Decoding omicron: Genetic insight into its transmission dynamics, severity spectrum and ever-evolving strategies of immune escape in comparison with other SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, driven by the rapid evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to the emergence of multiple variants with significant impacts on global health. This study aims to analyze the evolutionary trends and mutational landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Pune, Maharashtra, India, from August 2022 to April 2024. Using comprehensive genomic surveillance data, we identified the predominance of variants such as BA.

Evaluation of a commercial Real Time PCR for clinical samples without RNA extraction for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

RT-PCR is the gold standard for diagnosis of COVID-19. All RT-PCR kits are based on RNA extraction from the clinical sample. There was a sudden increase in demand of these kits, both RNA extraction and COVID-19 RT-PCR kits during the pandemic.

Report on aflatoxin-binding activity of galactan exopolysaccharide produced by KR780676.

Galactan exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by KR780676 isolated from an Indian traditional fermented food has been reported earlier. In this manuscript, we have studied aflatoxin-binding ability of this galactan EPS. Aflatoxin B (AFB) binding ability of galactan EPS was observed in an increasing trend with increasing EPS concentration (20-100 mg/mL).

Characterization of a novel galactan produced by Weissella confusa KR780676 from an acidic fermented food.

An exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing strain PUFSTM055 isolated from Idli batter (an Indian traditional cereal-legume based fermented food) was identified as Weissella confusa KR780676. The strain was shown to produce 17.2g/L (dry weight) of EPS in 2% sucrose supplemented MRS broth and the EPS was characterized.