Working mothers worldwide find it hard to deal with expectations about their maternal responsibilities and work. The challenges faced by women across nations are perceived to be similar in nature. ...However, the known diversity in terms of culture, political scenario, educational framework, economic situation, legal policies and employment guidelines are unavoidable factors which may directly impact the challenges faced by women in their respective workplace. This research, therefore, attempts to identify the challenges faced by working mothers in India in their careers including different industrial sectors in the present scenario. A mix of qualitative and quantitative techniques is used for data collection. On the basis of in-depth interviews, grounded theory approach and exploratory factor analysis, three broad categories of challenges faced by working Indian mothers are identified. Post the empirical identification of perceived career barriers for working mothers, organizational interventions to address their concerns are discussed.
Abstract Purpose Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections have emerged as a major threat in hospitalized patients. Treatment options are often inadequate and, as a result, these ...infections are associated with high mortality. A cephalosporin and a novel synthetic non–β-lactam, β-lactamase inhibitor, ceftazidime-avibactam, is approved for the treatment of serious infections caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria. This article reviews the spectrum of activity, clinical pharmacology, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy and tolerability, and dosing and administration of ceftazidime-avibactam. Methods Searches of MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from 1980 to September 2015 were conducted by using the search terms ceftazidime , avibactam , and ceftazidime-avibactam . Abstracts from Infectious Disease Week (2014–2015), the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (2014–2015), and the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases were also searched. Findings Ceftazidime, a third-generation cephalosporin, when combined with avibactam has a significant improvement in its activity against β-lactamase–producing gram-negative pathogens, including extended-spectrum β-lactamases, AmpC β-lactamases, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae , and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Data from 2 Phase II and 1 Phase III clinical trial are available. In the Phase II trial of patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections, ceftazidime-avibactam produced clinical cure rates comparable to meropenem (91.2% vs 93.4%). Similarly, patients receiving ceftazidime-avibactam in a Phase II study of complicated urinary tract infections had clinical and microbiologic response rates similar to those receiving imipenem-cilastatin (70.4% and 71.4% microbiologic success rates, respectively). A Phase III trial compared ceftazidime-avibactam to best available therapy for the treatment of ceftazidime-resistant organisms. Clinical response and microbiological response for ceftazidime-avibactam versus best available therapy was comparable (90.9% and 91.2% clinical response, respectively); (81.8% and 63.5% microbiological response, respectively). Implications Currently, ceftazidime-avibactam is approved for the indications of complicated intra-abdominal infections (with metronidazole) and complicated urinary tract infections. Clinical trials published to date on this antimicrobial agent have shown its excellent safety and tolerability. This new combination agent has a role, but its use should be limited to patients without other treatment options in the empiric and documented treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms. Further investigation is needed in patients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa who have bacteremia or nosocomial or ventilator-associated pneumonia. It is imperative that ceftazidime-avibactam be used in a responsible manner so that its effectiveness can be retained.
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality both in the USA and globally. As the burden of CAP continues to increase due to several factors, the advances in its ...diagnosis, prevention, and treatment have taken on even greater interest and importance. The majority of CAP patients are treated empirically, and selection of appropriate antibiotic treatment is increasingly difficult because the epidemiology of CAP is changing, in part due to antimicrobial resistance, and the causative CAP pathogens differ between countries and regions. There is also an increasing prevalence of chronic co-morbid diseases among CAP patients. Treatment of CAP has become challenging because of these factors along with the varying safety profiles and efficacy of well-established antibiotics, as well as limited new therapeutic options. Recently, however, new antibiotics have been approved, which will expand the treatment options for CAP, particularly in those patients with underlying complications. Recently approved delafloxacin, an anionic fluoroquinolone, has a unique structure and distinct chemical characteristics; it demonstrated non-inferiority to moxifloxacin in a phase III clinical trial, but was shown to be superior to moxifloxacin at early clinical response in CAP patients who also have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma as a co-morbidity, and in CAP patients who may have severe illness. Delafloxacin could offer an additional therapy against resistant isolates and among these difficult-to-treat patients. This review summarizes the development, latest research, and safety profile of the new antibiotic delafloxacin, and its potential future role in the treatment of CAP.
Abstract Purpose Techniques used to identify AmpC β-lactamases in SPICE ( Serratia , Pseudomonas , indole-positive Proteus , Citrobacter , and Enterobacter ) organisms are not yet optimized for the ...clinical laboratory and are not routinely used. Clinicians are often left with an uncertainty on the choice of antibiotic when a SPICE organism is isolated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of carbapenem versus noncarbapenem regimens in treating bacteremia or urinary tract infection from a SPICE organism in clinical practice. Methods This single-center, retrospective, cohort study analyzed data from adult patients who had clinical infection with a SPICE organism isolated from blood or urine cultures. Patients were assigned to a carbapenem- or noncarbapenem-treated group. The primary end point was clinical response, defined as a resolution of signs and symptoms of infection at the end of therapy. Findings A total of 332 patients were assessed, and 145 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. There were 20 patients who received a carbapenem, while 125 received a noncarbapenem regimen. The percentage of patients who were bacteremic was 46.2%. Clinical response overall was achieved in 80% of patients on a carbapenem versus 90.3% of patients on a noncarbapenem regimen ( P = 0.24). The rate of microbiologic cure was 90% in patients on a carbapenem versus 91.2% in patients on a noncarbapenem regimen ( P = 1). Implications In this study in patients treated for infection with a SPICE organism in clinical practice, the rates of clinical response did not differ significantly between the carbapenem and noncarbapenem groups. Current CLSI breakpoints set for SPICE organisms may still be reliable and may not require additional testing for AmpC β-lactamases.
Background
Sheath blight of rice caused by
Rhizoctonia solani
is one of the most important diseases worldwide, causing considerable yield losses. The estimation of losses due to sheath blight of rice ...in India has been reported to be up to 54.30%. As a consequence of this fact, eco-friendly approaches were explored in this investigation.
Results
The pathogen
R. solani
was isolated from the infected sheath of rice plant, which was identified and characterized on the basis of morphology and through molecular Sequencing. The sequences of ITS were submitted to NCBI GenBank and the accession number allotted is SUB11543577. In dual culture best two potential isolates of biocontrol agents were selected
Pseudomonas fluorescens
(Pf27) and
Trichoderma harzianum
(Th47). Their different combinations with Herbal Kunapajala (HKJ) were tested in glasshouse, experimental field and farmers’ fields against sheath blight pathogen
R. solani.
The maximum plant vigor index was found in treatment combination
P. fluorescens
(27) +
T. harzanium
(47) + Herbal Kunapajala, seed treatment, soil drenching and three foliar applications. Minimum disease severity and incidence at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and 60DAS, maximum Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase Activity (PAL), Polyphenol Oxidase Activity (PPO) and Peroxidase Activity (PO) were also recorded in the same treatment. In field experiment the maximum population of biocontrol agents after 60 days of transplanting cfu/g soil for
Trichoderma
spp
.
(32.33 × 10
4
) and
Pseudomonas
spp
.
(36.33 × 10
4
) in rhizosphere and in rhizoplane. Maximum cfu/g soil for
Trichoderma
spp
.
(24.67 × 10
4
) and
Pseudomonas
spp. (24.0 × 10
4
) was observed in treatment Th + Pf + HKJ seed treatment + soil drenching + foliar spray. At experimental and farmers field minimum disease severity, disease incidence at 60 DAT was recorded in treatment Th + Pf + HKJ seed treatment + soil drenching + foliar spray and was at par with the chemical treatment Carbendazim, but the maximum yield was obtained in the treatment Th + PF + HKJ seed treatment + soil drenching + foliar spray due to the maximum growth promotion activity.
Conclusions
Among various treatment seed treatment, soil drenching and three foliar sprays with combination
T. harzianum
(47),
P. fluorescens
(27) and Herbal Kunapajala was found very effective in reducing the disease incidence, disease severity and increasing growth promotion activity at all conditions. Therefore, the recommendation of this investigation could be exploited under bio-intensive disease management program for sustainable cultivation of rice.
Breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and treatment can affect women both physically and psychologically. Women with BC undergo various painful and debilitating therapies as well as emotional trauma. ...Additionally, treatment modalities can bring about multiple changes, causing distress and alteration in one's appearance. This study aimed to assess the psychological distress and body image disturbances after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) among BC survivors.
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in North India on 165 female survivors of BC who underwent MRM and attended outpatient follow-up. The median (interquartile range) age was 42 (36–51) years. Patients were evaluated using MINI 6·0·0 to assess for psychiatric comorbidities. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure psychological distress. Additionally, the ten-item Body Image Satisfaction (BIS-10) scale was used to evaluate body image disturbances.
The rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 27·8%, 31·5%, and 24·8%, respectively. Most patients (92%) experienced body image disturbances, and BC survivors who completed treatment within 12 months were more likely (p < 0·01) to have body image disturbances than women who had a long time since completion of treatment. Body image disturbances were not associated with age or psychological distress.
Depression, anxiety, stress, and body image issues are common among BC survivors. Follow-up management plans for BC survivors should also include evaluation and treatment of psychological distress and addressing body image disturbances in patients undergoing mastectomy.
Not applicable.
Tomato is one of the major cash crops in the Golapar area of district Nainital in Uttarakhand (India), where farmers are facing the problem of diseases in tomato cultivation. In the present ...investigation, a survey of tomato fields in the Golapar area of Haldwani block was conducted. The survey revealed the occurrence of late blight, early blight, stem rot, and wilt diseases causing an average loss of 80% to tomato. To counter the above diseases,
Trichoderma harzianum
(Th43),
Pseudomonas fluorescens
(Pf173), Jas mycorrhiza (AMF), and the fungicide (Mancozeb) in different combinations applyed through soil application (SA), seedling treatment (ST), and foliar spray (FA) were evaluated for growth promotion and disease control in tomato at experimental and farmers’ fields. The results of the study revealed that in experimental field, the maximum plant height (43.67 cm), highest number of branches (7.33) per plant, highest weight of fruit (47 g), highest number of fruits (39) per plant, minimum plant mortality (4% at 30 DAT and 3.2% at 30–60 DAT), minimum plant disease index (6.85), maximum total yield (256.00 q/ha), and marketable yield (246.67 q/ha) were observed in Th+Pf+JM (SA) + Th+Pf (ST) + Mancozeb (FS). At farmer’s field, minimum plant mortality (7.31%) at 30 days after transplanting (DAT) (5.73%) in 30–60 DAT, minimum plant disease index (11.47), and maximum yield 249.91 q/ha were observed in Th+Pf+JM (SA) + Th+Pf (ST) + Mancozeb (FS) combination. So, it can be concluded that among all the treatments, integrated treatment comprising of soil application of
T. harzianum
,
P. fluorescens
, Jas mycorrhiza (AMF) + seedling treatment with
T. harzianum
and
P. fluorescens
+ three foliar sprays of Mancozeb was found very effective in reducing the plant mortality, promoting the plant growth, and increasing the yield at experimental field as well as at farmers’ fields.
Sapphire Rapids (SPR) is the next-generation Xeon® Processor with increased core count, greater than 100MB shared L3 cache, 8 DDR5 channels, 32GT/s PCIe/CXL lanes, 16GT/s UPI lanes and integrated ...accelerators supporting cryptography, compression and data streaming. The processor is made up of 4 die (Fig. 2.2.7) manufactured on Intel 7 process technology which features dual-poly-pitch SuperFin (SF) transistors with performance enhancements beyond 10SF,>25% additional MIM density over SuperMIM and a metal stack with a 400nm pitch routing layer optimized for global interconnects. This layer achieves ~30% delay reduction at the same signal density and is key for achieving the required latency. The core provides better performance via a programmable power management controller. New technologies include Intel Advanced Matrix Extensions (AMX), a matrix multiplication capability for acceleration of AI workloads and new virtualization technologies to address new and emerging workloads.
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