Search

Aquatic ecosystems are critical to the long-term viability and vibrancy of communities and economies across northern Australia. In a region that supports significant cultural and ecological water values, partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders can benefit aquatic ecosystem management. We present, as a case study from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, a collaborative research program that successfully documented Indigenous and Western Scientific knowledge of remote wetlands, using a variety of field-based activities, questionnaires, interviews and workshops. The sharing of knowledge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous research partners facilitated a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem values, threats, processes, management priorities and aspirations. These formed the basis of a management plan and monitoring tools, designed to build the capacity of an Indigenous ranger group to engage in research, monitoring and management of wetlands. The project provides a useful example of the benefits of collaborations in the context of remote-area management where local communities are responsible for environmental management and monitoring, such as is the case in northern Australia and presumably other areas of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Board of Medical Specialties Continuing Certification Program's Improvement in Medical Practice Standard requires physicians to participate in practice improvement activities. Despite this universal requirement, there has been no assessment of this requirement or its potential impact on patient care. Because of its continuing certification oversight structure, the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is in a unique position to provide this assessment. Review of quality improvement projects submitted to the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for continuing certification compliance revealed that most diplomates (70.1%) used available topic-specific options. These projects are designed to be directive and easy to use for physicians with limited quality improvement experience. Examples of topic-directed project potential impact on patient care include preventing wrong-site injections through implementing a preprocedure timeout or decreasing opioid prescribing risk through implementation of an opioid risk assessment tool. Thirty percent of submissions described improvement efforts in other areas of practice. These projects were directed toward areas of patient care including safety, communication/education, satisfaction, processes, and outcomes. This study demonstrates the efforts of physiatrists to improve care and the potential impact of these efforts on patient care and safety through participation in continuing certification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ionic liquids (ILs) are promising solvents for the pretreatment of lignocellulose as they are thermally stable, environmentally friendly, recyclable, and have low volatility. This study evaluated the effect of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]) for the pretreatment of energy cane bagasse in terms of biomass composition, structural changes and enzymatic digestibility. Energy cane bagasse was pretreated with [EMIM][OAc] (5% (w/w)) at 120°C for 30min followed by hydrolysis with commercially available enzymes, Spezyme CP and Novozyme 188. IL-treated energy cane bagasse resulted in significant lignin removal (32.0%) with slight glucan and xylan losses (8.8% and 14.0%, respectively), and exhibited a much higher enzymatic digestibility (87.0% and 64.3%) than untreated (5.5% and 2.8%) or water-treated (4.0% and 2.1%) energy cane bagasse in terms of both cellulose and hemicellulose digestibilities, respectively. The enhanced digestibilities of IL-treated biomass can be attributed to delignification and reduction of cellulose crystallinity as confirmed by FTIR and XRD analyses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report the fermentative traits of two Kazachstania species (K. aerobia and K. servazzii) in non-sterile red wine and the resulting chemical and sensory properties. This builds on our previous work which revealed that Kazachstania spp. increased acetate esters in sterilised white wine. In this study Kazachstania spp. were initially evaluated in laboratory-scale fermentations (500 mL) in Merlot must to assess whether similar increases in chemical/volatile compounds would occur. The impact of malolactic fermentation (MLF) by Oenococcus oeni (VP41) on aroma composition was considered and found to reduce ester profiles in Merlot wines. The sensory implications of sequential inoculation with Kazachstania spp., followed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae , were then evaluated in small-lot fermentations (7 kg) of Shiraz must. Fungal diversity was monitored during early fermentation stages and was influenced by the early implantation of Kazachstania spp., followed by the dominance of S. cerevisiae. The effect of MLF in Shiraz wines was inconclusive due to high ethanol levels providing an inhospitable environment for lactic acid bacteria. When compared to S. cerevisiae alone, Kazachstania spp. significantly increased acetate esters, particularly phenylethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate, in both Merlot and Shiraz. The Shiraz wines fermented with Kazachstania spp. had higher jammy and red fruit aroma/flavour compared to S. cerevisiae (monoculture) wines. No influence was observed on colour one-year post-bottling. Results from this study show the contribution of Kazachstania spp. to the aroma profile of red wines and demonstrate their potential as starter cultures for improving the aromatic complexity of wines. • Oenological potential of Kazachstania spp. demonstrated in Merlot and Shiraz. • Phenylethyl and isoamyl acetates/alcohols elevated in Kazachstania spp. red wines. • Elevated aroma compounds correlated with improved sensorial qualities of wine. • Kazachstania spp. proliferated in fermentation as sequential cultures in Shiraz must. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In hospitals globally, patient centred communication is difficult to practice, and interpreters are underused. Low uptake of interpreters is commonly attributed to limited interpreter availability, time constraints and that interpreter-medicated communication in healthcare is an aberration. In Australia's Northern Territory at Royal Darwin Hospital, it is estimated around 50% of Aboriginal patients would benefit from an interpreter, yet approximately 17% get access. Recognising this contributes to a culturally unsafe system, Royal Darwin Hospital and the NT Aboriginal Interpreter Service embedded interpreters in a renal team during medical ward rounds for 4 weeks in 2019. This paper explores the attitudinal and behavioural changes that occurred amongst non-Indigenous doctors and Aboriginal language interpreters during the pilot. Methods: This pilot was part of a larger Participatory Action Research study examining strategies to achieve culturally safe communication at Royal Darwin Hospital. Two Yolŋu and two Tiwi language interpreters were embedded in a team of renal doctors. Data sources included interviews with doctors, interpreters, and an interpreter trainer; reflective journals by doctors; and researcher field notes. Inductive thematic analysis, guided by critical theory, was conducted. Results: Before the pilot, frustrated doctors unable to communicate effectively with Aboriginal language speaking patients acknowledged their personal limitations and criticised hospital systems that prioritized perceived efficiency over interpreter access. During the pilot, knowledge of Aboriginal cultures improved and doctors adapted their work routines including lengthening the duration of bed side consults. Furthermore, attitudes towards culturally safe communication in the hospital changed: doctors recognised the limitations of clinically focussed communication and began prioritising patient needs and interpreters who previously felt unwelcome within the hospital reported feeling valued as skilled professionals. Despite these benefits, resistance to interpreter use remained amongst some members of the multi-disciplinary team. Conclusions: Embedding Aboriginal interpreters in a hospital renal team which services predominantly Aboriginal peoples resulted in the delivery of culturally competent care. By working with interpreters, non-Indigenous doctors were prompted to reflect on their attitudes which deepened their critical consciousness resulting in behaviour change. Scale up of learnings from this pilot to broader implementation in the health service is the current focus of ongoing implementation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, interpreters are underused by health providers in hospitals, despite 40 years of evidence documenting benefits to both patients and providers. At Royal Darwin Hospital, in Australia's Northern Territory, 60-90% of patients are Aboriginal, and 60% speak an Aboriginal language, but only approximately 17% access an interpreter. Recognising this system failure, the NT Aboriginal Interpreter Service and Royal Darwin Hospital piloted a new model with interpreters embedded in a renal team during medical ward rounds for 4 weeks in 2019.Methods: This research was embedded in a larger Participatory Action Research study examining cultural safety and communication at Royal Darwin Hospital. Six Aboriginal language speaking patients (five Yolŋu and one Tiwi), three non-Indigenous doctors and five Aboriginal interpreter staff were purposefully sampled. Data sources included participant interviews conducted in either the patient's language or English, researcher field notes from shadowing doctors, doctors' reflective journals, interpreter job logs and patient language lists. Inductive narrative analysis, guided by critical theory and Aboriginal knowledges, was conducted.Results: The hospital experience of Yolŋu and Tiwi participants was transformed through consistent access to interpreters who enabled patients to express their clinical and non-clinical needs. Aboriginal language-speaking patients experienced a transformation to culturally safe care. After initially reporting feeling "stuck" and disempowered when forced to communicate in English, participants reported feeling satisfied with their care and empowered by consistent access to the trusted interpreters, who shared their culture and worldviews. Interpreters also enabled providers to listen to concerns and priorities expressed by patients, which resulted in holistic care to address social determinants of health. This improved patient trajectories and reduced self-discharge rates.Conclusions: A culturally unsafe system which restricted people's ability to receive equitable healthcare