Occurrence of Urinary Tract Infection in Adolescent and Adult Women of Shanty Town in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is commonly experienced by women of various age groups especially elderly ones. We planned to find out the prevalent microbial strains causing UTI in slum inhabitant adolescent and adult women in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.Methods amd Materials: Urine sample was collected from 462 UTI suspected female subjects. Pathogenic bacteria were identified using standard microbiological tests, and antimicrobial sensitivity profiles of the pathogens were determined.Results: Bacteriuria was present in 9% of the subjects. A higher incidence (16.8%) of UTI was noted among adult women aged above 19 years. Escherichia coli (69%), Streptococcus spp. (15%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7%) were more frequently isolated from the urine samples compared to Enterococcus faecalis (3%), Staphylococcus aureus (2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2%) and Hafnia alvei (2%). The E. coli isolates showed complete resistance to commonly used drugs, and 58% of these isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for ciprofloxacin ranged between 64μg/ml and 512μg/ml, and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values against the isolates were 128μg/ml or above. Isolated strains of E. coli exhibited equal extent of ciprofloxacin resistance irrespective of the presence or absence of plasmid in them.Conclusion: The extent of drug resistance among the uropathogens if ignored may render them uncontrollable. This study suggests regular monitoring of drug resistance phenotype of the UTI pathogens to reduce the morbidity of female UTI patients and offer better treatment strategy in the healthcare sectors of Bangladesh.Keywords: Urinary tract infection (UTI), Multidrug resistance (MDR), Adolescent wome

Biotreatment of anthraquinone dye Drimarene Blue K2RL

Drimarene Blue (Db) K2RL is a reactive anthraquinone dye, used extensively in textile industry, due to poor adsorbability to textile fiber; it has a higher exhaustion rate in wastewater. The dye is toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and resistant to degradation. Decolorization of this dye was studied in two different systems. Shake flask study, using the same immobilized fungus Aspergillus niger SA1 with increasing concentration (10 - 300 ppm) of dye resulted in 75% decolorization in 24 h with 10 ppm concentration, while the higher the concentration of dye, the lower the values (68% at 25 ppm, 40% at 50 ppm, 11% at 100 ppm, 3% at 200 ppm and 2% at 300 ppm) of decolorization (p < 0.05). Simulated textile effluent containing 10 ppm dye Db K2RL was tested aerobically using sludge in stirred tank reactor (STR) at 30ºC for 8 days. The values achieved of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction and decolorization were 84% (r = 0.968) and 30% (r = 0.905), respectively. This study revealed that immobilized fungus A. niger SA1 have potential, while sludge containing bacterial consortium have limited potential to be used as bioremediation for textile dye Drimarene Blue K2RL

Up-flow immobilized fungal Column Reactor for the Treatment of Anthraquinone dye Drimarene blue Ksub>2RL

This research work is on the decolorization of a reactive anthraquinone dye Drimarene blue (Db) K2RL, which is known for its markedly usage in textile industry. Due to poor adsorbability to textile fiber, it has a higher exhaustion rate in wastewater. The main objective of our research work was to evaluate the potential of an Up-flow Column reactor (UFCR) (13x1.7//) containing the fungal strain, Aspergillus niger SA1 (immobilized on support material Scotch-BriteTM) for the decolorization of a dye, Db K2RL, insimulated textile effluent. Different concentrations of dye in the effluent were treated in the reactor for 24 h, with a flow rate of 10 mL-1 at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 h. Using anoxic UFCR, decolorization of the effluent was observed maximum, that is, 94.26% at 10 ppm of dye; however, it reduced to 58.51% at 300 ppm of dye. A trend towards increase ( 15%) in decolorization of effluent was noted, when the effluent was aerated prior to treatment. Recycling of the effluent containing dye increased the decolorization (85% at 130 ppm of dye; 66% at 500 ppm of dye), however, further recycling decreased the rate of decolorization, which might be due to desorption by the immobilizedfungus. The results of these findings providing important insights into the development of effective treatment technology for bioremediation of textile dyes

