Biotransformation of ethylene glycol to glycolic acid by Yarrowia lipolytica: A route for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) upcycling.

Biological recycling of PET waste has been extensively investigated recently to tackle plastic waste pollution, and ethylene glycol (EG) is one of the main building blocks recovered from this process. Wild-type Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682 can be a biocatalyst to biodepolymerize PET. Herein, we report its ability to perform oxidative biotransformation of EG into glycolic acid (GA): a higher value-added chemical with varied industrial applications. We found that this yeast tolerates high EG concentrations (up to 2 M) based on maximum non-inhibitory concentration (MNIC) tests. Whole-cell biotransformation assays using resting yeast cells showed GA production uncoupled to cell growth metabolism, and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirmed GA production. Moreover, higher agitation speed (450 vs. 350 rpm) resulted in a 1.12-fold GA production improvement (from 352 to 429.5 mM) during Y. lipolytica cultivation in bioreactors after 72 h. GA was constantly accumulated in the medium, suggesting that this yeast may also share an incomplete oxidation pathway (i.e., it is not metabolized to carbon dioxide) as seen in acetic acid bacterial group. Additional assays using higher chain-length diols (1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol) revealed that C4 and C6 diols were more cytotoxic, suggesting that they underwent different pathways in the cells. We found that this yeast consumed extensively all these diols, however, 13 C NMR analysis from supernatant identified solely the presence of 4-hydroxybutanoic acid from 1,4-butanediol, along with GA from EG oxidation. Findings reported herein reveal a potential route for PET upcycling to a higher value-added product.

Post-Consumer Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) Depolymerization by Yarrowia lipolytica: A Comparison between Hydrolysis Using Cell-Free Enzymatic Extracts and Microbial Submerged Cultivation.

Several microorganisms have been reported as capable of acting on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to some extent, such as Yarrowia lipolytica, which is a yeast known to produce various hydrolases of industrial interest. The present work aims to evaluate PET depolymerization by Y. lipolytica using two different strategies. In the first one, biocatalysts were produced during solid-state fermentation (SSF-YL), extracted and subsequently used for the hydrolysis of PET and bis(2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate) (BHET), a key intermediate in PET hydrolysis. Biocatalysts were able to act on BHET, yielding terephthalic acid (TPA) (131.31 µmol L-1), and on PET, leading to a TPA concentration of 42.80 µmol L-1 after 168 h. In the second strategy, PET depolymerization was evaluated during submerged cultivations of Y. lipolytica using four different culture media, and the use of YT medium ((w/v) yeast extract 1%, tryptone 2%) yielded the highest TPA concentration after 96 h (65.40 µmol L-1). A final TPA concentration of 94.3 µmol L-1 was obtained on a scale-up in benchtop bioreactors using YT medium. The conversion obtained in bioreactors was 121% higher than in systems with SSF-YL. The results of the present work suggest a relevant role of Y. lipolytica cells in the depolymerization process.

Novel efficient enzymatic synthesis of the key-reaction intermediate of PET depolymerization, mono(2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate) - MHET.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the main synthetic plastics produced worldwide. The extensive use of this polymer causes several problems due to its low degradability. In this scenario, biocatalysts dawn as an alternative to enhance PET recycling. The enzymatic hydrolysis of PET results in a mixture of terephthalic acid (TPA), ethylene glycol (EG), mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET) and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) as main products. This work developed a new methodology to quantify the hydrolytic activity of biocatalysts, using BHET as a model substrate. The protocol can be used in screening enzymes for PET depolymerization reactions, amongst other applications. The very good fitting (R2 = 0.993) between experimental data and the mathematical model confirmed the feasibility of the Michaelis-Menten equation to analyze the effect of BHET concentration (8-200 mmol L-1) on initial hydrolysis rate catalyzed by Humicola insolens cutinase (HiC). In addition to evaluating the effects of enzyme and substrate concentration on the enzymatic hydrolysis of BHET, a novel and straightforward method for MHET synthesis was developed using an enzyme load of 0.025 gprotein gBHET-1 and BHET concentration of 60 mmol L-1 at 40 °C. MHET was synthesized with high selectivity (97 %) and yield (82 %). The synthesized MHET properties were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), observing the high purity of the final product (86.7 %). As MHET is not available commercially, this synthesis using substrate and enzyme from open suppliers adds new perspectives to monitoring PET hydrolysis reactions.

