Automated Recognition of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites from Portable Blood Levitation Imaging

In many malaria-endemic regions, current detection tools are inadequate in diagnostic accuracy and accessibility. To meet the need for direct, phenotypic, and automated malaria parasite detection in field settings, a portable platform to process, image, and analyze whole blood to detect Plasmodium falciparum parasites, is developed. The liberated parasites from lysed red blood cells suspended in a magnetic field are accurately detected using this cellphone-interfaced, battery-operated imaging platform. A validation study is conducted at Ugandan clinics, processing 45 malaria-negative and 36 malaria-positive clinical samples without external infrastructure. Texture and morphology features are extracted from the sample images, and a random forest classifier is trained to assess infection status, achieving 100% sensitivity and 91% specificity against gold-standard measurements (microscopy and polymerase chain reaction), and limit of detection of 31 parasites per µL. This rapid and user-friendly platform enables portable parasite detection and can support malaria diagnostics, surveillance, and research in resource-constrained environments.

Multiparametric biophysical profiling of red blood cells in malaria infection

Biophysical separation promises label-free, less-invasive methods to manipulate the diverse properties of live cells, such as density, magnetic susceptibility, and morphological characteristics. However, some cellular changes are so minute that they are undetectable by current methods. We developed a multiparametric cell-separation approach to profile cells with simultaneously changing density and magnetic susceptibility. We demonstrated this approach with the natural biophysical phenomenon of Plasmodium falciparum infection, which modifies its host erythrocyte by simultaneously decreasing density and increasing magnetic susceptibility. Current approaches have used these properties separately to isolate later-stage infected cells, but not in combination. We present biophysical separation of infected erythrocytes by balancing gravitational and magnetic forces to differentiate infected cell stages, including early stages for the first time, using magnetic levitation. We quantified height distributions of erythrocyte populations-27 ring-stage synchronized samples and 35 uninfected controls-and quantified their unique biophysical signatures. This platform can thus enable multidimensional biophysical measurements on unique cell types.

Medium optimization for the production of glucose isomerase from thermophilic Streptomyces thermonitrificans

A thermophilic strain of Streptomyces thermonitrificans produced a high activity of intracellular glucose isomerase (12 U/ml) when grown in a medium containing 1% (w/v) xylose, supplemented with 2% (w/v) sorbitol as the second carbon source, at 50°C for 16 h. Addition of Mg(2+) enhanced enzyme production but the organism could grow and produce the enzyme in the absence of Co(2+).

Determination of water quality index by fuzzy logic approach: a case of ground water in an Indian town

The paper proposes fuzzy logic model that deals with the physico-chemical water analysis of ground water of Chikhli town for determination of Water Quality Index (WQI). The study was carried by collection of ground water samples from about eleven hand pumps located in this town. Ground water quality is studied by systematic collection and analysis of samples. The fuzzy logic is used for the deciding the water quality index on the basis of which, water quality rankings are given to determine the quality of water. The Water Quality Index presented here is a unitless number ranging from 1 to 10. A higher number is indicative of better water quality. Around 81% of samples were found suitable for drinking purpose. It is also observed that all the parameters fall within the permissible limits laid by WHO, ISI, and ICMR, except Total Hardness, Calcium and Magnesium. The quality parameters were compared with standards laid by the World Health Organization (WHO), Indian Standards Institute (ISI) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for drinking water quality.

Nuclease Stn alpha from Streptomyces thermonitrificans: characterization of the associated adenylic acid preferential ribonuclease activity

Nuclease Stn alpha from Streptomyces thermonitrificans hydrolyses DNA and RNA at the rate of approximately 10:1. The optimum pH and temperature for RNA hydrolysis were 7.0 and 45 degrees C. The RNase activity of nuclease Stn alpha had neither an obligate requirement of metal ions nor was it activated in the presence of metal ions. The enzyme was inhibited by Zn2+, Mg2+, Co2+, and Ca2+; inorganic phosphate; pyrophosphate; NaCl; KCl; and metal chelators. It was stable at high concentrations of urea but susceptible to low concentrations of Sodium dodecyl sulfate and guanidine hydrochloride. The rates by which nuclease Stn alpha hydrolysed polyribonucleotides occurs in the order of poly A >> RNA >> poly U > poly G > poly C. The enzyme cleaved RNA to 3' mononucleotides with preferential liberation of 3'AMP, indicating it to be an adenylic acid preferential endonuclease.

Spontaneous expulsion of unusual tracheobronchial foreign body

An extremely rare case of long, thin and sharp pin in a young boy which was inhaled initially and defied removal at branchoscopy was eventually recovered in stool after a long and variable course through alimentary tract has been reported.

