Metal induced non-metallothionein protein in earthworm: A new pathway for cadmium detoxification in chloragogenous tissue.

Earthworms neutralize toxic metals by a small (∼13 kDa) cysteine rich metal binding protein, metallothionein (MT). Although the rate of metal accumulation and MT expression does not correlate well, the reason behind such inconsistency has not yet been deciphered. The present investigation clearly demonstrates that expression of some non-MT metal induced proteins is responsible for such incongruity. Applying selective protein isolation techniques in fluorescence tagged cadmium exposed (135 mg/kg) earthworms we were able to purify a 150 kDa metal induced protein (MIP) among others. After 60 days of exposure cadmium accumulation in earthworm intestines was significant. Immunofluorescence staining followed by confocal microscopy exhibited that MIP accumulates ingested cadmium in the intestinal region and eventually deposits the metal in the chloragogenous tissue. We determined the N-terminal sequence of 15 amino acid residues and after bioinformatics analysis, it was concluded that MIP is most probably a glutamic acid rich, novel cadmium binding protein. To further validate the binding mechanism, we conducted paper chromatography and continuous variation experiments which evidenced that cadmium readily binds to glutamic acid. The present finding is the first in-vivo evidence of a non-metallothionein cadmium binding protein induced in the intestines of earthworm exposed to a cadmium rich environment.

Detoxification and eco-friendly recycling of brick kiln coal ash using Eisenia fetida: A clean approach through vermitechnology.

Brick kiln coal ashes (BKCAs) are one of the major toxic byproducts of the rapidly growing construction industry in developing countries. However, eco-friendly recycling avenues for BKCAs are yet to be explored. The major objectives of the present research were to evaluate the viability of vermitechnology in transforming BKCAs into valuable products, and to examine the metal detoxification potential of Eisenia fetida BKCA-based feedstocks. BKCAs were mixed in large scale with cow dung (CD) in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios, for vermicomposting and aerobic composting; performance was assessed in comparison with CD. Vermiconverted-BKCA was then used as organic fertilizer for rice grown in poorly fertile soil. Acidic nature of BKCA feedstocks was neutralized by 30-86% in the vermireactors. Total N and available P concentrations significantly increased in the vermireactors supplemented with considerable mineralization of total organic C. Exorbitantly high K and S contents were pacified to a normal range after vermicomposting. Greater improvement in microbial biomass, respiration, fungal and bacterial growth was observed under vermicomposting against aerobic composting. Consequently, urease and phosphatase activity increased by 1-4 folds in the BKCA based vermibeds. Bioavailability of toxic metals reduced by 41-74% in the vermicomposted BKCAs. High metal accumulation by the earthworms resulted in substantial reduction of pollution load in the finished product. The field experiment demonstrated that vermiconverted-BKCA could be utilized as potential organic fertilizer for rice production, soil fertility rejuvenation, and metal detoxification. Overall, the study reveals that E. fetida could be used as an efficient contender for sanitization of toxic BKCAs.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding Secondary to Portal Hypertensive Duodenopathy in a Patient with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis.

With alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease continuously on the rise in the United States, there is also a corresponding rise in portal hypertension. Portal hypertensive duodenopathy (PHD) is a complication of portal hypertension not commonly seen in cirrhotic patients. We present a case of a 46-year-old man who presented with decompensated liver cirrhosis secondary to gastrointestinal bleed. The patient underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with findings indicative of PHD. Patient subsequently underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with resolution of gastrointestinal bleed. We highlight TIPS as a management strategy in patients with PHD for whom less invasive measures are not effective.

Liver Cholestasis Secondary to Syphilis in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Liver involvement is a known feature of secondary syphilis. The prevalence of hepatitis in secondary syphilis ranges broadly from 1 to 50%. We report a case of a 37-year-old man with type 1 diabetes mellitus and sickle cell trait presenting with jaundice and acute liver cholestasis. Abdominal ultrasound revealed mild hepatic fatty infiltration. RPR and Treponema pallidum IgG results were positive with a reflex titer of 1:64. Liver biopsy revealed chronic hepatitis with normal hepatic architecture, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, hepatic cholestasis, and ductal proliferation suggestive of syphilitic hepatitis.

Vermicompost and farmyard manure improves food quality, antioxidant and antibacterial potential of Cajanus cajan (L. Mill sp.) leaves.

