A study of Acinetobacter infections in a tertiary care hospital in Northeast India

Background: Acinetobacter is an important opportunistic pathogen and is a common cause of hospital acquired infections. Acinetobacter infections are often extremely difficult to treat because of their widespread resistance to the major groups of antibiotics. The study was conducted to determine prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter species isolated from various clinical samples.Methods: Clinical specimens over a period of 2yrs from May 2015 to April 2017 were collected from the patients attending the hospital. Acinetobacter species isolates were identified, and antibiotic susceptibility test was done following standard operative procedures.Results: From 9979 clinical specimens, 3715 were positive for significant bacterial growth of which 111 (2.9%) were culture positive for Acinetobacter spp. Among 111 isolates 109 (98.2%) isolates were Acinetobacter baumanni and 2 (1.8%) were Acinetobacter lwoffii. Maximum isolates were isolated from urine samples 36 (32.4%) and majority of the isolates were from wards (56.7%) giving a probability of increased hospital acquired infections. Maximum resistance was shown by cefipime (80.1%). Imipenem and Meropenem shows resistance of 25.3% and 29.7% respectively. ICU isolates showed extensive resistance in comparison to wards and OPD.Conclusions: Increasing trend of resistance pattern to a large range of antibiotics is a matter of concern. To avoid resistance, antibiotics should be used judiciously, and empirical therapy should be determined for each hospital according to the resistance rates of the hospital. Infection with MDR Acinetobacter species is independently associated with high mortality, emphasizing the need for aggressive infection control strategies

LAPORAN INDIVIDU PRAKTIK LAPANGAN TERBIMBING (PLT)

Praktik Lapnagan Terbimbing yang selanjutnya disingkat PLT merupakan mata kuliah praktik lapangan dengan bobot 3 SKS yang wajib ditempuh oleh semua mahasiswa jurusan kependidikan di Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta sebagai salah satu syarat dalam menyelesaikan gelar sarjana pendidikan. PLT bertujuan untuk melatih mahasiswa dalam mengimplementasikan ilmu pengetahuan yang dimiliki dalam proses pembelajaran di sekolah sesuai dengan bidang studi serta kemampuan yang dimilikinya masing-masing. Selain sebagai tempat untuk mempraktikan ilmu pengetahuan, PLT dapat menjadi media bagi mahasiswa guna mendapat pengalaman yang nyata dalam proses pembelajaran, sehingga dapat menjadi bekal bagi mahasiswa guna mengembangan dirinya sebagai guru muda yang akan menjadi pendidik di masa yang akan datang. Kelompok PLT yang berlokasi di SMK Koperasi Yogyakarta ini terdiri dari 15 mahasiswa dari program Bimbingan Konseling, Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan, Pendidikan Akuntansi, Pendidikan Bahasa Indonesia, Pendidikan Ekonomi, dan Pendidikan Jasmani Kesehatan dan Rekreasi, . PLT dilaksanakan di SMK Koperasi Yogyakarta yang beralamat di Jalan Jalan Kapas 1/5 Yogyakarta, dari tanggal 15 September - 15 November 2017. Dalam pelaksanaannya, PLT dibagi menjadi beberapa tahapan. Tahap yang pertama adalah persiapan, berisi kegiatan : pembelajaran mikro di kampus, observasi sekolah dan kelas, pengembangan rencana pembelajaran dan pembekalan PLT. Tahap yang kedua adalah pelaksanaan, di mana ada 2 kegiatan yang dilakukan oleh mahasiswa, yaitu praktik mengajar dan praktik persekolahan. viii Dalam praktik mengajar di SMK Koperasi Yogyakarta kelas yang diampu adalah 4 kelas wajib yakni, XI AK 1, XI AK 2, XI AK 3, dan XI DKV. Serta mengisi kelas kosong jika guru pembimbing tidak dapat hadir yakni kelas XII DKV 1, XII PM 2, dan XII PM 3 Dengan mata pelajaran Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan dengan total tatap muka dikelas XI adalah 12 kali, dan dikelas XII sebanyak 6 kali dengan beberapa metode yang berbeda-beda. Berdasarkan analisis hasil pelaksanaan secara keseluruhan program PLT dapat dilaksanakan dengan baik dan lancar. Selain melaksanakan praktik mengajar, mahasiswa juga melaksanakan praktik persekolahan, yaitu kegiatan penunjang yang sejalan dengan program sekolah. Bentuk kegiatannya berupa: Upacara hari khusus, membantu Guru Piket, dan membantu kegiatan lain di sekolah. Di akhir pelaksanaan PLT, guru pembimbing memberikan penilaian terhadap mahasiswa yang melaksanakan PLT. Kegiatan PLT sangat bermanfaat bagi mahasiswa karena dapat merasakan pengalaman sebagai seorang guru. Harapan ke depan, semoga PLT dapat terus dilaksanakan dan jalinan silaturahmi serta kerjasama antara Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta dengan SMK Koperasi Yogyakarta dapat terus terjalin, sehingga membuka peluang kerjasama di bidang yang lain dan dapat memberikan manfaat bagi kedua pihak

