Purification and biochemical characterization of a halotolerant Staphylococcus sp. extracellular lipase

We have isolated a lipolytic halotolerant bacterium, designated as CJ3, that was identified as a Staphylococcus sp. Culture conditions were optimized and the highest extracellular lipase production amounting to 5 U/ml was achieved after 24 h of cultivation. The extracellular lipase was purified 24-fold by ammonium sulfate precipitation and a Sephacryl S-200 chromatography, and its molecular mass was found to be around 38 kDa, as revealed by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The lipase substrate specificity was investigated using short (tributyrin) and long (olive oil) chain triglyceride substrates. The lipase was inhibited by submicellar concentrations of Triton X-100, and maximum specific activities were found to be 802 U/mg on tributyrin and 260 U/mg on olive oil at pH 8.0 and 45 °C. The lipase was fairly stable in the pH range from 6.0 to 9.0, and about 69% of its activity was retained after incubation at 45 °C for 60 min. The enzyme showed a high tolerance to a wide range of salt concentration and a good stability in organic solvents, especially in long-chain alcohols.

Stenting small coronary arteries

Stenting of small coronary arteries was long contra-indicated because of a high rate of subacute occlusion. We report a single-center registry including 190 patients stented with 2.5 mm balloons. Procedural success was 98% and subacute occlusion rate was 2.6%. Clinical follow-up showed a 24.5% repeat intervention rate. These results seemed acceptable, warranting stent implantation in small arteries in the case of acute or threatened closure. New stent designs and coatings may contribute to the improvement of outcomes and to the decrease in subacute occlusion and restenosis rates.

[Laparoscopic external iliac lymphadenectomy in the treatment of cancer of the cervix uteri]

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study are to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic iliac external lymphadenectomy and to define current indications of this technique in pre-treatment staging of cervical carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Forty seven patients with FIGO stages IA-IIIB invasive cervical cancer underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic iliac lateral lymphadenectomy prior to initiation of treatment. The mean length of operation was 115 min (35-180). An average of 14 nodes were retrieved from each patient (3-30). Percentage of complete removal was 96% in this study. The rate of complications was 6%, they were always minor. Today's most accepted indications concern: 1) FIGO IA2 stages with lymphovascular involvement or micro-invasion over 3mm, for which a simple resection of lesions can be performed if pN0. 2) Small FIGO IB stages where an exclusive vaginal enlarged colpo-hysterectomy can be performed for pN0. Other indications should not be performed for the moment except for therapeutical trials.