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-β-Fructofuranosidase production by Aspergillus oryzae IPT301 was maximized in shake flasks. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) involving Small Central Composite Design was adopted to evaluate the fructosyltransferase (FTase) activity by changing three medium component concentrations: sucrose, urea and yeast extract. The optimal set of conditions for maximum fructosyltransferase production was as follows: sucrose 320.5 g/L, urea 7.13 g/L and yeast extract 2.11 g/L. In this optimal condition, the following improvements were achieved: an increase of 48.8% in cell growth, 112% and 62% in micelial and free FTase activities, respectively, 62.8% in the ratio of fructosyltransferase/hydrolytic activities for enzyme linked to mycelium and 67.5% for free enzyme.

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Background: A nomogram has recently been developed to predict 68 Ga-labeled prostatespecific membrane antigen (PSMA)-11 positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (PSMA-PET) results in recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Objective: To perform external validation of the original nomogram in a multicentric setting. Design, setting, and participants: A total of 1639 patients who underwent PSMA-PET for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse after radical therapy were retrospectively included from six high-volume PET centers. The external cohort was stratified according to clinical setting categories: group 1: first-time biochemical recurrence (n = 774); group 2: PSA relapse after salvage therapy (n = 499); group-3: biochemical persistence after radical prostatectomy (n = 210); and group-4: advanced-stage PCa before second-line systemic therapies (n = 124). Intervention: PSMA-PET in recurrent PCa. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: PSMA-PET detection rate was assessed in the overall population and in each subgroup. A multivariable logistic regression model was produced to evaluate the predictors of a positive scan. The performance characteristics of the model were assessed by quantifying the predictive accuracy (PA) according to model calibration. The Youden's index was used to find the best nomogram's cutoff. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was implemented to quantify the nomogram's clinical net benefit. Results and limitations: In the external cohort, the overall detection rate was 53.8% versus 51.2% in the original population. At multivariate analysis, International Society of Urological Pathology grade group, PSA, PSA doubling time, and clinical setting were independent predictors of a positive scan (all p 0.02). The PA of the nomogram was identical to the original model (82.0%); the model showed an optimal calibration curve. The best nomogram's cutoff was 55%. In the DCA, the nomogram revealed clinical net benefit when

The social, economic, and environmental impacts of climate change have been shown to affect poorer populations throughout the world disproportionally, and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 has only exacerbated the use of less sustainable energy, fuel, and chemical sources. The period of economic and social recovery following the pandemic presents an unprecedented opportunity to invest in biorefineries based on the pyrolysis of agricultural residues. These produce a plethora of sustainable resources while also contributing to the economic valorization of first-sector local economies. However, biomass-derived pyrolysis liquid is highly oxygenated, which hinders its long-term stability and usability. Catalytic hydrogenation is a proposed upgrading method to reduce this hindrance, while recent studies on the use of nickel and niobium as low-cost catalysts, both abundant in Brazil, reinforce the potential synergy between different economic sectors within the country. This review gathers state-of-the-art applications of these technologies with the intent to guide the scientific community and lawmakers alike on yet another alternative for energy and commodities production within an environmentally sustainable paradigm.

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In the present work, we compared the chemical profile of the organic compounds produced in non-catalytic pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse at 500 °C with those obtained by the in-line catalytic upgrading of the vapor phase at 350 °C. The influence over the chemical profile was evaluated by testing two Ni-based catalysts employing an inert atmosphere (N2) and a reactive atmosphere (H2) under atmospheric pressure with yields of the liquid phase varying from 55 to 62%. Major changes in the chemical profile were evidenced in the process under the H2 atmosphere, wherein a higher degree of deoxygenation was identified due to the effect of synergistic action between the catalyst and H2. The organic fraction of the liquid phase, called bio-oil, showed an increase in the relative content of alcohols and phenolic compounds in the GC/MS fingerprint after the upgrading process, corroborating with the action of the catalytic process upon the compounds derived from sugar and carboxylic acids. Thus, the thermal conversion of sugarcane bagasse, in a process under an H2 atmosphere and the presence of Ni-based catalysts, promoted higher deoxygenation performance of the pyrolytic vapors, acting mainly through sugar dehydration reactions. Therefore, the adoption of this process can potentialize the use of this waste biomass to produce a bio-oil with higher content of phenolic species, which have a wide range of applications in the energy and industrial sectors.

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