in their first language was overturned by embedding interpreters in a renal medical team. This research is the first to demonstrate the importance of consistent interpreter use for providing culturally safe care for Aboriginal patients in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent populations have become increasingly accessible through online data collection methods. Online surveys are advantageous in recruiting adolescent participants and can be designed for adolescents to provide informed consent without the requirement of parental consent. This study sampled 338 Australian adolescents to participate in a low risk online survey on adolescents' experiences and perceptions of their learning in science classes, without parental consent. Adolescents were recruited through Facebook and Instagram advertising. In order to judge potential participants' capacity to consent, two multiple-choice questions about the consent process were required to be answered correctly prior to accessing the survey. This simple strategy effectively determined whether middle adolescents had the capacity to provide informed consent to participate in low risk online educational research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of non- Saccharomyces yeast in conjunction with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in wine fermentation is a growing trend in the wine industry. Non- Saccharomyces , through their distinctive production of secondary metabolites, have the potential to positively contribute to wine sensory profile. To discover new candidate strains for development as starter cultures, indigenous non- Saccharomyces were isolated from un-inoculated fermenting Shiraz musts from a South Australian vineyard (McLaren Vale wine region) and characterised. Among the 77 isolates, 7 species belonging to 5 genera (Kazachstania , Aureobasidium , Meyerozyma , Wickerhamomyces and Torulaspora) were identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer regions of the 5.8S rRNA gene (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region). The indigenous isolates were evaluated for oenological properties, namely, ethanol tolerance, enzyme activity, and H 2 S production. To determine their potential industrial use as starter cultures, representative isolates of each species were assessed in a sterile chemically defined grape juice and Viognier grape juice to evaluate their contribution to fermentation kinetics and production of key metabolites, including volatile compounds. • Indigenous yeast from South Australian Shiraz must were identified by ITS-PCR. • Oenological attributes (aroma, enzymes, ethanol tolerance, etc.) were characterised. • Kazachstania , Wickerhamomyces and Torulaspora isolates were sequentially fermented. • Phenylethyl and isoamyl acetate/alcohol levels were elevated in Kazachstania spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe oenological conditions, such as limited assimilable nitrogen and high sugar contents restrict yeast’s ability to successfully complete fermentation. In the absence of a comprehensive commercially available deletion collection in a wine yeast background, a screening approach was applied to a transposon library in a wine yeast derivative to identify clones with superior fermentation performance. Five candidate genes, when disrupted by Ty insertion, were identified as enabling yeast to efficiently complete a model oenological fermentation with limited nitrogen availability. Analogous single gene disruptions were subsequently constructed in the haploid wine yeast strain C911D, and the performance of these during fermentation was analysed. Deletion of ECM33 resulted in the shortest fermentation (up to 31% reduction) in both synthetic medium and grape juice. Interestingly, no significant differences were found in nitrogen utilization, cell viability or biomass yield between ∆ ecm33 and the wild type. ∆ ecm33 did, however, display growth hypersensitivity to the dyes Calcofluor White and Congo Red, suggesting a link to cell wall integrity. Transcriptional profiling of ∆ ecm33 during fermentation demonstrated the up-regulation of SLT2 and HOG1 , encoding mitogen activated protein kinases involved in the cell wall integrity (CWI) and high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathways, respectively. CHS3 a major chitin synthase gene was also found to be upregulated, and the transcript abundance of key genes of central nitrogen metabolism, GLN1 , GLT1 , GDH1 and GDH2 in mutant ∆ ecm33 were also altered. The findings highlight the complexity of the robust fermentation phenotype and provide clues for further improvement of industrial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysulfide degradation in wine can result in hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) release, imparting a rotten-egg smell that is detrimental to wine quality. Although the presence of wine polysulfides has been demonstrated, their biogenesis remains unclear. This study investigated the role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in polysulfide formation during fermentation, with and without 5 mM cysteine supplementation as an H 2 S source. Using an established liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, monobromobimane derivatives of hydropolysulfides, including CysSSSH, CysSSSSH and GSSSSH, and two oxidized polysulfides, GSSG and GSSSSG, were detected in yeast cells at the end of fermentation in