Haemagglutination, haemolysin production and serum resistance of proteus and related species isolated from clinical sources

A total of 148 strains of Proteus and related species comprising of Proteus mirabilis (116), Proteus vulgaris (24), Providentia rettgeri (4), Providentia alcalifaciens (2), Providentia stuarti (1) and Morganella morganii (1), isolated from various sources, were examined for haemagglutination (HA), haemolysin production (HL) and serum resistance (SR). Maximum isolates were obtained from urine (47.30%) and pus (40.54%) and they were multidrug resistant. The sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin was 78.38%, Gentamicin: 62.84%, Cefotaxime: 29.73%, Norfloxacin: 22.97%, Tetracycline: 20.95% and Ampicillin: 6.76%. There were four commonest resistance patterns shown by 58.62% of Proteus mirabilis and 66.67% of Proteus vulgaris strains. Haemagglutination was shown by 91 (61.49%) strains, HL production in 126 (85.14%) strains and SR by 124 (83.78%) isolates. All the three i.e. HA, HL and SR were simultaneously present in 77 (52.27%) strains, any two were present in 40 (27.03%) strains and any one was positive in 30 (20.03%) strains. Thus in as many as 147 (98.32%) isolates, any one or more virulence factors were present. The virulence in commensal pathogen like Proteus is basically a multifactorial phenomenon. The presence of more virulence factors in one strain may increase its pathogenic ability. The evaluation of multiple virulence factors instead of one single parameter will be of greater help in assessing its pathogenic potential.     

Stabilization of ascorbic acid and norepinephrine in vitro by the subcellular fractions of rat cerebral cortex

The effect of various subcellular fractions of rat cerebral cortex on the autoxidation of ascorbic acid and norepinephrine in a physiological salt solution, pH 7.4, was investigated. The rate of the two reactions was determined spectrophotometrically at 265 and 480 nm, respectively. The cytoplasmic, microsomal, crude mitochondrial fractions and a soluble phase of mixed subcellular origin (100,000 g supernatant) were tested in an assay system in which the final dilution of the cellular components was in the 10(3) to 10(6) range. The samples were heat-treated (30 min at 100 degrees C) and dialyzed (50,000 mol.wt. cut-off) prior to analysis. The preparations produced approximately 80% inhibition at 10(3)-fold dilution and marginal inhibition at 10(5)-fold dilution, except the microsomal preparation, which was a considerably weaker inhibitor in the norepinephrine autoxidation test. The study shows that all three major subcellular compartments of the rat cerebral cortex have macromolecules with a high level of heat-stable autoxidation-inhibiting activity.     

Denial and medical outcome in unstable angina

Denial may be adaptive during hospitalization for acute coronary disease. We studied the impact of denial in 48 patients referred to a tertiary care center for treatment of unstable angina. Using the Hackett-Cassem Denial Scale, we divided the group into 25 high deniers and 23 low deniers. The two groups were comparable in baseline demographic and social data, coronary risk factors, cardiac history, medical treatment, vital signs, and cardiac catheterization results (number of diseased vessels and ejection fraction). Compared to low deniers, high deniers had half as many episodes of angina during hospitalization (1.3 vs. 2.5; p less than 0.03, t = 2.2, df = 46) and were more likely to reach medical stabilization, i.e., pain free for 36 hr (92% vs. 65%, p less than 0.03, Fisher exact probability test). Intravenous nitroglycerin drips were also required less often in high deniers (32% vs. 78%, p = 0.002, Fisher exact). Two myocardial infarctions and one death occurred, all in low deniers. We conclude that denial independently predicts better medical outcome during acute hospitalization for unstable angina.     

Antithrombin III assay using thrombin in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), other thromboembolic disorders and hepatic diseases

Fifty cases comprising 11 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), 16 cases of venous thromboses and 23 cases of hepatic diseases were studied for AT III levels using clotting assay. Twelve samples were subjected to ATIII estimation by the commercially available synthetic chromogenic assay. Twenty age and sex matched controls were also analysed to find out the reference value for the techniques. Low AT III levels, if present, were correlated with other markers of DIC, viz FDP and D-dimer assays. There was a decrease in the AT III levels in all the three disease categories with a significant difference between the AT III levels of the three disease categories. In DIC, lowest levels were observed which correlated well with FDP and D-dimer levels. There was no significant difference between the average AT III levels measured by both the clotting and synthetic chromogenic assay with the former procedure being relatively inexpensive.     

