Biodegradable Polymeric Substances Produced by a Marine Bacterium from a Surplus Stream of the Biodiesel Industry

Crude glycerol is generated as a by-product during transesterification process and during hydrolysis of fat in the soap-manufacturing process, and poses a problem for waste management. In the present approach, an efficient process was designed for simultaneous production of 0.2 g/L extracellular ε-polylysine and 64.6% (w/w) intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in the same fermentation broth (1 L shake flask) utilizing Jatropha biodiesel waste residues as carbon rich source by marine bacterial strain (Bacillus licheniformis PL26), isolated from west coast of India. The synthesized ε-polylysine and polyhydroxyalkanoate PHA by Bacillus licheniformis PL26 was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and 1H Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The PHA produced by Bacillus licheniformis was found to be poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (P3HB-co-3HV). The developed process needs to be statistically optimized further for gaining still better yield of both the products in an efficient manner

Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained Release Matrix Tablets of Aceclofenac

This study aimed to improve the dissolution rate of aceclofenac and release the drug in a controlled manner over a period of 24 hours. Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method, using hydrophilic polymers (HPMC/guar gum). Matrix tablets were prepared by wet granulation method using different hydrophilic polymers (HPMC/guar gum). Tablets were evaluated for in vitro drug release profile in phosphate buffer with pH 6.8 (without enzymes). The thickness and hardness of prepared tablets were 3.23 ± 0.035 to 3.28 ± 0.008 mm and 3.26 ± 0.115 to 3.60 ± 0.200 kg/cm2, respectively. The friability was within the acceptable limits of pharmacopoeial specifications (0.31 to 0.71%), which indicates the good mechanical strength of the tablets. Drug release was retarded with an increase in polymer concentration due to the gelling property of polymers. The in vitro drug release from the proposed system was best explained by Higuchi’s model, indicating that drug release from tablets displayed a diffusion-controlled mechanism. The results clearly indicate that guar gum could be a potential hydrophilic carrier in developing oral controlled drug delivery systems. Based on the study results, formulations F8 was selected as the best formulation

Characterization and antibiotic sensitivity of urease positive pathogens from poultry droppings

ABSTRACT In the present study the faecal samples were collected from different poultry farms including both deep litter and cage system. Two government and eight poultry farms located in and around Jabalpur city were included in the study. The ammonia concentration [ppm] in individual farms was adjudged on the basis of pH. The ammonia concentration at all the levels was lower in the deep litter system compared to the cage system. A total of 145 isolates were identified out of 120 samples of poultry droppings. Among the 9 genera of microbes identified, urease positive bacteria were present in the genera Pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus. The overall percentage of urease positive bacteria was 35.17%. With an increase in ammonia concentration an increase in the count was noted. The pathogenicity testing of representative enteric and urease producing bacteria was conducted in albino mice. Gross changes were observed in the carcass and in vital organs incase of all the test bacteria. Microscopically lesions were noted in the vital organs especially in the Liver, in case of all the bacteria. The inhibitory powder of eight antimicrobials was tested on bacteria of three predominant isolated genera viz. Pseudomonas, Proteus and Klebsiella. The overall percent inhibition was maximum with Amikacin followed by Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Gentamicin Cephalexin, Oxytetracycline and Sulfamethoxazole

Prevalence and bacteriological profile of neonatal sepsis in newborn intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Central India

Background: Neonatal sepsis (NS) is the most common cause of neonatal mortality responsible for about 30–50% of total neonatal deaths in developing countries. Surveillance of causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern promotes the rational use of antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to study the prevalence of NS in newborn intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital of Central India and to isolate the most common organism involved in sepsis in our setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted and relevant data of the neonates diagnosed with culture-positive sepsis were obtained from the case records during the period from February 2018 to February 2019. Culture-positive sepsis was defined as the isolation of bacterial pathogen from blood in neonates with clinical suspicion of sepsis. Results: A total of 223 neonates were enrolled. The major morbidities were hyperbilirubinemia (23.3%), birth asphyxia (14.3%), sepsis (53.8%), and respiratory distress (32.7%). The main causes of neonatal mortality were birth asphyxia (9.8%), prematurity (18.83%), sepsis (32.23), hyaline membrane disease (13.4%), and meconium aspiration syndrome (13.9%). A total of 120 cultures were found to be positive. The most common organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (39.3%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (34%). Candida albicans was also isolated. Conclusion: Culture-positive NS accounted for 53.8% of all cases and is the major cause of mortality (32.28%) in the present study. Sepsis caused by Gram-positive bacteria was the most common among the neonates, although mortality was more in Gram-negative sepsis. Therefore, empirical regimen should be modified based on antibiogram of the isolates

Update Review Article: Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication in cirrhotic patients with ascites. To describe spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in the context of currently accepted criteria for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. A review of SBP and its associated etiopathogenic factors is presented. Numerous studies on mechanisms of disease, bacteriology, epidemiology, diagnostic markers, and current guidelines for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention are discussed. Peritonitis in patients with ascites in the absence of secondary causes, such as perforation of a viscus, occurs primarily in patients with end-stage liver disease. Enteric organisms, mainly gram-negative bacilli, probably translocate to regional lymph nodes to produce bacteremia and seeding of ascitic fluid. Signs and symptoms of peritonitis are usually subtle. The ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte count is the best determinant for early diagnosis and treatment of SBP. Third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime are considered the drugs of choice for treatment, whereas quinolones such as norfloxacin are used to decrease recurrence. Despite increased awareness, early diagnosis, and prompt and effective antimicrobial therapy, SBP recurs frequently and is associated with a high mortality rate. Patients with SBP should be assessed for candidacy for liver transplantation. Keyword: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, Bacteriology, Epidemiology, Diagnostic markers, Cephalosporin

MODELING OF AMBIENT FOR SOx AND NOx POLLUTANTS THROUGH ARTIFICAL NEURAL NETWORK IN INDUSTRIAL AREA OF UJJAIN CITY

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was the modeling of ambient air pollutants through ANN in industrial area of Ujjain city in India and the study was carried out on modeling of air pollutants like SOx and NOx, using Artificial Neural Network. The ANN system was run by giving the inputs of meteriological datas and giving the outputs of concentration of various pollutants and accordingly the estimation of Errors was done by this study. The monthly datas in year from 2009 -2012 of meteorological like Temperature, Humidity, wind pressure and rainfall and the pollutants concentration were collected from the State Pollution Control Board. The ANN system used as shown i

Embedding Community Voice into Smart City Spatial Planning

Public participation in spatial planning is a vital means to successful policymaking and can be enhanced by combining geospatial methods with participatory learning and action. Based on a pilot study in Bhopal, India involving urban authorities, civil society organisations and experts in an informal settlement during Covid-19 lockdowns, we find that the obstacles to sustaining public participation are not technological, but arise from a lack of awareness of the added value of ‘second order solutions’. We outline key approaches that emphasise short-term, feasible, and low-cost ways to embed community voice into participatory spatial planning.European Unio

Effect of Co-creation on Customer Experience, Trust and Brand Loyalty

Purpose Emerging economies are moving towards experience economies. Be it products or services, it is experience that matters most to the customers. Products have to be wrapped in the flashy wrapping of experience for the customers to prefer them. Earlier businesses used to function like traditional theatre, with organizations working on clearly defined roles and customers watching passively on paid tickets. But now, businesses seem to be like experiential theatres where everyone and anyone can take part. Customers don’t want to be passive watchers but like to be active participants. The paper proposes a framework for effective customer participation in service industry. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of customer participation through co-creation on customer experience, trust and brand loyalty. Methodology The paper validates the effects of customer participation on trust and brand loyalty mediated by customer experience dimensions using structural equation modelling. Findings The paper supports significant positive relationship between co-creation and customer experience dimensions.The paper also establishes positive relationship between co-creation, trust and brand loyalty mediated by customer experience dimensions. Originality The paper is an original contribution with data collected from Banking Industry

Empirical Study on Strategic Application of Co-creation Process: A Conceptual Framework to Effectively Collaborate With Customers

Co-creation occurs when companies collaborate with customers to understand their needs and expectations, thus creating an enhanced customer experience and generating more value for the customers. The paper provides a framework to understand the role of demographic variables in the co-creation process and the influence of co-creation on purchase decision making process, customer satisfaction level and brand loyalty. This paper first explores the relationship between demographic variable of customers and their interest towards collaborating with companies in the co-creation process. The second part establishes relationship between co-creation of a product, its influence on purchase decision making and increasing satisfaction and loyalty among customers. Also, the paper further establishes an understanding of the benefits that are a result of the co-creation process adopted by the company. For adopting the co-creation process, companies need to have a paradigm shift from their company-centric view of marketing to customer-centric view of marketing. The change is extremely demanding and companies have to transform their approach, structure and environment to engage customers in the co–creation process. This paper underlines the importance of taking demographic variables of the customer like age, gender, educational background, residing area, occupation and income into account for engaging them in the co-creation process