Prevalence and resistant patterns of multidrug-resistant urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli among patients admitted to a teaching hospital

Background: Multi-drug resistant organisms, particularly in urinary tract infections, have become a significant concern in developing countries like Bangladesh. Physicians are facing challenges in treating hospitalized cases due to the ineffectiveness of conventional antibiotics and empirical treatment, as well as the emergence of multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli. The main goal of the study was to observe the prevalence and resistant pattern of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli urinary tract infections among patients admitted to a teaching hospital. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2011 to February 2012 at Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital (UAMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh. It included 100 cases, and detailed information was obtained through a standardized protocol. Results: In a study of 100 UTI patients, 45 had MDR E. coli while 55 had non-MDR E. coli. Females accounted for 79% of the patients, with a mean age of 44.85±17.81 years. The majority of participants fell into the 31-40 years age group (28%) and 60 years age group (23%). Among the participants, 57% had a history of UTI while 43% had no previous UTI history. High resistance was observed against amoxicillin, amoxiclav, cephradine, cefuroxime, cefixime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and nalidixic acid. However, ciprofloxacin (2.22%), levofloxacin (6.67%), and cotrimoxazole (31.11%) exhibited lower resistance rates among MDR samples. Imipenem and meropenem showed 100% effectiveness against all MDR samples. Conclusion: MDR E. coli rates were alarmingly high in a teaching hospital in Bangladesh. Excessive antimicrobial drug consumption globally has led to antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates, posing challenges for effective UTI treatment worldwide. Antibiotic therapy remains crucial in controlling these invasive agents

Effect of preoperative oral bisoprolol on intraoperative outcomes in endoscopic sinus surgery

Background: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) presents challenges in managing intraoperative bleeding and hemodynamic stability. This study evaluates the efficacy of pre-operative oral bisoprolol in improving surgical conditions and outcomes in ESS. Methods: This study was conducted between March 2021 and June 2022 at the department of anaesthesia, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 50 participants undergoing elective ESS, divided into bisoprolol and placebo groups. Result: The study involved 50 participants undergoing elective ESS, with 25 in the bisoprolol group and 25 in the placebo group. While demographic characteristics, such as age, weight, height, and gender distribution, showed no statistically significant differences between the groups. The placebo group experienced significantly higher estimated blood loss (421.72 ml vs. 156.24 ml, p<0.001) and postoperative hemoglobin levels (12.88 g/dl vs. 11.07 g/dl, p<0.001) compared to the bisoprolol group. Hemodynamic parameters, particularly heart rate, exhibited significant differences at various time points, with the bisoprolol group maintaining a higher heart rate post-premedication, intra-operatively, and post-operatively (p<0.05 for all). In the assessment of intraoperative bleeding using the Fromme-Boezaart scale, the placebo group demonstrated higher incidences of severe bleeding grades (3 and 4) compared to the bisoprolol group, with these differences being statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: Pre-operative oral bisoprolol in ESS patients significantly reduces intraoperative bleeding and anesthetic requirements while maintaining hemodynamic stability. These findings suggest bisoprolol as a beneficial pre-operative medication in ESS, warranting further research to optimize surgical outcomes

Responses and screening of white jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) genotypes against salinity stresses

Soil salinity, a serious threat to jute cultivation in saline areas (southern parts) of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) has developed a moderately salt tolerant White Jute variety (BJRI Deshi pat-8; BJC 2197) in 2013 which can’t grow well in saline areas having more than 8.0 dSm-1 salinity stress. Hence, 23 whitejute accessions and one control variety (BJC 2197) were tested to isolate the salt tolerant accession(s) for hybridization purpose followed by augmented design in farmers’ field having nearly 8.0-9.0 dSm-1 salinity at Patuakhali district during mid-March to mid-August 2019. The experimental plot size was 3.0 m2 (3 m × 1 m) for each genotype having 3 lines of 1.0 m length, plant-plant: 10-15 cm and line- line: 30 cm distance. Soil salinity was recorded during sowing, vegetative and plant maturity stages. In this study, the highest plant height 2.84 m was recorded in Acc. 2750 followed by Acc. 2589 (2.76 m) and Acc. 1779 (2.69 m). The highest fiber yield (9.0 g plant-1) was observed in Acc. 1779 followed by Acc. 2589 (8.40 g plant-1) and Acc. 2750 (8.0 g plant-1). The lowest plant mortality rate (2.5%) was found in Acc.2750 followed by Acc.1779 (6.24%), Acc. 1780 (7.50), Acc. 3556 (11.10%), Acc. 2589 (11.20%) and BJC 2197 (16.5%). Few seeds were germinated in Acc. 3020 and Acc. 3658 but plants were died after 20 days of sowing. Six genotypes of cluster I showed higher diversity in Euclidean cluster analysis. The Acc. 2750, Acc. 1779, Acc. 2589 of cluster I having relative salinity tolerance and good fiber yield capacity would be grown in next year for confirmation as well as hybridization with the existing salinity susceptible variety to develop high yielding white jute variety for saline areas

Whole-Genome Sequence of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain S7, Isolated from a Patient with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Over the past decades, drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains have presented a significant challenge, with inadequate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) cases. Here, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strain S7, which was isolated from a patient from Tripura, India, who was diagnosed with pulmonary TB

Modified coptisine derivatives as an inhibitor against pathogenic Rhizomucor miehei, Mycolicibacterium smegmatis (Black Fungus), Monkeypox, and Marburg virus by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation-based drug design approach

During the second phase of SARS-CoV-2, an unknown fungal infection, identified as black fungus, was transmitted to numerous people among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients and increased the death rate. The black fungus is associated with the Mycolicibacterium smegmatis, Mucor lusitanicus, and Rhizomucor miehei microorganisms. At the same time, other pathogenic diseases, such as the Monkeypox virus and Marburg virus, impacted global health. Policymakers are concerned about these pathogens due to their severe pathogenic capabilities and rapid spread. However, no standard therapies are available to manage and treat those conditions. Since the coptisine has significant antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties; therefore, the current investigation has been designed by modifying coptisine to identify an effective drug molecule against Black fungus, Monkeypox, and Marburg virus. After designing the derivatives of coptisine, they have been optimized to get a stable molecular structure. These ligands were then subjected to molecular docking study against two vital proteins obtained from black fungal pathogens: Rhizomucor miehei (PDB ID: 4WTP) and Mycolicibacterium smegmatis (PDB ID 7D6X), and proteins found in Monkeypox virus (PDB ID: 4QWO) and Marburg virus (PDB ID 4OR8). Following molecular docking, other computational investigations, such as ADMET, QSAR, drug-likeness, quantum calculation and molecular dynamics, were also performed to determine their potentiality as antifungal and antiviral inhibitors. The docking score reported that they have strong affinities against Black fungus, Monkeypox virus, and Marburg virus. Then, the molecular dynamic simulation was conducted to determine their stability and durability in the physiological system with water at 100 ns, which documented that the mentioned drugs were stable over the simulated time. Thus, our in silico investigation provides a preliminary report that coptisine derivatives are safe and potentially effective against Black fungus, Monkeypox virus, and Marburg virus. Hence, coptisine derivatives may be a prospective candidate for developing drugs against Black fungus, Monkeypox and Marburg viruses

The relationship between microstructure and photocatalytic behavior in lanthanum-modified 2D TiO2 nanosheets upon annealing of a freeze-cast precursor

