Antimicrobial efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum strain against the B. cereus, B. subtilis, S. aureus and E.coli strains

The current study aimed to detect the antimicrobial effect of cell free supernatant (CFS) of Lactobacillus plantarum strain against Gram +ve and Gram ­ve bacterial strains. The strain of Lactobacillus plantarum was isolated using selective media MRS agar. The strain was characterized on the basis of the gram staining, colony morphology, the biochemical tests and the DNA sequencing based method of 16S ribotyping. A total of four test strains (The three already isolated and reported strains (E.coli, S. aureus and B. subtilis) and the one recently identified novel strain (B. cereus) were used for the analysis of antagonistic activity of bacteriocin produced by L. plantarum strain. The CFS of L. plantarum showed zone of inhibition against all the test strains (Gram +ve and Gram ­ve bacteria). The conditions favoring the growth of bacteria were associated with the antimicrobial efficacy of CFS. Bacteriocin activity of CFS remained effective after exposure to temperature stress. Wide range of antagonistic potential of CFS of L. plantarum provides an alternative for antibiotics in pharmaceutical industry. Heat resistant feature of bacteriocin suggests its application in food industry.

Potential of phloroglucinol to improve erectile dysfunction associated with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Diabetes is a common metabolic disease with several complications in its patients. Often, people living with diabetes develop erectile dysfunction (ED). The primary aim of this work was to investigate the effect of phloroglucinol in diabetes-induced ED in rats.@*METHODS@#Male Wistar rats were given 52 mg/kg of streptozotocin, by intraperitoneal injection, to induce diabetes and ED. Subsequently, animals were grouped into three groups: group 1, diabetic control; group 2, low-dose phloroglucinol (150 mg/kg body weight); and group 3, high-dose phloroglucinol (250 mg/kg body weight). A group of six normal rats served as a normal control. The rats were treated with phloroglucinol for six weeks and then were assessed for treatment effects. Sexual behavior, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values, serum testosterone, serum nitric oxide (NO), blood pressure and sperm count were measured after the end of treatment.@*RESULTS@#After a 6-week treatment period, the high dose of phloroglucinol significantly decreased HbA1c values in diabetic rats. Rats treated with phloroglucinol had increased serum testosterone, NO and sperm count. Animals treated with 250 mg/kg phloroglucinol performed similar to normal rats in the sexual behavioral study, suggesting the reversal of complications of ED. Conversely, a decrease in the blood pressure in treated groups was observed.@*CONCLUSION@#The results highlight the protective effect of phloroglucinol in diabetes-induced ED in rats warranting further studies.

Role of MyD88-adaptor-like gene polymorphism rs8177374 in modulation of malaria severity in the Pakistani population

Abstract Introduction: The present study was designed to investigate the association between rs8177374 polymorphism and malaria symptoms due to exposure of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Materials and methods: A total of 454 samples were included in the study (228 malaria patients and 226 healthy individuals). Malaria patients, divided into P. vivax and P. falciparum groups on the basis of the causative species of Plasmodium, were categorized into mild and severe on the basis of clinical outcomes according to WHO criteria. Healthy individuals were used as controls. Allele specific PCR based strategy was used for the identification of rs8177374 SNP. Results: MyD88-adaptor-like gene polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to malaria (p < 0.001). C allele frequency (0.74) was higher in the population compared to T allele frequency (0.26). CT genotype increased the susceptibility of malaria (OR: 2.661; 95% CI: 1.722-4.113) and was positively associated with mild malaria (OR: 5.609; 95% CI: 3.479-9.044, p = 0.00). On the other hand, CC genotype was associated with severe malaria (OR: 3.116; 95% CI: 1.560-6.224, p = 0.00). P. vivax infection rate was higher in CT genotype carriers compared to other genotypes (OR: 3.616; 95% CI: 2.219-5.894, p < 0.001). Conclusion: MyD88-adaptor-like/TIR domain containing adaptor protein polymorphism for single nucleotide polymorphism rs8177374 is related with the susceptibility of malaria.

experience with mesh versus darn repair in inguinal hernias

Background and Objective: The inguinal hernia accounts for 50 percent in old age males. A Lichtenstein type of operation has now become the method of choice in most developed countries but in the developing world traditional simple suture repair is still in common practice in resource limited hospitals due to the scarcity and expensive nature of the commercial prosthetic mesh. Our objective was to compare the rates of complications in Lichtenstein repair to tension free Darn repair

Methods: Ninety two male patients from 20-60 years of age reported for direct or indirect inguinal hernia with open Mesh/Lichtenstein or darn repair in emergency or electively from January 2014 to December 2015 were enrolled in this prospective randomized control trial [RCT]. The primary end point was to compare the surgical site infection, length of hospital stay and hernia recurrence with different techniques

Results: The hospital stay was higher in patients who had Lichtenstein repair, Superficial surgical site infections in cohort A [6.5%] and cohort B [4.36%] were noted. Complications of recurrence in Group-A were [1.5%] as compared to Group-B which had a recurrence of 6.52%

Conclusion: Lichtenstein is more promising in comparison to Darn repair in terms of recurrence in inguinal hernia

Impact of pre-eclampsia on neonatal outcome at tertiary care center

Objective: To determine the impact of pre-eclampsia on neonatal outcome at a tertiary care hospital

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU] and High Dependency Unit [HDU] of Liaquat National Hospital over a period of six months, i.e from June 2015 till December 2015. The inclusion criteria includes all neonates born to pregnant women with systolic blood pressure from 130 to 200 mmHg, Diastolic blood pressure of >110mmHg and proteinuria >1 on dip stick or >300mg/l in 24 hour urinary specimen irrespective of gestational age

The exclusion criteria was all babies born to mother with chronic hypertension, glucose intolerance, renal disease, multiple pregnancy, congenitally abnormal fetus or sepsis

Results: A total of 80 babies met the inclusion criteria and were included in our study of which only 39 babies were admitted in NICU. Majority of babies were discharged home. Approximately 48.71 % babies managed to stay for 72 hours. Moreover, the major chunk of babies were delivered moderate to late preterm in the study. A total of 23 out of 39 babies presented with IUGR [Intrauterine Growth Restriction] which constitute about 58.97% of total. Regarding the impact of eclampsia on neonatal hematological profile, 25 [64.10%] developed thrombocytopenia, 8 [20.51%] developed anaemia while 6 [15.38%] were found showing no fluctuation in their haematological profiles

Conclusion: Babies born to pre-eclamptic mothers were found to have higher rates of NICU admissions and longer period of stay compare to those who born to non-eclamptic mothers

Moreover, premature birth and Respiratory Distress Syndrome [RDS] also impose significant risk to newborn babies

Early identification and collaborative approach regarding pre-eclampsia could help us mitigate the poor outcome of neonates born to eclamptic mothers

Association of rs1800668 polymorphism in glutathione peroxidase- 1 gene and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in Pakistani population

Objective: To investigate the role of glutathione peroxidase 1 [GPX1] C/T polymorphism [rs1800668] in modulating the chances of Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] in Pakistani population

Methods:A total of 400 individuals including 200 controls and 200 patients of RA, were genotyped. Detection of rs1800668 polymorphism was carried out using PCR based amplification strategy [allele specific]

Results:The results for Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium [HWE] indicated that the allele frequencies for GPX1 polymorphism were not deviant from HWE in whole population under observation. The statistical analysis indicated that significant association existed between rs1800668 polymorphism and RA [p<0.01]. CT genotype increased the risk of RA development by 1.8582 times [OR: 1.8582; 95% CI 1.2154 to 2.8409]. CC genotype was found to have protective effect against the disease development [OR: 0.5133; 95% CI 0.3403 to 0.7742] while TT genotype was found to have association with RA development but the risk level was marginal [OR: 1.5319; 95% CI 0.6124 to 3.8322]

Conclusion:The present finding suggests the importance of GPX1 C/T polymorphism [rs1800668] in development of RA in Pakistani population. The protective role of CC genotype against the development of RA in local population was also observed

