Development of a biofilm-forming bacterial consortium and quorum sensing molecules for the degradation of lignin-containing organic pollutants.

The presence of lignin along with other pollutants makes effluent more complex when it is discharged from Pulp and paper mills. The present study investigates the use of biofilm-forming bacteria isolated from pulp paper mill effluent contaminated sites (PPMECSs) for lignin degradation. Isolated biofilm-forming and lignin-degrading bacteria were identified as Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter cancerogenus, and Bacillus licheniformis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Thin liquid chromatography (TLC) analysis showed that the consortium of bacteria produced acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) as quorum sensing molecules and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that protect the bacterial consortium under unfavorable conditions. The potential consortium was able to reduce lignin (900 ppm) by 73% after 8 days of incubation in a minimal salt medium containing kraft lignin and glucose at pH 7.0 and 37 °C as compared to individual strains. The degradation by-products were identified as amides, alcohols, and acids. The major organic pollutants in the effluent were reduced after treatment of the constructed consortium, thus confirming active biotransformation and biodegradation of the lignin. Microscopic examination also indicated the presence of lignin induced biofilm formation. Hence, the constructed biofilm-forming bacterial consortia based on quorum sensing offered a sustainable and effective solution to treat lignin-containing complex pollutants.

Fungal pectinases: an insight into production, innovations and applications.

The fungal system holds morphological plasticity and metabolic versatility which makes it unique. Fungal habitat ranges from the Arctic region to the fertile mainland, including tropical rainforests, and temperate deserts. They possess a wide range of lifestyles behaving as saprophytic, parasitic, opportunistic, and obligate symbionts. These eukaryotic microbes can survive any living condition and adapt to behave as extremophiles, mesophiles, thermophiles, or even psychrophile organisms. This behaviour has been exploited to yield microbial enzymes which can survive in extreme environments. The cost-effective production, stable catalytic behaviour and ease of genetic manipulation make them prominent sources of several industrially important enzymes. Pectinases are a class of pectin-degrading enzymes that show different mechanisms and substrate specificities to release end products. The pectinase family of enzymes is produced by microbial sources such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, plants, and animals. Fungal pectinases having high specificity for natural sources and higher stabilities and catalytic activities make them promising green catalysts for industrial applications. Pectinases from different microbial sources have been investigated for their industrial applications. However, their relevance in the food and textile industries is remarkable and has been extensively studied. The focus of this review is to provide comprehensive information on the current findings on fungal pectinases targeting diverse sources of fungal strains, their production by fermentation techniques, and a summary of purification strategies. Studies on pectinases regarding innovations comprising bioreactor-based production, immobilization of pectinases, in silico and expression studies, directed evolution, and omics-driven approaches specifically by fungal microbiota have been summarized.

Profile of prosthodontics program directors in North America.

PURPOSE: To develop a current profile of prosthodontics program directors (PPDs) in United States dental schools and describe the current challenges and responsibilities of those serving in the position and assess the professional needs of the program directors (PDs) to better support them in their roles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was sent to 51 participants who were identified as PPDs in North America via Qualtrics in 2019 to assess the professional needs of PDs to better support their roles. The survey consisted of 29 items organized into six sections: (1) demographic information; (2) hours and time spent in various areas of the job; (3) greatest challenges; (4) perceived importance of specific competencies; (5) opinions on the greatest rewards of the position; (6) their needs for support from the American College of Prosthodontists and advice for the future PD. RESULTS: The response rate for this survey was 88.3%. Of the 45 respondents, the majority were white/non-Hispanic, followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders. The two largest and equal numbers of participants who worked for more than 10 years and between 1 and 3 years were observed with approximately 29% each, and PDs who worked less than a year occupied the least amount. Overall, 34% of PDs are on the tenure track and 80% of those are tenured. Teaching and clinical services took away the greatest time with approximately 42% and 22.1%, respectively. Thirty-five (78%) PDs listed the greatest challenge they encountered was the workload of the role. Skills listed in leadership and personnel competencies were all rated more important than most of the skills listed in management. CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide gender gap and a lack of racial diversity among the PPDs. The biggest challenge faced by them is the amount of workload followed by budget and fiscal constraints. And for their improved efficiency, they gave emphasis on learning time management and continuous clinical training of newer advances.

Fetal Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome: Antenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Management.

