Strain Improvement Research Articles

A quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing service strain and improving physician wellness in internal medicine

IntroductionHospital strain has been shown to negatively impact physician wellness, educational experience, and patient care. To address rising service demands, a non-academic hospitalist service was implemented to reduce daily clinical teaching unit (CTU) census by approximately 30%. Secondary aims were to evaluate physician and trainee wellness on CTU as well as assess unintended adverse patient outcomes.MethodsA two-phase intervention was implemented at one of two academic hospital campuses in January and April 2023. Mean daily census, mortality, 30-day readmissions, and length of stay (LOS) were obtained from an administrative database for the pre-study (October to December 2022) and study (January to December 2023) periods. The Mini-Z physician wellness survey was administered in March, June and December 2023. Data were analyzed by quarters using descriptive statistics as well as parametric and non-parametric testing, and a reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken.ResultsA CTU census trough of 71.3 was briefly attained in the second quarter of 2023 but increased to 78.6 in the fourth quarter of 2023, while remaining below pre-intervention levels. The proportion of attendings and residents reporting burnout was significantly different at the intervention (65.2%, n = 15/23) versus non-intervention site (94.1%, n = 16/17) in Q4 2023 (p = 0.033). Burnout was positively correlated with daily CTU census across both sites (r = 0.906). There were no differences in proportion of in-hospital mortality (p = 0.854), 30-day readmissions (p = 0.262), or LOS (p = 0.977) between the pre- and post-implementation periods. Qualitative analysis identified the hospitalist program as beneficial, but inadequate to address workload, education challenges, and patient safety concerns.ConclusionThe addition of a non-academic hospitalist service reduced CTU census numbers and improved burnout, but the improvement in service strain was limited by rising admissions. Multifaceted approaches to wellness are needed, but this study supports ongoing endeavors aimed at reducing clinical workload to optimize the clinical teaching environment.

Impact of blood pressure management on cardiac mechanics and vascular function in patients with resistant hypertension- a longitudinal study

Abstract Introduction Resistant hypertension (RH) has been associated with increased arterial stiffness, impaired endothelial function, and abnormalities in cardiac mechanics. However, the impact of intensified blood pressure (BP) management on improving arterial stiffness, endothelial function, and especially left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) mechanics in patients with RH remains unknown. Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the effects of intensified BP management on LV and LA mechanics, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function in people living with RH. Methods A prospective longitudinal study in which 16 RH patients (mean age 61±12 years; 37.5% females) were followed up for eight weeks after the intensification of antihypertensive treatment was initiated in a specialised hypertension clinic. Participants underwent anthropometric assessment, office and central BP measurements, pulse wave analysis to assess arterial stiffness determined by aortic augmentation index (AIx), brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) to assess endothelial function, transthoracic echocardiography, and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography analysis to assess LV and LA mechanics. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were utilised to compare parametric data and non-parametric data, respectively. Results Following 8-weeks of optimising antihypertensive treatment, patients with RH demonstrated a reduction in both office systolic and diastolic BP (change of -16/-12 mmHg, P<0.001) and central systolic and diastolic BP (change of -17/-6 mmHg, P=0.002). RH patients exhibited reduced AIx (Baseline: 24.7% [21.7 – 35.0] vs follow-up: 16.7% [14.0 – 22.5], P<0.001) as well as improved FMD response compared to baseline (Baseline: 3.1±1.7% vs follow-up: 5.1±1.9%, P<0.001). Improvements in LV peak systolic global longitudinal strain (Baseline: -16.6±1.9% vs follow-up: -18.6±2.2%, P<0.001), circumferential strain (Baseline: -18.1±3.7% vs follow-up: -19.8±3.4%, P=0.002), and radial strain (Baseline: 32.3±8.2% vs follow-up: 35.1±7.3%, P<0.001) were also observed. No differences were detected in LV twist (Baseline: 10.6±2.9° vs follow-up: 10.0±2.3°, P=0.24). For the LA longitudinal strain indices, notable enhancements only in the LA reservoir strain (Baseline: 24.5±6.4% vs follow-up: 28.6±6.6%, P<0.001) and conduit strain (Baseline: -12.7±5.2% vs follow-up: -15.3±5.9%, P=0.009) were evident, with no difference in the LA contractile strain, compared to baseline (Baseline: -11.9% [-13.5 – -8.5] vs follow-up: -12.5% [-15.2 – -10.5] P=0.12) (Table 1). Conclusion Intensive BP management in patients with RH was effective in improving LV and LA mechanics, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function. These novel data identify important mechanistic effects of intensive BP treatment but also highlight the need for future studies to determine whether their improvements are associated with better clinical outcomes.