Coping with disasters in shimla: a multidisciplinary approach

Despite recent achievements in the field of disaster management, the increase in death and damage points out that there is a need for a realistic and practical plan. Advances within single disciplines, alone, cannot solve the challenges in disaster management. As various disciplines have become increasingly diversified, a more complete understanding of the vulnerability and mechanism in which disaster happens is needed, so that adequate strategy is identified. This paper explores the emerging consensus among scholars and practitioners for multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to disasters and emergency management. It explains why such this strategy is deemed necessary and highlights the benefits of moving beyond explanations emanating from single or separate fields of study. To achieve this aim, the expertise of sciences, social sciences and language is combined. There has been recent progress in these individual disciplines, but multidisciplinary approaches must be implemented to tackle disasters in the future. The geographical location of Shimla is such that it is environmentally fragile and ecologically highly vulnerable to multiple disasters. It lies in Himalayan region located in the Zone IV and V making the region liable to experience the earthquake of intensity MSK VIII or more. In addition to it, river Satluj, Giri, Pabar rivers renders the population living on the banks of these rivers susceptible to floods. Now days due to the increasing developmental activities, the landslides are on the rise. Further the Shimla being enriched with the green cover leads to irreparable losses during summers due the incidents of forest fire. Keeping these problems in view, this paper comprises three objectives. They are: a) to record the spatial temporal incidences of disaster in the Shimla, b) to analyse the causes and impact of disasters in the Shimla and c) to suggest measures of mitigation based on multidisciplinary perspective. The investigation leads to analysis that the disasters are on the rise. Hence, there is a need of multidisciplinary research to mitigate disasters and to prepare the community by way of capacity building to respond in a better way by adopting appropriate measures to reduce the adverse impacts

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF WHATSAPP ADDICTION AMONG NURSING STUDENTS OF HIMALAYAN SCHOOL OF NURSING KALA-AMB DISTRICT SIRMAUR, HIMACHAL PRADESH.

Objective:To assess the prevalence of whatsapp addiction among nursing students of Himalayan school of nursing Kala-Amb Himachal Pradesh. Methodology:A cross sectional descriptive study was used, a sample size of 60 nursing students were selected by using Purposive sampling technique, Semi structured questionnaire were used to assess the prevalence of whatsapp addiction among nursing students of Himalayan school of nursing Kala-Amb Himachal Pradesh. Result: The study revealed that among 60 Nursing students, Benefits of using whatspp is easy way 57(95%), improve IPR 40(66.6%), building friendship 42(70%), fast and speedily 50(83.3%), and long distance communication 56(93.3%) . The Drawback of using whatspp is unwanted relations 32(53.3%), lack interaction without society 37(61.6%), no face to face interaction 48(80%) ignoring people around use 30(50%), and reduce attachment with parents 32(53.3%).When not using how you do feel are happy 39 (65%), calm 35(58.3), loneliness 27(45%), restlessness 23(38.3%)and stress 15(25%).Whatspp is mainly used for the group 51(85%),friends 60(100%), relatives 59(98.3%),(Education purpose 53(88.3%) and General purpose 46(76.6%)

Macronutrient intake in dyslipidemia: a population-based study from Haryana, North India

Background: Dyslipidemia is a highly prevalent physiological condition and it is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) worldwide. Diet as a modifiable factor gaining more scientific attention in managing the problem of dyslipidemia among vegetarian populations in order to reduce the burden of CVDs. Methods: The present study was conducted on a total of 497 adult participants of either sex recruited randomly from Palwal Haryana, North India. Data related to socio-demographic variables was collected by using pretested and modified interview schedules. Dietary data was collected by using validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and entered and analyzed by using Dietcal software. Lipid profile was done on 12 hours overnight fasting blood samples by using commercial kits Randox, USA. All the statistical tests were performed by using IMB’s SPSS software version 22. Results: Adjusted odds ratio revealed that total fat intake was positively associated with TG and VLDL while carbohydrate intake was found to be positively associated with TG, low-HDL, LDL, and VLDL. >3 times intake of RDAs for total fats and carbohydrates posed 2.4 and 2-folds increased risk for high TG and VLDL. Conclusions: Present study suggested a positive association between the intake levels of macronutrients and elevated lipids. Nutritional education and promoting diet diversity among vegetarian populations may reduce the burden of dyslipidemia

Učinak biljnih antihelmintika (češnjaka i nima) na proizvodna svojstva krava pasmine Karan Fries

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a herbal anthelmintic (Garlic and Neem combination) on the production parameters of Karan Fries cows. For this study, a total of 28 freshly calved cows (1-3 parity), were divided into four groups with 7 cows in each group (T1, T2, T3, T4). The cows in T1 were kept as the control. In T2, a commercial dewormer was used, whereas in T3, a single dose of garlic and neem in the ratio of 1:5 @ 4g/kg BW was used 7 days post calving, and in T4, in addition to the first dose, a second dose was also supplemented on day 60 after calving. The milk samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 fortnights after the deworming treatment and analyzed for milk composition and SCC. From the 5th fortnight onwards, a significantly higher (P≤0.05) daily milk yield (kg) was observed in T1, T2, T3 groups compared to T1. The overall average Somatic Cell Count (SCC) was found to be significantly lower in T4 followed by T3, compared to T2, which was further significantly lower than T1. From the 3rd to the 8th fortnight, protein (%) was observed to be significantly (p≤0.05) higher in the anthelmintic treated groups (significantly higher in T4 followed by T2, T3) compared to T1. From the 4th to the 8th fortnight, fat (%) was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in T4 compared to T1. The overall SNF (%) in T2, T3 and T4 differed significantly (P≤0.05) from the control group (T1). The overall value of lactose (%) was found to be significantly higher in the T4 group compared to the other groups. During the 7th and 8th fortnight significantly higher (P≤0.05) lactose (%) was observed in the T4 group compared to the other groups. This study concluded that besides providing better anthelmintic effects in comparison to chemical anthelmintics, the garlic and neem combination might improve the production performance of dairy cows.U ovom je istraživanju procjenjivan učinak biljnih antihelmintika (kombinacije češnjaka i nima) na proizvodne pokazatelje krava pasmine Karan Fries. U istraživanju je ukupno 28 netom oteljene teladi (paritet 1 – 3) podijeljeno u četiri skupine po sedam jedinki (T1, T2, T3, T4). Skupina T1 bila je kontrolna skupina, dok je u skupini T2 upotrijebljeno komercijalno sredstvo protiv glista. U skupini T3 životinjama je dana pojedinačna doza češnjaka i nima u omjeru 1 : 5 i u dozi od 4 g/kg tjelesne mase sedam dana nakon teljenja, a u skupini T4 toj je prvoj dozi dodana i druga doza, i to 60. dan nakon teljenja. Uzorci mlijeka prikupljeni su 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 dvotjednih vremenskih razmaka povezanih s davanjem antihelmintika, te je analiziran sastav mlijeka i broj somatskih stanica (SCC). Od petog dvotjednog razdoblja nadalje zapažen je znakovito povećan (P ≤ 0,05) dnevni prinos mlijeka (kg) u skupinama T1, T2, T3 u odnosu na skupinu T1. Ukupan prosjek broja somatskih stanica (SCC) bio je znatno niži u skupini T4 te zatim u skupini T3 u usporedbi sa skupinom T2, koji je pak bio znatno niži nego u skupini T1. Od 3. do 8. dvotjednog razdoblja, postotak proteina bio je znakovito veći (P ≤ 0,05) u skupinama tretiranima antihelminticima (bio je znakovito veći u skupini T4, a zatim u skupinama T2 i T3) u usporedbi sa skupinom T1. Od 4. do 8. dvotjednog razdoblja, postotak masne tvari bio je znakovito veći (P ≤ 0,05) u skupini T4 u usporedbi sa skupinom T1. Ukupni postotak SNF-a u skupinama T2, T3 i T4 znakovito se razlikovao (P ≤ 0,05) od kontrolne skupine (T1). Ukupna postotna vrijednost lakoze bila je znakovito veća u skupini T4 u usporedbi s drugim skupinama. Za vrijeme 7. i 8. dvotjednog razdoblja uočen je znakovito veći postotak laktoze (P ≤ 0,05) u skupini T4 u usporedbi s drugim skupinama. U istraživanju je zaključeno da bi kombinacija češnjaka i nima, osim što ima bolje antihelmintičke učinke u usporedbi sa sintetičkim antihelminticima, mogla poboljšati proizvodna svojstva mliječnih krava

Temperature-dependent Dielectric Properties of Adulterated Honey – A Quality Assessment Measure for Fraud Detection

