Simple Cost-effective Methods Research Articles

Cervical pre-cancer screening by visual inspection of the cervix after application of acetic acid in rural Burkina Faso: evaluation of women's knowledge, screening practice habits, acceptability and prevalence of risk factors and lesions in Boussé health district.

cervical cancer is a major public health problem among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease can be controlled through early diagnosis through simple cost-effective methods such as visual inspection of the cervix after application of acetic acid or lugol´s iodine. However, screening for cervical cancer is still underused particularly in rural areas of Burkina Faso. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of cervical pre-cancer cancer in rural health district of Boussé, Burkina Faso. we conducted a cross-sectional study in the health district of Boussé in Northern-Central Burkina Faso from July to August 2014. Women aged 23-50 years were interviewed about their knowledge of cervical cancer and their screening practice and subsequently screened for cervical cancer by VIA. a total of 418 participants were included with a median age of 34 years IQR (30-40 years). Two2 hundred participants (48%) had never heard about cervical cancer. About 134 participants (32%) knew at least one risk factor of cervical cancer. Only 37 women (9%) reported ever being screened for cervical cancer. Twenty-two percent reported concurrent sexual partnerships. The majority of the women (92%) are willing to pay to get screened for cervical pre-cancer by VIA. Overall, 21 participants (5%) were diagnosed with a cervical lesion by VIA and all of them accepted treatment with Loop electro surgical procedure. screening by VIA is feasible in rural Burkina Faso, but there is a poor knowledge on cervical cancer amongst the women. There is a need to set up a comprehensive, systematic, affordable and efficient cervical cancer program including an information campaign and making screening accessible in rural remote areas.

Economic Spectrofluorometric Bioanalysis of Empagliflozin in Rats' Plasma.

A simple, economic, green, and sensitive bioanalytical method for empagliflozin bioassay in rats' plasma was employed successfully owing to the empagliflozin native fluorescence behavior. Enhanced liquid-liquid extraction, using diethyl ether (DEE), was successfully employed for the improved extraction of empagliflozin from rats' plasma based on its high value of logP as 1.8 that boosted the drug migration from plasma to the organic layer. The relative fluorescence intensity for empagliflozin was recorded at emission (299.4 nm) after excitation at 226.5 nm. The method was validated with satisfactory results for linearity (500–5000 ng/mL), trueness, precision, the matrix effect, and extraction recovery. The matrix effect ranged between 15.63% and 23.10% for LQC and HQC samples, respectively. Extraction recovery ranged between 54.61% and 62.54% for LQC and HQC samples, respectively. Bias values for the trueness ranged between −10.62 and +14.95, while %RSD values for the precision ranged between 5.39% and 9.33%. The method was successfully applied to rats' plasma samples that included six rats, and the drug concentration was determined in their plasma after 1 hour (estimated Cmax based on literature) following oral administration of empagliflozin with a concentration of 10 mg/Kg, p.o.. The developed cost-effective spectrofluorimetric method in the present work will be of beneficial use in further pharmacokinetic studies that include rats' plasma and biological fluids. Moreover, with the suitable modifications, the described novel extraction of empagliflozin could be adopted to human plasma samples and future clinical studies. Moreover, development of new simple cost-effective methods is necessary to give the researchers a set of “varieties” that they can use according to the laboratory limitations, especially in the developing countries in addition of being a greener method due to the lower consumption of toxic solvents and lower waste production.

Influence of Seed Invigouration Treatments on Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status of Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp

Background: Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is the most widely cultivated pulse crop of Kerala. Deficiencies of micronutrients viz., Zn and B are a common problem in cowpea. Foliar nutrition is very effective to correct the micronutrient deficiencies in pulses but it is too laborious. Seed pelleting and priming are two simple cost-effective methods to overcome the micronutrient deficiencies. The present study aimed to study the effect of seed invigouration with zinc sulphate and borax and to evaluate its effect along with Trichoderma viride on nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status of grain cowpea. Methods: The experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The experiment was conducted in RBD with 8 seed invigouration treatments and a control during Rabi 2018. Result: Seed invigouration treatments had significant effect on nutrient uptake and nutrient availability. Seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h recorded the highest NPK uptake by crop, the highest soil organic carbon content, available N and Zn status. Zinc uptake by crop and available soil K status were recorded the highest in seed primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h + Trichoderma viride seed treatment 10 g kg-1 seed. Boron uptake by crop and available soil B and P status were recorded the highest in seeds pelleted with borax 100 mg kg-1 seed. Hence it can be concluded that seed primed in ZnSO4 with 0.05 per cent for 4 h improved the Zn availability and uptake and seed pelleting with borax 100 mg kg-1 improved the B availability and uptake of grain cowpea.

