Xylanases from fungi: properties and industrial applications.

Xylan is the principal type of hemicellulose. It is a linear polymer of beta-D-xylopyranosyl units linked by (1-4) glycosidic bonds. In nature, the polysaccharide backbone may be added to 4-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucuronopyranosyl units, acetyl groups, alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl, etc., in variable proportions. An enzymatic complex is responsible for the hydrolysis of xylan, but the main enzymes involved are endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and beta-xylosidase. These enzymes are produced by fungi, bacteria, yeast, marine algae, protozoans, snails, crustaceans, insect, seeds, etc., but the principal commercial source is filamentous fungi. Recently, there has been much industrial interest in xylan and its hydrolytic enzymatic complex, as a supplement in animal feed, for the manufacture of bread, food and drinks, textiles, bleaching of cellulose pulp, ethanol and xylitol production. This review describes some properties of xylan and its metabolism, as well as the biochemical properties of xylanases and their commercial applications.

Heart rate and body weight alterations in juvenile specimens of the tropical land snail Megalobulimus sanctipauli during dormancy.

The time course of heart rate and body weight alterations during the natural period of dormancy were determined in active feeding and dormant juvenile specimens of Megalobulimus sanctipauli. In both groups, heart rate markedly decreased during the first 40 days of dormancy, tending to stabilize thereafter. This time period coincided with the decrease in environmental temperature during autumn-winter. At the end of the dormancy period, surviving active feeding and dormant snails showed a significant decrease in heart rate which, however, was significantly greater in the latter group. Total body weight decreased concomitantly with heart rate in dormant snails but remained constant in active feeding snails. Body hydration induced significant increases in weight and heart rate in surviving dormant snails. Feeding following hydration promoted a new significant increase in heart rate but not in weight. These results indicate that the decrease in heart rate observed in juvenile specimens of M. sanctipauli during dormancy may be due to at least three factors: 1) decrease in environmental temperature during autumn-winter, 2) starvation which leads to the depletion of endogenous fuel reserves and to a probable decrease in hemolymph nutrient levels, and 3) dehydration which leads to a probable decrease in hemolymph volume and venous return and/or to an increase in hemolymph osmolarity.

Heart rate and body weight alterations in juvenile specimens of the tropical land snail Megalobulimus sanctipauli during dormancy

The time course of heart rate and body weight alterations during the natural period of dormancy were determined in active feeding and dormant juvenile specimens of Megalobulimus sanctipauli. In both groups, heart rate markedly decreased during the first 40 days of dormancy, tending to stabilize thereafter. This time period coincided with the decrease in environmental temperature during autumn-winter. At the end of the dormancy period, surviving active feeding and dormant snails showed a significant decrease in heart rate which, however, was significantly greater in the latter group. Total body weight decreased concomitantly with heart rate in dormant snails but remained constant in active feeding snails. Body hydration induced significant increases in weight and heart rate in surviving dormant snails. Feeding following hydration promoted a new significant increase in heart rate but not in weight. These results indicate that the decrease in heart rate observed in juvenile specimens of M. sanctipauli during dormancy may be due to at least three factors: 1) decrease in environmental temperature during autumn-winter, 2) starvation which leads to the depletion of endogenous fuel reserves and to a probable decrease in hemolymph nutrient levels, and 3) dehydration which leads to a probable decrease in hemolymph volume and venous return and/or to an increase in hemolymph osmolarity

Purification and properties of a thermostable extracellular beta-D-xylosidase produced by a thermotolerant Aspergillus phoenicis.

A beta-D-xylosidase was purified from cultures of a thermotolerant strain of Aspergillus phoenicis grown on xylan at 45 degrees C. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100. The purified enzyme was a monomer of molecular mass 132 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. Treatment with endoglycosidase H resulted in a protein with a molecular mass of 104 kDa. The enzyme was a glycoprotein with 43.5% carbohydrate content and exhibited a pl of 3.7. Optima of temperature and pH were 75 degrees C and 4.0-4.5, respectively. The activity was stable at 60 degrees C and had a Km of 2.36 mM for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xylopiranoside. The enzyme did not exhibit xylanase, cellulase, galactosidase or arabinosidase activities. The purified enzyme was active against natural substrates, such as xylobiose and xylotriose.

Evaluation of the utility of cephalometric parameters in constructing complete denture. Part II: placement of anterior teeth.

Various types of parameters, including cephalometric ones, have been used in the construction of complete denture. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of cephalometric parameters for this purpose. The position of the anterior teeth in a group of 42 edentulous patients, successfully rehabilitated with complete denture according to clinical parameters, was evaluated by cephalometrics following the Ricketts' design. Data obtained were then compared statistically with those reported by Ricketts for dentate subjects, the position of the maxillary incisors was slightly anterior.

[Correlation between edentulism, sleep disorders and arterial hypertension. Preliminary research]. / Correlazione fra edentulismo, disturbi del sonno e ipertensione arteriosa. Indagine preliminare.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory disturbances during sleep are considered risk factors for arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Edentulism, by decreasing retro-pharyngeal space, may favor upper airway occlusion during sleep. Aim of the study is to evaluate whether edentulism is associated with greater prevalence of sleep disturbances, arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Eighty edentulous subjects with dentures (removed during sleep) and 57 subjects with natural teeth, matched for age, underwent assessment of oral conditions and recording of questionnaires on diseases and respiratory sleep disturbances. RESULTS: Edentulous subjects had a significantly higher prevalence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, than subjects with natural teeth. CONCLUSIONS: In edentulous subjects, removing dentures during sleep may favor respiratory disorders, and increase the risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease.