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Thetravelling salesman problem (TSP) with the usual closed-loop setup has been extensively considered. However, TSP with open-loop variant arises in several real-time transportationmodels but has been given very limited attention. This paper addresses anopen k-city travelling salesman problem with ordered constraint (kOTSPO), a variant of an openTSP in which the salesman need not return to the home city, enough to traverse k out of n cities and certain cities should be visited in the predetermined order. Although a wide variety of solution techniques for solving TSP and its variants are available in the literature, most of them are heuristic or meta-heuristic algorithmsdue to their NPhard nature. Thus, very less consideration has been attained for the exact algorithms. This paper develops an exact Lexi-search algorithm (LSA) that effectively enumerates the feasible solutions and the exact solution can be obtained systematically. As there is no existing study on the current model, no comparative results are reported. A numerical example is also illustrated in the provision of the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The emergence of resistant pathogenic microorganisms against conventional antimicrobials has become a global concern. To combat new and re-emerging infectious illnesses, new antimicrobial agents with different chemical structures and novel modes of action are required. Therefore, this study evaluated ethanolic extracts of Phyllanthus niruri for their antimicrobial activities against Candida species isolated from different clinical samples. Materials and Methods: This involved the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for the identification of Candida species. The ethanolic extraction of P. niruri leaves was examined. The agar well diffusion method was used to determine the antifungal activity of the leaf extracts against standard American Type Culture Collection strains as well as clinical isolates of Candida species. Results: Using PCR-RFLP, Candida tropicalis was found to be the most prevalent species of Candida, followed by Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis. The ethanol extract of P. nirui leaves showed good activity against all the clinical and standard strains of Candida which were comparable to the standard drug fluconazole. The activity of P. niruri against C. albicans was highest followed by C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and C. krusei at a concentration of 100 mg/ml. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the use of P. niruri plant to treat Candida infections, particularly fluconazole-resistant Candida species.

Background: Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is a communicable disease, found only in man and occurs due to systemic infection mainly by Salmonella typhi organisms. Blood culture is regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis and carry 70-75% diagnostic yield in the first week of illness. Aims and Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of Widal test and dot ELISA with blood culture in the early diagnosis of Typhoid fever. Materials and Methods: A Cross-Sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital for a period of 18 months. Patients presenting with acute febrile illness suspicious of typhoid fever accompanied by clinical signs and symptoms of typhoid fever in the absence of any other known febrile illnesses, were included in the study. Widal and Dot ELISA was performed using serum samples and for blood culture aseptically collected blood was used. Results: Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV of DOT ELISA as compared to Blood culture for typhoid positivity was found to be 92.6%, 83.7%, 55.6% and 98.1% respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of DOT ELISA as compared to Blood culture was found to be 85.3%. Conclusion: For both early and late diagnosis of typhoid fever with high sensitivity as well as accuracy for identification of typhoid fever, the rapid diagnostic test (Dot Elisa) is better than the Widal test. However, it may be an increased burden to healthcare owing to a low positive predictive value in a low prevalence scenario.

Objective: Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) has become a potential peril in intensive care unit (ICU), operation theater (OT) as well as postoperative wards. Those infections are often caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. Health-care workers (HCWs), who are taking care of sick patients, often colonize and transmit microorganism from infected to noninfected patient causing HCAIs. The purpose of this study was for surveillance of potential pathogens as hand carriage among HCWs. Materials and Methods: Hand swabs were collected from palmar surface and interdigital space of predominant hands of HCWs working in ICU, OT, and postoperative wards. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the potential pathogen isolates including Staphylococcus spp. was also determined for several antibiotics. Methicillin resistance was detected using cefoxitin 30 μg disc. Results: In our study, among 199 HCWs, there was a high carriage rate of Staphylococcus spp. in hands 98 (49.2%) (male: female 1:1). Among Staphylococcus spp., Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) was around 69 (34.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus was around 29 (14.5%). (including methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA] and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci [MR-CoNS]). Nearly 65% in MRSA and 75% MR-CoNS were macrolide resistant also. The MRSA hand carriage was significantly high in HCWs having