Titanium dioxide modified with 3 wt% La was prepared via a green freeze-casting method, and its photocatalytic activity was tested in terms of its ability to degrade 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and remove total organic carbon (TOC). Under annealing conditions, the freeze-cast precursor was transformed into an La-modified anatase with a well-defined 2D TiO(2) nanosheet morphology. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the substitutional nature of the La cation that induced local structural variations and involved subtle ion displacement in the TiO(2) lattice due to the ionic size effect. Despite nearly identical tetragonal structures, replacement of Ti with La alters the photocatalytic activity through a reduction in band gap energies and an increase in charge carrier mobility. Material annealed at 650 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance and achieved efficient TOC removal. Upon annealing at 800 °C, nanoscale lanthanum-enriched regions were generated due to the diffusive migration of La cations and phase transition from anatase to rutile. The La(3+) cation, acting as a structural promoter, supported 2D TiO(2) growth with well controlled crystallite size, surface area and porosity. La(3+) could be regarded as a potential electronic promoter that can reduce the band gap of 2D TiO(2) nanosheets and can provide a signature of the electron transfer and carrier charge separation. Both methods, kinetics of degradation of 4-CP and TOC, provided similar results, revealing that the photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation increased in the order 950C < 500 °C < 800 °C < 650 °C < TiO(2)-P25

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

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Not AvailableGeneralized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (GARCH) nonlinear time series model may be employed to describe data sets depicting volatility. This model along with its estimation procedure is thoroughly studied. Lagrange multiplier (LM) test for testing presence of Autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (ARCH) effects is also discussed. As an illustration, modeling and forecasting of monthly rainfall data of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal meteorological subdivision, India is carried out. As the data exhibits presence of seasonal component, Hylleberg, Engle, Granger and Yoo (1990) [HEGY] seasonal unit root test is applied to the data with a view to make the series stationary through “differencing filter”. Subsequently, GARCH model is employed on the residuals obtained after carrying out Periodic autoregressive (PAR) modeling of the seasonal variation. Further, Mixture periodic ARCH (MPARCH) model, which is an extension of GARCH model, is also applied on zero conditional mean residual series to identify time varying volatility in the data set. The performance of fitted models is examined from the viewpoint of dynamic one-step and two-step ahead forecast error variances along with Mean square prediction error (MSPE), Mean absolute prediction error (MAPE) and Relative mean absolute prediction error (RMAPE). Salient feature of the work done is that, for selected model, best predictor and prediction error variance for carrying out out-of-sample forecasting up to three-steps ahead are derived analytically by recursive use of conditional expectation and conditional variance. The SPSS, SAS and EViews software packages are used for data analysis. By carrying out a comparative study, it is concluded that, for the data under consideration, the PAR model with AR-GARCH errors has performed better than the Seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model for modeling as well as forecastingNot Availabl

Enhanced thermionic emission and low 1/f noise in exfoliated graphene/GaN Schottky barrier diode

Temperature-dependent electrical transport characteristics of exfoliated graphene/GaN Schottky diodes are investigated and compared with conventional Ni/GaN Schottky diodes. The ideality factor of graphene/GaN and Ni/GaN diodes are measured to be 1.33 and 1.51, respectively, which is suggestive of comparatively higher thermionic emission current in graphene/GaN diode. The barrier height values for graphene/GaN diode obtained using thermionic emission model and Richardson plots are found to be 0.60 and 0.72 eV, respectively, which are higher than predicted barrier height &#8764;0.40 eV as per the Schottky–Mott model. The higher barrier height is attributed to hole doping of graphene due to graphene-Au interaction which shifts the Fermi level in graphene by &#8764;0.3 eV. The magnitude of flicker noise of graphene/GaN Schottky diode increases up to 175 K followed by its decrease at higher temperatures. This indicates that diffusion currents and barrier inhomogeneities dominate the electronic transport at lower and higher temperatures, respectively. The exfoliated graphene/GaN diode is found to have lower level of barrier inhomogeneities than conventional Ni/GaN diode, as well as earlier reported graphene/GaN diode fabricated using chemical vapor deposited graphene. The lesser barrier inhomogeneities in graphene/GaN diode results in lower flicker noise by 2 orders of magnitude as compared to Ni/GaN diode. Enhanced thermionic emission current, lower level of inhomogeneities and reduced flicker noise suggests that graphene–GaN Schottky diodes may have the underlying trend for replacing metal–GaN Schottky diodes