BACKGROUND: Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) leaves are a good source of nutrition and health benefitting phenolic compounds. However, its importance has not yet been effectively addressed. Recently, a 2-year field experiment was attempted in an alluvial soil to understand the role of various organic and inorganic fertilisers and their combinations not only on soil quality, but also on production of foremost phenolic compounds and imparting antioxidant and antibacterial properties in C. cajan under vermicompost treatments. RESULTS: Notable enhancements in crude protein, soluble carbohydrate, ash content and total flavonoid content were recorded in Cajanus leaves under vermicompost treatments. We detected a significant rise in carlinoside content in C. cajan leaves, which is known to reduce bilirubin concentration in hepatitis affected human blood. Farmyard manure treatments resulted in a high crude fibre content coupled with a substantially high concentration of total phenols, and chlorophyll. In addition, incorporation of vermicompost with or without inorganic fertiliser in the soil had a significant impact on antioxidant and antibacterial properties of C. cajan leaves. Above and beyond, farmyard manure and vermicompost positively influenced the physico-chemical health of the soil. CONCLUSION: The present nutrient management scheme based on organic input not only induced a higher yield of C. cajan endowed with improved antioxidant and antibacterial properties, but also enhanced the production of various phenolic compounds. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Excellent N-fixing and P-solubilizing traits in earthworm gut-isolated bacteria: A vermicompost based assessment with vegetable market waste and rice straw feed mixtures.

Vermicomposting is a dependable waste recycling technology which greatly augments N and P levels mainly through microbial action. This paper aims to identify efficient N-fixing (NFB) and P-solubilizing (PSB) bacteria from earthworm intestines. Various combinations of vegetable market waste, rice straw, and cowdung were fed to two earthworm species (Eisenia fetida and Perionyx excavatus). Total organic C decreased, pH shifted towards neutrality, and NPK availability, and microbial (NFB, PSB, and total bacteria) population increased remarkably during vermicomposting with E. fetida. Therefore, 45 NFB and 34 PSB strains isolated from Eisenia gut were initially screened, their inter-dominance assessed, and 8 prolific strains were identified through 16SrRNA sequencing. Interestingly, two novel N-fixing strains of Kluyvera ascorbata emerged as an efficient biofertilizer candidate. Moreover, both N-fixing and P-solubilizing strains of Serratia and Bacillus were isolated from earthworm gut. All the isolated strains significantly improved soil health and facilitated crop growth as compared to commercial biofertilizers.

Vermiremediation of toxic jute mill waste employing Metaphire posthuma.

India has a giant jute-producing basket which produces considerable quantity of toxic jute mill waste (JMW). Conversely, report on usability potential of JMW is rather scanty. The present study illustrates the efficiency of vermicomposting in bioconversion of JMW for agricultural use. Various combinations of JMW, cow dung, and vegetable waste were fed to Metaphire posthuma in vermireactors. Rapid increment of earthworm count, body weight, and cocoon production was evidenced. Total organic carbon and pH reduction was noteworthy, but N, P, and K availability, formation of stable humic acid C, fulvic acid C, and microbial biomass C substantially increased due to vermicomposting. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed a higher stability of vermicomposted JMW over the composted product. A significant decline in heavy metal concentration (Cr, Pb, Fe, and Zn) in the vermicomposted JMW further establishes the potential of vermicomposting with M. posthuma in successful conversion of the toxic JMW into valuable product.

Substitution with Alternative Anti-TNFα Therapy (SAVANT)-Outcomes of a Crohn's Disease Cohort Undergoing Substitution Therapy with Certolizumab.

BACKGROUND: Biological therapy targeting tumor necrosis factor-alfa has revolutionized the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Our study retrospectively reviewed clinical outcomes of 60 patients administratively substituted from Infliximab or Adalimumab to Certolizumab. Maintenance of disease and failure rates after substitution of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alfa agents in CD patients were monitored over 1 year, and this is the first outcomes study of patients maintained on Infliximab or Adalimumab substituted to Certolizumab. METHODS: A hospital pharmacy directive required all patients on biological therapy to be administratively substituted to Certolizumab therapy. This single-center retrospective analysis initially included 68 CD patients presenting at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport. Clinical, endoscopic, and serologic data were compared at baseline and at 4 intervals over 1 year. RESULTS: Of 60 enrolled CD patients, 45 (75%) successfully transitioned to Certolizumab and had stable disease at 1 year. Of the 15 (25%) patients who "failed" substitution at 1 year, 5 were returned to Adalimumab and 7 to Infliximab; 3 were maintained on steroids awaiting subsequent therapy. Importantly, when patients were segregated on the basis of initial disease control, it was found that 3 (12.5%) previously well-controlled patients failed therapy, whereas 12 (33.3%) who initially had active disease failed Certolizumab substitution. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that 25% of CD patients substituted to Cimzia failed substitution, whereas 75% still exhibited a good clinical response with stable disease at 1 year. Our findings indicate that disease status and behavior at the time of biological substitution may predict therapeutic responsiveness.