Performance of the Ascensia ENTRUST glucose meter for determination of blood glucose concentration in rats

Background: The Ascensia ENTRUST blood glucose meter is intended for self‐monitoring of blood glucose by diabetic patients. Use of such a glucometer would minimize blood volume requirements for the measurement of glucose in small laboratory animals. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of the Ascensia ENTRUST for measuring glucose in whole blood from Wistar rats by evaluating the effect of anticoagulant and sample processing delay and comparing normalized results with plasma glucose concentration. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the retroorbital sinus of 30 male Wistar rats with a wide range of blood glucose concentrations. Glucose concentration was measured with the Ascensia ENTRUST in nonheparinized (NH) and heparinized samples immediately after collection (Hep‐0) and in heparinized samples after a 15 min delay at 23–28°C (Hep‐15). Heparinized samples were centrifuged and glucose concentration was determined in plasma using an automated chemistry analyzer. Results were compared to assess the effect of anticoagulant (NH vs Hep‐0) and time (Hep 0 vs Hep 15), and to compare normalized Hep‐15 results with plasma glucose concentration. Results: Glucose concentration was not significantly different between NH and Hep‐0 samples. Glucose concentration was lower in Hep‐15 (77±36.9 mg/dL) than Hep‐0 (88±39.7 mg/dL) samples, but the difference was not significant. With normalization, Hep‐15 glucose concentration correlated well (r≥.98) with plasma glucose concentration but was lower by 6.0±16.7 mg/dL, with a positive bias at low glucose concentrations and a negative bias at high concentrations. Conclusion: The Ascensia ENTRUST may be adequate for repeated blood glucose measurements in rats, but its results do not accurately predict plasma glucose concentrations measured by an automated clinical chemistry analyzer.     

Status of photosynthetic pigments,lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidative enzymes in Vigna mungo in presence of arsenic

The response to arsenic was evaluated for photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidative enzymes in black gram. Black gram (Vigna mungo) subjected to arsenic doses of 100 µM and 200 µM, showed increased amount of lipid peroxidation. Activity of peroxidase (POD) increased tremendously in arsenic treated Vigna leaves over control. Similarly, activities of enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) also increased with increase in arsenic. Analysis of native PAGE superoxide dismutase activity showed one manganese (Mn)-SOD and two copper/zinc (Cu/Zn)-SOD isoenzymes in black gram leaves, whose intensity increased especially at 200 µM arsenic treatment. However, activity of catalase (CAT) decreased with increase in concentrations of arsenic. This clearly indicates that except CAT, all studied antioxidative enzymes like SOD, POD and APX showed increased expression at arsenic treatments, which reflects their protective role against arsenic toxicity in black gram plants. Photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll and carotenoids showed reduction with increasing concentrations of arsenic in treatment solutions.     

Potential of Cellulase From Bacillus megaterium for Hydrolysis of Sargassum

Bacterial cellulase can be a promising biotechnological approach in seaweed degradation to facilitate extraction of bioactive molecules. In the present study, bacterial cultures were isolated from marine and terrestrial samples and screened for cellulase production. The selected cultures were grouped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling, and the cultures showing a distinct banding pattern were identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Cellulase from Bacillus megaterium (CB-sw1-I), a native isolate, was purified by ion-exchange chromatography with a purification fold of 6.91 and specific activity of 1.66 U. The purified enzyme with molecular weight of 43 kDa was optimally active at pH 6.0 and temperature of 60°C. The potentiality of enzyme in degradation of Sargassum thallus was evident with an increase in reducing sugar. Morphology of the thallus after 10 days digestion observed by scanning electron microscope also provided additional evidence for degrading ability of the enzyme. This enzyme could subsequently be used in hydrolysis of seaweed for extraction of bioactive molecules.     

Buffalopox outbreak in humans and animals in Western Maharashtra, India

An outbreak of febrile illness with rash was reported in humans and buffaloes with pox lesions in some villages of Solapur and Kolhapur districts of Maharashtra state, India. Detailed clinico-epidemiological investigations were done with collection of blood, vesicular fluid and scab from humans and animals. A total of 166 suspected human cases from Kasegaon village in Solapur district and 185 cases were reported from 21 different villages from Kolhapur district. The attack rate in humans in Kasegaon village was 6.6% while in Kolhapur district the attack rate for buffaloes was 11.7%. Pox-like lesions were associated with fever, malaise, pain at site of lesion and axillary and inguinal lymphadenopathy in the humans. Infected buffaloes had lesions on teats, udders, external ears and eyelids. Laboratory investigations included detection of Buffalopox virus (BPXV) by electron microscopy (EM), virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Presence of BPXV was confirmed in 7 human cases and one buffalo in Kasegaon and 14 human cases from Kolhapur. The virus was isolated from 3 clinical specimens and Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) particles could be observed in EM. Thus, BPXV was identified as the etiological agent of the outbreak among both humans and buffaloes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ATI and C18L gene revealed that a single strain of virus is circulating in India. Re-emergence of OPXV like BPXV is a real danger and contingency planning is needed to define prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to prevent or stop an epidemic. Considering the productivity losses caused by buffalopox infection and its zoonotic impact, the importance of control measures in reducing the economic and public health impact cannot be underestimated.     

