Knowledge and practices of mothers on childhood diarrhoea and its management attended at a tertiary hospital in bangladesh

This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Pediatric out Patient Department (OPD) of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) from March 2014 to August 2014 to assess the knowledge and practices of the mothers in acute diarrhoeal diseases in children under-five years of age regarding use of oral rehydration solution (ORS), zinc, other drugs and feeding practices. Four hundred children under-five years of age having acute diarrhoea were included in the study by systematic random sampling. A structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from mothers of children having diarrhoeal diseases. ORS was offered by 360(90.00%) of the mothers. Out of which 279(77.50%) used it by their own knowledge. One hundred and ninety-one (53.06%) mothers prepared it correctly, while 169(46.94%) prepared it incorrectly. Of 169, 129(35.83%) mothers used less amount of water, while 40(11.11%) mothers used much amount of water to prepare ORS. Of 360 mothers, 89(24.72%) mixed part of the content of ORS sachet at a time. Of 360 mothers, only 55(15.28%) offered correct amount of ORS after each purging. Zinc was offered in 142(35.50%) children. Of 400, only 13(3.25%) mothers used recommended home-based fluid, while 70(17.50%) mothers offered increased amount of fluid to their child. Drugs other than zinc and ORS were used in 247(61.75%) children. Among drugs, other than zinc and ORS, antibiotics was used in 109(44.13%) cases, whereas antiprotozoal in 97(39.27%) cases. Amount of liquid given was more than usual in 70(17.50%) children, same as usual in 57(14.25%) children and less than usual in 273(68.25%) children. Amount of food given was same as usual in 59(14.75%) children, while less than usual in 341(85.25%) children. Control of diarrhoeal diseases programme is successful in introducing ORS at mass level. Great emphasis is needed to educate mothers about preparation and quantity of ORS to be given to children with diarrhoeal diseases.

Study of CP asymmetry in B^{0}-B[over ¯]^{0} mixing with inclusive dilepton events

We present a measurement of the asymmetry A_{CP} between same-sign inclusive dilepton samples ℓ^{+}ℓ^{+} and ℓ^{-}ℓ^{-} (ℓ=e, μ) from semileptonic B decays in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] events, using the complete data set recorded by the BABAR experiment near the ϒ(4S) resonance, corresponding to 471×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs. The asymmetry A_{CP} allows comparison between the mixing probabilities P(B[over ¯]^{0}→B^{0}) and P(B^{0}→B[over ¯]^{0}), and therefore probes CP and T violation. The result, A_{CP}=[-3.9±3.5(stat)±1.9(syst)]×10^{-3}, is consistent with the standard model expectation.

Search for a dark photon in e(+)e(-) collisions at BABAR

Dark sectors charged under a new Abelian interaction have recently received much attention in the context of dark matter models. These models introduce a light new mediator, the so-called dark photon (A^{'}), connecting the dark sector to the standard model. We present a search for a dark photon in the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→γA^{'}, A^{'}→e^{+}e^{-}, μ^{+}μ^{-} using 514  fb^{-1} of data collected with the BABAR detector. We observe no statistically significant deviations from the standard model predictions, and we set 90% confidence level upper limits on the mixing strength between the photon and dark photon at the level of 10^{-4}-10^{-3} for dark photon masses in the range 0.02-10.2  GeV. We further constrain the range of the parameter space favored by interpretations of the discrepancy between the calculated and measured anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.

Prevalence of colorectal diseases in immunological fecal occult blood test (I-FOBT) positive patients in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh

Bleeding lesion anywhere in the GI tract can cause positive reaction to Immunological Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). Although any colonic lesion can cause occult lower GI bleeding, relative frequency of this lesion not known. Guaic based tests require prior preparation and dietary restriction and less sensitive and specific than IFOBT for detection of occult bleeding .IFOBT is specific for human hemoglobin and is more sensitive and specific for detection of occult bleeding from any colonic lesion. Aim of this study was to diagnose occult gastrointestinal bleeding with positive IFOBT and the prevalence of colorectal disease in IFOBT positive patients in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. This was a prospective cross sectional study conducted in Department of gastroenterology in collaboration with clinical pathology, BSMMU, Dhaka during the period of January 2009 to December 2009. In this study 200 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included. Detailed clinical history and physical findings were recorded; FOBT was done on single stool specimen. Positive occult bleeding was confirmed in 90 patients of whom 80 patients underwent colonoscopy. The mean age of study population was 36.73±13.64 (range 16 to 72) years. At colonoscopy lesion were identified in 46(57.50%) patients, of which colonic polyp in12 (15%), colorectal cancer in 11(13.7%), inflammatory bowel disease in 3(3.75%), hemorrhoids and anal fissure in 7(8.75%), tuberculosis in 5(6.25%), and proctitis in 1(1.25%) cases. A positive IFOBT is more sensitive and specific test than other FOBT for detection of occult lower GI bleeding of colonic origin. In this study colorectal diseases were detected in 57.50% of the IFOBT positive patients, so IOBT can be used as an important diagnostic tool for detection of occult lower GI bleeding.

