THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF AROMATIC PLANT LEAF (MENTHA PIPERITA L.) AND FRUIT EXTRACT (FLACOURTIA JANGOMAS LOUR) AGAINST THE UTI BACTERIAL PATHOGENS

Medicinal plants are considered colossal producers of bioactive therapeutics agents. Fruit is an essential part of the human diet and is of great interest because of its richness in phytochemicals. The present study was chosen the objectives are assessment the antibacterial activity against the dominantly affected seven Urinary Tract Infected (UTI) pathogenic bacterial species plant leaf extracts and fruits such as Mentha piperita (L.), Flacourtia jangomas (Lour) Raeusch. Experimental UTI pathogenic organisms named as Alcaligens sp., Kliebsiella sp., E. coli, Proteus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Hence the current result has been clearly depicted that the methanol extract of Mentha piperita leaf expressed the potential signicant antibacterial activity against the ve UTI pathogenic organisms such as Alcaligens sp., and Klebsirlla sp. Proteus species and Pseudomonas sp., than other two experimental extracts of benzene and ethanol. From the present result clearly noticed three elucidated compounds are act as an antibacterial bio-compounds such Octadecanoic acid methyl ester, 1, 2, 4, 5-tetramethyl Piperone and α-Propyl tetradecanol present in methanol leaf.extract of M. piperita (L.) plant. Similarly F. jangomas (Lou.) fruit extract (methanol).possessed the antibacterial property biologically effective compounds named as Lavandulol, α-Humulene and Terpineol. Therefore, both experimental plant leaf and fruit extract possessed signicant antibacterial activity against the tested seven UTI clinical pathogenic organisms Furthermore nanoparticle study also denoted both experimental methanol extracts of M. piperita (L.), (leaf) F.jangomas (Lour) expressed the signicant nanoparticle production. It was noticed the range between 21.50 to 41.03nm and 60.52 to 19.22nm. for M. piperita (L.) F. jangomas fruit juice extract respectively. From the current research clearly showed that methanol extract of both experimental samples could be act as a potential traditional plant based medicines for urinary tract infected diseases.

Assessment of pH and Copper Content among Raw and Commercial Areca Nut Products, Contributing Factor towards Oral Submucous Fibrosis

@#Introduction: The increased prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) in the last few years relates to the increased consumption of areca nut(AN) products. OSMF is a premalignant condition and risk to progression to oral cancer is more when AN is chewed along with tobacco. Moreover, high copper content in AN is responsible for fibroblast dysfunction and fibrosis. This study was conducted with aim to assess and compare pH and copper content of raw AN and popular Indian commercial AN based (with and without tobacco) products. Method: Six samples each of twelve different brands of AN based commercial products i.e. six without tobacco (pan masala) and with tobacco were analyzed for pH and then the samples were dried, and powdered for estimation of the copper content. Results: For the six raw areca nuts (sample 1-6), the pH was found to range from 3.06±1.08 to 5.04±0.81, among the six non tobacco containing samples (sample 7-12), the pH was found to range from 6.03±1.08 to 9.09±0.81, and for six tobacco containing samples (sample 13-18), the pH was found to range from 9.18±0.90 to 11.07±0.09. The mean copper concentration among raw areca nut samples (sample 1-6) was 4.05±0.18 μg/g, among non-tobacco containing samples (sample 7-12) it was 10.17±1.08μg/g and among tobacco samples (sample 13-18),it was 18.09±1.08 μg/g (p<0.001). Conclusion: High copper content present in quid and commercial AN may be a causative factor for an increased fibrosis in OSMF, our findings need evaluation by further research and standardization.

