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.

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.

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.

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

Solid waste collection has been a major challenge for local council Municipal workers in urban areas where the population is growing rapidly and the need for local councils to ensure they provide service to clear solid waste in a timely manner without disrupting the existing system. This case study is a review of awareness of health and safety among municipal workers on solid waste collection. The study is an examination of such awareness in Malaysia which involves the Petaling Jaya City Council in the state of Selangor. We review the operating system of the Petaling Jaya City Council and the risks which are being exposed to the municipal workers in their daily operations. Health and Safety of municipal workers in the areas of public health, safety, and industrial hygiene has been a concern for a long time. In most cases the majority of municipal workers exposed are from the contractual aspect of outsourced labour. It is important to understand how large the area of a solid waste is and to identify, evaluate, and eliminate or control risks and hazards across the operation zone of the municipal workers which involves environmental and occupational demands. The data we find provides the latest perspectives on topics of widespread concern such contractors management, ergonomic safety, confined space, motor vehicle safety, machinery safety, fall hazard safety, electrical safety and emergency response. Management of legal requirements is also discovered to be important to ensure any organization conducting business is not in violation of any law, and if there is a change of process how is this being addressed. Finally, we look at the control measures needed to support a operation on a large scale where it will not endanger the health and safety of municipal workers when they are involved in solid waste management. The recommendation we have based on the review are to ensure there is a holistic approach and systems in place to address all the concerns that will be faced by the local municipal council in their daily operations and responsibilities at every level of the organization. Conclusion: Research material and data related to this area is limited and we hope future holistic research can be conducted to future enhance the study of health and safety effecting the municipal workers. Health and Safety management system and procedures are the key elements in ensuring a successful organization.
Awareness ; safety and health ; solid waste ; municipal workers ; collection ; Petaling Jaya

This paper presents a review of plants identified from various ethno botanical surveys and folklore medicinal survey with Wound healing activity. Wound is defined as the disruption of the cellular and anatomic continuity of a tissue. Wound may be produced by physical, chemical, thermal, microbial or immunological insult to the tissues. The process of wound healing consists of integrated cellular and biochemical events leading to re-establishment of structural and functional integrity with regain of strength in injured tissues.This review discuss about Wound healing potential of plants, its botanicalname, Common name, family, part used and references, which are helpful for researcher to development new Wound healing formulations for human use.

Objective: To determine the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity profile of the hydroalcoholic extract of Acorus calamus (HAE-AC) in mice and rats respectively. Methods: In acute toxicity study, mice were assessed to any alteration of general behavior and mortality rate within 24 h. Further, in sub-acute toxicity study, rats were used for assessment of mortality, body weight, hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes. Results: Single oral administrations of the HAE-AC 2500-10000 mg/kg induced increase in general behavioral abnormalities in mice. The mortality rate also increased with increasing dosage (median lethal dose; LD50 = 5 070.59 mg/kg). Daily single oral doses of HAE-AC 200, 500 and 1 000 mg/kg were observed to be well tolerated behaviorally after 28 days of dosing and induced no significant changes in body and organs weights of rats. Further, a mild rise in the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and histopatholological changes in liver tissue was noted at 1000 mg/kg dose of HAE-AC. Conclusions: Overall, the findings of this study indicate that, HAE-AC is non-toxic and has at high dose, a mild but acceptable toxicity potential.