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Microalgae are considered potential feedstocks to generate biodiesel; however, the area requires further refinement and metabolic engineering to enhance productivity along with cost reduction. Our ...

Context: Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disrupting chemical, is of widespread use in manufacturing of plastic products. Documenting ill health effects of BPA has led the plastic industrialists to replace BPA by its alleged safer alternative, bisphenol S (BPS). BPS belongs to the same chemical family and shares endocrine disrupting properties with BPA. Aims: We compared the effects of 28-day exposure of BPA and BPS on body weight changes, organ histology, and relative organ weight in rats. In addition, we detected BPA and BPS in the rat's blood serum. Settings and Design: Adult male albino rats were administered BPA (50 mg/kg/day) or BPS (50 mg/kg/day) or equivolume vehicle in different groups by oral gavage for 28 days. Subjects and Methods: The weight of each rat was noted at the commencement of the study and weekly afterward. On 29th day, the animals were sampled for whole blood and then sacrificed. The dissected out wet viscera were weighed and subjected to the standard protocol for histological examination. Serum samples were prepared and analyzed for the detection of BPA and BPS by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired and unpaired Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA test, and Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons were used, as required for statistical analysis, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Both BPA and BPS produced similar detrimental changes in body weight, histology of stomach, small intestine, lung, and kidney, and relative organ weight of lung and kidney. BPA and BPS detected in the serum of rats were nearly 45 times of the control. Conclusions: Present data suggest caution about the application of BPS as a substitute of BPA.

The investigation first time reports the efficacy of de-oiled algal biomass extract (DOABE) for mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella sp. MCC27 to enhance biodiesel production in open tray systems and in BioXpert-V2 software connected photobioreactor (PBR). The cultivation systems with addition of DOABE (PBR systems + DOABE and open tray system + DOABE) as media were tested for quality and quantity of biodiesel. The presence of organic carbon and low nitrogen in DOABE caused >2 folds higher biomass productivity and >4 folds enhanced lipid productivity for the cells cultivated in PBR system + DOABE and open tray system + DOABE as compared to control (i.e. BBM). Biochemical analysis of cells from both the systems revealed the decrease in total carbohydrates and protein contents. The FAMEs analyses showed vehicular quality biodiesel. PBR system + DOABE showed edge over open tray system + DOABE in terms of biomass productivity and lipid content. The physical properties of biodiesel produced from Chlorella sp. MCC27 were more close to the fuel standards (ASTM D6751), when cells were cultivated in open tray system + DOABE than in PBR system + DOABE. Collectively, this study highlights the use of DOABE as a low cost feedstock for enhancing vehicular quality biodiesel production from microalgae.

The explosion in urban population are increasing burdens on water and energy systems, which ultimately release harmful pollutants such as wastewater and toxic gases into the natural ecosystems. In order to eliminate these pollutants, the production of vehicular quality biodiesel along with the phycoremediation of wastewater using two different Chlorella species (Chlorella minutissima and Chlorella sorokiniana) was investigated. Both the Chlorella sp., due to their stress tolerance behavior showed higher growth rate, lipid content and biomass productivity, when cultivated in wastewater than in control. Chlorella sorokiniana exhibited 19.14% higher lipids than Chlorella minutissima, when cultivated in wastewater. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs)/biodiesel profiling has shown the decrease in poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with enhancement in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and oleic acid content. The physical properties of biodiesel derived from Chlorella sorokiniana, exceeded the existing biodiesel standards for USA and Europe e.g. the biodiesel (89.23 ± 0.21%; w/w of lipids) obtained from Chlorella sorokiniana, grown in wastewater was having lower cold filter plugging point (−6.22 °C), higher cetane number (47) and average oxidative stability (3.43 h). During the process, these Chlorella species have also removed total phosphate (TP), total nitrogen (TN), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) from wastewater. The removal efficiency of TOC was found to be 95% and 98% by Chlorella minutissima and Chlorella sorokiniana respectively. Overall, Chlorella sorokiniana grown in wastewater was found to be a better candidate for the biodiesel production together with phycoremediation of wastewater.

This integrated approach first time investigates the use of crude glycerol (CG), a primary by product of the biodiesel production, for heterotrophic cultivation of microalgae (namely, Chlorella sp.) in photobioreactor (PBR) to enhance biodiesel production. The glycerol was reported 28.5 ± 0.70% in CG, causing nearly two folds increase in biomass productivity (446.50 ± 1.50 mg L−1day−1) and nearly four folds enhanced lipid productivity (165.15 ± 0.55 mg L−1 day−1) for the algal cells cultivated in PBR with addition of CG (PBR+CG) system as compared to Bold's Basal media (BBM) used as control. The total lipid content (34.36 ± 0.51%) was also doubled for the cells grown in PBR+CG system than in BBM. The analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) profile by GC-MS showed reduction in total unsaturated fatty acids and poly unsaturated fatty acids, and increase in total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) for the biodiesel obtained from algal cells grown in PBR+CG system. Moreover, the physical properties estimation also specified higher cetane number (53.89) and average oxidative stability (3.41 h), which are comparable with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 fuel standards. This study demonstrates the potential of the use of CG for enhancing the low cost biodiesel production for vehicular transportation.

Introduction: Celiac Disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune mediated disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten. It is seen in genetically predisposed person and results in small intestine injury. Its aetiopathogenesis is not clear. Simple histopathology is not able to diagnose the disease many times. Aim: Aim of present study was to assess the prevalence of HLA DQ alleles and autoantibodies in diagnosis of the disease and association of DQ antigens with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and autoimmune hypothyroidism in CD patients. Materials and Methods: Total 100 cases of CD and 31 healthy controls were studied, within a period of January 2015 to Febuary 2016. Autoantibodies like ANA, anti-tTg, anti-TPO and anti-scl 70 were done by ELISA kits. HLA DQ typing was done in 44 cases of CD, 20 cases of CD with T1DM, 22 cases of CD with autoimmune thyroid disease and 31 healthy controls. HLA DQ typing was done by SSO hybridisation method by Mr. SPOT machine. Results: About 70% patients were children between 6 months to 20 years of age and female formed the maximum number of cases (60%). Anti-tTg ab was positive in all cases (100%), anti-Scl 70 Ab was positive in 25%, anti-TPO ab was found in 22% and ANA was positive in only 10% cases. Most frequent DQβ1 haplotype in CD were DQβ1*02:01 (45.5%, p

Filariasis is a major concern, particularly in endemic regions. The majority of patients harbouring the parasite may remain asymptomatic for years. Here, we present six patients who were sent for routine cytological examination to rule out neoplastic pathology, in whom cytology identified filarial infestation. The main purposes of our paper are to highlight the importance of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), a cheap and quick investigation to detect the microfilaria from tissue swelling and body fluids, and to point out that clinicians practising in endemic regions should always consider filarial infestation in patients presenting with longstanding swelling.

Current market trend and consumer's growing demand for healthy natural products have strengthened microalgae as an emerging source of nutrient rich natural food supplement. The constituents of food play a critical role in evolution of non-communicable disease and malnutrition. In this regard, microalgae based food products own positive health impacts and combating effects on non-communicable disease and malnutrition. These products appear as favourable sources of vitamins, minerals, proteins, functional lipids/poly unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids etc. Present study highlights microalgae based poly unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 i.e. alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid and omega-6 and its biosynthesis, production, applications in public health and economic analysis associated with its production. Poly unsaturated fatty acids are considered as one of the promising sources of human's diet and their optimal proportion (omega-3 to omega-6; 1:1 to 1:4) is essential for prevention of non-communicable disease and other chronic diseases. Microalgae based poly unsaturated fatty acids functions as an alternative to fish oil and possess number of benefits in terms of taste, no/reduced toxins accumulation and veganism nature over animal based oils. Moreover, microalgae produce higher amount of omega-3 in contrast to animal based oils, for instance; Isochrysis galbana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum produce closely ≥2 folds higher eicosapentaenoic acid and Crytthecodinium cohnii produce nearly ≥6 folds higher docosahexaenoic acid than cod liver oil. In contrast, terrestrial plant-based poly unsaturated fatty acids lack eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid. Thus, microalgae based poly unsaturated fatty acids represent compatible market for production of food and feeds products over fish and plant based poly unsaturated fatty acids. Current review provides critical examination of the literature investigating application of microalgae based functional lipids as dietary and nutraceutical supplement to improve public health. In addition, process economics and challenges have also been discussed in this paper.

The present study reports the use of Citrus limetta (CL) residue for cultivating Chlorella sp. mixotrophically to augment production of biodiesel. The cultivation of Chlorella sp. using CL as media was carried out by employing a fed-batch technique in open tray (open tray+CL) and in software (BioXpert V2)–attached automated photobioreactor (PBR+CL) systems. Data showed the limit of nitrogen substituent and satisfactory organic source of carbon (OSC) in CL, causing > 2-fold higher lipid content in cells, cultivated in both the systems than in control. For the cells grown in both the systems, ≥ 3-fold enhancement in lipid productivity was observed than in control. The total fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) concentrations from lipids extracted from cells grew in PBR+CL and in open tray+CL techniques were calculated as 50.59% and 38.31%, respectively. The PBR+CL system showed improved outcomes for lipid content, lipid and biomass productivity, FAME characteristics and physical property parameters of biodiesel than those obtained from the open tray+CL system. The physical property parameters of biodiesel produced from algal cells grown in PBR+CL were comparable to existing fuel standards. The results have shown lower cold filter plugging point (− 6.57 °C), higher cetane number (58.04) and average oxidative stability (3.60 h). Collectively, this investigation unveils the novel deployment of CL as a cost-effective feedstock for commercialisation of biodiesel production.

Diffuse serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) associated with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) is a rare finding reported previously in only three patients to the best of our knowledge. We herein present one such interesting report of a diffuse serous cystic adenoma (SCA) and co-existent PNET in a 25-year old lady who presented with abdominal pain for past 6 months. A triple-phase pancreatic protocol computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple cysts involving the entire pancreas. The cysts were thin walled, ranging from 2 to 8 cm in width, with no calcification or central scar that was confirmed at laparotomy. A frozen section revealed a neuroendocrine tumor and she underwent total pancreatectomy. Diffuse SCA with co-existent PNET infiltrating nerve bundles of the pancreatic parenchyma was made upon histopathology further verified by chromogranin-A immunostaining. The patient is insulin dependent and doing well at 2 years of follow-up. The origin of endocrine tumors from multipotent ductular stem cells has been suggested.

Among the renewable fuels, butanol has become an attractive, economic and sustainable choice because of cost elevation in petroleum fuel, diminishing the oil reserves and an increase of green house effect. Butanol can be derived from renewable sources by using the natural bio-resources and agro-wastes such as orchard wastes, peanut wastes, wheat straw, barley straw and grasses via Acetone Butanol Ethanol (ABE) process. On the other hand, butanol can be directly formed from chemical route involving catalysts also such as from ethanol through aldol condensation. This review presents extensive evaluation for the production of butanol deploying microbial and catalytic routes.

The microalgae biomass is emerging as a potential source of energy and bioproducts with several advantages over conventional crops in terms of its ability to produce ~300-times more renewable oil. Microalgae also have a high photosynthetic response, product accumulation rate and biomass production rate compared with other energy crops. Microalgae have the ability to grow on nonagricultural soil using wastewater instead of drinking water. Furthermore, microalgae have high capability to fix carbon dioxide from the environment. Microalgae-based bioproducts have different applications in pharmaceuticals, food and feed industries, and agricultural and transportation sectors. The key objectives covered in this review pertain to the role of microalgae to (i) maintain food chain, (ii) conservation of land and water resources in the environment with sequestration of CO2, (iii) production of energy in the form of biodiesel with zero waste, and (iv) simultaneous release of higher oxygen to the environment compared with other energy crops.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a biphasic low-grade malignant tumor that shows ductal structures lined by the ductal cells with surrounding myoepithelial cells. EMC is most commonly reported in the parotid gland followed by other major and minor salivary glands. EMC of the tongue is an extremely uncommon tumor, with only five previously published case reports. We herein report the sixth case of EMC of the tongue. A 40-year-old female who had throat pain, dysphagia, and right earache for 3 years showed a 4 cm × 4 cm nodular tumor at the base of her tongue. Histopathological and immunohistochemical features were diagnostic of EMC with cervical lymph node metastasis. The metastatic behavior of EMC of the tongue in the absence of myoepithelial anaplasia or high-grade histological features is unusual and reported in this case report for the first time.

