Imidacloprid degrading efficiency of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida MBSB-12 isolated from pesticide contaminated tea garden soil of Assam

Long-term use of toxic pesticides in agricultural grounds has led to adverse effects on the environment and human health. Microbe-mediated biodegradation of pollutants is considered an effective strategy for the removal of contaminants in agricultural and environmental sustainability. Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid class of pesticides, was widely applied insecticide in the control of pests in agricultural fields including the tea gardens of Assam. Here, native bacteria from imidacloprid contaminating tea garden soils were isolated and screened for imidacloprid degradation efficiency under laboratory conditions. Out of the 30 bacterial isolates, 4 were found to tolerate high concentrations of imidacloprid (25,000 ppm), one of which isolate MBSB-12 showed the highest efficiency for imidacloprid tolerance and utilization as the sole carbon source. Morphological, biochemical, and 16 S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing-based characterization revealed the isolate as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida MBSB-12. The isolate reduced 87% of extractable imidacloprid from the treated soil in 90 days compared to the control soil (without bacterial treatment). High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) analysis indicated imidacloprid breakdown to comparatively less harmful products viz., imidacloprid guanidine olefin [m/z = 209.0510 (M + H)⁺], imidacloprid urea [m/z = 212.0502 (M + H)⁺] and a dechlorinated degraded product of imidacloprid with m/z value 175.0900 (M + H)⁺. Further investigation on the molecular machinery of P. plecoglossicida MBSB-12 involved in the degradation of imidacloprid is expected to provide a better understanding of the degradation pathway.

Noncatheter-related bacteraemia due to Chryseobacterium indologenes in an immunocompetent patient

Chryseobacterium indologenes belongs to a group of nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli and is an uncommon human pathogen. It causes severe infections such as septicaemia and ventilator-associated pneumonia in immunocompromised patients or after prolonged hospitalisation. We report a case of a noncatheter-related bacteraemia in a 22-year-old immunocompetent female whose blood culture showed the growth of C. indologenes, identified by Vitek GNI system (bioMerieux, France). The patient responded to treatment with ciprofloxacin. The pathogenicity and virulence factors of C. indologenes remain unclear. This case indicates that C. indologenes might cause symptomatic disease in immunocompetent persons with otherwise no associated underlying risk factors.

Variations in the spatial distribution of gall bladder cancer: a call for collaborative action

Background:

The incidence of gall bladder cancers in this part of the world is high and the spatial variation in occurrence of gall bladder cancers can be identified by using geographical information system.

Materials and Methods:

Data set containing the address information of gall bladder cancer patients from the District of Kamrup, India was obtained from cancer registry of a regional cancer center. The data set consisted of patients registered during the period of January 2010 to December 2012. The ArcGIS 10.0 used for the present analysis and the population density map of the District was prepared by using LandScan, 2008™.

Results:

There were isolated areas with very high density of cases and low population density termed as “hot spots”. Alternatively there were areas with very high population density and lesser number of cases with gall bladder cancers.

Conclusion:

This type of an analysis using GIS provides evidence to conduct joint research by epidemiologists and specialists from environmental and geological sciences in tandem.

Addressing barriers to effective basal insulin therapy

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. It is a major health hazard particularly in developing countries like India due to the genetic susceptibility and changes in lifestyle. Glycaemic control is very poor in India as reflected by recent studies showing average HbA1c of > 9%. Insulin therapy is the mainstay of diabetes management. Currently available insulins have certain limitations. Modern insulin therapy needs to overcome these limitations to effectively achieve the optimal glycemic control. Hypoglycaemia is one of the important barrier which limits the use of insulin therapy and incidence of hypoglycaemia increases with increased variability in glucose lowering effects of Insulin when one tries to achieve stricter glycaemic targets. Fixed time administration is another important barrier, particularly for basal insulin administration that may affect the quality of life. Also the available basal insulins do not provide complete 24 hours control of fasting hyperglycaemia. Insulin degludec is designed to have a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect for more than 42 hours with less risk of hypoglycaemia. And it overcomes most of the issues with currently available basal insulins.

Fluorescence lifetime fluctuations of single molecules probe the local environment of oligomers around the glass transition temperature

Single molecule fluorescence experiments have been performed on a BODIPY-based dye embedded in oligo(styrene) matrices to probe the density fluctuations and the relaxation dynamics of chain segments surrounding the dye molecules. The time-dependent fluorescence lifetime of the BODIPY probe was recorded as an observable for the local density fluctuations. At room temperature, the mean fraction of holes surrounding the probes is shown to be unaffected by the molecular weight in the glassy state. In contrast, the free volume increases significantly in the supercooled regime. These observations are discussed in the framework of the entropic theories of the glass transition.

Food and feeding of Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus 1758)

The food and feeding behaviour of Amphiesma stolatum was studied. A total of 117 snakes were examined to analyse the diet composition. Ten live snakes were maintained in enclosure for evaluating the feeding habit, choice of food and rate of assimilation. The anurans constituted the major diet of the food spectrum. In captivity, fishes (fry), amphibians and reptiles were consumed by the snakes. A. stolatum exihibited Elaphe type of hunting behaviour. In most cases the snake struck the prey at its head. The assimilation rate with frog was highest.