Context: Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a rare disease characterized by a triad of venous malformations, vascular skin nevus and asymmetric hypertrophy of bone and soft tissue. The spectrum of disease in utero varies from asymptomatic nevus flammeus to life threatening complications like Kasabach-Merritt phenomena. Aim: The aim of this study was to review our experience of antenatal diagnosis of KTWS and it's postnatal management. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective observational study of all pregnant women who were antenatally diagnosed with KTWS and postnatally confirmed at a tertiary care center in north India between 2012 and 2021. Subjects and Methods: The electronic medical records were reviewed and data were collected regarding demographic information, obstetric history, clinical presentation, sonographic findings, mode of delivery, fetal outcome, and follow-up. Results: During the study period, four fetuses were diagnosed with KTWS on sonography. Three women were multigravida whereas one was a primigravida. Two women opted for medical termination of pregnancy and one each had liveborn child and an intra-uterine fetal death. KTWS was confirmed in all cases. The liveborn child underwent treatment for the vascular malformation and is alive at 4 years of age. Conclusions: This study attempts to add onto the available literature regarding the spectrum of prenatal presentations of KTWS. It emphasizes the importance of prenatal diagnosis and follow-up of the fetus/neonate.

Quality of life and disease perceptions in caregivers of children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a chronic disorder requiring lifelong therapy. False perceptions, poor knowledge, and social isolation adversely affect the psychosocial health and quality of life of patients and caregivers. The study was undertaken to ascertain the quality of life of caregivers of children with CAH. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study enrolled caregivers of children diagnosed with CAH where newborn screening was unavailable. Quality of life (QoL) was measured using the WHO-QoL-BREF questionnaire to compare physical, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Results: Eighteen children with CAH (9 males), 14 salt-wasting, and 4 simple virilizing CAH with median (IQR) age of 4.3 (2.6, 9.8) years and a follow-up period of 3.8 (1.3, 8.4) years were enrolled. Out of 18 caregivers, 6 were fathers and 12 mothers with a mean (SD) age of 38 (8) years. The mean (SD) of the total score was 69.2 (10.6); physical, psychological, environmental, and social domain were 69.8 (15.1), 57 (12.6), 64 (14.5), and 65 (9.9), respectively. Physical, psychological, and environmental domain scores were significantly higher in upper-middle than lower-middle socioeconomic strata (P < 0.05) and similar between salt-wasting and simple virilizing phenotypes. There was no significant correlation between QoL scores and duration of disease (r = 0.257, P = 0.44). Parents of 7 (38%) patients discussed disease with extended families or neighbors, but none of the school teachers were informed. Death (56%), social acceptance (27%), and infertility (18%) were the major concerns acknowledged. Conclusion: The study reflects the suboptimal quality of life in caregivers of children with CAH. There was no correlation of the duration of disease with the QoL scores. Psychological and social relationship scores were poorest, indicating the need to creating more awareness to remove social taboos associated with this disease.

Degradation and decolourization potential of ligninolytic enzyme producing Bacillus paramycoides BL2 and Micrococcus luteus BL3 for pulp paper industrial effluent and its toxicity evaluation.

Aim of this study was to optimize the production of Ligninolytic enzyme for the degradation of complex pollutants present in pulp paper industrial effluent (PPIE). Two ligninolytic enzyme-producing bacterial strains were isolated from PPIE and identified as Bacillus paramycoides strain BL2 (MZ676667) and Micrococcus luteus strains BL3 (MZ676668). The identified bacterial strain Bacillus paramycoides strain BL2 showed optimum production of LiP (4.30 U/ml), MnP (3.38 U/ml) at 72 h of incubation, while laccase (4.43 U/ml) at 96 h of incubation. While, Micrococcus luteus strains BL3 produced maximum LiP (3.98) and MnP (3.85 U/ml) at 96 h of incubation and maximum laccase (3.85 U/ml) at 72 h of incubation, pH 7-8, and temperatures of 30-35 °C. Furthermore, in the presence of glucose (1.0%) and peptone (0.5%) as nutrient sources, the enzyme activity of consortium leads to reduction of lignin (70%), colour (63%) along with COD (71%) and BOD (58%). The pollutants detected in control i.e. 3.6-Dioxa-2,7-disilaoctane, 2-Heptnoic acid,trimethylsilyl ester, 7-Methyldinaphtho [2,1-b,1',2'-d] silole, Hexadeconoic acid, trimethylysilyl ester, Methyl1(Z)-3,3-dipheny.1-4-hexenoale, 2,6,10,14,18,22-Tetracosahexane,2,2-dimethylpropyl(2Z,6E)-10,11epoxy5,6 Dihyrostigmasterol, acetate were completely diminished. The toxicity of PPIE was reduced up to 75%. Hence, knowledge of this study will be very useful for industrial sector for treatment of complex wastewater.