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is considered to be second most common nosocomial infection patients requiring critical care. Aims and Objective: The present study was conducted to study the role of colonizers and importance of surveillance cultures of endotracheal aspirate (ETA) in the diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital in Lucknow. Materials and Methods: An observational longitudinal study was conducted over a period of 2 years, on a total of 210 critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation for >48hrs, to identify the common isolates from ETA culture. Follow up of such patients was done to know the role of these isolates in causation of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). Patients fulfilling both clinical Pulmonary infection score (CPIS>6) and microbiological criteria were diagnosed as VAP. Those microorganisms with a colony count of less

Context Efforts to find a better adjuvant in regional anesthesia have been underway since long. Dexmedetomidine and sodium bicarbonate have been proven to be effective in providing the same pharmacological benefit through two different mechanisms of action. In this study, we sought to investigate which is superior between the two. Aims The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and sodium bicarbonate as adjuvants to lidocaine in epidural anesthesia. Settings and design This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Materials and methods Sixty patients scheduled for lower-limb trauma orthopedic surgeries under epidural anesthesia were divided into two groups group D and group S, with 30 patients in each. Patients in group D received 12.5 ml of 2% lidocaine+dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg in 1.5 ml solution, making a total volume of 14 ml. Patients in group S received 12.5 ml of 2% lidocaine+1.5 ml of 7.5% sodium bicarbonate, making a total volume of 14 ml. Onset, time for peak sensory level, time for two-segment regression, and the total mephentermine consumed to maintain the hemodynamics were recorded, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results The onset of sensory block was quicker in group D. The time for attaining peak sensory level and the mephentermine consumption was nearly the same in both groups. The time for two-segment regression was more in group D than in group S. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine is more effective than sodium bicarbonate in hastening the onset and prolonging the duration of blockade when used as an adjuvant to epidural lidocaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Infectious diarrhea is leading infectious cause of childhood morbidity, hospitalizations, and mortality particularly in children living in developing countries like India. The etiological agents differ depending on geographical area, and recent data suggest increase in drug resistance to various enteropathogens. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate emerging diarrheal agents and antimicrobial resistance profile of bacterial pathogens from children (

Background: Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) has become a potential risk worldwide. Staphylococcus spp., especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the frequent causes of HCAIs. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS), previously considered as contaminants, now emerged as opportunist nosocomial pathogens for causing HCAIs such as bloodstream infections. Health-care workers (HCWs) play a role in colonizing and transmit microorganism to patient causing HCAIs. The purpose of this study was for surveillance of MRSA and MR-CoNS as nasal colonizer among HCWs and its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from 214 HCWs such as doctor, nurse, sweepers, ward boy, and operation theatre (OT) assistant working in Intensive Care Unit and OT and ward. Methicillin resistance among the Staphylococcus spp. isolates were detected using cefoxitin 30 μg disc. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the Staphylococcus spp. isolates were also determined for several other antibiotics. Results: Of 214 nasal swabs collected from HCWs, 97.6% of doctors, 93.2% of nurses, and 94.6% of sweepers showed growth of Staphylococcus spp. MRSA was 13%, 6.7%, and 14.2% in samples obtained from anterior nares of doctors, nurses, and sweepers, respectively. MR-CoNS were 41.6%, 32.4%, and 32.1% in samples obtained from anterior nares of doctors, nurses, and sweepers, respectively. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistance Staphylococcus spp. carriage is very high among HCWs in our tertiary care center. Our study created awareness among HCWs by educating them about nasal carriage of MDR organisms.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of antiretroviral drugs (indinavir, ritonavir, atazanavir, efavirenz and nevirapine) on the pharmacodynamics of gliclazide in rats (normal and diabetic) and rabbits with respect to glucose-insulin homeostasis to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the combinations. Blood samples were collected at regular time intervals in rats from retro orbital puncture and by marginal ear vein puncture in rabbits. All the blood samples were analyzed for blood glucose by glucose oxidase-peroxidase method and insulin by a radio immuno assay method. The insulin resistance index and β-cell function were determined by a homeostasis model assessment. Indinavir and ritonavir alone had significant impact on glucose-insulin homeostasis in animal models among the antiretroviral drugs used in our study. In combination, indinavir and efavirenz significantly reduced the activity of gliclazide, while ritonavir and atazanavir significantly increased the activity of gliclazide. However, nevirapine had no significant effect on the activity of gliclazide. From this study we conclude that glucose-insulin homeostasis disorders associated with antiretroviral drugs are not class-specific, but are drug-specific. So care should be taken when indinavir, ritonavir, atazanavir and efavirenz are prescribed for diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Concomitant drug administration is a general phenomenon in patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Among the currently available oral antidiabetic drugs, gliclazide is a commonly prescribed drug considering its multiple benefits in diabetic patients. Aprepitant is a commonly prescribed antiemetic drug which is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4, reported to have modest inductive and inhibitory effects on CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, respectively. Since gliclazide is metabolized by CYP2C9 (major) and CYP3A4 (minor), it is very difficult to predict the influence of aprepitant and its metabolic interaction with gliclazide. Considering the complexity associated with the combination of aprepitant and gliclazide, this study was designed to evaluate the influence of aprepitant on the pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of gliclazide in animal models. Methods The PD interaction studies were conducted in both rodent (normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats) and non-rodent (rabbits) animal models (n = 6) while the PK interaction study was conducted in normal rabbits (n = 6). An extrapolated human therapeutic oral dose of gliclazide, aprepitant and their combination were administered to rats and rabbits with 7 days washout between each treatment. For the multiple-dose interaction study, the same groups were administered with an interacting drug (aprepitant) for 7 days and then the combination of aprepitant and gliclazide on the 8th day. From the collected animal blood samples, blood glucose (by Glucose-Oxidase/Peroxidase method), insulin (by ELISA method) and gliclazide concentration levels (by HPLC method) were determined. Non-compartmental PK analysis was conducted by Phoenix WinNonlin software to determine the PK parameters of gliclazide. Statistical analysis was performed by student’s paired t-test. Results The pharmacodynamic activity (blood glucose reduction and insulin levels) of gliclazide was significantly (p