a grape juice-like medium. Polysulfide production by four S. cerevisiae single deletion mutants (BY4743 Δ cys3 , Δ cys4 , Δ met17 and Δ tum1) showed no significant differences compared to BY4743, suggesting that uncharacterized pathways maintain cellular polysulfide homeostasis. Five mM cysteine addition increased the formation of shorter sulfur chain species, including GSS-bimane and GSSG, but did not elevate levels of longer sulfur chain species. Additionally, polysulfides with even numbers of sulfur atoms tended to predominate in cellular lysates. Oxidized polysulfides and longer chain hydropolysulfides were not detected in finished wines. This evidence suggests that these polysulfides are unstable in wine-like environments or not transported extracellularly. Collectively, our data illustrate the complexity of yeast polysulfide metabolism under fermentation conditions. • Hydro- and oxidized polysulfides were identified inside yeast cells post-fermentation. • Polysulfide production within sulfur pathway mutants and wild type was comparable. • Supplementation with high cysteine increased short chain polysulfide formation. • Polysulfides with even numbered sulfur atoms dominated in cells and finished wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Active support is being introduced in many residential and respite homes in an effort to improve engagement in meaningful activity of people with intellectual disability. Method A train-the-trainer approach was used in a large government organisation that supports people with intellectual disability in Australia. Five apprentice trainers were trained to provide active support training to 65 staff associated with 6 group homes. These 5 trainers were then monitored to provide training to 54 staff in another 6 group homes. Staff evaluated their interactive training experiences, and pre and post outcome data were collected for a small number of service users from the second set of group homes, along with staff outcome data regarding residential working practices, group home management, and staffing practices. Results The train-the-trainer model proved to be an effective strategy for training large numbers of staff. The interactive training component was particularly effective and was associated with improvements in service user engagement in domestic tasks and decreased depression levels. Staff job satisfaction increased and significant improvements were recorded in residential working practices. Conclusions Active support training is an effective strategy for empowering staff to better support people with an intellectual disability to be meaningfully engaged in daily activities. There are implications for organisations related to ongoing implementation and practice improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether people born in other countries had higher rates of death and hospitalization due to road crashes than people born in Australia. Data on deaths that occurred in the whole of Australia between 1994 and 1997 and hospitalizations that occurred in the state of New South Wales, Australia, between 1 July 1995 and 30 June 1997 due to road crashes were analyzed. The rates of death and hospitalization, adjusted for age and area of residence, were calculated using population data from the 1996 Australian census. The study categorized people born in other countries according to the language (English speaking, non-English speaking) and the road convention (left-hand side, right-hand side) of their country of birth. Australia has the left-hand side driving convention. The study found that drivers born in other countries had rates of death or hospitalization due to road trauma equal to or below those of Australian born drivers. In contrast, pedestrians born in other countries, especially older pedestrians had higher rates of death and hospitalization due to road crashes. Pedestrians aged 60 years or more born in non-English speaking countries where traffic travels on the right-hand side of the road had risks about twice those of Australian born pedestrians in the same age group. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Kazachstania aerobia and Kazachstania servazzii can affect wine aroma by increasing acetate ester concentrations, most remarkably phenylethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate. The genetic basis of this is unknown, there being little to no sequence data available on the genome architecture. We report for the first time the near-complete genome sequence of the two species using long-read (PacBio) sequencing ( K. aerobia 20 contigs, one scaffold; and K. servazzii 22 contigs, one scaffold). The annotated genomes of K. aerobia (12.5 Mb) and K. servazzii (12.3 Mb) were compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae genomes (laboratory strain S288C and wine strain EC1118). Whilst a comparison of the two Kazachstania spp. genomes revealed few differences between them, divergence was evident in relation to the genes involved in ester biosynthesis, for which gene duplications or absences were apparent. The annotations of these genomes are valuable resources for future research into the evolutionary biology of Kazachstania and other yeast species (comparative genomics) as well as understanding the metabolic processes associated with alcoholic fermentation and the production of secondary 'aromatic' metabolites (transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics).

