Detection of antibacterial activity of karuncheerakam (nigella sativa) oil against gram positive cocci isolated from veterinary clinical specimens

Gram positive cocci are ubiquitous microorganisms important in human and animal infections. The use of antibiotics to treat these infections is limited because of emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transferred to man and should adapt to withdrawal period in order to minimize antibiotic residue. Therefore, many research studies are being carried out to find non-antibiotic approaches in order to reduce the use of antibiotics. In the traditional veterinary medicine, medicinal herbs are used to treat animal diseases. This is believed to be natural and safe therapeutic methods. In this in-vioo study, the Karuncheerakam (Nigella sativa) oil was examined for its antibacterial activity against the most common Gram positive bacteria, in order to develop an herbal remedy as a substitute for antibiotics. In this study, 84 Staphylococci organisms and 52 Streptococci organisms isolated from 100 veterinary clinical specimens were investigated. The disc-diffusion assay was used to detect the antibacterial activity. The antibacterial effect of this oil was very impressive as evidenced by the inhibition zone sizes obtained and all the isolated organisms tested were susceptible. In conclusion, the antibacterial activity of this oil on Gram positive bacteria was highly significant and this study suggests that Karuncheerakam oil can be used as an antibacterial agent targeting on Gram positive bacterial infection. However, this oil should be further examined through proper pharmacological and clinical investigations in order to be considered as a new alternative therapy for these infections

The influence of common risk factors for the patient with attempted suicide hospitalized at the teaching hospital, Batticaloa

Suicidal behavior has increased since the onset of the global recession, a trend that may have long-term health and social implications. A high suicide rate in any society is an index of social disorganization and the awareness of the seriousness of suicide in our society would not be overlooked. Aim of this study was to assess the common risk factors for the patients with attempted suicide hospitalized at the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire involving a convenience sampling of 100 suicidal attempters. Of the respondents, conflict with others was the most common risk factor (75%) for attempted suicide with significant associations with educational status, marital status and age range (P < 0.05). Other risk factors such as social and emotional related issues, financial related problems, and health related problems were found 13%, 6% and 6% respectively. Frequent mode of attempting suicide was with Yellow Oleander poisoning (30%). Effective suicide preventive and control measures need to be taken in the form of early identification of suicide-prone individuals. Prevention efforts should focus on planned attempts because of the rapid onset and unpredictability of unplanned attempts

Critical analysis on tuberculosis mortality during 2005-2011 in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health problem throughout the world and in Sri Lanka too. It is poses a continuing threat to the health and development of the people. Around 8500 – 9500 cases are detected annually in Sri Lanka. In the recent past, the TB mortality rate has significantly increased in Batticaloa district in comparison to the national value (Mortality rate in 2009, National figure 2.4/100,000 Population and 3.35/100,000 Population for Batticaloa district but in 2010 rate was 4.51/100,000 Population for Batticaloa district however National figure is 2.5/100,000 Population).This investigation aimed to, identify the age group vulnerable for death due to TB, recognize the areas in Batticaloa district that are more prone to contracting TB, determine the influence of predisposing factors and co- morbidities contribute to the death and designed to analyze the diagnostic criteria of tuberculosis at Chest Clinic and Teaching Hospital,Batticaloa. Data obtained from chest clinic records and by interviewer administered questionnaire of close relatives of the diseased cases. Statistical analysis was performed by statistical software (SPSS 16.0) and the p-value < 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. The most vulnerable age group of death identified as 55– 64 years (30.4%). The significant higher death rate (27.3%) occurred in Kaluwanchikudy Medical Officer of Health (MOH) division. Smoking habit and alcohol consumption were recognized as significant predisposing factors of death. The significant co-morbid to the death was bronchial asthma (45.5%). Death due to tuberculosis has been found to be higher than the national figures in the years under study. A typical laboratory dedicated for detection of TB should be established in Batticaloa as it is essential to perform all diagnostic tests for TB to avoid the unnecessary delay in diagnosing the disease and initiating treatment to avoid unwanted death

The theoretical prediction of the boundary-layer-blockage and external flow choking at moving aircraft in ground effects