Microbiological contamination profile in soft drinks.

Soft drinks are food matrices propitious to the growth of acidophilic bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi due to their pH, water activity, and the presence of nutrients. Off-flavor, clouding, and package stuffing are the only parameters producers have to detect spoilage when it is often too late for the brand's reputation. In this work, microbiological analyses were performed on non-alcoholic beverages of Brazilian and Bolivian brands. As a result, Gram-positive, Gram-negative, yeast, and filamentous fungi were isolated. Zygosaccharomyces bisporus yeast was isolated from different flavored stuffed products, and Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens and Brevibacillus agri were isolated from packages without visible signs of deterioration. These microorganisms were identified by MALDI-TOF. For products with visible growth of filamentous fungi, microscopic identification keys identified Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium citrinum, Paecilomyces niveus, and Paecilomyces variotii. These work's findings reflect a failure to sanitize raw materials since the isolates' primary origin is the soil and the water, pointing to the lack of process control in soft drinks.

Experimental and mathematical modeling approaches for biocatalytic post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolysis.

The environmental impact arising from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste is notable worldwide. Enzymatic PET hydrolysis can provide chemicals that serve as intermediates for value-added product synthesis and savings in the resources. In the present work, some reaction parameters were evaluated on the hydrolysis of post-consumer PET (PC-PET) using a cutinase from Humicola insolens (HiC). The increase in PC-PET specific area leads to an 8.5-fold increase of the initial enzymatic hydrolysis rate (from 0.2 to 1.7 mmol L-1 h-1), showing that this parameter plays a crucial role in PET hydrolysis reaction. The effect of HiC concentration was investigated, and the enzymatic PC-PET hydrolysis kinetic parameters were estimated based on three different mathematical models describing heterogeneous biocatalysis. The model that best fits the experimental data (R2 = 0.981) indicated 1.68 mgprotein mL-1 as a maximum value of the enzyme concentration to optimize the reaction rate. The HiC thermal stability was evaluated, considering that it is a key parameter for its efficient use in PET degradation. The enzyme half-life was shown to be 110 h at 70 ºC and pH 7.0, which outperforms most of the known enzymes displaying PET hydrolysis activity. The results evidence that HiC is a very promising biocatalyst for efficient PET depolymerization.

A critical view on the technology readiness level (TRL) of microbial plastics biodegradation.

Accumulation of plastic wastes and their effects on the ecosystem have triggered an alarm regarding environmental damage, which explains the massive investigations over the past few years, aiming technological alternatives for their proper destination and valorization. In this context, biological degradation emerges as a green route for plastic processing and recycling in a circular economy approach. Some of the main polymers produced worldwide are poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which are among the most recalcitrant materials in the environment. In comparison to other polymers, PET biodegradation has advanced dramatically in recent years concerning microbial and enzymatic mechanisms, being positioned in a higher technology readiness level (TRL). Even more challenging, polyolefins (PE and PP) biodegradation is hindered by their high recalcitrance, which is mainly related to stable carbon-carbon bonds. Potential microbial biocatalysts for this process have been evaluated, but the related mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. This review aims to discuss the latest developments on key microbial biocatalysts for degradation of these polymers, addressing biodegradation monitoring, intellectual property, and TRL analysis of the bioprocessing strategies using biodegradation performance, process time and scale as parameters for the evaluation.

Improved production of biocatalysts by Yarrowia lipolytica using natural sources of the biopolyesters cutin and suberin, and their application in hydrolysis of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET).

