Biosorption of Foron turquoise SBLN using mixed biomass of white rot fungi from synthetic effluents

In the present study, biosorption of Foron turquoise SBLN using mixed biomass of white rot fungi was investigated in batch mode. The effect of process parameters such as pH of solution, medium temperature, biosorbent concentration, dye initial concentration, contact time etc. was investigated for enhanced removal of the dye. Maximum dye removal was observed at pH 2, biosorbent dose, 0.1 g/100 ml and temperature 30°C. The equilibrium data were analyzed by commonly employed Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. The results show that the equilibrium data were better described by Freundlich isotherm model as compared to Langmuir equation. The biosorption kinetic data were found to follow the pseudo-second-order model. The results therefore indicated that mixed biomass of whiterot fungi could be used as natural biosorbent to remove dyes from aqueous effluents.Key words: Biosorption, disperse dye, Ganoderma lucidum, Coriolus versicolor

BRICS: Is the Group Really Creating Impact?

In 2001, Jim O'Neill coined the acronym for Brazil, Russia, India and China as the largest emerging markets economies. He expected them to grow faster than the developed countries and to play an increasingly important role in the world. In 2009, BRIC countries held their first summit which in its 3rd summit turned into BRICS with the addition of South Africa. The BRICS now represent 3 billion people and a combined GDP of $16 trillion. The group is the third giant after the EU and the US. Analysts predict that the BRICS will overtake US in terms of GDP this year and the G7 by 2030. In the summit in July 2014, BRICS leaders have approved creating the BRICS New Development Bank which would fund long-term investment in infrastructure and more sustainable development. The economics projections show that till 2040, the BRICS is expected to rule the world market

Enhanced production of subtilisin of Pyrococcus furiosus expressed in Escherichia coli using autoinducing medium

A subtilisin gene identified in the reported genome sequence of Pyrococcus furiosus was amplified and inserted in pET-22b(+) vector to produce the recombinant plasmid pET-SB. Escherichia coli BL-21 (DE3)CodonPlus was transformed with this plasmid and the enzyme was expressed up to 30% of the total cell protein on induction with IPTG. The expressed protein appeared at a position corresponding to ~20 kDaon SDS-PAGE as compared to theoretical molecular mass of 17.6 kDa. This aberrant electrophoresis mobility could be due to specific amino acid composition of the protein. Auto-induction with lactose also produced a similar level of expression but the total amount of the enzyme produced was 2.4 foldgreater than that when produced with IPTG induction. This was due to a higher cell density obtainable in the auto-inducing medium. The enzyme expressed in the insoluble state could be partially refolded after denaturation with urea at high pH. This study reports for the first time high-level expression ofsubtilisin of P. furiosus in E. coli using an auto-inducing medium

A REVIEW ON PASCHATA KARMA OF AHARA AND ITS EFFECT ON POSTPRANDIAL GLYCAEMIA W.S.R. SATAPADA GAMANA

Over the past several decades, the physical activities and fitness of Indian’s have significantly decreased which results in expand of non-communicable diseases where Diabetes is most common. Regular physical activity is accepted widely as an effective preventable measure for a variety of health risks as it helps in regulating blood glucose and other Physiological effects. Proper utilization of Glucose is very important. Limited instruction is available for post meal Procedure andabout physical activitywhich affects postprandial glycaemia. In this regard the present study is taken to find out the post dietary activities mentioned in Ayuveda and contemporary science. Study also implies that there is extensive scope of scientific research in this field in order to justify the textual references and to generate the data

HPLC Method Development for Simultaneous Estimation of Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate in Food Products

 A Reverse Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography method has been developed and validated for estimation of Sodium benzoate and Potassium sorbate in food products. The RP-HPLC method for Sodium benzoate and Potassium sorbate was developed using Luna C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 mm) as stationary phase and Acetonitrile:Sodium acetate buffer pH 4.3 (20:80) as mobile phase at 1.0ml/min flow rate and detection was carried out at 235nm and the methods were validated in accordance with ICH guidelines. Sodium benzoate and Potassium sorbate have linearity in the concentration range of 1-30µg/ml in with correlation coefficient (r2= 0.999 & r2=0.999) respectively. Sodium benzoate and Potassium sorbate eluted at 4.9 and 6.9 min respectively. The values of LOD were 0.59 and 0.39 and LOQ were 1.8 and 1.1 for sodium nezoate and potassium sorbate respectively. Results of assay and validation study are satisfactory. So, the methods can be successfully applied for the routine analysis of Sodium benzoate and Potassium sorbate

