Comparative evaluation of immunochromatographic card tests with enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay for the detection of hepatitis C virus antibody

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global prevalent pathogen causes both acute and chronic hepatitis and leading to serious liver damage. Correct and rapid diagnosis is pivotal for the management of HCV disease. Rapid card tests are superior alternatives for the large-scale screening of HCV infection. Methods: The present observational study evaluates analytical performance of four different anti-HCV rapid tests. A total of 200 ELISA confirmed, HCV positive (n=100) and HCV negative (n=100) clinical specimens were selected and re-tested for anti-HCV antibodies by using commercially available four different immunochromatography cards (Meriscreen, Accurate, Oscar and Biolab). Results: Among all, Biolab rapid card test shown highest (98%) sensitivity. On the other hand, all rapid card test kits showed identical 100% specificity. Conclusions: Overall BioLab anti-HCV rapid card tests found to be superior in the present study and strongly suggest in house validation of rapid card tests before their diagnostics use on clinical specimens

Variation in Glucosinolate Contents and Quality Characteristics in the Seed of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) along an Altitudinal Gradient in trans-Himalayan Ladakh

Glucosinolates (GS) are amino acid derived secondary metabolites present specifically in Brassicaceae family. The effect of altitude (2800 m - 4000 m) on GS contents and seed quality characteristics in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was investigated. The total GS in radish seed was 147.5±21.5 μmol/g DW, which included five aliphatic and four indolic GS compounds. Increasing altitude was related linearly to increase in total GS contents (R2 = 0.759). Among individual GS, glucoraphanin and glucoraphenin showed consistently increasing trend with altitude. Increasing altitude is related linearly to increase in 100 seed weight (R2 = 0.266) and seed yield per plant (R2 = 0.849). A steady decreasing trend was observed in seed moisture content (R2 = 0.831) and siliqua length (R2 = 786) with increasing altitude. Altitude of plant origin was positively correlated with GS contents (r = 0.900, p≤ 0.01), seed weight per plant (r = 0.919, p≤ 0.01) and geometric mean diameter (r = 0.661, p≤ 0.01), and negatively correlated with siliqua length (r = -0.880, p≤ 0.01), moisture content (r = -0.884, p≤ 0.01) and seed vigour index (r = -0.547, p≤ 0.01). Our results indicate that the concentration of GS in radish seed and seed quality traits can be significantly increased by growing plants at higher altitude

Earthworm Grazed-Trichoderma harzianum Biofortified Spent Mushroom Substrates Modulate Accumulation of Natural Antioxidants and Bio-Fortification of Mineral Nutrients in Tomato

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the impact of earthworm grazed and Trichoderma harzianum biofortified spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on natural antioxidant and nutritional properties of tomato. Results of the investigation reveal that earthworm grazing and T. harzianum bio-fortification led to significant improvement in the physico-chemical properties of fresh SMS and its application increased the accumulation of natural antioxidants and mineral content in tomato as compared to either T. harzianum biofortified SMS or fresh SMS. In particular, the earthworm grazed, T. harzianum biofortified SMS (EGTHB-SMS) was found to inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation with significant increase in total polyphenol and flavonoid content in tomato. Further, it increased Fe2+/Fe3+ chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity compared to other treatments. The results thus suggest an augmented elicitation of natural antioxidant properties in tomato treated with EGTHB-SMS, resulting in a higher radical scavenging activity, that is highly desirable for human health. In addition, the use of SMS to enhance the nutritional value of tomato fruits becomes an environment friendly approach in sustainable crop production

Development and Characterization of Novel Site Specific Hollow Floating Microspheres Bearing 5-Fu for Stomach Targeting

Multiple-unit-type oral floating hollow microspheres of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) were developed using modified solvent evaporation technique to prolong gastric residence time, to target stomach cancer, and to increase drug bioavailability. The prepared microspheres were characterized for micromeritic properties, floating behavior, entrapment efficiency, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro drug release and floating behavior were studied in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at pH 1.2. The yield of microspheres was obtained up to 84.46±6.47%. Microspheres showed passable flow properties. Based on optical microscopy, particle size was found to be ranging from 158.65±12.02 to 198.67±17.45 μm. SEM confirmed spherical size, perforated smooth surface, and a hollow cavity inside the microspheres. Different kinetic models for drug release were also applied on selected batches

Investigation of Different Commercially Available Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction Kits for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis

Introduction: The whole world is facing an ongoing global health emergency of COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2. Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is a gold standard in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Presently, many single tube multiple gene target RTPCR kits have been developed and are commercially available for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis. Aim: To evaluate the performance of seven COVID-19 RT-PCR kits (DiagSure, Meril, VIRALDTECT II, TruPCR, Q-line, Allplex and TaqPath) which are commercially available for COVID-19 RT-PCR diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted at the State Virology Laboratory (SVL), Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Seven commercially available kits have been evaluated on the basis of: (i) number of SARS-CoV-2 specific gene target; (ii) human housekeeping genes as internal control; (iii) RT-PCR run time; and (iv) kit performances to correctly detect SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative RNA samples. A total of 50 RNA samples (left over RNA) were included, master mix preparation, template addition and RT-PCR test has been performed according to kits literature. At the end of PCR run, mean and standard deviation of obtained cut-off of all kits were calculated using Microsoft Excel. Results: All seven RT-PCR kits performed satisfactory regarding the reproducibility and they could correctly identify 30 positive and 20 negative RNA samples. RNA samples (group C) having low viral loads with a high Cycle threshold (Ct) value (>30) were also detected by all these seven kits. Obtained Ct values of each group was in parallel range in comparison with the initial testing Ct values. Kits were found to be superior which contains primers and probes for three SARS-CoV-2 specific gene targets, have human housekeeping gene as internal control and taking less time to complete RT-PCR. Conclusion: All seven COVID-19 RT-PCR kits included in this study demonstrated satisfactory performance and can be used for the routine molecular diagnosis of COVID-19 disease

In vitro identification and Antifungal susceptibility of different Candida Species isolated from patients with or without Diabetes having Chronic Periodontitis

Background: Candida albicans is the commonly associated species with oral lesions, but other Candida spp., such as C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, and C. dubliniensis have also been isolated from the human saliva, even irrespective to the oral candidiasis. Candidal colonization has also been documented from subgingival plaque of adults with periodontitis.Objective: Nowadays there is a great demand of natural herbal medicines. For a Diabetic person having Periodontitis, the use antifungal drugs are must. Therefore the antifungal capacity of the commonly used drug and herbs has been evaluated.Methods: For the study, the patients were screened and categorised into two study and one control group, having 20 patients in each group, on the basis of their respective Blood Glucose level and Dental status using standard clinical parameters. Oral rinse of 60 patients including both gender were selected from the Out Patient Department of Periodontitis, Rungta College of Dental Sciences and Research, Chhattisgarh. Chrome Candida Agar Media was used to identify Candida albicans and NAC. In vitro tests of the effectiveness of selected antimycotic agents against test candidal isolates recovered from the patient were performed to check the efficacy of the antifungal agents by the Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion method.Result: We found that by the use of this chromogenic media most of the commonly recovered NAC can be easily distinguished as each species produced the widest range of colours and morphologies. The herbal extracts Aloe Vera and Garlic failed to inhibit the growth of the candidal species but Neem, Meetha Neem, Triphala, Tulsi showed sensitivity to varying degree. Now a day there are much popularity of using herbal products, having its extracts incorporated in the cosmetics and other products used by humans.Conclusion: We conducted the sensitivity check of the candidal isolates against the dental dentrifices and found that however all the toothpastes contained herbal extracts capable of destroying bacteria but it did not showed good results against candidal species except the Patanjali Toothpaste. This may be due the fact that Patanjali Dant Kanti Dental Cream has the combination of all the herbal extract mixed altogether. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v4i1.1216

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Performance Evaluation of Different RT-PCR Kits for the Direct Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Preheated Specimens

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created high demand for molecular kits and consumables for mass screening of suspected individuals. Direct real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay without nucleic acid extraction has several advantages in saving testing time and cost and helps in the rapid reporting of SARS-CoV-2. The present study evaluated the analytical performance of four SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR for direct RT-PCR testing using preheated specimens

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Not AvailableSeed is a basic and most important input for agriculture and high-quality seed is also required in international seed trading. There are many seed-borne diseases and pathogens that have negative impact on seed health and its quality. Seed-borne inoculums are the main source of primary infection leading to disease development. The disease gets established in the field wherever the infected seed is used and causes severe yield losses. Paul Neergaard is considered as father of seed pathology who has contributed a lot in the development of seed pathology. Seed-borne pathogenic microorganisms mainly fungi, viruses and bacteria are greatly affecting seed quality and cause diseases that affect seedling production in the nurseries. Management strategies for the control of various seed-borne diseases are mainly based on chemical seed treatment. Studies have been carried out with a view to find out the best way to use chemicals in seed production. Such studies are very few, and hence, there is a need to conduct further research so that new chemicals could be incorporated into seed-borne disease management programmes. We need to have additional ways to control diseases that are seed-borne, and chemical pesticides are effective against a wide spectrum of diseases. This chapter provides a brief review of seed-borne pathogen problems that affect seeds and discusses established and potential control practices by using chemicals like fungicides, insecticides or defence activators and further gives the future perspectives where focus should be given with respect to seed pathology and management of seed-borne disease.Not Availabl

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