Study of Multidrug Resistance Pattern among Escherichia coli isolated from patients with Urinary tract infection

Objective: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common bacterial infections encountered in community and cause of significant morbidity and high medical cost. Escherichia coli is the most common pathogen belongs to Enterobacteriaceae family responsible for majority of UTI infections. Antimicrobial drugs have been routinely prescribed for empirical treatment of UTIs which has led to a dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance pattern of E. coli. The aim of present study was to analyse the multidrug resistance patterns (MDR) of E. coli isolated from UTI patients.Methods: A total of 80 urine samples collected from the patients suspected of having UTI attending Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (MMIMSR), Mullana, Ambala were cultured using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of E.coli was done by using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). MIC of tetracycline, doxycycline, azithromycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ampicillin, amoxicillin and amikacin was done by agar dilution method.Results: Of the total 46 isolates contributing 33 females and 13 males were confirmed as E. coli. About 51.34% of the female patients belonged to the age group 21-40 yr and 53.84% of the male population belonged to 41-80 yr were found to be more susceptible to UTI infection. All isolates confirmed as E.coli were found to be multidrug resistant. 80% of the isolates exhibited MICs higher than 1000mg/L against β-lactams. 20% of the E. coli isolates exhibited MICs higher than 1000mg/L against ciprofloxacin, amikacin and erythromycin. 23% and 95% of E. coli isolates exhibited MICs less than 128 mg/L against doxycycline and levofloxacin respectively.Conclusion: The present study revealed the decreased susceptibility of the E.coli to all drugs. E. coli resistance profile to beta lactams, quinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides were also found to be quite high in this study emphasizing the need to educate public about appropriate use of antibiotics.N

SYNTHESIS OF SOME NOVEL 3,5,6-TRISUBSTITUTED-[1,2,4]TRIAZOLO[3,4-c][1,2,4] TRIAZINESAS DNA PHOTOCLEAVING AGENTS

Objective: To develop an easy and non toxic method for synthesis of some novel triazolotriazines via oxidative transformation of triazinylhydrazones using iodobenzene diacetate and to evaluate their DNA photocleavage potential. Methods: A series nineteen triazin-3-yl moiety linked hydrazones of various aryl and heteroaryl aldehydes has been prepared which on treatment with iodobenzene diacetate in dichloromethane gave novel triazolo[3,4-c]triazine derivatives under mild reaction conditions. DNA photocleavage activity of all these compounds was performed using agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Synthesis of some novel triazolotriazines has been successively achieved and structures of compounds were established on the basis of FT-IR, 1H, 13C NMR and mass spectral data. Most of the compounds such as 4m-n, 4p-s, as well as 3b, 3d, 3e, 3h, 3p and 3q exhibited admirable DNA photocleavage potential. Conclusion: The employed approach to afford triazolo[3,4-c]triazines only because the Dimorth rearrangement occurred under catalytic amount of base and acid etc. The results indicated that both triazolotriazines and triazinylhydrazones exhibited promising DNA photocleavage activity. Moreover, compounds containing phenyl ring with electron-releasing substituent attached to pyrazole nucleus possessed increased DNA photocleavage potential

PURIFICATION AND KINETIC STUDIES OF ORGANOPHOSPHORUS HYDROLASE FROM B. DIMINUTA

Objective: Extraction and purification of Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) enzyme from Brevundimonas diminuta and to study kinetic properties of the purified enzyme. Methods: The enzyme was extracted from bacteria and purified by using a combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography and the purity of an enzyme was checked by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The activity of the purified enzyme was monitored by enzyme assay and total protein content was determined by using Lowry's method. The kinetic properties of the enzyme were also studied. Results: A 72 kDa organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) enzyme was extracted and purified. The purified enzyme was homodimer and showed a single band on SDS-PAGE. The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximal velocity (Vmax) values of free OPH enzyme for methyl parathion as substrate was 285.71 μM and 50 μM/min respectively. At optimum pH (7.5) and incubation temperature (35°C), free enzyme showed maximum activity with incubation time of 8 min. Conclusion: The bacteria contain OPH enzyme with high potential to detoxify OP pesticides, attractive for bioremediation due to good pH & temperature conditions, were also useful in development of bio analytical techniques such as biosensors for OP pesticide detection

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND DNA PHOTOCLEAVAGE ACTIVITY OF NEW 2-(THIOXO/OXO) QUINOLINE-4,6-DIMETHYL PYRIMIDINYL HYDRAZONES

