ABSTRACT Background: Blood transfusion-transmitted infections in individuals suffering from beta-thalassemia have been reported in Pakistan, but the information on their sociodemographic and clinical determinants is lacking. This study aims to describe the prevalence, as well as the factors, contributing in blood transfusion-transmitted infections. Method: Between December 2011 and December 2013, in a non-probable sampling, 350 thalassemia patients were recruited in Lahore, Multan, Karachi and Peshawar, Pakistan. Subjects were screened for transfusion-transmitted infections. Results: A seropositive rate of 36.5% was observed; males (94, 73.4%) and females (34, 26.6%). Among several risk factors associated with transfusion-transmitted infections, province (p = 0.001), gender (p = 0.003), age (p < 0.03), education (p < 0.00), degree of consanguinity (p = 0.05), age at fetal blood test (p = 0.005), fetal hemoglobin levels (p = 0.005), death due to thalassemia (p = 0.001) and iron-related complications (p = 0.04) showed significant correlation. Participants with an age >10 years were significantly more prone to seropositivity than those aged ≤10 years. Moreover, the ferritin level was also significantly higher in those aged >10 years than in those ≤10 years. It was observed that males had a higher seroprevalence rate (94, 73.4%) than females (34, 26.6%). The most prevalent transfusion-transmitted infections was the hepatitis C virus, with 115 cases (89.8%). Conclusion: A high prevalence rate of HCV in subjects with transfusion-dependent thalassemia is linked with insufficient facilities, poor management and compromised socioeconomic status. Therefore, more multicenter studies covering cities from different regions of the country are needed in order to develop preventive measurements at the regional and national level.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Socioeconomic disparities in the community make some groups more vulnerable to dengue infection. METHODS: Fourteen dengue cases (IgM positive) served as index cases for the positive geographic cluster investigations. RESULTS: Of 292 individuals, the overall dengue seroprevalence was 22.9% (IgM positive 4.8%; IgG positive 18.1%). The highest (45%) seroprevalence was reported in the most socioeconomically vulnerable lower class, followed by the middle class (39%). Orthogonal comparisons showed that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the prevalence of dengue. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated approach is required to control the menace through vector control strategies and improvement of socioeconomic conditions.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a complex disorder and has been increasing globally at alarming rates including Pakistan. However, there is scarce research on understanding obesity genetics in Pakistan. Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes in response to satiety and correlates with body weight. Any mutations in the LEP gene have an adverse effect on energy regulation pathway and lead to severe, early onset obesity. To date, only eight mutations have been described in the LEP gene of which p. N103K is one. METHODS: We aimed to analyze the prevalence of this mutation in Pakistani subjects. A total of 475 subjects were genotyped by PCR-RFLP analysis and their serum profiling was done. RESULTS: Results showed that this mutation was present only in one male child with early onset obesity (10 year). He had very low serum leptin levels suggestive of functional impact of the mutation. The prevalence of such mutations is, however, low due to the drastic effects on the energy regulation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, LEP gene mutations contribute significantly to the monogenic forms of obesity and are important due to the availability of treatment options. Such mutations may exert their effect by directly affecting energy regulation pathway and are more prominent in the early stages of life only.

Two Cr+6 reducing bacterial strains previously isolated from tannery effluents were used in the present study and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rb-I and Ochrobacterum intermedium (Rb-2) by 16S rRNA sequencing. Different biowaste materials (waste tea leaves, carrot juice pulp, dry leaves of eucalyptus and rice husk) were assessed for sorption / removal of Cr+6 from aqueous solution of K2Cr2O4. Feasibility of mono and mixed cultures of indigenous bacterial strains was evaluated for Cr+6 removal in conjunction with different biowaste materials. Among all tested biowastes materials, waste tea leaves showed optimum removal of Cr+6 from metal solution alone (77.1%) as well as in combination with bacterial strains (99.4%) after 720 minutes of contact time. Mixed culture of bacterial strains was found to be more efficient in Cr+6 removal than monoculture. The contact time of 720 minutes, pH 7, biomass concentration of 2.5 gram 100 mL-1 , 37°C and shaking speed of 100 rpm were found to be most optimum for optimum Cr+6 sorption alone as well as in combination with bacterial strains. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that carboxyl, amino and OH groups present on the waste tea leaves played a significant role in the binding of Cr+6 ions with the biomass. The present study is unique in this respect that this approach involve both living and non-living materials and we could not find any report documenting such findings up to our knowledge.

El género Leptolyngbya comprende cianobacterias filamentosas que son importantes en los campos de cultivo de arroz. En la rizosfera, las cianobacterias producen una variedad de metabolitos secundarios, tales como auxinas, que son importantes en el rendimiento de la agricultura del suelo. La cepa Leptolyngbya MMG-1, fue aislada de la rizosfera de plantas de arroz y se describe en este trabajo. La morfología de esta cepa se estudió por microscopía de luz, así como por microscopía confocal de barrido láser. Además, se estimó la capacidad de esta cepa para sintetizar el compuesto bioactivo auxina como se demostró en diversas condiciones de cultivo (diferentes cantidades de triptófano; pH; diferente luz alterna: períodos oscuros; duración de la incubación). La auxina se extrajo a partir del cultivo de la cepa Leptolyngbya MMG-1 y se identificó como ácido indol-3-acético (AA) por cromatografía de capa fina (TLC), así como por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC). Nuestros resultados mostraron que la cepa requiere el precursor de L-triptófano para la síntesis de IAA. La cepa Leptolyngbya MMG-1 acumula intracelularmente IAA. El IAA secretada por la cepa Leptolyngbya MMG-1 se correlacionó significativamente con la concentración inicial de L-triptófano en el medio, así como con la duración de la incubación. La bioactividad de la IAA secretada se determinó por su efecto sobre el patrón de enraizamiento de plantas de semillero de Pisum sativum. El sobrenadante del cultivo de la cepa Leptolyngbya MMG-1 estimuló el enraizamiento lateral en la plántula, mientras que se redujo la longitud de la raíz. Por lo tanto, la producción de auxina por Leptolyngbya rizosférica afectó el crecimiento de las plantas.

