In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity Of Biological Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia Strain Ns-24 From Non-Rhizosphere Soil

Objective: The present goals of our study were biological synthesis, characterizations of silver nanoparticles, and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity against microbial pathogens like Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The bacterial Strain NS-24 was isolated on nutrient agar medium and was selected for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on its gram-negative characteristics. The characterizations of silver nanoparticles were done by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Later, the molecular characterization of the Strain NS-24 was done by DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The UV-visible spectrophotometric observation of the Strain NS-24 supernatant and AgNO3 solution showed maximum absorbance at 423 nm. The AFM data confirmed that the particles were polydispersed and spherical in shape. Additionally, the FTIR analysis revealed the IR spectral band patterning and TEM analyzes showed the size of biological AgNPs was in the range of 12.56 nm to 27.32 nm, with an average of 18.06 nm in size. Further, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the identity of Strain NS-24 as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was studied on different gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial strains like Escherichia coli (MTCC 40), Enterococcus faecalis (MTCC 6845), Streptococcus pneumoniae (MTCC 8874) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 2825), which showed good inhibition of their growth at varying concentrations of AgNPs against all the pathogens. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the synthesized AgNPs from the isolated bacterium was small in size and had profound antibacterial activity against pathogenic micro-organisms.

Adverse outcomes in SAR-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and SARS virus related pregnancies with probable vertical transmission

The global severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on all aspects of daily life and healthcare. Information on the infection risks for pregnant women and their offspring have so far been limited to small case series, until a large UK report on 427 SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women was published. Previous SARS epidemic experiences were drawn upon. Diagnostic use of real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and IgG and IgM antibody tests are fraught with concerns of non-validation and false negative results, as are sampling methodologies. Virtually no information on controls accompany these reports. Infection of the mother and baby has serious implications for obstetric and neonatal care. Information on early and late stage pregnancy infection and the relationship to severity of infection on fetal development is both useful and clearly warranted. An increasing number of reports centre around mildly infected women showing no evidence of fetal infection while a few reports suggesting vertical transmission require further validation. Vertical transmission from mother to baby however small would have profound health implications for obstetric and neonatal care and fetal abnormalities. Some data suggesting intrapartum vertical transmission from mother to baby cannot be dismissed given the lack of controls and limitations of diagnostic viral tests. This analysis covers some key early reports addressing pregnancy outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. (AU)

Rational prescribing practice assessment among resident doctors in a tertiary care teaching hospital: a questionnaire based observational study

Background: One of the important factors in health policy is recognised to be rational use of medicines (RUM). Physicians can influence the health and well-being of patients by prescribing appropriate drug in right doses and they should be taught to prescribe rationally at the earliest of their professional carrier.Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out in SMHS hospital which is a tertiary-care teaching hospital associated with Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.Results: Out of 106 resident doctors enrolled in the study, 96.2% respondents were aware about the term essential medicines of India, and 47.6% had National List of Essential Medicines of India available at their work place. When the participants were questioned about the term RUM only 17% of them responded positively, but majority of the resident doctors (88.67%) were aware about the ingredients of the drugs they use to prescribe. Though only 3.7% of our participating doctors always use essential medicines during their prescription writing but majority of them (96.22%) would always use to inform the patient regarding disease, drug therapy and monitoring of drug therapy.Conclusions: Considering the fact that respondents are future prescribers they should be aware of all aspects about RUM and improper knowledge in certain areas of RUM is a matter of concern that needs to be addressed.

Study of risk factors associated with adverse outcome in a severe coronary artery disease (syntax score >22) with different therapeutic strategies

Background: The specific question of whether PCI or surgical treatment offers any advantage over MT in patients with stable angina and multivessel disease remains unanswered. Objective of our research was to study various risk factors which interferes the outcome of various therapeutic procedures in coronary artery disease.Methods: This was prospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care center from July 2014 to July 2016. A total of 98 subjects undergoing different therapeutic strategies were followed up. Risk factors which interferes the outcome of various therapeutic procedures in coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied.Results: There was a significant difference in mean SYNTAX score (P = 0.003), urine micro albumin levels (P=0.006), and body mass index (0.046) between those who had MACE and who did not have MACE.Conclusions: The urine micro albumin >30 mg/l and highest SYNTAX score were significantly associated with MACE at 1 year in subject with severe CAD.

Performance of rapid influenza diagnostic tests (QuickVue) for Influenza A and B Infection in India.

Background: Rapid point-of-care (POC) tests provide an economical alternative for rapid diagnosis and treatment of infl uenza, especially in public health emergency situations. Objectives: To test the performance of a rapid infl uenza diagnostic test, QuickVue (Quidel) as a POC test against a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for detection of infl uenza A and B in a developing country setting. Study Design: In a prospective observational design, 600 patients with infl uenza-like illness (ILI) or with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) who were referred to the Infl uenza Clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Srinagar, India from September 2012 to April 2013, were enrolled for diagnostic testing for infl uenza using QuickVue or RT-PCR. All infl uenza A-positive patients by RT-PCR were further subtyped using primers and probes for A/H1pdm09 and A/H3. Results: Of the 600 patients, 186 tested positive for infl uenza A or B by RT-PCR (90 A/ H1N1pdm09, 7 A/H3 and 89 infl uenza B), whereas only 43 tested positive for infl uenza (infl uenza A = 22 and infl uenza B = 21) by QuickVue. Thus, the sensitivity of the QuickVue was only 23% (95% confi dence interval, CI: 17.3-29.8) and specifi city was 100% (95% CI: 99.1-100) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% (95% CI 91.8-100) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 74.3% (95% CI: 70.5-77.9) as compared to RT-PCR. Conclusions: The high specifi city of QuickVue suggest that this POC test can be a useful tool for patient management or triaging during a public health crisis but a low sensitivity suggests that a negative test result need to be further tested using RT-PCR.

Evaluation of Stress in Professional Life and Other Factors Among Young Technology Professionals in South India.

Stress has been a topic of interest in the last century, since its description by Hans Selye. Stressors could be anything from the daily life, professional or domestic, eventually leading the deleterious health outcomes. However some types of stressors were believed to be necessary for growth, which were termed eustress. In the present study we evaluated the stress levels in software professionals (n=155) from Karnataka State, India by using Professional Life stress Score (PLSS) and Perceived Stress Score (PSS) after explaining the subjects about the questionnaire and response types and obtaining their informed consent. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethics committee before the beginning of the data collection. Apart from the responses for the questionnaire, their BMI was calculated by carefully measuring their height and weight. Their other demographic data such as age, matrimonial status were also collected. From the results we found that PLSS score was elevated to mild and moderate degree among the study group, which was not correlated with either their age or matrimonial status. However in contrast, the PSS scores were elevated to higher degree and it was well correlated with BMI, age and number of years of experience. From the results we found that these young technical professionals of Bangalore and Mangalore did not have much professional stress but they were influenced by other factors which produce overall stress as evidenced by the elevated PSS scores. Thus we herestate that this study produced results which was helpful in differentiating the professional life environment causing stress and other compounding factors influencing the psychological well being. We, therefore conclude that well employed young professional enjoy their work but other extraneous factors could lead to stress.

Group A rotavirus and bacterial agents associated with diarrhoea-induced hospitalisations in children below 5 years of age in Jammu.

Out of 210 faecal samples collected from children below 5 years attending different hospitals in Jammu and exhibiting clinical signs of diarrhoea, 41.9% samples were found positive for group A rotavirus by RNA-PAGE. Escherichia coli isolated in the study belonged to nine serogroups, out of which O69 was most frequent, being present in 12.38% samples. E. coli serogroups well recognised as enteropathogens viz. O69, O20 and O153 were present in 27.6% samples. Other bacterial pathogens associated with diarrhoea were present in 8.09% samples, out of which Shigella spp. was found in 4.76% samples followed by Salmonella spp. (2.38%) and Pseudomonas spp. (0.95%).

