Identification and characterization of Aspergillus species of fruit rot fungi using microscopy, FT-IR, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy.

During the investigation of fungal isolation from fruit, the major genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium, cladosporium, Alternaria, fusarium, Colletotrichum were found. Among them Aspergillus (15 species) was found major dominant on different fruits. Fifteen different Aspergillus species viz. Aspergillus brasiliensis, Aspergillus phoenicis, Aspergillus carbonarius, four Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus acidus, two Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus eucalypticola, Aspergillus oryzae and two Aspergillus Spp. have been differentiate and identify using morphology (microscopic technique), Fourier Transforms Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy (RS) and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis). The fungal mass in powder form was used in present study. In FTIR the finger print region is important for the characterization of Aspergillus because this region is unique and contains peaks indicating the presence of DNA. From the results were found Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique and Raman spectroscopy a useful tool, sensitive, fast, economical, accurate, not require sample preparation and successfully used to identify fungi.

Chemokine CXCL11 links microbial stimuli to intestinal inflammation.

Interleukin (IL)-17 plays an important role in the pathogenesis in a number of immune inflammatory disorders. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which microbial product flagellin is involved in the development of T helper type (Th)17 cells. Serum levels of IL-17 and CXCL9-11 in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) were evaluated. The source and mechanism of CXC11 release in intestinal mucosa were examined with colonic biopsies from UC patients and a colitis mouse model. The role of flagellin in the development of Th17 cells was studied with a cell co-culture system. High serum levels of CXCL11 and IL-17 were observed in UC. Flagellin could induce the production of CXCL11 in CD14(+) cells that facilitated the development of Th17 cells. In a skewed Th1 response environment flagellin induces intestinal inflammation, with IL-17 expression predominant. CXCR3/CXCL11 pathway is involved in microbial product flagellin-induced intestinal inflammation in which the Th17 response plays an important role.

Immunological studies of ascitic fluid in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis B surface antigen.

Sixteen cirrhotic patients with ascites and HBs antigen (HBsAg), were chosen for this study. Serum and ascitic fluid samples were tested for Ag, total proteins, electrophoretic pattern and immunoglobulin IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE. Transmission of HBsAg through the peritoneal membrane was confirmed. All protein fractions and immunoglobulins were presented in the ascitic fluid. Seven patients with ascites due to intra-abdominal neoplasms were also studied as controls. Significant differences were observed and are discussed.

Antigenic studies on coronavirus. I. Identification of the structural antigens of human coronavirus, strain 229E.

Antigenic analysis of human coronavirus, strain 229E (HCV/229E), using a microimmunodiffusion technique, has resulted in the detection of six virion antigens. Comparison of the effect of several different virus-disrupting agents has shown that sodium deoxycholate or Triton X-100 were the best for HCV/229E disruption. Of the six coronavirion antigens, three were identified as virus specific and the remainder as host antigens, which were present as either integrated or nonspecifically adsorbed host components. One of the virus-specific antigens was identified as the internal nucleoprotein (229E/RNP). On the basis of immunodiffusion reactions with isolated 229E/RNP it was concluded that human convalescent sera reacted specifically with the 229E/RNP antigen.