209-217Honey has become a main target of adulteration due to its important nutrient commodity of high price and in short supply. It can include illegal adulteration as well as overheating by adding water and sugar syrups. For this purpose, the dielectric assessment kit (DAK) which offers measurements of high precision dielectric attributes such as dielectric permittivity, penetration depth, conductivity and loss tangent over a wide frequency range has been used. Dielectric parameters of pure yellow standard honey (A) and their adulterated samples with moisture levels from 17.5 % to 31.2 % were measured with coaxial-line probe from 600 to 6000 MHz at 25–55 ℃. Influence of water content and temperature on dielectric properties (dielectric constant, loss tangent, electrical conductivity and penetration depth) of various honey brands B, C and D were also investigated. Temperature and moisture content have a substantial impact on honey's dielectric properties over the complete frequency range. It was observed that the dielectric constant and dielectric conductivity of honey brand named C were related to that of the pure honey sample A, although the values for various parameters of C and D were drastically different from A. Results show that the 915 MHz frequency is more appropriate for microwave heating of honey than the 2450 MHz frequency due to its deeper penetration depth. Finally overheating and water content of honey directly affects its dielectric parameters and their measurements can be used in quality assessment for degraded honey detection

Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) FROM Vitex negundo plant extract and its phytochemical screening and antimicrobial assessment next to pathogenic microbes

In the present study, green synthesis of silver-nanoparticle (AgNPs) is demonstrated using plant extract of Vitex negundo. Plant extract through six different solvents, including petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone, methanol, and water, was prepared and further investigated for its antimicrobial and antifungal activities using different bacterial and fungal strains. The phytochemical analysis was performed, where saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids and glycosides were detected in acetone, chloroform and methanolic extract. Subsequent analysis of synthesized AgNPs through dynamic light scattering suggested that particle sizes were 10-300 nm in size. The study indicated that the chloroform, acetone, and methanol extracts of Vitex negundo showed good inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis based on the zone of inhibition. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized AgNPs suggested that it can inhibit the growth of both gram +ve and gram -ve microorganisms. The MIC value of AgNPs of methanolic extract of V. negundo detected was 0.078 mg/mL, which was relatively lower than that of the MIC value of its crude extract (1.25mg/mL). The observed MIC values concluded that the synthesized AgNPs had better antimicrobial activity and could be necessary for various applications, including medicine, biology, and industr

Genetic and molecular understanding for the development of methionine-rich maize: a holistic approach

Maize (Zea mays) is the most important coarse cereal utilized as a major energy source for animal feed and humans. However, maize grains are deficient in methionine, an essential amino acid required for proper growth and development. Synthetic methionine has been used in animal feed, which is costlier and leads to adverse health effects on end-users. Bio-fortification of maize for methionine is, therefore, the most sustainable and environmental friendly approach. The zein proteins are responsible for methionine deposition in the form of δ-zein, which are major seed storage proteins of maize kernel. The present review summarizes various aspects of methionine including its importance and requirement for different subjects, its role in animal growth and performance, regulation of methionine content in maize and its utilization in human food. This review gives insight into improvement strategies including the selection of natural high-methionine mutants, molecular modulation of maize seed storage proteins and target key enzymes for sulphur metabolism and its flux towards the methionine synthesis, expression of synthetic genes, modifying gene codon and promoters employing genetic engineering approaches to enhance its expression. The compiled information on methionine and essential amino acids linked Quantitative Trait Loci in maize and orthologs cereals will give insight into the hotspot-linked genomic regions across the diverse range of maize germplasm through meta-QTL studies. The detailed information about candidate genes will provide the opportunity to target specific regions for gene editing to enhance methionine content in maize. Overall, this review will be helpful for researchers to design appropriate strategies to develop high-methionine maize

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used in the Health Care System: Survey of the Mid Hills of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh, India

The study was performed in the mid hills of the Dharampur region in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. At the study site, a total of 115 medicinal plants were documented (38 trees, 37 herbs, 34 shrubs, 5 climbers, 1 fern, and 1 grass). In the study region, extensive field surveys were performed between March 2020 and August 2021. Indigenous knowledge of wild medicinal plants was collected through questionnaires, discussions, and personal interviews during field trips. Plants with their correct nomenclature were arranged by botanical name, family, common name, habitat, parts used, routes used, and diseases treated. In the present study, the predominant family was Rosaceae, which represented the maximum number of plant species, 10, followed by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae, which represented 8 plant species. The rural inhabitants of the Dharampur region in the Solan district have been using local plants for primary health care and the treatment of various diseases for a longer time. However, information related to the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants was not documented. The rural inhabitants of the Dharampur region reported that the new generation is not so interested in traditional knowledge of medicinal plants due to modernization in society, so there is an urgent need to document ethnomedicinal plants before such knowledge becomes inaccessible and extinct