A gene encoding an extracellular lipase (CaLIP4) from Candida albicans was successfully expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after mutagenesis of its unusual CUG serine codon into a universal one. The ability of this lipase, which shares 60% sequence homology with the lipase/acyltransferase from Candida parapsilosis, to synthesise esters was investigated. CaLIP4 behaved as a true lipase, displaying activity towards insoluble triglycerides and having no activity in the presence of short-chain fatty acid (FA) esters and phosphatidylcholine. Methyl, ethyl and propyl esters were efficiently used. The lipase exhibited highest selectivity for unsaturated FA. With saturated FAs, C14-C16 acyl chains were preferred. In a biphasic aqueous/lipid system, CaLIP4 displayed a high alcoholysis activity with a range of alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, propanol and isopropanol) as acyl acceptor. During the course of the alcoholysis reaction, new esters are produced at concentrations above the thermodynamic equilibrium of the esterification reaction, indicating that ester synthesis does not proceed by esterification but mainly by direct acyltransfer. Ester synthesis is under kinetic control due to the high rate of alcoholysis. Unwanted hydrolysis is limited by competition between the acyl acceptor (alcohol) and water for the acyltransfer reaction, favouring the alcohol.

<abstract> <p>Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a high incidence of comorbidities among patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The elevated prevalence of DM in the world population makes it a significant risk factor because diabetic individuals appear to be prone to clinical complications and have increased mortality rates. Here, we review the possible underlying mechanisms involved in DM that led to worse outcomes in COVID-19. The impacts of hyperglycemia side effects, secondary comorbidities, weakened innate and adaptive immunity, chronic inflammation, and poor nutritional status, commonly present in DM, are discussed. The role of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and its polymorphic variations on higher binding affinity to facilitate viral uptake in people with DM were also considered. Clinical differences between individuals with type 1 DM and type 2 DM affected by COVID-19 and the potential diabetogenic effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection were addressed.</p> </abstract>

La remolacha azucarera es un cultivo tradicionalmente de zonas templadas, aunque el desarrollo de nuevas variedades, permite su explotación en regiones tropicales y subtropicales. Sin embargo, para obtener buenos rendimientos y alta calidad, es fundamental evaluar variedades y fechas de siembra antes de su establecimiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el potencial productivo de tres variedades de remolacha azucarera (Coronado, Syngenta y SesVanderHaven) en dos fechas de siembra en el Campo Experimental de la Universidad de Sonora, bajo un diseño en parcelas divididas. La variedad y fecha de siembra tuvieron un efecto significativo en el diámetro de la raíz, SST y producción de follaje. La variedad Coronado sembrada en el mes de Noviembre presentó la mayor producción de raíz (109.2 t·ha-1) y mayor contenido de SST (19.3° Brix), mientras que la mayor producción de follaje (25.4 t·ha-1) en peso seco se obtuvo  en el cultivar Coronado sembrado en Octubre. Los rendimientos de raíz y SST obtenidos bajo las condiciones agroecológicas del presente estudio, son similares a los mayores valores reportados en la literatura, por lo que se concluye que bajo las condiciones climáticas del presente estudio, es factible el cultivo de las tres variedades evaluadas en las dos fechas de siembras propuestas con rendimientos comparables a las explotaciones comerciales.

Podaxis pistillaris is a fungus commonly found in most desert areas worldwide. The oval shaped peridium, the rigid woody stipe, plus a 10-15 μm spore size stand out among its morphological features. Even though this fungus is used for human consumption and for several traditional remedies, a lack of knowledge regarding its fibrolytic enzymatic system still prevails. This fungus was collected from the central region of the Sonoran desert (29° 07.23´ 97” LN and 110° 53.58´ 02” LW, 238 masl). In order to study its enzymatic system on common fibers, P. pistillaris was grown in a specific submerged culture in order to determine total cellulases, xylanases and laccases. The maximum cellulolytic (501.7 U·mg-1), as well as xylanolytic (157.8 U·mg-1) activities, were detected after 18 cultivation days, whereas the highest laccase specific activity (179.6 U·mg-1) was registered after 15 days at 40° C. The thermostability of total cellulases, xylanases and laccases was found within temperatures ranging from 40 to 60° C. The present study represents the first report of P. pistillaris fibrolytic activity in submerged culture.

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