Effect of available nutrients on yield and quality of pear fruit Bartlett in Kashmir Valley India.

Pear is one of the most important commercial crops grown in the Kashmir valley of India. A study was conducted during 2008 to find out the effect of available nutrients on yield and quality parameters of pear cultivar “Bartlett” which revealed that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium exhibited significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.882, 0.856, and 0.482 mm, respectively), diameter (0.869, 0.794 and 0.458 mm, respectively), weight (0.876, 0.825 and 0.439 g, respectively), volume (0.908, 0.806 and 0.404, Cm3 respectively) and yield (0.908, 0.764 and 0.702 kg tree-1, respectively) however, only nitrogen and phosphorus showed similar relationship with total sugars (0.833 and 0.838 % respectively). The calcium indicated significant and negative relationship with fruit diameter (-0.433) and yield (-0.589), while as it showed significant and positive correlation with fruit firmness (0.442) only. The sulphur revealed significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.440), diameter (0.434), TSS (0.482) and yield (0.729) whereas zinc, copper, iron and manganese exhibited significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.889, 793, 0.671 and 0.619, respectively), diameter (0.875, 0.807, 0.653 and 0.576, respectively) weight (0.881, 0.784, 0.669 and 0.615, respectively), volume (0.885, 0.832, 0.692 and 0.572, respectively) TSS (0.858, 0.761, 0.735 and 0.609, respectively), total sugars (0.853, 0.890, 0.705 and 0.517, respectively) and yield (0.777, 0.618, 0.789 and 0.701, respectively). It is therefore suggested that nutrients have effect on quality and yield of pear fruits.

Lung function changes in young obese women – A harbinger for graver outcomes.

Obesity is a global health hazard. As standards of living are continuing to rise, weight gain and obesity are posing a growing threat to health in countries all over the world. These obese individuals are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality because of its relationship with various metabolic disorders. It is also known to cause alterations in pulmonary functions, so the present study was planned to assess the effect of obesity on pulmonary function tests in young adult females of 18 to 25 years. Based on body mass index (BMI) participants were divided in to two groups. Both groups were age and physical activity matched. Pulmonary function tests were recorded using computerized spirometry. Results when analyzed statistically using students “t” test showed that there was a significant decrease in expiratory reserve volume in obese individuals compared to controls. Other tests were not significant. This result shows that obesity has an impact on respiratory functions even in younger age group hence we have to safeguard against the hazards of obesity by taking corrective steps through our health programs.

Cardiac autonomic functions are compromised in diabetes mellitus – a study on south Indian elderly patients.

Diabetes is known to affect almost all functions of the body. Long standing diabetics show several detrimental symptoms including in the heart. Diabetic neuropathy affects the cardiac autonomic function and may be reflected in the HRV (Heart rate variability). In the present study, we investigated the HRV in elderly diabetic patients in two groups, viz. moderate (FBS <126 mg/dl) and those with more FBS (FBS>126) and compared the results of Lipid profile, glycosylated Hb and HRV(both normal breathing, nb & Deep breathing, db) with the parameters in age matched controls. We found that the glycosylated Hb was significantly more in diabetics and it is proportional to the FBS (p<0.001). The HRV was found to be lower in diabetic patients. However in the moderate diabetic patients the HRV did not show significant decline, but in severe diabetics, it was significantly lower. From our studies we could reconfirm the decline in the cardiac autonomic control over a period in diabetic patients over and above the age related decrease in HRV. Therefore this result will also reinforce that HRV could be useful for analysis of the diabetic neuropathic effect on the heart.

Profile of Acute Renal Failure in Children in Kashmir.

We report on the etiology and the short term outcome (3 month) of children with acute renal failure (ARF) at a tertiary care centre in north India. Acute tubular necrosis was the commonest cause of ARF (33%) especially in children <5 years of age; while in children >10 years, glomerulonephritis was the commonest cause. The overall mortality rate was 20%.The outcome at 3 months showed normal renal function in 72 patients and CKD in 5 patients. Three patients were lost to follow-up.

