Lupus anticoagulant in systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with complications

Background: The anti-phospholipid antibody which can occur secondary to SLE have a broad spectrum of both thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations. Among the three antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant has the strongest association with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and increased chance of recurrence of thrombotic events. Hence early screening of lupus anticoagulant is needed.Methods: 72 clinically diagnosed SLE patients were included. The PT, aPTT were done in all patients. The clotting time is assessed by semi-automated coagulation analyser by using dilute russell viper venom time (dRVV) screen and confirm kits. Lupus anticoagulant was considered to be positive if the screen to confirm ratio is ≥1.2. The patients were followed up for a period of 1 year at regular 3 months interval. The various complications like hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, deep vein thrombosis, cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack (CVA/TIA), myocardial infarction, abortions, pulmonary artery hypertension and lupus nephritis were recorded.Results: Lupus anticoagulant was positive in 38.8% among the study group. The most common thrombotic event observed was DVT (16.7%) followed by MI (11.1%) and CVA/TIA (8.3%). There is significant association between lupus anticoagulant positivity with hemolytic anemia, DVT and pulmonary artery hypertension.Conclusions: The lupus anticoagulant has the strongest association with APS in SLE patients and dRVVT is the test of choice in diagnosing APLA. Early recognition of APLA can reduce the risk of thrombotic complications and can prevent further episodes by giving adequate thromboprophylaxis to lupus anticoagulant positive patients

Study of antimicrobial resistance profile and efflux mediated drug resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa detected by ethidium bromide-agar Cartwheel method

Background: Development of antibiotic resistance or multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major causes of treatment failure of bacterial infections and has rapidly evolved into a threat to global health care. Bacterial efflux pumps play a significant role in the development of antibiotic resistance. This study evaluates the prevalence of efflux pump- mediated drug resistance in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa.Methods: Clinical isolates (n=100) of P. aeruginosa were collected from various clinical laboratories in Kerala and their efflux mediated drug resistance detected by the ethidium bromide (EB) agar Cartwheel method.Results: The EB agar cartwheel method of screening revealed efflux activity in 17% (n=17) strains. The efflux activity was revealed at a minimum concentration of EB at 0 mg/l. P. aeruginosa strains showed the highest activity up to a concentration of 2.5 mg/l.Conclusions: This study discusses the emergence of efflux pump- mediated drug resistance in P. aeruginosa from various clinical samples. Our results showed that 17% drug resistance in P. aeruginosa is attributable to efflux related mechanisms.

GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATIONS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING FRESH LEAF EXTRACT OF MORINDA CITRIFOLIA AND ITS ANTI-MICROBIAL ACTIVITY STUDIES

Objective: To develop a rapid method of synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using the fresh aqueous leaf extract of Morinda Citrifolia from 0.1 M AgNO3 solution, to characterize the resulting Ag NPs and also compare their antimicrobial activity with those of standard drugs against human pathogenic bacteria.Methods: 25 ml of the aqueous extract was added to 25 ml of 0.1 M aqueous AgNO3 at room temperature. The mixture was stirred continuously for 5-10 minutes. The reduction was completed with the appearance of brownish-black colored dispersion. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectra and Particle size analysis (DLS method). Further the Antimicrobial activity was compared with the drugs against S. aureus and P. aureginosa strains using the disk diffusion method.Results: The formation of Silver nanoparticles was confirmed with the help of UV-Vis absorption spectra at ≈ 425 nm and particle size as approximately 100 nm using Particle size analysis (DLS method). The anti-microbial activity of the Ag NPs so synthesized was studied against human pathogens in wound infections such as S. aureus and P. aureginosa strains. The inhibitory activity for Ag NPs was compared with those of known drugs such as tetracycline, Ceftazidime and Amikacin at 30 mcg. The inhibitory activity of the Synthesized Ag NPs was found pronounced against P. aureginosa strains.Conclusion: A rapid method of synthesizing Ag NPs has been developed by using the fresh leaf extract of Morinda Citrifolia and it was found that the extract is a potential reducing agent to produce stable Ag NPs. The research provides a new input to the development of anti-microbial agent.Â

Proceedings of International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable Planet

This proceeding contains articles of the various research ideas of the academic community and practitioners accepted at the "International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable Planet (ICCESP 2021)". ICCESP 2021 is being Organized by the Habilete Learning Solutions, Kollam in Collaboration with American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and Baselios Mathews II College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India. Conference Title: International Web Conference in Civil Engineering for a Sustainable PlanetConference Acronym: ICCESP 2021Conference Date: 05–06 March 2021Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizer: Habilete Learning Solutions, Kollam, Kerala, IndiaCollaborators: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, and Baselios Mathews II College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India