Enterocin LD3 from Enterococcus hirae LD3 Inhibits the Growth of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311 in Fruit Juice.

In order to prevent the growth of pathogens in food, bacteriocins produced by various probiotic lactic acid bacteria have been recognized as potential substitutes of chemical preservatives. In this study, enterocin LD3 was purified from the cell-free supernatant of a food isolate, Enterococcus hirae LD3 using multistep chromatography. In the fruit juice, lethal concentration (LC50) of enterocin LD3 was found to be 260 µg/mL against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311. The cells treated with enterocin LD3 were red colour indicating dead cells after propidium iodide staining, while untreated cells were found blue after staining with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The mechanism of cell killing was analyzed using infrared spectrum of cells treated with enterocin LD3 which was found altered in the range of 1,094.30 and 1,451.82 cm-1 corresponding to nucleic acids and phospholipids, respectively. The morphology of target cells were severely ruptured and lysed as observed under electron microscopy. Thus, the present study suggested that enterocin LD3 showed bactericidal activity against Salm. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311 and may be applied as a bio-preservative for the safety of fruit juices.

A Quality Improvement Initiative: Improving First-hour Breastfeeding Initiation Rate among Healthy Newborns.

INTRODUCTION: "No matter where a newborn takes his or her first breath, the desire to give that baby the best start in life is universal." The best gift a mother can give her baby is the gift of health. The gift of health can be given to the baby through early and adequate breastfeeding. Globally, only 2 out of 5 newborns are put to the breast within the first hour of life. Therefore, initiating breastfeeding is an evidence-based intervention for improving neonatal survival. METHODS: We aimed to improve the first-hour breastfeeding initiation rate from the existing 12%-80% over 3 months through a quality improvement (QI) process. The setting was antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal wards of the Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences And Research Hospital. The participants were postpartum mothers with stable newborns 35 weeks and older of gestation born by normal vaginal delivery. PROCEDURE FOR QI: A team of nurses and obstetricians was formed; we analyzed possible reasons for delayed initiation of breastfeeding by process cycle matrix chart and Fishbone analysis. Various change ideas were tested through sequential Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. The outcome measure is the proportion of eligible babies breastfed within 1 hour of delivery. RESULTS: After 3 months, the first-hour initiation of breastfeeding increased from 12% to 80%, without additional resources. CONCLUSIONS: A QI approach achieved an improvement in first-hour breastfeeding rates after normal vaginal delivery.

Synergistically-acting Enterocin LD3 and Plantaricin LD4 Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Pathogenic Bacteria.

The efficacy of antimicrobials is an important aspect during their applications in food and therapeutics. In this study, combination of two bacteriocins, enterocin LD3 and plantaricin LD4, was studied against two pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC25923 and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC13311 for increasing their potency and bactericidal activity. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of enterocin LD3 and plantaricin LD4 against Staph. aureus subsp. aureus ATCC25923 were 180 and 220 µg/mL, whereas in combination, reduced to 115 µg/mL, respectively. The MICs of enterocin LD3 and plantaricin LD4 against Salm. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC13311 were 240 and 320 µg/mL, respectively, whereas in combination, these were found to be 130 µg/mL, respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices calculated as 0.50 against Staph. aureus subsp. aureus ATCC25923 and 0.43 against Salm. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC13311 were found to be ≤ 0.5 indicating the synergy. The isobologram showed MIC of combined bacteriocins falls below the plotted straight line further signifies synergy. The growth response of Staph. aureus subsp. aureus ATCC25923 and Salm. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC13311 was significantly reduced in the presence of combined bacteriocins in comparison with their individual effects. The number of dead cells was higher as a result of combined effect as compared with their independent effect evidenced by fluorescent microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the higher disruption of cell membrane in the combined bacteriocin-treated cells as compared with alone effects. The FTIR spectra of enterocin LD3-treated cells showed alteration at ~ 1,451.82 and ~ 1,094.30/cm corresponding to nucleic acids and phospholipids suggesting its interaction with cell membrane and nucleic acids. In contrast, plantaricin LD4-treated cells did not show such alterations suggesting plantaricin LD4 may kill target cells using other mechanism. Our data suggest that different mode of action of both bacteriocins results in division of labour and may be responsible for their synergistic activity against target cells. Similarly, the synergistic effect of bacteriocins was also observed against other pathogenic bacteria such as Proteus mirabilis ATCC43071, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 and Escherichia coli ATCC25922. These bacteriocins, therefore, act synergistically against target pathogens and may be applied in appropriate combinations for food safety and medical applications.

