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Metribuzin (MB), a triazinone herbicide is extensively sprayed for weed control in agriculture, has been reported to contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface waters. In soil, MB residues can negatively affect not only the germination of subsequent crops but also disturb soil bacterial community. The present study describes the use of biochar as a carrier material to immobilize MB-degrading bacterial consortium, for remediation of MB-contaminated soil and restoration of soil bacterial community in soil microcosms. The bacterial consortium (MB3R) comprised four bacterial strains, i.e., Rhodococcus rhodochrous AQ1, Bacillus tequilensis AQ2, Bacillus aryabhattai AQ3, and Bacillus safensis AQ4. Significantly higher MB remediation was observed in soil augmented with bacterial consortium immobilized on biochar compared to the soil augmented with un-immobilized bacterial consortium. Immobilization of MB3R on biochar resulted in higher MB degradation rate (0.017 Kd−1 ) and reduced half-life (40 days) compared to 0.010 Kd−1 degradation rate and 68 day half-life in treatments where un-immobilized bacterial consortium was employed. It is worth mentioning that the MB degradation products metribuzin-desamino (DA), metribuzin-diketo (DK), and metribuzin desaminodiketo (DADK) were detected in the treatments where MB3R was inoculated either alone or in combination with biochar. MB contamination significantly altered the composition of soil bacteria. However, soil bacterial community was conserved in response to augmentation with MB3R immobilized on biochar. Immobilization of the bacterial consortium MB3R on biochar can potentially be exploited for remediation of MB-contaminated soil and protecting its microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of trace antibiotics in domestic and industrial effluents poses a risk of toxicity to fauna and flora. The application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) is a low‐cost and sustainable approach to remediate wastewater. In this study, the performance of different macrophytes vegetated in FTWs for the remediation of ciprofloxacin (CIP)‐contaminated water is investigated. Six macrophytes, Brachia mutica, Typha domingensis, Phragmites australis, Canna indica, Cyperus laevigatus, and Leptochloa fusca, are vegetated in FTWs for the removal of CIP (50 mg L−1) from water. The FTWs show the potential to remove 30–43.58 mg L−1 CIP from water in 28 days. They also reduce the chemical oxygen demand (118–138 mg L−1) and biochemical oxygen demand (35–45 mg L−1) of water. Among the macrophytes, C. indica removes maximum (43.58 mg L−1) and T. domingensis minimum (30 mg L−1) CIP. Canna indica and T. domingensis exhibit the maximum and minimum increase (30% and 12% of dry biomass) in growth, respectively. This study reveals that the FTWs vegetated with different plant species exhibit varying performances in removing CIP from water. This investigation is a step forward toward sustainable bioremediation of water contaminated with antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: GDM is a metabolic disorder defined as its recognition first time in pregnancy. Women with GDM are at increased risk of morbidity and poor fetal outcome. Hence it is essential that early diagnosis and management of disease is carried out to avoid poor maternal and fetal outcome. Objectives: The study was conducted to find out the prevalence of GDM in KHUH following the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) Criteria. Following this strict criteria we analyzed the management and its effect on maternal and fetal outcome. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: King Hamad University Hospital. Period: Feb 2015-Jan 2016. Inclusion: Patients diagnosed as GDM after 75gm OGTT. Exclusion Criteria: Known diabetic. Patients with unknown diabetic status. Materials and Methods: The study included 230 patients mostly between 24-28 weeks attending the antenatal clinic and some in late third trimester. This study included patient with GDM from - Feb 2015-Jan 2016. For the said year the total number of deliveries were 2747. These patients were given 75 gm OGTT test, by taking first fasting levels and then were given 75 gms of glucose drink and blood levels were taken at 1and 2hrs respectively. The fasting, 1hr and 2hr values were <5.1, 1 hr <10 and 2hrs <8.5. Patient with GDM were managed and followed till delivery to find out the maternal and fetal outcome. Results: The prevalence of GDM in this study was 8%. The C-section rate was 21.8%. The antenatal complications were 7.3% and major complication was hypertension. The postnatal complications were 5.6% and main complication was post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) due to lacerations. Macrosomia was found in 3.4% of cases. The preterm delivery rate was 2.6%. NICU admission was 25.7% and 58.3% of these were admitted for 24 hour observation only. Conclusion: GDM affects maternal and fetal outcome. By following the IADPSG criteria for screening and managing the women helped us in attaining good maternal and fetal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Glyphosate is a herbicide that acts by inhibition of the enzyme, 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS), involved in the catalysis of an essential step in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. The objective of this study was the isolation of glyphosate‐resistant bacterial strains and subsequent characterization of the gene(s) encoding glyphosate resistance in these isolates. Using an enrichment culture technique, a glyphosate‐resistant bacterium, Ochrobactrum intermedium Sq20 was isolated from glyphosate‐contaminated indigenous soil and characterized. RESULTS: An open reading frame (ORF) comprising of 1353 bp potentially encoding aroAO. intermediumSq20 was amplified from O. intermedium Sq20. It showed 97% homology with aroA genes from other Ochrobactrum spp. Physicochemical characterization revealed that aroAO. intermediumSq20 encodes a polypeptide of 450 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 48.9782 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.21. Secondary structure prediction of AroAO. intermediumSq20 demonstrated a high percentage of random coils and α helices. Methodical optimization and validation of the protein structure helped to build a reliable protein model indicating the presence of 91.8% amino acid residues in most favoured regions. In addition, strain Sq20 was found to be capable of complete degradation of glyphosate at 500 mg L–1 initial concentration as the sole carbon and energy source within 4 days. CONCLUSION: A glyphosate‐resistant bacterial strain O. intermedium Sq20 was discovered. Sequence analysis and structure modelling demonstrated that AroAO. intermediumSq20 closely resembles class II EPSPS and possesses high glyphosate resistance. This provides a good foundation for functional analysis of experimentally derived crystal structures. The cloning and characterization of AroAO. intermediumSq20 will further help in understanding its role at the molecular level and its potential use in the production of glyphosate‐resistant transgenic crops. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chlorpyrifos (CP) and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) degrading bacterial strain, Mesorhizobium sp. HN3, was isolated and characterized. Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 degraded CP efficiently up to 400 mg/L initial concentration at wide range of temperatures (30-40°C) and pH (6.0-8.0). However, optimal degradation of CP was achieved at 37°C and neutral pH (7.0) at an initial inoculum density 2 × 107 colony forming unit/mL of culture medium. Kinetic parameters for CP degradation by Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 were estimated at different initial concentrations. Cultures exhibited significant variation (P ⩽ 0.05) in the specific growth rate (μ), cell mass formation rate (QX) and the substrate uptake rate (QS) during degradation of CP. The values of kinetic parameters increased up to 100 mg/L CP and decreased at higher concentration. Investigation of degradation metabolites indicated that CP is converted to diethylthiophosphate and TCP that leads to the formation of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-methoxypyridine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a small round tumor belonging to the PNET/Ewing's sarcoma family classified based on location in the body. Few cases of PNET arising in the ovary had been reported. We present a rare case of PNET of the ovary occurring in a thirty-eight-year-old pregnant woman, who presented with lower abdominal pain. The MRI revealed a left ovarian tumor suspicious to be cystadenoma. Left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed as frozen section was inconclusive. The small bowel was resected and re-anastomosed during laparotomy as the mass was attached to it. The positron emission tomography revealed that the PNET had metastasized to the peritoneum and the lymph nodes. Vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide/ifosfamide 4 cycles were prescribed. There was local tumor recurrence around umbilicus and biopsy was advised. The patient left for Egypt to carry out treatment in home country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glyphosate is a herbicide that acts by inhibition of the enzyme, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), involved in the catalysis of an essential step in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. The objective of this study was the isolation of glyphosate-resistant bacterial strains and subsequent characterization of the gene(s) encoding glyphosate resistance in these isolates. Using an enrichment culture technique, a glyphosate-resistant bacterium, Ochrobactrum intermedium Sq20 was isolated from glyphosate-contaminated indigenous soil and characterized., Results: An open reading frame (ORF) comprising of 1353 bp potentially encoding aroA O. intermedium Sq20 was amplified from O. intermedium Sq20. It showed 97% homology with aroA genes from other Ochrobactrum spp. Physicochemical characterization revealed that aroA O. intermedium Sq20 encodes a polypeptide of 450 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 48.9782 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.21. Secondary structure prediction of AroA O. intermedium Sq20 demonstrated a high percentage of random coils and α helices. Methodical optimization and validation of the protein structure helped to build a reliable protein model indicating the presence of 91.8% amino acid residues in most favoured regions. In addition, strain Sq20 was found to be capable of complete degradation of glyphosate at 500 mg L -1 initial concentration as the sole carbon and energy source within 4 days., Conclusion: A glyphosate-resistant bacterial strain O. intermedium Sq20 was discovered. Sequence analysis and structure modelling demonstrated that AroA O. intermedium Sq20 closely resembles class II EPSPS and possesses high glyphosate resistance. This provides a good foundation for functional analysis of experimentally derived crystal structures. The cloning and characterization of AroA O. intermedium Sq20 will further help in understanding its role at the molecular level and its potential use in the production of glyphosate-resistant transgenic crops. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.)