1,327 research outputs found
Polyhexamethylene Biguanide and Nadifloxacin Self-Assembled Nanoparticles: Antimicrobial Effects against Intracellular Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
The treatment of skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a challenge, partly due to localization of the bacteria inside the host’s cells, where antimicrobial penetration and efficacy is limited. We formulated the cationic polymer polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) with the topical antibiotic nadifloxacin and tested the activities against intracellular MRSA in infected keratinocytes. The PHMB/nadifloxacin nanoparticles displayed a size of 291.3 ± 89.6 nm, polydispersity index of 0.35 ± 0.04, zeta potential of +20.2 ± 4.8 mV, and drug encapsulation efficiency of 58.25 ± 3.4%. The nanoparticles killed intracellular MRSA, and relative to free polymer or drugs used separately or together, the nanoparticles displayed reduced toxicity and improved host cell recovery. Together, these findings show that PHMB/nadifloxacin nanoparticles are effective against intracellular bacteria and could be further developed for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections
Highlights of the 2nd Bioinformatics Student Symposium by ISCB RSG-UK [version 1]
Following the success of the 1 (st) Student Symposium by ISCB RSG-UK, a 2 (nd) Student Symposium took place on 7 (th) October 2015 at The Genome Analysis Centre, Norwich, UK. This short report summarizes the main highlights from the 2 (nd) Bioinformatics Student Symposium
Percentual of body weight loss of horses submitted to endurance exercise in West Center of Brazil
Objetivou-se com esse estudo avaliar o percentual de perdas de peso sofridas por cavalos submetidos a provas de enduro de 20, 40, 80 e 160 km de distância sob clima tropical na região central do Brasil (Brasília-DF). Os animais
foram pesados antes, durante e após as provas com a utilização de uma balança portátil. Observou-se percentuais de
perdas de peso de 3,47±1,86%, 5,93±4,35%; 4,69±2,01% e 4,53±2,11%, nas provas de 20, 40, 80 e 160 Km,
respectivamente. Tais valores foram significativamente maiores ao final da primeira etapa das provas quando
comparados com o peso antes das provas, no repouso revelando importante redução de perdas na continuidade das
provas, provavelmente devido ao melhor condicionamento dos animais além do livre acesso a água e feno durante os
períodos obrigatórios de descanso. A utilização de balanças portáteis deve ser estimulada em provas equestres de longa
duração, como uma ferramenta de monitoramento de perdas de peso imperceptíveis por veterinários durante as
competições. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que mesmo animais treinados e condicionados a beber água e se
alimentar durante esforços prolongados estão sujeitos a importantes perdas de peso. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the percentage of body weight loss suffered from horses submitted to
endurance rides of 20, 40, 80 and 160 Km distance under tropical climate in West Center of Brazil (Brasilia-DF).
Horses were weighted before, during and after the competition, with a portable scale. It was noticed percentual body
weight losses of 3,47±1,86%, 5,93±4,35%; 4,69±2,01% and 4,53±2,11%, in 20, 40, 80 and 160 Km rides, respectively.
These values were higher in the first weighting point, compared to basal values, with an important reduction throughout
subsequent rings of rides, probably due to a better animal condition and free intake of water and forage, during the
mandatory rest periods. The use of portable scales should be used for prolonged rides as a tool for veterinarians to
monitor insensible body weight losses of horses in this kind of exercise. Data also revealed that even trained horses are
susceptible to important body weight losses
Folk Knowledge and Perceptions about the Use of Wild Fruits and Vegetables–Cross-Cultural Knowledge in the Pipli Pahar Reserved Forest of Okara, Pakistan
\ua9 2024 by the authors.Wild fruits and vegetables (WFVs) have been vital to local communities for centuries and make an important contribution to daily life and income. However, traditional knowledge of the use of wild fruits is at risk of being lost due to inadequate documentation. This study aimed to secure this knowledge through intermittent field visits and a semi-structured questionnaire. Using various ethnobotanical data analysis tools and SPSS (IBM 25), this study identified 65 WFV species (52 genera and 29 families). These species, mostly consumed as vegetables (49%) or fruits (43%), were predominantly herbaceous (48%) in wild and semi-wild habitats (67%). 20 WFVs were known to local communities (highest RFC), Phoenix sylvestris stood out as the most utilized species (highest UV). Surprisingly, only 23% of the WFVs were sold at markets. The survey identified 21 unique WFVs that are rarely documented for human consumption in Pakistan (e.g., Ehretia obtusifolia, Euploca strigosa, Brassica juncea, Cleome brachycarpa, Gymnosporia royleana, Cucumis maderaspatanus, Croton bonplandianus, Euphorbia prostrata, Vachellia nilotica, Pongamia pinnata, Grewia asiatica, Malvastrum coromandelianum, Morus serrata, Argemone mexicana, Bambusa vulgaris, Echinochloa colonum, Solanum virginianum, Physalis angulata, Withania somnifera, Zygophyllum creticum, and Peganum harmala), as well as 14 novel uses and five novel edible parts. Despite their ecological importance, the use of WFVs has declined because local people are unaware of their cultural and economic value. Preservation of traditional knowledge through education on conservation and utilization could boost economies and livelihoods in this and similar areas worldwide
