Unraveling and resolving inefficient glucolipid biosurfactants production through quantitative multiomics analyses of Starmerella bombicola strains.

Glucolipids (GLs) are glycolipid biosurfactants with promising properties. These GLs are composed of glucose attached to a hydroxy fatty acid through a ω and/or ω-1 glycosidic linkage. Up until today these interesting molecules could only be produced using an engineered Starmerella bombicola strain (∆ugtB1::URA3 G9) producing GLs instead of sophorolipids, albeit with a very low average productivity (0.

[Oculogyric crisis as an isolated extrapyramidal symptom of auto-intoxication with risperidone].

A 19-year-old female was seen at the emergency department following an auto-intoxication. An oculogyric crisis (ogc) was observed, in the absence of other extrapyramidal symptoms (eps). In a second anamnesis, patient indicated that she had taken risperidone 3 mg (an atypical antipsychotic).

Miniaturization of Starmerella bombicola fermentation for evaluation and increasing (novel) glycolipid production.

Both strain engineering and process optimization are intensively studied in microbial biosurfactant literature. However, screening of multiple strains and/or medium components in parallel is a very labor-intensive and timely process, considering the only applied technique nowadays is evaluation through shake flask and/or bioreactor experiments. Therefore, in this work, the development, optimization, and application of a more throughput technique-based on 24-deep well plates-are described for a new Starmerella bombicola strain producing bolaform sophorolipids.

Bio-based glyco-bolaamphiphile forms a temperature-responsive hydrogel with tunable elastic properties.

A bio-based glycolipid bolaamphiphile (glyco-bolaamphiphile) has recently been produced (Van Renterghem et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng.

From lab to market: An integrated bioprocess design approach for new-to-nature biosurfactants produced by Starmerella bombicola.

Glycolipid microbial biosurfactants, such as sophorolipids (SLs), generate high industrial interest as 100% biobased alternatives for traditional surfactants. A well-known success story is the efficient SL producer Starmerella bombicola, which reaches titers well above 200 g/L. Recent engineering attempts have enabled the production of completely new types of molecules by S.

Evaluation of the clinical significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) 53.

Objective: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are classified according to their potential for the development of cervical neoplasia. However, the carcinogenicity of HPV types forms an evolving continuum based on the newly available data especially regarding the role of probable and possible high-risk HPV types (pHR-HPV). The objective of the present work was to evaluate clinical significance of the pHR-HPV53.

Comparative analysis of cervical cytology and human papillomavirus genotyping by three different methods in a routine diagnostic setting.

Application of Bethesda guidelines on cervical cytology involves human papillomavirus (HPV) determinations on all ASC-US and ASC-H results. We compared HPV DNA results in view of the eventual development of a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia lesion determined either on cytology or histology. A total of 214 liquid-based cytology samples were analysed.

Prospective evaluation of E6/E7 mRNA detection by the NucliSENS Easy Q HPV assay in a stepwise protocol.

The objective of the study was to evaluate prospectively the added value of E6/E7 mRNA detection in a stepwise protocol. A total of 1,422 samples were collected over a period of 17 months. The samples were referred for human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping if they showed cytological evidence of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, low- or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

Comparison of four serological assays for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis in subfertile women.

Introduction: Chlamydia antibody testing (CAT) in serum has been introduced as a screening method in the infertility workup. We evaluated the test characteristics of two ELISA tests compared to micro-immunofluorescence tests (MIFs). MIFs are considered the gold standard in the C.

Enzymatic properties and substrate specificity of the trehalose phosphorylase from Caldanaerobacter subterraneus.

A putative glycoside phosphorylase from Caldanaerobacter subterraneus subsp. pacificus was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, after codon optimization and chemical synthesis of the encoding gene. The enzyme was purified by His tag chromatography and was found to be specifically active toward trehalose, with an optimal temperature of 80°C.

[Human papillomavirus genotype profile in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: implications for vaccination].

Unlabelled: Proposed anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, i.e., Cervarix (Glaxomith-Kline) and Gardasil (Merck), are designed to prevent infection by two high-risk HPV types, i.

Design and use of organic nanoparticles prepared from star-shaped polymers with reactive end groups.

Star-shaped poly(isobornyl acrylate) (PiBA) was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using multifunctional initiators. The optimal ATRP conditions were determined to minimize star-star coupling and to preserve high end group functionality (>90%). Star-shaped PiBA with a narrow polydispersity index was synthesized with 4, 6, and 12 arms and of varying molecular weight (10,000 to 100,000 g x mol(-1)) using 4 equiv of a Cu(I)Br/PMDETA catalyst system in acetone.

Prediction of recurrent disease by cytology and HPV testing after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: To assess the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and cytology as predictors of residual/recurrent disease after treatment of high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2/3 lesion on biopsy were included in a prospective follow-up study in Belgium and Nicaragua. All women were treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and follow-up visits took place at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.