The genus Leptolyngbya comprises filamentous cyanobacteria that are important in rice fields. In the rhizosphere, cyanobacteria produce a variety of secondary metabolites such as auxins that are important in agriculture soil performance. To assess this, Leptolyngbya strain MMG-1, was isolated from the rhizosphere of rice plants and described. For this, the morphology of this strain was studied by light microscopy as well as by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Besides, the ability of this strain to synthesize an auxin-like bioactive compound was demonstrated under various culture conditions (different amounts of tryptophan; pH; different alternating light:dark periods; duration of the incubation). The auxin-like compound was extracted from the culture of Leptolyngbya strain MMG-1 and identified as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by thin layer chromatography (TLC) as well as by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our results showed that the strain required the precursor L-tryptophan for the synthesis of IAA. Leptolyngbya strain MMG-1 accumulated IAA intracellularly. The IAA secreted by Leptolyngbya strain MMG-1 was significantly correlated with the initial concentration of L-tryptophan in the medium, as well as with the duration of the incubation. The bioactivity of the secreted IAA was determined by its effect on the rooting pattern of Pisum sativum seedlings. The culture supernatant of Leptolyngbya strain MMG-1 stimulated the seedling lateral rooting, while it decreased root length. Hence, rhizospheric Leptolyngbya produced auxin under different conditions and affected the plants rooting pattern. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (3): 1251-1260. Epub 2014 September 01.

Chromium pollution is produced in connection with industrial processes like in tanneries. It has been suggested that bioremediation could be a good option for clean up. The stress effect of variable chromate levels, pHs and growth temperatures on biochemical parameters of two Cr(VI) reducing bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rb-1 and Ochrobactrum intermedium Rb-2 was investigated. Transmission electrone microscopy (TEM) was performed to study the intracellular distribution of Cr(VI). It was observed that initial stress of 1000 µgmL-1 caused significant enhancement of all studied biochemical parameters at pH 7.0 and growth temperature of 37 °C showing great bioremediation potential of the strains. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the distribution of chromium precipitates was not uniform as they were distributed in the cytoplasm as well as found associated with the periplasm and outer membrane. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the possible involvement of carboxyl, amino, sulpohonate and hydroxyl groups present on the bacterial cell surface for the binding of Cr(VI) ions. Cr(VI) stress brought about changes in the distridution of these functional groups. It can be concluded that the investigated bacterial strains adjust well to Cr(VI) stress in terms of biochemical parameters and along that exhibited alteration in morphology.

An indigenous Streptomyces isolate CTF9, exhibiting promising antifungal activity against Mucor miehei and Candida albicans in pre-screening studies, was investigated by cultivation in a 50-L fermenter and by subsequent isolation, purification, and structure elucidation of the active metabolites. Based on the morphological, biochemical, and physiological characterization, as well as the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the isolate CTF9 was identified as Streptomyces malachitofuscus. Using a series of chromatographic techniques, two pure compounds were isolated from the obtained extracts after the fermentation of the isolate CTF9. The isolated compounds were identified as phenylacetic acid and indolyl-3-lactic acid by mass spectrometry (MS) and NMR analysis. The culture optimization studies revealed that the isolate CTF9 can use a variety of low-cost carbon and nitrogen sources to generate the maximum quantity of industrially important metabolites at an elevated temperature of 35°C and at a pH 7.8.

Eleven salt tolerant bacteria isolated from different sources (soil, plants) and their transformed strains were used to study their influence on Triticum aestivum var. Inqlab-91 growth under salt (100 mM NaCl) stress. Salt stress caused reduction in germination (19.4%), seedling growth (46%) and fresh weight (39%) in non-inoculated plants. In general, both wild and transformed strains stimulated germination, seedling growth and fresh weight in salt free and salt stressed conditions. At 100 mM NaCl, Staphylococcus xylosus ST-1 caused 25% increments in seedling length over respective control. Soluble protein content significantly enhanced (49%) under salt stress as compared to salt free control. At 100 mM NaCl parental strain PT-5 resulted about 32% enhancement in protein content over respective control treatment. Salt stress induced the promotion of auxin content in seedlings. Overall, Bacillus subtilis HAa2 and transformed E. coli-SP-7-T, caused 33% and 30% increases in auxin content, respectively, were recorded under salt stress in comparison to control.

Reemerging infections occur due to resistant bacteria. Such infections create restrictions for clinicians and microbiologists in drug selection. Such problems demand new strategies for solution. Use of bacteriocins for this purpose may be fruitful. In the present research work, the inhibitory effects of bactericins on cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli are used as model system for the control of antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria. Cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli strain was isolated from pus by using conventional methodology. For bacteriocin production, Lactobacilli strains were selected by using selective media. Out of seventy two strains isolated from yogurt, fecal materials of human, chick, parrot and cat, only two strains (strain 45 and strain 52) were found to produce bacteriocins having antimicrobial potential against cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli. Biochemical characterization showed that strain 45 belonged to group of Lactobacillus fermentum and strain 52 to Lactobacillus acidophilus. Both strains showed maximum growth at 25°C and 35°C respectively. Suitable pH was 5.5 and 6.0 for Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus acidophilus respectively. Bacteriocins produced by both strains were found stable at 50, 75 and 100°C for 60min. Function of bacteriocin was also not disturbed due to change in pH. These findings suggest that bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus acidophilus can be used for the infection control of cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli.