Recent trends and advances in polyindole-based nanocomposites as potential antimicrobial agents: a mini review

Infections caused by multi-drug resistant microbes are a big challenge to the medical field and it necessitates the need for new biomedical agents that can act as potential candidates against these pathogens. Several polyindole based nanocomposites were found to exhibit the ability to release reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hence they show excellent antimicrobial properties. The features of polyindole can be fine-tuned to make them potential alternatives to antibiotics and antifungal medicines. This review clearly portrays the antimicrobial properties of polyindole based nanocomposites, reported so far for biomedical applications. This review will give a clear insight into the scope and possibilities for further research on the biomedical applications of polyindole based nanocomposites.

This review clearly portrays the antimicrobial properties of polyindole based nanocomposites, reported so far for antimicrobial applications and it gives clear insight into the scope and possibilities for further research on the biomedical application of polyindole based nanocomposites.     

Primary endoscopic stapedotomy using 3 mm nasal endoscope: Audiologic and clinical outcomes

ObjectiveTo report the use of a 3 mm rigid nasal endoscope in primary endoscopic stapedotomy and clinical and audiological outcomes.Materials and methodsThirty patients diagnosed with primary otosclerosis underwent endoscopic stapedotomy that was performed using a 3 mm nasal endoscope (Karl Storz). At 6 months follow-up, the patients were evaluated for intraoperative findings, postoperative hearing outcomes and complications.ResultsCanaloplasty was performed in 2 (6.66%) patients, and no curettage of the canal wall was required in 12 (40%) patients. Transposition of the chorda tympani nerve was conducted in 11 (36.66%) patients. The average duration of surgery was 36 min (range 31–65 min). The air-bone gap (ABG) was 35 dB (range 24–50 dB) preoperatively and 14.63 dB (range 9–20 dB) postoperatively (p = 0.00). At 6 months follow-up, <20 dB ABG was achieved in 93.33% of the patients. No major intraoperative/postoperative complications were detected.ConclusionA 3 mm rigid nasal endoscope can be effectively used in stapedotomy to obtain adequate audiological outcomes. It can be considered as a better alternative to the standard microscope or 4 mm endoscope in preserving the posterior canal wall and chorda tympani nerve while minimizing operative time without causing significant complications.     

Constraining eye movement when redirecting walking trajectories alters turning control in healthy young adults

Humans use a specific steering synergy, where the eyes and head lead rotation to the new direction, when executing a turn or change in direction. Increasing evidence suggests that eye movement is critical for turning control and that when the eyes are constrained, or participants have difficulties making eye movements, steering control is disrupted. The purpose of the current study was to extend previous research regarding eye movements and steering control to a functional walking and turning task. This study investigated eye, head, trunk, and pelvis kinematics of healthy young adults during a 90° redirection of walking trajectory under two visual conditions: Free Gaze (the eyes were allowed to move naturally in the environment), and Fixed Gaze (participants were required to fixate the eyes on a target in front). Results revealed significant differences in eye, head, and trunk coordination between Free Gaze and Fixed Gaze conditions (p < 0.001). During Free Gaze, the eyes led reorientation followed by the head and trunk. Intersegment timings between the eyes, head, and trunk were significantly different (p < 0.05). In contrast, during Fixed Gaze, the segments moved together with no significant differences between segment onset times. In addition, the sequence of segment rotation during Fixed Gaze suggested a bottom-up postural perturbation control strategy in place of top-down steering control seen in Free Gaze. The results of this study support the hypothesis that eye movement is critical for the release of the steering synergy for turning control.     

Association of antibiotics with status epilepticus

The objective of this study is to evaluate clinical picture, radiological findings and response to treatment in patients with antibiotic associated status epilepticus (SE). In a retrospective review, 12 out of 117 (10%) patients with SE had temporal association with antibiotic administration. Their medical history, clinical findings, and duration and type of SE were recorded. Serum chemistry, blood counts, cranial MRI, EEG and CSF examination were carried out. The offending antibiotics were withdrawn and the patients were treated with phenytoin, lorazepam, sodium valproate or midazolam. The response to treatment was recorded and death during hospital stay noted. The median age of the patients was 36 (18 and 74) years and 5 were females. Eight patients had convulsive and four nonconvulsive SE. The median duration of status was 12 h. The antibiotics related to SE included intravenous cephalosporin (ceftazidime 5, amoxyclavulenic acid 2, piperacillin 2, cefepime 1) and quinolones (levofloxacin 3, ofloxacin 1, ciprofloxacin 2) in isolation or in combinations. Five patients had hepatic (41.7%) and 6 (50%) renal failure; the later received higher than the recommended dose of antibiotics. Cranial MRI was abnormal in 7 out of 9 (77.8%) patients that include cortical lesion in one, corticosubcortical in three and subcortical in three. SE responded to first antiepileptic drug in four and to second in five patients. Three patients (25%) had refractory SE. Eight (66.7%) patients died and death was related to SE in 2 patients. 10% SE patients may be related to antibiotics. Hence the antibiotic should be carefully chosen in patients with hepatic and renal failure, and the dose should be modified.     

Paucity of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in the serum of Indian patients with Sjogren's syndrome and inflammatory myositis

Several extrahepatic manifestations have been associated with infection with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It has been associated with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and inflammatory myositis (IM). The objective was to look at the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in the serum of SS and IM patients of Indian origin. Individuals satisfying the European Economic Community criteria for the diagnosis of SS and those satisfying the criteria of Bohan and Peter for the diagnosis of IM were recruited in the study. Routine evaluation for liver functions was made. Anti-HCV antibodies were tested by a third generation ELISA, using microplate HCV3.0 ELISA. Of the 23 patients with SS studied, 14 had extraglandular features. The commonest were anaemia and arthritis in six each, followed by in lymphopenia in two. One patient each had interstitial lung disease, hypothyroidism and chronic active hepatitis. Twenty-two patients with IM were studied alongside. None of the patients had abnormal liver functions. One patient with primary SS tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies. None of the patients with inflammatory myositis tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies. The presence of anti-HCV antibodies in our cohort of patients with SS and IM is low and more in keeping with the generally low prevalence of the infection in the Indian population.