Lupus anticoagulant in systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with complications

Background: The anti-phospholipid antibody which can occur secondary to SLE have a broad spectrum of both thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations. Among the three antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant has the strongest association with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and increased chance of recurrence of thrombotic events. Hence early screening of lupus anticoagulant is needed.Methods: 72 clinically diagnosed SLE patients were included. The PT, aPTT were done in all patients. The clotting time is assessed by semi-automated coagulation analyser by using dilute russell viper venom time (dRVV) screen and confirm kits. Lupus anticoagulant was considered to be positive if the screen to confirm ratio is ≥1.2. The patients were followed up for a period of 1 year at regular 3 months interval. The various complications like hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, deep vein thrombosis, cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack (CVA/TIA), myocardial infarction, abortions, pulmonary artery hypertension and lupus nephritis were recorded.Results: Lupus anticoagulant was positive in 38.8% among the study group. The most common thrombotic event observed was DVT (16.7%) followed by MI (11.1%) and CVA/TIA (8.3%). There is significant association between lupus anticoagulant positivity with hemolytic anemia, DVT and pulmonary artery hypertension.Conclusions: The lupus anticoagulant has the strongest association with APS in SLE patients and dRVVT is the test of choice in diagnosing APLA. Early recognition of APLA can reduce the risk of thrombotic complications and can prevent further episodes by giving adequate thromboprophylaxis to lupus anticoagulant positive patients

Study of antimicrobial resistance profile and efflux mediated drug resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa detected by ethidium bromide-agar Cartwheel method

Background: Development of antibiotic resistance or multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major causes of treatment failure of bacterial infections and has rapidly evolved into a threat to global health care. Bacterial efflux pumps play a significant role in the development of antibiotic resistance. This study evaluates the prevalence of efflux pump- mediated drug resistance in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa.Methods: Clinical isolates (n=100) of P. aeruginosa were collected from various clinical laboratories in Kerala and their efflux mediated drug resistance detected by the ethidium bromide (EB) agar Cartwheel method.Results: The EB agar cartwheel method of screening revealed efflux activity in 17% (n=17) strains. The efflux activity was revealed at a minimum concentration of EB at 0 mg/l. P. aeruginosa strains showed the highest activity up to a concentration of 2.5 mg/l.Conclusions: This study discusses the emergence of efflux pump- mediated drug resistance in P. aeruginosa from various clinical samples. Our results showed that 17% drug resistance in P. aeruginosa is attributable to efflux related mechanisms.

Effect of thermization of dahi on post fermentation acidification during refrigerated storage

Post fermentation acidification is defined as the development of acidity past the desired level of fermentation or acid development. Effect of thermization at 65oC for different periods (30 sec, 60 sec, 2 min and 5 min) on post fermentation acidification of dahi samples prepared using Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 18 or Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 upon refrigerated storage was assessed in this study. Significant changes (p< 0.01) were observed between the two starter cultures in terms of their post acidification potential with L. rhamnosus 18 dahi showing lower pH, higher titratable acidity and lactobacilli count than L. casei 01 during refrigerated storage. On assessing the impact of heat treatment on post acidification, significant decrease (p< 0.05) in pH, increase (p< 0.01) in titratable acidity and lactobacilli count of the heat treated and control samples were observed throughout the storage. Based on this study, it can be inferred that heat treatment at 65oC for even upto 5 min is not having any significant inhibitory effect on post fermentation acidification characteristics of the lactobacilli cultures tested

Proceedings of International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable Planet

This proceeding contains articles of the various research ideas of the academic community and practitioners accepted at the "International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable Planet (ICCESP 2021)". ICCESP 2021 is being Organized by the Habilete Learning Solutions, Kollam in Collaboration with American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and Baselios Mathews II College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India. Conference Title: International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable PlanetConference Acronym: ICCESP 2021Conference Date: 05–06 March 2021Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizer: Habilete Learning Solutions, Kollam, Kerala, IndiaCollaborators: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and Baselios Mathews II College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India