A comparison of responses to alcohol expectancy questionnaire (CEOA) of Indian and Malaysian medical students.

Alcohol addiction is a social problem faced by every country worldwide. Young people are more at risk of this menace. In spite of a clear knowledge and message about the effects of alcohol on individual health and social fabric, it is hard to curb the overuse of this beverage. In the present study, we compared the outcome of a survey using Comprehensive effects of Alcohol (CEOA) in two private Medical institutions in two Asian countries, viz. KMC, Mangalore, India (n=180) and AIMST, Kedah, Malaysia (n=170). The study included both males and female students. The result suggested that the negative reinforcement responses were rated higher in both the study groups. But those who have tasted alcohol before had a higher rating that alcohol may cause positive reinforcement. Both groups of respondents showed similar trend suggesting that the alcohol expectancies are similar in Indian students and Malaysian students. From the results we could conclude that the responses of the two sample groups were comparable to each other. While the male respondents were inclined show higher affinity towards acceptance of alcohol females are very much less so. However, the respondents of both groups appeared to be well aware of the negative aspects of alcohol. Importantly previous exposure to alcohol intake dramatically changed the perception and showed increased inclination towards alcoholism. This study thus provides an important clue to the clinician, counselors and parents regarding the importance of guiding the young people about the alcoholism.

Visceral Leishmaniasis In A Native Kashmiri Boy.

Leishmaniasis, though widely prevalent in South Asia, is not seen in the Kashmir valley where the cold climatic conditions create a hostile environment for the growth of the parasite or its vector, the sandfly. However, a few cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis have been documented from the hot and arid Uri belt of Kashmir. We present a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a boy hailing from Uri, a rarity in this region.

Effect of copper sulphate on lipid in some vital organs of freshwater crab barytelphusa gureini.

Toxicity of copper on some metabolic processes can lead to disturbance and imbalance of various physiological activities such as respiration, reproduction, bone formation, and metabolism of some nutrients. Copper sulphate is frequently used as a general biocide in the aquaculture industry. The present study reflects the effect of copper sulphate on lipids in some vital organs of the freshwater crab Barytelphusa gureini. Crabs of equal size were treated with different concentrations of copper sulphate (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 ppm) respectively. The mortality rate was noted up to 96 hours. After deducing the LC50, the crabs were treated with a sub-lethal concentration of copper sulphate (1.5 ppm) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively. Total lipid estimation was done in the case of sub-lethal concentration (1.5 ppm) of copper sulphate exposure and compared with the control group of crabs. The results showed a significant decline in the total lipid in the following organs of Barytelphusa gureini at sublethal concentration of copper sulphate – hepatopancreas (67.7%) < muscle (58.8%) < gills (47.3%) < haemolymph (powder form) (28.8%). In contrast, there was an increase in the lipid in various organs of control crabs – hepatopancreas (0.091 mg/100 mg) > gills (0.076 mg/100 mg) > haemolymph (powder form) (0.052 mg/100 mg) > muscle (0.034 mg/100 mg). The lipid reduction in the present study is a reflection of breakdown of lipid in stress situation.

Missile diaphragmatic injuries: Kashmir experience

Importance of repairing a diaphragmatic tear due to a missile injury cannot be overemphasized.Even a small diaphragmatic rent should be repaired because of morbidity and mortality caused by subsequent herniation and strangulation. Fifty-three cases with diaphragmatic injuries caused by penetrating missiles were studied from January 1997 to January 2007. All the patients were primarily explored either for thoracic or abdominal penetrating trauma; the diaphragmatic injury was an associated incidental intraoperative finding. Thoracotomy was performed in 18 patients, Laprotomy in 33 patients and in two patients combined thorocoabdominal approach was utilised for managing associated visceral injuries. Overall mortality was 37.7%. Mortality was dependent on associated injuries of thoracic and abdominal viscera. Most patients died due to associated injuries and septicaemia. None of the patients had any sequelae of diaphragmatic repair. Immediate repair of diaphragmatic injury is of paramount importance to prevent subsequent complications of herniation and strangulation