Knowledge and practice among the pediatric post graduate residents regarding the technique of blood culture sampling

Background: Errors in sampling during blood culture, may lead to contaminants or poor yield which result in faulty reports increasing patient's suffering, endanger patient safety and increasing cost of health care. Optimal knowledge about the sampling method for important microbiological test like blood culture translates into appropriate practices. Authors objectives was to assess the knowledge and practice of the Pediatric resident doctors, regarding sterile technique during blood culture collection. The change in the knowledge of the residents during blood culture sampling with regards to maintaining asepsis after watching educational video was evaluated.Methods: A quasi experimental, questionnaire based study with pre–post intervention,  involved post graduate resident’s knowledge and  practice regarding the sterile technique during blood culture collection. The data   analyzed using paired t test and Chi-square Test.Results: 18(60%) participants accepted that they have collected blood culture not maintaining complete asepsis at some time in past. The reasons for the same were lack of knowledge 14 (46.66%), no assistance from staff for the procedure 14 (46.66%), non-availability of sterile gloves 4 (13.33%), non-availability of antiseptic solution 4(13.33%), time consuming 8 (26.66%).Conclusions: Ultimately, blood culture contamination is a complex, challenging problem that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Regular teaching modules for the health personnel and ensuring environment conducive to correct practises would definitely help in improving the sampling practises for aseptic procedures

Epidemiology of pseudoexfoliation syndrome: a hospital based comparative study

Background: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), is an age-related condition with generalized disorder of the extracellular matrix (ECM) characterized by a pathological accumulation of polymorphic fibrillar extracellular material in ocular tissue and various visceral organs. The search for the etiology of pseudoexfoliation syndrome has been directed towards both genetic and environmental factors. It is associated with many ocular and systemic complications.Methods: The study was a hospital based comparative clinical study with 100 consecutive patients with pseudoexfoliation and age and sex matched 100 patients as control without pseudoexfoliation. The patients were registered on a Pre-structured Proforma which included patients’ demographic detail, history and examination. Examination protocol including visual acuity with snellen’s chart for literate patients and E-Chart for illiterate patients, intraocular pressure (by Goldmann applanation tonometry), slit lamp examination and fundus examination.Results: The mean age of cases was 65.93± 7.82 years ranging from 49 to 85 years. The mean age of controls was 63.98± 7.06 years ranging from 50 to 80 years (p=0.139). 72% of cases were more than 60 years old. Male female ratio was 1.63:1. Most of the cases were from Budgam, Bandipora and Ganderbal areas. Spring water was proportionately more frequently used as water source in cases (χ2 =18.5, p=0.000), and tube well water in controls. The mean duration of smoking was 26.63±24.74 pack years for cases and 14.88±17.10 pack years for controls (p=0.000). Average duration of daytime exposure for cases was 6.68±2.13 hours and for controls it was 4.52±2.53 hours. Among cases 12 patients (12%) were on treatment for glaucoma whereas among controls, 1 patient (1%) was on treatment for glaucoma. With respect to dietary habits, there was no difference between cases and controls. Farmers comprised of 49% of cases, followed by House wives and government employees.Conclusions: The study concludes that PEX is very common in our region, increasing with age and more in men. Smoking, occupations involved with sunlight exposure, spring water as water source are possible risk factors for PEX. Glaucoma and cataract are common ocular complications of the syndrome

Properties of isolated red pulp macrophages from mouse spleen

[No abstract available

An Analysis of the Characteristics and Practices of Selected Alabama Small Livestock Producers: A Focus on Economics and Marketing

Abstract The study examined the characteristics and practices of small livestock producers, focusing on economics and marketing. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 121 small producers from several South Central Alabama counties, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. The socioeconomic characteristics reflected a higher proportion of part-time farmers; a higher proportion with at most a two-year/technical degree or some college education; and a higher proportion with $40,000 or less annual household income. A majority had been farming more than thirty years, and most had small herds. Also, very few made profits; many sold animals live on-farm or at auction/stockyard, and kept records. The chi-square tests showed that farming status, gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, and household income had statistically significant relationships with selected farm, economic, and marketing characteristics. Educational programs should be implemented in the study area emphasizing economics and marketing, and taking into consideration socioeconomic factors

Characterization and evaluation of putative mutant populations of polyembryonic mango genotype Nekkare for dwarfing rootstock traits

Availability of dwarfing rootstocks is an important pre-requisite for improving productivity of mango orchards in India as it facilitates high density planting as well as impart uniformity within an orchard. An attempt was made to induce variability in polyembryonic mango genotype Nekkare for dwarfness by treating kernels with different doses of gamma radiation ranging from 15 to 35 Gy. Irradiation created significant variation in plant height, stem girth, number of nodes, inter-nodal length, number of leaves, leaf blade length and leaf blade width. The highest reduction in seedling height along with highest variation was observed at 35 Gy where the seedling height ranged from 11.50 to 33 cm with a mean of 23.12 cm as compared to mean plant height of 44.55 cm in control ranging from 33.50 to 56 cm. Further, the effect of irradiation on stomatal parameters was also investigated and the highest stomatal length and width was recorded at 15 Gy (63.39 μm) and 20 Gy (63.12 μm) respectively while 30 Gy treatment produced maximum stomatal density (13.85 per μm2). Furthermore, theconcentration of ABA was found to be highest (429.1 ng/gm) in morphologically dwarf (putative mutant) progenies of Nekkare. The results suggest effectiveness of induced mutation for developing dwarfing rootstocks in mango to be used in high density planting