Oseltamivir-resistant pandemic (H1N1)2009 in Yemen - case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During the influenza season of 2007-08, oseltamivir-resistant influenza A (H1N1) viruses emerged in several countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. Despite substantial prevalence of oseltamivir-resistant viruses, few data are available on the clinical profile of subjects infected with these viruses. Objectives: to describe the first oseltamivir-resistant (H1N1) influenza virus pandemic 2009 from the Eastern Mediterranean Region including Yemen and to determine the evidence by clinical presentation of children infected with these oseltamivir - resistant viruses.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>History, physical examination and laboratory investigations including Complete Blood Count, chest x-ray, blood cultures, CSF examination, LFTs, RFTs, blood for sugar, H1N1 test and oseltamivir resistance test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nasal swabs indicated positivity on both H1N1 test and the RNP gene (Human R Nase P gene that serves as internal positive control for Human RNA. Both clinical specimens presented the mutation S31N in the M2 gene associated with resistance to adamantanes and H274Y in NA gene associated with resistance to oseltamivir. This was the first diagnosed case of resistance to oseltamivir in Yemen and also it is the first reported case of oseltamivir resistance virus in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The pattern of resistance found in the oseltamivir resistant isolate collected from Yemen is the same as has been reported elsewhere in other WHO regions. Clinical description and outcomes are not different from what is described elsewhere.</p

Isolation and characterization of a bacterial strain for aniline degradation

Aniline, a serious environmental threat and health risk to living organisms is being released into the soil and water bodies owing to its expanded use in industry. The objective of the present study was to isolate a strain from rhizospheric soil samples of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) taken from anagricultural site near the industrial area of Faisalabad, with the capability of degrading aniline with its maximum activity. The isolated strain was identified as Staphylococcus aureus ST1 a newly reported strain for aniline degradation. The strain ST1 showed tolerance up to 2000 ppm for aniline on mineral salt media plates and its degradative ability was checked through shake flasks experiments using HPLC. The strain was capable of degrading aniline and utilizing it as a sole source of carbon andenergy. Maximum reduction of aniline concentration in medium up to 59.65% was observed after 72 h. An enhancement in biodegradation was observed using glucose as an additional growth substrate. The degradative products analyzed by HPLC were catechol, phenol and some other unknown compounds. Plasmid curing showed the involvement of plasmid encoded genes which was later followed by the isolation of plasmid DNA, which was found to be a large one of &#126;40 kb having restriction sites for enzymes (EcoRI, BamHI, ClaI, StuI, PstI, and HindIII) used

Evaluation of anticancer activity of Debregeasia Salicifolia extract against estrogen receptor positive cell line

Crude methanol extract and fractions of Debregeasia salicifolia stem were examined for their anticancer activity. To determine anticancer activity, different concentrations of crude extract were tested on MCF- 7 cancer cell line by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. D. salicifolia extract showed a significant antiproliferative activity and a dose dependent effect was observed. Minimum inhibition of 25.31% was shown by extract at concentration 10 ìg/ml and maximuminhibition (99%) was observed at 500 ìg/ml. Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous fractions were also tested at a  concentration of 200 ìg/ml. Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetatefractions appeared to be most active with 90 to 99% activity. These results indicate the possible potential use of D. salicifolia as antineoplastic agent. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the chemical composition of D. salicifolia extract containing flavonoids, anthraquinones and tannins.Anticancer properties of D. salicifolia can be linked with the presence of these chemicals.Key words: Anticancer, cytotoxic, Debregeasia salicifolia, MCF-7 cell line, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, phytochemical

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on glaucoma appointment scheduling in a tertiary hospital in London, UK