A key driver of quality in wines is the microbial population that undertakes fermentation of grape must. Winemakers can utilise both indigenous and purposefully inoculated yeasts to undertake alcoholic fermentation, imparting wines with aromas, flavours and palate structure and in many cases contributing to complexity and uniqueness. Importantly, having a toolbox of microbes helps winemakers make best use of the grapes they are presented with, and tackle fermentation difficulties with flexibility and efficiency. Each year the number of strains available commercially expands and more recently, includes strains of non-Saccharomyces, strains that have been improved using both classical and modern yeast technology and mixed cultures. Here we review what is available commercially, and what may be in the future, by exploring recent advances in fermentation relevant strain improvement technologies. We also report on the current use of microbes in the Australian wine industry, as reported by winemakers, as well as regulations around, and sentiment about the potential use of genetically modified organisms in the future., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS.)

Background: Insulinoma is an uncommon insulin-secreting neuroendocrine tumor that presents with severe recurrent hypoglycemia. Although cases of extrapancreatic insulinomas have been reported, the majority of insulinomas occur in the pancreas. The number of reported cases of ectopic insulinomas with follow-up assessments is limited and they do not report disease recurrence. The current report presents the first documented case of recurrent extrapancreatic insulinoma with 8 years of follow-up, provides relevant literature review, and proposes surveillance and treatment strategies., Case Presentation: We describe an insulinoma localized in the duodenal wall of a 36-year-old female who presented in 2013 with weight gain and Whipple's triad and was successfully managed with duodenotomy and enucleation. She presented again in 2017 with recurrent Whipple's triad and was found to have metastatic disease localized exclusively to peripancreatic lymph nodes. Primary pancreatic insulinoma was not evident and her hypoglycemia resolved following lymph node dissection. Eight years after initial presentation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) showed a trend for euglycemia, and PET-CT Gallium 68 DOTATATE scan evaluation indicated absence of recurrent disease., Conclusion: Insulinomas are rare clinical entities and extrapancreatic insulinomas are particularly uncommon. Follow-up evaluation and treatment strategies for ectopic insulinoma recurrence presents a significant clinical challenge as the condition has hitherto remained undescribed in the literature. Available evidence in the literature indicates that lymph node metastases of intrapancreatic insulinomas likely do not change prognosis. Given the absence of long-term data informing the management and monitoring of patients with extrapancreatic insulinoma, we suggest patient education for hypoglycemic symptoms, monitoring for hypoglycemia with CGM, annual imaging, and a discussion with patients regarding treatment with octreotide or alternative somatostatin receptor analog therapies., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

In winemaking, slow or stuck alcoholic fermentation can impact processing efficiency and wine quality. Residual fructose in the later stages of fermentation can leave the wine 'out of specification' unless removed, which requires reinoculation or use of a more fructophilic yeast. As such, robust, fermentation efficient strains are still highly desirable to reduce this risk. We report on a combined EMS mutagenesis and Directed Evolution (DE) approach as a 'proof of concept' to improve fructose utilization and decrease fermentation duration. One evolved isolate, Tee 9, was evaluated against the parent, AWRI 796 in defined medium (CDGJM) and Semillon juice. Interestingly, Tee 9 exhibited improved fermentation in CDGJM at several nitrogen contents, but not in juice. Genomic comparison between AWRI 796 and Tee 9 identified 371 mutations, but no chromosomal copy number variation. A total of 95 noncoding and 276 coding mutations were identified in 297 genes (180 of which encode proteins with one or more substitutions). Whilst introduction of two of these, Gid7 (E726K) or Fba1 (G135S), into AWRI 796 did not lead to the fermentation improvement seen in Tee 9, similar allelic swaps with the other mutations are needed to understand Tee 9's adaption to CDGJM. Furthermore, the 378 isolates, potentially mutagenized but with the same genetic background, are likely a useful resource for future phenotyping and genome-wide association studies., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS.)

