The differential stress response of adapted chromite mine isolates Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and its impact on bioremediation potential.

In the current study, indigenous bacterial isolates Bacillus subtilis VITSUKMW1 and Escherichia coli VITSUKMW3 from a chromite mine were adapted to 100 mg L(-1) of Cr(VI). The phase contrast and scanning electron microscopic images showed increase in the length of adapted E. coli cells and chain formation in case of adapted B. subtilis. The presence of chromium on the surface of the bacteria was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), which was also supported by the conspicuous Cr-O peaks in FTIR spectra. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of adapted E. coli and B. subtilis showed the presence of intact cells with Cr accumulated inside the bacteria. The TEM-EDX confirmed the internalization of Cr(VI) in the adapted cells. The specific growth rate and Cr(VI) reduction capacity was significantly higher in adapted B. subtilis compared to that of adapted E. coli. To study the possible role of Cr(VI) toxicity affecting the Cr(VI) reduction capacity, the definite assays for the released reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS scavenging enzymes (SOD and GSH) were carried out. The decreased ROS production as well as SOD and GSH release observed in adapted B. subtilis compared to the adapted E. coli corroborated well with its higher specific growth rate and increased Cr(VI) reduction capacity.

Critically ill patients: Histopathological evidence of thyroid dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Critical illness is characterized by severe biphasic physical and metabolic stress as result of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and/or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and is frequently associated with non-thyroidal illness. Purpose of this study is to better understand the cytomorphological basis of NTI by performing histopathological examinations of thyroid gland on autopsies of patients who died from critical illness. METHODS: Histopathological examination of thyroid gland of 58 critically ill patients was performed in our hospital. The cases included 24 cases of burn injury, 24 cases of traumatic brain injury, and 10 cases of cerebral stroke. Thyroid samples obtained during autopsy were preserved in formol saline and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The sections were visualized under light microscopy. RESULTS: Out of 58 cases examined, 21 patients showed normal thyroid findings, and rest of the cases had unusual thyroid findings in the histopathological study. The principal finding was distortion of thyroid follicular architecture. Other findings include mononuclear cell infiltration, clumping of thyroglobulin, and exhaustion of thyroid follicles. CONCLUSION: Critical illness produces metabolically damaging effects on thyroid gland, which functionally corresponds to a state of low T3 syndrome. These changes are more pronounced in BI and cerebral stroke than in TBI.

Rapidly progressive growth of Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy: A clinical and diagnostic dilemma.

The incidence of cancer among pregnancy, albeit rare, presents as a significant diagnostic challenge for clinicians especially with considerations for materno-fetal well-being. The double-edged sword of Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in near-term pregnant woman was encountered in our case and skillfully maneuvered via combination of advanced diagnostic techniques involving CT, MRI and endoscopy. A discussion board comprising of experts was set up and after extended consultation involving patient's relatives, elective cesarean was performed at 34 weeks after which surgical excision resulted in successful extraction of both the tumors, ensuring the survival of both mother and child.

Calcified chronic subdural hematoma: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Calcified chronic subdural hematomas (CCSDHs) are rare variants of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) accounting to only 0.3-2.7% of CSDHs. Although the majority of the patients with CSDHs recover from surgery, there still is some doubt about its being applied to CCSDHs. OBSERVATIONS: In this case report, the authors present a case of a 75-year-old male presenting with deterioration of motor function in his left limbs over the course of 18 months and acute neurological deterioration in the form of altered sensorium for 7 days. The patient experienced an episode of aspiration in the preoperative period that led to deterioration of pulmonary function in the postoperative period. A chest radiograph showed diffuse patches suggesting pulmonary compromise. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) documented a large subdural collection at the right frontal and parietal hemisphere with calcification, which was successfully and completely removed by surgery. LESSONS: The chances of a subdural hematoma progressing to calcification is extremely rare. The presentation of this case was such that surgical intervention was the only option left for the patient. The presence of lacunar infarcts in the thalamus on MRI can also be attributed to the calcified hematoma.

Comparison of cake compositions, pepsin digestibility and amino acids concentration of proteins isolated from black mustard and yellow mustard cakes.

As a byproduct of oil production, black and yellow mustard cakes protein are considered as potential source of plant protein for feed applications to poultry, fish and swine industries. The protein contents in black and yellow mustard cakes were 38.17% and 28.80% and their pepsin digestibility was 80.33% and 77.43%, respectively. The proteins were extracted at different pH and maximum proteins (89.13% of 38.17% and 87.76% of 28.80% respectively) isolated from black and yellow mustard cakes at pH 12. The purity of isolated proteins of black and yellow mustard cakes was 89.83% and 91.12% respectively and their pepsin digestibility was 89.67% and 90.17% respectively which assigned the absence of antinutritional compounds. It was found that essential amino acids isoleucine, lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan and non essential amino acids arginine and tyrosine were present in greater concentration in black mustard cake protein whereas other amino acids were higher in yellow mustard cake protein.