A study assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of materiovigilance among medical professionals in the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: Medical devices are vital for healthcare diagnosis and treatment but pose inherent risks. Physicians and healthcare professionals play a crucial role in reporting adverse events associated with these devices. Despite this, there is a notable scarcity of literature addressing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding India's Materiovigilance (Mv) Program. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors and postgraduate residents in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu regarding the Materiovigilance program of India (MvPI). Methods: It was conducted as an observational, cross-sectional study, a structured self-administered Google Form survey was distributed among medical professionals and citizens of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The survey, comprising 22 questions on knowledge, attitudes, and Mv practices, was disseminated via various social networking sites. Results: Out of 700 doctors and postgraduate residents surveyed, 496 responded, yielding a response rate of 70.8%. The majority (96.8%) acknowledged the potential for adverse events from medical devices, with 91.1% agreeing on healthcare professionals' responsibility to report such events. Despite experiencing medical device-related adverse events in practice (63.3% of respondents), only a small fraction (12.1%) reported them, although 93.5% expressed willingness to report. Conclusions: The study underscores a knowledge gap among physicians and residents regarding MvPI in India, highlighting the necessity for educational interventions. To address this gap, MvPI coordinators should organize conferences and seminars aimed at enhancing awareness and reporting practices among healthcare professionals

Bioadsorption of chromium resistant enterococcus casseliflavus isolated from tannery effluents.

Bioadsorption, bioaccumulation and enzymatic reduction are the processes by which the microorganisms interact with the toxic metals, enabling their removal or recovery. In the present study, a bacterial strain was isolated from tannery effluent and identified as Enterococcus casseliflavus. It showed a high level resistance of 800 µg/ml chromium. The minimal inhibitory concentration of chromium was found to be 512 µg/ml of potassium dichromate in Nutrient broth medium. The chromium adsorption was more significant by the live cells than killed cells at different time intervals. It was observed that, the inoculation of Enterococcus casseliflavus reduced the BOD and COD values of tannery effluent. The maximum adsorption of chromium was at a temperature of 35ºC to 45ºC and at a pH of 7.0 to 7.

Fungal Decolourization of Direct Azo Dyes and Biodegradation of Textile Dye Effluent

AbstractDecolourization of Direct azo dyes by fungi isolated from textile dye effluent was investigated. Seven different fungal species were isolated and identified. The fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Mucor sp. and Trichoderma viride. The fungal inoculums were inoculated into flasks containing Direct azo dyes (500 mg/l) with trace amounts of yeast extract, glucose and sucrose and then sterilized and incubated for 12 days. Aspergillus niger completely decolourized the Congo Red within 6 days. The best decolourizer of Viscose Orange-A was Aspergillus fumigatus (88.70%). Mucor sp. (69.73%) was identified as the best decolourizer of Direct Green – PLS. The dye Direct Violet-BL was completely decolourized by Aspergillus niger within 9 days and Trichoderma viride within 12 days. The dye Direct Sky Blue-FF was completely decolourized by Aspergillus flavus within 9 days and Mucor sp. within 12 days. Penicillium chrysogenum have the capacity to completely decolourized the dye Direct Black-E within 12 days. Fungal biodegradation was assessed by physicochemical analysis

Decolourization and Degradation of Dirct Azo Dyes and Biodegradation of Textile Dye Effluent by using Bacteria Isolated from Textile Dye Effluent

AbstractBacterial cultures isolated from the waste water treatment plant have the capacity to decoluorize and degrade the toxic Azo dyes. The present study was conducted to investigate the decolourization and degradation of Direct azo dyes and biodegradation of textile dye effluent by using bacteria isolated from textile dye effluent. Five different bacterial species were isolated from the textile dye effluent sample and the isolates were identified as Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The bacterial inoculums were inoculated into flasks containing Direct azo dyes (500 mg/l) with trace amounts of yeast extract, glucose and sucrose and then sterilized and incubated for 4 days. The decolourization was expressed in terms of percentage decolourization. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (97.33%) was identified as the best decolourizer of Congo Red. Klebsiella pneumoniae (98.44%) was the best decolourizer of Viscose Orange – A. The best decolourizer of Direct Green-PLS was Bacillus subtilis (99.05%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (87.27%) highly decolourized the Direct Violet-BL. Escherichia coli (61.56%) was the best decolourizer of Direct Sky Blue-FF. The best decolourizer of Direct Black-E was Klebsiella pneumoniae (92.03%). Bacterial biodegradation was assessed by physicohemical analysis

Bioadsorption of Chromium Resistant Enterococcus casseliflavus Isolated from Tannery Effluents

AbstractBioadsorption, bioaccumulation and enzymatic reduction are the processes by which the microorganisms interact with the toxic metals, enabling their removal or recovery. In the present study, a bacterial strain was isolated from tannery effluent and identified as Enterococcus casseliflavus. It showed a high level resistance of 800 µg/ml chromium. The minimal inhibitory concentration of chromium was found to be 512 µg/ml of potassium dichromate in Nutrient broth medium. The chromium adsorption was more significant by the live cells than killed cells at different time intervals. It was observed that, the inoculation of Enterococcus casseliflavus reduced the BOD and COD values of tannery effluent. The maximum adsorption of chromium was at a temperature of 35ºC to 45ºC and at a pH of 7.0 to 7.5

Antibacterial Potentiality of Ethanol and Ethyl Acetate Extract of Acalypha indica against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

AbstractMedicinal plants have been used as a source of medicine and in widespread use of herbal remedies and healthcare preparations. Nowadays, several plants have been identified for their antimicrobial properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial potentiality of ethanol and ethyl acetate solvent extracts of mature leaves of Acalypha indica against nine pathogenic bacterial isolates viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The turbidity of the bacterial inoculums was compared with 0.5 Mc Farland standards and the antibacterial potential of Acalypha indica ethanol extract was tested by using Agar well diffusion method. The ethanol extract of Acalypha indica (100 mg/ml) showed maximum zone of inhibition (30 mm) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Staphylococcus aureus showed less zone of inhibition (12 mm). The ethyl acetate extract of Acalypha indica (100 mg/ml) showed maximum zone of inhibition (23 mm) against Escherichia coli. There was no zone of inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Phytochemical tests were performed and showed that the antibacterial activity of Acalypha indica plant leaves was due to the presence of phytochemical compounds like alkaloids and tannins

Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and percentage Bacterial Growth Inhibition of essential oils against Gram Positive Bacterial pathogens

Essential oils and volatile constituents extracted from Aromatic plants are frequently used in folk medicine for prevention and treatment of different human diseases. The urge to develop alternative treatment strategies follows three different directions. In the present study, an attempt has been planned to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Percentage Growth Inhibition of Essential oils against two Gram positive bacterial pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The Essential oils selected for the present study was collected from Sidha Medicine Shop, Tirupattur, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The Broth dilution method was used for the determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Essential oils. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) studies were conducted by using various concentrations of Essential oils viz., 25 µl/ml, 50 µl/ml, 75 µl/ml and 100 µ/ml. The Essential oils exhibits inhibitory activity against Gram positive bacteria in all the concentrations. Among the seven Essential oils tested, Mahualongif oil has showed maximum percentage bacterial growth inhibition when compared to other Essential oils. The inhibitory activity of Mahualongif oil was observed more in Staphylococcus aureus when compared to Bacillus subtilis. For Staphylococcus aureus, lowest inhibitory percentage was noticed in Pungam oil and for Bacillus subtilis lowest inhibitory percentage was noticed in Coconut oil. Keywords: Essential oils, Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Percentage bacterial growth inhibition, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus

Antimicrobial activity of Plectranthus amboinicus solvent extracts against Human Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi

Plectranthus amboinicus or locally known as bangun-bangun, is an indigenous vegetable which can be freshly eaten. However, the plant is unpopular among local people and being neglected. It has been reported to be traditionally used for medicine to cure common illnesses such as cough, stomachache, headache and skin infection. Based on the potential, a study was conducted to bioprospect the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil. Plectranthus amboinicus essential oil of methanol and chloroform extract was tested against nine bacteria and four fungi i.e., Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecal, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. The methanol extract of Plectranthus amboinicus showed the maximum antibacterial activity against the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and fungi Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of Plectranthus amboinicus was more at 100 mg/ml concentration when compared to 50 mg/ml concentration. Comparatively, the Methanol extract of Plectranthus amboinicus exhibited maximum antimicrobial activity when compared to Chloroform extract. The Plectranthus amboinicus has showed good antimicrobial activity against most of the bacteria and only one fungal yeast Candida albicans. No zone of inhibition was recorded against other fungal isolates like Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Negative DMSO control. Keywords: Plectranthus amboinicus, Bacteria, Fungi, Antimicrobial activity and Well diffusion assay

Antioxidant Properties of Papayasayanam Extract of Carica papaya Stem Straw

Medicinal plants used in the traditional medicine are well-known significant sources of natural antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds which inhibit the oxidation and in general prolong the life of the oxidizable matter. Majority of the diseases are predominantly linked to oxidative stress due to free radicals. The free radicals are species with very short half-life, high reactivity and damaging activity towards macromolecules like proteins, DNA and lipids. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of Papayasayanam extract of Carica papaya stem straw. The results of the present research has showed that the Papayasayanam extract of Carica papaya stem straw has highest hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and reducing power activity when compared to control Ascorbic acid. So, these results indicated that the Papayasayanam extract of Carica papaya stem straw exhibited free radical scavenging activity against hydrogen peroxide and reducing power. Therefore, the papayasayanam extract of Carica papaya stem straw could be a potential source of natural remediates that would have great importance as therapeutic agents. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Carica papaya, Therapeutic agents and Natural remediates

Purification of an alpha amylase from Aspergillus flavus NSH9 and molecular characterization of its nucleotide gene sequence

In this study, an alpha-amylase enzyme from a locally isolated Aspergillus flavus NSH9 was purified and characterized. The extracellular α-amylase was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and anion-exchange chromatography at a final yield of 2.55-fold and recovery of 11.73%. The molecular mass of the purified α-amylase was estimated to be 54 kDa using SDS-PAGE and the enzyme exhibited optimal catalytic activity at pH 5.0 and temperature of 50 °C. The enzyme was also thermally stable at 50 °C, with 87% residual activity after 60 min. As a metalloenzymes containing calcium, the purified α-amylase showed significantly increased enzyme activity in the presence of Ca2+ ions. Further gene isolation and characterization shows that the α-amylase gene of A. flavus NSH9 contained eight introns and an open reading frame that encodes for 499 amino acids with the first 21 amino acids presumed to be a signal peptide. Analysis of the deduced peptide sequence showed the presence of three conserved catalytic residues of α-amylase, two Ca2+-binding sites, seven conserved peptide sequences, and several other properties that indicates the protein belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 13 capable of acting on α-1,4-bonds only. Based on sequence similarity, the deduced peptide sequence of A. flavus NSH9 α-amylase was also found to carry two potential surface/secondary-binding site (SBS) residues (Trp 237 and Tyr 409) that might be playing crucial roles in both the enzyme activity and also the binding of starch granules. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature