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1.
Bactericidal and virucidal activity of ethanol and povidone-iodine.
Sauerbrei, A
MicrobiologyOpen. 2020;(9):e1097
Abstract
Ethanol and povidone-iodine (PVP-I) are important microbicides that inactivate bacteria and viruses. The present study provides a review of literature data on the concentration-dependent bactericidal and virucidal activity of ethanol and PVP-I in vitro. A systematic search was performed using the meta-database for biomedicine PubMed. Eventually, 74 studies with original data on the reduction of bacterial and viral infectivity using in vitro tests were analyzed. A safe bactericidal effect of ethanol can be expected at concentrations between 60% and 85%, and the exposure times vary between ≤0.5 and ≥5 min. Within an exposure of up to 5 min, 80%-90% ethanol also exerts virucidal/low-level activity, which includes its action against enveloped viruses plus adeno-, noro-, and rotaviruses. For PVP-I, the best bactericidal and virucidal/high-level effect is present at a concentration range of approx. 0.08%-0.9% depending on the free iodine concentration. The maximum exposure times are 5 min for bacteria and 60 min for viruses. The available data may help optimize the significant inactivation of bacteria and viruses in various areas. However, as the conditions in application practice can vary, concrete recommendations for the application can only be derived to a limited extent.
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2.
Evaluation and review of ways to differentiate sources of ethanol in postmortem blood.
Lin, Z, Wang, H, Jones, AW, Wang, F, Zhang, Y, Rao, Y
International journal of legal medicine. 2020;(6):2081-2093
Abstract
Accurate determination of a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is an important task in forensic toxicology laboratories because of the existence of statutory limits for driving a motor vehicle and workplace alcohol testing regulations. However, making a correct interpretation of the BAC determined in postmortem (PM) specimens is complicated, owing to the possibility that ethanol was produced in the body after death by the action of various micro-organisms (e.g., Candida species) and fermentation processes. This article reviews various ways to establish the source of ethanol in PM blood, including collection and analysis of alternative specimens (e.g., bile, vitreous humor (VH), and bladder urine), the identification of non-oxidative metabolites of ethanol, ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS), the urinary metabolites of serotonin (5-HTOL/5-HIAA), and identification of n-propanol and n-butanol in blood, which are known putrefaction products. Practical utility of the various biomarkers including specificity and stability is discussed.
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3.
To Infuse or Ingest in Human Laboratory Alcohol Research.
Cyders, MA, Plawecki, MH, Corbin, W, King, A, McCarthy, DM, Ramchandani, VA, Weafer, J, O'Connor, SJ
Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research. 2020;(4):764-776
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Abstract
Human alcohol laboratory studies use two routes of alcohol administration: ingestion and infusion. The goal of this paper was to compare and contrast these alcohol administration methods. The work summarized in this report was the basis of a 2019 Research Society on Alcoholism Roundtable, "To Ingest or Infuse: A Comparison of Oral and Intravenous Alcohol Administration Methods for Human Alcohol Laboratory Designs." We review the methodological approaches of each and highlight strengths and weaknesses pertaining to different research questions. We summarize methodological considerations to aid researchers in choosing the most appropriate method for their inquiry, considering exposure variability, alcohol expectancy effects, safety, bandwidth, technical skills, documentation of alcohol exposure, experimental variety, ecological validity, and cost. Ingestion of alcohol remains a common and often a preferable, methodological practice in alcohol research. Nonetheless, the main problem with ingestion is that even the most careful calculation of dose and control of dosing procedures yields substantial and uncontrollable variability in the participants' brain exposures to alcohol. Infusion methodologies provide precise exposure control but are technically complex and may be limited in ecological validity. We suggest that alcohol ingestion research may not be the same thing as alcohol exposure research; investigators should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages that the choice between ingestion and infusion of alcohol invokes.
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4.
Steam explosion (SE) and instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) as thermo-hydro-mechanical pretreatment methods for bioethanol production.
Smichi, N, Messaoudi, Y, Allaf, K, Gargouri, M
Bioprocess and biosystems engineering. 2020;(6):945-957
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass can be considered as one of the largest sources for the production of renewable biofuels (bioethanol). It involves an enzymatic treatment capable of ensuring the depolymerization of cellulose into fermentable sugars, followed by the production of ethanol by appropriate bacteriological fermentation. Proper destruction of the compact natural structure of the biomass would allow an interesting intensification of the operation. Among the most prominent technical approaches, the steam explosion (SE) is the most famous. However, this high pressure-high temperature process implies too high energy consumption while leading to the generation of many non-fermentable molecules. In recent years, many studies have proposed the use of the Instant Controlled Pressure-Drop (DIC) texturing pretreatment as an effective alternative to SE for ethanol production. Therefore, in this manuscript, we propose to compare and discuss the fundamental principles and experimental results of these two operations, as presented in the relevant literature.
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5.
Alcohol-related chronic exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: diagnosis and therapeutic management. A proposal for treatment by the Italian Association for the Study of the Pancreas (AISP) and the Italian Society of Alcohology (SIA).
Pezzilli, R, Caputo, F, Testino, G, Patussi, V, Greco, G, Macciò, L, Rossin, MR, Mioni, D, Balbinot, P, Gandin, C, et al
Minerva medica. 2019;(5):425-438
Abstract
Current estimates of the prevalence of chronic pancreatitis, one of the most common causes of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, are in the range of 3-10 per 100,000 people in many parts of the world. Alcohol consumption is a very important risk factor for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and is involved in nearly half of all cases. The main hypothesis regarding the role of chronic alcohol consumption in pancreatitis is that there must be additional environmental or genetic risk factors involved for ongoing damage to occur. Treatment of patients with alcohol-related exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is complex, as the patient has two concomitant pathologies, alcohol-use disorder (AUD) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency/chronic pancreatitis. Alcohol abstinence is the starting point for treatment, although even this along with the most advanced therapies allow only a slowdown in progression rather than restoration of function. This position paper of the Italian Association for the Study of the Pancreas and the Italian Society of Alcohology provides an overview of the pathogenesis of alcohol-related pancreatitis and discuss diagnostic issues. Treatment options for both exocrine pancreatic insufficiency/chronic pancreatitis (with a focus on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy) and AUD (acamprosate, disulfiram, oral naltrexone, long-acting injectable naltrexone, sodium oxybate, nalmefene, baclofen, and psychosocial interventions) are also reviewed.
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6.
Engineering grass biomass for sustainable and enhanced bioethanol production.
Mohapatra, S, Mishra, SS, Bhalla, P, Thatoi, H
Planta. 2019;(2):395-412
Abstract
Bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is a promising step for the future energy requirements. Grass is a potential lignocellulosic biomass which can be utilised for biorefinery-based bioethanol production. Grass biomass is a suitable feedstock for bioethanol production due to its all the year around production, requirement of less fertile land and noninterference with food system. However, the processes involved, i.e. pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation for bioethanol production from grass biomass, are both time consuming and costly. Developing the grass biomass in planta for enhanced bioethanol production is a promising step for maximum utilisation of this valuable feedstock and, thus, is the focus of the present review. Modern breeding techniques and transgenic processes are attractive methods which can be utilised for development of the feedstock. However, the outcomes are not always predictable and the time period required for obtaining a robust variety is generation dependent. Sophisticated genome editing technologies such as synthetic genetic circuits (SGC) or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems are advantageous for induction of desired traits/heritable mutations in a foreseeable genome location in the 1st mutant generation. Although, its application in grass biomass for bioethanol is limited, these sophisticated techniques are anticipated to exhibit more flexibility in engineering the expression pattern for qualitative and qualitative traits. Nevertheless, the fundamentals rendered by the genetics of the transgenic crops will remain the basis of such developments for obtaining biorefinery-based bioethanol concepts from grass biomass. Grasses which are abundant and widespread in nature epitomise attractive lignocellulosic feedstocks for bioethanol production. The complexity offered by the grass cell wall in terms of lignin recalcitrance and its binding to polysaccharides forms a barricade for its commercialization as a biofuel feedstock. Inspired by the possibilities for rewiring the genetic makeup of grass biomass for reduced lignin and lignin-polysaccharide linkages along with increase in carbohydrates, innovative approaches for in planta modifications are forging ahead. In this review, we highlight the progress made in the field of transgenic grasses for bioethanol production and focus our understanding on improvements of simple breeding techniques and post-harvest techniques for development in shortening of lignin-carbohydrate and carbohydrate-carbohydrate linkages. Further, we discuss about the designer lignins which are aimed for qualitable lignins and also emphasise on remodelling of polysaccharides and mixed-linkage glucans for enhancing carbohydrate content and in planta saccharification efficiency. As a final point, we discuss the role of synthetic genetic circuits and CRISPR systems in targeted improvement of cell wall components without compromising the plant growth and health. It is anticipated that this review can provide a rational approach towards a better understanding of application of in planta genetic engineering aspects for designing synthetic genetic circuits which can promote grass feedstocks for biorefinery-based bioethanol concepts.