Effectiveness of cardiovascular rehabilitation programs among patients with heart failure based on myocardial deformation and atrial function echocardiographic predictors

Abstract Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) plays an important role in heart failure (HF) contributing to stopping functional decline, relieving symptoms and increasing quality of life in combination with optimal therapeutic management. Purpose We aimed to evaluate the impact of participating in a CR program after 6 months in terms of biological (N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], inflammatory biomarkers) and echocardiographic parameters (left and right ventricle global longitudinal [LV, RV GLS], left atrial strain) with a prognostic role in HF. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study on 105 patients with HF admitted to a center specialized in CR programs. Based on functional status at enrolment assessed on the NYHA class, we divided the patients into two groups: with mild and moderate functional limitation (NYHA I-II class) (n=70) and with severe functional limitation (NYHA III class) (n=35) respectively. Results We analyzed demographics, anthropometrics, clinical and paraclinical parameters, with a focus on echocardiographic parameters of biventricular and atrial systolic function. Both at enrollment and at the 6-month assessment, functional status was assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). At the 6-month follow-up patients in the second group had superior improvement in biological (p=0.039 for NT-proBNP) and echocardiographic parameters (p=0.041 for LV GLS, p=0.035 for RV GLS, p=0.017 for left atrial strain) compared to baseline. In the second group, LV GLS values were statistically significantly correlated with NT-proBNP (p=0.023), peak oxygen uptake (p=0.041) and maximum walking distance (p=0.031). RV GLS also positively correlated with peak oxygen uptake (p=0.017) at the follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that biventricular and atrial systolic function parameters amelioration are echocardiographic predictors for increased cardiorespiratory fitness. Lack of LV GLS and left atrial strain improvement in patients with severe functional limitation (group 2) is a negative predictor (AUC = 0.811, p = 0.015 for LV GLS and AUC = 0.649, p = 0.022 for left atrial strain). Conclusion(s) CR programs improve systolic dysfunction and atrial function in HF patients. Improvement of LV and RV GLS as well as left atrial strain can be used as echocardiographic markers of better cardiorespiratory fitness 6 months after the start of the CR program.

Effects of exogenous additives on growth and high-value bioproducts accumulation of microalgae

With the rapid development of synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and molecular manipulation methods in recent years, microalgae, as representatives of microbial cell factories, have been widely used as hosts in the production of high-value bioproducts, such as oils, pigments, proteins, and biofuels, demonstrating promising prospects of application in biochemical energy, food and drugs, and environmental protection. Despite these advancements, the low production efficiency of microalgae limits their industrial application. In addition to strain improvement and culture condition optimization, the regulation by exogenous chemical additives serves as a promising optimization strategy. This method relies on straightforward phenotypic screening and circumvents the necessity for intricate understanding of molecular targets in the metabolic and catabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of bioproducts. It enables rapid yield increasing of high-value bioproducts from microalgae and obtaining the required phenotypes. Although studies have reported the use of alternatives means such as exogenous additives to improve the growth of microalgae and the yield of high-value bioproducts, the classification and summarization of the types, applications, targeted strains, and molecular mechanisms of these additives are not comprehensive. Here, we review the studies using chemical inducers or enhancers to improve cell growth and high-value bioproduct accumulation in microalgae in recent years. This paper focuses on the types of exogenous additives, the effects of exogenous additives and their combinations on microalgae growth and high-value bioproduct accumulation, and the molecular mechanisms of related effects. We aim to provide information for researchers to use methods of synthetic biology to develop suitable cell chassis and harness microalgae for industrial production.

