Background:Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. The emergence of drug resistance and particularly the Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production by Escherichia coli and methicillin resistance in Staphylococci, limits the choice of antimicrobials.Materials and Methods:Patients in different stages of pregnancy with or without symptoms of urinary tract infection attending the antenatal clinic of obstetrics and gynaecology were screened for significant bacteriuria, by standard loop method on 5% sheep blood agar and teepol lactose agar. Isolates were identified by using standard biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.Results:A total of 4290 (51.2%) urine samples from pregnant females showed growth on culture. Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria 3210 (74.8%) was higher than symptomatic UTI 1080 (25.2%). Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen accounting for 1800 (41.9%) of the urinary isolates. Among the gram-positive cocci, coagulase negative species of Staphylococci 270 (6.4%) were the most common pathogen. Significantly high resistance was shown by the gram negative bacilli as well as gram positive cocci to the β-lactam group of antimicrobials, flouroquinolones and aminoglycosides. Most alarming was the presence of ESBL in 846 (47%) isolates of Escherichia coli and 344 (36.9%) isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, along with the presence of methicillin resistance in 41% of Staphylococcus species and high-level aminoglycoside resistance in 45(30%) isolates of Enterococcus species. Glycopeptides and carbepenems were the only group of drugs to which all the strains of gram positive cocci and gram negative bacilli were uniformly sensitive, respectively.Conclusions:Regular screening should be done for the presence of symptomatic or asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy and specific guidelines should be issued for testing antimicrobial susceptibility with safe drugs in pregnant women so that these can be used for the treatment. For empirical treatment cefoperazone-sulbactum can be recommended, which is a safe drug, covering both gram positive and gram negative organisms and with a good sensitivity.

The Cucurbita genus, a member of Cucurbitaceae family, also known as cucurbits, is native to the Americas. Genus members, like Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita maxima, have been used for centuries in folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal parasites. These pharmacological effects are mainly attributed to their phytochemical composition. Indeed, Cucurbita species are a natural source of carotenoids, tocopherols, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, fatty acids, functional carbohydrates, and polysaccharides, that beyond exerting remarkable biological effects, have also been increasingly exploited for biotechnological applications. In this article, we specifically cover the habitat, cultivation, phytochemical composition, and food preservative abilities of Cucurbita plants.

Coryneform bacteria appear to be emerging as significant nosocomial surgical site pathogens. The high level of multidrug resistance observed in coryneform bacteria in our study is cause for alarm.

A prospective observational study was carried out in DMCH and some other private clinics in Dhaka from January 2008 to March 2010. A total of 15 patients with exposed Tendo-Achillis with or without tendon injury were taken in this study . M:F= 13:2. Age range was 18- 45 years. In 13 cases Tendo-achillis (TA) were cut and repaired in emergency department of DMCH and other Hospitals followed by loss of skin over the TA. In 2 cases skin over the TA were lost due to direct trauma. Mode of injury was cut injury in toilet pan 9(59.99%), RTA 4(26.66 %) and direct cut injury without tendon injury 2 (13.33%).All the patients were treated with surgical toileting after admission and wound were covered by distally based sural island flap .Average follow up period was 36 weeks. Flap coverage were done within 5 days to 25 days from the day of injury. Outcome was evaluated by flap vascularity and skin colour .Majority of the patients were returned to normal activity after 20 weeks of operation. The purpose of the study was to find out the way of coverage of the exposed TA(Tendo-Achillis) by orthopaedic surgeons without any special training. Key words: Sural Island Flap; Repair of Tendo-Achillis. DOI: 10.3329/jdmc.v19i1.6246 J Dhaka Med. Coll. 2010; 19(1) : 19-24.

Objectives To study the incidence, indications and complications of peripartum hysterectomy. Methods A retrospective analysis of 70 cases of emergency peripartum hysterectomy performed over a period of five years from January 2004 to September 2008. At JN Medical College and Hospital AMU Aligarh was done. Results The incidence of emergency hysterectomy was 0.54%. The main indications were uterine atony 26 (37.12%) and Rupture uterus 19 (26.7%). Thirty six (51.43%) were in the age group of 26-35 years and majority of cases 61 (67.14%) were unbooked. The maternal and perinatal mortality was four (5.7%) and 44 (62.86%) respectively. The average period of hospital stay was 10 days. Conclusion Prompt performance of obstetric hysterectomy before the patient's clinical condition deteriorates is the main key to success and less postoperative complications.