Since plastic pollution emerged as an urgent environmental problem, different biocatalysts have been tested for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) hydrolysis. This work evaluated three different possible inducers for lipases and/or esterases, two natural sources of biopolymers (apple peels and commercial cork) and PET, as supplements in the solid-state fermentation of soybean bran by Yarrowia lipolytica. The obtained enzymatic extracts displaying different levels of lipase and esterase activities were then tested for PET depolymerization. Supplementation with 5 or 20 wt% of commercial cork led to an increase of 16% in lipase activity and to an increase of 131% in esterase activity, respectively. PET supplementation also led to an increase in the esterase activity of the enzymatic extracts (up to 69%). Enzymes produced in the screening step were able to act as biocatalysts in PET hydrolysis. Enzymatic extracts obtained in fermentation samples supplemented with 20 wt% PET and 20 wt% apple peels led to the highest terephthalic acid concentration (21.2 µmol L-1) in 7 days, whereas enzymes produced in commercial cork media were more efficient for bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) hydrolysis, one of the key-PET hydrolysis intermediates. Results suggest a good potential of the biocatalysts produced by Y. lipolytica IMUFRJ 50,682 in a low-cost media for subsequent utilization in PET depolymerization reactions. This is one of the few reports on the use of a yeast for this application.

In situ product recovery techniques aiming to obtain biotechnological products: A glance to current knowledge.

Biotechnology and bioengineering techniques have been widely used in the production of biofuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food additives, being considered a "green" form of production because they use renewable and nonpolluting energy sources. On the other hand, in the traditional processes of production, the target product obtained by biotechnological routes must undergo several stages of purification, which makes these processes more expensive. In the past few years, some works have focused on processes that integrate fermentation to the recovery and purification steps necessary to obtain the final product required. This type of process is called in situ product recovery or extractive fermentation. However, there are some differences in the concepts of the techniques used in these bioprocesses. In this way, this review sought to compile relevant content on considerations and procedures that are being used in this field, such as evaporation, liquid-liquid extraction, permeation, and adsorption techniques. Also, the objective of this review was to approach the different configurations in the recent literature of the processes employed and the main bioproducts obtained, which can be used in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and/or fuel additives industry. We intended to elucidate concepts of these techniques, considered very recent, but which emerge as a promising alternative for the integration of bioprocesses.

Biological Approaches for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds From Agro-industrial By-products: A Review.

Bioactive compounds can provide health benefits beyond the nutritional value and are originally present or added to food matrices. However, because they are part of the food matrices, most bioactive compounds remain in agroindustrial by-products. Agro-industrial by-products are generated in large quantities throughout the food production chain and can-when not properly treated-affect the environment, the profit, and the proper and nutritional distribution of food to people. Thus, it is important to adopt processes that increase the use of these agroindustrial by-products, including biological approaches, which can enhance the extraction and obtention of bioactive compounds, which enables their application in food and pharmaceutical industries. Biological processes have several advantages compared to nonbiological processes, including the provision of extracts with high quality and bioactivity, as well as extracts that present low toxicity and environmental impact. Among biological approaches, extraction from enzymes and fermentation stand out as tools for obtaining bioactive compounds from various agro-industrial wastes. In this sense, this article provides an overview of the main bioactive components found in agroindustrial by-products and the biological strategies for their extraction. We also provide information to enhance the use of these bioactive compounds, especially for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Process strategies to improve biocatalytic depolymerization of post-consumer PET packages in bioreactors, and investigation on consumables cost reduction.

