Microbial Production of Amylase from Cassava Waste

Bacterium mura was isolated from cassava waste, (Tamil Nadu, India) for the production of extracellular amylase. On screening for amylase producing bacteria, 5 isolates showed positive results, of which Bacterium mura showed best amylase activity. The optimal conditions for the amylase activity were found at pH 6.0 (39 U/ml) and at temperature 37°C. Amylase activity was found to be higher when lactose (31 U/ml), casein, barley (42 U/ml) and SDS (32 U/ml) were used as the carbon source, nitrogen source, agro waste source and as additives respectively. The enzyme was partially purified by dialysis and the molecular mass was found to be 65kDa by SDS-PAGE. The partially purified and crude amylase was confirmed by zymogram. The partially purified amylase was used in bread making, which improved the softening of the bread and was used as a de-sizing agent

Demographics and Epidemiology of Hepatitis B in the State of Qatar: A Five-Year Surveillance-Based Incidence Study

Background: Expatriates represent >80% of Qatar’s population, mostly arriving from countries in Africa and Asia that are endemic with many diseases. This increases the risk for introducing new pathogens into the country and provides a platform for maintenance of endemic pathogen circulation. Here, we report on the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B in Qatar between 2010 and 2014. Methods: We performed a retrospective epidemiological data analysis using the data available at the surveillance system of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Qatar. Data were collected from distinctive public and private incorporates around the nation. Reported cases of hepatitis B patients represent those who met the stringent case definition as per World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and eventually reported to MOPH. Results: The annual incidence rates of hepatitis B cases were 30.0, 34.2, 30.5, 39.4, and 19.8 per 100,000 population in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. There was no specific trend or seasonality for the reported cases. The incidence rates were higher in females compared to males between 2010 and 2012, but similar in 2013 and 2014. The highest incidence rates were reported among individuals between 25 and 34 years of age. No cases were reported in children younger than five years in 2013 and 2014. Rates of hepatitis B cases declined dramatically in 2014, in both Qataris and non-Qataris, as compared to the previous years. Conclusion: Our results indicate a dramatic decline of hepatitis B cases in Qatar but mandate improved surveillance and vaccination efforts in expatriates in the nation. View Full-TextMOP

Epidemiology of respiratory infections among adults in Qatar (2012-2017).

Limited data is available about the etiology of influenza like illnesses (ILIs) in Qatar. This study aimed at providing preliminary estimates of influenza and other respiratory infections circulating among adults in Qatar. We retrospectively collected data of about 44,000 patients who visited Hamad General Hospital clinics, sentinel sites, and all primary healthcare centers in Qatar between 2012 and 2017. All samples were tested for influenza viruses, whereas about 38,000 samples were tested for influenza and a panel of respiratory viruses using Fast Track Diagnostics (FTD) RT-PCR kit. Among all ILIs cases, 20,278 (46.5%) tested positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. Influenza virus was predominating (22.6%), followed by human rhinoviruses (HRVs) (9.5%), and human coronaviruses (HCoVs) (5%). A detection rate of 2-3% was recorded for mycoplasma pneumonia, adenoviruses, human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). ILIs cases were reported throughout the year, however, influenza, RSV, and HMPV exhibited strong seasonal peaks in the winter, while HRVs circulated more during fall and spring. Elderly (>50 years) had the lowest rates of influenza A (13.9%) and B (4.2%), while presenting the highest rates of RSV (3.4%) and HMPV (3.3%). While males had higher rates of HRVs (11.9%), enteroviruses (1.1%) and MERS CoV (0.2%), females had higher proportions of influenza (26.3%), HPIVs (3.2%) and RSV (3.6%) infections. This report provides a comprehensive insight about the epidemiology of ILIs among adults in the Qatar, as a representative of Gulf States. These results would help in improvement and optimization of diagnostic procedures, as well as control and prevention of the respiratory infections.This study was supported by funds from Hamad Medical Corporation (grant # 16335/16) and Qatar University (grant # QUCG-BRC-2018/2019-1)

