Primary involvement of carpal bones in septic arthritis is a rare event. We report here a case of idiopathic septic arthritis with isolated involvement of the scaphoid-trapezium joint. An elderly patient presented with collapse and symptoms of septicaemia, and right wrist that was swollen and tender. Radiographs revealed erosion of the scaphoid-trapezium joint and increased joint space. The joint was aspirated yielding frank pus. Swelling and redness improved, but the patient died due to ongoing septicaemia. Localised septic arthritis of the scaphoid-trapezium joint, however rare, can be fatal if not aggressively treated in a timely fashion.

Tumor size is an important independent indicator in patients with carcinoma of the breast. Repeated size measurements during primary systemic therapy produce detailed information about response that could be used to select the most effective treatment regimen and to estimate the patient’s prognosis. Measurement of tumor burden with ultrasonography and computed tomography is being used with increasing frequency to assess the effectiveness of cytotoxic anticancer drugs. Standardization of assessment and results reporting are important steps that aim at increasing the amount of usable therapeutic information at the physician’s disposal. The purpose of our study is to calculate the tumor volume by mammography after demagnification and compare the tumor volume measured from this method with ultrasonography volumes.

Objective: Silkworms are invertebrate animals that are killed by bacteria pathogenic against humans, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio cholera. Biochemical characterization of the microbes in the haemolymph of diseased silkworm collected during the survey indicated the presence of Bacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. in the culture. Methods: Studies were carried out in vitro to assess the efficacy of some marine extracts for the containment of these microbes through turbidimetry analysis and zone of inhibition test. Results: The observations made during this study revealed that the ethyl acetate crude extracts of two marine samples are Auroraglobostellata and Spirostella inconstans var. moendrina Dendy effective against these microbes causing flacherie diseases in silkworm. The comparison of their effects indicated that ethyl acetate extracts were generally more effective Extensive studies using these extracts on the growth and cocoon production of the mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori L. are likely to throw much light on the possibility of using such extracts as a prophylactic measure during silkworm rearing to improve silk production. Conclusions: Also, the results indicate that maybe plays a possible role in the contamination of humans and animals, in particular silkworms, while marine extracts showed a potential to control the contamination caused by bacterial diseases.

Objective: To assess the sero-positivity rate of HIV infection among clinically suspected subjects of reproductive age group (15-49 years), biological and behavioral characteristics of the subjects gender specific variation of sero-positivity rate, and the differentials of the sero-positivity rate for the history of blood transfusion or blood products or other organs, history of needle exposure and symptoms of morbidity. Methods: Study is based on the retrospective data of the calendar year 2005 obtained from Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre (VCTC) (now renamed as ICTC), Department of Microbiology, I.M.S., B.H.U., Varanasi. These cases were either referred by the consultants of different OPD'S of Sir Sunderlal Hospital or came voluntarily for knowing their HIV status. About 2-3 mL of blood samples were collected in a plain vial and tested for HIV status by strategy II/III as per WHO/NACO guidelines. Results: Overall sero-positivity of HIV was 15.3% (18.1% in males and 12.2% in females) which increased 6-7 folds in the age group 35-49 years as compared to 15-24 years in both the sexes. Sero-positivity rate in male migrants was 43.1%, while in female migrants it was 18.7%. The history of multiple sexual contacts was about 3 times higher in males as compared to females; predominantly it was very high in male migrants (67.7%) as compared to male non-migrants (15.8%). History of multiple sexual contacts was not uncommon in females and it was 25.0% in female migrants and 9.7% in non-migrant females. The sero-positivity rate with the history of multiple sexual contacts was 45.4% in males and 60.3% in females, while without history of multiple sexual contacts these were only 2.8% and 5.3% respectively. Sero-positive cases had on an average 3.6±1.7 various morbidity symptoms as compared to 0.7±1.1 in sero-negatives. It is to be noted that sero-positivity rate was more in those females who seemed apparently healthy compared to those presenting with some of the symptoms; vice versa, in males presenting with some symptoms HIV infection was 7 times higher than those without symptoms. Conclusions: The findings indicate a high sero-positivity among both the genders. Multiple heterosexual contacts, especially, in migrants are the main root of transmission of HIV. These are causing spread of HIV to their spouses. The multiple sexual contacts in the society, especially, among non migrant females of this region are indicating the distortion of traditions and cultures which are a serious concern and may lead to HIV infection on the rise. Awareness program to the susceptible group is the need to reduce further spread of HIV.

Objective: Bacterial species colonize indwelling catheters as biofilm induce complications in patients care. Methods: From the biofilm matrix seven species of microbes were isolated. The predominant bacteria seen in catheters were E.coli, (27 percent) P.mirabilis (20 percent) and S.epidermis (18 percent). Results: The biomass of microbes associated with the biofilm was estimated. The mean dry weight of biomass of bacteria associated with a catheter that was used for over a month time was in the range 2.5±0.04g - 3.1 ± 0.6g. Conclusion: But it was found to colonize the microtitre plate to attain a peak growth at 84h. P.mirabilis isolated from the biofilm was able to tolerate the antibiotics tetracycline, Penicillin, Kanamycin and Gentamycin at a dose level of 20μg/ml. The study indicated that the catheter has to be replaced if biofilm formation was noticed.