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of the delay in patient appointments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the triage system on the glaucomatous disease of patients in a London tertiary hospita METHODS: Observational retrospective study that randomly selected 200 glaucoma patients with more than 3 months of unintended delay for their post-COVID visit and other inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic information, clinical data, number of drugs, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD), and global peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness were obtained from the pre- and post-COVID visit. At the post-COVID visit, the clinical outcomes subjective clinical concern and change of treatment or need for surgery were also annotated. The variables were stratified by glaucoma severity (according to the MD into early, moderate and advanced) and by delay time (more and less than 12 months) and analysed using SPSS. RESULTS: We included 121 eyes (from 71 patients). The median patient age was 74 years (interquartile range -IQR- 15), 54% were males and 52% Caucasians. Different glaucoma types and all glaucoma severities were included. When data was stratified for glaucoma severity, at the pre-COVID visit, significant differences in BCVA, CCT and IOP were observed and there were significantly higher values in the early glaucoma group. The median follow-up delay was 11 months (IQR 8), did not differ between the glaucoma severity groups and did not correlate to the glaucoma severity. At the post-COVID visit, significant differences in BCVA, IOP, and Global pRNFL thickness were observed between the glaucoma severity groups, as lower BCVA and higher IOP and pRNFL thickness were observed in the early glaucoma group. At the post-COVID visit there was cause for concern in 40 eyes: 5 were followed more closely, 22 had a change of treatment and 13 were booked for surgery (3 for cataract and 10 for glaucoma surgery). However, the number of eyes with causes for concern were similar between the glaucoma severity groups and there was no correlation between these clinical outcomes and the delay of the post-COVID visit. The number of topical hypotensive medications increased significantly after the post-COVID visit, higher number of medications were observed in the advanced glaucoma group. When differences of IOP, MD and pRNFL thickness between the pre and post-COVID visit, only the MD difference was significantly different between the glaucoma severity groups because it was higher in the severe group. When data was stratified for delay longer or shorter than 12 months, no differences were observed between the groups except at the pre-COVID visit, when the numbers of patients with MD deviation >−6 dB had longer delay time. When differences in IOP, MD and RNFL thickness were calculated, only the pRNFL thickness showed significant differences between the delay groups, because it was higher in the longer delay group. Finally, when paired analysis of the variables at the pre- and post-COVID visits, stratified by glaucoma severity and delay were conducted, although there were no significant differences in IOP in any group, the BCVA decreased significantly in the overall group and in the longer delay groups, the number of hypotensive drugs increased significantly overall and in the moderate and advanced glaucoma, the MD of the VF worsened significantly in the overall group and in the early glaucoma and longer delay groups and the pRNFL thickness decreased significantly in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: We document that delayed care impacts negatively on the glaucomatous disease of our patients because at the post-COVID visit there were reasons for clinical concern in a third of eyes that resulted in change of treatment or surgery. However, these clinical consequences were not related to IOP, glaucoma severity or delay time and reflect that the triage methods implemented worked adequately. The most sensitive parameter to indicate progression in our sample was the pRNFL thickness

MicroShunt versus trabeculectomy for surgical management of glaucoma: a retrospective analysis

This case-control study aims to compare the efficacy, safety, and postoperative burden of MicroShunt versus trabeculectomy. The first consecutive cohort of MicroShunt procedures (n = 101) was matched to recent historical trabeculectomy procedures (n = 101) at two London hospital trusts. Primary endpoints included changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medications. Secondary outcome measures included changes in retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, rates of complications, further theatre interventions, and the number of postoperative visits. From the baseline to Month-18, the median [interquartile range] IOP decreased from 22 [17–29] mmHg (on 4 [3–4] medications) to 15 [10–17] mmHg (on 0 [0–2] medications) and from 20 [16–28] mmHg (on 4 [3–4] medications) to 11 [10–13] mmHg (on 0 [0–0] medications) in the MicroShunt and trabeculectomy groups, respectively. IOP from Month-3 was significantly higher in the MicroShunt group (p = 0.006), with an increased number of medications from Month-12 (p = 0.024). There were greater RNFL thicknesses from Month-6 in the MicroShunt group (p = 0.005). The rates of complications were similar (p = 0.060) but with fewer interventions (p = 0.031) and postoperative visits (p = 0.001) in the MicroShunt group. Therefore, MicroShunt has inferior efficacy to trabeculectomy in lowering IOP and medications but provides a better safety profile and postoperative burden and may delay RNFL loss

