ABSTRACT
Rationality : During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been widespread confusion regarding the acceptance of donated bodies, especially those of COVID-19 unknown status. The present study aims to (1) quantify the fall in the body donation in COVID pandemic times & (2) explore the perception of the recipients of body donation (Anatomy faculties) and the facilitators of body donation (NGO members), regarding the problems they faced. Materials and Methods : A cross sectional study using a pre designed study schedule was conducted over period of two months. 30 Anatomy faculties from 3 Medical Colleges in Kolkata and 20 members from 2 NGOs were interviewed. The actual numbers of the body donation received has been documented from record in Anatomy Departments and actual numbers of the body donation facilitated by NGOs has been obtained from record maintained in NGO office. The responses were analysed accordingly. Results : There was significant decline in body donation activity in all the Medical Colleges during COVID times. 80% Anatomy faculties and 60% NGO members recommended posthumous RTPCR tests for COVID-19 unknown bodies. 93.33% faculties and 60% NGO members also wanted the Government to publish directives for posthumous RTPCR tests in donor抯 body. Most faculties (83.33%) were unsure as to whether embalming fluid can neutralize COVID-19 virus or not. Conclusion, Limitation & Future Scope : This study explored the hesitations, its causes and remedial measures of hindrances in body donation program in COVID times. Being an ICMR STS project, authors needed to wrap up it by only two months time; but it can be used as the pilot to continue same in larger scale. Further researches are required to assess the lethality of embalming fluid on COVID-19 virus in this perspective
ABSTRACT
In this study, grape seeds were extracted using ethyl acetate and petroleum ether by solvent-solvent extraction method. The phytochemical tests were performed to identify different phytochemical compounds present in the grape seed extract (GSE). Antibacterial activity of the GSE was determined using agar diffusion method against Gram- positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was done to identify the presence of bioactive compounds and their functional groups. The GC-MS results revealed a total of four compounds, known to have potent activity against cancer cells, viz, squalene, the most potent compound found in ethyl acetate extract and diethyl phthalate, ethyl-9- cis -11- trans octadecadienoate and (R)-(-)-14,-methyl-8-Hexadecyn-1-ol in petroleum ether extract. Cytotoxic activity of the GSE was observed against skin cancer cell lines A4321 using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) MTT assay. The IC50 value of the GSE against A431 skin cancer cell line was 480 µg/mL. This is first such report against A4321 cell lines. The study gives the overall perception about importance of GSE in medicine and nutraceuticals purposes.