Morphogenesis and Genetic Diversity of Some Virulent Phages Specific for Bacillus velezensis.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Phosphorus (P) is one of the most limiting nutrients for plant growth. Phosphorus deficiency is limiting crop production in many agricultural soils worldwide. The application of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) to soils can replace or partially reduce using of inorganic P fertilizers. A bacteriophage, or phage, is a virus that infects a bacterial cell, taking over the host cell's genetic material. The four phages were propagated, purified, studied for the morphological properties, finally studying the genetic diversity. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Obtained, examined the efficiency and identification of bacteria for solubilizing phosphorus. Isolation, studying the properties and studying genetic diversity. <b>Results:</b> Four virulent phages (Bv₁, Bv₂, Bv₃ and Bv₄) specific for <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> were isolated from the Egyptian soil. The <i>Bacillus</i> phages were purified by alternative low and high-speed centrifugation methods. Electron micrographs showed that phages appeared to be a member of the <i>Siphoviridae </i>family based on their structure and particle morphology (the particles have a head and long non-contractile tail). Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) technique was performed to determine the properties of viral proteins. It was found that the Bv₁ virus had five structural proteins, while Bv₂ and Bv₃ virus had eight structural proteins and finally, the Bv₄ virus had ten structural proteins. The purity and quantity of isolated DNAs were determined spectrophotometrically. Data showed that the concentration of Bv₁ DNA was 0.75 µg, Bv₂ DNA and Bv₃ DNA was 0.60 µg and finally Bv₄ DNA 0.55 µg µL¹. The analysis of genetic material of <i>B. velezensis</i> phages was determined based on both the ISSR-PCR technique and the effect of restriction enzymes. Data showed different amplification patterns with all phages. <b>Conclusion:</b> The bacteriophages of <i>B. velezensis</i> were isolated from soil, propagated, purified, study some of its properties.

Bilateral Renal Lymphangiectasia with No Significant Morbidity for Over 25 Years: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Renal lymphangiectasia is a rare benign disorder with unknown pathophysiology. Renal lymphangiectasia can affect both males and females with no known age predilection. Its diagnosis can be accomplished with radiological images and confirmed by aspiration of lymphatic fluid in certain cases. However, there is no clear presentation to be relied on, apart from incidental findings or presentation of complications, such as hypertension due to mass effect on the kidney or renal failure from chronic compression and obstruction or renal vein thrombosis. Management is directed toward symptomatic relief and protection of the kidneys from failure or obstruction. The timing of possible complications and the duration of conservative therapy are undetermined. CASE REPORT Here, we present a case of a healthy 39-year-old woman with bilateral renal lymphangiectasia. It was initially discovered and confirmed to be lymphangiectasia when she was 13 years old and underwent bilateral renal aspiration. She recently presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal symptoms that were found to be caused by diverticulitis. The radiological images showed the persistence of her previous diagnosis of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia. She has had the same condition for more than 25 years, with no related complications or further intervention beyond conservative management. CONCLUSIONS Renal lymphangiectasia has a benign long-term course with insignificant and minor effects in certain patients regardless of the considerable size of cysts and bilateral involvement of the kidneys. The findings of our case could reassure patients with a diagnosis of a similar condition.

HPLC-ESI- MS/MS analysis of beet (Beta vulgaris) leaves and its beneficial properties in type 1 diabetic rats.

The phenolic profile of the leaves of Beta vulgaris subspecies vulgaris variety rubra was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization high resolution mass spectrometric (ESI-HRMS-MS) detection. Mass spectrometry-based molecular networking was employed to dereplicate the known compounds. Twelve known compounds, seven of which are previously undescribed as constituents in the B. vulgaris leaves were dereplicated and assigned with various levels of identification confidence. The ameliorative effects of the aqueous methanolic extract of the leaves were assessed against alloxan induced diabetic rats. It was found that the extract significantly decreased (p < 0.001) serum glucose, lipid profile, ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and hepatic MDA levels; and significantly increased (p < 0.001) hepatic TAO and GSH; and down-regulated the expression of hepatic NF-κB versus the untreated diabetic groups, in a dose-dependent manner. In molecular docking, all identified compounds exhibited good glide score against the PPAR-É£ target, confirming the in vivo observed activities. In conclusion, B. vulgaris has immunomodulatory / antioxidant effects that could be helpful in slowing the progression of diabetic complications.

The prophylactic effect of a Eugenia aquea extract against oxidative stress and inflammation associated with the development of arthritis in an adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common human autoimmune disease. A petroleum ether extract of Eugenia aquea (E. aquea) was analyzed by GC/MS. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). An AIA rat model received orally/daily a vehicle, diclofenac (100 mg per kg b.w.), and E. aquea extract (50 or 100 or 200 mg per kg b.w.; for 21 days). Fifty-five out of 70 compounds (97.77%) were identified: eucalyptol (34.14%), α-pinene (15.91%), l-verbenone (8.01%), camphor (7.38%) and borneol (6.74%). In an acute oral toxicity study, the E. aquea extract did not show any toxic effects in rats at 2000 mg/ kg-1. Only a high dose of the E. aquea extract or diclofenac significantly alleviated (P < 0.05-0.001) all complications observed in arthritic rats, including body weight loss, articular/extra-articular oxidative injury and synovial joint inflammation by increasing food intake as well as improving the antioxidant defense system and inflammatory marker. The dose-dependent modulatory activity of the E. aquea extract was statistically significant. It was equivalent to and sometimes even better than that of diclofenac. The present study proved the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the E. aquea extract, which could be attributed to the presence of eucalyptol and α-pinene.

