Biosynthesis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate by Rhodococcus pyridinivorans using unrelated carbon sources

Background: Polyhydroxyalkanoates are intracellular polymers comparable to synthetic plastic in their thermostable and elastomeric properties. PHAs are produced by bacteria under various nutrient – nitrogen – stress conditions.Methods: Bacteria were isolated from hot water springs of Tatta Pani Kashmir and Karachi Mangrove forest Pakistan. Polyhydroxyalkanoate detection agar was used to isolates PHA producing bacteria and several carbon sources such as glucose, glycerol and palmitic acid were used for relative biomass and biopolymer productions. PHA was extracted by solvent extraction method using sodium hypochlorite and chloroform. Extracted polymer was characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).Results: Rhodococcus pyridinivorans NK19 (KY703220) produced up to 60% PHA with glucose, 40% with palmitic acid and 58% with glycerol as carbon sources. FTIR spectrum confirmed the polymer produced as poly -3, hydroxybutyrate. A peak at 1720 cm -1 of FTIR confirmed the presence of PHB monomers in the polymer extracted.Conclusion: Rhodococcus pyridinivorans NK19 produced short chain length PHA interchangeably known as P3HB while utilizing unrelated carbon sources up to 60%.   Keywords: Glycerol; Fatty acids degrading bacteria; FTIR; Palmitic aci

Risk Factors for Bronchiolitis in Infants of Hazara Division - A Cross Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES Bronchiolitis is one of the major causes of hospitalization in the infants. Higher rate of hospitalization and mortality can be reduced by recognizing and control of risk factors for bronchiolitis. The objective of this study is to ascertain risk factors of bronchiolitis in infants, in local population of Hazara Division. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study was done in Ayub teaching hospital form January, 2020 till June 2020. Infants of both gender from age of 3 months to 12 months were included with diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Patients with croup, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis and bronchomalasia are excluded. Demographic variables, clinical characteristics and risk factors of bronchiolitis related to infant, mother and family were documented on specific proforma. The data was analyzed by SPSS 21. RESULTS There were 101 infants. Mean age was 5±3.5 months. Male to female ratio was 2.8. 77.2% infant had de livery through surgical procedure and 82% are term. 45% infants were exclusively breast fed. 34% patients room were carpeted, 35% exposed to molds and 81% had history of contact with infected person.28% infants are exposed to passive smoke, 49% had history of allergies and 60% mothers uses perfume to their child’s. 31% infants have more than 10 family members and are living in 2 rooms (p=0.000). Infant weaned at 6month have late onset of bronchiolitis as compare to infants weaned before 6 months (p=0.000). CONCLUSION Perfume/powder use, family history of allergies, history of contact with respiratory infection, delivery with surgical procedure as major new risk factors. Carpets, mold, passive smoking, overcrowding, are also contributing risk factors

A Comprehensive Electroencephalogram Audit in A Tertiary Care Center in Pakistan: Demographic Distribution, Referral Indications and Findings

Background and Objective: Electroencephalography (EEG) is a widely employed non-invasive technique for recording brain electrical activity, pivotal for diagnosing various neurological conditions. The study aims to provide insight into demographic distribution, referral indications, and EEG findings in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 2,924 patients who underwent routine EEG evaluations over a three-year period. Data was collected from the EEG records after approval from the ethical review committee. Demographic variables, referral reasons, and EEG findings were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The study revealed a gender distribution of 41.35 % females and 58.65 % males, aligning with broader epidemiological trends. Participants were categorized into different age groups and most of the patients in our study belonged to the five to 18 years of age group. Most common indication was a suspected seizure disorder (78.32 %), followed by subclinical seizures (7.38 %) and medication adjustment (6.81 %). Notably, encephalopathy was the most common abnormal EEG finding (31 %), with temporal epilepsies being predominant within the focal seizure category. Conclusion: The descriptive nature of the study contributes novel insights. The study’s contribution provides valuable guidance for healthcare professionals, enhancing their comprehension of neurological conditions and refining diagnostic and treatment strategies

Nutritional composition, vitamins, minerals and toxic heavy metals analysis of Trianthema portulacastrum L., a wild edible plant from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study aimed at analyzing the nutritional potential of a wild edible plant, Trianthema portulacastrum L. widely used in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The nutritional composition, vitamins, minerals and heavy elements were analyzed following the standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The nutritional assessment included determination of moisture, ash, lipid, fiber, protein, carbohydrate and energy. Among the nutrient values, fiber was found to be the highest (430.0 mg/g), followed by ash (348.0 mg/g), total protein (91.9 mg/g), moisture (80.0 mg/g), carbohydrate (30.2 mg/g) and total lipid (20.0 mg/g). The vitamins analyzed were found to have greater value for riboflavin (2.02 mg/g), than retinol (0.81 mg/g). Among the macro minerals, potassium was present in high concentration (51.6 mg/g) than sodium (44.0 mg/g). The trace elements were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and their decreasing order was Fe>Zn>Mn>Ni>Cu. Two toxic metals, Pb and Cd were present in very minute quantities of 0.08 and 0.0006 mg/g, respectively. The results suggest that T. portulacastrum L. is a good source of fiber, proteins, riboflavin, potassium, sodium and iron.Keywords: Peshawar, Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), Trianthema portulacastrum L., nutritional composition, vitamins, minerals.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(42), pp. 6079-608

Inducible clindamycin resistance due to expression of erm genes in Staphylococcus aureus: report from a tertiary care Hospital Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of phenotypic expression of inducible resistance of clindamycin due to expression of erm genes, in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), by double disk diffusion test (D-test). METHOD: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the clinical laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. A total of 2432, non duplicate clinical isolates of S. aureus, consisting of 1562 methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 870 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), were selected from February 2007 to January 2008. One hundred and thirty eight isolates of S. aureus were selected based on discordant resistance pattern (erythromycin resistant and clindamycin sensitive) on Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion test and phenotypic expression of inducible resistance was assessed using D-test. RESULT: Analysis of 2432 isolates showed that 64% (n=1553) were susceptible to both clindamycin and erythromycin by disc diffusion method, while 30% (n=741) showed constitutive resistance (in vitro resistance to both drugs). 6% (n=138) isolates showed clindamycin-erythromycin discordance on disc diffusion (in vitro sensitive to clindamycin and resistant to erythromycin). Among the discordant isolates 72% (n=99) had inducible resistance phenotype detected by D-test and of these 85 isolates (62%) were MRSA. CONCLUSION: Inducible resistance is common in our clinical isolates; D-test (a simple phenotypic test) should be performed on all S. aureus isolates showing clindamycin-erythromycin discordance on disc diffusion, to avoid erroneous reporting resulting in treatment failure

Clonal dissemination of vanA positive Enterococcus species in tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To perform molecular typing of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) strains endemic in various hospitals of Karachi, to characterize the mechanism of glycopeptide resistance and assess the genetic relatedness, for understanding its transmission locally. METHOD: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the clinical and research laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan from October 2007 to September 2008. Non-duplicate 86 (65 AKUH and 21 non-AKUH) VRE strains were included. Molecular typing of nosocomial isolates of VRE was carried out by using Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and identification of vanA and vanB genes were performed by conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Analysis of PFGE data by Tenover scheme showed single major pulsotype A with its subtypes A1, A2 and A3 present among different tertiary hospitals in Karachi. The dice coefficient of similarity among AKUH, non-AKUH and total 86 (AKUH and non-AKUH) had a value of 90%, 88% and 89% reflecting their clonal relatedness. In all 60/65 (92%) and 19/21 (90%) AKUH and non-AKUH isolates had vanA gene respectively. None had vanB gene. CONCLUSION: Molecular typing suggested that VRE isolates had same clonal origin indicating nosocomial transmission. Institution of strict infection control measures with active surveillance should be taken to avoid its further spread

Response of morphological and biochemical traits of maize genotypes under waterlogging stress

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops cultivated around the world. Waterlogging stress is a major production constraint of maize production in rain-fed agricultural systems. The main objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of continuous waterlogging on morphological and biochemical traits of maize genotypes at the vegetative stage. Ten maize genotypes were treated under no waterlogging (control) and continuous waterlogging of five centimeters depth for 10 days. The treatments were applied to the plants at their 45 days of age. Visual leaf injury scores from Leaf 4 (youngest leaf is the reference point) to Leaf 7 separated tolerant and susceptible genotypes. Waterlogging stress significantly reduced the total number of live leaves and chlorophyll content in leaf tissues in susceptible genotypes. The anatomical study revealed that tolerant maize genotypes produce a large number of aerenchyma cells under waterlogging stress compared to susceptible genotypes. The enzymatic activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) exhibited a greater increase in tolerant genotypes than susceptible genotypes whereas the contents of reactive oxygen species (H2O2) greatly increased in susceptible genotypes than tolerant genotypes under waterlogging stress compared to control. Principal component 2 (PC2) indicated that increasing plant height in the genotypes BHM-14, BHM-13 and BHM-9 was associated with waterlogging tolerance. The findings of this experiment will add value to maize breeding to screen out maize genotypes for waterlogging stress tolerance

Mixed salmonella infection: a case series from Pakistan

Enteric fever remains a major health problem in the developing world, including Pakistan. Poor sanitation and hygienic conditions are the major predisposing factors. Salmonella infection with different strains in the same patient has rarely been reported previously. We are reporting two cases of bacteraemia with simultaneous detection of two strains of Salmonella in a single episode of infection. In both the cases, 2 different serotypes of Salmonella were causing bacteraemia leading to fever. In highly endemic area, one must be aware of mixed Salmonella infections as inappropriate diagnosis of such infections may lead to treatment failure

Sacrospinous colpopexy versus McCall’s culdoplasty during vaginal hysterectomy in stage 3 and 4 prolapse for prevention of vault prolapse

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition seen in women due to weakening of support of pelvic organs. Different surgical procedures have been adopted for suspension of vaginal vault during vaginal hysterectomy to restore vault to near normal anatomic position as preventive measures for vault prolapse. The aim of study was to compare the efficacy of the McCall’s culdoplasty and sacrospinous ligament colpopexy in stage 3 and 4 prolapse (POP-Q).Methods: This prospective study comprised 100 women presenting with stage 3 and 4 prolapse (POP-Q). They were divided into two equal groups of 50 each. The patients were randomized to undergo McCall’s culdoplasty (Group A) or sacrospinous ligament fixation (Group B) with vaginal hysterectomy based on note contained in an envelope comparative analysis was done, and patients were evaluated for intra-operative difficulties and immediate (48 hours) post-operative complications using SPSS-version 23 for statistical analysis. The patients were followed up at one month and one year to evaluate symptomatically and objectively.Results: In group A, patients with 3-degree prolapse 1 woman had hemorrhage and 1 woman had bladder injury intraoperatively. Whereas in group B, 5 women had hemorrhage and 1 woman had rectal injury intraoperatively. All complications were dealt successfully. No other major intra- and post-operative complications occurred.Conclusions: Vaginal hysterectomy with sacrospinous colpopexy resulted in better outcomes after surgery. Hence, it was concluded that unilateral or bilateral SSLF may be added to vaginal hysterectomy in patients of stage 3 or 4 prolapse

Adversities faced by Y or Z category health science journals with HEC, Pakistan

Objective: To know the rate and predictors for derecognition/demotion in HEC-indexed Y, and Z categories health science journals (HSJs) Methods: A list of HEC-indexed Y and Z categories HSJs was downloaded from the official website of HEC, Pakistan on 29 July 2019. General information like the type of publisher, specialty, sponsoring body, origin city, and sector (Armed Forces/Civilian) of the derecognized or demoted journals were noted. Fundamental issues like HEC's procedures were resolved using literature review, contacts to the affected journals, and peer-to-peer discussions.   Results: Of 50 journals, 25 (50%) were found against each of the Y and Z categories.  Fourteen (56% of the total) Y category journals faced adversity in the form of derecognition (n = 5) or demotion (n = 9). Whereas, the rate increased remarkably to 64% (n = 16) in the Z category. Similarly, the high rate was noticed in specialty-specific journals (67.9%, n =19). A journal under private sponsorship had twofold more chance of the adversity (95%CI:1.003-2.918, p = .05) than public-sponsored journals (75 vs. 50%, respectively). Most of the affected Z category journals (n = 13, 81.3%) had their first registration with HEC before 2015. Conclusion: The policy of HEC for derecognition/demotion of HSJs needs extensive review to promote medical publications