Roles of superthermal electrons and positrons on positron-acoustic solitary waves and double layers in electron-positron-ion plasmas

Positron-acoustic (PA) solitary waves (SWs) and double layers (DLs) in four-component plasmas consisting of immobile positive ions, mobile cold positrons, and superthermal (kappa distributed) hot positrons and electrons are investigated both numerically and analytically by deriving Korteweg-de Vries (K-dV), modified K-dV (mK-dV), and Gardner equations along with their DLs solutions using the reductive perturbation method. It is examined that depending on the plasma parameters, the K-dV SWs, Gardner SWs, and DLs support either compressive or rarefactive structures, whereas mK-dV SWs support only compressive structure. It is also found that the presence of superthermal (kappa distributed) hot positrons and hot electrons significantly modify the basic features of PA SWs as well as PA DLs. Besides, the critical number density ratio of hot positrons and cold positrons play an important role in the polarity of PA SWs and DLs. The implications of our results in different space as well as laboratory plasma environments are briefly discussed.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) of Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) lesion in Bangladeshi patient population: a single center experience- In hospital and 90 days outcome

Objectives Aim of the study was to evaluate the primary in-hospital success and 90 days outcome of PCI in patients with CTO lesions, using either Bare-metal stents (BMS) or Drug Eluting Stent (DES) like Sirolimus-eluting or Paclitaxel-eluting stent. Methods Total 71 patients were included in this non-randomized prospective cohort as per the definition of CTO, from a total of 875 patients who had PCI at our center in the quantifying period. Total 92 stents were deployed in 71 patients. After the guide wire crossing and the balloon dilation, measurement of the culprit lesion were done by using Siemens QCA measuring system. Among the patients, Male: 59 and Female: 12. Mean age were for Male: 53yrs, for Female: 65yrs. Associated CAD risk factors were Dyslipidemia, High Blood pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Positive FH for CAD and Smoking (all male). Results Our study shows 71 patients (8.1%) had CTO lesion out of total 875 PCI procedures. Among the study group; 56 (79%) were Dyslipidemic, 50 (70%) were hypertensive: 40 (56%) patients were Diabetic, 25 (42%) were all male smoker. Female patients were more obese (BMI M 26: F 27) and developed CAD in advance age. We found that the incidences of CTO lesions were more in LAD territory 27 (38%) followed by RCA 26 (37%) and LCX 18 (25%). Average length and diameter of stented vessel was greater in RCA than LAD and LCX. Stents used: BMS 34 (36.9%), Sirolimus 25 (27.2%), Paclitaxel 18 (19.6%), Biolimus 10 (10.8%) and Everolimus 5 (5.4%). Post procedural, in-hospital and 90 days out come was 100% in our present study. Conclusion Our study has revealed that PCI in patients with CTO lesion has shown good success rate in our hospital with no procedural complication both in-hospital and 90 days after, either treated with BMS or DES. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i1.20185 Pulse Vol.5 January 2011 p.19-26