Daily v. weekly oral vitamin D3 therapy for nutritional rickets in Indian children: a randomised controlled open-label trial.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of daily v. weekly oral vitamin D3 therapy in radiological healing of nutritional rickets. Children 6 months to 12 years (n 132) diagnosed with nutritional rickets were randomised into three groups (n 44): group A - 2000 IU daily vitamin D3 for 12 weeks, B - 60 000 IU weekly for 3 weeks, C - 60 000 IU weekly for 6 weeks. Serum calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone and X-ray score were estimated at baseline and 12 weeks (endline). The proportion of children who achieved complete radiological healing at endline was compared between three groups by χ2 and delta change in laboratory parameters by ANOVA (parametric data) or Kruskal Wallis test (non-parametric data), respectively. Baseline 25(OH)D ≤ 20 ng/ml was seen in 119 (90·2 %), hyperparathyroidism in 90 (68·8 %) and hypocalcaemia in 96 (72·7 %). A total of 120/132 children completed the study. Complete radiological healing seen in 30 (75 %) in group A, 23 (60·5 %) in group B and 26 (61·9 %) in group C; P = 0·15, with comparable endline X-ray scores; P = 0·31. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) delta X-ray score (baseline-endline) was 7 (4,9), 5 (2·25, 6) and 6 (4,7) in groups A, B and C, respectively; P = 0·019. Median (IQR) 25(OH)D endline levels in groups A, B and C were 50·0 (26·5, 66·5), 42·1 (28·4, 54·4) and 53·5 (33·7, 71·2) ng/ml, respectively; P = 0·045. Radiological scores were comparable at endline among daily and weekly vitamin D groups with greater change from baseline in daily supplemented group.

Plant growth promoting strain Bacillus cereus (RCS-4 MZ520573.1) enhances phytoremediation potential of Cynodon dactylon L. in distillery sludge.

Elevated levels of physico-chemical pollution including organic pollutants, metals and metalloids were detected in distillery sludges despite of the anaerobic digestion treatment prior to disposal. The concentrations of the metals were (in mg kg-1): Fe (400.98 ± 3.11), Zn (17.21 ± 0.54), Mn (8.32 ± 0.42), Ni (8.00 ± 0.98), Pb (5.09 ± 0.43), Cr (4.00 ± 0.98), and Cu (3.00 ± 0.10). An invasive grass species, Cynodon dactylon L., demonstrated its ability to remediate the distillery waste sludge (DWS) in the field study. All the physico-chemical parameters of the sludge significantly improved (up to 70-75%) in the presence of Cynodon dactylon L. (p < 0.001) than the control with no plant growth. The highest phytoremediation capacity was associated with the uptake of Fe in the root and shoot. Sludge samples collected near the rhizosphere also showed lower amount of organic compounds compared to control sludge samples. Metal resistant Bacillus cereus (RCS-4 MZ520573.1) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Cynodon dactylon L. and showed potential to enhance the process of phytoremediation via plant growth promoting activities such as production of high level of ligninolytic enzymes: manganese peroxidase (35.98 U), lignin peroxidase (23.98 U) and laccase (12.78 U), indole acetic acid (45.87(mgL-1), phosphatase activity (25.76 mg L-1) and siderophore production (23.09 mg L-1). This study presents information on the performance of Cynodon dactylon L., an abundant invasive perennial grass species and its associated plant growth promoting rhizobacteria demonstrated good capacity to remediate and restore contaminated soil contained complex organic and inorganic pollutants, they could be integrated into the disposal system of distillery sludge to improve the treatment efficiency.

Regulatory and innovative mechanisms of bacterial quorum sensing-mediated pathogenicity: a review.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a system of bacteria in which cells communicate with each other; it is linked to cell density in the microbiome. The high-density colony population can provide enough small molecular signals to enable a range of cellular activities, gene expression, pathogenicity, and antibiotic resistance that cause damage to the hosts. QS is the basis of chronic illnesses in human due to microbial sporulation, expression of virulence factors, biofilm formation, secretion of enzymes, or production of membrane vesicles. The transfer of antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) among antibiotic resistance bacteria is a major public health concern. QS-mediated biofilm is a hub for ARG horizontal gene transfer. To develop innovative approach to prevent microbial pathogenesis, it is essential to understand the role of QS especially in response to environmental stressors such as exposure to antibiotics. This review provides the latest knowledge on the relationship of QS and pathogenicity and explore the novel approach to control QS via quorum quenching (QQ) using QS inhibitors (QSIs) and QQ enzymes. The state-of-the art knowledge on the role of QS and the potential of using QQ will help to overcome the threats of rapidly emerging bacterial pathogenesis.

Impact of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) and its receptor (RAGE) on cancer metabolic signaling pathways and its progression.

Cancer is a complex disease with a 5-10% hereditary base, but nutrition, lifestyle, and the environment we are exposed to influence 90-95% of cancers. Due to rapid westernization, the diet we consume is rich in advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are the heterogeneous group of compounds formed by non-enzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and amino groups of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Its implication is confirmed in many chronic conditions such as diabetes, renal, cardiovascular diseases, and aging however its role in cancer development has been understudied. Cancer cells are continuously exposed to AGEs due to their increased production, owing to its high metabolic rate and aerobic glycolysis. AGEs accumulation led to glycative stress which in turn stimulates oxidative stress and inflammation, through its receptor known as receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). RAGE mediates crosstalk between the tumour cells and its microenvironment components to induce hypoxia, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, epigenetic modification, and cancer stemness. This emphasizes AGEs as an essential driving factor in different aspects of cancer development, but the exact molecular mechanism has to be explored. Thus, this review gives an insight into the pathological role of AGEs at the bio-molecular level in the tumourigenesis and progression of cancer in terms of the tumour microenvironment, invasion, and metastasis. Further, the compiled clinical data relating to the AGE-RAGE axis associated with different cancers and its potential inhibitors have been discussed.

Beliefs Supporting Violence, Attitudes and Aggressive Behavior Among School Adolescents in Rural Delhi.

Violence and aggression amongst adolescents is increasing across the globe. However, the research on adolescent violence in India is limited. The present study was undertaken to study aggressive beliefs, attitudes, behavior rural schools in north district of Delhi. It was a cross-sectional study conducted among adolescents studying in grade VIII-X in three rural schools in Delhi, selected by non-probability sampling. The data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from CDC Compendium of tools measuring aggression. Out of the total 270 adolescents, there were 119 boys (44.1%) and 151 (55.9%) girls. The mean score of beliefs, attitude aggressive behaviour for private co-ed school was highest while all girls' school had lowest (p < 0.001). Being male (p < 0.001), studying in private co-ed school (p < 0.001) and having attitude towards violence (p = 0.02) contributed significantly to total aggression score. The study highlighted that type of school, gender and attitudes influence adolescents' behavior towards aggression.

Detection and assessment of the phytotoxicity of residual organic pollutants in sediment contaminated with pulp and paper mill effluent.

The safe disposal of pulp and paper mill effluent is still a threat to the environment due to the presence of several unknown organic pollutants. The comparative physico-chemical analysis of pulp and paper mill effluent-contaminated sediment (PPECS) of site 1 and site 2 showed that the sediment had an alkaline nature and was loaded with several organic pollutants and heavy metals. SEM-EDX examination showed a porous structure with a heterogeneous distribution of particles, allowing the adsorption of metal and other complex organic ions. FTIR analysis depicted the presence of a variety of functional groups, i.e., alkyl halides, phenolics, and lignin, in the contaminated sediment. GC-MS analysis showed the major presence of organic pollutants, i.e., 2-methyl-4-keto-2-pentan-2-ol and 3,7-dioxa-2,8-disilanonane,2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-5-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy], in the site 1 sediment contaminated with pulp and paper mill waste, while 2-methyl-4-keto-2-trimethylsiloxypentane, 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol, ethyl-2-octynoate, cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, and octadecenoic acid were detected in the site 2 sediment contaminated with pulp and paper mill waste. The genotoxicity of PPECS determined by examining Allium cepa root cell division showed chromosomal aberration. In this study, several compounds that have not been reported before were identified.

Comparative evaluation of the depth of curve of Spee between individuals with normal dentition and individuals with occlusal wear using conventional and digital software analysis techniques: An in vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the depth of curve of Spee in normal dentitions and dentitions with occlusal wear using conventional and digital software techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 healthy human subjects were selected for this study in an age group of 20-50 years. Group A includes the stone models (dental casts) of 35 individuals with healthy (nonattrited) dentition. Group B includes stone models of 35 individuals with occlusal wear (generalized attrited) dentition. Two methods were used for measuring the curve of Spee, i.e., conventional method and three-dimensional digital analysis method. RESULTS: Depth of the curve of Spee between these two groups was statistically the same. The Digital software analysis (Method II) gives more accurate readings when compared with the Conventional (Method I) of measuring the depth of the curve of Spee. CONCLUSION: Depth of curve of Spee is maintained through the life. There is no statistical difference in depth of curve of Spee between the two groups and digital method give more accurate measurements.

Benzo[b]thiophene Fusion Enhances Local Borepin Aromaticity in Polycyclic Heteroaromatic Compounds.

