Strain improvement of Gluconacetobacter xylinus NCIM 2526 for bacterial cellulose production

The present investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) in strain improvement for enhanced cellulose production by Gluconacetobacter xylinus NCIM 2526. The mutants were compared with wild type for cellulose production. UV mutants GHUV3, GHUV4, and GHUV5 of G. xylinus showed higher cellulose yield than the wild strain. The mutant GHUV4 gave cellulose yield of 3.92 g/l which was 30% more than the wild strain in standard medium. Chemical mutants GHEM4, GHEM6 and GHEM7 of G. xylinus showed higher cellulose yield than the parent strain (GHUV4). GHEM4 gave cellulose yield of 5.96 g/l which was 50% more than the parent strain (GHUV4) and 98% more than the wild strain (NCIM 2526). The results indicated that UV and EMS were effective mutagenic agents for strain improvement.Key words: Bacterial cellulose, Gluconacetobacter xylinus, ultraviolet mutagenesis, ethyl methanesulfonate treatment

Feasibility of diagnosis of postcardiotomy tamponade by miniaturized transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial tamponade after cardiac surgery is a critical diagnosis that can be difficult to diagnose using conventional cardiac monitoring. Transesophageal echocardiography can provide comprehensive information to make the diagnosis but is not always available, whereas transthoracic echocardiography has its utility limited because of the body habitus or other surgical effects. New monitoring devices, miniaturized hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography (hTEE), which allows point of care assessment of cardiac filling and functions, may aid in diagnosis of postcardiotomy tamponade. METHODS: From May 2011 to July 2013, 21 patients underwent hTEE to rule out pericardial tamponade for clinical suspicion of tamponade after open heart surgery. The hTEE images were reviewed, and the patient outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Nine patients showed no evidence of pericardial collection and did not require reexploration. Two patients showed a presence of small hematoma without ventricular compression and also did not undergo exploration. Ten patients were positive for pericardial tamponade (effusion or hematoma with ventricular compression); eight of these cases underwent emergent surgical exploration. Of the two patients who did not undergo immediate reoperation, one was managed by chest tube manipulation and the other patient underwent subsequent surgical exploration after his extensive coagulopathy was corrected by medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of pericardial tamponade postcardiotomy is feasible using a disposable hTEE based on our limited experience. We avoided unnecessary explorations while concomitantly made prompt diagnosis in emergent situations. The hTEE device was a valuable tool in hemodynamic management in the intensive care unit, allowing rapid evaluations

Analysis of symmetries in models of multi-strain infections

In mathematical studies of the dynamics of multi-strain diseases caused by antigenically diverse pathogens, there is a substantial interest in analytical insights. Using the example of a generic model of multi-strain diseases with cross-immunity between strains, we show that a significant understanding of the stability of steady states and possible dynamical behaviours can be achieved when the symmetry of interactions between strains is taken into account. Techniques of equivariant bifurcation theory allow one to identify the type of possible symmetry-breaking Hopf bifurcation, as well as to classify different periodic solutions in terms of their spatial and temporal symmetries. The approach is also illustrated on other models of multi-strain diseases, where the same methodology provides a systematic understanding of bifurcation scenarios and periodic behaviours. The results of the analysis are quite generic, and have wider implications for understanding the dynamics of a large class of models of multi-strain diseases

Comparing oil based ointment versus standard practice for the treatment of moderate burns in Greece: a trial based cost effectiveness evaluation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The local treatment of burn wounds has long been a subject of debate. The objective of this study was to compare the cost and the effectiveness of Moist Exposed Burn Ointment -MEBO versus a combination of <it>povidone iodine </it>plus <it>bepanthenol </it>cream for partial thickness burns.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was carried out in the Burn Center of a state hospital in Athens, Greece. 211 patients needing conservative therapy were prospectively selected according to the depth of the burn wound. The treatment was allocated according to the Stratified Randomization Design. The outcomes measured were mean cost of in-hospital stay, rate of complications, time of 50% wound healing, pain scores, in hospital stay diminution. We have adopted a societal perspective.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the total groups MEBO presented lower cost, (although not significantly different: p = 0.10) and better effectiveness. The data suggest that MEBO is the dominant therapy for superficial partial burn wound with significantly lower costs and significantly higher effectiveness due to a lesser time of recovery and consequently lower time of hospitalization and follow-up. MEBO presented similar percentages of complications with the comparator, lower pain levels and smaller time of no healthy appearance of the burn limits for superficial partial thickness burns.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The data suggested that topical application of MEBO may be considered for further investigation as a potential first-line treatment modality for superficial partial thickness burns.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The trial has been registered on the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN) and given the registration number <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN74058791">ISRCTN74058791</a>.</p

Quantum Gravity in Everyday Life: General Relativity as an Effective Field Theory

