Screening, biochemical characterization and antibiotics resistance/susceptibility of bacteria isolated from native soil and water samples

Abstract The present study was conducted to isolate and characterize bacteria from water and soil sample taken from the Lahore Canal at different sites i.e. Mall Road, Mohlanwal and Khera site. Isolated bacterial strains were identified on the basis of morphological and biochemical tests. Identification was confirmed by culturing bacteria on selective media. Antibiotic resistance test was also performed to observe the resistance of bacteria against different antibiotics. Blood agar test was performed for identification of different pathogenic bacteria. The result revealed that water and soil samples of Lahore Canal Lahore from different sites were contaminated with Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Vibrio sp., Bacillus spp., Enterococcus sp. and Staphylococcus spp. Due to presence of these pathogens, this water is not suitable for any domestic and irrigation use. Study also revealed that water of the Lahore Canal is harmful for human health as it is contaminated with bacteria that can cause severe disease e.g., Escherichia coli can cause gastroenteritis, Bacillus spp. can cause nausea and vomiting, Enterococcus may infect urinary tract, Salmonella sp. is responsible for Bacteremia, Staphylococcus spp. can cause mild fever and Vibrio sp. can be the reason of cholera. Thus it is rendered unfit for any kind of human use even other than drinking like swimming, bathing, washing etc., until and unless some remedial measures are employed to eradicate pathogenic microorganisms by WASA and LWMS according to standards of WHO. Similarly, it is quite harmful, when and where ever it is used for irrigation without proper treatment.

Pharmacognostical evaluation and physiochemical analysis of Salsola Kali as medicinal plant

One of the largest genera Salsola include halophytic plants with therapeutic potential. For the treatment of various ailments, plants of the genus are acclaimed. Salsola kali is an important medicinal plant exhibiting specific phytochemical and biological makeup that is frequently overlooked. The current study aimed at the pharmacognostical evaluation of leaves and stem of Salsola kali to ensure the purity, quality, and efficacy of this valuable medicinal species. For the identification, evaluation and standardization of diagnostic attributes of intact and powdered material of Salsola kali leaves and stem, various methods including organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, and physicochemical analysis were employed. The plant was identified to possess significant characteristics with a view to authenticate drug. Light Microscopy (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of aerial parts of Salsola kali manifested specialized anatomical features essential for the adaptability in dry-saline environment. Upon quantitative pharmacognostic analysis of powder of leaves and stem, the moisture content of 1.3% and 11.1%, respectively was found. The total ash (%) in leaves and stem was computed to be 65.95 and 85.3, respectively. The water soluble and alcohol soluble extractive values (%) were computed to be 79.38 and 75.4 in leaves and 78.0 and 76.8 in stem, respectively. The swelling index (cm) in leaves and stem was enumerated to be 0.8 and 0.5. The current study will be helpful in the quality check and authentication of various parts of Salsola kali that can be used as principal component of herbal medicine formulation. Based on various microscopic analyses, that is, Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, the detailed description and valuable information on Salsola kali, a medicinal plant, has been provided. The present study can make a significant contribution in the literature as the findings may contribute to the determination of purity of Salsola kali for future perspectives.

Scanning electron microscopy for identification of local strain of Aspergillus Parasiticus and its larvicidal efficacy against Aedes Aegypti and non-target toxicity testing on fingerlings of Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix

Scanning electron microscopy proved to be helpful in identification of Aspergillus parasiticus. A. parasiticus has a worldwide occurrence with high entomopathogenic efficacy against Aedes aegypti. However, assessment of pathogenic effects of entomopathogenic fungi on non-target organisms is required to evaluate its use as bio control agent. Aim of the present research is to study the parricidal activity of the local strain of A. parasiticus (MK371710) against A. aegypti and its toxicity assessment against aquatic model organism Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. A. parasiticus was isolated from the soil of Jallo Park, Lahore. The larvicidal effect of A. parasiticus was evaluated against fourth instar larvae of A. aegypti. Hundred percent of mortality of larvae was observed after exposure to 1 × 10⁷ conidia/ml of fungal suspension after 72 h post treatment. The LC₅₀ value of A. parsiticus in 24 h post treatment and 48 h post treatment was recorded as 1.0 × 10⁷ conidia/ml 2.99 × 10⁵ conidia/ml, respectively. However, an in-depth understanding safety to non-target organisms is necessary, if we are to properly control the action of these entomopathogenic fungi under natural conditions. For the toxicity assessment fingerlings of H. molitrix were exposed to conidial suspensions of A. parasiticus. Eye pop (64%), fin hemorrhage (33%), and scale infection (30%) were the major morphological effects observed during the study. Results reveal that although A. parasiticus is highly pathogenic to dengue vector but also have significant effects on organisms other than insects and its application as biological control agent requires safety considerations.

SEM and XRD for removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater and characterization of chicken eggshell

Heavy metal toxicity due to industrial wastewater has been a threat to the environment for the past many decades, especially in developing countries. Electroplating Industry wastewater containing heavy metals can become a serious environmental pollutant if not treated appropriately. Present study investigated the removal of nickel and chromium ions from electroplating wastewater using calcined hen eggshells because of it high removal capability, little cost and easy approachability. Characterization of the adsorbent such as proximate analysis, surface charge, X-ray diffraction, and surface area was done prior to adsorption process. Batch adsorption experiment was performed to study the effect of different parameters such as adsorbent dose, contact time, temperature, and pH for adsorbent. Removal percentage of both heavy metals was checked by using calcined eggshell as adsorbent. Comparison was made between nickel and chromium to identify the most effective removal efficacy. It was concluded that utilization of natural waste was found suitable, easier, cost operative and environmental approachable for removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater.

Identification of locally isolated entomopathogenic Fusarium species from the soil of Changa Manga Forest, Pakistan and evaluation of their larvicidal efficacy against Aedes aegypti

Dengue fever vectored by the mosquito Aedes aegypti is one of the most rapidly spreading insect-borne diseases. Current reliance of dengue vector control is mostly on chemical insecticides. Growing insecticide resistance in the primary mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, limits the effectiveness of vector control through chemical insecticides. These chemical insecticides also have negative environmental impacts on animals, plants and human health. Myco-biocontrol agents are naturally occurring organisms and are found to be less damaging to the environment as compared to chemical insecticides. In the present study, entomopathogenic potential of local strains of fungi isolated from soil was assessed for the control of dengue vector. Local fungal isolates presents better alternative to introducing a foreign biocontrol strain, as they may be better adapted to environmental conditions of the area to survive and may have more entomopathogenic efficacy against target organism. Larvicidal efficacy of Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium proliferatum was evaluated against Aedes aegypti. Local strains of F. equiseti (MK371718) and F. proliferatum (MK371715) were isolated from the soil of Changa Manga Forest, Pakistan by using insect bait method. Larvicidal activity of two Fusarium spp. was tested against forth instar larvae of A. aegypti in the laboratory, using concentrations 105, 106, 107 and 108 conidia /ml. LC50 values for F. equiseti after 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h of exposure were recorded as 3.8x 108, 2.9x107, 2.0x107, and 7.1x106 conidia /ml respectively while LC50 values for F. proliferatum were recorded as 1.21x108, 9.6x107, 4.2x107, 2.6x107 conidia /ml respectively after 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h of exposure. The results indicate that among two fungal strains F. equiseti was found to be more effective in terms of its larvicidal activity than F. proliferatum against larvae of A. aegypti.

Molecular detection of Babesia microti in dogs and cat blood samples collected from Punjab (Pakistan)

Babesia microti (B. microti) is an intra erythrocytic protozoan that mainly infects red blood cells and causes babesiosis. Its frequent hosts are rodents, ticks and humans. Dog's blood samples (N = 150) were collected from three different districts in Punjab including Multan (N = 49), Islamabad/Rawalpindi (N = 49) and Lahore (N = 52) while 159 cat's blood samples were collected from Lahore (N = 159). Data on the epidemiological characters of all animals (including age, gender, breed, body temperature, deworming, vaccination, mucus membrane status, hydration status, presence of hematuria and tick infestation) was collected through questionnaire. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified a 238 base pair amplicon specific for 18S rRNA gene of B. microti in two (1.3%) dog and 21 (13.2%) cat blood samples. Amplified PCR products were confirmed by DNA sequencing and the four partial 18S rRNA gene sequences were submitted to the EMBL/GenBank. Among epidemiological factors, high body temperature (P < 0.05) and pale mucous membrane (P < 0.05) were the parameters associated with the presence of B. microti in infected dogs. Females were found to be more infected (P = 0.05) than males and incidence of B. microti infection was higher in cat samples collected during winter months (P = 0.0001) than in summer. In conclusion, we are reporting the prevalence of B. microti in blood samples of cats and dogs from Pakistan for the first time and recommending that this Protozoan parasite should be considered for screening in cats and dogs with compatible clinical signs.

Health status assessment of workers during construction phase of highway rehabilitation projects around lahore, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE

The study focused on assessment of the health status of workers during construction phase of highway rehabilitation projects at six selected sites of N5 around Lahore, including Kala Shah Kaku, Muridke, Kamuki, Bhaipheru, Pattoki, and Okara.

METHODS

The study was based on multi-methods approach involving hazard identification through survey and checklist as well as a questionnaire for health status assessment and measurements of health parameters including peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and audiometric screening of 300 subjects.

RESULTS

The study revealed non-congenial working conditions at the sites. Noise, vibrations, dust, asphalt fumes, poor work postures, and injuries were found to be major health hazards. PEFR of most of the workers was found to be significantly lower than the reference value. Average PEFR±SEM values were 187±5.1 l/min, 178±4.3 l/min, and 266±5.3 l/min in ground preparation workers, asphalt workers, and heavy vehicle drivers, respectively. The highest rate (29%) of hearing loss was recorded among heavy vehicle drivers. Musculoskeletal problems were found to be more common among ground preparation workers.

CONCLUSION

Data revealed unsatisfactory health status of most of the workers. Direct relationship between health outcomes and the type of construction activities were observed. The current study focuses on the importance of including occupational health and safety plan in the execution phase of every developmental project that involves construction activities.

Helicobacter pylori: correlation of the virulence marker iceA allele with clinical outcome in a high prevalence area

The association of Helicobacter pylori virulence marker 'induced by contact with epithelium A' (iceA) allele types was determined in H. pylori-related diseases and virulence markers. Gastric biopsies were obtained at EGD from patients for culture, histopathology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for iceA types, cagA and vacA alleles. Two hundred and eighty-four H. pylori isolates were examined. iceA type 1 was positive in 177 (62%) and iceA type 2 in 158 (56%). In iceA type 2, gastric ulcer was present in 34 (21%) (P < 0.001) and carcinoma in 28 (25%) (P = 0.002), compared to nine (8%) and 2 (2%) in iceA type 2-negative cases. For iceA type 2, 139 (88%) were associated with chronic active gastritis compared to 95 (75%) (P = 0.006) in iceA type 2-negative. H. pylori cagA was positive in 101 (64%) iceA type 2 strains compared to 57 (45%) in negative strains (P = 0.002). H. pylori iceA type 2 was dominant and associated with cagA, chronic active inflammation, gastric ulcer and carcinoma.

Multilayer piezocomposite structures with piezoceramic volume fractions determined by mathematical optimisation

Piezocomposite materials are now widely used in broadband underwater sonar for ultrasound generation and detection because of their recognised advantages over piezoceramic devices. However, it is difficult to make single-layer piezocomposite devices to operate effectively at frequencies below 100 kHz. Instead, multilayer composite stacks can be used. If this solution is adopted, interesting effects can be achieved by choosing appropriate ceramic volume fractions for different layers in the stack, as volume fraction plays a key role in achieving the desired performance. In this paper we describe a theoretical study of 1-3 piezocomposite transducers with five layers each with a different volume fraction. Our work is based mainly on our own special purpose computer code which solves the one-dimensional wave equation by matrix manipulation, with additional support from the PZ Flex finite element analysis package. The choice of volume fractions is difficult because of the multifaceted nature of the problem, with a very large number of possible combinations and complex dependence of material properties, and hence transducer sensitivity and frequency response on the volume fractions. Therefore, we have used the stochastic optimisation technique of simulated annealing implemented in MATLAB code to determine the volume fraction of each layer. The optimisation cost function we have used is maximisation of gain-bandwidth product. We have found that significant increases in gain-bandwidth product can be achieved compared with the use of the same volume fraction in each layer, far exceeding the 35% reported previously with trial-and-error volume fraction adjustment. This suggests that improvements in practical device performance are possible.

Thick aluminium nitride films deposited by room-temperature sputtering for ultrasonic applications

Materials in film form for electromechanical transduction have a number of potential applications in ultrasound. They are presently under investigation in flexural transducers for air-coupled ultrasound and underwater sonar operating at frequencies up to a few megahertz. At higher frequencies, they have the potential to be integrated with electronics for applications of ultrasound requiring high spatial resolution. However, a number of fabrication difficulties have arisen in studies of such films. These include the high temperatures required in many thick and thin film deposition processes, making them incompatible with other stages in transducer fabrication, and difficulties maintaining film quality when thin film--typically sub-1 microm--processes are extended to higher thicknesses. In this paper, we first outline a process which has allowed us to deposit aluminium nitride (AlN) films capable of electromechanical transduction at thicknesses up to more than 5 microm without substrate heating. As an ultrasonic transduction material, AlN has functional disadvantages, particularly a high acoustic velocity and weak electromechanical transduction. However, it also has a number of advantages relating to practicality of fabrication and functionality. These include the ability to be deposited on a variety of amorphous substrates, a very high Curie temperature, low permittivity, and low electrical and mechanical losses. Here, we present experimental results highlighting the transduction capabilities of AlN deposited on aluminium electrodes on glass and lithium niobate. We compare the results with those from standard simulation processes, highlighting the reasons for discrepancies and discussing the implications for incorporation of AlN into standard ultrasonic transducer design processes.

1-3 connectivity piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite transducers made with viscous polymer processing for high frequency ultrasound

Potential applications of high frequency ultrasound exist because of the high spatial resolution consequent upon short wavelength. The frequencies of interest, typically from 25 MHz upwards, are easily supported by modern instrumentation but the capabilities of ultrasonic transducers have not kept pace and the transducers in high frequency commercial ultrasonic systems are still made with single-phase crystal, ceramic or piezopolymer materials. Despite potential performance advantages, the 1-3 connectivity piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite materials now widely used at lower ultrasonic frequencies have not been adopted because of manufacturing difficulties. These difficulties are centred on fabrication of the 1-3 piezoceramic bristle-block comprising tall, thin pillars upstanding from a supporting stock. Fabrication techniques which have been explored already include injection moulding, mechanical dicing, and laser machining. Here, we describe an alternative technique based on viscous polymer processing (VPP) to produce net shape ceramic bristle-blocks. VPP produces green-state ceramic with rheological properties suitable for embossing. We outline how this can be created then report on our work to fabricate PZT bristle-blocks with lateral pillar dimensions of the order of 50 microm and height-to-width ratios of the order of 10. These have been backfilled with low pre-cure viscosity polymer and made into complete 1-3 piezocomposite transducer elements. We outline the performance of the transducers in terms of electrical impedance and pulse-echo behaviour and show that it corresponds well with computer modelling. We conclude that VPP is a promising technique to allow the established advantages of piezocomposite material to be exploited at higher frequencies than have been possible so far.