Characterization of phyllosphere methylotrophic bacteria isolated from the groundnut and their impact on growth, yield and quality of the kernel

Aim: The present study was undertaken to characterize and evaluate the habitat adopted methylotrophic bacteria on groundnut growth and yield at field level.Methodology: Nine elite methylotrophic bacterial isolates were selected based on early plant growth promotion and quantified for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits along with one standard strain, Methylobacterium thiocyanatum DSM 11490T. Two field experiments were carried out with eleven different treatments arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Bacterial inoculant was applied as seed treatment as well as foliar application at 35 and 70 days after sowing. Plant growth and yield parameters were estimated periodically and after harvest. Results: All the tested isolates exhibited multiple PGP traits. In Vriddhachalam, the yield of groundnut was significantly higher in Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4 (1688.9 kg ha-1) followed by Paenibacillus hunanensis COG-4 (1675.8 kg ha-1) compared to un inoculated control treatment. In Tindivanam, yield content of groundnut was found significantly higher in Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4 (1678.6 kg ha-1) followed by Pseudomonas psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6 (1667.5 kg ha-1). In addition, Methylobacterium inoculation increased the kernel protein content as compared to the control treatment in both the field experiments. Interpretation: The results showed that Methylobacterium populi TMV7-4, Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4, Pseudomonas psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6 may be used as bio-inoculant for groundnut crop

A study on the clinical spectrum and electrocardiographic changes in scorpion sting envenomation

Background: Scorpion stings, though not a big problem in many developed countries, it is a major public health problem in underdeveloped and in some developing countries all over the world. Objectives was to study on the clinical spectrum and electrocardiographic changes in scorpion sting envenomation.Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care institute after obtaining the IEC clearance and informed consent from the patients for a period of 6 months from January 2018 to June 2018. All the patients admitted to the toxicology ward and general ward with scorpion envenomation during the study period were included in the study. A total number of 53 cases of scorpion envenomation and 20 healthy patients from the outpatient department of General medicine, were taken as controls.Results: Fifty-nine percent of the patients presented with Grade 1 envenomation, seven percent with Grade 2 and thirty four percent with Grade 3 envenomation. Local pain (83%) and tachycardia (19%) were the commonest presenting symptom and sign respectively. Sinus tachycardia (6%) was the commonest ECG abnormality seen in the study. There was statistical significance in the relationship between ECG change and biochemical marker CK-MB.Conclusions: Scorpion envenomation in adults needs to be studied to identify the high-risk groups and to assess the morbidity caused it. There was no mortality due to scorpion sting in the study period and significant correlation between the time delay and severity of envenomation was found which indicates a need for immediate medical care following scorpion sting.

Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala (an Indian Ayurvedic herbal formulation) and 0.2% chlorhexidine against Streptococcus mutans biofilm formed on tooth substrate: An in vitro study.

Background: Streptococcus mutans is one of the most important cariogenic species of the human oral microbial flora. Biofilm style of microbial growth thought to resist the actions of antimicrobials. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala, and 0.2% chlorhexidine against S. mutans biofilm formed on tooth substrate. Settings and Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: Extracted human mandibular premolars sectioned below the cemento‑enamel junction were placed in the tissue culture wells exposing the crown surface to S. mutans to form a biofilm. At the end of 3rd and 7th day, all groups were treated for 10 min with the test solutions and control and were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Statistical Analysis Used: One‑way ANOVA. Results: Qualitative assay with 3 days biofilm showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth with Triphala, but 0.2% chlorhexidine and saline showed the presence of bacterial growth. In quantitative analysis, 0.2% chlorhexidine and Saline treated tooth samples have shown 1052 × 104 ± 15.1 × 104 CFU/ml, 141.3 × 109 ± 2.1×109 CFU/ml, respectively. Qualitative assay with 7 days biofilm on crown portion showed dense growth when treated with 0.2% chlorhexidine and saline, whereas Triphala has shown minimal growth. In Quantitative analysis, Triphala showed statistically significant result when compared with 0.2% chlorhexidine and saline. Conclusion: Triphala showed statistically significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans biofilm formed on tooth substrate. The incorporation of Triphala in mouth rinse could prove to be effective in reducing S. mutans count in the oral cavity.

Peritoneal adhesions: pathogenesis, assessment and effects.

BACKGROUND: As modem surgery has evolved, there has been an increase in iatrogenic peritoneal adhesions. Most surgeons manage adhesions and their related complications on a regular basis. Studies in recent years have improved the understanding of the pathogenesis and impact of adhesions, which are discussed. METHODS: A systematic search of literature was performed to identify publications addressing the etiopathogenesis, clinical spectrum and effects of adhesions, using the following database: Medline (1966 to April 2005), Embase (1974 to April 2005), and the Cochrane controlled trials register. The reference lists of key publications so identified were in addition scrutinized for additional articles of relevance. RESULTS: Adhesions occur in more than three fourths of patients following laparotomy. Perironeal trauma results in a unique inflammatory process in which fibrin formation and fibrinolysis play a central role. The effects of adhesions are unpredictable but are wide ranging, causing a significant health care burden. Intestinal obstruction, infertility, problems at reoperative surgery and cumulative costs of care over many years are the key concerns. While adhesiolysis is beneficial in adhesive intestinal obstruction and infertility, its value in chronic pain is uncertain. CONCLUSION: Every violation of the peritoneum carries a potentially lifelong risk of a range of complications. Data available on the epidemiology and natural history of adhesions call for a wider acknowledgement of the problem in the planning of services and greater attention to preventive strategies.

Vascular nevi in children.

BACKGROUND: Vascular nevi are cutaneous anomalies of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis resulting in various different clinical presentations. AIM: The purpose of our descriptive study was to observe the various types of vascular nevi in children and their features. METHODS: A total of 4256 pediatric cases attending the dermatology OPD during the study period from August 2002 to August 2004 were screened for vascular nevi. RESULTS: Out of these, 19 children (0.44%) had vascular nevi-17 hemangiomas of infancy (HOIs) and 2 port-wine stains. The mean age of the affected children was 1.3 years (ranging from 2.5 months to 8 years). There were 13 girls and 6 boys. Seventeen (89.5%) patients had progressing lesions and two (10.5%) had non-involuting ones. A solitary lesion was seen in ten (52.6%) cases and two to five lesions were present in five (26.3%) cases. The nevi were distributed over multiple sites in seven (36.8%) cases, the head and neck in six (31.6%) cases, the chest and lower limb in two (10.5%) cases each, and the upper limbs and genitalia in one (5.3%) case each. Among the hemangiomas of infancy, 15 (88.2%) cases of superficial type and 2 (11.8%) cases of deep type were seen. The cutaneous complications included ulceration in four cases and infection in one. CONCLUSIONS: HOIs were the most common vascular nevi of childhood.