Methanogenic Diversity and Taxonomy in the Gastro Intestinal Tract of Ruminants

To elucidate the microbial dynamics inside rumen of animals of livestock importance and to provide a better ration to them in order to control various metabolic disorders, a better understanding of the rumen microbial ecology is pivotal. The fundamental knowledge of methanogenic population inside gut environment and ruminal fermentation is of considerable importance as it has a significant impact on the various metabolic activities of the animal. The major methanogens isolated and characterized from ruminants like cattle, sheep, steers, goats, reindeers are from the order Methanobacteriales, Methanomicrobiales, Methanococcales, Methanosarcinales and Methanomassiliicoccales. The chapter deals with present knowledge available regarding the methanogenic diversity present in the gastro-intestinal tract of ruminants all over the world primarily through constructing 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and tries to uncover the new genera in ruminant’s microbiome and their adaptations in extreme environment. To get a better idea regarding the composition of methanogen community, further studies are required in relation to the effect of diet and animal species to the rumen methanogens

Multiple system atrophy - The cerebellar type with “hot cross bun sign” on MRI

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an adult onset, progressive, idiopathic neurodegenerative disease that clinically manifest as MSA-C with cerebellar signs predominant, MSA-P with Parkinsonian features predominant and MSA-A with autonomic signs and symptoms. MRI has an important role in its diagnosis with a characteristic finding described as hot cross bun sign seen in MSA of cerebellar type (MSA-C). We have seen two cases of MSA-C referred to Radiology Department, Civil Hospital Karachi in February 2017 and March 2017 who presented with difficulty in walking and speech and foecal and urinary incontinence. The MRI showed atrophy of pons, cerebellum and middle cerebellar peduncles with cruciform hyperintense signals in pons (hot cross bun sign). Multiple system atrophy has no specific treatment so the patients were on supportive therapy. We are reporting these interesting cases along with the clinical and radiological findings as well as literature review

Medical students’ endeavour to make use of their mental capabilities

Objective: To identify and compare awareness of intellectual wellness in male and female medical students of Karachi. Methods: The cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey comprised randomly selected 800 medical students of both gender. It was conducted from January to December 2010 in 8 medical colleges of Karachi. Responses - never, sometimes, mostly and always (numbered 0-4) - were analysed in terms of frequency, proportion and percentages by Predictive Analysis Software version 18. Chi square test was applied for comparison of intellectual wellness in both genders. Results were considered significant at p \u3c0.05. Results: Of the 800 questionnaires distributed, 736 (92%) were received fully completed; 526 (71.5% of them from females. Intellectual wellness was significantly higher in females due to an increasing aptitude towards book reading (p Conclusion: Females were found to be better in terms of intellectual wellness compared to the males. However, males used mentorship support to acquire intellectual wellness

Ochrobactrum, bacillus and Enterobacter isolates of Hot Water Spring Augment the Growth of Zea Mays Seedlings

Hot springs situated at high altitudes is a kind of remarkable ecosystem for the exploration of microbial flora. It was hypothesized that hot springs can harbor bacteria with plant growth-promoting and exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing ability that can favour the growth of plants. For the investigation of this hypothesis, seven EPS producing bacterial isolates were isolated from a water sample of hot water spring of Tattapani, Azad Kashmir and characterized morphologically and biochemically. Three out of seven isolates (BE1, BN1 and BN3) showed significant production of EPS (14-15 mg / 100 ml). Growth kinetics study revealed that optimum EPS production was attained at pH 9, with fructose as a carbon source and peptone as a nitrogen source. Inoculation of these isolates caused augmentation in seed germination (27-38 %), shoot length (27-35 %), seedling length (10-14 %), number of roots (12-25 %) of Zea mays (variety-MMRI yellow) seedlings and significant rise in auxin (28-51 %) and soluble protein content (50-68 %) as compared to non-inoculated treatment. Alcian blue staining unveiled the good colonization potential of these isolates on inoculated roots. Bacterial isolates were identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium (BE1), Bacillus pumilus (BN1) and Enterobacter cloacae (BN3), respectively through 16S rRNA analysis. Bacterial strain BN3 showed promising results for plant growth promotion along with EPS production. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of EPS produced by strain BN3 revealed the complex composition of EPS. We concluded that hot springs can be the possible home for EPS producing bacteria with plant growth promotion capability

Isoniazid induced acute pancreatitis in a young girl

Isoniazid (INH) is the mainstay of management against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. INH-induced acute pancreatitis is an uncommon association and with dearth of literature on it. We are reporting a case of an 11 years old girl who developed acute pancreatitis after 2 weeks of antituberculous therapy. An INH free regimen was started. She was discharged and followed without complications

Intellectual wellness awareness: a neglected area in medical universities of Pakistan

Abstract Objective: To compare the presence of intellectual wellness awareness in students of public and private sector medical colleges in a metropolitan city. Methods: The cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted from March to November 2011 at Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, and overall covered five private and 3 public sector medical colleges of the city. The study randomly selected 800 medical students. The responses -- never, sometimes, mostly and always (numbered 0-4) - were analysed in terms of frequency, proportion and percentages using Predictive Analysis Software version 18. Results: Of the 800 forms distributed, 736(92%) completed forms were analysed. Among the respondents, 526 (71.5%) were females. Besides, 450(61%) belonged to private medical colleges and 236(39) were from public medical colleges. The participants of private medical colleges had taken part in intellectual discussions actively compared to those from public colleges (p\u3c0.001). Habit of reading books to acquire knowledge was found in 126(44%) private college students compared to 149(33%) in public colleges (p\u3c0.004). The importance of creative mental activities (p=0.954) and current information about local and international affairs (p\u3c0.564) was deficient in both sets of students. Conclusion: Students of private medical colleges were better in terms of presence of intellectual wellness awareness, took active participation in class discussions, had good reading habits and carefully selected television programmes and movies

ALLIUM SATIVUM LINN. CONTAINS LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATES THAT ALTER MEMBRANE FLUIDITY FOR THE INHIBITION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS H37RA

  Objectives: The purpose of the study is to characterize antimycobacterial phytoconstituent from ethyl acetate extract of dried bulbs of Allium sativum Linn. (Alliaceae) and elucidating the probable mode of action of the bioactive molecule.Methods: Serial extraction, Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay by agar well diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentration by microplate alamar blue assay, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, liquid chromatography (LC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS, cell leakage assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inhibition property of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in the presence of rifampicin on M. tuberculosis were performed.Results: Ethyl acetate extract displayed significant inhibition properties against M. tuberculosis H37Ra (MTCC 300). Subsequently, the bioactivity-guided fractionation was employed to purify the phytochemical. Analysis of FT-IR, LC-MS (ESI), 1H, and13C-NMR spectrum revealed that the bioactive phytochemicals are the variants of LAS, with C12-alkyl being predominant, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was found to be 5.56 μg/ml. Morphological examination by SEM and cell leakage assay indicated that these molecules change the membrane fluidity.Conclusion: The results thus suggest the possibility of using low concentrations of LAS to effect changes in membrane fluidity, thereby enhancing the efficacy of antibiotic treatment

Iron and Zinc Bio-Fortification Strategies in Wheat Crop by Exogenous Application of Micronutrients

Under nutrition or nutrient deficiency is a major concern in third world, and is an underlying cause for millions of deaths each year. Biofortification is an important technique to increase the concentration of trace mineral elements in the grain which improve the nutritional value of cereal and solve health problems in poorer areas of world. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the biofortification potential of wheat crop by exogenously applied micro nutrients (Fe & Zn). Soil and foliar application with two levels of Fe and Zn (2 mg kg-1 and 4 mg kg-1) were applied according to CRD under factorial design. Results showed that soil application of Fe and Zn at 4 mg kg-1 is significant effect on plant available nutrients and nutrient concentration in wheat straw and grain. Application of micronutrients also increased and improved growth parameters. Keywords: Wheat, Zinc, Iron, Biofortification, Plant Nutrient

Allium sativum linn. contains linear alkylbenzene sulfonates that alter membrane fluidity for the inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RA

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to characterize antimycobacterial phytoconstituent from ethyl acetate extract of dried bulbs of Allium sativum Linn. (Alliaceae) and elucidating the probable mode of action of the bioactive molecule. Methods: Serial extraction, Mycobacterium tuberculosis assay by agar well diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentration by microplate alamar blue assay, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Liquid Chromatography (LC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS, cell leakage assay, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), inhibition property of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) in the presence of rifampicin on M. tuberculosis were performed. Results: Ethyl acetate extract displayed significant inhibition properties against M. tuberculosis H37Ra (MTCC 300). Subsequently, the bioactivity-guided fractionation was employed to purify the phytochemical. Analysis of FT-IR, LC-MS (ESI), 1H and 13C-NMR spectrum revealed that the bioactive phytochemicals are the variants of LAS, with C12-alkyl being predominant, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was found to be 5.56 μg/ml. Morphological examination by SEM and cell leakage assay indicated that these molecules change the membrane fluidity. Conclusion: The results thus suggest the possibility of using low concentrations of LAS to effect changes in membrane fluidity, thereby enhancing the efficacy of antibiotic treatment