[en] Objective: To determine the prevalence of ESBL producing and carbapenem-resistant E. coli in UTI from a tertiary care Hospital. Methodology: A total of 320 mid-stream urine samples were collected from patients suspected for UTI at the urology department of Jinnah postgraduate medical center, Karachi. Cystine lactose electrolyte deficient agar was used for culture. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion method. ESBL production was determined by double disc synergy test (DDST). The carbapenem resistance was determined by minimal inhibitory concentration method by Etest. Results: Prevalence of UTI was higher (165/230, 71.7%) in age group of 21-40 years. The mean age of UTI patients was 38.75±15.01 years with dominancy of females (55.3%). Out of 320 samples, 256 (80%) were culture positive. E. coli was the most prevalent uropathogen 139(54.3%) followed by 59(23%), 24(9.4%), and 22(8.6%), Klebsiella, Proteus, and Pseudomonas species, respectively. E. coli showed highest resistance to ampicillin 87%, and lowest against meropenem (4.3%). Out of 139 E. coli, 92(66.2%) were ESBL producers, resistant to carbapenem was higher (5.03%) in ESBL producing E. coli in comparison to non- ESBLproducers (1.43%). Conclusion: The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli was higher and carbapenem-resistant E. coli in urinary tract infections in community is still at lower prevalence. (author)

[en] Background: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Pakistan. Methods: In this multicentre, observational, cross-sectional disease registry, patients (aged ?18 years) who were diagnosed at enrolment with T2DM, defined by fasting blood glucose (FBG) ?126 mg/dL and/or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ?6.5%, were enrolled. Microvascular complications were ascertained by objective examination while macrovascular complications were identified from patients' medical history. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Data from 891 patients were analysed in the study. Mean [+-standard deviation (SD)] HbA1c, FBG, and random blood glucose were 9.9% (+-2.2%), 193.4 (+-74.0) mg/dL, and 294.3 (+-72.7) mg/dL, respectively. Obesity (n=689, 77.3%) and familial history of diabetes (n=575, 64.3%) were the most common risk factors for T2DM. Overall prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications was 68.6% [n=611, 95% confidence interval (CI): 65.4-71.5] and 9.0% (n=80, 95% CI: 7.3-11.0), respectively. Neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy were reported in 59.6% (95% CI: 56.3-62.8), 24.4% (95% CI: 21.6-27.2), and 15.9% (95% CI: 13.7-18.5) of the patients, respectively. Oral antidiabetic agents and insulin were prescribed to 839 (94.2%) and 140 (15.7%) patients, respectively. All study patients received education on T2DM management, mostly from the investigators, and also from diabetes educators and nurses. Conclusions: The prevalence of micro- and macrovascular complications of T2DM is high, indicating a delay in diagnosis of disease. In order to counter the burden of diabetic complications, optimum strategies for screening of the general population are required. (author)

[en] Aim: To determine the susceptibility pattern of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates of pyoderma cases. Study design: Cross-sectional. Place and duration: Research was conducted in the department of Microbiology in collaboration with the Department of Dermatology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, during the period of 1.8.2022 to 25.11.2022. Methodology: Total 232 pus samples were collected from the clinically suspected patients of pyoderma. Pus swab was cultured on blood and MacConkey’s agar plates. Isolates were identified by routine assay and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion method. Results: Out of 232 specimens, 196 (84.5%) were culture positive; 170(86.7%) were Gram-positive, 25(12.7%) were Gramnegative and 1(0.6%) was Candida sp. S.aureus was the prevalent offender (119; 51.2%), followed by S.pyogenes (51; 22%) and S.epidermidis (3; 1.3%). S.aureus showed 73(61.3%) MRSA. The highest rate of resistance among all S. aureus was recorded for, penicillin, cefoxitin and ciprofloxacin, 89; 74.7% 73; 61.3% and 72; 60.5% respectively. Conclusion: S.aureus is the prevalent in pyoderma and a significant number was MRSA. Therefore it is mandatory for dermatologist to start the treatment after culture and sensitivity testing is mandatory for failure of treatment and recurrences. (author)

[en] A mutant MS301 of Aspergillus niger MS82 showed 1.5 to 2.5-fold improved endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase activity when grown on crude lignocellulosic substrates under solid-state and submerged conditions. Indicators of thermal stability of enzymes (Tm and T1/2) showed that the wild type and mutant endoglucanase was more heat-resistant compared to beta-glucosidase. However, mutant and parent enzymes shared almost the same values for melting temperatures and half-lives. Endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase from both the strains showed optimum activity under acidic pH. Energy of activation (Ea) of mutant beta-glucosidase was substantially lower than the parent enzyme while Ea of mutant endoglucanase was slightly less than the parent. The lowered Ea values can be attributed to the improved beta-glucosidase activity of the mutant strain. Moreover, the MS301 enzymes were better in hydrolyzing purified and crude cellulosic materials than the parent MS82. (author)

[en] The viscosities of LiCl and NaCl solutions for different concentrations in aqueous butanol (0-7%) mixtures at various temperatures were measured. The viscosity data was interpreted in terms of ion-solvent interactions. A regular increment in the viscosities with the increasing concentrations of salt as well as increasing in percent composition of aqueous butanol mixtures is observed. The values of A and B coefficients of Jones-Dole equation have been determined graphically. It was found that A and B coefficients vary with concentration of LiCl and NaCl as with the composition of butanol mixtures and temperatures. The positive values of B- coefficient decreased with rise in temperature led to the conclusion that NaCl and LiCl in aqueous butanol mixtures behave as structure maker whereas, in aqueous medium NaCl and LiCl showing negative values of B-coefficient behave as structure breakers. An attempt has also been make to determine the activation energy (E/sub n/) as a function of concentration of LiCl and NaCl in aqueous-butanol mixtures. It shows that activation energy is influenced by the concentration of salts and percent composition of solvents. (author)