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MALARIA IN THE STATE OF QATAR, 2008-2015

Background and Objectives Imported malaria poses a serious public health problem in Qatar because its population is “naïve” to such infection; where local transmission might lead to serious life-threatening infection and might even trigger epidemics. Methods This study is a retrospective review of the imported malaria cases in Qatar reported by the malaria surveillance program at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), during the period between January 2008 and December 2015. All cases were imported and underwent parasitological confirmation through microscopy. Results A total of 4092 malaria cases were reported during 2008-2015 in Qatar. The demographic features of the imported cases show that the majority of cases were males (93%), non-Qatari(99.6%), and aged 15 to 44 years(82.1%). Moreover, P. vivax was found to be the main etiologic agent accounting for more than three-quarters (78.7%) of the imported cases. In addition, almost a third (33.1%) of the cases were reported during the months of July, August, and September. Conclusions Imported malaria in Qatar has witnessed an increase during the past 7 years, despite a long period of constant reduction; where the people most affected were adult male migrants from endemic countries. Many challenges need to be overcome to prevent the reintroduction of malaria into the country

Molecular epidemiology of influenza, RSV, and other respiratory infections among children in Qatar: A six years report (2012–2017)

Background: Studies on the etiology of respiratory infections among children in Qatar and surrounding countries are limited. Objectives: To describe the prevalence and seasonality of RSV, influenza, and other respiratory pathogens among children in Qatar. Methods: We retrospectively collected and analyzed data of 33,404 children (<15 years) presented with influenza-like illness from 2012 to 2017. Results: At least one respiratory pathogen was detected in 26,138 (78%) of patients. Together, human rhinoviruses (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza viruses comprised nearly two-thirds of all cases, affecting 24%, 19.7%, and 18.5%, respectively. A prevalence of 5-10% was recorded for adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses (PIVs), human bocavirus (HboV), and human coronaviruses (HCoVs). Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), enteroviruses, M. pneumonia, and parechovirus had prevalences below 5%. While RSV, influenza, and HMPV exhibited strong seasonal activity in the winter, HRV was active during low RSV and influenza circulation. The burden of RSV exceeds that of influenza among young age groups, whereas influenza correlated positively with age. Further, HRV, adenovirus, influenza, and RSV infection rates varied significantly between male and females. Conclusion: This comprehensive multi-year study provides insights into the etiology of ILI among children in Qatar, which represents the Gulf region. Our results reinforce the significance of active surveillance of respiratory pathogens to improve infection prevention and control strategies, particularly among children

Internet of Things: Evolution and Literature Review

This research examines the emerging topic of Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications. The focus is on providing an overview of the key concepts of IoT and its application domains that would lay the foundation to explore research opportunities provided by IoT

Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrophilic High Glycolic Acid–Poly(dl-Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid)/ Polycaprolactam/Polyvinyl Alcohol Blends and Their Biomedical Application as a Ureteral Material

Synthesis of low molecular weight poly­(dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid), homopolymer poly lactic acid (PLA), and formulation of a hydrophilic blend with polycaprolactam and polyvinyl alcohol is reported. The surface properties and the morphology of the blends were characterized with a goniometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical property was analyzed with a tensile strength analyzer. The composition of these blends was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The biocompatibility and hemocompatibility and the extent of salt encrustation and adhesion of virulent bacterial strains on the blends were also investigated. All the blends were biocompatible and hemocompatible. Adhesion of virulent E. coli was high with blood plasma protein pretreated blends than P. mirabilis. The pattern of encrustation of Ca, Mg, and P was similar on all the blends with calcium being the predominant encrustant. After 3 weeks, 3–10% weight loss was observed with maximum weight loss observed in the poly­(lactic-co-glycolic acid) 10:90 based blend. The PLA based blend dominates all the other blends in all the aspects tested