Characterization of Uromyces appendiculatus First Races in Sri Lanka and Identification of Genes for the Development of Rust-Resistant Snap Beans.

Bean rust is a devastating disease of snap beans in Sri Lanka. Our study endeavored to develop snap beans with resistance to Uromyces appendiculatus, the bean rust pathogen reported to have numerous virulent races. Accordingly, we needed a detailed understanding of the virulence of U. appendiculatus and to identify genes conferring effective rust resistance. To investigate the virulence, we collected leaves of snap bean with rust symptoms from four snap bean producing districts of Sri Lanka. From these samples we established 57 single pustule isolates. Each isolate was inoculated on a set of 12 differential cultivars, six from the Andean and six from the Middle American gene pools of common bean. The virulence of the isolates segregated into four distinct groups that comprised the first four reported races of U. appendiculatus in Sri Lanka, 23-5, 31-1, 31-11, and 63-21. All races were significantly more virulent on the Andean than on the Middle American differential cultivars. PI 1819966, a Middle American differential cultivar containing the Ur-11 gene, conferred resistance to all four races. Three other Middle American cultivars were resistant to three races. Conversely, five Andean differential cultivars were susceptible to all four races. PI 160418 was the only Andean differential cultivar with resistance to three races. The results suggested that rust resistance genes from the Middle American differential cultivars could be combined in different ways with the resistance of Andean PI 260418 to develop snap bean varieties with broad resistance to all races of U. appendiculatus in Sri Lanka.

COVID-19-associated brain abscess caused by Trichosporon dohaense: A case report and review of literature.

We report the first case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated brain abscess caused by a rare Trichosporon species, T. dohaense. The patient was a known diabetic and had received systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of COVID-19. He underwent craniotomy and evacuation of abscess. The pus aspirate grew a basidiomycetous yeast, morphologically resembling Trichosporon species. The isolate was initially misidentified by VITEK® MS due to lack of mass spectral database of T. dohaense. Accurate identification was achieved by internal transcribed spacer-directed panfungal polymerase chain reaction. The patient had a favorable outcome following surgical intervention and antifungal therapy.

Anaerobic bacteriological profile of brain abscess in a tertiary care center in southern India.

Brain abscess accounts for 8% of all intracranial insults in developing countries. Anaerobic infections are missed in most cases due to difficult isolation techniques. This study was done to determine the anaerobic bacteriological profile of brain abscess, their distribution according to sociodemographic variables, anatomical location, management and the outcome during the subjects' stay in a neurosciences' speciality hospital. We included 190 cases of confirmed anaerobic brain abscess from the year 1998-2017. The median age was 22 years with more males (73% of 190 cases) than females. The Bacteroides spp. were the most common (64%) anaerobic organisms isolated followed by Gram positive anaerobic cocci (51%). While 67% of the samples showed purely anaerobic bacteria on culture, remaining were mixed. Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was the most common predisposing factor.

Protective and antioxidative effect of rubropunctatin against oxidative protein damage induced by metal catalyzed reaction.

Monascus purpureus is known to produce several coloured secondary metabolites. In this study, M. purpureus CFR 410-11 mutant fermented with rice was dried and extracted in hexane for purification of pigment. The purity of the isolated pigment was confirmed by different chromatography techniques. The spectroscopic analysis revealed its structural identity as rubropunctatin. The antioxidant potencies of isolated rubropunctatin were evaluated. Rubropunctatin scavenged 16% 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and inhibited 20% superoxide generation at 8 µg/ml concentration. The multiple antioxidant abilities of rubropunctatin were evidenced by its ferric reducing capacity also. The oxidative damage of BSA protein was induced by the metal catalyzed oxidation (MCO) by Fe2+/H2O2. The protective effects of rubropunctatin and M. purpureus (MTCC-410 and CFR 410-11) extracts were compared with glutathione and ascorbic acid. The M. purpureus extracts and rubropunctatin inhibited the formation of carbonyl content and protein oxidation assayed by SDS-PAGE. Rubropunctatin (42-169 µM) efficiently inhibited the protein oxidation compared to glutathione (48-195 µM) and ascorbic acid (85-340 µM) by scavenging the superoxide and hydroxyl radical generated in the system.

Electrical burn injury: a comparison of outcomes of high voltage versus low voltage injury in an Indian scenario.

Electrical burn injury (EBI) is a mutilating form of injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate the various aspects of EBI and analyse the differences between high voltage injury (HVI) and low voltage injury (LVI). A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of all burn admissions from June 2016 to May 2017. A total of 1572 patients were admitted, of which 385 (24.49%) had suffered an electrical injury. 104 (27.01%) patients sustained LVI and 281 (72.98%) HVI. One hundred patients from both groups were randomly selected using the chit method, in order to analyse their differences. In our study, the mean age was 35.23±19.96 in the HVI group and 24.15±14.39 years in the LVI group. Most of the injuries were work related. Events during the early phase of admission included a rise in serum creatine phosphokinases, myoglobinuria, renal failure, abnormal cardiac events and other concomitant injuries in the HVI group (p<0.001). Unfavourable outcomes in the form of amputations, prolonged hospital stay and high mortality rate were observed in the HVI group (8.5%) (p<0.027). However, LVI cannot be overlooked as number of reconstructive surgeries and mean number of operations showed no significant difference between both groups. HVI has a disastrous impact on burn survivors but LVI cannot be underestimated. We advocate a low threshold for managing associated injuries, education on safety principles, for men at work especially, and infrastructure improvement by the state to bring changes to the present scenario.

Les brûlures électrothermiques (BET) sont des blessures particulièrement mutilantes. Le but de cette étude rétrospective, conduite à partir des dossiers des patients hospitalisés entre juin 2016 et mai 2017 est d'analyser les BET et de comparer celles par bas voltage (BBV) à celles par haut voltage (BHV). Parmi les 1 572 patients, 385 (24,69%) avaient une BET dont 104 (27,01%) BBV et 281 (72,98%) BHV. Nous avons tiré au sort 100 dossiers de chaque groupe. L'âge du groupe BHV est de 32,23 +/- 19,96 ans, celui de BBV de 24,15 +/- 14,39 ans. La plupart des accidents ont lieu au travail. Le groupe BHV est plus à risque de complications initiales (rhabdomyolyse avec élévation des CPK, myoglobinurie, insuffisance rénale, complications cardiaques) et a plus fréquemment des lésions associées (p<0,001). La mortalité (8,5%) est plus élevée dans le groupe BHV, ainsi que le nombre d'amputations ainsi que la durée de séjour. Toutefois, il ne faut pas minimiser la gravité des BBV car le nombre d'intervention, initiales et de reconstruction, est superposable à celui observé dans les BHV. La prise en charge doit être spécialisée même en cas de BBV et la prévention (mesures de sécurité en particulier au travail, amélioration des infrastructures) doit être améliorée.

An efficient removal of crystal violet dye from waste water by adsorption onto TLAC/Chitosan composite: A novel low cost adsorbent.

A composite of Typha latifolia activated carbon (TLAC) (a novel, low cost absorbent) and chitosan (TLAC/Chitosan composite) was prepared. The composite was characterised using IR spectra, XRD, FESEM and Pore size studies. Its effectivity was tested for the removal of crystal violet dye from aqueous solutions. The effect of pH, dose rate and initial dye concentration was evaluated. The adsorption isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic parameters were studied. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were found fit effectively for the dye adsorption data in the present study. The adsorption followed pseudo-second order kinetics. The evaluated thermodynamic parameters show a spontaneous and exothermic reaction. Overall, this study indicates TLAC/Chitosan composite as an effective adsorbent for the removal of crystal violet dye from aqueous solutions.

A series of enterococcal brain abscesses.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgeons in developing countries come across brain abscess frequently, but Enterococcus as a cause of abscess is rare. AIMS: To describe clinical profile and treatment of a series of patients with enterococcal brain abscess. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed microbiological records of patients with brain abscess to identify Enterococcus as a causative organism. RESULTS: 12 patients (nine males) were diagnosed to have enterococcal brain abscess. All were due to E. species. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical feature and management are not different from other etiological agents. The prognosis of enterococcal brain abscess is more favourable than bacteremia.

A comparative rapid and sensitive method to screen l-asparaginase producing fungi.

Fungi are well known to produce various industrial enzymes and secondary metabolites with different colours. Fungi producing l-asparaginase enzyme are conventionally screened on medium containing phenol red (PR). The contrast between enzyme-hydrolysed zone and unhydrolysed l-asparagine is not very evident and distinct in medium containing PR and bromothymol blue (BB) due to coloured secondary metabolite production. Thus, PR and BB limit and affect the detection and screening method. In the present investigation, an improved method for screening is reported by comparing with PR and BB, wherein methyl red (MR) is incorporated as pH indicator. The enzyme activity was distinctly observed (red and light-yellow) in MR incorporated medium compared to PR and BB.

