Comparative efficacy of Levofloxacin and Prulifloxacin against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. from a tertiary care hospital and their correlation with expression of lipase and lecithinase

Background: Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are often used for treatment of urinary tract infections. Prulifloxacin is a newer fluoroquinolone antimicrobial, and a prodrug of Ulifloxacin. It has been approved for use in Urinary tract infections and respiratory tract infections in many countries, but comparative studies comparing its efficacy against that of Levofloxacin are rare. Objectives: Our study aimed at studying this comparative efficacy. Methods: E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were isolated and identified from urine samples and their antibiogram was seen in respect to Levofloxacin and Prulifloxacin by Diak diffusion method. Antibiogram results were correlated with lecithinase, lipase and protease activities of the bac teria. Results: Most of the E. coli isolates were resistant to Prulifloxacin, but is was mostly effective against Klebsiella spp. Conclusion: Prulifloxacin is not a good option for empirical treatment of urinary tract infection, especially those caused by E. coli

Stimulation of osteogenic differentiation in human osteoprogenitor cells by pulsed electromagnetic fields: an in vitro study

Background: Although pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation may be clinically beneficial during fracture healing and for a wide range of bone disorders, there is still debate on its working mechanism. Mesenchymal stem cells are likely mediators facilitating the observed clinical effects of PEMF. Here, we performed in vitro experiments to investigate the effect of PEMF stimulation on human bone marrow-derived stromal cell (BMSC) metabolism and, specifically, whether PEMF can stimulate their osteogenic differentiation. Methods: BMSCs derived from four different donors were cultured in osteogenic medium, with the PEMF treated group being continuously exposed to a 15 Hz, 1 Gauss EM field, consisting of 5-millisecond bursts with 5-microsecond pulses. On culture day 1, 5, 9, and 14, cells were collected for biochemical analysis (DNA amount, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition), expression of various osteoblast-relevant genes and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. Differences between treated and control groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and considered significant when p < 0.05. Results: Biochemical analysis revealed significant, differentiation stage-dependent, PEMF-induced differences: PEMF increased mineralization at day 9 and 14, without altering alkaline phosphatase activity. Cell proliferation, as measured by DNA amounts, was not affected by PEMF until day 14. Here, DNA content stagnated in PEMF treated group, resulting in less DNA compared to control. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that during early culture, up to day 9, PEMF treatment increased mRNA levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2, transforming growth factor-beta 1, osteoprotegerin, matrix metalloproteinase-1 and-3, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein. In contrast, receptor activator of NF-B ligand expression was primarily stimulated on day 14. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was not affected by PEMF stimulation. Conclusions: PEMF exposure of differentiating human BMSCs enhanced mineralization and seemed to induce differentiation at the expense of proliferation. The osteogenic stimulus of PEMF was confirmed by the up-regulation of several osteogenic marker genes in the PEMF treated group, which preceded the deposition of mineral itself. These findings indicate that PEMF can directly stimulate osteoprogenitor cells towards osteogenic differentiation. This supports the theory that PEMF treatment may recruit these cells to facilitate an osteogenic response in vivo. © 2010 Jansen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Balancing repair and tolerance of DNA damage caused by alkylating agents

Alkylating agents constitute a major class of frontline chemotherapeutic drugs that inflict cytotoxic DNA damage as their main mode of action, in addition to collateral mutagenic damage. Numerous cellular pathways, including direct DNA damage reversal, base excision repair (BER) and mismatch repair (MMR), respond to alkylation damage to defend against alkylation-induced cell death or mutation. However, maintaining a proper balance of activity both within and between these pathways is crucial for a favourable response of an organism to alkylating agents. Furthermore, the response of an individual to alkylating agents can vary considerably from tissue to tissue and from person to person, pointing to genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that modulate alkylating agent toxicity

Sacred Space, Sacred Water: Exploring the Role of Water in India’s Sacred Places

This paper is exploratory in discussing the importance of water to sacred spaces in India. Traditional Hindu practices of pilgrimage have evolved because of many years of movement to places where the power of natural forces may be seen but as yet not necessarily highlighted in the literature. In the paper&rsquo;s exploration of this topic, significant features are considered and a framework to categorise water usage in sacred space is proposed. By including participant observation from a visit to Puri, India, changing attitudes, perspectives and practices in the pilgrimage experience in India today are also evidenced. In this example and at how water features in the experiences of sacred spaces in India, it is clear that there are attributes given to the water that reach beyond basic needs and may affect levels of consciousness. Consequently the conclusion of the paper is that the role of water is more significant than first appears and water is sacred space in its own right

Original Research Article Prevalence of pharmacotherapy in the department of paediatric dentistry

Background: Pharmacotherapy plays important role in the management of paediatric dental patients in the department of paediatric dentistry. Many children at their early age suffer from different kinds of dental conditions such as acute and chronic irreversible pulpitis, acute and chronic alveolar abscesses, dentoalveolar and vestibular abscesses, etc along with physiological tooth movement that requires professional help for dental treatment. Treatment of such conditions most frequently requires pharmacotherapy as an either adjunct to dental therapeutic procedure or as a monotherapy. Objective: To assess the prescribing patterns vis-a-vis generic or trade name, generic class, dosage form, route, frequency, duration, number of drugs per patient, cost and indication of drug therapy, patterns of dental treatment and Frankl’s behavioral rating. Materials and methods: Prescriptions of 200 paediatric dental patients undergoing dental treatment in the department of paediatric dentistry were analyzed prospectively for a period of six months in a dental teaching hospital. Results: 133 (56.5%) patients were males and 87 (43.5%) females and age group 6-10 years was the most frequent group (70%, P=0.0000000) and all the patients received pharmacotherapy. Total numbers of 357 drugs were prescribed. Out of them, 212 (59.4%, P=0.0000008) were analgesic agents, 133 (37.3%) antimicrobial agents (AMAs) and 12 (3.3%) other drugs. Extended spectrum Penicllins were the most commonly prescribed (90.2%) AMA followed by Metronidazol