Unilateral renal cystic disease: a case report study

Unilateral renal cystic disease (URCD) of kidney is a non-familial, extremely rare condition, characterized by replacement of the renal parenchyma of one kidney by a cluster of multiple cysts of varying size with a normal contralateral kidney. It is morphologically indistinguishable from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD); as such, hepatic and pancreatic cysts is not seen and shows no progressive deterioration in renal function; thus, differentiating ADPKD from URCD becomes important. We report a case of URCD documented by clinical and radiological imaging. A 21 year-old female, presented with history of mild lancinating pain in the left flank for 6 years which aggravated in the past 3 days, with no history of lower urinary tract symptoms. No significant family illnesses reported. Examination showed normal vitals and ballotability present and associated tenderness on deep palpation in left lumbar region. Laboratory findings were within normal limits. Ultrasonography of abdomen and pelvis showed left hydronephrosis with multiple cysts. CECT Abdomen revealed an enlarged left kidney (∼15×16×10 cm) filled with variable sized round, well-marginated multiple cysts. Renal ultrasound was performed on patient’s parents and her siblings and ruled out cystic renal disease. Hence, authors considered the diagnosis of URCD in this patient. In conclusion, treatment and managing guidelines of URCD have not been mentioned in any of the medical literatures. There is little information regarding the progression of URCD. Hence there is a need for further understanding of pathogenesis, progression and management of these patients.

GC-MS Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Bovine Milk from Tiruchirappalli, South India- A Preliminary Assessment.

The study was aimed to determine the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in bovine milk (both branded and unbranded) collected from in and around Tiruchirappalli city, Southern India. The results of the present investigation indicated that these milk specimens were found to be contaminated with 7 different pesticides. Mirex (higher incidence), Heptachlor, o,p’-DDD, o,p’- DDE, Aldrin, cis and trans-chlordane were detected in the milk samples. The residues were quantitatively determined using Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer-Quadrupole on electron ionization (EI) mode. The study showed that unbranded milk samples contained higher concentrations of residues than branded. The derived average daily intake of aldrin and DDT has exceeded WHO’s Acceptable Daily Intake.

Fetal gender determination through Y-STR analysis of maternal plasma during the third trimester of pregnancy

The passage of nucleated cells between mother and fetus is well recognized [Lo et al. 1989, 1996]. As well as, cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma or serum is at present widely investigated as a source of fetal genetic material [Stanghellini et al., 2006] [18]. There has been much recent interest in the use of DNA derived from plasma or serum [Boland, 1996]. This DNA can be utilized for molecular diagnosis as well as prenatal sex discernment. To establish an easy, reliable, and completely safe method for fetal gender determination alternative to conventional exhausting current techniques applied in gynecologic hospitals and clinics, besides its further applications in forensic casework. EDTA-Blood samples were taken from 30 pregnant women all in the third trimester of pregnancy, then plasma was separated from each sample, from which DNA was isolated using a QIAamp DNA Mini Kit, with special modifications done in the extracting procedure to concentrate and obtain minute quantities of fetal DNA, together with maternal DNA, from maternal plasma. In addition, bloodstain samples were taken from the husbands of women who were pregnant with male fetuses from which DNA was isolated using a QIAamp DNA Micro Kit for comparison. DNA quantification was done using a Real-time PCR utilizing Quantifier Duo Kit. PCR was done using an AmpFlSTR Y-Filer Kit, then amplified products were typed using a 3130 Genetic Analyzer. Full and partial Y-STR profiles [6-17 STR loci] were obtained from all plasma samples taken from pregnant women with male fetuses, while negative Y-STR profiles [no single STR locus]: were obtained from all plasma samples taken from pregnant women with female fetuses It is recommended to use Y-STR profiling as an alternative technique for fetal gende determination during the third trimester of pregnancy, in addition to its significance in forensic cas work

Induction of DNA damage and GADD45beta gene mutation in zebra fish [danio rerio] due to environmentally relevant concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals

Zebra fish were exposed to environmentally relevant concentration of pesticides and metals for a period of 14 days. The individual and the combined toxicity of pesticides and metals were studied. Damage caused to the DNA and induction of mutation in the GADD45beta gene was investigated in this study. The present investigation revealed that exposure of zebra fish to pesticides and metals induced DNA damage and also mutation in the GADD45beta gene. The pesticides treated group [III] showed significantly higher damage followed by metals treated group [II]. The DNA damage was comparatively less in the pesticides and metals exposed group [IV]. GADD45beta gene which is considered to be one of the most important gene involved in G phase arrest, has been found to be mutated in zebra fish when exposed to metals and pesticides. The comparison of amplified gene sequence of GADD45beta gene with the sequence of the zebra fish retrieved from the NCBI confirmed the mutation in the gene sequence of zebra fish treated with pesticides and metals. The induction of DNA damage in fish due to contaminants may lead to mutations, which contribute towards the multistage carcinogenesis process

Bioaccumulation of metals in muscle, liver and gills of six commercial fish species at Anaikarai Dam of River Kaveri, South India.

Metals are an inherent component of the environment that pose a potential hazard to human beings and animals. The consumption of fish from the polluted site may result in bioaccumulation of persistent pollutants in ultimate recipient of the food web. In the present investigation muscle tissue, gill and liver of six species of fish collected from Anaikarai dam (11°8’N latitude and 79°27’E longitude) of River Kaveri, South India were analyzed to study the metal accumulation in various tissues. The mean concentrations of Co, Cr, Mn and Zn were found to be higher in gills, but Cu, Ni and Fe were more in liver of all fishes. The mean concentrations of Cr (11.8 μg g-1), Mn (4.4 μg g-1) and Fe (139 μg g-1) in the muscle were exceeding the permissible limit of FAO and WHO which is 1, 0.5 – 1.2 and 1.0 – 4.5 μg g-1 for Cr, Mn and Fe respectively. The fish Parastromateus niger has shown higher concentration of zinc in all the tissues and thus it can be used as a bioindicator species for zinc pollution in aquatic environment.

In situ Carica papaya stem matrix and Fusarium oxysporum (NCBT-156) mediated bioremediation of chromium.

Removal of heavy metal chromium was carried out using the fungus Fusarium oxysporum NCBT-156 strain isolated from soil of leather tanning effluent in in situ condition using potassium dichromate solution with 10 per cent Czapek-dox liquid medium. Biosorbent matrix was developed using Carica papaya plant dry stem to colonize the fungal strain to facilitate bioabsorption process. Bioabsorption of chromium was by metabolically mediated intracellular accumulation process. Maximum efficiency of chromium removal by biosorption upto 90 per cent was achieved at the end of 5th day of incubation (120 h of contact time) for 100 and 200 ppm concentration, upto 80 per cent for 300 and 400 ppm, and upto 65 per cent for 500 ppm to 1000 ppm concentrations with pH ranging from 5.8, 5.6, 5.5, 5.4 and 5.2, respectively for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500-1000 ppm concentration. SDS-PAGE protein profile showed significant difference in 34 kDa protein band after chromium absorption by the fungus. ftir spectroscopic analysis revealed that the main functional groups involved in the uptake of chromium by F. oxysporium strain were carbonyl, carboxyl, amino and hydroxyl groups.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by actinomycete Streptomyces viridogens strain HM10.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by Streptomycetes from Himalayan Mountain was undertaken for the first time. Out of 10 actinomycete strains tested, four strains (D10, HM10, ANS2 and MSU) showed evidence for the intracellular biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles, among which the strain HM10 showed high potency. Presence of spherical and rod shaped gold nanoparticles in mycelium of the strain HM10 was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The average particle size ranged from 18-20 nm. UV spectral analysis indicated that the reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) occurred within 24 h of reaction period. Further, the strain HM10 showed enhanced growth at 1 and 10 mM concentration of HAuCl4. The gold nanoparticles synthesized by the strain HM10 showed good antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli in well-diffusion method. The potential actinomycete HM10 strain was phenotypically characterized and identified as Streptomyces viridogens (HM10). Thus, actinomycete strain HM10 reported in this study is a newly added source for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles.