Antimicrobial activity of Cosmos caudatus extract against foodborne pathogens

The antimicrobial activity of Cosmos caudatus extract was evaluated against Bacillus cereus(ATCC 33019), Bacillus subtilis(ATCC 6633), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 21100), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) using the methods as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). The antimicrobial tests were conducted in term of susceptibility, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) and killing-time curve. The results showed that C. caudatus extract was susceptible against all tested pathogens; the inhibition zone ranged from 8.60 mm to 9.83 mm. The MIC and MBC/MFC values were ranged from 6.25 mg/ml-12.50 mg/ml and 12.50 mg/ml-50.00 mg/ml, respectively. Mean while, killing-time curves showed that C. caudatus extract can killed the B. cereus, B. subtilis, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans at concentration of 8 MIC for 2 h, 4 MIC for 2 h or 2 MIC for 2 h, 8 MIC for 4 h, 4 MIC for 0.5 h and 4 MIC for 1 h, as respectively. Findings indicated that C. caudatus extract has the potentiality to develop as a natural antimicrobial agent

Study on CCB (Chromated Copper Boric Acid) DipPreservation of Golpata (Nypa fruticans)

Golpata (Nypa fruticans) is a cheap source of roof thatches in Bangladesh. However, its short life span of 2-3 years makes it unsuitable for long-term use. This study was carried out to investigate the treatability of Golpata by dipping in CCB (Chromated Copper Boric acid) mixture. Samples of leaves and midribs of Golpata with moisture contents ranging from 16.63% to 70.67% at the start of the experiment, were dipped into CCB solution of four different concentrations for 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours and examined for CCB penetration and retention. Penetration was determined by using a copper and boron indicator whereas retention was calculated by X-ray spectroscopy. Results revealed that two factor chemical (CCB) concentrations and duration of dipping period have considerable effect on the preservation of Golpata but not the moisture content. Better CCB penetration was observed after 6 hours of dipping time in both leaves and midribs but better CCB retention was found for both 6 and 8 hours dipping time for both specimen types respectively. Treatment time showed a significant effect at 5% level of confidence. Chemical (CCB) concentration had a significant effect on penetration of Golpata leaves but had no effect on the retention

Production and purification of antibody by immunizing rabbit with rice tungro bacilliform and rice tungro spherical viruses

Rice tungro disease is the major disease caused by infection with the rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV). In this study, New Zealand White rabbits were immunized with pure viruses for the production of antibodies against both species. The production of polyclonal antibodies against Tungro viral disease using ammonium sulfate precipitation and a protein A affinity column and their assessment are described. Two peaks were found from the protein A affinity column. Peak 1 represents the unbound compounds from the extracted serum and peak 2 represents antibody that bound to protein A, which was eluted using elution buffer. Peak 2 was collected for antibody titration. The amount of pure antibody in the titers was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to capture the tungro viruses. Antibody titer was analyzed by the ELISA method. For anti-RTBV, 1.696 mg/mL was highest at the second bleed and anti-RTSV was 2.3225 mg/mL was highest at the first bleed. These antibodies detected the tungro viral disease well and proved to be a potential probe for the detection of rice tungro disease

Banana Fibers as Sorbent for Removal of Acid Green Dye from Water

In this study, banana fibers extracted from banana leaves, stem, and stalk were used to remove acid green dye from aqueous solution. Three initial concentrations (750, 1000, and 1500 ppm) were chosen to determine the kinetic characteristics of the banana fiber sorbents at 25°C, agitation speed of 200 rpm, and total contact time of 3 hours. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and Dunwald-Wagner kinetic models were applied to the experimental kinetic data. For isotherm study, the batch experiments were performed at 25°C, initial pH 2, agitation speed of 200 rpm, and initial concentrations between 100 and 2000 ppm. The experimental data was fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherms. The equilibrium was achieved in less than 90 minutes. The removal of the acid green dye was found to be following closely the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. For equilibrium study, the Freundlich isotherm was found to fit well with adsorption of acid green dye on the banana leaves, stem, and stalk sorbents. The calculated mean free energy of 4-11 J/mol indicated that the sorption process was mostly physical in nature. Experimental results also showed the adsorption performance is greatly affected by the initial solution p

Overview on fingerprinting authentication technology

This paper addresses the characteristics, technology, and possible future of fingerprints authentication method. Fingerprint physiology makes it an ideal for biometrics authentication, primarily the tiny details located on its surface called minutiae. Fingerprint scanning systems are designed to detect minutiae. Images of detected minutiae are processed through matching algorithms in order to verify a query fingerprint that is identical to a stored fingerprint. However, fingerprint authentication based on minutiae can be easily bypassed and the need for a more secure method is required. With respect to the issue, this work explores the possibility of detecting the thickness of the skin layer within a fingerprint as a method of biometrics authentication. Current thickness measuring methods that are non-invasive for that task are identified as Laser Scanning Microscopy (LSM), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR). Of the three listed, only OCT and NIR methodology seems viable for simple yet reliable use and can become as promising methods for authentication based on skin layer thickness

Firefly distribution and abundance on mangrove vegetation assemblages in Sepetang estuary, Peninsular Malaysia

Pteroptyx fireflies are commonly reported to congregate in large numbers in mangroves. Not much is known about the relationships between firefly distribution and abundance with specific mangrove vegetation assemblages. We conducted a study to investigate the vegetation assemblages that structure the distribution and abundance of Pteroptyx tener in Peninsular Malaysia. The distribution and abundance of fireflies were assessed along an 8 km stretch of mangroves in Sepetang estuary using visual assessment. Statistical analysis was carried out to test the correlation between length of display section and percentage cover of P. tener colonies and the relationship between percentage cover of fireflies with different vegetation assemblages. Five distinct vegetation assemblages were identified comprising different combination of four mangrove species. It was found that shorter display sections had higher percentage cover of P. tener colonies. In addition, vegetation assemblage which consisting of mainly Sonneratia caseolaris and Nypa fruticans was the most preferred type. The results of this study point to the necessity to consider not only a single mangrove species but the entire vegetation assemblage for firefly conservation

Association of various reproductive rights, domestic violence and marital rape with depression among Pakistani women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Depression among women is common in developing countries. Gender inequality can contribute to women's risk for depression. Lack of reproductive and sexual rights is an important marker of gender inequality and women do not have the freedom to express their reproductive and sexual needs in many parts of the world. Therefore we designed this study to determine the association of depression with lack of various reproductive rights and domestic violence among married women in Karachi, Pakistan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case-control study with 152 cases and 152 controls, which included women 15-48 years, recruited from two teaching hospitals from 1^stJune 2007 through 31^stAugust 2007. The SRQ was administered to all subjects. A cut off score of 8 was used to confirm cases of depression diagnosed by physicians, and to exclude cases of depression from the controls. Self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the risk factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>61% of the cases and 43% of the controls were ever abused by spouse and the frequency of marital rape was 33% in cases and 13% in controls. After adjusting for the effects of other variables in the model, less than 18 years of age at marriage (OR 2.00; 95% CI = 1.07, 3.7), decision for marriage by parents (OR 3.51; 95% CI = 1.67, 7.37), abuse by in laws (OR 4.91; 95% CI = 2.66, 9.06), ≤ 3 hours per day spent with husband (OR 2.33; 95% CI = 1.34, 4.08), frequency of intercourse ≤ 2 times per week (OR 1.85; 95% CI = 1.06, 3.22) and marital rape (OR 3.03; 95% CI = 1.50, 6.11) were associated with depression among women.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In our study depression in married women was associated with younger age at marriage, lack of autonomy in marriage decisions, marital rape and domestic abuse by in-laws. Efforts should be directed towards creating awareness about the reproductive and sexual rights of women in Pakistan. Physicians should be trained to screen and identify women who may be at risk for psychological distress as a result of denial of reproductive rights so that they can support positive mental health outcomes through individual, family or marital counseling.</p

The validity of the EQ-5D-3L items: An investigation with type 2 diabetes patients from six European countries

Background: Most previous studies concerning the validity of the EQ-5D-3L items refer to applications of only a single language version of the EQ-5D-3L in only one country. Therefore, there is little information concerning the extent to which the results can be generalised across different language versions and