Dual Function of the pUL7-pUL51 Tegument Protein Complex in Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection

The tegument of herpesviruses is a highly complex structural layer between the nucleocapsid and the envelope of virions. Tegument proteins play both structural and regulatory functions during replication and spread, but the interactions and functions of many of these proteins are poorly understood. Here we focus on two tegument proteins from herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), pUL7 and pUL51, which have homologues in all other herpesviruses. We have now identified that HSV-1 pUL7 and pUL51 form a stable and direct protein-protein interaction, their expression levels rely on the presence of each other, and they function as a complex in infected cells. We demonstrate that expression of the pUL7-pUL51 complex is important for efficient HSV-1 assembly and plaque formation. Furthermore, we also discovered that the pUL7-pUL51 complex localizes to focal adhesions at the plasma membrane in both infected cells and in the absence of other viral proteins. The expression of pUL7-pUL51 is important to stabilize focal adhesions and maintain cell morphology in infected cells and cells infected with viruses lacking pUL7 and/or pUL51 round up more rapidly than cells infected with wild-type HSV-1. Our data suggest that, in addition to the previously reported functions in virus assembly and spread for pUL51, the pUL7-pUL51 complex is important for maintaining the attachment of infected cells to their surroundings through modulating the activity of focal adhesion complexes. $\textbf{IMPORTANCE}$: The $\textit{Herpesviridae }$ is a large family of highly successful human and animal pathogens. Virions of these viruses are composed of many different proteins, most of which are contained within the tegument, a complex structural layer between the nucleocapsid and the envelope within virus particles. Tegument proteins have important roles in assembling virus particles as well as modifying host cells to promote virus replication and spread. However, little is known about the function of many tegument proteins during virus replication. Our study focuses on two tegument proteins from herpes simplex virus 1 that are conserved in all herpesviruses: pUL7 and pUL51. We demonstrate that these proteins directly interact and form a functional complex that is important for both virus assembly and modulation of host cell morphology. Further, we identify for the first time that these conserved herpesvirus tegument proteins localize to focal adhesions in addition to cytoplasmic juxtanuclear membranes within infected cells.This work was supported by the Leverhulme Trust (grant RPG-2012-793 to C.M.C.), the Royal Society (University Research Fellowship UF090010 to C.M.C.), and the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust (Sir Henry Dale Fellowship 098406/Z/12/Z to S.C.G.). L.D. was supported by Wellcome Trust Ph.D. Programme funding (086158/Z/08/Z). D.J.O. was supported by a John Lucas Walker studentship. M.F.A. was supported by a Commonwealth Scholarship Commission PhD scholarship (BDCA-2014-7)

State-of-practice on as-is modelling of industrial facilities

90% of the time needed for the conversion from point clouds to 3D models of industrial facilities is spent on geometric modelling due to the sheer number of Industrial Objects (IOs) of each plant. Hence, cost reduction is only possible by automating modelling. Our previous work has successfully identified the most frequent industrial objects which are in descending order: electrical conduit, straight pipes, circular hollow sections, elbows, channels, solid bars, I-beams, angles, flanges and valves. We modelled those on a state-of-theart software, EdgeWise and then evaluated the performance of this software for pipeline and structural modelling. The modelling of pipelines is summarized in three basic steps: (a) automated extraction of cylinders, (b) their semantic classification and (c) manual extraction and editing of pipes. The results showed that cylinders are modelled with 75 % recall and 62 % precision on average. We discovered that pipes, electrical conduit and circular hollow sections require 80 % of the Total Modelling Hours (TMH) of the 10 most frequent IOs to build the plant model. TMH was then compared to modelling hours in Revit and showed that 67 % of pipe modelling time is saved by EdgeWise. This paper is the first to evaluate state-of-the-art industrial modelling software. These findings help in better understanding the problem and serve as the foundation for researchers who are interested in solving i