Mathematical modeling of cholera dynamics with intrinsic growth considering constant interventions.

A mathematical model that describes the dynamics of bacterium vibrio cholera within a fixed population considering intrinsic bacteria growth, therapeutic treatment, sanitation and vaccination rates is developed. The developed mathematical model is validated against real cholera data. A sensitivity analysis of some of the model parameters is also conducted. The intervention rates are found to be very important parameters in reducing the values of the basic reproduction number. The existence and stability of equilibrium solutions to the mathematical model are also carried out using analytical methods. The effect of some model parameters on the stability of equilibrium solutions, number of infected individuals, number of susceptible individuals and bacteria density is rigorously analyzed. One very important finding of this research work is that keeping the vaccination rate fixed and varying the treatment and sanitation rates provide a rapid decline of infection. The fourth order Runge-Kutta numerical scheme is implemented in MATLAB to generate the numerical solutions.

Treatment of industrial wastewater with gamma irradiation for removal of organic load in terms of biological and chemical oxygen demand.

Water scarcity is a known and major issue throughout the world. To tackle water scarcity, there is an urgent need for water re-use and recycling through wastewater treatment. This study is an attempt to re-used industrial effluent after treatment with gamma irradiation. The main drain of the industrial estate was sampled and analyzed for Physico-chemical parameters. For treatment, irradiation dose 13 Kilo Gray (kGy) cobalt (Co60) was applied. The treated water was re-analyzed for comparison with pre-analysis and compliance with the National environmental quality standard (NEQS). A decrease was observed in TSS, BOD5, and COD with 79%, 81%, and 85% respectively. The results achieved are within the permissible limits of NEQS. It was concluded that gamma radiation is an instant method for industrial effluent and is herein recommended.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Of Intra-Abdominal Infection Isolates From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The most frequent pathogens involved are the gastrointestinal flora which can cause poly-microbial infections. Microbiological diagnosis is required to determine the aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of the organisms involved. Prompt initiation of antimicrobials is essential for improving patient's outcome. Knowledge of local trends of antimicrobial resistance in nosocomial isolates is essential for empiric therapy. METHODS: A total of 190 clinical isolates collected from intra-abdominal infections during July 2013 to July 2014 were included in the study. Organism identification and Antimicrobial sensitivity testing using standard biochemical tests and CLSI recommended criteria was carried out. RESULTS: Of the total 190 isolates from abdominal infection sources 52% were from fluid sources (peritoneal & ascitic fluid), 41% were from gall bladder and 6.5% were from other abdominal sources. E. coli (46.8%) was the most frequently isolated gram negative and Enterococcus (13.1%) was the most frequently isolated gram positive organism. Carbapenem (imipenem) was the most active agent against enterobacteraceae exhibiting, 94.4% and 91.3% sensitivity against E. coli and Klebsiella respectively. While vancomycin was the most active agent against gram positive organisms. Eighty-four percent of the Enterococci isolated were sensitive to vancomycin. Most isolates exhibited resistance to one or more antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous evolution of antimicrobial resistance patterns in bacteria necessitates updating of local data on antimicrobial susceptibility profiles to ensure the safety and efficacy of pathogen specific antimicrobial therapies.

The incidence of peripheral arterial embolism in association with a patent foramen ovale (right-to-left shunt).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine a cohort of patients who had suffered an arterial embolism to see whether a patent foramen ovale (PFO) was an identifiable cause. DESIGN: This study was conducted in two parts; a retrospective limb involving an audit of patient records over a period of 10 years, and a prospective limb including selected patients from that audit to search for a PFO using an agitated saline test with transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring of the anterior cerebral artery. Data on patients with peripheral vascular disease were collected using a structured questionnaire. SETTING: A clinical vascular department. All patients were seen in the vascular outpatients clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who had been identified from a retrospective search based on the headline diagnosis of arterial embolus. Collected data on the 71 patients revealed that 75% had predisposing factors for DVT, 70% were male smokers, and 84.4% had a significant past history of vascular symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Whether or not patients identified as having a possible PFO actually had one on objective testing with transcranial Doppler assessment of the cerebral circulation with an agitated saline solution. RESULTS: Fifteen patients who were suspected of having a PFO were selected from these 71 patients; 12 of these were found to have no PFO on testing, and three had already undergone a percutaneous PFO closure. CONCLUSION: The incidence of a PFO in this small study group is no higher than that found in the general population (3/15, 20%). There was high prevalence of male smokers with associated predisposing factors leading to a DVT.