Synthesis and Characterization of DOPO Modified Tetraglycidyl Eugenol Cyclic Siloxane Resins Cured with Tannic Acid

AbstractIn this work, a tetra glycidyl eugenol cyclic siloxane resin (TGED4) is synthesized, then further modified with 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenathrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) to produce Si and P epoxy resins. After blending with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and curing with tannic acid (TA), high performance, fire‐retardant polymer networks are created. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) confirms the networks are highly cured and have low extractable content, while dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) displays a lower Tg and heterogeneous network with increasing DOPO. The networks display a maximum improvement in flexural modulus, strength, and strain to failure of 20.6%, 55.5%, and 78.8% respectively, and at 65.4 MPa strength and 2.8 GPa modulus are comparable to high‐performance networks. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that increasing P reduces thermal stability, but contributes to higher char yield despite lower Si. The fire retardancy improve markedly measured via limiting oxygen index (LOI), increasing from 26.5% to a maximum of 35.5%, while V‐0 behavior is readily achieved at the lowest DOPO content. Cone colorimetry further reduces peak heat release rate (PHHR) and total heat release rate (THHR) by 28% and 42%. This work presents hybrid bio‐derived epoxy resins with excellent fire retardancy and good mechanical properties.

Promoter engineering with programmable upstream activating sequences in Aspergillus Niger cell factory

BackgroundAspergillus niger is an important industrial filamentous fungus used to produce organic acids and enzymes. A wide dynamic range of promoters, particularly strong promoters, are required for fine-tuning the regulation of gene expression to balance metabolic flux and achieve the high yields of desired products. However, the limited understanding of promoter architectures and activities restricts the efficient transcription regulation of targets in strain engineering in A. niger.ResultsIn this study, we identified two functional upstream activation sequences (UAS) located upstream of the core promoters of highly expressed genes in A. niger. We constructed and characterized a synthetic promoter library by fusing the efficient UAS elements upstream of the strong constitute PgpdA promoter in A. niger. It demonstrated that the strength of synthetic promoters was fine-tuned with a wide range by tandem assembly of the UAS elements. Notably, the most potent promoter exhibited 5.4-fold higher activity than the strongest PgpdA promoter reported previously, significantly extending the range of strong promoters. Using citric acid production as a case study, we employed the synthetic promoter library to enhance citric acid efflux by regulating the cexA expression in A. niger. It showed a 1.6-2.3-fold increase in citric acid production compared to the parent strain, achieving a maximum titer of 145.3 g/L.ConclusionsThis study proved that the synthetic promoter library was a powerful toolkit for precise tuning of transcription in A. niger. It also underscores the potential of promoter engineering for gene regulation in strain improvement of fungal cell factories.

Selective Breeding for Genetic Improvement of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) in Uganda: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives.

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aquaculture continues to significantly contribute to the growth of the aquaculture sector in Uganda. However, its production is beset by erratic and unreliable seed supply. Also, most hatcheries practice inbreeding of broodstock, resulting in inferior seed characterized by low growth rates. As such, a selective breeding program is necessary to readily avail fast-growing seed that respond to farmers' needs. The present review consolidates available information on developing a Nile tilapia breeding program in Uganda. The article discusses the significance of genetic improvement, drawing lessons from successful Nile tilapia selective breeding programs in other countries. From a literature review, no systematic Nile tilapia selective breeding program was traceable in Uganda. Scanty information on the selective breeding efforts of the species was available, with little evidence of selection for improved performance. Overall, the national capacity for aquaculture research and development, including fish breeding and strain improvement, was weak and poorly funded. The review recommends purposive support for developing a systematic strain improvement breeding program, which will be a source of improved broodstock and seed for hatcheries and farmers, respectively. The program would guide the formulation of standard operating procedures for quality seed production towards ensuring sustainable aquaculture growth in Uganda.

Probiotic potential of riboflavin-overproducing Bacillus subtilis ACU-I163MR and ACU-I11MR, isolated from fermented African locust beans