Corrigendum to: Changes in smoking,drinking, overweight and physical inactivity in young Australian women 1996–2013

Issue addressed: Smoking, risky drinking, overweight and obesity, and physical inactivity are health‐risk factors (HRFs) that contribute significantly to morbidity worldwide. Several initiatives have been introduced over the past two decades to reduce these HRFs. This paper examines changes in the prevalence of HRFs in young women (aged 18–23 years) between 1996 and 2013, overall and within demographic groups. Methods: Data from two cohorts of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, born in 1973–78 (n =14247) and 1989–95 (n =17012) were weighted to provide national estimates. Prevalence ratios were used to compare HRFs in 2013 relative to 1996. Results: In 1996, 32% were current smokers, 38% were risky drinkers, 22% were overweight or obese and 7% were physically inactive. In 2013, corresponding estimates were 19%, 35%, 33% and 6%. Between 1996 and 2013, overall smoking prevalence decreased, but remained over 43% among least educated women. Overweight and obesity increased in all demographic groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that only smoking, which has been the subject of changes in taxation, legislation and regulation, declined significantly, in all except the least educated women. In contrast, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, which has largely been addressed through awareness campaigns and voluntary actions by the food industry, increased markedly in all demographic sub‐groups. So what?: The findings show that comprehensive health promotion interventions, such as those for tobacco control, are successful (but may still be ineffective among less educated women). In contrast the measures to control population weight gain among young women have been futile so far.     

Type 2 Diabetes and Its correlates: A Cross Sectional Study in a Tertiary Hospital of Nepal

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an emerging global health problem in Nepal. However, there is still a paucity of information on its burden and its risk factors among service users from a hospital based setting. This is a cross sectional study conducted among the service users of diabetes clinic in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital of Nepal. A sample size of 154 was selected systematically from the patient registration from 30th July to 16th August, 2013. Of the 154 participants, 42.85?% had T2DM. Higher mean body mass index (26.50?±?5.05 kg/m²) and waist circumference (92.47?±?11.30 cm) was found among the individuals with T2DM and, compared to those without diabetes (Body mass index 25.13?±?4.28 kg/m²: waist circumference 88.91?±?12.30 cm) (P?=?0.013). In further analysis, the sedentary occupation (aOR 3.088; 95?% CI 1.427–6.682), measure of high waist circumference (aOR 2.758; 95?% CI 1.238–6.265) individuals from lower socioeconomic status (aOR 3.989; 95?% CI 1.636–9.729) right knowledge on symptoms of diabetes (aOR 3.670; 95?% CI 1.571–8.577) and right knowledge on prevention of diabetes (aOR 3.397; 95?% CI 1.377–8.383) were significantly associated with T2DM status. The current findings suggest that health programs targeting T2DM should focus increasing awareness on harmful health effects of sedentary occupation, symptoms of T2DM and its prevention among the urban population.     

A Comprehensive Assessment of All-Oleate Polysorbate 80: Free Fatty Acid Particle Formation,Interfacial Protection and Oxidative Degradation

Pharmaceutical Research - Enzymatic polysorbate (PS) degradation and resulting free fatty acid (FFA) particles are detrimental to biopharmaceutical drug product (DP) stability. Different...     

Ionic liquid as an emerging alternative for the separation and recovery of Nd,Sm and Eu using solvent extraction technique-A review

Rare earth metals (REMs), especially neodymium, samarium and europium are termed as critical metals since their supply is experiencing shortfall due to sudden rise in demand. Solvent extraction as an effective separation technique has been widely adopted for the recovery and recycling of these metals from a collection of several primary and secondary resources. Ionic liquids possessing negligible volatility have potential usefulness in rare earth extraction, either as the diluents or as extractants. The diversity in terms of structural properties, superior physico chemical characteristics and tunability to achieve higher selectivity have made these ionic liquids interesting and potential stakeholders for the application in liquid-liquid extraction and separation of Nd, Sm and Eu. The extractive separation of these elements by quaternary ammonium, phosphonium ionic liquids occurs mostly through ion exchange mechanism while it follows neutral complexation pathway when functionalized ionic liquids are in action. The present review comprehensively describes the separation and recovery of Nd, Sm and Eu employing different types of ionic liquids based on various operating conditions, extraction mechanism and efficiency. The process schemes for the recovery of these metals from post-cosumer products like magnets and phosphors using ionic liquids have also been summarized and discussed in detail.