Enhanced coagulation cascade activation and styptic effects of Zn@SiO2 nanocomposite.

Humans often have bleeding, which exerts substantial selective pressure on the coagulation system to optimize hemostasis in a variety of situations. Uncontrolled hemorrhage due to severe trauma leads to morbidity and mortality. Although nonbiological surfaces such as silicates can activate coagulation factor XII (FXII), the presence of Zn (Zinc) in the material stimulates and activates the various steps in the coagulation cascade. This results in blood clotting. The Zn@SiO2 nanocomposite has an excellent hemostatic property that establishes hemostasis by activating the factors responsible for the formation of a stable clot called fibrin mesh. This can be used as a hemostatic agent during surgeries and in any other trauma condition related to bleeding. Zn@SiO2 was synthesized and characterized with XRD, FTIR and HRTEM. It is analyzed for its RBC (Red Blood Corpuscles) aggregation and Platelet adhesion ability, fibrin formation, thrombus formation and prothrombin time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), D-dimer for its ability to activate the coagulation cascade to achieve stable clotting.

Melioidosis mimicking tuberculous vertebral osteitis: Case report and review of literature.

Whitmore's disease or melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. The reported cases are but the tip of the iceberg. This pathogenic saprophyte is commonly found in wet soil and water. An accidental or occupational exposure (in field workers, farmers, gardeners or villagers) to B. pseudomallei contaminated soil or pooled water is the primary source of infection. Neurosurgeons need to consider this as a possible rare cause of back pain and possible neurological deterioration. A diabetic type 2 rice farmer with severe lumbago and fever, misdiagnosed as vertebral tuberculous osteitis based on his radiological findings, was confirmed to harbour Burkholderia Pseudomallei, which was diagnosed using laboratory cultures. He made a remarkable recovery with antibiotic therapy. The empiric anti-tuberculous (ATT) drugs were stopped. The rare differential diagnosis of melioidosis should be thought of in diabetic patients with a psoas abscess and vertebral osteitis, especially in rice farmers from endemic regions that includes India.

Comparative Evaluation of Multiplex PCR and Routine Laboratory Phenotypic Methods for Detection of Carbapenemases among Gram Negative Bacilli.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem resistant pathogens cause infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the use of Multiplex PCR for rapid detection of carbapenemase genes among carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria in comparison with the existing phenotypic methods like modified Hodge test (MHT), combined disc test (CDT) and automated methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 Carbapenem resistant clinical isolates, [Escherichia coli (25), Klebsiella pneumoniae (35) P. aeruginosa (18) and Acinetobacter baumannii (22)] were screened for the presence of carbapenemases (bla NDM-1, bla VIM , blaIMP and blaKPC genes) by phenotype methods such as the modified Hodge test (MHT) and combined disc test (CDT) and the molecular methods such as Multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Seventy of the 100 isolates were MHT positive while, 65 isolates were positive by CDT. All the CDT positive isolates with EDTA and APB were Metallo betalactamase (MBL) and K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) producers respectively. bla NDM-1 was present as a lone gene in 44 isolates. In 14 isolates bla NDM-1 gene was present with blaKPC gene, and in one isolate bla NDM-1 gene was present with blaVIM , gene. Only one E. coli isolate had a lone blaKPC gene. We didn't find bla IMP gene in any of the isolates. Neither of the genes could be detected in 35 isolates. CONCLUSION: Accurate detection of the genes related with carbapenemase production by Molecular methods like Multiplex PCR overcome the limitations of the phenotypic methods and Automated systems.