Introduction: Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis (SFR), an acute febrile illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, R. conorii and R. akari which is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. SFR is one of the most covert emerging infections of the present time which is prevalent in various parts of India as shown by the increase in the number of clinically diagnosed patients in various states except Uttar Pradesh. Aim: To diagnose SFR in clinically suspected patients using serological tests and recognition of common epidemiologic situations and clinical manifestations of SFR in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: Patients of all age groups presented with a diagnosis of Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) from May 2013 to February 2015 were evaluated. Testing was done using a nonspecific Weil felix test followed by more specific Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and a gold standard Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) test for specific IgM antibodies against Rickettsia conorii. The data was statistically analysed on Graph Pad Prism (5.0) software by using Chi-square test. Results: Of the 432 patient samples tested by non specific Weil felix test, 200 (46.29 %) samples showed titre 1:80 or more and were taken as positive. Similarly out of the 432 blood samples tested by both ELISA and IFA based test against Rickettsia conorii IgM antibody, only 115 (26.62%) samples were found to be positive and these samples were also positive by Weil felix. The common symptoms noted were fever, hepatomegaly, thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy and rashes, nausea followed by icterus, cyanosis, headache, oedema and abdominal pain. Eschar was found in only four (3.4%) patients. We also found that 31 patients with SFR also had associated co-infections like typhoid, malaria, dengue and hepatitis. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that Weil Felix test can fill in as an underlying yet not sole strategy to perceive and analyse rickettsial ailments, as it needs specificity. So, it may be used to assess the burden in the area and later on other tests like ELISA or IFA can be added, as these are more specific diagnostic tests. Further, our results also showed that if a patient tests positive for the more common endemic infections, we must test for rickettsiosis so that appropriate treatment could be administered.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are one of the serious infections causing significant morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Large numbers of cases of treatment failure are being reported due to emergence of drug resistance. Early microbiological diagnosis and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern have been shown to improve treatment outcome. The present study was aimed to determine the bacterial and antimicrobial resistance profile of BSIs in a major tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Blood samples in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth submitted to the microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity during a period of 1 year were included in the study. Samples were processed as per standard protocol of laboratory for isolation and identification. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates was determined by the disc diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Out of 4862 blood samples, 494 (10.16%) isolates were obtained. Of these isolates, 256 (51.82%) were Gram-negative and 230 (46.56%) were Gram-positive bacteria. The most commonly identified organism was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) (25.91%) followed by Acinetobacter spp. (20.24%) and Escherichia coli (14.98%). Gram-negative bacteria showed a higher rate of resistance as compared with Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusion: High prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was noted in this study, especially in Gram-negative bacteria. Hence, appropriate treatment of BSIs should be based on the current knowledge of bacterial resistance profile as provided by microbiology laboratory. It would be advisable for the clinicians to mandate antimicrobial sensitivity testing for suspected cases of BSIs.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of Nosocomial Infection (NI) and type of bacteriological isolates among the patients admitted in the medical and surgical wards of a non-teaching secondary care hospital in north India. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital based study conducted in the Wards of General Medicine, General Surgery and Orthopaedic of the hospital. The patient were admitted in the department for various surgical procedures, without evidence of initial infection, were included in the study. Results: A total of 176 patients were included in the study of which 82 were from Medical and 94 from Surgical ward. Overall incidence of NI was found to be 26.1% (Medical ward=28%, Surgical ward=24.5%., p=0.58). The isolation rate of Acinetobacter baumannii was (p=0.15) higher among the patients of medical ward (95.7%) than surgical ward (82.6). Escherichia coli was isolated in 89.1% and no significant difference was observed between medical and surgical wards. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in 50% patients and was almost similar (p=0.37) in medical surgical wards. The isolation rate of Pseudomonos aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase negative staphylococci were 43.5%, 73.9%, 34.8% and 17.4% respectively. A significant difference was observed in the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis (p=0.007) and Coagulase negative staphylococci (p=0.002) between medical and surgical wards. Overall, among the patients who developed NI, 27.2% patient’s bacterial isolates were Gram positive (Surgical=64.1, Medical=80%). Conclusion: The incidence of NI is increasing in the hospitals, so extensive that more care has to be taken in cleaning the wards of the hospitals.

Background: Citrobacter is an important nosocomial pathogen and its multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates are increasingly being reported across the globe. They are known to produce extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) and harbor CTX-M gene. Objective: The aim was to isolate Citrobacter sp. from clinical specimens, analyze their MDR status and look for the presence of CTX-M gene. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, Citrobacter isolates positive for ESBL on screening, were confirmed by combined disc method along with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for cefotaxime. In selected cefotaxime resistant isolates, multiplex polymerase chain reaction was done for blaCTX-M gene. Results: Of 146 Citrobacter sp. isolated, most (73%) were from admitted patients and hospital stay of >72 h and prior antibiotic intake were the most common associated factors. Maximum isolates were from pus (41.1%). Citrobacter freundii was the commonest species (49%) followed by Citrobacter koseri (28%); 79 were ESBL producers. Seventy were cefotaxime resistant as shown by MIC. blaCTX-M gene was detected in 15/40 of these isolates, all belonged to CTX-M group 1. Conclusion: Overall incidence of Citrobacter in our setup is low, but they were mostly MDR, and ESBL production was high, which is a cause of concern. blaCTX-M gene detection is important because of its rapid transmission to other bacterial species.

