Comparative Study of Two ELISA Kits for Estimation of Antibodies to Hepatitis B Virus in Human Normal Immunoglobulin and Specific Immunoglobulin Intended for Intravenous or Intramuscular Use.

Current study is conducted to evaluate method verification of two locally available kits manufactured by DSI & BIORAD for quantitative estimation of Hepatitis B virus antibodies in human normal immunoglobulin by using International standard of National Institute of Biological Standards and Control. Four analyst perform five sets of test in duplicate analysing accuracy, precision, and limit of detection, sensitivity and specificity. Our results suggest that both DSI and BIORAD kits fulfil the validation criteria and are sensitive to detect up to 10 mIU concentration precisely and accurately. DSI kit is more precise at concentration 100 mIU and economically 4-5 times cheaper in local market; on the other hand, BIORAD kits provide larger detection range up to 1000 mIU.

Study of twenty preparations of human albumin solution which failed in quality control testing due to elevated sodium content, a poor internal quality control at manufacturing unit.

Current study is conducted in our laboratory due to failure in quality control testing of twenty batches of Human Albumin solution in which sodium content is higher than the prescribed limit. These batches are received in short duration from indigenous manufacturer and is the first incident of failure of Human albumin preparation in sodium content of manufacturer. On request of manufacturer, study is conducted to rule out the cause. Repeat testing of each out of specification batch is conducted and a trend analysis is drawn between our findings and manufacturer's results, also study of trend analysis of manufacturer for the last one year. Trend analysis data indicated towards poor consistency of batches with major shift at various time intervals in sodium content of human albumin preparation. Further analysis rule out that non-traceable quality of standard used in the internal quality control testing by manufacturer is the root cause of the problem.

Assessment of Under Nutrition Using Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) amongst Toddlers Residing in Urban Slums of Raipur City, Chhattisgarh, India.

INTRODUCTION: Several indicators have been used for measurement of under nutrition in the past. They are overlapping and none individually provide a comprehensive number of under nourished in the community. The effort has been to discuss the use of an alternative indicator of malnutrition - the composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF). AIM: To study the prevalence of under nutrition of Toddlers using CIAF and compare the prevalence of under nutrition obtained by primitive indicators and CIAF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional community based study was carried out in urban slums of Raipur (C.G) during Jan 01,2014 to Sept 30, 2014 using sample size of 602. Slums were selected by multistage random sampling and the subjects were selected by convenient sampling, i.e. starting from a random point house to house survey was carried out until desired number of subjects (According to PPS) were covered assuming that slum population is evenly distributed. Attendant of Toddlers were interviewed with semi structured proforma and Height and Weight were measured by measuring tape and Salter's weighing machine respectively. Informed consent was obtained. MS excel was used for data analysis after compilation. RESULTS: Girls and boys were 50% each. By CIAF the prevalence of under nutrition was found to be 62.1% while, Underweight, Stunting and Wasting showed it to be 45.2%, 46.6% and 17.8% respectively. CONCLUSION: Primitive indices under estimate the burden of under nutrition and CIAF should be used a screening tool for assessing under nutrition.

Probing structural stability of chromatin assembly sorted from living cells.

Post-translational modifications of the histone tails and other chromatin binding proteins affect the stability of chromatin structure. In this study, we have purified chromatin from live cell nuclei using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) and studied the structural stability of this self-assembled structure. Using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, we map the effect of covalent modifications on the interaction of histone-DNA complex, by measuring the dissociation rates of histones from the chromatin fiber in the presence of different salt concentrations. Dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) experiments were carried out to measure the structural disintegration of large chromatin globules under force. The characteristic rupture of multiple linkages in the large chromatin globules show differences in the stiffness of the higher order structure of chromatin with altered epigenetic states. Our studies reveal a direct correlation between histone modifications and the structural stability of higher order chromatin assembly.

Xylanase production with xylan rich lignocellulosic wastes by a local soil isolate of Trichoderma viride / Produção de xilanase com resíduos lignocelulósicos ricos em xilana por uma cepa local de Trichoderma viride isolada de solo

In the present study, cultural and nutritional conditions for enhanced production of xylanase by a local soil isolate of Trichoderma viride, using various lignocellulosic substrates in submerged culture fermentation have been optimized. Of the lignocellulosics used, maize straw was the best inducer followed by jowar straw for xylanase production. The highest activity achieved was between 14 to 17 days of fermentation. A continuous increase in xylanase production was observed with increasing level of lignocellulosics in the medium and highest activity was observed with maize straw at 5 percent level. Xylanase production with higher levels of lignocellulosics (3 to 5 percent) of maize, jowar and barseem was found to be higher as compared to that with commercial xylan as carbon source. Sodium nitrate was the best nitrogen source among the six sources used. Maximum xylanase production was achieved with initial medium pH of 3.5-4.0 and incubation temperature of 25ºC.The enzyme preparation was effective in bringing about saccharification of different lignocellulosics. The xylanase production could be further improved by using alkali treated straw as carbon source.

Neste estudo, otimizou-se as condições culturais e nutricionais para produção aumentada de xilanase por uma cepa local de Trichoderma viride isolada de solo, empregando-se vários substratos lignocelulósicos, em fermentação submersa. Entre os substratos utilizados, o melhor indutor de produção de xilanase foi palha de milho, seguido de palha de sorgo. A atividade mais alta foi obtida entre 14 e 17 dias de fermentação. Com palha de milho observou-se um aumento contínuo na produção de xilanase com o aumento da concentração dos substratos lignocelulósicos no meio, sendo que a melhor atividade foi obtida com 5 por cento de palha de milho. A produção de xilanase com níveis mais altos de (3 a 5 por cento) de milho, sorgo e forragem verde (barseem) foi mais levada do que com xilana comercial como fonte de carbono. Entre as fontes de nitrogênio testadas, a melhor foi nitrato de sódio. Produção máxima de xilanase foi obtida quando o pH inicial do meio foi 3,5 4,0 e a temperatura de incubação 25ºC. A enzima foi eficiente na sacarificação de diferentes substratos lignocelulósicos. A produção de xilanase poderia ser aumentada empregando-se álcali ao invés de palha tratada como fonte de carbono.

Antioxidant potential of thyme extract: alleviation of N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced oxidative stress.

Protective role of thyme extract against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced oxidative stress has been evaluated in albino rats. For this, one group of rats were fed diet supplemented with thyme extract (0.5%) and served as the test group, whereas animals of the other group fed on normal diet served as the control group. The rats were fed on respective diets for a period of 2 weeks after which stress was induced to half the animals of each group by i.p. administration of NDEA at 200 mg/kg body weight. Animals were killed 48 h post stress-induction period. Feed intake and body weight decreased significantly in both test and control groups, the effect being less in test group. Increase in osmotic fragility and in-vitro lipid peroxidation (LPO) on stress induction was of lower degree in the test group. NDEA toxicity was mainly reflected in liver as evidenced by increased activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The effect was of lower degree in test group as compared with that in the control group. Increase in urea levels observed following NDEA administration was also of lower degree in test groups. Blood glutathione (GSH) levels increased more so in test group compared with control group on stress induction. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (Px), and catalase (CAT) activities decreased significantly on stress induction in erythrocytes. LPO increased in all the tissues through varying degree, and the increase was appreciably of lower degree in test group. The activity of SOD increased significantly in both test and control group on stress induction, whereas activities of Px and CAT decreased following NDEA treatment, and the effects were of lower degree in test group. Thus, supplementation of diet with thyme extract can improve antioxygenic potential and hence help to prevent oxidative stress.

Xylanase production with xylan rich lignocellulosic wastes by a local soil isolate of Trichoderma viride.

In the present study, cultural and nutritional conditions for enhanced production of xylanase by a local soil isolate of Trichoderma viride, using various lignocellulosic substrates in submerged culture fermentation have been optimized. Of the lignocellulosics used, maize straw was the best inducer followed by jowar straw for xylanase production. The highest activity achieved was between 14 to 17 days of fermentation. A continuous increase in xylanase production was observed with increasing level of lignocellulosics in the medium and highest activity was observed with maize straw at 5% level. Xylanase production with higher levels of lignocellulosics (3 to 5%) of maize, jowar and barseem was found to be higher as compared to that with commercial xylan as carbon source. Sodium nitrate was the best nitrogen source among the six sources used. Maximum xylanase production was achieved with initial medium pH of 3.5-4.0 and incubation temperature of 25ºC.The enzyme preparation was effective in bringing about saccharification of different lignocellulosics. The xylanase production could be further improved by using alkali treated straw as carbon source.

Modulation of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) induced oxidative stress by vitamin E in rat erythrocytes.

Nitrosamines, such as N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), induced oxidative stress due to the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are capable of initiating peroxidative damage to the cell. The present study was designed to establish whether pre-treatment with vitamin E (40 mg/kg body wt, intraperitoneally (ip), twice a week for 4 weeks) to NDEA induced rats provides protection against oxidative stress caused by NDEA. A single necrogenic dose of NDEA (200 mg/kg body wt) was administered intraperitoneally (ip) to the rats with or without vitamin E pre-treatment and the animals were sacrificed on Day 7, 14 or 21 after NDEA administration. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were determined in erythrocytes as indices of oxidative damage. The result showed elevated levels of LPO in erythrocytes with NDEA treatment, however, vitamin E pre-treated rats administered NDEA showed decreased LPO (Day 14 and 21). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and the glutathione (GSH) content increased with NDEA treatment and remained high in vitamin E pre-treated group. Catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzyme activities declined with NDEA treatment; however, vitamin E pre-treated rats administered NDEA, showed elevation in the enzyme activities. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity increased in erythrocytes in vitamin E pre-treated rats administered NDEA, while Se-GSH-Px activity was not affected significantly. This study demonstrates that the pre-treatment with vitamin E prior to the administration of NDEA was effective in counteracting and modulating oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes in a time-dependent manner.

Sensitivity index of antimicrobial agents: a new treatment criteria proposed for rational use of antimicrobials.

The treatment guidelines are generally decided on the basis of either percent resistant (%R) or percent sensitive (%S) bacterial population tested with a given antimicrobial that vary geographically and represent only a part of total bacterial population existing in response to the antimicrobial used. The isolates with intermediate sensitivity (%I) are either not reported or clubbed with resistant isolates though the two may differ in clinical response. Sensitivity Index (SI) of an antimicrobial is sensitive to change in any of the three co-existing bacterial population and may be a better criterion for rational use of antimicrobial.

Single particle tracking of correlated bacterial dynamics.

Pattern formation in 3D random media has been a topic of interest in soft matter and biological systems. However, the onset of long-range microscopic ordering has not been explored in randomly moving self-propelled particles due to a lack of model systems as well as local probe techniques. In this article, we report on a novel experiment, using motile Escherichia coli bacteria as a model system, to study the onset of dynamic correlation and collective movement in three-dimension. We use fluctuation of an optically trapped micron-size bead as a detector of correlated bacterial motion, and further study this behavior by analyzing the motility of fluorescent bacteria in a confocal volume. We find evidence of dynamic correlation at very low volume fractions (0.01). We show that the magnitude of this correlation strongly depends on the interbacterial distances and their coupling modes. This opens up possibilities to probe long-range pattern formation in actively propelled cells or organisms coupled through hydrodynamics and/or chemical signaling.

Interaction of pea (Pisum sativum L.) lectins with rhizobial strains.

Lectins from two varieties (PG-3 and LFP-48) of pea have been purified by affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-50. The specific activity increased by 23 and 25 folds, respectively. These lectins from both the varieties were found to be specific for mannose. The purified fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins showed binding reaction with homologous as well as heterologous strains of Rhizobium spp. The results revealed that pea lectins are not highly specific to their respective rhizobia. Moreover, these lectins showed a greater stimulatory effect on homologous Rhizobium leguminosarum strains.

Hepatic and renal oxidative stress in acute toxicity of N-nitrosodiethylamine in rats.