This report documents the synthesis, characterization, and computational evaluation of two isomeric borepin-containing polycyclic aromatics. The syntheses of these two isomers involved symmetrical disubstituted alkynes that were reduced to Z-olefins followed by borepin formation either through an isolable stannocycle intermediate or directly from the alkene via the trapping of a transient dilithio intermediate. Comparisons of their magnetic, crystallographic, and computational characterization to literature compounds gave valuable insights about the aromaticity of these symmetrically fused [b,f]borepins. The fusion of benzo[b]thiophene units to the central borepin cores forced a high degree of local aromaticity within the borepin moieties relative to other known borepin-based polycyclic aromatics. Each isomer had unique electronic responses in the presence of fluoride anions. The experimental data demonstrate that the local borepin rings in these two compounds have a relatively high amount of aromatic character. Results from quantum chemical calculations provide a more comprehensive understanding of local and global aromatic characters of various rings in fused ring systems built upon boron heterocycles.

Syntrophic co-culture of Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia for degradation of kraft lignin discharged from rayon grade pulp industry.

In order to search the degradability of kraft lignin, the potential bacterial strains Bacillus subtilis (GU193980) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (GU193981) were isolated, screened and applied in axenic and co-culture conditions. Results revealed that mixed culture showed better decolorization efficiency (80%) and reduction of pollution parameters (COD 73% and BOD 62%) than axenic culture. This indicated syntrophic growth of these two bacteria rather than any antagonistic effect. The HPLC analysis of degraded samples of kraft lignin has shown the reduction in peak area compared to control, suggesting that decrease in color intensity might be largely attributed to the degradation of lignin by isolated bacteria. Further, the GC-MS analysis showed that most of the compounds detected in control were diminished after bacterial treatment. Further, the seed germination test using Phaseolus aureus has supported the detoxification of bacterial decolorized kraft lignin for environmental safety. All these observations have revealed that the developed bacterial co-culture was capable for the effective degradation and decolorization of lignin containing rayon grade pulp mill wastewater for environmental safety.

Efficacy of caudal fentanyl and ketamine on post-operative pain and neuroendocrine stress response in children undergoing infraumbilical and perineal surgery: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is well-known that neuroendocrine stress response (NESR) occurs in children and it can be modified by caudal block. However, there is paucity of literature comparing caudal fentanyl and ketamine on NESR. The present study was aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of these caudal adjuvants and their effect on (NESR) in children undergoing infraumbilical and perineal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 children undergoing infraumbilical surgery were included in this randomized, double-blind study. Three groups of 20 each were assigned to receive caudal block with bupivacaine 0.25% 1 ml/kg along with either 0.9% normal saline (Group I) 1 µg/kg fentanyl (Group II) or 0.5 mg/kg ketamine (Group III). Modified visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for assessment of post-operative pain, and stress response was assessed by blood glucose, serum cortisol and insulin levels at various time intervals. RESULTS: VAS scores were significantly lower in the ketamine group at all-time intervals upto 4 h (P < 0.05). Patients in ketamine group required rescue analgesia significantly later (8.23 h) when compared to fentanyl (5.95 h) and bupivacaine group (4.10 h). Caudal block led to significant decrease in cortisol and insulin levels within the groups however this significance was not achieved between groups. CONCLUSION: Caudal ketamine in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg provides prolonged analgesia when compared to fentanyl 1 µg/kg. Blunting of the NESR was observed in all the groups though the indicators of the response were lowest with ketamine.

Purification and biochemical characterization of an alkaline pectin lyase from Fusarium decemcellulare MTCC 2079 suitable for Crotalaria juncea fiber retting.

An extracellular pectin lyase secreted by Fusarium decemcellulare MTCC 2079 under solid state fermentation condition has been purified to electrophoretic homogeniety by using ammonium sulfate fractionation, carboxymethyl cellulose and gel filtration (Sephadex G-100) column chromatographies. The purified enzyme showed single protein band corresponding to molecular mass 45 ± 01 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had maximum activity at pH 9.0 and showed maximum stability in the pH range of 9.0-12.0. The optimum temperature of the purified enzyme was 50 °C and it showed maximum stability upto 40 °C. The energy of activation for the thermal denaturation (Ea ) was 59.06 kJ mol(-1) K(-1). The Km and kcat values using citrus pectin as the substrate were 0.125 mg ml(-1) and 72.9 s(-1) in 100 mM sodium carbonate buffer pH 9.0 at 50 °C. The biophysical studies on pectin lyase showed that its secondary structure belongs to α + ß class of protein with comparatively less of ß-sheets. Purified pectin lyase showed efficient retting of Crotolaria juncea fibers.