The widespread existence of bacteriophage has been of great interest to the biological research community and ongoing investigations continue to explore their diversity and role. They have also attracted attention and in-depth research in connection to fermented food processing, in particular from the dairy and wine industries. Bacteriophage, mostly oenophage, may in fact be a 'double edged sword' for winemakers: whilst they have been implicated as a causal agent of difficulties with malolactic fermentation (although not proven), they are also beginning to be considered as alternatives to using sulphur dioxide to prevent wine spoilage. Investigation and characterisation of oenophage of Oenococcus oeni, the main species used in winemaking, are still limited compared to lactococcal bacteriophage of Lactococcus lactis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formally Lactobacillus plantarum), the drivers of most fermented dairy products. Interestingly, these strains are also being used or considered for use in winemaking. In this review, the genetic diversity and life cycle of phage, together with the debate on the consequent impact of phage predation in wine, and potential control strategies are discussed. KEY POINTS: • Bacteriophage detected in wine are diverse. • Many lysogenic bacteriophage are found in wine bacteria. • Phage impact on winemaking can depend on the stage of the winemaking process. • Bacteriophage as potential antimicrobial agents against spoilage organisms., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

When investigating yeast gene function in relation to fermentation, many screens rely on haploid yeast derivatives. This, however, is not representative of industrial strains, which are typically diploid. One such example is the disruption of ECM33, which was associated with improved fermentation in the haploid wine yeast C911D, but remains uncharacterised in a diploid industrial strain background. We report on the homozygous disruption of ECM33 in Lalvin EC1118 using CRISPR/Cas9. EC1118 ecm33 resulted in a reduction of fermentation duration in a defined medium with limiting and sufficient nitrogen (-20% and -13%, respectively) when shaken. Increased cell size and aggregation, a phenotype previously unidentified in ecm33∆ as haploid yeast tend to aggregate, was also observed. This phenotype led to premature settling thereby the yeast behaving similarly to EC1118 in wine-like semi-static fermentations in a chemically defined medium. Further assessment in semi-static Riesling and Chardonnay fermentations inoculated based on cell number or biomass resulted in no significant difference or significantly slower fermentation duration in comparison the EC1118, nullifying the benefits of this mutation unless agitation is applied. This study draws attention to phenotypes being condition-dependent, highlighting the need to characterise and verify fermentation efficiency mutations in industrial yeast., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Hydrogen sulfide is a common wine fault, with a rotten-egg odour, which is directly related to yeast metabolism in response to nitrogen and sulfur availability. In grape juice, sulfate is the most abundant inorganic sulfur compound, which is taken up by yeast through two high-affinity sulfate transporters, Sul1p and Sul2p, and a low affinity transporter, Soa1p. Sulfate contributes to H 2 S production under nitrogen limitation, by being reduced via the Sulfur Assimilation Pathway (SAP). Therefore, yeast strains with limited H 2 S are highly desirable. We report on the use of toxic analogues of sulfate following ethyl methane sulfate treatment, to isolate six wine yeast mutants that produce no or reduced H 2 S and SO 2 during fermentation in synthetic and natural juice. Four amino acid substitutions (A99V, G380R, N588K and E856K) in Sul1p were found in all strains except D25-1 which had heterozygous alleles. Two changes were also identified in Sul2p (L268S and A470T). The Sul1p (G380R) and Sul2p (A470T) mutations were chosen for further investigation as these residues are conserved amongst SLC26 membrane proteins (including sulfate permeases). The mutations were introduced into EC1118 using Crispr cas9 technology and shown to reduce accumulation of H 2 S and do not result in increased SO 2 production during fermentation of model medium (chemically defined grape juice) or Riesling juice. The Sul1p (G380R) and Sul2p (A470T) mutations are newly reported as causal mutations. Our findings contribute to knowledge of the genetic basis of H 2 S production as well as the potential use of these strains for winemaking and in yeast breeding programmes., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

