Proteinase-catalyzed Hydrolysis of Casein at Atmospheric Pressure and in Supercritical Media

In the presented work, reaction parameters for hydrolysis of casein, catalyzed by Carica papaya latex at atmospheric and high pressure, were optimized. Casein is a remarkably efficient nutrient, supplying not only essential amino acids, but also some carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus and therefore is very important for the food industry. Different reaction parameters such as temperature, stirring rate, casein and enzyme concentration were studied to found the optimal conditions for the reaction. Reactions were performed at atmospheric pressure; an influence of temperature/pressure on the casein hydrolysis in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2) was also investigated to improve the reaction rates. Higher conversions were achieved when the reactions were performed in SC CO2, even though casein was not soluble in this medium

Difluorocarbene Generation from TMSCF3: Kinetics and Mechanism of NaI-Mediated and Si-Induced Anionic Chain Reactions

The mechanism of CF2 transfer from TMSCF3 ( 1 ), mediated by TBAT (2–12 mol %) or by NaI (5–20 mol %), has been investigated by in situ/stopped-flow 19F NMR spectroscopic analysis of the kinetics of alkene difluorocyclopropanation and competing TFE/c-C3F6/homologous perfluoroanion generation, 13C/2H KIEs, LFERs, CF2 transfer efficiency and selectivity, the effect of inhibitors, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The reactions evolve with profoundly different kinetics, undergoing autoinhibition (TBAT) or quasi-stochastic autoacceleration (NaI) and cogenerating perfluoroalkene side products. An overarching mechanism involving direct and indirect fluoride transfer from a CF3 anionoid to TMSCF3 ( 1 ) has been elucidated. It allows rationalization of why the NaI-mediated process is more effective for less-reactive alkenes and alkynes, why a large excess of TMSCF3 ( 1 ) is required in all cases, and why slow-addition protocols can be of benefit. Issues relating to exothermicity, toxicity, and scale-up are also noted.PostprintPeer reviewe

The association of tongue posture with the dentoalveolar maxillary and mandibular morphology in Class III malocclusion: a controlled study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of tongue posture with the dentoalveolar maxillary and mandibular morphology in a group of Class III subjects in comparison to a group of Class I subjects. Twenty Class III subjects (9 males, 11 females, 19.2 ± 4.6 years) and 20 Class I subjects (6 males, 14 females, 17.4 ± 1.7 years) were included in the present study. Maxillary and mandibular morphology was defined by the intermolar and intercanine distances, at both the cusps and gingival levels, and by measuring surface area and volume of the palatal vault and mouth floor assessed on three-dimensional digital models. Tongue-to-palate distances were measured on lateral cephalograms. The groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test and correlations between each morphological parameter and the tongue-to-palate distances were calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The mandibular intermolar width at the gingival level was significantly greater in the Class III group (P < 0.01), while the maxillary intercanine widths were significantly smaller in the Class III group (P < 0.05). The mouth floor area and volume and the respective ratios between the mouth floor and palate were significantly greater in the Class III group (P = 0.01). The tongue-to-palate distances were generally greater, i.e. lower tongue posture, for the Class III subjects. Significant correlations were seen between tongue-to-palate distances in the posterior region with the area ratio (rho = 0.44, P < 0.05). Tongue posture is significantly lower in Class III subjects and is associated with the dentoalveolar characteristics of the maxilla and mandible

Assessment of facial asymmetry in growing subjects with a three-dimensional laser scanning system

Authors –  Primozic J, Perinetti G, Zhurov A, Richmond S, Ovsenik M Objectives –  To evaluate facial asymmetry in growing subjects with no malocclusion on three-dimensional laser facial scans. Setting and Sample Population –  Twenty-seven healthy Caucasian children (15 boys and 12 girls, aged 5.4 ± 0.3 years) in the primary dentition without malocclusion were randomly selected from a local kindergarten in Slovenia. Material and Methods –  Surface facial images were obtained using a three-dimensional laser scanning system at baseline and at 18, 30, 42 and 54 months of follow-up. Facial asymmetry was assessed quantitatively by measuring the average distance between facial image and mirrored image. Further, the percentage of asymmetry was calculated as the percentage of image to mirrored image not coinciding within 0.5 mm. Qualitative assessment was performed on colour deviation maps by recording the predominant side of the face for the upper, middle and lower parts of the face separately. Nonparametric tests were used for data analysis. Results –  No face was perfectly symmetric. The average distance between the mirrored images for the whole face ranged 0.22–0.85 mm and the percentage of asymmetry 7.8–66.9. There were no significant gender differences (p > 0.05), and no significant change was found over the observed period. The upper part of the face was the least asymmetric, while the lower and middle parts showed similar degrees of asymmetry. Conclusion –  Facial asymmetry is already present at an early developmental stage and does not show any tendency to increase or decrease with growth in the pre-pubertal period

Three-dimensional evaluation of facial morphology in children aged 5-6 years with a Class III malocclusion

The aim of this study was to evaluate facial morphology in 25 Class III and 46 non-Class III children aged 5–6 years using three-dimensional (3D) laser imaging; 3D facial images were obtained, two average facial templates were constructed for the non-Class III male and female groups, each individual face was superimposed on the corresponding average template and group comparisons were evaluated (facial height, facial convexity, mandibular position and facial surface morphology). Differences between parameters were evaluated by using an analysis of variance and colour deviation maps. The results showed that Class III children had less mid-face prominence and a concave facial profile when compared to non-Class III children (P = 0.002 and P = 0.018). The position of the pg point in the z-axis just failed to reach statistical significance when comparing the two groups (P = 0.051). A vertical analysis showed no statistical significance between the groups, when evaluating middle (n–sn) and lower (sn–pg) facial height. Coincidence of the Class III faces to normal templates with a tolerance set as 0.5 mm was low (less than 30%). The soft tissue characteristics of a Class III face differ significantly from the non-Class III face in the mid-face region and in the facial profile. A 3D laser imaging method evaluated and identified morphological characteristics of Class III children in deciduous dentition, which could in the future become an important diagnostic tool in small children. The most important clinical advantage of this study is the non-invasiveness of the method