Isolation, Characterization and Molecular weight determination of Cellulase from Trichoderma viride

Cellulose hydrolyzing enzyme from fungus Trichoderma viride was purified and characterized. The cellulase production was variable depending upon the type of cellulose the fungus grew on; it was higher when grown on cellulose or whatmann filter paper than on other carbon source viz carboxy methyl cellulose. Enzyme purification to homogeneity was carried out by anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose. SDS-PAGE revealed molecular mass of 87 kDa. Maximal activity of the enzymes was observed at 50°C at pH 4 and was stimulated by Ca2+, Co2+, Mg2+ (test at 10 Mm each) and inhibited by Fe2+. Ethanol at an optimum concentration of 2% stimulated the initial enzyme activity. The end product of cellulase action was glucose and cellobiose. The enzyme therefore qualifies as an exo-β 1, 4-glucanase. Thermostability, pH and stability in the presence of surface active agents make this enzyme potentially useful in industry particularly for ethanol production.Keywords: Enzyme, cellulose, cellulaseAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(28), pp. 4512-451

Managing urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in childhood. Presence of pyuria and bacteriuria in an appropriately collected urine sample are diagnostic of UTI. The risk of UTI is increased with an underlying urological abnormality such as vesicoureteral reflux, constipation, and voiding dysfunction. Patients with acute pyelonephritis are at risk of renal scarring and subsequent complications such as hypertension, proteinuria with and without FSGS, pregnancy-related complications and even end-stage renal failure. The relevance and the sequence of the renal imaging following initial UTI, and the role of antimicrobial prophylaxis and surgical intervention are currently undergoing an intense debate. Prompt treatment of UTI and appropriate follow-up of those at increased risk of recurrence and/or renal scarring are important

Bioelectric Impedance Analysis in the Diagnosis of Vesicoureteral Reflux

BACKGROUND: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common abnormality of the urinary tract in childhood. OBJECTIVES: As urine enters the ureters and renal pelvis during voiding in vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), we hypothesized that change in body water composition before and after voiding may be less different in children with VUR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were grouped as those with VUR (Group 1) and without VUR (Group 2). Bioelectric impedance analysis was performed before and after voiding, and third space fluid (TSF) (L), percent of total body fluid (TBF%), extracellular fluid (ECF%), and intracellular fluid (ICF%) were recorded. After change of TSF, TBF, ECF, ICF (ΔTSF, ΔTBF%, ΔECF%, ΔICF%), urine volume (mL), and urine volume/body weight (mL/kg) were calculated. Groups 1 and 2 were compared for these parameters. In addition, pre- and post-voiding body fluid values were compared in each group. RESULTS: TBF%, ECF%, ICF%, and TSF in both pre- and post-voiding states and ΔTBF%, ΔECF%, ΔICF%, and ΔTSF after voiding were not different between groups. However, while post-voiding TBF%, ECF% was significantly decreased in Group 1 (64.5 ± 8.1 vs 63.7 ± 7.2, P = 0.013 for TBF%), there was not post-voiding change in TSF in the same group. On the other hand, there was also a significant TSF decrease in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder and ureter can be considered as the third space. Thus, we think that BIA has been useful in discriminating children with VUR as there was no decreased in patients with VUR, although there was decreased TSF in patients without VUR. However, further studies are needed to increase the accuracy of this hypothesis