Male breast cancers constitute less than 1% of all the breast cancers. Papillary carcinoma is a very rare tumour of the male breast. Due to rarity, Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) findings of papillary carcinoma in male breast are seldom reported. A 55-year-old male presented with a lump in the left breast of two years’ duration. FNAB was reported as fibroadenoma. Histopathological examination of the excised breast lump revealed invasive papillary carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed expression of pancytokeratin, oestrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor. Negative immunostaining was seen for HER2, p53, 34βE12, and CD34. Ki-67 proliferative index was 5%. We have discussed cytological findings of invasive papillary carcinoma and its differential diagnoses. Cytopathologists must be aware of cytologic findings of invasive papillary carcinoma of the male breast.

Introduction After the recent approval of Trastuzumab (anti-HER2 antibody) for the treatment of HER2 overexpressed Gastric Adenocarcinoma (GA), importance of HER2 testing is increasingly recognized. However, there is paucity of studies for HER2 overexpression in the Indian patients of GA. Similarly, study of p53 expression in the Indian patients of GA is infrequent. Aim To study immunohistochemical expression of HER2 and p53 in GA biopsy samples. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional observational study. The expression of HER2 and p53 by immunohistochemistry were analyzed in 50 cases of GA. The HER2 expression was scored as negative (0 and 1+), equivocal (2+), and overexpression (3+). The p53 expression was quantified as negative (0-9% tumour cells) and positive (≥10% tumour cells). The intensity of p53 expression was assessed as strong and weak. Results Mean age of the patients was 56.8±14.8 years. Male:female ratio was 2:1. Histological types of adenocarcinoma were intestinal (68%), diffuse (28%), and indeterminate (4%). HER2 overexpression and equivocal results were present in 10% cases, each. Overall, a positive expression of p53 was seen in 72% (strong and weak intensities: 66.7% and 33.3% cases, respectively). Conclusion As compared to HER2 overexpression, a higher incidence of p53 expression was seen (10% vs.72%) in GA.

Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder is a rare tumour derived from chromaffin tissue of the sympathetic nervous system. Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder especially the non-functional type is often misdiagnosed as urothelial cancer. Two female patients aged 32 years and 45 years presented with painless haematuria without any symptoms of catecholamine excess. Radiological investigations revealed urinary bladder tumour. The tumour was removed by transurethral resection in both the patients. Histopathological diagnosis was paraganglioma, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Complete resection of tumour by transurethral approach is curative in paraganglioma of the urinary bladder. We hereby, also discuss the salient features of nonfunctional paraganglioma of the urinary bladder.

A 3-year-old girl presented with multiple episodes of vomiting, fever, and hematemesis for the past 2 months. Except for hemoglobin, her rests of the laboratory tests were unremarkable. Her barium X-ray showed absence of the duodenal bulb and the C-loop. Her endoscopy showed deformed stomach with multiple ulcers and diverticuli. The gastric outlet was not visualized. Distal gastrectomy with gastro-duodenal anastomosis was performed. Histopathological findings revealed transmural dense infiltrates of eosinophils, consistent with eosinophilic gastritis.

A 72-year-old male presented with urinary symptoms. His serum prostate specific antigen level was 65.2 ng/ml. His radical prostatectomy specimen showed clear cell lesion reminiscent of the clear cell renal cell carcinoma along with acinar type of prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score 4 + 4. The lesional clear cells were positive for pancytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, CD10, vimentin, and AMACR while negative for 34βE12, CK7, prostate specific antigen, and PAX8. The final diagnosis was renal-type clear cell carcinoma of the prostate. A follow-up of 20 months did not show metastasis. We herein report fifth case of renal-type clear cell carcinoma of the prostate.

