ABSTRACT
Norovirus, a member of calciviruses family is the leading cause of community-acquired and nosocomial acute gastroenteritis or inflammation of the stomach and intestine. This pathogenic virus is highly communicable and found in the stools and vomit of infected persons. The symptoms of infection include sudden vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramp, headache, low grade fever, nausea, chills, etc. This RNA virus spreads through contaminated foods or liquids, sharing norovirus loaded objects and contact with infection individual. There is neither a specific medicine nor vaccination available for norovirus infection. Some vaccines are under pre-clinical trials. However, the virus can be controlled by following good personal hygiene practices such as hand washing, eating properly washed fruits and vegetables, properly cooked foods, and cleaning of the area occupied by patient. Norovirus infection can be regulated through public awareness and dissemination of proper knowledge about this viral infection. The present review summarizes the biology of infections caused by norovirus and their control measures.
ABSTRACT
The two heavy metal tolerant bacterial isolates L. fermentum SN_4 and L. rhamnosus SN_6 were identified (isolated from curd samples) which were found to be potentially resistant to Cr6+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ under study. Both the isolates were resistant to simulated gastric juices at pH 2.0 and 3.0 at 0 hours and survived well more than 50% in 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0% bile salt solution but the isolate L. rhamnosus SN_6 showed the best survival at all the concentrations of bile salt. These two isolates showed poor antagonistic agent activity against the four pathogenic bacteria viz. E. coli, B. cereus, S. typhimurium and V. cholera. L. fermentum SN_4 showed resistant to all antibiotic except clindamycin and azithromycin, on the other hand, L. rhamnosus SN_6 was found resistant to clindamycin and tetracycline only. Also, they were found to be haemolytic negative which proved them to be a potential probiotic.
ABSTRACT
Background: In the era of industries, the problem of pollution of aquatic resources has become aggravated due to continuous wastewater disposal. The Aquatic ecosystem health can be considered as an indicator of the environmental state. Furthermore, fishes are an ideal indicators for contaminated environment. Aims: To assess the sensitivity of common carp fishes against industrial wastewaters exposure on the basis of lethal effects and behavioral changes as a tool for ecotoxicology for knowing the possible effects upon environment due to selected industries wastewater. Methodology: In this study, the effects of industrial wastewaters for different ecotoxicological parameters (mortality and behaviour changes) on common carp were studied under static conditions during different time interval (24, 42, 72 and 96 h) followed by sampled industrial wastewater quality analysis for physicochemical parameters. Results: Increased space between the gills and operculum, excessive excretion, as well as increased fish surface activity was found in the wastewater exposed fish compared to control. Conclusion: The overall findings from the present study indicate that the sampled industrial wastewaters are safe for crop irrigation but may have some adverse impact on the biota due to the observed behavioral and histological changes in wastewater exposed fishes.
ABSTRACT
Microorganisms have developed several physiological adaptations to survive within extreme ecological niches including environments contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and nuclear wastes. Microorganisms in extreme habitat are potential source of “novel biomolecule(s)” such as whole microbial cells, extremozymes and extremolytes, significantly required for environmental, industrial, and red medical/pharmaceutical biotechnology. These novel biomolecule(s) are valuable resources and may help improve economic development. The scanty information about the factors governing the microbial growth within stressed environments is the major constraint in the recovery of novel biomolecule(s) from extreme habitats. Understanding the structure, metabolic capabilities, microbial physiology, and factors governing the composition and role of indigenous microorganism is the key to success of any study. In recent past the problems associated with classical cultivation techniques have been resolved by an emerging approach referred to as “metagenomics”. Metagenomic studies give an insight into details of the structure, metabolic and physiological capabilities of indigenous microbial communities. High-throughput sequencing technologies in conjunction with metagenomics has aided in the identification and characterization of novel culturable and uncultured microorganisms with unique capabilities. Metagenomic studies have been used for isolation and characterization of novel biomolecule(s) relevant for white, grey, and red biotechnologies. The major objective of this review is to discuss the applications of metagenomic approach for bioprospection of novel biomolecule(s) and environmental bioremediation.