Antiviral activities of Cholistani plants against common poultry viruses

@#Herbal medicines are becoming more popular and acceptable day by day due to their effectiveness, limited side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Cholistani plants are reported as a rich source of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, and anticancer agents. The current study has evaluated antiviral potential of selected Cholistani plants. The whole plants were collected, ground and used in extract formation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts were concentrated by using a rotary evaporator and concentrate was finally dissolved in an appropriate vol of the same solvent. All of the extracts were tested for their antiviral potential by using 9-11 days old chick embryonated eggs. Each extract was tested against the Avian Influenza virus H9N2 strain (AIV), New Castle Disease virus Lasoota strain (NDV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and an Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Hemagglutination test (HA) and Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA) tests were performed for different viruses. The overall order of the antiviral potential of Cholistani plants against viruses was NDV>IBV>IBDV>AIV. In terms of antiviral activity from extracts, the order of activity was n-butanol>ethyl acetate>n-hexane. The medicinal plants Achyranthes aspera, Neuroda procumbens, Panicum antidotale, Ochthochloa compressa and Suaeda fruticose were very effective against all four poultry viruses through their extracts. The low IC50 values of these extracts confirm the high antiviral potential against these viruses. It is worth to mention that Achyranthes aspera was found positive against IBDV through all its extracts which overcome the problem of unavailability of any known drug against IBDV. In short, the study proved that Cholistani plants are rich source of antiviral agent and their extracts can be used as good source of antiviral drugs both in crude and in purified form.

Results of a Standard versus an Accelerated Ponseti Protocol for Clubfoot: A Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the results of the standard once-weekly Ponseti casting technique to an accelerated twice-weekly regimen in our population cohort.METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted with a total of 100 consecutive patients (158 feet) being enrolled for the study. Fifty patients were randomized to each group and followed up for at least one year.RESULTS: Initial mean Pirani score was 4.67 ± 0.73 in the standard group and 4.35 ± 0.76 in the accelerated group, and the score decreased to 0.34 ± 0.38 and 0.35 ± 0.31, respectively. Initial mean Dimeglio score was 11.75 ± 2.75 in the standard group and 10.51 ± 2.57 in the accelerated group, and the score decreased to 0.79 ± 0.77 and 0.79 ± 0.71, respectively, immediately after casting. The average number of casts required to correct all the deformities was 6.3 ± 1.2 in the standard group and 6.1 ± 1.4 in the accelerated group (p = 0.45). Average time spent in cast was 58.2 ± 8.3 days in the standard group and 39.5 ± 5.2 days in the accelerated group (p < 0.001). Percutaneous Achilles tendon tenotomy was done in 86.42% in the standard group and in 84.41% in the accelerated group (p = 0.72). Final results were assessed by using a modified functional rating scoring system: 55.55% clubfeet had excellent results and 44.45% had good results in the standard group, whereas 66.23% clubfeet had excellent results and 33.77% had good results in the accelerated group. None amongst the two groups had fair or poor results.CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the accelerated Ponseti technique significantly reduces the correction time without affecting the final results and that it is as safe and effective as the traditional Ponseti technique.

Therapeutic Implication of Terfezia claveryi Extract on Corneal Ulcer of Rabbit’s Eye.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Terfezia claveryi crude extract on induced corneal ulcer in rabbit’s eye. Study Design: Study was carried out in Rabbits eye. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted in the experimental laboratories at College of Applied Medical Sciences of Qassim University during the period from March to June 2013. Methodology: Crude aqueous extract of this truffle, in different concentrations, was introduced through intraperitoneal injection to rabbits for their safety dose. Corneal epithelial wound was induced in different groups of rabbit’s eye with sodium hydroxide and later this wound was contaminated with some selected bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherchia coli to produce iatrogenic infection. The healing power of different concentrations of T. claveryi crude extract was observed by different clinical findings. Results: We observed that 1.5% crude extract of this desert truffle significantly healed the corneal ulcer almost within 9 days. Delayed response in healing was observed with 3% T. claveryi, while 5% extract developed some extra corneal complications. The healing response of corneal ulcer to topical application of different concentrations of T. claveryi extract was compared with a synthetic antibiotic (Vigamox 0.5%) as a reference standard drug. Conclusion: It was concluded that aqueous extract of T. claveryi has no significant toxic effects against liver and kidney function parameters. The antibacterial activity of this desert truffle recommends as an alternative medicine for some corneal infections. However, the therapeutic role of some specific ingredients present in this truffle needs further investigations.

Extended spectrum B-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in clinical isolates in Benghazi, Libya: phenotypic detection and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern

beta-lactams are the most widely used group of antimicrobials; however, growing resistance to these invaluable drugs mediated by extended spectrum beta-lactamase [ESBL] enzymes is a major concern. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of these enzymes and their effect on antimicrobial susceptibility pattern by different phenotypic detection tests in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli in Benghazi, Libya. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by Kirby-Bauer method. Ceftazidime and cefotaxime were used for screening potential ESBL producers. Confirmation was done by a combination of double disk synergy test [DDST] and phenotypic confirmatory disk diffusion tests [PCDDTs]. A total of 120 E. coli strains [40 urine, 20 sputum, 20 blood, and 40 wound swabs] from inpatients at different hospitals of Benghazi, Libya, were included in the study, of which, 24 [20%] isolates were ESBL producers. The resistance pattern to the tested antibiotics was as follows: ampicillin [80%], co-trimoxazole [60%], ciprofloxacine [40%], cefotaxime [30%], ceftazidime [30%], Ceftriaxone [30%], gentamicin [30%], cefpirome [35%], ofloxacin [30%], imipenem [25%], and nitrofurantoin [40%]. All the isolates tested showed resistance to two or more drugs and were considered to be multidrug resistant. A higher rate of ESBL production and multidrug resistance was seen among isolates from pus swabs as compared to other sources. ESBL producers mediated high resistance to both beta-lactams and non-beta-lactams. Prolonged hospital stay and prior use of third-generation cephalosporins were identified as important risk factors for ESBL acquisition. There is insufficient data regarding ESBL prevalence among E. coli strains from Benghazi, Libya. ESBLs not only pose a great threat to future of beta-lactams, but they also endanger the utility of many non-beta-lactams. To ensure rationale in antibiotic treatment, ESBL detection and reporting assumes a priority in near future in Benghazi, Libya

Hepatitis B virus infection and its associated risk factors; assessment in a tertiary care hospital

The present study was carried out to screen for prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus [HBV] infection and its associated risk factors in patients presenting for various complaints at a tertiary care hospital. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Nawaz Sharif social security Hospital, Multan Road Lahore from January 2008 through December, 2009. A total of 15403 patients, aged 14 to 60 years, belonging to low socio-economic group were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen [HbsAg] during the study period. Relevant information was obtained through a pre-designed questionnaire prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. Patient's serum was tested qualitatively for HbsAg by rapid immunochromatographic technique [ICT devices, Accurate, USA] according to the manufacturer's instructions.All sera showing reactivity were then confirmed with Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA]. HbsAg positivity was found in 488 [3.16%] patients of the screened population. Associated risk factors were: therapeutic injections [25.0%], shaving from community barbers [15.98%], blood or blood product transfusions [10.04%], HbsAg positive sexual partners [7.99%], dental treatment [6.96%], past surgical history [4.91%], occupational exposure [3.07%], pricking nose/ears [3.07%], H/o hemodialysis [2.04%] and medical endoscopy [1.02%]. 5.94% cases revealed no risk factor whereas 13.93% cases had multiple risk factors. A high prevalence of known etiological risk factors for HBV infection in the HBV positive patients documented in our study should not go without serious concern. Public awareness programs should be launched through mass media to discourage the malpractices related to risk factors

Cardiac metastasis in malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma [MFH] is an aggressive spindle cell cancer and is the most common soft tissue tumor in the elderly, primarily affecting the extremities. It has high metastatic potential and can spread to various viscera including liver, lung, bone, and brain; however, cardiac metastasis is an extreme rarity. Here, we present a 50-year-old male, diagnosed as pleiomorhphic storiform MFH a of right arm who developed parenchymal pulmonary metastases and a mass lesion in left atrium. Patient had a downhill course and eventually succumbed

Neurological outcome following delayed fixation of unstable thoracolumbar spinal injuries with short segment posterior fixation

To evaluate the improvement in neurological deficit following late decompression and stabilization of the fractured thoracolumbar spine. Between January 2001 and August 2004 neurological recovery in 120 thoracolumbar fractures was studied after posterior stabilization at the Hospital for Bone and Joint Surgery, Srinagar, India. There were 88 male and 32 female patients. Fall from a height, usually a tree, was the most common [90%] cause of injury. Seventy-six patients [63%] had neurologic deficit at the time of presentation. The unstable spine was fixed, between 4-18 days after trauma, by posterior short segment instrumentation [Steffee]. Neurological recovery for the patients was recorded in the follow-up period. Frankel grade was used to assess the neurological status. The average follow-up period was 25 months [range 8-44 months], and average age was 34 years [18-54]. There were 40 patients [30%] with an incomplete neurological deficit, namely, patients with Frankel grade B, C, and D. Two grades of improvement were found in 8 patients, and one grade improvement in 32 patients with incomplete lesion. Only one third of the patients with complete neuro deficit improved at the final follow-up. The overall result of the surgery for partial lesions was an improvement of at least one Frankel grade in all cases, but no improvement in most of the cases with complete lesion. This study demonstrates a clear relationship between the level of injury and Frankel grades, translational injuries are associated with a more severe neurologic grade, and surgical intervention appears to improve the neurological outcome, even when the intervention is inadvertently delayed [average 7.9 days]

Intelocking versus kuntscher nails in the management of femoral shaft fractures

To compare the outcome of Femoral shaft fractures managed with Interlocking and Kuntscher intramedullary nails, in terms of healing time, full weight bearing and post-operative complications. Prospective, quasi-experimental study from March 1999 to May 2002. Orthopaedics Unit I, Civil Hospital, Karachi. A total of 200 cases of Femoral shall fractures. Half [100] the cases of Femoral shaft fractures were treated with Kuntscher intramedullary nails and the other half [100] with Interlocking nails, the cases being assigned randomly. The detailed data of the patients was recorded, computed and analyzed using Chi-square test and Students t-test. The main parameters compared included fracture healing time, full weight bearing time and post-operative complications. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic data, fracture type and associated co-morbidities. The average operating time was 110 +/- 25 minutes for the Interlocking nail and 80 +/- 15.8 mins for the K-nail. All patients of K-nail group needed blood transfusion, while only 17 patients of interlocking group needed blood transfusion. The fill weight bearing time was significantly shorter [p < 0.005] in cases of Interlocking nail. Out of 200 fractures 182 [91%] healed with in six months while 18 [9%] did not. The latter included 6 [3%] cases treated with Interlocking nails and 12 [6%] with Kuntscher nails, p < 0.005. Interlocking intramedullary nailing is better than Kuntscher nailing in every respect

Metallic intraocular foreign body removal by magnet V/A trans scleral pars plana approach

A young man working in a workshop sustained penetrating injury to his left eye and reported within 12 hours to Eye Hospital. Plain X-ray orbit confirmed the presence of intraocular foreign body near pars plana. Corneal wound of entry was repaired with 10/0 suture. The intraocular foreign body was removed by magnet through trans scleral magnet via pars plana approach without 3 port vitrectomy procedure. Mild traumatic endophthalmitis was controlled by intravitreal injection of Vancomycin 1mg/0.1ml, along with topical antibiotic and steroid therapy. After 6 weeks, extraction of soft traumatic cataract and posterior chamber lens implantation was done. Best-corrected vision of 6/12 was achieved

Bacterial and fungal profile of corneal ulcers--a prospective study.

Corneal ulceration continues to be one of the most important causes of ocular morbidity and blindness worldwide. Between April 1999 and May 2001, 80 patients with corneal ulceration were examined to find the causative microorganisms, the sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates to antibiotics, the predisposing factorsfor ulcerative keratitis and the comparison between culture and gram staining results. Corneal ulceration was seen more in males than females, predominantly in farmers (61.25%) and trauma was the commonest predisposing factor, the agents being mainly organic agricultural materials. Of the 80 corneal ulcers, 32(40%) yielded pure bacterial growth while fungal growth was seen in 10(12.5%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was the commonest bacterium while Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium species were the commonest fungi isolated. Most of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol and tetracycline followed by the quinolones. The overall sensitivity and specificity of Gram staining as compared to culture was 57.14% and 94.7% respectively.

Femoral Lengthening by Ilizarov Technique: Results and Complications

Femoral lengthening using Ilizarov technique was performed in ten patients comprising of 6 females and 4 males in an age group of 10-19 years with an average shortening of 6.8 cms. The etiology of shortening was post-infective in 8 patients and post-traumatic in two patients. The desired length was achieved in six patients and in four patients the final limb length discrepancy ranged between 1 to 3 cms. The total duration of external fixation ranged from 24 weeks to 90 weeks with an average healing index of 6.23 weeks/cm. There were 10 problems and 2 true complications. Temporary decrease in knee range of motion was a common difficulty encountered during lengthening. Results were rated as excellent in five, good in two, fair in two and poor in one patient. Key words Ilizarov Technique, Femoral lengthening Introduction The

Lateral Subcutaneous External Sphincterotomy

Lateral internal sphincterotomy, even though, the most commonly used technique in United States for the treatment of fissure-in-ano has its associated post-operative complications like incontinence of flatus or faces. A better alternative in the form of lateral subcutaneous external sphincterotomy was tried prospectively on 50 patients over a period of 2 years & 4 months in the department of General Surgery at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences- Medical College, Semina. Srinagar India. Postoperative results were excellent vis- a vis pain relief and complications. We conclude that it is a better alternative for treatment of both acute as well as chronic fissure-in-ano.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: need for constant surveillance,stringent control and vigorous treatment measures.

Staphylococcus aureus has shown a disconcerting propensity to develop resistance to antimicrobial agents and an increasing proportion of these have become resistant to methicillin as well. Regular surveillance should be carried out in every hospital and stringent infection control measures and vigorous treatment should be employed to prevent the nosocomial spread of MRSA. A total of 1056 MRSA were isolated from various specimens received in bacteriology division of SKIMS Srinagar out of which 46.32% were from inpatients and 31.87% from outpatients. None of these strains showed resistance to vancomycin and a good proportion were sensitive to amikacin (80.75%) gentamicin (69%) or ciprofloxacin (63.25%).

Skin cancers in western Saudi Arabia

A retrospective analysis of skin cancers in a major referral centre in Taif region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, [KSA]. The case records of all malignant skin cancers diagnosed during a 10 year period, from 1992 through to 2001 were taken for the study. The clinical and histopathological details were noted. These were compared to reports from the rest of KSA and other countries. One hundred and four cases of malignant skin lesions including primary and metastatic tumors were seen. The majority were Saudis. The male to female ratio was 2.25:1. Most of the patients were over the age of 60 years. Basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent [51%] followed by squamous cell carcinoma [26%] and malignant melanoma [12.5%]. Other rare primary tumors were those arising from the skin appendages, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and Kaposi's sarcoma. Metastatic skin lesions were seen in 5; in one it resulted from a surgical procedure and in the others the primary site could not be determined. The number of patients seen in this report is not high indicating that protective factors like clothing and skin type of the individual played a protective role. However, we feel that more studies should be encouraged in other regions along with the creation of a registry within each area to monitor the information regarding skin cancers. This could then be incorporated in health education programmes to be imparted to the public

evaluation of the role of ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided aspiration as an initial screening test in blunt abdominal trauma

The role of ultrasonography [US] as an initial screening test was evaluated in 3000 consecutive cases of blunt abdominal trauma [BAT]. Seventy-three were positive for free fluid collection or organ injury. US-guided aspiration was used to rule out the hollow visceral injury in those referred to nonsurgical therapy. Sixty patients underwent laparotomy. These included 53 clinically unstable patients, three stable patients with positive US-guided aspiration for bile or intestinal contents and four who deteriorated upon conservative treatment. The remaining patients with US negative for fluid had some evidence of abdominal injury on clinical examination. Ultrasonography complemented the clinical examination. Both the sensitivity and specificity of US for the detection of free fluid were 100%. The overall sensitivity was 92% in spleen injuries, 88% in liver injuries and 100% in kidney injuries, with a positive predictive value of 96%, 100% and 100% and a specificity of 97%, 100% and 100% respectively. Retrospective correlation of US with laparotomy findings regarding free fluid showed that 50-100 mL of free fluid was minimal, 100-500 mL moderate, and above 500 mL significant. Thirteen patients completed conservative treatment with an uneventful course in the hospital. Both the US findings and the clinical condition of the patient should be considered in decision-making in BAT. Unnecessary laparotomies can be avoided when the major bleeding site is not in the abdomen and such patients can be safely observed after excluding the hollow visceral injury by US-guided aspiration. US, being rapid to perform, sensitive and easily repeatable, is quite useful as an initial screening test in BAT patients

Intestinal perforation experience in 80 cases

Eighty patients ranging from 10-60 years were treated for Intestinal perforation. Seventy one [89%] were males. Mortality rate was 15%, and was influenced by duration of illness, duration of perforation, shock, uraemia and faecal peritonitis. Seventy four patients were treated by simple closure of perforation, four required right hemicolectomy and two were in terminal stage and were intubated under local anaesthesia. 56 patients [70%] had post-operative complications

Replication, maturation and physical mapping of bacteriophage MB78 genome.

Bacteriophage MB78 is a virulent phage of Salmonella typhimurium. The viral DNA is 42 kb in size and seems to be circularly permuted. We show that viral DNA replication is through concatemeric DNA formation which is subsequently converted into full length DNA through headful packaging. A restriction map of MB78 DNA for six restriction endonucleases e.g. BgIII, PvuII, ECORI, ClaI, SalI and SmaI has been constructed. The yield of certain fragments in less than molar amount is explained in terms of permutation and the headful mechanism of packaging. The packaging site (pac site) has been suggested.