Free-Radical Scavenging Activity Leaf Extract Of Litsea Laevigata Gamble

Objective: In the present study, antioxidant activity in the leaf of the pet-ether, chloroform, acetone and methanolic extracts from Litsea laevigata Gamble. Leaf was investigated by employing established in vitro studies. L. laevigata belongs to the Lauraceae family. Methods: The capability of the plant extract to act as hydrogen/electrons donor or scavenger of radicals were determined by in vitro antioxidant assays using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH.) scavenging, reducing power assay, superoxide radical (O2*-) scavenging activity, phosphomolybdenum assay, FRAP, ABT and metal chelating activity were performed to know the antioxidant potency of the plant extract of leaves of L. laevigata. Results: Results are evaluated higher in leaf extract of L. laevigata recorded total phenol, total flavonoid, and tannin. The present state of work was designed to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant in the plant leaf extracts of L. laevigata. The plant L. laevigata methanolic extract of leaf showed greater IC50 antioxidant activity of DPPH assay (5.264 µg/ml) and compare to other extract, higher phosphomolybdenum reduction (164.36 mg/g), better Reducing power activity leaf in methanol (0.711%), higher ferric reducing power (4060.66MmolFe(II)E/mg), and higher in superoxide radical scavenging activity in (78.12 mg/ml). However, the better metal chelating ability was shown by the water extracts of the leaf (5.145 EDTAE/100g) compared to other solvent extracts. Conclusion: The result indicates the total phenol and antioxidant activity potential of L. laevigata.

Prevalence of Human metapneumovirus infection among patients with influenza‑like illness: Report from a Tertiary Care Centre, Southern India.

Background: Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), discovered in the 21st century, has emerged as an important cause of influenza‑like illness in children and adults causing mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe bronchiolitis and community‑associated pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HMPV in the Union Territory of Puducherry, India, as part of National Influenza Surveillance Programme. Materials and Methods: From November 2011 to December 2013, a total of 447 nasopharyngeal samples were collected from patients with acute respiratory infections and tested for HMPV RNA by real‑time polymerase chain reaction. Results: HMPV was identified in 23/447 (5%) samples with 11/23 in the age group of 14–30 years. Most of the HMPV infections were mild with no fatalities. Two patients were co‑infected with the respiratory syncytial virus and one with influenza B virus. The seasonal distribution showed increasing HMPV infection cases in rainy months except for a peak in summer of 2012. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the nucleoprotein gene of one HMPV strain showed a high degree of sequence identity with Indian strains obtained during 2006 and 2011. Conclusion: This study shows that HMPV infection is more common in adults than in children. Sequence homology suggests the circulation of closely related HMPV strains within the country.

study of prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The study was undertaken with an objective to study the thyroid functions in patients with metabolic syndrome diagnosed as per International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and to know the spectrum of thyroid dysfunction. Methods: A total of 300 patients with metabolic syndrome diagnosed as per IDF criteria were included in the study. A detailed history regarding symptoms of hypothyroidism and examination was done in all patients and all these patients underwent thyroid profile tests. Results: A total of 300 patients with metabolic syndrome were included in this study. Thyroid dysfunction was present in 45% of the patients. Hypothyroidism was noted in 43 patients, subclinical hypothyroidism was noted in 114 patients, subclinical hyperthyroidism in 6 patients and hyperthyroidism in 1 patient. This study included 166 males and 134 females. 10% of the patients had symptoms related to hypothyroidism. 7% had goiter on examination. Thyroid dysfunction was seen in 68% females compared to that of 47% in males. Females had higher incidence compared to males. Elderly females (42%) and males in the age group of 40-50 years (41%) had higher incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism compared to others. Conclusions: Prevalence of thyroid disorders in diabetics was 45%. Elderly population had more incidences. Sub- clinical hypothyroidism was more common among females.

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among chewing tobacco users: A cross‑sectional study.

Context: The increasing use of chewing tobacco (CT) in the last 10–12 years has led to an increased incidence of potentially malignant oral disorders and frank oral malignancies. Aim: To determine the frequency of oral mucosal lesions and to correlate the dose‑response relationship among CT users of Bengaluru North province. Settings and Design: This population‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted among a randomized cluster sample of adults in low‑income group (slums), of Bengaluru North, Karnataka state, India. Materials and Methods: Nine hundred and one subjects, all CT users were surveyed in this cross‑sectional study. A prestructured questionnaire which included information on type and amount of CT used, duration and frequency of use, and location of placement of tobacco in the oral cavity was used for assessment, which was followed by oral examination for the presence of lesions. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi‑square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess the statistical significance. Results: Of the 901 subjects with CT habits, 55.8% revealed no clinically detectable oral mucosal changes and 44.1% showed mucosal changes of which 63.8% were males and 36.1% were females. The most common finding was chewers mucositis (59.5%) followed by submucous fibrosis (22.8%), leukoplakia (8%), lichenoid reaction (6.5%), oral cancer (2.7%), and lichen planus (0.5%). Conclusion: This study provides information about different CT habits and associated mucosal lesions among this population.

