Waste-derived volatile fatty acids as carbon source for added-value fermentation approaches

The establishment of a sustainable circular bioeconomy requires the effective material recycling from biomass and biowaste beyond composting/fertilizer or anaerobic digestion/bioenergy. Recently, volatile fatty acids attracted much attention due to their potential application as carbon source for the microbial production of high added-value products. Their low-cost production from different types of wastes through dark fermentation is a key aspect, which will potentially lead to the sustainable production of fuels, materials or chemicals, while diminishing the waste volume. This article reviews the utilization of a volatile fatty acid platform for the microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates, single cell oil and omega-3 fatty acids, giving emphasis on the fermentation challenges for the efficient implementation of the bioprocess and how they were addressed. These challenges were addressed through a research project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme entitled ‘VOLATILE—Biowaste derived volatile fatty acid platform for biopolymers, bioactive compounds and chemical building blocks’.This work was supported by the European project ‘VolatileBiowaste-derived volatile fatty acid platform for biopolymers, bioactive compounds and chemical building blocks’ and has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 720777

Waste-derived volatile fatty acids as carbon source for added-value fermentation approaches

The establishment of a sustainable circular bioeconomy requires the effective material recycling from biomass and biowaste beyond composting/fertilizer or anaerobic digestion/bioenergy. Recently, volatile fatty acids attracted much attention due to their potential application as carbon source for the microbial production of high added-value products. Their low-cost production from different types of wastes through dark fermentation is a key aspect, which will potentially lead to the sustainable production of fuels, materials or chemicals, while diminishing the waste volume. This article reviews the utilization of a volatile fatty acid platform for the microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates, single cell oil and omega-3 fatty acids, giving emphasis on the fermentation challenges for the efficient implementation of the bioprocess and how they were addressed. These challenges were addressed through a research project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 programme entitled 'VOLATILE-Biowaste derived volatile fatty acid platform for biopolymers, bioactive compounds and chemical building blocks'.This work was supported by the European project 'Volatile-Biowaste-derived volatile fatty acid platform for biopolymers, bioactive compounds and chemical building blocks' and has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 720777

Old Yeasts - New Questions

Yeast-based biotechnology traditionally regards the empirical production of fermented drinks and leavened bread, processes which surprisingly keep posing challenges and fuelling research. But yeasts nowadays also provide amenable cell factories, producing bulk and fine chemicals and molecules, and are increasingly used as tools in processes as diverse as food preservation or bioremediation. Importantly, yeasts are excellent models of cell and molecular biology for higher eukaryotes, including humans, contributing with key discoveries to understand processes and diseases. All taken, yeast-related business is worth billions, critically contributing to the economical welfare of many differently developed countries. This book provides some insights into aspects of yeast science and biotechnology less frequently addressed in the literature but nonetheless decisive to improve knowledge and, accordingly, boost up yeast-based innovation

An Investigation of Post-traumatic Growth following Traumatic Brain Injury

The search for positive psychological change known as post-traumatic growth (PTG), has been of increasing interest among clinicians working with individuals following traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study investigated the nature, time-course and predictors of PTG one to six years following TBI. PTG was more commonly reported than negative changes in outlook and associated with returning to employment or study, being in a relationship and living life in accordance with one’s values. These findings suggest an important role for interventions which facilitate re-evaluation of values and valued activities to match post-injury capacity, as potential avenues to promote PTG after TBI

Microbiological and physicochemical characterization of olive mill wastewaters from a continuous olive mill in Northeastern Portugal

The microbiological and physicochemical characterization of samples from the different wastewaters generated during oil extraction in a continuous olive mill was performed. The main aim was to determine which of the physicochemical parameters were the best fitted to correctly characterize these residual waters. High correlations were obtained for COD, DOC, K, P and N contents with the sampling points, allowing the distinction of olive washing waters (OWW) from olive centrifuge waters (OCW) and olive mill wastewaters (OMW). These parameters were sufficient for a rapid and less costly chemical characterization of these waters. Phenols and oil and grease contents, together with low pH and dissolved oxygen contents, and high organic loads, were the most toxic for microbial populations. Microbial characterization showed that fungi were well adapted to these stressing environmental characteristics and the reuse of OMW after aerobic treatment with microbial species isolated from the effluent is considered

Liderazgo de Enfermería y salud a la luz del pensamiento de la complejidad

Objetiva-se realizar análise crítico-reflexiva sobre a liderança em enfermagem e saúde, à luz do pensamento da complexidade. Ensaio teórico-reflexivo alicerçado no referencial do pensamento da complexidade. Concebe-se um paralelo entre a liderança tradicional cartesiana, esboçada a partir de uma estrutura hierárquica linear definida e a liderança na perspectiva sistêmico-complexa. Demonstra-se uma estrutura esquemática entre a concepção piramidal e a liderança sistêmico-complexa que conduz à circularidade, complementaridade, interdependência e interatividade. Reafirma-se o papel central da liderança em enfermagem e saúde, a partir de movimentos interativos, dialógicos e interdependentes. A reflexão teórica convoca à liderança evolutiva e compartilhada em enfermagem e saúde, determinada pela qualidade das interações entre os membros e os diferentes sistemas, no sentido de responder à complexidade dos fenômenos de saúde de forma rápida, eficaz e sustentável.This study aims to perform a critical-reflective analysis of leadership in nursing and health in the light of complexity thinking. This is a theoretical-reflexive essay based on the framework of complexity thinking. A parallel is conceived between traditional Cartesian leadership, outlined from a defined linear hierarchical structure, and leadership from a systemic-complex perspective. A schematic structure is demonstrated between the pyramidal conception and systemic-complex leadership, leading to circularity, complementarity, interdependence, and interactivity. Leadership’s central role in nursing and health care is reaffirmed based on interactive, dialogic, and interdependent movements. The theoretical reflection calls for evolutionary and shared leadership in nursing and health, determined by the quality of interactions between members and different systems, in order to respond to the complexity of health phenomena quickly, effectively, and sustainably.El objetivo es realizar un análisis crítico-reflexivo del liderazgo de enfermería y salud a la luz del pensamiento de la complejidad. Este es un ensayo teórico-reflexivo basado en el referencial del pensamiento de la complejidad. Se establece un paralelismo entre el liderazgo tradicional cartesiano, esbozado desde una estructura jerárquica lineal definida y el liderazgo, desde una perspectiva sistémica-compleja. Se demuestra una estructura esquemática entre la concepción piramidal y el liderazgo sistémico-complejo que conduce a la circularidad, la complementariedad, la interdependencia y la interactividad. Se reafirma el papel central del liderazgo en la enfermería y la salud, desde movimientos interactivos, dialógicos e interdependientes. La reflexión teórica reclama un liderazgo evolutivo y compartido en la enfermería y la salud, determinado por la calidad de las interacciones entre los miembros y los diferentes sistemas para responder a la complejidad de los fenómenos sanitarios de forma rápida, eficaz y sostenible

Biodegradation of olive mill wastewaters by a wild isolate of Candida oleophila

Olive mill wastewaters (OMW) resulting from the extraction of olive oil possess high organic loads and elevated contents in phenolic compounds, which are usually toxic and recalcitrant to biological wastewater treatments. In this work, a strain of Candida oleophila isolated from olive wastewaters was used for biological detoxification treatments of OMW samples. The effect of treatment with this isolate was evaluated by using germination tests, bioluminescence assays, and studies on mitochondrial bioenergetics. Incubation with the C. oleophila isolate was able to remove about 50% of the organic load, and 83% of total polyphenol content, from undiluted and non-supplemented OMW samples. Germination tests confirmed the reduction of toxicity of the treated effluent since when using diluted and treated OMW the germination index increased up to 32% when compared to the values obtained with untreated water. Treated OMW also decreased antimicrobial activity in about 50% as confirmed by the bioluminescence inhibition assay. Significant effects were also observed in mitochondrial bioenergetics. A decrease of toxicity toward two respiratory complexes, namely succinate dehydrogenase and ATPase, was recorded when using treated OMW. Overall, this C. oleophila isolate was able to remove organic matter and decrease toxicity of OMW effluents, showing promising abilities for future application in biological treatments

Towards a Circular Bioeconomy. VOLATILE FATTY ACID PLATFORM FOR BIOWASTE RECYCLING

Resources in general are not infinitely available, and also renewable resources if consumed outside their normal replacement cycles become scarce. Therefore, the establishment of a circular bioeconomy must respect natural systems and replacement cycles of organic carbon thereby reducing environmental pressure of human consumption. Upcycling of side and biowaste streams towards added value compounds represents hereby a critical aspect reducing land system change and fertilizer use for biomass supply for the bioeconomy. The development of a Volatile Fatty Acids Platform (VFAP) represents an important cornerstone for the upcycling of heterogenous municipal biowaste streams.This e-book was prepared in the context of the EU funded project VOLATILE in accordance with the grant agreement No 720777 (European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme)

