Effect of silicon compounds on microbial transformations in soil.

A study was made of the effects of adding a range of silicon compounds (of potential use as fertilizers) to a variety of different soils. In addition the solubilization of insoluble silicon compounds by bacteria and a species of Penicillium isolated from ferns growing in walls (as a likely silicon-rich environment) was determined. The results of the present study show that: 1) Bacteria solubilize rock potash, releasing free silicon into the medium. 2) Growth of a Penicillium Sp. in vitro increases the solubilization of sodium silicate, but concentrations of free silicon decrease when the fungus is grown in the presence of silicic acid and rock potash presumably duet o Si-immobilization by the fungus. 3) Water-extractable silicon increased when either silicic acid or rock potash was added to all soils, under both aerobic and anaerobic (waterlogged) conditions. 4) Liming increased the release of soluble silicon from sodium silicate, silicic acid and rock potash the effect being seen in all soil types. 5) Silicic acid generally decreased bacterial numbers in all soils, at least over the first 14 days of the incubation period. 6) Silicic acid and rock potash had no effect on nitrification, while the addition of sodium silicate stimulated nitrate production, this effect is assumed to be largely due to the resultant marked increase in soil pH. 7) Addition of silicic acid and rock potash led to increased sulphur oxidation. 8) The addition of silicic acid to the agricultural loam soil led to a decrease in arylsulphatase and ehydrogenase activity, as well as respiration and soil biomass

New Tools for Dengue Diagnostics

Dengue caused by four antigenically distinct serotype remains a serious health concern around the world, particularly in the tropical areas. Clinical signs and symptoms of this disease are indistinguishable from other infectious disease; therefore, laboratory diagnosis is very crucial for confirming the disease that will be useful for the patient’s management. In laboratory, dengue can be confirmed using cell culture, RNA detection, and serological detection based on ELISA and immunochromatographic test. However, each of these methods has certain practical limitations. Therefore, researchers from all over the world have been working to address these limitations. In this chapter, we will highlight the current research toward the development of novel point-of-care test for the diagnosis of dengue in acute and convalescent phase

Caught in the act- A case report

Thrombus in both the left and right atrium is a rare clinical entity. Most cases of left atrial thrombus have been reported in association with atrial fibrillation and mitral stenosis.The differential diagnosis of clots and myxomas in the left atrium is mostly based on echocardiography. A thrombus in the right atrium is considered very rare. However, right atrial thrombi in patients with apermanent pacemaker or a history of deep vein thrombosis have been reported. Thrombus in left or right atrium can result in catastrophic consequences due to systemic or pulmonary embolism. Here we report a case of 70 years old man with a large mobile thrombus in the right atrium crossing the patent foramen ovale (PFO) into the left atrium with concomitant lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. He was treated successfully with oral anticoagulation and showed complete resolution of the thrombus on subsequent echocardiographic studies. Keywords: Thrombus, Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, Echocardiograph