ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF HONEY AGAINST ESBL PRODUCING KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE FROM BURN WOUND INFECTIONS

Objective: The present study compares the effect of Manuka and Jambhul honey on ten clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBLs) from burn wound infections. Methods: The isolated organisms were identified and screened for ESBL production, which was further confirmed by Confirmatory Phenotypic Disc diffusion test and E-test. The antibacterial activity of Manuka and Jambhul honey was analysed using Agar cup method for varying concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Manuka and Jambhul honey against the isolates was determined using Agar dilution method. Results: MIC was found to be in the range of 30%-40% (v/v) for both honey. The average MIC of Manuka for all the 10 isolates was estimated to be 34% whereas that of Jambhul, was 36.5% and this difference was found to be statistically insignificant (P>0.05 t test). Total phenolic content (TPC) in Manuka and Jambhul honey was estimated using Folin's Ciocalteau method and was found to be 1.22 mg TA/gm in Manuka honey and 1.18 mg TA/gm in Jambhul honey. Conclusion: Thus, the study showed that honey may be an effective antimicrobial agent against ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from burn wound infections. It also proved that antimicrobial activity of Indian Jambhul honey is comparable to New Zealand's Manuka honey

IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF NEEM LEAVES ON EXTENDED-SPECTRUM BETA-LACTAMASE AND AMBLER CLASS C COPRODUCERS FROM SKIN AND SOFT-TISSUE INFECTIONS.

 Objective: Clinical isolates coproducing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and Ambler Class C (AmpC) beta-lactamase are a therapeutic challenge. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Azadirachta indica methanolic leaf extract against lactose fermenting coproducers of ESBL and AmpC isolated from skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs).Methods: A total of 88 non-duplicate lactose fermenting strains isolated from SSTIs specimens were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Ceftazidime and cefoxitin-resistant strains were screened for coproduction of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamase by phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test and E-test. Antibacterial activity of methanolic neem leaf (NLM) extract was examined by the disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NLM was determined by the agar dilution technique.Results: Thirty-seven lactose fermenting strains were confirmed to be coproducers of ESBL and AmpC, out of which 27 were Escherichia coli and 10 were Klebsiella spp. The nimbin content in the neem leaf extract was found to be 0.007% (w/w) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The NLM extract showed inhibitory activity against all the 37 lactose fermenting isolates from SSTIs, coproducing ESBL and AmpC. The MIC of NLM extract was determined to be in the range of 4–8% (40–80 mg/ml) against the selected isolates.Conclusion: It can be stated that NLM extract might have therapeutic significance against coproducers of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamase isolated from SSTIs

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS GARLIC EXTRACT ON BETA-LACTAMASE PRODUCING ACINETOBACTER ISOLATES FROM SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS

Objective: The present study evaluates the antibacterial effect of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) on beta-lactamase producing Acinetobacter strains isolated from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).Methods: A total of 41 non-duplicate strains of Acinetobacter isolated from SSTIs specimens were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Ceftazidime-resistant Acinetobacter strains were screened for beta-lactamase production by Phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test (PCDDT) and E-test. Antibacterial activity of AGE was examined by the disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AGE and Cefotaxime was determined by the agar dilution technique. The combined activity of AGE and Cefotaxime was evaluated by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index by the checkerboard method.Results: 21 Acinetobacter strains were confirmed to be beta-lactamase producers, out of which 6 were Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producers, 3 were Ambler Class C (AmpC) and 12 were multiple beta-lactamase producers. AGE exhibited significant antibacterial activity as the observed zones of inhibition ranged from 18 - 31 mm against the test strains. The MIC of AGE was in the range of 0.5% - 2% (2.5 mg/ml – 10 mg/ml) with a mean of 0.86% (4.28 mg/ml). 11 test strains showed synergism, 5 strains exhibited additive and indifferent effect, each. By HPLC analysis the concentration of allicin was found to be 0.20, expressed as percentage w/w.Conclusion: It can be stated that aqueous garlic extract might have therapeutic value against beta-lactamase producing Acinetobacter isolates from SSTIs

