Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (CLEA) is known as one of the best enzyme immobilization technique nowadays. In this study, amylase extract from Zophobas morio (super mealworm) larvae was immobilized using acetone as the precipitant, glutaraldehyde as the cross-linker and bovine serum albumin as the additive. The characteristics of the produced CLEA were compared to the free soluble amylase, in terms of pH and temperature optimum and stabilities. The results displayed that CLEAand free amylase achieved an optimum temperature at 55°C and 45°C, respectively. CLEA-amylase also had showed greater stability against high temperature as compared to a free enzyme which had lost most of its activity when the temperature was set beyond 45°C. In comparison, at 65°C, CLEA-amylase still retained 73.2% of its activity. Results also revealed that CLEA-amylase has a pH optimum at 11, while it is pH 7 for free enzyme. Similarly, CLEA-amylase was more stable than the free form, over a wider range of pH, particularly at higher pH of 9, 10 and 11. Recyclability study showed that CLEA-amylase could retain 14.9% of its residual activity after 6 times of repeated uses. Since it is reusable, future works might include the evaluations of using CLEA-amylase at the industrial level, remarkably in detergent applications.
Many studies have been done on various species of insects to investigate their potential use in industries. This is because insects have high protein content which could be further manipulated. Due to its eating habit, Zophobas morio larvae, also known as super mealworm has been shown to have high amylase activity. In this study, amylase from super mealworm has been immobilized via Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregates (CLEA) technique and its kinetic performance, evaluated. CLEA is one of the best immobilization method with respect to enzyme stability and reusability. Kinetic performance of both free and CLEA-amylase were evaluated based on the Michaelis-Menten model. Results obtained based on Hanes-Woolf, LineweaverBurk, Eadie-Hofstee and Hyperbolic Regression plots showed that the kinetic parameters, Vmax and KM, changed upon immobilization. For CLEA-amylase, Hanes-Woolf plot showed the bestfitted model based on R2 with Vmax= 1.068 mM/min and KM= 0.182 mM, however, LineweaverBurk plot was used to obtain the kinetic parameters for free amylase, with Vmax and KM of 17.230 mM/min and 2.470 mM, respectively. Thus it is observed that upon immobilization, Vmax for amylase dropped appreciably, however, much lower substrate concentration is needed to saturate the enzymatic sites to reach its maximum catalytic efficiency. The result from this study might open the new path in discovering the potential use of insects in industrial applications, for example, making use of the recovered enzymes in the detergent industry.
Revision surgery following failed open reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is technically demanding. We reviewed 12 patients in our institution that required a revision surgery between January 1994 and December 2003. The aims of this study are to identify the causes of redislocation after the primary open reduction and to determine the clinical and radiological outcome after the revision surgery. The mean age at presentation for DDH was 31 months (range 1-84) and the mean age at primary open reduction surgery was 38 months (range 15-84) and the mean age at revision surgery was 69 months (range 21-180). The mean follow-up period after revision surgery was 20 months (range 3-84). All the revision surgery was performed via an anterior Smith Peterson approach. The most common cause for redislocation was inadequate exposure and failure to release the obstructing soft tissues around the hip. The bony factors for redislocation included failure to perform a femoral shortening and excessive derotation of an anteverted femoral head combined with a Salter osteotomy. Three cases with posterior acetabular wall deficiency needed immobilization of the hip in extension as the hip tended to dislocate in flexion. Six patients had limb length discrepancy ranging from 1 cm to 4 cm and 50% developed avascular necrosis. Only 2 patients were asymptomatic and the majority had a limp and limitation of motion. All were pain free except one. In view of the technically demanding surgery and poor results after revision, the surgeon should recognize the pathology and ensure that the primary procedure achieves a stable and concentric reduction.
Mild to severe epistaxis is common in pregnancy and often results from increased vascularity of the nasal mucosa and hormonal changes. Symptoms may occur in the absence of an obvious local cause or any systemic disorder; however, thorough otolaryngological (i.e., "ENT") evaluation is always warranted. Pyogenic granuloma or lobular capillary haemangioma is a benign fibrovascular proliferative tumour that is commonly found on the face, fingers, lips, and nasal mucosa. Pregnancy-induced pyogenic granuloma is not an uncommon entity and may result in torrential epistaxis if untreated. Managing a case of severe epistaxis during pregnancy usually requires multidisciplinary management. The authors present a case of severe epistaxis in pregnancy that necessitated examination of the nasal cavity under general anaesthesia. Intraoperative findings showed a bluish-red mass occupying the patient's right maxillary sinus. Bleeding was arrested and complete haemostasis was achieved. The nasal pyogenic granuloma completely resolved in the post-partum period.