The effect of acquired microbial enzymes on assimilation efficiency in the common woodlouse, Tracheoniscus rathkei

The digestive tract of the common woodlouse, Tracheoniscus rathkei Brandt (Isopoda: Oniscoidea), contains digestive enzymes active against α-1,4-glucans, which are the chief storage polysaccharides of vascular plants, algae, fungi, and animals, and β-1,3-glucans, which are present in algae and fungi. Digestive tract extracts also exhibit significant activity toward xylan and carboxymethyl-cellulose but negligible activity toward microcrystalline cellulose, substrates representative of the major structural polysaccharides of vascular plants. Low activity was detected toward pectin, and no activity was detected toward chitin. Activity toward xylan is due in part to microbial enzymes acquired from the leaf litter which was the isopod's normal food. Although ingested microbial xylanases are stable and active in the gut fluid, they do not make a quantitatively significant contribution to the isopod's ability to assimilate the hemicellulosic component of its diet. However, the assimilation of carbon from labeled plant fiber is enhanced in isopods which have acquired a cellulase by ingestion of leaf litter amended with a commercial preparation of the cellulase complex from the fungus, Penicillium funiculosum . This result demonstrates the potential contribution of acquired enzymes to the digestion of plant fiber in terrestrial detritivores. We urge caution, however, in assigning an important digestive function to ingested enzymes on the basis of evidence that only indicates that such enzymes are present in the gut fluid without additional evidence that their presence results in an enhancement of digestive efficiency.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47763/1/442_2004_Article_BF00377057.pd

From Inpatient Notes to Outpatient Followup: Enhancing the Rhinology Service in a Tertiary Centre through Student Led Projects.

Introduction. Medical students can use systems to help improve the quality of care in a unit. Following the review of care within the ENT department at a tertiary centre a number of quality improvement projects were put in place. Methods. The following interventions were established: (1) creation of an outpatient telephone enquiry clinic, (2) development of a rhinology database, (3) introduction of operative note templates, and (4) construction of electronic discharge summary templates (eDSTs). Discussion and Outcomes. (1) Consultant telephone inquiry clinics were successfully organised and showed high levels of patient satisfaction. (2) A database to collect patient reported outcome measures was piloted within rhinology outpatients; the results suggest that such a database would be simple to introduce and yield benefits for patients and the department. (3) Operative note templates for FESS procedures were implemented with a view to improving the continuity of care onto the ward; these have become well established and further steps to integrate these into routine care are being taken. (4) eDSTs specific to FESS and septorhinoplasty procedures were introduced with a view to increasing completion speed of templates and adherence to Royal College of Physician Guidance