Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Endophytic Bacillus spp. and Identification of Secondary Metabolites Produced Against the Phytopathogenic Fungi.

Endophytic bacteria serve as a rich source of diverse antimicrobial compounds. Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilizing endophytic Bacillus spp. as biological agents against phytogenic fungi, owing to their potential to produce a wide range of antimicrobial substances. The objective of this research was to investigate the protective abilities of 15 endophytic Bacillus spp. isolated from previous study from wheat plant, against the phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium graminearum and Macrophomina phaseolina. A dual culture plate assay was conducted as a preliminary analysis, revealing that 7 out of 15 endophytic Bacillus spp. demonstrated inhibition against one or both of the phytopathogenic fungi used in this study. All seven endophytes were further assessed for the presence of diffusible antifungal metabolites. The cultures were grown in potato dextrose broth for 120 h, and the cell-free supernatant was extracted and analyzed using the cup plate method. The methanolic extract yielded similar results to the dual culture plate analysis, except for WL2-15. Additionally, deformities in the mycelial structure were examined under the light microscope upon exposure to methanolic extract. Furthermore, the analysis and identification of metabolites were carried out via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of methanolic extract from selected seven endophytic Bacillus spp. The chromatogram revealed the presence of some major peaks such as tridecanoic acid, methyl ester, hydroperoxide, 1-methylbutyl, 9-octadecenamide, (z)-, hexane-1,3,4-triol, 3,5-dimethyl- tetradecanoic acid. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of these biocontrol agents in endophytic Bacillus spp. Interestingly, volatile organic compound production was also seen in all the isolates against the phytopathogenic fungi.

The Progression of Stargardt Disease as Determined by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography over a 24-Month Period (ProgStar Report No. 18).

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of atrophy as determined by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with molecularly confirmed ABCA4-associated Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1) over a 24-month period in a multicenter prospective cohort study. METHODS: SD-OCT images from 428 eyes of 236 patients were analyzed. Change of mean thickness (MT) and intact area were estimated after semiautomated segmentation for the following individual layers in the central subfield (CS), inner ring (IR), and outer ring (OR) of the ETDRS grid: retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), outer segments (OSs), inner segments (IS), outer nuclear layer (ONL) inner retina (IR), and total retina. RESULTS: Statistically significant decreases of all outer retinal layers (RPE, OS, IS, and ONL) could be observed over a 24-month period both in decline of mean retinal thickness and intact area (p < 0.0001, respectively), whereas the IR showed an increase of retinal thickness in the CS and IR and remained unchanged in the OR. CONCLUSIONS: Significant loss could be detected in outer retinal layers by SD-OCT over a 24-month period in patients with STGD1. Loss of thickness and/or intact area of such layers may serve as potential endpoints for clinical trials that aim to slow down the disease progression of STGD1.

Scotopic Microperimetric Assessment of Rod Function in Stargardt Disease (SMART) Study: Design and Baseline Characteristics (Report No. 1).

PURPOSE: To describe the study design and characteristics at first visit of participants in the longitudinal Scotopic Microperimetric Assessment of Rod Function in Stargardt Disease (SMART) study. METHODS: Scotopic microperimetry (sMP) was performed in one designated study eye in a subset of participants with molecularly proven ABCA4-associated Stargardt disease (STGD1) enrolled in a multicenter natural history study (ProgStar). Study visits were every 6 months over a period ranging from 6 to 24 months, and also included fundus autofluorescence (FAF). RESULTS: SMART enrolled 118 participants (118 eyes). At the first visit of SMART, the mean sensitivity in mesopic microperimetry was 11.48 (±5.05; range 0.00-19.88) dB and in sMP 11.25 (±5.26; 0-19.25) dB. For FAF, all eyes had a lesion of decreased autofluorescence (mean lesion size 3.62 [±3.48; 0.10-21.46] mm2), and a total of 76 eyes (65.5%) had a lesion of definitely decreased autofluorescence with a mean lesion size of 3.46 (±3.60; 0.21-21.46) mm2. CONCLUSIONS: Rod function is impaired in STGD1 and can be assessed by sMP. Testing rod function may serve as a potential outcome measure for future clinical treatment trials. This is evaluated in the SMART study.