“2-step MCI-AD”: a simple scoring system to predict rapid conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer dementia

BackgroundSeveral techniques are available to identify, among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), those at risk of conversion to Alzheimer dementia (CAD). However, simple cost-effective methods to assess the risk are not available yet. MethodsThis retrospective study included 143 MCI outpatients (76.6±5.2 years, 46.8% women). Baseline variables were common neuropsychological tests (including Mini Mental State Examination-MMSE and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-MoCA), brain CT and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET. Outcome variable was CAD after 1 year. ResultsAt follow-up, 31 (21.7%) patients had CAD. In multivariable analysis (OR, 95% CI), female sex (4.7, 1.6-14.0), MoCA-executive component <3 (6.3, 2.1-19.2), left medial temporal atrophy (MTA) ≥3 (5.4, 1.9-15.7) and FDG-PET suggesting CAD (5.4, 1.9-15.7) were associated with CAD (area under ROC curve 0.873). Without FDG-PET, MMSE score <28 remained associated with CAD (6.0, 2.2-16.9). As first step (before FDG-PET execution), we counted 1 point for MMSE <28, executive MoCA <3 and left MTA ≥3. With 2-3 points CAD probability was high (75%) and with 0 points it was low (6.5%). Thus, FDG-PET (second step) might be performed only in patients with 1 point (probability 19.7%, 42.7% of patients). Among them, 35% had a positive FDG-PET, suggesting high risk. Overall, 28.0% of patients were considered at high risk (specificity 83.9%, sensitivity 71.0%, accuracy 81.1%). ConclusionWith a 2-step procedure, less than half of MCI patients might undergo FDG-PET and nearly a quarter of our patients was found to be at high CAD risk, including almost three quarters of future CADs.

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of silica nanowires using rice husk ash: an agricultural waste

One-dimensional structures are the smallest dimension structures that represent a unique system for analyzing phenomena at the Nanoscale. Nanowires, which can be used for space confined transport phenomena and enhanced optical properties, are believed to play significant role in the function and integration of Nano electronics and Nano optoelectronics devices. Nanowires with well controlled morphology and extremely high aspect ratio can be obtained by various complex techniques but the demand of upcoming future technology is to synthesize large scale 1D nanostructures with simple and efficient cost effective methods. With this view, in the present study, large scale amorphous silica nanowires (SiO2 NWs) were synthesized from rice husk ash using Fe2O3 assisted hydrothermal method and characterizations of these nanowires along with rice husk ash (RHA) containing porous silica, were done using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL). The structural study of silica nanowires were studied using XRD, indicating the amorphous phases of silica in both RHA as well as nanowires. The chemical composition along with symmetric or anti-symmetric starching bonds of amorphous SiO2 NWs and RHA was confirmed using FTIR. The morphological study was done using SEM and TEM. The SiO2 NWs so obtained have diameter in the range from 15 to 35 nm and length about 0.5 µm. In optical study, the enhanced band gap of amorphous SiO2 NWs as compared to RHA was observed using UV–Vis spectroscopy. PL spectroscopy shows strong blue light emission by silica nanowires as compare to RHA. This study opens up new areas for research to modulate optoelectronic properties of SiO2 nanowires for the novel device application.

