Plug Method Research Articles

Effect of caffeine on foetal morphometric parameters of embryonic Wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Background: There is increasing body of evidence that maternal caffeine use during pregnancy predisposes the embryo and foetus to spontaneous abortion but data on its influence on foetal morphometry is scarce. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate experimentally the effects of caffeine on morphometric parameters of newborn of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty, experimentally naive, adult female Wistar-albino rats weighing 100–150 g were mated. After confirming pregnancy by vaginal plug method, the pregnant rats were randomly assigned into four groups (Group A–D). The dams in Group A served a normal control. They had 0.2 ml/kg body weight of normal saline intraperitoneally from day 9 to 20. Experimental Group B rats had 25 mg/kg body weight of caffeine intraperitoneally. Group C had 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine intraperitoneally and Group D dams had 100 mg/kg body weight of caffeine intraperitoneally. Dams in both experimental and control groups were sacrificed on day 20 after caffeine administration. The foetuses were weighed and their crown-rump lengths were measured. Their body mass index of the litters (foetuses) was calculated and their placentas were weighed. Results: The mean crown-rump length of the litters (Group A) was significantly more (5.61 ± 0.29) than the experimental which were 5.10 ± 0.22 cm, 4.72 ± 0.24 cm and 3.81 ± 0.16 cm for Group B, C and D litters, respectively (P < 0.0001). The mean foetal weight of Group A litters was significantly more (1.56 ± 0.38) than the experimental which were 1.25 ± 0.41 g, 1.15 ± 0.77 cm and 0.78 ± 0.34 cm for Group B, C and D litters, respectively (P < 0.0001). The mean placenta weight of the foetuses was significantly lower in the females from the experimental Group B, C and D compared to the control group (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: This study showed a significantly reduced foetal weight, crown-rump length and placenta weight in the offspring of experimental female rats treated with caffeine compared to the control.

Antidiarrhoeal and antioxidant properties of ethanol leaf extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Methanolic Extract of Rumex maritimus L. (Polygonaceae)Md. Shafayat Hossain, A. H. M. Arifur Rashid, Md. Mahmudur Rahman, Samir Kumar Sadhu

CHARACTERISTIC OF STREPTOMYCES SPECIES WITH ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST SELECTED PHYTOPATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND FUNGI

The object of this study was to find and characterise streptomycete isolates with antimicrobial activity accomplished by the agar plug method against phytopathogenic species. The test-microorganisms were selected according to their importance in agriculture. All of them belong to phytopathogenic species which reduce yields of agriculturally important plants worldwide. A total number of four phytopathogenic bacteria (Xanthomonas campestris (CCM 22), Pseudomonas syringae (CCM 2868), Erwinia amylovora (CCM 1114), Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (CCM 7014)) and four phytopathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium poae, Alternaria tenuissima, Alternaria arborescens) were used for this experiment. Overall twenty streptomycete isolates showed antimicrobial activity against at least two of the test-microorganisms. These active isolates were subsequently characterized. Streptomycete isolates were observed for morphological characteristics, such as morphology and colour of aerial and substrate mycelium, colour of diffusible pigments, production of melanoid pigments on peptone-yeast extract iron agar and sporophore and spore chain morphology following the International Streptomyces Project. Genes coding polyketide synthase (PKS-I) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), which are considered to responsible for the synthesis of large number of biologically active compounds, like antibiotics and antifungals, that are produced by Streptomyces species largely, were screened. The occurrence of these genes in the genome of our isolates was in accordance with results from antimicrobial activity analysis. Classification to genus Streptomyces were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Identification and preliminary characterization of non-polyene antibiotics secreted by new strain of actinomycete isolated from sebkha of Kenadsa, Algeria

ObjectiveTo study the antimicrobial activity of actinomycetes isolated from sabkha of Kenadsa and identification of the isolate interesting. MethodsEighteen strains were isolated, using four culture media from sebkha of Kenadsa (Bechar, Southwestern Algeria). Screening of antimicrobial activity consisted of two steps: in primary screening, antibacterial activity was determined by using the agar plug method against test strains; in secondary screening, better isolate which showed a good activity in the first screening was selected to extract antimicrobial substances. The antimicrobial activities of extracts were evaluated by using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Partial characterization of antimicrobial products was performed on the basis of chemical revelations, UV–vis spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy. The identification of isolate interesting was performed through morphological, chemical, biochemical and physiological characteristics. ResultsAll isolates showed antimicrobial activity against at least one microorganism test. One isolate, LAM143cG3, was selected for its broad spectrum and high antimicrobial activity. The isolate LAM143cG3 was identified as Spirillospora sp. The comparison between the species of this genus (Spirillospora rubra and Spirillospora albida) and our isolate indicated the existence of several physiological and biochemical differences which led us to suppose that this was a new member of this genus. Primary characterization of antimicrobial substances produced by the isolate LAM143cG3 indicated the presence of amines and phenols. The UV–vis spectrum suggested a non-polyenic nature of substances secreted by our isolate, while infrared confirmed the presence of amine groups. ConclusionsThe result of the present study revealed that sebkha of Kenadsa was rich in rare actinomycetes, that secreted interesting antimicrobial substance.

Antimicrobial effect of cola on several microorganisms

A study was carried out on three different brands of cola which are marketed in Turkey. Liquid portions of the collected colas were fully removed at 55 oC Antibacterial effect spectrum was determined by Cut Plug method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations were determined by micro dilution method by preparing serial dilutions of cola on studied bacterial strains. It was found out that cola has a strong antibacterial effect on Bacillus Cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O: 157 H: 7, Salmonella enteritidis, Yersinia enterocolitica bacteria and antifungal effect of cola could not be identified. It was considered that cola drinks can be used for the treatment of bacterial factors and bacterial circles causing food toxicity. At the end of the study, a comparison could not be carried out as there was no study on the antibacterial effects of cola on various bacteria. It has been considered that cola beverages can be used for the treatment of bacterial factors and bacterial circles causing food toxicity.

Strangulated Intestinal Obstruction due to after Inguinal Hernioplasty by the Mesh Plug Method

Strangulated Intestinal Obstruction due to after Inguinal Hernioplasty by the Mesh Plug Method

Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Coleus amboinicus Lour Exhibited Antimicrobial Activity.

Coleus amboinicus is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat various diseases such as throat infection, cough and fever, diarrhea, nasal congestion and digestive problems. The plant was explored for endophytic fungi producing antimicrobial agents. Screening for endophytic fungi producing antimicrobial agents was conducted using agar plug method and antimicrobial activity of promising ethyl acetate extracts was determined by disc diffusion assay. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) - bioautography was performed to localize the bioactive components within the extract. TLC visualization detection reagents were used to preliminary analyze phytochemical groups of the bioactive compounds. Three endophytic fungi were obtained, two of them showed promising potential. Agar diffusion method showed that endophytic fungi CAL-2 exhibited antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, S. aureus and S. thypi, whilst CAS-1 inhibited the growth of B. subtilis. TLC bioautography of ethyl acetate extract of CAL-2 revealed at least three bands exhibited antimicrobial activity and at least two bands showed inhibition of B. subtilis growth. Preliminary analysis of the crude extracts suggests that bioactive compounds within CAL-2 extract are terpenoids, phenolics and phenyl propanoid compounds whilst the antimicrobial agents within CAS-1 extract are terpenoids, propylpropanoids, alkaloids or heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. These data suggest the potential of endophytic fungi of C. amboinicus as source for antimicrobial agents.

Bioactive Potential of Actinomycetes from Less Explored Ecosystems against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Other Nonmycobacterial Pathogens.

Bioactive potential of actinomycetes isolated from certain less explored Indian ecosystems against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other nonmycobacterial pathogens was investigated. Actinomycetes were isolated from the soil samples collected from desert, coffee plantation, rubber forest, and hill area and their cultural and micromorphological characteristics were studied. Crude extracts were prepared by agar surface fermentation and tested against M. tuberculosis isolates by luciferase reporter phage (LRP) assay at 100 µg/mL. Activity against nonmycobacterial pathogens was studied by agar plug method. Totally 54 purified cultures of actinomycetes including 43 Streptomyces and 11 non-Streptomyces were isolated. While screening for antitubercular activity, extracts of 39 actinomycetes showed activity against one or more M. tuberculosis isolates whereas 27 isolates exhibited antagonistic activity against nonmycobacterial pathogens. In particular crude extracts from sixteen actinomycete isolates inhibited all the three M. tuberculosis isolates tested. Findings of the present study concluded that less explored ecosystems investigated in this study are the potential resource for bioactive actinomycetes. Further purification and characterization of active molecule from the potential extracts will pave the way for determination of MIC, toxicity, and specificity studies.

