Oblique-ilioischial Plate Technique: A Novel Method for Acetabular Fractures Involving Low Level Posterior Column

Background: Complex acetabular fractures involving the anterior and posterior columns are an intractable clinical challenge. The study investigated the safety and efficacy of oblique-ilioischial plate technique for acetabular fractures involving low level posterior column. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 18 patients operated with the oblique-ilioischial plate technique by the modified Stoppa approach (or combined with iliac fossa approach) between August 2016 and July 2021 for low level posterior column acetabular fractures was conducted. The anterior column was fixed with a reconstructed plate from the iliac wing along the iliopectineal line to the pubis. The low level posterior column was fixed with the novel oblique-ilioischial plate running from the ilium to the ischial ramus. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, reduction quality, and postoperative hip function were recorded.Results: Out of the 18 patients, 10 were male and 8 were female (mean age: 48.6±10.2 years, range: 45–62 years; mean interval from injury to operation: 7.2±1.4 days, range: 5–19 days; mean operative time: 2.1±0.3 h, range: 1. 0–3.2 hours; mean intraoperative blood loss: 300±58.4 mL, range: 200–500 mL). Postoperative reduction (Matta’s criteria) was deemed as excellent (n = 9), good (n = 4), and fair (n = 5). At the final follow-up, the hip function (modified Merle d’Aubigne-Postel scale) was deemed as excellent (n = 11), good (n = 3), and fair (n = 4). The mean union time was 4.5±1.8 months (range: 3–6 months). No implant failure, infection, heterotopic ossification, or neurovascular injury were reported. Conclusion: The oblique-ilioischial plate technique via anterior approach for acetabular fractures involving low level posterior column offers reliable fixation, limited invasion, little intraoperative bleeding, and fewer complications. However, larger multicenter control studies are warranted.

Determination of the Bacterial Compositions in the Bio-Drying Process of Sewage Sludge from Wastewater

The aim of this study is to determine the bacterial compositions during the bio-drying process of sewage sludge. Bio-dried products and sewage sludge were randomly collected from the Wupa wastewater/sludge treatment plant in Idu Industrial area Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. A mixture of sewage sludge and sawdust that were bio–dried and cured before this experiment were composition of the bio–dried product. The bacterial communities were analyzed in the laboratory using Pour Plate Technique to examine the total bacterial present in the sewage sludge bio-drying material (SSBM) and the bacterial were later isolated using other techniques like Oxidase test, Catalase test, Grams Staining technique and Spread Plate Technique. Evaporation of free water and water formation was determined by humidity gauge and moisture-oven drying method. From the results obtained, Acinetobacter was the most abundant bacterial during the initial and final thermophilic phases (43% and 37%) respectively. Bacillus was the most abundant amid the cooling stage (53%). The water evaporation and water generation rate were credited to the degradation of organic content of the SSBM and heat produced by bacterial activities. From this study, there is a clear indication that the bacterial density grades that increase the temperature of the SSBM during the bio–drying process reshaped the bacterial communities.

Cryopreservation of Arecanut (Areca catechu L.) Embryogenic Calli by V Cryo-plate Method

Aims: Arecanut, a perennial palm species of Arecaceae family, has huge commercial value, and is grown mainly for its masticatory nuts. The ever-increasing demand for uniform quality plantlets from growers necessitates putting in place In vitro mass multiplication and other crop improvement programmes. The present study was carried out to standardize the procedure for cryopreservation of embryogenic calli of arecanut, derived from immature inflorescence cultures, by vitrification based cryo-plate technique. Study Design: Completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kerala, India during 2019. Methodology: The embryogenic calli were precultured in Eeuwen's Y3 basal medium supplemented with sucrose (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 M) for three days. Explants were affixed on cryo-plates and later dehydrated using plant vitrification solution 3 (PVS3) for 30 min. Cryoplates were inserted in cryovials and cryopreserved. Explants with no cryostorage served as control. Explants were rewarmed quickly in a water bath (40ºC) for 2 min and treated with unloading solution and cultured on recovery medium. Results: The results showed 8-10 % recovery of embryogenic calli that resulted in normal plantlet production. The clonal fidelity studies, using Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) marker, showed no variation of cryopreserved calli in comparison to the original calli. Conclusion: This preliminary study demonstrated the successful use of vitrification (V) cryo-plate technique in cryopreservation of embryogenic calli of arecanut. With better recovery percentage, the optimal concentration of sucrose in the preculture medium was found to be 0.3 M. Desiccation in PVS3 solution for 30 min had no adverse effect.

Identification of a New Antimicrobial, Desertomycin H, Utilizing a Modified Crowded Plate Technique

The antibiotic-resistant bacteria-associated infections are a major global healthcare threat. New classes of antimicrobial compounds are urgently needed as the frequency of infections caused by multidrug-resistant microbes continues to rise. Recent metagenomic data have demonstrated that there is still biosynthetic potential encoded in but transcriptionally silent in cultivatable bacterial genomes. However, the culture conditions required to identify and express silent biosynthetic gene clusters that yield natural products with antimicrobial activity are largely unknown. Here, we describe a new antibiotic discovery scheme, dubbed the modified crowded plate technique (mCPT), that utilizes complex microbial interactions to elicit antimicrobial production from otherwise silent biosynthetic gene clusters. Using the mCPT as part of the antibiotic crowdsourcing educational program Tiny Earth®, we isolated over 1400 antibiotic-producing microbes, including 62, showing activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. The natural product extracts generated from six microbial isolates showed potent activity against vancomycin-intermediate resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We utilized a targeted approach that coupled mass spectrometry data with bioactivity, yielding a new macrolactone class of metabolite, desertomycin H. In this study, we successfully demonstrate a concept that significantly increased our ability to quickly and efficiently identify microbes capable of the silent antibiotic production.

Treatment with Buttress Plate Technique for Symptomatic Ulnar Styloid Base Nonunion

Background Surgical treatment options for symptomatic ulnar styloid base nonunion can be divided into two groups: styloid excision and styloid fixation methods. Styloid fixation is commonly performed using tension band wiring or distal ulna hook plate. However, these methods are more suitable for large styloids than small ones. For this reason, fixation of small styloids still remains a problem. Purpose To present the surgical details and results of patients operated using the buttress plate technique, due to the symptomatic ulnar styloid base nonunion. Patients and Methods In this study, 11 patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic ulnar styloid base nonunion using buttress plate technique were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were evaluated with the help of forearm and wrist range of motion, grip strength, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score and visual analogue pain score. Results The mean follow-up period was 15 months (range: 13–21 months). Union was achieved in 10 patients. At the final follow-up, the forearm supination and pronation active range of motions were significantly higher than those in the preoperative period, the visual analogue pain score mean value was 0.7 (range: 0–5), and the DASH score mean value was 7 (range: 1–32). Conclusion We conclude that good results can be achieved with the buttress plate technique in patients with both large and small fragmented ulnar styloid base nonunions and no distal radioulnar joint instability. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.

UJI EKSTRAK DAUN MENGKUDU (Morinda citrifolia L.) TERHADAP ZONA HAMBAT PERTUMBUHAN BAKTERI Escherichia coli SECARA IN-VITRO

Daun mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia L.) adalah salah satu obat tradisional yang digunakan sebagai obat diare, karena di dalam daun mengkudu mengandung senyawa kimia seperti terpenoid, flavonoid, saponin, dan antrakuinon yang berperan sebagai antibakteri. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh perbedaan konsentrasi ekstrak daun mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia L.) varietas Citrifolia terhadap zona hambat pertumbuhan bakteri Escherichia coli dan untuk mengetahui konsentrasi terkecil ekstrak daun mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia L.) varietas Citrifolia yang dapat menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri E. coli. Waktu dan tempat penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Maret sampai Mei 2016 di Laboratorium Mikrobiologi, Program Studi Pendidikan Biologi Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Universitas Galuh Ciamis. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode eksperimen. Desain penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL). Konsentrasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, dan 45% dengan empat kali ulangan. Pengujian ekstrak daun mengkudu terhadap zona hambat pertumbuhan bakteri E.coli ini dilakukan dengan teknik Cup-plate technique method (teknik sumur). Parameter yang diamati pada penelitian ini adalah ukuran diameter zona hambat bakteri E.coli, selanjutnya data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan menggunakan uji ANAVA satu faktor. Hasil dari analisis di dapat bahwa Fhitung > Ftabel, maka kesimpulannya adalah terdapat pengaruh perbedaan konsentrasi ekstrak daun mengkudu varietas Citrifolia terhadap zona hambat bakteri E.coli, dan konsentrasi 20% dengan rata-rata diameter zona hambat 7,35 mm merupakan konsentrasi terkecil atau konsentrasi hambat minimum ekstrak daun mengkudu varietas Citrifolia yang mampu menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri E.coli. Kata kunci: Ekstrak daun mengkudu varietas Citrifolia, Bakteri E.coli, Zona Hambat, KHM.