Isolation, distribution and prevalence of various species of enterococci isolated from clinical specimens in a tertiary care hospital

Various clinical specimens were processed to find the prevalence rate of enterococci and to identify the species of clinical isolates of enterococci. Screening of various clinical specimens revealed that enterococci were prevalent in 2% of the total specimens, with urine and wound to be the major site of isolation. Conventional test scheme proposed by Facklam and Collins and commercially available systems Rapid ID 32 Strep (biomereiux) were successfully used to speciate enterococcal strains. Five species of enterococci were identified in the study from a set of 396 cultures, with E. faecalis (79.79%), and E. faecium (11.11%) predominating. E. hirae (3.03%), E. gallinarum (3.03%), and E. casseliflavus (3.03%), were the other members of Enterococcus species identified.     

Nutrition assessment in patients undergoing liver transplant

Liver transplantation (LT) is a major surgery performed on patients with end stage liver disease. Nutrition is an integral part of patient care, and protein-energy malnutrition is almost universally present in patients suffering from liver disease undergoing LT. Nutrition assessment of preliver transplant phase helps to make a good nutrition care plan for the patients. Nutrition status has been associated with various factors which are related to the success of liver transplant such as morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay. To assess the nutritional status of preliver transplant patients, combinations of nutrition assessment methods should be used like subjective global assessment, Anthropometry mid arm-muscle circumference, Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and handgrip strength.     

The Effect of Alloplastic Bone Graft and Absorbable Gelatin Sponge in Prevention of Periodontal Defects on the Distal Aspect of Mandibular Second Molars,After Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar: A Comparative Prospective Study

Aim

Recent studies claim that haemostatic agents can be used as bone graft substitutes. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of alloplastic bone graft with absorbable gelatin sponge in prevention of periodontal defects distal to mandibular second molar after the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars.

Materials and methods

A prospective, randomized, single-blind split-mouth study was designed. The study consisted of 25 patients requiring surgical removal of bilateral impacted mandibular 3rd molars. The surgical sites were randomly divided into 2 groups: group I: G-graft (hydroxyapatite + collagen, study group) and group II: Abgel (absorbable gelatin sponge, control group). Patients were recalled on lst and 7th postoperative days and 3rd and 6th postoperative months. Probing depth, alveolar bone levels and soft tissue wound healing were evaluated. Paired t test was used to compare pre and post-operative alveolar bone levels and probing depth (PD). Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare the wound healing.

Results

The soft tissue wound healing, PD and the distance between the cemento–enamel junction on the distal aspect of mandibular second molar (point A) and the alveolar crest on the distal aspect of the same tooth (point B) were significantly higher in group I as compared to group II.

Conclusion

This study reveals an increase in the alveolar bone level, improvement of PD and better wound healing in group I. Group II subjects required longer healing time than the normal. The authors disagree the claim that the haemostatic agents can be used as bone graft substitutes. However, long-term, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trials are required.     

Does Aggressive Glycemic Control Benefit Macrovascular and Microvascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes?: Insights from ACCORD,ADVANCE, and VADT

Diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide and frequently results in severe vascular complications. A target glycated hemoglobin of less than 7% has commonly been recommended in hopes of preventing both macrovascular and microvascular complications. Although results from trials of intensive glycemic control have generally supported the notion that lower glycated hemoglobin values reduce microvascular disease, the evidence for similar benefits for macrovascular disease has been less clear. As macrovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes, this remains one of the more important unresolved clinical questions. Recent results from the ACCORD, ADVANCE, and VADT studies have challenged the conventional believe that lower glycated hemoglobin values should be pursued in all diabetic patients. Factors that may influence whether intensive glucose management is advisable include duration of diabetes, pre-existing macrovascular disease, hypoglycemic unawareness, and significant comorbidities. Glycated hemoglobin goals should account for these factors and be individualized for each patient.     

Assessment of psychosocial impact of primary glaucoma and its effect on quality of life of patients in Western India

Purpose:To assess the impact of primary glaucoma of varying severity and duration on psychosocial functioning and quality of life of patients.Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was carried on 200 patients attending the glaucoma clinic of a tertiary care hospital in western India. After obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee, written informed consent was taken. All patients underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination. Those with primary glaucoma were classified as per Hodapp–Parrish–Anderson criteria and asked to respond to the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEIVFQ)-25 questionnaire. Responses were analyzed statistically.Results:Overall mean NEIVFQ 25 composite score was 74.4 ± 18.6. Mean scores were 87.0 (SD 7.2) for mild, 75.9 (SD 8.1) for moderate, and 47.0 (SD 13.7) for severe glaucoma groups. Lower scores were associated with males. Driving (62.2, SD 34.6) and ocular pain (63.5, SD 18.7) were maximally affected while color vision (90.1, SD 18.7) and social health (86.7, SD 20.1) were least affected. The duration of treatment had no effect on mean composite scores with impaired scores seen even in newly diagnosed cases. Age of the patient negatively correlated with NEIVFQ 25 composite score.Conclusion:With disease progression, the psychosocial functioning of the patients is negatively affected. This effect is irrespective of treatment duration and newly diagnosed cases can have impaired Quality of life scores. Quantification of psychosocial status along with education and counseling for all patients may play a definitive role in customizing treatment and providing patients with a better quality of Life.     

A dipodal molecular probe for naked eye detection of trivalent cations (Al3+, Fe3+and Cr3+) in aqueous medium and its applications in real sample analysis and molecular logic gates

A simple and low cost multifunctional colorimetric receptor L has been designed, synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR, IR spectroscopy, ESI-MS spectrometry and elemental analysis. The chemosensor L can selectively detect three biologically and environmentally important trivalent metal ions (Al³⁺, Fe³⁺and Cr³⁺) both visually and spectrophotometrically in CH₃CN–H₂O (1 : 1, v/v) solution in the presence of other biologically relevant metal ions. The Job''s plot analyses indicate the 2 : 2 binding stereochemistry for Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions with L, which was further confirmed by ¹H-NMR and ESI-MS studies. The binding constant values were found to be 2.9 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ for Al³⁺, 1.079 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ for Fe³⁺ and 1.366 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ for Cr³⁺ respectively. The detections limits of the sensor for Al³⁺ (2.8 × 10⁻⁷ M), Fe³⁺ (1.9 × 10⁻⁷ M) and Cr³⁺ (2.5 × 10⁻⁷ M) are far below than the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. Moreover, colorimetric test kits for rapid detection of Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, and Cr³⁺ could be successively applied for all practical purposes, indicating its potential use in environmental samples. It has also been used in building molecular logic gates.

A dipodal reversible colorimetric trivalent metal ion chemosensor (L) has been designed and synthesized. The chemosensor L successfully detects Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cr³⁺ based on binding site-signaling approach and it has practical application.