A novel pectin-degrading enzyme complex from Aspergillus sojae ATCC 20235 mutants.

BACKGROUND: In the food industry, the use of pectinase preparations with high pectin esterase (PE) activity leads to the release of methanol, which is strictly regulated in food products. Herein, a pectin-degrading enzyme (PDE) complex exhibiting low PE activity of three Aspergillus sojae ATCC 20235 mutants (M3, DH56 and Guserbiot 2.230) was investigated. Production of exo-/endo-polygalacturonase (PG), exo-polymethylgalacturonase (PMG) and pectin lyase (PL) by mutant M3 and A. sojae using two different carbon sources was evaluated in solid-state fermentation. Finally, experimental preparations obtained from the mutants and commercial pectinases standardized to the same potency were screened for PDEs. RESULTS: Mutant M3 grown on sugar beet was found to be the best producer of exo-PG, endo-PG, exo-PMG and PL, with maximum yields of 1111, 449, 130 and 123 U g(-1), respectively. All experimental preparations exhibited low PE activity, at least 21.5 times less than commercial pectinases, and higher endo-PG (40 U mL(-1)). CONCLUSION: Mutant M3 was the best PDE producer using sugar beet. Mutant strains presented a PDE complex featuring high endo-PG and very low PE activities. This novel complex with low de-esterifying activity can be exploited in the food industry to degrade pectin without releasing methanol.

Association between ongoing pain intensity, health-related quality of life, disability and quality of sleep in elderly people with total knee arthroplasty.

The scope of this paper was to study the relationship between pain intensity, health-related quality of life, disability, sleep quality and demographic data in elderly people with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 24 subjects who had been subjected to TKA the previous month (4 females; 66 ± 9years) and 21 comparable controls (8 male; 70 ± 9years) participated in the study. Intensity of pain, and highest and lowest pain intensity experienced in the preceding week were collected. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index function, quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were assessed. Age, gender, weight, height, body mass index were also collected. Individuals with TKA presented worse physical function (P < 0.01), social role (P = 0.01), physical performance (P < 0.01), pain (P = 0.04), disability (P = 0.04) and sleep quality (P = 0.03) than the controls. Higher intensity of pain was associated with lower physical function, social role, mental health, vitality and general health, and with higher disability and sleep quality. Disability and sleep quality were negatively associated with several quality of life domains. The associations between the intensity of pain, disability, quality of life and sleep reveal the multidimensional experience of TKA.

Association between ongoing pain intensity, health-related quality of life, disability and quality of sleep in elderly people with total knee arthroplasty / Associação entre a intensidade da dor, a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde, a incapacidade e a qualidade do sono em idosos com artroplastia total de joelho

The scope of this paper was to study the relationship between pain intensity, health-related quality of life, disability, sleep quality and demographic data in elderly people with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 24 subjects who had been subjected to TKA the previous month (4 females; 66 ± 9years) and 21 comparable controls (8 male; 70 ± 9years) participated in the study. Intensity of pain, and highest and lowest pain intensity experienced in the preceding week were collected. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index function, quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were assessed. Age, gender, weight, height, body mass index were also collected. Individuals with TKA presented worse physical function (P < 0.01), social role (P = 0.01), physical performance (P < 0.01), pain (P = 0.04), disability (P = 0.04) and sleep quality (P = 0.03) than the controls. Higher intensity of pain was associated with lower physical function, social role, mental health, vitality and general health, and with higher disability and sleep quality. Disability and sleep quality were negatively associated with several quality of life domains. The associations between the intensity of pain, disability, quality of life and sleep reveal the multidimensional experience of TKA.

Objetivo: Identificar as relações entre intensidade da dor, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, incapacidade, qualidade do sono e dados demográficos em idosos com artroplastia total de joelho (ATJ). Métodos: Participaram vinte e quatro pacientes que receberam ATJ no mês anterior (4 mulheres; 66 ± 9 anos) e 21 controles comparáveis (8 homens; 70 ± 9 anos). Foram coletadas a intensidade da dor no momento da avaliação, a maior e a menor intensidade de dor sentida na semana anterior. A função (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index), a qualidade de vida (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36), e a qualidade do sono (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) foram avaliadas. Idade, sexo, peso, altura, índice de massa corporal também foram coletados. Resultados: Indivíduos com ATJ mostraram pior função física (P < 0,01), papel social (P = 0,01), desempenho físico (P < 0,01), dor (P = 0,04), incapacidade (P = 0,04) e qualidade do sono (P = 0,03) do que os controles. Maior intensidade da dor foi associada com menor função física, papel social, saúde mental, vitalidade e saúde geral, e com maior incapacidade e qualidade do sono. Incapacidade e qualidade do sono estiveram associa das negativamente com vários domínios de qualidade de vida. As associações entre a intensidade da dor, incapacidade, qualidade de vida e do sono mostram a experiência multidimensional da ATJ.