Efficient biosynthesis of β-caryophyllene by engineered Yarrowia lipolytica.

Background: β-Caryophyllene, a sesquiterpenoid, holds considerable potential in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and chemical industries. In order to overcome the limitation of β-caryophyllene production by the extraction from plants or chemical synthesis, we aimed the microbial production of β-caryophyllene in non-conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica in this study.

Results: Two genes, tHMG1 from S.

Whole genome sequencing, assembly and annotation of the Southern Ground Hornbill - Bucorvus leadbeateri.

The Southern Ground Hornbill (SGH - Bucorvus leadbeateri) is one of the largest hornbill species worldwide, known for its complex social structures and breeding behaviours. This bird has been of great interest due to its declining population and disappearance from historic ranges in southern Africa. Despite being the focus of numerous conservation efforts, with research forming an integral part of these initiatives, there is still a substantial lack of knowledge regarding the molecular biology aspects of this bird species.

A carboxymethyl cellulase from the yeast Cryptococcus gattii WM276: Expression, purification and characterisation.

Cryptococcus gattii and its medical implications have been extensively studied. There is, however, a significant knowledge gap regarding cryptococcal survival in its environmental niche, namely woody material, which is glaring given that infection is linked to environmental populations. A gene from C.

Metagenomic sequencing and reconstruction of 82 microbial genomes from barley seed communities.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is essential to global food systems and the brewing industry. Its physiological traits and microbial communities determine malt quality. Although microbes influence barley from seed health to fermentation, there is a gap in metagenomic insights during seed storage.

The presence of fear: How subjective fear, not physiological changes, shapes the experience of presence.

When we become engrossed in novels, films, games, or even our own wandering thoughts, we can feel present in a reality distinct from the real world. Although this subjective sense of presence is, presumably, a ubiquitous aspect of conscious experience, the mechanisms that produce it are unknown. Correlational studies conducted in virtual reality have shown that we feel more present when we are afraid, motivating claims that physiological changes contribute to presence; however, such causal claims remain to be evaluated.

Editor's Choice - Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Randomised Controlled Trials Supporting Implantable Devices for Vascular and Endovascular Procedures.

Objective: To identify implantable devices currently used for vascular and endovascular procedures, to ascertain how many have randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence available, and to assess the quality of that evidence.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, DARE, PROSPERO, clinical trial registries, and Cochrane databases.

Review Methods: A list of current devices used in both vascular and endovascular procedures was generated by searching conference proceedings, manufacturer catalogues, and websites.

Evaluating the Genetic Capacity of for Coenzyme A Biosynthesis in a Search for New Anti-mycoplasma Targets.

are responsible for a wide range of disease states in both humans and animals, in which their parasitic lifestyle has allowed them to reduce their genome sizes and curtail their biosynthetic capabilities. The subsequent dependence on their host offers a unique opportunity to explore pathways for obtaining and producing cofactors - such as coenzyme A (CoA) - as possible targets for the development of new anti-mycoplasma agents. CoA plays an essential role in energy and fatty acid metabolism and is required for membrane synthesis.

Construction of an IS-Free ATCC 13 032 Chassis Strain and Random Mutagenesis Using the Endogenous IS Transposase.

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) contribute to instability of the host genome and plasmids. Previously, removal of the prophages in the industrial amino acid producer ATCC 13 032 resulted in strain MB001 which showed better survival under stress conditions and increased transformability. Still, eight families of Insertion Sequence (IS) elements with 27 potentially active members remain in MB001, two of which were demonstrated to be detrimental in biotechnological processes.

Mycoplasma nasistruthionis sp. nov. and Mycoplasma struthionis sp. nov. isolated from ostriches with respiratory disease.

Twelve Mycoplasma (M.) strains isolated from the nose, the trachea, and the lung of ostriches (Struthio camelus) displaying respiratory disease were investigated. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed five of these strains within the M.

DNA Vaccines Against Mycoplasma Elicit Humoral Immune Responses in Ostriches.

In ostriches, the population densities resulting from intensive rearing increases susceptibility to pathogens such as mycoplasmas. In addition to good management practices, vaccination offers an attractive alternative for controlling mycoplasma infections in food animals, instead of using antibiotics, which often leave unacceptable residues. The use of live attenuated vaccines, however, carry the concern of reversion to virulence or genetic recombination with field strains.

Response of Ti microstructure in mechanical and laser forming processes.

Microstructural deformation mechanisms present during three different forming processes in commercially pure Ti were analysed. Room temperature mechanical forming, laser beam forming and a combination of these two processes were applied to thick metal plates in order to achieve the same final shape. An electron backscatter diffraction technique was used to study the plate microstructure before and after applying the forming processes.

