Stethoscopes and nosocomial infection.

Stethoscopes are an essential tool of the medical profession and can become a source of nosocomial infection. A study conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital showed a high carriage of methicillin resistant staphylococcus (69.76%) and multi-drug resistant Gram negative bacilli (20.93%) on regularly used stethoscopes. The antibiogram of the bacterial isolates strongly suggested these to be nosocomial strains. A verbal survey revealed that regular cleaning is not common among doctors. A policy regarding cleaning of stethoscopes with an effective disinfectant may be helpful in reducing hospital-associated infections.

Biochemical studies on the in vitro effect of doxepin on Mg2+ & Na+, K+)-ATPases of human foetal & adult brain.

The in vitro effect of doxepin at 10, 50 and 200 micrograms/mg protein on Mg2+ and (Na+ K+)-ATPases (EC 3.6.1.3) activities of human foetal and adult brain (crude homogenate of cerebrum and cerebellum) were studied at 10-30 wk of gestation. Both Mg2+ and (Na+, K+)-ATPases of human foetal and adult brain were found to be inhibited by doxepin in a dose dependent manner. The inhibitory effect neither varied with respect to the region (i.e., cerebrum and cerebellum) nor with the gestational ages. Inhibition of ATPases activity by doxepin may affect the release and uptake of biogenic amines in the CNS, which may hamper the maturation of brain.

In vitro effect of lorazepam on Mg2+ and (Na+,K+) ATPases of human foetal brain.

Lorazepam (LZ), a benzodiazepine group of drug, inhibits Mg2+ and (Na+,K+) ATPases (EC 3.6.1.3) activity of human foetal and adult brain. The inhibitory effect neither varied with respect to the region (i.e. cerebrum and cerebellum) nor with the age of the foetus. The inhibition of ATPases activity indicates that the neuronal transmission processes, may be affected and raises the possibility of developmental disturbances.