Termites’ mortality was determined in each case of extract and solvent treated Whatman filter paper. Finally, wooden blocks of poplar (19×19×19 mm) were treated with extracts and respective solvents and exposed to termites in the field for 28 days. Minimum mean weight loss was observed in dried P. pinnata (6.38%), followed by fresh P. pinnata in choice tests.
In no-choice tests, dried P. pinnata was comparatively resistant with a weight loss of 12.37%, followed by fresh P. pinnata and P. deltoides. In toxicity bioassay, ethyl acetate-based wood extracts caused the highest mortality (41.66%), followed by petroleum ether, hexane, and water extracts at 10 mg/ml concentration. Similarly, ethyl acetate-based extracts showed maximum repellency (100%) followed by petroleum ether extracts at 10 mg/ml and ethyl acetate at 5 mg/ml after 60 min of termite exposure. Minimum wood losses were observed in woods treated with ethyl acetate extracts compared to control and other treatments in field experiments.
Isolation of Halomicroarcula pellucida strain GUMF5, an archaeon from the Dead Sea-Israel possessing cellulase
A strain designated GUMF5 was isolated in Goa-India from sediments of Dead Sea-Israel and identified as haloarchaeon Halomicroarcula pellucida based on 16S rRNA gene analysis similarity value of 99.84%. Strain GUMF5 grew on mineral salts medium with 20% NaCl and 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose-sodium (CMC-Na) as a sole source of carbon and produced haloextremozyme cellulase. The enzyme was concentrated using Sephadex G20, precipitated with ethanol, dialyzed and retentate purified using Sephadex G200, the size exclusion chromatography. A yield of 78.53% cellulase with an activity of 131.13 U/mg and 1.24-fold purity was obtained. More Details
The purified cellulase had optimum activity at 20% NaCl, at 40 ºC, 0.5% CMC-Na, pH 7 and 150 rpm. SDS-PAGE combined with zymographic analysis revealed the molecular weight of cellulase as 240 kDa, 40 kDa and 17.4 kDa. The activity of the enzyme was stimulated by metallic cations in the order of Ca+2 > Mn+2 > Mg+2 > SO4 2- > NH4 + and was inhibited by Ag+ > Fe+2 > Cu+2. Methanol and ethanol enhanced the cellulase activity by 6% and 26%, respectively.
The haloextremozyme cellulase degraded Whatman No. 1 filter paper indicated in scanning electron micrographs, exposure of open pores and fibers without any intra connectivity corresponding to paperase activity and implicating the possible use of enzyme to bio-convert cellulosic waste. Conclusively, Halomicroarcula pellucida GUMF5 (Accession number: MH244431), globally, is the only Halomicroarcula pellucida isolated from the sediments of Dead Sea producing haloextremozyme cellulase, and hence is an important biotechnological resource.
Functional Comparison of Bioactive Cellulose Materials Incorporating Engineered Binding Proteins
Whatman No. 1 chromatography paper is widely used as a substrate for cellulose-based immunoassays. The immobilized proteins are used to capture target biomarkers for detection. However, alternative paper substrates may facilitate mass production of immunoassays as diagnostic tests. Here, we assessed the physical characteristics and protein immobilization capabilities of different commercial papers.
Some substrates fulfilled our design criteria, including adequate flow rate and sufficient protein immobilization for efficient target capture. This study demonstrates that a variety of paper substrates can be bioactivated and used to capture target biomarkers, enabling development of affordable diagnostic tests from a range of starting materials.
Evaluating performance of multiplex real time PCR for the diagnosis of malaria at elimination targeted low transmission settings of Ethiopia
Background: Malaria incidence has declined in Ethiopia in the past 10 years. Current malaria diagnostic tests, including light microscopy and rapid antigen-detecting diagnostic tests (RDTs) cannot reliably detect low-density infections. Studies have shown that nucleic acid amplification tests are highly sensitive and specific in detecting malaria infection.
This study took place with the aim of evaluating the performance of multiplex real time PCR for the diagnosis of malaria using patient samples collected from health facilities located at malaria elimination targeted low transmission settings in Ethiopia.
Methods: A health facility-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected malaria sentinel sites. Malaria-suspected febrile outpatients referred to laboratory for malaria testing between December 2019 and March 2020 was enrolled into this study. Sociodemographic information and capillary blood samples were collected from the study participants and tested at spot with RDTs.
Additionally, five circles of dry blood spot (DBS) samples on Whatman filter paper and thick and thin smear were prepared for molecular testing and microscopic examination, respectively. Multiplex real time PCR assay was performed at Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) malaria laboratory. The performance of multiplex real time PCR assay, microscopy and RDT for the diagnosis of malaria was compared and evaluated against each other.
Results: Out of 271 blood samples, multiplex real time PCR identified 69 malaria cases as Plasmodium falciparum infection, 16 as Plasmodium vivax and 3 as mixed infections. Of the total samples, light microscopy detected 33 as P. falciparum, 18 as P. vivax, and RDT detected 43 as P. falciparum, 17 as P. vivax, and one mixed infection.
Using light microscopy as reference test, the sensitivity and specificity of multiplex real time PCR were 100% (95% CI (93-100)) and 83.2% (95% CI (77.6-87.9)), respectively. Using multiplex real time PCR as a reference, light microscopy and RDT had sensitivity of 58% (95% CI 46.9-68.4) and 67% (95% CI 56.2-76.7); and 100% (95% CI 98-100) and 98.9% (95% CI 96-99.9), respectively. Substantial level of agreement was reported between microscopy and multiplex real time PCR results with kappa value of 0.65.
Conclusions: Multiplex real-time PCR had an advanced performance in parasite detection and species identification on febrile patients’ samples than did microscopy and RDT in low malaria transmission settings. It is highly sensitive malaria diagnostic method that can be used in malaria elimination programme, particularly for community based epidemiological samples. Although microscopy and RDT had reduced performance when compared to multiplex real time PCR, still had an acceptable performance in diagnosis of malaria cases on patient samples at clinical facilities.
A practical method for storage, preservation and transportation of anuran urine samples using filter paper for hormone analysis
Anurans (frogs and toads) expelled urine when handled and it could provide insights into their physiological status. However, storage, preservation and transportation are often challenging. The study aimed to standardize and validate a field method for short-term storage and preserve of anuran urine samples using Whatman filter papers. To examine the efficacy of storage conditions and type of papers, urinary based enzyme immunoassays were used to measure progesterone and testosterone hormone metabolites.
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography was performed and revealed immunoreactive progesterone and testosterone metabolites in the urine samples.
- Urinary hormone metabolites concentration stored in filter paper at room temperature and control samples stored in -20°C for the same period were similar.
- Whatman grade 50 was found to be more suitable for storage of hormones than grade 3 paper for the experiments performed.
- A cheap and simple storage method for storage of anuran urine in field conditions using filter papers.•Anuran urine could be preserved and transported under ambient conditions without significant changes and loss of hormones.•This method would facilitate the endocrine monitoring of anurans in remote areas where limited logistics are available.
THERMAL PRINTER PAPER |
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| GD-PAPER | CORNING | 1/pk | 224.4 EUR |
Whatman weighing paper |
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| Z134112-500EA | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK500 | 35.34 EUR |
Paper whatman 1842-090 |
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| FIL4014 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 54.72 EUR |
Strips Crl Paper Whatman. |
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| 3001-964 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 94.62 EUR |
Whatman CHR Paper 35x45cm |
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| 3030392 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 178.98 EUR |
Whatman Weighing Paper 100x100mm |
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| 10347893 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK500 | 58.14 EUR |
Whatman pH Paper 1-11x1.0 units Indicator Paper |
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| PAP1010 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 104.88 EUR |
Whatman GB005 Blotting Paper 58x58cm |
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| MOL3119 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK25 | 394.44 EUR |
Whatman Blue Litmus Indicator Paper |
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| PAP1022 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 93.48 EUR |
Whatman Red Litmus Indicator Paper |
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| PAP1024 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 84.36 EUR |
Filter Paper Whatman G1 580x680 |
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| FIL2044 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 224.58 EUR |
Whatman No2 47mm Filter Paper |
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| FIL2051 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 10.26 EUR |
Whatman No3 240mm Filter Paper |
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| FIL2079 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 104.88 EUR |
Whatman filter paper G52 125MM |
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| FIL2261 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 47.88 EUR |
Whatman No 597 110mmFilter Paper |
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| FIL7079 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 13.68 EUR |
Whatman Chr Paper 3mm 26x41cm |
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| 30306461 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 197.22 EUR |
Whatman 3MM Chr Paper 200x200mm |
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| CHR1128 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 74.1 EUR |
Whatman 3MM Chr Paper 315x355mm |
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| CHR1130 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 164.16 EUR |
Whatman 3MM Chr Paper 460x570mm |
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| CHR1132 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 289.56 EUR |
Whatman 3MM Chr Paper 580x680mm |
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| CHR1134 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 442.32 EUR |
Whatman No4 Chr Paper 460x570mm |
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| CHR1150 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 249.66 EUR |
WHATMAN QUALITATIVE FILTER PAPER DIAM. |
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| WHA1001185 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 28.39 EUR |
WHATMAN QUALITATIVE FILTER PAPER DIAM. |
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| WHA1001270 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 56.32 EUR |
WHATMAN QUALITATIVE FILTER PAPER DIAM. |
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| WHA1001325 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 9.12 EUR |
WHATMAN QUALITATIVE FILTER PAPER DIAM. |
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| WHA1001400 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 108.3 EUR |
WHATMAN QUALITATIVE FILTER PAPER DIAM. |
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| WHA10016508 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK500 | 40.36 EUR |