Atypical lipomatous tumour/well-differentiated liposarcoma found in the buccal mucosa: A rare case report.

Oral liposarcomas are uncommon diseases, the most predominant histopathological subtype being atypical lipomatous tumour/well-differentiated liposarcoma. In regard to its clinical aspects in the oral cavity, it is challenging to confirm a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. In this case report, we present a rare case of atypical lipomatous tumour/well-differentiated liposarcoma in the right cheek of a 77-year-old male patient. Conservative surgery was performed considering the histopathological subtype of the neoplasm. Knowledge of the clinical and histopathological characteristics of this rare disease is essential to maintaining function and aesthetics through conservative treatment in older patients.

High-b diffusivity of MS lesions in cervical spinal cord using ultrahigh-b DWI (UHb-DWI).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate UHb-rDWI signal in white matter tracts of the cervical spinal cord (CSC) and compare quantitative values between healthy control WM with both MS NAWM and MS WM lesions. METHODS: UHb-rDWI experiments were performed on (a) 7 MS patients with recently active or chronic lesions in CSC and on (b) 7 healthy control of similar age range and gender distribution to MS subjects. All MRI data were acquired using clinical 3T MRI system. Axial high-b diffusion images were acquired using 2D single-shot DW stimulated EPI with reduced FOV and a CSC-dedicated 8 channel array coil. High-b diffusion coefficient DH was estimated by fitting the signal-b curve to a double or single-exponential function. RESULTS: The high-b diffusivity DH values were measured as (0.767 ± 0.297) × 10-3 mm2/s in the posterior column lesions, averaged over 6 MS patients, and 0.587 × 10-3 mm2/s in the corticospinal tract for another patient. The averaged DH values of the 7 healthy volunteers from the posterior and lateral column were (0.0312 ± 0.0306) × 10-3 and (0.0505 ± 0.0205) × 10-3 mm2/s, respectively. UHb-rDWI signal-b curves of the MS patients revealed to noticeably behave differently to that of the healthy controls. The patient signal-b curves decayed with greater high-b decay constants to reach lower signal intensities relative to signal-b curves of the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: UHb-DWI of the CSC reveals a marked difference in signal-b-curves and DH values in MS lesions compared to NAWM and healthy control WM. Based on physical principles, we interpret these altered observations of quantitative diffusion values to be indicative of demyelination. Further studies in animal models will be required to fully interpret UHb-DWI quantitative diffusion values during demyelination and remyelination.

Evaluation of Depth of Invasion and Tumor Thickness as a Prognostic Factor for Early-Stage Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of using depth of invasion (DOI) versus tumor thickness (TT) as a prognostic factor for early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A total of 57 patients with early-stage OSCC treated surgically from 2009 to 2014 at our institution were reviewed retrospectively. Histopathological measurement of DOI and TT was performed. The validation of DOI and TT as prognostic factors was conducted using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. TT had no association with disease-specific survival (DSS) or progression-free survival (PFS) in this cohort; however, increased DOI was significantly associated with decreased DSS but not correlated to decreased PFS. The T category of the 7th edition of AJCC was statistically associated with both DSS and PFS; however, the T category of the 8th edition of the AJCC was only associated with DSS. In this study group, TT could not be used as a prognostic factor, and DOI was not by itself sufficient to predict prognosis for early-stage OSCC. The T category in AJCC 8th Edition cannot be considered the sole prognostic factor for early OSCC, so additional prognostic factors may need to be considered.

Inhibition of RNA Helicase Activity Prevents Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocarditis in Human iPS Cardiomyocytes.