Poor performance characteristics of conventional PCR in detection of respiratory syncytial virus-experience of a tertiary care centre in Southern India.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of contagious acute respiratory infections in children and older adults. Since there are contradictory reports regarding the efficacy of different methods to detect RSV, we evaluated the performance of the conventional PCR versus real‑time PCR in 222 patients with acute respiratory infections (ARI) recruited between January 2012 and March 2013. Conventional PCR had a very poor sensitivity of 40% (95% CI: 19.2-63.9%) and failed to detect RSV in respiratory samples with low viral load. Thus, it may be prudent to replace it with real‑time PCR to achieve precise diagnosis.

Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Stromal Invasion

Limbal squamous cell carcinoma is uncommon worldwide. Its early stages of presentation may look like the commoner limbal mass, pterygium or actinic keratosis. We report a case of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of limbusin a 45-year female patient. A high index of suspicion is required to prevent delay in the diagnosis of an invasive condition that can destroy the eye completely[1]. A rare case of squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva is presented here. This highlights the significance of aggressive management of such cases surgically and the use of adjuants per operatively to prevent recurrence.

Phenotypic & genotypic characterization of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus isolates from clinical specimens.

Background & objectives: Enterococci have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens and emergence of resistance to many of the antimicrobials used for Gram-positive organisms has made the management of infections due to Enterococcus species difficult. Resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics, especially vancomycin is of special concern. This study was undertaken to perform a phenotypic and genotypic characterization of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) isolates obtained from clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital in southern India. Methods: Susceptibility testing was performed for Enterococcus isolates collected over a period of one year (November 2008-October 2009). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of vancomycin and teicoplanin were determined for the isolates by the agar dilution method. Genotypic characterization of VRE isolates was done by performing multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting the various vancomycin resistance genes. Results: Of the 367 isolates of Enterococcus species isolated, 32 were found to be resistant to vancomycin after MIC testing. VanA was the commonest phenotype of vancomycin resistance and the commonest genotype was vanA. Among the other important findings of the study was the presence of heterogeneity in isolates of VRE with the vanA gene cluster with regards to resistance to teicoplanin and the coexistence of vanA and vanC1 gene clusters in an isolate of E. gallinarum which conferred high level glycopeptide resistance to the isolate. Interpretation & conclusions: Enterococcus species have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens in our patients with a capacity to cause a variety of infections. The vancomycin resistance among Enterococcus isolates was 8.7 per cent in our study which was high compared to other Indian studies. VanA was the commonest phenotype of glycopeptide resistance and vanA was the commonest vancomycin resistance gene. The study also demonstrates phenotypic as well as genotypic heterogeneity among isolates of VRE from clinical specimens.

Unusual manifestation of Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis infection in a case of langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) are established foodborne pathogens, most commonly reported in cases of gastroenteritis. These pathogens are however, increasingly being implicated in cases of bacteraemia and other extraintestinal manifestations. We report a case of a scalp abscess due to Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, which is a serotype of NTS, in a child suffering from a haematologic malignancy. The child was on steroid and anticancer chemotherapy and developed the abscess secondary to bacteraemia with Salmonella Enteritidis. The abscess was drained and resolved following a course of intravenous antibiotic treatment.

Incidence of cystic changes in impacted lower third molar.

Objective: To assess the incidence of cystic changes in the impacted lower third molar (ILTM) in which the pericoronal (follicular) space is less than 2.5 mm as measured from the radiograph. The relationship between the cystic changes and patient's age, sex, and angular position and contact of ILTM with adjacent tooth was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: Follicular space less than 2.5 mm as measured from the panoramic radiograph was included in the study. A total of 73 tissue samples collected during the extraction ILTM were examined histopathologically. Then the data were analyzed for associations with age, sex, angular position, and contact of the ILTM with an adjacent tooth. Results: There were 37 male and 36 female patients, age ranging from 17 to 35 years (mean 23.95 years). Out of 73 specimens, 17 (23.3%) showed cystic changes; among them 16 (22.1%) showed dentigerous cysts and 1 (1.2%) showed odontogenic keratocysts. Most of the cystic changes occurred in the 26-30 year age range. The cystic changes showed male predominance but could not gain statistical significance. The relationship between cystic changes and angular position was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Higher probability was found in distoangular positioned ILTM. The relationship between cystic changes and communication of ILTM with the second molar was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Incidence of cystic changes in ILTM justifies extraction of the impacted tooth associated with symptoms. The decision to extract or not to extract impacted third molar should be individualized, rather than generalized.

Fatal meningitis caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci: Report of two cases from south India.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci rarely cause meningitis and present a therapeutic challenge. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for strains of Enterococcus species isolated from CSF samples of patients with meningitis by phenotypic methods. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the genetic basis of vancomycin resistance of such isolates. We report here two cases of enterococcal meningitis caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species. One of the isolates was identified as Enterococcus faecalis and the other as Enterococcus gallinarum. We also report the simultaneous presence of vanC1 and vanA resistance genes in the strain of E. gallinarum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of vanA resistance gene in an isolate of E. gallinarum from the Indian subcontinent. This is also the first Indian report of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus causing meningitis.

Structural changes in pre-eclamptic and eclamptic placentas-an ultrastructural study

To determine the ultrastructural changes of the placenta in women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia compared to the placenta of normotensive patients. Comparative descriptive study. Obstetrics Unit of North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka in 2004. Placentae of 10 normotensive women and 10 hypertensive women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia were studied. Morphological abnormalities in chorionic villi, cytotrophoblastic cells and basement membrane under electronmicroscope were detected. Findings were recorded and compared. Microvillous surface of many chorionic villi of hypertensive placentae showed a complex appearance with many distorted microvilli and frequent cytotrophoblast cells compared to normotensive placentae. The basement membrane of chorionic villi was more thickened in hypertensive placentae. Patchy necrosis with loss of microvilli and gross thinning of the syncytium with distorted microvilli were seen in terminal villi of placentae of women with eclampsia. In areas where the syncytium was absent, the cytotrophoblast cells showed numerous vacuolated mitochondria with loss of cristae, and few rough endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes and glycogen deposits. An accumulation of electron dense amorphous substance and number of vacuolated mitochondria were concentrated in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells of fetal capillaries. Ultrastructural villous changes were found in the placentae of women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia which are likely to influence adversely on placental function

Asymptomatic colonization of upper respiratory tract by potential bacterial pathogens.

Objective. To screen for asymptomatic respiratory carriage of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in children attending JIPMER, correlate carriage rate with different socio-demographic factors and to detect antimicrobial resistance among the isolates. Methods. Throat swabs were collected from both in patients and out patients (≤12 yr of age) and processed. Bacteria were identified by standard techniques. Susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobial agents was determined by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results. Overall carriage rate of respiratory pathogens was 30% with S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and GAS accounting for 22%, 5% and 4.5% respectively. Three patients had >1 organism. Antibiotic resistance was highest in S. pneumoniae with 66.7% of strains resistant to penicillin. MDR strains were also encountered. Erythromycin resistance was observed in both H. influenzae (28.4%) and GAS (22%).No statistically significant association was found between the carriage rate of these organisms and different socio-demographic factors. Conclusions. S. pneumoniae carriage rate was comparatively higher in the community and its antimicrobial resistance is an issue to address.

Sialography: Report of 3 cases.

Salivary gland examination is an important part of oral examination, especially because of it's involvement in most of the systemic diseases. Patients most commonly seek medical attention when the major salivary glands like parotid and submandibular gland become enlarged or painful. The various imaging modalities practiced to check the salivary gland disorders include conventional radiography, sialography, ultrasonography, computerized tomography, radionuclide imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. Sialography is one of the oldest imaging procedures and still most commonly practiced, as it is a chair side procedure, simple to perform, and cost effective. We report the role of sialography as an adjuvant in the diagnosis of bacterial sialadenitis and sialadenosis and as a diagnostic and therapeutic aid in a case of juvenile recurrent parotitis.

Simple screening tests for detection of carbapenemases in clinical isolates of nonfermentative Gram-negative bacteria.

Background & objectives: The production of carbapenemases is an important mechanism responsible for the carbapenem resistance. A simple and inexpensive testing method for screening of carbapenemase producers is essential. A prospective study was undertaken to detect metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases in nonfermentative Gram negative bacteria and to evaluate the various methods for detection of carbapenemases and MBLs. Methods: A total of 100 Acinetobacter spp. (78 A. baumannii and 22 A. lwoffi i) and 140 Pseudomonas spp. (103 P. aeruginosa and 37 other Pseudomonas spp.) were screened for meropenem resistance by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method. Modifi ed Hodge test, EDTA disk synergy (EDS) test and AmpC disk test were used for the detection of carbapenemases, MBLs and AmpC β-lactamases, respectively. Results: Forty six (59.0%) A. baumannii, 7 (31.8%) A. lwoffi i, 32 (31.1%) P. aeruginosa and 7 (18.9%) Pseudomonas spp. were resistant to meropenem. Among the 32 meropenem resistant P. aeruginosa, 15 (46.9%) were AmpC β-lactamase producers, 16 (50.0%) MBL producers by EDS test, but only 9 (28.1%) found positive for carbapenemases by modifi ed Hodge test. Among the 46 meropenem resistant A. baumannii, 31 (67.4%) were AmpC β-lactamase producers, 3 (6.5%) MBL producers, but only 1 (14.3%) was positive for carbapenemases by modifi ed Hodge test. One P. aeruginosa was positive for carbapenemase by modifi ed Hodge test, but was negative for MBL and AmpC β-lactamase. Interpretation & conclusions: MBL production is an important mechanism of carbapenem resistance among Pseudomonas species but not among Acinetobacter species. EDS is more sensitive for detection of MBLs than modifi ed Hodge test. Both EDTA-meropenem and EDTA-ceftazidime combination must be used to detect all the MBL producers. Carbapenemases other than MBL may also be responsible for carbapenem resistance. AmpC β-lactamase is also a contributory factor for carbapenem resistance among the isolates in the hospital.

Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers among patients and health care workers of a tertiary care hospital in south India.

A total of 200 subjects were screened for carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at different sites using oxacillin blood agar and mannitol salt agar with oxacillin. Overall carriage rate was 8.5%, with the highest rate in inpatients (15.6%) while the lowest was seen in health care workers (1.8%). The commonest site of colonization was the anterior nares. Oxacillin blood agar was found to be superior to mannitol salt agar with oxacillin for the isolation of MRSA. Male sex and prolonged hospital stay were found to be the major risk factors for MRSA colonization.

Estimation of nicotine content in popular Indian brands of smoking and chewing tobacco products.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the nicotine content of some popular Indian brands of smoking tobacco (cigarettes and bidis) and pan masalas (chewable tobacco). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Commercially available cigarettes, bidis, and pan masalas (chewable tobacco) were obtained from local retail outlets for the study. Nicotine was estimated using gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The analyses showed relatively higher levels of nicotine in tobacco from bidis (26.9 mg gm) as compared to cigarettes(15 mg/gm); the difference is statistically significant ( P P > 0.01). Nicotine concentration in chewing tobacco was 3.4 mg/gm. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that the nicotine content of Indian brands of smoking tobacco was slightly high compared to other international brands. Higher concentration of nicotine was found in bidis compared to cigarettes. The nicotine content in commercially available chewing tobacco products was found to be much lower than in the smoking form of tobacco, but the average daily consumption made it comparable to the smoking form.