The Effect of pH Variation on Antibiotic Susceptibility of MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant opportunistic pathogen responsible for various nosocomial infections in humans. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains poses a significant challenge in clinical settings, necessitating a deeper understanding of factors influencing antimicrobial resistance. Objective: This research aimed to investigate the impact of pH variation on the resistance patterns of multi-resistant K. pneumoniae isolated from Iraqi patients with urinary tract infections and wound infections against different antibiotics. Methods: Forty K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from urine samples and wound swabs, and their identification was confirmed using the VITEK ® 2 compact system and molecular identification of the rpoB housekeeping gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby Bauer’s disk diffusion method under varying pH conditions (pH 5, 7, 9, and 11) at 37°C for 18 to 24 hours. Results: The study findings indicated that K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited differential susceptibility to antibiotics based on pH conditions. Cefotaxime demonstrated increased efficacy under alkaline pH, while tetracycline showed optimal efficacy under acidic conditions. However, ciprofloxacin displayed resistant phenotypes at acidic pH 5 and either resistant or intermediate phenotypes at alkaline pH 9. Conclusions: The results suggest a potential influence of pH on the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of K. pneumoniae isolates. Understanding the role of pH in antimicrobial resistance can inform strategies for better managing infections caused by multi-resistant pathogens. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and implications for clinical practice
PREDICTORS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN DUBAI, A RAPIDLY GROWING MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health problem adversely affecting mothers, their newborns,
and other members of the family. Although PPD is common and potentially dangerous, only a minority of the cases are identified in primary health care settings during routine care, and the majority of depressed mothers in the community lies unrecognized and therefore untreated.
Subjects and methods: In this study, a total of 1500 mothers were approached randomly, 808 accepted to participate, and 504
were within the inclusion criteria (women who had a birth of a singleton full-term healthy infant, had an uncomplicated pregnancy, and were within their one week to six months postpartum). The participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
Results: A total of 168 women had an EPDS score 10, yielding a crude prevalence rate of 33%. The prevalence of suicidal
ideation was 14 out of 504 (3%), among which 11 (79%) had EPDS score of 10. We fitted multiple linear regression models to
evaluate the predictors of variables measured on the EPDS scale. This model was statistically significant p<0.0001 in predicting the total EPDS score. Women\u27s employment status, baby\u27s birth weight, stressful life event and marital conflict were statistically significant predictors.
Conclusions: The findings of this study are anticipated to entail the government and policy makers in the region to pay more
attention to the apparently high prevalence of unrevealed PPD in the community. It is crucial to enhance screening mechanisms for early detection, providing interventions to manage symptoms, and at the same time mandating local guidelines to address the PPD pathology as a high priority for the UAE population
Epidural administration of ropivacaine and its effects on the pharmacodynamics of rocuronium: Randomized controlled trial. Interaction between ropivacaine and rocuronium
Potentiation of neuromuscular blocking agents by local anesthetics has been described in various clinical and experimental studies. This study assessed the influence of epidural ropivacaine on pharmacodynamic characteristics of rocuronium.Design: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial at the women's hospital, an university tertiary hospital in Brazil. Sixty-two patients underwent elective abdominal surgeries requiring general anesthesia.Intervention: Patients were distributed into two groups: Group 1 (general anesthesia and epidural anesthesia) and Group 2 (general anesthesia). In Group 1, 0.2% ropivacaine at a dose of 40 mg (20 ml) was associated with 2 mg (2 ml) of morphine in a single epidural injection. The following parameters were assessed: clinical duration (DC25) and time for recovery of the train-of-four (TOF) 0.9 ratio (T4/T1 = 90%) after an initial 0.6 mg/kg dose of rocuronium. The primary outcomes were DC25and TOF 0.9 ratio (T4/T1 = 90%). Secondary outcomes were total propofol and remifentanil consumption.Results: Values were presented as median and interquartile range. The results for DC25and TOF 0.9 of rocuronium were, respectively, 41.5 35.0-55.0 (25.0-63.0) in Group 1 and 44.0 37.0-51.0 (20.0-67.0) in Group 2 (P = 0.88); 88.0 67.0-99.0 (43.0-137.0) in Group 1; and 80.0 71.0-86.0 (38.0-155.0) in Group 2 (P = 0.83). There was no significant difference between the groups, in terms of pharmacodynamic characteristics of rocuronium. Propofol consumption did not show any difference between the groups. However, remifentanil consumption was significantly lower in Group 1 (P < 0.01).Conclusion: Epidural ropivacaine, in the dose studied, did not prolong the duration of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.Trial Registry Number: ReBEC (ref: RBR-7cyp6t)141636
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