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Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, a Gram-negative bacterium, presents a concerning challenge in healthcare, notably in NICUs and among immunocompromised patients. These abstract reviews its clinical impact and antibiotic resistance through a case report of a premature infant diagnosed with sepsis and meningitis. Despite susceptibility to levofloxacin, resistance to multiple antibiotics complicates treatment. The discussion emphasizes early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, and stringent infection control measures to mitigate outbreaks. Enhanced diagnostics and standardized antibiotic testing are crucial for improved patient outcomes. This highlights the evolving threat of E. meningoseptica in healthcare and the necessity for proactive infection control strategies.

ABSTRACTA newly designed DC–AC three phase bidirectional converter (DATBC) with an encapsulated DC–DC converter (EDC) for the energy storage system (ESD) is analysed and investigated in this research paper. By using encapsulated or embedded or hidden DC–DC converter a stable and constant DC bus is developed between the encapsulated DC–DC converter and DC–AC three phase bidirectional converter. The proposed converter is entirely different from the traditional dual-stage DC–AC converter, because it takes less than 20% of power used for the DC–AC conversion process. So, this reduced power consumption increases efficiency to a considerable value. A new control technique for zero sequence has been adopted components are inserted in the modulating signal based on carrier pulse width modulation (CPWM). Working principle, implementation and characteristics of the DC–AC three phase bidirectional converter are analysed. Effectiveness and feasibility of the developed converter are examined with a proto-type model.

Context: Thyroid hormones play an important role in reproductive and sexual function in both sexes. Comprehensive information on the ill-effects of hypothyroidism on Leydig cell, Sertoli cell and germ cell function is lacking in the existing literature. Aims: To investigate the effect of primary hypothyroidism and its treatment on testicular function – Sertoli cell, Leydig cells, seminal fluid and spermatozoa. Methods and Material: This study was carried out as a descriptive study with a before-after study design in the endocrine department of a tertiary care hospital in South India. Forty treatment naïve, overtly primary hypothyroid, consenting male patients were included. Hormones assessed were free T3, free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone, follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], prolactin, testosterone, inhibin B[INHB], and insulin like factor 3[INSL3]. Semen analysis was done according to WHO 2010 guidelines in 37 subjects. Sexual function questionnaires like Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male [ADAM], and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale [ASEX] were used. After ensuring euthyroid state for consecutive 6 months with adequate dose of thyroxine sodium, reassessment of all parameters was done. Results: At baseline, 72.5 % had a low serum testosterone value (< 230 ng/dl), 67.56 % had low total sperm motility, 72.97% had low total progressive sperm motility, 80% had low ADAM score and 72.72% had low ASEX score. A raised prolactin level was seen in 32.5% of study subjects. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was more common than hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (89.66% vs. 10.34%). On restoration of euthyroidism, all these parameters improved. Serum INSL3 and LH increased significantly after thyroxine replacement, unlike FSH and INHB. Conclusions: Leydig cell function seemed more severely affected by hypothyroidism as compared to Sertoli cell function. Among sperm function parameters, motility was predominantly affected.

ABSTRACT Background: Mupirocin has been used for the treatment of skin infections and for the eradication of the nasal carriage of Methicillin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The increased use of this antibiotic has been accompanied by its resistance, resulting in treatment failures. Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalences of low and high level Mupirocin resistance among the clinical isolates of Staphylococcus species which were obtained from pyogenic infections. Material and Method: Clinical samples such as wound swabs, tissues and pus which were submitted to the microbiology laboratory during a period of six months were screened for the growth of Staphylococcus species, which were identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus species by the routine microbiological procedures. All the isolates were tested for their Mupirocin susceptibilities by using 5 and 200 µg discs and their resistance was confirmed from their Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs). Result: Out of 400 samples, 150 samples grew Staphylococcus species, of which 113 were Staphylococcus aureus and 37 were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS). Only 5(3.3%) mupirocin resistant Staphylococcus species: three high level and two low level strains were detected. The MICs for the two low level and three high level Mupirocin resistant strains were 256 mg/L and ≥512mg/L each respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that the screening for mupirocin resistance, in terms of high-level and low-level resistance among the Staphylococcus species from patients with skin and soft tissue infections is warranted and that it is important for the clinicians in selecting the appropriate, empirical, topical, antimicrobial therapy. It also provides useful information about the prevalence of these resistant pathogens.

Tubo-ovarian abscesses can rupture spontaneously after a manual examination or an accidental trauma. A critically ill patient with septic peritonitis will only deteriorate if timely surgical removal of pus is not done. The operation of choice is removal of free pus, together with the abscess, the uterus, the tubes and usually, the ovaries. Anatomy is distorted, dependable landmarks are obscured and tissues are thick and oedematous. Loops of densely adhered intestine are difficult to separate. If an intra peritoneal approach is used, it is likely that the fragments of ovary will be left behind. This can subsequently cause signs and symptoms of ovarian remnant syndrome. Injury to the serosa of distended bowel occurs inadvertently, thus increasing the morbidity which results from the procedure. We are hereby presenting a unique case of a ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess where a retroperitoneal approach was used.

