Deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato-deshidrogenasa (G6PD) en individuos de la ciudad de Cartagena

Introducción: La deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato-deshidrogenasa (G6PD) es considerada un mecanismo genético de protección frente a las complicaciones más graves de la malaria humana. No obstante, también representa un problema de salud pública, al ser la primera causa de anemia hemolítica de origen metabólico según la OMS. Su verdadera prevalencia en la región Caribe colombiana sigue sin ser determinada con precisión. Con el objeto de obtener un panorama de esta condición en Cartagena de Indias, se realizó este estudio piloto para la identificación de individuos deficientes de G6PD en la comunidad estudiantil de la Universidad de Cartagena y sus familiares. Métodos: Estudio piloto con 434 donantes voluntarios sometidos a ensayos de tamizaje de actividad de G6PD eritrocitaria mediante la prueba de Beutler sobre papel (spot test) y confirmatorios basados en la actividad enzimática cuantitativa. Resultados: Del total de donantes, 25 resultaron sospechosos de padecer la deficiencia correspondiente, de los cuales, 20 fueron confirmados mediante la actividad enzimática cuantitativa; alcanzado una frecuencia de 4,6% para esta afectación eritrocitaria. Conclusiones: La frecuencia de individuos deficientes de G6PD determinada en la muestra poblacional estudiada se ubica dentro los valores de prevalencia estimados para la población colombiana y ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de realizar estudios de tamizaje a mayor escala acompañados de pruebas de tamizaje molecular que permitan identificar las mutaciones con mayor penetrancia en la región Caribe colombiana.

Polycoccum, Variospora, and Zeroviella, Three New Genera for Pakistan

Two lichen species, Variospora kudratovii and Zeroviella laxa, and a lichenicolous species, Polycoccum clauderouxii are reported for the first time from Pakistan and represent first generic records as well. Detailed macro- and micromorphological descriptions and spot test results are provided along with ITS-based molecular phylogenetic analysis.

ANALYSIS OF RASA SINDOORA BY NAMBURI PHASED SPOT TEST (NPST)

Introduction: Rasa Sindoora (Red Sulfide of Mercury) is a herbomineral preparation and a well-known Kupipakwa Rasayana kalpana. An equal ratio of Shodhita Parad (Purified Mercury) and Shodhita Gandhaka (Purified Sulphur) was used to prepare Rasa Sindoora. The form of preparation which was considered by Rasa Acharya to know the effect of minimizes dose for therapeutic purpose. To analyze the medicine the best way is to standardize it and after that analyse with standard and sophisticated instrumental techniques. Aims: To ensure and assess the quality of Rasa Sindoora through Namburi Phased Spot Test (NPST) analysis. Material and Method: To assess the quality with the standard monograph of NPST - 3 Papers of Potassium Iodide, Potassium Bromide and Haridra were prepared and identify the changes on all three papers by the action of prepared solution of Rasa Sindoora in freshly prepared aqua regia. Result: All three papers of Potassium Iodide, Potassium Bromide and Haridra showed a positive result in all three phases on comparing with the standard of NPST monograph. Keywords: Rasa Sindoora, KupipakwaRasayana, Namburi Phased Spot Test (NPST).

Molybdenum Carbide and Sulfide Nanoparticles as Selective Hydrotreating Catalysts for FCC Slurry Oil to Remove Olefins and Sulfur

As the two types of major impurities in FCC slurry oil (SLO), olefins and sulfur seriously deteriorate the preparation and quality of mesophase pitch or needle coke. The development of a hydrotreatment for SLO to remove olefins and sulfur selectively becomes imperative. This work presents the potentiality of dispersed Mo2C and MoS2 nanoparticles as selective hydrotreating catalysts of SLO. Mo2C was synthesized by the carbonization of citric acid, ammonium molybdate and KCl mixtures while MoS2 was prepared from the decomposition of precursors. These catalysts were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, XPS, BJH, BET, and applied to the hydrotreating of an SLO surrogate with defined components and real SLO. The conversion of olefins, dibenzothiophene and anthracene in the surrogate was detected by GC-MS. Elemental analysis, bromine number, diene value, 1H-NMR and spot test were used to characterize the changes of the real SLO. The results show that hydrotreating the SLO surrogate with a very small amount of Mo-based nanoparticles could selectively remove olefins and sulfur without the overhydrogenation of polyaromatics. Mo2C exhibited much better activity than MoS2, with 95% of olefins and dibenzothiophene in the surrogate removed while only 15% anthracene was hydrogenated. The stability of the real SLO was significantly improved. Its structural parameters changed subtly, proving the aromatic macromolecules had been preserved.