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7.
Development of Robust Yeast Strains for Lignocellulosic Biorefineries Based on Genome-Wide Studies.
Zhang, MM, Chen, HQ, Ye, PL, Wattanachaisaereekul, S, Bai, FW, Zhao, XQ
Progress in molecular and subcellular biology. 2019;:61-83
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass has been widely studied as the renewable feedstock for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. Budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is commonly used as a cell factory for bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. However, economic bioproduction using fermentable sugars released from lignocellulosic feedstocks is still challenging. Due to impaired cell viability and fermentation performance by various inhibitors that are present in the cellulosic hydrolysates, robust yeast strains resistant to various stress environments are highly desired. Here, we summarize recent progress on yeast strain development for the production of biofuels and biochemical using lignocellulosic biomass. Genome-wide studies which have contributed to the elucidation of mechanisms of yeast stress tolerance are reviewed. Key gene targets recently identified based on multiomics analysis such as transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomics studies are summarized. Physiological genomic studies based on zinc sulfate supplementation are highlighted, and novel zinc-responsive genes involved in yeast stress tolerance are focused. The dependence of host genetic background of yeast stress tolerance and roles of histones and their modifications are emphasized. The development of robust yeast strains based on multiomics analysis benefits economic bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass.
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8.
Advances in yeast alcoholic fermentations for the production of bioethanol, beer and wine.
Eliodório, KP, Cunha, GCGE, Müller, C, Lucaroni, AC, Giudici, R, Walker, GM, Alves, SL, Basso, TO
Advances in applied microbiology. 2019;:61-119
Abstract
Yeasts have a long-standing relationship with humankind that has widened in recent years to encompass production of diverse foods, beverages, fuels and medicines. Here, key advances in the field of yeast fermentation applied to alcohol production, which represents the predominant product of industrial biotechnology, will be presented. More specifically, we have selected industries focused in producing bioethanol, beer and wine. In these bioprocesses, yeasts from the genus Saccharomyces are still the main players, with Saccharomyces cerevisiae recognized as the preeminent industrial ethanologen. However, the growing demand for new products has opened the door to diverse yeasts, including non-Saccharomyces strains. Furthermore, the development of synthetic media that successfully simulate industrial fermentation medium will be discussed along with a general overview of yeast fermentation modeling.
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9.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome management: Is there anything new?
Airagnes, G, Ducoutumany, G, Laffy-Beaufils, B, Le Faou, AL, Limosin, F
La Revue de medecine interne. 2019;(6):373-379
Abstract
Patients with alcohol use disorder experience frequently alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), which is a potentially life-threatening condition mainly caused by glutamate overactivity. The aim of therapeutic alcohol withdrawal is the entry into a process of complete and lasting abstinence. Therefore preparing withdrawal is crucial to optimize compliance and efficacy of aftercare. Indeed, performing repeated withdrawal per se without any project of subsequent abstinence may be deleterious, at least because of repeated exposure to glutamate neurotoxicity. Managing AWS mainly consists in anticipating severe withdrawal, decreasing the risk of complications, making this experience as comfortable as possible, preventing from long-term benzodiazepine use, and enhancing motivation to aftercare and long-term abstinence. In particular, there are specific guidelines to choose which benzodiazepine administration approach to adopt (i.e. symptom-triggered, fixed schedule or loading dosage) and which other drugs to deliver (e.g. thiamine, folate, magnesium). Specific precautions should be taken in the elderly.
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10.
Microbial metabolites in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Zhou, D, Fan, JG
World journal of gastroenterology. 2019;(17):2019-2028
Abstract
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising exponentially worldwide. The spectrum of NAFLD includes non-alcoholic fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Evidence shows that microbial metabolites play pivotal roles in the onset and progression of NAFLD. In this review, we discuss how microbe-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, endogenous ethanol, bile acids and so forth, contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD.