Isolation and molecular characterization of Salmonella spp. from chevon and chicken meat collected from different districts of Chhattisgarh, India.

AIM: The aim was to assess the prevalence of Salmonella in raw chevon and chicken meat sold in the retail meat shops situated in and around Durg, Rajnandgaon, Dhamtari, Raipur, and Bilaspur districts of Chhattisgarh. Studies were also conducted to find out the antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 samples comprising of 200 chevon meat and 200 chicken meat samples were processed for isolation of Salmonella and all isolates were further confirmed on the basis of cultural and biochemical characters and by targeting invA gene of Salmonella. All Salmonella isolates were also examined for their antimicrobial drug susceptibility/resistance pattern against commonly used antibiotics. RESULTS: Out of 400 samples, the prevalence of Salmonella in chevon and chicken meat was found 9% and 7% respectively, with an overall prevalence of 8%. Polymerase chain reaction targeting invA gene of Salmonella showed positive result with 31 isolates. All 32 Salmonella isolates were found to be highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin while 96.87%, 96.87% and 93.75% were sensitive to gentamicin, imipenem, and ceftazidime, respectively. 93.75% and 59.37% isolates were resistant to erythromycin and oxytetracycline, respectively. Out of 32, 14 isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance index equal to or more than 0.2. CONCLUSION: Salmonella in chevon and chicken meat samples is prevailing in the areas of sampling due to poor hygienic conditions and also demonstrated the varied spectrum of antimicrobial resistance, including several multiple drug resistance phenotypes. Therefore, the present study emphasizes the need for continued surveillance of zoonotic foodborne pathogens including antimicrobial-resistant variants throughout the food production chain.

Mathematical modeling for dissolved oxygen prediction in mixing zone--a case study.

Quality of water is of utmost importance for its intended use for any purpose. The river or stream ecology completely depends on DO concentration levels, and any absence or below the critical value will adversely affect the ecology of the river, and hence the flora and fauna of the water body. A 24 km stretch of Malaprabha river, near Belgaum in Karnataka State of India was selected for the application of mathematical modeling to predict the DO variation, due to the impact of organic loading from the Khanapur town. The entire stretch was divided into 16 transects, and variation in DO was predicted through the application of mathematical modeling, and simulated with the observed values of DO at each transect. The results agreed with the observed DO concentrations at each transect with little variation. Average DO values recorded at Station Slis 7.44 mg/L, the lowest DO value recorded at Station S2 with the minimum value of 6.98 mg/L due to the sewage disposal from Kanapur town. The predicted DO values at station S1 and S2 are 7.4 mg/L and 6.95 mg/L respectively. The measured values are in agreement with predicted values from the modeling. This study was conducted during the pre-monsoon season of 2005 - 2006 in which the DO values generally would be minimum. The application of predicting the DO in mixing zone of river may be the best strategy for waste load allocation to guide the practicing engineers and administrators to limit the organic loading in rivers and streams. This will help the decision makers in implementing the pollution prevention schemes of the region and to maintain the health of the riverine system.

Physico-chemical properties of Malaprabha River.

The quality of surface water of Malaprabha river with respect to physico-chemical parameters was investigated as part of a research work for the award of Ph.D. under Visveswaraya Technological University. 25 different parameters were analyzed, during the last one year. Quality of this surface water with regard to pH, TDS, chlorides, nitrates and Dissolved Oxygen is discussed in this paper. The concentrations of pH, TDS and chlorides were found to be within the safe limits for 95% of the samples collected at the Station 1, and were found on the higher side at the Station 2. DO level was found to be 7 mg/L, and more at Station 1 and varied in the range of 5 mg/L, at Station 2. This study was conducted during the year 2004-05. pH value for the Station 2 was found to be less than 7.0 for all the samples. Other parameters, viz. TDS, chlorides and nitrates also shpwed marked variations between the two Stations selected for the study.

Long-term effects of vasectomy on prostatic function in men.

The seminal plasma constituents of acid phosphatase, maltase, citric acid, prolactin, zinc and magnesium were measured in men vasectomized for 1-8 years. Compared with values obtained for a group of normal fertile men, all the constituents, except acid phosphatase which was unchanged, decreased significantly after vasectomy, but not progressively so. Since the constituents measured are believed to be of prostatic origin, the results suggest that vasectomy in men decreases the secretory function of the prostate gland.

Seminal plasma concentration of glycerylphosphorylcholine before and after vasectomy and vas reanastomosis.

The concentration of glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) was determined in semen obtained from normal fertile, vasectomized, and vas-reanastomosed subjects. Concentrations of GPC were markedly lower in the semen of vasectomized men. GPC levels observed in vas-reanastomosed subjects were similar to those found in normal fertile men. Vasectomy may not affect GPC synthesis significantly.

PIP: Glycerlphosphorylcholine (GPC), an organic component of major consequence in human seminal plasma, was assayed in 3 population groups for comparison: normal fertile men, vasectomized men, and vas reanastomosed men. Subjects were matched for socioeonomic status and age. Long-term effects of vasectomy were apparent: the levels of GPC were significantly lower (P .001) in the vasectomized subjects. When these subjects were divided into various post vasectomy periods and were compared with each other, no significant difference was seen in the level of GPC. Vas reanastomosed seminal fluid showed similar levels of GPC as the levels among normal fertile subjects, even though no sperm were seen in the 1st ejaculate from the reanastomosed men. GPC levels, therefore, may be useful in the evaluation of the surgical success of reversible procedures for male sterilization.

Plasma levels of norethisterone in women with subcutaneous implants of norethisterone acetate.

PIP: Multiple silastic implants of norethisterone acetate were used for long-term contraception and plasma levels of the synthetic steroid were estimated to correlate them with the clinical features and progesterone values of women using the implants. 13 women received the implants (33 mg, 3 times); they were aged 19-35 years. Blood samples were collected serially for hormone determinations. There were no local irritation reactions to the implants. However, all of the subjects gained from .5-2 kgm of body weight. 8 of the women continued to menstruate, whereas 5 women developed amenorrhea. Release rates of the norethisterone acetate varied, but the release was continuous for at least 10-12 months in all subjects. Apart from occasional peaks, all women showed a progressive decline in the steroid levels. All subjects had plasma norethisterone acetate levels above 650 pgm/ml before the 4th month of therapy, all levels were below 650 after the 9th month, and all were below 350 after the 10th month. It was concluded that norethisterone acetate delivered as a subcutaneous implant is efficacious through the 6th month of therapy, when all plasma levels were in the anovulatory range and no pregnancies occurred, but from the 6th month forward, additional contraception is needed.^ieng

Influence of antisera on the estimations of norethisterone and levonorgestrel.

PIP: The specificity of 6 different antisera for norethisterone (NET) and 10 different antisera for levonorgestrel (LNG) were studied. These antisera had differing degrees of cross-reactivities with the metabolites of the respective steroids. Antisera obtained from the same animal revealed a trend towards higher cross-reactions with the length of immunization period. Animal variation appeared to be a major factor in deciding the specificity of antisera. Using these antisera radioimmunoassays for NET and LNG were standardized; this fulfilled the required criteria for reliability. When NET and LNG concentrations were determined in pooled plasma which was obtained from women using oral contraceptives containing the respective steroids, it was found that the variation in the cross-reactivities of the metabilites with the antiserum used had negligible effect on NET estimates but did influence the LNG estimates.^ieng

Circulating levels of norethindrone in women with a single silastic implant.

PIP: Circulating levels of norethindrone (NET) in 26 women with a single silastic implant were measured up to 32 weeks postinsertion. The initial levels decreased (p .001) with the duration of use. 10 of the women had regular bleeding throughout the study period except for an occasional spotting. The other 16 women had irregularity in bleeding for at least 6 months postinsertion. The bleeding pattern bore no direct correlation with the circulating level, however those women having an initial level of more than 1.5 mg/ml had irregular bleeding throughout the period of study. It appears reasonable to assume that a slower rate of NET release may lead to a normal bleeding pattern. Lower release rates may be achieved by increasing the wall thickness of the implant.^ieng

Long term effect of vasectomy on pituitary-gonadal axis.

PIP: 180 men, aged 35-45 years, who had been vasectomized from 1 to 10 years previously, were subjected to serological radioimmunological tests to determine the effects on the pituitary-gonadal axis. No differences could be found between the test groups and a control group for serum content of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Serum content of luteinizing hormone was not changed for the age group 35-40, but those 41-45 years old showed an increase, which was not statistically significant. No changes were noted for serum estrogens. Serum testosterone showed no changes for the 35-40 group, and a statistically significant increase for those 41-45. On the basis of these data, particularly that of FSH content, it is considered that vasectomy does not alter the function of spermatogenesis.^ieng