Extracellular deoxyribonuclease production by a thermophile, Streptomyces thermonitrificans

A thermophilic bacterial strain, Streptomyces thermonitrificans, produced high levels of extracellular deoxyribonuclease (DNase) when grown on NBG medium (containing 1% peptone, 0.3% beef extract, 1% glucose and 0.5% NaCl). Maximum DNase activity (140 U x ml(-1)) was obtained, in 24 h, when the culture was grown on modified NBG medium (containing 1.3% beef extract, 1% glucose, 0.5% NaCl and 50 microM Mn2+ at 45 degrees C. The crude enzyme showed higher activity on native DNA than on sonicated and heat denatured DNA. Moreover, addition of Mn2+ in the assay mixture resulted in a significant stimulation (10-15 fold) of the enzyme activity.

Spina bifida

Spina bifida is the most common central nervous system birth defect encountered by the pediatric neurosurgeon. It is defined by characteristic development abnormalities of the vertebrae and spinal cord and associated changes in the cerebrum, brainstem and peripheral nerves. The expression of spina bifida encompasses the entire central nervous system, ranging in severity from merely an absent spinous process with normal intraspinal structures to the other extreme of myelomeningocoele, Chiari malformation, hydrocephalus, and cortical cytoarchitectural changes. Most children with myelomeningocoele have some degree of weakness of their lower extremities and many have significant orthopaedic problems. As a result of denervation, muscle imbalance ensues and can result in abnormalities at the hip, knee and foot. Anesthesia of various portions of the skin can lead to pressure sores, particularly later in life. Anorectal neuropathy may cause a variety of defecatory dysfunctions. Urologic abnormalities are also common. These multisystem abnormalities associated with spina bifida contribute to its widely accepted identity as the most complex development defect compatible with long life.

Gastric volvulus in childhood

Gastric volvulus is an uncommon condition more so in the paediatric age group. The cause of gastric volvulus may be idiopathic or secondary to various congenital or acquired conditions. In this short series of three patients, one had volvulus which was due to ligamentous laxity and mobile spleen, second had congenital postero-lateral diaphragmatic defect and the third had hiatus hernia.

Cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver--a rare condition

Cystic Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the liver is a rare benign tumour of infancy. Congenital cysts of the liver are of two main types: mesenchymal hamartoma and non parasitic cysts. The latter are encountered frequently while liver hamartomas are rare. The first reported case of mesenchymal hamartoma was that of Maresch in 1903. In 1956 Edmondson reviewed the literature and proposed the term "Mesenchymal Hamartoma" as a new clinical entity. In this paper we are discussing a rare case of cystic mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver, its clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, options of management and reviewing the relevant literature.

Blastopathies--symmetrical conjoined twins

Conjoined twins are one of the rarest blastopathies, challenging the medical profession. The incidence in India is reported to be 1:60,000 pregnancies. This report records two cases of female conjoined twins. The sharing of various organs and complex cardiac anomalies encountered were very fascinating. Omphalopagus conjoined twins had only three lower extremeties, a common gastro-intestinal tract beyond the terminal ileum, crossed ectopia, hypoplastic kidneys and bicornuate uterus. The heart showed dextrocardia, A.S.D. and V.S.D. No attempt was made for surgical separation in this case. The second case was a thoracopagus, with the heart showing V.S.D., cor triatrium dexter with a posterior venous chamber. Surgical separation was attempted, but was unsuccessful. Both cases showed a single fused liver. The need for antenatal diagnosis and successful separation with good pre- and post-operative management is stressed.

Hepatic hemangioendothelioma of infancy with congestive cardiac failure--report of a case

A case of infantile hemangioendothelioma of the liver is reported in a 18 day-old male neonate. The neonate presented with CHF. He had hepatomegaly, but lacked the third component of the classical triad i.e. cutaneous hemangiomas. The S.A.F.P levels were raised to 920 ng/ml, though rise is rare in infantile hemangioendothelioma and led to the clinical diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. A left hepatic resection was performed, the histology showed a type I pattern of the tumor. This is known to be associated with a good prognosis. The baby is well post resection for a follow up period of six months.

The 3-loop technique: a reliable technique for anterior pubic fixation in bladder exstrophy

PURPOSE

In exstrophic anomalies the ultimate urological outcome largely depends on successful initial closure of the lower urinary tract and soft tissues. We believe that secure anterior pubic fixation is crucial for ensuring successful closure. After being dissatisfied with other methods of anterior pubic fixation we introduced the 3-loop method. The 3-loop technique and our experience with it are described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2 years 7 consecutive cases of bladder exstrophy were closed using the 3-loop technique. Patient age at closure ranged from newborn to 9 years.

