MyMedR

Isolation and characterization of arsenic resistant bacteria from wastewater

Abbas SZ, Riaz M, Ramzan N, Zahid MT, Shakoori FR, Rafatullah M

Braz J Microbiol, 2014;45(4):1309-15.

The present study proposed the isolation of arsenic resistant bacteria from wastewater. Only three bacterial isolates (MNZ1, MNZ4 and MNZ6) were able to grow in high concentrations of arsenic. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of arsenic against MNZ1, MNZ4 and MNZ6 were 300 mg/L, 300 mg/L and 370 mg/L respectively. The isolated strains showed maximum growth at 37 °C and at 7.0 pH in control but in arsenite stress Luria Bertani broth the bacterial growth is lower than control. All strains were arsenite oxidizing. All strains were biochemically characterized and ribotyping (16S rRNA) was done for the purpose of identification which confirmed that MNZ1 was homologous to Enterobacter sp. while MNZ4 and MNZ6 showed their maximum homology with Klebsiella pneumoniae. The protein profiling of these strains showed in arsenic stressed and non stressed conditions, so no bands of induced proteins appeared in stressed conditions. The bacterial isolates can be exploited for bioremediation of arsenic containing wastes, since they seem to have the potential to oxidize the arsenite (more toxic) into arsenate (less toxic) form.

Bilateral central vein stenosis in a dialysis patient with a pacemaker

Yew KL, Anderson S, Farah R, Lim SH

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann, 2014 Oct;22(8):979-80.

PMID: 24887840 DOI: 10.1177/0218492313491583

Central vein stenosis is not uncommon in hemodialysis-dependent patients as a result of mechanical damage to the vessel walls from prior cannulation. It can cause ipsilateral upper limb swelling and pain, resulting in suboptimal hemodialysis. It is unfortunate for bilateral central vein stenosis to develop concomitantly, and rare in the setting of an in-situ pacemaker. This case illustrates the successful ligation of a nondependent left arteriovenous fistula and stenting of the right subclavian vein with functioning ipsilateral arteriovenous fistula, to overcome the problem of symptomatic bilateral upper limb swelling.

Fulltext Don't close the book on tocilizumab for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia-the jury is still out: The Kuwait experience

Al-Shamali Y, M Ali Y, Al-Shamali RA, Al-Melahi M, Al-Shammari FR, Alsaber A, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(8):e0254379.

PMID: 34428204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254379

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional observational study aims to report preliminary data from the first experience using tocilizumab for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in three of Kuwait's largest public hospitals City.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This chart review study examined the benefits of tocilizumab treatment among 127 patients diagnosed with severe coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

RESULTS: 90 of 127 patients (71%) survived. Mortality was highest in the elderly with multiple medical conditions.

CONCLUSION: Despite the small sample size and retrospective nature of the work, our findings are consistent with recent studies suggesting tocilizumab administration in patients presenting with severe COVID pneumonia with associated hyperinflammatory features conferred mortality benefit.

Evaluation of structure, quality, physicochemical properties, and phenolics content of pea proteins: A novel strategy through the incorporation of fermentation

Al-Qaisi A, Alrosan M, Almajwal AM, Gammoh S, Alu'datt MH, Kubow S, et al.

J Food Sci, 2024 Feb 05.

PMID: 38317408 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16946

The utilization of pea proteins (PPs) is limited due to their relatively low protein digestibility (∼81%) compared to animal-based proteins, such as whey. The present investigation involved the fermentation of PPs at a concentration of 1% (w/v) using 5% (w/v) water kefir for 60 h at 25°C to improve the functional properties of PPs. The results showed a significant (p

Trehalose-conjugated lentil-casein protein complexes prepared by structural interaction: Effects on water solubility and protein digestibility

Alrosan M, Madi Almajwal A, Al-Qaisi A, Gammoh S, Alu'datt MH, Al Qudsi FR, et al.

Food Chem, 2024 Jul 30;447:138882.

PMID: 38452537 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138882

The two limiting factors for lentil protein utilization are water solubility and digestibility. In this study, we utilized two non-thermal techniques: (1) protein complexation of lentil and casein proteins using the pH-shifting method and (2) protein conjugation with trehalose to produce trehalose-conjugated lentil-casein protein complexes (T-CPs) with enhanced water solubility and digestibility. The protein structure of the T-CPs was analyzed for secondary protein structure, conformation protein, and tertiary protein structure using Fourier-transform infrared, UV, and fluorescence spectroscopies, respectively. The surface hydrophobicity and surface charge of T-CPs solution at pH 7.0 changed significantly (P

Evaluation of digestibility, solubility, and surface properties of trehalose-conjugated quinoa proteins prepared via pH shifting technique

Alrosan M, Almajwal AM, Al-Qaisi A, Gammoh S, Alu'datt MH, Al Qudsi FR, et al.

Food Chem X, 2024 Jun 30;22:101397.

PMID: 38711772 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101397

Soluble trehalose-conjugated quinoa proteins (T-QPs) were effectively prepared using the pH-shifting mechanism. The structural properties of the T-QPs were evaluated using a comparative evaluation, which included analyzing the amide I, surface charge and hydrophobicity, protein conformation, thermal stability, and protein structures. The results suggested that the development of the T-QPs was influenced mainly by no-covalent bonds. These interactions significantly influenced (P

Fulltext Flash survey on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infections in paediatric patients on anticancer treatment

Hrusak O, Kalina T, Wolf J, Balduzzi A, Provenzi M, Rizzari C, et al.

Eur J Cancer, 2020 06;132:11-16.

PMID: 32305831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.03.021

INTRODUCTION: Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, it is known that the severe course of the disease occurs mostly among the elderly, whereas it is rare among children and young adults. Comorbidities, in particular, diabetes and hypertension, clearly associated with age, besides obesity and smoke, are strongly associated with the need for intensive treatment and a dismal outcome. A weaker immunity of the elderly has been proposed as a possible explanation of this uneven age distribution. Thus, there is concern that children treated for cancer may allso be at risk for an unfavourable course of infection. Along the same line, anecdotal information from Wuhan, China, mentioned a severe course of COVID-19 in a child treated for leukaemia.

AIM AND METHODS: We made a flash survey on COVID-19 incidence and severity among children on anticancer treatment. Respondents were asked by email to fill in a short Web-based survey.

RESULTS: We received reports from 25 countries, where approximately 10,000 patients at risk are followed up. At the time of the survey, more than 200 of these children were tested, nine of whom were positive for COVID-19. Eight of the nine cases had asymptomatic to mild disease, and one was just diagnosed with COVID-19. We also discuss preventive measures that are in place or should be taken and treatment options in immunocompromised children with COVID-19.

CONCLUSION: Thus, even children receiving anticancer chemotherapy may have a mild or asymptomatic course of COVID-19. While we should not underestimate the risk of developing a more severe course of COVID-19 than that observed here, the intensity of preventive measures should not cause delays or obstructions in oncological treatment.

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