ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF CELLULASE-FREE XYLANASE BY ALKALOPHILIC BACILLUS SUBTILIS ASH AND ITS APPLICATION IN BIOBLEACHING OF KRAFT PULP

This paper reports high level production of a cellulase-free xylanase using wheat bran, a cost-effective substrate, under submerged fermentation by alkalophilic Bacillus subtilis ASH. Production of xylanase was observed even at alkaline pH up to 11.0 and temperature 60 °C, although the highest enzyme titer was recorded at neutral pH and 37 °C. The enzyme production under optimized fermentation was 1.5-fold greater than under unoptimized conditions. Pre-treatment of unbleached pulp of 10% consistency with crude xylanase (6 IU/g o.d. pulp) at 60 ºC for 2 h increased the final brightness by 4.9%. The enzyme treatment reduced the chlorine consumption by 28.6% with the same brightness as in the control. A reduction in kappa number and increase in viscosity was observed after enzyme pre-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed loosening and swelling of pulp fibers. The strength properties viz. grammage, fiber thickness, beating degree, tensile index, breaking length, tear index and double fold of the treated pulp were improved as compared to the control pulp. This study reveals the potential of B. subtilis ASH xylanase as a biobleaching agent for the paper and pulp industry

Guidelines of Revised Orthodontic Practices for Establishing “New Normality” Post COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of this article is to shed light upon formulation of new guidelines of revised orthodontic practices in the post-pandemic era caused due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and also to adapt to the new regulations to prevent further spread of infection. All relevant information pertaining to the area of concern was collected using electronic databases which include Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane, orthodontic journals, and health bodies such World Health Organization, the British Orthodontic Society, and the National Institute of Health. Post-pandemic visionary was also contemplated. Data collected through the electronic databases were studied and compiled to provide an overview of the possible modifications which could be employed to prevent cross-contamination during and after the orthodontic therapy in the -post-pandemic era. Refashioning of the dental set-up along with the formulation of new regulations have been elucidated. This review highlights that the post-pandemic orthodontic practice is a divergent layout requiring tedious clinical and environmental modifications. New categorization of patients requiring orthodontic treatments and procedural classification based on generation of aerosol must be taken into consideration. Formulation of new regulations and redesigning the clinical set-up is crucial yet essential

Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration in Diploid A Genome Wheat

Micronutrients, especially iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), are deficient in the diets of people in underdeveloped countries. Biofortification of food crops is the best approach for alleviating the micronutrient deficiencies. Identification of germplasm with high grain Fe and Zn and understanding the genetic basis of their accumulation are the prerequisites for manipulation of these micronutrients. Some wild relatives of wheat were found to have higher grain Fe and Zn concentrations compared with the cultivated bread wheat germplasm. One accession of Triticum boeoticum (pau5088) that had relatively higher grain Fe and Zn was crossed with Triticum monococcum (pau14087), and a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population generated from this cross was grown at 2 locations over 2 years. The grains of the RIL population were evaluated for Fe and Zn concentration using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The grain Fe and Zn concentrations in the RIL population ranged from 17.8 to 69.7 and 19.9 to 64.2 mg/kg, respectively. A linkage map available for the population was used for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain Fe and Zn accumulation. The QTL analysis led to identification of 2 QTL for grain Fe on chromosomes 2A and 7A and 1 QTL for grain Zn on chromosome 7A. The grain Fe QTL were mapped in marker interval Xwmc382-Xbarc124 and Xgwm473-Xbarc29, respectively, each explaining 12.6% and 11.7% of the total phenotypic variation and were designated as QFe.pau-2A and QFe.pau-7A. The QTL for grain Zn, which mapped in marker interval Xcfd31-Xcfa2049, was designated as QZn.pau-7A and explained 18.8% of the total phenotypic variatio