Massive plastics production has raised concerns about low recycling rates and disposal of these materials in nature, causing environmental and economic impacts. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of main polymers used for manufacture of plastic packaging (e.g. bottles, trays). Enzymatic recycling of PET has been a route of increasing study aiming at to recover its monomers (terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol), resulting in a circular production chain. In this study, investigation of pH control and fractionation of enzyme feeding were explored in post-consumed PET (PC-PET) hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by Humicola insolens cutinase (HiC) in stirred reactors. It was found that the unbuffered reaction provided of pH control by 0.5 M NaOH addition showed 2.39-fold improvement in the released monomers (to a total of 26.3 mM), comparatively to the Tris-HCl-buffered reaction. In addition, it was observed a possibility of reducing the enzyme loading used in the process by half, leading to an increase of 2.41-fold in the specific terephthalic acid concentration released per protein amount, whilst maintaining a high products concentration (97 mM). A simplified cost analysis of reaction consumables was performed, and the data reported here demonstrates that these alternative process strategies contribute to costs reduction on the enzymatic depolymerization reactions of PET.

Construction of wild-type Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682 auxotrophic mutants using dual CRISPR/Cas9 strategy for novel biotechnological approaches.

Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682 is a Brazilian wild-type strain with potential application in bioconversion processes which can be improved through synthetic biology. In this study, we focused on a combinatorial dual cleavage CRISPR/Cas9-mediated for construction of irreversible auxotrophic mutants IMUFRJ 50682, which genomic information is not available, thought paired sgRNAs targeting upstream and downstream sites of URA3 gene. The disruption efficiency ranged from 5 to 28 % for sgRNAs combinations closer to URA3's start and stop codon and the auxotrophic mutants lost about 970 bp containing all coding sequence, validating this method for genomic edition of wild-type strains. In addition, we introduced a fluorescent phenotype and achieved cloning rates varying from 80 to 100 %. The ura3Δ strains IMUFRJ 50682 were also engineered for ß-carotene synthesis as proof of concept. Carotenoid-producing strains exhibited a similar growth profile compared to the wild-type strain and were able to synthesized 30.54-50.06 mg/L (up to 4.8 mg/g DCW) of ß-carotene in YPD and YNB flask cultures, indicating a promisor future of the auxotrophic mutants IMUFRJ 50682 as a chassis for production of novel value-added chemicals.

Enzyme-assisted extraction of carotenoids and phenolic compounds from sunflower wastes using green solvents.

The aim of this work is to develop an optimized enzymatic assisted extraction methodology to extract carotenoids and phenolic compounds from sunflower wastes (petals and florets) using natural hydrophobic green solvents. Several natural green hydrophobic solvents were used as well as natural hydrophobic eutectic solvents composed of d,l-menthol and different acids, with different hydrophobicity. The multi-enzyme complex Viscozyme® was used to disrupt the cell wall of petals and disc florets. The extracted carotenoids content into the hydrophobic phase was quantified using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the carotenoids profile was studied using high-performance liquid and thin layer chromatography. The amount of total sugars in the aqueous phase was also analyzed using the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method to infer about the enzymatic action in cell wall. Phenolic compounds also in the aqueous phase were analyzed by Folin Denis method. The eutectic solvent d,l-menthol:d,l-lactic acid (M:HLac) (1:2) was the best solvent for extraction of carotenoids from sunflower wastes, with 147 ppm of carotenoids extracted, in comparison to 115 ppm obtained with the standard solvent, n-hexane. In what concerns phenolic compounds, M:HLac was again better than the standard solvent. The use of the multi-enzyme complex Viscozyme® had different responses, depending on the solvent tested. For the green solvent M:HLac, the enzyme improved the carotenoids extraction, achieving 335 ppm of carotenoids in the extract. The role of enzyme, solvent, water and sunflower quantity in the carotenoid extraction was evaluated and optimized through a central composite rotatable design (CCRD), using the M:HLac as solvent. According to the analysis of CCRD, the most efficient extractions were carried out using more solvent and less raw material, whose best result reached 1449 mg carotenoids/100 g biomass ppm of carotenoids. This work emphasizes the possibility of developing more sustainable enzyme-assisted separation processes, through the substitution of toxic solvents with natural, environmentally friendly, solvents.

