Incubation Period Time Research Articles

Improving the diagnosis of urinary tract infections by the use of enriched media and a 48-hour incubation period.

Introduction. The absence of a gold-standard methodology for the microbiological diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) has led to insufficient standardization of criteria for the interpretation of results and processing methods, particularly incubation time and culture media.Hypothesis. 48-hour incubation time period and use of blood agar enhances the sensitivity of microorganisms isolated significantly.Aim. To determine the sensitivity of blood agar and Brilliance UTI chromogenic agar, incubating for different periods (24-48 hours), for the detection of positive urine cultures.Methodoloy. Comparisons were made between all possible combinations of media and incubation times. As the gold-standard reference, we used the routine methodology of our laboratory, which involves prior screening with available clinical data, flow cytometry, sediment analysis and/or Gram staining. Screened samples were then cultured on blood agar and chromogenic agar and incubated for 48 hours. Also, based on the results of Gram staining, additional media were added in selected cases.Results. The most significant difference was found between chromogenic agar incubated for 24 hours and blood agar incubated for 48 hours, with the latter method allowing the recovery of 10.14 % more microorganisms (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the value of performing Gram staining to guide processing was demonstrated, as it avoided the loss of at least 5.14 % of isolates.Conclusions. At least in urological and nephrological patients it is essential to include enriched culture media (blood agar) or to extend the incubation times due to the improvement of the diagnostic sensitivity of urine cultures. Gram staining also can help detect the presence of fastidious microorganisms or mixed infections, indicating whether rich and/or selective media should be included to enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of cultures. If this methodology is not followed, it should be noted that besides fastidious species, fastidious strains of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aerugniosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia will also be missed.

Suppression of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Soil Amended with Autoclaved Lightweight Aerated Concrete Under Different Compaction and Moisture Conditions

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has been highlighted worldwide as a contributor to the greenhouse effect. Soil physical characteristics such as bulk density and moisture content can influence the emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) from soil. Soil conditioners applied to soil can also affect the terrestrial CO2 emissions. Autoclaved lightweight aerated concrete (ALC) is in use at present as a soil conditioner or calcium silicate fertilizer, it is a type of porous material made from industrial waste. In this study, we determined the effect of ALC (Inenica, Clion Co., Ltd, Japan) on CO2 emissions from paddy soil with considering soil compaction and moisture content. Laboratory experiments were conducted using soils with and without ALC (0 and 5%), under two levels of compaction (compacted and non-compacted), and two soil moisture contents (60% and 100% water holding capacity: WHC) in 200 mL glass vials. All treatments with triplicates were incubated at 25° C for 21 days under aerobic conditions. Emissions of CO2 were determined at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days using gas chromatography with the thermal conductivity detector. The addition of ALC significantly decreased CO2 emissions from soil at the early stages of incubation. Emissions of CO2 were significantly lower at 100% WHC than at 60% WHC. Non-compacted treatments showed significantly higher emissions of CO2 than compacted treatments during the incubation time period. This is possibly due to improved soil aeration and porosity, which enhanced the activity of soil microorganisms responsible for the decomposition of organic matter. The interactions between moisture content with ALC addition and compaction on cumulative CO2 emissions were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). The effect of ALC addition on CO2 suppression was more effective at compacted and 100% WHC (51% reduction compared with control). Our study suggested that precise dosage of ALC application (5%) can effectively reduce CO2 emissions from soil, under 100% WHC and compaction conditions than 60% WHC and non-compaction conditions.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Aerobic, Autoclaved lightweight aerated concrete, Carbon dioxide, Compaction, Moisture content

Physical Pretreatments Applied in Three Commercial Kits for the Extraction of High-Quality DNA from Activated Sewage Sludge.

