Characterisation and effects of a xylanase enzyme preparation extracted from Thermomyces lanuginosus cultures

This paper describes the production of an enzyme preparation from the fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus. Thermal resistance, pH stability and lignocellulolytic activity of the enzyme preparation high in xylanase were studied on a variety of grains and forages. The enzyme preparation preserved more than 70% of its original xylanase activity for 4 and 1 h at 60 and 70 degrees C, respectively. The xylanase activity remained over 80% when the preparation was incubated for 30 min at pH 4.5. In vitro digestibility studies indicated that the enzyme digested 7.5, 8.5 and 8.0% of the dry matter (DM) of barley meal, wheat bran and oat meal samples, respectively. When applying 60-min incubation, 7.5, 7.3 and 8.4% of DM of the oat straw, alfalfa hay and triticale straw was digested, respectively. When the time of digestion was increased to 360 min, the sunflower hull showed 15.8% DM digestibility.     

Essentielle Aminosäuren in unseren Nahrungspflanzen als Grundlage für eine gegenseitige Aufwertung von Pflanzenproteinen

Zusammenfassung 1. Die in Notzeiten erforderliche weitgehende Umstellung der Eiweißbedarfsdeckung von tierischen auf pflanzliche Nahrungsstoffe und die mit solchen Perioden verbundenen Eiweißmangeler-scheinungen haben zu der landläufigen Anschauung geführt: Tierisches Eiweiß ist für die Ernährung des Menschen wertvoll, pflanzliches minderwertig.2. Diese These wird jedoch offenbar widerlegt schon durch Anhänger der absolut vegetarischen Ernährungsform im europäischen Raum, mehr noch durch die Kostformen großer Volksmassen aussereuropäischer Länder, z.B. China. Ferner haben eingehende Untersuchungen der FAO in Zentralafrika, Mittel- und Südamerika gezeigt, daß das Auftreten der dort verbreiteten, als Kwashiorkor bezeichneten Eiweißmangelerkrankung weniger dem Fehlen tierischen Eiweißes als vielmehr der einseitigen Zusammensetzung bestimmter vegetabiler Kostformen zuzuschreiben ist. Es ergibt sich, kurz gesagt, daß Pflanzeneiweiß qualitativ beträchtlich differieren kann und daß z.B. ein relativ minderwertiges Getreideeiweiß mit anderen Getreidearten, Leguminosen-, Blatt- und Knollengemüsen zu hochwertigen pflanzlichen Kostformen kombiniert werden kann.3. Die bisher an der Bundesanstalt für Qualitätsforschung durchgeführten 13.500 mikrobiologischen Bestimmungen der exogenen Aminosäuren und die daraus errechneten EAS-Indices (Meth.Oser; Bezugsprotein Vollei = 100) sowie die entsprechenden Rohproteinwerte zeigen die erhebliche Variationsbreite der Biologischen Eiweißwertigkeit von Nahrungspflanzen auf. Diese steigt z.B. bei Getreidearten von 55 für Winter- und Sommerweizen über 62 für Roggen, 64 für Hafer und 68 für Sommergerste auf 73 für Reis.4. Interessante Variationen ergaben sich ferner bei reifen und unreifen Hülsenfrüchten und besonders bei den Kohlarten: Blumenkohl 70 gegenüber Brokkoli 54, Rosenkohlblätter 69 gegenüber Rosenkohlknopsen 52; die Werte für Weiß- und Rotkohl von 49 bzw. 44 gegenüber dem Grünkohl mit 69 zeigen das Absinken der Biologischen Wertigkeit bei Kopfbildung gegenüber frei entfalteten Blättern.5. Als Beispiel der weiteren untersuchten Nahrungspflanzen ist vor allem die Kartoffel zu erwähnen. Die hohe Biologische Wertigkeit von 75 verdient besondere Beachtung, wenn man sie mit der von 52 für die als Kartoffelersatz im ersten Weltkrieg verwendeten Kohlrübe vergleicht. Dem hohen Tryptophangehalt der Kartoffel kommt zudem noch besondere Bedeutung zu, da diese Aminosäure als Vorstufe des Niacins, des Anti-Pellagrastoffes, anzusehen ist. Da durch richtige Düngung bei der Kartoffel eine optimale Biologische Eiweißwertigkeit erzielt werden kann, so stellt sie mit ihrer guten Lagerfähigkeit eine wichtige existenzerhaltende Krisenkost dar.6. Zusammenfassend ist zu sagen, daß hockwertiges Eiweiß bei Kartoffeln, bei intensiv grünen Gemüsen mit freier Blattentfaltung und bei einigen Hülsenfrüchten vorliegt.7. Unser umfangreiches, an Nahrungspflanzen gewonnenes Zahlenmaterial ermöglichte die Aufstellung von vegetarischen Kostformen, die Herrn Prof. Dr.Bansi, Hamburg, und Herrn Dozenten Dr. habil.Herkel, Geisenheim, zur Durchführung unserer Gemeinschafts-Ernährungsversuche dienten (33).

