IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTI MYCOTIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the anti fungal activity of ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Glycyrrhiza glabra commonly called as liquorice or sweet root is one of the oldest known herbal remedies famous for its vast variety of therapeutic properties. Ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra was tested for antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigates, Mucor spp and Penicilium marneffei.   Method: Disc diffusion technique was followed for screening anti fungal activity. The discs were loaded with 100µl of ethanolic extracts at different concentrations [500ug/disc,1000ug/disc and 2000µg/disc]. Positive controls used were fluconazole (10 mcg/disc) and amphotericin B (100 units/disc).   Result : After incubation at 28oC for 48 hours, the zone of Inhibition was measured.   Conclusion: The extract at different concentrations showed varying degree of antifungal activity against the micro organisms tested compared to standard.   KEYWORDS: Glycyrrhiza glabra, disc diffusion, zone of inhibition, anti mycotic activity

A Concept of a Probable Autoinjector for Bio-threat Agents

Chemical and biological weapons can be used during conflicts and by terrorists to injure or kill humans and animals. Chemical weapons contain toxic chemicals and biological weapons contain pathogenic organisms. With proper protective equipments and training, the lethal effects of chemical and biological warfare agents can be minimised. First aid kit is available that contain detection, decontamination and medical protection for chemical warfare agents including autoinjectors, for rapid administration and faster absorption of drugs. The autoinjectors are safe and available for life saving drugs like atropine sulphate and pralidoxime chloride (nerve agent poisoning), epinephrine (anaphylaxis), diazepam (seizures) and sumatriptan (migraine). For bio-threat agents doxycycline alone is available as a broad spectrum antibiotic in the first aid kit. Majority of the bacterial agents are gram negative and hence amikacin drug cartridge was developed for the existing autoinjector. The advantage of amikacin is its safety, stability, can be given prophylactically and supplemented with other antibiotics when medical attention arrives. The usability and tolerability of amikacin administered repeatedly through autoinjector was studied using various haematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in animal models. The results are promising and as there is no antibiotic autoinjector available, amikacin autoinjector can be considered for bio-threat agents

Distribution of CTX-M, TEM, SHV Beta-lactamase Gene among the Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates from Tertiary Care Centre in Palakkad, Kerala

Resistance against the routinely used antibiotics has reached a worrying level globally. Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) production is the major mechanism of antimicrobial resistance. These ESBLs bacteria are resistance to penicillin, cephalosporins, monobactams. TEM1&2, CTX-M, SHV are the main ESBLs genes present in Klebsiella pneumoniae, which is produced by the alteration of amino acid in the active site. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of ESBL genes such as blaTEM 1&2, blaCTX-M and blaSHV. The present study was carried out from April 2019 to September 2019, a total of 121 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected and subjected to phenotypic study. Among these 19 isolated was ESBL positive, genes (blaSHV, blaTEM, blaCTX-M) were detected by conventional PCR method. blaTEM (100%) was the predominant gene detected flowed by CTX-M (68.42%) and SHV (57.89%). The highest level of antimicrobial resistance towards ampicillin (93.4%) followed by ceftriaxone (28.9%), cefotaxime (24.8%) and ciprofloxacin (22.3%). However, ESBL-producing isolates were showed resistance to ampicillin (100%) followed by ceftazidime (94.74%), cefotaxime (89.47%), amikacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (68%). Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria is due to the genes, especially extended spectrum beta lactamase, which is widely found in members of Enterobacteriaceae. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of studies regarding the distribution of ESBL in K. pneumoniae in Palakkad Dist., Kerala. Hence the aim of the current study determines the distribution of ESBL genes in ESBL producing K. pneumoniae isolated from various clinical samples

Refractive errors in children: A short review

When the eye fails to perfectly focus a light beam from an element onto the retinal surface, refractive error occurs. The individual's perception of the resultant image is fuzzy, and refraction correction is required to see correctly. Hypermetropia or hyperopia, sometimes known as "Long or Far-sightedness," presbyopia, and astigmatism are all examples of refractive insufficiency. Children’s vision is important for their development since it allows them to interact with their surroundings. Preschool children's eyesight is critical since their sensory systems are still developing and they are at risk of acquiring Amblyopia or Anisometropia. Refraction errors are also risk factors for a variety of ocular disorders. Uncorrected refraction errors are a common cause of vision impairment and can lead to lost productivity. Refractive error, along with cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, and infantile blindness, has been highlighted as a vision disease for which early detection and treatment will result in significant cost savings and socioeconomic growth. Uncorrected Refractive Error affects around 150 million people globally, with 8 million of them effectively blind.&nbsp