Characterization of arsenite tolerant Halomonas sp. Alang-4, originated from heavy metal polluted shore of Gulf of Cambay.

Arsenite [As(III)]-oxidizing bacteria were isolated from heavy metal contaminated shore of Gulf of Cambay at Alang, India. The most efficient bacterial strain Alang-4 could tolerate up to 15 mM arsenite [As(III)] and 200 mM of arsenate [As(V)]. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence was 99% identical to the 16S rRNA genes of genus Halomonas (Accession no. HQ659187). Arsenite oxidase enzyme localized on membrane helped in conversion of As(III) to As(V). Arsenite transporter genes (arsB, acr3(1) and acr3(2)) assisted in extrusion of arsenite from Halomonas sp. Alang-4. Generation of ROS in response to arsenite stress was alleviated by higher activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase enzymes. Down-regulation in the specific activities of nearly all dehydrogenases of carbon assimilatory pathway viz., glucose-6-phosphate, pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, isocitrate and malate dehydrogenases, was observed in presence of As(III), whereas, the specific activities of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase, pyruvate carboxylase and isocitrate lyase enzymes were found to increase two times in As(III) treated cells. The results suggest that in addition to efficient ars operon, alternative pathways of carbon utilization exist in the marine bacterium Halomonas sp. Alang-4 to overcome the toxic effects of arsenite on its dehydrogenase enzymes.

Ovarian vein thrombosis in a postpartum female: A case report.

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT), while uncommon, is a serious complication that can arise from pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, oncological conditions, and pelvic surgeries. Here we discuss a case of a 37-year-old woman who, during her postpartum period, experienced lower abdominal pain and fever. Utilizing imaging findings, she was ultimately diagnosed with right ovarian vein thrombosis. The puerperium represents a hypercoagulable state, heightening the risk of OVT, particularly following a cesarean section. Despite its rarity, OVT should invariably be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients who present with postpartum abdominal pain and/or fever.

Comparison of Sonographic Findings with Diagnostic Mammography.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the leading female cancer worldwide with a high mortality rate. Early detection of the suspicious lesion is crucial for better prognosis. Higher breast density decreases the sensitivity of mammogram. Ultrasound can differentiate between cystic and solid masses and further characterize these as benign or possibly malignant. Our objective was to compare the findings of sonography with diagnostic mammography. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study including 125 females who underwent diagnostic mammogram in a tertiary care center. The mammograms were evaluated and the patients were scanned by ultrasound and categorized as per ACR- BIRADS category. The findings of diagnostic mammography were compared with that of ultrasonography using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: The heterogeneously dense breast in diagnostic mammography corresponded to the heterogenous- fibroglandular breast in ultrasonography. In majority, ultrasound increased the BIRADS category for the lesion than designated by the diagnostic mammography. It was particularly useful for category 0 and 3 lesions which were indeterminate and required further imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound was useful in evaluation of dense breasts with ACR-BIRADS 0 and 3 in diagnostic mammogram. For category 3 and 4 in diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound showed category 1 or 2 lesions which aided to alleviate patient anxiety and avoid unnecessary biopsies. With emerging technological advances in ultrasound, it can used as a powerful tool for breast lesion detection and patient management.

Ovarian dermoid torsion with concomitant acute appendicitis: A case report.

Acute appendicitis and adnexal torsion are leading causes of acute surgical abdomen in female patients. However, the simultaneous occurrence of these 2 conditions is extremely rare. Here, we present an extraordinary case of a woman radiologically diagnosed with ovarian dermoid torsion coexisting with acute appendicitis. The patient was managed operatively by surgeons from the respective fields in a single setting, thereby meeting the patient's standard of care. This case provides valuable insight into the possible coexistence of acute adnexal pathology with acute bowel pathology and vice versa, emphasizing that radiologists should avoid satisfaction of search after a single possible explanation of the condition.

