Recovery and characterization of poly(3-Hydroxybutyric acid) synthesized in Staphylococcus epidermidis

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are biodegradable polyesters accumulated intracellularly as energy resources by bacterial species. In this study, fermentation process for production of PHA is carried out using sesame oil as carbon source. We studied recovery of poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) from Staphylococcus epidermidis by sodium hypochlorite digestion method. Recovered PHB sample was estimated by UV spectrophotometer. PHB from S. epidermidis was characterized and by these findings, we examined purified PHB by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), a thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The results of our analysis of PHB while comparing with commercial source suggest that in DSC melting temperature of PHB was 173.36°C, TGA thermo grams of PHB sample was at 296.91°C, on TLC plate; Rf value was calculated as 0.71 and finally IR spectrum of the compounds showed characteristics bands for the groups CH, C=O and C-O, indicating the presence of PHB in the production medium.Key words: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB), Staphylococcus epidermidis

Identification of hairs of some mammalian prey of large cats in Gir Protected Area, India

A system for rapidly identifying hair specimens by its medullary configuration and scale structure was carried out. Cross sections as well as hair imprints and their drawings prepared from microphotographs, taken especially of those species which are the chief prey base of two top carnivore species found in Gir Protected Area i.e. the Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica and Leopard P. pardus is presented. This facilitates the identification of prey species of the carnivores through their scat analysis

Nesting patterns of some terrestrial birds in Danta Forest Range, northern Gujarat, India

This paper summarizes the nesting patterns of some terrestrial birds in Danta forest of North Gujarat, observed in 2006. A total of 103 terrestrial bird species belonging to 30 families were recorded during the study period. Of these, 31 species belonging to 16 families were recorded breeding in the area. Long-term monitoring of bird populations is strongly recommended for conservation of local avifauna

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Complications, Outcomes, and Mortality

OBJECTIVE: Our study objective was to identify real-world rates of complications, mortality, and outcomes in patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) over the last decade in the United States. METHODS: A total of 1346 patients were obtained from the nationwide inpatient sample for the years 2002-2011. Common complications known to be associated with NMS were identified. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify predictors of mortality. RESULTS: The most prevalent complication was rhabdomyolysis (30.1%). Other common complications were acute respiratory failure (16.1%), acute kidney injury (17.7%), sepsis (6.2%), and other systemic infections. Unadjusted mortality rate was 5.6%. Older age, acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, sepsis, and comorbid congestive heart failure were significant predictors of mortality. Acute respiratory failure was the strongest independent mortality predictor (p \u3c 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our large sample population-based study on NMS, we were able to identify the rates of several preselected complications and the mortality. The identification of independent mortality predictors in this study can guide physicians in the management and prognostication of this rare syndrome

Drug intoxication and increased mortality in anoxic brain injury

Introduction Intoxication by central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs can lead to anoxic brain injury by cardiac or respiratory arrest. We tested the hypothesis whether intoxication by these drugs contributes to mortality in acute anoxic brain injury Methods We utilized healthcare cost and utilization project databases (Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Kids\u27 Inpatient Database) to obtain patients admitted with diagnosis of anoxic brain injury. Patients with drug intoxication (opioid, alcohol, sedative/hypnotic drugs) were identified. Regression analysis was used to assess relationship between drug intoxication status to in-hospital mortality. The regression model was adjusted for age, gender, chronic medical comorbidities, presence of cardiac arrest and hospital characteristics. Results We analyzed a total of 12,319 patients with anoxic brain injury out of which 197 (1.6%) had drug intoxication and 35% were reported to have cardiac arrest. Median age was 58 years and 54% patients were males. In-hospital mortality was 57%. Among the survivors, 20% underwent feeding tube placement and 15% had tracheostomy. Drug intoxication was a significant positive predictor of inhospital mortality with adjusted odds ratio 1.5 (1.1 - 2.1), p=0.01. Conclusions CNS depressant drug intoxication is associated with higher in-hospital mortality in patients with acute anoxic brain injury

Burden of herpes simplex virus encephalitis in the United States

Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) is a disease of public health concern, but its burden on the healthcare of United States has not been adequately assessed recently. We aimed to define the incidence, complications and outcomes of HSVE in the recent decade by analyzing data from a nationally representative database. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project databases were utilized to identify patients with primary discharge diagnosis of HSVE. Annual hospitalization rate was estimated and several preselected inpatient complications were identified. Regression analyses were used to identify mortality predictors. Key epidemiological factors were compared with those from other countries. Total 4871 patients of HSVE were included in our study. The annual hospitalization rate was 10.3 ± 2.2 cases/million in neonates, 2.4 ± 0.3 cases/million in children and 6.4 ± 0.4 cases/million in adults. Median age was 57 years and male:female incidence ratio was 1:1. Rates of some central nervous system complications were seizures (38.4%), status epilepticus (5.5%), acute respiratory failure (20.1%), ischemic stroke (5.6%) and intracranial hemorrhage (2.7%), all of which were significantly associated with mortality. In-hospital mortality in neonates, children and adults were 6.9, 1.2 and 7.7%, respectively. HSVE still remains a potentially lethal infectious disease with high morbidity and mortality. Most recent epidemiological data in this study may help understanding this public health disease, and the patient outcome data may have prognostic significance