Nitrosoamines such as N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) produce oxidative stress due to generation of reactive oxygen species and may alter antioxidant defence system in the tissues. NDEA was administered ip as a single dose to rats in LD50 or in lower amounts and the animals were sacrificed after 0-48 hr of treatment. The results showed that lipid peroxidation in liver increased, however no significant increase in kidney LPO was observed after NDEA administration. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH-R) activity increased in liver, however, catalase (CAT) activity in liver was inhibited in NDEA treated rats. Kidney showed an increase in SOD activity after an initial decrease along with increase in GSH-R activity in NDEA treated rats. However, kidney CAT activity was not significantly altered in NDEA intoxicated rats. Serum transaminases, serum alkaline phosphatase blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and scrum proteins were elevated in NDEA treated rats. The results indicate NDEA-induced oxidative stress and alteration in antioxidant enzymes in liver and kidney to neutralise oxidative stress.

Role of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) as hypocholesterolemic/antiatherogenic agent.

Feeding of Pleurotus to hypercholesterolemic rabbits resulted in lowering of total lipids, total cholesterol and glyceride levels of plasma and liver whereas heart lipids were not affected. HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol/LDL cholesterol ratios increased in experimental animals proving antiatherogenic potential of this mushroom. The effect was further supported by the severity of tissue damage as evidenced by histopathological studies. An increase in bile acid excretion could be taken as one of the possible attributes to hypocholesterolemic action of P. florida.

In vitro effect of n-nitrosodiethylamine on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in human erythrocytes.

Human erythrocytes were used in vitro to investigate the effect of the hepatocarcinogen N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR). LPO and erythrocyte haemolysis increased with increasing concentrations of NDEA and with increased exposure time. CAT activity decreased while GR activity increased with both the increasing concentrations of NDEA treatment and exposure time. However, no alteration was observed in SOD enzyme activity. The inhibitory effects of antioxidants and free radical scavengers such as EDTA, succinic acid, sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid were observed. These agents lowered NDEA-induced LPO and haemolysis in erythrocytes. This might indicate that the generation of free radicals and subsequent LPO may play a role, at least in part, in inducing NDEA toxicity.

Down regulation of tumour necrosis factor activity in experimental hepatitis by a herbal formulation, Liv. 52.

A herbal hepatoprotective formulation Liv 52 down regulated the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) production in Charles Foster Rats treated with CCl4. Inhibition of TNF activity was proportional to the hepatoprotective activity.

Effect of pregnancy on protection of mice immunized by Japanese encephalitis virus & its experimental inactivated vaccine.

The effect of pregnancy on the protective immune response of mice to tissue culture-derived inactivated Japanese encephalitis (JE) Nakayama vaccine and to live sublethal doses of JE virus, was studied. Thirty per cent protection was found in mice, immunized with three doses of inactivated vaccine, before pregnancy and challenged after delivery. In contrast, all the mice immunized with two sublethal doses of JEV tolerated the challenge under similar condition.

In vitro absorption of nutrients from small intestine of rats fed peroxidized oil.

Feeding of diet containing peroxidized oil (peroxide value approximately 90 mEq/kg) at 10% level for 4 weeks altered the absorptive function of intestine. Rate of in vitro absorption of nutrients especially sucrose and protein hydrolysate (amino acids) was considerably reduced. Absorption of glucose, fructose and Ca2+ was only marginally affected.

Serum lipids & lipoprotein profiles of cigarette smokers & passive smokers.

Serum lipids and lipoproteins of 50 active and passive smokers were compared with levels in 25 control subjects. Active smoking resulted in an increase in total cholesterol (Tc) and triglycerides (Tg) as compared to control group. The passive smokers also showed relatively higher levels but the effect was not significant. Active smoking raised the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc) levels whereas high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) content was lowered, thus resulting in decreased ratios of HDLc/Tc and HDLc/LDLc. The passive smokers also showed slightly higher levels of LDLc and VLDLc but lower levels of HDLc, and a lower HDLc/LDLc ratio. Our findings suggest that smoking alters the serum lipids and lipoproteins and these changes are related to the duration and amount of smoking.