Investigation of mitochondrial protein expression profiles of Yarrowia lipolytica in response to citric acid production.

Nitrogen-limiting condition is essential for citric acid production by Yarrowia lipolytica. Mitochondrial protein expression profiles of Y. lipolytica IMUFRJ 50,682 cells cultivated in biomass proliferation medium (YPG medium, yeast extract, peptone and glycerol) and citric acid production medium (CA medium) were analyzed to identify differences in expressed proteins in response to medium composition. The identification of 45 proteins in mitochondria of YPG medium cells and 48 proteins in mitochondria of CA medium cells were possible with proteomic analyses. Only 11 proteins were common to both conditions, showing a different expression pattern in relation to limiting and non-limiting nitrogen conditions. For both conditions, most proteins (52%-CA medium, 46%-YPG medium) were related to energy metabolism. CA medium cells expressed more carbohydrate metabolism proteins (six proteins) then YPG medium cells (three proteins) and the opposite was detected for translation proteins.

Yarrowia lipolytica Adhesion and Immobilization onto Residual Plastics.

Research in cell adhesion has important implications in various areas, such as food processing, medicine, environmental engineering, biotechnological processes. Cell surface characterization and immobilization of microorganisms on solid surfaces can be performed by promoting cell adhesion, in a relatively simple, inexpensive, and quick manner. The adhesion of Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682 to different surfaces, especially potential residual plastics (polystyrene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and poly(tetrafluoroethylene)), and its use as an immobilized biocatalyst were tested. Y. lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682 presented high adhesion to different surfaces such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (Teflon), polystyrene, and glass, independent of pH, and low adhesion to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The adhesion of the cells to polystyrene was probably due to hydrophobic interactions involving proteins or protein complexes. The adhesion of the cells to Teflon might be the result not only of hydrophobic interactions but also of acid-basic forces. Additionally, the present work shows that Y. lipolytica cell extracts previously treated by ultrasound waves (cell debris) maintained their enzymatic activity (lipase) and could be attached to polystyrene and PET and used successfully as immobilized biocatalysts in hydrolysis reactions.

Growth Parameters and Survivability of Saccharomyces boulardii for Probiotic Alcoholic Beverages Development.

The aim of this research was to optimize the growth parameters (pH, ethanol tolerance, initial cell concentration and temperature) for Saccharomyces boulardii and its tolerance to in vitro gastrointestinal conditions for probiotic alcoholic beverage development. Placket-Burman screening was used to select only statistically significant variables, and the polynomial mathematical model for yeast growth was obtained by central composite rotatable design. Confirmation experiments to determine the kinetic parameters for yeast growth were carried out by controlling the temperature and pH. Soon after, the survivability of yeast was tested under in vitro conditions mimicking the human upper gastrointestinal transit. S. boulardii had suitable resistance to alcohol and gastrointestinal conditions for probiotic alcoholic beverage development.

Characterization and Application of Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase Obtained by Solid-State Fermentation in the Synthesis of Different Esters Used in the Food Industry.

Yarrowia lipolytica lipase obtained by solid-state fermentation was characterized and applied in the synthesis of esters with commercial value in the food industry. The effect of different conditions on the hydrolysis activity of this biocatalyst was evaluated in the presence of metal ions, solvents, detergents, several pH and temperature parameters, and different substrates. Storage stability was also studied. The solid biocatalyst produced in soybean meal was used in synthesis reactions aiming to produce short-, medium-, and long-chain esters. Results showed that the best fermentation condition to produce the biocatalyst was using soybean oil (3% w/w), moisture content (55% w/v), and inoculum of 2.1 mgdry biomass/gsoybean meal at 28 °C for 14 h. High substrate conversion for ethyl octanoate, cetyl stearate, and stearyl palmitate synthesis was achieved in the presence of non-polar solvents in less than 6 h using a substrate molar ratio of 1:1 at 38 °C with 10-15% (w/v) of biocatalyst. This work showed the high potential of Y. lipolytica lipase to be used in the synthesis of different esters. Also, that it can be considered an attractive and economical process alternative to obtain high-added value products.