Effectiveness of Warm Compression on Lumbo-Sacral Region in Terms of Labour Pain Intensity and Labour Outcomes among Nulliparous: an Interventional Study.

Introduction: Childbirth is a distinctive and joyous moment in every mother's life. Giving birth is one of the powerful and vital event. This study aimed to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of warm compression (moist heat) on lumbo-sacral region in terms of labor pain intensity and labor outcomes Methods: An experimental research design was carried out on 88 nulliparous mothers with normal singleton term pregnancy (44 participants in each group) who were admitted in the labor room. Mothers who had high-risk pregnancy were excluded. Warm compression was given to nulliparous mothers of the experimental group with hydrochollator pack at 70◦C temperature for 20 minutes for 3 times with one-hour interval on lumbo sacral region starting from 4-5 cm of cervical dilatation. Labor pain intensity score, fetal heart rate, frequency and duration of uterine contractions were assessed before and immediately of warm compression and again after 30 minutes only labor pain was assessed. Results: Study results revealed that immediately after first, second and third time of warm compression labor pain intensity score in experimental group was lower than control group respectively ( t= 3.20; P< 0.001; t =4.45; P< 0.001; t= 6.18; P< 0.001). But no significant difference found in fetal heart rate and labor outcomes in terms of duration of labor, type of delivery, baby born alive/ not and cried immediately after birth. Conclusion: Warm compression was useful method to decrease the labour pain among nulliparous mothers in the first stage of labour and mothers reported satisfaction with intervention.

Knowledge and attitude regarding reproductive and sexual health among school teachers: a descriptive survey.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a time of evolving from the immaturity of childhood into the maturity of adulthood. This is a stage which requires extra care and protection. Physiologically and physically, adolescents go through a series of transformations as they grow and develop. METHOD: A descriptive study design was adopted with 70 teachers selected using a convenience sampling technique from five different government schools of the Ambala District, Haryana. Knowledge and attitude were assessed using a structured knowledge questionnaire and a 5-point Likert scale, respectively. The reliability coefficient of the structured knowledge questionnaire was found to be 0.67 by the Kuder-Richardson method and for the attitude scale, it was found to be 0.7 by Cronbach's α. RESULTS: More than one third (37.1%) of the teachers were between 31 and 35 years of age. Out of 70 the majority (75.7%) of the teachers were female. More than half (62.9%) of the teachers had an average level of knowledge and the majority (71.4%) of the teachers had moderately favorable attitudes regarding reproduction and sexual health. Furthermore, teachers had more knowledge about the reproductive organs and the concept of puberty followed by the concept of reproductive and sexual health and had the least knowledge in the area of contraception. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for special training and awareness programs regarding reproduction and sexual health among school teachers.

Anti-staphylococcal activity of bacteriocins of food isolates Enterococcus hirae LD3 and Lactobacillus plantarum LD4 in pasteurized milk.

Bacteriocins of Enterococcus hirae LD3 and Lactobacillus plantarum LD4 have been applied in milk for growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. The enumeration of S. aureus cells in nutrient broth and milk was found log10 9.7 and 10.2 CFU/mL, respectively, whereas it was reduced with increasing concentration of bacteriocins suggesting loss of cell viability. The lethal concentration (LC50) of enterocin LD3 and plantaricin LD4 against S. aureus was 160 and 220 µg/mL, respectively. Bacteriocin-treated cells were stained red with propidium iodide (PI) indicating dead cells further confirms bactericidal nature. The enterocin LD3-treated cells showed higher infrared absorbance at 1451.82 cm- 1 corresponding to phospholipids suggesting membrane-acting nature of the bacteriocin. However, plantaricin LD4-treated cells did not show such alterations suggesting different mode of action. Both bacteriocins caused disruption and shrinkage of target cells, and leakage of intracellular contents as observed in transmission electron microscope (TEM). The present study suggests killing of S. aureus in milk, therefore, enterocin LD3 and plantaricin LD4 may be applied in biopreservation of milk and related food products.

