ASSESSMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF KOHL/KAJAL PREPARED BY DIFFERENT INDIAN METHODS AGAINST SELECTED MICROBIAL STRAINS

Objective: To prepare and evaluate different types of Kajal formulations and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity along with preliminary verification of the content responsible for the said effect. Methods: We have prepared kajal formulations by use of different metal plates, marble tile, ghee and Aloe vera mucilage and tried to verify the antimicrobial effect attributed to the formulation by these substances. Results: Carbon soot obtained from the use of copper plate showed more antimicrobial potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli, with zones of inhibition 18±0.235 mm, 17±0.124 mm and 19±0.528 mm respectively. Also this formulation at different concentrations when compared with Ciprofloxacin exhibited promising results. Moreover, this formulation when used with Ciprofloxacin at a concentration of (50:50) revealed a synergistic effect against the clinically resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, with zone of inhibition 22±0.578 mm and 20±0.987 mm at a concentration of 10 and 5 µg ml-1 respectively, whereas, Ciprofloxacin exhibited zone of inhibition of 26±0.457 mm and 24±0.751 mm at the similar concentrations. To assess the effectiveness of Aloe vera we used marbles tiles for collection of carbon soot. The zones of inhibition observed for Kohl formulations prepared by using carbon soot collected from marble tiles impregnated with Aloe vera mucilage exhibited less antimicrobial activity than that of copper soot against the selected microbial strains. Conclusion: All the prepared kajal formulations exhibited antimicrobial activity. Aloe vera and copper soot is responsible for significant antimicrobial activity and when combined with Ciprofloxacin it showed synergistic activity against the clinically resistant strains of P. aeruginosa

General anaesthetic and airway management practice for obstetric surgery in England: a prospective, multi-centre observational study

There are no current descriptions of general anaesthesia characteristics for obstetric surgery, despite recent changes to patient baseline characteristics and airway management guidelines. This analysis of data from the direct reporting of awareness in maternity patients' (DREAMY) study of accidental awareness during obstetric anaesthesia aimed to describe practice for obstetric general anaesthesia in England and compare with earlier surveys and best-practice recommendations. Consenting patients who received general anaesthesia for obstetric surgery in 72 hospitals from May 2017 to August 2018 were included. Baseline characteristics, airway management, anaesthetic techniques and major complications were collected. Descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression modelling and comparisons with earlier data were conducted. Data were collected from 3117 procedures, including 2554 (81.9%) caesarean deliveries. Thiopental was the induction drug in 1649 (52.9%) patients, compared with propofol in 1419 (45.5%). Suxamethonium was the neuromuscular blocking drug for tracheal intubation in 2631 (86.1%), compared with rocuronium in 367 (11.8%). Difficult tracheal intubation was reported in 1 in 19 (95%CI 1 in 16-22) and failed intubation in 1 in 312 (95%CI 1 in 169-667). Obese patients were over-represented compared with national baselines and associated with difficult, but not failed intubation. There was more evidence of change in practice for induction drugs (increased use of propofol) than neuromuscular blocking drugs (suxamethonium remains the most popular). There was evidence of improvement in practice, with increased monitoring and reversal of neuromuscular blockade (although this remains suboptimal). Despite a high risk of difficult intubation in this population, videolaryngoscopy was rarely used (1.9%)

Spatiotemporal variation of alkaline phosphatase activity in coastal waters off Trivandrum

Summary: Phosphatase is an extracellular enzyme which releases inorganic phosphate (Pi) from dissolved organic phosphate and indirectly organic carbon as nutrients for aquatic communities. Here, we have examined spatiotemporal variation in total alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) over a short period off Trivandrum, SW India. Sampling was at 50 m water depth at 5, 15, 25 and 45 m for 5 consecutive days at 6 h intervals during post-monsoon season. Total APA and phosphatase producing bacteria (PPB) were estimated along with pertinent environmental parameters. APA increased with depth up to 3.98 µM P h−1 at 45 m. Increase in pigment concentration with depth is responsible for an increase in APA and Pi uptake. There is a marginal increase in APA towards 18–24 h suggesting feeding activities of secondary producers. On the whole, chlorophyll and phaeophytin were responsible for nearly 45 and 55% variation in APA (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, n = 16), respectively. Total bacterial count (TBC) was responsible for 32% (p < 0.05, n = 16) and total viable direct counts-aerobic (TVCa) for 24% (p < 0.05, n = 16) APA variation. About 38% (p < 0.01, n = 20) variation of APA was linked to chlorophyll at noon and 22% (p < 0.001, n = 20) to PPB at dawn. Thus, it is possible that bacteria and chlorophyll/phytoplankton could be responsible for variation in APA, with the latter contribution greater than the former at noon. Such studies would help to profile the fertility of coastal waters in terms of bioavailable Pi. Laboratory experiments are underway to help us discern the extent of light-dependent contribution of chlorophyll/phytoplankton to APA and light independent participation of bacteria to the process. Keywords: Phosphorus, Alkaline phosphatase activity, Chlorophyll, Phytoplankton, Bacteri