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a water-soluble compound that plays an important role in multiple cellular functions. This study evaluates the probiotic potential of riboflavin-overproducing Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from fermented African locust beans. After strain improvement, B. subtilis ACU-I11MR and ACU-I163MR were selected due to their higher riboflavin production (0.01905±0.0005 mg l−1 to 0.0259±0.0077 mg l−1 and 0.0195±0.0054 mg l−1 to 0.0267±0.0013 mg l−1, respectively). Their safety was confirmed through haemolytic assay, antibiotic susceptibility tests and the absence of gelatinase and biogenic amine activity. Probiotic potential was assessed via in vitro assays including resistance to low pH, bile salts, phenol, temperature and NaCl; auto-aggregation; cell hydrophobicity; biofilm formation; antibacterial activity; and enzyme and exopolysaccharide production. Both strains were non-haemolytic and negative for gelatinase and biogenic amine activity. They showed significant viability at pH 2 (survival 85.05; 87.09%), 1% bile salts (survival 88.82; 87.64%) and 0.5% phenol (survival 48.80; 59.52%), respectively. ACU-I11MR was susceptible to 9 out of 12 antibiotics, while ACU-I163MR was 100% susceptible. The strains demonstrated strong cell surface adhesion and auto-aggregation and inhibited several pathogenic bacteria. They produce amylase, protease and exopolysaccharide and thrive under various temperature and NaCl conditions. B. subtilis ACU-I163MR, showing superior probiotic potential, could be a promising candidate for developing riboflavin-enriched Bacillus-fermented functional foods.

Genome Sequencing Providing Molecular Evidence of Tetrapolar Mating System and Heterothallic Life Cycle for Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Polyporus umbellatus Fr.

Polyporus umbellatus is a species whose sclerotia have been extensively employed in traditional Chinese medicine, which has diuretic, antitumor, anticancer, and immune system enhancement properties. However, prolonged asexual reproduction has resulted in significant homogenization and degeneration of seed sclerotia. In contrast, sexual reproduction has emerged as an effective strategy to address these challenges, with a distinct mating system serving as the foundation for the implementation of sexual breeding. This study presents the first sequencing and assembly of the genome of P. umbellatus, thereby providing an opportunity to investigate the mating system at the genomic level. Based on the annotated mating-type loci within the genome, monokaryotic offspring exhibiting different mating-types were identified. Through the integration of traditional mating tests, the tetrapolar mating system of P. umbellatus was distinctly elucidated. The resequencing of monokaryotic strains with four different mating-types, along with comparative analyses of mating-type loci, revealed the HD1 and HD2 (HD, homeodomain) genes determined the mating A types, and the PR4, PR5, and PR6 (PR, pheromone receptor) genes determined the mating B types. Meanwhile, this study offers a successful case study in the molecular investigation of mating systems. Additionally, the number of sterigma and basidiospores on each basidium was examined using scanning electron microscopy, while the nuclei of basidiospores and basidia at various developmental stages were analyzed through DAPI staining. This research clarifies the heterothallic life cycle of P. umbellatus. The findings of this study are expected to facilitate advancements in genetic research, breeding development, strain improvement, and the industry of P. umbellatus.

Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Key Changes in the Genome of Acremonium chrysogenum That Occurred During Classical Strain Improvement for Production of Antibiotic Cephalosporin C.

From the 1950s to the present, the main tool for obtaining fungal industrial producers of secondary metabolites remains the so-called classical strain improvement (CSI) methods associated with multi-round random mutagenesis and screening for the level of target products. As a result of the application of such techniques, the yield of target secondary metabolites in high-yielding (HY) strains was increased hundreds of times compared to the wild-type (WT) parental strains. However, the events that occur at the molecular level during CSI programs are still unknown. In this paper, an attempt was made to identify characteristic changes at the genome level that occurred during CSI of the Acremonium chrysogenum WT strain (ATCC 11550) and led to the creation of the A. chrysogenum HY strain (RNCM F-4081D), which produces 200-300 times more cephalosporin C, the starting substance for obtaining cephalosporin antibiotics of the 1st-5th generations. We identified 3730 mutational changes, 56 of which led to significant disturbances in protein synthesis and concern: (i) enzymes of primary and secondary metabolism; (ii) transporters, including MDR; (iii) regulators, including cell cycle and chromatin remodeling; (iv) other processes. There was also a focus on mutations occurring in the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of the HY strain; polyketide synthases were found to be hot spots for mutagenesis. The obtained data open up the possibility not only for understanding the molecular basis for the increase in cephalosporin C production in A. chrysogenum HY, but also show the universal events that occur when improving mold strains for the production of secondary metabolites by classical methods.

