Genexpert test and endometrial histological findings in infertile women

Background: Infertility is a worldwide health problem with very definite physiological, psychological and social implications. According to studies, about 30% of infertility cases are due to the male factors, 40 to 50% have the origin of female factors and 20 to 30% of cases are caused by both male and female factors. Genital tuberculosis is among the main causes of female infertility. Due to its high prevalence, especially in developing countries, work-up of an infertile couple should include evaluation for tuberculosis irrespective of history or exposure. The objective of the present study is to find out the prevalence of genital tuberculosis in all females presenting with infertility in a tertiary care hospital over a given period of time, and diagnostic comparison of endometrial tuberculosis by GeneXpert and Histopathological examination (HPE).Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted from January 2016-June 2017.A total of 81 endometrial tissue samples were collected from the women, satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: GeneXpert scored negative in our study. On HPE, out of 81 patients, proliferative endometrium (anovulatory) was found in 34 cases (41.9%), non-specific endometritis in 1 case (1.23%) and 1 case (1.23%) was found positive for tubercular endometritis. Secretory endometrium was found in 45 cases (55.55%).Conclusions: Endometrial biopsy shows not only the tuberculous endometritis, but also gives additional information about hormone response of endometrium, local factors of endometrium concerning non-specific and specific infections and anovulatory cycles. Gene Expert if positive on endometrial biopsy is a reliable test for FGTB and treatment can be started on its basis

A 5-Approximation for Universal Facility Location

In this paper, we propose and analyze a local search algorithm for the Universal facility location problem. Our algorithm improves the approximation ratio of this problem from 5.83, given by Angel et al., to 5. A second major contribution of the paper is that it gets rid of the expensive multi operation that was a mainstay of all previous local search algorithms for capacitated facility location and universal facility location problem. The only operations that we require to prove the 5-approximation are add, open, and close. A multi operation is basically a combination of the open and close operations. The 5-approximation algorithm for the capacitated facility location problem, given by Bansal et al., also uses the multi operation. However, on careful observation, it turned out that add, open, and close operations are sufficient to prove a 5-factor for the problem. This resulted into an improved algorithm for the universal facility location problem, with an improved factor

Enzymatic properties of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) exudate

Pleurotus florida Mont. exudate, appearing as reddish- brown droplets of fluid was characterized for enzymatic properties. Oyster mushroom exudate grown on mango peel residue and wheat straw in 10:1 ratio at 25±1°C possessed high antioxidant value (920 mM/mL) and exhibited pectinase, cellulase, b-glucosidase and endoglucanase activities. Predominant enzyme activity was identified as pectinase with maximum activity of 0.35 U/ ml. The temperature of 35 ºC and pH 5.0 were found optimum for maximum pectinase specific activity. Kinetic analyses of pectinase in terms of Michaelis-Menten constant (Km), velocity maximum (Vmax) were 0.54 mg/ml, 0.25 mole/ml/min, respectively. This is first report of mushroom exudate enzyme characterization

Mechanism and kinetics of chlorpyrifos co-metabolism by using environment restoring microbes isolated from rhizosphere of horticultural crops under subtropics

The indiscriminate use of organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos in agricultural crops causes significant soil and water pollution and poses a serious threat to the global community. In this study, a microbial consortium ERM C-1 containing bacterial strains Pseudomonas putida T7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa M2, Klebsiella pneumoniae M6, and a fungal strain Aspergillus terreus TF1 was developed for the effective degradation of chlorpyrifos. Results revealed that microbial strains were not only utilizing chlorpyrifos (500 mg L–1) but also coupled with plant growth-promoting characteristics and laccase production. PGP traits, that is, IAA (35.53, 45.53, 25.19, and 25.53 μg mL–1), HCN (19.85, 17.85, 12.18, and 9.85 μg mL–1), and ammonium (14.73, 16.73, 8.05, and 10.87 μg mL–1) production, and potassium (49.53, 66.72, 46.14, and 52.72 μg mL–1), phosphate (52.37, 63.89, 33.33, and 71.89 μg mL–1), and zinc (29.75, 49.75, 49.12, and 57.75 μg mL–1) solubilization tests were positive for microbial strains T7, M2, M6, and TF1, respectively. The laccase activity by ERM C-1 was estimated as 37.53, 57.16, and 87.57 enzyme U mL–1 after 5, 10, and 15 days of incubation, respectively. Chlorpyrifos degradation was associated with ERM C-1 and laccase activity, and the degree of enzyme activity was higher in the consortium than in individual strains. The biodegradation study with developed consortium ERM C-1 showed a decreased chlorpyrifos concentration from the 7th day of incubation (65.77% degradation) followed by complete disappearance (100% degradation) after the 30th day of incubation in the MS medium. First-order degradation kinetics with a linear model revealed a high k –day value and low t1/2 value in ERM C-1. The results of HPLC and GC-MS analysis proved that consortium ERM C-1 was capable of completely removing chlorpyrifos by co-metabolism mechanism

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Microbial properties of pigmented bacteria isolated from bioenhancer ‘<em>Amrit pani</em>’

669-673Amrit Pani (Nectar water) contains consortia of beneficial microorganisms, out of which two pigmented bacteria, B1 (yellow) and B2 (orange) were isolated. Colonies of these microbes were smooth, 1-3 mm in diameter and identified as Micrococcus luteus (B1) and Micrococcus varians (B2). Both the bacteria were aerobic in nature, could be grown successfully on medium containing pH 7- 8 at 30 oC temperature. Isolated bacteria exhibited UV resistance and high pectinase activity 2.23 and 2.66 IU/mL, respectively. These bacteria have shown antimicrobial activity against Colletotricum gloeosporioides and Fusarium solani and extracted pigments shown DPPH activity (free radical scavenging activity) 86.11 and 59.02 %, respectively. Based on above study, Amrit Pani can successfully be used for the management of soil born diseases and fermentation of organic wastes

Improved shelf stability of mulberry juice by combination of preservatives

62-66Mulberry (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Morus alba L.) fruit is rich in sugar and has high nutritional value. Commercial mulberry juice is available in China but not readily available in India. In India the mulberry fruit trees are generally grown for rearing silkworms and to a small extent for its fruits sold in local markets. This study was carried out to standardize the preservation protocol for shelf stable mulberry fruit juice using low cost technology so that small scale entrepreneurship may be developed in this area. Effect of chemical preservatives, viz. potassium meta bisulphite (KMS) and sodium benzoate (SB) treatment (alone or in combination) followed by pasteurization, on physico-chemical, microbial and sensory qualities of stored juice (9 months) was studied. The results revealed that among all the treatments, combination of KMS and SB (0.05% each) followed by pasteurization of bottles at 100°C for 20 min. resulted in shelf stable juice with least physicochemical changes in terms of TSS, acidity, vitamin C, antioxidants, anthocyanin content, reducing and total sugars. No microbial contamination could be detected after 9 months of storage with maximum sensory acceptability. </span

Genexpert test and endometrial histological findings in infertile women

Background: Infertility is a worldwide health problem with very definite physiological, psychological and social implications. According to studies, about 30% of infertility cases are due to the male factors, 40 to 50% have the origin of female factors and 20 to 30% of cases are caused by both male and female factors. Genital tuberculosis is among the main causes of female infertility. Due to its high prevalence, especially in developing countries, work-up of an infertile couple should include evaluation for tuberculosis irrespective of history or exposure. The objective of the present study is to find out the prevalence of genital tuberculosis in all females presenting with infertility in a tertiary care hospital over a given period of time, and diagnostic comparison of endometrial tuberculosis by GeneXpert and Histopathological examination (HPE).Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted from January 2016-June 2017.A total of 81 endometrial tissue samples were collected from the women, satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: GeneXpert scored negative in our study. On HPE, out of 81 patients, proliferative endometrium (anovulatory) was found in 34 cases (41.9%), non-specific endometritis in 1 case (1.23%) and 1 case (1.23%) was found positive for tubercular endometritis. Secretory endometrium was found in 45 cases (55.55%).Conclusions: Endometrial biopsy shows not only the tuberculous endometritis, but also gives additional information about hormone response of endometrium, local factors of endometrium concerning non-specific and specific infections and anovulatory cycles. Gene Expert if positive on endometrial biopsy is a reliable test for FGTB and treatment can be started on its basis

Improved shelf stability of mulberry juice by combination of preservatives

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit is rich in sugar and has high nutritional value. Commercial mulberry juice is available in China but not readily available in India. In India the mulberry fruit trees are generally grown for rearing silkworms and to a small extent for its fruits sold in local markets. This study was carried out to standardize the preservation protocol for shelf stable mulberry fruit juice using low cost technology so that small scale entrepreneurship may be developed in this area. Effect of chemical preservatives, viz. potassium meta bisulphite (KMS) and sodium benzoate (SB) treatment (alone or in combination) followed by pasteurization, on physico-chemical, microbial and sensory qualities of stored juice (9 months) was studied. The results revealed that among all the treatments, combination of KMS and SB (0.05% each) followed by pasteurization of bottles at 100°C for 20 min. resulted in shelf stable juice with least physicochemical changes in terms of TSS, acidity, vitamin C, antioxidants, anthocyanin content, reducing and total sugars. No microbial contamination could be detected after 9 months of storage with maximum sensory acceptability

Simultaneous extraction of pectin, fibre, anthocyanin and oil from mulberry pomace

218-220Mulberry (Morus alba L.), (Fam. Moraceae) has characteristic tiny juicy fruits with sweet-tart taste. Its ripe fruits range in colour from white, pale, green, red, purple to black. The juice from red-purple mulberry variety has significant antioxidant value and food colouring properties. Though, a lot of research work has been carried out on mulberry juice, utilization of its pomace (processing waste comprising peel and seeds), has been largely ignored. Pomace constitutes about 40% of total fruit weight. Here, we have standardized protocols for potential extraction of pigment anthocyanin, fibre, pectin, and oil from mulberry pomace using a combination of organic and inorganic solvents and obtained an yield of 5.3% fibre, 1.58% pectin, 2.0% crude anthocyanins and 4.9% oil. The protocol allows complete utilization of waste left behind after juice extraction