Full plate & spot test plaque assays + PFU/mL calc. - anaerobic/slow growing bacteria v1

Protocol for plaque assays - either a full plate plaque assay that are more laborious but with high accuracy, or a spot test plaque assay that are for higher throughput but with less accuracy.

Full plate & spot test plaque assays + PFU/mL calc. - aerobic bacteria v1

Protocol for plaque assays - either a full plate plaque assay that are more laborious but with high accuracy, or a spot test plaque assay that are for higher throughput but with less accuracy.

Evaluation of Market Samples of Lauha Bhasma using Namburi Phased Spot Test (NPST)

Introduction: Lauha bhasma is a herbo- metallic preparation in Ayurveda; it possesses ruksha- guru- lekhana guna, madhura vipaka, sheeta veerya which is indicated in kushta, kshaya, pandu, krimi, etc. disease conditions. Though bhasma are prepared by following the classical methods, in this commercialized world its purity and quality is a question. So in this study, classical bhasma pareeksha and Namburi Phased Spot Test (NPST) methods were employed on two market samples of Lauha bhasma to assess their purity and quality. Materials and Methods: Lauha bhasma of both market samples (sample 1 and sample 2) were subjected to classical bhasma pareeksha and NPST test methods. Observations and Results: Both samples were subjected to NPST and different test methods then parameters obtained were compared to standard values as per CCRAS guidelines. Discussion: Both samples of Lauha bhasma have passed the classical bhasma pareeksha suggestive of proper formation ofbhasma but differed in the time period of changes observed at different phases in NPST test. pH of both samples signifies the alkaline nature of bhasma. Conclusion: Both samples have tested for different parameters in which sample 1 showed changes as mentioned in NPST standards on-time compared to sample 2.

Pharmaceutico-analytical study of Praval Bhasma (Coral calax) with two different herbs

Introduction: In the present study, Praval is used as a raw material to form Praval Bhasma. Praval (Coral) is the calcareous skeleton of the minute marine organism called Anthezoa polypus and belongs to phylum coelenterate. It is a natural source of rich calcium widely used in Deepan, Pachan, Amlapitta Raktapitta, Yakshma, Kasa, Netra Roga and Hridaya Roga (1)and Calcium deficiency diseases etc. it is administered in the form of Bhasma and Pishti. Method: Shodhan of Praval is done in Sarjika kshara. The Pravala bhasma is prepared by two different method by triturating it with Kumari Swaras and Guduchi Kashay and incineration in Muffle furnace. physico-chemical tests like Total Ash, Acid Insoluble Ash, Loss on Drying, and Qualitative analysis of praval bhasma by NPST (Namburi Phased Spot Test) are done. Result & conclusion: Praval bhasma prepared by two different medicines shows potency, efficacy for further clinical use.

Evaluation of a rapid one-step PSA test for primary prostate cancer screening

Background To enhance the convenience and reduce the cost of prostate cancer (PC) screening, a one-step prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was evaluated in a large population. The PSA SPOT test kit enables rapid detection of human PSA in serum or plasma at or above a cutoff level of 4 ng/mL to aid in the diagnosis of PC. Methods PC screening using the PSA SPOT test was offered to male participants in educational public lectures that we conducted in various cities. Test results were reported to participants at the end of the lectures. Blood samples from 1429 men were evaluated. Two independent observers interpreted the tests at 15 and 30 min. The remaining serum samples were subsequently tested using a conventional quantitative assay. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the test were 79.9, 93.0, 65.4, 96.6, and 91.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the test changed with variations in the reading time. Quantitative assessment of the intensity of the band was correlated with the PSA value. Conclusions PSA testing using this kit can be easily performed. The low cost and speed of the test make it a useful and convenient tool for primary PC screening.

Human Hazard Assessment Using Drosophila Wing Spot Test as an Alternative In Vivo Model for Genotoxicity Testing—A Review

Genomic instability, one of cancer’s hallmarks, is induced by genotoxins from endogenous and exogenous sources, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), diet, and environmental pollutants. A sensitive in vivo genotoxicity test is required for the identification of human hazards to reduce the potential health risk. The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) or wing spot test is a genotoxicity assay involving Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) as a classical, alternative human model. This review describes the principle of the SMART assay in conjunction with its advantages and disadvantages and discusses applications of the assay covering all segments of health-related industries, including food, dietary supplements, drug industries, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as nanoparticles. Chemopreventive strategies are outlined as a global health trend for the anti-genotoxicity of interesting herbal extract compounds determined by SMART assay. The successful application of Drosophila for high-throughput screening of mutagens is also discussed as a future perspective.