Optimization of laccase production in white-rot fungi has been extensively studied. Metallic and aromatic compounds have been found to enhance enzyme production, but the development of bioremediation ...as an application field of this enzyme requires clean technologies. In this work, co-cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum and Trametes versicolor was performed, showing remarkable enhancement of laccase activity. Dual cultures were assayed for malachite green degradation (MG) in solid state fermentation (SSF) using a sawdust-based medium. The time for achieving complete decolorization of MG in co-cultivation was markedly shorter than that observed in monocultures. Dual-species treatment did not differ in wood dry weight loss and lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose degradation, compared to monocultures; but the selectivity index (lignin loss/cellulose loss) of dual cultures was markedly higher than those attained by monocultures. Moreover, a modified isoenzymatic laccase pattern was observed, showing one isoenzyme that was absent in monocultures. Dual cultures were able to decolorize and detoxify the dye more efficiently than the monocultures. The noticeable increase in laccase activity along with the more efficient decolorization and detoxification of MG by co-cultures of G. lucidum and T. versicolor in SSF makes this system a viable strategy for large scale application of white-rot cultures in bioremediation.
•An enhancement of laccase activity was achieved by dual cultures.•Complete decolorization of malachite green in co-cultivation was faster than in monocultures.•Selectivity index (lignin loss/cellulose loss) of dual cultures was also markedly higher.•A modified isoenzymatic laccase pattern was observed in dual cultures.•Dual cultures were able to decolorize and detoxify the dye more efficiently than the monocultures.
The global rise in urbanization and industrial activity has led to the production and incorporation of foreign contaminant molecules into ecosystems, distorting them and impacting human and animal ...health. Physical, chemical, and biological strategies have been adopted to eliminate these contaminants from water bodies under anthropogenic stress. Biotechnological processes involving microorganisms and enzymes have been used for this purpose; specifically, laccases, which are broad spectrum biocatalysts, have been used to degrade several compounds, such as those that can be found in the effluents from industries and hospitals. Laccases have shown high potential in the biotransformation of diverse pollutants using crude enzyme extracts or free enzymes. However, their application in bioremediation and water treatment at a large scale is limited by the complex composition and high salt concentration and pH values of contaminated media that affect protein stability, recovery and recycling. These issues are also associated with operational problems and the necessity of large-scale production of laccase. Hence, more knowledge on the molecular characteristics of water bodies is required to identify and develop new laccases that can be used under complex conditions and to develop novel strategies and processes to achieve their efficient application in treating contaminated water. Recently, stability, efficiency, separation and reuse issues have been overcome by the immobilization of enzymes and development of novel biocatalytic materials. This review provides recent information on laccases from different sources, their structures and biochemical properties, mechanisms of action, and application in the bioremediation and biotransformation of contaminant molecules in water. Moreover, we discuss a series of improvements that have been attempted for better organic solvent tolerance, thermo-tolerance, and operational stability of laccases, as per process requirements.
Characterize performance for adults aged 20 to 79 years with normal hearing on tasks of AzBio, Bamford-Kowal-Bench speech-in-noise (BKB-SIN), quick speech-in-noise (QuickSIN), and acoustic Quick ...Spectral Modulation Detection (QSMD) in the sound field.
Cochlear implant (CI) program.
Eighty-one adults with normal hearing and cognitive function were recruited evenly across four age groups (20-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-79 yr).
Subjects completed AzBio sentence recognition testing in quiet and in five signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs: +10, +5, 0, -5, -10 dB), as well as the BKB-SIN, QuickSIN, and QSMD tasks.
AzBio, BKB-SIN, QuickSIN, and acoustic QSMD scores were analyzed to characterize typical sound field performance in an older adult population with normal hearing.
AzBio sentence recognition performance approached ceiling for sentences presented at ≥ 0 dB SNR with mean scores ranging from 3.5% at -10 dB SNR to 99% at +10 dB SNR. Mean QuickSIN SNR-50 was -0.02. Mean BKB-SIN SNR-50 was -1.31 dB. Mean acoustic QSMD score was 88%. Performance for all measures decreased with age.
Adults with age-normative hearing achieve ceiling-level performance for AzBio sentence recognition at SNRs used for clinical cochlear implant and/or hearing aid testing. Thus, these tasks are not inherently contraindicated for older listeners. Older adults with normal hearing, however, demonstrated greater deficits for speech in noise compared to younger listeners-an effect most pronounced at negative SNRs. Lastly, BKB-SIN data obtained in the sound field replicated previous normative data for only the youngest age group, suggesting that new norms should be considered for older populations.