Iatrogenic submucosal tunnel in the ureter: a rare complication during advancement of the guide wire.

BACKGROUND: Inserting a guide wire is a common practice during endo-urological procedures. A rare complication in patients with ureteral stones where an iatrogenic submucosal tunnel (IST) is created during endoscopic guide wire placement. OBJECTIVE: Summarize data on IST. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study of patients treated from from October 2009 until January 2015. SETTING: King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with ureteral stones were divided to 2 groups. In group I (335 patients), the ureteral stones were removed by ureteroscopy in one stage. Group II (97 patients) had a 2-staged procedure starting with a double J-stent placement for kidney drainage followed within 3 weeks with ureteroscopic stone removal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Endoscopic visualization of ureteric submucosal tunneling by guide wire. RESULTS: IST occurred in 9/432 patients with ureteral stones (2.1%). The diagnosis in group I was made during ureteroscopy by direct visualization of a vanishing guide wire at the level of the stone (6 patients). In group II, IST was suspected when renal pain was not relieved after placement of the double J-stent or if imaging by ultrasound or intravenous urography showed persistent back pressure to the obstructed kidney (3 patients). The condition was subsequently confirmed by ureteroscopy. CONCLUSION: Forceful advancement of the guide wire in an inflamed and edematous ureteral segment impacted by a stone is probably the triggering factor for development of IST. Definitive diagnosis is possible only by direct visualization during ureteroscopy. Awareness of this potential complication is important to guard against its occurrence. LIMITATIONS: Relatively small numbers of subjects and the retrospective nature of the study.

Psoas Abscess Secondary to Urinary Tract Fungal Infection.

Psoas abscess is a rare condition where infection spreads from a nearby or distant septic focus to the psoas sheath. The causative bacterial organisms at distal sites reach the psoas via lymphatic or hematogenous spread, whereas infection from nearby sites that include the urinary system reaches the psoas directly. There are few reports that account for bacterial infection after endourological procedures as the cause of direct spread of infection to the psoas muscle.(2) We report a case of psoas abscess caused by fungal infection that spread from an injured left ureter to the psoas sheath.

Minimally invasive treatment of ureterovaginal fistula: A review and report of a new technique.

BACKGROUND: An iatrogenic ureterovaginal fistula (UVF) can be a consequence of difficult pelvic surgery. The patient must endure a long wait before having major surgery to reconstruct the injured ureter. Reports that address the minimally invasive treatment of UVF are limited, and are reviewed here. We introduce the concept of using a Memokath™ 051 stent (PNN A/S, Hornbaek, Denmark) as a promising minimally invasive approach for UVF. METHODS: We used PubMed, Science Direct, Google and the Cochrane Library to assemble appropriate evidence-based reference reports. The keywords used for the search were: 'Memokath', 'stent'; 'ureterovaginal fistula' and 'ureteral injury'. The review showed 42 relevant articles published up to September 2011. RESULTS: Ureteric stenting consistently stopped the vaginal leak of urine. The long-term results were not encouraging after removing the JJ stents at 3 months after insertion. Most patients had a recurrence of the vaginal leak of urine. The outcome was different with the Memokath stent, that remained in situ for a duration far exceeding that of the JJ stent. The Memokath stopped the vaginal leak of urine with no episodes of urinary tract infection and no evidence of stent migration. CONCLUSION: Long-term ureteric stenting has two advantages, in that it facilitates urine flow through the ureteric strictured segment down to the bladder, and it stops urine leakage along the fistula. It further promotes the resolution of the ureteric stricture and healing of the fistula. A duration of 3 months was inadequate when a JJ stent was used, whereas longer periods are possible with the Memokath stent. The optimum stenting period required for complete healing of a UVF remains to be defined. Long-term Memokath ureteric stenting can be an effective alternative and minimally invasive approach to conventional surgical repair in selected cases.

High-level serum B-cell activating factor and promoter polymorphisms in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which platelets are opsonised by autoantibodies and destroyed by macrophages. Therefore, ITP represents a prototype of a B-cell-mediated autoimmune disorder. B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor family and an important regulator of B-cell development. BAFF levels were determined in serum samples from 53 patients with ITP. Serum BAFF levels in patients with an active ITP were increased when compared with the healthy control group (median 1620 pg/ml vs. 977 pg/ml; P < 0.001). Moreover, immunosuppressive treatment was associated with strongly suppressed BAFF levels (median 629 pg/ml; P < 0.01). In addition, a polymorphic site was detected in the BAFF promoter region (-871) that appeared to occur more frequently in ITP patients than in healthy persons. This promoter variant was associated with very high BAFF levels in ITP patients. Our data suggest that BAFF is an important pathogenetic factor in the development of ITP.

Renal dysplasia with extrarenal calyces.

We describe a case of simple renal dysplasia with extrarenal calyces of the left kidney in a 2-year-old boy. Other anomalies also included pelviureteral junction obstruction and ectopic ureterocele on the same side, as well as grade V vesico-ureteral reflux on the opposite side.