Impact of psychological distress due to COVID-19 pandemic on spouse interpersonal relationships

Background: The novel virus, COVID-19, has proven to be a stressor on many levels due to factors like health, economic disruptions, lockdown, and stay-at-home orders. However, one of the significant stressors has been on relationships, primarily the intimate ones, like between spouses. To investigate the correlation between psychological distress and quality of spouse interpersonal relationships. Methodology: The mixed research design (i.e., qualitative and quantitative methods) was employed on 119 participants between 22-62 years of age, followed by a semi-structural interview of 12 participants, all through virtual snowball mode due to the COVID-19 scenario. Socio-demographic profile, psychological distress scale, and the quality of spouse interpersonal relationships scale and a semi-structural interview schedule were used for data collection. Results: The present study shows that psychological distress is negatively correlated with certain aspects like conflict, criticism, resentment, pressure, dominance, relative power, and exclusion of the quality of spouse interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, a positive correlation was observed with affection, emotional support, reliable alliance, satisfaction, companionship, and approval aspects of the quality of spouse interpersonal relationships. Qualitative results shows that argument with each other, disagreement, point out faults, pressurization for intimation, and violence with partner are some of the most prominent negative effects in their present life while developed understanding to each other, sense of trust, feel good, received love and affection, care for each other, emotional support, help in other household errands, and take care of children and parents are some of the positive aspects seen instead of the psychological distress perceived during this pandemic. Conclusions: COVID-19 has had considerable effects on spousal interpersonal relationships and needs further study

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial activity of the selected essential oils.

The present study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of three essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus, Eugenia caryophyllata and Psoralea corylifolia. The agar well diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial activity against five selected microorganisms S. aureus and B. subtilis (Gram-positive bacteria); E. coli and P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacteria) and P. chrysogenum (Fungus). The results revealed that the E. globulus was found to be most significant in comparison to the other oils. All the three oils have revealed higher antimicrobial activity against S. aureus.

Identification of molecular messenger genes in labeo rohita responsible for detection, co-ordination and regulation of its immune system.

Labeo rohita (Rohu) is one of the most important fish with high potential for aquaculture. It is a major constituent of human diet. As the aqua-culturist goes for intensive or semi-intensive culture systems the incidence of disease shall exceed accordingly. To evaluate the impact of stress, it is important to study the molecular messengers in detail. Acquired immunity is not functional in fishes at the stage of hatching. Consequently, at the long run of life, these fishes are dependant on innate immunity for defence against the myriad of microorganisms found in the aquatic habitat. This work was carried out to understand the protective mechanism of rohu against these pathogens. The presence or absence of the molecular messengers found in higher vertebrates, which play a vital role in immune response and regulation was ascertained. Amplification of the genes through RT-PCR technology with novel primers indicated the presence of MHC2b, interleukin 1 beta chain, MHC 2a, MHC 1a, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCSF) gene. Whereas the presence of Natural Killer cell Enhancing Factor (NKEF), Inducible Nitrous Oxide Synthetase (INOS), Interferon (INF), and β-actin genes could not be justified in this work as no amplification was observed in the RT-PCR experiment.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and chemopreventive potential of Vitamin C rich fruits.

The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Carambola, Guava. Kiwi, Papaya and Strawberry were evaluated for their antimicrobial, antioxidant and chemopreventive potential. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was performed by Agar well diffusion method Muller Hinton Agar medium against E. coli. and all the extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity. MIC values against E. coli. were also calculated by macrobroth dilution assay. The activity may be due to the high phenolic content in the fruits. Antioxidant capacity and chemopreventive ability of these extracts was also assayed in which Kiwi fruit was best among all the selected fruits. Natural compounds from these fruits can be further extracted and used as an alternative to synthetic drugs.

Liposomes as adjuvant for combination vaccines.

In the present study tetanus toxoid (TT) loaded liposomes and diphtheria toxoid (DT) loaded liposomes were prepared by reverse phase evaporation method and after combining these two vaccines the potential advantages were investigated. Prepared systems were characterized for the size, shape and entrapment efficiency. SDS-PAGE analysis of TT and DT was also performed. The selected liposomal formulations were administered subcutaneously to Balb/c mice and their immune responses were determined using ELISA after 15, 30, 45 days. After boosting the maximum immune response was observed after 45 days and was found to be 0.831 and 0.749 for TT loaded liposome and DT loaded liposomes respectively. When the mice were immunized subcutaneously with the physical mixture of TT loaded liposomes and DT loaded liposomes the immune response for the combination vaccine was found to be 1.44 and 0.741 for the TT and DT respectively. The result showed that the immune response of TT increased when it was combined with DT in liposomes. This confirms adjuvantcity of DT vis-a-vis immunogenicity. Thus, carrier mediated cocktail vaccination holds promise for clinical applications.