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The classic presentation of malaria with paroxysms of fever is seen only in 50-70% of the patients. The development of immunity, the increasing resistance to anti-malarial drugs, and the indiscriminate use of anti-malarial drugs have led to malaria with the presentation of unusual features. Cerebellar ataxia, extrapyramidal rigidity and various psychiatric symptoms have been described either as early manifestations of cerebral malaria or as a part of post malaria neurological syndrome. In this case report, we will discuss one such patient of falciparum malaria infection who developed midline cerebellar signs, and responded to anti-malarial treatment.

The Algae hydroid Thyroscyphus ramosus of the Indian subcontinent is the most easily recognizable fleshy colonial hydroid playing a vital role in benthic communities. Though this fauna is abundant, it has remained unexplored for the past nine decades in India. This study provides a detailed report of the morphology, ecology and geographical locations of T. ramosus. Morphological traits such as maximum height, gonophore, and theca twist directions were studied in detail. The molecular biological data confirms the identity of T. ramosus and its abundance in Palk Bay, India. Important molecular markers such as 18S, 16S rRNA sequences of T. ramosus were analyzed and compared with similar species in NCBI. Using 18S sequence data, it is proven that T. ramosus is a distinct and valid species, however, interestingly the 16S rRNA forms clades with other species of the same genera (T. fruticosus and T. bedoti) rather than the same species. Moreover the mtCOI forms a different clade with other genera. Furthermore, these data may enhance the advancement of identification in non-monophyletic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of nine trace elements were analyzed in the different tissue organs of commonly available crabs (Portunus sanguinolentus , Portunus pelagicus and Scylla serrate) and bivalve (Polymesoda erosa) species collected from the Miri coast, Borneo in order to evaluate the potential health risk by consumption of these aquatic organisms. Among the analyzed organs, metal accumulation was higher in the gill tissues. The essential (Cu and Zn) and non-essential (Pb and Cd) elements showed the highest (i.e. Zn) and lowest concentrations (i.e. Cd) in their tissue organs, respectively. The estimated daily intake and hazard indices of all metals in the muscle indicate that the measured values were below the provisional tolerable daily intake suggested by the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Compared to Malaysian and international seafood guideline values the results obtained from the present study are lower than the permissible limits and safe for consumption. Unlabelled Image • Concentrations of nine trace elements (Cu, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb and Zn) were analyzed in three crabs and a bivalve species. • Female crabs show higher accumulation than male. • Maximum concentration of metals was observed in gill tissues and minimum concentration was observed in muscle tissues. • Based on estimated daily intake and hazard indices, none of the metals will pose any adverse health effects to humans. • Essential elements (Cu & Zn) were accumulated at a higher efficiency than non-essential elements (Cd & Pb). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was revealed that four Indian invasive seaweeds such as Acanthophora spicefera, Gracilaria salicornia, Kappaphycus alvarezii and Polysiphonia brodiei were recorded along the Tamil Nadu coast with 55 study sites from Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar regions, Southeast coast of India. Maximum abundance of A. spicefera, G. salicornia, K. alvarezii and P. brodiei were recorded in Hare Island, Thondi coast, Thonithurai coast and Chinna muttam coast respectively. Highest species dominance (0.3) was recorded for G. salicornia during monsoon season and lowest dominance (0.05) was recorded for A. spicefera during post monsoon season. Species richness (D’) varied from 0.69-0.94 with minimum recorded was G. salicornia during monsoon season. Similarly, maximum species richness (D’) was recorded for A. spicefera during post monsoon season. Species diversity (H’) was ranged between 1.70 to 3.19 with the minimum was recorded for G.salicornia during monsoon season whereas maximum was recorded for P. brodiei during post monsoon season. The dendrogram results showed that three major clusters based on the abundance of species in the study sites. Further, the results revealed that Cluster 1 occupied by more species abundance at more stations and followed by Cluster 2 and Cluster 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms may have a direct action on the fate of organic/inorganic ions in the environment through biosorption, detoxification or bioaccumulation processes. In the present study, the marine actinobacterialNocardiopsissp. 13H strain, isolated from different nuclear power plant (NPP) sites, India, tested for long half-life radionuclide of strontium (Sr+) was studied.Nocardiopsissp. 13H could remove 93.6 ± 0.8% of Sr+from test solutions containing 10 mM SrCl2. The biosorption of Sr+was studied for optimum condition of pH, temperature and time interval of remediation. Further, Sr+adsorption was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). In addition, with the presence of Sr+, extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) were also found more and suggested interaction of EPS surface active assemblages being involved in radionuclide remediation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study confirmed thatNocardiopsissp. 13H cell surfaces are involved in Sr+adsorption with the presence of dominant functional groups such as carboxyl, hydroxyl and amide groups. The results conclude that marine actinobacterialNocardiopsissp. 13H could be useful for the treatment of long half-life radioisotope pollution as an eco-friendly biosorbent in marine environmental cleanup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop the human umbilical vein (HUV) as an acellular conduit-scaffold for use in small diameter blood vessel bypass surgeries it was subjected to a tissue processing methodology consisting of a single step cell extraction protocol followed by chemical crosslinking. The decellularised HUV (dHUV) was assessed for acellularity by hematoxylin and eosin staining, scanning electron microscopy and DNA content analysis, Van Geisons staining for collagen and biochemical quantification of the extracellular matrix components. The dHUVs were treated with ethyldimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide (EC), dimethylsuberimidate (DS) and glutaraldehyde (GA) either alone or in combination to stabilize the glycosaminoglycans and crosslink the proteins. Their shrinkage temperatures, biomechanical properties and resistances to in vitro enzyme degradation were determined and compared with native HUV (nHUV). The results indicated that decellularization with 0.25% sodium dodecyl sulphate was effective in accomplishing complete removal of cells from the HUV without affecting the ECM composition. Crosslinking with single or two chemical agents improved the biomechanical properties and in vitro resistances to proteolytic degradation of the acellular HUV. The dHUV crosslinked with two crosslinkers i.e., both EC and GA has potential to serve as a small diameter conduitscaffold for in situ or in vitro vascular tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]