Chemical modification of Aspergillus niger β-glucosidase and its catalytic properties.

Aspergillus niger β-glucosidase was modified by covalent coupling to periodate activated polysaccharides (glycosylation). The conjugated enzyme to activated starch showed the highest specific activity (128.5 U/mg protein).

Transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy in recurrent maxillary sinus inverted papilloma.

Background: Maxillary sinus inverted papilloma entails medial maxillectomy and is associated with high incidence of recurrence.

Objective: To study the impact of prior surgery on recurrence rate after transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy.

Methodology: Eighteen patients with primary and 33 with recurrent maxillary sinus inverted papilloma underwent transnasal endoscopic medial maxillectomy.

Ear, nose, and throat involvement in Egyptian patients with pemphigus vulgaris: a step towards a better management.

Background: The frequency of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) involvement in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is not clear; thereby, the importance of setting routine ENT examination for patients with PV could not be deduced.

Objective: Determine the prevalence of ENT involvement in patients with PV in Egypt; to modify the routine protocol and achieve a step towards better management.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-four patients with PV were included.

Evaluation of free and immobilized Aspergillus niger NRC1ami pectinase applicable in industrial processes.

The Aspergillus niger NRC1ami pectinase was evaluated according to its hydrolysis efficiency of dry untreated orange peels (UOP), HCl-treated orange peels and NaOH-treated orange peels (HOP and NOP). Pectinase was entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge and the optimum pH and temperature of the free and immobilized enzymes were shifted from 4, 40 °C to 6, 50 °C respectively. The study of pH stability of free and immobilized pectinase showed that the immobilization process protected the enzyme strongly from severe alkaline pHs.

Bipolar scissors tonsillectomy: what are the advantages?

Background: Various methods have been described for tonsillectomy. Convincing evidence in the literature is still lacking regarding the optimal method of performing this surgical procedure.

Aim: To investigate the outcome of bipolar scissors tonsillectomy and compare it to bipolar diathermy forceps tonsillectomy.

Production of levansucrase from Bacillus subtilis NRC 33a and enzymic synthesis of levan and Fructo-Oligosaccharides.

Bacillus subtilis NRC 33a was able to produce both inducible and constitutive extracellular levansucrase, respectively, using sucrose and glucose as carbon source. The optimal production of the levansucrase was at 30 degrees C. The effect of different nitrogen sources showed that baker's yeast with 2% concentration gave the highest levansucrase activity.