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Summary It is not correct to argue: Protein of animal products has a high biological value, plant protein is inferior. This generalization seems to neglect the fact of the normal living conditions of quite a number of peoples in the world (e.g. in China) and of numerous individuals in Europe, living on a vegetarian diet and remaining healthy and vigorous.However it is true, that food plants may differ considerably, regarding the biological value of protein. Combining several food plants of a different biological value in a diet, e.g. cereals (low b.v.) with legumes, greens and potato-tubers (higher b.v.) the result may be: A high biological value of the mixture.In the Bundesanstalt für Qualitätsforschung pflanzlicher Erzeugnisse (German Federal Research Laboratory for Plant Quality at Geisenheim (Rhine)) 13.500 determinations of essential amino acids by microbiological methods have been carried out, in order to find the EAA-Indices (B. L. Oser) of food plants depending on the influence of genetic variations, morphological differentiation, Ecology and cultivating methods.Average figures (see graphics 1 and 2) show a raising of biological value of protein (EAA-Indices) e.g. in cereals: wheat (b.v.=55), rye (62), oats (64), brewery-barley (68), rice (73).Similar results were found with vegetables. As explanations in graphics 1–5 and 7–9 are given in German, English and French we do not need to give here further details, except one:Summarizing we may state, that the biological value (protein) of potatoes, of intensive green leafed vegetables (Kale, spinach) and of some legumes is generally high; Deviations are found according to the influence of genetic variations and of several environmental factors e.g. N-fertilizers.

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Vortrag gehalten auf dem Wissenschaftlichen Kongreß der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ernährung in Mainz am 10. 4. 58.     

Nannizziopsis guarroi infection in 2 Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps): clinical,cytologic, histologic,and ultrastructural aspects

Chrysosporium‐related infections have been increasingly reported in reptiles over the last 2 decades. In this report, we describe clinical, cytologic, histopathologic, and ultrastructural aspects of Chrysosporium‐related infection in 2 Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Case 1 was presented for an enlarging raised lesion over the left eye and multiple additional masses over the dorsum. Case 2 was submitted to necropsy by the referring veterinarian for suspected yellow fungus disease. Impression smears of the nodules in case 1 revealed granulomatous to pyogranulomatous inflammation and many septate, variably long, 4–10 μm wide, often undulated hyphae, and very rare conidia. Postmortem impression smears of the superficial lesions of case 2 contained large numbers of solitary conidia and arthroconidia and low numbers of hyphae with similar morphology to case 1. Histopathology of the 2 cases revealed severe, multifocal, chronic, ulcerative, nodular pyogranulomatous dermatitis, with myriad intralesional septate hyphae, and arthroconidia. Fungal culture and molecular sequencing in both cases indicated infection with Nannizziopsis guarroi.     

Infection of the enteric nervous system by Borna disease virus (BDV) upregulates expression of Calbindin D-28k

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic agent infecting distinct neuronal subpopulations in the central nervous system of various mammalian species possibly including humans. Horses, a major natural host for BDV, show gastrointestinal dysfunctions besides characteristic neurological symptoms. Therefore, we hypothesized that enteric neurons may be targets of BDV replication. The presence of BDV-specific antigen in subpopulations of the ENS was investigated. Four-week-old Lewis rats were infected intracerebrally and sacrificed 4-14 weeks post infection (p.i.). BDV-immunoreactive neurons were found in submucous and myenteric neurons of the proximal colon. Fourteen weeks p.i., the proportion of BDV-positive neurons was 44+/-17 and 24+/-7% in the submucous and myenteric plexus, respectively. The majority of BDV-positive myenteric neurons showed immunoreactivity for choline acetyltransferase. Expression of Calbindin D-28k (CALB) was found in 96% of submucous and 67% of myenteric BDV-immunoreactive neurons. Additionally, the number of CALB-immunoreactive neurons was significantly higher in the myenteric plexus of infected rats compared to controls. These data indicate that BDV infects specific subpopulations of enteric neurons. Therefore, the ENS might serve as a site for BDV replication and as an immunoprivileged reservoir for BDV. In addition, upregulation of CALB in neurons of the myenteric plexus is probably induced during BDV-infection.     

Pharyngeal pouch and cleft remnants in the dog and cat: a case series and review

Remnants of the pharyngeal apparatus can (rarely) form cysts. This retrospective case series describes clinical and histologic findings of such lesions. Clinical and histology databases were searched for cases of pharyngeal remnants. Eight patients were diagnosed with cysts located subcutaneously in the head and neck, adjacent to the submandibular salivary gland, near the thyroid, and in the mediastinum. Cyst linings included ciliated epithelium, and surgical excision was curative. Knowledge of pharyngeal development is useful for their characterization. Clinicians should consider pharyngeal remnants as differentials for cystic lesions in small animals.     

Intraocular signet-ring cell melanoma in a hamster (Cricetulus griseus)

A two‐and‐a‐half year‐old male Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) was referred for evaluation of an intraorbital mass involving the right eye. Based on ophthalmic examination and ultrasonography, a diagnosis of intraocular neoplasia was made. Enucleation of the affected eye was performed. The mass was histologically diagnosed as a primary malignant intraocular signet‐ring cell melanoma. No signs of recurrence were detected, and the hamster remained clinically healthy until it died 6 months after surgery. This case report attempts to contribute to the limited body of knowledge available in the literature on primary intraocular neoplasms in hamsters.