Obtaining sufficient and high-quality genomic DNA from sludge samples is a fundamental issue of feasibility and comparability in genomic studies of microbial diversity. Commercial kits for soil are often used for the extraction of gDNA from sludge samples due to the lack of specific kits. However, the evaluation of the performance of commercial kits for sludge DNA extraction is scarce and optimization of these methods to obtain a high quantity and quality of DNA is necessary, especially for downstream genomic sequencing. Sequential batch reactors (SBRs) loaded with lignocellulosic biomass are used for the synthesis of renewable resources such as levulinic acid (LA), adipic acid (AA), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and the biochemical synthesis of these compounds is conducted through the inoculation of microbes present in the residual activated sludge (AS) obtained from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. To characterize these microbes, the extraction of DNA from residual sewage sludge was conducted with three different commercial kits: Nucleospin® Soil from Macherey-Nagel, DNEasy® PowerSoil® from Qiagen, and E.Z.N.A.® Plant DNA Kit from Omega BIO-TEK. Nevertheless, to obtain the highest load and quality of DNA for next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, different pretreatments and different combinations of these pretreatments were used. The pretreatments considered were an ultrasonic bath and a temperature of 80 °C, together and separately with different incubation time periods of 30, 60, and 90 min. The results obtained suggest a significant improvement in the efficiency and quality of DNA extraction with the three commercial extraction kits when used together with the ultrasonic bath and 80 °C for 60 min. Here, we were able to prove that physical pretreatments are a viable alternative to chemical lysis for DNA extraction from complex samples such as sludge.

LAP-MALDI MS Profiling and Identification of Potential Biomarkers for the Detection of Bovine Tuberculosis.

Detecting bovine tuberculosis (bTB) primarily relies on the tuberculin skin test, requiring two separate animal handling events with a period of incubation time (normally 3 days) between them. Here, we present the use of liquid atmospheric pressure (LAP)-MALDI for the identification of bTB infection, employing a three-class prediction model that was obtained by supervised linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and tested with bovine mastitis samples as disease-positive controls. Noninvasive collection of nasal swabs was used to collect samples, which were subsequently subjected to a short (<4 h) sample preparation method. Cross-validation of the three-class LDA model from the processed nasal swabs provided a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 90.1%, with an overall classification accuracy of 85.7%. These values are comparable to those for the skin test, showing that LAP-MALDI MS has the potential to provide an alternative single-visit diagnostic platform that can detect bTB within the same day of sampling.

In vitro Comparative Evaluation of Polylactic Acid/Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer and Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Based Guided Tissue Regeneration Membrane for Bacterial Colonisation

The study was designed to compare the extent of bacterial colonisation on the surface of Polylactic acid/Polyglycolic acid copolymer and expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene based Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane in an in vitro model by spot analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Earlier in vitro models have aimed to study the barrier function against the bacterial penetration across just one surface of the GTR membranes. No such study is present in the literature which aimed to quantify bacterial adhesion over both the surfaces of the membrane. Sterile Resorbable PLA/PGA copolymer and non-resorbable microporous ePTFE based GTR membrane were used in the study. Both groups were subdivided into two subgroup (n=10) based on incubation period of 24 and 48 hours. Incubated in Todd Hewitt broth with Streptococcus mutans, the samples were vortexed and analysed for bacterial count using spot test and scanning electron microscopy. Between PLA/PGA and ePTFE GTR membrane at 24 hours incubation time period, there was a significant difference in terms of Colony forming units (p = &lt;0.001), with the median Colony forming units being highest in the PLA/PGA GTR membrane. At 48 hours incubation time period, there was a significant difference in terms of Colony forming units (p = &lt;0.001), with the median Colony forming units being highest in the PLA/PGA GTR membrane. Our findings depict that ePTFE based GTR membrane showed significantly lesser bacterial colonisation on its surfaces as compared to PLA/PGA at both the incubation periods i.e., 24 hours and 48 hours as shown by both spot test and SEM.