AIMS: Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is known to be an important cause of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Enterovirus-2C (E2C) is a viral RNA helicase. It inhibits host protein synthesis. Based on these facts, we hypothesize that the inhibition of 2C may suppress virus replication and prevent enterovirus-mediated cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We generated a chemically modified enterovirus-2C inhibitor (E2CI). From the in vitro assay, E2CI was showed strong antiviral effects. For in vivo testing, mice were treated with E2CI intraperitoneally injected daily for three consecutive days at a dose of 8mg/kg per day, after CVB3 post-infection (p.i) (CVB3 + E2CI, n = 33). For the infected controls (CVB3 only, n = 35), mice were injected with PBS (phosphate buffered saline) in a DBA/2 strain to establish chronic myocarditis. The four-week survival rate of E2CI-treated mice was significantly higher than that of controls (92% vs. 71%; p < 0.05). Virus titers and myocardial damage were significantly reduced in the E2CI treated group. In addition, echocardiography indicated that E2CI administration dramatically maintained mouse heart function compared to control at day 28 p.i chronic stage (LVIDD, 3.1 ± 0.08 vs. 3.9 ± 0.09, p < 0.01; LVDS, 2.0 ± 0.07 vs. 2.5 ± 0.07, p < 0.001; FS, 34.8 ± 1.6% vs. 28.5 ± 1.5%; EF, 67. 9 ± 2.9% vs. 54.7 ± 4.7%, p < 0.05; CVB3 + E2CI, n = 6 vs. CVB3, n = 4). Moreover, E2CI is effectively worked in human iPS (induced pluripotent stem cell) derived cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSION: Enterovirus-2C inhibitor (E2CI) was significantly reduced viral replication, chronic myocardium damage, and CVB3-induced mortality in DBA/2 mice. These results suggested that E2CI is a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of enterovirus-mediated diseases.

Design and synthesis of sulfonamidophenylethylamides as novel cardiac myosin activator.

The sulfonamidophenylethylamide analogues were explored for finding novel and potent cardiac myosin activators. Among them, N-(4-(N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl)phenethyl-N-methyl-5-phenylpentanamide (13, CMA at 10 µM = 48.5%; FS = 26.21%; EF = 15.28%) and its isomer, 4-(4-(N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl)phenyl-N-methyl-N-(3-phenylpropyl)butanamide (27, CMA at 10 µM = 55.0%; FS = 24.69%; EF = 14.08%) proved to be efficient cardiac myosin activators both in in vitro and in vivo studies. Compounds 13 (88.2 + 3.1% at 5 µM) and 27 (46.5 + 2.8% at 5 µM) showed positive inotropic effect in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. The potent compounds 13 and 27 were highly selective for cardiac myosin over skeletal and smooth muscle myosin, and therefore these potent and selective amide derivatives could be considered a new class of cardiac myosin activators for the treatment of systolic heart failure.

Fimasartan for Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction.

An angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) mitigates cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we investigated the effect of fimasartan, a new ARB, on cardiac remodeling after MI. Sprague⁻Dawley rats were assigned into 3 groups: surgery only (sham group, n = 7), MI without (MI-only group, n = 13), and MI with fimasartan treatment (MI + Fima group, n = 16). MI was induced by the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Treatment with fimasartan (10 mg/kg) was initiated 24 h after MI and continued for 7 weeks. Rats in the MI + Fima group had a higher mean ejection fraction (66.3 ± 12.5% vs. 51.3 ± 14.8%, P = 0.002) and lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (9.14 ± 1.11 mm vs. 9.91 ± 1.43 mm, P = 0.045) than those in the MI-only group at 7 weeks after MI. The infarct size was lower in the MI + Fima than in the MI group (P < 0.05). A microarray analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to the lipid metabolism and mitochondrial membrane ion transporters were upregulated, and those involved in fibrosis and inflammation were downregulated by fimasartan. Fimasartan attenuates cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in rats after MI and may prevent the progression to heart failure after MI.

Ultra-high-b radial diffusion-weighted imaging (UHb-rDWI) of human cervical spinal cord.

