Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative and rod-shaped opportunistic pathogen highly involved in biofilm production in chronic wounds. Biofilms in wounds are the main cause of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to identify biofilm-producing bacteria most frequently found in chronic wounds and to examine the association of antibiotic resistance among the isolates. Objectives: This study was to evaluate the isolation of P. aeruginosa from different types of chronic wounds, as one of the causes of delay in wound healing and biofilm formation, as well as to determine the association of antibiotic resistance among the isolates. Methods: Ninety-one isolates of chronic wounds were obtained from DHQ Hospital KDA District Kohat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Pakistan, from September 2014 to June 2015. Isolates of P. aeruginosa from different types of chronic wounds were biochemically identified and confirmed by molecular identification of one of the conserved genes, algD GDP-mannose dehydrogenase, in P. aeruginosa. Biofilm-forming ability and effects of antibacterial agents were also determined. Results: The prevalence of diabetic ulcer was found to be more (62.5%) compared to other types of chronic wounds in patients, and 48.3% of the isolates were identified as P. aeruginosa. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa in males was found to be higher (56.8%) than in females, with a statistically non-significant association. Furthermore, biofilm formation was observed in the isolates, so that 79.5% of P. aeruginosa isolates were found to be biofilm producers. Antibacterial drugs were applied to the culture of isolates, showing that P. aeruginosa was more resistant to ceftriaxone while amikacin acted as a bactericidal. Conclusions: From our research, we conclude that delay of wound healing was because of biofilm-producing bacteria found in chronic wounds, which were more resistant to antibiotics because of the ability of biofilm forming. Further, amikacin showed a good activity against P. aeruginosa. Keywords: Chronic Wounds; Biofilm Production; Antibacterial Agents; Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable raw material. Industrial interest with new technology has grown to take advantage of this raw material. Different microbial enzymes are treated with biomass to produce the desired products under ideal industrial conditions. Xylanases are the key enzymes that degrade the xylosidic linkages in the xylan backbone of the biomass, and commercial enzymes are categorized into different glycoside hydrolase families. Thermophilic microorganisms are an excellent source of thermostable enzymes that can tolerate the extreme conditions of industrial processing. Thermostability of xylanases from thermophilic microorganisms has given the importance for a specific activity at elevated temperatures and distinction due to biochemical properties, structure, and mode of action. Optimized xylanases can be produced through genetic engineering: a novel xylanase is isolated from an extreme environment and then genetically modified to improve suitability for industrial contexts. Recombinant protein techniques have made it possible to engineer and express thermostable xylanases in bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. We will discuss the biotechnological potential of xylanases from thermophilic microorganism and the ways they are being optimized and expressed for industrial applications.

We aimed to elucidate prevalence and association of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) from Pakistan. In this cross-sectional study, about 225 DFU patients who underwent ophthalmic examinations within 6 months of diagnosis of foot ulceration were included. The medical records of 305 diabetic patients without DFU were included as controls. The association of DR with DFU was assessed by comparing DFU patients with proliferative DR (PDR) and DFU patients without PDR. Out of 225 DFU patients, 215 patients (95.6%) had DR and 169 patients (75.1%) had PDR. The prevalence of DFU was significantly greater (P = 0.0527) among the male diabetic patients, whereas advanced age of these patients (≥41 years) had a significant effect (P = 0.0286) on development and progression of PDR. A longer duration of diabetes (≥10 years) was identified as a significant contributing factor for the development of both DFU (P = 0.0029) and PDR (P = 0.0299). Moreover, the risk of PDR increased in diabetic patients with higher DFU grades (grade 3 and grade 4). In conclusion, retinopathy was prevalent in DFU patients. Therefore, DFU patients with advancing age and longer duration of diabetes should undergo retinal examinations for timely diagnosis and management of DR.