Antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microbiota of mothers and linked neonates with or without sepsis from low- and middle-income countries.

Early development of the microbiome has been shown to affect general health and physical development of the infant and, although some studies have been undertaken in high-income countries, there are few studies from low- and middle-income countries. As part of the BARNARDS study, we examined the rectal microbiota of 2,931 neonates (term used up to 60 d) with clinical signs of sepsis and of 15,217 mothers screening for blaCTX-M-15, blaNDM, blaKPC and blaOXA-48-like genes, which were detected in 56.1%, 18.5%, 0% and 4.1% of neonates' rectal swabs and 47.1%, 4.6%, 0% and 1.6% of mothers' rectal swabs, respectively. Carbapenemase-positive bacteria were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and showed a high diversity of bacterial species (57 distinct species/genera) which exhibited resistance to most of the antibiotics tested. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae/E. cloacae complex, the most commonly found isolates, were subjected to whole-genome sequencing analysis and revealed close relationships between isolates from different samples, suggesting transmission of bacteria between neonates, and between neonates and mothers. Associations between the carriage of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and healthcare/environmental factors were identified, and the presence of ARGs was a predictor of neonatal sepsis and adverse birth outcomes.

Effect of two herbicides on Xenylla welchi (Hexapoda:Collembola) under laboratory conditions.

Xenylla welchi was used to evaluate toxicity of two herbicide formulations, pretilachlor (50 EC) and pendimethalin (30 EC) under laboratory conditions. Twenty four hours LC50 value of pretilachlor and pendimethalin formulations on Xenylla welchi were 72.7 and 190.0 g a.i/ha respectively which were less than their corresponding recommended agricultural doses. Again pretilachlor attained fastest LT50 (110 min) followed by pendimethalin (140 min). Significant reductions in hatching success were noted with the application of both the herbicide formulations at all doses excepting ¹/8 and ¹/10th of LC50 (9.1, 7.3 and 23.8, 19.0 g a.i/ha for pretilachlor and pendimethalin, respectively). Hatching success of the test specimens recorded 44.1 and 63.3% reduction from control for the highest applied dose (½ of LC50) of pretilachlor and pendimethalin, respectively. Juveniles of Xenylla welchi exposed to ¹/6, ¹/8 and ¹/10th LC50 for pretilachlor (12.1, 9.1, 7.3 g a.i/ha) and ¹/8 and ¹/10th LC50 for pendimethalin (23.8, 19.0 g ai/ha) survived and exhibited increased moulting frequency (7 moultings in 28 days in both the herbicide treatments) in comparison to control (8 moulting in 42 days). Test specimens required 26.0 ± 1.2 and 28.1 ± 2.1 days to attain sexual maturity exposed to pretilachlor and pendamethalin respectively which was significantly less than control (42 ± 2.6 days).

Susceptibility of epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida to agricultural application of six insecticides.

Ecotoxicological risks of agricultural application of six insecticides to soil organisms were evaluated by acute toxicity tests under laboratory condition following OECD guidelines using the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida as the test organism. The organochlorine insecticide endosulfan (LC(50) - 0.002 mg kg(-1)) and the carbamate insecticides aldicarb (LC(50) - 9.42 mg kg(-1)) and carbaryl (LC(50) - 14.81 mg kg(-1)) were found ecologically most dangerous because LC(50) values of these insecticides were lower than the respective recommended agricultural dose (RAD). Although E. fetida was found highly susceptible to the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin (LC(50) - 0.054 mg kg(-1)), the value was higher than its RAD. The organophosphate insecticides chlorpyrifos (LC(50) - 28.58 mg kg(-1)), and monocrotophos (LC(50) - 39.75 mg kg(-1)) were found less toxic and ecologically safe because the LC(50) values were much higher than their respective RAD.

Studies on relative toxicities of six insecticides on epigeic earthworm, Perionyx excavatus.

The 96 h LC(50) values of six insecticides were determined on a non-target epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus under laboratory conditions. Cypermethrin was found most toxic to P. excavatus (LC(50)-0.008 mg/kg), followed by endosulfan (LC(50)-0.03 mg/kg), carbaryl (LC(50)-6.07 mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (LC(50)-7.3 mg/kg), aldicarb (LC(50)-10.63 mg/kg) and monocrotophos (LC(50)-13.04 mg/kg). When these LC(50) values were compared with their respective recommended agricultural doses, aldicarb and carbaryl appeared more dangerous than other pesticides because of their lower LC(50) values than their respective recommended agricultural dose. Mean lethal time to cause 50% mortality at recommended agricultural dose (LT(50)) also indicated that aldicarb achieved the fastest LT(50) (26 h) followed by endosulfan (38 h) and carbaryl (44 h) indicating the danger of these pesticides to P. excavatus.

P300 event related potential in normal healthy controls of different age groups.

P300 event related potential was recorded in 115 healthy controls with a mean age of35.9±14.81 years and a male : female ratio of 72 : 43. There was significant difference in the P300 latency in < 40 years as compared to ≥ 40 years group (p< 0.001). There was no significant difference between males and females. There was a strong positive correlation between age and P300 latency (p< 0.001). The regression equation for P300 latency was Y=287.9+1.492x with an SEE of 20.2 (where Y is the P300 latency in ms, x is the age in years, SEE is the standard error of estimate). There was a negative correlation between age and P300 amplitude which was significant in ≥ 40 years age group while in > 40 years age group it was not significant.

