Production, optimization and characterization of partially purified anti-mycotic compound from marine soil derived streptomycetes originating at unexplored region of Bay of Bengal, India.

Sixty-eight morphologically distinct isolates of marine actinomycetes were derived from seashore, mangrove, and saltpan ecosystems located between the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar region, Bay of Bengal, Tamilnadu. Twenty-five (36.8%) isolates exhibited anti-mycotic activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans in preliminary screening, and 4 isolates with prominent activity were identified and designated at the genus level as Streptomyces sp. VPTS3-I, Streptomyces sp. VPTS3-2, Streptomyces sp. VPTSA1-4 and Streptomyces sp. VPTSA1-8. All the potential antagonistic isolates were further characterized with phenotypic and genotypic properties including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and identified species level as Streptomyces afghaniensis VPTS3-1, S. matensis VPTS3-2, S. tuirus VPTSA1-4 and S. griseus VPTSA1-8. In addition, the active fractions from the potential antagonistic streptomycetes were extracted with organic solvents by shake flask culture method and the anti-mycotic efficacies were evaluated. The optimization parameters for the production of the anti-mycotic compound were found to be pH between 7 and 8, the temperature at 30ᵒC, the salinity of 2%, incubation of 9 days, and starch and KNO3 as the suitable carbon and nitrogen sources respectively in starch casein medium.

Bacterial diversity of geochemically distinct hot springs located in Maharashtra, India.

Bacterial diversity of four thermally different hot springs of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India, was investigated using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. A total of 144 bacterial cultures were isolated and identified using MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Culture-independent analysis by Ion Torrent sequencing targeting the V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the predominance of Firmicutes across all the hot springs, followed by Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Armatimonadetes, Actinobacteria, Nitrospirae, Acidobacteria, and Deinococcus-Thermus, with subtle differences in their abundance. At the lower taxonomic rank of genus, we noted the prevalence of Acinetobacter followed by Clostridium, Planomicrobium, Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Leptolyngbya. Metagenomics imputation using in silico approach revealed divergence in the metabolic capabilities of bacterial communities along the thermal gradient of host springs, with site TS (63 °C) featuring the abundant functional gene families.

Crescent fractures of the pelvis treated by open reduction and internal fixation: a critique of Day's guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: Day's classification and treatment guidelines are considered the gold standard in crescent fractures of the pelvis. The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate 10 surgically treated crescent fractures of the pelvis in the context of Day's recommendations. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Ten consecutive cases of crescent fractures that were treated surgically at a level 1 trauma center formed the cohort. Six were operated anteriorly, three posteriorly and one percutaneously. Classification and treatment strategy were compared to Day's guidelines. The minimum follow-up was 13 months. Outcomes were assessed using the modified Majeed's scoring system. RESULTS: Three out of 10 cases were difficult to classify by Day's criteria. There were 4 type I, three type III and no type II cases. Our surgical strategy was independent of Day's recommendations in this series and based on ease of access, ability to restore the sacroiliac joint anatomy and other associated injuries. All the patients were mobilized early and the fractures united without any major incident. The results of these cases were quite good with outcome scores over 67/96. CONCLUSIONS: Assigning Day's classification to a given case can be difficult in up to 33% patients with crescent fractures due to the obliquity of the iliac fracture line in axial sections. Sacroiliac articular alignment is the primary factor determining the surgical approach. Besides the fracture configuration, additional factors like delay in surgery, locking of the fracture fragments, comminution of the iliac or sacral fragment as well as access to the additional injuries contribute to the decision making.

Periostitis of the metatarsal caused by a date palm thorn in a child: a case report.

Date palm thorn injuries are common in Middle Eastern countries, where there are many date palm plantations. If detected, these injuries can be treated without subsequent complications. In children, however, the diagnosis can very easily be missed. An untreated embedded thorn may cause late complications, including periostitis or osteomyelitis. In this article, the author presents a case of date palm thorn-induced periostitis of the fourth metatarsal. The lesion was successfully treated in this 10-year-old male by curettage of the lesion and removal of the thorn embedded in the periosteum of the metatarsal. The presence of the date palm thorn was confirmed with ultrasound scan and computerized tomography.

Typing of Aeromonas hydrophila of fish and human diarrhoeal origin by outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharides.

A study was undertaken to discriminate the strains of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from fish and diarrhoeal samples by SDS-PAGE analysis of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Common bands at 47 kDa positions for OMPs and at 31-38 kDa for LPSs were observed. No strain of A. hydrophila from clinical or fish samples was found identical in either OMPs or LPSs profile.

"Soap Bubble" Lesion of the Middle Phalanx: Enchondroma or Epitheloid Hemangioma.

INTRODUCTION: Epitheloid hemangioma, a benign vascular tumor that arises in skin and soft tissues can also involve the skeletal system. Occasionally this has been reported from small tubular bones of the hand. CASE REPORT: Authors report a case of epitheloid hemangioma of the middle phalanx in a young girl without any cutaneous manifestations. The lesion presented as a swollen middle finger, and plain radiographs showed a geographic area of destruction with cortical thinning and intra lesional calcifications. The case was managed by curettage and bone grafting. Histology confirmed this as a case of epitheloid hemangioma. CONCLUSION: Epitheloid hemangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hand masses with expansile lytic lesions with cortical thinning.

Proximal Fibular Osteochondroma Producing Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy in a Post-Cesarean Section Patient.

Various causes of common peroneal palsy have been described in the English language medical literature in the past. Authors report a case of foot drop in a post cesarean section patient, due to osteochondroma of the proximal fibula, which recovered completely after excision of the offending mass.

Isolated Carpo-Metacarpal Dislocation of the Thumb.

INTRODUCTION: Isolated dislocations of the trapezio metacarpal joint without associated fracture has been reported very rarely in the literature. There are reports of associated injuries like fracture of the trapezium, dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joint and fractures of the base of the thumb metacarpal. CASE REPORT: Authors report a case of isolated carpometacarpal dislocation of the right thumb, in an adult, successfully managed conservatively. At 15 months follow up the patient had full function of the hand without any clinical or radiological evidence of instability or posttraumatic arthritis. CONCLUSION: Isolated dislocations can be successfully managed by closed reduction and immobilization in a back slab, with unstable dislocations requiring surgical intervention.

Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath: case series and review of literature.

Recurrence of Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is an unresolved issue, though it is a non malignant condition. The authors operated on fourteen cases of GCTTS, after fine needle aspiration cytology confirmation and using a magnifying loupe for complete excision of the lesion including the satellite nodules. In only one case recurrence was noted which was successfully managed by a second wide excision. Preoperative diagnosis and meticulous surgical technique were found the only predictive factor of recurrence. During the 5 year period from 2002, 12 patients [11 females, 1 male, mean age 29.5, ranging from 10-53 years] underwent excision of giant cell tumor of tendon sheath of the hand. The lesions were found over the thumb [n = 7], ring finger [n = 1], index finger [n = 1], and over the hand [n = 2]. The lesions were classified using the Al-Qattan classification. The most common presentation was with a mass over the hand, with a predilection to the thumb [n = 7]. Radiological changes in the form of bony indentation was seen in only 2 cases. FNAC was inconclusive in 2 out of the 12 cases. Due to the high incidence of recurrence, pre-operative planning aided by a tissue diagnosis with fine needle aspiration cytology, wide surgical exposure, and meticulous dissection with help of magnification are imperative for a successful outcome in GCTTS.

Hyperphalangism accompanied by brachydactyly of the feet: a case report.

Asymptomatic symmetrical hyperphalangism of the fingers accompanied by foot anomalies is very rare. We present a 21-year-old man with anomalies in both hands and feet. He had short little, index, and middle fingers, long ring fingers, and clinodactyly of the little finger. He also had symmetrical brachydactyly of both feet. There were no other skeletal anomalies and his family members were normal. Radiographic examination of the hand showed oblique articulation of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the index finger with ulnar deviation, hyperphalangism of the middle finger, brachydactyly of the middle phalanx of the little finger, and long proximal phalanx of the ring finger. Foot radiography showed dysplastic middle phalanx of the middle toe, with the remaining lesser toes having only two phalanges. The two feet were radiographically similar except for a dysplastic middle phalanx in the second and third toes of the right foot. Since the patient was not physically challenged, no treatment was offered.

Does Radial Styloid Abnormality in de Quervain's Disease Affect the Outcome of Management?

Radiological changes have been described in de Quervain's disease of the wrist. The author analyzed the clinical data of 114 patients who reported to the orthopedic clinic of a Regional Referral Hospital for a period of 4 years [2003 to 2007]. Radiographs of the wrist were available for 39 cases, of which 14 [35.89%] were found abnormal. Two patients with abnormal radiographs [14.28%] required surgery where as 7 out of 25 [28%] with normal radiographs were managed surgically. Radial styloid abnormality was not found statistically significant [p < 0.05], and the outcome of management was irrespective of the changes in the radial styloid.

Management of comminuted olecranon fractures with precut K-wires and tension band wiring.

Various methods are used to treat comminuted fractures of the olecranon. The preferred method of management of fractures of the olecranon is tension band wiring over K-wires. Often, it becomes difficult to fix small articular fragments with the 2 K-wires used for tension band wiring. Since 2005, we have used the missing K-wire technique to fix the small articular fragments.

Atypical periosteal osteoid osteoma: a case report.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign osteoblastic tumor usually seen in adolescent and young males. In the paediatric age group, since the history may be difficult to elicit, there are often problems in early diagnosis. The author reports an unusual presentation of osteoid osteoma in a ten-year-old girl, which could not be diagnosed by conventional X-rays and CT scan.

Absent flexor pollicis longus: case report with review of literature.

An asymptomatic absence of flexor pollicis longus without association with any other anomaly or hypoplasia of the thenar muscles in a 28-year-old patient is reported due to its rarity. The inability to flex the interphalangeal joint of the thumb and the absent flexor crease of the thumb led us to identify the absent tendon, and the tendon could not be palpated in the flexor crease of the thumb. Routine X-rays, ultrasound scans, and a computed tomography with soft tissue enhancement was used to confirm and document the condition. The patient was not referred for a magnetic resonance imaging, facilities for which are not available in the center where the author is working, as he was not keen in surgical interference.

Isolated symmetrical brachymetacarpia of the thumb--case report.

The authors report a case of isolated symmetrical metacarpia of the first metacarpal in a 33-year-old serving soldier. The patient was totally unaware of the deformity, which was found incidentally while radiographs were done for the wrist to rule out scaphoid fracture. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no similar reports in the English literature before.

Washing Machine Injuries of the Upper Extremity: Case reports with a review of the literature.

Washing machines are part of every household and there are various reports of upper extremity injuries due to inadequate safety precautions while operating the machine. Most of the injuries occur when an attempt is made to remove the clothes from the machine and the hand gets caught in the spinning machine. The presentation can vary from minor soft tissue injuries to a mangled upper extremity. The chance of neurovascular damage resulting in compartment syndrome is very high. The author reports three cases of washing machine injuries to draw attention to this not so uncommon injury. The relevant literature is also considered.

Fracture of supracondylar process of the humerus.

The supracondylar process of the humerus is a rare skeletal anomaly, which is usually an incidental finding while an X-ray is done for some other purpose. The process can fracture resulting in pain and tender mobile swelling over the medial aspect of the arm, and consequent neurovascular symptoms, or entrapment neuropathies. The anomaly, which fractured in a clinical situation, is described, followed by a review of the literature.

Orthopaedic Manifestations of Date Thorn Injury: Case series.

Date palm thorn injuries are common in Middle Eastern countries where there are many date palm plantations. Most of the injuries happen to workers in the plantation or to children. Injuries, if detected, can be treated without subsequent complications, but in children the diagnosis can very easily be missed resulting in late complications. The hand, being the most exposed part of the body, is the most affected. Embedded thorns can produce lesions mimicking those of osteomyelitis. The foot is exposed to injuries in people who walk barefoot in the plantations. The author presents five cases of date thorn injury which presented with late complications. All three patients with hand injuries had periostitis, and one of them had an intraosseous thorn producing osteomyelitis. Two patients presented with osteolytic lesions of the metatarsals with intraosseous thorn in one patient. All cases recovered completely leaving behind no sequlae of the bony infection.