Persisting non-albicans candidemia in low birth weight neonates in a tertiary care hospital, Jammu and Kashmir

Background: Neonatal candidemia is among the leading causes of mortality in neonatal intensive care units of the developing countries like India. This work aimed at determining the prevalence of candidemia, spectrum of disease, risk factors and the antifungal susceptibility in low birth weight neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)’s at a tertiary care level. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of blood culture positive candidemia cases in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of tertiary care hospital, SMHS, Jammu and Kashmir, India, between July 2021 to December 2022. All neonates with a clinical suspicion of candidemia with a positive blood culture (BacT alert) were identified. Patient demographics, clinical details, neonatal risk factors, and laboratory data and antifungal susceptibilities (using VITEK 2 compact system) were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 680 neonatal blood culture samples were collected from NICU’s, out of which 88 (12.94%) developed candidemia. Low birth weight (33.33%), indwelling catheters (31.52%), prematurity (31.31%) and prolonged use of antibiotics were important risk factors. The commonest clinical manifestation was feed intolerance 66.1% and respiratory distress 62.2%. Non-albicans candida was seen in majority cases 86.36% with Candida krusei 77.27%. All the Candida spp. showed 100% sensitivity to voriconazole and caspofugin followed by amphotericin B, fluconazole and micafugin. Conclusions: In this study, we focussed on determining the prevalence of candidemia in low birth weight neonates. The persistently emerging non-albicans Candida particularly Candida krusei has emerged as a big concern and needs attention for its prevention and treatment to minimize the morbidity and mortality rate

Prevalence and spectrum of dermatophytes in patients attending a tertiary care hospital Srinagar, Kashmir

Background: Dermatophyte infections are a global health problem but very neglected in Kashmir. India. This work aimed at determining prevalence and spectrum of dermatophytosis isolated from patients attending tertiary care hospital Srinagar. Kashmir.Methods: A total of 510 samples of skin, hair and nail scrapings were collected and processed using standard microscopy (KOH) and cultural methods as per the standard protocol.Results: Out of 510 samples collected, 272 (53.33%) patients were confirmed cases of dermatophytosis (confirmed clinically and on fungal culture). The prevalence of dermatophytosis was significantly associated with age groups of participants with higher infection among those aged 18-32 which accounted for 35.29%, followed by age group 1-17 with 30.14%. Out of 510 samples, 110 ( 21.56%) were both KOH (microscopy) and culture positive, 162 (31.76%) cases were only culture positive and 130 (25.49%) clinical samples were only positive for fungal elements on microscopy. 133 (26.07%) fungal isolates were obtained which included both dermatophyte and non-dermatophytic fungi(excluded in this study). T. mentagrophytes had highest distribution 40.44% among dermatophytes species and T. Unguium 114 (41.96%) accounted for most common site for dermatophytic infections. Poor hygiene was predominant risk factor in 143 cases (52.57%). Patients from lower socioeconomic status were affected more than others (34.92%).Conclusions: In this study we have focused to determine the prevalence, clinical pattern and pathogenic profile of dermatophytosis according to the age, gender, site, and fungal distribution. Improvization of these conditions more accurately can result in decreased incidence of dermatophytosis in this area.

Un estudio observacional sobre infecciones bacterianas en pacientes con coronavirus hospitalizados en un centro de tercer nivel de atención