Corrigendum to "A case of tubercular meningoencephalitis with transverse myelitis". [Radiol Case Rep 2024;19(8):3555-60].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.05.030.].

A case of tubercular meningoencephalitis with transverse myelitis.

Central nervous system tuberculosis accounts for approximately 1% of all tuberculosis cases. Transverse myelitis is an extremely rare manifestation of central nervous system tuberculosis, involving 1 or more vertebral segments of the spinal cord. However, it may extend to involve 3 or more segments of the cord, which would then be designated as longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Tubercular transverse myelitis may occur in isolation or in association with adjacent meningitis. We present a case of 39-year-old male, who presented with fever, headache, and bilateral lower limb weakness and was eventually diagnosed with tubercular meningoencephalitis with transverse myelitis. The diagnosis was made based on imaging findings correlated with cerebrospinal fluid analysis and microbiological reports. The patient showed significant clinical and radiological improvement following the antitubercular therapy. This case highlights that tuberculosis should always be considered in our differential diagnosis for any pathology with extensive involvement of the meninges, brain and spinal cord, especially in regions with a high prevalence.

Large ovarian mature teratoma with gliomatosis peritonei in a young female: A case report.

Gliomatosis peritonei is an extremely rare condition usually associated with either immature teratoma or, less commonly, mature teratoma. We present a case of a young female with long-standing progressive abdominal distension, who was diagnosed with mature ovarian teratoma with gliomatosis peritonei and gross ascites. The final diagnosis in this case was determined through the correlation of imaging, operative, and histopathological findings. The presence of enhancing peritoneal nodules usually leads to a suspicion of peritoneal carcinomatosis or abdominal tuberculosis, especially in endemic regions; however, gliomatosis peritonei should always be considered in the differential diagnosis, particularly when associated with teratomas. Radiological findings combined with histopathological reports are valuable in reaching the final diagnosis in these cases.

Diagnostic dilemma in female genital tract tuberculosis: A case report.

Female genital tract tuberculosis presents a diagnostic challenge because of its variable clinical presentation and radiological manifestation. Most patients are present with history of infertility, pain in the abdomen, vaginal discharge, and bleeding. These symptoms mimic those of gynecological cancer, such as endometrial carcinoma. Endometrial cancer typically manifests with vaginal bleeding in the post-menopausal age group; however, in less than 10% to 20% patients, it can occur in perimenopausal age groups, which makes it difficult to distinguish between malignancy and tuberculosis. We present a case report of a 40-year-old woman who complained of vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Her imaging findings favored the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma but histopathology revealed tuberculosis.

Do rainfed production systems have lower environmental impact over irrigated production systems?: On -farm mitigation strategies.

The intensive agriculture practices improved the crop productivity but escalated energy inputs (EI) and carbon foot print (CF) which contributes to global warming. Hence designing productive, profitable crop management practices under different production systems with low environmental impact (EI and CF) is the need of the hour. To identify the practices, quantification of baseline emissions and the major sources of emissions are required. Indian agriculture has diversified crops and production systems but there is dearth of information on both EI and CF of these production systems and crops. Hence the present study was an attempt to find hot spots and identify suitable strategies with high productivity, energy use efficiency (EUE) and carbon use efficiency (CUE). Energy and carbon balance of castor, cotton, chickpea, groundnut, maize, rice (both rainfed and irrigated), wheat, sugarcane (only irrigated), pigeon pea, soybean, sorghum, pearl millet (only rainfed) in different production systems was assessed. Field specific data on different crop management practices as well as grain and biomass yields were considered. Rainfed production systems had lower EI and CF than irrigated system. The nonrenewable sources of energy like fertilizer (64 %), irrigation (78 %), diesel fuel (75 %) and electricity (67 %) are the major source of energy input. Rainfed crops recorded higher CUE over irrigated condition. Adoption of technologies like efficient irrigation strategies (micro irrigation), enhancing fertilizer use efficiency (site specific nutrient management or slow release fertilizer), conservation agriculture (conservation or reduced tillage) rice cultivation methods (SRI or Direct seeded rice) were the mitigation strategies. These results will help policy makers and stake holders in adoption of suitable strategies for sustainable intensification.