Novel extremely acidic lipases produced from Bacillus species using oil substrates.

The extremely acidophilic microorganisms Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis were isolated from soil collected from the commercial edible oil and fish oil extraction industry. Optimization of conditions for acidic lipase production from B. pumilus and B. subtilis using palm oil and fish oil, respectively, was carried out using response surface methodology. The extremely acidic lipases, thermo-tolerant acidic lipase (TAL) and acidic lipase (AL), were produced by B. pumilus and B. subtilis, respectively. The optimum conditions for B. pumilus obtaining the maximum activity (1,100 U/mL) of TAL were fermentation time, 96 h; pH, 1; temperature, 50 °C; concentration of palm oil, 50 g/L. After purification, a 7.1-fold purity of lipase with specific activity of 5,173 U/mg protein was obtained. The molecular weight of the TAL was 55 kDa. The AL from B. subtilis activity was 214 U/mL at a fermentation time of 72 h; pH, 1; temperature, 35 °C; concentration of fish oil, 30 g/L; maltose concentration, 10 g/L. After purification, an 11.4-fold purity of lipase with specific activity of 2,189 U/mg protein was obtained. The molecular weight of the extremely acidic lipase was 22 kDa. The functional groups of lipases were determined by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

Lipase production from a novel thermo-tolerant and extreme acidophile Bacillus pumilus using palm oil as the substrate and treatment of palm oil-containing wastewater.

The thermo-tolerant and extreme acidophilic microorganism Bacillus pumilus was isolated from the soil collected from a commercial edible-oil extraction industry. Optimisation of conditions for the lipase production was conducted using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions for obtaining the maximum activity (1,100 U/mL) of extremely acidic thermostable lipase were fermentation time, 96 h; pH, 1; temperature, 50 °C; and concentration of palm oil, 50 g/L. After purification, a 7.1-fold purity of lipase with specific activity of 5,173 U/mg protein was obtained. The molecular weight of the thermo-tolerant acidophilic lipase (TAL) was 55 kDa. The predominant amino acid in the TAL was glycine. The functional groups of lipase were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. TAL exhibited enhanced activity (114 %) with dimethyl sulphoxide (20 %, v/v), and it showed a moderate activity with methanol, hexane and benzene. The optimum conditions for the treatment of palm oil in wastewater using the TAL were found to be time, 3 h; pH, 1; temperature, 50 °C with pseudo second-order kinetic constant of 1.88 × 10(-3) L mol(-1) min(-1). The Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetic model and the nonlinear kinetic model were evaluated for the TAL. TAL established hydrolysis efficiency of 96 % for palm oil in wastewater at 50 °C.

Glucose released by hydrolytic activity of amylase influences the pigment synthesis in Penicillium sp NIOM-02.

Carbon catabolite repression is generally considered as a regulatory mechanism to ensure sequential synthesis of secondary metabolites. In this study we made an attempt to understand the influence of amylase activity on pigment synthesis in Penicillium sp NIOM-02. The amylase activity is inversely proportional to pigment production. The high performance liquid chromatography analysis of amylase reaction revealed glucose as the major product of starch hydrolysis. The fungus grown in acarbose (inhibitor of amylase) incorporated media produced higher quantities of pigments. Apparently, glucose released due to amylase activity influenced the pigment synthesis by cAMP signaling pathway.

Antioxidant effect of red mould rice in hypercholesterolemic Wistar male rats.

The effect of Monascus purpureus red mould rice (RMR) on modulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress was studied in hypercholesterolemic rats. Cholesterol feeding for 14 weeks caused a significant increase in the lipid peroxides and total thiols and antioxidant enzymes, viz. glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver in comparison to the control group. However, supplementation of RMR to hypercholesterolemic rats at 8, 12 and 16% significantly increased the GRd, GPx, SOD and CAT activities in serum and liver tissues. Furthermore, RMR feeding significantly decreased total thiols and lipid peroxides and also increased other antioxidant molecules such as glutathione and ascorbic acid in high-cholesterol fed rats. The efficiency of RMR (16%) in modulating the antioxidant molecules and antioxidant enzymes is comparable to standard drug-lovastatin. Thus, this study suggests that the long-term administration of RMR may play an important role in suppressing oxidative stress and, thus, may be useful for the prevention and/or early treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

The incidence of postoperative meningitis in neurosurgery: an institutional experience.