Enterocin LD3 from Enterococcus hirae LD3 causing efflux of intracellular ions and UV-absorbing materials in Gram-negative bacteria.

AIMS: To understand the bactericidal action of enterocin LD3 against Gram-negative bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of enterocin LD3 against Micrococcus luteus MTCC 106 and Escherichia coli NCDC 135 was 80 and 112 µg ml-1 , and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 128 and 180 µg ml-1 , respectively. The efflux of potassium ion (K+ ) was 14 and 13 ppm and electrical conductivity 10·5 and 8·3 mS cm-1 in cell-free supernatant of MIC-treated cells of M. luteus and E. coli respectively. The increased absorbance (OD260/280 ) 0·422/0·260 and 0·110/0·075 in the bacteriocin-treated cells of M. luteus MTCC 106 and E. coli, NCDC 135, respectively, suggested the release of nucleic acids and proteins. The higher infrared absorbance at 1451·82 and ~1094·30 cm-1 further suggested its interaction with cell membrane and nucleic acids of the target bacteria. The interaction of bacteriocin with nucleic acids was also confirmed using gel retardation assay. Transmission electron microscopy of the bacteriocin-treated cells revealed disruption of cell membrane and leakage of cytoplasmic contents. CONCLUSIONS: Enterocin LD3 demonstrates bactericidal activity against Gram-negative bacteria interacting with cell membrane and nucleic acids. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study discloses the possible mechanism of action of enterocin LD3 against Gram-negative bacteria which is a rare phenomenon.

Health-Promoting Behaviors and Menopausal Symptoms: An Interventional Study in Rural India.

BACKGROUND: Menopausal transition initiates with menstrual cycle length variety and finishes when last menstrual period happens. As life expectancy has increased, a menopausal woman has to spend one-third of her life span with estrogen deprivation stage that leads to major long-term symptomatic and metabolic complications. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted on 103 menopausal women between 40 and 60 years of age residing in Ambala district, Haryana. In the experimental group, women received lifestyle modification program that includes six domains, i.e., health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. Intervention was divided into two sessions of total 2-h duration on 2 consecutive days. Sociodemographic pro forma, Menopausal Rating Scale, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II were used to collect data from women through face-to-face interview. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in mean menopausal symptom score and mean health-promoting behavior score in the experimental group after the intervention, but there was no significant difference in the comparison group (P > 0.05). It was revealed that there was no significant difference between the groups with regard to mean menopausal symptom score and mean health-promoting behavior score before intervention (P < 0.05). The mean posttest menopausal symptom score (t = -8.99, P = 0.01**) was significantly low and the mean health-promoting behavior score (t = 8.7, P = 0.01**) was significantly high in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Based on the finding of the study, it can be concluded that Lifestyle modification program was significantly effective in reducing menopausal symptoms and improving health-promoting behaviors among women.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Pubertal Preparedness Program in Terms of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Pubertal Changes Among Pre-Adolescent Girls.

Objective: To compare the knowledge and attitude regarding pubertal changes among pre - adolescent girls before and after the pubertal preparedness program (PPP) in experimental and comparison group. Materials and methods: A Quasi experimental (non- equivalent comparison group pretest posttest) design was adopted with 104pre-adolescentgirls (52 in each experimental and comparison group) of age 12-14years, selected by purposive sampling from two different Government schools of Ambala District. Knowledge and attitude was assessed using structured knowledge questionnaire (KR-20 = 0.74) and 5 point likert scale (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79) respectively. On the same day of pretest, PPP was administered and on 12th day FAQs reinforcement session was held only for experimental group. After 28 days, posttest was taken. Results: The computed t value of pretest of knowledge and attitude scores of pre-adolescent girls (1.97), (1.95) respectively in experimental and comparison group was found non-significant at 0.05 level of significance which shows that both group didn't differ significantly in their knowledge and attitude before the administration of intervention. Findings of unpaired 't' value of posttest knowledge and attitude scores of pre-adolescent girls (19.77), (17.17) respectively in experimental and comparison group were found significant at 0.05 level of significance, Thus knowledge and attitude of pre-adolescent girls were improved with PPP and FAQs session. Conclusion: Pubertal preparedness program and FAQs reinforcement session are effective in enhancing knowledge and developing favorable attitude among pre-adolescent girls.