Outcome of early active mobilization in flexor tendon repair in zone II in hand

Early controlled motion programs after flexor tendon repair in zone II of hand are designed to minimize adhesion formation by promoting the excursion of repaired tendons. The flexor tendon surgery especially in zone II is complicated. It is simplest in the newly injured and unscarred digit and the results of correctly rehabilitated primary repair are likely to be the best attainable. We conducted a study including 18 patients with 52 digits involving 80 flexor tendons in zone II to observe and record the result of the primary or delayed primary repair with early active mobilization protocol. Thirteen (72.22%) patients were below 30 years of age. Sixteen cases (88.89%) were sustained injury by sharp instrument either accidentally or by assault. Ring and little finger were involved in 50% instances. The repair was done with the modified Kessler core suture technique with locking epitendinous sutures with a knot inside the repair site, using polypropylene 4-0 and 6-0 sutures. The final assessment was done at 6 months post repair using the Louisville system of Lister et al. 61.54% (n=32) digits were shown excellent result whereas good results were seen in 23% (n=12) digits. Fair was shown 7.69% (n=4) digits and 7.69% (n=4) digits were shown poor results. P value was <0.001 by Z test which is significant. Complications included tendon rupture in 3(5.77%) cases (one thumb, one ring and one little finger) and contracture in 4(7.69%) cases whereas superficial infection and flap necrosis was seen in one (1.92%) case each. The primary or delayed primary repair of cut flexor tendons in zone II using the modified Kessler core suture and epitendinous suture with early active mobilization protocol has been given good result, with minimal complications.

Management of unicameral bone cyst by using freeze dried radiation sterilized bone allograft impregnate with autogenous bone marrow

Unicameral bone cyst is a common benign bone tumor and most frequent cause of the pathological fracture in children. We have started a prospective study for that treatment of unicameral bone cyst by using freeze dried radiation sterilized bone allograft impregnated with autogenous bone marrow in the department of Orthopaedics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during May 1999 to April 2012. Aim of this study was to see Freeze dried radiation sterilized bone allograft impregnate with autogenous bone marrow a satisfactory graft material in the treatment of unicameral bone cyst as well as factors such as patients age, sex, cyst size and site of lesion influence on cyst healing. A total 35 patients of unicameral bone cyst were operated. In this study out of 35 patients, male were 22(62.86%) and female were 13(37.14). Male Female ratio 22:13(1.70:1) Age of the patients ranging from 2 years 6 month to 20 years, mean age 12.18 years more common 11 years to 20 years 29(82.86%) patients. Common bones sites involvements are proximal end of Humerus 20(57.14%), proximal end of Femur 7(20 %), proximal end of Tibia 3(8.57%), Calcanium 2(5.71%), proximal end of Ulna 1(2.86%), shaft of Radius 1(2.86%) and Phalanx 1(2.86%). Final clinical outcome of unicameral bone cyst treated by thorough curettage of cavity and tightly filled with freeze dried radiation sterilized bone allograft impregnate with autogenous bone marrow in which healed (success rate) 88.57% (31) and recurrence rate is 11.43% (4). P value is <0.001. Follow up period was 6 month to 11 years. From our study it was realized that freeze dried radiation sterilized bone allograft impregnated with autogenous bone marrow is useful graft material for healing of the lesional area as well as restoring structural integrity for the treatment of unicameral bone cyst.

Preparation and characterization of in-situ crosslinked pectin-gelatin hydrogels

Crosslinked hydrogels were developed by in-situ reaction of periodate oxidized pectin (OP) and gelatin. The reaction takes place through the formation of Schiff bases between aldehyde groups of OP and amino groups of gelatin. The effect of various process parameters such as reaction time, reaction temperature, pH of the reaction and composition on the efficacy of the crosslinking was investigated. Field emission scanning electron micrsocopy (FESEM) revealed that homogenous, single phase systems are obtained after the crosslinking of OP and gelatin. The swelling characteristics of the hydrogels were monitored. The equilibrium swelling varies in the range of 195-324% with a variation in the gelatin content (10-40%). Glycerol, when used as a plasticizer, improved the flexibility and the handling characteristics of the crosslinked hydrogels. Plasticized films retained good tensile strengths in the range of 19-48 MPa. By proper selection of the reaction conditions, the efficiency of crosslinking can be controlled to obtain the optimum results.

Measurement of the D*(2010)+ meson width and the D*(2010)+ - D0 mass difference

We measure the mass difference Δm0 between the D*(2010)+ and the D0 and the natural linewidth Γ of the transition D*(2010)+ → D0π+. The data were recorded with the BABAR detector at center-of-mass energies at and near the Υ(4S) resonance, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of approximately 477  fb(-1). The D0 is reconstructed in the decay modes D0 → K- π+ and D0 → K- π+ π- π+. For the decay mode D0 → K- π+ we obtain Γ = (83.4±1.7±1.5)  keV and Δm0 = (145425.6±0.6±1.7)  keV, [corrected] where the quoted errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. For the D0 → K- π+ π- π+ mode we obtain Γ = (83.2±1.5±2.6)  keV and Δm0 = (145426.6±0.5±1.9)  keV. [corrected] The combined measurements yield Γ = (83.3±1.2±1.4)  keV and Δm0 = (145425.9±0.4±1.7)  keV; the width is a factor of approximately 12 times more precise than the previous value, while the mass difference is a factor of approximately 6 times more precise.

Search for CP violation in B0-B0 mixing using partial reconstruction of B0→D*- Xℓ+ νℓ and a kaon tag

We present results of a search for CP violation in B0- B0 mixing with the BABAR detector. We select a sample of B0→D*- Xℓ+ ν decays with a partial reconstruction method and use kaon tagging to assess the flavor of the other B meson in the event. We determine the CP violating asymmetry ACP≡[N(B0B0)-N(B0B0)]/[N(B0B0)+N(B0B0)]=(0.06±0.17(-0.32)(+0.38))%, corresponding to ΔCP=1-|q/p|=(0.29±0.84(-1.61)(+1.88))×10(-3).

Synthesis of some novel chalcones, flavanones and flavones and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory activity

A novel series of synthetic 2'-hydroxychalcones (1a-h), 2'-methoxychalcones (2a-l), flavanones (3a-k) and flavones (4a-f) have been synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw oedema model. Compounds 1a, 1e-g, 2e-g, 3j, and 4f showed potent anti-inflammatory activity comparable to the reference drug indomethacin with insignificant ulceration. Compound 1f showed mild inhibition against the enzymatic activity of ovine COX-1 and COX-2 (in-vitro). Compound 1f also exhibited inhibitory activity in LPS induced TNF-α production.

Measurement of Z boson production in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The ATLAS experiment has observed 1995 Z boson candidates in data corresponding to 0.15  nb(-1) of integrated luminosity obtained in the 2011 LHC Pb+Pb run at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76  TeV. The Z bosons are reconstructed via dielectron and dimuon decay channels, with a background contamination of less than 3%. Results from the two channels are consistent and are combined. Within the statistical and systematic uncertainties, the per-event Z boson yield is proportional to the number of binary collisions estimated by the Glauber model. The elliptic anisotropy of the azimuthal distribution of the Z boson with respect to the event plane is found to be consistent with zero.

Search for dark matter candidates and large extra dimensions in events with a photon and missing transverse momentum in pp collision data at sqrt[s]=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Results of a search for new phenomena in events with an energetic photon and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV are reported. Data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb(-1) are used. Good agreement is observed between the data and the standard model predictions. The results are translated into exclusion limits on models with large extra spatial dimensions and on pair production of weakly interacting dark matter candidates.

Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS - a double blind randomized placebo - controlled study

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder which is associated with considerable sufferings of patient and Peppermint oil is volatile oil, its active principle is menthol-contain a cyclic monoterpine which has anti-spasmotic properties due to its ability to block calcium channel of intestinal smooth muscles. This study observed the efficacy of peppermint oil for relieving the symptoms and changes of quality of life (QOL) in diarrhea predominant IBS. This was a prospective double blind randomized placebo-controlled study conducted in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University during July 2008 to September 2009. Patients who fulfilled ROME II were initially selected but those had red flag signs or any organic disease was excluded from the study. Seventy four patients were enrolled in the study and randomly allocated to receive either peppermint oil or placebo three times daily for six weeks. Changes of symptoms were assessed three week interval during treatment and two weeks after the end of treatment. Data were analyzed by paired and unpaired 't' test. Finally sixty five patients completed the trial. It was observed that, at six weeks of therapy abdominal pain is markedly improved (mean±SD) 4.94±1.30 in peppermint oil group compared with 6.15±1.24 in placebo group and the difference was statistically highly significant (p>0.001). But two weeks after end of trials pain score again increased (6.09±1.93). Other symptoms and quality of life did not improve significantly. So the study result concludes that peppermint oil is effective in reliving only abdominal pain in diarrhea predominant IBS transiently.

