Microbes Mediated Keratin Extraction from Poultry Waste and Assessment of Its Efficacy in Growth Promotion of Zea Mays and Triticum aestivum

Feathers are a waste product of the poultry industry and are considered a major pollutant of the environment. Soil associated with poultry farms is a rich source of indigenous bacteria that are involved in biodegradation of keratin of the feathers of Gallus gallus domesticus. The present study was designed to understand the role of microbes in the degradation of a feather’s keratin and its possible utilization as a bio-protein for plants. In our studies, Keratinolytic activity was high at 37-45 ℃ and at 7.5-9.5 pH. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as the most active keratinolytic strain. At 37 ℃ and pH 9.0 the protein content was 5.67mg/ml, while at 45 ℃ and pH 7 the protein content from bacterial isolate IM6 was 6.52 mg/ml. However, all other ten bacterial isolates (IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4, IM5, IM7, IM8, IM9, IM10, IM11) also showed degradation potential. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was performed to confirm the presence of strong Amide-A, Amide-III, and disulfide bonds. In the plant microbial interaction experiments on the seed of Triticum aestivum and Zea mays, the isolates IM2 and IM6 were observed to increase the root, shoot and plant lengths as compared to all other bacterial isolates. The future implication of this study shows the importance of keratin degrading bacteria for the degradation and recycling of poultry feather waste, and introducing it as a value-added product for use in fertilizers, while also removing poultry waste from the environment and making the environment healthy for other living beings

Primary Prostatic Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: a Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Primary lymphomas of the prostate are globally rare representing less than 0.1% of all prostatic neoplasms. In this paper we present a case of an early stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the prostate managed with six cycles of rituximab-based chemotherapy, and review the related literature. Case description: A 32-year-old man presented to our clinic with complaints of difficult urination and perineal pain. An enlarged, hard and nodular prostate was palpable on digital rectal examination. Needle biopsy of the prostate was performed, which revealed diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by immunohistochemical studies. CT scan showed large pelvic mass arising from prostate encasing ureters with bilateral hydronephroureter.  No abnormal finding was seen on abdominal CT and bone marrow histology. Therefore, the disease was classified into the clinical stage IAXE according to Ann Arbor's criteria. The patient achieved complete response (CR) to six cycles of rituximab based combination chemotherapy, R-CHOP with CNS prophylaxis. He remained disease free, until now, 36 months after the end of chemotherapy. Practical Implications: According to the literature, the treatment and prognosis of primary lymphoma of the prostate is the same as that of other nodal lymphomas. Rituximab-based regimen should be considered in the management of prostatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on classical cardiovascular disease risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Advanced measures of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with CVD risk factors. The present study aimed to examine whether CVD risk factors can predict clinic-based measures of CRF, using the Siconolfi step test and to determine if exercise can improve RA patients’ cardiovascular health. Sixty-five RA patients (46 females, age 58 ± 11 years) completed assessments of CRF, CVD risk factors, body composition and RA characteristics. Ten patients participated in a follow-up 8-week exercise intervention. CRF was low (22 ml kg−1 min−1) and associated with higher diastolic blood pressure (r = − 0.37, p = 0.002), higher global CVD risk (r = − 0.267, p = 0.031) and worse body composition profile (body fat, r = − 0.48, p < 0.001; waist, r = − 0.65, p < 0.001; hip, r = − 0.58, p < 0.001). Regular exercise significantly improved CRF (p = 0.021), lower body strength (p < 0.001), agility (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.021), body fat (p = 0.018), waist circumference (p = 0.035), hip circumference (p = 0.016), disease activity (p = 0.002), disability (p = 0.007) and QoL (p = 0.004). Elevated diastolic blood pressure and worse body composition profile are strong predictors of clinic-based measures of CRF. CRF is an important determinant of CVD risk and warrants inclusion in the routine assessment of RA patients. Regular exercise can improve CRF and CVD risk factors without any exacerbation of disease activity and should be offered as part of routine care

Effect of carrier and temperature on the viability of Burkholderia sp (UPMB3) and Pseudomonas sp (UPM P3) during storage.

This study was aimed at to determine the ability of different carriers to sustain the viability and efficacy of endophytic bacteria: Burkholderia sp (UPMB3) and Pseudomonas sp(UPMP3) during storage. UPMB3 and UPMP3 were formulated as dry formulation using vermiculite and coir dust as carriers and liquid formulation with Luria broth (LB) as the culture substrate. These bacterial formulations developed were assessed for the viability and efficacy as fresh preparations and after nine months stored at 10, 20 and 30°C. Formulations stored at 10 and 20°C provided a longer shelf-life than those stored at 30°C based on viability at monthly intervals over a 9-month storage period. At 10 and 20°C, the LB-based and vermiculite-based formulations were found to be the most stable by sustaining 86% of viable bacteria cells after 6 months of storage. However, at the end of 9 months, the number of viable bacteria cells in both formulations declined to 71 and 57%, respectively. Coir dust-based formulation was the least stable at 10 and 20°C storage, when only 43 and 29% viable cells were detected at the end of 9-months storage

3-(3-Methyl­phen­yl)-2-thioxo-1,3-thia­zolidin-4-one

In the title compound, C10H9NOS2, the dihedral angle between the rhodanine (2-thioxo-1,3-thia­zolidin-4-one) and 3-methyl­phenyl rings is 83.30 (3)°. The H atoms of the methyl group are disordered over two set of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.58 (3):0.42 (3). In the crystal, the mol­ecules inter­act by way of C—H⋯π and C=O⋯π inter­actions

Activation of transforming growth factor-β(1 )and early atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus

The efficiency of activating latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-β(1 )in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may control the balance between inflammation and fibrosis, modulating the disease phenotype. To test this hypothesis we studied the ability to activate TGF-β(1 )in SLE patients and control individuals within the context of inflammatory disease activity, cumulative organ damage and early atherosclerosis. An Activation Index (AI) for TGF-β(1 )was determined for 32 patients with SLE and 33 age-matched and sex-matched control individuals by quantifying the increase in active TGF-β(1 )under controlled standard conditions. Apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured using standard Doppler ultrasound. These measures were compared between patients and control individuals. In an analysis conducted in patients, we assessed the associations of these measures with SLE phenotype, including early atherosclerosis. Both intima-media thickness and TGF-β(1 )AI for SLE patients were within the normal range. There was a significant inverse association between TGF-β(1 )AI and levels of apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after 24 hours in culture for both SLE patients and control individuals. Only in SLE patients was there a significant negative correlation between TGF-β(1 )AI and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.404; P = 0.022) and between TGF-β(1 )AI and carotid artery intima-media thickness (r = -0.587; P = 0.0004). A low AI was associated with irreversible damage (SLICC [Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics] Damage Index ≥1) and was inversely correlated with disease duration. Intima-media thickness was significantly linked to total cholesterol (r = 0.371; P = 0.037). To conclude, in SLE low normal TGF-β(1 )activation was linked with increased lymphocyte apoptosis, irreversible organ damage, disease duration, calculated low-density lipoprotein levels and increased carotid IMT, and may contribute to the development of early atherosclerosis