Bioremediation of motor oil-contaminated soil and water by a novel indigenous strain DU13 and characterization of its biosurfactant.

Production of biosurfactant by a novel indigenous isolate strain DU13 and its role in bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon is reported. The identity of the isolate was confirmed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis (Genbank accession: MK177190). The biosurfactant produced by the isolate could reduce the surface tension of petroleum supplemented medium by 46% just after 7 days of treatment.

Black tea bioactives as inhibitors of multiple targets of SARS-CoV-2 (3CLpro, PLpro and RdRp): a virtual screening and molecular dynamic simulation study.

The global pandemic due to the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has taken more than a million lives. Lack of definitive vaccine/drugs against this highly contagious virus has accelerated exploratory research on novel natural and synthetic inhibitors. Tea is a rich source of bioactives and known to have antiviral properties.

Genome-wide unique insertion sequences among five Brucella species and demonstration of differential identification of Brucella by multiplex PCR assay.

Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by alpha proteobacterial genus Brucella comprising of facultative intracellular pathogenic species that can infect both animals and humans. In this study, we aimed to identify genome-wide unique insertion sequence (IS) elements among Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B.

TeaMiD: a comprehensive database of simple sequence repeat markers of tea.

Tea is a highly cross-pollinated, woody, perennial tree. High heterozygosity combined with a long gestational period makes conventional breeding a cumbersome process. Therefore, marker-assisted breeding is a better alternative approach when compared with conventional breeding.

Evaluation of fimC and bdha based duplex PCR for specific identification and differentiation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from near-neighbor Burkholderia species.

Assays for the rapid detection and accurate differentiation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from near-neighbor species are urgently needed in melioidosis endemic regions due to the high associated mortality and biowarfare importance of the pathogen. PCR-based methods have revolutionized this field due to the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity that are achievable in a rapid way. In this study, a compound molecular detection system, consisting of a duplex PCR assay, was developed for the specific identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei and differentiation from other Burkholderia species.

Prevalence and Identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Near-Neighbor Species in the Malabar Coastal Region of India.

Accurate identification of pathogens with biowarfare importance requires detection tools that specifically differentiate them from near-neighbor species. Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of a fatal disease melioidosis, is one such biothreat agent whose differentiation from its near-neighbor species is always a challenge. This is because of its phenotypic similarity with other Burkholderia species which have a wide spread geographical distribution with shared environmental niches.

Computational identification and analysis of MADS box genes in Camellia sinensis.

MADS (Minichromosome Maintenance1 Agamous Deficiens Serum response factor) box genes encode transcription factors and they play a key role in growth and development of flowering plants. There are two types of MADS box genes- Type I (serum response factor (SRF)-like) and Type II (myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2)-like). Type II MADS box genes have a conserved MIKC domain (MADS DNA-binding domain, intervening domain, keratin-like domain, and c-terminal domain) and these were extensively studied in plants.

Prevalence of cataract in an older population in India: the India study of age-related eye disease.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of cataract in older people in 2 areas of north and south India.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Participants: Randomly sampled villages were enumerated to identify people aged ≥ 60 years.

Periosteal fixation in third-nerve palsy.

Purpose: We present a new technique of anchoring the eyeball to the nasal periosteum using a nonabsorbable suture in acquired isolated third-nerve paresis.

Methods: This was a case series of 4 consecutive adult subjects with isolated third-nerve paresis. After a 12-mm lateral rectus muscle recession in all 4 subjects, we passed 5-O double-armed polyester (NW683 Ethibond; Ethicon, Division of Johnson and Johnson Ltd.

Isolated "one and a half syndrome" with brainstem tuberculoma.

A seldom reported causal association of two rare entities, an isolated brainstem tuberculoma and an isolated One and a half syndrome in a 12 year old girl is presented. MRI showed an isolated inflammatory granuloma in the brainstem which on empirical treatment with anti tubercular drugs resulted in complete restoration of ocular motility, along with resolution of the lesion on follow up MRI at 6 months. The diagnosis and management are discussed.