BACKGROUND: Injury in the cervical spinal cord (CSC) can lead to varying degrees of neurologic deficit and persistent disability. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising method to evaluate white matter integrity and pathology. However, the conventional DTI results are limited with respect to the specific details of neuropathology and microstructural architecture. In this study we used ultrahigh-b radial-DWI (UHb-rDWI) with b-values ranging from 0 to ∼7500 s/mm2 and calculated decay constant (DH ) at the high b-values, which gives much deeper insight about the microscopic environment of CSC white matter. PURPOSE: To evaluate a novel diffusion MRI, UHb-rDWI technique for imaging of the CSC. STUDY TYPE: Longitudinal. SUBJECTS: Four healthy controls, each scanned twice. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3T/2D single shot diffusion-weighted stimulated echo planar imaging with reduced field of view. ASSESSMENT: The signal from each pixel of b0 (b = 0) and b-value (b ≠ 0) images were fitted to a biexponential function and normalized. The signal-b curve is obtained by dividing the latter curve by the former. DH was obtained from the curve at b >4000 s/mm2 . A Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS) was performed to investigate how DH changes upon the increased water-exchange at the CSC. RESULTS: The signal-b curves plotted at multiple levels of healthy CSC are almost identical on two successive scans and show a biexponential decay behavior: fast exponential decay at lower b-values and much slower decay at UHb-values. The mean values of DH were measured as (0.0607 ± 0.02531) ×10-3 and (0.0357 ± 0.02072) ×10-3 s/mm2 at the lateral funiculus and posterior column, respectively. MCS of diffusion MRI shows that the DH is elevated by increased water exchange between the intra- and extraaxonal spaces. DATA CONCLUSION: UHb-rDWI signal-b plots of the normal CSC were highly reproducible on successive scans and their biexponential decay behavior can be used to characterize normal spinal white matter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:204-211.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Brassica oleracea Var. capitata L. (Cabbage) Methanol Extract in Mice with Contact Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata L., is one of the most common vegetables in the world. Because of its high levels of flavonoids and anthocyanins, cabbage has long been used as a herbal medicine. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cabbage were also recently been reported. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of cabbage in mice with contact dermatitis (CD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effects of methanol extract of B. oleracea var. capitata L. (MEBO) on ear swelling, erythema, and histopathological changes in CD mice. Moreover, the effects on cytokine production and the spleen/body weight ratio were investigated. RESULTS: Topical treatment with MEBO inhibited ear swelling and erythema significantly. MEBO also significantly inhibited epidermal hyperplasia and infiltration of immune cells. Furthermore, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in inflamed tissues were effectively lowered by MEBO. Finally, MEBO did not affect body weight gain or spleen body weight ratio. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that cabbage can be used for the treatment of skin inflammation and that its anti-inflammatory activity is closely related to the inhibition of Th1 skewing reactions. SUMMARY: MEBO inhibited ear thickness, weight, and erythema in inflamed skinMEBO also prevented epidermal hyperplasia and infiltration of immune cellsThe levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in inflamed tissues were lowered by MEBO. Abbreviations used: AOO: Acetone and olive oil (4:1), CBA: Cytometric bead array, CD: Contact dermatitis, DEX: Dexamethasone, DNFB: 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene, GM-CSF: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, ICAM-1: Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, LPS: Lipopolysaccharide, MEBO: Methanol extract of Brassica oleracea, MCP-1: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1, NO: Nitric oxide.

Human chorionic gonadotropin-administered natural cycle versus spontaneous ovulatory cycle in patients undergoing two pronuclear zygote frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)-administered natural cycle with spontaneous ovulatory cycle in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FTET) in natural cycles. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the clinical outcome of a total of 166 consecutive FTET cycles that were performed in either natural cycle controlled by HCG for ovulation triggering (HCG group, n=110) or natural cycle with spontaneous ovulation (control group, n=56) in 166 infertile patients between January 2009 and November 2013. RESULTS: There were no differences in patients' characteristics between the 2 groups. The numbers of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, grade I or II embryos and frozen embryos in the previous in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle in which embryos were frozen were comparable between the HCG and control groups. Significant differences were not also observed between the 2 groups in clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), embryo implantation rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate and multiple CPR. However, the number of hospital visits for follicular monitoring was significantly fewer in the HCG group than in the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that HCG administration for ovulation triggering in natural cycle reduces the number of hospital visits for follicular monitoring without any detrimental effect on FTET outcome when compared with spontaneous ovulatory cycles in infertile patients undergoing FTET in natural ovulatory cycles.

Design and synthesis of sulfonamidophenylethylureas as novel cardiac myosin activator.

