Selection of antagonistic actinomycete isolates as biocontrol agents against root-rot fungi

In this study, actinomycetes isolates, isolated from rhizosphere of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), were screened for antagonistic activities on certain root rot fungi (Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticilloides and Bipolaris sorokiniana). The  in vitro antagonistic effects of actinomycetes isolates were determined on solid media against fungal pathogens. The inhibition mechanism, effect of application time and pH on inhibition was investigated. The actinomycete isolate 129.01 exhibited a high inhibition ratio of more than 60 % against all fungi. The activity of the isolate 129.01 against root rot fungi was tested under greenhouse conditions. The root rot score (1-10), mean plant height (cm) and mean weight of green part of plant (g) were determined after an incubation period. The root rot score of the infected plants was decreased significantly by this isolate, even if the plants were inoculated with all of the pathogen fungi together (P<0.05). The results indicate that isolate 129.01 could be useful as a biocontrol agent. The assignment of the isolate 129.01 to the genus Streptomyces was supported by 16S rRNA analysis.Fil: Erginbas, Gul. Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo; TurquíaFil: Yamac, Mustafa. Eskisehir Osmangazi University; TurquíaFil: Amoroso, Maria Julia del R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Cuozzo, Sergio Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentin

Pseudo-neoplastic Lesions of Prostate and the Diagnostic Deception

Introduction: Many pseudo-neoplastic lesions of the prostate gland are recognized. Histologically these lesions mimic the adenocarcinoma of prostate. Pseudo-neoplastic lesions comprise of different glandular and non-glandular or solid patterns. Largely emphasized on the epithelial origin but some stromal and solid lesions are also important. In developing countries, the routine Hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) stain is most commonly used to stain the histological tissue sections. The other stains and molecular studies are not frequently used. The pseudoneoplastic lesions are so obscure and deceptive that sometimes it become very difficult to recognize. The diagnostic facilities both in government and private sector should have at least the facility of immunohistochemical staging to avoid misinterpretations. Methodology: This retrospective study performed at Muhammad Medical College Mirpurkhas Sindh. 192 specimens of radical prostatectomy (RP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) received between January 2015 to December 2017 were retrieved for review. All retrieved blocks processed as per standard histopathological techniques. Fresh tissue sections taken and stained with H&amp;E. Results: All tissue sections reviewed to observe the glandular patterns, their architectural morphology, cytological changes and inflammatory process. The lesions were distinguished on epithelial origin and glandular patterns. Cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia were 169 (88 %), adenosis 06 (3.12 %), reactive hyperplasia 06 (3.12 %), Post atrophic hyperplasia 05 (2.6 %), benign stromal proliferation 02 (1 %) and prostate carcinoma 04 (2%). Conclusion: Many pseudoneoplastic lesions of the prostate are the mimicker of adenocarcinoma. On H&amp;E stains it sometimes become difficult to differentiate the lesions. The histomorphological diagnosis of these lesions should be facilitated at least by immunohistochemical stains at diagnostic tcenters.t &nbsp; Keywords: Immunohistochemistry, Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), Radical prostatectomy (RP). Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E)

Multifunctional Polymeric Enveloped Nanocarriers: Targeting Extracellular and Intracellular Barriers

Over the past several years, employment of multifunctional polymeric excipients-based nanoparticles for controlled and targeted drug delivery of therapeutic modalities to mucosal membrane-based organelles and systemic circulation has gained enormous interest. Because they promise to resolve numerous key therapeutical issues associated with current clinical practice including low treatment efficacy and significant side effects. Potential controlled and targeted drug delivery systems, therefore, should be able to overcome not only extracellular barriers but also intracellular barriers. Extracellularly, targeted nanocarriers ought to provide extended circulation time, selective binding to the targeted mucosal tissues, long residence time at the site of absorption, and controlled drug release. Intracellularly, the targeted nanocarriers should offer cellular uptake, cellular localization, and endosomal release. Hence, this chapter will provide an overview of the unique chemistry of multifunctional polymeric enveloped diverse nanocarriers such as dendrimers, semiconducting polymer dots, quantum dots, carbon dots, and magnetic as versatile platform addressing both extracellular and intracellular barriers

Analysis of Helicobacter pylori gastritis according to Sydney classification.

Introduction: Since H. Pylori has been isolated in stomach and duodenum, there were individual methodologies to explain the grading according to colonization and density of microorganism. In 1990 Sydney system of classification was proposed at the 9th world congress of gastroenterology in Sydney Australia, based on topo-graphical, morphological and etiological findings. This classification revised in 1994 and updated by experts in Houston Texas. H. Pylori is major cause of chronic gastri-tis results in gastric and peptic ulcer. It also causes MALT lymphoma and malignan-cy. For histopathological examination four specimens, two from antrum and two from corpus are recommended.Objective: To evaluate the Sydney system of classification and grading for H. Pylori in local population.Methodology: 287 cases of biopsies received at the department of pathology Mu-hammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas Sindh Pakistan, during the period of January 2017 to December 2018 were revised. Sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin; Alcian blue and periodic acid Schiff to define H. Pylori and associated pathological changes. The microscopical findings classified according to upgraded Sydney pattern.Results: Out of 287 cases of gastric biopsies 23 (8.0%) were positive for H. Pylori. chronic inflammation present in 168 (58.5%). Neutrophilic activity found in 58 (18.1%). Atrophy without metaplasia observed in 31 (10.8%). Intestinal metaplasia present in 1 (0.3%) cases.Conclusion: Sydney system of grading is best to evaluate chronic gastritis and relia-ble indicator of H. Pylori microorganism. Keywords: Chronic gastritis, Gastric carcinoma. H. Pylori

Doing Pre-operative Investigations in Emergency Department; a Clinical Audit

Introduction: Pre-operative investigations for emergency surgical patients differ between centers. Following established guidelines can reduce unnecessary investigation, cost of treatment and hospital stay. The present audit was carried out to evaluate the condition of doing pre-operative investigations for three common surgical emergencies compared to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and local criteria.Methods: A retrospective clinical audit of acute-appendicitis, abscess and hernia patients admitted to the emergency department was carried out over a one-year period from July 2014 to July 2015. Data of laboratory investigations, their indication, cost and duration of hospital stay was collected and compared with NICE-guidelines.Results: A total of 201 patients were admitted to the emergency department during the audit period. These included 77(38.3%) cases of acute-appendicitis, 112 (55.7%) cases of abscesses, and 12 (6%) cases of hernia. Investigations not indicated by NICE-guidelines included 42 (20.9%) full blood counts, 29 (14.4%) random blood sugars, 26 (12.9%) urea tests, 4 (2%) chest x-rays, 13 (6.5%) electrocardiographs, and 58 (28.9%) urine analyses. These cost 25,675 Rupees (245.46 Dollars) in unnecessary investigation costs and 65.7 days of additional hospital stay.Conclusions: Unnecessary investigations for emergency surgical patients can be reduced by following NICE-guidelines. This will reduce workload on emergency services, treatment costs and the length of hospital stay

Oil prices and sectoral stock returns in the BRICS-T countries: A time-varying approach

This paper investigates how exchange rates and oil prices have affected sectoral stock returns in the BRICS-T countries over the period from 2 January 2001 to 22 March 2021. Following the estimation of a benchmark linear model, Bai and Perron (2003) tests are carried out in each case to identify structural breaks, and then a state-space model with time-varying parameters is also estimated. The analysis shows that oil prices have a significant, positive effect on the energy sectors of all BRICS-T countries except India; a negative one on the industrial sectors of all countries except Turkey; a negative one on the financial sectors of Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa; a negative one on the transportation sectors of India and Turkey and a positive one on that of Russia; finally, the most significant effect is on the chemicals sector, though it varies across countries. The subsamples and time-varying estimates indicate that exchange rate returns have a larger influence than oil price returns. Because energy-dependent sectors are vulnerable to global volatility, appropriate energy regulations should be implemented to reduce risk

Fluoroless catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: integration of intracardiac echocardiography and cartosound module