Objective: The main objective of present work is to synthesize, characterize and evaluate DNA photocleavage activity of hydrazones containing quinoline and pyrimidine rings. Methods: The syntheses of new 2-(Thioxo/Oxo)quinoline-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidinyl hydrazones has been achieved by the reaction of 2-(Thioxo/Oxo)quinoline-3-carbaldehydes and 2-hydrazino-4, 6-dimethylpyrimidine. The structure of synthesized compounds is established on basis of data obtained from the spectroscopic techniques such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR and mass. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their DNA photocleavage activity at 40 μg/μl concentration by agarose gel electrophoresis method. Results: The synthesized compounds 5e showed complete cleavage of DNA while 5a, 5b and 6e showed significant cleavage potential. Conclusion: A series of novel hydrazones bearing quinoline and pyrimidine moiety has been synthesized and well characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data and further evaluated for their DNA photocleavage activity. It has been observed that compounds having bromo and thio group displayed good activity

Myco-Biocontrol of Insect Pests: Factors Involved, Mechanism, and Regulation

The growing demand for reducing chemical inputs in agriculture and increased resistance to insecticides have provided great impetus to the development of alternative forms of insect-pest control. Myco-biocontrol offers an attractive alternative to the use of chemical pesticides. Myco-biocontrol agents are naturally occurring organisms which are perceived as less damaging to the environment. Their mode of action appears little complex which makes it highly unlikely that resistance could be developed to a biopesticide. Past research has shown some promise of the use of fungi as a selective pesticide. The current paper updates us about the recent progress in the field of myco-biocontrol of insect pests and their possible mechanism of action to further enhance our understanding about the biological control of insect pests

High quinolone resistance pattern among enteric pathogens isolated from patients with urinary tract infection

167-171Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections that exists in all age groups. It is predominantly caused by members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, such as, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Proteus. Quinolones have been routinely prescribed for the treatment of UTIs and this has led to a dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance by these uropathogens. The aim of the present study was to determine the quinolone resistance pattern in enteric pathogens isolated from UTI patients in Maharishi Markandeshwar University (MMU), Mullana, Haryana. Clinical samples were obtained from MMU Medical College. A total of 70 samples were screened, 60 isolates (41 and 19 from female and male, respectively) were confirmed as those belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. About 63.41% of the female patients belonged to the age group 21-40 yr, while men in the age group of 41-80 yr, were found to be more prone to UTI infections (68.4%). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the isolates against ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin was determined. About 93% of the isolates were resistant to all the antibiotics. Further, 16% of the isolates exhibited MICs higher than 1000 mg/L against ciprofloxacin and 59% against norfloxacin.</span

A retrospective approach to assess human health risks associated with growing air pollution in urbanized area of Thar Desert, western Rajasthan, India

Air pollution has been a matter of great concern globally because of the associated health risks to individuals. The situation is getting worse in developing countries with more urbanization, industrialization and more importantly the rapidly growing population posing a threat to human life in the form of pulmonary, cardiovascular, carcinogenic or asthmatic diseases by accumulating toxic pollutants, harmful gases, metals, hydrocarbons etc. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of ambient air pollutants and their human health risks like respiratory ailments, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer using a Retrospective Approach of Bart Ostra. METHODOLOGY: The parameters PM2.5, PM10, NOx, SO(2), NH(3) and O(3) were monitored at all selected study sites monitored through a high volume sampler (APM 451 Envirotech, Envirotech Instruments Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India). Retrospective Approach was used for assessment of risk factors and disease burden of respiratory and cardiopulmonary health problems. RESULTS: Environmental burden of disease showed that the problem of health related to air pollution is a main concern particularly in the growing cities of India. High to critical level of air pollution including PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SO(2), NH(3) and O(3) was observed in all seasons at traffic intersections and commercial sites. The respiratory infections (25% incidence in population exposed to indoor smoke problems) and a prevalence of asthma/COPD (4.4%) in households exposed to high vehicular pollution along with signs of coronary artery/heart disease and/or hypertension and cancers (37.9-52.2%), were reported requiring preventive measures. CONCLUSION: The study reflects a great concern for the mankind with the need of having streamline ways to limit air pollution and emphasize upon efficiently determining the risk of illness upon exposure to air pollution

Optimization of tannase production by a novel Klebsiella pneumoniae KP715242 using central composite design

A novel tannase producing bacterial strain was isolated from rhizospheric soil of Acacia species and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae KP715242. A 3.25-fold increase in tannase production was achieved upon optimization with central composite design using response surface methodology. Four variables namely pH, temperature, incubation period, and agitation speed were used to optimize significant correlation between the effects of these variables on tannase production. A second-order polynomial was fitted to data and validated by ANOVA. The results showed a complex relationship between variables and response given that all factors were significant and could explain 99.6% of the total variation. The maximum production was obtained at 5.2 pH, 34.97 °C temperature, 103.34 rpm agitation speed and 91.34 h of incubation time. The experimental values were in good agreement with the predicted ones and the models were highly significant with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99 and a highly significant F-value of 319.37