To optimize the lead urea scaffold 1 and 2 as selective cardiac myosin ATPase activator, a series of urea derivatives have been synthesized to explore its structure activity relationship. Among them N,N-dimethyl-4-(2-(3-(3-phenylpropyl)ureido)ethyl)benzenesulfonamide (13, CMA = 91.6%, FS = 17.62%; EF = 11.55%), N,N-dimethyl-4-(2-(1-methyl-3-(3-phenylpropyl)ureido)ethyl)benzene sulfonamide (40, CMA = 52.3%, FS = 38.96%; EF = 24.19%) and N,N-dimethyl-4-(2-(3-methyl-3-(3-phenylpropyl)ureido)ethyl)benzenesulfonamide (41, CMA = 47.6%, FS = 23.19%; EF = 15.47%) proved to be efficient to activate the cardiac myosin in vitro and in vivo. Further the % change in ventricular cell contractility at 5 µM of 13 (47.9 ± 3.2), 40 (45.5 ± 2.4) and 41 (63.5 ± 2.2) showed positive inotropic effect in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. The potent compounds 13, 40, 41 were highly selective for cardiac myosin over skeletal and smooth muscle myosin, thus proving them these new urea derivatives is a novel scaffold for discovery of cardiac myosin activators for the treatment of systolic heart failure.

Impact of Social Integration and Living Arrangements on Korean Older Adults' Depression: A Moderation Model.

Depression among older adults is a challenging public health concern in Korea. Using panel data from the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs on Korean older adults and their family caregivers, this study explores significant predictors of depression among Korean older adults as well as the moderating effect of living arrangements on the association between social integration and depression. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preexisting depression was the most significant predictor of Korean older adults' current depression, followed by health status and family support. In addition, social integration significantly decreased Korean older adults' depression. Importantly, a significant moderation effect of living arrangements between Korean older adults' social integration and depression was observed. This study implies the development of individually tailored and culturally responsive programs to engage marginalized Korean older adults living alone, helping foster their well-being and optimal aging.

Exploration of flexible phenylpropylurea scaffold as novel cardiac myosin activators for the treatment of systolic heart failure.

A series of flexible urea derivatives have been synthesized and demonstrated as selective cardiac myosin ATPase activator. Among them 1-phenethyl-3-(3-phenylpropyl)urea (1, cardiac myosin ATPase activation at 10 µM = 51.1%; FS = 18.90; EF = 12.15) and 1-benzyl-3-(3-phenylpropyl)urea (9, cardiac myosin ATPase activation = 53.3%; FS = 30.04; EF = 18.27) showed significant activity in vitro and in vivo. The change of phenyl ring with tetrahydropyran-4-yl moiety viz., 1-(3-phenylpropyl)-3-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methyl)urea (14, cardiac myosin ATPase activation = 81.4%; FS = 20.50; EF = 13.10), and morpholine moiety viz., 1-(2-morpholinoethyl)-3-(3-phenylpropyl)urea (21, cardiac myosin ATPase activation = 44.0%; FS = 24.79; EF = 15.65), proved to be efficient to activate the cardiac myosin. The potent compounds 1, 9, 14 and 21 were found to be selective for cardiac myosin over skeletal and smooth myosins. Thus, these urea derivatives are potent scaffold to develop as a newer cardiac myosin activator for the treatment of systolic heart failure.

Fostering interprofessional collaboration through a family-centred programme for grandparent-headed families.

Interprofessional education (IPE) is now widely considered an essential part of preparing professionals to work more effectively with marginalised families, such as grandparent-headed families. This study aims to explore the potential for IPE through a family-centred programme for grandparent-headed families during professional preparation for education, social work, and nursing students to foster collaboration. Using mixed methods with concurrent data collection and analyses, this study suggests that participation in IPE can positively impact perceptions of interprofessional collaboration to better meet the multifaceted needs of grandparent-headed families by increasing awareness and self-efficacy for interprofessional collaboration in schools and deepening understandings of non-traditional families. Implications highlight possibilities for more flexible and integrated professional identities in working with children and their families as well as the potential for future school professionals to embrace more comprehensive services in schools.

A Model for School Professionals Working with Grandparent-Headed Families.

