Publications by authors named "M Rahalkar"

The cultivation of microorganisms is important as it provides us an opportunity to explore the characteristics that can be used for a variety of applications. Methanotrophs oxidize methane and are one of the most challenging organisms to culture. In 2018, we cultured one of the largest methanotrophs within the gammaproteobacterial group (Type Ia), a novel genus and species, , with large peculiar, elongated oval (cucumber-shaped) cells (~ 3-6 µm length × 1.

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Wetlands are the main natural sources of methane emissions, which make up a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. Such wetland patches serve as rich habitats for aerobic methanotrophs. Limited knowledge of methanotrophs from tropical wetlands widens the scope of study from these habitats.

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Biogas reactors run on various types of waste, with cattle dung and agricultural wastes being the primary sources in India. As biogas contains 50-60% methane, there is a possibility that the reactors harbour methanotrophs or methane-oxidizing bacteria. We set up serial endpoint dilution enrichments for the cultivation of methanotrophs using slurry from a small biogas reactor and cattle dung samples and obtained cultures of Methylocaldum gracile, a thermotolerant methanotroph.

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A study of 43 cases of suspected congenital diseases of heart was performed in Sahyadri Hospital, Pune, over a period of 5 to 6 years with dual source computed tomography (CT) in adolescents as well as children. Only the images of anomalies of pulmonary veins are presented. Compared with different radiological techniques, CT offers many advantages, as it can be undertaken even in neonates, yields more information than MR in a very little time, is better than 2D echo, when there is a small inter-costal window in some infants and is noninvasive.

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