Langerhan cell granulomatosis with unusual FNAC findings.

An interesting case of a multifocal Langerhans cell granulomatosis in an 18-mo-old female child is described. The diagnosis was confirmed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. The unusual findings at the initial stage of the disease and its possible etiopathogenesis are discussed.

Biomonitoring of anticholinesterase pesticides in the soil: usefulness of soil Collembola.

The impact of Methyl parathion and Carbaryl was evaluated on an ecologically important soil Collembola, Cyphoderus sp. Enzyme characteristics demonstrate substrate optimum at 1 10(-2) mol/L temperature optimum at 30 degrees C with a pH requirement of 8.0. In vivo inhibition of whole body AChE reveals higher degree of inhibition by LD50 dose of Methyl parathion as compared to that of Carbaryl where maximum inhibition was noticed at the agricultural dose.

Impact of insecticides on nontarget microarthropod fauna in agricultural soil.

Ecologically important soil microarthropods were used to evaluate the direct and residual toxicities of some insecticides under field and laboratory conditions. The density of total microarthropods and major groups, namely Acarina and Collembola, suffered a statistically significant and persistent decline in the aldrin 30 EC (0.25%)- and endosulfan 35 EC (0.33%)-treated soil of wheat fields. But dimethoate 30 EC (0.125%) and phosphamidon 85 EC (0.03%) applied in mustard fields produced only a temporary decline. Laboratory studies showed that all the above insecticides and monocrotophos 36 EC (0.2%), methyl parathion 50 EC (0.05%), chlordane 20 EC (0.125%), and carbaryl 50 WP (0.625%) had a direct knockdown effect on Cyphoderus sp. but another collembolan species, Xenylla sp., appeared to be somewhat resistant. Only endosulfan was toxic to a common soil Acarina species, Lancetoppia sp. Among four soil media, toxicity was maximum in pure sand, followed by sandy loam, clay, and organic soil. The residual toxicity of phosphamidon, dimethoate, methyl parathion, and endosulfan was more prolonged for Cyphoderus sp. than for Xenylla sp. Only the larval stage of Lancetoppia sp. was susceptible to the residual effect of endosulfan. LD50 and bioassay studies showed that Cyphoderus sp. can be employed as a potential biomonitor of insecticide pollution in soil.

Characterization and distribution of neutral and acidic mucins in the alimentary canal of an Indian freshwater major carp, Catla catla (Hamilton) by histochemical methods.

The distribution and chemical nature of acid and neutral mucins in the various regions of the alimentary canal of Catla catla (Ham.) have been studied. Both acid (sulfated and non-sulfated) and neutral mucins have been found to occur as a mosaic of complex substances in the different mucous cell types (secretory and non-secretory--both mature and immature) in the various regions of the alimentary canal (buccopharynx, oesophagus, intestine, and rectum). Acid mucin (both sulfated and non-sulfated) of the secretory and mature non-secretory mucous cells in the buccopharyngeal and oesophageal regions, however, predominates since these 2 regions are known to participate actively in food lubrication while the sulfated acid mucin keeps the internal mucosa moist. Mucous mother cells which originate from the multipotent progenitor cells contain exclusively neutral mucin in the form of neutral mucopolysaccharide granules. In the course of development these mucous mother cells are gradually pushed towards the periphery of the mucosa and transformed into mature and secretory mucous cells through an intermediate stage--the immature mucous cells. The latter cells during development synthesize intact acid mucopolysaccharide granules which ultimately fuse to produce a compact mass of mucin (both acid and neutral) in the mature and secretory mucous cells.

Detection and localization of alkaline and acid phosphatases in the digestive system of the adult Catla catla (Hamilton), an Indian freshwater major carp by histochemical methods.

The localization and distribution of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) and acid phosphatase (ACPase) in the various regions of the alimentary canal viz., buccopharynx, oesophagus, intestine, rectum and hepatopancreas of adult Catla catla have been studied by employing various histochemical techniques. ALPase activity was recorded in the various regions of the alimentary canal in the present study although its intensity of localization and distribution varies greatly. The highest ALPase activity was detected in the columnar epithelial cells of the intestine including their brush border, sub-mucosal layer as well as in the basement membrane while intense activity of the same was observed in the epithelial cells (stratified and columnar) of the buccopharynx and oesophagus, hepatic and pancreatic acinar cells. The intense localization of ALPase was also found in the nuclei of the epithelial cells (stratified and columnar), sub-mucosal connective tissue nuclei, hepatic cell nuclei, and sub-mucosal polysaccharide granules of the intestine. The moderate ALPase activity was detected in the neuroepithelial cells of the taste buds in the buccopharynx, cytoplasm of the epithelial cells (stratified and columnar) and muscularis layers. The blood vessels of the intestine and rectum also furnished moderate ALPase activity. The weak ALPase activity was noticed in the brush border of the rectum and also in the basement membrane. Intense ACPase activity was recorded in the striated border of the intestinal villi, while moderate activity of the same was detected in the nuclei of the stratified and columnar epithelial cells of the various regions of the alimentary canal as well as in the hepatic and pancreatic acinar cells. Very weak ACPase activity was localized in the cytoplasm of the stratified epithelial cells of the buccopharynx and oesophagus.