Success of locally devised continuous positive pressure ventilation [CPAP] alone or in combination with surfactant therapy in the management of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm neonates

Objective: To study the effect of implementing locally devised CPAP alone or in combination with INSURE protocol [Intubation, Surfactant, Extubation] in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome in a tertiary care hospital

Methods: The study was conducted from August 2012 to August 2014 in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU] of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi. Total 113 neonates were enrolled in the study. They were grouped in two categories on the basis of severity of respiratory distress syndrome [RDS]. Infants with clinical evidence of respiratory distress and radiological evidence of patchy reticulogranularpattern were given a trial of bubble CPAPalone. Neonates with severe RDS were given INSURE protocol along with bubble CPAP. The intervention was considered to be successful if respiratory distress improved and the baby could be successfully weaned off from CPAP

Results: In this study 113 neonates were enrolled. Fifty neonates were initially managed with bubble CPAP alone out of which 29 [58%] improved. Neonates with severe RDS were 63 and received bubble CPAP along with INSURE protocol out of which 45 [71.4%] improved

Conclusion: Locally devised Bubble CPAP along with selective surfactant therapy is a safe and effective intervention in the management of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm. It decreases the need for mechanical ventilation and its subsequent complication

Reno-protective effect of garlic extract against immobilization stress induced changes in rats

OBJECTIVE: To examine immobilization stress-induced antioxidant defense alterations in rat kidney and the antioxidant effects of aqueous garlic extract in pre and post stress extract treatments. METHODS: Albino rats were treated with aqueous extract of garlic both before and 6 h of immobilization stress. Pro-oxidant eminence of rat kidney was assessed by determining the levels of glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase and antioxidant enzymes activities. RESULTS: In response to 6 h of immobilization stress, a significant rise in the level of kidney enzymes was recorded. However, antioxidant enzyme activities showed a sharp decline. CONCLUSIONS: The extract treatment before and after the stress reverted the activities of above mentioned enzymes towards their control values. Hence, garlic extract can be given as nutritional supplement for scavenging the free radicals generated in rat kidney.

Achievement of retention in maxillary obturators

The study was done to evaluate various means of retention in fabrication of maxillary obturators. It was a descriptive study and it was carried out at Hamdard University Dental Hospital, Karachi. It was spread over three years from August 2010 to July 2013. Twenty eight patients formed the study group. Age ranged from 03-78 years. Twenty were males and eight females. Five of them had already used obturator. After taking consent, they were asked to fill a specially designed Proforma .Thus all required information was obtained. All patients were provided with maxillary obturators. Interim obturator was fabricated for 46% patients, while surgical and definitive obturators were made for 29% and 25% patients respectively. In 24 patients conventional means of retentions like clasp, indirect retainer, utilization of retentive under cuts, proper extension of prosthesis were used. In three patients implant supported obturator were fabricated while in one patient magnets were used. Utilization of various means of retention bring better compliance in maxillary defect patients

Bacteriocins produced by L fermentum and L acidophilus can inhibit cephalosporin resistant E coli

Reemerging infections occur due to resistant bacteria. Such infections create restrictions for clinicians and microbiologists in drug selection. Such problems demand new strategies for solution. Use of bacteriocins for this purpose may be fruitful. In the present research work, the inhibitory effects of bactericins on cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli are used as model system for the control of antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria. Cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli strain was isolated from pus by using conventional methodology. For bacteriocin production, Lactobacilli strains were selected by using selective media. Out of seventy two strains isolated from yogurt, fecal materials of human, chick, parrot and cat, only two strains (strain 45 and strain 52) were found to produce bacteriocins having antimicrobial potential against cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli. Biochemical characterization showed that strain 45 belonged to group of Lactobacillus fermentum and strain 52 to Lactobacillus acidophilus. Both strains showed maximum growth at 25ºC and 35ºC respectively. Suitable pH was 5.5 and 6.0 for Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus acidophilus respectively. Bacteriocins produced by both strains were found stable at 50, 75 and 100ºC for 60min. Function of bacteriocin was also not disturbed due to change in pH. These findings suggest that bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus acidophilus can be used for the infection control of cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli.