Search

Rhodosporidium toruloides is an oleaginous yeast capable of producing a variety of biofuels and bioproducts from diverse carbon sources. Despite numerous studies showing its promise as a platform microorganism, little is known about its metabolism and physiology. In this work, we investigated the central carbon metabolism in R. toruloides IFO0880 using transcriptomics and metabolomics during growth on glucose, xylose, acetate, or soybean oil. These substrates were chosen because they can be derived from plants. Significant changes in gene expression and metabolite concentrations were observed during growth on these four substrates. We mapped these changes onto the governing metabolic pathways to better understand how R. toruloides reprograms its metabolism to enable growth on these substrates. One notable finding concerns xylose metabolism, where poor expression of xylulokinase induces a bypass leading to arabitol production. Collectively, these results further our understanding of central carbon metabolism in R. toruloides during growth on different substrates. They may also help guide the metabolic engineering and development of better models of metabolism for R. toruloides. Key points • Gene expression and metabolite concentrations were significantly changed. • Reduced expression of xylulokinase induces a bypass leading to arabitol production. • R. toruloides reprograms its metabolism to allow growth on different substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugar alcohols are widely used as low-calorie sweeteners in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They can also be transformed into platform chemicals. Yarrowia lipolytica, an oleaginous yeast, is a promising host for producing many sugar alcohols. In this work, we tested whether heterologous expression of a recently identified sugar alcohol phosphatase (PYP) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae would increase sugar alcohol production in Y. lipolytica. Results: Y. lipolytica was found natively to produce erythritol, mannitol, and arabitol during growth on glucose, fructose, mannose, and glycerol. Osmotic stress is known to increase sugar alcohol production, and was found to significantly increase erythritol production during growth on glycerol. To better understand erythritol production from glycerol, since it was the most promising sugar alcohol, we measured the expression of key genes and intracellular metabolites. Osmotic stress increased the expression of several key genes in the glycerol catabolic pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway. Analysis of intracellular metabolites revealed that amino acids, sugar alcohols, and polyamines are produced at higher levels in response to osmotic stress. Heterologous overexpression of the sugar alcohol phosphatase increased erythritol production and glycerol utilization in Y. lipolytica. We further increased erythritol production by increasing the expression of native glycerol kinase (GK), and transketolase (TKL). This strain was able to produce 27.5 ± 0.7 g/L erythritol from glycerol during batch growth and 58.8 ± 1.68 g/L erythritol during fed-batch growth in shake-flasks experiments. In addition, the glycerol utilization was increased by 2.5-fold. We were also able to demonstrate that this strain efficiently produces erythritol from crude glycerol, a major byproduct of the biodiesel production. Conclusions: We demonstrated the application of a promising enzyme for increasing erythritol production in Y. lipolytica. We were further able to boost production by combining the expression of this enzyme with other approaches known to increase erythritol production in Y. lipolytica. This suggest that this new enzyme provides an orthogonal route for boosting production and can be stacked with existing designs known to increase sugar alcohol production in yeast such as Y. lipolytica. Collectively, this work establishes a new route for increasing sugar alcohol production and further develops Y. lipolytica as a promising host for erythritol production from cheap substrates such as glycerol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Effect of pH on citric acid and lipid production was studied in Yarrowia lipolytica. • Citric acid production increased at more neutral pH's. • Lipid production increased at more acidic pH's. • Transcriptome analysis suggests that pH switch is governed by transporters expression. • Provide new insights regarding the selective production of these bioproducts. Abstract Yarrowia lipolytica has been used to produce both citric acid and lipid-based bioproducts at high titers. In this study, we found that pH differentially affects citric acid and lipid production in Y. lipolytica W29, with citric acid production enhanced at more neutral pH's and lipid production enhanced at more acid pH's. To determine the mechanism governing this pH-dependent switch between citric acid and lipid production, we profiled gene expression at different pH's and found that the relative expression of multiple transporters is increased at neutral pH. These results suggest that this pH-dependent switch is mediated at the level of citric acid transport rather than changes in the expression of the enzymes involved in citric acid and lipid metabolism. In further support of this mechanism, thermodynamic calculations suggest that citric acid secretion is more energetically favorable at neutral pH's, assuming the fully protonated acid is the substrate for secretion. Collectively, these results provide new insights regarding citric acid and lipid production in Y. lipolytica and may offer new strategies for metabolic engineering and process design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms can produce a number of different bioproducts from the sugars in plant biomass. One challenge is devising processes that utilize all of the sugars in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. D-xylose is the second most abundant sugar in these hydrolysates. The microbial conversion of D-xylose to ethanol has been studied extensively; only recently, however, has conversion to bioproducts other than ethanol been explored. Moreover, in the case of yeast, D-xylose may provide a better feedstock for the production of bioproducts other than ethanol, because the relevant pathways are not subject to glucose-dependent repression. In this review, we discuss how different microorganisms are being used to produce novel bioproducts from D-xylose. We also discuss how D-xylose could be potentially used instead of glucose for the production of value-added bioproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sugar alcohol d-arabitol is one of the Department of Energy's top twelve bio-based building block chemicals. In this study, we found that the oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides IFO0880 produces d-arabitol during growth on xylose in nitrogen-rich medium. Efficient xylose utilization was a prerequisite for extracellular d-arabitol production. During growth in complex media, R. toruloides produced 22 ± 2, 32 ± 2, and 49 ± 2 g/L d-arabitol from 70, 105, and 150 g/L xylose, respectively. In addition, we found that R. toruloides could potentially be used for the co-production of lipids and d-arabitol from xylose. These results demonstrate that R. toruloides can be used