The antifungal activity of methanolic extracts of Centella asiatica and Andrographis paniculata leaves was observed against fourteen fungi, viz., Alternaria alternata, A. brassicae, A. brassicicola, A. solani, A. tenuissima, Cercospora blumae, Curvularia lunata, C. penniseti, and Drechslera monoceras, D. oryzae, D. turitica, Fusarium albizziae and F. udum. Different concentrations of the methanolic extract (1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000, 10000ppm) were used. The effect of mixed leaf extract (1500 ppm of C. asiatica + 1500 ppm of A. paniculata) and its 1:2 ad 1:4 dilutions were also studied. The individual extracts of both the plants showed significant inhibitory effect on spore germination of all the fungi tested. F. udum, F. albizzae, D. oryzae, D. turtica, and D. monoceras were particularly sensitive to these extracts. In general, the extract of C. asiatica showed a higher inhibitory effect in all concentrations against all the fungi as compared to A. paniculata, except for A. brassicae A. solani, D. oryzae, D. penniseti and Curvularia sp. The inhibitory effect of extracts increased when they were used in combination with or without dilutions against A. brassicicola, A. solani A. brassicae, A. alternata, A. tenussima, C. blumae, C. lunata, C. penniseti and Curvularia species. Higher efficacy of active ingredient of these extracts under field condition is envisaged against plant pathogens.
Albizzia ; Alternaria ; Andrographis* ; Brassica ; Centella* ; Fungi ; Fusarium ; Germination ; Methanol* ; Oryza ; Plants ; Spores

Reduced muscle strength and quality of life (QoL) has an impact on adults at risk of osteoporotic fractures. Muscle strength and QoL among Malaysian adults at risk of osteoporotic fractures is not known. The aim of our study was to examine muscle strength and QoL status and its relationship among adults at low and moderate to high risk of osteoporotic fractures. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 27 men and 78 women with mean age 69.3 ± 8.5 years from Orthopaedic Clinic, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. A 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures were calculated according to WHO fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) with femoral neck BMD (cut-point 10%). Participants were categorized as low and moderate to high risk of osteoporotic fractures based on FRAX results. Back extensor muscle strength (BES) and dominant hand grip strength (HGS) was measured using a load cell system and a hand dynamometer respectively. European QoL questionnaire (EQ5Dvas) was used to measure QoL. Multiple linear regression was performed with QoL as a dependent variable and back extensor muscle strength and hand grip strength as the independent variables. Approximate 40% of adults were categorized into moderate to high risk of osteoporotic fractures. The mean values among the low and moderate to high risk of osteoporotic fractures for QoL was 80.5 ± 13.2 and 76.9 ± 16.9 (p = 0.77); hand grip strength was 25.7 ± 17.3 and 20.6 ± 5.5 kg (p < 0.001) and back extensor strength was 25.0 ± 7.0 and 18.9 ± 9.5 Newton (p < 0.01) respectively. Hand grip muscle strength appeared to be a determinant of QoL and accounted for 5.8% of the total variance. Improved muscle strength may lead in better QoL among adults at risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Optimum physical health is important in maintaining independence among older adults. There is limited information regarding physical health status among older adults attending primary care clinics in the local population. The aim of this study was to examine physical health among older adults attending Primary Care Clinic at Cheras, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Primary Care Clinic at Cheras, Malaysia with a total 106 participants (mean age of 68 ± 6.3 years). Participants performed a battery of physical function tests. The results showed that the percentages of participants who performed below recommended norms for the 30secs Chair Stand Test (lower limb strength), Chair Sit and Reach Test (lower limb flexibility), Back Scratch Test (upper limb flexibility), Timed Up and Go (TUG) (functional mobility), Single Leg Stance Test (balance) and 2 mins Walk Test (2MWT) (aerobic endurance) were 32%, 18%, 21%, 29%, 22% and 78% respectively. The results suggest that the majority of older adults visiting primary health care clinics had inadequate physical function in relation to aerobic endurance. Older adults attending primary health care clinics should be encouraged to improve their physical health status, especially aerobic endurance, to optimise their physical independence.

Physical performance in older adults is known to decline with ageing. However, there is limited information about physical performance among older adults with three different cognitive domains; successful (SA), usual ageing (UA) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in physical performance among older adults in these three categorised cognitive groups. This study is part of a larger scale population based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity among older adults (LRGS TUA). Physical performance were assessed using hand grip (HGT; upper limb strength), 2 minutes step (2MST; endurance), sit to stand (STS; lower limb strength), sit and reach (SRT; lower body flexibility), timed up and go (TUG; mobility and balance), back scratch (BST; upper body flexibility) and gait speed (GS; walking speed) tests. Cognitive status were measured using Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) for global function, Digit Span for attention and working memory; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) for verbal memory. Participants were categorised in three cognitive groups; SA, UA and MCI. SA group were those without diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, cancer, heart diseases and stroke, had normal scores in MMSE (score of >22), optimum self-rated health and no functional limitations measured using Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questionnaire (IADL). Participants with MCI had subjective information of cognitive impairment from caretakers, minimum or low functional limitation, global function with ≤ 19 score on MMSE and 1 SD from below the normal mean of the group for Digit Span and RAVLT. Older adults with UA had minimal or no functional limitation and average scores of MMSE, Digit Span and RAVLT which were between the scores of SA and MCI group. Data was collected among 1291 participants in Phase three of LRGS TUA study. Data was analysed for differences among the three groups using one way ANOVA test. The results showed that majority of older adults were categorized as UA group (71.14%), followed by SA (15.19% ) and MCI (12.72%). Higher performance in physical performance measures except in SRT were demonstrated in SA group compared to MCI and UA groups. Post hoc Sheffe test showed that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the SA and UA group for all tests except for HGT and SRT. MCI and UA groups were significantly different (p < 0.05) in STS, TUG and GST tests. The results suggested that UA and MCI groups had reduced physical performance in lower limb muscle strength, mobility, balance and walking speed compared SA group. Promoting optimum physical performance is important among older adults for successful ageing