The theoretical discoveries of the Sanal flow choking [V. R. Sanal Kumar et al., "Sanal flow choking: A paradigm shift in computational fluid dynamics code verification and diagnosing detonation and hemorrhage in real-world fluid-flow systems,"Global Challenges 4, 2000012 (2020)] and streamtube flow choking [V. R. Sanal Kumar et al., "Deflagration to detonation transition in chemical rockets with sudden expansion/divergence regions,"AIAA Paper No. 2020-3520, 2020] achieved significant contemplation in all branches of science and engineering for resolving various unanswered scientific questions brought onward from the beginning of this era [V. R. Sanal Kumar et al., "A closed-form analytical model for predicting 3D boundary layer displacement thickness for the validation of viscous flow solvers,"AIP Adv. 8, 025315 (2018)]. The applications of these flow choking phenomena are more significant in aerospace industries [V. R. Sanal Kumar et al., "Nanoscale flow choking and spaceflight effects on cardiovascular risk of astronauts - A new perspective,"AIAA Paper No. 2021-0357, 2021] and medical sciences [V. R. Sanal Kumar et al., "Lopsided blood-thinning drug increases the risk of internal flow choking leading to shock wave generation causing asymptomatic cardiovascular disease,"Global Challenges 2021, 2000076]. Herein, as an offshoot of the Sanal flow choking phenomena, the proof of the concept of boundary-layer-blockage (BLB) persuaded external-flow-choking (EFC) at aircraft-in-ground (AIG)-effect is presented. When the aircraft's ground clearance is relatively low, the evolving BLB factor from both planes (the bottom surface of the aircraft and the ground) creates a transient fluid-throat, leading to the Sanal flow choking and supersonic flow development in the duct flow region. In this physical situation, the pressure ratio (Ptotal/Pstatic) at the external flow choking region is exclusively a function of the specific heat ratio of the fluid. The EFC is more prone for the low wing aircraft flying in the near vicinity to the ground and/or sea with relatively high subsonic Mach number and low angle of attack. At this flying condition, the underside of the aircraft (fuselage and/or wing) and the ground creates the convergent-divergent duct flow effect leading to the EFC at the critical total-to-static pressure ratio. The accurate estimation of the BLB factor at the location of the EFC at AIG effect is presented in this manuscript as a universal yardstick for two-dimensional (2D) in silico simulation. For establishing the proof of the concept of external flow choking and supersonic flow development and shock wave generation, the 2D in silico results are presented for both stationary and moving airfoils in ground effect. In silico results show that the airfoil at stationary position exhibits relatively higher BLB factor and an immediate occurrence of the EFC than the same airfoil moving with the identical inflow Mach number and Reynolds number. We could establish herein that the moving vehicle simulation is inevitable for capturing actual flow physics and further precise examination of the BLB factor and the possibilities of the occurrence of the EFC for credible trajectory optimization of high-speed ground-effect vehicles. © 2021 Author(s).12 month embargo; published online: 11 March 2021This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study

Background: Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery. Methods: This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy. Results: Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51–19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43–3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8–51.9%, P&lt;0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI. Conclusions: After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies

Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study

Background Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery. Methods This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy. Results Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51–19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43–3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8–51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI. Conclusions After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies

Body mass index and complications following major gastrointestinal surgery: A prospective, international cohort study and meta-analysis

Aim Previous studies reported conflicting evidence on the effects of obesity on outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery. The aims of this study were to explore the relationship of obesity with major postoperative complications in an international cohort and to present a metaanalysis of all available prospective data. Methods This prospective, multicentre study included adults undergoing both elective and emergency gastrointestinal resection, reversal of stoma or formation of stoma. The primary end-point was 30-day major complications (Clavien–Dindo Grades III–V). A systematic search was undertaken for studies assessing the relationship between obesity and major complications after gastrointestinal surgery. Individual patient meta-analysis was used to analyse pooled results. Results This study included 2519 patients across 127 centres, of whom 560 (22.2%) were obese. Unadjusted major complication rates were lower in obese vs normal weight patients (13.0% vs 16.2%, respectively), but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.863) on multivariate analysis for patients having surgery for either malignant or benign conditions. Individual patient meta-analysis demonstrated that obese patients undergoing surgery formalignancy were at increased risk of major complications (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.49–2.96, P < 0.001), whereas obese patients undergoing surgery for benign indications were at decreased risk (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46–0.75, P < 0.001) compared to normal weight patients. Conclusions In our international data, obesity was not found to be associated with major complications following gastrointestinal surgery. Meta-analysis of available prospective data made a novel finding of obesity being associated with different outcomes depending on whether patients were undergoing surgery for benign or malignant disease