Pontine and bilateral cerebellar lesion in osmotic demyelination syndrome associated with uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus: a case report.

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) as a result of the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state is rare and can present with variable neurological manifestation due to lysis of myelin sheath. Case presentation: A 44-year diabetic male presented with complaints of sudden onset, progressive bilateral weakness in lower limbs, and slurring of speech for the past 1.5 months. Cerebellar examination showed a bilaterally impaired finger nose test, dysdiadochokinesia, impaired heel shin test, and an impaired tandem gait. MRI brain (T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences) showed high signal intensity in the central pons and bilateral cerebellum. With a diagnosis of ODS with poorly controlled diabetes, he was treated with insulin, metformin, and supportive measures following which his symptoms subsided gradually. Clinical discussion: A rapid correction of hyponatremia is considered the most common cause of ODS. Variations in plasma glucose levels, a rare cause of ODS, can cause an abrupt osmolality change causing pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis. Prevention of rapid correction of hyponatremia and rapid changes in plasma osmolality in vulnerable patients is the mainstay of treatment. Conclusions: Clinical features, imaging studies, and monitoring of serum osmolality, serum glucose, and electrolytes aid in diagnosis and favorable outcomes for the patient.

Progression of Stargardt Disease as Determined by Fundus Autofluorescence Over a 24-Month Period (ProgStar Report No. 17).

PURPOSE: To estimate the progression rate of atrophic lesions in Stargardt disease derived from fundus autofluorescence (FAF). DESIGN: International, multicenter, prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 259 participants aged ≥6 years with disease-causing variants in the ABCA4 gene were enrolled from 9 centers and followed over a 24-month period. FAF images were obtained every 6 months, and areas of definitely decreased autofluorescence (DDAF) and decreased autofluorescence (DAF) were quantified. Progression rates were estimated from linear mixed models with time as the independent variable. RESULTS: A total of 488 study eyes of 259 participants (88.8% with both eyes) were enrolled and images from 432 eyes were followed for 24 months. The overall estimated progression of DDAF was 0.74 mm2/y (95% CI 0.64-0.85, P < .0001) and that of DAF was 0.64 mm2/y (95% CI 0.57-0.71) over a 24-month period in univariate analysis. Growth rates were strongly dependent on baseline lesion area. After square root transformation, the DDAF growth rate was not dependent on baseline lesion radius (P = .11), whereas the DAF growth rate was dependent (P < .0001). Genotype was not found to significantly impact the growth rate of DDAF or DAF lesions. CONCLUSIONS: FAF may serve as a convenient monitoring tool and suitable end point for interventional clinical trials that aim to slow disease progression. DDAF and DAF lesion sizes at baseline are strong predicting factors for lesion area growth and can be partially accounted for by square root transformation.

Aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes in liver of mice and its mitigation by black tea extract.

Aflatoxin belongs to the class of naturally occurring mycotoxins, food contaminants having potent carcinogenicity. We have evaluated the ameliorative role of black tea extract on aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes in the liver of albino male mice. Adult male mice were orally administered with 750 and 1500 pg of aflatoxin in 0.2 mL olive oil/kg b.w./day for 30 days. Oral administration of aflatoxin caused, as compared with controls, significant, dose-dependent reduction in DNA, RNA, protein and glycogen contents; however, cholesterol content and phsphorylase activity were significantly increased. Black tea is one of the most potent antioxidants containing numerous bioactive phytonurtients having therapeutic applications. Aflatoxin-induced changes in the liver of mice were significantly ameliorated on co-treatment of black tea extract (2% infusion in water).