Role of radiotherapy fractionation in head and neck cancers (MARCH): an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Meta-Analysis of Radiotherapy in squamous cell Carcinomas of Head and neck (MARCH) showed that altered fractionation radiotherapy is associated with improved overall and progression-free survival compared with conventional radiotherapy, with hyperfractionated radiotherapy showing the greatest benefit. This update aims to confirm and explain the superiority of hyperfractionated radiotherapy over other altered fractionation radiotherapy regimens and to assess the benefit of altered fractionation within the context of concomitant chemotherapy with the inclusion of new trials. METHODS: For this updated meta-analysis, we searched bibliography databases, trials registries, and meeting proceedings for published or unpublished randomised trials done between Jan 1, 2009, and July 15, 2015, comparing primary or postoperative conventional fractionation radiotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy (comparison 1) or conventional fractionation radiotherapy plus concomitant chemotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy alone (comparison 2). Eligible trials had to start randomisation on or after Jan 1, 1970, and completed accrual before Dec 31, 2010; had to have been randomised in a way that precluded prior knowledge of treatment assignment; and had to include patients with non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx undergoing first-line curative treatment. Trials including a non-conventional radiotherapy control group, investigating hypofractionated radiotherapy, or including mostly nasopharyngeal carcinomas were excluded. Trials were grouped in three types of altered fractionation: hyperfractionated, moderately accelerated, and very accelerated. Individual patient data were collected and combined with a fixed-effects model based on the intention-to-treat principle. The primary endpoint was overall survival. FINDINGS: Comparison 1 (conventional fractionation radiotherapy vs altered fractionation radiotherapy) included 33 trials and 11 423 patients. Altered fractionation radiotherapy was associated with a significant benefit on overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0·94, 95% CI 0·90-0·98; p=0·0033), with an absolute difference at 5 years of 3·1% (95% CI 1·3-4·9) and at 10 years of 1·2% (-0·8 to 3·2). We found a significant interaction (p=0·051) between type of fractionation and treatment effect, the overall survival benefit being restricted to the hyperfractionated group (HR 0·83, 0·74-0·92), with absolute differences at 5 years of 8·1% (3·4 to 12·8) and at 10 years of 3·9% (-0·6 to 8·4). Comparison 2 (conventional fractionation radiotherapy plus concomitant chemotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy alone) included five trials and 986 patients. Overall survival was significantly worse with altered fractionation radiotherapy compared with concomitant chemoradiotherapy (HR 1·22, 1·05-1·42; p=0·0098), with absolute differences at 5 years of -5·8% (-11·9 to 0·3) and at 10 years of -5·1% (-13·0 to 2·8). INTERPRETATION: This update confirms, with more patients and a longer follow-up than the first version of MARCH, that hyperfractionated radiotherapy is, along with concomitant chemoradiotherapy, a standard of care for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancers. The comparison between hyperfractionated radiotherapy and concomitant chemoradiotherapy remains to be specifically tested. FUNDING: Institut National du Cancer; and Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer

Database establishment for the secondary fungal DNA barcode translational elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1 alpha)

With new or emerging fungal infections, human/animal fungal pathogens are a growing threat worldwide. Current diagnostic tools are slow, non-specific at the species and subspecies levels, and require specific morphological expertise to accurately identify pathogens from pure cultures. DNA barcodes are easily amplified, universal, short species-specific DNA sequences, which enable rapid identification by comparison with a well-curated reference sequence collection. The primary fungal DNA barcode, ITS region, was introduced in 2012 and is now routinely used in diagnostic laboratories. However, the ITS region only accurately identifies around 75% of all medically relevant fungal species, which has prompted the development of a secondary barcode to increase the resolution power and suitability of DNA barcoding for fungal disease diagnostics. The translational elongation factor 1α (TEF1α) was selected in 2015 as a secondary fungal DNA barcode, but has not been implemented into practice, due to the absence of a reference database. Here, we have established a quality-controlled reference database for the secondary barcode which together with the ISHAM-ITS database, forms the "ISHAM BARCODE DATABASE", available online at: http://its.mycologylab.org/. We encourage the mycology community for active contributions. The application of a dual DNA barcoding system enables accurate identification of all clinically important fungal pathogens