Food Security in Urban Households: The Role of Women in an Asian Context

Assuring food security is one of the challenges in low and middle-income countries with their rapid urbanization. The role of women has been identified as a key to food security in rural societies, however, yet to make conclusions in an urban setting. Hence this study tries to analyse the role of women in urban households while addressing the context-specific social and cultural differences of women’s role in Asia. The study uses data from Sri Lanka Household Income and Expenditure Survey-2016 and estimates the impact of women's role using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. The relative status of food security of each household is measured using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). The study finds a higher level of food security is associated with a higher level of female education. Similarly, households are more food secure when women are more responsible for household income. Further, it reveals that the economic burden on women being the single income earner has not affected on changing the level of food security in their households

Safeguarding community-centred global health research during crises

Global health researchers encounter challenges in conducting research during crises, including pandemics, natural disasters and humanitarian conflicts.1 2 External crises often arise without prior notice and disrupt well-planned research. It is difficult to continue research activities under these circumstances, particularly when researchers and communities are at risk.3 Furthermore, community engagement and involvement (CEI), a crucial element in decolonised global health research,4 can become particularly difficult, as the community members’ primary focus may be on survival and acquiring basic needs, which must be a priority above commitment and participation in research. Conducting research in a context of crisis imposes concerns about ethical, credible and equitable research.5 6 The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on global health research, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Both funding acquisition and scholarly output in LMICs were affected.2 Collaborative research relied on virtual communication platforms, and alternative data collection mechanisms, such as online questionnaires and telephone interviews. However, the validity, reliability and generalisability of such datasets are still subject to extensive discussion.7 Populations without reliable internet access and electronic devices were often excluded from participation, which further exacerbated social inequity, particularly in disadvantaged rural communities.8 9 Here, we share the experience of the Sri Lankan team of the multicountry global health research programme ECLIPSE. We highlight three aspects that will inform the global scientific community in safeguarding research during crises: (1) positioning the research within the crisis context; (2) using CEI for ongoing research and (3) innovating methods and moving beyond the virtual mode

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Garcinol Coated Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Background: Garcinol is a secondary metabolite derived from the plants of Clusiaceae Family. It has shown a broad range of bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are known to have a significant photocatalytic activity and are widely used in medicine. In this study, garcinol was used to modify the surface of TiO2NPs to enhance the antibacterial activity.Objectives: To synthesize, characterize and determine antimicrobial activity of garcinol coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles G-TiO2NPs.Methods: Garcinol was isolated from the dried fruit rinds of Garcinia quaesita. TiO2NPs were coated by garcinol and characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy. Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) was tested against five microbial species including Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25623), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853),Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and clinical isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), using broth micro-dilution assay. Time-kill kinetic study was performed to determine the inhibition percentage of Staphylococcus aureus over time.Results: SEM images confirmed the spherical shape of G-TiO2NPs, diameter ranging from 20 - 200 nm. XRD data revealed the anatase phase and rutile phase of TiO2NPs. Formation of G-TiO2NPs caused a red shift of the absorption wavelength. G-TiO2NPs and TiO2NPs showed a MIC range of 250-500 μg/ml and 500-1000 μg/ml against the tested microbial species, respectively. In the time-kill kinetic studies, inhibition percentage (IP) of microbial growth was determined at 60 minute time intervals. TiO2NPs and G-TiO2NPs demonstrated inhibition over 50% at 3 hours.Conclusions: G-TiO2NPs presented a significant enhancement in antimicrobial activity against S. aureus compared to TiO2NPs. Surface modification of TiO2NPs with garcinol has created a synergistic antimicrobial effect against S. aureus.Acknowledgement: University Grant ASP/01/RE/SCI/2017/1

One Digital Platform to Seek Quality Education for Everyone

The primary goal of this digital educational platform is to deliver high-quality educational possibilities to people looking for a degree or similar graded programs, tuition classes, and postgraduate programs provided by universities internationally and nationally. Furthermore, by advertising on our web platform, educational institutions will be able to improve the popularity of their courses and services.  There will also be the opportunity to donate financial contributions to campaigns or organizations that will help persons in need of educational assistance. In addition, our development team proposed an idea about a component called volunteer support, which allows users to join up as volunteers for specific organizational initiatives that promote educational campaigns. There will also be several account types for system administrators, users searching for services, and organizations promoting educational programs and volunteer opportunities. The account's capabilities differ depending on the type of user account. The primary objectives of this thesis are to provide the concept of a system that simplifies the process of locating and advertising educational needs, opportunities, and services while providing a way to help people in need of a helping hand

Green synthesis of sliver nanoparticles using different bacteria: Do the synthesized nanoparticles differ in their antimicrobial activity