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical efficacy of non-fluoroscopic radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in comparison to traditional fluoroscopy-guided ablation in a local Canadian community cohort. Methods: We retrospectively studied consecutive patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and Carto system (CartoSound module). ICE-guided PVI without fluoroscopy (Zero-fluoro group) was performed in 116 patients, and conventional fluoroscopy-guided PVI (Traditional group) was performed in 131 patients. Results: Two hundred and forty-seven patients with AF (60.7% male; mean age: 62.2 ± 10.6 years; paroxysmal AF =63.1%) who underwent PVI were studied. Mean procedure times were similar between both groups (136.8±33.4 minutes in the zero-fluoro group vs. 144.3±44.9 minutes in the traditional group; p=0.2). Acute PVI was achieved in all patients. Survival from early AF recurrence was 85% and 81% in the zero-fluoro and traditional groups, respectively (p = 0.06). Survival from late AF recurrence (12-months) between the zero-fluoro and traditional groups was also similar (p=0.1). Moreover, there were no significant differences between complication rates, including hematoma (p = 0.2) and tamponade (p = 1),between both groups. Conclusions: Zero-fluoroscopy ICE and CartoSound-guided AF ablation may be safe and feasible in patients undergoing PVI compared to conventional fluoroscopy-guided ablation

Chroman-4-One Derivatives Targeting Pteridine Reductase 1 and Showing Anti-Parasitic Activity

Flavonoids have previously been identified as antiparasitic agents and pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) inhibitors. Herein, we focus our attention on the chroman-4-one scaffold. Three chroman-4-one analogues (1-3) of previously published chromen-4-one derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated against parasitic enzymes (Trypanosoma brucei PTR1-TbPTR1 and Leishmania major-LmPTR1) and parasites (Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania infantum). A crystal structure of TbPTR1 in complex with compound 1 and the first crystal structures of LmPTR1-flavanone complexes (compounds 1 and 3) were solved. The inhibitory activity of the chroman-4-one and chromen-4-one derivatives was explained by comparison of observed and predicted binding modes of the compounds. Compound 1 showed activity both against the targeted enzymes and the parasites with a selectivity index greater than 7 and a low toxicity. Our results provide a basis for further scaffold optimization and structure-based drug design aimed at the identification of potent anti-trypanosomatidic compounds targeting multiple PTR1 variants

Identification of a Thyroid Hormone Derivative as a Pleiotropic Agent for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

The identification of effective pharmacological tools for Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents one of the main challenges for therapeutic discovery. Due to the variety of pathological processes associated with AD, a promising route for pharmacological intervention involves the development of new chemical entities that can restore cellular homeostasis. To investigate this strategy, we designed and synthetized SG2, a compound related to the thyroid hormone thyroxine, that shares a pleiotropic activity with its endogenous parent compound, including autophagic flux promotion, neuroprotection, and metabolic reprogramming. We demonstrate herein that SG2 acts in a pleiotropic manner to induce recovery in a C. elegans model of AD based on the overexpression of Aβ42 and improves learning abilities in the 5XFAD mouse model of AD. Further, in vitro ADME-Tox profiling and toxicological studies in zebrafish confirmed the low toxicity of this compound, which represents a chemical starting point for AD drug development

Investigating differences in village-level heterogeneity of malaria infection and household risk factors in Papua New Guinea

Malaria risk is highly heterogeneous. Understanding village and household-level spatial heterogeneity of malaria risk can support a transition to spatially targeted interventions for malaria elimination. This analysis uses data from cross-sectional prevalence surveys conducted in 2014 and 2016 in two villages (Megiar and Mirap) in Papua New Guinea. Generalised additive modelling was used to characterise spatial heterogeneity of malaria risk and investigate the contribution of individual, household and environmental-level risk factors. Following a period of declining malaria prevalence, the prevalence of P. falciparum increased from 11.4 to 19.1% in Megiar and 12.3 to 28.3% in Mirap between 2014 and 2016, with focal hotspots observed in these villages in 2014 and expanding in 2016. Prevalence of P. vivax was similar in both years (20.6% and 18.3% in Megiar, 22.1% and 23.4% in Mirap) and spatial risk heterogeneity was less apparent compared to P. falciparum. Within-village hotspots varied by Plasmodium species across time and between villages. In Megiar, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of infection could be partially explained by household factors that increase risk of vector exposure, such as collecting outdoor surface water as a main source of water. In Mirap, increased AOR overlapped with proximity to densely vegetated areas of the village. The identification of household and environmental factors associated with increased spatial risk may serve as useful indicators of transmission hotspots and inform the development of tailored approaches for malaria control