to produce multiple value-added chemicals from xylose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Present study attempted to analyze seizure freedom and detailed functional outcomes after functional hemispherotomy and utility of hemispherotomy outcome prediction scale (HOPS) scores in predicting outcomes. Methods: Patients who underwent functional hemispherotomy were analyzed for clinical presentation, neuroimaging, seizure outcomes, and functional outcomes. Results: A total of 76 procedures were performed on 69 patients. Mean age at the surgery was 8 ± 6.1 years. Fourteen patients were < 2 years. Age of onset epilepsy of the cohort was 2.0 ± 3.3 years. All had severe catastrophic epilepsy with multiple daily seizures. All patients had motor deficits with 36 (52%) patients had contralateral dysfunctional hand. Perinatal stroke (49%) was most common substrate followed by cortical malformations (21.7%). Eight patients had contralateral imaging abnormalities. Fifty-nine (86.76%) patients remained seizure free (Engle 1a) at 41 + -20.9 months. HOPS scores were available for 53 patients and lowest seizure outcome was 71% for HOPS score of 4. Lower HOPS scores predicted better seizure outcomes. Cortical malformations operated earlier than 2 years predicted poor seizure outcomes (66.6%). Positive functional outcomes are recorded in 80% of patients with 78% reporting improvement from the pre-surgical level. Five (7.2%) patients underwent shunt surgery. One mortality recorded. Conclusions: Hemispherotomy has excellent seizure outcomes. Early surgery in cortical malformations appears to be predictor of poorer seizure outcomes. HOPS score is a good tool to predict the seizure outcomes. Hemispherotomy is perceived to improve the Cognitive and functional performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has evolved from devic's classical description to a broader disease spectrum, from monophasic illness to a polyphasic illness with multiple recurrences, disease confined to optic nerve and spinal cord to now brain stem, cerebrum and even endocrinopathy due to hypothalamic involvement. Objectives: To report, the epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentations, recurrence rate, treatment and response to therapy in 26 patients with NMO and NMO spectrum disorder among the Indian population. Methods: We performed observational, retrospective analysis of our prospectively maintained data base of patients with NMO, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis during the period of January 2003-December 2012 who satisfied the national multiple sclerosis society (NMSS) task force criteria for diagnosis of NMO and NMO spectrum disorder. Results: There were 26 patients (female: male, 21:5), the mean age of onset of symptom was 27 years (range 9-58, standard deviation = 12). Twenty-one patients (80%) fulfilled NMSS criteria for NMO while rest 5 patients (20%) were considered as NMO spectrum disorder. Seven patients (27%) had a monophasic illness, 19 patients (73%) had a polyphasic illness with recurrences. The Median recurrence rate was 4/patient in the polyphasic group. 13 (50%) patient were tested for aquaporin 4 antibody, 8 (61%) were positive while 5 patients (39%) were negative. All patients received intravenous methyl prednisolone, 9 patients (35%) required further treatment for acute illness in view of unresponsiveness to steroids. Thirteen patients (50%) received disease-modifying agents for recurrences. Mean duration of follow-up was 5 years. All patients had a good outcome (modified Rankin scale, <3) except one who had poor visual recovery. Conclusion: Neuromyelitis optica/NMO spectrum disorder is demyelinating disorder with female predominance, polyphasic course, myelitis being most common event although brain stem involvement is not uncommon with NMO antibody positivity in 60% patients, confirms the literature data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alginate lyases are enzymes that degrade alginate through β-elimination of the glycosidic bond into smaller oligomers. We investigated the alginate lyases from Vibrio splendidus 12B01, a marine bacterioplankton species that can grow on alginate as its sole carbon source. We identified, purified, and characterized four polysaccharide lyase family 7 alginates lyases, AlyA, AlyB, AlyD, and AlyE, from V. splendidus 12B01. The four lyases were found to have optimal activity between pH 7.5 and 8.5 and at 20 to 25°C, consistent with their use in a marine environment. AlyA, AlyB, AlyD, and AlyE were found to exhibit a turnover number (kcat) for alginate of 0.60±0.02 s-1, 3.7±0.3 s-1, 4.5±0.5 s-1, and 7.1±0.2 s-1, respectively. The Km values of AlyA, AlyB, AlyD, and AlyE toward alginate were 36±7 μM, 22±5 μM, 60±2 μM, and 123±6 μM, respectively. AlyA and AlyB were found principally to cleave the β-1,4 bonds between β-D-mannuronate and α-L-guluronate and subunits; AlyD and AlyE were found to principally cleave the α-1,4 bonds involving α-L-guluronate subunits. The four alginate lyases degrade alginate into longer chains of oligomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine microbes use alginate lyases to degrade and catabolize alginate, a major cell wall matrix polysaccharide of brown seaweeds. Microbes frequently contain multiple, apparently redundant alginate lyases, raising the question of whether these enzymes have complementary functions. We report here on the molecular cloning and functional characterization of three exotype oligoalginate lyases (OalA, OalB, and OalC) from Vibrio splendidus 12B01 (12B01), a marine bacterioplankton species. OalA was most active at 16°C, had a pH optimum of 6.5, and displayed activities toward poly-β-D-mannuronate (poly(M)J and poly-α-L-guluronate [poly(G)], indicating that it is a bifunctional enzyme. OalB and OalC were most active at 30 and 35°C, had pH optima of 7.0 and 7.5, and degraded poly(M-G) and poly(M), respectively. Detailed kinetic analyses of oligoalginate lyases with poly(G), poly(M), and poly(M-G) and sodium alginate as substrates demonstrated that OalA and OalC preferred poly(M), whereas OalB preferred poly(M-G). The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of OalA against poly(M) increased with decreasing size of the substrate. OalA showed kcat/Km from 2,130 mg-1 ml s-1 for the trisaccharide to 224 mg-1 mis-1 for larger oligomers of ∼50 residues, and 50.5 mg-1 ml s-1 for high-molecular-weight alginate. Although OalA was most active on the trisaccharide, OalB and OalC preferred dimers. Taken together, our results indicate that these three Oals have complementary substrate scopes and temperature and pH adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Monitoring the disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a challenge due to different rates of progression between patients. Besides clinical methods to monitor disease progression, such as the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) and the medical research council (MRC) sum score, quantitative methods like motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are of interest. Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the rate of progression in ALS using multipoint incremental MUNE and to compare MUNE, ALSFRS and MRC sum score at baseline and at 6 months for progression of the disease. Materials and Methods: Multipoint incremental MUNE using median nerve, ALS-FRS and MRC sum score was carried out in 29 ALS patients at baseline and then at 6 months. Results: Of the 29 ALS patients studied, the mean MUNE at baseline was 21.80 (standard deviation [SD]: 19.46, range 4-73), 15.9 in the spinal onset group (SD: 14.60) and 30.16 (SD: 22.89) in the bulbar onset group. Spinal onset patients had 74.02% of baseline MUNE value while bulbar onset patients had only 24.74% baseline value MUNE at 6 months follow-up (Unpaired t-test, P = 0.001). ALSFRS and MRC sum score showed statistically significant decline (P < 0.001) at 6 months follow-up. MUNE had the highest sensitivity for progression of the disease when compared to the ALS FRS and MRC sum score. Conclusion: Multipoint incremental MUNE is a valuable tool for outcome measure in ALS and other diseases characterized by motor unit loss. The rate of decline of multipoint incremental MUNE is more sensitive than that of MRC sum score and ALSFRS-R, when expressed as the percentage change from baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] It reports characterization of a galactitol dehydrogenase (RlGDH) from Rhizobium leguminosarum. [•] RlGDH catalyzes the oxidation of polyvalent alcohols and polyols. [•] RlGDH is distinguished from other GDHs by its higher specific activity for galactitol. [•] RlGDH can be a good option for d-tagatose production from galactitol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the clinical spectrum, underlying etiology and long-term follow up of patients with limbic encephalitis. Topic discussed include the materials and methods used with the inclusion criterion as clinical features consistent with LE like short-term memory loss, the initial description of LC as a rare complication of cancer and the importance of early recognition of LE based on clinical, MRI data in the absence of antineuronal surface antibody screen in developing countries.

Highlights: [•] The three plant species are grown in 6000mg/kg diesel-contaminated soil. [•] The addition of a microbial consortium and fertilizer increases remediation efficacy. [•] It reports saccharification of woody biomasses using lignocellulases from Armillaria gemina. [•] A. gemina can be a good option for reducing sugar production from woody biomasses used for phytoremediation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel endo-β-1,4-glucanase (EG)-producing strain was isolated and identified as Armillaria gemina KJS114 based on its morphology and internal transcribed spacer rDNA gene sequence. A. gemina EG (AgEG) was purified using a single-step purification by gel filtration. The relative molecular mass of AgEG by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 65 kDa and by size exclusion chromatography was 66 kDa, indicating that the enzyme is a monomer in solution. The pH and temperature optima for hydrolysis were 5.0 and 60 °C, respectively. Purified AgEG had the highest catalytic efficiency with carboxymethylcellulose ( k/ K = 3,590 mg mL s) unlike that reported for any fungal EG, highlighting the significance of the current study. The amino acid sequence of AgEG showed homology with hydrolases from the glycoside hydrolase family 61. The addition of AgEG to a Populus nigra hydrolysate reaction containing a commercial cellulase mixture (Celluclast 1.5L and Novozyme 188) showed a stimulatory effect on reducing sugar production. AgEG is a good candidate for applications that convert lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels and chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The highly efficient β-1,4-glucosidase (BGL)-secreting strain, Pholiota adiposa SKU0714, was isolated and identified based on its morphological features and sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA. P. adiposa BGL (PaBGL), which contained a carbohydrate moiety, was purified to homogeneity from P. adiposa culture supernatants by 2-step chromatography on DEAE and Sephacryl gel filtration columns. The relative molecular weight of PaBGL was 60 kDa by SDS-PAGE or 59 kDa by size exclusion chromatography, indicating that the enzyme is a monomer. The pH and temperature optima for hydrolysis were 5.0 and 65 °C, respectively. PaBGL showed the highest activity towards p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (V max = 4390 U mg protein−1, K m = 2.23 mol m−3) and cellobiose (V max = 3460 U mg protein−1, K m = 5.60 mol m−3) ever reported. Its internal amino acid sequences showed homology with hydrolases from the glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3), indicating that PaBGL is a member of the GH3 family. The hydrolysis of rice straw using a commercial cellulase, Celluclast® 1.5L, resulted in a higher saccharification yield with the addition of PaBGL than with Novozyme 188. PaBGL may be a good candidate for applications that convert biomasses to biofuels and chemicals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Congenital myasthenia syndrome (CMS) is a rare, heterogeneous group of genetically determined, disorder of neuromuscular transmission. They have a varied presentation and progression and very few studies have addressed the natural history. Aim of the present study is to describe the clinical profile and natural history of patients with CMS. Materials and Methods: Study includes patients with CMS who attended comprehensive.neuromuscular.clinic (CNMC) during the period January, 2000.2008 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, with inclusion criteria: (1) Onset in infancy or childhood with fluctuating ocular, bulbar, respiratory or limb muscle weakness (2) Acetylcholine receptor antibody negative (3) normal computed tomography (CT) thymus (4) Abnormal repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) testing (5) Exclusion of other autoimmune disorders. Results: Out of 314 patients with myasthenia who attended the CNMC during study period, 15 (4.8%) were with CMS (8 boys, 7 girls). Patients were divided as infantile and childhood onset. The mean age of onset and diagnosis in infantile and childhood onset groups were 5.5 months/3.1 years and 3.6 years/6.5 years respectively. Eleven patients had ptosis and 4 had generalized presentation. Most common site of decremental response was over facial nerve in 12 (75%) patients. All patients showed good response to treatment with acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor with stable course on follow.up without exacerbations. Mean dose for neostigmine was 28 mg/day and for pyridostigmine was 153 mg/day. Conclusion: Ptosis is most common symptom at onset in CMS, emphasing importance of RNS of the facial nerve, in the absence of molecular diagnosis of CMS. Our CMS cohort had relatively stable course without intermittent exacerbations with fair response to acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a heterogeneous neurocutaneous syndrome with facial and leptomeningeal angiomas, glaucoma, seizures, stroke-like episodes, and mental retardation. The authors critically evaluated the clinical manifestations, outcome, and natural history in 30 patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome followed up from January 1985 to May 2010. Of the patients, 15 were males, age at diagnosis ranged from 1 month to 43 years. Typical port-wine stain nevus occurred in 26 (86%), it