Safety Profile, Feasibility and Early Clinical Outcome of Cotransplantation of Olfactory Mucosa and Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Study DesignProspective case series.PurposeTo study the safety and feasibility of cotransplantation of bone marrow stem cells and autologous olfactory mucosa in chronic spinal cord injury.Overview of LiteratureStem cell therapies are a novel method in the attempt to restitute heavily damaged tissues. We discuss our experience with this modality in postspinal cord injury paraplegics.MethodsThe study includes 9 dorsal spine injury patients with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) A neurological impairment who underwent de-tethering of the spinal cord followed by cotransplantation with bone marrow stem cells and an olfactory mucosal graft. Participants were evaluated at the baseline and at 6 monthly intervals. Safety and tolerability were evaluated through the monitoring for adverse events and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. Efficacy assessment was done through neurological and functional outcome measures.ResultsSurgery was tolerated well by all participants. No significant difference in the ASIA score was observed, although differences in the Functional Independence Measure and Modified Ashworth Scale were statistically significant. No significant complication was observed in any of our patients, except for neurogenic pain in one participant. The follow-up magnetic resonance imaging evaluation revealed an increase in the length of myelomalacia in seven participants.ConclusionsThe cotransplantation of bone marrow stem cells and olfactory mucosa is a safe, feasible and viable procedure in AIS A participants with thoracic level injuries, as assessed at the 24-month follow-up. No efficacy could be demonstrated. For application, further large-scale multicenter studies are needed

Endodontic Management of Maxillary Second Molar Tooth with a Single Root and Single Canal

Comprehensive understanding of variations in the root canal morphology of a maxillary molar is useful for performing successful endodontic treatment in such cases. This case report describes endodontic management of a case with such aberrant root canal morphology of a maxillary second molar having a single root and single canal

Prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome in the adolescents of Rural Wardha

Background and Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a major concern as a precursor of cardiometabolic diseases. The present study was designed to study the magnitude and correlates of metabolic syndrome among the adolescents of rural Wardha. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the adolescents (10-19 years) of Anji PHC. A sample of 405 was selected by random sampling from the sampling frame available with department of Community Medicine. We collected data about their sociodemographic variables and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Fasting blood sample was collected to measure lipid profile and blood glucose. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference) were also taken. Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome using ATP-III criteria modified for adolescents was found to be 9.9% (95% CI: 7.3-13.1) in the study population and lower level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was found with a prevalence of 58.3% (95% CI: 53.4-63.0). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the presence of obesity and hypertension among family members. Interpretation: There was a moderately high prevalence of metabolic syndrome among rural adolescents. Conclusion: The early identification of cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertension and obesity can help prevent metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease

Prevalence of risk factors for platelet transfusion refractoriness in multitransfused hemato-oncological patients at tertiary care center in North India

Background: This study was designed to determine the prevalence and assess the risk factors responsible for platelet transfusion refractoriness in hemato-oncological patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 patients. Twelve were clinically diagnosed as aplastic anemia and the 18 were of acute myeloid leukemia. A prospective 3 months follow-up was planned to monitor the response of platelet transfusion therapy, based on their posttransfusion corrected count increment at 1 st and 24 th h. Based on the observations, patients were categorized into refractory and nonrefractory groups. Common nonimmunological causes such as fever, sepsis, bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation, chemotherapy, splenomegaly, ABO mismatch, and antithymocyte globulin therapy were monitored. Among the immunological causes, presence of antihuman leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antibodies and platelet glycoprotein antibodies in patient′s serum were monitored. Results: During the study period, 17 (56.66%) patients did not show desired platelet count increment. Transfusion requirements of refractory group for both red cell and platelet product were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in comparison to nonrefractory group. Among immunological causes, anti HLA class I antibodies (P < 0.013), antihuman platelet antigen-5b antibodies (P < 0.033) were significantly associated with refractoriness. Among nonimmunological causes, bleeding (P < 0.019, odd ratio 8.7), fever (P < 0.08, odd ratio 5.2), and infection (P < 0.07, odd ratio 5.4) were found to associated with refractoriness. Conclusion: Platelet refractoriness should be suspected in multitransfused patients not showing expected increment in platelet counts and thoroughly investigated to frame further guidelines in order to ensure proper management of these kind of patients

Anti-N antibody reacting at 37°C: An unusual occurrence interfering with routine testing: Two interesting cases

Most anti-N antibodies are naturally occurring, IgM antibodies, and not active above 25°C and are not clinically significant but IgG anti- N has also been described. Immune anti-N resulting from multiple transfusions does occur & has been implicated as the cause of hemolytic transfusion reactions and mild hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn. Anti- N reacting at room temperature can be a cause for ABO blood group discrepanc