Calciphylaxis and Ulcerative Lesions of Bilateral Nipple-Areolar Complex Due to Alcoholic Liver Disease.

When faced with eczematous lesions involving the nipple-areolar complex (NAC), Paget's disease is assumed to be the diagnosis, anything else being considered a "Zebra" necessitating its exclusion on pathology. A middle-aged lady presented with synchronous asymmetrical ulceration of bilateral NAC with pleomorphic calcifications on mammography and simultaneous extensive vascular calcification in bilateral breasts that suggested systemic cause. Calciphylaxis is a rare diagnosis occurring usually due to underlying end-stage renal disease or hyperparathyroidism. There are very few case reports of calciphylaxis due to alcoholic liver disease and no cases to the best of our knowledge involving NAC. We report an extremely rare case of breast and NAC calciphylaxis due to alcoholic liver disease, highlighting need to consider benign etiology when bilateral involvement is present.

Delayed myelopathy after organophosphate intoxication: A case report.

Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy, a central-distal axonopathy, passes through latent, progressive, static and improvement phases. During the improvement phase, the peripheral nerves regenerate unmasking the spinal cord lesion with myelopathic features. We report a case of a 16-year-old male who developed myelopathy 6 weeks following chlorpyrifos poisoning. He had a motor weakness of 4/5 in bilateral hips and 3/5 in bilateral knees and ankles. Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes with ankle clonus were present in the lower limbs. Sensory and the upper limb motor examinations were all normal. Pertinent blood, cerebrospinal fluid and nerve conduction tests were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed features of cord atrophy. Three months following physiotherapy, his power improved to 5/5 in bilateral knee and hip joints and 4/5 in bilateral ankles with spasticity. Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy can present as earlier as 6 weeks with myelopathy. Previous history of organophosphorous exposure is important in myelopathy or peripheral neuropathy.

Occurrence of osmotic demyelination syndrome in diabetes mellitus: A case report and literature review of various etiologies for osmotic demyelination syndrome.

Osmotic demyelination syndrome is a rare condition reported mainly in the case of rapid correction of hyponatremia, but it can occur even in the case of complicated diabetes mellitus either during rapid correction of hyperglycemia or anytime during the complicated diabetes mellitus. We report a case of complicated diabetes mellitus developing osmotic demyelination syndrome. The patient had presented with altered sensorium and seizure, which was initially diagnosed as hyperglycemia, but during his treatment, the magnetic resonance imaging of brain revealed central pontine myelinolysis. Our search on the causes of osmotic demyelination syndrome other than rapid correction of hyponatremia has revealed several other causes like autoimmune liver disease, Sjogren's syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in addition to diabetes mellitus.

Mammography Trends in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Mammography is an established screening tool for early detection of breast cancer, with several protocols used worldwide. Such screening programs and related data are lacking in less developed countries. We documented and analyzed the mammographic trends at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, a tertiary care referral center, in Kathmandu, Nepal, to develop baseline data which may be helpful in further researches. METHODS: In this descriptive study, imaging findings of consecutive patients who had undergone mammography between July 2016 and March 2018 were reviewed after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee. Ultrasonography and histopathological examination were done as needed. Demographics, presenting complaints, breast density, Breast Imaging, Reporting, Assessment and Data System category and final diagnosis were recorded and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: There were more diagnostic mammograms (62%) than screening with mastalgia the most common presenting complaint. Breast density was less in screening group. Overall, there were more benign lesions with incidence of breast cancer being 4.4% more in the diagnostic group. The age range varied from 22 to 86 years, with 15% (n=219) below 40 years age accounting for one-third of the cases of extremely dense breast and one-fourth of the suspicious lesions. Nearly 50% of breast cancers were seen in patients less than 50 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed greater number of diagnostic than screening mammograms, with malignancies detected more often in the diagnostic group and younger age. Fewer screening studies suggest a lack of breast cancer awareness in our population who seek medical help only when symptomatic.