Omega Fatty Acids In Health And Diseased State - A Review

 The dietary lipids have a significant job in tweaking the onset of autoimmunity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Several studies have been led to build up the adverse impacts of saturated fats in humans and animals. The intake of oils containing both monounsaturated omega-9 and polyunsaturated fats in essentially emerging over certain nations. Yet, the increased uptake of certain vegetable oils of ω-6 series is anyway to be seen as proinflammatory and it is one of the potential causes for the steady ascent in some malignant tumors, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease that are basically caused because of the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Diets dependent on ω-6 enhanced oils can elevate the level of linolenic acid in tissue phosphoglycerides and can lessen cholesterol levels. Yet these lipids tend to increase unnecessary rise of arachidonic acids. In contrast, ω-3 fatty acids-enriched fish oils or omega-3 precursors from certain vegetable oils are found to give protection against cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and against the seriousness of some viral diseases

Elastic properties of lead-phosphate glasses doped with erbium trioxide

The elastic properties of xEr2O3.(50 - x) PbO.50P2O5 (x = 0.1 to 0.5 mol) glasses are investigated using ultrasonic pulse-echo measurements and their elastic properties are characterized at room temperature. Results from the studies show that both longitudinal and transverse velocities increase with increase of Er 2O3 concentration. The elastic constants C11, C12, C44, and Young's modulus show increasing trend while Bulk modulus and Poisson's ratio show an increasing trend up to 0.4 mol and 0.3 mol of Er2O3, respectively, then there is sudden decreasing trend observed. But in the case of Debye temperatures the reverse trend has been observed. Another notable observation is that the glass with 0.4 mol and 0.5 mol of Er2O3 concentration exhibits high velocities and high elastic moduli. This behavior of the elastic properties is related to the change in the structure of glasses as well as the interatomic bonding. © 2008 NRC Canada

Awareness About Viral Infections and Its Prevention Among Public After Covid-19 Pandemic

Information on awareness of public towards viral infections, it’s coverage in general public, prevention of viral infection is like Covid-19 is the major challenge for every country and it formed the basis of healthcare forces. Therefore, it is important to assess the attitude and awareness towards viral infections after Covid-19 pandemic, for the further health policies implementation as well as taking safety measures and following the guidelines. The study objective was to assess the awareness about viral infections and its prevention among the public after Covid-19 pandemic, from the various places of the country. Study was carried out by using multiple-choice structured questionnaires among 119 attendees. The questionnaire was prepared in such a way as to assess the knowledge of the public towards the infection, transmission, screening and prevention of viral infections. The data was collected and it analyses statistically.Although most of the attendants were aware of the existence of COVID-19 and the many other viral infections, the level of awareness regarding prevention, transmission and following the safety guidelines was found to be dissatisfactory. Direct correlation was found between educational level and awareness, which reversed the fact that the attendants with better knowledge and information had better attitudes towards the infection and prevention of COVID-19. Within the limitations of the study, the moderate level of awareness about viral infections and prevention after COVID-19 pandemic is observe

Production and Evaluation of a Seaweed-Based Bioplastic Sheet for Food Packaging

In 2020, global plastic waste production reached 367 million metric tons, a figure anticipated to escalate in the future. India, ranking fifth worldwide in plastic waste output, confronts significant challenges due to plastic pollution, a pressing environmental issue. Addressing this problem requires a departure from petroleum-based plastics. Seaweed-based bioplastics have emerged as a sustainable alternative, gaining attention for their versatility, particularly in food packaging applications. Approximately 1 kg of wet Kappaphycus alvarezii, a red seaweed, was boiled in 1L of distilled water for 15 minutes and then filtered, yielding roughly 98% crude jelly polysaccharides. The resulting mixture was air-dried, yielding about 5% (50 g dry weight from 1 kg wet weight) of dry crude polysaccharide. To produce bioplastic, 6 g of dry crude polysaccharide was combined with 3 mL of glycerol and 3 mL of vinegar, then mixed in 100 mL of distilled water. The mixture was heated in a water bath at 100°C for 7 to 10 minutes, cast into a sheet, and left to cool for 2 days. Various mechanical properties were evaluated, including a maximum force of 5.85N, tensile stress of 3.65 MPa, tensile strain at the break of 10.38%, and tensile stress at the break of 2.54 MPa, which are critical for assessing materials in food packaging. These parameters provide insights into strength, flexibility, and ultimate stress under tension. Additionally, the identification of functional groups through frequencies and wavelengths, such as OH stretch, C-C stretch, and C-O stretch, offers valuable information on moisture interactions and structural integrity, enhancing the material's suitability for food packaging. Seaweed-derived bioplastics, especially those containing crude carrageenan, offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. They are biodegradable and renewable, naturally decomposing through microbial and marine organism activity, thereby reducing their environmental impact. Unlike fossil fuel-based plastics, carrageenan-based bioplastics degrade naturally over time. Seaweed-derived carrageenan is deemed safe and compatible with animal consumption. Unlike conventional plastic packaging, seaweed-based plastic does not pose a risk of clogging in the digestive systems of terrestrial or marine animals. This highlights their potential to significantly diminish the ecological footprint associated with plastic waste