cardiac arrest was subjected to a protocol of extracorporeal rewarming from profound hypothermia. Because of unclear history, a full trauma computed tomography was performed that showed pericerebral hematoma and signs of previously undergone right craniotomy, multiple right-sided rib fractures and the presence of intraperitoneal fluid. Based on repeated imaging and specialist consultation, no life-threatening injuries were identified and rewarming with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was safely performed. In a year follow-up, the patient was found to be alive, with no neurologic deficits. Although this case highlights the first successful utilization of extracorporeal rewarming in a trauma patient at our center there are several limitations to its widespread us

Effect of Low Doses of Guaiacol and Ethanol on Enzymatic Activity of Fungal Cultures

The influence of low doses of guaiacol and ethanol, the natural effectors of lignin and phenolics transformations, on laccase and peroxidase activities produced by two strains of Basidiomycetes, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Trametes versicolor, was evaluated. Fungal mycelia were grown for 2 weeks on liquid media containing serial dilutions of guaiacol or ethanol ranging from 100−1 to 100−20 mol/L. Laccase and peroxidase activities in the medium were measured at the end of 2 weeks. The effect of low doses of guaiacol and ethanol on enzyme activities was manifested in an oscillating manner. Similar response patterns were observed when pure enzymes were exposed to the same serial dilutions of guaiacol and ethanol. T. versicolor cultures enriched with 40 mmol guaiacol (simulating natural environmental conditions) also displayed oscillating enzyme activity patterns in response to serial dilutions of guaiacol, but the maximum enzyme activity values were increased compared to those observed in cultures not receiving 40 mmol guaiacol. The differences between maxima and minima varied among the experimental groups and depended on the species of fungus, type of effector, and kind of enzyme. The results suggests the possibility of subtle regulation of enzymatic activity on the molecular level

Graphene: One Material, Many Possibilities—Application Difficulties in Biological Systems

Energetic technologies, nanoelectronics, biomedicine including gene therapy, cell imaging or tissue engineering are only few from all possible applications for graphene, the thinnest known carbon configuration and a basic element for other more complicated, better discovered and widely used nanostructures such as graphite, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes. The number of researches concerning graphene applications is rising every day which proves the great interest in its unique structure and properties. Ideal pristine graphene sheet presents a flat membrane of unlimited size with no imperfections while in practice we get different flakes with irregular edges and structural defects which influence the reactivity. Nanomaterials from graphene family differ in size, shape, layer number, lateral dimension, surface chemistry and defect density causing the existence of graphene samples with various influence on biological systems. Whether graphene induces cellular stress and activates apoptosis, or on the contrary facilitates growth and differentiation of the cells depends on its structure, chemical modifications and the growth process. A certain number of in vitro studies has indicated cytotoxic effects of graphene while the other show that it is safe. The diversity of the samples and methods of the production make it impossible to establish clearly the biological impact of graphene