Biocatalytic esterification of fatty acids using a low-cost fermented solid from solid-state fermentation with Yarrowia lipolytica.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of a lyophilized fermented solid (named solid enzymatic preparation, SEP), with lipase activity, as a low-cost biocatalyst for esterification reactions of fatty acids present in acid raw materials for biodiesel synthesis. The SEP was obtained by solid-state fermentation (SSF) of soybean bran using the strain of Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682 and contains the lipases secreted by this yeast. The esterification reaction of ethanol and the predominant fatty acids present in different acid oil sources for biodiesel production (oleic, linoleic, stearic and palmitic acids) was investigated. Oleic acid conversion of above 85% was obtained after 24 h, using 30 wt% of SEP and ethanol/oleic acid molar ratio of 1, at 30 °C, in a reaction medium with and without solvent (n-hexane). Similar results were achieved with stearic (79%), palmitic (82%) and linoleic (90%) acids. The reusability of SEP was investigated over ten successive batches by washing it with different solvents (ethanol, water or n-hexane) between the cycles of ethyl oleate synthesis. Washing with water allowed the SEP to be reused for six cycles maintaining over 80% of the conversion reached in the first cycle. These results show the potential of this biocatalyst to reduce the content of free fatty acids in acid oils for biodiesel synthesis with a potential to be applied in a broad plethora of raw materials.

A novel osmotic pressure strategy to improve erythritol production by Yarrowia lipolytica from glycerol.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is polymer that was used to replace NaCl (reference media) as an osmotic stress agent for the synthesis of erythritol by the osmophilic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Two strains, the wild-type strain IMUFRJ 50682 and the lab strain W29, were grown in the presence of PEG of different molecular weights. For strain IMUFRJ 50682, the erythritol titer was increased by 40% in the presence of PEG2000 as compared to the reference media (with NaCl). A similar increase was also observed for strain W29, except that it occurred in the presence of PEG6000. Moreover, in those experimental conditions neither strain produced mannitol, in contrast to the control medium. These results highlight that PEG could be used to increase erythritol productivity and to simultaneously inhibit mannitol synthesis, representing a good substitute for NaCl as an osmotic stress agent.

Hemoterapia e reações transfusionais imediatas: atuação e conhecimento de uma equipe de enfermagem / Hemotherapy and immediate transfusion reactions: action and knowledge of the nursing team / Hematología y reacciones transfusionales inmediatas: desempeño y conocimiento del personal de enfermería

As reações transfusionais imediatas são aquelas que acontecem durante a transfusão ou em até 24 horas após. Essas complicações são situações emergenciais e podem trazer sérios prejuízos aos pacientes, inclusive fatais. Os profissionais de enfermagem exercem um papel fundamental na segurança do paciente e na detecção de sinais e sintomas de reações transfusionais. Objetivo: verificar o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem sobre hemoterapia, reações transfusionais imediatas e cuidados indicados diante desses casos. Metodologia: trata-se de estudo descritivo com abordagem quantitativa. A amostra foi composta pelos enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem que compõem a equipe de enfermagem de um pronto-socorro adulto. Resultados: a maioria dos participantes (62%) informou se sentir preparada para acompanhar o paciente durante a terapia transfusional e 65,38% possuem o costume de acompanhar o paciente durante esse procedimento. Em relação aos sinais e sintomas das reações transfusionais, poucos foram citados. As principais respostas foram: febre (62,07%), seguida de prurido (44,83%) e tremor (37,93%). Pequena parte (28%) soube informar o período em que esses sinais podem surgir. Sobre os cuidados que devem ser tomados diante das reações transfusionais imediatas, a resposta mais citada foi interromper a transfusão (93,10%), seguida de comunicar o médico (86,21%) e comunicar o banco de sangue (48,28%). Conclusão: apesar da confiança dos participantes em realizar tal atividade, os resultados da pesquisa demonstram pouco preparo da equipe. É preciso que o profissional de enfermagem busque mais conhecimento e que as instituições favoreçam esse aprendizado, reconhecendo as fragilidades e as potencialidades de sua equipe.

