Three dimensional typological studies using scanning electron microscopy for characterization of Termitomyces pellets obtained from submerged growth conditions.

There are gaps in existing understanding of fungal pellet growth dynamics. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological characterization of the biomass organization of Termitomyces pellets for seven species: T. microcarpus (TMI1), T. albuminosus (TAL1, TAL2), T. striatus (TSTR), T. aurantiacus (TAUR), T. heimii (THE1, THE2), T. globulus (TGLO) and T. clypeatus (TCL1, TCL2, TCL3, TCL4, TCL5). We assessed the utility of SEM for morphological and structural characterization of Termitomyces spp. in three dimensional (3D) pellet form to identify ideal pellet morphology for industrial use. Typological classification of Termitomyces species was based on furrows, isotropy, total motifs and fractal dimensions. The pellets formed were entangled and exhibited highly compacted mycelial mass with microheterogeneity and microporosity. The mean density of furrows of Termitomyces species was between 10,000 and 11,300 cm/cm2, percentage isotropy was 30-80 and total motifs varied from 300 to 2500. TGLO exhibited the highest furrow mean density, 11243 cm/cm2, which indicated a compact, cerebroid structure with complex ridges and furrows, whereas TAL2 exhibited the lowest furrow density. TMI1a exhibited a high percentage isotropic value, 74.6, TSTR exhibited the lowest, 30.9. Total motif number also was used as a typological classification parameter. Fractal values were 2.64-2.78 for various submerged conditions of Termitomyces species. TAL1 exhibited the highest fractal dimension and TAL2 the lowest, which indicates the complexity of branching patterns. Three-dimensional SEM image analysis can provide insight into pellet micromorphology and is a powerful tool for exploring topographical details of pellets.

Nutcracker Syndrome with Hypertension as an Unusual Initial Presentation.

Hypertension has been rarely reported in patients with the nutcracker phenomenon (NCP)/syndrome. We describe a case of a young adolescent female patient where a computed tomography angiography (CTA) provided evidence of left renal vein dilatation, probably due to its compression through the angle between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, during the evaluation of secondary hypertension. Blood levels of renin and aldosterone were within normal limits. Ultrasonography of the kidney showed minimal scarring on the left side. As there were no other signs of secondary hypertension, we proceeded with a CTA, which revealed findings compatible with the so-called NCP/syndrome.

Antimicrobial Screening of Actinobacteria using a Modified Cross-Streak Method.

Out of the 30 actinobacterial cultures screened for antimicrobial activity, 28 cultures were found to produce active products against various pathogenic microorganisms such as Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria and yeast, using a modified cross streak method. The modified method helped in easy quantification of results and also in ruling out probable mutual antibiosis. The actinobacterial strains that showed the ability to produce antimicrobial compounds belonged to Streptomyces (53%), Micromonospora (13%) and Actinomadura (10%) genera. Streptomyces sp. strain MMA-5 showed the highest multispecific antibiosis efficiency score value. Broad antibiotic spectrum activity was exhibited by Streptomyces sp. strain MMA-2 and Micromonospora sp. strain MMA-8. The multidrug resistant human pathogenic yeast strain Candida albicans was inhibited by 18 actinobacterial strains.

Ruptured degenerated uterine fibroid diagnosed by imaging.

BACKGROUND: We report a ruptured uterine leiomyoma presenting as an acute abdomen. We document computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging features of a ruptured uterine fibroid. CASE: A woman with a large anterior wall uterine fibroid underwent a dilation and curettage for a threatened abortion. She had an uneventful recovery. Three weeks later, she presented with peritonitis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging optimally depicted the ruptured fibroid and excluded other causes of acute abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy and myomectomy confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This is a report of a ruptured degenerated fibroid causing acute abdomen outside of pregnancy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging aided in correctly establishing the diagnosis and optimizing the management of this patient.

Protein intake in Indian haemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES: Aim of our study was to find out the amount of protein consumed by Indian haemodialysis patients. METHODS: Twenty patients with endstage renal disease on regular haemodialysis at a major urban dialysis centre in India had their Kt/V and nPCR measured monthly for 4 months utilising urea kinetic methods. RESULTS: Despite an adequate amount of dialysis per session being delivered to almost all of these patients (19 out of 20 had a Kt/V greater than 1.2) none of our patients had an nPCR greater than 1 gm/kg/day and only 4 patients i.e. 20% had a protein intake greater than 0.8 gm/kg/day which is a cut off point below which mortality has been shown to increase dramatically. Most of the patients had a protein intake between 0.7-0.8 gm/kg/day which is alarmingly low. Patients who consumed non vegetarian food at least thrice a week did appear to have a significantly higher protein intake compared to the rest of the patients. CONCLUSION: We believe that these results are likely to be representative of other dialysis centers in India and that an intensive effort at dietary education aimed at increasing the protein intake in our haemodialysis patients is urgently required. The morbidity and mortality of dialysis patients is high and perhaps appropriate dietary intervention can help to reduce this.

Magnetic resonance angiography.

The field of MRA has progressed to a stage at which several clinical applications are of obvious value, including the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms, venous disorders and disease of the carotid bifurcation. Additionally spin echo images are useful in studying the parenchyma and this together with MRA works to be an excellent diagnostic package in the presurgical workup of patients with cerebral vascular abnormalities. With further technical improvements, it seems likely that important applications of MRA will also be found in the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease, stenosis of the renal artery and ischemic heart disease. With the advent of fast imaging techniques like echoplanar imaging, the ability image the coronary and renal arteries accurately seems possible in the near future. At present, however the lack of optimal spatial resolution and the presence of flow artifacts precludes the use of this technique for imaging the vasculature with an accuracy comparable with conventional angiography. The advent for contrast 3-D CT angiography has resulted in a technique of studying the intracranial vessels immediately after assessing for the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is superior to MRA in demonstrating the actively filling and thrombused portions of giant, partially thrombused aneurysms and in planning the surgical approach in relation to bony landmarks. Though there are daunting obstacles, with continuous ongoing clinical research and the added inputs from a dramatically changing computer technology, MRA is all set to be an imaging study of great promise that may eventually replace diagnostic catheter angiography in most clinical situations.