Search for magnetic monopoles in sqrt[s]=7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

This Letter presents a search for magnetic monopoles with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider using an integrated luminosity of 2.0  fb(-1) of pp collisions recorded at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=7  TeV. No event is found in the signal region, leading to an upper limit on the production cross section at 95% confidence level of 1.6/ϵ  fb for Dirac magnetic monopoles with the minimum unit magnetic charge and with mass between 200 GeV and 1500 GeV, where ϵ is the monopole reconstruction efficiency. The efficiency ϵ is high and uniform in the fiducial region given by pseudorapidity |η|<1.37 and transverse kinetic energy 600-700<E(kin)sinθ<1400  GeV. The minimum value of 700 GeV is for monopoles of mass 200 GeV, whereas the minimum value of 600 GeV is applicable for higher mass monopoles. Therefore, the upper limit on the production cross section at 95% confidence level is 2 fb in this fiducial region. Assuming the kinematic distributions from Drell-Yan pair production of spin-1/2 Dirac magnetic monopoles, the efficiency is in the range 1%-10%, leading to an upper limit on the cross section at 95% confidence level that varies from 145 fb to 16 fb for monopoles with mass between 200 GeV and 1200 GeV. This limit is weaker than the fiducial limit because most of these monopoles lie outside the fiducial region.

Observation of time-reversal violation in the B0 meson system

Although CP violation in the B meson system has been well established by the B factories, there has been no direct observation of time-reversal violation. The decays of entangled neutral B mesons into definite flavor states (B(0) or B(0)), and J/ψK(L)(0) or ccK(S)(0) final states (referred to as B(+) or B(-)), allow comparisons between the probabilities of four pairs of T-conjugated transitions, for example, B(0) → B(-) and B(-) → B(0), as a function of the time difference between the two B decays. Using 468 × 10(6) BB pairs produced in Υ(4S) decays collected by the BABAR detector at SLAC, we measure T-violating parameters in the time evolution of neutral B mesons, yielding ΔS(T)(+) = -1.37 ± 0.14(stat) ± 0.06(syst) and ΔS(T)(-) = 1.17 ± 0.18(stat) ± 0.11(syst). These nonzero results represent the first direct observation of T violation through the exchange of initial and final states in transitions that can only be connected by a T-symmetry transformation.

Search for direct top squark pair production in final states with one isolated lepton, jets, and missing transverse momentum in sqrt[s] = 7 TeV pp collisions using 4.7 fb(-10 of ATLAS data

A search is presented for direct top squark pair production in final states with one isolated electron or muon, jets, and missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV. The measurement is based on 4.7 fb(-1) of data collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Each top squark is assumed to decay to a top quark and the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP). The data are found to be consistent with standard model expectations. Top squark masses between 230 GeV and 440 GeV are excluded with 95% confidence for massless LSPs, and top squark masses around 400 GeV are excluded for LSP masses up to 125 GeV.

Search for a supersymmetric partner to the top quark in final states with jets and missing transverse momentum at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for direct pair production of supersymmetric top squarks (t(1)) is presented, assuming the t(1) decays into a top quark and the lightest supersymmetric particle, χ(1)(0), and that both top quarks decay to purely hadronic final states. A total of 16 (4) events are observed compared to a predicted standard model background of 13.5(-3.6)(+3.7)(4.4(-1.3)(+1.7)) events in two signal regions based on ∫Ldt = 4.7 fb(-1) of pp collision data taken at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. An exclusion region in the t(1) versus χ(1)(0) mass plane is evaluated: 370<m(t)(1)}<465 GeV is excluded for m(χ)(1)(0) ~ 0 GeV while m(t)(1) = 445 GeV is excluded for m(χ)(1)(0) ≤ 50 GeV.

Precision measurement of the B → Xs γ photon energy spectrum, branching fraction, and direct CP asymmetry A(CP)((B → X(s+d)γ)

The photon spectrum in the inclusive electromagnetic radiative decays of the B meson, B → X(s)γ plus B → X(d)γ, is studied using a data sample of (382.8 ± 4.2) × 10(6)Υ(4S) → BB decays collected by the BABAR experiment at SLAC. The spectrum is used to extract the branching fraction B(B → X(s)γ) = (3.21 ± 0.33) × 10(-4) for E(γ) >1.8 GeV and the direct CP asymmetry A(CP) (B → X(s+d)γ) = 0.057 ± 0.063. The effects of detector resolution and Doppler smearing are unfolded to measure the photon energy spectrum in the B meson rest frame.