An Analysis of the Characteristics and Practices of Selected Alabama Small Livestock Producers: A Focus on Production and Processing

Abstract The study assessed the characteristics and practices of small livestock producers, emphasizing production and processing. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 121 small producers from South Central Alabama, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. The socioeconomic factors showed most were part-time farmers; middle-aged producers; producers with at most a two-year/technical degree or some college education, and producers with $40,000 or less annual household income. A majority practiced rotational grazing, fed a combination of forage (direct from pasture), hay and concentrate, and about half conducted soil tests regularly. Furthermore, many had goats with parasite problems that were treated these primarily with anthelmintics; most sold live animals. The chi-square tests showed that farming status, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and household income had statistically significant relationships with production and processing characteristics. Socioeconomic factors should be considered in programs assisting producers in the study area. Keywords: Livestock Producers, Small Producers, Characteristics and Practices, Production and Processin

Probiotic Bacteria Induce Maturation of Intestinal Claudin 3 Expression and Barrier Function

An immature intestinal epithelial barrier may predispose infants and children to many intestinal inflammatory diseases, such as infectious enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Understanding the factors that regulate gut barrier maturation may yield insight into strategies to prevent these intestinal diseases. The claudin family of tight junction proteins plays an important role in regulating epithelial paracellular permeability. Previous reports demonstrate that rodent intestinal barrier function matures during the first 3 weeks of life. We show that murine paracellular permeability markedly decreases during postnatal maturation, with the most significant change occurring between 2 and 3 weeks. Here we report for the first time that commensal bacterial colonization induces intestinal barrier function maturation by promoting claudin 3 expression. Neonatal mice raised on antibiotics or lacking the toll-like receptor adaptor protein MyD88 exhibit impaired barrier function and decreased claudin 3 expression. Furthermore, enteral administration of either live or heat-killed preparations of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG accelerates intestinal barrier maturation and induces claudin 3 expression. However, live Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG increases mortality. Taken together, these results support a vital role for intestinal flora in the maturation of intestinal barrier function. Probiotics may prevent intestinal inflammatory diseases by regulating intestinal tight junction protein expression and barrier function. The use of heat-killed probiotics may provide therapeutic benefit while minimizing adverse effects

Correlation of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time with serum immunoglobulin and M-band in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients

Background: Multiple myeloma is the second most frequent malignancy which constitute 13% of hematologic cancers. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications have been frequently observed in multiple myeloma patients. Methods: The study was conducted in the department of pathology, Government medical college Srinagar. A total of fifty (50) patients were recruited for the study. The patients were advised coagulation profile and complete myeloma profile. Results: Our findings indicate that prolonged PT is associated with high serum IgG levels. A mild to moderate correlation was seen with kappa-free light chains and an inverse correlation was seen between PT and lmbda-free light chains. Conclusions: Screening of multiple myeloma for hemostatic abnormalities at the diagnosis should improve prognosis in such cases

The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Selected Practices by Small Livestock Producers in Alabama

Socioeconomic factors are generally believed to affect practices of small livestock producers. Yet, there has been limited research on the issue, especially in Alabama. This study, therefore, focused on the impact of socioeconomic factors on practices of small livestock producers in Alabama. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 121 producers from South Central Alabama, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit analysis. The socioeconomic factors reflected a higher proportion of part-time farmers; many more middle-aged persons, with at most a two-year/technical degree or some college education; and a higher proportion with $40,000 or less annual household income. A majority practiced rotational grazing; had parasite problems; used veterinary services; kept records, and nearly half conducted soil tests regularly. In addition, several socioeconomic factors had significant effects on selected practices; farming status had a significant effect on rotational grazing; education and income had significant effects on parasite problems; age had a significant effect on veterinary services; and race/ethnicity and education had significant effects on record keeping. The findings suggest that socioeconomic factors are important and must be considered in program implementation. Keywords: Socioeconomic Factors, Practices, Small Livestock Producer

The ASAC Flight Segment and Network Cost Models

To assist NASA in identifying research art, with the greatest potential for improving the air transportation system, two models were developed as part of its Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC). The ASAC Flight Segment Cost Model (FSCM) is used to predict aircraft trajectories, resource consumption, and variable operating costs for one or more flight segments. The Network Cost Model can either summarize the costs for a network of flight segments processed by the FSCM or can be used to independently estimate the variable operating costs of flying a fleet of equipment given the number of departures and average flight stage lengths