Morpho-molecular Characterization of Carrot Soft Rot Incitant, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp carotovoroum

Carrot is an important root vegetable which plays an important role in human health. Globally, Post harvest diseases are the major constraint in carrot production, especially soft rot which resulting in severe yield loss. Early diagnosis of these post-harvest diseases paves a way for reducing the economic losses. Carrot samples showing typical rotting symptoms were collected from markets of four different districts of Tamil Nadu and the pathogen involved were isolated. Severe carrot soft rot incidence (66.74%) was observed in samples collected from Ooty area of The Nilgiris district and the least disease incidence of (16.21%) was recorded in Perundurai of Erode district. Pathogenicity of soft rot pathogen were conducted and the virulent isolates were identified based on Percent Disease Index (PDI) showing >50% rotting falls under disease grade 9 using disease grade scale (0 to 9). The bacterial isolates (KPB-7 and OCB-5) causing soft rot were characterized using various biochemical assays where in they showed positive response for methyl red, H2S gas production, KOH and catalase tests besides showing negative response for gram’s reaction. Furthermore, molecular characterization of 16s rRNA region revealed the soft rot isolate (KPB-7) as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp carotovorum (with an accession number OR251119).

The short and long-term impact of educational intervention on pharmacovigilance awareness in second year MBBS students: a questionnaire-based survey

Background: Under-reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is a burning issue globally. Sensitizing medical students to the concepts of pharmacovigilance in their early years through regular training holds the key for successfully perpetuating ADR reporting culture. This study attempted to assess the short and long-term impact of interventional training programs on the knowledge and perception of Pharmacovigilance amongst II MBBS students.Methods: It was a Cross-sectional, interventional, questionnaire?based study. Second MBBS, new entrants (n=127) were tested for their awareness regarding pharmacovigilance knowledge using pre-validated questionnaires at entry point and following regular training sessions, at 1 week (short-term) and at 1 year (long-term). Students� perceptions towards ADR monitoring were also recorded. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Independent t-test/Mann-Whitney-U test for identifying mean difference and paired-t-test/Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired data was used for quantitative and qualitative data analysis accordingly.Results: Significant improvement in scores following training was seen at both short (10.8�914) and long term (11.63�516) compared to base-line scores (6.07�036). There was significant increase in long-term scores compared to short-term scores (<0.001). Female students performed better than their male counterparts. Majority of students positively perceived the need for ADR monitoring and reporting.Conclusions: Pharmacovigilance training increases students� knowledge significantly. Strengthening the existing pharmacovigilance activities through regular refresher training programs and adequate sequencing in curriculum not only maintains but improves students� knowledge significantly.

Antibacterial Activity of Floral Petals of Some Angiosperms

The in vitro antibacterial assay was carried out against both Gram positive (B. cerus and S. aureus) and Gram negative (E. coli and K. pneumoniae) bacteria. Floral petals of 20 different species of plants were collected and tested for antibacterial activity. The result showed that the petals were active against both Gram positive and Gram negative. Out of 20 floral petals tested, 19 floral petals exhibited antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains. The minimal inhibitory zone of floral petal discs against human pathogenic bacteria varies from 2 – 6 mm. Rosa carolina and Ruellia tuberosa showed significance inhibition zone for all the bacterial strains while Lantana camara does not show inhibition zone for any of these pathogenic bacteria.

Consumers’ Opinion towards Food Product Recall

Aim: To examine consumers’ opinion towards food product harm crisis. Research Design: Primary data was collected using well-structured questionnaire. Online survey was conducted and responses were obtained from 100 respondents. The study used convenience sampling technique in order to full fill the objectives. Methodology: Percentage analysis was used to analyze the data collected. Results: The results revealed that that the quality is the major factor influencing purchase of food products rather than its taste and promotional activities. Besides, majority of respondents would buy the product again if the issues were resolved. Also, the study revealed that consumers’ would switch the brand if there is any quality issues arise in usual brands they are buying. Conclusion: Results inferred that brand loyalty is dependent on the quality of the product. In order to overcome the food harm crisis, it is suggested that, stringent measures need to be taken regarding the quality of the product, traceability system needs to be implemented for the food products to ensure food safety.

Oral Health Care For Pregnant Patients.

Pregnancy is a unique time in a woman’s life and is characterized by complex physiological changes. These changes can adversely affect oral health. pregnancy is also an opportune time to educate women about preventing dental caries in young children, a common childhood problem. Although multiple studies have shown an association between periodontal infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as premature delivery and low birth weight, recent randomized. Pregnancy by itself is not a reason to defer routine dental care and necessary treatment for oral health problems. diagnosis and treatment, including needed dental x-rays, can be undertaken safely during the first trimester of pregnancy. Needed treatment can be provided throughout the remainder of the pregnancy; however, the time period between the 14th and 20th week is considered ideal.

Tea and Mint Extracts Modulate the HSP70 Expression in Preeclamptic Placental Explant.

Heat shock protein 70 is a molecular chaperone which expressed during oxidative stress to protect the cell from damage. Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder with an oxidative stress imbalance. Antioxidant defenses appear to be depleted during preeclampsia resulting in increased oxidative stress. Various alternative medicines are employed to increase the endogenous antioxidant level during preeclampsia. The aim of the present study was to determine the modulatory effect of medicinal plants, Camellia sinensis and Mentha spicata on oxidative stress, antioxidant and thiol status using placental explant as the model system. Placental explants were cultured from the placental tissues of both normotensive and preeclamptic subjects. The lipid peroxide, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione redox ratio, HSP70 levels were measured in the placental explants with and without incubation with tea, mint and mint-tea. The addition of these three extracts increased the TAC and GRR in both placental explants with decrease in the LPO level. The expression of HSP70 also decreased more significantly in preeclamptic explants on addition of tea and mint extracts due to the restoration of cell homeostasis via maintaining the antioxidant status. In view of the above results, mint-tea may emerge as an effective antioxidant, preventing cell damage during stress condition.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in antenatal women.

A total of 500 antenatal women in their first or second trimesters were screened over a period of 2 years for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Out of them, 8.4% (42) were culture positive. A control group of 100 non-pregnant women, both married and unmarried, was also simultaneously screened. The control group yielded an overall culture positivity of 3% (4% in the married non-pregnant women and 2% in the unmarried women). Primigravida had highest percent culture positivity of 66.6%. The incidence was higher in less than 20 years age group i.e. 71.42%. Of the screening tests, Gram stained smear when compared with the standard loop method, showed the highest sensitivity of 95.2%. The specificity of the screening tests was high [Gram stained smear (98.6%), catalase test (97.1%) and pus cell count(96.5%)]. Escherichia coli was the most common organism isolated in the test and control groups. The organisms were sensitive to cephalexin, nitrofurantoin, amoxycillin and norfloxacin in decreasing order. Incidence of prematurity was 75% and that of low birth weight was 50% in untreated patients.