Isolation and molecular characterization of bacteria from the gut of Eisenia fetida for biodegradation of 4,4 DDT

2016-09-19T09-25-14Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
reagan mudziwapasi, Sibonani Sandra Mlambo, Nomathemba Lois Chigu, Pardon Kusaziwa Kuipa, Walter Tendai Sanyika.
There is a growing interest in the bio-application of microorganisms from the gut of earthworms on the bio-transformation of persistent and toxic pollutants during vermifiltration. Earthworms harbor beneficial microbes in their gut which symbiotically aid in biodegradation of pollutants in their drilosphere. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane is an example of polychlorinated hydrocarbons and metabolites thereof that are persistent in the environment and are toxic to humans and animals. This study aimed at isolating and identifying 4,4 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane degrading microorganisms in the gut of Eisenia fetida acclimatized to sewage. Six pure isolates obtained from gut contents were cultured in minimum salt media supplemented with 15 mgL-1 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane followed by glucose yeast extract agar sprayed with 1% 4,4 DDT in ether (v/v). Two pure isolates positive for 4,4 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane biodegradation were inoculated on minimum salt yeast extract media containing 15 mgL-1 4,4 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. The resulting metabolites were identified using Gas Chromatography. The positive isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene analysis as Rhodococcus genus and the Bacillus genus, exhibiting 88.36% and 85.22% 4.4 DDT degradation respectively. The study demonstrated DDT-degradation by bacteria from the gut of Eisenia fetida. These findings can be useful in optimization of vermifilters for biodegradation of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and other xenobiotics.


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Between-Days Reliability of Hop Performance and Lower Extremities Muscle Strength Tests

2016-09-19T08-51-21Z
Source: International Journal of Therapies and Rehabilitation Research
Fahad F. Aljowair, Lee C. Herrington, Waleed K. Alshemimary, : Hussain Ghulam.
The purpose of this study is to examine the between-days reliability of single leg hop performance (horizontal hop and crossover hop for distance), and the reliability of muscle strength of hip extensors, knee flexors and extensors, and ankle plantar flexors during isometric and isokinetic (concentric and eccentric) testing, with a time interval of 7 days separating the 2 testing session. The study comprised of ten male recreationalathletes (age 32.9 ± 3.9 years; height 171.2 ± 6.1 cm; weight 84.4 ± 19.2 kg). Each participant performed 3 trails of single leg and crossover hop tests for both legs separately, 3 trails of isometric tests using hand-held dynamometry (HHD) for each muscle group, and 3 trials of isokinetic muscle tests throughout 5 maximal effort trials using a Biodex system (testing speed 60°/s). Interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from 0.926 to 0.994 for the hop tests, the isometric tests ranged from 0.586 to -0.797, and from 0.619 to 0.958 for the isokinetic tests. The results indicate that the tests are reliable for the use with subjects in a sporting field or clinical environment.


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A clinico-epidemiological study on snake bite in a tertiary care hospital of West Bengal

2016-09-19T07-26-46Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Tushar Kanti Mondal, Munmun Das, Aditya Prasad Sarkar, Ashish P Dudhe, Somnath Ghosh.
Background: Snake bite has been described as one of the neglected tropical diseases by World Health Organization. Deaths due to snake bite per 100,000 population varied from 5.28 to 31.75 over 10 years in West Bengal. Objectives: (i) To describe the socio-demographic profile of the snake bite cases admitted in a tertiary care level hospital, (ii) to assess the clinical profile of the cases, and (iii) to find out factors affecting the outcome of those cases. Material and methods: It was a hospital-based observational study with longitudinal design conducted in the both male and female Medicine ward of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan. Data were collected with the help of pretested, predesigned schedule through interview of patients/patient party and hospital records. Data analysis was carried out with the help of SPSS version 22.0. Results: Majority of patients were Hindus, general caste from rural areas. Majority were bitten by poisonous snakes (84.6%). Cure rate was associated with age, residence, literacy rate, occupation, distance from hospital, delay in care seeking, and type of snake. Conclusion: Increase of literacy status along with intensive IEC on first aid and care seeking of snake bite may help in improving the situation.


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Radiation exposure and immunity status of radiographers at government hospitals

2016-09-19T07-26-46Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Mousa Alnahhal, Yasser S M Alajerami, Sadi Jaber, Khaled Abushab, Ahmed Najim.
Background: Long-term exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation may affect cells, tissues, and body systems and result in various adverse health effects. Immunity system is known to be highly radiosensitive; therefore it is susceptible to radiation. Medical radiographers are occupationally exposed to chronic levels of ionizing radiation that may affect their immune response. Objective: To investigate the effects of exposure to radiation on health and well-being, including tests of immune function of medical radiographers (MRs) at government hospitals-Gaza governorates. Materials and Methods: A cohort study was conducted at six main government hospitals- Gaza governorates, Palestine. The immunity status of 92 medical radiographers who exposed to chronic ionizing radiation compared with control group of 97 medical laboratories who not exposed to chronic radiation. Result: The result revealed that several health complains such as headache were higher among medical radiographers (46.7%) compared to medical laboratories (10.3%) with highly statistically significant level (p=0.000). Regarding immunity systems, the study showed that clinical symptoms such as gastritis, sore throat, and repeated infections were prevailing among exposed group compared with non-exposed group. Other clinical symptoms such as skin diseases, fever, and pallor did not reached the statistically significant levels (p>0.05). About venous blood samples, the results exhibited that the mean of immunoglobulin G and A were higher among medical radiographers (1279±359), (215±108) compared with the control group (1225±209) and (1202±89) with no statistically significant level (p=0.324 and 0.498), respectively. Significant health complaints and clinical symptoms were recorded among medical radiographers compared with the matched control group. Conclusion: Personal monitoring for ionizing radiation, periodic medical examination, and increasing level of protection for MRs is of utmost importance.