Objectives: Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Escherichia coli,Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus and determination of antimicrobial activityagainst selected pathogens.Methods: E. coli (ATCC 25922), A. baumannii (clinical strain), S. aureus (ATCC 25923) were culturedin nutrient broth medium and used for biosynthesis of AgNPs. AgNO3 concentration, pH, incubationtime and temperature were optimized for AgNP biosynthesis. Antimicrobial activity of the synthesizedAgNPs was studied using the well diffusion assay.Results: All the selected bacteria produced silver nanoparticles at alkaline pH when the concentrationof AgNO3 was greater than 0.3 g/L. The optimum reaction temperature was 60oC. UV-Visiblespectroscopy with a maximum absorbance of approximately 420 - 430 nm confirmed the presence ofAgNPs. AgNPs produced by S. aureus resulted in larger zone of inhibition (ZOI) against the selectedpathogens where AgNPs produced by E. coli showed comparatively smaller ZOI. Gram negativebacteria (E.coli, P. aeruginosa) were more sensitive to AgNPs compared to gram positive bacteria(Methicillin Resistant S. aureus, S. aureus) and fungal species (Candida albicans).Conclusion: AgNPs produced by S. aureus are the most effective among the tested AgNPs while E.coli produced the least effective AgNPs

The economic and innovation contribution of universities: a regional perspective

Universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs) have come to be regarded as key sources of knowledge utilisable in the pursuit of economic growth. Although there have been numerous studies assessing the economic and innovation impact of HEIs, there has been little systematic analysis of differences in the relative contribution of HEIs across regions. This paper provides an exploration of some of these differences in the context of the UK’s regions. Significant differences are found in the wealth generated by universities according to regional location and type of institution. Universities in more competitive regions are generally more productive than those located in less competitive regions. Also, traditional universities are generally more productive than their newer counterparts, with university productivity positively related to knowledge commercialisation capabilities. Weaker regions tend to be more dependent on their universities for income and innovation, but often these universities under-perform in comparison to counterpart institutions in more competitive regions. It is argued that uncompetitive regions lack the additional knowledge infrastructure, besides universities, that are more commonly a feature of more competitive regions

Mupirocin resistance of <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> in clinical isolates and nasal carriage isolates

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Human stomach microbiota: Effects on health and disease

The gut microbiota is a complex ecological community, consisting of trillions of microbes which include bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. The stomach was previously considered as a sterile site uninhabited by microbes due to its hostile environmental conditions. Breaking this concept, Helicobacter pylori was the first pathogen reported to inhabit the stomach. Recent studies have suggested that the stomach harbours transient as well as certain commensal bacterial and fungal species. The five major microbial phyla in the stomach have been identified as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria. The composition of gastric microbiota is dynamic and is affected by several factors.  These include age group, dietary habits, medication use, inflammation of gastric mucosa and H. pylori colonization.  Further, the role of host genetics has recently been studied in maintaining the stomach microbiota. Mutations in host genes may affect the host’s immune response towards commensal bacteria and reduce their number and diversity. The essential multiple roles of gut microorganisms include maintaining homeostasis in the gut, contributing to immune function and extraction of nutrients and energy from our diets.  Loss of the normal balance between the gut microbiota and host has been associated with several abnormal conditions and disorders such as obesity, malnutrition, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), neurological disorders, and cancer. In the stomach, the interaction between H. pylori and the gastric microbiota can also influence gastric dis­ease progression. Further studies should focus on addressing the role of gastric dysbiosis in health and disease. Identifying gastric microbiota is essential to understand how the gut microbiota and H. pylori affect health and disease.</p

TiO2 21 nm nanoparticles as a photocatalytic antimicrobial agent against Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A comparison

 Objectives: To determine and compare the antimicrobial activity of 21 nm TiO2 nanoparticles against Escherichia colii, Candida albicans and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Methods: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) 21 nm anatase nanoparticles (13.9 g/l) were suspended in miliQ (MQ) water, sonicated (35 MHz for 1 hour) and autoclaved. Sterile glass petriplates were treated with TiO2 suspension or sterile MQ(control). Overnight cultures of E.coli MRSA and C. albicans were added to TiO2 coated plates and control plates and kept at room temperature.   Viable counts were obtained by spread plate method at 0 hours and 24 hours; before and after sunlight exposure for 30 minutes.  Colony forming units (CFU) / ml was calculated to determine percentage reduction of CFU in presence of TiO2. Experiments were done in triplicates.Results: TiO2 nanoparticles demonstrated antimicrobial activity against E.coli, MRSA and C. albicans. Estimated percentage CFU reduction in E.coli (13±8.4), MRSA (12±6.6) and C. albicans (36±4.9 ) was observed at 0 hours of contact in the supernatant. The bactericidal effect was enhanced on exposure of the plates to sunlight. Estimated percentage CFU reductions are E. coli (46±7.9), MRSA (99±0.2 ) and C. albicans (99±0.4). The results for 24 hours were (95±1 ), (35±2.1 ) and (83±4 ) reduction for E. coli, MRSA and C. albicans respectively. When the 24 hour plates were exposed to sunlight (99±0.6), (99±0.6) and (99±0.2) reduction was seen for E.coli, MRSA and C. albicans respectively. Conclusion: Anatase 21 nm TiO2 nanoparticles show enhanced antimicrobial activity against the tested microbial strains following photoactivation by sunlight.  Antimicrobial activity against three different types of microbial strains has varying effects