Randomized control trial comparing the functional outcomes of dynamic hip screw and locking plate dynamic hip screw in intertrochanteric fractures of femur

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the functional outcomes of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur treated with dynamic hip screw (DHS) and locking plate DHS in elderly.Methods: 48 participants (23 in DHS and 25 in locking plate DHS) aged ≥ 50 years with intertrochanteric fracture of femur were enrolled in the present randomized open label parallel group trial conducted at Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre during a period of 1 year. Open, pathological, other fractures in the same limb and participants with neurological involvement were excluded. Standard of care (pre and post-operative care) was given to all participants. Sociodemographic, radiological findings, fracture type and Singh’s index were recorded at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months. Study commenced after approval from Institutional Ethics Committee and written informed consent was obtained from all study participants. Participants were randomized in 1:1 ratio using coin flip method. Quantitative variables were expressed means and medians and qualitative variables were expressed as proportions. Tests of significance were independent sample t test, Mann Whitney U test, Friedman test and Chi square test.Results: Between DHS and locking plate DHS, no significant difference in baseline parameters, neck shaft angle, tip apex distance, shortening, Harris hip score, range of motion score and length of hospital stay were observed.Conclusions: The functional outcomes and complications between DHS and locking plate DHS were not significantly different

ANTIMYCOBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CRUDE EXTRACTS PRODUCED BY BACILLUS SP. ASSOCIATED WITH ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODE

Objective: The World Health Organization estimates that about 8 to 10 million new Tuberculosis (TB) cases occur annually worldwide and its incidence is currently increasing. There are two million deaths from TB each year. The global threat of tuberculosis demands the search for alternative antimycobacterial drugs. The aim of the present study was to determine the antimycobacterial activity of nine crude extracts from a Bacillus sp. N strain associated with entomopathogenic nematode Rhabditis (Oscheius) sp. Methods: The liquid media for fermentation was prepared in TSB alone, LB alone and TSB + LB (1:1) supplemented with six different carbon sources (fructose, maltose, dextrose, mannitol, sucrose and lactose) and after fermentation crude extract was extracted using ethyl acetate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of extracts was determined using the broth dilution method on middle brook 7H11 against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against VERO cell line. Results: Out of nine extract tested only two recorded activity and significant activity was recorded by TSB+LB+lactose, followed by TSB+LB+fructose. These two extracts were nontoxic to the normal cell line. Conclusion: Purification of these extract will get pure compounds with antimycobacterial activity in future

Biocontrol of <i>Aspergillus</i> Species on Peanut Kernels by Antifungal Diketopiperazine Producing <i>Bacillus cereus</i> Associated with Entomopathogenic Nematode

<div><p>The rhabditid entomopathogenic nematode associated <i>Bacillus cereus</i> and the antifungal compounds produced by this bacterium were evaluated for their activity in reducing postharvest decay of peanut kernels caused by <i>Aspergillus</i> species in <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> tests. The results showed that <i>B. cereus</i> had a significant effect on biocontrol effectiveness in <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> conditions. The antifungal compounds produced by the <i>B. cereus</i> were purified using silica gel column chromatography and their structure was elucidated using extensive spectral analyses. The compounds were identified as diketopiperazines (DKPs) [cyclo-(L-Pro-Gly), cyclo(L-Tyr-L-Tyr), cyclo-(L-Phe-Gly) and cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp)]. The antifungal activities of diketopiperazines were studied against five <i>Aspergillus</i> species and best MIC of 2 µg/ml was recorded against <i>A. flavus</i> by cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp). To investigate the potential application of cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) to eliminate fungal spoilage in food and feed, peanut kernels was used as a food model system. White mycelia and dark/pale green spores of <i>Aspergillus</i> species were observed in the control peanut kernels after 2 days incubation. However the fungal growth was not observed in peanut kernels treated with cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp). The cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) was nontoxic to two normal cell lines [fore skin (FS) normal fibroblast and African green monkey kidney (VERO)] up to 200 µg/ml in MTT assay. Thus the cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) identified in this study may be a promising alternative to chemical preservatives as a potential biopreservative agent which prevent fungal growth in food and feed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that the entomopathogenic nematode associated <i>B. cereus</i> and cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) could be used as a biocontrol agents against postharvest fungal disease caused by <i>Aspergillus</i> species.</p></div

Effect of different incubation times of <i>B. cereus</i> on control of <i>Aspergillus</i> species.

<p>The control is treated with sterile distilled water. Values followed by different letters were significantly different according to Duncan’s multiple range test <i>p</i> = 0.05.</p

Antifungal activity of diketopiperazines.

<p>–no activity up to 1000 µg/ml.</p><p>Antifungal activity of diketopiperazines.</p

Effect of different concentrations of <i>B. cereus</i> on control of <i>Aspergillus</i> species.

<p>The control is treated with sterile distilled water. Values followed by different letters were significantly different according to Duncan’s multiple range test <i>p</i> = 0.05.</p

The structure of diketopiperazines.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Cyclo-(L-Pro-Gly), (<b>B</b>) Cyclo(D-Tyr-D-Tyr), (<b>C</b>) Cyclo-(L-Phe-Gly) and (<b>D</b>) Cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp).</p

HPLC chromatogram of diketopiperazines on a reversed-phase C18 column (LC-20AD).

<p>Samples of 15 µl were injected to a column (250 mm×4.6 mm×5 mm), eluted with 100% methanol. Retention time is 2.778 min. The calculated purity is 96% based on the peak area. (<b>A</b>) Cyclo-(L-Pro-Gly), (<b>B</b>) Cyclo(D-Tyr-D-Tyr), (<b>C</b>) Cyclo-(L-Phe-Gly) and (<b>D</b>) Cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp).</p

Cytotoxicity of cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) against normal cell lines.

<p>Cytotoxicity of cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) against normal cell lines.</p

Microscopic images (Carl Zeiss stereomicroscope, Stemi 200C) of the growth of <i>A. flavus</i> in control and peanut kernels treated with crude ethyl acetate extract and cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) after 2 days.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Control plates: solvent control-treated with methanol, medium alone- treated with autoclaved modified medium and untreated- peanut kernels without methanol and modified medium (<b>B</b>) crude extract (<b>C</b>) cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp). 1 ×, 2 ×, and 3 × are the 1-fold, 2-fold, and 3-fold MIC concentration of cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-Trp) or crude ethyl acetate extract.</p