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Evaluation of autonomic status during three trimesters of pregnancy

2016-09-19T07-26-46Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Radhika Varma, Vijaya Lakshmi, Neelam Vaney, Neena Bhattacharya, O. P. Tandon, Amita Suneja.
Background: During pregnancy many organ systems of women undergo several adaptations in order to accommodate physiological demands of the growing foetus. Role of autonomic nervous system has been proposed for adaptation of blood circulation to meet requirements of pregnancy. Response of autonomic nervous system may vary during different stages of pregnancy. Objective: The aim of the study was to compare autonomic status of pregnant and non-pregnant females and observe changes in autonomic functions during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Material and Method: The study was conducted on 120 subjects, 90 pregnant (30 from each trimester of pregnancy) and 30 non-pregnant healthy volunteers. Batteries of non-invasive cardiovascular reflex tests providing information about sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system were used for the assessment of autonomic status. Result: On comparing pregnant females with study group (30 from each trimester), evidence of increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic tone was obtained. Increase in resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure was noted to be maximum and statistically significant in 3rd trimester of pregnancy in comparison to controls, indicating increased sympathetic tone during pregnancy. The decreased parasympathetic tone in study group was indicated by lesser heart rate variability and decreased E:I ratio and 30:15 ratio. The cardiovascular response to sustained handgrip test and cold pressor test was found to be blunted in the study group indicating a decrease in total peripheral resistance. Conclusion: We conclude that marked adaptive changes take place in cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system during different trimester of pregnancy in order to meet the physiological demands of the foetus and maintaining maternal cardiovascular integrity.


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Effects of Vitex doniana leaf extract on aluminium-induced toxicity in male albino Wistar rats

2016-09-19T07-23-42Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
Ojochenemi Ejeh Yakubu, Okwesilieze Fred Nwodo.
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the effect of ethanolic leaves extract of Vitex doniana on the toxicity induced by Aluminum Chloride in male albino Wistar rats. The study was designed to carefully observe the ameliorative effect of the extract on aluminum toxicity. A total of 15 male albino rats were used for the study and toxicity was induced using 100mg/kg body weight (bw) AlCl3. They were grouped into three groups of five rats each; normal control, AlCl3 control and AlCl3 + 100mg Vitex doniana respectively. The normal group was fed with standard rat chow only while the AlCl3 control group was orally administered with 100mg/kg bw AlCl3, and the AlCl3 + V.D group was orally administered with 100mg/kg bw extract following administration of AlCl3. The study was conducted for 7 days after which the effect of the extract was assessed following the animal sacrifice. Oral dose of 100mg/kg bw extract of Vitex doniana did not show any significant change in TBARS level of Liver and testes in the experimental groups while the AST, ALT and ALP levels in AlCl3 control and AlCl3 + 100mg Vitex doniana showed significant decrease (p


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Gender differentials in the health status of geriatric age group and their coping mechanisms

2016-09-19T05-19-20Z
Source: International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
S. Priyanka, Christina Mary P. Paul, Daisy Dharmaraj, K. K. Dutta Gupta, P. A. Archanalakshmi, Veena Paul V. S..
Background: The present study was conducted to estimate the gender differentials in health problems and access to health care in the geriatric population and to study the social and economic mechanisms they have to cope. Methods: This study was done as a cross-sectional study with both analytical and descriptive components in Parivakkam and Kolappancheri villages of Thiruvallur district. Simple random sampling was used to identify 110 men and 110 women in the geriatric age group. Data was collected through a tailor-made interview schedule after reviewing questionnaires used for the geriatric population. Data entry was done in SPSS version-15. Chi-square values were calculated wherever appropriate and p-values were based on the 2-tailed values. Results: A significant difference was found between educational qualifications and gender (p-value=0.000*), and men had higher per-capita income than women with a statistically significant association (p-value=0.04). Self-earning as the main source of income was seen in 46% of the men and was more than that for women (22%). There were statistically significant differences in the main source of income between males and females (p-value=0.003*). It was seen that more women were on irregular treatment (p-value=0.002). Utilization of health care services was better among women than men. Conclusions: High prevalence of morbidities and health complaints and the poor health seeking behaviour of the elderly emphasize on the need for health programs for the elderly.


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Prevalence of diabetes in patients with myocardial infarction: a study in a tertiary care centre

2016-09-19T00-15-24Z
Source: International Journal of Advances in Medicine
Mohanty, Debananda Sahoo, Dayanidhi Meher, Panchanan Sahoo.
Background: Diabetics experience a greater mortality during the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) and a higher morbidity in the postinfarction period. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of diabetes as a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Detailed demographic details such as age, gender, weight, BMI, blood pressure, smoking and alcohol details, previous clinical and medical history were noted for all the patients. Blood was collected from the patients for random blood glucose levels and HbA1c levels. On the 2nd and the 5th days of admission, fasting blood glucose levels were measured. Results: 63.5% patients were males and only 36.5% of them were females with the average age being around 66 years. Most of the patients who were admitted to the hospital with MI were obese or overweight with elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Out of the 104 patients, 59 (56.7%) had no diabetics, 29 (27.9%) were known diabetics. 11 (10.6%) of them were identified as diabetic during the hospitalization. Conclusions: The chronic and acute hyperglycaemia associated to acute coronary syndromes, mainly in acute myocardial infarction is an independent and determinant factor in the outcome for patients with and without diabetes mellitus.


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