A 37-year-old man from eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, presented with 20 days of a painless swelling of the left testis. There was no history of trauma, fever, infertility, lymphadenitis, lymphangitis, or previous history of testicular tumor. On examination, the left testis measured 5×4 cm, and was found to be slightly enlarged, firm, and nontender on palpation (Figure 1 ). Palpation of the right testis and bilateral spermatic cords were unremarkable. There was no inguinal lymphadenopathy. His complete blood counts were within the normal limits; differential count showed 9% eosinophils (absolute eosinophil count = 870/μL). The patient was amicrofilaremic on peripheral blood smears examined at 10 am. Results for serum alpha-fetoprotein, β-human chorionic gonadotropin, and carcinoembryonic antigen were within normal limits. Ultrasonography of the left testis showed increased vascularity and presence of hypoechoic areas containing mottled hyperechogenicity (Figure 2 ). The right testis, bilateral epididymis, and bilateral spermatic cords were of normal size, shape, and echotexture. Considering clinical presentation, age, and radiological findings of the patient, a provisional diagnosis of the left testicular neoplasm (teratoma) was made, and he was advised to undergo orchiectomy. However, owing to the patient's refusal of the orchiectomy, trans-scrotal fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was done as a second line of investigation. Papanicolaou- and Giemsa-stained smears revealed a dense inflammatory infiltrate comprised of neutrophils, histiocytes, and occasional multinucleate giant cells along with many sheathed microfilarial larvae without nuclei at the tail tip (Figure 3 ). FNAC findings confirmed the diagnosis of filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti. There was no evidence of malignant cells or fungal elements in the smears examined. The final diagnosis was bancroftian filarial orchitis. The patient was prescribed a 14-day course of diethylcarbamazine.

Development of multidrug-resistant pattern in the bacterial community is a major threat to the society. Staphylococcus aureus is perhaps the pathogen of the greatest concern because of its inherent virulence, its ability to cause a diverse array of life-threatening situations and capacity to adapt to different environmental conditions. The aims of this study is to investigate the multidrug-resistant pattern of the coagulase-positive S. aureus isolated from nasal carriage, food, paper currency and wastewater samples. We had also studied the multiple antibiotic resistance index and in vitro production of β-lactamase. The study had found out 130 coagulase-positive S. aureus strains isolated from total of 595 samples such as anterior nares of preschool children (195), hospital nurses (100), drivers (76), food (86), wastewater (3) and paper currency (135) (Indian rupee). The biotypes pattern were as follows; A > D > B > C> UT. Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) value clearly defines the multidrug-resistant pattern of the S. aureus among different sources. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) of results obtained indicated that the difference in the antibiotic resistance observed in the 130 bacterial isolates against the 23 different antibiotics used in this study was statically significant (p

Objectives To assess incidence and volume of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) after chorionic villus sampling (CVS) by Kleihauer Betke test (KBT) and rise in maternal protein (MSAFP). Methods A prospective study was conducted on 61 cases requiring CVS. FMH due to CVS was assessed by KBT and MSAFP. Results Out of 61 cases, 60 (98.36%) cases showed FMH by MSAFP while all showed FMH by KBT. Median volume of FMH detected by MSAFP was 0.06 mL (25 to 75th interquartile (IQR) 0.01 to 0.12 mL) and by KBT was 0.45 mL (25 to 75th IQR 0.09 to 0.90). Mean volume of FMH detected by MSAFP was 0.1 + 0.1424 mL and by KBT was 0.58 + 0.637 mL. Significant FMH up to 0.1 mL was found in 20 (32.8%) and 45 (60.6%) by MSAFP and KBT respectively. Conclusion MSAFP and KBT are sensitive to detect FMH. KBT estimates more FMH than MSAFP. Fifty micrograms of anti-D is sufficient to cover FMH during CVS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare clonal disorder of unknown etiology and characterized by the proliferation of dendritic cells. LCH most commonly involves the bone followed by the skin and the lymph nodes. Recently, only a few cases of LCH with predominant lymph node involvement have been diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). A 2-year-old boy presented with generalized lymphadenopathy, fever, and cough. The patient had hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, and lytic lesions in the skull. FNAC from the largest submandibular lymph node showed features of LCH. The large cells of LCH showed positive immunostaining for S-100 protein on FNAC smears. Later, lymph node biopsy and immunohistochemistry against S-100 protein and CD1a confirmed the diagnosis of LCH. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and he is under regular follow-up. This case report highlights the importance of FNAC as a rapid and accurate investigation in the diagnosis of lymph node predominant LCH.