Comparative genome analysis and characterization of a MDR Klebsiella variicola.

Klebsiella variicola is an emerging pathogen responsible for causing blood-stream infections, urinary and respiratory tract related diseases in humans. In this report, we describe the genome sequence data and phenotypic characterization of K. variicola strain KV093 isolated from India.

A cross-sectional study of stool form (using Bristol stool chart) in an urban South Indian population.

Background: There is paucity of data on Bristol stool form (BSF) in healthy South Indian residents.

Aim: To determine the BSF types and associated factors in an urban bowel health noncomplainant population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, performed using a self-administered questionnaire among adult Chennai residents, compared BSF types by gender for various factors (age, occupation, bowel frequency, and defecation-related abdominal pain).

Health-related quality of life in liver cirrhosis patients using SF-36 and CLDQ questionnaires.

Aim Of The Study: To determine the factors that are likely to influence the domains of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using SF-36 and CLDQ questionnaires in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Material And Methods: Patients with liver cirrhosis were compared with age- and gender-matched healthy controls for physical and mental components of the SF-36 score. Effects of age, co-morbidity, namely diabetes, severity of liver disease and complications of liver cirrhosis on HRQOL using self-administered or by direct interview SF-36 and CLDQ questionnaires were studied.

Genome analysis of urease positive Serratia marcescens, co-producing SRT-2 and AAC(6')-Ic with multidrug efflux pumps for antimicrobial resistance.

In this study, we present the genome sequence of Serratia marcescens SM03, recovered from a human gut in India. The final assembly consists of 26 scaffolds (4620 coding DNA sequences, 5.08 Mb, 59.

Genome sequence and comparative analysis of Bacillus cereus BC04, reveals genetic diversity and alterations for antimicrobial resistance.

In this study, we delineated the genome sequence of a Bacillus cereus strain BC04 isolated from a stool sample in India. The draft genome is 5.1 Mb in size and consists of total 109 scaffolds, GC content is 35.

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus in donors & opportunistic viral infections in liver transplant recipients.

Background & Objectives: Opportunistic virus infections are common in liver transplant (LT) recipients. There is a risk of developing infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes-related viruses such as herpes simplex virus-1 and 2 (HSV-1 & 2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), reactivation of infection and recurrent infection. This study was conducted to determine CMV seropositivity in donors and its influence on LT recipients and seropositivity of CMV, HSV-1 and 2, EB viral capsid antigen (EBVCA) and VZV in LT recipients and their reactivation.

HRQOL using SF36 (generic specific) in liver cirrhosis.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is influenced by the disease state, associated complications and their management. In patients with liver cirrhosis co-morbidity, severity of liver disease and their complications are likely to affect the QOL. The aim of the study was to determine the factors that are likely to influence the domains of HRQOL using SF-36 in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Correction: Occurrence of Diverse Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in Genetically Unrelated Biocide Tolerant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Combination of TACE and Sorafenib Improves Outcomes in BCLC Stages B/C of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single Centre Experience.

Background And Aim: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or sorafenib is recommended for hepatocellular carcinoma BCLC stages B and C respectively. We studied the role of combination of TACE and sorafenib in BCLC stages B/C.

Material And Methods: We undertook an observational study on a cohort of cirrhotics with HCC from August 2010 through October 2014.

Occurrence of Diverse Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants in Genetically Unrelated Biocide Tolerant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Nosocomial infections due to Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant problem in health care settings worldwide. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial susceptibility, genetic profiles and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae isolates of Indian origin.

Composition of gallbladder bile in healthy individuals and patients with gallstone disease from north and South India.

Background: Gallstones (GS) in south India (SI) are predominantly pure pigment or mixed, while in North India (NI), these are either pure cholesterol or mixed. While cholesterol rich gallbladder (GB) bile predicts cholesterol GS, constituent of bile in primary pigment GS is not known. We compared the composition of GB bile from healthy liver donors and patients with GS from north and south India.

Donor Outcomes in Living Donor Liver Transplantation-Analysis of 275 Donors From a Single Centre in India.

Background: Live donor liver transplantation is the predominant form of liver transplantation in India and in most Asian countries. Donor outcome reports are an important source of information to be shared with prospective donors at the time of informed consent. This is the first donor outcome series from India.

Functional Characterization of AbeD, an RND-Type Membrane Transporter in Antimicrobial Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is becoming an increasing menace in health care settings especially in the intensive care units due to its ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions and exhibit innate resistance to different classes of antibiotics. Here we describe the biological contributions of abeD, a novel membrane transporter in bacterial stress response and antimicrobial resistance in A. baumannii.

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis after liver transplantation: experience in a tertiary transplant centre.

Background: Prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and nucleoside analogs can prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplant (LT).

Aim: To determine the efficacy and cost of maintaining immunoprophylaxis with HBIG and hyperimmune plasma (HIP) for 6 months after LT.

Material & Methods: The study included 22 HBV related LT recipients who were on entecavir and either HBIG or HIP for 6 months.

A study of gender-wise risk association between fatty liver and metabolic syndrome components (Asia-Pacific criteria) in a South Indian urban cohort.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with fatty liver (FL) disease. Gender differences in this association are not known.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine gender-wise association between FL and MS components (using Asia-Pacific guidelines 2007) in an urban south Indian cohort with normal liver function tests (LFT).

AbuO, a TolC-like outer membrane protein of Acinetobacter baumannii, is involved in antimicrobial and oxidative stress resistance.

Although Acinetobacter baumannii is well accepted as a nosocomial pathogen, only a few of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) have been functionally characterized. In this study, we demonstrate the biological functions of AbuO, a homolog of TolC from Escherichia coli. Inactivation of abuO led to increased sensitivity to high osmolarity and oxidative stress challenge.

Role of novel multidrug efflux pump involved in drug resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Background: Multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae have caused major therapeutic problems worldwide due to the emergence of the extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing strains. Although there are >10 major facilitator super family (MFS) efflux pumps annotated in the genome sequence of the K. pneumoniae bacillus, apparently less is known about their physiological relevance.

Anti-HBs response to hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis in liver transplant recipients.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after a liver transplant (LT) is a global issue. Several strategies have been adopted to prevent this recurrence. Most strategies recommend a combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and or nucleos(t)ide analogue.

Tacrolimus-related adverse effects in liver transplant recipients: its association with trough concentrations.

Background: Tacrolimus is an important immunosuppressant administered to patients following liver transplantation (LT), with a recommended trough concentration of 8 to 11 ng/mL to prevent allograft rejection. We retrospectively examined our data to identify the tacrolimus trough concentration that combined efficacy with minimal adverse effects.

Methods: The case records of LT recipients, who were nondiabetic, nonhypertensive, and with normal renal parameters prior to LT were retrospectively examined for acute cellular rejection (ACR) episodes and three major adverse effects of tacrolimus, i.

Risk profile for gallstone disease in southern Indian population: is there anything new?

Aim: There are reports of changes in demographic and morphological characteristics of gallstone (GS) disease in South Asian countries. The changes in dietary factors have not been previously reported. The aim of the study was to identify dietary factors and lifestyle patterns among southern Indian patients with GS disease.

High resolution esophageal manometry--the switch from "intuitive" visual interpretation to Chicago classification.

Unlabelled: High resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) has been interpreted all along by visual interpretation of color plots until the recent introduction of Chicago classification which categorises HREM using objective measurements. It compares HREM diagnosis of esophageal motor disorders by visual interpretation and Chicago classification. Using software Trace 1.

HBsAg Positive Patient Characteristics in Hospital and Blood Donation Camps.

Background. Prevention of the residual risk of transfusion transmitted hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is mostly dependant on serological screening of blood donors for HBsAg and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc Ab). This study aimed to study the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc Ab and to compare the profile of blood donors attending a blood donation camp and people attending a hospital based camp.