K V Ramana

Sequential oxidimetric determination of thallium(I) and (III)

The reaction between thallium(III) and oxalic acid in sulphuric acid medium has been investigated. Spectrophotometric results show that thallium(III) can be quantitatively reduced to thallium(I) with oxalic acid in aqueous medium when heated to near boiling point. Conditions for the estimation of the excess of oxalic acid with cerium(IV) sulphate in the presence of thallium(I) and for the estimation of a mixture of thallium(I) and thallium(III) have been investigated. The method is simpler than many other redox methods reported for the determination of thallium(III) and is free from many interferences encountered in these titrations. The reagents are cheap and quite stable.

Thallimetric oxidations—V: Titrimetric and spectrophotometric determination of hydrogen peroxide

Titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of hydrogen peroxide at mmole and mumole levels respectively. In these methods thallium(III) is used as the oxidant and the reduced thallium(I) is determined oxidimetrically with potassium bromate in the titrimetric method and by measuring the absorbance of thallium(III) at 260 nm in the presence of 0.1M hydrochloric acid and 1M perchloric acid in the spectrophotometric method. Photochemical redox methods for the estimation of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a number of diverse ions are described.

Effect of urea on the speciation of 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of toxic metal ions : computer augmented modelling studies

Abstract The speciation of Pb II and Cd II complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline has been studied in varying concentrations (0–29.64% w/w) of urea solutions

Modified Hodge test: A useful and the low-cost phenotypic method for detection of carbapenemase producers in Enterobacteriaceae members

Background: The global spread of antimicrobial resistance has acquired greater significance in the public health perspective. Drug resistance has posed a threat for the management of various hospital-acquired infections (HAI). For bacteria producing extended spectrum ß lactamase, carbapenems are the drug of choice. However, treatment failures are still a cause of concern due to carbapenemase producers. Aim: Various phenotypic and genotypic methods are available for the detection of carbapenemase producers. Studies thus far have mostly concentrated on comparing various methods for detection of carbapenemase producers. We used low-cost and the easily performed modified Hodge test (MHT) for detecting the carbapenemase producers in Enterobacteriaceae members isolated from various clinical specimens. Material and Methods: The study included 1072 clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae collected in India between April 2008 and February 2010. MHT was performed on all the isolates in accordance with CDC and CLSI guidelines. Results: The carbapenemase activity was detected in 35.9% (385/1072) of the isolates. Klebsiella spp. 28.7% (80/278), Citrobacter spp. 20.4% (25/122), 11.3% (38/334) in E. coli, 20.3% (45/221) in Enterobacter spp., and 16.2% (9/117) in Proteus spp. revealed variable resistance activities against carbapenems. Conclusion: Enterobacteriaceae members are among the most common and easily transferable bacterial species responsible for severe HAI. This study revealed a high percentage of Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates producing carbapenemases in India. Detection of such bacteria, formulating hospital antibiogram, and monitoring the usage of antimicrobial drugs is recommended.

Thermal decomposition of potassiumbis-oxalatodiaqua-indate(III) monohydrate

Indium (III) is precipitated with oxalic acid in the presence of potassium nitrate maintaining an overall concentration of 0·125 M in HNO3. Chemical analysis of the complex salt obtained indicates the formula, K[In(C2O4)2]·3H2O. Thermal decomposition studies show that the compound decomposes first to the anhydrous potassium indium oxalate and then to the final mixture of the oxides through formation of potassium carbonate and indium (III) oxide as intermediates. Isothermal study, X-ray diffraction pattern and IR spectral data support the proposed thermal decomposition mechanism.

Some studies on thallium oxalates. I. Thermal decomposition of ammonium bisoxalatothallate(III)

Abstract Trivalent thallium is precipitated in the presence of 0.1 M HNO 3 (or 0.05 M H 2 SO 4 ) and O.1 M NH 4 NO 3 (or 0.05 M (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ) with oxalic acid. The chemical analysis of the salt obtained correspondens to the formula, NH 4 [Tl(C 2 O 4 ) 2 ]·3H 2 O. The thermal decomposition studies of the complex indicate the formation of the intermediates ammonium thallous oxalate (stable from 150° to 160°C) and thallous oxalate (stable up to 290°C) and the final product to be a mixture of 25% of thallous oxide and 75% of thallic oxide (stable from 450° to 650°C). The infrared absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns, microscopic observations and the electrical resistance measurements are used to characterise the complex and the intermediates of its thermal decomposition.

