A rapid and simple sterility test method based on solid culture medium containing blood.

Current sterility test performed for most biological products takes 14 days. We evaluated solid medium, containing 5% blood for use in the membrane filtration (MF) and direct inoculation (DI) sterility test. Representative microorganisms prepared in a sample matrix at approximately 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 colony forming units were tested for growth by compendial MF sterility test using fluid thioglycolate medium and tryptic soy broth and also on the Schaedler blood agar (SBA). Sterility test performed on SBA was significantly more sensitive and faster in detecting various microorganisms than the compendial method, particularly for sample matrix containing 0.01% thimerosal (p < 0.05). SBA detected all microorganisms within 7 days. To implement solid medium in the DI sterility test, multiple BA plates were inoculated with the sample. All representative microorganisms were detected within 5 days. The sterility test using solid medium required 3 different incubation conditions, 30-35 °C aerobically and anaerobically to detect bacteria, and at 20-25 °C aerobically to detect mold and yeast. To eliminate aerobic incubation of solid medium at 20-25 °C, we evaluated representative species of mold and yeast for their growth at 30-35 °C and 20-25 °C in the sterility test performed on solid medium. Penicillium chrysogenum could not be detected at 30-35 °C consistently within 7 days. Sterility test performed on solid medium without any additional technology could be completed in 7 days, as compared to the 14 days required for the current compendial method.

Galantamine attenuates N,N-dimethyl hydrazine induced neoplastic colon damage by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and bimodal regulation of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission.

The present study reveals the effect of galantamine (GAL) against 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colon cancer. Wistar albino rats were arbitrarily divided into four groups (n = 8). Group 1 served as normal control (normal saline, 3ml/kg/day, p.o.); group 2, 3 and 4 received DMH (20mg/kg/week, s.c.), for 6 weeks; groups 3 and 4 also received GAL (2 and 4mg/kg/day, p.o) for 6 weeks. DMH treated rats showed decreased heart rate variability (HRV) factors, increased incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) along with the decrease in the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Increased levels of inflammatory marker cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) was also evident in DMH treated animals. The colonic surface architecture was studied using scanning electron microscopy revealed aberrant crypts(X500) and neoplastic nodules (X2000). GAL treatment helped to minimize the ACF count, restored oxidative stress and inflammatory markers favorably. To further validate our results, our study was directed to define the effect of GAL on acetylcholine neurotransmission using a simple model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Increased synaptic cholinergic transmission by GAL (32µM) was evident in the worms when studied through aldicarb assay. However, GAL (32µM) treatment negatively modulated α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAch receptor), when evaluated using the levamisole assay. GAL (32µM) treatment down regulated the genomic expression of ace-1, ace-2 along with unc-29, unc-38, and unc-50 (essential components of α7 nAch receptor). GAL by inhibiting AchE and regulating Alpha7nACh activity can improve cholinergic neurotransmission.