|
An Update on Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
-- Pratap Chandran R, Sujeesh B V, Aswathi
Chandran,
Anoobraj A B, Lekshmi R Nair and Sreelekha
S
Infectious diseases are the major cause of health concern claiming a large number of precious lives
worldwide every year. The influenza virus is one among them and it can infect both human beings and animals
notably pigs, birds, horses etc. Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus, influenza A (H1N1), a subtype of
influenza A virus and it is the most common cause of human influenza with some strains found to be endemic,
causing influenza like illness and seasonal influenza in human beings. World Health Organization (WHO) has
declared swine flu as a pandemic and this took a heavy toll of human life across the globe. Scientists across the world
are battling to develop a potential vaccine against the newly emerged virus. As of now, antiviral drugs like
oseltamivir and zanamivir are in use for treatment. More over, healthy and hygienic practices also can prevent the
spread of this virus. In this paper, an attempt has been made to discuss the classification and biological origin
of influenza A (H1N1). In addition to this, the study throws light upon the epidemiology, treatment and
prophylaxis of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Researchers are actively engaged in developing a potent vaccine against
this virus and public is also more curious to know the developments. People are not that much aware about the
mode of spread and prevention about this infection. An effective method to prevent this infection is by
educating people about its manifestations and possibilities of complete cure by medication and give them a relief.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Synthesis of Oligonucleotides on Nylon Supports and Hybridization with Human Genomic DNA
-- Ajay Kumar
An oligodeoxynucleotide, 5'CTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT3' was synthesized on disulphide bond containing nylon
beads and membranes supports. The protecting groups form the oligodeoxynucleotide was deblocked by
ammonia treatment. The 5'CTCTCTCTCTCTCT3' remained anchored on to the nylon support was used for duplex
and triplex hybridization studies with biotinylated human DNA. The hybridization experiments showed that
biotinylated human DNA hybridized with support bound oligonucleotide as the color of the nylon support became purple
on development with BCIP + NBT substrate. The hybridization experiment with underivatized nylon
membrane strip (2 mm ´ 5 mm) showed no color. However, blank experiment was carried out using controlled pore
glass support (CPG-500 Ao) which showed purple color. Hence, nylon membrane strips bound oligonucleotides can
be used as a diagnostic probe and is suitable for colorimetric assays unlike CPG support.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Insilico 3D Structure Prediction of Argininosuccinate Lyase from Salmonella choleraesuis
-- C Lavanya
Modeller (a comparative modeling program) is used to predict the structure of argininosuccinate lyase
protein from Salmonella choleraesuis. All the predicted structural models are verified by the results of
Ramachandran plot, PROCHECK (checks the stereochemical quality of a protein structure), ERRAT and PROVE
validation programs. This predicted and validated structure is useful in structure-based drug design,
proteinDNA interactions, proteinprotein interactions and docking. Argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1) is a urea
cycle enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of argininosuccinate to fumarate and arginine which is an essential step
in the process of detoxification of ammonia via the urea cycle. Salmonella causes infection to humans and
animals. This infection continues to be a distressing health problem worldwide. Argininosuccinate lyase in Salmonella choleraesuis is responsible for the pathogenic activity in animals and humans. The 3D structure prediction
of this protein helps to find the active sites in the protein, thereby we can move to the further steps of drug
action and drug design.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Antimicrobial Activity of Six Indian Spices
-- A Z Abubaker, B R Ehsanand N K Bipinraj
Antimicrobial activity of different extracts (ethanol, acetone, petroleum ether and aqueous) of six spices,
viz., Ferula assafoetida (Asafoetida), Bunium persicum (Black cumin), Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), Amomum subulatum (Black cardamom), Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) and Nigella sativa (Black Caraway) were
evaluated against seven bacterial strains (Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella abony, Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium butyricum, Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus luteus) and one yeast strain
(Candida albicans). Among six spices tested, A. subulatum, N. sativa and G.