Low birth weight and fetal loss are commonly attributed to malaria in endemic areas, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie these poor birth outcomes are incompletely understood. Increasing evidence suggests that dysregulated hemostasis is important in malaria pathogenesis, but its role in placental malaria (PM), characterized by intervillous sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum, proinflammatory responses, and excessive fibrin deposition is not known. To address this question, markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis were assessed in placentae from malaria-exposed primigravid women. PM was associated with significantly elevated placental monocyte and proinflammatory marker levels, enhanced perivillous fibrin deposition, and increased markers of activated coagulation and suppressed fibrinolysis in placental plasma. Submicroscopic PM was not proinflammatory but tended to be procoagulant and antifibrinolytic. Birth weight trended downward in association with placental parasitemia and high fibrin score. To directly assess the importance of coagulation in malaria-induced compromise of pregnancy, Plasmodium chabaudi AS-infected pregnant C57BL/6 mice were treated with the anticoagulant, low molecular weight heparin. Treatment rescued pregnancy at midgestation, with substantially decreased rates of active abortion and reduced placental and embryonic hemorrhage and necrosis relative to untreated animals. Together, the results suggest that dysregulated hemostasis may represent a novel therapeutic target in malaria-compromised pregnancies.

A joint determination of the reactor antineutrino spectra resulting from the fission of ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu has been carried out by the Daya Bay and PROSPECT Collaborations. This Letter reports the level of consistency of ^{235}U spectrum measurements from the two experiments and presents new results from a joint analysis of both data sets. The measurements are found to be consistent. The combined analysis reduces the degeneracy between the dominant ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu isotopes and improves the uncertainty of the ^{235}U spectral shape to about 3%. The ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu antineutrino energy spectra are unfolded from the jointly deconvolved reactor spectra using the Wiener-SVD unfolding method, providing a data-based reference for other reactor antineutrino experiments and other applications. This is the first measurement of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu spectra based on the combination of experiments at low- and highly enriched uranium reactors.

The use of fibers to strengthen tension-weak matrices dates back over 4500 years. Since the rise of Portland cement concrete, fibers have been added to improve strength and prevent cracking, though progress in fiber reinforcement was slow until the 1960s. Typically, fibers like steel and glass are used to enhance concrete's durability and crack resistance. This project evaluates the compressive strength of aramid fiber-reinforced concrete at 3, 7, and 28 days, comparing it to regular and other fiber-reinforced concretes (M20 grade). While steel fibers offer the highest strength, glass fibers resist cracking, and aramid fibers provide strength and crack resistance. Fiber-reinforced concrete is now widely used in slabs, shotcrete, panels, precast items, seismic structures, repairs, and more. This study highlights aramid fibers' integration, particularly in innovative concrete applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the significance of elections in sustaining democracy, with a focus on the impact of local government elections in India. Urban local bodies, tracing their origins to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley and evolving through historical periods, play a crucial role in local administration. The article details the structure and functioning of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities, highlighting their legal foundations, administrative frameworks, and the roles of elected officials. A significant portion is devoted to the increasing participation of women in local politics, facilitated by constitutional amendments and state policies reserving seats for women. The article underscores the progress in women's political involvement, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where a significant number of mayoral positions in Municipal Corporations are now reserved for women, reflecting broader efforts to enhance gender representation in governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butterflies represent one of the most popular and readily identifiable insect taxa. The annual migration of Appias spp. (Albatross butterflies) is common in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (AWS), India. During migration, the butterflies moving along the stream course often settle down in masses across a mudpuddling site. This study sheds light on the multifaceted interplay between soil parameters and the mud-puddling aggregation behavior observed in Albatross butterflies within the AWS. The results revealed no significant differences in most soil nutrients between the mud-puddling sites (MS) and control sites (CS). However, the moisture content and available sodium content were significantly greater in the MS treatment (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.002, respectively). Hence, more moisture (avg_35.95% in MS than avg_0.99% in CS) and more sodium (avg_34 mg/kg in MS than avg_15.11 mg/kg in CS) were found to play significant roles in the behavior of certain species, such as A. albina, A. wardii, and A. lyncida. The majority of the tested soil parameters exhibited weak correlations with the density of butterflies (the r values of pH, moisture, N, C, S, Cu, Cd, Zn and Mn were -0.48, -0.59, -0.35, -0.30, -0.36, +0.16, -0.18, -0.18 and -0.005, respectively). Notably, sodium and potassium were the sole minerals exhibiting a strong positive correlation with the density of mudpuddling Appias spp. (r = +0.78 and r = +0.77, respectively), emphasizing the significance of sodium and potassium in shaping the density of Albatrosses engaged in mud-puddling behavior. Many butterflies employ visual cues to locate these resources. Hence, this study also explored the preference of Appias spp. for conspecific paper decoys for directing butterflies to puddle sites. The presence of conspecific decoys noticeably drew butterflies, underscoring the significance of visual cues in butterfly behavior. Additional studies in this domain could enhance our understanding of butterfly ecology and the mechanisms governing their decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]