The effect of amino acids, complex nitrogen sources and vitamin addition on Trametes trogii, Trametes villosa and Coriolus versicolor var. antarcticus ligninolytic enzyme production, was evaluated. ...Dye decolorization by their culture filtrates was compared. Glutamic acid followed by peptone, were the best N sources for laccase and manganese peroxidase production. The three fungi produced two laccase isoenzymes (molecular weights from 38 up to 150kDa); their pattern of production was not affected by medium composition. Although the response was not uniform, vitamin addition sometimes stimulated ligninolytic enzyme production, but never inhibited it. Thiamine induced manganese peroxidase production. T. trogii grown in glutamic acid produced culture filtrates with the highest laccase (188.3 U/ml) and manganese peroxidase activities (4.5 U/ml), rendering the best results in decolorization. These crude filtrates were able to decolorize in half hour (at pH 4.5, 30°C): 13%, 23%, 40%, 46%, 82%, 94% and 95% of Gentian Violet, Xylidine, Congo Red, Malachite Green, Remazol Brilliant Blue R, Indigo Carmine and Anthraquinone Blue, respectively.
Transition from pediatric to adult care is a critical component of health care for children with long-term needs. The characteristics of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) demand higher than average levels ...of provider support. There is consensus among health care professionals regarding the importance of transition; however, there is a scarcity of practical information regarding models for patients with EB.
To review transition of care programs in varying specialties. Highlight practical considerations to facilitate the development of programs for patients with EB and other complex dermatologic conditions.
Articles were identified via MEDLINE and EMBASE health literature databases and screened for relevance to transition of care.
Various models for transition exist. A well-executed formal transition program, early introduction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and psychosocial support were themes associated with successful outcomes.
Transition of care programs that have not been described in the literature are not reflected in this review.
Patients with EB have unique needs that affect transition and span expertise across traditional boundaries, such as dependency on others for daily skin care, failure to thrive, and risk of squamous cell carcinoma. Given the rarity of the disease, patients with EB will benefit from collaborative efforts to develop programs to optimize successful transition.
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“How to” skin care manuals assist health care professionals caring for hospitalized patients with epidermolysis bullosa and other disorders. Manuals created by Epidermolysis Bullosa Clinical Research ...Consortium sites were collected and analyzed. Analysis of manuals revealed variable content. Creating a unified, optimized “how” to manual would benefit providers and patients.
The aim of this study was to investigate the bioremediation potential of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil, mimicking three strategies: (a) mycoaugmentation: by the addition of Trametes ...sanguinea and Pleurotus sajor-caju co-cultures immobilized on sugarcane bagasse; (b) biostimulation: by supplementation of sugarcane bagasse; and (c) natural attenuation: no amendments. The experiments were done in microcosms using Ultisol soil. Remediation effectiveness was assessed based on pollutants content, soil characteristics, and ecotoxicological tests. Biostimulation and mycoaugmentation demonstrated the highest PCBs-removal (approx. 90%) with a significant toxicity reduction at 90 d. The studied strains were able to survive during the incubation period in non-sterilized soil. Laccase, manganese-peroxidase and endoxylanase activities increased significantly in co-cultures after 60 d. Sugarcane bagasse demonstrated to be not only a suitable support for fungal immobilization but also an efficient substrate for fungal colonization of PCBs-contaminated soils. Mycoaugmentation and biostimulation with sugarcane bagasse improved oxidable organic matter and phosphorous contents as well as dehydrogenase activity in soil. Therefore, biostimulation with sugarcane bagasse and mycoaugmentation applying dual white-rot fungal cultures constitute two efficient bioremediation alternatives to restore PCBs-contaminated soils.
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•White-rot fungal co-cultures removed 91% of PCBs in soil after 90 days.•Laccase, Mn-peroxidase and endoxylanase enzymes increased in dual cultures.•Sugarcane bagasse biostimulation led to efficient PCBs-removal as well.•Both treatments improved soil characteristics and decreased PCBs toxicity.
This study assessed the strength of military-related concussion-, psychological-, and behavioral-related measures to predict neurobehavioral symptom (NBS) reporting in order to help clarify the ...extent to which persistent NBS reflect lingering effects of concussion vs other psychological/behavioral factors among veterans.
Baseline analysis included 351 consecutively enrolled veterans in the Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders longitudinal cohort study. One hundred eighty-six returned for a follow-up evaluation averaging 24 months post baseline. The Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) was used to measure NBS reporting. Predictor variables included diagnosis of military-related mild traumatic brain injury (M-mTBI), psychological measures, including posttraumatic stress disorder, mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders, and behavioral measures, including self-reported current pain and sleep impairment. Hierarchical and multivariable regression analyses examined the relationships between the predictor variables and NSI scores. The
-fold cross-validation assessed generalizability and validity of the regressions.
Baseline analysis revealed that psychological and behavioral conditions independently accounted for 42.5% of variance in the NSI total score compared to 1.5% for M-mTBI after controlling for psychological and behavioral conditions. Prospective analysis revealed that M-mTBI at baseline did not significantly predict NSI score at follow-up, while psychological and behavioral measures at baseline independently accounted for 24.5% of NSI variance. Posttraumatic stress disorder was the most consistent predictor. Cross-validation analyses supported generalizability of the results.
Psychological and behavioral-related measures are strong predictors of persistent NBS reporting in veterans, while M-mTBI is negligible. NBS more likely reflect influential comorbidities as opposed to brain injury, per se.
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