This article is meant as a summary and introduction to the ideas of effective field theory as applied to gravitational systems. Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Effective Field Theories 3. Low-Energy Quantum Gravity 4. Explicit Quantum Calculations 5. ConclusionsComment: 56 pages, 2 figures, JHEP style, Invited review to appear in Living Reviews of Relativit

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO EVALUATE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF NAPROXEN AND VALDECOXIB ON NAPHTHALENE INDUCED CATARACT IN ALBINO RATS

Background:The role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cataract formation is still unclear, previous data has indicated a cataractogenic as well as a potential protective effect of NSAIDs against cataract formation. Anti-cataract efficacy of NSAIDs have been studied extensively in different experimental settings. In view of this naproxen is used as standard and valdecoxib, a COX II (cyclooxygenase II) inhibitor is used as drug for comparison to evaluate the protective effects on naphthalene induced cataract in albino rats. Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of naproxen and valdecoxib on naphthalene induced cataract in albino rats. Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult albino rats were taken and divided into six groups containing six animals each. Group I (control) received normal saline orally.  Group II (control) received normal saline eye drops. Group III received naproxen (4mg/kg) orally. Group IV received naproxen eye drops (2%). Group V received valdecoxib (3mg/kg) orally. Group VI received valdecoxib eye drops (2%). Oral dose and eye drops were given daily for 10 days prior to induction of cataract. Cataract was induced by oral administration of naphthalene 1gm/kg in albino rats. Rats were examined daily for appearance of lenticular capacity by indirect illumination, direct ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp examination, and observed for any mortality for period of thirty days. Conclusion: Naproxen is more efficacious than valdecoxib a COX II selective inhibitor in retarding progress of cataract induced by naphthalene

An experimental study on the effect of felodipine on serum electrolytes and lithium concentration in albino rabbits

Objectives: To study the effect of felodipine, a calcium channel blocker, on concurrent administration with lithium carbonate on serum electrolytes and lithium in Albino rabbits. Material and Methods: Albino rabbits weighing 2.5 – 3 kg were divided in three group of ten each and were administered lithium carbonate and/or felodipine in suspension made of gum tragacanth daily for eight days. Blood was drawn from marginal ear vein after 24 hours of first dose and then at 28th day of drug/s administration for acute and chronic effects respectively. Serum was separated out and supernatant was decanted after centrifugation at 3000 rpm. Serum sodium, potassium and/or lithium were estimated using flame photometry. Heart rate was measured by heart transducer and polygraph. Mortality was observed till a week after last dose administration in this study. Results:  Acute effects of co-administration of felodipine and lithium resulted in highly significant decrease in heat rate but no fall in serum potassium and insignificant increase in sodium levels from the baseline values. On chronic co-administration, significant decrease in heat rate was maintained without any significant change in serum electrolytes and lithium levels from base line. No mortality was observed in the group treated with felodipine and lithium simultaneously. Conclusions: Felodipine with lithium co-administration minimally affect the serum electrolytes and lithium concentration and thus appears relatively safe for co-administration.Key words: Bipolar-disorder, Felodipine, Hypertension, Lithiu

LENALIDOMIDE: RECENT ARMAMENTARIUM IN MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Lenalidomide is an analogue of thalidomide. It is an oral immunomodulatory compound with potent activity and different toxicity profile than thalidomide. Lenalidomide is one of the novel drug agents used to treat multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B cell malignancy characterized by excess monotypic plasma cells in the bone marrow. Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone is one of the most promising MM novel treatment options. It induces at least additive direct cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma cells. The lenalidomide has possibility of being used as an adjuvant in support of more specific immunotherapeutic interventions including cancer chemotherapy, anticancer vaccines and adoptively transferred cells which warrants further investigation

A review of physical supply and EROI of fossil fuels in China

This paper reviews China’s future fossil fuel supply from the perspectives of physical output and net energy output. Comprehensive analyses of physical output of fossil fuels suggest that China’s total oil production will likely reach its peak, at about 230 Mt/year (or 9.6 EJ/year), in 2018; its total gas production will peak at around 350 Bcm/year (or 13.6 EJ/year) in 2040, while coal production will peak at about 4400 Mt/year (or 91.9 EJ/year) around 2020 or so. In terms of the forecast production of these fuels, there are significant differences among current studies. These differences can be mainly explained by different ultimately recoverable resources assumptions, the nature of the models used, and differences in the historical production data. Due to the future constraints on fossil fuels production, a large gap is projected to grow between domestic supply and demand, which will need to be met by increasing imports. Net energy analyses show that both coal and oil and gas production show a steady declining trend of EROI (energy return on investment) due to the depletion of shallow-buried coal resources and conventional oil and gas resources, which is generally consistent with the approaching peaks of physical production of fossil fuels. The peaks of fossil fuels production, coupled with the decline in EROI ratios, are likely to challenge the sustainable development of Chinese society unless new abundant energy resources with high EROI values can be found