Seroprevalence and comparison of different serological tests for brucellosis detection in small ruminants

Abstract Aim: The aim was to study the seroprevalence and efficacy of the different serological tests used for detection of antibody against Brucella species in small ruminants of Banaskantha district of North-Gujarat. Materials and Methods: Total 1000 serum samples comprising of 485 from sheep and 515 from goat tested for detection of antibodies against the Brucella species by three different serological tests viz., Rose bengal plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT), and Indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA). Results: The seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants was 11.30%, 11.10%, and 8.80% by RBPT, STAT, and I-ELISA, respectively. The seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be higher in sheep than goats. The sensitivity of RBPT was found slight more than STAT, but the specificity of both tests was same. In this study, the overall agreement of RBPT and STAT with I-ELISA was found 92.50% and 92.30% in small ruminants, respectively. Conclusion: I-ELISA was a better serological test as compared to RBPT and STAT in the sense of sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity and it could be advocated for screening of brucellosis in sheep and goats

Phase behaviour of ferromagnetic fluid: small angle scattering study

The stability of surfactant-coated Mn0.1Fe0.9Fe2O4 water-based ferrofluids have been investigated with small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The results show that ferrofluids with single surfactant-coated particles tend to agglomerate over a period of time, while double surfactant-coated particles ferrofluid were found to be stable. The effect of magnetic field on the altered samples have been examined

Nanotoxicology and challenges of translation

This paper focuses on the processes of translation in nanomedical research practices and contributes to a context- and object-centred research agenda in Science and Technology Studies. In particular, it addresses how nano-specific issues in medical research are exacerbated by uncertainty and unpredictability. Analyzing the relationship between nanomedicine and nanotoxicology I discuss how scientists are involved in highly uncertain processes, which require a contingent and experimental approach to nano-objects in everyday laboratory practices. Consequently, the dealings with nanomedical materials evoke a reformulation of numerous traditional forms of toxicological knowledge and knowledge practices, and challenge the self-concept of toxicology as a testing discipline

A Novel Approach to Optimize and Formulate Fast Disintegrating Tablets for Nausea and Vomiting

The aim of this study was to optimize and formulate fast disintegrating tablets (FDTs) for nausea and vomiting using aminoacetic acid, carmellose and sodium alginate with enough mechanical strength. Ondansetron HCl (water soluble) or domperidone (water insoluble) drug were added to FDTs and their disintegration behaviour was evaluated. Plackett Burman Screening Design was used to screen the independent active process variables [concentration of aminoacetic acid (X1), concentration of carmellose (X2) and tablet crushing strength (X3)] which were found to actively influence the dependent variables [disintegration time in the mouth (DT), wetting time (WT), and water absorption ratio (WAR)] for both the drugs. Also, the coefficients of active variables (DT, WT and WAR) of FDTs containing domperidone was found to be significantly different (P < 0.05) from the coefficients of active factors (X1, X2 and X3) containing ondansetron HCl FDTs. Further, FDTs containing domperidone was prepared according to central composite design for estimating the effect of active factors (X1, X2, X3) in extended spherical domain. The regression analysis of quadratic fit revealed that DT, WT and WAR were 98% correlated with active factors (X1, X2 or X3). The optimized domperidone FDTs were further compared with superdisintegrants (croscarmellose sodium or crospovidone). The data revealed that optimized domperidone FDTs were better than domperidone FDTs containing croscarmellose or crospovidone. Hence, this novel excipients combination can be used for delivery of water insoluble drugs in place of superdisintegrants