INTRODUCTION: Meningitis is the most dreaded cause of morbidity and mortality in neurosurgical patients. The reported incidence of postoperative meningitis is quite varied 0.5-8%. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study cohort included all the patients who underwent neurosurgery at the department of neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences, Bangalore, India over a period of seven years (2001 - 2007). Patients with culture positive meningitis were included for analysis. The incidence of postoperative meningitis was analyzed depending on the type of surgery performed and the microbiological profile of the organisms, and their sensitivity pattern. RESULTS: Of the 18,092 patients who underwent neurosurgical procedures during the study period, 415 patients developed infection. The overall incidence of meningitis was 2.2%. The incidence of meningitis was high (7.7%) in patients who had a pre-existing infection like post-pyogenic meningitis or tuberculosis hydrocephalus. The procedure mainly performed in this subgroup was shunt. The most common organisms causing meningitis were non-lactose fermenting Gram-negative bacillus followed by Pseudomonas and Klebsiella species. The methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated in 2.6% of the patients. Ninety-one strains were multi-drug resistant, among which four strains were resistant to all antibiotics tested. The overall mortality in patients with meningitis was 5%. CONCLUSION: Meningitis remains one of the most dreaded complications of neurosurgical procedures and is common in patients with preexisting infection. Gram-negative organisms are the most common causative pathogens of postoperative meningitis.

Statins: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors demonstrate anti-atherosclerotic character due to their antioxidant capacity.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of multiple etiologies. It is associated with the accumulation of oxidized lipids in arterial lesions leading to coronary heart disease. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (commonly known as statins) are widely used in cardiovascular disease prevention to lower the cholesterol. The antioxidant activity of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors was studied by lipid peroxidation inhibition assay, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical scavenging-activity methods. The lovastatin (93%) and simvastatin (96%) showed significant action of lipid peroxidation inhibition compared to other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The DPPH radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of simvastatin was 38% and 33%, respectively. The oxidative modification of serum lipid due to reactive oxygen species causes atherosclerosis. This study revealed the importance of lovastatin and simvastatin to prevent oxidative stress-related cardiovascular diseases.

A variant epidemic methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus-15 cavernous sinus thrombosis and meningitis: a rare occurrence with unusual presentation.

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is an uncommon clinical syndrome. Although Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) is the most common bacterial pathogen causing CST, it is infrequent as a cause of meningitis. We report the first case of CST and meningitis from Bengaluru, Karnataka, caused by community-acquired epidemic methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus-15 (EMRSA-15), in a previously healthy individual without known risk factors; the patient recovered following treatment with vancomycin. The isolate was genotyped as belonging to staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV and sequence type 22 and carried the panton-valentine leucocidin gene. It is the first Indian EMRSA-15 disease isolate from a case of meningitis. EMRSA-15 has been a major problem in hospitals in UK and it is a cause for great concern in Indian hospitals too.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pyomyositis with myelitis: A rare occurrence with diverse presentation.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacterial pathogen implicated in pyomyositis. There are increasing reports of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections. The present case report brings out the diverse clinical manifestations of MRSA infection in the form of paraspinal pyomyositis, myelitis, spinal osteomyelitis, and pneumonia. Molecular typing of the organism confirmed the diagnosis. Patient was successfully treated with vancomycin and surgical drainage. Consideration of the possibility of methicillin-resistance and appropriate antibiotic selection is vital in the treatment of serious community-acquired staphylococcal infections.

Safety evaluation of Monascus purpureus red mould rice in albino rats.

Monascus purpureus MTCC 410-fermented rice (red mould rice) is one of the food supplements to lower blood-lipid levels and monacolins have been proven to be the main active constituents in red mould rice (RMR). In this study, we have assessed the safety of RMR by conducting toxicological studies in albino rats. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies were conducted on both sexes of albino rats. Feeding acute doses of RMR at 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg body weight to rats did not cause any symptoms of toxicity or mortality. Similarly, dietary feeding of RMR at 2.0%, 4.0%, 8.0% and 12.0% level (w/w) for 14 weeks did not produce any significant changes in food intake or gain in body weight of the experimental rats compared to control rats. There were no significant differences in the relative weight of vital organs, hematological parameters, macroscopic and microscopic changes in vital organs and serum clinical enzyme levels between the experimental and control groups. Moreover, the rats fed with RMR showed a significant reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both serum and liver. The results showed that toxicity studies with RMR of M. purpureus did not cause any toxic effects in albino rats.