Ever since the development of Hybridoma Technology in 1975 by Kohler and Milstein, our vision for antibodies as tools for research for prevention, detection and treatment of diseases, vaccine production, antigenic characterization of pathogens and in the study of genetic regulation of immune responses and disease susceptibility has been revolutionized. The monoclonal antibodies being directed against single epitopes are homogeneous, highly specific and can be produced in unlimited quantities. In animal disease diagnosis, they are very useful for identification and antigenic characterization of pathogens. Monoclonal antibodies have tremendous applications in the field of diagnostics, therapeutics and targeted drug delivery systems, not only for infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and protozoa but also for cancer, metabolic and hormonal disorders. They are also used in the diagnosis of lymphoid and myeloid malignancies, tissue typing, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, radio immunoassay, serotyping of microorganisms, immunological intervention with passive antibody, antiidiotype inhibition, or magic bullet therapy with cytotoxic agents coupled with anti mouse specific antibody. Recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid technology through genetic engineering has successfully led to the possibility of reconstruction of monoclonal antibodies viz. chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies and complementarily determining region grafted antibodies and their enormous therapeutic use.

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Background Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most common nosocomial infection in surgical patients, accounting for 38% of all such infections, and are a significant source of postoperative morbidity resulting in increased hospital length of stay and increased cost. Objectives To find out the incidence of wound infection in patients following elective surgery and the most likely causative organisms and their resistance pattern. Methods Prospective data were collected on 496 surgical patients admitted in the surgery department in BSMMU from January 2010 to June 2010. All preoperative risk factors were evaluated. Patients operated were followed in the post operative period and if any wound infection noted, swab from the site of infection was sent for culture and sensitivity and antibiotics were given accordingly. Results Following 496 elective operations 20.16 % patients developed wound infection. Highest numbers of infection were seen in the fifth decade with slight female preponderance. Wound infection progressively rises with the degree of contamination and increasing operative time. The common risk factors for development of surgical wound infection were anemia (52%), malnutrition (44%), diabetes (38%), jaundice (30%), contaminated operation (44%) dirty operation (38 %), obesity and smoking. The most predominant isolated organism was Escherichia coli (43%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (33%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%). Ceftriaxone still remains the most effective antibiotic although the incidence of resistance is rising. Conclusion Despite a good numbers of variables influence surgical site infections; it is still possible to reduce the infection rate by correcting modifiable risk factors, reducing degree of contamination and duration of operation. To battle the emerging resistance of pathogens a definitive guideline is essential. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsa.v24i2.19804 Journal of Bangladesh Society of Anaesthesiologists 2011; 24(2): 65-69

The antihyperlipidemic activity of resinoids of guggul (Commiphora mukul/Commiphora wightii), belonging to family Burseraceae (Genus: Commiphora), collected from different parts of India (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan), was studied on cholesterol-rich high fat diet-induced model of hyperlipidemia in rats. The resinoids of these exudates were prepared in ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol. The physicochemical characterization of these resinoids was carried out to determine their appearance, %yield, %moisture, %ash, acid value (mg/KOH/g), saponification value (mg/KOH/g), ester value and iodine value (g/g). Antihyperlipidemic study was carried out on all resinoids in high fat diet induced model of hyperlipidemia in Wistar albino rats. The result demonstrated that the resinoids of exudates of Commiphora wightii and Commiphora mukul, collected from Gujarat and extracted in ethyl acetate, and the resinoids of exudates of Commiphora mukul, collected from Madhya Pradesh and extracted in ethyl acetate, possessed significantly higher antihyperlipidemic activity compared with other resinoids, which may be due to regional/geographical variations.

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The present study reports physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of essential oils extracted from guggul (Commiphora wightii) exudates collected from different places in Madhya Pradesh, India. The guggul exudates were hydrodistilled for 3-4 h in Clevenger apparatus. The oil obtained was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 and stored at 4° until testing. Before extraction of oils from the exudates, their % moisture and tristimulus values of the colors namely L (white-black), a (green-red) and b (blue-yellow) were determined. Physicochemical characterization of the extracted oils was carried out to determine their solubility, yield%, acid value (mg/KOH/g), saponification value (mg/KOH/g), ester value, iodine value (g/g), peroxide value (mEq/kg) and Fourier transformed infrared analyses. The storage-effect on the % moisture and tristimulus values of the colors of guggul exudates as also the % oil yield and physicochemical parameters of the essential oils extracted from them, were studied using three different packaging materials viz., local plastic, low density polyethylene (200 G) and high density polyethylene (200 G). The antioxidant potential of extracted oils was evaluated by free radical scavenging activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl assay.