was bilateral in 2 (8%), and it was absent in 4 (4%). Nine patients had glaucoma (30%), 3 required surgery. Four had transient hemiparesis. All patients had seizures; they were well controlled in 22 (73.3%); in 8 they remained drug resistant. Three patients underwent surgery and became seizure-free. Of the 17 who had mental subnormality, 14 (82.4%) had seizure onset before 2 years. An early age at seizure onset and those with drug-resistant seizures had more severe degree of mental subnormality. Uncontrolled seizures, mental subnormality, visual handicap, and cosmetic disfiguration were the major impediments in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A white rot fungus, identified as Armillaria gemina SKU2114 on the basis of morphological and phylogenetic analyses, was found to secrete efficient lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. The strain showed maximum endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and β-glucosidase activities of 146, 34, and 15U/mL, respectively, and also secreted xylanase, laccase, mannanase, and lignin peroxidase with activities of 1270, 0.16, 57, and 0.31U/mL, respectively, when grown with rice straw as a carbon source. Among various plant biomasses tested for saccharification, aspen biomass produced the maximum amount of reducing sugar. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the hydrolysis of aspen biomass to achieve the highest level of sugar production. A maximum saccharification yield of 62% (429mg/g-substrate) was obtained using Populus tomentiglandulosa biomass after 48h of hydrolysis. A. gemina was shown to be a good option for use in the production of reducing sugars from lignocellulosic biomass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A basidiomycetous fungus, identified as Pholiota adiposa SKU0714 on the basis of morphological and phylogenetic analyses, was found to secrete efficient lignocellulose degrading enzymes. The strain showed maximum endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase and β-glucosidase activities of 26, 32 and 39U/mL, respectively and also secreted xylanase, laccase, mannanase, and lignin peroxidase with activities of 1680, 0.12, 65 and 0.41U/mL, respectively when grown with rice straw as a carbon source. Among the various plant biomasses tested for saccharification, poplar biomass produced the maximum amount of reducing sugar. Response surface methodology was used to optimize hydrolysis parameters. A maximum saccharification yield of 83.4% (667mg/g-substrate), the highest yield from any plant biomass, was obtained with Populus biomass after 24h of hydrolysis. P. adiposa was proven to be a good choice for the production of reducing sugars from cellulosic biomass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Patients with refractory status epilepticus (RSE) with structural abnormality can be surgical candidates. • The most common etiologies with RSE with emergency surgery are hemimegalencephaly, focal cortical dysplasia, or Rasmussen encephalitis. • Emergency epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment option for termination of RSE with structural pathology. Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most common medical emergencies, requiring urgent treatment; nearly 30 % patients develop refractory SE. The role of epilepsy surgery (ES) for refractory SE however remains unclear with empirical evidence limited to single case reports and small case series. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and outcome of children with refractory SE who underwent emergency ES for refractory SE. Patients who had SE, failed to respond to escalating medical treatment of SE with/ without pharmacological suppression therapy, and eventually underwent ES were included. There were ten children, 7 boys and 3 girls (range 6 months to 14 years). The age of onset of epilepsy varied from day 2 of life to 12.8 years. The duration of SE prior to surgery was 2–6 days (mean 3.7 days). Four patients had hemimegalencephaly, 3 had focal cortical dysplasia, 2 had Rasmussen's encephalitis, and one had hemispheric porencephalic cyst. The time interval between onset of seizures and ES ranged from 2 months to 8 years (mean 3.1 year). Seven patients underwent hemispherotomy, resection of dysplasia in two and temporo-parieto-occipital disconnection in one. Nine had Engel I outcome and Engel IIIa in one, at follow up of 12–44 months (mean 31 months). Emergency ES is an effective treatment option for termination of refractory SE in children with structural pathology, after failure of medical treatment. Patients with refractory SE with focal or hemispheric structural abnormality on MRI, and concordant semiology with/without concordant EEG can be surgical candidates with or without invasive monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biohydrogen is a clean and renewable source of energy. It can be produced by using technologies such as thermochemical, electrolysis, photoelectrochemical and biological, etc. Among these technologies, the biological method (dark fermentation) is considered more sustainable and ecofriendly. Dark fermentation involves anaerobic microbes which degrade carbohydrate rich substrate and produce hydrogen. Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundantly available raw material and can be utilized as an economic and renewable substrate for biohydrogen production. Although there are many hurdles, continuous advancements in lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment technology, microbial fermentation (mixed substrate and co-culture fermentation), the involvement of molecular biology techniques, and understanding of various factors (pH, T, addition of nanomaterials) effect on biohydrogen productivity and yield render this technology efficient and capable to meet future energy demands. Further integration of biohydrogen production technology with other products such as bio-alcohol, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and methane have the potential to improve the efficiency and economics of the overall process. In this article, various methods used for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment, technologies in trends to produce and improve biohydrogen production, a coproduction of other energy resources, and techno-economic analysis of biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass are reviewed. Unlabelled Image • Application of advanced pretreatment methods decreases byproduct production. • Use of co-substrate, coculture, and supportive materials can increase H 2 production. • Coproduction of other energy resources can improve the economics of the process. • Capital investment in fermentation technology is more economical than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oleaginous yeasts have received significant attention due to their substantial lipid storage capability. The accumulated lipids can be utilized directly or processed into various bioproducts and biofuels. Lipomyces starkeyi is an oleaginous yeast capable of using multiple plant-based sugars, such as glucose, xylose, and cellobiose. It is, however, a relatively unexplored yeast due to limited knowledge about its physiology. In this study, we have evaluated the growth of L. starkeyi on different sugars and performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to