Mathematical model-based optimization of physico-enzymatic hydrolysis of Pinus roxburghii needles for the production of reducing sugars.

The objective of this study was to optimize the physico-enzymatic pretreatment of P.roxburghii fallen foliage (needles) to produce reducing sugars through response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite face centered design (CCD). Under this, five parameters, i.e., concentration of laccase, cellulose and xylanase, steam explosion pressure and incubation period, at three levels with twenty six runs were taken into account. Cellulase, xylanase and laccase enzymes with activity 4.563, 38.32 and 0.05 IU/mL, respectively, were produced from locally isolated microbial strains. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied for the validation of the predicted model at 95% of confidence level. This model predicted 334 mg/g release of reducing sugars on treating P.roxburghii fallen foliage with 1.18 mL of cellulose, 0.31 mL of xylanase and 0.01 mL of laccase, 14.39 psi steam explosion pressure and 24 h of incubation time. The experimental results obtained were in good agreement to predicted values, making it a reliable optimized model for five factors in combination to predict reducing sugar yield for ethanol production for bio-fuel industry.

Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the pleura: Report of a rare case.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare aggressive variant of chondrosarcoma that frequently occurs in extraskeletal location. A 28-year-old female presented with a history of dyspnea and fever and succumbed to her illness before a conclusive diagnosis was established. An autopsy performed revealed the presence of an extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (ESMC) involving the pleura. Only one case of ESMC of the pleura has been reported previously. Herein, we report the second case of ESMC of the pleura.

Mixed schwannoma with meningioma of the trigeminal nerve.

Mixed tumors composed of schwannoma and meningiomas are extremely rare and are usually associated with neurofibromatosis-2 (NF-2). So far, all the cases reported have involved the cerebello-pontine angle. Only two cases did not have a clear association with NF-2. We report a mixed tumor comprising of meningioma admixed with schwannoma in a 33-year-old male with bilateral trigeminal nerve schwannomas. The patient did not fit the existing diagnostic criteria of NF-2. The relevant literature, along with diagnostic criteria for NF-2 is discussed.