Background: Antifungal susceptibility testing remains an area of intense interest because of the increasing number of clinical isolates resistant to antifungal therapy. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute has proposed reference broth micro dilution (BMD) method for susceptibility testing. The reference method is time-consuming and poorly suited for the routine clinical laboratory setting. Agar-based susceptibility testing methods, disk diffusion (DD) method and the E-test method can be an easier, reliable and less time consuming alternative for the BMD method. Aim: To compare the results of Amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, and Caspofungin susceptibility testing by DD, and the E-test method with the CLSI reference method for clinical Candida isolates. Materials and Methods: Broth Microdilution (BMD), E-test and Disk diffusion testing of the various clinical Candida isolates was performed in accordance with CLSI documents. The results obtained were analysed and compared. Results: The categorical agreement for Amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, and Caspofungin susceptibility results by E-test and DD method was 65.2%, 67.4%; 100%, 82.6%; 100%, 100%; 100%, 97.8% respectively. Conclusion: The agar-based E-test and disk diffusion methods are reliable alternatives to the BMD method for Candida isolates when test susceptible to fluconazole, voriconazole, and Caspofungin, however the susceptibility testing results must be interpreted with caution in case of Amphotericin B.

Background: Clinical importance of Aspergillus has increased over the past few decades because of rise in immunosuppressive drugs and immune-modulating diseases. Antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus is rarely performed by clinical laboratories because of lack of easier method. This study has investigated and compared susceptibility pattern of Aspergillus isolates by disc diffusion, E-test and broth microdilution for amphotericin B, voriconazole and caspofungin. Materials and Methods: Disk diffusion (DD) method of antifungal susceptibility (AFS) was evaluated for three different classes of antifungals: amphotericin B (AMB), voriconazole (VCZ) and caspofungin (CAS). Forty four clinical isolates of Aspergillus were selected; these included 34 A.fumigatus, 8 A.flavus and 2 A. terreus. AFS by DD and E-test was done on non-supplemented Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) and was compared to Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute(CLSI) broth micro-dilution (BMD) method of AFS. Results: Disk diffusion method for amphotericin B showed 87.5% agreement while E-test showed 93.8% agreement with broth micro-dilution. The agreement with broth microdilution was similar for both disk diffusion and E-test in case of voriconazole (93.8%) and caspofungin (100%). 31.8% and 9.1% Aspergillus isolates were found to have amphotericin B and voriconazole MIC values above epidemiological cut off value (ECV) respectively. All isolates were within ECV for caspofungin. Conclusion: CLSI method of DD promises to be easier, reproducible and cost effective method of susceptibility testing, but this method must be interpreted with caution in case of amphotericin B susceptibility testing. E-test correlates better than DD with BMD.

Background: Invasive candidiasis, caused mostly by Candida albicans and C. tropicalis is one of the most common causes of bloodstream infection with a substantial attributable mortality. This disease is associated with formation of structured, multilayered microbial communities known as biofilms over indwelling devices. Treatment is rendered difficult owing to factors like poor drug penetration through biofilms and high cost of the available antifungal drugs. Hence there is imminent need of developing low-cost natural compounds inhibiting Candidal biofilm formation in vitro. Organohalgen compounds derived from crude culture filtrate of Aspergillus flavus have been documented to impair in vitro Candidal survival. Aim: We aimed to detect the effect of preheated and unheated crude culture filtrate of Aspergillus flavus on biofilm formation of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis in vitro. Setting and Designs: Ours was a laboratory-based observational study with clinical isolates of the microorganisms selected randomly. Material and Methods: In this study, we showed for the first time by microtitre plate method that heat stable compounds which were present in preheated and unheated culture filtrates of Aspergillus flavus inhibited biofilm formation of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis and also lipase activities of these pathogens, and filtrate was non-toxic on human cell line as checked microscopically. Statistical Analysis used: Z-test of significance was used to calculate significant difference between Candidal biofilm formation in normal liquid medium and culture filtrate, respectively. Results and Conclusion: Heat stable compounds present in culture filtrate of Aspergillus flavus inhibit biofilm formation of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis and also in-vitro lipase activity of these pathogens and could pave the way for development of low-cost alternatives to treat invasive candidiasis.

