Screening for microbial load and antibiotic resistance pattern in Escherichia coli isolated from paper currency circulating in Kushtia, Bangladesh

Background: Paper currency is used for every type of commerce and plays an important role in the life of human beings. They are exchanged and come into contact with different environments and many different individuals during their circulation. Therefore, they can become contaminated with microorganisms and transfer bacteria across environments. The present study was aimed for quantitative assessment of microorganisms in circulated paper currency from Kushtia, Bangladesh and antibiotic resistant profiles of isolated Escherichia coli.Methods: A total of 10 paper currency samples currently in circulation involving three denominations (5, 10 and 500) were randomly collected from individuals involved in various occupations including street beggar, local hotel, bus conductor, poultry seller, vegetable seller, fish seller, commercial bank, ATM booth, tea seller, grocery store in Kushtia city, Bangladesh. Selective culture and biochemical tests were performed for the isolation and identification of microbial pathogens. Antibiotic resistance profiles were evaluated for isolated Escherichia coli using Kirby-Bauer method according to CLSI guidelines.Results: Aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. were the highest in paper currency from local hotel and ATM booth. Enterobacteriaceae (including coliforms) were predominantly present in paper currencies collected from local hotel, grocery, fish seller and beggar while Pseudomonas spp. were found in currency notes obtained from ATM booth, poultry farm, vegetable seller and local hotel. Antibiotic resistant profiles of E. coli isolated from local hotel currency showed that 50% of E. coli isolates were multidrug resistant. The highest resistant profile was observed against penicillin (95%) followed by polypeptide (75%), cephalosporin (50%), quinolone (30%) and sulfonamide (5%) groups of antibiotics.Conclusions: Multiple antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria are prevalent in paper currency regardless of their sources. Paper currency could contribute in transmission of infectious disease as well as in antibiotic resistance, therefore, should be handled carefully

Masalah Anemi Gizi Pada Wanita Hamil Dalam Hubungannya Dengan Pola Konsumsi Makanan

Penyelidikan pendahuluan yang dilakukan Martoatmodjo dan kawan-kawan di desa Bendungan menunjukkan adanya prevalensi anemi gizi yang tinggi pada wanita hamil. Penyelidikan tersebut dilanjutkan pada tahun 1970-71 di Kabupaten Bogor, meliputi 217 wanita hamil triwulan II dan III dan 78 wanita tak hamil sebagai kelompok kontrol. Pada tahun 1971-73 dilakukan penyelidikan pada 266 wanita hamil triwulan III dan kelompok kontrol (129 suami mereka dan 109 wanita tak hamil) dengan pola konsumsi makanan berlainan berdasarkan makanan pokok utama yaitu beras di Kabupaten Indramayu & Purwakarta, gaplek & beras di Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, beras & ubi jalar serta jagung & singkong di Bali. Prevalensi anemia gizi besi pada wanita hamil yang tertinggi ditemukan di daerah makanan pokok beras (77% menurut kadar Hb dan 83% menurut jenuh transferin); nomor dua tertinggi dijumpai di daerah makanan poko beras & ubi jalar (56% menurut kadar Hb dan 70% menurut jenuh transferin). Di dua daerah tersebut persentase parasit usus didapatkan tinggi. Masalah anemi gizi besi pada wanita hamil yang terendah ditemukan di daerah dengan makanan pokok utama gaplek & beras (Gunung Kidul 46% menurut kadar Hb dan 58% menurut jenuh transferin) dengan konsumsi bahan makanan beraneka ragam dan juga ditemukan persentase parasit usus terendah dari semua daerah yang diselidiki

Passive maternal antibody transfer to eggs and larvae of tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)

The immune response of Tiger grouper (E. fuscoguttatus) broodstocks and its passive transfer of maternal antibodies to eggs and larvae were evaluated following vaccination with an inactivated V.harveyi. Tiger grouper broodstock (mean BW 8.66 ± 0.09 kg, n=19) were vaccinated intraperitoneally (IP) and followed by a booster two weeks post vaccination, while Controlled Non-vaccinated (CG) broodstock were IP injected with PBS. The serum antibody level against V.harveyi was monitored for two weeks on post-vaccination and monthly up to 5 months post-vaccination. This study showed that the Vaccinated Group (VG) broodstock induced significantly (P<0.05) higher in specific IgM antibody level against V.harveyi as compared to the CG, which in turn induced a marked increased (P<0.05) in specific IgM in eggs and larvae produced from VG broodstock at 14 weeks post vaccination. The findings from this study suggested that inactivated V.harveyi vaccines were able to stimulate the immune response in broodstock and passively transferred the maternal antibody to their eggs and larvae

Developing linkages for agricultural technology transfer: A case study of research institution and voluntary organization partnership