RESULTS

In all 7 patients closure was successful and there was no cutting through of the wires, bony erosion, or erosion into the reconstructed bladder neck or urethra. The duration of postoperative traction was only 2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-loop method is useful and reliable for secure anterior pubic fixation of the pubes in bladder exstrophy patients and it contributes positively to the ultimate urological outcome.

Rectal duplication

Duplications of the alimentary tract are of a great rarity, particularly so in the rectum. Because of its rarity, the difficulty of making a correct diagnosis and of selection of proper approach for treatment, this entity bears a special significance. The present case report deals with a female newborn who presented with imperforate anus and a rectovestibular fistula and a mass prolapsing at the introitus. Complete excision of the mass was carried out through the perineal approach and the child then underwent, a PSARP for the correction of the rectal anomaly. Histology confirmed the mass to be a rectal duplication.

Spectrum of pediatric urolithiasis in western India

Of 1,211 patients with urolithiasis treated at this institution over a nine years period, there were 77 (6.4%) pediatric cases. The commonest age group was 6-10 years (55.8%). Male:female ratio was 7.6:1. Hindus constituted 72.7% of the patients. There was no significant seasonal variation. The commonest site was urinary bladder (67.5%). The upper: lower urinary tract stone ratio was 1:2.85. Majority belonged to the lower-middle or poor income groups having a cereal based diet with minimal or poor protein intake. The common constituents of stones were calcium (98.7%), oxalate (87%), phosphate (84.4%) and uric acid (76.6%). Of all these, uric acid had the richest concentration (grade of ++ or more) in 93.2%. Only 4 stones (5.2%) were "pure": calcium oxalate--3 and calcium phosphate--1; whereas 73 (94.8%) were mixed stones. Of these, 9 (11.7%) were "predominant" mixed stones, with only one constituent having rich concentration (grade of ++ or more) and all others being either trace or +. The rest 64 (83.1%) were "heterogenous" mixed stones having rich concentration of more than one constituent.

Intussusception in infancy and childhood: evaluation of a prognostic scoring pattern

This is a retrospective analysis of 82 patients of intussusception in infancy and childhood. Males were more than females in the ratio 2.4 : 1, the ages varied from 2 months to 12 years. Majority (73%) were less than 1 year old. Commonest presentations were pain, vomiting, distension, palpable lump and blood and mucus in stools. The management of these patients varied from barium enema reduction (3 cases), reduction by surgery and manipulation (59 cases) and resection with primary anastomosis (20 cases). We analysed our patients by giving scores based on clinical criteria. We concluded that the patients in our circumstances do not show any correlation of the scoring pattern with morbidity or mortality, chances of reduction by barium enema or manually. Resection, however, did correlate with a high incidence of death (75%). Resections were required slightly more in ileo-ileal intussusceptions than in those having a colonic involvement, morbidity in the form of wound dehiscence, and sepsis was higher in those patients who had undergone resections.

Retinal sensitivity in acute hypoglycemia

We measured retinal threshold sensitivity via automated computerized static perimetry in predetermined meridians in euglycemic diabetic subjects and in the same subjects during insulin-induced hypoglycemia. During periods of reduced blood glucose levels, decreased retinal sensitivity, most marked in temporal meridians, was observed.

Dimorphism of Benjaminiella poitrasii: isolation and biochemical studies of morphological mutants

The yeast-mycelium dimorphism of the genus Benjaminiella poitrasii has been investigated. To understand the mechanism of dimorphism two stable yeast-phase mutants (Y-1 & Y-2) and one slow growing mycelial mutant (M-1) of B. poitrasii were isolated after NTG treatment of parent strain spores and studied for their biochemical characteristics. Effects of (i) kind and concentration of carbon source, (ii) presence of complex organic nitrogen and (iii) C:N ratio in the growth medium on the morphology of parent and mutant strains were carried out at 28 degrees C under shaking conditions. Ethanol induced morphological change and its reversal were studied in all the strains in order to elucidate the possible mechanism of morphogenesis.

Nutritive value of Leucaena leucocephala for growing bull calves

Twelve cross-bred (Holstein X Gir) bull calves (11-12 months of age) were divided into two groups and fed over a 90 day period on two levels of leucaena. Animals in Group I were offered leucaena ad lib. whilst those in Group 2 received a restricted amount of leucaena plus a mixture of sorghum straw and molasses (75:25) fed ad lib. Digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre for leucaena are presented. The live weight gain was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in animals fed leucaena ad lib. than in those fed a restricted amount of the forage. The animals did not show any symptoms of toxicity during the experimental period.