Diversity and regeneration status of Sarkot Van Panchyat in Garhwal Himalaya, India

We investigated the floristic composition, phytosociological and regeneration status of Sarkot Van Panchyat (community forest) in Chamoli district of Garhwal Himalaya. A total of 52 plant species of 46 genera and 26 families were recorded, which included 12 trees, 18 shrubs and 22 herb species. Quercus leucotrichophora was dominant tree species in sapling and seedling layers, followed by Lyonia ovalifolia and Rhododendron arboreum.Out of 12 tree species, 7 species in seedling stage and 8 species in sapling stage were recorded in the study area. The 44.41% species in the study area showed good regeneration status, 16.66% species were fairly regenerating,and 8.33% species showed poor regeneration status, while 33% species were not regenerating. Number of individuals from lower girth classes (0 10 cmand 10 30 cm) showed decreasing trend with the increase in size of girth class. Shannon index (H) for trees, shrubs and herbs was recorded as 1.82,2.24 and 2.41 respectively. Simpsons index (CD) was recorded as 0.21, 0.12and 0.12 for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively. The forest should be divided into compartments for better management purpose and each compartment should be closed for five years to assist regeneration and enrichment planting may also be carried out for sustainable management.     

Survival of two avian respiratory viruses on porous and nonporous surfaces

The transmission of pathogens from infected to susceptible hosts may occur through contaminated fomites and inanimate objects. This type of transmission depends on the ability of the pathogens to survive in the environment. In this report, we describe the survivability of two avian respiratory viruses, e.g., avian metapneumovirus and avian influenza virus on 12 different porous and nonporous surfaces. The viruses survived on some of the surfaces for up to 6 days postcontamination but not after 9 days. Both viruses survived longer on nonporous surfaces than on porous ones. One of the reasons for poor survival on porous surfaces could be inefficient elution of virus from these surfaces. These results should be helpful in determining how long the premises should be left vacant after an outbreak of these viruses has occurred in poultry houses.     

Standardisation and comparison of serial dilution and single dilution enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using different antigenic preparations of the Babesia (Theileria) equi parasite

Serial dilution and single dilution enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were standardised and their sensitivity and specificity were compared for serodiagnosis of Babesia equi infection. The antibody titres of 24 donkey sera of known identity were determined separately by serial dilution ELISA using three different B. equi antigens namely whole merozoite (WM), cell membrane (CM) and high speed supernatant (HSS). The ratios of the optical density (OD) of known positive and known negative sera at different serum dilutions were calculated and termed as the positive/negative (P/N) ratio. The coefficients of correlation (r) were calculated between the P/N ratios at different dilutions of sera and the log10 antibody titres of the same sera were ascertained by serial dilution ELISA. The highest value of 'r' was obtained at a serum dilution of 1:200. From log10 antibody titre of sera (y) and their P/N ratio at a dilution of 1:200 (x), regression equations (y = a + bx) were calculated separately for the three antigens. Test sera were diluted to 1:200, their OD were read in duplicate wells and were converted to the P/N ratio. Antibody titres were predicted from the P/N ratio using a regression equation separately for the three antigens. Titres obtained by both ELISAs were not significantly different from each other, thus confirming that single dilution ELISA could be successfully used to replace conventional serial dilution ELISA. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of single dilution ELISA was validated statistically using 42 B. equi disease-positive sera and 106 B. equi disease-negative sera. The WM antigen was found to be the most sensitive with a higher predictive value for negative test sera as compared to the CM or HSS antigens. Sera positive for other equine infections including Babesia caballi showed no cross-reaction with the three B. equi antigens in ELISA, thus the test was immunologically specific. Antibody titres of 109 unknown field donkey/horse sera obtained by serial and single dilution ELISA using the WM antigen did not show any significant difference. Since the single dilution ELISA was found to be more economical, convenient, sensitive, specific than the serial dilution ELISA and has a high predictive value, it is suitable for use in sero-epidemiological studies on B. equi infections in the field.     

Multiple genes confer anthracnose resistance in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) accessions of Garhwal Himalayas

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The Indian Himalayan region is very rich in the genetic diversity of French bean and therefore considered as the secondary centre of origin of French bean....     

Molecular characterization of short-day onion genotypes by intron length polymorphic (ILP) markers

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an economically important vegetable that is in high demand around the world. It is a highly cross pollinated crop, which could...