Exploring the potential of soapstock over a glycerol in vitamin K2 production by Bacillus subtilis natto: a comparative analysis

BackgroundVitamin K2 is an essential nutrient for blood coagulation and cardiovascular health and mainly produced by bacteria strain like B. subtilis. researchers have explored producing strain improvement, cultivation mode, environmental optimization, increased secretion, and using cheaper carbon and nitrogen sources in order to increase vitamin K2 productivity. This study examines the impact of varioius concentration of soapstock, which is a by-product of vegetable oil refining, as an alternative carbon source with lower pirce, in the fermentation medium instead of glycerol on the microbial synthesis of vitamin K2 using B. subtilis natto ATCC 23857.ResultsThe results demonstrate that when the glycerol in fermentation medium was substituted with soapstock, by 75% concentartion, the fermentation process produced a yield of 158.16 mg/L of vitamin K2 after 72 h; This was 3.8 times more than the control medium containing glycerol. When the entire culture medium was replaced with wastewater, the vitamin K2 concentration reached 21.18 mg/L, 52% of the control medium’s concentration. If the carbon sources in the fermentation medium consisted of 20% soapstock and 47.4 g/L glycerol (maintaining the same final glycerol concentration as the control medium), the vitamin K2 concentration reached 35.7 mg/L or 85.8% of the control medium. The analysis of soapstock fermentation medium characteristics reveals that after fermentation with B. subtilis, the COD of soapstock fermentation medium was dramatically reduced from 259,500 mg/L to 57,830 mg/L.ConclusionsUsing soapstock as an alternative carbon source for fermentation did not negatively impact the bioprocess and increased vitamin K2 production. Therefore, this research introduces an alternative carbon resource for vitamin K2 production and paves the way for the biorefinement of soapstock.

LA PULSE: Evaluating Left Atrial Function Pre- and Post-Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Using PULSEd Field Ablation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with left atrial dysfunction. The impact of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using pulsed field ablation (PFA) on left atrial function has not been previously quantified. This study aims to evaluate the effects of PVI using PFA on left atrial function in patients with AF. Methods: Thirty-four patients undergoing PVI with PFA between July 2022 and November 2023 were included. The left atrial function was assessed using echocardiography pre-procedure and at 6 months post-procedure. Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.5 ± 9.76 years, with 70.6% being male. The cohort included 44% of patients with paroxysmal AF. PVI was successfully achieved in all patients, with a significant improvement in all aspects of left atrial strain at an average of six-month follow-up. The left atrial strain reservoir (LASr) increased from 12.5 ± 5.8% to 21.7 ± 8.1% (p < 0.001). Notably, patients with paroxysmal AF exhibited a greater increase in LASr compared to those with persistent AF. Additionally, pre-procedural sinus rhythm was a significant predictor of better LASr outcomes. Conclusions: PFA is associated with significant improvement in left atrial reservoir strain, suggesting a positive impact on atrial function. These findings have important implications for the therapeutic management of AF and warrant further research.

Development of Aspergillus oryzae BCC7051 as a Robust Cell Factory Towards the Transcriptional Regulation of Protease-Encoding Genes for Industrial Applications.

Enzyme-mediated protein degradation is a major concern in industrial fungal strain improvement, making low-proteolytic strains preferable for enhanced protein production. Here, we improved food-grade Aspergillus oryzae BCC7051 by manipulating the transcriptional regulation of protease-encoding genes. Genome mining of the transcription factor AoprtR and computational analysis confirmed its deduced amino acid sequence sharing evolutionary conservation across Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. The AoPrtR protein, which is classified into the Zn(II)2-Cys6-type transcription factor family, manipulates both intra- and extracellular proteolytic enzymes. Our transcriptional analysis indicated that the regulation of several protease-encoding genes was AoPrtR-dependent, with AoPrtR acting as a potent activator for extracellular acid-protease-encoding genes and a likely repressor for intracellular non-acid-protease-encoding genes. An indirect regulatory mechanism independent of PrtR may enhance proteolysis. Moreover, AoPrtR disruption increased extracellular esterase production by 2.55-fold, emphasizing its role in protein secretion. Our findings highlight the complexity of AoPrtR-mediated regulation by A. oryzae. Manipulation of regulatory processes through AoPrtR prevents secreted protein degradation and enhances the quantity of extracellular proteins, suggesting the low-proteolytic variant as a promising platform for the production of these proteins. This modified strain has biotechnological potential for further refinement and sustainable production of bio-based products in the food, feed, and nutraceutical industries.

Echocardiographic Changes Following Surgical Myectomy in Severely Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Insights From the SPIRIT-HCM Study.

In obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myectomy improves symptoms, quality of life, and left ventricular (LV) outflow tract gradients. We prospectively evaluated the temporal changes in various echo parameters after myectomy. In 173 adults with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (53±10 years, 63% men) who underwent myectomy between March 2017 and June 2020, clinical and blinded echo assessment (before and at 12±6 months follow-up) was performed prospectively (SPIRIT-HCM [Quality of Life and Functional Capacity Following Septal Myectomy in Obstructive Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy]). Changes in echocardiographic parameters (left atrial volume index, E/e', LV outflow tract gradients, along with average LV global longitudinal strain on apical 2-, 3-, and 4-chamber views and regional LV strain from apical 4-chamber view) were measured in 126 patients. There was significant improvement in left atrial volume index (-6.9 mL/m2 [95% CI, 4-9.7]), E/e' (-2.9 [95% CI, -2.7 to -4.1]) and peak LV outflow tract gradient (-94 mm Hg [95% CI -87 to -100]) from baseline to follow-up (both P<0.001). There was no improvement in basal (0.91% [95% CI, -0.15 to 1.97], P=0.09) and midseptal (-0.98% [95% CI, -1.93 to 0.02], P=0.05) LV strain, worsening in apical septal strain (-4.5% [95% CI, -5.9 to -3.0], P<0.001) and an improvement in LV free wall strain (2.3% [95% CI, 0.67-3.9], P<0.001), with no change in overall LV-global longitudinal strain (0.47% [95% CI, -0.43 to 1.37], P=0.30). There was no correlation between change in LV-global longitudinal strain and change in 6-minute walk time (r=0.12, P=0.24) or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary score change (r=0.02, P=0.85), whereas it was significantly associated with change in E/e' (r=0.29, P=0.003). In patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myectomy improved various echocardiography parameters at 1-year; however, LV-global longitudinal strain remained unchanged. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03092843.

Advances in Bioprocess Engineering for Optimising Chlorella vulgaris Fermentation: Biotechnological Innovations and Applications.

Chlorella vulgaris, a unicellular green microalga, has obtained significant attention due to its high protein content, abundance of bioactive compounds, and broad biotechnological potential. Used in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods, it is now gaining traction in cosmetics, biopharmaceuticals, and environmental applications. Recent advancements in fermentation technology, such as the development of high-density fermentation strategies, adaptive evolution of strains, and real-time monitoring systems, have greatly improved the efficiency, scalability, and sustainability of C. vulgaris production, enhancing bioavailability and product quality. This review explores developments in C. vulgaris fermentation, highlighting advancements in strain improvement through genetic engineering, metabolic optimization, mutagenesis, and adaptive evolution, alongside bioprocess engineering and the optimization of fermentation parameters. Key considerations include bioreactor design, downstream processing, and innovative monitoring technologies aimed at maximizing biomass yield and bioactive compound production. Emerging applications of fermented C. vulgaris across industries are also highlighted, along with future perspectives on scaling up production, addressing regulatory challenges, and ensuring biosafety. These insights provide a comprehensive outlook on the future of C. vulgaris fermentation in biotechnological applications.

Harnessing algal biomass for sustainable energy: cultivation, strain improvement, and biofuel production.

The world faces pressing environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, climate change, and rising sea levels. Alongside, these issues, the depletion of fossil fuels has intensified the search for alternative energy sources. Algal biomass presents a promising long-term solution to these global problems. The quest for sustainable energy has driven significant research into algal biofuels as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Algae offers several advantages as a feedstock for biofuel production, including high biomass yield, rapid growth rates, cost-effective cultivation, carbon dioxide fixation capabilities, and the potential to grow on non-arable land using non-potable water. This manuscript provides an overview of algal biomass cultivation using renewable feedstocks, identifies potential algal strains for biofuel production, and explores bioengineering advancements in algae. Additionally, strain improvement strategies to enhance biofuel yields are discussed. The review also addresses large-scale algal biomass cultivation for biofuel production, assesses its commercial viability, examines challenges faced by the biofuel industry, and outlines prospects for biofuel production using highly potent algal strains. By overcoming and addressing these challenges, algal biofuels have the potential to become a cornerstone of sustainable energy solutions.