Immediate transfusion reactions are those that occur during the transfusion or in the first 24 hours after the procedure. These complications are emergent situations and can bring serious harm to patients, including fatal consequences. Nursing professionals play a key role in patient safety and detectionof signs and symptoms of transfusion reactions. Objective: to verify the knowledge of the nursing team about hemotherapy, immediate transfusion reactions and care indicated in these cases. Methodology: this is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of nurses andnursing technicians who make up the nursing team of an adult emergency room. Results: the majority of participants (62%) reported being prepared tofollow up the patient during transfusion therapy and 65.38% had the habit of monitoring the patient during this procedure. Few signs and symptoms oftransfusion reactions were cited. The main responses were: fever (62.07%), followed by pruritus (44.83%) and tremor (37.93%). Few participants (28%) wereable to inform the period in which these signs may arise. Regarding the care that should be adopted in the case of immediate transfusion reactions, themost cited response was to interrupt the transfusion (93.10%), followed by informing the physician (86.21%), and reporting to the blood bank (48.28%).Conclusion: despite the participants' confidence in performing such activity, the research results show little preparation of the team. It is necessary thatthe nursing professionals seek more knowledge and that institutions support this learning, recognizing the weaknesses and potentialities of their teams.

Las reacciones transfusionales ocurren durante la transfusión o dentro de las 24 horas siguientes. Suelen ser emergencias, a veces fatales.Los profesionales de enfermería desempeñan un papel clave en la seguridad del paciente para detectar síntomas y señales de las reacciones transfusionales. Objetivo: Verificar el conocimiento del equipo de enfermería sobre la hemoterapia, las reacciones transfusionales inmediatas yla atención indicada en estos casos. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo de enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra estuvo constituida por enfermeras y técnicos de enfermería que integraban el personal de enfermería de un servicio de guardia de emergencias de adultos. Resultados:La mayoría de los participantes (62%) manifestó sentirse preparada para acompañar al paciente durante la terapia transfusional y un 65,38% mencionó que solía acompañar al paciente durante dicho procedimiento. Los principales síntomas y señales de las reacciones transfusionaleseran fiebre (62,07%), prurito (44,83%) y temblores (37,93%). Algunos (28%) supieron informar el período durante el cual pueden surgir los síntomasy las señales. Sobre los cuidados indicados para las reacciones transfusionales inmediatas, la respuesta más citada fue interrumpir la transfusión(93,10%), comunicar el hecho al médico (86,21%) y al banco de sangre (48,28%). Conclusión: A pesar de la confianza de los participantes en el desempeño de sus tareaa, los resultados de la encuesta indican poca capacitación del personal. El profesional de enfermería debería adquirir másconocimiento y las instituciones deberían favorecer tal aprendizaje reconociendo las debilidades y potencialidades de su personal.

Absenteísmo da equipe de enfermagem das unidades clínicas de um hospital universitário da região centro-oeste do Brasil / Absenteeism in the nursing staff of clinical units of a university hospital in the center region of Brazil / Absentismo del equipo de enfermería de las unidades clínicas de un hospital universitário de la región centro-oeste brasileña

