Biology, Engineering, Medicine and Science Reports

Evaluating the Efficacy of Garlic and Cranberry Extracts against E. coli causing Urinary Tract Infections

Zahra Khosravi — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major cause of community-based Urinary tract infections (UTI). Products from nature have been used in traditional medicine practice although with limited scientific validity. In this study garlic and cranberry extracts was assessed for its efficacy to inhibit E. coli growth. Materials and Methods: Crude garlic and cranberry extracts were obtained and E. coli was isolated from an infected urine sample. Two-fold serial dilution was carried out on the E. coli and crude extract inoculations. Incubation and plating was carried out for 24 hr at 30°C. Colony count was done using a digital Quebec Colony Counter. Results: A general trend of reducing number of average CFU with increasing concentration of both extracts was observed. Garlic was observed to be more potent than the cranberry extract even at the lowest concentration. Conclusion: This study establishes the merit of using garlic and cranberry extract as a household remedy for UTI caused by E. coli.

You Can Observe a Lot by Watching: How Artistic Images have Led to Anatomical Exactitude

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Since the publication (c. 1316) of the first anatomy textbook and dissection guide, Anothomia mundini by Mondino de Luzzi, the importance of illustrations has been recognised as essential to learning about body structure. The Anathomia was the main source of anatomy information for over two centuries until Vesalius produced a comprehensive atlas of human anatomy, published in 1543 as De humani corporis fabrica. This text contained over 200 illustrations and placed considerable emphasis on dissection and observation as the best method of studying anatomy, a departure from the long-standing tradition of following ancient texts which lacked illustrations. This empirical method was expanded by several artists, notably Leonardo da Vinci and George Stubbs, whose works laid the foundation for accuracy in anatomical illustrations. The current tendency among students to photograph their dissections has largely replaced drawing specimens. Some contemporary antidotes to this tendency are presented along with the associated educational benefits.

Efficacy of Natural Extract from Ocimum Species against Fungus Gnats Infesting Plant Saplings

Anya Kumar, Arun HS Kumar — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Background: Fungus gnats around household plants besides being annoying can also compromise the growth the plant saplings. Hence effectively repelling them without compromising their ecological purpose is necessary. Materials and Methods: We tested here the effectiveness of an aromatic natural extract of the Ocimum species in repelling the Fungus gnats naturally infesting Catharanthus roseus plant saplings. Ocimum extract was sprayed on the plant saplings and monitored for the presence of the Fungus gnats. The binding potential of selected compounds in the Ocimum extract was evaluated against known insect specific olfactory receptors to understand the mechanism of action. Results: Ocimum extract effectively repelled and reduced the fungus gnats around the plant saplings following treatment over 4 days. This improved the growth of the plant saplings. Selected compounds from Ocimum extract had physiologically effective binding affinity with the insect specific olfactory receptors. Conclusion: Ocimum extract spray is a cost effective and ecologically favourable approach for controlling fungus gnats infesting plant saplings.

A Brief Report about Managing the Spread of COVID-19 with Limited Resources in Bandar Abbas City, South of Iran

Hashem Jarineshin, Fereydoon Fekrat, Behnaz Dalfardi, Fatemeh Khosravi — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Since the end of 2019, the world has experienced the biggest catastrophic event of the century because of the manifestation of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which could lead to severe pneumonia. All countries need to prepare their resources and infrastructures as well as healthcare systems to overcome this disaster or any next pandemic, which may occur in the future again. At the time of this writing, my country is suffering from second wave of this pandemic. In Iran, the prevalence of COVID-19 with a high rate of mortality is still at an alarming rate which brings severe concern and a massive burden for health care systems. As of September 15, 2020, the number of infected people with COVID-19 in Iran was 407,353 with 23,453 deaths. In this short report, we want to share our response planning with emphasis on the measures being applied in our hospital particularly our anesthesiology department, to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in the operating rooms and intensive care units (ICU) of this significant referral centre (450-bed) of Hormozgan university located in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province south of Iran.