Aims: The presents study examines the purification and characterization of a chitinase from S. maltophilia SJ602 strain isolated from a soil sample collected from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. Methodology and Results: The purification steps included chitin affinity using colloidal chitin as the affinity matrix and column chromatography using Sephadex G-100. The chitinase was purified to 66 fold having a yield of 17%. The molecular weight of the chitinase was found to be around 29 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The pH and temperature optima of the purified chitinase were found to be at pH 5.5 and 60 °C, respectively. Conclusion, Significance and Impact of the study: Besides showing a significant yield, the enzyme has a high thermal stability which has its applicability in the recycling of chitin waste.

Background: Distal biceps tendon ruptures are rare injuries that predominantly affect active men between the fourth and sixth decades, with a higher incidence in weightlifters and bodybuilders. This study aimed to comprehensively review cases involving distal biceps tendon ruptures, focusing on sociodemographic factors (such as sex, age, occupation, and smoking status), injury mechanisms, postoperative outcomes, and recorded complications. Methods: This retrospective review examines distal biceps injuries at Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust NHS Hospital from 2017 to 2023. Analyzed data encompasses demographic information, injury mechanisms, clinical findings, and complications. Outcomes were assessed using the range of movement and Elbow Oxford Score. Results: The average age of 73 patients (72 men and 1 woman) was 45.6 ± 9.4 years, with 75.3% falling between 36 and 55 years.Manual workers represented 46.6%, and 9.6% reported comorbidities and 6.8% steroid use. Lifting heavy objects and sports injuries were the predominant causes, constituting 43.8% and 13.7%, respectively. Most injuries (91.8%) involved complete tears, and most underwent acute surgery within the initial 4 weeks (84.9%). The most common complications were heterotopic ossification (23.3%) and neurological injury (16.4%). Ongoing weakness and fatigue were reported by 6.8%. At final follow-up, 75.7% of patients demonstrated a range of movement comparable to the contralateral side. However, 13.7% had a limited pronationsupination arch with a mean loss of 20° ± 14°, 11% had an extension lag with a mean of 15° ± 7°, and 2.7% showed a 10° flexion loss compared to the contralateral side. Conclusions Distal biceps injuries are rare but lead to substantial functional loss without operative treatment. Surgical repair yields positive functional outcomes. Our study aligns with existing literature, emphasizing a predominance of middle-aged men and manual workers. It underscores the impact of corticosteroids and smoking, highlights surgical efficacy, and advocates for increased research in distal biceps injury prevention and treatment understanding.

Background: Distal biceps tendon ruptures are rare injuries that predominantly affect active men between the fourth and sixth decades, with a higher incidence in weightlifters and bodybuilders. This study aimed to comprehensively review cases involving distal biceps tendon ruptures, focusing on sociodemographic factors (such as sex, age, occupation, and smoking status), injury mechanisms, postoperative outcomes, and recorded complications. Methods: This retrospective review examines distal biceps injuries at Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust NHS Hospital from 2017 to 2023. Analyzed data encompasses demographic information, injury mechanisms, clinical findings, and complications. Outcomes were assessed using the range of movement and Elbow Oxford Score. Results: The average age of 73 patients (72 men and 1 woman) was 45.6 ± 9.4 years, with 75.3% falling between 36 and 55 years.Manual workers represented 46.6%, and 9.6% reported comorbidities and 6.8% steroid use. Lifting heavy objects and sports injuries were the predominant causes, constituting 43.8% and 13.7%, respectively. Most injuries (91.8%) involved complete tears, and most underwent acute surgery within the initial 4 weeks (84.9%). The most common complications were heterotopic ossification (23.3%) and neurological injury (16.4%). Ongoing weakness and fatigue were reported by 6.8%. At final follow-up, 75.7% of patients demonstrated a range of movement comparable to the contralateral side. However, 13.7% had a limited pronationsupination arch with a mean loss of 20° ± 14°, 11% had an extension lag with a mean of 15° ± 7°, and 2.7% showed a 10° flexion loss compared to the contralateral side. Conclusions Distal biceps injuries are rare but lead to substantial functional loss without operative treatment. Surgical repair yields positive functional outcomes. Our study aligns with existing literature, emphasizing a predominance of middle-aged men and manual workers. It underscores the impact of corticosteroids and smoking, highlights surgical efficacy, and advocates for increased research in distal biceps injury prevention and treatment understanding.

Background: Distal biceps tendon ruptures are rare injuries that predominantly affect active men between the fourth and sixth decades, with a higher incidence in weightlifters and bodybuilders. This study aimed to comprehensively review cases involving distal biceps tendon ruptures, focusing on sociodemographic factors (such as sex, age, occupation, and smoking status), injury mechanisms, postoperative outcomes, and recorded complications. Methods: This retrospective review examines distal biceps injuries at Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust NHS Hospital from 2017 to 2023. Analyzed data encompasses demographic information, injury mechanisms, clinical findings, and complications. Outcomes were assessed using the range of movement and Elbow Oxford Score. Results: The average age of 73 patients (72 men and 1 woman) was 45.6 ± 9.4 years, with 75.3% falling between 36 and 55 years.Manual workers represented 46.6%, and 9.6% reported comorbidities and 6.8% steroid use. Lifting heavy objects and sports injuries were the predominant causes, constituting 43.8% and 13.7%, respectively. Most injuries (91.8%) involved complete tears, and most underwent acute surgery within the initial 4 weeks (84.9%). The most common complications were heterotopic ossification (23.3%) and neurological injury (16.4%). Ongoing weakness and fatigue were reported by 6.8%. At final follow-up, 75.7% of patients demonstrated a range of movement comparable to the contralateral side. However, 13.7% had a limited pronationsupination arch with a mean loss of 20° ± 14°, 11% had an extension lag with a mean of 15° ± 7°, and 2.7% showed a 10° flexion loss compared to the contralateral side. Conclusions Distal biceps injuries are rare but lead to substantial functional loss without operative treatment. Surgical repair yields positive functional outcomes. Our study aligns with existing literature, emphasizing a predominance of middle-aged men and manual workers. It underscores the impact of corticosteroids and smoking, highlights surgical efficacy, and advocates for increased research in distal biceps injury prevention and treatment understanding.

Background: Distal biceps tendon ruptures are rare injuries that predominantly affect active men between the fourth and sixth decades, with a higher incidence in weightlifters and bodybuilders. This study aimed to comprehensively review cases involving distal biceps tendon ruptures, focusing on sociodemographic factors (such as sex, age, occupation, and smoking status), injury mechanisms, postoperative outcomes, and recorded complications. Methods: This retrospective review examines distal biceps injuries at Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust NHS Hospital from 2017 to 2023. Analyzed data encompasses demographic information, injury mechanisms, clinical findings, and complications. Outcomes were assessed using the range of movement and Elbow Oxford Score. Results: The average age of 73 patients (72 men and 1 woman) was 45.6 ± 9.4 years, with 75.3% falling between 36 and 55 years.Manual workers represented 46.6%, and 9.6% reported comorbidities and 6.8% steroid use. Lifting heavy objects and sports injuries were the predominant causes, constituting 43.8% and 13.7%, respectively. Most injuries (91.8%) involved complete tears, and most underwent acute surgery within the initial 4 weeks (84.9%). The most common complications were heterotopic ossification (23.3%) and neurological injury (16.4%). Ongoing weakness and fatigue were reported by 6.8%. At final follow-up, 75.7% of patients demonstrated a range of movement comparable to the contralateral side. However, 13.7% had a limited pronationsupination arch with a mean loss of 20° ± 14°, 11% had an extension lag with a mean of 15° ± 7°, and 2.7% showed a 10° flexion loss compared to the contralateral side. Conclusions Distal biceps injuries are rare but lead to substantial functional loss without operative treatment. Surgical repair yields positive functional outcomes. Our study aligns with existing literature, emphasizing a predominance of middle-aged men and manual workers. It underscores the impact of corticosteroids and smoking, highlights surgical efficacy, and advocates for increased research in distal biceps injury prevention and treatment understanding.

Objective: To evaluate a novel polyherbal formulation (BSVT) containing the standardized extracts from the leaves of Boerhavia diffusa, Solidago virgaurea, Vitex negundo, and thymoquinone in CCl4 induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Methods: A total of 36 rats were divided into six groups including normal control, CCl4 (2 mL/kg, i.p.), CCl4 (2 mL/kg, i.p.) + Cystone? (750 mg/kg p.o.), CCl4 (2 mL/kg, i.p.) + BSVT (25 mg/kg, p.o.), CCl4 (2 mL/kg, i.p.) + BSVT (50 mg/kg, p.o.), and CCl4 (2 mL/kg, i.p.) + BSVT (100 mg/kg, p.o.). All treatments were given for four weeks. Serum levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, total protein, serum urea, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were assessed. Superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and glutathione peroxidase were evaluated in tissue homogenate. The histopathological study of liver and kidney tissues was also done. Results: Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, serum urea, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were significantly elevated (P<0.001) while total protein was considerably reduced in the CCl4 group as compared to the normal control (P<0.001), which indicated hepatorenal toxicity. In addition, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly decreased (P<0.001) while malondialdehyde levels were increased markedly (P<0.001). Treatment with BSVT formulation recovered these parameters towards a normal level in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: BSVT formulation ameliorates the hepatorenal toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, clinical studies are required to confirm its efficacy.

