Prospects of phosphate solubilizing microorganisms in sustainable agriculture.

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient for various plant processes, is generally a limiting soil component for crop growth and yields. Organic and inorganic types of P are copious in soils, but their phyto-availability is limited as it is present largely in insoluble forms. Although phosphate fertilizers are applied in P-deficit soils, their undue use negatively impacts soil quality and the environment. Moreover, many P fertilizers are lost because of adsorption and fixation mechanisms, further reducing fertilizer efficiencies. The application of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) is an environmentally friendly, low-budget, and biologically efficient method for sustainable agriculture without causing environmental hazards. These beneficial microorganisms are widely distributed in the rhizosphere and can hydrolyze inorganic and organic insoluble P substances to soluble P forms which are directly assimilated by plants. The present review summarizes and discusses our existing understanding related to various forms and sources of P in soils, the importance and P utilization by plants and microbes,, the diversification of PSMs along with mixed consortia of diverse PSMs including endophytic PSMs, the mechanism of P solubilization, and lastly constraints being faced in terms of production and adoption of PSMs on large scale have also been discussed.

Central nervous system blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukaemia misdiagnosed as tubercular meningitis.

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) presenting with isolated Central Nervous System (CNS) blast crisis is an uncommon entity. A 22-year-old man, diagnosed with chronic phase CML in 2011 and was in haematological and cytogenetic remission until July 2016, had acute onset headache and vomiting with meningeal signs and was admitted elsewhere, investigated by brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and suspected to have tubercular meningitis, for which steroids and antitubercular medications were started. The patient's sensorium further deteriorated, and Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery was done for hydrocephalus by a neurosurgeon. After 2 months of the illness, he was admitted to our hospital with a persistent headache, vomiting and altered sensorium. CSF for cytospin confirmed myeloid blasts. He was still in haematological remission. So, a diagnosis of isolated CNS blast crisis was made. The patient was started on triple intrathecal chemotherapy and cranial radiotherapy. He had improvement with treatment and is still in remission.

Late-onset myoclonic epilepsy in Down syndrome (LOMEDS): A spectrum of progressive myoclonic epilepsy - Case report.

Cognitive decline and epilepsy are well recognized complication of Down syndrome (DS). Here, we intend to present a case of 28 year old male who presented with progressive mental regression, gait ataxia and myoclonic jerking especially on awakening in morning. His EEG was normal and karyotyping revealed trisomy of chromosome 21. Very few cases had been described in literature of late-onset myoclonic epilepsy in DS. This is first case report from India and our aim is to propose the inclusion of this entity in the spectrum of progressive myoclonic epilepsies but still more cases are yet to be found.

A unique combination of autoimmune limbic encephalitis, type 1 diabetes, and Stiff person syndrome associated with GAD-65 antibody.

Antibodies to GAD-65 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, limbic encephalitis and Stiff person syndrome, however these diseases rarely occur concurrently. We intend to present a rare case of 35 year old female who was recently diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes presented with 1½ month history of recurrent seizures, subacute onset gait ataxia, dysathria, psychiatric disturbance and cognitive decline. No tumor was found on imaging and the classic paraneoplastic panel was negative. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood was positive for GAD-65 antibodies. Patient showed significant improvement with immunomodulatory therapy. Association of GAD-65 antibodies has been found with various disorders including type 1 diabetes, limbic encephalitis, Stiff person syndrome, cerebellar ataxia and palatal myoclonus. This case presents with unique combination of type 1 diabetes, Stiff person syndrome and limbic encephalitis associated with GAD-65 antibodies that is responsive to immunotherapy. It also highlights the emerging concept of autoimmunity in the causation of various disorders and there associations.

Alien hand and leg as the presenting feature of probable sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A rare presentation of a rare disease.

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) can have varied clinical presentation depending upon the genotype at codon 129. The common presenting clinical features of sCJD are rapid onset cognitive impairment, ataxia, psychosis and visual signs (field defects, distortion, cortical blindness). Alien limb sign was first described in patients with corpus callosal tumors and later with other neurodegenerative conditions like corticobasal degeneration. Alien hand complaints as the presenting feature of sCJD has been described in literature, but simultaneous alien hand and leg has been rarely described as presenting feature of sCJD. We describe here a case of a 55-year-old man who presented with progressive left alien hand and leg as the sole clinical manifestation of probable sCJD.

Autosomal dominant cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy (ADCME): Probable first family from India.

Autosomal dominant cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy (ADCME) is an extremely rare syndrome characterized by familial occurrence of postural and action-induced tremors of the hands but showing electrophysiologic findings of cortical reflex myoclonus. Patients also have cognitive decline and tonic-clonic seizures, often precipitated by sleep deprivation or photic stimulation. We describe probably the first family from India of this ill-defined syndrome.

Rare presentation of botulism with generalized fasciculations.

Botulism is a dreadful, life-threatening, neuroparalytic disease caused by gram positive bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Food borne botulism has been described following ingestion of preformed toxins in canned food or food products that have not been preserved properly. Botulinum toxin acts on neuromuscular junction and manifests as ophthalmoplegia, bulbar and limb weakness, and autonomic features along with respiratory compromise. The literature and case reports regarding neuroparalytic botulism in India are sparse. Generalized fasciculations have been rarely reported in literature as manifestation of food borne botulism. We present a 35-year-male presenting with usual features described, but with prominent generalized fasciculations which are rare, and which rapidly responded to treatment.

Reproductive ecology of male and female Strobili and mating system in two different populations of Pinus roxburghii.

We studied several flowering traits, namely, male-female cone phenology, male-female cone production per tree, mating system, sex ratio, air-borne pollen grains and pollen migration, over four successive years in two different natural populations of P. roxburghii from Garhwal Himalaya, India. Assessment of each trait mentioned except pollen dispersion was done by selecting five representative trees randomly in each population. The pollen migration was studied on naturally isolated source trees. The pollen trapping was done in all directions up to 2.5 km. The average reproductive period in P. roxburghii was 36 days with 3-5 days protandry. There were significant year and population effects for male and female cone output and pollen grains production per tree. In mass production year (1999), an average production of pollen cone per tree was estimated as 42.44 ± 8.32 × 10(3) at lower altitude and 28.1 ± 0.89 × 10(3) at higher altitude. The controlled pollination results in high level of outcrossing with 90% seed setting. We conclude that the high male-female ratio and tremendous pollen production capacity in P. roxburghii indicate high male competition among trees within populations. The isolation strip of 600 m is considered minimal for the management of seed orchard.

Guillain-Barre syndrome occurring during dengue fever.

Various types of neurological manifestations are described in dengue fever, of which peripheral neuropathy is rarely reported. We are reporting such a case that presented with three days' history of fever and weakness of all the four limbs of two days' duration. On investigations it turned out to be acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) type of Guillain-Barre syndrome with decrease platelet counts and positive serology for dengue. All other causes of acute polyneuropathy were ruled out by history and relevant investigations. Patient improved with intravenous immunoglobulin and other supportive therapy.

Cyclic pollen production in Cedrus deodara.

Based on a seven-year study of pollen production and release in two different natural populations of Cedrus deodara from Garhwal Himalaya, India, we determined that pollen output follows a two-year cycle. Pollen productivity determinations considered various sources of variability, including the number of pollen strobili per branch, strobili per tree, microsporophylls per tree and pollen grains per tree. Each of these parameters revealed significant year-to-year and population effects. Microsporangium dehiscence took from 2.5 to 3.5 days. Maximum dehiscence was observed between 12:00 and 14:00 h, which coincides with diurnal highest temperature and lowest relative humidity. Annual production of pollen per tree varied from averages of 4.7 x 10(9), 7.2 x 10(9) and 5.1 x 10(9) in years of low production, with alternate high years, producing 12.6 x 10(9), 14.1 x 10(9), 13.3 x 10(9) and 14.0 x 10(9) pollen grains per tree. Annual pollen production in individual trees of C. deodara ranged from 1.4 x 10(9) to 22.3 x 10(9).