Concept of Saara with special reference to Twaksaara

Saara is considered to be an important concept of Ayurveda. It helps in assessing Bala and Sthiramsha of an individual. Saara Pareeksha comes under Dashavidha Pareeksha which is performed to understand the Bala of an individual. Saara is the purest form of Dhatus. The purest form of Rasa Dhatu is Rasasaara, which is known as Twaksaara. As Rasa is assessed through Twak, this Saara is considerd as Twaksaara. The physical features of Twaksaara like Snigdha, Shlakshna, Mrudu, Prasanna Sookshma, Alpa, Gambheera Loma, Saprabha of Twak, will help to analyze the present status of Rasasaara in individual.The knowledge of Saarata of a person will therefore help in understanding physiology, psychology and susceptibility to diseases of an individual. The concept of Saara is a good mirror to assess properties and function of Dhatu

Desmoplastic malignant melanoma of alveolus – A rare entity

SummaryDesmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) is a distinctive variant of malignant melanoma. DMM involving the oral mucosa is very rare and to our knowledge, there are only 16 cases reported in the English literature. This is a case report of DMM in a 32-year-old male patient involving the maxillary alveolus

Study of histopathological pattern of endometrium in abnormal uterine bleeding in a tertiary care center

Background: It is estimated that 9-30% of women of reproductive age suffer from abnormal uterine bleeding. As most cases are associated with anovulatory menstrual cycles, adolescent and perimenopausal women are particularly vulnerable to this particular condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological pattern of endometrial biopsy from patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding. Methods: The retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Pathology in tertiary care centre from 1st January 2021 to 31 December 2022. All the patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding and who underwent endometrial biopsy were included in this study. Distribution of various histopathological patterns was observed in the different age groups. Results: A total of 260 cases were included in the study. The commonest pattern in these patients was proliferative endometrium (31 %) and products of conception (31%), hyperplasia without atypia (13.7%). Other patterns identified were secretory endometrium, chronic endometritis, endometrial polyp, complete mole, partial mole, and Ca endometrium. Conclusions: As observed from the study, there is an age specific association of endometrial bleeding, with highest incidence in 21-30 years of age group. Hence, dilatation and curettage are helpful for diagnosis, to assess therapeutic response and to know the pathological incidence of organic lesions in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding

Evaluation of the effect of lycopene on lipid profile, serum antioxidant enzymes and blood sugar level in New Zealand white rabbits

Background: Dyslipidaemias are the major cause of increased atherogenesis. Lycopene is a pigment that imparts red colour to fruits and vegetables like tomatoes. Risk of cardiovascular diseases has been shown to decrease with dietary intake of tomatoes. Although the antioxidant and hypolipidaemic properties of tomatoes have been studied extensively, beneficial effect of pure lycopene supplement as hypolipidaemic is still debatable So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of pure lycopene powder on lipid profile, serum antioxidant enzymes and blood sugar level in hyperlipidaemic rabbits.Methods: Adult male New Zealand White rabbits (1.5-2.5kg) were divided into three groups of six each. Group I-High Fat Diet (HFD) (5ml/kg). Group II-HFD (5ml/kg) + lycopene (10mg/kg) orally. Group III-HFD (5ml/kg) + lycopene (20mg/kg) orally. Blood samples were taken from all rabbits for baseline estimations of serum lipids, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and blood sugar. Same tests were performed after six weeks.Results: There was significant decrease in the levels of serum TC, LDL-C, TG and VLDL and an increase in serum HDL-C and antioxidant SOD with lycopene administration. However, significant increase in HDL was not seen with lycopene 10mg. TG and VLDL levels were significantly less with 20mg lycopene compared to 10mg lycopene. There was however no change in blood sugar level with lycopene.Conclusions: Pure lycopene supplement showed significant hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activity. However, it did not show significant effect on blood glucose levels

Occupational Health in the Digital Age: Implications for Remote Work Environments

In this digital age, where working from home is becoming more common, the patterns of workplace health are changing in ways that require a thorough analysis of the effects on employee health. This study looks into the many parts of job health in places where people work from home, looking at how technology, human behavior, and company rules interact.The digital age has made work plans more flexible than ever before, letting workers do their jobs from anywhere. This paradigm shift has some benefits, like making things more flexible and easy to access, but it also brings a lot of problems that need to be carefully thought through. Long-term use of digital devices can be bad for your body, and being alone at work can be bad for your mental health. Remote work situations have their own health issues that need a unique approach.This study brings together different pieces of research on workplace health to highlight the new health risks that come with the digitalization of work. There is a close look at how technology can help or hurt employee health and a study of how companies can lower health risks in remote work settings.Additionally, the study looks into the possible long-term effects of long-term remote work on mental and physical health, as well as how well present workplace health systems can adapt to the changing nature of work. By critically evaluating the intersection of technology and health, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, organizations, and individuals seeking to optimize the well-being of remote workers in the digital age

Induced Anticlinic Ordering and Nanophase Segregation of Bow-Shaped Molecules in a Smectic Solvent

Recent experiments indicate that doping low concentrations of bent-core molecules into calamitic smectic solvents can induce anticlinic and biaxial smectic phases. We have carried out Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of mixtures of rodlike molecules (hard spherocylinders with length/breadth ratio $L_{\rm rod}/D = 5$) and bow- or banana-shaped molecules (hard spherocylinder dimers with length/breadth ratio $L_{ban}/D = 5$ or 2.5 and opening angle $\psi$) to probe the molecular-scale organization and phase behavior of rod/banana mixtures. We find that a low concentration (3%) of $L_{ban}/D = 5$ dimers induces anticlinic (SmC$_A$) ordering in an untilted smectic (SmA) phase for $100^\circ \le \psi < 150^\circ$. For smaller $\psi$, half of each bow-shaped molecule is nanophase segregated between smectic layers, and the smectic layers are untilted. For $L_{ban}/D = 2.5$, no tilted phases are induced. However, with decreasing $\psi$ we observe a sharp transition from {\sl intralamellar} nanophase segregation (bow-shaped molecules segregated within smectic layers) to {\sl interlamellar} nanophase segregation (bow-shaped molecules concentrated between smectic layers) near $\psi = 130^\circ$. These results demonstrate that purely entropic effects can lead to surprisingly complex behavior in rod/banana mixtures.Comment: 5 pages Revtex, 7 postscript figure

Bioremediation of Penicillin-Contaminated Poultry Faecal Waste using Betalactamase-Producing Bacteria

The widespread use of antibiotics in poultry farming has led to the contamination of the environment with antibiotic residues, posing significant risks to human health and contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance. In this study, we aimed to isolate betalactamase-producing bacteria from poultry faecal waste samples obtained from local poultry processing industries in Namakkal, Tamilnadu, India. The potential isolates were further characterized for betalactamase enzyme activity and their ability to degrade penicillin, a commonly used antibiotic in the poultry industry. Twenty poultry faecal waste samples were collected from regular poultry waste dumping sites. Microorganisms were isolated from these samples using the serial dilution and plating method on nutrient agar media. The isolated bacterial colonies were purified to obtain pure cultures for further analysis. The betalactamase-producing isolates were identified using the iodometric tube method, and four out of ten isolates showed positive results for betalactamase activity. These positive isolates were subjected to enzyme assay, and isolate 10 exhibited the highest enzyme activity with a concentration of 43U/ml, followed by isolate 7 with 30.5U/ml of enzyme. The potential betalactamase-producing isolate 10 was selected for its application in the degradation of penicillin in poultry faecal waste. The faecal waste samples were collected from the antibiotic-contaminated area of a poultry farm. After the addition of separated crude enzyme (5ml of 100U), the faecal sample was incubated for 15 days under specific conditions. HPLC analysis revealed a significant degradation of penicillin in the test sample treated with the betalactamase enzyme, with a degradation percentage of 48.6%. The results of this study indicate that betalactamase-producing bacteria can effectively degrade penicillin in poultry faecal waste. This bioremediation approach presents a potential solution to reduce antibiotic pollution in the environment and mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance. Further research and application of such enzymatic degradation methods could contribute to sustainable and eco-friendly waste management practices in the poultry industry