Characterization of a thermostable protease from Bacillus subtilis BSP strain.

This study used conservative one variable-at-a-time study and statistical surface response methods to increase the yields of an extracellular thermostable protease secreted by a newly identified thermophilic Bacillus subtilis BSP strain. Using conventional optimization techniques, physical parameters in submerged fermentation were adjusted at the shake flask level to reach 184 U/mL. These physicochemical parameters were further optimized by statistical surface response methodology using Box Behnken design, and the protease yield increased to 295 U/mL. The protease was purified and characterized biochemically. Both Ca2+ and Fe2+ increased the activity of the 36 kDa protease enzyme. Based on its strong inhibition by ethylenediaminetetracetate (EDTA), the enzyme was confirmed to be a metalloprotease. The protease was also resistant to various organic solvents (benzene, ethanol, methanol), surfactants (Triton X-100), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Tween 20, Tween-80 and oxidants hydrogen per oxide (H2O2). Characteristics, such as tolerance to high SDS and H2O2 concentrations, indicate that this protease has potential applications in the pharmaceutical and detergent industries.

Life-threatening perforating brain injury by a rusty iron rod - A case report.

Background: When an object traverses through the cranium leaving behind both an entry and exit wound, it is called perforating brain injury. Perforating open brain injury is rare. A paucity of published literature on such cases and a lack of a standard management protocol pose significant challenges in managing such cases. Case Description: We present a case of a 24-year-old man who worked as a carpenter at the construction site. He slipped while working and fell from a height of 13 feet onto a rusty, vertically placed 3 feet iron rod located on the ground. Iron rod entered his body from the right upper chest, came out from the neck, and again re-entered through the right upper neck medial to the angle of the mandible and finally came out from the posterosuperior surface of the right side of the head. He presented to the emergency department in a conscious state, but his voice was heavy and slow-paced, and he showed signs of lower cranial nerve palsy on the right side. He underwent numerous radiological investigations. The iron rod was removed in the operation theater under strict aseptic precautions. On day 7 after surgery, he developed right lobar pneumonia, and on day 21, he developed an altered sensorium, followed by a loss of consciousness. He did not regain consciousness and, unfortunately, succumbed after 30 days of sustaining the injuries. Conclusion: Perforating open brain injuries are rare, especially in civilian society, and are usually associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Due to a lack of standard guidelines for managing such severe injuries and limited knowledge, many patients with these injuries do not survive. Although each case presents differently, certain management principles must be followed.

The therapeutic effect of bromocriptine as mesylate and estradiol valerate on serum and blood biochemistry of common quails.

Hematology and serum biochemistry study may provide antique knowledge about the physical status of individuals, making them a valuable tool to differentiate healthy animals from affected animals. We aimed to investigate Steroid safety levels in birds through ex-situ studies at regular therapeutic doses. A total of 100 birds were used for hematology and serum biochemistry. This study was designed into 2 trials over the summer and winter, each comprised 5, 10, 15, and 20 d. Each study group was based on 5 control group birds and 20 experimental group birds. A sum of 2 groups representing 2 different steroids trial groups was treated with therapeutic doses to the stretch of 5, 10, 15, and 20 d each season. A therapeutic dose of each of the steroids was given at the rate of 3 drops 2 times a day to each bird. Analysis of data reveals that steroids had severe effects on bird's (Coturnix coturnix) hematological parameters. In most trials, the hematological effects of bromocriptine as mesylate showed an increase in red blood cell count and white blood cell count. On the other hand, steroid estradiol valerate showed a decrease in these parameters. Effect of steroids on serum biochemistry profile indicate acute damage to vital organs, especially to liver and kidney, indicating an increase in cholesterol, total protein, albumin, urea, and uric acid. The overall effect of steroids on the bird's serum and biochemistry of quails were nearly similar but different only in their intensity.

Identification of Peptides as Novel Inhibitors to Target IFN-γ, IL-3, and TNF-α in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Autoimmune disorder is a chronic immune imbalance which is developed through a series of pathways. The defect in B cells, T cells, and lack of self-tolerance has been greatly associated with the onset of many types of autoimmune complications including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The SLE is an autoimmune disease with a common type of lupus that causes tissue and organ damage due to the wide spread of inflammation. In the current study, twenty anti-inflammatory peptides derived from plant and animal sources were docked as ligands or peptides counter to proinflammatory cytokines. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 3 (IL-3), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were targeted in this study as these are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE in many clinical studies. Two docking approaches (i.e., protein-ligand docking and peptide-protein docking) were employed in this study using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software and HADDOCK web server, respectively. Amongst docked twenty peptides, the peptide DEDTQAMMPFR with S-score of -11.3018 and HADDOCK score of -10.3 ± 2.5 kcal/mol showed the best binding interactions and energy validation with active amino acids of IFN-γ protein in both docking approaches. Depending upon these results, this peptide could be used as a potential drug candidate to target IFN-γ, IL-3, and TNF-α proteins to control inflammatory events. Other peptides (i.e., QEPQESQQ and FRDEHKK) also revealed good binding affinity with IFN-γ with S-scores of -10.98 and -10.55, respectively. Similarly, the peptides KHDRGDEF, FRDEHKK, and QEPQESQQ showed best binding interactions with IL-3 with S-scores of -8.81, -8.64, and -8.17, respectively.

Behind the Scene: Surprises and Snags of Pseudogenes.

The junk DNA "pseudogenes," known as genomic fossils, are characterized by their ubiquitousness and abundance within the genomic structure. These genomics sets are recognized by the potential activity of meta-regulating the parent genes; these are transcribed into interfering RNA, consequently acting on miRNA concentration, thereby shedding light on the crosstalk of the pseudogenes' miRNA, siRNA, lncRNA/tumor therapy co-relationship. Moreover, an upcoming visualization regarding pseudogenes is under investigation, which describes the potentiality of pseudogenes as a fundamental component of cancerous evolutionary processing tools. Accordingly, here is a systematic review covering pseudobirth, pseudosignatures, and functional properties of pseudogenes, concluding that these pseudogenes are hypothetically predictive tumor therapies.

Combined laparoscopic and perineal approach for the management of recurrent tailgut cyst.

Tailgut cyst is an uncommon developmental anomaly arising from the embryonic hindgut in the retrorectal space. The patient frequently is asymptomatic or has vague perineal complaints that pose a diagnostic dilemma. Moreover, the patient is often misdiagnosed and therefore mismanaged. MRI is the investigation of choice for diagnosis. After the diagnosis is established, complete surgical excision is required to alleviate patient discomfort and to prevent complications such as infection, malignant transformation, and recurrence. Proper clinical examination and imaging not only establish the accurate diagnosis but also help in determining the best surgical approach for the patient (anterior abdominal, posterior sacral perineal, or combined approach). We hereby report a case of recurrent tailgut cyst managed with a combined anterior laparoscopic and perineal approach.

Expression and characterization of Coprothermobacter proteolyticus alkaline serine protease.

A putative protease gene (aprE) from the thermophilic bacterium Coprothermobacter proteolyticus was cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme was determined to be a serine protease based on inhibition by PMSF. Biochemical characterization demonstrated that the enzyme had optimal activity under alkaline conditions (pH 8-10). In addition, the enzyme had an elevated optimum temperature (60°C). The protease was also stable in the presence of many surfactants and oxidant. Thus, the C. proteolyticus protease has potential applications in industries such as the detergent market.

Factors affecting wound complications in head and neck surgery: A prospective study.

CONTEXT: Head and neck surgeries are complex. Wound complications are associated with considerable morbidity and can result in delay in the adjuvant treatment. Identification of factors will help in formulating preventive guidelines. AIMS: The aim of this study is to identify perioperative factors responsible for wound complications. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study of 186 head and neck patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pre-operative, intraoperative and post-operative factors were recorded. Each patient was evaluated for minor and major wound complications twice daily during the hospital stay. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test was used for univariate and log regression test was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The overall wound complication rate was 29% with 7% major and 22% minor complications. On univariate analysis, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal location, advanced T stage, poor oral hygiene, clean-contaminated surgery, low Karnofsky performance status (KPS), flap reconstruction, blood loss more than 1000 ml, perioperative blood transfusion, duration of surgery greater than 4.3 h and post-operative hemoglobin lesser than 11 g%, post-operative tracheostomy and resection of mandible were statistical significant factors. On multivariate analysis, post-operative tracheostomy, low KPS, post-operative serum albumin less than 3.7 g/dl and duration of surgery greater than 4.3 h were significant factors. CONCLUSION: Apart from unavoidable factors, it is essential to take care of certain factors viz nutrition, haemoglobin, oral hygiene, asepsis and repeating antibiotics in prolonged surgery.

Malignant coloduodenal fistulas-review of literature and case report.

Colo-duodenal fistula is an uncommon complication of malignant and inflammatory bowel disease. Presentation varies from upper abdominal pain, feculent vomiting and diarrhea associated with foul eructation's. Occasionally patients presents with gastro-intestinal bleed. The contact of duodenal bile salts with colonic mucosa frequently leads to diarrhea, so also duodenal colonization with colonic pathogens frequently leads to malabsorption and severe foul eructations. The diagnosis is established either by gastrointestinal contrast studies or contrast enhanced C. T. Scan. Gastroduodenoscopy can demonstrate the fistulous communication or direct invasion and it can also be helpful in obtaining a histological diagnosis. Surgical treatment includes Right Radical hemicolectomy combined with Pancreatico duodenectomy in operable patients and Intestinal bypass for inoperable ones. Right Radical hemicolectomy combined with wedge excision of Duodenum is a suitable alternative in select cases. We report an unusual case of locally advanced carcinoma hepatic flexure of colon with direct invasion of duodenum. Extended right radical hemicolectomy with wedge excision of second part of duodenum was done as an alternative to combined radical hemicolectomy with Pancreatico duodenectomy.

Agenesis of internal jugular vein a cause for concern.

Internal jugular vein is one of the major contributors to the venous drainage from the intracranial structures. Neck dissections which necessitates ligation of internal jugular vein leads to significant alteration of cerebrospinal fluid pressures in the range of three times for unilateral ligation to five times in cases of bilateral ligation. Agenesis of internal jugular vein merits concern prior to central venous cannulation and ligation during radical neck dissection for metastatic nodes in head and neck cancers.