Standardisation

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is one of the most important culinary and medicinal mushroom having anticancerous properties in the world. Traditionally, Shiitake has been cultivated on oak logs but recently there is a trend to cultivate it on sterilized or pasteurized substrates in order to increase yield and to reduce the time of its growth cycle. Mushroom cultivation has received little attention in most developing countries where millions of tons of lignocellulose rich wastes are unused. The present work aimed to determine the ideal culture medium, optimum temperature and pH for the invitro vegetative growth of Shiitake mushroom. The mushroom was found to grow best in Malt extract peptone dextrose agar medium followed by oat meal agar at an optimum temperature of 20 ºC and pH of 6.00.

In this study, thirteen simple coumarin derivatives were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The test results showed that the coumarin derivatives used, especially the 8, 11, 12 and 13 derivatives, were more susceptible to gram positive bacteria. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of compound 11 was observed to be promising. Insertion analyzes were applied to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between coumarin compounds and target proteins (selected from S. aureus and C. albicans). Compound 11 exhibited high binding affinity for CYP51 (-7.32 kcal/mol) and strong protein-ligand molecular interactions. As a result, it is stated that 11 is open to various chemical modifications and has a good initial skeletal molecular structure for antifungal compound designs.

Objectives: To assess the post-operative analgesic requirement of non-closure of the visceral and parietal peritoneum at open appendectomy as compared to suture peritonization. Design: A randomized double-blind controlled trail was performed on 100 patients who underwent open appendectomy. Main outcome measures: Post-operative pain scores as assessed by visual analogue scale and analgesic requirement. Results: Pain scores at 24 hours were less in non-closure than closure group and analgesic requirement was significantly lesser in non-closure than closure group after 24 hours. Conclusion: In conclusion, not suturing the peritoneum at the appendectomy has beneficial effects on post-operative pain and we also emphasise the absence of short term morbidity when peritoneum is not closed. Therefore we recommend the non-closure of peritoneum at appendectomy.

Background: Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are a wide range of pathological conditions that affect all intra-abdominal tissues and organs. These include both inflammation of individual organs and any type of peritonitis (primary, secondary, tertiary), where the severity of the disease often depends on the spread of inflammation-local or diffuse peritonitis. Methods: In this article ,we present a review and analysis of current definitions, classifications, and approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Results and Conclusions: IAIs remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in modern surgical practice worldwide. Early and accurate clinical diagnosis, adequate local control, appropriate antimicrobial therapy according to the patient's risk factors and infection, and prompt resuscitation in critically ill patients are the cornerstones of IAI management. The application of the principles of evidence-based medicine and the individual approach to patients is crucial for optimizing results.

MODUS (Mobile Docker for Underwater Sciences) has been developed, manufactured and tested during the EU project GEOSTAR 2 (GEophysical and Oceanographic STation for Abyssal Research) in the framework of Marine Science and Technology Programme (MAST-III), [GEOSTAR,2001]. Aim of the MODUS development, as one part of the project, is to establish a new deep water intervention technology supporting versatile research activities in water depth down to 4000 m. The MODUS system consequently focuses on a modular design with the ability to adapt to a large variety of scientific applications like remotely controlled deployment/recovery of large and heavy Bottom Stations or exact operation of deep-sea sampling rosettes. The paper highlights the development phase of MODUS with the iterative optimisation process of 3d CAD design and hydrodynamic/hydroelastic investigations, illustrated by three concurrent design variants. The paper presents first results from deep-sea operations in the Tyrrhenian...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 types of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on walking distance and measures of pain in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and intermittent claudication (IC). In a phase 2a study, 40 participants with PAD and IC completed a graded treadmill test on 2 separate testing occasions. Active TENS was applied to the lower limb on the first occasion; and placebo TENS, on the second. The participants were divided into 2 experimental groups. One group received high-frequency TENS; and the other, low-frequency TENS. Measures taken were initial claudication distance, functional claudication distance, and absolute claudication distance. The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) vocabulary was completed at the end of the intervention, and the MPQ–Pain Rating Index score was calculated. Four participants were excluded from the final analysis because of noncompletion of the experimental procedure. Median walking dis...

Standardized schemas, databases, and public data repositories are needed for the studies of malaria vectors that encompass a remarkably diverse array of designs and rapidly generate large data volumes, often in resource-limited tropical settings lacking specialized software or informatics support. Data from the majority of mosquito studies conformed to a generic schema, with data collection forms recording the experimental design, sorting of collections, details of sample pooling or subdivision, and additional observations. Generically applicable forms with standardized attribute definitions enabled rigorous, consistent data and sample management with generic software and minimal expertise. Forms use now includes 20 experiments, 8 projects, and 15 users at 3 research and control institutes in 3 African countries, resulting in 11 peer-reviewed publications. We have designed generic data schema that can be used to develop paper or electronic based data collection forms depending on th...

In schizophrenic patients, quality of life (QoL) studies often find high levels of general life satisfaction and satisfaction in various life domains despite deprived living conditions. Therefore, the usefulness of QoL as an outcome indicator has been questioned. Since social comparison processes have been postulated to be related to the level of satisfaction, this hypothesis was analysed empirically by the present study in schizophrenic patients. Satisfaction and social comparisons of 148 schizophrenic inpatients and 66 mentally healthy controls were examined with regard to the domains ‘health’ and ‘family’ by means of a standardised interview. The schizophrenic patients had a history of either long-term (n = 75) or short-term (n = 73) restricted and deprived living conditions. Long-term patients showed significantly higher satisfaction levels than short-term patients. They compared themselves predominantly laterally or downwards with fellow inpatients. Significant relationships be...

Intraabdominal abscess formation occurs in up to 30% of patients suffering from Crohn´s disease (CD). While international guidelines recommend a step-up approach with a combination of empiric antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage to delay or even avoid surgery, evidence about microbial spectrum in penetrating ileitis is sparse. We retrospectively assessed outcomes of 46 patients with terminal penetrating Ileitis where microbial diagnostics have been performed and compared microbial spectrum and antibiotic resistance profile of CD patients with patients suffering from diverticulitis with intraabdominal abscess formation. In both groups, the most frequently isolated pathogen was the gram-negative bacterium E. coli belonging to the family of Enterobacterales. However, overall Enterobacterales were significantly more often verifiable in the control group than in CD patients. Furthermore, microbial analysis showed significant differences regarding isolation of anaerobic pathogens ...