O absenteísmo é a falta ao trabalho por causas diversas que tem influencia direta no cálculo do dimensionamento de pessoal. Na enfermagem, o dimensionamento de profissionais da equipe é importante para garantir qualidade à assistência prestada e segurança ao paciente e aos trabalhadores. Este processo requer a identificação e análise de variáveis específicas do local. Dentre elas encontra-se o índice de segurança técnica que se refere ao número de profissionais que deve ser acrescentado ao quantitativo de pessoal necessário para o atendimento aos pacientes para a cobertura do absenteísmo apresentado pela equipe. Estudo de caso descritivo de natureza quantitativa que teve por objetivo identificar o perfil do absenteísmo e o índice de segurança técnica dos profissionais da equipe de enfermagem das unidades clínicas de um hospital universitário da região centro oeste do Brasil. A fonte de dados foram os registros da vida funcional dos profissionais no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2011, coletados por meio de instrumento estruturado e analisados estatisticamente. O percentual de ausências não previstas dos enfermeiros foi 42,96%, mais elevado que 12,97% dos técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem. As ausências que mais influenciaram no absenteísmo entre os enfermeiros foram licenças médicas com 19,3% e para qualificação profissional com 15,66% e entre técnicos e auxiliares as licenças médicas com9,17%. O índice de segurança técnica encontrado foi de 70,4% para enfermeiros e 66,1% para técnicos e auxiliares. A adoção de políticas de recursos humanos que regulamentem esses afastamentos poderia minimizar os efeitos dessas ausências no cálculo do absenteísmo.

Absenteeism is the absence from work for various reasons that have direct influence on the calculation of staff dimensioning. Innursing, the dimensioning team of professionals is important to ensure quality of care delivery and patient safety and workers. This process requires the identification and analysis of site specific variables. Among them is the technical safety index thatrefers to the number of professionals that should be added to the quantity of personnel required for patient care to cover absenteeism presented by staff. Descriptive case study of quantitative nature that aimed to identify the profile of the absenteeism and the technical safety index for professionals in the nursing team of clinical units of a university hospitalin the center region of Brazil. The data basis were the registers of the functional lives of the nursing staff from January to December, 2011, data collected through a very structured instrument and also statistically evaluated. The percentage of absences not previously defined in the nursing staff was 42.96%, higher than 12.97% from the technicians and nursing staff helpers. The staff’s absences which influenced more in the absenteeism among the nursing staff were the ones referring to medical licenses with 19.3 % and to professional qualification with 15.66 % and among the technicians and assistants was the medical licenses with 9.17 %. The index for technical safety was 70.4% for the nursing staff and 66.1% for technicians and assistants. The use of human resources policy that regulate these absences mentioned could minimize the effects of these absences in the absenteeism percentage calculation.

El absentismo es la ausencia al trabajo por diversas razones que tienen influencia directa en el cálculo de dimensionamiento del personal. En enfermería, el dimensionamiento de la equipo de profesionales es importante para asegurar la calidad de la atención y la seguridad del paciente y de los trabajadores. Este proceso requiere la identificación y análisis de variables específicas del sitio. Entre ellas se encuentra el índice de seguridad técnica que se refiere al número de profesionales que deben añadirse a la cantidad de personal necesario para el cuidado del paciente para cubrir el absentismo presentado por el personal. Estudio de caso descriptivo de carácter cuantitativo que tuvo como objetivo identificar el perfil del absentismo y el índice de seguridad técnica de profesionales del equipo de enfermería de las unidades clínicas de un hospital universitario de la región centro oeste de Brasil. La fuente delos datos fueron los registros de la vida laboral de estos profesionales en el período de enero a diciembre de 2011, recolectados por medio de un instrumento estructurado y analizados estadísticamente. El porcentaje de ausencias no previstas de los enfermeros fue de 42,96%, más elevado que el 12,97% de los técnicos y auxiliares de enfermería. Las ausencias que más influyeron en el absentismo entre los enfermeros fueron las licencias médicas con un 19,3% y para calificación profesional con un 15,66%, y entre los técnicos y auxiliares, las licencias médicas con un 9,17%. El índice de seguridad técnica encontrado fue de 70,4% para los enfermeros y de 66,1% para los técnicos y auxiliares. La adopción de políticas de recursos humanos que regulen estas diferencias podría minimizar los efectos de estas ausencias en el cálculo de absentismo.