Making the most of data-poor fisheries: Low cost mapping of small island fisheries to inform policy

Data scarcity in small-scale fisheries hinders the effective management of marine resources. This is particularly true within small island developing states that often have limited capacity for monitoring activities that could inform policy decisions. This study estimates the spatial distribution of fishing activity in the data-poor nearshore reef fisheries of Barbados using low cost interview surveys of fishers combined with a geospatial platform. With data from over 150 fishers in the island's major reef fisheries, the estimated total annual yield ranged from 272.6 to 409.0mt, with seine fishing accounting for 65% of landings. This estimate is substantially higher than the recorded landings in official databases. Fishing activity is concentrated on the sheltered and heavily populated West Coast of the island. Reef fishing effort decreases markedly during the months associated with the offshore pelagic fishery season, as many fishers switch fisheries during this time and rough sea conditions restrict access to the nearshore windward reefs. The high levels of fishing intensity and low yields per unit of reef area appear to validate anecdotal evidence that the nearshore reefs of Barbados are heavily overexploited. The qualitative nature of interview data and other data gaps hinder the precise estimation of fishing effort and yield, where relative values are likely to be more accurate than absolute values. Nonetheless, the spatially and temporally explicit data generated here demonstrates how simple cost-effective methods can be used to fill important information gaps for marine resource management and spatial planning.

METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND ITS VALIDATION FOR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF BOSENTAN IN TABLET DOSAGE FORM BY RP-HPLC

Objectives of this research work were development and validation of HPLC methods of analysis for Bosentan in tablet dosage form from single components as per the current ICH & USP guidelines. HPLC methods also validated for the marketed Bosentan from single components. This developed procedure applied for regular analysis of these medicaments in pharmaceutical industry The major scope of research is development of simple, accurate, reproducible & fast cost effective methods for new cefalosporins. The methods are validated with recovery studies using bulk drug of 80%, 120% & 40%. Specific method is confirmed by checkingdinterference of expients & assay method. The interday & intraday assay are also performed for checking robustness of the system. The minimum detection limit is checked by using formula LOD = 3.3 sigma (St&nd deviation) / Slop, where σ indicate st&ard deviation & S denotes slop of the regression straight line. The wuantification limit is detrmined by using LOQ = 10 σ d(St&. dev.)/ S that is minimum concentration of drug can be quantified. Linearity is found in the limit of Beer’s law, straight line was constructed within the given range of the conc. of the drugs. So can develop & validate a new, reproducible, correct, & easy, less time consuming, cheap & ecofriendly method for daily analysis of drug in our general life. Keywords : Bosentan, RP HPLC, method development and validation.

ARGINASE-BASED AMPEROMETRIC BIOSENSOR FOR MANGANESE IONS ANALYSIS

The development of simple cost-effective sensitive enzymatic methods for analysis of toxic metallic ions is an actual problem. Promising tools for elaboration of such methods are Mn2+-dependent enzymes. A novel manganese(II)-sensitive amperometric bi-enzyme biosensor based on of recombinant human arginase I (arginase) isolated from the gene-engineered strain of methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha and commercial urease is described. The biosensing layer with urease and apo-enzyme of arginase was placed onto a polyaniline-Nafion composite platinum electrode. The developed sensor revealed a high sensitivity to Mn2+-ions – 9200±20 A/(M∙m2)with the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant derived from Mn2+-ions calibration curve of 11.5±1.0 µM. A linear concentration range was observed from 1 µM to 6,5 µM MnCl2, a limit of detection being of 0.15 µM and a response time – 2.5 min. The proposed biosensor may be useful to monitor manganese compounds in laboratories of medicine, food industry and environmental control service.

A Safe and Efficient Method to Retrieve Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Three-Dimensional Fibrin Gels

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display multipotent characteristics that make them ideal for potential therapeutic applications. MSCs are typically cultured as monolayers on tissue culture plastic, but there is increasing evidence suggesting that they may lose their multipotency over time in vitro and eventually cease to retain any resemblance to in vivo resident MSCs. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems that more closely recapitulate the physiological environment of MSCs and other cell types are increasingly explored for their capacity to support and maintain the cell phenotypes. In much of our own work, we have utilized fibrin, a natural protein-based material that serves as the provisional extracellular matrix during wound healing. Fibrin has proven to be useful in numerous tissue engineering applications and has been used clinically as a hemostatic material. Its rapid self-assembly driven by thrombin-mediated alteration of fibrinogen makes fibrin an attractive 3D substrate, in which cells can adhere, spread, proliferate, and undergo complex morphogenetic programs. However, there is a significant need for simple cost-effective methods to safely retrieve cells encapsulated within fibrin hydrogels to perform additional analyses or use the cells for therapy. Here, we present a safe and efficient protocol for the isolation of MSCs from 3D fibrin gels. The key ingredient of our successful extraction method is nattokinase, a serine protease of the subtilisin family that has a strong fibrinolytic activity. Our data show that MSCs recovered from 3D fibrin gels using nattokinase are not only viable but also retain their proliferative and multilineage potentials. Demonstrated for MSCs, this method can be readily adapted to retrieve any other cell type from 3D fibrin gel constructs for various applications, including expansion, bioassays, and in vivo implantation.

Assessing the effectiveness of two methods of habitat characterisation for understanding species habitat relationships, using the western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus George)

The present study assesses the effectiveness of two methods, towed video and multibeam acoustics, for characterising habitat and their ability to predict the distribution and abundance of lobsters. Lobsters were chosen as a case study for the comparison given previous work demonstrating that their strong habitat associations can be effectively modelled.Both methods of habitat assessment showed a strong association between western rock lobster abundance and size and habitat types with approximately 60% of lobster abundance and size explained by the combination of Ecklonia and sponges. Simple cost effective methods, such as towed video, can generate comparable results to more complex and expensive methods. Given the large spatial scales over which natural resources management is implemented, simple cost effective methods of habitat assessment are essential.

Participatory forest monitoring: an assessment of the accuracy of simple cost–effective methods

International forest policies have recently increased the focus on involvement of local communities in forest monitoring and management as a strategy to improve biodiversity conservation efforts and local livelihood in developing countries. However, little is known about feasible methods, costs and accuracy of participatory monitoring schemes in developing countries. This paper examines the costs, accuracy and local reproducibility of three simple cost–effective methods for monitoring forest disturbance by local participants: (1) 20-trees method, (2) Bitterlich gauge method and (3) Disturbance Checklist transect. Using one of these methods the costs of monitoring forest habitats are only between US$ 0.04 and 0.12 ha−1 annually, depending on the methods used, this is significantly cheaper than the costs of traditional scientific methods for biodiversity monitoring. Results indicate that local community members without former scientific training can collect accurate data on habitat loss and forest disturbance after only a few days of introduction to the methods, and thereby contribute with valuable information for natural resource management. The strengths and weaknesses of monitoring done, respectively, by local community members and educated biologists, respectfully, are discussed. It is suggested that these approaches should be seen as supplements to each other rather than substitutes. Finally, it is argued that monitoring schemes in developing countries can be sustained after donor funds have ceased only if the local communities play a central role and clear financially and/or socially incentives for members of the local community are incorporated.

Sensitive spectrophotometric determination of lansoprazole in pharmaceuticals using ceric ammonium sulphate based on redox and complex formation reactions

Two simple sensitive and cost-effective spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of lansoprazole (LPZ) in bulk drug and in capsules using ceric ammonium sulphate (CAS), iron (II), orthophenanthroline and thiocyanate as reagents. In both methods, an acidic solution of lansoprazole is treated with a measured excess of CAS followed by the determination of unreacted oxidant by two procedures involving different reaction schemes. The first method involves the reduction of residual oxidant by a known amount of iron(II), and the unreacted iron(II) is complexed with orthophenanthroline at a raised pH, and the absorbance of the resulting complex measured at 510 nm (method A). In the second method, the unreacted CAS is reduced by excess of iron (II), and the resulting iron (III) is complexed with thiocyanate in the acid medium and the absorbance of the complex measured at 470 nm (method B). In both methods, the amount CAS reacted corresponds to the amount of LPZ. In method A, the absorbance is found to increase linearly with the concentration of LPZ where as in method B a linear decrease in absorbance occurs. The systems obey Beer's law for 2.5-30 and 2.5-25 µg mL-1 for method A and method B, respectively, and the corresponding molar absorptivity values are 8.1×103 and 1.5×104 L mol-1cm-1 . The methods were successfully applied to the determination of LPZ in capsules and the results tallied well with the label claim. No interference was observed from the concomitant substances normally added to capsules.