Characterization of influenza virus among influenza like illness cases in Mumbai, India.

The present study was carried out to monitor influenza viruses by identifying the virus and studying the seasonal variation during 2007-2009 in Mumbai. A total of 193 clinical respiratory samples (nasal and throat swab) were collected from patients having influenza like illness in Mumbai region. One-step real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR (rRTPCR) was used to detect Influenza type A (H1 and H3) and Influenza type B virus. Isolation of the virus was carried out using in vitro system which was further confirmed and typed by hemagglutination assay and hemagglutination inhibition assay. Out of 193 samples 24 (12.4 3%) samples tested positive for influenza virus, of which 13 (6.73 %) were influenza type A virus and 10 (5.18 %) were influenza type B virus, while 1 sample (0.51 %) was positive for both. By culture methods, 3 (1.55 %) viral isolates were obtained. All the three isolates were found to be Influenza type B/Malaysia (Victoria lineage) by Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay. The data generated from the present study reveals that both Influenza type A and B are prevalent in Mumbai with considerable activity. The peak activity was observed during monsoon season.

Synthesis and biological activity of mixed ligand dioxouranium(VI) and thorium(IV) complexes.

Mixed ligand complexes of dioxouranium(VI) and thorium(IV) in the proportion 1:1:1 and 1:2:1 have been synthesized using 8-hydroxyquinoline as a primary ligand and L-proline and 4-hydroxy-L-proline as secondary ligands, respectively. The metal complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic, spectral and thermal studies. The molar conductance studies of the complexes in DMF at 10(-3) M concentrations indicate their non-electrolytic nature. Room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed diamagnetic nature of the complexes. Electronic absorption spectra of the complexes show intra-ligand and charge transfer transitions, respectively. The thermal analysis data of the complexes indicates the presence of a coordinated water molecule/molecules. The tube dilution method has been used to study the antibacterial activity of the complexes against the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results have been compared against those of control tetracycline, which was screened simultaneously. The complexes have been screened for in vitro cytotoxicity (IC50) studies against Ehrlich ascites cells and Dalton's lymphoma ascites cells, respectively.