The identification of oppA gene homologues as part of the oligopeptide transport system in mycoplasmas.

The lack of an annotated oppA gene as part of many oligopeptide permease (opp) operons has questioned the necessity of the oligopeptide-binding domain (OppA) as a part of the Opp transport system in mycoplasmas. This study investigated the occurrence of an oppA gene as part of the oppBCDF operon in 42 mycoplasma genomes. Except for hemoplasma, all mycoplasmas were found to possess one or more copies of the oppBCDF operon and with the help of similarity searches their oppA genes could be identified.

Follicular and estradiol parameters that improve success with natural cycle in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To describe clinical thresholds for follicle size and estradiol levels to optimize success with natural cycle in vitro fertilization (NCIVF).

Study Design: Descriptive cohort of candidates for stimulated IVF, < 43 years old, with regular menstrual cycles, regardless of ovarian reserve or fertility treatment history. Patients underwent NCIVF, defined as oocyte retrieval, fertilization and embryo transfer after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger without luteinizing hormone (LH) suppression or ovarian stimulation medications.

AIDS-related mycoses: the way forward.

The contribution of fungal infections to the morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected individuals is largely unrecognized. A recent meeting highlighted several priorities that need to be urgently addressed, including improved epidemiological surveillance, increased availability of existing diagnostics and drugs, more training in the field of medical mycology, and better funding for research and provision of treatment, particularly in developing countries.

Utilization and success rates of unstimulated in vitro fertilization in the United States: an analysis of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology database.

Objective: To examine the utilization and outcomes of natural cycle (unstimulated) IVF as reported to the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) in 2006 and 2007.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: Dataset analysis from the SART Clinical Outcome Reporting System national database.

Growth and mating of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii on woody debris.

A total of 36 Cryptococcus neoformans strains originating from South Africa were screened for wood degrading enzymes. All strains tested positive for cellulase activity while none where capable of xylan degradation. Three C.

Identification of three novel mycoplasma species from ostriches in South Africa.

Mycoplasmas have been implicated in certain clinical syndromes in ostriches and are associated with upper respiratory tract infections. As these infections result in production losses, they are of considerable economic importance to the South African ostrich industry. Although poultry mycoplasmas have been shown to infect ostriches, the existence of unique ostrich-specific mycoplasmas has been suggested.

Interspecies differences in the enantioselectivity of epoxide hydrolases in Cryptococcus laurentii (Kufferath) C.E. Skinner and Cryptococcus podzolicus (Bab'jeva & Reshetova) Golubev.

Isolates representing Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus podzolicus, originating from soil of a heathland indigenous to South Africa, were screened for the presence of enantioselective epoxide hydrolases for 2,2-disubstituted epoxides. Epoxide hydrolase activity for the 2,2-disubstituted epoxide (+/-)-2-methyl-2-pentyl oxirane was found to be abundantly present in all isolates. The stereochemistry of the products formed by the epoxide hydrolase enzymes from isolates belonging to the two species (11 isolates representing C.

Cloning and sequencing of an epoxide hydrolase gene from Rhodosporidium paludigenum.

Epoxide hydrolase (EH) activity was recently described in yeasts and highly selective hydrolysis of epoxides was observed during whole cell biotransformations. To expand the available molecular data regarding yeast EHs, the EH encoding gene from Rhodosporidium paludigenum (CBS 6565) was isolated, cloned and sequenced. The genomic EH sequence revealed a 1600 bp sequence interrupted by six introns.

Hydrolytic kinetic resolution of the enantiomers of the structural isomers trans -1-phenylpropene oxide and (2,3-epoxypropyl)benzene by yeast epoxide hydrolase.

Kinetic resolution of the enantiomers of trans -1-phenylpropene oxide and (2,3-epoxypropyl)benzene was achieved by yeasts from the genus Rhodotorula. The resolution of trans -1-phenylpropene oxide by Rhodotorula glutinis UOFS Y-0123 yielded (1R,2R)-epoxide (ee >98%, yield 30%) and (1R,2S)-diol (ee 95%, yield 40%). The highest enantio- and regioselectivity toward (2,3-epoxypropyl)benzene resided in Rhodotorula sp.

Correlation between the physicochemical properties of organic solvents and their biocompatibility toward epoxide hydrolase activity in whole-cells of a yeast, Rhodotorula sp.

Epoxides are often highly hydrophobic substrates and the presence of an organic co-solvent within an aqueous bioreactor is in such cases indicated. The effect of 40 water-miscible and -immiscible organic solvents on epoxide hydrolase activity in whole-cells of the yeast Rhodotorula sp. UOFS Y-0448 was investigated.