'Microbial terroir' relates to the influence of autochthonous yeasts associated with a grape cultivar on the resultant wine. Geographic region, vineyard site and topography, climate and vintage influence the biodiversity of these microbial communities. Current research focus attempts to correlate their 'microbial fingerprint' to the sensorial and chemical characteristics of varietal wines from distinct geographical wine regions. This study focuses on the minor red grape variety, Negro Saurí, which has seen a resurgence in the León Appellation of Origin in Spain as a varietal wine. An experimental vineyard at Melgarajo S.A. (42° 15' 48.68_N 5° 9' 56.66_W) was sampled over four consecutive vintages, with autochthonous yeasts being isolated from grapes, must and pilot-scale un-inoculated fermentations, and identified by ITS sequencing. Forty-nine isolates belonging to Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Lachancea thermotolerans, Hanseniaspora uvarum and Torulaspora delbrueckii were isolated from grapes and must, and early stages of fermentation dependent on seasonal variation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae predominated throughout fermentation, as a heterogeneous and dynamic population, with seven major biotypes identified amongst 110 isolates across four consecutive vintages. Twenty-four S. cerevisiae isolates representing five strains dominated in two or more vintages. Their persistence through fermentation warrants further validation of their oenological properties as starter cultures.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has recently emerged as a pandemic associated with severe neuropathology in newborns and adults. There are no ZIKV-specific treatments or preventatives. Therefore, the development of a safe and effective vaccine is a high priority. Messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as a versatile and highly effective platform to deliver vaccine antigens and therapeutic proteins. Here we demonstrate that a single low-dose intradermal immunization with lipid-nanoparticle-encapsulated nucleoside-modified mRNA (mRNA-LNP) encoding the pre-membrane and envelope glycoproteins of a strain from the ZIKV outbreak in 2013 elicited potent and durable neutralizing antibody responses in mice and non-human primates. Immunization with 30 μg of nucleoside-modified ZIKV mRNA-LNP protected mice against ZIKV challenges at 2 weeks or 5 months after vaccination, and a single dose of 50 μg was sufficient to protect non-human primates against a challenge at 5 weeks after vaccination. These data demonstrate that nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP elicits rapid and durable protective immunity and therefore represents a new and promising vaccine candidate for the global fight against ZIKV.

This study compares the environmental hazard burden experienced by Blacks, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Whites in each of the 329 metropolitan areas in the continental United States, using toxicity-weighted air pollutant concentration data drawn from the Environmental Protection Agency's Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators project to determine whether and to what degree environmental inequality exists in each of these metropolitan areas. After demonstrating that environmental inequality outcomes vary widely across metropolitan areas and that each group in the analysis experiences a high pollution disadvantage in multiple metropolitan areas and a medium pollution disadvantage in many metropolitan areas, the authors test three hypotheses that make predictions about the role that residential segregation and racial income inequality play in producing environmental inequality. Using logistic regression models to test these hypotheses, the authors find that residential segregation and racial income inequality are relatively poor predictors of environmental inequality outcomes, that residential segregation can increase and decrease racial/ethnic group proximity to environmental hazards, and that the roles income inequality and residential segregation play in producing environmental inequality vary from one racial/ethnic group to another.