Background: Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is one of the most daunting challenges a physician faces in such settings. Among AUFI, rickettsial infections are most common and related infections (such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Q fever) which are caused by an unusual type of bacteria that can live only inside the cells of another organism. The present study was therefore planned with an objective to estimate the prevalence of rickettsial infection among patients of undifferentiated fever and to determine any association of socio-demographic characteristics with rickettsial disease. Materials and Methods: Patients presenting with febrile illness and admitted or attending out-patient department of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar was approached and recruited in the study. Weil Felix Assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay were done to detect the anti-rickettsial antibodies. Serological evidence of a fourfold increase in IgG-specific antibody titer reactive with spotted fever group rickettsial antigen by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assays between paired serum specimens was considered a confirmatory diagnosis for the rickettsial disease. Results: Most of the patients were males 61.6%, and most 46.2% were in the age group of 20 -39 years. Most of the patients, 80.8% belonged to rural areas, and 48% belonged to the upper middle (II) class of the socio-economic class according to modified Kuppuswamy scale. Of the studied participants, a majority, 47.0%, were determined undiagnosed, while 15.4% studied participants were diagnosed to have a rickettsial disease. In patients positive for typhus group, 67.8% were IgM positive, 28.5% were IgG positive, and only 3% were positive for IgM and IgG. In patients positive for Scrub Typhus Group, 32.7% were positive for IgM, and 62.0% were positive for IgG, and only 5.0% were positive for both IgM and IgG. In patients positive for spotted fever group, 36.1% were positive for IgM, and 58.5% were positive for IgG, and only 5.5% were positive for both IgM and IgG. The prevalence of rickettsial disease was found to be 11.3%. Conclusion Rickettsial diseases, typhoid and brucellosis, were the most prevalent diseased diagnosed among patients reporting to hospitals with undifferentiated febrile illness.Clinicians must consider rickettsial diseases as one of the differential diagnosis while treating patients with fever.

Background: Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is one of the most daunting challenges a physician faces in such settings. Among AUFI, rickettsial infections are most common and related infections (such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Q fever) which are caused by an unusual type of bacteria that can live only inside the cells of another organism. The present study was therefore planned with an objective to estimate the prevalence of rickettsial infection among patients of undifferentiated fever and to determine any association of socio-demographic characteristics with rickettsial disease. Materials and Methods: Patients presenting with febrile illness and admitted or attending out-patient department of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar was approached and recruited in the study. Weil Felix Assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay were done to detect the anti-rickettsial antibodies. Serological evidence of a fourfold increase in IgG-specific antibody titer reactive with spotted fever group rickettsial antigen by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assays between paired serum specimens was considered a confirmatory diagnosis for the rickettsial disease. Results: Most of the patients were males 61.6%, and most 46.2% were in the age group of 20 -39 years. Most of the patients, 80.8% belonged to rural areas, and 48% belonged to the upper middle (II) class of the socio-economic class according to modified Kuppuswamy scale. Of the studied participants, a majority, 47.0%, were determined undiagnosed, while 15.4% studied participants were diagnosed to have a rickettsial disease. In patients positive for typhus group, 67.8% were IgM positive, 28.5% were IgG positive, and only 3% were positive for IgM and IgG. In patients positive for Scrub Typhus Group, 32.7% were positive for IgM, and 62.0% were positive for IgG, and only 5.0% were positive for both IgM and IgG. In patients positive for spotted fever group, 36.1% were positive for IgM, and 58.5% were positive for IgG, and only 5.5% were positive for both IgM and IgG. The prevalence of rickettsial disease was found to be 11.3%. Conclusion Rickettsial diseases, typhoid and brucellosis, were the most prevalent diseased diagnosed among patients reporting to hospitals with undifferentiated febrile illness.Clinicians must consider rickettsial diseases as one of the differential diagnosis while treating patients with fever.

Three mesoporous silica excipients (Syloid? silicas AL-1 FP, XDP 3050 and XDP 3150) were formulated with a model drug known for its poor aqueous solubility, namely phenylbutazone, in an attempt to enhance the extent and rate of drug dissolution. Although other forms of mesoporous silica have been investigated in previous studies, the effect of inclusion with these specific Syloid? silica based excipients and more interestingly, with phenylbutazone, is unknown. This work reports a significant enhancement for both the extent and rate of drug release for all three forms of Syloid? silica at a 1:1 drug:silica ratio over a period of 30 min. An explanation for this increase was determined to be conversion to the amorphous form and an enhanced drug loading ability within the pores. Differences between the release profiles of the three silicas were concluded to be a consequence of the physicochemical differences between the three forms. Overall, this study confirms that Syloid? silica based excipients can be used to enhance dissolution, and potentially therefore bioavailability, for compounds with poor aqueous solubility such as phenylbutazone. In addition, it has been confirmed that drug release can be carefully tailored based on the choice of Syloid? silica and desired release profile.

A plethora of paraneoplastic syndromes have been reported as remote effects of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, there is a dearth of data pertaining to the association of this cancer with demyelinating neuropathies. Herein, we describe the case of a young woman diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and prednisone did not improve her condition, and her neurological symptoms worsened. Subsequently, she was readmitted with exertional dyspnea, lightheadedness, malaise, and black stools. Colonoscopy revealed a necrotic mass in the ascending colon, which directly invaded the second part of the duodenum. Pathologic results confirmed the diagnosis of locally advanced CRC. Upon surgical resection of the cancer, her CIDP showed dramatic resolution without any additional therapy. Patients with CRC may develop CIDP as a type of paraneoplastic syndrome. Clinicians should remain cognizant of this potential association, as it is of paramount importance for the necessary holistic clinical management.