OPAC 2.0: towards the next generation of online library catalogues

While the 4th Law of S.R. Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science (1931) says that: “Save the time of the reader”, it is a big question to ask whether the current Library catalogues precisely do this for its library patrons. There is a common understanding that the evolution of OPAC should be in line with the evolution of technology and its services. They have to be designed in such a way that the users should be able to find what they are looking for in a timely manner only then they will be more satisfied, and more likely to feel like their needs have been met. While it is mandatory that the OPACs should not be a complex matrix for the users, it is important that it should encompass the current trends and features of advancements. There is no doubt that Librarians are the Architects to design best next generation OPACs by amalgamating Web 2.0 tools and the social networking aspects to the traditional catalogues which offer interacting options to the patrons. This paper looks at the current trend in formulating the next generation of Online Library catalogues with glimpses of isolated experiments and improvements in the library catalogues coupled with various open source software packages for OPAC 2.0 and the benefits to the users therewith

Antibacterial and wound healing activities of melastoma malabathricum linn.

Melastoma malabathricum Linn. (Melastomataceae), locally known as senduduk putih, is a wellknown plant in Malaysian traditional medicine. On the basis of its traditional use and literature reference,this plant was selected for evaluation of its wound healing and antibacterial activities. Methanol extract of M. malabathricum was examined for its wound healing activity in the form of an ointment in two types of wound model in rats: (i) the excision wound model and (ii) the incision wound model. The methanol extract ointment produced a significant response in both of the wound types tested. The results were also comparable with the standard drug, nitrofurazone, in terms of wound contracting ability, wound closure time, tensile strength and regeneration of tissues at the wound site. Regarding antibacterial activity, M. malabathricum extract inhibited the different clinical wound isolates of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with MIC ranging from 3.0 mg/ml for 3 of the 4 clinical strains of S. aureus to 8.0 mg/ml for all the 3 clinical strains of P. aeruginosa tested.Keywords: Melastoma malabathricum; Antibacterial; Methanol extract; Wound healing

Clinical Assessment and Metabolic Profile of Newly Diagnosed Hypertensives and Their Significance

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension has long been called as the silent killer as because when its symptoms are apparent the damage is already done to the system and to add to the worse they are mostly irreversible. The phenomenon of hypertension was first characterized at the turn of the previous century, when Riva-Rocci developed the prototype of the modern sphygmomanometer and so allowed the routine measurement of BP. Korotkov then perfected the sphygmomanometric technique by describing the sounds heard over the brachial artery as the pressure in the cuff is reduced. In general, the upper limits of normal BP in older persons had been considered to be a systolic value of 140 mm Hg and a diastolic value of 90 mm Hg. These figures have been adjusted downward to the point that readings in excess of 120/80 mm Hg may be considered abnormal. Population studies suggest that BP is a continuous variable, with no absolute dividing line between normal and abnormal values. A recent report on the global burden of hypertension indicates that nearly 1 billion adults (more than a quarter of the world’s population) had hypertension in 2000, and this is predicted to increase to 1.56 billion by 2025. Subjects with hypertension are known to have a two-fold higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), four times higher risk of congestive heart failure and seven times higher risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke compared to normotensive subjects Hypertension has been identified as one of the leading risk factors for mortality, and is ranked third as a cause of disability adjusted life- ears.(4) Existing data suggests that the prevalence of hypertension has remained stable or has decreased in economically developed countries during the past decade, while it has increased in developing countries. However, the increase in the prevalence rates of hypertension needs to be quantified so as to plan for effective prevention strategies which are urgently needed in developing countries. However, in spite of its proven association with all clinical associations of atherosclerosis including peripheral vascular diseases hypertension is one disease which is more commonly mismanaged. The awareness about the disease and its complications are poor as only less than 30% of even known hypertensives have a good optimal control even in western population. Less studies are there in newly diagnosed hypertensives and the prevalence of complications and risk factors among them. Being the diabetes capital of the world already India is also projected to become the Hypertensive capital of the world by 2025. In this context this study is aimed in the evaluation of newly detected hypertensives in a tertiary care centre at Chennai and the prevalence of associated risk factors for future cardio vascular incident among them. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the complete profile of newly diagnosed hypertensives. 2. To stage them. 3. To study the prevalence of end organ damage among them. 4. To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction and coronary heart disease equivalents among them. 5. To calculate Framingham risk score for all of them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Setting: This study is conducted in the Hypertension clinic of Madras Medical College and Government General Hospital in collaboration with the Institute of Biochemistry. Study Duration: This study was conducted over a period of 6 months from May2009 to October2009. Study Population: Patients attending the hypertensive clinic who are yet to be started on any Drugs. Type of Study: It’s a cross sectional study of patients attending hypertension clinic. Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age greater than 18 years. 2. patients newly diagnosed as hypertensives in out patient department Exclusion Criteria: 1. Age less than 18yrs. 2. known hypertensives who have discontinued drugs and have now come for treatment or with complications. 3. Known DM patient under antiproteinuria therapy. 4. Known CKD/ hypothyroid. 5. Known case of secondary HT or during evaluation found to have secondary causes. 6. Patients who are already under anti hypertensive drugs for other indications like CAHD, etc. Sample Size: 100 patients who came for the registration were taken for the study. METHODS: All patients underwent CBC, GTT, serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, LFT, fasting lipid profile, serum calcium, uric acid, ECG, echo, USG abdomen, urine for microalbuminuria after giving written consent. A detailed examination to rule out secondary causes were done. BP was measured and staged. The classification is based on the average of two or more properly measured, seated Breading on each of two or more office visits. A standard proforma was used to record all variables for every individual patient. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data analysis was done with use of SPSS software version10. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate frequency. To examine the linear trend of proportions, trend chi-square was used and to find the test of association chi-square was computed. CONCLUSION: 1. 59% of newly diagnosed hypertensives had some form of end organ damages. 2. 52% of newly diagnosed hypertensives had metabolic syndrome and 75% among them had a CHD risk score of more than 10%. 3. 41.3% of males had erectile dysfunction among them. So when a antihypertensive is choosen for a male patient this should be taken into consideration. 4. 67% of patients had a BMI >25 that is they had obesity. 5. 56% of newly detected hypertensives have a CHD risk score of more than10% . So aggressive risk reduction is necessary. 6. Females tend to present late with more complications compared to males. 7. As diabetes, hypertension is also a multisystem disease and each hypertensive patient has to be individualised and managed. 8. Finally it’s high time that a routine screening programme is initiated at Community level to identify HT at early stages itself so that complications are averted

A study on prescribing pattern and medication adherence in elderly COPD and bronchial asthma patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma are common among elderly people and have become a major public health concern of today. The purpose of this study is to identify the prescription pattern and role of medication adherence in the COPD and bronchial asthma. Prescription pattern monitoring (PPMS) are mainly focus on prescribing, dispensing, administering of drugs they promote appropriate use of monitored drugs and reduction of abuse/misuse.Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study was conducted at department of medicine in Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital. A total of 90 patients were enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and the data was collected using designed data collection form.Results: Out of 90 patients, male (81.10%) and female (18.90%) are reported with COPD and bronchial asthma. On prevalence 57 (63.34%) of patients with co-morbidities and without co-morbidities 33 (36.66%). Among co-morbidity patients, 38.90% of patients has type-2 diabetes mellitus. PPA indicate that cephalosporins (46.68%), macrolides (38.88%) class of antibiotic are used prominently along with corticosteroids of hydrocortisone 47 (62.66%) and prednisolone 28 (37.34%). 47 (62.66%) patients received expectorants and anti-tussive in that, Ipratropium bromide + levosalbutamol (50%) are commonly prescribed.Conclusions: This study concludes that COPD and bronchial asthma was most predominant in elderly patients and its treated with mainly antibiotics and corticosteroids with bronchodilators in the way of inhalers and nebulizers. The rational use of drugs and patient counselling reflects a better medication adherence

Screening and optimization of extracellular lipases by Acinetobacter species isolated from oil-contaminated soil in South Korea

A total of 53 strains of bacteria were isolated from oil contaminated soil collected in South Korea. The isolated bacteria were screened using spirit blue agar and Rhodamine-B agar media. Two of the isolated strains exhibited a greater clear zone than the others, indicating higher lipase activity. Therefore, these two strains (BK43 and BK44) were selected and identified based on their morphological and physiological characteristics. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was also implemented. Phylogenetic analyses based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that BK43 and BK44 were close in identity to Acinetobacter junii. The optimum pH and temperature for lipase production by BK43 were found to be 6.0 at 30°C, after 24 h of incubation, while BK44 were found to be 6.0 at 25°C, after 12 h of incubation. In addition, increased enzymatic production was obtained when the organisms were cultured in medium supplemented with 1% sucrose as the carbon source. Among the different lipase inducers tested, both strains utilized Tween 80 and produced a great level of extracellular lipase. Overall, the results of the present study demonstrate that the genus Acinetobacter is good for extracellular lipase production under acidic conditions.Key words: Acinetobacter, lipase, optimization, screening

Functional outcome of platelet rich plasma on lateral epicondylitis of elbow

Background: The study was conducted with the aim to explore the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in sixty patients who presented to us with lateral epicondylitis of elbow where conservative management has failed.Methods: Between 2013 and 2015, 60 patients (M: F- 20: 40) with lateral epicondylitis of elbow were included. All patients presented to us with lateral epicondylitis of elbow where conservative management has failed. All patients are treated with platelet rich plasma injection. Serial follow-up were done at 1, 6 and 12 month.Results: All sixty patients had significant improvement before and after platelet rich plasma injection. The mean VAS score and the Mayo score suggests significant improvement in pain and elbow function following platelet rich plasma treatment. Conclusions: Platelet rich plasma improves pain and elbow function in patients suffering from lateral epicondylitis where conservative management has failed. Platelet rich plasma treatment may decrease the overall time for healing, and thereby decreasing the overall need for surgical intervention

pH dependent binding in de novo hetero bimetallic coiled coils

Herein the first example of a bimetallic coiled coil featuring a lanthanide binding site is reported, opening opportunities to exploit the attractive NMR and photophysical properties of the lanthanides in multi metallo protein design. In our efforts to fully characterise the system we identified for the first time that lanthanide binding to such sites is pH dependent, with optimal binding at neutral pH, and that the double AsnAsp site is more versatile in this regard than the single Asp site. Our second site featured the structural HgCys3 site, the chemistry of which was essentially unaltered by the presence of the lanthanide site. In fact, both metal binding sites within the hetero bimetallic coiled coil displayed the same properties as their mononuclear single binding site controls, and operated independently of each other. Finally, pH can be used as an external trigger to control the binding of Hg(II) and Tb(III) to the two distinct sites within this coiled coil, and offers the opportunity to “activate” metal binding sites within complex multi metallo and multi-functional designs

Enzymatic Depilation of Animal Hide: Identification of Elastase (LasB) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MCM B-327 as a Depilating Protease

Conventional leather processing involving depilation of animal hide by lime and sulphide treatment generates considerable amounts of chemical waste causing severe environmental pollution. Enzymatic depilation is an environmentally friendly process and has been considered to be a viable alternative to the chemical depilation process. We isolated an extracellular protease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain MCM B-327 with high depilation activity using buffalo hide as a substrate. This 33 kDa protease generated a peptide mass fingerprint and de novo sequence that matched perfectly with LasB (elastase), of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In support of this data a lasB mutant of MCM B-327 strain lacked depilatory activity and failed to produce LasB. LasB heterologously over-produced and purified from Escherichia coli also exhibited high depilating activity. Moreover, reintroduction of the lasB gene to the P. aeruginosa lasB mutant via a knock-in strategy also successfully restored depilation activity thus confirming the role of LasB as the depilating enzyme