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Heavy metal pollution is one of the emerging problems of environmental contaminations due to the rapid industrialization of geologic and anthropogenic activities. Among further metals, chromium originates to be noxious due to its connotation with other metals. Therefore, the present investigation aims to isolate, identify and characterize the bacteria from soil samples and to evaluate their heavy metal (chromium) degrading efficiency under batch mode condition. Among the 300 bacterial isolates, two strains such as Pseudomonas fluorescens (YPS3 GenBank number—MH580200) and Bacillus safensis (YKS2 GenBank number—H539636) have found to possess effective chromium degrading capacity up to 84% and 72%, respectively, which was identified by morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization. The 16S rRNA phylogenetic association was resolute by means of bioinformatics and recognized as bacterial species YKS2 and YPS3 with 100% sequence resemblance. In conclusion, the findings show effective chromium degradation level by the bacterial strains in the contaminated environment soil. These biological mediated metal degradation methods will be an effective green alternative for polluted environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complement-dependent neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity (CDNC) was determined by specific release of 51-chromluni(51Cr) from respiratory syncytialvirtisinfecled HEp2 cells in a microcytotoxicity assay. There was significant release of 51Cr from RSV infected cells as compared to uninfected cells in the presence of complement (C) and neutrophils (PMN). The degree of cytotoxicity was dependent upon the concentration of C used in the assay. Such cytotoxicity was effectively abolished after heat-inactivation of complement. Complement deficient in C4 did not induce cytotoxicity. Similarly, inhibitors of C1 or C3 blocked CDNC, The maximal CDNC was observed at 37° C with little or no response at 4° C. Lymphocytes and monocytes mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity very poorly in comparison to PMN. Evidence of complement activation by infected cells was demonstrated by the detection of C3 fixed to RSV infected cells by indirect immunofluorescence. Treatment of C with EDTA or heat prevented subsequent attachment of C3 to the infected cells. These in vitro observations suggest an initial activation of complement by RSV infected cells and subsequent lysis by PMN. It is proposed that this process may play a role In the elimination of virus in the early phase of infection in the absence of specific antibody or sensitized lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unusual case of chylothorax is described in a 4-year-old child after repair of a ventricular septal defect and ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus through a median sternotomy. Left chylothorax developed after a latent period of six days and was treated initially with continuous drainage and parenteral supplementation of proteins and lipids. Operative intervention with oversewing of the site of the leak in the anterior mediastinum proved necessary after three weeks. The anatomical variations of the thoracic duct are outlined to explain the occurrence of chylothorax after diverse intrathoracic operations. The physiological effects of a thoracic duct fistula and various aspects of management are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thirty patients with severe preoperative pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery pressure range 90-165 mmHg, mean 118 mmHg) were reviewed following single mitral valve replacement, with prosthetic valves, within the last 10 years (1964-74). The early and late mortality for this group was no different from that of the total series of mitral valve replacements performed over the same period. Marked postoperative clinical improvement was accompanied by corresponding radiological and electrocardiographic changes. In addition there was a statistically highly significant haemodynamic improvement in the 21 survivors (mean survival time 5 1/2 years). At recatheterization the mean pulmonary artery pressure was 41-5%, the mean wedge pressure 46-3%, and the transpulmonary gradient (PAm-LAm) 36-1% of the preoperative values. It is concluded that gross pulmonary hypertension is not per se a contraindication to mitral valve replacement surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background α-synuclein [α-Syn]-mediated activation of GSK-3β leading to increases in hyperphosphorylated Tau has been shown by us to occur in striata of Parkinson's diseased [PD] patients and in animal models of PD. In Alzheimer's disease, tauopathy exists in several brain regions; however, the pattern of distribution of tauopathy in other brain regions of PD or in animal models of PD is not known. The current studies were undertaken to analyze the distribution of tauopathy in different brain regions in a widely used mouse model of PD, the α-Syn overexpressing mouse. Results High levels of α-Syn levels were seen in the brain stem, with a much smaller increase in the frontal cortex; neither cerebellum nor hippocampus showed any overexpression of α-Syn. Elevated levels of p-Tau, hyperphosphorylated at Ser202, Ser262 and Ser396/404, were seen in brain stem, with lower levels seen in hippocampus. In both frontal cortex and cerebellum, increases were seen only in p-Ser396/404 Tau, but not in p-Ser202 and p-Ser262. p-GSK-3β levels were not elevated in any of the brain regions, although total GSK-3β was elevated in brain stem. p-p38MAPK levels were unchanged in all brain regions examined, while p-ERK levels were elevated in brain stem, hippocampus and cerebellum, but not the frontal cortex. p-JNK levels were increased in brain stem and cerebellum but not in the frontal cortex or hippocampus. Elevated levels of free tubulin, indicating microtubule destabilization, were seen only in the brain stem. Conclusion Our combined data suggest that in this animal model of PD, tauopathy, along with microtubule destabilization, exists primarily in the brain stem and striatum, which are also the two major brain regions known to express high levels of α-Syn and undergo the highest levels of degeneration in human PD. Thus, tauopathy in PD may have a very restricted pattern of distribution.

We report a case of a morbidly obese parturient (150 kg and 150 cm) for emergency lower segment caesarean section for dead foetus. Her pregnancy had been unsupervised. She presented with severe pre-eclampsia, generalized oedema and acute respiratory failure. Caesarean section was performed under infiltration block using lidocaine 0.5-1.0%. Her status improved postoperatively with aggressive physiotherapy, nursing in a semirecumbent position and oxygen supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of primary purulent meningococcal pericarditis presenting with chest pain, hypotension and cardiac tamponade followed by oliguric renal failure is reported. Treatment with antibiotics and surgical drainage was successful. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The effect of various enzymes on the extraction of the volatile oil of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is reported in the present study. The oil yield, after pre-treatment of cumin seeds with cellulase, pectinase, protease and Viscozyme, was in the range 3.2–3.3% compared to 2.7% in a control sample. Profiling of the cumin oil by GC–MS showed that the total hydrocarbon content was 63.7%, 66.1% and 70.1% in control, cellulase and Viscozyme treated samples, respectively. However, there was no change in the content of cuminaldehyde, the principal flavour-impact constituent, in any of the volatile oils. The study demonstrated that enzymes facilitated the extraction of cumin oil with increase in oil yield, with little change in either flavour profile or physicochemical properties of the oil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]