glabra exhibited significant antimicrobial
activity. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the active extracts against tested organisms ranged from
0.13 to 3.7 mg/mL for A. subulatum; 0.015 to 3.7 mg/mL for G. glabra; and 0.045 to 11.11 mg/mL for N. sativa for different microorganisms. This study suggests the selection of spices for further pharmacological investigation.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Effect of Processing Methods
on Antioxidant Availability
in Wheat, Rice and Bajra Flours
-- Chitra Pandita and Promila Gupta
Bajra is one of the major crops that is able to grow on dry land. It forms an integral component of winter
season diet, chiefly of low-income group people as compared to urban population. It is important to put in
perspective the general social-economic impact that nutritionally and biologically important mixed and alternate sources
of food can have. A comparative account of available antioxidants (before and after processing treatments)
from daily dietary sources such as wheat, rice and bajra is presented in this investigation to emphasize
focused utilization and promotion of mixed diet trends. The preliminary studies conducted in our lab suggest that
the nature of antioxidants in bajra (before and after processing) and their scope for exploitation as adjuvant
in urban diet are more promising than only relying on rice and wheat (before and after processing) as staple
source of food for the growing population. Bajra is very cheaper than rice and wheat and can have considerable
impact on economy as well as health of the society thereby decreasing the load and demand on rice and wheat
production. Bajra-based diets can reduce the risk of development of several pathological conditions like arthritis,
diabetes, atherosclerosis, ageing, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, etc., thereby acting as natural source
of neutraceuticals as well.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Hypoglycemic Activity
and Antioxidant Potential
of Ampelodesma mauritanica Extract
-- A Djilani, N Toudert, S E Djilani and A Dicko
The aim of this study is to evaluate antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic effect of methanol extract
of Ampelodesma mauritanica. The first part of this study evaluates the levels of total phenolics and total
flavonoids content in A. mauritanica and determines its antioxidant potential. To study the total antioxidant activity ofA. mauritanica, Vitamin C Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (VCEAC) was evaluated by using ABTS [2,
2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic)] radical scavenging capacity assay. In the second part, the
methanol extract obtained from the aerial part of A. mauritanica plant was tested on normal glucose-fed
hyperglycemic mice to evaluate its efficacy as a hypoglycemic agent. The methanol extract injected intraperitoneally into
mice significantly reduced blood glucose level, in dose-dependant manner
(P < 0.05). This acute effect presents a comparable glucose lowering effect with the oral hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
A Study on the Pathogenic Molds
of Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom) and
Related Materials
-- C S Shobana, K Panneer Selvam, P Manikandan, P
Amsaveni,
M Sureshkumar and R Rajendran
Pleurotus ostreatus are widely cultivated throughout Asia and its market demand is increasing day-by-day.
In order to pave the way for success of this industry, one of the critical points is how to control disease during
the process of production. Based on this fact, a study was undertaken to isolate various fungal pathogens of P. ostreatus and its related material from the period of December 2008 to April 2009. A total of 69 fungal
isolates were obtained by processing 60 infected mushroom, spawn and substrata samples procured from nine
mushroom cultivation units in Coimbatore and Erode districts. The isolates were identified as Aspergillus flavus (n = 14), Trichoderma sp. (n = 14), Rhizopus sp. (n = 12), Aspergillus niger (n = 8), Fusarium sp. (n = 2), Pencillium sp. (n = 5), Aspergillus sp. (n = 4), Alternaria sp. (n = 1) and Curvalaria sp. (n = 1) and unidentified
strains (n = 8). Growth pattern of fungal isolates on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Potato Dextrose Agar
(PDA) revealed the profuse growth of Rhizopus sp. and Trichoderma sp. The concentration of 0.175% of formalin
could not inhibit the growth of the fungal isolates but have an effect in sporulation process. Maximum number
of isolates were susceptible to commercially available fungicides viz., Propiconazole, Carbendazim +
Mancozeb, Cymoxanil + Mancozeb. Hence we suggest the use of aseptic conditions to control the growth of fungal
pathogens in cultivated mushroom not only to overcome the toxic effects of commercially available fungicides but also
to prevent the fungal invasion.
© 2010 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
|