The radial artery (RA) pressure waveform is commonly used to reconstruct the central aortic pressure waveform. Because the RA pressure waveform has been used as input to this process, its features that are dependent on the local arterial properties can influence the final reconstructed aortic waveform. In this study, we determined the effects of altered upper limb pulse wave velocity (PWV) and local wave reflection parameters on RA pressure waveform augmentation (RA-AIx). Twenty healthy volunteers (10 men) between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age were recruited. Simultaneous pressure waveforms were acquired using arterial tonometers from the right carotid and the radial arteries, prior to and following tourniquet induced hyperemia. The phase velocities from the pressure wave transfer function were used to estimate the pulse wave velocity (PWV(infinity)), the local reflection coefficient (Gamma) and an estimate of the terminal impedance of the upper limbs, PWV(0+). The RA-AIx was represented as a linear, three-parameter model that included the input (the AIx of the carotid artery pressure waveform, CA-AIx), the Gamma and PWV(infinity) of the arm. Tourniquet induced hyperemia did not alter Gamma but reduced PWV(infinity), and PWV(0+) and increased RA-AIx. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that RA-AIx was increased by high levels of CA-AIx and PWV(infinity) and decreased by elevated Gamma. The relative weighing of CA-AIx, Gamma and PWV(infinity) on RA-AIx were 3:2:1, respectively. The AIx of RA is determined to an equal extent by the input and local factors. Interpretation of the AIx of the RA and the reconstructed central aortic waveform should be made in the context of this relationship.

Lack of highly effective and safe therapeutics for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection provides an opportunity as well as a challenge to discover novel and potent anti-HCV drugs. HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is responsible for viral genome replication and thus constitutes a valid target for therapeutic intervention. To date, numerous HCV NS5B RdRp inhibitors have been discovered. This review focuses on the recent advances in discovery, mechanism of action studies and biological characterization of several distinct classes of potent inhibitors for NS5B RdRp. The clinical efficacy and developmental status of several promising compounds are also outlined.

We previously reported that fatty alcohol phosphates (FAP) represent a minimal pharmacophore required to interact with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors. To improve the activity of the first-generation saturated FAP series, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was carried out that includes modifications to the headgroup and alkyl side chain of the FAP pharmacophore. A series of unsaturated (C(10)-C(18)) FAP, headgroup-modified hydrolytically stable saturated (C(10)-C(18)) alkyl phosphonates, and saturated and unsaturated (C(10)-C(18)) thiophosphate analogues were synthesized and evaluated for activity in RH7777 cells transfected with individual LPA(1)(-3) receptors, in PC-3 cells and in human platelets that endogenously express all three isoforms. In this series we identified several LPA(1)- and LPA(3)-selective antagonists with IC(50) values in the nanomolar range. Oleoyl-thiophosphate (15g) was shown to be a pan-agonist, whereas tetradecyl-phosphonate (16c) was identified as a pan-antagonist. These compounds were also tested for the ability to activate the transcription factor PPARgamma, an intracellular receptor for LPA, in CV1 cells transfected with the PPRE-Acox-Rluc reporter gene. All the FAP tested, along with the previously reported LPA GPCR antagonists dioctanoyl glycerol pyrophosphate (2), Ki16425 (6), and the agonist OMPT (3), were activators of PPARgamma. The pan-agonist oleoyl-thiophosphate (15g) and pan-antagonist tetradecyl-phosphonate (16c) mimicked LPA in inhibiting autotaxin, a secreted lysophospholipase D that produces LPA in biological fluids.