Diagnostic accuracy of B-scan in predicting retinoblastoma in children, taking Magnetic Resonance Imaging of orbits as gold standard.

The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of B-scan in predicting retinoblastoma (Rb) taking Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a gold standard. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted in the Radiology Department of Fauji Foundation Hospital from May 20 to Nov 20, 2017. Children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected after informed consent and detailed history was taken for investigation of Rb.

Immobilization of pectin depolymerising polygalacturonase using different polymers.

Polygalacturonase catalyses the hydrolysis of pectin substances and widely has been used in food and textile industries. In current study, different polymers such as calcium alginate beads, polyacrylamide gel and agar-agar matrix were screened for the immobilization of polygalacturonase through entrapment technique. Polyacrylamide gel was found to be most promising one and gave maximum (89%) immobilization yield as compared to agar-agar (80%) and calcium alginate beads (46%).

Plasmid borne BAC-IB17: Localization of a potential antibacterial positive marker (Bac+) encoded broad inhibitory spectrum bacteriocin.

Production of antimicrobial compounds is considered as ubiquitous anti-competitor strategy in bacterial ecosystem. Bacteriocins are heterogeneous; highly specific and efficient anti-competitor agents and the gene responsible for the production of bacteriocins mostly exist in an autosomal state and associated with plasmids. BAC-IB17 is a broad spectrum bacteriocin and its production was observed at different stages of the growth cycle from Bacillus subtilis KIBGE-IB17.

Isolation and characterization of different strains of Bacillus licheniformis for the production of commercially significant enzymes.

Utilization of highly specific enzymes for various industrial processes and applications has gained huge momentum in the field of white biotechnology. Selection of a strain by efficient plate-screening method for a specific purpose has also favored and boosted the isolation of several industrially feasible microorganisms and screening of a large number of microorganisms is an important step in selecting a potent culture for multipurpose usage. Five new bacterial isolates of Bacillus licheniformis were discovered from indigenous sources and characterized on the basis of phylogeny using 16S rDNA gene analysis.

Dextranase: hyper production of dextran degrading enzyme from newly isolated strain of Bacillus licheniformis.

Dextranase, 6-alpha-D-glucan 6-glucanohydrolase catalyzes the degradation of dextran (polymer of D-glucose) in to low molecular weight fractions. Dextranolytic bacterial strains were isolated from various natural sources and plate assay methods were developed for screening of highest extracellular dextranase producing isolate. Bacillus licheniformis, identified on the basis of taxonomic characterization was subjected to UV radiation and highest enzyme producing mutant obtained led to 7 times more dextranase production than wild.