understand the underlying mechanisms of sugar metabolism. Principal component analysis showed clear differences resulting from growth on different sugars. We have further reported various metabolic pathways activated during growth on these sugars. We also observed non-specific regulation in L. starkeyi and have updated the gene annotations for the NRRL Y-11557 strain. This analysis provides a foundation for understanding the metabolism of these plant-based sugars and potentially valuable information to guide the metabolic engineering of L. starkeyi to produce bioproducts and biofuels. Key points: • L. starkeyi metabolism reprograms for consumption of different plant-based sugars. • Non-specific regulation was observed during growth on cellobiose. • L. starkeyi secretes β-glucosidases for extracellular hydrolysis of cellobiose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare chronic, progressive encephalitis affecting primarily children and young adults, caused by a persistent infection of immune resistant measles virus. The aim of the present study is to describe the clinical profile and natural history of patients with SSPE. Methods: We collected data of patients with SSPE during 2004-2010 who fulfilled Dyken's criteria. We analyzed demographical, clinical, electrophysiological, and imaging features. Results: Study included 34 patients, 26 (76.5%) males with age of onset from 3 to 31 years. Twenty one patients were below 15 years of age formed childhood SSPE and 13 above 15 years of age constituted adult onset group. 85.3% had low-socioeconomic status. Eleven received measles vaccination and seven were unvaccinated. 59.9% patients had measles history. Most common presenting symptom was scholastic backwardness (52.5%) followed by seizures (23.5%). Three patients each had cortical blindness, macular degeneration, decreased visual acuity, and optic atrophy. Electroencephalographic (EEG) showed long interval periodic complexes and cerebrospinal fluid anti-measles antibody was positive in all. Magnetic resonance imaging was done in 70.5% with was abnormal in 52.5%. Mean incubation period of SSPE after measles was 9.6 years. The follow-up duration was 1-10 years, (average of 2 years). Only one patient died from available data of follow-up, 9 were stable and 10 deteriorated in the form of progression of staging. Conclusion: SSPE is common in low-socioeconomic status. The profile of adult onset did not differ from childhood onset SSPE, except for a longer interval between measles infection and presence of the ophthalmic symptom as presenting feature in adult onset group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 32-year-old female patient with a history of progressive pain at the left infra mammary region, weakness of the lower limbs and temperature changes, and who was diagnosed with primary spinal epidural lymphoma (PSEL). The diagnosis was confirmed afer the patient was subjected to neurologic examination, thoracic magnetic resonance imaging and open lesion biopsy. A comparison of PSEL with intramedullary lymphoma, spinal epidural or subdural hematoma is offered.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare, sporadic neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by a classical triad of facial port wine nevus, ipsilateral leptomeningeal angiomatosis (LAM) and glaucoma. The incidence of SWS is 1/50,000 live births, although it is more often underreported. The incidence of SWS without facial nevus is not known, although very few patients without facial nevus have been reported. In these patients, the diagnosis of SWS is made by the findings of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology. Here, we report three patients with SWS from our cohort of 28 patients with SWS without facial nevus and discuss their clinical profile and outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lignocellulose is an abundantly available recalcitrant raw material. • Pretreatment is required to convert it into free sugars. • Pretreatment generates various byproducts having negative effects on microbes. • Hydrolysate requires detoxification before being subjected to fermentation. Lignocellulosic biomass is an inexpensive renewable source that can be used to produce biofuels and bioproducts. The recalcitrance nature of biomass hampers polysaccharide accessibility for enzymes and microbes. Several pretreatment methods have been developed for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products. However, these pretreatment methods also produce a wide range of secondary compounds, which are inhibitory to enzymes and microorganisms. The selection of an effective and efficient pretreatment method discussed in the review and its process optimization can significantly reduce the production of inhibitory compounds and may lead to enhanced production of fermentable sugars and biochemicals. Moreover, evolutionary and genetic engineering approaches are being used for the improvement of microbial tolerance towards inhibitors. Advancements in pretreatment and detoxification technologies may help to increase the productivity of lignocellulose-based biorefinery. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment technologies and strategies for the removal of inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugar alcohols are commonly used as low-calorie sweeteners and can serve as potential building blocks for bio-based chemicals. Previous work has shown that the oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides IFO0880 can natively produce arabitol from xylose at relatively high titers, suggesting that it may be a useful host for sugar alcohol production. In this work, we explored whether R. toruloides can produce additional sugar alcohols. Results: Rhodosporidium toruloides is able to produce galactitol from galactose. During growth in nitrogen-rich medium, R. toruloides produced 3.2 ± 0.6 g/L, and 8.4 ± 0.8 g/L galactitol from 20 to 40 g/L galactose, respectively. In addition, R. toruloides was able to produce galactitol from galactose at reduced titers during growth in nitrogen-poor medium, which also induces lipid production. These results suggest that R. toruloides can potentially be used for the co-production of lipids and galactitol from galactose. We further characterized the mechanism for galactitol production, including identifying and biochemically characterizing the critical aldose reductase. Intracellular metabolite analysis was also performed to further understand galactose metabolism. Conclusions: Rhodosporidium toruloides has traditionally been used for the production of lipids and lipid-based chemicals. Our work demonstrates that R. toruloides can also produce galactitol, which can be used to produce polymers with applications in medicine and as a precursor for anti-cancer drugs. Collectively, our results further establish that R. toruloides can produce multiple value-added chemicals from a wide range of sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 28 day old baby born through vaginal delivery, and was admitted for cyanosis. It discusses how the child was diagnosed with asymmetric facies for right-sided congenital hypoplasia of the depressor angularis oris muscle (CHDAOM). It looks at eye closure, no drooling of saliva and related with congenital anomalies.

To study the factors responsible for failure of hemispherotomy and outcomes of revision surgery. The effect of the surgeon's learning curve on failures was also analyzed. Forty consecutive patients, who underwent functional hemispherotomy through a 4-year period, from the inception of the single-surgeon epilepsy surgery program, were analyzed. A total of 47 functional hemispherotomies were performed in the study period in 40 patients (7 revision surgeries on 6 patients). Mean age of the cohort was 9.45 ± 14.84 years and it included 7 infants (<2 years). Of the 9 patients (23.5%) who failed the first procedure, 6 qualified for revision surgery, all of whom belonged to the cohort of the first 15 patients treated during the first 2 years of the program. Hemimegalencephaly was the most common disease (n = 4). Ipsilateral temporal stem (n = 3), frontobasal connections (n = 2), splenium of corpus callosum (n = 2), and posterior insula (n = 2) were residual undisconnected substrates identified for revision on imaging. The substrates for failure were obvious in 5/6 patients and resulted from incomplete disconnection, implying surgical inadequacy. At the mean follow-up of 30 ± 13.17 months (range, 13–55 months), 35 of 40 patients (87.5%) remained seizure free (Engel class Ia), including 4/6 patients who underwent redo surgery. Revision did not benefit the remaining 2 patients (Engel class III). There was no mortality. Surgical revision is more common in hemimegalencephaly and in the early days of a surgical program. Affirmative neuroimaging improves the outcomes of subsequent revision surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented focusing on the reported diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome with preceding hepatitis A (HA) infection in a 28-year old male patient.

The article describes the case of a 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare, severe, inflammatory, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. The patient presented with a six-week history of nausea and vomiting associated with giddiness. NMO is characterized by recurrent optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis that may occur either simultaneously or in isolation.

The article presents a case study of a 48-year-old male, who had a seronegative ankylosing spondylitis (AS) of eight year duration, referred with shooting pain radiating from low back to both feet. The patients' clinical examination has revealed a restricted truncal mobility, sensory ataxia, and neck movements. The patients' radiography results on cervical and thoracolumbar spine had shown features of AS.

Congenital cutaneous candidiasis (CCC) is an extremely rare disorder that presents within the first 6 days of life. The manifestations ranges from diffuse skin eruption without any systemic symptoms to respiratory distress, hepatosplenomegaly, sepsis, and death. We report a neonate who presented with generalized skin eruptions at birth, characterized by erythematous macules and papules. The eruption involved head, face, neck, trunk, and extremities. Candida albicans was demonstrated on direct KOH smear, skin biopsy. The disease implies a congenital intrauterine infection and is different from neonatal candidiasis, which manifests as thrush or diaper dermatitis. The infection is acquired from the maternal genital tract in an ascending fashion. Clinical features, direct smear examination of specimen, and appropriate cultures are useful in differentiating the lesions from other more common dermatoses of the neonatal period. Topical antifungal therapy is sufficient unless systemic candidiasis is present. Prognosis for congenital cutaneous candidiasis is good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 21-year-old male volleyball player who was presented with difficulty in smashing the ball and excessive folds of shirt over right shoulder. He had undergone cervical lymph node biopsy three years ago. The test showed that there was drooped right shoulder, wasting of trapezius with scapular hump, and extra-axillary fold.

Gluconobacter oxydans is an organism involved in the incomplete oxidation mechanism of many sugars and alcohols. G. oxydans is involved in the biotransformation of d -sorbitol to l -sorbose via a membrane-bound d -sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH). The focus of this study was to investigate the binding of d -sorbitol to SDH and determine the amino acids involved in the formation of l -sorbose. In order to determine the crucial interactions of d -sorbitol with SDH, in silico polarized ligand docking was employed. QM/MM-based interaction studies suggested that His302, Met366, and Asp368 actively participate in d -sorbitol binding. MD simulation-based mutational studies confirmed that these amino acids are key residues in the binding of d -sorbitol. In particular, mutation of His302 resulted in the denaturation of protein structure and loss of stability. Overall, our results suggest that the role of His302 is to hold the d -sorbitol, and future replacement of polar amino acids in a surrounding pattern will be helpful to increase the production of sugars by G. oxydans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a one-month-old baby without any perinatal insult presented with left focal seizures since day 12 of life. Topics discussed include the use of ictal and interictal single photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) and positron imaging tomography (PET) to detect metabolic changes related to epileptic activity, information on arterial spin labelling (ASL), and reason that the cerebral blood flow (CBF) is typically increased in the acute peri-ictal period.

Enhanced catalytic activities of different lignocellulases were obtained from Armillaria gemina under statistically optimized parameters using a jar fermenter. This strain showed maximum xylanase, endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and β-glucosidase activities of 1,270, 146, 34, and 15 U mL, respectively. Purified A. gemina xylanase (AgXyl) has the highest catalytic efficiency ( k/ K = 1,440 mg mL s) ever reported for any fungal xylanase, highlighting the significance of the current study. We covalently immobilized the crude xylanase preparation onto functionalized silicon oxide nanoparticles, achieving 117 % immobilization efficiency. Further immobilization caused a shift in the optimal pH and temperature, along with a fourfold improvement in the half-life of crude AgXyl. Immobilized AgXyl gave 37.8 % higher production of xylooligosaccharides compared to free enzyme. After 17 cycles, the immobilized enzyme retained 92 % of the original activity, demonstrating its potential for the synthesis of xylooligosaccharides in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop consortium using Pseudomonas sp. SUK1 and Aspergillus ochraceus NCIM-1146 to decolorize adsorbed dyes from textile effluent wastewater under solid state fermentation. Among various agricultural wastes rice bran showed dye adsorption up to 90, 62 and 80% from textile dye reactive navy blue HE2R (RNB HE2R) solution, mixture of textile dyes and textile industry wastewater, respectively. Pseudomonas sp. SUK1 and A. ochraceus NCIM-1146 showed 62 and 38% decolorization of RNB HE2R adsorbed on rice bran in 24h under solid state fermentation. However, the consortium of Pseudomonas sp. SUK1 and A. ochraceus NCIM-1146 (consortium-PA) showed 80% decolorization in 24h. The consortium-PA showed effective ADMI removal ratio of adsorbed dyes from textile industry wastewater (77%), mixture of textile dyes (82%) and chemical precipitate of textile dye effluent (CPTDE) (86%). Secretion of extracellular enzymes such as laccase, azoreductase, tyrosinase and NADH-DCIP reductase and their significant induction in the presence of adsorbed dye suggests their role in the decolorization of RNB HE2R. GCMS and HPLC analysis of product suggests the different fates of biodegradation of RNB HE2R when used Pseudomonas sp. SUK1, A. ochraceus NCIM-1146 and consortium PA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Pharmaco-resistant epilepsy is common sequelae of perinatal insults. • Imaging mostly reveals bilateral parieto-occipital gliosis/ulegyria pattern. • Electrophysiology localizes to posterior head region but mostly non-lateralizing. • Despite deterrents, curative intent surgeries lead to excellent seizure outcomes. • Complete corpus callosotomy offers excellent palliation in one third of the cohort. To study surgical outcomes in pharmaco-resistant epilepsy associated with posterior cortex ulegyria secondary to perinatal insults. A cohort was analysed for clinico-radiological charectaristics, surgical interventions and seizure outcomes. A total of 38 patients underwent surgery, divided as group A - curative surgeries (n = 20) and group B - palliative surgeries (n = 18). Mean age of onset of epilepsy in group A was 5.2 ± 3.4 years against 2.7 ± 2.4 years in group B (p < 0.01). Electroclinical Lennox Gastaut Syndrome was encountered in 9/20 patients in group A, against all 18 patients in group B. Disabling reflex epilepsy was seen in 10 (26 %) patients. Interictal electrophysiology localized in the posterior cortex in all patients in group A, but ictal onsets contributed in only 7/20 patients. Nine patients from group A had unilateral parieto-occipital ulegyria while bilateral in 11/20 patients, and 16/18 from group B. Group A patients underwent parieto-occipital resection (n = 10) and temporo-parieto-occipital disconnection (n = 10) while group B underwent complete corpus callosotomy (n = 18). In group A, Engel Ia outcome was achieved in 15/20 patients (75 %) at mean follow up of 23.5 ± 7.9 months. Group B patients experienced cessation of head drops in all 18 patients, with two-third reduction in seizure frequency at 29.2± 12.4 months of mean follow up. Reflex seizures responded completely in both groups. Epilepsy surgeries for posterior cortex ulegyria results in excellent seizure outcomes. Corpus callosotomy appears highly effective as a palliation for head drop as well as disabling reflex seizures in a well selected cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ure2 regulates nitrogen catabolite repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Deletion of URE2 induces a physiological state mimicking the nitrogen starvation and autophagic responses. Previous work has shown that deletion of URE2 increases the fermentation rate of some wine-producing strains of S. cerevisiae. In this work, we investigated the effect of URE2 deletion (ΔURE2) on the metabolism of S. cerevisiae. During growth on glucose, the ΔURE2 mutant grew at a 40% slower rate than the wild type; however, it produced ethanol at a 31% higher rate. To better under the behavior of this mutant, we performed transcriptomics and metabolomics. Analysis of the RNA sequencing results and metabolite levels indicates that the mutant strain exhibited characteristics of both nitrogen starvation and autophagy, including the upregulation of allantoin, urea, and amino acid uptake and utilization pathways and selective autophagic machinery. In addition, pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase isoforms were expressed at higher rates than the wild type. The mutant also accumulated less trehalose and glycogen, and produced more lipids. The induction of a nitrogen starvation-like state and increase in lipid production in nitrogen-rich conditions suggest that URE2 may be a promising target for metabolic engineering in S. cerevisiae and other yeasts for the production of lipids and lipid-derived compounds. Key points: • Deletion of URE2 increases ethanol and lipid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. • Deletion of URE2 reduces glycogen and trehalose production. • Metabolic changes mimic nitrogen starvation and autophagic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses neurological complications including acute ischemic stroke (AIS) from COVID-19 in India. Topics discussed include neurological deficit consistent with stroke and appropriate computerized tomography (CT); report of stroke severity, imaging features, and mortality rates; and incidence of pulmonary thrombo-embolism.