Introduction: The latest global pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. 6% of patients are admitted to the hospital, with 20% of those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Aim: to characterise the bacterial infections in patients with coronavirus at an ICU of North Indian Hospital.Method: After receiving ethical approval from the institutional review board, a retrospective study was done on coronavirus subjects admitted to GMC Srinagar's ICUs between January and June 2021. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and microbiology were obtained retrospectively.Results: Overall, “394 COVID-19 patients were admitted to ICU. Median age was 58 years (IQR 51–69) and sex ratio (M/F) was 3. At admission the median SAPS II was 33 (IQR 24–49). Among patients, 232 had at least one co-morbidity and 162 were overweight (body mass index (BMI) = 27.8 kg/m2). In all, 358 patients received antibiotics (244/358 introduced before ICU and 114/358 during ICU stay)”.Conclusion: The current study is the first of its kind in our hospital setting to describe the bacterial persistence in the lungs despite adequate therapy, as well as frequent bloodstream infections possibly associated with bacterial translocations originating from the digestive or oropharyngeal microbiota, in COVID-19 ICU patients.Introducción: La última pandemia mundial está provocada por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. El 6 % de los pacientes ingresan en el hospital, con un 20% de los ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) debido al síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA).Objetivo: caracterizar las infecciones bacterianas en pacientes con coronavirus en una UCI del North Indian Hospital.Método: Después de recibir la aprobación ética de la junta de revisión institucional, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en sujetos con coronavirus admitidos en las UCI de GMC Srinagar entre enero y junio de 2021. Los datos sobre demografía, comorbilidades y microbiología se obtuvieron retrospectivamente.Resultados: en general, “394 pacientes con COVID-19 fueron admitidos en la UCI. La mediana de edad fue de 58 años (RIC 51-69) y la proporción de sexos (M/F) de 3. Al ingreso, la mediana de SAPS II fue de 33 (RIC 24-49). Entre los pacientes, 232 tenían al menos una comorbilidad y 162 tenían sobrepeso (índice de masa corporal (IMC) = 27,8 kg/m2). En total, 358 pacientes recibieron antibióticos (244/358 introducidos antes de la UCI y 114/358 durante la estancia en la UCI)”.Conclusión: El presente estudio es el primero de su tipo en nuestro medio hospitalario en describir la persistencia bacteriana en los pulmones a pesar de una terapia adecuada, así como infecciones frecuentes del torrente sanguíneo posiblemente asociadas con translocaciones bacterianas originadas en la microbiota digestiva u orofaríngea, en COVID-19 pacientes de la UCI

Un estudio observacional sobre infecciones bacterianas en pacientes con coronavirus hospitalizados en un centro de tercer nivel de atención

Introduction: The latest global pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. 6% of patients are admitted to the hospital, with 20% of those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Aim: to characterise the bacterial infections in patients with coronavirus at an ICU of North Indian Hospital.Method: After receiving ethical approval from the institutional review board, a retrospective study was done on coronavirus subjects admitted to GMC Srinagar's ICUs between January and June 2021. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and microbiology were obtained retrospectively.Results: Overall, “394 COVID-19 patients were admitted to ICU. Median age was 58 years (IQR 51–69) and sex ratio (M/F) was 3. At admission the median SAPS II was 33 (IQR 24–49). Among patients, 232 had at least one co-morbidity and 162 were overweight (body mass index (BMI) = 27.8 kg/m2). In all, 358 patients received antibiotics (244/358 introduced before ICU and 114/358 during ICU stay)”.Conclusion: The current study is the first of its kind in our hospital setting to describe the bacterial persistence in the lungs despite adequate therapy, as well as frequent bloodstream infections possibly associated with bacterial translocations originating from the digestive or oropharyngeal microbiota, in COVID-19 ICU patients.Introducción: La última pandemia mundial está provocada por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. El 6 % de los pacientes ingresan en el hospital, con un 20% de los ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) debido al síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA).Objetivo: caracterizar las infecciones bacterianas en pacientes con coronavirus en una UCI del North Indian Hospital.Método: Después de recibir la aprobación ética de la junta de revisión institucional, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en sujetos con coronavirus admitidos en las UCI de GMC Srinagar entre enero y junio de 2021. Los datos sobre demografía, comorbilidades y microbiología se obtuvieron retrospectivamente.Resultados: en general, “394 pacientes con COVID-19 fueron admitidos en la UCI. La mediana de edad fue de 58 años (RIC 51-69) y la proporción de sexos (M/F) de 3. Al ingreso, la mediana de SAPS II fue de 33 (RIC 24-49). Entre los pacientes, 232 tenían al menos una comorbilidad y 162 tenían sobrepeso (índice de masa corporal (IMC) = 27,8 kg/m2). En total, 358 pacientes recibieron antibióticos (244/358 introducidos antes de la UCI y 114/358 durante la estancia en la UCI)”.Conclusión: El presente estudio es el primero de su tipo en nuestro medio hospitalario en describir la persistencia bacteriana en los pulmones a pesar de una terapia adecuada, así como infecciones frecuentes del torrente sanguíneo posiblemente asociadas con translocaciones bacterianas originadas en la microbiota digestiva u orofaríngea, en COVID-19 pacientes de la UCI

