Is self-testing the next paradigm for diagnostics?

The study estimates the usability and attitude assessment of users for India's first approved rapid antigen self-test kit; the CoviSelf™. India approved its first AI-powered self-test for Covid-19 in April 2021 a few weeks after the first approval in the US. We present here a study on usability and attitude assessment of users of India's first approved rapid antigen self-test kit; the CoviSelf™.

False-positive detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in chromogenic media (Strep B Carrot Broth) due to presence of in High Vaginal swabs.

Vaginal colonization of Group B (GBS) is associated with preterm births and neonatal sepsis. Thus routine screening of GBS in prenatal care is recommended. Chromogenic media (carrot broth) aids in specific and rapid detection of GBS.

Assessment of the prebiotic potential of seed coats from green gram () and black gram ().

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients which beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of intestinal bacteria. In the present work, an attempt is made to show the prebiotic ability of husks of the pulses, Green Gram () and Black Gram (), using the known standard probiotic strains: ATCC 8014 and ATCC 8042. The husks are found to be resistant to gastrointestinal digestion, and thus contain non-digestible constituents, and support the growth of beneficial microorganisms commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract.

Comparative genomics of whole-cell pertussis vaccine strains from India.

Background: Despite high vaccination coverage using acellular (ACV) and whole-cell pertussis (WCV) vaccines, the resurgence of pertussis is observed globally. Genetic divergence in circulating strains of Bordetella pertussis has been reported as one of the contributing factors for the resurgence of the disease. Our current knowledge of B.

Genome Sequence of Bordetella pertussis Vaccine Strain BP 165.

Whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines are used globally against Various vaccine reference strains are used globally for the production of such vaccines. We report here a draft genome sequence for strain BP 165, which is used by the Serum Institute of India in the production of acellular pertussis vaccine.

Genomic Insights of Halophilic SAMP MCC 3013 and Detail Investigation of Its Biosurfactant Production.

Moderate halophilic bacteria thrive in saline conditions and produce biosurfactant (BS) which facilitates the oil scavenging activity in the oil polluted surroundings. Production of such unusual bioactive molecules plays a vital role for their survival in an extreme and adverse environment. Current research deals with isolation of strain SAMP MCC 3013 from Indian Arabian coastline sea water for BS production.

Comparative genome analysis reveals key genetic factors associated with probiotic property in Enterococcus faecium strains.

Background: Enterococcus faecium though commensal in the human gut, few strains provide a beneficial effect to humans as probiotics while few are responsible for the nosocomial infection. Comparative genomics of E. faecium can decipher the genomic differences responsible for probiotic, pathogenic and non-pathogenic properties.

Survey of probiotic preparations and labeling practices in Indian market.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted across 320 chemists shop in Pune city for their availability and labeling practices. The questionnaire revealed the data about the most sold probiotic preparations, their mode of sale, and their available forms such as tablet, capsule, and sachet. Top ten probiotic preparations were evaluated for labeling practice as per the existing regulations of the Indian Council of Medical Research-Department of Biotechnology, Indian guidelines.

Anthropogenic Activities Induce Depletion in Microbial Communities at Urban Sites of the River Ganges.

The Ganges is the largest river of India, worshiped by Hindus with a belief that bathing in the river causes the remission of sins and is considered very pure. It is heavily polluted by the unrestricted human usage including ritual practices, urbanization, and industrialization. Such perturbations may subsequently influence the bacterial community composition and ecosystem functioning.

Novel mutation in forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) gene in an Indian patient with Rett syndrome.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the progressive loss of intellectual functioning, fine and gross motor skills and communicative abilities, deceleration of head growth, and the development of stereotypic hand movements, occurring after a period of normal development. The classic form of RTT involves mutation in MECP2 while the involvement of CDKL5 and FOXG1 genes has been identified in atypical RTT phenotype. FOXG1 gene encodes for a fork-head box protein G1, a transcription factor acting primarily as transcriptional repressor through DNA binding in the embryonic telencephalon as well as a number of other neurodevelopmental processes.