Situation analysis of COVID-19 on Domestic Violence in Fiji

@#COVID-19, a highly contagious and deadly virus rapidly swept across the world from the year 2019 to 2020 killing more than two million people. Due to the magnitude of affect the virus was having, governments were forced into taking measures that required isolation of the infected from the unaffected, as mitigation to halt the spread. This brought about the “COVID-19 Lockdown”. Though the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) were with one of the least numbers of COVID-19 cases, similar measures were implemented as measure to prevent the virus from entering the countries. Like other countries, PICs like Fiji had a lockdown and this affected the lifestyles of the people. Amidst the lockdown, there was a rise in domestic violence cases. The literature review was done using databases; Medline, ProQuest, Embase, and Scopus. The research was done by using the relevant keywords in the field of COVID-19 which was aimed specifically on domestic violence during the pandemic. Moreover, local, and international publications, like media reports and published reports were also used. Upon carrying out this research it could be stated that there was a rise in the number of domestic violence cases in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The literature review was aimed at identifying the consequences of COVID-19 and why it triggered a spike in domestic violence cases. The study concluded that the psychological impacts, and socio-economic state created as the result of the lockdown was the main contributing factor which gives rise to substance abuse, depression, which collectively lead to violence

Screening of phytocompounds, molecular docking studies, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of heartwood aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus L.f

Objective:To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. heartwood using molecular docking and in vivo experiment. Methods:An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood was prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. Phytocompounds in the extract were tentatively identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Molecular docking experiments were carried out to evaluate the binding affinity of selected compounds, phloridzin to cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E synthase-1 (PGES-1) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by carageenan induced paw edema model in rats. Results:The presence of major component phloridzin along with quercetin, parthenin, ginkgolide B, picrotoxinin, usnic acid, octopine, and epigallocatechin was detected in the extract. Molecular docking study showed that phloridzin inhibited COX-1, COX-2, PGES-1 and 5-LOX with more affinity than ibuprofen and paracetamol. Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg BW showed significant reduction in carageenan-induced hind paw edema in a dose-dependent manner, but the effect was slow when compared with the standard ibuprofen (30 mg/kg p.o.). Conclusions:The study indicated that after clinical trials, the aqueous extract of Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood can be effectively used in phytotherapy to treat inflammation.

Resistance patterns of urinary isolates in a tertiary Indian hospital

To analyze the pathogenic organisms recovered from patients with urinary tract infection in a tertiary Indian hospital setting along with determination of the occurrence and anti-microbial sensitivity of uropathogens on a retrospective basis during a period of one year. A total of 5073 urine samples were processed. Urine culture was done using conventional microbiological techniques. Biochemical testing was used to identify the organisms and antibiotic sensitivity was done by the Kirby Bauer method. A total of 2436 uropathogens were isolated. E coli were seen in 50.7% samples followed by Klebsiella sp [27.6%]. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest Gram-positive isolate [1.5%]. Urinary tract infection [UTI] was seen in 70.5% females as compared to 29.5% males. A high recovery of isolates was noted from July to September. Multi drug resistance was commonest with Enterococcus [78.8%] followed by Pseudomonas [65.1%]. Drugs, which retained usefulness for Gram-negative isolates, were amikacin, norfloxacin and cefotaxime. For Gram-positive isolates, vancomycin, teicoplanin, lincomycin and Norfloxacin were very effective. Our study highlights the changing etiology of UTI and emergence of drug resistance within the Indian subcontinent