Grandparent-headed families have multifaceted needs and complicated family contexts. These nontraditional families frequently have strained relationships with their grandchildren's school systems, but there are scarce models providing effective strategies for working with them. The author used multidisciplinary theoretical literature and research outcomes to propose a model for working with grandparent-headed families in schools. First, unique needs, risk factors, and school barriers these grandparent-headed families experience are put forward. In addition, school professionals' needs for practice guidelines for their work with grandparent-headed families are described. A model for working with grandparent-headed families is proposed, built on four theories: symbolic interactionism, attachment theory, role theory, and the strengths-based approach. Implications for teaching, practice, and programming for grandparent-headed families in schools are presented.

Characterization of spinal cord white matter by suppressing signal from hindered space. A Monte Carlo simulation and an ex vivo ultrahigh-b diffusion-weighted imaging study.

Signal measured from white matter in diffusion-weighted imaging is difficult to interpret because of the heterogeneous structure of white matter. Characterization of the white matter will be straightforward if the signal contributed from the hindered space is suppressed and purely restricted signal is analyzed. In this study, a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) of water diffusion in white matter was performed to understand the behavior of the diffusion-weighted signal in white matter. The signal originating from the hindered space of an excised pig cervical spinal cord white matter was suppressed using the ultrahigh-b radial diffusion-weighted imaging. A light microscopy image of a section of white matter was obtained from the excised pig cervical spinal cord for the MCS. The radial diffusion-weighted signals originating from each of the intra-axonal, extra-axonal, and total spaces were studied using the MCS. The MCS predicted that the radial diffusion-weighted signal remains almost constant in the intra-axonal space and decreases gradually to about 2% of its initial value in the extra-axonal space when the b-value is increased to 30,000s/mm2. The MCS also revealed that the diffusion-weighted signal for a b-value greater than 20,000s/mm2 is mostly from the intra-axonal space. The decaying behavior of the signal-b curve obtained from ultrahigh-b diffusion-weighted imaging (bmax∼30,000s/mm2) of the excised pig cord was very similar to the decaying behavior of the total signal-b curve synthesized in the MCS. A mono-exponential plus constant fitting of the signal-b curve obtained from a white matter pixel estimated the values of constant fraction and apparent diffusion coefficient of decaying fraction as 0.32±0.05 and (0.16±0.01)×10-3mm2/s, respectively, which agreed well with the results of the MCS. The signal measured in the ultrahigh-b region (b>20,000s/mm2) is mostly from the restricted (intra-axonal) space. Integrity and intactness of the axons can be evaluated by assessing the remaining signal in the ultrahigh-b region.

Impact of a collaborative interprofessional learning experience upon medical and social work students in geriatric health care.

Interprofessional collaborative practice is increasingly recognized as an essential model in health care. This study lends preliminary support to the notion that medical students (including residents) and social work students develop a broader understanding of one another's roles and contributions to enhancing community-dwelling geriatric patients' health, and develop a more thorough understanding of the inherent complexities and unique aspects of geriatric health care. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests of participants' scores on the Index of Interdisciplinary Collaboration (IIC) indicated the training made significant changes to the students' perception of interprofessional collaboration. Qualitative analysis of participants' statements illustrated (1) benefits of the IPE experience, including complementary roles in holistic interventions; and (2) challenges to collaboration. The findings suggest that interprofessional educational experiences have a positive impact upon students' learning and strategies for enhanced care of geriatric patients.

Soluble coxsackievirus B3 3C protease inhibitor prevents cardiomyopathy in an experimental chronic myocarditis murine model.

