Engineering Xylose Isomerase and Reductase Pathways in Yarrowia lipolytica for Efficient Lipid Production.

Xylose is a common monosaccharide in lignocellulosic residues that Yarrowia lipolytica cannot naturally metabolise for lipid production and therefore, heterologous xylose metabolic pathways must be engineered in this yeast to facilitate its consumption. We have compared the metabolic efficiency of two xylose metabolic pathways by developing three recombinant Y. lipolytica strains: one harbouring a xylose reductase pathway, one with a xylose isomerase pathway, and one combining both pathways, and the strains were tested for xylose consumption and lipid production at different scales.

Screening of historical and current Upland and Pima cotton germplasm for resistance to Rhizoctonia solani.

Objective: The fungus Rhizoctonia solani is an important seedling pathogen to many plant hosts including cotton (Gossypium). For multiple annual crops there have been relatively few screenings of germplasm conducted to identify potential sources of resistance to R. solani, and for cotton we have not been able to identify any recent germplasm screenings for resistance to this seedling pathogen.

Immobilization of Chromium by Iron Oxides in Nickel-Cobalt Laterite Mine Tailings.

Mine tailings generated from hydrometallurgical processing of nickel-cobalt laterite deposits contain high levels of chromium (Cr), with the hexavalent species being a toxic pollutant and carcinogen. However, the partitioning, speciation, and local bonding environment of Cr in the mine tailings remain largely unknown, hindering our ability to predict its toxicity and long-term behavior. Coupling detailed mineralogical, spectroscopic, and geochemical characterization with sequential extraction of tailings from active and rehabilitated dams, we show that Cr is present in its least toxic form, Cr(III), and largely immobilized by recalcitrant minerals.

Associations between Functional Disability and Chronic Conditions with Depressive Symptoms in Vietnamese-Origin Older Refugees.

Previous studies have found a strong association between activities of daily living (ADL)/instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability, chronic conditions, and depressive symptoms, and these associations with specific disability and diseases varied by racial/ethnic groups. However, information is unavailable on these associations, especially with the older generation of refugee populations. Authors examined the association and explored which disability and chronic diseases might be associated with depressive symptoms among 208 Vietnamese-origin older adults (≥65 years) from the Vietnamese Aging and Care Survey (VACS) in the United States.

Exploring simultaneous production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and exopolysaccharides in cyanobacteria-rich microbiomes.

The aim of this study was to explore the viability of the dual production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and exopolysaccharides (EPS) by seven microbiomes rich in cyanobacteria. Our initial experiments involved to screen for EPS-producing candidates and examine the impact of salinity and acetate on EPS synthesis. Salinity's known influence on EPS production and acetate's role in enhancing PHB production guided our parameter selection.