Two unusual neuro-psychiatric manifestations of malaria in a tertiary care hospital: a review of literature

Malaria, a highly prevalent parasitic disease in tropical country, have some atypical neuro-psychiatric manifestations seen in both vivax and falciparum malaria. We are reporting two cases of unusual neuro-psychiatric manifestations of malaria admitted in our hospital, one with intralobar haemorrhage and other with atypical psychiatric features. The rarity of the presentation has been highlighted with possible pathogenesis discussed after literature review

Study of biofilm formation among uropathogens isolated from catheter-associated UTI patient from a tertiary care hospital

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a serious health threat and challenging infection. CAUTI accounts for up to 40% of all nosocomial infections. Biofilm provides a survival strategy to microorganisms and ultimately leads to re-infections and recurrence of urinary tract infections (UTI) despite a full course of antibiotics. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CAUTI in suspected UTI patients and prevalence of biofilm-forming uropathogens among CAUTI patients. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was done over a period of 6 months among 95 catheterized CAUTI patients. Biofilm production among isolated uropathogens was tested by tissue culture plate, tube test, and congo red agar method. Isolates were identified as biofilm producer if they were tested positive by any one of the all four methods, and isolates were considered biofilm non-producer in consensus with all four methods. Results: In this study, the prevalence of CAUTI was 68.42%. Among 65 isolates most common uropathogen was 28 (43.07%) Escherichia coli. In this present study, the prevalence of biofilm-forming uropathogens was 58.46% (38). Tissue culture plate was the most sensitive (97.36%) method in detecting biofilm formation followed by modified congo red agar (82.21%), congo red agar (71.05%), and tube test (65.78%). Biofilm productions were significantly associated with female gender, diabetes, and prolonged catheterization. Conclusion: Indwelling urinary catheter acts as a nidus for biofilm formation among microorganisms. Duration of catheterization is inversely associated with UTI. Hence, the need for catheter removal should be assessed daily to prevent infection. Periodic surveillance should be done to detect biofilm formation where prolonged catheterization is inevitable

Ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.90Zr0.10O3 films in 200 nm thickness range

Lead-free piezoelectric Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.90Zr0.10O3 (BCZT) thin films were fabricated on Si/SiO2/TiO2/Pt (100) substrates following chemical solution deposition technique. Microstructure of the nano-sized BCZT particles crystallized in the thin film was thoroughly characterized. Ferroelectric, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the films were investigated in detail. The BCZT films annealed at 800 degrees C temperature exhibited high remanent polarization of 25 +/- 1 C/cm(2), energy density of 17 J/cm(3), dielectric constant of 1550 +/- 50 and dielectric tunability of 50%. Converse piezoelectric coefficients (d(33)) obtained from piezo-response force microscopy (PFM) measurements on BCZT grains of different grain size (20-100 nm) distributed on the BCZT 700 film varied widely from 90 to 230 pm/V. The same for BCZT 800 measured on different grain size (30-130 nm) varied from 120 to 295 pm/V. These BCZT thin films with high dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties might be good alternative to the PZT films for thin film piezoelectric device applications

An uncommon initial presentation of snake bite-subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report with literature review

Snake bites are very common in India, particularly in West Bengal. Snake bite can cause various hematological, neuromyopathical complications. It can be very fatal if not detected and treated early. Timely intervention can save the patient. We are reporting a case of hematotoxic Russell viper snake bite presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patient was successfully treated with antivenom serum (AVS) along with other conservative management. Subarachnoid hemorrhage as an initial presentation in viper bite is very rare and we discuss the case with proper literature review