Background: This study assessed biofilm formations of P.aeruginosa which was isolated from patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs). Objective: This study was conducted to compare different methods of biofilm formations seen in P. aeruginosa which was obtained from LRTI patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated a total of 80 P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from LRTI patients by different methods. Tube method (TM), tissue culture plate (TCP) method and modified tissue culture plate (MTCP) method. They were subjected to biofilm detection methods. Results: The MTCP method produced a higher accuracy ratio than TCP method. In terms of sensitivity and specificity, the MTCP method was considered to be superior to TM. We observed a higher antibiotic resistance in biofilm producing bacteria than in non-biofilm producers. Conclusion: In our study, MTCP was found to be more sensitive and specific method for biofilm detection than TCP and TM.

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes may occur as a result of HIV infection and/or its treatment. Gliclazide is a widely used drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Efavirenz and nevirapine are widely used non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection. The role of Efavirenz and nevirapine on the pharmacodynamic activity of gliclazide is not currently known. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of oral administration of efavirenz and nevirapine on blood glucose and investigate their effect on the activity of gliclazide in rats (normal and diabetic) and rabbits to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the combination. Methods Studies in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats were conducted with oral doses of 2 mg/kg bd. wt. of gliclazide, 54 mg/kg bd. wt. of efavirenz or 18 mg/kg bd. wt. of nevirapine and their combination with adequate washout periods in between treatments. Studies in normal rabbits were conducted with 5.6 mg/1.5 kg bd. wt. of gliclazide, 42 mg/1.5 kg bd. wt. of efavirenz or 14 mg/1.5 kg bd. wt. of nevirapine and their combination given orally. Blood samples were collected at regular time intervals in rats from retro orbital puncture and by marginal ear vein puncture in rabbits. All the blood samples were analysed for blood glucose by GOD/POD method. Results Efavirenz and nevirapine alone have no significant effect on the blood glucose level in rats and rabbits. Gliclazide produced hypoglycaemic/antidiabetic activity in normal and diabetic rats with peak activity at 2 h and 8 h and hypoglycaemic activity in normal rabbits at 3 h. In combination, efavirenz reduced the effect of gliclazide in rats and rabbits, and the reduction was more significant with the single dose administration of efavirenz than multiple dose administration. In combination, nevirapine has no effect on the activity of gliclazide in rats and rabbits. Conclusion Thus, it can be concluded that the combination of efavirenz and gliclazide may need dose adjustment and care should be taken when the combination is prescribed for their clinical benefit in diabetic patients. The combination of nevirapine and gliclazide was safe. However, further studies are warranted.

Background: Healthcare professionals require resilience in the workplace to cope with the high demands of the job. Resilience reduces anxiety and distress following an adverse event, which orthopaedic surgeons must be prepared for. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the resilience levels of orthopaedic surgeons in one region to determine whether there are any factors which enhance it., Methods: Data from one hundred orthopaedic surgeons of varying levels was collected and compared using a validated scoring questionnaire (Connor-Davidson resilience scale 25). Scores were assessed and compared to experience level and participant demographics such as age, sex and subspeciality. Data on extracurricular activities i.e. sport, meditation/prayer and crafts were also collected., Results: There was no significant difference between the scores between genders (p = 0.74). The highest scores were found in trust grade doctors, SHOs and senior consultants. Higher resilience trends were noted for those who performed regular meditation and participated in regular arts and crafts. Those who participated in daily sports had lower resilience levels than those who participated less frequently. A concerning 13% reported that they felt pandemic had negatively impacted their resilience., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2022 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Hip fracture in elderly patients is associated with a significant mortality which may be worsened by COVID-19 infection., Objective: To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing the effect of COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in hip fracture patients in the United Kingdom (UK) during the first surge of the pandemic., Design: A systematic literature search of 9 online databases was undertaken independently by 2 reviewers using the Cochrane methodology for systematic reviews. Eligibility criteria were any study of an adult population with a hip fracture that assessed the relationship between COVID-19 infection and 30-day mortality in the UK. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model., Results: Out of 309 identified articles, 10 studies reporting on 2448 hip fracture patients met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that the estimated mortality rate in patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection was 32.5% (95% CI= 28.3 to 37.0) compared to 8.6% (95% CI= 6.3 to 11.6) in COVID-19 negative patients. Meta-analysis of 9 comparative studies showed a significantly higher mortality in patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection as compared to patients without (RR=3.937, 95% CI= 2.867 to 5.406, P<.001). Similar findings were obtained when comparing mortality in COVID-19 laboratory confirmed or clinically suspected infected vs non-infected patients (RR=4.576, 95% CI = 3.589 to 5.835, P <.001)., Conclusions: COVID-19 infection is associated with a 4-fold increase in mortality risk in hip fracture patients. Every effort should be made to avoid COVID-19 infection and nosocomial exposure in this highly vulnerable patient group., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2022.)