A paradigm shift to the private and voluntary organizations led extension is being witnessed as the public agricultural extension system has been adversely affected by various constraints. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) a premier agricultural research institution took lead to develop linkages with voluntary organizations (VOs) of repute for speedy transfer of agricultural technologies to the ultimate users. The present study was conducted on randomly selected 120 farmers of Patiala district to analyze the effectiveness of IARI linkage with VO namely Young Farmers' Association (YFA) of Punjab state. The advisory services through IARI-YFA linkage, higher yield of IARI released varieties, social participation of farmers and their education were the major determinants for the adoption of IARI varieties. In case of both rice and wheat, IARI varieties were sown in more than 60% area of the total land holdings of the farmers. Although, the linkage was perceived highly effective in terms of the delivery of farm technologies, advisory services, farm literature supplied, farmers' fair, front line demonstrations, impact on yield and income of farmers and satisfaction of farmers but non-availability of seeds in desired quantity, higher seed cost and less land for seed multiplication were major inhibiting factors. The functional efficacy of linkage may be enhanced through close collaboration of state level government and private agencies for broad based, inclusive and sustainable agricultural development

Analysis of farmers' communication network and factors of knowledge regarding agro meteorological parameters

Understanding communication networks bear significant importance for undertaking interventions regarding local information needs. It becomes more important if the issues of sensitivity like climate change and its effect on agriculture has to be dealt. The agricultural sector needs accurate, reliable and timely weather and climate information for daily tactical decisions and long-term planning for crop management. They can potentially alter selection and management of crops based on new information obtained within a few weeks or days of planting. The information systems integrating agricultural educators, researchers, extensionists and farmers need to be introduced for agriculture sector for which sufficient data base regarding the gap between the possessed knowledge and the available knowledge and the information source utilization pattern need to be generated. The present study to find out the factors of the knowledge of farmers regarding climate and weather in relation to crop management and the analysis of farmers' communication network was undertaken in Adilabad district (highly vulnerable to climate change effects) of Telangana state of India. A knowledge test specifically designed was administered to 120 respondents and was found that majority of the respondents had moderate level of knowledge. The socio-economic and psycho-personal variables like education, occupation, family type, land holding, social participation, economic motivation, innovativeness, scientific orientation and risk orientation showed positive and significant relationship with knowledge level and in regression analysis education, scientific orientation were positive and had significant contribution to the knowledge level of respondents. Television, radio, agriculture officer and progressive farmers were categorized into strong group of information sources usefulness. In order to support farm level decisions and minimize the loses in adverse climatic and weather conditions farmers' understanding about interaction of climate and agro-ecosystem need to be bridged through inclusion of farmers' communication networ

Price survey comparison of alcoholic beverages with the five basic food groups in Paraiba, Brazil

The study of alcohol abuse is relatively new in Brazil. Government estimates suggest that 11.2% of the Brazilian population is alcohol dependent. Problems associated with alcohol dependence include domestic violence, increased risk of traffic accidents, poor self-esteem and weak academic performance. A factor known to correlate with alcohol abuse in 12-17 year olds is to have the money necessary to purchase alcoholic beverages. No data is available, however, on the price of alcoholic beverages. The objective of the present study was to provide data on price and to compare the price of alcoholic beverages to basic food items in the Brazilian diet. We also had interest in studying a population in the northeast region of Brazil. This region is the poorest in Brazil, has the highest percentage of alcohol dependency and is seldom the focus of research on dependency. We report that the prices of many alcoholic beverages are less than the price of basic food items. Prices of alcoholic beverages including beer, wine and spirits were compared to the prices of select food items as represented in the Food Pyramid. Food items were selected from the categories of Grain, Dairy, Fruit, Meat and Vegetable. Data was gathered from 32 supermarkets in 8 cities in the northeast state of Paraiba. The price of alcohol is generally less expensive than most basic food group items, especially brands of cachaca (a spirit distilled from sugar cane) and beer. Data on price should be considered in any alcohol dependency program in Brazil.Peer reviewedPsycholog

Persistence of lung inflammation and lung cytokines with high-resolution CT abnormalities during recovery from SARS

BACKGROUND: During the acute phase of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), mononuclear cells infiltration, alveolar cell desquamation and hyaline membrane formation have been described, together with dysregulation of plasma cytokine levels. Persistent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) abnormalities occur in SARS patients up to 40 days after recovery. METHODS: To determine further the time course of recovery of lung inflammation, we investigated the HRCT and inflammatory profiles, and coronavirus persistence in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 12 patients at recovery at 60 and 90 days. RESULTS: At 60 days, compared to normal controls, SARS patients had increased cellularity of BALF with increased alveolar macrophages (AM) and CD8 cells. HRCT scores were increased and correlated with T-cell numbers and their subpopulations, and inversely with CD4/CD8 ratio. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, RANTES and MCP-1 levels were increased. Viral particles in AM were detected by electron microscopy in 7 of 12 SARS patients with high HRCT score. On day 90, HRCT scores improved significantly in 10 of 12 patients, with normalization of BALF cell counts in 6 of 12 patients with repeat bronchoscopy. Pulse steroid therapy and prolonged fever were two independent factors associated with delayed resolution of pneumonitis, in this non-randomized, retrospective analysis. CONCLUSION: Resolution of pneumonitis is delayed in some patients during SARS recovery and may be associated with delayed clearance of coronavirus, Complete resolution may occur by 90 days or later