Enzymatic biomass utilization and modification

Environmental concerns, the requirements for energy and carbon efficiency as well as the need to reduce dependency on fossil feedstocks lead to a necessity to develop new bio-based processes and products that support sustainable development and create novel possibilities to boost Bioeconomy. Lignocellulosic biomass mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin is a renewable, abundant non-food starting material for various applications. Cellulases and related enzymes have for decades attracted substantial interest in various industrial applications. For the total hydrolysis of biomass to produce biofuels and other chemicals, mixtures of different (hemi)cellulolytic enzymes have been used, composed of cellobiohydrolases, endoglucanases, β-glucosidases, hemicellulases and helper activities that act in a synergistic manner. On the other hand, for the fibre-based applications usually tailored, or monocomponent enzyme preparations have been applied. The exact composition and proportions of the different enzymes depends in each case on the raw material used, and also on the biorefinery concept to be applied. Despite of the vast development of the lignocellulolytic enzymes, more efficient enzymes and enzyme cocktails are still needed. At VTT, novel cellulolytic enzymes have been discovered from environmental samples, culture collections, metagenomic libraries and genomic databases. Enzyme properties have also been improved by protein engineering. We have also analyzed the limiting factors in the hydrolysis, especially the role of hemicellulose and lignin. Molecular level mechanistic studies have paved way for development of more efficient enzymes. Besides biomass degradation, enzymes have been applied for fibre modification. Furthermore, protease deletion strains and strains with modified cellulase regulation pathways have made it possible to substantially increase protein production in Trichoderma reesei, the industrial production host. References: Igarashi K., Uchihashi, T., Koivula A., Wada, M., Kimura, S., Okamoto, T., Penttilä M., Ando, T. and Samejima, M. (2011) Traffic jams reduce hydrolytic efficiency of cellulase on cellulose surface. Science, 33, 1279-1282. Ilmén M., den Haan R, Brevnova E, McBride J, Wiswall E, Froehlich A, Koivula A, Voutilainen S.P, Siika-aho M, la Grange D.C., Thorngren N, Ahlgren S, Mellon M, Deleault K, Rajgarhia V, van Zyl W.H, Penttilä M (2011) High level secretion of cellobiohydrolases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biotechnology for Biofuels 4, 30-45. Viikari, L., Vehmaanperä, J. and Koivula, A (2012) Lignocellulosic ethanol: from science to industry. Biomass and Bioenergy 46, 13-24. Nakamura, A., Tsukada, T., Auer,S., Furuta, T., Wada, M., Koivula,A., Igarashi, K., and Samejima M. (2013) Tryptophan residue at active-site tunnel entrance of Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase Cel7A is important to initiate degradation of crystalline cellulose. J.Biol.Chem. 288, 13503-13510. Rahikainen, J. L., Moilanen, U., Nurmi-Rantala, S., Lappas, A., Koivula, A., Viikari, L., & Kruus, K. (2013). Effect of temperature on lignin-derived inhibition studied with three structurally different cellobiohydrolases. Bioresource Technology, 146, 118–25. Voutilainen S.P., Nurmi-Rantala, S., Penttilä M., and Koivula A. (2013) Engineering chimeric thermostable GH7 cellobiohydrolases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 98, 2991-3001. Colabardini, A.C., Valkonen M; Huuskonen A; Siika-aho M; Koivula A; Goldman G.H; Saloheimo M (2016) Expression of two novel β-glucosidases from Chaetomium atrobrunneum in Trichoderma reesei and characterization of the heterologous protein products. Mol. Biotechnology. 58, 821-831

FOCUS

New sights. New smells. New people. New places. Travel involves all this and much more. In this issue of FOCUS, we explore the power of travel to change our perceptions of ourselves and the world, and look at some of the reasons why it is so important to leave home. We also introduce you to some Boise State travelers who have visited the world\u27s far reaches, as well as international students who have brought their world to Boise. Cover collage by John Kelly.https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/focus/1083/thumbnail.jp