Composition and diversity of larval fish in the mangrove estuarine area of Marudu Bay, Sabah, Malaysia

The composition of fish larvae and their diversity in different habitats are very important for fisheries management. Larval fishes were investigated in a mangrove estuary of Marudu Bay, Sabah, Malaysia from October 2012 to September 2013 at five different sites. Monthly samples of fish larvae were collected at five sampling sites by a plankton net with a mouth opening of 40.5 cm in diameter. In total, 3879 larval fish were caught in the investigated area. The mean density of ichthyoplankton at this area was 118 larvae/100 m(3). The fish larval assemblage comprised of 20 families whereas 13 families occurred at St1, 16 at St2, 16 at St3, 12 at St4 and 16 at St5. The top major families were Sillaginidae, Engraulidae, Mugilidae and Sparidae with Sillaginidae consisted 44% of total larval composition. St3 with 143 larvae/100 m(3) had the highest density amongst the stations which was due to higher abundance of Sillaginidae. Shannon-Wiener diversity index represented significant variation during monsoon and inter-monsoon seasons, peaking in the months December-January and May-June. However, Shannon-Wiener index, evenness and family richness showed significant differences among stations and months (p < 0.05)

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of eyelid – An unusual site: a case report

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is predominantly a malignancy of the major salivary glands (10-30%) and minor salivary glands (15%).These tumours are also reported in lacrimal glands, conjunctiva, and nasopharynx, though rarely. The average age at presentation is between 20 to 60 years with a female preponderance. Owing to the rarity, it mandates an early diagnosis to facilitate appropriate patient management. This case report highlights the unusual occurrence of primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the eyelid in a 33 year old male patient

Ultrasound-guided Intralesional Bleomycin Injection (IBI) for Treatment of Cutaneous Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations

Purpose: To report the therapeutic outcome of ultrasound-guided intralesional injection of bleomycin in the treatment of cutaneous hemangiomas and vascular malformations. Material & Methods: The medical records of patients with cutaneous hemangiomas and vascular malformations treated with the intralesional injection of bleomycin under ultrasound guidance between August 2009 and June 2013 at the Indus Hospital, Karachi were reviewed retrospectively using a computerized medical record information management system. Data were extracted using a pre-coded performa that included patient demographics, type and location of lesion, number of treatments, presenting/pre- and post-treatment clinical symptoms (pain, swelling, heaviness, size, discoloration), ultrasound appearance and vascularity, and post-treatment side effects. The dose range of bleomycin was 0.5-1.0 mg/kg, but not exceeding 15 mg in a single session. A maximum of four treatments were given in any given patient except for one, who presented with recurrence after a year of complete resolution. Therapeutic outcome was determined using review of ultrasound images and recorded clinical assessment. Treatment response was categorized as: (i) complete resolution [more than 90% reduction]; (ii) substantial reduction [more than 50% reduction]; (iii) mild reduction [25% reduction]; or, (iv) no improvement [ \u3c 10% reduction]. Results: A total of 30 patients (16 female, 14 male), ranging in age from 8 months to 48 years (mean age 10.2 years), were treated from 2009 to 2013. There were 23 hemangiomas. Seven were vascular malformations, of which five were lymphatic malformations and two were venous malformations. Twenty-eight lesions were located in the head and neck region, and two were peripheral.. In 24 of the 30 patients (76%), treatment had been completed. In six patients (21%) treatment was ongoing at the time of this report. Seventeen of the 23 hemangiomas (74%) were completely resolved clinically and on ultrasound, five (22%) showed substantial improvement and one (4%) showed mild improvement. In five of the seven vascular malformations (71%) lymphatic malformations resolved completely, and two (29%) venous malformations showed substantial improvement. Of the 13 patients presenting with discoloration, there was complete resolution in one (7.7%), marked reduction in 11 (84.6%) and mild reduction in one (7.7%). Of seven patients presenting with pain, there was complete resolution in two (28.6%), marked reduction in two (28.6%), mild reduction in two (28.6%), and no improvement in one (14.3%). There were no pulmonary complications. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided intralesional injection of bleomycin is an option to consider for the treatment of certain types of cutaneous hemangiomas and vascular malformations. Prospective studies should be undertaken to understand the various factors contributing to therapeutic success