BACKGROUND: Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a common cause of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. CVB3 3C protease (3CP) cleaves the viral polyprotein during replication. We tested whether a water soluble 3CP inhibitor (3CPI) had antiviral effects in a chronic myocarditis model. METHODS: Chronic myocarditis was established using DBA/2 strain mice. Starting on post-infection (p.i) day 3, CVB3-infected mice (n=41) were treated with 3CPI by daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection at a concentration of 50 µM (1.7 mg/kg/day) per day for 3 consecutive days. Additional mice (n=49) were injected with PBS as a control. RESULTS: The 5-week survival rate was significantly higher with 3CPI treatment (82.3% versus 47.9%; P<0.05). Organ virus titers at day 3 and 7 and myocardial damage were significantly lower in 3CPI-treated mice. Echocardiography at day 31 indicated strong protection of heart function by 3CPI (FS, 51.2±1.5 versus 26.1±1.5%; P<0.001). Hemodynamic measurements indicated that 3CPI treatment markedly reduced CVB3-induced LV dysfunction on day 31 (dP/dTmax, 5302±352 versus 4103±408 mmHg/s, P<0.05; dP/dTmin, -3798±212 versus -2814±206 mmHg/s, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Water soluble 3CPI was delivered through i.p. injection after CVB3 infection. This agent preserved heart function and decreased organ viral titers and myocardial damage. Soluble 3CPI may be beneficial in the treatment of cardiomyopathy associated with enterovirus infection.

Korean American dementia caregivers' attitudes toward caregiving: the role of social network versus satisfaction with social support.

The purpose of this study was to explore how Korean American family caregivers view the services they offer to patients with dementia. It also investigated the roles of social networks and satisfaction with social support on attitudes toward caregiving. Social network, satisfaction with social support, demographic characteristics, caregiving-related stress factors, and cultural factors were examined. We used a convenience sample of 85 Korean American dementia caregivers. The results from hierarchical multiple regression models show that the level of satisfaction with social support significantly contributed to Korean American caregivers' attitudes toward working with patients with dementia, while no statistically significant associate was found for social network. Higher levels of satisfaction with social support were associated with greater positive attitudes toward caregiving among Korean American caregivers (b = 0.26, p = .024). The implications for mental health professionals and policy makers are discussed.

Kinetic study on the pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of rice hull for the production of fermentable sugars.

The production of fermentable sugars from rice hull was studied by dilute acid pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification. Rice hull (15%, w/v) was pretreated by 1% (v/v) sulfuric acid at high temperature (120 approximately 160 degrees C) for 15, 30, 45, and 60 min, respectively. The maximum sugar concentration from rice hull in the prehydrolysate was obtained at 140 degrees C for 30 min, but the enzymatic saccharification yield from the corresponding pretreated rice hull is not high. To another aspect, the maximum enzymatic saccharification yield was achieved at 160 degrees C for 60 min, while the recovery of fermentable sugars was the poorest. To take account of fermentable sugars from pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification, the maximum yield of sugars was obtained only when rice hull was treated at 140 degrees C for 30 min. Under this condition, 72.5% (w/w) of all sugars generated from the raw material can be recovered. The kinetic study on the enzymatic saccharification of dilute acid pretreated rice hull was also performed in this work by a modified Michaelis-Menten model and a diffusion-limited model. After calculation by a linear and a non-linear regression analysis, both models showed good relation with the experimental results.

Purification and characterization of cellulase produced by Bacillus amyoliquefaciens DL-3 utilizing rice hull.

A microorganism hydrolyzing rice hull was isolated from soil and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by analysis of 16S rDNA and partial sequences of the gyrA gene, and named as B. amyloliquefaciens DL-3. With the analysis of SDS-PAGE, the molecular weight of the purified cellulase was estimated to be 54kDa. The purified cellulase hydrolyzed avicel, caboxymethylcellulose (CMC), cellobiose, beta-glucan and xylan, but not p-Nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PNPG). Optimum temperature and pH for the CMCase activity of the purified cellulase were found to be 50 degrees C and pH 7.0, respectively. The CMCase activity was inhibited by some metal ions, N-bromosuccinimide and EDTA in the order of Hg(2+)>EDTA>Mn(2+)>N-bromosuccinimide>Ni(2+)>Pb(2+)>Sr(2+)>Co(2+)>K(+). The open reading frame of the cellulase from B. amyloliquefaciens DL-3 was found to encode a protein of 499 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cellulase from B. amyloliquefaciens DL-3 showed high identity to cellulases from other Bacillus species, a modular structure containing a catalytic domain of the glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5), and a cellulose-binding module type 3 (CBM3).