Innovations in Limnospira platensis Fermentation: From Process Enhancements to Biotechnological Applications

The cyanobacterium Limnospira platensis, vulgarly Spirulina, has gained significant attention due to its high protein content, rich bioactive compounds, and health benefits, making it a valuable resource in biotechnology, nutraceuticals, food supplements, biopharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Recent advancements in fermentation technology have considerably improved the efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of L. platensis production while addressing environmental sustainability and enhancing product quality. Based on well-recognized databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), this review explores the latest developments in L. platensis fermentation, emphasizing strain improvement, bioprocess engineering, and optimization of fermentation parameters. It also examines key factors such as bioreactor design, downstream processing, and innovative monitoring technologies aimed at maximizing biomass yield and bioactive compound production. Additionally, emerging applications of fermented L. platensis in various industries and future perspectives, including large-scale production, regulatory barriers, and biosafety considerations, are discussed. These insights provide a comprehensive outlook on the future of L. platensis fermentation in biotechnological applications.

Enhancing Recoverable Bendability of Ag2Te‐Based Thermoelectrics by Elastic Strain Manipulation

AbstractInherent rigidity of high‐performing inorganic thermoelectric materials constrains their potential applications as flexible power sources for the wearable electronics. Deformation within the elastic region ensures the reservation of a material's initial functionalities, motivating the current work to focus on the elasticity enhancement of Ag2Te thermoelectric. Ag2S‐alloying results in an observable reduction in the modulus of Ag2Te1‐xSx alloys (x ≤ 0.3), which thereby enables not only a great increase in the elastic strain but also a significant plasticization of the alloys, allowing the plastic deformability by the rolling at a temperature of ≈120 °C. Such a plastic deformation‐induced improvement in yield strength leads to a further improvement of the elastic strain up to 1.8%, corresponding to ≈200% enhancements as compared to pristine Ag2Te (≈0.6%). Eventually, the multi‐pass hot‐rolled Ag2Te0.9S0.1 film achieves a full recoverability in transport properties even after elastic bending within a tiny radius of ≈3 mm for 100 000 times and a power density as high as ≈25 W m−2 in six‐leg device. This work robustly demonstrates a universal strategy to advance the recoverable bendability of inorganic thermoelectric materials for flexible applications.

Miner’s rule on sand and kaolin under one-dimensional conditions: experimental evidence and numerical inspection with hypoplasticity

This article presents the results of an experimental programme devoted to inspecting the validity of Miner’s rule under one-dimensional conditions on Zbraslav sand and Malaysian kaolin. For this purpose, a series of stress-controlled oedometer tests were performed, considering packages of cycles with varying axial stress amplitudes in different sequences. The experimental results suggest that Miner’s rule is valid under one-dimensional conditions for both types of soils. Furthermore, a numerical inspection of the experimental tests was conducted, employing advanced hypoplastic models extended with the intergranular strain improvement. The comparison between experimental measurements and numerical predictions reveals that the models were able to accurately reproduce the experimental tests. However, they only predicted Miner’s rule for certain sets of material parameters.

Gene expression screening and cell factory engineering for enhancing echinocandin B production in Aspergillus nidulans NRRL8112

BackgroundEchinocandin B (ECB) is a key precursor of the antifungal drug anidulafungin and its biosynthesis occurs via ani gene cluster in Aspergillus nidulans NRRL8112. Strain improvement for industrial ECB production has mainly relied on mutation breeding due to the lack of genetic tools.ResultsHere, a CRISPR-base-editing tool was developed in A. nidulans NRRL8112 for simultaneous inactivation of the nkuA gene and two marker genes, pryoA and riboB, which enabled efficient genetic manipulation. Then, in-vivo plasmid assembly was harnessed for ani gene expression screening, identifying the rate-limiting enzyme AniA and a pathway-specific transcription factor AniJ. Stepwise titer enhancement was achieved by overexpressing aniA and/or aniJ, and ECB production reached 1.5 g/L during 5-L fed-batch fermentation, an increase of ~ 30-fold compared with the parent strain.ConclusionThis study, for the first time, revealed the regulatory mechanism of ECB biosynthesis and harnessed genetic engineering for the development of an efficient ECB-producing strain.