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis is an uncommon disease, which is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for physicians. Large and medium vessel vasculitis is relatively easy to diagnose by angiogram compared to small vessel vasculitis, where angiograms are often normal; imaging features described till date are sensitive but not specific.Purpose: Here, we describe distinct magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of CNS small vessel vasculitis.Materials and Methods: Five histologically proven small vessel vasculitis cases were retrospectively reviewed from medical records between January 2008 to July 2012. Angiogram (magnetic resonance angiography in all and digital subtraction angiography in three patients) were normal, ruling out associated large and medium vessel vasculitis. The MR imaging findings were analyzed for T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensities and blooming on susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI).Results: Five patients (3 males) with a mean age of 34.2 years (range: 18 to 62 years) were included for analysis. Three patients with lymphocytic vasculitis had 43 discrete T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions in brain parenchyma. All the brain lesions revealed central areas of SWI blooming in linear and/or lace-like pattern, surrounded by FLAIR hyperintensity. Corresponding T1-weighted contrast-enhanced images revealed subtle linear and lace-like enhancement. Coarse granular pattern of SWI blooming was seen in the patient with tuberculous vasculitis and no parenchymal abnormalities were seen in the patient with hypertrophic pachymeningitis.Conclusions: The linear SWI blooming along the course of small cerebral vessels and lace-like enhancement pattern in spin echo post-contrast T1-weighted sequences are suggestive MR imaging features for lymphocytic CNS small vessel vasculitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharide degradation by marine microbes represents one of the largest and most rapid heterotrophic transformations of organic matter in the environment. Microbes employ systems of complementary carbohydrate-specific enzymes to deconstruct algal or plant polysaccharides (glycans) into monosaccharides. Because of the high diversity of glycan substrates, the functions of these enzymes are often difficult to establish. One solution to this problem may lie within naturally occurring microdiversity; varying numbers of enzymes, due to gene loss, duplication, or transfer, among closely related environmental microbes create metabolic differences akin to those generated by knock-out strains engineered in the laboratory used to establish the functions of unknown genes. Inspired by this natural fine-scale microbial diversity, we show here that it can be used to develop hypotheses guiding biochemical experiments for establishing the role of these enzymes in nature. In this work, we investigated alginate degradation among closely related strains of the marine bacterium Vibrio splendidus. One strain, V. splendidus 13B01, exhibited high extracellular alginate lyase activity compared with other V. splendidus strains. To identify the enzymes responsible for this high extracellular activity, we compared V. splendidus 13B01 with the previously characterized V. splendidus 12B01, which has low extracellular activity and lacks two alginate lyase genes present in V. splendidus 13B01. Using a combination of genomics, proteomics, biochemical, and functional screening, we identified a polysaccharide lyase family 7 enzyme that is unique to V. splendidus 13B01, secreted, and responsible for the rapid digestion of extracellular alginate. These results demonstrate the value of querying the enzymatic repertoires of closely related microbes to rapidly pinpoint key proteins with beneficial functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this article was to study the electroclinical characteristics and seizure outcome of children with epilepsy with myoclonic absences (EMA). Method In this descriptive cohort study, we reviewed clinical records of patients who met the criteria for EMA. Each patient's demographic data, birth/developmental history, seizure semiology/pattern, antiepileptic drugs (AED), clinical examination, video-electroencephalography (VEEG), and neuroimaging data were reviewed. Response to AED and change in seizure frequency/pattern on follow-up were noted. Responders were defined by seizure freedom/>50% reduction in seizure frequency on follow-up. Result Twelve children were diagnosed with EMA between 2008 and 2013 [50% male; mean age of onset: 3.5 years]. Main seizure types were the characteristic myoclonic absences (100%) and generalized tonic–clonic seizures (42%). Ictal correlate on VEEG was 3- to 3.5-Hz spike-and-wave discharges (82%) and fast recruiting bifrontal rhythm (25%). One patient had specific MRI abnormalities. Mean duration of follow-up was 23.9 months. Seizure frequency had significantly improved on follow-up (p = 0.005), and at last follow-up, nine patients were in the responder group: four seizure-free for at least 1 year, two with > 90%, and three with > 50% reduction in seizure frequency. The number of AED reduced significantly between initial visit and last follow-up among responders. Two patients on follow-up developed different seizure patterns, with generalized tonic and complex partial seizures. One responder expired because of unprovoked generalized convulsive status epilepticus. Conclusion This cohort, the largest from the Indian subcontinent on the rare syndrome of EMA, suggests mild heterogeneity in a seemingly homogenous electroclinical phenotype. Clinical semiology while unique may demonstrate focality and variable ictal patterns. Most patients respond to either valproate monotherapy or valproate–lamotrigine combination; however, the prognosis remains guarded. The seizures of a minority of patients remain drug-refractory and may evolve into tonic or complex partial seizures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gadolinium activated BaZrO 3 phosphor has been prepared by the solution combustion method. Powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods are used to characterize the prepared phosphor. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of un-doped and gadolinium activated BaZrO 3 phosphor has been studied. Pure BaZrO 3 exhibits an EPR spectrum which is a superposition of spectra from two distinct centers. One of the centers (center I) with an isotropic g factor 2.0016 is tentatively assigned to an F + -type center (singly ionized oxygen vacancy). Center II with an axially symmetric g-tensor with principal values g | | = 1.955 and g ⊥ = 1.973 is identified as a Zr 3+ ion. The EPR spectrum of gadolinium activated BaZrO 3 samples exhibit resonance signals with the effective g values at g ≈ 1.94 and g ≈ 4.10. The signal at g ≈ 1.94 has been attributed to Gd 3+ ions disposed in a weak cubic symmetry field between the Gd 3+ ion and the phosphor lattice. The excitation spectrum exhibits a dominant band with a maximum at 275 nm (36364 cm −1 ). Upon excitation at 275 nm (36364 cm −1 ), the emission spectrum exhibits a well defined ultraviolet B emission band with a maximum at 314 nm (31847 cm −1 ) corresponding to 6 P 7/2 → 8 S 7/2 transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BaZrO3:Gd is prepared by combustion of an aqueous solution of Ba(NO3)2, ZrO(NO3)2, Gd(NO3)3, and urea (1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]