Un estudio observacional sobre infecciones bacterianas en pacientes con coronavirus hospitalizados en un centro de tercer nivel de atención

Introduction: The latest global pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. 6% of patients are admitted to the hospital, with 20% of those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Aim: to characterise the bacterial infections in patients with coronavirus at an ICU of North Indian Hospital.Method: After receiving ethical approval from the institutional review board, a retrospective study was done on coronavirus subjects admitted to GMC Srinagar's ICUs between January and June 2021. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and microbiology were obtained retrospectively.Results: Overall, “394 COVID-19 patients were admitted to ICU. Median age was 58 years (IQR 51–69) and sex ratio (M/F) was 3. At admission the median SAPS II was 33 (IQR 24–49). Among patients, 232 had at least one co-morbidity and 162 were overweight (body mass index (BMI) = 27.8 kg/m2). In all, 358 patients received antibiotics (244/358 introduced before ICU and 114/358 during ICU stay)”.Conclusion: The current study is the first of its kind in our hospital setting to describe the bacterial persistence in the lungs despite adequate therapy, as well as frequent bloodstream infections possibly associated with bacterial translocations originating from the digestive or oropharyngeal microbiota, in COVID-19 ICU patients.Introducción: La última pandemia mundial está provocada por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. El 6 % de los pacientes ingresan en el hospital, con un 20% de los ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) debido al síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA).Objetivo: caracterizar las infecciones bacterianas en pacientes con coronavirus en una UCI del North Indian Hospital.Método: Después de recibir la aprobación ética de la junta de revisión institucional, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en sujetos con coronavirus admitidos en las UCI de GMC Srinagar entre enero y junio de 2021. Los datos sobre demografía, comorbilidades y microbiología se obtuvieron retrospectivamente.Resultados: en general, “394 pacientes con COVID-19 fueron admitidos en la UCI. La mediana de edad fue de 58 años (RIC 51-69) y la proporción de sexos (M/F) de 3. Al ingreso, la mediana de SAPS II fue de 33 (RIC 24-49). Entre los pacientes, 232 tenían al menos una comorbilidad y 162 tenían sobrepeso (índice de masa corporal (IMC) = 27,8 kg/m2). En total, 358 pacientes recibieron antibióticos (244/358 introducidos antes de la UCI y 114/358 durante la estancia en la UCI)”.Conclusión: El presente estudio es el primero de su tipo en nuestro medio hospitalario en describir la persistencia bacteriana en los pulmones a pesar de una terapia adecuada, así como infecciones frecuentes del torrente sanguíneo posiblemente asociadas con translocaciones bacterianas originadas en la microbiota digestiva u orofaríngea, en COVID-19 pacientes de la UCI

Evaluation of smear microscopy and geneXpert for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a tertiary care hospital in North India: a descriptive prospective study

Background: Tuberculosis is a global health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis is essential for early disease management. Conventional methods like microscopy and culture are associated with low sensitivity and longer time to positivity respectively. The GeneXpert is an integrated device for the rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its sensitivity to rifampicin. We evaluated the performance of gene expert MTB/ RIF assay for the diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology. Samples were subjected to smear microscopy by ZN staining, culture on solid (LJ) and liquid media (BacT Alert) and GeneXpert assay.Results: 122 pulmonary samples and 153 extrapulmonary samples collected from 275 patients were included in the study. Out of these, 48 samples were positive by both culture and Xpert assay and 2 samples were culture positive only. Out of 225 culture negative samples, 3 were positive by GeneXpert. The sensitivity for GeneXpert was much higher compared to smear micrscopy (96 Vs 46% respectively). The Xpert assay also detected 3 rifampcin resistant cases.Conclusions: The test appeared to be as sensitive as culture for the detection of tuberculosis in smear positive, smear negative and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We recommend the use of GeneXpert assay for the early detection of tuberculosis. We conclude that the test is simple and routine staff can perform the test with minimal training

High Electron Mobility Transistors: Performance Analysis, Research Trend and Applications

In recent years, high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) have received extensive attention for their superior electron transport ensuring high speed and high power applications. HEMT devices are competing with and replacing traditional field‐effect transistors (FETs) with excellent performance at high frequency, improved power density and satisfactory efficiency. This chapter provides readers with an overview of the performance of some popular and mostly used HEMT devices. The chapter proceeds with different structures of HEMT followed by working principle with graphical illustrations. Device performance is discussed based on existing literature including both analytical and numerical models. Furthermore, some notable latest research works on HEMT devices have been brought into attention followed by prediction of future trends. Comprehensive knowledge of up‐to‐date results, future directions, and their analysis methodology would be helpful in designing novel HEMT devices

Economic Growth, Environmental Efficiency, and Industrial Transfer Demonstration Zones of China: A Way Forward for CPEC

Environmental efficiency, industrial transfer demonstration zones, and carbon transfer networks can impact the quality of the environment. This paper examines the relationship between environmental efficiency, carbon transfer networks, and national industrial transfer demonstration zones tested by utilizing some prefectural-level Chinese cities’ panel data from 2003 to 2017 through the Different-in-Difference method as way forward for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The results show that environmental efficiency improved with industrial transfer demonstration zones by boosting the ability to innovate, government’s expenditure on the environment, and regulatory frameworks for the environment. The findings reflect a significant increase in the GDP of the triennial industry while an insignificant decrease. Hence, to promote all-inclusive first-rate development, regional collaborative must be ensured during industrial transformation demonstration

The Covid-19 outbreak, a Failure of Social Protection System: A Policy Perspective of Energy and Economic Recovery

COVID-19 has proliferated personage suffering around the world. The virus is contagious medically and economically as well. The study's main aim is to examine the failure of the social protection system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Three major dimensions of the social protection system have been addressed in this research—a shock to the labor market, health emergency, and massive change in energy usage. Covid pandemic had cost the world economy more than $2 trillion. The labor market is badly affected significantly; workers engaged in the informal economy. The Director-General (WHO) has declared the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency of international concern. It is one of the highest levels of alarm by WHO in history. Global Energy Review 2020 shows that those complete lockdowns have a 25% decline in the energy demand per week. As economic activity slowdown due to the closure of the industry, banned transportation, and lockdown. Conclusively, it is examined that the coronavirus pandemic has brought a worldwide failure of social protection system required a comprehensive policy and a firmed leadership to stand against the outbreak

Impact of Tourism Receipts, FDI and Energy Usage on Economic Growth in South Asia

Purpose: The study examines the significant and direct influence of FDI and tourism income on economic growth in selected South Asian countries. . Design/Methodology/Approach: The study has made use of ARDL regression methodology to analyze the influence of tourism receipts, FDI and energy usage on economic growth.Findings: This study shows a strong long-term FDI, tourist receipts, and energy links, whereas the effects of these variables are less valuable in the short term.Implications/Originality/Value: It is generally recognized that FDI accompanies general economic expansion, the development of tourism, and the use of energy around the globe. However, several empirical outcomes have been disclosed in a long-standing discussion.&nbsp