Nanocarrier-based hydrogel of betamethasone dipropionate and salicylic acid for treatment of psoriasis

Introduction:

Betamethasone dipropionate (BD) has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiproliferative activity. The aim of the current work was to test the hypothesis that the addition of corticosteroid such as BD and a keratolytic agent such as salicylic acid in nanocarrier based microemulsions formulation would result in enhancement and sustaining of corticosteroid delivery rate leading to better anti-psoriatic activity. Clinical use of BD is restricted to some extent due to its poor permeability across the skin. So to increase its permeation across the skin, microemulsion-based gel formulations were prepared and characterised.

Materials and Methods:

Microemulsions were prepared by aqueous phase titration method, using oleic acid:sefsol (1.5:1), Tween 20, isopropyl alcohol, and distilled water as the oil phase, surfactant, cosurfactant and aqueous phase, respectively. Selected formulations were subjected to physical stability studies and consequently in vitro skin permeation studies. Surface studies of optimized formulation were done by transmission electron microscopy. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was done by carageenan-induced raw paw edema method.

Results:

The droplet size of microemulsions ranged from 60 to 190 nm. The optimized formulation exhibited viscosity 28.55 ± 2.03 mP, refractive index 1.409, pH 6.4, and conductivity 10^-4 scm^-1. The optimized microemulsion was converted into hydrogel using carbopol 934, and salicylic acid was incorporated into it. Drug deposition in skin was found to be 29.73 μg/mg. Assessment of skin permeation was done by histopathology studies which indicated changes in the structure of epidermal membrane of skin. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity indicated 72.11% and 43.96% inhibition of inflammation in case of developed microemulsion gel and marketed gel, respectively.

Conclusions:

The developed microemulsion gel containing BD and salicylic acid provided sustained and good anti-inflammatory activity for the treatment of psoriasis.

Resistant patterns of bacteria isolated from bloodstream infections at a university hospital in Delhi

Background:

The choice of antimicrobial therapy for bloodstream infections is often empirical and based on the knowledge of local antimicrobial activity profiles of the most common bacteria causing such infections.

Aims:

The present study was aimed to investigate frequency of bacterial pathogens causing septicemia and their antimicrobial resistant pattern in hospital admitted patients.

Settings and Design:

It was a prospective study, conducted at Majeedia Hospital, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India.

Material and Methods:

We examined prospectively, 168 bacterial strains isolated from 186 clinically diagnosed septicemia cases admitted at a University Hospital in New Delhi, over a period of six months from July 2009 to December 2009. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, USA) guidelines.

Results:

The most frequently identified Gram-positive bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci 63.5%, Staphylococcus aureus 23.1%, enterococci 5.8% and alpha-haemolytic streptococci 5.8%. The most frequently Gram-negative bacteria identified were Acinetobacter species 31%, Salmonella typhi 24.1%, Escherichia coli 23.3% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13.8%. Coagulase-negative staphylococci showed maximum resistance to cefaclor 57.1% and ampicillin 46.9%. Staphylococcus aureus showed maximum resistance to amoxicillin 100% and ampicillin 91.7%. Acinetobacter species showed maximum resistance to amoxicillin 89.7%, amoxiclav 87.1% and ampicillin 85.7%. Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed maximum resistance to ampicillin, 46.4%, 92%, 93.8% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Gram-negative pathogens predominated in bloodstream infections. Resistance to most of the antimicrobial agents for a number of pathogens implicated in bloodstream infections, especially in Gram-negative bacteria, has reached worrisome levels and continues to increase.

Evidence for an excess of B→D*τ(-)ν(τ) decays

Based on the full BABAR data sample, we report improved measurements of the ratios R(D(*))=B(B[over ¯]→D(*)τ(-)ν[over ¯](τ))/B(B[over ¯]→D(*)ℓ(ℓ)(-)ν[over ¯](ℓ)), where ℓ is either e or μ. These ratios are sensitive to new physics contributions in the form of a charged Higgs boson. We measure R(D)=0.440±0.058±0.042 and R(D(*))=0.332±0.024±0.018, which exceed the standard model expectations by 2.0σ and 2.7σ, respectively. Taken together, our results disagree with these expectations at the 3.4σ level. This excess cannot be explained by a charged Higgs boson in the type II two-Higgs-doublet model.