Background: Clavicle fractures are a common presentation to the emergency department after falls and sporting injuries. During 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought with it a long period of social isolation, resulting in a change of behavior patterns and, in return, the presentation of fractures to our local hospitals. The effects of this global pandemic on the presentation and management of clavicles were noted with particular interest to the change in mechanism and its future implications., Methods: We performed a longitudinal observational study in 10 hospitals in the North West of England, reviewing all patients presenting with a clavicle fracture during 6 weeks in the first peak of COVID-19 pandemic and compared these with the same period in 2019. Collection points included the patient demographics, fracture characteristics, mechanism of injury, and management., Results: A total of 427 clavicle fractures were assessed with lower numbers of patients presenting with a clavicle fracture during the COVID-2020 period (n = 177) compared with 2019 (n = 250). Cycling-related clavicle fractures increased 3-fold during the pandemic compared with the 2019 control group. We also noted an overall increase in clavicle fractures resulting from higher energy trauma as opposed to low energy or fragility fracture. We also found a faster time to surgery in the COVID cohort by 2.7 days on average when compared with 2019., Conclusions: Government restrictions and the encouragement of social distancing led to behavioral changes with a vast increase in cyclists on the road. This created a significant rise in clavicle fractures related to this activity. This is likely to be further driven by the government pledge to double cyclists on the road by 2025 in the United Kingdom. We forecast that this increase in cyclists, a behavior change accelerated by the pandemic, is a reliable predictor for future trauma trends., (© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.)

Introduction: Personal protective equipment (PPE) may protect health-care workers from COVID-19 infection and limit nosocomial spread to vulnerable hip fracture patients., Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey amongst orthopaedic trainees to explore PPE practice in 19 hospitals caring for hip fracture patients in the North West of England., Results: During the second wave of the pandemic, 14/19 (74%) hospitals experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 amongst staff or patients on the orthopaedic wards. An FFP3 respirator mask was used by doctors in only 6/19 (32%) hospitals when seeing patients with COVID-19 and a cough and in 5/19 (26%) hospitals when seeing asymptomatic patients with COVID-19. A COVID-19 outbreak was reported in 11/13 (85%) orthopaedic units where staff wore fluid resistant surgical masks compared to 3/6 (50%) units using an FFP3 respirator mask (RR 1.69, 95% CI 0.74-3.89) when caring for symptomatic patients with COVID-19. Similarly, a COVID-19 outbreak was reported in more orthopaedic units caring for asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 where staff wore fluid resistant surgical masks (12/14 (86%)) as compared to an FFP3 respirator mask (2/5 (40%)) (RR 2.14, 95% CI 0.72-6.4)., Conclusion: Urgent re-evaluation of PPE use is required to reduce nosocomial spread of COVID-19, amongst highly vulnerable patients with hip fracture.

This is a case of how a polytrauma patient was managed successfully. This 47-year-old woman was a victim of a detonated improvised explosive device in a terror attack. She had multiple injuries and underwent damage control surgery. She suffered significant bone loss with an open distal tibia pilon fracture, which we reconstructed with novel techniques. About 18 months postoperative, she is mobilising without the use of any aids., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

The objective of this study was to delineate the usefulness of clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in acute knee injuries. We aim to establish whether the time period post acute knee injury is related to the diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination and to investigate the strength of specific clinical examination findings in predicting a clinically relevant MRI abnormality. Seventy patients were referred to fracture clinic with an acute knee injury who subsequently went on to be investigated with MRI over 12 months. These patients were retrospectively analyzed looking at the time period they were reviewed, the components that were assessed at physical examination, and the results of their eventual MRI scan looking for any correlation. A greater proportion of patients who were examined at 2 weeks had relevant positive findings on MRI scan, p  = 0.03. Range of movement and lateral joint line tenderness were not associated with a positive MRI scan at any period after injury. The presence of a moderate to large effusion was not associated with an MRI abnormality if the examination was within 2 weeks of injury but was if present 2 weeks after injury, p  = 0.0001. Range of movement should not form part of the decision making on whether an injury should be investigated with MRI. Joint effusion in isolation within 2 weeks after injury should not be an indication for MRI but a repeat clinical examination in 2 weeks, where if still present, should be investigated with MRI., Competing Interests: None., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

We describe a rare case of recurrent laryngeal nerve neuritis secondary to sarcoidosis. A 40-year-old woman presented with persistent dysphonia. This was her first episode of dysphonia with no reports of laryngeal trauma. Fibre-optic laryngoscopy revealed a normal nasal passage, nasopharynx and pharynx. The supraglottic structures were all unremarkable; however, inspection of the true vocal cords revealed a left vocal cord palsy that was identified as being in a paramedian position. Radiological investigation showed mediastinal adenopathy that measured up to 20 mm in the short axis diameter. Histological examination showed granulomatous lymphadenitis of the lymph node with a central area of sclerosis surrounded by discrete, non-caseating granuloma. Stains for acid-fast bacilli were negative. The morphological features were suggestive of sarcoidosis. The lymphadenopathy distribution and size did not suggest left recurrent laryngeal nerve compression, giving a subsequent diagnosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve neuritis secondary to sarcoidosis., (2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Histopathological investigations have been made on the skin, liver, kidney and intestine of, (EUS) affected fish, Channa striatus and following anomalies have been observed. Varying degree of degeneration has been observed in the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis and underlying musculature. In all the cases, the skin lost the scales and epidermis completely at the site of infection. The dermis along with hypodermis showed the signs of necrosis. Necrosis also took place in subcutaneous layer underlying the hypodermis. Necrotization and formation of granulomas can clearly be seen in circular and longitudinal muscle layers. The liver exhibited the loosening of tissue and distension in cell bodies. While in case of kidney, shrinkage took place in all the components. Similarly, the intestinal villi got necrotised alongwith their constituent elements.

Considerable changes have been observed in the haematological parameters of Labeo rohita, Mystus cavasius, Nandus nandus and Puntius sarana infested with Aphanomyces sp., Saprolegnia parasitica, Achlya prolifera and Dictyuchus monosporus, respectively. Substantial decline have been observed in the number of erythrocytes and lymphocytes. The number of granulocytes and monocytes were noticed significantly increased. The amount of haemoglobin has also been decreased drastically in all the cases.

Bacteriological examination of certain water bodies and fishes carrying EUS was carried out. As a whole, 17 species of bacteria were isolated from the investigated water bodies and EUS affected fishes. The species of bacteria isolated from fishes are common to those isolated from water. Experimental infection trials conducted suggested that Aeromonas hydrophila in association with Pseudomonas fluorescens, may be playing the role of primary aetiological agent in producing EUS in fishes.