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This study was carried out to evaluate the perceptions of surgical department interns towards antimicrobial resistance and pharmacovigilance. A questionnaire-based research was conducted during the months of June–September 2019. Surgical interns working in two teaching hospitals (Peshawar, Pakistan) were recruited on a daily basis using a convenient random selection method. Data collection was carried out through the self-administered and validated questionnaire (good internal consistency; α ≥ 0.7). Descriptive statistics and independent sample Kruskal–Wallis test analysis were used through SPSS version 21.0. Among 300 participants, 225 filled out the questionnaire (response rate ≥ 75%). Male participants (n = 134, 59.6%) were more than female. Statistically significant differences were found in gender, training on antimicrobial stewardship and pharmacovigilance (p

Background: Most postsurgical infections can be prevented through the effective use of antimicrobial. This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial prophylaxis practices and adherence to guidelines in gynecological surgeries. Methods: An audit based prospective study was carried out between February and April 2019 in the gynecological ward in a teaching hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. This study included women who had two common surgical procedures (caesarean surgery and hysterectomy), did not undergo any previous surgery and having no infection at the time of surgery. The indication, choice/selection, timing and pattern of antimicrobials were the main evaluated parameters. The required information was collected from medical records through standardized data collection proforma. Observed prescribing practices were compared with antimicrobial prophylaxis guideline. Results: A total of 264 patients (caesarean surgery n = 173 and hysterectomy n = 91) with mean age: 32.6 ± 6.3 years were recruited in the analysis. Antimicrobial was prescribed to 241 patients (91.3%). The selection and timing of antimicrobial were adhered to guidelines in 40.7% and 56.4% cases, respectively (optimal value 100%). There was a statistically significant difference between guideline recommendations and antimicrobial practice in surgical procedures (P = 0.000).The commonly prescribed antimicrobials were ceftriaxone (22.4%) and cefazolin (22%).The combination usage of antimicrobial was also observed. Conclusion: Inappropriate use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and low adherence to standard guidelines was observed. Periodic audit and awareness about standard guidelines are required for the judicial use of antimicrobials in surgery.

The antib acterial and antifungal activi ties of Terminalia arjuna, Tephrosia purpurea and Thuja occidentalis extracts w ere investigated against the standard drugs , which are presen tly available in the market as G entam i cin, Cephradine , Amoxicillin c lavulanate, Norfloxacin and Itraconazole . W ell m ethod was used for antimicrobial activity and the zone s of inhibition were measured in m illi m eters . The antibacterial activity was observed on three gram negative bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one gram positive bacteria i.e. Staphy lococcus aureus . The antifungal activity was investigat ed against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger . The cytotoxic effects (LD 50 ) of the crude extracts we re also observed on brine shrimps ( Artemia salina ) using E toposide a s an internal standard . The crude extract of T . arjuna bark exhibited less potent antimicrobial activity as compare d to crude extract of T . arjuna heart wood. Bark extract of T. arjuna show ed no cytotoxic activity but heart wood extract sho w ed this activit y in b rine s hrimp b ioassay technique . The crude extract of T . purpurea show ed positive cytotoxic, potent antibacterial but no antifungal activity . The crude extract of T . occidentalis show ed good antibacterial low antifungal and low cytotoxic activity. T. arjuna showed most potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity while T. Purpurea and T. oocidentalis posses less potent activities.

We report new reaction conditions (less corrosive reagents) for the regio-specific synthesis, spectroscopic properties, crystal structure, antimicrobial activities and MICs of 1-methyl-4-nitro-1 H -imidazole (I). For structure confirmation, X-ray crystallography was performed using crystals obtained from chloroform and hexane (1:1). The structure of the compound (I) was further characterized by FTIR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and EIMS. Important peaks appearing in the EIMS, at the m/z = 127, 111, 97, 81, and 54 arise due to the loss of single electron, loss of O, NO, NO 2 , and loss of NO 2 & HCN respectively. The high intensity peak in the EIMS at m/z = 42 arises due to the loss of NO, CO and HCN from the molecular ion. The correct 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) of (I) shows peaks at 7.76 (ArH, HC N), 7.42 (ArH, HC C), and 3.82 (N–CH 3 ) ppm. Further structural studies showed that the driving force for crystallization (self-assembly) and hydrogen bonding (C–H…O–NO, 2.57 A) originates from the partial negative oxygen of the nitro (NO 2 ) group at one end and the partial positive hydrogen (N–CH 3 ) at another corner of the molecule. Biological assay against many (13) microorganisms and fungi showed that the title compound (I) is moderately active against Gram (+), Gram (−) bacteria and fungi.

The continuously deteriorating water quality situation in Pakistan is posing serious health threats to the population. The study aimed to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water in different institutions of Abbottabad city and its potential health effects on staff and students. About 63 samples from 60 institutions across different locations of Abbottabad city were analysed for physicochemical (temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC)) and bacteriological (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) analysis using standard methods. Water quality (n = 60) and health related (n = 300) information was obtained through pre-designed survey questionnaires. Results showed that all water samples were aesthetically acceptable. In physicochemical analysis, the mean temperature and pH values were found at 27.12 ± 2.47°C and 7.98 ± 0.24, respectively. The mean TDS and EC values were found at 335.42 ± 86.3 ppm and 647.38 ± 174.82 μS, respectively...

Plants have been explored extensively all over the globe in quest of a novel bioactive compound that could a good therapeutic candidate treating infectious diseases especially against drug resistant microbes. Qualitative phytochemical analyses of Carica papaya leaf extract reveal that except steroids and tannins all the possible ph ytochemical constituents including carbohydrates, proteins, anthraquinones, flavonoids , saponins, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids were present. Two ways of Carica papaya leaf extract preparations i.e crushed and boiled were tested for their antifungal act ivity against 6 saprophytic fungi Penicillium sp, Aspergilus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp, Rhizopus and Helminthosporum , 5 dermatophytic fungi Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans and 6 yeasts including Candida albicans , Candida albicans ATCC 0383, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Candida galbrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida kruzei. The activity was found against majority of fungi but was much better in case of crushed leaf ext ract.

β-sitosterol is a naturally occurring plant sterol (phytosterol) present in many fruits and vegetables. Scientific research has proven that β-sitosterol is helpful in maintaining the proper functioning of our body. Previously we described the complexation of β-sitosterol with trace metals (Mahmood et al., 2013). Trace metals after the formation of complex unable to absorb in the body and hence eliminated out from the body thus reducing metal toxicity (Marsha, 1996). The present article describes the complexation of μ-sitosterol with Palladium (Pd) metal. Palladium is a toxic metal and due to polluted and hazardous environment traces of this metal can be transferred into the body, which is harmful for human health. Our aim is to make Pd-sterol complex so that this toxic metal (Pd) does not absorb in the body and hence excreted out from the body in the complex form. In order to form this complex μ-sitosterol (Ib) is reacted with Tris (dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium or [Pd(2) (DBA)(3)] (Ia) in 2:1 ratio in an inert atmosphere and dimethylformamid (DMF) added as a solvent. The resulting complex [Pd(2) (DBA)(3).(β-sitosterol) (Ic) was identified by various spectroscopic techniques such as IR, Mass and (1)H-NMR. This new organo metallic complex (Ic) also showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activity. The present work revealed that Pd-sterol complex does not only reduce metal toxicity but also helpful in minimizing bacterial and fungal infections present in the body. Our research also concluded that we must take plenty of fruits and vegetables in our diet so that natural plant sterol such as β-sitosterol can enhance our defense mechanism and maintain other functions of our body.

In the present study, organoleptic evaluation of Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L ) peel powder was done and found pink in color having no smell and slightly bitter taste. Moreover, aqueou s and methanolic extracts of Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L ) peel were also prepared and investigated for their anthelmintic activity using a model worm i.e. Pheretima posthuma . Three concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg / ml) of each extracts were studied in activity, which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worm. Both nature of extracts exhibited anthelmintic activity at highest concentration of 100 mg / ml; however, the response of methanolic extract was more profound. Piperazine citrate in same concentration as that of extract was included as standard reference and distilled water as control.

Background The contaminated contact lens provides Pseudomonas aeruginosa an ideal site for attachment and biofilm production. Continuous contact of the eye to the biofilm-infested lens can lead to serious ocular diseases, such as keratitis (corneal ulcers). The biofilms also prevent effective penetration of the antibiotics, which increase the chances of antibiotic resistance. Methods For this study, 22 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were obtained from 36 contact lenses and 14 contact lens protective fluid samples. These isolates were tested against eight commonly used antibiotics using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The biofilm forming potential of these isolates was also evaluated using various qualitative and quantitative techniques. Finally, a relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance was also examined. Results The isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa tested were found resistant to most of the antibiotics tested. Qualitative and quantitative biofilm analysis revealed that most of the isolates exhibited strong biofilm production. The biofilm production was significantly higher in isolates that were multi-drug resistant (p

In view of the reputation of genus Salvia in folklore medicine and its abundance in our region, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil from S. santolinifolia Boiss. was analyzed. Chemical analysis, using gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, retention indices and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has resulted in identification of 116 constituents, comprising about 97% of the total constituents. Out of these 116, 78 constituents are hitherto unreported from this source. The species belongs to α-pinene chemotype. In antibacterial assay, gram negative gastropathogens (Shigella boydii, S. flexneri, S. dysenteriae, Vibrio cholerae); causative agent of urinary tract infection (Proteus mirabilis and P. vulgaris) and pneumonia (Klebsiella pneumoniae) were found sensitive to this essential oil while Corynebacteria species and Staphylococcus epidermidis were significantly inhibited in antibacterial assay against gram positive bacteria. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocol was used for determining antimicrobial activity. Thus the essential oil from this species can be utilized as potential chemotherapeutic agent.

Cryptosporidiosis is an infection caused by Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite of clinically importance. It is transmitted by contaminated water and in individuals with proper immune systems it usually causes diarrhea, but in case of immunocompromised people, like those suffering of AIDS, the disease is usually severe and it can be fatal. It is known to be zoonotic in nature. In other words, Cryptosporidiosis can be spread naturally directly from cats to their keepers. Oocyst is a critical stage and mainly responsible for causing infection with typical gastrointestinal manifestations in humans. Medically important ones are C. parvum and C. hominis, causing infections. The classic symptoms include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and Fever etc. The infection is self-limiting so oral o as well as intravenous rehydration and replacement of electrolytes are usually suggested. Moreover, the best of avoiding is to promote the practices of hand washing and hygienic standards in the mass.