Functional characterization of novel RbTI gene from ricebean and validation of its insecticidal properties in transgenic tobacco.

Plant protease inhibitors (PI's) inhibit the activity of gut proteases and thus provide resistance against insect attack. Previously we have published first report on cloning and characterization of a novel Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor gene (RbTI) from ricebean (Vigna umbellata). In this study, the RbTI gene was further characterized and validated as a potential candidate for transferring insect resistance in economically important crops.

Kissing Carotids: A Rare Anatomical Aberration with Clinical Significance.

Unlabelled: Kissing Carotids is a term given for an anatomical variation in which bilateral internal carotid arteries are medially placed in the retropharyngeal space and are juxtaposed to each other. Though this condition is asymptomatic it can lead to abrupt catastrophic bleeding during oral surgical procedures and tracheal intubation. This variation can be diagnosed with a contrast enhanced computed tomography and can alert the surgical team.

Efficient production of polyhydroxybutyrate using lignocellulosic biomass derived from oil palm trunks by the inhibitor-tolerant strain Burkholderia ambifaria E5-3.

Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable, renewable substrate for the synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), an ecofriendly biopolymer. In this study, bacterial strain E5-3 was isolated from soil in Japan; it was identified as Burkholderia ambifaria strain E5-3 by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. The strain showed optimal growth at 37 °C with an initial pH of 9.

Production of single cell oil by Lipomyces starkeyi from waste plant oil generated by the palm oil mill industry.

Only a few reports available about the assimilation of hydrophobic or oil-based feedstock as carbon sources by Lipomyces starkeyi. In this study, the ability of L. starkeyi to efficiently utilize free fatty acids (FFAs) and real biomass like palm acid oil (PAO) as well as crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) for growth and lipid production was investigated.

Effects of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] coating on the bacterial communities of artificial structures.

The expanding urbanization of coastal areas has led to increased ocean sprawl, which has had both physical and chemical adverse effects on marine and coastal ecosystems. To maintain the health and functionality of these ecosystems, it is imperative to develop effective solutions. One such solution involves the use of biodegradable polymers as bioactive coatings to enhance the bioreceptivity of marine and coastal infrastructures.

Risk factors and etiology of early-onset neonatal sepsis in Northeastern part of India: Case-control study.

Background: Sepsis, the second most common cause of neonatal mortality, causes more than one million deaths annually. India has the highest incidence of clinical sepsis (17000/100000 live birth).

Objective: This study aimed to determine the risk factors and organisms of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) in a tertiary care hospital in Northeast India.

Review of acute pancreatitis in children in India.

In the last two decades, the incidence of a cute pancreatitis (AP) in children has increased. Knowing different aspects of this condition like incidence, etiology, and severity is essential for the prevention and management of AP. There is a paucity of well-defined research in India on this topic.

Unusual Case Report of Headache in 10-Year-Old Female Child.

According to the literature, transverse sinus hypoplasia is not a normal variant and has a serious potential effect on cerebral blood flow. We are presenting a rare case of chronic headache due to severe hypoplasia of the left transverse and sigmoidal sinus. A 12-year-old female girl was admitted with a complaint of gradual progressive severe headache, throbbing in nature, confined to a bitemporal and frontal region in the last 4-5 months.

N-terminal truncation of PhaC and its effect on PHA production.

Background: Among the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate] [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] is reported to closely resemble polypropylene and low-density polyethylene. Studies have shown that PHA synthase (PhaC) from mangrove soil (PhaC) is an efficient PhaC for P(3HB-co-3HHx) production and N-termini of PhaCs influence its substrate specificity, dimerization, granule morphology, and molecular weights of PHA produced. This study aims to further improve PhaC through N-terminal truncation.

High Altitude Head and Neck Paragangliomas: A First Sub-Himalayan Experience.

Objectives: High-altitude natives have a high incidence of parangangliomas (PGL) of the head and neck, especially the carotid body tumor. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical presentation, pattern, altitude of residence, distribution, management, and follow-up of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) in our sub-Himalayan population.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Assessment of awareness and knowledge regarding nuclear medicine and appropriate use of Nuclear medicine modalities, among medical students and faculty members in two academic medical institutes in North India: A Cross sectional Study.

Objectives: Despite significant progress in the field of nuclear medicine, basic nuclear medicine awareness and understanding among clinicians remains unsatisfactory, leading to under utilization of nuclear medicine modalities. To evaluate the awareness and knowledge regarding nuclear medicine and appropriate use of Nuclear medicine modalities, among medical students and faculty members.

Method: In this descriptive cross sectional study, a self timer limited objective questionnaire based on Google forms was distributed to the study population and scores obtained by the participants were analyzed.

Sustainable oil palm trunk fibre based activated carbon for the adsorption of methylene blue.

Activated carbon (AC) is becoming the limelight due to its widespread application as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment, gases, and catalysis. However, its high consumption and price have drawn more attention to the sustainable use of natural resources as precursor for AC production. This study focuses on synthesising AC from two types of oil palm trunk (OPT) fibres, a significant agricultural waste products produced by Malaysia's thriving palm oil industries.

Insights into biofilm development on polyhydroxyalkanoate biofilm carrier for anoxic azo dye decolourization of acid orange 7.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are promising alternatives to non-degradable polymers in various applications. This study explored the use of biologically recovered PHA as a biofilm carrier in a moving bed biofilm reactor for acid orange 7 treatment. The PHA was comprised of 86 ± 1 mol% of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 14 ± 1 mol% of 3-hydroxyhexanoate and was melt-fused at 140 °C into pellets.

Review of inhalable nanoparticles for the pulmonary delivery of anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by the pathogen, , which predominantly affects the lungs. World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that about 85% of TB patients are cured with the existing 6-month antibiotic regimen. However, the lengthy oral administration of high-dose anti-TB drugs is associated with significant side effects and leads to drug resistance cases.

TiO loaded on glycidol functionalized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) nanobiocomposite film for photocatalytic and antibacterial activities.

The rapid acceleration of industrialization and urbanization has exacerbated water pollution, which is primarily caused by the presence of highly toxic, non-biodegradable contaminants in industrial waste and effluents. In response to this urgent issue, a novel nanobiocomposite film with titanium dioxide (TiO) loaded onto a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-18 mol% 3-hydroxyhexanoate) (18PHBH) matrix was developed to serve as an effective dual-function material with photocatalytic and antibacterial properties. Through Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), Diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DRUV-Vis), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, the physicochemical properties of the TiO/Gly/18PHBH nanobiocomposite film were exhaustively characterized, revealing effective TiO loading and uniform distribution on the film's surface.

Endoscopic Assisted Infracochlear Approach for Excision of a Large Congenital Hypotympanic Cholesteatoma: A Case Report.

Congenital cholesteatoma is a rare lesion resulting from failed involution of epidermoid rest cells, which take part in the formation of the mucosa of the middle ear cleft during embryonic development. We report the first case report of a large congenital hypotympanic cholesteatoma with extension to the jugular foramen and carotid canal, in a 13-year-old girl, which was excised successfully by endoscopic-assisted hypotympanotomy infra-cochlear approach.

Delineation of partial melts and crustal heterogeneities within the crust beneath Kumaon Himalaya, India from L wave attenuation.

The crustal seismic attenuation or the Q structure is studied by using the Fourier spectra of Lg-wave along the Tanakpur- Dharchula- Dharma transect in the Kumaon Himalaya. The 1 Hz Lg Q (Q) values are computed between different pairs of two stations and the observed values are later utilized to calculate the lateral variation in the Q values by following a back projection algorithm. This computation of Q values utilizes five regional distance earthquakes having moment magnitude (Mw) ≥ 4.

Statistical optimization of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers production by Cupriavidus necator PHB4/pBBR_CnPro-phaC and its properties characterization.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] is a bacterial copolymer in the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) family, a next-generation bioplastic. Our research team recently engineered a newly P(3HB-co-3HHx)-producing bacterial strain, Cupriavidus necator PHB4/pBBR_CnPro-phaC. This strain can produce P(3HB-co-2 mol% 3HHx) using crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) as a sole carbon substrate.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Patients: Microbiological Profile, Risk Factors, and Outcome.

Introduction Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the dreaded events in sick children who are ventilated in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and has a high mortality rate. So, there is a need to know the causative organisms, risk factors, and possible predictors in a particular PICU for prevention, early identification, and treatment to decrease morbidity and mortality. This study was planned with the objectives to determine the microbiological profile, associated risk factors, and outcome of VAP in children.

Generalized Dystonia as Presenting Feature of Wilson Disease: A Case Report.

Wilson disease is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease, caused by the mutation of the ATP7B gene leading to decreased secretion of serum ceruloplasmin in blood and decrease biliary excretion of copper leading to toxic level accumulation in the liver, brain, kidney, and cornea, resulting in development of characteristic liver disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Our case presented with mainly clumsiness and gait abnormality without any psychiatric component and any history of liver disease. A 13-year old male, born out of non-consanguineous marriage, presented with clumsy walking and slurring of speech.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease in a 4-Year-Old Female Child: "A Rare Case Report".

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, a rare X-linked recessive disease occurring predominantly in males, is a disorder of proteolipid protein expression in myelin formation in the central nervous system. The disease is clinically manifested by neurodevelopmental delay, ataxia, hypotonia, and pendular eye movement. It is best confirmed by genetic study.

Complete genome sequence of Aquitalea pelogenes USM4 (JCM19919), a polyhydroxyalkanoate producer.

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a type of biopolymer produced by most bacteria and archaea, resembling thermoplastic with biodegradability and biocompatibility features. Here, we report the complete genome of a PHA producer, Aquitalea sp. USM4, isolated from Perak, Malaysia.