Nano-Biochar Suspension Mediated Alterations in Growth, Physio-Biochemical Activities and Nutrient Content in Wheat ( L.) at the Vegetative Stage.

Nano-biochar is a source of blackish carbonaceous material, a prerequisite for sustainable crop productivity. By using a variety of feedstock materials, nanobiochar synthesis can be employed via pyrolysis. Therefore, a project was initiated to explore the morpho-physio-biochemical alteration at the vegetative stage of wheat crops after the foliar application of nanobiochar suspension (NBS).

Transorbital neuroendoscopy-assisted resection of a giant optic pathway glioma in a neonate.

Congenital giant orbital tumors in infancy are relatively rare, especially when the tumors are associated with significant intracranial extension. We describe the use of a transorbital neuroendoscopy-assisted resection of such a lesion. While this approach is increasingly gaining popularity for certain anterior and middle skullbase lesions in adults, this report represents the youngest patient reported on where this minimally invasive approach has been successfully used to resect the intracranial tumor.

Outcomes of prostate artery embolisation for benign prostatic hyperplasia in 10 cases at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) remains a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in ageing men in South Africa and can impact significantly on the quality of life (QOL) of these patients. The Urology Department at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH) can generally only offer men with LUTS the following treatment options: watchful waiting, medical treatment and surgical management. In men with symptomatic BPH, who are refractory to medical treatment, where anaesthesia is contra-indicated because of co-morbidities or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is contra-indicated because of the prostate size, the Urology and Radiology departments at SBAH recently introduced prostate artery embolisation (PAE).

Identification of plasmid encoded osmoregulatory genes from halophilic bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of halophytes.

Bacterial plasmids carry genes that code for additional traits such as osmoregulation, CO fixation, antibiotic and heavy metal resistance, root nodulation and nitrogen fixation. The main objective of the current study was to identify plasmid-conferring osmoregulatory genes in bacteria isolated from rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils of halophytes (Salsola stocksii and Atriplex amnicola). More than 55% of halophilic bacteria from the rhizosphere and 70% from non-rhizospheric soils were able to grow at 3 M salt concentrations.

Coil Embolization of the Internal Carotid Artery in Patient with Retained Transcranial Knife.

Background: We describe endovascular coil embolization of the internal carotid artery before removing a retained knife blade partially occluding the lacerum segment of the internal carotid artery.

Case Description: A 21-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a retained transcranial knife after sustaining a stab to the left temporal scalp. He was hemodynamically stable and neurologically intact on presentation.

Patent ductus venosus presenting with cholestatic jaundice in an infant with successful trans-catheter closure using a vascular plug device.

Persistent ductus venosus as a cause of cholestatic jaundice is very rare. Treatment varies, but is usually reserved for infants in whom complications develop. We report a 5-week-old female infant with cholestatic jaundice caused by a patent ductus venosus and subsequent successful treatment via a transcatheter occlusion using a vascular plug device.

Rare cause of a neck mass: successful balloon embolisation of a congenital external carotid artery-internal jugular vein fistula.

Congenital arteriovenous fistulas are a rare cause of neck mass in children, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of paediatric patients presenting with pulsatile neck masses even when there is no history of trauma. Balloon embolisation is the treatment of choice because of the high risk of surgical complications in this region.

Comparative study of two bacteriocins produced by representative indigenous soil bacteria.

The aim of this research work was to identify and characterized the bacteriocins produced by soil-associated bacteria. Bacillocin from Bacillus brevis Bb and pyocin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pa were found bioactive only against gram-positive bacteria tested. Maximum production of both the bacteriocins was observed at 32 degrees C in BHI medium.

Bacteriocin production by indigenous marine catfish associated Vibrio spp.

Fifty strains of genus Vibrio were isolated (identified) from healthy and diseased marine catfish(es). The isolates were screened for bacteriocin (vibriocin) production. About 32% isolates were found bacteriocin producers.

Antimicrobial spectrum, production and mode of action of staphylococcin 188 produced by Staphylococcus aureus 188.

Staphylococcus aureus 188 has been shown to produce bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance known as staphylococcin 188. It has a broad-activity spectrum against Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus viridans, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and several staphylococcus species. The arbitrary unit of staphylococcin 188 against Micrococcus luteus was 1280 AU/mL.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of mutacin VSM43 isolated from human oral Streptococcus mutans VSM43.

Bacteriocins produced by mutans streptococci are known as mutacins. Streptococcus mutans VSM43 isolated from human clinical oral cavity was screened for the production of mutacin. It can inhibit the growth of other mutans streptococci, many other gram-positives and some gram-negative bacteria.

Antibacterial activity directed isolation of compounds from Onosma hispidum.

The chemical investigation of the ethanolic extract of the root bark of Onosma hispidum following antibacterial activity directed isolation led to the isolation of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid (ferulic acid) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid (vanillic acid) which have been reported for the first time in this species. In addition to these compounds, the crude ethanolic extract and methanol fraction exhibited substantial bioactivity against species of corynebacteria, enterococci, staphylococci and streptococci. Ferulic acid was found more bioactive (being relatively more hydrophobic) compared to vanillic acid.