Surveillance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia in pediatric allogeneic stem cell transplantation: incidence and outcome of CMV infection and disease.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains a serious problem after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To investigate the incidence of CMV infection and outcome we retrospectively analyzed 70 consecutive pediatric allogeneic HSCTs monitored by CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with at least 1-year follow-up or until death. All patients at risk for CMV infection (CMV-seropositive patients and CMV-seronegative recipients transplanted from CMV-seropositive donors) received hyperimmune anti-CMV globulins whereas in the group of HSCT patients with both donor and recipient CMV negativity, polyvalent immunoglobulins were given, both at a dose of 400 mg/kg.

Prevalence of high risk human papillomavirus types among Nicaraguan women with histological proved pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the cervix.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types in Nicaraguan women with histological proved pre-neoplastic and neoplastic cervical lesions, and to assess its potential impact on preventive strategies.

Methods: 206 women with histopathological confirmed cervical lesions (CIN I or worse) were screened for HPV DNA on a liquid based cytology sample, using an HPV short fragment polymerase chain reaction based assay. HPV positive samples were genotyped with a reverse hybridisation line probe assay (Lipa).

Synthesis of multi(metallo)porphyrin dendrimers through nucleophilic aromatic substitution on meso-pyrimidinyl substituted porphyrins.

A convergent synthetic strategy toward novel all-porphyrin dendrimers, which can be regarded as synthetic model systems of the natural photosynthetic light-harvesting antennae, was successfully explored. The dendron propagation, based on nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions on a meso-dichloropyrimidinyl substituted porphyrin AB2 monomer, was carried out up to the second-generation dendron, and the used approach was proven to be compatible with the stepwise introduction of different metals in the successive generations. Three different metals (Pt, Zn, and Ni) could be introduced in the second-generation heptaporphyrin dendron.

Associations between dimensions of job stress and biomarkers of inflammation and infection.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine associations between dimensions of job stress and indicators of chronic inflammation and infection.

Methods: Within a subsample from the BELSTRESS study of 892 male subjects free of cardiovascular disease, dimensions of job stress from the job demand-control-support model were related to biomarkers of inflammation (plasma fibrinogen concentrations, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid A) and infection (titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, and Helicobacter pylori).

Results: A negative association was found between job control and plasma fibrinogen concentration, independent from age, education, occupation, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and use of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medication.

Human papillomavirus DNA detection in women with primary abnormal cytology of the cervix: prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes.

Objectives: In this study, we focus on the prevalence and occurrence of different anogenital human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in a first abnormal cervical screening test, and correlate HPV genotyping with the cytological diagnosis on thin-layer liquid-based preparations in routine gynaecological screening.

Methods: Out of 780 abnormal smears, 513 tested positive for HPV. All 25 different HPV types were identified by Line Probe Assay.

Congenital syphilis in a Nairobi maternity hospital.

Objective: To assess adverse pregnancy outcome associated with maternal syphilis and congenital syphilis rate based on FTA-ABS-19s-IgM.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: Pumwani Maternity Hospital (PMH), the largest maternity unit in Nairobi, Kenya.

Chlamydia trachomatis in female sex workers in Belgium: 1998-2003.

Objective: We analysed the results of a 6 year screening period for Chlamydia trachomatis in a group of female sex workers (FSW) of all ages in Ghent, Belgium.

Methods: They were tested in the context of an outreach health programme for sex workers. C trachomatis was tested by Cobas Amplicor CT/NG PCR.

Cervical smears and human papillomavirus typing in sex workers.

Objectives: Sex workers are at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), human papillomavirus (HPV) and hence cervical cancer. In Belgium screening for cervical cancer starts at the age of 25, and is at 3 yearly intervals. The aim of this study is to assess risks for abnormal cervical smears and HPV in sex workers and decide whether the current screening policy is sufficient for them.

Importance of methodology in determination of Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity in healthy subjects and in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for the detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies were compared to the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test, the reference method. Furthermore, we assessed the hypothesis that a possible relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and coronary artery disease is dependent on the type of EIA. Sera from 112 healthy men (mean age, 50.

Hepatitis B vaccination for sex workers: do outreach programmes perform better?

Objectives: To assess to what extent hepatitis B vaccination of sex workers in Ghent, Belgium, is successful within the context of the existing health services and to compare this with alternative approaches such as outreach programmes; to compare two hepatitis B vaccination schemes in the outreach programme for sex workers.

Methods: Testing all first contacts (n = 1096) in the outreach programme for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers assessed success of hepatitis B vaccination in routine services. The performance of the outreach service was measured by counting the number of sex workers who started hepatitis B vaccination in the programme.

Distribution of human papillomavirus in a family planning population in nairobi, kenya.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, cervical cancer is the leading cancer among women. The causative role of different human papillomavirus (HPV) types in cervical cancer is established, but the distribution of HPV types within this region is largely unknown.

Goal: The goal was to study the distribution of HPV among family planning clinic attendees in Nairobi, Kenya.

Prevalence and risk factors of sexually transmitted infections and cervical neoplasia in women's health clinics in Nicaragua.

Objectives: To determine prevalence and risk factors of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and cervical neoplasia in women attending women's health clinics in Nicaragua, and to assess the potential impact of screening for these diseases.

Methods: Consecutive women attending women's health clinics in different regions were interviewed and examined for STI, HIV, and cervical neoplasia.

Results: Whereas only 30.