Value-Added Utilization of Agro-Waste Derived Oil Palm Ash in Epoxy Composites

Oil palm ash(OPA)is an agro-industry waste and it has disposable problems.In the present study,an effort was made for value addition to OPA by incorporating it as a micro-filler in different concentration(0,10,20,30,40,and 50%)and sizes(100,200,and 300 mesh size particles)in the epoxy matrix.Prepared micro OPA was having a crystallinity index of 65.4%,high inorganic elements,and smooth surface morphology.Fabricated composites had higher void content as compared to neat epoxy matrix.Mechanical properties of fabricated composites had a maximum value at 30%loading of 300 mesh-size filler due to its low void content and size as compared to filler of 100 and 200 mesh size.Further increase in the concentration of OPA filler after 30 wt%of loading leads to the agglomeration of OPA microparticles and thereby resulted in the reduction of mechanical characteristics such as tensile strength,tensile modulus,flexural strength and flexural modulus of the composites.However,elongation at break decreased with increase in filler content at all percentage.Thermal stability and char residue percentage of composite increased with the concentration of filler at all percentage.Surface morphology of composite showed that OPA incorporation lead towards its roughness and cracks were originated from the site of OPA embedded in the epoxy matrix.The 300 mesh-size particles were having the best effect on composite as compared to 100 and 200 mesh-size filler.

Isolation of a salt tolerant laccase secreting strain of Trichoderma sp. NFCCI-2745 and optimization of culture conditions and assessing its efectiveness in treating saline phenolic efuents

Most of the hazardous pollutants are phenolic in nature and persists in the environment. The ability of laccases to oxidize phenolic compounds and reduce molecular oxygen to water has led to intensive studies of these enzymes. Therefore the fungal strains with high laccase activity and substrate affinity that can tolerate harsh environmental conditions have a potential for biotechnological applications. Salt tolerant laccase secreting fungi can be utilized in treatment of saline and phenolic rich industrial effluents such as coir effluent and textile effluent that needed to be diluted several fold before microbial treatment. This is the first study describing the isolation and optimization of a salt tolerant strain of Trichoderma sp. potential for industrial applications. The fungus was identified based on morphological characteristics and was subsequently confirmed with molecular techniques and deposited at National Fungal Culture Collections of India （NFCCI） under the Accession No. Trichoderma viride NFCCI 2745. In contrast to other laccase secreting fungi, light conditions did not exert much influence on laccase production of this strain and salinity enhanced its laccase secretion. The fungus effectively removed the phenolic content of the textile effluent, coir-ret liquor and wood processing effluent within 96 hr of incubation. The tolerance of the fungus to high salinity and phenolic compounds makes this strain ideal for treating saline and phenolic rich industrial effluents.

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis with Renal Calculi Treated with Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Introduction: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) today has become the first line treatment for large renal stones. The infective complications of PCNL in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis EPN would be higher and be responsible for the increased morbidity. We retrospectively reviewed our hospital records of patients with EPN and renal stones undergoing PCNL, and assessed the outcome especially in relation to infection. Materials & Methods: The case records of all patients with EPN and renal stones having undergone PCNL at our centre were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The age, gender, presenting symptoms, features of septicemia, preoperative drainage, post-operative complications and outcome were recorded. Results: During the study period, 12 patients (eight females and four males) with a mean age of years who were diagnosed to have EPN, underwent PCNL for extraction of renal calculi. All patients were initially managed conservatively;five patients underwent cystoscopy and Double J stent insertion on the affected side and seven patients underwent PCN insertion. Six weeks later, PCNL was performed (Urine culture was negative) undercover of appropriate antibiotics and general anaesthesia. Nine patients had Class II;two patients had class IIIb and one patient had class IV complications as classified by Clavien-Dindo. All patients recovered well and post-operative x-rays showed clearance of stone in all. Conclusions: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe, viable option in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis and renal calculi follows a period of conservative treatment and effective drainage of the pelvicalyceal system by either a ureteric stent or percutaneous nephrostomy. The calculi can be effectively managed with endoscopic measures with renal preservation and a good functional outcome.

Renal Replacement Lipomatosis—A Rare Benign Condition

Introduction: Renal replacement lipomatosis is a rare condition that occurs at the end of the spectrum of renal tissue replacement by fat. It is usually unilateral and occurs as a result of severe renal atrophy or destruction usually due to chronic calculus disease, chronic pyelonephritis and renal tuberculosis. The most commonly used diagnostic investigation remains CECT (contrast enhanced computed tomography) scan. Herein we report our series of patients with total renal replacement lipomatosistreated by nephrectomy. Materials & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our hospital data for cases of RRL, presented and treated during the period Jan. 2006-Dec. 2015. The age, gender, presenting symptoms, clinical and laboratory findings were noted. The indications for surgery, postoperative outcomes and complications were similarly noted and analyzed. Results: Five patients (three females and two males) with a mean age of 48.4 ± 3.2 years presented with symptoms of pain. Computed tomography (CT) in these patients showed the affected kidney to be completely distorted and replaced by ill-defined fatty attenuating lesion. Open nephrectomy was done in all these patients. Histo-pathological report (HPR) revealed features of RRL with renal calculi. Conclusions: Renal replacement lipomatosis is an uncommon entity, and one should have a high index of suspicion when dealing with suspicious lesions similar to xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Specific imaging, operative, and pathological differences may provide clues for the differential diagnosis.

Notes for genera:Ascomycota

Knowledge of the relationships and thus the classification of fungi,has developed rapidly with increasingly widespread use of molecular techniques,over the past 10–15 years,and continues to accelerate.Several genera have been found to be polyphyletic,and their generic concepts have subsequently been emended.New names have thus been introduced for species which are phylogenetically distinct from the type species of particular genera.The ending of the separate naming of morphs of the same species in 2011,has also caused changes in fungal generic names.In order to facilitate access to all important changes,it was desirable to compile these in a single document.The present article provides a list of generic names of Ascomycota(approximately 6500 accepted names published to the end of 2016),including those which are lichen-forming.Notes and summaries of the changes since the last edition of‘Ainsworth&Bisby’s Dictionary of the Fungi’in 2008 are provided.The notes include the number of accepted species,classification,type species(with location of the type material),culture availability,life-styles,distribution,and selected publications that have appeared since 2008.This work is intended to provide the foundation for updating the ascomycete component of the"Without prejudice list of generic names of Fungi"published in 2013,which will be developed into a list of protected generic names.This will be subjected to the XIXth International Botanical Congress in Shenzhen in July 2017 agreeing to a modification in the rules relating to protected lists,and scrutiny by procedures determined by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi(NCF).The previously invalidly published generic names Barriopsis,Collophora(as Collophorina),Cryomyces,Dematiopleospora,Heterospora(as Heterosporicola),Lithophila,Palmomyces(as Palmaria)and Saxomyces are validated,as are two previously invalid family names,Bartaliniaceae and Wiesneriomycetaceae.Four species of Lalaria,which were invalidly published are transferred to Taphrina and validated as new combinations.Catenomycopsis Tibell&Constant.is reduced under Chaenothecopsis Vain.,while Dichomera Cooke is reduced under Botryosphaeria Ces.&De Not.(Art.59).