Pulmonary Cryptococcosis Secondary to Bronchial Asthma Presenting as Type I Respiratory Failure- A Case Report with Review of Literature

Cryptococcus spp, was first isolated and described in 1894 by Sanfelice F in Italy from peach juice and named it as Saccharomyces neoformans, is an yeast like fungus, first isolated from a clinical specimen by Busse in the same year from Germany. Cryptococci are a saprophytic fungi present in soil contaminated with bird droppings mainly of pigeons, roosting sites and decaying vegetables. Previous reports have also showed the presence of Cryptococcus spp colonized in the nasopharynx and on skin of healthy individuals. Belonging to Basidiomyctes group of fungi Cryptococcus spp primarily infects central nervous system causing meningoencephalitis mostly in immunocompromised individuals. Classical and molecular genetic studies have revealed that Cryptococcus spp are closely related to ascomycetes group (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe) and basidiomycetes pathogens and mushrooms (Ustilago maydis,Coprinus cinereus, Schizophyllum commune)

Photochemical reduction of thallium(III) with hydrogen peroxide

A convenient method for determination of thallium(III) is based on photochemical reduction with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of bromide as catalyst, followed by oxidation of thallium(I) with potassium bromate.

Elevated activities of serum lactate dehydrogenase in human immunodeficiency virus sero-positive patients in highly active antiretroviral therapy era

Background: Monitoring HIV disease progression and deciding the time to initiate highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) requires evaluation of TCD4 + cell counts and HIV/RNA viral load at regular intervals. Considering the fact that it is the resource restrained developing countries that carry most of the burden of HIV, recently, studies have been carried out to evaluate the utility of low cost, easily performed alternate biomarkers that can be used for HIV disease management and in response to HAART. Unavailability of scientific technology and inadequate infrastructure makes it difficult for resource poor countries to manage HIV-infected individuals. Aim: Our study concentrated on evaluating LDH activities in HIV-infected individuals on HAART. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between June 2011 to December 2011, and 36 HIV seropositive and antiretroviral therapy naive individuals and 21 HIV seropositive patients presently on HAART since past 3-6 months attending Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) situated at Area hospital Siddipet were enrolled in the study. Results: Our study concentrated on evaluating LDH activities in HIV-infected individuals (220.42 ± 79.04 IU/L) on HAART and showed that higher serum LDH activities were found when compared to controls (160.13 ± 47.11 IU/L). After 3–6 months of HAART, the serum LDH showed statistically significant decrease (188.76 ± 42.91 IU/L) (P Conclusion: LDH assay is useful in monitoring HIV disease progression and treatment response.

Diphyllobothriasis in a nine-year-old child in India: a case report

IntroductionThe Diphyllobothrium genus belongs to the Diphyllobothridea order of tapeworms. Diphyllobothrium spp., which is commonly known as fish tapeworm, is generally transmitted in humans, but also in other species, such as bears, dogs, cats, foxes, and other terrestrial carnivores. Although worldwide in distribution, the original heartland of Diphyllobothrium spp. spreads across Scandinavia, northern Russia, and western Serbia. We report a rare case that occurred in India.Case presentationA nine-year-old south Indian girl was brought to the casualty at the Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences with complaints of vomiting and loose stools that had started three days earlier. The vomit did not have a foul smell and contained no blood or mucus, but it did contain undigested food particles. The patient described a history of recurrent abdominal pain. She was a non-vegetarian and said she had a history of eating fish.ConclusionThe incidence of Diphyllobothrium spp. infection is infrequent in India. Since this is only the fourth reported case in India, and since the previously reported cases also involved observed pediatric patients, we emphasize the need for clinical microbiologists and pediatricians to suspect fish tapeworm infection and recommend epidemiological study of Diphyllobothrium spp. infection.