Screening for microplastics in drinking water and its toxicity profiling in zebrafish.

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a major environmental problem in freshwater and marine environments. The effects of these polymers on aquatic life are well studied; however, there is limited knowledge of MP-associated health hazards in humans. We estimated the presence of MPs in different brands of bottled water available in India using the Nile red (NR) staining method.

Prospective randomised controlled trial to compare safety and efficacy of intravaginal Misoprostol with intracervical Cerviprime for induction of labour with unfavourable cervix.

A randomised prospective trial was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of intravaginal Misoprostol with intracervical dinoprostone gel for induction of labour in cases of unfavourable cervix. One hundred women with an unfavourable cervix requiring induction of labour were randomised to receive either 25 microm vaginal Misoprostol 4-hourly or 0.5 mg of intracervical dinoprostone 12 hourly.

Immunoprophylactic evaluation of a 37-kDa Brugia malayi recombinant antigen in lymphatic filariasis.

The Brugia malayi filarial antigens recognised preferentially by sera from an endemic normal population are considered to be potential vaccine candidates. By immunoscreening the cDNA library of the infective L3 stage of B. malayi with pooled endemic normal sera, a cDNA clone Bm-SL3 was identified.

Detection of enzymes dehydrogenases and proteases inBrugia malayi filarial parasites.

Lymphatic filariasis caused mainly by infection fromW. bancrofti andB. malayi remains a major cause of clinical morbidity in tropical and subtropical countries.

Identification of 38kDa Brugia malayi microfilarial protease as a vaccine candidate for lymphatic filariasis.

A FPLC purified 38kDa protease (Bm mf S-7) isolated from B. malayi microfilarial soluble antigen was identified. It showed pronounced reactivity with sera collected from 'putatively immune' asymptomatic and amicrofilaraemic individuals residing in an endemic area for bancroftian filariasis.