Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for monitoring colistin-resistant and susceptible E. coli strains

The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria is a precarious global health concern. In this study, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is used to characterize colistin-resistant and susceptible E. coli strains based on their distinguished SERS spectral features for the development of rapid and cost-effective detection and differentiation methods. For this purpose, three colistin-resistant and three colistin susceptible E. coli strains were analyzed by comparing their SERS spectral signatures. Moreover, multivariate data analysis techniques including Principal component analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) were used to examine the SERS spectral data of colistin-resistant and susceptible strains. PCA technique was employed for differentiating colistin susceptible and resistant E.coli strains due to alteration in biochemical compositions of the bacterial cell. PLS-DA is employed on SERS spectral data sets for discrimination of these resistant and susceptible E. coli strains with 100% specificity, 100% accuracy, 99.8% sensitivity, and 86% area under receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve.

Sodium arsenate induced genotoxicity, morphometric and morphological changes in mice embryo and protective role of Moringa oleifera extracts

The present study was carried out to find the comparative ameliorative role of Moringa oleifera leaf and flower extracts against sodium arsenate induced genotoxic, morphometric and morphological changes in mice embryo. Seven to eight week old pregnant females (N=44) with body weight of 20-25g at gestation day zero were divided randomly in groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K). Group A was of control while all others were experimental groups and administered with selected doses of sodium arsenate as toxicant (6mg/kg B.W and 12mg/kg/B.W) and Moringa oleifera leaf and flower extracts as antidote (150mg/kg and 300mg/kg B.W). Significant (p<0.05) amelioration at dose 300mg/kg of Moringa oleifera leaf extract was observed against sodium arsenate induced morphological abnormalities like micromelia, excencephally, cryptothalmia, anopthalmia, laproschisis and morphometric changes like fetus weight, head circumference, crown rump and snout length were observed. Significant protection of DNA was showed in Moringa oleifera leaf extract treated groups (27.50±2.51) as compared to sodium arsenate (66.25±2.75). So concluded that sodium arsenate induced teratogenicity can be decreased using Moringa extract especially of Moringa oleifera leaf extract as it contains bioactive compounds like phenolics.

Sleep-disordered breathing and transcranial Dopplers in sickle cell disease

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children with sickle cell disease and whether there is an association of sleep-disordered breathing with high-risk transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) velocities. Study

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Tertiary care academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Sixty-four children (aged 2-14 years) selected for eligible genotype (type SS or Sβ(0)-thalassemia) and no history of stroke.

INTERVENTIONS

Parents completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. Overnight polysomnography was performed for children with snoring. The TCD was performed or existing results were obtained for all children; for children who underwent transfusion therapy, readings prior to the transfusion were analyzed. Children with abnormal or conditional TCD (flow velocity ≥170 cm/s in any vessel) were considered high risk.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing and TCD velocity and frequency of high-risk TCD in patients with and without sleep-disordered breathing.

RESULTS

The prevalence of snoring was 37.5% (95% CI, 26.7%-49.8%), the prevalence of positive polysomnography findings was 23.7% (14.6%-36.1%), and the prevalence of positive Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire scores was 21.9% (13.4%-33.6%). There was no significant difference in TCD velocity or number of patients with high-risk TCD between nonsnorers and children with snoring but negative polysomnography findings and children with snoring and positive polysomnography findings (P = .91 and P = .66, respectively) or between nonsnorers and snorers with a negative Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire score and snorers with a positive Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire score (P = .76 and P = .33, respectively).

CONCLUSION

There is a high prevalence of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing among children with sickle cell disease, but our results do not support an association with cerebrovascular risk.

Unilateral Hydrocephalus Due to Foramen of Monro Stenosis

Unilateral lateral ventricular dilatation due to foramen of Monro stenosis or constriction can present with headache. Fundoscopy can be normal. This condition is congenital, radiological appraisal can disclose the diagnosis, and treatment depends upon the symptomatology. The condition can be treated well with insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Prolonged epicardial mapping in myocardial infarction: the effects of propranolol and intra-aortic balloon pumping following coronary artery occlusion

A methods of prolonged epicardial surface mapping of myocardial infarction by serial epicardial ECG's is described. The progression of infarction following coronary artery ligation in dogs was monitored over a 4 day period and the early and late changes in the configuration of the epicardial ECG's associated with the underlying myocardial injury were defined. The determination of the infarct size by surface mapping in vivo correlated accurately with the final infarct size determined by dehydrogenase staining in vitro. Treatment with propranolol resulted in a significant reduction in the infarct size. Treatment with intra-aortic balloon pumping did not alter the size of the myocardial infarction induced in this experimental model.