Thorngren v. State Appellant\u27s Reply Brief Dckt. 39596

https://digitalcommons.law.uidaho.edu/not_reported/1612/thumbnail.jp

FOCUS

New sights. New smells. New people. New places. Travel involves all this and much more. In this issue of FOCUS, we explore the power of travel to change our perceptions of ourselves and the world, and look at some of the reasons why it is so important to leave home. We also introduce you to some Boise State travelers who have visited the world\u27s far reaches, as well as international students who have brought their world to Boise. Cover collage by John Kelly.https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/focus/1083/thumbnail.jp

Hip fractures in elderly with evaluation of risk factors

Background: Fractures in the neck and Perirtrochanteric region of hip contribute significantly to health problem globally. Primary occurrence in elderly osteoporotic people and create a major socioeconomical and public health problem. Almost every such fractures require surgery, hospitalization, and prolonged rehabilitation. The objective of the study was to evaluate the risk factors of hip fractures among the elderly population.Methods: This observational study was conducted among the elderly patients admitted in the department of orthopedics Government Medical College Jammu. Elderly patients regardless of sex and education admitted with hip fractures from August 2019 to July 2020 were included in the study.Results: There were 330 patients admitted with hip injuries. Among these 330 patients admitted with hip fractures, 205 (62.12%) were females and 125 (37.88%) males, mean age was 72.8 years. Age limit was >60 and <100 years. Majority of the patients i.e., 192 (58.18%) were in between the age group of 60 to 79 years.Conclusions: Increasing age is directly proportional to increasing incidence of hip fractures. This proportional rise can be reduced with early steps for prevention of osteoporosis and hence ultimately alleviate the disability and burden of the disease

Transparent Roles in Feedback in the Student-Faculty Partnership for Teaching and Learning

Faculty devote effort and energy promoting learner-centered opportunities that reinforce course content. Through the use of varied pedagogical strategies, appreciating the transparency in learning and teaching (TILT) process, faculty-structured learning opportunities can promote students thinking critically about their performance, building a repertoire of skills to advance learning at higher levels. The feedback that faculty provide and the format given can enhance student-faculty partnerships and success in the service-learning or practicum classroom. Feedback considerations for type (verbal, written, or a combination) and time are paramount to promoting faculty and student partnerships. The method of feedback delivery should be taken into consideration to support student learning

State v. Eiland Appellant\u27s Brief Dckt. 43765

https://digitalcommons.law.uidaho.edu/not_reported/3957/thumbnail.jp

A comparative study of proximal femoral fracture fixation with proximal femoral nail and dynamic hip screw and plating

Background: Trochanteric fractures are one of the commonest injuries sustained predominantly in patients over sixty years of age. They are three to four times more common in women. These usually occur through bone affected by osteoporosis; trivial fall being most common mechanism of injury Approximately 10-30% of patients die within one year of an intertrochanteric fracture.Methods: A prospective study comprising of patients identified for surgical treatment of fracture in the intertrochanteric region of femur admitted to Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur from 2016 to 2017 where 30 patients with 30 intertrochanteric fractures of femur were selected with equal distribution of 15 dynamic hip screw devices and 15 intramedullary devices.Results: The purpose of the present study is to verify theoretical advantages of intramedullary device over the dynamic hip screw devices and also whether it actually alters the eventual functional outcome of the patient. Excellent results were seen in 2 patients (13.3%) in the DHS group and in 6 patients (40%) in the PFN group. The overall functional outcome of patients treated with the PFN was significantly better than those treated with DHS (p=0.037). However when we compared the stable and unstable fractures separately, we found that there was no significant difference in the outcomes of the stable fractures in the two groups (p=0.198).Conclusions: We conclude that in stable intertrochanteric fractures, both the PFN and DHS have similar outcomes. However, in unstable intertrochanteric fractures the PFN has significantly better outcomes in terms of earlier restoration of walking ability as it is an intramedullary implant which can tolerate higher cylindrical loading when compared to DHS type of implants. In addition, as the PFN requires shorter operative time and smaller incision, it has distinct advantages over DHS even in stable intertrochanteric fractures. Hence, in our opinion, PFN may be the better fixation device for most intertrochanteric fractures