An Environmentally-friendly Method for Removing Polymer Plugging in Well Boreholes

With the progresses of industrial scale of high concentration and high molecular weight polymer flooding in Daqing oilfield, there are severe polymer plug problems, which occur in the perforated zone and the interstices of the formation adjacent the perforated zone. In attempts to remove or at lease reduce these polymeric build-up plugs, the strong oxidants are widely used in oilfields. The use of oxidants is undesirable because of the high price and short efficient period. What is more, it cannot meet standards of safety and environmental protection. This article presents lab and field test results of this removing polymeric plug method based on microbial degrading polymer. Lab experiments results show that polymers with different molecular weights were efficiently degraded by screened bacteria under different reservoir temperatures. It can be seen in visualization model that polymer plugs in pore were removed obviously. The polymer injection pressure was decreased 25%. The pilot tests in Daqing oilfield showed that by applying the method, average injection pressure of each well was decreased 435 psia, the average effective period reached to 520 days, and more than 7,000 barrels (bbl) of oil were increased in the test field.

A Remotely Controlled Downhole Valve Used for Completion Installation

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 166271, ’A Case Study of Using a Remotely Controlled Downhole Valve for Completion Installation,’ by Keith Oddie, SPE, and John O'Hara, SPE, Halliburton, and Luis Paz, SPE, Hess Corporation, prepared for the 2013 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, 30 September-2 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. On the basis of a case study in Equatorial Guinea, this paper demonstrates how barrier provisions with remotely controlled open/close technology capabilities enable interventions to be removed from a completion design. The technology described was used in a horizontal subsea producer well drilled to 3460 m. The paper will illustrate how combining downhole electronic control with a full-bore hydraulically operated barrier valve removes any need for running control lines to the surface. Surface-applied pressure and time combinations were used to command remote actuation of the valve. Introduction The Ceiba field is located 35 km offshore Equatorial Guinea, west Africa, and is 241 km south of the capital, Malabo. Located in approximately 700 m of water and in one of six subsea clusters in the development, this well was identified as a suitable candidate for inclusion of the technology outlined in this paper. To maximize reservoir recovery in this field, the completion strategy included a horizontal openhole gravel pack to provide downhole sand control. The completion engineers felt that this strategy would help meet production objectives such as inflow performance. However, it would also require the well to be drilled at a highly deviated trajectory, which would increase the likelihood of the production packer being set at a deviation beyond conventional slickline capability. The remotely controlled downhole valve offered an alternative plugging method to set the packer, test production tubing, and commission subsurface well-control equipment requiring well interventions, and therefore was included for consideration in the well design. The well design would later confirm that the valve would be installed at a deviation greater than 70°. Plug deployment with wireline and tractor was evaluated in terms of risk and exposure to cost, and from the results of the evaluation, it was concluded that remote technology should be included in the basis of design. A landing-nipple profile located below the packer provided contingency in the event that the remotely controlled valve failed to close. The final subsea completion design required that the 547-m reservoir section be drilled along a horizontal trajectory, the openhole horizontal gravel-pack system be installed, and the gravel pack be performed. Retrieval of the gravel- pack service tool and wash pipe would mechanically close the fluid-loss control valve to provide isolation from the reservoir during deployment of the upper completion. It would also provide a means of applying the pressure and time signature required to close the barrier valve.

Biocidal Polymers: Preparation and Antimicrobial Assessment of Immobilized Onium Salts onto Modified Chitosan

New derivatives of chitosan were synthesized by modification of chitosan (CTS) either with chloroacetyl chloride or with bromoacetyl chloride. The haloacetylated chitosan derivatives were quaternized by reaction with triethyl amine and triphenyl phosphine. The quaternized new derivatives of chitosan were tested against Gram-negative bacteria the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungi by the cut plug method and viable cell counting methods. The results showed that the new chitosan derivatives have stronger antimicrobial activities than the chitosan itself. The examination of the treated cells by TEM showed complete discharge of cellular cytoplasm which led to the death of the cells.

Synthesis of Quaternized Amine-Terminated Polyacrylonitrile and Their Antimicrobial Assessment

Antimicrobial polymers based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) have been prepared. The cyano groups of the polyacrylonitrile were modified through the reaction with different aliphatic diamines having varied chain lengths. Formation of biocidal polymers (antifungal and antibacterial agents) containing quaternary ammonium salts were then achieved by immobilization of glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (GTMAC) onto the amine-terminated polymers. Antimicrobial activity of the prepared polymers was demonstrated against some selected plant and human pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as some pathogenic fungi by the cut plug method and viable cell counting methods. Generally, all polymers showed an increase in the inhibitory action against all the tested microorganisms in comparison with their control.

Botryosphaeriaceae and Diaporthaceae associated with panicle and shoot blight of pistachio in California, USA

Botryosphaeria panicle and shoot blight was considered as one of the single greatest threats to the California pistachio industry in the last two decades. A large number of fungi with typical morphological characteristics of Botryosphaeriaceae and Diaporthe were collected from pistachios in 18 counties in California and deposited in our culture collection. The aims of this study were to identify these isolates, recognize the distribution of these fungal species and test their pathogenicity to pistachio cultivars. A total of 304 California isolates were identified based on comparisons of DNA sequence data of the ITS, TEF-1α and β-tubulin gene regions, and combined with the morphological features of the cultures and conidia. Research results showed that California isolates represent eight species of Botryosphaeriaceae and one species of Diaporthe. These species include Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia seriata, Dothiorella iberica, Dot. sarmentorum, Lasiodiplodia citricola, L. gilanensis, Neofusicoccum mediterraneum, Neof. vitifusiforme and Diaporthe chamaeropis. Of the Botryosphaeriaceae, 86 % of the isolates were identified as Neof. mediterraneum, which distributed in all the sampled counties. On pistachio trees, in addition to isolates from California, Neof. mediterraneum from Arizona, Neof. australe from Australia, B. dothidea, Neof. parvum and Dia. viticola from Greece were also identified. Pathogenicity of the California fungi on pistachio cultivars, Kerman (female) and Peters (male), using a mycelium plug and conidial suspension inoculation methods showed that all these species are pathogenic to the two tested pistachio cultivars, with L. citricola, L. gilanensis being the most pathogenic species, followed by Neof. mediterraneum. This study represents the first comprehensive work on the species identification, distribution and pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae and Diaporthe on pistachio in California.

The Kugel patch method prevents the development of a femoral hernia after inguinal herniorrhaphy

A femoral hernia is a relatively rare condition, and no standard surgical methods have so far been established. In this study, we investigated the development of a femoral hernia after inguinal herniorrhaphy. A total of 1,969 patients who underwent surgery for an inguinal hernia from April 1992 to March 2012 were enrolled in this study. The patients were composed of 1,934 (98.2 %) inguinal hernia and 35 (1.8 %) femoral hernia patients. Of these, we retrospectively studied the femoral hernia cases with reference to the use of inguinal herniorrhaphy. Of all 35 femoral hernia cases, six cases (17.1 %) were femoral type recurrences after inguinal herniorrhaphy performed by the conventional or mesh plug methods. The surgical methods used for the 35 cases were mesh plug repair in 15 cases (42.9 %), the Kugel patch method in seven (20.0 %) and conventional repair in 13 patients (37.2 %). Inguinal type recurrences developed in three cases (8.6 %) that were re-repaired by mesh plug repair or sac resection. There were no femoral or inguinal type recurrences after Kugel patch repair for a femoral hernia. The results of this study suggested the importance of repairing all hernia orifices when repairing a groin hernia. The Kugel patch repair method is available for all inguinal region hernias by the same approach, and it seems to be useful for preventing the development of recurrence after surgery.

Short- and long-term outcomes of open inguinal hernia repair: comparison of the Prolene Hernia System and the Mesh Plug method

Tension-free mesh repair of adult inguinal hernias has become a standard procedure, but there have been few comparisons of the postoperative outcome after hernia repair using the Prolene Hernia System (PHS) vs. the Mesh Plug (MP) method in a large number of patients from a single institution. We reviewed the medical records of patients to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of the different types of hernia repair. Late symptoms were evaluated by questionnaire. A total of 1,141 repairs performed from 1999 to 2008 (PHS in 957 and MP in 184 repairs) were evaluated. There were 93 early postoperative complications (8.2%). A subcutaneous hematoma was found more frequently after MP repair compared with after PHS repair (3.8 vs. 1.3%, P = 0.013). Seven hundred and ten patients (62.2%) could be followed up for more than 2 years. Recurrence was detected in 14 patients with PHS repair and two patients with MP repair (1.5 vs. 1.1%, P = 0.956). Wound infections occurred in three patients (0.3%) with PHS repair vs. none with MP repair (P > 0.999). Patients with PHS and MP repair showed no significant differences in the long-term wound pain. The recurrence and wound infection rates were similar after hernia repair using the PHS and MP methods. Patients undergoing PHS repair developed fewer subcutaneous hematomas. An older age (≥65 years) was a significant independent risk factor for recurrence.

Molecular characterization and screening for sheath blight resistance using Malaysian isolates of Rhizoctonia solani.

Two field isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were isolated from infected paddy plants in Malaysia. These isolates were verified via ITS-rDNA analysis that yielded ~720 bp products of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS4 region, respectively. The sequenced products showed insertion and substitution incidences which may result in strain diversity and possible variation in disease severity. These strains showed some regional and host-specific relatedness via Maximum Likelihood and further phylogenetic analysis via Maximum Parsimony showed that these strains were closely related to R. solani AG1-1A (with 99-100% identity). Subsequent to strain verification and analysis, these isolates were used in the screening of twenty rice varieties for tolerance or resistance to sheath blight via mycelial plug method where both isolates (1801 and 1802) showed resistance or moderate resistance to Teqing, TETEP, and Jasmine 85. Isolate 1802 was more virulent based on the disease severity index values. This study also showed that the mycelial plug techniques were efficient in providing uniform inoculum and humidity for screening. In addition this study shows that the disease severity index is a better mode of scoring for resistance compared to lesion length. These findings will provide a solid basis for our future breeding and screening activities at the institution.

Development of Swift Temporary Plugging Method with Steel Bulkhead

Development of Swift Temporary Plugging Method with Steel Bulkhead

Inguinal hernia repair with the mesh plug method is safe after radical retropubic prostatectomy

We evaluated the safety and efficiency of using the mesh plug method (MP) to repair inguinal hernias in patients with a history of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). We also investigated how RRP influences the development of inguinal hernias and impacts their repair. Among 488 adult male patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair during a recent 5-year period, 37 had a history of RRP. We compared the characteristics and surgical outcomes of the patients who had undergone RRP (post-RRP group) with those who had not (non-RRP group). All post-RRP hernias were treated by MP. The 37 post-RRP patients had a collective 41 hernias, 40 of which were of the indirect type. The side affected by the hernia did not differ significantly between the groups. We compared the short-term surgical outcomes of the indirect post-RRP hernias vs. the indirect non-RPP hernias without recurrence and incarceration. The operation times, postoperative hospital stay, and mobility rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. The blood loss was almost equal in both groups. Inguinal hernia repair after RRP may be difficult because of inflammatory changes in the preperitoneal cavity, but the surgical outcomes of MP were equivalent in patients with or without a history of RPP in this study. MP is a safe and effective method for post-RPP hernia repair.

Finite Element Analysis of the Piston Thermal Load in a Diesel Engine

Three-dimensional modeling and finite element analysis on the diesel engine piston is carried out in the paper. The distribution of temperature, stress and strain within piston at the rated conditions of the engine are obtained from the simulation. The calculated temperature is consistent with the results of the piston surface temperature which is obtained by hardness plug method, thus confirming the model's validity. The calculated maximum temperature is 374 °C and the minimum temperature is 144 °C. The maximum stress is 118MPa located between the piston skirt above the pin hole and the third ring groove. The maximum thermal strain appears at the piston top with the value of 6.29×10-3. Finally, the temperature simulation of the piston adopted oil-splashing cooling is implemented. It is proved that thermal load can be further reduced through cooling measure.

Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial metabolite producing endophytic Phomopsis sp. from Ficus pumila Linn. (Moraceae)

Abstract Background/Aim An endophytic fungus belongs to the genus Phomopsis was isolated from stem of Ficus pumila (Moraceae) and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Methods Antimicrobial potential was investigated by agar plug, disc diffusion and TLC bioautography agar overlay methods. Detection of polyketide synthase (PKS) genes using DOP-PCR techniques. Results Endophytic Phomopsis sp. identified by morphological as well as molecular techniques, which exhibited broad a spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative human and phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi. TLC bioautography detects the production of antimicrobial metabolites. Conclusion This preliminary study revealed that endophytic Phomopsis species are prolific producer of antimicrobial metabolites with wide range of antimicrobial activity.