Mezankimal Kök Hücre Enkapsülasyonu için 3B Baskı ile Makro Kapsül Üretimi

Purpose: Cell transplantation is a widely used method to induce cell-mediated immune reactions inside the body. However, possible immune responses to the transplanted cells decrease the efficiency of applied cell therapy. This issue can be addressed by the transplantation of cells via 3D-printed polymeric capsules which encapsulate cells and protect them from immune system attacks. Cell-loaded capsules (macro or micro) have emerged as potential carriers for more efficacious cellular therapies. In this study, 3D-printed porous capsules were prepared from biodegradable and biocompatible polyester “polycaprolactone (PCL)” and this macro-capsule was evaluated as a carrier for its cell encapsulation effectiveness.&#x0D; &#x0D; Method: The macro-capsule was designed to have dimensions of 2x5x10 mm and drawn in Autodesk Fusion 360 program. PCL was utilized for its 3D bio-printing via Axolotl Bioprinter Dual Print Head System. Leakage on the closed form of the macro-capsule was visually controlled by surface electron microscopy (SEM). Permeability of the macro-capsule was tested with trypan blue dye and human serum albumin (HSA) protein. Sterilization of the obtained macro-capsule was achieved via UV light and the cytotoxicity of the polycaprolactone capsule was tested for 24 and 72 hour incubation time periods.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: The semi-permeable macro-capsule was successfully obtained as closed and hollow form. Its porous structure was demonstrated using trypan blue dye. To evaluate the porosity of the macrocapsule, human serum albumin (HSA) protein release was performed from the macrocapsule. It has been shown that 98% of HSA was released from the macrocapsule within 24 hours. The polycaprolactone (PCL) macrocapsule was sterilized using UV light and was reported to show no in vitro cytotoxicity. In addition, it was shown that the cells in the macro-capsule consumed at least 10% glucose from the outside medium during 12 days of incubation, compared to 2D cell culture conditions, and were able to release at least 8% of the lactic acid molecules outside.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: In conclusion, reproducible fabrication of polymer macro-capsule, high viability of encapsulated cells inside, and their metabolic assessment results have obviously indicated the potential of these capsules as effective carriers for living cells with transplantation-dependent cellular therapies.

Untargeted metabolomics analysis of gentamicin-induced tolerant colonies of Klebsiella pneumoniae

PurposeAntibiotic resistance development in pathogenic bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae seriously threatens humankind. Therefore, it is important to understand the interaction of bacteria with antibiotic agents and how it acquires resistance at the molecular level. The current study describes metabolomics analysis of K. pneumoniae sensitive strains and its gentamicin-tolerant (resistant) strains. MethodsK. pneumoniae strains were treated at five different concentrations of gentamicin, increasing from a low dose (16.2 µg/mL) to the highest dose (250 µg/mL) at three incubation time periods (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Colonies obtained at various concentrations and time intervals were subjected to metabolomic analysis using GC–MS. ResultsA drastic change was observed in the morphology of K. pneumoniae colonies with the increasing gentamicin concentration. Moreover, K. pneumoniae strains grown at the highest concentration (250 µg/mL) were found tolerant to 1 mg/mL gentamicin (4-folds) and considered resistant strains. A total of 459 metabolites were identified. A sequential down/up-regulation in 4, 3, and 4 metabolites were observed in association with the increasing gentamicin concentration at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. While with the comparative analysis of resistant and sensitive strains, a total of seven down- and sixteen up-regulated metabolites were observed. The concentration of some fatty acids and sugars have been found to increase while, a few metabolites like inosine, tyrosine, 1-propionylproline, and 2-hydroxyacetic acid have been found down-regulated in resistant samples. ConclusionThese regulator metabolites might be associated with resistance development in K. pneumoniae against gentamicin and might be helpful in the rapid detection of gentamicin-resistant clinical strains.

A Dynamical Model with Time Delay for Risk Contagion

The explanation of risk contagion among economic players—not only in financial crises—and how they spread across the world has fascinated scholars and scientists in the last few decades. Inspired by the literature dealing with the analogy between financial systems and ecosystems, we model risk contagion by revisiting the mathematical approach of epidemiological models for infectious disease spread in a new paradigm. We propose a time delay differential system describing risk diffusion among companies inside an economic sector by means of a SIR dynamics. Contagion is modelled in terms of credit and financial risks with low and high levels. A complete theoretical analysis of the problem is carried out: well-posedness and solution positivity are proven. The existence of a risk-free steady state together with an endemic equilibrium is verified. Global asymptotic stability is investigated for both equilibria by the classical Lyapunov functional theory. The model is tested on a case study of some companies operating in the food economic sector in a specific Italian region. The analysis allows for understanding the crucial role of both incubation time and financial immunity period in the asymptotic behaviour of any solution in terms of endemic permanence of risk rather than its disappearance.

Assessing Differences in the Quality Properties and Ultrastructure of Eggshell as Affected by Chicken Strain and Flock Age During Incubation Period

Three hundred hatching eggs from two layer breeder flocks (Hy-Line Brown and hy-Line W-36; 150 each) were obtained at three different periods of laying cycle (early, middle and late stages). The hatching eggs were randomly taken to assess the impact of chicken strain, age, and hatching time on some eggshell measurements and structures. Results indicate that egg weight, shell percentage and shell thickness were significantly affected by strain, breeder age, and incubation time. Increasing rate of calcium absorption and utilization by the embryos during the embryonic stage clearly reflects the decrease occurred in eggshell strength. The differences of eggshell breaking strength during incubation time periods were 0.41 and 0.55 kg/cm2, the differences due to the incubation time may be due to the higher demand for calcium utilization in the late incubation period (18 days), observed on the10th day of incubation. Brown eggs recorded significant higher calcium percentage in eggshell compared to the white ones. The brown breeder hens recorded significant higher total pores per egg compared to the white egg. Concerning eggshell ultrastructure, total thickness of the brown eggshell was significantly higher than those of the white eggshell by about 3.7%. All parameters, except for total thickness, were significantly affected by the interaction between strain and breeder age. Finally, we conclude that some traits including egg weight, shell percentage, shell thickness, calcium percentages in eggshell, and total pores per egg were significantly affected by strain, breeder age, and incubation time. Eggshell ultrastructure of brown egg was better compared to the white ones.

Proportion Of Daily Abundance Of Phytoplankton Based On Time Changes In Periods Of The Best Incubation Time In Marine Waters

The research aimed to analyzing the proportion of the daily abundance of phytoplankton based on the change in time in the best incubation time period. The implementation of the research from November 2018 to January 2019 in the marine waters of Barrang Lompo Island. Water samples to identify the daily phytoplankton abundance were taken by filtering 100 liters of seawater using a plankton net. Water sampling was carried out at the observation time at 10:00; 11.00; 12.00; 13.00; 14.00 in the best incubation time period (10.00-14.00). Based on the results of the study, the change in the proportion of daily phytoplankton abundance did not differ significantly based on the change in time in the best incubation time period.

Peruvian Native Bacterial Strains as Potential Bioremediation Agents in Hg-Polluted Soils by Artisanal Mining Activities in Southern Peru

Bioremediation of soils and waters due to mercury (Hg) contamination represents one of the most critical environmental challenges. In addition, this challenge is even greater in arid soils due to the low economic interest in these regions. Such is the case of the Secocha Annex, located in the Arequipa province of Camaná in Southern Peru. In this region, the excessive use of Hg in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities has seriously endangered the health of its inhabitants. Unfortunately, there are few projects aimed at improving the environmental and sanitary conditions of this locality. An alternative to conventional cleaning technology is the use of native microorganisms that allow the recovery of ecological environments with low-cost and low-tech techniques. This work aims to present two new Hg-resistant bacterial strains obtained from Hg-polluted soils of the Secocha Annex as potential bioremediation agents. Both strains showed growth capacity on Hg substrates and their adsorption behaviors and Hg removal capacities were evaluated. By deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis, both Gram-positive strains were identified as Kocuria sp. (99.35% similarity) and Zhihengliuella sp. (99.78% similarity). Spectrometry results showed elimination capacities with values close to 28.4 and 33.3 % in an incubation time period of 45 days, with the maximum elimination efficiency in the first 24 h. These results are encouraging and offer new possibilities for the use of native strains in the bioremediation of arid soils contaminated with Hg in the Secocha Annex. Furthermore, due to the low cost and minimization of negative impacts, this technique and our bacterial strains could be used in other regions of Peru.

Conjugation of Cetuximab - Puromycin and Its Target-Specific Effect on Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Cancer is life-threatening disease and being global health problems. Chemotherapy is one of the most used therapy for cancer since many years ago. Chemotherapy is also toxic for normal cell, not specific to the target cells. Consequently, chemotherapy has various side effects. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) has been developed for specific therapy which only has killing effect in cancer cells, but the survival rate of most MAbs around 20%. Therefore, in clinical practice, MAbs administration should combine with chemotherapeutic agents. For effectiveness of therapy and to minimalize adverse effects, anticancer agent with selective cytotoxic effect on target cells is needed, the immunotoxin. Objective:This study introduces a novel approach to conjugate monoclonal antibody (Cetuximab) and toxin (Puromycin), in order to selectively inhibit proliferation of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to enhance the efficacy of MAb in target cells killing. Methods: Cetuximab was conjugated with Puromycin using a linker, i.e SATP (Succinimidyl-acetylthiopropionate) and tested on triple negative breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) which expressed EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). Cetuximab is MAb which targets EGFR. MCF-7 was used as control cells since it has low or no EGFR expression. Cell counting were conducted as viability assay at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after treatment. Results:The results showed significant reduction of live cells number in Conjugate 20 µg/mL cultured in MDA-MB-231 compared to MCF-7 after 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours incubation. In all time period of incubation, significant reduction of MDA-MB-231 live cells number was also observed in Conjugate 20 µg/mL compared to Cetuximab 20 µg/mL. Conclusion:Synthesized conjugate showed its target-specific effect in TNBC and improved the efficacy of Cetuximab on TNBC. In the future, this conjugate can be a potential anticancer therapy in treating triple-negative breast cancer.

Identification and Characterization of Peruvian Native Bacterial Strains as Bioremediation of Hg-Polluted Water and Soils Due to Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Secocha Annex, Arequipa

The water and soils pollution due to mercury emissions from mining industries represents a serious environmental problem and continuous risk to human health. Although many strategies have been designed for the recovery or elimination of this metal from environmental sources, microbial bioremediation has proven to be the most effective and environmentally friendly strategy and thus control heavy metal contamination. The main objective of this work, using native bacterial strains obtained from contaminated soils of the Peruvian region of Secocha, was to identify which of these strains would have growth capacity on mercury substrates to evaluate their adsorption behavior and mercury removal capacity. Through a DNA analysis (99.78% similarity) and atomic absorption spectrometry, the Gram-positive bacterium Zhihengliuella alba sp. T2.2 was identified as the strain with the highest mercury removal capacity from culture solutions with an initial mercury concentration of 162 mg·L−1. The removal capacity reached values close to 39.5% in a period of incubation time of 45 days, with maximum elimination efficiency in the first 48 h. These results are encouraging and show that this native strain may be the key to the bioremediation of water and soils contaminated with mercury.

Removal of doxycycline hydrochloride from aqueous solution by rice husk ash using response surface methodology and disposability study.

The huge demand and consumption of DOX, its incomplete metabolism, and complex behavior in atmosphere are causing a great ecological issue, which needs to be solved. In the present study, the suitability of rice husk ash (RHA) for the greater sorption efficiency of DOX antibiotic was investigated. Furthermore, disposability study of exhausted RHA was performed using solidification technique and leachate had undergone toxicity test to evaluate the DOX encapsulation ability. The central composite design under RSM was employed for the design of experiment and optimization of adsorption parameters. RHA was characterized using various techniques such as XRD, SEM (EDX), FTIR, BET, and zeta potential analysis. The influence of various adsorption parameters, like initial DOX concentration (C0), RHA dosage (m), incubation-time period (t), and pH were examined on the performance in terms of DOX elimination % (X1) and adsorptive capacity (mg/g) (X2). At optimized conditions, the obtained X1 and X2 were 98.85% and 17.74 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the kinetics data suited well to the pseudo–second-order model. Freundlich, Langmuir, and Redlich-Peterson (R-P) isotherm models were applied, out of which Langmuir model best performed under optimized conditions; m = 5 g/L, t = 85.85 min, DOX concentration = 89.73 mg/L, and pH = 6. The bacterial toxicity test of leachate confirmed complete encapsulation of DOX by solidification technique.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-022-18961-1.

A Study of the Impact of Graphene Oxide on Viral Infection Related to A549 and TC28a2 Human Cell Lines.

Graphene has been one of the most tested materials since its discovery in 2004. It is known for its special properties, such as electrical conductivity, elasticity and flexibility, antimicrobial effect, and high biocompatibility with many mammal cells. In medicine, the antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor properties of graphene have been tested as intensively as its drug carrying ability. In this study, the protective effect of graphene oxide against Rubella virus infection of human lung epithelial carcinoma cells and human chondrocyte cells was examined. Cells were incubated with graphene oxide alone and in combination with the Rubella virus. The cytopathic effect in two incubation time periods was measured using DAPI dye as a percentage value of the changed cells. It was shown that the graphene oxide alone has no cytopathic effect on any of tested cell lines, while the Rubella virus alone is highly cytopathic to the cells. However, in combination with the graphene oxide percentage of the changed cells, its cytotopathicity is significantly lower. Moreover, it can be concluded that graphene oxide has protective properties against the Rubella virus infection to cells, lowering its cytopathic changes to the human cells.

Microbiologically-influenced corrosion of the electroless-deposited NiP-TiNi – Coating

In this study, we reveal the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) behavior of the new electroless NiP-TiNi nanocomposite coating in simulated seawater using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique after different periods of incubation time (7, 10, 14, 21, 28 days) in a sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) medium. The biofilm formation and the corrosion products were characterized using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The EIS results revealed the carbon steel (CS)/NiP-TiNi and NiP-TiNi/SRB biofilm interfaces' characteristics after different incubation times in the SRB media. EIS measurements revealed that the NiP-TiNi nanocomposite coating's MIC resistances are superior relative to API X80 carbon steel and a TiNi-free NiP coating, with ∼93% of corrosion inhibition efficiency after 28 days of incubation.

