No abstract

Diffusion of erucamide and their morphology on surface characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) screw caps depend on storage conditions. Erucamide performance relies on its amount, distribution, and consistency on the surface of HDPE. Specific application and removal torques can be achieved by controlling the amount of erucamide on the surface. The surface amount and the torque increased to an optimum level at 38 and 50 C within 120 hours of incubation, while they remained unchanged for lower temperatures. Erucamide diffused to the surface and formed flat plate-like crystal structures at similar time and temperature. These flatplates can slide over each other and provide the slip required to decrease the torque. An increase in contact angle demonstrated that hydrophobic hydrocarbon-chains of amide slip additives were oriented toward the air interface. An optimum surface amount of erucamide for proper sealing torque could be produced at a different combination of storage time and temperature.

Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a signifi cant cause of morbidity and mortality. In Nepal, very few studies on BSIs have restricted the understanding of their cause, prevention and treatment. This cross-sectional study was conducted to isolate BSIs causing pathogens and determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in patients visiting Kathmandu Model Hospital during December 2012 to May 2013. Materials and Methods: Standard laboratory procedure was used to screen, isolate and identify the bacteria from 1,205 patients. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern (AST) was analyzed by modifi ed Kirby Bauer technique and data were analyzed using SPSS version-16. Results: Out of 1,205 blood samples, 186 (15.4 %) were culture positive. The most common bacteria isolated were: Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and CoNS. Gram-negative bacteria were the predominant causes of BSIs. Salmonella Typhi was isolated in 71 % cases of bloodstream infection followed by Salmonella Paratyphi A in 16 %, Escherichia coli in 5.3 % and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 0.5 %. The gram-positive organism responsible for causing BSI was coagulase-negative staphylococcus in 7 % cases. There was no signifi cant association between bacteremia and gender of the patients. During ASTs, Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to Chloramphenicol with only 0.5 % resistivity. Salmonella Typhi (85.6 % of isolates) showed resistance to Nalidixic acid. Gram-positive bacteria showed 100 % sensitivity towards Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin and were least sensitive to Amoxicillin. Conclusion: Salmonella spp., was major cause of BSIs. Increase in antibiotic resistivity for BSI causing pathogens has necessitated continuous monitoring of the susceptibility of organisms towards antibiotics.