Evaluation of antibiotics utilization in an intensive and critical care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in West Bengal: An observational study

Background: Resistance to antibiotics is rising markedly. Factor which contributes to resistance is the rampant irrational use of antibiotics. The trend of prescribing antibiotics in intensive care units (ICUs) of eastern India is less explored. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe and analyze the utilization of antibiotics as per the WHO/INRUD prescribing core indicators in an intensive and critical care unit (CCU) of a tertiary center in eastern India. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out on prescription pattern of antibiotics. Case records of patients with restricted antibiotic therapy were reviewed and evaluated using descriptive statistics. A total of 353 prescriptions were evaluated and analyzed. Results: Among the total 353 patients most common age group admitted was 41–60 years. Males were more in numbers. Myocardial infarction and post-operative complications were the most common cause of admission in ICU and CCU, respectively. Ceftriaxone (44%) and meropenem (37%) were the drugs used rampantly in ICU and CCU. More than 90% of prescriptions had injections and drugs were written in generic names. Almost 90% of patients in CCU had antibiotics in their prescription. Adverse events occurred in 14.7% of patients and thrombophlebitis was the most common adverse event occurred. Conclusion: The study has given us an overall impression of the antibiotics usage pattern in ICU and CCU of this teaching institution. The study has shown that antibiotics should be used judiciously in ICU and CCU. Policy can be made on the basis of the result of this study.

Mutant P21 Peptides Could Act As An Improved Cyclin A Inhibitors For Cancer Therapy: An In Silico Validation

Objective: The present study delineates the generation of mutant peptide library from a known anticancer peptide, p21 and in silico evaluation for their affinity towards cyclin. A substrate binding groove. Methods: Mutant peptide library was created based on their AntiCP score and was docked with cyclin A using ClusPro2.0 web server. The docked structures were further simulated into an aqueous environment using Gromacs 4.5.6. Visualization was performed using PyMol software and interaction analysis was done using Discovery Studio Visualizer 4.1 Client and LigPlot plus tool. Results: A total of 57 mutant peptides were generated; out of which only 3 namely, K3C (Lys3Cys), K3F (Lys3Phe), and K3W (Lys3Trp) had a greater affinity for cyclin A than WILD p21 peptide (HSKRRLIFS). Molecular dynamic simulation studies showed that the peptides remained docked into the substrate binding groove throughout the run. Among all the peptides, K3C showed a significantly higher negative binding energy with cyclin A as compared to WILD. Conclusion: The overall results suggested that K3C mutant peptide had ~30 % higher affinity towards cyclin A and thus, could further be explored for its anticancer potential. The study also provides an insight into the crucial interactions governing the recognition of substrate binding groove of cyclin A for the development of novel peptide-based anticancer therapeutics.

Microbial production of L-tyrosine: a review.

Microbial production of L-tyrosine by direct fermentation and by enzymatic methods has been reviewed. Achievements in this regard made through recombinant DNA techniques have also been included. The review also includes biosynthesis and regulation of tyrosine.

Microbial production of L-tryptophan: a review.

Microbial production of L-tryptophan has been reviewed with 172 references. The review includes different tryptophan producing microorganisms, their optimal cultural conditions, yields, assay and process of recovery. It also includes a discussion on the pathway of tryptophan biosynthesis and its regulation. Achievements in this regard made through genetic engineering have also been included.

Microbial production of L-phenylalanine: a review.

Microbial production of L-phenylalanine by direct fermentation and by substrate conversion has been reviewed. The review also includes a discussion on different other methods for phenylalanine production, their advantages and disadvantages with mutants and genetically tailored strains. Biosynthesis of phenylalanine, its regulation in hyperproducing strains and recovery of phenylalanine has been discussed in brief.