Microbiologically-Influenced Corrosion of the Electroless-Deposited Nip-TiNi – Coating

In this study, we reveal the microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) behavior of the new NiP-TiNi nanocomposite coating in simulated seawater using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique after different periods of incubation time (7, 10, 14, 21, 28 days) in a sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) medium. The biofilm formation and the corrosion products were characterized using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The EIS results revealed the CS/NiP-TiNi and NiP-TiNi/SRB biofilm interfaces' characteristics after different incubation times in the SRB media. EIS measurements revealed that the NiP-TiNi nanocomposite coating's MIC resistances are superior relative to API X80 bare carbon steel and a TiNi-free NiP coating, with ~ 93 % of corrosion inhibition efficiency after 28 days of incubation.

SARS-CoV-2 RNA stability in dry swabs for longer storage and transport at different temperatures.

During the current COVID‐19 pandemic, different methods have been used to evaluate patients with suspected SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In this study, we experimentally evaluate the ability of spiked saliva‐moist swabs and spiked swabs without any transport medium to retain SARS‐CoV‐2 for storage and transport at different environmental settings during different incubation time periods. Our results show that at ambient temperature of 20°C, SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA remains stable for up to 9 days allowing a long‐time span for transport and storage without compromising clinical results. Additionally, this study demonstrates that saliva‐moist swabs can also be stored at −20°C and +4°C for up to 26 days without affecting RT‐qPCR results. Our data are relevant for low‐and middle‐income countries, which have limited access to rapid refrigerated transport and storage of samples representing an economical alternative. Finally, our study demonstrates the practical and economic advantage of using swabs without transport medium.

Honey-based trap for Pseudomonas: a sustainable prototype for water disinfection.

This paper introduces a novel prototype for the removal of Pseudomonas from water samples. Bacterial cells have the tendency to get attracted towards specific chemicals (chemotaxis); a 'honey-based trap' (henceforth, addressed as 'honey-trap') strip was conceptualized by integrating a combination of serine, pseudomonas-specific chemoattractant and honey to attract and inhibit the bacteria in situ. Honey, a natural antimicrobial agent, has garnered the attention as an effective inhibitor for Pseudomonal biofilms and wound infections. Dipping serine side of the strip attracted bacteria towards honey-trap, whereby the porous nature of the strip facilitated the 'trapping' and subsequent diffusion of the bacterial cells towards honey-adsorbed end of the strip. This 'honey-trap' reportedly leads to the targeted elimination of Pseudomonas, hence facilitating its removal. The percentage efficacy of this 'honey-trap' device is 96% with a log reduction equivalent to 1.6 within a time frame of 2h. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, although, not a natural contaminant of potable water, enters circulation due to improperly maintained plumbing fixtures and storage facilities. Honey-trap strip is an easy to use, biodegradable and cost-effective sustainable solution, and thus a scaled-up version of this device may enable substantial improvement in quality of potable water. Schematics showing the preparation and working of the Pseudomonas Honey-trap. Serine as an attractant and honey as an inhibitor was absorbed on filter strips (HT) for use. The strip was dipped in culture from serine end. After different time period of incubation, difference in bacterial load was confirmed by measuring the electrical conductivity and OD600nm of the culture. Additionally, inhibitory effect of HS was confirmed by placing the strip incubated with culture on agar plates and differences in bacterial lawn were monitored. Removal of bacterial cells from the suspension was also confirmed using absorption spectroscopy.

Effect of a Commercial Disinfectant CLORICAN® on Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria fowleri Viability

Swimming pool water treatment by chemicals is an essential step to avoid microbial proliferation and infections namely caused by free living amoeba such as, for example, primary amebic meningoencephalitis and Acanthamoeba keratitis. In the present study, a commercial reactive, CLORICAN, based on chlorine dioxide, was evaluated against Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria fowleri. We observed that CLORICAN could eliminate in a short period of incubation time both amoebae. Furthermore, Naegleria fowleri’s trophozoites were more sensitive than those of Acanthamoeba spp. By means of inverted microscopy, the chlorine dioxide was found to greatly affect morphology shape by increasing the cell size shrinkage.