Screening of Locally Isolated Actinomycetes and Endophytic Fungi for Production of Bioactive Compounds

Isolation of actinomycetes were done using Humic acid B-vitamins Agar (HVA) while endophytic fungi were from Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Isolated strains were then subjected to enzymatic and also antimicrobial testing. Positive strains for antimicrobial testing were then subjected to carbon source utilization testing and viewed under microscope to determine their spores morphology. From the enzymatic test conducted for actinomycetes, 110 isolates showed positive result for cellulase activity, 107 for xylanase activity and 22 for mannanase activity. Fifteen isolates of endophytic fungi have the ability to degrade cellulose, 28 of the isolates were able to degrade xylan and 12 isolates have the potential to degrade mannan. Thirteen isolates of actinomycetes showed positive result towards the 5 strains of pathogenic microorganisms with the highest on Yersinia enterocolitica. While test done using endophytic fungi showed only 1 isolate with antimicrobial property toward Xanthomonas campestris. Biolog test was done to determine the metabolite diversity of each actinomycetes. Twelve of the 13 isolates of actinomycetes were identified to be from the genus of Streptomyces by observing their spore arrangement and 1 of the isolate could not be identified. Biolog test could not be done on the endophytes fungi strain 13 because this strain does not produce spores.Through microscopic imaging the identity of the endophytes fungi isolate also could not be determined. Actinomycetes isolate number 200 was further identified by targeting its 16S rRNA gene. By using this technique Actinomycetes isolate number 200 was confirmed to be from the genus Streptomyces

Online Survey Respondents’ Reactions to Required Questions

One of the most common errors committed by “amateur” online survey questionnaire designers is the improper use of “required” questions, where the survey respondent is not allowed to continue in the survey unless the question is answered. The problem with this design feature is that if a valid choice is not offered, the survey respondent must either give an incorrect answer to proceed, or terminate the survey. In order to get an empirical sense of how survey-takers respond to such situations, two studies were conducted, both employing 600+ members of a commercial online panel. Respondents were asked their opinion of a fictitious feature of a well-known law under varying required and unrequired response options. We conclude that there are unexpected threats to data quality when using required questions and such questions should be used with great caution

Effects of different parameters on cellulase production by Trichoderma harzianum TF2 using solid‐state fermentation (SSF)

Solid‐state fermentation is one of the easiest and cheapest methods for producing microbial bioactive com‐ pounds. Trichoderma harzianum has long been recognised as one of the potential fungi for this purpose. Trichoderma sp. were isolated from banana rhizosphere using the soil dilution method and later screened for their ability to produce cellulases using filter paper activity (FPase) and the carboxylmethyl cellulase (CMCase) test. Trichoderma sp. were also subjected to one factor change at a time to determine the effects of different parameters on cellulase production. It was observed that T. harzianum TF2 showed the ability to produce higher cellulase activity when wheat bran was used as the substrate. The results showed that 38.5 U/g of cellulase was produced with the use of wheat bran coupled with an incubation temperature of 28 °C and moisture content of 60%. T. harzianum TF2 showed good potential for use as a culture for cellulase production in this study due to its higher cellulase production under solid‐state fermentation, with the possibility of its application to industry

Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Sustained Severe Metabolic Alkalosis and Electrolyte Abnormalities Caused by Ingestion of Baking Soda

The use of alternative medicine is prevalent worldwide. However, its effect on intraoperative anesthetic care is underreported. We report the anesthetic management of a patient who underwent an extensive head and neck cancer surgery and presented with a severe intraoperative metabolic alkalosis from the long term ingestion of baking soda and other herbal remedies

Complete response of skull base inverted papilloma to chemotherapy: Case report.

BackgroundInverted papilloma (IP) is the most common benign sinonasal neoplasm. Endoscopic techniques, improved understanding of pathophysiology, and novel surgical approaches have allowed rhinologists to treat IPs more effectively, with surgery being the mainstay of therapy. Frontal sinus IP poses a challenge for surgical therapy due to complex anatomy and potentially difficult surgical access.ObjectivesWe reported a unique case of a massive frontal sinus IP that presented with intracranial and orbital extension, with near resolution after chemotherapy.MethodsA retrospective case review of a patient with a frontal sinus IP treated at a tertiary academic medical center.ResultsA 75-year-old male patient presented with nasal obstruction, purulent nasal discharge, and a growing left supraorbital mass. Endoscopy demonstrated a mass that filled both frontal and ethmoid sinuses, with orbital invasion. There also was substantial erosion of the posterior table, which measured 1.73 × 1.40 cm. A biopsy specimen demonstrated IP with carcinoma in situ. The patient was deemed unresectable on initial evaluation and, subsequently, underwent chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel). The tumor had a dramatic response to chemotherapy, and the patient elected for definitive surgery to remove any residual disease. During surgery, only a small focus of IP was found along the superior wall of the frontal sinus. No tumor was found elsewhere, including at the site of skull base erosion. The final pathology was IP without carcinoma in situ or dysplasia.ConclusionThis was the first reported case of chemotherapeutic "debulking" of IP, which facilitated surgical resection, despite substantial intracranial and orbital involvement. Although nearly all IPs can be treated surgically, rare cases, such as unresectable tumors, may benefit from systemic chemotherapy

Preliminary screening of endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plants in MARDI Sessang, Sarawak for their bioactivity

A total of 100 isolates of endophytic fungi were isolated from 19 species of medicinal plants collected at MARDI Station Sessang, Sarawak. A total of 55% of the endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves while 45% from the branches. Screening of isolates for enzymatic secretion found that 15, 28 and 12 isolates were able to hydrolyze cellulose, xylan and mannan respectively. All 100 isolates were also tested for their antimicrobial activity towards selected phytopathogenic and human pathogenic microbes. The test indicated that only one isolate showed positive result when tested against Xanthomonas campestris. The results indicate that the endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plant at MARDI Research Station Sessang, Sarawak may have the potential to be further exploited for its bioactivity

Laparoscopic Assisted Fusion of the Lumbosacral Spine: A Biomechanical and Histologic Analysis of the Open Versus Laparoscopic Technique in an Animal Model

Study Design. An animal model for laparoscopic lumbosacral fusion. Objectives. To compare the biomechanical and histologic results of open to laparoscopic lumbosacral discectomy and fusion in an animal model. Background Data. Early clinical reports of laparoscopic lumbosacral fusions are encouraging, but animal experiments have not been reported. Methods. Ten pigs (50-80 kg) were divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent an open anterior lumbosacral discectomy and fusion at L7-S1 using autologous bone graft and a titanium MOSS (DePuy Motech) cage. Group 2 was identical to Group 1 except that a laparoscopic technique was used. The animals were killed at 3 months, and the lumbosacral spines were harvested for biomechanical and histologic testing. Results. Estimated blood loss and average length of operation, respectively, for the two groups were: Group 1, 50 mL, 2 hours 50 minutes; and Group 2, 40 mL, 3 hours 40 minutes. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications in either group. Motion analysis results showed less motion in lateral bending, flexion, and extension than in the intact specimen in both groups. Tensile testing showed that the stiffness was significantly greater in the open group than in the laparoscopic group (P \u3c 0.004). Histologic examination showed a less extensive discectomy and less bone growth in the implant in the laparoscopic group. Inadequate decortication of end-plates occurred in two animals who underwent laparoscopy. Conclusions. Although lumbosacral discectomy and implant insertion can be performed using the laparoscopic technique, the construct may not have the same biomechanical strength as that attained with the open procedure. Laparoscopic-assisted lumbosacral fusion surgery requires additional investigation before it is widely used in clinical situations

Diversity of Actinomycetes Isolated from Peat Soil of Undistrubed Forest and Pineapple Plantation in Sessang, Sarawak

Peatland plays an important role not just as a carbon store but also in facilitating the flux of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Apart from that, peatland is also home to a diverse population of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Actinomycetes were known to be one of the most ubiquitous microbes that can be found in most of the soil types including peat soil. In this study, seventy isolates of actinomycetes were isolated from the peat soil using the soil dilution method. The 70 isolates of actinomycetes were later screened for their ability to produce secondary metabolites and antimicrobial activities using the agar diffusion method before the selected potential isolates were identified by targeting their 16S rRNA region. The results obtained showed 34.3% produce cellulase followed by, 12.8, 31.7, 80.0, and 51.4% for mannanase, xylanase, lipase, and protease respectively. The percentage of actinomycetes producing antimicrobial activity was 27.1 and 21.4% for Ralstonia solanacearum and Colletotrichum gleosporioides respectively. All the selected isolates of actinomycetes were identified as belonging to the genus of Streptomycetes spp. The potential actinomycetes were stored in freeze-dried form for future usage. This study showed that  more diverse population of actinomycetes was obtained from the undisturbed forested peat soil area ecosystem compared to the agricultural peat soil area.